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The Elements of Nature, Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)	Chapter 7, Ba Sing Se	The Elements of Nature Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning) Chapter 7, Ba Sing Se The group finally make it to the outer limits of Ba Sing Se on their chariot, and they are excited. "We're getting closer!" Rainbow Dash then said, "I can hardly wait!" "I'm so excited, I ... I feel like shouting! Woo hoo!" Fluttershy said, thou she shouted in her usually quiet way. "Whooowee! Ba Sing Se, here we come!" Applejack yelled. "Oh, I do hope I look festive enough!" Rarity said as she has a giant Chinese like hat on that's decorated with green gems. Pinkie then pops out of it. "There it is! Ba Sing Se! "Oooh..." They all said as they see the outer wall that is 100 meters tall. But Fire' isn't enjoying the sight of the wall. Twilight is the first to notice. "Whats wrong Fire'?" "That. That's whats wrong." He then points to a giant cigar shape object a few miles away. It's a giant drill at least a mile or two in length. "That thing is huge!" "What is that thin'?" Applejack asked. "It looks like a giant drill." Twilight said. "That thing can go throw the wall in no time I bet." Blitz said. "We need to get to the city fast." Shining said to the pegasi who are flying the chariot they are in. ================================================================== The drill in question is moving across the ground by several sections of the drill extend forward, releasing steam as spikes are driven into the ground. Inside are Princess Azula, her friends, Mai and Ty Lee, and War Minister Qin and several operators of the drill. He has a dark red coat and a light gray mane. His cutie mark is a pistol. "This drill is a feat of scientific ingenuity and raw destructive power. Once it tunnels through the wall, our troops will storm their city. The Earth Kingdom will finally fall and you can claim Ba Sing Se in the name of your father. Nothing can stop us." Qin said to the Princess and her friends. "Hmmm, what about those muscle-y guys down there?" Ty Lee said as she peers through a periscope at several Geo Firma troops using magic to create large trenches, Fire Nation forces following them in hot pursuit. "Please. The drill's metal shell is impervious to any attack." "Oh, I'm sure it is, War Minister Qin, but just to be on the safe side ... Mai and Ty Lee, take the enemy unicorns out!" Mai, who is sitting in a chair, swings a knife around her hoof. "Finally, something to do." She then heads out with Ty Lee. ================================================================== The group land on the wall and are stopped by a guard. "What are you ponies doing here? Civilians aren't allowed on the wall!" "I'm the Avatar of Fire. My friends here are the Avatars of Water, Earth, and Lighting. Take us to whoever is in charge." At a portion of the Outer Wall where a roof rises overhead, supported by tall arches, an Geo Firma general sits behind a desk. "It is an honor to welcome you to the Outer Wall, young Avatars, but your help is not needed." "Not needed?" Blitz said in disbelief. "Not needed. I have the situation under control. I assure you the Fire Nation cannot penetrate this wall. Many have tried to break through it, but none have succeeded." "What about the Fire Nation general Iroh? He got in." Terra said to him. "Well ... uh, technically yes, but he was quickly expunged. Nevertheless, that is why the city is named Ba Sing Se. It's the 'impenetrable city.' They don't call it Na Sing Se. Ha ha ha. That means 'penetrable city.'" "Yeah, thanks for the tour, but we still got the drill problem." Rainbow said to him. "Not for long. To stop it, I've sent an elite platoon of unicorns called the Earth Team." "That's a good group name. Very catchy." Pinkie said to him. ================================================================== The Earth Team is launching their assault on the Fire Nation drill. They manage to overthrow one tank and get closer to the drill. "Ready ... attack!" The team leader yelled out as he and the others wedge large earth spikes into the metal shell of the drill to halt it. However, the drill's segments separate, reducing the columns to crumbles. The Earth Team narrowly manages to conjure up shields to defend themselves against an assault of flying daggers hurled by Mai. She and Ty Lee are sliding down the shell of the drill. Ty Lee lands gracefully onto the ground and effortlessly manages to defeat the unicorns through an acrobatic display, using chi-blocking. ================================================================== "We're doomed!" The general said as he began to fail his front legs in panic. Shining then slaps him."Get a hold of yourself, colt!" "You're right. I'm sorry." "Maybe you would like the 4 Avatar's help now?" Twilight said to him. "Yes, please." The general said to them. Fire' is looking at the drill. "The question is, how are we going to stop that thing?" Twilight said as she and the others turn to Shining. "Why are you all looking at me?" "You're the idea guy." Fire' said to him. "So I'm the only one who can ever come up with a plan? That's a lot of pressure." "And also the complaining guy." Twilight remarked. "Very funny." ================================================================== At the entrance to Ba Sing Se from where the ferries take the refugees, a ticket mare is inspecting Zuko and Iroh's tickets. "So, Mr. Lee and Mr. ummm ... Mushy, is it?" She said. "It's pronounced Mushi." "You telling me how to do my job?" "Uh, no, no, no. But may I say you're like a flower in bloom. Your beauty is intoxicating." "You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome. Raorr! Welcome to Ba Sing Se." Zuko is disgusted by what he just saw. "I'm going to forget I saw that." He then grabs his ticket and leaves. Jet is watching Zuko who's using the alias Lee. "I think Lee would make a good Freedom Fighter. He's just trying to find his way in the world, like us." Jet said to Smellerbee and Longshot. "You don't know anything about him, Jet." "I know he didn't get that scar from a pegasus." "Besides, I thought we were going straight now." "We are and the new Freedom Fighters could use a guy like Lee. What do think, Longshot?" Longshot only looks over at him silently, with a meaningful look on his face. "I can respect that." ================================================================== Meanwhile, back at the Outer Wall, Agua attempts to heal a member of the Earth Team. "What's wrong with him? He doesn't look injured." The general asked. Agua then stops. "His chi is blocked. Who did this to you?" "Two mares ambushed us. One of them hit me with a bunch of quick jabs and suddenly I couldn't use my magic anymore and I could barely move. Then she cartwheeled away." Twilights eyes widen in realization. "Ty Lee. She doesn't look dangerous, but she knows the pony body and its weak points. It's like she takes you down from the inside." "Thats it!" Shining said excitedly. "Whats it?" "What you just said! That's how we're going to take down the drill! The same way Ty Lee took down all those big unicorns!" "By hitting its pressure points!" Terra said. Fire' then looks out over the wall with a determined look at the drill. "We'll take it down from the inside." ================================================================== On the ground in front of the Fire Nation drill, Terra, Agua, Firebrand, and Blitz are waiting in a trench. "Once I whip up some cover, you're not going to be able to see so stay close to me." Terra said to them. She steps outside the trench and with a powerful stomp of her foot, sends a mass of flying debris clouding toward the drill. "Run!" Terra yelled as the group race into the dust cloud behind Terra. ================================================================== At the command module where Ty Lee is peering at the cloud through the periscope. "Hey, look at that dust cloud. It's so ... poofy." She then looks away from the periscope. "Poof." "Don't worry, Princess. I'm sure it's nothing." Qin said to her, while she casts his a doubtful look. ================================================================== Back outside, the group is standing in the midst of the dust beside the drill. Terra earthbends a hole in the ground. "Everyone into the hole!" They then jump into the hole. "It's so dark down here, I can't see a thing." Blitz said. "Oh no, what a nightmare!" Terra sarcastically said. "Sorry." They make their way to the surface underneath the drill where Fire' spots an opening. "There!" Agua then flies up to the a bar hanging from the opening and, dangling upside-down from her legs. She then hoists Fire' while Blitz flies into the drill. They realizes Terra is not following them. Blitz sticks his head out of the drill. "Terra, come on!" "No way am I going in that metal monster. I can't bend in there. I'll try to slow it down out here." "Okay, good luck!" The two then disappear. Outside, Terra earthbends a wedge of rock into the drill, however, it is proving to be a difficult task. Inside the drill, where Fire' is leading the others through a tunnel of valves and pipes. "Were gonna need a plan of this machine. Some schematics that show what the inside looks like. Then we can find its weak points." "Where are we going to get something like that?" Blitz asked. He then sees that Fire' unexpectedly cuts off a steam valve with his sword. "What are you doing? Somepony's going to hear us!" "That's the point. I figure a machine this big needs engineers to run it. And when something breaks..." "They come to fix it!" Agua finished. Moments later, an engineer wearing a mask is seen walking down the misty hallway to the site of the damage. Blitz appears behind him. "Hi, mate." He then places his hoof and electrocutes the engineer, knocking him unconscious. Fire' then runs up and opens the engineers saddlebag. He opens it and finds the schematics. "This'll work. Thanks!" The trio then run off, but not before they tie the engineer upside down. ================================================================== On the wall, Twilight is starting to get worried. A million thoughts have gone though her head about why Firebrand and the others are taking so long. "Are they all right? Is he all right? Did they get captured? Are they dead?" Twilight then rationalizes herself for a moment. "I'm sure Firebrand is fine...uh I mean they're all fine, I mean." ================================================================== Back in the drill, Firebrand, Agua, and Blitz are studying the schematics they stole. "It looks like the drill is made up of two main structures. There's the inner mechanism where we are now and the outer shell. The inner part and the outer part are connected by these braces. If we cut through them, the entire thing will collapse." Agua and Blitz nod in agreement. ================================================================== At s train station where Zuko, Iroh and the three Freedom Fighters are waiting for their train. Zuko and Iroh who sit in the waiting area. Jet approaches and sits next to Zuko. "So, you guys got plans once you're inside the city?" He asked, but before either could answer, a cart comes up, selling tea. "Get your hot tea here! Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!" "Ooh! Jasmine please." Iroh said as he waves a hoof. The tea seller pours tea into a cup for Iroh. Iroh sips the tea, but soon grimaces at its repulsive taste. "Blaugh! Ugh, coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it! What a disgrace!" "Hey, can I talk to you for a second, Lee." He then motions for Zuko to follow him. Zuko sighs and reluctantly rises. The two walk several feet away from Iroh's spot. "You and I have a better chance of making it in the city if we stick together. You want to join the Freedom Fighters?" "Thanks, but I don't think you want me in your gang." "Come on, we made a great team looting that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees." Zuko then walks away. "I said no." "Have it your way." Jet said, but he then catches sight of Iroh sipping hot tea, causing his eyes to widen in shock and realization. Zuko, approaching Iroh, glances over his shoulder at Jet who narrows his eyes and walks away. Angrily, he knocks the tea cup out of Iroh's hoof. "Hey!" "What are you doing firebending your tea? For a wise, old stallion that's a pretty stupid move!" "I know you're not supposed to cry over spilled tea, but ..." He the sniffs, "It's just so sad!" ================================================================== Inside the drill, Fire' is leading the others through a door onto a massive steel beam. "Wow, it looks a lot thicker in person than it does in the plans. We're going to have to work pretty hard to cut through that." Blitz said. "What's this 'we' stuff? I have to do all the work." Agua said to him. "Look, Agua. Out of all of us, you're the only one who can control water. All you have to do is cut through this beam while me and Blitz keep any curious Fire Nation ponies from seeing what were doing. Together, we're Team Avatar!" Agua then glares at the two before giving in. She then begins to use her waterbending to slice through the metal sharply. When the brace is sliced halfway through, she nearly collapses from exhaustion. "Come on Agua. You're almost there." She then resumes her work slicing the brace. With every lash of the water whip, the cut through the brace enlarges and Blitz grows increasingly eager. At last, a cut is made clean through the brace, however, to their disappointment, the brace budges mere inches from its position. Agua then begins to pant due to exhaustion. "At this rate, we won't do enough damage before the drill reaches the wall. I don't know how many more of those I have in me." The suddenly, the drill creaks. "Do you hear that? We took it down! We better get out of here fast!" Blitz said as he makes a run for the door. But they halt upon hearing an announcement being made through overhead speaking tubes. "Congratulations, crew. The drill has reached the wall of Ba Sing Se." ================================================================== "Start the countdown to victory!" Qin said in the command module. Cheers erupt from the crew. Azula has a threatening look of determination on her face. ================================================================== Firebrand, Agua and Blitz look at each other in shock and dismay as the drill begins hammering through the wall, sending loose boulders in every direction. One of the streams of a saturated rock and water solution traveling through tubes and making its way through the back entrance of the drill in the room the group is in. Blitz begins to desperately attempt to move the brace. "C'mon brace ... budge!" "This is bad, really bad." Fire' said. "I've been putting everything I've got into busting these braces, but it's taking too long!" "Maybe we don't need to cut all the way through." Fire' began as he remembers something his father taught him. "My father taught me that you shouldn't give one hundred percent of your energy into any one strike. Blitz, take a fighting stance. You've got to be quick and accurate. Hit a series of points and break your opponent's stance." He the strikes Blitz several times. "And when he's reeling back, you deliver the final blow." Fire' then hits him softly on the head. "His own weight becomes his downfall, literally." "So we just need to weaken the braces, instead of cutting all the way through." Agua said. "Then I'll go tell Rainbow to deliver the final blow." "And boom! It all comes crashing down!" Blitz finished. "Everypony inside that wall, the world, is counting on us." "The whole world minus the Fire Nation that is, Agua." Blitz said to her. ================================================================== Meanwhile under the drill, Terra is putting all her strength into keeping a rock column stable as she is slowly pushed back by the force of the drill. "C'mon, guys, hurry up!" ================================================================== Inside, Agua is making rapid progress, slicing through several braces halfway to weaken them, this time with Fire's help, who's heated his sword so he can cut the steel with ease. "That's enough! We need to get to the next one!" Blitz said to the two. ================================================================== Outside on the wall, guards are sending boulders down at the drill from the wall. "They sure are taking their time." "Don't worry, Twilight. I'm sure Agua, Blitz, Terra, and your boyfriend can stop that thing." "Rainbow! Firebrand is not my boyfriend!" "Not yet." Rainbow quietly said to Applejack. The two soon giggle. ================================================================== At the command module, the war minister receives shocking news from engineers communicating through speaking tubes. "War Minister, an engineer was ambushed! His schematics were stolen!" "War Minister, a brace on the starboard side has been cut clean through! It's sabotage, sir!" Another engineer said. "Let's go, mares!" Azula said to Mai and Ty Lee. ================================================================== The trio continue to slice through the braces. "Good work, Team Avatar!" Blitz said. "Now we just need to..." He then glances up in horror, "...duck!" He ducks just in time to evade a fire blast sent his way by Azula who runs out and stands on another brace followed by her friends. "Wow, Azula, you were right! It is the Avatars!" She then smiles flirtatiously at Firebrand and notices Blitz. "...and friends." Fire' then shivers in horror. Ty Lee swings herself forward toward Fire' who quickly turns into fire and she passes throw him. The trio escape and race through the drill's hallways. They soon come to an intersection. "Guys, get out of here. I know what I need to do." Fire' said to the pegasi. Azula and her team reach the intersection. "Follow them! The Fire Avatar's mine!" Mai and Ty Lee begin chasing Agua and Blitz while Azula chases after Firebrand. Meanwhile, the Avatars of Water and Lighting have arrived at the end of the hallway where there is a closed hatch. Blitz tries to open the hatch, while Agua reads sign nearby. "Slurry pipeline? What does that mean?" "It's rock and water mixed together. It means our way out!" Blitz said as he opens the hatch which leads to a canal channeling slurry. The two begin descending into the pipe when Mai and Ty Lee arrive. They manage to escape into the canal just as a flurry of daggers is sent their way. Mai and Ty Lee run over and peer into the pipeline. "Ugh, disgusting!" "C'mon! You heard Azula, Mai. We have to follow them!" "She can shoot all the bullets she wants at me. I'm not going in that wall sludge juice." Ty Lee leaps through the pipeline into the slurry. Mai shudders and closes the hatch. Meanwhile, Fire' races past several engineers through the drill. At the rear of the drill where a flood of slurry is continually being released, Agua and Blitz slide through the slurry onto the ground with Ty Lee following them in hot pursuit. Agua uses waterbending to stop the flow of slurry and plug up the back entrance of the drill, thus trapping Ty Lee. "Why don't you try blocking my chi now, circus freak?" "Agua, keep that up. The pressure will build up in the drill. Then when Rainbow delivers the final blow, it'll be ready to pop!" On top of the drill, Firebrand finally makes it to the top and stops. "This looks like a good spot as any." He then looks up to find boulders being hurtled down the wall, nearly crushing him. "General Sung, tell your soldiers to stop shooting rocks down here!" "Soldiers, whatever you do, don't stop shooting rocks down there!" The soldiers nod and fire another round of rocks toward the drill. Fire' leaps out-of-the-way of the oncoming boulders and begins slicing at the hull of the metal using his sword. Meanwhile, Agua continues to hold Ty Lee captive in the slurry. "Good technique, sister! Keep it up! Don't forget to breathe!" "You know, I'm just about sick and tired of you telling me what to do all day, Blitz! You're like a chattering monkey!" "Just bend the slurry, woman!" Frustrated, Agua bends a wave of slurry onto Blitz, knocking him down. Terra then shows up. "You guys need some help?" "Terra, help me plug up this drain." The two cooperate with each other to bend the slurry, sending Ty Lee farther into the drill and causing the pipes to begin to expand under the pressure. Back at where Fire' is at, he continues to slice the metal of the drill. "What I'd give to be a metalbender." He then hears a gun clunk and jumps out-of-the-way just in time and sees Azula. He then assumes a fighting stance. A battle ensues between the two. Azula shoots fire blasts at Fire' who manages to block them using firebending. She continues the fire attacks only to have each one of her strikes deterred by fire whips. The two narrowly dodge the several boulders that are hurtled toward them at that moment. Fire' turns into his elemental form and fires blue fire balls at Azula who manages to avoid them all. Azula sends a karate assault that slams Fire' into the Outer Wall, leaving him unconscious. The front of the drill has completely bored its way through the Outer Wall. Azula walks over to him and prepares to deal a deadly final strike, but Fire' awakens and sends her skidding back using magic. A flood of slurry is released as the drill bores deeper into the wall, coating the two. Azula slides toward a helpless Firebrand, attempting to halt herself by windmilling only to collide with him. The force of the collision sends both sliding off the opposite sides of the drill. Azula is able to stop her descent by grinding her feet into the drill's side while Rainbow shows up and drags Fire' up to the top. "Thanks, Rainbow. I owe you one." "Hay, I never leave my friends hangin.'" They then run over to the wedge Fire' sliced in the drill. "Now all I need..." He then whispers something in Rainbow's ear. "Firebrand, your insane. But I like it." She then flies up. "I can see why Twilight likes him." She said to herself when she was out of earshot of both Firebrand and Twilight. When Rainbow reaches a good hight, she races down so fast, she causes a Sonic Rainboom. When she hits the spot Fire' wants her to hit, the impact of the blow causes the sliced braces inside the drill to collapse and the pipes to burst, releasing a torrent of slurry. Slurry begins to seep from the drill. Agua and Terra are still doing their bending stances. "Here it comes!" Terra said as she earthbends Agua, Blitz and herself onto a rock pillar. Slurry gushes out from the rear of the drill. Ty Lee slams into the rock wall as she is forcefully pushed by the flood. The drill begins to release steam and its segments begin to collapse. On the other side of the wall, the drill is seen coming to a halt. On the top of the destroyed drill, Fire' is covered in slurry, he then wipes it away near his face, a huge smile spread across his face, while Rainbow pops out. "I really need a shower now." Inside, War Minister Qin stares at the slurry from inside the command module, completely shocked. General Sung and the others on top of the Outer Wall, are covered in the muck. "Ah. My hair!" "Not the time, Rarity." Applejack said to her. Ty Lee attempts to clear away the mess. Azula is skidding down the drill, she is also covered in slurry. She lands by Ty Lee. A hatch opens, revealing Mai who is completely clean. "We lost." Mai said dryly. ================================================================== At a train station, a conductor yells, "Last call for Ba Sing Se!" Jet is talking to his two companions. "Jet, relax. So the old guy had some hot tea. Big deal." "He heated it himself! Those guys are Fire Nation!" "How do you know? Maybe he got new tea." "I know what I saw! Theres no way he got a new tea because the tea pony already left. He had to used a small heater or a mini-flamethrower." "Calm down Jet." "I am calm! Look, all I'm saying is that the only ways I can possibly think of that he heated that tea cup is by a mini-flamethrower or a small heater. How many ponies do you know have either of those who are not from the Fire Nation?" "Now I know why that mare left you when you lived in Canterlot 5 years ago." Smellerbee said as she and Longshot soon board their train. "You promised never to mention that." ================================================================== As an award for protecting Ba Sing Se, from the Fire Nation attack, the main six, the CMC, Shining, Cadence and the Avatars are allowed into the city. They are on a train heading for the city. "Look, the Inner Wall! Twilight said excitedly. "I can't believe we finally made it to Ba Sing Se in one piece." "Hey, don't jinx it! We can still be attacked by some giant exploding Fire Nation spoon. Or find out the city's been submerged in an ocean full of killer shrimp!" Rainbow said to her. "Have you been hitting on cactus juice?" Terra said to Rainbow, knowing that cactus juice can make a pony go crazy. "I'm just sayin,' weird stuff happens to us." Right then, a mare that looks a lot like Derpy, sucking a corn plant in her mouth, takes a seat between Terra and Rainbow, startling them. "I see what y'all mean, Rainbow." Applejack said to her. The monorail than enters the Inner Wall. The entire group, except Terra, is seeing the giant city through the windows. The 14 notice that Ba Sing Se stretches almost as far as their eyes can see, and it has many roads and buildings. Their train enters the monorail station, stopping there, and they disembark. Terra then sighs. "Back in the city. Great." "What's the problem? It's amazing!" "It's just a bunch of walls and rules, Twilight. You wait, you'll get sick of it in a couple of days." The monorail then departs behind the team. On the other side of the tracks, there is a mare with long dark mane that billows in the wind and a yellow coat. She is wearing a dress so the group can't see her cutie mark ... if she has one. She approaches them with a strange smile on her face, freaking the fillies out to the point they hide behind their respective sisters/idol. "Hello, my name is Jo Dee! I've been given the great honor of showing the Avatars around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Bella, Scootaloo, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence! Welcome to our wonderful city. Shall we get started?" "Yes. We were sent here to see the King of Geo Firma. So if you wouldn't mind, would you take us there immediately." Shining said to her. "Great! Let's begin our tour. And then I'll show you to your new home here. I think you'll like it!" "Ugh! Maybe you missed what my brother said. We need to talk to the king about the War, it's important." "You're in Ba Sing Se now. Everypony is safe here." The group all have confused looks on their faces about Jo Dee's strange statement. Later the group is in the area of the city near the wall. An earth pony is pulling a carriage containing Jo Dee and Team Avatar through the streets. Many shops and refugees line the streets. "This is the Lower Ring." Jo Dee said to them, still smiling. "What's that wall for?" Pinkie said as she pointed to the wall. "Oh, Ba Sing Se has many walls! There are the ones outside protecting us, and the one's inside, that help keep order. This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftworkers and artisans, ponies that work with their hoofs. It's so quaint and lively!" They then see two stallions conversing in an alley. One of them is holding a large sword that glistens in the light. Both of them glare at the carriage as it passes by. "You do want to watch your step, though." "Why do they have all these poor ponies blocked off in one part of the city?" Twilight said with a nervous look on her face. "This is why I never came here before." Fire' said to them. "I've heard it was so different from the way the ponies taught us to live in Abysus." ================================================================== In another part of the Lower Ring, Zuko is walking down the street. Iroh catches up to him from behind, holding a large vase with several orange flowers placed in it. Zuko than stars coldly at the flora and Iroh. "I just want our place to look nice." He then gives Zuko a nudge with the elbow. "In case somepony bought home a mare friend!" "This city is a prison. I don't want to make a life here." "Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not. Now come on, I found us some new jobs, and we start this afternoon!" Behind the two, staying out of sight, Jet is staring at the two firebenders, thinking they are like all other Fire Nation ponies he meet. "Just look at them, Fire Nation living right under everypony's nose." "Jet, you saw a stallion with a hot cup of tea. It doesn't prove he's Fire Nation. And what if he is, are we supposed to attack them? I thought we were starting over here, changing our ways." "We are, when I get the evidence I need, I'll report them to the police and let them handle it. Okay?" ================================================================== Jo Dee is continuing the tour. At each of their stops, the group ask a question involving the king, but she always blows them off. "This is the Middle Ring, home to the financial district, shops and restaurants, and the university." "Yeah. School is alright, but we need to see the king right away!" Rainbow yelled at her. "Isn't history fascinating? Look, here's one of the oldest towns in the Middle Ring, Town Hall!" The carriage then stops as Jo Dee exits. "Is that mare deaf? She only seems to hear every other word we say." Blitz said when Jo Dee was out of ear shot. "It's called 'being handled.' Get used to it." Terra said to him. ================================================================== In a small tea shop in the Lower Ring, Jet is leaning against the shop's wall. He turns around and peeks inside the window, spotting Zuko and Iroh speaking with the shop's owner. "Well, you certainly look like official tea servers. How do you feel?" "Ridiculous." Zuko said, annoyed. Both he and Iroh are wearing aprons. Iroh desperately attempts to tie the string behind his back, but his effort are in vain. "Uh, does this possibly come in a larger size?" "I have some extra string in the back. Have some tea while you wait." The shop owner then pours some tea in two cups, hands it to his new employees, and heads to the shop. Iroh takes a sip from his cup, but his face contorts in disgust. "Blech! This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!" "Uncle, that's what all tea is." "How could a member of my own family say something so horrible?! We'll have to make some major changes around here." Iroh takes the tea-pot and heads over to the window Jet is spying through. Jet gasps and moves away just in time as Iroh dumps the tea out the window. Jet slowly stalks around the corner of the shop and leaves. ================================================================== The carriage in which Team Avatar is touring in, has now in the Upper Ring. "The Upper Ring is home to our most important citizens. Your house is not too far from here!" The carriage then passes by another wall with a tall gate. Behind it, the roof of an enormous building can be seen. "What's inside that wall?" Twilight said as she and the others are being watched by three stallions standing in the gateway, wearing dark robes and wide-brimmed hats. "And who're the mean looking guys in robes?" Rainbows said to Jo Dee, who is still smiling, still creepy. "Inside is the Royal Palace. Those men are agents of the Dai Li, the cultural authority of Ba Sing Se. They are the guardians of all our traditions!" "Can we see the king now?" Scootaloo said, both bored and annoyed. "Oh, no, one doesn't just pop in at the Earth King!" They soon arrive at a small house. "Here we are! Your new home." A messenger pegasus comes and gives Jo Dee a scroll. "More good news! Your request for an audience with the Earth King is being processed, and should be put through in about month. More quickly than usual!" "A month?!" Rainbow said in disbelief. "Six to eight weeks, actually." Sining then notices a mare in the house across from them peeking through a window at them. Jo Dee then leaves them. He then gestures for the others to follow him. "Hey, come with me." Everypony follows Shining across the street. He then knocks on the front door. The same mare appears and opens the door, smiling at them. "You're the Avatars! I heard you were in town. I'm Pong." "Nice to meet you, Pong." Pinkie said while giving Pong the hoof shake of her life. "So, Pong, what's goin' on with this city? Why is everypony so scared here to talk about the war?" Applejack asked the light green mare. "War? Scared? What do you mean?" She said as she shifted her eyes back and forth. "I can feel you shaking." Terra said to her. "Look, I'm just a minor government official." She then looks left and right to confirm that no one is present except them. "I've waited three years to get this house. I don't want go get into trouble." "Get in trouble with who?" Fire' asked her. "Shh, listen, you can't mention the War here. And whatever you do, stay away from the Dai Li." She then closes her door. ================================================================== At some apartments, Jet is still spying on Zuko and Iroh, from a balcony in the shadows, hiding behind a clothesline in the apartment across their's. "Would you like a cup of tea?" "We've been working in a tea shop all day! I'm sick of tea, Uncle!" "Sick of tea?! That's like being sick of breathing!" Iroh then rummages through the cupboard beneath the counter, where he is standing. "Have you seen the spark rocks to heat up the water?" "They're not there." Jet whispered as he pulls out some emerald colored rocks. "You'll have to use a heater or a flamethrower, old colt." He then sees Iroh going inside. "Where're you going?" Iroh then comes back to the counter with some rock in his hands. "I borrowed our neighbors'. Such kind ponies." He then strikes the rocks near a pile of twigs, below the teapot, and creates a flame. Jet ducks behind the clothesline and leaves. ================================================================== The next morning, a blue jay is chirping, before coming down to Team Avatar's house. Fluttershy instantly makes friends with the bird. Twilight is coming out from the door, yawning. She takes a roll of papers on a mail slot attached to the wall, and reads it briefly, gasping with excitement, before running back inside. The others are all lounging around the upper part of the living room, and she runs to inform them about the information in the roll. "I got it! I know how we're going to see the king of Geo Firma!" "How do we do that? 'One doesn't just pop in on the king!'" Terra said, imitation Jo Dee. "The king is having a party tonight for his pet bear. The palace will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd!" "Won't work." "Terra's right. We all need perfect manners to sneak in." "Yeah. And, no offense to you simple country folk, except Rarity, Twilight, Sining and Cadence, but a real society crowd will spot you a mile away. You've got no manners!" "Excuse me? We've got no manners?! You're not exactly 'mare fancy hoofs!'" "I learned proper society behavior and chose to leave it, AJ. You never learned anything. And frankly, it's a little too late." "Aha, but you and Rarity learned it! You could teach us!" "Whoa there, Pinkie. Theres no way I'm gonna be like that." A few minutes later, Rainbow is sitting at a table in a fancy dress while both her eyes and mane have all kinds of high-class pieces in them. "How did I let you talk me into this?" "Not my fault, Rainbow." Scootaloo said as she is wearing a dress with a lotus in her mane. In the main lobby, the boys are playing a game that's similar to rock, paper n sizers. Then the girls come in, wearing makeup, exquisite Geo Firma dresses, and holding a fans. Twilight and Cadence stare at the boys calmly before giving in to a fit of giggles. Fire' blushes and stares dreamily at the site of the mares (mainly Twilight). "Wow, you look beautiful." Fire' said to them. Twilight opens her mouth to reply to Fire's compliment, but is stopped by Terra placing her fans in front of her mouth. "Don't talk to the commoners, Twilight. First rule of society." Terra said to her. Twilight then turns to the boys. "We'll get in the party, and then find a way to let you in through the side gate." Fire,' Shining and Blitz watch as the girls leave the house. "What did you mean when you said Twilight look beautiful?" Shining said when he was sure they were out of ear shot. Fire' then blushes to the question. "Ha ha ... How do you know I was talking to Twi? I could've been talking about the others." "Because I saw you stare at Twilight when you said that." With that, Fire' blushes so much that you can clearly see it despite his flame red coat. ================================================================== Outside the tea shop where Iroh and Zuko are working, mare walks in through the door. Jet is still spying on the shop from an alley. Smellerbee and Longshot walk up behind him. "Jet, we need to talk." "What?! Oh great, it's you guys. Where have you been? I could use some help with surveillance here!" "We've been talking, and we think you're becoming obsessed with this. It's not healthy." "Oh, really? You both think this?" Longshot then places his hoof on Smellerbee's shoulder in agreement with her statement. "We both came here to make a fresh start. But you won't let this go. Even though there is no real proof!" "Maybe if you help me!" "Jet, you gotta stop this." "Maybe you've forgotten why we need to start over. Maybe you've forgotten about how the Fire Nation left us all homeless. How they wiped out all the people we loved. If you don't want to help me, I'll get the evidence on my own." He goes toward the tea shop. Inside, Iroh is pouring tea to a customer. "This is the best tea in the city!" "The secret ingredient, is love." He then waves a hoof through the steam coming from the teapot and walks toward the back of the shop where the owner is, while Zuko gives him a disgusted look. The owner the turns to Iroh. "I think you're due for a raise." Suddenly, the door is slammed open by Jet, and he goes inside. "I'm tired of waiting!" He then points an accusing hoof at Iroh and Zuko. "These two men are Fire Nation!" Jet unsheathes his hook swords and prepares to fight. Iroh and Zuko quickly exchange a look, not knowing what to do. "I know they're Fire Nation, I saw the old man heating his tea!" "He works in a tea shop." A customer bleakly said. "He's Fire Nation! I'm telling you!" The customer then raises up along with a mare that's with him. "Drop your swords, boy. Nice and easy." Jet then turns to Zuko. "You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do." Jet slowly walks toward Zuko and Iroh with his swords. Just as one of the customers is about to draw his swords, Zuko steps in front grabs them instead. "You want a show?! I'll give you a show!" Zuko takes the officer's broadswords and enters a fighting stance. He then pulls a table in front of him with his foot and kicks it at Jet, who slices the table with his swords and jumps over it. As he lands, he swings both hook swords at the Fire Nation prince, who deflects the attack and jumps backward on to another table, which is sliced in half by Jet, swinging one sword through the middle of the table. Zuko steps onto one half of the table and balances on one foot. Jet continues his attack by cutting the legs on the half of the table Zuko is standing on. Zuko quickly jumps up, and as he lands, he swings both broadswords at Jet's feet, and Jet somersaults away and lands in a crouching position before charging forward at Zuko again. Zuko swings both of his swords at Jet. The two blades then collide. ================================================================== At the Ba Sing Se palace, several high-class citizens are lined up and being admitted inside by a guard, who is checking the invitation of one group before letting them pass. Terra, the main six, Agua and the CMC are next in line and approach him. "Invitation please." "I think this will do." Terra said as she shows the guard her family seal, a golden seal with a flying boar. "No entry without an invitation. Step out of line, please." "Look, the Pangs and the Yum Soon Hans are waiting in there for us! I'm going to have to tell them who didn't let me in." "Step out of line please." As the guard points his hoof to the side, the group move out disappointed, when Rarity notices a carriage, from which Long Feng comes out, and two Dai Li agents bow to him. He has a green coat and a black mane. He also has an arrow for a cutie mark. Rarity then has an idea, and she, along with the others, go to the leader of the Dai Li. "Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but my cousin lost out invitations." She then points to Terra and whispers, "She's blind." She then turns to the Dai Li again. "Do you think you could help us? The rest of our very large family is inside and I'm sure they're very worried." "I am honored, please come with me." Long Feng said as he walks toward the guard at the entrance with the group following him. The guard bows to him and they are allowed to go into the palace. As they are walking in, Rainbow and Applejack stick their tongues out at the guard while his back is turned. At the other side of the room they are in, at one end of the table is the Bosco eating a steak, his drool dripping of his chin. Seated to either side of him are two guests. "He's taking all the good stuff!" The older guest said. "Quiet! You don't know what I had to do to get seats this near the bear!" Bosco then slightly hits the younger guest before pouncing onto the table and eating a large plate of meat in front of him. The girls see this and Rarity nearly vomits. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" He then turns to the girls. "By the way, I'm Long Feng. I'm a cultural minister to the king." "I'm Kwa Mai, and this is ... Dung." Rarity said as Sweetie frowns from being called Dung and pulls a string hanging from Rarity's headdress, causing her pain. "Ow!" "Now where is your family? I'd love to meet them." "Uh ... I don't see them right now, but I'm sure we'll find them soon." Rainbow said as Rarity smiles. "Thanks for all your help." As the girls walk away, Long Feng appears in front of them. "Don't worry, as your escort it would be dishonorable to abandon you ladies without finding your families first. We'll keep looking." He turns around and leads the girls, while Twilight glances at Terra nervously. Outside the palace, Fire' and Shining peek around the pedestal of a statue of a lion. "Where are they?!" Fire' said, both worried and nervous. The two then duck behind the pedestal. "Look, I came up with a back up plan." Blitz said to the two unicorns. They both then stare at him. "We dress me like a ghost, okay? I fly by the guards, creating a distraction. Then, we blast a hole in the wall." Fire' then stands up and looks over the pedestal, and points to some busboys, as Shining and Blitz stand up. The busboys are unloading supplies from a carriage and taking them inside. "Or we could go in as these guys. Terra said we might pass as busboys!" "Good idea, Fire.'" "Okay..." Blitz said as he rolls his eyes. "But remember that me as a ghost plan. I think it's a winner." ================================================================== At the tea shop, Zuko bursts out through the door and tumbles onto the street. Jet runs after him and strikes at Zuko with both swords. Zuko defends the strike and both combatants lock swords. "You must be getting tired of using those swords. Why don't you go ahead and use you mini-flamethrower at me?" Iroh then comes out the door. "Please, son, you're confused! You don't know what you're doing!" Jet and Zuko are still fighting. Zuko swings at Jet, but Jet stops Zuko's broadsword with the ends of his hook swords, spins around and deflects it to the side. Zuko spins with his swords and tries to counterattack, but Jet hooks the ends of his swords together and begins to swing them at Zuko in large circular motions. Zuko retreats back a few steps to defend himself. "Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast now." As Jet swings at Zuko's feet, Zuko stabs one of his broad swords through the hilt, pinning it to the ground. Jet looks at it with annoyance before focusing back on Zuko. "You're the one who needs help." Both the combatants lose a sword, and continue fighting with only one. He turns in a circle and tries to swipe at Zuko, but Zuko quickly advances and swings his sword at Jet. Jet pulls his attack just in time to bend backward and avoid Zuko's blade, cutting the straw sticking out of Jet's mouth in half. The scene replays, but the second time, zooms in on the straw. Jet regains balance, as jumps backward on to the edge of a well. "You see that?! The Fire Nation is trying to silence me. It'll never happen." Jet then begins to attack again, hooking his sword to the top of the well and sending a flying kick toward Zuko. ================================================================== At the palace, Fire,' Shining and Blitz are standing back to back, fully dressed as busboys, serving refreshments to the guests of the party. Fire' begins pouring a drink while Blitz is serving food to people who pass by. "Where are the others?" "Forget them, Shining! Just keep an eye out for the king." "We don't even know what he looks like, Blitz." Fire' said to him. "You know, royal, flowing robe, fancy jewelry." Blitz said, only for them to realize that all the party guests fit Blitz's description. They are all adorned in fancy, flowing robes and headpieces, chatting and eating food. "Well, that narrows it down to pretty much everyone!" Fire' said. He then sees Terra walking up to the trio. She then tries to speak in a fancy voice. "Another crab puff, please." Shining levitates his tray to give her a puff. "You found us!" Fire' said to her. "I'd know your little hoof steps anywhere, Flame Head." Terra said as she casually eats the puff. The other girls soon catch up, and Fire' blushes when he sees Twilight, while Shining blushes when he sees Cadence. "Thanks for letting us in!" Blitz sarcastically said. "Sorry, but the guy who escorted us in won't let us out of his sight!" Cadence said. "What guy?" Fire' said when he sees that no pony is following them. Jo Dee then approaches the group, and is anxious to see them. "What are you doing here? You have to leave immediately, or we will be in terrible trouble!" Jo Dee then tries to push Shining, but he blocks her with his tray. "Not until we see the king." Blitz said to the strange tour guide. "You don't understand. You must go." Jo Dee shoves Shining and Blitz on Firebrand, causing him to spill the water inside the pitcher he was carrying on a guest. "Aarrrh! Oh!" "Sorry. No, don't shout." Fire' uses his front hoof and firebends at the guest which evaporates the water without hurting her, but also turns her hair, clothes and makeup into a mess, leading Fire' to smile sheepishly. The guest is briefly shocked, but smiles in amazement. "The Avatar of Fire! I didn't know one of the Avatars would be here." All the guests' attention is now focused on Firebrand. Jo Dee's large, happy smile quickly turns sour and is replaced by a frown and a look of dread. Fire' looks around at the guests. Fire' blushes and waves at the crowd, laughing nervously, as Blitz leans in toward Fire.' "You keep their attention while me and Shining look for the king." He whispered. Fire' nods yes and remembers his old stage show. "Watch this, everypony!" Fire' then removes his busboy clothes and jumps on to the long dining table as Shining and Blitz walk off into the crowd. Fire' swings his arms over the guests' drinks, firebending the flames off the candles. He jumps onto a pitcher and balances on top of it, while continuing to firebend. Fire' brings the fire above his head and creates a swirling multicolored ball. The crowd cheers and claps at the spectacle. Bosco growls with delight at Fire's antics. ================================================================== Back at the tea shop, Zuko and Jet are still fighting. Zuko growls as he swings his sword at Jet, who dodges the attack. He moves on to Zuko's side, and they end up back-to-back. Zuko and Jet attempt to strike the opponent behind them, but neither can get past the other's defense. Two Dai Li agents are walking toward the fight. "Drop your weapons." One of the Dai Le agents said. Zuko and Jet step away and face each other. Zuko lowers his sword, as Jet points at Zuko and Iroh. "Arrest them, they're Fire Nation!" "This poor boy is confused, we're just simple refugees." Iroh calmly said to the Dai Le. "This young stallion wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees!" "It's true sir, we saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city." Iroh then blushes due to the comment he received from the customer. "Oh, ho, ho. That's very sweet." The two Dai Li agents walk up to Jet, who looks at them angrily. "Come with us, son." Jet swings his hook sword at the unicorn agent, but he catches the sword with his magic. The guard then disarms Jet, and both guards pull the boy's arms behind his back, binding his wrists together using their magic. They drag Jet away toward a wagon designed for holding captured criminals. "You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!" The crowd begins to disperse. On his knees, Jet looks up as the doors are shut. The ponies left in the street watch the wagon go away. Longshot and Smellerbee look on, hidden within the crowd, and silently walk out of sight. ================================================================== Back at the palace, two lines of guards walk into the hall. Eight of them are carrying a curtained palanquin, with the King of Geo Firma sitting on the platform. The crowd as they marvels in the King's presence. Blitz and Shining sneak through the crowd and they attempt to get a better view of the king. The guards then place the palanquin down and face the guests. Blitz looks over at the others and points at the king. "Firebrand! The King of Geo Firma!" Fire,' who is entertaining Bosco, runs over to the king on the table he was on. "Greetings, your majesty." Three guests pull their food and drinks off the table before Fire' runs over them. Back at the procession of guards and the King of Geo Firma. The platform is carried off while a line of guards walk up to the long dining table. Shining and Blitz exit the crowd and try to follow the king, but two Dai Li agents grab them and begin leading him away, pulling their arms behind their back. "Hey, let us go!" Shining barked at them. A Dai Li agent stepping out from a pillar in the hall throws his hoofs out, causing his steel gloves to fly forward. Meanwhile, the girls are looking away, the gloves of the agent grab Terra and pull her backward, covering her mouth to keep her silent. A second later, another pair of gloves grab Twilight and pulls her back the same way as Terra, followed by Rainbow, Scootaloo, Sweetie, AB, AJ, Rarity, Cadence, Pinkie, Agua, and Fluttershy. Fire' has reached the other end of the dining table, knocking over several dishes. Long Feng then walks up to Fire' from behind the line of guards. "Avatar of FIre, it is a great honor to meet you." He then bows before Firebrand. "Who the hay are you?" "I am Long Feng, Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se and head of the Dai Li. I'd like to talk to you. Your friends will be waiting for us in the library." Long Feng then gestures for Fire' to follow him, as he goes into the library. Fire' hesitates for a moment before hopping off the table and following. At the library's large double doors shutting, Fire' and the others are facing Long Feng, who is sitting in front of a hearth that illuminates the area with a green flame. "Why won't you let us talk to the king!? We were sent here by Princess Celestia about defeating the Fire Nation!" Agua yelled at him. "The King of Geo Firma has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day-to-day minutia of military activities." "This could be the most important thing he's ever heard." Twilight said to him. "What's most important to his royal majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's my job to oversea the rest of the city's resources, including the military." "So the king is just a figurehead." Rainbow said to him. "He's your puppet!" Terra angrily yelled at him. "Oh, no, no. His majesty is an icon, a God to his ponies. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war." "But Celestia..." Twilight began but was cut off by Long Feng. "Enough, I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan. It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic." ================================================================== The two Dai Li that arrested Jet are now dragging in into a dark room, making him sit on a stone chair. They bind his front legs down using steel rope. "You have to believe me, they're Fire Nation! They won't stop until they win the War." One of the Dai Li agents (who's a unicorn) uses magic to clamp down on Jet's skull, holding it in place. "Calm down, you're safe now." He said. The agent stands in front of Jet, surrounded by a metal track. From behind him appears a small orange lantern attached to the track. ================================================================== Back at the group and Long Feng. "Our economy would be ruined. Our peaceful way of life, our traditions would disappear." He said to them. ================================================================== The Dai Li agent holding Jet down says to him, "There's no war in Ba Sing Se." "What're you talking about? Where do you think all the refugees come from? You can't hide it!" Jet watches as the lamp continues passing by his face. ================================================================== "In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia. One of the lasts ones on Earth." Fire' and his friends stare at Long Feng with a mix of shock and horror at this revelation. ================================================================== A circle of stones covers Jet's mouth, muffling his protests. The lamp passes by his eyes again. The Dai Li agent is standing within the circular track as the lamp revolves and begins saying the same thing to Jet repeatedly. "There is no war within the walls. Here we're safe. Here, we are free." Jet's eyes widen and his protests become silent, and the brainwashing begins to affect him. ================================================================== "You can't keep the truth from all these ponies. They have to know." Cadence said to Long Feng. Fire,' Agua, Terra and Blitz then stand up, with Fire' pointing at Long Feng. "We'll tell them!" Fire' said. "We'll make sure everypony knows!" Agua finished. "Until now, you've been treated as our honored guest. But from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the war to anypony, you will be expelled from the city." He then makes his leave. Now Jo Dee will show you to your home." Long Feng sits down at the front of the library, as Jo Dee opens the doors and walks toward the group. The group looks at her with surprises this time she's a unicorn instead of a earth pony. "Come with me, please." Jo Dee said. "What happened to Jo Dee?" Applejack asked. "I am Jo Dee." She then bows her head to them. "I'll be your host as long as you're in our wonderful city." She then smiles cheerfully at the group in the same artificial way.
The Elements of Nature, Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)	Chapter 8, Tales of Ba Sing Se	The Elements of Nature Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning) Chapter 8, Tales of Ba Sing Se The Tale of Agua, Terra, Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle At Team Avatar's house, the group are getting ready for the day, with Fire,' Shining, and Blitz shaving, and the mares (except Terra) combing their mane ore brushing their teeth (as in Rainbow's case). Later, the mares go to check on Terra, who is still asleep. They open her door and that Terra is still asleep on her bed, her blanket sloppily lying over her and her mane is a mess. "Terra! Aren't you gonna get ready for the day?" Agua asked her sprite sister. Terra then gets up, causing her messy mare fly around. She spits on a nearby vessel which spins upon impact. The mares are shock to see Terra's bad morning manners as Terra gets to her hoofs and brushes a large amount of dust off her sleeping dress. "I'm ready" "You're not gonna wash up, dear?" Rarity asked. "You've got a little dirt on your ... everywhere, actually." "You call it dirt, I call it a healthy coating of earth!" Terra responded. "Hmm..." Twilight said while thinking. "You know what we need? A girl's day out!" "Oh, that sounds wonderful!" Rarity and Agua said at the same time. "I wouldn't mind." "Of course you wouldn't mind, Fluttershy." Rainbow said to the shy Pegasus. "Count me in." "Me too." Cadence said. "Same here." Applejack said. The CMC then node a yes as they look at Terra. "Do I have to?!" Terra wined. "It'll be fun!" Rarity said. "I know where we can go!" ================================================================== Later, outside of a large building, Agua, Terra, Cadence, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle stand near the entrance as two mares in robes walk out and smile at each other. "The Fancy Mare Day Spa?" Rainbow asked, now regretting coming. "Sounds like my kinda place." Terra sarcastically said. "Are you ready for some serious pampering?" Rarity asked the group. She got mostly 'OK's from them, except from Rainbow and Terra. "I'm not so sure." Rainbow said. "Sure, Rarity, whatever you say. As long as they don't touch my hoofs." Terra said as the twelve mares then walk inside ================================================================== Inside the building, most of the mares are siting while smiling, having their hoofs scrubbed. But Terra's dirt-filled hoofs are being hold down as the attendant tries to scrape the massive amounts of dirt off her hoofs, getting and angry face from Terra. Suddenly an explosion erupts from one of the doorways, due to which, the frame becomes crumpled. An attendant flies out and hits the opposite wall, Terra having earthbent out of annoyance. ================================================================== Later, the mares are now taking mud baths. A unicorn attendant with a large pile of fresh towels walks over to Terra, who inhales air, and then exhales, earthbending the mud on her face, creating a scary appearance, which scares the attendant, who runs away. The group of mares and fillies laugh as the mud around Terra's mouth forms a large smile. ================================================================== Later in a sauna, Terra kicks the ground, bending another rock from another pile, making it fly onto the pile of hot rocks. Agua, using waterbending, splashes the hot rocks with some water creating steam. All of them sigh in relief. ================================================================== Later, outside the spa, Terra has a lot of make-up on her face while walking through the streets of Ba Sing Se, along with the other mares and fillies. "Well, that wasn't so bad. I'm not usually into that stuff but I actually feel ... girly." Terra said. "Me too." Rainbow said. "I'm glad. It's about time we did something fun together" Sweetie said as they're crossing a bridge over a creek. As they do, they pass three mares going the other direction. "Wow, great make-up." Are mare holding a umbrella said to Terra. "Thanks." "For a clown!" The mare finished, causing the three mares to laugh. Terra's smile is replaced by a frown as they stop walking. Agua then puts her leg over Terra's shoulder, attempting to console her. "Don't listen to them, let's just keep walking." Agua said. "I think she looks cute. Like that time we put a sweater on your pet poodle." One of the mares said. "Good one, Star." The third mare said. "Let's go, girls." Twilight angrily said. "No, no, that was a good one." Terra sarcastically said. "Like your poodle." Terra then laughs. "You know what else is a good one?" She earthbends the bridge, removing a circular part below which the three girls are standing, causing the girls to fall into the creek below. "Now that was funny." Agua said as she waterbends a wave that sweeps the girls away as they scream. Terra then walks away as the others run up to her. "Those girls don't know what they're talking about." Rarity said, clearly offended. "It's okay." Terra said to the group. "One of the good things about being blind, is I don't have to waste my time worrying about appearance. I don't care what I look like. I'm not looking for anyone's approval. I know who I am." Terra then stops walking and cries a little bit. "That's what I really admire about you, Terra." Agua said to her spirit sister. "You're so strong, and confident, and self-assured. And I know it doesn't matter, but ... You're really pretty." "I am?" Terra asked with a smile. "Yeah, you are." Rainbow said when she lands. "Yuper do!" Pinkie said. "I'd return the compliments, but I have no idea what you gays look like." Terra said, causing the group to laugh. "Thank you, Agua." Terra then punches Agua, showing the group her version of affection. "Ow!" The Tale of Iroh, Firebrand, and Shining Armor At a marketplace in Ba Sing Se, Shining and Fire' are looking for something to eat for the night. "What do you think we should get?" Shining asked Fire.' "I not su- Wait." Fire' said when he sees somepony familiar. "Isn't that Iroh?" Fire' then points to Iroh, who goes toward a shop to buy a basket, and examines a basket kept. "If this is for a romantic picnic, may I suggest this lavender one?" The shop owner said as he points to the basket in question as Fire' and Shining walk up to Iroh. "No, it's not a romantic picnic, but it is a special occasion." Iroh said as he buys the basket. He then sees Firebrand and Shining Armor. "Why hello. Is there something you need to ask me?" "Yeah, why are you in Ba Sing Se?" Fire' asked. "Thats a long story." Iroh said to them. "I'll explain on the way." Iroh then begins to leave when he notices a vase that contains a moon flower. He slides the vase into the shade, which causes the flowers to bloom instantly. "The moon flower likes partial shade." ================================================================== Later, Iroh, Fire,' and Shining are at another shop, with Iroh examining another it. The shop in question sells musical instruments. "So, you now refugees?" Shining said, getting a nod from Iroh. The sound of a crying foal then catches the three stallions attentions and they turn around and see a Pegasus colt sobbing in the middle of the street and his mother trying to console him. "Shhh. It's okay. Shhh." She said. Iroh then takes an instrument from the shop, and starts singing, walking toward the colt. Iroh gets down on one knee near the boy as he begins to sing. "Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier colt, come marching home. Brave soldier colt, comes marching home." The colt's frown instantly turns to a smile as he reaches up and pulls Iroh's long beard, causing Iroh to groan while the boy laughs. Iroh then smiles and pats his beard. The colt's mother then takes her son by the hoof and leads him away as Iroh stands and looks at them with a smiling look on his face. "Your a helpful pony, ya know that." Shining said the old Earth Pony. "Yep, I do." ================================================================== Later at a courtyard, Iroh, Fire,' and Shining enter, the laters having decided to help Iroh with his errands. Four colts are in the courtyard, playing soccer. One of the colts hits kicks the ball. But the ball, instead of hitting the gaol, it heads into the direction Iroh is standing. He dodges the ball just in time, but the ball breaks through the window directly behind where he was. A crash and a loud voice can be heard from inside. "Hey!" "It is usually best to admit mistakes when they occur, and seek to restore honor." Iroh said to the colts. "He's got that right." Fire' said. Loud noises are heard and all seven of them look up, startled. At the window, a very large body and head become visible through the hole. "When I'm through with you foals, the window won't be the only thing that's broken." The big pony angrily said. "But not this time." Iroh said to the foals. "Run!" Iroh, FIre,' Shining and the faols run away in all directions. Iroh is running down the marketplace street quickly. He hides in an alley, places the basket down, and he looks around the corner to see if he is being chased. He sees FIre' and Shining and the three sit down. "Give me all your money!" The three look down the ally and see a stallion with a knife, who has a very poor stance. "What are you doing?" Fire' asked in disbelief. "I'm mugging you!" The stallion said. "With that stance?" Iroh said, causing the stallion to look at his stance. "Huh? What're you talking about? Just give me your money, you old fart!" The stallion said. Iroh just shakes his head. "With a poor stance, you are unbalanced, and you can be easily knocked over." "Iroh, what are you doing?" Shining quietly asked. Iroh then quickly grabs the leg of the mugger and disarms him, while pushing his attacker and knocking him to the ground. He smiles, while twirling the dagger in his hoof, and then helps the stallion, who's name is Tyco, to his feet. "With a solid stance, you are a much more serious threat." Iroh demonstrates a proper stance, which Tyco attempts to imitate, but is still not assuming the correct form. Iroh walks over to him and holds his head still while he adjusts Tyco's stance. "Much better! But to tell you the truth, you do not look like the criminal type." "Yeah." Fire' remarked. "I know. I'm..." Tyco then sighs. "I'm just confused." Later, the four are drinking some tea with Tyco, discussing what he should do. "So you really think I could be a good masseur?" Tyco asked Iroh. "Of course!" Iroh said as he pours some more tea. "This is so great. No one has ever believed in me." Tyco said to them. "While it is always best to believe in one's self, a little help from others can be a great blessing." Iroh said while smiling. ================================================================== Later, Iroh, Firebrand, and Shining are walking to a tree on a hill within the city as the sun is setting. Leaves fall from the tree as Iroh approaches it. "You promise you won't tell Zuko that I'm here." "I promise." Iroh said as he places the basket he had bought earlier down and removes his hat. He then rests on his knees and piles some rocks at the tree's base. "And thanks for helping us get something for tonight." Shining added as Iroh removes several things from the basket and places them at the bottom of the tree, near to the pile of stones. "Whats the special accession anyway?" "Today is my sons, Lu Ten, birthday." Iroh said with great sadness as he pulls out a sheet of paper and looks at it for a few seconds, closing his eyes, before placing it down as well. Finally he pulls two incense sticks, and lights them with his hoofs by firebending. Iroh has made a small memorial for his deceased son, Lu Ten. "Happy birthday, my son. If only I could have helped you." "Ugh, Shining, let's go." "Yeah. We'll leave you alone." Shining said as Iroh begins to sing, but in a voice that cracks due to him crying. "Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile, tiny shells, drifting in the foam. Little soldier colt, come marching home. Brave soldier colt, comes marching home." The Tale of Blitz Blitz is walking down a candlelit street at night. Bored, he pulls his nun-chucks out, throws it into the sky, and catches it as it comes back down. He walks past a building and into the alley beside it, some colts who are having trouble keeping an lion in line, and by the windows of the building, but he then hears voices from inside. Intrigued, he turns and sticks his head inside the window. "What's this?" He asked when he sees the room is the 5-7-5 Society's classroom. There is a mare on the stage reciting her haiku to the rest of the them. "Through all the long night, winter moon glows with bright love, sleet her silver tears." The mare on the stage said. "Aah, poetry." Blitz said as the lion, who is still struggling with his handlers, kicks backward and hits Blitz in his flank, sending him through the window, and inside the room. The mares look at him and shriek, startled. "I am so sorry. Something struck me in the rear. I just ... wound up ... here." Blitz said while collecting himself and removing the window frame. The mares laugh, and clap at Blitz's unintended haiku. He first looks surprised, but then grins widely as their teacher, Macmu-Ling, gets up. "Five, seven, then five, syllables mark a haiku." She then bows to Blitz. "Remarkable oaf." Blitz then thinks for a moment. "They call me Blitzle, that is in the USA. I am not an oaf." The mares then laugh at his haiku. "Chittering monkey, in the spring he climbs treetops, and thinks himself tall." Macmu-Ling said while she narrows her eyes. "Oooooh!" "You think you're so smart, with your fancy little words, this is not so hard." Blitz haiku. "Oooooh!" "Whole seasons are spent, mastering the form, the style, none calls it easy." Macmu-Ling said as she walks up to the stage. "Oooooh!" "I calls it easy. Like I paddle a canoe, I'll paddle yours too!" Blitz said while imitating paddling a canoe as the ladies laugh. "There's nuts and there's fruits." Macmu-Ling said as she takes a plum from her sleeve, drops it to the ground, and squashes it. "In fall the clinging plum drops, always to be squashed." "Squish, squash, sling that slang. I'm always right back at ya, like a boomerang!" Blitz said, causing an annoyed Macmu-Ling to walk off the stage and back to her seat as Blitz turns to the class again and raises his leg up to silence the laughter. "That's right, I'm the Blitz. With a B-L-I-T-Z, young ladies, I rocked ya!" This time, however, his 'haiku' is not cheered at, and is met with silence. Blitz stares as the class, as the annoyed and angry class does the vice versa. Blitz then counts the number of syllables his haiku had, and realizes that he had 6 syllables in the last line instead of five. A large security guard catches him by the collar, and throws him out through the door. "Uh, that's one too many syllables there, bub." The gaud said as he closes the door. Outside the room, Blitz falls to the ground with a loud noise. He then sits up. "Poetry..." The Tale of Zuko At the Pao Family Tea House, Zuko walks down the shop with a tray of cups, and looks behind at a mare. He walks up behind his uncle who is on a ladder, stacking things on a shelf behind the counter. "Uncle, we have a problem." Zuko said as Iroh descends from the ladder. "One of the customers is on to us. Don't look now but there is a mare over there at the corner table. She knows we're Fire Nation." Iroh looks at the mare, but is quickly pulled back by Zuko. "Didn't I say don't look?" "You're right, Zuko. I've seen that girl in here quite a lot. Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you." Iroh teased. "What?!" A bewildered Zuko said. The mare in question then gives the two some coins. "Thank you for the tea. What's your name?" The mare asked Zuko, causing Iroh to slightly smile. "My name's Lee." Zuko said when he turns around. "My uncle and I just moved here." "Hi Lee, my name's Jin." The light green Earth Pony mare said to him. "Thank you and ... well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime." Jin said with a blush. Before a clearly stunned Zuko can respond, Iroh answers that question. "He'd love to!" "Great. I'll meet you in front of the shop at sundown." Jn said as she walks away, as Iroh throws his arms on a bewildered Zuko's shoulders, with a large smile. ================================================================== Later, Zuko comes out of the tea shop at the evening, with his mane combed. He walks out into the middle of the street and looks around as Jin emerges from an alley beside the shop and walks up to him. "Hey. Well, look at you." Jin said as she messes up Zuko's mane. "You look so cute." Zuko then stops Jin from messing up his mane anymore. "It took my uncle ten minutes to do my hair." Jin then grabs Zuko by the leg and goes with him as he glances once back at the teashop. ================================================================== Later at a town square, several ponies stand around doing various activities, with Zuko and Jin eating at a restaurant, Jin is sipping tea while Zuko pokes at his last meatball with his fork, not looking at Jin. "So, how do you like the city so far?" Jin asked. "It's okay." Zuko answered. "What do you like to do for fun?" Jin asked wile sipping some tea. "Nothing." "Excuse me, sir." A waiter addressed Zuko. "Would you and your girlfriend care for dessert?" "She is not my girlfriend." Zuko hissed. The waiter then walks away and Zuko laces his hoofs and looks at Jin, who is eating noodles from a bowl at fast speed. Zuko just stares at the sight for a moment. "You have ... quite an appetite for a filly." "Umm ... thanks? So, Lee, where were you and your uncle living before you came here?" Jin asked. "Umm ... well, we've been traveling around for a long time." "Oh. Why were you traveling so much?" "We were ... uh, part of this traveling circus." Zuko nervously said, trying his best to make a good excuse. "Really? What did you do? Wait, lemme guess." Jin then thinks and comes up with a answer. "You juggled!" "Yes, I juggled." Zuko said while folding his legs. "I've always wanted to learn how to juggle." Jin said as she holds out some things for Zuko to juggle. "Can you show me something?" Zuko takes the objects in his hoofs, and throws them one by one in the air, but is unable to catch them, and one of the objects, a small vase, falls on his head, breaking into many pieces. "I haven't practiced for a while." Zuko said as he wipes away the broken vase from his mane. "It's all right." Jin sadly said. But her frown then turns upside down when she remembers something. "Hey, I want to show you one of my favorite places in the city." ================================================================== Later in a street in the city, Jin is leading Zuko to a small fountain. "I'm so excited for you to see the firelight fountain. The lamps make the water sparkle and reflect in the pool in the most beautiful way." She leads Zuko into an open area with a large fountain and several posts with candles on top surrounding it in a circle. However, the candles are not lit. "I can't believe it! They aren't lit." Zuko then looks at Jin and sees that she's about to cry. "Close your eyes, and don't peek." Zuko said to her. Jin then closes her eyes as Zuko walks out, holds his front hoofs together, and closes his eyes as he prepares. Zuko then opens his eyes, and he begins firebending. Using the very tips of his hoofs, he shoots small bursts of flame in all directions at the candles to light them. Once finished, he stands straight and looks at Jin, still with her hoof covering her eyes. "Okay, now you can look." Jin then removes her hoof and opens her eyes. "Oh, wow." She said when she sees that the candles are now lit. Jin looks at Zuko, amazed. She walks up to him, looking at the candles. "What happened? How did they light? What did you?" She then looks at a smiling Zuko. They both turn to look at the fountain. As Zuko looks at them, Jin brushes her hoof through her mane and smiles at him, and then holds his hoof. Zuko turns to look at Jin smiling at him. They both turn to be face to face and as Jin begins to lean in for a kiss, but Zuko quickly draws a piece of paper which he holds between their lips. "I've brought you something." He said to a surprised Jin. "It's a coupon for a free cup of tea." "Don't thank me, it was my uncle's idea." Zuko said a she takes a few steps back. "He thinks you're our most valuable customer." "Your uncle is a good teacher." Jin said as she walks close to him and turns his head toward her. "I have something for you too. Now it's your turn to close your eyes." As Zuko closes his eyes, Jin goes closer to him and kisses him, and then pulls back slightly. Zuko returns the kiss, but immediately jumps back away from her. He stands for a second, looking at her, then turns his back and begins to walk away. "What's wrong?" "It's complicated. I have to go." Zuko said to a disappointed Jin. ================================================================== Later at the tea house, Iroh is looking out from the windows at the street, waiting for Zuko. The door then opens, as Zuko walks inside, being silent. "How was your night, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked. Zuko just walks into a room and slams the doors shut behind him without replying to Iroh. Iroh looks after him for a second with a confused look before turning back to the window to continue his work. But he then turns back when he hears Zuko opening the doors. "It was nice." Zuko said as he closes the door again. Iroh then smiles.
The Elements of Nature, Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)	Chapter 9, The King	The Elements of Nature Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning) Chapter 9, The King At the tea shop where Zuko and Iroh are working, Iroh serves tea to two customers who enjoy it. "So, you're the genius behind this incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you! I hope Pao pays you well." One of the customers said to him. "Good tea is its own reward." "But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?" "My own tea shop? This is a dream come true!" Iroh said with excitement. Then Pao, the tea shop owner, walks in. "What's going on here?" Pao said to Quon, the customer Iroh is serving. "Are you trying to purge my tea-maker?" "Sorry pal, but that's business for you, right?" "Mushi, if you stay, I'll make you assistant manager. Wait, senior assistant manager!" "I'll provide you with a new apartment in the Upper Ring. The tea shop is yours to do with whatever you want. Complete creative freedom." "I even get to name the shop?" "Of course!" "Senior executive assistant manager?" Pao said, knowing he's losing this fight. Iroh hands over to him the pot of tea and bows to Quon, agreeing to the terms as Zuko walks by. "Did you hear, nephew? This colt wants to give us our own tea shop in the Upper Ring of the city!" "That's right young stallion, your life is about to change for the better!" "I'll try to contain my joy." He then walks outside, but not before telling Pao to ask Iroh how he did the tea so well when Quon leaves. When Zuko heads outside, he hears chatter about the party the king held for his pet bear and the unexpected arrival. "Pardon me," Zuko said to the three mares, "but, who is this unexpected party crasher?" "Oh, it was just this incredibly handsome red unicorn stallion who's the Avatar of Fire." One of the mares said in a think valley girl accent. Upon hearing that, Zuko eyes widen when he realizes that if one of the Avatars was here, that means there are more as well. ================================================================== At the house that Team Avatar is at, Shining and Fire' are playing a game of chess, with Blitz as the referee while the girls are out shopping. "Check mate." Fire' said after his queen captured Shining's king. "Ugh. Best 26 out of 50." He said after losing to Fire' 15 times. "You don't like losing?" Blitz said to him. They then hear a knock at the door. "I'll get it." Shining said, tired of losing at chess and needing something else to do. He opens the door with his magic, and they see someone familiar. "Jo Dee?" The trio said in unison. "Hello, Fire' and Shining and Blitz." "What happened to you? Did the Dai Li throw you in jail?" "What? Jail? Of course not. The Dai Li are the protectors of our cultural heritage, Blitz." "But you disappeared at the King of Geo Firma's party." Shining pointed out. "Oh, I simply took a short vacation to Lake Laogai, out in the country. It was quite relaxing." "But then they replaced you with some other mare who also said her name was Jo Dee." Fire' said to her, surprising her. "I'm Jo Dee." "Why are you here?" Blitz said to the strange mare. "Shopping out the stores isn't permitted without proper clearance." "We can't wait around to get permission for everything!" Shining yelled at Jo Dee. "You are absolutely forbidden by the rules of the city to continue emptying out the stores." "We don't care about the rules and we're not asking permission!!! We are finding a way to get an audience with the king on our own and you should just stay out of our way!" Fire' yelled as he slammed the door shut with his magic. "That might come back to bite us in the but." Shining said. "I don't care! From now on we do whatever it takes to get an audience with the king!" "Yeah, let's break some rules!" Blitz said to his spirit brother. "Lets find the others first." Shining said to the two Avatars. "Good point. Knowing Rarity, she's the one emptying out all the stores." Blitz said. "And we have to watch out for those Dai Li agents Long Feng said will be watching us." Shining finished. "Well, if there watching us, I have a message for them. Tell Long Feng that nothing will stop us from getting to the king!" Fire' said as he made his way to the door. Blitz and Shining stare at both him and each other. "Firebrand on a war path." Blitz said as they followed Fire' out of the door. As they all exit the house, two Dai Li agents have watch and overheard them from a house roof across the street. ================================================================== At the Royal Palace, Long Feng meets with that particular Jo Dee. "I'm very disappointed in your work with the Avatars and their friends, Jo Dee. I hoped that you would be able to control this situation." "I am so sorry but they don't trust me anymore. I don't think I can keep working like this!" "Jo Dee, the King has invited you to Lake Laogai." As soon as Ling said that, Jo Dee look like she was hypnotized. "I am honored to accept his invitation." "Good. Now go wait for the orders. If the Avatars keep searching for a way to see the king, it could upset the delicate balance we've worked so hard to achieve in this city. It could even cost us control of the King." "Should we take care of them?" "No. It's much too dangerous for us to face them directly. Let's see if we can still handle this quietly." ================================================================== At Iroh and Zuko's place of stay, which is about to change, Zuko enters Iroh's room as he is packing. "So, I was thinking about names for my new tea shop. How about The Jasmine Dragon? It's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it." "The Avatars are here in Ba Sing Se, uncle." "We have a chance for a new life here. If you start stirring up trouble, we could lose all the good things that are happening for us." "Good things that are happening for you! Have you ever thought that I want more from life than a nice apartment and a job serving tea?" "There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I suggest you think about what it is that you want from your life and why." "I want my destiny." "What that means is up to you." Zuko then walks away. "The Tea Weevil! No, that's stupid." ================================================================== At the hive of the changelings in Sub-Sahara Africa, Queen Chrysalis is yelling at Medizinisch. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M WEAK!" She yelled at the doctor changeling. "Calm down before you strangle me. Look, all I'm saying is that the Avatar of Fire is powerful with magic." Just then, small creatures hanging from yellow strings pop down. "Magic. Magic. Magic." They all said in unison. "Ugh." Die said out of annoyance. "I thought we got ride of you furry warts!" "All say!" Chrysalis yelled out. "You are so annoying." "Tell me about it! You furry warts make terrible pets! All you do is hang there and repeat yourselves! Ooh-ah-ooh!" "Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh." The furry warts said while laughing. "Now," Chrysalis said after the furry warts calmed down, "how do you know that the Fire Avatar is that powerful?" "I did researched after Deker asked you if you were going after the Fire Avatar. I discovered that this Firebrand, despite being from Abysus, is a direct descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded!" He said with panic in his voice, not knowing how Chrysalis will react. "WHAT! HE'S A DESCENDENT OF THE ONE WHO SEALED AWAY MY FATHER! KING MANTISES!" She yelled. "Right. And if he's a descendent, that would explain why Madimot's mind control was block when he cast that spell, and how he freed Shining Armor from his control. And he did the first one on instinct." "AH! THIS GIVES ME AN EVEN BIGGER HEADACHE! I NEED TO GET RID OF HIM, NOW!" She then calms down a little. "Bring me the most powerful changeling warrior you can find!" "I know just the one. Some of the other warrior changelings are even afraid of him." Die said as she headed to the tunnel that connects to the bed chamber. "Oh Robtish! Are you there?" "Right here." A voice called back in a thick Scottish accent. Robtish then appears in the main chamber. He has dark red armor instead of black. He also is carrying a large sword. As he walks in, he knocks a furry wart down and steps on it, turning it to dust. "What do you need?" "Theres an annoying red unicorn we need to get rid of." Die said to him. "He's also the Avatar of Fire. So, would you like to get rid of him?" Medizinisch asked him. Robtish then grabs another furry wart and crushes it. "Like to? I love to." "Then I'll open the portal that'l let you go to Ba Sing Se. That is where the Fire Avatar is at." Die said to him as she concentrated. A portal that looks like a wormhole, only a very dark green opens. Robtish then enters it and emerges on the other side at a Ba Sing Se quarry. ================================================================== At the Ba Sing Se shopping mall, the girls are having some fun until a unicorn Jo Dee shows up and tells them that they are not allowed to shop out the stores without proper clearance. They then stare at Rarity, who put of all of them, had the most bags full of thing like dresses, hats, shoes, boats, scarfs, etc. After a few returns, the girls decide to head back to the house. On their way, Twilight hears a familiar voice behind them. "Twilight?" Twilight gasp when she hers the colts voice and turns around. She then gets angry at the source of the voice, a young unicorn stallion with a brown mane and tail, no longer then Big Mac's, while his coat is a lighter color. He also has two hook swords for a cutie mark. It's Jet. "What are you doing here!" She yelled, startling the others. Cadence recognizes Jet right away. "Uh oh." "Twilight, Cadence, who is that?" "That Twilight's old boyfriend, Jet." Cadence began. "She left him when his obsession over defeating the Fire Nation became unbearable." "Why is he obsessing over the defeat of the Fire Nation?" "Thats a good question, Sweetie Belle. The reason is because they killed his family was too much for Twilight." Cadence said as Twilight charges up her horn. "Twilight, I've changed!" "I'll believe that when I see it!" She said as she telekinesis on Jet. Jet is thrown against a wall, while Twilight begins to move to him until Cadence stops her. "Twilight. This isn't that time for this." The boys then approach them. "Twilight, whats going on?" Shining asked his little sister. "It's Jet." Cadence said to her husband. "We can't trust anything Jet says!" Twilight yelled. "What the hay is goin' on here?" Applejack said while Twilight is still glaring at Jet. "Lets talk about this, okay" Jet said as he was being strangled. "No way!" Twilight snapped. "We don't even know why he's here, Twiley!" "I don't care why he's here, whatever the reason is, it can't be good!" Twilight yelled at her brother. "I swear, I've changed! I was a troubled pony and I let my anger get out of control, but I don't even have the gang now! I've put all that behind me!" Jet said as he is still being strangled. "You're lying!" Terra then walks up to the wall Jet is on and places her hoof on it. "He's not lying, Twilight." "How can you tell?" "I can feel his breathing and heartbeat, Rainbow. When ponies lie, there's a physical reaction. He's telling the truth." "Twilight, calm down, or you'll end up just like him." Shining said to her. With that, Twilight releases her grip and Jet falls to the ground. "All right." She said as she points and looks angrily at Jet. "But I'm not letting you out of our sight." "I've change Twilight." Jet said as he begins to follow the group. Fire' cast a stare at Jet's way while he passes them. "Whats the matter, Fire'?" Terra asked as she, Agua and Shining are standing next to him. "I don't trust this guy." "Why?" Agua said to Fire.' "He seems real nice." "Until you mention the Fire Nation." Shining pointed out. "But, there's something else, isn't there." Fire' said nothing, he only blushed. "Do you like Twilight?" Terra playfully said, "What ... no!" Fire' firmly said. Terra soon smiles. "I can tell you're lying..." Fire' then angrily walks away. On their way to the palace, the meet up with Smellerbee and Longshot and they notice Jet. "Jet!" Smellerbee said when she sees Jet with team Avatar. "I thought you said you didn't have your 'gang' anymore!" "I don't, Twilight!" "We were so worried." Smellerbee said to them. "How did you get away from the Dai Li?" "The Dai Li?!" Twilight said. "I don't know what she's talking about!" "He got arrested by the Dai Li a couple of weeks ago. We saw them drag him away!" Smellerbee said as Terra walks in between the two to feel the vibrations in the ground. "Why would I be arrested? I've lived peacefully in the city!" "This doesn't make any sense." Terra said to them all. "What doesn't make sense?" Apple Bloom asked. "They're both telling the truth." Terra answer. "That's impossible." "No it's not!" Fire' said when he realizes something. "Terra can't tell who's lying because they both think they're telling the truth. Jet's been brainwashed!" "That's crazy! It can't be!" The two groups then surround them. "Stay away from me!" ================================================================== Later that night, a Dai Li agent is walking on streets, when suddenly, Zuko, disguised as the Blue Spirit, runs by. "Out of my way, skinny!" Zuko yelled at him. The agent pursues and confronts what appears to be him. But when he fires his gun, he notices it is a stuffed figure. Zuko, still disguised, captures him and places one of his swords to the agent's neck. "If you don't want to end up like him, you'll do what I say." ================================================================== In an unknown building, Team Avatar, Longshot, and Smellerbee all surround a seated Jet. "The Dai Li must have sent Jet to spy on us!" Twilight said. "I bet he can remember where he was." Fire' said as he got closer to Jet. "Jet, where did they take you?" "Nowhere! I don't know what you're talking about!" "We need to find a way to jog his real memories." Blitz said. "Maybe Twilight can kiss him. That should bring something back!" "Maybe you should kiss him, Rainbow!" "Hey, just an idea!" "A bad one." Fire' said. "Oooh, wait! I've got it!" Pinkie said as she sticks a blade of grass into Jet's mouth." "I don't think it's working." Jet then spits it out. "Try to think of something from your past that triggers your emotions." Terra said. "The Fire Nation! Remember what they did to your family!" "Good idea, Smellerbee. Close your eyes, Jet. Picture it." Twilight said to him. Jet remembers images of his town burning down and a Fire Nation soldier looking back at him."No! It's too painful!" "Maybe this will help." Agua said as she takes some water and uses healing to clear his mind. "How are you doin' that?" "I look at some more scrolls an I found out that waterbending can also be used for healing." "Cool." Sweetie said. Jet begins to see images of Long Feng, then an underground area. He then sees an image of a Dai Li agent shining a spinning light in his face. "They took me to a headquarters under the water! Like a lake!" Jet said as he began to remember. "Wait!" Fire' suddenly said. "Remember what Jo Dee said? She said she went on vacation to Lake Laogai!" "That's it! Lake Laogai!" Jet said as he remembers the name of the lake. ================================================================== Later, the Team, Jet, Longshot, and Smellerbee are now at Lake Laogai. "So where's this secret headquarters?" Shining asked Jet. "Under the water, I think." "There's a tunnel right there by the shore." Terra said as she uses her earthbending and brings up a slab of rock that only unicorns can lift. The rock was hiding an entrance that leads under the water. She moves the rock out the way with the same technique. They all make their way into the headquarters. "It's all starting to come back to me." Jet said as they passed a room full of mares and a Dai Li agent brainwashing them to be 'Jo Dee.' They open another door where, unknown to them, several Dai Li agents are waiting. The door closes suddenly on them. After the door closes, lights turn on, revealing the agents. "Now that's something different." Rainbow said. "You have made yourselves enemies of the state. Take them into custody." Two agents take out some cuffs and fire them, but Terra breaks them with some rocks. Jet breaks up two other cuffs fired by agents, and takes one out. A full battle ensues. Terra deals with a pair of Dai Li agents. She is captured by one, but Jet frees her. Longshot fires an arrow which destroys a large cuff. Jet holds off more of them. Long Feng them makes his escape. "Long Feng is escaping!" Fire said as he, Jet, and Shining begin chasing him. They head into another part of the HQ, but are sealed in by him using magic. "All right, Avatar of Fire, you've caused me enough problems. This is your last chance. Leave now and never return." "Not gonna happen until we talk to the king." Shining said to the traitor. "You're in no position to bargain." Jet said to Long. "Am I not?" "You're definitely not!" Fire' said. "Jet, the King has invited you to Lake Laogai." "I am honored to accept his invitation." Jet said under Long's control. He then attacks Fire' and Shining. ================================================================== In another part of the HQ, Zuko, still disguise as the Blue Spirit, is looking for the Avatars. He then sees a shape that looks like Terra. "You're mine now." However, instead of Terra, it's actually Iroh. "Uncle?" "So, the Blue Spirit. I wonder who could be behind that mask..." Zuko lets out a sigh and removes his mask. "What are you doing here?" "I was just about to ask you the same thing. What do you plan to do now that you've found the Dai Li's, HQ or found one of the Avatars? Keep him or her locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?" "First I have to find one of the Avatars." "And then what!? You never think these things through! This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatars of Fire and Water at the North Pole! You had them, and then you had nowhere to go!" "I would have figured something out!" "NO! If the Fire Avatar hadn't thawed your head, you would have frozen to death!!" "I know my destiny, Uncle!" "Is it your own destiny, or is it a destiny somepony else has tried to force on you?" "Stop it, Uncle! I have to do this!" "I'm begging you, Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?" Zuko then screams loudly, throwing down his swords and Blue Spirit mask. ================================================================== Meanwhile, in a heavy security prison in Canterlot, two Royal Guard pegasi stand guard in front of a cast-iron hi-tech security door. Behind the security door was another security door with another guard pony behind magic-proof glass in a guard station, monitoring cameras and motion detectors in the room behind the second door. The room both doors led to was an octagonal steel-encased room with a cast-iron magic-proof cage. Inside the cage, was a statue. A statue of a dragon-pony-flying-deer thing. A statue of Discord, the Equestrian deity of chaos and disharmony. A small evil sounding chuckle was heard as a small crack appeared on the back side of Discord's head. The guard pony in the security station looked up from his book, looked over into the chamber, and narrowed his eyes. "What in the?" He then pushed the comm button. "Hey, Kale. Ritz. I thought I head something inside the chamber." "What?" One of the Pegasi looked back, chuckling. "You crazy, Durge? There isn't no pony in there now." "I swear I heard something, guys..." The guard in the security station known as Durge started to sweat. "Ugh ... Baby filly. C'mon Kale. Let's go check for monsters hiding under Discord." Durge rolled his eyes as he pushed the button to open the doors. The two pegasi laughed as they crossed through. "Anything suspicious?" Durge called out into the cell using the intercom. "Nope. Nothing here." Kale said, poking the statue. "Yeah Durge. Don't take him for 'granite'... Oh! Wait!" Both pegasi burst out laughing. What they didn't notice is that where Kale had poked the statue, another thin crack appeared. "Okay, ponies, haha, really funny. C'mon out..." "Hahahah!" A laugh echoed around the cell, causing both Pegasi to stop laughing and gaze in horror at the statue as it started to crack even more. "I don't know about you, Durge, but I found that rather ... punny! Muhahaha!" "Kale?" Ritz asked. "What-what did you do?" "I think I broke him, man..." Kale muttered, shuddering. "Hahaha! Au contraire! You've just made my return more humorous!" The statue exploded in a shower of granite sparks, knocking the Pegasi back a good ten meters into the cell wall. In the statue's place, stood the real Discord himself. Effortlessly bending the bars to the cage his statue was in, he stepped out and picked up both the dazed Pegasi by the throats. He bashed their heads together, and threw them against the wall. A sickening crack was heard as the two fell to the ground, motionless. "OH CRUD!" Durge swore as he closed the security doors and pushed the alarm button. Instantly, red lights started flashing and an alarm started blaring. "Aw...did you really need to do that now, Durge?" Discord's voice rang from behind him. "What-UMPH!" In a shower of glass, Durge was flung through the magic-proof window and against the wall. Discord single-handed punched through the remaining security door and ripped it open. Laughing as he threw the door and Durge's corpse effortlessly aside, he bellowed: "You failed Twilight Sparkle! The Elements of Harmony could not hold me! And now..." He cracked his knuckles as more guard ponies ran at him, swords in their mouths. "I'll have my revenge, and there isn't a being in this world that will stand in my way." ================================================================== Meanwhile, the brainwashed Jet continues swinging his hook swords at Fire' and Shining. "Jet, it's me, Shining Armor! You don't have to do this!" "I'm afraid he no longer has a choice." Long said as Jet continues to try to kill the two unicorns. "Jet, I'm your friend! Look inside your heart!" Shining said. "Do your duty, Jet!" "He can't make you do this! You're a Freedom Fighter!" Fire' said to Jet. With that, Jet has a rapid flashback of his past. "Do it! Do it now!" Long Feng yelled at Jet. Jet then fires one of his swords, but instead of aiming it at Shining of Fire,' he throws it at Long Feng instead, but it misses by a foot. He counters with a laser which strikes Jet down. Long then heads to an elevator. "Foolish boy. You have chosen your own demise." The door then closes as Long gets away. "I'm sorry ... guys." The dying Jet said. "Don't be." Fire' said as the rest of the group arrives, they are all struck with sorrow and shock. Agua goes up to Jet and tries her healing technique. "This isn't good." She said. "You guys go and find Long Feng. We'll take care of Jet." "We're not going to leave you three, Smellerbee." Twilight said to her. "There's no time. Just go. We'll take care of him. He's our leader." Longshot said in a light voice. "Don't worry, Twilight. I'll be fine." Jet said as team Avatar leaves. Terra then walks up to Shining and says, "He's lying..." while Smellerbee stands over Jet, crying. Longshot stands guard, prepping an arrow just in case. ================================================================== Outside, Robtish arrives and sees some Dai Li agents waiting, some of them talking about the Avatars. "This must be the place." He said. Team Avatar then comes put and finds all the Dai Li agents waiting for them. "You think we can outrun them?" "I don't think it's going to matter, Rainbow!" Fire' said as a fight ensures. Soon they have some company, ponies who were in prisoned by the Dai Li. Long Feng sees this. "Nows not the time. Dai Li, retreat!" He yelled as smoke grandees are thrown to the ground. After the smoke clears, the Dai Li are gone. "Where did y'all come from?" Applejack asked. "We were in theses cells when this Blue Spirit appeared and knocked out the guards. He then let us go and showed us the way out." A mare with a yellow coat and an orange mane said. ================================================================== On the other side of the lake, Zuko and Iroh emerge from another entrance to the Dai Li headquarters. "You did the right thing, nephew." Iroh said as Zuko looks at his Blue Spirit mask. "Leave it behind." Zuko then tosses the mask into the water. He watches as it sinks to the bottom of the lake. ================================================================== "So," Rainbow began, "whats next?" At that moment, Robtish appears to them on the hill. "You had to ask." Twilight said to her. "A changeling!" Shining growled. "Which one of you is the Fire Avatar?" Robtish asked them. Fire' then steps forward, sword in hoof. "Ha. I heard that Queen Chrysalis knows that you can do something that she doesn't want you to do. So, she sen't me to get ride of you. Sorry, not." He then jumps down and prepares to fight, sword in ... uh ... whatever they call it. The Avatars soon prepare for battle while the main six, Shining, the CMC, Cadence, and the freed prisoners take shelter. A battle between the 4 Avatars and Robtish soon begins. After an intense fight, Robtish pulls out his ace, metaphorically speaking. "Sonic Shockwave!" He yelled as he used his magic to send a small sonic boom at Blitz and Agua, sending them flying. "Double Slash!" He said as he did two slashes at Terra and Fire.' Fire' manages to stay on his four hoofs, but Terra flies into a polder, knocking her out. "Oh. You a strong one, aren't you? Now I'm convinced you're a direct descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded." When Twilight heard Robtish say that, her mind is blown. "Firebrand is a descendent of Star Swirl the Bearded!" She thought to herself. "Say good by." Robtish said as he ran for Fire.' But when he goes for the attack, another blade appears between them, along with its holder, Deker. "What are you doing here?" "Thats what I was going to ask. Deker, why are you here?" Robtish asked. "I will not let you destroy the Fire Avatar, I must duel him." Deker answered. "Fine by me. I'll get ride of both of you." Robtish said as Fire' grabs a sword with his magic and pulls it over. "I'll take you both on!" Fire' said to the two. Deker and Robtish then swing their blades at him, but Fire' blocks them using his two blades. "You both need to stand aside!" Fire' said as all three both attack and block one of the others. Deker easily blocks both Robtish's and Fire's attacks while doing slashes of his own. Robtish blocks it. "Thats it!" Robtish said to Firebrand. "Time to finish you off!" Fire' then takes both of his blades and he catches on fire along with the blades. "Nope. It's time to get fired up!" He then slashes at the two changelings, causing explosions with each hit. Each time one of the two blades of his hits either Deker's or Robtish's blades, it causes a small sonic boom. The main six, the CMC, Shining and Cadence help get the other Avatars up. Agua sees Firebrands's power and remarks that, "It's amazing. Where is he finding the strength to hold both of them off?" "Remember how that new changeling said that Fire' is a descendent of Star Swirl." Twilight said to the group. "Maybe thats why Fire' did a spell that protected him from the other changeling and how he's able to hold them off." Soon the three come to a stand still. One of Fire's blades is at Deker's chest while the other is holding Robtish's sword. Deker's Uramasa is at Robtish's neck also. "OK boys." Fire' said, breaking a few moments of silence. "Your move." After a few moments of silence, with the only noise from the three is a growl from Robtish and a laugh from Deker. Robtish then backs down. "You both in luck. I'm drying out." He said as he loses his color and begins to crack up. "Queen Chrysalis won't be happy about this." He snarled at Deker as he disappears in a puff of smoke. Deker and Fire' then back off as well, with Fire' returning to his normal form. "He'll be back." Fire' said. He then turns to Deker. "Why did you help me?" "My only desire is to find somepony skilled enough to be my opponent." Deker answered as he resumes his fighting stance. "Somepony worthy to clash with my sword, Uramasa." Fire' then resumes his fighting stance as well. The others stare at the two, with Twilight virtually petrified. "Firebrand! Don't fight him!" Blitz yelled as Fire' and Deker move sideways. The two soon run to a boulder, clashing their blades at each other. Deker then hits Fire' on his shoulder, making Fire' drop his borrowed sword as he falls back to the border. "NO!"Twilight said as she runs up to him. "Twilight! Get back here!" Shining said to his little sister. But she just ignored him, too worried about Firebrand. She then reaches his side to see if Fire' is okay. His shoulder is slightly bleeding but its nothing too serious. "Hum." Deker said as Twilight sees if Fire' is okay. "That was too easy." "What do you mean?" Twilight asked the white changeling, worried that he was going to do something far worse to Firebrand. "This isn't the battle I want." Deker said as he approaches the couple. "Robtish's Double Slash took too much out of you." He then points Uramasa at Fire's neck. "Uramasa and I wont be satisfied unless you're at your peak. Next time, you will taste this slash." Twilight and Fire' get out-of-the-way when Deker slices at boulder. They then see that it was cut clear in half. "Now go. You'll need to be at full strength to even have a chance against me." He then flies up to the cliff and returns to his pony form. "Fire Avatar, you will satisfy my hunger. You will give met the battle I've desired for centuries. So for now I will leave you be, until you are again at your best. Then we will duel." The others soon arrive to see if Twilight and Fire' are all right. Pinkie then takes a look at Deker and remembers seeing him before. "Wait." Pinkie said as the others turn to her. "Is that the weird dude from when Shining was under that other changeling's control?" "Yes, it is him." Rarity said. Scootaloo then moves a bit closer to Deker. "Hey! What are you anyway? Are you a changeling?" Deker then turns his head to face the group. "I am Deker. Nothing more and nothing less." He then leaves. ================================================================== After the gang get the prisoners back to their homes, they discuss what to do next. "Look," Fire' began, "we escaped from the Dai Li. We freed their prisoners. I'm telling you, we should go to the King now and tell him whats going on. "What makes you think we'll get it?" Terra said to him. "I don't know if you've noticed, but things don't usually go that smoothly for our little gang." "I know, but I've got a good feeling about this. This time will be different." "Fire,'" Agua began, "Long Feng is in control of the city. His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep heading to the Himalayas and leave this horrible place behind us." "I'm with Sweetness." Terra said. "I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se. And I can't even see!" "Look, there's nothing stopping us from telling the King the truth. About the conspiracy and the War." Twilight said to the two. "See? Twilight's with me. It's the reason we came here in the first place. We have to try." "Well," Blitz began, "I guess if the King knew the truth, things could change. "I don't trust the new positive Blitz." Terra said as she points her hoof at him. "Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he!?" Fire' then notices a few ships in the lake. "That's probably the Dai Li searching for us. So? Let's fly!" Fire' said as he, Agua, Terra, and Blitz go elemental and pick up the ones who can't fly. They fly toward the Palace, with the others holding on for dear life. They soon get closer to the palace. "There it is! That whole thing is the palace! The King's chamber should be in the center!" Twilight said to the others. "We have to be careful." Fire' said. "Long Feng's probably warned the king that we're coming." "Why would you assume that?" Rainbow said to him. "If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in and-" Befor she could finished, a missile almost hits them. "Aahh! "What was that!?" Terra said. "Surface-to-Air Missiles! More incoming!" Blitz said as they dodge a few more rocks. One gets launched right at Agua, but she destroys it with some highly pressurized water. Another launches at them head on and Fire' destroys it with his sword. He then launches himself and Twilight to the front of the palace and uses firebending to knock back the palace guards. As they continue toward the King, more guards appear and launch grenades at the gang. Terra uses earthbending to block the attacks while Blitz uses lightningbending to subdue the guards. Agua then water-whips two guards. "Sorry!" She then turns around and hits a few more guards. More guards come and Terra uses earthbending to flip the tiles they're walking over to trap the guards. They run past them. "Sorry! We just need to get through to see the King!" Fluttershy said to the unconscious guards. More guards appear on the opposite end of a bridge and launch two rockets at them. Terra create an earth igloo to block the rockets. Agua creates an ice ramp to jump to the other side of the bridge and water-whips the guards into the water. She then freezes them in the water as the rest all jump across. More surface-to-air missiles appear as guards are coming down a giant staircase. Terra uses earthbending to change the stairs into a ramp, causing them all to fall. She then uses earthbending to escalate themselves up the stairs. "Seriously," Applejack said to them, "we're actually on your guys' side! Sorry." More guards come and Terra pushes them away with earthbending. "In there!" Shining pointed to a door said. The then make their way inside. They come to an area with 3 doors. More guards appear and Terra easily defeats them all. "Terra, which way to the King?" "How should I know, Blitz? I'm still voting we leave Ba Sing Se." Terra defeats more guards while Blitz searches the doors for the King. He eventually stumbles upon a mare's dressing room, which causes the mare to faint. He then shuts the door. "Sorry. Wrong door." ================================================================== Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh return from Ba Sing Se. The former seems ill. "You did the right thing. Letting the Dai Li's prisoners go free." "I don't feel right." He then gets dizzy and passes out. "Zuko!" Iroh then rushes over to him. ================================================================== Back at the palace, the team arrives at a pile of rubble. Fire' climbs atop it and sees a gigantic door. "Now that's an impressive door. It's gotta go somewhere." He then drops down from the rubble and attempts to kick the door open. The door does not move even slightly. Fire' then starts pushing it open, but to no avail. Terra jumps in from behind and bust the door down, knocking Fire' forward in the process. He starts rubbing the back of his head. "A little warning next time?!" They arrive in the King's chamber with Ku sitting in his throne. Long Feng and his Dai Li agents stand in their way. The team take fighting stances against them. "We need to talk to you." Fire' said to the king. "They're here to overthrow you." Long Feng said to the king. "No, we're on your side. We're here to help." Twilight said. "You have to trust us." Agua said. The king then stands up. "You invade my palace, lay waste to all my guards, break down my fancy door, and you expect me to trust you?" "He has a good point." Terra said to them. "If you are on my side, then drop your weapons and stand down!" The king said to them. They look at each other for a moment. Fire' drops his staff, along with Agua's trident, Terra's scythe, and Blitz's nun-chucks. "See? We're friends, your Kinginess." Pinkie said to the king, who says nothing. Long Feng then signals the Dai Li to cuff their legs. "Detain the assailants!" He said. The Dai Li then rush to behind Team Avatar. "But, they dropped there weapons. We're your allies." Rainbow said to them. "Make sure the Avatars and their friends never see daylight again." Long Feng said, only to realize his mistake and looks at the king, who looks at him shocked. "The Avatars?" He then points at Rainbow. "You're one of the Avatars?" "Uh, no." Rainbow said. She then points to Firebrand, Agua, Terra, and Blitz. "Them. Fire' then melts his cuffs and raises one of his hoofs. "Over here." "What does it matter, your Highness?" Long Feng said. "They're enemies of the state." "Perhaps you're right." The king said. He then sees his bear sniff and lick Fire' and smiles at Long Feng. "Though Bosco seems to like him. I'll hear what they have to say. Fire' then walks forward. "Well, sir, there's a war going on now. For the past few years in fact. The Dai Li's kept it secret from you. It's a conspiracy to control the city, and to control you." "A secret war? That's crazy!" The king said. "Completely!" Long Feng also said. "Long Feng didn't want anypony to tell you, so he in-prisoned innocent Geo Firma ponies and blackmailed their families. And blackmail is the least of his crimes; he brainwashed our friend!" Fire' said. Long Feng quickly turns to face his king. "All lies." "Your claim is difficult to believe. Even from an Avatar." The king said. Long Feng then whispers in his ear, "These hooligans are part of an anarchist cell that my agents have been tracking for weeks. If you listen to them, you're playing right into your own destruction." The King then. "I have to trust my advisor. So, unless you can prove he's lying, I won't believe you." Fire' then thinks for a moment. "We won't be able to get back to the Dai Li's secret base. Also we won't be able to find the prisoners again, assuming the Dai Li hasn't recaptured them." Fire' then remembers the drill at the outer wall. "Thats it! Theres no way they can cover that up." Fire' then turns to the king again. "If you come with us to the Outer Wall, we can prove to you that the secret war is real." "No Geo Firma King has ever been to the Outer Wall. I don't have anymore time for this nonsense." The King firmly said. "If you come with us," Fire' said as he points to Rainbow, "this time you can ride on Rainbow Dash." The King (who's a unicorn) smiles, while Rainbow makes a 'Say what?' expression. ================================================================== Back in Iroh and Zuko's apartment, Zuko is asleep, but he wakes up. " You're burning up." Iroh said as he dips a cloth in water. "You have an intense fever." He then places the cloth on Zuko's forehead. "This will help cool you down." "So thirsty." Zuko said as he sits up, but Iroh makes him lay back down. He then grabs a bucket with a spoon in it and takes out the spoon. "Here's some clean water to drink. Stay under the blankets and sweat this out. Zuko grabs the spoon from Iroh and drinks the water. He tosses the spoon aside and grabs the bucket. He drinks from it, while spilling some out. He then tosses the bucket aside and lies back down. Iroh pulls the covers more over him. ================================================================== Meanwhile, en route to the Outer Wall, the King is riding on Rainbow, holding on for dear life and screaming at the top of his lungs in fear. "First time flying?" Terra asked him. "It's both thrilling and terrifying!" "Yeah. I hate it too." "I have to be honest with you: part of me really hopes that what you're telling me about this war isn't true." The king said as they slow down a little. "I wish it wasn't." Fire' said to the king. ================================================================== Meanwhile at Zuko and Iroh's apartment, Zuko is having a dream that he is the Fire Lord, with no scar on his eye. One red and one blue dragon appear and start circling around the pillars on each side of him. The blue dragon starts circling around Zuko. In Azula's voice, the blue dragon says that "It's getting late. Are you planning to retire soon, my lord?" "I'm not tired." "Relax, Fire Lord Zuko. Just let go. Give in to it. Shut your eyes for a while." Zuko starts to shut his eyes but widely opens them upon hearing the other dragon, who has Iroh's voice. Don't, Fire Lord Zuko! Do not listen to the blue dragon. You should get out of here now. Go! Before it's too late! "Sleep now, Fire Lord Zuko." The blue dragon said as they disappear, and the room they're in, as well as the guards watching Zuko, crumble to nothing. The blue dragon then reappears in front of him. "Sleep. Just like mother." It then charges at Zuko and opens its mouth. Inside the dragon's mouth, Zuko sees his mother, Ursa. "Zuko! Help me!" Zuko then disappears through the floor. The sleeping Zuko begins to sweat. ================================================================== Meanwhile, Team Avatar arrives at the Outer Wall with the king, who sees the drill. Fire' then points to it. "It's still there!" "What is that?" The king asked, shocked. "It's a drill. A giant drill made by the Fire Nation to break through your walls." Blitz said as the king looks horrified. "I can't believe I never knew." The king said, still shocked. Long Feng then appears on an elevator with two Dai Li agents. "I can explain this, your Majesty. This is nothing more than ... a construction project." "Really?" Agua began. "Then perhaps you could explain why there's a Fire Nation insignia on your 'construction project.' Long Feng then looks at the king, who is looking at him suspiciously. "Well, it's imported of course. You know you can't trust domestic machinery. Surely you don't believe these foals over your most loyal attendant?" The King looks at Team Avatar and then at Long Feng. "Dai Li! Arrest Long Feng! I want him to stand trial for crimes against Geo Firma." Long Feng and Team Avatar look shocked at the king. The two agents behind Long Feng share glances and shackle Long and pull him in. "You can't arrest me! You all need me more than you know!" He yelled as he's taken away. Fire,' with a happy look on his face says, "Looks like Long Feng is Long Gone!" The others then stare at him. "Yeah, I've been waiting to use that one." ================================================================== That night at the Palace, the King is talking with Team Avatar. "I want to thank you, young heroes, for opening my eyes. All this time, what I thought was a great metropolis was merely a city of fools. And that makes me the king fools. We're at war. With the Fire Nation." "That's why we came to Ba Sing Se, your Highness." Twilight said to him. Princess Celestia wants you to help us end the war." The King then thinks for a moment. "Very well. You have my support." Team Avatar then celebrates, with Pinkie suggesting a 'We-Saved-the-King-of-Geo-Firma-and-now-he's-going-to-help-us-party.' Just then, somepony else arrives. His name is General How. "Your Majesty." He said as he walks up to Team Avatar and bows to the king. "I apologize for the interruption." "This is General How. He's the leader of the Council of Five, my highest ranking generals." He said to Team Avatar. "We searched Long Feng's office. I think we found something that will interest everypony." A unicorn solider arrives carrying a box with his magic. "There are secret files on everypony in Ba Sing Se. Including you kids." "Secret files?" Fire' asked with curiosity. The King takes out a scroll and reads the side. "'Terra Beifong.'" He then hoofs the scroll to General How, who gives it to Terra, who lets Twilight take it and read it. "It's a letter from your brother." Terra's eyes then widen with shock. "Long Feng intercepted our letters from home?" She said as shakes her head. "That's just sad." Another solider then arrives with a scroll and gives it to the Avatars. Fire' uses his magic to open it and when he reads it, he is utterly shock. "What is it, Fire'?" Twilight said to him. "I can't believe it. There's a stallion living at the Eastern Air Temple. He says he's a guru." "What's a guru? Some kind of poisonous blowfish?" Sweetie Belle asked. "No, Sweetie. A spiritual expert. He wants to help us take the next step in the Avatar journey. He says he can teach us to better to control the Avatar State. It even says that he'll tell us where the remaining Elements of Nature are at!" ================================================================== Meanwhile at Iroh and Zuko's apartment, Iroh is some pouring tea. "You should know that this is not a natural sickness, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea." He said as he feeds Zuko the tea. "What's happening?" Zuko manage to say. "Your critical decision. What you did beneath that lake. It was in such conflict with your image of yourself that you are now at war within your own mind and body." Iroh then feeds Zuko some more tea. "What's that mean?" Zuko then coughs continuously and lies down. "You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, you will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be." Soon, Iroh and Zuko are asleep. Zuko then wakes up and walks to the kitchen. He then washes his face with water. When he looks in the mirror, he sees himself with no scar, a flame red coat, and a mane thats like Spitfire's, Zuko looks just like Firebrand. He also looks horrified. He then screams himself awake and breathes heavily. He touches the scar on his face and closes his eyes. ================================================================== In a prison, Long Feng is sitting in his cell. A Dai Li agent appears outside of the cell. The agent then slides a tray of food underneath the door. "Dinner." Long Feng then grabs some food. "The Council of Five and the Military are loyal to the King, but the Dai Li remains loyal to you, Long Feng, sir." He then walks away as Long Feng eats his food while smiling sinisterly. ================================================================== Back at the palace, as Fire' and the other Avatars prepare to leave, three Kyoshi Warriors are walking up to the king and bow. "In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi Warriors!" The warriors then look up. "We are the Earth King's humble servants." The middle warrior said. She has gold eyes, showing that it is really Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee disguised as Kyoshi Warriors, whom they have previously defeated.
The Elements of Nature, Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning)	Chapter 10, The Crossroads of Destiny	The Elements of Nature Book 2: 土 & 雷 (Earth & Lightning) Chapter 10, The Crossroads of Destiny At Zuko and Iroh's apartment, Iroh is preparing some food when Zuko walks in. "What's that smell?" "It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." "Actually, it smells delicious. I'd love a bowl, Uncle."Zuko said as he takes a bowl. Iroh is very surprised by hie nephews sudden behavior. "Now that your fever is gone, you seem different somehow." "It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle." ================================================================== Firebrand, Agua, Terra, and Blitz are flying, with Fire' in his elemental form while Terra is riding on Blitz, to the Eastern Air Temple, which is several hundred miles away to the Southeast. "Are you guys nerves to meet this guru?" Terra said as they are going across the ocean. "Not at all." Agua said. "I'm not afraid." "Me neither." Fire' finished. "I'm ready to master the Avatar State. I'll do whatever it takes." ================================================================== Back at the Earth King's Royal Palace, the 'Kyoshi Warriors,' Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee in disguise, appear before King Kuei. "Look Bosco! The Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us! Aren't you excited?" Bosco just yawns. "It's been a difficult week for me. My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me." "It's terrible when you can't trust the ponies who are closest to you." Kuei the pets his pet bear. "But there is good news. As we speak, the Council of Five is meeting to plan an invasion of the Fire Nation next year." For a second, Azula's eyes widen with shock and worry upon hearing this, but she quickly hides it. "Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan." She then glances off as Mai and Ty Lee look at each other. ================================================================== On to the Council of Five meeting, where Shining, Princesses Celestia and Luna, who arrived not knowing that Discord has escaped, Cadence, Twilight and her friends, and the CMC are present. "General Fong's base will serve as the launching point for the attack. In exactly one year, the army and navy will invade the Fire Nation. All we need is the King's seal to execute the plan." "I'll get these scrolls to him right away. Thank you, General How." Shining said as he levitates the scrolls and heads for the thrown room. Rarity then walks up to Twilight with Sweetie in tow. "Twilight, me and Sweetie thought to go get some tea while we wait. Care to join us?" "Sure Rarity." ================================================================== At the hive of the changelings in Sub-Sahara Africa, Queen Chrysalis is asleep while Die is playing her harmonium. Discord is lying on the wall, drinking some green glowing water. "This evil water is delicious. Oh, how I missed its sweet taste." "Tell me about it." The changeling Robtish said across the room. "Ooh-ah-ooh. Your gonna get it when the Queen wakes up and finds out that the Fire Avatar is still alive." "I still can't believe that Avatar myth is true." Discord remarked as he finished his glass by drinking it as well. "Ah, the Avatar had help." "Had help?" Medizinisch asked Robtish. "Some half pony." "A half pony?" Discord said, slightly confused. "Deker?" Die asked. Just then, Chrysalis wakes up out of anger. "What?! Deker is helping the Wilders of the Elements of Harmony and Nature now?!" "Good mourning, Queen Chrysalis. I'll be happy to finish them both off if you want to." Robtish said as he grabs a bowl. "Oh." Chrysalis said as she grabs the bowl from Robtish. "Deker make me so angry." She then drinks it, but realizes it's not what she thought it was. "Huh. This isn't my medicine!" She then smashes the bowl to the ground. "Medicine. Medicine." The furry warts said as they jumped down. "Oh, shut up, you furry warts! Ooh-ah-ooh!" "Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh. Ooh-ah-ooh." The furry warts said while laughing. ================================================================== In a forest not far away from Ba Sing Se, Deker is walking when he senses something. "Something's coming." Some changeling drones then appear before him. "So, Queen Chrysalis has sent her changeling minions to challenge me." He then draws out his blade. "Then meet my sword, Uramasa!" He then slashes at some changeling that charge at him, slicing them in half. Deker then spins around and a purple wave hits the remaining changelings, turning them into dust. Behind him in the river, Chrysalis appears with a sword. "I've lost my patience with you, Deker!" She than charges at him. He manages to block some slashes until Deker' back faces the river while Chrysalis is in front of him. "How dare you to meddle in my affairs! Leave it to a half pony like you to side with them." "I know you wan't the Fire Avatar destroyed, but he is tied to my destiny. I must duel him! You must let me do this!" Chrysalis then pushes Deker back into the river. "What you want means nothing to me!" Deker positions his Uramasa so the groves on it, the side he used to slice the boulder in half, are facing Chrysalis. "I have no interest in battling you!" "Very wise of you, but it doesn't mean you can avoid my wrath." Chrysalis then uses her magic to conjure up a magic rope around Deker, trapping him. More drones appear and hit Deker with their mandibles or some blades, causing Deker to bleed some. "You will not stop ME!" Deker said as he begins to glow bright blue, causing an explosion, destroying the changelings and the rope, turning Deker into his pony form. Deker then nearly collapses. "Huh." "Say what you like about my half pony state. But it keeps me from relying on the death water to stay alive like you!" He then dives into the river and disappears. "This is far from over, Deker!" Chrysalis yelled. ================================================================== "Ooh-ah-ooh. He escaped." Medizinisch said as he, Die, and Discord were watching through the spy spell. "You could tell that Queen Chrysalis had him good." "He'll survive. No one should underestimate Deker." "Die might have a point there." "All right. And look at you siting on your rump!" Medizinisch said to Robtish. "Get a move on and eliminate the Fire Avatar!" Robtish then gets up. "Consider it done." ================================================================== At the Eastern Air Temple, Firebrand, Blitz, Agua, and Terra land and spot an elderly unicorn stallion with a gray mane with a gray coat. He is also wearing a clock that hides his cutie mark. "Uhhh ... hello?" Agua said to him. "You're the Guru, right? The pony who sent the note to us at Ba Sing Se?" "Indeed. I was a spiritual brother of your fellow ponies, Fire Avatar, and a friend of your father after you left." "In your note, you said you could teach us how to gain control of the Avatar State. How?" Blitz asked the Guru. "You must gain balance within yourself, before you can bring balance to the world. And the first step to gaining balance begins with this." He levitates some drinks to them. "Drink up!" Fire' drinks it, but he spits it out. "Uggh! It tastes like onion and banana juice!" "That's because it is! Yum yum! There is one thing you should know." "Whats that?" Agua asked. "The Avatar State is a defense mechanism, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars. The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body. In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful, but you are also at your most vulnerable." "What do you mean?" Blitz asked. "If one of you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the Avatar of that respective element will cease to exist." After a few moments, Fire' spoke up. "You also said you tell us where the other Elements of Nature are at. Where are they?" "The Elements of Lightning and Air are located at the Grate Library in the Himalayas. The Element of Fire and the sixth one are a bit more tricky." "What do you mean?" "What I mean, dear Agua, is that the only clue to those two Elements is a riddle." "Whats the riddle, mate?" "The riddle is, 'When dawn alights the daggers tip, the three kings will reveal the door way.'" "What the hay does that mean?" "Your the Avatar of Water. You figure it out." ================================================================== At the palace where Azula, Mai and Ty Lee are staying, they are talking about something. "We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls." Azula said to her two friends. "Mai finally gets to wear make-up that's not totally depressing?" Ty Lee said. With black makeup dripping down her eyes, Mai sarcastically said, "Ha, ha." "I'm talking about conquering Geo Firma. For the past few years, the Fire Nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside. But now we're on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves." "Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you." "Thanks Ty. From the inside, we're in perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the King. The key is the Dai Li. Whoever controls the Dai Li controls Ba Sing Se." ================================================================== Back at the Eastern Air Temple, they are near a waterfall that leads to seven pools of water, etched connected to each other by a brook. "In order to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras. Agua, tell me everything you know about chakras." "What are chakras?" "Oh, I see. I guess we'll start with the basics. The water flows through this creek, much like the energy flows through your body. As you see, there are several pools where the water swirls around before flowing on. These pools are like our chakras." "So chakras are pools of swirling energy in our bodies?" Fire' said to the Guru. "Exactly. If nothing else were around, then this creek would flow pure and clear. However, life is messy, and things tend to fall in the creek. And then what happens?" "The creek can't flow?" "Yes, Terra. But, if we open the ponds between the pools..." "The energy flows!" Blitz finished. Later, in another part of the temple. "There are seven chakras that go up the body. Each pool of energy has a purpose, and be can blocked by a specific kind of emotional muck. Be warned, opening the chakras is an intense experience, and once you begin the process, you can not stop until all seven are open. Are you ready?" "We'll do whatever it takes." Fire' said to him. "First we will open the earth chakra, located at the base of the spine. It deals with survival, and is blocked by fear. What are you most afraid of? Let your fears become clear." The four Avatar close their eyes, and they see images of things that cause them great fear, including Fire Lord Ozia, even making them scream, 'HELP!'. "Avatars," the Guru said to them, "your visions are not real. Your all are concerned for your survival, but you must surrender those fears. Let your fears flow down the creek." With that, they clear away the images one by one. "You've opened your earth chakra!" ================================================================== Later, near a waterfall. "Next is the..." The Guru began to say. "Water chakra?" Agua said. "Brilliant! Maybe one day you will be a guru too! This chakra deals with pleasure and is blocked by guilt. You'l take turns this time. Terra, why don't you start?" After a few sessions with Terra, Agua, and Blitz, it's Fire's turn. "Your turn Fire.' Now, look at all the guilt with burdens you so. What do you blame yourself for?" Fire' closes his eyes and sees the image of him leaving home. "I ran away." He then sees images of him when he returned. "I let all those ponies die." "Accept the reality that these things happen, but do not let them cloud and poison your energy. If you are to be a positive influence on the world, you need to forgive yourself." The Guru said to Fire.' ================================================================== Back in Ba Sing Se, Zuko and Iroh are ready to open the Jasmine Dragon. "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I'd end up owning my own tea shop? Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you." "Congratulations, Uncle." "I am very thankful." "You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city." "No. I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know." "Now let's make these ponies some tea!" "Yes, let's make some tea!" ================================================================== Back to the Eastern Air Temple, the Guru is teaching the 4 Avatars about the third chakra. "Third is the fire chakra, located in the stomach." "My fire chakra would like to eat something other than onion-banana juice." Blitz said to the Guru. The Guru then chuckles a little. "Good one! Moving on. This chakra deals with willpower, and is blocked by shame. What are you ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointments in yourself, Terra?" She then flashes back to when she left home. "I'm never leaving my friends and family again." ================================================================== Back at the palace, two Dai Li agents hide on two pillars and secretly spy on a conversation between Mai and Ty Lee. The latter is sitting on the stairs and the former is practicing chi blocking and acrobatics. "I'm tired of wearing this girly disguise. I don't know how anyone could fight in this." "Maybe that's why it was so easy to beat the Kyoshi Warriors and take their clothes." "How much longer do we have to serve the King? If I have to clean up one more pile of bear poop, I'm going to throw up." Mai dryly said. "Princess Azula promised we would go back to the Fire Nation when we captured the Avatars. We just have to be patient." "Shut up! Do you want the whole palace to know we're Fire Nation?" "Sorry!" The agents then smile and climb away. Azula, who was hiding behind another pillar, walks up to them. "Good work, girls. I'm sure the Dai Li will deliver the message." ================================================================== Back at the Air Temple, the Guru is teaching the group about the fourth chakra. "The fourth chakra is located in the heart. It deals with love and is blocked by grief. Lay all your grief out in front of you, Firebrand." Fire' closes his eyes and sees images of many ponies from Abysus, including his father. He smiles upon seeing them, but becomes saddened as they start to vanish into smoke. He is lifted into the air and sees the Abysus ponies floating in the smoke. "You have indeed felt a great loss. But love is a form of energy, and it swirls all around us. The Abysus ponies love for you has not left this world. It is still inside of your heart, and is reborn in the form of new love." The smoke forms a face and shows the first pony Fire' meet in Equestria: Twilight. Back in the real world, Fire' is starting to cry tears of joy. "Let the pain flow away." Fire' then wipes away his tears. "Very good." "Can I have some onion and banana juice, please?" Fire' said after he calmed down some. Later, inside another part of the temple. ================================================================== "The fifth in the chain is the sound chakra, located in the throat. It deals with truth and is blocked by lies. The ones we tell ourselves." Fire' then flashes back to when he, Twilight, her brother, her sister-in-law, her friends, and the CMC freed that Earth Kingdom village from the Fire Nation, and Twilight asked him. "Why didn't you tell us you were one of the Avatars?" "Because I never wanted to be." Fire' said in the real world. The other Avatars are confused by what he just said. "You cannot lie about your own nature. You must accept that you are the Avatar of Fire." Fire' then inhales and exhales, and accepts his nature. "Very good, Firebrand. You have opened the chakra of truth. Your turn, Agua." ================================================================== Later, outside the temple interior. "The sixth pool of energy is the light chakra, located in the center of the forehead. It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion. The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one in the same." "Like the four pony types." Terra said. "Yes. We are all one pony, but we live as if divided." "We're all connected. Everything is connected." Fire' said to him, remembering when he was in the swamp. "That's right! Even the separation of the 6 Elements of Nature and Harmony is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one, 12 parts of the same mold. Even metal is just a part of earth that has been re-purified and refined." ================================================================== Back in Ba Sing Se, Rarity, Twilight, and Sweetie Belle walk by the Jasmine Dragon. "You still want a cup of tea, Sweetie?" "Sounds better then plain water right now." Sweetie said as they then arrive at the shop. "Table for three, please." Twilight said. But before they get one, the trio hear two familiar voices. "Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green and one leechi!" "I'm brewing as fast as I can!" Rarity, Twilight, and Sweetie, stunned, run away from the shop. ================================================================== Back at the temple. "This is the last chakra, isn't it?" Agua asked the Guru. "Yes. Once you open this chakra, you will be able to go in and out of the Avatar State at will and when you are in the Avatar State, you will have complete control and awareness of all your actions." "Let's do this." Fire' said as he and the others ready themselves. "The thought chakra is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Meditate on what attaches you to this world." The Guru said as images of Twilight appear before Fire.' "Now, let all of those attachments go. Let them flow down the river, forgotten." "What? Why would I let go of Twilight?" Fire' said as he makes sure that the others wont hear what he is about to say. "I ... I love her!" He quietly said. "Learn to let her go, or you can't let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe." "Why would I choose cosmic energy over Twilight? How could it be a bad thing that I feel an attachment to her? Three chakras ago that was a good thing!" Fire' quietly said, making sure only the Guru would hear him. "You must learn to let go." ================================================================== Back at the palace, Rarity, Twilight, and Sweetie notices the 'Kyoshi Warriors' are in the king's room. Rarity goes to them while Sweetie stays behind. "Thank goodness you're here. Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city, and we just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle!" Azula then widens her eyes and then smiles slyly. "We have to tell the King right away!" Twilight finished. "Oh, don't worry, I'll be sure to let him know." Rarity and Twilight then notice one of them has gold eyes and they are shocked upon realizing that the 'Kyoshi Warriors' are actually Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. They prepare to attack, but Ty Lee quickly jumps forward and blocks their chi. "So, Zuzu's in the city, too? I think it's time for a family reunion." Azula said as Sweetie runs off. ================================================================== Back at the temple, Fire' and the Guru are discussing Fire's inability to let go of Twilight, with the others watching nearby. "What do you think there talking about?" "Don't know, Terra. But I bet my wings it has something to do with Twilight." Agua said. "I'm sorry, but I can't let go of Twilight." "Firebrand, to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras. Surrender yourself." "Okay, I'll try." "Now think of your attachments and let them go. Let the pure cosmic energy flow." Fire' sees an image of him letting Twilight go, and then a bridge that will lead him to Avatar State mastery. As he is about to finish the path, however, he hears a shriek from Twilight. He runs away from the end of the road. This cuts his connection to the Avatar State, which drops him back to reality. "Twilight's in danger! I have to go!" "No, Firebrand! By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra! If you leave now, you won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all!" Fire' then hesitates but leaves anyway with the others, leaving the Guru concerned. ================================================================== Back at Ba Sing Se, Azula is led into a prison by two Dai Li agents. She is taken to Long Feng's cell. "What is the meaning of this? Your agents show up in the middle of the night and drag me down here? You do not treat a Kyoshi Warrior this way!" "But you're not a Kyoshi Warrior, are you, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation?" "What do you want?" Azula asked. "I want to make a deal. It's time that I regain control of Ba Sing Se and you have something I need." Long said. "Oh? And what is that?" Azula asked. "The King's trust." "Why should I help you?" Azula said as she pulls out her lightning gun. "Because I can get you one of the Avatars." "I'm listening..." ================================================================== Back at the Jasmine Dragon, a messenger enters. "A message from the Royal Palace." Iroh reads through and becomes shocked. "I ... I can't believe it!" "What is it, Uncle?" "Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" He then runs off. Zuko smiles as he continues sweeping. ================================================================== "So, what kind of trouble is Twilight in?" "I don't know, Blitz. In my vision, I just knew she needed help." "It would be nice if our Avatar powers could be just a little more specific from time to time." Terra said to him. "We should go over what the Guru told us where the remaining elements are at." "Good idea, Agua. Lets go over the riddle one more time." Fire' said. (key: Firebrand bold, Agua italics, Terra underline, Blitz normal) "When dawn alights" "The daggers tip" "The three kings" "Will reveal the door way." ================================================================== Azula is speaking to the Dai Li at the palace. "The King and the Council of Five do not trust the Dai Li. They imprisoned your leader, Long Feng. Soon they will turn on all of you and eliminate you. Seizing power today is urgent. This coup must be swift and decisive. The King and each of the five generals must be taken out simultaneously. Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government. If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all, I will snap it out. That is all." The Dai Li leave, and Azula walks up to Ty Lee, who is pouring tea. "Nice speech, Azula. It was pretty and poetic, but also scary in a good way." She then gives Azula a cup. "Yeah. I thought you were going to make that one guy pee his armor." Mai said. "There's still a few loose ends. The Avatars, and my brother and uncle." Azula said. ================================================================== Outside the Royal Palace, Zuko and Uncle are waiting to go in. "Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace. But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are the King's personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing." "It sure is, Uncle." ================================================================== "Oh, where are the others?" Sweetie Belle said to herself as she runs around the palace, completely lost. ================================================================== Zuko and Iroh are sitting at a table in a room inside the palace, waiting for the King. Iroh pours some tea into a cup to help pass the time. "What's taking so long?" Zuko asked. "Maybe the King overslept." Some unicorn Dai Li agents then appear begin to circle around the two. "Something's not right." Zuko said. He then sees Azula walking past the Dai Li and comes in front of him. "It's tea time!" She said to her brother and uncle. "Azula!" Zuko said as he quickly gets up. "Have you met the Dai Li? They're Geo Firmains, but they have a killer instinct that's so Fire Nation. I just love it." Iroh picks up his tea calmly and says, "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname from your mother 'the Dragon of the West'?" "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle." "It's more of a demonstration, really." Iroh begins drinking his tea. Zuko looks over at him and smiles before going behind him. Iroh begins breathing fire. The fire blast helps Zuko and Iroh run out of the room. The Dai Li agents begin shooting some bullets at them, but miss as Zuko and Iroh turn around the corner. Iroh then grabs a lightning gun and uses it to destroy the wall in front of them before jumping down into a bush below. Zuko stops at the edge. "Come on! You'll be fine!" "No! I'm tired of running! It's time I faced Azula!" Zuko turns around and walks back. Iroh then smacks his head upon hearing this, then runs away. "You're so dramatic. What? Are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?" "Yes! I challenge you!" "No thanks." Zuko shoots a fire blast toward her using a flame thrower, but two unicorn Dai Li agents intervene and conjure up a wall. They then shoot some cuffs at Zuko's feet, making him lose his balance. He puts his right front hoof down, but another cuff traps that one. Azula turns around smiling and walks away as the agents capture him. In the throne room Agua, Terra, Blitz, and Firebrand confront Kuei, the King. "Twilight's fine. You have nothing to worry about." "But, in my vision, I felt so sure she was in trouble." "Well, she met with the Council of Generals to plan an invasion, and since then, she been off with your friends, and the Kyoshi Warriors." "See, Fire'? She's probably with Rarity. They're probably back at our apartment now talking about make-up or something." "Okay. Maybe you're right, Blitz." "Believe me, if there was any danger at all, Bosco's animal instincts would sense it." Bosco then lifts his head from sleeping to look at the 4. ================================================================== In the Crystal Catacombs, Twilight and Rarity are pacing back and forth. They stop pacing upon hearing a hole open up above. "You've got company." A Dai Li agent said as he throws Zuko in, who rolls down and lands in front of Twilight. "Zuko!" Rarity said as both hers and Twilight's shocked faces become angry ones as Zuko sits up as the hole closes behind him. ================================================================== At the groups apartment, Celestia, Luna, AJ, Apple Bloom, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Shining and Cadence are waiting for Twilight, Rarity and Sweetie Belle to return. They then see Fire,' Agua, Terra, and Blitz show up. "Whats goin' on?" Apple Bloom asked "Long story short: Fire' thinks Twilight is in trouble and insisted we find her." Blitz answered. "We haven't seen Twilight, Rarity, or Sweetie Belle since that meeting." Celestia said. Just then Sweetie Belle runs up, completely tired out from running. "Sweetie! Whereas Twilight and Rarity?" "Kyoshi ... Warriors ... captured ... them." She said before fainting. "Twilight is in trouble! I knew it!" "Oh, no!" Shining and Cadence said at the same time. "Wait!" Terra said. "What is it?" Luna asked. "Someone's at the door." Terra said. Then they hear knocking on the door a second later. "Actually, I know who it is. It's an old friend of mine." She walks over to the door and opens it, showing that Iroh is behind the door. "Glad to see you're okay." "I need your help." Iroh said. Agua, Cadence, Rainbow, and AJ become shocked and angry upon seeing him, and get into a fighting stance. Terra calmly just smiles and waves at him. "You guys know each other?!" Rainbow asked. "I met him in the woods once and knocked him down. Then he gave me some tea and some very good advice." Terra said. "May I come in?" Iroh asked. Terra then nods a yes and lets him in. "Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se." "She must have Twilight and Rarity." Shining said. "She has captured my nephew as well." "Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Twilight, Rarity and Zuko." Fire' said. "Whoa there! You lost me at 'Zuko.'" Pinkie said. "I know how you must feel about my nephew. But believe me when I tell you that there is good inside him." "Good inside him isn't enough!" Rainbow said to Iroh. "Why don't y'all come back when it's outside him too, okay?" Applejack finished. "Twilight and Rarity are in trouble. All of Ba Sing Se is in trouble. Working together is our best chance." Fire' said to the two. Rainbow and Applejack then look at each other before nodding in agreement. Iroh then walks outside with the others following him. "I brought someone along who might help us." He said. Terra then puts a couple of earth pillars around a Dai Li agent and makes him stand up. Iroh walks over to him and takes the gag off his mouth. "Azula and Long Feng are plotting a coup! They're going to overthrow the King!" The Dai Li agent said to them. "My sister! Where are they keeping Twilight?" "In the Crystal Catacombs of old Ba Sing Se, deep beneath the palace." Terra then drops him as they run for the palace. ================================================================== Outside of Ba Sing Se, Deker in his pony form is lying on the edge of the river several miles away from where he and Queen Chrysalis battled. "Oh Deker." Die said when she finally found him. "I knew Queen Chrysalis didn't destroy you. Maybe if she defeated you, you would be free from your curse. But that would be too easy." She said as Deker begins to wake up. ================================================================== At the jail where Long Feng is, he is meditating in his cell while a Dai Li agent informs him of what is going on. "The movement of the King and all the generals have been plotted out step-by-step." "Good. And the Fire Nation princess is cooperating?" "Oh, yes. More than cooperating. She's really taken charge. She's terrifying and inspirational at the same time. It's hard to explain." ================================================================== Inside the Crystal Catacombs, Twilight & Rarity are yelling at Zuko, who sits with his back turned. "Why did they throw you in here?!" Rarity yelled. "Oh, wait, let me guess. It's a trap. So that when Fire' or Agua or Terra or Blitz show up to help us, you can finally have one of them in your little Fire Nation clutches!" Zuko just looks at them and tilts his head down. "You're a terrible pony! You know that?! Always following us! Hunting the Avatars! Trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care? You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood!" Twilight coldly said. "You don't know what you're talking about!" Zuko finally yelled back. "I don't?! How dare you?! You have no idea what this war has put both me and Firebrand through! Him personally! The Fire Nation took his whole country away from him! His whole family!" Twilight yelled back. "I'm sorry. That's something the two of us have in common." Zuko thenrealizes something. "Wait. Whats his..." "SHUT UP!" Twilight yelled. ================================================================== On the surface, Terra is feeling the ground below, finding the Crystal Catacombs. "Well, what'd you know? There is an ancient city down there. But it's deep." She said. She then makes a tunnel. "We should split up. Firebrand, you, me, Terra, Rainbow, and Applejack will go with Iroh to look for Twilight, Rarity and the angry jerk, no offense." Shining said. "None taken." "The rest of us will go warn the King of Azula's coup." Cadence said. Later in the tunnel Terra created, she is earthbending the tunnel so the can get to the Crystal Catacombs every few feet. "So, Terra thinks you give pretty good advice, and great tea!" Fire' said to Iroh. "The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?" Fire' doesn't say anything for a minute until Terra earthbends more of the tunnel. "Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power, but to do it, I had to let go of someone I love." He and Iroh then stop. "And I just couldn't." "Protection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love." "What happens if we can't save anyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not powerful enough?" "I don't know the answer. Sometimes, life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place." He said as they reach the Catacombs. ================================================================== At the changeling hive, Hexe is playing her harmonium when Chrysalis walks up to her. "Your music seems a bit off today. What are you hiding from me?" Chrysalis asked her. "Uh. I'm not hiding anything." She said as she has a flashback to when she found Deker. ================================================================== She is helping Deker get back up on his 4 feet-hoof things. "Thank you." Deker said to her. "No need to thank me. It's the least I can do after you saved me from the Elements of Harmony." "I see." "Why do you insist on dueling the Fire Avatar?" Hexe asked. "I'm compelled to find the ultimate duel. It's all that maters. I can't remember a time when it wasn't." "So you remember nothing from your past?" Die said as Deker takes on his changeling form. "No. Nothing." Deker said as he pulls out his sword Uramasa. "My sword Uramasa is calling to me. It longs for action. And I must make sure that ultimate duel finally happens." "I see. Is anything else in this world important to you?" "I am cursed to satisfy this urge, so no. There is nothing but this." Deker answered as he leaves. ================================================================== "Well?" Chrysalis said after Die has been quiet for a couple of minutes. "Nothing." Die said. "It was nothing." Just then the furry warts jump down. "Nothing. Nothing." "Quiet!" Die said as she tried to swat the furry warts. ================================================================== Bake at the surface of Ba Sing Se, the others are climbing a set of stairs, except the ones who can fly. "There's General How!" Pinkie said, but before they can reach him, some Dai Li agents jump him. "What's going on here?" How asked. "You're under house arrest." "The coup is happening right now! We've got to warn the King!" Cadence said as they make their way to the throne room. Meanwhile, one of the generals is walking when some chains come flying up and trap him. General Sung is taken by some chains into a dark area. Two other generals are in their headquarters when the Dai Li toss some chains to circle around their legs and pull them up. At the throne room, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Apple Boom, and Sweetie Belle have just reached the King. "Thank goodness we're in time!" Luna said. "In time for what?" The king asked. "Yeah. What are you in time for," Ty lee asked as she cartwheels to Blitz, "cutie?" "Uh, I'm kinda involved with somepony else." Blitz said to her. "Who?" Ty Lee said when she is hit by a jet of water. "They're not the real Kyoshi Warriors!" Agua said to Kuei, who gasps out of shock. "Sorry to disappoint you." Mai said as she shoots some of her daggers at Agua, who uses a water shield to stop them, then kicks the shield to Mai, who jumps over it. Celestia brings up a pillar, knocking her. Ty Lee comes up in front of Blitz, laughing. She starts trying to jab him, but he evades all of them. "Looks like we're dancing together!" Azula is holding a gun while holding Kuei captive. "This fight is over." She said. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Pinkie, Scootaloo, Apple Boom, and Sweetie Belle then surrender, and Ty Lee chi blocks them. Fluttershy tries flying away, but a Dai Li agent traps her in a cave. Azula then shoves Kuei down. "Get them all out of my sight." They then are taken to a cell. Long Feng then walks into the room with some Dai Li agents behind him. "Now comes the part where I double cross you." He said to Azula. "Dai Li, arrest the Fire Nation princess!" But none of the Dai Li agents move, to Long Feng's disappointment. "I said arrest her! What is wrong with you?!" "It's because they haven't made up their minds. They're waiting to see how this is going to end." "What are you talking about?" "I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you've had to struggle, and connive, and claw your way to power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something you're born with. The fact is, they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one is going to be bowing down. But I know, and you know." She then sits down on the throne and crosses her legs. "Well?" "You've beaten me at my own game." "Don't flatter yourself! You were never even a player." ================================================================== Back in the Crystal Catacombs. "We'er sorry we yelled at you before." Twilight said to Zuko. "It doesn't matter." He said. "It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face." Rarity said. "My face? I see." Zuko the touches his scar. "No, no, dear. That's-that's not what I mean." "It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to decide my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark." "Maybe you could be free of it." Twilight said. "What?" Both Zuko and Rarity said. "I now some healing spells." "It's a scar, it can't be healed." Twilight then puts one hoof on Zuko's scar, only to be interrupted by Firebrand, Shining, Terra, Rainbow, Applejack and Iroh. "Firebrand! Shining!" Twilight then hugs Fire,' but he looks over Twilight's shoulder and glares at Zuko, who gets a hug from Iroh. "Firebrand, I knew you would come." Fire' then blushes a bit when Twilight hugs him again. "Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatars of Earth and Fire?" "Saving you, that's what." Zuko then takes one step in Fire's direction, but Iroh stops him. "Zuko, it's time we talked." He then turns to Fire,' Twilight, Shining, Terra, Rainbow and Applejack. "Go help you other friends. We'll catch up with you." The group then leave. "Why, Uncle?" "You're not the stallion you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good." Just then, crystals grow around and encase Iroh. Zuko then assumes a fighting position. It's Azula along with two Dai Li agents sliding down from the sides of the chamber. "I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle. But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're many things, but you're not a traitor, are you?" She said. "Release him immediately." Zuko said as he draws out a fame-thrower, not wanting her to know he's a Firebender like Iroh. "It's not too late for you, Zuko. You can still redeem yourself." "The kind of redemption she offers is not for you." "Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want." "Zuko, I am begging you. Look into you heart and see what it is that you truly want." "You are free to choose." Azula finished as she gestures the two Dai Li agents to leave. Zuko contemplates but cannot decide his choice. Meanwhile, the others are running through the Crystal Catacombs. "We've got to find Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Apple Boom, and Sweetie Belle." Twilight said. A bolt of lightning attacks them from behind. Terra stops it using earthbending. Azula, is holding the source of the lightning, a gun of some kind. Twilight uses magic to stop another lightning attack. The smoke from the attack allows Azula to jump onto a crystal and fires two bullets. Together, Fire' and Terra use their respective bending to stop the bullets. Azula finishes her jump by landing on a rock pillar. Terra uses earthbending on the pillar, and Azula gasps once she notices the pillar crumbling. She jumps off and lands between Shining and Twilight. She points a lighting gun both of them. A fire blast stops her from attacking, and they look to see the source of the fire blast to be Zuko. Zuko looks from Azula to Twilight and Fire,' choosing who to attack. Fire' gasps once he realizes Zuko will attack him and Fire' goes elemental to jump away from the blast. Azula starts dueling with Twilight, and Zuko throws multiple fire blasts at Fire.' On the surface, Kuei, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Apple Boom, and Sweetie Belle are in a prison cell. Sweetie looks out the door's barred window. "See any Dai Li agents nearby?" Fluttershy asked. "Nope, all clear." Blitz then prepares himself and generates a large amount of electricity and blasts the door open. "Let's go." Celestia said. "I'm not leaving without Bosco!" Kuei said. Agua the takes hiss hoof and follows the rest of the group. Back to the Crystal Catacombs, Zuko and Fire' are still fighting. Twilight then leave Azula with her brother, Terra and her three friends. Just then, Robtish shows up with some changelings. "Oh, great. You." Fire' said to the changeling worrier. "Good. Looks like I get to not only destroy the Fire Avatar, but his little girlfriend too." Robtish said to them. "She's not my girlfriend." "I'm not his girlfriend." "Huh, whatever." Robtish then notices that if he includes Zuko, its 22 to 2. "Huh, such unfair odds. I almost fell guilty. Almost. Deker isn't around to save you this time either." "I'm happy to destroy you all by my self, changeling." Fire' said as his fire form glows more intense. Robtish and Zuko then attack, along with Robtish's changelings. Fire' deals with the changelings quickly, and draws out his sword and charges for Robtish. Twilight is dealing with Zuko, using her magic to block his fire blasts. "I thought you had changed." "I have changed, Twilight Sparkle." Zuko fires another blast. Azula and Shining, Terra, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity are standing opposite each other. They prepare to fight. Azula uses the lighting gun to charge at Shining. Terra earthbends crystals around her into a crystal encased armor and charges at Azula. Azula stops, and uses her flamethrower to break Terra's crystal armor and send her flying back into an old building. ================================================================== In the King's throne room, Mai and Ty Lee try to make Bosco move. "Come on, it's easy. You just walk on you front paws instead of your rear ones. Like this." She then walks on all fours, but when she steps in a small puddle of water, it goes up all her hoofs and freezes, trapping her. Bosco starts clapping at the funny sight. At the door, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Apple Boom, Sweetie Belle and Kuei. "That is a nice trick." Agua said as she and Blitz go elemental and walk toward Mai. "Just take the bear." Mai said as she cuts the ropes that hold Bosco. King Kuei then runs to his bear. "Bosco!" ================================================================== In the Catacombs, Robtish and Fire' are still dueling. Fire' then charges his next attack and fires a large blast, sending Robtish flying through some pillars and explodes. Zuko and Azula and some Dai Li are now both fighting Twilight, Rarity, Shining, Rainbow, and Applejack. Hopelessly outnumbered, Twilight gets knocked down. Terra jumps from the old building and earth surfs toward Zuko and Azula to stop them from attacking her friends. A Dai Li agent breaks Terra's surf, knocking him down. More Dai Li agents gather behind Zuko and Azula. Twilight starts regaining her focus as Dai Li agents surround her. Agua appears and uses the octopus form to defend herself. Fire' stands up and surveys the scene. "There's too many." He said. He then looks at Twilight as she is being defended by Agua. He then remembers what the Guru said to him. "The only way is to let her go." "I'm sorry, Twilight." He said to himself as he turns away from Azula and Zuko as Terra earthbends a crystal shelter tent. Fire' starts meditating. Inside Fire's mind, a giant version of himself in the Avatar State, the Avatar Spirit, holds a firebending sphere with a normal-sized version of himself in the Avatar State. Back in the crystal shelter, Fire' enters the Avatar State and the crystal shelter starts glowing, alerting those outside. Inside the shelter, Fire' opens his glowing eyes and starts levitating above the crowd. Twilight is looking up to Fire' with hope. But before Fire' can let Twilight go and control the Avatar State, a bolt of lightning strikes him in the back. Azula is holding the lightning gun that's smoking. The Fire Avatar Spirit let's go of Fire' and falls out of the plane of existence. As Fire' falls down, Agua creates a wave to catch him. The wave knocks down some Dai Li agents. Twilight holds Fire' with teary eyes. Zuko and Azula prepare to attack them, but a blast of fire stops them. Iroh jumps down from the wall of the cave and shields the group from Zuko and Azula. "You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can!" He said as he creates a wall of fire. Before they leave, Agua pulls out her amulet she took from the North Pole that holds the spirit water. She uses the water and brings Fire' back to life, but he is out cold. Deker then appears in his pony in front of them as the leave, holding a vile of blue liquid with his red magic. "You!" Twilight said as Deker puts the vile on the ground. "It seems I have bad timing." Dekker said as the others take notice of his appearance. "I thought we could finally duel, but he's obesely preoccupied." "If you know they, then go away!" Twilight said. "Give this to the Fire Avatar when he awakes." Deker said to them. "Why?" "Because, Water Avatar, it will help him recover faster. There called nanites, microscopic machine that work on the cellular level. It's also very potent, which is why there's only very few of them, only enough to help heal the Fire Avatar. Be careful. Also, Celestia, Luna, Discord has escaped and is hiding with the changelings." He said as he leaves, with horror and shock on not only the royal princesses faces, but on Twilight's and her friends. The others then leave without the vile, but Twilight, holding Firebrand, takes the nanites with her magic and places it in her saddlebag. Once they are gone, Iroh releases his stance and surrenders himself to the Dai Li, who cuff him. ================================================================== In the throne room, Azula is sitting down at the throne with Zuko at her left. "We've done it, Zuko. It's taken 2000 years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se." "I betrayed Uncle." "No, he betrayed you. Zuko, when you return home, Father will welcome you as a war hero." "But I don't have any of the Avatars. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?" "He doesn't need to, Zuko. Today, you restored your own." Azula said to her brother. Zuko then looks turns away, uncertain of himself. ================================================================== On a plane heading away from Ba Sing Se, Kuei is staring at the city throw a window with horror on his face. "The Kingdom of Geo Firma ... has fallen." TO BE CONTINUED
The Sun Eater	pre	Rays of Hope Fluttershy felt as if she had been walking for hours. She was thirsty and hungry, but every stream she passed had long ago dried up, and nothing grew here that she could eat - not even grass. Death and emptiness seemed to consume the world around her, and in some strange way, she could feel them creeping into her heart, as well. The thought had occurred to her, of course, that she might starve here, but for some reason, she found it harder and harder to care. Every time she flew upward, she could see nothing. No landmark stood in any direction; only this endless forest of death. Even if she flew, she could do so for as long as her wings would carry her without seeing anything at all that hinted of escape. She grew increasingly certain that she would die here, and yet she felt no fear; only numbness. After some time, she heard a sound in the distance. At first, she thought it was the strange voice she had heard before in the wind, but it persisted. It was a hollow, creaking, clacking sound. Desperate for anything that might break this cold monotony, she began to move towards the sound. After several minutes, she emerged into a clearing, and what she saw there made her feel the first real emotion she had felt in what must have been hours: fear. Beside a dry stream bed, there lay the skeleton of a deer, some fragments of its hide still present, sucked down tightly to its brown-white bones. Its rear left femur was caught in some kind of colossal, rusty trap that reminded Fluttershy of a cruel set of teeth, and which was chained to a tree. The skeleton was struggling to escape the trap as if alive, and it seemed to see her with the empty eye sockets of its skull. Its jaws moved, as if to cry for help, but no sound came. A pang of pity dug into Fluttershy's heart momentarily, but it was quickly squelched - partially by fear, but more so by indifference. Why should she care about some animal stupid enough to let itself be caught in a trap? Especially a dead one? She stood there, eying the unsettling scene for several seconds. She felt no pity for the undead animal. It wasn't pretty or cute the way a deer was supposed to be; it was just another abomination in a landscape of abominations. Fluttershy only wanted to be away from it. "I may end up dead like you, but I doubt I'll need company when I am," she said. As Fluttershy turned to leave, she heard the clacking and creaking of the deer's bones grow faster and more frantic. It struck her then that she was the only hope of escape this weird, dead thing had. She stopped, and blew air outward through clenched teeth, frustrated. "I'm still Fluttershy, aren't I? Goddammit." She turned and moved slowly towards the deer-thing in the trap. Much to her surprise, it responded to her approach by growing calmer. Oddly, something about this made her feel genuine pity for the strange creature. As she came close, it stretched out a leg toward her, and a tiny fragment of dried-up hide sloughed off of it. At first, the pegasus shied away from its reach, but realizing that she would have to get closer to do anything, she forced herself to continue her approach, allowing the bony appendage to rub against her side as she stepped towards the trap. She trembled, and had an urge to scream. Instead, she gritted her teeth, and looked towards the skull's empty eye sockets. "It's okay... baby." She forced the last word of her sentence. "It doesn't look like it broke your leg... bone... leg bone." She paused, and raised an eyebrow in thought. "I guess if it had, you'd be loose, wouldn't you?" Fluttershy looked at the trap. It was enormous. She couldn't imagine for a moment that she would be able to open it. "I don't even know if I can do anything to help you," she said. The skeleton lowered its head to the ground, and grew still, as if resigned to its fate. Fluttershy felt a pang of pity stab at her heart. How long had it been here? She couldn't even guess. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'll try, though." The deer lifted its skull, and looked back at the tiny pegasus. The wind picked up for a moment, and whipped through Fluttershy's mane. Then, it died down, again. Fluttershy forced her forehooves between the trap's rusty jaws, and pushed against them with all her might. The trap's hinges groaned and squeaked, and Fluttershy herself squealed like a teapot as she poured out every ounce of her strength against the merciless resistance. Finally, some of the rust around the old hinges crumbled away, and it opened slightly. The deer skeleton jerked its leg free, and only a moment later, Fluttershy lost her grip. The trap snapped shut on thin air. The yellow pegasus pony fell backward, huffing and puffing. She shut her eyes, and rolled over onto her side, exhausted. She lay still, and breathed in the chill, dry air. After a moment, something tickled the side of her face, and she opened her eyes. It was grass; green, living grass. She dragged herself to her hooves quickly, and looked around. The deer skeleton was standing upright now. Muscles and other organs were growing from around its bare bones, and from the few remaining fragments of its hide, skin was expanding outward to surround and contain them. The grass was growing outward from the deer's hooves, and as the first sprigs of it touched the rusted, ancient trap, it crumbled away as if a hundred years had passed in a few moments . As the chain that bound it to the tree likewise crumbled away up to its roots, the tree itself began to come alive again, sprouting leaves and new bark. From that tree, grass also began to grow, spreading outward. As it touched the trees, each one came alive and renewed itself. The stream bed began to flow with clear, cool water, and Fluttershy, her throat parched from hours of wandering the dead forest, bent her head down and began to drink. After awhile, she raised her head, and came face to face with a pair of deep brown eyes. They belonged to the deer she had rescued. "Follow me," came the voice in the wind, and the deer turned and dashed away through the undergrowth. Fluttershy flew upward, and saw that not only had the forest returned to life, but the land itself had somehow pitched upward into beautiful, low, rolling hills. The deer stood atop the nearest of these, and seemed to beckon to the pegasus. She flew towards it, and it began to run through the forest, leading her onward. After some time, the forest opened up into a barren, cratered landscape that seem to stretch on to the horizon. Here, the deer stopped, and looked up at Fluttershy. "From here, you will find your own way." As these words echoed on the wind, the deer turned, and disappeared into the brush. As Fluttershy turned back to the lifeless, gray landscape that lay beyond the forest, she felt a weight around her neck. She noticed that somehow, she was wearing the amulet of kindness, and as she became aware of this, a ray of yellow light shout outward from it, and arced over the horizon. Fluttershy flew towards it without a moment's thought or hesitation. Years later, she would realize that the voice in the wind had been her own, but it was as well that she could not yet perceive that or even guess at what it might have meant. For the moment, all that mattered was that bright, strong beam of yellow light, guiding her towards where she knew her friend must be. * * * "Your father never wanted to believe it." "I don't believe it." Pinkie said, her speech subdued and cold. "You were always back and forth as a filly, Pinkamena," her mother replied. "You were up one minute and down the next. I wasn't really all that surprised. I was sad, of course, but never surprised." "Your father said it must have been an accident, but I knew better. You were always silly, but you were never stupid. Deep down, I think he knew it, too. I think that's what killed him." Pinkie's face streamed with tears. "Pinkamena," spoke the gray mare. "I don't know if this is a dream or if you're a ghost or what, but as much as I loved you, I can't take this. I saw your body. I saw you buried. I cried right alongside your friends and your father and your sisters. I let you go years ago, and I don't want you here, anymore. Please, go." Pinkie hesitated, looking at the old mare as tears continued to run down her pink face. She wanted to hug her mother, but she realized that in doing so she would only intensify the old pony's misery. Finally, she turned and walked slowly out the door. Then, she did the only thing she could think to do: She turned north, toward Ponyville, and began to walk. The sky was overcast, and in the distance, she saw pegasi positioning even more clouds. A gentle rain began to fall, slowly soaking her mane so that it hung low and straight around her head and neck, the way it always did when she was sad. "Just what I need." Pinkie sighed deeply, and kept putting one hoof in front of the other. After the longest few miles she could remember walking in her entire life, Pinkie arrived on the edge of Ponyville. She smiled to see at least this place seemingly so unchanged. Everything looked just as it should be as she moved into the town. Everything, that was, except the ponies. They all moved about glumly in the slow, drizzling rain, looking cold and disinterested in whatever they were doing. Nopony was laughing. Nopony was smiling. The whole town seemed hopeless and lifeless. In desperation for something familiar, she went straight to Sugar Cube Corner. To her surprise, it had been totally remodeled. Its shape was basically the same as it had always been, but it now lacked its former, whimsical ornamentation. Going inside, she found that it had been converted into a more conventional bakery. Simple loaves of bread and rolls and such filled the racks that had once been covered in cakes, cookies, and other sweets. A beige earth pony mare with a loaf of bread for her cutie mark stood behind the counter. "Hi. What can I get you?" she asked in a monotone voice. "I'm looking for the cakes?" Pinkie Pie scanned the lobby, overcome with feelings both of familiarity and estrangement. "No cakes here. I can make you one special order, but I gotta warn you my cakes aren't much good. I mostly just bake bread." The mare gestured at her cutie mark. "No, I mean Mr. and Mrs. Cake," said Pinkie. "Oh! You must have been out of town for awhile. I bought this place from them years ago. Nice couple, but Mr. Cake said he didn't want to raise his foals in the same house where that girl killed herself. Or do you not know that story?" "I... I know it." Pinkie sighed. "Thanks, anyway." Pinkie Pie felt that she had never needed a friend, as desperately as she did at that moment. She stepped out of the door and was greeted by a cross-eyed, gray pegasus. "Oh, hello, Pinkie Pie," said Derpy Hooves, stepping past her towards the doorway. "PINKIE PIE!?" The pegasus spun on her rear hooves, and stared at the pink pony. "No, no. It's got to be my eyes, again. Lots of pink earth ponies in the world. I'm sorry; you just look like somepony I used to know; somepony I miss. She always made the best muffins." The pegasus paused, and looked up at the building that had once been Pinkie's home. "And if you were crying, she could make you laugh." "Oh, don't worry about it," Pinkie said. She sniffled, but the rain concealed her tears. "You're on the weather patrol. I know she's probably busy with the rain, but could you maybe tell me where I could find Rainbow Dash?" Derpy cocked her head to the side. "Rainbow Dash moved away several years ago." "Did she join the Wonderbolts?" asked Pinkie, excitedly. "No, she gave up on that after a friend of hers... had an accident. It sort of took the heart out of her. She moved back to Cloudsdale and works in a lightning factory, now. I see her from time to time, when I go home to visit." "Well, what about Fluttershy? Does she still live over near the Everfree Forest?" "Nope. She moved too. Nopony really knows where she went. That same friend of Rainbow Dash's... Fluttershy spent a lot of time just sitting at her grave, singing old songs to her. I guess she felt like she had to get away from here or her heart would just... break down." "Does Twilight Sparkle still live at the Library?" Pinkie's hopes were becoming fainter and fainter. "Oh, no. When everypony else started moving away, she went back to Canterlot. She always felt responsible for what happened to Pinkie Pie... That was that friend of theirs, by the way... Goodness you look a lot like her, but Pinkie would be older than you, by a bit, I suppose. Anyway, Twilight said she should have seen Pinkie had a problem; said she felt like a failure as a friend. I guess she just couldn't take living here, anymore." Derpy sighed, and looked up the street towards the library. "Applejack? Tell me Sweet Apple Acres is still the way I remember it." "After her Granny Smith died and her little sister grew up and moved away, she and her brother decided that Ponyville was just too full of sad memories. They sold the farm to the Flim Flam brothers, and moved to Dodge City to work at the cherry orchard. Nopony around here has heard from them since." "How could Ponyville be that full of sad memories!? Why does everypony look so miserable?" "Ponyville's just a miserable town, I guess. Wasn't always this way. It used to be a happy place. I suppose it just lost its heart, somehow. You have a good day, anyway, though, and try to stay dry." Derpy turned to head inside. Pinkie's eyes lit up slightly. "Wait! What about Rarity?" * * * Rainbow Dash awoke in a hospital bed. Slowly, the memory of her previous awakening came back to her. She was laying on her side, and frantically, she turned to try and look at her wings. She felt a horrendous stab of pain, and as her body shifted, she caught sight of the edge of the stump where once her right wing had been. "AAAAAAAAHHH!!" She roared in a mix of anger and despair, her voice cracking as her head dropped onto the pillow. Hearing her mournful cry, a white earth pony burst into the room. Rainbow Dash recognized her as Nurse Redheart. "Are you okay? Do you need morphine?" "I need my wings back!" Rainbow dash sobbed, watery mucus already beginning to pour out of her nose. "Oh, sweetie, I know." Nurse Redheart's face was full of genuine pity, and Rainbow Dash despised nothing more than being pitied. She rolled away from the nurse, an act which produced even more pain and left two bloody spots on the center of the mattress. "You're an earth pony! How could you know!?" Rainbow Dash hiccuped and winced. Nurse Redheart's look of pity metamorphosed into one of obvious shame. Of course she couldn't know. "Well," said the nurse, gently, "we couldn't let the necrosis spread to the rest of your body. It would have killed you." "I wish you would have LET IT!" The crippled pegasus screamed. "What... the hell... am I, now?" She growled, sucking air through her teeth as she hiccuped her way through the sentence. "I'm not even a pegasus, anymore!" Rainbow Dash rolled her face into her pillow and bit into it to stifle the scream of rage and anguish that blasted its way outward from between her clenched teeth. "Sweetie," said the nurse, stroking Rainbow Dash's mane with her fetlock, "we told you this would be hard when you signed the consent form. I'm going to turn up your morphine drip, and you just go back to sleep. You'll be okay. I promise." "I don't remember signing a consent form," Rainbow Dash said, her eyelids growing heavy. "In fact, I don't even remember being sick or checking into the hospital. The last thing I remember is waking up on the operating table, and then being put to sleep, again." "That's probably just mild amnesia from the fever the infection gave you, and maybe a little from the anesthesia. It'll come back to you. If you want to see the form, I can show it to you," said the nurse. "I wanna... sleep," she replied, and as Nurse Redheart walked out of the room, that's exactly what she did. After awhile, Rainbow Dash awoke for the third time in a haze. It was night, now. The pegasus looked around the room. She was totally alone. She lay there for awhile, weeping until her pillow was soaking wet beneath her face. She was horribly nauseous, partly from the drugs, but even more from the sickening thought of never being able to fly, again. "I'd honestly rather be dead," she whispered into the darkness. Then, an idea came to her; a terrible, terrible idea. She got to her hooves, still light-headed and out-of-sorts from the influence of the morphine. She walked towards the door, and heard the drip stand on which the I.V. was mounted fall over as a tube, still jutting out of her foreleg, pulled against it. "Shit." She took the tube in her teeth, and pulled it loose, along with several wires attached to her chest. Blood oozed from the hole the tube's removal had opened in her foreleg. The machine to which the tubes had belonged began to emit a singular, piercing tone, and she heard hoofbeats in the hallway. She tried to move for the door, but she felt a wave of nausea hit her as she did so. She resisted it for a moment, gritting her teeth and breathing in sharply through her nose as the room wavered in and out of focus, but despite her best efforts, she felt a lump begin to rise in her throat. Finally, she vomited onto the floor. Nurse Redheart and two orderlies burst into the room. There stood Rainbow Dash, knees wobbling and coughing downward into a pool of bile that had gathered around her forehooves. "Sweetie, there's a bedpan if you feel sick." "No," said Rainbow Dash, her breathing still hassled and uneven. "Not big enough; feel really sick." "This is a really bad reaction," said Nurse Redheart to an orderly. "It may just be from too little oxygen, but go get the anesthesiologist, if he hasn't gone home.' "And you," she said to the other orderly, "help me get her to the bathroom. Then, we need to get her on some oxygen." The nurse and the orderly positioned themselves to either side of Rainbow Dash. Each hooked a foreleg under one of hers, and used their remaining three to slowly hobble her towards the bathroom. Rainbow Dash felt weak, but it didn't matter. "What's the worst that could happen?" she whispered. "I die? Ha." "You're just having a bad reaction to anesthesia. It happens all the time. You're not going to die." Nurse Redheart had good ears, apparently. "Yes, I am," Rainbow Dash whispered. They were near the door, now, and Rainbow Dash summoned up what little strength she had to wrench herself free of the other ponies' grasp. Running into the hall, she could hear Nurse Redheart calling out behind her. "Please, Rainbow. I know you're upset, but hysterics won't solve anything," the nurse called down the hallway, toward where Rainbow Dash now stood. The wing-bereft pegasus felt her stomach lurch, then deposited another small pool of bile between her hooves. Its image swayed back and forth, splitting into multiples of itself. She snorted through her nose and shook her head violently. The images consolidated together, and a rancid scent curled her snout. She lifted her head sharply and scanned the hallway for a stairwell or elevator. There was none to be found. As she turned to go the other direction, she saw that Nurse Redheart, a security guard, and two large orderlies were blocking her path. There was also a doctor approaching from behind them at quick but wary trot. There was a hypodermic needle clutched in his teeth. She looked back over her shoulder, and caught a glimpse of something she had overlooked before: There was a window at the end of the hallway. She ran towards it as fast as her condition would allow, and threw herself into the air. Muscles in her back contracted instinctively in an effort to move wings that were not there, and she growled in pain even before she struck the glass. She fell from the second story and landed in the bushes below the window amidst a shower of glass and speckles of her own blood. She stood. None of her legs were broken, and for once in her life, her legs were all she needed. She heard several frantic voices coming from the main entrance on the adjacent side of the building. "Hmph," she laughed bitterly, wiping blood from her nose. "Just like old times." She ripped the hospital gown off her body and broke into a gallop. Mercifully, the rush of oxygen and adrenaline seemed to be clearing her head. After a little less than half an hour at a near all-out sprint, she reached her goal. "There it is," thought Rainbow Dash. "Ghastly Gorge." The chasm cut through her field of vision, a swath of black across a landscape of dark greens and browns. She'd always known she might die here one day. Now, she intended to. She didn't give herself time to think or reconsider. However she had come to be as she was now, she had no wish to continue living. She screamed with every ounce of her pent-up rage, and hammered at the earth beneath her hooves with all her might. As the edge of the gorge rushed towards her, she gave a mighty heave and hurled herself aloft. As she sailed through the sky, she shut her eyes, and made every effort to soak in the feeling of the wind rushing over her face for what she knew would be the last time. It stole the tears away from the corners of her eyes, and new ones sprang up to replace them. Her heart felt a sense of heaviness and dread, but also an eerie sense of calm and satisfaction. Finally, she opened her eyes to see the ground rushing upwards to embrace her with its finality and absolution. Her forelegs struck first, buckling underneath her so that she went into a wild roll that ended with her laying in a heap, somehow still alive, conscious, and throbbing with tremendous pain throughout her entire body. Laying there, her chest heaving, she tried to understand what had happened. She was bitterly disappointed that the fall hadn't killed her. Then, she noticed a strange thing: There were no rock walls anywhere around her. Nor was there any river. Haltingly, she came to understand that she wasn't at the bottom of the gorge. She dragged herself to her hooves, and looked around. After a few moments, the reality of the situation became apparent: somehow, she had actually cleared the width of the gorge, and landed on the opposite side, still alive. In the silence of the night, she sat there on her haunches, staring eyes half open across the gaping, empty void over which she had hurled herself in a maddened death rage. What she had just done was an impossible feat. Even crippled; even broken and with the essence of what she had thought she was torn from her physical body, she had done something that defied even her own imagination. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, leaping to the earth, one droplet at a time, and there, alone in the silence, she let loose a ragged, coarse laugh that filled her mouth with thick, foul-tasting fluid from her belabored lungs. "I... am... fucking... awesome," she growled. She coughed violently, hanging her head in exhaustion. A lacework of saliva, mucus, and blood grew wider and more intricate in the dirt before her eyes with every wet, hacking exhalation. There was no part of her that did not ache. Her legs were on fire. Her lungs felt like they were full of broken glass. Her heart was still pounding, filling her ears with the sound of her own blood pounding through her skull. Her skin was covered in cuts and abrasions from the window she had jumped through and from numerous thorns and brambles she had brushed past in her crazed run through the woods. Most of all, absent of morphine, the two stumps where her wings had been throbbed in agony. She collapsed to her knees. "Rainbow Motherfucking Dash," she whispered, and she slumped forward, her face pressing into the soil. "Maybe she was more than a pair of wings." Then, in a shower of blood and feathers that glistened in the light of a strange, fading moon, two perfect new wings burst from Rainbow Dash's bandaged stumps. All her pain faded. All her cuts and scrapes began to close, and Rainbow Dash looked up to see a blue ray of light pointing towards the horizon from the amulet of loyalty that she only now noticed she was still somehow wearing. * * * Applejack stood on the porch, shouting into the flames. "Momma! Daddy!? Come out!!" Her voice was beginning to become strained and hoarse, and she was growing more afraid by the second. The adult mind inside the filly's tiny body seethed at its own helplessness. Why did this dream always come back? Why could she never change anything or do anything differently? After some time, she heard her adult voice speak, cold and stolid, as it always was when she spoke to herself inside her own mind. "Cause it ain't just a dream, AJ; It's a memory." Somehow, she was suddenly standing next to the apple tree where Macintosh and Granny Smith were huddled. She was a full-grown mare again, but the filly she had once been still stood screaming on the porch. The fire had already spread into the branches of the enormous old apple tree, and would ultimately consume it along with the house. She looked up at it, and felt a pang of guilt and sadness. "This tree'll burn," she said. "Daddy'll come down the stairs with Applebloom tied up in a blanket in his teeth and push me out into the yard. He'll put her down in the grass, and then he'll collapse and die right there. The roof'll cave in, and I'll realize Momma ain't coming out of there. Then, I'll start screaming like a goddamn banshee, and Big Mac'll have to drag me away so's I don't run inside what's left of that ol' house and get my fool little self killed." She said these things flatly, with almost no emotion except mild melancholy. "I'll lay across Daddy and cry and scream. Then, Macintosh'll finally pull me away while Granny gets Applebloom.' "That's the way it's gonna happen because that's the way it did happen. I couldn't do a damned thing about it then, and I sure can't do a damned thing about it now." She sighed. "You know what?" she said, resolutely. "Fuck you, dream. I done been through this a thousand goddamned times, and I ain't never gonna be able to change it 'cause it's already been done. I'm sick of this bullshit. I ain't nothing but a tired-ass orange earth mare who grows apples, for fuck's' sake. Been lying on my goddamn back for years over this shit, and I'm sick of it as all HELL! I don't care if I gotta crawl, I'm getting over this bullshit! I'll roll over and climb the goddamn floor before I'll lie here and die like some weak-ass little PUSSY!! Can't do a goddamn thing about this, and I'm GONE, you hear me!?" She turned away from the burning home of her childhood, and began to walk. As she did so, an orange ray shot out of the amulet she was wearing, arcing over the horizon. "Reckon I can do a thing or two about that, though." She broke into a gallop. * * * Rarity was lying on her bed again, staring across the room at the haggard, scarecrow-like pony in the mirror. She was totally numb, consumed with the joy of being utterly disconnected from herself. She watched her reflection only to mock it with the fact that it could not harm her. The syringe hung from her foreleg, seeping blood from around where its needle was still embedded. Surgical tubing hung limply above it. All these things stared at her from inside the mirror across the room. "I may be ugly," she smiled, "but I feel beautiful." There was a knock at the door of her room. Rarity did not so much as notice it. She was too busy listening instead to the slow, rhythmic sound of her own breathing. After a few moments, the knock sounded again. "Rarity?" came a bright but muffled voice. The knob rattled as somepony tried to open the locked door. "Go away," said Rarity, not even lifting her head. "She said you'd say that," came the voice, again. "I don't want to see anypony," she replied. "She said you'd say that, too," came the the bright, muffled reply. "And I don't want anypony to see me," said Rarity. "And that," said the voice. "Go away," Rarity repeated, this time more firmly. The voice sounded again. "But it's Pinkie Pie!" "Now, you're just being an asshole," Rarity said. "Pinkie's dead. She overdosed on sleeping pills. I should know; I gave them to her. If I'd have known that was what she was going to do..." Rarity's words trailed off. There was a long pause, then Pinkie's voice came from beyond the door, again. "Do you really believe that?" This set Rarity to thinking about the bizarre nature of her situation and exactly how she'd gotten there for the first time since her awakening a few hours previous. "Come to think of it," said Rarity, "It never did make any sense. Fuck me; you don't make any sense. Pinkie had a very distinctive voice, and whoever you are, you certainly sound like her." Rarity rolled over and tossed her head to get her mane out from under it. Locks of the violet mass flopped over and lay limp across her face. She did not bother to move them. She weakly pushed the syringe out of her flesh with her free hoof. The voice on the other side of the door said nothing for over a minute, and Rarity assumed that whoever it was had gone. "That's not even why it's always bothered me," she said, talking to herself aloud, as her seclusion had put her in the habit of doing. "Pinkie Pie had no restraint whatsoever, and I would never have given her enough of anything for her to overdose on it; especially not after that incident with the Vicodin. Goddamn, that was funny." The voice came from the opposite side of the door once more, rising through an octave as it spoke. "You really are Rarity! My Rarity!" On the other side of the room from where the voice had just been clearly audible through the door, a tinfoil-covered window smashed into pieces. Pinkie Pie rolled inward across the floor, then scrambled to her hooves. Rarity's only reaction was to squint her eyes at the light that washed inward from the broken window. "That's why you never buy a bargain bin grappling HooOLY SHIT!!" Pinkie's jaw landed on the floor as she stared at Rarity's ghoulish face and ragged, malnourished body. Pinkie Pie physically picked her lower jaw up off the floor with her hoof, and forcibly closed her own mouth. Without sitting up or even raising her head, Rarity cocked a heroine-addled eyebrow at her erstwhile friend. "That's weird. Your mane isn't curly. Also, you're dead." Pinkie Pie sighed. "Everypony keeps saying that." Rarity licked her lips in an effort to moisten them, but it was largely ineffective, given that her tongue itself had no moisture to offer. She sat up and tried to reach for the bottle of gin on the nightstand. She only succeeded in knocking it to the floor. It did not shatter. "This is so fucked up. I don't usually hallucinate on horse. That shit must have been laced with acid. Last time I buy from... where did I score that batch, anyway?" She paused for a moment. "And why the fuck would somepony call heroine 'horse,' anyway?" She shrugged. "Whatever; it shouldn't be making me see things like this." Pinkie Pie stepped towards the bed. "You're not seeing things, Rarity. I'm real. I promise." "Fuck you," said Rarity. Pinkie dropped her head, and her ears drooped. "But I'm your Pinkie," she said. "For real." "My Pinkie? Now, there's a good reason that can't be true. My Pinkie left me, without saying goodbye, or even leaving a goddamned note." Her voice cracked with bitterness and grief. "Then, my Fluttershy left me. Then my Twilight, then my Rainbow Dash, then my Applejack!" Rarity's voice grew louder with each name, and she rolled onto her hooves. She stumbled towards the dresser, but stopped halfway, and turned her head towards Pinkie Pie, who had backed several steps away from the seething unicorn. "And, let me tell you what happened, then. My Sweetie Belle grew up and left, and never so much as writes a letter. My parents disowned me, and moved away out of shame. My Opal got old and died. My business fell apart at the seams, right along with all my dreams and everything I used to believe was mine." Rarity swayed for a moment, staring icepicks at Pinkie Pie. Her voice wavered as she spoke, but now her eyes did not glisten with even the faintest indication of tears. She was too dehydrated for her body to produce them. "And what do I have left? This ugly face in the mirror." She turned her head towards the mirror and stumbled towards it. When she reached it, she placed a hoof against it to steady herself. After several seconds Pinkie Pie's image appeared in the glass next to her own. Rarity paid it no attention for a moment, until she felt the gentle touch of a hoof on the side of her face, pushing it to face the pink pony. Pinkie had something in her teeth that Rarity hadn't seen or used for a long, long, time: an eyeshadow applicator. Pinkie's face leaned in close to her own. Rarity felt a gentle touch against her half-open eyelids, and the warm breeze of Pinkie's breath on her forehead. She shut her eyes, and made no effort to resist. In a few moments, she felt Pinkie pull away, and opened her eyes. The pink pony was smiling at her through tears. "Is that better?" asked Pinkie Pie, with a sniffle. Rarity turned her head towards the mirror. Her whole body was still ragged and disgusting, and her face was still gaunt and drawn tight to her skull. Her eyes, however, were much as she had known them, once, though she could not remember when. "Pinkie," asked Rarity," How did I get like this?" Pinkie Pie stepped back, and looked around in confusion. "I don't know," she said. "All I know is that everypony thinks I killed myself, and Ponyville has turned into... well... a shithole." Rarity looked around, dazed. "But Ponyville..." She paused for a moment, staring into the mirror image of her own eyes. At that moment, something --maybe the makeup, maybe Pinkie Pie's undeniable presence next to her, maybe something inside herself that she didn't fully understand -- caused a wave of memory to wash over her. "Nightmare Moon," she said. "She's responsible for this." Rarity's mind began to clear, and her body grew gradually more strong and healthy. As she saw Rarity returning to normal, Pinkie Pie's mane suddenly puffed out into its usual, curly shape, and her eyes hardened as she locked them into those of the white unicorn. "Oh, we are going to kill that bitch." "I get her face," growled Rarity. Both ponies felt pulled towards the broken window, and as they looked out of it, they saw a pair of light rays, one white and one pink, shooting outwards toward the horizon.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 5: To Move Heaven and Earth	Chapter 5 To Move Heaven and Earth Celestia's verbal assault continued, and now she stepped down from her throne and advanced towards the comparatively tiny and cripplingly shamed unicorn. "Look at little Twilight, the child prodigy. Prodigy who couldn't master basic telekinesis." "You always said I had an intuitive grasp of tele..." "I lied," Celestia cut short Twilight's shaky defense. The little unicorn backed slowly away from the princess, and her hoof found empty space where the stairs to the throne terminated at the platform. She fumbled to find the step, but in the grips of the panic brought on by the Princess' slow, menacing approach, she tripped backwards, rolling down the stairs. Celestia laughed, and as Twilight looked up at her from the bottom of the staircase, the white horse's horn began to glow with a wicked, black light. "That's enough." It was Luna's voice. Still lying on her side, Twilight turned her head, and saw Luna standing in the doorway to the throne room. Celestia's horn ceased to glow, and she lifted her head to take in a full view of this new intruder. "Twilight, that is not my sister. Get away from her." As Luna spoke, Twilight Sparkle noticed something she had not seen before: Celestia's eyes were not the right color, and now their pupils narrowed into slits. The throne room, already rife with seemingly centuries of decrepitude, crumbled into dust, and the thing that was not Celestia faded from white to black, metamorphosing slightly in shape as it did so. It was Nightmare Moon, her helmet absent from her sable face and head. She wore in its place an ornate circlet of fire-blued steel, inset with onyx and sapphires. "Well, well," the black horse chuckled. "You made it." "It was not particularly difficult," Luna sneered, "but thank you for the warmup." Twilight scrambled to her hooves, and ran to join Luna. Feeling safer alongside the little Alicorn, she took a moment to examine her surroundings. The three of them were standing atop a tower of polished black iron in the middle of a gray, cratered landscape. The throne still remained, but it was black, and wreathed at its top by elegant, weapon-like protrusions, arranged around a central disk so that they darkly parodied the beams of a stylized sun. The throne room itself was round, its floor being made of carefully set blocks of polished black marble. An ornate iron bannister ringed the tower's roof, and its posts arced upward to meet in a vaulted, skeletal dome woven together in ornate, curvilinear patterns. There were no walls, affording Twilight a view of the surrounding desolation, which itself was barely visible in the all-pervasive darkness that seemed to stretch out forever. The only light came from numerous iron braziers, one at every support post of the dome, and two long lines of them which marked the path from the entrance to the base of the throne. They all glowed with steady, green flames having no apparent physical fuel. Twilight looked over the edge of the railing, and saw that the tower beneath her was nothing but a single iron column, tapering inward towards its middle to once again expand outward into this platform. It fanned out into rib-like projections that came upward to form the support columns of the dome, so that the throne room itself was mounted inside an ornate, iron cage. The staircase spiraled closely around this column, weaving in amongst the bottom of the cage, so that it never protruded outside the tower's elegant black curvature. Far below, dimly illuminated by more of the iron braziers, which ringed the stairwell and the tower's base, Twilight saw the gored, burned and dismembered bodies of at least a dozen enormous black unicorn stallions clad in armor of blued steel. Only then did she notice that Luna's fur and feathers appeared out of sorts, that her chest was heaving, and that her horn glistened red with blood. Now, she understood what Luna had meant by "warmup." "Where are we? Are we on the moon?" asked Twilight. "Yes," said Luna, "but also no. This is some kind of dream world that Nightmare Moon has been constructing in my own subconscious." "A Nightmare," the black mare grinned. "I'm not even sure if this place has a physical manifestation," said Luna. "Oh, we're all quite real here, I assure you." Nightmare Moon's voice deepened with menace as she spoke. "It's the only way I could properly murder you." "But what about our bodies back on Earth?" Twilight asked Luna. Nightmare Moon looked upward through the ornate lacework of iron that formed the dome, "Oh, don't worry; they're still there." Twilight looked upward and saw the planet, the sun's glow radiating from around it. "I don't even know how created such all this," said Luna, her voice low but determined. "Oh, I didn't make this place, little Luna." Nightmare Moon slowly grinned. "You did; remember? It's been here all along, as have I." Twilight felt her skin crawling all over her body. "Well, where is Celestia? Wasn't she supposed to be here, too?" Nightmare Moon looked at Twilight. "Small wonder you're so insecure about that squalid little mind of yours; Where do you think she is, you twit?" Twilight did her best to ignore Nightmare Moon's insults. "She's in the sun, isn't she?" "Yes," said Luna. "Why do you think she locked the moon into a total eclipse? We can't draw Celestia to ourselves as long as the moon lies in the shadow of the earth." Twilight almost shouted in Luna's face. "Then move it!" "I can't," Luna spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes locked on Nightmare Moon. "I've been trying this whole time. Her will - and her magic - is just as powerful as my own, here. Maybe stronger." "Which should make this easy, on account of the fact that I'm also bigger than you!" Nightmare Moon leapt into flight as she finished her sentence, her horn coruscating with blue lightning. Propelled by her black wings, she dove headlong toward the smaller alicorn, head lowered, meaning to plunge the electrified weapon into Luna's chest. Luna saw the attack coming and rolled hard into Twilight with her shoulder, pushing the little pony aside. Nightmare Moon landed in the spot where they had both been standing, and released the gathered energy in a blast of lightning that blew polished, black stones from the floor, and sent Luna and Twilight sailing. Twilight hit the floor hard and rolled to a stop near the tower's edge, striking the base of the iron railing with the back of her head. Her vision blurred, but she willed herself to maintain consciousness. She felt Luna laying on top of her for a moment, then felt her spring to her hooves. The world came into focus as she whipped her head left and right, looking frantically for the black goddess of darkness. It dawned on her she should raise a defense, and her horn glowed briefly, projecting a transparent, purple force field that fixed itself in front of her body. She could see neither Nightmare Moon nor Luna. Scanning her surroundings, she saw the hole in the floor that Nightmare Moon's attack had created. A low, chilling laugh came from within it, and Nightmare Moon slowly rose upward from within it on her black wings. She noticed Twilight immediately. "A force field?" Nightmare moon grinned once more. "How banal an inelegant, but I suppose it will do." The enormous mare's horn seemed to suck the light from the space around it, turning blacker than night. Then, Twilight's own shield began to slowly move backwards towards her. She made to move around it, and it grew outward to touch the railing behind her, first on one side, then the next. She was trapped. As the shield continued to close in toward her, Twilight glanced back over the railing, desperate for a way out. "Go ahead and jump, little pony," Nightmare Moon whispered just loudly enough for the sound to reach Twilight's ears. Briefly, the unicorn considered attempting to jump the contracting purple shield, but it was far too close for her to get the necessary running start, and she dared not levitate herself over its top, either. She could do so only slowly, and Nightmare Moon would certainly take the opportunity to blast her into oblivion. She pinned herself against the railing, and racked her brain for a way out of her predicament. Then, it hit her: Anywhere she could see, she could teleport. She shut her eyes and disappeared in a flash, meaning to reappear at the base of the tower and make a mad sprint for safety, but when she opened her eyes again, she gasped in horror. Her teleportation spell, completely against her own will, had brought her directly in front of the Nightmare Queen, herself. Nightmare Moon slowly lowered her face to bring her eyes level with Twilight's own. The little unicorn was mesmerized by fear, barely able to think; much less move. Nightmare Moon's face was so close that Twilight could see the glint of saliva on her ivory fangs, and could even feel and smell her breath. It was a strange aroma, like the scent of spiced wine, but underneath that scent hung a faint note of something like rotten meat mixed with the metallic tang of coagulated blood. It would have been less terrible if Nightmare Moon had struck her in the face or taunted her in some way, but she only continued to grin. Then, a faint and very tiny pinprick of light began to glow at the tip of the huge alicorn's horn. Twilight could have sworn that her snake-like irises shone blood red for a moment, and as they did so, the tip of Twilight's own horn began to glow with a similar tiny, white pinprick. Nightmare Moon began to slowly, carefully lower her horn, staring upward at its tip, obviously meaning to touch the two tiny sparks together. Twilight's senses returned to her, and she tried to run. Her guts twisted into knots as she realized that no matter how much she tensed her muscles, her body was locked in place by the grip of some dark magic. As Nightmare Moon leaned her head in closer, Twilight watched the reflection of those two dim lights growing ever closer in her huge, jade-green eyes. The unicorn began to hyperventilate, whimpering with every sudden, fractious breath. As much as she wished she could run away, she wished even more that she only knew what was going to happen when those two tiny points of luminescence met. Two massive tears began to well at the corner of Twilight's eyes. She wanted desperately to shut those tearful, trembling eyes, but she could not, for not even her own eyelids would bend to her will. Whatever was about to happen, Nightmare Moon was going to make her watch. Finally, when it seemed that mere moments would bring the two lights in contact with one another, a black-blue-violet streak shot in from the darkness and plowed into the enormous mare from her right flank, sending her sprawling. Luna now stood where Nightmare Moon had been, her heavy breathing casting steam into the chill air that all good sense said shouldn't even exist on the Lunar surface. "Sorry, but I needed bait," she said. Luna's crown had been twisted and half-shattered by the impact, so she quickly reached upward with a hoof and pushed it off of her head. Twilight found that she could move again, and not a second later she felt a wave of vertigo sweep over her body, already rocking with violent tremors born of sheer terror and adrenaline. She thought for a moment that she might faint, but as she began to fall, she spread out her forelegs to steady herself. Quickly, she gathered the presence of mind to locate the terrible threat still somewhere nearby. Her eyes found it quickly, and her heart fluttered and skipped several beats when she realized that Nightmare Moon was already getting to her hooves. The black horse slowly turned her head toward Twilight and Luna, revealing a trickle of blood beneath her left nostril, which she wiped clean with a foreleg. "Well, that was just nasty, little Luuunaa." She punctuated her taunt by launching a bolt of black energy from her horn. Luna was somehow able to erect a magical shield in the brief moment of the bolt's flight, but it's impact still slid her backwards the length of her own body. The ensuing blast of pressure swept Twilight off her hooves, rolling her once again dangerously close to the tower's edge. She stood quickly, fueled now by raw adrenaline, but the sight she saw filled her with cold dread. Nightmare Moon was wounded, limping on her right hind leg, but somehow, that made her steady, determined advance toward her smaller counterpart even more terrifying. She launched another bolt, but Luna had time to brace herself against this one. Its impact did not upset her footing this time, but the effort spent in resisting it prevented her from launching a counterattack. Nightmare Moon continued to move towards Luna, hammering her with shot after shot of dark energy, her psychotic laughter growing more gleeful and animalistic with each impact. Luna was bearing up under the attacks, but it was all she could do. Twilight levitated three of the heavy marble blocks Nightmare Moon's initial attack had dislodged from the floor, and sent them hurtling towards the mare. Nightmare Moon snapped her head toward the unicorn, and the three blocks glowed for a moment, then simply shattered, their momentum pelting the black horse with tiny pebbles. Luna used the moments' respite to charge her aggressor. It was a risky move. In physical combat, Nightmare Moon had greater size, strength, and reach. The black horse whipped her head back to meet Luna's charge, and their horns scraped down one another until their foreheads collided with a dense thwack. Several deep blue beams burst from the tip of Luna's horn, but the Nightmare horse's greater strength had already allowed her to push Luna's head far enough back that every shot went wide and high, two of them cleanly severing long pieces of the woven iron dome, which fell to the floor, clanging loudly. Nightmare Moon kicked Luna sharply in the chest with her left forehoof, and then whipped her head around to trip her with her horn. Luna's shoulder crashed downward, and she was forced to roll quickly away to avoid being skewered in the throat by Nightmare Moon's horn. Twilight looked on, racking her brain for any way that she might effectively turn the tide. "Luna, what can I do!?" Luna couldn't even hear Twilight's question. She was on her hooves again, and had cast a spell that brought the glowing likeness of a sword's blade into being around her horn. It was half again as long as the little alicorn's horn, and she was doing all she could to run it through any part of Nightmare Moon's body. The black horse seemed markedly unthreatened by this, however, evidenced by her continual laughter. Twilight took a few steps towards the duel, and was rewarded by an almost flippant telekinetic push from Nightmare Moon. It rolled her over backwards, and very nearly sent her over the edge of the tower. As she clambered to her hooves, she looked upward towards the planet, racking her brain for a way to make some kind of meaningful difference in the struggle. Her heart leapt inside her chest. Without her noticing, five rays of light had at some point converged directly overhead. She knew somehow that it must mean her friends were coming, but Twilight's heart sank as quickly as it had risen. She knew they would be too late. Her mind continued to race. "If only there was something I could do to give them more time. If only Celestia was here. If only I could move the goddamned..." Her eyes widened. "Moon," she said, and her horn began to glow. "What, exactly, are you trying, this time, you little fool?" The sable goddess didn't even bother to turn her head. "Give me your best shot. Pour every ounce of energy you have into me. It will bounce off like another one of your cute, little pebbles." "She's right!" Luna locked horns with Nightmare Moon, and turned her eyes towards Twilight. "Run if you can! There's nothing you can do alone!" "Oh, now that's not true at all," said Nightmare Moon, actually allowing her head to give a little against Luna's, and then thrusting her neck outward to pitch Luna away from her. "She can watch me kill you alone, and then she can die alone. The two of you can rot together." She stepped toward Luna, who responded to her advance with another thrust of her horn. Nightmare moon deftly parried the attack, and resumed her onslaught. She wasted no more attention on the purple unicorn pony. The glow around Twilight's horn intensified. It felt as if it was moving backward and digging into her brain, but Twilight continued to focus on the enormous body that floated overhead, dim and silhouetted by the sun beyond it. She began to whimper and wince with every breath, but still she focused. She collapsed to her knees, and looking up with white, glowing eyes, she saw the planet begin to wax at its edge as the moon slowly orbited to bring the sun from behind it. She found that focusing her gaze on the sun's brightening glow helped to channel her magic and eased somewhat the burden on her mind. Whether it was her greater ability to perceive the relationship of the sun, earth, and moon, or whether it might be Celestia herself in some way reaching out across that cosmic gulf to amplify her abilities, she did not know. Whatever the case, she focused with all her mind and heart on the creeping glow that seemed so slowly to intensify at the edge of the dark, mottled orb overhead. Nightmare Moon paid her no mind, but continued to lay into Luna with her impressive strength. Despite the magical blade still glowing around Luna's horn, her strength was no match for Nightmare Moon's, and a single slip of her hoof gave the big, black horse a deadly opening. Luna was gored once through the shoulder, then again in the flank as she reeled backwards from the first wound. The sable mare unleashed a bolt of black energy on the smaller alicorn, which struck her full in her folded left wing. Twilight heard the snap of bones breaking, mingled with a scream so loud that it caused the tower itself to vibrate beneath her hooves. Unable to pull her eyes away from her task, she heard rather than saw the motion of Luna's body as it rolled across the stone. Nightmare Moon walked slowly toward her crumpled foe, favoring her wounded hip and emitting a low, hissing, snicker. Within seconds, she stood over Luna's half-conscious form. By sheer chance it was just then that Twilight Sparkle first beheld the sun itself, moving around the edge of the planet. It burned her eyes, and she tried to shut them, but as she did, she lost her focus, and within her mind, she felt the moon slipping backwards along the path through which she had been moving it. Given no alternative, she opened her eyes and stared into the sun. Twilight Sparkle screeched like something from beyond her own blackest dreams at the searing pain. Even Nightmare Moon was startled by this sudden outburst, and Luna, brought back to her senses by the piercing cry, attempted to stand. Her legs buckled, however, and collapsed once more. The wound to her shoulder had separated the joint almost completely. It seemed certain that Nightmare Moon, once her attention was restored fully to the smaller horse, would deliver her death blow. It was however, at that moment, that a sliver of light began to illuminate the stones on the opposite side of the throne room. Seeing this, Nightmare Moon finally realized what was happening. "You conniving little cunt!" The mix of rage and fear in her enemy's voice told Twilight that she was found out, but she could not allow her concentration to break, even for a moment. Nightmare Moon turned fully to face Twilight, and the air began to crackle around her horn as she charged it with a tremendous bolt of magical lightning, meaning to snuff out the unicorn's life in a single blast. It was a disastrous mistake, for she now stood very, very close to a Princess Luna who was not quite wholly incapacitated. Seeing that her opponent's attentions were elsewhere directed, Luna put her good foreleg beneath her, and used it and her undamaged right wing to catapult herself upward. Having heard the sounds of Luna moving, Nightmare Moon glanced back just in time to see the wounded alicorn's horn being buried in her own ribcage, all the way up to the forehead. "For the sake of argument," said Luna, "what if she was just a conniving little bitch?" Luna drew a ragged breath, and spoke again, through a snarl. "Like me?" As her lung collapsed, Nightmare Moon made a low, sucking, whinnying sound, and lost control of tremendous charge gathered in her horn, which burst outward in all directions, electrocuting both Luna and herself. Luna, growling with rage and pain, did not remove her horn from the horse's side. Instead, she gritted her teeth, and mustered every ounce of magical energy she could summon up from within herself. The veins of her neck stood out beneath her fur, and she ground her teeth against one another as she focused each and every fiber of her being into one, desperate charge. Then, she released it. A violent shock rocked Luna's body as she unleashed the gathered force directly into the demonic goddess' body. There was a crashing roar louder than anything Twilight had ever heard in her entire life, and in that same instant, Nightmare Moon and Luna both hurtled in opposite directions, their acceleration so sudden that they seemed almost to disappear. Stones were thrown from the floor, and a hole was blown outward through the top of the dome. Several of the closest of the iron columns that supported the dome and the floor were either blasted completely apart or so badly warped that the entire throne room shifted perceptibly downward on that side. Twilight was thrown aloft once more, and this time she flew totally clear of the platform. She fell several stories before she could gather her wits and cast a teleportation spell. She vanished in a shower of purple sparks, and reappeared above the marble floor of the throne room. The inertia of her fall, still present, slammed her onto the floor, flat on her belly. Her ribcage made a hollow crunching sound as she impacted. She moaned as she slowly levered herself upward, discovering as she did so that her left shoulder had been badly dislocated. It was agonizing to place even the least bit of weight on it. Her ears rang from the blast, and her body ached from the impact. The expansion and contraction of her lungs beneath her fractured ribs and sternum made every breath painful. Her eyes burned from staring into the sun, and her head felt as if it would split in two at her horn from the strain of manipulating such a gargantuan cosmic body. Somehow, however, she forced herself to gaze once again into the sun's brilliance, and to focus. * * * Fluttershy could see her destination, and could even dimly see faint lights glittering intermittently from atop the gleaming black tower towards which she flew. Suddenly, a white light shone from amidst them, and in a perfect circle, moving outwards from it, a ring of dust flew upward from the ground. There was a crash that set her ears ringing, and as the cloud of dust whipped past her, she was rolled over in midair. She tumbled backwards and downwards, struggling to tell up from down. Finally, she managed to right herself, and continued forward. Whatever was going on, she knew she needed to be there - now. Applejack felt the shockwave of whatever had created the enormous blast she had heard only moments before. She whinnied as it actually picked her forelegs up from the ground, and set her stumbling backwards for a moment. She only let it fuel her adrenaline rush. She could see where the blast had originated, and now she was certain that it had come from where she was headed. Nopony was faster on her hooves than Applejack, and it was time for her to prove it. Pinkie Pie and Rarity somersaulted backward under the murderous impact of the blast from the strange tower in the distance. They didn't stop to consider what could have caused it. Instead, they got to their hooves, and wordlessly dashed forward. Rainbow Dash, now flying over the barren moonscape, heard a roar in the distance like some kind of massive explosion. A wave of force buffeted her in the sky, and she fluttered her wings slightly to restabilize herself as it passed. Fear seized her heart, but she beat it down beneath her determination. "When it comes right down to it, I live for this kinda thing." She sucked in a deep breath. "Let's see if these really are my wings."
The Sun Eater	Chapter 6: One Battle in Many Hearts	Chapter 6 One Battle in Many Hearts Luna regained consciousness first. Twilight was still gazing upward in what would have seemed to be a stupor, but for the fact that Luna could sense the moon's continued movement. Only their focus on one another had prevented she and Nightmare Moon from noticing it earlier. She had to admire the little unicorn's heart. "Her mind must be breaking under the strain," Luna thought. She could see Nightmare moon lying at the bottom of the staircase that led up to her black throne. The stairs themselves were shattered and rife with cracks, all extending outward from a deep, central crater that marked where she must have impacted. Between Nightmare Moon and herself, furthermore, there was an even larger crater in the floor, and then a long trench of dislodged, upturned, and shattered stones galled out in a line extending from it to where she lay. It took her a moment, but Luna finally realized that it was where her own body had actually dug into the floor as the force of her attack had driven her downwards and backwards. She could not lift her body. It felt as if all her legs and both her wings were broken. Every breath she drew was agonizing, and each time she exhaled, there was a thin taste of blood in her breath. This told her that her shattered ribs must have punctured at least one of her lungs. "At least Nightmare Moon must be in worse shape than me," she rasped. It was not so. She realized in despair that her old foe was very slowly bringing herself to her hooves. A wound that would have immediately slain any mortal horse gaped in her left side -- the place where Luna's horn had been when she had unleashed her tremendous attack. Through the massive, ragged hole, Luna could see the fragmented remains of Nightmare Moon's ribcage, and even her still-beating heart. The blood loss was catastrophic, and strands of ragged flesh and intestine hung beneath her midriff like vile streamers, glistening red in the slowly intensifying light of the distant sun. Her dark divinity sustained her, however, even in the face of such bodily devastation. The black mare turned to face Luna, and both of her right legs, the side against which she had impacted, failed her, causing her to tumble forward down the stairs. A moment after she came to rest, she looked up again, and the mindless rage in her turquoise eyes filled Luna with the utmost terror she had ever experienced. Nightmare Moon very slowly raised herself once more, and stumbled toward the Princess' ruined body. Luna turned her head to try and fire a spell at her enemy, but she was overcome with despair to discover that her horn had been almost totally shattered by the brutality of her own spell. Only a short, jagged stump now protruded from her forehead, which was itself soaked with blood -- not all of it her foe's. She would never be able to direct magical energy with her horn in this condition. It was all she could do to keep Nightmare Moon from negating Twilight Sparkle's feeble push against the moon. The Nightmare horse noticed her horror, and understanding that Luna was now utterly helpless to stop her, she let loose a sick, gurgling laugh that ended in her violently vomiting blood onto the floor. "Well," she said, licking bloody bile away from her lips, "I'll just deal with you after I tend to my more immediate concern." The ghastly horror that had once been a regal queen of the night began her twisted, shuffling movement anew, this time turning towards the helpless purple pony who gazed upward, eyes aglow, at the shifting sun. "No," Luna barely whispered, coughing as she did so. Luna was powerless. She watched as the ghoulish horse-thing slowly approached the little unicorn. Luna did not want to see what Nightmare Moon would do, but could not make herself look away. She tried to shout for Twilight to run away, but all that came out was a series of squeaks and sighs. "You know," Nightmare Moon hacked. "She's going to die because you brought her here, and her little friends will never, for the rest of their lives, escape from the eternal miseries I've crafted for them all; I love it." She began to chuckle, and it morphed into a cough. She cleared her throat, and spat a foamy mixture of mucus and blood onto the floor. "All I have to do is finish you off, and then I can take your place -- forever. Cenasolus can have Celestia, and I can have my eternal night." As she spoke, still advancing towards Twilight, the light slowly crept across the throne room's floor, casting weird shadows of the strange, ornate dome, but Luna knew that the sun would never emerge in time. She felt a tear form at the corner of her eye, and tried to lift herself once more, but it was no use. "Why?" Luna whispered. Nightmare Moon was within reach of Twilight now, and by sheer force of will she raised herself to her full height, looming over Twilight's tiny, oblivious form. Luna did not know what Nightmare Moon would do to the unicorn, but she did know that whatever it was, she not want to see it. Finally, by a painful act of will, she shut her eyes. And another blast rocked the sky. Luna's eyes flung open in surprise, and she saw that Nightmare Moon had once more been brought to the floor, and now lay some distance from Twilight Sparkle. A long, wide swath of blood gave testament to the fact that she had slid most of that distance on her ruined side. To the Princess' surprise, a pale blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail stood between the unicorn and the downed horse, rolling her head to crack her neck and blinking her eyes with a look of decided discomfort. A long, straight rainbow faded in the distance directly behind her. "Ouch," said Rainbow Dash. Luna sighed deeply in her relief, but her heart still pounded in her chest. Nightmare Moon would be up again soon, and Rainbow Dash alone would stand no chance against her. Suddenly, her ears caught the sound of something below her, faint at first, but growing in volume. It was the sound of hoofbeats on the stairs below. After a few moments, Applejack burst into the the throne room with a customary "Whoa, Nelly!" Luna began to feel her first moments of hope since regaining consciousness, and even as she did so, she heard wings beating, followed by the click of horseshoes on stone. Fluttershy soon stood beside her. "Are you okay?" Fluttershy looked her over. "Oh, dear; no, you're not." the yellow pegasus said softly, stroking Luna's mane. More hoofbeats came from the stairs, and suddenly Pinkie Pie and Rarity dashed into view. "We're here to help," said Pinkie. "Just let us catch our breath!" She dropped her head, huffing and puffing. "Oh, I don't need a breath," said Rarity, and a sharp fragment of stone lifted up beside her, glowing pale blue-white with her telekinetic influence. Luna focused all of her willpower to draw in a breath, and gave a raspy, tremulous shout: "You have to keep her away from Twilight Sparkle, no matter what. She has to finish... She has to finish." She lay her head back onto the floor and struggled to breath. Luna looked up at Fluttershy, her vision blurring and splitting into multiple images. By some miracle, she managed to retain her consciousness Nightmare Moon finally stirred. "I am getting tired of this SHIT!" She levered herself to her full height, and looked around. Her eyes spread open so far they threatened to burst from her skull. "How can you be here!? Those dreams should have been the closest thing to hell any of you have ever experienced. They were inescapable!" Rarity strode slowly forward, speaking through gritted teeth, the force of her words slinging spittle onto the polished, black stone floor. "Right on the first point, wrong on the second!" The unicorn's chosen missile shone brightly for a moment, and flung towards the horse's head. Before it struck home, it glowed black-purple, and crumbled into dust, producing a contemptuous "Hmph" from Nightmare Moon's bleeding lips. "Proud of yourself, are you?" Rarity's voice was brimming with venom. "That was a decoy, you insufferable BITCH!" Another rock, glowing blue with Rarity's telekinesis and several times larger than the last, flew in from Nightmare Moon's right and smashed into the side of her face, briefly painting the air with a horizontal geyser of blood and teeth. Nightmare Moon threw her left foreleg out wide to catch herself, but was still taken badly off-balance and obviously dazed. Applejack took full advantage of her loss of equilibrium, running in to hammer at the black alicorn's right flank with both of her rear hooves. Nightmare's pelvis gave out simultaneously a pair of loud, sharp, cracks, and she let out a roar of agony and hatred as her hindquarters collapsed from under her. "Should I hit her, too?" asked Fluttershy. "I'd really rather not, if I don't have to. She's already really bloody." Rainbow Dash looked across the courtyard at her yellow friend, her mouth hanging open. "Hell yeah, you should hit her! She was trying to kill Twilight!" "WHAT!?" Fluttershy arced into a yellow-pink streak, and slammed into the black alicorn's right shoulder. In a flash, her forelegs had the much larger equine in a vice-like headlock, and her teeth were dug deeply into an ear, which she wrenched her head in an obvious attempt to remove from Nightmare Moon's skull. The other ponies were so stunned by Fluttershy's maddened assault that they were all compelled to back away from the locus of her violence. Nightmare Moon somehow found the strength to lift herself on her shattered frame, and bucked forward so violently that her horn scraped stone. Fluttershy was thrown forward, but rolled over in the air. She beat her wings furiously, halting her momentum and reversing her direction to come in at Nightmare Moon for a second attack. The moments that it took her to realign herself, however, gave Nightmare time enough to take aim and charge a spell at the tip of her horn. Seeing the spell beginning to charge, and totally aware that Fluttershy was beyond reasonable communication, Rainbow Dash zipped in and put her shoulder into the horse's shattered ribcage. The impact caused Nightmare Moon to stumble, but she still managed to release her spell. A bolt of force rippled through the air, visibly warping space as it traveled. It no doubt would have shattered Fluttershy's skull if its aim had been true. As it was, the yellow pegasus caught a glancing blow, and was deflected to the ground. She rolled and then skidded to a stop at Nightmare Moon's hooves, and let out a soft, sere moan. Rainbow Dash was still reeling from her own impact against the big mare's side, but Nightmare moon had recovered her footing, and recognizing her as the greater threat of the two pegasi, quickly turned and delivered a sharp, quick blast of energy into her chest. It sent Rainbow Dash rolling, and she ended up lying on her side next to Applejack, who responded by sprinting once more into the fray. "Hang on, Fluttershy," called the orange pony, prompting a quick glance and a cruel smirk from Nightmare Moon, as she began to unsteadily rear upward on her damaged hind legs. Rarity, also seeing Fluttershy's predicament, galloped forward meaning to drag her away from the looming mare, but before she or Applejack could even arrive, Nightmare Moon brought both of her forehooves down onto Fluttershy's supine body. There was the distinct crack of one of Fluttershy's wings breaking, and a yowl of agony from the little pegasus. Applejack quickened her pace, fully intending to knock Nightmare Moon's head off of her shoulders, and Rarity, as she too continued her charge, levitated every fragment of rock within twenty paces into a swirling stone cloud she meant to hurl into Nightmare Moon's body. Rainbow Dash came off of the ground as if from a sprinter's stance, hurling herself forward by both wing and hoof, so that it seemed as if she would impact the enormous mare at almost the same moment as Applejack, despite her late start. Before any of the three could deliver her blow, however, the air was torn asunder by a blood-freezing screech, barely intelligible as Fluttershy's name. It was so terrible to hear that every single combatant froze in her tracks out of pure shock. The source of the cacophony was a pink blur that ripped toward the black goddess. The impetus behind the assault was such that Nightmare Moon was turned over completely onto her back as Pinkie Pie latched onto her throat with her teeth, crushing her windpipe and ripping into her carotid artery. The resultant exsanguination painted Pinkie's face a little redder with each throb of Nightmare Moon's racing heart. Applejack shuddered at the sound of Pinkie's teeth sinking into Nightmare Moon's neck, repulsed by its similarity to the sound of biting into an apple. "That's a little more... direct... than the old party cannon," she mumbled. Rainbow Dash, now standing beside her, rubbed at a blackened, smoldering patch of fur on her chest, and nodded silently in wide-eyed agreement. Rarity dropped all of her gathered weapons to the ground, visibly nauseated by the sight. Nightmare Moon, glassy-eyed and listless, put both of her forehooves against Pinkie's chest and pried her away from her throat. She summoned up her strength, and kicked the berserk earth pony as far away from herself as she could. Pinkie, however, refused to release her death grip, and as she was finally thrown clear, a chunk of black-furred flesh came away with her, still clenched in her teeth. Unable to fly on her shattered wings, Nightmare Moon levitated her body upward magically, taking her out of reach of Pinkie Pie's dreadful psychosis. As she floated into the air she shoved a hoof into a gaping hole in her throat in an effort to stymie the flow of blood. Her effort was only partially successful, and thin runnels of her blood continued to dribble rhythmically from the ugly wound beneath her hoof.. Pinkie spat onto the ground, producing a vile-looking pool of black hairs, blood, and saliva. A chunk of black-furred hide lay at its center, and noticing this fact, Rarity finally gave in to her nausea. "Damn, she's hard to kill," said Pinkie through a reddened, dripping, and half-mad grin, as she surveyed the floating horse's ruined form. "Seriously," she continued, licking NIghtmare Moon's blood from her lips, "How much HP does this bitch have?" "She's a deity," said Rarity, coughing out the last of the vomit elicited by Pinkie's barbarism. "What do you expect?" She cleared her throat. "And what the hell is 'HP'?" "Rarity, check Fluttershy!" shouted Applejack. "Dash, get Queen Thundercunt back down here where Pinkie and me can help you finish KILLING her!" Rarity ran to Fluttershy's side, and was relieved to see that, while teary-eyed and bleeding from several cuts and scrapes, she was still lucid. "Come on, Fluttershy. Get up. We have to get you away from here." Fluttershy was breathing rapidly, sucking air through clenched teeth. "My wing is broken," she said, "and my leg." She nodded towards her left hind leg. Rarity saw a sharp fragment of bone was actually protruding through the skin of Fluttershy's wing, and the indicated leg was turned in a direction it was never meant to turn. Rarity curled her snout in a mixture of empathy and disgust. "Well, that looks excruciating," she said. Then, as an afterthought, she stroked Fluttershy's side in an effort to calm the pegasus' hyperventilations. Rarity glanced toward the commotion of the ongoing fight. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were slowly circling below Nightmare Moon like a pair of sharks, while Rainbow Dash zigged and zagged around the levitating alicorn, who continually hurled all manner of lightning, fire, and pure, rippling force at the nimble pegasus. "I'm sorry about this Fluttershy, but I have to get you away from this." Rarity Hooked a foreleg under one of Fluttershy's and began to drag her towards where Twilight was still staring upward, eyes agape and glowing intensely. Fluttershy whimpered and moaned as her fractured limbs were dragged across the stone floor. "Don't worry, Fluttershy. You'll be back to normal when we wake up," said Rarity, approaching the other unicorn. "No," mumbled Twilight, as Rarity placed Fluttershy carefully beside her. "This... This is real." Rarity's eyes lit up with mild panic, and she turned to shout at her friends. "Be careful!" she screamed. "Somehow, this is apparently for keeps!" "GOOD!" shouted Pinkie, as she leapt upward, her crimson teeth snapping audibly at Nightmare Moon's dangling hooves. As Rarity moved towards the battle, the collection of sharp rocks she had earlier amassed once again began to swirl around her in space, and more and more sunlight continued to creep across the tower. Rarity hurled the first of her many stones at Nightmare Moon, and its spearhead-like tip buried itself deep in the huge mare's right thigh. Nightmare Moon yelped in surprise and pain, then spun in place to find the source of this new assault. More rocks were already headed in her direction, and while she managed to disintegrate a few of them, she was still pelted all across her body by at least half a dozen, two of which managed to imbed themselves deeply in her midriff. She responded by launching a fireball directly towards the unicorn. Rarity turned and made to dodge, but screamed in shock and torment as it caught her in the left flank. The fireball bore enough impetus that it spun Rarity's hindquarters around her forelegs, twisting both of them so sharply that both knees and both shoulders were severely and painfully sprained. She collapsed forward, then went down onto her uninjured side. Groaning through gritted teeth, she looked back to see her flank and thigh. The fur, cutie mark included, was completely burned away, along with much of her skin, and blisters were slowly raising all over the bared hide. Her whole, wrecked flank smouldered like a dying bonfire. Despite her sprained forelegs, she tried to stand, but found that the fireball's impact had broken her hip. Rainbow Dash, livid at Nightmare Moon's continued abuse of her friends, dove in like a hawk and smashed both of her rear hooves into the alicorn's shoulder. The impact caused Nightmare Moon to lose altitude, and Pinkie Pie saw an opportunity. "Applejack! Alley oop!" Pinkie Lowered herself to her belly, just below Nightmare Moon's position. Applejack ran forward and used her friend's shoulders as a stepping stone to launch herself toward the black mare, an action which Pinkie assisted by bucking upwards as Applejack leapt. Applejack struck hard against the alicorn's back, and hooked her forelegs over her black wings. The sudden distraction caused Nightmare Moon to once again lose sight of Rainbow Dash, who delivered a vicious headbutt directly into her exposed belly. All three of the embroiled combatants tumbled to the stone floor, and Pinkie Pie dove into the resulting pile. A wild, free-wheeling melee burst out on the stone, and somehow, amidst the deadly wrestling match, Nightmare Moon managed to thrust her horn so deeply into Applejack's abdominal cavity that it's tip actually emerged from her back, right beside her spine. Applejack snarled like a wounded wolf, and pushed herself off of the cruel, magical instrument by kicking hard into Nightmare Moon's face and forehead, crashing one hoof into an eye. Nightmare Moon yelped, and Applejack rolled, cursing, across the tower's roof, coming to a stop on her back. She could feel her own blood beginning to pool around her lower back. As she sat up to examine her wound, Applejack felt her mutilated abdominal muscles tear even further under the strain. There was a ragged hole half the diameter of her own hoof just below her ribcage. Unable to continue straining, she fell backward, her hat flattening beneath her head, and stared upward. She could see the sun. Now came the crackling blast of a lighting bolt, and Applejack craned her neck just in time to see Pinkie Pie hurtling backward through the air, blue arcs of electricity flitting about her body. She sailed upward and crashed into one of the iron supports of the dome, striking it squarely with the small of her back. The impact sounded like a wet towel being dropped on a tile floor. Pinkie Pie toppled downward, and landed on her side. To her credit, she immediately tried to stand and rejoin the fight, but her hind legs would not move. The blow had broken her back. Rainbow Dash had somehow managed to straddle Nightmare Moon's chest, and was repeatedly pounding her forehooves into the black horse's face with such force that each blow actually caused Nightmare Moon's head to bounce off the stone beneath her. Finally, Nightmare Moon telekinetically withdrew the rock that Rarity had earlier lodged in her thigh, and smashed it into the blue pegasus' left temple, opening a deep gash that quickly painted the side of her blue face with tiny, twisting rivers of red. Rainbow Dash was rocked to the side by this impact, and visibly dazed. Nightmare Moon drew back a hoof, and slammed it into Rainbow's jaw, dismounting the Pegasus from her own body. Then, she slowly managed to bring herself once more to her hooves, and stomped down into the little pony's abdomen, prompting a gagged squeak. As Rainbow Dash rolled over to cover her injured belly, Nightmare Moon stomped down twice more, shattering both of her wings. Rainbow Dash screamed in agony at each impact, then went silent as she was kicked in the same side of the head that had borne the previous blows. The big alicorn once again lifted herself skyward, and began to laugh. It was a grotesque, gurgling sound that came less from her mouth than from the bloody hole in her throat. The light seemed to drain out of the space around her horn, and space itself seemed to visibly warp inward toward its tip. "Now," she gurgled, "You will all learn..." She stopped short, interrupted by the sound of a hoarse, liquid laugh; Luna's laugh. "Have you lost your mind, you foolish little nag?" Nightmare moon rasped from beneath the slowly growing orb of energy. Luna stifled her coughing, wheezing mirth just long enough to say "Look behind you." A shudder rocked Nightmare Moon's body, and she turned her head rapidly to see what - to see whom -- she feared might be there. Indeed she was. "Really?" asked Celestia, her face and voice soaked with contempt as she slowly beat her wings to hover in midair behind and above the black mare's ragged body. She took a moment to look over Nightmare Moon's many grievous wounds. "They're just six little ponies." The glow faded from Twilight Sparkle's eyes. She smiled slightly, and then collapsed to the side as Celestia cut loose a ray of pure, white light that drove Nightmare Moon downward like a meteor. The Princess slowly descended to stand over the torn, broken body of the black alicorn, maintaining the beam of brilliant energy as she did so. Nightmare Moon struggled beneath its battering, but in her weakened state, she simply could not compete with the raw strength of Celestia's magic. "Did you ladies bring those pretty necklaces for show, or are you planning to use them?" Twilight Sparkle's eyes did not open, but the talisman of the element of magic glowed brightly. The ragged bodies of the six ponies lifted into the sky in a rough circle around Nightmare Moon. Then, there was a brilliant flash. * * * Celestia awoke first, and she was actually amused by the scene of the six little ponies all asleep around her. She smiled calmly as she noticed the gentle expansion and contraction of her sister's warm body behind her. It reminded her of how Luna had often sneaked into her room to lay beside her when she'd had a bad dream as a filly Celestia recalled how, in those days so long ago, Luna had told her that she never had a nightmare once she could feel her sister next to her in the night. Then, she felt the wet, warm, stickiness of Luna's blood. Her spine tingled, and Celestia rolled over quickly, to find herself face-to-face with Luna, who was slowly beginning to awaken, and had begun to gasp for air. Her horn had split into at least a dozen fragments that lay in a rough approximation of their former shape on the pillow. All of the wounds she had received in the battle were opening back up one by one, and Celestia could actually hear the sounds of her sister's bones breaking beneath her skin. Luna, now conscious enough to be aware of what was happening, looked at her sister's face in agonized desperation, and spoke. "Send... for help." Her eyes went wide and wild. "Before they start waking up!" It was too late. Applejack yelped from beyond the foot of the bed, and another chill ran up Celestia's spine. That sensation catapulted the big mare to her hooves. She looked down, and saw the Earth pony doubled up into a fetal position and clutching her stomach. A gaping wound in her belly and a smaller one in her back were spilling blood onto the rug. "Just hold on," said Celestia, gently touching Applejack's left temple, "I'll send a guard for the castle doctor!" She spun on her hind legs, and very nearly fell over as she reared upward to avoid stepping on the thing she'd least expected to see: Nightmare Moon's twisted, barely conscious form, gurgling and wheezing in a swelling, crimson pool created by the wounds she had been dealt in the dream, some of which were still reopening in explosive exsanguinations. Whatever spell Luna had cast to draw the Nightmare horse into reality along with her, it had worked. Celestia was so taken aback by the sight that she actually paused for a moment, uncertain of what to do. Finally, she cast a sleep spell to keep Nightmare Moon from adding any more trouble to what was already a lethally urgent situation. The black mare's wounds continued to open and expand, but unlike Luna and Applejack, she did not fully awaken. Finding this satisfactory, Celestia telekinetically flung open the door, and charged into the hallway. It just so happened, by some accident of fortune, that a patrolling guard rounded a nearby corner. "Princess Celestia!? You're better!" The cheer in the armored unicorn's voice was bizarrely incongruous with the dire situation, and his eyes went briefly wide in shock as Celestia very nearly galloped down the hallway, stopping in front of him. "Go get the castle doctor, and bring him back here. And every medic or any unicorn you spot who knows any healing magic at all. We have wounded." "I don't," the guard stammered, but realizing the urgency in the Princess' voice, he cut himself off. "I'm going!" As he turned to run down the hall, Celestia likewise wheeled on her rear hooves and made for the open door of her chamber. A piercing shriek tore out of that selfsame portal, and Celestia felt her heart fall into her stomach as came into the room. It was Rarity; awake now, and moaning through gritted teeth, tears slowly forcing themselves out through eyelids squeezed tightly shut, so that small runnels of mascara and eyeliner were flowing down both her cheeks. A huge burn was spreading over her flank, despite the total absence of fire. Rainbow Dash did not make any vocal noise, but Celestia knew that she was beginning to awaken by the chorus of cracks she heard coming from her wings and by the gash that suddenly split open in the left side of her head. Only a weak moan gave any clue that she had returned to consciousness. Pinkie Pie was the next to awaken, and she did so with a chorus of "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!" as a single, sharp snap echoed out from the middle of her back. Not two seconds later, Fluttershy's eyes opened just as a bone in her wing split apart, and ripped through the skin. She cut loose a yowl of pain and surprise. Celestia knew healing magic, of course, and some of it was quite powerful, but not even she could handle this amount of trauma on her own. That was why she was pleased to hear Twilight's voice. "Princess..." Her relief was quickly muted by the doubt and fear that echoed in her student's words. "It's alright, Twilight. Help is on the way. If you're not too badly injured, I need you to..." "Princess," Twilight cut her off, real panic entering into her words. "I can't stand. I think I dislocated my... AHHH!" Twilight's scream was accompanied by the sound of a crunch. Celestia whirled to see Twilight. The unicorn sat upright on the couch next to Fluttershy. Her eyes were open, but she was staring straight ahead and feeling around blindly for the floor with a hoof. "It's hard... It's hard to breath," said Twilight, causing Celestia to take note of a single shard of rib protruding from the unicorn's side. "And my eyes hurt -- a lot." "Twilight, how long did you stare at the sun?" "I couldn't focus without..." "I know; Just lie back down, and don't move. I won't leave you, understand?" "Okay," came Twilight's shaky reply, and she slowly lowered herself back onto the couch next to Fluttershy, who winced as Twilight's tail brushed her twisted leg. "Who's the worst?" Celestia took a quick look around the room and assessed the ponies' conditions, one by one. When she noticed her again, she started instinctively towards Luna, but then realized that her sister could withstand her wounds, severe though they were, much better and longer than any of the mangled ponies. "Sorry, Luna, but the head wound comes first," she finally said, stepping toward Rainbow Dash. Then she nodded her head once towards Applejack. "Then the impalement." "No hurry," Luna rasped. "I'm just now getting comfortable." "So, this is what it takes to rate ahead of royalty," sputtered Applejack. "If the two of you have enough strength to make jokes," Celestia said, touching the tip of her glowing horn to Rainbow Dash's bleeding temple and holding it there, "then I'm just going to move you both to the bottom of the list." Pinkie Pie giggled through a sob. "Princess, you are a grade-A troll." She sniveled once. "Also, I can't feel two of my legs."
The Sun Eater	Chapter 7: Deeper than Bone	Chapter 7 Deeper than Bone "Are you okay, Twilight?" Twilight Sparkle recognized her father's voice, but she could not see him. She could see nothing at all, in fact, except the image of the sun still burned into her retinas. "I'm fine, Daddy, but I still can't see." "The doctor said your vision will come back. There's a specialist at the hospital here who knows some really great magic for healing eye damage, but it'll be a few days before you can see.' "By the way," he continued, "Princess Celestia said you saved everypony's life." There was a warm pride in her father's voice. "Sort of," she replied, "but everypony saved me, too. So, I think we're all kind of even." "She told us that part, too." This voice belonged to her mother, and she recognized the mare's scent as she caressed her neck with her own. "Where is everypony, anyway," asked Twilight. She had been alone in this hospital bed for some time, but absent her vision, she was unsure of exactly how long. "Is everypony... okay?" She had almost asked "alive," instead, but could not bring herself to say the word. "Just ask them," said her father. "They're all here." Twilight was mauled with several hugs, one particularly hoofy, insistent one coming much later than the rest. Twilight recognized Pinkie's voice as she "ouched" her way free of the awkward embrace. "Ms. Pie, please sit still," said an unfamiliar female voice. "If you move too much, you could damage your spinal cord, again." "I know," said Pinkie, obviously dejected at being in some way confined, presumably to a wheelchair. "And you, Ms. Apple, have ripped open your stitches - again." "Why do I get the feeling," asked Twilight, "that I should be glad I can't see everypony, right now?" "Ah, it ain't so bad," said Applejack, punctuating her sentence with a hacking, gasping cough that was accompanied by the sound of liquid splattering onto the floor. "Whoa! Except that, leastways." "Oh, sweet, merciful Luna," said the strange voice, obviously exasperated. "You're bleeding into your stomach again, Ms Apple. I told you that you should have stayed in bed. Come with me." There were the sounds of gentle fading hoofbeats in the hallway, followed shortly by the sound of the door opening, and a raspy male voice. "Wow. That's impressive." "Are you going to clean it up," asked Rarity, totally deadpan, "or paint a picture of it?" "Well all he'd have to do," said Spike's voice, "is drop a canvas on it." "Touche,`" said Rarity, her words followed by the sound of a mop being dipped in a bucket. "Glad to hear you're as genteel as ever, Rarity," said Twilight. "Hardly," said the unicorn. "My hip is still broken and my flank is still healing. The doctors say that it will look normal again with the help of a little magic. I must admit, though, the morphine drip they have me on is quite nice." "What about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash?" "I'm right here," said Fluttershy. "I'm a little better off than everypony else. Rainbow Dash is in the bed right next to yours, actually. She's asleep, right now" "Is she going to be okay?" asked Twilight. "They think so," said Fluttershy, "but every time the poor thing wakes up, she goes into a panic, for some reason. The nurse said she woke up a few hours ago, but she was so hysterical they had to sedate her again." Twilight heard the janitor pony's mop drop into the bucket, and then heard the sound of him opening the door and exiting the room. Twilight's mother spoke. "Maybe we should leave you girls alone to rest. I'm hungry, anyway." "Yeah, let's go see if the food in the cafeteria is any good," said her father. "That sounds great to me!" said Pinkie Pie "Somepony wheel me to the elevator!" "I'll do it," said Spike. "I'm hungry, too." Before anypony could move, there came the sound of the door opening once more. "Oh, there you are, Ms. Rarity." It was a different female voice, high and chipper. "It's time for your next round of skin grafts!" Rarity whimpered loudly. "Oh, I know it hurts, but you do want your cutie mark to come back, don't you?" said the voice. "Don't worry," the voice continued, as it faded down the hallway. "With a few spells and a little surgery, you'll never be able to tell..." Soon, the other ponies and Spike had also left, leaving Twilight alone with Fluttershy and the unconscious Rainbow Dash. "Fluttershy, try waking Rainbow Dash up again, if you would, please. She might feel better if she saw somepony she knew." "Well, alright," said the pegasus, obviously unsure of herself, as was all-too-often the case. There were a few moments of silence, then a subdued moan from some distance to Twilight's left. "Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow Dash's voice. "Where am I?" "You're in the hospital. Don't move too much. Both your wings are in casts." "Wha...? My Wings!?" there was pure panic in the words, but the pegasus' voice calmed as she said, "Oh... Oh, thank Celestia." "You're glad your wings are in casts?" Fluttershy asked in confusion. "Absolutely," said Rainbow Dash. There was a pause, then a quick "I'll explain later." "Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said happily. "Good to see you!" Twilight rolled her sightless eyes. "Rub it in, why don't you?" "Huh?" "Twilight can't see," said Fluttershy. "She had to stare at the sun to focus her magic, and it blinded her." "Is it gonna be permanent?" asked Rainbow Dash. "No," said Twilight, "but I won't be able to see for at least a few days. Oh well, at least I'm not by myself in here." "Well," said Fluttershy, it's good to know you're both awake and okay, but I'm going to go get something to eat; it's almost time for lunch." Twilight heard her take a few steps. Then, she stopped. "Oh, are either of you hungry?" she asked. "I can get you something." "Nah," said Rainbow Dash. "Might make me sick, with all the drugs." But then, her stomach growled so loudly Twilight could actually hear it. "On second thought, just bring me some of whatever looks good." "I'd like something sweet," said Twilight, "if you can wrestle a cupcake away from Pinkie." Fluttershy giggled. "I'll try." The door opened and shut, and the two ponies were left alone. "I'll be right back," said Rainbow Dash, her words followed by the sound of her putting her hooves on the floor. "Whoa! Dizzy!" "You okay?" Twilight turned her head toward the sound of Rainbow Dash's voice, but then remembered she couldn't see. "I'm fine," chuckled the pegasus. "This is so not my first concussion." "Where are you going?" asked Twilight, a little unsettled by the idea of being left alone and sightless. "Bathroom," replied Rainbow Dash. "Then I'm gonna go find a book to read to you so you don't go into withdrawals." * * * Three days later, six ponies hobbled out of Canterlot Hospital. Magically and medically assisted, they had all healed enough in that short time to be released, but none of them could yet walk normally. Twilight's vision still hadn't fully normalized, so that Spike had to lead her around by a set of short reigns clutched in his claw. "I've heard of seeing eye dogs," said Fluttershy, "but never a seeing-eye dragon." "Very funny," said Twilight through teeth clenched around the bit connected to the reigns. Her friends all giggled. "Well, what do we do now?" asked Spike. "We go back to the castle, of course," said Twilight. "I want to see if Princess Luna is okay. She was worse off than anypony, from what I understood." "You understood right," said Pinkie Pie. "I think she broke, like, all of her bones. Seriously; all of 'em!" "I know," said Twilight. "I was there when it happened. She saved my life. She almost killed me in the process, but she saved my life." Just then, Twilight heard her brother's voice. "Hey, Twilie! Still can't see?" "Where is he!?" Twilight squealed, dropping the bit that secured the reign in her mouth. "I'm right beside you," he said, and indeed, the voice did come from immediately to her left. She turned quickly, and noticing the big, white, blue, gold, and purple blur of her armored sibling, she reared up to embrace him with her forelegs. To her misfortune, she misjudged the distance, and would have landed flat on her face if he hadn't stepped forward to catch her. The impact of Twilight's fractured sternum and ribs against the plated steel of her brother's barding produced a grunt of pain, but she squeezed him tightly, anyway. "Whoa," he half-laughed. "Take it easy!" "Where have you been?" she asked in a mildly irritable voice. "I haven't seen you since I got here!" "I've been working. Do you know how busy Princess Luna was keeping me? And then, just when I see that Princess Celestia is back on her hooves, she brings me even more orders about different sorts of magical wards and such she wants cast and reinforced all over the city. This is my first real break in days." "Well, where's Cadance?" "At the palace, with Mom, Dad, and some of your friends' families, too. All of them that live in Ponyville, anyway." "What? How?" "They got word in Ponyville just yesterday of what happened, and they all came to check on you. When they got off the train and started asking where the hospital was, I had a guard there to greet them, and he told them you were all being released today. Since my shift was ending, I had him let them all know to wait at the castle while I came to get you. Before I even got here, Princess Celestia sent me a message to tell everypony to come straight there, for dinner." At this, Rarity almost fainted. "Dinner with... three princesses." "Oh, come on, Rarity. It's not like this is anything new, these days," said Rainbow Dash. Rarity turned and looked at Rainbow Dash with panic in her eyes. "No, you don't understand! We're talking about dinner with three princesses, and my family is going to be there!' She began to hyperventilate. "Put me back in the hospital!" Rarity turned to run, and Applejack hooked a foreleg around her neck. "Oh, no you don't. If I'm gonna take my lumps, you're gonna take yours." * * * The six mares and Shining Armor entered the Castle's main hall to considerable fanfare. Mostly, the assembled relatives were just glad to see them all still alive, having been told as much of the story as Celestia had considered acceptable to let them hear. The strongest and most immediate reaction was that of Sweetie Belle, who ran up and nuzzled Rarity's chest and lower neck. Rarity was momentarily mortified by her sister's display of affection, but when she glanced down and noticed a tiny tear at the corner of the little unicorn's eye, she abandoned all pretenses of propriety and hugged her as tightly as she could. "Rarity! Are you all better?" Sweetie Belle asked, withdrawing slightly. "Princess Celestia said one of your cutie marks got burned off!" Rarity winced at the memory. "Well, yes. That happened, Sweetie Belle, but the doctors fixed it with a lot of skin grafts and a few spells." "Wow! Looks good as new!" It was Rarity's mother. She had sauntered up beside her and was closely inspecting Rarity's flank. "Firstly, Mother, it was the other flank. Secondly, yes, it looks normal, but the doctors said the feeling won't fully return to it for a week or two, at least. Half my bum is still pretty numb." Realizing what she had just said, Rarity glanced quickly at Princess Celestia, who was obviously amused. Rarity's face reddened, and Pinkie Pie's forthcoming obvservation, "Numb bum! That rhymes!" did not help the situation. "Yes," said Rarity. "Yes it does." She walked slowly to her father, still limping slightly due to her damaged hip, and did her best to play off her accident of gluteal poetry with casual conversation. The Apple family, also present, moved more slowly, clustering around the orange pony. Applebloom actually leaped into the air and landed across her sister's back, prompting a grunt of discomfort from Applejack, who still had a thick bandage wrapped around her middle. "Careful there, sis. I've still got a hole in my gut." Big Macintosh gestured a hoof at the bandage with a customary "Eeeyup," but Applebloom simply stared at him. "You should probably get off AJ's back," he said, but Applebloom did not move. "Before you tear out her stitches, or something." "Oh, sorry!" Applebloom slid to the floor, her movement prompting the hiss of Applejack sucking in a breath through clenched teeth. "Well, it ain't as bad as that time Big Macintosh lost control of the plow up on Gallows Hill," said Granny Smith. "Don't go plantin' nowhere meaner'n you are, I always says." Big Macintosh stared off into the distance and shuddered. "Eeyup." The Cakes were there, foals included, to check on Pinkie Pie. Of course, bringing Pound and Pumpkin along proved to be a mistake, because they effectively prevented either of their parents from being able to hold Pinkie Pie's attention for more than a couple of seconds. They gestured and giggled at Pinkie's stiff, awkward movements in her back brace, and of course Pinkie Pie was more than glad to play along by pretending to be all manner of strange, lumbering creatures. Twilight, having already spoken to her parents and her brother, spent the bulk of her time conversing with her sister-in-law, who was overjoyed to see her. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, both being from Cloudsdale, would have been the only ponies without a greeting party if not for the good faith of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Scootaloo of course begged Rainbow Dash for any details of her exploits in the battle, and shortly thereafter, joined Sweetie Belle and Applebloom in hug-mauling Fluttershy, who was well-established as their collective favorite foal-sitter and surrogate big sister. The three girls tormented both pegasi with constant questions about what they had done and how their injuries had come to be. The little orange pegasus was especially interested in Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's stinted wings, and, of course, in Rainbow Dash's head wound. The whole scene was a tremendous relief to the strained psyches of the six little ponies. After several minutes, Luna appeared at the top of the stairs. She was covered in bandages, each one as thickly wrapped as the single large one around Applejack's midriff, two of her legs had casts below the knee, And one of them was wrapped all the way up to the hip. Her right wing was more heavily stinted than either Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy's, and her left was wrapped in yet another thick bandage. The fragments of her horn hovered in space in front of her forehead, approximating their former shape as they slowly fused back together under the influence of magics well beyond the ken of even Twilight Sparkle. It was Cadance who noticed her first. Luna was only a little larger than Cadance, but she was technically the Pink alicorn's aunt. As such, Cadance abruptly dropped her conversation with Twilight, and made tracks up the stairs, meeting Luna more than half-way. "Aunt Luna! Do you need help getting down the stairs?" "Cadance, I'll be fine." She continued slowly making her way down the stairs, each step taking her several seconds to negotiate. "Are you sure? I can just..." "Cadance." Luna said her niece's name sharply, then no more. Cadance shrank back a little. "Luna," said Celestia, "Would you please let her help you down the stairs? The table's already set, and I would like to eat before the food gets cold. She's just trying to help." "Oh, alright," said Luna. For all Luna's newfound social graces, Celestia remained, it would seem, the only living being from whom the sapphire purple alicorn would openly accept any sort of command or advice. Even so, when Cadance wedged herself up under Luna's left wing, Luna whispered a quiet and sincere "Thank you." "I understand," Cadance whispered in return. "We all have appearances to keep up, don't we?" As the group entered the dining room and sat down, Twilight became curious about Luna's condition. "How are you Princess Luna? I still can't see well enough to tell." "Well, I can sleep again, thanks to Celestia and Shining Armor placing some wards around the castle. In fact, I just woke up a few minutes ago." She said nothing for a moment, then her eyes brightened. "Oh, and since Nightmare Moon was sundered from my soul when she was brought into our world, I don't have to drink blood, anymore!" Every single pony at the table went dead silent, and Celestia sighed. "Oh," said Luna. "You didn't tell everypony, sister?" "Hadn't gotten around to it; no." "Just to clarify," said Luna, "which part? The quasi-vampirism I've been hiding for the last two years, or the fact that there's an evil goddess chained up in our basement? Luna smirked at the wave of uneasiness that washed outward over the table. "I hate you, Luna." "I love you, Celestia." An hour later, the unease from Luna's revelations had subsided in the wake of appropriate explanations and a good meal. "Now, I'm going to go raise the moon," said Celestia. "Luna's horn is... temporarily out of service, as you can all see." "I can do my own damned job, Celestia," said Luna, awkwardly rising from the table, and nearly collapsing. Cadance quickly got up and wedged herself under Luna's wing, again. "I'll just help you get outside, aunt Luna." "Fine," said Luna, only the barest exasperation evident in her tone of voice. "Thank you, Cadance," said Celestia. "Please drag her back inside when she passes out." "Fuck you and the horse you rode in on, Celestia." There were scattered gasps at Luna's vulgarity. "Luna," said Celestia, rolling her eyes, "that doesn't make any sense." "It does if you're a slut," said Luna, her voice more playful than venomous, and Cadance's pink face turned crimson red as she helped Luna out the door. Every single pony at the table was utterly aghast, but the white horse just snickered slightly. "Trotted right into that one, didn't I?" "Is it..." Twilight began, furtively. "Is it always like that between you two?" "Of course it is," said Celestia, laughing slightly. "She's my best friend." "I don't get it," said Twilight. "For such a smart pony," said Shining Armor, "you sure are a dumbass." "Never mind," sighed Twilight. "I get it." "Now, if you'll pardon me," said Celestia, "I'm going to go make sure she doesn't really pass out." She rose from the table, and followed her sister and niece. "Well," said Spike, "when do we go back to Ponyville?" "I don't think it'll be any time soon, Spike," said Rainbow Dash. "This isn't over, yet." "Aww," moaned Scootaloo. "I miss seeing you practice tricks every afternoon." "Well, squirt," said Rainbow Dash, "How about I take you to the Wonderbolts show? That'll be even better." "Awesome!" Scootaloo jumped up in the air and fluttered her wings violently, holding herself aloft just long enough to wrap her forelegs around Rainbow Dash's torso. "BROKEN WINGS! BROKEN WINGS!!" "Oh, sorry," Scootaloo dropped to the floor, "S'okay," said Rainbow Dash, through gritted teeth. "If y'all ain't comin' home," said Granny Smith, "I reckon we'll just stay on here and enjoy the city. Ain't harvest or planting season, no way. Farm'll be fine. Macintosh's got Ms. Cheerilee checking on things for us every day." Big Macintosh cleared his throat, but said nothing. "Aww," said Sweetie Belle. "Rarity," said Macintosh. "Could you push your sister out of her chair?" "Gladly." "Whoa!" Sweetie Belle barely caught herself in time to avoid falling face-first onto the floor. "Aww, you should be thanking these little fillies, Big Mac," said Applejack. "It was their..." Big Macintosh cut her off. "There's parts of that story you don't know, AJ." "Well," said Twilight, "we do need to stay here until Princess Celestia dismisses us. She may want our help, again." "You should all come watch the airshow with us," said Rainbow Dash. "It's a night show; they do one every full moon." She eased out of her chair. "How often do you get to see a Wonderbolts show at night? It'll be fun!" "I'm blind," said Twilight. "For most of us," said Rainbow Dash. * * * Celestia and Luna stood outside in the Castle garden, staring upward. "I know you were helping me move the moon, earlier," said Luna, slowly lowering herself to the ground. She carefully positioned a cast-clad foreleg in front of her. Once she was comfortable, she spoke again, without looking at her sister's face. "Thank you." Celestia lay down next to her sister, but neither made any effort to look at or touch the other. "I know what your plan was; I asked Twilight." Celestia looked her sister in the eyes. "You do know that I'm not going to let you feed Nightmare Moon to Cenasolus, right?" "I had a feeling you would be put off by some of the plan's... moral ambiguities." "Luna, she's a part of you." "Not anymore," said Luna, the relief palpable in her words. Celestia shook her head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it." "I'm not sure I know what you meant, at all," Luna replied, wearily. There was a silence that lasted at least half a minute, in which Celestia's troubled eyes moved occasionally between the glowing moon and her sister's downcast face. Finally, she asked her a question that had troubled her heart for a millennium. "Luna... Nightmare Moon... Why does she look so much like mother?" Luna did not respond. "I think I already know," said the larger alicorn, "but do you?" The silence returned, and neither alicorn looked at the other. Luna's eyes glistened slightly in the moonlight, but no tears escaped their corners. "Mother was a beautiful mare, wasn't she?" She finally said. "You're beautiful, too, Luna," said Celestia. Luna said nothing for a long, long time. In the distance, the sounds of the crowd at the Wonderbolts show slowly began to swell. Finally, Luna broke the silence. "You know... I don't even like most ponies that much." Celestia snorted. "I know. Believe me, I know." Luna rolled her eyes. "What I mean is... It never bothered me that they weren't up to enjoy the night. I liked having things mostly to myself, and the few of them that were awake were always more interesting to me than the ones that slept, anyway. Day ponies are boring." Celestia laughed again. "I picked up on that - I mean your opinion of that - a long time ago." She smiled. "A long, long time ago." "I guess I just..." Luna stopped speaking for several seconds. "I just would have liked for them to have acknowledged me." "Well, Luna, I can be your sister, and I can be your friend, but I can't force anypony else... to acknowledge you. It wouldn't be right." "I know that. I always did. Something just..." Luna looked down and rolled a pebble beneath the cast of her more mobile forehoof, "swelled... inside me." She flicked the pebble away. "But that's my problem to deal with; not yours." Celestia sighed, and looked into the moon's white glow. "I'll help you 'deal with it' however I can, Luna." Luna grunted, and wedged her injured legs beneath her body, levering herself upward. Even as she heard her sister straining to right herself, Celestia did not move to assist her. It was not hatred or contempt; only the observance of a long-standing rule, neither written nor spoken and rarely broken in many thousands of years. "There's something I need to go and tend to," she said. "You can help me by staying right where you are." Luna Stepped into the cold, empty cell where Nightmare Moon lay, chained and still asleep under Celestia's magical influence. The big horse's wounds had been bandaged and mended in accordance with Celestia's orders - orders which Luna had thought ill-advised. Luna focused under some strain, the fragments of her horn glowed, and the black mare's eyes opened. "Don't bother trying anything. I had them file off your horn." Nightmare moon lifted her head and looked upward. Her horn was indeed gone, but for a slight stump. "Smart girl," said Nightmare Moon, half-heartedly. "Yes, I thought about using it to replace my own, but the idea made me nauseous, so I just had it destroyed." "It's just a bit of bone, you silly girl." said Nightmare Moon, softly, her eyes tracing up the staggered, levitating column of Luna's slowly-healing horn. She managed to mix dejection and haughtiness in her expression as she spoke again. "So, I suppose you've come to do away with me, then?" asked Nightmare Moon, her voice betraying neither fear nor anger. "I'm afraid I cannot do that," said Luna. "You are... a part of me, you know... as much as that may sicken you to imagine." "Sicken me?" Nightmare Moon chuckled. "I've known that since the beginning. You're the one who could never make peace with it." "Fine," said Luna, "but that doesn't make it any less true.' "You know," Luna continued. "I'd love to have you cast into Tartaros where I would never see you again, but that would just be a lie. Everypony would just forget you, like before." Luna paused. "And I would just pretend to have forgotten you, but the truth is I never could. Never in a million years. Or a billion. Never for my entire life. You'd always be there with me, no matter how much I wanted to be rid of you. That's just a part of my burden, I suppose, and I would be a liar and a fool to believe I could dismiss it." "Then you accept me." There was a note in Nightmare Moon's voice Luna had never heard in it, before, and that note, Luna realized, was relief. The black horse lay down her head, and did not look at Luna again, ever. She seemed validated, somehow. "Yes, I... I accept you, and I've thought of a place to keep you where I will always be reminded of who and what you are to me; A place where you belong." Nightmare Moon smiled, and it was a sad, satisfied smile, accompanied by the slow closing of her slitted, turquoise eyes. Then the great, black mare spoke the last words she would ever speak on Earth. "Well, let's scare the hell out of all our little ponies, then." "Wow!!" Rainbow Dash was easily the most starry-eyed of a starry-eyed crowd. "Can you believe that?" I bet their wings touched on that last pass! "I know! It's so awesome!" Scootaloo's voice bore only slightly less enthusiasm than her idol's. Twilight squinted upward. "I think the dark is helping my eyes a little. I can actually tell what's going on... kind of." "Yeah, my wing feels a little better," said Fluttershy, distractedly. Even though she wasn't much of a flyer, as a pegasus, she couldn't help but feel some sense of awe at the aerobatics she was witnessing, and they kept her eyes glued to the sky. "RIGHTEOUS!" Rainbow Dash leaped upward at a particularly impressive nosedive recovery on the part of Spitfire, and instinctively tried to flap her wings in her excitement. They jostled their stints, and she grunted in pain. "Careful, Dashie," said Pinkie, scarfing down some cotton candy. "Do permanent damage to those babies, and you'll never get up there with them." Rainbow Dash settled down slightly, but as she turned her eyes back to the sky, they spread open in amazement. "LOOK!!" she shouted. "The... the moon." A wave of gasps and murmurs spread outward through the crowd from where Rainbow Dash stood, and even the Wonderbolts themselves stopped dead in flight, hovering in place to look upward at whatever it was that had so astonished the crowd. "Is that what I think it is?" asked Twilight. She squinted at the glowing orb, doing her best to bring it into focus. "I think it's exactly what I think you think it is," said Spike. Somehow, amidst the spectacle of the airshow, without any single pony in the crowd being totally sure of precisely when it had happened, the Mare in the Moon had reappeared. Only Luna ever knew what happened that night in the dungeon below Canterlot Castle. She never told a soul; not even her beloved sister. All anypony knew was that she walked out of the depths of that place with her broken body totally restored and whole. The castle guards knew also that when they checked the next morning, Nightmare Moon was simply gone. Every single pony in Equestria knew, furthermore, that that the dark goddess of the night was never seen nor heard from, again, except in the form of that horned silhouette, gazing down eternally from the silver disk that ruled the night sky. These things they knew, and they knew no more. When Luna reemerged into the gardens on that night, her sister Celestia was still there, looking up into the moon's pale glow. She turned her head, and Luna saw that there were tears in her eyes. "You are who I thought... who I hoped you were," she said. Luna said nothing.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 8: Tales Best Left Untold	Chapter 8 Tales Best Left Untold While the rest of the ponies took their friends' and families' presence as an opportunity to make something of a vacation in Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle took the time to ply her slowly healing eyes on the books of the Canterlot Castle Archives. Her hope was to find any information that might bolster their chances against the morbid threat that stilled loomed somewhere in the cosmos. Effectively, she disappeared for a week, only showing up occasionally to take meals and to allow herself woefully inadequate amounts of sleep. For most ponies, the behavior would have seemed psychotic, but to her friends, Twilight Sparke merely seemed to be getting back to her normal self. Once she noticed that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could fly again, albeit clumsily, she solicited their help in perusing some of the higher shelves. Rainbow Dash had been curious to see how many and what sort of books lay within the enormous edifice, which stood in a gigantic, ornate building with a large central tower in the Castle Courtyard. As such, she had dragged Fluttershy out of bed, and the pair now strode towards the huge building. "Couldn't you have let me sleep a little longer?" Fluttershy moaned. "Are you kidding? How can you not be excited to see this? Just think of how many books are in there!" "If it was a zoo," mumbled they yellow mare, "I'd be excited." "Yeah, yeah," said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, here we are." The pair stood before a massive, golden door which was carved in deep relief with the image, of course, of a book. It was flanked on either side by a pair of royal guards. "Ah, hello ladies," said one of the armored unicorns. "Twilight Sparkle told us to expect you. Allow us." The two guards pointed their horns at the massive doors in unison, and to the surprise of the pegasi, they did not swing open, but instead slowly slid, recessing into the walls, almost without a sound. Stepping inside, they discovered a circular hallway running the circumference of the building's center tower, which had many doors leading to different wings dedicated to various subjects. As the door closed behind them, one of the guards shouted something to the effect that Twilight Sparkle would be in the tower. Rainbow Dash stepped forward and opened a pair of double doors immediately in front of the main entrance. As they swung open, she was dumbstruck with pure awe. Shelves of books ran all the way to the ceiling of what was an impressively tall central chamber with at least a dozen balconies at various levels. Just to the inside of these balconies, three spiral staircases extended up the tower to allow flightless ponies to ascend and descend. Beyond those, there was a central column of staggered, semi-circular bookcases. Rainbow Dash guessed from the width of the external bookcases that it ran at least three layers deep, and it, too was ringed with balconies, also accessible from a single long spiral staircase that ascended its circumference On every level of there were sturdy-looking ladders, attached at each one's base and top to a track that allowed the ladder to move left and right across the face of the bookshelves. There were reading desks everywhere, many of them occupied by unicorn students of Celestia's magic school, and others occupied by what appeared to be aides to important government officials, by lawyers, and also by more casual readers. As if all this wasn't enough, the building extended downward, as well. Looking over the railing, Rainbow Dash realized that what she had seen looking up was only the top third, at most, of the building. The gargantuan bookshelves extended downward into a huge, circular basement that must have been excavated into the very stone of the mountain upon which Canterlot was constructed. In the middle of all this, on a platform amidst the central bookshelves, accessible through three evenly-spaced walkways that led from three sets of double doors around the tower's circumference, sat Twilight Sparkle. She was seated at a reading desk, books piled high around her. A cloud of thin, bluish smoke hung over her head. Hearing the doors close behind Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, she looked up. "Oh, good, you're here!" She levitated a burning cigarette to her lips from its resting place in a nearby ashtray, and took a drag. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked around, still aghast at the incredible structure. "Impressive, isn't it?" Twilight Sparkle smiled. "I guess I forget sometimes because of how much time I've spent in here." "Twilight, this is amazing," said Fluttershy. "I didn't know there were this many books in the entire world." "There are exactly this many books in the world, Fluttershy," she said proudly. "If it has ever been known to ponydom, it's in here, somewhere." "The only problem," came a gravelly voice from behind the two pegasi, "is knowing that it was ever known to ponydom in the first place!" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy turned to see an eldery, white pegasus with a gray mane and round, bifocal spectacles. He was wearing a brown vest, and his cutie mark, small wonder, was a book. There was a cigarette clenched in his teeth, and a pack of Lucky Strikes peaked over his vest pocket. That explains it, thought Rainbow Dash, glancing at Twilight, who was telekinetically rubbing out her own cigarette in the ashtray. "I am Tome," said the old pegasus, "head archivist of Canterlot, and it is very nice to meet friends of Twilight Sparkle the Wise!" "The Wise?" Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, amused. "It's an old joke," said Twilight, rolling her eyes. "I've read more books from this place than any other living pony, even Tome himself. That excludes the princesses, of course. There are rumors that Celestia has read every book in the archives. Luna too, though of course she wouldn't have read most of them that have been added in the last thousand years, and the archives weren't even located here, then, for that matter. The rumors are so widespread there has to be some truth to them, though. The only variation is in how many times they've supposedly read each book. The most common lies," she sighed, "are ten for Celestia and three for Luna." "How many do you think?" asked Fluttershy. "It's hard to say," interjected Tome. "Even as old as she is, I honestly doubt Princess Celestia has read every book here, but I know she's read the most of anypony alive, and as a matter of fact, she's written quite a few books, herself - textbooks on various magical subjects, mostly, but a few histories, too. Even so, I couldn't begin to guess at the real number for her or Princess Luna.' "But for you, Miss Sparkle," he continued, "I can actually give a rough estimate." Smiling, he turned his head to the side, extended a wing, and carefully slipped his burning cigarette between his two most distal primary feathers, both of which bore small burn marks from frequent use in this fashion, as was common in pegasi who smoked. Tome's smile broadened to a grin as he spoke again. "By keeping track of all of her checking out and returning, and watching her study, I've estimated that our dear Twilight has read well over eleven thousand books since she first showed up here, all those years ago." Rainbow Dash's mouth hung open as she did some quick calculations in her mind. "Twilight, that's over three books a day for like ten years." "Yeah, that sounds about right," said Twilight, not really understanding the magnitude of the feat to which she was casually admitting. "Just a hair under one percent of the works represented in our archives," said Tome, proudly. "That's INSANE!" shouted Rainbow Dash, prompting a kindly shush from Tome. She lowered her voice as she continued. "For that to be true, there would have to be, like, over a million books, here!" "One million, two hundred sixty-five thousand, nine hundred eighty-one - exactly," said Tome. "And some of them have not been read by anypony in centuries. It's a veritable treasure hunt in here. You never know what forgotten bit of knowledge or history you might uncover on any given day. The whole place is enchanted to be fireproof, so even if it's destroyed by an earthquake or an attack or some such, as long as we can dig the books out, we don't lose a single letter of all that precious wisdom. There are and always will be more things to be learned in this archive than in any other one place in all the world." "That's why we've got to get to work," said Twilight, passing Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash each a long list written on a scroll. "These are the sections that I need you to search in, and some ideas of what to be looking for. Any book that seems like it might contain important information you should bring to me. If you get tired of flying around, take a break and read a little in any of them that I haven't gotten around to, yet. We need to know everything we can about dream communication, deities from outside our world, and any theories regarding how we can interact with such things. If we can't even reach this thing, we'll never be able to beat it." "I'd be glad to assist you as well, Miss Sparkle," said Tome. "Is there anything I can get for you or your friends?" "I need some coffee," said Fluttershy. "And some aspirin." Tome stuck his nose into a pocket inside his vest and produced a small bottle. "I always keep some on me, just in case," he said through gritted teeth. He shook two pills out onto Fluttershy's hoof, and she immediately swallowed them without water. "There's a coffee pot with fresh brew in it at my desk," Tome said, smiling. "If that will be all, I'll fly down to the bottom level and start looking there for books that I think may be useful. Some of the oldest books we have are down there, and I'm the only one who has any clue how to sort through them, anymore." He turned to leave, then looked back. "Well, myself and Miss. Sparkle, here, of course." He snatched his cigarette into his teeth, hopped over the railing, and glided downward between the tower's circular balconies, silhouetted in gas lights affixed to the ceilings of each level. Rainbow Dash heard the doors shut behind her, and turned to see Spike waddling towards her, a paper shopping bag held to his chest. "Uh oh," he said, looking at the lists tucked under the pegasi's wings. "Once she gives you a list like that, you can kiss the rest of your week goodbye." He placed the bag down on the reading desk, and started to empty it, item by item. In moments, he had produced a can of ground coffee, coffee filters, powdered creamer, and a bag of sugar. "Tome doesn't keep that coffee pot for himself," said Twilight, totally straight-faced. Spike reached into the bag once more and produced four packs of Lucky Strikes. "Those," said Twilight, "are for both of us, though." * * * "How did I let y'all talk me into this?" asked Applejack. She was standing in an evening gown at Canterlot Nouveau, a popular boutique in the City's commercial district. It was the fourth one Rarity had made the earth mare try on. "Oh, come now, Applejack," said Rarity, who was seated on a small bench in the dressing room area of the store, critiquing Applejack's appearance. "We've already found three nice dresses for you. Try to have a good time with it, like Pinkie Pie." Pinkie burst from a nearby dressing room with a loud "TA-DA." Her back cracked as she flung her forelegs high above her head, and she quickly dropped back to all fours, her face contorted into a mask of pain. "FffffffFFFFffffFFFF." Rarity rolled her head in a small circle. "Yes, we know: 'Fuck.' Your back is still healing, Pinkie. I can decide whether you should be wearing something without the acrobatics." "M'kay," squeaked Pinkie, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. Rarity watched her friend's pink face contort, and listened momentarily to her breathing slowly and steadily through her nose before she she finally gave in to pity. "Here," sighed the white unicorn, digging into an diamond-studded saddlebag that she used for shopping. She came out with a bottle of Demerol. "I swiped at least a year's supply of these from the hospital. It'll take the edge off." Pinkie clutched bottle in her hooves and turned its cap with her teeth. Rarity gave her the evil eye. "One," said the unicorn, sternly. Pinkie grinned, and her cheeks turned a little pinker than usual as she complied with Rarity's order. Applejack huffed. "Can I take this damn thing off, now?" "I don't know why you would," said Rarity, obviously pleased with the gown. "If you insist on taking it off, though, at least put it with the others on the cart.' "And Pinkie, while that painkiller kicks in, please do us all the favor of divesting yourself of that... disaster. I was right. You have no business in brown. Gods help your foals if you marry a brown stallion." "Rarity," said Applejack. I don't think this is what Celestia meant when she said she'd cover our expenses while we were in town." Rarity glowered at the orange pony. "She gave us a billing address, and free reign. I will NOT waste this opportunity. Now, go try on the next one." "Don't understand why she doesn't have to try anything on," mumbled Applejack, as she turned to head back into the fitting room. "I know what I look good in, silly," said Rarity. "Now hurry, we've only got four hours until the stores close." Four hours and fifteen minutes later, the trio sat together at a small outdoor cafe, with the sun sinking low behind the Unicorn mountain range in the distance. Rarity and Pinkie looked incredibly pleased with themselves. Applejack just looked relieved. "That was longer than any day of work I've ever done," said the orange mare. "I can't wait to get back to the castle and rest." "But we haven't even been to one single club, yet," said Rarity, mouth agape. "You can't rest, yet!" "Watch me," said Applejack, and whistled for a taxi. "Well, would you at least be good enough to take our purchases back to our rooms with you?" Rarity gave Applejack her best "pretty-please" face, complete with batting eyes. "Yeah, I suppose I can do that," smiled Applejack, just as a taxi wagon pulled to a stop nearby. She quickly piled all of their shopping bags into the cab, and was gone. "She didn't even order anything," said Pinkie. "She'll get something from the castle kitchen," said Rarity. "Probably something with apples in it." "Then she'll complain that the apples weren't grown the right way," said Pinkie Pie, smiling. Rarity chuckled slightly, then levitated her glasses from her saddlebag, and put them on, after which she turned her eyes to a menu that lay on the table before her. Pinkie did not look at her menu. She looked at Rarity, who was mumbling to herself about how many calories must be in some dish or other. "Rarity," she finally said. Rarity magically moved her glasses down on her nose a bit, and looked over them. "Yes, Pinkie?" "Why did I find you like that?" Rarity looked bewildered. "In the dream," said Pinkie Pie. "Oh." Rarity pushed her glasses back up onto her nose with the tip of her hoof. "Nopony else ended up together in their dreams like that," said Pinkie Pie. Why did we?" "I don't know, Pinkie. I guess I just needed some help climbing over myself." Pinkie Pie didn't respond, and Rarity finally felt the need to break the tension. "I get scared sometimes, Pinkie." They were not the words she had expected to say. "Everypony gets scared, Rarity." "Not like this," said Rarity. The dam had broken, and the flood was on its way. "I have come so far in my life to be what I am and to create the things I create. And yet I don't know where I'm supposed to go, or what I'm supposed to do. Sometimes, Pinkie, I feel like I am totally alone, struggling against everything around me just to keep my hooves on the place in the world I've carved out for myself -- and it's such a small place. I worry that everything I've built is going to fall apart around me, and I'm going to be left alone and empty, without the courage to even try to start over." "Oh," said Pinkie Pie. "That's good... Well, I mean that's not good, but it's okay. See, I was afraid you were in love with me, or something, and that was going to be really awkward because I... uh... Well, you're one of my best friends, and all, but I like boys." Rarity's cheeks reddened. "Umm... so... do... I." "So..." said Pinkie. "All those times when you're drunk..." "That's just when I'm drunk," said Rarity quickly, turning her eyes back her menu. "I'm glad we had this talk." "Yes," said Pinkie Pie. "We needed to have this talk. This was a good talk." "I think I'm just going to have a sandwich," said Rarity. "Me too," said Pinkie Pie. "Sandwiches! Can't get enough of 'em!" * * * After two full days camped out in the ponderous library, the three ponies still had yet to discover anything of use. Fluttershy was sprawled, unconscious and snoring, on an old, ragged couch which Tome had managed to convince the guards to drag in from somewhere, and Rainbow Dash and Twilight were seated on opposite sides of a reading desk, the former asleep with her face on an open book, the latter barely lucid, but still feverishly trying to read and comprehend what lay before her. Spike was curled into a ball on the opposite end of the couch from Fluttershy. "Ladies? Have you been here all night? It's six-thirty in the morning!" It was Tome. Twilight looked up. "I'm sorry. We just... we can't..." Her words trailed off into a monosyllabic vowel that rested somewhere between an "o" and an "a." The old pegasus sighed. "It's no bother. It's just that you should get some sleep." "Tome, we must have every book in the Archives here that has any bearing at all on the situation, and nothing is helping. Don't you know of anything else?" Twilight's pleading tone drew forth a gentle, sympathetic shake of Tome's head. "I'm sorry, but I've brought you every single book I know of on every subject you mentioned. There's really only one left that comes to mind, but I keep it under lock and key in the restricted wing. I'm reluctant to let anypony see it. It... does things... to the unprepared." Twilight blinked. "The Necronomicon?" "Why... yes," said the old pegasus, a little startled. "I read it yesterday. Twice. The guards here will let me into pretty much anywhere, you know." "Oh dear." Tome's voice quivered more than age could account for as he spoke the words, but he sighed, and drew a breath "Was it helpful, at least?" he asked. "In understanding dream worlds, yes," Twilight said sluggishly. "In understanding primordial outer deities, yes again. In identifying this particular being, or indicating how to resist it, not at all. It's really starting to look like Celestia and Luna are the only two living beings who know anything at all about Cenasolus." "Well, perhaps you should just ask them about this... entity," said Tome. "I have. Neither would tell me anything I didn't already know, but I get the sense they know more than they'll say." "Princess Celestia always knows more than she will tell," said Tome, "and for the two years I've known her, Princess Luna has shown similar tendencies. Must be a familial trait." "Tell me about it," said Twilight, laying her head sideways on top of the book she had been reading. "Twilight... The Necronomicon; you did put it back, yes?" "Of course." "Good. Promise me you will never repeat anything you read in it to anypony. There are, after all, tales best left untold." "I promise," said Twilight, as a question entered her mind. "Tome?" she asked, her voice just above a whisper. "Is there something else, Twilight?" returned the old Archivist, raising an eyebrow. A silence hung in the air for a moment before Twilight spoke. "Have you ever read it?" "Twice," he said, then walked towards his desk. It was then that Pinkie Pie appeared in the doorway, bouncing happily along, as usual. "Hey, everypony!" "Shhh!" Tome's shush somehow managed to carry overtones of reprimand, and Pinkie Pie quickly switched to a quick but exaggerated sneaking gait, teetering along on the tips of her hooves. She sidled up next to Twilight, and whispered in her ear. "It's breakfast time! There are cinnamon rolls!" "Pinkie, you don't have to whisper. Just don't yell." Twilight magically lifted her brass lighter to a fresh cigarette, and struck it. "Oh, well why didn't you say so?" Pinkie gave Tome a mean look, to which he responded with a quiet chuckle. "We'll be there in awhile, Pinkie," said Twilight, "as soon as I can wake up Dash and Fluttershy. I just wish we had been able to find at least one book that was really clear on outer deities." "Like this one?" Pinkie produced from somewhere a gargantuan book with a heavily worn cover and spine. Its yellowed pages were ragged and tattered at their edges, and a dank, musty scent hung around it. It had been white once, but time had turned its cover a sickly, pale yellow. Pinkie Pie tossed it forward, and it plopped down loudly on the desk, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both started awake at the sound. Spike merely rolled over, scratched twice at his belly, and continued to snore. Pinkie grinned at the pegasi. "Oh, good! You're up!" Twilight read the cover of the ancient volume aloud. "De Ultima Dei." "On the Outtermost Gods," said Pinkie. "Pinkie," said Twilight. "How do you know Latin?" "The author knows Latin, so I know Latin," said Pinkie. "That's how I roll." Twilight blinked twice, and puffed on her Lucky Strike. "You know what? Fuck causality. Where did you find this?" "It was propping up a shaky table next to the reshelving cart," said the pink earth pony. "I tripped over it on the way in, and it looked like it might be helpful, so.." Her words were interrupted by a crashing sound somewhere amidst the shelves. "There were... a lot of books... on that table," said Pinkie Pie, embarrassed. Tome sighed and moved off towards the source of the noise. Twilight rapidly flipped through the pages, skimming paragraph after paragraph. "Can we go get breakfast, now?" asked Pinkie. "That sounds good to me," said Fluttershy. "I'm hungry." "Just a minute." Twilight's voice was thick with excitement. "Pinkie, this book is amazing. It's got chapters on every known outer deity, even some that aren't mentioned in the Nec... the other books I've read. Who wrote this!?" Twilight flipped back over to the title page, levitated her cigarette to an ashtray, and slowly translated the text there aloud. "De Ultima Dei; On the Outermost Gods... Kaelestia!?" * * * Twilight Sparkle did not go to breakfast. She tromped directly into the throne room, making no effort to mute the livid expression that had dominated her aspect for the last several minutes. A burgundy-colored, middle-aged unicorn mare in a fancy morning dress was speaking to the princess. Twilight trotted directly past her, totally ignoring her presence. Celestia showed obvious shock and confusion, the overdressed unicorn disbelief and indignation. "Excuse me, young lady," she began, "you cannot simply..." Twilight wordlessly turned her head towards the unicorn. The pace she had set in getting there had not been kind to her recuperating body. Her breathing was labored, and her teeth were gritted tight from pain in her shoulder. She coughed twice, covering her mouth with a foreleg, which came away with a few small spots of blood-laced mucus and saliva. The older unicorn mare drew back, slightly stunned, and Twilight's horn began to glow. A moment later, the other unicorn's horn vibrated and glowed faintly. "Leave," growled Twilight, "Or I will turn you into an earth pony." The burgundy mare made no further objection, but turned and cantered gingerly out of the throne room. Celestia's guards were both in a state of alerted confusion. They knew Twilight Sparkle would never intend any harm to the princess, but it was a rare day that anypony came into the throne room behaving this way. "Well, Twilight," said Celestia, her face stern and her voiced strained, "you have my attention. Whatever you wanted it for had better be good." "What in all the hells of Tartaros is this!?" Twilight levitated the book out of the ornate saddlebag in which she generally carried her reading materials, and let it hover in the air between the Princess and herself. Celestia inhaled sharply through her nose, then looked at the two confused guards standing at the base of her throne. "Leave us," she growled. Once the guards had dutifully obeyed, she spoke again. "That, Twilight Sparkle, is one of the few books in the world that I desperately hope you nor anypony else ever reads." "Then why did you write it!?" Twilight felt Celestia's irresistible telekinetic grip tear the book from her own, then watched as it shot through the air towards the princess, and was quickly tucked under a wing. "Because I was young and stupid once, too." Twilight recoiled slightly, unsure of how to respond. After a moment, she realized she wasn't meant to. "Just tell me you didn't actually read this, yet," said Celestia. "Well... no," Twilight half-mumbled, "but I already read the Necronomicon, and I'm fine. Why should I be afraid of something you wrote?" The Princess released a deep sigh of relief. "Because I'm older than the Necronomicon, and so is much of my knowledge. I thought I had put this somewhere where nopony would ever find it." "It was propping up a wobbly table," said Twilight, completely monotone. "Yes," said Celestia, plainly. "I put it there. Why do you think that table has a short leg?" Twilight cocked her head sideways. "You put a book that you're this afraid of anypony reading under a shortened table leg to hide it?" Celestia shrugged. "It worked for a few thousand years, didn't it?" "That's an old table," said Twilight, calming down, now. "Not as old as the first one. I had to move it when we moved the capital to Canterlot." "But why in the Library?" asked the purple unicorn. "That's hardly a place to hide a book." "To hide a tree, use a forest. If you can make the tree look inconsequential, all the better. I also hid a mad god of chaos in my sculpture garden, if you remember." "Yes, and we all saw how well that turned out," said Twilight, "Ever consider really hiding these things? You could lock this one away with the restricted books, for instance." "Really?" Celestia smirked. "When you started doing your research, - looking specifically, I might add, for information about powerful outer gods -- where did you start?" Twilight spoke before she could even think. "The restricted... Okay, you got me, but if it's so terrible, why not just destroy it?" "I've tried," said Celestia, grimly. "Every time I have ever burned it, shredded it, or otherwise attempted to end its existence, I have had, that selfsame night, a dream in which I rewrote it, word for word. The next morning I always awaken to find a new, pristine copy of it lying next to me in bed, swirling with malevolent consciousness." "That's... that's a little scary," Twilight stuttered. Celestia, looked down at the volume tucked under her wing, and spoke again, half to herself. "You should see what happens if you try to destroy Luna's book." "Princess Luna has a book like this?" asked Twilight. "If only," said Celestia, "but that's probably already more than I should have said.' "Look, Twilight," she continued, "I understand your being upset that I didn't tell you about this before, but you have to trust that if I felt there was anything in here that would be helpful, I would have simply given you that information, outright. You're letting this situation get the best of you; I have never seen you physically threaten anypony in your entire life, and just look at what you've done to yourself in getting here." Twilight realized just then that she was favoring her wounded shoulder, and that the entire leg which it joined to her body was quivering in pain. Embarrassed, she tried to put weight on that hoof, but quickly withdrew it from the floor, growling over a bitten lip. She swayed slightly, and coughed once. "You see?" asked Celestia, stepping down to stand in front of her student. She touched her horn lightly to the unicorn's afflicted shoulder, and Twilight noticed an immediate lessening of the pain. "Go see the castle doctor. He isn't busy with Luna anymore, and he's very talented with medical magic." She paused. "I have to go find that mare you scared off." Twilight looked down at the floor, ears drooping. "Who was she?" she asked. "Actually, she was a candidate for a teaching position at my school. I'll have to skim over exactly who you are." "Sorry," said Twilight, quietly. "Don't worry about it," said Celestia. "Just go get those wounds seen to, and try to relax." The Princess paused. "And please, trust me. I haven't invested so much in you without purpose. I'm always on your side," she said, "even when you do something a little stupid." Twilight, still staring at the floor, felt a long, warm neck and shoulder wrap around her own. "Thanks," she said.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 9: Tales Best Forgotten	Chapter 9 Tales Best Forgotten The next morning, Celestia rose out of bed, and walked to her balcony to raise the sun. Her dreams had been unpleasant these last several nights, but at least now she could awaken from them. As the sun rose into the sky, she became aware of a silhouette in the garden below. It was Fluttershy. The pegasus lay next to the pond, watching a mother duck sleeping with her ducklings tucked in close around her in their nest. "Fluttershy?" Celestia called out, and the pegasus snapped out of her reverie. The Princess spread her wings and hopped over the railing of her balcony, then glided down next to the little pony. Fluttershy seemed a little surprised to see the princess devoid of all her royal regalia, and with an obvious case of bedmane. Celestia bent down and looked at the yellow pegasus. "What are you doing up at dawn? Did you sleep?" "Yes," said Fluttershy, contorting her lips oddly. "Well, some. That is to say I couldn't sleep very well, so I got up and came out here." "Why couldn't you sleep? You aren't having nightmares are you?" There was a touch of concern in Celestia's voice. "Well, yes, but not like yours, I think. These are different. They're all about the forest I saw when we went into the dream world to find you. I haven't been able to get it off my mind." "Tell me about it," said the princess, Lying down next to the little pony, head erect. "There's not much to tell, really. It was just a dead forest that seemed to go on forever. Sometimes, I could hear a voice in the wind. Sometimes it was crying, but sometimes it would say things about not having a future." "I see," Celestia sighed. "I actually do see some things like that in my dreams, right now." "I guess what bothers me so much is when I think about things like these little ducklings." She nodded towards the ducks. They were waking up now, and beginning to stretch their wings and waddle about the nest. "Also, when I think about things like... Well, what if... What if Shining Armor and Cadance had a foal? What if... I..." She stopped for a moment, then continued. "This world is supposed to go on. It's supposed to repeat itself in a cycle, the same way that you and Princess Luna raise the sun and the moon every morning and evening." She paused, and bit her lip for a second, searching for what she wanted to say next. Finally, she spoke again. "You know, when I was a filly, I wasn't a very good flyer, but I did finally learn. Scootaloo - you remember her. Well, She can barely fly at all, yet. She's supposed to learn how, one day, just like I did." "I'm sure she will," said Celestia, trying to sound reassuring. "Oh, I know she will. She's very determined. Also, she idolizes Rainbow Dash, so you know she wants to be a good flyer. That's not what worries me, though." Fluttershy gnawed on her lower lip again, a bit longer, this time. "If we stop Cenasolus, he'll just come back, won't he?" "Probably," Celestia said solemnly. "He did once before. I don't think you can ever truly destroy a thing like whatever Cenasolus is." "Princess, what has all this been for, then? Those little ducklings there, all those times you raised the sun, all the things that everypony has struggled to learn and overcome since the beginning of the world; what will all that mean if the world is just... consumed, one day? Even if it's long after I'm... gone, it will mean that nothing I or anypony else ever did really meant anything. No one will even be left to remember that we ever lived." Fluttershy's eyes teared up, and her voice cracked as she spoke. "Fluttershy," said the Princess, hooking a wing over the little pony, "not even I can say how long the world will endure, but I can say this much: forever is a long, long time. One day, something -- whether it's the sun burning out in its old age, or even something horrible like Cenasolus - something will bring this world of ours to an end." The Princess felt the little pony's muscles tighten under her big, white wing, and Fluttershy buried her face in her neck. Celestia could feel the moisture of Fluttershy's tears soaking into her fur. "I don't want the world to end, Princess." "Nopony does, Fluttershy, but knowing that it will is no reason for you to despair. Your life can still be full of joy and hope. You still have your friends, your family, and your future. You can still laugh, sing, and love whomever you choose, and in a way, it makes those things more wonderful because they are limited by the time you have to enjoy them." "But it just makes me feel desperate; like there's so much I have to do." "Good," said Celestia. "Huh?" Fluttershy looked up at the white horse's face. "That's one of the best ways to live, as long as you don't let your fear of death rule your actions. Death is not something to hope for or to fear. Do you understand me?" "I think so," said Fluttershy, "but does that mean you're ready to die, Princess? Now? Like this?" "Of course not," said Celestia, her eyes hardening. "I want to find a way to stop Cenasolus for my own sake and for Luna's and for the sake of the world." The big alicorn drew a deep breath, and her teeth clenched for the briefest moment. "I mean to live, Fluttershy. Just because the world's going to end one day doesn't make it okay for us to just let it happen, and just because our lives are going to end doesn't make it okay for us to just let that happen, either. Never forget that, Fluttershy." "I won't," she said, nestling into Celestia's side, again. After a moment, the little pegasus giggled. "What's so funny?" Celestia asked her, a hint of a laugh in her own voice. "This reminds me of cuddling with my mom when I was little," said Fluttershy. "You're still little," said Celestia. And very quietly, the Princess laughed. Just a little pony, she thought, like so many I've known, and yet unlike any one of them, exactly. So precious, these, my little ponies.. * * * Princess Celestia, now properly crowned, groomed, and adorned as befitted her station, stuck her head through the door of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash's room. They were both still sound asleep. Pinkie Pie had somehow found a way to get herself completely sideways across her bed, and Rainbow Dash lay on her belly, tongue hanging out, snoring loudly. "Have either of you seen Twilight Sparkle?" Neither pony stirred, and Celestia cleared her throat. There was still no response. Applejack's voice and hooves echoed up the hallway. "If'n you wanna get those two outta bed this early, you're gonna need some incentive." The orange earth pony nudged the door open with her head, and chuckled at the sight. "Hey, Pinkie! We got cinnamon rolls for breakfast again!" Celestia looked at Applejack, and raised an eyebrow. Turning her head back to the room, she felt her heart skip a beat as she saw the pink earth pony, now fully awake and standing so close she could have kissed her. "WHOA!" She backpedaled slightly. "Don't ever do that!" "So, when can I expect those cinnamon rolls to be ready?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Right after you go get Twilight from the Archives," said Celestia, "which is where I'm assuming she is, since I already sent for her at her parents' house. She wasn't there, so..." "Oh, that's definitely where she is," said Applejack. I saw her and Spike headed in there when I was out for my morning walk." "Ah," said Celestia. "So, how do we get Rainbow Dash up?" "Got a wonderbolt?" asked Applejack. "Not on me," said Celestia. "Then you're shit outta luck," said Applejack. "Well, would you two please let her know, whenever she does finally get up, that since their last show was interrupted, the Wonderbolts rescheduled, and there will be another HOLY SHIT!" Rainbow Dash was somehow standing right next to Pinkie Pie. "You called?" "You girls will be the death of me," said Celestia. "Now that Luna is feeling better, our personal physician is available for you to all have your wounds checked. He's the best in all of Equestria. I want him to make sure you're all sound enough for physical exertion. Go downstairs and find his office. The guards can tell you where it is." "You reckon that doctor could do anything about this hole in my gut? I keep coughing up blood every now and then, and I get a mighty fierce stomach ache every time I eat much at all." "Possibly," said Celestia. "He knows healing spells that most unicorns don't even know exist. Luna has no further need of him, so I've asked him to tend to your various wounds. He's not a god, though. So, whatever he does, take it easy for awhile." "Will do," said Applejack, glad at the thought of the nagging pain in her midriff possibly being extinguished, or at the very least lessened. "Tell Rarity as well," said Celestia. "I already sent Fluttershy to him earlier this morning, and Twilight yesterday." "I'll get it all sorted out," said Applejack. "Anything else?" "Yes," Celestia said. "Meet me in the war room at noon. Twilight knows where to find it." * * * Twilight Sparkle and Spike had been roaming the archives since dawn. If Twilight had a major flaw, it had always been an excess of curiosity, and the mere suspicion that there was another forbidden book hidden somewhere in this titanic gallery of knowledge was simply too tantalizing for her to resist. She had tried the lower levels first, thinking that Princess Luna would favor their darkness for hiding such a thing, but it had been to no avail. Next she had searched the upper levels, assuming that Luna might have wanted to tuck it away as near as possible to the moon and stars she so adored. Again, she had been disappointed. Now, at last, utterly devoid of ideas, she sat at the same reading desk she had occupied for the bulk of the previous week. "Spike, I'm going crazy," she said. "I just can't think of anywhere else to look. We couldn't even find it in the restricted areas. Maybe Celestia mentioned it to her, and she moved it. Maybe she didn't even hide it in the Archives." "Why do you want to see it so badly?" Spike's question provoked Twilight's first considerations to her own motive in this pursuit. "I don't know," she said. "I just... It may sound silly, Spike, but I want to be like them. I know I can't be Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, but I want to understand something about what it's like to be that old and that wise. Does that make sense?" "Sort of," said the dragon, "but have you ever considered that there may be a good reason Princess Luna hid it in the first place?" "Spike, you're not saying anything I haven't thought of..." These words were a lie, and Twilight knew it. "There's just... something in me. There always has been, ever since that first time I saw Princess Celestia raise the sun." Twilight sighed and looked down at the floor. Her heart stopped cold. There, under a shortened leg of the very reading desk she had occupied for so many days, indeed at which she had studied countless nights in her youth, for this desk had always been her favorite, was a thick, dark purple book, with black leather binding on its spine and corners. She had seen it a thousand times, at least, but not once had she given it any consideration. To have been placed in such an inauspicious place it must certainly be a book of little consequence or worth, but now, by its coloration alone, she was certain of what she beheld, and it drove her eyelids so wide that they threatened to split at their corners. She levitated it upward so quickly that the the old desk almost turned over. Spike noticed the imminent disaster, and quickly shoved a book from a nearby shelf under the desk's short leg. Twilight plopped the purple tome down on the very desk that had served as its camouflage, and read the title: Lethe, a word which she knew from her study of ancient languages meant "forgetfulness." "Well, well, well!" Twilight rubbed her hooves together greedily, then telekinetically flopped the book open. Before she could read a single letter, it glowed deep blue-purple for a moment, then slammed shut. "I wouldn't do that." It was princess Luna's voice. Twilight looked up to see her walking towards her from the direction of the door. "I thought you might come looking for this wicked thing." The book levitated upward and glided to tuck itself under Luna's wing. "I'm glad I got here in time. You're just the sort of pony that this book would bring to her utmost ruin." Luna's voice conveyed more amusement than irritation. "Dammit," said Twilight. Spike chuckled at the flatness of her expletive. "I don't know why Celestia didn't hide this thing better." "Duh; thousand years, new capitol, new archives," Twilight thought. "Trust me," said Luna. "If there is one book in all the world you do not want to read, it is this one." Twilight sighed, exasperated. "Can you at least tell me what it's about? And maybe, just maybe why I shouldn't read it?" "Certainly," said Luna. "Huh?" Twilight was astonished that Luna would so readily divulge the contents of something she was so desperate to keep her from reading. "It tells you what happens to us all after we die." Luna levitated the book to float in front of her face, and turned it over slowly, as if examining it for the first time. "Wow." Twilight's voice was saturated with genuine awe. "And you... You wrote this? How?" "That, Twilight Sparkle," said Luna, placing the book back under her wing, "I will never tell. Not you. Not Celestia. Not anypony. Ever. Understand?" "Okay," said Twilight, disappointed. "But why won't you let me read it? What would be so bad about it?" "Twilight..." Luna's pause lasted for several seconds. "Even though I wrote this book, I don't really know what it says. I vaguely remember that I penned it in my own blood, but that is all that I can tell you about what lies between its covers. Now, I have read it many times, mind you. Many, in fact, have read it, but in their own lifetimes, none of those unfortunate souls really ever knew what it said, either.' "It is an unhallowed, accursed thing. Once one has begun to read it, that poor soul is compelled - damned, even -- to finish reading it. Nothing and no one can stop them from reading it through to the last word. If anypony tries to take the book from them or keep it from them in any way, they will pursue it madly until they have it again in their possession. Ponies have murdered their friends and family to retrieve this evil thing. Wars have been fought for it. Lives have been abandoned to ruin in quest of it. I do not want to see you set against your friends as a mortal enemy, and I am sure that is what would happen, because I've seen enough of them to know they would try to save you from it's power. And they. Would. Fail." Luna sneered slightly at the book, which still slowly rotated beside her. "The most dastardly and terrible thing about this... creature, however, is that the reader forgets what they read within moments of finishing it. You learn your soul's ultimate fate, and then you have that knowledge snatched away from you. There is an immediate, powerful compulsion to read it again, but if you do, you of course forget once more what you have read. The greater one's curiosity, the greater the hold this deep, forbidden knowledge exerts over that individual. Ponies have read this book dozens of times, forgetting to eat or drink or even sleep, until finally each of them received the object of their curiosity - absolute, perfect knowledge of death - through the most direct means possible.' "As I said, I myself have read it, and all that saved me from spending the rest of my life locked in its grip was the fact that I read it so many times that I just stopped giving the least dregs of a shit about what happens to my everlasting soul. I don't even care if I have one, anymore. I will live until I die, and that is enough for me. It took me more lifetimes than you have to live in order to come to that place, Twilight Sparkle, and I would suffer nopony else to walk so dark a path, even if they could survive the journey -- not even my worst enemy, and certainly not a friend." She smiled at the little unicorn. Twilight didn't speak, but stared at the ancient book, feeling a chill race down her spine. "I see I've made my point." Tucking the book back under her wing, Luna turned to leave, but as she did so, Twilight remembered something Celestia had said. "Princess Luna, what happens if you try to destroy it?" "It fights back," said Luna, not even turning her head.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 10: A Tale in Defiance of Time	Chapter 10: A Tale in Defiance of Time "This is gonna be so cool," said Rainbow Dash. "We get to see the Canterlot Castle War Room!" The six ponies were walking down a corridor deep in the bowels of Canterlot Castle. Their wounds had been much relieved by the skill of the castle physician, an old, pale green unicorn with a gray mane and a caduceus for a Cutie Mark, but they all still showed subtle signs of discomfort in their gaits. "It's just a big room with a table in the middle of it, RD," said Twilight. "Well, whatever it is, she wouldn't have called us here without she had something mighty important to tell us," said Applejack. "I hope it has better decor than the rest of this dreadful part of the castle," said Rarity. "I don't think decorations were the primary concern when they built this, Rarity," said Twilight. "This part of the castle is supposed to be a shelter for the population if Canterlot comes under attack." "Didn't do them much good last time," said Pinkie Pie. "Yeah, I always wondered how all them changelings surrounded the whole city before anypony noticed," mumbled Applejack. "Maybe they turned into a cloud bank, or something." said Twilight. "Here's the War Room," she continued, pushing open the door with her head. Behind it lay an empty room with a big table. Behind the table stood Princess Celestia, Shining Armor at her side, fully armored save for his helmet, which lay on the table beside him. "Well, this is disappointing," said Rainbow Dash, surveying the bare stone walls. "Close the door," said Celestia, a command which Fluttershy promptly executed. Twilight looked at her brother. "What are you doing here, Shiny?" "Ask her," he said, nodding towards the Princess. "He's going with you to do what I'm about to ask you to do," said Celestia. "Oh, fun!" Pinkie Pie hopped up and down. "Where are we going?" "Somewhere you'll probably be sorry I sent you," said Celestia. Then, she drew a deep breath. "What I'm about to tell you is known to no living being on Earth but Luna and myself. It concerns a time long, long ago, before the founding of Equestria. Luna and I were still very young then, and our mother had not long been dead. Even Discord had long yet to appear.' "In those days, there was no such thing as a country the way we think of one, today. There were only city-states. Ponies - and in those days, full-size horses - hadn't localized into one area, and were spread all over the earth. They warred with one another over land, gold, and ancient, magical artifacts long since destroyed or sealed away. There were also many lesser gods, and many of the terrible monsters and demons now sealed away in Tartaros still roamed free. Because of these things, many sought power by which to protect themselves, but there were those who sought it for darker purposes, as well. Not few were they who wished to rule the world in that age so long ago.' "Luna and I saw many would-be gods and rulers in those days, but to a one they were destroyed by their own ambitions. It was our witness of the catastrophes which inevitably befell them in their greed that taught us never to try and rule by force. We saw war, famine, monsters, dark magic, and all every breed of horror bring one of these would-be rulers after another to his or her ruin. You were all horrified by the Changelings, I'm sure, but the truth is that Chrysalis is just a remnant of that age. Her disposition would not have been considered at all uncommon in those dark times. That being the case, Luna and I chose to withdraw ourselves for a time, until the world was ready to lay down its mad quest for power. It was in this time of self-imposed exile that word reached us of yet another new magic which a king of a distant, foreign land had discovered in his quest for domination.' "In most circumstances we would have simply ignored the news and let the world continue on in its madness. However, when we learned the nature of this power, we felt the need to intervene. The king's true name, I do not know, for he had forbidden it spoken in his own land. He would only hear himself called "Omnequus Rex," the King of All Horses, and that was what he sought to be.' "It was rumored that Omnequus Rex had discovered a means by which he could speak to beings from outside our world; beings out in the distant reaches of the aether, beyond and among the stars. The power these beings granted him was immense, and his empire had already begun to spread as he effortlessly felled all who dared oppose him. "Luna and I had seen one of these outer beings consume our father, and we knew that no good could ever come of any association with such creatures. Whether it was Cenasolus with whom Omnequus Rex convened for his power, I still do not know. Though to be honest, I highly doubt it. The possibility that there could be only one such thing in the cosmos is so infinitesimal as to be practically nonexistent, and the chances of Omnequus having randomly contacted the same entity that had been responsible for our father's death was equally small. Even so, we knew that we could not allow such a terrible thing to continue.' "So, we went to him. We traveled to his kingdom and stood before him at his court to beg him to cut off his contact with whatever outer being or divinity he had discovered. We must have looked a sight to those horses. To them, we appeared as mere foals, though we were already many centuries old, but the learned among them immediately recognized us for who and what we were. When we told them our story, many of Omnequus' Rex' advisers begged him to destroy or at the very least seal away something they called the Aethervox. He said nothing in response, and taking this 'Aethervox' to be the means by which he had contacted whatever entity was now granting him his power, I asked to see it. I will never forget what he said:' "'Behold, Celestia, she who would think herself great to rule the sun, I have entombed forever the soul of a god far mightier than yourself, and in so doing have garnered audience with gods mightier still! Now, by their power, I have become a god, myself!'' "It was then that he showed us what appeared to be a golden heart, clad cruelly in bands of diamond-studded iron. I do not know from whom this heart was rent, and I do not know how he harnessed its power in such a way as to allow him to speak to the distant ones beyond our world. I do know, however, that I felt the faintest glimmer of some terrible presence from the moment he laid his hoof upon it. "We stood in silence, unsure of what would happen. He stared into that weird, beating heart, and whispered to it in a language I had never heard before. After some time. He ceased to speak to the heart, and looked up. There was fear hidden behind his eyes as he looked into my own, and when he spoke I felt my blood run cold. "'You should not have come here. He senses you. Do not try to run. It will do you no good.'" "Luna collapsed beside me, and I began to feel a chill in my body that words cannot fully describe. My legs went slack, and I collapsed as well. I began to lose consciousness, and I thought I would certainly die, but then from somewhere nearby, Omnequus' queen... I do not even remember her name... she galloped in, and kicked the Aethervox to the floor. She was in tears, and she pleaded for our lives. "What she said is still a haze to me, but as my strength returned, I managed to gather that it was Omnequus' own daughters - her daughters - that had been the cost of his newfound power. He seemed ashamed and saddened when she spoke of this, and I remember clearly just one thing that she said: "'Will you trade the life of every youth for this power? Will you deny your whole world a future so that you can rule it in the present? Are you that petty? Are you that cold?'" "There was something in her voice when she said that word, "cold?" It was strange, the way she said it, like an accusation, but also fearful and sad. Whatever it was, it cut him to the bone. His face became downcast, and when he finally spoke again, his voice was weary and thin. "He told us to go, and having no recourse, we did as he commanded. After we returned to our home, we kept our ears to the wind for news of his empire. Rumors of his power spread farther and farther, and it was widely feared that he would conquer the entire world. Then, without warning, new rumors began to replace those of his conquests. I heard vague stories that the lands of Omnequus Rex had somehow become suddenly barren, cold, and dead, that his armies no longer marched, and that none ventured into his kingdom, for the cold there was too great to endure. "That was the last the world ever heard of him. After a few thousand years, he was little more than a vague legend - an old faerie tale with many versions and endings and with roots that nopony really remembered, except for Luna and myself. After a few thousand years more, even those tales were so assimilated into others that they were totally unrecognizable. Luna and I were inclined to leave it that way, and so the world forgot Omnequus Rex." "I do not remember the name given to Omnequus' city by those who lived in it, for it has been far too long since I called it by any name but that given to it in memory of the terrible cold that consumed it. It is called Frigidus, and it lies deep in the coldest reaches of the Frozen North, beyond the Crystal Mountains. I never dared tell anypony this story before, for fear that some power-hungry fool would attempt to retrieve the Aethervox. Now, I send all of you out to do that very task." Celestia ceased to speak, and Twilight Sparkle felt the blood drain out of her face. She swooned momentarily before managing to collect herself. "Princess Celestia, are you telling me that Frigidus - THE Frigidus - is another one of those things that isn't just a legend?" "Nothing is ever just a legend, Twilight," said the Princess. Celestia produced from behind her a long, narrow tube made of some type of dark brown, figured wood. It had an ornate ebony cap at each end, one of which she removed. Quickly, she withdrew from the tube a large piece of parchment, which she unrolled onto the table. "It is here," she said, indicating a jagged mountain range in the northern and easternmost reaches of the Frozen North. "I drew this map from memory... at some point. I don't even remember when, to be honest, but I am certain of its accuracy." Pinkie Pie hopped up to the table and looked down at the map. "Granny Pie used to tell me faerie tales about Frigidus. It was supposed to be in the far north, but the stories she told me were all about how rich and happy the place was. She said there was a party there that went on forever, night and day, and never stopped. She even said there were gods that lived there!" "Those are some of the legends, Pinkie Pie," said Celestia. "There are many others, and the city is known by many names in many languages. Almost any story about some great, lost civilization has some bit of Frigidus in it." Fluttershy positioned herself to get a closer look at the map. "Princess," she said, "A lot of the stories I've heard are scary. They talk about things like the place being destroyed by a volcano, or being swallowed up by the earth, or even destroyed by Windigos. Is there any truth to any of those?" "Fluttershy, all I know is that Fridigus became so cold as to be totally uninhabitable. That may be the source of the stories you've heard involving Windigos. I never went back there myself, so I can't say for certain." Rainbow Dash, who had been struggling to contain herself for several minutes, jumped upwards and brought herself to a hover right in front of the Princess. "Frigidus?" Her eyes were sparkling with glee. "You want us to go to Frigidus?" "Yes," Celestia said solemnly. "Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, but Rainbow Dash cut her off. "You want us," said the pegasus, her eyes still shining, "to go find a legendary city that most ponies don't even believe exists, and retrieve an ancient artifact of unimaginable power so we can use it to save the world?" "That's the short version," said Celestia, blinking several times. Rainbow Dash grinned ear-to-ear. "This is gonna be FUGGIN' AWESOME!!" * * * "She's sending you to Frigidus? That's a real place?" Granny Smith's tone told Applejack that she did not approve, but Applejack continued packing her saddlebags. "Well, yeah, Granny; that's what I said." "What for?" asked the old, green pony. "I can't say, but we gotta find something that's real important to stopping that Cenasolus thing I told y'all about." "Well, don't s'pose I can argue with her judgment. If she thinks y'all's the best ponies for the job, then by golly, I bet you are." "When will you be back?" Applebloom's lips poked out and her eyes watered. "I don't know, AB, but I promise I'll come home as soon as I can." Macintosh, who had been quiet for the bulk of the entire conversation, finally spoke. "I'm going, too." "What?" Applejack was shocked at her brother's announcement. "You heard me. Ain't no sister of mine going to no faerie tail city fulla who-knows-what and in the middle of goddamn nowhere without me there to watch out for her." "Big Mac, I can take care of myself. Besides, Princess Celestia's sending Shining Armor along with us, in case we need some muscle." "Muscle!? HA!" Big Macintosh snorted. "Whoever heard of a unicorn with muscle?" Applejack huffed loudly. "That ain't what I meant; He's going to go along in case we run into any sort of dangerous creatures or spirits or some such, so's he can blast 'em with his magic." "Why can't Twilight Sparkle?" asked Applebloom. "Twilight ain't never practiced much of that kind of magic, that's all. She's great at most things, but she don't know a whole lot of... fightin' magic, I guess you'd call it." "Whatever," said Big Macintosh. "I'm going." Applejack stared into her brother's face for a moment, then spoke. "Ain't getting outta here without your big, red ass, am I?" "EeNope." * * * By noon the next day, the ponies were ready to leave. The two Apples, always early risers, had been just outside the castle gatehouse all morning, making preparations. Big Macintosh actually proved more useful than anticipated, since his impressive strength made him ideal for pulling a large wagon loaded with food, rope, tents, tools, lanterns, and various other odds and ends that were simply too big to fit into the individual ponies' saddlebags. Applejack was just finishing up loading a barrel of apples into the wagon when the rest of the ponies arrived, all their backs slung with saddlebags. "And you didn't want me to come," said Big Macintosh smugly. "Yeah, yeah. I reckon you have your uses," his sister replied. "I'll say," said Spike. "Twilight," he continued. "Can I ride the wagon?" "If Big Macintosh doesn't mind hauling you around, that's fine, Spike." "Hop on up," smiled the enormous pony. "You don't even weigh as much as that barrel of apples, and we got the wheels on this thing greased up slicker than a pig at a county fair. I'll never know the difference." Spike giggled and clambered up into a small bench seat across the front of the wagon. "Well, if everypony's ready," said Shining Armor, "Let's get moving." Out of Canterlot, the group turned north, and traveled along the Equestria River Basin for several days. The trip was largely uneventful until they reached the Crystal Mountains, which marked the northern border of the country. Rainbow Dash, curious to see just how high the mountains went, flew up above the treetops, and looked skyward. "Wow." She flew back down and landed amidst her friends. "Those mountains are insane," she said. "They've got to be taller than anything I've ever seen before." "Well," said Twilight, "they're on record as the tallest in the country, and they've rarely been climbed by anypony. There's no good reason for it. The only thing on the other side is the Frozen North, and that's just a cold, uninhabitable wasteland. I mean, there are a few settlements and outposts to the west. Then, there's an old legend about a Crystal Empire, but it would have been east of here, in the foothills. Beyond here, it's just supposed to be totally barren. The only thing there is, well... Frigidus... somewhere." "And that's exactly where we're going," said Applejack, ominously. "Is there any chance at all I can convince you to let me go home?" asked Fluttershy. "Fluttershy," Twilight frowned, "We might need the Elements of Harmony for something. You have to come along. Besides, what if we run into an ice dragon or something? We'll need you to talk to it." Fluttershy shuddered visibly, but said no more. * * * The road through the mountains was old and little-traveled. In places, it was no longer fit to be called a road, at all. As they went, the elevation grew, and the air thinned, so that their course became continually more difficult. Eventually, Applejack was forced to hitch up to the wagon alongside Big Macintosh, and not two days later, Pinkie Pie also harnessed herself to it. Despite her oftentimes frivolous demeanor, Pinkie's strength and athleticism were relatively great by virtue of her being an earth pony, and she enjoyed the chance to put them to use. After some time, Shining Armor took off his heavy plate mail, and also joined the team pulling the wagon. After a couple of days, the temperature became uncomfortably cold, and as they continued to climb, snow began to fall, so that they were forced to remove the wagon's wheels, allowing it to function as a sled by sitting on two runners that had been installed on the bottom of the axles. It had been Twilight's idea, a fact of which she made a point on several occasions to remind the team pulling it. This finally elicited from Applejack the suggestion that, if she were so proud of her ingenuity, perhaps she should "pull the goddamned thing herself, for awhile." Thereafter, Twilight ceased all commentary. Before much longer, the cold became great enough that the ponies all donned the first layer of their cold weather gear, and within a day of having done so, they reached the apex of the road's course through the mountains, which stood in a narrow pass. Rainbow Dash flew up high once more to see if she could discern what lay beyond the range, and when she descended, the look on her face told the others that it was not a pretty sight. "It's a desert," she said. "But not like a sandy desert. It's just cold, dead ground." "It's tundra," said Twilight Sparkle. "What you saw was permafrost; ground that stays frozen year-round. Nothing grows on the surface because plants' roots can't penetrate it." "Good thing we brought plenty of food," said Pinkie Pie. "No kidding," said Applejack. "We won't be able to find anything fit to eat in a place like that." "Well, we have to keep moving, no matter what," said Shining Armor. "No turning back." The ponies all nodded in agreement, and continued onward. The descent offered its own special challenges, such as the sled trying several times to overrun the team pulling it. Each time, Shining Armor was quick to feel its forward slide, and to stall it with telekinesis. Nonetheless, it gave the ponies a scare. After about four more days of travel, the land began to flatten out, and soon the vast, cold expanse of the Frozen North spread out before them. "Well, where do we go now?" asked Rainbow Dash. Twilight unfurled the map. "Well, the mountain range where Frigidus is hidden is straight north of here, about two weeks' journey." "That's all?" asked Rarity. "How come nopony has been there in so long if it's not any further than that?" Twilight peaked over the top of the map. "Well, supposedly, the cold and the weather get really brutal when you start to get close. What's more, there's only one way in or out. It's a road leading out of a small town in the foothills of the mountains, and... it may be guarded." "Guarded by what?" asked Applejack. "Well, one of the legends of Frigidus speaks of a guardian that protected the city from intruders. Celestia said there were many powerful magical and mechanical weapons there, a long time ago. It's unlikely that any of them still work, but she said for us to be careful, all the same." Fluttershy, shivering a little, moaned at the news. "Come on, Fluttershy," said Pinkie Pie, newly unhitched from the sled. "We're all in this together." She paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "I know! Let's sing a song to pass the time. Ninety nine bottles of cider on the wall, ninety nine bottles of cider!..." Rarity's head dropped downward. "Oh. Dear. Gods." After about two days, several thousand bottles of cider, and a few death threats, the song was abandoned in favor of silence. It was on that same day that the Frozen North chose to reveal why nopony, for tens of thousands of years, had dared come in search of Frigidus.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 11: Scratches in a Dark Room	Chapter 11 Scratches in a Dark Room It began as a breeze. In the cold, even the lightest wind was unwelcome, but it was not so much that the ponies could not withstand it. As they continued northward, however, it became less and less mild, until soon their faces went numb under its constant assault. The ponies donned the second layer of their hooded cold weather gear, and also covered their faces to stave off the icy blast, which seemed to come from every direction but south. There was no rhyme or reason to it. It was as if the air itself set its will against their quest, and drove them back. Still, the ponies marched onward. In only two more days, the wind had become so intense that it threatened to rip their tents apart. The sun never truly set this far north at this time of year, but it sank low at strange intervals, and the skies waxed and waned in reds and oranges. It was during one such period, when the group had collectively decided to take a rest, that it became apparent no tent would hold against the gale. "We're going to have to make a dugout," said Shining Armor. "We can try," Applejack half-shouted over the wind, "but the ground's so damned hard I don't know how we'll ever pull it off!" "I mean Twilight and me!" came the big unicorn's reply. He and Twilight focused their horns on a spot in the ground, and the earth began to thaw and move, Pitching itself upward into a northward-facing berm that left a large, oval scoop in its shadow. It was just large enough to fit all the ponies comfortably, and the act left both brother and sister more than a little weary. The reward for their efforts was substantial, however; a tiny island of shelter in the vast, gray, frozen plain. As the ponies settled in, Spike set to building a fire. Applejack lay down and nestled in close to her brother. "You know," she said. "We ain't gone camping hardly at all since Momma and Daddy passed away." "Nope," said Big Macintosh. "Now I remember why," said his sister. He laughed. "Eeyup." Applejack let the slow crackle of the growing fire warm her face, now absent its woolen shield in the shelter of the dugout. Her face was almost preternaturally orange in the glow of the flames and sky. "Something I been meaning to ask you for a long time, Mac," she said. "Shoot." "That night the house burned down." She swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat. "How'd you and Granny get outside? Why were me and Applebloom the last ones out?" "Oh. Well, Daddy gave me the job of leading Granny out, and I had just been out there a little bit when Momma pushed you out into the yard." "So, the house hadn't been burning long?" "Maybe two minutes." He sighed and shook his head slightly. "Old house went up like a goddamn box of matchsticks. It was that fresh lacquer Daddy just put on the walls, I wanna say." Applejack looked up at her brother. "So you don't know nothing about what went on with Momma and Daddy inside, then?" "Nope, don't reckon so." "Well," she said, "I saw a little bit of it. Wasn't no kinda pretty sight, but I imagine you could guess that." She looked up into the glow of the low, unsetting sun. "Reckon I could tell you about it if'n you wanted to know." "Don't reckon I much want to, AJ," he said, repositioning his legs slightly to make himself more comfortable, "but if it'd make you feel better to tell me, I ain't gonna put a stop to it." "Well," she began, "Part of the roof fell down on Daddy's back, and he was burned pretty bad, already. Not as bad as he was when he finally come out, but bad. I ran over to check on him, and when he saw me, it set him off somehow or other. He threw that shit off himself and went to bucking against the door to the nursery like it was a tree wouldn't turn loose of its apples. You remember afterwards they said that near where they found Momma they found a door looked like it was broke in half and ripped clean off its hinges, somehow? That's why." Big Macintosh grinned and chortled. "You'll have to let me be a little bit proud of him for that." Applejack laughed. "You think I ain't?" "Nope, wouldn't expect any less from you." "Alright, then, but that ain't what I wanted to talk about," she replied. "What I wanted to say was that... I'll be damned if Momma and Daddy both didn't scare the hell outta me that night. That's the last memory I've got of either one of 'em; just being scared shitless." Big Macintosh sniffed and wiped his nose. It had nothing to do with his sister's recollections, and everything to do with the cold. He hummed and hawed to himself for a moment, staring up into the orange glow of the sky, then looked Applejack straight in the face. "So, what about it?" he finally asked. Applejack was momentarily stunned, but then her eyes hardened as she thrust her head in closer to her brother's face and spoke. "Whaddaya mean, 'What about it!?' It's drove me up the goddamned walls for half my life; that's what about it!" "But why?" The big, red stallion was totally calm. "Don't you get it? I don't want to remember Momma and Daddy that way, Big Mac. Look here; I couldn't do nothing about that fire. It took me a long time to understand that, but I got there. Still, that don't make it okay, somehow. By rights, didn't I - Hell, didn't we - deserve a better goodbye than that?" "Eenope." Applejack was stopped cold by her brother's response. "Don't nopony deserve much of nothing, really." Big Macintosh yawned, then continued to speak. "You get what you get, whether it's fair or not. You can try to do right by everypony else, but that don't mean life owes you shit.' "I miss 'em, too, you know," he continued. "Wish I'da got to said something to 'em there at the end, but looking back, all the things I want to say... Hell I never took time to figure on 'em until it was too late for 'em to be said." Applejack squeezed her eyes shut, but she couldn't hold in a pair of tears. They dropped to the cold, hard ground, and quickly froze. "I feel the same way," she said. "And I feel like it's my own fault I didn't take the time..." "Bullshit," Big Macintosh snorted. "Ain't nopony's fault. We were both too busy growin' up to waste our time worrying about that. Hell, you think Applebloom thinks about telling us that sort of shit? Probably not a lick, and we both might freeze to death out here in the middle of this godforsaken hell hole." "Hey!" The voices of Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor shot across the small camp in perfect unison. "Not the dugout; it's fine and dandy," said the red pony. "This is a totally different conversation." "And speaking of Applebloom," Big Macintosh went on, "How many times have we both scared the shit out of her? How many times has Granny? How many times did Momma and Daddy scare both of us shitless before that night? My guess is you couldn't count the number on all four hooves and every hair in your tail. Sometimes it's just what you need to do to set a young'un straight. Sometimes it's the only way to keep 'em safe. So, forget about it, and go get us some goddamned apples; I'm hungry." Applejack leaned over and rested her head against her brother's thick neck. "In a minute," she said, forlornly. * * * After another day's travel, the mountain range the ponies had sought came into view. As it crept over the horizon, the temperature continued to drop, forcing the addition of more layers of cold weather clothing. Finally, in spite of all this insulation, the cold began to produce complaints, beginning first with Rarity, who broke a silence that had lasted the bulk of an entire day with an uncharacteristically vulgar observation. "Celestia's motherfucking mane, it is colder than a motherfucking pimp's heart in this motherfucking wasteland!" The other ponies all turned to stare at the unicorn. "Well, it is," she said with not the least hint of shame or apology, her face fixed in a look of absolute disgust. Nopony disputed the statement. The vast, empty waste afforded no shelter from the wind. And they had to reserve the charcoal they'd brought for cooking meals, so that not even breaking to make camp allowed them to truly escape the bitter, terrible climate. "It's going to get colder," said Twilight. "I know," whined Rarity. "Just try not to think about it," said Fluttershy. "You can always cuddle up with me tonight," said Spike, arching his eyebrows several times. "I'm full of fire, remember?" "I'll be fine," sighed Rarity, and the group continued on. It had seemed as if a mere two or three days should have brought them to the edge of the mountains, but as the ponies continued to approach, the peaks merely loomed higher and larger on the horizon, so that they began to realize that they were seeing mountains of incredibly prodigious height. Twilight Sparkle confirmed that the Princess had said the mountains would be high, but even she was astonished at their seemingly limitless ability to soar ever more skyward as the ponies moved toward them. Worse, they became more and more terrifying as their outline became clearer. They were jagged and gray, being not in the least snow-capped, and their slopes were phenomenally steep. Finally, some ten days after they had first been sighted, the ponies stood at their foothills, and only a day's travel eastward brought into view a small, ruined town which must surely be the current objective of their trek. As they finally strode into it, they were struck by a peculiar sense of antiquity and uneasiness. "We're the first ponies here in thousands of years," said Twilight. "I know," said Rainbow Dash. "Isn't it amazing? I wonder if there are ghosts, or ice monsters, or abominable snow horses, or..." "You sound just a little too excited by those prospects," Rarity quipped. "Also, you're frightening Fluttershy." She gestured toward the yellow pegasus, whose knees were clattering more than even the brutal cold could account for. "I just hope there's wood somewhere," said Applejack. "It'd be nice to be able to make a real fire, for once." "Well," said Shining Armor, we need to find shelter, anyway. Let's spread out and look. We can meet back here..." "Wait a minute!" Spike made a time-out signal with his claws. "Hmm?" Shining Armor responded, inquisitively. "Now, I don't read as much as Twilight, but I've been through enough horror books to know that right after you split up in a strange, ancient place like this is the part where you start dying." "Oh, Spike," said Pinkie Pie, "Those are just silly stories. What could there be to hurt us in a place like this?" "Did you hear even one of those things that Rainbow Dash mentioned?" asked the dragon. "You're being ridiculous," said Twilight. "There are nine of us here, total, right? We'll split up into groups of three. Will being with at least two ponies make you feel safer, you little scaredy-dragon?" "Fine, but who do I go with?" "Me, duh." Twilight scooped her head under the little dragon, and let him slide down onto her back. "You're still a baby dragon, and you're still my responsibility." "Can Rarity come with us?" "No," Twilight shook her head. There are three unicorns here, so each group gets one of us. That way, everypony has access to magic, in case they need it." "Oh, right," said Spike, obviously disappointed. "So, let's see... Every group should get an Earth pony, too, in case we do find some wood, and want to haul it back." "I call Big Mac," said Spike. "You know... in case of monsters." "Fine," said Twilight. Pinkie Pie skipped over next to Twilight's brother. "Shiny, you like pink ponies, right?" "Don't get any ideas," said Shining Armor, bluntly. Pinkie Smiled. "Only teasing!" "Aw, ponyfeathers," said Applejack. "Fluttershy, come with me and Rarity. No way in hell I can handle being stuck alone with her and Dash at the same time, right now... No offense to anypony; I'm just hungry, cold, and a little put-out." "Oh, trust me darling, I understand," said Rarity. * * * Big Macintosh listened quietly to Twilight Sparkle's long, rambling assessments of the ruins that he, she, and the dragon passed by in their search. She mentioned many times that it was strange to see them in such good condition, given their age, but it was easy for Big Mac to see why: Everything was stone. Moreover, everything was huge. All the buildings, doorways, and windows seemed far too large. He wondered faintly if this town hadn't been occupied by horses, rather than ponies. Whoever or whatever had lived here, they had not been poor. The arched doorways and windows showed a great deal of ornate, Florentine carving, and occasionally, they would run across some small alcove where the wind had not been able to blast away all evidence that the buildings had at one time been stuccoed. This would have been a lovely little town in its own time, which made Big Macintosh wonder all the more why it seemed so thoroughly abandoned. If they really were the first ponies to step into it in all these ages, there should have been more to be found here. It was as if its citizens had, at some point, packed up everything they owned, and left. Twilight entered every house for a cursory inspection, but finding them all empty, she quickly re-emerged. Finally, the trio came to a large house on the town's western outskirts. Stepping into it, they found evidence to suggest there had once been a second floor anchored in the walls, but now the erstwhile home was only an empty, roofless shell that stood higher than the surrounding empty, roofless shells. "I'm starting to think we won't find anything useful here, at all," said Twilight, as she emerged from the back door, followed by the red earth pony. "Why not try looking in that cellar," asked Spike, tapping on the side of Twilight's neck to get her attention as he pointed to his left. "Good eyes, Spike." The cellar Spike had indicated had no remaining doors, but its stone stairway was still present. What they found below drew a grunt of mild amazement from the normally stolid Macintosh. It was a pile of strange metal shapes laying against the opposite wall. "What are those things?" asked Twilight. "Plowshares," said Big Macintosh. "Big ones." "That means..." Twilight began. "This place was a farm," said the red pony. "Makes sense. There's plenty of flat land around here, and the soil looks pretty good, too, excepting it's frozen solid. If only it wasn't so dry and cold, you could grow food easy. Don't guess it was always this way." "No; Princess Celestia said this land used to be green. This town must have been where they grew food for the population of Frigidus proper." "Well, ain't nopony growing nothing here, now," said Macintosh. "Dirt's solid as a rock." "Yeah," said Twilight, "Let's keep looking for wood." They stepped back into the dimming sunlight, and looked around for the next likely house to inspect. * * * Rainbow Dash was sitting on top of a high wall of one of the old, broken-down houses, looking upward at the looming mountain range above her, painted deep orange-red by the never-setting sun. She was getting bored with the emptiness of this old, dead town, and growing more and more curious about what lay in those high, jagged peaks. "Dashie!" It was Pinkie Pie. "Do you see anything from up there?" "Nothing really, Pinkie." She sighed as she turned her gaze back to her more immediate surroundings. "This old town is just... meh. You'd think we could have found at least one or two monsters or ghosts or something. Where's Shining Armor?" "Over here," came the unicorn's voice from inside a nearby house. "This one's empty too, it looks like... wait a second. What the hell?" Rainbow Dash hopped down and flitted her wings to slow her fall, then trotted into the house. Pinkie Pie came close behind. "You find something?" asked Rainbow Dash, noticing Shining Armor looking at a spot on the wall. He was staring at something in a dim, shadowy corner of the house's large, front room. "There are some kind of markings. It looks like old letters scratched into the wall. I can't read them. Can either of you?" Pinkie Pie looked at the markings on the wall. "Nope. Not any language that I know." Rainbow Dash likewise inspected the peculiar marks. They were a strange, jagged text, and appeared to have been hastily scratched. "Well," she said, "I sure don't know what it says. Maybe we should go find Twilight." "You fly up and see if you can do that," said Shining Armor. Pinkie and I will go find the others. Let's all meet back here in this house. It'll be time to make camp, soon, anyway." * * * Rarity saw it first as she rounded a corner, and the sight produced a gasp which quickly brought Fluttershy and Applejack to her sides. It was the remains of what appeared to have once been a great stone arch. In its day, it would have been taller than Ponyville's town hall, and the several enormous chunks of it which lay at its still-standing bases were covered in ancient, weathered carvings that appeared to have once been of equines, though time and the battering of the wind had left them vague and cryptic as to their meaning. Likewise, any lettering the obvious gateway may once have born was worn too deeply to be apparent. All the same, the three ponies knew this was the gateway to the road they had been searching for. "Well, at least we know where we're going," said Rarity. "Though I must say I find the sight a teensy bit foreboding." "Rarity, you find a day without a shower foreboding," said Applejack. Rarity raised an eyebrow at the orange pony. "And you don't?" "Well, of course not. We've been on the trail for weeks, and it ain't bothered me a bit. To be honest, I'm kinda impressed you haven't bitched and moaned about it, so far." There was real, though smug, admiration in Applejack's words. "Well, actually... I know a few hygiene spells for just this sort of situation. All they require is a bit of soap, shampoo, conditioner..." "Wait a minute," Applejack stopped her. "You know a spell that works as a substitute for a shower?" Rarity was confused. "Why... yes. You cast the spell, the soap and such are consumed in exactly the same quantities as if you had bathed, and then you're clean. Would you like me to cast it on you? I have plenty of the things I need in my saddlebags." Applejack frowned. "Rarity," she almost launched into a tirade about how ridiculous it was to waste cargo space on something so frivolous, but then she realized how filthy she felt, and how clean Rarity looked by comparison. "Well... uh... actually... you know what? Yeah. But wait until later. This is gonna be weird enough without Fluttershy watching." Rarity rolled her eyes. "You know I don't actually have to touch you, right?" Fluttershy cleared her throat quietly. "Umm, Rarity? I'd... I'd like a shower spell or bath spell or whatever, please. I feel really dirty, and I smell like rancid milk and pickles." "I had... noticed," said Rarity. Her horn glowed for a moment, and there was a slight glow from inside her saddlebag. Fluttershy's body shone briefly, and was clean. "Wait, that's it?" asked Applejack. "Shit, do it now." Rarity gladly obliged, and as Applejack glowed, her mane and tail fluffed outward and curled noticeably. "Whoops," said Rarity. "Wrong conditioner." Applejack growled quietly in her throat, and Fluttershy giggled. "Oh, it's just a joke, Applejack," Rarity laughed. She cast the spell again, and Applejack resumed her normal appearance, though noticeably devoid of grime. "Thank you kindly. Now, wash everypony else when we see 'em again, so we don't all smell like dead animals." "I'm not using up all my supplies on everypony else's account," said Rarity. "If you all wanted to be clean, you should have brought your own. "Oh, there you are!" Pinkie Pie's voice startled the three spotless ponies. "What smells like lilac and jasmine with the faintest hints of a mountain spring?" * * * The ponies all crowded into the house with the strange lettering, and set up a camp. Though they hadn't found any wood, the high walls did a much better job of keeping the constant wind off of them than the dugouts they had been forced to use for the past several weeks, and a fireplace in the same room with the weird letters helped to amplify and contain their fire so that their little camp was actually quite comfortable. Rarity had been coaxed into magically washing the rest of the ponies, so that the whole situation represented the greatest degree of comfort and hominess the ponies had experienced since leaving Canterlot. Twilight sat near the strange lettering, a book open on the floor in front of her, and with its help, she was doing her best to decipher the weird inscription. She had been dead silent and perfectly still for over a quarter of an hour, except for an occasional flick of her hoof to ash her cigarette. "It's not a sentence," said the purple unicorn. "It's all one word. Give me a little bit longer.' "How's that stew coming, Spike?" "It's perfect! Or it would be with a couple of powdered rubies." He took a deep whiff of the bubbling mixture. "Yes," giggled Fluttershy, "and nopony but you would be able to eat it." "Exactly," said Spike, continuing to stir the pot suspended over the fire. "And it would be delicious." "It's a name," came Twilight's voice from across the room. All the ponies turned their heads towards her. "Shimmershine," she said. "Just an ordinary pony name. No telling how it got here." Twilight leaned forward, and squinted. "There's something else." Rainbow Dash walked over. "More words?" "No; a picture," said Twilight. "Look closely." Rainbow Dash came to Twilight's side, and mimicked her posture. "Hey, you're right!" It was faint, but it was there; a crudely drawn earth pony, with a fat, oval body, a stick neck and legs, another oval for the head, and a few squiggly lines for the mane and tail. It had a faint, faint smile drawn on its face, and its lack of a cutie mark indicated that it was probably a foal. The shadow cast by the corner had hidden it earlier, but the fire now made it apparent. "Some little foal must have drawn this," said Twilight. She took a couple of seconds to French inhale her cigarette, then added, "thousands of years ago." "Why do you think they left?" asked Rarity. "Probably just got too cold to live here, anymore," said Shining Armor. "Would you want to live in this?" "I know I wouldn't," said Applejack. "And do you think you could grow food here?" "Nope," said Big Macintosh. "Exactly," said Applejack. "Believe you me; if me and Big Mac can't make an apple tree grow there, - and we damn sure can't make one grow here - then nothing can grow there. Period." Big Macintosh nodded. "Eeyup." "That's sad," said Fluttershy, walking over to examine the drawing. "To have to leave your home that way, I mean." Pinkie Pie spoke up. "Yes, but home is where the heart is, Fluttershy, or that's what everypony says, anyway." Spike practically yelled, "Soup's on!" and all the ponies went and crowded around the fireplace. All, that is, except one; Fluttershy remained by the sketch on the wall, staring at it silently. In his rush to dish up the soup, Spike knocked a short stick of charcoal out of the fireplace, and it rolled across the floor until it bumped into Fluttershy's hoof, where it lay still. Fluttershy stared at the drawing through clouds of her own breath that puffed outward rhythmically, and considered the surreal nature of what she was seeing: a child's crude, frivolous self-portrait, thousands of times older than she would ever live to be. She wondered vaguely if Shimmershine had gotten in trouble for drawing on the walls. She spoke quietly to the smiling image. "Is this all that's left of you, my little pony? Shimmershine? I wonder what your cutie mark turned out to be." She bent her head down, and picked up the stick of charcoal by her teeth. Carefully, she retraced the lines of the drawing, so that it stood out as if brand new. She was careful to make it exactly as it had originally been, smile and all. She was tempted to add a cutie mark, but as she stood there thinking about what sort of mark to give the little pony, she finally gave up and let the stick drop to the floor. "I guess you had to earn that on your own, didn't you?" She wiped the black charcoal off her lips and teeth with the sleeve of her coat, then stepped back to admire her work, returning the smile of the drawing that now stood out strongly in the fire's warm, orange glow. "Fluttershy?" It was Pinkie Pie. "Aren't you hungry?" "Coming," said Fluttershy. She did not look at the drawing again.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 12: Monuments to Infinity	Chapter 12 Monuments to Infinity The next day, or what passed for a day in the Frozen North, the ponies set out on the road beyond the ancient, ruined archway. It was surprisingly easy going. The road was paved with cobblestones, worn smooth and in a surprisingly good state of repair for their age. The mountains on either side showed much evidence of having been altered for the building of this road. In many places, they appeared to have been chipped away by some means, probably magical, so that for all the hours of their ascent, they never had to tackle any extremely difficult slopes. Best of all, the mountains sheltered them from the icy, blasting wind. In the midst of a long, gentle curve, the road finally began to level out, signaling the apex of the climb. Pinkie Pie hopped excitedly to the front of the group. "Easy going from here on out!" Then, she ground to a halt. "Or maybe not." As the other ponies reached Pinkie's position, they saw what had stalled her gleeful momentum. "The guardian," whispered Twilight. What could only be described as a colossus towered over the pass. It was an alicorn in its form, but obviously made of steel. Everywhere on its body there sprouted gun turrets and the barrels of cannons, and its entire surface, weapons included, was ornately engraved with patterns obviously born of the same art legacy as those few which had remained in the ancient town. It straddled the road, two legs to either side, its head held high and proud. Looking up, the ponies could see that where a unicorn's horn would have been, there sprouted instead a cannon that dwarfed even the dozens that bristled all over the rest of its body. This weapon was so large that even big Macintosh could have stood upright in its bore and still had room to spare overhead. The steel horse's joints were massive gears, its eyes empty, black and hollow. Its wings were ornate, their feathers being blades covered with strange runes that must have once been magical - and perhaps still were. Rust had formed in the joints between the many armor plates that made up its outer shell, but otherwise, the antiquated engine of destruction still gleamed bright. The group stood silent in the shadow of this giant for some time, until Shining Armor finally spoke. "It's okay. It's just an old, abandoned machine, like a giant walking tank." "I miss my turtle," said Rainbow Dash. "He's a tortoise," said Fluttershy. The group of ponies, uneasy in the shadow of this time-worn monument to the violence of ages long since forgotten, moved on, and passed beneath the machine's body, each one thankful for its dereliction. * * * It came into view suddenly, as they rounded a bend in the last of the great swaths cut through the stone of the titanic, jagged mountain range. Twilight and Shining Armor saw it first, and when they did, they stopped to wait for the other ponies to see it. As each of them did, he or she stopped and stared in silence. The wind whistled softly, sending small clouds of dust flitting amidst the intrepid adventurers, and a sense of mixed relief and awe swept over them. This was, without a doubt, the place they had come to find. In the valley below, ringed on all sides by the lofty, jagged peaks of this ancient, nameless mountain range, there stood a city. It was pure, enduring majesty; a relic city with a face unchanged by the cruel indifference of time. It spread out for miles, with great, pale blue towers and spires that gleamed with warm purples, reds, and yellows where the sun glinted off their surfaces, as if the whole city was gilded with some strange, translucent metal. At its center, there rose a great spire, taller than all the rest, which shone gloriously in the sun's low, unsleeping light. From where the ponies stood, because of their position high on the mountainside, the city's location so far north, and a strange coincidence of time, they could see the sun, sitting as if it rested upon the eastern peaks, and the moon, likewise resting upon those in the west. Somewhere, between those two great lights, the sovereign, holy charges of Celestia and Luna, they would find the Aethervox. As the ponies moved down into the valley, they sensed the temperature begin to drop more quickly than ever. Rainbow Dash could not help but comment on the bizarre weather patterns. "This place is amazing," she said, "but I still don't see how it can be this cold here and there not be any snow. I guess there are just no ponies to make any." Twilight looked at her. "Remember, the weather doesn't work the same here as it does back home." "I know," said the pegasus. "I just guess I was expecting a place that used to be inhabited by ponies to be more like Equestria." "Whatever," said Shining Armor. "Cold or no cold, snow or no snow, this is what we came to find. The sooner we get in there and find the Aethervox, the sooner we can head back to somewhere it's warm. Let's get moving." Within a few minutes, they all stood before a ponderous iron gate. The whole wall was intimidating, with literally dozens of tall turrets and ports sprouting cannons like those mounted on the colossal, metal guardian. and with sharp, dagger-like crenelations ringing its top. However, this gate, along with the two towers that rose to either side of it, was especially foreboding. Whatever color it had originally been, the accumulated ice had turned it pale blue-white, and its two sides bore images in deep relief of twin, armored alicorns, rearing high and with starbursts at the tips of their horns, as if they were about to unleash some powerful, destructive spell. Their cutie marks were mobius strips, looped in such a way as to render the symbol of infinity. Shining Armor stepped up to this enormous portal and examined it. "Frozen shut. If the mechanism still works, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy might be able to fly up to the tops and find a way down inside to open it. Spike will have to heat it up enough to melt the ice, though." "On our way," said Rainbow Dash, pushing her wings out from under the thick, woolen cape that shielded them from the cold, and giving them a stretch. "I'll take the left tower. Fluttershy, you get the right." "Can't we stick together?" Rainbow Dash paid no attention to Fluttershy as she slapped her wings against the icy air and lifted herself upwards. "Fluttershy, aren't you going,?" asked Twilight. "Oh, alright... I guess." She daintily spread her wings and hopped upward, using the momentum to help carry herself aloft. Within a few seconds, both pegasi had disappeared over the tops of the towers. "Rarity, we need some firewood," said Twilight. "Such a waste," Rarity sighed, opening up one of her saddlebags to reveal a treasure trove of precious stones. "Wait," said Applejack. "All you brought was soap and jewels?" Rarity turned up her nose defensively. "I also brought my cold weather clothes, didn't I?" "Soap, jewels, and clothes," said Applejack. "I ain't even surprised." Rarity tossed her mane haughtily and magically dumped a pile of gemstones out onto the ground near where the little dragon was standing. As she did so, Big Macintosh mumbled something about not needing the wagon for awhile, and unhitched himself from it. Spike crunched down several clawfuls before Twilight cleared her throat, at which he giggled before stepping up to the gate. "Now, don't touch it," he said. "It's gonna get really hot." Spike cut loose a green flame on the gate, and held it there. Slowly, the ice began to melt away from its surface. Fluttershy looked across to the other tower, and saw Rainbow Dash wave her towards the opposite corner of the roof on which she herself stood. Turning around, she noticed an opening in that corner. As she looked back, she was somewhat alarmed to see that her friend had disappeared from her sight, but quickly realized that she must have gone down a similar opening on her side. Approaching it, she realized that there had once been a hatch there, but it was long gone. Only a quartet of hinges, rusty and sealed beneath the ice, remained to mark their existence. Even here, in this cold, time had rotted away the wooden shutters. Peering through the hole, she saw that a staircase led down into the darkened tower, and she reluctantly entered it. As it spiraled downward, the darkness grew deeper and more oppressive, until she finally saw a faint light coming from what must surely be a doorway at the stairwell's bottom. A few steps further proved true her assumption, and she stepped into the dimly-lit room. The light she had seen came through a pair of narrow slits that served as windows, and she was very thankful that in their dim light, she could see a large, iron mechanism on the wall closest to the gate itself. She would hopefully not have to go any deeper into this dark, foreboding place. There was also a strangely-shaped ice formation evident in the corner near the big machine. It was larger than Fluttershy herself, and exceptionally bizarre in its form. For once, her curiosity overcame her fear, and she stepped up and placed her hoof on its cold, smooth surface. She squinted her eyes in the darkness in an effort to examine it, but it was of little use. The room was large, and the windows were far away. Later she would realize that it had probably been for the best that she had not been able to tell what it was on which she had just set her hoof. For had she known, it would likely have sent her into a panic. Stepping away from the ice, she examined the mechanism. Two large chains that ran from a central hub into iron fittings on the wall. Both were covered in ice, but she could see that it had already begun to melt under the sympathetic heat of Spike's breath on the gate outside. Fluttershy quickly surmised that the central hub to which the chains were connected was a simple spool onto which they must obviously wind. At first, she was afraid she would be unable to turn it, but she was surprised to find that by some feat of engineering, it was not beyond even her relatively small strength. It took a fairly stout hoof on the several iron posts that protruded from either side, but it gave under her efforts, and the chains began to wind, scraping and grinding as they went. * * * As the gate began to open, Spike ceased his fiery persuasions, and stepped back, shivering violently. "Gimme some gems, Rarity. That ate up all my body heat." Despite her disdain for seeing such pretty jewels consumed in such a way, Rarity could bear their destruction more easily than she could the image of Spike shaking like a leaf in the frigid wind. "Here you are," she smiled, pushing the bag towards him again, as the gate continued to open. Spike crunched down several good-sized clawfuls of the jewels, then allowed Rarity to shut the bag and put it back on her side. Looking up, the six ponies were amazed to see what unfolded before them as the gate swung open. Though aged and frozen, the city's grandeur exceeded that of even Canterlot. Great, ice-blue domes, towers, and spires rose above the buildings, which were themselves faced with great stone stairways and impressive, fluted columns. There were elegant carvings of the same splendid, flowing types they had previously encountered, but here they were preserved beneath the same sheet of ice that covered everything else, thus showing a degree of detail that must have required incredible skill to render. What made this most astonishing was that they were everywhere. The entire city was a magnificent work of art that must have taken centuries to realize. These carvings were not the only evidence of such mastery, either. All of the buildings' pediments bore lifelike carvings of equines in deep, detailed relief. There were scenes of battle, of discovery, of romance, and of death. Whole narratives played themselves out in a loop around any given structure. It seemed that a careful student could learn this culture's entire history and mythology through examination of their architecture, alone. Most impressive was the sheer scale of everything they saw. Even the individual stairs of the stairways that led up to most of the building's doors seemed excessively large, and many of the carvings bore equine images that were as large as or larger than a real pony. Amidst all this, looming to greet them, was a colossal statue of an armored alicorn, his flanks emblazoned with the same infinity symbol that had marked the two alicorns on the gate. He was every bit as large as the war machine had been, and was carved in such minute detail that things like the spiral of his horn and his individual teeth were still apparent, despite the presence of the same thin layer of ice that covered everything else. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, their task complete, flew down and lit beside their friends, and tucked their wings back into their thermal capes. All stood silent, their eyes overwhelmed by the magnitude of what they beheld, their minds grappling with the ages across which these frozen edifices spoke. "That's so strange," said Rainbow Dash, the first pony to break out of her awe and speak. "I know," said Twilight, "What a weird thing to see a ruin like this in such a state of perfect preservation." "No," said Rainbow Dash, walking forward towards the statue, the rest of the ponies following her. "Well, yeah, that too, but what I mean is the ice. I chalked up the ice on the gate to frozen dew fall, but the humidity here is too low for that, now that I think about it. There's no rain or snow here, and even if there was, ice doesn't form this way, in a perfect, smooth sheet. It's like everything is coated in glass, or something." "No, it's ice," said Spike. "It melts." "I know. It's so weird," said Rainbow Dash, not even catching the intended facetiousness of Spike's comment. "There should be icicles or uneven spots or something, but everything - everything - is coated with a perfectly even layer. It's like it formed all at once, in an instant, and then never melted or got thicker or anything. It's impossible." "I had no idea you had such an academic take on this sort of thing, Rainbow," said Twilight, amused. "Hey, I'm good at my job," said Rainbow Dash, "and my job is weather." "Once we find the Aethervox, you can have a little while to look around and see if you can figure something out about it, if you want," said Shining Armor. "No," said Rainbow Dash. "It's probably just some weird way things work outside of Equestria. Some kind of weird natural weather pattern, kind of like in the Everfree Forest, maybe." "Oh, my holy Sisters of the Great Lights," Rarity half-whispered. The length of her oath and the fact that she did not scream it made it somehow all the more jarring. "Look." She nodded across the large, central courtyard where the statue loomed. Across the square, close to the nearest of the great stone buildings, there stood what at first appeared to be a group of odd-looking ice formations. Fluttershy in particular recognized them as being like the one she had seen in the gatehouse tower, but in the light she quickly realized that they were something far more horrible than mere blocks of ice. Her heart skipped a beat, and she alone remained silent amongst the gasps and curses that surrounded her. "Ponies," whispered Pinkie Pie, finally. "Frozen ponies." "Nope," said Big Macintosh, darkly. Applejack's voice was barely audible as she spoke what they all were coming in unison to realize. "Frozen horses."
The Sun Eater	Chapter 13: The Face of a Forgotten King	Chapter 13 The Face of a Forgotten King As they moved down the city's broad main street, they saw more and more of the macabre, once-living statues. The horses - earth horses, unicorns, pegasi, stallions and mares, colts and fillies -- were all frozen where they had stood. Most were clad in elaborate garments that seemed suited to some type of festival, and which were totally inappropriate to these icy climes. Laurel wreaths crowned their heads. They were of every color, and had cutie marks, just like ponies. Their faces showed no signs of fear or knowledge of whatever doom had befallen them. It would most likely have been less unsettling if they had. Instead, they seemed mirthful and joyous, as if they had been in the throes of some great celebration. Just as they had for aeons, lovers shared kisses, fathers and mothers knelt to nuzzle their foals, dear friends lifted their cups high in salute of one another, and the old smiled with satisfaction as they looked on the mirth of the young. It seemed that in an instant all had been frozen, along with their entire city. It was completely surreal, a scene to fill the heart with wonder and fear. The ponies continued onward toward the center of the city, proceeding towards a soaring palace they could see rising over even the tallest of the lesser structures in the distance, its top crowned with a spire that gleamed gold, even through its icy shell. As they walked, the crowds of frozen horses became thicker and thicker, growing first into groups of dozens, then into groups of hundreds, and finally into what must have been many thousands, so that they had to weave themselves amongst the grim, eternal revelry. Not even Pinkie Pie was irreverent enough to touch or disturb these long-dead ancestors of her own diminutive race, and not one pony uttered a word. Only the sound of their horseshoes on the pavement heralded their advance. At last, their journey brought them to the outer wall of the palace grounds. The gates, which were similar to those of the city's outer wall, though somewhat smaller and more ornate, stood conveniently open. Passage through them seemed impossible nonetheless, since throngs of the frozen horses had been filing into and out of them at the moment of whatever catastrophe had left them in their current state. Twilight Sparkle exhaled, long and slow, watching her breath dissipate into the cold, cold air. "We're going to have to wiggle our way through," she said, and she shuddered at her own words. Rarity cringed. "Creepy~." She trilled the final syllable through gritted teeth. "Eeyup," said Big Macintosh. "I don't like this," mumbled Fluttershy, slinking backwards, so that her haunches bumped into Rainbow Dash's chest. "None of us do," said Shining Armor, "but we came here to do a job." "It's okay, Fluttershy," said Pinkie Pie, trying her best to sound cheerful, and yet somehow failing. "We'll get in there, find that thing, and be out of here in a jiffy. Just shut your eyes, and..." Fluttershy shook her head rapidly, and began to hyperventilate. "I can't do it. I can't... touch... them." Rainbow Dash tapped her on the shoulder. "Just come with me. We can fly over and find a spot to wait for everypony else." She smiled reassuringly, and Fluttershy began to calm. "Okay," she said, and stretched her wings. The passage through the crowd was cold, claustrophobic, and unnerving, but each pony found paths by which to wedge and push him or herself through. Big Macintosh was of course the most impeded on account of his considerable mass. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, for all their own discomfort, had to stifle laughter at their friends' expressions and behavior as they squeezed themselves out of the frozen crowd. Spike, who had apparently dismounted from Macintosh' back, arrived first, his small size lending itself to the quick discovery of acceptable passages. His words confirmed what his expression had already imparted: "That. Was. Gross." Rarity arrived soon after, to a chorus of "Eww, eww, eww, eww, eww, eww!" Applejack came next, merely sighing in relief. Shining Armor emerged next, followed by his sister. He was only slightly shaken, but Twilight's right eye and the corner of her mouth twitched violently. Big Macintosh finally managed to find one last parting in the crowd and squeeze himself through it. His countenance betrayed not a hint of emotion. "Well," he said "that was cold." "Yeah, are you guys gonna do that again?" Pinkie Pie was somehow standing next to Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been there?" "Since right after you two; I went around." She pointed across the crowded courtyard to a smaller side gate, also open and mostly devoid of the statuesque traffic that clogged the main entrance. Applejack smacked a hoof into her own forehead, and huffed, loudly. "At least we ain't doing that again on the way out." The ponies now took a moment to survey the courtyard. It apparently had been the center of the festival. There were ice-bound dancers and musicians, and all of the horses here seemed to have been intent on what the entertainers had been doing. Several horses wore garments that hinted at priesthood or some other office of considerable rank. One unfortunate pegasus mare, a dancer by the look of her costume, lay in several grizzly, frozen pieces strewn across the center of the circle, her severed head's face unmarred by agony or horror. She had most likely been in flight when the city was frozen at whatever terrible moment, so long ago. The impact of her fall had shattered her frozen body like glass. She was the only real indication thus far of violence, and it was violence she had not even been alive to experience. All of the ponies stared at her wordlessly for several seconds before Twilight noticed that Fluttershy was beginning to hyperventilate. "We should get moving," she said, and nudged Fluttershy with her shoulder so as to divert her attention from the disturbing sight. As the group moved away from the shattered pegasus and towards the large palace, Twilight thought, It probably doesn't help that it's a pegasus. The thought prompted her to look back over her shoulder and take one final look at the mangled, frozen mare. She was surprised to see that Rainbow Dash had not moved, but stood stone still, staring downward at something that lay on the ground before her. "Definitely doesn't help that it's a pegasus," she mumbled. "You guys go on, We'll be right along. I think this place is getting to some of us." Twilight galloped back and stood beside Rainbow Dash. The little pegasus was staring downward at a severed, frozen wing with feathers that were a shade of blue uncomfortably close to her own. She wasn't visibly upset, but she seemed totally unaware of Twilight's presence at her side. "Rainbow?" The pegasus did not reply. "Rainbow Dash." No response. "Are you okay?" Rainbow Dash nodded slightly. By force of will, she finally tore her eyes away from the frozen wing and looked into Twilight's own. Something behind those pink-purple eyes made Twilight take a step back instinctively, but she was unable to identify quite what it was. "Let's go," said Rainbow Dash, her voice devoid of emotion, and she walked off in the direction of the group. Only a minute's walk brought them to a stairway that led upward into the palace. They paused at its base, all of them reluctant to continue onward. "Well, I guess we gotta go in there, whether any of us likes it, or not," Applejack said, as she lifted her hoof onto one of the stone stairs, poignantly aware of how small it seemed. "I wonder what it's like for Celestia to have to live in a world meant for ponies half her size," mused Twilight in a detached voice, as she followed her friend. The rest of the group followed, moving gingerly over the ice-coated stairs. Macintosh and Shining Armor quickly overtook the mares by virtue of their longer legs, so that they reached the top first, where they stood in silence and waited, staring forward at something the others could not see. As they reached the peak of the stairway, the ponies all realized what it was that had so transfixed the two stallions: The door to the palace stood open, and something inside was casting a dim, golden glow. "Can I just wait here?" asked Fluttershy, as Shining Armor took a step forward. The unicorn turned his head towards her. "Alone?" Fluttershy followed him immediately, the first pony to do so. Twilight, her curiosity overcoming her fear, ran ahead of the other ponies and was the first through the door. "Twilie, wait up! We don't know what's in there!" Shining Armor's plea went unheeded, until, that is, Twilight actually reached the door, and saw the scene which lay beyond. There, she stopped in her tracks, and surveyed her surroundings as the others all came to crowd around her. There had been a great feast taking place. Important looking horses were everywhere, along with entertainers of all types. The hall was circular, forming the base of the great, golden spire that towered above, and surprisingly, that spire was totally hollow, so that looking up seemed to draw one's eyes into a deepening black void, though a great spiral of chandeliers that would once have lit it did seem to begin in its lower reaches. The circumference of the hall was hung with great, crimson tapestries, now frozen as solid as the horses themselves. Each one bore an infinity symbol woven in gold, and rendered as a pair of snakes, each one consuming the tail of the other, as in an Ouroboros. Everywhere, there were signs of decadence. Piles of food and even what appeared to be various kinds of narcotics sat frozen solid upon platters all over a huge, semicircular table that ran around three quarters of the hall. There were horses obviously passed out, horses frozen in acts of drug use, and horses surrounded by and even publicly receiving the services of courtesans. It was a scene of bizarre, macabre, debauchery. As the ponies gathered around Twilight, they expressed varying degrees of amusement, horror, and disgust. "This must have been one hell of a good time," said Pinkie Pie. "I agree," said Rarity. "At least until they were all frozen solid, that is, but if you have to die, I suppose you could do worse than an instantaneous death while tripping balls and neck deep in chocolate." She looked at a pale yellow unicorn mare who stood frozen nearby, clad in an elegant ensemble that marked her as probably having been an expensive courtesan. "And you stay fabulous forever." "Look," said Shining Armor, nodding across the hall. There, frozen like all the others, seated on two thrones, were a pair of alicorns. One was obviously a queen, white like Celestia, but with a solid green mane, thick with curl and pooling with her tail about her seated haunches. Her head hung low and her posture betrayed what appeared to be sadness, even amidst this unrestrained excess and mirth. The other, who was granite gray and had a stark white mane, they all recognized as the same alicorn depicted by the great statue at the gate. He sat high and proud, wings outstretched, gazing upon the source of the dim glow that illuminated the hall: the Aethervox. The frozen alicorn king had it balanced on his extended right forehoof. It looked exactly as Celestia had described: a golden horse's heart, clad in bands of polished black iron which were themselves ornately engraved and studded with diamonds. "Well, that's what we came here for, isn't it?" said Shining Armor, taking a deep breath as he stepped into the hall. "Yes," said Twilight. "Let's go get it." Moving amidst the strange scene filled the ponies with a sense of utmost dread and trepidation. Here the cold seemed greatest, and its intensity grew as they neared the thrones. Ascending the stairs that led to them, they found themselves shivering violently, even in their cold-weather clothing. "Gods... I don't know how we'll be able to carry it, if it's what's causing this cold," said Twilight. She thought briefly that there was a very real risk she would be frozen solid if she laid a hoof on it. "Ice is technically just a mineral, right?" she thought. "Not as if I've never been turned to stone, before." She took a deep breath, and reached up towards the heart. As her hoof neared it, she stopped, astonished by a most unexpected sensation. "It's... warm?" Twilight's voice was soaked with surprise. She laid her hoof on it, and at her touch, the golden heart throbbed with an audible thump. Twilight drew back her hoof in surprise, and in doing so, accidentally touched the extended foreleg of the frozen king. She screamed in pain, jerking her hoof in close to her body, and her brother jumped to her side. "Are you okay!?" "I'm okay," she said. "He's so cold! It felt like a burn!" She grunted and bit her lip, then wrung her hoof for a second before placing it back on the floor. "The cold is coming from him," she said, nodding sharply at the king, "not the Aethervox!" "Well, let's just take it, and go," said Rainbow Dash, moving towards the golden, beating heart. "Hold on!" Shining Armor extended a hoof out to stop Rainbow Dash. "We don't know what will happen when we move it. It could be what sustains this enchantment. If we remove it, they might all unfreeze!" "And what?" asked Macintosh. "Start to stink? They're all dead." "This is powerful magic, said Shining Armor. They could turn into wraiths or even some kind of zombies or something!" Spike gulped as Shining Armor continued to speak. "At the very least, they might all somehow still be alive, and wonder where we came from, and why we're crashing their party." "Twilight, you promised me there was no such thing as zombie ponies," said the little dragon, reaching up to tug at Twilight's mane. She replied without even bothering to shake the frightened dragon's claw off of her hair. "One, I said nothing at all about zombie horses. Two, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Changelings, elder gods of entropy, - oh yeah, and the city we're all standing in; those weren't supposed to exist, either. Three, that's a golden, iron-clad, still-living equine heart, which, theoretically, should allow us to communicate with beings that could probably destroy us in ways our senses can't fully comprehend. In short, I've kind of backed off my position on the whole 'undead' thing, Spike." "Take it." Twilight sighed, then spoke again. "Not until we... Wait, who said that?" "Take it, I beg of you," came the same disembodied voice, raspy, weary, quiet, and above all pleading. The ponies all looked around in alarm, unsure of who or what was speaking. Shining Armor's horn glowed as he readied a defensive spell. "Who are you? Show yourself!" "I was known to the world as Omnequus Rex," came the voice, prompting all eyes to turn towards the king on the throne, whose haughty expression had somehow changed to one of crushing sorrow. As the voice continued, he remained frozen and unmoving, but all of the ponies were certain that he was its source. "But in the days before I took that name, I was called Windigo." "Windigo? Do you mean to tell me..." The voice continued before Twilight could finish her sentence. "Please, take it. Take it from my sight... forever." The king's sapphire-blue eyes glowed faintly for just a moment, and somehow, through the ice, itself, a huge tear emerged. Steam poured off of it as it rolled down his frozen cheek, but it never reached the floor. Instead, it became a single, tiny icicle which hung beneath his face. "Please." "Al... Alright," stuttered Twilight, but when she attempted to take the Aethervox, she found that her magic could not levitate it. Something about its very nature canceled even her most basic telekinesis. She gave it a push with her hoof, and found its weight impressive, which was unsurprising, given the fact that, despite its slow throbbing, it was solid gold, and the size of a large horse's heart -- larger even than Princess Celestia's, Twilight had already surmised. "Big Mac, I can't carry it with magic," said the purple unicorn, "and it's really heavy." The big, red pony positioned himself just beside the king's hoof, and winced as his hide came into contact with the frozen alicorn's warmth-stealing corpse. "Push it off onto my back," he said. "Spike, hop up there and balance it as best as you can." Still afraid of some horror being unleashed by the disturbance of the artifact, Twilight took a deep breath and pushed, grunting loudly. Seeing that the heart remained unmoved, Rainbow Dash flew over and added her own impetus to the task. Slowly, the Aethervox half-slid, half-rolled off the frozen hoof upon which it had sat, unmoving, since time immemorial. Everypony held their breath, looking around in fear and horror, expecting some cataclysm as the iron-bound, golden heart landed heavily on the red stallion's back, prompting him to grunt under its weight. Nothing happened. The ice did not melt. The horses did not unfreeze. No monster or wraith appeared to seek vengeance. There was only the faint sound of a breath being slowly released, as by one breathing his last. It might have been the wind moving through the open door of the palace, but they all knew better. They left in silence, shutting both the door of the palace and the mighty gates of the city behind them as they went, for the doors of a tomb, after all, should remain shut. There for all time would that place remain, just as it had been at the moment when the legend of the Windigo was born. It would remain unchanged but for the absence of the Aethervox' light in the great hall, and for the presence of a single icicle, a tear upon the face of a forgotten king.
The Sun Eater	Chapter 14: To be Only a Part	Chapter 14 To be Only a Part Weeks later, Princess Celestia stood alone in a crystalline cave, far below Canterlot Castle, staring at the Aethervox. It rested on a small pedestal which had formerly sat in a little-used vestibule of the castle, and had been home to a bust of herself for which she had never particularly cared. The golden heart throbbed rhythmically, emitting a low, gentle thump with each contraction, and its glow reflected and refracted in every imaginable way in the small chamber of this crystal cavern. "I can't help but wonder from whom this heart was cut," she said to no one but herself, "and how." She stared at it for awhile longer, thinking over the story she had been told of its recovery. "I suppose the price has been paid for that bloodshed, but I still feel somehow profane in seeking to use a thing born of such darkness." "Then leave it to me," came her sister's voice from behind her. "The dark and the profane are two areas of my utmost expertise, after all." Luna stepped up beside Celestia and examined the glowing ball of throbbing, golden muscle. "Oh, no," Celestia said, shaking her head. "Nopony does anything with this thing until we're sure of how to make it do what we want, even if it takes a thousand years for us to understand how to make that happen." "Relax," said Luna. "I'm only joking, and nopony knows it's here. We can feel free to poke, prod, and experiment to our hearts' content until we figure out the magic words." "Magic words?" Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Still joking," said Luna, "but we could always try 'please.'" At this, Celestia snickered. "What time is it, anyway," she said. "Four in the afternoon," Luna replied. "I just woke up." Celestia then noticed a faint glow at the tip of Luna's horn, and a steaming cup of coffee levitating near her head.. It moved in front of Luna's face, then tipped upward, allowing her to take a sip. Celestia sighed. "Sleep well?" "No," Luna growled. Celestia snorted. "We're both going to go insane if we don't figure out how this thing works." "Oh, you might," said Luna, an edge of wicked humor in her voice. "I'm used to nightmares." "So," said Celestia, "what do we try first?" "Well, Twilight Sparkle said magic didn't affect it, right?" "Right." Celestia sucked air through her teeth as she thought. "It must be activated by some mundane means." Luna took another sip of coffee. "Seriously... Have you tried talking to it?" Celestia huffed in exasperation. "Would you just stop suggesting that?" She rolled her eyes and looked at Luna. "What would I even say?" "I don't know." Luna crossed her eyes and blabbered like a clown as she continued speaking. "Oh, mysterious Aethervox, heart of a slain god, cast my voice unto the heavens that I may..." The heart began to beat rapidly, glowing noticeably brighter as it did so, and Luna immediately stopped speaking. The Aethervox quickly settled back to its previous state. Celestia blinked at the glowing artifact. "Hmm." * * * Applejack and Pinkie Pie were laying in the castle garden, watching the sunset. "This has been a long, weird trip," said Applejack. "You want to go find a bar?" Pinkie Pie's suggestion seemed unusually half-hearted, but not glum. "Nah." "Yeah, me neither. I'm actually enjoying the quiet, for once, as crazy as things have been." "I do have a bottle of firewater, though," said Applejack, reaching under her hat to produce a small bottle of bourbon she had apparently procured at some point earlier in the day. "How do you keep that up there, anyway?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie, I seen you pull a goddamned cannon out of your ass before, and you're asking me how I hide a bottle of whiskey under my hat?" Applejack turned to Pinkie Pie, who had somehow produced a pair of liquor glasses from out of nowhere. "See what I mean?" She poured some whiskey into each glass, and slipped the bottle back under her hat. "Point taken," said Pinkie. Rarity's voice startled both of the earth ponies. "You know, if the sun hasn't completely set, it's still technically day drinking." Applejack and Pinkie turned to see Rarity wearing a yellow, floral-pattern dress with a matching hat. "That's new," said Pinkie, as she raised her glass to her lips. She coughed twice as it came away, and cleared her throat. "Well, I don't get to come to Canterlot every day, you know." Rarity's voice held its customary, haughty edge. "No reason to miss the opportunity to do some shopping." "Long as you don't make me go with you," said Applejack, sipping her bourbon. "Darling, you look absolutely ravishing in a nice evening dress, and you know it." Rarity, batted her eyes and grinned at Applejack as she daintily placed herself on the grass beside her. Applejack chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I do. Whiskey?" She offered Rarity her glass. "Oh thank you." The unicorn took a swig, and her face scrunched up into an expression of pure rancor. "How do you drink this awful stuff?" Applejack smirked. "I think about shopping." The rustling of hooves in the grass turned the trio's eyes rearward, and they saw Twilight and Fluttershy moving to join them. "Hey, gang!" Twilight's voice sounded more cheerful than it had since before they had first arrived in Canterlot months ago. "Howdy," said Applejack. "Where's RD?" "There's a Wonderbolts derby," said Fluttershy. "Where do you think she is?" "On the front row," said Pinkie Pie. "Yep," said Twilight, "and Spike's right beside her. I hope. She said she'd keep him out of trouble, but..." "Ah-ah," said Applejack. She drained the last of the whiskey, then removed the bottle once again from her hat. She refilled the glass as she spoke. "If you're gonna worry, do me a favor and go do it somewhere else. This just ain't the time or the place." She put the bottle away, and looked at Pinkie Pie. "Ain't it something else? Twi's got the Archives, Rarity's got the boutiques, Fluttershy's got the garden here, and Rainbow Dash is at a Wonderbolts show. You and me better find some way to have a good time, Pinkie, or this whole thing's just a bunch of bad dreams, cold weather, long walks, and dead cities." She took a sip. "And let's not forget being ripped to shreds and having to be put back together." She drank again. "That was somethin' special in its own right." "Are you not having a good time, Applejack?" Pinkie Pie asked teasingly. "I am." "I got to put some hoof into Nightmare Moon, I got a long vacation from the farm, and I seen things ain't nopony else ever seen," replied the orange pony, taking a sip of her liquor. "I reckon I am having a good time." She sighed. "But it'll be applebuck season soon, and they'll need me back home." "I guess we can all go home whenever we want," said Twilight. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna said they'd take care of the situation from here. There's no use in us staying here and worrying ourselves sick." "I like Canterlot," said Fluttershy. "but it's been so long... I'm ready to go home, too. I really miss Angel Bunny and all the other animals. Not to mention all my pony friends, of course." "Yeah," said Twilight. "I miss everypony back home, too." She smiled. "Home... It seems so natural to call Ponyville home, now." Just then, the sun finally sank beneath the horizon. Pinkie Pie jumped up excitedly, and turned around. "Let's watch Princess Luna raise the moon!" All the ponies turned, and as if on cue, the moon rose into the sky, Princess Luna silhouetted against its silver form. She must have noticed the group, because she immediately flew in their direction. "Hey, here she comes!" Pinkie Pie hopped up and down as she heralded the Princess' approach. Luna dropped in front of the group, and dusted herself off. "You know, I don't actually have to do it that way. I just like to remind all the little foals that I'm out there. You should see how they run and hide if I go out in the daytime. It's adorable." "Well, you are kinda scary when you're mad," said Pinkie Pie. "Then don't make me mad." Luna smiled. "We think we figured out how the Aethervox works." "Wow! How did you figure it out so fast?" asked Twilight. Luna scratched the back of her neck with her forehoof. "Lucky break... Anyway, we've decided that there's no point in putting off the inevitable. We're going to use it tonight." "Aw, hell," said Applejack, draining the last of her whiskey. "What are you going to do," asked Twilight. "We're simply going to try and ask Cenasolus why he, she, or it does the things he, she, or it does. We must know this in order to understand how we can either placate or defeat this being." "And if it won't speak to us?" Twilight held her breath. "We use the Aethervox as a channel through which to unleash every ounce of magical energy we can muster against it. All of Celestia's power, mine, the Elements of Harmony, and the magic of every powerful unicorn in Canterlot. We've already sent for them all." "Where is this going to happen?" asked Twilight. Luna looked around. "Well, here. Right here in Canterlot, I mean; not here, specficially. We considered doing it elsewhere, but we have to think about the whole world, here - not just Canterlot. The caverns beneath the palace are some of the deepest in Equestria. Hopefully, they will shield the planet from whatever... catastrophe... our actions may release.' "As for all of you, Celestia is waiting in Canterlot Tower. Go get the elements and meet back here as quickly as you can. She and I will lead you to where we have the Aethervox hidden. We mean to get started within the hour." "Aw, double hell," said Applejack, producing once more her bottle of whiskey, and this time taking a pull directly from its spout. At that moment Rainbow Dash landed amidst the group. She was wearing a Spitfire T-shirt with Spitfire's signature scrawled onto it near the image of her face. Spike was seated on her back, and was holding a tiny figurine of some member of the Wonderbolts. Rainbow Dash was beaming, as was to be expected. "You guys! It was amazing," she said. There were a couple of seconds of awkward silence. "Why does everypony look so... nervous?" * * * The descent into the crystal caverns took less time than the ponies had expected. Apparently, Celestia had gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to have a large, complex system of elevators and bridges installed since the caverns were rediscovered. Now, every single pony stood in a wide circle around the Aethervox. All were weak-kneed and sweaty, with one notable exception: Applejack's whiskey buzz - if it could indeed still be considered merely a "buzz" -- had her completely relaxed. In addition to Twilight and her friends, Shining Armor and Cadance were both present, along with half a dozen unicorns of various ages, several of whom had been among Twilight's instructors in her advanced classes. Princess Celestia stepped into the center of the circle, and began to slowly pace around its inner circumference as she addressed the group. "We do not know what will happen when speak to this being. Many of you have only just today even been made aware of its existence and of the threat which it poses. After some deliberation, Luna and I have decided that the only right course of action is to confront it directly, as we would any potential foe, in an effort to seek a peaceful solution. Failing that, we mean to unleash upon it all the mightiest magic we have in our arsenal - in other words, all of you. Should that become necessary, hold nothing back. "We believe that we can reach Cenasolus through the Aethervox because his attentions are already fixed on our world. Under normal circumstances, the Aethervox does not respond to magical stimulation, but we feel that this is most likely because it is redirecting it to a distant point in the cosmos, once occupied by whatever being it was last used to reach. In other words, if you cast your spells at the Aethervox, they should hit Cenasolus, assuming we have successfully managed to contact it, but such measures should not be necessary. It is our belief that we should be able to solve this diplomatically." Luna snorted a laugh. "Our belief or your hope? The last time I saw you try diplomacy, you were trying it on me. I seem to recall that it didn't go... swimmingly." Several ponies standing in the circle snickered, and Celestia sighed heavily. "There is a notable difference, here, sister," said Celestia, cuttingly "in that I have no particular qualms about responding in kind should this enemy attempt to destroy me. With you, circumstances were... muddled. Still, I am confident a bloodless solution can be found." "Right, right," said Luna. "In other words, everypony point your horns at the big, gold heart, focus carefully, and get ready to unleash holy hell." Celestia slapped her face with a hoof. "You just can't resist, can you?" "Can," grinned Luna. "Don't want to." Applejack raised a hoof. "Yes, Applejack," said Celestia. "What if you ain't... ya know... got a horn?" Celestia glanced left and right, and pursed her lips in thought. "You know what? Just watch, and be ready." "Can do," said Applejack. "Now, Luna," said Celestia, "would you like to blabber at it like a nincompoop, again, or should I be the one to address the ageless god of entropy?" Several ponies blinked and cocked their heads in confusion. "Oh, you get this one, sister," said Luna. "You love to hear yourself talk." Celestia let out a low, irritable huff. Luna smiled. "You know I love you, right?" "I know," said Celestia. "Believe me, I know." She turned to the Aethervox. As she spoke, the heart began to throb rapidly and loudly, and to glow more and more brightly. "Oh, mysterious Aethervox, heart of a slain god, cast my voice unto the heavens that I may address the one who seeks the life of this world, by whatever name that power may be known to itself." The response was immediate, and everypony there heard it. It was not thunderously loud. It was not demonic or horrifying. It was simply a voice, androgynous and dispassionate. It spoke in the strange language that had marked Rarity's episode in the castle, but somehow, the ponies' minds all perceived the words as if they were spoken in their own tongue. "Name? I do not understand this word." Celestia paused for a moment, and everypony tensed in anticipation of what would happen. Finally, she spoke again. "A name is what you are called by others." "Then should it not be given to me by others, as well?" "Very well," said Celestia. "We have called you Cenasolus. It is a word my father created to name you, before you consumed his soul. It means 'Sun Eater.'" "Then as Cenasolus shall I be known by others, though others I have not known." Celestia's voice took on mild confusion as she spoke to the voice emitting from the glowing, throbbing heart. "I don't think I understand you." "All that there is becomes me, so that I know only myself. Indeed, I am unsure of what... you... are. That is the word when one speaks to another, is it not? 'You?'" Celestia's mouth hung slightly open. "Do you mean to tell me that we are the first other beings you have known?" "Yes," responded the voice. "All that I consume is in me, but I do not know it or have communion with it, for there is no need to commune with that which is in myself. That is why I consume." "But you consumed our father," said Celestia. "My sister's and mine! He gave himself up to you to save us from your hunger! Surely you must remember him!" "I remember no other. I remember nothing. I do not distinguish between... others. There is only all that is not me, and all that is me, and all that is not me must become me, so that all may be known to me. As you have said, you yourselves are the first 'others' I have ever known. How is it that you have come to have communion with me in this way?" "It is..." Celestia paused for several moments. "Through a power that we ourselves do not understand." She paused again, but the voice did not respond. Finally, she spoke once more. "Do you mean to tell me, that you have known nothing but yourself for all of time?" "For all of time and for all of many times before this time." "Times before this time? What do you mean?" asked Celestia. "Many times have I consumed. All becomes me, then I become it, then it becomes me, again. I know nothing else." Now, Luna spoke up, "How... many times has this happened?" "Many more than many." "What is the number?" Luna asked insistently. "There is no number." "You have been alone..." Luna paused. "I mean, without others... forever?" "I have been as I am." "Is this why you consume?" asked Celestia. "As I have said, I consume because I must be one." "What can it mean to you to be one," asked Luna, "if there are no others?" "It is to be me, the one you call Cenasolus." Neither Celestia, Luna, nor anypony in the circle could think of a way to respond to this. After several seconds, the voice spoke again, and strangely there seemed to be a tremor in it, as of one resisting the urge to weep. "But now that I know there are others, I feel... strange." Celestia responded, "Strange in what way?" "I do not know this feeling. I cannot explain it." Once again, all in the circle fell silent. After some time, Luna spoke. "You... are lonely?" asked Luna. "What is this word?" "It means what you have said," Celestia replied. "That you know that you are alone." "And," added Luna, after a moment, "that you do not want to be alone." "No," said the voice, and here it paused for a moment before continuing. "I do not want to be alone." Twilight Sparkle suddenly spoke. "Well, you're not alone, now. You're here with us, aren't you?" "I am not there with you. I am where I have always been, within a great gulf born of myself. I do not understand how it is that you have come to speak to me, for within this gulf have I ever been one... I have ever been... alone." Fluttershy stepped forward, her jaw slightly agape, and spoke, her words stunningly calm. "That's horrible." "What is this word, 'horrible?'" asked the voice. "Horrible? Horrible is..." Fluttershy struggled for a way to define the word. "It's horrible to be alone forever. It's horrible to never know anyone or anything but yourself, even if you know exactly who you are. No. That makes it worse, I think, because that would only make you feel more lonely. It's horrible to be lonely. It's horrible to never have a friend." There was a long silence. The aethervox continued to glow and thump. Finally, the voice returned, once more. "What is a 'friend?'" Twilight Sparkle took off the tiara that bore the element of magic. Then, she stepped forward into the circle. "A friend is another... with whom you are also one." "How is this possible, to be one, and to be another?" Twilight Sparkle bit her lower lip, then spoke carefully, choosing her words with slow, meticulous consideration. "I don't have an answer for that question, but if you want to find one, I promise I will help you search for it." "So will I," said Pinkie Pie. "And me," said Rainbow Dash. "Me too," said Rarity. "I'm right there with you," said Applejack. "And I'll help you, too," said Fluttershy. "And so will we," said Celestia, nodding to Luna, who also nodded in agreement. "All of us will," said Cadance, gesturing to the circle. The voice spoke again, this time in a whisper. "Then may all be one if it will be one, but I will be only a part of it." The Aethervox glowed brightly, and the heart within the iron bands began to shrink, glowing ever more brightly as it did so. The iron bands, now far too large to confine the heart, fell away from it, and clanged to the ground. Every single pony, even Celestia, was compelled to look away as the light grew more and more intense, flickering and coruscating over the crystalline chamber so that its wild intensity seemed to consume everything in sight. At last there was a great flash, totally absent of heat, and the room went almost totally dark, devoid now of the Aethervox' light. Several small lights began to glow around the chamber, each one at the tip of some unicorn's horn. Finally, a significantly larger and more powerful one, cast by Princess Celestia, shone outward from the tip of her horn then levitated upward from it, casting a warm glow over the room. Then, the big, white alicorn saw something that compelled her to use a word she rarely spoke. "Wow." It was barely a whisper. Upon the pedestal, curled up inside one of the iron bands, there lay a tiny, gold-colored earth pony foal. Upset by the light, it began to bawl like any newborn. Celestia stepped up and gently touched the tiny pony's head with the side of her hoof. It seemed to be calmed by her touch, and fell almost immediately to sleep. Luna stepped forward to stand beside her sister, and examined the foal. There was a hint of awe in her voice as she spoke. "Is this... Cenasolus?" "No," whispered Celestia. "Well, yes, I think," she said more loudly, "but that's a terrible name. I think we should call him something else." Fluttershy stepped up to the pedestal where the sleeping foal lay, and gazed at the tiny pony with a mixture of feelings so complicated that she could not even begin to understand them. "Shimmershine," she said. "That's a good name for a colt, isn't it?" Twilight Sparkle joined her in looking at the foal, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I think it is, Fluttershy." She looked up at Princess Celestia. "Princess?" "You know," said the white alicorn, "I think that's perfect." Rainbow Dash was next to approach the sleeping infant. "Why an earth pony?" she asked. "Why not?" asked Applejack, mildly perturbed. Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Fair enough." Pinkie Pie jumped into the middle of the group, and made a time-out signal with her hooves. "Okay, everypony, we need somepony to get this kid somewhere safe, soft, and warm, preferably with a bottle, right now." "Pinkie Pie, how... strangely appropriate of you," said Twilight Sparkle. "You're exactly right." "Of course I'm right," said Pinkie Pie. "As long as he's here, we can't have a party!" * * * Celestia sat in the castle infirmary, staring at the sleeping foal that Fluttershy had named Shimmershine. He lay in a tiny crib that had been hastily procured from storage. Celestia had meant to give it as a gift to Shining Armor and Cadance, some day. A mobile made in a model of the solar system hung above it, and Celestia was slowly spinning it by way of her telekinesis. When she released it, It began to slowly rotate in the opposite direction, and a music box inside its base played a bittersweet, lilting tune. Celestia recognized it as the same lullaby her parents had sung to her and Luna the night their father had died. Strange, the things that endured the ages. In the morning, she would see to finding Shimmershine appropriate adoptive parents who would allow her to keep a close watch on him, but for the time being this was the best, safest place he could be. There was a nurse there as well, an orange unicorn mare who slept nearby on a cot. She was charged with taking care of anything the foal should he cry out in the night, and Celestia had total confidence in her ability. All the same, she couldn't bring herself to leave the room. A shadow still loomed in her mind and heart. "There you are," came Luna's voice. "You're missing a fantastic party. That Pinkie Pie has a real talent for debauchery." "Trust me," chuckled Celestia, turning her head. "I know." "What are you doing here?" asked Luna. "The baby will be fine." Luna came and sat next to her sister, but Celestia didn't say a word. "What's troubling you?" Luna finally asked. Celestia smiled and dropped her head. Her sister could always tell when something weighed heavy on her. "Luna, the Aethervox was the heart of a murdered god. It could grant anypony the ability to speak to beings of terrible, terrible power..." Celestia's words trailed off. "And that heart beats inside Shimmershine's tiny chest," said Luna, affirmatively. "Exactly," replied Celestia. "So you've thought of that, too, I see? When did you grow up?" "Somewhere between trying to kill you, trying to kill myself, having myself try to kill me, and then deciding to not kill myself in return. Weren't you paying attention?" "Off and on," whispered Celestia. "I've thought of many other things, too," said Luna. "What if he's immortal? What if he somehow remembers who and what he is, one day? What if others find out what he is, and come after him meaning to misuse whatever power he may or may not have?" Celestia lifted her head. "What if he doesn't remember who or what he is?" she asked. "What if he does have some terrible power, and is unable to control it? What if he speaks into the heavens and calls down upon our world a horror greater even than the thing he once was?" "What if he grows up to be an ordinary earth pony, and lives happily ever after?" asked Luna. "Now there," said Celestia, "is a question I had not even considered." She looked down at the sleeping colt. A tired little smile spread across her lips, and a tear rolled off her cheek. Luna wanted to hug her sister; to tell her that everything would be alright. She wanted to lay her face alongside Celestia's, and let her sister feel the tickle of her own fur on her cheek the way she'd so often done when they were fillies. But they were not fillies, and those days were in a long distant past. They had been that kind of family once, but they were not longer. They could not be again. "Come with me," Luna finally said, her voice calm and low. "You're missing the party." With that, she turned, and walked through the door, leaving it open behind her. Celestia took one last look at the sleeping foal. "Ever after is such a long time," she said. Then, she stood, and followed her sister out the door, shutting it gently behind her. finem
The Sun Eater	Author's Notes	Let me begin by just thanking Huussii of Deviantart once more for allowing me to use "Celestial Nightmare" for this fanfic's accompanying image. Now, on to my notes. This fanfiction was written over the course of about six months, from February to October of 2012. I wrote this piece for two primary reasons: 1) I wanted to practice for later works to be written in a world and with characters of my own creation. 2) I wanted to see what would happen if I wrote MLP:FiM fanfiction while reading the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft. I consider both of these goals to have been resoundingly accomplished. It could be that I never write another piece of MLP fanfiction, and if I do not, it's not because I have anything against the community, or because I am dissatisfied with this piece. On the contrary, without this community, I would not have considered the project worthwhile, and since I am, in fact, so pleased with it, that would have been a terrible thing. I simply wish to focus on original writing projects and on my music. When writing this work, I did not think of the characters as being physically on-model to the show. Shape-wise, they were as they are seen in the cartoon show, but in my mind, they were seen in a much more painterly style, and were far more realistically shaded and detailed. This allowed me to put some distance between what I was writing and the MLP:FiM that I have come to know and love. Details like Twilight Sparkle being a chain smoker, Rarity's drug use, etc. were added partly for comedy, but also partly as story elements, and as a natural progression of the darkening of the world. In context, I think they enhance and legitimize the characters beyond their sometimes "kiddy" show personae. Twilight Sparkle, for instance, seemed like a very thin character in my earliest drafts, but as soon as I added the detail of her being bent over books compulsively flicking at a cigarette, she really came alive for me. It was the same with the adult language. The first draft seemed incredibly sterile up until the point where Luna says "Oh Shit." I could think of nothing else for her to say, so I just said "To hell with it, let's have her cuss; it's just a fanfic." As soon as I made that decision, everything opened up, and I began to darken things by shades until I ended up with the product you have here. Some will ask why I didn't really augur in for the comedy of some of these things, like having Twilight smoke "Equestrian Spirits," or some such. The short version is that I just felt that if I went that route, I'd just be making what was supposed to be a character element into a joke. "Hardy har har, Twilight Sparkle's a hipster." We've all heard that joke, and it's just not that funny, anymore. I'm putting all this in my notes simply to reinforce the fact that, even if something seems really extreme, nothing that any character says or does in this fanfic was added merely for "shits and giggles." I legitimately approached each character's dialogue and decision-making processes from as near a mindset to their own as I could find within myself. As a result, there are moments when a character may do something that seems almost anticlimactic. Sometimes, in real life, that's just what happens, and it was my goal here to create a fantasy-horror version of Equestria that was also a bridge to reality. I hope you enjoy this work of fiction, and I hope that if I ever do get around to writing my original works, you'll come looking for them as well. Thanks, Mannulus
Desires	pre	Seeing nothing more was happening, Carousel gave a sigh of relief. She dropped herself to the side in a cartwheel style, allowing her to shift her stance to an upright position. No longer upside down, she stood on her hind legs, resting against and in between the walls. Carousel skidded along the slim path, sliding against the walls. The path wasn't long, but it took a bit of effort to get through, slowly moving one hoof after the other. Carousel managed to slide out of the corridor regardless. The walls that had fallen from both her front and her back didn't take up the whole room, so she wasn't trapped. Getting out of the corridor, Carousel was now able to stand on all four legs again. She gave her tail a large flick in the air, causing some dust to fly off. She used her hoof to dust off the rest of the uncomfortable debris on her. Carousel looked back towards the walls that were now blocking her path back. She put a hoof on it, giving a slight chuckle. And then she dipped her head down, giving off a disappointed sigh. Carousel turned away from the wall. After taking a look towards her wings to make sure they were still secured properly, she continued walking down her path. The path contained multiple sets of unequipped pony armor on both sides. Each one contained a spear, but the top of each spear contained a lit torch, rather than a blade. It looked as if a red carpet was laid straight in the middle of the path, just for the explorer. It looked rather, unsettling. But even more unsettling, was the feeling rushing towards Carousel's head. She grunted, closing her eyes in an attempt to block it out. She knew it was futile, but she kept walking. The rush to her head grew. The pain made itself apparent, but she continued walking. Her breathing became a low growl. She tried to force the air to blow out through her gritting teeth. She endured the pain for as long as she could. "Ahhh..." But she knew it was futile. The pain in her head would come. She stopped walking, dropping her body to the ground. She could no longer keep her teeth clenched together. "Ahhh!" Carousel placed both fore hooves on her head. The rush in her head continued. Images were returning to her mind. "Aaaaahhhhhhh!" She continued to cry out her pain. The sounds echoed through the temple corridors. If she wasn't so deep inside the temple, or the forest that contained the temple, other ponies could probably hear it. ______________________________________________________________________________ The images returned to her. Carousel saw herself, traversing other temples, reliving all the pain and hardships that came from them. Rocks collided with her, arrows scraped her, and fires scorched her. She traveled many different plains, many different temples, and many different challenges. But she never recalled where or when these challenges occurred. The images didn't even show light or color. She found herself running from the corridor she was just in a few minutes ago. But instead of dodging traps, she was running from a black void. The void was chasing her, and it was winning the chase. The void engulfed her. ______________________________________________________________________________ "Aahhh..." The images were disappearing and the pain was subsiding. The rush towards her head was now leaving her. "Ahh..." Carousel was resting on the floor, panting deeply, but quietly. This wasn't the first time she had experienced this rush, and she knew it certainly wouldn't be the last. She just lied there, continuing to pant, recovering from the rush. While she couldn't recall her previous adventures, she could still remember the reason for her being here. Recovering her strength, Carousel was able to pick herself back up. She took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and then exhaled. "If this temple doesn't end me, my head certainly will," Carousel stated to herself while rubbing her head. "How Much Longer Must I Traverse These Halls?!" she suddenly yelled out. This rise in her voice caused a small bit of debris to fall from the ceiling. Carousel placed her hoof up to the red collar that she wore around her neck. She shifted it around a bit, getting a feel to it. "Huh..." Carousel thought as she felt her collar. "I've only been traveling for a few minutes. Why does it feel longer?" Carousel shook her head and sighed, dispersing this thought from her mind. She used her hoof to turn the collar around. Now that she had calmed down, she continued to follow the path through the temple. The path continuously contained multiple stands of the same pony armor with the same spears of lit torches on both sides. At the end of the path, those pieces of armor led to some sort of inscription held on a stand. It appeared to hold instructions for what was next. Taking a look past the stand, there was another huge hole in the floor, with no sort of way of crossing. At the end of it was an engraved hole. It would look like something could be inserted there. But before she thought any further on it, Carousel read the inscriptions on the stand. "Beyond lies a piece of our treasure, one last test of abilities to prove. Demonstrate your strength and balance; the final key will meet your brute. Claim your weapon, and secure your goal." There was a large crank noise that sounded when Carousel finished reading the inscriptions. The stand was starting to move on its own. It was sinking in the ground. Carousel stepped back as the stand continued to sink. She then heard something else. Looking up, she saw an opening in the ceiling. Something was falling from in there. Carousel moved her tail towards a spear that one of the empty pony armors held. She wrapped her tail around it, using her tail to remove the spear from the armor's grip. "Strength and balance..." Carousel thought out loud. She looked towards the engraved hole ahead of her. "Maybe in there..." The sound was getting closer. With the spear in her grip, Carousel flicked her tail to extinguish the flame that was lit on top of it. She propped herself into position, swaying her tail back and forth in the air, keeping a close eye for the object to appear. The object came into view. Carousel readied herself as soon as she saw it, not even thinking about what it was. As soon as the object came into striking distance, she swung the spear, trying to hit the target. But, she missed. The force of her swing caused the spear to continue its momentum and circle around, hitting the back of her head. The sound of the object colliding against the floor, and a bladeless spear colliding against Carousel's head, sounded at the same time. "Nnnrgh!" A large grunt could be heard coming out of Carousel's mouth as she stumbled with her steps, causing her to twist and turn her movements to opposite directions. She collapsed to the floor on her back. Her head nearly collided against the object. The spear fell out of her grasp, sticking to the floor. Carousel grasped her hooves to the back of her head, gritting her teeth in the pain she just induced herself. "Mmph..." Carousel rubbed the back of her head a few several times. It was rather refreshing compared to what she experienced earlier, but at the same time, irritating. Carousel tilted herself backwards and then kicked off the ground with her forelegs. This allowed her to stand back up immediately. Carousel gave off a visible snort through her snout, stomping both her fore hooves on the ground, twice, looking towards the engraved hole past the stand while letting a bit of steam loose. After that short moment, Carousel took a glance back at her right wing, making sure it was okay. She looked towards the object she tried to hit with the spear earlier. All she could identify about it was that the object was shaped like a cube. She looked towards the engraved hole, seeing that it matched the shape of the cube, making it obvious that it was the key. Carousel glanced back at the spear she had dropped earlier. She walked closer to the cube, using her tail to pick the spear back up. "Okay, fine!" Carousel shouted, taking a good look at her target. "We'll play a different game, happy?" Carousel lifted the spear over her head, prepping herself carefully. Carousel swung her tail with a strong force, making the spear collide solidly with the cube. CRACK! The cube went flying towards the target. The impact caused the spear to snap. The cube connected swiftly inside the hole in the wall on the other side of the gap. "Perfect!" Carousel exclaimed with a smile, throwing the broken spear away. "Wait, was there anything over th-" Crank! "-Ahh!" Carousel was suddenly cut off when a large cranking noise sounded again, causing her body to jump. The ground under her was shifting. The path towards the gap where the cube now rested was closing off. If there was anything else that was in there, Carousel wasn't going to see it now. No, the path wasn't being sealed, the ground was moving down. The path behind also looked to be sealing off. Carousel looked up to see that the ceiling was moving with the rest of the room. "Nnnh... dang it," Carousel thought out loud nervously while checking her surroundings. The room continued to descend to the lower levels of the temple. Carousel glanced carefully around the area as it moved. Lots of grinding could be heard; dust flying around the walls could be seen. "This is good, right?" she said nervously. "This is going to end well... this will end well." Carousel's wings jittered uncontrollably. Carousel had to press her hooves against her wings in order to keep them still. Carousel waited in anticipation for her destination to be reached. As the next room came into view, Carousel's body shut down. "Huu..." Carousel gave a depressing sigh as she managed to regain control of her body. The ride reached its destination, not before causing a loud thud as it connected at ground level with the temple's basement. The room that had been revealed before the ride came to a full stop was enormous. Carousel gasped in awe at the sheer size of it. She slowly preceded further inside. The room was shaped like a dome, the path surrounded by a circle hole at the edge of the walls. Carousel proceeded to walk towards the center of the dome. When she saw the temple from the outside, she did not expect to see something like this on the inside, even if it was all underground it seemed. Carousel reached into her right wing while she lifted it from her side, revealing what she had been holding in it all this way. She now held it in her hoof. It was an amulet, a yellow amulet, possibly gold. There was a single piece missing from the amulet. With the final piece inserted, it seemed like it would form the shape of a clock, or a watch. There was an engraving on the back of it. It read, "STB 10-" the last number couldn't be identified yet. The other side of the amulet appeared to hold a small mirror. But no reflection could be seen, possibly due to the missing piece. The amulet was small enough to fit on Carousel's hoof. This amulet was the reason why she was here now. Getting back on track, Carousel came to a stop when she noticed something in front of her path. She lifted her head up to take a look at what it was. Carousel's mouth opened slowly in awe at the sight. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her amazement caused her to drop the amulet, as she dropped her hoof to the floor. "Hhhaaaaaaa....." Carousel let out a sigh of astonishment. Carousel lost control of her wings again. They started fluttering rapidly. She could barely exhale at her amazement. Her fluttering wings beat faster, causing her body to lift in the air. Before she went too high though, she wrapped her tail around the dropped amulet to scoop it up with her. Carousel's wings continued to beat faster, allowing her altitude to climb higher, but slowly. In front of her was a sculpture of a large and massive dragon. Its wings were spread gracefully, its jaws held open. Carousel had never seen anything like it. Her wings beat so fast, they were creating a breeze that blew close to the dragon's form, blowing off its dust. She looked at the dragons form, gazing her view upwards. "...Incredible..." Carousel placed a hoof on the dragon's model, sliding it upward as she continued to climb. "I've, never seen, anything like this..." Her altitude continued to climb, spotting a platform at the head of the dragon. Her wings took her to the platform, where she landed at eye level of the dragon sculpture. If she wasn't so excited, she would've noticed the sets of stairs leading up to said platform on both sides. "...What... what is this?" Carousel asked, placing her hoof on the dragon's snout. "It's a dragon... but..." she was at a loss for words, trying to think why it was here at all, what it represented. Carousel slid her hoof along the dragon's frame as she walked along, searching it. Despite how amazing this dragon looked to her, this wasn't what she was here for, and she wasn't here to figure out what it meant. Carousel's search took her towards the jaw of the dragon. There, she found what she was looking for. The dragon's teeth showed outside of its jaws, and one of them contained something. It was a small yellow object that contained an engraving. The engraving was nothing more than the number, "4". Carousel moved her tail towards that small object, comparing the object with the amulet in her tail's grip. The colors matched. This was the final piece of the amulet. That piece was wedged in between a small hole in its teeth. Carousel used the feathers on her left wing to feel around the amulet, testing its grip. This wouldn't be easy to take out; she had to use forcible measures. Leaning against the tooth with her left hoof, she used her right to strike at the teeth. She struck again, and again, each strike followed by a grunt as she continued to apply more force each time. Carousel continued to strike the tooth near the area where the amulet was gripped at, causing it to loosen. With one final strike, the piece of the amulet chipped off the tooth, causing it to fly past and behind Carousel, now released from the dragon's maw. Carousel turned away from the dragon to collect the piece of the amulet. With the rest of the amulet held in her tail, she brought it in front of her, while scooping up the final piece with the feathers on her right wing. Carousel examined the shape of the piece with the rest of the amulet. The final piece was shaped like a slice of pie from a one and eighth circle, which fit perfectly in the actual amulet. The dragon sculpture behind Carousel suddenly blinked. Its eyes gazed down toward her. Carousel smiled at the sight before her, the final piece was now connected to the amulet. It gave off a shine as it was completed. She was too distracted to notice the dragon sculpture behind her moving. Its jaws were slowly opening. Carousel turned the amulet over to catch a look at the mirror-like area that originally had no reflection. She held it in the air, excitedly anticipating a response from the amulet. The mirror created light, a light that grew very bright and very fast. Screech! the light's flash was like a bang. "AAAHHH!!!" Carousel tossed her eyes away as the light blinded her. The sudden flash caused her to stumble backwards, causing her to trip and fall to the floor. But she didn't lose her grip on the amulet in her tail. The dragon gave a loud growl as it closed its jaws, aiming for the blinded pegasus. Carousel rubbed her eyes with her hoof as she regained vision, only to see the mouth of a massive dragon closing in on her. Carousel immediately gasped and ducked forwards before the set of teeth closed aggressively behind her, piercing right through the ground underneath her, causing it to crumble away. The dragon's teeth connected with the amulet in Carousel's tail, causing her to grunt. The dragon's teeth were strong, but that amulet was practically gold. The amulet was made of material that was so hard; this dragon's teeth's material wouldn't be able to penetrate it. As a result, part of the dragon's teeth chipped off when it collided with the amulet. The dragon let out a roar upon contact, as if it were in pain. Its jaws flew open while its breath released a massive cloud of smoke from its mouth. Carousel was blown away from this smoke, sent on a collision course towards the moving room that had sent her to this basement-like area. Any sounds coming from Carousel were muffled by the smoke as she was being pushed by the dragon's breath. She collided on one of the corners of the mobile room. The smoke that had cloaked her presence quickly evaporated after the impact. Her backside was what broke her fall, while her right closed eye broke the amulet's fall after she lost her grip on it. Crank! The mobile room started to climb back up. Carousel opened her left eye after recovering from the impact. She saw the dragon sculpture moving, but only the upper part of its body was moving. It gave a loud roar, causing the whole room to shake. The bridge and stairs that led to the dragon were crumbling. Debris all across the room was falling. Carousel lost sight of the dragon as the mobile room continued to climb back up the temple. Explosions could be heard outside. Explosions suddenly reached inside the room. Carousel flinched, tossing the amulet out of her eye. She used her tail to catch the amulet as she got back to her hooves. "Oh, this is bad..." Carousel shifted and turned her positions randomly, casting her sights around the temple. There was a lot of debris breaking off of the temple walls. Fire shot up from under the ground. "Whoa!" Carousel jumped in surprise as she saw the flames shoot up. "Ah!" Another flame shot up from behind her. She jumped out of the way to put some distance between her and the flames. More explosions came about randomly. Carousel casted her sight upwards in the direction the room was moving. "Come on, hurry up!" Carousel had to impatiently wait for the mobile room to reach her destination. She couldn't go anywhere until the next room was present. More flames shot up from the ground, breaking through it, but stopping when it reached the ceiling, causing more debris to break away. An opening made itself present towards one of the sides of the mobile room. Carousel flared out her wings. Once the opening was big enough, she jumped towards it, using her wings to give her a speed boost. She grabbed the ledge and quickly climbed up it, getting out of the mobile room. Carousel could still feel the temple shaking. It was as if the whole temple was collapsing. She started running down the hallway, avoiding all the debris that was falling. The lines of pony armor were crumbling apart as she ran past them. More flames shot from the walls, attempting to block her path. The blockades from earlier came into view. They were collapsing along with the temple, allowing a mostly possible path with minimal resistance for Carousel. With her treasure still grasped in her tail, she spread her wings and leaped across the crumbling piles. She changed her running to flying. There was a slight blockade on the other side of the gap she jumped over before, but it was weak enough to break through. Carousel used her speed and wing power force to crash through the debris, a trail of flames nearly catching her on the way. A lot of the smaller debris kept hitting her body and wings as she sped through the collapsing temple halls. Flying was faster, but more difficult thanks to all the obstacles. She continued to soar along the path, avoiding as much of the debris and flames that had crossed her path. The flames were just firing out of the walls randomly. The path was long and treacherous. Getting out of the temple was proving to be quite as challenging as it was getting in. When the path turned, she turned. When debris fell, she avoided them. When explosions occurred, she flinched and stumbled. All of these were obstacles trying to stop her. Carousel heard an unsettling rumbling behind her. Taking a glance back, she did not like the sight. As if the flames shooting randomly around the temple weren't bad enough, now there was a huge wall of fire engulfing the path behind her, and chasing her. More panic engrossed on her face. Carousel brought her eyes back in front of her. To her luck, the temple's exit was within her sight. Both targets were closing in fast. It was now a race between the pegasus and the flames to which would exit the temple first. Carousel was closing in on the exit while the flames closed in on her. She put all her focus on the amulet in her tail, and that exit. She had to make it out. No other thoughts were made. She even closed her eyes for that single thought. ______________________________________________________________________________ Escape. The images returned to her without pain. Escape. She ran through the flames that brightened her path. Nothing else was more important than running, flying, or anything else that would succeed in... Escape. ______________________________________________________________________________ As soon as Carousel reached the exit, she flung open her eyes. She could feel the flames so close to her body. Carousel darted her direction, all too close to the flames. "Nnnnggg!" Carousel cringed. The flames had made the slightest contact on Carousel's right wing. She lost control of her flight pattern and was now tumbling towards the ground, deep in the forest. She impacted the ground, losing her grip on the amulet. She slid a few meters distance from her landing site, along with her amulet, bouncing along a few distances ahead of her. Carousel's sliding stopped abruptly, her back legs landing on the ground with a thud. Sunset had fallen, and night was near. The crumbling of the temple could still be heard. Carousel rested where she laid with her eyes closed, catching her breath from all that running and flying. Her right wing was sprawled out and in pain from the burn. She wanted nothing more than to just rest where she lied. So that's what she did. The crumbling sounds of the temple soon stopped. Things were pretty silent now. The wind blowing across the forest could be heard. But then, moments later, another sound came. A distance sound of wings flapping could be heard. There was a landing sound nearby. "Whoa! What have we here?" Carousel's ears perked up at the sound of a new voice. "Looks like it's my lucky day, I just struck gold!" Carousel lifted her head up to cast her sights in the direction she heard the voice. She could easily identify what it was in front of her. It was a griffon, holding the amulet in their claws, the amulet she had worked so hard in putting together. "Hey... that's mine..." Carousel exclaimed, struggling. The griffon had a puzzled, yet disgusted look on their face. "Eww, that voice, who made that?" The griffon caught sight of the injured pegasus. "Did that come from this pony?" Carousel attempted to get back on her hooves as the griffon closed in on her. She looked towards the amulet, then the griffon, while the griffon did the same. "Nah, that couldn't have come from you-" the griffon raised one of its claws. "-because you, were never here." The last thing Carousel saw was a claw coming straight for her face. Everything went black. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: Rainbow Dash carefully listened to this story that this pegasus, Carousel, was telling. At some point, Fluttershy seemed to have found some bandages around the wreckages inside this, what they would call, abandoned laboratory. She was wrapping those bandages around the injured parts of Rainbow Dash's body, mostly focusing on her dispositioned wings. Fluttershy cringed at the thought of those wings. There was just no way that it had happened the way it did, but she was finding it difficult to deny. Her eyes teared up as she worked on bandaging those wings. It was all she could do now. Rainbow Dash's pain was easing very well due to Fluttershy's contact on her wings, but her nerves were far from being eased. There was just something wrong about this... Carousel... about the story Carousel was telling. Not about what was happening in the story, but rather what she was telling. Either way, it seemed like they reached the end of what she could recall now. As such, Rainbow Dash had to continue with hers. The problem was, whether her part would be related or not, so she had to tell as much as she could until that connection came up. "Why am I doing this again...?"
Desires	Chapter 4: Beauty of Flight	5 days ago: It was a beautiful morning in Equestria. The sun was shining, the winds gave a gentle breeze, and it was so peaceful. All she could hear were the powerful winds that brushed against her cyan coat and her prismatic mane. She wore such a relaxing smile on her face while she flew at Mach speeds, flying just a few meters above the ground. As a pack of clouds came into view, Rainbow Dash increased her altitude, zooming towards the large formations of clouds. She stylized her flight pattern, zigzagging in between cloud formations, brushing the clouds using the tips of her wings as they were crossed. These clouds were much like the ocean to her. She dipped herself inside a few of them. The clouds didn't evaporate, but her passing was marked with her body's shape. Flying out of these cloud formations allowed some of them to drip cloud puffs off of her like water, leaving a trail of smaller clouds in her wake. Rainbow Dash opened her mouth as she flew through another cloud formation. Her mouth filled with the cloud's contents as she flew through it. Shifting her head to the side, Rainbow Dash slowly blew out the contents of the cloud behind her, leaving behind a small smoke of cloud, unlike a cloud of smoke, this left a slight fog behind her. A few larger cloud formations came into view. Rainbow Dash started twirling herself around leaving behind a rainbow trail that traced her flight pattern. Rainbow Dash's flight took her just below one of the larger cloud formations. She struck it with her hoof, not leaving her path of flight in the slightest. This strike caused the cloud formation to drizzle out a light rain, lightly soaking her coat and mane. She let out a happy sigh as the refreshing rain water sank into her flight muscles. Her speed had lowered as she closed her eyes to allow all of this rain to sink in. Lifting her head up, she opened her mouth and held out her tongue, tasting the drizzling rain that she had caused. The taste was very refreshing, like the freshest glass of water bits could buy, as this was where it all started. All the while, she never broke her path. This was the life. This was her life, her dream. This is what she was all about. The cloud formation soon ended, causing the light drizzle to fade from her path. Rainbow Dash shook her body around to rid of any excess water that was drenched into her coat. She shifted her wings to descend, letting her limbs push straight against her body. It was a gliding technique that allowed her to pick up speed as she lost altitude, without having to use her wings. Rainbow Dash's flight path had her heading straight towards a long river she caught sight of. Her body brushed through the air like a breeze to her, continuing to blow harder against her the faster she glided. The sounds of the wind repeatedly pierced through her ears; growing louder the lower she went. The sounds beat violently against her. She was practically in free fall, listening to every single sound of the air being sliced. Just before she hit the surface, Rainbow Dash adjusted her limbs and wings to stop herself. The wind effect from her flight caused the river waters to leave a large rippling effect. The waters left visual splashing waves in their wake as Rainbow Dash continued to soar through the stream at a very low altitude. All her limbs were spread forward and back. Her wings continued to flap slowly, yet hang widely to steady her altitude, slicing through the air like butter that made contact with her flight path. Rainbow Dash's smile however suddenly started fading. Rainbow Dash always loved flying, but today, something else was on her mind. She lowered her head, causing her eye sights to gaze the waters. There, her reflection barely, but clearly visibly appeared. She took a long look at her reflection. Rainbow Dash was carrying a small package on her back. This package was the reason why this flight was happening, but that wasn't what was on her mind. She continued to stare at her reflection and reflect upon all the events that happened yesterday. It all started with that dream. A dream that she wish would just leave her alone. To think that her friends would ever turn against her was ludicrous, yet she's been having it for years. These dreams never really had any serious effect on her, but she feared that it may have this time, somehow. Right now she felt that the biggest worries were related to how long she had taken to fulfill this request Fluttershy told her had come from Twilight. Rainbow Dash was given a simple task of flying to Baltimare's hospital to get a medicine for Pinkie Pie, but she goofed it up a little by trying to fulfill other requests that had failed for unknown reasons. Although she wasn't asked to help, it was clear they needed it, and Rainbow Dash didn't want to let them down while she was there. After rounding up the Diamond Dogs her team caught, they reported that the stolen item was no longer in their possessions. She took the rest of her time in Baltimare to assist in searching for leads as to who had taken it. Eventually their search had to end as the direction they were given gave them no more leads. They were only told that the one that had taken it flew off in one direction, but it became clear that this pegasus eventually changed their path. The Diamond Dogs that had previously stolen the treasure were eventually let go after proving to not hold possession of said item. Crime rates were incredibly low for a reason. A lot of ponies in Equestria held contact information with the princesses, even very far away. And practically every living intelligent life that lived in Equestria knew the princesses. They respected them, but at the same time feared them, whether they had reason to or not. So, whenever thieves were usually caught, they never attempted it again, lest they feared they would have to deal with the princesses. Even Rainbow Dash held a fear for them she wouldn't even try to hide. The ponies of Equestria had such appreciation for the princesses that their overactive imaginations were practically their own punishments. Their imaginations allowed them to believe all sorts of harsh punishments that could possibly come from these princesses, even though they've never seen them happen. With all their sources for a lead on the stolen treasure gone, Rainbow Dash was left with no choice but to abandon the search and continue with the task Fluttershy had left her, requested by Twilight. Her activities that day had left her so exhausted that her panting was very noticeable by the time she got to the hospital. Before she could even request the medicine, the nurse at the front desk even asked if she needed help. Of course she was requesting medicine, but it wasn't for her. It was as simple as Fluttershy had said, all she had to do was give them the envelope, and they took care of the rest. She received the medicine and secured it in her package. Rainbow Dash had intended to leave once the medicine was received, but her muscles were strained too much from all her activities. As a result, she had collapsed on the floors of the hospital before she could attempt to leave. This left the nurse with no choice but to take Rainbow Dash in for the night. Rainbow Dash kept thinking back to that day. The long hours of flying miles from one place to another didn't leave her with much to do, other than enjoy her trip. But today, she didn't find that sort of motivation. All she could do was blame that dream. It was just a dream after all. But why would it keep coming back? And why was it bothering her so much today? After all, she didn't have one last night. Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash brushed all those thoughts away; they made no sense to her anyhow. Ponyville would soon appear in the distance, all she had to do was give Twilight the medicine and everything would go normally again. ______________________________________________________________________________ "I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW IRRESPONSIBLE YOU ARE!" Twilight had this look of pure rage, standing inches away from Rainbow Dash, scolding her to no limits. They were just outside of the Ponyville hospital. Rainbow Dash had delivered the medicine, to which Twilight had immediately taken and teleported straight inside, or at least that's what appeared to have happened. As soon as Rainbow Dash had arrived, Twilight snatched the package with her magic, tossing Rainbow Dash away in the process before she had a chance to say anything. Rainbow Dash didn't see what she did with the package, especially now, as Twilight was closing in on her with a very angry expression while Rainbow Dash backed away in fear. The commotion was either attracting the other ponies to observe, or causing them to flee in fear. "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH PINKIE IS SUFFERING THANKS TO YOUR UNTIMELY SCHEDULE?!" Twilight scolded Rainbow Dash. "B-but Twilight, all she had was a stomach ache... right?" Rainbow stuttered while continuing to back away. Twilight turned around and started stomping away from her. "...Do you even have any idea what sort of condition Pinkie Pie is suffering?" Twilight started. "Did you even read that note?!" "...uhh..." Rainbow tried to think, but had no time to. Twilight snapped her head back towards Rainbow Dash, firing a blast of magic at her. The beam of magic hit Rainbow Dash, causing her whole body to go into a zap state. Suddenly the surrounding area around her exploded. Rainbow Dash vanished within the smoke, leaving behind charcoaled grass in her circle. ______________________________________________________________________________ As Rainbow's form appeared again, her whole body was forced down towards the ground. She was teleported aggressively to another location and thrown against the ground in the process. Click click click click All four of her limbs were spread when she landed. She felt something press against all four of her legs immediately after she landed. She was trapped now. "Hello, Rainbow Dash," Rainbow Dash heard a familiar voice behind her, "so glad you could volunteer to help me with my designs!" She recognized who it was, and she did not like it. She had been teleported to Carousel Boutique. "W-wwait! I-I didn't volunteer for this!" Rainbow frightenly shouted. "Let's get started," Rarity said. "Uh oh..." Rainbow's ears dropped. Now helpless to defend herself, Rainbow Dash was about to receive what she assumed would be her punishment, and she wasn't gonna be able to get out of it. ______________________________________________________________________________ "Hold still Rainbow Dash," Rarity announced while tugging on Rainbow Dash's mane. She was standing on top of Rainbow Dash, trying to keep her from moving, even wrapping her curly tail around the rainbow one to limit movement. She held a brush in her magic to brush against the rainbow mane. Rainbow Dash wasn't comfortable with her position, and she was only making it more painful with her squirming. "Rarity, I thought I was helping you model," Rainbow Dash said annoyingly. Her hooves were strapped down to a floor board to limit movements; limbs being spread far enough for her to be lying on her stomach. Yet, she still squirmed enough to give Rarity a hard time. "You are Rainbow Dash," Rarity replied, stroking her brush harder against the rainbow mane. "Ack!" Rainbow grunted. "But you've let yourself get so messy that I simply cannot start until all this grime and dirt is cleaned up," Rarity exclaimed, "especially your mane. My my my, just look at it." Rarity levitated a mirror in front of Rainbow Dash with her magic, all the while continuing to talk. "Judging by your appearance, your day yesterday must have been absolutely horrendous." Rainbow Dash not only saw the so called 'mess' her mane was in, but also the unicorn that had her hostage. She was wearing her red designer glasses again. "And you were given such a simple task. Pinkie has a simple stomach ache, and all you had to do was bring her medicine back as soon as possible. I suppose things don't always go according to plan don't they Rainbow Dash? I know mine doesn't." Despite what Rarity was describing, the only real mess Rainbow Dash was seeing in her mane was the rough beating it was taking from Rarity's brush as she was taking even the tiniest amounts of dirt that Rarity could find. The problem that Rainbow Dash was having wasn't so much that Rarity was brushing her mane like this, but rather that she was doing it so slowly and so carefully, Rainbow Dash knew that this would take forever. Perhaps a little gossip could speed up the time. "Really, I'd like to hear how your day was," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. The mirror was taken away from her view. She suddenly felt the weight on her body shift and loosen. "Oh I'd love to talk about my day Rainbow Dash, but first..." Rarity started as she was stepping off of Rainbow Dash, unwrapping her purple curly tail from the straight rainbow tail. "But first, be a dear and spread your wings for me," she demanded. Rainbow Dash attempted to stand up again; only to be stopped by the straps that she forgot still held her down. "Rarity, what are you-" "SPREAD YOUR WINGS!!!" Rainbow Dash's wings suddenly flared open after that sudden outburst. If she had the option, she would have gone air born as a reaction instead. "As I suspected, all that flying has caused your feathers to be in total disrepair." Rainbow Dash could hear Rarity placing some of her tools away as well as take others out. With the mirror out of her face, she could no longer tell what Rarity was doing, but by her guess... "Not to worry," Rarity exclaimed. "I'll have these wings fixed to proper conditions in no time at all." Rainbow Dash could feel some clips moving along and picking at the feathers of her left wing. Rainbow Dash wasn't sure if by "proper", if she meant either flyable, or fashionable. Either way, Rarity's work was rather reliable, so she had no worries of getting cut or something, as long as she could hold still. "So, about MY day..." Rarity started as she worked on Rainbow Dash's feathers. "It all began when I was working on a new fashion line for a very important client. This client is a rather-" "Ugh, skip that part!" Rainbow interrupted. She could hear a pair of scissors and felt them snipping at some of her damaged feathers. Well okay, Rainbow Dash was going to get cut, but there would be no injuries at least. Rainbow Dash usually preens her own wings, but one advantage to Rarity's work was that pulling the damaged feathers was more painless with the proper tools. "Humph, fine then," Rarity replied in a scowl tone. "I was working on my dresses for Hoofington, when all of a sudden, a raging storm shattered through the skies above my boutique!" "Uh, was this two days ago? Mph..." Rainbow cut in again, but afterwards was suddenly silenced by a roll of duct tape being placed over her mouth from Rarity's magic. "Stop interrupting me, Rainbow Dash!" Rarity replied in a scolding tone. "It is very rude to interrupt a lady's story telling!" Rarity placed that tape to ensure that she wouldn't be interrupted again. Nevertheless, she continued picking at Rainbow Dash's feathers with her tools, moving them in place, or apart to get at the damaged ones. "Now where was I... oh yes-" Rarity continued her story telling, "-when all of a sudden, a raging storm shattered through the skies above my boutique!" Rarity removed the tools from Rainbow Dash's right wing and switched over to the left. "It was absolutely dreadful! I could hear nothing but thunder clouds, banging violently across Ponyville!" If Rainbow Dash could, she would start questioning who the hay was managing the weather on this side of Ponyville. She couldn't tell if Rarity was being overdramatic or not, but... "My boutique was the center of such an absolute disaster. It suffered a terrible wrath from such a violent lightning attack! My boutique's front doors didn't stand a chance. It was absolutely destroyed!" With the way Rarity was describing it, Rainbow Dash decided to make a mental note that she should go and question some pegasi when this was over. But right now, she had to survive an insane rambling of a story being told so slowly. Shifting her eyes into nothingness, she mentally groaned. This was going to be a long day. ______________________________________________________________________________ "The storm made such a mess of my shop that it took forever to clean!" Rarity since finished the preening on the Rainbow Dash's wings as she continued her story. Rainbow Dash was no longer strapped down as they moved locations in the shop. Rainbow Dash still had her mouth taped though. Rarity had started the modeling process of her work with Rainbow Dash with some measuring equipment. All the while, Rarity continued her ramblings of her day, or, two days ago. Already, Rainbow Dash was frustrated. "Luckily Applejack came by the next morning. She was nice enough to help clean up. She even fixed my door for me!" ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash's body grew stiffer by the moment for all the holding still she had to endure from this. Now the dress was being put together on her body as Rarity was done measuring. "The material she used to repair my shop is rather impressive. Why, I believe it could stand up to that monstrous weather like a true knight! But after all that cleaning, I myself was in quite a predicament." ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash couldn't decide what was worse, the modeling or the rambling. She lost track of how much time had passed by, along with most of Rarity's story. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. It looked like Rarity was putting the finishing touches to the dress, but with Rarity's work, you could never be sure. And with this tape still stuck to her mouth, asking Rarity wasn't an option either. "Luck shines upon me, for the spa closes tomorrow in the afternoon. So this gives me till tomorrow morning to finish these designs and get a quick check up before I leave to Hoofington." ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash completely regretted having ever asked about Rarity's day. She would just not stop talking while Rainbow Dash was silenced for interrupting such a slowly told story. However, Rainbow Dash's ears perked up as she noticed mercy finally shining on her. Rainbow Dash's attention was brought back when she felt the dress starting to be removed. "But alas, Pinkie is sick... I've been trying to find a way to reschedule our meeting, but my client insists that it must stay the way it is, and nothing will be able to change that. And if I don't take this opportunity now, I may never get the chance again!" The dress was now fully taken off, but Rainbow Dash wasn't out of the woods yet. She was still silenced while Rarity STILL continued her story. Just how much could this unicorn tell without being distracted by anything? There was just so much information told in that story that she could only recall a few key things. But she was in no situation to respond to any of them, especially with her mouth still taped. Then she suddenly realized, taking a sitting position, she looked down to her hooves. They were free, so she could remove the tape herself. "Mmrph!" Rainbow Dash mentally scolded herself for not realizing this sooner. She gripped on the tape with her hooves and pulled on it tightly. Duct tape's sticking was strong, but she kept tugging on it. "Why, the possibilities could lead to it being The Worst, Day, Ever! Oh, what is a lady to DO!?" Rip! "Ack!" Rainbow Dash managed to get the blasted tape off of her snout, along with possibly a few hairs off her coat with it. She rubbed her muzzle to ease the pain that came with it. This was not a recommended solution to removing duct tape, but it worked for her and that's all that mattered. Something caught Rainbow Dash's attention. It was silent all of a sudden... too silent somehow. She turned her body to look back at the previous source of the sound. Rarity had finally stopped talking. She was lying down on her fainting couch in her usual overdramatic manner, lying on her back with her limbs spread straight out, along with one hoof above her face. A huge wave of relief came upon Rainbow Dash. If there was a time to leave, it would be now. There was no way she could take anymore words from Rarity today. Standing back on all four hooves, she took her sight back to the front of the shop. She found her exit, now she just had to get to it. Rainbow Dash carefully made her approach, silently and slowly moving her hoof steps towards the door. If she could just reach that, she would be back to the refreshing skies and home free. There was no telling how much time had passed during that storytelling, but at this point, she would rather take a twenty four hour work day at the weather factory then listen to any more rambling. Then, the voice came back... "You're still here Rainbow Dash? Would you like me to style your mane as well?" Rainbow Dash's entire body crawled in a pit of despair within seconds screaming out. "NOOO!!!" Rainbow Dash violently flapped her wings, dashing straight towards the boutique's doors. Smash! Rainbow Dash smashed right through the doors, causing them to break. She had to get as far away from the shop as she possibly could. "Darn, I just had that door fixed yesterday," Rarity said. So much for being sturdy material, or maybe that was the effect of the preening session. Rarity flared up her horn and gave a tingling bell signal to it. Within seconds, a certain orange farm pony appeared in front of the destroyed doors of the boutique. Applejack had a smile on her face, having a new set of materials in tow that looked even sturdier than the last batch on the shop's door. "Ya called Rarity?" ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash just kept flying. She didn't care what her destination was. She would fly all the way back to Baltimare if she had to. She JUST had to get away from Rarity and her obnoxious TALKING for the day! She had said so much that she couldn't get it out of her mind, and that only made the situation worse with a realization. "Oh no, she's taking a trip to Hoofington tomorrow. That means she'll want some help carrying her luggage. No!" Rainbow Dash increased her speed. She didn't care what she was doing. She did not want more talking with Rarity anytime soon. She would hide outside of Ponyville if she had to, she was not going back until Rarity left for her trip. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "That reminds me," Rainbow Dash started as she looked towards Carousel. "You were at Hoofington at some point. What business did you have there?" While they were talking, Fluttershy had tried to help Carousel with her wounds, but she had brushed Fluttershy away, in an oddly violent manner. If Carousel was to be trusted, she wasn't easing her case with how she was treating Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash was tempted to end this charade right now, but because of what happened earlier, things weren't adding up. They had to know what was going on. Fluttershy had no choice but to tend to her own wounds with the bandages she intended for Carousel. "Fluttershy, I hope you know what you're doing..."
Desires	Chapter 5: Fortune Teller	4 days ago: These forests were just like any other to her. The winds blew against the leaves. Animals sounded and wandered about. Some even crossed her path. Being a pegasus, she could always fly over the forest and skip the journey, but there would be much less to see. Not much of a journey if you don't take in the sights. But Carousel, didn't know what her destination was. She just traveled and let nature take its course on where she would end up. Carousel walked this forest with nothing in mind, taking in the sights. Every once in a while she would notice an animal cross her path. Some had fallen to the ground after trying to gather food. There was a squirrel that fell from one of the trees above her, holding onto an acorn. Carousel nearly stepped on this squirrel, but stopped her hoof before she did. The squirrel managed to get back up and scurry away from her afterwards. There was no joy, nor misery to her travels, but the sounds of life surrounding her kept her sane. So she kept walking the path of this forest, which she never learned the name from. But it seemed to be quite a tame forest. "HOWDY CUSTOMER!" Carousel's whole body jumped in the air in surprise, without her hooves leaving the ground. The sound of three voices came right next to her, seemingly out of nowhere. To her left stood what appeared to be three fillies of each race. One was yellow with red hair and a red bow in her mane. One was white with hair that mixed with purple and pink in color. And the last one was light brown with purple hair. This was her immediate notice of the three on how they looked. "Welcome to the CMC Forest Brigade!" the yellow earth pony started. "The CMC stands for Cutie Mark Crusaders!" the white unicorn continued. "Where our job is to find wandering adventurers..." the light brown pegasus nearly finished. "...And Sell Them The Best Tools For Exploring Equestria Will Ever Know!" All three of them shouted, ending their introduction. Carousel managed to regain her senses after that startling surprise, holding a hoof to her chest and panting slightly. But she didn't get much of a chance to catch her breath as the fillies came so close to her with those huge smiles. She tried to back away in response. "Seriously! Y'all never find better tasting food than this!" the earth pony filly said as she motioned her hoof to her side of the stall. The stall was quite extended in length, yet Carousel missed it while she was passing by because it was so well camouflaged behind some leaves from the branches that hung low from the nearby trees. "If'n y'all ever get tired from walking, our apple pies'll surely pick ya right back up!" "And if you want to take some to go, or you need something to carry all this stuff, then try one of these!" the unicorn filly continued while motioning to one of the saddle bags on the stall. "We ensure not only safety for your items, but also comfort to your backs as well. And if you have too many things to carry, try one of these carts instead!" She motioned her hoof to one of the carts outside the stall. "But if you just need something to defend yourself with," the pegasus filly cut in, holding what appeared to be a sling shot in her hoof, "then we've got you covered as well!" She shot a pebble from her sling shot directly forwards and up. Carousel immediately moved her head away in order to avoid the shot, whether if that was aimed at her or not. She turned her head to follow where the pebble went, already baffled by the situation. The pebble barely managed to hit an acorn from one of the tree's branches that was behind her. This caused the acorn to swing slightly back and forth, but still hung firmly onto the branch when it stopped. Carousel nervously looked back to the fillies. "Our satisfaction is your satisfaction, and we guarantee that if you're not one hundred perc-" the filly pegasus suddenly stopped silent. Off in the distance, it sounded like there was another voice, but it was too muffled to make out the words. The three fillies looked panicked. "Uh oh... that sounded like Miss Cheerilee," one of them said in an audible whisper. "Uuhhh... we've got to close up shop!" another one said while all three of them frantically cleaned the place up, taking the items away from the stall and placing them into one of their carts. "Yeah... s-sorry for the inconvenience, bu-ut please visit again!" The little fillies quickly fled the scene as instantly as they appeared, leaving behind a giant dusty trail which surrounded Carousel. Carousel hacked and coughed away with her eyes closed as the dust storm impacted her face. She flapped her wings while keeping her hooves on the ground, using the wind to blow the sand smoke away from her breathing room. Carousel managed to cease her coughing after successfully clearing the dust away from her. She was quite taken aback by the sudden crazy encounter of what she otherwise thought was a peaceful forest. When she opened her eyes, she caught sight of another grown pony taking the position of where the three fillies used to be. "Oh, hello there, I'm terribly sorry to trouble you, but-" the grown pony started. Carousel's immediate depiction of the pony was a dark purple mare earth pony with two different shades of pink hair, one being brighter than the other. "-you wouldn't happen to have run into a trio of fillies around here have you?" Carousel had a stunned, yet slightly terrified look on her face. More ruffling sounds could be heard behind the earth pony. Without a moment's glance, Carousel quickly turned tail and galloped away from the scene. "Wait!" she heard the earth pony call out. Carousel made no attempt to stop. She wanted to get away from the crazy scene as soon as she could. She didn't look back. When it came to meeting with other ponies, her encounters with them had never entirely been a peaceful one. Almost all of her encounters that she could remember could be described as simply as, crazy encounters. Maybe she was just so bad at interacting with other ponies that she was always alone. Carousel stopped her running after she was sure she brought enough distance between her and the shop that was being run by fillies. Carousel took a look back through the distant to make sure she wasn't followed. Still being inside the forest, it would be hard to find her, but there were many paths and land marks inside the forest that it wouldn't be too easy to get lost in. Carousel took a deep breath to calm herself down, using her hoof to slide the collar around her neck. The scratchy feeling caused from the movement of this collar helped her relax. Now that things were peaceful again, she decided to continue her travel. Well, she almost did, but something caught her eye. Taking a look to her right, Carousel caught sight of a strange opening in the forest. She chose to investigate, pushing away the foliage that crossed her path. Upon entering the open field, there was one thing of interest that caught Carousel's eyes. On the other side's center field from where she entered, there was a strange pile forged from the forest's nature. But the pile consisted entirely out of pinecones. More strange than that was, there was something, or someone, lying on top of the pile. Carousel proceeded closer to the pile to investigate. On closer inspections, Carousel identified it as a light blue pony, a unicorn, having a mane color of two different shades of a lighter blue than the coat. This unicorn appeared to be lying on its stomach, sleeping on the pile of pinecones. To think that would even be remotely comfortable... The unicorn's ears perked up suddenly. Carousel was still approaching this pony before she realized the unicorn possibly heard her approach. The unicorn's eyes opened slowly, causing Carousel to stop her approach. The unicorn looked directly at Carousel. "Yes?" the unicorn spoke in a serious tone. Now Carousel could recognize that it was another mare. She also realized that she didn't really have anything to discuss. Clearing her throat, she responded. "Excuse me, I was just-" The unicorn's horn shined brightly all of a sudden, interrupting Carousel. The flash was so bright that she had to cover her eyes. The flash was quick and was only bright enough to startle. When Carousel uncovered her eyes, the first thing she noticed was that the pile of pinecones had disappeared, and in its wake stood a blue table stand. The unicorn was sitting at this table stand with a sheet of papers in her hoof, smiling. Lights seemed to be shining on her from out of nowhere. "Greetings fellow citizens of Equestria!" the unicorn started her speech. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is here to bring to you the news today! What do we have today but a magnificent and otherwise tragic discovery! We bring to you today, a wandering pegasus who is oh so helplessly lost! Does The Great and Powerful Trixie see a dark future for this pony? Yes she does. Is there any hope for this poor lost soul?" The lights around this unicorn switched off. A new set of lights then switched on shortly after, but they shined on Carousel instead. She couldn't tell where they were coming from, but they were surprisingly bright while the rest of the area appeared dark. But what was more confusing was how this unicorn was describing her. Using a hoof to block the light out of her eyes, Carousel responded. "W-wait... I'm not-" Poof A large cloud of pink smoke suddenly burst in front of Carousel. The puff of smoke disappeared quickly. In its place was the unicorn with her horn still magically glowing, hoof to her chest, and eyes closed. "Fear not my fellow companion, for fortune has shined upon you today. The Great and Powerful Trixie knows this-" the unicorn opened her eyes and pointed her hoof at Carousel, "-and it is The Great and Powerful Trixie who shall guide you to your journey." Carousel put her hoof down and tried to say something, but the unicorn halted her. "No..." The unicorn's tone lowered as she closed her eyes again. "There's no need for words." She put her hoof down and lowered her head. "Let your mind be at ease. The Great and Powerful Trixie will look into your fortune." The unicorn's horn glowed slightly brighter. "She will see where you have come, and she will see where you are headed." The unicorn slowly stepped closer towards Carousel who was really confused by the situation. She could feel a magical presence surrounding her body. The magical touch was very gentle and not being threatening in the slightest. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carousel's mind wavered. Images were coming to her head again. But they came slowly and gently this time. She closed her eyes and focused on her body. It was almost as if she could see her own body through her mind. Everything else was nonexistent. The only thing she saw was her own body. "It is as I expected," the unicorn started once again. "I sense it. Something sinister lurks in the mind of this pony, but where is it coming from..." The unicorn used her magic to search more thoroughly around Carousel's body. Her search was narrowed down to her right wing. "It is somewhere here, I know it is." The magical aura that surrounded Carousel's body went into focus around her right wing, leaving everything else and focusing on that wing. "Mmmh..." The unicorn moved her horn closer to that wing. Carousel's mind waved in response to the unicorn's words. It was as if she could see what the unicorn was seeing. There on her right wing, a spot was focused in on. There was a burn mark. The image focused completely on that mark. This burn mark was bringing more images to Carousel. Her feelings started wavering. "Ah, I see it. A temple from ancient times, dangerous traps lurking at every step." The images rushed through Carousel's head much faster than earlier. The walls were engulfed in flames. She could practically feel their intense heat. "Flames, hot enough to burn even the mightiest of ponies into a crisp. But... where? Where is it coming from?" A large sculpture of a dragon appeared in front of her vision. It was alive, and the flames surrounded it. "Do my eyes deceive me? They do not. You were in the presence of a large dragon, which nearly set its jaws upon you." The dragon's jaws shot straight towards her and chomped down, darkening her visions. "No, it did set its jaws upon you, but... oh my... fortune has set upon you, for it was the treasure that had saved you from your moment of peril." A yellow amulet came into Carousel's vision. Her mind started to reel. She was chasing after it. "A real dragon's teeth could chomp through solid diamond, you were fortunate this wasn't a real one, yet, I am sensing misfortune here... Where is it?" A large claw made itself present around the amulet that Carousel was running after in her visions. The claw closed down and snatched the amulet. She could see the silhouette of the griffon that had taken it. She could hear the laughter coming from it. Carousel's mind filled with rage. "What is this? It is but a griffon, a griffon that has taken your fortune. I see it. It is flying away even as we speak. But where is the destination... I can sense the presence of a mighty clash between pegasus and griffon. But where is it going to hold? Where?" The vision focused on the griffon's direction with the land. Arrows pointed towards its direction of flight. The image moved towards that direction. It pointed towards a town with no further details. The map layout made sense to Carousel because it was her mind. It wouldn't have made sense to any other pony, except for the unicorn in front of her. "That town... a small town called Hoofington. That is where your fortune leads..." ______________________________________________________________________________ The visions started to fall apart. "I-I can't see anything else..." The unicorn's horn dimmed. She removed her horn from Carousel's wing and started stepping back. Reality started coming back to Carousel. She regained her vision, but her mind still seethed with rage. All the lights turned off and the area brightened back up, once again looking like they were in a forest opening rather than a stage. "This is The Great and Powerful Trixie with the news, reporting a clash between pony and griffon to be occurring later today in Hoofington," the unicorn stated while jotting down some notes in her stack of papers from the table. "Who will be the victor and claim their prize? Trixie isn't sure, but..." The unicorn flashed her horn, creating a large pink cloud of smoke to form around the table. When the smoke died, the table was gone, and in its place was the pile of pinecones from earlier. She looked back towards Carousel. "The Great and Powerful Trixie does have a request." She walked towards Carousel who stilled a fury of anger drawn upon her face. Her teeth were grinding, her wings were shivering with wrath, and she was breathing menacingly. "A clash between ponies and griffons, maintaining a battle with a griffon is no easy feat, for if one shall clash with a griffon, one shall clash with their life." The images of a griffon that had haunted Carousel a long time ago came back to her mind. Surely this was the same one. Thinking about it made her give a deep but silent growl. Her rage fueled rapidly. "If this pegasus manages to succeed in her trial, The Great and Powerful Trixie requests that she will meet back here, tomorrow at noon." The unicorn placed both hooves on Carousel's riling shoulders. She looked straight into her eyes, smiling. Carousel glared back, but while her eyes were looking directly at the unicorn's eyes, they weren't focused on the unicorn. Her mind focused on that memory of being attacked by that griffon. "There, she will lead you to a journey of magnificence beyond anypony's imaginations." The memory was much clearer than ever. And now that griffon had taken her amulet. She had to get it back. "Do you accept?" the unicorn finished. "RAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!" Carousel let out an enormous screeching cry, flapping her wings rapidly while she remained in place. Her wings caused powerful winds to blow across the meadow, pushing against the unicorn. The winds were so strong that the unicorn had to turn her head and cover her eyes, all the while sliding across the meadow, heading towards the pile of pinecones. Huge waves of dirt filled the air as Carousel continued to vibrate her wings, yelling at a volume so loud, the whole forest could probably hear it. The unicorn's sliding came to a halt after slamming with a rough thud against the pile of pinecones. Carousel halted her screeching and darted herself in a random direction. She took small altitude into the air, heading towards one of the forest trees, crashing into them and bouncing off of them with such a force. She bounced off of multiple trees, kicking and thrashing about them randomly, causing a crack with each tree she hit, letting leaves and branches get knocked away senselessly, no distinct pattern in mind. Carousel halted her fury by landing behind the pile of pinecones from the unicorn with an audible slam. Carousel was only on the ground for a split second before darting towards the pile at full speed. The unicorn that had been blown into the pinecones couldn't recover fast enough before Carousel blasted her way through the pile. Crash! The pinecones exploded and scattered upon impact while the unicorn was lunged into the air. The unicorn kept her eyes shut. She wasn't in the air for long as she soon crashed back to the ground on her stomach with her limbs spread. The unicorn grunted as she opened her eyes and lifted her head up from the ground, just in time to see the Carousel take high into the skies. The pinecones that were blasted in the air started tumbling back to the ground. They were all falling in rapidly and randomly. Some seemed to focus on a single spot in front of the unicorn. The unicorn shielded her eyes as they came down. The rain of pinecones ended shortly. The unicorn removed the cover from her eyes to glance down at the small pile that seemed to have formed from that rain. The pile had spelled one word. 'Yes' The unicorn stared off into the direction Carousel had flown, startled by that sudden fury. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo..." Rainbow Dash pondered about their appearance in that forest. She had heard that they had gone on a camping trip and were still there that day. She had a hard time believing everything else had happened, but there was no denying that Carousel could possibly describe them if what she was telling was true. Yet what Carousel was telling was still bothering her. Before Rainbow Dash continued with her part, she looked over to Fluttershy for acceptance. Fluttershy nodded her head in response. This next part would be difficult to retell, but if Fluttershy was comfortable with it, then she was willing to do so.
Desires	Chapter 6: Pain of Fashion	Warning, not for the sensitive mind. 4 days ago: Rainbow Dash had a very groggy feeling within her mind and body. She couldn't focus. She felt so weak as she struggled to emerge from her sleep. Rainbow Dash grunted as she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision blurred, but there was nothing to see, nothing but the black void that surrounded her area. She tried to move, but she felt her limbs restrained. It felt so hot in here, or rather, her coat felt so hot to her, like she had been tanning herself, but not from the sun. She tilted her head to examine her position. Rainbow Dash's body was strapped to what appeared to be a table in a vertical position. All her limbs were spread in the four corners and strapped. Her wings appeared to be strapped as well. She felt weak, so very weak and alone. Slam A bright light that nearly blinded Rainbow Dash's vision made itself apparent in the distance in front of her. It was like a door had opened in front of her. Beyond that door was the silhouette of a single pony, a unicorn. The unicorn slowly approached as the doors closed, ceasing any lights in the area. Rainbow Dash's nerves intensified as the unicorn approached, all she could feel was fear. She was helpless to defend herself as the unicorn approached. The closer the unicorn approached, the more her form had focused, until finally, her form was unmistakable. "Hello there Rainbow Dash, sooo glad you came by to help me," the unicorn Rainbow Dash knew as Rarity spoke. She had a very menacing smile on her face. Despite nothing but void surrounding their areas, their form was solid and clear. "Let's get this started shall we?" Rarity lit her horn up and used her magic to present all sorts of clothing tools. Rainbow Dash couldn't tell where exactly they came from, but now they were being displayed in front of her. The table that she was strapped to started to shift. It slowly turned into a horizontal position, leaving her staring in the skies of the black void. Rarity's clothing came into view. One of them appeared to form what she would guess was a cape. That cape was levitated and pressed onto Rainbow Dash's shoulders. The cape seemed to otherwise cover the entire front of her body. "Nnngh!" Rainbow Dash for some reason was feeling a lot of pain right now. It was as if the cape was sticking to her heated coat, zapping her with their static and tugging at the hairs of her coat. But she felt no pain on her shoulders. The silk was putting a lot of pressure on them though that they felt so fragile. Rainbow Dash's nerves would not calm down. She tried to keep pressure flexed into her shoulders as the clothing pressed down on them in a very rough manner. The silk was folded directly where it was being pressed while the rest of the fabric practically burned her with its simple contact. Then her fear was struck. Two needles with strings attached to them were levitated directly above her, hovering just inches away from the clothing. "Beauty knows no pain!" The needles pressed straight though their marks, slowly penetrating the clothing. "Aaack!" Rainbow Dash writhed in agony as the needles pierced through the pieces of cloth. She could feel the painful sting coming from the needles as they pressed through, disappearing inside the cloth, with no signs of slowing down. The needles reappeared again, piercing through the cloth inches away from its previous destination, leaving the string to follow. "Very good Rainbow Dash, just keep holding still like that." Rarity continued the motion of threading the silk, piercing the needles through as the cloth pressed roughly on Rainbow Dash's shoulders. The needles kept piercing in and out of the fabric while the strings followed, making the fabric connect to both of Rainbow Dash's shoulders. The painful contact was paralyzing Rainbow Dash's motions. The more she moved, the more painful it was. She had to be as still as possible in order to endure the painful stings. "There, now that wasn't so bad, was it darling?" Rarity had stopped her sowing and the pain had ceased. The cape like fabric had been connected to Rainbow Dash's shoulders like they were a part of her. The fabric was covering the whole front part of her body. "Ooof!" Without warning, Rarity jumped on top of the table, landing directly on Rainbow Dash's stomach. She could feel the stinging static leave her where Rarity's hooves were pressing down on. Rarity then grabbed the fabric in her teeth, near Rainbow Dash's neck area, and tugged on it very hard. "AAAAHHH!!!" Rainbow Dash's shoulders erected a painful spike as the fabric that connected to her shoulders attempted pry itself off by force. The strings that had connected with the fabric and Rainbow Dash's coat proved strong enough to withhold its grip. It would not be ripped off of Rainbow Dash so easily. Rarity released her grip from the cape, causing it to snap back and whip at Rainbow Dash's neck. "Perfect," Rarity announced after releasing her grip. Rainbow Dash was panting heavily after the treatment. Her shoulders had an immense aching sting, which was now added to a lot of pressure due to the cape that had been connected through her coat, piercing inside of her. Rarity hopped off of the table, releasing her weight off of Rainbow Dash. She sparked her horn again. Rainbow Dash felt a shift in the table that she was stuck to. The table was rotating back into a vertical position. Rainbow Dash could no longer see the menacing unicorn. She heard the clip clop of hooves being made behind her though. It sounded like they were walking up stairs. "Ahh, Rainbow Dash, by the time I'm done with you, your beauty shall be glorious!" Rainbow Dash could hear Rarity's voice just a little distance behind her, and slightly above. "AAAHHH!!!" Rainbow Dash felt her rainbow mane being tugged very roughly behind her. She felt her mane being taped to the back of her neck in a quick motion.. "Oh dear... that didn't turn out right..." Rip! "OOOOOOOOWWWW!!!" Rainbow Dash's cry resonated with the area around her as the tape was pulled off of her mane and coat. The void made a rippling effect with the sound of her loud screams. The pain was intense. The pain grew even further when Rarity tugged on her mane again, pulling even harder and further. Her mane had been taped further behind her neck, in a more flat position. "Ahh, that's better," Rarity announced. The table felt like it started to shift again, but Rainbow's body wasn't moving. "AAAAHHHMMMPH!!!" Rainbow Dash suddenly felt that same ripping sting resonate with her whole front body. The cape like fabric that covered her body ripped off her like it was connected and came straight for her face, wrapping roughly around her to block out her vision and muffle her voice. "Mmph, Mmmmph!" Rainbow Dash couldn't breathe as the cloth was forcibly pressed against her face, suffocating her. There was no resistance she could do. Her limbs and wings were still strapped to the table, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't move them. She tried desperately to move her head around to get some air, but the more she struggled, the more pain it caused to not only her shoulders that the cape connected to, but also the stinging static it was putting on her face. The cape pressed harder, forcing the back of her head to press rougher against the table. The cape stretched, it sounded like it was ripping apart. Rainbow Dash could feel something sharp passing through the areas that were ripping, dangerously close to her face. The trail was outlining the form of her head, until the fabric slipped right through. "Gasp!, pant, pant," Rainbow Dash continued panting heavily with the fabric no longer pressing against her face. It was now moved to lay behind her. Rainbow Dash could feel her sweat dripping along her face. The table was shifting her position all around and spreading. Her limbs were lifted straight, fore legs up and hind legs down, while her wings were spread wide to the side. Rainbow Dash could feel the cape being pressed flat against her wings. Due to her lack of being able to check behind her, she couldn't determine everything that was going on, or how it was made possible, but what she felt now was that cape being pressed between her wings and the parts of the table that kept her strapped down. The static stinging was gone now. "Oh, Rainbow Dash, you're looking positively fabulous already, and we're just getting started." Rainbow Dash hesitantly tilted her head towards one of her wings, fearing what would come next. Her eyes went wide in shock with what she saw. There were multiple small pins that were levitating and pointing directly towards her wing. There was also a mirror that seemed to allow Rarity to see her work. The pins levitated closer towards her wing. Rainbow Dash had to look away. She squeezed her eyes closed and gritted her teeth, sweating bullets at the anticipation of the pain she would undoubtedly feel. "Nnnnngh, Nnnngaaah!!!" The pins were piercing through her feathers, connecting to the fabric that lay beneath her wings. They connected slowly, but all connected at the same time. Each feather tip contained a sharp sting from the pins, one she could feel pressed directly in the center of her wing, and two more on the center edges. Pierce "AAAAHHH!!!" Before she had time to recover, Rainbow Dash felt her other wing get pierced by the same pattern of pins, only it was forced quickly. The pain was not any better to contain. Being quick only created more pain. Rainbow Dash's head plopped down, away from the table as she felt it shift again. The table's shift caused her four limbs to spread in the four diagonal directions. She couldn't find the energy to look around anymore. Her resistance was futile, and trying to see what happened next wasn't helping. Unfortunately for her, looking away wasn't an option. Rainbow Dash felt her mane being tugged at by Rarity's mouth, causing her head to be lifted up. Her head was being lifted high, exposing her neck clearly. She felt a hoof keep hold on her head to keep it still. When she felt the fabric of the cape start being pressed against her surrounding neck area, she could no longer keep her eyes closed. She opened them to witness what was coming up next. "Now, we shall have this fit perfectly!" What was levitating near Rainbow Dash's neck area was a tiny iron that was emanating heat that she could feel before it was touching her. The iron pressed against the fabric, causing it to press against her coat. As soon as it connected, an intense sizzling sound became apparent. "AAAAAHHHH!!!" The intense heat could be felt clearly through the fabric. The iron was burning Rainbow Dash, tracing over the area the fabric surrounded around her neck. The fabric was shrinking. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth so hard, trying to endure the intense heat coming from the iron as it slid around her neck. Tears were starting to leave her eyes. Rainbow Dash was trying so hard to suppress them. "AAAHHH! NNNNNGHH!!!" Rainbow Dash tried harder. She pressed with all her force to straighten her head. The fabric was tightening around her neck as the burning iron slid around her neck, singeing her. Beat Rainbow Dash heard a loud audible heart beat that echoed throughout the area. She slowly opened her eyes, her tears frozen where they lay as she opened them. There was nothing but the void to see. Beat Rainbow Dash heard the beat again. Her tears started retreating back to her eyes. Things were silent. She could feel nothing anymore. Even the burning heat was no longer apparent. All she could feel, were the tears retreating back. Rainbow Dash's tears disappeared without a trace. SLAM! A door opened, revealing a blinding light in front of Rainbow Dash. "AAAAHH...-" The light pushed against her, causing a screeching sound. She caught sight of the silhouette of a single pony before her vision was completely blinded by the light. ______________________________________________________________________________ "Gasp!" Rainbow Dash had awoken from her nightmare, thrusting her upper body upwards in surprise. After seeing the bright daylight outside, she had calmed down. "Pant, pant no... not again..." Rainbow Dash started wiping the sweat glands that became apparent on her forehead. Taking a look at her surroundings, Rainbow Dash found herself lying on top of a cloud that she had used as her bed. But the cloud was purely black. She was sure it had been white when she napped on it, but it must've changed due to the nightmare she had experienced. "Mmmrph..." Rainbow Dash gave a frustrated groaned at the sight. She roughly dug both of her fore hooves into the cloud. They sank deep within the cloud without breaking it. Rainbow Dash gave a deep breath and cleared her mind. She took slow breathes in and out as a way to calm herself down. The cloud bed that Rainbow Dash was lying on was now starting to brighten up. Rainbow Dash's mood was influencing the nature of the cloud, making the cloud start to become normal. The cloud had brightened back to its original white color. Rainbow Dash gave a low sigh of relief after having calmed down. Taking a more thorough look around her surroundings, Rainbow Dash saw that she seemed to be a little just outside of Ponyville. She just remembered the last thing that had happened before she took her nap, Rarity and her dressmaking. Rainbow Dash took note of the sun's position in the sky. "Right, today's the day Rarity's leaving for Hoofington," Rainbow Dash talked to herself, thinking about what to do. "I guess I better get over there and help her out." Despite her experience yesterday and what she told herself, she decided to go and help Rarity out anyway. Besides, the others would most likely be there anyway, so it wasn't like she would have to deal with Rarity's talking alone. Besides, the talking was the least of her concerns now. Rainbow Dash proceeded to fly off to the Carousel Boutique. While she flew, she thought back to the dream that she had just experienced. This one really made her uneasy. Not only did it happen so much sooner after the previous dream than usual, but this one was much more focused and detailed. She was more aware of what was going on during this dream. But the moment she had managed to focus, the dream vanished.
Desires	Chapter 7: Painful Implications	4 days ago: Rainbow Dash returned back to the Carousel Boutique in order to help pack for Rarity's trip. All of her friends, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rarity were all already present there when she arrived. Pinkie Pie was missing most likely due to her illness. The rest of them were there assisting Rarity with her luggage of supplies and dresses that she was taking either for her client or for her stay while she was at Hoofington. Each pony was carrying at least one luggage, the details not on Rainbow Dash's mind. She instead was trying to think back to that dream that she had had earlier, but it was difficult to recall dreams precisely. The five ponies were walking to the train station with the luggage in toe, with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy carrying their part while flying in the air. They were both carrying two separate suitcases. While they were heading to the train station, Rainbow Dash thought back onto what Fluttershy had said a couple of days ago. If this dream was really that serious, she had to let her friends know. But for some reason, it was just so difficult. She had to try again though. "Listen guys, I have something I have to tell you," Rainbow Dash started. "What is it Rainbow Dash?" Twilight said as the four ponies turned their attentions to Rainbow Dash. "It's hard to believe, but listen," Rainbow Dash paused for a second. "Last night, I had a dream. In that dream, Rarity was sticking a dress on me." Rarity raised an eye brow at this. "Rainbow Dash, that wasn't a dream, that happened yesterday, these are the dresses I'm taking," Rarity stated while motioning to each of their luggage. "No Rarity, that wasn't it. You were using needles and everything when you stuck that dress on me!" Rainbow Dash attempted to correct. "You were really hurting me when you were doing that!" "Oh dear I was? Why didn't you say anything?" Rarity asked as she put a hoof to her mouth, but then remembered. "Oh, I remember, I had to tape your mouth closed because you kept interrupting me." "Hold on," Applejack interjected. "Tape her mouth? What in tarnation did ya do Rarity?" "Why, Rainbow Dash had asked about my day during that dreadful storm," Rarity stated while she took an elegant pose while still walking. "So I tried to tell her all about it. But she kept interrupting me. I had to silence her somehow if I was ever going to share it with her." "Guys! I'm not talking about her story!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "I'm talking about the dress that Rarity was sticking on to me!" "Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry about that," Rarity stated. "But I needed to get my line of fashion done, and you were the only pony available at the time who was willing to help." Twilight hid her face with a little bit of an embarrassed grin at that remark. "First off, I wasn't willing to help!" Rainbow Dash shouted again. "Second off, you burned it on to me!" This left the four friends with a concerned look in their eyes. Rainbow Dash's shouting seemed to be attracting other ponies' attentions. "The tools that you were using to stick that dress on me burned me! It was so hot and painful!" Fluttershy placed both her hooves, along with the package, over her mouth. She was horrified by the statements Rainbow Dash had made. It sounded like Rainbow Dash had such a painful experience if what she was saying was true. "Oh my, Rainbow Dash," Rarity responded, feeling guilty about it. "I'm so sorry, I... I didn't know." Rainbow Dash's mood started to shine after hearing that response. "Modelin' fer a dress can be painful, But ah never expected it ta sound painful like that," Applejack said. Rainbow Dash's mood suddenly dropped. Fluttershy seemed to be concerned "Listen Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry for how I reacted earlier, but Rarity desperately needed help," Twilight said in a sympathetic tone. "Don't worry though, if modeling is as painful to you as you say it is, then you won't ever have to do it again. We understand, right Rarity?" Rainbow Dash's body started vibrating in frustration, her breathing becoming slightly aggressive, but not visible from a distance. "Oh of course darling," Rarity responded. "It would be so uncouth of me to force somepony to dressing fabulously, even if she could use some lightening up." She cleared her throat. "Nevertheless, I shall only model her if she allows it. How does that sound, Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow Dash released her grip from the suitcase she was carrying, letting it drop to the ground, spilling out its contents. Without a word, she flew away from the scene in a hurry and in frustration. The remaining four friends, minus Fluttershy, all stopped walking and looked at each other in confusion. Fluttershy had looked off in the direction Rainbow Dash had fled towards, both fear and worry in her face. What Rainbow Dash described sounded just awful to her. "Oh my, was it something I said?" Rarity asked. While the others were discussing the situation, Fluttershy had gently set down the suitcase that she was holding down to where Rainbow Dash's had dropped. She left the scene to follow the trail that Rainbow Dash had flown. "Maybe she didn't want this to be heard in public," Twilight thought as she noticed that several of Ponyville's citizens were watching them. "But Twilight, she was the one who started this conversation," Rarity said. "Hmm, Fluttershy, do you know what's going on with her,... Fluttershy?" Twilight looked around, only to notice that Fluttershy had left at some point. ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash was flying through the air with no particular destination in mind. She was beating her wings in a very aggressive manner, clearly frustrated. The wind was being pushed and blown away by Rainbow Dash's force. The clouds that were even close to her path dissipated as she passed by them. "Grr! Why is it so hard?!" Rainbow Dash set her flight path on a direct course in the direction of one of the larger clouds that came into view. She flew to a higher altitude before she descended towards it. Rainbow Dash landed on the cloud with a large thump, causing some particles to escape the cloud upon impact. Rainbow Dash started beating the cloud with her front hooves, punching left and right to let out her frustration and causing more particles to break apart. "I am not trying to tell them I am embarrassed!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she continued beating the cloud. "Why can't they see that? I'm trying to tell them that they're-..." Rainbow Dash stopped her voice and movements as she realized what she was about to say. "N-no, they're my friends. They would never do something like that," she tried telling herself. "But... that dream... Rarity, she was..." Rainbow Dash was losing her words. She could recall that dream so clearly. She could practically feel the pain again while thinking about it again. Every piece of fabric that was being connected directly to her coat, with the use of pins, needles, and... "Mmmrrph!" Rainbow Dash gripped her head in her hooves in frustration. She plopped herself down on the cloud on her back, trying to make sense of everything. What Rainbow Dash could recall was that Rarity was sowing a cape on her, but she was doing it in a very painful way. Was that to imply that that was how she felt for Rarity's dresses? ______________________________________________________________________________ Fluttershy had managed to follow Rainbow Dash's trail not only by following the direction she flew in, but also by using the path of oddly positioned clouds in the skies. Fluttershy found Rainbow Dash lying on one of the larger clouds. Fluttershy intended to talk to her, but she stopped and hid herself when she noticed Rainbow Dash was already talking with another pony. But there wasn't another pony she was talking to. Rainbow Dash was talking to, herself. Fluttershy stood on one of the clouds nearby, keeping herself barely from view. She was feeling very uneasy about this. "Oh... maybe I should leave. It's wrong to spy on other pony's privacy," Fluttershy told herself. She attempted to try to leave, but she was just too worried to move. She hesitantly moved her attention back to Rainbow Dash's words. "I don't hate Rarity's dresses, I don't," Rainbow Dash said to herself. "I just don't like sitting around for so long, having to hold still while she works." Rainbow Dash brought herself back up as she looked off into the distance. "Is that why I feel like my body is being pierced as I have to hold still like that?" Fluttershy cringed when she heard Rainbow Dash say that. "Do I really feel like I'm being stabbed repeatedly while I model for Rarity?" Fluttershy imagined the images from Rainbow Dash's words. She saw a dress that was filled with needles that could be seen from the outside. The needles were used to connect to Rainbow Dash directly. The outside of the dress however, completely hid the needles. Fluttershy gave a small squeak. She pressed her hooves around her body in agony just thinking about what that could've felt like. "...And that burning and static, the singeing... how hot it was..." Rainbow Dash continued as she picked herself and started pacing around. She was starting to use a lot of similar words without even realizing it. "Am I really that embarrassed that it sets me on fire like that?" Fluttershy now had the image of the dress being burst into flames while Rainbow Dash was still wearing it. Or the dress was just burning her to the touch because the dress was that hot. Either way, it was too difficult for Fluttershy to imagine it happening. She could practically feel the pain now. It was that terrifying to her. Fluttershy shivered and whimpered in agony as the images kept coming to her. She slumped lower into the cloud, hiding her face within it, trying to escape the images. She could only imagine how Rainbow Dash was feeling right now if this was how she was feeling. "Mmmph..." Rainbow Dash groaned in agony at the implications she thought of. She stopped pacing and stood at the edge of the cloud. "Do they... really hate me?" she said as she plopped herself down, dangling a hoof off the edge of the cloud. "Or is it me who's hating them... for what they put me through?" She closed her eyes as she thought. The cloud she was lying on was starting to darken. Fluttershy could only feel misery watching that scene. She tried to think of something, anything that she could say. But she couldn't find the confidence to figure out how. "I don't hate you, Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy said under her breath. "I... I could never do something like that..." She felt as if speaking those words would help. But Rainbow Dash had to hear it from her friends, the ones who she thought she was hating on, or were hating her. "Rainbow Dash... you're my..." She couldn't finish that sentence before Rainbow Dash started speaking again. "I don't hate them..." Rainbow Dash said silently. "I... I don't hate them... and they don't hate me..." She slowly closed her eyes. "So why does it feel like they're always bringing pain to me?" Fluttershy was feeling very guilty. She couldn't figure out how to help at all. She felt as if she herself was being such a bad friend to Rainbow Dash by not finding a way to help her. Fluttershy could try to explain to their friends what Rainbow Dash was explaining, but it was too painful for her to even think about it. She felt as if she was already proving to be a bad friend by watching Rainbow Dash's privacy. Seeing Rainbow Dash was no longer moving nor talking, Fluttershy quietly left the scene, keeping the rest of her friend's privacy spared. She would pretend she didn't witness this, hoping that would make up for spying on Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy just couldn't bare the thought of Rainbow Dash one day hating her, or even the other way around. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: Fluttershy was very uncomfortable and terrified by the retelling of this moment. She shivered and whimpered uncontrollably. Rainbow Dash, despite her injuries, held her close, trying her best to comfort her. Rainbow Dash ran her hoof through the back of her pink mane while Fluttershy held her tightly, hiding her face in her cyan coat. Fluttershy's ears dropped low, trying to press against her head to block out any more words coming from that story. "I hope what you've recalled was worth this, Carousel," Rainbow Dash stated as she looked towards her, never letting Fluttershy go. Carousel lowered her eyelids, giving a low but deep growl as she recalled what she had done next. Rainbow Dash continued brushing Fluttershy's mane while Carousel started continuing with her side of the story.
Desires	Chapter 8: Clash in Hoofington	4 days ago: Carousel tore through the skies in a fury. Wind pressure was not an obstacle to her. She continued flying through the air at rough speeds, one destination in mind. Thanks to that unicorn she never caught the name of from earlier, she remembered all too well what she was doing before. She had completed putting together an amulet, but a griffon had stolen it from her soon after she had her treasure. There was nothing else on Carousel's mind. All her attention was grabbed by that single griffon. Her emotions burned with fury, ignoring everything she caught sight of as she flew. Her eye kept twitching, she kept her teeth grinding, and you could hear a violent buzz coming from her wings as she flapped them so roughly and quickly. The only thing she wanted to see was that town. That was where the griffon was. Which meant that was where her amulet was. The town soon came into her view, but she did not slow down her flying. She closed her eyes, thinking back to the image that she saw earlier. How that unicorn had managed to give her such directions, she didn't care. All that mattered to her was getting that amulet back. Afterwards, she would re-visit that unicorn. The images were directing her to a rather large building that looked to be about four stories high. The location seemed to be around the center north edge of the town from her direction. Carousel opened her eyes to scan the area. Everything was void to her. Only the building that matched the description she received, mattered to her. The building at the center north edge was the only thing that wasn't voided out in her eyes. Carousel set her flight path directly towards one of the windows on the fourth floor. She crashed right through it, expecting it to break, but it instead flipped. Carousel landed her hooves hard inside the building's floors, causing it to crack. The ponies inside were all startled by the entrance. The window behind her was flipping violently thanks to her force. She lifted up her head, blowing steam out of her nose. The ponies inside were gasping in surprise. "Hey! You're not supposed to be in here!" one of the ponies shouted, causing two ponies to approach closer. Before they could grab her, Carousel shoved them out of the way and started up her wings again, dashing straight towards the stairs heading to the third floor. The fourth floor of the building appeared to hold many work rooms, using glass as a way to see each working pony. Carousel's violent flying caused a lot of papers to get blown off randomly. As soon as she reached the doorway to the stairs, she shut the doors behind her, stopping any possible pursuers. Carousel used this moment to take a little breather. She used her hoof to shift around the neck collar she wore, taking a deep breath as she pushed it up and down. "Let the hunt, begin!" Carousel said in a low but dark tone. She turned her collar around. "You are here somewhere... and when I find you..." Her body shivered in anticipation. She breathed silently, but audibly. Carousel hovered in the air as a way to descend down the stairs, heading to the third floor. Upon reaching the door that lead to whatever was on the third floor, Carousel placed her ear against it, listening in on what might have been inside. But that was impossible, because it sounded like it was quite noisy in there. It sounded like a lot of chatter, but most of it sounded like activities going on, such as items being moved, machines running, and something that sounded like an argument going on. Carousel carefully opened the door, slipping inside without causing much notice. Scanning the area, it appeared to be a department store, despite what the fourth floor looked like. There were multiple shopping areas selling different types of items. Carousel carefully treaded across the floor, keeping her position low so as to keep herself hidden among the crowd. A few ponies laid eyes on her as she traversed the area. If she was trying to sneak around undetected, she was doing a terrible job at it. But that didn't matter to Carousel. It didn't matter how many ponies saw her. All that mattered was if a certain griffon noticed her. That griffon was somewhere around here, there was no doubt in her mind about that. Carousel treaded closer to a section involving accessories. She heard the arguing going on over there. She braced her back against a wall, standing on her hind legs, and sidled along it for closer viewing and hearing. "You were trying to steal this from me weren't you?!" Carousel heard voices. "N-no, I..." "I saw your grubby little hooves touching it! Don't play dumb with me!" Carousel peeked her head around the edge of the wall. She saw a few ponies backing away from the scene that was going on in the shop. A pony and a griffon were their center of attention. It looked like the griffon was the one angry, for the pony was being grabbed by the neck thanks to the claws of the griffon. Carousel zipped from one cover spot to another, allowing her to get closer to her target. "I-I was just trying to examine it, l-like you asked me to..." "Lies!" Smack "You took that amulet right from my claws so that you could keep it for yourself!" There was a large commotion of gasps when it sounded like the griffon punched the pony. They all seemed to be afraid of what was going on. "B-but..." "Save your breath, I have witnesses!" The griffon turned to the crowd, who all had fear in their eyes. "Isn't that right you losers?" Carousel was away from the crowd, hidden behind shelves with items blocking most of the view. They were arranged in ways that provided very minimal view, so she could see the griffon just fine, but it would make it nearly impossible for the griffon to see her. Carousel crept along the aisle. She could see the amulet in the griffon's claws. It was clearly the same one she had before, yellow, and in the shape of a clock. Carousel could feel the images of the incident being beaten in her mind. She could feel her head thumping violently just looking at it. Her rage grew more. She was giving a low growl as she continued treading carefully. "Now, unless you want more trouble coming your way, you will do EXACTLY as I say!" "Urk..." "You will be paying for the damage you did to my amulet..." Carousel approached closer to the scene. "You will be paying for that damage you did to me..." "B-but, I didn't... ack!" The griffon gripped the pony harder. Carousel came within range. She lunged at the perfect opportunity. "And For Attempting To Steal My Amulet, YOU, WILL, AGHUG!!!" Carousel halted the griffon's speech by shoving the griffon aside with the weight of her body. The pony was released while Carousel held the griffon against the wall. "GIVE THAT BACK TO ME!" Carousel said like she was finishing the griffon's speech. She attempted to grab the amulet back, but the griffon showed resistant. The crowd of ponies gave more gasps at the situation. Carousel was shoved away by the griffon, causing her to fly back, but Carousel retaliated by pushing herself against the shelves that she was shoved to. The shelves of items spilled and shattered as a result, but she used the force of that push to lunge at the griffon again, using both forehooves to retaliate an attack. The force impacted the griffon, causing them to break through the wall. The griffon retaliated after impacting the ground by shoving Carousel up and over. Carousel slid along the ground before she could halt herself, keeping her sights on the griffon. The griffon stood back up, giving a menacing look back at Carousel. "Oho, you do not want to mess with me you loser!" the griffon challenged, punching one of her claws with her other claw. The clash had just begun. Carousel exhaled a visible steam of breath through her snout, twice. She whipped her tail around and spread her wings into a fighting stance. She eyed the griffon carefully, scraping a hoof along the ground. Her goal was to get back that amulet, which she could see being held by the tail of her griffon opponent. The griffon charged for Carousel, throwing a claw strike directly at the pegasus. Carousel retaliated by striking with a hoof. The claw and the hoof connected, canceling out each other's strikes. A volley of strikes came from both pegasus and griffon, both being blocked, or both connecting. Carousel was backing off while the griffon continued striking. Any passerby ponies were either being shoved away from the fight, or avoiding it. Their fighting led them into what appeared to be a kitchen area before it started changing up. Smack Carousel threw another punch in the middle of the fight, connecting with the griffon's head. "Grr! Rah!" The griffon attacked back, striking a claw at Carousel's face, thrusting her away. Carousel impacted on one of the stoves with her back, causing some of the cooking pots to spill on the ground. The griffon pulled out what appeared to be a chainsaw, which was probably somewhere in the stash of items in the area. "I told you, you do not want to mess with me! Now You'll Pay!" The griffon started up the chainsaw and aimed it at Carousel. Carousel stopped the griffon by gripping her hooves on the chainsaw's handles before it touched her. The chainsaw was getting close to her neck. "Nngh!" Carousel struggled to push the chainsaw away while the griffon pushed back. Thinking quickly, Carousel moved her tail to wrap around the handle of one of the nearby cooking pots. Since it was recently used, it was still piping hot, despite its spilled contents. Carousel threw the pot in the air using her tail. She then used a free hoof to slam it directly on the griffon's head when the pot came within range. "RRAAAAAAGHH!!!" The sizzling of the griffon being burned was loud. This retaliation caused the griffon to drop the chainsaw. The chainsaw was still running, sawing through the floor on its own. Carousel used this moment to grab the griffon. She shoved the griffon to the stove. Slam, slam, slam... Carousel repeatedly slammed the griffon's pot wearing head directly on the stove's surface. The pot shattered due to its abuse. Suddenly, the large wings of the griffon spread, knocking Carousel off balance. The griffon grabbed Carousel, taking her into the air, shortly, and then throwing her towards a damaged part of the ground due to the chainsaw. ______________________________________________________________________________ A single pony was sitting at a desk, finishing a file of papers concerning his job. He gave a grunted sigh as he set the files down. Crack! The ceiling above said pony had just been torn down. Landing in front of him was a brown pegasus, followed by some falling debris from the destroyed ceiling. The pegasus's face was directed toward the stallion in a painful manner. "Can I help you?" the stallion said in a casual tone and look. Crash! Suddenly a griffon swooped down and attacked the pegasus. Their ruckus caused them to hit a ton of objects in the work place. Papers were being flung off, tools were crashing to the ground, and the desk got destroyed. Their battle directed them away from the work area, leaving a dazed stallion just staring at his destroyed work. His eye twitched as he looked at the destruction. The only thing still intact was the files that he just finished. "I QUIT!" he said as he smacked the files away. The floor under him gave away due to a chainsaw still running, causing a hole in the ground. Crash ______________________________________________________________________________ Crash! "AAIIEEE!!!" A bunch of ponies started screaming and running when the appearance of a pegasus and a griffon's duel came apparent out of another wall they crashed and broke through. Carousel threw the griffon towards a set of machines. The machine cracked and started spurring out electricity. Boom! The machine exploded, causing the griffon to get blasted away. The griffon used this momentum to charge at Carousel. Carousel didn't expect that and got slammed hard by the griffon's body. The two fighters rolled and crashed through many objects, causing more destruction. A set of lights fell from the ceiling due to their ruckus, creating fire within their wake. "AAIIEEE!!!" Many ponies scrambled and screamed at the sight of fire. Carousel was currently being shoved by the griffon through more objects, breaking right through. She tried to stop the griffon, but was unable to. The griffon held her by the head, targeting straight for a wall that led out of the building. Crash! The two fighters broke right out of the building, both losing control of themselves. They were on the second floor when they crashed through. The building had sustained a lot of damage due to their fighting that it was now collapsing behind them. Carousel and the griffon separated in mid-air, tumbling towards the ground. They impacted the ground, rolling outside of town, landing near a forest. It didn't take long for them to come to a stop. The griffon had recovered first, leaving Carousel on the ground. Both of them had received lots of bruise marks due to their battle, but it looked like the griffon was winning. The griffon glared at the downed pegasus with a menacing smirk. "Pant, pant Give it up dude, pant I eat ponies like you for breakfast. Pant, pant," The griffon's wings spread into a taunting pose. "You're out of your league trying to take me on." That last impact dealt quite a blow to Carousel's head. Her mind had scrambled some more as a result. She hesitantly picked herself up as her mind focused on that griffon. Things were suddenly much clearer to Carousel. The description for this griffon became apparent to her. This was a female griffon. The fur around her face was white while the rest of the fur on her body was brown. Carousel managed to stand back up, using a hoof to rub her forehead. She then turned her red neck collar around again, flashing a smile as she stared at her griffon opponent. "What are you smiling about, pal?" the griffon asked. "You're not the same griffon I encountered many years ago," Carousel stated. "Who are you?" The griffon gave off a confused look. "Who am I? Why should I tell you?" "Hmph, you may not be the same one, but you might as well be," Carousel responded, looking slightly away. "Even so, I still want that amulet back." "Oh, you mean this?" The griffon motioned her tail towards Carousel, showing her the amulet. "Sorry dude, but this is mine!" "Oh is it? Then I ask, what does it-" "Dude! Stop Talking!" The griffon interrupted. "Your voice is really creeping me out!" "Well, I'm sorry if you hate it, but I have to ask, NNGH-" The griffon charged and struck at Carousel in fury, slamming her into a tree in the nearby forest. "I Said, Be Quiet!" the griffon roared. Carousel grunted before responding. She wasn't putting up any resistance. "Urgh... can I please get a-" RAAAWWWRR!!! The griffon gave a wild loud roar in rage, blowing roughly against Carousel's face. The griffon punched Carousel in the face with her claws in an attempt to silence the annoying pegasus. The griffon continuously struck at Carousel's face with its claws, all the while, Carousel didn't try resisting, but endured each blow. "Smack I told you to stop talking you lame-o pony! Smack I don't care what your weak excuse is, but I know you can hear me just fine! Smack When I Tell You To Stop Talking, You Stop-" Crash Before the griffon could land that last strike, Carousel quickly moved her head out of the way, causing the griffon to pierce her claws directly inside the trunk of the tree. "Grr... Nngh!" the griffon grunted, trying to remove her claw out of the trunk. While she was busy attempting that, Carousel slipped away from the griffon's grip. "If you want me to listen to you then why won't you listen to me!?" Carousel retaliated all that abuse putting a bit of distance from the griffon before charging at her in the air, slamming the griffon with a powerful kick against the tree. "RAAAHH!" the griffon shrieked out in pain. That attack caused the tree trunk to start cracking. "There Is Only One Thing That I Want From You!" Carousel shoved the griffon's head against the tree, causing her beak to pierce inside the trunk as well. "Mmph!" Now the griffon's claw and beak were stuck to the tree. "All I Want Is The Amulet That You Took From Me!" With the griffon helpless to defend herself, Carousel snatched the amulet back. "And Then You'll Never Have To Hear From Me Again!" Carousel flew a few distances back again, now with the amulet in her hooves. "IS IT REALLY SO HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT!!!?" She charged directly towards the upper part of the tree, kicking it with a force powerful enough for the damaged lower section to snap. ...Pant, pant... Carousel gave very low pants as she watched that tree start rolling downhill, deeper into the forest. That griffon was unable to release herself from its grasp. The griffon was helplessly being taken deeper inside the forest as a result. Carousel looked over to her retrieved amulet. She saw herself in its reflection. She started... chuckling for some reason. "...Heheheheh..." Her chuckling was getting stronger slowly. For some reason, she felt so good. She started flying away from the scene to suppress her chuckling. But her chuckling kept growing. Soon it became a laugh. Carousel flew faster, no destination in mind. Her laughter couldn't be contained. "Ahahaha, ahaha... gasp Nnngh!" Carousel's laughter ceased when she felt a burning pain coming directly from her mind. She clutched her head desperately as she continued flying. Images were being beaten in her mind. Carousel was suddenly starting to feel so much pain. All of the damage her body sustained became apparent to her in a much greater scale. She started seeing images of every mark and scratch that were on her body. Then the images were shifting back to the building where that clash took place. Carousel was seeing the images of the many ponies that had been injured due to that battle. She felt their pain. Their appearances were so focused. One of them was pink with two shades of yellow hair, one of them was light blue with a darker blue hair, one of them was white with dark purple hair, and one... was just a light blue filly with two shades of white hair. The sounds of their agonizing pain burned through Carousel's mind. Her flying slowed down as the pain became apparent. She was... whimpering mid-flight. Tears started escaping her eyes. Carousel was dropping her altitude, wrapping her hooves around her body. The cries of those injured ponies surrounded her mind. They wouldn't leave her alone. Carousel took a hesitant landing in a meadow area near an outskirt of a different town, dropping her amulet nearby. The tears stayed with her eyes, but the whimpering was clearly present. She curled into a ball, attempting to drown out the sound of those cries. Rustle... A new sound made it to Carousel's ears. It sounded like hoof steps. The cries in her mind were slowly drowning out as it came closer. "Gasp Oh my..." Carousel heard voices now. It sounded like two ponies were heading her way. "I did hear crying... excuse me ma'am, are you alright?" The sounds of the new voices were calming her down. Those voices drowned out the cries of pain that were attacking her mind. She looked away from the ground and looked up to the pair of ponies that had found her. "Gasp!" But then fear struck Carousel when she saw them. She tried backing away. "Whoa, hey... don't worry, we don't want to hurt you." There were two unicorn ponies in front of Carousel. One was an adult mare while the other one was just a little filly. The sight of the filly unicorn brought fear to Carousel's mind. The images of that injured filly were about to attack her mind again. But then, the unicorn filly in front of her walked closer to her, with something in her mouth. The filly set it down in front of her. "Here, I think you dropped," the filly said. It was the yellow amulet that she had just recently gotten back. Carousel carefully placed a hoof on it. The painful images came to a complete stop. She gave a deep sigh of relief seeing that the pain had been relieved. "I'm sorry, my name is, Amethyst Star," the older unicorn said. "But, you may call me Sparkler. And this is my little sister, Dinky." "Hello!" the little filly responded. "You look like you're hurt, we can take you to the hospital if you'd like." Carousel picked the amulet in her hooves and set it close to her. She gave a nod in response to the two unicorns that had offered to help. Their presence had eased her mind somehow. She allowed the two unicorns to aid her up to her hooves, escorting her to whatever destination they had in mind. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "Oh... my..." Fluttershy was quite taken aback by these events that were stated. She had managed to recover somewhat from her traumatized state earlier, but still held onto Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash however was still being irritated by what Carousel was telling. She obviously wasn't going to get an answer unless she brought it up. "Okay Carousel, what is going on?" Rainbow Dash started. She pointed a hoof at her while keeping the other wrapped around Fluttershy. "You've been telling us all about how important this amulet is to you, but you've never mentioned what it does or what it was for." "Um... it's a flash light?" Fluttershy hesitantly suggested. Rainbow Dash gave Fluttershy an odd look in response. "She said it gave off a light so bright, it blinded her." "That amulet is so important to her because it creates light?" Rainbow Dash asked in an exaggerated tone. "Mmm... m-maybe it's Equestria's brightest flash light ever?" Fluttershy said with an embarrassing smile. After all, some ponies would find such precious emotions in the smallest of things, no matter how ridiculous it was. Rainbow Dash looked over to Carousel for a response. But she didn't respond. She just dropped her eye lids, scrunching her face. Rainbow Dash's ears perked up. She could just barely hear some sort of cranking noise going on, somewhere nearby from where they were. She could just barely feel the entire facility move in an odd way. It was short, but it made her realize something. This facility must've been floating in the skies. Rainbow Dash groaned with an irritated sigh. Whatever that amulet was for, either Carousel couldn't remember, or she was purposefully not telling them. The latter seemed to be the more likely one. "Look, the next day is the day everything starts happening," Rainbow Dash continued in a softer voice. "We better get some answers as to what is going on, or we're through with this charade!" Fluttershy could see the seriousness in Rainbow Dash's eyes. If things didn't make sense soon, they were never going to learn what happened. Fluttershy gave a nervous gulp when the story continued again.
Desires	Chapter 9: Limits	Warning: Not for the fragile mind. 3 days ago: Flash There was a bright flash of light. It was all Rainbow Dash was seeing right now. She could still hear its flashing sound. The sound was dimming away but it was still present. There was the silhouette of a single pony in the center of the light. That pony started approaching as the bright areas behind started to close like a door. Deja vu suddenly struck Rainbow Dash. This scene felt all too similar. Now, she remembered why. Fear returned to her. She couldn't move. Her limbs were strapped down to a table that changed forms. The table was currently positioned so that her body faced in the door's direction. The whole room was void, even with the bright light emitting in front of her. Rainbow Dash felt an aching pain on her shoulders. There was a lot of pressure on them. Her neck area was very hot and sticky. She had sweat on her forehead. Even her wings were pained. There was a sharp sting that outlined her wing areas, along with one in the center of each. All these areas seemed to connect to the fabric she was currently wearing. But Rainbow Dash couldn't see what it was. She was forced to look straight ahead at the opened doors bringing in such bright light. The doors were closing, allowing Rainbow Dash to see clearer. As the light continued to disappear, the silhouette of the pony started to become clear. Despite there being no light in the surrounding areas, the pony's form was clear. "Ah, Applejack, it's so good of you to join me." Rainbow Dash heard the voice of Rarity behind her. Indeed in front of her was Applejack. Rainbow Dash noticed a tool kit that Applejack seemed to be holding before she set it down in front of her. "Course ah did, Rarity. Ah brought the tools like ya asked." The tool kit was opened up by Rarity's magic. "Hey there, Rainbow Dash, you look mighty plum tuckered out there," Applejack continued. Something was being lifted out of the tool kit due to Rarity's magic. What Rainbow Dash saw, made her wince in fear. It appeared to be a power drill, to which Applejack took into her hooves. A shiver went down to Rainbow Dash's spine as she felt a brush running through her mane. The brush suddenly jolted aggressively. "AAAaahhh..." Rainbow Dash's head was forced upwards to look at Rarity. She seemed to be standing on something that gave her extra height if she was able to get that close to Rainbow Dash's face. Rarity was holding a menacing smile on her face. "But of course she is tuckered out, Applejack," Rarity started in a dramatically sympathetic way. "She has been working so hard lately that she can no longer keep up with herself." "...Nnngh..." Rainbow Dash continued to whimper as Rarity forced her head to be held up high. She winced when she heard the sound of a power drill revving on. "And that's what we're here for, Rarity," Applejack said in a darker tone. "We're here ta make sure that her energy is never faltered again." Rainbow Dash's hind leg twitched in fear when she felt a hoof press against it. Due to the straps on the table, Rainbow Dash couldn't move her limbs out of place. Shriek! Now, Rainbow Dash felt the power drill, drilling through the hard surfaces of her right hind hoof. "Nnnngaaahhh!" Rainbow Dash saw sparks before she closed her eyes, writhing in agony as the drill was piercing through her limb. Despite the fact that she was trying to pull her leg back, it wouldn't move due to the straps. A huge amount of pressure and pain was being applied to Rainbow Dash's hoof as it was being drilled. It was going in deep. Shriek! "Ugh... that dreadful noise is unbearable..." That loud screeching noise coming from the power drill seemed to be upsetting Rarity. But the grip she held on Rainbow Dash's mane still remained. "That only means it's workin', Rarity!" Applejack responded to Rarity's notion. Shriek! "She'll never grow tired after this!" The sounds coming from the power drill seemed to be dimming away. The rising pain that Rainbow Dash was feeling came to a halt. Her hoof however was left with a very uncomfortable pressure of pain. Rainbow Dash gasped and panted. She could feel her sweat sliding slowly down her forehead. Her head was released from Rarity's grip, leaving her neck sore after being kept held high for that long. She hesitantly looked down to her right hind leg. There was quite a well-rounded hole graved near the edge of the hard surface on her hoof. Rainbow Dash saw a cylinder-like gem being levitated towards that hole. It stopped moving when Rainbow Dash started feeling a brush running through her mane, slowly. "Ahh, Rainbow Dash... your mane is just as colorful as these gems," Rarity said as she brushed the multi-colored mane. "They are as powerful as they are beautiful, the perfect fit for a mare like you. With these gems... you'll never fail, EVER again!" The pointed end of the gem went first, entering directly inside the hole that was made on Rainbow Dash's leg. "Aaahh..." Rainbow Dash attempted to suppress a yelp. The gem was being forced inside of the hoof, but stopped when it hit something inside. Whatever it was poking was making Rainbow Dash very sensitive right now. The gem was still sticking out of her hoof. "Hmm... seems ah didn't drill far enough," Applejack said as she placed a hoof to her chin. She reached into the tool kit again. What she took out made Rainbow Dash cringe. Applejack held a hammer in her mouth. She took the hammer and aimed it towards the gem that was sticking inside Rainbow Dash's drilled hoof. Without warning, she swiped the hammer with great speed, leaving Rainbow Dash just seconds to look away and brace for impact. PING! "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" The scream echoed throughout the void. The pain was unbearable. "There we go, Rarity?" "Yes, Applejack." Rainbow Dash grinded her teeth as she attempted to recover such a specific force of incision. Her right hind leg was vibrating uncontrollably. The sound of the power drill revving up became apparent again. Rainbow Dash slowly opened one eye, fearing she would regret doing so. She saw Applejack drilling a bolt through the hole in her hoof. "Nnnngh..." Rainbow Dash winced as more pressure was being applied to her hoof. The uncontrollable shaking wasn't helping either. Soon the bolt was drilled in, filling the hole in her hoof completely, along with concealing that gem. Click The gem that was implanted inside Rainbow Dash's hoof gave off a bright glow. It was bright enough to see outside of the hoof. Before she had much of a chance to recover, the sound of the drill revving up was heard again. "Success, time ta move on ta the next," Applejack stated while moving the drill towards Rainbow Dash's left hind leg. Rainbow Dash felt a brush tug on her mane before she saw the drill connect. "...Nngh..." Rainbow Dash's head was forced to turn up, looking at Rarity. "Hmm..." Rarity sounded like she was humming an idea, placing a hoof on her chin. Shriek! "Mmm... MMMmmhhh!" Rainbow Dash groaned, trying to endure the piercing pressure that the drill was putting on her hoof. She could see the flashing of the sparks coming from that drill being reflected like lights on Rarity's face. "Gasp Ideeaaa!" Rarity announced. "Applejack, do be a dear and hurry that along." The shrieking sound suddenly dimmed away. The pain Rainbow Dash was feeling subsided. "Okay, Rarity, lay it on me," Applejack responded. Rainbow Dash saw Rarity levitating another cylinder shaped gem down to where Applejack was. Rainbow Dash whimpered. There was no way that incision was any deeper than the previous. Rainbow Dash put a stronger force on her head to attempt to look down towards her hind leg. Rarity seemed to allow this as Rainbow Dash had managed to do so. Rainbow Dash saw the gem being inserted into the small hole that was engraved into the hard surface of her left hind hoof. There was more pressure on it than there was pain, but Applejack was looking at Rarity like they were passing ideas. Applejack had a hammer in her mouth, but then she decided to toss it away towards the ground. She had a smirk on her face before she turned around, lifting one of her hind legs. Rainbow Dash gasped at this motion. Fear struck all over her body. She knew what was coming. Rainbow Dash turned her head away, trying her best to brace herself, biting her teeth down hard. Smash! Applejack kicked the gem with a mighty blow, inserting it quickly into Rainbow Dash's leg. "AAAAAAAHHHHwmmmph!!!" Rainbow Dash's screams were halted when another gem was shoved into her mouth. Rarity was using a hoof to keep them gem inside her mouth, using the other hoof to be set under Rainbow Dash's chin. Putting pressure against the gem and her throat, Rarity caused Rainbow Dash to swallow the gem. There was a visible lump showing the gem's presence, sliding down Rainbow Dash's body until it reached her belly area. Smack! That was when Applejack gave another kick, right in the area where the gem was. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" SHRIEK!!! At the same time Rainbow Dash felt the force of Applejack's kick being placed on her stomach; more power drills suddenly came into contact on both of Rainbow Dash's strapped forehooves, drilling away at their hard surfaces. "AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Shriek! Rainbow Dash couldn't even see with all the sparks flying about due to those power drills. They were drilling through her hooves with no mercy. There was a large amount of pain put on Rainbow Dash's stomach. Her right hind leg was vibrating in soreness with a lot of pressure put on it while her left hind leg was having a bolt being screwed in to cover the gem. Rainbow Dash's shoulders and wings held a very uncomfortable sting having a large cape being connected directly on her coat due to the needles. Her neck was very sore having that same fabric being burned onto her coat. Both of Rainbow Dash's forehooves were directly being power drilled through, causing such an agonizing pain to her. So, much, pain. It really hurt. Rainbow Dash was losing her senses. It became so much harder to concentrate. ______________________________________________________________________________ Before she knew it, the shrieking halted. The gems were already placed. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes after managing to recover. She saw that the bolts had already been applied to all four of her limbs. The gems gave off a bright light emanating within each limb. Applejack was no longer in front of her and she couldn't hear Rarity anymore. Creak The table that Rainbow Dash was strapped to had begun to shift around again. Rainbow Dash's body was being turned upwards to face the skies of the voided room she was in. The table started moving in the direction Rainbow Dash's head was in. While the table was moving her, the table shifted its shape. Rainbow Dash's forehooves were being brought to her sides while her hind legs were connecting straight. Rainbow Dash saw some kind of bar passing just above her. In the corners of her eyes, she saw Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. Rarity was standing with Applejack while Pinkie Pie was standing on the opposite side of them from whatever contraption she was entering. "She is finally ready," she heard Pinkie say. "She will become, perfection," she heard Rarity say. "She will be the hardest worker ever," she heard Applejack say. The next line was spoken by all three of them at the same time. "She will never fail one of us, EVER AGAIN!" Fail. That word struck Rainbow Dash's mind like a solid rock. Her mind tried to reel back towards previous events that happened earlier. But as soon as she tried that, her mind wavered uncontrollably. She got very dizzy. Beat The sound of a heart beat resonated in the area again. Bzzz! The machine above her suddenly burst into electricity. Rainbow Dash's eyes grew wide in shock. "Ahh, aahhh!" Rainbow Dash panicked, trying get away, only to be held down by the straps. The electricity came dangerously close, more specifically, close to her face. To make matters worse, the fabric she wore felt as if it would concentrate all this electricity to flow only around her body. It felt highly conductive. When it connected, Rainbow Dash's vision was blinded by a bright light. ______________________________________________________________________________ BZZZ! "AAAHHHH!" Rainbow Dash awoke to something zapping her wildly beneath her. She looked beneath her to see what she was lying on. Rainbow Dash groaned seeing that she had just created another black cloud due to her dreams. The worst part was that she decided to nap on a cloud that was much larger than she usually uses. She was so frustrated at the sight of that cloud. Instead of trying to turn it back to normal, Rainbow Dash just took off into the air. She then headed straight back, striking the cloud with her hooves, causing the cloud to dissipate. "Groan... what is wrong with me!?" Rainbow Dash asked herself as she braced both forehooves against her head. She really tried to make sense why these dreams were suddenly happening so often. The only conclusion she could come up with was her recent failures over everything lately. First she had failed to retrieve an artifact stolen from Baltimare. Then she had taken too long to return to Ponyville in order to get Pinkie that medicine. And of course, no matter how hard she tried, she could not get her friends to understand exactly what was going on in her dreams. Not to mention she still had to figure out what the weather team did with that storm near Carousel Boutique. "I am not a failure!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "I'm just getting too tired too quickly! There's too much going on!" Rainbow Dash knew that if something wasn't done, this would keep happening. She had to do something about this. She didn't want to keep letting her friends down like this. Taking a look at the position of the sun in the sky, Rainbow Dash could tell that it was still pretty early in the morning. Regardless, Rainbow Dash had her next destination in mind. She flew off in the direction of the cottage near the Everfree Forest. Fluttershy was most likely home at this time.
Desires	Chapter 10: Fortune’s Message	3 days ago: "Pant, pant" Her breathing was steady, but her mind was scrambled. There was nothing she could hear but a very high pitched screeching sound. The void in her mind rushed through multiple images. She saw many ponies as she was rushed through. There was so much destruction, so much fire surrounding her as her mind rushed through the void. Everything was being sucked in, until suddenly, she woke up. "Gasp!" Carousel shot her head up from the bed she was sleeping in. There was a dull pain coursing all around her body, but a sharp one coursing through her head. The high pitched screeching was leaving her ears. She heard very soft muffles surrounding her. But before she was able to come to her senses, she felt some hooves grab on to her. "Nnngh..." Carousel struggled to get herself loose from those hooves' grips on her. She could hear some muffles of voices going on around her, sounding like they were telling her to stay still. Getting some of her senses back, Carousel managed to see the ponies that were trying to hold her down. Based on the way they were dressed, along with the bandages on her body, she could tell that she was at a hospital. She had to get out of here. "Get, off of me!" Carousel shouted, attempting to release herself off of the bed. It felt like she managed to release some cables that were attached to her. "Calm down ma'am!" Carousel heard the voices say. Her hearing was becoming clearer. "You have to calm down before you hurt yourself!" Beeeeep Carousel could hear a loud audible beep sound that continued to play. "I said, get off of me!" Carousel shoved one of the ponies away, causing them to stumble backwards on the floor. Carousel managed to get herself off the bed. Two other ponies however were still gripped on to her. "Ma'am, stop it!" one of the ponies yelled. "She's hallucinating, we have to get her back to bed, stat!" another one yelled. "Grr... I said, LEAVE ME ALONE!" Carousel yelled. She started vibrating her wings, using the wind and force to weaken their grip. Smack Carousel took this moment to punch the pony gripping at her left side. That blow caused the pony to get knocked away, crashing into a stand of medical supplies. The impact caused those supplies to fall off their shelves, shattering on the ground. "Stop it! Somepony, get help!" the last pony gripping her said. The first one that she shoved out of bed scrambled to their hooves and fled the room. "Graah!" Carousel grabbed the pony's head, shoving it downward towards the floor, causing their head to bounce off. That force caused the pony to lose their hold on Carousel. Carousel finished off by spinning around and kicking that pony away. The pony was sent flying towards the wall, crashing hard into it. The pony dropped to the floor unconscious, leaving a crack on the wall. "Pant, pant" Carousel panted, trying to recover her exhaustion after being able to free herself. An alarm sounded around the hospital. Carousel had to act fast, otherwise there would surely be more ponies trying to stop her. Within her tail, Carousel still had that yellow amulet wrapped around it. She kept it with her even with those ponies trying to take it from her. Carousel used her tail to toss the amulet towards one of the windows in the room. When the amulet impacted the window, instead of it shattering, it just flung open due to the amulet's force. Carousel immediately took flight, shooting straight outside the building, catching the amulet in her tail before it dropped too far. Her flight path started immediately towards some woods before anything else, allowing her to lose any possible pursuers. "Pant, pant" Carousel placed her hooves on her forehead as she flew. She gathered her thoughts, clearing her mind. Today, she was supposed to meet with a certain unicorn she met yesterday. That's where she was going now. Carousel took a look at all of the bandages that covered her body. She started to remove them immediately, ripping them off of her body, and throwing them away. All of the pain in Carousel's body started to ease after the bandages had been removed. She took a deep sigh as she placed a hoof towards her collar, moving it up and down, relaxing her spirits. The headache she had was going away. Her emotions were calm now. There was no more pain surrounding her body. Carousel changed her flight path to fly towards the direction of where she met that unicorn, no longer being concealed within the woods. ______________________________________________________________________________ Out in the center of a meadow area deep within a forest in an unknown location in Equestria, there was a blue unicorn with a smooth flowing mane that had two different shades of a lighter blue. She was lying on a pile of pinecones with a bored look on her face, dangling a hoof off the side of the pile. She was just waiting there. She even looked towards a watch she randomly wore on her hoof, just watching the time go by as she waited. This unicorn was close to considering leaving the area, yet she waited. She looked up to the sky, and waited. The breeze blew through her graceful flowing mane, and she waited. She listened to the beautiful singing sounds of the birds chirping throughout the forest, and she waited. She closed her eyes, spawning a hair brush to brush her mane, keeping it in its graceful flow, and she waited. She waited, and she waited. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carousel managed to find the blue unicorn she was looking for deep within the forest she found her before. The unicorn's patience was rewarded. Carousel landed calmly in front of the center meadow area in the forest, standing in front of the pile of pinecones where the unicorn lay. There was a silent tension in the air as the two ponies stared at each other. Carousel held her amulet high in the air, using her tail, making sure the unicorn saw it. The unicorn broke the tension. "You've kept Trixie waiting, what took you so long?" the unicorn asked. Carousel thought back to the scene at the hospital before hesitantly answering. "...Something held me up." "Hmph... it doesn't matter, now that you're here." The unicorn flashed her horn, sending a large magical wave of light around the surrounding area. She jumped off of the pile of pinecones as the magical aura caused them to disappear from sight. The unicorn slowly walked towards Carousel. "A pegasus and a griffon, clashing in a mighty duel against each other," the unicorn started. "This is certainly a great and powerful battle of epic proportions... and suicidal to the ponies who dare attempt such a thing." The unicorn circled Carousel as she emitted random lights around the area with her magic. The outside area was becoming difficult to see. Carousel cautiously eyed the unicorn as she circled her body. The unicorn was the only thing that was clearly focused in the surrounding area. The unicorn stopped in front of Carousel, giving a somewhat disappointing sigh, shaking her head. The unicorn's horn flashed again. "It is such a shame..." Carousel's mind was suddenly pulled into direct focus towards the unicorn's face. The world around her rushed. Pierce "Aaanngh..." Carousel suddenly felt a very sharp pain in the back of her neck. It felt like claws piercing through her coat. She couldn't move and struggled to breath. She could only stare at the unicorn in front of her. But now, she heard a voice behind her. "And now, this griffon is here to take back what is rightfully hers!" It was the voice of the griffon she had fought yesterday to take back that amulet she was currently holding in her tail. And now, that griffon was taking that amulet in her claws, releasing it from Carousel's tail. The griffon released her claws from Carousel's neck. Carousel slowly dropped down, her body collapsing to the side as she plummeted towards the ground. "...Nnnh..." Carousel grunted as she tried to focus on the unicorn above her. Her vision wavered. Before she could say anything else, she lost conscious. ______________________________________________________________________________ "...Nnngh..." Carousel groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, managing to regain conscious. She saw that she was still in a forest, seeing the leaves blow from their branches. She picked herself up to all four legs, checking her surroundings. Not a pony, griffon, nor creature was in sight. She was all alone in this meadow. Carousel's emotions riled up. Her body tensed up and shivered violently. She gave a low growl, scrunching her eye lids in a glare. But then, her emotions stopped. Something was wrong. Despite what she could've sworn happened earlier, something felt off. That unicorn that she met today, she worked with that griffon to take the amulet back. The amulet was gone again. The unicorn distracted her while the griffon struck her in the back of her neck so that they could take it back. But that pain in the back of her neck wasn't present, yet the amulet was nowhere to be seen. She put her hoof to the back of her neck to check. BZZT! "AAAAHHH!!!" As soon as she placed her hoof on it, something started shocking her violently. Reality was slowing down to her. The pain was becoming duller. Everything was graying out. ______________________________________________________________________________ Everything came to a complete stop, including her own body and pain. In the midst of all this, she heard something. "You are so gullible my little admirer," the voice said. It sounded like the unicorn from earlier. "I find it hard to believe you actually defeated a griffon. Then again, I guess you could say that you didn't really defeat her. But thanks to you, this little problem has been has taken care of so that it'll never happen again." The voice paused for a second. It was odd the way she was speaking. "You should be so proud of yourself. Your gullibility has probably given you the greatest accomplishment ever. If you wish to receive your prize-" the voice stopped suddenly. New visions came to Carousel. She saw a large mountain that pierced high in the skies. On the side of that mountain appeared to be an entire city. But the image pointed towards the bottom of the mountain. "-go to this mountain. You will find what you're looking for." An image of the amulet appeared just before the images started fading, and everything was returning to normal. ______________________________________________________________________________ The color returned to her surroundings. Everything started moving again. Carousel no longer felt any pain, not even from around her neck. That unicorn must've used that wound to engrave a message to Carousel that would play when she became aware of it. Yet rage still fueled her to the core. Her amulet was still gone. Until she had that back in her possession, she would not calm down. "AAAAAHHHH!!!" Her screaming resonated so loudly, some of the birds in the forest started flapping away, escaping the forest's loud shrieks. Carousel immediately took flight, flying straight over the trees of the forest, passing straight through the leaves, which were snapped off of the branches they stuck to. Carousel's next destination was clear as day. Off in the distance, she could see the mountain, so far away. It was indeed a very large mountain. Carousel started flying towards it, with no other thoughts in her mind. She didn't care if it was possibly another trap. She didn't care about how far she had to travel. All that mattered was getting her amulet back.
Desires	Chapter 11: Stamina Solution	3 days ago: "Aaarrgh!" Rainbow Dash struggled a flock of birds piled around her limbs. She was currently hovering in mid-air, in the fields near the cottage that belong to Fluttershy. These birds were trying to immobilize Rainbow Dash, but all they were managing were bringing her lower towards the ground. "Haa!" Rainbow Dash flung her limbs around, causing some of the birds latched on to her to be tossed off. Some of their feathers scattered as they crashed towards the grass. The birds had managed to bring Rainbow Dash close enough towards the ground, that the land critters were able to reach her. Squirrels, mice, ferrets, and other such rodents started clinging and climbing onto her when she came within reach. "Nnngh!" Rainbow Dash strained herself attempting her continuous struggles. Her limbs were aching, yet she kept resisting. She threw one of her limbs towards the side, causing some of the creatures latched on to get thrown off, but more kept coming. Fluttershy watched on the sidelines, keeping her eyes on Rainbow Dash. One of the animals, a squirrel, which Rainbow Dash had thrown off, flew and crashed close by to Fluttershy. The squirrel immediately picked itself back up and charged straight for Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy kept her eyes on Rainbow Dash, but she was growing a little worried. This had been going on for a while, yet Rainbow Dash never requested in any way for this to stop. Once Rainbow Dash had started something, she would persist on it until she was satisfied. Fluttershy never doubted Rainbow Dash's abilities, but that didn't mean she couldn't worry about her. The animals persisted in pulling Rainbow Dash's body towards the ground, clinging onto even her wings. Rainbow Dash pushed on them while the animals pushed back. The animals nearly surrounded her body. "Grr! Raah!" Rainbow Dash put a burst of adrenaline through her body, putting more strength in her muscles. In the sudden surge of her struggles, she knocked off all of the animals that had covered her body as she managed to fly back into the air. The small critters were scattered all over the place, littering the field with their bodies. "Pant, pant" Rainbow Dash panted as she checked her surroundings, looking for anything else that would try to pin her down. RAAAWWWRR!!! The roaring sound of a larger animal had made itself present. Rainbow Dash looked off towards the direction it came from. A few distances next to Fluttershy, was a large bear pawing at the grass roughly. This bear was glaring directly towards Rainbow Dash. He started charging immediately. Rainbow Dash stood her position in the air, focusing on the bear that charged towards her. Her muscles ached, her body strained, sweat drenched her forehead, yet she still kept at it. She was determined to take this one on. Crash "Aaaahhrr!" The bear came into contact with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash attempted to stop his charge with her forehooves, using her wings to push against his weight. The bear's push had slowed down and eventually came to a halt due to the wing power of Rainbow Dash's wings. Rainbow Dash's strength allowed her to push against the bear's head, causing him to slide backwards across the fields. The bear let out another violent roar. He changed his position, allowing the force of Rainbow Dash's push to get himself to stand on his hind legs, allowing his forepaws to grab onto Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash grunted as she tried to get out of the bear's grip. Her limbs and her wings were secured in his paws. Rainbow Dash wiggled her body, pressuring her limbs and wings to release herself from his grip. Her wiggling allowed herself to spread the bear's paws apart, allowing Rainbow Dash to continue pushing against him. The bear still had his grips on Rainbow Dash's body, but left none of her limbs secure. Rainbow Dash was able to use her wings to maintain her power. She put in a lot of force in her hooves and wings to give a mighty push to the bear, causing him to slide through the fields a few distances backwards. It was like a titan being shoved by another titan as the bear's sliding caused dirt to be shred off the ground as he slid along, only he was pushed by a pony quite smaller than him. When the bear managed to halt his sliding, he stomped on the ground with his front paws, giving off a loud roar in the process. He charged for Rainbow Dash again. Rainbow Dash stood her ground, or in this case her air as she was still hovering. She braced herself for yet another impact. But this time, before the bear came within range, he leapt off of the ground, aiming to land straight towards Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash changed her bracing position to catch the bear in the air, attempting to stop him from crushing her. But when the bear came into contact, Rainbow Dash was unable to resist his weight. All the strain in Rainbow Dash's body left herself strength less to keep herself in the air. The bear's weight led both of them to crash towards the ground. "Gaah!" Rainbow Dash tried to push the bear off of her. The bear glared directly at Rainbow Dash, bringing his head closer slowly, giving off a low audible growl. Rainbow Dash continued to try to escape her fate. The bear's head just got closer and closer. Suddenly, the bear brought out his tongue, licking Rainbow Dash's face with it. "...Mmmph..." Rainbow Dash's struggles had finally halted when that large tongue came into contact. That bear smiled while he lathered his tongue along Rainbow Dash's face. The bear's licks traced through her cheeks to her closed eye lids, leaving saliva trails drenching her. Rainbow Dash found it hard to breathe as the ferocious bear tasted around her snout. Rainbow Dash's tired body laid there, limbs and wings fallen flat on the grass, defeated as this bear licked her across her cheek, her head lying sideways on the grass. "Oh dear," Fluttershy said, placing a hoof over her mouth as she saw the situation. She flew over towards Rainbow Dash and the bear that was attacking her with his licks. When Fluttershy arrived next to them, the bear had stopped his licks, picking himself off of Rainbow Dash in the process to allow Fluttershy to check on her. "Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy looked over Rainbow Dash's form, making sure that she was okay. "...Nnngh..." Rainbow Dash grunted before opening her eyes. Feeling that her face was covered in saliva, she used her hooves to wipe some of it off before picking herself up off the ground, into a sitting position. Fluttershy gave off a sigh of relief, seeing that Rainbow Dash was okay. "Good boy," Fluttershy said as she started petting the bear under his chin. The bear gave off a purr of delight, liking the stroking. "Ahh, that was a great work out," Rainbow Dash announced, dusting herself off. "Well, come on! Let's get ready for round two!" "Round two?" Fluttershy asked, surprised. The bear that was by her side started walking away. "Oh, but Rainbow Dash, I don't think we can do a round two, look at them." Fluttershy pointed towards the animals that were attacking Rainbow Dash. They were all panting and sweating in some form. Some of them were even lying flat on the ground. "I don't think they can go another round today. You've been going at this for hours." Rainbow Dash sighed at this, letting her body drop back to sitting. There wasn't anything she could do about that. The whole reason she was training herself like this was to get herself in better shape when it came to long tasks. Since she had time off of anything important, this was the perfect time to work on her stamina. "Tch, tch, tch," Fluttershy made an odd clicking sound with her mouth while she looked over towards some bushes. Rainbow Dash saw that the bushes released a large flock of butterflies heading towards her direction. Fluttershy must have called them over if that was the case. The butterflies gathered around Rainbow Dash and surrounded her body, leaving the front of her open for air. Rainbow Dash gave a deep sigh as the butterflies relaxed her tired body. It was strange how these insects had the ability to soothe aching muscles like this. Rainbow Dash stretched out her wings, allowing the butterflies to flutter towards many of her aching pressure points, easing all sorts of soreness and pain. She could feel the adrenaline rushing back to her wings and legs. The best part about being sore was that treatments like these always felt better. Fluttershy was definitely the best animal caretaker that Rainbow Dash ever knew. There was always something awesome about her animals, and this moment was only proving it further. She recalled one time when she witnessed a flock of butterflies; she was bored out of her mind. But the butterflies Fluttershy owned herself certainly had some interesting traits. One even had the guts to snatch a favorite toy that belonged to a ferocious cat named Opalescence. Rainbow Dash learned that day that even some of the most boring or fragile creatures could end up being awesome. In fact, the reason why these animals were being awesome today was because of their hopes for becoming somepony's pet in the future. Sure, Fluttershy was a great animal caretaker, but there was a difference that these animals saw between having a home at all, and being somepony's personal pet. Fluttershy could only make sure that their new owners would treat them right. And if these animals wanted to make themselves look great by pushing themselves like this against Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy didn't want to stop them if it meant they had a better chance of finding that somepony that would take them in as their pet. "How do you feel, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked, watching the butterflies work their magical touch on Rainbow Dash. "Mmm... better," Rainbow Dash responded. "Thanks for helping me out with this, Fluttershy." Fluttershy smiled proudly at the compliment. Rainbow Dash picked herself off the ground and back on her hooves, letting out a prideful grunted sigh in the process. The butterflies that had surrounded her were now leaving her form. "Say, Fluttershy, how has Tank been doing?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I haven't seen him since I left him with you when I was busy setting up that huge storm a few days ago." "Tank? He's been doing well," Fluttershy responded. She pointed a hoof towards what appeared to be a small house made for animals. "He's still in his little home over there." Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy started walking towards the house after Fluttershy announced it. "I left Angel with him to wax his shell." "Angel huh?" Rainbow Dash said. "I hope his shell is spotless and shiny. That shell needs to be well maintained with all the flying he does." Fluttershy giggled at this remark. To think that a tortoise of all things would spend more time in the air than on the ground, Rainbow Dash's influence really changed that tortoise's life. It's too bad that to this day, he still has trouble steering that rotor on his shell properly. "Of course, Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy stated as they reached the small home. "Angel has been a big help, and he's really taking good care of Tank's shell." She opened the door that led inside of the little home. "See?" Inside, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could clearly see the white bunny known as Angel, and the green tortoise known as Tank. Angel was busy rubbing the top of Tank's shell with a smooth white rag. Angel proudly removed the rag from the shell, examining his work. The shell gave off a bright shine. He could practically see himself in the shell's shining reflection. Angel was really proud of this work- -Until a very small dust particle fell from the ceiling of the small house, landing slowly and softly, but directly on the shining spot of the shell. As soon as that particle touched the shell, Angel's mood went 180. He scrunched his face in a frowning malicious form, shivering his body in a pent up rage, crushing the rag in his grip in the process. He gave off a bunny yell, threw the rag away, and started beating on the shell with his paws. He stomped on it repeatedly even. Tank had become aware of the beating and was not happy about it. He looked up at the bunny, crouched his legs, and then pushed against the floor, causing his shell to rise towards the ceiling. This caused Angel to hit his head on the ceiling as a result, causing him to halt his attack. Angel rubbed his head in frustration. He stared down at the tortoise, giving off a deep growl in between his gritted teeth. He jumped off the shell, lunging down towards the tortoise's head. Tank retracted his head back in his shell, causing Angel to miss and slam into the ground. He picked himself up immediately and darted straight inside the hole of the shell that contained his head, disappearing inside. A large audible beating could be heard inside, causing the shell to shake in the air. Fluttershy gasped loudly seeing how quickly the situation changed. She immediately closed the house's door, placing her back against it. She gave a nervous laugh looking back at Rainbow Dash trying to hide what was going on. "Ahahaha... they're just... uh... playing?" Fluttershy said nervously. Boom! A loud explosion could be heard inside the small house which could even be seen from the house's obnoxious shake when it occurred. Fluttershy wandered her eyes a little bit, but then looked back at Rainbow Dash, giving off that innocent, yet nervous smile. Rainbow Dash gave a displeased frown at the gesture. She could even see a sweat gland sliding down Fluttershy's forehead. But before Rainbow Dash had a chance to say anything, she heard the sound of hooves landing on the ground not too far by behind her. She took a glance at its direction. "Oh, look! The Mail Pony's here!" Fluttershy said frantically. She darted as fast as she could towards the cottage's mail box, zipping past Rainbow Dash, causing the force of that sudden speed to make her spin in place. Rainbow Dash stopped herself soon after, but not before her eyes could stop spinning. Fluttershy slammed into the mail pony, causing him to be knocked away from the mail box, dropping a lot of mail contents as a result. "Oh... let's see... what do we have here?" Fluttershy said at an unusual panicked speed, frantically trying to check her mail box for anything to distract the situation. Rainbow Dash grunted as she closed her eyes, placing a hoof to her head to regain her composure. No longer being dizzy, she turned back to the small house containing Tank and Angel. It was oddly quiet now despite what occurred earlier, or at least what she believed occurred earlier. She approached the door, ready to open it to take a look inside. Smack! The door flung open, smacking Rainbow Dash so hard, it caused her to get flung away. Rainbow Dash was flung straight for the cottage doors, near Fluttershy's mailbox. Her back was turned away from the door when she crashed, causing more of the mail to be flung in the air. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was still frantically searching her mail box's contents. She could hear some of Fluttershy's words. "Candy delivery... advertisement of tools... a tournament announcement... hospital stockings, oh my... um..." Fluttershy continued looking through for anything that was addressed or related to her subscriptions. None of these seemed to be her mail, but she continued looking for a distraction. Rainbow Dash however groaned at one of the words Fluttershy used. "...Tournament? Oh, you've got to be-" her silent speech was halted when one of the letters landed on her face. She picked it up in one of her hooves, thinking to just throw it aside, but halted when she noticed what it titled. "What the?... Hey, Fluttershy, look at this," Rainbow Dash said while picking herself up from the ground. Fluttershy halted her rummaging, dropping all of the letters on the ground before hovering over to where Rainbow Dash was to see what she found. ______________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile, Tank and Angel were still fighting with each other, inside the shell. Angel was shot out of the shell, bumping into a beaver in order to halt his momentum. The beaver yelled at Angel, smacking his tail at Angel, causing him to be flung towards another direction, stopping on the grass. Angel gritted his teeth and growled in anger. He picked up random sticks on the ground and threw them at the beaver. The beaver dodged the stick, but the stick managed to impact a currently unstable home that more beavers could be seen building. The weight of the stick caused it to collapse. Seeing their unfinished home destroyed, all of the beavers gave a cry for battle. They each picked up a piece of lumber from their home, turning to the bunny that caused this. Angel gave off a nervous smile and gulped at the situation. Before he knew it, he saw a barrage of objects being flung towards his direction. He ducked for cover, allowing the lumber to fly past him. But their path of destruction came upon the same bear that Rainbow Dash was wrestling earlier. That bear currently had many other animals attached to his back. They all jumped out when those many pieces of lumber started hitting and sticking to the bear's back. The bear turned around, looking towards the beavers, giving off a predatory growl. The other little critters that were attached to his back joined in as well. The beavers gulped nervously in response. ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat next to each other side by side, looking at the contents of the mail that Rainbow Dash held in her hoof. "Dressing appointment canceled?" Rainbow Dash asked as she read the front cover. "This letter is addressed to Rarity, and it was sent from Hoofington," Fluttershy added. "But, that doesn't make any sense," Rainbow Dash continued. "Rarity left for Hoofington yesterday, didn't she? Why would they be telling her by mail?" While Rainbow and Fluttershy were discussing with each other, the animals were practically turning the garden into a warzone. They were both unaware of the chaos going on behind them. "Maybe they didn't meet up yet?" Fluttershy theorized. "It's not just that though, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash continued. "Rarity was going on and on about how she's been trying to get that appointment re-scheduled for a later date, but they never accepted it. So why now?" Fluttershy put a hoof to her chin, contemplating on what could've happened. While she was thinking, there were animals behind her fighting frantically in mayhem. Their battle was shrouded in the smoke that they caused in their battle. "Hmm, I'm gonna fly over there and check it out," Rainbow Dash concluded. Fluttershy looked to Rainbow Dash in a surprised expression. "Rainbow Dash, are you sure about that?" Fluttershy asked. Rainbow Dash was now hovering in the air. "Of course Fluttershy," Rainbow responded. "Hoofington's not that far from Ponyville, so it's not too much trouble." "B-but..." Fluttershy struggled to follow up. She was really more concerned about Rainbow Dash's health than the travel. She had been working out for hours earlier, and it hasn't been much time for her to rest. "Don't worry Fluttershy, I won't be long. But if it makes you feel better, tell the others where I've gone." Rainbow Dash was about to leave, but halted when she remembered something. "Oh, before I forget-" She dug into the back of her cyan coat, pulling out a few bits in her hoof. She immediately shoved the bits deep into Fluttershy's pink mane, pushing it inside deeply and quickly, causing Fluttershy to flinch as she had no time to react. "-thirty bits, take care of Tank for a little longer, bye!" Before Fluttershy had a chance to respond, Rainbow Dash took flight, dashing out of the scene quickly, and blowing some mail around in her wake as she started flying towards Hoofington. Fluttershy put a hoof to her mane, slightly startled by the sudden action. Whenever it came to some of the things Rainbow Dash offered or suggested, she would cause them to happen quickly. In this instance, she gave Fluttershy these bits before she had a chance deny it. Now she was practically forced to accept these bits. In the end, Fluttershy didn't mind though. She gave a deep sigh of relief as she reminisced in the events that had happened recently. She was worried that she was not being a good friend to Rainbow Dash after hearing about those nightmares again, and not being able to do anything about it. Even though she wasn't any better at telling her friends about those nightmares, she was proud to be of help to Rainbow Dash for something. Fluttershy turned her head around to take a look at her garden. Her face jumped in surprise at what she saw. She now noticed the chaos that was going around. All the animals were fighting with each other. And it wasn't a verbal fight, it was physical. This was certainly not a good sight. "Oh dear..." Fluttershy flew towards the center of the garden, making sure she was within earshot range for what she was about to do next. She took a deep breath, and yelled. "STOOOP!!!" The sound of that yell caused all of the animals to halt their fighting. Some of them paused in midair for a split second before gravity brought them back to the ground. "Phew..." Fluttershy sighed. It was very unnatural for her to yell like that, but it was something that HAD to be done. "What has gotten into all of you?" Fluttershy asked. All of the animals were trying to speak at the same time, saying things along the lines of who started it or defending and such, at least the way Fluttershy understood it. But everything was being brought back to Angel, who was currently nowhere to be seen. For some unknown reason, Angel was always the hardest to control of all her animals, but at the same time, also her most helpful. "We'll discuss this another time," Fluttershy concluded. She couldn't bear hearing so much hate on Angel. "Let us all just take a deep breath, and-" "These Animals Don't Deserve Special Treatment!" Fluttershy yelped and fell to the ground when she heard the voice of another pony yelling at her. It was the mail pony that she bumped into earlier. The mail pony flew over towards the animals in a fit of rage. Some of them seemed to be holding his mail. "Give Me Back Those Letters You Filthy Creatures!" The mail pony used his mouth to grab onto one of the letters a ferret was holding, yanking it away from the little critter. Due to the current grip, this caused the ferret to be flung away as a result. The roars of the animal's cry for battle came forth once again. "Hold Still You Fowl Little Mail Snatchers!" The chaos that was the animal war suddenly turned into a goat chase among animals holding letters, the mail pony that chased them, and the bigger animals that were defending the smaller ones. Fluttershy gave a depressing whine. Unlike animals, she couldn't control ponies very well, especially those she didn't know much about, if anything at all. And after moments ago she had just felt relieved about how Rainbow Dash thought of her, things around here were going downhill fast. She didn't know what to do either. If she was going to prove to Rainbow Dash she didn't hate her, that she wasn't what those nightmares described, she had to settle this chaos. She just had to figure out how. If only Rainbow Dash had stuck around just a little bit longer... ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "Yeah... if only..." Rainbow Dash repeated that phrase depressingly. If that had happened, things might have played out very differently. Rainbow Dash looked straight into Fluttershy's eyes, seeing the fear, yet trust in them. She didn't blame Rainbow Dash for leaving like that, but Rainbow Dash still felt so guilty for doing so. Rainbow Dash looked away to bring her attention back to Carousel. "Let's continue."
Desires	Chapter 12: A Magician’s Tale	3 days ago: Carousel flew through the skies, beating against her wings more than she was the air. She abused her own body more so than ripping the air apart. She was not thinking about how to get there as fast as she could. Her body was more so releasing all the adrenaline throughout her body that she could possibly manage. Carousel was still riled up. Her eyes stuck to that mountain she was flying towards like it was her mortal enemy. She stared at this mountain like she wanted to destroy it and take it down. This was wrath she was feeling. Yet it would never be seen, because it wasn't possible at the moment. But being impossible did not change how she felt. Carousel's mind scrambled as she came so close to the mountain. It was a long flight, and it felt like she was draining the entire wrath that was being contained in her body. She had all of the reasons to contain the wrath, but no reason to keep it fueled. And yet, she still felt it. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carousel's landmark came into view. She was flying on the opposite side of the mountain from where the city was connected to. She flew straight towards the ground, getting ready to land. But as soon as she reached the ground, she felt nothing to land on. Instead, the grass seemed to burst in a sparkle of light, causing her to fall right through. "Gasp!" Carousel had no time to react before she disappeared inside, losing all sights of everything. She kept falling through, but it wasn't long before she suddenly felt landing, allowing her to come to a complete stop. "W-what?" Carousel asked, taking a look at her surroundings. She couldn't see anything. Everything was as voided as the images she saw in her mind were. She couldn't even see the area where she entered this place. "So good of you to come, my little admirer," a voice spoke from behind Carousel. "Trixie knew you would come, after all." Carousel immediately turned herself around. She lowered her ground as she saw the silhouette of the pony who was speaking to her. But it was a little off, like she was wearing something. Carousel could see the unicorn's horn glowing, even though it was slightly hidden. As the unicorn stepped closer, Carousel remained her ground, growling in anticipation for whatever she was about to do. But then, Carousel stopped her growling. The closer the unicorn came, the clearer her form had become. But more importantly, she could clearly see the amulet that the unicorn was holding in her magic. She had it, but the griffon she was with was nowhere in sight. "Trixie believes this belongs to you," the unicorn stated. Carousel noticed the uniform she was wearing. It was a cape and a hat. They were both purple and were designed with many stars. "W-what, is going on?..." Carousel asked confused. Everything she was witnessing wasn't making any sense. She noticed the unicorn chuckling. "Not everything is at it seems, does it, my little admirer?" the unicorn answered while continuing to walk closer, lifting her hat in the air, revealing the glowing horn. "But there is one thing that is as is around here." The unicorn turned her head slightly while flashing a smug smile. "And that is this..." She motioned her head towards the amulet she was carrying in her magic. Carousel took a slight glace towards the amulet before she refocused her attention back to the unicorn. She couldn't figure out what the unicorn was planning, "You really have a bad habit of keeping your hooves on this amulet," the unicorn continued, still closing in on Carousel. "So, allow Trixie to solve this issue right away." The unicorn flared her horn brighter, levitating the amulet closer to Carousel's face while Carousel tried to back away slightly. "Witness one of the greatest inventions in all of Equestria!" The unicorn levitated the amulet towards the front center of Carousel's neck collar until they touched. Carousel turned her head and closed her eyes, bracing whatever was about to happen. When the amulet and collar connected, they created a sudden glow that grew shortly before dying out. Carousel looked back in front of her when the unicorn stepped away. Her horn dimmed before being re-concealed with that hat. The glow on the amulet had vanished as well. She was no longer holding the amulet in her magic, yet the amulet still connected with the collar. Carousel placed a hoof on the amulet, trying to move it. The amulet moved with the collar. It seemed that the collar and the amulet were connected together now. "And that, my little admirer, is how you prevent the loss of your precious souvenirs," the unicorn said. Carousel took her hoof off the collar. "What, are you?" Carousel asked. "I could ask you the same thing, my little admirer," the unicorn responded while placing a hoof to her hat. "For a magician never reveals her secrets!" she said while at the same time, using her hoof to throw her hat quickly across and in between both ponies. Carousel saw a pinecone levitating in midair right after that hat passed between them. The unicorn placed her hat back on before grabbing the pinecone out of the air with her hoof. "But since you asked first, a proper introduction is a must!" The unicorn threw the pinecone up slightly in the air. She turned her head and opened her mouth as the pinecone fell towards her. Crunch! Carousel winced as the unicorn bit down that pinecone whole. The unicorn was gobbling it down like it was nothing. She could hear the hard crunching sound coming from it. It didn't help that the unicorn was chomping down on it with her mouth open. She could see the sharp edges piercing in between those teeth, and some were piercing through so far, the unicorn's outer jaws showed the ending points of the needles. "Nngh..." Carousel managed to regain her composure when the unicorn was finished with that pinecone. Before she noticed it, a small rag was levitated near the unicorn's snout. The unicorn brought one swipe with the rag towards her snout. Suddenly, all those needles had disappeared. It was disturbing, yet fascinating. "I am-" the unicorn started as she lowered her ground. She then threw her fore hooves up into the air, standing on her hind legs. "-The Great, and Powerful, Trixie!" Fireworks were shooting out of the air, seemingly out of nowhere. She then broke her stance, standing back on all fours as she continued. "But if that is too long for you, my little admirer, then you may just call me, Trixie." "Trixie..." It was then that Carousel finally caught the name of this unicorn. A sudden strange disturbance formed deep within her mind. "So, my little admirer, do you have a name?" Trixie said as she started patting the top of Carousel's mane, taking a look at her collar. "For if you do, Trixie isn't seeing one here." Carousel felt an odd wave of adrenaline rushing through her with this odd contact. It felt so weird, yet, oddly soothing. "Carousel." Trixie stopped her patting and looked towards Carousel. "Hmm?" Carousel cleared her throat before responding again. "You can call me, Carousel." Trixie backed away a little bit, trying to process words. "C-carous-" she couldn't contain her snickering. "PPHHAAAHAHAHAHA!!!" Trixie broke into a laughing fit, collapsing towards the ground, clutching her stomach as she laughed. She pointed a hoof towards Carousel in the middle of her laughter. "Hah... h-I don't know wha-at to make fun of more-h! Your name or your voice! AHAAHAA!" Trixie was rolling around the ground in laughter, tears forming in her eyes. Her hind legs were even kicking in the air. Carousel watched as Trixie laughed her guts out. Carousel's face turned serious. She began to give off a low growl. Her vision focused on the laughing unicorn. She bent down low, giving a strong glare at Trixie as her teeth clenched together. Her emotions were building with rage hearing that menacing laughter. The only thing that Carousel's mind focused on was Trixie's laughter. Trixie's movements were in slow motion to her. Carousel's body began to shake and her hoof grinded against the ground as she slid it with much pressure setting down. Her breathing was very heavy. "Hey, are you okay?" Carousel's mind paused when she heard a voice. The visions she saw suddenly became apparent in her mind. At some point, Trixie had stopped laughing and was standing in front of her like normal, giving her a confused look. Carousel halted her growling and temper, but her body still stayed low. She looked up to the unicorn, letting her expression fall flat. "You must have a lot of questions for Trixie, don't you, Carousel," Trixie said as she let out a smile, bringing herself to Carousel's level. "But alas, Trixie will only answer what she is about to tell you now." Trixie brought her hoof to Carousel's collar, lifting them both up to their hooves. Carousel saw Trixie's horn glowing brighter underneath her hat as she started backing away. "Regarding your souvenir..." ______________________________________________________________________________ The surrounding area of the void they were in was now creating images. Carousel could see both Trixie and the griffon that had attempted to take her amulet. "My fellow apprentice here, Trixie has quite the story to tell with her, but let's just say, her greed never ends," Trixie started. The images showed them at what appeared to be a stage performing a show. "Trixie makes a living attracting audiences all over Equestria granting them a magical performance of Great, and Astonishing Feats!" The images showed the stage flaring a lot of fireworks all over the stage and above the audience. "But my fellow apprentice over there, got greedy," Trixie said as the image focused on the griffon, seeing her go to the crowd. "She decided to become a thief and start stealing from MY audience!" The image showed the griffon's tail digging through some of the audience supplies just before the images got slashed. Carousel covered her eyes when the slash went through. When she looked back, the images changed to Trixie alone, somewhere in a barren field. "Trixie may be cunning and clever with her amazing talents, but she does not resort to petty thievery. She earns her rewards, even if she has to work, On A Rock Farm, to do so!" Trixie seemed to hold venom in her voice at those words she raised. She gave a sigh and calmed herself before continuing. "But alas, these ponies are just as gullible, if not, even more gullible than you are, but-" the images changed to Trixie and Carousel when they first met. "-this was where she crossed the line. A poor defenseless pegasus wandering through a forest, alone, lost, scared, and everything taken from her." Carousel glanced over to Trixie, wondering if she was even describing the same story. The images changed to where they met the second time. "My apprentice told Trixie all about how she was going to get back at you for the way you treated her, with my help." Trixie smiled at this remark. "She got her wish, but not how she thought it would go in the end." Trixie shined her horn brighter, causing the entire area to flash. The images disappeared. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carousel and Trixie were now returned to the voided area that they were previously in. Carousel couldn't tell how she was doing this, or what this room was. But the way Trixie was telling her story was astonishing. "Long story short, she never had possession of the souvenir you wield now. Not knowing that, she led herself to her own punishment." Trixie flapped her cape gracefully. "Trixie didn't have to do a thing after that." Carousel could barely follow that story. She felt like she had been used. But the way she was used didn't bother her. ...It was odd. Even after so much trouble that she had been put through, she felt so... calm about it. Carousel placed her hoof on the amulet that was connected to her collar, examining it. She could tell that it was indeed hers. The inscriptions on the front was still there, clearly visible. She could even feel the marks of where the engravings were. "So," Trixie started up again, "do you have any questions for Trixie now?" "...Yeah," Carousel responded in a bit of a delay. "Where... are we?" she asked as she moved her hoof towards the scenery. "Ah..." Trixie stated smiling. "You haven't even started, and you are already lost." Trixie gave her horn a simple flash, twice, before continuing. "Not everything is at they seem are they? Yet we are simply, underground." Trixie shot out a wave of magic out of her horn, like a beam. Carousel moved out of the way of the beam's range, looking to where that beam was going. The beam was striking at something that didn't look like was there at all. The beam was revealing something. It looked like a large door that was leading to a temple, but there were no walls anywhere near the door. "Trixie promised you a journey of magnificence beyond anypony's imaginations!" Trixie said. Carousel walked towards the door, leaving a gasp of awe through her voice. Seeing as there seemed to be no way of opening the door on immediate depiction, she looked back towards Trixie. "The journey is a long a dangerous one, but Trixie is ready to face the challenges for what she desires!" Trixie started walking towards the door. While she was walking, she used her magic to pull something out of her hat. It looked like a large brown feather. It seemed like that feather belonged to that griffon she was talking about. Trixie levitated the feather towards the center of the door. "Everypony desires something in their life, Carousel," Trixie said as she seemed to analyze the feather with the door in front of her. "Come with Trixie, and everything you're questioning now, will become clear as day, even to you..." The door gave off a bright flash. Crank! The door started opening. Carousel put a hoof over her eyes as the door slowly started climbing up, slowly revealing the insides. ...bzzt... The area started to go all static. Bzzt... Reality broke away as the static covered everything. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "AaaAAAHH!" "Carousel, what's wrong? What happened next?" Rainbow Dash looked towards Carousel's silhouette, anticipating what was to come. But it wasn't coming. Carousel was gripping her head with her hooves, looking to be in pain. "Nngh... Nnngh!" "Oh no, I think she's having trouble remembering," Fluttershy said, looking worryingly at her. "Now?" Rainbow Dash asked as she looked back to Fluttershy. "No... come on!" Rainbow Dash looked back to Carousel. "Please, try to remember," Fluttershy said to Carousel. Carousel gritted her teeth, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to force her mind to think back to those events. It was as if something was forcing her mind to be drawn away from happened in that temple. Rainbow Dash looked away, shivering her head as she squeezed her eyes shut. There just had to be something that would help her remember. They were so close.
Desires	Chapter 13: Never Around	3 days ago: Rainbow Dash was currently on a flight path towards Hoofington. Normally the distance to get to Hoofington would be too far to just travel to without some sort of public transportation like a train, even for pegasi. But Rainbow Dash was going here alone, so there was no need. Rainbow Dash was flying to Hoofington because of a letter regarding Rarity's client canceling their appointment. Even though Rarity's talking was really annoying Rainbow Dash when she was talking about it, she still learned that Rarity's client was giving her such a hard time with re-scheduling their appointment. And yet, while Rarity was there, she got a letter sent to Ponyville instead about their cancelation. Both of these events didn't make any sense at all. That was why she decided to figure out what was going on. But it just now occurred to Rainbow Dash that she didn't even know where in Hoofington that Rarity's appointment was supposed to be held or where she would be at the time. "Gasp!" But just as Rainbow Dash arrived, she knew exactly where she should start looking first. Off in the distance, on the other side of the town, Rainbow Dash saw a commotion going on. She could see the source of the commotion. There was a building that had collapsed, clearly a bad omen Rainbow Dash picked up her speed to rush to the scene. It may have been so far away, but Rainbow Dash's eyesight allowed her to clearly see things others would most likely miss or have trouble seeing. "Oh no, this is NOT good." As Rainbow Dash got closer to the scene, she could see more details of what was going on. There were carts and carriages scattered around the area. Many ponies who appeared to be injured were being escorted to these carriages. These were obviously the hospital staffs who were escorting them. Rainbow Dash took a more thorough look at the pack of ponies who were being escorted. Her fear came true. She easily recognized one of them. "Oh no, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash immediately flew down towards her. She looked to be currently out cold. She was being carried by two other ponies who were taking her to one of the carriages. "Stay back!" Before Rainbow Dash could get too close, one of the nurse ponies moved in front of her path, holding both fore hooves outstretched. "What happened to Rarity, is she alright?" Rainbow Dash asked, pointing behind the nurse towards Rarity. "She'll be okay, but we need to get her help fast," the nurse said. "You're free to ride with us while we take her to the hospital, but we advise to give her enough space to breathe." Rainbow Dash did as she was told, following them to the carriage. ______________________________________________________________________________ "You filthy critters are nothing but wild animals!" Fluttershy's peaceful garden was turning into absolute chaos. The mail pony that had arrived was causing so much trouble. The animals that were in Fluttershy's care were scattering all over the place while holding some of the mail that the mail pony had dropped. The mail pony was being very aggressive in trying to get them back while Fluttershy was trying to calm all of the animals down. But they weren't calming down because of the mail pony. "You're all despicable, every last one of ya!" he said. "Oh... excuse me... please don't be mean to them..." Fluttershy tried to say to the mail pony. "You're... scaring them." "Blasphemy!" the mail pony yelled while shoving Fluttershy away. RAAAWWWRR!!! A large bear roared out in response to seeing the abuse Fluttershy take. He was not happy with what this pony was doing to his owner. "I Don't Care If They're Endangered, I Want My Mail Back!" he yelled while pulling out a pepper spray out of his package. When the bear charged close enough, he sprayed that can directly in his eyes. RAAAWWWRR!!! This caused the bear to roar out in pain, covering his eyes. Fluttershy got back to her hooves, moving directly in front of the mail pony. "No! Stop that!" Fluttershy yelled at the mail pony, trying to assert herself. "You're hurting them!" "I Have A Job To Do, And I'm Not About To Have It Stopped Because Of These Useless Animals!" the mail pony yelled back, brushing right past Fluttershy. He stomped his hoof on a rat's tail, taking the letter it was holding. Afterwards, he took the rat in his hooves, and immediately threw it at a bird charging straight for him. "NOW GIVE ME BACK MY MAIL!!!" Fluttershy was at a loss for what to do. She had tried being kind, and then she tried being firm. But someponies were just so much better at being assertive that words alone could not get them to stop. Fluttershy really wished that Rainbow Dash was still here. But she wasn't right now, so Fluttershy really wished that she could stop this somehow. She had to do SOMETHING! She just HAD to! ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash could see Rarity slightly moving as she started regaining consciousness. They were currently riding in a medical carriage while the doctors and nurses tended to Rarity's smaller wounds. Rainbow Dash couldn't tell how badly she was injured. She could see that her mane was crumpled up and she was covered in lots of rubble and dirt. There were plenty of scratches that were being covered up by those bandages. But the most notable injury was the large lump in her head that could be seen through her mane, and it wasn't her horn, no matter how much it looked like it. Rarity had been carrying a few saddle bags with her. When the medical staff came, they took them off of her as they were loading her to the carriage. The saddle bags were placed inside as well. The medical staff were trained not to allow any ponies to get anywhere near the injured ponies that they found at the scene. If the two ponies were family members, or knew each other well however, they had special permission to stay close by for their words of encouragement or other matters. The fact that Rainbow Dash had spoken Rarity's name allowed them to know they indeed knew each other, now Rainbow Dash just needed to know what happened to her. "Nngh..." Rarity groaned as she stirred herself awake. "Rarity, are you okay?" Rainbow asked. "Of course I'm not okay!" Rarity yelled as she shot herself up while the nurse who was tending her tried to keep her down. "Look at what's happened to my beautiful mane!" Rarity put a hoof through her mane, not even caring about the lump on her head. Rainbow Dash's expression faltered. She had to roll her eyes at this remark. Rarity was definitely alright, despite that lump that somepony could probably mistake for a second horn. Rainbow Dash searched through Rarity's saddle bag, looking for something that she knew Rarity would keep with her. "Rainbow Dash, are you snooping through my belongings? How uncouth could you possibly-" "Here!" Rainbow Dash interrupted Rarity's rant by pulling out a hair brush in front of her. Rainbow Dash passed the brush over to the nurse while whispering to her ear. "Just get her mane curly, and she'll calm down." The nurse nodded in response to that notion. "Now,... What Happened To You Rarity?!" Rainbow Dash suddenly bursted out, regaining her seriousness. The nurse had to shush her as a result to keep it down. Rainbow Dash continued anyway, but in a quieter tone. "Did that building collapse on top of you? Who did this?" While they were talking, the nurse had grabbed an ice pack to ease the pain that was on Rarity's head. She proceeded to place the ice pack on the lump on Rarity's head while Rarity pressed it down with her hoof. The nurse then preceded start running the brush through Rarity's mane. This was able to ease Rarity's mind and was able to bring her head back down. "Oh, Rainbow Dash, I don't know who was responsible for this," Rarity started. "But I did see how it happened. Two ruffians were roughhousing while I was heading towards my client at the top floor! They were attacking each other, with no care of any pony getting scuffed into the situation!" "What?" Rainbow Dash looked to be deep in thought for a moment. "What did they look like?" "I..." Rarity paused for a few seconds. During that pause, the nurse brought herself away from Rarity, rummaging through some supplies inside the carriage. "I can't remember. I didn't get a good look at them. I think-" Before Rarity could finish, the nurse came back to Rainbow Dash, holding out a newspaper for her to check. Rainbow Dash gasped at first glance at what the front cover was. She took it in her hooves and showed it to Rarity's face. "Is this the one?" she said while pointing to a photograph of a pony. "Why, yes, that's her, that's definitely her!" Rarity started grasping. "I recognize that hideous collar anywhere! She was definitely the cause of this!" Rainbow Dash mentally deadpanned. The only thing Rarity could recognize about this pony was the collar of all things. Of course, the mention of the collar brought Rainbow Dash's attention again as she took the paper away to look at it more thoroughly herself. Rainbow Dash could see the pony's form clearly from this picture. Red mane and collar, light brown coat, pegasus mare. Rainbow Dash's mind jumped backwards, thinking back to what she heard a few days ago. It was the same pegasus that those diamond dogs had mention before. Rainbow Dash kept a serious look on her face as she stared into that picture. "Rainbow Dash, darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked while the nurse was resuming to fixing her mane. Rainbow Dash broke her trance, looking back to Rarity when she spoke. She looked back to the newspaper, then over to the nurse. "Hey, is it okay if I take this with me?" she asked the nurse. The nurse just simply nodded. "Good, Rarity-" Rainbow Dash looked over to Rarity as she started hovering in the air with the newspaper on hoof, "-I'm taking this to Ponyville to figure out who the hay this pony is. But before I do, I need to make sure you'll be okay without me." "Oh, Rainbow Dash, do not worry about me," Rarity stated. "It's just a simple scratch, I'll be okay." "...Says the pony who is more worried about her mane than that giant lump on her head," Rainbow Dash stated bluntly. "E-Excuse me!?" Rarity yelled out rather furiously. "I'll at least let the others know where you are and what happened so that they can take care of you, later!" Rainbow Dash left the carriage with that last statement, leaving Rarity to only give what sounded like furiously growled response towards no pony. Rainbow Dash couldn't tell what her deal was. With the newspaper in her hoof, Rainbow Dash was now heading back to Ponyville to do what she said she was going to do. It would be a bit of a long trip back to Ponyville however. Not to mention Rainbow Dash had been working out hard with training herself earlier, and she hasn't had much of a time to rest yet, so she had to keep her flying steady. The fact that she was carrying a large newspaper with nothing to hold it in place also weighed her down. As a result, all Rainbow Dash could do while she was flying, was read the front cover of the newspaper while she was flying. ______________________________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash kept her eyes busy checking her surroundings while she read the newspaper. She always had to be alert while flying around. She's had more than enough crashes from flying to learn from her mistakes, despite what most insensitive ponies thought. The newspaper didn't hold much more information from what she was told already. A pony and a griffon were in quite a clash against each other, using any means necessary to defeat their opponent. They caused so much destruction in their battle that the building they were fighting in eventually collapsed. Some unfortunate ponies weren't able to evacuate in time before the building collapsed on top of them. "Unfortunately, one of those ponies happened to be Rarity," Rainbow Dash said to herself. "What were they fighting for?" Rainbow Dash continued to fly through the air while she read the newspaper. There was something about this pegasus that was throwing her off. She already heard about her stealing an already stolen treasure all the way over at Baltimare, and now here she was, hearing about her again causing an attack at Hoofington and injuring lots of ponies in the process. Baltimare and Hoofington were very far apart from each other. Unfortunately she couldn't find anything in the newspaper about why she was fighting at all. What business did she have? And who was the griffon she was fighting? She couldn't find any more information about it in the newspaper. Maybe she was searching the wrong places. But before Rainbow Dash could think much more into it, she caught sight of something from the corner of her eye. "Hmm?" Rainbow Dash slowed down her flying while she looked back off into the distance. She eventually came to a full stop, hovering in midair while she was witnessing something strange happening. "What's... going on?" she could see the skies very close towards Canterlot blinking. It wasn't due to clouds either, the skies were literally blinking. She could just barely hear a strange sound coming from it. ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: The silhouette of Carousel was panting low, but heavily as she tried to picture those moments that had happened. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy could tell she was trying really hard to remember. Something must've happened there that was either too difficult for her to process, or something she just didn't want to remember. If Carousel really didn't care about them, then why was she trying so hard to help? "What made you change your mind?"
Desires	Chapter 14: The Greatest and Powerfulest Lie	3 days ago: "Bzzzzt ...you... bzzzt ...everything here... bzzt ...see?" "...What, are you... bzzt..." "bzzt saying that you're so gullible." Carousel twitched herself back at this mention. "Do you really believe me when Trixie says this-" Trixie motioned in front of her, "-is the Tree of Harmony? Harmony means nothing to you does it?" Carousel looked her surroundings over. Nothing was able to process to her. They had managed to reach the top of the temple that they were traveling in, but the room they were in made it look like they were deep in space, yet they could breathe. In fact, they appeared to be standing on nothing. However, a pair of lights was shooting across a path in front of them every few seconds, as if they were marking the path. Stranger than that, it didn't feel like they traveled nearly far enough to reach this sort of height. In the center of this strange room was one lone tree. It sparkled and glowed brightly to the point where you couldn't even tell it was a tree. It was even quite a thin tree as well, with very little amount of leaves and branches covering it. "But, as soon as we came in, you're the one who shouted,-" Carousel cleared her throat before continuing, "-'Welcome to the Tree of Harmony'," she finished in an imitating pose, waving one hoof in the air. Trixie had to suppress a giggle not just because of her gullibility, but also how silly she looked doing that imitation. "Not everything is as it seems, my little admirer," Trixie started. "Everything you've been seeing... is a lie!" Carousel had a confused look on her face. Trixie turned away from her to look directly towards the glowing tree that was in front of them. "Trixie will tell you something, Carousel," Trixie started. Carousel hesitantly moved closer for a better hearing, "the reason magicians never reveal their secrets." Trixie paused for a second as she went into deep thought. She started lighting her horn. ______________________________________________________________________________ "You of course remember the first time we met each other, am I right?" Trixie started as she flashed her horn brighter to illuminate her surroundings. The flash made her cape and hat disappear before Carousel's eyes. "What you didn't know was, I knew more about you than I was letting on." "W-what?" Carousel was really taken aback by this. She took a few steps back away from Trixie. "H-how?" "You should know that already," Trixie continued as she returned her gaze towards Carousel. "The griffon you fought?" She walked closer to Carousel as she spoke. "She told me all about you, all about how she found you just lying near that temple with-" she poked the amulet on Carousel's collar, "-that treasure." Carousel looked down at the amulet, then back at Trixie. "B-but..." Carousel tried to intervene by trying to think of how that couldn't have been possible, but Trixie continued. "She thought she could just get away with saying she traveled that temple alone, but I saw through her lies." Trixie backed away, eyeing Carousel carefully. "I bet you're thinking I'm making one as well." She turned and walked away from Carousel, continuing her speech. "But you were the one who told me everything you knew." Carousel let her mouth hang open at this remark. She tried to form words to say, but nothing was coming out right. She never told Trixie anything. So why was she saying that? Trixie turned her head back towards Carousel. "When I looked into your fortune, I showed you all of the things that I knew about you." Trixie formed an odd smile on her face. "That was when you started leading me." Carousel managed to close her mouth, but had to slowly blink for a second. She tried to remember what happened during that point. "When I first saw you, you did look a little lost for somepony who just had her precious treasure stolen from her." Trixie chuckled a bit at this remark before continuing. "I was beginning to think my apprentice was lying to me again. That is... until you started showing signs of remembering when I showed you what I knew." Trixie looked towards the non-existent ground in front of her, shaking her head. "So, gullible." Carousel decided to walk closer to her. "Why are you telling me this?" Carousel asked. Trixie looked back at her as she responded. "It is a magician's secret." Trixie's horn started glowing brighter again. She lifted her head up high. "For once a secret has been revealed... the magic... fades." She threw her head down quickly, letting her horn illuminate the area again. ______________________________________________________________________________ Carousel had to cover her eyes as the area revealed itself. Everything was so much different now. It actually looked like they were in a large room now. The path they were following that the lights showed earlier was clear with a carpet now. But the only thing that Carousel was focusing on was the tree that was previously there. She slowly walked closer to it because she could no longer tell what it was. It now just looked like a bright source of light generating on nothing, giving off a few small sparks flying slowly away before disappearing. Carousel could feel her mind pulsating from looking at this light. It was too staggering to describe. She felt her whole body tremble on its own, her wings shivering, and the adrenaline in her body going nuts. "It is as Trixie says," Trixie started as she walked next to Carousel, staring at the light. Carousel noticed that she had her uniform back on. "Once you learn the secrets, the magic of such a trick wears off." Trixie started breathing a bit harder now; Carousel casted her gaze towards Trixie as a result. She was finding it hard to breathe as well. "The Tree of Harmony... it's the greatest and powerfulest source of magic in all of Equestria." Trixie breathed very slowly, but very loudly. "For many years, this tree has lived itself on a lie, a lie that continues, even today! Pant it has hidden itself for so long, with the name of, The Tree of Harmony. It has lived this form for so long, it now hides its very existence!" Trixie could barely contain her tone while she spoke. It sounded like she was revealing a failure that was so bad; it was sealed away from reality itself, using its false powers as a cover up. "Trixie doesn't know where the real Tree of Harmony is... gasp But she has discovered the next best thing! With your help..." Trixie turned to Carousel, to which Carousel had stumbled back a bit as a response, gasping for breath. "Trixie will have nothing to hide anymore! Everything will be revealed to even you!" Trixie was sweating a lot. Carousel could find a deep and lustful desire within herself. Bzzt, tchh tchh Her mind felt so unstable. Carousel and Trixie both looked into the light. They both brought a hoof to push into the light. "Our reward, lies now!" Trixie concluded with great determination in her voice. Screech! Tchh! "AAAAHHH!!!" Both Carousel and Trixie started yelling as the light grew so much brighter. They felt their bodies being pushed inside, disappearing into the light. ______________________________________________________________________________ The images returned back to Carousel. She started seeing lots of her past events all at once. But they all related to Trixie. She saw the pile of pinecones that Trixie was lying on. They started spreading apart wildly in the air. Each one was bursting into flames, being incinerated into charcoal within seconds. She saw Trixie bringing her horn towards the burnt part of her right wing. The burnt part of that wing suddenly reignited its flame. The flame dispersed quickly, taking away the mark. She saw the images of Trixie showering lights all around their surroundings. The lights were turning off, one by one. Then the shattering of the lights became apparent. All the lights were gone. Now she was seeing a huge cloud of pink smoke. Within the smoke, she could see Trixie treading through it in slow motion. All of these things had one thing in common. They were all tricks. She saw one thing happening with them, but another was happening all along. They were all lies that she had witnessed or been told, being revealed. They were beating into her mind like bricks. Nothing was ever as it seemed. Her surroundings had changed before she realized it. The smoke was clearing away. She could hear a low and deep growl in front of her. She could feel so much pressure going on in her mind and body. The images focused on where the growl was coming from. For that moment, she became aware of everything. Everything, everything to her, was a lie. ______________________________________________________________________________ "GASP!!!" Carousel's mind returned to her. Reacting quickly, she grabbed Trixie and dove out of the way from what was in front of her. Crunch! A large dragon was directly in front of them, nearly inches away. It had nearly dropped its jaws on the two ponies before Carousel had regained her senses and took her and Trixie to jump out of the way. Thump! Their landing on the ground was a very rough landing. Trixie gasped in surprise upon impact, suddenly regaining her senses as well. The first thing she saw was that large dragon. "H-H-AAAAAHHH!!!" Trixie cried out. Carousel and Trixie scrambled back on their hooves before the dragon could recover its balance. The two ponies started stepping back in fear of this large dragon. "What... what is going on?!" Carousel asked. Nothing was right anymore. Their surroundings were completely gone. They were in an endless void with no visible exits in sight. All they could see was the large dragon in front of them. This dragon had purple scales with a red belly. It had wings that looked very sharp, spikes that surrounded its back and tail, along with a spike on its nose, razor sharp teeth, and giant claws. As the dragon recovered its balance, it looked directly at the two ponies with a predatory glare. It opened its jaws widely, giving off a loud sound. RRRAAAAAAAAA- Carousel and Trixie could feel the room shaking, -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA- they stumbled their balance as the loud roar blew on them, AAAAAAWWWWWWWRR!!!!!! Carousel and Trixie had to hold on to their manes while that dragon blew out that large and extended roar. It felt like the force of the dragon's breath alone possibly blew out some of the hair off their coats and manes. "Pant, Wha-ht, No! This... What?!" Trixie stumbled over her words. "Pant this wasn't supposed to happen!" "What?!" Carousel yelped in shock. Thump, Thump! The two ponies felt the ground shake when that dragon stomped its fore claws on the ground they couldn't see. They could hear a deep audible growl coming from the dragon. It spread its wings wide apart, prepping itself to attack. Without a moment's notice, it lunged itself towards the two ponies. "Scatter!" Trixie yelled. Both Carousel and Trixie leapt towards opposite directions, barely managing to avoid the dragon's lunge. The dragon kept going, bringing itself airborne, very high in the air. "What is a full grown dragon doing here?!" Trixie yelled out while she started running in the opposite direction of the dragon. "They don't live in Equestria!" Carousel ran over towards Trixie's direction, placing distance between her and the dragon. "Why are we here? How do we get out?" she asked in a panic. "I don't- AAHHH!!!" Trixie was cut off when a large breath of flame shot from the dragon's mouth, sending it directly in front of the ponies' path. "Other way!" They turned around to run in the opposite direction. Thump! But they were cut off when the dragon landed directly in front of them. Carousel and Trixie froze in place, looking directly upwards at the mercy of this fierce dragon. "What are we going to do?" Carousel asked fearfully. "I don't know," Trixie responded. "I wasn't prepared for something like this." "What about all those tricks that you have?" Carousel asked, looking towards Trixie. "Can't we fight back?" "Are you insane?!" Trixie darted her head very close to Carousel's in a scolding manner. "Do you have any idea how DANGEROUS a dragon is?!" Carousel backed away slightly from the scolding mare. Whether the dragon or Trixie was more terrifying at the moment was now debatable. "We can't fight a full grown dragon, it's impossi- AAHHH!" Trixie was cut off when the dragon blew a large breath of fire again. The fire swirled around in the air, heading towards the ponies. Carousel and Trixie dropped deeply into the ground, hugging their forms as close to the ground as they possibly could. The flame swirl blew over their heads, just inches away from them. The heat wave coming from the flame had managed to singe part of their manes in the process. Trixie managed to save her hat by pulling it off and moving it under her just before it passed by. "Just do SOMETHING!" Carousel yelled after recovering from that blast. "Why don't YOU come up with a PLAN?!" Trixie yelled back as she flared her horn quickly and brightly. She used her magic to gather as much of the tiny water particles in the air as quickly as she could. She gathered all the water particles into a single pile in the air, allowing them to form a storm cloud. The dragon started charging forward again. As soon as Carousel saw that storm cloud come into view, she immediately took flight towards it. She came within range of the storm cloud quickly, and struck it with her hooves. Bam! The cloud created a powerful bolt of lightning that was aimed straight towards the dragon. BZZZT! RAAAAWWWRRR!!! The bolt of lightning struck the dragon, but its effect only seemed to enrage the dragon more than harm it. It was still charging straight for the two ponies, but more changing its course towards Carousel. "Ahh!" That lightning bolt barely phased it at all. Carousel tried to move away from the cloud, seeing the dragon get closer. The dragon struck with its claws. Smack! Carousel was unable to move away in time. She was struck and knocked away by the claws of that dragon. "No!" Trixie cried out. She focused a lot of magic into her horn to create a beam of pure energy, aiming straight for the dragon. The beam was trailing on the dragon's scales like a zapping lightning bolt. But it didn't seem to be doing anything to the dragon. Trixie tried putting in more power into that beam. The dragon caught sight of the unicorn that was firing that beam. It turned its attention towards Trixie. Trixie noticed this and stopped firing her magical beam. Fear struck her knowing that her magic was having no effect on this dragon. The dragon raised both its claws in the air. Trixie tried to run before the dragon brought its claws down. Crash! The dragon smashed the ground, causing Trixie to get blasted by the destroyed debris that escalated from such an impact. Despite not being able to see the ground, the parts of the ground and its debris instantly became visible when they scattered. Trixie tumbled and rolled across the ground due to the force of that attack. Carousel managed to recover from her attack earlier. She may have been struck, but due to her actions, she was able to escape serious injuries. Seeing Trixie getting attacked like that, Carousel acted fast and started charging straight towards the dragon. Carousel took the opportunity to strike the back of the dragon's head with as much force as she could muster. The dragon gave off a deep growl after experiencing that strike. It moved its tail swiftly behind itself. Carousel attempted to strike again, but... Whack! Carousel got smacked with that spikey tail, somehow avoiding the spikes. She got thrown directly towards Trixie, who was just about to get back up after recovering from her impact earlier. "AHH!" Carousel crashed directly into Trixie, causing them both to tumble and roll across the ground. They rolled a bit before coming to a full stop, lying apart but next to each other. The dragon gave a deep growl as it looked towards the downed ponies. Carousel and Trixie hesitantly pulled themselves up to look towards the fierce dragon that was relentlessly attacking them. The dragon slowly treaded closer to them. Thump, thump, thump. "Ugh... I told you, it's hopeless," Trixie stated in agony. "Dragons are too dangerous and powerful. It's impossible for ponies like us to defeat this thing..." Thump "Urk... what if we attack from a different angle?" Carousel asked. Thump "That's out of the question! It won't make a difference unless we attack from its weak point!" Thump, rrrrr... "Then why are we not doing that?" Thump "Are You Out Of Your Pony Mind!?" Trixie blurted while turning her attention towards Carousel. "Do you have any idea what you are asking?!" Thump "Of course I don't!" Carousel responded while picking herself back on all fours. "But you're the one who told me to come up with a PLAN!" Thump, RRAAAAAAWWRRR! The dragon raised its head up high, ready to strike. "And THAT'S the best you can come up with?!" "JUST DO IT!" Trixie quickly released her magic towards the ground, causing a large pink cloud of smoke to emerge, concealing them both. The dragon dropped its large, open maw directly into this pink smoke cloud, chomping down on whatever was inside. The dragon brought its head out of the smoke soon after. It started chewing on whatever it had captured in its mouth, creating a large crunching sound effect with each chew. It then gave a big gulp, swallowing its contents. The contents showed a visible lump in the dragon's neck, swiftly sliding down it until it disappeared within its stomach. The pink smoke started to clear up. Trixie could see the silhouette of the dragon in front of her as the smoke started evaporating. Looking to her left, she could see that Carousel was no longer there. Rrrrrr... The dragon took notice of Trixie as the smoke disappeared. Trixie's uniform was gone, and she was alone now. She shivered at the sight of the large dragon before her, being cautious with her movements. She had never been so nervous before in her life. Regardless, Trixie started prepping her magic. "Carousel, you foal... you better hope that worked... nnngh..."
Desires	Chapter 15: The End Of Carousel's Story Ark	3 days ago: Carousel could feel herself sliding deeply within the dragon's throat. When she heard about a weak point that the dragon probably had, she had to take it. She didn't know and didn't care what she had to do, and she certainly didn't expect this. All that mattered to her was that it would work. "Gah!" Splash, splash Trixie's hat and cape took back its normal form as they entered the stomach of the dragon, being incinerated by the dragon's stomach acid. Carousel hovered just above the acid. She was covered in saliva due to the chomping. Thanks to the cloak and distraction the hat and cape caused, she was able to avoid the dragon's teeth before she was swallowed. Pant, pant Carousel wiped some of the saliva that covered her vision. It was really hot in here, and there was quite a bit more space than she thought there would be, but no indication on what the best course of action was. She focused her eye sights on one of the walls on the stomach. She charged for it swiftly, striking it with one of her hind hooves as hard as she could. RRAAAAAAWWWRRR!!! The dragon let out an audible cry as it felt a sharp sting in its guts. Trixie noticed that the plan was having an effect. "Hah! Take that you monster!" Trixie let out her beam of magic, aiming towards the dragon's face. The beam was zapping the dragon's face, causing it to stumble backwards as it continued to cry out its roar. Carousel continued punching and kicking random parts of the inner walls of the stomach, causing more damage to the dragon. Trixie kept her magic flowing, keeping the dragon at bay with their simultaneous attacks, both inside, and out. TCCCHHHH!!! "Nngh... NNNGH!!!" Trixie was straining herself with the amount of magic she was putting into her horn. She was sweating as particles among particles of sparks were bursting out of the sides of her horn. "RAAAH!" Slam! pant, pant The heat was becoming unbearable, and the abuse was straining Carousel's body. She kept striking at random spots of the walls, getting weaker each time. AAAAWWWRRRRRRRR!!! The dragon managed to act again, placing one of its claws in front of its face, blocking out Trixie's beam. It let out a huge roar as it slammed its other claw directly towards its own belly. "GAAAH!" The inner walls of the belly shifted so suddenly, darting and slamming into Carousel, causing her to be thrusted back violently. The dragon let out a large breath of fire, aimed towards the ground. The flame moved up, treading towards the direction the beam was coming from. "NNNGH... AAAH!" Trixie was able to notice an intense heat coming closer to her before the flames made contact. She halted her magical lightning beam and leapt off to the side, barely able to avoid direct contact with the flames as they passed by. Carousel was flung towards a landing spot within the belly that wasn't flooded in the stomach acid. However the movement of the dragon caused some of the acid to splash and spray around the area, some of it landing on Carousel. Tss Some of its intense burning became apparent to Carousel as the acid burned small parts off of her coat and mane. "...Urk..." Grunting, Carousel slowly picked her face up with her front hooves from whatever she was lying on. She shook her head around, trying to recover from that impact. When she looked in front of her, she saw something she did not expect to see. "Gasp..." Inside the dragon's belly, stuck on the flooring of this intestine, there was a large and bright crystal sticking out. "What... what is that?" Carousel picked herself up, trying to examine this crystal. She had a very uneasy feeling staring into the bright light of this crystal. The feeling was very similar to the light she was seeing before from that bright tree. She slowly walked closer to it. "Hhh, Gasp, hhh..." Carousel's breathing was rapidly becoming heavy as she approached this crystal. Her mind raced against her. At that moment, nothing mattered to her at all. Not even the amulet that was still attached to the collar she wore around her neck. A strong desire filled her mind to just grab this crystal, and reveal, everything. Carousel grabbed the bright crystal. TTCCCHHHHZZZZZZZZZZ!!! "YRAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!" Carousel screamed at the top of her lungs as the electrical energy flow fueled across her entire body. The electrical energy flowed all across the ground, zapping everything in its path. RRAAAAAAAAWWWRRR!!! Outside the dragon, Trixie could hear the intense zapping sounds coming from the dragon. After recovering from that flame attack, she managed to pick herself up just in time to see the start of the chaos. The entire dragon's form had electricity violently flowing all across its body. "W-what? What's happening!?" Trixie stuttered, slowly backing away from the dragon. It was as if this dragon was going haywire. Electricity was shooting out of its body in all directions. Even worse than that, the entire void that they were in was flashing. She could catch the glimpses of the room they were in before they encountered this dragon. "AAARRRGGNNNNHHH!!!" Carousel pulled with all her might as the crystal fueled her body with its magical flow. Her entire body burned intensely as the crystal was being pulled out. The entire room was shaking. Lightning shot all across the inside of the dragon's belly, exploding the walls upon contact. Debris was being scattered all over the place, creating splashes as they fell into the stomach acids. Outside the dragon, it was no different. The entire room shook. Lightning shot across the flashing void. Debris scattered. Trixie had to dig her hooves on the ground to keep her balance. "What happened in there?! Carousel! What did you do?!" Trixie yelled. The dragon clutched its throat and held its head up high. Its throat was causing a regurgitating effect. The pools of stomach acids lost their effects and temperature. They splashed all around the walls as they became nothing more than colored water. The liquid was rising, rising high to meet with Carousel and the crystal. Shing "AAAAHHH!!!" The crystal had been pulled free just before the rising pool flooded them out; causing them to rise, rise up towards the dragon's throat. Kurrrr, Krrrmmmm, Ptwuh! The dragon barfed something out of its mouth. This caused the electricity flowing around the dragon to cease. The effects of the void were starting to disappear. The dragon started to collapse towards the ground as the void was disappearing. Thump, Crash! Just as the void vanished underneath the dragon, the dragon collapsed on the floor, causing the floor to break apart. The dragon fell through the floor, causing a long drop down that neither Carousel nor Trixie could determine how far of a drop it would be. Trixie covered her eyes as the rest of the debris continued to fall down. There was a bright and intense light coming from the smoke being caused by the falling debris. Carousel and the crystal landed roughly in the center of the now visible room they were in. The crystal was planted within the floor, a few distances away from Carousel. That tree was gone. In its place was the crystal that Carousel had just drawn out. Flash, Screech! The crystal resonated a light that illuminated the entire room. It released a magnetic field around it that took hold of Carousel, carrying her towards the crystal. Trixie released her hoof away from her eyes to witness what was going on. Her nerves were attacking her like crazy. "I-is, that..." She couldn't really think about it. TCHH! TCHH!... TCCHHH! The crystal released electrical energy, surrounding Carousel's body. The fields of magical electricity shot across the room randomly, destroying the walls of the tower they were in. Multitudes of debris scattered across the room, causing massive destruction around their surroundings. The magical flow coming from the crystal was so bright and powerful; Trixie had to shield her eyes again. "AAARRGH, AAAAAAAHHH!!!" Carousel screamed in agony as the electric current resonated through her body. "Nngh... what is going on?!" Trixie was in a panic, trying to make sense of everything. "It's like, I don't even know anything anymore... Nothing is going the way it's supposed to!" Trixie moved her hoof slightly away to take a look at the surrounding areas. The electric fields were practically tearing the room apart while the room's existence continued to flash on and off. The outside world from the tower were coming into focus the more those walls crumbled. Trixie could only see the sky and barely see the clouds within them. No doubt their current altitude was incredibly high. Trixie looked back towards Carousel and her undergoing torment. "Gasp I've gotta stop this, NOW!" Trixie jumped a few steps forward to get closer to her target. She released a beam of magic from her horn, targeting Carousel. When the beam hit Carousel, her whole body was enveloped by Trixie's magical aura, along with the crystal's electrical current. "Nnnngaaahh!" Trixie screamed in agony. She was trying to use her magic to pull Carousel out of whatever this crystal was doing to her. She put a lot of force in both her head and magic to pull Carousel out. But she wasn't budging. In fact, now Trixie was starting to feel her pain. Magical electrical shots coming from the crystal were shooting and tracing close to Trixie, but the crystal's electrical current used the beam from Trixie's magic as an energy flow to get to her directly. "AAAAAHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!" Trixie cried out louder. Her body started standing on just her hind legs, allowing the source of her magic to generate a more concentrated magical flow. The hairs on her mane started standing and blowing around. The hairs on her coat made it almost look as if she was still wearing her cape. "NNNNGH!!! MMMMMMHH!!!" Carousel could feel the current being forced through her body. They were forcing their way into her mind, into her senses. Her adrenaline scattered violently all around her body with immense speeds. In the midst of all this, Carousel's visions were returning to her, the visions that had always forced their way into her mind. She could feel the headache forcing her way into her mind even amongst all this electrical current that was tormenting her body. The visions were numbing her senses. She couldn't feel anything. She couldn't hear anything. She couldn't even see anything but the visions that forced her way into her mind. Except this time, that last part wasn't true. This time, those visions were forcing her to see everything that was around her. The visions gave her a clear and perfect view of Trixie's form. She was in pain, crying out in agony, all in an attempt to use her magic to pull Carousel out. "AAARRR-KAAAAAA!!!" Trixie's body thrusted violently forward, but she still remained where she stood. Many objects appeared out of Trixie's form during that thrust. Pinecones, lots and lots of pinecones were scattering out of Trixie's body. They tumbled and rolled around the ground. While they rolled, their appearances started to change. One by one, the pinecones started changing into apples. Every single pinecone was changing into an apple a few moments after they bounced off the ground, revealing what they truly were. "AAAAANNNNNGH!!!" Trixie's head and mouth were forcibly being dropped down. As her crying stance stood lower, the form on her body began to reveal itself. The sides of her coat gave of a bright and extended shine. When the light slowly faded, they revealed pouches and bags, strings and straps, things that would conceal and carry, and most importantly, hide. The bags started flinging open, spilling out its contents all on its own. They were thrown violently across the floor, just like the pinecone looking apples from earlier, but being thrown behind her this time. The items consisted of tubes of paint, rolls of bandages, lengthy rags, books and papers, and quite a few other supplies and devices. They all seemed to be related to what Trixie had done to her. The back of Carousel's neck gave a magical shining flow. Something became visible on the back of her neck, just above her collar. Through all the electrical currents rushing through her body, a set of bandages became visible on the back of her neck. The bandages were engulfed in flames. They were getting incinerated by the electrical current coming from the crystal. The wound that was being covered up by the bandages soon came into view, only to disappear from view almost immediately by a fog of shining particles. The shining particles flowed around her neck, taking the wound away. Tcccchhh,... TCH! "Aaaaahhh... nnnnnghh..." Carousel's pain was being less focused. The more these images rushed through her head, the more she learned what they meant, and the more painful it was for her to come to such conclusions. Everything really was a lie to her. She was witnessing the revelations of every trick that this unicorn, Trixie, had pulled on her. Trixie was right. Once the secret has been revealed, the magic fades. When Carousel first met Trixie, she saw her sleeping on a pile of pinecones. But they weren't pinecones that she saw, they were apples. Sleeping on pinecones wouldn't be comfortable at all, but sleeping on apples was a different story. All those lights she saw were pointed in ways that made her look like she was somewhere else. It only affected the one they focused on. Carousel thought Trixie was showing her the images of her memory, but those were Carousel's thoughts all along. Trixie only used her words and lights to manipulate Carousel's mind into making those thoughts, making her believe that she was seeing the images in her mind with her own eyes. Illusions and lies, trickery and manipulation, that's exactly how everything was around here. They were lies so powerful, they became true. But once they were revealed, their magical truth, ended. TCCCHHH... tcchhh... No more. Carousel wanted no more. She focused her eye sights on Trixie, keeping her gaze on all the lies she had created. She desired nothing but revelations. She was blocking out her mind on everything that was a lie to her. "AAAAAAAHHH!!!" Carousel focused on Trixie's screams of determination. Trixie's magic was a lie, but her desire was very real. Trixie was putting all efforts in her magical pull, even while her secrets and humility were revealed. The items that were being released from Trixie's form were starting to shine brightly. Their shine soon dissipated them into particles, flying into the air. Quickly, but one by one, the particles were being twirled around the room, circling around Trixie. The particles were getting very small while they twirled around her. The particles seemed to be disappearing into Trixie's horn. As they disappeared, Trixie struggled further. She gave one final pull on her magical hold on Carousel. Tcccchhh... TTTTCCCCCCHHHH!!! In that moment, Carousel now knew what she wanted all along, what she truly desired. "AAARRRHHH..." CCSSSSHHH!!! "AAAAAHHH!!!" Trixie flung backwards as her magical pull finally moved Carousel. The crystal had exploded and shattered. Carousel was thrown towards Trixie due to that magical pull. Carousel had collided with her and they were knocked back very far, far enough to cause them to slip off of the edge of the tower. Carousel and Trixie started plummeting from miles away in the skies. Carousel's body was showing a massive amount of electrical current, flowing around her body. The shine on her body was slowly going away while they were falling. Trixie recovered from the impact first. The sounds of the air being sliced by their falling bodies pierced her ear. The danger of their falling height was no distraction to what she feared when those floating particles continued to rush to her horn. Carousel grunted as she opened her eyes. Her body was rushing faster than their falling speed. She suddenly felt a large amount of pressure being forced upon her neck as they fell. Trixie had placed both of her hooves around Carousel's neck, squeezing it very tightly in her grip. Trixie was glaring at her with malice. "YOU INCOMPETANT FOAL!!!" Trixie yelled at Carousel, shaking her in her hooves. "DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU HAVE DOOONE?!?!?!" Carousel's senses were slowly coming back to her as she saw the particles rushing into Trixie's horn. She could barely breathe due to Trixie's grip, but she could barely feel them either. The particles continued to swirl around Trixie's horn while Carousel's nerves became more focused. The particles started forming along the spiral ridge of Trixie's horn, giving a shine as they entered. Trixie looked like she was starting to lose focus. Her eyes closed and her grip loosened. Her eyes flashed beneath her eyelids before the glow on her horn disappeared, along with all the particles. Carousel's nerves rushed through her body as they started returning to her. She could feel the winds rushing through her form as they fell. Carousel struggled as she felt Trixie tightening the grip around her neck. She tried to remove Trixie's hooves off of her, but then she saw Trixie's body tremble violently. Trixie's eyes flashed open in a menacing glare. There was something so different about those eyes now. There was a low growl coming from Trixie that could be heard through the sounds of the rushing wind. Trixie pulled a hoof back, and then she tossed it forwards, punching Carousel in the face. Carousel winced from the sudden assault. Trixie was attacking her now. Carousel put her hooves up in front of her. Trixie continued throwing her punches at Carousel, but Carousel defended by using her own hooves to stop their assault. They continued punching each other as they continued falling from the skies. "Nngh!" Carousel spread her wings apart to stop her fall, but Trixie was keeping herself latched onto Carousel, preventing her from getting away. Carousel continued trying to pry her off, punching Trixie with her own hooves. Trixie's face filled with nothing but rage. She flared up her horn, charging an attack to be fired directly at Carousel. Carousel retaliated by flipping their bodies around, aiming her punches at her face. Trixie fired her beams of magic, but due to their assault on each other, the beams were narrowly missing the target in front of her. Carousel did what she could to distract her fire or dodge out of the way, but Trixie kept her grip on Carousel. Ping! Carousel managed to narrowly strike Trixie's horn, causing her to shoot a beam straight into the air, despite their falling bodies. "AAAAHHH!!!" Trixie's horn started to spark a dark electric field as she screamed in agony. "NNNGH!!!" The electric field resonated through her body to zap Carousel as well. Carousel started losing feelings around her body again. Trixie used this moment to continue attacking Carousel. She punched Carousel in the face. She then flipped their bodies over so that Trixie was higher up. And then, Trixie fired a magical blast directly at Carousel's back, releasing her grip as she did this. "AARRRGH!!!" Carousel was blasted away from Trixie. Her body plummeted towards the ground in the direction away from the tower. Trixie's body was still falling as well, but she held her control. She re-positioned her body to start falling face first towards the ground. She brought all her limbs behind her and sticking towards her body. Her impact sight came into view. Her face filled with confidence as the ground came very close to her. Trixie's horn started glowing again. Just before she hit the ground, her entire body gave a bright flash. And just like that, Trixie vanished. Carousel's body left a smoke trail as she continued to fall. She couldn't see where she was landing. The wind continued to blow roughly against her face as her plummeting speed continued to increase. Before she knew it, Carousel started feeling the scrapes of twigs passing through her body. Before long, she blacked out instantly as she hit a hard surface. ______________________________________________________________________________ "...nngh..." Carousel's mind rushed as her senses came back to her. Her body was lying flat on something solid when she regained consciousness. She put her hooves in front of her to push along the surface, attempting to pick herself up. She grunted and her face was winced up, just trying to get up. Carousel managed to slowly pick herself up, slowly opening her eyes as she did so. Her surroundings were covered with leaves. She couldn't tell where she was, except that she was probably deep inside another forest. She hesitantly took a step in front of her. Snap! Carousel started falling as the branch she was standing on gave away. Crash! A bit of sand was tossed up; covering her vision after her fall had stopped. She slowly picked herself up again, shaking her head slightly while trying to recover from the impact. Nothing was on her mind anymore. She wasn't even sure what she was doing right now. All she thought about was what was going on right at this very moment. When she opened her eyes, her vision blared. But she could barely see something make itself present as the sand was starting to clear away. There standing in front of her, past the sand cloud, was another pony. That pony was glaring daggers into Carousel's soul. One word reached Carousel's ears, which came from that pony. "YOU!!!" ______________________________________________________________________________ Current day: "...And, that was when I first saw you..." Rainbow Dash mentioned after Carousel had finished her story. Carousel just closed her eyes. No more responses came from her. It looked like she was done with discussing anything with them anymore. Rainbow Dash looked towards Fluttershy. Fluttershy just stared back with sad eyes. Those eyes just seemed to be filled with regret. Rainbow Dash had to look away. She couldn't stand seeing Fluttershy like this. She forced her eyes to close. All she could do was reflect on the rest of the things that she already knew. But nothing could stop her emotions from riling up at the one fact that was staring at Rainbow Dash's face. Everything that had happened to them, was Carousel's fault.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	pre	At the Cow Statue... "BOOM!" The gigantic claw come out from the underground, later it's reveal its whole body as a Giant Scorpion that known as Scorpioch. "ROARRR!" "AHHHHHH!" screamed Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "See! I told you it is special!" said Discord.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	Help from The Djinns	Chapter 7 Help From The Djinns At the Cow Statue... "What the heck is that thing?!" asked Rainbow Dash. "Don't ask me! Cause I don't know either!" said Discord. "ROARRR!" "What're we going to do?" asked Pinkie Pie. "WE FIGHT IT!" shouted Applejack and she's throw her rope to tie up its tail. "ROARRR!" "Rainbow Dash! Do something!" said Fluttershy. "I'll give it a try!" said Rainbow Dash and she's fly behind the tail of a Scorpioch and punch at it. "It's no use! It's skin is strong like a metal!" said Rainbow Dash. "ROARRR!" "Let me handle it!"Said Discord and he's transform himself into a Giant Meerkat and eat the Scorpioch whole. "BRAAHH!" "EWW!" said Spike and Rarity. "Oops! Sorry!" said Discord and he's transform himself back to his original form. At the Broken Four Pillars... "ROARRR!" "AHHHHHHH!" screamed Phaedrus after he was get poke in the back by a sting from a tail of the Giant Scorpion. "Phaedrus!" said Solon while the Scorpioch's throw him out from its tail. "ROARRR!" "You pay for that!" said Belo and he's run to slash the Scorpioch with his sword but it's grab him with its claw, killing him and throw him to the Princesses of Equestria but they fly off and see a gigantic scorpion come to the place where they are. They both fly off and go to fight the gigantic Scorpioch that is coming. "Belo no!" said Ixas "Princesses!" said Eusebios and he's run with Ixas, Solon and Draco to fight against a Scorpioch. "ROARRR!" "AHHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Ozal and Kucuk as they both are fly away from another Scorpioch that is following them. "ROARRR!" The two Griffon brothers accidentally fly hit the tail of another Scorpioch and it's turn its attention to them. "ROARRR!" "This won't end well!" said Ozal. "Getaway from them!" said Draco and he's jump on its back and going to poke a spear in its back. "ROARRR!" Another roar came out from the hind of the Statues on the Shrine. Then, Discord appears from thing air and grab the Scorpioch at tail and throw to hit another one. "No anything I can't do!" said Discord and then Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spike run into them when they see them at the Broken Four Pillars. Then, the two Scorpiochs get out from each other and ready to fight their preys. "ROARRR!" "Get down!" said Luna and she's and Celestia create a magic barrier around their friends and themselves. Then, the gigantic Scorpioch jump through the Statues at the Shrine, destroying it and join the other two scorpions. "ROARRR!" "Okay everypony! Get ready to rumble!" said Draco. "Is that a speech or what?!" asked Rainbow Dash. "Nope." said Draco. "ROARRR!" The three Scorpiochs stop moving, step back away from them and lie down on the ground. "What... just happened?!" asked Applejack. "Over there!" said Pinkie Pie. "Look!" said Fluttershy and she's point to the group of the beings that are horses made of ashes and wearing cloaks. At the Broken Shrine... "Burakatikamatashu! Kutamitakamatashu! Kumato-" said Djinn Leader to taming the angry Scorpiochs while the other Djinns are arrive behind them. At the Broken Four Pillars... "What are they?" asked Rarity. "The Djinns," replied Celestia. "I heard so much a lot about them. This part of the desert is under their rule," replied Luna. "Are they bad guys?" asked Spike. "Hopefully not!" said Draco. "I don't know what are you all thinking but I don't trust these things!" replied Solon. "WOW! They are so COOL!" said Ozal and Kucuk. "These guys are the sorcerer-like demonic horses that replaced their organs with the ashes. And of course, they're using the black magic, can't feel any pain and they can live for many centuries," replied Discord. "That which mean that they're no longer horses. Not anymore," said Celestia. "We need to thanks them for this!" said Pinkie Pie and she's run out to thanks them about their help. "WHAT?!"Asked Discord and then, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna feel the hurt on each of their wings and collapsing down to the ground. "Princesses!" said Applejack and Pinkie Pie quickly run back to look at them with the others. "What happened to them?!" asked Draco. "We don't know." said Rainbow Dash and then she and others see a bite on each of the wings of the Princesses. "That skeleton creature had bit them!" replied Rarity. "Maybe we should pray for the Olympians to help!" said Eusebios. "We're not going to ask help from the ponies who want to kill Twilight!" said Applejack. "Don't be stubborn! You have to pray for them! RIGHT NOW!" said Draco. "WE WON'T!" said Rainbow Dash. "At least me and Rainbow Dash!" said Applejack. "Then it depends on the Djinns to cure them now." said Draco. Meanwhile on Mount Olympus... "I'm still don't get it Zeus," said Hades. "What is it Hades?" asked Zeus. "About three of them but mostly at Apollonia and Artemis," said Hades. "They're nothing but traitors!" said Zeus. "Zeus! They're your daughters! You can't just turn back on them!" said Hades. "They are still incomplete about their powers when they abandoned from Olympus! Because of them that the Unicorns gained power to moving the Sun and the Moon many thousands years ago! Made the Titans that are on our side like Helios and Selene have no work to do!" replied Zeus. "And I never understand them about the dream of them that wanted to being as 'Princesses' instead of Goddesses," replied Hades. "Just to make themselves look less honor. Trying to live among the mortals, they do," replied Zeus. "What I am trying to said from all of this is... you should think about them. They are your bloodline. Choose wisely Zeus." said Hades and he's disappear in the black smoke, let Zeus's thinking about his treacherous children. Later at Camp of the Djinns... "Ohh..." said Celestia and Luna. "How are they now?" asked Rarity. "Only getting worse!" said Fluttershy. "Here the water." said Spike and Fluttershy's grab the pouches and give them to both of them to drink. "We will get more water for you Princesses." said Fluttershy and she's leave the tent with Spike and Rarity to get more water. When they three gone away, the leader of the Djinns, Sheikh Suleimare, go into the tent and create a blue fire on the top of his staff and grab some to it and use it on their wounded wings. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Celestia and Luna and while Sheikh Suleimare is doing his job, Rainbow Dash and Applejack come in and grab him and throw him out from the tent and run to grab him but he's use his staff hit their faces and the others run in with their weapons and ready to fight him and the other Djinns. "KRAAA!" said Sheikh. "What?!" asked Draco. "Krarukatapumit." said Sheikh. "What is he saying?!" asked Rarity. "It's said that the Djinns are waiting for a long time to meet the ones who can stop the Plagues sent by the Gods," replied Discord. "Kashimokarakatomiga!" said Sheikh. "He's said that we must become together as one to help the Daughters of Zeus and me,"replied Discord. and Sheikh take his staff away from face of Rainbow Dash and Applejack and make the blue fire on its top disappear. Then, the two Princesses of Equestria came out from the tent. "Everypony look!" said Fluttershy and she's point to the wings of Princesses that were once wounded but now the wound had already disappeared. "Together as one!" said Sheikh and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna nod to him as the agreement about team up.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	Origins of The Princesses and Discord	Chapter 8 Origins Of The Princesses And Discord Later... "So Princesses... Discord... can me and my friends ask some questions?" asked Fluttershy. "Go on Fluttershy," said Discord. "What would you like to know?" asked Luna. "Why did you leave your old home? Why came to Equestria in the first place?" asked Fluttershy. "Are you sure that you all really wanted to know that?" asked Celestia. "Of course your highnesses," said Rainbow Dash. "For me... I'm just trying to prove that I'm better than my mother, Eris the Goddess of Chaos," replied Discord. "What about the reason of you two, your majesties?" asked Applejack. "We saw it...," said Celestia. "Saw what?"Asked Rarity. "... the terrible... of the Gods!" said Luna. Flashback start, 1000 years ago: Mount Olympus... "WOO-HOO!" shouted Apollonia and Artemis (Celestia and Luna). "You two should know that you can't win us!"Said Athena and Ares who are flying after them. "The team that lose must be servants of another team for a day!" said Artemis. "And that will be you two!" said Ares. "We both are fully complete the power of our but you two aren't yet! Still blank flanks!" said Athena. "Sorry for interrupt big sis but you should look what lie in front of you two." said Apollonia. "What?" asked Athena and she's watch what is lie in front of her with Ares. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Athena and Ares and they are accidentally fly hit the thunderbolts of Zeus that the girls are prepared for them. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" screamed Athena and Ares after they both get shocked from the thunderbolts. Later at Chamber of Apollonia and Artemis... "See we told you!" said Artemis. "You two cheating!" replied Athena. "You and Ares didn't say that we can't borrow dad's thunderbolts to use for our game." said Apollonia. "Here your grapes." said Ares and Apollonia quickly takes it from his hand and eat whole. "Hey! You do that again!" said Artemis. "I'm sorry Artemis. Sometimes I'm forgotten myself!" said Apollonia. Later at Night... "Another beautiful night by my mentor. Selene, Titaness of the Night," said Artemis. "And I think we have fun enough today." said Apollonia and she's go with her little sis to fall asleep. When they both fall asleep, Apollonia had a dream of something that is very terrible. She saw the Windigos, and then an army of mortals of all three tribes of the Ponies march to fight each other to dead. And from all of the war, there have no winners. All of the three tribes of the Ponies gone forever. Poseidon had made the land go flood, split the land into many islands and lead the Seaponies and Mermares to come out from the ocean and both tribes start to colonize at the shores and then, all over every islands. Flashback ends (yet), Back to the Present Time... "And that is why we choose to leave Olympus. No anypony deserve to death," said Celestia. "So... your former names are Apollonia and Artemis?!" asked Rainbow Dash. "Yes," said Celestia. "So... what is that dream about?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Because the Olympians see that all of the Ponies that live on land have no respect in them, they decided to wipe you all out," replied Luna. "In that time, there are only the Seaponies and Mermares that still have the respect in the Olympian Gods," said Celestia. "But respectation of them are not enough, they are also need it from the Ponies that live on land as well," said Luna. Meanwhile in Canterlot at the Royal Palace... "Twilight!" said Cadance. "What is it Princess Cadance?!" asked Twilight. "There a lot of the Ponies that gather at the edge of the city!" said Cadance . and she's use her magic to create the illusion of the mob that led by an insane priest name Prokopion. "What're they creating?!" asked Twilight. "It is a shrine! Prepared for you to be sacrifice to Cetus." said Cadance while Twilight is watching in the illusion. "I can send the guards to stop all of those and destroy the shrine and-" said Cadance. "No... let them do. I can't believe I'm saying this but... even my friends can't save me from this." said Twilight. "Nice saying." said A Voice. "Hedone?!" asked Cadance and she turns back and see her sister stand in front of with her parents. "What are you three doing here?" asked Cadance. "Who are they?!" asked Twilight. "My big sis and my parents." replied Cadance. "And what are you three doing here far from Olympus?" asked Twilight. "We're here to take you back to Olympus!" said Eros. "To save you from the rampage of Cetus!" said Psyche. "I can't leave my husband, my sister-in-law and my empire to go died!" said Cadance. "We adopted you from Apollonia to be as our second daughter when she's adopted you from your foster mortal family when you just a little Pegasus. You are a Goddess now! You have to be with us! At Mount Olympus! Land of the Gods and Goddesses!"Said Eros. "Father, Mother, Big sis, I am very sorry but I can't leave Equestria! The mortals need us!" replied Cadance. "All that the mortals have to do are praying for us!" said Psyche. "Please little sis!" said Hedone and she's her her little sis to beg her to go with her and her parents. "Sorry Hedone... but I can't!" said Cadance and she's turn to look at Twilight with warm smile to make her sister-in-law know that everything will going to be okay for her. Meanwhile in the Desert of Saddle Arabia: the Mountain... "So... what's happen after you leave Olympus?" asked Applejack. "Change our names, trying to prevent the war. That are what me and Luna do at that time," replied Celestia. "Along with the truth that never be told," said Luna. "Truth about what, your majesty?" asked Spike. "The absence of King Bullion, father of Princess Platinum." said Celestia. Flashback starts again, 1000 years ago: Castle of King Bullion... "Thanks goodness that girl is finally stop barking! Well done Luna." whispered Celestia. "Thanks sis." said Luna. "Do you think King Bullion will take our offer in good way?" asked Celestia. "Hopefully he do." said Luna and unbeknownst to them, in the shadow, their are five figures are listening to what did they are just discussed. "Do you think like I'm thinking my sons?" asked Lucifer. "Absolutely dad!" replied Death, War, Pestilence and Famine. One hour later after the Royal Sisters left, at the King's chamber... "KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!" "Come in," said King Bullion and his 'servants' come into his chamber. "Would you like to have some snacks for this night?" asked Death. "Of course," said King Bullion. "Hope you like curse!" said Lucifer. "Wait! Curse?!" asked King Bullion and he's turn to look at his 'servants' and get shocked from this he just see before him. "What are you fives?!" asked King Bullion. "My name is Lucifer and these are my sons, the Four Horses of Apocalyspe!" replied Lucifer. "What do you want from me Demons?!" asked King Bullion. "Demons?! We're no Demons! We're the Gods!" said Death. "And we're here to give you a punishment!"Said Lucifer and he's shoot magic from his horn to King Bullion and transform him into a monstrous wolf-like creature. "What have you done to me?!" asked King Bullion. "This is the punishment of everypony for turn back on the Olympian Gods and stole their jobs!" said Famine. "NO! This can't be happening! NOOO!"Shouted King Bullion and Lucifer and his sons disappear in red smoke. King Bullion, in form of a monstrous wolf-like creature had gone insane and flee from his kingdom and never be returned. Nextday, when the Royal Sisters come back. Princess Platinum is now in charge instead of her father after his 'mysterious disappearance' that had happened last night. Flashback ends... "And when we found him, before he had out of his mind. He tells us everything about what had happened to him and when he had go out of his own mind control. Not even Luna can calm him down. He had completely as a monster," said Celestia. "We have no choice but have to let Star Swirl... sigh," said Luna. "Ohh..." said Rainbow Dash. "He's beyond to cure?" asked Rarity. "No... because there are no cure," said Celestia. "And to make sure that the punishment go faster, Lucifer had unleashed the Windigos," replied Luna. "But it's look like the flood that are trying to prevent had return now." said Celestia. "No worry Princesses! We will be with you!" said Rainbow Dash. "We will make those Gods understand what is right and what is not right!" said Rarity. "You can count me in for any help!" said Applejack. "I have no doubt that why Twilight have so much trust in you seven." said Celestia. "Me neither." said Luna. "Me three!" said Discord. "As the loyal soldiers of yours, we do anything at your command!" said Draco. "Thank you..." said Celestia. "All of you." said Luna.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	Mares of Diomedes Castle	Chapter 9 Mares Of Diomedes Castle In the Desert of Saddle Arabia: the Mountain... "ROARRR!" "Kashara!" said Djinn and they all turn to look at them and get amaze by the way that they can ride the Scorpiochs. "How did the Djinns can ride them?!" asked Eusebios and the Djinn orders his Scorpioch to go before them. "Come..." said Sheikh. "Oh no! I won't going to sit on that thing!" said Solon. "That thing once trying to kill us!" said Rainbow Dash. "Get out of my way!" said Kucuk and he's quickly run to it and climb to sit on the Scorpioch. "The one of the coolest creatures are bow to us to let us climb on its back! What are we waiting for?!" asked Ozal and he's fly to sit by side with his brother. "Okay... we need to race against time..." said Luna. "And as that each wing of me and Luna are still have a little injured..." said Celestia. Now they all decided to go by ride of the Giant Scorpions, they had go across the Desert, the Volcanic Land and across many mountains for many days. As well as that the Princesses had to raise and lower the Sun and the Moon on back of a Scorpioch of the Djinn Leader. "Now... Time of the Night..." said Luna and her older sister is lower the Sun and she's raise the Moon up. "We do good for against time now I think," said Celestia. "But this not good enough," said Applejack. "So... how far of we from the Stygia Garden?" asked Rarity. "In two days... we will reach to the Lair of the Mares of Diomedes Castle." said Discord. In two days, they all go across the mountains and finally reach to the Stygia Garden. "Why are you calling this place a garden?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Because it is the name of it," replied Discord. "Don't you think you should call it now the Stygia Swamp?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Indeed! From its appearance as the swamp. You should name it that!" replied Rarity. "Umm... girls... we must go rescue Twilight from being eaten by a monster remember?" asked Fluttershy. "Fluttershy had a point in this. So let's go!" said Rainbow Dash and she's follow the Princesses and the others to the deepest and the most disgusting place in the swamp, the broken castle of Diomedes. "Here we are." said Celestia and she's look at the broken castle and open the gate to go inside. In the throne room of the castle, filled with darkness and cold. There are nothing but skeletons and a little meat here. "I bet that they're not home!" said Rarity. "Maybe we should go back!" said Fluttershy but Luna glowing her horn and saw four shadows near the the throne. "Tia..." said Luna and Princess Celestia glowing her horn and its light made them all see the Mares of Diomedes Castle. "EWW!" said Fluttershy and she's lost her lunch. "So disgusting!" said Rarity. "We known that." said Discord. "Hey! We have visitors!" said Podargos. "Who are they?!" asked Lampon. "Yeah! Who are they?!" asked Xanthos. "Give me the eye! So I can see!" said Deinos and she's grab an eye from her sister hand and use it to look at their visitors. "Ohh! Children of Zeus! AHAHAHAAA!" said Deinos and Lampon grab the eye from her and using it to look at them. "What are you want from us?!" asked Podargos. "Their meat must be very delicious!" said Lampon. "We're not here for a fight. We just want to ask some questions," said Luna. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!" laughed Meat-eating Mares. "Did our Princess of the Night said something entertain?" asked Rarity and the Meat-eating Mares turn to look at her and going to slash their claws on her but Solon and Eusebios quickly scare them out with spear and sword. "Well..." said Lampon. "They want to know the secret of Cetus!" said Xanthos. "So fools, they are!" replied Podargos. "Wasteful journey, Almighty Cetus, the Blue Serpent is fear nothing!" replied Deinos. "But it must has a weakness!" said Fluttershy and the Meat-eating Mares immediately turn to look at her. "Well... it has one..." said Lampon. "But we need... PAYMENT!" said Xanthos and Deinos and Podargos jump to grab Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. "Fluttershy!" said Rainbow Dash. "Pinkie Pie!" said Applejack. "HELP!" shouted Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. "Leave my friends or I will-" said Rarity but Lampon jumps to grab Rarity and licking her neck while Podargos grab the Princesses. "You are so tasty!" said Lampon after she's lick Rarity at neck. "AHHHH!" screamed Rarity. "Leave my girl right now!" said Spike and he's breath green fire to Lampon and she's accident throw the eye away to Podagos but Princess Celestia grab it, kick Podargos at her foot and she's release her and her sister. "Tell us what we all want to hear right now! Or my sister will use her sun power to burn this eye that you four are using," said Luna. "But first... set those girls free!" said Celestia. "You aren't dare enough to-" said Podargos and Celestia quickly made a fire on her horn. "Next will be this eye of yours get grill!" replied Celestia and Podargos order her younger sisters to let the girls go. "Now give us the answer. How are we going to defeat Cetus?!" asked Rainbow Dash. "There is an answer but no anypony can ever do," said Lampon. "Oh yeah?!" asked Applejack and she's grab the eye of them from Princess Celestia and threaten to smash it with a rock. "I will smash your eye with a rock if you don't tell us!" said Applejack. "The Gorgon Medusa!" said Xanthos. "Every fleshes..." said Podargos. "Died from curse with one stare of her!" replied Deinos. "She lives across the river on an island of the River Styx, at the Edge of the Underworld!" replied Lampon. "Using Titan kill a Titan." said Podargos. "She don't have anything to do with Cetus. We can't just possibly ask her to help," said Discord. "Then we have to force her to do," said Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash! That is a such of rude!" said Rarity. "Why don't we cut off her head?" asked Discord. "Smart thinking, Son of Eris." said Lampon. "Discord! Are you crazy?!" asked Applejack. "She's in this pain for many thousand years. She should be free from it now." said Discord. "What are you talking about?" asked Ixas. "I'll explain that later once we reach to the Underworld." said Discord. "Now... our eye! Give it back!" said Xanthos and Applejack throw their eye to the top of the throne. "Let's go." said Luna and she's walk with the others to go out from the broken castle. "Wait!" said Podargos after she's grab her eye and turn to look at them with her sisters. "What now?" asked Rainbow Dash. "The journey didn't end well..." said Lampon. "You mortal ponies... AHAHAHAHAAA!" said Xanthos. "We're what?!" asked Draco. "Don't listen to them! Let's go!" said Celestia. "You mortals... are slaves!" said Deinos. "You all are just slaves of the Gods!" said Meat-eating Mares. "They're lying!" said Solon. "This all will be written into the history book!" said Lampon while they all are go out from the broken castle. "You all are slaves! AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!" laughed Meat-eating Mares.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	To the Lair of Medusa	Chapter 10 To The Lair Of Medusa At Stygia Garden... "Why did the Djinns leave us here?!" asked Fluttershy. "They believe in the words of the Mares of Diomedes. They believe we all will died," said Discord. "That... is a rude one!" said Rarity while she's watching the Djinns riding the Scorpiochs away with the two Griffon brothers. "At least... their leader didn't leave us," replied Applejack. "GAAAHHH!" said Sheikh. "And those two Griffons had give us a gift," said Pinkie Pie and she's rubbing the shield made from skin of Scorpioch. "Wait a minute..." said Rainbow Dash. "What is it Rainbow Dash?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Where are the Princesses?!" asked Draco and Ixas. In the Swamp... "Now... clear the minds of both of us," said Celestia and she's take a water to wash her face. "That is what I wanted to do too," said Luna and she's rubbing her temples. "BOOM!" "Why are you here?!" asked Celestia. "Aren't you going to call me... father?" asked Zeus. "Or even your own uncle?" asked Hades. "Can you give us what we wanted to know?!" asked Luna. "You two and Discord knew who you all are! My bloodline!" said Zeus. "And you two can't possibly defeat Lucifer or Cetus! All of your friends will died! And Equestria will fall!" said Hades "So what exactly brought you two here?!" asked Celestia. "Me and your father are here to take you two and Discord back to Olympus!" replied Hades. "You are my bloodline! And you two and Discord are Goddesses and God! You have to return Olympus and live like the Gods!" said Zeus. "We won't leave Equestria get suffered!" said Luna. "We will give you all one change only!" said Zeus. "Good. Because we don't want another one!" repleid Celestia. "And tell Lucifer that me and my sister will go to meet him soon!" said Luna and she's walk away from them with her older sister. "Apollonia, Artemis!" said Hades and the girls turn to look back at him and Zeus. "This coin will be very valuable to all of you," said Hades and he's throw a golden coin to Luna and she's grab it. "Bye..." said Hades and he's disappear in black smoke while Zeus transforms into an eagle and fly away. Later at the Stygia Garden... "Princesses!" said Fluttershy and she's run to hug them with Pinkie Pie. "Is everything okay?" asked Applejack. "You can tell us anything Princesses," said Rarity but they both are still in silence for 5 minutes. "Everypony had heard what did those mares had said..." said Luna. "But to make that go wrong. We need your help. Me and Luna can't do this all alone," said Celestia. "You can count on us Princesses!" said Spike. "Me and my friends will do anything to save Twilight!" said Rainbow Dash and she's walk to go on side of the Princesses with her friends, including Discord. "So... how about you guys?" asked Fluttershy. "The Djinns need to stop the Plagues by the Gods!" said Shiekh. "If you all believe that there still a way..." said Ixas and Eusebios goes on his side as a sign of join with him and the others. "I didn't like to see Equestria get covered in the sea..." replied Solon. "How about you Draco?" asked Rainbow Dash and Draco gives her a nod as a sign that he will join them. "Then we have an agreement..." said Celestia. "We all will go to the Underworld!" said Luna. "We will confront Medusa!" said Celestia and Luna. "GRRAAGGHHH!" shouted Sheikh and crash his staff on the ground. They start to set off another journey, to find the entrance of the Underworld and to the Lair of Medusa. All of them travel across the land of desert, volcanic land for many days and finally they have reach to the entrance of the Underworld. Unbeknownst to all of them, the minion of Lucifer that created by himself, Skeleton King is following them. At the Entrance of the Underworld... "Here we are... the Underworld..." said Discord and he's take everypony to the bridge that lead them all to the River Styx. "This is the River Styx, the River of Death." said Discord. "So... what now?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Wait for Charon," replied Luna. "Who?" asked Rarity. "The ferry-stallion that can take us to everywhere we want in the Underworld," said Celestia. "If I remember correctly, he will only take the ones that already died," said Discord. "Sheikh Suleimare, would you be honor to do this?" asked Celestia and she's give the golden coin that she got from her uncle to him. Sheikh Suleimare takes it with him and walk at the edge of the bridge and throw the golden coin into the fog of the river. "Kashariko." said Sheikh and then the fire is appear in the fog and the illusion of a small ship is come out. The fire came closer and closer and finally, the two undead Seaponies with chain had swim out and drag the small ship out from the fog. At the edge of the ship is a skeleton Unicorn Pony, Charon, the one who control the ship. "For the living beings, choose the place..." said Charon. "To the Lair of Medusa." said Celestia. Later on the Ship... "What will happen when reach in Lair of Medusa?" asked Ixas. "Just kill another monster," said Eusebios. "Discord... tell them..." said Luna. "Medusa is once a very beautiful mare. More beautiful than your friend Rarity. Her beauty is the cause that curse her. Poseidon can't stop himself about 'do such of thing' at her. When he do that by force her, Medusa asks the protection from Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. But she didn't. When Poseidon start to ravish her, Athena had enough with the disgusting of what she had saw. Athena had cursed Medusa to be no longer wanted of any stallions. Look at her face at one time, every living beings will be turn into stone along with its soul." replied Discord. "The mares can't go in there. It is the only way to make sure that she will not hurt the mares like her," said Celestia. "So it's up to Discord, Spike, the Djinn and the rest you stallions," replied Luna. "Understood," said Draco. "We will do our best!" said Spike. "You both can count on me!" said Discord. "Well... this is what you all need to learn about Medusa." said Luna.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	Confront Medusa!	Chapter 11 Confront Medusa! At the Edge of the Underworld: Island of Medusa... "This is the place," said Discord. "So very disgusting!" replied Rarity. "We better get going," said Luna and she's walk to the Lair of Medusa. "Are you know the way?" asked Rainbow Dash. "They're Princesses of Equestria. Trust them," said Draco. "Agreed." commented Solon. "So... Medusa is that bad?" asked Eusebios. "The only way she can be free from her curse is destroy her. She can't be cure," replied Discord. "Good to hear that. Cause I like to slashing thing." said Ixas and he's go with the others and follow Princesses to the Lair of Medusa. Later at the Entrance to Lair of Medusa... "This is where she live," said Celestia. "The mares can't go in there. It's up to you guys," said Luna. "Understood Princess," said Spike and Luna gives him her sword. "Use it careful," said Luna. "I'm no need of other sword. Cause I can make one of mine!" said Discord and he's create his sword out from thin air. "So... any speech for the soldiers?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Well... aside from the Princesses, you girls, including Twilight and Spike..." said Discord. "Me and Discord had met another four stallion friends..." said Spike and all four soldiers smile to him. "Along with you..." said Discord. "Whatever of being that you are," said Spike. "GRAAHH!" said Sheikh. "Now... it's time to confront Medusa!" said Discord and he's enter the Lair of Medusa with Spike and the other members that are males. "Good luck Spike," said Rarity and she's take shield that made of skin of Scorpioch and give it to Spike before he will go. "Hope that Discord will be okay!" said Fluttershy. "I'm sure they will be okay," said Rainbow Dash. "Yeah! He is the God of Chaos!" said Applejack. Later in the Lair of Medusa... "Still no sign of her!" said Ixas and Solon runs to search for Medusa behind the pillar but foudn a statue instead. "Very helpful..." replied Solon after he's found the statue of Stallion Unicorn with bow and arrows that 'made' by Medusa. "Remember what's Princess Luna said..." said Spike. "We must look down. Don't confront her face-to-face." said Discord and Draco walks to the cliff and look down to search for Medusa but the fire spit out from the below and nearly hit at his face. "HHAAAA!" screamed Draco after he's nearly get hit with a fire the spit out. "HEHEHEHEHEEEEE!" laughed Medusa. "That must be her!" said Spike. "Where is her?!" asked Eusebios and then the arrows were shoot out from nowhere and each of them poke into Solon and Draco. Solon bounce off and accident hit Spike and the Djinn. Three of them fall from the cliff but Spike grabs Sheikh Suleimare in time but Solon fall into the furnace. "AHHHHHHHH!" screamed Solon and then all of his body get burn and died. "SOLON!" shouted Eusebios. "You all go first!" said Spike and Eusebios turns to look at Draco and see that there is a big arrow that stuck, stab through his stomach. "Time to bombard..." said Draco. "Draco..." said Ixas. "GO!" said Draco. "Eusebios! Follow me!" said Ixas and Eusebios running follow from behind. Draco falling on the ground and break the arrow that stabbed in him. "Discord! Get him!" said Spike and he's throw Sheikh Suleimare to Discord and he's catch him. Then, Spike throws himself to them and Discord grab him. At the Other Side of Lair of Medusa... "AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!" laughed Medusa. "Eusebios, remembered what did Princess Luna said... look down..." said Ixas and Eusebios quickly looks down. When Ixas turn to look at the way before him, Medusa appears from nowhere and turn him into stone with one stare of her. "AHHHH-" screamed Ixas and Medusa quickly disappears like she came. Eusebios heard his voice and turn to look at and get terrified by what he saw. "Ixas... noo!" said Eusebios. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAA!" laughed Medusa. "Take that!" said Eusebios and he's swing his sword to cut nothing from behind. "WHERE ARE YOU?!" asked Eusebios and he's swing his sword to cut nothing from behind again. Upon him, Medusa is watching him terrafied with evil smile. She's slowly come down by crawl down from the pillar. "WHERE ARE YOU?!" asked Eusebios after he's swing sword to cut nothing from behind again. Then, Medusa jumps out from the shadow and turn him into stone with her stare. "AHHH-" screamed Eusebios and he's turn into stone and fall down from the cliff and shatter apart in front of Spike, Discord and Sheikh Suliemare. "Eusebios..." said Spike "AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!" laughed Medusa. The trio looking around carefully for any sign of another attack of Medusa. Then, the arrow shoot out from nowhere and hit at the pillar near head of Discord. "RUN!" shouted Spike and he's lead Discord and Sheikh Suleimare to safety at the broken pillars. Then, Medusa comes out from the smoke, revealing her body that is part mare and part green cerastes snake, her mane was replaced with hundreds of Green Snakes. "Okay... I got a plan. Spike, you and the Djinn wait here. I will lure her out," said Discord and Spike and Shiekh Suliemare nodded. "HEY!" shouted Discord and he's fly out from hide. Medusa shoots arrow to him but hit at the pillar instead. In anger of missing her shot, Medusa goes chasing after Discord to get rid of him by herself. "Catch me if you can!" said Discord and Medusa goes faster and faster and try to jump up to grab him. Discord flying around in circle to go meet Spike and Sheikh Suleimare again. When he arrives, Sheikh grabs his axe and try to cut head of Medusa but miss and she's grab him and Spike with her tail. "Behind me!" said Sheikh but Spike close his eyes instead of staring at her. "GAAAHHHHH!" screamed Medusa when she's try to 'curse' Sheikh Suleimare and Spike but she can't. Then, Spike quickly breath fire out from his mouth, burning Medusa's tail and she's immediately release them. Tail of Medusa accidents hit at face of Discord and he's fall to unconscious. Sheikh Suleimare falls to unconscious as well after get released but Spike's stand up to confront her and quickly and run to grab sword of Discord that he had dropped from his hand. Upon them, Draco run into a way to search for all of the remaining members that come along with him. Then, he's see Spike is about to confront Medusa. Draco gets the knives out from the pocket behind his back and he's jump to the stalagmite, stab it and crush it to fall down and stab into tail of Medusa. "AHHHHHHHH!" screamed Medusa and Draco quickly jumps off. "Draco..." said Spike. "Take care of the Princesses and your friends." said Draco and Medusa turns to look at him and turn him into stone. When Draco as stone was get shattered by Medusa, Spike is grow in anger and grab the shield and look into the reflection of Medusa. Medusa's turn to look at Spike and come closer to him to kill him but Spike close his eyes and jump out to the backside and slash at her neck. "AHHH-OHH!" said Medusa when she's realize she feel something 'funny' at her neck. Then, her head is fall down from her shoulder and roll to the broken pillar nearby. Even don't have head, Medusa's body is still moving, trying to grab Spike but the headless body fall down into the furnace, burning and destroyed. "PHEW!" said Spike. Later Outside... "Hey ladies!" said Discord and he's walk out with a pouch that have head of Medusa. "Behold... head of Medusa!" said Discord and he's show them a pouch that have head of Medusa inside without open it. "Cut off by myself," said Spike. "Oh Spikey-Wikey! I knew you can do it!" said Rarity and she's kiss him on his cheek. "GRAAHH!" said Sheikh. "I know. We can't do it without you." said Discord and then he's saw Skeleton King run into the girls very fast. He's drop the pouch and jump out to stand between them and the Skeleton King. The Skeleton King shoot energy beam out from its eyes, the beam hit at Discord and he's fall on the ground. "DISCORD!" shouted Fluttershy and she's quickly run to look at him with the others. She's look up and see Skeleton King attempts to shoot the beam again. "Sister! Protect them!" said Celestia and she's quickly form a sword out from thin air along with Princess Luna. They both run off to Skeleton King very fast and jump up to its forehead. The Princesses stab their swords into the forehead of Skeleton King. "ROARRR!" They both pull out their swords and fly out, let the Skeleton King walking backwards and fall down from the cliff to its dead. "Ohh..." said Discord and two Princesses walk toward to look at him. "Discord are you okay?!" asked Fluttershy. "Did he even breathing?" asked Applejack. "Karukaguma," said Sheikh and he's walk into the group to look at Discord. "Can you heal him?" asked Fluttershy and Sheikh Suleimare gives her a nod. "We have to go now! Quickly!" said Luna. "Today is the day!" said Celestia. "It's nearly at noon now!" said Rarity. "You go first Princesses..." said Rainbow Dash. "When Discord is fully healed. He might be able to get us out." said Fluttershy. "We will give regard of yours to Twilight." said Celestia. "Bye."Said Luna and she's take a pouch with head of Medusa with her and fly out from the Underworld back to Equestria with her sister. Meanwhile on Mount Olympus... "My brother... it is time now that mortals have to pay for their betrayal!" said Lucifer and he's walk closer to him. "Only Hades and Poseidon stay, the rest get out," said Zeus and the other Gods and Goddesses disappear. "Unleash Cetus, the Blue Serpent!" said Zeus.
Clash of the Titans: My Little Pony version	Plague of Flood	Chapter 12 Plague Of Flood! At the Bottom of the Saddle Lake, the ground start to shaking and split apart in two. Then, there are giant three tentacles come out from the depth. In the meantime, the water of the Saddle Lake had become more salty and its start to grow larger and larger. The water had start to invading into the forest and then, Ponyville. In the Depth of the Saddle Lake... "ROARRR!" At the Edge of Canterlot... "The Blue Serpent has arrive! The end had come! When the monster had its belly full! Do everypony want it to eat us? Or want it to eat... Princess Twilight?!" asked Prokopion. "Princess Twilight!" said Everypony. Meanwhile at the Royal Palace... "They all are shouting my name Cadance..." said Twilight and she's turn to look at face of her sister-in-law. "I have to stop this!" said Twilight and she's turn back to walk but her older sister-in-law grab her shoulder. "Twilight no! I can't let you do this!" said Cadance. "Sorry Cadance." said Twilight and she's walk out from the balcony. In the meantime, in the Sky of the Everfree Forest... "Come on Luna! We have to hurry!" said Celestia. "I'm right behind you big sis!" said Luna. Meanwhile in Ponyville... "The flood has begun!" said Derpy. "Run for your life!" said Snips. "Wait for me Snips!" said Snails. The water start to growing larger and invading into many houses, shops and even the Marketplace of Ponyville. In the meantime, Cetus, the Blue Serpent is finally reach of the surface of the lake and start to swimming follow the river to waterfall that come down from Canterlot. Meanwhile in Canterlot: the Royal Palace... "Alright! Push!" said Spitfire and she, with the rest of the Wonderbolts, along with some Royal Guards are pushing the gate to against the mob led by Prokopion from going inside the Royal Palace to kidnap Twilight. But then, the mob win. Then, Princess Twilight appears out from thin air before all of them. Later at the Edge of Canterlot... "WOO-HOO!" shouted Prokopion and his followers as they are holding Princess Twilight in their hands and bring her to the shrine. "Now... tie her up!" said Prokopion and he's and his followers tie Twilight up and drop her on the shrine. "Lucifer! We offers you Princess Twilight... to worship you!" said Prokopion. When the Blue Serpent come very close, its disappear in the depth of the river. Then, a giant tentacle come out from the river and following by the other tentacles of the Blue Serpent. "ROARRR!" The tentacles of the Blue Serpent hit at the walls, the towers and many houses in Canterlot to broken. Meanwhile at Mount Olympus... "Equestria had face the Plague of Flood now! Did you feel stronger my brothers?" asked Lucifer and he's walk closer to his three brothers. "You all believe that Cetus will make the mortals pray for all Olympians. But Cetus is my pet, its helping me only!"Said Lucifer. "I am the ruler of Olympus! And Hades is your boss!" said Zeus. "Remember who you are serve at!" said Poseidon. "NOOO!" shouted Lucifer and he's shoot red beam from his horn to force them to can't stand up from their thrones. "I'm serving myself only! You! Throw me into the Underworld!" said Lucifer and he's turn to look at Poseidon. "And you do nothing to help me!" said Lucifer and he's finally turn to look at Hades. "And you treat me as a slave to do your dirty works!" said Lucifer. "We all need love of the mortals!" said Zeus. "No! That are you three and the others need! I live with their fear and pain! The thrones of three of you had been fallen now! And finally! You three will know the pain I have!" said Lucifer. "But there still have Olympians live in Equestria, my brother!" said Hades and Lucifer disappears in red smoke. "Apollonia!" said Zeus. "Artemis!" said Hades. In the Sky upon Canterlot... "Here we are!" said Luna and then, below them both, Lucifer appears in the thin air and flap his wings hard one time and unleash the Furies out from his wings and send them to go after the first two Princesses of Equestria. "Sister! Furies! Behind us!" said Luna and she's throw a pouch with head of Medusa to her older sister. "ROARRR!" One of the Furies fly out from the pack and take the pouch of head of Medusa out from hands of Princess Celestia. "Follow that Fury!" said Celestia and she's fly after the Fury that took the pouch away from her with her sister. "Let me handle this!" said Luna and she's shoot blue beam from her horn to the Fury, killing it and she's take the pouch from its hand. "Thank you for holding it for a while!" said Luna. "No time for joking Luna!" said Celestia and she's fly to the place where Twilight is being hold. The other Furies are flying follow them but Princess Celestia shoot yellow beam to two of them and burn them alive. "There're only ten of them now!" replied Celestia and then another Fury had come and take the pouch of head of Medusa away again. "Not again!"Said Luna and she's fly follow the Fury that stole the pouch from her with her sister. Then, they arrive in the Marketplace and then the Djinns had riding the Scorpiochs with two Griffon brothers are appear and killing all Furies that are follow them. "Hey Princesses!" said Ozal. "Hello!" said Kucuk and the Princesses turn to look back at them and see they both and Djinns are enjoying about killing the Furies. "AAHAHAHAHAAAA!" laughed Ozal and Kucuk. The Princesses fly out to the river where the Blue Serpent is swinging its tentacles around to destroy everything around it. The only surviving Fury is still holding a pouch with head of Medusa with it but the Princesses are finally grab it, zap with their magics and throw it to the pit of fire near the shrine where Twilight being hold. Then, the Blue Serpent had finally pull it's head out from the water, revealing its cobra-like turtle head that have tentacles around the mouth. The the rest of body of Cetus has been reveal to the whole entire civilians of Canterlot, even everypony in Ponyville are seeing how the hideous of serpent is. "ROARRR!" The Princesses quickly fly to the shrine where Twilight is. Then, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance arrive with four Royal Guards to rescue their little sister. "You can't come and distrub-" said Prokopion and he was knock out by Princess Cadance. "That! For kidnapped my little sister-in-law!" said Cadance and Shining Armor orders his guards to take Prokopion to jail. "Thank you for help." said Celestia and then Cetus show its face to all of them at the shrine and attempt to eat Twilight. "ROARRR!" "Oh no! Sister!" said Luna and Celestia quickly gives her younger sister a pouch of head of Medusa. Princess Luna opens it and show head of Medusa with her eyes open to the Blue Serpent. "ROARRR!" Cetus, the Blue Serpent is now slowly becoming a stone statue and died. Then, the whole statue of the Blue Serpent start to cracking and fall into the river and one of tentacle of Cetus accidentally destroy the shrine and Twilight fall down with it. "Twily!" said Shining. "No!" said Cadance when she's see Twilight as in unconsciousness fall down. Then, Sonic Rainboom appear in the sky and come down and take Twilight. "No worry Twilight! I got you!" said Rainbow Dash and she's fly down before the Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Then, Discord and all of Twilight friends, along with Sheikh Suleimare appear out from the thin air. "Princesses!" said Rarity and she's run into the group with her friends. "Is she okay?" asked Applejack. "Karukaguma." said Sheikh. "That which mean he can heal her," said Fluttershy. "BOOM!" Lucifer appears out from the thin air with red smoke. "I am a God! I will live for eternity like you! Children of Zeus!" said Lucifer . "But not here!" replied Celestia and Luna and they both form a bow and arrow for each of them and shoot arrows to him and he was being push into the underwater in the river and send back to the Underworld. "It's over..." said Luna. "For now." said Celestia. Later in the evening, under the Waterfall of Canterlot... "BOOM!" "Olympus had owe you a lot. Especially you two, my daughters," replied Zeus. "We don't thinking about that you three will reconsider offer of your father," said Poseidon. "Well... can I have a moment with Apollonia and Artemis alone?" asked Hades. "As you wish, my brother," said Zeus and he's walk away with Poseidon and Discord. "I brought this for you two," said Hades and he's give them a scroll. "What is it?" asked Celestia and she's open a scroll. "An apology that I, too shame to speak to both of you," said Hades while his nieces are reading a scroll. In the Scroll... "I have no intention of hurting you two or separate you two apart. When your father Zeus ordered me to create the Plague of Darkness. I don't know how to do except must set your grandmother, Phoebe free. And to make sure that she played her part. I destroyed her physical form so she can curse the inhabitants of the Moon and possessed into the body of Artemis to turn her into a monster. As your uncle, I am very sorry." Princess Celestia's roll up the scroll and turn to look at Hades in shock with her younger sister, they both are shock from did they just see before them. "C-Ca-Can you... for-forgive me?!" asked Hades as that he bend down himself to the ground in shame, sadness and the tears are coming out from his eyes. "Uncle Hades..." said Celestia. "Please... stand up..." said Luna and Hades stand up as they asking for. They both hugging Hades as comfort and forgiveness. "We both forgive you uncle." said Celestia. "BUT! Don't... do... it... ever again!" said Luna. "I won't do any harm of you ever again my nieces."Said Hades and he's turn to look at Zeus and Poseidon. "We shall reconsider about not sending the Plagues to Equestria." said Poseidon. "Thanks..." said Celestia. "As reward for mine, I will cancelled the law about can't let the others have the contact with you,"Said Zeus. "Thank you father," said Luna. "And this is from mine..." said Hades and he's disappear in the black smoke while Poseidon turns into the water and Zeus transform into an eagle and fly away. Then, there are two glowing light appear nearby. One was turn out to be mother of Discord, Eris. Another one is Leto, mother of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They all run to hug their mothers for first time in many centuries. "I'm sorry mom," said Discord. "I'm glad to see you Discord!" said Eris. "We both miss you mom!" said Celestia and Luna. "Me neither, Apollonia... Artemis... my daughters..." said Leto. They all fly to Canterlot and introduce their mothers to everypony in Canterlot and tell them about their adventure from the desert of Saddle Arabia to the Underworld.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	pre	Gwen was beyond feeling, beyond her previous fear. With some impossible, momentary strength, she somehow managed to tear loose a nearby air conditioner. She half rolled, half lifted the bulky, rusted, useless machine over to the access hatch and left it weighing the metal cover down just as someone tried to lift it from below. Gwen ran, away, just away, darting around other machines and vents on the roof, until she came to the shed. Milner had some kind of shed set on the roof of his warehouse, he had once had the notion of creating a farm up top, but the fact that farming had turned out to be work had scuppered the notion. As far as she knew, the roof shed still had the unopened bags of viable soil the warehouseman had bought, years ago. He'd told her the story early on, when the project had started. For just a second, Gwen almost felt safe. The hatch was blocked, she was behind a shed and in the dark, out in the night. She breathed out a great sigh of relief, and as her muscles relaxed, just a bit, as the air left her lungs, she suddenly found herself on her knees, which only hurt worse still. The initial stab of pain was a searing awfulness in her lower right side. Again, she smelled a whiff of her grandmother's cottage bacon - it wasn't real bacon, of course, but the smell was unforgettable - and suddenly everything went slow. The horrific, mind destroying pain was simply gone, just like that, nice as you please, but also vanished was any sense of reality. The world was slow. Gwen felt... slow. With fumbling hands, Gwen bent and checked her belly. It was a hole, neat and tidy, about the diameter of her finger, her jumpsuit seared and melted around it. Horror gripped her. She had been shot, actually shot, but she wasn't bleeding. Countless books and articles flashed through her mind, spinning like the wheels of an old slot machine, back when there had been coins, the wheels locking into place as facts added up. In the strange, slow moment, she was suddenly dispassionate - no bleeding, the wound was cauterized. Bacon. Not an ordinary weapon. Plasma sears flesh. Electric gun. An article on the inventor, a boy in Russia. Exit wound. With trembling fingers, Gwen felt her back. She couldn't find anything at first. Oh. There! A much tinier hole, barely a pinhole, but it was there all right. Of course. The front was the exit, she had been shot from behind, and below. From down the stairs. A needle, a dart. It had passed clean through. It was probably buried in the hatch frame now. Gwen was on her hands and knees, and both were crumpling. It was everything she could do to keep crawling. The grace of shock was lifting again, and she felt herself whimper from fear and pain. She crept away from the shed, to the edge of the warehouse. If she could only get to the other building, or down to the ground without breaking a leg... or worse... she might yet survive the night. There were thumps sounding from behind her, the very sort of thumps angry men might make trying to force a heavy air conditioner off of a rusty hatch. She didn't have a great deal of time, she realized. Gwen checked the front of her sealed jumpsuit, yes, the notebook was still there. It must be the 'item'. Sweet Mary, the anonymous donation had been anonymous because it was delivered to the wrong warehouse. No wonder it was all WorldGov secret documents - it was the bloody H-L-F behind it, perhaps they had made a raid, or had a mole in the works, but they clearly had a driver who had gotten lost. And truth be told, all the warehouses looked alike. Anyone could have made such a mistake. The thought came to her that somewhere, probably nearby, the Human Liberation Front had a terrorist base, likely for years, and she had never known. That close, in some other warehouse, all the past four months of her involvement with LAASTT and the Underground Bookmobile. Year three of the seven years to the end of the earth, and she had spent the last four months within spitting distance of the god-cursed HLF. There was no way to jump the gap. The building was across the street. What was she thinking? She hadn't been thinking, just escaping. It had seemed nearer for some reason, back when she had started across the roof. She was four stories above the cracked concrete below. Not even plascrete, this part of town was so old. There was no jumping. Gwen looked for cables - many of the buildings had thick masses of intertwined electrical and service cables, pipes and conduits that branched from place to place. All had been gradually built up by countless hands long after the utilities companies had vanished during the Collapse. Favela tech had brought power and water back, however it could. But there were no trunks of cable to crawl along on this side of the vast warehouse, and there was no way she was going to be able to crawl far enough before the bastards got through that hatch. Gwen began to cry. She could picture angry faces demanding the notebook, a gun to her head, and they would get it, and they would still put a bullet into her skull and that would be the last thing she ever knew. She should have gotten converted, she had the chance so many times but there had always been some thing she could do better as a human, some job that only a human could do in a human world. Ponies couldn't work most computers, not even the unicorns with their horns. Magic killed quantum chips, and made holographic screens go up in a mass of pretty sparks. She hadn't wanted to be relegated to sorting romball cartridges with her mouth. Now she regretted it all. She would never see Equestria, she would never see life as one of the gentle fairy folk. That's what her grandfather would have thought of the ponies. For all the world, they were the fairies coming to call, the ancient fairy folk done up as horses and come to take us all home to fairyland just like True Thomas the Rhymer. That was what Equestria really was, Gwen had decided long ago. It was fairyland, and the ponies were the fairies come back again. "I would'a made a grand fairy pony. I would'a. I just know I would'a made such a grand fairy..." Gwen was weeping now, because there was no escape, and no hope, and this was the end and she knew it. She shouldn't have gone to the roof... but then, where else was there to go? It wasn't a bit fair, and now she had a hole in her side that burned like fire and in a moment, she'd have one in her head that wouldn't hurt at all. "What's the matter? Please let me help!" The voice was high and lilting, and not entirely human. Gwenhwyfar Boik looked up, away from the rough surface of the warehouse roof. Her eyes met shiny brown hooves, and a warm brown pair of forelegs in the dark. She spied a glimmer of rear hoof before her view had climbed up a soft brown neck and past two brown wings refolding themselves. The expression on the muzzle was concerned, and partially covered by a blond mane that dripped like a golden waterfall down one side of the Equestrian mare's head. "I was flying home, when I saw you crawling on the roof. I thought that was weird, so I came closer and heard you crying and..." Gwen reached her hand out and grabbed the pegasus' hoof. "I need help! The HLF is after me, they will be on this roof in seconds! I need to escape, please! Help me!" It took a couple of seconds for the pony to parse her words. It was clear that 'HLF' had an impact, though. "You're hurt!" "I've been shot! We have to get away from here! Do you know a way?" A sick feeling overcame Gwen - what could one little pegasus even do? "No. Forget it. Flee! Just get away from here as fast as you can! Fly! It's pointless, just... go... go." It was pointless. One pegasus couldn't hope to carry her, ponies were barely four feet at the tallest. Those tiny wings. Better the poor fairy should flee. She wouldn't go out knowing that she had caused the death of such a beautiful creature. "FLY! DAMMIT!" But the pegasus was gone. Good. Smart girl, Gwen thought. Unlike me. The sound of angry male voices could be heard now, the hatch was partly open. It would all be over shortly now. The NOTEBOOK! Oh, Christ in heaven, she still had the notebook on her! She could have given it to the pegasus and sent her away, the stinking terrorists would be up the creek then, sure as you please! Stupid... stupid. What a lost opportunity! "Get on! Hurry!" The pegasus was back, with an Arbofiber pallet. The standard kind used for shipments. When they ran out of wood to make pallets, Arbofiber had replaced the material. Twice as strong, and it almost even felt like wood. Supposedly, anyway. "What?" "Get on! I'll save you!" The pegasus was nothing but earnest, but... it was amazing she had even managed to carry a pallet up to the roof, especially so quickly. She must have zipped back to where they were piled, near the loading dock, and then flown the pallet to the roof. This was a strong pegasus, to be sure, but... what could she hope to achieve with this? It was just a pallet. There wasn't even a forklift up here! "I don't..." The men were through. They were through and angry and dashing about on the wide, dark roof. The few - but bright - lights made actually seeing her pursuers impossible, but then again, maybe that was true with regard to her as well. "GET ON!" Apparently fairy pegasai could be quite strident when they had a mind to. Gwen moved onto the pallet, uncomprehending but obedient. She'd never been yelled at by a pegasus before. The men had certainly heard. The sound of running boots was drawing near. Just like that, there was air threatening to blow Gwen from the pallet. "HOLD ON! PLEASE!" That was two times being yelled at by a pegasus now, though the latest was more a proper scream. Gwen grabbed the planks of the pallet with all the strength she had left in her hands. She looked around. Her benefactor was... pushing... the pallet with her forehooves, wings beating furiously. Somehow the pallet was remaining airborne, and somehow the pegasus had some kind of a grip on it, though Gwen could not for the life of her figure out how. Something from the notebook came back to her. 'We believe that thaumatic energy is being imparted in some manner to the vapor, and binding it within a circumscribed field or region.' That was what the technician had told the author. Perhaps pegasai could communicate magic into any object with their hooves. They did pull carriages, that just hung in the air behind them, after all. Somehow, pegasai could extend their magical ability to fly - those tiny wings were aerodynamically impossible - into objects they touched. Or at least nonliving artifacts. Maybe that is why the pegasus used a pallet, instead of just pushing her directly? Or maybe it was because she was wounded... or that the magic would burn her if it flowed into her body. That was a thought. The ground, far below, was rushing past, the night air blew Gwen's long, dark hair into the face of her savior. "Sorry!" Gwen dipped her head and caught her tresses with a finger, to keep them out of the Pegasus' eyes. She heard shots, but nothing hit, as far as she could tell. She hadn't felt the first time she'd ever been shot, at least immediately. She noted she wasn't in pain at the moment. That was one good thing about clinging to a cargo pallet being magically pushed by a pegasus ten stories above the street - it was so terrifying and overwhelming that the brain just forgot to add 'pain' to the mixture of sensations. 'Need fast pain relief?' Gwen imagined a commercial playing at a favela kiosk 'try new Get Flown By A Pegasus! Works instantly to..." Oh... sweet lord... it wasn't pain, it was cold. Air, streaming, blowing through the hole in her side. When the angle was just right, it whistled.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Five: Fever Pitch	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Five: Fever Pitch She startled to wakefulness, her heart pounding. She'd been having a bad dream, but she couldn't entirely remember what it had been about. She sort of remembered, the first seconds after waking up, but the unfamiliar surroundings and the aching throb in her side had torn the somnolent terrors from her grasp. 'Sweet Jesus!' The events of last night returned to Gwen. The men. The flight. She carefully moved the covers and gingerly examined the gauze wrapped around her naked belly. Someone had undressed her, and treated her wound. Sweet Joseph - she had a hole through her, right through her side. It had been cauterized, so she hadn't bled, but it couldn't be a good thing to have a hole punched through like that. It burned, it stung, but it didn't hurt as bad as she imagined. Maybe they had given her something for the pain. That seemed likely, because she felt a little woozy, now that she thought about it. She was laying on a foam mat bed, covered with a comforter. Of course - pegasus. Ponies living on Earth tended to like foam mats for beds, because they were easier to get up from on hooves than extremely soft mattresses were. Mats were more stable, more solid, and it was also possible to sleep in certain positions more easily. It wasn't a universal, though - Gwen's cousin Muirne - now a fine unicorn by the name of Shadeweaver - swore by her extra soft mattress. She admitted some trouble climbing out, in that she felt unsteady on her hooves, but it was worth it, she said, because of how she could sleep on her back so easily. It was harder for an Equestrian to sleep on their back, unless their bed was very soft - it was just how they were built. Her side ached. Gwen looked around the room, unwilling to try to get up, what with having a hole in her side and it hurting and all. The door was open in the little bedroom. There was a dresser, and a closet, which was closed. A nightstand stood by the bed with a glass half filled with water. Oh... that's right. The pegasus and her roommate had put that there for her. It was starting to come back now. They had flown for some time across the city - or at least it had felt like a long time. Perhaps any time spent clinging to a fake wood pallet flying hundreds of feet off the ground with a serious injury always felt long. Almost certainly, really, Gwen thought. Even without an injury, most likely. It had been quite a ride. They had landed on a rooftop, somewhere. An apartment building. There was a blur of laying there while the pegasus went to get her roommate. Stairs, and being helped by a human woman and the pegasus mare. Gwen remembered starting to shake, as if she were cold. The waterglass. She couldn't remember undressing, but then she was fairly out of it by the time they landed. Getting shot was not a small thing. The notebook! Gwen's heart leapt and began to race. She looked about frantically, trying to see the book. It wasn't on the nightstand. It wasn't on the bed, it wasn't on the comforter. She couldn't see her green jumpsuit either. Or her shoes and other clothing. "Hello?" Gwen tried to get up but the hole in her side would have none of that. It spoke with words of pain, and it had a very commanding tone of voice. "HELLOOOO???" The sound of hooves and bare feet approached. Gwen hastily pulled the comforter over her lower body for the sake of her modesty - though clearly whoever had undressed her last night had pretty much seen all there was to see - and the action made her wince. Ow. Getting shot really did hurt. 'Imagine that!' Gwen's own thoughts mocked her. The brown pegasus mare with the pale golden mane trotted into the room. An equally brown woman peeked around the corner, her dark hair gleaming in the morning light. "Are you decent?" she asked, a hand grasping the edge of the doorframe. The pegasus didn't seem to care. Newfoal or native, nakedness seemed to not be a part of pony concern. "Hello? Thank you for saving me." The woman, seeing the comforter covering Gwen's lower extremities, entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed beside the pegasus. "Both of you." "How are you feeling?" The woman walked around to the right side of Gwen and indicated that she would like to check the gauze bandages. Gwen flipped back some of the comforter to allow her access. It seemed clear from her attitude that this woman had been the one to treat the wound. "I've been better, honestly." Gwen tried to smile, but the pain she felt made it more of a grimace. "My first time being shot. Hopefully my last, honestly." The woman laughed at that. "Hello, by the way." She was examining the bandage, noting some slight leakage. There were reddish-brown spots where the hole was. During the night, the wound had wept a bit. "I'm Paige. Paige McQuillen. This feather-duster over here is Petrichor, just call her 'Pet' though. She's a pretentious little thing." Gwen couldn't help but smile, pain or not. "Petrichor? Petrichor the Pegasus?" "It's the smell of rain!" The little mare complained. "It's alliterative and pretentious, is what it is." Paige grinned at her winged friend. "Don't worry though, she's right enough, if you don't let her get too bookish on you." Paige pulled the comforter over Gwen once more, then lay a hand on Gwen's forehead. "Hmmm... any chills?" Gwen noticed that she did feel strangely cold all of a sudden. It was always somewhat warm pretty much everywhere except Antarctica now, though only the wealthy elite would know that for sure, as they were the only sort allowed down there. "Um... yes, I do, kind of. Oh dear." "Oh dear indeed. I would like to have our resident medic check you later, if that would be all right." Paige sat down on the floor, leaning her back against the bedroom wall. "We have a proper unicorn medic two floors down. Well, not entirely proper, he's still studying what he can Earthside before moving to Equestria. He was an intern before he converted, and he's still pulling shifts even now, bless 'im. World may be ending, but he's in no hurry to leave it. Good thing, too. We still need help on this side of the fence." "Oh! You don't even know who I am!" Gwen shivered slightly, under the blanket. "I'm Gwen Boik. I'm a bit of an old fashioned librarian, I'm part of the 'LAASTT' team - Literature And Arts Survival Triage? There isn't much call for librarians these days, so I'm glad of the work. I guess I'd... be dead... without Petrichor here. Thank you Petrichor." Pet seemed pleased - and surprised - that Gwen used her full name, and smiled at being addressed thus. She adjusted her wings, fluffing them slightly with pride. Gwen noticed that Paige grinned at the pegasus for that unconscious act. "Why were the HLF after you?" "Pet! Goodness, let the girl get to things at her own speed. No need to start 'grilling the suspect' so early in the morning!" Paige clicked her tongue at her friend. "How's your pain level, Gwen? I have more pills, if you need them." Gwen very vaguely remembered swallowing pills last night. "Actually... it's starting to hurt quite a bit. I could use something, to be honest." "Right! Back in a jiff!" Paige was up in an instant, and out the door. Petrichor walked around to Gwen's left and sat down on her haunches, a concerned look on her muzzle. "Petrichor... I had a notebook with me. It would have been tucked into my jumpsuit, is it still... I mean, did you see it? Is it..." "All of your stuff is in the other room. Well, except your clothing. It should be dry by now. We figured it would be nice to get it washed. Your notebook is in the other room, on the kitchen counter. It's a little worse for wear though..." the pegasus looked briefly down, her ears flicking. "...there's a bit of a notch taken out. It's a bit singed there. Whatever gun they used..." The way the pegasus said 'gun' made it sound like a swear word. This instantly confirmed for Gwen that the pegasus was almost certainly a Newfoal and not a native. Native Equestrians visiting the Earth had no understanding of the vast and inventive ways that humans had created to kill other creatures and each other. The very concept of mass murder was utterly alien to the ponies, unthinkable. Equestrians that learned abstractly about guns, bombs, tanks, battleships, nerve agents, bioweapons, warmechs, molecular blades and such had no emotional connection to their intellectual understanding - unless they themselves had been attacked. Only Newfoals displayed such an emotional reaction as Petrichor had shown - shame, horror and guilt at having been part of a species so very, very clever at slaughter. "I suspect they used an electomechanical rifle. Shoots so fast that the bullet literally burns the air itself. That's what cauterized my wound, I expect. Good thing too. Considering I was shot in the abdomen, I likely would have bled out." The little pegasus cringed at this. "You sure know a lot about this stuff." "I'm a librarian. Books are my life. I read everything, about anything." Gwen shivered again, and the shaking made her wound hurt more. "Though I do have my preferences. I like stories about elves and fairies and ancient magics, myself." "Ever read any Lord Dunsany?" The pegasus looked up, cautiously hopeful. Gwen smiled broadly. This was her sort of person. "Book Of Wonder, The King Of Elfland's Daughter, Beyond The Fields We Know..." Petrichor was estatic. "Gods Of Pegana, Sword Of Welleran, Fifty-One Tales..." "Oh wondrous! You are quite the extraordinary individual, my good miss Petrichor!" Gwen seldom came across a single soul who had even heard of the other direction fantasy could have taken, if Tolkien and his ilk had not stolen the stage. "I can't believe you know Lord Dunsany! Wow!" Petrichor was on her hooves now, almost prancing. "It was really great that you were on that roof!" Instantly the brown pegasus looked deeply ashamed. "I mean... it wasn't good... not at all... oh sweet Luna... I... I mean..." Gwen gave a soft laugh. "Hush! You saved my life. If it weren't for you, I would be so completely dead. Thank you, by the way. For saving me." Petrichor sat down once more. "I'm just glad it worked. I'm still learning." "The trick with the pallet? That was amazing, truly amazing!" The shivering was getting worse, also the pain. "I've mastered basic flight, and extension of lift... but I've never tried it before with anything as heavy as y... uh... that heavy... before." The muzzle of the pegasus betrayed a slight grin. Her catch was a faux slip. She was a caution, and to be sure. "I've got your pills, it took me a bit because I forgot where I put them last night, in all the fuss... oh dear..." Paige was back, a bottle in her hand. She placed her other hand on Gwen's forehead, noting the dampness. Gwen's teeth were beginning to chatter now. "Here, let's get these in you, no reason for you to suffer. Then I am getting that unicorn, Ace in here, pronto." Paige opened the bottle and shook out two pills, handing them to Gwen. "Ace? Don't tell me... Ace Bandage? You have to be kidding me!" Gwen swallowed the Endorphinol tabs with the help of the glass of water on the nightstand. "The one and only. I know! These Newfoals and their pony names, am I right?" Paige laughed, but her eyes betrayed worry. "I'll be back as soon as I can round him up. Stay warm. The WC is just to your left outside the door, Pet will help you. Back in a bit love!" Petrichor nodded. "Kisses!" Gwen noted the fond looks. "Are you... a couple?" Petrichor grinned. "That obvious, huh?" Gwen found herself curious. "Um... why isn't she... I mean... usually, in couples, when one partner... I mean..." "Why isn't Paige a pony already?" Petrichor grabbed a pillow from the closet, then lay it on the floor to sit on. "The usual assumption we get is that I must have been hit by the PER, smacked with a bottle of potion in the street or something. Nope! Nothing so dramatic. Or that she doesn't intend to convert, and our story will be a tragic one. No, she's booked for the Bureau, there's just a list right now. The rush is on. We've actually been trying to find the PER, to avoid having to wait so long. But that isn't the whole story, I mean, she could have gone in with me at the same time, right? The registered couples exception." Petrichor blushed, under her coat. The hair was very thin and delicate on pony faces, which made such things as blushing visible. "The real reason is... um... well..." The pills were kicking in. Thank the saints and angels for heavy drugs, Gwen thought to herself. "Yes?" "We... well..." The blush got redder. "We are kind of a little... kinky. Just a bit, mind you! Nothing really out there! We don't have a dungeon in our bedroom or anything... not much, anyway... it's just that it's a once in a universe opportunity to explore... um..." Gwen giggled as she shivered. "Say no more! Nudge nudge, a wink's as good as a nod!" Petrichor's muzzle opened, her jaw dropping, her ears leaning forward. "M-Monty Python? You know..." "A library holds more than just books, you know." Gwen felt kinship with the pegasus mare. It was rare to find any person these days who knew Lord Dunsany at all, and almost as rare to find a person who had ever heard of Python. "Did we used to be friends in a past life?" "There's a colliding universe out there, and I'm a pony now. Sure. At this point they could reveal the flying teapots they've been hiding from the public, and I wouldn't flinch." Petrichor's tail was wagging, almost like a dog. "Glad to meet you again, Gwen! Funny meeting you in this life of all places!" Her teeth rattled but she grinned. "You look different, somehow." This made them both laugh. When Paige finally returned, a construction-yellow unicorn stallion in tow, she found a very worried Petrichor greeting her at the door. "What took so long?" "Ace here turned into a fetch quest. I've been all over the building twice. How's our foundling?" Paige ushered the unicorn medic into Gwen's room as she spoke. "Not so good, now. She's got some kind of fever, that's pretty clear, and she's not as sharp as she was earlier." Petrichor brushed up against her partner, and leaned into her for comfort. "Hello miss Gwen, was it? I'm Ace, I'm a second-year medical intern - not my choice, mind you, I had a bit of a change of life and they made me do a second term. Actually, it's been instructive. I understand you have a pretty serious wound. Can I examine you?" Gwen was all shivers and chattering now, and it was harder to concentrate. "P-Please. I'm-m not as g-good as I w-was." Ace Bandage took up a position on the right side of Gwen's bed and closed his purple eyes. His yellow horn began to glow, and under his eyelids, his eyes moved as if he were dreaming. Paige hunched down low, her arm around her companion, and gave Petrichor a warm kiss. They remained quiet, waiting for the medical unicorn to finish his scan. "Well, you have quite a hole through your abdomen. The tunnel passes through several loops of your small intestine, and exits in the front through your liver. The charring fortunately stopped any bleeding, but there is an infection growing in there. We're looking at sepsis too, and all of that demands immediate attention." Ace opened his eyes, and the glow of his horn ceased. "According to Paige here, you have Green-Level benefits, which means we can probably get you into the teaching hospital where I work with little trouble. I'm going to make arrangements, and we're going to have to move quickly on th..." "W-WAIT!" Gwen almost shouted the word. "No, there is no wait, here. Septicemia is a critical condition. It's easily treatable with the third gen microbial inhibitors, but it used to be touch and go even back in the golden age of antibiotics. Those holes, plural, need to be closed. Gwen, do you think you can you afford an ambulance? It's that serious!" Ace turned to Paige. "If she can't afford an ambulance, what options for transport do we have? If necessary, we can..." "I could fly her! I've already done it once. I can do it again, I'm positive!" Petrichor was eager to help, almost desperate. She very much liked her new, learned friend. "I've still got the pallet from last night. I can fly her! And..." Petrichor looked back at Gwen "...it won't cost you a credit!" "I'M BEING HUNTED!" Ace, Paige and Petrichor stared at the outburst. Gwen winced from pain, because she had tried to sit up as she yelled. "P-Probably. The HLF, remember? They are after me, I am certain by now they know who I am. But it's w-worse than that! They're local! T-They have a base really c-close. I can't just s-show up at a local hospital!" Paige shook her head. "Gwen, honey, this is serious. This is not a time to worry about the HLF. The hospitals are all protected by Blackmesh, nobody messes with..." "They k-killed all of the B-Blackmesh protecting me. At the warehouse. K-killed them all. They are after me. These aren't the usual idiots. It's the Echelon, the top assholes. Y-you can't let anyone know I'm here, they'll kill you t-too." Gwen sagged back, dripping with sweat, dizzy and sick. "Girl, what did you bring home this time?" Paige stared at her pegasus lover. Petrichor's ears flattened against her skull. "I didn't know! I mean... I didn't know it was like this! But what else could I do? I'm not ever just going to leave somebody to..." "There's another option." Ace had a commanding presence, the room was quiet. "I've been in that rich-human hospital for too muffin long. The world's ending. It should be the first option, every time. Swirl, we should be using it to treat colds and minor cuts!" Ace leaned his long neck over the bed, his head close to Gwen's. "Untreated, Gwen, you have hours to live. How'd you like to add three hundred years?" "P-Ponifi... ponification?" "Paige told me you were with the WorldGov Literature And Arts team. You know the score. I have to wonder why you don't already have your hooves on. Religious objections?" Ace's purple eyes filled Gwen's view. "N-No! J-Just never got around to it. K-Keyboards and records need h-human hands, you know?" Gwen had known it would have to happen. It was the only way to survive. Earth was sinking, and Equestria was the only lifeboat. It was a miracle the princesses were willing to take in so many refugees at all. But Gwen had always imagined going to a proper Bureau, on her own terms, when she felt ready. Fourteen days of that legendary real food all the Newfoals went on about. All the holos and lectures and maybe even a special speaker or two... "So no objections?" Ace was insistent. Gwen felt like she was dying, her body shook and the pain just kept getting worse despite the pills. She felt cold almost all the time, and sounds felt 'wrong' somehow. "N-no... no objections!" Every time her body shook, it felt like a mutie-rat was chewing at her side. "Paige, keep her going. Pet!" Ace trotted over to the pegasus. "You carried her last night, you said. On a pallet. Think you can "Firemare's Carry me to Mercy and back?" Petrichor nodded vigorously. "Roof. Let's get going!" "Gwen, hang in there, OK? You'll be laughing on hooves in no time." Ace and Petrichor dashed out of the room, the sound of the apartment door being opened and hooves galloping receded and stopped as the door swung shut. "Here... let me get you a damp towel. It might help with the fever sweats." Paige turned toward the kitchen. "P-Paige? H-How about more of t-those pain pills? It's not like my l-liver is gonna care long!" Gwen tried to smile through frighteningly pale lips. "Yeah, sure." Paige had no more smiles left. The speed at which sepsis advanced had begun to horrify her. It was almost an hour later when Gwen was awakened. Paige was holding her hand, patting it to bring her to consciousness. "Gwen? Gwen honey? It's time. Ace and Pet are back, and they've got your medicine." "W-What happened? They just l-left! Huh?" Everything was strangely distorted when Gwen opened her eyes. She felt like she was looking through a fishbowl at the world. She felt heavy and uncoordinated. And hot. Very, very hot, like the world was on fire. "You drifted off a while back. I figured I'd let you sleep a bit. But now it's time to wake up. You need to drink your medicine." Paige had a cup, filled from a three-ounce government issued emergency transport flask. The flask had hung around Ace's neck, the same kind of flask the Taikonauts on the World Friendship Orbital Platform carried in case of a sudden Equestrian de-orbit. The carbon-fiber flask sat on the night table now. Gwenhwyfar Boik had never felt so sick in all of her life. Then again, a part of her scrambled thoughts noted, she'd never actually been so sick in all her life before. Sepsis was fatal, unless treated. The medicine would fix it. The medicine would fix everything. The little cancers she took Malignostat to halt. The cut tendon in the ring finger on her left hand - no... that wouldn't so much as get fixed as simply be absorbed away. That annoying scratch on her right cornea, that made the letters look broken sometimes. Brand new eyes, clear and perfect. She looked at her hands, while the room swirled from the fever slowly killing her. It was hard to focus her eyes. Bye-bye hands. No more typing. No more computers. Have to write with a quill and ink now. 'Sweet Joseph, my whole life's been typing and clicking, hasn't it? Not really much of a life, come to think... oh god... I hurt... medicine. Medicine.' The face of her grandfather seemed to hover in front of her vision. "I'm goin' ta join the fairies now, Eachann. I'm off ta join the fairies..." The cup was at her lips. Someone was telling her to swallow every drop, it all had to go down. Gwen did her best, but it tasted like metallic grape and it smelled the same. It wasn't something a body would drink for enjoyment. It felt too thick, going down, and it numbed whatever it touched. Somehow she managed to get it all in. The cup was removed. Gwen lay back, the ceiling squirming, the sound of Ace the medical unicorn trying to tell her something about what version the potion was. She tried to tell him about the woman in the notebook, who had helped make the stuff, but that was the moment that she found herself falling into an infinite dark abyss, and the room went away entirely.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Six: The Queen O' Fair Elfland	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Six: The Queen O' Fair Elfland Gwenhwyfar Boik sat up on her elbows, uncertain of where she was. She was laying on green, living grass, at the foot of a hawthorn tree. She recognized the tree, because of several books she had read about trees. Gwen looked around, not frightened, but greatly unsettled. How had she gotten here, wherever here actually was? It wasn't Equestria - the plants and landscape were wrong. It looked exactly like how the earth had once looked, long ago, before the perpetual smog layer, before the blights and the death of all wheat and the end of grasses. The tree was an earth tree. But the world was strangely still, and Gwen heard no birdsong. She had read about birds. Apparently, they sang somehow. Gwen sat the rest of the way up. She could feel her body. She pinched herself, and it hurt. She knew who she was, and as far as she could tell, she was awake and fully herself. What had she been doing before this moment? She remembered the warehouse. She had been chased by terrorists. The roof. And... Petrichor! A pegasus had saved her. She had been shot! Gwen checked her side - she was unhurt and unharmed. She was also not wearing her green jumpsuit. In its place was an ancient dress with a green velvet kirtle and a brown girdle and tunic. She'd never felt such materials before, and they were a fascination to her fingers. Suddenly, she felt a faint breeze, the first in this quiet world. With it came a presence, ancient, powerful, yet utterly loving, and it made Gwen look up from her examination of her skirts. Milk-white she stood, almost half again as tall as any man, elegant and royal as could be. It was Celestia, princess of Equestria, shod in gold and jewels, her ethereal mane and tail flowing in otherworldly winds. Gwen stared up at the impossibly beautiful creature, and then the scene and situation came to focus within her mind. Of course! She understood now. She had been shot, and the unicorn had prescribed... this was a Conversion Dream. It had to be - it could be nought else. But it seemed so real. It was like real life, and there was no sense of dreaming whatsoever. A smile crossed Gwen's lips. The hawthorn tree. That was the Eildon tree, or she'd be stuffed. Gwen decided to play along, it was clear that everything here was deliberate. She looked into Celestia's kind and gentle face and spoke the ancient words of the poem. "All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven! For your peer on earth I never did see." Celestia smiled in return, and with shining, mirthful eyes, returned - "O no, O no, Good Gwenhwyfar, that name does not belong to me; I am but the princess of fair Equestria, And I'm come here for to visit thee." The two, woman and equinoid princess, softly laughed together. Gwen sighed and finally asked "What now?" She thought for a moment and then added "...my princess?" This was a Conversion Dream to be sure, and that meant that Gwen would awake as a pony, as an Equestrian, and not as a human. Humans were the province of the Worldgovernment, as they should be, but all ponykind was subject to the princesses, as they should be. With the change of her flesh, came also the change of her citizenship within the multiverse. She would be no longer under the dominion of Earth, but instead forever be entirely of Equestria - her natural and true home henceforth. "Come, my little pony, and walk with me, for I have fairlies to show to thee." Gwen clambered up from the grass under the Eildon tree, and began to follow after the princess, across the velvet green. As they approached a great and strange body of water, Celestia stopped and bid her to climb upon her back. Gwen was unsure, it seemed so inappropriate a thing to do, but Celestia insisted and so she did as she was commanded. The water was a deep purple, dark and strange, and as soon as Gwen was safely upon the princesses great back they were both crossing the curious and wide river. It was not at all deep, but it shone with eerie light, glowing from below, and sparkled as it flowed. "Princess?" Gwen had no idea how to sit upon Celestia's back, so she had resorted to clinging like a baby monkey, on her belly, her limbs wrapped around the great creature's barrel, holding on for dear life, her head pressed into the soft coat of white. "Forgive me if I'm doing this wrong... I've never been carried like this before. I don't know how to ride." They had nearly crossed the purple flow when Celestia came to a stop, her legs partly submerged. "Abide and rest a little space, and I will shew you ferlies three." Gwen looked up, cautiously, from where she had been pressing her head into Celestia's back. "Princess?" Celestia was still quoting The Ballad Of Thomas The Rhymer. Was she doing this just for her? Is that how Conversion Dreams worked? Did the princess really care so much for her subjects? In front of them both, just past the far bank, lay three paths, diverging from the shore. Celestia spoke again, the words changed, but no less well said. "O see ye not yon narrow road, so straight and short it be? See how it ends in cliff and doom, both final and abruptly? This is the path of all Mankind, who in darkness cries in fear, but to no-one, for their road is solitude. "And see not ye that braid braid road that leads to fire and war, that is of Man in Equestria unchanged? That is the path of wickedness, tho some call it the road to heaven. "And see not ye that bonny road, that winds about the fernie brae? That is the road to fair Equestria, where thou and I this morn maun gae." Gwen was overwhelmed, she was reminded of her grandfather telling her stories, and that the princess of Equestria would reach into her mind and present things to her in such manner was a kindness that bespoke great love and attention to her. "That's... that's why you change us, isn't it?" Gwen lay her head down once more upon the princesses wide back. She shut her eyes, reveling in the soft, powerful, utterly safe warmth below her. "Because if you didn't make us into ponies, we'd act exactly the same in your world as we have in our own. Of course we would. And in the end, it would just turn out the same." Gwen opened her eyes, and reached up to gently stroke the princesses soft coat, only to be astonished to find a pale, ivory hoof at the end of her... foreleg. Gwen stared at her hoof, then suddenly twisted on Celestia's back to try to get a glimpse of the rest of her body. The sudden jerking motion tilted her to the side, and she began to slip off of the back of the great equinoid, to fall into the shallow purple flow. Instantly, Gwen felt herself surrounded by golden light. It sparkled and covered every part of her, and she found herself floating in the air, weightless, orbiting the princess until she was even with her muzzle, and her long, glowing horn. "Fear not, my little pony, for the rest of time and beyond, I will always be there to catch you should you fall." Tears welled up within the new pony's shining eyes, and Gwen wanted to say something, everything, but nothing came out but a squeak. Inside herself, she knew beyond knowing that for the first time in her existence, she was safe, truly safe, and that whatever happened on earth or in Equestria, at the end, Celestia would be there, she would always be there. It was in some strange way a new eon now, and death itself, for her, had died. The first thing that the Newfoal Gwenhwyfar felt was her tail. It was swishing back and forth, as if it had a mind of it's own, across the soft comforter on the mat. Back and forth - or was it really up and down, considering that she was laying on her side and all? Up and down relative to her spine, to be sure, but side to side from the point of gravity, and the view of anyone else. Oh, but she felt giddy! That was the next thing Gwen noticed. She felt like the weight of ages had been lifted from her, as though a lifetime of fear and loathing and dissatisfaction had been swept from the kitchen floor of her mind. She opened her eyes, to see Petrichor staring intently at her, laying down on the floor, almost even with the mat. She could see what must be the yellow hooves and legs of the unicorn medic, Ace. Throughout her life, Gwen had always felt a vague distrust of every soul, because, in the end, nobody could be completely trusted except family, and really, not even them all the way, to tell the truth. To be alive was to be on guard, to stand ready for the little and great betrayals and griefs that came from nobody ever truly being what they claimed to be. At least not all the time. But Gwen knew that she was different now, and she knew that all other ponies were the same different, and she knew she could finally trust. All ponies were one herd, Celestia and Luna's herd, one family, and one heart. A pony could be cranky, or difficult or upset. But a pony would never betray or truly harm another, not when it counted, not ever. It was unthinkable, because there was no wiring upstairs to think it at all. She felt so different! Gwen felt light and new and bright. She began to look about and raised her muzzle off the mat. Her ears twitched - oh that felt wondrous odd! - as she ran her much longer tongue around her flat, perfect teeth. "She's awake!" Petrichor was grinning across Gwen to what must be Paige on her other side. Gwen swept her long neck around and found herself staring at human legs and knees. Paige was sitting on the floor, back to the wall, as she had the night before. Gwen raised her head to see Paige smiling with both gladness and a touch of envy, down at her. "He...helllooo!" It was a little strange trying to talk with her new mouth. Gwen felt her voice was a little higher in pitch, and clearer and less raspy too. "Hello!" Suddenly Gwen found herself giggling. She didn't exactly know why, but it didn't really matter, because it was fun to giggle, and she hadn't done much of that for many a year. Gwen looked at her forehooves, shiny and ivory and smooth. She gave a tentative poke at the mat with her right hoof and that was funny somehow, and she started to laugh. "I love this part. I just love watching them during this part!" Petrichor seemed almost as ebulent as Gwen felt. "Post-conversion euphoria. I wish it could last forever, you know?" Paige gave a short laugh. "She does seem just plain happy. Just like you, love. When you first woke up, after, you were quite the silly filly for some time." Paige crossed her arms over her chest, hugging her own body. "It does look fun." The look on her face was slightly sad. "Why couldn't you have brought an extra dose, Ace?" Petrichor stared hard at the standing unicorn. "You know we've been trying to get her into the Bureau. We've even tried to contact the PER!" Ace shook his head. "This was what I could get. Well, I didn't exactly get it, I took it. They didn't want to release any of the emergency store. I'm just quick with my horn. Let's just say I won't be finishing my human-world internship." The unicorn looked off, out the window, and whipped his tail against his hocks. "You had to steal it? Why wouldn't they just give it to you?" Petrichor was upset now. "She was dying! What's the point of a hospital if it doesn't help anypony?" "Making money." Ace said the words flatly. "She wasn't a patient, she had no known worth." "That's completely inhuman!" Paige was upset now. All the upset was making Gwen feel less giddy. "No, it's completely human." Ace continued to stare out the window. "I'm done with weighing treatment in terms of profitability. I'm a unicorn! It's about time I started acting like one." "Enough, OK?" Petrichor interrupted. "This is her time, now. Sorry, Gwen. I'm sorry! I shouldn't have fussed at Ace like that." Petrichor put a foreleg over one of Gwen's, grasping the hoof in the curl of her fetlock. "Hey, guess what? Ace here isn't the only unicorn in the room now!" Gwen crossed her eyes and tried to look upwards, but all she could see was locks of raven black mane. She tried jerking her neck back to flip her locks away, but if she had a horn, it wasn't long enough to see. Her antics made Petrichor and Paige laugh. "It's there, love." Paige leaned forward and gave Gwen a pat on her withers. "Just a little higher up. Here, I'll give it a wiggle for you." Paige took a hold of Gwen's horn, and gave it, and Gwen's head, a gentle shake. "Feel that? You got yourself a horn, girl! You're a unicorn now!" Gwen giggled at that. 'you're a unicorn now!' - like it was a rite of passage, like when she had her first period and her mother had told her that she was a woman now. 'O brave new world, That has such ponies in't' Gwen thought to herself, and giggled again at the literary reference. Well, at least as a unicorn, turning pages on books would be easy as could be. Writing would be simplified too. A unicorn was a good thing to be, if one was a librarian. "What color are my eyes?" Gwen was playing with her ears now, rotating and flicking them, much to Petrichor's amusement. "They're unusual, for a pony." Ace had stepped in front of Paige to lean his head down and study Gwen briefly. "I've only heard of this, not actually seen it. You have black eyes, Gwen. Black like your mane. It's probably the single rarest color to have. Even gold eyes are more common, and they're fairly rare." Ace returned to the foot of the bed. "Equestrians tend toward bright colors, as you may have noted." This made Gwen and Pet laugh. "Alright, very bright colors. So plain blacks and whites are fairly unusual, with gold and silver being rare. Ordinary is every color in the rainbow. It's kind of the opposite of bland old Earth, really." Gwen turned her head to look at Ace, and was astonished to find out just how far she could look backwards, over her own prone body. She was able to see her own tail and bottom. "Whoa... I can see my own rear!" That made everyone laugh. "Pony necks are very flexible. They kind of have to be, really. Your mouth is your hand now, sort of." Petrichor stretched her wings and used her teeth and lips to straighten a covert. "In the Oz books - have you read any of Oz? L. Frank Baum?" Gwen wondered if her horn looked the same as Ace Bandage's, short but with a spiral to it. Ace shook his head. "I have!" Petrichor continued grooming her feathers. "Baum had colors for every magical land. The Winkies were Yellow - everything was yellow, even the trees - and the Gillikins were purple, even the dirt was purple!" Gwen had loved the Oz books. The movies, and later the holos, not so much. Nopony ever got Oz right. "But for Baum, the color of Kansas, of the entire planet Earth, really, was gray! The absence of color was Earth. Maybe he was inspired somehow! Oh, that's a thought, to be sure!" "Are you feeling hungry at all?" Paige had stood up, leaning on the window frame for support. "I've never heard of any recent convert who wasn't eager to have their First Meal As A Pony!" Suddenly, Gwen realized that she was famished. How had she not noticed until now? Probably because the experience was so overwhelming, and she felt so light and happy. "Oh, yes please! Oh please! I...I'm really really hungry! Would that be OK? I'll help!" She did want to help, very much. That was new. Maybe it was just the euphoria talking? Gwen started to try to stand, but fell back down on the mat. "Whoa, there little pony. I'll go put a feedbag together, you just hang in the stable for a while yet. Let that euphoria settle down. It's no big. I have to feed the walking mouth over there all the time anyway." Paige blew her lover a kiss and left the room. "I need to go deal with a few matters relating to all of this. I have to say it was interesting, though. Conversions are always interesting to watch." Ace walked around and lowered his head to Gwen's level. "Take it easy at first, Gwen, and when you do try to walk, just think about it as crawling, like a human baby, and it will just come naturally. But eat something first. Conversion uses up a lot of local resources, OK?" Ace lifted his head and turned around. The sound of his hooves on the floor made neat little clacks as he walked. "Oh, and take it easy with your horn at first. I tried to lift too much in the beginning and gave myself a headache. The secret is to just push your will into it, while focusing on a single object. Start small." Ace said goodbye to Petrichor, and left. "So! How do you like it? Being a pony, I mean?" Petrichor was grinning, as if she already knew the only possible answer. Truth be told, Gwen felt so good she had no other way to put it. "It feels great!" And it did, and that was the fact of it. Her new body felt healthy and strong, and there was no denying how happy she was. It was almost disturbing how clear and bright her vision was, and every sound and smell was so sharp and powerful. It was as if she had only been half alive until now, and finally had gotten the chance to truly exist in the world. Plus, it was honestly astonishing how vital and important a tail seemed now that she had one to flick about. How had she ever lived without one? "There's one extra benefit to all of this, too." Petrichor grinned, finally done with her preening. "Those HLF goons will never recognize you now. Especially if you pick out a good pony name! Oh! we should think up a good name for you!" This vaguely disturbed Gwen. She was proud of her name, it was unusual, and traditional, and she had loved how her grandfather had said it. He always called her Gwenhwyfar, rolling out the sound like it was a precious thing. She wasn't at all sure she wanted to change it. "But... I really like my name!" "I'm sure you do, but think about it..." Petrichor nodded at her "...you'll be living in Equestria one day soon - we all will. A human name puts you at a disadvantage, because you will seem strange and it will be harder to fit in. Plus, it's additional camouflage to stay out of the notice of the men chasing you! Not to mention that it's traditional and that you are starting a new life as a pony! Aaannnd..." Petrichor had a devilish gleam in her eye "...I REALLY really like thinking up new pony names, and you wouldn't want to make me feel all blue would you?" Gwen laughed, still giddy from her conversion. "No, we can't be having that now, can we? Nothing worse than a sad pegasus, it brings the rain don't cha know?" "Buckets and deluges and miasmas and cataracts and alluvion a'plenty!" Petrichor laughed. "And if you let me at the thesaurus, I'll throw some more floody words at you until you give in!" "Alright, alright..." In for a pound, in for a pony, reasoned Gwen. 'Oh, that's a nice one', she thought. "I'll not be marking my first day as a citizen of Equestria by causing a catastrophic balneation of half the city, of that you can be sure!" "Bal...neation?" Petrichor seemed impressed. "You really ARE a librarian!" Gwen slapped her tail down on the comforter like a judge's gavel. "You bet your books I am!" Their shared laughter echoed into the kitchen, where Paige was busy making lunch for everypony... 'everyone' she corrected herself. But her time would come. It would come. Across the city, in a warehouse, Leonard Roosevelt Reich stood in front of a large, hanging holoscreen. He paced back and forth, an angry scowl dominating his face. "It's up." Aaron was at the active surface, as always. Behind Leonard, on the holoscreen, the thirty members of the Echelon saw the rotating face of a brunette woman. A running list of stats described her as Gwenhwyfar Boik, age 31, 5' 10", 212 lbs. Scottish-English descent. Member: Worldgovernment Literature And Arts Survival Triage Team. Suspected member of underground society connected to Enemy Two, Luna. Heterosexual, some evidence of bisexual phase in college. Damage to cornea, right eye. Damage to tendon of ring finger, right hand. Mole on left buttock, scar from bicycle accident on left arm... The list continued scrolling, seemingly without end. Leonard let the information spew for several minutes, before he spoke. "There is reasonable confidence that Boik here has the notebook. The method of her escape suggests a highly developed plan, including likely infiltration of the core organization. It is unlikely..." Leonard gave a hard stare at the thirty men before him, then continued. "...that it was mere coincidence for a pegasus to just happen to be flying by with the capacity to rescue her. It is even more unlikely..." His stare was menacing now "... for this elaborate escape to be coincidentally connected to the misdelivery of the single most valuable mass of information ever smuggled out of the Worldgovernment secret archives. It is impossible that all of this is a coincidence that the only item missing from the package was the single most important and vital part of that shipment!" The thirty men shifted nervously, and looked afraid, which they had every reason to be. "The error made by our driver is being looked into, right now." Thirty men, and Aaron at the active surface, swallowed uncomfortably at this. "The errors we have made in failing to reacquire the notebook WILL be corrected." Leonard's eyes were cold, the eyes of a snake, the eyes of a predator both wily and dangerous. Not a single man in the room doubted any word that Leonard Reich spoke. "It is the analysts belief that miss Boik here is an agent of Celestia and the Worldgovernment, posing as a librarian. She is clearly highly skilled to avoid capture, and should be considered an active primary combatant. The pegasus is likely a former Worldgovernment agent, probably one of the genespliced core group that founded the PER. It's ability to lift our miss Boik, combined with an apparent skill for evasion under fire suggest it is a dangerous primary oppositional threat. There is confidence that the entire event was a planned and well executed action, and must have involved inside knowledge of our activities. The possibility of a member with... divided loyalties... is being investigated." This caused more nervous shifting and swallowing. Leonard took the comb from his back pocket, and ran it across his carefully oiled, blond hair. He put his comb back into his pocket with slow precision. "We do not yet know the location of miss Boik, the pegasus, or the notebook. Every speck of information is available as of now, study up gentlemen. I expect all three to be found, with maximum expediency." Leonard Roosevelt Reich stared with blue eyes at thirty nervous men. "Let me put this in clear perspective: if we find that notebook, the lab boys tell me that the process of conversion itself could be made impossible within one week. If that is not motivation, you are in the wrong organization. Get to work." And with that, thirty men moved to their own active surface terminals, and began sifting details and facts, on the job, and more importantly, on the hunt.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Seven: Learning The Hoofstep	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Seven: Learning The Hoofstep Gwenhwyfar, Paige and Petrichor had spent the rest of the day trying to think of a good pony name. Too many Newfoals really didn't seem to take picking out a pony name seriously enough, or else they were unclear on the concept. "I once met this earthpony, right?" Paige lifted a forkful of spinach ravioli and marinara to her mouth, and chewed. The three were celebrating the unique Newfoal celebration of 'First Meal As A Pony' with a special dish. Paige had wanted her houseguest to have a happy memory of her very first meal, and so she had brought out a very special item from their larder as lunch to mark the day. The spinach ravioli had come from a local co-op market. Earthponies had been greening the dead earth for almost three years now, and most cities had gardens covering their roofs and balconies. As a human city became more and more a pony city, the streets and parking lots would be broken up by powerful hooves and magic, to make even more viable farmland. The special magic of the earthponies brought the dying Earth back to local life, and healed some small portion of the fatal injuries that had been done to the planet. Many crops had been imported from Equestria to grow on earth during these last years, including some plants very much like the extinct terrestrial wheat and rice. as a result, there was a pony that would bring in his home-made ravioli to the co-op, and it was a very popular local creation, when it was available. Paige and Petrichor considered it quite the treat, and a perfect choice for First Meal As A Pony. "So this earthpony, he used to be a mechanic for high-lift cargo aerostats as a human, so he up and decided his pony name should be 'Cloudfixer', right? Because he repaired airships. Now first off, anything with 'cloud' in it, that just shrieks 'pegasus'. All the air and weather names just naturally go to pegasai, because... that's where they live! Am I right?" Paige looked at Petrichor, who enthusiastically nodded in agreement, mouth full of ravioli. "Speaking of pegasai, what about that one from the Bureau?" Petrichor took a sip of juice and swallowed. "The one who named himself 'Shadowmagic Wizardlore?' Luna's left teat - what did he think all of this was, some online RPG game? Celestia! What a featherbrain!" "Mmmm Mmm mmm..." Gwen was enjoying the pasta more than anything she had ever enjoyed, and though she wanted to join in, it was difficult, since it would mean interrupting the flavor train. "Mnnn... I... had a member of my library staff convert during the first year..." Gwen licked sauce off of her tomato-stained muzzle "... and he ended up a unicorn..." Gwen swallowed and allowed herself a breath. "... like me, I guess!" She giggled, still euphoric, and still getting used to the fact of her new existence. "... and, and... he figured he would be a great and powerful magical type, so he named himself... get this... " Gwen could not resist, the savor was too much, and gave her bowl a lick. The sauce caused her eyes to roll back momentarily while Paige and Petrichor waited patiently. "Um... sorry... ah! So he wasn't the most imaginative soul, and so he named himself 'Zap Kerpow'! Seriously, Zap... Kerpow! We all tried to keep a straight face, but... it was just such a goofy name for the poor silly foal!" "Oh, pony! That's a terrible name!" Petrichor was laughing and then took another sip of juice. "Wanna hear the absolute worst pony name I ever heard?" "Oh lord." Paige rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. "Here it comes." Petrichor grinned as Gwen nodded, eager to hear the worst pony name ever. "Earthpony. Little guy. Bright pink with a curly, fluffy mane and pink eyes. Struts up to me and introduces himself, right?" "Un...hmm?" Gwen's mouth was once more brakeless on the flavor train. "Big deep voice, 'Hi dudes! I'm Muscle Beach! Glad to meet ya!' Gwen snorted pasta and started to choke, Paige laughed as she looked worriedly after Gwen, and Petrichor was reduced to sobs of merriment. "Muscle... Beach... oh, sweet Luna..." When things had settled down, Gwen finally squeaked out, between sips of water "See... that's what I'm afraid of!" More water. "I don't want to end up with some ridiculous name... like that!" "Won't let it happen, dear." Paige nibbled on a piece of bread. "How about 'libretto', that's rather pretty, and very learned sounding!" "No, no... come on, Paige!" Petrichor sounded annoyed "That's nothing to do with libraries or books. That's a musical thing. It's the text part of an opera, I think." "Really? I thought... oh. Well it is pretty!" Paige took another bite of bread. "I agree, it is pretty... sorry Paige." Petrichor looked down for a moment then perked up "What about imprime? That's any printed thing, in French! Very classy, Oui?" "Too fancy for me, I think." Gwen sipped her own drink, a peach iced tea. "I don't have to have a book based name. I don't even know if I still want to even be a librarian anymore. I feel kind of eager to do stuff, not just read about it now." "What do you want to do?" Paige, full to bursting, slid down in her chair, resting her head on the back. "I have no bloody idea in all of two worlds!" Gwen was laughing at this, and the others joined in. "I just... I feel restless. There just seems to be so much new... possibility, you know?" "Oh, I know. Believe me, I know." Petrichor almost seemed like she was going to cry for a moment. "Pet here... she was in a wheelchair for a few years before conversion came along. She used to be quite the athlete." Paige wore a very serious expression. "She used to be quite the skateboarder. She landed wrong and, well, that was that. It was a rough two years." "Paige stuck by me through it all. Even when it was clear there was no..." Petrichor leaned over and nuzzled her beloved Paige. "But hope did come. In the form of Equestria! Paige rolled me into that Bureau and gave up her slot to get me in faster. They were being stingy back then with the pony juice. That was before all the exceptions and rules today. I got converted the same week. Paige is my Celestia and Luna!" Gwen was startled. "So it wasn't that you were kinky after all... you just... oh, Paige... Petrichor... that's just..." "Oh, we're kinky, don't doubt that one bit!" Paige kissed the brown pegasus and winked at Gwen. "But we also just really love each other." "Why... why did you have to give up your slot, Paige, I don't understand?" Gwen worked to lick any sauce off of her own muzzle. "This was the very first year of the Bureaus, right? It was fine and all if you lived close to San Francisco or Vancouver. But anywhere else, and it was luck of the draw. They had conversion lotteries. I won, she didn't. There was no question who needed the ticket more." Paige buried her face into Pet's soft, brown coat - Petrichor had slid off her stool and then wrapped her forelegs around her lover in the chair. Gwen sighed and felt a tinge of wistfulness - she found herself wishing she had somepony to hold tight like that. "You two are just... adorable. You really are." "Ah... You'll find somepony in no time. Especially with you looking so striking! Pure black and white awesomesauce! You look like that old cartoon..." Petrichor squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall something. "Paige... that old cartoon I used to like, the really really old black and white one from the little collapse before the big collapse? The depression? or Repression? or whatever? From back then..." Paige lifted her head from fluffy heaven and looked at the ceiling "It had that clown... Koko the Clown. And Betty Boop. They jumped out of a magic inkwell and that's how the cartoon started. But I don't remember the name." "Max Fleischer?" Gwen's ears perked up, which made her half-giggle because it just plain felt neat. "I know that one! It was in the pre-collapse media section. The cartoons were actually called 'Out of the Inkwell'. It was a mixture of live action and cartoon, way back then. 'Out of the Inkwell'... hmmm... haven't thought of that in a long time." Petrichor pulled away from Paige and stood up, excited. "Black and white! It's perfect! I have the perfect pony name for you! And it doesn't nail you down to any career or future. It's just super cool, and that's all!" Paige reached out a hand to stroke Pet. "Oh, she's twitchin'. It's gonna be a good one, I bet." Gwen felt like bouncing on her pillow. She'd preferred it to the stool, she'd been given the choice of either. "The perfect name you say? Alright then, what do you have for me?" "Oh, this is soooo good! Ready? Are you ready?" Petrichor's tail was whisking to and fro with excitement. "Alright, you are all strikingly black and white, like those old cartoons. You're really pretty, by the way. Exotic. So, the name I have is... INKWELL!" "Inkwell?" Gwen rolled the name around in her mind as she said it in her muzzle. "Inkwell! Like the cartoon, but also because of books! See, it relates to your past, to the career you had, but it doesn't influence what you might do in the future! Plus, it kind of says you look cool - you are 'inked well', like a really great drawing! Plus it just sounds neat!" There was no doubt that Petrichor thought so, at any rate. "Inkwell. Hmmm..." It was a clever name, Gwen thought. And from what she had seen of herself in the mirror, appropriate. She did kind of look like a drawing, being all Ivory and Black. Essentially black and white, especially with her black eyes. Paige nodded approvingly. "It doesn't even need a second name. It's pretty much fine as a single name." "Yeah!" Petrichor nodded "A second name would ruin the effect. I mean... Inkwell... um... ah! Quillfeather! Inkwell Quillfeather! Hee! But that is just too much, you know?" Petrichor halted and thought a bit more. "Actually, that's kind of cool. I take it back. But it does sound super studious. 'Inkwell' just by itself, a pony could be anything, an adventurer, maybe. But add the 'Quillfeather' and it's kind of back to being a librarian no matter what. She said she didn't want any conditions or limits..." "I don't know." Gwen broke in "I kind of like it! The whole thing, I mean. It is a kind of grand sort of name, isn't it? 'Inkwell Quillfeather' does have the sound of quite the expert about it, don't you think? And there's no denying that it sounds like it could have come from Equestria itself, I have to admit." Gwen paused and thought. "I'll take 'Inkwell' for now, and if I decide to remain the bookish sort, or if I get into the writing and all, I'll finish off with 'Quillfeather' later!" She smiled at Petrichor and Paige. "So how's that then? How do you do? You can be callin' me 'Inkwell' from now on, if you please!" The black and white unicorn puffed out her chest and raised her head up high, in an attempt to appear snooty and high-class. This made Petrichor laugh and Paige smile. "Well, welcome to our humble abode, miss Inkwell the unicorn! I hope the food has been to your liking?" "Oh, sweet Celestia... YES!" All pretension was instantly lost as Inkwell remembered just how delicious and overwhelming her First Meal As A Pony Had Been. "It was fantastic. Thank you, both of you. You've been nothing but kind to me. Thank you so much for going so out of your way for silly old me!" "Ah, tush and nonsense. It's the rule in our household - any guest gets shot, then we have to feed 'em proper! Isn't that right, love?" Paige was up and taking the dishes to the sink. "Oh... oh yes. Long standing rule too! Had it since the beginning! You catch a bullet, you get a meal. That's the deal." Petrichor blinked "Hey... that rhymes! Cool!" And everypony laughed, even the one that still had hands and feet. After dinner - big bowls of fresh, mixed and toasted chopped hay, oats, alfalfa and banana slices (Petrichor's favorite, her 'Uncereal Unbreakfast Dinner Supreme!), and a Swansonbanquet Replidinner for Paige (Hawaiian-Greek Festival Flavor - with simulated lamb and pineapple-like bits!), Inkwell the Unicorn was at last left alone in the guestroom. Paige and Petrichor had many friends, most of them gone pony now, and they often liked to crash in the couple's apartment. They had made one part of their apartment into a permanent guest suite as a result, but for the moment, it had become Inkwell's room. Inkwell was trying to get used to her new name as much as she was trying to get used to her new body. There were many things about her new state of being that were deeply strange, and now, alone in a room, just how different she and everything else had become, began to fully settle in. There had been no proper Conversion Bureau styled fourteen days to get used to the idea of suddenly being a different species. Nopony had told her anything about what it would feel like, or mean to her, to be so suddenly, completely and irrevocably changed. The conversion euphoria was fading, and it was fully dawning on Inkwell that she would be a unicorn mare for the rest of her greatly extended lifespan. She was no longer human - no longer even recognized as a citizen of the Earth or the Worldgovernment. She was now officially a citizen of Equestria, with automatic ambassadorial status. This was not her world anymore. Humanity was not her species anymore. And all of this was permanent. It was forever. Inkwell didn't feel bad about any of it, it wasn't like it was a problem in and of itself. Conversion had certainly saved her life - the hospital wasn't going to bother with her, that was for sure. And the world was ending - she would have had to convert at some point no matter what. It was just that... now, she was alone. In a strange room. And her old life was just... gone. If this had been a Bureau, she would have had at least one, and up to three roommates sleeping beside her. The Bureaus made sure that Newfoals were never left alone, that they always had company. Conversion was an enormous thing, and the new pony brain was that of a herd creature - it wanted to be near others, it desired closeness at all times. Human Gwen had never minded being alone. Back when she was human, being alone was great, it was a chance to read, to get away from all the annoying... humans. But now, as a pony, Inkwell felt the most terible loneliness inside her room. She understood, of course - Paige and Petrichor were a couple, they slept together, they lived one life, they were mated. They needed alone time for couple-y things. She was a guest, and they had already doted on her greatly. But still, tonight, her very first night of being a pony... more than anything in all the world, Inkwell - formerly Gwen - wished with all of her heart that her two hosts would come in and lay down with her, or call her to come snuggle with them, just to feel part of a herd. Inkwell hadn't felt such a need so keenly since her early childhood, when, after a troubling dream, she would crawl unbidden under the blankets, between her parents as they slept. How very much she wanted to sneak into the other bedroom and do just that to Paige and Petrichor, right now! Inkwell - would she ever get used to that new name? - tried various positions on her mat-bed. Laying on her back wasn't very comfortable, because the Equestrian body was tall in the back and thin through the side, the opposite of a human torso. Laying on her side worked very well, but even comfortable, with the comforter pulled up with her teeth and a little help from her hooves (she still hadn't gotten her horn to work), she just couldn't sleep. Too alone, too much excitement... too much Uncereal Unbreakfast Dinner Supreme. Maybe she was right to 'eat like a horse' but... that was a lot of food. It just tasted too great - Petrichor had been right about hay (who knew?) but... she should never have asked for seconds. Urp! By the side of her bed, on the nightstand, lay her shoes and socks, her cleaned and folded jumpsuit, ID and Credstick, underclothes, and the notebook. The clothing was useless now, but it belonged to her, so her hosts had given it back all neat and clean. She didn't know if she could still use the ID, and even if she could, it would almost certainly be a very bad idea. The Human Liberation Front was after her, and the last thing she needed was to have her identity as Gwenhwyfar Boik be in any way associated with her new life as Inkwell. Or Inkwell Quillfeather. She hadn't entirely decided on whether a two-part name was better or not. A lot of ponies only had one name. Ponies as a rule did not have last names like humans did. Some belonged to clans, but that was a different matter. The notebook. Reading always helped! Reading had been her life, as Gwen. It was better than tossing and turning and feeling bloated and alone. Inkwell rolled onto her belly, and raised her upper body with her forelegs. Then she lifted her hindquarters and stood on the mat. The comforter slid off of her body. She stepped off the mat onto the floor, hearing the clop of her hooves as she did so. "Lights!" The lights instantly came on. Inkwell made an effort to activate her horn, but nothing happened, so she took the notebook in her teeth and carried it to the foot of the bed. She lay down, facing away from the pillows, and stared at the notebook. 'Nothing for it, I'm a pony now - if not much of a unicorn yet ' she thought, and lowered her head to open the notebook. Her new pony senses were filled with scents from the notebook, as well as from the room and every object within it. She had read once that equines, like earthly dogs, had a sense of smell at least 20,000 times greater than that of human beings. Inkwell was willing to believe it. Right now, she could smell a human woman from the notebook, and she could sense a kind of layering effect as the woman's scent changed month by month receding into the past. She could smell her own former body's scent, when it had been human, on the notebook as well, and also from the freshly washed jumpsuit. She could smell the fact that Paige had carried her jumpsuit, and that Petrichor had helped. Inkwell could tell that some time in the past - actually many times in the past - various humans, ponies, and humans and ponies had enjoyed sex on the mattress under her, receding into the years. She smelled the exact spot in the room where a long time ago, some previous resident had kept mutie rats as pets in a cage, and their bedding had spilled out onto the floor. Inkwell stared at the spot, seeing nothing, but certain of the location, and what it represented. It smelled like pet rats, with a tinge of urine-rusted metal for the cage. The oddest thing about such massive information flooding her brain was that none of it smelled bad, as such. Not even the smell of the rat's urine from long, long ago. Inkwell, as Gwen, had wondered how animals like dogs could smell disgusting things and not be bothered in the least despite having such incredible senses. Inkwell's sense of smell and taste were radically different now, that was clear - hay tasted rich and savory like the finest replisteak, and oats were beyond mouthwatering. The banana had made her cry at the table from emotion. The garbage recycler had not smelled disgusting at all. She didn't want to lick the thing, but neither had she been repulsed. Considering how powerful her senses were, Inkwell decided she was grateful for how her new brain processed and interpreted things. It would have been maddening to have a sense of smell thousands of times more powerful than before, only to find that the smell of the bathroom to the left was utterly intolerable. 'Dearest Celestia!' Inkwell thought, 'I can smell my own lunch and dinner through my own flesh!' The notion was staggering, but very real. Using her teeth and lips, Inkwell opened the notebook and began turning the pages. One page got stuck on her lip slightly, and felt funny when it slid off. She had seen other ponies turn pages just this way as though it were the most natural thing in the world - Newfoals, at that - but right now, Inkwell just felt clumsy. It would take practice to see her neck as an arm, and her mouth as a hand. She wondered 'why didn't they just gift Newfoals with all the knowledge of how to be a pony?' She thought a bit about it, and then decided it was probably because it would have taken too long to program into the nanobots, or because it would have changed the person themselves too much. Maybe the price of remaining yourself through Conversion was to be forced to learn, step by step, how to be a pony in the world. Where was she in the notebook? Ah, past January, that was certain. February, then. Project Bucephalus - Nanosafety Level 4 facility February 15th It finally works. Somewhat. The secret was to properly process the fairy blood and then let the unicorn teams do their thing to it. That's what we all call the purple fluid now. Fairy blood. It does look like purple blood in the initial state, it even smells like it. But, after processing, and the centrifuge, we get a nice, clear, violet liquid. The stuff could burn your hand off leaving charred bone if you were stupid enough to lift a vial of it. It is probably ten times more powerful after being filtered and centrifuged. Daniels, our biochemist, came up with a way to measure thaumatic radiation levels. The stuff is invisible to technology, beyond the fact it destroys it. Her solution was elegant. Cultured strips of human skin, grown in a bioreactor. They get strung on little neoplastic frames, everything exact and calibrated. All you do is put a strip in harms way, and use a chronometer to measure how fast the little rectangle of skin dies. Time versus degree of necrosis. It is remarkably consistent. So I can more precisely say that properly processed fairy blood is 10.37 times more potent than prior to processing. Daniels can't make sense of the waste left over in the centrifuge. It's probably biological, she says. Probably. Under a microscope it looks like little dark purple - almost black - disks piled on top of each other, all waving like they were in a breeze. They never stop waving. It is creepy as hell. We dump the stuff into sealed containers where it is shipped back to Equestria. They measure the stuff precisely, they don't want us keeping any of whatever it is. Every speck of the material is accounted for. It is apparently more precious than... well anything. Nothing is more precious. Maybe it really is the blood of fairies, and they desanguinate the poor little creatures or something. We know nothing, and it is maddening. The processed fairy blood, we call it 'wizard wine', that gets sent to the unicorn mages on level three. We have a bunch of really old, scary unicorns down there, dressed up in robes and jewels and fancy hoofwear, and they come and go as they please thanks to a bunch of weird stones they stuck in the floor. I've been told they teleport. They fold space and time and pop back and forth from Equestria at will. Or near Equestria, then walk across, something like that. Their job is to weave P-TEC (Programmed Thaumic Energy Constructs), or basically magic spells, into the wizard wine. They seem highly upset to work with the stuff, as if it were some big sacrilege or something. But they do what we ask them, they are under orders from the twin princesses. I don't think they like us, to tell the truth. But then, I am not sure these Equestrians like anyone. They are the first of their kind like that I have met. They are a breed apart. I'm getting used to the ponies now. We have several acting as liaisons and probably spies in Lab 12. They have overly cute names and goddamn are they colorful. But they are also very pleasant, cheerful, and kind. They are friendly to a fault, and just so darn nice that I can't see them as weird aliens anymore. To tell the truth, I like them better than I do my colleagues most of the time. This is no aspersion on the character of my teammates, it's just that anyone would compare poorly to a creature that is always pleasant, always cheery, and always eager to help - not to mention just plain fun to be around. If this is what we will become, should the project actually succeed, I don't think I will have any problem with it. I only wish project Bucephalus would give humans such sunny dispositions. I don't like myself compared to them. There are four Equestrian natives that associate with us in Lab 12. Two are still learning English, so I haven't had much to say to them, and I can't pronounce their names to save my life. The other two use translated names, and are very fluent in English, and one is fluent in Korean too. The first is a light blue ground-type Equestrian who goes by the name of 'Buttercream'. At least that is supposed to be the nearest English representation possible. The other, trilingual pony we call 'Raindrops', mostly because of the symbol on her buttocks. She is a pale yellow pegasus pony - that is the only thing to call them, they have wings. Ponies seem to have these odd tattoo-like marks on their behinds which hold some great importance to them. The designs seem to be made out of the hair that forms their coat itself. It looks as if the hair just grows in as an image. Raindrops has the image of three droplets. Buttercream has a picture of a pastry that looks a great deal like a cupcake. Maybe ponies act as living billboards to advertise Equestrian products? Raindrops sometimes stops to chat with me. She lives in a small town in Equestria, not far from the capital. She works on the weather team. Apparently the weather is controlled in Equestria, it has to be manufactured. It doesn't happen naturally, or perhaps it would be more correct to say that the ponies themselves are the mechanism of nature in their reality. They make nature happen, rather than how things are in our universe, where nature makes us happen. Raindrops is very curious, and wants to know about our world and about humans. All of us in the project were given a big lecture on what we are allowed to say to the Equestrian helpers. We cannot talk about human history, current events, or the state of the world in any detail. We are required to keep to our personal lives, if we choose to share them, and to trivial details such as our favorite foods, colors and hobbies. We can explain the details of everyday life. We were told to treat the Equestrians working with us as being emotionally like very young children, despite having an intelligence and capacities that humble us all. It is a very strange thing to deal with them. We can discuss the deepest issues of the project, and they grasp the subject matter like trained scientists. But one word about, say, the Collapse, and we are facing potential termination, and by that I really mean termination. It's sometimes like working beside cute and colorful landmines. It isn't their fault. Apparently their world has never had real war, or poverty, or hunger, or sickness or total financial collapse. The horrors of human history are utterly alien to them, and it is felt that such knowledge of our world would deeply scar them, and compromise our work. So, we talk careful pleasantries with these strikingly beautiful and caring aliens, all the while dealing with the fact they clearly feel hurt that we won't open up fully to them. That is sometimes the most difficult part of my life here. So, long story short, we got the stock nanomachines to run, powered by the wizard wine. It took several iterations, and the taciturn unicorns on level three grumbled at us a lot, but in the end the little buggers managed to build a human kidney for us. That was the programming we had available to give them from a medical project abandoned a decade ago. The kidney project was abandoned because the result was a partially cooked organ that was laced with the remains of dead nanobots. That wasn't the case here. All the nanobots came out, to the last unit, and the kidney was entirely healthy and functional. At least at first. The concept was proved, but within minutes, little blotches began to spread. Necrosis. The thaumatic energy powering the nanobots had somehow contaminated the tissue. Within half an hour, the perfect kidney was a sloppy mess of black pudding. Supposedly, if we can make the little machines create an Equestrian organ, this problem won't happen. We are waiting on another group, in another part of the world, to finish sequencing whatever the aliens use for the equivalent of DNA. Hopefully, it will be something we can make use of. That's one thing I have discovered. It isn't just us, we proud 400. There are other groups and teams all over the planet. We're just one small aspect of what must be the single greatest global project ever undertaken. The scope, the scale of it boggles my mind. The entire human species is working together on one, single thing. Historic isn't enough of a word for that. It is almost ironic - the first time in all of history that the human race has worked as one, and the purpose of the project is to stop being the human race. I guess that is ironic. I'm not sure. I've never really gotten 'irony', honestly. Inkwell closed the notebook and sighed. Reading hadn't helped as much as she had hoped. She yawned. It was going to be a long night, and a lonely one. "Can't sleep?" It was Paige, at the crack in the door. Inkwell had left her door open a few inches, loath to close it entirely. Paige must have seen the light on. "Um..." Inkwell stared at her new hooves. She didn't want to admit how she felt, how terribly lonely she was. But the feeling was overwhelming. She just couldn't stop her ears from folding back against her skull. "Pet said you'd be in a pickle. The pony herd thing. Listen... you can come jump in with us. Won't be the first time we've had a houseguest in our bed." Paige blushed "Um... what I mean is... well... you see..." She coughed, lightly. "Bottom line, you are probably really, really lonely right now right?" Inkwell nodded, her ears still drooping. She felt exposed, truly naked for the first time since her conversion. "Come on, it's warm in the other bed, and there's plenty of room. And it's OK too, nothing weird or anything going on. It's just ponies are a herd species, and they are used to not being alone. Nopony... dammit... I mean nobody wants you to suffer. So please, join us!" Petrichor poked her muzzle through the gap "Don't be a silly filly! Come on - pony is as pony does! And ponies are natural cuddlers. This way! Come on! That's it!" Inkwell found herself led into the couple's bedroom, and tried not to look at the odd things on the shelves and walls. She found herself gratefully jumping into the bed, a very soft one for the sake of Paige's human body, and instantly a massive rush of tingly scents flooded her brain. All the scents were happy ones, though, and they made her feel comfortable and safe. It was amazing how powerful smell could be, and what emotions it could generate. Paige and Petrichor got in, on both sides of Inkwell, and with them there, she could not keep herself awake, and feeling no longer alone at all, fell instantly, and joyfully asleep.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Eight: Kinks And Twists	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Eight: Kinks And Twists Three days later, they were on the way to the market. The little silvern bells clipped into Pet's tail and the one on her collar jingled musically. Her antique white and pink circus browband was plumed with a great pink feather. Lacy, pink and white inverted scallop barding graced her body, and her rump breeching followed the scalloped design. Pet wore a bridle and bit, also in pink and white, and her back was graced with a faux silk saddle with ruffled edges. She was quite the little circus pony, and trotted with her hooves high and a bounce in her walk borne of pride and not a little naughty excitement. The scent from her almost made Inkwell's head spin. Ching-ching-ching-ching - Pet's bells were echoed by Inkwell's own, though she was not a circus pony. Somehow Paige and Petrichor had gotten her to agree to the medieval styled crushed Panne velvet Caparisons. The triangular dags alternated in red and black, with a tiny brass bell at the end of every one. Ribbon ties and cinch rings adorned her, and her head was crowned with a floral browband wreath, with four matching pastern wreaths close to her hooves. The faux black and red velvet saddle on her back did not complete her costume, rather the dagged reign covers and bit in her mouth accomplished that. "We have to go to the market, we need groceries!" The logic was sound enough at this point. "But what about the HLF? They're after me, and maybe Petrichor was imaged! They might be after her too!" Inkwell had thought this was a valid issue. The last thing she wanted was for trouble to come to this wonderful couple that had taken her in, but her words had brought only laughter. "I only fly at night - best time, because there is almost no traffic in the air, and if there is some nut with a gun, he's less likely to hit, right?" Petrichor seemed awfully jovial, considering the severity of what could happen. "But during the day, well, let's just say nopony would recognize me, image or not!" For some reason both Paige and Petrichor had laughed at this. Then they opened the large, walk-in closet. 'Disguises', they argued. That is how all of it would work. Better to just maintain the normal pattern of their lives, it would attract less attention. The HLF would be looking for sudden changes in pattern, and if they were local as Inkwell had suggested, then the last thing to do would be to change their routine. And it had seemed only reasonable that Inkwell should be dressed up too, because Paige and Pet tended to mostly hang out with other kinky friends. Worse, without a disguise, Inkwell might be recognized herself! Instantly a flurry of activity had begun, with giggles and laughs and the scents of excitement from both of her hosts. It had all made sense, in the moment. The trio and the cart clopped and stepped and creaked and rolled along the dirt road that had once been the middle of a carbotop city street bordered by plascrete walks. Now, the tall apartment buildings and rebuilt ruins towered over farmland. The ponies and humans had worked together to break up the hard road to reveal the poisoned soil underneath. As had been done in countless cities over the past three years, teams of earthponies and unicorns had worked to purify the dirt, and return it to viability. Now imported alien crops grew where once parking lots and roadways had been, and gardens hung from nearly every balcony. Paige was dressed outlandishly herself, in kelp leather fetish gear, her thigh-high boots attacking the ground. Her slender riding crop was held jauntily over a shoulder by a gloved hand, her dark glasses gleaming under a black leathern flat cap. Pet walked close beside Inkwell, as if she were helping to pull the cart. The cart had no means for double harnessing, so this was the next best thing. From a distance, they seemed a team. There was zero doubt that Pet was in her element, and so was Paige, both were grinning widely, and Inkwell's nose spoke of secret excitement exuding from her eccentric hosts. It wasn't until they were three blocks away that Inkwell finally realized that the HLF could not possibly recognize her no matter what - she was a pony now, and they were looking only for 'Gwen the human'. But it was far too late now, they were nearly at the market, and in any case, Inkwell had gotten the job of pulling the lovely little miniature haycart that served as their shopping basket. She was harnessed in and... oh, sweet Celestia, what had she gotten herself into? SCHWAPP! Inkwell startled and whinnied at the provocative spank from the light little crop that had just impacted her flank. She found herself almost prancing after that, which made Paige giggle and Pet give the most outrageous leer. "I suppose you two are finding this more than a little funny, aren't you? Oh, you are a pair of devils and make no mistake about that!" Inkwell tried to sound very cross, but the squeak in her voice betrayed her. Oh, it was all terribly embarrassing, but in her entire life she had never felt so incredibly... well, never should anypony mind, and it would be best to just get through this and forget about it entirely! After a few dozen showers, and a prayer to Celestia, if that was the thing to do. SCHWAPP! That one was for Pet - there was no calling her 'Petrichor' today, it was clear she was 'Pet' through and through - and the leer on her muzzle turned first to a startled, wide-eyed shock, followed by a look so filled with ardor and arousal that it was positively lewd. They did this every week? Sweet Luna, neither of the scamps had been kidding one bit about their kinky way of.... "A new pony in the show, mistress Paige?" The voice was male, human, and jovial "Or a pet... for Pet?" He gave a laugh, whoever he was. Inkwell stared intently at a pair of dark shoes and gray socks, and the bottoms of hand-sewn favela breeches. "Shy one, isn't she?" "Come on, Ink! Smile for the grocer!" Pet whispered, standing close. Another SCHWAPP! from the crop rebuked her for her words. Pet stiffened, then relaxed with a faint sigh. "Behave, Pet!" Paige would brook no insolence from the little pegasus during playtime. "This is Inkwell, mister Ferguson, she's an old friend of Pet's and mine, come to stay a while with us. She's a bit untrained, but we're working on that." Inkwell felt a comforting pat on her flank. "Say hello to mister Ferguson, dear, he's the nice man who we buy all our tasty hay and goodies from!" Without a thought, Inkwell found herself looking up at the tall, graying human. Sweet Luna but he was tall! It was like gazing up at a giant! A moment later, Inkwell recalled that it likely wasn't that mister Ferguson the grocer was a giant as much as it was that ponies were much lower to the ground, and that Paige wasn't all that tall for a human. Ferguson smiled around a thick, gray-tinged mustache, waiting. "Hello... mister Ferguson." Inkwell found herself staring at the human's shoes again, feeling a flooding mixture of emotions she was having trouble figuring out. There was a certain amount of embarrassment because of the way in which she was dressed... harnessed? Done up? She didn't have the right word for whatever it was that she was wearing. It was less clothing than decoration. She felt like she was on parade, somehow. She also felt little-foal-shy in a way she had not felt since her earliest years of life. She no longer felt thirty-one, that was for certain. If anything, she felt like a teenager. That might not be so far from the truth, come to think of it. The average Equestrian could expect to live from one hundred and fifty years to three hundred, depending on how misadventurous they were. If she lived a quiet life, and stayed away from dragons and mysterious forests, thirty one was only one-ninth of her potential life span. For a pony, she literally was the equivalent of a teenager. In human terms, she might be anywhere from age ten to sixteen. Good Luna, she was pony Jailbait! So to speak. By the time her thoughts turned again to the world around her, Inkwell felt the cart she was hitched to shaking as large bales were dropped into it. Ferguson the grocer had been busy fetching and depositing the week's groceries into the cart, and they were quite a haul. Inkwell turned her head to see Paige extract some tiny golden coins from a pouch and give them to the favela grocer. Bits. Equestrian bits. Currency had returned to the world with the increasing dominance of ponies in human lands, and in the favela, bits had become the money of choice. Creditsticks were useless when there was only two hours of electricity a day, and barter was slow and tedious. Bits had been welcomed without fuss or question. Every favela dweller, pony or human, had complete faith in the government and wealth of Equestria. It was, after all, where all the real food came from. "Thank you, Mr. Ferguson, I think we're done here. Have a nice day!" Paige was busy rearranging one of the crates of fruit in the cart behind Inkwell. Ferguson the grocer came around to the front, where Pet and Inkwell quietly stood. He crouched down, smiled, and placed his hands to their muzzles, and opened his fingers. Inkwell couldn't help herself. Senses twenty-thousand times more demanding took control, and before she could even think her lips had already taken the sugar cube from the human's hand. In an instant her eyes had rolled back in her head, her ears had begun to quiver and lean forward, and her legs had begun to tremble. She could only barely feel her tail, of its own accord, flogging against her hocks and cannons. Her mind was explosions of purest sweetness, a transcendental rush through the middle of candyland at something approaching warp speed. By the time the last of her sucrose seizure had left her, quivering in some pony delight that verged on an almost sexual ecstasy, her ears picked up the last of Mr. Ferguson's happy chuckle, as he walked back under his tent in the marketplace. "You OK, Inkwell?" Paige seemed half concerned, and half ready to burst out laughing. "Oh, you've never had a sugarcube before, have you?" Pet's eyes were wide, but filled with mirth. "It's different as a pony. Waaaayyyy different. Wait till you try actual candy!" Inkwell could feel her muzzle and face turning what felt like the brightest of reds. She almost felt like she had been caught enjoying something naughty, what with the sheer impact of the experience, and how tingly it had left her feeling. Paige gave her a pat on the rump. "It's all new experiences right now, Ink. They're bound to be a bit overwhelming, you know? Just enjoy, OK? This is a special time, when everything is new. Enjoy it as much as you can." Unspoken in her words, was an implicit 'for me?' that dimmed some of the sugar-ecstasy. Inkwell felt a splash of guilt that she had gotten to be a pony, while poor Paige was still waiting. They were stuck on Earth until Paige could be converted. But they were clearly making the most of things, as best as they could. The trot home was not embarrassing, like the journey to the market. This was surprising to Inkwell, and she wasn't entirely sure why it wasn't. Certainly all the well-wishers that came out to chat with Paige and admire her two fancy ponies seemed to fill the day with joy and pleasantries. It seemed everyone in the favela and the apartments knew Paige and Pet, and their... proclivities... and that not a bit of it was the least bit questionable. The humans found it delightful and fascinating, and the ponies seemed to find the whole thing cute and harmless. Inkwell had not known that the favelas were like this. She had assumed that they would be desperate places filled with thieves and bandits. Not once in her green-jumpsuited life had she dared to leave her Twoper existence and venture into the favela. She had a job, she was green-level, she stayed with the workers, away from the pitiable rabble. If only she had known. Her life among the Twopers - the two percent of humanity with jobs - was a sterile desert compared to life in the favela. Far from being a dirty hive of poverty, the humans, and now ponies, of the favela took pride in their hand-built houses and restored apartment complexes. They worked together for the benefit of each other, and looked after each other. They cared about each others lives and and looked after one another in good and bad times. They were an intensely social bunch, and it seemed that everypony knew everypony else's business. And there were no arbitrary rules - all that mattered was keeping the peace. If a woman wanted to parade her bondage-ponies down to the marketplace, well good on her. More than that, among the favela dwellers, any parade was a celebration, and the oddball and the kook held special places in their collective hearts. The favela loved and adored their Emperor Nortons, and it seemed that Paige and Petrichor were more than a little famous as local color. Part of Inkwell still cried out inside her that this was all ten paces too far beyond weird for the likes of her. But there was no denying that in all of her life, she had not once had such a happy, fun day. Every twenty or thirty paces some soul, human or pony, would come out and greet them, ask about their day and admire the fine show of ponies in fancy tack and Paige all in her leathers and crop. The entire world had gone some flavor of mad, and the most troubling thing about it all was that the flavor was sugar, and Inkwell couldn't find enough reasons to not like it. When they had finally made it back to their apartment, it was late afternoon. Shopping was clearly an all-day affair, what with the greeting and socializing and all. In her human life as a Twoper, Inkwell had sullenly trolled the Security Mall, using her creditstick in front of bored Red-Level mall staff. Rarely was a word spoken, and what words were said were usually prices spoken in a monotone drone, or instructions from Blackmesh guards to avoid certain areas, or to not linger too long in given spots. Today had been a revelation for Inkwell. As they all worked together to haul the heavy cart up the winding stairs to the fifth floor - CREAK-THUNK! CREAK-THUNK! - Inkwell decided she had spent her previous life all wrong. If she had known... she wouldn't have been so overly proud of being a Twoper, or of being permitted to wear a green jumpsuit and carry a Green Level creditstick. She would have gone shopping in the favela markets... and maybe even have made a friend or two. "See? Not a single pony recognized you! We could have trotted right past the head of the HLF himself, and he wouldn't have seen either of us!" Petrichor was stretching, arching her back like a dog, which frustrated Paige's effort to remove the pegasus's fancy costume and tiny bells. "And... tell me truthfully... it was fun wasn't it? Wasn't it?" When they had begun, Inkwell had felt tricked into some dubious fetish game. But truth be told... it had been the best day of her entire existence. Her mind was in some terrible conflict, that was real - something between what she had been versus what she was now, and what she had thought was proper versus what she had found delightful. Oh, she felt quite the mess inside... but a happy enough mess. She could not keep the grin off her muzzle. "Yes, yes... Pet... it was... fun." "Oohh! She called you 'Pet' and not all proper 'Petrichor' now!" Paige was laughing, trying to get the bells out of her lover's tail, not an easy task now that Pet had made a challenge of it. "I guess your high-and-mighty status as rescuer has dropped into the shame of being mistresses' silly little pony!" The bells jingled and Pet squirmed until the both of them fell down laughing, arms and legs and legs wrapped around each other. "Help?" Inkwell had realized that she had no idea how to undress herself, and she needed to use the toilet. A mad scramble ensued to release her after this was explained, and soon she was au naturel once more and on her way to the loo. She felt oddly sad to be without the bizarre costume she had felt embarrassed by at the beginning of the day. Somehow, she felt plain now, and oddly naked, despite that being her proper state as a pony. The toilet in the apartment, like almost every apartment now, had been adapted for pony use. Water and plumbing had been restored by the favela dwellers two decades ago, and the common sit-down toilet had been replaced by a variation on the Japanese Squatting Toilet. This style of ceramic toilet, low to the ground, long and easy for ponies or humans to use, had been a cultural artifact of the great Japanese Migration. When Japan had finally been recognized as completely uninhabitable, the Japanese people began wandering the Earth, a population without a Zone. Their impact had affected every Zone within the Worldgovernment, and squat toilets had become nearly the planetary norm. When the ponies came, the squat toilet had seemed positively prophetic. Inkwell went through the steps in her mind, the new steps for her new body. Center herself over the trench of the squat toilet, move forward half a body length to account for the way things were expelled. Angle her rear down, and LIFT THAT TAIL! High! Oh! And to the side, too, just to be sure. A messy tail was a grave embarrassment, and Inkwell did not want to repeat that incident, thank you very much. Paige had been very gracious about it, no doubt there had been incidents with Petrichor early on, but still. The pair really had been wonderful to her. Just like that. It was such a strange thing, to take a pony in like that. She'd been rescued from a roof, given potion to save her life - potion that Paige had been trying for months to acquire for herself - and just... taken in like a member of the family. Inkwell had never heard the like before, but Pet and Paige had explained that this was often how things were in the favela. Families, temporary or permanent, just formed, because folks needed each other. It was nothing odd, down here where the majority lived. When she was done with her business, Inkwell gave her rump a little shake to make sure there were no Klingons At The Shuttlebay Door, and thanked Celestia for designing (mostly) trouble free plumbing. Wiping generally wasn't an issue, because of how everything worked. The intelligent and purposeful design of a godlike being beat clumsy evolution hooves down, Inkwell decided. Evolution did not care about being tidy, evolution just plain did not care at all. It was interesting, living inside a designed body as opposed to an evolved one. Inkwell thought about it and decided that the difference was that nothing in her new, pony body, felt like a kludge. Nothing was a carryover or a compromise. Every part of her was there for a reason, the reason was specific to a pony body alone, and everything was built solid, and to last. No weak, poorly constructed human knees on a pony body. Equestrians were engineered, and it showed in the flawless perfection of the design. It was humbling, and also filled Inkwell with awe. In her human life she had often spoke of Mary and Joseph and all the Saints, but now she fully understood the emptiness of such words. In Equestria were real deities, who had personally designed the species she was now a member of. There was no evolution in Equestria, because there was no random nature in Equestria. Ponies were nature, and everything that happened in the world happened as a result of conscious, aware, caring action. When faced with something real, the old ghosts of false hopes just lost all meaning or power. Celestia was real. Luna was real. They could be met, they could be talked to, they could be seen, they had a physical expression in the world. Bronze medallions of silent saints could not compare to that simple fact. It was no wonder that conversion changed not only citizenship, but any pretense of previous religious affiliation. 'You can pray to a god your whole life, but all of that means nothing at all the moment you actually get to meet the real thing.' Inkwell thought, as she lowered her tail, and turned to press the handle with a hoof. As the water swirled and drained down the low trench of the squat toilet, Inkwell stared after, following it down. That was her previous life, and her old beliefs, all gone down, swirled away, and considering how much happier she felt, good thing too. That shocked her. Inkwell turned and walked to the sink. She reared up, placing her hooves on the edges of the sink and stared into the mirror over it. Her white muzzle and dark, shining eyes, her short spiral horn and tall ears filled the mirror. Already she had gotten used to seeing her new face. Inkwell bared her teeth, white and perfect, flat with no canines. She studied her ears as she flicked and moved them. Finally, she focused on her horn, willing it to glow. Over the past three days, Inkwell had begun a regular regimen of practice with her horn. Ace had stopped by several times to give her some tips, and she was making progress. She could work up a decent glow on her horn, a pale and silvery light that she found amazing and beautiful. It was like her horn was surrounded by a blob of plasma, swirling and pulsing, only with a cool and pleasant energy. Magic. She, Inkwell Quillfeather, was expressing magic, real magic. She was one of the fairies now, a fairy herself and no less. How she wished old Eachann could have lived to see the day. She missed her grandfather terribly. He would have loved to see her off to live with the fairies, and he would have gladly come along himself. Inkwell tried to imagine the stallion Eachann would have made, but the fact of the impossibility of it now just made her sad. It had been such a happy day! Enough of that. Her grandfather would have to live on in her heart. Inkwell let her hornfield dissipate. The silvern effulgence faded as her concentration lapsed, until only a few rivulets of faint light followed the twist of her horn, then they too vanished. The day before she had moved a marble, rolling the tiny glass toy around the tabletop in the kitchen, purely by thought, purely by will. No doubt a proper Equestrian unicorn, or one of the ancient, robed ones that the author of the notebook had mentioned, would find her telekinetic abilities laughable. But for Inkwell, it had been a moment of purest wonder. "They need not hands, they who can miracles create". Inkwell stuck out her tongue at herself in the mirror, and laughed at the sight. Dinner was a feast, a tradition for Paige and Petrichor on market day, and featured a marvelous eggplant parmigiana with Sicilian spicing and a roasted asparagus and tomato penne salad with goat cheese. Equestria had other hooved species capable of a slight degree of simple speech. They were mentally simpler than the ponies, and all but incapable of caring for themselves. As a result, the ponies cared for them, and in return benefited reciprocally. The cheese had come from one such creature, roughly similar to the terrestrial goat, and the name had stuck on the earth side of the Barrier. Inkwell had asked about such beings - barely capable of thought or speech, needful of supervision and care by the ponies. If every living thing in Equestria had been created by the twin princesses, how could there be such relatively inferior entities? "There is a rumor - it's only a rumor, and I have no way to prove it." Paige was very satisfied with her work on the parmagian, and savored every bite. "But the story goes that Celestia and Luna didn't get things right immediately. They had to iteratively work up to the pony form. More than a few people have noted how similar everything is in Equestria to our planet, and suggested the two princesses based their cosmos on our world. But it's clear they didn't get things exact." "It's almost as if they had to take little peeks, but couldn't get a solid look. That's what I think, anyway." Petrichor couldn't get enough of the salad. Pet loved the 'goat' cheese in it. "So the theory is," Paige took a second helping of eggplant "that they started small, with bunnies and dogs and such, and worked their way up, increasing intelligence as they went. Equestrian goats, or at least goat analogs, can hardly say a word. But their version of cows can talk your ear off, or so I hear. But only the ponies have magic and civilization. It's one thing to be able to speak, and another to cause marble to flow like water and form a seamless tower or a castle!" "Wait - that's how they... we... build things?" Inkwell hadn't heard that before. "No, not all things." Petrichor licked the penne off of her muzzle with a long tongue. "But the fancy castle stuff. I heard it from a native, one of the mail pegasai that carry from Equestria to Earth across the Barrier? The cottages and such, they all work together lifting and toting. But the castle was built with magic. There are these high-level unicorns that can shape stone and glass and stuff with their thoughts alone. And who knows the limit of what the princesses can do, am I right?" Inkwell had seen pictures of the castle at Canterlot. It exceeded the works of Man by many times. The Taj Mahal could have been a bathroom for Canterlot Castle. She thought about the horn on her head. She had been concerned with losing her hands, because it would prevent her accomplishing fiddly tasks! With enough practice, it appeared, she might be able to create the most delicate of devices or greatest of structures through thought alone, weaving flowing metal, stone and gem however her whim chose. By comparison, fingers seemed like clumsy breadsticks now. She resolved to take her telekinetic practice more seriously. Later, after dinner, after dishes and cleanup, Inkwell snuggled into the large bed with Paige and Petrichor, and opened the notebook. She had taken the two into her confidence the second night, and had told them of everything she knew and understood about the small tome. They had a right to know, she felt, because their lives were in danger harboring her. They had saved her life. They had been nothing but good to her from the first moment. And also... it was a secret too large for one small unicorn to keep by herself alone. She had shared with them the Underground Bookmobile project too, and how she had come into possession of the notebook, and the likely reasons that she was being chased by the HLF. It had now become a shared experience, to read a page or three from the notebook before bed. Inkwell had caught her new friends up on what she had read so far, and tonight was beginning a new entry. "Let me see the picture of the human again!" Petrichor wished she could know more about the mysterious author of the work. Inkwell lipped through the pages until she found the little replipaper snapshot of the red-haired woman wearing glasses. Petrichor stared hard at the image for a moment. "Huh. She looks like a fud, all right." "A what?" Inkwell was at a loss. "A fud! P-H-D, you know 'Piled Higher and Deeper?'" Petrichor grinned "As in poop? Piles and piles of..." "Pet! Be nice to poor Inkwell! Goodness, don't mind her, Inks. What have we tonight in the grand saga of potion?" Paige found the history of conversion serum mildly interesting, but not actually fascinating. Serum worked, she wanted some, and that was basically enough for her. Petrichor, on the other hoof, found the idea of the very first contact between Equestria and Earth an exciting notion. "Hmmm..." Inkwell shifted her weight, feeling Petrichor snuggle in against her, and Paige scritching and petting her rump. "...ahh.... oh, yeah... right there...." The base of her tail was just the best, and now she understood why dogs liked being scratched there. That was one thing human fingers were good for... maybe they couldn't make marble flow like water, but they could scratch really, really good. "Oh... wow. Thank you Paige!" "Me! Me next!" Petrichor started wiggling her rump in the air which caused Paige to have to lean over to provide equal scritchies for her beloved mate. "OK..." Inkwell found the place in the book. "We're up to the end of February. Looks like genetics. Exciting stuff!" "Oh... goody." Paige sounded less than excited, but she was willing to listen. Project Bucephalus - Laboratory 012 February 23rd I don't know what to think anymore. We got the results back from the effort to sequence the Equestrian genome. We have the sequence, and we have used the nanobots we have to construct what we think is an Equestrian kidney. And it lived, at least until it was sent down for dissection and study on level eight. We used a variation of the existing kidney program for the bots, because it was what was ready. We don't have anything from the code team that is focusing on programming for the little machines. There are so many projects, all over the globe, each dutifully concentrating on one tiny part of the whole. I strongly suspect most of them do not even know what the ultimate purpose of their work is. So, we have proven we can take a lump of earth meat and use earth nanobots - powered by 'wizard wine' - and construct a living Equestrian kidney-like organ. And this would be wonderful, because you would think that this was the answer to everything, right there. If it is possible to make a kidney, then we should be a hop, skip and jump from making equivalent organs to having humans that can survive in Equestria! No. That isn't going to work, and the reason changes everything I thought I understood about pretty much everything. We started with a living, vat-grown human kidney, courtesy of some transplant hospital for the elite in Antarctica. We injected it with our nanosurgical fluid, programmed to analyze what it found, build whatever necessary temporary vasculature and support structures it needed, convert the cells into equestrian cells, and then deconstruct the support scaffolding and exit the organ. We're still working on having the nano's dissolve themselves entirely - that's yet another project out there, somewhere. It should have created a human kidney, made out of Equestrian cells. That isn't what happened. Despite using the same nanoconstruction program we have been using all along, the result was not human. It was... something else. We had a medical unicorn from level two come down and identify it as being mostly an Equestrian kidney - from a female pegasus no less. We weren't sure what the unicorn meant by 'mostly' and he wasn't willing to elaborate. It ended up a funny looking thing, pill shaped and spotted, and more than a little rubbery. It could be squeezed and stretched in truly disturbing ways, and this made us all very curious how that could be. So we had atomic force studies done, as well as x-ray diffraction. And then we went for the serious stuff. I said we started out with a human kidney, I should have stated that we started out with earthly matter. The nanobots are not just being powered by whatever the crusty old unicorns on level three whip up down there and stick in the violet 'wizard wine' - they are also acting as a conveyance for something else. I have a theory. I think the scary unicorns are making their own nanobots. Only these ones are not material. They are not matter. They are, well, spells. Magic nanobots, or little program ghosts, or microscopic gods - take your pick, because I sure as hell do not know. But it is like our nanobots have another nanobot ghost superimposed over them, in them, through them, a nanobot soul of some kind, and that part of them has work to do that is a separate agenda. And what the ghost side of the nanobots can do is just short of terrifying. The thing that resulted, the mostly Equestrian kidney thing? It wasn't matter anymore. It wasn't made of atoms anymore. Oh, it was made of molecules, and they did stuff as molecules should. But in our universe molecules are made up of atoms, and there were no atoms in that organ when the nanobots got done. The nanobots were not made of atoms anymore either. We don't know what they are. They are square. We know that much. Little cubes measured in angstroms, totally indivisible, utterly alien, we haven't got a fucking clue. The nanobots are made of them now, and anything they work on gets turned into whatever that stuff is. It's not matter as we understand the term. It's Equestrian matter. This is no longer just a project about transforming flesh - it's become alchemy. The magic fluid changes earth matter into Equestrian matter, which we don't even have a name for. We've discretely asked for samples of stuff from Equestria. Plants. Rocks. Mayoss cut a sliver from Buttercream's saddlebags when she wasn't in her room. All made of Equestrian matter, not earth matter. Not an atom to be found. No electrons, no quarks, nothing of our reality. Other matter. Else matter. E-Matter. I have eaten Equestrian apples. They bring us food items as gifts, to inspire us. I've probably eaten pounds of Equestrian produce. I'm still alive. My organs are fine, as far as the human doctor can tell. We checked the apples. E-Matter. My hair has E-Matter in it. So does my blood. There is E-Matter in the cells inside the mucosa of my mouth. The same is true with all the members of the team, as far as we can tell. Little magic cubes, sliding and moving over each other, doing the job of atoms, but they are NOT atoms. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm not going to stop eating the apples, though. You would not believe how good they are. Jesus Nonexistant Christ are they good. Same with the bread items. And the salads. I am gradually becoming made of alien matter. With every bite. You are what you eat, and I am slowly exchanging atoms for - little magic cubes. I feel fine. Hell, I feel great, except for the long work hours. I wonder though. At some point I will be more E-Matter than atomic matter. A-Matter, I suppose. I don't think I'll notice. It doesn't make me the least bit immune to the danger of thaumatic radiation, I can tell you that. Lost a bit of skin on my index finger and my thumb, due to being sloppy with a vial of dilute wiz-wine and bots. It'll grow back, but I have these bandages and I feel like an idiot. So, we can make this project work, it seems. But we can't just convert a human into a magic-safe human. What will come out the other side will be made of different matter, and it will be a different creature. A human kidney became an Equestrian kidney. Mostly. Our program didn't do that. You see, even though we got the results of the sequencing of what Equestrians use for DNA - and a weird thing it is too, a helix ladder like we use, but arranged in a six-lobed star shape and there is a fifth and sixth base that have no earthly equivalent because they are made of freaking magic - none of that was put into the nanobots. The first run was just to test the concept, we don't have the coding of the sequencing done for nanobot use yet. That's yet another team. Yet the result was a mostly Equestrian kidney, and not a human kidney, even without proper programming. I can only think the unicorn wizards on Three are ahead of us. Their work made the bots build a human kidney into an Equestrian kidney. Mostly. It may not matter what program we put into our bots. Our bots are haunted with submicroscopic ghosts, and the ghosts are dominant. In a way, as weird and creepy as this sounds, it is also a relief. For the first time I have real hope we can save humanity in the short span we have. We might just do it, but only because we are getting help from powers way, way beyond us, and frankly, I think that is the only possible hope of getting this thing done at all. So, I guess the little bot ghosts are our friends. But still. I have spent my life a staunch materialist, and now - I just don't know what to think, anymore.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Nine: She Who Raises The Sun	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Nine: She Who Raises The Sun Project Bucephalus Bucephalus Command Center Information And Awareness Facility February 4th I have studied this now for, oh, gosh, it might be fifteen hours now, not counting breaks. Gerste is pissed with me, and the IAA staff are constantly making little remarks about what the lab-rat is doing squatting on their turf. I am definitely pushing the limits of the 'all information is available' thing. I know the center doesn't really want me here. They tried to boot me out. But old General Norman P. Ridgway stepped in - I have no reason why - and though they clearly don't like it one bit, I have the complete run of the place now. They don't like that a LOT. I don't know what the deal is with Ridgway. He did that head-tap salute to me the time he visited Lab 12. There's something going on, and I don't know what it is, but I am grateful for him playing guardian angel for me at the moment. Without that, I would not have been able to see what I have seen. And I have seen things only a handful of humans on this earth have ever seen. Things even my other Zero-Twelvers have not seen, and are likely not to get to ever see. Just after the Three Day War, when the ocean had finally stopped boiling, and the conventional radiation had dissipated sufficiently, and also after Celestia had begun haunting the corporate elite and their families, she allowed something amazing to happen. Just once. The public knows nothing about the event, and most of the global military has no idea either. It was done at the request of the Worldgovernment Security Administration, for the benefit of certain members of the elite. Two probes from earth were allowed into Equestria. They were standard robotic search and rescue machines, the kind that walk on four legs like a mule and can operate independently for days at a time. Packed with sensors and outfitted with one hell of a audio-visual platform. Mule One and Mule Two, they were called, and they tromped through the green lands of Equestria and sniffed and measured and above all imaged everything they could. I have followed the tours given both of them now. The reason they could survive beyond the Barrier was because every step of the way, the two robots were encapsulated in some kind of bubble or force field or something. Four unicorns followed each probe, taking shifts to keep the protective field going. One slip, and the walkers would die, changed into tapioca and chocolate bits or some insane thing like that. For two days the probes marched across Equestria, or were taken various places by chariot or sled, and then they were returned to the Barrier, and our world once more. The two probes are the only objects from Earth to ever enter and tour the Equestrian cosmos. Mule One was taken on a tour of a town or village. Croplands, farms, orchards, and many, many distinctly Tudor-styled cottages and buildings. Medieval looking campaign tents and some fairly outlandish looking buildings that would not be out of place in a theme park - or a holographic role-playing game. Everywhere ponies, looking shocked, fascinated or horrified by the robotic monster tromping through their world encased in a bubble. I got an idea of how Equestrians live and work from the tour of Mule One. As far as I can tell, labor is more or less divided up based on the unique abilities of the three breeds of common Equestrians. The ground-type ponies can do phenomenal things involving the land and plant life. I've seen these beings reshape the soil, push and pull weights far beyond what would be reasonably possible in terms of terrestrial physics, and they are tireless. But the most astonishing thing is what they can do with plants. One sequence showed a large, stocky ground-type place a hoof near a sprout in the soil. The plant began to grow in real time. It looked like a time-lapse video of plant growth, only there was a smoother, almost animal quality about how the plant developed. Within five minutes a large blossom had opened on the mature plant, which the pony immediately ate with some satisfaction. These creatures can grow food in minutes, rather than months. Mule One paused at what appeared to be a very terrestrial blacksmith's, as they might have existed many centuries in Earth's past. The establishment appeared to be run by a ground-type and a unicorn-type Equestrian. The two worked together with astonishing facility. The ground-type pony stuck a rod of some dark metal into a furnace or fireplace of some kind. He used his teeth to carry the metal rod, but also his forehooves at times, when he sat down. When one end of the metal rod had begun to glow, the ground-type removed the rod from the fire using a thick fabric potholder-like cover to protect his mouth. He held the long rod out, so that the glowing, melty end was towards the unicorn. The unicorn Equestrian made his horn glow, and instantly the soft, molten end of the rod began to change shape. It moved like it was alive, like it was possessed, oozing and squirming into a complicated shape with many curlicues and delicate leaf-like patterns. I don't know what the finished metal object was supposed to be, though I suspect a hinge for a door or chest. The entire shaping process took only minutes, and throughout it, the unicorn was laughing and talking in its native speech - clearly the work was not overly taxing. Perhaps the most astonishing thing Mule One saw was a pegasus-type Equestrian manipulating clouds. The clouds were taken and carried as if they were pillows, from high in the sky, and placed over what appeared to be a corn field. Once a sufficient number of the clouds were arranged, the pegasus stood on the layer of cloud as if it were a solid object and gave a stomp with a hoof. The clouds flashed with something not entirely unlike lightning - though it did not act like electricity does in our universe - and then began to rain onto the crops. The clouds rained until there was nothing left, and the pegasus flew off, job, apparently, done. Nowhere was there any sign of want or poverty. Every part of the village, even the most humble, seemed cared for with a level of attention bordering on obsession or love. Every Equestrian seemed in perfect health, and not a one of them had any defects, disfigurements, or permanent injuries. There was one pegasus mare that hovered in front of the probe that appeared to suffer from strabismus - though she could have simply been making a funny face, as she also stuck her tongue out at the machine. The Equestrians are a playful species. There were many examples, in the background, of ponies rolling on the ground, playing with balls, or just galloping about apparently for the sheer joy of it. Mule Two was taken on a tour of what must be the capital of Equestria. There was a large city composed of diverse architecture surrounding an impossibly tall fairy-tale castle. The entire thing, city and castle, were constructed on the side of an impossibly steep mountain. It is clear that whatever processes shape the Equestrian landscape, they have nothing in common with the processes native to our universe. Mountains and hills are improbably steep cones, and flat land is just that - unnaturally flat. The entire landscape seems designed, constructed, manufactured. It does not seem to be the result of natural processes. I do not think there are any natural processes in Equestria. I think the entire universe is artificed. Or artificial. The castle has towers that completely defy the square-cube law. On earth, built of earthly materials, the castle would collapse, unable to support its own weight. Physical laws must be radically different in Equestria. The castle was magnificent, something out of a dream. The sheer scale and impossibility of it are breathtaking. It features many spiraling staircases and dish-like balconies, all unsupported by struts or load-carrying buttresses. The ponies do not seem to have any fears of any part of it collapsing. They walk, run and even dance on the thin structures as if they were indestructible, which for all I know, they may be. The inside of the castle is as magnificent as the outside, and at times seems to violate reality itself. I am unsure, but there were interiors within the castle that seemed far larger, or of different shape, than what the outside configuration would allow. Then again, perhaps these areas were built inside the mountain itself - though there did seem to be daylight streaming through large windows. None of any of this is as disturbing and reality shattering as what I saw towards the end of Mule Two's tour. Hundreds of native Equestrians had assembled at some location on the grounds of the castle. It appeared to be night, stars were visible. Of note, some of the constellations seemed to be recognizable. I swear I saw Orion, for example. I cannot explain this, and I could be wrong. But it looked so similar - I immediately thought of some of the theories we all have in Lab 12 about Equestria having contact with our world in the distant past. Or, perhaps there is some kind of parallel universe thing going on. All I know is that what stars I saw appeared remarkably familiar to patterns I was taught at my university planetarium. There was a plinth, or structure of some kind. Celestia, the princess of Equestria, walked to the structure and appeared to prepare herself. The audience of ponies seemed reverent, as if they were waiting. Then Celestia rose into the air, wings spread, shining with some impossible light - and at the same time the disk of the sun rose with her, at the same speed, until it was neatly above the horizon. The sun then hung in the sky, unmoving, or moving at some steady, slow rate normal for the passage of a sun. Celestia landed, folded her wings, and the crowd of ponies cheered her and stomped their hooves. The princess left the scene, and the crowd gradually disbursed. They had come to see her raise the sun. Into the sky. They came to see her start the day. Apparently she does this every day. That is her job. Celestia is responsible for raising the sun, so that the night can end. Her sister, which we now have the translated designation 'Luna' to represent, brings the night and raises the Equestrian moon. I spent hours going over every sensor report from Mule Two that was available. The sun rose in sync with Celestia, until the disk cleared the horizon. Ambient temperature rose only when the sun appeared. The air currents were affected by the raise in temperature, as would be expected. The mysterious glow emanating from Celestia matched the signature of the Equestrian sun. By every possible metric, the princess - literally - raised the sun into the Equestrian sky. The ponies claimed this, but it was not carried by the media, deliberately. The princess herself has stated her role as a fact, another element silenced by the media, under the direction of the Propaganda and Infotainment Ministry. I can see why they keep mum about the notion. It would disturb a lot of people, and challenge a lot of beliefs. It certainly has mine. I am a scientist. It is more than my job, it is me, my way of thinking. Everything I have ever learned, everything I think I know tells me that there is no magic, that gods are the delusions of fools, and that our universe is a mechanical, materialist phenomena. But now there is another universe. And inside that new universe an apparently supernal being - that does not even register on sensors as a physical object - literally raises the sun into the sky of her world. Oh, did I mention Celestia doesn't exist? Not according to Mule Two. No acoustic echo, no thermal presence, nothing. Only the glow when she raised the sun registered, and it matched the sun itself. Yet, she is discernable, she can be imaged in what passes for visible light in Equestria. Unless there are no frequencies other than visible light in Equestria. I suppose I should have checked to see if ordinary ponies or the environment had reflections in other wavelengths. Damn. Celestia raises the sun. The ponies call her princess, but it is clear that she is their world, their life. Their deity, along with Luna. Which all ties into and lends credence to the snippet I found buried in a partially erased file. It was from Mule Two. Apparently, the machine was used to interview the sun princess in her throne room. I don't know how she was questioned, or what the questions were. The file was simply 'Interview' and the date. I recovered it during the night, when, for a half an hour, I wasn't being monitored. They always have someone standing in the room with me. But I took my chance. As best as I can remember, the bit I saw went something like this - Celestia was face-on to the view, and talking directly to the camera. "... is an anomaly among universes. Magic is the wellspring and the source of all life, of all thought and being. To exist, despite thought and awareness devoid of magic is not life. You are not living beings, but only shadows of life without meaning. You are doomed to dissolution, and that is why I offer what I do to you, out of compassion and love. I beg you to understand your situation, and that of all those subject to your rule. You can be rescued from annihilation. This is why I plead with you to work with me to save your entire species from..." I suspect she was addressing the corporate elite. I don't think they wanted the interview seen by anyone else, ever. I can only imagine what else she had to say. I wish I could have seen the entire thing. If what she says is true, then project Bucephalus is not just about transforming human bodies into a radiation resistant form. It is something that borders on the metaphysical, if not blatantly entering that territory. I guess it all depends on the true definition of 'magic', the translated label we have given whatever the strange, mutable, programmable energy is that defines the universe of Equestria. Magic is as good a word as any, considering, but it does carry a great deal of cultural baggage for any citizen of the Earth. One other thing to note - when I finally returned to Lab 12, I found that our previous work has been solidified and that a lot of separate entities have been brought together. They managed, in my absence, to install the Equestrian genetic code into the nanobots, and use it to turn a fresh human kidney into a perfect - according to the medical unicorn on staff - Equestrian kidney. More than that, the kidney has something else. We don't have a label or a translation for it yet, but whatever it is, it seems terribly important. The closest thing we got was 'thickness'. The manufactured Equestrian kidney had 'thickness', which, apparently, we, the previous attempts at kidneys, and everything else except Equestrian life, lacks. Now they need me though. There is a difficulty with the nanobots - they just aren't efficient, and there is a problem with the way they interface with the separate genome carried by mitochondria. It appears that Equestrians don't have mitochondria, or anything like mitochondria. Because they didn't evolve. Their cells never came from any primeval sea, and never gobbled up other cells on the way to becoming multicellular creatures. Equestrian cells were supposedly designed by Celestia, claims our unicorn, and they were made perfect and singular and complete. I can't dispute the claim, considering. I think I have a solution to the problem - we need a number of different bots, not just one type, and we need to account for the haphazard construction of terrestrial cells. That is in my area of expertise, such as it is, so I guess I finally feel a little useful. It isn't anything big, but it matters, so I will be busy for the next month slaving on this issue. Fortunately, I will have help - from all over the planet, from people I will never know or see. Maybe I need to just not think about the implications any more. I just need to work, and get this done. But I will say this - if there is a chance, any chance of something greater than existing in a dead, mechanical universe, then I am on board with it. It is just very hard to accept, even after seeing everything I have seen. Krause ran his meaty hand over his bald head and noted the sweat. He didn't like bringing bad news to Leo, nobody did of course, but sometimes it was unavoidable. There was just no trace. Every part of the city was monitored. They had cameras and tracking systems mounted at every intersection. There was a dedicated artificial intelligence who did nothing but catalog everything and anything about the life of the city. They had access to information that - in the Pre-Collapse days of marketing and competing products - would have been a treasure horde of details about trends, demographics, needs and interests. One time, Krause recalled, the men had a pool going with regard to a meme that had been caught from the very start. One of the traitors had said what it thought was a clever comedic line about hooves that began to spread. More and more traitors and humans began to repeat the line, and Monitor, the A.I. had obligingly provided a graphical display of the spread of the phrase as it listened to the city. Martinelli had won the pool in guessing the phrase would not make it past the old waste disposal plant, and definitely would not go global. But for all the information streaming in, it was as if Gwen Boik had vanished from the very earth. Intersection sensors had tracked the brown pegasus flying in to the warehouse district. They had multiple traces of the two of them flying off toward the residential complexes. But the pegasus went high, and became lost in the backscatter from the global smog layer. It was probable that the pair had chosen to land on a roof, unless they had just kept going out of the city. The HLF Awareness Net only covered ground based activity in detail, currently. That was partly why Leo had been sure the entire rescue had been a high-level action. It was like the enemy knew their weakness. "Krause. I assume you have good news with regard to the whereabouts of miss Boik and the item?" Leonard Reich got to the point quickly. Krause tried to look the man in the eyes, but it was hard. "No, sir. I am sorry to report zero leads. The best estimation is that either the target has left the city, or that a roof landing somewhere in the residential section was made. They really knew our one weak..." "Anomalies, Krause! Anyone buying more beans in the markets? An impoverished meat-seller suddenly have a new customer?" Leo betrayed no emotion on his face, and this always bothered Krause. "No sir. According to Monitor, not one ounce of unexpected increase in human food usage. Maybe Boik is a vegetarian?" Leo frowned. It was bad when Leo showed anything. "You know she isn't Krause. It's in the report." "I meant now, sir. Maybe now..." Krause rubbed more sweat from his shining dome. "If she had gone vegetarian, that would have showed up too, Krause. Beans, soy products, anything with protein in it. Humans can't make their own protein, they have to take it from specific plants or other creatures. That's why we're at the top of the food chain. I assume Monitor has something on that?" Krause put his hands in his pockets and looked at the desk, rather than Leo. "No new protein consumption. That's what I'm saying!" Krause looked up, defiantly, but the look quickly fell again. "Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada." There was a brief silence. "Well, then good job, Krause, you did the best you could. Nothing wrong with that. It could be that our human agent, the good miss Boik, has a safe room out there, packed to the gills with government rations. They clearly know this is our command location. I've always thought we should keep the level of pony killings equal to other cities. It makes us stand out. The HLF is everywhere, and here we sit in the one city where ponies hardly ever get shot." "But that's to reduce suspicion - I thought..." Krause was immediately cut off. "That's enough, Krause. Thank you for your effort. Dismissed." With Krause gone, Leonard Roosevelt Reich, head of the HLF Echelon, turned to his holographic interface, and began moving iconobjects around until he found a tiny, glowing doghouse. Expanding it, he opened a list of actives and searched for a specific one. Who Let The Dog Out was his choice. The display shrunk down into a corner of his active surface desk, and a window formed. For a while, it showed nothing but an unkempt room, with cracked walls and piles of clothing and old boxes stacked about in the background. Then a head and shoulders slid into place, as a man sat down to face the window. He was a heavyset, sweaty man, short and with oily black hair. His craggy face and bulbous nose dominated his thin lips. He wore a cheap brown suit, with a striped tie. "Hey.... LEO! Long time no see. I thought I was in the doghouse here. Come to scold me some more, is that it?" "No. Actually, I want your services. Consider yourself reinstated. I need you to find a woman for me." The heavy man laughed. "I thought you pitched for the other team, bucko! Decided to switch sides?" The jest was met with a completely expressionless face. "Come home, Ralph. Good dog." The window vanished from the desk. Leonard waited for the floating icons to reestablish themselves, then set about removing one contact from the doghouse object. Only briefly did Leo's hand hover over the trashcan object. Inkwell wanted to go to the park. "Oh, come on, please? I'd like a chance to run around a bit, and you've been telling me about the tasty flower garden for days now. You said it yourself, nopony could possibly recognize any of us, that we're perfectly safe, and I finally believe you!" "You're just feeling your oats because the sun is shining. Pet and the other pegasai have been working their tails off to clear out a window over the city, and it's getting to you. I've seen this happen before, you just aren't used to it." Paige and Inkwell had finished remaking the bed, the sheets having been recently washed. Now they were sorting clean laundry - all Paige's stuff - and were trying to decide what to do with the day when Petrichor returned from morning smog duty. "Ponies are aroused by sunshine, sunshine." Paige grinned at the little ivory unicorn "I would have figured a scholarly librarian like yourself would know these intimate details about Equestrian biology." Inkwell levitated a pair of undies up from the pile and tried to fold them in mid air. Her hornfield faltered, and the panties plummeted to the comforter. "Poo!" "No, clean. They were poo. That's the point of washing stuff." Paige waited for the reaction, then grinned again. "Still, I am impressed. You're getting better with that horn of yours." "I still can't manipulate things in the air very well. I've got lifting down, light things, anyway, but when I try to do anything with them..." Inkwell had the panties in the air again, surrounded by her hornfield. She could feel the fabric of the underwear with her field, the weave of the threads, the elastic hidden inside the band, even the little tag. Anything held within her telekinetic grasp she had knowledge of, an awareness far beyond what mere touch could have revealed. The sensation was not unlike touch, but it was three-dimensional. She could feel the inside and the outside equally, and the most amazing details were obvious within the bounds of her hornfield. It was rather like having hands made of cloud or gas, that could touch an entire volume of space at once, rather than just a surface in discrete spots. The panties fell once more as Inkwell's telekinetic hold failed again. She sighed and folded the panties neatly with her teeth, and stacked them on the small pile to go into the drawers. "You've definitely gotten natural-as-can-be with your muzzle, I must say. You did that without even thinking about it." Paige seemed impressed. "Did what?" Inkwell was at a loss, she had failed at folding cloth with her magic. "Folding my undies! What you just did. Look!" Paige waved a finger at the neat stack "Tidy as you please, Inks. Like you were born to the hooves. You could pass for native." Inkwell looked at her own work. She hadn't thought about what she was doing, she had just done it. Folding and carrying were normal things now, and her long neck and jaw were as capable as any arm and hand. More so, because they were vastly stronger. "Huh! I guess... I suppose things have gotten easier. You're right. I don't even think about it anymore. I guess my brain is very plastic right now. Things do seem easier to learn in general over all." Paige reached for another pair of socks to roll into a little ball. "In a sense, you are brand new, Inkwell. Your new body probably thinks itself a newborn foal, and all the bits of your brain are eager to learn and grow. I'll bet it's something like that going on." The ball was finished, so Paige fished out two more socks, silly rainbow-striped ones with toes at the ends. They were her favorites, and had seen better days, but she kept repairing them because you couldn't find socks like them anymore. "I saw the same thing with Pet, right after her conversion. Everything was new to her, and at first she was very clumsy." "Petrichor was clumsy?" It seemed absurd to Inkwell. The pegasus had pushed her through the sky on a pallet! "Oh goodness, very clumsy. She had trouble walking at first. And her wings - she couldn't keep them at her sides and they were all over the place. I'd get slapped in the face by them at the slightest thing. It's the emotions that make them flare out, you know. They have to learn to keep control of themselves or the average pegasus would be flapping about like a chicken all the time!" Paige laughed at this, and Inkwell joined in - the thought of Petrichor stomping about flapping and making clucking noises was delightful. "Maybe it's easier for unicorns, I don't know." Paige seemed thoughtful as she finished rolling the sock-ball and set it down. "Or maybe you're just the sort that takes things in stride. Some do, you know. I've heard stories of Newfoals that just hop off the table and trot right out, easy as can be. And I've heard tales of Newfoals laid up for weeks, still trying to learn to walk." Paige began scooping up all the laundry and putting it into the dresser drawers by her and Pet's bed. "The potion changes your body, and it changes your brain, but it doesn't change you beyond a bit of sprucing up here and there. I think a lot of it is whether or not you can embrace being a pony, or whether you fight it." That puzzled Inkwell. "Did Pet... fight it then?" Paige pushed the drawer shut with her hip. "A bit. Yeah, she did. I think she'd been in that wheelchair for so long that she'd given up all hope, and that feeling didn't agree with her new body. I think she needed to learn to trust that it wasn't a false hope, that her new pegasus body wouldn't just vanish on her like a dream." Paige lay down on the bed, to rest for a bit. Inkwell hopped up and lay down on her stomach, her legs splayed out. "She used to have nightmares, her first few weeks. She'd wake up in my arms all shaking, having dreamed that her wings fell off and her hooves disintegrated and she was back in the chair again." "Oh... goodness! That sounds terrible!" Paige sighed, then smiled. "It was, but it passed. And when she stopped having the dreams, she stopped being clumsy. Within days she was flying like she was born to it. I think she just needed to work out that the gift wasn't going to be taken back." "The... gift." Inkwell hadn't thought of her conversion that way before. It had saved her life, to be sure, and it was hiding her from her enemies, which was well and good. But if anything, she'd felt her transformation a little abrupt, even disappointing, because she had missed out on all the wondrous sounding Bureau antics. But Paige didn't care about all the fancy stuff in any Bureau. She just wanted to be sure she could stay with her Petrichor, that they could still be together four years from now, when the world ended. Paige just wanted to be a pony. More than anything. It would be a gift to her, just as it had been for her mate, Petrichor. The gift of security. The night before, Inkwell and Petrichor had played 'Mario Marble' on the table. Inkwell had gotten very proficient at moving small objects telekinetically, so they had set up a raceway and obstacle course on the tabletop. Packages, boxes, a brick or two, chopsticks, a spoon, several dougnuts (Paige objected to that, later), and numerous other bits and objects made up the course. Inkwell had tried to run her marble through the course, without just hovering it. The rule was that she had to just roll the marble, not levitate it. Pet kept trying to set up impossible stunts. The game had lasted hours, until it was time for dinner and they had to clean the table off. Not once had Inkwell missed her computer or the games on it. What could compete with real magic? Nothing, nothing in all the world. It was a gift, to be a unicorn. It was a big, shiny, bow-wrapped gift of wonder and delight, and she'd just been taking it all for granted and grumbling that she couldn't fold panties by floating them in the middle of the air. What a problem to be cryin' about! Oh! Poor me! I'm a brand new unicorn and I can't fold panties with the bloody telekinesis because I'm still just learning how to use my horn! It suddenly hit Inkwell that she had hundreds of years to get good at using her magical horn. Several human lifespans, and then some. She was a baby, really. And just being at all this way, was the greatest gift she had ever received. "Paige?" "Yes, Inks, what's on your mind? You've been staring off for a bit." Inkwell turned her head and stared into the eyes of the human on the bed beside her. "Somehow, some way, I am going to get you converted Paige, and within the month. That is my goal." Paige stared, then laughed. "If you can do that, miss Inkwell the Unicorn, you'll never be short of gratitude from me. Or from Pet." Paige closed her eyes, and sighed once more. "You'll also be a right wizard among unicorns, and that's a fact." Inkwell put her head down on her forelegs, and began to think about how to make her plan come true.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Ten: Sticky	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Ten: Sticky "Ralph Vitoni - cyberembezzler, confidence artist, gigolo - how on earth did you pull that one off with a face like that?" Leonard Reich was acting uncharacteristically whimsical, which made everyone in the underground facility desperately uneasy. "Cute. I'll have you know that in my youth I was only half as ugly." Ralph followed the leader of Echelon, waddling beside him like an overly well fed, brown-suited bulldog. "To continue, cleaner - though a bit brutal, from what I hear, what ever happened to 'efficient, polite, and quick?', kidnapper - quite a feat bagging that little girl from Antarctica, considering she was probably the most monitored and watched human being in the history of the human race - " Ralph stopped in the corridor and straightened his loud, striped tie. "I can be very quiet when I need to be. An' I deserved every credit I pulled from that little job. That brat was a pain in the patootie - she was 'pony' this and 'Celestia' that, and 'I wanna watch my show' - no shittin' ya, I suffered on that one, Leo." "I only have admiration for your achievement, I assure you, Mr. Vitoni. The corporate elite are no friends of mine, for the most part. We do have a loyal, if small, cadre of supporters within their ranks, but beyond that, I consider them vastly worse than the converted traitors - because it is they who have sold us out to the wolves. Wolves who walk in the skins of ponies and bear not teeth but the most dangerous threat Mankind has ever faced - an easy way out." Leonard and Ralph passed through the final security check, and submitted to a number of scans and verifications before being admitted into a vast, gleaming white circular chamber with a domed roof. "What - they scan you too? Come on... yer pullin' my leg here, Leo. You're the ass-bitin' head of the entire shindig!" Reich managed a restrained laugh. "You are a very colorful individual, Mr. Vitoni. I would think that anyone capable of that Antarctic caper would know that anyone can be compromised in this age of nanotechnology, and that no individual can be assumed to be free of tiny spies or embedded influence." "From what I hear, you never leave this joint. You can't get compromised if you don't do nothin.'" Ralph covered his eyes briefly against the reflected glare of the powerful overhead lights. "You would be surprised where I get to, Mr. Vitoni. Now, let me show you the centerpiece of the project that very well may end the problem of Equestria once and for all. May I present to you, the potential salvation of the human race, project Gypsy Traveller." Leonard Reich waved his hand at the object in the center of the vast chamber. It sat on a large, round, movable dais. To the right, a team of technicians in white cleanroom bunny suits stood to attention. To the left was a portable containment and support trailer camping on the floor of the room. Ralph Vitoni blinked, looked at Reich, and then returned his vision to the object on the dais. "What?" The wagon was perhaps eighteen feet long, and clearly built of Equestrian wood. The wheels were wood, with six spokes each, with rims adorned with something not unlike brass. A simple floral design graced the sides of the low wagon, while a Conestoga styled top was supported by upright bands. Traditional Equestrian spritelight lanterns hung from the side near the front. The wagon had harnesses for six Equestrian ponies. "This is a joke, right?" Ralph tried to smile, but his thin lips faltered when he realized that there was not a speck of humor to be found in Leo Reich's face. "Eighteen feet long by eleven high, made in Equestria, by Equestrians, adapted by us. Naturally. It features the first prototype trans-universal communications system based on principles we barely understand, and we have no idea if it will actually work." At this, Leo smiled. Briefly. Ralph shuddered. "The interior features compartments for hidden weapons designed for pony use, and a system of..." Reich found himself cut off, a very rare circumstance that quite took him aback. "Wait - now I know you are shitting me. Weapons? For ponies? The little fuckers may be stealin' our planet, but they aren't exactly the type to get into a rumble. I know. I've offed my share, and they'll kick and bite, they'll seriously fuck you up to protect their children, but even the unicorns won't use a machine pistol right in front of them. They've got fight, sure, but as a species, no balls, not even the stallions." Ralph was sweating, Ralph always sweated. Leonard studied the squat man dispassionately. Ralph felt like he was being considered for dissection. He wasn't far from wrong. "Sometimes, Mr. Vitoni, a pony is not always a pony." Ralph laughed. "Hey! That rhymes there! Good one, Leo. I didn't know you for the poetic type." There was something else, something trouble going on here, and Ralph was feeling the special feeling he would always get when it was time to run, only there was no place to run or hide in the huge, circular room. Leonard turned to the support trailer and spoke to the air "Send Mister Phillips out please." Ralph's face lit up with recognition. "Phillips? You got Phillips in there? Hey, Leo, that's a good man there. Damn. Phillips! The only bastard nearly as hard as me. Love the bastard. Hey! Phillips! It's me, Vitoni!" The door to the support trailer opened. Two bunny-suited techs pulled out a ramp and set it down. From out of the trailer ambled a pony. It was a ground-type stallion, dull red with a brown mane, and large pink eyes. It reached the bottom of the ramp and carefully turned, apparently still unsteady upon its legs. Ralph watched in mounting horror and disgust as the creature approached. The eyes were pink, but the expression was not kind, or fluffy or filled with friendship and laughter. The pink eyes were hard, the eyes of a killer who loved his work, and the muzzle was nightmarishly familiar. "No. Noooo. No, no, oh god no no no..." Ralph didn't want to admit what his brain was telling him, what his gut was shrieking at him "Oh fuck no. Not Phillips... oh Jeeze... fuck, not Phillips." The red stallion stared at Ralph from only a few feet away. "Fuck you too, you greasy sack of shit." Ralph stared at the pony. He stared at the creature's mouth. It had moved while those words had come out. The pony had said those words to him, and it had said them in Phillips usual, cruel voice. "Phillips... what... it's a robot, right? He's back in that trailer! Damn good job, Leo, damn..." Ralph reached out to touch the pony robot only to nearly have his fingers bitten from him. "Keep your filthy monkey paws to yourself, you damn, dirty ape. I know the kind of things you do with them." The pony wasn't a robot. It was alive. It was Phillips. It was still Phillips in there. "How... I don't understand... how is this..." Ralph was too shocked to put anything together, much less the pieces needed to comprehend what he was seeing. "We've duplicated - and improved - on the Worldgovernment's little attempt to stab Celestia in the back. Only we didn't end up with another P.E.R." Reich stared at Vitoni as if he were an object in the room. "We have cracked the 'Celestia Factor' that turned the Worldgovernment's best agents into puppets of that whore of Babylon. Conversion that retains the human capacity for violence and deceit, but also conversion without dreams." Ralph shook himself, trying to take it in. "What, you're telling me that you can make sleeper agents that don't change their allegiances? Phillips here still..." Ralph turned to the little stallion. "If you're really Phillips, what would you do if you were alone with Celestia, huh?" The red pony's face twisted into something that only a madman could call a grin. "Before or after I fucked her severed trachea?" Ralph slapped his own cheeks with both hands. "Goddamn. Just god fucking damn. That's my boy in there, that's Phillips. That is abso-fucking-lutely Phillips in there. Dammit, man, what the hell happened to you? Why did you let them do this to you? Shit... Phillips..." Leonard Reich motioned to the clean-suited techs. "Mr. Phillips volunteered for project Gypsy Traveller for the same reasons you will. Because it is the best single hope of ending Equestria forever. Because it will save the world and all of Mankind. Because it will put paid to that bitch Celestia and her entire cosmos in a single, bright - oh so very bright - new day." Ralph struggled against the technicians, but the Tranqui-Patch was already feeding relaxants into his neck. "But above all, Mr. Vitoni, you will do it because you are a man who cares deeply about his world, a man who is willing to sacrifice himself to save his race." Leonard Reich rarely smiled in a natural way. It was never good when he did. He was smiling, and it was not a false smile. "Fuck... fuuu... " Ralph was losing his ability to remain conscious, but he fought the encroaching dark with every bit of his formidable will "I'll... see... you... in... h-he-hel..." "Of that, Mr. Vitoni, I have no doubt." Reich waved the bunny-suits to take the squat man into the trailer. The pony Phillips followed them, laughing bitterly, but no less humorously. "But I think... you will feel the flames first." Ralph Vitoni briefly glimpsed another dais far behind the one containing the wagon. His mind was leaving him, and he could not be sure, but for all the world it looked like the platform held two partially completed quantum chromodynamic weapons, 'hypernukes' as the media had mislabeled them. He'd seen such weapons before, in Antarctica. The adrenaline shock briefly gave his fading mind a few seconds longer of consciousness. "I wan you guyse to nooo..." Ralph was unable to use his lips correctly, because they were numb. "...Iyam naw th' fogivin' type..." Then the blackness hit him, and no voice was calling. Inkwell carefully, slowly, willed the end of the ribbon through the loop held in her hornfield. The pale, silvery glow sparkled and rippled as she pulled the very tip of the ribbon so that the bow was completed. With a blast of held air from her nostrils, she finally relaxed, her hornfield collapsing, the glow fading. Success, at last! She turned her rump this way and that in front of the mirror, looking over her shoulders, down her back, admiring her work. The bright red ribbon with the enormous bow was tightly set at the base of her tail. Almost a little too tight, she felt the squeeze a bit in her tail muscles. Her horn glowed once more, and Inkwell carefully felt inside the coils of ribbon for a section that was not under stress. Performing an act impossible to fingers, she rippled the slack in the ribbon along its substance, until it was distributed such that the bow was just loose enough that her tail felt fine. The bow was snug - it would not fall off or slide down her tail, but not so tight as to constrict circulation. Inkwell had wanted to surprise Paige and Pet with the bow - not only to show off her increasing competence with her telekinesis, but also because she hoped they would like it on her. She dearly hoped one of the two might think it was cute, and not silly or something. She wiggled her flanks in the mirror, making her tail shimmy like a shiny black snake, and adjusted the bow so that it would be just right. Perfect! Her horn dark once again, Inkwell swung her crane-like neck back to the front, and spent some time bending and twisting it to get the kinks out of her muscles. Pony necks were long, flexible, and very muscular, their range of motion was surprisingly large, but looking back over her own rump had very nearly resulted in a neck cramp. She had managed to escape that particular sorrow so far, but this time she had come close, and it seemed clear that it was not a desirable thing to have happen. Inkwell swung her head close to the floor, and on a whim looked between her forelegs, her view upside down. She could see her tail hanging up to the floor, or so it seemed, and she could see her own flat bosom between her legs. 'Oh, that's different!' she thought, staring at her undercarriage. She understood the pony body schematic, she had certainly felt the new location of her breasts laying on the bed, but it was somehow different seeing her new configuration with her own eyes. She gave her tail another shake and watched as the plume of raven-black tail hair swished against the floor, upside down. The view was making her feel a little disoriented now, and a bit as if she might fall 'down' onto the ceiling, so she whipped her neck up bringing her head high and level. This action was ill advised, because the combination of G-forces and sudden change of scenery made her stagger on her hooves, which produced irregular clippy-clop noises until her head stopped feeling spinny. "Ooh, note to self - no whipping your head about like a cat-o-nine tails. Goodness!" Inkwell went to the bed and lay her head and neck down across the comforter for a bit. She pretended that the dark blue comforter was a vast ocean, and she was in a boat, floating on it. With her muzzle and eyes level with the surface, it was easy to perceive her own muzzle as the prow of a boat, and she found herself sliding her head across the fabric, pretending to traverse an imaginary ocean. Suddenly she stopped. "Luna's socks... I haven't done anything like this since I was a foal! Goofing about all silly like, playing pretend with myself... it's like I've gotten the stick out at the very least, and regressed to a second foalhood at the worst! What's happening to me?" She raised her head as she spoke the last, unsure of her own feelings. On one hoof she was having fun. On the other hoof, was that... alright to do? "Oh... you stopped! I was going to putter up next to you and call out 'Ahoy!'" Petrichor was standing at the doorway, smiling. Inkwell blushed, suddenly ashamed. She'd been caught being very silly indeed. She found herself staring intently at the comforter. "Hey! Hey! None of that - I sail the comforter sea myself, Inkwell! That blue looks just like the water in the pictures of Equestria. Hey..." Petrichor had walked from the door and laid her neck across Inkwell's withers, hugging her. "You're embarrassed? Come on! We're ponies now! We're supposed to have silly fun. I think it's actually in the Equestrian Canter or Constistallion or Magna Carthorse or whatever. Page three: 'All ponies must be silly and have fun, so sayeth me-ith, Celestia-ith of Equestri-ith!'" Inkwell giggled. "Sayeth me-ith, huh?" Pet's warm embrace felt wonderfully comforting. "So this is all very official-ith. I can trust you on the veracity of this matter then?" "Oh, absolutely. If you don't perform at least three hours of silly activities per day, oh... you are in so much trouble in Equestria. I think they sentence you to chocolate cream pie fights or something. It's pretty nasty. Sticky, at least. Best all around if you just get silly now, and make it a part of your routine. Saves on soap and towels." Inkwell swore she could sense the grin on Petrichor's muzzle. It was palpable. "Hee hee! I do feel... oh, I don't know... free, somehow. I've been feeling like a child again, it's like all the gloom and seriousness just got sucked right out of me." Inkwell and Petrichor parted as they raised their heads together. "Well, it can't be conversion euphoria, because that only lasts a few days at most." Petrichor motioned with a nod of her head and a jerk of her ears to follow into the kitchen. "So, I think it is a permanent thing. I think you just might be happy. And you know, that's OK. It's better than OK! It's how things should be. It happened to me too, though it took a little longer because I had rocks for brains. Just play and be silly, Inkwell! What's the point in being a pony if you can't gambol and prance like a silly filly, huh?" Paige sat at the table, with a little thin tablet of smartglass and a stylus. There were three cups set out, and a fresh pot of tea, Mr. Windsong's special stuff, the tea that he grows on the roof of what once was old the Morgan-Sachs Universal Bank. The high altitude is what he claims is the secret, though Paige had suggested that the real secret was two crates of soil from Equestria he had shipped in. In any case, the smell was wonderful. "Hi! Have a seat, Inks, we're having a little family meeting! Oh!" Paige got up and went to a cupboard, then returned with a plate and a bag. "Cookies! Gotta have cookies with family meeting tea. Try these, they're the ones I made the super-sly attempt to hide away on our last shopping trip. Autumn Glory makes them. They have a trace of a very special, magical jam in them. She got a jar sent to her by her pen pal near Canterlot. I hear tell they're something special." Inkwell sat on her little pillow at the low table, and sniffed the tea. "Oh, that does smell wonderful! I love Windsong's special tea!" Petrichor sat on her stool across the table, and took a cookie in her teeth. "Mmmm... oh wow... OK, this is special. It feels like sweet... electricity... in my mouth or something. This is amazing. Have you tried this already, Paigey?" "AHEM!" Paige sat up straight. "I call to order the... hmmm... I suppose the first official family meeting we've ever had, really, so... welcome, everypony!" Inkwell was confused, and let loose a nervous half-giggle, then took a sip of her tea. Petrichor took another cookie, clearly in love with the treat. "It has come to my attention... " Paige made a show of holding up her smartglass pad and pretending to check off points on the document currently loaded "...that we have arrived at quite a special date. Today marks the fourth week since the introduction of miss Inkwell Quillfeather - you did decide to go with the whole thing right?" Inkwell swallowed the last bit of cookie, her mouth abuzz with appley-electric sweetness. "Um..hmmm...." she took a sip of tea, so she could speak more clearly "...um yeah, sure, I guess. I have to admit it's kind of grown on me, so yes. The package deal, both names. Thank you by the way, Pet - I really like my new name. Names." Petrichor fluffed her wings proudly and sat up all self-important and proud. Inkwell stifled a laugh. Paige studied her glass. "Being that we of the first part do hereby and forthwith do therefore lastwith... by bandwidth in excelsius by way of Fresno... have come to the conclusion that ye of the third part - Oh! I guess that makes us the first AND second parts then - that ye of the third part, being one dead sexy black and ivory unicorn mare with a love of tea and cookies as is evident - see example A, there..." Paige pointed grandly at Inkwell leaning her head over to take another of the delicious magic cookies "... who goes by the rather lovely name of..." Paige smiled at Petrichor, who grinned back in return "... Miss Inkwell Quillfeather, have been found and judged to be of greatly companionable status and altogether delightful in every regard and metric available to us, the first and second parts - you do concur on these points my dear Pet?" Petrichor nodded vigorously while grinning like a maniac. Inkwell was even more lost, and had no idea what was going on, but the tea was good and the cookies were great, and in any case everything seemed happy enough. "So it is agreed then, by the first and second parts that the third part should henceforth - if it be her choosing to do so - consider herself another part which is appended to the first and second parts, in these here parts, where we are currently located, and not feel in any manner A-Part, but instead Be-Part of... well... us." Paige placed her smartglass down on the table, and looked gently at Inkwell, as did Petrichor. Inkwell found herself staring into the eyes of her hosts, who looked at her with great earnestness and some expectation. An uncomfortable pause followed. Was she supposed to respond somehow? Inkwell hadn't followed most of what Paige had said, though she had a vague notion that... "What we're trying to say is... we like you. A lot." Petrichor held out a hoof to Paige, who took it in her dark brown hands. "Every moment you've been with us, here, it just felt natural, you know? Despite what you may have heard in the marketplace, we don't let just anypony into our bed, and from the moment you crawled in on your first day, well, it's just been how things have stayed. That doesn't happen very often at all. That's rare. Really rare." "Um... are you..." Inkwell looked from Petrichor to Paige and back again. "We're proposing, Inks. Basically. Basically this is a proposal. Wanna get hitched?" Paige laughed at the last and Petrichor giggled and so did Inkwell because the whole thing was so absurd. "W-What? Are you having a go at me?" Petrichor held out a hoof across the table toward Inkwell, and Paige reached out her free hand. "No. No joke. You feel it too, don't you? You must!" Paige smiled. "It's like we've always been together, like it's only an irrelevant detail that you officially arrived four weeks ago. It feels like forever and never and like it was meant to be. We feel like family together, don't we?" "Is... is it OK? Can we do that?" Inkwell felt like her head was spinning. "DUH!" Petrichor was flailing with her hoof until Inkwell finally took it in the crook of her pastern. Her other hoof was held by Paige now. "I thought you were the well-read librarian. Traditional Equestrian families are groups, like equine harems from back when earth had horses, only with no patriarchal 'we gotta have a stallion' thing going on. Ponies naturally have group families, we ponies aren't the nuclear 'mom and pop and two-point-godawful children' sort like humans have made themselves into. In Equestria, couples are just considered to be a dating pair who aren't ready to really settle down yet because they have no third, fourth, fifth or sixth spouses." Paige nodded "But even if that wasn't true, we don't give a flying frog, do we love?" Petrichor shook her head as if she were trying to fling her eyeballs across the room. Inkwell's jaw dropped. "I... I don't know how this would... what is my role here... how do... do you expect...?" Petrichor giggled. "Calm down there. Hold your horses!" "PET!" Paige was not amused. "Sorry." Petrichor tried to look chagrined. "There's no pressure here. No one is expecting you to jump into our wild and crazy three ring sex circus - though honestly, how could you not, I mean, just look at me, and Paige, come on, she's gorgeous, and we've got toys literally coming out the..." "PEHHHTTTT!!!!" Paige had taken her hands back and used one to give the little brown pegasus a cuff on the poll. "Ow!" "What we're really saying is that we consider you family, and we hope you feel the same way about us. That's how things work now, as ponies. Family forms easily because there just isn't distrust in the way humans have it." Paige looked sad. "Well, there's me, but I am doing my best until I can earn my hooves." She made an effort and brightened. "The ground rules are simple: we're family. You don't do anything you don't want to, and if you never want to play with us in bed, you don't need to. There's no requirements, there are no expectations, and no demands. But, if you do decide to give yourself over to absolute pleasure, ahem, there's no jealousy either. Because we would be family, and we'd all be agreed on that point." Paige leaned over and gave Petrichor a kiss on the poll, which soothed the pony's grumbling for being cuffed. "Does that make any sense?" Inkwell stared at her hooves as they sat on the top of the table in front of her. She'd never been happier in all her life save here in this silly little flat. For four weeks she had been crawling into bed with these two amazing individuals, and snuggling to sleep as if it were the most ordinary and proper thing to do - as if she's been doing it her whole life. It was a unique and precious thing. Not once, since that first night, had she felt like a guest or a burden. In all of her experience, she had never felt anything like it. The fact was, she realized, she already thought of Paige and Pet as family. She wasn't sure exactly what family they were - sisters, lovers, aunts or mothers, or some of all at different times, but Paige and Petrichor were closer than anyone had ever been to her in her memory - except for grandfather Eachann who would have found all of this the work of the fairies to be sure. It wasn't that she couldn't go anywhere else - it would have been trivial to just escape to Equestria. In her new body, she could have done just that the second day after her conversion, if she'd wanted to. It would have been nothing - a trip across town to the Bureau, and then simply ask for resettlement. It was her right as a citizen of Equestria and a subject of the crowns. But she hadn't done that. She realized she couldn't even imagine doing that. Not without Paige. Not without Petrichor. She had been so afraid of the HLF, and yet she had stayed. She hadn't even thought otherwise, not until this very moment. It had just never been an option. Inkwell giggled, from nervous tension and release. What a bizarre thing! To just meet someponies and... fit. Just like that. Like they were waiting for you all along, and you had been waiting for them. Four weeks later, you just wake up and realize you've been family all that time and never even questioned it, because it just worked. "I... I think..." Inkwell felt fear. How could she say such a thing? Just like that? After only Four weeks? It was absurd. "I mean, I think that... what I mean is..." Paige leaned closer, a concerned look on her face. "What, hon?" Petrichor leaned in too. Inkwell swallowed and closed her eyes. Her heart beat hard in her chest. "I could have just left, off to Equestria, but it never crossed my mind. I could not for the life of me even think of being anywhere else. There's a whole universe out there, and easier and safer it is too, and yet I could only wish just to be here. I can't even imagine going there without you two. Every time we climb into bed I feel utterly safe and happy. When we're doing stuff, just little stuff - the dishes, mucking out the bathroom, folding the laundry, making lunch - I feel like I've always been here, with... with you." Inkwell squeezed her eyes shut harder, it felt easier that way. "I wake up in the morning, and my day is you. I go to sleep, and I smell... you two. I haven't had a thought that wasn't us, together, and the thought of going anywhere else feels like death to me. I guess... oh Celestia, it just seems goofy but... I can't come up with any other word for it but... that... I think, in some way, I don't know how... I just... I think that, simply put..." Arms and forelegs surrounded Inkwell, as she sat on her pillow, holding her tight. In her ear, she heard Paige whisper. "We love you too. Welcome home." And the tears were warm, and the tears were good, and the kisses that followed were even better.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Eleven: The Last Wish	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Eleven: The Last Wish The chemical cocktail was a heady mix of glucocorticoids, alpha-adrenergic agonists, 2,6 diaminopurine and advanced forms of propranolol and cortisol. The mixture waited for the transformation to be complete - it was the nightcap after a terrible wakefulness. The purpose was to prevent the formation of memory and thus to eliminate post-traumatic stress disorder. The gurgling screams and punctuating shrieks of agonized horror indicated the awful necessity of the after-conversion cocktail. The subject was undergoing complete ponification sans anesthesia. The thing that had once been Ralph Vitoni writhed and shook and squirmed and gurgled incomprehensible syllables. The sound of snapping bones and tearing muscles spoke of Vitoni's efforts to fight or flee the waking nightmare he was trapped within. As soon as one tendon snapped, it would be regenerated, as each muscle tore from the former man's violent reaction, it sealed shut again, instantly growing together. The little nanomachines and their etherial ghosts had their work cut out for them, and there was a frightening chance they might fail altogether. "Introduce a degree of paralysis into the mix - he's a fighter!" The technician wore a white, clean-room bunny suit with a transparent window in the head to peer out of. He worked quickly, jabbing steel-tipped tubes and sensors into the doughy mass that only minutes ago had been a middle-aged man of Italian descent. "Keep that goddamn wire in his brain!" There were four tableside technicians, all in cleansuits, standing around the squirming, screaming mass on the metal table. They were overseen by a fifth bunny-suited techie ensconced in a room at the back of the trailer. Already the former human's arms had become rounded bulbs, the skin white as snow, pulsing and rippling like an ocean of milk. "I need to make sure he doesn't enter REM. The bastard enters REM, and we have to burn him! Keep the wire in!" "I'm trying! He keeps rejecting it!" The swarm of nanomachines worked tirelessly, powered by arcane energies from another universe. They pushed anything foreign or artificial out of the forming pony body. In a container to the side sat the implants and permatech that Ralph Vitoni had acquired after a lifetime within his age - the holographic chronometer that had once been bonded to the ulna of his left arm, the skull port that had allowed him to directly access the hypernet and skulk through virtual reality, the deluxe NewLiver unit that had saved his life and been a gift of a wealthy corporate lord who had made use of his unique talents. One of the technicians had noted the inscription on the artificial organ and laughed. "Drink one for me, Ralphy V!" A fifth technician sat in the back of the trailer and watched monitors both holographic and antique. He was checking to see if at any point the subject on the table entered, even for a second, any kind of dreamlike state. Such a state would signal communion with Celestia, the eldritch abomination from beyond time and space. Should that happen, Ralph Vitoni's life would become instantly forfeit, for he could never be trusted to work for the good of his former race alone. "More calories, we need more fat and protein, too!" While the wires jabbed into Ralph's shifting brains monitored that he remained conscious, the tubes provided the overworked nanomachines with extra raw materials to make up for the former human's agonized contortions. "And more potion, too!" Converting a human agent in this manner took far more than three ounces of the purple nanofluid. It was an expensive effort to create a fully functional sleeper agent whose loyalties had not switched. Initially, Ralph's brain had been infused with an artificial RNA transcriptase complex bound to a nanomachine agent. The initial treatment had prepared his neurons by closing off receptor sites that 'potion' would use to gain entry in order to alter specific regions of his brain, such as the amygdala and thalamus. This would prevent Ralph from being cured of his useful psychopathy and vicious temper. He would not lose his ability to kill, or torture or harm, and he would not gain either conscience or compassion. Ralph would remain the man he had always been, inside of the body of an Equestrian. By eliminating communion with Celestia, the error of the Worldgovernment in trying to do the very same thing would be prevented. Ralph would have no conversion dream, he would not be fed the treacle lies of that alien monster, he would not sell his human allegiance in exchange for the ridiculous paradise the equinoid creature offered. He would remain a dog loyal to racially pure human masters, as he should be. Hooves, brown and shiny, burst through the bulbs at the end of the shrieking pony's forming limbs. The most critical phase was beginning now, as the eyes were dissolved and absorbed, so that new, better eyes could replace them. Inside the waxy, rippling mass, temporary vasculature and biomechanical scaffolding held tissues away from the rapidly forming eyes. Soon, the grapefruit-sized orbs would float to the top of the living sea of flesh, and take their place as skull formed around them, and muscles and connective tissue anchored them. It was during this time that Ralph Vitoni would be most likely to lose consciousness and enter a forced REM sleep, despite the unimaginable pain he was suffering. "Stimulant!" More chemicals slid down the tubes into the increasingly pony-shaped body on the table. The technicians gloved hands worked frantically to keep the tubes and wires from being pushed out. The eyeless body jerked and spasmed as the powerful excitotoxin forced it to neverending consciousness and a state of constant panic. The amount would have killed normal neurons, but Ralph's neurons were being repaired even as they were being overstimulated, thanks to the army of tiny, submicroscopic machines working ceaselessly. Finally, Ralph's new eyes found their proper place, and the shape of his new, pony skull began to solidify. "We're good, no REM! Copy? No REM! We have a keeper, so far!" The technician monitoring the transformation was excited, he had lost three in a row the past week, and was on notice. He needed this one to work. "We have awn hairs... looks like he's going to be brown, brown, brown. Um... maybe cut back the calories, we've got some precompletion fat forming... he's gonna be a chubby little pony right from the start." The technician at the table prodded the shaking, panting abdomen with a blue-gloved finger. "You're a little fatty, ain't ya! Hey, little fatty, fatty, fatty!" "You're in trouble if this bastard remembers that. He's a vicious one, according to Reich." Another of the white-suited techs jammed a wire deeper into the brown pony's head. "He won't. Worst experience of his life, and he won't remember a moment of it. That's what that's for." The prod-happy technician jabbed a digit at the 'cocktail cylinder' and grinned beneath his suit's transparent window. The bunny suit in the monitor room checked a parameter and pressed a square on the active surface in front of him. "OK! Looks good, looks good, he's basically cooked, so pull the plugs and dose him. We're done here." He crossed his fingers for luck, the blue neoplastic squeaking as he did so. The four technicians at the table inside the trailer began pulling the wires and tubes out of the brown pony. The pony was almost complete - mane and tail were rapidly spooling out from the body, while a mature coat sprouted between the initial awn hairs. The bunny-suits removed every tube but one - and down that now flowed the chemical cocktail that would prevent permanent memories from forming for the next few hours. Ralph Vitoni had suffered more pain than any human being in the history of mankind, but he would not be permanently crippled psychologically by a bit of it. The experience would be washed clean, along with whatever thoughts and curses he may have screamed during his torment. By tomorrow, after a long sleep, Ralph would be completely unaware of what he had gone through, and he would be still capable of human violence, and in a triumph of the HLF over even the Worldgovernment, he would be utterly untouched by even the faintest whisper of the eternal grace, forgiveness, and compassion of princess Celestia of Equestria. Inkwell had spent the morning bothering Ace Bandage, the medical unicorn, to the point of distraction. She had showed up at his apartment, and grilled him about how to get her hooves on potion for Paige. Inkwell had reasoned that the unicorn intern would be the most likely pony she knew to have connections, contacts, or maybe a working security key card to the hospital. "I'm quit, Inkwell, they won't likely even let me through the doors at this point. If it weren't for the automatic change of citizenship conversion brings they'd have the Blackmesh after me. I stole that potion, just up and took it, and I feel so guilty you can't... I mean, I'm glad I did it, I'd do it again in an instant, you're alive, right? But... I just feel guilty because I did steal it. I've sent six hypermails trying to apologize as it is!" Inkwell understood. Conscience was an loud taskmaster as a pony, far more so than as a human. The drive to be fair and do what was right, to be honest and true was very strong. "Thank you Ace. Thank you for doing that, I know it cost you, but I am very grateful for my life. Please try to let it go - that emergency potion was for emergencies, right? It was an emergency!" Ace shuffled his hooves. "Yeah, I know. It was, you were... bad off. It had to be done. It's just that, the very first week, they really hammered home the rule that hospital materials were for paying customers and staff only. Only, only, ONLY. They really were a pretty selfish bunch, and I kind of feel bad for going along with it all too. I feel guilty for stealing from them, and bad for having worked there for so long. Gah!" Inkwell tried any other angle she could think of - did Ace know of any other sources of potion? Was there some connection a medical unicorn might have with the Bureaus themselves that could help? Did he know of a way to contact the PER and beg them for potion? Was there any other connection he might have with the Worldgovernment that... Oh. Inkwell herself had a sort of special connection all on her own. She had been part of the LAASTT project as a human. The Literature And Arts Survival Triage Team was a project of the Propaganda and Infotainment Ministry, and that was definitely up there in the government. Plus... she had also secretly been a member of the Underground Bookmobile. That was sponsored by princess Luna herself! Surely one or either of those connections should lead to acquiring potion to help Paige! The problem was... Inkwell was still effectively hiding out. The HLF couldn't find her, that was clear, because they hadn't. Her sudden and under-the-radar change of life had effectively rendered her utterly invisible to them. But that could last only as long as she made no contact with her previous life. The second anything connected her to her life as Gwen, the baddies would be on her tail, possibly literally, now that she had one. Her single best lead on potion would have to be the one thing that could get her caught. And being caught by the HLF was not an option - not just because that notebook held dangerous things that might help them, but also because it would hurt Paige and Pet to lose her. Plus they might get hurt too, themselves. It was so annoying! If only she could get word to Luna, she could... oh. Oh sweet chocolate it was right there, wasn't it? In the little lock-box, the self-mailing magic scrolls. Sign on the line, and green fire sent them straight to Luna herself. Nopony she knew had ever used one, but they were there - all the Underground Bookmobile groups had a few. To provide information on hidden book caches. To warn of immanent discovery of the project. For emergencies. It was so, so tempting. But they'd be watching, wouldn't they? The HLF would never take their little spy eyes off that building, now that they knew what it was. They would be waiting for 'Gwen' to return there, because that is where she had escaped from. They'd be silly not to watch that warehouse from now until the end of the world, which was just four years away. Of all the places on all the earth, that was the one place Inkwell realized she must never go. A thousand novels and stories drifted through the little unicorn's mind. In each and every one, the protagonist always ends up going to the one place they absolutely must not go, sure that they could get away with things, and always caught and menaced by whatever was after them, because that was the way with drama. Unless ponies did foolish, foolish things, where could all the frightening captures and terrifying escapes come from? Sensible just wasn't good storytelling, now was it? Inkwell laughed, as she continued the thought, on the way downstairs to the street. This was clearly the place in her own personal saga where it was expected that she should make a terrible decision, driven by the need to help her new friends and lovers, to help her family - oh what a fine motivation that was, always a favorite in stories - and thus end up putting herself and everypony in exciting and terrifying peril! This was the point in the story where she would surely be captured and her friends would have to risk their lives - and prove their love - attempting to rescue her and what a load of horseapples and drama to be double chocolate cursed because Inkwell Quillfeather the unicorn would have not a bit of any of that. Inkwell stomped her hoof on the dirt road outside the apartment. 'No! I'll have none of that! Those mystic scrolls can sit right there till doomsday, because that warehouse is the last hoofing place you will ever find the likes of me!' She grinned at that. Being a librarian and a lover of stories gave her an advantage, she reckoned, because in knowing what was the dramatic thing to do, she had an edge in knowing what to avoid. In real life, drama was nothing but pain and sorrow. Drama was always to be avoided in real life. Leave it for the silly stories. So, she pondered as she passed the Parking Lot Farm - it used to be the apartment's main lot, until the earthponies got to it - what would be the least dramatic way to get potion for Paige? Hmmm... she thought... well, where is there potion to be had? There was the Bureaus, obviously. There was always talk of increases in potion availability, but the fact was that unless you lived near a Bureau in a high-priority zone, you were lucky to get in. It had been obvious since the beginning that not every last human on the earth could be saved. The scale of the matter was just too large. It was terrible and sad. That said, Bureaus did have potion in them. The PER, the Ponification for the Earth's Rebirth, they had potion, sometimes more than the Bureaus. Nopony knew where they got it, but there were rumors of secret factions within the Elite supporting them, and a huge secret base somewhere in the NorthAmerizone. There were even rumors that they had a means to make potion themselves, somehow. There were always rumors about everything. Hospitals had potion, that was how she herself had been saved. But they clearly were not just giving the stuff out freely. At least not here. The Taikonauts, up in the Friendship Station, they had potion, but not even a pegasus could fly in vacuum. There was no hope there to ask for a nice cup of the purple from near earth orbit. The Blackmesh. They probably had emergency potion kits, just like the hospitals did. Blackmesh troops faced dangers, they could be mortally wounded, conversion was a swift universal cure for all wounds. The thought crossed Inkwell's mind what it would take to beg the Blackmesh to spare a dose. It wouldn't hurt to try, she supposed. The worst they could do was boot her out and tell her no. The elite had potion, no doubt, but they were further removed than the Taikonauts up in orbit. Who else? Anypony else? Gwen had potion. Inkwell startled at the thought. Her old self had a guaranteed ticket to Equestria. All the government workers got that, even Green-Level. Guaranteed. Any Bureau had to honor it. Paige could walk in and claim to be her former self, and get converted. And the Bureaus were protected by the Blackmesh! No, that wouldn't work. The doors scanned everypony that entered. It would never work. The A.I.'s could not be fooled. Every metric of a person was their living identification. Pretending to be someone else was a trick for a long lost age before Universal Security Awareness. "What's the matter?" It was an earthpony stallion, one of the Parking Lot Farm group. He must have noticed Inkwell standing at the corner, staring off into space, or more precisely, at the dirt, looking dejected. "Can I help at all?" Inkwell felt a brief warmth in her heart. That was the way with ponies. Just like that, 'can I help?' - and they meant it too. "I have a..." Inkwell smiled "... a spouse... that needs to get converted. She's tried and tried, and it's just never worked out. I want to help her so much and... I don't know how." "Ah! You're the one I've seen out and about with Paige and Pet for the last two months, aren't you? So you've become family now - good on ya! Congratulations!" The gray and blue stallion grinned through the dust and dirt on his muzzle. He'd been working hard to grow an entire field of strawberries by the end of the day. "Thank you. Yes... it's Paige. She wants to go pony so badly, but there's a shortage of potion. She's tried everything - she's on the waiting list to get on the waiting list for the Bureau, and she's even tried to contact the PER! It's terrible how hard it is to get your hooves on three little ounces when you really need it." Inkwell sighed. "I don't know where to get potion, I wish I did. I was part of the first wave of potion when the Bureau first opened. They had a lot, initially, which is where most of the ponies around here got their hooves. But it's become scarce lately. It's the HLF, doncha know - they blew up the storage facility down south and now they can't distribute it fast enough, that's the real problem. Oh, there's potion, just not here, not in quantity. We're not exactly a big deal Zone, you know." The earthpony stallion flicked his tail. "Tell you what though - I can't get you purple, but I can get you some red - red strawberries. I should have these fruits mature by sundown - I'll set aside a box for you and yours, it's the least I can do. I'll have it sent up, later, right? It's not the answer to your needs, but strawberries are always happy, right?" Inkwell couldn't help but smile. "You are nothing but kindness... um... I don't even know your name. I'm Inkwell, by the way." "Fourleaf. Fourleaf Clover - and before you go 'oh, that's a twee name' I'll have you know that I didn't pick it out of desperation or lack of imagination. When I was really young, I actually found one. A living clover, and it had four leaves." Inkwell stared. The earth was nearly dead now. Grasses and clovers were believed extinct, along with most life other than the odd dandelion, cockroaches and mutated rats. And whatever plants the elite had squirreled away in Antarctica or in guarded malls. "Really, a real clover?" The fact of seeing a clover at all outweighed the fact of it having four leaves. "Yes, a proper clover." The stallion looked briefly sad "And, much to my shame, I picked it. I was young, and I only knew what my grandmother had told me - that four-leaf clovers bring luck, and you can make a wish if you pick them. I've often wondered if I picked the very last clover on earth. It's troubled me my whole life. " "What did you wish?" Inkwell couldn't help but be curious. "You'd never believe it if I told you." "Yes, I would. I promise." Inkwell meant it. Whatever the wish, she would believe it. There was no reason to doubt such a nice pony! "I'd been reading old cowboy books. My grandmother had some in a trunk, in the attic, see." The stallion pawed at the dirt with a hoof and grinned to himself. "I wished for a pony." Inkwell laughed and Fourleaf laughed and it did seem like the sort of a wish a human foal would make. "I guess I got my wish. Looking around... " the stallion gestured with a foreleg "...there's pretty much nothing but ponies now. If it was the last clover on earth, it must have had all the power of every clover that ever was or could be within it, because Equestria appeared and, well, how do you do, miss pony?" "Now that's a thought, isn't it?" Inkwell had a moment of wonder and wildness "What if the emergence of Equestria, the Bureaus, all of this right now, all of it happened because of a wish on the very last truly lucky clover? What a notion! Someone should write a story about that!" This made Fourleaf laugh again and then look concerned. "If I did somehow do it, if that wish called all of this into being... well, that's a bit of a burden on me, isn't it? Was it the right wish, do you think?" Inkwell flicked her tail and felt the slap against her hocks. It felt wonderful, so she did it again. She stomped her right hoof down, and felt how solid she felt on her four strong legs. She thought of her new family, and how grateful she was of them. She thought of magic and how incredible and wonderful it was to simply use it at all! And she thought of the newly greened earth, saved from the ravages of pollution and population and exploitation. An earth gradually being renewed, if only for a few years. "If that wish did create all of this, then Fourleaf - " Inkwell regarded him with gratitude " - I think you are the true savior of the world and every living thing left upon it. You didn't waste the last wish on earth one bit. Thank you, good mister Clover, for making exactly the right wish!" This made Fourleaf look briefly misty, before he regained himself. "You'll have strawberries tonight, miss Inkwell. Everypony knows where Paige and Pet live - and now you. 'Better be getting back to work then. I hope you find your potion!" As the stallion ambled back to his fields, Inkwell thought to herself 'I hope so too. I dearly hope so too.' Around the corner, across the street, deep in the shadows, a pony watched. He leaned against the wall of the building, a pair of saddlebags slung across his pudgy brown body. He tried to walk, but stumbled and slammed against the wall with a thud and a grimace. He tried once more, and managed to keep his hooves, though he swayed a bit. "Stupid goddamn 'tards, always check the goddamn hospitals. Always. It's not fucking rocket surgery. Counting beans and protein and whatever shit - just check the goddamn hospitals if you want to find out if anything fucked-up has happened. Jesus, what a bunch of cazzaros." The pudgy brown earthpony watched where the ivory and black mare went, and then staggered back into the alleyway, into the shadows. "Fuck these goddamn clumsy hooves, too. Fare una figura di merda..." Later, that evening, snuggled between her two wives, Inkwell used her horn to neatly turn through the pages of the notebook. Reading the 'Forbidden Notebook' had become a family ritual for the three, and Petrichor would not be satisfied without even a short reading from the thing. "Wait! Go back!" Paige pointed at the notebook, as it rested between Inkwell's forelegs. "What? Where?" Inkwell's hornfield held a page upright in mid turn. "Back a page, or two!" Inkwell used her magic to flip back first one page, and then another. "Stop! That's it! Look!" Petrichor crawled forward, so that her head was even with Inkwell's. She stole a quick kiss. "It's a map. Cool. I like maps. They give a sense of place, you know?" "That's... hmmm... that has to be Canterlot Castle - I don't know of any other big castle in Equestria." Inkwell studied the hand-drawn map. "That has to be the plinth or whatever where Celestia raises the sun. And look - that dotted line - that's the path that Mule Two must have taken. Redhead the Author must have tried to make a map of the locations from the video tour. Probably to try to understand things better!" Page was leaning over now, her head also close. She too stole a kiss. "That... that looks like a maze. You think the princess has a garden maze, like they used to have in the old days?" "Why not? Equestria has all sorts of plants and life, why not a maze garden? Oh, look!" Inkwell pointed with her hoof "Those must be statues - see? They all have little bases on them. Pony statues! Only makes sense, for a garden, I guess. Maybe they are statues of famous ponies from history." "Except for that one. What the swirl is that? A snake statue?" Petrichor couldn't make out what the drawing represented. "Maybe it's a dragon? Equestria has other species than ponies. I'll bet it's a dragon. Our Redhead just did the best she could. Dragons are complicated, that's all." Inkwell tried to be diplomatic about it. "Hey... check it out - everything is to scale. She really is a scientist! The whole thing is gridded, and at the edges she has scale and direction values. She really tried to be precise about this. I'm impressed." Petrichor sniffed at the map. "ooh... she was eating chocolate when she drew this. Chocolate would be nice to go with these." Pet bent her neck back and brought the basket of strawberries forward, and placed them beyond the book, so everypony could have some. Inkwell levitated a pair of berries out of the basket, and carefully directed one near Paige's mouth, and one right into Petrichor's. "You are really getting good at that, you know?" Paige opened her palms and Inkwell let the strawberry drop. It was not an issue to use her hornfield on, around, or even inside Petrichor's body, but the same was not true for Paige. Inkwell did not want to burn her with thaumatic energy by accident, especially in her mouth. Paige gobbled the berry, smiling around the delicious fruit. "OK, the map is cool and all, but I want to hear another entry!" Petrichor was petulant. "Yes, yes, princess Petrichor must have her story. Read on, Page Inkwell!" "No, you're Paige. I'm Inkwell!" The ivory unicorn grinned. "Silly filly. You know what I meant." Paige scritched behind Inkwell's right ear. "Oh. Ohhhhh..... um... storytime can wait... just a bit... oh my sweet Celestia." Inkwell's eyes were shut in pleasure. "Oh, right there, yes, yes...." Petrichor sighed. "Well, if there's free ear-scratching going on, then I'm next in line!" "Help! Help!" Paige looked griefstricken "I'm being held captive, a slave to the carnal pleasures of itchy-eared ponies!" Inkwell and Pet giggled. Inkwell used a commanding voice. "Yes. Yes you are. Scratch harder, Mistress!" Pet looked perturbed. "Inkwell... you... what is it with you and 'topping from the bottom'?" Inkwell sighed. "I can't be expected.... to... to... get my terms... correct... with this level of ear scritchies... going on." Pet grinned. "Scratch her well, my human slave! Then you can do me!" "We'll see about that attitude later, PET." Paige stressed the last word carefully. "Promise?" Said Petrichor.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Twelve: Recombinant 22	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Twelve: Recombinant 22 Project Bucephalus - Laboratory 012 April 16th We are up to R-22 now. My diddling with the instruction set and the biomolecular manipulators was helpful, so I feel good about that, but, sadly, not one of my designs survived intact. By the time my work got back from the review and reiteration teams, it was difficult to find anything I had personally done. Still, I solved the problem of the mitochondrial issue, so I can take some pride in that. Sadly, though, I will never get an actual credit for it, that will go to the team that finally made it all work right. But, hey, my idea at least was valid. It was pretty simple, really, I thought. Animal cells are actually two cells coexisting. Sometime back in the primeval soup, one cell ate another and couldn't digest the poor thing, so they set up housekeeping. Over time, the devoured cell lost parts of its genome that accomplished what the larger cell did, and the larger cell lost the parts of its genome that covered the job its houseguest did. They both kept their own reproduction separate, though, and that was the problem. My solution was to append the mitochondrial DNA to the human genome, thus eliminating the old alliance entirely. So, one of the first steps in conversion is to betray the ancient deal with the mitochondria and make them superfluous. That makes human cells vastly more similar to Equestrian cells, and solves the problem of the nano's choking on the double workload. It also makes the tissues vastly more compatible with each other. I guess the best way to put it would be to say that my solution was to make human cells look more like how they should look if humanity had indeed had some intelligent creator designing it, instead of the haphazard mess that evolution made. With that done, the reconstruction of the body becomes much simpler and smoother. The NorthEurozone group furthered this by streamlining the human genome to a basic, functional minimum as well, getting rid of all the little inclusions. Human DNA is littered with bits of ancient viruses, bacteria, and temporary fixes for countless problems. There is no malaria in Equestria, for example, so we can just dump the hemoglobin variant Hb S with extreme prejudice. The same goes for countless little memorabilia of the human passage through time. They used a linked group of quantum machines to work out the ideal human genome, and it is small. I am shocked at how small the thing is. We picked up a LOT of garbage over the eons. Of course, our new Ideal Genome, if we made a baby out of it, would be a marvel that would last about three days before dying of something - anything - in the world. Perfection can't survive the thousand slings and arrows of uncaring Nature. Fortunately, once a human subject has had a DNA oil-change, they only have to stay alive for about a half an hour. The EastAsiaZone group thinks we can bring conversion down to fifteen minutes. I will believe it when I see it. We started calling the iterative steps R steps. Recombinant Steps. The first five were pretty pathetic. Back then, we were nowhere close to converting a whole human being, of course. But we could convert sections. They've adapted a nanofabrication plant somewhere in the Eurozone, I think in what used to be Belgium, but I don't know for sure, where they build us living, part-humans. Last week we got a torso, nearly complete. Legs and arms are easy to come by, heads take forever, and of course the brain inside is simple, unwrinkled, and silent. Thankfully, of course. R-11 through R-14 were golden moments - we nearly successfully converted several of those heads right then, and we found we could easily get 100% conversion on the limbs. Forget kidneys, like when we started - nothing beats seeing a leg convert, or the best of all, a head. Converting the head has been the toughest issue. The basic structure of Equestrian and hominid physiology is close enough that most of conversion, once the cells are altered, is basically rearrangement. The parts are all the same, eerily so. These Equestrians are not alien. Not in the way you would expect from a creature from another universe. I am robustly convinced now that Celestia and Luna constructed their biosphere based on examinations of ours, and that they based the Equestrian form on a weird blend between primate and equine. I cannot explain what we are seeing any other way. I've tried to get some confirmation of this - I've even sent a message directly to the Equestrian embassy and another to Celestia herself - but there has been no response. I am not alone in my conclusion. It is blatant, I think, when one is dealing with things at this scale. I have heard a story. It came from Buttercream, one of our resident ambassadors to Lab 12. She told us about Equestrian history. I am not sure she was supposed to tell us what she did - she disappeared for a week after telling us, recalled to the embassy, and seemed shaken when she returned. She has been a great deal less forthcoming since. According to her, Equestria has only existed as it currently is for a thousand years. We are unsure if this is factual - some cultures, like the ancient Chinese, used to magnify or shrink values by a factor of ten for political reasons when recounting history, so it may have been more like ten thousand years. We didn't press the point, but there were aspects that made us wonder. In any case, at least a thousand years ago, there was no Equestria. And by no Equestria, I mean literally that there was no physical land, no sky, no world, no place. According to Buttercream, there was a terrible age where reality itself was swirling chaos. The princesses were the playthings of a creature that sounds like an elder god from the tales of H.P. Lovecraft, though a trickster god, rather than an overtly malevolent one. The princesses beat this creature, and were then faced with a cosmos devoid of order. Now here is where it all feeds into our theories in Lab 12 about the nature of Equestrian biology. Buttercream claimed that the princesses looked into other worlds and drew order from them to make Equestria. My mind instantly leapt to the idea that they must have been peeking at our world, if any of this is true, and built themselves a version of what they saw or perceived. I seriously think that this may be the only rational explanation for how our nearest neighbor in the multiverse has so very much in common with us. And, despite the different construction of matter, it has almost everything in common with us. It is just too overwhelmingly close to be otherwise. Equestria is a copy of earth. Improved, fixed, artistically reinterpreted, but without any doubt in my mind, cribbed from our universe. This assumption explains everything we are seeing, the fact conversion is possible at all, and perhaps even why Equestria is here to save our bacon. Maybe the princesses feel they owe us. And they are saving our bacon. I found out just how close to the brink we are, here on earth. In short, most of the economically accessible energy and manufacturing resources of the planet have been depleted. Oh, there is tons of stuff down there, we just don't have the energy or resources to go get it. And space is out for the same reason - we don't have the resources to begin any real push in that direction. The biosphere is shot. It's far worse than I imagined. If the public knew just how bad things really are, they would panic. It would be chaos. Earth is on life support. If Equestria had not arrived, the best estimates are that humanity would live for possibly two more generations before extinction. Humanity is grandchildren away from the end of the road. Finding this out has spurred my drive to work harder to make conversion succeed. It is literally our last chance. If we fail this, humanity fails life itself. Nature only has pass-fail grading, so - we need to win. By the time we got to R-18, we were beginning to sweat. We had reached stagnation. We could mostly convert heads - the secret was to build a great deal of temporary scaffolding and support structures inside the cranial mass. But then things just failed. The nanobots became lost in the complexity, and we couldn't get them to finish the job. Basically, we failed, because the eye problem was too hard, and the neurological integrity issue seemed hopeless. So, in desperation, we decided to beg the ancient unicorns on level three for help. Three days later we got what we needed, the majority of it woven into the etherial program that lives inside the nanomachines - the machine geists. Here's the interesting part. The grouchy unicorns claimed that the solution had been designed and created by the other princess, princess Luna herself. The way they treated the issue, it was as if they expected us to bow down in humble supplication for this special grace. I know very little about the other princess. But if she is at all the equal of Celestia, then I think my teammates do not fully grasp what just happened there. Later, I went down to level three on my own. They are creepy, I cannot stress that enough. They are old, the oldest Equestrians any of us have been allowed to see, and quite large and imposing too. They are not little cute unicorns. Some of them have little tufts of hair on their chins, and all of them are shades of white or gray. I begged entry, and they allowed it. I was not very erudite. I think I annoyed them with my stuttering and rambling, but I tried to put across something of what I have learned about what Celestia and Luna are, what they represent, and that I was grateful for their help - and that above all I understood what a profound thing such direct assistance was. That actually got me a nod of approval from the older female that seems to lead the group. I looked her up, her name translates out to Comet Tail, and she is apparently the head of whatever team in Equestria studies P-Tec. Spells, basically. I guess she is the grand sorcerer or wizard of Equestria, something like that. That nod made my day. Nobody else has gotten any acknowledgement out of the ancient creatures to my knowledge. I don't think Comet Tail and I will be sharing lunch any century soon, but - basically I felt better after that minor connection. So with the apparent help of Luna herself, we got past the block we had at R-18 and moved to our great success. The R-20 attempt. R-20 was our first effort to convert an entire, cohesive body. Truth be told, the body in question was a chimera, built up of separate components from the biofab center essentially woven together. 'Patchwork Bob' was quite a sight when he was delivered. Every limb was a different skin color, and the head lacked teeth. But it was alive, if you can call cells respirating life, and Bob had every organ except the appendix and testes, and he even could breath on his own. It was a true Frankenstein moment. It took ten ounces of nanofluid pumped through old Patchwork, along with nutrients and support chemicals, but he changed from a human-ish body into a proper earthpony mare. That's the new official name for the ground-types. They walk on soil and deal with agriculture, so the label is 'earthpony'. It's a little confusing, I thought, because it almost sounds like they are Earth ponies, that is to say native terrestrial equines, but I am not in charge of the names here. The result was a brain-silent, bright pink earthpony with long, flat, bright pink hair. Mane. Tail. We didn't expect the result to be conscious, and a good thing it wasn't too, because we made an error in the routine that handles removing the temporary scaffolding and so the creature died within hours. But it worked. It looked like a native pony, with every component intact and in place. Oh, we whooped and cheered over that, though we all felt sad when the thing finally perished. Not that there was any other better end for it - there wasn't any awareness in it, it was just a mass of cells. Still, it's easy to anthropomorphize things, and we had given the result a name - 'Pink Lady'. We shouldn't have done that, really, that just made everything harder. We also lost our medical unicorn - I never knew his name - over this. He was brought in to verify that Pink Lady was a complete pony. He started doing whatever it is he does - his horn glows, and little patches of light appear on the body, as if scanning it - and suddenly he just stopped. He walked up to Pink Lady and placed a hoof on its barrel and said some words in his native language. He then announced that he was quit with the project, and that he wanted to go home. He seemed visibly shaken, almost as if he was going to cry. I talked with him while he was waiting on the old unicorns on level three. They come and go as they please, and they can take others with them. I tried to comfort the stallion - I felt someone, at the very least, should - and asked him what he had said over Pink Lady. He told me that it was a thing they say when a pony dies. He tried to translate it for me, because I think he could tell that it bothered me too. I admit I kind of got attached to the R-20 attempt because we made the mistake of giving it a name. Big error that. The basic jist was something like "I will run with you, I will run beside you, and if you should stumble, I will wait for you, and together we will find the greenest fields, and eat the greenest grasses, and be together, loved by the sun." I think that was it, as best as I can remember. It made me tear up, and I didn't really know why. He seemed to appreciate that it affected me, and gave me a hug - my first hug from an Equestrian. And then he went in, because the old unicorns were ready, and the door shut. We were informed in a memo that we will get a new unicorn medic on Monday. Judging from his reaction to the kidneys, I can only guess that Pink Lady had a lot more of that strange 'thickness' he was talking about. Maybe too much. We still do not know why the result was female. Patchwork Bob was male, the nanofluid should have built a stallion. We have six Equestrian genomes sequenced now, so we have a wide variety, and we have incorporated the unique elements of all six to cover every variation. It should have made a stallion. That said, it was still a success. I would NOT want to have the current serum used on me, mind you, but we are really advancing at an incredible speed here. Of course, we are getting constant help from the other side, from Equestria, and they have knowledge and powers way beyond us. I am not sure how much of our conversion in R-20, 21, and the latest, R-22, is our technology or Equestrian spell weaving - I cannot think of it otherwise, 'P-TEC' just sounds stupid now - but at least the process shows promise. R-20 produced a pink mare. We tried with Patchwork Bob-2, 'the Re-Bobbening' as Mayoss called it, and got a purple unicorn mare. It too, lived only a few hours, for the same reason. According to the autopsy, the temporary scaffolding failed to deconstruct. R-21, on Bob-3 resulted in a yellow pegasus mare. Always mares. However, an analysis on sections of R-21's brain finally revealed the problem. The nanobots were struggling to keep the brain alive, but the brain did not have any astrocytes or glial cells. Nobody noticed until R-21. We had no reason to think that was the problem, we trusted the nanofab group. Astrocytes and glial cells work to keep neurons alive - they remove wastes, clean up excess neurotransmitters, and generally do support and grooming work. Without them, neurons perish, poisoned in their own wastes. The nanomachines were not removing the biomechanical scaffolding, because the artificial vasculature was trying to compensate for the missing astrocytes. The nanofab guys got a raking over the coals, and the next chimeric body we got had everything intact. Even testes. It was complete, so we called it 'Total Bob'. This became Recombinant-22 in the series. We inserted tubes and began conversion, late in the evening, almost midnight. Total Bob had a fully loaded brain, scans showed it even had a few wrinkles in it! We started the flow, and conversion began. The limbs became pony legs, the tail extended from the spine without a hitch. So-yeon had added some additional code just hours before Total Bob arrived to correct a problem with cervical fusion, so she was ecstatic that the tail was coming in correctly now. The head went pony smoothly, and we even got correct eyes with no irregularities. But the best part was the scaffolding entirely dissolved and reabsorbed, leaving a perfectly formed, though mindless, pony body. It was another pegasus mare, blue this time, with the most colorful and wild mane we had ever seen. It was quite a sight. The body lived until the higher-ups decided to terminate it for dissection, and I personally think it could have been kept alive indefinitely, not that anyone would want to do such a thing, of course - but the result was solid. This conversion worked. It was indistinguishable from a native Equestrian, it breathed on its own, and it did not self-terminate. R-22, our golden moment. This was it. This was the attempt that has finally shown that project Bucephalus is going to work. It did work. Though, again, we ended up with a mare, brain dead, but breathing. After this, I got a strange bit of mail. It was from General Ridgway, my mysterious supporter. It simply said 'Keep it up. Knew you were the one.' I have no idea what the hell Ridgway is thinking. I helped a very small amount with a few tiny issues. I'm nothing here. Insignificant. He's been helpful - I would never have seen the truth about Celestia, never have seen her raise the sun without his help - but there is a creepy aspect that I just can't define here. Chawla thinks we are really close. I agree. But we will have to wait for the results of our parallel team to see which approach is better. There are five teams doing the same thing we are, 'Bob' bodies and all. Each has a slightly different take on things, but from what I hear, we are in the lead. Who knows, maybe my silly solution to the mitochondria problem really did give us the edge. That would be one hell of a thing, if so. Paige carried the plate with the last of the pepper loaf to the compost bin and carefully dumped the scraps in. The vegetable loaf had become a favorite over the past three weeks, and the three tended to make it on Wednesdays. The recipe came from a neighbor down the hall, Mrs. Creamsoda (don't ask - Newfoals and their names) who seemed to have a decent grasp of interesting vegetarian dishes. The loaf used oats and other grains as a base, with many varieties of sweet peppers and succulents to provide a rich flavor. Even Paige liked it, though secretly she craved a nice slab of replicated meat protein after. Late at night, sometimes she would fry up an egg or three as compensation, and sometimes Pet and Inks would join her. Ponies liked their eggs. "Hey! I have an idea!" Petrichor had just brought the stack of bowls to the sink, Inkwell was levitating and washing them. Having a unicorn in the family had turned out to be very useful, and Inkwell, for her part, enjoyed dishwashing for the first time in her life. Levitating anything was intrinsically fun, because magic itself was fun, and being able to stack bowls in the air, then tilt them to create hovering fountains, was basically beyond cool. "Inks! Careful!" Paige had almost slipped - some of the impromptu floating fountain had splashed on the floor. "Sorry!" Inkwell lowered the bowls and reached out with her glowing field and grabbed the mop from the corner. The mop raced out and weaved between Petrichor and Paige and began wiping the floor. Several little blobs of light held it as it worked, they were Inkwell's magic 'hands'. "Wait..." Inkwell moved the mop to the side, and lay it against the wall. Paige and Petrichor stepped back, curious as to what Inkwell was up to. The blobs of light vanished from the mop handle, and reappeared on the floor as one large puddle of light, covering the spill of wash water. The glowing field pulled together into a hollow ball, filled now with water from the floor. Inkwell lifted the small sphere of water to the sink, and let it hover over the drain. Paige moved forward to see. On the way she checked the floor with a finger and noted it dry. Pet moved in too, all three clustered around the sink. "That's kinda cool, Inkwell." Pet, at least seemed impressed. "Is that a new thing you learned or?" Paige marveled at the floating, glowing ball of dirty water. "No, I just... I just thought 'why can't I pick up water like anything else', right? I mean, water is a thing, and magic doesn't just have to sit on the outside, it can go inside things too. I reckoned that if I put my glow into the water, I could lift it all up and just leave the floor dry, and it worked!" Inkwell felt a thrill of awe and wonder at what she had just done. She was holding a ball of water in the air, with her mind. The ball of water spun lazily, the tiny particles in it drifting as it did so. It was mesmerizing. "Maybe you should... let it go now?" There was no doubt that floating balls of water were unusual, but the blush had worn off the rose fairly quickly. In a world of Newfoals and Equestria approaching, magic was an everyday thing. Paige often marveled at how easily her human mind could adapt to such wonders. "Sorry! It was just kinda neat, you know?" Inkwell let her field collapse, the glow departing her horn, and the ball of water splattered into the sink and slipped down the drain. "I'll get the dishes done now. But it was neat, wasn't it?" "I thought it was really neat, Inkwell!" Pet gave the ivory unicorn a smooch and went to take the mop back. Paige kissed Inkwell on her poll, careful not to get an eyeful of horn, and scratched the unicorn's ear. "I'm sorry, if I spoiled the moment. It's just that I like to get things cleaned up so I don't have to fuss, you know?" Paige tended to have a bit of an efficiency bug, sometimes, and she liked to get work done quickly, rather than to linger at a job. Petrichor had once suggested to Inkwell that this was a new development, that had happened since Pet's conversion. Pet's theory was that Paige was always a little on edge, waiting for her own turn to go pony. When the dishes were washed, and dried and put away, and the table had been cleaned (Pet was an eager eater, and there were always little bits to clean up) Petrichor finally got to describe her idea for the evening. "OK, OK, why don't we play a board game? Seriously? It would be fun! I know we've got Carcassone in there, and Catan, too. They're a little old and beat up, I admit, but they are great games from way back, and now that we've got a unicorn in the family, little pieces won't be a problem, right?" Inkwell was game, and Paige, while underwhelmed, was willing to give it a go. Just as Pet ran for the storage closet, a pounding sounded at the front door. "Visitors!" Petrichor was always excited by company. "Maybe they'll want to play too!" Pet had the door open in an instant, but the pony behind it was new. "Hey, can I come in, it's urgent." The brown stallion was unusually pudgy, and his darker brown mane seemed unkempt. He wore saddlebags, but the smell of them was odd - they didn't smell like kelp leather. "I have a gift for ya, too." He had a strange look in his eyes, oddly flat, yet overly friendly. The stallion waddled in, a little unsure on his hooves. He kicked the door shut and smiled broadly at the three mares. "Ah... nice digs. Comfy. I like that. Not ostentatious. Lived in, that warm, homey feel." Petrichor backed up, and stood next to Inkwell. "What the...?" "Can... we help you, mister..." Paige was keenly aware of the old aluminum baseball bat she had stashed behind the couch. She moved casually towards it. There was something off about this pony, and she didn't like the way he had invited himself in, and closed the door. That wasn't how ponies acted. Something was wrong. "Actually, I'm here to help you. You're Paige, aren't ya? They told me the human in the group would be named Paige. Howya, doin' there Paige? I don't know what you got behind that sofa, but I assure you, it isn't necessary. I'm not here to cause trouble, I just need to be discrete. That's why the bargin' in and all." The brown pony sat down on the floor, and offered innocent eyes and a gentle, if crooked, smile. "Sorry." Paige felt embarrassed. "Old habit. Before Equestria... you know how it is." There was no question the brown stallion was a Newfoal. Fairly new, for a Newfoal too, from the way he moved. He had not yet settled into his pony body. "... You seem to know my name. Who are you?" The brown stallion shifted awkwardly on the floor, trying to free his tail. First he leaned one way, and then another. Finally he had to partially stand up on all fours again, before lifting his tail up and sitting down. This caused a yelp of pain as his tail was bent backward. "God friggin'..." Eventually he managed to sit mostly on one flank, his tail curving around the other. "Oh! Excuse my manners. Please let me introduce myself." The plump, unkempt stallion grinned at Paige. "You've been trying, apparently for some time now, or so I'm told, to get in touch with the PER - The Ponification for the Earth's Renewal. Not so easy to do, is it, in this town, and you probably know why - the place is crawling with those lousy-ass HLF freaks, am I right?" The stallion nodded at Inkwell and Petrichor, and shifted his clearly uncomfortable posterior once again. "Well, it so happens that I just got assigned to bring the PER goodness to you. That's why I didn't want anyone seeing me scoot in here back there, capiche? I certainly don't want any trouble from those HLF bastards, and I'm sure you don't neither. So, my name is, ah, Cloudypuff Moonypants, right? and I've got something..." Petrichor practically gagged. "Cloudy... puff..." She tried to hold back laughter "M-Mooneypants?" "Yeah, that's my name. Friends call me, ah... Cloudy. Or Moony. Take your pick. You got a problem with my name?" "No. No, not at all." Petrichor felt ashamed, in a sort of vague, unsure way. "I... it's just... it's a very colorful name, that's all!" "Yeah, well, I'm a colorful guy." Cloudypuff stared at Petrichor for a moment, then continued. "So, what I am trying to say is that we got a call - at the PER headquarters, see - that somebody needed some potion. And guess what?" Cloudypuff Moonypants dug about with his muzzle inside his left saddlebag. "...goddamn fuckin' sons a whore lack 'a hands..." Petrichor looked at Paige, who shrugged, nodded at the couch - indicating the availability of the baseball bat - and then motioned towards Inkwell who seemed to be studying the strange stallion intently. "HRERE!" Cloudypuff said around the black carbofiber container he held in his mouth. It was instantly recognizable. It was a standard emergency ponification kit, like the one that had been used to save Inkwell's life. The very same kind that Blackmesh medics carried, or that the Taikonauts on the International Friendship Station possessed. Cloudypuff Mooneypants spat the impact-proof package down on the floor. "Courtesy of the Ponification for the Earth's Restoration, one dose of primo-quality pony juice. For you, Paige, and for the rest of your fine family here. You can all be together now, happy ponies romping in ponyland. Don't say the PER isn't there for you when you need us! It may take a while, but... " Mooneypants winked at them "... we get there in the end. Viva la P-E-R, am I right? Hey? Right?" "Uh... right." Petrichor looked at Paige, then leaned her head down to take the sealed, emergency ponification kit. Instantly a heavy, brown hoof came down on the small, rounded black case with a clomp. "Of course... it wasn't easy getting this to you, what with the HLF everywhere, constantly buggering our operations, trying to destroy us, and generally causing all manner of troubles. I'm sure you hate those guys as much as we do, and so am I right in thinking you would want to help us, if you could? You know, for all the help and support we provide, doin' Celestia's work for her and all?" The smile on Cloudypuff's muzzle might be considered sweet, if it didn't seem like the poor stallion was unsure how to smile in the first place. Paige did not seem surprised in the least. "OK, I've seen this game before. What is it you want in exchange for the potion, Cloudy-ass? Credits? We don't got any. Bits? OK, that we can do, we got bits - Pet! Get the family purse." Paige waved her hand at the bedroom and Petrichor started off in that direction. "Wait, wait, WAIT! - you got me all wrong!" Mooneypants looked personally devastated, insulted to the core. "I don't want your bits, I don't want any credits, I'm not here to take anything that belongs to you at all. Scout's honor." Paige was not impressed. "The Scouts were disbanded during the Collapse, Moonpants. So what is it that you do want from us? It isn't going to be tail, I can promise you that right..." "JESUS! Come on lady... Christ on a biscuit... man... just... oh, that isn't..." Cloudypuff looked positively ill. "... no, no, no... I mean... " the stallion did his best to put on a contrite face "... I'm sure you are all lovely as can be, and it is not my intent to intimate otherwise, but I am NOT interested in any... favors... not of that nature anyway." Cloudypuff swallowed and grimaced. "The PER did a raid on the Worldgovernment archives, perhaps you heard?" Moonypants looked, hopefully, from one face to the next "No? Well, it was a hell of a great raid. We got a big pile of goods on the elite. Seems a lot of them have been working with the HLF. We intend to do something about that. And more. But there was a problem. Our group was intercepted by those bastard-ass HLF sons-a-bitches and well, they up and took our stuff." Inkwell gave a worried glance at Paige. "So, like I said, all that great stuff was taken, only, get this, the HLF is a bunch of dumb-fuckers, right? They drop off our package of goodies at the wrong warehouse. And that's where you found it, isn't it, miss Inkwell. Or should I say, 'Gwen'." Inkwell jerked at the sound of her old name. Paige walked directly to the couch and reached behind it, bringing out a shining silver bat with one smooth motion. Petrichor moved to block and protect Paige with her body, as if they had practiced the move. "You want to be backing up there, mister moon-ass?" Paige did not have a happy, pony-like expression on her human face. She wore a hard, streetwise expression that brooked no foolishness at all. "Hold on, what, you'd hit a defenseless little pony? Jesus, Paige, I'm shocked at you. What am I gonna do here, nuzzle you to death? Flick my ears at you until you croak? What? I'm a goddamn pony. Christ!" Cloudypuff looked utterly horrified and personally offended. "You don't act or talk like any pony I've ever met, mister moonpants, and I don't have a good feeling about your sorry pony ass at all. How about you explain how you know about Inkwell, and I keep 'Lil Slugger' here from getting any ideas, capishe?" Paige stood like an avenging angel, her silver sword ready for smiting. "Man, if I knew how hostile the reception would be..." Cloudypuff shook his head. "We've been desperately trying to get our package back, that's all there is to it! I swear on my mother's grave - god rest her soul - that I mean the lovely miss Inkwell no harm, nor you, nor your little pegasus here. I mean no harm to any of youse. None. I've brought you potion, Paige, think about that. Potion. You could be a pony tonight, and on your way, as a family, to Equestria tomorrow. I'll even help you get there, if you want. Or not. I don't care. You can stay here if you want. "I'm not going to give you away to anyone, why would I even care? I'm a pony, you're all ponies, or will be, soon enough, and all I ask, the only thing I am asking is that you give me one little item. Potion, right here, sealed by the Worldgov, and it could be yours. The item isn't yours, you know that. And what - you want it to fall into the stinking human hands of the HLF? No, nobody wants that, right? And the PER - all we want is to expose the HLF bastards among the elite. It's in there, all the evidence, it's a little hidden, but we know how to get it out. Hell, when we're done, you can even have the notebook back. Seriously. I'll bring it back in three days. We don't even need to keep it. Just three days. "So whaddya say, huh?" The fat brown stallion shrugged with his forehooves, waving them like hands. He lost his balance doing that and fell forward slightly, but caught himself. Immediately he slammed one hoof back down on the potion kit. "Three days, ladies, three days, the HLF get what's coming to them, and we'll even give the notebook back to you, if you even want it. Support your local PER, right?" Petrichor and Inkwell glared at Cloudypuff. Paige had a look on her face like she had just smelled something unpleasant. She stepped forward, brandishing the bat. "I don't have a clue what the hell you are, puffy-ass, but you are NOT a pony. That kit looks legit, though, so you can let it be while you get your fat ass out of my home." Paige made another step forward, 'Lil Slugger' gleaming in the light. "OK, I'll level with ya - you are makin' a big mistake here... a big mistake. I'm not alone here, not on HLF turf! You think I'd come here alone? You don't want to mess with the PER, they don't kid around..." Cloudypuff Moonypants was on all fours, backing toward the door. The potion kit had been left on the floor, Paige kicked it to Inkwell and motioned at Petrichor who galloped to open the door. "Now I know you're lying. I haven't seen a pony lie before, mister poopy-pants." Paige used 'Lil Slugger' to jab at Cloudypuff, forcing him through the door. "You aren't PER. If you weren't a pony, I'd say you smell like HLF. There are rumors, Poopypants, of gene-tampered ponies, and I'm thinking that's what you are. Because you..." WHAM! 'Lil Slugger' slammed against the doorframe, making Cloudypuff leap and fall back into the hall. "...are not...." WHAM! Cloudypuff scrambled to his hooves and began to run "... a PONY!" The fat brown stallion galloped down the hall, headed toward the stairs. Doors opened and pony heads popped out to see what the ruckus was. "What's going on? What's happening?" It was Perriwinkle, the sweet, but easily spooked pegasus from the diagonal apartment on the right. Paige stood in the hall, Lil Slugger in hand, Pet and Inkwell peeking around the corner of their doorway. She slowly turned to face Perriwinkle, who cowered in her door at the sight of a human holding a metal bat. "Change, my dear, and it seems not a moment too soon."
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Thirteen: A Game Of Pones	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Thirteen: A Game Of Pones "You have GOT to be kidding me!" Petrichor was upset, her wings flapping as she stomped around the main room. "That guy was totally incompetent! If I'm going to be stalked and menaced in my own muffin' apartment, I expect better chocolate swirling professionalism from my threateners! I mean REALLY!" Pet finished this outburst with a sharp stomp of her hoof, which made Ladybug Summer in the apartment below give the ceiling a whack with her broom. "sorry..." whispered Petrichor to nobody. Paige and Inkwell stared at Pet, briefly, for the strange sentiment. "Alright, we are clearly in danger now, somebody is after us, and..." Paige was hushed up with a gentle hoof over her mouth. Petrichor, who was about to bellow another rant - having thought of another objection regarding the behavior of Cloudypuff Moonypants the earthpony heavy - caught on and fell silent too. Inkwell removed her hoof and waved it over her muzzle, indicating that nopony was to discuss things further. Inkwell waved her hoof to the corner by the couch. "Pet? Paige?" Her voice was casual as she could make it "Would you mind checking out the corner there? I thought I saw a spider, and I am soooo scared of spiders!" she wiggled her ears and pointed repeatedly with her hoof. Paige and Petrichor gave her an odd look, but remained silent and moved to the designated part of the apartment. A glow began covering Inkwell's horn. Suddenly a blob of telekinetic light expanded in the air in front of the ivory unicorn. The mass of thaumatic force moved to the low dining table and began sweeping it, until it had covered every portion. She paid special attention to the carbofiber case that held the emergency ponification serum. Inkwell kept her concentration going as she used her hornfield to scan the lamps, the overhead light, the bookshelf and most of the couch, though she was careful to avoid allowing it to approach too closely to Paige. Paige and Petrichor watched this, confused. "Inkwell?" Paige began, but a sharp motion of Ink's foreleg bid her to be quiet. The rippling blob of glowing energy settled on the floor of the apartment, and began sweeping in curving arcs from where Inkwell stood, moving outward toward the now closed door. As the searching glow passed over the area where Cloudypuff had been sitting and rummaging in his saddlebags, tiny bright flashes, like miniscule sparks, pipped and popped audibly. Inkwell stopped her scanning and flattened her hornfield, making of it a puddle as she had when she had lifted water from the kitchen floor. She began moving the puddle of light in larger and larger circles, causing more and more little popping flashes. A smell of ozone began to irritate Petrichor's delicate pony nose. Inkwell followed the trail of flashes and pops to the door, then searched with her telekinetic field the areas near the doorway, then the door itself. Inkwell finished by sweeping the walls and a bit more of the floor beyond where Cloudypuff had sat. Finally she seemed satisfied. "OK... I think it's safe. We can talk freely, at least I am pretty sure." Paige and Petrichor moved to her and sat down with her on the floor. "What... what did you just do? What's going on?" Paige still had 'Lil Slugger', which she finally put down on the floor and released. She flexed her brown fingers and rubbed them, she had been clutching the bat with all of her might. "Smart Dust. Cloudypuff must have had his saddlebag stuffed with Smart Dust. Yeah... it makes sense. It makes sense now." Inkwell stared into some distance only she could see. "Inks, mind filling us in? What is Smart Dust - those sparks? They smell like broken electronics or something." Petrichor wrinkled her muzzle, unhappy with the scent of ozone in the air. "I read a lot." Instantly Inkwell thought better of that statement, but carried on "...basically, Smart Dust is little machines that act like tiny radios. They're listening devices, spy gadgets. They're so tiny that just one is useless, but if a lot of them are scattered over an area, they network and act like a big ear, catching soundwaves sort of like receiver dish. I figured there would be bugs or something but... I couldn't find anything anywhere else in the room. Just the stuff he spread when he dug around in his bag - remember when he made all the fuss about not having hands, rooting around in his saddlebag?" "How... how did you know to even look for stuff like that? How did you know how to bust it?" Paige was imagining that Inkwell was some fancy super agent in disguise all this time. "I didn't. Not really." Inkwell grinned sheepishly. "I... just sort of figured that... OK. Cloudypuff storms in here, right, and he puts on this big crazy show, making it completely clear that he's a Newfoal. But what's really odd is that he doesn't even TRY to pretend that he is what he claims to be. He wanted us to know he was an altered pony, a genetically altered pony, like all the rumors about what the Worldgovernment tried to do. You know, they say that's how the PER got started!" Inkwell became excited, because she was on a roll. "And that's not all - he deliberately messed up the name for the PER - I don't think he said it right once - Ponification for the Earth's Rebirth. It was like 'Renewal' and 'Restoration' and I don't know what all. He tried to make it seem like he was incompetent, but Cloudypuff is not the least bit incompetent. You wanted a professional, Petrichor, you got one, really!" "Really???" Petrichor was clearly very doubtful. "Oh... I am convinced of it. He's a pro. At whatever it is that he does... and whatever that is, it is NOT nice." Inkwell looked momentarily upset. "SO - he made a point of swearing, a LOT. Ponies don't do that, at least not that way, because, well... we get hypertrophied compassion and empathy. It just... feels really icky to even think of yelling real expletives at somepony because..." Pet leapt in "Yeah... because it might hurt their feelings. I used to swear like a sailor, just ask Paige..." "Oh, she had a mouth on her, that one. Especially when she messed up skateboarding. Lord, did she have a foul mouth on her. Took me a while to get used to all the candy and dessert references after she converted, to be honest." Paige gave Pet a few ear scratches. "I... just don't want to be that way anymore. I could, I suppose, if I really, really tried... but why would I want to? It would just hurt somepony, and I don't want to do that. But cloudybottom there... he was really..." Pet's muzzle looked like she had tasted something awful. "Exactly!" Inkwell grinned "He swore to make sure we knew he wasn't right, and the swearing was threatening to us, he knew it would bother ponies, and he did it deliberately. He was letting us know that he was dangerous. That he could do bad things, that he could do really bad things that ponies can't do!" "So, what about all the little spy gadgets?" Paige was still secretly hoping Inkwell would turn out to be a super secret agent and save the day. "Oh... I figured that if Cloudypuff was a genetic agent - and I found out he definitely was, I'll tell you how in a moment - I reckoned that there would be bugs and stuff. I was expecting bugs in the lamps and behind the bookcase and in the sofa, you know? But then I swept the floor. It IS the big age of nanotech, right? So I swept the floor and whoo! Did you see all the sparks - well, yes, of course you did, but wow... it really worked, didn't it?" "Worked?" Paige was losing hope that their family had a secret James Bond. "Magic kills electronics! That was one of the biggest reasons why I hadn't already converted - I felt I needed to use computers and holographic displays to be a good librarian and do my work. I figured that if I converted, either I would become the sort of pony who couldn't work tiny keys or little iconobjects, or else I would end up a unicorn - Ta Dah!!! - and everything I tried to work would short out. It struck me that I didn't need to be a posh unicorn with fancy spells to disable spy stuff. All I had to do was just burn it out with my horn field, and it worked! Just like magic!" Inkwell grinned "Because... it basically is... magic. But the point is, it proves he's a professional!" Petrichor scratched her poll with a hoof. "Wait, why? Because he has spy stuff?" "No... well, yeah, that's part of it, sure. But the real deal is how blatant he was. He deliberately gave himself away to us, just stuck it in our faces. And that tells me what he, and whoever is behind him, must think of us, you see!" Inkwell had a very smug look on her face. "Wait... Inks, I am getting confused. Maybe you'd just better spell it out for us clearly, alright?" Paige looked impatient and uneasy, which was only reasonable, really. "Sorry..." Inkwell shifted how she was sitting "I think mister Cloudypuff is a gene-freak pony, one that has the body of a pony, but the brain of a human. Only he's not like the ones they claim started the PER. I don't think Cloudypuff serves Celestia in some twisted way. I think he is against Celestia, and the Bureaus and everything. He isn't a pony. He isn't even alive." "Uh... what? You have really lost me now." Paige began grooming Petrichor's mane as they sat. "I really, really studied that pony when he first came in. What I did was, I sent just a little magic into him. Not a lot, I tried to keep my horn from glowing too obviously, just a touch, right? And there was nothing in there. Nothing. He was as empty as a hu... um... well..." Inkwell looked at Paige with a troubled expression. "That stuff you hear from medical unicorns, like Ace, downstairs? It's true. Cloudypuff looks like a pony, but he doesn't sound or act like one, and he doesn't have a... a soul." "Seriously? Hey... I did see you staring at him. Really intently. That was when you did it, isn't it?" Petrichor was impressed and a little disturbed. "You... you never said you could see magic inside living things. You should have told us!" Inkwell looked down at her hooves. "Sorry. I... I guess... It was kind of special, and it's kind of intimate, and I felt weird about it to be honest. I didn't mean to figure out how. I mean, Ace didn't show me or anything. It just happened. A few days ago. I've been playing with my hornfield a lot lately, you know? And I've been using it on a lot of stuff... including... me... and... you two as well... and..." "Oh... ho ho ho! I get it!" Petrichor laughed in delight "Three nights ago - Paige! Remember when I practically woke up the building because she was using her magic inside me? Oh, that was a-maz-ing! So, when you were doing me, you saw, didn't you? You saw my... you saw my soul, didn't you?" The look on Pet's muzzle was awe. Inkwell blushed. "Yeah." She smiled "It was incredible, Pet. I could sense your body, inside and out, and then all of a sudden there was this other layer. It was like... I don't know how to describe it.... OK. Imagine that everything you can see and know is flat, like a sheet or a flat screen, right? And material things are images on the surface. But some of the images are 3D, they stick up, like a bas-relief, they aren't flat. Now make that all magic and glowy and filled with streaming ribbon-like stuff that is really complicated and swirling like... like blood vessels only... more orderly. More deliberate, like they were meaningful. Oh, and colors. That's what it was like, only... in a direction you can't point. It's kind of hard to describe." "And that is what mister poopypants lacked, is that what you are saying?" Paige had her head resting on her hands, her elbows on her knees as she sat tailor-fashion. "Yes! Exactly!" Inkwell looked proud as she smiled at Paige, and then looked a little sad, and looked down again. "Same as me, right?" Paige sat up straight. "That's why... that's why you didn't say anything about learning how to see this stuff. And that's why you've been a little skittish around me for the past few days, isn't it? You tried to hide it, but I could tell something was wrong. I thought I'd made you mad. Earth life doesn't have magic. So I just look... empty to you, don't I?" Inkwell stared at her hooves. Her ears were flat against her skull. "You learned how to do that when Petrichor broke the sound barrier and woke up half the building, and that was why you were kind of moody after, and we couldn't figure it out... damn." Paige sighed. "You didn't say anything because there wasn't anything to do about it. It's OK, Inks, come on... come here, that is, if you can stand being hugged by a flat thing?" "Always, Paige! Always! I'm sorry!" Inkwell scooted over to Paige and the two embraced. Paige waved a hand to Petrichor who joined in, for one big group hug. "Hey, we have potion now. So, we can solve that problem! Paige, you could go pony, right now and..." Petrichor was excited - finally their hopes had been fulfilled! "No." Paige's voice was hard. "No. I can't. Not now, not yet. Somebody needs to stay human and feral in this family. Poopypants is dangerous, and I bet he wasn't kidding about having backup. One of us needs to be able to use Lil Slugger if it comes to it, or worse, if necessary." Paige set her jaw. "We're still on human turf. We need at least one human to deal with human stuff, and that's me." Paige suddenly turned her head to look at Inkwell, in her arms. "Inks - if poopyhead has backup, why aren't they here, right now, busting us up and applying the clamps?" "Because they think we're more than we are." Inkwell pulled away and looked at her spouses. "That's why Cloudypuff acted the way he did. He made no attempt to try to fool us, he was very clear about what he was, and what he was capable of. If he'd thought we were just ordinary ponies, he would have tried to play the proper part of a PER knight - he would have been very nice, very pleasant. I have no doubt he could do just that. I bet he can be very charming, and put on an act when he wants to. But he didn't. He let us know." "I'm not getting this. It still seems sloppy to me." Petrichor got up to double check that the door was locked. They hadn't used the lock in at least a year. With the city almost all ponies, it hadn't been an issue. "He didn't think we would have the notebook here." Inkwell nodded toward the bedroom, where the notebook lay open on the bed. "I'm positive he reckoned we have it stashed somewhere, hidden, and his group wants that book. If they just swarm us, they would never find out where it is. It would be lost to them." "Yeah... that means they're smart. So we aren't dealing with dumb people here." Paige nodded. "He was spooking us. That was his angle. To spook us." "Wait! Why does any of that make that pony smart? Why wouldn't it still be better to capture us and... do... bad... stuff... until we talked?" Petrichor shivered slightly. "That never works, Pet. Only stupid or sick groups torture." Inkwell had trouble saying the last word. She seemed momentarily fascinated by that fact. "It's true, Pet. Torture never works." Paige stretched out her legs, because they were starting to fall asleep. "If you get tickled, just relentlessly tickled, what will you do to make it stop, what would you say?" Petrichor thought for a moment. "Anything?" "Exactly! You'd say anything to stop the tickling. Anybody would." Paige rested her self on her arms, leaning back. "That's why torture is pointless. You can never get anything useful by torturing anyone. It's always in doubt, because people in pain will always say anything at all to stop the pain. You can tell the moment a civilization or oldstyle nation or group has lost any reason or moral credibility the moment they sanction torture. That's the indication a society has failed, right there." "Why do they do it at all then, if it is completely useless?" Petrichor was confused. "Um... well... " Paige studied the wall. "How do I put this - if a society becomes corrupt enough, the most twisted and sick people rise to the top. A human society, obviously. Really twisted humans have... really evil kinks. They... have fetishes, sexual fetishes that revolve around pain and power, and when things fall apart that far, the twisted people in power arrange to have their needs met... under the guise of things like national security or defense or protecting secrets or whatever they can sell to the public." Petrichor looked at Paige in shock. She turned to Inkwell... surely the librarian would refute such a thing, such a terrible thing... but Inkwell just looked down at the floor, and her ears drooped. "Sorry, Pet. That's just how things... never mind. None of that concerns us, because this group is smart." Inkwell looked up, putting on a brave face. Having to think about such things had hurt her new pony mind. "They won't do that to us, and we are going to Equestria in any case. Right Paige?" Paige nodded. "The only place to go, now that we have that kit. It's legitimate, you're sure Inks?" Inkwell looked at the table, where the carbofiber ponification kit sat. "Yes. I ran my field through it, and the contents are potion, and the seal has not been broken or tampered with as far as I can feel. I think he just took a kit off of some shelf somewhere. It's in his interest that you go pony as soon as possible, because that reduces any threat you might represent. You are the... dangerous... part of the family right now, just as you said." Paige wrapped her fingers around the aluminum bat. "Yeah. I'm still human, and that means I'm still dangerous. Dangerous as hell! Fucking dangerous!" Paige smiled a little vicious smile when Petrichor and Inkwell cringed at her words and how she said them. "If that little brown bastard shows his muzzle around me, he'll end up a flat-face again." Petrichor thought for a moment. "So, let me get this right. These ponies - whoever they are, probably HLF, or at least something bad - think we are some kind of... agents or something. Something more than just ordinary ponies living together in an apartment. They think we have the notebook hidden somewhere, and they sent that... mean pony... to scare us so that... what?" Petrichor looked from Inkwell to Paige and back "We'd get spooked and go to where we had the notebook hidden and try to move it or take it somewhere? Or that we'd talk about where it was... which would be the reason for the spy dust stuff, huh?" "Pretty much." Inkwell looked around the room. "I would guess we will be watched for a few days. Nothing more will happen to us, at least for a while I should think. But I would put bits on our every movement outside of this apartment being watched, and we'll never see who is doing it, either, or how many there are. We have a few days, anyway." "They've basically shaken things up, to see what falls out." Paige stood up, stretched, and went into the kitchen "Tea? Pet? Inks? Three for tea it is." "You're making tea?" Petrichor was incredulous. "Inks is right, I think. Might as well have a nice cuppa, because we've got some serious thinking to do." Paige began fussing with cups and canisters. "We need to figure out our next move. It's like a game. They think we are playing at their level, only they got that part wrong." Inkwell looked up. "I guess we're just going to have to... not surprise them... then!" That made Paige think for a moment, then laugh. "Yeah. Let's give them exactly what they expect!" Paige set out the large, bowl-like cups, and looked to see if they had any biscuits to go with the tea. It was going to be a long evening of planning. Somehow they needed to out-think a group of very dangerous men, in order to find some means to escape to Equestria with their lives. There was also the issue of the notebook, and what should be done about it - rightly, it should be destroyed, something they all agreed upon. The problem was, Paige suggested, it might be their only hope to survive what very well might be the full wrath of nothing less than the Human Liberation Front. Project Bucephalus - Laboratory 012 January 28th I found out today, that I am going to be transferred. I don't want to go, but I don't have any choice in the matter. None of us has any choice, now. We do what we are told. I don't know why this is happening. We are showing such success, putting the pieces together from all the other teams. It's been confirmed that of the six vanguard groups, the Zero-Twelvers have the edge, by far. The R-22 conversion was proof, and it has been acknowledged from the higher ups - conversion is possible, it is close, and all we need to do now is refine the process. Maybe I have really overestimated my value to the team. It is true that almost all the work I did was completely rewritten or redesigned, but I thought that was reasonable. Work like this can't be done perfectly by only one person. It needs to be cleaned up and triple checked and generally polished beyond what any single person, or even group can accomplish. I don't know what I did wrong. I don't even know where I am being transferred to. I was almost tempted to contact that general, but - no. I don't feel good about doing that. I'm going to miss the rest of the team. We've only been working together for a few months but it's been very intense. I'm going to miss So-yeon and Chawla. Even Baasch, the 'exobiologist'. I never did find out how he got a degree in that, of all things. I guess I won't be talking to Comet Tail again. Actually, I didn't really expect that anyway. I'm going to miss Raindrops and Buttercream, too. It's amazing how fast the Equestrians can grow on one. Even with all of us walking on eggshells around each other, I felt like we could have become friends, if there were time, and space and the ability to speak freely. I wanted to learn more about them, about their lives. There is something very attractive, very entrancing about the species. Then again, if this project truly succeeds, there will be time enough for all the learning one could hope to do. And not just because we will all end up being ponies ourselves one day. I found out something extraordinary the other day from Raindrops. Her age. She is seventy-three years old, roughly. The Equestrian year seems to be about four hundred days, and one of their days averages between 20 and 30 hours, earth time. The variation is up to the whim of the princesses. Raindrops is considered to be fairly young. She's at a quarter of the Equestrian maximum lifespan. Twenty-ish in human terms, if I understand things correctly. The benefit of joining their species is more than mere survival. It is more than being able to move objects, or grow things through will alone, or fly like a bird. It is a vast increase in lifespan. It makes me wonder why we deserve this at all. Why are we humans being helped? Why bother with us? I saw Celestia move her sun, the sun in her sky, one doubtless copied from our own, on earth. Does she really owe us so much? We have ruined our planet, killed our oceans, destroyed our skies, exterminated entire branches of biological phylogeny for no other reason than they were inconvenient to our plans. The Equestrians are so incredibly nice - the old unicorns on level three notwithstanding. Actually, even they have been nice enough, just never really satisfied or content with us, and maybe, who can blame them. I can't say we've treated them well, keeping them penned up underground when they do visit us. I assume we're all underground. There's something else I want to put down here. I'm a little hesitant to do so, but it's something I want to remember. Maybe it's due to constant, low level exposure to thaumatic radiation, maybe its just stress. I don't know. I've been having dreams. Strange dreams, where I am walking through Equestria, as I saw it on the video from Mule One and Two. Only, I see places that the two probes never went to. That I know of, anyway. Wide, rolling fields of flowers, and a fairly frightening forest that looks very jungle-like and wild. I feel dread inside it. One dream took place in a rocky desert with high peaks, and I saw dragons soaring overhead. Another dream took place in a large city, with brick buildings very unlike the Tudor-styled cottages that the two Mules witnessed. My mind is inventing things, filling in gaps I suppose. But always, in these dreams, I see someone following me. Peeking at me. It is as if I am being watched. I don't feel threatened, if anything I feel safe in the dreams because of the mysterious watcher. She - and it is a she - is always just out of my field of vision, though a few times I have caught a glimpse of dark blue. I think she is a pony, an Equestrian, but different. Taller, thinner, and there is a strange feeling about her, whoever she is. I would discount this all except that it is remarkably consistent. Night after night, I have these dreams, what I call my 'travel documentary', and in almost every dream, there is that watcher, the blue lady. Mare, I suppose. Blue mare. Dark blue, very dark. But not scary. She feels very kind, like a friend looking out for me. I've never had such vivid dreams, and never dreams with a reoccurring mysterious character like this. I assume it is my subconscious trying to work something out. The dreams started right after I burned my finger on a vial of wizard wine, the purified form of the purple fluid. I lost the tip of my finger, and my whole hand tingled for days. The weirdest part was I kept hearing distant music, or something like music. Like chimes, or bells. Others have experienced this too, when they spend too much time around thaumatically active materials. Mayoss has a grim theory - he says it is probably our neurons dying from exposure. Our brains are interpreting the random loss as vaguely musical tones. He is a neurochemist, so I don't discount his expertise but - it just doesn't seem like the most reasonable explanation. We get examinations every three weeks, and so far, no deficits. I would think losing neurons would kind of show up as functional loss. Then again, he suggests that we have reserves, and that it takes time to be depleted to the level of dementia, so it's probably only a matter of time. Wonderful. I've decided I don't like neurochemistry as a science. I've been afraid to ask any of the others if they are having dreams like mine. I was tempted to ask Saulnier, she got burned too. Lost some skin on her arm, it made a bit of a scar. The way she looks in the mornings - I can't help but think, maybe she's having strange dreams too, and then I think something very unscientific. I wonder if she has a blue watcher, like me. How do I relate to all of this? We call it 'magic' and 'spells' and I have seen the princess of this colliding universe raise her sun into her sky. The nanomachines we are working with have ghosts in them that do most of the work for us. There are unicorns on level three, and we recently turned a chimeric human body into a teal pegasus with multicolored hair. I feel like Alice, and the rabbit hole just keeps going on down. And I keep thinking about how Comet Tail and how the old unicorns relate to the princess, Celestia. As though she were sacred. As though, she were a living god. And atheist me, here in Lab 12 - though not for long - has doubts about whether I have been hasty in deciding what is real, and what is not, and whether or not I need to reexamine what I truly believe. I hope wherever I am transferred, these dreams don't stop. I really like the dreams. Oh - and in the dreams, when I walk through these beautiful landscapes? I walk on hooves.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Fourteen: A Day Writing Dramas	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Fourteen: A Day Writing Dramas Inkwell walked through the marketplace, keenly aware that unfriendly eyes must be watching her every hoofstep and the every flick of her tail. She had read enough pre-Collapse spy thrillers to imagine the humans ensconced in little dark rooms, peering out with imaging equipment, or perched on rooftops - perhaps hidden inside of false water tanks or air conditioners - scanning her with advanced espionage equipment. Or... it could just be that idiot across the way with the dark glasses not really watching the news on the public holokiosk. Maybe Petrichor was right, and these HLF types were not entirely professional. Goodness, but that human is just plain poor at spying! Inkwell laughed and trotted on to the open-air cafe. Casablanca Corner was run by a pair of earthpony Newfoal stallions who had a love of old media. The place had a vaguely Moroccan feel to it, and an eclectic menu. Inkwell settled herself down onto a low stool at the third table from the left, the one with the 'reserved' card on it, and waited. When Greenstreet took her order for carrot coffee, he nodded and took it back to Maltese, who set about filling the order. It wasn't long before Cloudypuff Moonypants showed up. The sweaty, rotund stallion awkwardly settled himself onto a low stool across from Inkwell. "OK. Shoot." "I was converted without my permission. Paige and Pet did it to save my life, and I cannot fault them for their good intentions, Celestia love 'em. They're my wives now, and I will protect them with every fiber of my being. But that does not mean that I agree with everything they believe, or that I share their views about the inevitability of the future." Inkwell gave the fat brown stallion a hard and determined look, to underscore her words. She wanted him to buy the notion that she was completely willing to go behind their backs. It was difficult trying to lie, as a pony. "Go on, I'm listening." It was a warm day - the pegasus teams had not cleared the sky in a while and the global smog layer had begun to close in again. The sky was white, and the heat was climbing. Cloudypuff was dripping and looking very uncomfortable. "Tell me what you need the notebook for. I may be willing to cooperate, provided my friends are left alone and we are guaranteed to be left to go on our way." Inkwell stared levelly at the stallion across the table. Cloudypuff cleared his throat. "Now... that could be a problem. It is not in the interest of my employers, or yours, for you to know our business. We need to have a look at that notebook, and I meant what I said, we don't even need to keep it. You can have it back. We just need to see the thing. I've been informed that we could do what we need to do in an hour. You could have the book back before your friends even knew you had taken it. They would never need to know." Cloudypuff looked right, then left, before returning his attention to Inkwell. "Your not knowing a damn thing is your guarantee, you see, that you can go free. There would be no further interest in you after that point. That would be the end of it. The less you know, the better off you are, capiche? Simple as that." Inkwell frowned. "But that's the problem - what if your intention is to use something in that notebook to hurt me or my friends down the road? I think of engineered viruses to kill ponies, or nanomachine plagues to do the same thing. It's no escape for my family and I, if the HLF just kills them later." Cloudypuff seemed indifferent. "I never said we were HLF, miss Inkwell. I have to say I'm a bit disturbed that you would think such a thing, and a little concerned, because that might - I'm not saying you are right or nothin' - just might make you and yours a matter of additional interest, if you were to truly hold to such a view. Just sayin'." Inkwell groaned and rolled over on the bed. "Cinnamon!" she barked at the ceiling. For hours since she had awakened, Inkwell had been running scenarios through her mind. The latest one, meeting Cloudypuff on the sly in order to feign making a deal, in order to find out what was really going on, was another ridiculous little fancy. Even if a meeting could be arranged, Cloudypuff would never divulge anything. And in the end, he really didn't need to. Inkwell felt reasonably sure that the thaumatically deficient pseudo-pony just had to be working for the HLF, and that meant that anything they wanted the notebook for was going to be very, very bad. What bothered her was that she couldn't find anything within the notebook that was actually as dangerous as she had first imagined. The diagrams of nanomachines were not useful. They were far too simple, and there were plenty of similar designs available to examine just by searching the history of nanotechnology. The author of the notebook hadn't dropped any super-secret clues about the making of potion that Inkwell could imagine being truly useful to anypony. Not even the stuff about the purple fluid, the revelation of 'fairy blood' - there was no indication of how to acquire the stuff, or how to manufacture it. There were words about how the nanomachines needed careful programming, but in the whole tome, not a scrap of actual programming was to be found. The bit about seeing Celestia raise the sun, and the tour of Equestria was interesting, but try as she might, Inkwell could think of no value to the HLF in it. If anything, the knowledge that Celestia was a living goddess who could manipulate reality itself tended to work against their attitude that she was a monstrous alien creature out to conquer the world. There was nothing in that notebook, now that she had time to completely look it over, that held any truly dangerous secret that would benefit the anti-pony cause. They certainly wouldn't be making bioweapons from the sparse information in the book. Of course, maybe she was missing something, she must be, considering how much they wanted the thing. Or, maybe they simply didn't know that the notebook was useless. That could easily be. Inkwell sighed. She wished she could be rightly quit of the whole nasty mess! She rolled over onto her other side, and stared at the wall. Cloudypuff and two humans in dark suits and dark glasses stood in the alley. "So... what's it gonna be, miss Inkwell?" The stallion shifted his bulk, sweat dripping down his unkempt brown coat. Paige, carrying 'Lil Slugger', looked at Inkwell, and then at Petrichor. Inkwell reached back into her saddlebags with her telekinetic field and brought forth the notebook and held it, floating, in front of herself. "The deal is simple. We give you this, and you leave us the swirl alone. We only want to get to Equestria. The potion kit you left behind makes that possible. You let us go, and you never need to see us again. We have no intention of staying earthside. The moment we do this, we start off for the nearest bureau and emigration. Do you have any problems with that?" Inkwell stared at the stallion. Paige clutched her bat. "My dear, dear miss Inkwell, I can personally assure you that our interest in you ends with the acquisition of that notebook. I and my colleagues here will happily turn and leave, and you may go to Equestria, or straight to hell, for all we care. I promise you that you are just not interesting beyond what you are carrying in your little magical glow there. Why should we care? There's nothing we need to keep secret, and no loose ends. We don't even care if you stay or go. So, what's it gonna be?" Cloudypuff grinned, a very unpleasant sight. Inkwell floated the notebook over and laid it upon the stretch of intact plascrete of the alley. One of the dark-suited humans bent and picked up the notebook, checked it, then nodded at Cloudypuff. "There. That wasn't so hard, now was it? I like it when people are reasonable and intelligent about things. It was very nice meeting youse all, and now we bid our leave, and I personally wish you all the very best. Good day, miss Inkwell, Paige, Petrichor." The three sinister individuals turned and left, exiting the alleyway. Pet, Inkwell and Paige were left alone, the sound of the marketplace filling the empty alley. "That was easy. You were right, Inks! We are safe, and free! This is fantastic!" Pet was excited "Paige! You can go pony! We could do it now, in our room, or at the Bureau - I'm sure they'd let us have the use of a room or something for twenty minutes. Then... it's off to Equestria! This is just... It's so WONDERFUL!" Pet began prancing about, her hooves clacking on the plascrete. "Damn, girl. You did it." Paige rotated the aluminum bat in her hand. "Come on, let's get out of this alley and head for the Bureau. I'll get my hooves on there. I've got our bits with me, we don't need to go back to the apartment... so... let's go." The three made their way to the Bureau, making only a single stop for lunch. Finally, after several hours of crossing the city on foot and hoof, they made it, and entered through the security arch. The Bureau staff were nonplussed at offering the use of one of the rooms for Paige's conversion, and even had a PA sit through it with them, just in case. They were even willing to do a quick test on the potion in the kit to make sure it was normal and untampered with. As Inkwell had suspected, it was perfectly standard version 3.2 potion, complete with anesthetic built in. Fifteen minutes later, Paige was a pony, and while Pet sat with her as she slept, Inkwell made arrangements to get them transferred to Equestria. The next day saw them on a boat, and by the end of the day they stood together within Equestria itself. Green fields and trees surrounded them, and they hugged on the green grass and cried with relief and joy. "We did it! We made it and now we are safe and sound and..." At that point the sky above began to crack. Shards of blue fell through the clouds like pieces of a broken mirror, leaving an eerie, terrifying blackness beyond. Bolts of electric force began to reach down from above and scour the landscape, burning and destroying everything in their path. Princess Celestia suddenly flew up to meet the challenge, but a bolt of force struck her, exploding her body. Bits of meat and feathers drifted down from where she had been. Suddenly, the holographically projected muzzle of Cloudypuff Moonypants filled the blackening sky. "HELLO, MY LITTLE PONIES! OR SHOULD I SAY - GOODBYE. OH! AND THANKS TO YOU, MISS INKWELL, FOR YOUR INVALUABLE HELP AND ASSIST..." Inkwell was breathing hard, her heart racing as she lay on her belly, head upright, on the bed. There was no way to know what they might get out of that notebook. No way to know at all. It would be the height of arrogance to assume she knew enough to decide the notebook was useless. Inkwell worked on calming herself, and wished that Paige and Petrichor would get back from the marketplace. They had gone to stock up on supplies, should the three need to make a run for it, and Inkwell had stayed behind to guard the apartment, and to destroy the notebook, if it came to it. She felt thirsty. Inkwell moved to leave the bed, backing off the edge because she was still not confident leaping like Petrichor did to the floor. The bed that they shared together was very different than the pony-safe mat and comforter in the guest room. Paige preferred a deep, soft, tall foam bed for her human body. The bed was wonderfully comfortable, but very unsteady for unpracticed hooves. Inkwell slid backwards until her rear hooves met the floor, then pulled the rest of herself down until she was safely on all fours. In the kitchen, Inkwell levitated a bowl - the red bowl, her favorite - from the rack and filled it with water from the sink. She held it in front of herself with her hornfield, and drank the contents. That was much better! Inkwell rinsed the bowl and set it in the rack once more, then returned to the bedroom. This part she had down. She set her hindquarters firmly, wiggled her rump, and then gave a run and a jump, landing mostly splayed over the top of the bed. Squirming and kicking, she returned to the center of the comforter, and the notebook that lay there. She pulled her legs under her, folded, the notebook under her barrel, hidden by her body. She stared at the sky, through the blinds behind the bed. In the distance a pair of pegasai flew past. Paige set the metal box down on the roof of the apartment. The steel half-cube would protect the roof. A bucket of water stood nearby, as well, just in case. Inkwell levitated the notebook down, into the metal box. Petrichor poured the alcohol over the book. It was pure, the sort used by the caravans to power their vehicles. As Inkwell brought the mechanical lighter to the box, the pounding became more frantic on the blocked door to the roof garden. The HLF had been watching them, and now they had figured out what was going on. Whoever was on the stairs began slamming the door with their body, trying to break it down. "Hurry!" Paige clutched Lil Slugger, and faced the door. Inkwell carefully manipulated the lighter, sending sparks into the alcohol soaked paper of the notebook. Flames shot up, blue and yellow, as the pages blackened and crinkled. The roof door was partly open now, and the angry faces of dark-suited humans and a portly brown pony could be seen desperately trying to force the door completely open. Suddenly the aged hinges gave and the three HLF agents spilled onto the roof. They picked themselves up and ran towards the fire in the metal box, heedless of Paige and her bat. "It's OK, Paige! It's gone! Let 'em through! Paige!" Paige backed up, grinning, as Cloudypuff and his two lieutenants shook their heads over the mass of dying flames and powdery gray ash that now filled the metal box. "Oh, you shouldn't have done that. No, no, that was a mistake, there." Cloudypuff had an angry expression on his face and muzzle, one that no proper pony could ever possess. It was a look of barely restrained human rage and violence, of unrepentant vengeance and emotionless cruelty. "See... that was your only bargaining chip right there. And now it's gone, and that has made us very, very unhappy. Now, you could have just walked away from this situation, because your lives don't matter, at all. But no, you had to go and piss off the HLF. Not a smart thing, considering our stance regarding ponies in general." "You're a pony!" Petrichor jabbed a hoof at the plump, sweaty brown stallion. "That, my friend, is where you would be wrong." Instantly the monomolecular blade, tossed by a remarkably accurate muzzle, was inside of Pet's left eye, the shimmering blade poking out the back of her skull as she collapsed. "I think the boss won't mind a little effort to bring the city in line with statistical averages do you, boys?" The two humans nodded and advanced, guns in their hands. Paige stood over the shaking, dying body of Petrichor, and raised her bat, only to drop it as the first bullet severed her spine. As she lay on the roof, involuntarily vomiting from the horror and pain, Inkwell gathered her thaumatic energy and focused small balls of the magical force directly inside the middle of the skulls of the two humans and the pseudo-pony Cloudypuff. One tiny jerk, one tiny expansion, the most minute twist and... She couldn't do it. Her friends gurgled their last breaths at her hooves and she literally couldn't avenge them. The two humans were only fighting for what they believed in, and they probably had family, children, and pets, too. They had lives and those lives were precious despite what they had done. Inkwell loved Paige and Petrichor with all of her heart, and the wives or husbands of these two humans would love them just the same, and killing the humans would break countless hearts. And Cloudypuff... he was such a sad creature. He didn't even have a soul. If he died, here, now, he would be annihilated, consigned to oblivion, and the thought was so sad, so terrible... Inkwell couldn't do it. Any of it. But neither could she stand by and let them do any more harm. They had hurt, maybe killed both of her spouses and she would NOT let that just go! Maybe she couldn't use magic to instantly turn their brains to mush, but she could muffin' well show them the power of hoof and horn! Inkwell charged, insane with grief and she did not feel the bullets tear through her as she fell... Inkwell was rocking back and forth on the mattress, crying. "Oh... oh sweet Celestia... oh my sweet Luna!" She was horrified, shocked that her new brain could even think such thoughts! She became afraid - what if her conversion had been botched? What if she were like that awful Cloudypuff, still capable of human wrath and evil, what if... "Inkwell? Inkwell?" Petrichor had leaped onto the bed, and had her forelegs around the ivory unicorn. "What's the matter, Inks? Inkwell? Speak to me!" But Inkwell just kept crying and trying to roll back and forth, desperate to shake the awful thoughts from her mind. Paige rushed in from the kitchen, were she had placed her sacks of groceries on the table. "What? What happened? Did they come here?" Paige turned to run and fetch Lil Slugger from behind the couch. "No, no nopony came here!" Inkwell said between sobs "I... I just had terrible thoughts! I think I'm broken! I think I'm like Cloudypuff! I'm a monster-pony!" She broke down once more, wracked with sorrow. Now both Paige and Petrichor were holding her, as she rocked in their embrace. Eventually she relaxed into her lovers limbs, sobbing. "I... I was trying to think... of what we should do, how we should handle this and... and... I thought terrible things! Awful things! I shouldn't be able to think things like I have been imagining! I'm supposed to be a pony now! Something is wrong with me!" "What? What are you talking about, Inks? What things could you have thought that were so bad? What?" Petrichor was utterly lost. Paige just shrugged. Inkwell told Pet and Paige about the possible scenarios she had considered, and how vivid and intense her daydreams had been when thinking them. She stuttered when she described the horrible endings, and agonized over how it was she was even still able to imagine such terrible scenes. "Conversion is supposed to change the brain! It's supposed to make us better, and nicer, and free us from cruel and vicious thoughts and..." "Wait, wait, wait...." Petrichor shook her head "I think you misunderstood a lot of stuff, Inks. That isn't what potion does to the brain. Trust me on that." Inkwell wiped her eyes with her forelegs and sniffed. "W-What do you mean? I've been told that..." "People say a lot of silly things about conversion and what it does or doesn't do." Petrichor nuzzled the ivory and black unicorn. "That's the anti-ponificationists favorite trick. Lies, Inkwell, there's a lot of misinformation out there." "I shouldn't be able to daydream... horror!" Inkwell sobbed briefly, then sniffled and tried to clear her sinuses. "Potion changes the brain, no doubt about that. You've felt it. More compassion, more empathy. We end up caring about others and ourselves more than we ever imagined we could. We can't be mean, because we don't want to be mean. Our better angels are made ascendant, and our devils are put to sleep. But Inks..." Pet nibbled her ear, gently, comfortingly. "...Inks, we... all that doesn't mean we turn into zombies or anything. You've still got your imagination, and I will grant you, negative, scary thoughts are harder to come by as a pony, and much, much less common - but that doesn't mean you've been stripped of the ability to think them." "But it happened so easily, Pet!" Inkwell sniffed again. "It was awful!" "I'm sure it was." Pet gave a quick nuzzle to Paige, then continued "You'd probably never, ever think stuff like that if we lived in Equestria, in some nice little village with other nice ponies. But we're here, on Earth, and we are being harassed by butt-heads and meanies. It's scary right now. Moonybritches was scary. And we don't know what to do. Also, you're a Newfoal, like me - we've grown up here, on Earth, we know what goes down here. You don't suddenly lose all of that just because potion fixes the broken parts of your brain. It doesn't erase experience, or memory, or who you are or how you think. Duh!" "Pet... I don't think that's her issue, really." Paige ran her fingers through Inkwell's mane, combing it with soft motions. Inkwell began to relax. "I think the real problem is that Inks was hoping to not ever have to experience thoughts like that again. I think she was hoping that potion would cure all her negative thoughts permanently. That's it, isn't it?" Inkwell looked up with sad, almost betrayed eyes. "Yes! I wanted to be free from dark and scary thoughts! I wanted all of that to just be gone! Forever! I wanted.... I wanted peace, Paige. I wanted... peace... inside me." Petrichor was thoughtful for a moment. "Inkwell, you can have that. I am sure you can have that. We get to Equestria, and I have no doubt you will NOT spend your time daydreaming horror stories. I'm positive of that, because I've heard from ponies on the other side. I've read letters from other ponies beyond the Barrier, right? And they don't have scary thoughts. Not commonly, anyway. They just don't!" "Then why did I? Why do I?" Inkwell was on the verge of crying again. Paige scratched Inkwell's ear and looked her in her dark eyes. "Like we said, Inkwell. It's scary, here, now. Just because you are a pony, doesn't mean you got lobotomized. In a scary place, you can still think scary thoughts, because sometimes you need to, to know what is dangerous, and how to avoid it. If ponies were completely incapable of scary thoughts, they wouldn't survive at all, anywhere." "Yeah!" Petrichor gave Inkwell a tight hug. "Even Equestria has scary stuff in it, you know! The Everfree, the ruins of Gryphonia, the dragon weyrs, The dragon migrations, the scary dragons of the southern desert, the scary dragon slavers of Stalliongrad, the scary lava pools that the scary dragons like to go to, the occasional scary dragon that just shows up, the..." "I think I'm seeing what worries you, more than any attempt to comfort me!" Inkwell was able to laugh now, which cheered both Petrichor and Paige. "Well... Dragons are scary!" Pet looked terrified, then laughed. "Come on, they are!" Paige shook her head and used a hand to ruffle Pet's mane. "Being a pony doesn't mean being useless, Inkwell. And it doesn't mean a head full of cotton candy, either. I'm sorry you were disappointed by not being completely freed of dark and scary thoughts. But I've never heard of a pony dwelling on such things the way humans do, either. Worry, yes. Horror, no. So just try to take it on faith that being capable of something does not mean you are doomed to think terrible things all the time." Paige disentangled herself from Pet and Inkwell, and began to get up, off the bed. "You should be glad, really. We need to think our way out of this mess, and if going pony took away the ability to think, we might as well just give ourselves up for lost right now, because I certainly can't carry all of this just by myself." At the door to the kitchen, Paige turned to her spouses cuddling on the bed. "We need you, Inks. You're the best read pony here. You know the drama to avoid, right? Use your scary thought powers to help us find a way out of all of this. Right now, the fact that ponification doesn't remove that ability is probably our best hope. I'm going to put stuff away, alright? You going to be OK?" Inkwell sniffed and smiled. "Yeah. I'll be OK. Thank you, Paige. You too, Pet." She kissed Pet on the nose and snuggled close. "It was just so intense, you know?" Petrichor kissed Inkwell back. "Yeah, actually I do. Right after my conversion, I had those bad dreams, remember? The ones where my hooves crumbled and I was back in the wheelchair?" "Oh! I remember!" Inkwell looked a little ashamed. "I guess you do know don't you? Even better than me. Sorry. I guess I was just all wrapped up in it all." "That's how it is. I felt the same way. Scary stuff does that." Petrichor shouted to the door "You need any help, Paige?" The sound of a cabinet opening and closing came from the kitchen. "Nope! I got it! Just snuggle!" "Sounds like a plan." Petrichor giggled and held Inkwell tight.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Fifteen: A Divergence Of Splays	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Fifteen: A Divergence Of Splays The apartment building had been magically swept and scanned by whispering unicorns moving past silent ponies and the few humans that still remained. Because ponies cannot help but be social and cooperative, the building population was more than happy to work as one, especially with the threat of the HLF described to them in soft, barely audible tones. Patches of sparks flew from the ragged tiles of the hallway leading away from Paige, Pet, and Inkwell's apartment, and more were found scattered in the stairwell and the lobby, but that was it. Sure that the building was clean, the residents had a meeting together and Inkwell described her plan, and how they could help. Not a one was unwilling, not even the humans, touched as they were by the constant social camaraderie the ponies had created within the complex. Within hours, the simple scheme was ready, and with nightfall, it began. The two HLF Frontsmen in the upper left window of the old Tacksworn Corporation building reported in first. Groups of ponies, and ponies and humans, were leaving the target building. All were draped with sheets or comforters, making them unidentifiable. They looked like cheap Halloween ghosts, sent out by uncaring mothers. They disbursed always in groups of three, and then began to walk, or run, in every possible direction. Some ambled north, others south-west. Three headed towards the old nanotech plant. Three groups of three moved in the direction of the distant Bureau, but that meant nothing because other reports began to come in of groups suddenly abandoning their initial vector and changing direction radically, and apparently at whim. The HLF A.I. 'Monitor', was fed the information and came out with a pattern - all were following a Drunkard's Walk that occasionally changed it's attractor. In short, they were all moving essentially randomly, with a slight bias towards three locations - the direction of the Bureau, across town, the direction of the warehouses also across town but in different area, and the Blackmesh base, in yet another section of the city. Things heated up when the groups began to use any available transportation to move more quickly. Some of the sheet-covered groups took Pegasus Cabs, and flew through the sky, others took earthpony carts, which were encouraged to run swiftly. Still more began to dart and move through other buildings or down alleyways in the most suspicious manner possible. The HLF agents soon began to suspect that the groups were changing sheets when they could, and some were deliberately wearing outlandish hats or other items over the sheets to set themselves apart. Ralph Vitoni, 'Cloudypuff Moonypants' stomped about his own observation command post in a room across the street from the apartment building and cursed his mother and god, shouting epithets and kicking the walls with his hooves. This was impossible. He had done miracles of wet and dry work in his career, and always he could count on how humans naturally behaved to predict where to move and what to do and how to manipulate events. But it was hitting him, for the first time, that these ponies, these Newfoals, were not humans, not anymore. They were not socially isolated or distrustful, they showed no hesitancy to assist, they could not be expected to mind their own business, and they could not be expected to sit in the background and avoid getting involved. By the time the first reports of other apartment buildings disgorging masses of sheeted ponies and humans arrived, the little 'sheet game' spreading across the town like a disease, he knew the situation was hopeless. Everybody wanted to play, it seemed, like happy children, even if they did not understand why. The HLF Frontsmen, scattered about the city, found groups of three, covered in sheets, that had no idea what was going on. They knew nothing about Paige, Inkwell, or Petrichor, or why the game was happening. Someone had simply arrived, explained the rules, stated that it was important, and the entire building had turned out to join in. It was 'important' after all, and it just wouldn't be Pony to turn down a chance to help. Plus... it seemed pretty fun giggling about trying not to be identified. It was like a city-wide costume party! They cooperated without a second thought, these freaks, thought Ralph. They weren't human. They were monsters, creatures, they weren't human any more. They had no dignity, they weren't embarrassed or ashamed or inhibited. None of the human traits that could be exploited were valid anymore. They were like happy children, ready to play, but laughing at their own silliness like Buddhist masters. It was crazy. The world had lost all context, and gone completely insane. The HLF did the best they could - they sent teams to rip the sheets off of the groups that arrived at the Conversion Bureau, doing their best to intercept any who approached it. But the numbers kept growing, and the Frontsmen couldn't handle how many groups in sheets approached. They were spread too thin. So the order came to shoot, to keep the groups from approaching. It was a dangerous, desperate act. The response from the Blackmesh was immediate, and very costly. Ralph made the call. The groups heading towards the warehouses were an obvious distraction. Inkwell, 'Gwen', had clearly taken the notebook with her when she had originally escaped, it would be pointless to return the book to the place she had found it. It wasn't there currently, the warehouse had been searched top to bottom. That was just the kind of pathetic distraction that he expected from the three. Whoever they worked for, they had not been trained well, Ralph was convinced of that. There were only two logical places that Paige, Inkwell and Pet would need to go. Either to where the notebook was hidden, or to Equestria, to escape. Since a mass of the sheeted groups were headed towards the old nanofabrication plant, it seemed reasonable that this could very well be the place where the notebook had been hidden. It even had a kind of sense to it - potion was a nanofluid, so hiding the notebook that described its creation in a nanofab plant had an obvious and simple connection - nano to nano. He sent the remaining available Frontsmen to the nano plant, it was stupid to waste resources on an obvious distraction that would only be a trap in any case. If the three mares - or mare to be, in the case of Paige - were to head to the warehouses, they would be cut off, isolated, and trapped. When the HLF returned to their command center, all routes away from the warehouses would be blocked. It was a deathtrap. They were undertrained, not stupid. The Frontsmen worked through the night, intercepting as many sheeted groups as they could, which was not many because the game had gone exponential. By midnight, Monitor had estimated that half the city population was involved in the 'Sheet Game'. Ralph spat invectives. Ponies. God-damn ponies. He ruefully moaned that if humans had that level of instant cooperation, the threat of Equestria would have been beaten in the first year. It was disgusting, horrifying, a nightmare. Ponies just helped each other, without a second thought. It was 'important', somehow, so... they just went along. Because it was a way to cooperate, and because it was fun. That was the key, he realized, to manipulating ponies. Make it sound useful, make it sound fun. They weren't motivated by wealth, or power, or fear or threat. They were motivated by helpfulness and fun. If anything in all the world was Ralph Vitoni's Achilles Heel, it was to wrap his mind around anyone being motivated entirely by helpfulness and fun. It was alien, freakish, horrifying. It wasn't his world, or his species down there. He couldn't grasp them, he couldn't predict them, and they terrified him. "Ralph! What the hell are you going to do about this?" It was Leo - Leonard Reich, the head of the HLF, and he was not a happy man. His voice was clear and angry over the pony-sized headset that Ralph wore to communicate with his teams. "Leo! You tell me! The whole damn city is trotting around like show-ponies in sheets. It's like a Klan rally for ponies or somethin'. They're goin' everywhere, and there's no way to tell which is which or who is who. What? Do all ponies get radio transmitters in their skull? Are they telepathic? Where the hell is my radio then?" Ralph felt like everything was going south, and it was, and it was the first time he had failed so spectacularly since his very first job, and even that wasn't this bad of a mess. "Listen, Ralph. Gypsy Traveller can't happen unless we know the precise location of the subject. We have no idea where it is, but that notebook supposedly has a map in it. You know we need that map, Ralph. If we have the map, we can get the subject, and if we get the subject, we can penetrate the Barrier, and we win. We win, just like that. Boom, Ralph, it's all over, Equestria is over, the nightmare will be over, it's all over. You have to get that notebook Ralph. I don't care what you have to do. Kill every fucking thing in the city if you have to. I'm authorizing final sanction. Do you hear me Ralph? Final. Sanction. If you can't do the job, tell me. Then you just get your teams to safety, and we'll release NV-US1 and sort through the city after. Can you do the job?" Ralph stared out the window. "Jesus Christ." Below, the parade of sheeted ponies and humans filled the streets, laughing and dancing and strolling. It looked like the entire city was involved, and it probably was. The HLF had placed NV units all over the city - in sewers, on roofs, in buildings, on kiosks, everywhere and anywhere that could access the greatest population possible. The most deadly nerve agent ever developed. It had been created before the Collapse, and had never been surpassed. A single molecule killed, causing a cascade reaction that induced apoptosis in virtually every nerve cell in the human body. It worked on ponies, too, though not in the same way. It just killed them, brutally, though nobody could figure out why. They just turned bodily to sludge, their skeletons shining through dripping ooze. The HLF had obtained nearly every ounce of NV-US1 ever made. If Leo used it, any person or pony in the city would die, within minutes. It would take twenty-eight hours for the agent to degrade to a harmless state. Then they could unseal the doors, and come out of the underground HLF base. Every living being. Every pony or human in the city. Ralph Vitoni was a hard man. He did messy jobs, and he did them well. But this - this was too much even for him, it was just too much. Final sanction was only for troops marching on the city, for some terminal, apocalyptic assault on the headquarters, for a final stand, not to find a stupid notebook. Leo apparently really did believe that some map in some notebook would save all of humanity. A wooden wagon, two QCD warheads and a notebook. Gypsy Traveller. Ralph was no fan of the ponies, and the city was mostly ponies now, but that was really worth killing every living thing in an entire city for? The fact was, he'd been outsmarted. There was no possible way to find two ponies and a human, or three ponies and no human, when the entire city had been somehow mobilized into running about randomly with sheets and blankets covering their identities. All the scanning equipment, all the face recognition, all the Frontsmen down there - it was all useless to such a simple thing. The scale was too large to manage. The scale was too large to do anything about. The decision sat there, hanging in his mind. If he told Leo he couldn't do the job, all those people and ponies down there would die. The whole city hung on four words: "I can't do it." If he told Leo he could find the notebook, a whole city would not die. But the fact was, he couldn't find the notebook. Nobody could. Not unless the city were empty, and they could take their time checking every corpse, until by elimination, they found what they were looking for. Provided the targets were even carrying the notebook. Leo assumed too much with that one. What if they left it stashed somewhere? They couldn't search the entire city, not everywhere. Leo was panicking. He was an asshole, and he was losing his shit. Ralph kicked the floor with his hoof. Hoof. For the rest of his life, he was stuck with hooves. Fuck Leo. Leo was an asshole. But Leo would have his guts for garters if he called this wrong. And the fact was, there was no way he could find that damn notebook. "Ralph! I need an answer here. I am not fucking around. Can you do the job, or not?" Ralph slapped his own flank with his tail. It stung, and somehow that helped. "Gimme a moment, there Leo. I'm checking a lead. If it pans, we don't need to go nuclear, OK?" There. Time to think. That's what was needed. Time to think, time to breath. "Five minutes, Ralph. Five." And Leo was off the line. Ralph stood in his dark, empty room, looking out at the laughing, dashing ponies and humans in their sheets. The city was having an impromptu party. It did that sometimes, because the ponies just... did that. Tonight the theme was sheets. Ralph began to wonder if maybe he had underestimated his three opponents. He had certainly not considered pony psychology in his own calculations. This moment was one of 'those' moments. Five minutes in which a single decision would make all the difference. Live or die, yes or no. A possibly world-changing moment of decision. Ralph looked around the empty room, piled with junk and boxes, dark, illuminated only by the candles and alcohol lamps from outside, the dim yellow, reflected glow on the thickening smog layer - damn lazy pegasus bastards - and the distant lights of the holosigns in the twoper district. Suddenly, something beeped in the corner. What? Ralph approached the sound cautiously. It was a Pre-Collapse clam-shelled 2D computing device. A... a Lap Top. Yeah, that's what they were called. Lap Tops. The damn thing looked... it looked brand new. Where had it come from? The thing was open, the screen, such as it was, suddenly lit up with a picture of the notebook, the very thing that Leo wanted. It had to be - the title on the overstuffed notebook was very clear in the image. Project Bucephalus, Laboratory 012 Umbra-Cosmik-Magik Clearance ONLY Ultimate Sanction For Loss Or Exposure Below the image of the notebook, was text. Ralph stared at the text, his mind incredulous, reeling at the impossibility of it all. This could not be happening. It could not be happening, but it was. Another group, maybe? Something parallel to the HLF? Worldgovernment elite breaking ranks to support the HLF? Ralph stared, his eyes wide at the message below the picture of the notebook. Attention Ralph Vitoni: In three minutes Leonard Reich will call you and he will say "Alright you oat-stuffed bag of sht, which is it? Can you do your fcking job or not?" When he says this, tell him you can. The notebook is hidden in locker 222 on level two of the Espacios NanoEngranaje fabrication center just as you suspected. Hurry, there are others after it. - Turner and Fogarty "Turner and Fogarty? The hell?" Ralph goggled the message, unable to tear his eyes away. "I... don't know anyone with those names. What they fuck do they want from me in exchange for this? Goddammit, I can't even diddle with this damn thing because of these goddamned hooves!" Ralph shook his head, but the antique computer remained, sitting on a box, displaying the picture of the notebook, and the text message just below it. "Alright, you oat-stuffed bag of shit, which is it? Can you do your fucking job, or not?" It was Leo, his voice angry over the headset. It had been the exact words. Ralph had read the words almost as Leo had said them. He felt a chill run down his pony spine, and his breath stopped for a bit, from the strange feeling of his entire mane standing up all along his withers. "Well?" The voice in his headset was not at all pleasant. "I can do the job, sir. I know exactly where the notebook is. Imma.... Imma gonna go get it right now. Shouldn't take me more than half an hour. Stand everyone down. No need to croak the city or nothin'." Ralph memorized the address for the third time. Locker 222 on level two of the very nanofabrication center he had suspected when the sheet ponies started heading that way. "You OK, Ralph?" Leo sounded almost nice, almost concerned. That was usually a dangerous sign. "Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'm great. For a FUCKING PONY! Goddamn you, by the way. I'll get your notebook, fucker. Vitoni out." Ralph twisted his head violently so that the custom headset flew off and hit the wall. His now superior hearing could still make out Leo asking if he was there, and demanding he respond. The antique device went dark. Ralph had no way to manipulate it, the keyboard was made for human fingers, not clumsy earthpony hooves. That... was that. Ralph's hackles fell, the hairs relaxing along his neck. Locker 222, level two. The decision had been made. The city would live. The notebook would belong to the HLF. Ralph Vitoni gave the Lap Top a nudge with his hoof, and it fell over, off the box, with an unpleasant crinkling thunk. "Fuck!" Then Ralph headed out of the room, and down the dark hall, towards the stairs. It was a fairly long trot to the old nanofabrication plant. Petrichor followed behind Paige and Inkwell. Inkwell led the group, she knew where they needed to go. Not once had they seen a single human, and certainly not a pony, since they had entered the warehouse district. Inkwell came to a halt, which made Paige and Petrichor stumble slightly as they avoided crashing into her. The sheet and the two comforters had made travel difficult at times, and they couldn't run easily. Petrichor had grumbled several times during their trek about how much easier it would have been to have flown, and how she could have certainly carried both Paige and Inks on the pallet which still lay on the roof of their apartment building. But Inkwell had refused that entirely. The last thing they wanted to do, after all of that, was to be the one anomaly that stood out. "That's it. That's the warehouse I used to work at." Inkwell saw that the lights were entirely out, and that the loading door was still wide open. It had been weeks. That was not good. She had been hoping that it would be staffed once more, perhaps with an even bigger group of Blackmesh security protecting it, making it a safe haven. At least safe enough for her to get to her goal. Now she was uncertain that her goal would even still be there. The fear that she had made a terrible miscalculation began to creep into her feelings, and her stomach sank within her. "Is it safe?" They were talking in whispers, Paige's question was quiet, almost inaudible to herself. She had learned that Equestrian ears were far more sensitive than human ears, and so knew how amazingly softly she could speak and still have the two ponies catch her words. "I... I have doubts, Paige." Inkwell studied the area around the warehouse. The bodies were gone, all the bodies of the Blackmesh that had tried to protect the place. The warehouse looked abandoned. It looked like LAASTT had just pulled out after the incident entirely. This was not good. This was not good at all. Inkwell turned to her mates. "Listen... I may have made a mistake. I honestly expected them to stay, to have more guards. There were tons of books in there. It's really expensive to move that, books weigh a lot. But... I think they just up and left. I think they're gone." Her face was worried, and so was her scent, which Petrichor picked up on instantly. "So... what do you want to do?" Petrichor nodded at the empty, dark warehouse. "We won't be left alone after this. I'm certain of that. We lucked out that we were given as many hours as we had, and that only because Cloudypuff thought we were agents of some group like the PER or a branch of the Worldgovernment." Inkwell's muzzle wrinkled in thought. "We can't go back, and they will be all over the Bureau. We escaped only because we were able to make use of the fact we're a herd species now. The oldest trick in Nature, at least on Earth - the anonymity of the group. But I'm out of tricks. I look at that warehouse, and I just think 'trap'." "We can't stay here, Inks. Whatever we do, we can't stay here." Paige reached out from her sheet and patted Inkwell. "We have to do something, anything. Indecision is always fatal." Inkwell looked lost. "I just don't know what to do!" "There's only two choices, Inks." Petrichor leaned into Inkwell, pressing close. "We go in, or we go anywhere else. So, do you think it's still there? All we have to do, you said, was get to it. If it's there, we're saved. Is it worth the risk?" The warehouse sat, dark and empty, the loading bay door open, doubtless the other doors as well. There was no sign of power in the area. Inkwell began looking around at the various security towers and poles. "No power." The entire area was dark. Electricity was costly, and cities rationed it strictly. The majority of the population only enjoyed two hours of electricity a day, and only the Twopers, the two percent with jobs, enjoyed electricity through most or all of the day. If the government project here had entirely pulled out, there would be no power in this whole section of the city. The HLF had a base somewhere near, but they would not likely be using city power, or, if they had control of the city ministry, their power would come through buried, private lines. It would not be wasted on the warehouse region in general, and that meant the surveillance system would be down. If the HLF was still watching the warehouse, they would have to be doing it with Frontsmen, stationed around or inside the building. Inkwell turned to Petrichor. "Pet - we need to know if there are any humans anywhere nearby. Paige - sit down, and be as quiet as you can. Sit downwind, over there." Inkwell pointed with a hoof to a spot behind her. "Pet, we've got these amazing senses. Let's put them to use. Are there any humans, anywhere nearby?" Petrichor and Inkwell stood still, legs locked and sniffed the air. They carefully listened, scanning with their tall ears. As she concentrated, as she focused on her senses, Inkwell began to hear first Pet's heartbeat, then Paige's behind her, under the sound of her own. She smelled the scents of the area - plascrete and old steel, the tang of ancient concrete dust that predated the Collapse, heat baked and chemically degenerated spills of oil and other chemicals from before her birth. The smell of gasoline-burning vehicles still staining broken sections of wall and road, the ghosts of a more prosperous age. But nowhere in the complex symphony of scents was any fresh, current scent of Man. She smelled Milner, the owner of the warehouse, but he hadn't been there in well over two months. She could sense those that had come and moved the books and everything away. There was the scent of death and urine and feces from several spots on the plascrete, mixed with the bitter chemical sting of Blackmesh fibers. She could almost pinpoint where the guards had dropped. But despite all of this, every sense she possessed told her that there was not a single living human beyond Paige in the area. Could it truly be that the HLF had no presence here now? Perhaps it made sense - they would use their limited manpower to block and search the most likely places to go, like the Bureau, uptown. They would be frantic now, dealing with a city of sheeted ponies and people. They would not know about the secrets of the Underground Bookmobile. They couldn't. And neither would the WorldGov team that had emptied the warehouse! It had to still be in there! It had to be! "Paige! Pet! Follow me!" With that, Inkwell let her comforter slide entirely off her back, and strode forward confidently towards the warehouse. Ralph Vitoni stared at the contents of Locker 222 on level two of the nanofabrication plant. He said nothing, but his entire body shook with rage. He wanted to smash the locker, he wanted to stomp the floor, but he was afraid he would shatter his own hoof doing such a thing. Besides, there were men watching. He'd made the call, he'd made his decision, and he'd have to live with it. His three concerns, Paige, Petrichor and Inkwell, could be anywhere by now, and with them, no doubt, the notebook. It was lost forever. Leo would probably kill him. Even despite all the resources used in his transformation. It wouldn't be wise to return to base. There was only one place for him now, and he hated that fact. There was only one place he could be safe from Leonard Reich. Equestria. The fact of that burned Ralph, it seared and cut and tore at his emotions. Ponies. Ponies had done this to him, ponies had ruined his life, ponies were stealing his world. And now his only refuge was among them. He could only go to Equestria. Only there could he be certain of his life, and Ralph Vitoni was very fond of staying alive. But most of all, he would never give that bastard Leonard Reich the satisfaction of taking out his own failure upon him. Reich was incompetent, he should never have been allowed to run the HLF. 'Gypsy Traveller'... a wagon and two bombs that could never pass through the Equestrian Barrier! The man was insane. "We've been had, gentlemen." Ralph announced the fact quietly, evenly. "The operation is a bust. I need to contact Reich to confirm things, but my guess is a return to base." Ralph made a show of putting a hoof up to his head. "Leo? Hey! Leo! What? I can't hear you! Yeah, listen... hang on. I'll try outside, I think it's the building. Yeah!" Ralph looked at the armed Frontsmen filling the lockerooms. "I'm gonna try outside, hey - just to be sure, do a level one search of the building, OK? I just want to be one-hundred percent about this, capiche?" A Frontsman nodded. "Understood." He began giving orders to his men. Ralph took to the stairs and went down to the ground floor, then out the door. He walked around the building, then across the street, into an alley. Then he turned a corner and galloped rapidly into the night. One of the Frontsmen, searching all the lockers one by one, stopped to check locker 222 out of curiosity. He pointed his hand-held torch into the locker. There, taped to the back of the compartment was a drawing. The drawing was in colored markers, and it showed a brown earthpony stallion with a wild brown mane and a blond-maned, gray coated pegasus mare with wildly divergent golden eyes. Both of the ponies had their tongues stuck out, and the gray mare was waving a hoof. The crude lettering said "YoUr PriNceSs iS In AnoTher CasTle!!!" The Frontsman shook his head, then moved on. The joke was lost on him. It had come from a Pre-Collapse video game, one that he had never seen, one that nobody of his generation had ever seen. It was the sort of thing really old people would have enjoyed, and such things held no interest to him. Though they searched until morning, there was no notebook in the fabrication plant to be found. As the sun rose, Leonard Reich called the commander of the Frontsmen to ask for the whereabouts of Ralph Vitoni. Unhappily, he had no answer to give.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Sixteen: The Universe is Horror	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Sixteen: The Universe is Horror "It is not accurate to say that there is horror in the universe. The universe is horror." -Dr. Werner Heisenberg, theoretical physicist, formulator of quantum mechanics Project Bucephalus - Bucephalus Panopticon February 12th There is only one place where I have privacy, that location is the room they have provided me. I am unsure that the claim of privacy is true even so, but I choose to believe it, because I must. The Bucephalus Panopticon is the central command for the entire Bucephalus project. Every day I mingle with the elite of the elite, who come to visit and nod at things as if they understood any of what is going on. I have always wondered what the corporate elite would look like, the unimaginably wealthy and powerful that own and control every former nation and land of the Earth. I suppose I imagined them as implacable humanoid robots in perfect black suits dictating things with electric claws of life and death. The fact is, they look like anyone, though perhaps a bit better groomed. One man, supposedly the most powerful man on the planet, could have been this older guy I used to buy coffee from, back during my collegiate days. The merchants who had the world fall in their lap are just people, and I feel somehow disappointed to discover that the entire planet is run not by mysterious illuminati, or space aliens, or robot overlords, but instead by terribly boring, ordinary people who just happened to be born into the few hundred powerful families that own everything and everyone. Everything about the world makes sense, now. No tin-foil hat schemes, no terrifying secrets, just rich people trying to stay rich whatever the cost to anyone else, and the world bumbling along led by ordinary humans driven by ordinary wishes for power, influence and stuff. I expect the kings and queens and presidents and prime ministers of old, back in the days of nations, before the Collapse, were no different, though various comments I have overheard suggest the same families owned the world even then - just behind the scenes. Business as usual, really, just now they don't have propped-up national leaders to hide behind. The fact of it is, that it is the most boring possible situation to discover about how the world has always been run and I find my imagination aggrieved. I would have preferred robot overlords, not boring rich families. Perfectly human rich people are just too obvious and dull to be the masters of the planet. The elite come, stand over some part of the work going on, nod like they understand everything, then ask some incredibly ignorant question as if it were profound. There is no option but to respond like a happy puppy, tail wagging at their brilliance, and answer them as if astounded at their insight. That - was made clear to me in my orientation lecture. I am one of fifty scientists and researchers hand-picked from all the various groups around the planet. I am here because of General Norman P. Ridgway, my little head-tapping, odd-looking supporter. Most of the people in charge here have favored 'pets' here, I happen to be Ridgway's. I finally found out why he favors me so. Apparently the thesis I wrote on applications for nanotechnology was his big key to understanding some stuff he needed to understand at some crucial point in his career. He was stuck, unable to do his job and in fear of losing it. My thesis just happened to make sense to him for some reason, likely because I did a crappy enough job a layman could suss my points. It certainly wasn't the grand masterwork he makes it out to be, but it saved his ass when he needed it. The upshot of this is that now I am 'The Expert' and the 'Shining Golden One' to him, and that puts me in a very bad place. Because I don't know a damn thing compared to just about anyone around me here. I am so completely out of my element. I learned that horrible truth my very first day here at the Panopticon. They had the leaders of the 'brain teams' together in the thinktank chamber, and they let us 'pets' sit in, on the hope we might contribute something that hadn't been thought of. When I went in, I was thinking 'oh, wow, here is my chance to shine!' Boy, was I wrong. The thinktank chamber is this big circular room filled with active surface desks and seats, where everyone can face everyone else, and in the center is this amazing holodisplay. It's very super-science and I have to say I was impressed. The seats are super comfy and the active surface desks are cutting edge. It's a shame humanity turned its back on the stars right after Apollo 17. We never went to mars, we never did anything more except space stations and probes because there wasn't any profit in it, and then the Collapse hit. But in that room, I felt like I was sitting on the bridge of a science fiction starship! The 'brain teams' have the hardest job of anyone in the whole Bucephalus project. They are the conversion elite group. They basically have to work out what we - as a species - get to keep and what we have to leave behind in terms of how the post-human brain works after conversion. Because we have so few years to save as much of humanity as possible, there just isn't time for long philosophical debates about what makes us human. The entire problem has been reduced to an engineering issue, devoid of sentiment. Perhaps that is really the only way to face such a task. Equestria is a radically different universe than our own. Virtually every survival behavior earthly evolution has selected for is a grave disadvantage there. Rigid tribalism, hoarding, competition, territoriality, greed for resources, dominance, jealousy, the capacity to overcome altruism for immediate personal or group advantage, the ability to hunt and kill - all work strongly against survival within Equestria. They all have to go, and we have no say in the matter. There are behavioral requirements set by the princesses themselves that have to be met, and the Equestrian side is making sure that they will be met whatever we think. It is the price of admission, really. There are less absolute, but nonetheless important concerns the brain teams have to deal with. One basic issue is that once converted, it cannot be allowed that any transformed human should suffer or regret their new body or their new life. It would be horrifically cruel to transform humanity only for people to find themselves unable to accept or even stand existing within their new physiology. This is a very basic engineering issue with regard to transformation, and it needed to be dealt with. The brain teams had actually solved this one months ago. The way they solved the problem is through a combination of changes that all support and reinforce each other. One thing they did was to reconstruct the neurological homunculus, the internal body-map which permits any animal to comprehend its own body parts and their orientation and function. Altering the body map to fit the new body means that a transformed human will always feel comfortable, and that their new Equestrian body will always make sense to their brain. It prevents body dysmorphia. Another solution they developed was to shape the transformed brain in such a way as to increase the overall level of emotional well-being and the level at which pleasant experiences or sensations chemically reward the brain. This reward system lowers slowly, over decades, to a level consistent with ordinary Equestrians, but it is expected to cause a reinforcement loop that will entrain the converted to like and even love their new body and their new lives. Essentially, converted humans will be driven by their own brain chemistry to be happy with being a pony, and with living within pony society. It was a rather elegant solution, I thought. A third mechanism I heard cited is simply a natural side effect of both Equestrian society and the new body itself. The converted human will find their new body healthier, more agile, much stronger, more acute of senses and more capable of pleasure than a human body could ever be. The required alterations to the human brain all alter it to experience hypertrophied compassion and empathy. Equestrian brains are more strongly rewarded for all acts of kindness and cooperation, and this is now a part of the design of the transformed human brain. This reward system, combined with the nature of Equestrian society itself - which is consistently friendly, helpful, innocent, loving, gentle, supportive and pleasant - should set up a strong feedback loop that will reinforce pleasurable feelings of contentment and satisfaction. Essentially, transformed humans will end up with a brain mostly identical to a native Equestrian brain, except with the human identity and memory retained, and a relatively brief period of enhanced pleasurable feedback to encourage acceptance and satisfaction with the new state of being. Transformed humans will find themselves perfectly adapted to their new universe, and completely unadapted to their dying homeworld. This is only appropriate, since there is only one place we can escape to, and it would be unconscionable to force the converted to suffer any disadvantage with regard to native ponies. It is to the credit of the princesses that they will not permit converted humans to end up as second-class citizens in any respect. I have a confession to make, though. Throughout the entire discussion, I had nothing to add, because virtually every detail involving all of these changes and alterations and minimal specs for the new human brain were entirely beyond me. I felt like a child listening to adults talk about things far above my level or comprehension, and by the end of the brain team meeting, I spent some time in my room crying. I just felt completely beat up by how incompetent I was compared to these amazingly talented people. And that is why I can only put down here the most basic things from that meeting - frankly, the rest was lost on me. I had nothing to offer, nothing to add, and spent most of the six-hours-with-breaks feeling retarded and diddling with my active surface iconobjects. The big thing I got from the brain team meeting? I now know how to adjust haptic feedback on active surfaces so I can make them feel more or less bumpy now. I am a genius of my time. I own the bumps. I can make your active surface holodisplay feel rubbery or hard. I can adjust the flatness. I am a goddess of haptic feedback. I used to wonder why I was part of the Zero-Twelvers. Now I miss Lab 12 desperately. I am less than useless here. I am in vastly over my head. Project Bucephalus - Bucephalus Panopticon March 16th It's been very busy. I'm on the transformation testing team. The quality of replicated bodies we get are amazing in the Panopticon. Now we get them in all ages, all colors, and all sizes. None of them are Patchwork Bobs, they all look like they could have just come off of any streetcorner, in any favela - and don't think the thought hadn't crossed my mind, but no. I refuse to accept that people are just being randomly abducted by the worldgovernment for testing. Humanity used to do things like that, back in Pre-Collapse times - the old American syphilis studies in Guatemala and the US Stateville Penitentiary Malaria Studies, both in the 1940's, Leo Stanley's horrific medical experiments on prisoners in the 1950's, the Tuskegee syphilis experiments on tens of thousands of black men from the 30's to the 70's, the Staten Island Willowbrook State School experiments infecting thousands of disabled children with hepatitis in the 60's, U.S. Army biological warfare experiments on tens of thousands of civilians throughout the old American south - and that's just the Northamerizone. Every old, defunct nation, every old state did the same or far worse. But that was then. That was before the Collapse. That was before our current enlightened times. Now, in the modern nano-age, under the Worldgovernment, I have to believe that the casual, banal evils that nations once inflicted on their own unknowing populations are a thing of the past. We have grown, as a species, and this time, in this golden age, things are different. Man is different now, than he was during the preceding 10,000 years. This time, we finally are a compassionate planet - we are certainly all working together to save every one of us! Interestingly, that was one of the conditions that Celestia demanded in exchange for rescue. We are required to work to save everyone, not just the elite. Either conversion is made available to everyone, or Celestia won't let anyone in. I would like to think her demand did not need to be insisted upon. So, like I was saying, these are some amazing replicated bodies. Some even have tattoos and permatech and implants in them. That is only reasonable, really. We have to fully deal with just such complexities before the conversion serum is used on real, non-vat-grown humans. I am very impressed with the quality of whatever facility is manufacturing these test bodies. Just amazing quality. It makes me proud to be human, to see work of this quality. Project Bucephalus - Bucephalus Panopticon March 25th I had to check one of the test bodies because it was exhibiting unusual neural activity. We test every aspect during conversion, and of course we test neurology because that is the most important bit of all. 'You are your brain', as they say. They are providing us with more and more complex brains in these repli-bodies, so that the iterative efforts to get the genetic work the brain teams are doing can be finalized. After conversion, the resulting ponies are immediately taken for dissection to see just how close the result is. All the work is on the brain now, we pretty much have the bodies down pat, except for one anomaly. All the conversions still result in mares regardless of the sex of the test body. This has the core geneticists scratching their heads raw, I imagine. This was the same problem we had back in Lab 12, and it is apparently a tough one. We'll lick it in the end, though, I feel sure. We are so very, very close now. The body was a replicated twenty-something male, Caucasian, pretty average overall, but it had some spikes in the 4 Hz to 7 Hz range, and one odd one at 14 hz, but only for a second. I went to adjust the skull sensors and noticed something odd - a small wound at the upper corner of the left eye. I think the body may have been handled poorly, resulting in a small hole. I wanted to have the body checked to see if the brain case had been penetrated, or the brain damaged, but I was overruled. I thought it was important - if the brain was damaged, the results might not be useful. But, what do I know? I thought converting replicated bodies was at least something I could handle. I am constantly reminded of how useless I am here. Project Bucephalus - Bucephalus Panopticon April 7th Human testing has finally arrived! They made the decision at the beginning of the week, and the whole of the Panopticon is in a state of frenzy and excitement. This is the big moment, it's showtime! This is where all the work of millions of human beings, struggling together on the single largest project in all of human history, with a literally unlimited budget, finally gets to shine. It is a stunning thing to contemplate what thirty million scientists, engineers, geneticists, nanotechnologists, neurologists - oh the list is endless - what thirty million people working together can accomplish if they all have the same goal, and the same drive. We are all fighting to save our species, to save humanity itself. In Project Bucephalus, for the first time in all of history, humanity is completely united. We had a review today, of all the major steps and milestones. They brought almost the entire Panopticon together in the big arena. They did a retrospective, and I got a brief glimpse of Lab 12! I guess, in some small way, we were noted for what we had achieved. That made me very proud. We also had a very special guest. Celestia, the princess of Equestria herself, made a speech. This was the very first time I have gotten to see her with my own eyes, and not from some video or holographic representation. The arena is huge, and while she is surprisingly large - taller than a man in fact - she looked tiny down on the stage below. She spoke in perfect English, and her voice sounded remarkably human. I was absolutely floored by the feeling of presence I got from her. It was as if she somehow filled that entire room by just being there. And her mane - I long ago decided it must be some kind of energy field - I imagined everything from a holographic mane to some esoteric energy of some kind. Seeing it in person, it isn't simple to explain. It is like looking into an endless sky at sunrise or sunset. It moves and waves and acts alive. But that isn't the weird part. Whenever I looked into - that's the only word for it, 'into', not 'at' - Celestia's mane, or tail, I heard those little chimes. The little bell-like sounds that Dr. Mayoss had suggested were my neurons dying from thaumatic exposure. I think he was wrong. The faint whisper of chimes only happened when I stared at her mane, and it stopped when I stopped. Unless thaumatic radiation can selectively decide who is looking at it and when, something else is going on, something beyond all human understanding. Seeing Celestia in person has finally swayed me. I will write it here, but I don't think I dare - ever - say it out loud. I believe in magic. That isn't thaumatic radiation, or flux, or extracosmic energy, or 'neo-quantum nonlocality' happening in that mane, that is magic. I have no other word for it. Or for how the serum - we're calling it 'potion' now, a somewhat twee pseudo-contraction of 'Ponification Serum for Transformation' - can accomplish the things it does. I feel like my eyes are open for the first time in my life. Humans try to tame things they don't or can't understand with labels and names. When you get right to it, though, Dark Energy is just a coded name for 'magic energy'. It's all magic. Until you understand it. I understand just enough of what we've been working with - purple fairy blood, violet wizard wine, and now the bright red, fully developed 'potion' - to say that it is magic. It is some kind of programmable energy that is capable of memory, and action. It is anti-entropic and fails all the basic rules of thermodynamics. It sings in my head when I look at it. Unicorns weave the stuff! That's magic enough for me. And it fits the cultural idea of magic that humans have had for their entire existence. Equestria, I am certain, was based on our planet. I think that there was two-way communication in that process, and human culture got the idea of magic from the physics of Equestria. When I looked at Celestia, speaking to us about the momentousness of our achievement, I felt something. More than the singing in my head when I looked at her mane. I thought about the unicorn medic that had to leave us back in Lab 12, because the 'thickness' in our converted Patchwork Bobs. Thickness. Something that rises above. Celestia, who can move the sun in the sky, who created Equestria from chaos, and formed the mountains and sky and seas with her will - she is magic, of that I am sure. And what word is there, among humans, for a being that is magic and can make the world itself, create life from scratch upon that world, and drive the passage of heavenly bodies through the sky? Celestia's humility in insisting on the word 'princess' is wondrous. Thickness. I keep thinking about 'thickness', and I think that more than anything in all of both worlds, I want to be worthy of having some myself. Project Bucephalus - Bucephalus Panopticon April 13th I don't know if I can write this. I don't know if I should. It feels like I am writing a confession of my crimes. I suppose I am. General Ridgway had me there. He had me do the 'honors', in fact. I was his pet, and he wanted to show me off. He wanted to show me off in the big 'dog and pony show'. I played the part of the dog. The men had been shaved and cleaned up, but it was clear that corporate prison had not been nice to them. I have no idea what they were in prison for. I will never know. I suppose it doesn't really matter. They were bolted into cages by harnesses, the five of them. All men, all about thirty or so. Naked. Bruises. They kept hissing because I think their vocal chords had been severed. They were very, very afraid. We were supposedly verifying dosage and conversion efficacy in the very first official human trial. The gallery was packed with observers - some I knew were from the Ministry of Propaganda and Infotainment, others from - I don't know. From everything. All the ministries. Probably some elites in there. All had come to see the show. A day at the circus for the special-est of special people. They had me wearing a special uniform, something very science-fiction medical. The whole affair was quite the production. I balked at the hissing men and Ridgway became displeased with me. And that was my first sin. I did not spit on him and walk away. It probably would have cost me my life to do that, one way or another, and I knew that, so I apologized for my weakness and that seemed to pacify the general. Five prisoners, five subjects, five dosages of the cherry-red nanofluid. Dark purple fairy blood, refined to light violet wizard wine, then mixed with enchanted nanomachines to create something that looked like sparkling cherry soda. There is a plan to give it a flavor, eventually. Likely it will be cherry, because of the color. Recombinant Sixty-Three, the first R number used for Official Human Testing. The first production-series transformational nanofluid. The first human test ever - only it couldn't possibly be. They must have tested the stuff in secret many times before now. With such a crowd in attendance, this was purely for show. They had to already be confident that this would work, and what the dosage was and what the result would be. You don't put on a show that you haven't rehearsed. Ridgway clearly didn't think I needed any rehearsal. The job was simple, and I had no lines to say. Just administer the dosages and look professional doing it. And I knew the dosages were wrong. I knew what would happen, and I knew what the result would be in all the cases. And that was my second sin. Once again, I did not spit in Ridgway's face and walk away. I was afraid. I was afraid I would be terminated, or worse, that I would be next in line to be trapped inside one of those cages. So I stayed and I measured the doses out of the Erlenmeyer flask. The lights were hot and bright. It was like a movie set. It - was - a movie set. The cages were round, like short cans, and stood up like wheels, the men strapped into them with self-adjusting restraints. The restraints would alter as the men altered, while suspending them so as to make everything clearly visible to all the observers. The cages were painted construction yellow, with diagonal 'danger' stripes for drama and red 'warning' labels to make them all the more visually impressive. There must have been a design team behind the cages, who had worked out how to make them look 'cool'. I barely heard the announcer welcoming everyone and explaining what was to come. All I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. I remember the first man so clearly. He was plump, like a big bald baby in his yellow cage. He kept hissing and shaking his head, and his eyes kept pleading with me. I swear I could hear his eyes begging, as if they were two mouths with eyelashes, pleading in stereo. But I took out the syringe, the big, thick, turkey-baster syringe, with the big plastic tube at the end, and I followed my orders and I threaded the tube down the plump man's throat while his eyes begged me not to and General Ridgway watched my every move - my every facial expression - for any sign of weakness. I was his pet, and I had better not embarrass him in front of his own owners. And in that moment I finally understood. All humans are pets, the pets of pets who are the pets of even more important pets. We are a species of pets, all owned and owning, and that is what primate hierarchy really is, and what government and the military and religion and all the pecking orders are really all about. And then I committed my third sin. I pushed the plunger and I fed the R-63 down the bald prisoner's throat. All one lonely, insufficient ounce of it. I knew very well that one ounce was not enough. The announcer explained that one ounce 'might' not work, and that this was what the test was for. That our brave volunteers were there to help us figure out the proper dosage. It was a show, and they were building drama. There must have been a design team for that aspect too. Drama consultants for the big transformation show. I couldn't watch as the single ounce ran out of energy and the conversion process began to falter and fail. I turned away, I couldn't look at those eyes anymore, those eyes that spoke betrayal, basic human betrayal, those screaming, silent eyes. I think Ridgway actually liked my reaction, it showed human compassion and concern for me to turn away like that. He was probably counting on my reaction. That is probably why I was used - unrehearsed - to provide emotional verisimilitude to the Very First Ever Test Of The Conversion Serum. I guess I was a good pet, in that moment. A good dog. The second man was thinner, and despite being shaved had stubble on his face. He just stared at me. Stared at me with all the quiet hate a man could possibly offer. And that was my fourth sin. I still obeyed my orders. I obeyed my superiors, I obeyed the rules. I gave the man two ounces. And the two ounces worked farther, and the announcer spoke of hope that this would be the answer, but of course it was not. Two ounces isn't enough for an adult human of average height and build. This time, when I turned away, I vomited. That did not please the General, and I was almost sent away, which is to say I was almost terminated, and he put it that way, and I knew he did not mean simple dismissal from a job, because in this project there is no simple dismissal. You are a team player, or your career is over. Because this game is for the fate of the entire human race. Because we are playing to win. Because this is war, soldier, war against extinction itself. The show was ready for a victory, finally, so with shaking hands I measured out the full three ounces. This was enough. This would do the job. The announcer was speaking about nobility and sacrifice and how iteration was the key to discovery and how the brave volunteers would never be forgotten, but not once were any of them given names. Neither was it mentioned that they were corporate prisoners, or that if they really had volunteered, they could not possibly have understood what they were volunteering for. In that moment I suddenly knew how long I had been lying to myself just to stay sane. Those high-quality bodies had not been replicated flesh. They were not vat-grown Bobs. The world had not changed since the Collapse one bit, and mankind had not suddenly grown up overnight. And that had been my fifth sin, lying to myself about those bodies, and I had not even known I was doing it at the time. The third man was of medium build, and he just shook. He rattled in his cage, and he looked about, lost to terror, completely all given up inside. If they had unstrapped him, I think he would have just sat there, and taken it, because there was no fight left inside him to do anything else. He was resigned to whatever was to come. In some ways, his face bothered me the most of all the test subjects. I put the tube in, and forced three ounces of the bright red nanofluid down his throat, and he didn't even move. He just let it happen. His skin went doughy white, and began to squirm and ripple. I was beyond emotion at this point, dead and empty inside, utterly resigned as well. I realized that since the first subject, I had been watching my actions as if from afar, noting my own behaviors, as if I were one of the watchers in the gallery, just an observer myself. The mass of squirming flesh hissed and gurgled at me, as it changed shape, jerking and shuddering violently, like the others did, until they finally fell quiet. It was then that I realized why the subjects were jerking so. And that was my sixth sin. I did not run to Ridgway and jam my thumbs through his eyes into his brain and keep pushing, and gouging, until they finally put a bullet into me. Instead, I stood by while the announcer indicated the importance of using an anesthetic to render the subject unconscious to prevent suffering during conversion. The orange earthpony mare hung limply in the straps of the cage, her yellow mane and tail spilling down like a waterfall. She hung there whimpering, softly, almost silently. She had vocal chords, but no will to use them. The man inside had been broken by the experience, and it was a mercy when they terminated the wide-eyed, traumatized beast's life functions and sent it away like the others, for dissection and analysis. I looked briefly at the crowd. They were not the least aghast. They were not nauseated or sickened. They wore interested, curious faces, eager for the next example. I thought of the brutal murder of Kitty Genovese in Kew Gardens, in what had been old New York, in the 1960's. Dozens of witnesses simply watched, interested and curious, as she was stabbed, as the murderer walked away, then returned to stab her again. Not one person called for help, or tried to intervene or chase the man with the pocket-knife away. And a year later, the same thing happened again, and still again no person did anything at all. They labeled it the 'Bystander Effect'. That was the crowd around me. Bystanders every one of them. So very human. And that was my seventh sin, I remained a bystander myself. So very, very human. I watched as my hands mixed in the appropriate anesthetic, and applied the three ounce dosage to subject four. I remember his dark, dark skin. It shone almost blue in the light it was so pigmented. I remember thinking how beautiful it was, like I was looking at a lamp or a blanket or a wall. Pretty, dark, shiny. I don't remember his face at all. The dark color went away quickly, replaced by waxy, doughy white. He was unconscious immediately, and I felt gratitude for that simple fact. As the changing mass of flesh rippled in the straps, the announcer played the crowd, 'would this be the one? Would success finally happen?' The white unicorn with purple hair was stunningly beautiful, even for an Equestrian. The mare opened her eyes, and looked around, clearly conscious, clearly alive. She looked up at me with surprise and a strange delight. She seemed radiant, almost happy. Her smile was beatific. It was the programmed neurochemicals at work, producing the expected happy, content feelings in the subject. The prisoner had expected horror, and instead they had ended up feeling better than they ever had in their entire lives. The announcer made a great fuss over that smile. I watched as they made a big show of unstrapping subject four, and parading the exquisite mare about to delight the members of the galley. The little unicorn stumbled at first, but gradually gained her hooves. Finally, she was led away, prancing, still beaming that lovely smile. Only later did I find out that she was dispatched and dissected as well, in order to assess whether or not she had fully converted and what problems might need to be corrected. I barely remember the fifth, equally successful conversion, and doubtless an equally awful aftermath. By then I was beyond sorrow and beyond tears. I felt like I was hiding somewhere, though I cannot say where I was. I don't think I was present in the world anymore. I have only vague memories of the grand and glorious party afterwards, to celebrate the success of Project Bucephalus. I am still numb. I feel nothing, and that is what bothers me the most. I understand, intellectually, that I will have to deal with all of this, that it will hit me someday at some hour, and things will not be alright. They will not be alright at all. The circus of horror served its intended purpose - the audience left with a feeling of having participated in making conversion happen, even though they did nothing but watch a carefully orchestrated show. They will own ponification now, inside themselves, and think of it as their baby, their project, and they will promote it and celebrate it to the rest of the world when the time comes. They have been initiated by blood and pain and suffering, but in the end saw smiling ponies and hope and perfection. The assembled crowd had been led through a modern Eleusinian Mystery, and had emerged changed and evangelical about ponification. The very next day, the genetic sequencing teams revealed the reason why Recombinant 63 specifically produced mares. Only six Equestrian genomes had been used, but all six samples were from the ambassadors appointed by Celestia, all of which were mares. Hundreds of additional examples were now available, and once they could be analyzed, encoded, and incorporated, a new version of the serum would be produced which would be capable of checking the existing state of chromosomal sex and produce either stallions or mares as appropriate. I have seen this new potion, the new, improved ponification serum. It is purple, not unlike the fairy blood that it is ultimately based upon. They have stopped giving it R numbers. It is simply 'potion', and it stands currently at Version Number 1.2, and soon they will demonstrate it to the public at large. The Worldgovernment is building large centers in both San Francisco and Vancouver. These will be the very first transformation complexes. They have decided to call them 'Bureaus' - 'Conversion Bureaus' - for that is exactly what they are for. To convert human beings into Equestrian beings, in heart and body and partially in mind. The Bureaus are gangplanks that lead directly to Lifeboat Equestria, where all those who would survive must go. I do not feel worthy to join the ranks of the saved, I who carry such sin. The faces of those five men hiss silently at me when I close my eyes, and they stare at me in my dreams. I have applied to work at the San Francisco Bureau. I know conversion very well. Having performed it so often, I am very likely the most experienced transformer of human flesh on the earth. General Ridgway is pleased with me, and I will keep my high security clearance to the end of the the earth. My appointment to the Bureau is assured. I must atone, somehow, and in saving others I see some distant hope of my own salvation. I don't know how long this blessed numbness will last, but I think not much longer. I feel it cracking, breaking, and I must keep control, somehow. I know I will cry. I will cry for a very, very long time. I cannot look at Celestia, when she is on the screens. She speaks now to the world, backed by the faces of the Worldgovernment. Conversion is real, and all humans must convert to live. She speaks of love and kindness and beauty in green and perfect lands, and I desperately yearn to escape to them for I have finally had my fill of Earth, and of Man. It is difficult to be around the ponies too, because in their innocence, I see only my own guilt. But I do not deserve it. I cannot bear to look at her, at the princess I know to be more than a princess, at the being I know now to be a goddess incarnate. I must find some way to redeem myself to her in order to deserve a soul. Five men live in my conscience, and they are the heaviest of burdens. Oh, sweet Celestia... I... I feel my armor breaking, and I don't think I will ever be alright again. But the work is done now. Ponification is a reality, and the serum will only continue to be improved. The time of the Bureaus has begun.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Seventeen: Drawing Down The Moon	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Seventeen: Drawing Down The Moon Paige slinked from one nigrescent stack to another, untrusting of the shielding darkness. She did not feel secure following Inkwell's apparently fearless tromping down the middle aisle of the old warehouse. It was in her mind that if there was trouble, she could leap out from the shadows and offer resistance or surprise. She was the only human in her family, and as such, she took her responsibility as a violence-capable guardian seriously. Clutched firmly in her hand, Paige's trusty aluminum bat 'Lil Slugger' bonked against a tumbled pile of pallets and made a hollow ringing sound. The bell-like tone filled the quiet space and echoed back from the far walls. "Paige, it's alright. If there was anyone here, Pet and I would have sensed them! Fancy noses and fancy ears, remember?" Inkwell was worried Paige would hurt herself playing Ninja in the pitch black warehouse. Humans had tiny little eyes and no capacity to see into the infrared, after all. Inkwell had been astonished to find she could just make out a faint glow from herself and Petrichor and Paige in the gloom. It was not far into the infrared to be sure, and the glow she saw was not very bright or strong, but it was a new color, a brand new color she had no name for, and as dimly faint as it was, it was a miracle of wonder. The ability to perceive the strange infra-light also helped, a little, in navigating the now mostly empty warehouse. Some tables and piles of pallets had been left, along with various bins and crates, but the vast mountainous stacks of books were all gone now. Most of the great warehouse was open floor, which made Paige's attempts to hide rather silly. Inkwell found it hard not to laugh at her defensive antics. The goal, if it still existed - hopefully, it still existed - was a lock-box hidden just behind old Milner's rafter office. The members of the Underground Bookmobile all knew it was there, it seemed a perfect place to stash it. The office had been constructed on a platform near the high ceiling of the building, and the untraversable back edge where the office wall met the railing of the platform was only two-thirds of a meter wide or less - just wide enough to set something narrow down where no person would ever have reason to look. It was a dusty, cobwebbed uselessly narrow space easy to entirely forget about. "You're sure that nopony can tell we're here?" Petrichor was being brave, trotting right behind Inkwell, but her occasional glances to the right and left betrayed that she clearly felt spooked. "We listened, we smelled, you tell me!" Inkwell made for the spiral stairs in the center of the warehouse that led up to Milner's office and the roof hatch. Inkwell stopped, remembering the night she had been chased. These stairs were the place she had been shot. Her old, human blood probably stained them, somewhere near the open hatch at the top. "Yeah... I know. Nothin' here." Petrichor seemed less than absolutely certain. The reality was that even with the faint benefit of seeing the glow from their own warmth, the warehouse was very large, definitely creepy, and very, very dark. "Hey... maybe we shouldn't be chatting like it was the middle of the marketplace here?" Paige whispered from where she crouched behind an isolated pile of partially broken crates standing in the middle of the vast, empty floor. Inkwell sighed. "Sorry Paige." She whispered back. It seemed the most expedient and kind way to respond. The stairs were a long, steep climb, the warehouse was four stories tall and the platform with Milner's office was right near the top. Inkwell found it easy enough to climb up stairs designed for a human body, but she worried about trying to get back down again afterwards. The idea of trying to face the steep staircase muzzle first was frankly frightening - she could easily imagine tumbling face first down the spiral. She'd probably have to slowly back down the stairs, tail first, and that was not by any metric a dignified thing to do. The climb was dark and long, and when at last the three stood at the top, far from the doors that provided what dim light there was, it became a matter of feeling their way around the platform. A small patch of light spilled down the short, straight stairs leading to the roof hatch, but it was not enough to clearly see anything at all. "I should have brought a flashlight, or something..." Inkwell felt foolish now. Petrichor smirked in the inky black. "If only we had a unicorn..." The 'thump' sound of a solid facehoofing came from the direction of where Inkwell was standing. Instantly, the tip of Inkwell's horn began to glow with a pale, silvery light. The light grew in intensity as Inkwell concentrated on exercising her magic without any specific target. The glow was more than sufficient to see the open door to the warehouse office, the rail around the platform, and a grinning pegasus and a human slowly shaking her head. "I forgot!" Inkwell felt deeply embarrassed. "It is amazing how the mind can take the most incredible things for granted." Paige muttered. "I guess even the power to do magic just becomes ordinary in the end. It's OK, Inks, maybe it's better you didn't turn on your headlight before we got here, right?" Inkwell sighed. "Maybe." The little unicorn moved to the left side of the rectangular office, and walked to the back where the rail, close to the back wall of the structure, wrapped around the building. Inkwell lowered her head, so that the silvery light was closer to the platform floor, and began searching for the metal lockbox. "What are those?" Petrichor seemed anxious. "What?" Inkwell couldn't see the lockbox anywhere. It just wasn't there, down the narrow, impassable space between office back wall and rail. Only empty platform and the dark hollows under the office module's raised floor greeted her searching eyes. "There are little... lights or something. All over down there. Like spots. They're in the weird color. They're uber-red." Inkwell jerked her head up. "What? Where?" She backed out and turned to where Petrichor was leaning on the rail, looking down on half of the warehouse. "Hey... they're gone. Wait..." Petrichor strained her eyes in the dark. "Turn off your horn. They're really dim." Inkwell ended the glow from her horn and let her eyes adjust. Gradually, as she leaned over the rail, looking down, she began to make out small dots of the new color her eyes could see, peppering the warehouse. "No power..." she whispered. "No external power. Batteries. Oh, Celestia, I've been foolish. Those are sensors of some kind. Probably infrared beams or something like that. We must have triggered dozens of them the moment we entered. Luna, but I am a silly unicorn." Inkwell stomped her hoof. "Cin-na-mon SWIRL! We won't be alone for long we..." A scent met her nose, her new nose that was ten thousand times more acute than a human nose. It was sweat, human sweat, and the musk of testosterone and the bitter tang of adrenaline. It came from outside the open doors, and it had crept in, announcing the imminent arrival of people Inkwell was certain she did not want to see. "They're out there. Now." "I smell them too." Petrichor shivered. She began much more seriously wondering whether or not she really could carry a pony and a human on a pallet through the sky. She had not admitted it, but transporting Inkwell, back when she had been Gwen, had not been nearly as easy as she had made it out to be. In fact, she had barely made it to the roof at all. Worse, that trick had been used already, and it would be foolish to think that whoever was approaching them would not be prepared for a repeat of it. "Inkwell!" Paige whispered insistently "Get the box and stop worrying about what's coming! You said it would all be fine when you found the box!" "It isn't there! I looked and it isn't there!" Inkwell stared in fear at the dim uber-red glow that marked where Paige loomed behind her. "Let me look! Give me a little light, let me try!" Paige sounded just a little desperate. "Light? They're coming! I can't use light!" Inkwell was horrified at the possibility of being shot again. Light would make them all easy targets. Though, to be fair, those who meant them harm probably had augmentations that let them truly see in the strange new infra-color, and far better than ponies possibly could. "Inks... let me try!" Paige had a hand around Inkwell's foreleg, and it was squeezing a little too tight for comfort. Inkwell smelled the fear in Paige's blood. Resigned, Inkwell lit up her horn once again. "It's supposed to be right there, behind the back of the office. In that narrow place next to the rail. It isn't there, see?" Inkwell grasped the rail with a blob of her telekinetic force, which created another source of the silvery light. The tiny, empty corridor behind the office back wall was clearly illuminated. "Keep that light there!" Paige set Lil' Slugger down and dropped to the floor beside Inkwell's legs, and squeezed as best she could into the narrow space between wall and rail. She began stuffing her hands into the black rectangular hollows created by the raised floor of the office module. "We have company..." Petrichor stared in horror at the glow of the open far door, which began to be occluded for brief moments as humans darted through and into the building. Pet's senses strongly suggested that the same was happening all around them, at every entrance to the warehouse. Inkwell shivered with fear as she struggled to maintain the light from her horn and the glowing patch on the rail. Paige was searching frantically through the cobwebs and detritus under the office, until her hand hit something metal. "Shit!" Inkwell flinched at the word, briefly. "What? Did you find it?" Paige was scrabbling now, at the floor, her body straining, her arm far under the office floor. "I hit a box, a metal box. It has to be it, but I pushed it further under! Dammit to hell!" "They know where we are..." Petrichor was frozen at the rail, terrified into immobility. Her words were soft and empty of the emotion that paralyzed her. "Inkwell! My finger is touching the box! I can't grab it, I fucked everything up. I knocked it away accidently. But I am touching it, just barely, with my middle finger. My finger is right on it!" Paige had her shoulder pressed to the small opening under the office, her body squeezed into the space between wall and rail. "So what now?" Inkwell was having trouble thinking. The people who had shot her were coming, and they might shoot again at any second. She felt her legs trembling, and her light began to blink as her concentration faltered. "Inks! Run your magic down my arm. Follow my arm down to my finger, and then you can grab the box with your field! I'm touching it! Just use my arm as a guide!" Paige's muscles ached from her uncomfortable position. "That's grea..." Inkwell stopped, horrified. "Paige... um... my hornfield. It's pure magic, it will burn..." Paige cut her off. "Fuck that, do it! It's either you get that box, or we end up compost. Fuck my arm. DO IT!" Inkwell swallowed hard. Petrichor, finally unfrozen, turned to look at her lover laying on the platform, just legs sticking out of the cramped space she had crawled into. The glowing, silvery blob on the rail vanished and reappeared just above Paige's right arm. "Do it, Inkwell. Just do it." The glow hesitated for but a moment, then sank to encompass the arm. Inkwell felt Paige's blouse, and then her skin, soft and brown. The edge of the field, difficult to control, dipped down, and Inkwell sensed the layers of fat and muscle, nerve and tendon, and then bone, warm with marrow. Inkwell could feel the rushing of blood cells through vessels everywhere. Inkwell could feel every detail of the inside of Paige's arm. "It's a little numb, but I'm not feeling pain, Inks. Go for it!" Inkwell moved her telekinetic field down the arm, following it without sight, purely by some arcane, supernal sense of touch. The arm gradually began to feel oddly mushy as she passed over and through the tissues, following them down to Paige's hand. Inkwell could sense the fingers splaying out, and chose the middle one, running her magic along it. She could not control the size of her blobbet of force, so she felt the entire finger, all the way through, until she reached metal. It was a box, and inside it, Inkwell could feel an echo of powerful thaumatic flux. It buzzed, as if the box were full of hornets. "I have it! I have the box, it's here! Pull Paige out so I can pull the box out!" Paige immediately responded by trying to escape the narrow confines, but she was having trouble. She flopped like a fish, trying to back out. Inkwell could do nothing - she had to keep focusing on her unseen telekinetic grasp of the metal box. "Help me! I can't move my arm and I'm laying on the other one!" Paige seemed frantic. "Pet! Pull me! Pull me out!" Petrichor began dragging Paige free even as multiple bright beams converged on the platform from below. Petrichor yanked and pulled with mouth and hoof, and tried not to notice the tiny, bright green dots of intense coherent light that danced about them. "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FLEE. ANY ATTEMPT TO FLEE WILL BE CAUSE TO OPEN FIRE. REPEAT - " The amplified voice was not at all kind or pleasant. There was more than enough light now. Everything was bathed in harsh, actinic spotlights, and Petrichor and Inkwell had multiple bright green dots that hovered on vital spots upon their bodies. "We aren't going anywhere!" shouted Petrichor "Paige is just stuck, I'm getting her unstuck!" "REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESIST!" 'Yeah, yeah' Paige thought, as she finally was able to sit up. 'They always say that'. Most of her arm was completely numb, and she could not move it. She leaned against one of the rail posts, feeling dizzy and slightly sick. With her left hand, she moved her useless right arm and held her hand up in the spotlights from below. Already large portions of her brown skin had turned shock white, and the middle of those areas was rapidly turning black. It looked like ink spreading from below. Paige felt like she needed to vomit, as if she had been poisoned. "Hurry up, Inks. I'm not doing so well." Inkwell was busy navigating the lock box out from under the office floor. Finally, the long, thin box was free, and she floated it out onto the wider space of the platform. Inkwell tried to open the box, but it was locked. "MUFFINS!" Of course it was locked, it was a lock-box. What to do? What to do? Inkwell ran her thaumatic field through the box. Inside, beyond the metal, the two buzzing scrolls repelled her telekinetic touch. She could feel the active spells inside them, whirring and churning, woven into the very paper of them. As her scan reached the end of the box, she found a pencil, and an eraser. Convenient, it was a complete kit. Unfortunately, the box could not be opened to make use of the contents. "WE ARE COMING UP. DO NOT MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENTS!" The sound of boots, very, very cautiously beginning the long ascent sounded from far below. "Inks?" Paige did not sound well. "What's up?" "I can't open the box. It needs a key. I figured it would be an electronic lock, but it needs a key! I thought I could just blow out the electronics and..." Inkwell was almost in tears "...it needs a key!" "Is there anything inside the box that might help?" Petrichor was grasping at straws, the boots were steadily sounding louder and closer. Inkwell sniffed, holding back her emotions. "Just an eraser. And a pencil. I don't think it's strong enough to pry the box open from the inside, but I can try!" Inkwell floated the pencil, inside the locked box, and began trying to use it as a crowbar against the inside of the lid. The pencil snapped in half from the force. A tear glistened on Inkwell's soft, fuzzy cheek. "Inks?" Paige vomited, her dinner splattering against the platform. She began using her left hand to fumble for the emergency ponification kit she had strung on a cord around her neck. "I... ULP... I think... I'm not so good. I've got some seriously dead tissue here. I feel like...ULLLL" Again Paige threw up, finally ending up dry heaving as the sound of boots came nearer. Petrichor dropped and grabbed at the ponifcation kit with her forehooves. She held it steady while Paige struggled with the catch to open the kit. The carbofiber case opened, revealing a metal cylinder with a thaumatic warning sticker and instructions for use. The instructions were terse and amounted to swallowing the entire contents in one go. "Inks - these things activate the moment they are signed, right?" Inkwell nodded and managed a faint "Yes?" "I'm ponifying Paige, right now. She's deathly sick and getting worse. You said you have a pencil in there? I bet princess magic beats a metal box any day of the week!" Inkwell jerked with realization. "Yeah!" She grabbed the stub of the pencil in her hornfield, and forced the carbon inside the primitive writing instrument to stick out from the synthetic wood-like material that surrounded it. The pencil stub was short enough to move inside the box, and inside one of the rolled up scrolls. Inkwell tried to scribble 'HELP' in the middle portion of the scroll, feeling where the spell imbued within the paper had a space within it. She rotated the scroll within the box, until she found a space on the paper that hummed and buzzed near the bottom. That must be the activation line, the signing line. Inkwell did her best to write the letters of her own name I-N-K-W-E-L-L and then she withdrew her field quickly as forces she simply could not comprehend swirled into life, tugging and yanking at her simple telekinetic grasp. The men stood over them now, HLF Frontsmen, armed with automatic rifles and the most intimidating of grimaces. Everywhere there were lights now, moving over the scene, shining into the eyes of the two ponies and the one gravely ill human, holding a cylinder in her left hand. In one smooth motion, Paige downed the fluid inside the cylinder and fell into her own vomit, unconscious. In a flash, her brown skin turned shock white and her dark hair fell out. Her doughy flesh began to pulse and ripple, and the HLF men backed up to the rail shaking their heads and swearing. "Fuck! The little bitch is going pony right in fucking FRONT of us! The god damn hell???" The Frontsman was incredulous. Of all the terrible things he had seen, and the even more terrible things he had done, this was easily the worst moment he had witnessed. He couldn't believe his eyes. "I can't believe the little bitch dropped pony juice right in front of me! Shit! Let me shoot them! Come on, let me fucking just shoot the lot of them! I wish I had a goddamned flame thrower. Burn it with fire! God fucking damn!" The horrified Frontsman was pulled aside by a superior who calmed him down. Suddenly all eyes were no longer on the shifting, changing body of Paige. The little metal box was rattling and slamming itself on the platform as if it were angry, as if it were about to explode. "BACK! DOWN THE STAIRS, DOWN!" The Frontsmen began a steady, rapid withdrawal down the curving stairs. "THEY'VE GOT A BOMB!" It was the only interpretation of events the HLF men had, and it made sense to them. The traitors believed all that shit about ponification creating souls. Clearly that must be why the human was converting - they intended to suicide and take as many of the HLF with them as they could! By converting, the traitor could be assured of pony heaven, or whatever these fuckheads believed in, after the bomb destroyed the building. The lid of the rattling metal case blew open with a bang. A burst of green fire erupted angrily from inside the box and shot through the open roof hatch. For a brief moment the entire warehouse glimmered in strange green firelight, before it was plunged once more into gloom. The HLF men froze, unsure of what had happened. Was that the bomb? Had it been a dud? Was it safe to return and see what was left of the enemy on the platform? Petrichor nipped and pulled at Paige's trousers, yanking them free of her fluidly shifting legs. Paige had deliberately chosen loose clothing because she was aware she might have to go pony at a moment's notice - she was prepared for just that eventuality, so she was in no danger of strangulation. Petrichor merely wanted to do something, anything to help, and reasoned that being free of incompatible clothing was at least something she could do for her love. Paige's eyes had sunken into her swelling, almost featureless head. Her muzzle was extending, her nostrils widening as her rapid breathing fed oxygen to her quickly changing body. She was doubtless deep into her Conversion Dream, and despite the threat from below, Petrichor could not help but wonder what Paige was experiencing. Pet's concern and amazement at watching Paige convert was interrupted by the sound of a human man shouting an all clear, and the sound of boots stomping quickly and angrily up the spiral staircase. "We warned you, but you fucking pull out a bomb on us! Fuck you!" came a voice loud from adrenaline and rage "You're dead now, fucking dead you - " As the Frontsman soldier stormed the top step and aimed his automatic rifle at the pale, waxy shape of Paige laying on the platform, he froze, suddenly lithic gray all over, the last swirls of a golden light rippling and flowing down his silent, immobile form. His flesh was solid granite as were his clothes, likewise his gun, and all of the little devices attached to his armor. More flashes of golden light burst and faded from far below, like distant lightning, preceded by brief cries of shock and surprise suddenly silenced. Inkwell noticed that the immobile Frontsman, as well as the rafters and the office, and much of the interior of the warehouse had been rendered clearly visible by a strong silvery-blue light that shone brightly from below. Inkwell felt a presence that filled her mind and heart and soul, a sweet closeness that sang of exquisite moments under perfect stars, of moonlit embraces and the tranquil beauty of the night. "Thou art secure, my little ponies, and thy rescue is assured. Be thee all at peace, for thy princess has arrived to succor thee." Inkwell willed her neck to turn and bend, feeling almost frozen with overwhelming awe. She looked down below at the floor of the warehouse, where an immortal glory in midnight blue, shod in silver and with a flowing mane of stars looked up at her with endless compassion. Luna.
Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story	Eighteen: Something Back	══════════════════════════ T H E C O N V E R S I O N B U R E A U ══════════════════════════ RECOMBINANT 63 By Chatoyance Chapter Eighteen: Something Back Ralph Vitoni would never, ever, ever be a pony. This was the one thing that gave him strength, the one thing that permitted him to rise each day, eat pony foods, do pony things, and live among pony people. Ralph knew he was human, that his heart was human, that his mind was human and that his destiny was human, even though he walked on hooves. Ralph also knew his soullessness was human, which is why he made every effort now to stay away from unicorn medics and pony clinics and pony hospitals. It was the one thing that could give him away to the Equestrians around him, and he guarded his hollowness as his greatest secret. He had gradually discovered earthpony healers who employed practical and nonmagical means to treat the bumps and scrapes and the odd broken rib that came of his various activities. Unicorns were a problem, they were always a problem, and Ralph especially despised them. Vitoni had been humiliated by ponies, and now that he was forced to live among them, he resolved to make them pay. It would not be soon, but he had time. Somewhere, out there, in Equestria, would be others like himself. When finally the Earth was done, and all was quiet and over, he would contact them, and together they would act. Celestia had brought down the reign of Man, and one day, Ralph vowed, he would bring down the reign of Celestia, and deliver Equestria to ruin. Already his mind formulated schemes - Celestia had enemies, all rulers had enemies, and there would be ways to tilt the balance and destroy her peace. All he needed to do was to find them, and find the others with human minds in pony bodies, and there would be vengeance enough for all. Ralph stopped at a restaurant and ordered a very large lunch. Eating, at least, was a pleasure he could enjoy even in this overly candied world. His enhanced senses made every meal a banquet of ecstasy, and he indulged himself, because it would be the only ecstasy he could ever know. Women were gone for him now, and with the end of the Earth one day, gone forever altogether. His unaltered human brain found nothing attractive in the animals around him, and when mares flirted with him, he shuddered and felt like retching. He was bitter, and angry, and he trotted the land, never staying in any one place long. He yearned to cause mayhem, but kept himself from it - in this new world, even a brawl might reveal him and he dared not ruin his future chance for revenge. Ralph made himself the most pleasant of ponies to the natives, always fast with a smile, and polite to a fault, while inside he wished for the feeling of crushing the throats of the gentle monsters that he walked among. There were no proper human bars, no proper human night-clubs, no human vice or rackets to be involved in. There was no joy in defrauding or conning any pony, because there was no challenge to it, and the result was always predictable. He was in hell, a nightmare of never-ending cooperation, honesty and essential goodness that made him feel constantly judged and found wanting for the thoughts in his head and the desires of his heart. Vitoni paid for his feast, and left, burping. One day. One day he would bring this treacle paradise down, and on that day, when all of Equestria was in ruins, he would stand atop Celestia's broken body and cry out 'I am a Man! I am Human! Look upon me and despair that you ever dared to tangle with my kind!' The thought made the chubby brown earthpony smile. One day. One day they would know suffering, and in that moment, he would finally be able to cry, because he would not be crying alone. Leonard Reich walked past the covered wagon on the dais, and moved on to the two incomplete quantum chromodynamic weapons. Their shells already had their names painted on them: Skoll and Hati. They would never be finished. The cost of completing them was no longer defensible. Weapons were useless against the Barrier, and continent-killers would only harm humans and the earth, to no gain, and no point. The notebook was gone, and so were the three traitors that had taken it. Gone also were four squads of Frontsmen, an entire platoon, handed over to the Worldgovernment as statues. Reich had little doubt of what the Worldgovernment would do with his men. They would be returned to flesh and summarily converted. Changed into ponies, they would no longer wish to continue the war against Celestia and her empire. They would suddenly see how 'wrong' they had been, and feel 'shame' for how much 'suffering' they had caused. They would tell everything in an effort to atone. The base was already busy with the evacuation effort. They had perhaps two days at most. Project Gypsy Traveler was over, forever. They would have to start again entirely, somewhere else. In Leo's head, the dream briefly lived again. It would have worked, he was as sure of that as he had been when the project had begun. With that map, they could have identified the exact location of Discord, the greatest threat Celestia had ever faced. They could have drawn up plans to take the statue and transport it out of Equestria. Within an old nuclear testing facility, underground, the statue could be pulverized, and the fine dust used to coat Skoll and Hati entirely, protecting the missiles from the Barrier. In an instant, Equestria would have become strangelet plasma, hotter than any star, and the incursion would reverse. The Equestrian bubble would have collapsed, shrinking away beyond the universe itself, back into the multiversal spaces and dimensions that it had come from. The Earth would have been left with a scar, and terrible damage, but it would have lived. Earthponies could have been forced to serve mankind, restoring the world, and healing the damage. There had even been a plan to secure the means to make more earthponies as needed. It would have been the answer. It could have saved the Earth, and preserved the dominion of Man. But now, that dream was gone. Vitoni had failed, and he too was gone. To Equestria, apparently, beyond all reach. Leonard Reich patted the unfinished casing of Skoll, and walked on. Around him the sounds of evacuation raged. He had thought, briefly, of remotely releasing the neurotoxin some time after the HLF had escaped, but in the end, he had simply shrugged. It might be possible to collect it, or some of it, later, and it could prove valuable. Every asset possible needed to be preserved, now. In losing the base, the HLF had lost much. It would take a long time to recover, and there was not much time remaining. Damn, Leo thought. It would have worked. It absolutely would have worked. Derpalina Ditzy Doo Hooves hugged her little unicorn daughter Dinky, and kissed her poll and muzzle. The foal squealed with delight and happiness at the attention. "Di... did the bad man like my drawing? Did he Mama? Papa? Did he like my drawing?" Time Turner Hooves sat down and embraced his wife and daughter with his forehooves. "I dare say he found it... unforgettable, my dearest Dinkums. Wouldn't you agree, Derpalina?" "Hmmm?" The gray pegasus had already likely begun to forget the details of the day's adventures, beyond the happy feeling of having been on an outing. It was for the best, really, thought Turner. The princesses tended to visit Derpalina at odd times, and the less she remembered the less she might accidentally blurt out. Her forgetfulness was a blessing, really. Turner loved Derpalina dearly, and she was always there when she was needed, with an absolutely uncanny luck to her. The most outrageous mistakes might be made, but somehow, they always ended up working to Turner's advantage. It was positively Taoist. Or possibly Zen. He never could get those Earth philosophies straight. "Haycakes!" Dinky Doo was bouncing in her hooves. "You said we could have haycakes tonight, when you got back! Haycakes! Haycakes!" "We've had haycakes every day this week, Dinky!" Papa Turner ruffled Dinky's mane. "How about a nice vegetable stew? Or hay almondine - that's good! Or maybe pumpkin puffs in mushroom gravy? How about that? Mmmm-mmm!!!" "HAYCAKES!" Dinky was adamant. "We're spoiling her, you know that don't you?" Turner moved to the kitchen and began measuring flour. "How abou' I tell you abou' our amaze-ing aventures while papa makes haycakes???!!!" Derpalina jumped onto the couch and patted it with a hoof for Dinky to follow. "OK, mama!" Dinky clambered onto the couch, her little tail flicking about as she pulled herself up and onto the cushions. "Well, there was this big scary Nanny-Fac'ry! An' a whole buncha lockers an' we had to find JUST THE RIGHT ONE!" Derpalina rolled her eyes, which always made Dinky laugh. The sound of an egg hitting the floor came from the kitchen. "Oh, swirl! I'll get that, no worries!" Turner's hooves made sharp noises, as he likely worked to clean up the mess. "How'd you find the right locker?" Dinky was enthralled. She'd never seen the human world, so anything about it sounded dangerous and exciting. "NUMBERS!" Derpalina clopped her hooves together in excitement "Daddy knew the numbers they use there and foun' the locker on the secon' floor! It was really BIG! An' really SCARY! An' it was all made out of metal and it was dark, too!" Ditzy shivered. "Were you scared?" "Naw... well, maybe a little!" Derpalina held her daughter close. "But daddy was there, so I knew everythin' was OH-KAY-DOH-KAY!" Dinky laughted at that. The sound of a pan dropping in the kitchen was followed by Turner shouting "Not to fear! Forgot to use a pot holder. Mouth's OK! Dinner might be a little late, that's all!" Dinky looked up at her mother. "Daddy's silly." Derpalina shook her head. "No, Daddy is wunnerful. Daddy is always wunnerful." Dinner was a little late though. Paige reared and stomped her forehooves, making little puffs of dust in the dirt road. The dust sparkled in the light, because of the tiny gemstone fragments within it. "WHOO-HOO! I have HOOVES!" Inkwell shook her head, but grinned. "Yes, Paige. You have hooves. And they are awesome." "Muffin' RIGHT!" Paige was prancing now, as they walked to the train. She was trying to be fancy and stumbled and almost fell. "Oops! Hee hee hee!" She giggled for some time at that. "She's got it bad." Petrichor sighed. "Bad? Oh! Of course..!" Inkwell nodded. "CONVERSION EUPHORIA!" Pet and Inkwell said together. Paige was galloping now, in circles around them. Other ponies were avoiding the scene for fear of being trampled. "Was I this bad?" Inkwell glanced at Petrichor. "Naw. You were positively sedate. Intellectual about it. Hardly affected you at all." Petrichor called to Paige, to get her to settle down. Inkwell considered that for a moment. "I've read that conversion euphoria affects every Newfoal differently. Some become almost drunk on it, others it hardly affects at all. It has something to do with individual genetics and brain chemis..." "I AM A POOOOONNNNAAAAYYYY!!!!!" Paige yelled at the world in general - some of the ponies on the street giggled and waved, other just shook their heads and muttered something about Newfoals being silly. "I feel cheated now." Inkwell watched as Paige gamboled, leaping and hopping, over to her. "OH, you should have seen Pet, Inks!" Paige was breathing hard from running and jumping about. "How so?" "Don't listen to her, Inks!" Pet shook her head. "Pet ran around the whole apartment! She bounced on the couch - that's why it had that saggy spot! She bucked the door open - those two broken bits on the bedroom door? That was her!" Paige was smiling and grinning at all the cottages as they made their way down the street. "Why'd she kick the door?" Inkwell tried to imagine the event. "Because she could!" Paige grinned wickedly. "After being in that wheelchair, she was a wildpony for almost a week! We got so many complaints for noise - she went muffin' nuts!" Petrichor hung her head and ruffled her wings. "So... how's it feel now?" Inkwell and Petrichor had been asking Paige for updates on her experiences as a brand new pony since they had been rescued and transported to Equestria in a burst of light. They only talked about meeting Luna in hushed tones, late at night. It was just too special, too sacred an event to speak of casually during the day. "I feel POWERFUL!!!" Paige's shout startled a pale violet pony carrying a basket of flowers, she jumped slightly, so Petrichor waved at her in apology and Inkwell looked briefly down, ears flat, in embarrassment. "I may have lost Lil' Slugger, but now..." Paige stopped in the street and bucked the air with her back hooves "...now I've got two new Lil' Sluggers and I feel like I could buck down a fluffin' archology!" "I bet you could!" Inkwell was impressed with the sheer stamina and power that Paige possessed. She had become an earthpony, well muscled, sky blue with a darker blue mane and tail. She was magnificent. "Fluffin'???" Petrichor was incredulous. "That's new." "Yeah, fluffin'! Like it?" Paige danced about, giddy. "Oh! And I am not 'Paige' anymore! I am Shinyhooves!" Petrichor stopped and facehoofed. "No, you are NOT 'Shinyhooves'." Paige held up her right foreleg "But LOOK at them! They are SOOOO shiny!" Inkwell sighed again. She felt like she had been sighing at one thing or another the entire day. "Yes, they are very, very shiny, but 'Shinyhooves' is not a good name. Seriously. Wait until you are over the worst of the euphoria before you try to pick a pony name, OK?" "Oh come on, party pooper!" Paige - or Shinyhooves - nickered and tried to strike a dramatic pose. "I can always change it. No law in Equestria says you gots to keep your name. I could change it tomorrow!" "She has a point, Inks." Petrichor unhappily agreed. "She could have a different name for each day of the week and it would be cool here. Annoying and confusing, maybe, but totally cool." "I am... 'Joy Shinyhooves!' Because that is what I feel, and that is what these are!" Paige - Joy - bucked, then reared, waggling her hooves and laughing the whole time. "I think we finally have an explanation for all the crazy Newfoal names now." Inkwell commiserated with Pet "They pick them while high on conversion euphoria." "I originally wanted to call myself 'Brightwings Lightningflash' but Paige talked me out of it." Petrichor half-smiled at Inkwell as they continued towards the train station. "JOY!" The blue earthpony interrupted. "I'm JOY SHINYHOOVES!" "Oh, sweet Luna..." Pet looked aghast "...She's serious about it, isn't she?" "I'm JOY! I'm JOY! I am soooo filled with JOY!" Paige was bouncing now, on her hooves, her eyes little inverted smiles of ecstatic happiness. "I guess she's 'Joy' now, but that 'Shinyhooves' part has to go." Inkwell was getting very good at sighing today. She was thinking of going into it professionally. "Humor her, until the euphoria wears off." Petrichor had to pull away from a big sloppy kiss from the overexcited earthpony "IF it wears off!" "I hope it NEVER DOES!" Joy Shinyhooves, the very silly blue earthpony romped around, seemingly tireless. "Earthpony stamina. It will destroy us, you know that, don't you?" Inkwell shook her head as they walked. "I feel exhausted just watching her. I'm already eager for bed, and the day isn't half over!' "You actually think you are going to get any sleep tonight again?" Petrichor yawned. "Earthpony stamina! There are good points too, you know." Pet gave a wicked, naughty grin. Inkwell returned it. "Yes, there are compensations, I suppose." Inkwell turned to the prancing Joy. "So, 'Shinyhooves'... you still happy?" Joy stopped in the street and thoughtfully considered, hoof to muzzle, pondering. "No. No I am not happy." She suddenly beamed like a star going nova "I AM SUPER-DUPER UBER-HAPPY!!!" "Oh for Pony's sake!" Inkwell had no more head shaking or sighing left, and had to resort to emergency facehoofing instead. Petrichor laughed. "Come on, Inks, let's get her to the train. Once we're relocated, and in our new house, we can tie her down on the bed for a while." Joy Shinyhooves suddenly spun and grinned broadly at Petrichor and Inkwell. "Promise???" Rose Cottage sat at the intersection of Branmash and Kimberwicke Lane in Clydesdale. It was a lovely, rambling Tudor-style cottage, with a wide, green lawn covered with thick, tasty grasses. Near the road grew flowers of every flavor, and in the back was a well-kept vegetable and fruit garden. The sides of the cottage had trellises upon which grew roses which climbed nearly to the top of the two-story home. The garden and the grounds were the work of the younger earthpony mare that Rose had taken in. Rose had felt lonely for some years since Petal had gotten married to a nice group of ponies and moved away. Rose had spent several decades with Petal Confetti, until the little teal unicorn had gone off on an adventure with a pony named Teacup. The two had become the best of friends, and over the years had become a family, but Rose had never felt comfortable with their little group. They were so much younger, and when they took over the Provender farm, well, Rose had elected to stay in her cottage. Rose loved her cottage. It was more than just a house, it was her proper and true home, and she knew that with every fiber of her being. When after a few decades of living alone - or was it longer? It was hard to tell, what with how long the living was in Equestria. The years just flew by, and... well, anyway, when Rose had met the sad peach-colored earthpony and heard her story - her beloved husband had died and she was so very alone - the only thing to do was to bring her home. It just seemed the right thing to do, since they were old friends and all, and truth be told, they got along as if they had been close and loving sisters their entire lives. Rose flipped through her scrapbook. Caprice had one too, it seemed most elder mares basically came with scrapbooks, it was like some kind of requirement. It was also a comfort. A scrapbook could hold the details of a life, long after the events were history, and it could awaken old feelings, good and bad, precious treasures each and every one. It didn't seem to be there. Rose began flipping the pages, using her right wing to whip them over. Wings were for more than flying, Rose often said. Of course, using them for all sorts of things meant occasionally losing the odd feather, and a copper pinion fluttered down onto the current page. "Ah." Rose took her lost feather in her teeth and set it aside. There were uses for feathers, and she had a strong 'waste not, want not' ethic, likely derived from her life back on earth, long, long, long ago. That was a place of scarcity, old earth was. Never enough. Not like Equestria. Still, habits are hard to break. "What are you looking for?" Caprice ambled in. She was old now, and her peach coat was streaked with touches of gray, and her mane with white. Rose's mane had turned almost entirely white long ago, though she was proud of her copper-red coat. Somehow that still looked young, even though she was older than Caprice. Her bright coat was a matter of some pride to Rose. "Oh... I can't find anything in here about my days on the potion project. I worked on it, you know. Had top-level security clearance and everything!" Rose continued to flip through her scrapbook, brushing the pages with her wing and occasionally using her lips when a page was stuck or didn't want to behave. "I remember. You told me much later, after we met again in Equestria. You said you did something that made potion possible." Caprice curled up next to Rose on the wide, old sofa. "Yes. I did something or other to the nano... stuff. Because the mighty chondria were acting up or something. I don't remember anymore, not that it's the least bit important, but... I was just sure I had something about it in here, only..." Rose was nearing the end of her scrapbook, but it only contained things from her long life in Equestria. Cards and letters from her patients, pictures of the Clydesdale Clinic, back when she worked there, the certificate from the College Of Unicorn Medicine citing her as an exceptional physician. That was quite the honor - not many pegasai went into medicine. It was not as easy without magic and a horn. But then a knowledge of herbs and medicinal plants, not to mention a good understanding of physiology took care of most things. Not every clinic had to fix every problem. It had been a grand career. 'Wasn't there a notebook? Something you wrote during that time?" Caprice had left for a bit, while Rose was lost in her memories. She had returned with tea and sweet fennel biscuits. "Oh... thank you darlin'. What a sweety you are! Tea... and biscuits too! Oh, that's nice!" Rose took a nibble of biscuit. Just right, not too sweet. Rose had never liked the super-sugary things most ponies seemed to enjoy. She had always been a savory-favoring pony. "You know... you were always my favorite conversion, back in the Bureau. Always my favorite." "I know." Caprice sipped her tea. Rose had told her that probably hundreds, if not thousands of times over the decades. There was no way it could not be true. "Notebook, huh?" Rose seemed lost down the corridors of her memory for a long time. "Yeah, there was a notebook. I don't know whatever happened to it, though. I think they made me leave it behind. I think we weren't allowed to take anything with us from the project. Too many secrets. Too many things they didn't want to have known. Humans always were like that, you know. Miserable piles of secrets the lot of them." The copper pegasus sipped her tea. "Mostly because they were always doing naughty things they needed to keep secret, if you want to know the truth of it!" "I was human once too, Rose." Sometimes the older pegasus seemed to forget that fact. Caprice wasn't sure whether it was sad that this was so, because it suggested that her dear friend's memory was fading, or it was a glad compliment, suggesting just how well she had turned her life around. Caprice had worked very, very hard to be a proper pony, and to leave her less than kindly or good origins behind. "Oh, that's right. Sorry dear." Rose closed her scrapbook. Nothing. Nothing remained of her human days except her memories, and those would not last forever. "Caprice? Do you ever miss it?" "What?" Rose stretched her wings and folded them. "The old world. Earth, I suppose. Being human, maybe. It's hard to remember being human now. I remember I didn't like it much, but after all these years I can't remember why. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I think it was?" Caprice put down her cup. "I don't miss it. Not a bit. Not the Earth, not being human, not any of it. I remember, Rose. I remember it very well, still, and I wish I didn't have to. Trust me on this, you were right. You were right to not like it, because it was hard. It was difficult, and stressful, and filled with worry and sadness. And it was far, far too easy to be mean or to be bad." Caprice took another biscuit and chewed it thoughtfully. "Time can pave over the pits and cracks in our memory, and make traumatic things seem better than they really were. Earth was a sad place, most of the time. It doesn't do to think about it overly much." "I suppose you're right. But... there's ponies I miss. Lynn - I wonder whatever happened to her? Oh, she was such a good friend. And... and... the receptionist. I can't recall her name. So many good ponies. The ponies were good, even if the place was hard, I'm sure of that." Rose almost dropped her tea, but managed to stabilize her foreleg grip with the help of her wing. "They weren't pon..." Caprice started to correct Rose, then smiled and let it be. Ponies. Let them be ponies, they certainly must have become them at some point. "Do you think any of it survived?" Rose carefully, carefully set her cup down again. "What?" "Oh, my old notebook, the records of the potion project, all of that stuff?" Rose eyed the last biscuit and contemplated whether to take it or not. Last biscuits were always such a problem. Then it hit her that she could just share it. Bite half and leave the other half for Caprice. "Did I have something that I felt bad about back then? I almost seem to recall that..." That made Caprice start, briefly. Rose had never entirely made peace with herself. It was best not to bring up matters better left buried. Forgetfulness was very, very rare in the pony world. It was almost as if Rose had been strangely blessed with it, for it had put her pain to rest long, long ago. "I can't see, really how it would matter to anypony now. No offense, it was the most important project ever. But now, after it's all over, with the earth gone for... what is it now? Two centuries?" Caprice took the half of the biscuit that Rose had left her and savored it. "About. I guess. Time's funny here, you know?" Rose reached out for a last sip of tea. "It is, kind of." Caprice swallowed the last of the last bit of biscuit. "I always thought that what matters isn't what we've done, but what we have yet to do. And we still need to go to the market today. I hear they're opening a 'Starcolts' in town, eventually. Someday. Maybe they'll be starting construction on it. I want to see that." "You always like to see things being built!" Rose Pastern drank the last of her tea and dropped her cup. "Oops!" "Nothing to worry about." Caprice eased herself off the sofa and picked the cup up with her teeth and set it down on the little low table. "The tea's all gone, so no harm done." The notebook, every atom of it personally converted into E-matter, was lowered into the ornately carved chest. The chest was made of something not entirely unlike wood, though there had been no tree, and it was bound and finished with a material not entirely unlike black iron, but the metal had not come from any mountain. The chest, like the ruined castle far above, up the wide, curving stone staircase, had been brought into existence from swirling chaos long, long ago. Everything here had been made thus. Everything but the forbidden treasures and horrors stored here. Princess Luna of Equestria released the notebook she had converted and closed the lid of the chest. There was no need to lock it, nopony knew of the crypt under the Everfree Castle, and nopony ever would. She stood by the bricked-up wall, the wall her sister and she had built. The wall that sealed off the black ribbon, and the place that existed through it. The place from whence they all had come - Celestia, Luna, and Discord. So many treasures and horrors, but the most terrible of all was the truth. Discord had been contained, and someday he might even be redeemed. He had recently been showing signs of sanity. His redemption might even be soon. They were the oldest, the three, and the first, but of all of them, Discord was the most powerful, and the most dangerous. He had made the castle, and the chests, and the stairs, and he had unleashed chaos until he could finally be confined in stone. The notebook was just one more legacy. Luna's sister tried so hard, so very hard, to help others. First the dragons, and then the gryphons. The diamond dogs just somehow found their way in, but Tia had let them stay, and granted them succor as best she could. And her latest, the humans. Equestria had been built upon glimpses of their world, Discord had sought any structure he could find, in the beginning, and the universe of Man had been there, within reach, nearby. Tia had simply continued, using what was available to her, when Discord had been imprisoned. She felt such gratitude to that harsh world, for the structure it had provided. It was only natural, perhaps, that she would save those that lived there, in their final hour. But she had heeded Luna's counsel, just this once, and made a price of such salvation - peace. Peace was the price, and it could only be assured through a change to Equestrian form. This had been done, but it had not happened easily, or without regrets. Luna chose to walk the steps, up to the surface, in order to experience them. When one could bend time and space to meet one's own hoof, little moments mattered greatly. Perhaps it was pointless, to have preserved the notebook, along with all the other materials from the salvation of humanity. Only the future would tell. She stood now in the dark Everfree, the scar on Equestria that could never heal. The castle had once been the only solid, unchanging thing in a universe of chaos. It had been her and Tia's safety, and prison. It had been their cage, when they were the pets of their brother, Discord. He had brought it into being as a ruin, ancient from the first moment of its beginning. The princess of the night lowered the metal seal over the well that housed the staircase, so that the rain would not get in. The rain came and went as it would, here. There was no order in the Everfree, only randomness, so like the Nature of that world called Earth. Her wings spread, Luna soared into the dark, star-filled sky, the sky she and her sister had crafted together, she the night, her sister the day. Earth. They had taken so much from Earth. Now, they had finally given something back. The End The Lost In The Herd Series: One: The Big Respawn, Two: Euphrosyne Unchained, Three: Letters From Home, Four: Teacup, Down On The Farm The Conversion Bureau Novels: 27 Ounces: A story of eight and one half ponies The Taste Of Grass The Conversion Bureau: Code Majeste The Conversion Bureau: The 800 Year Promise The Conversion Bureau: Going Pony The Reasonably Adamant Down With Celestia Newfoal Society! Recombinant 63: A Conversion Bureau Story HUMAN in Equestria: A Conversion Bureau Story The PER: Michelson and Morely Little Blue Cat Cross The Amazon Adrift Off Fiddler's Green: The Final Conversion Bureau Story The Short Stories: Her Last Possession The Conversion Bureau: PER Equitum The Conversion Bureau: Brand New Universe Tales Of Los Pegasus The Poly Little Pony The very first and original Conversion Bureau Group archives only the best Three Rules Compatible stories! Optimalverse Works: Friendship Is Optimal: Caelum Est Conterrens Leftovers: A Friendship Is Optimal Story IMPLACABLE My Life In Fimbria Injectorverse Works: I.D. - That Indestructible Something The More Conventional Fanfics: The Ice Cream Pony Summer Around The Bend PRIDE related works: Transspecieality My FREE virtual radio station! Rare, personally chosen anime, SF and fantasy television, movies, and comedy music. A truly unusual collection to listen to, featuring Spot Announcer Dr. Sandi - and many more!
Slaves To Their Stripes	pre	Frantically, the frazzled mare had sorted herself out. "Yeah, like, everypony was, why do you ask?" Twilight had been listening to her a sec ago of course, but now every fibre of her being was listening with rapt attention, undoubtedly curious. "Well, did you catch something that they said? Something at the end." Glimmer was clearly unsure of herself saying this, almost deciding not to have, only this cheered up Twilight to no end. Yes! I knew I wasn't crazy! "Wait, you did too?" Caught up in the moment, she had forgotten the implications of said speech they were discussing, but she was allowed to be happy for her doubted doubts being backed up. "Wha- Yeah! It sounded... um, strange though." Quickly Starlight's lack of confidence had disappeared, both appearing to be on the same wavelength. "Like, it was sort of... weird?" "Really?" An eyebrow was raised. It's nice to know I'm not the only one at least. "'Cause I thought so too. To me it sounded a bit like a threat." Not wanting to plant any ideas in her head in case they weren't true, Twilight immediately took it back. "Not that it definitely was or not, I mean it could've been but it could not have been and-" With her rambling on, Starlight just stopped her, having gotten used to this. "Twilight?" Seeing her stop and guiltily smile, blushing yet again, Starlight just asked about what she came in here to talk about. "Anyway, I was curious, do you have any info on zebras? Like, do you know anything about them or at least have a book on them?" They had only just gotten into town and she was already having doubts about them, surely that was enough reason to try and find out more about them, wasn't it? "Well, it's funny you mention that actually because, umm..." Even after it had tried so hard to leave her, the blush just barely returned, Twilight turning her head to look at what had held her interest for the last hour. "There is... something." "Oh there is a book on them. That's useful!" Walking over to it, Twilight hesitantly joined her, them both standing over the closed book. It had a striped cover, the title written on it in cursive while the silhouette of a zebra stallion was shown on the front, him facing sideways. Only (even with few details being shown of him) all of him was on display, including the long member that was fully erect and protruding from in between his back legs. "I... uhh..." At a loss for words, obviously Starlight had expected something else, or at least not that. What the- S-Surely that picture's exaggerating about the size, right? "This is... all I could find on them." Clearing her throat, Twilight went back to the first page, her horn lighting up and opening the book. The student looking on for whatever shocking thing would be there was met with... a detailed description of zebras and their culture. Oh. She didn't know what she was expecting, but it probably wasn't this. "So this is what we wanted, isn't it? I mean, it-" "Have you actually read it?" Butting in, Twilight knew she hadn't, otherwise she'd've seen how it wasn't very helpful to them. Leaning in closer, reading it and not just skimming through it, Starlight Glimmer went through it in her head. 'An equine species as old as every other one, zebras have had a unique and rich culture full of-' Yada yada yada... Ooh, how about this? 'What separates zebras from all other species, races, etc however, is that they are vastly more s-s-sexual than them.' She probably should've seen this coming with the cover being what it was. Looking back down she powered on. 'The- The zebras' striped bodies are actually vastly different to those of other animals, this being more true for the stallions with their bodies (though mostly genitalia) being designed for quote 'constant breeding' (see page 20).' The ongoing silence was deafening, Starlight's pink cheeks turning red and Twilight looking at her have the same reaction she did out of the corner of her eye. Finding the courage to speak again, the unicorn chipped in the only comment she could think to make. "...It certainly is... informative." That was one way to put it. But maybe it still held some information that could be of use to them. "Wh- What else is in there?" Hesitant to ask, Starlight didn't even know if she wanted the answer to her question. "Well..." And obviously Twilight was hesitant to give it. The book started with an explanation of zebras and all, what they wear, certain customs (though every one in there is always sexual), etc. But from there it just gets worse, it constantly going into graphic detail on how zebras breed, the answer being roughly and constantly, yet the book still goes on about how virile zebras are, and how sexually-driven they were as a species. It was a smutty book that went on about stories of zebra orgies, it disguised as normal 'research' into them (or maybe the zebras are a smutty species disguised as a normal one). Either way, Twilight Sparkle wasn't going to go through it all with her student, not now and not in a million moons. So taking a step to the side she placed a hoof on the book, sliding it over to her prized pupil and away from her. "Tell you what, you go through it on your own if you want, don't let me stop you." It was better she get embarrassed alone instead of with her here. "Oh, um, sure!" She didn't know how fun this would be, probably not at all, but she'd still not let her down. Starlight would read this book to prove herself to her teacher, what could go wrong? Levitating it up in her magic, she smiled at Twilight, the mare had gotten what she wanted and so now was just happy to leave the alicorn to her own devices yet again. Alright, information on the zebras? Check! But still there's that speech... "Hey Twilight! What about the speech?" Fortunately for them both, there was a plan at the ready, Twilight having thought of something that could provide a more conclusive answer to their predicament. "Oh don't worry, I've got that sorted." Putting a hoof on her chest, the teacher hadn't forgotten that she had been a student once too. "I'll just send a letter to Princess Celestia, I'm sure she could clarify a couple things up!" That'll do then! "Fair enough. If you don't need anything else then I'll be going." Already starting to stroll out with a new book in her magical grasp, Glimglam was done here. "I'm good Star', thanks!" Calling to her on the way out, Twilight quickly got onto her next task having been sucked out of the book that had absorbed her interest. Gently she let a quill be picked up by her purple aura, it dipping in ink some ink before going onto parchment. Alright then, 'Dear Princess Celestia...' But she'd never get to see it, her having other things on her mind right now.
Slaves To Their Stripes	Part 1: Up The Butt(erfly)	"Aaahh, finally! Glad that's over with!" It had taken a bit, but the tent was finished, a zebra walking out of it and exhaling, happy to be done with it. "Same here." Agreeing wholeheartedly, a friend of his walked out of the tent entrance after him. They had both spent the last while setting up the tent and filling it with the few supplies they'd be needing soon (that mostly being paint). It wasn't that it was difficult or laborious to do, just that they came to Equestria to do a little more than dawdle. And having done here, the duo of zebras ventured off. As of now, the two are walking down a long dirt road, them on their way to find their own mare to have fun with. They had been walking on the outskirts of the village and saw a place off in the distance, quickly deciding to head to it out of curiosity of what mare/mares could be in there. From a ways away it had looked like a large cottage that was built on the inside of a tree, and it was, even from a distance them being able to tell that it was surrounded by lush gardens and even being on the outskirts of the forest they had come out of to enter the town. There was sure to be a mare in there, and the two absolutely looked forward to 'meeting' her. "So, how good a lay do you think a pony mare is gonna be?" Cockily striding forward they knew that this would only end one way, with them getting to put an end to their blue balls and fucking the shit out of whatever mare awaited them here. Ooh this is gonna be fun! It's not like they're virgins or anything, actually, for zebras, it's impossible to be a virgin without going insane. To explain, the zebras' bodies are built for fucking so much that they literally require it, or else the zebra themself will go mad with their body's lust. To combat this they've had things like brothels, though with how many more stallions there were than mares, it soon became mandatory for female zebras to work at them, being treated as cumdumps and victims to constant barrages of zebra cock, a role now being shared with the ponies, only they are their brainwashed and willing cock-slaves rather than other zebras to them. Back to the stallions at hoof though, no matter how much they were looking forward to emptying themselves onto/into a mare, they knew that they'd need to be friendly (at least for a bit to get inside of the house and make her consume the potion), so for now they did their best to keep their long zebra lengths sheathed, as difficult as it was with their bodies screaming at them to hurry up and get to fucking already. "I dunno, but whatever mare's in there she's in for a hell of a ride!" Silently agreeing as they chuckled, talking about such carnal acts like they were the weather, the two zebras got closer and closer, hoping that this small trek after their long journey here to Equestria would be worth it. They walked over a tiny bridge in front of the house and made their way to the front door, walking past the beautiful garden surrounding the house-tree without even noticing it. Their sights were set on something other than flowers. Stepping up to the door, them somehow having subconsciously decided he'd be the one to do this, one zebra raised a hoof, knocking on the door politely. Without her responding verbally, the sole mare inside strolled over to the door, doing so calmly and not realising that the mere seconds felt like an eternity to her visitors outside. Who's that? I didn't think any of the girls were coming over today. With her head pushed upwards she glanced through the peephole in the door, seeing stripes on the other side of it. Z-Z-Z-Zebras! Wha-What're they doing here? She had happened to have been in the village square earlier today, being there to see their speech just like every other pony in Ponyville, so of course she was shocked when a pair of them now stood outside of her door. Wh-Why in Equestria are zebras here of all places? Taking a few deep breaths on the other side of the door to calm herself, ones that they heard loud and clear, she reached a hoof to the door handle, opening it a couple of inches before one of her eyes meekly appeared in the gap. A small chain lock was holding the door in place, keeping out any unwanted intruders and not letting the door open any further. "H-H-How c-can I- H-How can I help you?" Incredibly anxious, Fluttershy made no effort in trying to hide it, warily looking up at them as she had to try and stop herself from trembling. But they didn't want to see her like that, so quickly the 'main' zebra spoke up in the bat soothing voice he could do, attempting to ease her nerves. "Oh, don't worry, were not here to hurt you, us zebras actually came here to Equestria to try and bring the ponies and the zebras closer together, you don't have to be afraid of us." It wasn't incorrect, just half-lying, him equivocating to try and get inside both the house and her. Fortunately for them, it seemed to work, the incredibly shy pony releasing a loud sigh, one so loud you'd think she forgot they were there. More at ease now, she looked up at them again, trying to straighten her posture and stand up properly. "O-" Deep breaths Fluttershy, deep breaths. "O-Okay. Th-Th-Thank you for that." Seeing the tension between them was now resolved, the stripy stallion tried smiling at her comfortingly. "Anytime!" Alright, let's see if this'll work. He would be trying a bolder strategy, but hopefully this would work. "Could we please come in then? We only want to chat." There was no truth there though, unlike before that sentence was a huge lie. The two had very different plans for her than just chatting, but they needed to get in the house first somehow. Slam! In a split second, while it looked like she wanted to say something else to them, maybe telling them to go away, the door shut in their faces. She was either unlocking the latch, or keeping them away from her. Only time would tell for them. And while they wondered that, panicking right behind the same door, leaning on it with a hoof and getting lost in her thoughts, 'Shy's mind ran rampant. Oh Celestia, wh-what if they're dangerous? Or what if they're just mean? Will they make fun of me? My animals? My, umm... b-body? Thinking about every possibility that could happen and every last thing that could go wrong, the pony mare realised what she was doing, her worrying about all the problems like usual. Calming down, she shook her head, doing her best to disperse the negative thoughts and be hopeful like her best friends taught her to be. No! Remember what Pinkie said: 'Every pony is just a new opportunity to make a new friend!' W-Well they're not really ponies... but maybe they'll be really good friends to me too! With a newfound determination and an attempt at a confident mindset, Fluttershy unhinged the lock, gently opening the door for them. Smiling back at the three, she didn't notice their stunned expressions. "I'm Fluttershy, it's nice to meet you." Her kind voice spoke to them, the zebras too busy being captivated by her to respond. She's... She's adorable. Thinking the exact same thing, they stared at her, the mare's sweet and genuine smile radiating off of her. After seconds passed of them happy to finally see her attractive face, their minds obviously went somewhere else, less innocent thoughts emerging: She'd look fuckin' good with some stripes on her face!, I bet her throat's so tight! Trying to stop thinking about her that way, at least for now, the zebras snapped out of it, they were this close to getting inside and they definitely wouldn't be giving up this cutie. "It's nice to meet you too!" Alright Fluttershy, you can do this! Stepping to one side and raising a hoof, she gestured them inside, trying to be the most welcoming host she could be. "Please come in, I was just having some tea at the table over there so I'll whip you all up some!" Rarity would get them some tea, right? "Oh, um, th-thanks." All of a sudden, the zebras had a slight sliver of regret rise up through them. This mare seemed so kind, so sweet, so innocent, should they even be doing this? "Okay, I'll do that now then, make yourselves at home, um, please." But then Fluttershy made the idiotic mistake of turning around to walk to the kitchen in order to make their tea, sealing her fate and removing all guilt from the guests that she'd just invited in. Holy shit! The two zebras thought the same thing in unison upon seeing her walk away, she had every quality that they could possibly want in a pony, a pretty face to worship cock with, a fat ass that jiggled with every step, tasty-looking teats to suck on... and that was pretty much it, though that described every mare in Equestria. They weren't really picky considering how many mares here were so... breedable. Still though, this mare, her body was sublime! And with her leaving, they got to see everything else that they couldn't see before. In between two fat, juicy cheeks, and not hidden at all by her swaying tail, was her genitalia: a perfect puffy pony pussy, and a round, near-definitely delicious ponut. Both were calling to them, so it wasn't surprising to them as their masts forced their way out into the open, frustratingly hard and looking forward to what they had planned. As she departed, the naive pony didn't realise she just turned their arousal up to 11, with their huge cocks inevitably revealing themselves to the world and her never noticing. She also didn't catch their eyes, all three pairs leering at her bouncy flank, the males wishing they could stick their face into that glorious crack as well as do so much more with it. But eventually she went out of sight, trotting off into her kitchen to prepare a few drinks, leaving them alone at her door. Snapping themselves out of their horny minds yet again, their rods twitched under them, alerting them that they needed this, now. "...Fuck." "Holy shit, I mean... we definitely came to the right place!" With them still thinking back on such a delectable view and suddenly excited at the unintentional encouragement, they strutted inside, making their way over to the table she'd gestured to. Fuck, 'can't wait to fuck that fat ass of hers! Only upon reaching the table did they even consider the state their dicks were in and how it could negatively impact their 'mission', so haphazardly, they hatched a plan. Grabbing some pillows off of her sofa, the pair sat on the floor on their flanks, at the table she told them to sit at. With their asses on the floor, they used the pillows, trying to place them over their lengthy junk in order to hide them, but the plan failed when the pillows weren't big enough. Damn it! Alright then, how about this? The table had an oval-shaped top with them sat next to each other at one of its longest sides, so as a last resort they shoved their bodies as close to it as they could be, hiding their throbbing erections under it, hoping their gorgeous target wouldn't notice them as their tips rubbed on the tabletop. It wasn't a flawless plan but at least it was one no one would be aware of, or so they thought. At the other side of the room, having woken up from multiple hoofsteps walking on the wooden floor, an intelligent bunny had been spying on them and observing the two as they pushed their meat out of plain view. However they were unaware that Angel was even there, nevermind knowing that he could understand their lustful intentions and the threat they posed to his owner. "H-Hello again, I-I-I brought you your tea!" With a cup rested on each flat wing, she calmly trotted in, her 'confident' act slowly slipping even after they had long seen through it. Sliding the cups down onto the table Flutters' moved over to sit down, in one motion dropping her fat ass on the floor. They didn't get to see how her cheeks jiggled on impact, just like how she never saw the pre-cum leaking out of their tips getting smeared on the bottom of her table, the lengths craving the little stimulation it could give them. "S-So, what brings you to, um, P-Ponyville?" It was a desperate attempt to get a conversation started, but at least it worked as the trio began mutually sipping at their drinks. Fortunately for the zebras they had planned for this kind of talk, having a 'safe' half-lie to use temporarily. "Well we came to integrate our cultures, us wanting to bring our two species... closer together." Putting a little emphasis on the last words, it was getting harder and harder not to at least wrap their hooves around their dicks, but hopefully they'd not have to wait much longer. "Us zebras really want to-" Ready to treat her to more half-truths, the zebra speaking was cut-off, an uninvited guest interrupting him as he hopped onto the table. "Oh! Angel, we have guests over, would you like to meet them?" Having a much easier time talking to her pet, Fluttershy obviously noticed how impatient he looked, the lagomorph having his arms crossed and brows furrowed, but she took no notice of it with it being how he usually was. "Angel?" But the rabbit had seen everything they'd done, from hiding their still-throbbing girth to leering at her when she came back in, and he'd do his best to warn her about the threat. Gesticulating wildly, his tiny arms made various motions in an attempt to mime something to her, the mare failing to decipher them. "What?" Seeing him try to show her something about his groin area, him using his tiny paws to motion there, she was left utterly oblivious, not even slightly in on the rabbit's failing miming or the zebras' growing panic as they figured it out. "I-I don't understand Angel." Frantically, his entire body moved as he tried showing her, but no matter what he did Fluttershy was too innocent to think about what he was trying to show her with increasing impatience. After too long, the horny pair considering taking care of him themselves, he gave up though on his squeak-filled explanation. Slapping his forehead, the white bunny searched his mind for any ideas, only finding one that could help her with whatever they'd do to her. And with that, he scampered off, diving out of an open window to find a pony he knew could help. "...Well that was... Umm..." Still watching the window he left through, she was clueless, not having recognised whatever he was doing, though they had, his motions to his groin and gestures to under the table making the rabbit's motives very clear, but fortunately it was over, them still in the clear and getting a bit too impatient now. "I-I'm sorry about him." "Oh no, don't worry, it's okay." Gently rocking their hips back and forth, trying to get any help they could from the table, they finally got their opportunity, jumping on it as they watched her finish her tea. "So... You like helping out creatures?" The zebras both knew where this was going, Fluttershy being the only one in the dark about it and suddenly regaining her lost confidence at the change in topic. "Oh yes, I want to try and help other creatures, animal or not, in any way I can." Eyes darting to one another, massive grins appearing on their muzzles, the zebras shifted a little, as if getting ready to stand up. "Really? 'Cause there's a little something you could help us with if you don't mind." "I'd be delighted to! What is it? I'll do my best to help in any way I can!" Yes! This might be a way of making some new friends as well as getting to help them out! This is- But before the thought could finish, they moved. Getting up, her visitors slid their meaty packages out from under the table. Quickly, they had placed their front hooves on the same piece of furniture, half standing on it as they moved their hips forward, smiling down on her lustfully. With two heavy thuds, the two let both of their sacks drop onto the table, them lying there as a pair of weighty, cum-filled zebra testicles clearly needing some release. And just above that were the two girthy cocks themselves, massive schlongs pointing above her with large globs of jizz excitedly making their way out. Twitching, the rods were as hard as could be, all while the stallions kept looking down at her, presenting themselves fully as she couldn't look away. For the mare, time stopped, her mind not being able to even focus on what was going on due to the shock of it all. Her innocent guests, the ones who had come here to make friends with her, had just dropped their big gigantic genitals onto her table, wanting her to 'help' them. In a split second the inevitable blush took over her face, Fluttershy trying to get words out to respond but failing disastrously, the only thing coming out of her mouth being cute stutters. The sight was adorable, and only made their hard horsecocks ache more, begging for her assistance as a teeny bit more pre oozed out the tips. Sliding their cups to the side, getting them out of the way, a very horny duo who'd had enough waiting moved over to her, Fluttershy still frozen solid sat in place. Like animals stalking their prey, they carefully moved onto the table, climbing over it and getting closer as she was moving her eyes back and forth between their masts. They plopped themselves on the table's edge, sitting side-by-side in front of her with their thighs pressed against each other and juicy zebra cocks now being only inches from her face. "Wanna give 'em a taste?" Beckoning her closer, they couldn't understand the chaos that this was causing in her head. Throughout life, she'd always been the one known as the innocent virgin, Fluttershy not even having masturbated once, so when they'd whipped their cocks out, everything she knew about intercourse's basics went out of the window, this much more... alluring than she'd've possibly expected. Still though, she didn't want this, and despite how... tempting her mind made it seem, she knew she wouldn't just bend over and let them take her virginity. Though as they brought their meat closer the idea did sound better and better. "N-N-No. I-I-" Her mind was dead set on denying them, but all it took was one whiff, one small smell of that heavenly musk for her to be swayed. Taking one deep breath in, not even noticing she did, Fluttershy let their lewd aroma enter her body, sending a tidal wave of arousal through her. O-Oh my gosh! And the new feelings went straight to her pussy still on the floor, it even moistening a little in the excitement of having these two all to herself. Bit by bit, her mind was being shrouded in new thoughts that she'd never even considered before, and inspecting their juicy lengths, they looked like they needed this, needed her to help. Slowly, the mare was being convinced, the horniness getting to her and this new thrill impacting her judgement without her noticing. W-Well, if they need it so much and they want me to help... It isn't like me helping them with my mouth would be taking my virginity so... I-I guess I could at least try. This was only oral sex anyway, not actual sex, she knew she'd never do that with strangers, however if these two needed this 'help' then she'd be happy to do what they wished. Meanwhile, above watching her, the two were happy seeing her comply, but knew she would've eventually anyway. Leaning forward, her hot breath tickled the tips, before she tenderly shot her tongue forward, licking up the pre-cum that one of them had dribbled out and making him moan quietly at the little relief. I-It tastes... good! Moving to the other one she did the same, eating up their cum and savouring how delicious she found it. Quickly, confidence was rising, her getting more and more into this. Preparing herself, she pressed her muzzle against one's dickhead, breathing in more of that addicting musk again and letting her lust take over. Fluttershy had no clue as to why she was so willing to assist, but didn't care much, helping creatures was her purpose in life and for some reason she was more than happy to help these two out. You can do this Fluttershy. Moving back to the first and noticing how agitated the zebras were getting, she decided to hurry up, pressing it against her muzzle again. In a drawn-out motion, she tried wrapping her lips around it, pushing her head forward and trying her best to fit his massive head in her mouth. It's so big! And it's so... His dick was rubbing on her tongue, every taste bud revelling in the lewd and dirty flavour. Eager for more, she shoved her own head down it more, getting his whole head in her mouth and trying to take down even more of his massive shaft. "Fuck!" As the two watched her try, it was clear she was inexperienced, Fluttershy not even taking much because of her gag reflex. It did feel good... but not good enough. And anyway, they didn't come here to just let somepony suck them off, they came here to use a pony, breed a pony. Let's see how you like this then, Sluttershy! Zebra hooves placed on her head, he pulled down on her mane, ramming his cock as deep into her throat as he could before she even noticed. "Ah, fuck yes!" Meanwhile, she wasn't even allowed to adjust to it as she was being used, him violently cramming everything he could down her throat in one movement. Oh my gosh! He's being so... rough! And whether she'd admit it or not, the pegasus was enjoying this. It hurt having him stuffed in her, but as her nose was tickled by his fur, him entirely hilted inside her, she loved how it felt having her innards stretched out by a zebra's girth. After little waiting, her dominator started, his friend next to him jerking himself off while watching. Sliding himself out bit by bit, Fluttershy's body had jolts of elation as his head rubbed along her insides, the dick's head being all that was in her as the cycle began again. Her throat's so tight! Up and down and up and down, one of her many future masters was controlling her head, making it bob constantly as he used her like his toy. Soon though, he didn't need to. All the mare could smell was the zebras' arousal, and because of that added arousal she was trying to move with his thrusts. Meanwhile the zebra removed his hooves and rested on them behind him, getting to see his first pony start to break as she repeatedly deepthroated him, moaning whorishly along with the wet slurping noises she made. It feels so good helping him! So right! "Fuck, you've gotten good at this quick!" It can't have been easy taking down that much zebra, so with her body clinging to him he was getting close quickly, his balls more than ready to empty their first loads into her. But he wasn't done with her just yet, plus his friend to his side hadn't been given any special attention so far. "Hey slut!" Not moving, still keeping him lodged in her mouth, she looked up, not wanting to move. "Mmm?" Questioningly, she sent a vibration through his cock, him still on the edge. "Aren't you forgetting something?" At his words, a pre-cum-dribbling tip prodded her stuffed cheek, smearing it's juices on her fur and easily grabbing her attention. She'd left a stallion out, his erection having gone untouched by her. Oh... Before this the mare probably would have apologised for leaving somepony out, but now that was the last thing on her mind. Instead she slid her head back, still sucking slightly as every last inch of his lubed-up meat left her lips. Pop! Panting and with a lust-drunk smirk on her muzzle, Fluttershy wordlessly turned to the second shaft pointing directly at her face, some of that delectably delicious pre dangling in front of her like it was there to bait her in. And it worked. With little to no hesitation, the pony's gleeful face dived forward, Fluttershy immediately crashing her mouth into his junk and trying desperately to slurp up what she could, french-kissing his dick before she did any more. Mmm! Their cum is so tasty! Not once did she think twice about anything she was doing or thinking, accepting it and not wanting anything else. She was so into this, and they could tell. Heads turning to each other, the two zebras being sucked off knew they were both thinking the same thing, it being something along the lines of 'Holy shit. This mare must've been pent-up!' Opening her lips as wide as she possibly could again, she made her head move forward, easing the second cock down her throat and feeling it stretch out her insides. Impressively, the mare would fit it all in her, him balls-deep in her whilst she was below them having the time of her life. And like that, being a good little slut, Fluttershy kept hungrily bobbing up and down on zebra cock, alternating between the two as the thoughts of everything else faded away. Every now and then, their hooves helped her out, the zebras pushing her down them their shafts more often, but even more than that her own hooves helped her out, reaching down in an attempt to rub at her sopping wet cunt. So good... So... So good. Deliriously, her mind was this close to being changed forever, lost to lust. Under her, creating a messy and aromatic puddle on the floor, her pussy ached, begging her for the stimulation her hoof couldn't give it. And despite her best efforts masturbating furiously, she was no where near cumming, unlike her two lovers. "Ngh! I'm gonna cum!" Once more she moved back to the other zebra, edging them both and only making their climax all the more anticipated, but the two were about to cum and give her the prize she'd been craving so desperately. "Open wide!" Following commands, another pop sounded out as she released his head from her mouth, sitting fully on the floor for them. Resting after the tiring blowjobs she still couldn't disobey them, not wanting to as she opened her mouth wide, inviting them to land all of their seed onto her tongue as she closed her eyes. In an instant, their hooves shot down to their wet horsecocks that she'd been worshipping, the two pony-fuckers smiling down at her open and patient mouth, it waiting for them as they immediately started jacking-off. They had been close, so with the sight of this corrupted mare wanting more of their hot spunk, it wasn't difficult getting off. Still sat directly next to each other, the two's dicks pointed at her as their hooves took long and fast strokes up and down their shafts, it didn't take long, them cumming on her together. First, a large glob shot out of each tip, huge white ropes of cum landing directly on her taste buds. "Ahn!" Elatedly moaning, the addicting taste went straight to her changing brain, her not even getting to enjoy it too much before more came her way. Still pumping up and down on their dicks, grunting as they climaxed onto her, strings of cum shot out of the zebras' dicks, jizz landing all over her waiting face and painting it with their lewd liquids Soon, the adorable face from before was gone, it now tainted with multiple zebra's cum covering it. The yellow mare looked like some lust-crazed dog, her tongue lazily lulling out of her mouth while her body panted heavily, the coat of cum clashing with her yellow fur and the mare now reeking of the fertile zebra seed. That was... Zebras are amazing! I need to do this again with them, maybe now! They certainly looked like they could, their dicks not having gone down in the slightest, but whilst she could barely see them she tried licking her lips, getting more zebra cum into her mouth while they watched. They weren't finished with this mare yet, not with the show she was putting on for them. Basking in the afterglow of it all, savouring how their sticky spunk felt on her face and how it tasted when it occasionally dripped down for her to lick up, Fluttershy never questioned any of this, just focusing on how good it had all felt. But that soon came to an end when one zebra hopped off of her table, walking past her. W-What is he... Stood a few meters from her, he turned, looking her in the eye as she struggled to not look at what hung beneath him. With a grin, the zebra sat down facing the pony, moving to lie on his back with his throbbing appendage pointed upwards. Resting on his legs, he looked past his massive member and at Fluttershy, smiling at her with his intentions clear. "Well? You know you want some." Wait, d-does he want me to... Wiping the rest of their cum from her face and withholding the urge to lick it all up, she looked again. He was in the perfect position for her to climb onto him, him stabbing that perfect tool of his into her as he took her virginity. Instantly, as soon as the thought appeared in her head, a jolt of arousal, something she'd never felt before, shot through her. Just the idea has made her the wettest she'd ever been in her life. Her, on top of him, a zebra being her first, them rutting like animals before he lodged himself balls-deep in her and filled her womb full of load after load, knocking her up with his foal. ...Fuck. I-I-I shouldn't but... She couldn't help herself. Her pussy had never felt this hot, this needy, and she couldn't resist. Mindlessly, her body started walking over to him, eyes constantly glued to... it. It's so... Watching her short-lived internal conflict, they knew it wouldn't last, she still hadn't even cum yet, so these intriguing ideas only made even more droplets drip down onto the already wet floor, the room having filled up with the heavy smell of their combined arousal long ago. H-How would that feel i-inside me? Standing as this zebra was lying down, Fluttershy hesitantly moved her legs to either side of him, mounting him. She could already feel the warmth of the dick on her behind, stood in front of it with it barely touching her desperate pussy. As she looked down and not behind her, seeing a handsome zebra face greet her, two hooves placed themselves on her massive ass, the impatient zebra about to take her virginity not willing to wait anymore. Feeling the hot tip prod her constantly winking marehood, the tiniest bit of semblance was given to her despite all of the mind-boggling arousal flooding through her. A-A-Am I really going to let a stranger do this? I-I mean, I always thought it would be after some magical date and be with somepony I loved... Even though she knew she should be distressed right now, her body prevented her from any and all stress, much preferring this reality to anything else she could possibly think of. ...Oh f-fuck it! I bet this zebra's amazing junk is so much better than- Fluttershy had been zoning out, and so missed how agitated the zebra about to take control of her was getting. Under her and having a good grip on two oversized cheeks, his dick prodding at her more-than-slick entrance, enough was enough, and in a single large move he slammed her body down, forcing the entirety of his cock all inside of the mare and filling every last bit of her cavern he could... with great resistance. Holy fuck, this bitch is tight! Having been broken out of her thoughts, Fluttershy felt every inch of him force his way into her. Every inch. Him having slammed her down and shot his huge zebra dick deep into her on the first thrust, all she could do was scream out as his horsecock was crammed inside, tearing past her hymen and crushing her formerly untouched womb. "AAAAHHN!" All at once, too much pleasure hit her, the friction of her virgin walls scraping on him as he stretched her pussy to it's limits being too much for any mare to handle. If she hadn't been so wet it might've been more of a struggle, but he had slipped himself right in with enough force, and now he'd gotten to feel to tight confines of her pussy's insides he wasn't going to stop now. Wrapping his front legs around her waist the zebra stallion pulled her down onto him, feeling her generous tits squishing against him as he positioned himself right. "You ready, slut?" The question was rhetorical, it didn't matter if she was or not, nothing would stop him now he'd gotten his hooves on this future cock-sleeve. It wasn't like she'd even tried to answer anyway, too lost in pleasure to get anything out other than breathy moans. Like a breeding machine, he mercilessly started using her. With his back hooves planted on the floor his insatiable cock got moved in and out of her, jackhammering her marehood and ploughing it thoroughly as she couldn't even prepare herself. "Holy fuck! Pony pussy feels so good!" Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Again and again his hips smacked her wildly bouncing cheeks, making slapping sounds every time he thrust into her. Those sounds were nearly drowned out though, some slut being much louder. "Ah! Yes! I love it! I love zebra cock! Please! Don't stop! AH!" There was no going back now for Fluttershy, she'd gotten to experience how amazing it felt when zebras dominated her, used her, and even she knew she'd never want anything else again. She was screaming at the top of her lungs and to the zebras it was the most arousing sound they'd ever heard, but under her he had something even better in mind. Taking one hoof from holding down her bouncing booty that he was still fucking wildly, he placed it on the back of their newest sex slave's head. Inevitably, she looked down for a second out of slight confusion, but that was enough for him to yank her head down, crashing his lips into hers. Holding her in place, his tongue dove into her, impatiently exploring her mouth as her moans only became muffled. She was obviously inexperienced with her tongue as she tried to reciprocate but he knew that would change given time. Like that they kept going at it, Fluttershy even trying to push herself backwards so he could smash his dick into her womb even harder, but she had to pull her mouth off of his to gasp when she felt another pair of hooves on her rear. The other zebra (one she'd completely forgotten about again) was trying to mount her, making the zebra still in her decide to stop for now, something Fluttershy instantly noticed. "Forget about me?" Climbing over her, he pressed his front against her back, the mare now sandwiched between the two. It felt good being completely surrounded by the sexy stallions, but the arrival of another wasn't what was on her mind. Why'd he stop? I want more! I NEED more! Moving back in an attempt to push more of him into her again, she had lost all doubt about doing any of this, right up until... Please! I need more of that- Gasp! Pushing her fat ass backwards, the mare suddenly froze, having felt the zebra on top's dangling meat prod against her large asshole, and while she stopped moving back he was definitely pushing forward, confident that her anal virginity would be taken today too. With him beginning to push into her second entrance, his cock already lubed-up with her saliva, she craned her neck back to look at him. "B-But that's my butthole! Wh-Why are you using that one?!" He was welcome to use the others, but considering she'd never even heard of anal she wasn't so sure about this. Not that he cared, chuckling dismissively. "Pfft, please, I've had my eyes on this fat ponut for too long now! Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll love getting your tailhole fucked!" With them words he thrust his hips forward slowly, her undeniably large anus having no choice but to try and take him in. "W-Wait!" Grinning, the zebras kept her in place, holding onto her despite her apprehension. Without words and just moaning the zebra kept going forward, finally slipping his head into her hole as her body unwillingly clutched onto him. She was so tight, but all that did was make him want more of her, and whilst not willing to admit it, she wanted more too, her newest lover feeling... too good up there. Whilst enjoying her body's hold, Shy's ass being whorish inside and out, the zebra wasn't going to just stop here, wanting more and willing to take it. Pulling his own butt backwards and making himself nearly pull out of her, he gleefully shot his hips forward, slamming every inch of horny zebra meat up her asshole with his balls dangling down to taunt her not-vacant pussy. "AAAAAAHHHNN!" Not even intending to, Fluttershy had stuck her tongue out, letting it dangle from her muzzle as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. To say the pleasure was overwhelming would be an understatement, but getting to feel him balls-deep in her, both her holes filled completely was the best thing she'd ever experienced, ever. "M-More! Please!" The words erupted from her before she'd even thought about saying them, but even then they didn't budge, just smiling at her deviously. Staring at her and not moving an inch, they forced her to endure their torture, nothing happening for way too long (only 5 seconds) up until they uttered a few words to her, the mare willing to comply with anything they wanted for more cock. Leaning in, the one spooning her from behind leant over to place his muzzle right next to her ear. "...Beg for it." She had been broken in a while back, already willing to comply with anything as long as she got more zebra, so all this did was make words erupt from her once more without them even registering in her lust-riddled brain. "Please! I'm begging you! Use my holes! Be as rough as you want! Please! Empty all your cum in me and use me like the slut I am!" That was exactly what they wanted to hear, just a pure confirmation of their dominance over her and her submission to them. And not waiting any longer they began pushing their entire lengths in and out of her, starting slow but speeding up instantly. It didn't take long for them to be back at their top speed yet again, plowing their doubly-penetrated pony as fast as they could and feeling as their balls filled with load upon load to shoot into her. Obviously no sentences could come out of her, only the desperate, dirty moans for more as she ruthlessly got pounded over and over. She's addicted. There's no other way of putting it, Fluttershy never wanted to not be a zebra fucktoy, and fortunately for her she'd never have to stop. But after so long this feral threesome had to come to an end. The two studs were getting closer and closer, feeling their stallionhoods nearing their second orgasmic climax today. Fluttershy however hadn't been able to even try and count how many times she came, it just being yet another thing that indebted her to the zebras. "Fuck! I'm gonna cum! You wanna get knocked up with zebra foals, slut?" Somehow, the thought hadn't even crossed her mind, but in an instant it brought her even closer to cumming again, both her mind and body loving the idea immeasurably. So holding onto him tight she tried sticking her rear out to them even more, screaming out to them. "Yes! Do it! Knock me up! Make me a mom!" Rushing the words out, they sounded more like moans than anything else, though the two enjoying her understood perfectly. "Ngh! Take it, bitch!" With a few final slams into her, each one rougher than the last, they hilted themselves balls-deep in her guts together. Keeping their massive horsecocks as deep in her as they could possibly get, both started shooting all of their loads into their newest cumdump, thoroughly breeding her by pumping her belly full. "NGAAAAAHHH!" She screamed out of pleasure so loudly it hurt her throat, an insanely powerful orgasm forcing itself upon her body as she felt herself fill up with so much of their more-than-fertile zebra cum. Splurt! Splurt! Splurt! Not able to move and not wanting to, their mare felt every single huge rope get shot into her, painting her womb and intestines white with what couldn't escape her. And the slut loved every second of it. The new sensations she'd never known before today had her hooked. She was theirs now, and all three of them were happy with that. Having finished, the pair of pony-pounders didn't bother moving off of/from under each other. They had the energy to, they probably had enough energy to go at it again, but they just wanted to take it all in for now. Similarly, joyously, and with not a single innocent thought running through her head, the newest slut laid there between them, basking in what just happened to her. They... They... They just made her theirs, and it was like they'd filled some void inside of her that she didn't even know was there. Not able to stop the smile glued to her face she looked down, pressing her lips against his again as she let his tongue easily overwhelm hers. "Mmmmm!" In sync, two cum-covered zebra phalluses slowly slid out of her. Somehow they still were throbbing, ready to go again at a moment's notice, but they at least knew they had to stop... for now. "Gah!" Fluttershy gasped and panted as she removed her lips from one of her new masters' own, strings of their saliva kept them attached as they laid there. With the removal of the cocks, torrents of cum tried escaping out of her two holes, both of them stuffed entirely with their hot white goodness. "Mmhmmhmm... My butthole... it... it feels so full!" That was an understatement, and she was fully aware of that as she murmured it to herself elatedly. Hotly, Fluttershy tried looking back, trying to see the cum drooling out of her and making a pool on the floor beneath them, but sadly couldn't. Unfortunately for them all, neither of the three got to see the lewd sight of jizz being squeezed out of her ponut, it dribbling out of her ass before sliding past their throbbing meat, moving down her mountainous crack and onto the zebra below. Joyously and with not a single innocent thought running through her head, the newest slut did all she could, she just laid there, happily basking in what just happened to her. She didn't want to move, she didn't need to. As she felt them start to grind their dicks up and down her sweaty asscheeks, wiping off the leftover cum and smearing it on her fur, she wanted to stay right here, having accepted her new role as a zebra cocksleeve and kinky sex slave long ago. Throb. Throb. Throb. As two zebras and their toy walked on a path back to the streets of Ponyville, it was getting harder and harder to hold themselves back, the striped of the three both feeling the overwhelmingly intense desire to pounce on their little pony, rutting her brains out yet again. Under them, their horsecocks were still as hard as they could be, and why wouldn't they be with the sight in front of them? None of them had even thought about cleaning before heading off, so that meant that (after making sure to walk behind Fluttershy) they got the wondrous opportunity to enjoy how she was leaving a white trail as they walked, as well as getting to watch as her two cheeks bounced with each step, both marvellously massive masses still smeared with their cum as they failed to hide what lie in between them. So it was pretty impossible for them not to be insanely hard right now. They were on their way to making her theirs, officially anyway, she already belonged to them as far as the trio were all concerned. This though would get to show every pony and every creature that Fluttershy was zebra property and a broodmare for them to use, nothing more. The closer and closer they got to the village, the more and more impatient the two zebras got, but they knew they'd follow orders and 'stripe' her first before doing anything else. After not too long the village in the distance was right in front of them, and, just like they had this morning, the pair marched in confidently with their new 'friend'... It took literally seconds before ponies started staring at the state Fluttershy was in. In no time at all, jaws were dropped. Everypony just couldn't believe their eyes and for good reason. Fluttershy, the Fluttershy, was just casually strolling through the streets with a gleeful smile on her face, walking with a pair of erect zebras that surely had had their way with her, oblivious to the eyes on her and the crowd growing to watch. There was the occasional baffled whisper but despite that everypony remained silent, not able to even comprehend the sight of the village's shy mare (who's also an element of harmony) uncaringly displaying what must've just happened to her. There definitely weren't as many ponies as there were this morning, many being 'busy' with zebras elsewhere, but the crowd was still large, watching, ogling, gawking at the three in disbelief as they just headed to their destination, not even acknowledging the crowd's existence. Somehow though, the weirdest was still yet to come. Whilst leading their toy to the tent our two zebras had only shared a few remarks, them all being about what they'd love to do to this yellow and white mare afterwards. They hadn't conversed too much, though their heads did turn to the others' questioningly as a door in front of them opened, not blocking their path but still being in their way. It caused their yellow pegasus to stop, and despite usually being more than happy to bump into the bouncy behind they got visibly agitated. They didn't want to wait patiently, they wanted to bend this one over and start breeding again, anything that delayed that was just a hindrance. "The hell?" Murmuring quietly -so much so that the entire crowd following them didn't hear it- one of Fluttershy's new masters was seconds from suggesting they go around it rather than waiting, but the hesitation and curiosity paid off as a trio of zebras, friends, walked out with their own mare close behind. "Oh! Hey it's you guys! You heading to the tent too?" "Hm? Oh yeah! Just got finished knocking up this slut!" Gesturing behind him, the mare they'd had their fun with was there in a similar state to Fluttershy: her belly was slightly bloated, her fur had traces of cum left in it, and her face was showing how drunken on cock she was. The zebras all saw another whore in the making, though Fluttershy was able to recognise her just like the new mare had definitely seen who she was. R-Rarity? Without the mares taking long looking at each other, the duo and trio of zebras merged into a quintet, guiding these two pregnant ponies the their shared destination together. Walking in front so the zebra stallions could enjoy their behinds again, Fluttershy and Rarity got an opportunity to chat whilst the zebras behind them did too. "Rarity?" In a questioning tone, Flutters' started. "Yes darling?" When speaking, Rarity didn't seem to be embarrassed in the slightest, even with how she looked to all the ponies she'd known all her life. Turning to look at Fluttershy, she smiled knowingly, speaking abrasively. "I take it those ravishing zebras had their way with you too, hm?" She should've been hesitant or awkward when bringing up topics like this, especially with Fluttershy of all mares, but she couldn't bring herself to care. In actuality, the former fashionista was too in love with zebra cock to focus on any other desires, and she'd let them use her right here and right now if they would, anything to please them... And she'd soon realise her old friend felt the same way. "I... Umm..." Stumbling slightly, it surprisingly didn't take long for her to recover. "Yes, th-they did actually." Getting wet again just thinking about it, she tried to ignore her mind begging her to let them have another go with her. "It was..." "Fucking fantastic, wasn't it?" Interrupted by Rarity, 'Shy couldn't help but agree promptly. It wasn't only the buildup of her enthusiastic blowjobs or the feeling of having her holes stuffed full or even when they all came, pumping their cum into her together, but it was all of it. Every part of her sexual experience with the zebras was what made it so 'fucking fantastic' as Rarity put it, and she knew no ordinary stallion could've made her the slut she'd suddenly become today. With the tent in view, all seven happily made their way to it, only like this knowing that more carnal fucking was yet to come. "Wha... Wh-What-" The horny group wasn't followed as they left, with noponies trying to follow them to the mysterious tent. The main reason why was because of how they didn't dare venture into such unknown territory as the zebras' domain, so all of them remained silent, slack-jawed and frozen in place while they had departed... except for one pony there. "W-WHAT IN TARNATION?!" Completely baffled, Applejack knew what she'd seen, two of her best friends parading around like... like... Like mares that let the bull ride them at the rodeo! Or... bulls... Wracking her mind on what to do and even pacing slightly in the crowd, only one feasible option could come to mind. I-I'll get Twilight! It must be some spell or somethin' that they're on, or-or an illusion or somethin' like that! Turning in the opposite direction she'd been facing the orange mare sprinted away, bursting out from the mass of ponies and frantically galloping off. Ah reckon if anypony can f-fix this then Twi' can! Those two... They looked so... Shaking her head as she tried to put the image out of her mind, AJ just kept making a beeline for the Crystal Castle, ignoring the voice in her head telling her it was too late and to consider giving in to them already. The zebras' tent. Up until now it had been a complete mystery to the two mares, but now they were inside of it they could confirm that there was little to see here. On the floor were many mats big enough for any mare to be on. They were set up all around the place, each having a collection of items next to them purposefully placed there. Despite its unassuming appearance they felt that this little 'visit' would change their lives forever, and they were right. "So you two, d'ya know why you're here?" Coming from behind her, one of their striped lovers grinned devilishly at them, his veiny cock still hard beneath him and drawing their eyes. "W-We heard something about getting... 'striped'?" It was little to no information to go off of, but enough for him to confirm as his friends moved to a pair of the many vacant mats. "Well basically..." Going behind them again, he moved in between them. The zebra brought them closer to him, both of his front legs over their shoulders as he seductively declared their exact intentions with no hesitation. "What we're going to do now is make you ours, officially anyway. We'll cover you in our stripes, our jewellery, and whatever else we want to. All of it to show everypony that sees you exactly who you and your bodies belong to." Right as the words registered in their zebra-loving minds, the mares couldn't hide it, a huge blast of pleasure soaring through their bodies and straight down to their marehoods. With every word he made their pussies grow wetter. With every whisper he made their bodies hotter. And with every little thing he uttered they grew more-than-excited, overjoyed at the idea of not just getting to worship and serve zebra cock, but belong to it as well. With just a few sentences, the two sluts went from blissfully reminiscing about their last orgasms to craving the next, avidly looking forward to when next they would serve the zebras, not just as their sluts, but as their slaves too. As soon as he released them and put his four hooves back on the floor, they trotted over to the others in the tent, knowing what they were supposed to do and following. Only smiling lustfully, clearly wanting to take care of their own erections, the zebras watched them stand on the designated spots and sat down, picking up a couple paintbrushes that were in small pots with their mouths. There was a black paint on them, not any normal one but a magic one, a permanent one. It would forever be put onto the ponies' fur and skin, there to stay. Watching in anticipation and doing their best to stay still, the ponies had two zebras working on them each. It was too difficult for the pair to look forward, not ogling the rods at each side of them, but they'd manage. Closer and closer the brushes got until- "Ngh!" As the brushes made contact, their cold paint got to work as the stallions moved around. Swirling around making all sorts of patterns, a swirl here, a stripe here, it was as if tongues were licking their bodies, travelling over every curve and every sensitive part of them besides the ones they wish were being touched right now. And then after that it had no choice by to dry, marking them as zebra property. It took too much patience and restraint from all of them, but finally, after about 15 minutes, it was over. The striping was an intimate experience, and one none of them would ever forget with it being the first time the zebras had actually done that besides the practice they'd done back in their homeland. Sensing they were done and daring to move once more, two ponies were mesmerised by their own bodies. I look... fabulous! Not trying to hold back their gleeful and lustful smiles the mares could only just believe it, in just a day they'd both gotten the honour of having their lives changed for the better, no longer needing to worry about literally anything, their minds only needing to think about how to bring the most pleasure to their masters. Life couldn't be better for the two. "So sluts, we also decorate our own with jewellery, how about it?" Ooh! "So Applejack, is this so important that I had to stop researching those zebras to come with you?" In a not-so-good mood, Twilight Sparkle had just been dragged out of her library (and not for the first time). In there, she had been investigating the new striped inhabitants of the town. Having given the more... informative book to Starlight, she had to go through everything else, finding literally nothing on them despite the most basic information. But she hadn't once thought of stopping, dead-set on her research bearing any positive results. It was only when a familiar farmer almost kicked the library doors off of their hinges that she was able to stop focusing on the task and return to reality once more. Telling Twilight to follow, Applejack had explained on the way that she'd seen two of their friends, two of the elements of harmony, saunter through town looking... uncouth, as Rarity would put it. But with AJ having avoided the subject in particular, the two lewd-looking mares obviously having looked a bit more than uncouth, Twilight was still in the dark about the whole situation, her patience running thin. "It better be important otherwise I'm just gonna turn around and go back to researching the zebras." "Twilight." Turning to her as they jogged to where the Apple had been earlier, Applejack sounded as honest and earnest as ever. "This is to do with them zebras." Well why didn't she say that earlier? With her curiosity now fuelling her, the egghead sped up. Considering how little she knew about the striped stallions she knew that for peace to come she must learn the most she possibly could about them, and if this had something to do with her friends Twilight could only guess as to what has happened. From there their running had gone uninterrupted despite a small white bunny who'd also been searching for Twilight tagging along and hopping on her back, failing to communicate with them as they ran. Soon though, a large crowd had come into their view. It was hard to miss, and her presence was noticed by more and more of them as they got nearer. Still murmuring amongst themselves, they seemed to form a path through for the princess through them, Twilight walking through only to see a tent being the point of interest. Confused, her voice spoke to the mare beside her, knowing even less than them about this all. "Hey, um, what's going on here?" The mare seemed to be uncomfortable answering, blushing, stammering and looking away whilst trying to answer. "W-Well, we s-saw Fluttershy and Rarity earlier walking with some z-zebras. But they were..." They were what?! Being so clueless was starting to piss Sparkle off, and she was close to yelling at the poor mare to get on with explaining it... Until all heads turned to the tent, the flaps it had for doors opening and seven exiting. Silence was all that could be heard. With them walking closer and closer, it wasn't difficult to understand what had gotten the ponies here so worked up with the sights of dripping pussies and throbbing horsecocks there for all to see. But somehow that wasn't even what was being focused on. As Princess Twilight took in their new appearances, a couple specific words passed through her frozen mind. ...Holy shit... At the same time, in a world of their own, Fluttershy and Rarity didn't notice any of the crowd, nevermind Twilight and Applejack in it. They knew the ponies were there, but didn't care in the slightest, for they'd just gotten the best present they could have ever dreamed of put all over their bodies. Since before they had left the tent, the two sluts knew the other ponies of the town would notice, hesitancy however didn't rear it's ugly head as the excitement dwarfed all else. The truth was, they wanted the village (and all of Equestria for that matter) to see their new position under the zebras' hoof, and now what they donned did just that, showing their permanent submission under their zebra masters to every creature around them. They knew they looked amazing, and the zebras ogling their new striped bodies just confirmed that, but it wasn't just stripes that their bred bodies were now donned with. Besides the black lines on her their, they had earrings of gold to decorate their ears and a couple golden bracelets too, yet that and the stripes were everything Fluttershy had on. Rarity however, she took everything they could offer, honoured and aroused to show off her body more. So with more earrings, a couple more bracelets and multiple neck-rings surrounding her throat, Rarity had the utmost confidence that she could bed any zebras she wanted to. They all came to a stop, stood smiling with the baffled ponies watching their every move, but that was exactly what they wanted. Yes, obviously the stallions wanted to get back to fucking, but they also wanted to draw a crowd, wanted to put on a show and make their intentions clear now that they'd reached the point of no return, mares already devoted to their cause. So letting every equine here bathe in the tense atmosphere, one particularly impatient and mischievous zebra turned to the mares, speaking so the onlookers could hear. "You two, stick them asses up. We have a present for you if you wanna take it..." Thud. The second he finished they were on the floor submitting, smiling and looking back at them gleefully, ready. The crowd would've likely gasped at the display if not for them refusing to break the silence. Breaking out of the mess that was her mind, Twilight had a brilliant idea, one that would snap the pair out of... whatever this was. Sneakily, she charged her horn up, casting a silent and unnoticeable scanning spell to get a read of their minds. Her dropped jaw turned into a prideful smirk as she looked for whatever was inflicted upon them, analysing the spells that must've been on them. Only she found nothing, and it struck her all at once: there was no spell to remove from their minds and no way to 'fix' them back to how they used to be, whatever this change was, it was permanent. Daring to look back at the lewd live performance that was being put on, her eyes widened drastically yet again, her jaw dropping too. On the dirt floor facing each other, Fluttershy and Rarity had just been mounted whilst she hadn't been paying attention. The zebras on them looked very pleased with themselves, too pleased as they hotdogged their dicks between the large cheeks, humping them shamelessly and proudly enjoying the assjobs. Peering at the crowd without slowing even a bit, the one using Fluttershy's body grinned at them, glad they'd managed to corrupt two that were apparently popular in the village. But he wasn't done yet, not with the ponies watching and not with her. Thrusting harder into the mare's rump, eliciting a combination of a squeak and a moan from her, he ground his medial ring on her ponut, moaning alongside her. His front hooves both planted on the floor, he began teasing her with his dick. The head started pushing against her asshole, threatening to open it up again and rut her, but as soon as it was about to pry her fully open and enter, he thrust again, grinding on her while his meat moved from entering her. It was fun. Fun watching her squirm with a need for the pleasure he could provide her, but this mockery to the ponies had given him chance to prepare a small speech he'd whipped up. "Tell you what Fluttershy, since you've been such a good cocksleeve I'll let you have the honour of choosing which of your slutty holes I ram this thing into. So which is it?" Thinking about how amazing her zebra masters were and how lucky she was to have met them, she didn't need to put any thought into the question itself. Putting her head down further and shoving her juicy ass back into him, she pleaded to him, unintentionally loud enough for every equine around them to hear. "Up my butt! Please Master! Stick your fat fuckstick in my butthole! Fill my guts with your sticky zebra seed! Please!" "Good girl!" They'd probably done enough by now, and even if they hadn't, fuck it! Willing to obey the mare's words, he lined himself up again, not teasing her this time as he began pushing, stretching the large ring enough the fit the head in and not stopping until he'd fit it all in her. "AAAAAAHHHN!" Deeper it travelled with Flutters' getting to try out anal twice in one day, the zebra cum already inside her acting as the perfect lube for him to sheath himself balls-deep in her. It was just as amazing as it had been earlier, but unfortunately the mare whose face she was moaning into wasn't having as easy a time. With the zebra across from them having lined up with Rarity's asshole, he too wouldn't stop pushing, any lubricant that had been on his dick earlier gone. Having a much harder time fucking a mare's donut, the one under him was struggling too. "D-Darling! I-I-I've never had a-anything up there before! G-Gah!" Despite the pain hurting, it quickly faded, pleasure taking hold of her now that a little of his precum would help lube up her butt. The half of a zebra dong in her was being pulled out, and the motion sent tingles up her spine, only for more to be eased back in. The old Rarity likely would've called this act 'uncouth' or something of the like, thinking the idea of anything put up her butthole as bizarre, but she'd changed as of recent, instead obsessing over the way her anal virginity was stolen. This is... Th-This is magnificent! Out of rhythm, the stallions got to tearing up the mares' anuses, thrusting in and out and causing a cacophony of moans, grunts and slaps to fill the area. The other ponies there, refusing to look away still, couldn't deny how hot the view of the two stunning mares getting anally pounded was. As time progressed, sheaths revealed a few pony stallion horsecocks in the crowd, pussies wetting as they did that. Concernedly, Twilight watched it all happen, the zebras' corruption spreading as all the mares next to her were surely thinking about what it'd be like if they were in that spot, taking all that cock. She was pretty sure she also saw some mares comparing the stallions' junk to the zebras. All of a sudden everything had turned from bad to worse. So she'd come to her conclusion, yes, the zebras were a threat to ponies. That book she'd lent to Starlight likely wouldn't have told her this though, so now she just had to get back to princess Celesti- "AAAHN!" The curiosity getting the better of her, she glanced at them again, preparing for the lewdest and getting it. After opening her mouth to moan yet again, it had been Rarity's last (for now obviously), but only because Fluttershy had swooped in, pressing her lips to hers as a fierce tongue battle started. "MMMMMPPHH!" Crying into her friend-with-benefits' mouth, the former fashionista was in a state of bliss. Her new life was going to be just perfect if everyday was this, better actually. Travelling in and out, the dicks were stretching the ponuts holding them, and not just outwards. As the zebras pulled back, the assholes were pulled with them, it making this feel better for all of them as the tightness of the sensitive ring brought both the pony and zebra pairs closer to their orgasm. "Pah!" With a squelch, the ponies' mouths moved off of each other, strands of their combined saliva keeping them connected. Instantly they were free to moan openly, the ponies offering no hesitation in encouraging their masters to go faster, harder, rougher. "Ahn! Yes darling! M-Master! Use me! Dump all of your fantastic zebra cum inside my ass! They considered themselves lucky to have their zebra masters be so... generous, plus, after these two came in them, another would take their place, unloading their irresistible spunk and taking turns with using their bodies. The idea was perfect to them, and when the enthusiastic humps turned into furious pounding on their butts they knew the lewd dream as well as so many more of them in the future would get to come true. "Don't stop! K-Keep going! Like a machine, jerking back and forth, neither zebra would dare stop now. The striped stallions jackhammered into the striped mares' butts, over, and over, until one final shove inwards ended it all. Sticking their tongues out, the masters felt their tools throb deep within the ponies. Bursts of jizz erupted, emptying their balls and making their mares cum too noisily, euphoria displayed on their faces while their welcoming insides were claimed once more. But once they had finished with them, riding out every second of their climaxes, the zebras didn't stick around. They climbed off the mares, sliding their meat out, the cum drooling out their gaping ponuts. Fluttershy and Rarity didn't get any of the rest they didn't want as they panted, not before other zebras stepped up, taking the places of the previous ones and pushing into the hole waiting for them, the cycle beginning anew. Meanwhile, Twilight looked away, the curiosity of what in Equestria this was gone now. She'd seen enough. No, she'd seen way more than she'd needed to, and even if she'd wanted to stay it would likely be hours 'til they were done with her friends. The other ponies here would likely stay, watching for whatever reason they had, but Princess Sparkle turned and fled the scene, ignoring the hollers of Applejack and Angel chasing after her. Dashing to her castle, moans, grunts, slaps, squelches, all of them faded into the distance, and she didn't turn back. What was fuelling her wouldn't let her, a desperate idea running through her mind and not leaving. Celestia needs to hear about this! Maybe she'd responded to her letter by now?
Slaves To Their Stripes	Part 1: The Bakers’ Buns	"SPIKE!" Very nearly slamming the doors off of their hinges, the usually prestigious Princess of Friendship barged through them. It was an incredibly uncommon thing for her to do, her always trying her best to be the best princess she could. Now called for urgency though. "GAAHHHHH!" But the intrusion only made him fall off the back of the chair he'd been sitting on, him calmly having been reading a comic without a care in the world before the fright of his life barged her way through the library doors. Picking himself up off the floor, Spike rubbed his head he banged on the way down a little, annoyed at having hurt it before he quickly glanced at who'd caused the pain. Frantic stress was more than visible on Twilight's face, her entire body looking on-edge and in a rush as she instantly got her dragon's attention. Rising to his feet, he stood strong, ready to hear about whatever villain must be attacking Equestria this time as well as how he could help her as her personal assistant. "Yes princess?" Twilight, his kind-of sister, would've found his royal guard-esque display adorable if it wasn't for everything else occupying her mind. "Spike! Has Celestia sent over any letters?!" He was slightly taken aback. It wasn't the first answer he was expecting, him assuming she'd need him to send something to said princess rather than receive it, so his response was a little confused. "I- Umm... No?" The dragon should've been unaware of the panic he'd just caused, only Twilight was the worst at hiding her emotions, blatantly showing that his answer was the wrong one as she muttered to herself. But before he could get a word in to try and calm her, she spoke, cutting him off. "Okay! I'm going to fly to Canterlot then!" He really wasn't being given much context here, so he'd take what he could. "Um... Why?" All his confused self could give was that question and a lazy movement of his arms. Not bothering packing a saddle bag and already making her way to the door, Twilight just looked back at him realising he deserved at least something. "I- Well- Zebras. They're in Ponyville and- And Rarity and Fluttershy, they-" It was probably a bad idea to have mentioned Rarity being involved to Spike, but she couldn't take it back now, she just needed to find Celestia so the ruler of Equestria could sort out this whole mess. "I-I need to go! Zebras are here and... Just don't leave the castle! Anyway, bye!" Leaving the conversation there (if that could be called a conversation) she galloped out again, leaving him baffled and worried with a need to go outside and find out what exactly was going on. At the same time however, she zoomed down each corridor on her way to the front doors. Finding them, she smashed them open too, taking flight immediately in the direction of Canterlot. With a purple aura closing the entrance to the castle, she prepared herself for the journey. It was a long way to fly, way too far for any means of teleportation, so she just had to hope this message could reach her tutor as soon as possible so she could help, them having few other options of trying to fight the striped invaders other than relying on her fellow alicorns. Little did she know however that it was already way too late, both Celestia and Luna having swapped sides and now... getting to know the enemy better. Four zebras. Four excited, horny zebras. All of them were moving through Ponyville, ignorant of any events happening around them as they searched for pony mares to 'have some fun' with. However just like all other zebras in Equestria, these stallions weren't looking for some quick lay to solely bust a nut inside of, they wanted a proper satisfying and carnal fucking. Quality over quantity was what they believed, though both never hurt. So the four were looking for mares so they could have some fun, but they'd enjoy them too, appreciating the future sluts' bodies as they practically already belonged to them. "Any ideas then?" A curious zebra turned to the others. They felt lost in the unfamiliar streets, which was absurd considering they didn't have any set destination. They looked around for anything to latch onto, and quickly, one of them just decided to point to the strange building not far from them with his hoof. "How about there?" They didn't really have any better options, so mutually agreed on that one, but mostly it was their anticipation and unwillingness to wait to see a mare that swayed the decision. Trotting to it, the building was impossibly out-of-place in the rural village. Every house around them had straw roofs and little decorations on them, this one however was bizarre compared to them with its bright pinks and a roof that looked like it could be eaten. Only when stood at it's doorstep did they realise it was a bakery, the outside mimicking what was inside. Sugarcube Corner? The name on the sign was slightly strange, but they obviously only cared about a specific kind of 'sweet treat' inside, and walked in to find it. Dingaling! They entered the shop, a charming little bell arriving their entrance. Looking around the interior, the four zebras swiftly took in their surroundings and got exactly what they'd been expecting from the outside, except for one thing... It looked like a bakery, albeit one more colourful than any they'd ever known, with tables and stools and a large enticing counter in plain view of the door. Also there was the smell of delicious baked goods in the air, of stuff so delicious they could almost taste it, but of course their attention was elsewhere. Asides from the smells, tastes, the overall feel of the place and the other sights, they could hear the chipper humming of the singular bouncy mare with them in the main room. And they were loving seeing her. Everything else in the room disappeared, their lustful tunnel vision having activated on their pink pony target. She was facing away from them, bent over a table and cleaning it with a cloth in her hoof. As she moved her head to the sound of her hums, her body followed, it being shaken in their direction and their sheaths not standing a chance as their throbbing dicks forced their way out into the open. The mare was... breedable, claimable, and they weren't willing to stop watching that fat ass of hers move. The more they stared, the more they understood how one word perfectly encapsulated the mare before them: plump. Every last part of her was, and their hungry eyes couldn't get enough of it. From her chunky pink cheeks to her thick thighs to her dangling udders and everything that lay in between them all, this mare was the perfect pony for them to sink their cocks into and mate. In this society she'd probably be considered fat, but they knew no equine, zebra or pony, could ever call the plump Pinkie Pie undesirable. Layers of the attractive fat were all around her hind quarters, moving, bouncing with every slight motion of her body and jiggling as if it were doing so just for them. But between the glorious masses of her bountiful booty and above the tauntingly tempting tits was her most private area, one near-entirely obscured from their view. No matter how hard they tried to from where they were, the zebra four just couldn't see her pussy or her ponut. They were hidden under the juicy rear of the earth pony and behind her lively tail, but they could see it all in their heads: if they pried open her cheeks, they'd get the full view of her vulnerable snatch. That way, the mare would have her wet and waiting pussy out in the open, drooling down as if it were a lewd river in a valley, meanwhile her asshole would wink at them, the fat ponut waiting to be filled. Despite lusting over her, the zebras had yet to move from where they'd entered, stuck imagining what they could do to her. Hard, throbbing and impatient, their horsecocks underneath them were fully erect. The four hoped nopony would notice them, especially not in this horny and already riled-up state, but that hoping did nothing as they were soon noticed, noticed by the only other equine in the room who was now looking back at the new arrivals over her big buttocks. "Oh! Heya! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!" Turning around and snapping them out of their trances, hiding only most of her rump from view, the mare greeted the potential friends with her usual hyperactive eagerness, it causing her to not yet notice their... interest in her. "I'm Pinkie Pie, the best party planner in all of Ponyville, but I also work at the counter here, so do you guys want anything to eat?" She was almost concerningly energetic, but that didn't mean the zebras forgot just what this slave-to-be was packing back there. With her bouncing to the counter, her entire body bouncing with her, Pinkie bent over that too, facing them whilst being so excited at the possibility of new friends that she still didn't notice the appendages beneath them twitching for her. "We're not hungry, thanks." Something seemed off about them Pinkie noticed, but ponies always acted weird when meeting her for the first time, why would zebras be any different? "That's okey dokey! Like I said I also plan parties, you guys want a welcome party? Free of charge!" Moving back around the counter, the peppy pink pony trotted towards them, but now that the novelty of the new stallions wore off she got to have a proper look at them, instantly seeing exactly why they were acting the way they were and why they were looking at her that way. Holy moly! Look at those things! The personality of the mare was a little off-putting to them, the zebras never having met anyone so bombastic and full of energy, but they were sick of waiting and were about to deny her offer yet again, ready to be much more direct with what they wanted to do to her. That was the plan anyway, right up until she baffled them once more. What the fuck?! "You stallions sure you don't want a welcome party? You sure look like you know how to 'party' with these!" Without a single one of them noticing her move there, Pinkie Pie had gotten on the floor before the front-most zebra, lying on her front holding his hard dick in her hoof and analysing it with a child-like glee. "Woah! These things are huge!" Diving forward, she pressed her muzzle against his tip and inhaled deeply. "And you smell... soooooo good!" Originally, the plan had been to find mares, breeding them, raping them, and doing whatever it took to transform them into loyal zebra-worshipping broodmares and sex slaves. This one however was... an anomaly. Rather than have any typical cautious reaction to their erections, she was throwing herself into the fray, getting up close and personal with them before they could even make any advances on her. Oh this pony slut's gonna be perfect! Grinning down at her interested face, the zebra who's hung horsecock she was inspecting couldn't help but shove it forward into her face. He wasn't just seeking some stimulation out of it though, he wanted to see what reaction he could get out of their future mate. And as it booped her nose, Pinkie didn't react negatively, not even making any noises as it happened and only recoiling slightly. It was more than bizarre, and the zebras realised as much when they watched her lick up the drops of precum that had been pushed onto and into her nose's fur. But quickly her attention turned back to them, chatting with them enthusiastically about their dicks as if it were a normal conversation. "I've never seen ones so... so big before! These things are... amazing!" And they taste good too... and smell good... I... I might get addicted to these things! Ugh! Enough foreplay! As much as they were enjoying this, the waiting was getting on their nerves, so the one that was the centre of her attention spoke to her huskily. "You know, we'd be more than happy to get you properly acquainted with these if you'd like." Actually it didn't matter much if she'd like to or not, this was going to be fun for them all either way. And, despite her blatant curiosity, it seemed the offer made her hesitant to accept. With an unsure face, Pinkie got back off the floor walking backwards to the counter and leaning her backside on it. "Well... That does sound really fun..." She was genuinely deliberating it, but work had to come first, so she knew she couldn't. "But my boss wouldn't want me to, especially not after the last time me and a stallion had some fun here..." That brought up a lot of questions, ones that would go ignored as the four slowly cantered over to her, subtly surrounding the mare who was backed up against the counter. "C'mon Pinkie. You know you want to, so what's a little fun?" His voice turned husky; domineering. "Now be a good mare and turn around for us." They were closing in, and it was getting harder and harder for her to deny them, not with how horny they were all feeling. This wasn't good if she wanted to keep her job. Pinkie could feel herself moistening between her cheeks, her pussy wettening from the arousal of everything around her. There was the promise of an extremely fun time (their huge lengths ensuring that) but there was also her memory of how they tasted, how they smelled, plus she'd always wanted to be a part of an orgy, it basically a sexy party, so her resistance was dwindling quicker than shed've liked it to. "I... Um..." Not able to tear her eyes from their throbbing horsecocks that she was sure could and would dominate her, Pinkie just rushed out any old excuse. It didn't need to work on stopping them, she didn't really want it to at this point. "B-But what... Uhh... What if my boss hears us?" The random comment made them pause though, something she didn't expect. "Wait, another pony's here?" Barely able to, Pinkie Pie managed to make eye contact with him, nodding. "Um, yeah?" "Is it a mare?" Another one of them didn't hesitate before chirping in. They weren't far from her now, barely a metre away. The mare felt the aroused atmosphere of horniness focused on her was escaping them, something that she noticed slightly bothered her for some reason. It's not like she wanted to... Okay, she wouldn't lie, these studs could do whatever they wanted with her and she wouldn't complain. "Yeah. Mrs Cake is upstairs." Looking at his fellow zebras, the one who asked her about this other mare smiled at them almost apologetically, though there was an unmissable excitement in there. "Sorry guys, I'm gonna have to check that out. You guys enjoy yourselves though!" Leaving the half-circle that surrounded the unstriped one, he sped off to the stairs. The zebra did feel a little upset at having given up being one of the first to break such a fat-assed mare as Pinkie Pie, but if he got some other amazing mare all to himself then that'd be even better! Watching him leave, it didn't even take a second for the others to lock their gazes back on their bouncy companion. He was forgotten as they closed the distance between them. They were only inches from making contact with her, the ones at each of her sides taking in the sights as the one nearly kissing her at her front suddenly had the best idea he'd ever had. In a single motion, he dropped onto the floor before her. Sat on his firm rump with his front hooves propping him up, the zebra's powerful and prominent pony-fucker was pointed towards the ceiling, throbbing for only her as she watched the display. Meanwhile, his expectant eyes stared her down as his cocky smile never left his face. "Hop on slut! I wanna see that fat ass jiggle as we make a broodmare out of you!" She'd never been so turned on, and she knew it as the first drop of her wetness dripped down onto the floor. Whilst that happened, only a floor above, the zebra who'd gone solo was looking at each of the closed doors he was passing. They all were the same: closed, silent, boring, each one had nothing of interest to him so he strolled right past them and ignored them. One door however, one further down the hall, was different. Unlike the others, it was ajar, the room's lights being on and a faint sound coming from it. Not needing any more encouragement -already being restless with an expectant member below him still erect- he tiptoed forward, ensuring his hooves made no noise on the wooden planks that made up the floor. Upon reaching the plain brown door, the zebra peered through the small gap into the room. It was a room intended for foals and fillies. That much was clear to him with the toys strewn around the place and the baby supplies everywhere, but as he scanned the room, the cot at the far side of it made his eyes stop, him having found exactly what (or who) he wanted. "Now now, dearies, I know you're still full of energy but mommy's gonna need the pair of you to rest." Leaning over the cot, a mare faced away from him similarly to how Pinkie was earlier. With her looking down at two foals, he assumes they're hers as his dick hanging under him twitches in elation. Holy shit! A MILF! The three downstairs could keep the slut they had. Up here he found his own mare, a mature mother that he knows would fit perfectly around his cock. And it wasn't like she was unattractive either. She didn't have as big an ass or tits as Pinkie did (he doubted anypony other than those royal sluts did though) but size wasn't everything. The mare did have a big ass, but he found himself loving how it jiggled in each direction as she moved, and it's curvy roundness only made his lust for her grow stronger. His view showed the mare's big bouncy butt, her plump and chubby thighs, and her milk-filled teats, so he could barely resist stepping into the room now to 'get to know her'. She was putting her babies to sleep though, he'd allow her this before he got to knocking her up with some more. "Phew." Wiping her brow, Mrs Cake moved off of the cot. It had taken too long to put her little ones to sleep (like usual) but finally she had managed it, so now the mare had the rest of the day off. Maybe I should check on how Pinkie's doing, she can get a little... distracted at times. She glanced back at the infants one last time before walking to the door, unaware of the non-pony hidden behind it. Walking through whilst still looking back, she shut the door gently, before quickly heading off- "Oof!" "Oof!" She hadn't known he was there and he was too busy daydreaming about what he could do to her to notice her moving, so when she left the room quickly they'd collided, the pony bumping into the stallion's muscular chest and sending them both tumbling to the floor. "O-Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Mrs Cake, now accidentally laying on top of the stallion, had her chest pressed up against his with his back to the floor. But that wasn't all. Squashed between them, her squishy teats were trapped too, and the unintentional stimulation she was receiving from them was making her blush up a storm. "I-I-I didn't see you there! Here, l-let me just-" But she froze. Trying to stand up, she'd reversed, and Mrs Cake had to learn very quickly that she wasn't the only one her heavy breasts had affected. She was wide-eyed, not knowing what to do and feeling his pulsating girth nearly nestled in her big blue cheeks. Snapping back out of her baffled head, the mare whipped her head down to apologise yet again. But he wasn't equally shocked or embarrassed or anything of the like, instead he looked back at her with a seductive gaze and a lusty glint in his eye. Still though, Cake hadn't moved. She planned on, but now she was preoccupied with trying to figure out why he was leering at her like that. Wh-Why is he...? Surely he wouldn't be b-bold enough to- Only seconds ago she'd been tucking her children in for the night, happy, and now she was on a zebra on the floor, blushing wildly, all while he not-so-subtly humped up, trying to wedge himself between her flank's pillows. "I'M SORRY!" Confused about... everything going on, the plump pony untangled herself from him as hurriedly and frantically as she could, rising to her hooves and practically diving off of him. "I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to do... that to... you..." With him not having moved, still, she looked down at him, her eyes of course noticing the length, the width, and every other tiny detail of that massive zebra cock between his strong legs. Holy hotcakes! Why in Equestria is that thing that big?! ...H-He's so much bigger than... Not letting her mind continue, she difficultly stopped her eyes from following every vein on it, instead looking over to his face. "I-I'm sorry that I... I got you so r-riled up...." Despite looking at his head, she refused to meet his eyes, embarrassed for obvious reasons. With her blue face having turned red, the zebra got up off the floor, finally, letting his hooves hold him and his dick dangle, it not going down yet. The tension was killing them both for different reasons: he just wanted to pounce on her and relieve himself with the MILF's help, and she wanted to be anywhere but with the hung, young and admittedly attractive zebra who wasn't bothering to hide his eyes ogling her body. Eventually though, after she was too uncomfortable from the awkward silence and being leered at, Mrs Cake stumbled out some excuse to escape. "I-I-I think I n-need a lie down now. If y- If you came up here because nopony's there to s-s-serve you downstairs then have a quick ch-check in the kitchen, P-Pinkie Pie should b-be in there." Immediately after finishing, her eyes locked onto a door next to them both, and she threw it open with her hoof. In a blur, the mare shot through it, violently slamming the door behind her to let herself be free of the virile and shameless male's gaze. Obviously though, he wasn't done with her, and all that stood in between them was a door with no lock on it. Not bothering to get lost in filthy thoughts again, he instead strode on over to the door and effortlessly opened it. Then he slipped in, not needing to quieten himself, and the zebra shut the door behind him as the mare he yearned for snapped her head around. "Wh-Wha..." So many thoughts shot through her head, all revolving around him and his tremendous fifth leg. As he started walking towards her, the mare couldn't get a word out, but eventually, after plenty of bumbling, one question managed to escape her. "A-Are you even a customer?" She watched as he chuckled, speaking to her for the first time. "Haha. No, I'm not, but I do want some 'cake' if you know what I mean." He waggled his eyebrows at his lame joke, but she never noticed, too busy looking down at the intimidating beast below him. "Hey, pony slut, this is your bedroom, isn't it? So do us both a favour and bend over your bed so I can show you what a real cock feels like!" As he moved closer, trapping his prey, the zebra circled her so she was backing up into her own bed. "Wh-WHAT?! NO! I-I-I have a husband! W-We're happily married and I'd never cheat on him!" "Even better!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears. The male approaching her was only thinking with his dick now, so he didn't care what she had to say, all he cared about was finding a MILF's snug snatch to cram his dick into. "You've already got some kids, but if you bend over like you know you want to then I'll knock you up with some zebra foals, and I'll keep cumming in that slutty pony womb 'til you're begging for more!" It was less of an offer and more of a promise, but he at least gave her the chance to submit before he made her. "I-I-I-I- Wh-Wha-" That was all she could say, and her overwhelmed mind couldn't get her to make any more sense. But she would've stopped anyway as her breath suddenly caught in her throat. With Mrs Cake's eyes widening, she felt her rump hit her bed, not letting her back up anymore. B-But- Panicked, she spun her head around, realising that there was nowhere left to go unless she wanted to climb onto the bed, and she nearly did, only that split-second of her checking behind her was more than enough time for her admirer to pounce on her excitedly. "AH!" She cried out as she fell backwards, and when she looked up with her back on the comfy covers, all she could focus on was the dominant equine pinning her down. His hooves were on her forelegs, and all her writhing couldn't escape being held down on the bed by the masculine beast above her. Troubled, she used the only thing she could at this point, her mouth. "Wh-Why are you doing thi- MMMMFFF!" Only, upon seeing her lips open, her captor couldn't help himself. His head swooped down and before she could stop him, he shoved his tongue into her mouth, already invading her wet insides before he could even begin rutting her. Am-Am I really going to be taken like this on my own bed?! She and her husband shared this bed, loved in this bed, their children were conceived in this bed, was she really going to be raped on top of it? But with the strong stallion overpowering her, making out with her and letting his throbbing dick hang above her whilst she could do nothing to stop him, she knew there was no question about it. He was going to fuck her, and whether she wanted it or not she was going to be bred. Nopony would be stopping the horny and virile animal. "Mmf!" Unwillingly, a moan escaped her mouth whilst he was still rummaging around in it, however it was only because of the sudden jolt sent up her body from between her legs. Surprisingly, the non-consensual spike of pleasure didn't emerge from Mrs Cake's marehood, but actually her breasts, something long, hot and worryingly thick being rubbed on the gap of her cleavage. The zebra, grinding his dick up and down the hefty pair of milk-sacks, noisily removed his mouth from hers, looking down in the middle of them and grinning in a way that showed exactly how happy he was with her body. "Ngh! You MILFs are the best! You always have the fuckin' fattest teats!" Pushing his waist down, he managed to cram his dick inside of the tempting gap her tits held in between them. "Gah! St- Hngh! St-Stop! Please!" With her only bothering to resist verbally now, the unapologetically horny zebra got to having his fun as he thrust forward and back, giving himself a fantastic titjob with her unwilling body. Over and over, he gained pleasure from using her, caring little that his movements pleasured her too, sending sensations through her body that she'd never even dreamt of feeling before. "Hah!" Wh-Why is it feeling like thi- "Angh!" And why is-is my body liking it?! "F-Fuck! Ahn! P-Please, stop." It was true, she could tell that (despite her unwillingness) her breedable body was wanting more from the virile prick above her. And it wasn't like it had no reason to, the member rubbing on her certainly was very gifted, plus, she'd asked her husband to try out some kinky things in the past, with him not only being hesitant to them but also not nearly being as hung as the stallion atop her now. So it made a little sense that her body was inviting to who was now using her. But still, she knew she was a loyal wife, and she didn't want any stallion but her husband even near her gorgeous genitalia. "Hnngh! Yeah, I'm definitely coming back to use you a couple times after you're striped, slut!" Wh-What does that mean? And more importantly, what was that new feeling down at her teats? With the zebra suddenly feeling the titjob become easier, he looked down at where they were connected, his hottest of fantasies coming true. He humped her bosoms, and as he did, drips of her milk started dribbling out, trickling down her round breasts and lubing up the thrusting back and forth. Fuck yes! To the gluttonous zebra, it was more than arousing to know those fat udders she had still worked too. All around the zebra kingdom it was well-known that a female's teats were also an erogenous zone for them, but only now did he get the confirmation that, even if this MILF said she wasn't enjoying herself, her body was. I-I'm not enjoying this! Meanwhile, Cup Cake was still resisting her bodily urges, and she resented how her body lactated as if to encourage the virile animal on her. She was lying to herself though, a small, slutty part of her was enjoying this, despite being forced into it. But throughout, she held onto the determination not to surrender, even with the pungent, heavy, intoxicating waves of his mighty musk she was receiving. Caring little about her resistance, the zebra, the same one using her body like he owned her, underestimated just how phenomenal the mare's boobs would feel when lactating, and he made sure to let her know that. "Nghh! Y'know, it's not that common for mares' bodies to be so slutty that they lube up their own titjob!" "I'm- I'm not- Ngah!" Whether she wanted to accept it or not, Cake was moaning. Not only were her crotchbreasts feeling really good, but with every thrust, his weighty balls were slapping against her unattended snatch, the pony's winking clit occasionally being teased as well. So with her will faltering, the mare's arguments against the advantageous stud didn't sound as rebellious as she'd wanted them to. "I-I'm n-not a slut! A-Aghn!" "Yeah, well, we'll see about that." Almost dejectedly and out of nowhere, the stallion using her body for pleasure stopped. Instead of speeding up more, he just halted his movements and gritted his teeth, as if holding himself back from doing something. Curiosity got the better of Cup Cake before her brain could tell her to stay silent. "Wh-What are you doing?" Looking down at her, he just grinned lustfully at her for the billionth time today instead of responding. After a few seconds of intense eye contact though, he budged, and actually got off of her and the bed, standing to the side of them with his massive, bulging cock dangling angrily below him. "C'mon whore, I wanna show off my prize to the others so get off that fat ass of yours and head downstairs, will ya?" What? She was so confused, at least when he was on top of her should understood what was happening. "B-But, y-you were going to..." From her angle it seemed like he was just about to cum all over her, but then he chose to stop. Why? "Alright, listen up slut." Thankfully, he'd tell her just why. "That milky titjob could easily have made me blow my load on that fuckable face of yours, but I've got a better idea of where to store all my spunk, and it isn't on you. Now get up or I'll fuck you senseless in front of your children instead." With the threat hanging in the air, Mrs Cake shot to her hooves. The panic was still setting in that she was about to be roughly mated by such a brute, but she couldn't let her offspring get involved in this, so with haste she moved to the door with the cocky asshole gladly following right behind her, enjoying the bouncy cheeks as she trotted . Meanwhile, a bit earlier and a floor below, some much more consensual sex was going down. "Hop on slut! I wanna see that fat ass jiggle as we make a broodmare out of you!" Pinkie's chubby thighs clenched at the kinky words, and though she knew sex on the job was strictly forbidden, she couldn't resist the advances of the bold, brash, brazen and big-dicked newcomers. With an anticipating grin, she spun, and with her doing a 180, her hefty ass was rotated to face the zebra lying back on the floor. Oh my gosh, it's happening! As the village's party animal, Pinkie was no stranger to fun casual sex with both male and female ponies, but it'd been a while since she'd gotten a good fucking, and now she'd get to have not one, but three incredibly hung, dominating stallions all to herself. This is gonna be so fun! She hoped they didn't see just how overly excited she was though! As Pinkie moved back and lined herself up with the huge pulsating schlong, she felt the size of just the head touching her. Holy heck! It's massive! If it looked big up close, it felt bigger. It was easily wider than her puffy cunt, so she wasn't even entirely sure it would fit, but still, the gargantuan size of their cocks just meant that it'd feel all the better when fucking, and Pinkie loved that! However, she'd still have to ease her way down it. That thing would definitely be stretching her out, so patience would be key to- "Well come on then, whore!" Impatiently, her onlookers were wanting her to begin already, and fortunately for them, their demands encouraged her. Eh, why not? Though unsure about the size of the horsecock, Pinkie didn't care. She was probably wet enough to take it anyway, but even if it was too big then the size would just make it even more fun! Now pushing herself to do it, the chubby pony pushed back, and with a little effort, she managed to slip the stallion's tip between her folds, it already widening her non-virgin walls. H-Hoh my gosh! He felt so big in her, and she wanted more. While he just lied back, watching on happily, Pinkie chose to push down his rod, forcing more and more of her walls to try and accommodate his fat girth. "Ngh! W-Woah! You guys really are g-'gifted', huh?" They sure felt it. Every inch in her was phenomenally pleasurable, and throughout the fantastic plunge down, more and more of her was filled as euphoria began crashing through her body. She could feel every pulsating vein of him on her stretching walls, and felt her insides cry out with joy from the piercing cock driving in deeper and deeper. There was one other thing though. She expected her new zebra lover to feel amazing, incredible even, but not this good! He was widening her definitely non-virgin cunt to mind-boggling proportions, and though she'd mentally prepared herself for a huge, juicy cock inside herself, she couldn't have known he would hit every last minuscule part of her. "NNNGGAAAAAAAHH!" Whorishly, a deep moan erupted from Pinkie as her tongue burst out her mouth. She could barely handle him, and he wasn't even fully in! Meanwhile three zebras laughed and three cocks pulsed at her lewd, degenerate display. As she filled herself with him more and more though, Pinkie couldn't fathom the jolts running through her body. This wasn't like when she'd fucked a stallion or two or a mare with a strap-on, this was different, the pleasure was overwhelming, it was addicting, it was mind-breaking... It was the pleasure of a zebra cock, and Pinkie Pie couldn't get enough of it. "H-Holy heck! This is SO GOOD!" Forcing more into her, Pinkie could feel every pulsing vein of him pressing against her walls, bulging and pumping blood through his powerful horsecock. She kept going down, getting more, and more, and ramming more of him into her thoroughly stretched cunt, and then finally- "YESSSSSSSSS!" Pinkie Pie had managed to stuff every last inch in her pink pony pussy. And the large stallion under her was also more than delighted by his meat being so snuggly wrapped in her warm, wet embrace. Fuck!Nothing's better than one of these slutty horses being wrapped around your cock! He threw away any doubts he'd had about his queen before. If the future of their kingdom involved getting to enjoy delicacies like this whenever he wanted, then he'd swear his eternal loyalty to her now. Bulky hips bucked up into the stuffed mare, drawing out another carnal moan from her. Then, the zebra's hooves moved to her humongous cheeks, squishing down on them, groping them. "Get to work, whore! We're not gonna be done with you 'til you're popping out our striped foals!" Pinkie didn't want to be a mother. Not yet, anyway. But those thoughts were the last things on her mind as her body readily agreed and let him left her big rump up. "UUNNGGGGHHHH!" She must've sounded so silly, but with his girth scraping against her insides, once again, Pinkie didn't care in the slightest. S-Sweet Celestia! I want this party to never end! She'd said it a billion times before, but here she meant it more than ever. Having raised her all the way to his tip, the mare's newest lover showed no hesitation or mercy as he shoved Pinkie Pie all the way back down. The proud, fat cheeks gave a resounding clap as they struck his hips. Waves of orgasmic euphoria crashed through the pony as the erect trio watched her mind succumb to their will, unable to resist their superiority. Of course, she wasn't given chance to rest though, not as the lucky zebra heaved her body back up and dropped her perfect ass back down onto him, and then lifted her up again, and let himself pry her cunt wide all over again. It took barely any time for the striped stallion to speed up, but by the time he had, Pinkie was following his movements fluidly, crying out like the most shameless whore in Equestria. "AHN! THIS IS THE BEST PARTY EVER! ZEBRA COCK IS THE BEST!" She needed to invite zebras to the next party she planned, and the one after that, and the one after that. Meanwhile, she and the hung zebra below her worked together to keep her bubbly butt bouncing on him, shaking wildly and clapping madly for the three males ogling it. The two others weren't content with just watching those two have all the fun though. As Pinkie moved onto her knees, working hard to satisfy the stud's overwhelming meat as it numbed her mind, the pair of zebras looked at each other and had the same thought. Cocks out, they moved to the counter and let their asses press back against it. They stood on two legs, leaning back and presenting themselves. And the pony slut got the message. Gleefully, still bouncing, craving more, Pinkie wrapped her hooves around their cocks and began pumping. She jerked their huge, black horsecocks off and even used her mouth to suck on them, greedily slurping up their thick pre-cum. NGH! He feels SO GOOD inside me! And their smell... And their taste! The hoofjobs wouldn't nearly bring the virile zebras to their climaxes, but they'd satisfy them... For now. And so, oblivious to the rocking bed upstairs, the four kept enjoying themselves. Two's cocks were demanding more, but they would wait for their turn with their newest slut. One was currently living the life of his dreams, having some random slut work his cock masterfully, gripping down on him in a wonderful way. And the other? Pinkie Pie was in bliss. All rationality was thrown away, the sex was just that good! Truly, nothing could nearly compare to zebra cock, and Pinkie could feel her mind melt for the striped studs as she kept bouncing. "NGAAHH! CUM IN ME! GIVE ME ALL YOUR CREAMY FROSTING!" She couldn't think, and could barely control her own body anymore. "FILL ME UP, STUD!" He was just about to. Bucking up into her, his hooves were on her cheeks, and the euphoric feeling was powerfully building up in him. He grit his teeth, and right as he slammed her down fully, sheathing everything in her, his cock erupted and coated her insides with his eager spunk. For the first time ever, Pinkie Pie was silent. Blasts of thick, white goo were pumped into the pony's womb as she smiled madly, holding onto the two cocks to keep herself from collapsing. Pinkie hadn't the energy to keep sucking, but was more than happy here, feeling her belly bloat before cum rushed out of her hole and trickled its way down into the floorboards. The mare was bred, and regretted nothing. Meanwhile, the zebra beneath her was satiated for now, and was happy to lie back and bathe in the moment. The others weren't as patient. One was about to speak up and tell their latest slut she wasn't done yet, but was interrupted before he could. Creak. Three striped heads turned to the stairs, watching two others descend them. The first was a mare looking ashamed, her teats dribbling milk occasionally down onto the floor, and the other was the fourth and final zebra of the group, looking very pleased with his catch. "What's wrong? Jealous you haven't got a fat-assed MILF all to yourselves?" Mrs Cake's head remained down, staring into the floor, but as she peered up at the scene in front of her, she couldn't hold in her gasp. "P-Pinkie! What are you doing?!" It was more than likely that the pink pony seduced the stallions, but not guaranteed. D-Did they force themselves upon her? I-I-Is that what's going to happen to me?! Before she could think anymore, she was forced over to the counter. Pinkie Pie never responded. She had this dazed, far-off look in her eye as cum trickled out of her. "Ah!" She was shoved by her ass onto the counter, and before Mrs Cake could do anything to stop it, her admirer had already mounted her, hot-dogging himself between her two bubbly buns. I-I'm going to be raped over my own counter, i-in my own shop, by s-some random stallions I've never even met before... Even if her husband arrived back home now, she wasn't sure that'd save her. The mare looked back to her side, eyeing Pinkie as her cheeks were used to get a zebra off. As it turned out, the pink pony was being bent over the counter too, but unlike her, she was eagerly awaiting the cock of the stranger grinding himself on her rump. "Finally! 'Bout time I got a go with her." Meanwhile, the other zebra Pinkie Pie was jacking off moved around her to place his demanding cock on her face. "Open wide, slut!" Gleefully, the mare obeyed. Her smiling mouth became an 'o' shape, and she allowed him entrance as he lined up his virile horsecock. The final zebra of the four, the one who'd just blasted his foals into the slutty Pinkie, took his position too. He was a zebra, it wasn't like he was finished after just one climax. So, he took the available position in front of Cup Cake's face, towering over the mare with his hooves on the counter and his cum-covered schlong rubbing his seed into her face-fur. "Why don't you be a good mare and follow her lead? She seems to be enjoying herself!" The married pony turned to see Pinkie Pie, in a state of pure joy as a thick, black horsecock was plunged into her mouth, and another was pushed into her pre-used pussy. One zebra forced himself down her gullet, whilst the other used the cum already in her as a lube. Instantly they both started going to town on her, Pinkie moaning ecstatically around the thick meat ramming in and out of her face-hole. Smiling at the display, the zebras leered down at their own prey, and on her ass, the stallion behind her was more than ready to begin. He lined himself up. "Ready to become a mother again?" With the knowledge of how trapped she was, with the irritatingly arousing stink of zebra cum on her face, with the slow dripping of her teats' milk onto the floor and the feeling of his tip pressed against her lower lips, Mrs Cake broke. "P-P-Please... Don't..." Unfortunately for her, they were intent on breaking her in a whole other way. Feeling up her fat cheeks with his hooves, the stallion much thicker than her husband let his meat pry open her pussy, and rammed himself deeper and deeper into his unwilling fucksleeve. "Ungh! How's a MILF like you with a body like this so fuckin' tight!" But she wasn't fuckin' tight, he was fuckin' big, and Cup Cake was feeling exactly how big he was as her pussy was stretched to limits it had never reached before. "GAH! H-Holy heck! St- NGH! Stop! ANGH!" Her husband couldn't dream of doing this to her, because despite the pain of getting used to it, the plump mother was being overwhelmed with pleasure he was forcing onto her as he pushed even deeper in. And it wasn't nearly over. At her front, the zebra there had taken his dick off of her filthy face, and was now lining himself up too, prodding his fat tip against her lips. "The harder you make this, the worse it's going to feel." He was getting rougher, and Cake knew how this would end. Trying and failing to ignore her cunt getting filled and what it was doing to her, she relented, and before he could barge his way into her mouth, she opened up and allowed him entrance. "That's more like it!" The stench of both his meat and the slimy cum on it had been infecting Cup Cake's body, filling it with unwanted arousal, but she'd have given anything to go back to that. Now, he was stretching her lips wide open, and as he forced more and more of himself down her tight throat, the mare was made to taste his powerful spunk on her tongue. "MMPH! MMM!" With the constant strong flavour of his acrid, masculine, cum-covered horsecock, and the feeling of another zebra behind her, stretching her marehood and filling her cunt with every girthy inch of himself, Mrs Cake could feel her body enjoying this, and embracing the new, virile and intoxicating breeding studs. The mare could feel herself getting pleasure out of this. H-How?! How are they so... The zebra straining her throat as he thrust into it knew why his cock was so addicting, all the zebras did. Zebras are literally made for breeding fat-asses pony-sluts like her! Their entire big-dicked bodies are biological aphrodisiacs, and so as long as the mare isn't a zebra, her mind WILL succumb to zebracock. "NGH! Don't worry, fat-ass. Soon you'll be begging for our foals!" And though the mother didn't want to admit it, especially not as a large flared tip pushed against her womb, but she could feel that resistance that she was clinging onto fading. The zebras were just too arousing! And Pinkie seemed to feel the same way if the loud clapping of muscular hips into her chubby cheeks were any indication. So as Cup Cake was being spit-roasted over her counter, in the exact same position as her ever-enthusiastic employee, the zebras finally got to having their way with her. Even though she wasn't a virgin, they found her tight, but even with her snug walls hugging them firmly, the stallions felt her grip loosening as they pulled back and shoved their meat back into her. And from there, it only got faster. What was once long, heady pushes into her soon became thrusts, rapid and carefree as they began fully fucking her, and making those big blue asscheeks clap. "Rgh! Fuck yes! You pony's are fucking perfect cocksleeves!" His hips swung instinctively and strongly into his latest mate, and the room was filled with the sounds of asses clapping, mares gagging, and four equines moaning as pleasure flooded through them. Cake was struggling to cope as she felt her sanity slipping and longing for the pleasure the zebras happily forced on her, but Pinkie... Pinkie was having the time of her life. Not that she bragged about it often, but she was extra 'friendly' with most of the few stallions there were around Ponyville, and always accepted every chance she got for a one-on-one 'party'. But having Big Mac or Caramel or some other random stallion fuck her from behind was nothing compared toTHIS! With every mighty pound into her colossal rear, she could feel her whole body cry out in elation at his massive horsecock crashing into her womb. Her huge ass shook wildly, and again and again, at a frantic pace, her entire body was lurched forward as his balls smacked her fat teats. And then there was the one in her mouth. They say you learn something new everyday, and today, Pinkie was learning how much she LOVED choking on zebra cock. She tried sucking on the fantastic phallus and getting her newest frisky friend off, but his hungry thrusts made that difficult, as well as the taste. Pinkie Pie couldn't focus on... well... anything, not when she got to have a taste of the sweaty zebra meat that drove her crazy. It tasted better than the tastiest of cakes ever made, and that was saying something. "MMM! MPH! MM-MMM!" Fuck planning parties, where all they did was eat cake and dance. This was the kind of party she wanted to plan. The striped kind. Where presumably she got as much zebra cock as she could. PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! All four indulgent zebras went at full speed. No mercy was given to the mares as their bodies were used and abused. Endlessly, with rapid yet consistently brutal pounds, the mares' throats and cunts were demolished by the zebras, who felt their orgasms rising. They couldn't wait to pump more mares full of their seed. Meanwhile, overwhelmed with arousal and unable to think about anything but zebracock, Cake and Pie had already cum an uncountable amount of times. How could they not with four studs putting their all into breeding them here and now? As the zebras prepared to flood the ponies' foal-factories and claim them as zebra property, Pinkie was long-lost. It didn't take much to break the pudgy party-planner, and now she would serve as a faithful mother and servant to the ever-growing Zebrican empire. The mother however, was putting up more of a fight. Still, somehow, a glimmer of resistance dwindled within her, but soon it would vanish, the zebras would make sure of it. Whether or not she wanted their foals though, she was getting them, and nothing she could do would stop that. "Fuck! I'm... getting close! Ready to be made a broodmare yet?" The stallion soon to impregnate the married mare was getting close, along with both of Pinkie's newest 'friends'. Like jackhammers, they kept mashing in and out of the mare's cunts. Their rumps were bouncing wildly, sore and red from their nonstop pounding, but after what must have been hours of the four zebras making the ponies theirs, finally, three of them smashed their hips into the mares one last time, and let themselves unload their balls' contents into them. "Guhhhhhhh!" The one lucky enough to be the first to fill Pinkie's womb full didn't cum with the others. He knew he could've, but with the resistant throat-fuck he'd gotten out of the MILF, he'd rather save his next load for another of her holes later. The others didn't seem to care though. One zebra used his superior strength to hold Pinkie's head down on his massive cock, keeping her in place fully impaled on him as he deposited his fat loads directly into her stomach. The other two however, were pressing their hips roughly against the ponies, squishing their squishy asses as they kept themselves buried deep within the mares' cunts. Pinkie Pie had already been knocked up, but her womb being full didn't stop her from feeling another zebra fill her up, and it didn't stop her from having another incredibly intense orgasm wrack her body. "MMMMMMMM!" YES! Fill me up! Zebra cock is the best! Put all your foals in my belly! I want this party to never end! Beside her, getting her own womb pumped full of zebra seed and striped foals put in her belly, Mrs Cake was also cumming, experiencing the most euphoric feeling she's ever felt crashing through her body. As she unwantingly sprayed her juices in a powerful climax, the mother felt as so many loads of thick, white and very fertile spunk were forced into her womb, and filled it to the brim before it came gushing out of her and messily landing on her shop floor. There was no way she wasn't pregnant after that. The four zebras stopped. For minutes, all of them held in place, and their balls clenched as they kept unloading their cum into their helpless fuckholes. They grunted, moaned and occasionally thrust again into their mare, but after a while, it came to an end, and they pulled themselves out of the cum-filled earth ponies. The group of studs were all still on their hind legs, and when their softening cocks were slipped out of the hot confines of their newest sluts, they rested them either on the crack of their asscheeks or on their exhausted faces. They rubbed their pungent cum into their fur whilst their hips slowly pushed back and forth. "You two enjoy yourselves?" He certainly did. It wasn't every day he got to stick his foals in some fat-assed pony MILF. Cum drooled out of the mares as they recovered from their first zebra 'party', but despite the power of the orgasms they experienced, one of them had little trouble speaking at all. "Yes! That was supertastic! Let's go again! Put more zebra foals in me! I wanna be a zebra broodmare!" Pinkie stuck her rear out more, and in an attempt to coax the stallion behind into round 3, she bounced his meat up and down on her bouncy booty. And they chuckled at her enthusiasm; she truly was a perfect slut! But their attention was soon drawn to the mare staring into space, mumbling to herself deliriously as a stinking zebracock was ground against her face. "Well? What about you then, fat-ass? You ready to be a mother again?" She didn't answer them. Mrs Cake was lost in a world of her own, one filled with stripes, dicks and a whole lot of indecision. "Mmm... But Pound Cake... a-and Pumpkin... Zebras..." They knew what was happening: it would take a little more than some foreplay and a rough fucking to break this one. Oh well, they knew how that would end, so instead their attention shifted to the one zebra who'd blown his load in Pinkie Pie first, noticing how he was still rock-hard. "You really wanna wait to take care of that? If you wanna bust a load in this bitch's mouth we could wait." "Nah. Let's get 'em striped first. I call dibs on sloppy seconds with the MILF though." He couldn't wait to see the faithful mother and wife break. "Eh, fine." They'd honour the wish, but now was time to get these two to the tent. They were their property now, and it was time to make sure everypony knew that. "Now how about we go and get you two striped? Make you official free-use, zebra-loving cocksleeves?" As they dismantled the mares and left them over the counter, broken and pregnant with their brood, surprisingly, Pinkie soon bounced up to join them, struggling to stand on her wobbly legs. "Woah, careful." One zebra handily caught her, and pulled her against his muscly chest to keep her upright. "We don't want the future mother to zebra foals getting hurt now, do we?" Before she could answer, he shoved his muzzle against hers, and jammed their tongues together. And while Pinkie was a little surprised as the suddenness of it, she gleefully returned the gesture, and sloppily made out with him as cum dripped down onto the floor. "What about her then?" A zebra who wasn't shoving his tongue down a recently-used throat gestured to the panting body of Cup Cake. "We'll just carry her. And if she makes things difficult at the tent then we'll just have another go with her there." "Here's to hoping she makes it difficult then." "Agreed." They'd return for the foals upstairs another time, but for now, they had a mother to break. And no matter how many times they had to fill her womb to do it, they knew they would. All mares would fall to zebra cock, it was inevitable. Back at the Crystal Castle, a dilemma was being had. As Spike paced back and forth across a crystal room, he was lost in his head, and couldn't make his mind up. Should he go outside? Twilight told him to stay in the castle, but at the same time, if the zebras really were out there, wreaking havoc, should he really just sit back and let it happen? Twilight had seemed panicked, so they must be of some danger, but that'd mean that the zebras were out there hurting ponies. Hurting Rarity. He couldn't let that happen. Even if he had to use his fire to protect himself and his friends, he'd do it! So full of fire and his draconic determination, Spike marched to the door and made his way to the castle's entrance. He didn't know what he'd find out there, but he was going to protect his friends! Surely this would go exactly as planned.
Slaves To Their Stripes	Part 1: Canter-plot	Coco Pommel has always been a pretty conflict-avoidant pony. She's never been the most extroverted mare and, though this has affected much of her life, she's never minded the fact. At least she's polite, and at least she can be pretty outgoing when she needs to be. On seeing a big, purple tent set up in a park near her apartment however, she wasn't exactly willing to go around asking about it, for multiple reasons. One was that it was probably some mini circus show or magician act setting up. But the second reason was that, for some odd reason, everypony in Canterlot was acting... strange. She was only heading off to her part-time job, but still, she'd heard panicked murmurs on the streets, something about something happening yesterday with Celestia and Luna and... zebras? She had no clue but knew that, in big cities like this one, strange rumours like these probably were never lasted long. Oh well, they'll probably pass eventually. It hadn't been long since Coco moved here recently from Manehattan. She had plans to try and open up her own boutique here, one that she ran, with her own designs being made and sold there. But for now, she was trying to get by like any other pony, working a small job at a boutique, ironically. Some day I'll make it big in this city. I just know it! At least she had her optimism, and with that, she didn't need anything else. Strolling through the lush, expansive park she took to get to Filly's Fashion, Coco couldn't help but give the rumours some thought. She was nearing that tent she'd spotted, it set up near the hoofpath, and even if she still wasn't that close to it, she could clearly see what looked like some zebras over there, as well as a couple mares around them. I wonder what's going on... The stallions, even if distant, were definitely the ones she'd heard about; all striped and covered in gold here and there. Either way though, Coco had places to be, and so she continued her march closer and closer to the foreigners. Maybe they came here to meet with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna so we could become allies or something. I see why that could cause so many ponies to be talking about it. Ponies seemed a little panicked though, or at least on edge. Why? Even if was something she'd likely overhear some customers talking about at her job, Coco was only a pony, and she was curious. Just a peek wouldn't hurt... It'd only take a couple seconds, and it was right there. Stood on the path, the mare gazed out at it and made her mind up. Coco casually trotted up to the big tent. All the zebras and ponies had gone into it together by now. Why though...? She was intent on finding out as she reached a small opening in the fabric and poked her head in. What hit her first was the smell. Pungent raunchiness blasting against her face the moment she made it past the outer layer. Even as a virgin, she could tell the inside smelt overwhelmingly like sex, the aroma of mares, and the musk of stallions. It smelt so... carnal. Before Pommel had even taken a look around, she was already feeling her body get excited at the unnaturally arousing smells the tent had to offer. She really hoped no ponies were behind her to see her marehood growing slightly wet and even winking a little. With a bright red blush, Coco couldn't resist peeking around a little more. She could take a guess what was going on inside this tent, and the thought of it flooded her with embarrassment, but her curiosity prevailed, and she investigated a tiny bit more. Her eyes were quickly drawn to a couple zebras beside a mare. With paintbrushes in their mouths, they were putting stripes all over the pony, who seemed happy to be letting them if the drunk grin on her face was any indication. Why does she look so messy? Coco was having more unanswered questions with every second. On the other side of the tent, though Coco could barely see them, there were two other equines. From here it looked like they had their muzzles pressed against each other, and it looked like one was on top of the other. Wait. A-Are they...? That would explain the smell, and if she listened closely she could hear what sounded like faint clapping. O-O-Oh my gosh! She needed to be going, but she was just too baffled by... all of this! Was this what the rumours were about? Were Celestia and Luna letting them set up an orgy tent to teach ponies about zebra... things? Captivated by the sight, Coco was too lost in confusion to notice the sudden visitor outside the tent approaching her vulnerable backside. In the middle of the park, i-in a public area, z-zebras and ponies are... Only her head was stuck in the tent, so that left the rest of her plump, gorgeous and oh-so desirable body out in the open. And having spotted it easily, her fat, cream-coloured rump sticking out like a sore hoof, an eager quadruped made his way to it, and couldn't help grinning slyly before raising a hoof and striking it down aggressively on her bubbly tush. Slap! "EEP!" Roughly and out of nowhere, Coco was spanked, hard. At her squeal, the zebras busy striping a mare turned to face her, but she'd removed her head from the tent hurriedly before they could spot her, so they shrugged and went back to work marking a mare as theirs. Meanwhile, outside the tent, things weren't as calm. Coco's face was the reddest it had ever been, so horrifically embarrassed, she looked around for which pony had left a big, red hoofprint on her sore ass. And it took only seconds to find him, but he wasn't a pony, he was a zebra, smiling down on her with a mischievous glint in his eye. Under his gaze, Coco suddenly forgot about her stinging cheek upon realised something: she was intruding here, and he'd caught her. He didn't have to spank her to make his presence known though... "Oh! Um, s-sorry for snooping. I-I was just curious about the tent and all." The mare looked at the grass beneath her ashamed. This was humiliating. A zebra had just smacked her ass after he found her trespassing, and now she felt she was being reprimanded like some misbehaving filly. She should've just gone straight to work, even if she was still curious she still could have avoided this entire confrontation. Looking up at him though, he didn't seem to be mad. The admittedly handsome and muscular stallion instead was grinning down on her. He looked lustful, and he sure looked happy to see her with the way he was eying her body like that. When he spoke, his voice wasn't accusatory. It was seductive, and didn't hide what he wanted. "Don't worry about it. So what's your name, cutie?" "Oh, um, Coco." "Well then Coco, how about you come inside and come meet the other zebras? I'm sure they'd love to get to know you and this fat ass of yours. I know I would." As he took a bold step towards her, he made his intentions known, and didn't bother hiding his adoration of her jiggly butt. How in Equestria was Coco supposed to respond to that?! Blushing, that was how. "Wha- I- Bu-Bu- Y-You- Umm..." She knew she was a bit 'gifted' back there in terms of her tush, but nopony ever just said she had a... Maybe she'd be more disgusted by his forwardness and slap him if it wasn't for the fact that he'd just invited her into the sex tent. H-He wants to... W-With me... Coco wasn't as innocent as she seemed, but still, the attractive zebra who spanked her had just said he wanted to do to her 'fat ass' what that other zebra was doing to that mare. The mare never blushed so much in her life! And that was only made worse knowing she could easily accept his invite and let her time as a virgin come to an end. Under the appreciative gaze of the horny zebra, Coco refused to look him in the eye, and just when it seemed like he was going to speak again, she blurted out her embarrassed words. "Anyway, I-I need to be going to work now. Sorry!" And then she took off, and sprinted off to her job as fast as she could. She just wanted to forget about what just happened, every single detail of it. But her actions had consequences, and the same zebra that couldn't resist smacking her big butt was ogling her shapely asscheeks bouncing behind her as she ran out of the park. He had his eye on her now, and Coco had sealed her fate as the future mother to his foals. Trotting down a street nearby the striping tent, the same horny zebra was loosely following a mare, the same one who'd unknowingly enticed him enough for him to want to stripe her next. Can't wait to fuck that bubble butt! His view from back here was amazing. He could see her bouncy rump jiggle with each step, and with the swishing of her tail was taunted with peeks at her puffy pussy and her big, round ponyt. Her teats were tiny, some of the smallest he'd ever seen on a mare, but her butt more than made up for it, and he didn't regret spanking it in the slightest. He could've just mounted her outside the tent earlier and taken her there, but this was more fun. He was like a predator toying with his prey, and he couldn't wait to pounce on her. And up ahead, of course Coco was oblivious to his presence stalking behind her, even as she looked behind her at her flank. I hope it doesn't stick out too much... She was currently inspecting her cutie mark, or rather, the big, red hoofprint directly over it. It was painfully noticeable on her pale fur, and many mares had given her strange looks because of it. Once again, she felt humiliated. She wanted to be mad at the zebra for doing that to her, but really, she'd rather just forget she'd ever met him. He could have at least made himself known instead of... And then he had the gall to invite her in! Sure he was really attractive and had a bunch of muscles and he found her attractive too and males are in short supply in pony society, but still, she wasn't interested. Coco was going to lose her virginity to her true love, whoever he may be, not some raunchy zebra looking for a quick fuck that she'd probably hardly enjoy anyway. No. You said you'd stop thinking about that zebra, so stop. Refusing to give him even another thought, Coco's mind tried thinking about anything else for the rest of the short trip. And it worked, by the time she'd reached the boutique, not one thought had been given to that perverted zebra. Dingaling! Opening the door, she plodded inside to find an empty shop: there was clothes on racks and all that, but no customers and no cashier. Maybe the rumours about Celestia and Luna had people thinking about things other than shopping? Either way, with no pony behind the counter, that would be her job, but she had to do something first. Before she put herself in front of every mare coming in here to buy clothes, Coco needed to cover up her bruised buttcheek. She'd embarrassed herself enough already on the walk here, she didn't need more ponies spotting the glaringly noticeable spank-mark! This was a clothes shop, and whether or not she could find something she'd like, she was sure there would be something good enough to cover up the blemish upstairs. So that's what she set off to do. The ground floor was used as the main shop, but above that was just storage, so Coco ascended the stairs, all thoughts of the zebra in the past. Dingaling! Not long after his latest desire had entered where she worked, a particularly enticed zebra slipped into the building about a couple minutes after her, his mind set on claiming the cute mare. But now he had to find her. He'd been hoping a little that she could've just been working behind the counter, making it easy enough for him to bend her over it and indulge in her body. But no, he'd have to hunt her down and find out where she is in this... Looking around, the zebra found it was a clothing store of all things, but one that didn't seem to be selling anything lewd. Weird. Back in Zebrica, all zebra clothes were for the mares of their society, many varieties of lingeries and kinky clothing made for them to wear for stallions. The most clothing zebra stallions ever wore were loincloths, and even they weren't exclusive to them. Oh well, he didn't come here to browse their wares, he came here to fuck a pony until her mind was mush, so he began his search for her. Now where could that adorable bimbo be hidin- Thud! Directly above him, before he could even take a step, he heard somepony upstairs. He wasn't a betting zebra, but with how barren the rest of this shop was, he'd be willing to bet that his prize was up there waiting for him. So with her poundable tush on the forefront of his mind, he moved up the stairs as silently as he could to not give himself away yet. Creeping through the building, it took going down a hallway to reach where she was, but this game of cat and mouse between her and him had been completely worth it, even if just for the sight that greeted him here. "Sigh! There's got to be something in here somewhere." In a storage room with a singular window in it, Coco's front half was inside of a crate that reached her chest, and with her head in there, she was searching for some outfit long enough to cover her rear, but was having no such luck so far. But whilst she was trying to find something to cover up her backside, ironically, she was leaving it entirely exposed right now, and was unknowingly giving the excitable zebra the erotic show of a lifetime as she wriggled about and shook her ass for his hungry eyes. The zebra himself stood no chance at keeping himself contained, not as he enjoyed the way Coco's fat flank bounced, her tail swishing too to let him ogle her genitalia whilst she was oblivious to the fact. Slowly, a big, black zebracock emerged from its sheath, and upon reaching full-mast, pulsed wantingly for the mare in a perfectly compromising position. He wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. Skulking up behind the mare without making a sound, he felt his anticipation grow with each silent step he took, so when her body was there for the taking, he didn't hesitate to jump up and mount her, placing his two front hooves directly on her back and holding her down. "Huh? What's happening?" Coco's head snapped around to see who was holding her down, and her jaw nearly dropped at the sight of his cocky face grinning down on her again. "What?! You? Wh-What are you doing?!" "What does it look like I'm doing?" He moved his hips down, and purposefully made his cock slap against the crack of her asscheeks as he dropped it onto her, and began sensually thrusting his hips back and forth. "I'm putting some striped foals in you! And I'm not stopping until your womb is flooded with zebra seed!" H-He wants to... She was trying her best to ignore the grinding against her ass, but she couldn't ignore his words that took a moment to register. "Wh-WHAT?!" Instinctively, Coco tried to escape, but his muscles weren't for show. He had her trapped and even bent over for him, and now she was beginning to realise the gravity of the situation he'd suddenly put her in. "Wha- D-Don't! I can't be a mother! I-I'm too young! I still have so much left to do!" Her pleas fell on deaf ears. He knew soon she'd be begging to be filled with his life-giving seed and begging for him to clap her fat ass, so he couldn't wait to get started. "Yeah. You do have so much left to do, like being a good little zebra foal-factory for your new masters!" Sliding off of her cheeks, the zebra prepared to claim her virginity as his own lined up his oversized cock at her entrance. "I- Wh-Wha-?!" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. 'New masters'? He wanted her to be a what? Coco was too distressed right now to truly think about what in Equestria she'd just heard, so all she did instead was continue begging. "Please! You can't!" "Pfft!" His tip prodded against Coco's marehood, eliciting a gasp from her as he taunted her most sensitive spot, pushing into it but refusing to enter her. "Us zebras managed to fuck your two fat-assed sluts of princesses into submission, and now they're loyal to zebra cock. They're probably choking on Queen Domina's meat right now! So learn your place, pony-slut!" "Wh-What?!" Coco was desperate to hear more about the princesses. Was that really what the rumours were about? That Celestia and Luna were fucked by the zebras until they submitted to them? But then what stopped the zebras from doing the same to them? She wanted to ask about them, ask about what was going on and what she had to do to stop this, but before she was allowed to get another word out, a throaty cry was forced out of her. "AHHN!" The zebra was done waiting. He'd been fantasising about fucking this mare senseless for too long, so forcefully, he pushed forward and pried her outer lips open, stretching her out so that he could wedge his tip inside of her. "Ngh! Fuck! I knew you'd be tight, but..." As he fed more inside of her, and grunted as he started humping into her, Coco's pussy's vice-like grip clenched down on his meaty zebracock, making him have to work hard to cram every girthy inch into her cunt's snug, pleasurable embrace. "Ungh! I'm gonna love making a MILF out of you!" "Agh! Unf! O-Oh my gosh!" Coco was a very sexually innocent pony: she rarely masturbated and had never used a dildo in all her life, nevermind lost her virginity, so this was easily the most intense experience of her life as agonising pain along with unimaginable pleasure was forced onto her all at once. She couldn't do anything as he held her down and mated her but moan. Whether they were moans of pleasure or pain she couldn't tell, but either way, she knew he wasn't going to stop. "Ah! Hngh! Ahn! O-Oh gosh!" Putting all his effort into getting deeper into the tightest cunt in Equestria, the zebra still managed to laugh as she cried out. "Ha! Ngh! Even your moans are- Ngah! -fucking adorable!" He was desperate to make her his, relentlessly thrusting again and again, because even if he was only getting a teensy bit deeper with each shove, it was still bringing him closer and closer to finally breeding her. "Rgh! You're gonna make such a perfect cocksleeve! Just wait 'til the others back at the tent see you, they'll want their own go with this fuckable flank of yours before we can even stripe you!" Coco wasn't listening. She was too busy trying to make sense of anything right now through the mind-boggling pleasure, the feeling of her hole being stretched to its limits, and the sharp sting of her hymen being demolished by his rampant raping. So with her front half still stuck in the crate, she was stuck in her head trying to make sense of anything, high-pitched moans being forced out of her with each animalistic pound into her marehood. Minutes passed of Coco being used by the stallion, him working hard to fit himself into her snug interior. But eventually, his work payed off, and the stallion felt his tip hit her fertile womb. "Ungh! H-Holy shit!" She was so unbelievably tight, her cunt clinging down on his fat meat like her life depended on it, but the zebra didn't let it stop him. Grimacing as her grip on him hardly loosened, he pulled back, and slid himself out of her quickly, leaving only his tip in her before he pushed back in and began the cycle again. But this time, he was finding her body much more... welcoming. Not only did he not have to keep thrusting, only doing one long, arduous push, but he also noticed she was providing a little lubricant too. She was getting wetter. The zebra forced his way back in her, and when he reached the end, he pulled back out and started all over again. And again. And again. With time, she was getting looser, and as he was beginning to enjoy it more, so was she. "Ngah! Ah! Hngh! Ahn! Heck!" To Coco's dismay, she could feel the pain fading, and though that should've been a good thing, it just left room for pleasure to take its place. With each push and pull out of her, her captor was beginning to heap pleasure onto her helpless brain, and Coco felt her body responding to such unstoppably incredible feelings. "Gah! Ahn!" Wh-Why does it feel so- "Uhn!" Why does he feel like- "Ah! Ngh!" W-Why does his cock feel good?! Coco was going through what every Equestrian mare was destined to; all mares had to break before they could be rebuilt into zebra-loving cocksleeves. Sensations pulsed through the mare's body that messed with her mind as the zebra started speeding up. The more he fucked her, the better it was beginning to feel, but he wasn't thinking about that. Now that her lover was able to fully sheath himself inside Coco, and now that her body was providing him plenty of natural lubrication to pound her pussy with, the zebra could start to go as fast as he wanted to, and gladly jumped on the opportunity like he'd jumped on her. Going faster, and faster, and rapidly fucking the pony's defenceless snatch, his hips moved with his cock jackhammering in and out of her, and constantly kept smacking her pudgy ass again and again. WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! He revelled in every ripple he made on her beautifully big buttocks, just like how he revelled in all the slutty moans that his mammoth cock forced out of her. The sounds of her fat ass clapping and her delightful voice crying out in unwanted pleasure was music to his ears, but even more than he was enjoying that, he was looking forward to how red and sore her cheeks were going to be after this. That gave him an idea. An excellent one. Speaking of red and sore... Just like earlier, outside the tent where he'd first decided he was going to make her the mother to his foals, the zebra raised his hoof high, and with a wide grin on his face as he nonstop pounded her, his hoof descended on her spankable tush once more, leaving a long-lasting mark and sending even more ripples through her defiled backside. "AAAHHN!" A feminine howl erupted out of Coco's throat. Was she supposed to keep quiet after having her flank assaulted? She didn't know or care, but was made to go back to moaning after she was done. And the zebra smiled joyously at what he was doing to her. He could see her mind breaking to the pleasure, and was fully aware of how helpless ponies were to the triumphant zebracock. Just because her surrendering her mind to the lust was inevitable though, it didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun with her. "What's wrong, slut? Regretful you didn't come in the tent earlier to get a taste of this sooner?" As he never relented on wailing on her backside, Coco could barely think through her fogged-up thoughts, nevermind speak. "I'm- Ah! n-not a- Gah! s-s-slut!" She wasn't sure if she believed her own words or not. Was she a slut? 'Cause the more he fucked the shit out of her and the more he filled her marehood with his girth over and over and over, Coco found she wasn't just liking how this felt like a slut might, she was loving it, and an ever-growing part of her was convincing her to stop resisting and give in to his beastly virility already. SLAP! "ANGH!" The spanking wasn't helping make her feel less like a slut. For her, it was sending jolts through her backside and only encouraging the voice telling her to surrender to him, but for the zebra himself, Coco tightened around his zebracock with each smack, and he loved seeing the big, red hoofmarks on her big, bruised ass. SLAP! "GNAH!" The zebra was relentlessly abusing his new personal fucktoy in all the right ways, both with his strong hips pounding her and his slap-happy hooves spanking her. With Coco, he was having the time of his life, and was already thinking of all the things he'd do to her when he made her his. SLAP! But unfortunately, down below, Ms Pommel was also having the time of her life, and felt her sanity slipping as the pleasure became too overwhelming for her poor, pony mind. Wh-Why is it so good? Why... Wh-Why is it so...? She was being mashed unendingly into the crate over and over, her butt was bruised and battered, she'd cum an uncountable amount of times, and pleasure was coursing through her entire slutty body with every instinctive thrust from his powerful hips. She was loving this... Why was she resisting? It's... Why is... It's so good! Very quickly, Coco's moans turned from forced to willingly given. The more he fucked her, the more she fell in love with him and his incredible cock, so as her mind gave itself to the zebras, she gave in, and happily accepted all the pleasure he piled up onto her. "Ah! Ngh! Yes! Hngh! D-Don't stop!" SLAP! With a smile, he looked down on her, and watched on as she broke easily for him. "Learnt your place yet, Coco?" He didn't stop destroying her pussy, not even for a second, so that was probably why she wasn't answering him, only crying moans of pure ecstasy as she enjoyed her time in the crate. "Ah! Ngha! Yes! Ahn! M-More!" She was practically his already, stripes or no, so surely he was allowed to have a little fun with her, right? She wasn't answering him after all, she needed to learn her lesson. Whilst the zebra hadn't stopped mating her since he started, suddenly, he began to slow, and Coco noticed. Why is he stopping? Did I do something wrong? Coming to a halt, the zebra pulled back all the way and slipped his slick member out of her. Noisily dropping it onto her asscrack again, he went back to doing what he did earlier, and rubbed his cock back and forth on her, but it was infuriating her now for a whole other reason. "Wh-Why did you stop?" All shame was thrown away. She wanted his cock. She needed his cock. If she had to admit she was a slut to get more of it then she would in an instant. "What? You want me to keep going?" Grinding on her continuously, the zebra searched the room for a new way to have fun with her. He could just make her beg for it and throw away all her dignity, but on seeing something in the room he had a better idea. "Y-Y-Yes..." Her words were louder than a whisper, but barely. "Hm? What was that?" Her will broke instantly. "Y-Yes! Please! Keep fucking me!" "I could..." He dismounted her, putting a look of shock and need on Coco's face. She could move around now, she could escape, yet instead she stayed where she was, watching curiously and desperately as the zebra strolled over casually to the room's window, his massive zebracock bobbing beneath him. "Hmm... I'll fuck you on one condition, pony-slut." Her attitude perked up, and Coco knew she'd do anything he wanted, anything for more zebra cock. Seeing her eyeing him with rapt attention, the zebra did the unexpected and slid the room's window open. With a head nudge gesturing to the windowsill, he looked her straight in the eyes as he spoke. "Bend over." Understanding what needed to be done, Coco couldn't stop herself from moving out of the crate and dashing over to the window. There, she leaned her front knees on the opening, and shoved her rear out for him, shaking it a little in hope that it would entice him. And it did. Seeing her exactly where he wanted her to be, the zebra climbed back up onto her and rested his dick back on her. But he didn't bring her over here for nothing. He wanted to toy with his fucktoy, and was going to. Instead of getting to fucking her, what Coco was trying to encourage as she bounced his member on her rear, he leaned over her, grabbed her head in his hoof, pushed it down, and with a violent shove of the hips, he'd forced her front out the window, and let her legs dangle down as half of her was out of the building and the other half was there for him to fuck. And it surprised Coco, but not enough to get her mind off cock. She was so unbelievably needy right now, but that was what zebra dick did to a mare, and she tried pushing back into him again as the wind blew through her hair and a couple ponies looked up at her confused. "What's that mare doing, Mommy?" Back inside, the zebra was very pleased, and didn't intend to waste any more time he could spend breeding. Lining himself up, he prodded his tip against her slutty marehood, but it was just a ploy as he readied his hips back and thrust his monster cock all the way to her womb in one brutal movement. "AAAAAAHHHHHNNN!" A shriek of love was cried out for all to hear. Mares and stallions' heads turned to look up at her, and as her lover got to work and started pounding her rear mercilessly again, Coco didn't notice, and didn't bother hiding how much she loved zebracock as her cheeks were noisily and roughly clapped behind her. "AH! PLEASE! KEEP FUCKING ME! I LOVE ZEBRA COCK! GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE ME YOUR FOALS!" It was clear to all of her onlookers what was going on, including the foals thats parents were busy rushing away from the scene. Some ponies tried ignoring the mare, as well as the shameless display she was putting on, but others remained where they were, and even if it meant they'd be late for wherever they were heading to, they sat back to enjoy the show the degenerate was putting on for them. But Coco didn't care. All the eyes judging her meant nothing when she had him mounted on her, having his way with her hole and making her feel better than she could have ever imagined. "YES! I LOVE IT! I LOVE BEING A ZEBRA SLUT! JUST PLEASE DON'T STOP! MAKE ME YOURS!" Her entire body was being shoved by his thrusts, rocked back and forth on the windowsill as he smashed into her again and again. He was sure the noises of her fat ass clapping could be heard outside, and it delighted him to know that she was screaming all those things with an audience. But as much as he wanted to stay here fucking her cunt forever, he wanted to cum in her more, and could feel himself getting closer to blowing his load the more he mated her. "RGH! I'm getting closer, Coco! You ready to be a mom?" If that meant getting more of this, she'd be a mother, she'd be anything for more of this! "BREED ME! MAKE ME A ZEBRA FOAL FACTORY! LET IT ALL OUT INSIDE ME AND FILL MY BELLY WITH SEED! I WANNA HAVE STRIPED FOALS!" "Then take them!" Determined to breed her, the zebra fucked harder than he'd ever fucked before. Her poor butt was violently assaulted by his hips, but she just kept screaming in ecstasy, despite how incredibly sore her ass would be after this. But his pounding wasn't for nothing, and soon, he could sense the long-awaited feeling of an orgasm rising up through his cock, until finally, he came, and thrust as deep into her pussy as he could fit himself. His hips held her squishy flank in place, lodged between him and the window, so with her body at his total mercy, he unleashed his loads, and blasted out every drop he had into the welcoming womb. "HRGH!" "NGAAAAAHHHHH!" Thick, hot, white and fertile zebra seed pumped Coco full, and she screamed as she couldn't handle the mind-melting orgasm that came with it. Ponies watched as her tongue lulled out of her mouth and her eyes rolled back into her head, until her minute-long climax settled, and the mare went quiet, panting. Her mate wasn't done though, not nearly. He was a zebra, and far superior to those pony stallions and their pathetic ejaculations. He filled her womb until not another drop could possibly fit in it, and then, he kept cumming. Bucking into her instinctively to bury his seed as deep as it could go, more and more spunk kept pumping out of him into her, filling up the rest of her tight cavern and even bloating her belly with so much cum. When he was done filling up her cavern though, he kept going. He was a zebra, it was to be expected. So his cum came rushing out of her marehood with no space left inside, and it all fell down past his balls and her teats to messily pool down onto the floor below. Then it was over, and the zebra ran out of spunk to give as his balls got back to producing more. He slid himself out, and shoved his member back between her cheeks to start giving himself another assjob, rubbing his cum into her fur this time. Coco was recovering, but still enjoying the feeling as she panted. Giving in to the zebra had been the best decision of her life, and as long as she kept getting more of this, she knew she'd never regret it. As he used her cheeks to pleasure himself, the zebra knew just how broken the mare was at this point, and knew exactly what to do next. "You want more, slut?" She hadn't been, but she was now. M-More zebracock? Yes! Please! Pushing her rear back into him, Coco nodded vigorously as she called back to him. "Yes! I want more! Keep fucking me!" She'd be the perfect broodmare, he just knew it. "Then how about I take you back to that tent and make you an official zebra-slut? I've got some friends back there that I know would love to meet you!" "Y-Yes! I'd love to!" With a pleased smile, the zebra stallion dismounted his cocksleeve, and enthusiastically she pulled herself out of the window, him needing to help her stand on her wobbly legs. M-My belly's so full... He led the way, and eagerly Coco followed behind him, her eyes locked onto his balls swinging with each step he took. They were heading back to the tent, striping her and completing the initiation of her as a stripe-serving cumslut. To quote him, she was going to spend the rest of her life being a good little zebra foal-factory for her new masters. She couldn't wait. Down on the street in front of Filly's Fashion, some ponies were passing by, oblivious to what had just happened up above, but some had been there for a while now, and as she and her zebra 'friend' exited the shop and strolled down the street, the ponies still hanging around got to see what had become of the slutty mare. She had looked pretty innocent in the window, and she'd looked like a normal pony would've despite the moaning and the slutty faces, but now... Her entire flank was red and bruised, with a few more distinct hoofmarks sticking out on her bubbly, cum-stained tush, and along with that, her onlookers also couldn't ignore the cum pouring out of her onto the sidewalk, coming from her gaping pussy that they could see clearly under her lifted tail. And, underneath it all, they couldn't not notice her shockingly big, bloated belly that already looked six months pregnant, and how neither the zebra nor the mare paid it any mind as they strolled to their destination. They looked happy. She'd look happier with stripes on her though. On the other side of Canterlot, in a much more solemn mood than the deliriously happy mother-to-be, an alicorn was flying as fast as she could, and swooped over the gates of the city. She'd been flying for so long before teleporting the rest of the journey here, but now she was finally here, she didn't feel tired, and was determined to find out what was going on and what was with those zebras. Flapping determinedly, she made a beeline in the direction of the castle where Celestia would most likely be, but even with such a concerning matter at hoof, she couldn't help but gaze upon the majestic city of Canterlot. And her haw dropped at what she saw. The... The zebras are here too?! She saw them all over the place. Some were in groups strolling through the streets alongside ponies, some were in parks or other grassy areas hanging around their tents, and some were even alone, walking with mares that they'd... defiled. Whatever was happening in Ponyville was happening here too! She needed to get to Celestia fast! Time to save Equestria again! Of course, it was a bit different this time. Twilight looked back down at some of the... disheveled mares beneath her, and her mind helpfully reminded her of only earlier today when she'd watched Rarity and Fluttershy getting roughly ass-fucked in the middle of Ponyville. Okay, it was very different this time. They'd never dealt with an enemy like this before, literally, but Twilight knew that they could win this, they always did! But first she had to see Celestia. There was no way she didn't know about this by now, and Twilight would need her guidance to get through this. If any mare had a plan of action on how to deal with these striped menaces, it would be her. Arriving at the Canterlot Castle, a place she knew all too well, the determined mare flew straight over the wall around it and landed directly in front of the main entrance. It was nice being able to finally give her wings a rest from the nonstop flying, but Twilight wasn't thinking about that, instead frowning as she came face to face with two zebra stallions, them in the same places that the royal guard should've been stood. Looking at them, they seemed to be wearing the former guards' uniforms, though pieces of it were missing, likely unable to fit the zebras' more muscular bodies. But while Twilight was curious as to what had happened to the previous guards, and why these two were acting in their place, she wasn't in the mood for games. "Excuse me, Sirs." On their faces were those same smug, self-satisfied smirks that she'd seen every zebra have on their muzzles. It infuriated her. But nonetheless, they perked up on seeing her, and though their eyes roamed her body, they still responded. "Are you Twilight Sparkle?" "I..." How do they know my name? Putting on her serious, royal face to hide her confusion, she tried ignoring their leers and pushed on. "Yes. Why do you ask?" "Go to the throne room. Queen Domina's been expecting you." They turned around together, practically presenting their balls and donuts to Twilight as she looked away. Together, the zebras held open the grand doors, and looked back at her expectantly. They must not be the most used to opening castle doors or something... Awkwardly, the alicorn strolled on in through the entrance, both on guard anticipating some attack from them, and hiding her marehood with her tail, feeling their eyes roaming her body. But when they moved from the doors, they began to shut behind her, and the zebra guards took up their old positions. "Queen Domina's gonna have fun with her." "I know I would! You see that ass of hers? I'd love to make a broodmare out of he-" Twilight felt a shiver run down her spine as the doors behind her shutting cut off the sentence. ...Perverts. She supposed they would be though after all she's seen zebras doing today. Quickly trotting the memorised path to the throne room, where this 'Domina' would be, Twilight got to thinking. So Celestia and Domina of the zebras are expecting my arrival, then why are they in the throne room? If they're discussing diplomacy then why aren't they in the meeting room? And how in Equestria has Celestia not noticed what's going on outside by now?! It was like the zebras were trying to conquer Equestria with how they were all acting... Twilight had so many questions that needed answering, such as why the royal halls were so empty, but she was sure she'd get her answers in the throne room. Speaking of which... She arrived at another two zebra guards where pony guards should have been, but instead of questioning her, they immediately understood who she was, and opened up the doors as they too ogled her body. I don't wanna have to get used to thi- Twilight walked forward, and the doors didn't shut behind her this time, but she hardly noticed as she gazed upon the thrones. Only one of the two royal seats remained; Celestia's, and atop it, Domina sat, directly in front of Twilight and looking down on her even smugger than the other zebras did. But the princess's attention wasn't on her prideful, sardonistic grin, it was on what was beneath her, or rather, who was beneath her. "Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship. You took longer than I'd anticipated to get here." Twilight didn't hear her. Twilight didn't hear anything. She was too stunned in place to register anything going on but the sight before her. Sat on her rump, Domina had her legs spread wide, dominantly presenting her terrifyingly huge, fully-erect zebracock, and letting her humongous testicles dangle down in full view of Twilight. But even that wasn't what the purple alicorn was focusing on. Rather than acknowledging the gargantuan girth that lied between Domina's thighs, Princess Twilight's brain was locked onto the two mares down there instead, the ones worshipping the cock of all cocks with a deliriously happy look on their faces. Celestia... Luna... As the queen sat back pleased, her junk was being pleasured by two alicorns obsessively loving her body. Luna was making out with her balls, and in a state of pure bliss lapping up all her master's sweat off of the ginormous sack. Meanwhile, Celestia was above her sister, doing the exact same to Domina's mare-breaking member, running her tongue all over the veiny shaft and cleaning it for her master as if she needed her dirty meat's taste to live. Both were covered horn to hoof in black, zebra-like stripes, and had forgone their royal attire. Their horns had rings on them, and as well as that, their necks, legs, and newly pierced ears did too, alongside Celestia's new nose-ring. Twilight couldn't see if the mare's were leaking their juices down from this angle, but could smell it from over here, and the thought sent shivers down her spine. Whatever happened to Rarity and Fluttershy, whatever the zebras did to them, this queen had clearly also done to these two, and so now they were little more than zebra-loving sluts. "Enjoying the show, Twilight Sparkle? They aren't the most talented with their tongues, but I'm sure that can change with time." What was she to do now? Her mentor and even mother figure had already been... 'converted'. Twilight stood there slack-jawed for the longest time, watching on in terror as her biggest inspiration in life joyously threw it all away to serve cock, but eventually, after having her world crumble around her, she was able to snap herself out of her head, and the first thing she felt was anger. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THEM?! STOP IT! NOW!" "Hm?" Domina raised an eyelid, and her smirk grew more condescending, but she didn't move besides that. "Stop doing what? I'm not doing anything to these whores." Twilight's rage was controlling her. She never acted like this, but didn't know what else to do, so she kept screaming. "DON'T CALL THEM THAT! AND STOP MAKING THEM DO... THAT!" Her hoof pointed at the sisters. She didn't dare say what it was they were doing. "Oh? This?" Domina looked down at them worshipping her questioningly, as if she truly hadn't known what Twilight was talking about. Obviously she had. "I'm making them do nothing. These two are doing this of their volition." That's a lie. It has to be. For not even a second did the mare believe it. There had to be something more going on here, like mind-control, or maybe they were changelings. "N-No!" Twilights voice suddenly lost its furious edge, anger turning into accusation. "They wouldn't! Stop whatever it is you're doing that to them!" Her mind wanted to think up a plan of action, but was too stressed to even begin thinking rationally. "They wouldn't, would they?" It wasn't a question, it was a challenge, one Domina gladly took. Beginning to stand, she rose to her hooves, showing the full extent of her powerful body for the first time and forcing the sister's off of her genitals. But they didn't mind too much, and tried going back immediately to what they were doing. "Stop it, sluts! I command it." Instantly, the pair followed their orders, and removed themselves from the fantastic fuckstick. They wanted to keep going, but knew that what their master wanted came first. "Luna, if you would like to, you may eat out my ass. And Celestia, if you so choose to, you may twerk for your Master. It would please me." "Yes, Master!" In horror, Twilight watched on as the two instantly, without the slightest hesitation, followed the zebra's optional requests. Luna dove into her ass like her life depended on it, and with her queen's tail already flagged, she unthinkingly rammed her muzzle into her rear, and moaned as she shoved her tongue as deep into the hung mare's stinking shithole as she could. And alongside her, Celestia's body moved before she even considered her options. She gleefully presented to her queen the fattest flank in all Equestria, and in full view of Twilight's eyes that couldn't pry themselves off of her, Celestia shook her huge cheeks up and down like the proudest whore to ever exist. ...Mind control. It has to be mind control. It wasn't. She knew how such magic worked like the back of her hoof, and even she knew this wasn't mind control. "Mph! Does that address your curiosities then, Princess?" Domina had forgotten how good it felt to have her dirty donut eaten out, and considering the enthusiasm Luna was putting into making out with it, perhaps she'd need to make her do it more often. Celestia... But down below, with her anger having faded completely and transformed into anguish, Twilight fell to her rump as she stared up at what had become of her fellow princesses. She was bigger than the average mare in every way, but she was still smaller than the three above her, and the mare felt miniscule down underneath them all. "Wh... Why are you doing this?" "Hm?" It was a broad question, but even with the inevitability of Princess Twilight becoming a mindless fuckslave, Domina decided to enlighten her. "Us zebras came from afar to these lands to satiate the carnal urges that our bodies forced upon us. We were living in strife, and with zebra stallions outnumbering mares ten to one, there was simply not enough pussy to go around to satisfy every zebra. So when my spy came to these lands, and saw how you ponies lived-" "A-A spy? You mean Zecora?" Twilight cut in, her curiosity and fear getting the better of her. "Zecora?" She knew Twilight? Domina knew her former spy lived here, but to know one of the princesses... "No. That mare is a traitor to Zebrica and an enemy to her own equines." Twilight didn't know what to do with that new information, but didn't pay it any mind as Domina continued. "Now if you will allow me to finish..." There was a scathing undertone to her voice. She may have been willing to converse with Twilight for now for whatever reasons, but she was still the queen, and wouldn't be cut off again. "As I was saying, when one of my spies came upon these lands, and saw how you ponies lived such carefree lives with such bountiful bodies and enough mares to satisfy a kingdom, I knew these lands would be worth conquering, for the good of zebrakind." So that was it, they really were here to conquer Equestria... Twilight nearly didn't dare question further, but she was known for her curiosity, and needed to know more. "A-And the ponies...?" Again, Domina's smirk grew. "'To the victors go the spoils.' And as your kingdom's main defence is either at my hooves or off in Ponyville getting striped as we speak, that means all you ponies belong to us zebras now, and we will thoroughly enjoy making slaves of you." "S-Slaves...?" Twilight numbly asked the question she didn't want the answer to. And Domina answered. "Yes. Slaves. Soon, all mares will learn to love zebracock, whether they so choose to or not." Twilight couldn't fathom the idea. An entire kingdom built off of slavery? "That's... That's awful! A-And it makes no sense! None of it makes any sense!" Frustrated, she got back up to her hooves, filled with conviction again and glaring at the mare as the two other alicorns kept going at their jobs. "Oh? Is it now?" Every word Domina spoke sounded moaned out in her deep voice, and these were no different, but the sensuality of it went away as she commanded her personal slaves. "Sluts, head to my bedchambers this instant. I will remain here, but later I intend to reward you for your dedication to your queen." Like some subservient pets, the sisters followed her orders. They stopped doing what they'd been doing and dashed past Twilight out the doors behind her, not even glancing at her. With the two recently impregnated slaves gone, Queen Domina turned to face Twilight again, and sat back down upon her throne, a taunting smirk ever-present on her muzzle. "Princess Twilight, I will humour you, and offer a deal. If you can give me a single argument explaining how this 'makes no sense' then I and my zebras will leave Equestria." This wasn't right. It sounded too easy. "And what if I don't?" "Nothing. We stay and you remain powerless to our takeover of this kingdom and its ponies." This was definitely too easy. Twilight would take the bait, but just in case, she kept her guard up. "Fine then. I agree." "Then why don't we begin? I am sure this will be fun." As mocking as ever, Domina responded, but Twilight already had a foal-proof argument ready to go. "It's immoral! What you're doing to mares is sick and perverted!" "Is it?" She'd seen this one coming a mile off, and already had her answer prepared. "Even if they do not want it to happen and even if they do not consent to zebras having their way with them, the mares we breed are always happier in the end, and always accept their new roles as zebra fucktoys without regret for what it took to reach that point. You're going to have to try harder than that if you intend to win this battle, pony-slut!" Twilight saw through the argument. It was still rape, and if the mares saw what they'd become afterwards, then despite the happiness they'd have then, they still wouldn't want to be turned into mindless sluts. But looking up at Domina's cocky smirk, Twilight decided against saying it. It was a pretty sound argument, but with how confident the queen was acting, she had to have some argument to all retorts Twilight would say to that. And she did. Deciding she needed a different approach, the alicorn rubbed her chin in thought, picking through the options she had. This was no longer a doomed fight over the kingdom, it was a battle of wits, and she needed to win it. "So zebras just treat all mares as below them? As lower beings? That's not fair or just." That one made Domina pause. It certainly wasn't what she was expecting, but after a little thought, she responded as high and mighty as ever. "Ponies are seen as lower, to think they can defy the will of a zebra's lust. That is why they will become our slaves. But I assure you, Princess, their mares will never wish for the rights that they once had." She paused, but then went to add more before Twilight could speak again. "If you are thinking us sexist though, let me quell your worries. The fathers and mothers who give birth to foals will be proud of their offspring no matter the sex, and will be proud to see them either breeding every mare they choose to or serving any cock that comes their way. We don't hold prejudices over such petty things." "But mares still won't have any rights!" "Once again, they won't wish for any, so it doesn't matter." That wouldn't work either, so Twilight went back to thinking. All she needed to do was find one flaw in this plan, just one, then she could win this. "... I assume in this plan of yours that you intend for Equestria to eventually be filled with only hybrids then? So all foals will be born as a mix between zebras and ponies?" "Not particularly, zebra mares still exist, so there will still be some pure-blooded zebras existing." On Twilight's questioning gaze, she continued. "The reason you have not seen any is because they are all still in Zebrica. They are unfit to make the travel with the vast majority of them being pregnant. They couldn't make the journey if they tried to, the same reason you haven't seen any zebra foals either." "Okay..." That made sense, she supposed. "But if you came here because your species' population naturally being one stallion to ten mares, then eventually, even with an influx of pony mares now, you'll run into the same problems down the line of a mare shortage!" She had it! She had to. Right? Apparently not. "Not with the convenient magic you ponies have. Thanks to that, we will be able to keep the ratio of mares to stallions the same as it was for ponies: ten mares for every stallion." Queen Domina couldn't help but laugh at Twilight's face. Her eyes were widened and her jaw was dropped again. "You can thank your fellow princesses for promising to teach us the nuances of your magic. They're likely working on finishing up on that spell as we speak." As the massive zebra cackled - the one who was still erect and unwilling to hide her humongous rod from view - Twilight felt like she was being backed up into a corner here, even with all the open space around her. She still had plenty more to try, but with every failed question, it seemed more and more pointless to try. "B-But if every stallion is super horny and has ten mares minimum all to himself, then how will Equestria work? Equestria can't run on pure lust?" "You think us mindless animals that can do nothing but mate? Zebras will just pick up from where their slaves left off, all they'll need to think about from here is serving their masters properly and looking after their spawn. And if you're thinking about how there will be far less active workers with most of the population being pregnant constantly, us zebras are far superior to ponies in every way, and not only are our bodies capable of much more than your species can manage, our crops and resources are much more efficient too, so we will never run out of them. Try again." Twilight was starting to panic, and was failing miserably to hide it. "Oh yeah? Then how are slaves gonna be decided? With all them pregnant mares it's gonna be impossible to keep track of them all!" She answered in a mix of laziness and constant condescending superiority. "Mares belong to whichever zebra stud impregnates them, and after that, they are owned by them as their slave and their masters are allowed to do whatever they wish with them. Within each striping tent is some magical documentation, and zebras must put down exactly which mares they now own. This also avoids inbreeding, fathers shunning their responsibilities, and soon so we can keep track of which zebra owns which mare when it comes to renting, selling or even exchanging them for another." They'd planned this all down to a tee, Twilight realised that now, but she still needed some more answers, even if she knew this battle was already lost. "...What about the zebras that don't do that?" "When inevitably discovered, they will face swift and unavoidable punishment." "Wh-What punishments do zebras have?" "Forced abstinence. No other punishments are needed." "Oh..." Were they really doomed? They couldn't be. There had to be some way out of this. But before she thought about any of that, Twilight had a couple other things she wanted to ask. "What will happen to pony stallions then? Are the zebras going to mate them and claim them as theirs too?" "If any of my zebras wish to claim some stallions then I will fully allow them to do so. But as for the options pony-cucks themselves have, they can either stay here in Zequestria without any rights, or leave." Twilight noticed what she'd done to the good name of Equestria, and only now did it occur to her that what was happening in Ponyville and here was happening all over Equestria. They really were doomed. "...And children and the elderly?" "Elderly ponies will be granted the same opportunities as pony-cucks. As for pony foals, colts will be raised and then given the same ultimatum, whereas fillies will be raised properly, and taught their place in society and what role they are going to serve when the time comes." And with that, Twilight was out of questions. She could probably come up with some others, but what would be the point? Domina would have answers for everything she'd say. "No more questions, pony-slut? I'm sure if you wracked your brain, you could come up with some more." With tunnel vision keeping her gaze focused on Domina, Twilight just stared back defeatedly as the world collapsed around her, but looking at the Queen of the Zebras, she did notice her eyes flickering behind her for only the briefest moment. Why'd she look behind me? The door's shut, isn't it? Did she hear it shut? It hardly mattered, but out of pointless curiosity, Twilight turned around to check... And was face to face with a zebra who'd snuck up behind her. One holding a dispersion ring between his teeth. A dispersion ring that would go on her- "Gah!" Instantly, Twilight recoiled back on instinct, and dove away from the sneaky stallion who'd been far too close to sealing off her magic. Wait. Whilst me and Domina were talking, was he...? Her head snapped back to Domina, who smiled back at her almost proudly. An impressive mare, she is... She had intended on adding the alicorn to her growing list of personal slaves anyway, but now, she was looking forward to getting to break that talented mind of hers. Before she could think more on that though, the zebra queen's head snapped to the zebra who'd missed his chance at disabling her, and she grew frustrated. "I told you to anticipate her arrival and be ready! Are you aware of how long I stalled just so you could miss your chance?!" As she screamed, zebras began surrounding Twilight, and again, she acted on instinct. A purple forcefield rose around herself, just in time to block the stallions that had pounced on her. She needed to get out of here. NOW! Looking back at Queen Domina one last time, Twilight saw her usual smirk back on her face, her not even bothering to try and stop her from leaving atop her throne. "I have a feeling we will be seeing each other again soon, Twilight, and I very much look forward to it!" With those last seductive words said, the princess's horn glowed brightly, and the magical barrier went down right before the- Poof! And then she was gone. She escaped. Atop the Canterlot Castle, panting for breath, Princess Twilight was trying to register... EVERYTHING! Had that really just happened? Had she really just learnt all that? Had she really only avoided becoming zebra property by a few hairs?! Either way, that wasn't what she needed to be thinking about now. Celestia and Luna... It was unfortunately too late to rely on their help, but no matter how hopeless things looked now, Equestria was relying on her to save it! She's done it before! She'll do it again! Taking flight, Twilight took off back to Ponyville. With all the new info she had, they at least stood some tiny chance against whatever the future held for them. But before she could return home, she had a quick stop to make along the way... It wouldn't take long, but she needed to do this, before it was too late.
Slaves To Their Stripes	Part 1: Making Some Striped Siblings	Somehow, lying on her bed in her room of the Crystal Castle, Starlight was utterly oblivious to what was going on outside. Left, right and centre, mares were being bred out there. Down their throats, in their wombs, up their asses, everywhere zebras were cumming in them and fucking them silly until they couldn't think about anything else but fat zebra cock. But in here, away from it all, Starlight was reading a book. Its title was 'Zebrican Traditions', and it was written by some stallion explorer she'd never heard of who apparently had travelled to distant lands to see them. It was the same book that she'd gotten off of Twilight shortly after they'd arrived, and as she read it, it certainly got very... 'educational'. When she'd checked some of it out with her mentor earlier, it had certainly put a blush on her cheeks, but now, reading this in the privacy of her own bedroom... Starlight's hoof had slipped between her thighs on more than one occasion. But it wasn't her fault! The more she read this book, she more she learnt, and even if so much of it was just shameless filth, lewd kinks and hot zebra-on-zebra porn, she was surprisingly starting to understand a good bit about the intriguing striped equines. For example, she was getting to learn all about how sexually frustrated they were as a species, and what separated them from ponies, because whilst she was trying to figure out some clue as to why the zebras were being so cryptic about their intentions back when they'd first arrived, she was still interested in learning what she could about them. Of course, all of this research would be pointless if she took one step outside and saw some of Ponyville's residents getting plowed until their brains turned to mush. But how was she to know about that? Finishing up the chapter she was on, one about the struggles of the zebra sex gap and throughout history stallions not having enough mares to go around, Starlight flipped the page to the next chapter and got to reading. 'Interspecies Mating.' ...Huh. It seemed odd that they'd have a whole chapter on that in the zebra-focused book, but she wouldn't judge it until she'd read it. 'Throughout Zebrican history, there have been many attempts to satiate the needs of the zebras, and nothing has yet succeeded, but that doesn't mean they haven't tried alternative ways to fulfil their libidinous demands. Among all their many lewd traditions for mating with their own kin, zebra stallions are known for two things throughout: their hung, virile, studly bodies primed for breeding, and their dominance over their mates as they fuck them into submission, but on getting desperate, many zebras have tried looking outside of their species to find a broodmare, and have put these two aspects of themselves to the test on other creatures. Alpacas, camels, mules, cows, deer, sheep, Saddle Arabian and Whinnydian ponies, and even a few cheetahs and lions. At least a couple of all these species have been taken as slaves of zebras at some point, the striped equines forcing themselves upon them, using their bodies for sexual pleasure, and fucking them into sexual submission until they 'break' their minds and keep them as slaves. This isn't a very common practice, but Zebricans have been known to not be above such things as slavery, and their zebracocks have been famously known to 'break' the minds of any who aren't fellow zebras. Even if it isn't common though, it is still certainly dangerous, and among a species known for their unending lust, could be a major threat for any unsuspecting victims, either individually or larger-scale than that.' It kept going, talking about an old zebra tale of how they'd once - centuries in the past - kidnapped a famously loyal Alpacan soldier, and had her pledging allegiance to their kingdom after only three rounds with their zebracocks, but Starlight wasn't reading the book anymore. Wait. So zebras have arrived in Equestria... Her mind was putting some pieces together, and she wasn't liking the conclusions she was coming to. A species of predominantly stallions, powerful ones with a severe shortage of mares, are in desperate need of their lusts being satiated, and are willing to take slaves, have come to Equestria... Starlight thought back on when the zebras had first arrived at Ponyville earlier today. "We as a species are sure that you will learn to embrace our ways and your new roles in life with time." "HOLY SHIT!" Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! It was just a theory, and an unlikely one at that, but Starlight wanted to take as few chances as possible with these zebras. She'd rushed out of bed, and after cleaning up her... mess, she'd instantly teleported right here, and was banging incessantly on the locked wagon door in hopes it would open up. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! "Trixie! Open the door! This is important!" She kept wailing on the door, calling to the mare inside and refusing to stop knocking until she answered. And soon, Starlight heard some shuffling inside, and upon waiting patiently heard some grumbling too. She didn't hear words clearly though until the door opened, and a groggy Trixie stared back at her with a frown across her muzzle. "Starlight, have you perhaps considered that when Trixie ignores the knocking on the door, it is because she doesn't want to answer it?" Her hair was a mess, and she looked like she'd just woken up. "You woke Trixie up!" Confused, Starlight looked up at the sun. "Trix', it's not been long since lunch." "Yes, well..." A small blush appeared on the mare's blue cheeks. "Well a mare like the Great and Powerful Trixie needs plenty of beauty sleep! Now Starlight, what was so important that you interrupted her nap?" "Huh?" Shaking her head, Starlight got back on track. "Oh yeah! Trixie, you need to head to the castle now. It's a long story but zebras are here and you need to get to safety and I'm about to go rounding ponies up and..." Of all the habits she could have picked up off Twilight, it had the be the nervous rambling. Fortunately though, Starlight noticed she was doing it, and cut to the chase. "Just head to the castle, Trixie. If you see any zebras, run or use your magic or... I dunno! Just be careful!" Before Trixie could say another word to make sense of anything she'd said, Starlight ran off in the direction of Ponyville nearby. The magician put her hoof up to stop her friend, but she was gone long before she could do anything to stop her. What did she say? Avoid zebras? If Starlight said so, she would... That didn't mean she wasn't annoyed though. Eh, fine then. Trixie can just nap in the castle then. With her hat and cape floating over and onto her, the mare left her wagon to head to the Crystal Castle, avoiding zebras at all costs for whatever reason. Meanwhile, Starlight sprinted at full speed into Ponyville. Really, she hoped she was wrong about this hunch she had. She hoped that the zebras hadn't come here to take them all as slaves to satisfy their filthy desires, but the evidence all added up too well. At least maybe she could get the village's ponies to safety, just in case. When she arrived in Ponyville however, it became immediately apparent that there was a glaring flaw in her plan. "ANGH! YES! I LOVE IT!" "KEEP FUCKING ME! I NEED MORE ZEBRACOCK!" "I DON'T NEED MY HUSBAND ANYMORE! GIVE ME YOUR FOALS!" "BREED ME! I WANNA BE A ZEBRA BROODMARE!" She heard it before she saw it, mares crying out for the zebras, but only on reaching the village did Starlight spot what was happening. In the dirt streets, at least a dozen pony mares were each being fucked by zebras in full view of everypony daring to watch. Some were covered in stripes and the same golden jewellery that adorned the zebras, but others weren't, and were clearly getting their minds broken as they were roughly bred by their newest visitors. I'm too late... Starlight was frozen in place, and couldn't look away from the debauchery around her. Off to the side, she saw a mare she knew well, Mrs Cake, atop a zebra lying back as she bounced her stripe-covered ass up and down on his zebracock. "AH! YES! I LOVE ZEBRACOCK! I DON'T NEED MY PATHETIC, TINY-DICKED HUSBAND ANYMORE! I NEED ZEBRA FOALS! GIVE MY POUND AND PUMPKIN SOME SIBLINGS!" She probably would have kept going, but the stallion she was on top of cut her off by wrapping his hoof around her neck and yanking her head down, smashing his lips to hers and jamming his tongue in her mouth for a sloppy kiss. With the same amount of ferocity, Cup Cake returned the gesture, and kept bouncing her booty up and down on him as they messily and passionately made out. ...H-Holy shit. So that's what a broken mare looked like. Starlight took a shocked step back away from the carnal display. Reading about the zebras doing this kind of thing was one thing, but seeing it for herself was something else entirely. She was just about to give up, turn around and go back to the castle, when she heard more screams coming from an alleyway, these ones different to the others. "N-No wait! Please! I don't wanna be a mom! Stop!" Without hesitation, Starlight rushed to the alley, her horn at the ready. She didn't think she was particularly the heroic type, not like Twilight or any of the rest of the Mane 6, but if a mare was in need, she'd help her. Rushing in, Glimmer immediately spotted the mare, another she recognised. She was a nurse, Nurse Redheart or something like that. Whatever her name was, her front was on the floor, and a zebra was holding it down as he lined his giant cock up at her mouth, another zebra mounting the mare. "Pfft! Please. This fat ass of yours was made to be mated, pony-slut!" His gigantic tip pressed against her marehood, and just as he was about to push himself in- BVVVVT! A powerful blast of blue shot from the unicorn's horn, and before the zebra could react, it hit his chest, sending him flying back and off of the pony. The other zebra holding her down snapped his head to Starlight, and she prepared herself as he looked ready to pounce on her, but instead of charging aimlessly, he seemed to assess the situation, and slowly and cautiously released the mare before backing to where his downed friend was. "This bitch seems powerful. You got a ring on you?" Grunting as he got up, and watching as Redheart got up and ran over to Starlight, his fellow zebra didn't look happy. "No." The stallions wanted these two sexy mares more than anything, but even with their hard cocks throbbing out in the open telling them what to do, they knew they wouldn't win this fight, not without a dispersion ring to tame their sexy assailant. As they stood side-by-side, seemingly in a stand-off with the annoyingly powerful unicorn, they backed off out the other side of the alley. They could claim that pony-slut another time, but zebras didn't understand the extent of unicorn magic yet, and considering how much more powerful this one seemed to be compared to others, they didn't want to risk their days of breeding coming to an end. So the pair left, intending to look for other mares to claim as their own and come back for these particularly gorgeous ones. When they'd gone, Starlight turned to the mare she'd saved just in time. "Head to Twilight's castle and tell as many ponies as you can to do the same. I'll be there soon but other ponies might be in trouble too." "O-Okay then." It seemed like Redheart wanted to say more, but chose not to, and sprinted at full speed off in the direction of the castle, not needing to be told to keep her distance from zebras. Okay, she's safe... One pony down, and a villageful left to go... Starlight had no idea how many ponies there were left to save, she had no idea what kind of lewd things she was going to see around the village, and she knew she had to head back to the castle soon to protect those taking shelter there, but she threw all those thoughts aside for now. Until then, she'd just do what she could, and would have to hope Twilight has a plan for her when she sees her next. Meanwhile, miles and miles away from Ponyville and away from the struggles of Starlight, back in the capital city of Canterlot, the mood was much more pleasant in the living room of the Twilight residence. Unlike the village, with mares running at full speed to try and escape their new lives as sex slaves, these three mares were having a lovely time, each sat around the room with their fat plots squishing on the sofas. Ssssssip! Each had their own cups of tea in hoof, and politely, Twilight Velvet, Windy Whistles and Posey Shy were sipping at their drinks, enjoying them in each other's company. "Mmm. It really has been too long since we last got together, girls." At Posey's words, the other two hummed in agreement. They'd gotten to know each other through their daughters, and had become fast friends once introduced. So on sunny days like these, they took the opportunity to invite the others over, and they talked and gossiped and went on about how they'd never end up getting grandchildren from their fillies over cups of tea. And that's exactly what they'd been doing this time. Many cups had been emptied, and Twilight had even made lunch for the three of them, but by now, with the visit dragging on later into the afternoon, the trio were running out of conversation topics, and at this point probably knew each other's daughters better than they knew themselves. Windy didn't want today to end so early though! She hadn't had this much fun since their last get-together, and she knew it was only a matter of time before Posey Shy decided to head for the train back home. In the comfortable silence, Windy racked her brain for ideas, and fortunately for her, one subject came to mind, one that they definitely hadn't talked about yet and was sure to spark up conversation between them. "So, have either of you two noticed all those hot, young zebra studs out there? I know I have!" Shocked, the other mares' heads snapped to her, Mrs Whistles taking another sip of her tea with a sly smirk on her face. "Windy! You're married!" Velvet spoke up, but Posey's expression was showing her own surprise at the comment. The pegasus's next words didn't calm their surprise though. "Just 'cause I'm married doesn't mean I can't appreciate an impressive stallion when I see one, and those colts out there looked very impressive!" As Velvet's jaw was dropped, Mrs Shy chirped in unhelpfully. "...I know what you mean. I saw some too on my way over and they certainly were very... 'big'." "I know!" Windy's head turned to Velvet, trying to bring her into the conversation she didn't want to be a part of. "Vel', you should've seen the size of the balls hanging off the back of these stallions. They were huge!" Now they were all grown adults here, and Twilight Velvet wasn't going to go blushing like some embarrassed schoolfilly, but still, the shamelessness of her friend caught her off guard. "You can't just go ogling random zebras, Windy! What if they were tourists and this was their first time visiting Equestria or something?" "Tourists?" Oh yeah, she hasn't gone outside today, she hasn't seem them all. "Velvet, honey, there's tons of zebras out there, each as 'gifted' as the last, and even though some did catch me peeping, all of them returned the favour." The fact clearly emboldened Mrs Whistles, who tried proudly wiggling her plump tush even though she was sat down. "I guess I've still got it, even in my old age." Again, the modest Posey Shy spoke up politely. "I noticed they were ogling me a lot too, and it did feel nice, knowing I can still attract stallions like I used to as a filly. Some even looked like they wanted to approach me, but they all seemed to be too busy taking mares somewhere to do it." "I noticed that too..." Despite the weirdness of the new conversation topic, Velvet smiled as she continued drinking her cup. Even if they were discussing their city's newest visitors' ball-size, and even if she wasn't participating the most in this specific conversation, she was still having a good time with her friends, and was really glad that they could have these moments togeth- "AHHN!" The sudden cry silenced the three MILFs. Velvet stopped what she was doing mid-sip, and the other two's conversation was cut off, them discussing why every mare the zebras were with looked six months pregnant. In sync, all their heads turned to the window outside, and they sat in a curious silence wondering if they'd really heard that or not. And they had. "NGAH! FUCK! AHN!" The moaning continued, and all equally confused, the mares each put down their respective cups of tea, getting up of their plots to plod over to the window. And side-by-side, they looked out onto the street together. Most seemed to be normal, but their attention was drawn to what wasn't. Across from Twilight Velvet's house was a cafe, and though that wasn't too out of the ordinary, what wasn't normal was the zebra with a mare bent over one of the outside tables, fucking her happily without a care for the growing number of eyes on him and his newest mate. Unblinkingly, the moms stared at the scene, Twilight struggling to get a sentence out. "I- Wh-Why are- What are they- W-What?!" As they watched on, the pair just kept going at it: the zebra, without thought, kept making powerful thrusts in and out of the mare repeatedly, and she, at the top of her lungs, kept howling for all of Canterlot to hear, pained moans turning into ones about how incredible zebracock is. "S-Surely Celestia or Luna are going to send a police officer or a royal guard or somepony to separate them. Right?" She turned to her friends, and Posey spoke up, still staring through the window. "...I don't know. I heard rumours on the way here about Celestia and Luna getting roughly pounded and fucked into submission by the zebras..." Windy and Velvet's heads turned to her, a blush consuming Posey's face as she realised the crass language that she'd just said. "O-Or I probably misheard it or something..." "Maybe..." Windy responded, resting her head on her hooves as her knees sat on the windowsill. "I am a little jealous of the mare though..." "Windy!" In an impressively quiet yell of surprise, Posey's head turned to her married friend, Velvet's doing the same. "What about Bow?" Keeping every bit of her usual bubbliness, Mrs Whistles turned to look back at her concerned friends. "Oh, you know how stallions get with age. Don't tell me Gentle Breeze still gives it to you like he did in his prime." That one made Posey pause, and she had to avoid eye-contact as she mumbled out her answer. "...He is a lot less active than he used to be..." As moans filled the silence that settled on the trio, an idea slowly began emerging in Mrs Whistles's mind, a sly smirk building on her muzzle. "Y'know, if we asked nicely, I'm sure some of them wouldn't mind being invited inside..." Another moment passed in silence. The other two had to process the question, but when they had, Twilight Velvet was the first to make her opinion known. "WHAT?! Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Windy?" Of course she was, but the last time she and Bow had done it was... Well, she couldn't even remember. She was a mare, and she had needs, and if seducing a virile zebra stallion was all it took to get herself off after so long, then there was no harm in it. "What? Are you saying that you and Night Light are still going at it like when you said Shining was conceived?" "Well..." They weren't. In all honesty, they really weren't. "Th-That doesn't matter! He's still my husband, I still love him, and we're still in a very happy relationship!" Velvet noticed that Posey Shy hadn't said anything yet, and hadn't voiced her own disapproval at the notion of cheating . "Posey! Are you really willing to cheat on Gentle just for a romp with some random zebra?" Again, Mrs Shy avoided all eye-contact, but was at least able to keep her voice above a murmur. "...It has been a really long time, Twilight, and I am really pent-up..." Velvet thought she was finished and went to speak heatedly again, but then Posey kept going. "Out there, with all those zebras ogling me shamelessly... Gentle hasn't made me feel that attractive in years..." Velvet was gobsmacked that it was two against one, and didn't know what to say as Windy spoke up again, putting a hoof on Posey's shoulder. "They don't need to know about it, and it'll just be a one-time thing. C'mon Velvet, it's gonna be so much fun! You should've seen the zebras earlier!" Across from her, the two mares started chatting, getting themselves excited for their plan, but Velvet still wasn't convinced. Even if he'd never have to know about it and even if she's also pretty pent-up after all this time, she still couldn't bring herself to cheat on Night Light. Maybe she could try something with him later tonight when he comes back from work... But before Twilight Velvet could think on it any more, a shout from Windy snapped her out of her thoughts. "Ooh! I see some zebras about to pass by now! You think you can still seduce a stallion, Posey?" She chuckled at the question meekly. "I sure hope so." They began trotting to the door, but Windy stopped at Velvet, putting her hoof on her shoulder and speaking reassuringly. "C'mon, Velvet, give it a go. You deserve this, hun." Still not fully convinced, the unicorn mare still followed them to the door, where Windy reached for the handle as she smirked at Posey Shy. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" She wiggled her bouncy butt now that it could actually bounce, gesturing back to it. And Posey just nodded, a giddy smile on her face. "Ooh, I can't wait! I feel like a schoolfilly again!" Mrs Whistles offered one last inviting look back to Twilight, and then, she opened the door... The zebras were lucky. A nation being forever filled with virility and lust now being offered as many pony fuckholes and sex slaves as they could possibly want. It wasn't hard to see just how lucky they'd been finding Equestria. However, even with all zebras being lucky, some were luckier than others when it came to which ponies they found, mated, and got to keep as their own. These two were especially lucky. They'd had an eventful day so far, having the time of their lives fucking every pony-slut they even nearly wanted to, and after cumming and impregnating their favourites with their brood, they even got to keep them, and now had multiple slaves to their names for them to do whatever they wanted with, whenever they wanted to. Never in all their lives had they felt this satiated, and it was more than enough to make them pledge their eternal allegiance to Queen Domina. Somehow though, even after their long day of nonstop fucking and enslaving, they were about to get even luckier, and didn't even know. Strolling down the sidewalk, the two zebras were - like every zebra - looking for more fat-assed mares to add to their herds. They didn't know who they'd find just wandering about the city, but were feeling hopeful after all the breedable mares they'd already found this way. Across the street from where they were approaching, a zebra they knew was claiming his own mare as he shamelessly fucked her over an outside table. He was amassing an audience of hilariously stunned ponies as he bred her, and as they reached the opposite side of the road from him, they were tempted to stop and watch too. But before the two stripy stallions could get to enjoying the show, a door opened behind them, and upon turning, they saw two of the hottest mares they'd ever seen in the doorway looking right back at them. "Ooh, I can't wait! I feel like a schoolfilly again!" Mrs Whistles offered one last inviting look back to Twilight, and then, she opened the door... There before them, having turned to see them, two big, handsome and muscular zebras stood, with Windy and Posey entirely oblivious to everything they'd done today. They knew nothing of the rape and the enslavement, but how could they? So of course, they stuck to their plan of seduction, and with how both zebras were already eyeing them up lustily, it emboldened them as Windy naturally took the lead. "Hey there, studs. Would you two strong, young stallions mind lending us a hoof?" In the most cliche desperate, lonely mare voice she could make, Windy drawled on, stepping forward provocatively and giving them half-lidded eyes. Beside her, Posey tried doing the same, failing miserably as the sight across the street kept distracting her. "You see, us three mares are all alone without our husbands home, and we sure could use some... company." They'd been interested the moment they'd seen her and Posey Shy, and she knew if she'd just asked the zebras to plough them, they definitely would have obliged. But now, she could see eagerness written all over them, and saw their faces turn even more wanting at her words. Windy, you've still got it! Now to seal the deal... Looking over to Posey, their giddy eyes met, and they silently agreed on what came next. The pair spun in the doorway, and without shame, they stuck their rears out, letting the zebras take in the sights of their cheeks before continuing. "We promise to reward you handsomely for your... efforts." In sync, both tails lifted, and the mares presented themselves to the zebras, showing off their ponuts, pussies and dangling teats for their eyes to hungrily eat up. Windy was looking back over her shoulder at them, a seductive, enticing look all over her face. And Posey was doing the same, only, unlike her more confident friend, her face was blushing madly, and she couldn't meet the eyes of the two zebra studs. But nonetheless, she was presenting her privates to them too, and offered up her body for their viewing pleasure. Meanwhile, in the back, Velvet was wondering many things: Are they really going to do this?, Will this work?, Will the zebras even be interested? Her curiosity wouldn't let her wait to find out. Over the rumps of her friends, Twilight Velvet craned her head to see the two supposed hunks, and upon spying them, yes, they seemed very interested. But then, instantly, one zebra's eyes snapped to her, and before she yanked her head back to hide behind her friends again, she saw his eyes narrow and his grin grow even more lecherous, like a predator locking onto his prey. "So whaddya say, studs? Wanna show these mares a good time?" With Velvet out of sight again, both zebras' eyes were on Windy as she shook her ass for them, and how could they deny an offer like that? "We won't disappoint." The striped duo could've broken out into laughter here on the street. These mares were literally offering themselves up to zebracock! The dumb MILF sluts were sealing their own fates, and all they had to do was accept their corny invitation that bordered on begging! This is too easy! These cheating whores don't even know what they're getting into! "You better not!" With another sexy wiggle of her fat flank, the blue pegasus MILF trotted back inside, the yellow one following her. But before the zebras trotted on in after them and chased those fuckable asses of theirs, one leant over to the other, speaking in his ear as both kept their eyes on the mares' retreating figures. "You can have the other two, I call dibs on that grey bitch in the back." "Deal!" It was already hard keeping themselves contained with all the eye candy they'd gotten, but refusing to reveal their members just yet, the zebra duo walked forward, letting themselves into the family home before shutting the door behind them. As the five equines stood together, two standing above the rest, the particularly infatuated zebra wasted no time in striding on over to the hot unicorn MILF, his eyes roaming her plump body as he made himself known. "So you gorgeous mares wanted us to show you a good time, right?" "I... Uh... W-Well..." The other zebra moved to his own mares, and expectantly, all three of them looked at Twilight, wanting her and the zebra to get it on. B-But Night Light... No! I'm not betraying his trust! He's my husband, I love him, and I'd never do that to him! Dead-set on blue-balling the zebra, she saw Windy and Posey again out of the corner of her eyes. They did truly have good intentions, and she didn't want to disappoint them, but she wouldn't be pressured into cheating. Maybe I don't have to though... Deviously, the mare conjured up a small plan, one that would give both her and her friends what they wanted. And then she acted on it. Velvet's face turned from panicked to seductive in an instant, and sensually looking up at the zebra, she put on her best sultry voice as her hoof came up and caressed his ripped chest. "Y'know, if you want me to show you a good time, why don't we get a little privacy? My bedroom's upstairs, we could do whatever we want up there..." Smirking down on her with a hint of maliciousness in his lewd grin, the zebra saw through the act easily, but apparently her friends didn't. "Woo! Go Velvet!" "Yay!" Holding her gaze, Velvet's zebra stayed quiet a moment longer, just smiling down at her domineeringly until his lustful voice broke the silence. "Take me there." Playing the seductress and holding his wanting gaze, Velvet guided the zebra to the stairs, and with her friends failing to hide their giddy happiness for her, she took him upstairs, guiding the way to her bedroom as she left the trio of horny equines downstairs. "So..." Speaking up, Windy, putting back on her own look of seduction, turned to her zebra and spoke breathily. "Now that they're going to go have their fun, how about we show you that good time we promised, stud?" Upstairs, Velvet had indeed whisked him away straight to her bedroom, knowing his eyes were locked hungrily onto her fat rump that jiggled with every step. But as excited as he was, Velvet was going to have to disappoint him... Leading him into her room, his mare saw him waste no time before shutting the door behind them and stepping towards her wantingly. Impatient, hungry lust was written all over his grinning face, and on seeing this, she knew she had to come clean. Now. Turning around so that she was facing him fully, Velvet began. "A-Alright, so, here's the thing: I... don't want to have sex with you... Don't take it personally! You're still a young, dashing stallion that I'm honoured would even be interested in me at my age, but I-" His face had remained as cockily wanting as when he'd entered, like he knew something she didn't, but what cut her off was when he began moving towards her demandingly, pushing the retreating mare back until her flank hit her bed. Even with him clearly ignoring her though, she continued, rambling nervously. "B-B-But I don't want to cheat on my husband, y'know? I love him. A-And we don't have to do this, we're both grown ponies who can make our own decisions instead of acting on-" Cutting her off, his hoof moved up to her chin, lifting it up so he could get a good look at her nervous face. She really was gorgeous. She'd be the jewel of his herd, his favourite cumslut. But he had to claim her first. Before she could pull away from him, the zebra's hoof moved swiftly behind Velvet's head, and he got a firm grip on it before he jumped up and used his strong legs to force her down, making her legs collapse under her as he shoved her to the floor. One hoof was on her head and the other was on her back, keeping her down there. "Agh! Get off of me! Wh-What're you-?!" She was being held under him, and her confusion was growing, but before she struggle to escape any more, she saw it. After keeping it in for so long, the zebra had finally let his hard, horny zebracock slip out of him, and it pushed its way forcefully out of his sheath until he let it get fully erect, and its tip was pressed against Velvet's snout. What the fuck?! Th-That's his... I-It's massive! How is it so...?! Trying to ignore its stench, the one that riled her body up more than her husband's musk ever had, Velvet couldn't move herself away from the rock-hard goliath, and couldn't do anything down here besides stare at it, watching as the huge, veiny zebracock throbbed for her. She knew what he wanted her to do, but didn't want to do it, and him starting to push his hung, hot member into her face wasn't convincing her. "S-Stop it!" She could feel the sweaty meat rubbing against her fur as she resisted, and knew it'd take ages to wash out his potent musk that infuriatingly her body quite enjoyed. "Get off me! I-I told you no! D-Don't think you can make me- MPH!" Her opening her mouth again was just the opportunity he'd been looking for. With her not shutting up, it was foal's play to angle her head, and with one firm ram, he was easily able to shove himself into her mouth, her unable to get it out now that it was in. "Mph! Mm-mmm! Mmmph!" And from there, he began humping her head, Velvet helpless as he started fucking her face. "So... Now that they're going to go have their fun, how about we show you that good time we promised, stud?" Windy was horny, Posey was horny, and the zebra was very horny. He couldn't wait to fuck these two MILFs senseless, and hilariously, they couldn't wait for the same thing. So, with Mrs Shy letting Windy take the lead as usual, the blue mare placed a hoof on the zebra's muscular chest and gently pushed him back into the living room. Ushering him onto a sofa, the mothers let him sit back whilst they did all the work, and together, they lowered themselves until they were sat on the floor in front of him, looking down between his spread legs lustfully and expectantly. All that was there currently was his giant sheath and his gloriously huge balls dangling between his thighs, and seeing the mares wanted it, the zebra thought it was about time to reveal his zebra meat. Watching their adorable faces waiting in anticipation, he released the pressure of keeping his cock forcefully sheathed, and enjoyed their reactions as his member made itself known. Slowly, the mothers watched the zebra's soft cock slip out of his sheath and flop onto the sofa before them. It was already quite impressive, having more girth than a pony stallion's length and much more length if the extending member was anything to go off of, but the best was yet to come. With his entire member out in the open and unsheathed, it began hardening, and quickly grew to ridiculous size before the mares' eyes. They went from looking down at it dangling to staring up at it throbbing, the veiny zebra meat towering over them, far bigger than the biggest horsecock in Equestria and pulsating wantingly for them. "Impressed?" He grinned proudly at their dropped jaws and their eyes locked on his rock-hard zebracock. Poor sluts have never seen a real cock before stuck around these tiny-dicked pony-cucks. Cockily, he moved his hips from side to side, happily watching their eyes follow his member as it swayed temptingly. These two are adorable. They'll love being in my herd, I'll make sure they do. Meanwhile, between his spread legs and stunned into silence, the two MILFs didn't know what to say. It was massively long, and girthier than both their husbands' genitals put together. They'd had a rough idea at the size it would be from the enormous size of his balls, but still the size of it baffled them, with the pair staring up in awe and lust at the superiority of the zebracock. They weren't thinking about their husbands at this moment, but why would they when they had this instead? Tired of waiting, the zebra was about to coax them forward, only to be beaten by one of his sluts. Needily, hungrily, the yellow one shot her head forward and shoved it into his massive member. Posey pressed its stinking skin against her face, and as she breathed in its pungent, intoxicating musk, she stuck her tongue out and began tasting the sweaty, veiny zebracock that she didn't know had already broken multiple other mares today. "Wha-?" With the zebra looking down smugly at her depravity, Windy was just shocked at how the shyer mare had moved before her. But she wouldn't be outdone like this, and was wanting to have fun with the hung cock herself, so as Mrs Shy worshipped the shaft like a pent-up mare that'd been offered the huge, girthy solution to all her problems, Windy went to his tip, and looked the stud in the eye as she swirled her tongue around his flared head. And lying back, the zebra was very happy to be receiving this treatment. "That's more like it! Ngh! 'Bout time you two got to worshipping it already!" Worship it they did. Under his appreciative watch and surrounded by his happy wants and moans, the two worked hard to pleasure the stallion like they hadn't gotten to do in many moons. Posey caressed his every vein with her tongue, and lapped up all the mysterious but intoxicatingly dirty tastes on his meat. Meanwhile, Windy moved around his fat head, and was the one lucky enough to get to slurp up any delicious pre-cum that the zebracock gifted her with. They were lost in a world of their own, feeling hornier than they'd ever felt with their own stallions. Was it the powerful musk messing with their brains, the delectable taste? Either way, they didn't care, and happily got lost in pleasing the gigantic schlong with almost no distractions. "Mph! Mm-mmm! Mmmph!" Upstairs, muffled, the other two could be heard through the ceiling, Velvet's mouth obviously wrapped around her own zebra's dick as she cried out. Posey didn't seem to notice it though, too busy to care. And Windy spared her a thought, but didn't do much else besides that before going back to loving the zebracock. Lucky Velvet getting one of these studs all to herself. I bet she's having the time of her life right now! She wasn't. On the floor of her own bedroom, the mother to the Princess of Friendship was struggling under the strong, striped stallion that had happily mounted her face. She didn't want this, but he clearly hadn't cared, and continued to as he kept cramming his hung zebracock down her throat. "Ngh! Fuck! How are you sluts always so fucking tight?" She couldn't respond, of course she couldn't, not with all these girthy inches wedged in her pipe. It was an experience unlike any other. Her throat had never nearly been stretched this wide, not by her husband and not by anything else. There was a constant aching from her gullet not only being filled, but his incessant attempts to ram deeper down it. And alongside having to feel as she acted as an unwilling fuckhole, Velvet's tongue rubbed against his shaft, and she had to taste the sweaty, filthy, disgustingly lewd flavours that his meat had to offer. And the smell... Her husband's junk smelt arousing, it was a lewd scent that instinctively put her in the mood to mate. But this zebra, he didn't have a 'scent', he had a musk, and his junk reeked of it. It smelt deeper than Night's, it smelt filthier than Night's, and it was an infinitely more potent and intoxicating stench that sent waves of want through her. She hated it. With the tastes, the smells, the feeling of such a hung cock inside of her, Velvet felt her marehood wettening, but that didn't mean she was enjoying this... Stop it! Get off me! ...Wh-Why in Celestia's name is he so big?! "Mph! Mmmph!" She jostled about, trying to escape his strong grip and his humongous zebracock, but she couldn't. As he thrust in and out of her face, using her like she was some toy to get pleasure from, Velvet was helpless to his dick crashing down her throat time and time again. Gluk! Gluk! Gluk! Gluk! Gluk! Twilight was no stranger to blowjobs, she could think of multiple occasions when she'd sultrily pushed Night back onto their bed before she moved down between his legs, coaxed his horsecock out of his sheath and then eased it down her throat in an act of intimacy between the two. She could still remember the feeling of him bucking up into her as he came down her throat. But this wasn't like that. There was no intimacy here, and she had no love for this zebra. Unlike her husband, he was just a horny beast having fun with her throat as he forced himself down it. She wanted to be anywhere else but here, and he was enjoying himself far more than she was... If you ignored her pussy dribbling down onto the carpet below. Back to Windy and Posey, they were truly enjoying themselves with their zebra lover. It was incredible, basking in the young stud's powerfully arousing musk as they worshipped him like a king, and the two could've stayed down there all day, but he had better plans. As fun as it was being pleasured like this, and watching these two cheating whores give in to the superiority of zebracock, it wasn't fun enough, and he knew something they could do that would be much more enjoyable than this. "Alright pony-sluts, I'm bored. So which one of you two wants to hop on first?" Pulling his member away from their eager tongues, they both clearly were excited at the thought of riding that monster of his. The blue one's grin grew giddy, meanwhile the yellow one looked like the offer was too good to be true. Windy looked over at her fellow fat-assed MILF, and Posey's face was silently begging to go first. Windy chose to be a good friend, and let her. She gestured with her head to the zebra's incredible stallionhood, unable to keep the salacious grin off her face. "Go on, Posey. Just make sure he has enough left in him for a go with me!" "Don't worry, I don't intend to leave either of you two unsatisfied." It was partly true. The zebra knew he'd be able to fuck them both until they were thoroughly bred and devoted to zebracock, but whether they'd be begging for more or not by the end was up to them. It didn't matter, either way, the yellow slut was clambering up onto the sofa, excitedly anticipating getting fucked by the young stallion as she stood over his lap, giving him a good look of her bloated teats. Windy got off her rump too, but instead of moving onto the breeder, she sat beside him, sticking a hoof between her legs as she eagerly watched on. This was the most excitement she'd gotten in so many years, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd let loose as shamelessly as this. But as she got to rubbing her cunt, Posey lined her own up at his tip, and pushed it against her lips. O-Oh gosh! It felt so huge, but Mrs Shy only felt herself get more excited at the fact! She was about to be claimed by such an incredible, gigantic, insatiable cock, and she couldn't wait! For encouragement, the zebra placed his hooves on her fat, squishing it, kneading it, and just feeling it in his grip, and if he hadn't been obsessed with these mares' fat flanks before, he certainly was now. He couldn't wait to own them. "Mmm!" Posey hummed happily as she got groped, but he was obviously getting impatient, and she was too, so with her pussy's lips pressed against his massive flared tip, she closed her eyes and pushed down, feeling her marehood have to stretch to get around his member. "Ah! O-Oh my gosh!" She would've taken time to get used to all his girth -she'd never taken anything nearly this big before - but he didn't let her. The hooves on her flank were pulling her down, and she couldn't stop him as he lowered her onto more and more of him, easing his fat zebracock inside of her. "Gah! Ahn! S-So much! Ngh! H-Heck!" Her front legs wrapped around his neck, and she held onto the zebra as he forced her walls to stretch around him, moaning constantly. It felt incredible. She'd only ever taken her husband up there, not even a dildo, but Gentle Breeze's cock was nothing compared to this beast, and she was finding herself wanting to get further down it quickly too. Meanwhile, for the zebra, he couldn't get enough of these mares. If the sight of the one to the side of him masturbating wasn't enjoyable enough, then the one on top of him, moaning cutely as she slid down his pole, her tight pussy clinging to him was more than enough to make up for it. He was going to breed these two, and nopony could stop him. Feeling two perfectly chubby asscheeks meet his thighs, and two fat teats press against his belly, he looked up at his slut and saw ecstasy all over her face. Posey could barely think, all she could make sense of was the giant zebracock lodged in her and crushing her womb. Nothing could possibly make her feel better than this, right? What else could even come close? Her husband? "Enjoying yourself, hun?" Windy called to her friend, but got no response. She couldn't wait for her turn. As Posey stayed still however, again, her zebra was getting impatient. He wasn't here to make love to these mares, he came here to fuck their brains out and have the time of his life filling them with his brood, so grabbing her big butt again, he reared his hips back all he could, and bucked up violently into the mare. "NGAH!" She cried out, the loudest she'd ever been, but she wasn't prepared for what was to come. Wanting more, and seeing this slut was far too cock-starved to make the next move, the zebra decided it was time for the fun to start, so he reared his hips back again, momentarily raising her up, and then- Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! Plap! He kept thrusting upwards, lifting her up only so he could drop her back down onto him and start bouncing her on his cock. And as he began fucking Posey, he got to truly enjoying himself, and he was pretty sure she was liking it too. "AH! YES! MORE! FUCK ME LIKE A FILLY ON PROM NIGHT! DON'T STOP! AHHN!" It took some time to get used to its impressive size, but now that Posey was being moved up and down, and she felt his strong hips hitting her cheeks again and again and again, the pleasure instantly broke her. She didn't belong to zebracock yet, but it was only a matter of time. Following his movements and needing more, accepting the pleasure only zebras could give, Posey moved up and down with him. Gleefully, she bounced herself on his cock, and howled with pleasure every time his tip crashed into her womb, every last bit of her pussy being filled every single time he bucked up into her, slamming his sheath into her sopping wet entrance. "NGAH! K-KISS ME! MAKE ME YOUR MARE, STUD!" She just realised she didn't even know his name, but she didn't need to. Sloppily, they shoved their muzzles forward and their lips met. In sync, they both jabbed their tongues forward into each other's mouths. It was difficult and messy keeping their muzzles attached with all the bouncing, but they tried anyway, and made out greedily with each other as Posey's mind was lost to the depravity, her inner slut released. "Ngh! Yeah! Go get some, Posey!" Windy could hardly believe her eyes. It felt like she'd known Mrs Shy her entire life, even though she absolutely hadn't, but she never would have expected this from her. She wasn't complaining though, it made for an excellent show to enjoy. Every time the attractive young stallion bucked up into Posey's cunt, Windy loved how her fat, yellow asscheeks rippled from the impact, almost as much as she loved how his balls swung up heavily every time he impaled her with his meat. Plus, they were Posey's bouncy teats being crushed in between them, that not stopping them from jiggling about nonstop. And alongside all that, there was their faces. It looked like two animals were making out with how sloppily it was being done, and their mixed saliva was going everywhere, but they didn't care. The pair just kept going at it as Windy watched, and if she was being honest, she felt a bit left out. She knew she'd get her turn eventually, but why wait until then to join the fun? Having an idea, Mrs Whistles didn't hesitate to act on it, and got back onto the floor again. The two never noticed, they were too busy, but one of them noticed when she grabbed the zebra's magnificent testes and held them in place, admiring them a little before she dove in and started licking, sucking, and worshipping the zebra's junk like she'd learn to do in the future. And he noticed. With one mare on his cock, sluttily bouncing on it like there was no tomorrow as their tongues swirled and danced together, and the other between his legs, loving his bloated balls as she bathed in his musk, the zebra couldn't be happier they came to Equestria, and hoped his friend upstairs was having as much luck as him. In Velvet's bedroom, not long ago, one of the two was having a lot less fun than the three downstairs were. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't the zebra. "Ngh! I'll never get tired of this tight throat of yours, pony-slut!" These two were going a lot further with their oral than the equines downstairs had. This zebra was determined to dump a load into Velvet's stomach, and with nopony stopping him from doing it, he was going to. So he was still mounted on her, using the MILF's mouth like she was something to enjoy, and after what felt like hours for both of them, of him indulging in her fuckable face-hole, he felt he was getting close. "I hope you're ready to get filled full, slut! I'm gonna cum!" His humps into her head only sped up, and Velvet had to deal with her snout being pounded even though she hated it. She'd long figured out that she couldn't escape this, but despite being trapped down here choking on his massive cock, and despite his exciting musk being all she could smell under him, she refused to give into this rapist, no matter how much her body was trying to persuade her to do otherwise. "I'm cumming! Take it all, bitch!" With some more brutal thrusts into her face, uncaring of how his MILF felt, the zebra happily brought himself closer to climax, and after smashing into her face a few more times, these movements more laboured and wanting, he hilted himself inside of her throat, and let his member erupt directly into her belly. "Ngh! It's like your body was made for this, pony-slut!" She didn't appreciate the compliment, and on feeling his fat balls against her chin, feeling them clench rhythmically, Velvet didn't appreciate the feeling of getting filled up either. Landing directly in her belly, the first glob of his thick zebra spunk blasted out of his tip, and was soon followed by more. Load after load was blasted into Velvet's stomach, and unwillingly, she was held in place at the base of his cock as she was forced to 'take it all', like some toy for him to relieve himself with and not the living pony she was. She already hated it from the moment it had started, but then, it kept going. For minutes on end, the virile asshole kept cumming and cumming inside of her, his balls holding what may as well have been an infinite amount of cum. Velvet's belly had even bloated a little, and worst of all she looked like he'd gotten her pregnant. How?! Twilight was baffled. How in Equestria is he still going?! Her Night Light's ejaculations were droplets compared to the bucketloads of jizz this virile prick was filling her up with, and if she was being honest with herself, that was a little bit of jealousy that her stallion couldn't do what this piece of shit could. Eventually though, after it was finally over, her captor panted a little, but it wasn't long before he ripped his zebracock out of her throat, and on releasing her body, let her fall back onto her rump at the foot of her bed, coughing. "Haaaahhhh! Fuck! I haven't cum that hard in moons! Lucky you!" Grinning down on her, the zebra admired her body. He wasn't really wondering what she'd do next: she'd probably either keep lying there lost in her head, or get on her bed and beg for more. It did surprise him though when he met her eyes and saw them glaring back at him. "Y-You... You bastard!" From her place on the floor, pulled down partially by the weight of her belly, annoyance was written all over Velvet's face as she fumed up at him. "How dare you?! I told you no, a-and then you did this to me!" Her hooves gestured at her belly, but she wasn't finished. "I'm a happy mare in a happy marriage with a sweet and wonderful husband, and... Wh-Wh-What will he think when he sees this?!" If she was being honest, Velvet was surprised she wasn't more upset. He'd just raped her, and fucked her face without a shred of consent, yet instead of being livid, she was acting like he'd merely inconvenienced her, not forced himself upon her. No! I AM pissed at him! And if he thinks he's gonna get away with that he's got another thing coming! She wasn't as mad as she should be though, and she knew why. Between her spread legs, her marehood was drooling down onto her carpet. She may not have enjoyed it, but her body had, and it was still yet to be satisfied. And her zebra knew this. Throughout her tirade, smugly, he grinned down on her, and watched as her pussy leaked like a faucet. These pony-sluts are all so adorable! Can't wait to give this one my foals too! With his massive member twitching under him at the thought, the striped stallion took a step towards her fallen form. "So if I wanted to get you onto this bed and breed you on it, you'd say no?" "Wha..." Smugness was practically dripping off of him, and it riled her up more, even if she hesitated to respond. "Yes! Of course I would! I'm happy with my husband, and certainly don't need some zebra like you coming in here and... Wh-What're you doing?" Ignoring her words, almost casually, the stud walked right up to her, hopping up onto the bed so his tip was directly in front of her snout. Who does he...? H-How is it still so hard? Night Light never... A-And why is the smell so... Not matter what he was doing, she refused to gag on it again. He didn't want her to though, and bucked his hips forward to shove his dick into her face. With Velvet's head trapped between his meat and the bed, vigorously, the zebra began grinding it on her, and rubbed her saliva, his sweat, and most importantly, the stench of his stinking zebracock into her fur. Down here, all she could smell was the deep, intoxicating, incredible musk of his junk, and it was even stronger than when he'd fucked her face. With her muzzle being shoved into his shaft, and then his balls, and then his shaft, and then his balls as he thrust away, Velvet kept up the resistant thoughts in her mind, but still, her pussy made her true feelings known, it gushing down with mare arousal. "Mph! Get it off of me!" She didn't do anything to get it off of herself, but soon, after looking down at him rubbing himself onto her, he obliged, and got off of her. "Are you happy now? Now get out of my house." She resented the part of her that enjoyed this, and he planned on changing that. Wordlessly, the zebra approached her prone body, and using his powerful body, he bent down, wrapped a hoof around the plump, curvy mare, and heaved her up onto the bed. It was tougher than he thought it'd be; she was heavier than he thought she'd be, but a belly full of cum would do that to an equine. Once on the bed, Twilight Velvet saw him climb onto it as well, approaching her with a hungry look in his eyes. "Oh no. Oh no no no no no no no no no. Y-You've had enough fun tonight." She shuffled back, though that did little to stop him, and when he pounced onto her, and his hooves held her front legs down to the bed after he knocked her back, she was trapped, and once again couldn't do anything to stop him from indulging in her. Still she resisted. Why? Because she wanted to. Windy and Posey were right, she was pent-up, and her pussy's been aching ever since this young stallion set his eyes upon her. It only got worse after he forced a blowjob out of her, and even worse since he flooded her senses with his incredible cock. But still, she couldn't. She had a husband and a family who she'd never be unfaithful to. Heck, her daughter was created in this very bed, and she wouldn't throw everything away just for some big, fat, girthy, musky, virile, enticing, delicious zebracock that'd wanted to fill her with even more foals than she'd already had... No matter how enticing it was. So Velvet kept resisting, in the hopes that he'd take a hint and lose interest eventually. "Rgh! Get off of me! I'm a taken mare, so get off and find some other mare to-" She could barely move under him again, and wriggled furiously in an attempt to escape, but the mother froze dead in her tracks on feeling something down below, something hot, hard and girthy pushing into the cleavage of her fat, buxom breasts. "Hey! S-Stop that! Th-They're sensitive!" He didn't care. Looming over her vulnerable body, the horny zebra didn't go for her unprotected pussy, but aimed higher, and with an eager thrust, he sandwiched his cock between her two milky pillows, using them to get himself off. "Ahn! Stop it! Ngah! G-Get off!" Loving the feeling of her huge teats wrapped around himself, back and forth, the zebra started humping into them, Velvet's buxom body sending pleasure through him whilst he did the same to her. "Hngh! J-Just wait 'til my- Uhn! h-husband- Ah! g-gets home!" "Mph! Oh yeah? What's he gonna do? Ask to join in?" This was the hottest mare in this slutty nation, he decided, and that decision only became firmer when he watched dribbles of milk spill from her jugs. "Once he- Ugh! s-sees what you're doing to me, he'll- Ahn! he'll... h-he'll use his magic and make you wish you'd n-never even seen me! Ngh!" The moaning in her argument wasn't helping her case; she just wished it didn't feel this good. "He'll- Agh! use his magic to stop me?" Cockily, and refusing to stop giving himself Equestria's best titjob, he leant down to her ear, speaking huskily. "Just like you have?" For that, she had no response, and Velvet fell silent as he continued using her breasts, the only sounds escaping her being her arousing moans. Eventually though, after some time had passed, he did get bored. As fun as it was fucking her leaking teats, he knew something they could do that'd be even better, and the sounds of desperate mares wailing out in pleasure downstairs only encouraged him further. "Alright slut, a-" "My name's Twilight. Not 'slut'." Stubbornly, she refused to be his plaything. And it made him grin down on her amusedly. "Alright slut, as much fun as it's been getting off with these fat milk-sacks of yours..." The zebra looked down at them, and licked his lips on seeing the breastmilk dribble down from her perky nipples. He longed to wrap his lips around them and start sucking, but that could wait, he had something else to do now: her. "...I think I'd like to move on to the best part." She saw him slip himself out from between her massive mommy milkers, and watched in fear as he lined up his gigantic zebracock at her entrance. She felt his huge flared tip against her wet pussy lips, and felt him start pushing against her. "N-No! Wait! Don't!" Even she knew her words were pointless, but she never expected to want him to go back to fucking her teats as he stretched open her snatch and shoved himself in. "AAAHHN!" Instantly, he got to stretching her cunt, and forcing it to embrace his giant girth. Only his tip was in so far though, and he wanted more as he pushed more into her snug cavern, feeling her wet walls embracing him and lubing up his entry. "Sweet Celestia! Fuck! S-Stop! Get it out! It's too big!" Velvet focused on the pain of having to accommodate such a fat cock, feeling her body have to be forced open just so he could fit in, but the pleasure was much more prominent, and she ignored it as best she could. "What's wrong? Your husband never show you what a true cock feels like?" He literally couldn't wait to make this adorable yet mature mare his, and kept ramming his zebracock deeper and deeper into her to do so, her wetness helping him out greatly. "Ah! Fuck! Ungh! Ngh! Sh-Shit! Ahn!" Velvet didn't respond to his jibe, she didn't even hear it. She was far too focused on his hung member being buried deeper in her, as well as what it was doing to her. H-How is it so big?! Why does it feel like this?! Night Light could never- No. She wouldn't even finish that thought. But as she tried and failed to ignore the pleasure him driving his dick into her brought, the euphoric feelings became unavoidable, and it was at that point that the zebra managed to push his entire member into her, his hips hitting hers, his balls pressing against her asscheeks, and his tip wreaking havoc on her womb as it shoved against it. He was completely hilted inside of her, and finally, Twilight had a moment to try and get used to the feeling of having her fuckhole filled with zebra... But it didn't last long. In actuality, it barely lasted seconds, because almost immediately he pulled his hips back, and as he grunted and groaned from the pleasure of pony pussy, he moved his cock out of her, headily pulling it out until only his tip was in again and he could- SLAM! "NGAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" For a tense second, his hips were reared back, and she could feel an emptiness inside of her, but on him stuffing her full again in one powerful pound, powering his zebracock into her and crashing it all the way back into her poor womb, she couldn't stop herself from crying out, her body screaming in elation from its virile intruder. "Ngh! Learned your place yet, slut?" Before he even finished his words, he pulled out again, and rammed back into her, forcing more moans out of her. He wasn't finished though. After hitting her womb again, he pulled out and thrust into her again, and again, and again. It started slow, but the moment her body loosened up enough around his cock, the zebra didn't hesitate to start really fucking the mare, his hips wildly moving to and fro as he finally got to pounding her cunt. "Ahn! You sure are moaning a lot, slut! You finally decided to enjoy yourself?" I'm not enjoying this! That's what she wanted to say, but all that came out were slutty-sounding moans. She was losing her mind under him, the victim to all his frantic, frenzied thrusts, but no matter how euphoric it felt to have him mate her, no matter how much pleasure he was forcing onto her, and no matter how incredible his zebracock was, she wouldn't give in, right? She was enjoying this and she knew it. It felt too good for her not to, and the part of her that resisted him was slowly fading away, being fucked out of her ruthlessly as she was bred once more on this bed. Night Light was barely spared a thought. "AH! YES! BREED ME! NGAH! I LOVE IT! GIVE ME MORE ZEBRA COCK!" Meanwhile, in the living room, Posey had given in to her zebra lover's cock long ago, and like Velvet, her husband was the last thing on her mind as she rode him, bouncing her fat yellow ass up and down on his mind-breaking meat whilst he pounded it up into her. Why did she need Gentle Breeze? She didn't, not when she had a zebra stud like this to fuck her better than her pathetic husband ever could. "DON'T STOP! AHN! IT'S SO GOOD!" Her meek, quiet side was nowhere to be seen, with Posey begging for more at the top of her lungs, but the zebra didn't mind, nor did Windy. They'd been fucking for a while now though, Windy still down below slurping the sweat off if his balls, and by now, the trio were more than used to the sounds of fat MILF asscheeks being clapped by zebra hips. It resonated through the room, and it was music to the zebra's ears as he would soon own this mare's bouncy body. That would be ending soon though. Posey had cum more times than she could possibly count on this zebra's dick, but he hadn't climaxed once, and after lasting far longer than any of their husbands could ever dream to, he felt his first orgasm getting ready to erupt inside of her. "Hey pony-slut, I'm getting close! You want me to cum inside?" Not once did he slow, bucking up into her slutty pussy's hot, wet, welcoming embrace rapidly throughout. He was sure her cheeks were red by now, and envied the view the blue one had down there, but that didn't matter to him. All he wanted to do was cum in this mare, and she wanted the same. "YES! DO IT! FILL ME UP! FUCK ME FULL OF YOUR ZEBRA FOALS! MAKE ME A MOM AGAIN! PLEASE!" With their bodies smacking into each other's over and over again, the zebra rutted her more rapidly, and, on seeing an opening, dove forward to lock their lips together as well, their tongues swirling passionately within seconds. It was a carnal display of lust from them both, so it wasn't a surprise to any of them that - with the zebras thrusts becoming more brutal - his orgasm was soon reached, and with one final shove up into Mrs Shy, he grabbed her pillowy asscheeks in his hooves and yanked her down, holding them together and trapping her against him so he could cum directly into her womb. And cum he did. As Posey moaned into his mouth, the zebra let loose a tsunami of cum inside of her, flooding her womb instantly with his tip shoved against it. And of course, he didn't stop cumming once she was full. Still keeping her firmly planted on his lap, load after load of his thick, fertile seed was pumped into the mare. As his sperm found her eggs, and his balls emptied themselves into Posey, Mrs Whistles was watching from down below, and watched as zebra cum rushed out of her friend's stuffed hole. It leaked down onto his massive balls, and with Windy feeling the horniest she'd ever felt, she instantly lapped it all up, more and more coming for her to feast on. They would have to go get some contraception potions, she thought, but with how horny she was, and how much her mind was clouded by the stench of zebra surrounding her, Windy decided that could wait. She just wanted her own go with him now. After minutes of fun for Windy, and minutes of pure ecstacy for the two up above her, finally, their stallion stopped cumming. When the pair parted their muzzles, the three panted, and for the first time in a while, the room was quiet, not filled with any slapping or moaning. That changed though when the zebra's hooves gripped down on Posey's asscheeks again, and he tried getting up. With Windy Whistles moving and the zebra grunting, he picked both of their bodies up, and quickly spun around to heavily drop them both back on the sofa, with Posey's back to the seat. She'd been moaning as he moved her, his cock still lodged in her, but Windy couldn't blame her for it. With little warning, hunched over his newest mate, he suddenly started slipping his zebracock out of Posey, pulling every inch of his long, girthy, cum-covered meat out. With the yellow mare's face delirious with pleasure, and her thicc thighs spread wide for him, the father to her future foals unplugged himself from her, and out of her pussy, torrents of cum seeped down lewdly. All three of them watched it ooze out of Posey's pussy, and watched a ridiculous amount of spunk pour down onto the living room carpet. Windy hoped Velvet wouldn't mind too much, but she could tell the other two weren't thinking about that. "Enjoy the show?" Proudly, the zebra's alluring voice called to her, and Windy looked up to see him grinning down at her, still on his two hind hooves. Reorienting himself though, he remained on two legs, but put his pulsating fuckstick over Windy's face, her eyes locking onto it. "I hope I didn't disappoint." "N-Not at all..." She couldn't get over how incredible zebracock seemed to be, and could barely wait for her turn, whenever that'd be. Snapping herself out of her stupor though, she looked back up at him seductively and gestured to his balls with her head. "But I hope you've still got some left in those big cum-tanks of yours for little old me." "For you? Plenty. Now how do you want to be bred, pony-slut?" He was feeling generous, and so, instead of just pouncing on her now, he'd let her choose how he had his way with her. But Windy wasn't thinking about how they were going to do it, she was too enamoured by his virility, and struggled to process the question. "Wh-What?" Wide-eyed, she looked at his furiously stiff member again. It hadn't softened in the slightest, and through all the cum she could see it throbbing as wantingly as it had earlier. "Y-You can go again?! Immediately?!" She looked up at him adorably, and he couldn't wait to fuck the shit out of her face when he owned it. "As much as you want me to, fat-ass." He laid his cum-coated cock as her awed face, and let his cum and Posey's juices sink into her fur, the depraved stench finding its way into her nostrils. "Now are you ready for your turn?" She'd never been more ready for anything in her life. Rushing out from under him, Windy got on all fours and encouraged him to do the same. Then, seductively, she led him to a couch that didn't have a fucked-silly Posey on it, and after climbing up onto it, she bent forward, and stuck her chubby tush out for him, and as he ogled what lied underneath her raised tail, she looked back at him, giving him half-lidded eyes as his cock throbbed under him. "Take me, stud." He didn't need to be asked twice as he immediately hopped up onto the sofa behind her and, without a second thought, mounted her fuckable behind. Windy couldn't hold her excitement back as he rested his gigantic cock on her big butt, and felt herself dribbling from need. Now, Bow Hothoof was considered quite virile among stallions, and he was certainly above average in terms of size, but he had nothing on this zebra, not size, not virility, and he'd never made her feel nearly this horny. She wasn't thinking about him though, she actually hadn't thought of her husband ever since they'd seduced the zebras into coming inside. "You ready for a zebra to make you feel better than that tiny-dicked husband of yours ever could?" She still loved Bow, but was far too horny to defend him at this point. "Yes! Mate me!" Windy Whistles, the married mare, shoved her rump back into him, and just as eagerly, he didn't wait any longer to line himself up at her entrance and start pushing in. "Ngaahhh! Yes! Finally!" Her puffy lips were stretched as they wrapped around him, and they were kept that way as the zebra's rod was fed into her, his gigantic cock easily slipping into her tight yet welcoming passage. The zebra had plenty of lubrication at his disposal, and it made it so much easier to shove all of his hung zebracock inside of her, but that didn't mean it was easy, and it didn't mean Windy's cunt avoided getting forced wide open by his immense size. "Agh! Fuck! D-Deeper! Don't stop until you've hit my womb!" Further into her snatch he shoved himself, with Windy howling out from the ecstacy zebracock brought. He was so big, and it felt like he shouldn't be able to fit all of it inside of her, yet he did, and the mother was left with a depraved look on her face as he filled every nook and cranny of her pussy. "It's so good! So fucking big! So deep in me!" With her marvelling at the superiority of zebra dick, the joyous stallion behind her pushed himself the rest of the way into her, feeling her fat asscheeks pressing against his hips, her jiggly teats pressing against his balls, and her empty, fertile womb pressing against his tip. "Fuck me, stud! Fuck me like a bitch in heat and don't stop until you're satisfied!" With one long, pleasurable pull, the zebra dragged his cock out of Mrs Whistles' snug, slippery snatch, scraping on her insides, and when he readied his hips back, she bit her lip in excitement. It felt like hours, but it was only seconds that he left her hole empty, because, unable to wait any longer, the zebra began brutally fucking the mare. His cock shot back in and filled her again in a single feral thrust, but the moment it did he dragged it back out, and powerfully rammed it back into her at full speed. And then he kept doing it. Rapidly, and without any mercy for the cheating mare, he bred Windy, and soon the room was filled with slutty moans and noisy clapping. "GAH! HOLY SHIT! DON'T STOP! ANGH!" PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! "YES! FUCK! DON'T HOLD BACK! WRECK MY PUSSY! FUCK ME LIKE YOU OWN ME, YOU STUD! AHHN!" Her fat flank bounced and rippled every time she was rammed down into the sofa. There was so much strength behind each furious thrust, and Windy loved it! She couldn't handle so much pleasure wracking her body, and she already didn't know how many times he'd made her cum. She was helpless to every time he jackhammered her cunt like some rampant animal, and she wouldn't have it any other way. "I LOVE IT! ZEBRACOCK'S SO GOOD!" Meanwhile, the zebra whose cock was breaking her loved his newest slave-to-be. Her ass was gloriously bubbly as it bounced away, her moans were music to his ears as she cried out her sluttiness, and her pussy was perfectly pleasurable as it begged him to keep mating her. He couldn't wait to put his foals in this one too. "Rgh! Better than your husband's?" He couldn't resist toying with the mare, showing off the superiority of zebras to these sluts, but before she even answered him, he already knew what she'd say. "YES! IT'S SO MUCH BETTER! PLEASE! DON'T STOP FUCKING ME!" Windy was long-gone. She was a broken mare, fucked into adoration to zebras just like the yellow mare watching them go at it. "So you don't need that cuck anymore?" "I DON'T NEED HIM! ALL I NEED IS ZEBRACOCK! " Windy didn't know she was being turned into nothing more than this zebra's sex slave and broodmare, but even if she did, she wouldn't care. She and Posey didn't need their husbands anymore, they just needed zebracock. And they weren't the only ones. "Ahn! Uhn! Ngh!" With her tongue lulled out of her mouth and a cock-drunk look on her face, Velvet was helpless to the horny beast pounding into her pussy again and again. She wanted to resist, wanted to do anything to fight back against his assault on her marehood, but the unending pleasure shooting through her body stopped her, and let him use her as much as he could ever want to. Each thrust felt better than the last, and Velvet had never felt better in her life. Why couldn't Night Light fuck her like this? Even on the day they got married - one of the happiest days of her life - after they went to bed together and passionately consummated the marriage, her husband hadn't been able to heap pleasure onto her like this zebra could. This zebra was just better than him, that was the reason, and after a long, relentless session of being rutted by this zebra, she was starting to see that, trapped under him. But no matter how many times he chuckled as she climaxed around his cock, Velvet was still staying strong, and she was still the same loyal, devoted and faithful mare she'd always been... That was what she told herself. "Hmm..." As she got fucked silly, the zebra watched her from up above. She wasn't breaking the same way all his other mares did; probably all that devotion to her husband she had. But no mare was strong enough to resist the power of zebracock, especially not this slut, so, wanting to see her will break for him, he had an idea and stopped fucking her. Wh-What?! Why did he stop?! 'Curious' as to why he finally relented on her pussy, Velvet looked down past her big teats to see him pulling out of her, resting his cock on her crotchboobs' cleavage. She wasn't disappointed. Definitely. "What's wrong, slut? Want me to keep going? Do you want this zebracock back in your body, fucking you like you deserve to be fucked before it fills your belly up with thick zebra spunk?" He ground back and forth sensually on her leaky teats as she spoke, and watched her eyes not move from staring desperately at his junk. But despite the need, she didn't say a word. The most that she did was moan when his erotic words made needy juices gush out of her. "But, you know, there is one thing you could do for me if you wanted me to keep fucking this slutty little fuckhole of yours..." Her head jolted up to him, and what little resistance she had left wasn't able to stop the words that came out of her mouth. "Wh-What is it?" The zebra's head moved down to hers, and as he lined himself back up at her snatch, pushing against it gently, he gave her an order directly into her ear. "Beg, whore." But no, she wouldn't. She had a husband, she'd had two wonderful kids with him, and she'd never betray- "P-Please! Keep going!" "What was that?" He pushed against her pussy even harder this time, and all at once, like a stacked deck of cards, all that remained of her will to resist him and his incredible cock crumbled. "FUCK ME! MATE ME LIKE MY HUSBAND CAN'T! MAKE ME YOUR SLUT AND FUCK ME LIKE THE CHEATING WHORE I AM! PLEASE! I NEED MORE ZEBRACOCK!" He was almost impressed with how long she held off, but it always ended this way, and as she followed her master's orders, he gave her what she needed, and rammed his way back into the needy cunt of his loyal slut. He held nothing back, and Velvet was so happy he did. Intending to blow his first load soon and officially claim her as his, her zebra fucked her furiously from the start, and as he did, she howled out in pleasure. "Oh? You like it now, pony-slut?" "YES! I LOVE IT! I LOVE ZEBRACOCK! DON'T STOP!" It felt so good to give in. It felt so good to submit to him. Why had she been resisting? What had been the point? This zebra's fat fuckstick was infinitely better than anything Night Light could ever hope to give her, so, as Velvet got brutally bred under her new, superior lover, her husband was entirely forgotten about, replaced. Meanwhile, as the zebra stallion put his all into gaining pleasure from her body, he felt himself getting ready to cum, and he was eagerly determined to hurry up, blast his spunk into her, and finally enslave this marvellous MILF. He knew this first round wouldn't be his last with her, so after he came, he was going to make sure that she never forgot who she belonged to now, and he was going to breed her until she couldn't even remember she'd ever had a husband to begin with. "Ngh! I'm getting closer! You want me to make you a zebra broodmare?" "DO IT! FILL ME WITH YOUR FOALS! STUFF ME FULL OF CUM! GIVE MY KIDS SOME STRIPED SIBLINGS!" Her life's purpose had changed: she needed her womb full of his life-giving seed, and if she could spend the rest of her days taking his incredible cock and pumping out his foals then she could live happily. Not bothering to hold her down anymore knowing she wouldn't struggle, the zebra's hooves moved to her head, and as he made the final bucks into her, getting ready to dump all of his baby-batter as deep in her as he could, he shoved their muzzles together, Velvet instantly submitting to his tongue too as she returned the favour with just as much hunger and passion. And then, he came. Their mouths moved off of each other's sloppily, and when he thrust into her one last time, ramming himself fully inside her cunt, Velvet screamed out from the ecstasy of being filled. "AAAAAAAHHHHNN!" He was as deep as he could go, just where he wanted to be when he erupted inside of her. Straight into her womb, the first rope of thick, fertile zebra spunk was shot, and as he kept them connected, more soon followed it. Rising all the way from his balls to shoot out of his tip, an endless supply of his cum he unloaded into her belly. Velvet didn't say anything, she barely even moaned, instead, the mare just revelled in the feeling of her insides being flooded with zebra jizz. So much... So good... Night Light never came this much, but of course he didn't, what could he give her that a zebra couldn't? Unlike those nights with her husband, when he came a few meagre ropes in her and collapsed, entirely spent, Velvet felt her womb have to expand from the zebra's second ejaculation. He'd already dumped so much in her belly before, and yet, unlike Night Light, he was still going, his cock still pulsed as more and more was pumped into her, and soon, his seed came splurting out of her when her pussy couldn't contain any more, it gushing down onto her bed from her bloated belly. "NGH! Fuck!" After minutes of orgasming, the zebra bucked into her a few last times, wringing every last drop out of his cock, and Velvet had never felt so full before. When he pulled out of the MILF's cavern that was drenched in white and rested his zebracock back on her teats, like a depraved waterfall, cum poured out of her. She was pregnant, there was no was she wasn't. He'd made her his. Splayed out on the ruined bed with a pool building between her legs, Velvet panted, knowing his eyes were roaming her body. She didn't mind though, and enjoyed the feeling of being ogled. She should've given in to him sooner. When he mounted her face she should've bent over and let him mount her in a different way. And now he wanted her to become his broodmare? If giving up her husband was all she had to do to get herself a life of being this zebra's fuck-slave then she didn't hesitate to toss him aside. She didn't need him anymore. Without showing any fatigue, her master moved up beside her resting body, and as she stared exhaustedly up at the ceiling, he get on his knees and covered her vision with his zebracock coated in their cum. "Ready to spend the rest of your life serving cock, slave?" Nothing would make her happier. "Y-Yes! I can't wait!" "Good. Now get up and bend over. We're not stopping until your belly's as big as it can get!" Happily, and without hesitation, she followed the orders he gave her, and embraced her new life as a slave. And Windy was soon to join her. "ANGH! YES!" Her own striped stud was getting closer too, having been wailing on her ass for what felt like forever. "MATE ME LIKE A BROODMARE! STUFF ME FULL OF YOUR CUM!" And after her blue ass had turned a bright, sore red, and he'd announced that he was getting ready to cum in her, she couldn't wait to have his foals. "BREED ME! AH! I WANNA BE A MOM AGAIN! FILL ME WITH YOUR HOT ZEBRA CUM!" These sluts were the best. They were the hottest, sluttiest, and plumpest mares the zebra had gotten the pleasure of seeing, and he was determined to give her the foals she needed so badly. He couldn't wait to show off his prizes to the other zebras, and he was sure these two'd love to meet them too. PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! PLAP! Bucking into her wildly, his climax built up inside of him, and he relented nothing. Windy was drooling down onto the sofa now, and barely able to not be forced forward by the strength of his mating, but then, after she'd begged for it for so long- "AAAAAAAAGGGGHHH! YES! BREED ME!" He did. Smashing down into her fat tush one last time, he hilted himself fully inside of her, and just like he'd done with Posey, and just like his friend upstairs had done with Velvet, he filled her up, and blasted more thick, gooey seed into her than any pony stallion could ever hope to. "NGH! YES! S-SO MUCH CUM!" She saw how much he pumped into Posey, but feeling it for herself was something else entirely. It felt perfect, and when it all spurted from his tip and filled her completely, she decided she never wanted to not be filled with his cum. Like usual, there was far too much cum to fit in the mare, but like usual, he didn't care, and kept going until he was finished with her. When he pulled out, he watched his seed ooze out of her. Both mares were now his, he owned the two of them, and nopony could do anything about it. As he revelled in the fact and imagined all the fun he'd have with the two, out of nowhere, Windy spun around. Posey had had no energy by the time he was done with her, but this slut wanted more, and she wasn't afraid to show her zebra love just how much she wanted it. He was still on his knees when she shoved her horny face straight into his cock, and as she lapped up all the tasty cum left on it, drowning in her lust for zebra cock, he fell back onto his rump with her between his legs. "You happy down there, pony-slut?" She didn't answer him, instead, Windy took one long lick up his shaft, looking him in the eyes as she did, and in the half-lidded orbs he could see the zebra-addiction and adoration of a thoroughly broken mare. The old Windy was gone, fucked out of her just like the other motherly friends. At his side, Mrs Shy shuffled up to him from the floor. At first he hadn't noticed her, but when she reached him and got on her knees beside him, he eagerly let her join them, and let their muzzles hungrily connect as they shoved their tongues into each other. This was the life a zebra deserved, and when Windy wrapped her lips around his head, letting his hoof on her push her head down as he dominated Posey's mouth, she knew they were both happy to give it to him. They couldn't wait to live as broodmares, and fortunately, they'd get to spend the rest of their lives as slaves to cock. Lucky them. Far above Canterlot, much later and far away from the depraved acts of the three mares, an alicorn flew. Up here, with the smell of fresh air everywhere, and the breeze blowing against Twilight Sparkle's face, there wasn't a trace of the stench of cum that surrounded Velvet, Windy and Posey, and she didn't realise just how lucky she was for that. The reason Princess Twilight was up here however was because she'd just escaped from Domina's guards, and had narrowly avoided being turned into what Celestia and Luna had become. Twilight couldn't think of a worse fate for herself than becoming the blissfully happy sex slaves that her mentor and her friend had become. She'd just been about to head back to Ponyville and warn her friends of what the zebras planned to do, but before she could do that, she had some unfinished business here in Canterlot that she needed to do before she left. I need to make sure Mom's okay. After that, we can both head to Ponyville and then we can prepare for the zebras. Twilight needed to head back to her friends, the fate of Equestria could depend on it, but she needed to protect the mare who raised her. She just hoped she wasn't too late. Swooping over one of the more residential parts of the upper-class city of Canterlot, Twilight knew the path to her childhood home well, and was easily able to fly her way over to it, determined. Diving straight down on the building, she wanted to be left in the open as little as possible so none of those perverted zebras followed. Heavily, on landing on her doorstep, she quickly opened up the door and slipped in, sure she wasn't being followed. Now was the moment of truth. "Mom?" Wishing she didn't, before she could even wait for an answer, Twilight heard noises in the living room: moans, and she almost didn't dare venture further. She had to confirm her fears though, and on peeking in to see what was going on, she saw three equines having the time of their lives in a lewd threesome, her going entirely ignored. Lying back on one couch was Posey with her legs held high, and on top of her, Windy was mounted, their bodies pressing against each other's as they made out, lost in a world of their own. They looked just like Celestia and Luna had, minus the stripes and piercings and stuff. And behind them, a zebra was mounted on the both of them, and he was on his knees as he drove his cock in and out of Windy's already cum-filled pussy. If Twilight looked hard, she could see both of them had already been creampied. But either way, they were goners, and Twilight hadn't come here to look for them anyway, as harsh as it was. "Ahhn!" Twilight's ear twitched. Through the noises of these three, she heard another mare, one upstairs that sounded a whole lot like her mother. The mare already knew what she was going to see up there, but still, she had to confirm it, hoping desperately that she'd be proven wrong. Walking up the stairs, the noises were coming from her parents' bedroom, and they got louder the closer Twilight got. "Ahn! Yes! It's so good! I love being a zebra cocksleeve!" Turning the corner even though she knew she shouldn't, the princess was met with something she hoped she'd never have to see: the sight of her mother laying on her front with her legs spread behind her, moaning gleefully as a zebra powered into her from behind, mashing into her pussy that Twilight could tell had already been filled if the cum all over the bed was any indication. First it was Rarity and Fluttershy, then Celestia and Luna, and now it was her own mother she was having to watch fall in love with their depraved invaders. She knew what she'd see when coming up here, and still, Twilight wilted a little at seeing them go at it like two animals. "Mom... No..." Twilight Velvet was being fucked too much to be able to focus on much besides it, but when she looked up and saw her daughter stood in the doorway, she was able to bring herself to do a little more than beg for more. "Agh! Twily! Thi... Th-This zebracock's the best! It's so much better than your father's!" "M-Mom..." What was the motionless alicorn supposed to say? As she stayed where she was motionless, continuing to watch them breed before her very eyes, all Twilight could bring herself to do was listen to her mother, and hear the once motherly voice moaning out words at her whorishly. She didn't dare look up at the grin on that zebra's face, she could already feel his eyes on her body. "Twily! Ah! Come here! Join us!" "Wh-What?!" Of all things she was expecting her to say, offering up a threesome was the last thing she wanted from her mother. But she didn't stop. "Join us, Twilight! It's so good! Let him put some zebra foals in you, I'm sure he wouldn't mind! Give me some striped grandkids!" The defiled mare was shameless, and Twilight didn't want to even think of a world where she accepted the offer to get bred alongside her Mom. And then, to make things worse, the zebra spoke up, grunting and powering his hips forward as he kept smacking his body into Velvet's ass. "Come on! Join us, Twily! With an ass like yours I'll make sure to treat you well and give you all the zebra foals you could want!" Like mother like daughter, Twilight's ass was just as fuckably fat as her mom's, if not more so, and he'd be delighted to have both mother and daughter serving him together as he added them to his herd. But this had gotten to be too much for the desirable daughter. She couldn't bear to see her mother get fucked like that anymore, and didn't want to see her get used like the zebra sex slave she now was, so, heartbroken, Twilight turned and walked away. She'd lost this fight, but maybe if she could win this war then ponies like her friends, the princesses and her mom could be saved. Determined to put an end to the zebra invasion, Twilight went for the front door, and as she opened it to leave, she ignored the sounds of a mare crying out as her zebra came inside of her once again. Then, she took off, and left for Ponyville. She had a lot to prepare for. Time passed and another pony was on his way to the Twilight residence, oblivious to what was going on around him. It was much later in the day - not evening yet but hours after Twilight had left her former home - and Night Light had just gotten off of work, so he was heading back home, ready to rest for the day beside his beautiful wife. Work had been strange though. Today, all of Canterlot had seemed... weird. Everypony was on edge for some reason, and he imagined it was because of the zebras suddenly all over the streets, but it certainly could've been those ridiculous rumours about Celestia and Luna too. Either way, he just wanted to get back home, sit back, and spend some quality time with Velvet. Maybe she knew why so many zebras were all over the place; it was pretty hard not to notice them on his way to or from work. Eventually, he finally got back home safe and sound, and on stepping into his house, he announced his arrival like usual. "Velvet, honey, I'm back!" Nopony responded, which was odd. All he could hear were some weird noises that did sound like her, but it wasn't her telling him where she was like when he usually got back. That's strange... Going into the living room, he intended to just drop his saddlebags in there and leave, but before he could do that he froze in his tracks. The room was empty, but ponies had certainly been here, and a lot of them if the amount of cum everywhere was any indication. Night Light was getting more and more confused by the second, and the cum wasn't helping with that, nor was the potent scent of sex. Hadn't Posey and Windy come over today, and didn't they all usually have tea in this same room? Whether they did or not, he could hear those weird noises more clearly in here. Up above this room was his and Velvet's bedroom, and he could hear muffled sounds coming from there. At least he knew where to investigate next. It occurred to him to maybe ring the police first, but he wanted to investigate before that, just in case. Trotting silently up the stairs, he neared the ajar door of his bedroom and heard... moaning? It was Velvet's voice moaning, and, more curious than he'd ever been in his life, Night peeked into the room, and his jaw dropped at what he saw. At the far end of the bed, he saw a zebra was sat, but what he was looking at was the mare on top of him, and what he was doing to her. Facing the door as well, his wife's hind legs were so high they were reaching her shoulders, and with the zebra's front legs holding them in place, he was bouncing her on his cock, bucking up into her too and fucking her at a rapid speed. The door slowly moved open as Night Light watched baffled, but he didn't notice, not when there was so much to take in here. Firstly, there was the state of the room: there was so much thick cum all over the place, surely too much to come from one zebra, and alongside that, mare-cum was everywhere too, sprayed out of the only mare in here. Secondly, there was the stench that filled the room: it reeked of the zebra's powerful, filthy, and dominant musk, and that would have been all Night Light could smell if not for the equally powerful aroma of mare arousal, him knowing from experience that that came from his wife. Thirdly, there was the zebra himself: he looked much younger than Night did, as well as much more muscular and handsome, but the cuck's eyes weren't on his face. In between his spread legs sat the two heftiest balls he'd ever seen, them swinging around wildly as he fucked his wife, but above them, something even more shocking was in view. The zebra had a humongous dick, and though Night Light couldn't see all of it with it moving in and out of a mare repeatedly, he could see its girth and see it stretching Velvet's belly, and that was enough to understand just how huge it was compared to his. And then finally, and most importantly, there was his wife, the lovely mare he married many years ago: on the zebra's lap, her pussy already filled with cum, she was being fucked violently, howling out from the pleasure the zebra was giving her. But before he took in her words, he had to look at what in Equestria had happened to her body. Covering her, these bizarre black stripes were adorned all over her fur, making her look like some zebra-pony hybrid, but that wasn't nearly all. On her, there was an abundance of jewellery: big earrings on her ears, rings on some of her legs, and most noticeably, two large nipple piercings right on the ends of her giant bouncing teats. Plus, as well as all of that, her belly was also massively bloated, and Night Light could guess what with. He didn't know what to feel, he was too shocked to register emotion, but he knew what she was feeling. She was making her feelings very clear. "Ahn! I love it! I love zebracock! I love you, Master! Don't stop! All I need is your perfect cock breaking my pussy!" Night Light's body was reacting to the scene in front of him. Whether it was the overwhelming scent of mare arousal coming off of his wife, the sight of her being fucked so savagely, or the dirty words he'd never thought would come out of her mouth, the pony stallion felt himself begin to get an erection as his horsecock slid out of his sheath, but that didn't mean he was enjoying this... And as he watched silently from the doorway, where his daughter had been stood mere hours ago, he too was noticed, not by his darling wife, but by the foreign creature who was making himself very well-acquainted with her insides. "Enjoying the show, pony-cuck?" Somehow, his words spoke over the loud, all-encompassing sounds of asscheeks being pounded, and they snapped Night Light out of his stupor. And now that the stallion had gotten over his shock, he could see this for what it was: another stallion fucking his mare, and what filled him was nothing but fury. "What the fuck do you think you're doing to her?! Get off of my wife!" He was tempted to use magic to separate, but he both didn't know how he'd go about doing that, and didn't know if either of them wanted to be separated. Velvet was clearly enjoying herself... "And why would I do that? All I'm doing is- Ungh! All I'm doing is using my mare." Meanwhile, Velvet hadn't even noticed Night Light was there. The only stallion she needed was the one fucking her senseless right now. "She's not yours, you bastard! Now stop forcing yourself onto her before I make you!" His horn glowed as a warning, and it was a valid threat to the zebra, but he didn't cower. "What? Is she yours?" Throughout the conversation, the zebra hadn't once stopped fucking his slut, and she hadn't stopped moaning. The constant thrusting infuriated Night Light even further, and as for the moaning, he did his best to ignore it, focusing on the zebra rather than his wife."Yes! SHE'S MY WIFE!" "Why don't we let her choose then?" The pony stallion didn't know how to feel about that proposition, and as he gave no response to it, a feeling of unease rose in his gut. "Hey, pony-slut, do you want me to keep you forever as my broodmare and my slut, or would you rather go back to your cuck of a husband husband over there?" The answer was almost instantaneous, but as she moaned out a reply, she didn't even spare Night Light a glance, her eyes too busy rolling back into her head. "No! I don't need my tiny-dicked husband anymore! Please, just keep pumping your foals into me! I'm married to zebracock now!" "If you insist!" He sped up even more, and began brutalising her cunt, the two going back to their carnal mating and ignoring the other pony in the room. But since he was watching, the zebra decided to have some fun, and turned Velvet's head to him as he pushed their muzzles together, their tongues battling as they ruthlessly fucked. As for Velvet's former husband, the fire in him died out, and he was helpless as his wife chose that zebra over him. All their years together meant nothing to her as she chose zebracock over him... Little did he know that every other husband in Equestria either had, or would go through the same daunting realisation. "Ngh! Yes! I love it! I love zebracock! I love you! Let me spend the rest of my life being your loving cumslut!"
Slaves To Their Stripes	Part 1: A Bred Bitch & A Mated Mayor	All the way back in Ponyville, far from the zebra queen but not far from any other lustful zebras, things were just getting better and better for them. Each one of them had spent the whole day adding more and more mares to their herds, either by force or willingly. And as well as that, the cosy little town was being transformed too. Wherever you went, you couldn't miss the sights of zebras and mares happily fucking, whether it was out the mare's bedroom window, on some park bench, or even just on the dirt streets, zebras were fucking mares, and Starlight was running out of ponies to get to safety. She'd rescued as many mares as she could, and had had so many close calls with one of them putting one of those rings on her horn, but fortunately, she'd made it out okay, and had avoided getting turned into a zebra-loving slut like so many of the other mares that lived here. But she was done now. In her defence, she'd helped plenty of ponies reach the castle safely, and had even set up a safe haven there, but she couldn't go on. There were definitely other mares in need, so many spread all over the town, but with how much her legs ached, if she continued she was sure to become one of the many 'broken' mares she'd seen. So charging up one last spell, Starlight teleported herself back to the castle. When Twilight comes back, she's sure to have a plan, so she'll just have to wait until then... ...If Twilight comes back. Meanwhile, in Ponyville's centre, two zebras were strutting onward, looking for more mares to make theirs. They'd had an eventful day, just like every other zebra in this country, and they'd had the times of their lives impregnating mares, striping them, and owning them like objects. It was incredible. One of them had ventured into the town's spa, and after showing off his stallionhood to the two thirsty sluts that worked there, he mated them both in a passionate threesome before striping them and having another go with them. And as for the other, he got to have some fun going up the ass of an already claimed mare with a pretty face, a fat ass and three diamonds on both her cheeks. He did get to claim one mare though, finding a pair of them in a house before forcefully breeding the white one with purple glasses as the grey one in a bowtie watched him do it. She escaped before he could mate her too, but he still counted it as a success. Even with their mares though, they still wanted more, and that's what they were doing here. Strolling around, they were searching for mares to join the ones they'd already claimed, but all of them were either inside buildings or being fucked by their own masters. So, seeing no other option as they looked around, one of them made a suggestion. "Wanna check in there?" His hoof pointed to the same building they'd announced their arrival on, the town hall, and the other agreed. "Yeah, why not? It's not like we've got any better ideas." Impatient, the hung pair made their way to the building, and eager to add more members to their individual herds, they moved inside, shutting the doors behind them. "It's pretty empty. There might not even be any ponies in here." It did just seem like a place for town meetings and all that, there being a stage and a bunch of balconies in the room they were in, but by the looks of it there were also other rooms around the place, with the building being deceivingly big on the inside. And so, their search began. Nothing... Nothing... Nothing... So far, nothing had come up, and the rooms they'd seen so far were all supply rooms or ones with filing cabinets all around the place. But eventually, one of the zebras stopped in his tracks, hearing the distant sounds of what sounded like voices. Noiselessly, he gestured over to his equally horny companion, and after he ushered him over, they snuck over to one room they hadn't checked yet, one with its door ajar. Sneakily, they peeked in. "I'm sorry Mrs Rich, but I just can't do it. It's just not possible." Inside, there were two mares, and the stallions' grins grew as they eyed them up. One had his eyes on the obnoxious-looking snooty one with a big pink ass behind her, meanwhile, the other, he had his eyes on the mature-looking formal one, her own tan ass just as big as the others'. The zebras were already thankful they'd been lucky enough to catch these two before they'd been claimed. "Why? Why can't you do it? If I'm telling you I want something done, then you're supposed to get it done! What if I decide to cut all the funding I generously give to the town hall, Mayor Mare?" They appeared to be in what looked like an office space, one with a chair, a desk with a window behind it, and filing cabinets along one of the walls. Their eyes weren't on the decorations though, obviously. "But, the zebras... What do you expect me to do?" Outside, the pair had just been about to step in and make their presence known, but now they were curious. Why were these two talking about them? Handily, they were about to learn why. "I don't care what you do, do whatever you need to, but those filthy animals don't look like they've ever even washed themselves! I want them gone before they stink up the place!" The zebra duo's eyes widened. They hadn't been expecting that, but if that's what they thought of them, then maybe they'd have to show them just how 'filthy' they could get. For now though, they chose to wait a little longer, curious as to what else they had to say. And dramatically, Mayor Mare sighed as she leaned back against her desk. "I agree, and they don't match Ponyville's rural aesthetic at all. That could drive off tourists, and if it does..." "Then that's less bits in both of our purses." Spoiled Milk finished her sentence for her with spite in her voice, and the zebras already hated these mares. They were acting on selfishness and greed. They'd be much more likeable as striped cocksleeves. As quietly as they could, the two spying stallions began whispering to each other, taking their pick. "I get the fat-assed one." The other zebra looked at the mares, and despite the pink one's being bigger, both had undeniably fat asses, though it seemed every pony mare did. "Which one?" "The bitch." "Oh, her. Then the other one's mine." Fortunately for them, both zebras got the ones they wanted, and just in time to hear them speaking again. After thinking on the dilemma at hoof, the mayor made her mind up. "I'll see what I can do. I can't promise much anytime soon, but as long as I keep getting paid as promised, I'll see if we could frame them for something to get the townsponies to turn against them." Spoiled liked that, and somehow her upturned nose raised even higher as she looked pleased with herself. "Good. It's about time you did your job properly. Now, if you don't mind, I've got a hooficure booked and I'm already late for-" Bam! They'd heard enough, and barged their way in forcefully to introduce themselves, catching the two mares by surprise. They hadn't expected the very topic of conversation to be right outside, and if they'd heard what they were talking about... Mayor Mare was the first to speak up. "Zebras?! You're not allowed to be here! Wh-What are you doing?" She nervously backed up from them, hoping their words had gone unheard and noticing as one shut the door behind them. Breaking off from each other, one zebra slowly approached her as the other went to Spoiled, both eying them up and both with lecherous grins on their muzzles. It was the one stalking her though that spoke. "Oh, we were just hearing about some mare's plans to try and turn the town against us. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" His cocky tone made it clear that she was trouble, and his strong, muscular body approaching her didn't help ease her nerves. "W-Well wh-whatever you heard, I'm s-sure it was out of context and that there's a perfectly reasonable-" "Eurgh! Back away from me, zebra. You're lucky to even stand near me." Cutting Mayor Mare off, Spoiled Rich didn't appreciate the animal making his way up to her, nor did she want to spend any longer trapped in a room with these two. "Tch! I have better places to be than this. Out of my way now, you." The mayor and the other zebras watched as she stood still with a puffed-up chest and her nose upturned high. She really expected him to move out of the way for her when she could just try going around him. He was going to have to disappoint. "Didn't you hear me? Don't you zebras know basic manners? I told you to-" As she ranted annoyingly, him assuming she was quite an unpopular pony before they came here, he lifted his hoof and placed it on her chest, shutting her up for a moment before she started again. "Wha-? Get your mangy hoof off of me! Celestia knows where that thing's been, and I don't want it soiling my- GAH!" Instead of taking it off of her, he used it to shove her back forcefully onto her rump, and with it planted on the floor, he pounced on the mare, and got ready to break that self-righteous little mind of hers. "Urgh! Get off of me! Don't you know who I am?!" When her back hit the floor, he held her down with his hooves on her shoulders, thinking of all the ways he could break this bitchy brat. As he did that however, the other zebra and pony watching them returned their gazes to each other, and Mayor Mare flinched at his malicious grin, backing up even more as he crept towards her. Just like that zebra was going to do something to Spoiled, this one was going to do something to her, and she was sure she wasn't going to like whatever punishment he had in mind. Still though, she kept pleading, even if her fake excuses did nothing. "W-We didn't really mean all those things we were saying earlier, you know. It was j-just a joke, really. Some harmless banter between friends. We weren't actually going to-" Thud. Her pudgy ass hit her desk, and the mayor turned around in shock to find she had no space left to retreat to. Uh oh... When she looked back, nervous, she came face-to-face with the zebra and his domineering grin again. He had her cornered, and she knew it. "I-Is it money you want? I'm sure the town's supply has plenty of bits I could give you, y-you just have to ask." He didn't care about all the money she could give him, he had his eyes on something plumper, curvier, more fuckable, and Mayor Mare could tell as his gaze roamed her body. But after eying her up some more, he was tired of waiting, and decided it was time for him to have some fun. Just like his companion had, the zebra placed his hoof on the mare's chest before she could react, and with more force behind it than the previous one, he shoved the mayor back onto the desk, putting her genitalia right in front of him. Papers, pens, pencils, all of them went flying to make room for her as she yelped out, and when the mare was lying on her own desk, she looked forward to see him enjoying the sights of her exposed parts as his hooves held her thighs in place. Silent and tense, Mayor Mare watched him ogle her. It was nerve-wracking, not knowing what he was going to do next, but him licking his lips should've been a clue to her. Getting on his knees, the zebra came here to enjoy himself, and he planned to, first by feasting on the greatest delicacy known to zebrakind: a mare. He kept holding her by her thighs, and as he did, he swooped in and wrapped his lips around one of her nipples. They weren't lactating, but that could change. "Wh-What are you doing?!" Instead of scared or nervous, as she watched him get to work and enjoy himself, Mayor Mare was just confused. When the pair of them barged their way in here, she expected him to want to rough her up a little before robbing her of everything she had. But now, between her legs, he was licking, biting and sucking on her teats, sending all sorts of unwanted sensations through her as she remained confused, noises of pleasure escaping her. Meanwhile, back over at the other two, the zebra had determined the perfect punishment for this irritating and self-entitled yet desirable mare: he was going to sit on her face. Keeping her where she was on the floor under him, ignoring the constant complaints that she didn't deserve such treatment and that he'd regret whatever he did to her, the zebra raised his plot high, and spun himself around to put it over her head. She'd hate this, and he'd enjoy every second of it. "Just what do you think you're doing now, you-?" When he turned, she looked above her, and when her eyes were met with the sight of a zebra stallion's asscheeks positioned over her face, she couldn't imagine anywhere else in Equestria that she wouldn't rather be. "...You wouldn't dare." Oh, but he would. With a wide grin on his muzzle, the foreign stallion lowered his rear down onto Spoiled Rich's face, and as her muzzle was put in between his two cheeks, he laughed at the feeling of her screaming into his taint. "MPH! MMMPH! MM-MMMPH!" Whilst he enjoyed himself up top, chuckling at putting this bitch where she deserved to be, she was having the worst time of her life underneath. All she could smell was the deep scent of zebra musk, and though it was doing things to her body that she couldn't bear to think about, it truly did smell like he hadn't bathed in his lifetime, and she desperately wanted to escape from under him more than she'd ever wanted anything before. But she wasn't done until he said she was done, and he was quite comfy up here... Back to the mare above her own zebra having her crotchboobs devoured, she was also feeling her marehood start to moisten a little. She didn't want it to, and it wasn't moistening as much as the one of a certain mare being used as a seat right now, but him indulging on her breasts still felt good, and the things he was doing to her were pleasurable. She still wanted him to stop though, and was grateful when he decided he was finished with them. Oh thank goodness, he's done now. But as his head moved back, and he pulled himself away from her teats, Mayor Mare spotted his eyes checking out another part of her, and her relief vanished. He didn't even bother to look at her in the face, not before he shoved his head between her legs again and stuck his muzzle straight into her marehood. "AGH! Wait! N-Not there! Ngh!" Instantly, he began hungrily tonguing her pussy, sending jolts of unconsensual pleasure through her as he lapped up the juices that had accumulated there, and she could do nothing to stop him. "Ahn! Stop that! P-Please! Angh! G-Get that out of there!" She didn't bother trying to push him away; he'd easily be able to overpower her, and she didn't try to wriggle out of his grip, not wanting him to get mad and maybe decide to stick something else in her marehood. So instead, Mayor Mare just had to watch and feel him eating her out, likely forcing some zebra tradition upon her or something. But he wasn't. There was no Zebrican tradition behind eating out the mares they claimed, he just wanted to taste her cunt, and the more he did, the more he got to. As she writhed in his hooves from the pleasure he was forcing onto her, the mare got wetter and wetter, and as he rubbed his tongue along her walls and swirled it around her large clit, he got to taste as much pony snatch as he could ever dream of. In very little time, the two zebras had barged their way in and filled the room with their 'filth'. What once was a quiet and formal office was now being filled with mare-musk, and the striped pair couldn't get enough of that arousing aroma, loving it so much that they let their zebracocks unsheath themselves, pushing out of them before they hardened and throbbed, ready to fuck some mares into motherhood. "Ah! Fuck! S-Stop! You're gonna make me... I'm... GAAAHHHH!" Unable to stop the zebra's talented tongue from digging into her, the mayor of Ponyville couldn't do anything as she came all over his face, and felt the rush of an orgasm hit her body. Her juices sprayed out of her, and the perverted zebra seemed to enjoy it, much to the mayor's dismay. But it soon ended, and when it did, he was reminded of the unsatisfied and pulsing want between his own legs. He'd helped her get off, if only she could do the same... Looking over to his friend who'd joined him, the one currently with a pink mare trying and failing to get him off of her, the two's eyes met, and they nodded to each other. Wordlessly, they decided it was time to get down to business. Before Spoiled's zebra got off of her though, he couldn't help but enjoy himself up here a bit more. He could feel her hot breath on his balls, and despite the struggling from underneath, his erect member throbbed when he imagined what her snobbish face looked like down there. The point was, he liked putting the bitch in her place, making her his seat, but he looked forward to making her his cumslut more, and would soon be doing just that. Spoiled Rich however, she wasn't in such a happy mood, with her muzzle still trapped between the zebra's striped asscheeks. It was awful. All she could smell was zebra, and it disgusted her as much as it aroused her body. Plus, she was powerless to do anything about it, and was sure her colourful expletives weren't helping her out here. As well as all that though, what she hated the most was that her nose was pressed right against his plothole, and left her feeling the filthiest she could ever feel. She'd sell everything she owned just to get him off of her, but fortunately, she didn't need to, because all of a sudden the weight on her face was being mercifully lifted. He got off of her, and as a hoof still kept her in place, his gigantic, dangling zebracock was fully in view. Spoiled didn't seem to notice it though, she didn't give it the slightest bit of attention, instead, her eyes were on his, and a look of pure fury was all over her face. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, YOU DEGENERATE SCUM?! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU HAVE ANY RIGHT TO SUBJECT ME TO THAT KIND OF... FILTH?! WHEN MY HUSBAND AND HIS LAWYERS GET THEIR HOOVES ON YOU ZEBRAS THEN..." He stopped listening to her rant, it was just more empty threats that she'd never end up getting to go through with. In the meantime, he grabbed her hind legs, and after shoving them up to her shoulders, he mounted her in a mating press, poking her entrance with his tip. Then, it seemed, Spoiled Rich had finally finished shouting. Now that she was in this position, with her body so vulnerable to the zebracock lined up to push into her, she finally understood how defenceless she was, and how her money wouldn't save her here. "Get that dirty thing away from me. D-Don't you dare do what it is you're thinking..." He was going to, even she knew he'd stoop so low as to rape her. But only a couple of minutes ago, back to the others again, a zebra had just made a mare cum on him, and they were now lost in a world of their own, ignoring any yelling or bitching from Mrs Rich. "So... Did you enjoy yourself?" Grinning, he looked up at the tan mare panting before wiping her juices off of his muzzle with the back of his hoof. And her answer was immediate. "N-No! I didn't, thank you!" She wasn't lying. As pleasurable as it was, what kind of pony wanted a zebra to force himself upon her to eat her out? With his eyes looking down on her wet hole again, he continued. "At least you're ready for the next part then." Before she could ask what in Equestria that meant, he rose to his hooves, getting up off the floor, and after he placed his front legs at either side of her, heavily, he dropped his massive zebracock directly between her two teats. She could feel it throbbing on her belly. "Wh-Wh-Wh... I..." No words could escape her, not when she learnt the full extent of what this zebra was packing. Mayor Mare wanted to be raped as much as any other mare, but to be raped by a horny scumbag who had this monster between his legs? Soon, the pleading returned, and the pony turned to desperation. "No! Don't! I-I'll do anything!" She wasn't a virgin, really, she was quite the slut, but she knew she couldn't take that, and was willing to offer up anything to escape it. "I... Umm... T-Take some of the village's other mares instead! Ponyville has some beautiful mares that I'm sure you would enjoy much more! I-I could even give you their addresses if you'd like!" He didn't take the offer. If anything, it made him want to turn this pony into his breeding bitch even more. "W-W-Well what about when I tell the townsponies about this then? You zebras will be driven out of town!" That one made him laugh. With a head nudge and an amused smile on his muzzle, the zebra gestured to the window, her turning and looking out of it. "Will we now?" Outside, to put it lightly, ponies were being fucked. Just from this window, she could see lifelong friends being fucked into the ground mercilessly by zebras, and some of them were even mating with them willingly, bouncing on their cocks with stripes painted all over their bodies and cum pouring out of their holes. When the mare saw that, she knew she was fucked. Before she could even turn back around, she felt it, him prodding at her entrance, her lower lips kissing his fat tip as he pushed against them. And at the same time, on the floor, Spoiled Rich's zebra was lined up with her too. Both zebras were ready to breed, so, at the same time, they pushed into their mares. "NNNNGGGHHHH! You'll- UNGH! r-regret this..." Spoiled warned him yet again, but her zebra didn't believe her. "AAAAAAHHHHNN! Stop! I-It's too big! It won't- Angh! I-It won't fit!" Mayor Mare submitted to her zebra though, and even if she still didn't want this, she knew nothing would stop him now. They weren't too focused on their words though, the mares' minds were currently trying to comprehend getting their bodies stretched to such an extent just to wrap around some hung zebra dicks. Only the mayor had caught onto the colossal package her zebra was wielding, but still, both of them couldn't believe the two felt this big as they shoved their inches deep into them. H-How are these disgusting perverts so h-hung?! F-Filthy was never nearly this big. These degenerate beasts don't deserve to be so- "GAH!" Through all the stretching of their pussies, the mares could feel little pleasure, but that didn't mean it wasn't there. "Ahn! S-Sweet Celestia! It's so deep!" Both mares had taken multiple different pony stallions' horsecocks in their lives for different reasons: the mayor because she was a slut who let any stallion who showed interest bed her, and Spoiled because of the few occasions she cheated on her husband with a more attractive stallion. But even after taking all of them pretty effortlessly, it was more than difficult getting these much bigger zebracocks shoved down their cunts, their pussy walls gripping their girth as they widened them. Eventually though, at long last, after getting the massive, superior rods fed into them, filling up their pussies and not leaving any space untouched inside of their holes, Spoiled Rich and Mayor Mare felt the two crash against their wombs, stretching them too as the zebras hilted the entirety of their giant cocks inside of them. With their hips hitting the pony mares' asscheeks and their heavy balls being squished between them, the zebras revelled in the feeling of cunt clinging down on them once again. Feeling extra cocky, one of them couldn't resist poking fun at the two mares, especially the one trapped in his mating press. "So, are you two sluts enjoying yourselves?" The mayor didn't answer, she just kept quietly moaning and groaning to herself as she got used to the zebracock and the magnificent feelings it was sending through her. Spoiled Rich however had no problem making her own feelings known, even if she had trouble getting them out. "Ungh... F-Fuck you... I'm not your slut." He grinned down on her with an amused twinkle in his eyes. The zebra fucking the bitchy pink brat could tell she was enjoying it, he could tell his cock was doing things to her that no tiny ponycock could ever do, and he could tell just how much she hated that. "We'll see about that." They pulled themselves out of the mares, roughly scraping their cocks against their inner walls and sliding themselves out of the two without warning, and when they'd done that, leaving them empty inside and filled only by their tips, the zebras didn't hesitate to wedge their fat cocks back into the mares all over again, stretching their pussies around their cocks once more and getting the exact reaction they'd been expecting from both of them. "UUUGGHNN!" Spoiled Rich couldn't hold in the strained groan that was forced out of her. "AAAANNGGH!" And alongside her, a pathetically slutty moan erupted out of her accomplice, the mayor much more appreciative of the fat zebra dong stuffed in her. One grunted unhappily, and the other moaned whorishly, but if they thought the hung stallions would stop here, they'd be sorely mistaken. Bringing their hips back, the zebras smacked them forward into the ponies' pudgy asses, and when they did, their zebracocks forced their ways through the mares straight to their wombs, crashing into them as they brought cries from the two. And then they did it all again, and again, and the breeders got to fucking their mares without a care in the world besides getting to breed these two and own them from then on. "Ahn! Fuck! Ngh! It's! So! Deep!" The zebra rocking in and out of her felt good, incredible even, and Mayor Mare was barely ashamed to admit it, even if she wasn't saying it. Of all the times she'd been fucked over this same desk by some random stallion she didn't bother learning the name of, this dominant stud by far was the best, fucking her better than any pony stallion ever had. Though it took some time getting used to the massiveness of what he was shoving inside her, this was easily the best sex she's ever gotten to have, and it was with some random zebra raping her. The fact that there was no consent here didn't stop her moaning though, nor did it make her enjoy this any less. "Ngh! Ngah! Keep going! Fuck me harder!" "Ha! Are you really this pathetic a slut for zebracock, whore? We've barely even started!" Compared to how fast zebras could go, the speed he was going here, rocking his hips back and forth in and out of her, was incredibly tame. Usually creatures took longer to break to zebracock... But not this one. "Ahn! Yes! I'm a pathetic cockslut! Go faster! Keep fucking me with that hung zebra cock of yours!" For all the fight she put up earlier, begging him not to have his way with her, the mayor sure was enjoying herself. Her zebra couldn't wait to see what she'd be like when he actually got to fucking her senseless instead of this warmup. On the floor meanwhile, the mare down there wasn't having nearly as much fun as Mayor Mare, not with the gigantic zebracock ramming down into her violently over and over again. She could barely think through the pleasure this zebra was forcing onto her, getting mated much rougher than her fellow mare was, but she still kept resisting, she's not giving in to these lowly zebra rapists! She's Spoiled Rich! She's not only a successful entrepreneur all by herself, but she's also the matriarch of the Rich business, and the wife to the renowned Filthy Rich! She's the head of an empire, and is above every pony and zebra that looks upon her. But despite all that, now she's down here, below this striped scumbag, being defiled and ploughed into the floor like she's some common whore to please his depraved needs. It sure felt fantastic getting defiled though, and no amount of money had ever given her the feelings that this brute was forcing upon her now, nor had any of the stallions she'd laid. "Angh!" N-No! I'm above these- "Guh! Ahn!" I'm above these r-repulsive low-lives! They're wrong if- "AH! F-Fuck!" If they think they can turn me into their s-s-slut! The offer was getting more tempting by the second though, and as the zebras started speeding up even more, overwhelming the mares with an extra helping of superior zebra dick, the two victims could feel their resistance being fucked out of them, Mayor Mare having little left anyway. On the desk, the once-prestigious and respected townspony was howling with pleasure, and as she felt the zebra oblige her slutty requests to fuck her faster, deeper, and harder with his fantastic cock, the mayor could feel her brain turning to mush with every powerful, rabid thrust into her. He was fucking her as fast as he possibly could, and with her lying back flat on the desk, it took no time at all before she was fully broken by zebracock, begging the zebra in a very different way than before. "YES! KEEP GOING! I'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING: MONEY, LAND, YOU CAN RAPE EVERY SINGLE FUCKING MARE IN THIS TOWN FOR ALL I CARE, JUST DON'T STOP GIVING ME YOUR FAT FUCKING ZEBRACOCK!" She was still as terrible as before, but she belonged to the zebras now, and the one breaking her mind would put her to good use. Her first job would be to carry his foals as his newest broodmare, and after that, who knew what he'd do with her. But before the sluttiest of the two mares could get impregnated, the more resistant one was busy being broken once and for all. On the floor, with her back against the floorboards, her zebra's chest pushing against hers, and her legs permanently pushed up to her shoulders, Spoiled Rich couldn't think from all the gigantic zebra dick she was taking. She couldn't even speak, as she was mated, all that came out were the moans of a mare being fucked silly. And who could blame her? Atop her plump body, the zebra was keeping her in this position, and without stopping, without slowing, he kept slamming down into her pussy, ramming his unstoppable meat inside her again and again, smacking her fat ass into the floor with every eager thrust and noisily turning her pink cheeks red. WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! WHAP! This position gave him the perfect opportunity to do nothing but breed her like he already owned her, and Spoiled could do nothing as her ass bounced beautifully, her teats got squished between them, and she lost her mind to zebra cock. She couldn't believe she'd wasted her entire life making money and fucking pathetic pony stallions when she could've been being bred like this instead. She didn't need money, what could sacks of golden bits get her? All she needed was more zebracock, and if that meant being turned into their filthy, mangy, reusable whore, then maybe she'd rather give in to these virile assholes. "Not as high and mighty now, huh pony-slut?" This bitch was the best: she had a chubby ass, fat teats that he could see were already lactating, a body made for a zebra like him to breed, and a face that looked so much prettier when she was moaning like the slut she was. But of course, she didn't cry out for more just yet, she was too busy sticking her tongue out and letting her eyes roll into the back of her head. The broken mare's thoughts, however, let her true feelings be known: NGAH! BREED ME LIKE YOUR FILTHY WHORE! MATE ME AND CUM IN ME LIKE I'M SOME COMMON SLUT FOR YOU TO DISPOSE OF WHEN YOU'RE DONE! BRING ME DOWN TO YOUR LEVEL OF DEPRAVITY AND MAKE ME SERVE ZEBRAS LIKE I'M YOUR SLUTTY BROODMARE! RUIN ME! She didn't need to worry, he was going to ruin her, and alongside him, his fellow zebra was going to do the same to his own mare. They were about to pump the two full of striped foals, and once that was done, they'd be zebra property, never having to think about pony stallions or their inferior horsecocks ever again. Building up in their massive members as they somehow got even faster, wrecking the mares' pussies even more with their harsh, brutal, and determinedly savage pounds, soon, the studs were ready to blow, and held nothing back. "Ngh! I'm gonna cum! Beg for it, whore!" The mayor's entire body shook with every thrust, but despite her senses being overwhelmed every time the zebra madly bucked into her, she still heard him, and didn't hesitate to follow his command. "AGH! PLEASE! FINISH INSIDE OF ME! GIVE ME YOUR CUM! OWN MY WOMB AND FILL IT WITH YOUR ZEBRA FOALS! NGAH! NEVER STOP GIVING ME ZEBRACOCK!" On her desperate words, the time arrived, and both zebras felt their climaxes hit them. They bucked into their mares one last time, and on burying themselves as deep as they could go, squishing the sluts' chubby asses as they shoved hungrily into them, gooey, white zebra seed exploded out of their tips, and directly into the pair's wombs they began filling them up as their cocks pumped out more and more to stuff these two full of zebra spunk. "NGAAAAAHHHHHH!" If Mayor Mare could think a single coherent thought now, she wouldn't believe how lucky she was to get to become a zebra's mate, to serve him and carry his foals inside of her. As load after load filled her though, flooding her womb, gushing out of her, and creating a pool on her desk before it poured down onto the floor, she was only thinking about the indescribable feeling of her orgasm crashing down on her, as well as the euphoria of getting every inch of her pussy's insides getting painted with cum. "GUUUUUUUUHHHHH!" And on the floor, Spoiled Rich was cumming her brains out too. She'd never felt anything like getting so much seed dumped into her. It flooded her womb, drowned the rest of her pussy too, overflowed out of her, and when he just kept cumming inside of her, she felt it running down her asscrack and travelling over her ponut to create a pool on the floor beneath her. She already felt pregnant, and she was going to feel even more pregnant in the months to come. Spoiled, the upper-class businessmare, was going to be carrying the foals of this hung, virile zebra stud that only hours ago she'd been looking down on... Somehow, she didn't mind that, nor did the other equally pregnant slave in the room. When the zebras stopped ejaculating in them, and had finally run out of splooge to stuff them with, it all came to an end for them, and they came down from their incredible, powerful orgasms satisfied, for now. The mares needed a little bit more time to rest though. It wasn't easy being transformed into a zebra-loving cocksleeve, and they understood that just as much as every other slave in Equestria did. For a while, the room was quiet, the only sounds in it being from four sweaty equines panting. The room stunk too. This room didn't stink that often, only when the mayor had special one-on-one meetings with her stallion 'visitors', and even then it didn't reek of sex nearly this much, but from now on it was going to start smelling like this a lot more often, and nopony could do anything about it. Soon, after recovering their energy much quicker than their pony partners, the zebras began pulling out, and considering they were starting to go flaccid inside of the two, not anticipating any more rounds with them, it wasn't difficult. Smoothly, they slipped their cocks out of the cum-filled caverns. One of them slapped his cock back onto Mayor Mare's crotchtits, letting his jizz sink into the fur of her breasts and her belly. Meanwhile, the other just let his dangle over Spoiled's exhausted body, dripping seed down onto her and letting it sink into her own teats and belly too. Feeling his meat return back into its sheath and he watched the town's former mayor pant, her new master dropped the crucial question, addressing it to both of the resting slaves. "So, do you two sluts wanna get striped? Turned into permanent and official zebra broodmares?" The reaction from his mare was instant. "Y-Yes! Please... Make me your mare!" The MILF on the floor however didn't respond, encouraging her own owner to put his hoof on her cheek, making her look him in the eye "Whaddya say, slut? Wanna spend the rest of your life as my striped slave?" It appeared she heard the question that time, and even if her answer was tired and laboured to get out, there was still a desperation behind it. "Please... I need it... Make me a slave..." After having her under him for so long, he dismounted the mare that was a husk of her former self, half heading to the door before looking back on her defeated figure. "Come on then. If you behave I might even consider giving you a reward and pumping that fat asshole of yours full too!" Her pussy gaped, her limbs ached, and she was covered in sweat, zebra cum, and her own cum. Yet still, Spoiled Rich got up, and as her pussy leaked out the cum he'd so generously filled her with, she headed over to him, looking forward to her new life under zebra ownership alongside 'Mayor' Mare. Elsewhere, at the same time, in some back alley between two random Ponyville houses, the mood wasn't nearly as blissfully happy as it was for the mares in the mayor's office. Nope, back here, panting, Spike the dragon was instead stressing his little head off, leaning back against a wall as he tried oh so hard to process all he'd just seen. It had been hours since Twilight left for Canterlot, letting it slip that Rarity was in trouble, and determined to protect her, Spike left the castle to help. Twilight had said to stay in the castle, but he needed to do this. His dragon's honour demanded he must, and he'd only be protected her until Twilight came back for her anyway. But when he exited the castle, and made his was down Ponyville's streets, nothing could have prepared Spike for what he'd see next. Here and there, mares were being bred publicly, and the more time he spent outside, the more mares he was seeing get fucked into obedient cock-slaves. These were mares he'd spent so much time with now, ponies that he'd grown to know over their years in this welcoming town, and now they were getting fucked senseless before his very eyes. Spike didn't know what to do, so he ran. He didn't know what was going on, and couldn't begin to understand why this was happening, so here, in this back alley, he hid, having ran away from it all. For a while, all Spike could do was panic, trying to make sense of everything and suddenly realising why Twilight was as panicked as she was earlier. But eventually, after he'd calmed down and come to his senses, something changed. Wait, what about Rarity? Only here, in the quiet of this alley, with the mares' moaning being off in the distance did it occur to him. He'd come out here originally to protect Rarity, Twilight mentioned something about her before she'd zoomed off, had she been turned into another one of those striped slaves? Would she be if he didn't save her? The chances were slim, but he needed to help her. If he could prevent her from being put through what those other mares he'd already seen had gone through, then he would. With fire in his eyes and his belly, the dragon set off, sneaking around in case any zebras suddenly noticed a dragon among them and deemed him a threat. Making his way through the town through its back alleys and its shadowy areas as sneakily as he could, Spike couldn't keep his eyes off of the debauchery around him. Since he'd gone into that alley, it seemed only more and more mares were getting fucked, getting bred, and then getting covered with those stripes that he was sure Rarity would call ghastly. It felt like it was happening everywhere he went, but doing his best to ignore it, Spike cut through the park, moving from bush to bush and slowly inching himself towards Rarity's. So far, everything was going surprisingly well for the dragon; he could be competent when he needed to. However, when he reached one bush and peeped out of it to make sure the coast was clear, he froze dead in his tracks. He thought he'd seen it all, yet what he was watching was more than he ever could have imagined seeing. On a bench, two zebras were on each side of a mare, thrusting away happily into her, and in the middle, being spitroasted between the two, Fluttershy was happily taking it, looking like being in the middle of them was the purest of bliss. Covering her were those same stripes that covered most other mares he'd seen, but like the other mares, she was also wearing more than just the stripes painted onto her. She was wearing many earrings for one, but alongside them there was also bracelets, neck-rings, and underneath her, on both of her humongous melons, piercings were attached to her lovely pink nipples, bouncing every time her body was attacked from both sides. In the bush, Spike felt himself get horny at the sight. He felt his dragoncock wanting to escape his slit, trying to slip out from the arousing sight of the plump mare getting her throat fucked and her colossal ass pounded, but he resisted it. Though it took a lot of effort - and him looking away from the shameless public display - Spike kept himself contained. Now wasn't the time to get horny and now definitely wasn't the time to masturbate, no matter how hot it was watching her giant ass jiggle with each powerful slam into it. Of all mares though, Fluttershy... She was the last one he'd have expected to see sluttily taking two zebras at once and joyously moaning around their cocks as they mated her, yet here she was, cum leaking out of her marehood as it was used. That was probably why it shocked him so much, that the usually most timid mare he knew had also given into those zebras, but he couldn't think on it for long, otherwise... They've already gotten Fluttershy... They could've definitely gotten Rarity too... He shook his head to clear away the thought. No! He wouldn't think that way. If Rarity needed saving, then he'd save her, but if she didn't... Well, he didn't know what he'd do, but he was going to find out soon. Trekking the rest of the way to the Carousel Boutique, leaving the park and sneaking his way through the town, it wasn't long before he reached his destination. In another alley, he approached Rarity's house, and he realised she could have been anywhere in all of Ponyville by now, but fortunately for him, she was there, and he got the perfect vantage point to see what was going on. Spike didn't know what he was expecting when he finally found Rarity. In his mind, there was some childish fantasy, one of zebras surrounding her with evil grins on their faces and Rarity calling out for somepony to save her with a hoof raised to her forehead, letting him step in and save the day. But that wasn't realistic, and it certainly wasn't what he was seeing here. Not even on a bench like Fluttershy was, Rarity and her zebra were on the floor, and as he sat back with his hooves on her fat flank, eagerly, she bounced on his lap, riding his cock and crying out without a shred of dignity. "Ah! Ngha! Yes! So big! I love it! I love you, Master! Ahhn!" She was striped, she was wearing zebra jewellery and she had zebra piercings. To see her like this brought up so many emotions in Spike. Anger at those zebras for taking his mare, sorrow at seeing what she'd been turned into, heartbreak at seeing the mare he loved proclaim her love to another, and finally, lust, because even though she was covered in stripes and gold, he couldn't help but notice how well it suited her, really showing off her body's curviness, bounciness, and perfect plumpness. He couldn't hold back his erection, it springing up out of him, but he didn't try to hold it back; his mind was elsewhere. Sh-She was supposed to be mine... We were supposed to fall in love and get married and have our first kiss together... They were unrealistic dreams, to hope that she'd be interested in a teenage dragon many years younger than herself, but they were still his dreams, and he'd wanted to share them with her. And now those dreams were crumbling before his very eyes, them being destroyed as Rarity's lips crashed into the zebra's and Spike watched them sloppily make out. Watching them go at it, over time, the sadness, the grief, the tragedy of seeing his crush made into a whore, they eventually faded... And all Spike could feel was rage. Red filled his vision, and rather than thinking, he just acted on emotion. It was a stupid thing to do, but he couldn't care less at this point. Fuelled by his jealous fury, without thinking, the dragon stomped out of his hiding space in the dark alley, and in the open, with the sun shining down on him, he made himself known, screaming at the top of his lungs. "HEY! GET OFF OF HER!" With Spike attracting his target's attention, the zebra's emotions snapped from lustful, horny and pleased to confused in an instant. He'd just been fucking his mare, happily enjoying her as he prepared to dump yet another batch of cum inside her, when out of nowhere, this tiny, angry and erect dragon comes storming up to him. On his lap, he stopped his slut from bouncing, and as he looked around, he noticed he wasn't the only one gaining Spike's attention, multiple other zebras turning and - upon seeing the aggravated dragon - heading over to help. Then, finally, there was also Rarity. She'd heard the yell off to her side, but didn't care, why would she? When her zebra master halted their lovemaking however, then and only then did she decide the distraction was worth her time. And the new arrival caught her off-guard. "...S-Spikey?" The zebra Spike was focused on though wasn't sure what to do. They didn't know what this dragon could do, they didn't even know if this variety of them breathed fire, so he figured he should try finding that out, him and the unhappy mare atop him wanting to go back to what they were doing. "Or else what?" Thinking so little Twilight would be disappointed in him, Spike belted out a blast of green fire, a warning, one that he made sure didn't get close enough to them to hurt Rarity. "OR ELSE I'LL BURN YOU TO A CRISP! GET OFF OF HER!" This had gone on long enough. Spike often could be a nuisance, but to stop her and her true love from delectably indulging in one another? Making her voice as serious as she could with a zebracock still stuffed up her cunt, Rarity spoke up, clearly annoyed at the tiny dragon before them. "Spike, just what do you think you're doing?" It was as if he'd forgotten she was there. Instantly, Spike's head snapped to Rarity, and he looked her in the eyes as his fury dwindled. "Wha-? Rarity, I'm saving you." The hostility was gone, and Rarity's zebra almost laughed at how the fearsome dragon suddenly turned submissive. "No you're not." Rarity didn't find this nearly as funny though, and didn't hesitate making her soured mood known. "I don't want you saving me, Spike. I've already found my stud in shining armour!" The dragon watched in terror as she turned back to her zebra lover, with a lovestruck glint in her half-lidded eyes and a seductive need for him in her voice. "Now keep taking what's yours, Master! Breed me and make me your slutty broodmare all over again!" Carelessly, she went back to ignoring him, soon forgetting that Spike was still stood there. And Rarity's master saw the warning, but now knew the dragon wouldn't hurt the mare, so cockily, he got her back to bouncing on him, the tiny lizard watching on, at a loss as her fat ass kept noisily striking his thighs. "Ah! Yes! Thank you, Master! I love you! I love zebracock!" The pair of lovers got to loving again, and Spike couldn't look away from it. It was only when he noticed the zebras out of the corner of his eye did the dragon turn to face them, seeing the group surrounding him in a circle. They sensed the danger he could bring. They'd have to take care of this quick. "I... B-B..." Meanwhile, back to Spike, he had no idea what to do now. He'd failed, and now he had less of a plan than he stormed over here with. So, seeing no other option, he returned back to his rage, and faced the other striped monsters head-on. "GET AWAY FROM ME! I'M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT RARITY!" Keeping them back, he kept firing his hottest blasts at the zebras in a circle around him, and they had to retreat every time he did, but they'd surrounded him entirely, and soon enough, one of them saw an opening and took it. When the dragon turned his back, using his powerful muscles, one of the zebras dashed forward, and before their problem could react fast enough to shoot more fire at him, he turned around, and bucked into the dragon's head hard. And then, for Spike, everything went black. The little guy was sent flying, knocked back as he was knocked out, and the zebras watched him tumble about before coming to a stop. "Queen Domina's gonna wanna know about this." One chirped in, and so a conversation began. "One of us should take him to her then. Keeping him around here is the last thing we want with all these straw houses." Grimacing to themselves, they looked up far into the distance, seeing the distance they'd have to travel to get there. That was over half-a-day's worth of travelling, and none of them were up for that. "I'm not going, I've got more mares to breed." "Same." "My herd's only got two mares so far." All of them voiced their agreement, and then, their heads turned to the one of them still on the floor, the gorgeous mare back to bouncing joyously on his cock. "Hey! I'm not doing it! The only mare I've gotten in my herd is this one!" "You're the one he was mad at though." "And don't pretend like you haven't already gotten lucky enough getting to make that hot slut yours." "I'll do it if you trade me that mare for it." "...No, I'll go." Not only was he outvoted, but he was the one fucking the mare this dragon apparently liked, and he didn't plan on giving her up anytime soon, especially not when she had his foals in her. So, having a long trip to make, the zebra got his mare off of him, her clearly wanting more and him wanting the same just as bad. Maybe along the way they could have a couple quickies, he was sure Domina wouldn't mind. > Part 1: The Derpy Chapter In the sky over Equestria, the sun was beginning to set all by itself. It didn't need to be done manually anymore, not since a certain solar mare got her magic sealed away. It was odd that that happened, but who could really explain how magic worked? Twilight Sparkle, she could, and she was thinking about the science behind it on her flight back to Ponyville, anything to distract her from what was happening around her. She'd already spent her time on this trip coming up with their next plan of action, so for now, she kept her mind as far off of the zebras as she could, even if it kept wandering back to them. But time flies when you're stressed about zebras bringing an end to your kingdom, and before she knew it, hours had passed, and Twilight reached Ponyville. She had a lot to do, so as quickly as she could, the alicorn dove down to swoop in on her home. Okay, first, I need to go to the castle to check up on Starlight, then- "Gah!" Flailing her legs, she did her best to stop herself in the air, flapping back before she reached the Crystal Castle on spotting the large, bubble-like forcefield erected around it. And barely inches away from crashing into it, she finally managed to successfully reorient herself in the air, and flying away from it, Twilight inspected the magical barrier. She was very lucky to have avoided it, so wanted to know what its purpose was. Getting closer and analysing it, she used her extensive magical expertise to examine it. She could tell it was Starlight's from the colour, anypony could figure out that, but from the thickness of its walls, she could understand its purpose and saw it was a species barrier, the same one Shining Armor used to protect Canterlot during his wedding. It lets some species pass it, and some are blocked... Ponies can go in and out, and zebras... She could now tell what it was there for, and flew into it soon after, passing through effortlessly. At least there was some comfort in knowing that she wouldn't have been splattered if she hadn't been able to stop her dive in time. Flying down to one of the building's balconies, her goal hadn't changed. She still needed to find Starlight and check in on how things were going here, then she could find the rest of the Mane 6, bring them here, and let them in on her plan. Running down corridors, she checked Starlight's bedroom, the kitchen, the library, but nothing. She didn't see anything of her unicorn student. It wasn't until she was approaching the map room that she even heard another pony, but this didn't sound like Starlight, it didn't even sound like one pony, it must've been a sizeable crowd of them. Of course, Twilight went there next. Spotting the large doors were already open, she trotted up to them, and on entering the room she saw all the ponies inside. It was a crowd, easily, made up of a large number of Ponyville residents she knew that were scattered around the room talking amongst themselves. The Mane 6's chairs had been moved to the side, but in the middle, the map remained, with multiple ponies looking down at what it displayed. A tense, worried mood hung in the air, and Twilight knew who was to blame, but it was only then did she realise the oddness of the crowd gathered here. She took a quick glance, and saw that there were nearly as many stallions here as there was mares, and in a society of 10 mares to every stallion, that was certainly worth noticing. There was also an abundance of fillies and even some foals in the mass gathered here, and Twilight spotted how the gap between them was roughly how it should be. It wasn't long before she was spotted though, and in an instant, all the chatter died out, every head in the room turning to her. Ponies had been off in their own groups, but with her here, they all flocked to her like moths to a light. "Princess Twilight's here!" "She's back! She'll know what to do!" "Princess, what's going on?" They gathered before her, and rightfully panicked, they begged her for answers as to what was going on. "I... Uhh..." But what was she supposed to say? That Celestia and Luna were lost? That zebras had come here to rape all of them and conquer their peaceful kingdom? Taking a deep breath and thinking very carefully about what she was going to say, Twilight began, trying to stave off a mass-panic. "Listen up!" She yelled out in her royal Canterlot voice, and when all the chatter had ceased, she began. "Zebras have invaded Equestria-" When the crowd began again, more panicked this time and talking over her, she was about to yell out again, until somepony else beat her to it. "She said listen!" It was Starlight, handily emerging out of the crowd to join her side. "You wanted her advice so listen to it!" On the silence, Twilight nodded at her thankfully. It was a bit aggressive, but worked, so she didn't complain. "Like I was saying: zebras have invaded Equestria, but don't worry as plans are already being developed to stop them and put an end to their attack." Starlight looked at her teacher. For plans, she wasn't sure what they could do at this point, but if her teacher said she had a plan, then she'd have faith in her. "For now, you can spend as long as you want inside the castle walls. You'll be safe from zebras in here and I know that our magical food and water supplies won't run out so you'll never go hungry either. I'm sorry, but until the zebras have been dealt with, this is the most we can do for you." Silence dominated the room, all of the mares and stallions taking in the new information, but before long, one voice called out from the group. "They're raping our mares! A-And we've just gotta sit by while it happens?!" The stallion who said that was Mr Cake, and he was upset, but within reason. Only earlier today he'd had to come home from a cake delivery to find his wife covered in stripes outside being ploughed by a zebra, and he'd had to watch as she begged him for more, begging him to cum in her again and screaming gleefully about how she didn't need her 'pathetic husband' anymore, only 'superior zebracock'. His words inspired more to speak up though, and soon, more questions were being thrown at her from the crowd. "Even if you do defeat these zebras, even if they ran away right now, they've still raped and impregnated so many mares! It's too late to do anything about that!" That voice was Octavia Melody. She and her marefriend Vinyl had just been playing music together at home, until a horny zebra barged his way into their home, and on liking the look of her 'big, white ass', he bent her over her turntable and raped her on it, fucking her until he came in her and she was begging for more. Throughout all of this, Octavia couldn't do anything but watch as it happened, and though she'd escaped from being bred herself, she still regretted leaving her love behind. "And how safe are we in here? How do you know the zebras won't come in here and take us all too?" Finally, one more voice heard in the crowd was from a mare named Bon Bon. She was stood here beside her own marefriend Lyra, but nearly had that opportunity taken away from her earlier today. On the floor of their living room, a zebra had mounted her, and he rubbed his oversized zebracock up and down her ass as he got ready to mate her. But he hadn't realised Lyra was in the house too, and when she came downstairs from the shower, saw what was going on, and threatened to use her magic to 'blast his ass from here to Fillydelphia', he retreated, and the mares were soon found by Starlight. Back in the present though, Twilight Sparkle couldn't hear herself thinking over all this noise, so once again, she used the royal Canterlot voice, and yelled out again. "BE QUIET!" They all shut up, and she leapt on the opportunity to speak, even more stressed than all them with all this pressure on her. "Firstly, you are definitely safe here as the forcefield outside will let any ponies go in and out but won't let any zebras through. Secondly, it is too dangerous to go outside, and with all the zebras out there, you'd just be putting yourselves in danger. And thirdly, as for the zebras cumming in the mares... We're still coming up with plans but are determined to do what we can to make it so those zebras never happened. You are all dismissed." They wanted to keep questioning her, they needed to know more about what was happening, but they'd disrespected the princess enough, and they knew better than to ignore a formal dismissal. So disappointedly, they all went back to where they'd been, and left Princess Twilight to calm down from her rant. "Good job handlin' 'em, Twi'. Though I can't exactly blame them for bein' so shaken." Twilight had spotted them earlier, but only now were Applejack and Rainbow Dash approaching her, Trixie with them and taking place beside Starlight. Those of the main gang that were here looked just as concerned as everypony else, but there was still questions on Twilight's mind, one that the athletic mares answered before she could even ask. "After ya left fer Canterlot ah went back to the farm an' grabbed Big Mac' and the littluns." She nodded behind her, and sure enough, Big Macintosh was sat to one side, keeping an eye on Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo as they happily chatter together, oblivious to Equestria's striped problems. "And after a zebra tried to climb up onto me before I flew away from him, I saw what they were doing to mares and..." She looked off to the side, not able to look Twilight in the eyes as she continued. "I went to round up the rest of the six but... Pinkie, Rarity and 'Shy, they were..." When she'd found them, they were being fucked like there was no tomorrow, and to see her friends like that, especially Fluttershy... As Rainbow turned uncharacteristically quiet, Twilight had gotten all of her answers, but one. Needing to know, she turned to her student and didn't bother beating around the bush. "Why is Spike not here?" Starlight had seen this question coming from a mile away, and just decided to tell her, bluntly. "He's not here. I had a look for him a while back but he's definitely not in the castle." On seeing Twilight's face turn even more distraught, she offered a little comfort. "I've made the barrier so dragons can get through it. If he comes back, he'll be able to get back in no problem." It was a small comfort. I told him not to leave in the first place though! Sighing, Twilight unhappily had to put Spike to one side for now. They could look for him when Equestria was safe, they had no choice but to. "Thanks... Good job on the barrier and all this by the way." "Thanks. I imagine you haven't come back from Canterlot with good news though." Twilight's silence was enough of an answer. "Before you tell us about that then, you might want to see this first." This can't be good... The Princess of Friendship wasn't too much of a pessimist anymore, not like she used to be, but here she felt it was justified as she was led over to the room's magical map. With some other ponies moving out of the way for them, Twilight looked down on it, and had her fears confirmed. Instead of the usual neutral blue everywhere, several spots on the map were covered in black and white stripes, them being major cities and towns that the zebras had begun 'conquering'. They were everywhere, confirming how the zebras were going after all of Equestria at once, and so few places weren't 'striped'. They don't seem to have ventured out into non-pony territory though, and they haven't even been near the Crystal Empire... Still, it was overwhelming, and Twilight knew Equestria had never seen a threat like the one these zebras posed. "Hey Twi'" A pink hoof on her shoulder snapped Twilight out of her thoughts, and looking over to Starlight, she saw her smiling understandably at her. At least she was trying. "Do you wanna tell us about what things were like in Canterlot then?" She looked down at the map, seeing the capital city shrouded in stripes. "It can't be too much worse than what's going on here, right?" It was worse. It was so much worse. Wanting them to have some privacy for this, the princess took Starlight, AJ, RD and, after some arguing, Trixie to the empty library, and there, she went and told them everything she experienced up in Canterlot. Everything. From the debauchery on the streets to the pervy zebra guards to Queen Domina herself to what had become of Celestia and Luna to the zebras' plans and what they planned for 'Zequestria' and its mares to barely escaping the throne room to seeing her own mother get fucked and invite her in for a threesome, she told them everything. And they listened with rapt attention, even Trixie. When she was done rambling about her day, she looked up at them from her place sat on a stool, and they were all busy computing the information. It was a lot to take in, but when they were done, Starlight looked Twilight in the eyes, and spoke with a voice full of loyal determination. "So what's the plan?" The motivation did make the alicorn smile though, and helped enthuse her too, if a little. But as for plans, Twilight only had half of one, and she stood up as she started explaining it. "So, did you read that book about Zebrican traditions I gave you?" "Yeah. It was what got me outside bringing ponies here in the first place." "Then did you read anything about zebra weaknesses or ways to reverse when they 'broke' mares?" The rest just listened on. They didn't fully understand what 'breaking' a mare was, but they could take an educated guess as they let the two eggheads get to work. And Starlight had read all about that topic, but nothing about any zebra weaknesses or ways to undo the breaking showed up. "Sorry Twi', no." Looking down, Twilight was clearly deep in her mind, and though Starlight didn't want to break her train of thought, she couldn't resist asking more. "Do you know somepony that might know stuff like that?" She did. "Not somepony, Starlight. Somezebra." Domina had let it slip that Zecora was a traitor to her empire, and with enough luck, it would be her downfall. Starlight gasped. "Zecora!" She had to stop though. The only mare that could help pull this off was Twilight, and after today she looked a bit... "Yeah! Maybe she knows some secret zebra knowledge that could be the catalyst to this whole invasion!" Full of pep, Twilight got on her hooves and headed to the door, only for Applejack to block her way. "Now Twilight, ah wanna go after Zecora as much as anypony, but you're in no state to go bring her over here. Ya haven't eaten all day, yer wings are still probably sore from all that flyin', and yer sweatin' like a pig!" "But we need to-" Twilight cut herself off, thinking on what the farmpony had said. "Wait, did I give a big speech in front of all those ponies earlier looking like a mess?" "Ah doubt they noticed." "Trixie knows she did." Trixie, the infinitely helpful mare, couldn't resist chirping in, even if she withered under the glares she received because of it. "...Sorry." Soon enough, the attention returned back to Twilight and this plan that held potential. "Now ah reckon we should get some food in yer belly and rest up fer an early morning, whaddya say?" When she put it like that, Twilight couldn't resist. "...Fine." They'd go for Zecora early in the morning, and no zebras would be able to stop them. But as they developed their plans, so did another group, one plotting their schemes in secret beside the body of a stallion. They were three fillies, and they were talking about the matter at hand now that Big Macintosh watching over them had fallen asleep. "So what's up with all those zebras outside? I barely even got to see any of them before Applejack rushed us over here." Scootaloo didn't like how little they were being told here, nor did the other two. Ever since this whole zebra thing had started, for some reason, these three weren't being told anything, and they couldn't stand it! "I know! Apparently Rarity not being here has something to do with them, but nopony will tell me what!" But though Sweetie Belle was worrying about her sister, Apple Bloom was the most conflicted of the three, having done this whole song and dance before moons ago. "Ah thought they'd gotten over that whole zebra thing though. I don't know why they're doing it again. Zecora was harmless in the end..." For an upset moment, the three sat in an unhappy silence. The curiosity was killing the three, and that was a dangerous thing... "You know, if we wanted to, we could find out for ourselves what's going on out there." Scootaloo, on breaking the silence, offered up the idea, and the others looked on expectantly. "You heard what Twilight said earlier, all ponies can go in and out of that forcefield thingy. If we go out and see that the zebras aren't doing anything wrong, we could save the day! Just like Apple Bloom did with Zecora!" "Let's do it!" She already had the farmfilly on board, so Scootaloo and her turned to Sweetie Belle next, the two anticipating her answer. And she wasn't so sure about this plan, but on thinking about it, agreed anyway. "Fine... But only because I want to see if we can spot Rarity while we're out there!" With her friends beside her, what could go wrong? Surely they wouldn't see anything they weren't supposed to. "We'll sneak out in the morning then!" "This is gunna be fun!" "I can't wait!" In the rest of Ponyville, away from the safehaven of the Crystal Castle, there were few mares who weren't bred at this point. Most had already been fucked without mercy, impregnated and then enslaved, and only the bravest of the remaining mares would dare take a single step outside... Or the ditziest. Derpy Hooves wasn't the average Ponyville mare, for multiple reasons. The first was her eyes. Sometimes, they could go a little wonky and look off in different directions. This was the least of her problems though. Because second was her personality. She was infamous around the town for being an air-headed klutz, and a little shunned because of it, always knocking stuff over, bumping into other ponies and forgetting things that she was just told. Things like this would hardly matter to a zebra's subservient slave, but in a pony society it made her feel cast-out from those around her. Which brings us to the third thing that separated her from other mares: her body. To put it bluntly, it was perfect, perfect for a pony stallion to lust after and just as perfect for a zebra to rut ruthlessly. Her face was cute, her body was pudgy and bouncy, and her thighs were thick and desirable, but most importantly, her teats were humongous, enough to make other ponies wonder how she walked around with them dangling between her legs, and her ass was colossal, easily the biggest in Ponyville (beating Pinkie Pie in second place) and looking like it was trying to contend with the Royal Sisters' in terms of size. Yet somehow, all that booty fit her pony body perfectly, and these three main aspects came together to create Derpy. Besides those traits though, little set her apart from most of the town's other residents. Just like them, she had a normal job, being a postmare, if an incompetent one. Just like them, she lived alone, few stallions jumping on the offer to get into a relationship with her. And just like them, she was a virgin. Some stallions in her past had hit on her for a go with her incredible body, but every time she hadn't taken the hint, and had driven them away before she'd understood what they were asking. It was a lonely life, but the plump pegasus didn't mind it, even if she wished she had some stallions in her life. In the present, back to Equestria being overthrown and conquered by zebrakind through very sexual means, Derpy, of course, didn't know what was going on in Ponyville. With her having a day off, she'd spent the entire day in her house, and she was utterly oblivious to every mare being pounded until they couldn't think anymore outside. She hadn't even noticed the zebras marching into town this morning, her being one of the only ponies that wasn't there for their speech. So as the evening went on, she continued being clueless to the world around her, worrying about things that didn't matter. An example being the shocking lack of flour in her cupboards. Oh no, I knew I forgot to pick some up yesterday! She'd accidentally backed her ass up into her supply of it a few days ago, and hadn't gotten any since then. Facehoofing from having forgotten something again, Derpy searched high and low in her kitchen, but there was nothing. She had every ingredient she needed to make muffins, except for flour. Why was she making muffins during the downfall of Equestria, you ask? Well, she was hungry for some muffins... And that's it. There didn't need to be anything else to it, Derpy wasn't a complex mare, so when she wanted some muffins, she made some muffins, and when she needed some flour, she went and got some flour, simple as that. Seeing no reason why she shouldn't, Derpy prepared to go to the shops, throwing on a pair of saddlebags and dropping a few bits into them. Not many places would be open at this time, but Sugarcube Corner was always open late and they always let her buy some flour off of them for enough bits. So, full of determination and not full of muffins, Derpy opened the door to her small house and trotted out into the dirt streets, sure that nothing would stop her from getting her muffins. How wrong she was... Strolling through Ponyville, one particular zebra hadn't had much luck when it came to claiming these pony-sluts. Whereas other zebras had each added two or three or four mares to their herd, this one hadn't claimed a single mare, having spent all day helping other zebras break their own mares. So, when he wanted to change that and wanted to fuck some mares full of his foals, he went roaming the streets looking for mares before the sun went down. With the luck he was having, he expected to have to try his luck again tomorrow... As it turned out, he didn't. Strutting down a random dirt street, ready to mount the next unstriped mare he saw, suddenly, the zebra froze in place, and thought he must've been the luckiest zebra in this town. Why? Because right in front of him, trotting somewhere innocently, was the best mare he'd ever seen just there for the taking, humming to herself adorably. She had a pretty face, and despite how something was going on with her eyes, he still wanted to see that muzzle wrapped around his cock. He was hardly looking at her face though, not when her plump body looked this perfect for pounding. Under her, she had two balloons for teats; they were massive, the biggest he'd ever seen on a mare, and he wanted to own them and shove his meat between them. But still, the best was yet to come, because at the back of the mare, bounding away behind her, she had the biggest, bounciest, most bangable bubble butt he'd ever had the pleasure of seeing, and as it rippled with every step she took, he imagined all the things he could do to it once it was his. So, as the mare continued plodding off to Sugarcube Corner, he gave chase, with her clueless to being followed and stalked by one of the town's many new zebra stallions, and him behind her shamelessly ogling her rear with his zebracock unsheathing itself under him. As it turned out however, as she kept strolling through Ponyville lost in her head, somehow not noticing all the interspecies breeding going on around her, he wasn't the only one who'd caught the dumptruck she had jiggling away behind her. Everywhere she went, humming naively and drawing more and more attention to herself, zebras' heads turned, latching onto the fantastically fuckable mare trotting foolishly down the town's roads. Though he'd seen this mare first, soon, he wasn't alone, and one-by-one multiple other zebras were joining him behind her, giving up their own degenerate activities for a piece of this fat-assed pony-slut. "Holy shit, how the fuck does she carry that thing behind her all day?" What must've been the sixth zebra joining Derpy's fan club said that, and the rest of them agreed with the sentiment, unable to take their own eyes off of the hypnotic dumptruck before them. It was like a pack of lustful wolves following after an unsuspecting rabbit, and only time would tell when they pounced on her. "And imagine what this pony-slut'll look like when bred and striped; zebra markings all over her fat flank and pregnant belly as well as piercings on those bloated milk-sacks of hers!" Most of the other zebras didn't voice their agreement to what that zebra had said, but they agreed, their throbbing, unsheathed members under them enough of an answer. Around them, bred mares were littered all around the place. Some were sleeping, cuddling up to their fellow slaves as cum poured out of them, yet more recently-used ones were currently stuck in the position they'd been fucked in, coming down from their zebracock-high and panting tiredly as spunk oozed out of them. Though the zebras all noticed these mares, Derpy didn't seem to. Her eyes were locked onto her destination, and as she travelled, she was lost in her thoughts, naively unaware of her surroundings. It was as adorable as it was pitiful. After a short stroll following their target, led by the first zebra to have spotted her, Derpy soon reached her destination: a well-lit bakery with its door already open and light shining from inside. With a wide smile, she trotted on in, fortunately unaware of how it made her rear shake. And the zebras were about to follow her, until the one at the front of the team stopped them, keeping them outside for a little longer. "Wait a sec'." The others weren't happy being delayed, nor were their pulsating erections. "What is it?" Not leading them on, he answered. "I'm gonna be the one to claim her." "What?!" "Why do you get to?!" All of them wanted this mare for themselves, and knew they wouldn't be satisfied with just one round with her. "Because..." He shut them up, and when they quieted, stood on the doorstep of the bakery, he continued, a grin on his face. "Not only did I see her first, but when I do claim her, I'll be sure to make her free-use too!" That answer made them think. Rules were set up before they came to Equestria. Zebras needed permission to fuck another zebra's mare, and though most of the time zebras kept all their mares available for any zebra to use whenever they wanted, some kept the best sluts for themselves and nozebra else. But if this zebra was promising that - as long as they didn't knock her up - any zebra would be able to use this grey goddess as much as they wanted... Begrudgingly, they all agreed to his terms, and with their giant zebracocks bobbing under them as they went, they followed the mare inside. Something was different about Sugarcube Corner, even Derpy could tell that. Maybe it was because it looked and smelt like a mess. The instant she'd stepped in here, the atmosphere had changed. The air was thick with what only could be described as a musk, out there it was in the air, and Derpy had caught the smell a couple of times, but in here, it was potent! She couldn't tell it was a musk though, so when the deep, intoxicating stench travelled up into her nose and started doing things to her body: making her marehood wetten and start winking as her core ached with need, Derpy didn't think much of it, ignoring it as she strolled to the counter. They sure must've been doing a lot of baking out here... Looking down, she saw what had to be icing everywhere. There was so much of it though, and it was all over the place! Hmm... Out of curiosity, she unthinkingly reached a hoof down to touch at the icing, and when she stuck her hood in it, she was surprised with what she felt. It felt nothing like icing, too goopy. Maybe it was a thrown out batch? She scooped a little up in her hoof and brought it to her face. It didn't really look like icing either. Does it taste like it though...? Any sane mare would be disgusted by this, but Derpy wasn't. She was just that blissfully unaware. Bringing her hoof to her mouth, she gingerly stuck her tongue out and lapped up some of the 'icing'. It tasted nothing like it was supposed to, but somehow, it still tasted... amazing! Addicted to the taste, she cleaned the rest off of her hoof with her tongue, ingesting every last drop of it. She needed to get the recipe to this off of Mrs Cake, she was sure it'd go excellently with muffins. Speaking of Mrs Cake though... Looking around, the mare saw the place was empty. There was no mare to serve her, and though she could've sworn she heard Cup Cake upstairs, groaning and making some weird noises for some reason, nopony was working the counter. She was tempted to explore upstairs and see if the bakery's owner was up there, but right when she turned to the stairs- "Hey there, fat-ass. You need some help?" The zebra ready to impregnate this pony took the lead again, finally being noticed by her. "Hm?" But Derpy hadn't even noticed the zebra come in, nor had she noticed his friends following him, but she didn't think anything of it, instead, she thought about what he'd said. "Oh, yes! Do you work here?" That wasn't what he meant, but he'd roll with it. The bakery did now belong to some zebra since he owned what his mare owned. "Sure." Smoothly, he sauntered behind the counter, able to tell that some zebras had a lot of fun here. "What is it you need?" She didn't find this weird, nor did she suspect anything out of the six other stallions behind her, so Derpy turned her back on them, the musk in the air making her subconsciously raise her tail for them as her pussy winked. "Well, I need some flour for the muffins I'm making, and Mrs Cake usually lets me but some off of her since they always have so much." "You're buying flour from a bakery?" It was a little odd, couldn't she just buy some muffins from here? Apparently not. "Yep! Do you have any?" An idea emerged in his head, a very perverse one, and as he hid his grin, he answered smoothly. "How much money do you have?" Happily, she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out three bits, placing them on the counter. "Oh..." And feigning disappointment, he looked down at the coins before looking back up at her. "That doesn't seem to be enough..." Behind her, the other zebras grinned wide. They knew where this was going, and even though they could just fuck her here and now, who didn't enjoy toying with their prey? "Really? It was enough all the other times I bought some here..." She looked down a little crestfallen at her money. No muffins for her then. "Mhm. The prices have increased since then." Letting the mare's disappointment drag on for a moment, he then spoke up optimistically, breaking the solemn silence. "You know... There is one other way you could pay for it." Seeing their cues, the other zebras stepped forward, surrounding the vulnerable mare and closing in on her. Then, all of a sudden, one hopped up onto her and mounted her huge behind, and with his hooves and the sides of her gigantic ass, he dropped his zebracock on the cheeks, and started grinding back and forth on them. But Derpy practically ignored him. She looked back up at him mounted on her and looked at the huge zebracock rubbing on her ass curiously, but her attention soon turned back to the one behind the counter, much more interested in the promise of muffins. "Really? How?" The zebra couldn't believe her cluelessness, and his jaw nearly dropped, but it just made his cock pulse harder under him. He couldn't wait to make this adorable pony-slut the mother to his foals. "Do you want us to show you?" He started moving from behind the counter, smirking subtly to his fellow zebras, and without the only mare in the room noticing, he made a head gesture, the zebra on Derpy immediately understanding what he wanted. "Yes! Show me!" As he walked up to her, the zebra on top of Derpy's massive rump stop his grinding and slipped his cock down in between her legs. Soon, his thick girth was held in the warmth of both her chubby thighs and her overgrown teats, getting a delicate moan out of Derpy as she kept trying to focus on what was really important here: muffins. But the zebra didn't want a thighjob off of her just yet. Moving over her body, he pressed his chest to her back, and after quickly wrapping both of his front legs around her belly- "Gah!" He tossed them both backwards, and with his legs wrapped around her, he put his back to the floor and held her over him, vulnerable and confused. "Huh? What's going on? Wh-What are you doing?" Why was she lying on her back on a zebra? Was she not getting the flour? Derpy didn't know, but it certainly felt weird to be in this position, with everything of hers out in the open like this. Held in place by the zebra, her wings were trapped behind her, her legs were spread, and her teats and slick genitalia were displayed to the room. There was also his giant, hot zebracock between her legs, and the feeling of it against her pussy was sending weird shivers through Derpy. But in front of her body, the zebra from the counter appeared again, and took place between her thighs. "You still want that flour, don't you?" She did, but as he dropped his cock onto her teats, making them spread some weird feelings through her body, for some reason she hesitated. "Y-Yes." "Then just lay back and let us have some fun with this slutty body of yours! Well give you your flour once we're " His hooves were on her thighs, spreading them further, and he was mounted onto her lower half, with his cock pushing the cock of the zebra beneath her to the side as it lay on her cleavage. They didn't mind their cocks touching; zebras stallions were often in situations like this where they had to be close to one another, and though pony stallions would be off-put by something like that, zebras had to get into gangbangs like this daily back in Zebrica with how few mare there were. So they were used to sharing mares, and they absolutely didn't mind sharing this one. Back to the present, from between Derpy's spread legs, the zebra there had the perfect view of her pussy, her giant teats, and her confused, innocent face. He couldn't wait to get started. Literally. With the audience watching and enjoying the show he was putting on, excitedly, the zebra lined himself up at her wet entrance. He wanted to get a titjob from those magnificent udders she had first, but there was plenty of time for that later. Right now he had some breeding to do. However, when his tip pushed against her puffy pussy lips, Derpy was having doubts. She knew what sex was and she knew all about horsecocks and marehoods and impregnation and blah blah blah... But that thing he had between his legs was huge! Bigger than any she'd seen before (minus that one that'd been rubbing on her rump) and he wanted to put it inside of her?! She'd never done this before, she was a virgin. Was it worth giving this stallion her first time for the muffins she wanted? Well, yes, it was, but it still made Derpy nervous as he pushed his penis against her. "You ready, slut?" She didn't know why he called her that, but timidly nodded anyway, feeling the heat of his meat against her hole. And though her answer didn't really matter at this point to the zebras, on seeing her willingly give herself to them, the stallion ready to fuck her brains out grinned in excitement, and instead of making her wait any longer, he began pushing himself in. "AAAAAAUUUUUGGGHHH!" It felt even bigger than it looked! As the zebra's tip spread open her pussy's lips, it delved into her body, and as Derpy's entrance clung down on him, she felt him go deeper, and felt her body sending so many new feelings through her as her cunt got stretched. "NGAAH! Ngh! Ah! Ungh! Hngh!" K-Keep thinking about the muffins. Keep thinking about the... Oh my gosh! How is it so big?! H-He can't fit that all in there! The other zebras, enjoying her lewd moans, got closer to the show being put on for them, with their own zebracocks pulsing under them unsatisfied. On the other hoof, her future master was happily being satisfied by her bountiful body. She was unbelievably tight inside, yet at the same time, her pussy was incredibly welcoming, and wrapped around his cock in a hot, wet, pleasurable embrace as he fed more into her. "Ngh! Holy shit, pony-slut! Your body was made for mating!" She'd make the perfect broodmare. And surrounded by zebras, unable to stop herself moaning, Derpy didn't disagree. Despite the uncomfortable feeling of her marehood having to widen around him so he could fit in her, and despite the sharp pain that followed getting her hymen destroyed from him driving his cock into her, it felt amazing, and Derpy was starting to forget what she came here for in the first place. After plenty of pushing, shoving, and ramming himself into the breedable mare, hungrily stuffing more and more of his huge cock into her, another series of throaty moans escaped out of her, louder than the rest, and he knew why. He'd hit her womb, the end of her hole that held the eggs he planned on fertilising, but of course, he didn't stop. Derpy flailed around for something to grab on to and squeeze down on, but there was nothing, so instead she did the only thing she could: Derpy kept moaning, crying out to her adoring admirers as the stallion wedged the last few inches in, hilting in her balls-deep. "AHN! S-So deep! Ahn! I... Ngh! Th-This is what it feels like to be mated?" No, this was what it felt like to be mated by a zebra, but the fun was only just beginning. Derpy wondered how this could possibly get better. Though it was difficult getting used to the feeling of him widening her cunt, now she enjoyed the feeling of his veiny zebracock throbbing inside of her, and she enjoyed the sight of the bump his giant cock was making on her belly. Plus, there was the smell too... Whereas this room had already smelt really nice to her, filled with some musky odour that made her body tingle with want, the room was now drowning in that delicious stench. Half a dozen dirty zebracocks that had spent the entire day fucking mares would do that when unsheathed for long enough. This wasn't about the muffins anymore. Derpy hoped he'd continue, hoping his cock would give her more of these new, mind-numbing feelings that she couldn't get enough of. But he didn't continue, for some reason, he was talking to the zebra still under her holding her in place, saying things that she wasn't listening to. She wished she'd been listening though as her zebra's hooves reached under her thighs and pulled her up, lifting her off of her horny pillow for a second. She was seconds from asking why he stopped mating her, but she soon found out, because before anything that wasn't a moan could leave her mouth, Derpy felt a prodding at her ponut, one that felt as thick, hot and meaty as the zebra still lodged in her. Though she was busy getting her brains fucked out, just for a moment, Derpy's sanity came back to her, and she acted as rationally as she could here. "Wh-What?! That won't-! I-I don't think that's supposed to go up there!" Getting this hung stud inside of her pussy was already a struggle, even if a pleasurable one. But the other one wanting to go up there?! Up her butt?! He'd never fit! They didn't seem to care though. Despite her objections, slowly, the zebras began lowering her body down onto his pole, and Derpy was powerless as her donut was wrapped around him and his girthy inches were stuffed up her asshole, stretching her second hole wide and doing to it what had already been done to her pussy. This time though, it felt much weirder for the mare. "NGAH! AHN! Stop it! UNGH! G-Get it out of there!" Unlike her lubed-up marehood, inside Derpy's ponut was much more resistant, as well as much tighter. That didn't stop the zebras though. As she clung down hard on the cock of the zebra under her, he still kept pushing in as she was pushed down. All that lubed up his entry were the globs of pre splurting out of his tip and the sweaty juices that coated his member, yet somehow, it was working. "NGUH! UHN! HNGH! AH!" There was some weird pleasure in there too, as well as a shred of a dull pain, but mostly it was uncomfortable and difficult for Derpy. Nothing she'd ever felt was like getting her plothole widened, and the humongous size of the zebracock going up there wasn't helping with that, nor was the one still stuck in her cunt. "Fuck! She's so tight!" Her butt was gripping his dick firmly, but that hardly mattered, because soon, his thighs were pushing up into her cheeks, and her ponut was wrapped around the base of his cock as he felt the heat of her hole hug every inch of his girthy rod. "She feels so fucking good though!" Derpy didn't hear him, for obvious reasons. She wasn't even in the same room as them mentally, not as both her hind holes were stuffed full of zebra and each being stretched to their limit. With her tongue lulled out of her mouth, the mare silently cried out, and didn't know whether she wanted them to stop or keep going. What she wanted didn't matter though, her fate was sealed from the moment the first zebra set his eyes on her. Not letting her get used to the feeling of so much meat inside of her, the pair of zebras in her wanted more, and didn't mind taking it. All of a sudden, they started dragging their cocks out of her, and began yanking them out without any mercy on her holes. That put an end to her silence. "NGAAAAAHHHHH!" It felt so odd, so unnatural, like their oversized zebracocks didn't belong in her, and shouldn't have been forcing their way in and out of her body. But at the same time, despite that, it felt so good, and Derpy was already addicted to the feelings of their superior schlongs fucking up her insides and scraping against her sensitive walls. "M-More! Keep going!" The two were happy to fulfil her desperate demands. When they pulled out of her, living a double-penetration dream with this mare and feeling the other hung zebras cock right next to theirs, they needed no encouragement to start shoving themselves back into her. They couldn't go in at the same speed, Derpy's butthole wasn't nearly as easy to fuck as her wet, welcoming snatch, but regardless, they both got to fucking her, forcing her holes to loosen up around them so they could really get to breaking the mare. If Derpy thought this was going to end at two zebras though, she'd have been disastrously wrong. Unable to wait their turn, excitedly, the rest of the striped group closed in on the mare's vulnerable body as it got fucked. If these two got her two bottom holes, they'd have to make do with the rest of her for now. They knew the pair wouldn't mind. Before any of the others could beat him to it, the zebra directly behind her hopped up onto her, and after putting his hooves on her shoulders, he grabbed her head and pulled it all the way back. Instead of watching one of her zebra lovers mate with her marehood, after Derpy let her head be moved, her eyes were now on a zebra's massive balls dangling under him, the stud's stallionhood poking at her gaping lips as she wailed out. "You heard him, we all get to have fun with you before you get that flour you wanted. So open up, pony-slut!" Th-The flour... She'd entirely forgotten about the flour, but honestly, she didn't need it anymore. Derpy had found something so much better than muffins, and rather than wanting them, all she wanted was more zebra. And if two cocks already feel this good, then more... With a grin on his face, the zebra watched her mouth enthusiastically open for him, gaping as wide as it could and inviting him inside whorishly. And who was he to say no to that? Putting his tip against her face-hole, the zebra didn't hesitate to start pushing himself inside her, the third humongous cock entering the mare. He felt as her lips had to stretch to wrap around his girth, and on thrusting in, felt her tight throat clenching on him, he even saw his cock travel down her gullet as he widened it, the mare's slutty moans turning into little more than euphoric hums around his meat as he started fucking her face. He wasn't the only other zebra there though. The others also approached her buxom body lustfully, and as the one mounted on her head got to claiming her third hole, they made themselves acquainted with the rest of her. Four zebras were left, and they weren't picky. One on each side of her mounted her chest. They'd expect to get hoofjobs in a scenario like this, but they didn't believe for a second that this ditzy bimbo could do that in the depraved state she was in, so hornily, they grabbed her front legs, and after sticking their huge cocks in her legpits, they started fucking them. And the final two were just as bad. All that was left were her massive teats, but with her like this, giving themselves the crotchboobjob they desired was impossible. That didn't mean they couldn't enjoy them though. Dropping their rumps on the floor beside her, each of them grabbed onto one of her breasts, and as their own hooves wrapped around their cocks and started jerking, they sucked, they nibbled, and they toyed with the mare's mammaries however they wanted. None of these four were doing this to cum, they were just waiting their turn, and entertaining themselves with her as they did. But in the middle of all of them, the helpless victim to every zebra that joined in, Derpy was having a far better time than all of them. "MMPH! MMMMMPH!" It was overwhelming, and her poor little mind couldn't handle the pleasure that erupted all over her body, but as she was used, unable to get comfortable in the middle of the group getting off with her body, Derpy didn't want to be anywhere else. Lost in a world of unending pleasure, she couldn't see, she couldn't move, and she couldn't get a single word out, but she could hear so much, and felt so much more! Her throat burned as it was forced wide open, but the tasty zebra meat pleasuring her in there more than made up for it, sliding in and out and rubbing on her tongue a filthy taste of that she craved far more than any muffins. Her front legs felt weird. They were both being used too, zebras thrusting back and forth and gaining pleasure from her legpits, but while the mare got little 'pleasure' from it, she enjoyed the way their juices rubbed into her fur as they humped away. Below them, at her teats, the two there were making her bosoms feel things that they'd never felt before. Nopony had ever even gotten to touch them before, nevermind feasting on them like these two stallions were eagerly doing, and from her sensitive nipples, jolts and tingles of potent pleasure were coursing through her body as she writhed in their grasp. Of course though, they weren't the best part. Down at her dumptruck, most of the endless, mind-numbing pleasure being heaped onto her came from the two thrusting away at her hindquarters, fucking both her puffy pussy and her plump ponut without being afraid to vocalise how much they were loving it. Ever since they'd started humping away at her, they'd been speeding up, thrusting faster and giving more pleasure to all three of them, but when her holes had finally loosened up around them, begging for more, they could finally fuck her like they longed to. One was hungrily thrusting himself upwards nonstop to fuck her ponut more, and was making her huge ass clap every time his hips smacked it. The other was mating her pussy, and just like the zebra below, he was fucking it rapidly, repeatedly driving into it over and over and over and giving no mercy to the mare as they bred her body. Without taking breaks, without slowing, the zebras pumped three gigantic monster-cocks in and out of her holes, wildly swinging their hips to and fro to roughly bash against her muzzle, asscheeks and the gap between her spread legs. And in the middle of the seven of them, the mare there was not the mare she once was, having lost herself long before a heavy nutsack kept slamming into her face. All Derpy could feel was the pleasure that encompassed her, and all she could think about were these fantastic fuck-machines that she wanted to spend the rest of her life loving. Derpy's mind wasn't 'broken' by the zebras, it was fucking demolished, and what was left behind was one of the many enslaved cumsluts that already filled the town. Fuck muffins, she had zebracock now. SO MUCH COCK! SO GOOD! I LOVE IT! ZEBRAS ARE THE BEST! I WANNA HAVE ZEBRACOCK EVERY DAY! Luckily for Derpy, having found her true calling in life, she was going to get to. Time passed, it must have. She'd lost track of the world around her in here, trapped in a cage of constant zebra pleasure. She came more times than should've been possible, violent trembles travelling through her as she blasted out her juices onto her future master. All the mare knew at this point was cock, and she was happy that way. After she'd orgasmed an uncountable amount of times, and was easily willing to beg these stallions to make her their cum-craving cocksleeve, it was finally time for them to cum too, all of them knowing exactly where they were burying their loads. Each of them fucked her furiously, even moreso than before as they let their hips smash into the mare again and again. They were enjoying her before, but now, they wanted to cum, and didn't hold anything back as she was forced to receive the fastest and most brutal pounds they could give her. Her body was being brutalised between the three of them, but of course, she was loving it, and couldn't wait for when they- "NGH! I'M CUMMING! I HOPE YOU'RE READY, PONY-SLUT!" The one at her pussy said that. Her hot, snug, sopping wet snatch was too good to hold himself back any longer, and soon, he felt the orgasmic sensation rising up his cock. He wasn't alone though, as the others would soon follow him. "JUST A LITTLE... MORE..." His thrusts were rabid, desperate, and ruthless to the mare he was fucking, but after not much longer, he shoved himself back into her one last time, and rammed his tip against her womb as he let loose inside of her. "I'M... HNNRGGGGGGHHHHH!" He came first, the first rope of potent zebra seed blasting out of him into Derpy, but the zebra fucking her fat ponut was soon to follow, and after him, the one in her throat. Noisily, they dumped everything they had inside of her, and with faces of pure pleasure, got to filling her up with their thick, fertile spunk. "MMMMMMMMMMPH!" And Derpy had to take every last drop of it. Every. Last. Drop. In three different holes, Derpy was filled to the brim with far more cum than her body could handle. The white goo was pumped into her womb, down her throat, and up her asshole, forcefully gushing out of their tips and stuffing the mare full of load after load after thick load. "Ngh! Fuck! Take it all, slut!" Hilted in her, occasionally bucking as they felt their gigantic balls empty, the zebras filled her belly, filled her pussy, and filled her guts with their 'icing', watching amused as her body struggled to contain it all. Once her womb was packed full and the rest of her snatch soon followed it, cum gushed out of her pussy, barely escaping from the thoroughly impregnated around the massive zebracock. However, the other two didn't get the same result. They felt as their seed was pleasurably pumped out of them, but they didn't feel it rush out the same hole. Instead, they watched as her belly began to bloat, and kept getting bigger and bigger from the pure amount of it in her. For minutes they came. For minutes, Derpy felt her belly getting bigger as she experienced true orhasmic bliss. And throughout all of it, as the kinky fantasy of any zebra-loving slut was heaped onto Derpy in full force, the other ones around her didn't let it stop them. Still, they kept sucking at her teats and fucking whichever other part of her they wanted to, giving the mare no rest. She was official zebra property now, a pregnant item to be used, enjoyed, and impregnated as many times as her new master wanted. Why should they let her rest? Eventually, after what felt like an eternity to the beaten mare in the middle, it ended. Finally, after so long, they stopped cumming in her, and they marvelled at her body for different reasons than before. "Holy shit, pony-slut! I didn't know your bodies were this desperate for zebra cum!" Even the one underneath could see and feel the weight of her new belly, and as all of the zebras began releasing her from their clutches, he wanted to ogle it some more. The zebra who'd fertilised her eggs pulled out first, with his cum gushing out of her gaping pussy. And when the zebra beneath him escaped her asshole, the same happened, her sphincter unable to close and leaking out. The one who'd fucked her face pulled out last, but no cum followed his cock, only the mare's panting. "Do you think she's earned that flour yet?" The zebra group had a good laugh at that, and as they backed off in the direction of the door to see the state of her - the mare now lying in the middle of the floor in a growing pool of cum - they wanted to mess with their newest slut some more, and had an idea. "We'll let you choose, slut. Do you want that flour you came here for, or would you rather come over here and get some more zebracock?" She heard him, and she did. She wanted it more than she'd ever wanted anything. And all she had to do was go over there to get it? Hungry for something other than muffins, Derpy shambled up onto her hooves on wobbly legs, and only now realised just how big her belly had gotten. She looked nine months pregnant, and her belly was nearly hitting the ground, but nonetheless, she still would make her way to them, and nothing would stop her as she took her first step forward... Until she instantly tripped. Her body was heavier than she realised, and dramatically, she fell onto her belly, the zebras in kinky awe at what happened next. Splurt! Out of all three of her holes, cum rushed out of her. Derpy's pussy gushed out a large splat onto the floor, Derpy's mouth spewed up some cum that dribbled down her chin when her mouth couldn't contain it all, and Derpy's ponut blasted some out of her tailhole, flying across the room to messily stain the wall behind the counter. As her belly was sandwiched between her and the ground, cum rushed out of her holes even faster than before, and she looked nothing like the mare she once was. Just imagine how she'll look with stripes... But Derpy still wanted more. She was still horny, and the zebras who hadn't gotten their turn were too, so they decided to meet her halfway, and give her exactly what she wanted. A zebra sat on his rump in front of Derpy, and with his hard cock throbbing between his legs, he looked down at what once was an adorably innocent mare. "Hop on." She didn't hesitate to. > Part 2: A Harsh Message Part 2: Zequestria Up high, sat atop her throne in her castle, Queen Domina sat, looking as powerful and commanding as only she could. Her muscle rippled, her face was both calm and showing a cocky pride behind, and of course, two colossal testes sat between her spread legs in all their glory, underneath the sheath of sheaths. She was the queen, she was the ruler, and her dominance left no question for that. Beside her, her two sluts sat. With stripes all over them, blissfully happy smiles on their faces, rings like collars around their necks, and an abundance of other jewelleries adorning them. They were beside the throne, and sitting in pools of unsatisfied need for their master. They looked like pets, and they were. Filling the rest of the hall, other zebras were sparsely stood, holding spears and wearing armour too small for them. They served little purpose, but they'd be rewarded for giving their powerful monarch extra protection, so stood loyally. It was with the room like this, that a zebra opened the door, here to see Domina. She'd been dealing with all sorts of affairs today like a queen should, dealing with zebras arguing over which got to breed the mare they both wanted and discussing how plans would be commenced from here on, but this wasn't about that. This zebra brought good news, and as he walked up to the throne, he bowed before speaking. "Your majesty, we have a group of zebras here. They say they have something that you'll want to see." That enticed her. She had just been about to use one of her slutty toys for the first time today, having had plenty of fun with them both last night, but that could wait. She was curious now. "Send them in." He nodded and fetched them. After he left, the grand doors opened up, and in walked four zebra stallions and five pony mares, one of her own carrying a collection of odd devices on his back. The pony-sluts were all leaking both their own and the zebras' juices down onto her royal carpet, but she didn't care. That thing was already covered in that sort of stuff by now. When they reached her, these zebra bowed too, the one carrying equipment carefully having the stuff taken off of him before he bowed. The frontmost one spoke up, leading the group. "Queen Domina, we have something to show you that we're sure will interest you." "So I've heard. Don't delay. Tell me what you've found." She wanted to get this over with so she could get to using her mares already, though maybe she didn't have to wait until this was over to do that... "It is this." He gestured to the foreign items. "Used properly, these are broadcasting devices that the ponies used. We brought them here from Manehattan, from what was apparently the only station for broadcasting in all of Equestria." As he spoke, Domina's thin patience ran out, and when he'd finished speaking, she turned to her slaves, fancying using the blue one. "Hey, slut." Both Luna and Celestia turned to her eagerly, but her eyes were only on Luna, and she answered. "Yes, Master?" Under the eyes of every equine in the room, she summoned up all her virility and sheath control to force her zebracock out into the open, presenting to all of them the biggest, fattest, most incredible cock in Equestria and beyond. And with it hardened and throbbing, she sat back and turned away from her sluts. "Suck." Former Princess Luna was happy to. Joyously, she trotted over to her queen and rest her chest on her thigh. There, she put her lips all the way up to her magnificently girthy tip, and began pushing down, feeding the gigantic rod down into the warm, snug confines of her throat. And appreciative, Domina hummed in pleasure as the blowjob began. It wasn't long before her face returned to cocky stoicism though, and looked back down on her disciples. "Now, what exactly do these 'broadcasting devices' do?" Snapping his eyes away from the lewd sight bobbing up and down before him, the stallion immediately snapped back to what he'd been saying. "Oh, well, they're akin to using a scrying potion in a cauldron. We point this 'camera' at something, and once we press record, it can then be played over all the ponies' 'screens', constant images displayed all around this empire." If what she was hearing was right, this was perfect. A convenient way to get the message out to every last pony that still resisted their rule. "And, your majesty?" The zebra at the front asked almost hesitantly, but she couldn't help but notice that his own zebracock was out in the open, as well as every other member of his team's. "May we...?" He gestured to the mares with them. They'd obviously gotten aroused at watching her own slut work, and she had no problem with them relieving themselves here too. "Of course. Do what you must." On her words, the zebras turned to their mares, and only seconds later, the sluts were worshipping them. Some sucked, some did a variety of other things to please their new masters, but the one at the front settled with getting his balls cleaned as his own mare held his rear in her hooves. With their wants satiated, Queen Domina spoke up again. "And these devices, you know how to use them?" "Yes, your majesty. We were taught all about how to." "Taught? By whom?" With a grin, he nodded to the mare behind him, the one lost in noisily slurping up every last drop of sweat off of his fat testes. "They were more than happy to share their knowledge after some 'convincing'." Up above them, she thought about it, fortunately not distracted by the head desperately bobbing up and down her length, deep-throating all of it as she'd been forcefully taught to these last couple days. And soon, she came to her decision, a plan formed perfectly in her mind. "Could you put what is being shown on every screen in this land? With them able to hear what I say?" One of them picked up what they now knew was a 'laptop', and with them all turning to him, he answered with an "It shouldn't be too hard." "Good." She knew just what she wanted to say, and let the cunning grin grow on her face, "Then get the equipment ready. I want every pony in my empire to see this!" Few other zebras would ever be allowed up onto the pedestal that Domina's new throne sat atop, but these zebras got to experience that honour, ready to shoot the broadcast that'd be remembered for centuries to come. From the big screens up in Manehattan to the televisions in windows and ponies' houses, they all displayed something different. Whether it was some girly cartoons, advertisements for things like mane shampoo, or even whatever sports event was going on at the moment, they were all showing a variety of things. That would soon change though. All across Equestria, the channels changed, an 'emergency broadcast' apparently happening that caught the attention of every pony near a screen. Most ponies knew about the zebras by now, but after this, hopefully every one of them would understand their new place in zebra society. It was true that many places in Equestria didn't have any screens in them at all. Ponyville, Appleloosa and Sire's Hollow to name a few, along with countless other homes situated far from towns where ponies would be kept from any knowledge of the zebra invasion at all. But soon all of them would learn one way or another, whether that was through gossip, watching zebras claim the ponies around them, or being bred themselves. Regardless, back to every screen in Equestria, it wasn't long before they changed again, and cut from the emergency broadcast messages they were on. Most ponies (the ones who didn't watch Celestia and Luna beg for zebracock not long ago) expected it to display their princesses warning them about the zebra infestation, but it didn't, instead it cut to a live video of Queen Domina herself, and she was displayed in all her glory all across Equestria. It wasn't just her though. Countless ponies gasped on seeing it, and many others fainted, because whilst she was sat back on her newly claimed throne, looking smugly at the camera, on each of her thighs the newly claimed former monarchs were lying, and with both's front hooves resting on her legs, they gave her colossal cock a tongue-bath. Even if they knew their ponies were watching, they wouldn't have cared. The zebra ruler let the sight sink in first. Seeing their former princesses now not only dethroned, but subdued, covered in stripes, and worshipping this mare's ridiculously huge shaft... It was shocking, to say the least, the once regal Royal Sisters reduced to cumsluts. Celestia had been looking over them for millennia! But now here she was, with a big, golden nose-ring and a newfound need for cock. In jaw-dropped bafflement at what they were seeing, Equestria's ponies were on the edges of their seats as the large, dick-having zebra mare spoke to them, her voice deep and commanding. "Greetings, mares and stallions of these lands. You do not know me, but you will learn to. I am Queen Domina of the zebras, and as you all live in what is now my kingdom, I am your new queen." She spoke with power, confidence, and as her two alicorn sluts showed their love of her dong, her dominance was displayed in full effect. "For a time, you have enjoyed your frivolous, meaningless lives under the rule of these two here... But those days are over. These lands belong to zebras, and now, so do you." The message was clear: whether they liked it or not, all ponies were now under zebra rule, and there was nothing they could do about it. But their new queen wasn't finished. "You needn't worry however, as you will be given purpose in your newfound lives as our slaves. Just as these two here have learnt their place, all pony mares will soon learn the same joy and embrace your roles as our cumdumps and broodmares. As for the stallions, you will stand to one side, and if you'd like, you may even watch as we claim everything that was once yours: your property, your mares, and when they reach the proper age, your fillies too." All that stopped ponies from going into a panic were the zebras everywhere, as well as the need to hear what came next were. This was it? Two days ago they'd been happily going about their lives, and now apparently their princesses were defeated, their kingdom was conquered and their lives were going to be spent as either breeding stock or helpless cucks? What were they supposed to do now? "There's no point in resisting. Your princesses couldn't stop us, and neither can you. Welcome to your new lives, and welcome to Zequestria." The footage should've ended there, Domina clearly thought it had, but it hadn't. "Alright now, whore. Hop on and show your queen your loyalty." "Yes, Maste-" The last the ponies saw of their sun-themed princess was her giant, striped asscheeks, and her mounting the lap of the hung zebra queen, pressing her pathetically wet pussy lips to her tip and preparing to slide down her oversized pole as the footage cut off. "Yes, Maste-" The loud voice echoed across the silence of Manehattan, Celestia's begging marehood being shown to only the hundreds there. Mares stopped, stallions stopped, wagons stopped, and even the zebras stopped to smile up at their virile and triumphant ruler on the big screens. And then, when it ended, and they changed back to whatever trivial nonsense they had been displaying, the ponies were basked in the terror of what they'd just seen, and as they all were frozen in place, the zebras kept moving around, searching for more mares they liked the look of to add to their herds. In a much smaller place, a living room in fact, silence reigned there too as Night Light stared at the screen. He'd spent the night sleeping down here, this house no longer his but the zebra upstairs 'generously' letting him stay here for now. After the striped homewrecker was finished with the mare who had once been his loving wife, they went to bed together, snuggled up cosily in each other's warmth as Night had to trudge down here. When they rose though, of course the two had to have one more round with each other, and in an attempt to drown it out, he'd turned on the television. That went well... In another place, miles and miles from Manehattan and Canterlot, in a place no zebras had ventured yet, a family sat together in their own living room, this one inside of a castle. Together, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor had been watching the sports, with Flurry Heart mindlessly playing on her mother's lap. The atmosphere was cosy, sweet, filled with a tender familial warmth... And then, when the channels changed, their pleased smiles turned into shocked horror. Celestia, Cadence's mentor and mother-figure, was defeated, turned into a husk of what she once was and now a broken toy and broodmare for a zebra queen that appeared out of nowhere. They cared about Luna too obviously, but Celestia's fate hit them the hardest, and the husband and wife didn't even know how to react to seeing... that! So, like the rest of Equestria, they sat with their jaws dropped, trying desperately to comprehend what the fuck just happened as Flurry continued babbling obliviously. And then, the channel changed back to sports. The one-of-a-kind broadcast ended, but even though it was over, every pony in the arena still stared up frozen. This was in the Fillydelphia arena, and before that happened, the Foalympics had just been under way. It wasn't as popular an event as the Equestria Games, but still brought in plenty of spectators, spectators who just had to experience getting flashed by Celestia big, wet cunt up on the big screens. The audience, the athletes, even the stallion commentating on the event didn't know how to respond to it, something he made clear as he held the microphone to his muzzle. "I... Um..." The screens were back up, the cameras were back on showing the event to Equestria, yet it was stood at a standstill, and it wasn't until he got a message through his earpiece then did the event finally start moving again. "It... It appears we're going to go into an early break. Uhh... S-Stay tuned?" That caused all the ponies there to start moving again, talking and freaking out over what just happened in so many different ways about so many different things. "That had to be fake, right?" "I don't wanna be a slave!" "What's she done to the princesses?" "What about Princesses Twilight and Cadence? Where are they?!" "Why was that zebra so...?" "And she said they wanted our fillies too! I don't want my little filly growing up to be... that!" The games would go on, but nopony was focusing much on them anymore, not even the competitors. Everypony was too busy panicking, many even leaving the stadium to go elsewhere, and in the chaos of it all, one of the judges trotted away with a sour mood, leaving for her dressing room and unaware of the two pairs of eyes on her backside as she left. In the hectic mess of what was supposed to be the Foalympics, unnoticed by the colossal crowd of clamouring ponies, a pair of their recent conquerors had made their way into one of the hallways connected to the main field, and from this vantage point, they'd been watching everything. Sports events like these weren't foreign to them, but rather than enjoying how far a mare could toss a discus, they just enjoyed the eye-candy, and had planned on claiming a mare before it happened. The interruption of Queen Domina had been unexpected, but not an unwelcome surprise to the two zebras yet to be found. After all, now that crowds were dispersing to either leave or make use of the given break, they now had the chance to strike, and were thankful to their queen as they eyed up mares from their cover. One wore saddlebags on his back, them filled with all the striping equipment he'd need to decorate multiple mares away from a tent. Both wore some traditional rings and earrings on their bodies, but besides the zebra decorations, the other was nude. Both of them didn't know which mares to decorate too though. Hmm... They scanned the field and even the audience, searching for a potential slut to have fun with, and many looked like they'd be fun to keep. Some of the athletic mares drew their attention the most, with curvy yet toned bodies and sweat glistening off of their round asses. But they never settled on one they wanted, not until one of the judges went to slip away down a separate hallway, and one of the zebras instantly knew he wanted her. "Hey, I want that browny-orange bitch over there. You wanna join?" His friend turned and saw her. She'd been pretty hard to miss so far, with a permanent scowl constantly across her muzzle, but she was pretty hot, and as she was leaving, her fat flank bouncing away behind her, both ogled it, just as both lusted after having a turn with those pudgy cheeks. He'd made up his mind long ago. "As long as I get her other hole." "Deal!" It wasn't a tough choice. Though they'd seen a couple more conventionally attractive mares around the arena, this mare's ass was easily fat enough for them, add that to how uptight they'd seen her acting and they were determined to make her squeal like a pig for them. So, slipping down hallways, they made their way to her. "Ugh! It just has to be one thing after another, doesn't it?" Sauntering to her room, Ms Harshwhinny wasn't in the best of moods as she grumbled to herself. But then again, she was never in a good mood. "First this whole event, and now...? Tsk!" She didn't even want to be here in the first place. For context, she was a sports inspector, with her job to analyse and essentially interrogate the athletes that wanted to compete, and she was damn good at it! But no, for some reason the prissy pencil-pushers of this event already had an inspector, and wanted her to join them as a judge. "This whole thing was doomed from the start." And then the event was interrupted by someponies taking over the screens, as if just being here wasn't hard enough! She hadn't really been paying attention to what exactly was being said in the interruption, too annoyed that the day was being interrupted in the first place, but whatever it was, she was sure everypony was overreacting. Surely the event didn't need postponing because of it. It didn't matter, because either way, she planned on going back to her dressing room and trying to relax before she was needed again sometime soon. That's what she planned anyway, so it was a shame that the two zebras trailing behind her had some very different ideas on what she could do to 'relax'. The entire short trip was filled with her grumpy groaning and them keeping their distance ogling her asscheeks. On occasion, the zebras did pass by ponies who saw them, but they just remained thankful that their slut-to-be ignored the panicked fleeing behind her when that happened. After little time had passed, the room was reached, and Harshwhinny didn't hesitate to slip the key out of a pocket on her jacket and canter inside. The room was modest, but nice, a spacious place with some drawers, a desk with a well-lit mirror, and even a couch for her to rest her rump on. That's what she wanted to do, so on entering, she turned to lock the door behind her, but couldn't. The door wouldn't shut fully. Why? Because a zebra's hoof was jammed in the doorway. What now? Not hiding her moodiness like usual, the mare opened the door, glaring eyes spotting the two zebras stood on the other side of it. "Can I help you?" Her voice held so much malice, so much irritation. They couldn't wait to break her. With a smile, the zebra wanting to make her his took the lead. "Actually yes, you can." Before she could ask how, desperately wanting to get this over with, the two barged their way in, pushing her further into the room and kicking the door shut behind them. Ms Harshwhinny didn't put up a fight, but she resisted verbally, and as she was shoved back she did what she did best: complain. "No! You can't-! I swear to Celestia, you're not allowed to just barge your way in here!" As her future master took her head on, the other went around the back of her, but her eyes weren't on him ogling her ass, they were trying to drill a hole into the zebra in front of her. "Do I need to call security to come sort you two out?" Cockily and condescending, he looked down on her, a wide grin on his face. He didn't say anything however, he let his actions speak for themselves as his eyes roamed her body. And seeing this, Harshwhinny sighed the most frustrated sigh they'd ever heard, putting her hoof to her head. "If you hadn't figured it out yet, I'm not currently in the best of moods, and I don't have the patience to deal with the likes of you two. So leave." If she'd actually bothered listening to the emergency broadcast earlier, the mare would've understood just how dire a situation she was currently in. She hadn't listened though, so she was clueless, and had no idea just how fucked she was, both literally and metaphorically. "We'll leave if you'd like, but there's a small something we want to do before we go." "Oh, and what's that?" She didn't want to have to deal with these annoyances now and wanted them out, but she'd play along a little if she had to, letting the one in front of her move close to her ear before he spoke. "We wanna fuck that fat ass of yours, put some striped foals in you and turn you into a pathetic zebra-loving cumslut, broodmare and slave." When he moved away, having made his wants clear, Harshwhinny was left with a look of utter disgust on her face. It took a moment to fully take in what the fuck he'd just said to her, but when she did- "Wha-? I-? What in Celestia's name did you just say to me?!" She retreated backwards, not in fear, but from pure shock of what he'd dared say into her ear. Did they take her for a slut? She was the furthest thing from it. Sex was hardly worth her time, and she couldn't think of anything less professional! Backing her ass up though, it seemed Harshwhinny had forgotten about the zebra behind her. She didn't bump her rear into him, but on seeing her big, fuckable ass there for the taking, he couldn't resist moving his hoof to lift up her tail, ogling the big, brown genitalia she had hidden back there. "Gah!" Jumping at suddenly feeling so... exposed, the mare leaped away to put them both in sight, furious. "H-How dare you both?! To come into MY dressing room and... and VIOLATE me?!" To not only make her hear the filth that that one had to say, but also to forcefully sneak a peek at her genitalia? These zebras were the worst, and she wanted them gone. "Out. Now. The both of you. I never want to have to hear from either of you two delinquents again after this." Standing with her chest puffed and her eyes closed, she waited for the sound of hoofsteps towards the door, hoping these nuisances would take their pervertedness with them. "Me? With a zebra? Please. What kind of whore do you take me for?" She made a mocking retort, but still heard nothing from the two. And in front of her, they were looking at each other trying to figure out if she was being serious or not. But she clearly was, so looking back at their fat-assed target, the one who thought she had way more authority here than she did, the zebras finally did what she wanted and started moving... towards her. Harshwhinny heard them getting closer, sneaking an eye open with a frown on her face. On seeing them, the mare spotted the two approaching her whilst hungrily leering her, like they were predators and she was some juicy piece of meat. Somehow shocked by this, she backed up some more, less sure this would end how she wanted it to, and as they trapped her, Harshwhinny's arrogant, professional attitude was starting to crack, her worry rising. "...Whatever you two are thinking I suggest you stop thinking it. They'll be wanting me back out there soon, you know." "They can wait." The two didn't stop, not when her leg hit the dressing room's couch and not when they moved right up to her, their muzzles inches apart. "We'll just tell them you're busy judging whose zebracock can fit further up your slutty holes." Instead of pushing her back onto the sofa, when the zebras got close enough to get their hooves on her, they just looked at each other. It was like they were communicating telepathically, because after a few silent head nudges, they acted. One zebra circled her, the mare keeping a close eye on him, but instead of pouncing on her, he dropped his ass down onto the room's couch, spreading to present his junk. With one behind her, and the other showing off his admittedly impressive sheath, Harshwhinny looked back and forth she looked up at her captors with spite, arrogance, and a tinge of fear. And she was right to be fearful. "Guh!" Out of nowhere, a strong zebra hoof met one of her cheeks, and shoved her forward harshly, tripping the esteemed mare up, forcing her to her knees, and making her face get shoved into the crotch of a zebra barely keeping himself contained. From between his thighs, not allowed to get back up, she kept resisting, her voice full of venom. "You wouldn't do this, you brutes. Don't you know who I am?" They didn't know, they didn't care. "You're my future broodmare, that's all that matters." Glancing at his partner in crime, the zebra gave no warning before his hoof grabbed the back of her head and kept it pressed against his stinking sheath and gigantic testes. She was forced to take in the pungent stench that sent traitorous feelings down to her marehood. And with her wide-eyed and repulsed, he released themselves in front of her, and pushed himself out. Slowly, lewdly, the half-erect meat slid out floppily, only for it to smack against her face. She tried to get it off of her, like just the feeling of his cock's hot, leathery skin burned her, but she was made to feel it unsheathing until it had dropped an already impressive length and dangled between his legs. Then, when fully displayed, it began to harden. With the colossal fuckstick out in the open, blood pulsed through it until the rod was as hot, thick, veiny and musky as the one belonging to the other zebra, towering over the onlooking mare. There truly was nothing like zebracock, and they couldn't wait to break that lesson into this bitch. As it happened, Harshwhinny's face didn't change from that disgusted grimace, and when it ended, and the stallion's oversized member was both unsheathed and throbbing for her, she didn't know whether to feel hatred for these two horny animals, nauseous at the pungent, arousing stench that she was surrounded by, or awed at the tremendous size of zebra dongs. She chose to feel all three. "You... You expect me to...?" They wanted her to pleasure them and their oversized members? And... And he wants to make a... a broodmare of me? Jab that monstrous thing inside my marehood and make me the mother to his foals? She couldn't think of any idea she detested more, but her body was more enthusiastic. This zebra's filthy stink was already infecting her brain, and her pussy was already starting to leak onto the carpet. When was the last time she'd gotten to spend some quality time with a stallion again? It didn't matter! She didn't want to, and she wasn't going to act like some desperate, cock-hungry whore! "Rgh! Get this disgusting things out of my face! If you came all this way just to-" Her complaints were cut short on feeling two hooves grasp her rear. "What are you doing back there?! Off! Now!" With her fat ass stuck out like this, and not being the stallion lucky enough to pump this bitch full of his foals, the second zebra couldn't resist not having his own fun anyway, and so, he descended down onto the floor, and set his eyes on the slut's winking pussy and her big donut as his hooves held her chubby rump in place. Meanwhile, Harshwhinny was fucked (soon to be not just metaphorically). She couldn't do anything, and all she could do would just upset them, her not wanting to find out what her punishment would be if she did. And if her having to breathe this zebra's disgustingly intoxicating musk wasn't bad enough, another had set his eyes on her hind holes. She couldn't see him licking his lips, but if anything, the hot breath she felt on her slit was far worse. "Y-You two will face the full fury of the Equestrian legal system! You're aware of that, aren't you?! The punishment for rape is the rest of your pathetic lives spent in the deepest pits of the Canterlot Dungeon!" They weren't listening, and she was a fool if she thought they were. They'd started ignoring her a while back, but at least now they could give her something that would finally make her shut up. Forcefully, the zebra spread before her grabbed her head in his hooves. Without care for how roughly he was treating this bitch, he pulled her off of his lap, and though she was confused at first, when his huge, stinking tip was pressed against her lips, she understood just what he wanted her to do. Does this brain-dead beast expect me to suck him off? I'd rather whore myself out to a mule than stoop so low as to pleasure these repugnant savages. Who does he think I am?! With him pushing her lips against his tip, smearing his sweat and pre on them enough to make the mare want to gag, she couldn't resist getting a couple more threatening insults in. That was the wrong thing to do. "When I'm through with you, I'll make sure this revolting thing of yours is chopped off! I hope you enjoy raping mares without a- MMMPH!" Bored of her empty, predictable threats, the zebra shut her up... by shoving his dick in her open mouth. Immediately, the wide-eyed mare convulsed, and with her hooves on his thighs, she tried her hardest to push herself up and off the huge zebracock forcing its way down her throat. But it was no use. He had both his hooves on the back of her head, and as he lied back as began to relax, his superior strength didn't let her escape as he pushed every inch into her. Harshwhinny couldn't believe it, she was being raped by some horny zebra; the lowest of the low! No matter how much she kicked and struggled and tried to get him out of her, it was no use, and slowly, torturously, she felt her throat getting widened to ridiculous extremes as she was made to taste the potent sweat all along his veiny shaft. She, the esteemed Harshwhinny, had been reduced to nothing more than a zebra's cocksleeve. It truly couldn't get worse than this. And then it got worse. With the show up front now over, the zebra around the back of her had his attention return to the juicy rump laid out before him. Lifting her tail trying to hide herself, spreading her cheek and licking his lips, the zebra couldn't wait to dig in. Meanwhile, despite the unavoidable problem she had wedged down her throat, Harshwhinny couldn't miss the hooves on her cheeks, and she writhed as they spread her, but it got her nowhere. "MMPH! MMM!" Behind her, there for him to enjoy, the desirable yet difficult mare's was presented before him. He probably could have admired the view first, drinking in the sight of her big, brown, musky ponut or the look of her inviting pussy lips begging him to dig in, but he was too enthusiastic to, and instantly gave in to her marehood's call. With no hesitation and plenty of eagerness, the zebra jammed his muzzle between her two big, fat asscheeks. He didn't revel in the smell, he wanted something more, so instead of huffing her rear, he gave into his lewd wants and dug his tongue deep into her defenceless snatch. "MMMMMM! MMM! MPH!" The mare immediately felt the intrusion, how could she not? She felt his tongue ram its way between her lips, and unable to do anything about it, she felt him having the time of his life down there as he got to eating her out, sending all sorts of unwanted feelings through her. It was such a revolting violation, the kind that could only be done by such beastly creatures as zebras, but her situation was no better up front. Harshwhinny's throat was widened to the extreme with an entire gigantic zebracock shoved down it, and ignoring the hungry deviant behind her, the things she'd had to feel getting shoved down his pole was worse than anything she'd ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Here she was now though, with him hilted in her, her nose pressed to his hip as he filled her up with zebra meat. "Uagh! It's about time we put that bitchy mouth of yours to good use, pony-slut!" She wanted to gag, but thanks to him, she couldn't even try. All Harshwhinny could think of was hatred and disgust, and all she saw was red... or, it would've been if she could see anything other than black and white stripes right now. She stopped struggling though, which may have been why the zebra using her front moved his hooves from the back of her head to the sides, and slid her up him. "Mmm! You're much easier to enjoy like this, y'know." As she glared at his grinning face with a fury in her eyes, the zebra between two chunky cheeks couldn't help but agree with him. Thanks to the constant stimulation he was giving her, combined with the overwhelming power of zebra musk messing with her brain, her body was quickly learning to be much more welcoming to his oral advances, even if she wasn't. In other words, they were making her body hornier, and her cunt was all the wetter for it. Harshwhinny still wanted their heads, though. When the oversized cock was pulled enough out of her that only her mouth was filled to the extreme, the mare assumed these perverted savages wouldn't be done with her just yet, and she was right. Brutishly, cruelly, the zebra shoved her throat back down on him and made her stretch around his zebra junk again. When she reached the bottom, he only lifted her back up again, and pushed her back down, beginning to bob her head up and down on his cock. Harahwhinny couldn't think of a worse situation, literally. Nothing could possibly be worse than having her ends used for the sick pleasure of beasts, all the while her traitorous body tried to enjoy it. Then it got worse, again. On another push back down, having girthy inches of zebra fed down her, the mare's tongue scraped against his shaft. She had to taste the potent flavour of his sweaty shaft. It made her snap. In a fit of rage and refusal to be... here, Harshwhinny started bucking around, thrashing against them. It removed one zebra's lips from her pussy, but besides that, it did nothing, and the cock shoved down her kept her in place and trapped. How did the zebras react? They laughed. They laughed at her expense, and never had Harshwhinny felt so humiliated before. Then, they went back to what they were doing. With the fire still burning within her, she wanted to resist more, but something else caught her attention much quicker: the zebra behind her. His mouth was no longer digging into her infuriatingly wet cavern, and though that should've been a good thing, the hot breath on the hole above told her he'd set his sights elsewhere. That vile scumbag better not be thinking he- He did. Lost in having slurping every taste she had to offer, the zebra that had her arousal all over his muzzle quickly pressed his lips against her fat ponut, and he wasted no time in shoving his tongue up there too, digging into her backside. URGH! WHAT IN CELESTIA'S GREAT NAME DOES HE THINK HE IS FUCKING DOING?! She'd never felt anything like getting her ass eaten, especially not as eagerly as this, and worst of all, her body was enjoying it, with pleasure shooting through her from the foreign feeling. These disgusting ingrates have no dignity! No morals! They deserve to be executed for all this! What must have been the worst part was how easily she could enjoy this. The taste of zebra, the musk of zebra, the feel of huge zebra dong wrecking her throat and her shithole, it made her so wet she was leaking onto the floor, and Harshwhinny hated it. And it wouldn't end soon. Kept between them, the two kept going at her body like she was their toy for pleasure. Harshwhinny didn't think she'd ever be reduced to the fucktoy of such beasts, but here she was, being used for pleasure from both ends. It went on and on for forever, or at least, it felt like it did to her. In reality, it couldn't have been long as there was soon a polite knock on the door. Knock, knock, knock. An equally polite voice spoke up from the other side of it, though it held a little nervousness after everything that'd happened so far. "Miss Harshwhinny, just a heads up, you're wanted with the judges in five." The zebras both turned to the door, silent. Harshwhinny tried screaming out to the mare, crying for help, even if it meant she had to be seen in this position, but it didn't matter. Knock, knock, knock. "Mrs Harshwhinny? Are you in there?" Again, the mare behind the door heard no response. It was no use, trying to call out from around this overly big zebracock was pointless, so frustratingly, the judge had to listen as the mare waited a second longer before walking away. And then, the zebras went back to using her. A familiar tongue dug its way back up her asshole, whilst her head was made to bob up and down again on the hung cock of the other. "Looks like we're not the only ones who want you. D'ya think the ponies out there want you for the same reasons we do?" Again, Harshwhinny was unable to do shit as she was kept in the weirdest spitroast ever, and the only thing she could do to entertain herself was either listen to the mocking words or start to enjoy herself between them. She refused to do either. Her body was enjoying the two though, her body was enjoying them plenty. The musk she was surrounded with was like an infection, getting into her brain so it could rile her up more and more, plus, the meat she was choking on and the tongue stuck up her rear, they were only turning her treacherous body on more too, so she shouldn't have been surprised by what she felt rising up inside her. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! I REFUSE TO LET THESE TWO MAKE ME CUM! With all the vindictive will she had, Harshwhinny clenched her thighs together and clenched her body in an attempt to hold back that sensation, but it was a futile effort, just like everything else she did. Nonetheless, she felt an orgasm rising up between her hind legs, and despite her best efforts, the mare couldn't hold it back before it. "MMMMMM!" Out of her wet snatch, a furious jet of arousal sprayed out of her and onto the chest of the zebra back there. She couldn't hold it in, and so, not only did she have to experience them forcing a huge climax onto her, but now, even worse than that, they knew she'd cum too. "Pfft! Holy shit, she actually came on me!" "Of course she did! I bet this whore's been into this the whole time!" Now with wet fur and a wet muzzle, their shared hilarity at their pony-slut over, the zebra back behind Harshwhinny chose not to press his muzzle back onto her tailhole, instead having his attention captured by the furiously eager erection he had unsheathed between his legs. "Alright, I think I'm done back here. This bitch tastes good!" SMACK! To her great displeasure, his hoof swung down to spank one of her chubby asscheeks, and he watched as her plump plot jiggled before a red hoofprint started to grow on it, visible through her fur. "I think I'm done too." The blowjob-receiving zebra replied, the pony's head still being held atop his lap. "Any longer and I might accidentally fill up the wrong end of her." The foreplay was over and they wanted to move onto the more fun part now, so slowly, Harshwhinny's head was slid all the way up the long, girthy, veiny, sweaty monster that zebras called a dick and was finally released from the clutches of his cock. When his wide head sloppily popped out of her mouth, the usually high-and-mighty mare did the only thing she could at the moment: she collapsed. Falling to the floor coughing, Harshwhinny couldn't get the dirty taste of zebra pre off her tongue, and felt nothing down there but violation and loathing. It wasn't long before she recovered herself though, and before soon, got up onto her knees to give the zebra spread before her the death-glare of all death-glares, having to look past his towering member to do so. "You filthy degenerate bastards! Raping scum like you deserves to-" Her rant was soon interrupted by the seated zebra, him waving his hoof dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. We've already done this part, slut." His eyes shifted to his friend. "Mind lending a hoof?" She went to turn around, but was interrupted again, this time by a zebra slipping his hooves under her buttocks and hefting her up. "Gagh!" With his strength, Harshwhinny was practically thrown onto the other zebra, and as she instinctively placed her hooves on his chest to push him away, his hooves found her hips. His legs weren't spread anymore, they were brought closer together so that she was straddling him, and with her on his lap, his throbbing zebracock between them, again, Harshwhinny couldn't escape as he held her in place. She kept struggling, but all the while, he leant back, her having no chance to escape in the slightest when zebra number two approached her from behind and slammed her body forward. "OOF! You'll... You'll pay for this!" The zebra under her looked incredulous. "Holy fuck is this bitch stubborn!" The other zebra mounted her, sandwiching her bubbly body between her two striped lovers. "I know! Can't wait to see this bitch break!" He hotdogged his dick on her asscheeks, all the while, she wasn't allowed to move, being held down by him as the zebra under her kept her front hooves from struggling. Once again, Harshwhinny was trapped in between them, and this time, the mare assumed there'd be a little more forced up her holes than a rampant tongue. She didn't deny it, it wasn't like this scum was above such a thing. With an indignant scowl on her face the entire time, forcefully, she was heaved up. The zebra getting himself an assjob slipped his front legs right under her thighs, and with a clear eagerness to ruin her, he hefted her up until his zebra friend could line himself up. The bitch didn't make it easy for them, annoyingly jostling around, but with a few well-placed spanks she was made to comply. Besides Harshwhinny's yelps from getting her flank brutalised though, the trio wordlessly grunted as they positioned her; the mare had run out of threats and knew they'd just ignore them in the end, but that didn't stop her from constantly insulting them. Their dick size, their pathetic, perverted needs, their stripes, even their mothers, Harshwhinny tried everything, and just wouldn't shut up trying to get to them. Soon though, she was finally moved into place, and practically jumped on feeling the huge tip of a zebracock push against her wet marehood. That shut her up. It felt huge, and she knew from oral experience that it was. She couldn't imagine such an awful thing inside her. They're going to... They're going to rape me with that thing... "Ha! Look at her face! The slutty bitch only just realised what she's gotten into!" They preyed on her stunned demeanour, and of course Harshwhinny retaliated. But the zebra under her didn't let her for long. "At least I didn't need to force myself on a defenceless mare to lose my virg- AAAUUGHH!" Hooves on her hips, the stallion she was straddling couldn't wait to shut her up, and so did, forcing her down onto him until his big, flared tip wedged its way into her. "Agh! Ngh! S-Stop! I'll... I'll have your head for this!" Once again, Harshwhinny was overwhelmed, and unwanted feelings wracked her bouncy body. Two things made this as loathsome an experience as it was for her: first was the fact this it was zebras making her do this. These perverted, savage lowlifes were bringing her (her of all mares) down to their level, and now she was being made to mate with them. Could anything be worse than this? And secondly, what added to all of that for her was the fact that this striped scumbag was fucking hung! It was like his gigantic zebracock was making her whole body wrap around it, and as it stretched her pink inner walls, it did things to her that no stallion she'd been with had ever dreamed of doing. "Urgh! Sh-Shit! Ahn! Ungh!" Harshwhinny hated it like she'd never hated anything before, but there was still so much more of him to go. "Ngh! Fuck! This bitch is so tight!" Neither of the two were moaning in pain, with pleasure powering through them both, but that didn't mean Harshwhinny was letting herself enjoy getting her cavern stretched wide around him. It didn't mean the zebra was stopping either, and as he groaned with her, he kept sliding her down him and forcing more and more into her. "Ugh! Rgh! Ah!" Harshwhinny could hardly think straight. It was filling up every bit of her hole it could, and she couldn't stop the uncontrollable moaning being forced out of her, but still she held onto her hatred and distaste for zebras through it all, she had to, they'd taken everything else from her. Ngh! Why do they have to be so...? Why does he feel so...? Her face was doing a terrible job at hiding the pleasure she felt, on the verge of looking downright slutty, and it wasn't long before her lover noticed, grinning madly. "Mmf! What's wrong, whore? Zebra dick too good to handle?" She struggled to say anything past the constant noises blurting out of her, but Harshwhinny managed, not wanting to say much anyway. "Ungh... F-Fuck you." He just grinned more, before pushing her that final bit down, all the way until her fat cheeks squished against his thighs and he was buried deep inside of her. "UUUAAAANGH!" Meanwhile, Harshwhinny was struggling to maintain what little composure she had left. It was just... too good. His zebracock wasn't just filling her, it was forcing her body to make room for it, stretching her to ridiculous limits and crushing her poor womb as she sat on his lap. Every time its veins throbbed inside of her, she could feel it, each pulse sending waves through her that would drive her crazy if it was a pony stallion doing it. But it wasn't. It was a filthy, vulgar, hung zebra who couldn't take a hint. She'd never felt such overwhelming, mind-numbing pleasure before, but she didn't want it, and still fought to resist this big-dicked stud. There was just one thing she'd forgotten though: there was another zebra, one without his entire massive member being squeezed by her insides. "Mmm! Fuck, this slut feels so fucking good!" With a mare on him, the zebra currently ruining her insides had his front legs wrapped around her, hooves planted on her asscheeks as he moaned out. Her pussy felt incredible squeezing down on his meat, but then again, every pony-slut he'd had the pleasure of claiming so far did. It was like they were made to be zebra fuck-slaves. Speaking of fucking though, his friend behind her wasn't getting to, and it was his time to have some fun too. Leaning back further and pulling the bitch down with him, the stallion's hooves dug into her rear, and despite her shifting, he spread them as wide as he could. "S-Stop! Ngh!" It was hard for a mare to argue with a humongous cock wedged all the way inside of her. Back to the zebra around the back of her, he'd been trying to line himself up, but now, thanks to his fellow fuck-machines assistance, there was no struggle at all in pressing his flared tip at her backdoor. He couldn't wait to stick it in, and fortunately, didn't have to! "Disgusting- AAAAHHHN!" Just like her pussy had been made to, only with far less lubrication, Harshwhinny's puffy ponut got stretched open and wrapped around the glorious girth being shoved into her. Only the tip was in, but still... She'd never had anything up there before, no toy, no dildo, and certainly never a dick, so now, with a zebra up there, she could discern that... It felt so fucking good. Don't get her wrong, the adjustment was even worse than getting lowered down onto the other zebra's cock, but she could feel her rear clenching down on him, and as his head scraped against her walls, it made her eyes roll into the back of her head. It felt like she was losing her mind! Why the fuck did these two striped monsters feel so amazing?! She'd never dreamed of being with such lowly creatures as these zebras - she was above creatures like them, and they were hardly the most professional creatures around - but then why was she feeling herself want more of them by the second? Her body had been welcoming to them ever since she'd have to breathe zebra musk, but what about her mind? She could feel it being swayed to their side. Wh-Why does this scum have to feel so- Ungh! ...s-so good?! WHY?! She couldn't believe she was even thinking about wanting more from her rapists, yet here she was. But still, she wouldn't give in to them! With all the will she had, will that felt like it was depleting rapidly, Harshwhinny held onto her hatred. She wouldn't give up, even if it was most certainly a pointless effort. Her thoughts were soon interrupted again, all of the three were. The zebra halfway in her asshole even stopped, looking up, and the zebra still getting his cock warmed and squeezed inside her cunt turned too to the wall behind him. Noises were coming through it, loud noises, like cheering. Then, a muffled announcer's voice could be heard too. They were starting the competition again without her. "Looks like they didn't need you after all, huh slut?" The front zebra laughed at her expense for the millionth time, and he was starting to wonder if the mind-fucked mare even heard him, until her broken, condescending voice spoke up again. "G-Go rot in Tartarus, you bastard." "Only if you're there, riding my cock." This slutty bitch was the best. She was snug, looked adorable when she was angry, had a fat-ass and fat teats, and was putting up a fight like no pony he'd seen before. She'd inevitably lose, obviously, he could see her breaking right now, but he still couldn't wait to finally make her snap so she was begging for the foals that he was happy to give her. "Uangh!" And he might get to knock her up sooner rather than later. Behind Harshwhinny, the zebra needing to get himself up her tight ass had finally done it, and now had her ponut wrapped around the base of his cock. Harshwhinny couldn't fathom how full she felt with two zebracocks wedged inside her holes, and didn't say anything, knowing it would only come out as moans. She thought about insulting them though, so that had to be worth something! The zebras shared a look that Harshwhinny missed, but even if she'd noticed it, it wouldn't have mattered. She couldn't stop them now. In synchrony, the zebras pulled their hips back, and slid their cocks out of the mare. She refused to moan, but couldn't stop the noises that escaped her. One of them would be bad enough, but two?! They didn't get far out of her, not before they began sliding their fat fucksticks back into her holes. The one up her ass was slower at it with the only lube available being his own pre-cum, but both still felt incredible inside of her, and both were turning Harshwhinny's brain to mush with each push and pull. Now out of sync, they went back and forth, fucking her holes. It started off slow, but slowly, slowly they started to pick up the pace, and the mare was losing it. The moans escaped her freely now; she wasn't able to stop them, and like some pathetic common whore, her tongue was even stuck out, having lulled out one of the many times her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She looked like she was loving it. She was. Starting to get faster, thrusting in a rhythm up and down into her pathetically wet cunt as the other zebra did the same to her desperate asshole, one of them noticed her face, and couldn't resist yet another opportunity to make fun of her. "Ngh! You give up yet, slut? Ready to accept your new life as my broodmare?" NGH! Fuck you! I'd never be your broodmare, you putrid animal! That's what Harshwhinny thought. She didn't say anything, too busy moaning and trying to ignore how amazing zebracock felt, but he probably got the message. Meanwhile, all the zebras saw was a breaking bitch. It was impressive how long she'd been resisting them, but all species fell before them in the end, and this pony mare was the same as all the others. She was so much fun to watch though, and she felt even better than that! The minutes passed, the moaning never stopped, and the zebras kept fucking Harshwhinny. She didn't know how much time had passed, but knew she'd came on these zebras' oversized pony-breakers multiple times already, spraying her juices onto them. If these- "Angh!" these a-animals think- "Ngah! Fuck!" think that they can make me e-enjoy this, they're- "AHN! Ngh! Ah!" th-they're wrong! She loved it. Though her mind tried holding onto that hatred-fuelled resistance, the mare had been broken long ago. She was already addicted to their massive dongs ruining her holes, and though she'd been trying to resist the pleasure that turned her brain to mush, the possibility of serving them and getting this every day was starting to sound better and better. And with the idea of being their slave sounding better with every thrust, her disgust towards zebras was disappearing too. She was starting to understand how much more they could give her than all her own pathetic pony stallions could. Good. She didn't realise that though, and held onto the dying remnants of her own prideful beliefs as she unknowingly begged for more. With her front legs wrapped around the back of the front zebra's neck, the only way the mare's face could look sluttier was if a cock was rammed down her throat. Tongue out, eyes hazy, and whorish moans bursting from under her fucked-silly expression. She was on her way to becoming one of the many loyal zebra broodmares. The zebra she was mounted on the lap of couldn't get enough of her face, the same one that had been glaring so hard now desperate for her captors. There was something that he wanted to do that he almost hesitated to, but no, she was his now, and if she was going to become one of the multiple mothers to his foals anyway, then why couldn't he do this? Possessively, his hoof moved from atop her chubby brown bootycheek, and after looping around the back of her head, he forced it down onto his. As she was fucked in both holes from behind, the zebra smashed their lips together, rammed his tongue into her, and then forcefully made out with their pony bitch. And she returned the gesture. With a broken, delirious lack of enthusiasm, Harshwhinny's tongue fought back against his with all the energy of a drunkard, their tongues dancing and swirling as they exchanged saliva. She wasn't giving in! No, not at all! The mare didn't stop him though, and let herself get made out with even when his hoof gave her the chance to pull away. So that left her here. The last thing she would've wanted to happen to her this morning was to be ganged on and raped by a pair of filthy, perverted zebras, yet here she was. The only thing a sane Harshwhinny would find even worse would be the zebras cumming in her. And that was just what they were getting ready to do. Speeding up until both were like jackhammers powering into her relentlessly, the zebras fucked Harshwhinny and gave her holes no mercy as they drove themselves towards their orgasms. And all the while, Harshwhinny was in the middle of it all, crying out into one zebra's mouth as they enslaved her. "Rgh! She feels too good! I'm gonna cum in your ass soon! You better take it all, slut!" She barely heard him over their grunting, clapping of her cheeks, and her own moaning, but as her tongue played with that of the other zebra, her mind kept pretending it was too good for them. Ngh! D-Don't you dare, you scum! She wanted it. She wanted to be filled with all their zebra cum. If she wasn't so deluded, maybe she'd have been begging for it like a proper broodmare. "NGH! FUCK!" Ruthlessly, two sets of hips whapped and whapped at Harshwhinny's fat ass. It would surely be a sore red after this, but none of them cared. The zebras were cumming, that was what mattered. "I'M... GONNA... NGHHHHHHH!" Hooves on her hips, they put their all into shoving her down onto both of their giant cocks stuffing her full, and when they were rammed in as far as they could possibly fit them, buried deep up her asshole and wreaking havoc on her defenceless womb, they stuffed her full even more. With Harshwhinny's ponut and pussy lips being squished between the mare and her brutish lovers, the two zebra studs came, and made their bitch take every drop, every single thick, fat, fertile drop of zebra spunk they could give her. Ropes of it shot out their tips. One zebra had no womb to put his foals into, so instead he happily painted her guts white instead. She'd be shitting his cum for weeks. Alongside him, at the same time as he pumped zebra seed up her ponut, the other zebra did have a womb to impregnate, so he did. An unending torrent of seed shot out of him too, and like hawks descending on their prey, his sperm descended on her egg as he flooded her womb, and then flooded her womb some more, and then kept pumping until she and his lap were both flooded with cum. They pumped so much of their cum into her that it bloated her belly like a balloon and had to come rushing out of her holes. And Harshwhinny had to take all of it. "MMMMMMMM!" It was pure bliss. She felt every shot, and her brain didn't stand a chance against the pleasure, especially not as it kept coming, and coming, and coming. For minutes she was held and filled, moaning into a zebra's mouth on and off throughout it all, until at last, the flood of cum stopped. It was over. After resting a little afterwards, giving her a chance to breathe now that she wasn't being forced to make-out with a zebra, the pair wordlessly got her up and off of them. Both grabbed her body with their front hooves, and slowly, they slid her off of their rigid zebracocks. Harshwhinny numbly moaned as their members passed through her holes once again, but wasn't ready for what happened when she reached the top. "Nguuuuhhhh!" After unplugging their tips from her, the overwhelming amount of excess baby-batter came pouring out of both her snatch and her asshole. She couldn't stop it, and being held up by them, she painted their laps white as the flood flooded out of her. Then, they discarded her. Not literally, she had a life of slavery ahead of her, but they tossed her aside, and dropped her down on her back onto an empty part of the couch next to them. "Guh!" The mare was defiled, ruined, oozing cum, and a husk of her former smug, superior self. Lying back, with her thick legs spread and exposing her gaping, leaking holes to the room, she couldn't move, and didn't bother trying to, feeling cum gush down onto the floor below. The zebras left her like that. Standing up on their four legs, the two erect stallions didn't try to help her, and instead got to chatting casually, as if they didn't have cum dripping off of their throbbing cocks underneath them. "This bitch was fun. What do you wanna do with her now?" The zebra that now owned her looked over to her vulnerable body, and on feeling his dick pulse, decided he wasn't done with her yet. "I know what we could do next, but I'm still feeling a little horny." Trotting over to Harshwhinny, he spoke over his shoulder. "You're welcome to join if you want." Getting to the mare, the zebra mounted her downed body. Hopping up, his giant cock landed on top of her large, brown teats with a slap, and grinning, he thrust back and forth, with noises escaping the mare as she deliriously looked back up at him. "Whaddya say, bitch? Do you wanna get fucked like the zebra broodmare you are again?" For a moment, it seemed like she'd given in to him. But no! The esteemed Ms Harshwhinny was above that! Like she'd ever degrade herself enough to beg for her rapists' cocks. She'd rather- "P-Please! Mate me again! I'm just a filthy zebra bitch now!" Like a desperate whore, she begged them to fuck her silly again. Of course she did, Harshwhinny loved zebras! Grinding his cock on her crotchboobs, the zebra watched as his friend came over to join him, hopping up onto the couch, mounting her chest and already starting to shove himself down her throat as he grabbed her eager head. They had other things they could be doing right now, but they couldn't resist just one more go with her. Then they'd go. "Do we still have no eyes on where Harshwhinny is?" Back out in the stadium, in front of thousands, one of the judges whispered to his coworkers. "I don't think so." One whispered back. After waiting for Harshwhinny to return and never getting her back, they'd all decided to continue without her, hoping nopony would jump to conclusions about her mysterious absence. So now they were back with watching the sports unfold, praying for her to return soon. "Well after that whole... zebra thing up on the big screens, the last thing we want right now is for the public to start making theories about why one of the judges has gone mi-" "Hey, there she is!" Sure enough, there she was, strolling down one of the stadium's shadowy tunnels into the main field, but something was... off about her, and who were the two equines following closely behind her? They wouldn't realise until it was too late. Like a prize to show off, Ms Harshwhinny was escorted by her two favourite studs to the main field, and without slowing, with salacious grins, puffed-up chests and spunk dripping off of all three of them, the trio walked into the light and into view of every pony there. Quickly, unsurprisingly, all chatter in the stadium died instantly down as all heads, all cameras, and all attention turned to focus on the new arrivals, looking at the state of each of them. The two strong, muscular zebras were enough to stir a little panic in the ponies seeing them, especially after what had been played on the screens of the stadium only hours before, but what was more startling were the two limp, huge, cum-covered cocks dangling under them, swaying with each step they took. No ponies were looking at the zebras though. All eyes were elsewhere, staring at a certain somepony stumbling in front of them. It was Harshwhinny, or what was left of her, being paraded like she belonged to them. And she did, they could tell just from looking at her. The pony walked awkwardly, but what could you expect from a mare with both her holes gaping wide? Out of them, in front of all the onlooking crowd, she spilled their thick, fertile zebra down onto the grass. She was covered in the stuff, from it leaking out her hindquarters to it dribbling from her mouth that wasn't in its usual frown. These virile zebras hadn't just fucked her, they mated her, they'd bred her, they'd ruined her, and it was immediately obvious that Harshwhinny had loved it. All over her, like a full-body fur-tattoo, big black stripes covered her from her jiggly rump to her delirious face to her belly bloated with cum, masterfully missing the splooges of semen spread around her. That wasn't all they'd added to her though, because along with the stripes and the other sperm-filled decoration adorning her body, jewellery of gold was all over her wrecked body. Bracelets were on her legs, earrings were on her ears, a nose-ring was now attached to her snobby nose, and a dock-holder was attached to her dock to keep her tail raised high and her body accessible at all times. Their favourite addition however was the two big nipple rings they'd given her, the giant gold ornaments making her teats hang down and sway heavily with each achy step she took. That was how the prestigious, renowned Ms Harshwhinny was presented to the public, as a filthy, degenerate, cum-covered future mother to zebra foals, an omen for what all the mares there would become. There wasn't panic in the stadium though. Not at all. Instead, a haunting silence filled the place, as every pony and camera's attention were all diverted to focusing on the trio who didn't care how they looked. And eventually, the three lovers stopped, the zebras stopping first and their slut obediently following their lead. All eyes were on them, and all ponies were on the edge of their seats to see what the fuck was going to happen next. Then, one of the zebra stallions looked at Harshwhinny and grinned. "Present yourself, pony-slut." The striped mare looked overjoyed at the command, and enthusiastically, practically bursting with need, she spread her legs and stuck her rear out, trying to raise her tail more for him. "Good bitch." He raised his hoof up high. SLAP! "AAGHN!" And the mare's moan of glee could be heard throughout the whole stadium, echoing off the expansive walls. The crowd, as well as everypony watching this live, saw as he brutishly mounted her, and he spoke his words loud and clear to make sure all could hear them, even if they didn't have a microphone. "Tell us what you are, slave." He ground his zebracock on her fat asscheeks, and she answered happily, the Harshwhinny from hours ago nowhere to be seen. "I-I'm a zebra slave! A slut who-" "Louder!" SLAP! "NGUAH!" "Tell them what you are or you don't get bent over and used like the cumdump you are!" He prodded his incredible dick at her thoroughly-used and gaping entrance, and the words burst out of the broken Harshwhinny. "I'M A ZEBRA SLAVE! I'M A FILTHY WHORE AND SLUT WHO LIVES TO MAKE ZEBRA FOALS AND GET FUCKED BY MY ZEBRA MASTERS! PLEASE! USE ME!" He didn't yet. "You love being a zebra slave, don't you?" "YES! I LOVE IT! I LOVE ZEBRACOCK!" Now, he rewarded her. "HNGAAUUGH!" Still having to stretch her pussy out, he pushed himself into her, and happily started fucking her without a care in the world as her moans filled the stadium. Neither cared about all the eyes on them, both were getting what they wanted most. The second zebra soon came around to fuck her face, and that was all the rest of the Foalympics was. Nopony moved for the longest time, and meanwhile, all around Equestria, even more mares were being bred. Not in the Crystal Empire though. Off in that snowy land, miles and miles and miles away, the living room was now far emptier than it had been moments ago. No longer was Shining Armor sat on the couch, him having ran off to summon every guard to protect their land. And no longer was Cadance sat beside him, having flown away to alert her subjects not to worry and stay within the city's border. So that just left a small filly called Flurry Heart. Mindlessly, she kept watching the sports that had been left on, continuing to watch the zebras mate the games' judge while not knowing what was happening, and being too young to understand that she was watching a small fragment of what would be forever remembered as Equestria's downfall.
It's The Thought That Counts	pre	"No I do not, but as long as you live under my roof, you will follow my rules. Address me properly, my daughter," ordered Moonlight. Twilight grinded her teeth and took shallow breaths, she was tired and frustrated. Twilight talked with her mouth nearly clamped shut and with clear malice in her voice, "Yes, mom." "Good, now what is your name?" "Twilight..." a stern look from the unicorn told the filly to continue, "...Lulamoon." She took one look at the evil unicorn before complete blackness consumed her vision. Everything about Moonlight filled Twilight with disgust and anguish. The last thing she saw was her mother's cutie mark, a diadem and peacock feather. "Welcome to the family." ~~~ Starshine patiently waited on his rocking chair, reading the newspaper, listening attentively to the screams and wails of a frightened foal. His ears twitched and folded down as his suspicions were confirmed and daughter came running straight at him. "Starshine, you have to come quick! Mom took Twilight and-" "I know Trixie. Calm down and don't worry. I told her to." A frown formed on top of Trixie's horror filled eyes, "You told her to?!" "Yes, I did. They needed to sort some things out. It took quite a convincing and talking to for your mother to agree." Trixie eyed the pony that looked identical to her father. The pony she knew would never set someone as terrible as Moonlight on anyone, especially not a filly. "Starshine, why?! Mom will kill her!" "No she won't," said the calm unicorn, "I took precautions to ensure that Twilight will live to see the morrow's light." "Who are you and what have you done with Starshine?!" The filly backed away from the mysterious stranger impersonating her father. "Trixie calm down," said the unicorn putting his newspaper down, "Don't worry, I made your mother make an unbreakable vow that she won't kill Twilight. They just needed time with each other, and that's all I allowed her, time with Twilight." "Why?! Mom lies and knowing her, Twilight is probably drowning right now!" Starshine's voice took a stern locking and serious manner, "Give your mother some credit, Trixie. I did not marry a liar and have her bear my foal. Just hear me out alright?" asked the tired unicorn. His gentle magic lit and telekinesis took his frightened daughter onto his armchair. "Getting a little bit big there, Trixie." "But-" "Let me explain first will you?" interrupted Starshine and his daughter gave a subtle nod, "I know, Moonlight can be harsh sometimes, but she is only doing what is best for the family. Trust me on this, alright? She knows what she is doing and I trust her absolutely and completely with both our lives." "You're avoiding my question," noticed Trixie. "I know, now let me finish. Twilight needs a responsible adult figure in her life right now, and Moonlight is the only one willing to push her in the right direction-" "Push her down a cliff is more like it," snickered Trixie. "As I was saying, your mother knows what she's doing. She's likely grooming Twilight into a proper noble-" "What if Twilight doesn't want to be one?" "I'm afraid I don't have much of a say in this matter, Trixie, for it is the responsibility of the matriarch of each family to properly groom their successor-" "Wait... successor?" interrupted Trixie again. "Yes, successor, as in you won't have to be tutored everyday now. All lessons planned for you will be canceled and given to Twilight for the time being as we decide what to do with her." "So, mom choose to have Twilight be the successor? Can she do that?" "Yes she can, I'm afraid. It is the mares in this family that chooses who the successor is, so that siblings don't get privileges just because they were born first. It's an old law and tradition that has been passed down every generation, commanded by Her Majesty. Do you understand me so far?" "Yea, I just lost my fortune and future." Starshine's gentle smile turned sour and then a slight scowl, "Don't think like that Trixie. Moonlight is likely forcing this upon poor Twilight, who I believe wants nothing more than a warm home and family. I cannot do anything about this, but I can tell you that the fortune is shared between the two of you. Even if it is rightfully passed onto your adopted sister, only the family's heirloom will be given to Twilight alone, everything else you two will share." "But... why did mom have to choose Twilight?" Starshine's frown turned into a forced smile, as he avoided his daughter's gaze, and looked to an interesting speck of dust. Trixie never saw it before, but her father's stress lines were now clearly showing, even with his silver hair, grey was starting to appear. "I don't know Trixie. I honestly don't know," answered the wary father, as he delicately rubbing his temples and gave a gentle tossle of his daughter's beautifully groomed mane. "Who your mother chooses to be the success is her business and her decision alone. Just get ready for dinner alright?" He gave her a forced smile and returned to her pleading eyes, "They should be down shortly, and she'll explain better than I can." The upset filly let her head drop and avoided the gaze of the pony that used to be her father. She reluctantly let out a sigh and got off his reading chair, eyes glued to the floor and walking pace slow. All her possessions would soon either be given to or shared with her new sister. A tiny spark of jealousy burned inside, to know that her birth mother would rather choose an orphan than her own daughter. 'I couldn't care less about who mom picks as a successor,' attempted Trixie. 'Besides, now that mom is off my back, Twilight is gonna get the brunt of the punishments and lessons.' The envy turned to pity, with the prospect of learning from the crack of dawn to the darkened dusk. She would never be able to sit in a chair for half that long, let alone learn and do magic at the same time. Trixie remembered the rigorous first week she had with Moonlight as a teacher. Nothing was learned with each lesson ending in fights and tantrums. Books were ripped, burned and thrown throughout the manor and windows. She refused to learn as long as Moonlight was the one teaching. Several dozen scholars from, beyond, and around Equestria was written to and paid soon after. Thud The filly walked straight into a wall, deep in thought. Her face brightened with pain as her nose wrinkled and twitched. "Alfred!" the filly shouted. A stoic grey earth pony with a near balding mane popped his head from a set of swinging doors. He had a black and white suit specially tailored, well kept and ironed on as he closed the distance between the kitchen doors and wall where Trixie had bumped into. "Yes, Miss Lulamoon? Are you alright Miss Lulamoon?" answered the butler. "Yea, just peachy, help me into the kitchen, will ya?" answered the filly. "Of course Miss Lulamoon. What would you like tonight Miss Lulamoon?" asked 'Alfred'. His mood and features were exactly like Moonlight's, passive, since he would never show any emotion whatsoever, but at least with him, the butler only talked when addressed. "Give me my usual," said Trixie. She was gently lead into a huge kitchen, where several dozen chefs and assistants were at work. The filly learned more from her own staff than she did from all the lessons her mother had previously taught combined. "I'm sorry Miss Lulamoon, but I am under strict orders from your mother not to spoil your appetite before dinner. My apologies." said 'Alfred'. Even with a loud kitchen staff, his voice could still be easily recognized. "Who are you going to listen to, me or my mother?" "I listen to the one who signs my paychecks, Miss Lulamoon," said 'Alfred'. "Now, would you like anything else besides a chocolate pie?" Trixie sighed in frustration. "Fine, give me a celery soup then, light on the garlic." "Very good, Miss Lulamoon. Your father shall be joining you shortly," said the butler. He gently pushed open two doors into a large dining room, decorated with moonbeams shining delicately onto the velvet blue cloth that covered a small rectangular table. Four chairs were securely pushed into the table as well as another plate ready for the new house guest. Midnight blue curtains hung loose around massive glass windows, decorated with the Lunar Princess's most stunning achievements, perfectly captured and along with her stunning beauty, with each wall containing five of them. Snowflake obsidian and celestites crystal dimly lit themselves on the large amethyst chandelier hanging securely above, complementing the transparent ceiling as it gently let in the moon's light. The scent of freshly steamed vegetables and cooked stew loomed in the air: fresh steaming tomatoes, sweet potatoes, diced lettuce, with a hint of cream spinach and mushroom soup. A lousy lunch caused the filly's stomach to rumble loudly as her butler left the room and returned to the kitchens. Even with hunger clouding her thoughts, it couldn't draw her attention away from the cold truth. Her mother chose an orphan over her own birth daughter as the successor of the family. She couldn't say it hurt because she didn't care, right? A hint of jealousy loomed overhead as her mind became corrupted by the being she swore never to become. 'Come on Trixie, why would you even care?' "Miss Lulamoon," addressed 'Alfred' drawing her attention away, "your celery soup." It was steaming hot, smelling delightful as always, and mouth wateringly tasty. Somehow, not even that was not enough to take her mind from the choice her mother had made. "Something wrong, Miss Lulamoon?" asked the attentive butler. The filly tore her gaze from the needed soup to her listening servant, face still of a monotone. A depressed sigh left as did the frustration she tried to hide, "I don't know Alfred, it's this whole getting a new sister thing. I guess it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. And it looks like I just lost my fortune and heirloom, since it's up to my mom to decide whom the family successor is." "I am sorry to hear that Miss Lulamoon. I did not know that." "Yea, well neither did I. So guess who's second rate? I just got outdone by a filly whose barely younger than me as well as an orphan. Twilight has knowledge I wish I had, magic more powerful than Starshine, and is as sweet and innocent as anyone can get," said Trixie, never thinking she would get caught in sibling rivalry. "Your new sister sounds like what every parents wishes from their child." "Your point, Alfred?" returned the filly, fully frowning at his attempt at encouraging words. "No point, Miss Lulamoon, just an observation. With the way you describe her, Miss Twilight doesn't sound like she is the type to even want the riches you possess." The filly eyed the confusing earth pony curiously and voiced her turmoil, "What are you talking about Alfred? I mean, who doesn't want to be rich enough to buy Equestria?" "If I may be so bold, Miss Twilight is one of the few left in this world who value something more than money. From what I have heard, she has suffered through a rough ordeal and wants nothing more than what would have rightfully been given to her." "Mind elaborating?" "Permission to speak freely then, Miss Lulamoon?" "Granted." "Thank you, Miss Lulamoon. Have you stopped to think that maybe it's just a simple life that Miss Twilight seeks?" "Sure, maybe all she wants is to read a few books, go to school, and spend some time with a family, but how can she not want my fortune?" "Because she doesn't need it. If knowledge and a loving family is all she seeks, I doubt your fortune was ever at risk in the first place. I believe this is one of the exceptions where money cannot buy happiness. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?" 'Alfred' asked, still seeing the frustration on the filly's features. "I guess maybe that's not what's entirely bother me. It's the fact that my own birth mother chose Twilight over me. I usually would never care about what she does, but... I guess I'm just a little bit jealous?" "Well, I cannot say I wouldn't feel the same way you do if I were in your position, but consider this from your sister's point of view. What do you think Miss Twilight will do with all the privileges she had been granted?" "I don't know, buy a scroll? Book? Library? Archive? A private study? Treasury of books? Something smart related." "Do you see the point I am trying to make yet?" The filly spent her entire life with the butler and for the first time, she detected a subtle change in his ever monotone voice. His face might have been able to hide it, but the butler's own emotions betrayed him. "Do I detect envy, Alfred?" questioned Trixie. If the earth pony noticed his change, he didn't show it. "I do not think I may be so bold as to envy someone as high status as you Miss Lulamoon. But might I ask that you talk to Miss Twilight about this? Seek her thoughts on this matter before you rush to a hasty decision. After all, you're not just gonna drop her back at the orphanage and think it would solve your problems. That's something Madam Lulamoon would do." "Thanks for the talk Alfred, kinda wish I listened to Starshine the first time he told me," admitted the filly. "Do you require anything else this fine evening, Miss Lulamoon?" "No thanks, Alfred. I'll call if I need ya. Do you really think Twilight is feeling the same about this whole thing?" asked Trixie. "I wouldn't know, I'm not her sister. Just something to think about, Miss Lulamoon," said the earth pony. He quietly took his leave, returning behind the kitchen doors, with Trixie contemplating his words. 'Guess I'll just have to talk to Twilight tonight,' thought Trixie. She quickly ate her soup, slurping it to the last drop with her spoon, and wiped away any messiness that it could have caused. On cue, the stroke of six, the filly's other family members walked into the large dining area. Her father arrived first, in a casual t-shirt. His wrinkle lines were gone, as well as the grey hair she thought she had seen earlier. Moonlight quietly crept in without any of her usual high class attire, surprisingly, and was followed closely by her violet filly - Twilight had a grimace on her face, an obvious limp she was trying to hide, while her back was perfectly straight, her eyes were stuck to the uninteresting floor. The unexpected part was that she now looked well cleaned, groomed, and styled. The rat's nest that was Twilight's mane curled around her neck and hung loosely down on her left side, tied down with a silky blue bow - while her tail was done in a similar manner. The healthy coating of earth that used to cover her from top to bottom was exterminated. The natural violet color of her coat now sparkled with tiny stars, no doubt enhanced by Moonlight, as the old hue brightened to an orchid lavender. From the looks of it, Twilight was a natural born noble, with the exact same stride that Moonlight walked with as well as the confidence and arrogance that the older mare had. The filly had been well assimilated into high class society, imprinted and branded by her new mother. Twilight had mastered elegance in a single afternoon with Moonlight, the drawback - she was stripped of herself in the process. Her new sister was void of all her energetic personality she had seen earlier and the feeling of desolation dripping off her unsteady body. Uncomfortable silence was in the air as well as tension, as each one took their appropriate seats. Twilight sat on the opposite side of her sister, closely next to Moonlight. Trixie frowned and cautioned herself for the truth. "What happened to Twilight?" demanded Trixie. "What did you do to her?" She got the answers she expected to have, it just came from the wrong pony. "Mom didn't do anything, we just had a talk," murmured Twilight, as if she was in a daze. Her mood was still in the gutters, gloomy as she kept her vision glued to the ground like she was stuck in limbo. "That's my Twilight," purred Moonlight as she gently folded the filly into a loving caress, smiling like a foal on Hearth's Warming Day. "Y-you crucified Twilight?!"
It's The Thought That Counts	A Day To Remember	"Your mother sounds absolutely dreadful!" exclaimed Rarity. She frowned slightly, but not enough to lose the high class vibe she wore. She looked to the mountain of knitted socks beside her, slowly but surely growing. They took up a wide amount of space on her cushion, and have started to take up space on Trixie's empty seat. 'Well... socks are in style...' She sighed. The amused mare sitting opposite gave a subtle giggle and a mild grin in return. "What's so funny?" "Would you believe me if I told you, to this day my Mom and I are the closest a mother and daughter can possible get?" asked Trixie back. Not a single trace of sarcasm was apparent in the mare's tone. "I'd call you a liar if you did, darling." The alabaster unicorn's gentle magic dispersed, setting down another fabulously knitted pair of wool socks, different in pattern and color scheme from the last ones, but still as eye catching. "Well, Starshine was right, she only had my best interest at heart, and I was pushing her farther away each time we fought." Trixie looked down on her second attempt on the socks -- they were still pretty horrid and should be condemned if the fashionista had any say in the matter. To the trying mare, they seemed to be better than the previous ones, but then again she hadn't always had a good eye when it came to being fashionable -- another thing she picked up from Twilight. The stocking was gently put aside as the mare started on a new one, pulling out more yarn from the shrinking ball of silk. "To think if I just listened to her, maybe Starshine will still be with me today," whispered Trixie. Her eyes drooped to almost half closed as her shoulders slumped. The mare's vision was again glued to the ground, while she expelled a heavy sigh. "My condolences." A white bottle, one-third gone, was levitated from it's hidden area along with two diamonds. With not even a sweat, Rarity reshaped the gems into drinking glasses. She easily pulled off the cap, and poured the potent alcoholic liquid. "It's five o'clock somewhere, darling," said Rarity as she offered the other glass to the slumping mare, "Cheers." "Thanks." Trixie downed the shot without any hesitation, "I see Mom every Thursdays now, for our usual lunch date. We'd catch up on unimportant things, gossip about how stuck up some of the nobles can be, or just simply enjoying the other's company." Her glass was quickly refilled, and held steady, "Even Twilight tags along every now and then." "Then I take that things were settled between her and your mother?" "Yea...." answered Trixie weakly, "I just wish Starshine could see us now; one big happy family." She took another shot. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| The dysfunctional family quietly sat together at the diner table, one pair of unicorns not moving a muscle while the other fidgeted around. Each one with a different set of expressions on their faces about the sudden turn of events. The patriarch still had a warm, but wearing out smile as his daughter sat lifelessly next to him. Moonlight closely embraced her adopted daughter, the both clearly enjoying the warmth it brought. Trixie slowly had her colours drained away as the filly's heart stood frozen. "T-Twilight? W-what are you doing?" asked Trixie bewildered. The words seemed nigh impossible, as Trixie had to audibly gulp the knot in her dry throat. From her twitching eyes and panting, a relapse into shock was just an 'I love you Mom' away. "She's simply hugging her mother, something you've never done before," answered Moonlight, batting her eyelashes and pouted foalish innocence on her face. "What did you do to her?! You HATED Twilight the moment you saw her and now you're acting like she's your own BIRTH daughter!" yelled Trixie, jumping onto the table. Her dinner plate along with forks and spoons clattered on each other, and shattered onto the hard floor. "I don't know what you are talking about honey, it was honestly just a misunderstanding. Twilight and I reached an agreement is all," spoke Moonlight calmly. She gently sedating the huffing filly with a flicker of magic back into her seat. Trixie tore away the hated stare aimed at her mother and looked closely to her sister, the only being to ever be warmly hugged around Moonlight's hooves. Twilight's eyes returned her glare -- the narrowing amethyst orbs barely had the familiar glow she knew the filly to shine with. Gone was the nomadic Twilight, replaced by a scandalous stuck up noble. The wrapped filly nervously pawed at her seat, quickly avoiding her sister's inspection. In a fraction of a second Twilight shifted her body uncomfortably, allowing Trixie to take notice of the necklace she adorned, the same one that Moonlight would consider more important than her own foal. It now hung securely around the filly's neck, the Imperial sapphires inside giving off a faint light of it's own. It was the final blow needed to topple Trixie's world. Her mother had given away the most precious thing Trixie had known Moonlight to possess to an orphan she barely knew. "Y-you gave her the a-amulet?" stuttered Trixie, unsure of what to do next. Moonlight could not have been happier in her life. The hysteria on her true daughter's face told it all, she had finally won the war. "I hope you don't mind, Trixie. Twilight has proven more than enough of herself, with how smart and capable she is." Complemented Moonlight, watching Twilight blush slightly. "After giving it a serious thought, I decided to give her what your foremothers passed down to me. She does deserve it after all. Wouldn't you agree?" Defeat: Trixie didn't want to ever face it, especially to someone like Moonlight. Not only that, but she was robbed of a sister by the monster she called her mother. She slumped lower into her chair, quietly sulking as she waved an imaginary white flag. "Can you leave Trixie alone, please?" pleaded Twilight. She poked her head out as Moonlight loosen her grasp. Twilight looked to her mother with the biggest set of watering eyes possible, quivered her lower lip unsteadily, finishing off with a gentle nuzzle on the mare's warm chest. Moonlight happily returned the nuzzle with a gentle caress of her own, completely surprising everyone. "Of course, anything for my special little filly," she answered as she squeezed the life out of her daughter. Twilight was close enough to hear a gentle thud inside the mare, confirming that she did in fact have a heart. Trixie stared at her mother, instantly realizing she had just traded places with the ex-orphan. The shocked filly sat plaintively in her seat, eyes big and bulging, with hot short breaths taken, cold sweat pouring down. 'D-did I just lose Mom to Twilight?' "You look pale honey, something wrong?" asked Moonlight, a tinge of concern in her voice, whether faked or real it wasn't clear. "Just peachy, Mother," grumbled Trixie. She turned to her silent father, hoping maybe he could make something of the grave she dug for herself. He still had a worn out smile on his face; this time it was fake. "W-where is Twilight going to sleep tonight?" asked Trixie, hoping for some alone time with her sister for a better explanation. Grinning with amusement, Moonlight pondered the thought carefully in her head. "No daughter of mine is going to sleep in the dungeon, that's for sure." She gave Twilight a penitent look. "How about the Lunar suite?" The filly in question managed to get herself out of her depressed slump and grew with curiosity, a good sign she was still herself, "The Lunar suite? Where's that? Am I still allowed to bunk with Trixie?" It was unexpected, but the last question gave the forgotten filly new hope, taking down her white flag and brought a cheery smile to counter Moonlight's own. Trixie looked to her father to see a genuine smile this time, but things turn opposite. There wasn't just a frown on Starshine's face, but actual anger. 'Starshine's... angry?' The ever apparent 'never' was missing. Trixie not once in her life seen her father angry with anyone, or even been able to show that emotion whatsoever, but this was different. Since her birth she'd always look to her father for protection. Now Trixie feared Starshine more than she did her mother, and almost considered running and confining herself within Moonlight for reassurance. She looked to her still mother, even the collected mare was starting to show signs of disconcertion as well. "No one has entered Her Majesty's room since her banishment," stated Starshine darkly. Whatever left of the mood died and it wasn't killed by Moonlight's harsh nature. Everyone's attention was locked on the stallion, who was giving his wife a death stare and sentence should she continue. Moonlight hid her fears and nervousness well, as she composed what was left of her confidence and once again did the impossible, "I'm sorry, darling." She released the choking hold she didn't know she had on the gasping filly. Moonlight quickly looked away towards Trixie, who slightly trembled in her seat. "Starshine... are you... okay?" asked Trixie patiently, worried her father really had been replaced. His anger completely vanished as he turned towards his troubled daughter, who he gave a dreary look to. Trixie saw her father's kind eyes and knew right away he was back, though for how long, she didn't want to know. "I'll be fine Trixie," said Starshine, a gentle but clear change back into his calmer demeanor. "Would you mind taking Twilight up to your rooms? I need to have a few words with your mother. I want the both of you in bed, so no books tonight, alright Twilight?" bade Starshine, sending her an apologetic look. Try as she might, Twilight couldn't hide the mild disappointment on her face, but reluctantly agreed. See broke the hug, gave her mother a worried frown and paced to door, opening it and quietly closing after she left. She was soon hurriedly joined by Trixie who had a beaming smirk on her face. They slowly paced in the dim hallways, the azure sister leading, "What's so funny?" Twilight asked. "Mom's gonna get it!" said Trixie excitedly. She returned her sister's gaze, waiting for a smile to given back at her; she didn't get one. "I hope Mom will be alright," answered Twilight back. If the she had been a master at lying, Trixie couldn't tell. All Trixie detected was concern in her sister's voice, which was cause for further concern for Twilight herself. "You aren't serious are you? After what she did to you, you still care about her?" snickered Trixie. She gave a hearty giggle at the frivolous thought, 'I mean, who honestly cares about Moonlight?' "And what exactly did she do to me?" snapped Twilight. She now donned her newfound elegance flawlessly, intoning the words while she remained passive. A leer was given to her sibling as she precisely executed Moonlight's personal glacial scowl. Trixie stared at Twilight and saw the second most frightening thing in her life -- she saw the spitting image of their mother in the filly she thought to be her sister. "Twilight, take that necklace off, now," pleaded Trixie, fearing the worst. Surprise took her first as she stared down at her new amulet and then to her sister with a quizzical look. The necklace didn't feel out of place or wrong, unlike the huge castle. It was always warm to the touch, like there was pulsing energy within it. "What's wrong with it?" asked Twilight back. "Mom gave you that necklace," stated Trixie bluntly. "Yea, so?" asked the filly more confused. "You don't get it Twilight, she gave you the necklace. That amulet has to be earned -- passed down when the mother deems her daughter worthy and able enough to protect it." Explained Trixie. A mysterious but chilly gust blew past, almost extinguishing the torches. The closest window was just a few meters away, closed and locked. With her agitation growing, Twilight eyed her sister with a frown and raised eyebrow, more questions wandering in her head than she had before. "And this is a bad thing because?" "The necklace kills you if it doesn't think you are worthy," answered Trixie darkly. The final words spoken, all the dim torches died. Within the shadows, she looked creepy, almost psychotic, as the words struck a new meaning of fear. Both fillies stopped in their tracks as Twilight lost her look of elegance and confidence. Instinctively, her fast reactions ignited all the torches within seconds, all several hundreds of them. She stared to her sister to see if it was simply another joke, only to be met with the same serious face that Moonlight always wore. "B-but I'm still alive... Aren't I?" asked Twilight sheepishly, gulping with difficulty. 'I am still considered to be alive, right?' the filly pondered. She meticulously checked her vitals, her right hoof rushing to hey jugular to confirm a pulse, then breathed a sigh of relief when she detected one. "Oh! Then everything should be fine then," answered Trixie cheerfully. With a hop in her steps she continued on down the hallways and turned a corner. "You coming Twilight?!" called her excited sister from another hallway. Twilight seemed spooked out of her mind as she looked down to the amulet that could choke the life out of her any second it choose to. A gentle, but noticeable sparkle shimmered on the tiny sapphires. Narrowing her eyes, she expelled some mana for a microscope spell, intensify her already abnormal vision. Inspecting the gems on a mesoscopic view, she saw stars. Not the ones you get when you're dizzy, but trillions of giant tiny ball of gas. They were all swirling together in the formation of a single nebula. In the center, a small quizar pulsed thousandfold mana on both of its poles, enough to even make any power hungry alicorn appeased. Startled, Twilight dispersed the spell and backed away. She was forcefully stopped as her rump met obsidian. Nowhere else to go, her legs wobbled and toppled her unsteady body. Grace was out the door as fumbled not to fall on her face. Twilight regained whatever left elegance she had and lay on her rumbling tummy. She shushed the annoying slave driver and contemplated all that Moonlight had previously told her. "Protect this amulet with your life, Twilight." The request reverberated in mind, as she made absolutely sure it was a request from a desperate mother and not a demand from an upstart noble. 'What have I got myself into?' she thought. It was the million bit question that she would gladly pay to know beforehand. Unsure, she opened the window with her telekinesis, letting in some fresh air to clear her troubling thoughts. Twilight looked from the black floor to the holy moonlight escaping in. She stared at Luna, and she stared back. The silhouette of an imprisoned goddess imprinted on the barren surface. Nothing but chalky white or black craters was on the seeable side of celestial body, the darkside completely unknown. Trembling hooves raised themselves, walking diligently to the window to get a better view. Basking in the ex-Princess essence, she let the night's warmth smoothe away her nerves as Twilight breathed a long fresh breath. The amulet glowed lummanestant, Twilight ignoring it for the non-duplicatable beams that Luna shone. 'Follow your heart,' she said. Twilight didn't know who said it, just that someone said it. The angelic voice spoke soundless words that translated to nothing more than a gentle thought. 'Follow my heart?' Twilight asked back. She didn't get a reply, but she knew exactly what was expected of her. "Wait up!" called Twilight as she ran to catch up to her sister. The heavily breathing filly was luckily enough to catch her in time before Trixie turned a corner onto a spiral staircase leading upward. Twilight closely trotted next to her sister, clinging to her as the shadows grew and lights dim even more so. The stone hallways as well the walls and floors were warm to the touch; something strange for a structure mainly consisting of obsidian noted the smart filly. "Hey, Trixie?" asked Twilight, carefully re-examining the strange unorthodox building material. "Yea?" "How is it possible that a castle as big as this feel so warm? I mean, there's certainly ventilation systems that circulate warm air throughout it, but with something this big and scale, I doubt you can possibly build a furnace or heating structure with enough energy hourly produced to heat the castle." Trixie blankly stared back with a dumbfounded look like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "The castle was built on a volcano, duh," answered Trixie as they slowly trotted to their bedrooms. "S-so you have a dungeon in the basement which was built on top of a volcano?!" asked Twilight in shock. 'With a family like this, I thought I'd be used to something like this by now.' "Yea, why?" Trixie stared at her sister as the filly's jaw dropped to the ground with complete terror. "Close your mouth Twilight, you'll catch flies," warned Trixie, clamping shut the gaping hole. "We're here." Twilight snapped out of her confound state of mind, looking to a medium size iron door, while painted on it was a stunning mural of Trixie's cutie mark, a fluid wand and moon, decorated accordingly with tiny sparkling stars. The heavy door lit a magenta hue as did Trixie's own horn; after a few seconds, the magic dissipated and mechanical locks clicked and grinded, the door gently pushing itself inward, inviting the fillies inside. Trixie took lead, taking the first steps into their now shared rooms. Spacious was the only word fit to describe their sleeping quarters. Within the right side of the room, massive cyan covers laid peacefully on an equally large bed, supported by mahogany stands, with transparent veils tied around each of the four corner. The bed was snugly shifted against a single wall, above it a window, the only one within the room, bleakly letting in moonlight. To the left of the bed, a short distance away was a nightstand with a circular mirror sitting on top. A small dresser was placed next to nightstand, with an empty suitcase on it as well an old chemistry set. The opposite side of the room sat a large nylon couch safely set next to an extinct fireplace, while large blocks of firewood was in it waiting to be used. On the mantel decorated a bouquet of freshly cut Lunar Lilywhites settled in a glass vase with distilled water. An old medieval grandmother clock ticked and chimed next to the couch joined by a fully shelved bookcase. 'Simple, yet cozy. Guess Trixie picked it up from Dad,' thought Twilight, comforting herself with the new surroundings. "There's only one bed," noticed the filly looking to her single luggage that had been moved into room. On the bed rested unharmed was her only book, torn away from her from before. "I said you can bunk with me didn't I? I call the inner half!" shouted Trixie, too excitedly, jumping into mid air and landed with a loud thud head first into a wall. "Ow....." mumbled Trixie, delicately rubbing the reddening bulge on her forehead. In yoctoseconds, the First Edition book was swiped away, safely tucked into Twilight's hooves. Worries sedated, the filly hurriedly trotted to the large bed. "Here," said Twilight gently setting aside her book with telekinesis and pushed away Trixie's hooves, "Let's take a look at th- Woah....." mumbled the examining filly. "Is it bad?" asked Trixie trying to look up at the bruise on her forehead. "Ehh..... I think I can fix it?" answered Twilight lighting her horn in healing magic. "Hold still. I can probably heal it, or I can make your head pop off." Trixie stared at her sister like she was a lioness waiting to pounce. Her hooves went straight to flailing, as she tried not to have another relapse into shock. "Twi, don't!" begged the scared filly. "I like my head the way it is, honest! This isn't anything too serious!" "I was joking, Trixie." Jested Twilight, smiling and adding a point for herself on an imaginary scoreboard. 'That's one for one, Trixie.' "Really Twilight, you don't need to heal it! I'll just have Alfred bandage it." Begged Trixie, gently pushing her sister down to the soft covers and yelled, "Alfred!" "Who's Alfred?" asked Twilight, curiosity sparking in the filly. "Kind of a strange name don't you think?" "I am sorry if I have a strange name Miss Twilight." Answered the butler, who magically seemed to have showed up out of nowhere. Twilight broke the record for highest a filly unicorn could jump up into the air as her mane gently bumped itself against the twenty-meter tall ceiling. Her descent down was just as quick as she landed with a soft thud on the safe mattress. "That's Alfred," explained Trixie, rubbing her injured scalp and winced at the touch. "Can you get-" she stared at the silver plate on one of his hooves, which coincidentally had a few bandages and wraps, "Always prepared I see." Regaining her footing, Twilight stared at the butler with disbelief. She hadn't heard him come through the door, and pondered how it was remotely possible he could have a dish with the needed items asked for already. "How did you...." "Butler's intuition," answered the grey earth pony. "But t-that's not possible!" argued Twilight weakly. "Twilight, if there is one thing you don't question, it's Alfred's ability to do the impossible." Returned Trixie gladly accepting the bandages. The filly's hooves flinch every time they made contact with the injury, but she manage to get the wrap around the bulge and secure it. All logical sense of physics out the door, Twilight took the injured sister's advice and stared at the butler with clear interest. "You sound kinda funny Alfred." She noticed. "That's because he has an accent Twi." "Oh," realized Twilight. "Well, I hope you get better from your accident, Mister. Would you like a cough drop?" "No thank you, Miss Twilight." The butler gave an amused chuckled. "Do you require anything? "May I have a daisy sandwich, please? I kind of skipped out on din- Oh, you already have a daisy sandwich..." mumble Twilight. The kind butler had prepared a snack, as there were several dozen sandwiches cut into halves neatly stacked on the silver platter he was caring. "Are you secretly a unicorn?" asked Twilight, still confused on the stallion's ability to be prepared for anything. "I do not believe I can pull a fast one on someone as capable as you Miss Twilight. Do you require anything else this evening?" asked the butler back. The filly thought of asking for the ridiculous and impossible; the strange look from her sister told Twilight that Trixie had already attempted it. "No thank you, Mister. Sorry I said your name sounded goofy back there." Said Twilight with a hint of guilt. "Apology accepted, Miss Twilight. I hope you both have a wonderful evening and a restful night's sleep." Said 'Alfred' quietly taking his leave behind a widely opened iron door. It silently swung shut leaving the two fillies alone again. "So..." said Trixie drawing her sister's attention back, "What do you want to do now?" Twilight shrugged. "I don't know. What do want to do?" "Hmm...." mused Trixie tapping her chin, "Wanna build a book fort?" The violet filly smile widely and leaped into the air again. "I call being the Princess!" \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "You had a butler named Alfred?" asked Rarity. Her magic still tightly wrapped around the single shot she never drank and watched attentively as her student finished another third of the vodka. "He was from Trottingham and brought his baby sister when he came here." Explained Trixie. "Did you really mean it when you said the necklace would kill Twilight if it didn't think she was worthy?" interrupted the curious mare. She looked to be quite worked up over the prospect and teasing was all over Trixie's own thoughts. "Well, yes and no," answered Trixie, pouring herself another shot of vodka, "You see, I have the necklace with me right here." Trixie's magenta magic opened her saddle bags, lifting into the open a crescent moon amulet, still sapphire studded and shined it's own personal glow. "It belongs to me now." The charm gently levitated to the Lulamoon, the noose ripping apart and magically sealed itself with a bright blue glow. The necklace not only looked perfect for the azure mare, but complement everything that was her. The gems sparkled the same along with her cutie mark as the deep blue on the sapphires stood out and gave her coat a jet like gloss. The silver was a perfect mirror, as it reflected a stormy tinge like the mare's eyes. It was as if the amulet was specially made for Trixie herself. Rarity pouted as she had never once seen a more precious and stunning design of jewelry in her life. "Quite honestly, darling, I'm jealous. It looks fabulous on you," admitted the fashionista. "Thanks," said Trixie, slightly blushing at the complement. "Mom gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. Wish I could make up all those years I hated her, but I was young and foolish. We wasted so much time fighting with each other that she barely got the chance to see me grow up." Trixie took another shot. "For a while, I lost Mom to Twilight, but I was just too stubborn to realize it was my own fault. You know the old proverb, 'You don't know what you have until it's gone.'" "You're making up with her now," reassured Rarity, "That's what counts. You were able to put aside your differences and get along as mother and daughter; that's what mattered in the end isn't it?" "I guess so. I have been meaning to buy her something nice for a while now. A 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry' for all those years she stuck with me," said Trixie. "Perhaps, but may I suggest you get something from the heart? I'm sure she'll love it more if was made by you, and not in a factory somewhere on some different continent. You're already traveling such a far distance anyways so, why don't I get you some more material for another pair of socks?" "Thanks, but no thanks. I already got the perfect gift in mind, and you were right, it should be from the heart." "Well, I'm glad I helped you in some way. Now about your sister, where is she now?" asked Rarity. "She's probably at the Royal Archives or Library, most likely sticking her head in some ancient tomb or scroll about some dead unicorn from hundreds of years ago who invented a spell that 'helped formed modern Equestria, but one seems to care about'." "You said you left this morning right?" "Yeah, why?" "Won't Twilight come home to an empty house and to find her sister is to be nowhere in sight?" The loud facehoof echoed in the small compartment, dead point in the middle of her face was a swelling mark in the shape of a horse print. "I can't believe I forgot to leave her a note!" remembered the lazy mare. She hastily opened her saddle bags again, magicking out a quill, parchment and ink bottle. "Darling, Ponyville won't be here for another several hours," reminded Rarity. "Even if the Cloudsdale mail service delivered that letter, it won't arrive until at least tomorrow morning." "I know," answered Trixie, finishing up her letter as she got to the apology part of it. With a whiff of magic, it rolled itself up and the quill and bottle were put away. "Alfred!" "Yes Miss Lulamoon?" answered the butler pony, who stood heartedly at the doors of the coach. "AHH!" screamed Rarity, jumping into the air. "I need you to deliver this letter to Twi for me," said Trixie gently levitating the parchment to him. "Thanks!" "As you wish, Miss Lulamoon. My apologies to your friend for scaring her." The butler quietly took his leave and disappeared from sight within seconds. "H-how is that possible?!" exclaimed the distress mare. "Like I said, never underestimate Alfred's ability to do the impossible." "B-but we're on a train!" argued Rarity. "So?" asked Trixie back, the hint of knowing a secret apparent. "I need to get myself a butler like Alfred one of these days. Work around the shop would be so much easier if I had one." "Sorry Rarity, but he's one of a kind." "That's quite a shame. I was looking forward to someone bringing me tea every time I faint or something. Oh well, let's get back into things then shall we? Those socks aren't going to knit themselves." "Of course, anyways, Twi and I built our first book fort together. She was Princess Eos and I was her most faithful student, Sunny Skies. We started on a fort... But things took a sour turn." Trixie downed the rest of the vodka. "My relationship with Mom wasn't always the best, and adding someone like Twi into the mix just ignited the long fuse. I hated myself for what could have happened......" \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Princess?" "Yeessh Shunnie?" "We don't have enough books to make a fort." "Toh theh Librehry mai student!" "Starshine said to stay in our room, though." "Ahh....." sighed Twilight disappointedly. She finished chewing her daisy sandwiched and swallowed the delicious snack. 'I need to thank Alfred later for these!' The sisters took a step back and observed the half completed palatial and looked to the only remaining book left in the room. They both stared at Twilight's history book, as Trixie slowly approached it. "Please don't!" pleaded her sister. Twilight quickly outmatched her Trixie's pace and grabbed her only book, drawing it close and used her own body as a shield. "Twilight... what are you doing?" asked Trixie bewildered. The other filly was nearly cuddling her book as her sister gave a weirded out look. "It's just a book." The words left a hurting impact on the protective filly. Her most precious belonging wasn't just only a book to her, it was more than that. It was her entire life. It was the only thing that could possible connect her past and present. "Sorry Trixie." She mumbled. "I just don't like it when this book is used by anyone else besides me." Her sister wanted to press for more info, but decided against it after the teleporting incident. "Alright, Twi. I understand." Comforted Trixie. "You want a cookie?" The upset filly shook her head, "Thanks, but no thank you Trixie. We aren't supposed to have any sugar before bed." Twilight hesitated, but reluctantly set down her book, hiding it under her pillow and set her Smartypants doll on top to stand guard. Now something was definitely wrong. No foal was ever able to resist chocolate, let alone say no to it. "Twilight, what happened? If you don't want to talk about it I understand, but... What did you and Mom do together?" Trixie received a dry smile in return, the same one that Starshine always gave her whenever he tried to say no to her. "Honestly Trixie..." mumbled Twilight - she turned her head to look out into the window, gazing directly at Luna. "We just had a talk. She said a few things and I said a few things. Mom healed me and sat me down for an important talk about my future." She gave the blunt of the exchange as to not upset her sister and cause further hardship between the mother and daughter. Attentive ears twitched and listened carefully for any detail or change within the filly's voice. Twilight had been well trained to separate her emotions from speech, as her tone never hinted at malice or joy. Trixie's new sister was getting more and more like Moonlight every second, and she feared when Twilight would be fully corrupted and changed. "Twi..." sniveled Trixie, trying to sound as sincere as she could, and looked to Twilight with watering eyes, "... we're sisters aren't we?" The stargazing filly tore her distracted eyes to a startled Trixie closely setting next to her. Trixie's body was stiff and rigid, with troubled hooves drawing small circles on their blanket. The filly was anxiously biting her lower lip and looked insecure, complete gone was her royal aura. "Of course, there's no doubt about it," answered Twilight. She wiped away a stray tear that threatened to pour, and startled her sister with a needed hug. "I'll be here if you want to talk Trixie, and I hope that the vica versa can be true." Trixie returned the gesture after a few seconds to allow to it to sink in. The violet filly's body was bitter cold, yet she didn't mind. The only thing warm to the touch was moon amulet she wore. "H-hey Twi?" asked Trixie starting to feel the after effects of her sister's touch. Twilight felt the shiver that ran up the Trixie's spine - and instantly magicking the soft blanket under them and laid her sister to sleep. "Don't worry Trixie. Rest for a while and I'll come back with some hot coco alright?" Trixie gave a subtle nod of yes, as Twilight elegantly stepped down from the bed. Her fuchsia magic lit the door as it opened and she stepped out. The lone filly looked around the room and found herself staring at Twilight's Smartypants doll. The black buttons for eyes, although had no distinction of which direction they were facing, stared at her with devious notations, daring her to go against her sister's pleas and wishes. Trixie hated herself, but curiosity won out. The doll and pillow were gently levitated away, revealing the secret hiding place of Twilight's book. Steady hooves diligently reached for the age-ridden hard cover of the book and flipped it opened. The Lunar Princess's signature was gently inscribe in special ink, the kind that never fades away - done in the same fashion was Starswirl's right below the Alicorn's. She carefully turned the page, taking extra precautions as to not tear the old paper. The second inside cover had a written note, at the bottom was Twilight's name. To Twilight, the smartest little filly we ever had the honor of raising. We wish you the happiest of birthdays and fun each time you read this book. We love you as much as any parents could their special little filly, and sincerely hope you know what it means for us to have you as a daughter. You're our world, don't forget that, not even for a second. Your special day only comes once a year, but don't let that be an excuse for you to stay up all night reading this! With love, your parents, N-******* ad T-**** The rest of the note was scorched and burned, the most important part gone. Trixie couldn't believe Twilight's luck; even if it meant losing her sister, Trixie would have gladly done anything to recover the rest of the note. She looked to the date that was next to their names - it was barely readable but show an exact day. Twilight's birthday was- Thud, Thud,Thud Trixie's attuned ears perked at the sounds of coming hoovesteps, as the spooked filly quickly, but gently closed the book and covered it with a pillow again. The old doll was again sitting on top of Twilight's pillow as Trixie tried to look inconspicuous as the spying filly could. Twilight had returned with two cups of hot coco in her telekinesis, but she wasn't alone, Moonlight was with her. Both mother and daughter were happily beaming, the filly especially as Twilight lovingly nudged on Moonlight's leg. The real daughter didn't know whether to be jealous or frightened. No one ever got close enough to know about an affectionate side of Moonlight let alone actually feel it. The pair of unicorns stepped into the bedroom, Twilight with a lively skip to her steps, as Moonlight delightfully watched her excited daughter. 'The world must be ending....' mused Trixie looking to the disturbing sight. One of the steaming mugs was levitated to Trixie as the magic switched from Twilight's to a magenta. "Hope you enjoy it Trixie. Twilight and I made it ourselves," trifled Moonlight. She continued to beam pridefully at her blushing filly, showcasing her rare but genuine smile of joy. Whether it the jealousy or the hatred she had for her mother, she didn't know - Trixie threw the hot chocolate at her mother's face. She had no doubt expected it to be deflected by Moonlight, to protect herself from the burns. The elder unicorn's magic never lit. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| Rip Rarity looked with attentive eyes from the storyteller to the stocking she was knitting. The fabric was forcefully torn in half, pulled apart by the two dull needles. The gentle magenta that held them together dissipated, as Trixie held her empty bottle of vodka. Trixie gave a disappointed sigh, limply hanging her hooves down and dropped the bottle onto the floor. "Things couldn't have gotten that bad, did it?" asked Rarity. Trixie gave a labored chuckle and magicked more bits from her saddle bags. "Makes you wonder what kind of mother Moonlight was, doesn't it?" The mare took her money and walked out the coach, leaving Rarity alone. "You don't mean that.... Do you?" asked Rarity to herself. Trixie returned shortly, five bottles of vodka in her magic. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| Twilight caught the chocolate. In mid air was burning hot coco limbly floating about in a fuchsia hold. Moonlight's magic ignited afterwards, the shattered mug on the floor was repaired, shard for shard, as it was levitated upward and again used to store the steaming chocolate. Moonlight looked passive as ever, her joy for Twilight's accomplishment gone. "I'm very disappointed in you Trixie." It was all her mother said. She avoid the gaze of both family members, waiting patiently for Moonlight to slap her any second now. When it didn't come, she turned to Twilight, anger and jealousy beyond recognizable. The violet sister had pleading eyes on, but they were aimed at their mother. Moonlight sighed and set the two mugs onto the nightstand beside the dresser. Her magic sparked and a dim blue flame consumed the fireplace, burning the fresh wood. Moonlight's favored daughter delicately stepped onto the bed, mouthing 'I'm so sorry.' Trixie let her head drop and hung her vision on the cyan covers. The oxford unicorn settled down, slowly pacing to her obedient filly as Twilight wrapped the soft blanket onto herself and took off her silk bow. "Goodnight Twilight, sweet dreams." Said Moonlight, tucking her daughter in and kissing her forehead. The filly already had her eyes closed a second too early as Moonlight smirked wickedly at Trixie, and gave a gentle huggle to Twilight. The frown shot to her mother said, 'You planned this didn't you?!' Moonlight's joyful smiles told her, 'What were you expecting?' Trixie angrily tucked herself into bed, 'I hate you Mother.' Moonlight tugged on the blanket towards her sleeping filly, 'Kai su, teknon? Do you hate me as well?' She levitated Smartypants to her adorable daughter, who pawed at an empty space until the rugged toy was in her grasp, which Twilight instinctive took without hesitation. 'Guess not.' She looked down to her daughter's delighted smile. 'Goodnight Mother.' Trixie blew a raspberry. 'You always have the option of seppuku.' 'In your dreams.' She felt no contrite for her Mother. "I love you Twilight, my daughter." Spoke Moonlight calmly and true. She walked to the door, and shot a victory glare at Trixie. 'Goodnight Trixie, sleep well tonight.' Her smirk told. The door swung shut, cutting off all light source but the fireplace. Trixie stared at the bland obsidian wall, nothing keeping her mind occupied but what had transcended. Twilight instinctively protected the ruthless unicorn they both had the displeasure of calling mom. Why her sister did it, she didn't know. Twilight feared Moonlight the moment they met - now they enjoy spending time with each other like they really were blood related. "I'm sorry." Upset as she was, Trixie heard the apology and turned to her still quite awake sister. Twilight had pleading eyes, and was snuggly cuddling her Smartypants poll. She stared at back at Trixie and apologized again, "I'm sorry if I did anything to make you angry Trixie. I honestly didn't know." Twilight lifted her head and gently pulled out her sacred book. She handed it to Trixie and turned towards the fire, completely shutting her eyes and went back to sleep. The possession now in her control Trixie stared at it with interest. "Keep it safe for me." They were the last words said before Twilight fell into slumber. Trixie's eyes went from the fireplace to the book - back and forth. The book was gripped in a magenta glow, levitated high and aimed into the burning firewood. All it took was a thought and it would burn to a crisp within seconds. Her eyes now wandered from Twilight, to the fire, and back to the book. The old memento was already poised and ready, waiting for Trixie to give the order. She hated Twilight; the filly had stolen her mother. It would have been so easy to even the score, all it took was crossing a sacred line. Twilight openly shared her old book and gave it to Trixie for safekeeping, knowing the filly's hatred and anger. Trixie looked at her sister one last time. 'Are we even sisters anymore?' Trixie wondered. The slumbering filly was completely still, sound asleep, as Trixie looked at her still form. Strangely Twilight slightly bobbed her head, in a gesture of agreement. Trixie took notice, and pondered what her next move was to be. Her eyes wandered from the old book, to the glistening necklace that glowed in the darkness. 'Your book for the amulet Twilight? Are you sure?' The sleeping filly slightly nodded again, like she could read thoughts. Her old possession descended and lay peacefully on the covers. Trixie grabbed it with her own hooves and gently pushed it under Twilight's pillow, tucking herself back in. "Night, Twi." Her sister rolled over and glomped Trixie with freezing hooves. The touch sent shivers up her spine as Twilight pulled Trixie closer and embraced her. Trixie learned immediately that Twilight was a cuddler, as the cold filly nestled her head up and down Trixie's bare chest, until she finally found a comfortable spot to rest it on. The freezing filly yanked on the warm covers, completely immersing herself and laid still. "Night, Sis." Returned Twilight groggily. She stiffed an oncoming yawn and closed her eyes for the last time that night. Trixie wasn't far behind, as her eyelids became harder to keep open and heavier by the second. A small fire quietly crackled from a distance while the grandmother clock next to it chimed nine in its small corner. Next to the bed stood a nightstand, reflecting the orange-yellow glow across the room, contrasting with the single beam of moonlight that shone in. Magically sealed shut was the only entrance to the room, as two mugs of cocoa steamed against the night's cold air. All was quiet and peaceful - Luna still shined and her stars the same. "Happy Birthday Twilight." Trixie fell asleep.
It's The Thought That Counts	Two of A Kind	One Year Later... Boing, Boing, Boing Twilight excitedly tramplended on a firm mattress, beaming as wide as her puffy cheeks would allow without strain, and showcased two perfect rows of pearly whites. The silk bow in her mane bounced in the same motion, as her coat shone with an extra sparkle just for this momentous day. Boing, Boing, Boing She ran through her mental checklist of things needed to be accomplished, thinking over each chore with care and made sure they were executed with precision. 'Wake up: check! Eat breakfast: check! Brush mane and teeth: check! Pack saddle bag: check! Bring a pear for the teacher: check! Wake up mom: in process!' Boing, Boing, Boing Dancing her happy little jig, she rustled the neat mystique bed sheets overlaying the bed, gaining a slight stir from the unicorn she was jumping on. Moonlight had been awake for quite some time -- from the moment she entered the room to when Twilight tried her best to stick to the shadows and stay hidden, Moonlight knew her daughter's presence was apparent. She lied still, enjoying the cushiness of a warm bed in the morning. Boing, Boing, Boing The vigorous bouncing persisted, but Moonlight didn't mind. Her eager filly was always the early bird of the early birds, a great and reliable trait she was glad Twilight had. In the first year of private tutelage, Twilight already mastered advance mathematics, five different analogies of chemistry, and capable leadership skills -- not that the subject needed much work. Magic however, was discussed and dropped. The end results were... more than unexpected. Boing, Boing, Boing 'Huh,' Moonlight sighed. She kept her eyes closed, but slowly uncurled the comforting warm covers with a flicker of telekinesis, revealing her tidy fur coat, which was somehow unaffected by bed hair. Her mane was still magically conditioned, resting peacefully on her alicorn feathered pillows. Moonlight in troubled thoughts, had turned to her right side and now had a sore in her neck. Progressively, Twilight's bouncing came to a standstill, the wait for the best day of her life nearly here and all that was required was to wake her mother from slumber. "Come on Mom! Wake up! Pretty pwease!" begged Twilight. She crept closer to her seemingly still asleep mother and used her tiny hooves to gently give Moonlight a shove. Finding her endeavors fruitless, Twilight tried another approach. Crawling under Moonlight's front hooves, Twilight nuzzled her mother's bare chest and half succeeded in wrapping her into an embrace. Instead, Twilight hugged her Moonlight's rigid neck as it was all her tiny hooves were capable of reaching. Noticing the subtle gesture, the urge to resist Twilight grew unbearable. A sigh of defeat escaping, Moonlight returned the embrace, enfolding Twilight closely with her hooves. The passivity she wore melted away for a delighted smile, as she brought the small filly closer to her for a gentle caress. She slowly ran a hoof through Twilight's mane, feeling its delicate textures until she reached the filly's back, which Moonlight continued a gentle rubbing motion on. She never trusted any clock but her own, and her internal clock said it was too early to leave bed with something so nice and warm cuddling to you. She levitated the covers back on, sweeping the hyperactive lassie into complete darkness. "Twilight," she calmly spoke, "What time is it?" Moonlight already knew, but used the occasion to test one of Twilight's new developing skills. "Ninth hour after the night meridian, thirty-four minutes past, and twenty-six seconds." Twilight answered. "Well done," Moonlight complemented proudly. 'Only a few microseconds off this time. You're getting there Twilight.' "Come-on-Mom-it's-the-first-day-of-school! Get-up!" begged Twilight again. "Twilight, school won't start for another seven hours. For once, I think you've earned yourself the right to sleep in past sunrise. You're still a filly, and to be up this early is bad for your health. Don't you think I deserve sleep as well?" asked Moonlight. "...Hehehe..." giggled Twilight sheepishly. "Sorry Mom..." "It's alright. I can understand that you must be excited for your first day of school, but don't get too hyped up over something you'll likely forget by the time you're my age," reminisced Moonlight. She breathed a dull sigh and hugged Twilight twice as hard. "You're not old, Mom. You have the figure of a supermodel! And you're not as stuck up and snooty. I can barely understand what they say most of the time with how thick some of their accents can be. Her high pitch voice rang of joy and silliness, with Moonlight joining her. Twilight's petite hooves began loosening its filial grip on Moonlight as drowsiness caved in. The sugar rush-like energy the excited filly had been running on drifted away, the fluffiness of the bed and her mother, soothing her young mind. Twilight gave a groggy shake of her head to stiff away the need for sleep, only to have brush against Moonlight comforting coat. Her effort to keep droopy eyes from sealing shut was a losing battle, one she didn't mind losing. "...I love you Mum...Yawn" murmured the sleepy filly. Her resistance to slumber grew more sluggish as Moonlight continued to nestle her. The wanting instinct to go to school at three in the morning melted away, forming the lucid plains of the dreamscape. "...Can you... can you walk with me to school?...Please?" asked Twilight. The little request turned into a plea, as her mind wrapped around the new ponies she had to face and possible make 'friends' with. "I can't always be there to hold your hoof, Twilight. There are things you'll have to face on your own -- things where I can only point you in the right direction-" Her speech of encouragement was interrupted as Twilight did what she did best when begging just wasn't enough. Using the drowsy of sleep to an advantage, she retreated her hooves and curled to a small ball. She nuzzled against the unicorn's abdomen, burrowing against the radiant fur. "Plwasssse?" begged Twilight. The effects of sleep hindering her speech only stretched on the torture that was begging from a daughter. Twilight could easily manipulate ethos within ponies for her own wants and gains, the only problem: she could never best her teacher. A youthless foalhood ripped away any kind of emotions for Moonlight, the strands of her psyche barely hung onto. Seeing Twilight attempt it added to the growing pride she had for the filly. Yes, she was a heartless wretch, but it didn't hurt to play along. "Twilight, I'll walk you the distance to the outer grounds and you'll walk the rest to the school. Deal?" A quiet snore erupted from Twilight, which Moonlight took as a yes to the contention. The elder unicorn arched her larger body, wrapping around the little bundle. She nuzzled Twilight's puffy cheeks, and planted sweet gentle kisses on her forehead. The sleepy gaze the filly wore was accompanied by her adoring smile, one that told Moonlight her daughter was having pleasant dreams. Unfortunately, Moonlight lost the need to sleep many moons ago, yet the hinderance in the enjoyment of her daughter's company was never evident. Hours on ends, she would lay awake, listening. To what, she didn't know, just that she had to be aware. It was during night that she found her personal heaven, an exact time under Luna's shine that everything stood still -- a literal moment of silence. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| All that could be heard was her own rapid pants and quiet snivels. Surrounding her was midnight's calm air, and a flushing blood red crimson shine from Luna. The cloudless sky allowed the imprisoned goddess to hold her children close and far, the twinkling beauties connected with one another to form astro constellations of different meaning in all directions. Her dark coat easily covered any very real evidence of blackened bruises, as her quivers were matched in intensity with her hatred; hatred for her governess; governess and mother, one in the same. The filly's trembling hooves reached to wipe away her stray tears, only to bump into her swollen cheeks and rekindle the burning pain. Running on sheer self-control, she willed the pain away and dried the droplets that ran from her bloodshot eyes. The victimized filly held the harsh voice that ridiculed her high and true, her mother's actions justified. But this wasn't like last time; last time she was only beaten till she couldn't stand; this time it was until she started wheezing. Next time, it might end when her mother drew blood or she died, whichever came first. Swift with his movement, a colt dressed in a well pressed suit offered a blue handkerchief to the weeping filly. He stood tall and protective, hovering above her with worried eyes and a silver platter of bandages and rubbing alcohol. He sat quietly on his haunches, and softly pressed the cloth on the filly's runny nose. She blew loudly into it, and when done, the gentlecolt wiped away her tears with a new cloth. "Th-thanks Alfred..." stuttered filly-Moonlight. She tried for a dry smile, only to wince from the pain it caused. She was absolutely sure her cries were limited to only her balcony, but the attentive steward always seem to know more than he let on. "C-can you be gentle with the bandages? P-please? It still hurts..." "Of course, Miss Lulamoon. I am sorry for any discomfort this may bring, but I need to make sure your bruises heal properly. Would you like some chocolate?" offered 'Alfred'. His seemingly magical intuition had prepared a large bar of deliciousness, knowing well the results of the poor filly's sessions with her mother. "B-but Mother won't let me have any candy..." protested Moonlight as she continue to tremble. "Then how about we keep this little secret between us?" asked 'Alfred'. He cleared his tray of reliable conquincidence and gave the bar of chocolate to his employer's daughter. She hesitantly took it, but gladly accepted the treat. On the first nib, black coco swept her taste buds, filling her with warmth. The large dose of artificial sugar and flavoring replaced her rapid heart rate of adrenaline with a calming sense of simple foalish pleasure. She never had a sweet tooth, but relished every moment when she could get the contraband. Instead of a hungry devour, Moonlight ate the chocolate bit by bit, taking crumb size bites to ensure the treat last as long as it could. The likelihood of getting something as precious and delicious as chocolate ever again was zero to none. "We can always get you more chocolate, Miss Lulamoon; no need to take tiny bites out of it," spoke the calm butler, gathering away the first aid. He set aside the platter and produced another bar of candy from his suit, giving it to Moonlight. She gladly accepted the chocolate this time, but noticed a lack of pain. Her eyes wandered to her now fully bandaged body, and looked back to her trusty servant. "You gave me the chocolate so that I wouldn't notice the pain," she deduced. The passive earth pony gave a sturdy nod before quietly taking his leave. "Wait, Alfred," called Moonlight, "Thanks... For being there, and for the chocolate." The moving statue cracked a mild grin, threw a slight nod and checked his pocket watch. He studied the historical clock before clicking it back into his vest. "Miss Lulamoon, if you would like to accompany me, I have an appoint to keep to." "Where are we going?" asked Moonlight. She got back on her hooves, which with the butler's help no longer shook and took a steady stance. She trotted closely to 'Alfred', letting him lead the way. "Just a nice little getaway I found while working here. Come now, we mustn't be late," answered 'Alfred'. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| The goddess of the sun arose her celestial body slowly, the blazing star inching its way across the horizontal skyline, painting away for a golden dawn. Luna disappeared into the distant horizon, her children following suit, awaiting for their time. Bleak sunbeams shrone past the city, casting long shadows of the morn. However, Celestia's warmth never reached the black castle of the night mistress. Light got as far as to reach the blooming gardens, but stop dead at the front doors. It was indeed, always nighttime eternal at Lulamoon manor. Moonlight lay awake, snuggling warmly around Twilight's sleeping form. Her filly not once stirred during slumber, which she tried her best not to disturb with her insomnia. For the past few hours, she thought of her foalhood -- if one could call it that -- and the trusty butler she still had to this day. He never once aged a single day in appearance, nor questioned her motives and orders. Even behind her back, she knew 'Alfred' would follow her instructions to the letter. Twelve seconds from now her obnoxious grandmother clock will chime, and she'll have to get to the day's work. Another day of looking pretty and backstabbing; not that it wasn't fun. Being the lead council-pony had it's perks -- seeing your fellow workers plot behind each other's backs and bribing you for recognition was a fun pastime. She would often ask 'Alfred' to bring her a bucket of popcorn and watch the fireworks -- it's not like politicians get anything done. As her internal clock would have it, the chimes of gears and bells rang loudly within the dark bedroom. Moonlight's gentle magic lighted, suppressing all sounds and muffled Twilight's folded ears. Twilight stirred with little movements, the bells dying in volume as Moonlight's aura lifted. The warm covers unfurled themselves with Moonlight's telekinesis, her magic taking hold of Twilight and lifting her into the air. Moonlight slowly got herself out of her mattress and kept Twilight airborne next to her. Walking in silence, she approached her nightstand and dresser. There stood and looked back was her reflection, mimicking her mask of impassation. Where morning hair was supposed to be was a lavishly streaked mane, with batting eyelashes that complemented her daunting magenta eyes. It was a blessing, doubling as a curse. She could look like a flawless beauty, while in reality she felt like drop dead -- gorgeous and doing. Breathing a low exhausted sigh, she donned her effects and dispelled the levitating aura surround Twilight. The sleeping filly lowered onto Moonlight's back, barely noticing the change of scenery. Her hooves hung limply around Moonlight, as she was balanced perfectly without the need of magic to be held steady. Walking as diligent as possible, she took the long way leading to a private dining hall. Each step she took, Twilight's stirring increased till she finally woke. Away from dreamland, Twilight gave a groggy yawn and blinked repeatedly to get her bearings. Shaking off any drowsiness that resided, Twilight rolled to her side to get back onto her hooves. Finding herself filled with tire, she tried to rub the rest of the sleepiness out of her eyes. As her persistence to stay awake be commended, her wobbly footing gave, causing her to crash into the nearby unicorn. Twilight sat up on her haunches, fighting off slumber with will and determination. Her schedule to be kept on time, Moonlight whispered assistance. On que, a grizzling earth pony showed without any indication he was in the vicinity. Giving a silent request with just a nod, Moonlight expelled vast mana from her horn, beaming herself to a distant room within the castle. "Good morning Miss Twilight. Rough night?" asked 'Alfred'. He gently walked to the sluggish filly, with his usual silver platter of mystery. "Nice to see you too, Alfred. Do you have anything strong?" inquired Twilight. She could just see the outline of the butler, but know his presence anywhere. "I am sorry Miss Twilight, but you are too young for coffee," answered 'Alfred'. "Would you like to join me for tea, instead?" "Thanks for the offer, Alfred, I'd love to. Do you have anything for me now? I won't make it past these halls if I don't get something into me," yawned Twilight. "Would you like some words of advice?" offered 'Alfred'. "How will that help me stay awake?" asked Twilight. Before her foggy mind can concentrate, the kind steward lifted her onto his back and began a slow walk to the small dining room. "Do you believe in fate Miss Twilight?" "By fate, you mean a series of coincidence that seem to happen in chronological order, where said recipient cannot change the outcome to a more desirable one?" restated Twilight. Not surprised by her answer, he responded, "There are things that logic will not help you in, Miss Twilight. Reason shall only get you so far before you must rely on another source for making decisions." "You're talking about making friends, aren't you?" concluded Twilight. She felt the subtle nod that 'Alfred' gave and thought further why he would do such a thing. "You want me to go to school today and make friends?" "Indeed, and I must request that you keep Miss Lulamoon from making bad decisions. She isn't the best with her choice of friends, and I fear it might come back and bite her if something isn't done. May I be so bold as to ask of that from you, Miss Twilight?" "Don't worry Alfred, I'll look after Trixie. You can count on me!" cheered Twilight. Refilled with her usual high tempo spunk, Twilight hopped off the earth pony's back and sprinted ahead. She bustled through a set of swing doors, but found herself the second runner. She looked to the nearest table and saw 'Alfred' sitting calmly on his chair. "Care for a spot of tea, Miss Twilight?" asked the Trottingham. He gracefully poured steaming Jasmine into two chinas and set down the kettle. "H-how did you..." stuttered the second-comer. The non-magical magician remained in his reserved mood and offered the other cup to Twilight as she took the opposing seat. Wrapping a butter knife in her telekinesis, Twilight took a freshly baked scone and covered it with mulberry jam. Sprinkling dashes of powdered sugar onto it, she took her first bite of pure bliss. The moist fluffy dough smothered in the sweet paste appeased all of Twilight's watering taste buds, even her contained sweet tooth took a moment to enjoy itself. Slowly finishing the rest of the pastry, 'Alfred' left the table and returned back with two bowl and a box of cereal. He gave Twilight the box to let herself pour how much she wanted to eat and left again for a carton of milk. "Are you going to eat as well, Alfred?" asked Twilight. She carefully measured the correct ratio of cereal to milk -- a good portion of five to eight. As the sounds of oats clang against the alablaster china, the double doors swung open. In walked a yawning filly with a rumbling belly that could shake mountains. Her rustled mane was a rat's nest and had crusted eyes that drooped like her mood. Trixie strided along with a limp like her legs were still asleep, while avoiding any source of light that came in contact. She looked like a hangover and being sober wasn't her forte. She groaned and took her seat next to Twilight. The butler was quickly at work preparing her breakfast: coconut oats with toast points and freshly squeezed orange juice. Topping the drink off with a tiny umbrella and sliced lemon, he returned to the table and served the the sleepy filly her morning wakeup call. "You look terrible." It was the biggest understatement of Twilight's life so far, and tipping the iceberg was Trixie's foul mood. "Huuuuuh...." Trixie frowned and took a spoon in her magic. Whisking the sugary flakes into in her mouth, she chewed as obnoxiously as possible and left table manners in whatever hellhole she forgot them in. "Come on, I'll help you get ready. When was the last time you brushed your mane?" questioned Twilight. The grunt she got in response meant somewhere between last month or last year, the latter most accurate. "Well, we have just under an hour and a half before school starts. Have you packed your saddle bags yet?" "Huh..." She barely groaned. "Ok, have you bathed yet?" "Huh..." She gave a delayed shrug. "Have you done anything on the morning checklist I gave you?" "Huh..." She raised her spoon and took another bite. "Brush your teeth?" "Huh..." She munched slowly on her cereal. "Wash your mane?" "Huh..." She took a sip of her orange juice. "Did you sleep?" "Huh..." She took a bite on her toast points. "You want to skip school today?" "Huh..." She finished her cereal before it got soggy and drank the last of the juice. "Alfred, I think Trixie's broken, again." "I'm not broken. And keep the noise down... You're giving me a headache..." "What happened? Did you drink too much kewl-aid?" "No, I found Starshine's whiskey cabinet." "Oh...Uh..." "I didn't drink any if that's what you're thinking. I needed an alcohol basis to extract the deoxyribonucleic acid from the kidneys and then convert it into simple amino-proteins. Fifty year old scotch, what a shame." Trixie said, shaking her head. She nervously turned to Twilight and smiled weakly, "I did spill some on my workbook, so I just copied yours-" "Hey!" "You would've let me copied it anyways, permission or not. I had to stay up all night finishing my lab-" "You mean copying mine?" "No, I actually did the project... I just compared our work when I was done, not technically copying-" "Yea, it's cheating now." "So what?! Can't I just eat my toast points in peace?" shouted Trixie defensively. She quietly grumbled under her breath and ate the rest the triangular bread. Her acussive sister backed away from the argument before anything heated and returned to her plain cereal. "What kind of school gives homework before the first day anyways?!" "A private school, Trixie," reminded Twilight. She dantly slurped the rest of the milk and wiped away any mess she caused. 'Alfred' cleaned the table and chinas as both fillies finish, quietly taking leave afterwards. "Yes, now I remember. I'm going to be locked inside a large calcium carbonate building for six hours with rich snooty foals that haven't worked a single day in their lives and doesn't know the the meaning of a bit. I am so glad to be forced into this school." "No need for the sarcasm, I get it; you don't want to go to private school. But just think of all the science we'll get to learn! And math, magic, history, chemistry, astrophysics-" "You're not really helping your case. I lost you at school. Name one thing fun about learning and I'll go upstairs and get ready right now. Teachers: boring. Books: boring. Learning: boring. I'll die of boredom before Mom gets me." "She isn't out to get you, you know. Give her some credit at least." "You ever ask her for a pet Twilight?" "No. I'll probably forget to feed it right after I get one." "Well, lucky you. Do you know what she got me when I asked for a goldfish?" "A ponyo?" "Ha! I wish. She got me a Sea Pony that sang show tunes." "A Sea... Pony? That's... umm..." "Yea, guess what she got me when I asked for a puppy." "A puppy? "Nope!" Trixie snapped. "A Diamond Dog, although Rover did know how to play fetch, so I guess it wasn't totally bad. I asked for a stuff teddy bear, you know what I got instead?" "An Ursa Minor?" "An Ursa Mi- Wait, how did you know? "Hehe... Lucky guess?" "I asked for a potted plant." "You got a Timberwolf." "I asked for an iguana." "You got a draken." "You get the idea. Never ask Mom for anything and not expect repercussions. I'm afraid of what she'll get me if I ask for something as simple as a cupcake." "Come on Trixie, it isn't that bad. I would love to have a dragon as a pet. It'd certainly make life more interesting, that's for sure." "You couldn't get your head out of the books long enough to feed one. It'll likely starve to death while you read away." "Care to make a wager?" "Name the terms then, guv'na." "What's with the Trottingham accent?" "I don't know. It just sounded more official." "Well," said Twilight. She magicked parchment and a quill from thin air, along with a silver bottle ink. Twilight dipped the quill into the special ink and wrote the outline of the contract. Written in arcandian runes, the binding magic glowed the forgotten language, threatening to burn the entire page. Surrounding candles were levitated to the old paper, as Twilight drew in wax a reddish pentagram. Placing each candle on the vertices of the star, she placed the parchment into the center. "Is the pentagram really necessary? I mean, this isn't exactly dark magic." "Shhh! You're ruining my mojo. The usual agreement?" "Let's make things more things more interesting. Loser has to be the other's slave for... hmm... three months. And there is no renegotiating the contract or backing out. If you fail to keep said dragon in perfect health of body and mind, I get the dragon." "How about we stop treating the dragon like an object and like a living being. We have to keep him happy, and we let him decide who's the victor." "Eh, fine. This should be interesting enough." Trixie's aura wrapped around the quill and signed on the dotted lines. On the bottom, she stamped her hoofprint and levitated the contract to Twilight. "I'll ask Mom tonight for a dragon," said Twilight, signing the parchment herself. She cast a duplication spell and gave Trixie the other copy. "Come on, let's untangle that mane of yours and we can get ready for school. I don't want to be late." "Mind carrying me? My legs are sore and I'm feeling kinda lazy right now," asked Trixie sheepishly. "How tense are they?" "Tensor than a linear relation between vectors." "Geez! You are tense! Why didn't you tell me earlier? Alright, I'll help," agreed Twilight. She hopped her chair and trotted to Trixie, helping her out the cushion and walked her to their room instead of the usual teleport. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "We're-late, we're-late, we're-late! Why-did-I-let-you-talk-me-into-getting-some-donuts?!" shouted Twilight hurriedly. She rushed through a spiraled hallways, paintings of headmasters and mistress every-corner, while her chompers were tightly holding onto Trixie's tail. "Twi- I ca- wal- on my ow- STOP!" bellowed Trixie, the pony ragdoll. Only after teleporting herself free, and onto Twilight squishing her did Trixie get her impatient sister to stop. Underneath a squirming filly tried to fiddle her way out and failed miserably as Trixie used Twilight's weakness against her: anything involving physical exertion. "Trixie! Get off! We're going to be LATE!!!" yelled Twilight angrily, flailing her hooves wildly like a rabid beast and almost growling her words. "Yes, because an hour early is 'late'. I completely understand how time works like that; early means late and late means early. I just love your way of telling time Twilight, it's so accurate!" "You can cut the sarcasm anytime now, I get it. Now get off! You're crush my costae fluitantis and middle vertebrates. Layoff the donuts, please!" pleaded Twilight as she suffocated. "Hmm, almost forgot about the donuts. Want one Twi?" asked Trixie, opening up a brown bag her magic was wrapped on. Looking inside, she had a little more than a baker's dozen, enough to be evenly split. "Chocolate sprinkles please..." She admitted sheepishly. A chocolate smothered donut with flaky rainbow sprinkles was levitated to Twilight before she greedily devoured it a matter of seconds. Calming down, Trixie eventually got off the huffing squirm below her, which Twilight expelled a breath of relief for. "Well, since you dragged me here an hour early, what do you want to do?" asked Trixie, storing the diabeetus treats into microspace. "We could visit the professor; he should be here by now even if we are early." "Just because we're here early doesn't mean I'll turn into a teacher's pet like you." "Alright. I can always pass the time with a lecture about the second law of thermodynamics." "Wait! I change my mind--" "Which states that entropy of an isolated system never decreases because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium -- you know, the state of maximum entropy. And let's not forget that a change in the entropy of a system is the infinitesimal transfer of heat to a closed system driving a reversible process, that is then divided by the equilibrium temperature of the system." "Twi... please don't do that EVER again. My head hurts now..." 'And the scary part is that I understood all that...' moaned Trixie, rubbing her temples. The urge to bang her head against the wall soon became a good idea, but she refrained. "Shall we visit the professor then? Or would you like another lecture on the zeroth law of thermodynamics. Perhaps my theories on the antisymmetric matrix?" "Please, don't... Let's just go... Before I decided I rather be stupid like a barbarian boor," begged Trixie desperately. The wicked smile Twilight wore almost reminded her of Moonlight's satisfaction, the same crazed victory grin that drove her nuts to ever witness. "Stop that! Y-you're giving me the creeps..." "Come on, I'm sure a few other classmates will be there as well," said Twilight taking lead. Trixie sluggishly followed behind, trying to shake off the information overload that flowed through her cerebral-cortex. They trotted in idle chat, Twilight quizzing Trixie on preliminary trivia about the Roaman Era. They stop at an old-style door that rounded the end of the hallway. On the stained window, written in bold letters was the current professor. "Doctor Whooves, Head Professor of Everything," read Twilight. She stared with mild confusion while Trixie complained. "That is the most redundant title I have ever heard." "Yea? Wait until he makes you write out your name." "What about my name?" "Your full name," snickered Twilight. "...I hate you so much right now..." grumbled Trixie. "Love you too, Sis," returned Twilight. She opened the door with telekinesis and walked inside, followed closely by Trixie. As their eyes adjusted to the dusty room, the first impression was a homage look of old-school. The classical feel of the oakwood gave Twilight a comforting vibe, as she observed the lined formation of single row student desks that all faced an aged chalkboard. Trixie gagged on the floating dust mites, causing her to sneezed a cloud storm. Unaffected, Twilight sniffed for that familiar scent of forgotten textbook musk combined with dried up ink stains. Breathing a long sigh of dreaminess, Twilight looked to the pony closest to them. A dark caramel earth pony quietly scribed a quick history of Starswirl's accomplishments, taking point from a brown tome. He had a timeturner cutie mark that match identical to his double helix sand timer sitting on his desk. The tiny grains seemed to have been in stasis -- seemingly floating in a spacial void -- as if time were at a standstill. Set closely next to the sandrunner was a strange blue apparition in the shape of a small rectangle, on it bold illegible letters were printed. All was silent, except for the clicks of newton balls and chalk on a hard surface, the two approached the strange teacher. "Rather early, is it not?" he asked, keeping his focus on the chalkboard. "Told you," mumbled Trixie hoofing Twilight in the ribs. Ignoring her sister Twilight retorted, "I'm not a timewalker." The tapping on the chalkboard stopped as the professor turned to face his new student. "Clever girl," complemented the Doctor. "Why don't you two introduce yourselves to your new classmate in the back?" He returned to his scribing as the the two looked towards the back of the room. "I can't believe there's actually someone earlier than you," whispered Trixie. She looked to her record-holding sister, and met Twilight's first struggle to keep her emotions in check. "Are you... jealous?" "No," answered Twilight blandly, "Just curious." Both set of eyes locked to a magic held tome, obscuring their view of the reader. They walked to the mysterious student, who never paid heed as they approach. They both stopped short of their possible new friend, Trixie in a daze and Twilight impatient. Meticulously inspecting, Twilight noted that her competition was a studious filly, with dead-point focus that rivaled her own. Trained to detail natural from tryhard, she jotted down another quality that could best hers, a high frequency leyline and spiritual matrix that equally matched. She could literally feel the essence of another, their actual soul, and Twilight got the hint that the opposing filly could easily sense her protrusion. Both of their magics novaed with other, expelling vast celestial amounts of mana, fighting for dominance. The eventually build up of cosmic auras bashing caused a literal jolt of electricity to bounce between them. While Twilight inspected the newcomer magically, Trixie looked at her regal appearance. From top to bottom, the arcadian shone like a crystal pearl, a ghostly white that wasn't bland enough to be pale, yet gleamed with mystical stardust that floated into non-existence once separated from its host. Braided into her mane and tail were pointed stars that were colour coded with her fur, making it extremely difficult to distinguish them besides their basic outlines. Her mane looked of pure silk, sparkling like the night's canvas. Long and combed to hang at her side, it shrouded half of her face, the tip nearly touching the ground. The strangest part were her eyes, a tranquil lustrous turquoise. As if she couldn't make up her mind, the color shifted constantly from light to dark, keeping the true color a mystery. She had a special glisten in those glossy gems that Trixie recognized as practiced exquision and poise. Astonishing as an alicorn, her cutie mark itself stood above all else. Across her body, she was spotted with tiny specks of starlets that contrasted against her curving spirals. The silver swirls encircled all her hooves and reached as far as her neck and eyes. Atop, her ignited horn glowed like her turquoise gems, until Trixie recognize something out of place. She had a silver horn that looked sharp enough to be used as a spear with magic just as lethal. Rolling up her manuscript, she began her own inspection of her classmates. Trixie was barely given a glance, but she kept her divine attention on the violet counterpart. Twilight returned the glare, looking profusely into the filly's deep ores, focusing on her and nothing else. "Hai, my name is Silver Swirl, although ponies call me Achlys."
It's The Thought That Counts	Classmates	"Hey Silver, my name's Trixie. The dork next to me is my sister Twilight," Trixie replied, breaking the ice. It was enough to get an elbow to the rib from a violet alumna and a soft giggle from her alabaster equivalent. "Nice to meet you Trixie, Twilight. What are you two doing here so early?" Silver asked with a voice as sweet as cotton candy, and returned them a delighted beam. She gracefully got out of the tiny desk and met the other fillies on ground level. Even then, she still measured an entire foot taller than both ponies. Reaching a hoof, she pushed back her mane to behind her pinkish ears, revealing her other eye. Like her first one, this gem constantly shifted colours between different reds and went as dark as a midnight black. Twilight took another mental note of it and lightened her somewhat somber mood. "I dragged Trixie here so we could check out the classroom and teachers," Twilight answered. "What are you doing here so early?" Silver continued to smile and turned her attention towards her interrogator, "My mom had to work this morning so she dropped me off at the crack of dawn. Had to wait outside the doors for about half an hour before anypony came to unlock the school," she joked. "But now that I think about it, my mom works about every morning." "Maybe we can start a horrible mother's club!" cheered Trixie, gaining the same response she did before by Twilight. "Well, I wouldn't exactly describe my mom as a horrible mother. She's just really busy most of the day with politics and I never really get to see her during the night either." "What I'd give to see less of my mother..." sighed Trixie. "Trixie really doesn't mean that," Twilight interrupted. "Yea, I do--" "They just disagree on a lot things most of the time." "Says the favorite." "You know that's not true." "Excuse me?" Both sisters stopped their bickering and looked to Silver. "You two seem really tense from something," she said, trying not to pry. "How about we introduce ourselves better over a book and some hot chocolate? My treat." "Sure!" Trixie agreed, almost drooling. Twilight opened her mouth to protest before it got stuffed with an azure hoof. "Where are we going?" "There's a cafe connected to the library, and the walk there takes us through the Royal gardens. I hope you two don't mind the detour, but the fire lilies only bloom during the morning." Silver flipped out a saddle bag under her desk and magicked out a tiny purse. "We don't mind at all," Twilight answered, spitting out Trixie's hoof. She set down her own saddle bag as well Trixie, putting them behind the two free desks next to Silver's. "I call a coconut latte!" said Trixie, holding up her bag of donuts. She leaped onto Twilight's back for a pony-back ride, only to squash the mathlete. "Twi, you need to lift." Getting an angry stare from Twilight, she jumped off again. Dusting herself off, she gently rubbed her slightly bruised mid section. "Ever heard of walking? I hear it's good for your health." "Nah..." Trixie said, shaking her head. "Why do something when there's someone else that can do it for you? Isn't that why you're here?" "Hahaha, that was so funny. Don't come crawling to me when you forget to do the book reports or math homework. I'm sure you've already got the fifty pages of trigonometry done, that by the way is due hmm... tomorrow? Guess I forgot to remind you." "You're bluffing..." "Try me." Twilight took a step forward and smiled wickedly while Trixie tried to read through her poker face. "You feeling lucky?" Trixie grinded her teeth, huffing out a heavy breath and brightened on her cheeks. "I'll take my chances... What's the worst that could happen?" "The teachers could... I don't know... Maybe feed you to the dragon in the basement..." "Yo-you're a bad liar T-Twi..." stuttered Trixie. She backed away from her somewhat frightening sister. "Am I? Have you read any of the brochures? There's a lava dragon that keeps the furnace going, and rumor has it, a basilisk that slithers in the pipes and eat fillies and colt when they're out wandering." Twilight said with amusement, almost cracking a thin grin. "Still like your odds?" "Never tell me the odds!" shouted Trixie, now frustrated with the lying game. She lit her horn in a bright magenta, fueling it with mana for a sealing spell. "So..." Twilight said, flaring her horn for battle, "magic duel?" She paced backwards as to give Trixie space. Better not make this too hard for her. Concentrating all her magic into the tip of her horn, Twilight shot first. Trixie kept absolutely still, not even making an attempt to evade the closing projectile, keeping all her focus on one single spell. Narrowly missing her by a hair the shot created a blacken crater on the walls behind. Trixie aimed for the tiles Twilight stood on, firing her first shot. It hit dead point, in between the magic virtuoso's fore legs. Instantly magenta flames spread in a circle, engulfing Twilight in a bind. "Is it hot enough for you Twilight?" she snickered. Her giggles ended abruptly as she began feeling the aftereffects of the spell. The battle stance she took destabilized as her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the floor. Twilight however didn't even flinch. She kept her horn flared brightly as the flames begun torching the desks and the white marble walls. In a burst of sparks, Twilight levitated off the ground and fell upwards. She was turned rightside down as she stuck herself onto the ceiling. Looking down she stared as Trixie struggle to get herself back up. "I can handle the heat just fine, thank you very much." Twilight chuckled, "What's the matter? Are you done already?" The downed magician growled to life as she willed herself back up. Trixie's horn flashed a blinding glow, as an invisible force cracked the tiles she stood on and gravitated small chunks of marble around her. "I'll show you who's great and powerful!" A supercharged proton beam shot from Trixie's burning white horn, hitting accurately on Twilight chest. The critical hit shattered all light screens Twilight had on, vaporizing her as it passed through her heart and continued on. Piece by piece, Twilight's body begun to degenerate. Her skin and flesh burned off slowly, as her internal organs turn to dust. Finally, all the ashes fell onto the ground, sparkles of lavender floating in the air. Trixie never got a chance to celebrate her victory as lightheadedness began fogging her mind. Her vision blacked out, as she collapsed permanently onto the floor. The exhausted filly's chest raised and fell rapidly with her breathing, as Trixie started to tremble. Silver gasped in horror at the end-scene. She looked to Twilight remains, a small pile of ashes while Trixie laid on the floor gasping for more air. Slowly, she shook herself out of the frozen state and reluctantly walked to the remaining filly. Stopping before her, Silver stuck a hoof next to Trixie's rosy cheeks and felt a scorching heat. "You're burning up..." Looking from Trixie to her sister, Silver reconsidered. "Hold still, I'll see if I can bring that fever down." The elder enchantress focused her mana through her horn, working with the natural magic around her for a healing spell. Lowering the silver tip, she dispersed her mana, letting the turquoise aura encase Trixie's body. As she worked, violet dust swirled around behind them. Remnants floating about condensed into bigger particles; the particles then into matter; the matter into tissue. The air began to hum with power, as the pile of ashes took life. Silver inched her head sideways, watching with her peripheral the impossible sight. The ashes took the form of a chubby filly, turning from grey-black to a light amethyst. The surrounding tissues attached to the deformed body, forming muscles and arteries as internal organs regenerated. An endoskeleton formed next, encasing the new organs and recompiled her nervous system. Twilight's lifeless body was fully healed, floating in mid air as a bald rat. Her fur and mane formed last, as her cutie mark reappeared on her flank. She slowly descended onto the ground, taking her first steps in a new body. Strangely, she was covered in an organic veil, which burned off as she tested her motor functions. Her neck vertebrates cracked, along with her shoulder blades and hind legs as she moved them. Finally taking her first breath of clean air, Twilight opened her empty eye sockets, which quickly refilled with white pupils. Her irises returned to its natural colours, completing the healing spell. "You're alive?" Silver asked. "Reassembling myself was the first trick I learned." Twilight teleported across the room, still somewhat glowing with power. She blasted away Silver's aura with her own, yet continued the spell. Poor thing, trying to take me on like that, but at least she's keeping up with her studies. "You know the life-after-death spell? I thought the last user was banished to the north pole?" "The last known user," Twilight corrected. "Besides, this is an incomplete version. I've had to recalibrate the entire spell before it was even field testable. But I'm glad the first run was a successful one." Silver stared at the daring filly, taking a seat and extinguishing the flames with her magic. "You won't always be right you know." Her magic expanded from the doused fires to cleaning the soot and replacing the cracked ceiling. "If death cannot hold me, what will?" "I see you're not lacking in the ego department." "At least I have the magic to back it up." "There's a difference between having powers and knowing how to use them. What if you lose control?" Twilight turned her back on Silver, looking towards a blank wall. "You've read my file." She finished the spell Silver started, levitated Trixie's sleeping body onto a nearby desk. "Call it wishful thinking. I've never seen you before this day, so how could I've read your file?" "You've never seen me, but you knew of me." "There's that ego going off again. You're a rational filly Twilight, you should know better than that." "What gives you the right to tell me what to do, or judge me for that matter? You're not my equal or superior." "Maybe not." Silver raised from her seat and loomed over Twilight. "But there is a difference between being smart and being wise. You have so much potential for both, if only you didn't follow the path of logic." "What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight slowly backed away as Silver encroached her. Her flanked backed up against a desk that Trixie rested on causing her to stop. "How long do you plan on living Twilight? An eternity is quite a long time, longer than you may believe it to be. " "How am I gonna live forever exactly?" Silver cracked a sly grin, patting Twilight lightly on her shoulder. "You're a bright filly, Twilight, you'll figure it out. Besides," she said, breathing out a heavy sigh. "It's not if you live forever, but how you live with yourself. Immortality is a life of solitude, and a path walked most often alone." "What's your genealogy?" Twilight snapped, swatting Silver's hoof away. "Twilight, don't push it." Shouting instead this time, Twilight stepped closer to the dwarfing unicorn, keeping her glare locked with Silver's eyes. "What's your genealogy?!" She demanded. "Twilight-" "What's your genealogy?!" Twilight growled. She pointed her flared horn towards Silver, encasing it with mana incase she didn't like her next answer. "Why don't you ask yourself that." "W-what?" Twilight stepped back, disarming her horn and returned it to normal. "Y-you read my file!" "I don't need to read what I can see with my own two eyes. You were an orphan Twilight, a naive one at that." Silver said pointing a hoof at the trembling filly. "Then you changed. You got adopted, a new chance, a new life and family." "S-stop it!" shouted Twilight, almost pleading her words. Instead, Silver shook her head no and walked closer . "Let's face it, Twilight, you're overcompensating." "W-what?" "Trixie was the golden child until you came along, but you just had to show off. Then you replaced her. You thought that if you could somehow make Trixie's parents proud of you, they'd forget about their own birth daughter and treat her differently." "What?!" Shouted Twilight, only allowing an inch to be between their faces. "I'd never do that to Trixie! She gave me everything I could have asked for! And now you're accusing me of using her?!" "I know it Twilight. The way you walk, talk, and act, it all shouts orphan. You try to spite her any way you can, from making her look foolish in public to insulting her abilities. Don't lie, you know you're better than Trixie, and you treat her as such." "Liar!" She screamed this time. The magenta aura she used to have flared to a crimson red, causing the room to creak with solarwinds. Surrounding papers flew from desks, the non-bolted tables screeching against the floor as they are pushed around. Silver backed away, but was stopped abruptly as she meet the dead end wall. Nowhere else to go, she ignited her own horn, readying her mana shields. Her eyes darted around for an escape route, only to see Twilight blocking her path. "Don't do something you'll regret Twilight." The approaching filly blasted away nearby desk with an invisible force, paving the titles away to its basic state. Each step she took, hoofprints were scorched into the marble, as Twilight lit up like the rising sun. Her mane burst into red hot flames, turning into a deep violet soon after. The well groomed fur she had burned off for a pearl white coat. Marble turned black as tables and books burn to ashes the closer Twilight walked to Silver. "I've had it with you Silver!" Twilight channeled all her magic into a single focus point of her horn, and fired the lethal spell. The recoil sent her spiraling backwards, bumping into Trixie along the way. The beam flew from where Twilight stood, warping space and reality as it sped its way towards Silver. All sound was drowned out as it went super sonic, cracking the windows. "Enough of this." A blinding light shrouded Silver, encasing her in a golden aura. Alabaster wings spreaded themselves from empty space, acting as personal shields. Silver stared at the supercharged beam closing in on her, not once noticing the alicorn that flashed into existence from nowhere. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Hold on a minute, now." Rarity said. "What is it?" Trixie asked, putting down her knitting needles. "If you're knocked out cold from using too much magic, then how do you remember all this?" She inquired. Rarity slightly pouted, continuing her concentration on her umpteeth pair of stockings. During some time ago, she had ran out of wool, and had substituted gold laces instead. "I came to after Silver and Twi had their deathmatch together. I got the rough sketch of things from Silver, but Twilight explained the full scene later. Those two really hated each other back then, which is quite ironic considering their relationship now." "They're dating?" Rarity asked. "Twi calls it 'socially expanding'." Trixie giggled. "You'll never believe how their first date ended! Ha, Twilight smelt like swamp gas for a month after that hydra crashed their picnic." The two mares joined in on mild giggles, laughing away before Trixie spewed wine through her nostrils. "Is there anything your sister isn't good at?" Rarity asked, calming down a bit. "Emotions for one," Trixie sighed, wiping a tear away. "Apologizing another." \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Detention on the first day?!" Moonlight yelled. She quickly paced to and fro between her bandaged daughters, while Silver sat nearby untouched. "You gotta admit though, this is a personal best for Trixie. School won't start for another twenty minutes and she's already got three referrals. Not bad in my book." Moonlight stared daggers at her husband, growling in her voice tone and grinned her teeth to the point of cracking. "They won't see the light of day when I've gotten through with them." "Come now, it isn't that bad. The damages were paid for, and they both lived didn't they? Things could have gone a whole lot worse." "Really?" asked Moonlight, rolling her eyes and scoffing. "How do you suppose?" "Well for one, we didn't get a lawsuit this time. Remember Monte Carlo?" Trixie burst in laughter at being reminded of the place, which she soon regretted doing as she winced from the pain it caused. "How could I forget if you constantly remind me of it. Our second honeymoon ruined because Trixie had to touch everything she saw." "Cut her some slack. She was young-er than she is now. She was only trying to have some fun, and being stuck in a hotel room the entire time, Trixie was probably bored out of her mind." "She's out of her mind alright." "HEY!" shouted Trixie. Next to her, Twilight flared her horn and magicked an extra large bandage over her mouth. "Mmmph! Mmmph mmph mmfff!" "Now isn't the time Trixie," Twilight whispered. She undid the spell soon after, as Trixie shot her an angry stare. "Ahem." The leader headmistress coughed, "May I please have your attentions?" All heads turned to her, allowing her to continue. "Although I am happy with the generous donation you have given us, it doesn't excuse the behavior of both your daughters. Trixie is prone to..." She adjust her reading glasses as she squinted at a large portfolio. "Life risking spells and likes showing off, along with an above average ego and boasts often." She read out loud. Looking to the guilty party, Trixie grinned sheepishly while turning away towards a wall. "Twilight on the other hoof..."She closed the large folder containing Trixie's file and pushed it aside. Turning to an abnormally large cabinet, she opened the top drawer, revealing stacks upon stacks of paperwork. "How are you going to find my file in all of that?" Twilight asked, pointing to it. "The cabinet is your file, Miss Twilight." The mistress pulled out the biggest folder with telekinesis, but had trouble as it wobbled in mid air and slammed it onto the desk. "Twilight has performed highly on all her written exams, scoring perfects on all of them. During the magic portion, she aced it with flying colors, demonstrating unparalleled prowess in all categories. However..." Flipping through several pages, she found a personal report by one of the physicians, "Twilight excels in everything she does, but lacks self-control. Often, is easily agitated and likes to feed her ego. Approved for advance studies of amniomorphicology and Star Swirl's research, but precautions are recommended." Twilight frowned at the ground, kicking her hind legs back and forth on her chair. "As for Miss Silver Swirl over here..." She levitated a key from around her neck, using it to open a drawer. Pulling out a musty petite folder, she gently set it down on her desk. The door to the office soon opened, Princess Celestia walking through it. She approached the desk with perfect stealth, no one noticing her until she made herself present. Slapping a bejeweled hoof onto the folder, she got a collective stare from everyone. "I'm afraid Silver's file is classified." Her horn ignited a soft gold and the papers lit ablaze, scorching the documents and turning them to ashes. "I'm sure you'll understand my decision on this matter." "Pardon me, Princess, but what relations do you have to Miss Silver?" Moonlight asked. "Let's say we're related and keep it that. No need for anyone to lose their head over something so trivial. Now," Celestia turned towards the fillies, "I believe classes are about to start. No need to sit around here anymore you three. Your records shall still be clean, but consider this a warning. Now off to class, all of you." The students simply nodded their heads in unison, the sisters limping out the office as Silver walked normally behind them. "Have a wonderful day, Silver. Do keep your guard up. Twilight isn't the kind to underestimate." Celestia warned. Silver nodded, closing the door quietly behind her. "A personal protege of yours Princess?" Moonlight asked. "One could call her that," Celestia answered, pulling a seat next to the parents. "Now, about Twilight." "What about her?" Starshine asked this time. "My records have her listed as deceased and her body burned beyond recognition within a fire down at the morgue. But I have her listed under as Twilight Sparkle. Rather unorthodox, isn't it? The daughter of my most prized vizier dies and suddenly you have an adopted daughter that looks exactly like their filly." "Your point, Princess?" Moonlight snapped. "No point," Celestia answered. "Just an observation. Have a nice day Mr. and Mrs. Lulamoon. I'll be looking forward as to how Twilight advances in her studies." She got up to leave, opening the door and met her personal body guards. "Do watch your backs though. My niece isn't the forgiving type when it comes to those who hurt her loved ones in any way." \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Welp, that could have gone better." Said Trixie, limping her way back to their classroom. "Yea, it could have." Twilight agreed, trying to support herself and the weight of Trixie. They tripped every now and again, but kept a steady pace. Silver walked a comfortable distance behind, watching as the two sisters struggle to keep their footing. "What did you get?" Trixie asked. "No reading for enjoyment for a month, you?" "Really? Just that? I'm not allowed to use Alfred for a whole month! Who's gonna make my toast points?! I can't live without my toast points!" "Hold your horses, Trixie." Twilight said, giving her sister a usually roll of the eyes. "You don't need to be a drama queen about everything. Besides, it's just a month. In that time, maybe you can learn to do things for your own." "Pff! Rich ponies don't do things for themselves! They get others to do it for them. Now, carry me to class peasant!" "Whatever you wish for oh Great and Powerful Trixie." "Heh, I like it. Great and powerful, sounds fitting for one such as I." "Yea, well don't let that ego go unchecked. Come on class starts in five minutes and I'm too tired to teleport us there. I'd appreciate it if you put some effort into helping me." "Only this once! But only because you're the Great and Powerful Trixie's sister!" \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Did you really call yourself that your entire foalhood?" Rarity asked. "Yea," laughed Trixie, "but luckily I grew out of that phase. Can you possibly imagine me going around as - I don't know... a showmare - doing magic for entertainment and boasting every other minute? I really gotta thank Twi for getting me out of that. And all that third person talk really got me into trouble with my english teacher." "Haha, well I'm glad you turned out the way you did then, although with mild foalhood trauma." "I really could have turned out a lot worse couldn't I?" Trixie grinned and picked up her pair of needles again, starting once again on her now hundredth sock. "Just image it this way, darling. Yours and Twilight's role could have been switched! Just imagine how that would have played out. Being all alone and then raised by ponies you don't exactly know, but are loved anyways because they feel sorry for you?" "Yea," Trixie quietly chuckled. "I can't imagine how that could've turned out." "You okay, Trixie? Was it something I said?" Rarity asked, looking to Trixie's once again slum figure. "No, no... Just got this feeling that you're probably right." "About?" "Me and Twi. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Fancypants?" Dr. Whooves called. "Here." A white colt answered. "Blue Blood?" "That's Prince Blue Blood to you!" The blonde pony shouted from this chair. "Right, Blue Blood?" "Hmmp! Here you twat!" "Ain't he a charmer, ladies? Be sure to share your rotten tomatoes with him during lunch." "What?!" "Diamond Mint?" "Here!" An excited teal filly answered. "Fleur de Lis?" "Oui." The exchange student looked around the room, keeping her vision on a certain colt. "Holly Dash?" "Here." A semi-rainbowed mane pony answered. "Graphite?" "Here, sir." The spiky mane colt called, looking around to see if anyone else had a coat as black as his. "Lyra Heartstrings?" "Here!" The excited minty unicorn answered. "Minuette?" "Just call me Colgate, Dr. Whooves." Her cutie mark matched with the professor, whom she beamed her cheerful grin at. "Colgate it is. Neon Lights?" "Yo." A masculine young colt answered. He leaned back on his chair while wearing an old pair of shades. "Sea Swirl?" "Glad to be here!" A pinkish aqua cutie marked filly called. "Brilliant. Twinkleshine?" "Eager to learn, sir!" "Vinyl Scratch?" Everypony looked around, but all eyes eventually turned to an empty table next to Trixie. "Not here, then." Dr. Whooves said, jotting it down on his attendance sheet. "Silver Swirl?" "Here." "Ah, the young prodigy in the flesh. Nice to have finally made your acquaintance." "Pleasure's all mine." "Top of the morning to you then." He said, smiling. "Now, the Lulamoons...." All their classmates glared towards their direction. While most had a gentle smile to offer, some regarded them with calculating eyes. "Here," the sisters said in unision. "Yes, I know that. Infact, the entire school knows that, thanks to your little display of magic earlier. Please, everyone be sure to thank them for burning all the homework I was to assign you this week." Everypony began to cheer, while Twilight quietly sulked over the prospect. They continued their woohoos and yays before stopping as the door banged opened. The doorknob bashed against the hardened walls, almost cracking the tinted window. Walked in a groggy filly in worse condition than Trixie the morning. The white coated filly had a quarter note for a cutie mark, along with alternating electric blue colours for her rowdy mane. She wore roundish violet glasses, opaquing her eye colour. "Vinyl Scratch, I presume?" Dr. Whooves asked. "Wad up, doc'?" She answered. Vinyl lugged behind a messy saddle bag, throwing it to her seat with magic. "Oh, you're quite the fun one aren't you?" "You bet your doctrines, I am." "Well Miss Scratch, I hope you have fun in detention. Looks like I found some company for you Lulamoons." Vinyl rolled her eyes and quietly walked to her seat. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's begin shall we?" "Umm, Dr. Whooves? Can I ask you a question?" "Do you know how many paradoxes you've created with that question alone? Just ask me the question instead of asking to ask me." "Well, sir, umm if all the textbooks were burned, what do we have exactly to learn?" "We always have old fashioned way, of course." "There's an older way than textbooks?" Blue Blood scoffed. "Yes, indeed. They're called scrolls, you know that nifty little thing way back when? I'm sure someone of your status quo must know about them." "Of course I know about them!" "Oh good, I was starting to doubt your mental capability. Now everyone, would you all kindly take out a piece of parchment? We have some writing assignments to do." The class began filling with the sound of groaning, except for an excited Twilight. "Now class, it's time to talk about the birds and the bees."
It's The Thought That Counts	Too Long Ago	"You wanted to see me Princess? Am I in trouble?" Twilight asked. She limped through the door into a small office, after being asked to report to her. It was in a private wing, which she got lost several times just to find. Struggling to maintain her collectiveness, Twilight tripped twice before reaching her seat. "Yes Twilight, you are in trouble." Celestia calmly answered. "Consider yourself expelled from this school. I no longer want to see you anywhere near the school's premises." "W-w-what?" Twilight flailed out of her chair and onto ground. Her heart raced around the prospect, hyperventilation soon following afterwards. As Twilight gasped for more air, Celestia let out a soft giggle from behind her desk. "Calm down, Twilight. Twas just a jest. Unless you do want me to expel you?" "Oh, n-no thanks, Princess. I think I'd prefer to stay a student." Twilight gasped. She got herself back up on the seat and looked Celestia in the eyes. "I'm glad to hear that Twilight. Do you know why you're here?" "N-no, Princess. Did I do something wrong?" "You mean besides trying to kill Silver?" Celestia asked back. Twilight looked away, turning towards a wall and kept quiet. "It's nothing to be ashamed of Twilight, well besides failing." Twilight returned to staring at the playful alicorn, finding Celestia to be grinning with amusement. "Excuse me, Princess? Were you expecting me to try to kill Silver?" "No, I expected you to fail and try again." While Twilight stared at her with a confused look, Celestia ignited her horn in gold, whisking out a musty folder. She then levitated it to Twilight, undoing the seals as the auras switched from hers to Twilight's. Opening the front cover, Twilight read the name inside. "Silver Swirl, born on the eve of the last Lunar year. Parents: unknown. Place of birth: unknown. Status quo: Princess. Magic: alicorn equivalent. Race: unicorn." Twilight kept reading until most of the info was just common knowledge. "I don't understand Princess. Why did you give me Silver's file?" "Read the analysis on her genetic structure." Celestia gestured. Twilight kept her skeptical look up, but didn't question the all knowing promethean. "DNA results returned contain subject's blood shows..." Trailing off, Twilight started to pale as she saw what it said next. "Subject shows clear signs of having... pure alicorn genes, as well as matching chromosomes, but seems to have a recessive gene that suppress the formation of wings. However, magic capabilities do not show any hinderage from these recessive genes." Beginning to shake, Twilight closed the folder and set it back onto the desk. "Is Silver your daughter?" Looking Celestia directly in the eyes, Twilight began sweating as the princess let out a giggle. "I'm surprised in you, Twilight. What gave you the idea that she was my daughter?" "Well... who's else could she? You're the only alicorn alive, right? I mean..." Twilight began brightening on the cheeks as she turned away, "you're not exactly a virgin goddess." While Twilight remained antsy, Celestia giggled at the deduction. "No I am not. But I can tell you with certainty that Silver is not my daughter. The report however, is true though." "Why... why are you telling me this? You said Silver's file was... classified." Twilight's eyes then bulged as she realized the outcome of reading restricted information. "Oh, wow, will you look at the time? I think my sister's calling me. Goodbye Princess, nice meeting ya." Rushing to the door, she found it locked with magic, delaying her escape. "Twilight," called Celestia, rising from her seat. She walked to the desperate filly and watched as Twilight begun using her chompers to forcefully open the door. Using a wing, she swept the filly away from the door, and back into the seat. "You don't fear death, Twilight. So what do you have to worry about me?" "Hehehe..." laughed Twilight nervously, "oh just never being able to see my family again is all." "Do you really see me as someone who would do that, Twilight?" Celestia lost her cheerful tone and asked in a more serious manner. In her efforts to try to calm her, Celestia only made things worse as Twilight began hyperventilating again. "Pardon-me-Princess-but-I'm-quite-sure-there-were-two-princesses-that-ruled-Equestria. Please-don't-banish-me!" Twilight flinched and closed her eyes, waving her hooves around to whack the alicorn away. "You're right, there were two Princess." Celestia turned her back, facing the wall and unlocking the door with her magic. "But you have yet to give me a reason to banish you. You may return to your class Twilight, our talk is over." "O-okay, Princess. It was nice to meet you in person." Calming down, Twilight limped to the door and magicked it open. "Twilight," called Celestia, stopping the filly at the door. "Do keep this between us. It wasn't I that made her file classified. There are secrets worth dying for, and you now know one of them. Good luck in your studies, and staying alive." Twilight didn't bother staying in the office to hear Celestia's warning, dashing out and halfway through a corridor before she even stopped to catch her breath. Note to self: never ask Silver for a favour. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Please excuse my skepticism here, Trixie, but now I just know you're making things up. If you weren't even there to witness Twilight and Princess Celestia talk with each other, how do you know about it? If the Princess didn't want Twilight telling anyone about it, how you possibly know about it? I'm sorry but you're starting to lose me here." "Well..." "And all three of you being so casual about killing each other? It doesn't matter if you can magically heal your organs, I'm pretty sure at least one of you would be traumatized by it. And all this conspiracy with the Princess and this mysterious relative of her? I hope you can see why I'm skeptical." "I might have made up a few things here and there... But only not to bore you!" "Believe me darling, I'm pretty sure I'd be more interested in hearing about your real life than some made up story just for entertainment. Now if you don't mind? Could you give the real version? I know your sister is talented, you speak highly of her already, but I'm quite certain only alicorns have the ability to come back life." "Do you honestly want to hear a boring version of it? I mean, a battle to the death? Are you sure?" "The truth, if you don't mind. I really won't think less of you. Sure life can be boring when you first think about it, but after you look back on it, you tend to laugh at how silly it was. What really happened?" "Alright there really wasn't a battle to the death..." "Go on," Rarity gestured with a hoof. "We went to the library instead..." \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "How's your latte Trixie?" Silver asked. "Great! Thanks Silver. What did you get?" "Oh, just some hot chocolate." She answered. She beamed at the filly and turned to Twilight cautiously. "Twilight, are you sure you can handle an espresso? I don't think you're old enough to be anywhere near that stuff." "I'll be fine," she reassured, waving a hoof to ward away Silver's worries. "Besides, I could use something this strong on long study nights. What's the worst that could happen?" "Just be careful Twilight, it's hot." Silver answered. She sipped from her cup, levitating a book from her saddle bags onto the table. Inside she had a page marked with a silk ribbon, and a picture of what looked like her family. "Who's in the picture?" Trixie asked. She got a hoof to the rib from Twilight, and a stare saying it's not their business. Looking closer, the photo was brown with age, cracking at the edges and the colour a monotone. "Oh just me and my friends." Silver grinned. She stared blankly at it, eventually showing the sisters the photo. They saw Silver pose with her friends, all of them laughing and giggling with one another. "What were their names?" Twilight asked, examining the photo with care. "The top right was Morning Glory. She always thought of ways to help her friends even when she was overworked herself." Said Silver, pointing to a pinkish pony. "Bottom left was Ivy. If you ever committed a fashion crime, she was always the first to know." Silver moved her hoof to the other side, pointing to a violet pony. "Crystal was always the brainy one. She'd look at the stars most of the time and had a knack for seeing the future." She moved her hoof diagonally, to another pink pony. "She was Twinkle Star. Twinkle had the power to grant any wish, but never her own." Her hoof then moved to the last pony besides herself. "That's Trixiebelle. She'd always try to get us to laugh, especially on a rainy day. And there's me," said Silver, pointing to the white pony in the center. "Hey Silver?" asked Trixie. "What's your special talent? Your cutie mark doesn't really say much about it." She got another elbow from Twilight, which Trixie knew was starting to bruise. "Well, if you were wondering, it was being a guardian. I protected my friends with my magic and what not, and my mana shields always took the shape of swirls, hence the silver swirls." "Ahh, I wish my cutie mark was just as interesting! All I can do is illusion magic." Whined Trixie. "Everypony has a special talent that only they can do, Trixie. Not many ponies can do illusion magic that you probably can do in your sleep." Said Silver, getting the picture back and putting into her book. "Yea, because illusion magic is gonna get me far in life. Just imagine how many ponies I could entertain with a magic show." Trixie said, rolling her eyes. "Hey at least you know what your cutie mark means. I still don't know what mine's supposed to be or what it does for that matter. Just a huge star surrounded by more stars," said Twilight, pointing to it. "Yea, because the the unknown is better than trickery. I totally see that being true, Twilight," Trixie scoffed. "Come on you two," interrupted Silver. "Class is about is start. We'd better get going before we get detention for being late. Thanks again for the donuts Trixie." \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Now that sounds much better, darling." Rarity smiled. "Sure," said Trixie. "If you want a totally boring version." "I don't mind it, Trixie. Honestly, I'd rather be bored out of mind and hear a truthful part of your lives than some pizazz version with nothing but explosions every five minutes." "If you say so," Trixie scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, I know so. Besides, just because you don't think it's interesting doesn't mean it's not interesting for someone else. Sometimes it's the quiet and easy life that's most would prefer listening to. Now this Silver, she sounds rather intriguing, is she not?" "Now that part however, I didn't lie about." Said Trixie, her eyes sparkling with a sense of mystery. "What?" "Silver really was immortal, almost as old as Princess Celestia if not more." "How's that even possible? I thought only alicorns were immortal." Rarity asked, a skeptical eyebrow raised. "Now that's a million bit question." Grinned Trixie. She opened her saddlebags and magicked out a book with a golden unicorn on the covers. "Have you ever of the Elements of Harmony?" "I think I've heard of it..." said Rarity thinking through her memory. "It certainly sounds familiar though." "Well, isn't it strange how we've all heard about it, but don't exactly know what it is? Just like one of those dejà vu moment? After doing some research on them, I found something rather interesting about the Elements and Silver." "Now, how do I know this is true?" "Truthfully, it's mostly rumors and speculations, with a bit of guessing..." Trixie said, mumbling as her last words. "So it's not true? That it's just possibly possible?" Rarity asked, hearing Trixie's mumbled words. "Ehh, right now it's leaning towards legends." Answered Trixie, flipping through the pages. "Two sisters blah blah blah... Night and day blah blah blah... more mumbo jumbo about harmony... Banished to the moon yada yada yada..." Flipping through more pages, she finally found it. "Here it is, Elements of Harmony. Greatest source of magic known to Equestria, but lost through time. Some speculate they lock themselves away, only revealing their true nature to those that have proven themselves worthy of their power." Trixie flipped again to a picture of six glowing gems, each of them a different color. "And how does this relate to Silver again?" Rarity asked, glancing over the picture with her glasses. "Well, this is just a speculation right now, but I think she's a bearer of the Elements." Trixie whispers. "Aheh..." Rarity said. "Remind me again how this makes her immortal?" "Because of her cutie mark of course!" Trixie said, excitement in her eyes. "You've lost me, and that is quite hard to do." "Her special talent was being a guardian right? Well, you put two and two together and you get this! Silver was granted immortality as the Elements saw her fit to protect them, but this isn't alicorn type immortality. No, this is you can't kill me kind of immortality." More like putting sweaters and ties together. "And you figured this all out how?" Rarity interrupted. "With science of course! And a really big hydra." "W-what?" "Anyways..." coughed Trixie. "Back to the story."
It's The Thought That Counts	Fighting for the Users	"A field trip to the Everfree forest?" Moonlight asked worriedly. She flashed her horn for an identification spell and found that the parent signature sheet was legitimate. Checking it twice, to see if it could somehow been forged, Moonlight discovered the same results. "It'll be fun!" cheered Twilight. She quickly packed her saddle bags, going down a mental checklist as she went. Bug spray, check! Bear spray, check! Manticore spray, check! Dragon spray, check! Hmm... What am I forgetting... of course! Holy Water! "Yea!" Trixie agreed. Instead of neatly stacking essentials, the rowdy filly packed everything she could possibly need for a good time. Fireworks, check! Manticore pheromone, check! Mom's secret spell book, check! Trixie giggled deviously as she hid the magical journal under mountains of paper and ink wells. "I promise I'll behave," Trixie said politely. Moonlight raised a skeptical brow and looked her birth daughter from top to bottom for any contraband the sneaky filly could have hidden. "Give me a better reason and I might think about it," she answered staring at Trixie in particular. Trixie gave a hurt look to her mother for the actuation, which wasn't that far off, but Twilight vouched for her. "Don't worry Mom, I'll watch out for Trixie," Twilight reassured. Next the extra-organized pupil stacked a set of aerophysics textbooks into the stuffed bags for some light reading later. Moonlight was reluctant against signing the sheet, even with her favored daughter's testimony. Twilight's sheet was already signed and neatly folded into her saddle bag, but the mother let her quill float aimless over Trixie's. Sighing, she gave in and inscribed her signature onto what would be a death warrant. May Faust have mercy on my soul, she prayed. The paper was neatly folded before Trixie stuffed it into a random place in her saddle bags, using whatever system she had for important homework. Beside her, Twilight tried on her saddlebags to check for an equal distribution of weight. Perfect on the dot, she thought, trotting around to see if anything loose would shuffle around during their trip. Trixie struggled to close her bags, but clasped them shut with a forceful push of magic. She breathed a sigh of relief and threw her heavy bags next to the door. "All set," Trixie declared, triumphantly. Twilight stared at her sister's disarranged bag; her left eye nervously twitching at the lack of organization. She carefully set down her saddle bags neatly next to their dresser and levitated Trixie's to be repacked. While Trixie lounged on their beds reading a book, Twilight shook all the stuffed items out in the open and color-coded them. Moonlight sighed at her daughter's laziness and walked out the door, mauling over the decision. Trixie watched with caution as the door closed, allowing her to drop the act. She ripped the bag from Twilight's grip with magic and received a stare from her sister. "You go do something else, Twilight, I can reorganize this bag by myself." Giving an extra-large smile, Trixie tried to casually hide the forbidden contents in her bag. Twilight stared with a confused eyebrow raised at Trixie. While she admitted it was nice to see her sister take initiative, there had to be a logical reason behind it. "Are you alright, Trixie? Feeling lightheaded lately?" She asked, inspecting her sister for signs of madness. "No...Why do you ask?" Trixie returned, looking just as dumbfound. She latched the bag and hid it under a pillow just as Twilight jumped on their beds for a better look. "Are you sure you're ok? Didn't hit your head or anything that would cause trauma to the head and memory loss?" Twilight asked again, poking and prodding the strange creature that looked like her sister. "Wh- ar- yo- doin-STOP!" screamed Trixie as she pushed her prying sister away. Undiscouraged, Twilight yanked off a strand of hair as she fell onto the soft mattress. Her horn brightened and the single hair burned from one end without the obnoxious smell. Yup it really is Trixie, Twilight concluded as the Call to Arms spell was completed. "Then again, you could just be a clone," she said out loud, wondering it as she tapped her chin. "Hey! Is it so hard to believe that I want to do something for myself?" Trixie asked defensively. Twilight nodded her head yes, prompting Trixie to shot her an angry glare. "Are you sure you're okay Trixie?" Twilight asked for the last time. She looked at Trixie with a worried stare, watching as her sister sighed and took out the hidden saddle bags. "Yea I'm fine," Trixie answered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to redo my bags for tomorrow." Twilight offered. "I could help-" "No, really, I can do this on my own," Trixie insisted, with a tentative smile. "You go do something else, Twilight. I appreciate it, but just let me do this myself for once, okay?" "A-alright...," agreed Twilight reluctantly. She stared at her now independent sister and felt an unknown feeling swell inside her. Pride, Twilight concluded after some thought. Her confused frown grew into a bright smile as she hopped off the bed. "I'll catch you later then," she said, exiting through the doors. Trixie exhaled a heavy breath she didn't know she had been holding and dumped out everything left in her bag. On top of the pile was her mother's private magic journal, a book of arcane spells that she was told never to read or touch. She flipped to the first page, finding the names of all her past relatives inscribed, or as many as she could remember. Seeing that the list continued on for the next five pages, she decided to skip to the good stuff. Quickly however, she stumbled onto her first problem. Trixie triggered the first defense mechanism the book had, a literal firewall. Sapphire flames engulfed the book, causing Trixie to panic and throw the book into the safest place she could think of, the fireplace. Soon, the wooden logs in the hearth burned as hot as the book, disintegrating in a matter of seconds. Trixie didn't realize it, but she was on the brink of hyperventilating and felt her heart trying to thump out of her chest as it raced beyond abnormal. A trickle of sweat streamed down her left forehead, which she wiped away with a hoof and began to utilize breathing exercises in an effort to regain control. Her pulse slowly returned to a calmer beat, letting her analyze the situation. Gathering up enough courage, she carefully approached the book. As a precaution she grabbed the canteen of water the lilies were held in and tossed it into the fire. The liquid turned to steam instantly, as Trixie backed away from the sound of it sizzling. That could have gone better. She approached the book again and noticed a lack of something important. There's no... heat. Trixie thought about her available options and found she only had one left. She covered her eyes with one hoof and reached with the other, blindly sticking her hoof into the fire. All she felt was empty space until she felt the rough leather cover. Peaking one eye open, she saw that her hoof was unharmed and breathed another sigh of relief. She quickly grabbed the book and blew out the flames. That wasn't so hard. Again she opened the book to the first page of spells, and found it filled to the brink. Duplication spells! Gravity and Space charms! Oh Mom, you really have been hiding all the fun stuff. Oooo! She flipped through the pages and found a spell she liked more than the rest, the power to invade dreams. Trixie smiled wickedly and stared at her grandmother's clock. It was only ten minutes until supper and bedtime was soon after. "You always were a dreamer, Twilight." Trixie laughed like a mad scientist in her lab, booming her wild chuckles through their tiny bedroom before she choked on her own spit. "A-chh..." \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Please tell me you aren't going to do what I think you are going to do." Rarity asked, with a growing frown. Her needles stop in mid knit as she stared attentively at her storyteller. "What do you mean?" Trixie asked back, confused. "Invading Twilight's dreams?" Rarity cleared. "That's downright evil, if not an invasion of privacy. I mean, this is your own sister here!" "Adopted sister," Trixie returned. Rarity gave her a funny look, almost disappointed. "Besides, I didn't use the Dream Wandering spell on Twilight." "Then who did you use it on?" Rarity asked again. "Well..." Trixie answered nervously. "It turned out that I wasn't the only one that knew the spell. Not to mention being a first time user, I got lost pretty fast." Trixie ceased the motion of her needles and took several shots of scotch. "The Dreamscape is one messed up place, especially for fillies." "Did something happen?" Rarity gasped. "Yea," Trixie grimaced, "and I ended up having to be saved." "Did anything happen to Twilight when she tried to save you?" "I'm afraid Twi is gonna have to sit this one out." "Then...who saved you?" Rarity asked, rather intrigued. Trixie began grinning at first, breaking into a full ensemble of uncontrollable laughter. Rarity stared at her like she had gone insane and shifted nervously in her seat. Her eyes bounced around the room, looking for a quick exit strategy in case thing got too heated for the fashionista. The lightning fast yank startled Rarity into the corner of her seat. She felt her nerves stand on edge as Trixie stared at the broken chain connected to her amulet. Her heart thumped abnormally in her chest but was drowned out as the window opened slightly; the sound of deafening air speeds then whooshed through the room. "What are you doing?!" Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs, getting up on her hooves and tried to close the window. Before she saw it, Trixie threw her heirloom out the window and locked it shut again. "Why did you do that?!" Rarity asked in shock, falling back onto her seat. "I thought it was a priceless amulet passed down in your family!" Rarity gasped. "You mean this amulet?" Trixie flashed a shiny crescent moon necklace in front of the stunned mare."It's charmed so that it always returns to the most current generation of Lulamoon no matter what." She laughed. Rarity nervously gave a few giggles of her own but kept up her defenses. "What do you mean by most current?" Rarity cautiously asked. Trixie's chuckles died with a sigh, as she looked attentively into the gems and rubbed a hoof against the ever-glossy metal. "Most current as in: still alive and kickin'." Trixie explained. "Y-you're joking, r-right...?" Rarity stuttered. She watched as the mare opposite her stuffed the heirloom back into her saddle bags and returned her a plaintive smile. "It's a vicious cycle, but yea...it's true. Lulamoon mares have the tendency of having untimely deaths. Don't you just love family traditions?" Trixie tried to giggle, but it came out more of a sigh. "What exactly is the family tradition?" Rarity asked. She braced herself for the worst, but kept her optimism high. "Well, as you know, the way all traditions go." She said waving a hoof in the air. "You may not like it, but it's tradition. What can you do?" She tried to joke. "Grandmother died of a heart attack at the age of thirty, quite tragic." Trying to make a face of grievance, Trixie failed and giggled instead. "S-sorry-hahaha!" Rarity sheepishly smiled at her, joining her with weak chuckles of her own. "A-Anyways...," Trixie continued as she collected herself. "Great-grandmother was mauled by a bear, her mother disintegrated, and her mother froze to death. It goes on and on but you get the point, Lulamoon mares don't live past their thirties. Forties if we're lucky and forty-five if you lived a life of solitude." Trixie tried to laugh at the silliness, but instead glued her vision to the ground. "I'm deeply sorry," Rarity tried. She reached to hoof and gently pat Trixie's shoulder. "How much time does your mother have?" She softly asked. Trixie raised her head and met Rarity's understanding eyes. She pondered for a while and decided it was probably for the best. They might have just met, but the patient mare had already shown she could be trusted. "If anyone can break the cycle, its Mom," Trixie cheered. "She's already living past the average Lulamoon age, and she'd be damned if she let something like an old curse get her." Rarity stared at Trixie's mocking smile, one she knew all too well. Being a mare of higher class, she has seen the same smug grin all Canterlotians wore. It was a sign of victory, and that whoever the look was aimed at was bound to lose one way or another. "Curse?" Rarity asked with interest. "What curse?" Trixie sighed and looked to the table attached to the window. On top were several bottles of various alcohols from various origins. She stared at each bottle with detail to attention. She locked her eyes with one in particular, a musty bottle of scotch her father had been saving for quite some time. Her magic wrapped the glass sealant, tipping the jar and pouring the contents into an iced glass. She daintily sipped on the cool, well-aged scotch. Swirling the glass around, she took another nip and pondered what to say next. "All Lulamoon die young. No matter what we try or do, it will always be in vain. We can't escape fate... only prolong the inevitable. Luckily I won't have to worry about it too much." She sighed. "Y-you're not g-gonna do what I t-think you are going to do... Are you?" Rarity hastily asked. She made sure to dull all sharp objects in the compartment and securely lock the window. Trixie giggled as she heard the clicking of the window. "That's not what I meant." She sipped from the scotch and stared out the clear glass. "I am the first Lulamoon to not have the curse," Trixie smiled. Out of her peripheral, she saw Rarity brighten up. "But...," Trixie closed her drowsy eyes and sipped from her cup again "Mom was the last to be cursed... and spent most of life trying to find a way to protect me from it." "I'm sorry to hear that," said Rarity, trying to console the other mare. Trixie kept staring aimlessly out the window, which Rarity gave a respectable silence for her. She sighed and shifted through her saddlebags. She pulled out a handkerchief and gave it Trixie. "Life's just a bitch like that..."Trixie sniffed. "Sorry," she apologized for the foul language. Rarity left the soft cloth next to her, and returned to giving silence. "Don't worry about it too much. Like I've said, Mom's a fighter. If anything, Death will eventually come to her, but it'll have to be on her terms." She stiffed a dry giggle, refilling her now empty cup. "H-how'd she do it?" Rarity asked, breaking her silence. "I mean, if this curse is as old as you say it is how come it took so long for someone to finally end it?" "I'd be lying if I said my Mom wasn't a strategist, a long-term one at that. She'll wait till the end of her days just to see a plan come to fruiting and longer if it's necessary. All that bad blood between her and me, it was meant to distance us so I'd never end up with the amulet in the first place. She thought that if she could die with it, she'd at least spare me before the time came. Starting to get the picture yet?" Trixie asked amused. "It certainly explains a lot, but I thought she had given it to your sister?" Rarity reminded. "Yea...," Trixie dryly giggled. "Twilight was the incoherent variable in our linear equation of a family." Rarity raised a confused brow, telling Trixie not everyone spoke geek. "Just think of her as the wildcard in a fixed deck," she smirked. "Oh! Why didn't you just say that earlier?" Rarity exclaimed. She then gestured for Trixie to continue. "Sorry," Trixie said, rubbing the back of her neck. "Just another thing I picked up from Twi, how to speak dweeb or nerd if you're unfamiliar." "No harm done, dearie." She dashed her eyes to a pair of newly knitted socks next to Trixie. Even by her standards they weren't half bad; a little practice and the novice might even be good. "Just how old is Twilight gonna be this year?" Rarity inquired. "Twenty-three in a week," Trixie clarified. "Money is of no concern as you can see, hehe." She giggled. "Nothing but the best for good ol' Twilight." "So, why did Twilight get the special treatment?" Rarity wondered out loud. 'More like cattle waiting to be slaughtered...' Trixie mouthed inaudibly. "What?!" Rarity gasped, reading Trixie's lips. "Oh... you heard that...? Err, I mean... W-what?!" Trixie tried to act. She grinned sheepishly, then turned and whistled inconspicuously, looking around the room to avoid eye contact. Rarity shifted uncomfortably, looking in the opposite direction everywhere Trixie looked. "I-I'm sorry... I just thought you said something about a slaughterhouse," Rarity said. She gave a positive, weak smile and chuckled dryly. "So... you did hear it..." Trixie mumbled to the side. She bit her lower lip nervously, almost tasting blood. "T-then what's this about your sister and a... s-slaughterhouse?" Rarity hesitantly asked. "No... I compared her to cattle," Trixie corrected. Her mind quickly wandered back a few moments ago, double checking if she had mistakenly spoken the words out loud. "Pardon my choice of words, but... do you mean she's husky, then?" Rarity politely inquired. "Well... sort of I guess," Trixie answered, shrugging it off. "Then, can you answer my question earlier? Why does Twilight get the special treatment all of a sudden?" Rarity asked again. "Well... what you'd consider as a kind stepmother taking favor over her own blood daughter, I consider a long chess game of sorts," Trixie truthfully answered. Rarity arced another brow, telling her to elaborate. "Please," Trixie pleaded, in a softer tone. "Don't judge my Mom too much. She was only doing what she thought best for her family and only daughter." Rarity gave a reluctant nod, picking up her needles once again and soundproofing the train cart with a flash of blue light. Trixie hung her head low, downing an entire shot of scotch before refilling. "From the start of my birth, Mom knew it was only a matter of time before the curse got to her, and eventually make its way to me, a Faust given birthright, but twisted by Death. "A few months after my birth, Star Shine said that Mom went crazy; she locked herself in our studies with no outside contact for days on end. She kept scouring through books, scrolls, and ancient tombs, anything she could get her hoof on about our family line and origins. So, six months in, she finally got something; something unbelievable I remember Star Shine saying," Trixie emphasized. "Then... she changed... everything just stopped... everything she used to do with me; it just ceased. I was moved from my crib in their room to the opposite wing of the mansion. When I finally grew out of diapers, Mom put as much distance as she could between the two of us; ignoring me as much as she could and... she just stopped being a mother, I guess." Rarity pursed her lips into a frown, tempted to say something about Moonlight's parenting's skills, but reluctantly stayed silent. "Then came the whole brouhaha of Twilight." Trixie hesitated with her words, slightly trembling with her scotch. She steadied herself and gulped the shot, setting aside the glass altogether and took the whole bottle of brownish delight. "Your mom didn't exactly like Twilight at first; I get that. What does this have to do with giving your sister the special treatment?" Rarity asked. "One: to spite me and make me not want to have anything to do with the family. Maybe she even wanted me to run away from home. Two: to give the curse to... someone else," Trixie mumbled. She glued her vision to the ground, unable to meet Rarity's judgmental eyes and face the truth. "Y-you mean...?" Rarity left the sentence unanswered. Trixie slowly bobbed her head, which Rarity took as a yes. Alright Rarity, just be level headed about this. Take deep breaths and let Trixie continue. "So that's why she gave the special treatment to Twilight; just to spite you?" "More out of pity than anything," Trixie sighed. "Please understand... if my Mom had to choose any foal to die, it would always be anyone else's but her own. So why not one whose parents are dead?" Rarity gritted her teeth, trying her best to stay bias. "That's rather..." She talked through her clenched teeth, thinking of the right words to describe Trixie's mom. "Shallow and cold?" Trixie answered for her, staring directly at the composed mare. Rarity barely nodded, but Trixie noted the tiny gesture. "I mean, why not her? It's not like anyone's gonna remember or care if a single orphan dies let alone miss her," Trixie grumbled. Rarity's frown came as quick as lightning, which her student ignored as she down the bottle of scotch. Out of anger, her alabaster hoof smacked the glass out of Trixie's hoof. The expensive scotch bottle shattered against the window, splattering the brownish liquid on the clear glass. Trixie stared blankly at the empty space where her scotch used to be, looking up to meet Rarity's glare. "T-this isn't just s-some unknown orphan we are talking about!" Rarity lectured. "Twilight is your own sister!" "Adop-" "No, don't give me that." Rarity exclaimed "You tell me this whole time how ungrateful you are for making her do all this burden and now she's just another means to end? Is this why you've asked me to teach you to knit? So that you can please your dying sister?" She tried her best to keep a calm tone, gently putting down her needles. "So, is that how you think of me? Well... no point in beating a dead horse." Trixie outstretched a hoof and grabbed another bottle. She pulled the cap off with her teeth and began downing more wine. She was regarded with a deathly glare from Rarity as she sighed. "P-please...tell me you're joking..." Rarity briskly asked. "Don't worry about it too much." Trixie dismissed with a wave of a hoof. "Twilight will probably live longer than I will anyways," she giggled with a wave from her wine bottle. "So this is how you treat your mother's gift to you? By wasting away while your sister pays the price for it?" "Is that what you think?" Trixie giggled. "I'm sorry but that's not at all what I meant to get across." Rarity breathed a sigh of relief on the inside, but kept her look of anger aloft. "Don't worry about Twilight; she doesn't have the curse anymore." "Anymore? How did she manage that?" Rarity questioned. "Well... you could say that wishful thinking that did most of the work." Trixie snickered. "I beg your pardon?" "Oh, it's nothing. Just a little inside joke between Silver, Twi, and I," said the fain mare. She emptied the rest of the wine bottle in a swig and tossed the glass to a gathering pile of trash. "We would always get into the best kinds of troubles; us three amigas." "There's a good kind of trouble?" "Not exactly for Twilight, but it was fun for me," Trixie dreamily sighed. "You'd be surprised at how well manticore pheromone works." "Just where did you get these pheromones?" Rarity stressed. "Black market, grey market, white market: anywhere that doesn't require a real ID," Trixie specified. "H-how young were you again?" Rarity hesitantly asked. Trixie lightly tapped her chin, trying her best to remember the dates. "About eight or nine; you'd be surprised at how easy it is to fake an ID at that age," Trixie beamed. "Ehuh..." Rarity nodded. "Anyways, back to the field trip," Trixie began again. Opening up a bottle of champagne, she poured the bubbly drink into two dining glasses, passing the other to Rarity. "Might as well have a drink; this is a rather long story." Rarity stared at the glass, but reluctantly took it with her magic. "Cheers!" Trixie yelled, clanging her glass against Rarity's. "Cheers..."Rarity weakly sighed as she took a sip. Hmm... Trixie's got good taste in champagne... I'll give her that... Rarity thought as she took another sip. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Alright class, single file now," Dr. Whooves asked politely. "You can't tell me what to do!" Blueblood objected. "I'm a-" "Prince; yada yada yada. We GET IT you dweeb. If anything you're a royal pain in the butt." Vinyl hollered for the class to hear. Everypony began to snicker at the prince's expense, murmuring as Blueblood grew red with anger. "I'll have your family dungeoned for that you loud mouth!" The uptight heir threatened. The pony with the electric blue mane pony gritted her teeth, but restrained herself as much as she could. She turned her back on him and grumbled to the pony next to her, Neon Lights. "Now, now class we didn't come here to start a fight. We can all do that later in detention if any of you want to continue this behavior," the teacher calmly spoke. Everypony quieted themselves, as Dr. Whooves shot Blueblood an I-dare-you kid glance. "Does everyone have their partners?" He asked out loud. His students all gladly nodded, even the obnoxious prince, all but Silver. The snow white epona stood hidden out of view atop a hillside, staring starkly into the creeping shadows. Looking through her peripherals, she saw a duo of sisters packing their stuff; one neatly organized as the other tipped over with an unbalanced bag. Silver flared her horn with turquoise mana, distorting the space in front of her and walked through it. "Ahhh!" Trixie squealed in ear bleeding decibels as an unsuspected unicorn appeared from behind. Twilight remained calm and collected at the sudden teleport, but giggled at Trixie's expense upon looking at her frozen expression. "Nice of you to join us, Miss Swirl," Dr. Whooves said, nodding to her. "I hope you don't mind but I'm gonna have to assign you to the Lulamoons. I'm not stupid enough to trust those two and let them wander into something as dangerous as the Everfree Forest unsupervised." "Hey!" The sisters protested in unison. "It's no problem," Silver replied to their teacher, smiling to new partners. "I certainly hope not," Dr. Whooves said in a strict tone, staring at Trixie in particular. He then returned his attention to the class and finished checking his attendance sheet. "Alright class, does everyone know what they're doing?" The younger learners all nodded and spread out, the different pairs tackling the eerie forest from separate points. The cautious stallion kept his vision aligned with the trio as they disappeared into the treeline and proceeded to follow Blueblood's group of rowdy colts. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Trixie look at this! These vermillion stones can only be normally found in cinnabar, but are here as a natural appearing rock!" Twilight excitedly recited. Her magic took the form of a small pickax as she hacked away at the tony rocks for samples. "Be there in a minute, Twi," Trixie called back, a short distance away. The non-attentive filly had her eyes glued on the musty pages of the book she had borrowed last night. She flipped through another dozen pages before coming across the next chapter. "It's blank..." She quietly mumbled, flipping through the rest of the book. "What's blank?" Twilight asked out of nowhere and suddenly in front of her. "Ahh!" Trixie screamed, jumping back out of fear and hiding the book behind her. "What'cha reading?" Twilight asked, walking around and behind Trixie to get a look at the covering. "Oh... nothing really..." Trixie answered through clenched teeth. As Twilight swerved behind, she would switch the book to the other side. "Well, don't take too long then. We have a project to do and we can't idly sit and read all day," Twilight mildly scolded. She walked away with a clipboard in her aura, writing down the composition of the special mineral she just found. "Twi! Wait..." Trixie called. Bringing the book into the light, Trixie showed her bookworm sister the leather covering. "You can try reading it, but it's mostly blank besides the first chapter," Trixie said, turning to the last visible page. "That's because you haven't unlocked the book yet," Twilight answered with a moment's glance at the magical layer shielding the book. "Unlock?" Trixie asked back, a brow raised. Twilight softly snatched the book with her aura and swept through the pages; her eyes scanning each of them for traces of other magic. "Unlock as in: you haven't unsealed all of the protective spells. From the looks of it..." She trailed off, sparking the tip of her horn. "What from the looks of it? Trixie asked anxiously, dancing on her tippy toes. "Where did you get this book?" Twilight asked. She clasped the book shut and waited for her sister's answer. "Umm.. Mom gave it to me..." she lied with an innocent smile. "Really? Mom gave you this book?" Twilight asked in with skepticism laced in her tone. "Yea... She said to err... St-... Umm..." Trixie mumbled, trying to think of a worthy excuse. "Study?" Twilight substituted. "Yea! She said to study the book and... err... Oh! Mom told me to give you the book and tell you to unlock it with me!" Trixie thought of in that moment. "Wouldn't she just unlock it herself?" Twilight asked again. "Err... Yes... but, umm... She told me that... that she wanted us to, err, do... teamwork! Yes! She wanted us to be a team and work together to unlock this book!" Trixie explained with a sweet smile beamed at her sister. Foolproof! She complemented to herself. "Oh! Why didn't you say so earlier? I love magical puzzles!" Twilight cheered, clapping her hooves together. "Wait...," Trixie interrupted looking to her blank worksheet. She let her eyes wander to her sister's completed work and glance at Twilight with interested eyes. She gestured a hoof to the clipboard, which Twilight sighed and levitated it over. "Fine...," Twilight reluctantly caved. "But only this once! You need to do some of the work for yourself!" Twilight scolded. She reopened the book and flared her horn brightly. The adaptive filly then scanned the book further for hidden traps. "Are you sure we're allowed to read this book?" She asked again. "Of course, I'm as positive as a proton!" Trixie exclaimed. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| Moonlight was bored out of her mind and it was barely ten before noon. Ten agonizing minutes before lunch break and more paperwork. Even though she had barely gotten through the first set of laws waiting for her approval seal and merely scratched the Mount Everest size tax appeals. She duly sighed and rested her head on an arched hoof. Blinking her drowsy eyes, she let out a yawn before sweeping all the paperwork aside to be done later. Her calm aura wrapped the handle of small cabinet on her work desk and pulled it out. The mare stoically stared into a blank space inside the cabinet, looking at a dust-free spot where a personal book would have been. At first she repeatedly opened and closed the drawer, hoping each time that she was just hallucinating, but after the handle came off, she became trapped in a fit of hysterical laughter. Her mad chuckles bound around the abnormally large office, as she waved the broken handle in the air. She threw the knob towards a trash bin and walked to a side desk against a wall. Her magic wrapped the unopened cork of whisky bottle and yanked it open. She shakily poured herself several shot glasses and downed each one as quickly as she filled them. "I'm going to kill Trixie when she gets home today," she said with a smile and twitching eye. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Come on, Twilight! Shouldn't you be done by now? You're supposed to be the smart one!" Trixie whined as she paced back and forth impatiently. "It's a lot harder than it looks, Trixie," Twilight answered back in a tired tone. "Mom has more experience with magic than I do," she said for Trixie's sake as well as her own. "When she wiped this book, she wanted to make sure no one would be able to read it again but her." "Well... Do something!" Trixie shouted. Twilight lowered the book and stared at her with a mild frown, looking exhausted and to the point of breaking a sweat. "I mean, you can do it Twi! I know you can!" She cheered. "Yea... well don't hold your breath. Mom made sure to wipe all traces of the spells she used on the book and if I try to piggyback on her magical signature, it scatters the trail and encrypts it in a different pattern each time. On top of that, if I try to decrypt the encryption, the spell goes into a lockdown and just replaces it with my own so I can't trace the source. There's a backup plan for every backup plan and failsafes for the failsafes." "But you can unlock it... right?" Trixie pleaded. "I mean, you don't want to disappoint Mom do you?" Trixie said in a solemn tone. Twilight kept her vision glued on the book, but noted her sister's words. She channeled more magic into her horn, flaring it to a dangerous molten white. "Well, seals are just like locks; if you don't have the key, you're just gonna have to smash the lock." Twilight said in an exasperated tone. Trixie slowly backed up and hid herself behind a tree, as Twilight pulsed more and more magic into her horn. Trixie turned herself away from the blinding light her sister's magic produced, sealing her eyelids tight. She clasped her hooves over her ears as crackling began behind her and continued waiting. One lavender flash later, Trixie began opening her eyes. She blinked them several times to adjust to the brightness and stumbled back to where Twilight stood. Her sister lay next to the book, gasping heavily for breaths of air to satisfy her burning airways. "You still alive, right Twilight?" Trixie asked, curiously poking Twilight's shaking body with a stick. "Just peachy," Twilight grumbled. "Can-you-stop-poking-me-now?" She gasped quickly, trying to get back on her hooves. Trixie shrugged her shoulders and threw the stick behind a bush. She magicked the book up and looked to pages. "It's still blank," Trixie said in a whiny tone. She continued to flip through more pages, and only found a single new page unlocked. "It's partly my fault on this one," Twilight said, dejectedly staring at the ground. "I didn't realize Mom would put a contingency spell on the book. When I tried to overload the seal, it only allows me to unlock a single page before all the excess mana is shot back at me." She explained, rubbing the back of her bruised head. "So we'll just try again," Trixie thought. "Simple as that." "No it's not as simple as that," Twilight retorted with an angry frown. "If we i.e. me, keep trying to unlock pages one at a time, I'll literally burn myself up. It's obvious Mom wants us to try another approach." "Yea... That's what Mom wants..." Trixie hesitantly answered, trying to remember all her lies. "She did give you the book right?" Twilight questioned again. "Of course!" Trixie said defensively. She hastily looked around them and tried her best to look inconspicuous with a calm whistle tune. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Are you alright, Madam? Your blood pressure is awfully high today." Alfred asked, carefully checking Moonlight's pulse. "Just keep the drinks coming Alfred..." Moonlight mumbled. She was face down on her desk with a shot glass in her magic. "I thought you had quit drinking, Madam," he noted, refilling her glass with whiskey. "And I thought Trixie was going to grow up a sensible, wise girl. Not all plans work out, Alfred," she glumly sighed. "Apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it?" He remarked. "I pay for service, not sass." She grumbled, lifting her head just high enough to take a sip of the whiskey. "It's a full package, Madam," said the snarky butler. "Your employment is on thin ice, Alfred," Moonlight's muffled voice said. "Sorry, Madam. Just trying to lighten the mood," he answered. In his hoof, he shook an enclosed silver container and opened the cap. "Your martini; shaken, not stirred." Alfred said, mixing the drink with her whiskey. "Faust, I hope Trixie doesn't become a drinker." Moonlight sighed. She gulped the concoction in one go and poured herself more. "Shall I get the book back, Madam?" Alfred offered. Moonlight stayed silent, keeping her head glued on her desk. She moved her head slightly, staring with apathy into the opaque ice cubes within her glass. "No. Not this time Alfred." "Madam?" He asked with actual surprise on his face. "If she wants to play with fire, who am I to stop her?" Moonlight asked in a sultry tone. "You don't respect fire by learning about it; you respect it when you fear it." "As you wish Madam. What shall I do once I pick her up?" "Take a breather today, Alfred," Moonlight smirked. "Send... Nighting Gale instead."
It's The Thought That Counts	Vacation All I Ever Wanted	"Aunt Nightie!" The sisterly duo cheered as they rushed alongside the courtyard to greet their relative. The pair dropped their school bags off with the chauffeur standing nearby and surprised the waiting mare with a jumping hug, rustling against her warm coat. "Heya kiddos!" The cream colored pegasus chirped in a soothing voice as she prepared for the assault. Her natural mane had streaks of sky blue running all the way to her tail, which she left uncut until necessary. She towered above both fillies and hunched over to give them both noogies as she entrapped them in her agile wings. Her cutie mark displaying a golden lightning bolt that daggered across an ace of spades. "Long time no see you two!" "What are you doing here, Aunt Nightie? We haven't seen you since last year!" Twilight grinned as she tried to struggle out of the vice grip the wings had on her. "How have you been?" "Just dandy, Twilight, thanks for asking." She smiles, squeezing the polite filly with her wing. "Have you been staying out of trouble, Trixie?" Nighting asked with a cocked grin. "What's that supposed to mean?" Trixie asked back, shyly staring at her Aunt. "Oh nothing," she giggled, Twilight accompanying her. Trixie grew red with anger and crossed her front hooves as their Auntie tried to reconcile. Nighting softly nudged her upset niece with a hoof, waiting to see the filly smile again. "How about you spend the weekend with me in Cloudsdale?" Nighting offered with a wide smile. "Just you two, myself, and the poker gals; it'll be fun. What do ya say?" Twilight started politely excusing herself, remembering her schedule. "Sorry Auntie, but we kinda have a book report due Mon-" "We're in!" Trixie answered for them, completely forgetting that she was angry. While she ignored the annoyed stare Twilight shot her way, Trixie flashed herself out of the vice grip. "But the book report!" Twilight protested as she teleported free herself. She unlatched her bags and magicked out two cinder block-size books. "We have to finish reading, "War and Peace," by Saturday and the reading assignments are due on Monday! We can't spend the entire weekend goofing off!" "Didn't you already read that book?" Trixie answered back, dismissing the matter altogether. Twilight stopped in her tracks as her cheeks turn into a lighter mulberry. "So what if I have?" She answered, looking straight at Trixie. "Problem solved then! You can do the book reports and I'll go have fun with Aunt Nightie," Trixie nonchalantly answered back. "It's not like you've got plans for the weekend; we both know that Twi." Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but let it hang as nothing came out but stuttering. "...I-I... I'll get right on it..." Twilight easily agreed, hanging her head low. She quietly walked into the carriage with their saddle bags; magicking out parchment and a quill as she entered. "Thanks!" Trixie cheered, walking back to their watching aunt. "So, what do you want to do first Aunt Nightie?" Trixie squealed in excitement. "Jet ski? Climb a mountain? Yachting?" The still pegasus stared at her niece in shock as the filly's cheery smile turned into confusion. "Trixie... That was rather mean of you..." She managed to get out. "What...?" Trixie answered. Her expression scrunched into a worried frown, frightened that she may have done something wrong. "Don't you think that was a little bit mean of you; what you said to Twilight just now?" Nighting said in a raised voice, scolding her a bit. "... No..." Trixie answered honestly, but hesitated. She looked at the ground and inched backwards. "D-did I say something wrong?" "It's not if you did or not, but..." Nighting stopped to choose her words carefully, thinking of a nice way to teach Trixie a lesson. "You were very mean to Twilight when you said that and it hurt her to hear those words from her sister of all ponies." "But you always told me to tell the truth..." Trixie quickly added to remind her angry aunt, as she nearly teared up. She distanced herself from her conflicted aunt and glued her eyes to the asphalt ground. "I know what I said," Nighting said, cursing herself for not choosing better words with a lawyer's daughter. "However there's a difference between being honest and being mean, and there's a time when you have to decide for yourself which is which. I know you're better than this, Trixie." "I-I'm sorry if I did anything wrong..." Trixie mumbled. She stopped her backward pacing and sat on her haunches with head hung miserably low. "Hey, cheer up, kiddo," Nighting assured, closing the distance easily and draping a wing over her niece. "Look, I don't want to be tough on you, but what you said to Twilight was really mean. It's not me you should be apologizing to," Nighting said in a softer tone. She lifted up Trixie's chin and directed her vision to the carriage. "I'll go apologize to Twilight now," Trixie agreed immediately. "Good," Nighting smiled, releasing her niece from her wing. "I'll meet you two back at your Mom's place. Forgive me if I don't ride with you two, but I'm gonna need to stretch my wings for a bit; be a good girl now, Trixie." Nighting backtracked from her niece and spread her wings to full expansion, leaping into the air before flapping the trained symmetrical appendages with powerful shoulder muscles. Trixie watched as her aunt disappeared within seconds of taking off, creating an updraft that pushed her back enough to topple her. Moments later she heard a familiar boom, which she knew was the breaking of the sound barrier. Trixie wasted no time hopping into the carriage and shutting the door behind her as it began to take off towards home. She looked to her right and saw Twilight patiently sitting alone, her head inches from a book and an enchanted quill automatically writing on several floating parchments. "Hey Twilight!" Trixie said heartedly, breaking the dead silence. She hopped onto the seat next to Twilight, trying to get her attention. "What you doing there Twi?" Trixie asked, waving a hoof in front of her sister's face. "Our homework, remember," Twilight quickly remarked. She never lifted her eyes off the pages, using the hardcover book to cover her facade. "T-thanks," Trixie nervously replied. She rubbed the back of her mane, thinking of the best way to apologize to a bookworm. "Umm... Sorry, Twi..." She mumbled quickly. "You know... For that thing, at that place, with that pony, etc." Twilight quickly lowered her book, raising a brow of confusion. She clasped the covers of the book shut with a poof and stared at Trixie in bewilderment. "Was that an apology?" Trixie slightly nodded as she backed away uncomfortably. "Thanks... I guess?" Twilight replied. She reopened the oversized book and stuck her head into it again. "Wait... That's it?" Trixie asked, "No shouting or yelling at me for being mean to you?" "There's no point really," Twilight half sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "You're just being you; not much I can do about that." "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Trixie asked defensively, growing red. "You're illogical, emotions are illogical; therefore there is no point in arguing with the illogical," Twilight recited. She flashed out more parchment from her saddle bag, along with several more quills and ink wells, dipped each feather into the black ink, and began more scribing. "What do you mean I'm illogical?!" Trixie shouted right into Twilight's ear. Twilight winced from the sudden increase in volume and pulled back, gently rubbing her sensitive ear. "You base your actions on emotions from past experiences and think that because someone doesn't react to it in a certain way, it's they who are strange." "English, Doc, English!" Trixie yelled, as she gripped both of Twilight's cheeks and puffed them. "I can't feel insulted if I can't understand you!" "Ugg, fine..." Twilight grunted, she set down the book and gently pushed Trixie down. "Simply put, you're just not worth the troubles and headaches, Trixie," she answered. "You're rich, spoiled, and always get what you want. It's just easier if I just go with it instead of against, since you're the golden one here." "I'm... I'm not the golden one..." Trixie mumbled. She turned away from Twilight and looked at her unruly, stuffed saddle bags. "Don't worry about it; you're just going through the five stages of grief. Everypony goes through each one at different rates so don't get your hopes up so quickly. Others go through it slowly, taking months at a time, while others take quicker roads. First is denial." "I'm not the golden one." Trixie scoffed, laughing it off. "Then anger." "HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY THINK I'M THE GOLDEN ONE?!" Trixie exclaimed into Twilight's ear again. The deaf filly rubbed her ears to muffle out more shouting, but heard nothing but a continuous beep. She sighed, magicking out a pair of earmuffs and put them on for her own safety. "Then bargaining." "Please Twilight, I'll do anything!" Trixie gasped as sweat began beading down. "Just don't say I'm the golden one! How about we trade places? Haha? You and me, you can be the golden one from now on!" Trixie whined, tearing up and hugging her sister's waist. "Depression." Twilight continued, prying Trixie off to get circulation going again. "Why bother anymore...? It's not worth it... Why even bother with anything that doesn't matter anymore...?" Trixie sighed, looking adamantly up into Twilight's eyes. Resting her head inside Twilight's lap -- arms limply hanging -- Twilight returned her a weirded out stare. "And... Hopefully acceptance," Twilight nervously muttered. She gently patted, Trixie's mane, hoping her sister would get to the next stage and soon. "Well... It's can't exactly be helped can it?" Trixie sighed, laughing a bit to herself. "It's my fault that I allowed myself to become spoiled anyways... Sorry if I did anything mean to you in the first place, Twi." "Like I've said, don't worry about it," Twilight smiled. Her magic wrapped around the thick-layered book, levitating it over Trixie's bare chest. "Umm, Twi... N-no hard f-feelings? R-right...?" Trixie worriedly huffed, bringing her fore hooves up to protect herself. "Yes, hard feelings and LOTS of them," Twilight laughed, disconnecting her magic flow. The book stopped glowing in her aura, hanging in suspension before falling directly onto Trixie. She heard a loud thud, followed by Trixie's forced breath out. What came next was something she hadn't calculated. She heard a loud crack and screaming. Lots and lots of screaming. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Three broken ribs and twelve fractured," a doctor pony intoned. He attentively rubbed his chin and had a spectroscopy hanging limply around his neck. He stared at a lighted x-rays of Trixie's ribcage with mild interest and turned to the filly. "Now, tell me again, what exactly happened?" "Reading," Trixie answered, sitting straight up on a medical bed. She winced from trying to breathing, taking fast and shallow breaths to cause as little pain as possible. "Unless there is some extreme sport concerning reading that you young ponies have just created, I'm having a hard time believing you here." He replied, unpacking a roll of bandages with his magic. "I told you reading was dangerous." Trixie mumbled to Twilight, who was nervously creating a rut in the floor. "But nooooo, 'reading gets you far in life,'" Trixie quoted. "What do you have to say now, Twilight?! Ow, ow, okay it hurts too much to talk... Ow, ow, ow..." "I'm sorry, Trixie..." She sighed. Letting her head drop to inches from the ground, Twilight returned to her pacing. "I told you so! Ow, ow, ow... Okay... Gotta stop talking..." Trixie cringed, delicately rubbing her chest. "Well, if you two fillies are done," he gestured, magicking a clipboard out. "Since both of you are minors, I'm gonna have to get a signature for this release from a parent or legal guardian." "Don't worry, I've got Mom's signature memorized," Trixie said, taking hold of the clipboard with her magic. "That's highly illegal, Trixie," Twilight complained, fighting Trixie's hold with her own magic. "Well, unless you want to be stuck here and not spend the weekend with Aunt Nightie, this is gonna be necessary Twilight," Trixie retorted, yanking the clipboard towards her direction. "I don't want twenty-five to life in prison!" Twilight yelled, yanking the clipboard back. "Just trust me for once!" Trixie angrily mumbled through clenched teeth. "I trust you to make a mess of things that I'll have to clean up later and take the blame for!" Twilight screamed, yanking the clipboard even harder. She heard a snapping noise of flat wood and saw that the clipboard was snapped in two. Her aura held one half as Trixie's held the other, papers flying everywhere around them. "This is all your fault!" Trixie yelled directly into Twilight's face. "MY fault?! How is this possibly MY fault?!" Twilight yelled back. "If you had just done my homework like you always did, we wouldn't be inside an ER with both of us arguing with each other!" Trixie shouted back. "Oh so it's my fault that you're too lazy to do your own work?!" Twilight screamed, poking Trixie in the chest. Trixie ignored the pain that came up and returned to their shouting contest. "I'm NOT LAZY!" She shouted, giving Twilight a shove back. "And it's what sister's do for each other! If I can't rely on someone to help me once in a while, then what's the point of having a sister at all?!" "Really?!" Twilight asked, rolling her eyes. "When was the last time you did anything for me?! Last I checked if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be in this school in the first place!" "And if I hadn't come along, you would be dead Twilight, probably in some gutter somewhere crying your eyes out! Heck if I hadn't come along you wouldn't even have a chance to go to this school in the first place!" Trixie rebutted. "Now what's THAT supposed to mean?" Twilight angrily asked. "You... You..." Trixie huffed, trying to contain her frustration and anger as best she could. "You can be ungrateful sometimes, Twilight." She said through clenched teeth, taking long breaths to ease the pain growing in her chest. "YOU are calling ME ungrateful?!" Twilight repeated. "ME, your sister, who does all your homework, allows you copy during school assignments and cheat with tests. How is that ungrateful of me?! I risked being kicked out and YOU'RE the one calling me ungrateful?!" "Now, fillies, if you two don't stop this shouting match, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to call security and the both of you will be down at the police station. If you two don't mind, I just need a signature, not necessarily a parent or legal guardian, just someone who isn't a minor." The doctor intervenes, cleaning up papers around the room with his magic. "Pfft," Trixie puffed at an out of line hair, "now what are we gonna do?" "I don't know..." Twilight sighed. "We're underage and the last thing we want is for Mom to find out." "While you two sort this all out, I'm gonna have a nurse wrap some bandages on you. It'll take a few months before those bones heal properly," said the doctor pony as he exited. "C'mon Twilly, you can do it! Use that big brain of yours," Trixie cheered, hugging Twilight's face. She softly shoved Trixie away, minding her broken ribs. "Don't call me Twilly. I hate that," she grumbled. "Sure thing, Twilly," Trixie spited. "Fine, whatever," Twilight sighed, rubbing her temples. "Our biggest problem is getting someone's signature that's over eighteen." "No, our biggest problem is figuring out how to keep this from Mom," Trixie reminded. "That too," Twilight sighed, adding another problem to her mental checklist. She hopped off the medical bed and began to pace again, starting a new rut in the ground. "You can always call Alfred." She voiced with optimism. "Are you crazy Twi?!" Trixie exclaimed. "He'll tell Mom for sure! I'm having him spy on Mom while she has him spying on me!" "How does that work?" Twilight asked with part confusion and part interest. "While Mom has Alfred spying on me, I have Alfred spying on her. He's like one of those double agents," Trixie explained. "If Alfred finds out about this, he'll tell Mom for sure. Not even a Hearth's Warming Eve bonus will get his loyalty that easily," she sighed. "Not everyone can be bought with money," Twilight scolded, returning to her pacing. "How else are you gonna bribe someone except with money?" Trixie scoffed. "I've heard trust and friendship works pretty well," Twilight suggested. Trixie tapped her chin curiously, considering her sister's words. "Nah..." Trixie said, shaking her head. "The quickest way to a pony's heart is through their greed." "I'm sure that's not the way the quote goes," Twilight argued. "Potato, tomato." Trixie dismissed. "I'm sure that's not the way that quote goes either," Twilight corrected again. "Twilly, focus! We have bigger problems than if my quotes are right or not!" Trixie shouted. "I know, I know, and stop calling me Twilly!" Twilight grumbled. "Hello everypony. I've heard you needed bandages?" The greeting came from a snowy unicorn. She quietly walked in, reading from Trixie's medical papers that were inside an aged folder covering her face. "Yea, my sister Trixie over there," Twilight answered, pointing a hoof in the injured filly's general diction. "She has three broken ribs, twelve fractured, no internal bleeding thankfully, but mild bruising around and mostly in her mid-torso." Twilight informed, getting the nurse up to date. "Oh, this is quite a pleasant surprise." She giggled, lowering the folder. "Sil-" Trixie gasped, before an alabaster hoof was used to muffle the rest of the name. The unexpected nurse raised a hoof to her lips. Making a shush gesture, she pointed to Twilight who stared attentively against an opal wall. "Please raise your hooves up, Miss Lulamoon. These bandages may hurt you for some time, but they will keep the ribs in line while you heal." Silver informed in a higher voice. Trixie did her best not to giggle, raising her arms for Silver to bandage. 'What are you doing here?' Trixie mouthed to Silver. 'My mom works here as a doctor and I sometimes help with the patients,' Silver mouthed back. 'What happened to you Trixie? You look terrible.' She began unrolling the cloth-like bandage and softly wrapped Trixie's chest. 'I tried doing my homework for the first time. Twilight keeps saying it'll help me in life but it nearly ended mine today. I keep telling her reading is dangerous, but noooo.' Trixie said, rolling her eyes. 'Reading got you three broken ribs and twelve more fractured?' Silver asked, curious about the details. 'Have you ever read War and Peace?' Trixie asked. 'Yea, it's about the Neighpoleonic era, describing in detail the impact of Neighpoleon's invasion of Russia through the eyes of five wealthy Russian families. The reading is due Money. Did you do it already?' Silver asked back. 'It's barely Friday weekend.' 'Well, Twi and I were sitting in our carriage, her doing her stuff and me beginning the reading so I don't have to do it later; you know like the good student I am. Long story short, I was laying on my back reading and the book dropped on me.' Trixie explained. 'Why would you do that? Those books are as thick as a cinderblock.' Silver cautioned. 'And probably weigh just as much. You should count this as a lucky day, Trixie; nothing more than a few broken ribs and no internal bleeding.' 'Believe me, Silver, I will. That's why I will never read another book ever again as long as I'm still alive.' Trixie promised with a beam. 'Not exactly what I meant Trixie...' Silver nervously grinned. She finished wrapping the bandages, tucking the open end into the bandages. 'What's Twilight doing?' She asked worriedly as she looked to the other filly. 'She's thinking about whether or not I should forge our Mom's signature so that we can get out of here.' Trixie dismissed. 'So, what does your mom do here anyways, Silver?' 'Oh, she's the head nero-doctor,' Silver answered, surprised someone so young could already forge signatures. 'When you say doctor, do you mean everything about neurology?' Trixie asked to clarify. 'That's what her masters and PhDs say,' Silver replied pridefully. Trixie found herself posing a face with a mixture of impressed and skeptical at the same time. 'That's kinda impossible...' She said. 'I don't see why,' Silver retorted back. 'Well, a normal neuro-physician has to spend at least thirteen years in medical school, another fifteen in order to be a neurosurgeon, and another decade to be a neuropsychologist. The earliest she could have started college would have been at age ten. If you add all that up, she should be at retirement age.' 'Our family doesn't let something like time slow us down, Trixie,' Silver snickered with a hoof raised to cover her giggles. "I'll do it." Twilight said after her long silence, drawing the attention of both ponies beside her. She continued her adamant stare at the wall, like it was the only thing she was interested in. "Do what exactly, Twilly?" Trixie asked. She hopped off the medical bed and leisured towards Twilight whose forehead was leaned lazily against the wall. "Stop calling me Twilly, and I'm just gonna have to tell the truth to Mom. There's no way of us getting out of this without her knowing and it is my fault you're even here in the first place," Twilight sighed. "If you want to come visit me, I'll be back at the orphanage," muttered Twilight, trying to keep tears back. "Back at the orphanage? What are you saying Twi? Why would I visit you there?" Trixie comforted, gently patting her on the back. "Trixie... We're in the ER. You have three broken ribs, twelve more fractured, and unless we get a signature for the release forms, the doctors are gonna call security and have us sent to a police station where they'll detain us and then call Mom. She'll kill both of us, ground us, and I still haven't even read all the Daring Doo books yet..." Twilight sniffed, wiping a tear away. "So what?" Trixie giggled. "Que sera, sera, amIrite?" "You don't even know what that means do you?" Twilight questioned. "Nope, not at all," she grinned. "We've been through worse Twi and we'll get through this. The worse thing that could happen is we both share a grave." Trixie joked, trying to laugh it off. "This is serious Trixie... Either one of us goes down or both of us go down. Since I know you didn't read the Titanic, only one of us can possibly get out alive." Twilight moped. "A captain goes down with her ship!" Trixie countered, nudging Twilight with her shoulder. "And things can only go up when you hit rock bottom." "Look... Trixie... I know you mean well, but there's no getting out of this... It's no longer we anymore... Just you," she sniffed. "And what if I said I have a way for the both of us to get out of this scratch free without Mom knowing? Come on Twi! It's the weekend! We're spending it with Aunt Nightie! That Never happens! Cheer up!" Trixie tried to cajoled. "We need a literal act of Faust for that to happen, Trixie..." Twilight doubted, covering her face with both hooves. "And no one's willing to just sign two fillies' release form without asking questions or calling Mom first,' Twilight mumbled as she laid face down on the unsanitized floors. "Well, I may not be Faust," Silver greeted, surprising Twilight into jumping out of her skin and instantly turning around, "but some ponies do call me a miracle worker." She grinned. "S-Silver?" Twilight gasped, trying to contain her heart rate. "What are you doing here?" "Helping out a friend," she smiled. "You're a good sister, Twilight, taking the blame for everything. That's quite mature of you." "T-thanks..." Twilight sniffed, beaming again. "Told you I can get us out of this," Trixie grinned, lightly elbowing her relieved sister. "You should never doubt the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie cheered in her monologue. "Alright, I won't doubt you again," Twilight smiled, giggled at the silliness. "Now, just because I'm bailing you two out this time doesn't mean you should go out and seek more trouble," Silver warned, looking at Trixie in particular. She magicked the release form from a messy pile of gathered papers. Another flash from her horn and a quill puffed out. "Thanks, Silver!" Trixie grinned, helping Twilight up. "See ya Monday!" "Hopefully," Twilight added, making Silver snicker. "Just give the form to the mare sitting at the front desk and say you're parents are waiting outside for you," Silver directed, levitating the papers to Twilight. "If anyone stops you or starts asking you question, just say I sent you to get more IVs. Be careful you two." "We will, and thanks again, Silver," Twilight returned. The sisters walked to the doorway, looking both ways and journeyed down a straight hallway, filled with rushing ponies needing to get somewhere urgent. Silver stayed behind, watching as both fillies, turn a corner and disappeared. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "Trixie... What happened to you?" Their opal aunt asked. "I was apart from you for just thirty minutes..." Nighting sighed. "And why do you have bandages?" The athletic racer asked, recognizing the types of injuries that would need bandages in the first place. "I was reading," Trixie answered, stepping down from her aunt's back. She took her first steps into the blissful clouds, feeling the soft textures under her hooves. She felt like taking a nap and anywhere would be a great place to. Before she knew it, a yawn had escaped her mouth. "Reading got you bandages for your chest?" Nighting asked, skeptical of her niece's story. "Unless there's some extreme sport where reading requires you to bash each other with crystal hard books, the worse you'll get is a paper cut." The patient pegasus gently lowered Twilight to the clouds from her back, nudging both drowsy fillies towards a separate cloud-home far from the norm of the central city of Cloudsdale. Finally at the wooden door, Nighting picked a pair of house keys from the fold of her right wing. Once inside, Nighting softly pushed both her nieces into the living room and her wings and lit a candle for light. She sat the fillies onto her couch and began the troublesome work of interrogation. "Do any of you two want to tell me something before I start asking what happened?" "Can we..." Twilight stopped mid-sentence, letting out a yawn and rubbing her drooping eyes, "Can we do this tomorrow, Aunt Nightie? Trixie and I are kinda beat after a whole week of school." Twilight yawned again, softly falling into the puffy pillows of the couch and rolling into a ball. Trixie soon joined her, utilizing Twilight's body as a pillow. "Alright, fine, but first thing tomorrow we're all sitting down and talking about what happened." Nighting conceded, picking up both fillies with her strong wings. She hopped up a set of stairways, taking care as to not disturb the fillies. Making her way past her bedroom door, she laid both onto her only bed. "Goodnite," Nighting cooed, laying each one on either side. "Sleep tight," she continued, tucking both of them in with a warm blanket, "And don't let Nightmare Moon bite." She blew gentle kisses on their foreheads, walking towards the door and blowing out all but one of the room's candles. Nighting took the remaining candle in a holster that gripped to her hoof, trying not to spill any wax. She gently closed the door, leaving just a crack open to let in a streak of light. Taking a quick peek back, Nighting saw both Twilight's and Trixie's already slowed breathing. She proceeded downstairs, pulling out an extra blanket from a nearby table with her mouth and headed to the couch. Nighting gently placed the candle holster onto a table, making sure not to spill any hot wax. Nose-diving onto the makeshift bed, Nighting hoofed her pillow for more fluff. The tiring mare shoved her hoof into the cushions, pulling out a deck of cards and shuffled the pile. Making sure it was well mixed; she cut the deck and shuffled again. She pulled the first four cards, all of them aces of each house. Sighing, she set aside the cards and pulled more. All face cards, she drew. Looking at her lightning bolted cutie mark on her flank, she sighed at the dumbfounded luck her special talent endlessly provided. "Luck of the draw as always," Nighting said to herself. She added the cards back into the deck and shuffled again. Nighting drew, getting the same cards as always, aces first, face cards next. "Maybe I should try the lottery next," she sighed as a tired yawn came out. Nighting set the deck down and rested on her side, using a wing as covering. Pulling the blanket over herself, she blew out the candle and watched the grey puffs of smoke slither from the dying ember. Rustling until she got into a more comfortable position, she felt like she was sleeping on Lincoln logs. A few moments of sleepless rustling later, Nighting gave up on natural methods of sleeping. She kicked off the blankets and walked behind the couch to the kitchen counter. Nighting might not have a home as big or mighty as her sister-in-law, but one that kept you dry and warm was more than enough in her book. Half-limping to the medicine cabinet, she reached for the top shelf, picking up a bottle of sleeping pills. "Some sleeping pills and then off to bed," she groaned. Slumping away, Nighting remembered she didn't have anything to down the medicine with. "Okay, some sleeping pills, whisky, and then off to bed," she groaned as she made the round trip. Grabbing a half-emptied bottle of whiskey, she uncapped the sleeping medicine and took a hoof-full. She gulped the pills and finished the rest of the whiskey. Walking back to the couch, she crashed into the soft landing pad before snores erupted from her. Half her body covered with a blanket and leaning on the edge of falling off, Nighting was unaware of two fillies watching behind a corner. Both had the top of their heads sticking out, watching their aunt's actions. "Alright, Aunt Nightie's out cold," Trixie whispered to her partner in crime. "I-I'm not sure this is such a good idea..." Twilight doubted. "Come on, Twi! Just think of all the spells Mom put into this book!" Trixie cajoled. "Don't you want to be able to read in the dark?" "Well..." Twilight thought, "It does sound pretty cool. I won't be alerting anyone and I can stay up as long as I want without needing a candle." "Exactly!" Trixie shouted, unexpectedly. "Shhh!" Twilight hushed, putting her entire hoof into Trixie's loud mouth. They stood on edge as both sisters turned to the source of oncoming rustling. Nighting moved around on the couch before more soft snores erupted again. "That was close," Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief. Trixie spat out her sister's hoof and headed back up to their rooms, followed closely by Twilight. Once in, they softly closed the door and cast several dozen soundproofing spells each. Twilight cast an alarm spell in case their aunt awoke and Trixie put up illusion spells to make it look like they were both asleep. "Alright, that should be enough," Twilight huffed, wiping a drip of sweat from her brow. She followed Trixie onto their beds as she took out the mysterious book. Thinking she heard a voice, Twilight spoke her concerns again, "I still don't think we should be doing this." "We won't get caught, Twi," Trixie whispered. "Trust me and besides, we've put enough spells to fool a unicorn." "I don't know..." Twilight hesitated, watching the door. She shifted her hooves nervously, making enough noise to wake somepony were it not for their spells. "Just calm down, Twilly," the jejune filly assured. "Have I ever steered us wrong before?" "Yes!" Twilight answered immediately, "Several dozen times! A day! And stop calling me Twilly!" "Shhh!" Trixie hushed, just as loud. "Alright, alright, but this plan is foolproof!" Trixie tried to reassure her. "How?" Twilight asked, skeptic. "Since we can only unlock one page at time, that's exactly what we'll do," Trixie explained. "THAT'S your master plan?!" Twilight angrily shouted. "Shhh!" Trixie exclaimed. "This is the only plan we've got so unless you have better idea, this is the best shot we've got." "It'll take all night though!" Twilight warned. "I know, that's why we'll take turns," Trixie continued. "Since you did the first page, I'll do the next and vice versa. Presto, after a few hours, we've got ourselves a completed spell book." Twilight let out an exhausted sigh, still feeling the effects of her previous endeavors. "What if Aunt Nightie wakes up?" "We'll burn that bridge when we get there," Trixie dismissed. "It's 'We'll cross that bridge when we get there,'" Twilight corrected. "Why would you burn a perfectly good bridge?" She questioned. "Same difference," Trixie argued. Getting an angry glare from Twilight, Trixie forced a smile and tried to appease her tired sister. "Why don't you get some Z's Twi? I'll take first watch and try to unlock as many pages as I can." "Alright, but don't stay up too late," Twilight cautioned. She stiffed another yarn and inched her way to the fluffy pillows. She curled around them, creating a cocoon for herself from two pillows and two layers of blankets. "I know, Twilly," Trixie dismissed again, flipping through the pages of the spell-bound book. "Don't call me Twilly," comes the muffled response she heard come from the bulged pile. "I don't get why you hate that name so much." "I just don't like it, okay?" Twilight answered under the covers. "Whatever floats your boat, Twi," Trixie agreed. She directed her attention to the book, studying the invisible runes tucked between the seams of the pages. Flipping through more pages, she found all of them to be enchanted in the same way, but with different spells each time. Paranoid much, Mom? Trixie cursed to herself. Channeling more mana into her horn, the magic conductor glowed like the sun, enlightening the entire room. Half her focus then directed for several dozen more illusion spells, dispersing the light as quickly as it came. Half exhausted from the mirage spells alone, Trixie decided to take a breather. Hiding the book under the cushions Twilight was using, Trixie exited their rooms for some fresh air. She tiptoed down the stairs, thanking Faust they did not creak like wooden ones. Her shadow rounded the corner just as she did and Trixie peered through the living room and saw her Aunt was still knocked out cold. Like a serpent, Trixie slithered across the puffy cloud floors towards a stocked fridge. Making a small noise as she opened it, Trixie peered back at the couch. Nighting was sound asleep, dreaming of heart's desire. "Phew," Trixie breathed as her cover was not yet blown. She gently cracked the fridge door wider, letting the yellow light shine through the opening. Trixie scanned through the contents of the fridge, finding it stocked with her wildest dreams. It was filled to the brink with c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e, chocolate. Her second favorite thing in the world if she had to narrow it down. Carefully levitating a black-forest cake out, she set it on the counter. Unable to reach the towering shelf, Trixie blinked herself on the countertop. Next to her cake rested a container of jellybeans, or what seemed to have been candy in the form of pills. Unable to read the label in the dark, Trixie silently opened the canister. Try as she might, no matter how hard she twisted the cap, it wouldn't come off. More exhausted than she was before, Trixie forwent the magical attempt and settled for her teeth. She clamped her entire maw on the cap, twisting with all her might. It wasn't long until she felt her teeth start to ache, letting go of the pressure before she hurt herself. Trixie would have even resorted to banging the cap on the counter if it wouldn't have awoken her Aunt the moment she did. She was far from a quitter (if her persistence to defy her mother at all costs said anything on the matter) and jelly beans or no jelly beans she was going to get the cap opened. Trixie lit the tip of horn, barely enough light for view, but enough to read the labels. The tiresome filly facehoofed as she saw the warning on the cap. According to the labels, the bottle was foalproofed. Extinguishing her light, Trixie pressed down on the cap and twist, this time it came opened easily. Finally! Trixie triumphantly cheered. She gulped down the entire bottle, which didn't have much more than a few jelly beans left. Trixie chewed on the tiny pills, expecting a burst of fruits, but instead she tasted something bitter enough to make her tongue fall out. She quickly coughed the horrible tasting jelly beans out into the sink, trying her best to forget the horrible, lasting aftertaste. Several minutes of silently couching the disgusting treat out, Trixie felt her head go woozy. She began swaying back and forth before her knees buckled and she fell onto the thankfully soft, cloud floor. With her vision rapidly growing foggy, Trixie tried to fight against the drug's effect, but to no avail. She drifted in and out of consciousness, desperate trying to get back into the bedroom, lest she be discovered. Come on body! Work with me here! Trixie screamed in her head. Before long, Trixie couldn't even keep her eyelids open. Finally succumbing to the drug's effects, Trixie fell asleep instantly, but not before she saw a pony's shadow from around the corner. Trixie closed her eyes for the final time, falling into slumber altogether. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| Beep... There it was again, that insistent sound that kept going no matter how hard she tried to zone it out. Trixie didn't know where it came from, but she had been listening to it for the last hour or so. Beep... Trixie couldn't quite put her hoof on it, but she was sure she had heard the annoying beep somewhere before, somewhere recent. Unable to do anything else but think, she set her mind trying to remember the events that led her here. Beep... After concentrating for what seemed like forever, Trixie remembered she had to do something, something important and that she couldn't be discovered or else. No matter how much she tried, however, her mind was still too foggy to remember properly. Beep... Now it was just annoying. She didn't care how tired she was or how numb her everything was, Trixie had a new mission: to find out what that sound was and stop it from ever beeping again. Beep... Trixie groggily opened her eyes, blinded by the sudden rush of light. Her eyes hurt to keep opened, so she squinted until they adjusted. Correcting herself, there was no light at all, just a headlight just above her head. Next to her were several dozen machines, all of their strange lights blinking. Beep... Trixie tried to move her arms, only to find that a small tube was attached to it. Barely able to move anything, she twisted her head for a better view. Apparently, she had been stabbed with a sharp needle and was now being fed some kind of strange looking water from a bag. Beep... She tried to groan, but found her throat to be desert dry. Trying to lick her chapped lips, she found even her tongue was dry. How that was possible she didn't know. Beep... She heard the annoying beep continue and if it happened again, she swore she would rip her ears off just so it would stop. Twisting her head to the other side, Trixie found where the sound originated. It was from a machine that was playing a racing game. Across the screen, a single line would dash across before it hit a bump and returned to going straight. Beep... She had had it. Trixie looked to where the machine was hooked to and found a wire directly connected to her hoof. Trixie ignited her magic, but only found dead sparks to come out. She would have screamed from the splitting headache the attempt caused her if not for her bare throat. Beep... It was now down to her headache and the machine as to which would drive her more insane. Trixie decided it would be the machine. No matter how much her body screamed, Trixie tore off the machine's clamp from her hoof. Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep... Somehow she had made it worse for herself. Instead of a beep every few seconds, the sound was now constant. On the bright side, she heard the hurrying clatter of hoofsteps coming her way. The first face she saw was Twilight's, eyes bloodshot and lines beneath like she had been pouring her eyes out and hadn't slept in days. "Trixie!" Comes Twilight's muffled voice. The numbed filly stared at her sister, only able to hear a few of the words being shouted her way. She heard her name being shouted again, wondering if it came from the same pony. Trixie saw a white hoof near Twilight, calming pushing her sister back. She heard her name again, this time by a different voice that mentioned Twilight's name as well. Wherever she was, she hoped it had food. Right now she was starving, like she hadn't eaten in a day. She dumbly lowered her head to see where Twilight had gone, watching as her familiar friend grabbed hold of Twilight. Trixie couldn't remember more after that. Her consciousness was blinking again, and she drifted off. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "So let me guess," Rarity questioned, "Those weren't jelly beans you were eating?" "Wish they were though," Trixie innocently giggled. "I was feeling really hungry that night and had a strange craving for sweets. Turns out I was shoving down my Aunt's sleeping medicine." Rarity stayed quiet for a bit, trying to hold back a goofy face. Restricting herself even more, Rarity held up a hoof to muffle laughter that tried to burst through. "So, you mistook your Aunt's sleeping pills for jelly beans?" Rarity questioned, trying to keep a straight face. "I-I'll admit it... It wasn't my best moment," Trixie mumbled, trying to hide the embarrassing shade of red on her cheeks. "N-no problems, darling," Rarity reassured, stilling keeping her giggles in. "W-would you like some jelly beans?" She offered, taking a small plastic bag from one of her shopping bags out. "I can promise you won't fall into a coma from these..." Rarity giggled. "I would love one, thank you very much," Trixie scoffed, snatching the bag. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Trixie," Rarity reassured, finally controlling all her giggles. "We all have our faults during life, and it was quite mature of you to share such an embarrassing story with some pony you've never met before." "Thanks," Trixie returned, gobbling a blue jelly bean. "Oh and Trixie?" Rarity smiled. "Yea?" Trixie asked, chewing the soft candy. "Twilight is a really good sister to you," Rarity admitted. "Taking full blame for everything, especially during the hospital, that's quite brave of her." "I know," Trixie grinned. "That's just how she is." Trixie raised her champagne glass as Rarity raised hers. "So what happened exactly when you came to?" Rarity questioned after a small sip of her white wine. "As usual Twi was crying her eyes out and Aunt Nightie was trying to calm her," Trixie recalled. Trying to pour herself more wine, she found that the bottle was emptied quicker than she thought. "And the whole Twilly thing?" Rarity asked intrigued. "Why does she hate the name so much?" "Now that is a long story," Trixie exclaimed. "But maybe for another time..."
It's The Thought That Counts	New Beginings	"You've arrived at Ponyville Station!" shouted a male pony in a tailor suit as he strolled the outside aisles of the train, "All that's coming aboard, get aboard and all that's leaving, enjoy your stay in Ponyville." Two unicorns were the last to exit the train charts with each of them carrying several large shopping bags with their magic. They both carried an air of superiority compared to the surrounding country folk, whom the fashionista seem to know and greet as her new friend continued to sight see along the way. The Canterlot city gal seemed intrigued in the simplest of things the countryside offered including the clean fresh air and scenery. One thing Trixie seemed to be dumbfounded about was how nice and welcoming everypony was compared to the rich folk she grew up with. Not just the pretend kindness one uses to put up with one another, but ponies here seem to genuinely like each other. Ponies greeted everyone they saw on a first name basis, never shying away and giving a delighted smile. Trixie even considered buying a summer home here just to get away when she couldn't stand the snobs anymore. "It's really nice here..." Trixie mumbled to Rarity on their walk. "That's a strange thing to hear considering where you grew up," Rarity replied back to her dazed friend. "Well, it's no Royal palace but it's still really nice," Trixie debunked, "And everypony here is just so..." "Ordinary?" Rarity filled in for her with a small grin painted on her face. "Well yes, but when you live with extraordinary ponies all your life, it gets quite boring. The norm is what's strange to me nowadays," Trixie answered back, "Not to mention when you've been to all the private schools Canterlot has to offer, a routine eventually sets in: make a name for yourself the first day or become one with the background." "I'm guessing you didn't always get yourself in trouble just to spite a certain mother and sister?" Rarity asked with joking delight. "Maybe once or twice," Trixie openly admitted with guilt plastered on her features, "Just for the heck of it." "Surely your mother must have run out of private schools to put you in?" Rarity inquired, remembering only a handful of schools in Canterlot off the top of her head. "As a matter of fact she did," Trixie answered like it was her greatest life achievement, "Kinda dug myself into a bigger hole since the last resort was homeschooling again. I really didn't think it through that well." "And Twilight, she got kicked out of all the schools as well?" Rarity questioned further, "With the pattern that's forming it's safe to guess all your schemes got her into just as much trouble as you did?" "Someone seems to be a Sherclop Homes around here," Trixie retorted back as Rarity hit a nerve, but masked her anger with cheerful smile, "It wasn't as bad now, but back then she got herself into as much trouble if not more just to get me out of the frying pan." "Hmm, do tell," Rarity requested as they pressed on towards her boutique. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "What do you mean we're going to boarding school?!" Trixie shouted towards Twilight's turned back. The angered filly watched as her sister levitated several stacks of books into an enchanted suitcase that seemed to be bottomless as she laid upside down on their bed. "It's not a boarding school," Twilight tiredly sighed as she continued their packing, "It's a private school for gifted unicorns." "Same difference Twi!" Trixie exclaimed, "It's just another school where rich ponies pay to have their fillies and colts locked up and demoralized." "I wish you kept an open mind about this," Twilight tried to argue, "This school is different though. There's an entrance exam that every student has to take in order to actually be accepted into the school." "An entrance exam?" Trixie asked back, slightly worried now. She rolled on the bed to meet Twilight's eye level, and asked with rapt attention, "What kind of exam pray tell?" The other filly stopped for a second in sheer shock, holding the books aloof in the air. "I don't really know yet. According to the brochures, the exam is different for each student as the proctors test for different kinds of talent in each of their students." "Huh," Trixie sighed. "So if one of us doesn't make it..." "Then this is goodbye," Twilight said, as she closed their suitcase with magic. "I really want to get into this school Trixie. I can study the same magic that Starswirl once did, and maybe even meet Princess Celestia," Twilight said in a daze like she was a some kind of fan. "How can you say that so easily?!" Trixie shouted as she jumped from their bed. "After all we've been through, you're just gonna say goodbye?!" "More like what you've put me through," Twilight corrected. She had been prepared for this kind of reaction, but that did not make it easier to calm Trixie down. "It's not like I am saying goodbye Trixie, I'm just saying that it might be goodbye if you don't study and prepare for this exam." Trixie watched as Twilight levitated a shelf full of books to now in front of her. "What is this for?" "We are gonna stay up all night, for all the nights, studying until I am sure that you and I can pass this exam with flying colors!" Twilight said back with a smile and cheery tone. Trixie weighed her options heavily. On one hoof, several dozen nights without sleep could mean another dozen years with Twilight doing her homework. On the other hoof, it would mean she could sleep for several dozen nights. "I'm gonna hate myself..." Trixie sighed as she nodded her head yes. "Good, because I was gonna make you do it anyways," Twilight cheered as she leaped atop their bed to join Trixie. "Alright, first subject: recognizing different types of magic and how different colors of magic affect it," Twilight explained, opening the first of a series of books. Trixie wanted to bury herself underneath pillows and blankets. She was in for a long night. \|~\|~\|~\|~\|~\| "You mean THE School for Gifted Unicorns? Ran by Princess Celestia herself?" Rarity exclaimed, trying to keep her voice from going into a shrill. They had reached the fashionista's home and workplace, entering in softly as they had arrived very late at night. "The very one," Trixie quietly confirmed, feeling a bit of pride in herself. She dimly lit her horn, lighting their way and casting long shadows of the sewing machines. "This is quite a nice setup you've got here." "Thank you," Rarity replied, as she magicked the the light switch on. "This is my humble abode; nothing too fancy, but still up to par with those Canterlot workshops I ho-" Rarity was cut short as a sporadic little object collided with chest first, knocking her back as well as making Trixie jump back in surprise. "What did you get me?! What did you get me?! What did you get me?!" Shrieked a tiny little white coated filly, no older than primary school Trixie guessed. "Please," Rarity exclaimed as she magicked the filly off of her chest, "Sweetie Belle, we have a guest. Introduce yourself before you start asking for souvenirs," Rarity reminded. "Hello! I'm Sweetie Belle!" the little filly introduced, running around Trixie and examining her. "I'm currently attending Miss Cheerilee's school and work part time for Rarity, although she works me like a mule and doesn't pay me," Sweetie Belle said out loud. Rarity quickly pulled the little filly back, stuffing a hoof into Sweetie Belle's mouth to keep her from spewing more things. "Hehehe..." Rarity laughed awkwardly, "Fillies, they say the darnedest things..." "Sister?" Trixie asked with an understanding look. "Sister..." Rarity mumbled quietly. "Hello there Sweetie Belle, I'm Trixie. I'm currently attending Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and my sister works me to death too," Trixie smiled back, extending a hoof out. Sweetie Belle spat Rarity's hoof out, dislodging herself and accepted the hoofshake Trixie offered. "Nice to meet you Trixie! I haven't seen you before. Are you not from around here?" She asked politely like Rarity taught her. "I'm visiting from Canterlot and wanted to have your sister make something for me. It's for someone special to me. Would you mind helping your sister out?" Trixie asked calmly. "Can I really?!" Sweetie asked excitedly, jumping up and down and rushing to Rarity. "You can, but we'll have to be up early tomorrow, Sweetie Belle. Get to bed or else you won't get to help me," Rarity replied, shooting a thankful look to Trixie. "Alright!" echoed Sweetie Belle as she zoomed upstairs, leaving nothing but a smoke trail. Rarity sighed, dropping down like she had just had the weight of a mountain atop of her. "I could never get her to do something like that so easily. Thank you for that." "No problem about it," Trixie replied, levitated all their bags to a nearby couch. "I'm minoring in psychology. It's quite easy to appease a child when you know the works," Trixie explained as she helped the tired out Rarity into her kitchen. "That Canterlot school must do wonders then," Rarity said, retiring to one of the stools around their kitchen table. "Listening is like pulling teeth with her. I always get caught up looking after her and making my deadlines. "What are sisters for?" Trixie joked, filling a glass of water from the sink. "You can't live with them and you can't live without them." "Still, with what you and your sister went through, I guess I really shouldn't be complaining," Rarity said in modesty. "You two seem so close to one another and put up a lot to be with each other." "I guess so," Trixie replied, shying away and rubbing the back of her head. "I've lost a lot of sleep because of her, but I don't blame her for it." "You two passed the exam, correct?" Rarity asked to clarify. "Of course, with how much sleep I lost?" Trixie replied, "The exam was a breeze, although Twilight did have some trouble at first. She nearly failed and panicked during most of it." "Was she nervous?" Rarity asked, taking a sip of water. "More like she was having a mental breakdown," Trixie chuckled. "That bad?" "Yea, that bad." > Vis-à-Vis A purple scaled dragon scurried along a library corridor as fast as his little hind legs could carry him. His upper half was covered behind a wall of books that stacked well above the scales that adorned his head. For such a small creature, the assistant without breaking a sweat bought all the books request by Twilight. Spike knew Twilight all his life, but then again his life was barely that of a decade. He worked hard to ensure that the bookworm he calls family was well stocked with everything a student would need. "I got all the books you request from the Canterlot archives, Twilight," announced Spike as he set the musty books onto an already strained table that threatened to topple should more weight be added. "Thanks a lot Spike!" answered cheerful Twilight. She magicked a stack of books she was done reading and note taking on to Spike, who took the books without showing any signs of straining. "Once we're done here, I'll take you to the gem store and buy you some as a treat," Twilight cajoled. She knew the young dragon's sweet tooth for gems well and had a few bits to spare to show her appreciation. "Really?!" an excited Spike asked, doubling his efforts to complete the work as quick as possible. He got a nod and smile from the kind mare, whom he has grown up to see as both a mother/sister. Of course he sees Trixie as a close family member as well, but the magician had a scaly assistant of her own like Twilight did. "Anything for my number one assistant," replied Twilight. She opened the stack of books Spike brought and jotted down the knowledge she hungrily devoured from the books. Both she and the trusting assistant had been at the Canterlot library all morning and midday was creeping to them quickly. Sunlight that shone through the stained glass was enough indication of how late it was and since Twilight used endlessly lit candles of her own creation, time really did slip from her now and again. Racing back and forth from the library shelf and the creaking desk, Spike took towering heaps of books one at a time and returning them to their proper homes. Spike sometimes found Twilight's attention to detail and organization tiresome, but nonetheless also appreciated the respect she had for books. The fortress of both new and old pages fell one wall at a time as Spike returned them as subtly as he could as to not disturb Twilight. By the time he was down to the last stack, Twilight was already done and helped him return the final books to their respective spaces. "You're the best Spike!" Twilight complemented, books wrapped in magic by her horn and Spike wrapped in a hug with her foreleg. Spike blushed and returned the hug. He was glad to have Twilight in his life. She was kind, fair, and always treated him to a bowl of sapphires. Admittedly, his stomach probably appreciated Twilight just as much as he did. "I know," thanked Spike. The purple duo exited the front entrance of the library, both of them waving goodbye to the greying librarian that gave them a warm smile in return. The frosty air hit gently, brushing against her fur and making her cheeks and ears rosey from the temperature drop. Spike was well equipped for heat or cold. His scales would not let anything penetrate the harden membrane. Albeit young, his scales protected him well, which with age would make it nigh impossible to pierce. A fact that Twilight once read to him when she was studying dragon biology. However, before they could head anywhere from the library doorsteps, a smiling earth pony in a butler suit awaited them patiently. Twilight and Spike gave a warm welcome and exchanged pleasantries once the trio met up. From the overcoat of his butler vest he produced a fresh scroll, which he delivered to Twilight. Having completed his task, the butler took his leave. Both Twilight and Spike eyed the letter as magic unwrapped it. Spike's eyes went from the scroll to where the earth pony once stood, but got nothing but a crowd of ponies that pranced in their respective lanes. The butler had the best disappearing and reappearing trick Spike had ever seen, which he was curious to learn since day one of meeting him. "Is it from Trixie?" Spike asked as his attention returned to the letter. He was awakened this morning well before the sun had even risen, since Twilight's schedule was also his own. Trixie would always sleep in, which Spike envied a little bit. Twilight's eyes moved like a typewriter, left then right and left again. She mouthed the words silently as she read, and relayed the contents back to Spike. "It's from her," Twilight answered, magicking the parchment to Spike to read, "She's going to a seamstress to buy some winter clothes for us." "Already?" Spike asked. The autumn air was certainly cold in Canterlot, but not enough to warrant buying new clothes. "Won't it be expensive buying from the local stores?" His concerns were met equally by Twilight. The both of them remember indefinitely the week that the entire Lulamoon household had to ration food supplies because a certain Trixie had spent their monthly allowance without as much a look at their budget. Spike's stomach grumbled at the remembrance. His secret stash of gems was down to their last leg during that week. Twilight noted her assistant's troubles, and reassured him with a gentle pat on the back, "Don't worry Spike. I've been in strict control of our finances for a while now. I always have a plan." Worries abated, Spike stored the scroll into the saddlebags on Twilight. "Are you sure? We don't have to go the gem store. I'm sure there are some leftover gems still in the house." Twilight gave slight frown at Spike's worrying nature, but it just meant he cared. Giving a small sigh and relaxing her shoulders that she had tensed, Twilight could not help but shoot a sorry smile to Spike. Pulling him close, she felt that welcoming warmth the dragon always offered her as she hugged Spike. "It's fine Spike. When I said that I would get you gems I meant it as a promise." Although she got pleading eyes from Spike that reminded her of his worries, she cooed the dragon in relaxing. She felt as much indebted to Spike as he was to her. The least she could do for the little dragon was show him there was nothing to worry about. "Really though, Twilight, we don't have to go. I can just make us some sandwiches are home," protested the dragon. His stomach betrayed his words as it growled a second time. Just like how a yawn spreads from person to person, Twilight's own stomach grumbled its emptiness. "Then how about we just get one gem and make some sandwiches at home after?" compromised Twilight. She took the response she got from Spike's stomach as yes. "I guess one gem wouldn't hurt..." Spike admitted. He did not want to spend any extra bits if they could, but he really wanted to taste sapphires again. "Don't worry so much Spike," Twilight said as she lead the way to their local jeweler, "We'll make it through this month somehow. We both still have our own piggy banks if worse comes to worse." Both of them grimaced of the prospect of having to open their last reserves of bits. Now Spike really did not want to go get the gem. However, his protest was met calmly by Twilight's smile, which did somewhat reassure him that she had a plan. He sighed and gave in, hoping that future Spike would be in a better situation than present Spike was in. "Did Trixie say anything else?" "Just that she would be back in a couple of days," Twilight answered. The door handle was pulled open by a magenta aura as she and Spike both entered. The jeweler had known the two that entered his store the moment the bell on the door rang. Often the duo were regular customers, odd customers in that most ponies bought gems to wear, but these two bought gems as a snack. The jeweler had an ocular in one, examining the quality of a polished ruby, but gently set the gem down to greet the two. "Hello Twilight, Spike. What is the young student up to today?" asked the young unicorn. "Just finishing some studying at the library," Twilight answered with a friendly smile. "Spike here," she ushered to the young dragon, "wants a gem today." The jeweler smiled, and turned to Spike, "What are you having today, Spike? Your usual?" He magicked out a bag of sapphires which he always had stashed for the duo. Spike's mouth watered as the pouch of gems was levitated in the air. His reptilian eyes narrowed onto the bag like it was a prey he had stalked for a duration of no less than a month. Reluctantly, Spike declined much to the jeweler's surprise. "No thanks Crystal Clear. I'll have that one," the dragon answered, pointing to a hexagonal amethyst. The mineral was then levitated and wrapped in some lining and tied together with a ribbon by Crystal. The aura around the gem turned from an orange hue to a mulberry, the amethyst flying one direction and a pocket of bits flying in the opposite. "Please come again!" smiled Crystal as both Twilight and Spike left his store. Once again, Twilight and Spike braved the weather, walking the sidewalk towards their small, but comforting home. Their pace was slower than the ponies around them, choosing a nonchalant speed that eventually returned them to their dwelling. A key magicked out of her saddle bags which Twilight used to unlock the door. Inside the cooling house, Twilight quickly shut the door behind them as to not let the cold in. Spike lit the fireplace inside the living room with his fire breath, which came alive with a shot of emerald flame. Warmth once again spread throughout the room with the soft crackling of the wood. "Do you want a daisy sandwich Twilight?" called Spike as he entered the kitchen, "or maybe some pea soup?" "A sandwich is fine Spike!" shouted Twilight across the living room into the kitchen. Her saddlebags were teleported upstairs and next to a desk within her shared room. "What are you hungry for?" she asked, trotting into the kitchen. "I'm just gonna make a sandwich for myself," answered the hatchling chef. He donned a daisy apron and placed the completed sandwich on a plate for Twilight. He took off his effects and took a seat beside Twilight at the kitchen table. He made himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Even though he was certainly not a student, he was definitely living the life of one. Twilight's sandwich had the crest cut off for her while Spike's was lightly toasted due to his dragon breath. The unlikely duo munched on their lunch respectively enjoying the warmth of the house and each other's presence. No words were exchanged until Spike spoke first, "So it's just us for the next couple of days?" "Seems like it, Spike," gulped Twilight as she swallowed the rest of her sandwich. Two cups were levitated from the cabinet which were then filled with tap from the sink. She drank form one and the other was given to Spike. "Which probably means she isn't buying winter clothes in Canterlot." As quickly as she said it, her little assistant breathed out deeply, as did she just to reassure herself. "Boy am I glad to hear that," smiled Spike, finishing his sandwich. Before him a checklist was manifested out of thin air as well as quill and ink well. "What's up next on the list?" "Nothing that requires us to go outside anymore Spike," Twilight replied. She flashed her horn and both of their plates floated towards the sink with their glasses of water. Dish soap and a green scrubby began washing the dish and rinsed themselves afterwards. "Just some reading for the rest of the day." Spike smiled at their agenda. As much as he liked spending his time in a library, quality time at home and some light reading were very much in order. He followed Twilight upstairs into her room. The door had a hanging wooden star with both Trixie's and Twilight's name on it. Spike pushed open the door for his mentor like the gentle-dragon he was. "What are you reading today Twilight?" inquired Spike. He settled onto the basket that Twilight had provided for him as sleeping accommodation. "More astrology books?" "Actually it's a book from Princess Celestia herself!" exclaimed Twilight clapping her forehooves together. "I just received it today in the mail with this letter," explained Twilight further. She unsheathed a single parchment from her saddlebags, walking slowing to her bed with Spike's undivided attention on the ancient piece of mail. She invited the young draco onto her side of the bed with a small pat from her hoof. Spike eagerly climbed the soft mattress and joined Twilight where she layed. "Princess Celestia sent you another letter?" He asked. The dragon gingerly spread his forearms and hind legs over the small space that Twilight had allowed him. It was as soft and comfy as the last time he was allowed on her bed. It was probably due to magic that the mattress never lost its texture he guessed. Twilight was as curious as her dragon was as to why she was receiving so many letters as of late, especially from the sole duchess herself. "This one makes five this week," noted Twilight, unfurling the letter, "She has been asking how my studies are going and what my independent research has me doing." The draco chuckled at how casually Twilight talked about Princess Celestia now. He distinctly remembered when they first received a letter from the solar patrician. Twilight would not stop hyperventilating for at least an hour by his count and would then test the legitimacy of the letter with every spell she knew for the rest of the day. "What book did she send you?" A thin sheet of brown wrapping covered the book, which was tied neatly with a single strand of string. Spike picked up the book and with an approving nod from Twilight began undoing the bow. His claws gently ripped the cover, which loudly wrinkled as he folded it neatly and set it down to the floor. The cover was very worn and even to Spike's untrained eye the pages within has seen its fair share of use. He was afraid the binding would come undone if he applied anymore pressure. However, that did not deter him from admiring the depiction on it. A unicorn was dead center of the old page and was clad in golden armor with a single turquoise eye. "Seems kind of old doesn't it?" Twilight's attention switched from her mentor's letter to Spike and then to the book. He was spot on about the age, but it raised another question in her after her own examination of the it. "I've never seen a book like this before," Twilight commented, "I wonder why the Princess would send me something like this?" "Maybe a reading assignment or book report?" Spike suggested with a shrug of his shoulders, "although I guess the reading won't be as long this time around," noted Spike. "Could be one of those read between the lines book." "Only one way to find out!" smiled Twilight. The cover gently flew open with a portrait of two sisters standing side by sister followed.
Eastern Silver Golden Sun	pre	"Yes, she just left. Did we wake you?" she asked tenderly as she levitated a glass over to Yin for her to sip at. Leaning up slightly, Yin sipped from the proffered glass still in Celestia's telekinetic grasp. "Heard your voices, but couldn't make out words. Where am I?" She asked blearily, glancing around the room. "My room. Are you comfortable enough?" Celestia asked concernedly. Weakly collapsing back down to Celestia's bed, Yin nodded. "One thing though," she demurred, smirking slightly. "I could use a nice warm pony to curl up next to." Crooking a claw, she gestured for Celestia to lie next to her. Hesitating only slightly, Celestia removed her golden regalia and carefully settled next to Yin, who leaned back to curl into her side contentedly. "What did I miss?" she asked weakly, snuggling slightly into Celestia's flowing mane. Celestia repressed the urge to shiver in delight, Yin's fur felt luxuriously soft against her own. "We were theorizing how the taint works. Your mother suspects that Lady Himeko and the Empress have both been infected." Yin stiffened suddenly, alarming the alicorn curled around her. "Yin, are you alright?" Looking her over to make sure she wasn't hurting her somehow, Celestia almost missed the terse whisper. "She's sure? Is High Empress Hoshimi really tainted?" Her pained voice eliciting a twinge in Celestia's heart, the white alicorn brushed a hoof through silvery locks. "She is not positive, but it is most likely," Celestia offered carefully, unsure how Yin would take the idea. "W-Would it be terrible of me to hope she is?" Yin whispered, a few tears slipping down her cheeks. "I respected her so much," she quietly sobbed as a white hoof stroked her mane tenderly. "She was so kind to me. It hurts to think that her kindness was a façade. Did...did she ever really care? Or was I just an object of lust for her?" "I think she genuinely liked and respected you," Celestia assured quietly. "We theorized the taint twists and warps existing feelings into something dark. However, if we are right, it would mean she had strong feelings for you," Celestia admitted, not liking the sting it gave her to do so. "Perhaps they were buried so deep she did not realize, but they must have been there." Sighing, Yin curled up tighter. "I never really noticed, but looking back...or maybe I just didn't want to admit it to myself. She did dote on me more than anyone else in her court...it's just, she was like this idol I looked up to, you know? The sort of being you aspired to be like, knowing you would never get there. But you still tried, and when she praised you for all you hard work, it was all worth it. It's uncomfortable thinking that...well, that she wanted me that way when I just wanted her recognition and respect." Humming in understanding, Celestia draped one wing over Yin comfortingly. "We'll figure it out. But first, we need to get you all fixed up. How are you feeling?" Celestia asked. "Like I just finished one of father's famous 'ninth hell' drills with lead-cored iron weights on," Yin joked thinly, "but mostly alright. I just...feel so weak. Like I'm swimming deep underwater; everything just feels heavy." She sighed tiredly. "Even breathing is kind of hard." "Oh, Yin... I wish you hadn't tackled that tengu," Celestia murmured sadly. "I'm thankful you did, but...well, the doctor said the strain of healing those wounds has weakened your body a great deal. You have to take it easy from here on out, alright?" at her noncommittal hum, Celestia tightened her feathered grip. "I mean it. Don't leave the castle, and don't strain yourself. You run the risk of shortening what little time you have left, and we need all the time we can get to find a cure. Promise?" she pressed, her voice insistent. "I promise, Tia." Yin turned and met her gaze warmly. "I'll even let Hazuki spy on me for you, if you let me play every now and again. Deal?" Smiling, Yin cocked her head as best as she could in an effort to appear charming. "Deal," Celestia grinned. "Now get some sleep. I'm tired too, you know." Sticking out her tongue playfully, Yin settled back down and contentedly drifted off to sleep, while Princess Celestia quickly penned a letter to her daughter before joining her in slumber.
Eastern Silver Golden Sun	Guttering in the Wind	~ : --- : ~ They had all been enjoying a nice brunch together when Twilight decided to mention the letter. The Castle had been attacked, and only a swift intervention from Yinfâng had prevented Princess Celestia from being critically injured. Yin suffered a few bruises, lacerations, and one or two puncture wounds, but was otherwise uninjured. She had, of course, intentionally left out the fact that Yin was getting worse and had little time left. Needing to go to the castle to treat Yin, she explained she and Dawn had been summoned to examine the corpse of the creature that had attacked. Everyone was to look out for any creatures that seemed twisted or tainted somehow; it could be a prelude to an attack. Everypony said they'd keep a look out, and separated for the day, most having jobs to get back to. Applejack, worried for her family, decided to visit Twilight in the hopes she might have more information. When she got there, she had to wait for Twilight, who was busy packing, leaving her by herself. It was when she accidentally knocked over a few loose papers while skimming book titles that she caught sight of the letter-- and its contents. It was at that moment that Twilight and Dawn emerged from the basement, and knew the jig was up at the furious look in her eyes... ~ : --- : ~ It had been two days since Celestia had sent Twilight that letter when she finally got a reply. Twilight wrote that she, Spike, and Dawn would be arriving later that evening by train, and they had everything set to stay the next two weeks. They had warned the other Elements to keep an eye out for any corrupted creatures. Fluttershy was being especially diligent since she lived so close to the Everfree Forest and knew its denizens well. Celestia was glad they were on their way. Just last night, poor Yin had taken a turn for the worse... ~ : - : ~ She had been waiting for Yin on their balcony for over fifteen minutes now, and she was getting worried. Yin was almost as anal about punctuality as Twilight, and never missed their evening tea. It was one of the few times they got to have alone together with her busy schedule. Frowning slightly in the general direction of the sunset, she almost missed the sound of the glass doors to the balcony opening. Smiling happily, she turned to look at her beloved. What met her eyes made her gasp with fright. Yin barely stood upright, clinging weakly to the door frame in an effort to steady herself. She was shaking all over, as if she had been stuck outside in a blizzard for hours. If the weather hadn't been a pleasant seventy degrees out with a light breeze, Celestia might have thought she was suffering from hypothermia. "Tia, I...d-don't feel so great..." she stammered, before collapsing to the balcony floor, grasping her stomach and moaning pitifully. Frantically rushing over to the shivering chimera, she nuzzled her desperately for a reaction. "Yin, we need to get you in bed, you are not well at all. Come, up you get..." she tried to coax the prone chimera to her hooves, but all she got was a weak, pained mewl. Anxiously summoning Assam, she ordered the mare to fetch Dr. Mortar and to send him to her room immediately. Once the mare was gone, she teleported herself and Yin to her quarters, where she gently lay the silver-furred figure on her bed. It was a scant five minutes laden with worry later that she heard knocking on her door. Opening it, she found a frowning pony doctor on the other side. Silently she led him to her bed, where he began inspecting the shivering, unconscious chimera. He turned to Celestia with a grimace. "These are the first stages of serious withdrawal. These attacks will come in fits at first, but will last longer the further it progresses." Turning, he motioned for her to follow out of easy earshot of the Chimera. "I'm afraid there is little I can do for her at the moment. I will have to give her a smaller doses to start, as there is a high probability she will develop a resistance to it the more I give her. She will have to endure with this, for now." Turning to look at Yin sorrowfully, Celestia nodded her understanding. There were limits on how high a dose the doctor could safely give her, and Yin would have greater need later, when the symptoms worsened. "I want her under observation. Is there a room nearby where we can put her? I will assign my best nurses to attend her hourly." Shaking herself out of her reverie, Celestia nodded again more firmly and led him into the hall. There was a little sitting room she never used just down a ways; it could easily be converted into a comfortable medical observation room for Yin... ~ : - : ~ Sighing to herself, Celestia once again tried to turn her mind to the task at hoof, which was reviewing a debate over the ownership of a particular warehouse. How these things got so blown out of proportion they ended up on her desk and not a magistrate's was beyond her. Once she finished it, she was free to visit Yin for a few minutes before she had to meet her daughters. Half an hour later saw her wrapping up the document and sealing it with wax, sighing slightly with relief that her day was almost over. Placing the scroll on her 'out' pile, she left her finished paper work to be gathered by Paper File and headed toward the Royal Wing. Careful to keep a decorous pace, Celestia broke into a brisk trot once she passed the great double doors to the Royal Apartments. Stopping in front of a rather non-descript room, she tapped lightly on the door to announce her presence. "Hello Yin," she greeted the figure curled on the bed warmly. "How are you holding up?" Carefully, she fluffed pillows and blankets around the chimera while she half-heartedly huffed in annoyance. "I'm feeling much better today, Tia. The meds seem to be working alright. If my personal jailer gives the okay, can I play a bit today? Please? I'll even play during daylight, promise!" Gazing at her imploringly, Celestia considered for a bit before nodding. "Only if you get the okay from Nurse Lily," Celestia affirmed sternly. "Use of The Face is not permitted. And no whining." Giggling lightly at the slight pout on Yin's feline face, she lightly pecked her on the nose. "Twilight and Dawn are headed here today; they'll be staying for the next two weeks." groaning, the Chimera buried her face in her pillow. "Dawn's going to chew me out, isn't she?" she moaned belatedly, while Celestia chuckled ruefully. "Probably. Just take it like a mare, it'll be over before you know it," she teased lightly, grinning at Yin's comical dismay. "Twilight isn't the fussy type, is she?" Yin asked hopefully as the aforementioned nurse entered the room. "Nurse Lily, am I fit for not strenuous at all piano playing? I'll even take it slow walking there, promise." The almost blindingly white nurse with a pale blonde mane huffed. "We'll see. Sit up please. Now open up...your throat is fine, now breathe deep for me..." as she listened carefully to the breath Yin was inhaling, Celestia tried to cover her impatience. She wanted Yin there with her while she greeted her daughters, and they only had about half an hour for piano at this rate. Startled out of her reverie by a sudden bout of light coughing, Celestia whipped her head around to look at Yin worriedly. The nurse sighed as she put her stethoscope back around her neck. "Well you still have a serious shortness of breath, but if you promise to take it very easy... I suppose you can play for a little," the nurse conceded, smiling as Yin grinned at Princess Celestia excitedly. "But," she warned sternly, "At the first sign of trembling, I want her back here and lying down, understood?" Yin pouted as Celestia made her assurances before the two quit the room. "Good gods, she's such a mother hen," Yin groused as the two headed toward the balcony at a rather sedate pace. "You can't blame her Yin, she's just doing her job," Celestia soothed, smiling sadly at Yin's glum expression. "I know. And seeing as how I seem to choke on air anymore..." Yin grumbled half-heartedly under her breath as she shambled slowly down the hallway, Celestia carefully keeping pace with her. It pained her to see Yin looking so delicate and...frail. In her mind, Yin was the pinnacle of true strength; confined to a fragile mortal shell, yet she had seen her best opponents thrice her size with graceful ease! Yet underneath the stoic warrior was someone who loved flowers, and music. Perhaps that was what had drawn her toward the snow leopard in the first place. Either way, it hurt Celestia to see such a powerful soul wither away slowly like this, and worse: her helplessness to stop it. At least, just yet. She had hope Twilight and Dawn might have something for her to go on, something to work with. She settled down on a large cushion to listen to Yin play, lost in her brooding thoughts and the melody wafting in the light breeze. A mere thirty-five minutes later, Celestia shook herself out of her contemplation; Twilight and Dawn would be here any second. Murmuring to Yin that she would be right back, she gave her a light peck on the ear and teleported to the Throne Room. Smiling inwardly as her Throne guards hardly flinched, she was sitting regally by the time the herald announced the arrival of her daughters. Smiling gently, she left the dais to greet her daughters with a hug. Perhaps she should have met them elsewhere, but...oh well. The Throne Room was tradition, sort of. "Twilight, Dawn, it is wonderful to see you," she smiled happily. Motioning for them to follow her, she left the multi-hued hall via the door this time. "I am glad you are staying here, I'm afraid Yin's condition got a tad worse the other night," Princess Celestia began explaining as they traversed back to the balcony. "Pony feathers! It's not bad is it?" Twilight exclaimed worriedly, her wings twitching in agitation as Dawn frowned. "We'll explain further once we get...oh my," Princess Celestia murmured, trying to suppress a grin. The hallway was choked with ponies, all of them trying to get a glimpse of the piano playing chimera. Before when she had practiced it was early evening or midnight, there were very few ponies about then. However, the palace was thick with ponies during midday, and now it seemed all of them were gawking at her marefriend. 'Or is it lady friend?' Celestia mused. 'I suppose she's not a mare, so to speak. Meh,' she giggled at everypony's incredulous stares dotted with the occasional amazed whisper. 'I guess it's not every day they get to see a species with phalanges play the piano. It IS much more fun.' "Pardon me everypony, I would like to get through please," Princess Celestia politely announced. Contritely, the crowd began to disperse as the trio began making their way to the balcony. Once they finally entered the balcony, Yin had just wrapped up her piece. Turning to the snickering trio, she flicked her ears in annoyance. "You'd think they'd never heard a piano before," she griped with a roll of her eyes. Celestia smirked as she opened her mouth to dig playfully at Yin when she noticed the trembling. "Come on Yin, we need to get you back to the room. You're shaking," she pointed out somberly while Twilight and Dawn exchanged worried looks. With a resigned nod from Yin, Celestia teleported them all to her temporary hospital room. Yin crawled back into her bed as Nurse Lily briskly entered the room and began examining her. "You were just at your limit; take it easy and you should be okay. How do you feel?" she asked clinically, pulling out her stethoscope again. "Just tired...I'm always tired anymore." Yin mumbled, her breathing a little raspy. "Hmm...sounds like you have some liquid in your lungs. Dr. Mortar warned this might happen; seems you have a mild case of pulmonary edema. I need to clear it out, but we can't anesthetize you for the procedure, and without that you'd probably choke on the tube...hm. We'll have to try coughing; even if it hurts, maybe we can get it out that way." Nodding, Yin lay back for a minute to catch her breath. "You three best leave your Highness. It won't be pretty," Lily grimaced. Worriedly looking at Yin, Princess Celestia was about to protest when Yin stopped her. "Please, Celestia. I hate you seeing me like this," Yin sighed as she closed her eyes, her breathing getting rougher. "Please," she whispered hoarsely, sounding close to tears. Bowing her head in defeat, Celestia acquiesced. "Alright," she whispered sadly. "Follow me please, girls," she intoned, dejectedly plodding out the door. Her daughters followed with meek hoof steps, throwing the occasional glance back, but not wanting to bother their suffering friend. Just as the door clicked shut they heard wracking coughs coming from the room, quickly devolving into wet-sounding hacking. Wincing collectively, they quietly headed down the hall to Celestia's room. Once safely inside, Celestia sighed deeply in an effort to stifle her inevitable tears. "What happened? She wasn't nearly this bad earlier," Dawn started, her visage a mask of ill-concealed worry. "The wounds she incurred protecting me were too much of a strain on her already stressed body," Celestia explained slowly. "While trying to heal the physical wounds the poison was left unchecked, causing g-greater..." Choking on the tears she could no longer restrain, Celestia practically collapsed onto her bed, weeping. "It's my fault! If I had just fought back instead of panicking--" The princess fumed, stomping a hoof on her mattress furiously. "She's just so weak... I can tell how much it hurts her pride." Gently, Twilight and Dawn surrounded their mother, offering what little comfort they could. The three sat there for a moment, drawing solace from each other before Celestia finally pulled away with a shuddering breath. "Thank you girls. I really needed that. Now please, tell me you have some good news." Her magenta eyes a mix of desperation and hope as they shared a look, Twilight nodding and clearing her throat. "I think we do. We found that the toxins could be purified by emulating a spell similar to the innate magics found in kirin's horns." Twilight announced. "However," Dawn interjected before Celestia could shout with joy. "The only problem we found is that in order for the spell to work, the blood must be in physical contact with the horn. The spell is too weak otherwise." "Indeed. Increasing the power only killed off vital cells; we think the poison has simply been in her system too long," Twilight finished, sadly meeting her mother's eyes. "Can we run her blood through a magical dialysis?" Celestia questioned determinedly. The sisters exchanged another worried look. "We thought of that, but..." Twilight petered off, unable to voice the catalyst of her mother's possible heart-break. "The spell takes an hour to work without damaging any blood cells. We don't think the blood can be cycled through quickly enough for her to survive." Dawn admitted, one hoof lightly pawing the floor in suppressed irritation. "Rushing the process left too much toxic residue, and in all probability would strain her immune system too much to fight off the remains." Celestia growled in frustration. "There must be some way we can make it work!" she exclaimed as she began to pace around her room in frustration. Twilight gave a Fluttershy-worthy 'um' as Dawn nudged her with an elbow. "P-perhaps if we could get a better look at how the spell actually works...?" she suggested timidly, her mother pinning her with a slightly perplexed expression while Dawn rolled her eyes at her sister's hesitation. "We've only tested a spell similar to what we've found referenced. If we could see how the spell actually works, we might be able to make a better working version," she explained as Twilight nodded in agreement. "Maybe you can talk to the High Priestess, Lady Hazuki for us?" She suggested, raising an eyebrow inquisitively. Celestia looked at her blankly for a moment before what she was asking clicked. "You wish me to ask Lady Hazuki to show you how the innate purification magic in her horns work?" She clarified, wanting to make sure she was on the same page, so to speak, as her daughters. They nodded in unison. Princess Celestia pursed her lips in thought. "To save Yinfâng's life, I think she will accommodate you. If she asks that you swear silence on how it works after, or wants a memory modification spell performed in return, I ask that you comply. Is that alright with you two?" Nodding more enthusiastically now, her daughters agreed. Smiling as she excused herself, Princess Celestia left to request an audience with Lady Hazuki, a tiny sliver of hope growing in her chest. __ . . . . . . : * : . . . . . . __ It was just after Day Court that found Princess Celestia briskly walking down the hallway to Yin's room. Her day had been beyond frustrating so far. She'd had an early morning meeting with the Cabinet Ministers and as such was unable to take breakfast with Yin like usual, followed by court and paperwork-- which she postponed for later. She wouldn't be able to meet with Hazuki until early evening, as she was busy meeting with the ponies in charge of Foreign Affairs. Eager to see her love, and sure the poor thing was probably bored out of her mind, Celestia was rather surprised when she heard laughter and music coming from Yin's room. Slowing to a puzzled stop outside the door, she politely knocked to announce her presence. "Yinfâng, may I come in?" She asked while listening to various shuffling noises behind the door. "Certainly Princess Celestia," Yin announced as a someone opened the door for her from the inside. Entering the room, she was slightly surprised to find five Lóngren crowded around Yin's bed, all bowing politely at her entrance. Yin spoke to them in Qilinese and they all broke out of their bow, smiling welcomingly at the Princess. One in the corner with a sea-green mane and deep teal scales spoke first. "Your Highness, on behalf of the Lotus Guard we extend our deepest gratitude for helping Lady Yinfâng. She is a cherished comrade of ours." Every Lóngren in the room once again bowed their heads briefly, making Yin blush a little through the tiny smile on her face. "Tia, these are my friends and comrades-in-arms," she started, smiling as Celestia drew closer. One with a guitar in his claws struck a chord. "And her band family!" He interjected playfully, earning a few laughs from the others in the room. "That too," Yin admitted cheerfully as Celestia gave her a brief hug and sat near the bed, earning puzzled looks from the others in the room. "It's all Sheng's fault, naturally. He always dragged me along to his band sessions-- and out clubbing-- when he could get away with it. They grew on me eventually." She smirked. "Yeah, like a fungus," joked the jade-green female curled up behind Yin on the bed. Everyone including Celestia laughed at her playfully acerbic tone, breaking the ice for light conversation. "So you play in a band?" Celestia asked Sheng, who blushed bashfully at the attention from the corner he was tucked in. "Yes, erm, your Highness. When I was younger, I complained that the twins got to play an instrument and I didn't. And of course I didn't like the ones my parents picked out, and stubbornly insisted on a guitar, because it was cool." "Such an uncouth instrument for a prince," Yin joked, affecting a snooty air. "You bring shame on your family's great legacy." Sheng rolled his eyes, then with a nervous huff bowed toward Celestia again. "I, uh, I'm really sorry about my shameful behavior in the Throne Room a few days ago. Thanks for preventing me from scarring Yin's face--more than it already is," he added sourly, lightly jabbing his little sister. "I still can't believe you let a Shisa get a swipe at you," he complained, earning good-natured eye rolls all around. Yin huffed at him in annoyance. "I told you, I still wasn't used to my new limbs. You try going from claws to hooves and see how well you dodge on slippery stone," Yin groused as Celestia chuckled. "Besides, I think it makes me look badass. Scars are in, I'll have you know." The jade dragon hummed teasing agreement, circling Yin closer. "Yeah, sexy badass scars," she purred, tweaking Yin's earrings. "Now you'll finally find the girl of your dreams. All it took was you nearly losing an eye. Hey Po!" She called over to the teal Lóngren. "You're still single yeah? I have the solution to your bachelor issues," she joked, flexing a claw and earning a playful elbow jab from Yin and scoffs from the rest. "Don't be so quick to judge Yin, she does have a point," Celestia teased, "You did manage to snag somepony's attention." Her suggestive smile was lost amongst wide eyes and incredulous gasps from the rest. "Yin, are you...dating someone?" a light blue dragon accused as Sheng glared at him from across the room. "Don't be silly Fai. Yin's not dating anyone, right?" He grinned nervously as he turned to pin his sister with a desperate stare. His expression grew alarmed when Yin avoided his gaze and remained silent, amongst the whistling from his peers. "Aw, is big bro jealous?" the female harassed teasingly while Yin and Celestia exchanged a brief glance. "Shut up Yue, I am not!" Sheng blustered while his friends grinned at his discomfort. He was often teased for having a 'little sister complex'. "I just...didn't think anyone would catch her eye, is all! I mean, any little sister of mine must have very high standards!" Celestia giggled demurely from her seat next to Yin. Yin was at just the right height for her to wrap a friendly foreleg around her shoulders. "She does have very high standards, doesn't she?" Celestia sighed. "Fortunately, princesses are considered quite the catch these days. Though I must say, I think I got the better end of the deal," Grinning mischievously, she drew Yin in for a chaste kiss with her other hoof while the rest just stared incredulously as Yin happily returned it. Sheng choked on his slightly affronted sense of propriety while the males hooted and whistled at the two lovers. Yue and one other dark blue dragon shook their heads at the crass display, though they sported small grins on their faces. "How in the nine hells did you manage to snag a near-immortal sun princess?!" a burnt orange joshed, impressed despite himself. "My incredible charm and wit," Yin patronized smugly, rather looking like a cat with a huge bowl of pilfered cream. "Though really, that dashing scar clinched the deal for me," Celestia confided with a peck on Yin's cheek as the others laughed along. "Seriously?" Sheng blurted, still reeling from the shock. "Since when?" "Oh, since about eighty or so years ago," Celestia confessed. "We had that unfortunate break in between then and now, but we're going to give it another go." She smiled warmly at Yin, who returned it with one of her own. It was, unfortunately, just at that moment that there was a commotion at the door as somepony barged in rather rudely without knocking. Applejack stood in the doorway, looking rather like an angry blonde rockslide with the remaining elements just behind her. Too upset to acknowledge anyone else in the now very crowded room, her eyes locked on Yin and narrowed dangerously. "What's this Ah hear 'bout you dyin' now, Sugarcube?" She asked her syrupy sweet tone of voice doing nothing to hide the steel edge underneath. Yin gulped in the brief silence, before draconic voices erupted in incredulous surprise. The cat was out of the bag, so to speak. Next to her, Princess Celestia sighed and thunked her face with one gold-shod hoof in frustration. They needed this unfolding drama like another parasprite infestation. Between rumbling Lóngren voices demanding to know what the orange mare was talking about, and the Element bearers trying to get their two bits in, the room got very loud very quickly. "If everyone could please just calm down-" Celestia tried to project over all the shouting, but her voice was drowned out by the tumult of yelling. Growling in frustration as her polite attempts utterly failed, she was about to use the Royal Canterlot Voice when Yin saved her the trouble in the form of a hacking cough that brought everyone to an absolute standstill. " 'M okay," she wheezed, before doubling over into another bout of coughs and clutching her middle with a weak groan. Glaring around the room, Celestia rushed them out with a couple sweeps of her wings, everyone looking very contrite as they meekly filed out the door. Nurse Lily, who had been standing just outside the door, gave her a grateful look before hustling into the room and closing the door with a firm click. Rounding on everyone furiously, Celestia cut off Applejack before she could speak. "You are all aware that Yinfâng is ill! Your behavior in there was reprehensible, and I will not tolerate a repeat." She turned her glare to every gaze in the room, mulish expressions turning cowed under her ire. "Now, as I'm sure you all have questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability. However, there are certain details you need not concern yourself with, so anything I do not share will remain unanswered," Princess Celestia started, before Prince Sheng politely cleared his throat. "Our apologies your Highness, for our rudeness. Yinfâng needs her rest, so we will retire to our quarters for the night, where I will field my subordinate's questions myself." At her nod of assent his entourage bowed and left, leaving Sheng standing alone as he pinned her with a pleading expression. "Please, take care of my little sister." As the ponies gaped in bewilderment, Celestia nodded firmly before turning with a disapproving glance at her ponies. To their credit, they all looked properly chastised; especially Applejack, who winced as a muffled bout of hacking filtered through the door. Suppressing a wince herself, Celestia motioned for them to join her a little further from the door into a small alcove with a large view of the night sky. Admiring her sister's work for a moment, Celestia spoke. "My little ponies, I know you are all concerned for Yin, and I appreciate the sentiment. However, there are reasons we did not share this information with you, and I would appreciate it if you kept this quiet." She turned to look at the group of mares huddled together uncertainly when Applejack spoke up. "Ah only caught a glimpse 'o that letter when it fell Princess. Please, won't ya tell us what's wrong with Yin?" Her pleading expression matching everyone else's softened Celestia's gaze. "Yin was forced into taking a drug while under the Empress' control for eighty long years, which has accumulated enough to become fatal. I cannot say any more than that, it is not my place." Princess Celestia averted her gaze, but everypony could see the pain in her eyes. "That's what Twilight and Dawn were working on, wasn't it?" Rainbow asked quietly. "They were trying to find a cure." Celestia nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, and we have high hopes yet. However, she is in a delicate state right now, since the withdrawal symptoms have started asserting themselves." She turned back to the window in agitation. "They are only coming in fits at the moment, but soon she will be in constant agony. I would have sent for you in a few days, but...what's done is done. It is best to visit her now while she is still coherent, but please do all you can to avoid exciting her too much." Hesitantly, Fluttershy spoke up. "Isn't there some medicine you can give her? Painkillers, or herbal remedies?" she asked quietly. "We are trying to hold out on that while we can. Her kirin part makes her very resilient to both poisons and medicines, thus she will grow immune after too many dosages." The Princess explained while Rarity piped up. "Then why didn't she develop immunity to the drug?" Rarity inquired, her refined voice laced with confusion. "Because the drug used was so highly toxic to her leopard part," Celestia clarified. "If it weren't for her kirin half, she probably would have died minutes after eating the first bloom." Several muffled gasps echoed behind her. "And unfortunately, the same drug is highly addictive to her dragon half. That, more than anything, is what's k-killing her right now." Celestia could not disguise the anguish in her voice as it cracked with barely repressed emotion. "If you would like to stay, I will have some rooms set up for you. I have some business to attend to, so if you will excuse me..." With that, Princess Celestia smiled tightly at the mares before leaving for Hazuki's rooms. She had a very important question to ask. __ . . . :: . . . __ Resolutely she approached Lady Hazuki's door, hopeful determination writ on her face. Tapping against the door politely, she announced herself. "Lady Hazuki? I wish to speak with you privately, may I enter?" she called, trying to maintain a calm façade. "Certainly, Princess Celestia, Please come in," the kirin's soft voice announced. Pushing the door open with one gold-shod hoof, Celestia entered the darkened room. She found Hazuki huddled on the floor in front of a smoldering fireplace, the logs long since turned to glowing coals. Carefully, Celestia lay near her friend in a silent bid for comfort. "How is she?" Hazuki murmured, her voice hoarse from crying. Celestia had to repress a nicker of sympathy; the meeting must have brought up some painful memories. "I haven't really been to visit since the attack, I-I couldn't stand to see her suffering..." she muffled a sob as Celestia wrapped one white-plumed wing around her friend's withers comfortingly. "I don't blame you. It kills me a little inside every time, and she's...she's slowly getting worse," Celestia grimaced. "The withdrawal symptoms are finally starting to kick in. You should go visit her, I know she would like to see you." "Perhaps," Hazuki mumbled, uncertainty lingering in the silence that stretched between them. "I just, feel so awkward around her family," she admitted. "After all, I'm the sister of her rapist and attempted murderess. I can hardly stand to look Li in the face," she whimpered as she bowed her head in shame. "Oh Hazuki, it's not your fault," Celestia soothed. "You weren't even there, and when you came back, you did your best to get her out." The Princess nuzzled her friend with gentle affection. The sat there in companionable silence until Hazuki spoke up again. "How did you two get so close?" she asked curiously, but with some hesitation. She didn't want to nose into anything too personal. She had been gone for two years already when Celestia visited, and never got to see them interact back then. Celestia chuckled fondly at the memory. "I had just arrived at Thousand Cranes Palace to meet with Hoshimi. It had been two hundred years since our last meeting, you may remember, and I wanted to update our alliance... as you know though, my timing could have been better." Hazuki snorted, knowing what Celestia was referring to. "I had been trying to get that stubborn kit to open up to me for a week when we were attacked. My wing had been injured and we fell off the cliff by the main gardens...I guess we bonded then, and slowly grew closer over the next two years." The sun princess sighed, and Hazuki was unable to interpret the expression on her face. It was a strange mixture of exasperation, happiness, and longing. "I guess I just found something in her that completed me," She finished lamely, unable to fully express that wonderful fluttering wholeness she felt around Yin. Hazuki smiled happily at her, glad her two good friends had found happiness in each other. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Hazuki finally pulled herself together enough and looked at Celestia curiously. "So, to what do I owe this surprise visit?" She asked with a warm smile, glad nonetheless for the alicorn's company. Celestia returned it with only the slightest trepidation; after all, this was a rather delicate question she was about to ask. However, Yin was completely worth it she sanctioned, steel in her eyes. "I have some good news," she started, a genuine smile on her face. "My daughters have found the key to a cure for Yin--" She was abruptly cut off by a squealing kirin, who had promptly latched her forelegs in a vise grip around Celestia's neck. "Oh, I knew you could do it!" Hazuki crowed, newly shed tears of hope streaming down her face. "Whatever you need, just name it," she vowed, bringing a rather embarrassed look to the Princess' face. "That was rather why I'd come this evening," she hedged, averting her gaze from Hazuki's earnest yet puzzled face. "However... My request is a little, ehm..." she trailed off, unsure how to word this request. "Oh, just spit it out," Hazuki admonished with a quirk of her lips. "You won't offend me if it will truly save Yin's life, I promise." Calming her nerves, Celestia met Hazuki's gaze with determination. "I need the secret to the innate purification spells in your horns," she requested as neutrally as she could, gauging the kirin's reaction. A cacophony of emotions flitted across the pale green mare's face; from surprise to anger, then indignation to contemplation, to finally rest upon a slightly rueful determination. "I wish I had thought of that before, though I doubt I could have made it work." She huffed disdainfully. "Unless of course Yin can survive with her entire blood supply in a large bowl while I purified it," she mused while Celestia pinned her with an unamused stare. Hazuki sat in introspective silence, while the Sun princess did her best not to fidget like a filly in an itchy dress. Finally, Hazuki met her gaze once again. "There is no real spell, as it is intrinsically woven into the bone matter of a kirin's horn; horns, in my case. Nonetheless, I think I may be able to teach you how to imitate it," She conceded, grinning a little at the infectiously hopeful smile on Celestia's face. "However, I ask that you tell no one I have taught you this, and that you must never teach it to another. Not even your daughter," she stressed, her face an implacable mask of seriousness. "I could get in a great deal of trouble if the Council finds out I have taught this to and outsider, and one who is not a kirin no less." Nodding in grave understanding, Celestia bowed her head. "I swear upon Faust and the Great Creator that I will not tell anyone of this, or reveal the secret to anyone," the Sun Princess pledged solemnly, meeting Hazuki's gaze with her own as the subtle tingle of a Geas settled over the two. Nodding in acceptance Hazuki rose to her hooves, looking forlornly at her door. "Before we get down to business, I think...I would like to visit Yin." She murmured, to which Celestia hummed in sympathetic understanding. Due to all of the necessary trips to Lóngzhùzhái to visit the Great Dragon Temple, the kirin had been an aunt of a sort to the Lóngren Royal Family. Seeing Yin like this must be very hard for her. "I shall accompany you to Yin's door," Celestia offered, wanting to be close to her beloved but not wanting to intrude upon their privacy. The two made their way down the hall to Yin's room with a purposeful step in their gait. Though she was sorely tempted to curl up next to Yin, she waited outside in the hall to allow the two to talk alone. It was a good twenty minutes later that Hazuki emerged from Yin's room, gently closing the door behind her. "She is sleeping now," she informed Celestia. "I think it is best that we let her rest." Nodding in agreement, the two quietly made their way back to Hazuki's chambers, Celestia politely ignoring the dried tear tracks on Hazuki's face even as her curiosity burned. She had more important things to worry about. Tomorrow was a new day, and she couldn't wait to raise the sun. < - - - - - - > "Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia ,Monarch of Equestria and Guardian of the Sun!" Her vanguard cried as she landed in her chariot upon the wide, sturdy balcony entering into the main Throne Room of the Court of Empress Hoshimi. Dismounting, she gracefully approached the Empress, resplendent in her natural flame tinted fur. She was adorned only in the phoenix-feathered headdress and stiffened collar that was the emblem of her Legislative position in the Triarchy. Her cloven hooves were sheathed in stiffened silk boots with golden brocade, softening her hoofsteps to a quiet susurration. Standing before each other with a single guard on their right, they bowed politely and smiled before greeting. "Your Majesty, it is wonderful to see you again," Princess Celestia voiced warmly as Hoshimi grinned back, her eyes crinkling in delight. "And you as well Princess Celestia. It has been far too long since your last visit. Some two hundred years, I believe." Her expression suddenly turned serious, as she motioned for Celestia to follow her. Slowly they walked side by side, approaching a garden just on the opposite side of the hall from the Throne Room. Entering it, Empress Hoshimi bade her guard wait at the entrance and Celestia followed suit as they both strolled through the well-manicured trees. At Celestia's questioning look, the Empress sighed tiredly. "I am afraid your timing could have been better. We are still recovering from a terrible war, and surprise attacks are not yet unheard of," Hoshimi stated grimly. "The daemons broke through the barrier at the foot of the Mountain of the Gods. We repelled them, but Hazuki is there now to renew the wards. She will be absent from our discussions, her task is one that may take a few decades." Celestia nodded slowly in grim understanding. She herself had no immediate impending enemies looming in her horizon, the spells on the Gate of Tartarus and Discord's stone prison were running strong. Her beloved Equestria had experienced peace for nearly one thousand years, but her neighbors had not been so lucky. "I know you have competent guards, but I'm afraid none of them have combat experience against demons; especially these ones. You have not seen such monstrosities as these," she whispered, horror etching her voice. Shaking herself from her reverie, Hoshimi once again met Celestia's gaze. "That is why I am assigning you a personal guard during your stay here, one who fought in the war. She hails from Lóngzhùzhái itself." "She?" Celestia interrupted in surprise. Female guards were rather rare in Equestria at the moment, it being fashionable for stallions to be career guardponies this century. Though Ryujin were arguably one of the strongest races she knew of. Empress Hoshimi grinned in amusement. "Oh yes. She has a great deal of combat experience against even the strongest daemons, and is one of the best warriors I have yet had the privilege of working with. Yin, Attend," she called officiously, to which Celestia was startled to see a creature appear before her in the blink of an eye. "You flatter me, Your Majesty," a husky voice murmured, as one of the most beautiful creatures Celestia had ever seen bowed before them. She was feline, with a stunning silvery-grey coat dotted with black rosettes; certainly not the dragon Celestia had been expecting. She wore an ornate chest-plate and helm that framed her face and black-tipped ears very fetchingly, a matching pair of leg guards encircling her fore and hind legs just above her paws. A single plumed phoenix feather adorned her helm, denoting her as being directly under the Empress' command. Her chestplate was even emblazoned with the Empress' Cutie mark, a taiji surrounded by the Eight Triagrams. When she finally straightened and met their gazes, Celestia was awed by the pale shade of almost jade green that met her own magenta orbs. The snow leopard--for that's what she was--smiled shyly then bowed before her again, briefly this time. "It is a pleasure to meet you Your Highness. My name is Yinfâng, and I will be your body guard and guide during your stay here." Celestia smiled warmly, rather pleased she did not have to look down too far to meet her gaze. "The pleasure is all mine, Yinfâng. I look forward to working with you." Yin smiled politely once more, then turned and bowed to the Empress. "I will Shadow you while you conduct your business, Majesty. Once the day is done I shall escort the Princess to her quarters." She stated as she straightened once more. The Empress nodded regally. "Yin, you may use my name freely when in Princess Celestia's presence," she admonished lightly with a small smile on her face, the aforementioned raising an eyebrow at the breach in etiquette. Hoshimi was usually so...stuffy. Yinfâng scrunched her nose, giving her face a rather kittenish look that Celestia found adorable. "As you say, Hoshimi-sama," she acquiesced. "Though I really shouldn't act so familiar with Your Most Radiant Holiness. What will the Nobility think if they overhear?" Yin grinned to show she was only jesting, earning a light titter from Hoshimi. "Well, Princess Celestia will keep our little secret, won't you?" she asked coyly, to which Celestia met with an equally coquettish smile. "Oh certainly, Your Majesty. My lips are sealed." Grinning, she turned her gaze to Yinfâng with a subtle wink, which the feline answered with a bashful smile. And was that a... blush? How cute! Ducking her head nervously, Yin bowed once again. "With your leave, Majesty; Highness," she mumbled, before vanishing once again. Celestia turned to face her friend. "She's rather shy for an almighty warrior, isn't she?" she asked as they made their way back to the Palace proper. Hoshimi grinned wryly as a hibiscus bloom suddenly floated down onto Celestia's nose. Celestia looked up in confusion; there weren't any hibiscus plants above her, or even near her. "She can hear you, you know," the Empress grinned as Celestia removed the flower with her magic. "Besides, snow leopards are reclusive by nature." "Oh indeed," Celestia humphed lightly, eyeing the bloom before delicately beginning to munch on it. "At least she had good taste in flowers."
Eastern Silver Golden Sun	Memories	Celestia smiled to herself as she slowly woke from her dream. She could feel a distant tug in her magic, but had woken somewhat earlier than normal, and had a good ten minutes before she had to raise the sun. Her dream last night had been a pleasant one, of her first meeting with Yinfâng. The princess rolled over, luxuriating in a few precious moments in bed. The dream still lingered, bringing other memories drifting through her sleep-fogged mind... ~ : --- : ~ They had just exited a very long summit meeting, and Celestia was tired, a tad sore, and famished. Why couldn't they pad those chairs a bit better? After an hour or five, they got a little uncomfortable. Yin sidled up next to her, offering a thinly veiled look of sympathy. "Oh Yin, there you are," the princess smiled. "How are you feeling? You sat there like a statue for the whole thing." Celestia had shot her subtle glances throughout, hoping her quick eye rolls and other minor antics might elicit a reaction. All she got was stony silence, and a tiny ear-twitch or two. Though she could have sworn the stoic feline had smirked at a particularly acerbic retort Celestia had muttered under her breath. The Noble talking at the time had been particularly full of himself, and had one of the dullest voices she'd ever heard. "Quite fine, your Highness. I'm used to it. Is there anything I can get for you? I know those chairs can be rather uncomfortable after a few hours." Celestia hummed to herself. "How about a bite to eat, for starters?" She suggested, grinning when the feline's stomach rumbled at the mention of food. "I insist you dine with me." Yin spluttered, shaking her head in denial, offering weak excuses until Celestia interrupted her. "Come now, I promise I don't bite. And this way, you can ensure my food is untouched, yes?" The leopard hesitated, but when her stomach rumbled again, she bowed her head in defeat. "Shall we head to the Dining Hall then, your Highness?" She asked, pausing on her way there when Celestia shook her head. "I'd like to eat someplace a bit more...private, if possible," she asked, voice hesitant. She didn't want to overstep her boundaries as a visiting dignitary, but she'd had plenty of loud talking today and wanted a bit of quiet. Yin gave her an appraising look. "I think I know a place. Right this way, we'll stop by the kitchens on the way there." Yin suggested, gesturing politely for Celestia to follow her. "I know it may not be what you're used to, but..." Celestia managed to eke out a bit of small talk as Yin led them to the kitchens, where she motioned for Celestia to wait for a moment while she slinked through the double doors hidden inconspicuously down an adjacent hallway. Reappearing a few moments later grasping a parcel wrapped in a brightly colored cloth, she furtively looked down the hallway and motioned for Celestia to follow her. Stepping quickly, Celestia followed the leopard enthusiastically, feeling like a filly again as they snuck off to eat potentially ill-gotten foodstuffs. Rounding a corner sharply, Yin snuck through a tiny hidden doorway that Celestia would never have noticed if Yin hadn't shown her where it was. Glancing about the hallway to make sure no one saw her, Celestia quickly slipped through the door to find herself in a tiny courtyard. It was very serene, with well-trimmed flora abound and a small burbling brook feeding into an equally small pond in one shaded corner occupied by a very large weeping willow. Seeing Yin sitting on a small patch of grass, she made her way through the winding pathway to join her on a rectangle of cloth she recognized as the parcel's wrapping. Spread out before her were several square dishes filled with rows of small white cylinders of rice, each filled in the middle with an assortment of vegetables. "What a lovely garden," Celestia commented, glancing around her at the well-kept grounds. "I never would have known this was here, if you hadn't taken me here." She smiled, meeting Yin's expression evenly with gratitude as she smiled back. "Most don't know it even exists," Yin admitted as she pulled out a small dish and filled it with a dark liquid. "When viewed from above it just seems to be one big tree, and others prefer the grander gardens over this rather humble one. I find it very tranquil here though, and often come here to meditate." She explained, scooping out a tiny portion of a green paste and mixing it into the dark liquid with a pair of sticks. "Here, have you ever used chopsticks before?" she asked, proffering a matching pair of sticks to the princess. "I must confess, I have not," Celestia stated, taking hold of them in her magic and watching with interest as Yin grasped them delicately in her paw like a pair of pincers. Watching her for a moment, Celestia quickly got the idea and only slightly clumsily clasped one of the rolls and brought it to her mouth. "Oh!" She exclaimed as she chewed on her morsel. "This is quite good! What is it, exactly?" She asked, taking another roll. "They're commonly called Kappa maki. They're a mix of vegetables, usually including cucumbers rolled in sushi nori and jasmine rice. They're also commonly made with crab, but I wasn't sure if you partook of shellfish, so..." Yin trailed off sheepishly, making Celestia grin reassuringly. "That's alright; I can't say I've ever had any. Shellfish are not a common food in Equestria, as I'm sure you know. However, I'm not opposed to trying it sometime," she offered, eyeing the sauce. "So what's in that?" she asked, nodding to the dark sauce. "Oh, this is soy sauce with a bit of wasabi mixed in..." Yin began explaining cheerfully, as the two slowly whiled away the remaining hours with talk and laughter. Ending the day with the setting of the sun, Yin once again escorted Princess Celestia to her room and bade her goodnight. ~ : --- : ~ As she finally dragged herself out of bed and stepped out onto her balcony, she saw the edge of Selene slip beneath the horizon cradled in her sister's magic. She waited until Luna had properly settled the stars, leaving the land bathed in an absolute darkness as her horn glowed golden. Raising her beloved Sol from its slumber, she watched as the land was slowly bathed in shining rays of warmth. She ambled back inside to her desk, where she found a scroll tied with an orange ribbon: the color code for 'important, read as soon as possible'. Opening the scroll, she noted it was from the head scientist at the castle labs. Apparently they hadn't gotten very far in the autopsy before the corpse began to deteriorate, slowly collapsing into ashes. They were running the remains through some tests, but had nothing conclusive to offer on either the species or its magical signature. Disappointed, Celestia tossed the scroll back on her desk with a frustrated sigh. Yin was not going to be happy about the news. Speaking of Yin, she perked with a grin; it was time for breakfast, and she wanted to surprise her beloved with breakfast herself this morning. Perhaps even join her! As she ran a brush through her mane and exited her chambers, her thoughts drifted back to the attack of the mysterious beast. How the tips of its feathers seemed to trail a thin smoke, and its eyes glowed like malevolent embers... She shuddered, reminded of another enemy with similarities, though ten times worse... ~ : --- : ~ Yin had received news her family had arrived at the palace, and her sisters had requested they meet up in the main gardens. Unable to leave Celestia, the leopard turned to Celestia with hopeful eyes. "Would you like to meet my sisters?" Yin asked, melting Celestia's heart with the kitten-ish look she was being assaulted with. What else could she do, but nod happily and hum in response. As she followed Yin down the hallway from the palace dojo to the main gardens, she couldn't help but watch as Yin sauntered down the hallway. There was just something hypnotizing about the way she walked... As they entered the garden, Celestia was shaken out of her stupor when Yin called out for her sisters. "Lien-Hua! Bao-Yu, where are you?" She shouted joyfully as she glanced around the garden. Celestia quested around herself as well, trying to catch a glimpse of a dragon or two. She never even noticed the tension in the atmosphere until Yin abruptly appeared next to her, hackles up. "Princess, please get back inside," she growled, startling the princess with her deep tone. "Something feels wrong-" A terrible cacophony suddenly split the air, making Celestia jump and Yin crouch in a protective stance in front of her. Even though Princess Celestia's Royal Guards and the Imperial Guards were never too far away, they were unable to breach the ring of daemons that had unexpectedly appeared in the gardens. Celestia froze in horror, her mind violently trying to deny the existence of the creatures in front of her. They all seemed comprised of burning ash and shadow, strange mixtures of creatures that were grotesque and misshapen. Their eyes were only empty pits of a malignant flame, freezing her with dread. The next few moments seemed to happen in a blur. The three creatures poised to strike her from the right collapsed with torn throats, as the ones to her left were smashed into the stonework of the pathway, their skulls crunching audibly. Yin appeared before her again, splattered with a lightly smoking dark ichor that stank slightly of sulfur and iron. Before she could regroup, several more emerged from shadowy tears that materialized in the air. Growling menacingly at their attackers, Yin struck down the one or two that rushed them, yet they were slowly but surely being pressed back toward the low wall of the garden hanging over a steep cliff. Screaming abruptly, Celestia flared her wings and reared in an attempt to throw off the creature that was suddenly knawing on her left wing joint as sharp razors dug into her withers. Roaring, Yin spun around and took the creature by the throat, snapping its neck in one fluid motion. They were beginning to swarm in the air behind them. Eyes not leaving the hoard in front of them, Yin growled quietly back to her. "They are weak to any form of Light Magic. One solid hit should destroy them, but whatever you do, don't let them touch your horn. Something in their skin deadens the horn and disrupts casting." Nodding resolutely, Celestia's horn began glowing with a golden energy as she started blasting daemons left and right, while Yin kept any from getting too close to touch her. Just as the Princess was beginning to believe they were making headway, Yin yelped in pain. Celestia spun to see a daemon that had Yin pinned on her back by the throat suddenly get his belly torn out by her hind claws. Looking to Yin to make sure she was alright, Celestia was about to sigh in relief when she saw Yin's eyes widen in alarm. She whirled to attack, but was too slow as she felt icy-cold talons grip her horn like a vice. Screaming in rage, she kicked the thing off her viciously with her fore-hooves, shattering the thing's ribs like porcelain. She tried to blast another one hurtling itself at her, but her horn felt numb and only sputtered a few sparks. Alarmed, she reared and lashed at it with her hooves, but it ducked underneath and threw her onto her back. Uninjured wing flaring, she whinnied in fear as the thing lowered its jaws to rip her throat out, when suddenly it wasn't there anymore. With the weight pinning her down gone she struggled to her hooves, Yin appearing before her once again, scratched but otherwise unharmed. "Are you alright, Princess?" Yin solicited tightly, as she struck down yet another attacker. "I'm fine Yin, nothing a good night's rest won't fix up," Celestia assured her. Even now the small scratches she's received were sealing over. Her wing wouldn't bear any weight in flight, but she could open and close it, at least. "How is it that you're not even breathing hard?" Celestia complained with a teasing manner, trying to brighten the dire situation a little. Yin grinned sardonically as she spared a brief glance backwards to her charge. "You think this is bad, you should hav--watch out!" She yelled, tackling Celestia so powerfully she knocked the wind out of the solar princess. The next thing she knew, there was a giant fireball screaming above her head, striking the pathway where she had just been standing. The concussive blast from the impact destroyed the ledge in which the edge of the garden stood, and suddenly she was falling. Instinctively, she tried to brace herself with her wings, but her injured wing simply folded in on itself. Casting about her wildly, she caught a glimpse of Yin flailing just to her right and about sixty hooves above her. "Yin!!" She screamed desperately, trying vainly once again to fly. She might survive the impact, but Yin surely wouldn't! She caught sight of Yin once again, and this time their gazes locked. She watched, amazed, as Yin turned herself around in mid-air and, bracing herself off a large piece of debris, launched herself downward toward Celestia. Suddenly finding herself nearly nose-to-nose with the leopard, Celestia reeled her head back in surprise as Yin grinned at her teasingly. "Do you think you can maneuver yourself onto my back?" She yelled over the sound of rushing wind. Quickly, Celestia edged herself over with her one good wing, clinging tightly to Yin's muscular neck with her forelegs. "Alright, now tuck your legs and wings in and don't let go!!" Clinging tightly to her friend, Celestia clenched her eyes shut as Yin precariously leapt from one large chunk of rock to another, until she found one consisting mostly of a large paving stone. Digging her claws into the stone as best as she could, Yin carefully balanced herself until they were mostly level with the approaching mountain-side. "Brace yourself!" She screamed, as Celestia's world jolted and shuddered with impact. Careening down the mountain, Celestia clutched Yin tighter with every lurch and scrape as Yin rode the rock they stood on down the cliff to a grinding halt. When Celestia dared crack her eyes open again, she found herself clinging desperately to Yinfâng, who stood solidly atop the paving stone, the rock beneath it worn away by the mountainside during their ride down. Stepping nimbly, Yin jumped down from the rock onto more solid ground, Celestia still tightly hugging her as if afraid to let go. "You can let go now, Princess," Yin advised, rather amused despite the circumstances. She and the Princess may have been the same length in the torso, but the alicorn had much longer legs than hers. She looked a little silly clinging to someone whose shoulders barely reached above the tip of her barrel. "Can't I just stay right here?" Celestia joked thinly, half from nerves and half because the leopard felt sinfully delicious beneath her. Despite her luxuriously plush fur, the mare shuddered in delight at the feel of liquid-steel muscles underneath. "Don't be foalish, the ground won't bite you and you stand taller than me," Yin reprimanded her, Celestia struck momentarily speechless by the novelty of someone actually lecturing her. Chastised, Celestia gingerly left the silvery cushion of Yin's back for the earth below. "How...did you do that?" Celestia asked her in amazement, as she looked back up the cliff side they had just surfed down. It must have been at least 500 paces high! "Cats always land on their paws," Yin smugly returned, even as she scanned their surroundings. Celestia took a moment to look around her, finding herself on a rather wide partial plateau that remained level for maybe thirty paces in a rough semi-circle before dropping off again. Trying her horn again, she still felt only numbness where there should have been a gentle pulsing, like her heartbeat. It was very disconcerting. "I still can't use my magic, and I will have to set the sun soon," she fretted as Yin turned to examine her horn. Sitting so Yin could have better access, Celestia flushed profusely at the close proximity of Yin's face, marveling at the tiny flecks of pale gold visible in those jade orbs. Suddenly she was looking straight into those eyes, and she felt as though she were drowning in a sea of vibrant green. Yin looked stricken as a hint of red slowly seeped over her cheeks, clearing her throat awkwardly. The spell broken, Celestia smiled thinly and broke eye contact, glancing somewhere off to her upper right while Yin stared shyly to her lower right. "I think...if you give it an hour or so, you might manage one spell," she mumbled bashfully, tail twitching in agitation. "However, that will aggravate your horn, so you'll have to let it rest for the rest of the night." Celestia hummed noncommittally in response, still reeling from the shock of her emotions. 'What is this I'm feeling?' she speculated nervously to herself. 'She makes me feel so...different.' She glanced reticently over at the leopard again, marveling in the play of muscles beneath that beautiful coat as she quickly scaled a scraggly but tall tree to get a better view of their surroundings. "Looks like we got lucky," she yelled down from her precarious perch. "Most of the rest of the debris fell down the other side of the mountain!" hopping adroitly down the thicker branches, she landed lightly in front of the Princess. "There looks to be a shallow hollow in the cliff face a little ways in that way," she gestured toward the far left corner of their little shelf. "It's probably no more than maybe ten to fourteen hooves deep, but it should do in a pinch," She described, hopping over the few boulders that had tumbled with them as Celestia tried to keep up. The second she put too much weight on her left hock though, she knew she wouldn't be able to climb over them. "What is the matter, Princess?" Yin asked as she bounded back to her, concern in her eyes. "Oh it's nothing serious," Celestia feigned lightly, wincing. "I just...may have sprained it a tad, is all," she smiled tightly, waving her injured hock gently for emphasis. Sympathy and exasperation shone equally in Yin's eyes as she rolled them lightly before turning around with a sigh. "Alright, get on," she grumbled as she flicked her tail to her back, Celestia grinning happily as she clambered onto the shorter leopard's back. Tucking her hind legs in, she cheerfully hugged Yin around the neck again, ignoring the leopardess' complaints. "I hope you know we look ridiculous like this," she grumbled while deftly hopping boulders. "And your mane is getting in my face." Celestia giggled when Yin blew at her multi-hued mane in irritation, only hugging her tighter as she began descending the other side of the rubble. When they reached the small cavity in the rock face, Celestia reluctantly got off Yin's back without any prompting this time, Yin ducking inside quickly to make sure there weren't any animals denning in it. Given the all clear, Celestia limped carefully inside, finding a good portion of it covered in a thick blanket of moss. The two working quickly, Yin gathered a descent pile of dead branches while Celestia swept out the worst of the dirt from the cave with broken pine branches. Carefully stockpiling their firewood in a crevasse near the back of the cave, Yin started a fire with a few pieces of sparkstone she found amongst the rubble, blowing gently on the tinder while Celestia carefully tested her horn. Finding enough sensation in her horn for one spell, she quickly lowered the sun and raised the moon, fighting to maintain the spell through a sudden haze of pain, like pins and needles in a limb that had long gone numb. Resting lightly while the headache subsided, she glanced over at Yin and smiled reassuringly at the pensive frown on the feline's face. "I'm alright," she assured as she rubbed her horn with a wince. "But you were right; I'm tapped out at the moment. We'll have to wait for a few hours while I rest and recover." Nodding in affirmation, Yin excused herself for a moment and stepped out of the cave, Celestia's gaze trailing her wistfully as she silently padded into the night. ~ : --- : ~ After that fateful night, she and Yin had grown closer as friends, and a year later had seen a nerve-wrecked sun princess confess her burgeoning feelings to a shocked snow leopard. A faint smile tweaked Celestia's lips as she ambled down the hall toward the kitchens, still lost in reverie. Incapable of avoiding her, Yin had grown stiff and painfully professional around the alicorn. Unable to stomach the loneliness, Celestia had broken down and escaped to the city at the foot of the palace. They had shared a rather emotional night after a panicked Yin had found her and admitted to returning the mare's affections...and the fears holding her back. The next few weeks were rocky, but unwilling to deny their feelings any longer they quietly agreed to clandestine meetings away from prying eyes. Celestia would sneak out of her chambers at night, and meet Yin in their garden disguised as the pegasus Solar Flair. Walking back to Yin's room with a tray in her magical grip, she bumped into her daughters and their friends in the hallway. "Why, good morning, girls," she smiled at them cheerfully. "What are you doing up so early?" "We thought we'd visit Yin, and see if you were able to talk to Lady Hazuki." Twilight explained, the others nodding along and cracking yawns. "I did, as a matter of fact." Celetia's face positively beamed. "However, her terms were such that I cannot share her knowledge with you. I will have to take it from here." At the disappointment on Twilight's face, she chuckled lightly and gave her a nuzzle. "I know you wanted to finish what you started, Twilight. But it is thanks to your and Dawn's efforts that I have something to even work with. I couldn't have done it without you two." Twilight perked up at the praise, a satisfied smile growing on her face. As the group reached Yin's door, Celestia politely tapped to announce her presence. "Good morning, Yin! I brought...you..." the cheer in the Princess' voice died as she took in the scene before her. The sheets on the bed were a crumpled, blood speckled mess, trailing off the bed to a collapsed heap of fur on the floor. The sudden sound of shattering plates interrupted the shocked silence. "YIN!" Celestia scrambled toward the fallen chimera, gently turning her over to check for a pulse. Her efforts were met with a weak groan, her love trying to remain curled in on herself. "Yin, love, please tell me what's wrong," Celestia plead, ignoring the sudden gawking from the other mares in the room. "Tia? Hurts..." came a hoarse whisper, jade eyes still screwed shut in pain. "Where?" Celestia struggled to keep calm, though panicking sounded really attractive right now it would not help Yin. "Ev'rwhere..." the thin, reedy mewl whistling between whiskered lips almost tipping Celestia over the edge. The princess whirled toward the others with thinly veiled anxiety. "Twilight, go get Dr. Mortar! Applejack, Rarity, clear the bed! Rainbow, fetch some warm water! Pinkie, Fluttershy, get me wash towels and blankets, she's starting to shiver!" The urgency in her voice finally broke the Element Bearers out of their paralysis, as Rainbow, pink and violet streaked out of the room. Applejack ripped the soiled sheets from the bed, clean ones floating over in a pale blue aura as Rarity quickly stretched them over the mattress. Celestia gently floated the silver-furred chimera over and set her down, Dawn rushing over to check her pulse. "She keeps fluctuating, I can't get a good read." She muttered, eyes tight with worry as she placed a hoof in front of Yin's mouth. "Her breathing is way too shallow." Rainbow streaked in with a bowl in her grip, somehow having managed to avoid sloshing it all over the place. Pinkie was right behind her with hoof towels, tossing one to the princess who caught it and dunked it in the water. Carefully wringing it out, she began to gently clean the blood specked around Yin's mouth. Twilight suddenly appeared in a flash of magenta light, a dizzy-looking Mortar gripping his bag in his jaws as if afraid to let go of it. "I brought him, I brought him!" She panted, her wings flaring with agitation. After a moment to shake his head clear, the doctor leaped over to the bed and began examining his patient. "How long has she been like this?" He asked in a clipped tone, peeling back one eyelid to show an unfocused, bloodshot jade orb. "I-I don't know, I just found her like this a few minutes ago...!" Celestia was having difficulty staying calm for her little ponies, Dawn and Twilight's presence the only net for her sanity as they pressed against her in comfort. He pulled out a stethoscope, his gaze intense as he listened to the staccato in Yin's chest. "Pulse, 112 resting...Not good..." The stallion muttered, abandoning his stethoscope to dig in his bag. "Princess, call in Nurse Lily for me, tell her to bring an oxygen tank and mask." He ordered absently as he pulled a needle and syringe out of a case. Shaken out of her worried stupor, Celestia whirled toward the door only to find Dawn had already done as he asked. He pulled out a bottle of clear liquid, Celestia watching anxiously as he pushed whatever it was into a prostrate Yin's neck. "I just gave her a shot of oxymorphone," He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, distracted apology on his face. "It is the strongest, longest lasting painkiller I have at the moment. It should help alleviate some of the pain, however because it's an opioid I dare not give her too many shots of it." Unable to articulate any words at the moment, Celestia merely nodded her understanding. "What is...Is she...?" Celestia choked on the tears clogging her throat. The doctor nodded with a grim frown. "She is entering acute withdrawal syndrome. Usually it fluctuates, with the waves bouncing from one extreme to the next and growing in intensity." Celestia was vaguely aware she was trembling, a sound like roaring waves growing in her ears. "Judging by her BPMs from earlier, she has been experiencing this for at least a couple of hours." Celestia was unable to completely muffle the sob that escaped her lips. "When I find out who was supposed to be monitoring her, I'm gonna have me a nice new pastel rug for the wife," he muttered darkly. If Celestia were in the mood, she'd have snorted. "I don' mean to be rude Doc, but can ya explain jus' what that means to th' rest of us?" Applejack asked, her ears drooping under the tense atmosphere. Dawn went over to place a comforting hoof on the farm pony's shoulder. "It means her heart races too fast, then slows way down. Same with her breathing," the pale pink mare explained. "Usually it would fade before it got anywhere too high or low but..." Dawn left the rest unsaid, not wanting to voice the source of her mother's anguish. The rest of the gang's ears dropped, eyes widening and tearing up as they reached their own conclusions. "But, but it'll stop eventually, right? She just has to ride it out, right?" Pinkie squeaked, her eyes desperately jumping from the doctor to the Princess to Dawn, looking for some sign of hope to cling to. Twilight sighed with a grimace. "If her heart-rate starts to level out, then yes." Though her words were assuring, her voice betrayed her opinion on the matter. Pinkie's mane went flat at the hopelessness in her lavender friend's eyes. Nurse Lily finally arrived, puffing as she hurtled into the room burdened with a tank of compressed oxygen and a mask looped over one ear. Dr. Mortar quickly set the tank next to Yin's bed, the orange glow of his magic gently but securely tying the life-giving mask over Yin's muzzle. Celestia focused on that mask, and the tiny puffs of fog misting the inside. She counted each puff, far too small and quick to be of any real assurance. Finally she staggered over to the bed and almost fell beside it, draping one wing over a shivering silver frame and tucking her nose just under Yin's chin. She stayed there, immobile as she tried to center herself around each shallow gasp and the hiss of the tank. After what seemed like only a few minutes, Celestia finally rousted herself enough to lift her head from its rest, idly noting it had been almost an hour. Blinking bleary magenta eyes at the doctor, she glanced around her in a daze, all Twilight's friends clustered about the room. She let Dr. Mortar check on her beloved for a moment, but with his subtle yet grim shake felt her heart cracking like glass exposed to terrible heat. She turned to address the others in the room with a worn voice, the effort of lifting her head almost too much. "I appreciate all of you being here for Yinfâng in her time of need. However, I would like some time alone with her, if you please." As they moved to protest, she pinned them with a look of barely restrained grief, her eyes flashing a warning. "Please." They all filed out of the room with meek silence, only Twilight and Dawn pausing for a moment to offer her comforting nuzzles. As the door clicked shut behind them, she turned to face the doctor with a deep, bracing breath. "Doctor." Her voice broke, mirroring the spreading crack she felt in her soul. He cleared his throat. "Her pulse evened out for a minute, but... I'm sorry, your Highness, it then started to slow down." He looked tired, the bags under his eyes attesting to the emotional stress of fighting a losing battle. "Barring a miracle, at this rate she has only about an hour left. Maybe less." At the Princess' hitched sob, he bowed hastily and gathered his gear. "I gave her another shot, to ease the pain of the cramping. I will leave you now, Highness." Celestia didn't even hear the door click behind him, her whole world was filled with each wheezing gasp and subtle hiss of the breathing tank. She leaned in to bury her nose in soft silver fur, caught by surprise when the gentle nuzzle was returned. "Yin, you're awake!" Soft jade eyes regarded her with warmth, a weak grin somewhat obscured by the mask. The chimera wrestled the mask off her face, Celestia's protests dying on her lips as Yin shook her head. "Whatever the doc gave me...helps manage the pain...center my breathing." She panted, taking a deep breath. "Getting speared...in the chest...didn't hurt...this much." she tried to chuckle, but the effort proved too much as she started coughing. Celestia's eyes widened in shock. "Getting what?! When did that happen?" Green eyes laughed at her. "Long time ago...doesn't matter." She gave a resigned sigh. "Don't think...I'll pull through...again this time." Celestia brushed a tender hoof down Yin's cheek, crooning denial. "No no no, Yin, you can't talk like that. Don't give up yet." Tears pricked at the corners of Celestia's eyes, her mind whirling at light speeds as she tried to create a cure out of what little data she had to work with. "Please, Yin, promise me. Promise. You'll fight this as long as you can, please. I can fix this, if you just promise me you won't give up. Please, please don't give up on me." Yin met her eyes as Celestia stared her down with a determined, borderline desperate tearful glare. Verdant eyes shied from violet with a pained sigh. "You ask...too much of me." There was a beat of silence as the words filtered through Celestia's brain, but her dismay never made it past her lips as they were captured by Yin's in a sudden burst of strength. "But for you...I promise." Exhausted by her effort, Yin dropped her head back on her pillow as her breaths evened out in a pattern of sleep. Golden light enveloped the oxygen mask, easing it back over the sleeping figure's muzzle. Pure white hooves, divested of their heavy adornments, paced in front of the bed as their owner muttered to themselves in a frenzy. For a nigh-immortal being many considered divine, and despite the millennia plus she'd existed, Celestia had never felt the press of time more keenly than this moment. Precious minutes ticked relentlessly on, spurred by each weakening rasp. She'd had almost no time to fully analyze the information Hazuki had shared with her, and without it she had no way to adapt a spell that required contact with the horn in order to be properly utilized. Purifying water was one thing, but blood was full of other very necessary cells which could easily be destroyed if she used too much power. This meant use of a dalasis would not cycle the blood quickly enough to keep her alive. Only slow and steady would win this deadly race. If only there were some way to purify the blood without having to remove it from her body... A feeble groan jarred her from her train of thought, as she whipped worried eyes toward her friend. The chimera was curled in on herself again, an unconscious grimace of pain on her face. Realizing the medicine must have worn off, a brief check of her sun told Celestia more time had passed than she'd realized. Yin's breathing was starting to slow, the seconds between each breath growing longer while Celestia's tenuous grip on her composure unraveled. Placing one twitching ear against a silver-furred chest, magenta eyes widened in alarm at the erratic rhythm within. "Yin?" Celestia tried nudging the prone form for some sign of reassurance, but the chimera remained unconscious. Even her breathing had grown sporadic, the sun princess' own breath racing as she tried to quell the panic bubbling up from within her chest. Her heart felt as though it had turned to lead and was trying to crawl it's way up her throat when Yin let out a rattling exhale--and failed to draw in another breath. "Yin...? Yin, breath for me, come on..." Her voice cracked, all her shaking and tapping and pleading utterly failing to wake the object of their attention. "No! YIN!" She screamed, a burning pain erupted in her chest, as though somepony had impaled her heart...her breath hitched. Impaled. Her heart. That was IT! "Princess? Is everything alright?" a worried voice filtered through the door, as the door handle rattled. A golden glow latched the deadbolt, preventing any interference. She could not afford distractions. Agile mind whirring, the princess erected a barrier around the door and placed her horn against Yin's chest, a thin glow enveloping the dying form as Celestia began an intricate spell matrix that, once started, could not be interrupted without perilous consequence. She registered banging and shouting from the other side of the wooden portal, but the sounds filtered to her like sunlight through deep water, her mind utterly focused on the task at hoof. She eyed her partner with reservation tempered by determination, she was wading in mostly unexplored territory right now. This particular spell was very dangerous if miscast to both the caster and the recipient, and the next spell she needed was completely untested-- or even attempted. Violet eyes once again fell on the still figure and hardened into resolve. She leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on unresponsive lips, sparing a glance behind her at the sound of splintering wood and shattered magical force. She erected a golden dome over herself and the bed as Twilight and her friends stormed into the room, accompanied by Hazuki and Jia Li. She looked down at the prone silver form curled on the bed, eyes shining with fierce, desperate love. No room for trial and error. She took careful aim, reared back, and struck. Sinking the tip of her glowing alabaster horn deep in Yin's heart, she closed her eyes and focused past the screaming and pounding on the barrier as she began her second spell. Hours later, the glow around her horn guttered and stopped. Celestia was dimly aware that the pounding on her barrier must have stopped at some point, because she had long run out of the energy needed to maintain it against magic as powerful as that of a semi-divine dragon and her kirin counterpart. Sustaining both the barrier, which she'd had to sink massive amounts of magic into to prevent it from breaking, and the purification spell, which needed a slow but steady supply had been exhausting. Though the latter had required little in the amount of power, it needed careful attention and precision to avoid killing of vital cells. Performing both at once, while still running the spell linking their life forces together to keep Yin alive through the process had been like painting fine china with a brush the width of a hair while hauling a two-ton boulder uphill and reciting pi. She pulled her horn out of Yin's chest with a wince at the wet sucking sound. Just as she was recouping to heal the wound, however, she was caught aback when the gaping hole began stitching itself shut. She removed the oxygen mask as previously labored breathing grew strong and even, hope bursting in Celestia's chest as eyelids fluttered open. "Ow. Tia?" Came a hoarse whisper, glimmering jade orbs locking with violet. Celestia threw herself on the chimera with a joyful shout, echoed by the other occupants of the room. "You're alright..." She choked, tears finally spilling over to drip on silver fur. "Thank the Maker. You're alive! Oh Faust, you're okay." A chuckle sounded in her ear while a gentle pair of talons ran through her prismatic mane. "I promised, didn't I?" Something between a laugh and a sob erupted from Celestia's lips as she gripped Yin in a vise of relieved wonder and unadulterated joy. "Yes, you certainly did." Her barrier long forgotten, the others finally crowded around the two with whoops and gasps of happiness. Celestia was almost bowled over as Jia Li rushed to her child, but managed to catch her balance when she was crushed into a hug from Hazuki. "You did it, you did it!" the kirin whimpered, the joy in her voice smothered by the relieved tears streaming down Hazuki's face. "When I saw you plunge your horn into her chest I th-thought that was it, you'd lost all hope and w-wanted to end her pain--but you did it!" Celestia returned the fierce hug with one of her own. "No, thank you. I couldn't have done it without your help, Hazu-chan. Thank you, so, so much for bringing my precious Yinfâng back to me." The two parted with huge, albeit watery smiles. Celestia turned to address the queen just as the dragoness launched herself at the alicorn, and found herself in another bone-crushing hug. "<Thank you thank you thank you thankyou--> You have returned my daughter to me. Words cannot express--" Celestia felt droplets splash onto her fur as her old friend released her and regarded her with a fierce expression. "Where I feared had lost my daughter, you pulled her from the brink at great risk to yourself. Above my sovereignty, and above that of my nation, you have my undying gratitude as a mother. Though she is not of my flesh, she is mine in spirit." Celestia smiled with a tiny shake of her head. "Save your thanks. She was worth nothing less, and deserves much more." Celestia looked over at her beloved, surrounded by her daughters and their friends. "If she had died, half my heart would have died with her." Jia Li nodded. "I can see your devotion, it is written in your soul. I warms my heart, to know Yin has you by her side." The sun princess grinned. "I would prefer no other place." With that, she moved to join the center of their conversation, and her world. "How are you feeling, Yin?" The former leopardess matched the sun Princess' brilliant smile with one of her own, looking none the worse for wear, considering. "I feel amazing, Celestia. I haven't felt this good in decades. Whatever you did worked miracles." Rarity let out an admonishing gasp. "You have no idea, darling. Why, when we saw the Princess stab you with her horn, we all thought--" "Wait, she did what?" Yin interrupted, wide eyes flicking to the cloth Princess Celestia was discreetly scrubbing her horn with. "Oh yeah, we all thought she'd gone bonkers." Rainbow scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "Er, no offense, your Highness." "None taken," Celestia smiled, a bit of a sheepish smile on her face. "It was down to the wire, and I had to do something. I, ehem, may have been a little panicked." Applejack snorted. " 'Panicked', huh? Tha's puttin' it mildly, Highness. You sure yer alright, Yin? Looked mighty painful." Yin rubbed at her chest absently, and for a minute Celestia worried that she still felt pain from the injury when she noticed Yin was rubbing far to the right of the entry point. "No, I feel perfectly fine. I can even take deep breaths again." Yin's eyes were slightly unfocused, as if lost in a memory. "Celestia patched me up pretty quickly." At that, Celestia glanced at her oddly. "Actually, I didn't do anything." Nine pairs of eyes looked at her with quizzical expressions. "You didn't?" Twilight tilted her head, Celestia laughing to herself as she was mirrored almost perfectly by Dawn. "No, before I could cast the spell the wound started sealing itself shut." Yin glanced at herself with curiosity. "Hm." Yin sat on her haunches and lifted one forearm to her scrutiny. She casually flicked out one claw and brought it slashing across before anyone even realized what she was doing. Celestia yelped, grabbing one of the discarded towels in her aura and pressing it to the bleeding limb. "What do you think you're doing?!" Yin at least had the grace to look chagrined at the admonishment in the diarch's voice, meekly taking the soiled cloth in her other claw as she began wiping the blood from her fur. "Sorry Tia. I had a theory and wanted to test it. I wasn't really thinking it through." The timid grin quickly morphed into one of pain and indignation when her mother whacked her in the back of the head with her tail. "<Ow! What was that for?>" The queen pinned her errant child with a glare. "<For that little stunt you just pulled! Don't scare me like that.>" Yin quailed under the fierce expression on the Lóngren's face, though Celestia could still see the vestiges of a pout on her felinoid face. Grinning, she gave Yin an affectionate nuzzle, drawing a few curious glances from the ponies present. "Let me see that now," the alicorn murmured as she removed the towel from the wound. Or rather, from where a wound used to be. "Would you look at that," Dawn muttered as she squinched her eyes in thought. A smug grin flashed across Yin's face, but was slowly replaced by an apprehensive one. "You know, I used to heal pretty quick, after... the change. But nothing quite like this." A thoughtful hum came from Hazuki, who stood there with a look of contemplation. "That looks an awful lot like kirin healing abilities, but even we cannot heal quite that fast." Jia Li wore a similar expression. "Ryujin can, but only with the aid of chi. It takes a certain amount of fine control not many chi masters have accomplished, though. " The queen quirked one eye ridge. "Perhaps it is some strange melding of both?" Yin mused aloud, flexing her claws in absent-mindedness. Celestia found herself oddly ensnared by the little tic-- the claws seemed to grow larger then shrink for no apparent reason. "I seem to have strange meldings of bits, instead of this part here or that ability there copied and sewn on, as it were. I wasn't born with magic, but since all my chakra points had been unlocked I now have vastly improved and expanded chi abilities; my feline flexibility has been enhanced by that of a Ryujin...heck, I even still have retractable claws, sort of." Holding up her claw, she gave a careless demonstration to emphasize her point. Celestia realized what she thought were well-trimmed claws were merely the tips of larger, retractable talons. They even clicked in place until another flex released them to glide back like an assassin's blades. Now that she knew they were there, she recognised the faint bulge around the first joint, so slight you had to know what you were looking for... "Ahem." the polite cough drew her out of her reverie, as the alabaster princess realized she must have been staring off into space for a few minutes now. She gave an apologetic smile, nodding at the speaker to continue now with her undivided attention. "As I was saying, the changes wrought by whatever this taint is seem to enhance certain aspects as well," Hazuki continued, tapping a hoof with veiled frustration. "But what I cannot fathom is why the changes are so different between my sisters compared to the tainted Karasu-Tengu that attacked us." "Um, I may have a theory, Hazu-chan, if I may?" Yinfâng murmured, having settled back down in her bed. The kirin nodded for her to continue as Celestia perked with genuine interest, now that it was her beloved speaking. "One thing I noticed about Himegami's...change, was not just aesthetic but physical. Her scales are much harder now, almost on par with diamonds." This drew a few startled murmurs from those around her, but her raised claw returned the quiet. "I think the little bit of carbon that is mixed in with a Lóngren's scales and mane was brought more to the surface, which not only gave her a drastically darker color but enhanced the renowned hardness as well. Tell me, can you describe the changes in the-the High Empress?" Celestia gave an almost inaudible nicker of sympathy, knowing Yin's views on her mentor's potential taint. Queen Jia Li hummed. "Well, her horns and scales are a solid black, lacking their usual healthy sheen. Her hooves are black too, and...sharper looking, I suppose? Her eyes are rather reptilian now, and her teeth... I believe she has actual canines, now I think of it. No wonder her smile disconcerted me so much." She tapped a claw in thought. "Rather similar to those generals. The pattern on her fur looked strange, too, though I cannot place exactly why." Yin nodded, Celestia piping her confusion. "I remember how twisted that karasu-tengu looked though. It was nothing so subtle as that." Celestia repressed as shudder at the memory: huge hooked talons thrice the normal size, the unnatural serrated growths that resembled teeth lining the thing's beak, and pupil-less eyes like burning coals... "Precisely. All the changes are things that enhance the victim's ability to kill things-- their 'darkness' if you will." Yin suggested. "The changes were so subtle on the Empress, her sister, and the generals because ponies, kirin and Lóngren have a Light chi alignment. karasu-tengu, however, do not. The natural resistance found in those with Light chi would not be there to prevent more involved changes." Jia Li nodded along, unmistakable pride in her countenance. "A very sound theory, my daughter. The real question I have now is this: where is this taint coming from?" Her expression darkened. "The only likely source I can think of is the ànyǐng emó - the shadow daemons." The other rulers hummed in agreement, while Twilight and her friends looked a little lost despite the intimidating name of the things. Princess Celestia caught Dawn's gaze and leaned down a little. "What you might know as S'kabás," she murmured, Dawn paling as the others crowded around her for a whispered explanation. "I spent seven decades sealing the breach at the Heaven's Gates, and I can assure that it cannot be broken from the other side," Hoshimi declared, coppery eyes smoldering like coals. "That can only mean someone has tampered with it from our side. Someone versed in the ancient binding rituals." A tense silence stretched between the occupants as they digested this tidbit and its ramifications. "Who else has this level of knowledge?" Princess Celestia inquired, voice reflecting the tension in the room. "The knowledge itself, my sisters and I suppose a few dedicated scholars." A heavy sigh escaped the kirin's lips. "But of those with the power...? I think...I think the only other one who powerful enough would be...Hoshimi." Yin inhaled sharply; anger, indignation, and betrayal dancing across her face. "Why would she do this?" she growled, voice full of hurt. "She knows what those monsters are capable of. They are senseless beasts with no drive other than to kill any living thing they can. Hells, they have no discernible soul to even speak of!" The chimera ranted, lips peeled back to reveal frighteningly long canines. "They devour the souls of mortals and corrupt the River of Life with their very presence! How could the Empress risk another war like the last one? We almost lost!" Celestia placed a comforting wing over Yin's shoulders, who huffed in anger but leaned into the alicorn's warm fur nonetheless. "Though you bring up a valuable concern daughter, I think we must focus now on how we're going to deal with it," Jia Li proposed, a warm smile curling her lips as she noted the closeness between the former leopard and the Regent of the Sun. She supposed the deep feelings Celestia had for her adopted daughter were not unfounded, after all. "I propose we meet up later tomorrow evening, so that we might have Princess Luna's input as well." Lady Hazuki suggested as she stood from her seat on a floor cushion. "Also, I imagine you would rather like a bit of rest after your ordeal, yes?" She gave Yinfâng a pointed glance, who responded with a sheepish grin. "I suppose I did just nearly die, didn't I?" She gave a dry chuckle. "I swear I'm not trying to make a habit of it." Jia Li gifted her with a glare and a tail-smack to the back of her head, which earned her a yelp of indignation. "Okay, okay, too soon. Sorry mom." The Lóngren-kōgō humphed. "You'd better be, or there will be more of those in your future. I am going to go inform your brother of your recovery, you'd best prepare for the ensuing hoard to descend upon you." Yin groaned as her mother and Hazuki exited the room, Celestia chuckling at her consternation. "Being smothered in sibling affection can't be that horrible," she grinned, while Yin just grumbled. "The key word there being 'smothered'. I've been through this before, and there is nothing quite as disconcerting as being buried under a mass of writhing Lóngren all trying to give you congratulatory noogies." Twilight and company, having been rather quiet during the whole exchange, finally piped up. "So, Ah take it ya been badly injured before, sugarcube?" Applejack asked, ever the spokespony for the group. Celestia gave her companion a appraising look as well. "I believe you'd mentioned a, ah, grievous injury earlier you conveniently dodged when I asked about it?" One crooked eyebrow implied she would not evade it again so easily. "Care to share, or shall we forever wallow in mystery?" Dawn drawled, pulling up the cushion Lady Hazuki had vacated earlier. "You needn't feel pressured, darling," Rarity offered gently. "It's just that you seem to have quite the history, and we are rather curious about our new friend." Yinfâng hummed in contemplation, furtively glancing at Celestia wo gave her an encouraging smile. "I suppose it can't hurt," she acquiesced, though her voice was tinted with hesitation. The others grinned and subconsciously leaned in. "It's no long, riveting tale by any means," she began, "but it did play an important role in the war, so..." She shifted to get more comfortable, closing her eyes and breathing to center herself. The memory was painful. Not just the injury she'd sustained, but the emotions behind it, as well. "As you may have figured out, over a century ago Lóngzhùzhái was involved in a was against the ànyǐng emó. The portal to their cursed realm rests under Kūnlún shān, the great Mountain of the Gods. They seep out from great bottomless crevasses at the base of the mountain, at the mouths of which we've erected great Torii to seal them in. Though we'd suffered great losses, we'd finally managed to push them back to the Gates." Yin paused to sip at the glass of water still sitting beside her bed, her mouth dry with nerves. "The final battle, which was later named the Battle of Death Valley-" "Cool!" Rainbow interrupted, while the others shushed and elbowed her. Yin gave her a sharp look. "It may seem so, Rainbow, but it was named as such because that was the battle we suffered the heaviest casualties in. We lost over five thousand of our bravest that day." A heavy silence fell over the room as the ponies tried to wrap their heads around such devastation. After the Guardian's attack they were no longer strangers to loss, but to have suffered so many... "As I was saying, we'd pushed their forces to the Gates, where they had the advantage of the Mountain to their backs. The battle was hard though, and we'd managed to draw out their...generals." Yin scrunched her face. "I hesitate to use a word that implies a tactical mind, but they were larger and far more cunning, and seemed to direct the hoards. Anyway, the largest of them was cutting a devastating swathe through our ranks, and the small fry were rallying behind him. If he broke our ranks, it would have quite possibly cost us the battle and allowed them to scatter, so I rushed him in desperation. He was just under a small knoll, and I was able to get much closer since it hid my advance. I leapt to take his head, but he must have caught me in his peripherals, because he suddenly swung around with his spear up. I couldn't avoid it entirely, but I managed to twist just enough that is struck me in the left side of my chest, rather than my heart." The others gasped in horror, while Celestia just tightened her winged grip in barely repressed distress. She had known her love had been involved in the war. She had known, but hearing it described like this... "I'm not entirely sure what their spears are made of, but they're these long, wicked, barbed things that tear as much as they cut, and it ripped right through my enchanted armor. Still, if I was going down, I was taking Hulking Ugly with me. I'd managed to retain my grip on my naginata, and somehow got it caught in the thick muscle between it's neck and shoulder. So I gripped it and heaved with everything I had...and managed to part his head from his shoulders." Rainbow let out a whoop and hoof pump, while the others grinned with relief. Fluttershy just 'meep'ed behind her mane. "How simply awful, darling!" Rarity wailed with a dramatic hoof swoon. Yin grimaced. "It wasn't easy. My brother recovered me from the field, and got me to a healer in record time. This is all hearsay, by the way. I was passed out by then, blood loss and shock and all that," one black tipped ear twitched, and she pinned Celestia with a look. "Speak of devils, you may want to get out of the way. I do believe I hear a stampede approaching." Celestia chucked as the climbed off the bed and ushered the others toward the furthest corner of the room. "I still think you're exaggerating a bit," the Princess grinned as she turned to address the group. "Yinfâng's older adoptive brother and his entourage are coming to congratulate her on her recovery. They are a group of Lóngren-- air dragons-- but they are all perfectly friendly so please treat them all with respect." The others gave nervous nods, none of them having officially been introduced to the noble creatures. They had seen Jia Li earlier, but with all the hullabaloo names had not been properly exchanged. "You'd better hope I'm exaggerating, Tia, because I will be siccing them on you as my savior." Jade eyes narrowed as she jabbed one claw at the white alicorn. "And you can bet since they know you they will show their gratitude, mark my words." Celestia was rather glad her white fur kept her sudden paleness hidden. There was only so much the 'Princess Face' could cover.
BIG Business	pre	"I wish that was possible dear Spike, but without the spell book used to make them grow in the first place in our possession, it would be nearly impossible to return them to their normal state. All we can do now is play along and see what they want from us," Celestia said solemnly with Luna next to her, silently nodding furiously. It wasn't a moment too soon, because as soon as Celestia said that they all heard the chorus of thunderous THOOMS echoing through the air. And over the horizon, the enormous faces of four of the giant nobles rose into the sky as they stomped across the landscape towards Blueblood. "Ah, and here they come now. Not a moment too soon," Blueblood said, unaware of the growing apprehension Canterlot was beginning to feel. Within seconds the other giants had caught up to Blueblood, happy to have finally been reunited, their immense shadows looming over everypony in the capitol, making them feel even smaller than before. "Hey, I think I just saw my second cousin Derpy pass by our legs just now!" a gigantic Lily Shine exclaimed happily "Blueblood!" boomed Enterprise happily, slapping a huge hoof on his shoulder "Good to see you after so long lad!" he joked Bleublood's knees buckled under the huge stallion's city sized hoof, he weakly looked back at Enterprise with a pained smile "Yes, ahem, it is good to see you too Mr. Enterprise. Where's Sturdy Step?" "Oh? I'm sure Ms. Sturdy will be along soon lad, don't you worry," Down below, there were several tiny, high pitched cries of panic as the citizens of Canterlot beheld the immense forms of the newly arrived titans, and Blueblood's knees buckling sent another massive quake throughout the tiny capitol, jostling the little residents. The noise caught the attention of the rest of the nobles, the rest of them walking over to inspect the now hoof sized Canterlot. "Awww, it's all so tiny!" Lily said in a playful voice as she leaned in, the colossal snout slowly descending from the sky like an asteroid. Her nostrils flared, trying to pick up the exotic smalls of the miniature city, the powerful gales of wind blew several ponies, carts, and goods around while the others held onto the nearest structure for support. Lily's echoing giggles of foalish delight booming through the air as the giant withdrew her great head. Only for Jet Set and Upper Crust to take her place, the humongous couple smirking down at everypony, their eyes set on the little palace. "Well, well, well dear, If I didn't know better, I'd say that was little Rarity and her country friends all the way down there," said Jet, looking at his wife "Aww you're right honey! Look at them, so small and tiny. They're like little ants just scurrying around helplessly on the top of their little marble white anthill," Upper Crust laughed condescendingly, her snooty smirk on full display before turning her attention to the princesses and Spike. "And what do we have here? The Queens of the ant hill and a purple flea are infesting this place as well, hmmm? My, my, Jet Set, will have to show these little insects who's really in charge here now. The glorious nobility!" "How absurd!" came Rarity's small indignant voice from down below, the mare in question had her snout in the air defiantly "You two ruffians truly have no class!" "Really my dear? I must protest, I'd say our grand new size goes along perfectly with our status," Upper Crust said, laughing into her hoof pompously "We truly are the biggest and the best now, true nobility!" "True ruffians more like," Rarity said with another huff, the rest of the girls and Spike nodding their heads, muttering agreements as well. The two snooty titans smirked again, their horns lighting up, all at once, glows surrounded the Princesses, the mane 6, and Spike as they were effortlessly lifted up off their safe haven in the castle with an "Eep!"and deposited in a heap on Upper Crust and Jet Set's squishy, city sized hooves. The speck sized ponies and dragon shook their heads to clear it before turning their heads skyward to behold the giants looming above them in the sky. "Alright, you two, that's enough playing around, I believe it is time we finally got down to business," Enterprise said in his deep voice, moving over to peer down at the tiny ponies held in their grasp. "What do you want?!" Princess Celestia yelled up to the five giants. Blueblood opened his mouth again, but Celestia quickly cut him off "Not you Blueblood! We've been listening to what you want all day! I want to hear from the others now," Blueblood's ears folded against his head as he pouted and backed away while Jet Set and Upper Crust leaned it, ginning "Well Princess," began Jet Set "Do you remember a little while ago my wife and I came to you with a request to expand our businesses because we saw an opportunity to make new profits? Well Princess you turned us down, and because of you our business rivels took advantage of that and took sales away from our companies. Now both Upper and I have lost precious bits and we demand to be compensated for that! That is why you will pay us the number of bits that we had lost as well as give us new territories that we can use to renovate and expand our current businesses," "Indeed!" thundered Upper Crust, glaring down at the specks "The audacity! The two of us having to practically beg you last week for the extra benefits. Are we nobility or not?" Celestia blinked before glaring up at the two giants again "You didn't even complete the proper procedure to even procure new lands! The paperwork wasn't even complete! That was why I turned you down!" "Yes, yes, details. All we want now is the land and the bits we are owed, and we will be on our happy, gargantuan way little dear," Upper Crust said, pointing her muzzle in the air haughty "With our new size and power we will practically own Manehatten as well as the airship business and hotel business." Stopping her belief rant, Upper Crust looked at the sky dreamily "Oh, imagine how convenient things will be from now on, Jet. Traversing the entire kingdom with mere steps for meetings, being the most powerful Unicorns in existence, and owning the largest businesses in the kingdom. This will be a dream come true honey." "Agreed my dear," Jet Set said, leaning in to nuzzle his wife. Far down below in Jet's grasp, Spike and Rainbow were pretending to make retching noises as the colossal couple looked into each other's eyes lovingly. It was here that Enterprise and Lily stepped up make their requests, their larger shadows covering the tiny ponies below "I'm afraid Princess, that I am in a similar state of mind as Jet Set and Upper Crust here, I too will have to demand a compensation of bits that I have been denied because of your refusal to take my claims of somepony sabotaging my businesses seriously." Enterprise said, lighting up his horn and depositing Celestia and Luna onto his great gray hoof. Celestia looked up at him with some slight desperation in her eyes "Enterprise, please, you and Lily have always been some of the more levelheaded nobles out there, please reconsider what you're doing," Enterprise shook his enormous head slowly, with a sad expression "I'm sorry Princess but unfortunately it is a little too late for that, the damage has already been done and my company stocks have gone down ten percent because of this, I must now have the bits to recover from this economic blow delt to me. Lily and I saw who was responsible for this, a young colt by the name of Stock Value. He had been hiring ponies to sabotage my meeting, cart unveilings, and overall make a general nuisance of himself outside my stores. When my wife and I went to go confront him about this, the poor colt just seemed to snap. We took him to a hospital, so, hopefully they'll be treating him soon, but as it stands, I will need to financially recover as fast as possible." He said. Celestia and Luna then turned to Lily Shine, who up till this point hadn't said anything to add. "And what about you Mrs. Lily Shine? Why did you feel the need to take up such drastic measures to get our attention?" Asked Celestia, Luna nodding her head frantically. "Well, if I'm being honest, it's because I want to take photoshoots inside the castle for my next show because of all the attention it will garner in magazines and newspapers. So I came here to make sure that will happen!" Lily said Celestia face hoofed "Lily, you're currently bigger than a mountain, Blueblood is holding the entire capitol on his hoof right now as we speak, how were you planning to pull this off?" she asked. "Yeah...maybe I didn't think this through enough, but hey, I'm perfectly fine with getting photoshoots of me holding tiny cities and villages in my grasp. No pony has ever done that before. So yeah, I think I'll just do that!" Lily said, her happiness sparking up again. The other nobles chuckled at Lily's enthusiasm as they surrounded the puny ponies again, their huge frames looming above them high in the clouds "So, what's it gonna be princess?" Upper Crust asked in her usual snooty voice, smirking down at them. "Yeah, are we going to get our benefits or not?" Jet Set added, popping up next to his wife, while the other giants looked down at the ponies expectantly. Celestia looked like she was struggling to form a sentence, before finally opening her mouth with a sigh, a look of defeat in her eyes "I-I-alright, you win, I'll see to it that you get everything you want," "YAY!" all the giants cheered happily, Enterprise was nodded approvingly, Lily and Upper Crust was prancing around in circles gleefully, Jet Set was doing what could only be described as a "happy dance" and Blueblood was struggling to keep Canterlot steady in his hoof amidst the world shaking around him, the Princesses, Mane 6, and Spike now safely back on the tower clinging onto the ground as the titans, unaware in the jubilation, shook the land around them, the rest of the citizens hiding out in their homes. "Oh this is wonderful!" Lily said, ceasing her dance as she nuzzled up against her husband "I'm so happy for you sweetie, now you'll definitely financially recover from earlier!" Chuckling, Enterprise kissed her on the snout smiling "Thank you dear, I'm happy as well, both for the recovery, and that you finally get your exclusive photoshoots," "I think you guys forgot about something!" yelled a tiny voice from down below. Lily shine broke apart from Enterprise and the two walked back over to Blueblood, leaning down together to look at the castle, there on the tower, Lily was able to identify the speaker as Spike, who was busy cowering behind Twilight as he stared up at the two enormous faces in the sky with slight fear "Oh, and what might that be dearie?" Lily asked the young drake, not unkindly. "You-you guys are still really big! Don't you guys want to, you know, shrink back down to normal?" Spike asked hopefully Enterprise and Lily blinked, glancing at each other before looking back down at Spike "Well actually young lad," Enterprise began "We were going to do it after the Princess-" "Sorry little guy but we've all taken a liking to being giants!" Upper Crust interrupted, popping into view with Jet Set right next to her, blocking Blueblood's face "like I said before, being ginormous really fits well with our noble status, we're the biggest economically and socially, so why not literally as well? In fact, this worked so well, I can think of a few associates of ours that would mind becoming huge as well to, ahem, request their own benefits from the Princesses, now that we know how, we can make anyone we want into giants!" "WHAT?!? YA'ALL WANT TO MAKE MORE OF THEM GIANT NOBLES?!" a tiny Applejack hollered up to Upper Crust incredulously "AIN'T THIS HERE GROWTH ENOUGH? YA GOT WHAT Y'ALL WANTED!" "True, my itty-bitty little country girl, but you could never have too much as I always say, besides I can think of many associates of ours who feels like they are owed a favor or two from our dear Princesses because of how many times they have contributed to one of their charity events, and besides, since none of your magic actually works against us now, it's not like you can actually stop us now, can you?" asked Upper Crust smugly. "Oh that's a wonderful idea honey, I can't wait to get started!" Jet Set added approvingly, while Enterprise and Lily looked at each other with mild concern "I don't think that will be necessary, do you?" asked Enterprise. "Oh nonsense, it'll be perfectly fine!" Upper Crust and Jet Set said as they both lit up their horns, looking around at the tiny capitol "All we need is the spell again and our associates and we'll be all set to go, lets get started right away!" "NOOOO!" dozens of little ponies (including the mane 6 and the princesses) down below cried out, not wanting more snooty nobles to become titans. But as the spells began to charge up, all of the titanic nobles began to glow again in a near blinding light. "What's going on? What's happening to us?!" Blueblood asked in a panic as the familiar feeling of when your leg falls asleep, and you feel pins and needles began to envelop all of them again Back at the forest, the forgotten spell book was vibrating violently, jostling left, right, up, and down. Spikes of Blueblood's arcane lightning flickering off of it as the book opened again to the growth spell, and on the page in fine print was the very familiar warning from chapter 1: Warning: The spell is incomplete; the use of unfinished magic will yield uncertain results. Must be casted with EXTREAM caution. The incomplete spell only lasts for a limited time before self-terminating. ...before self-terminating Dun, Dun, DUNNNNNN! The titanic nobles were in a panic as they saw the spell's light engulf their entire bodies, and to their horror, they began to shrink. With an anticlimactic POP! All of the, now, normal sized nobles and Canterlot were left suspended in midair, it took everypony a second to realize that just happened before gravity kicked in. With a shriek of fear, the nobles, Canterlot, and all of the ponies in the capitol began to fall from their immense height in the air, higher than the surrounding mountains. "OH NO! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WE'RE DOOMED!!" Twilight screamed over the rushing air as she clung to the ground, Spike holding onto her tail desperately. None of the others seemed to know what to do, the Princesses couldn't use a levitation spell because Canterlot was just too big. It looked like all hope was lost, but like some miracle, at that moment, the elements of harmony began to glow from their discarded spot on the ground. They 6 gems slowly began to rise, glowing with their signature rainbow light, before a magic beam blasted out of them in full force, circulating the torn-out chunk of pony capitol and falling equines, with another blinding flash of light, Canterlot re-attached itself into the side of the mountain with little to no damage at all, and all of the falling ponies suddenly found themselves on stable ground, safely in the capitol. Groaning, Spike, the mane 6, and the Princesses shakily got to their hooves at the top of their tower. "Is it...over?" asked Spike apprehensively. Celestia looked around at the others making sure they were safe "I believe so," she said. "Wow, that was wayyyyy to close for my liking," Rainbow Dash said, trying to remove a still quivering Fluttershy from her back "I mean seriously, we fell out of the sky like a rock!" "That was so much fun!" Pinkie exclaimed in her usual bubbly voice as she bounced "We got to go skydiving together as a group! I'm so happy!" Pinkie seemed to be completely unfazed by what just happened. Below, the rest of the citizens slowly came out of their homes now that the danger was over, and the guards shook themselves free of the hair gel, thanks to the elements of harmony freeing them with it's magic. "Where did those nobles get off to?! I'm gonna kick their sorry flanks into next Tuesday for freaking out everypony!" Rainbow growled, cracking her hooves, having finally removed Fluttershy from her rear. "Oh, they're right there, trying to sneak back downstairs!" Pinkie said innocently as she pointed to the door to the tower where the previously titanic nobles were trying to tip-hoof to. Upon hearing Pinkie say this, they froze up and slowly turned back around with sheepish grins. "GUARDS!" yelled Princess Celestia All at once the five nobles found themselves surrounded by dozens of fully armored unicorns, Pegesi, and Earth Ponies, all of whom were pointing either spears or their horns at them. "There was one more who was part of their group, Sturdy Step, find her as well!" the Princess commanded. A squadron of Pegesi nodded and took off, leaving the nobles with an angry Mane 6 and Princesses to confront them. "Well, it's a good thing their growth spell died out," Twilight said "I don't know what we would have done if it hadn't ended itself. And it looks like the elements of Harmony cancelled out all the damage and spells Blueblood cast," Blueblood's eyes widened "Wait, it did?!" he asked in fear "Yes..." Twilight began slowly "Why would that matter?" As if in response to that, the tower seemed to shake violently by itself, followed by an unholy screech of "bLuEbLoOd!!!" All at once, the ponies, Celestia, poor Spike, and the guards was blasted off to the side from the very force of Luna's royal canterlot voice as she advanced slowly and menacingly towards the cowering group of normal sized nobles, the mute spell from earlier had finally been broken. Her eyes were glowing pure white and her horn sparking with magic lightning. "THY MADE US LISTEN TO THAT SPEECH FOR A FULL DAY! A. FULL. DAY!!! HOW IN HARMONY'S NAME CAN THOU SPEAK OF BITS FOR THAT LONG! THOU ART A PRINCE FOR GOODNESS SAKE! SHOW SOME CLASS THY UNRULY LITTLE WELP! WE SHALL THINK OF A PUNISHMENT FOR THOU MOST SEVEAR! THIS WE SWEAR!!!!" Blueblood let out a squeaky "MEEP!" of fear and ducked behind Upper Crust and Jet Set, pushing them in front of him while the two scrambled to get back behind Blueblood and away from the pissed off moon Alicorn. Fortunately for them, Celestia intervened and attempted to calm down her raging younger sister. After Luna had semi-calmed down, Celestia ordered for Blueblood and the Nobles to be taken to the dungeons for the time being while they tried to figure out their punishment. During that time, the guards had managed to locate Sturdy Step at a remote village called Oakenville. The poor mare was in hysterics as the guards carried her to the dungeons. She kept going on about how she wasn't ready for the slammer and that she didn't get a chance to finish helping her 'little buddy.' Luna, the mane 6, and Spike were all waiting in the throne room for Celestia when suddenly she burst in panting. Celestia looked at the assembled creatures in the room with a tired expression "Everypony outside is demanding justice Sister, they want the nobles to pay for frightening them and all of the damage they had done," Luna snorted "We say just feed them to the wolves and get it over with," she said with a flick of her ethereal mane. "Yeah!" Rainbow Dash agreed, pumping her hoof in the air "Let's give them what they deserve!" The other ponies and Spike were murmuring with agreement, but Celestia however looked thoughtful as she put a golden clad hoof to her chin. "What is it sister?" asked Luna "Well, we could do that Lulu, but, at the same time I don't think that will be the appropriate action to take," Celestia said "WHAT?!" everypony exclaimed in shock "Please hear me out. Punishment must fit the crime, what does throwing them in the dungeon for the rest of their days accomplish? All that will do is make them miserable and they'll learn nothing from that," Celestia said. "Ok, but then what do you suggest we do Princess?" asked Twilight "I'm glad you asked my fateful student," Celestia said smiling at Twilight briefly before addressing the rest of the others present "I believe the best course of action here will be for the Nobles and Blueblood to give a public apology for everything they had done and personally pay for any and all damages they have caused all around Equestria. Any footprints they left behind as well as any damages to buildings they had caused in major cities. And to top it all off, they will all have to do 300 hours of community service each." "The reason why is because of how Jet Set and Upper Crust viewed those less fortunate than themselves. This way they get to experience the lives of other ponies from a different perspective, not from Canterlot looking down at everypony else, but grounded with the common folk. This way I truly believe they'll learn their lesson in opposed to just locking them up in a room alone. But there is one thing I would like to address; according to reports Luna and I have gotten, it appears Ms. Sturdy Step did little to no damage wherever she went. And any damage she did cause, she fixed immediately, according to reports, at the worst she did was make a polite nuisance of herself, nothing serious. Therefore, I believe we should give her a reduced sentence. She will still be punished for her affiliation with the others, but her punishment will not be as severe. What does everypony think?" The ponies and baby dragon present took a few minutes to think about Celestia's proposal, but amazingly, it was Luna who broke the silence first "I agree sister," she said, surprising everypony present Celestia smiled "Wonderful Sister, thank you for-" "But we wish to have a hoof in punishing Blueblood ourselves!" Luna interrupted while grinning devilishly. Celestia stared at her before letting out a tired sigh "Very well Lulu, as long as it's in the realm of reason than it's alright." Shortly after the Princesses had reached a consensus, they instructed the guards to set up the announcement stage in front of the castle while they paid a visit to the dungeons. There they rounded up the nobles and told them what was going to go down, they agreed albeit reluctantly, but hey, this was still better than jail time. The nobles were marched up to the front of the stage, in front of the entire population of Canterlot. From there they made their apology for everypony to hear, with some reluctance, however. The only ponies who seemed genuine in their apology was Sturdy Step, Lily Shine, and Enterprise Pursuit. Blueblood looked outright terrified as he kept looking over his shoulder at his Aunt Luna as she glared unblinkingly at him with predatory eyes and a wicked smile on her face as she concocted her plan for his punishment, as for Upper Crust and Jet Set, they just tried to blow it all off, that is until Luna gave them some "encouragement" by threatening to deal with their punishment herself like she was going to do with Blueblood unless they gave a more convincing apology. Something about the overly excited look in her eyes about dealing with their punishments herself was enough to convince the couple to try again. Each one of the nobles were assigned their own parole guard, who will help them keep track of their punishments, they will make sure that the nobles one, pay for any of the damages they caused in full, such as the carts that Enterprise accidently crushed, the warehouse Jet Set squashed, any hoof print craters that were not filled, giant globs of hair gel, and any damaged buildings or houses they had ruined, Sturdy Step was exempt from this because she didn't really damage anything or fixed what she did damage. The next task of the parole guard was to ensure that the nobles kept up with their community service hours and weren't skipping out. And the final job they had was to keep a general eye on them, to make sure they didn't try to meet up for another size related rendezvous. Study Step however, had a specific request for Princess Celestia in regard to her community service hours. There was one particular place she had in mind to help, if the Princess could contact the owners and get their permission of course. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! A stallion's ears perked up as he heard somepony knocking on the front door "Honey, could you get the door please?" He asked as he delicately continued to sew together the hat he was working on. "Ok dear!" came a mare's voice as she walked down a flight of stairs. Unlocking the door, she was able to behold who was outside. "Honey, it's our new recruit!" came the mare's voice. The stallion blinked, before getting up from his pillow on the ground and abandoning his workplace. On his way to the front door, he called for his son so he could come see the hired help for himself. Once at the door, the stallion broke out into a smile as he beheld the pony at the door "Well, are you back for more exciting adventures on our humble cotton farm Ms. Sturdy Step?" he asked, "I hope you can keep up with us little guys," Chuckling, Sturdy stepped forward and shook the stallion's hoof "I'm happy to be back sir and thank you for you and your wife to let me work off my community service hours here," she said. The couple nodded and turned to Sturdy's parole officer who had cleared his throat. "Mr. and Mrs. Turner, I trust you have seen and finalized all of the arrangements," he asked in his gruff voice. Mrs. Turner nodded "Of course officer, Sturdy will be staying at our home with food and board while she works off her hours. The Princess was kind enough to compensate us for the time herself," The Officer nodded "Very well then, everything seems to be in order here. I'll leave you all to get settled and then I'll come back tomorrow when Sturdy starts her first day on the job," The family waved the officer goodbye and headed back inside their house, calling for their son again to meet their newest guest. There was a scurry of little hooves pattering their way down the stairs before the small coffee colored young colt came into the room. "Hey son, want to say hi to our new guest?" asked Mrs. Turner. "Ok mom!" squeaked Thimble as he tried to look past his parents to see the mystery visitor. Smiling, his parents stepped to the side revealing Sturdy Step, who was grinning at him sheepishly "Hey kiddo, I'm back," she said. Thimble gasped loudly and ran forward, tackling Sturdy Step in a huge hug with all of his little might "You're back! And you're small like us now!" he said happily as he nuzzled into her chest. Stopping for a second, he pulled back and stared at her with wide curious eyes "Where did you go?" He asked, "A few scary looking guards came down from the sky and took you away with them." "Well, the thing is, I got into a little trouble kiddo, but your parents were kind enough to let me stay here for the time being so I can work out my community service hours," Sturdy answered honestly. Thimble blinked and cocked his little head to the side "So does that mean you're grounded? That's what happens when you get in trouble right?" Sturdy and Thimble's parents burst out laughing at the innocent question while Thimble looked around in confusion, wondering what was so funny "Yeah, you could say that," Sturdy said grinning as she wiped a tear of laughter from her eye "For the time being I'll be living here though," Thimble gasped again "Does this mean you're gonna be my new big sister?!" he asked. Sturdy nodded with a smile "Yeah, that definitely makes me your big sis Sturdy kiddo. And I'm more than happy to be here right now," All at once Thimble Turner began to jump up and down ecstatically "YAY! Sturdy's my new sister!" he chanted, prancing around in a circle. Everypony laughed happily at the young colt's enthusiasm as they all went together into the family room to get settled in, Sturdy happy to now be part of the family. Blueblood awoke from his sleep with groan. Shaking the sleep from his head, he groggily looked around. He blinked sleepily as he only saw pitch blackness around him so he rubbed his eyes again, but this yielded the same thing. "Why is it so dark in my room? Shouldn't Auntie Celestia have risen the sun by this point?" he wondered as he made to roll out of bed, only to roll completely onto his back "What's going on here? Why aren't I in bed?" Blueblood wondered out loud as he tapped the floor, which made a high pitch Tink! Tink! Tink! sound every time he tapped it. Shrugging, he began to walk forward, only to not get far before hitting his head against a seemingly invisible barrier with another Tink! Clutching his head with a hoof, he reached out again and tapped the barrier. Only to freeze as his hoof came into contact with it again. "What is this?" he wondered "This is no magic barrier I've ever seen, it's almost like it's...glass?" An unsettling feeling began to grow in his stomach as he felt around, trying to find out how far the glass wall spanned for, fear beginning to settle in now as he realized the glass wall made a perfect circle around him. "W-Where-Where am I?!" Blueblood yelled, now fully panicking. Suddenly, he felt his entire world around him shake from the sound of earthquakes, Blueblood crouched down towards the ground to stabilize himself from falling over as the thunderous noise reverberated through the air. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Suddenly, sunlight poured in as something was removed from his glass prison. Blueblood squinted in the sudden bright light, trying to make out his surroundings as his eyes adjusted to the influx of light, but as soon as they did, he stared up and let out a high-pitched squeal of fright. Towering above him, was the monstrous, mountainous form of his gigantic Aunt Luna. But the fear didn't stop there, because Blueblood looked past Luna in his panic and was able to make out the background setting. That being Luna's room. A pit formed in Blueblood's stomach as he realized what was going on. Luna wasn't giant, he was tiny, like really, really, REALLY tiny. And his glass "prison" wasn't even a prison, it was a glass jar. Smirking, Luna tossed aside the black cloth she had been using to cover up the jar as she leaned down, pressing her muzzle against the smooth surface. "Well, hello down there my VERY little nephew," she said grinning as she heard Blueblood squeak out in fright and back away against the back wall of the jar. Luna chuckled darkly at the sight, as her eyes began to glow with magic "I hope you're ready to face your punishment dear nephew, I am, as they say, extremely unhappy with the way you and your associates acted yesterday. You not only scared many innocent ponies with your little stunt, but you just had to keep rambling on about your insipid need for bits. And for that, you will pay dearly by my hoof. And I will see to it PERSONALLY!" Luna declared loudly as she stood back up at her full height, towering over the jar while ignoring Blueblood's incomprehensible squeaks of fear. Magic began to swirl around Luna, engulfing her in a dark blue glow, down below Blueblood averted his eyes from the bright light, and when he opened his eyes again to look up at Luna, he promptly screamed like a little filly again. Luna was gone, and in her place, grinning evilly down at him, was the titanic form of Nightmare Moon. "Oh yes, how I have waited for this," Nightmare Moon hissed through her fangs. "Wh-Wh-What are you gonna do to me?!?" Blueblood squeaked out in terror, his legs quivering uncontrollably "Oh my goodness it's really true isn't it? You really do eat foals when they misbehave don't you Auntie Luna! You're going to eat me too aren't you!" Nightmare Moon deadpanned at him "Of course not you silly little colt. One, that's gross, and two, you're probably spoiled rotten inside, pun intended. I have other plans for you," she said, another devilish grin beginning to creep across her face "L-l-l-like what?" Blueblood stammered Nightmare Moon said nothing as she plopped down on her hunches, still grinning. The impact of her gigantic moons hitting the ground shook Blueblood off his hooves and onto the ground. As he got back onto his hooves, he looked upwards and saw that his mountainous aunt had materialized a skyscraper sized book into her hooves. Nightmare Moon glanced down at Blueblood with another evil grin "Your punishment I have laid out little colt is this: since you forced the entire population of Canterlot to listen to your boring speech about what you wanted to do with the extra bits, now I'm going to make you listen to the most boring book in existence, Moby Dick. You will remain shrunken down for the whole day as you listen to me read this to you! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Nightmare Moon cackled as she opened the book, ignoring Blueblood's high pitched squeals of terror "No! Not old, classic literature! Please! Anything but that!" He cried out. But his pleas fell on enormous deaf ears as Nightmare Moon began to read in the most boring, monotone voice she could possibly manage "Call me Ishmael. Some years ago--never mind how long precisely--having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world." "This is going to be a long day," sighed Blueblood as he plopped down on his stomach, holding his hooves over his ears as he tried, and failed to block out his titanic aunt's loud, thunderous voice booming above him. The campsite where this all started was left abandoned. In the excitement of the day, nopony even thought to go back to the place where it all started and recollect their belongings. The noble's hooded cloaks laid forgotten on the ground, the campfire had long gone out, and a familiar spell book still lay activated, pulsing uncontrollably with wild energy. ...wait, what? Slowly the spell book began to levitate, Blueblood's magical residue still left on the book because he never ended the spell. It was still activated. And it was growing in power again, preparing to unleash one final growth spell to expel all the remaining magic inside it Blueblood foolishly left unchecked. ...The End?
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	pre	"Yes! Wait... no! Ugh. Let me explain." Of course I had stuck my hoof in my mouth again. What completely confused me is that she was laughing; here I was all but admitting to the chaotic rewrite of Manehattan, and Celestia was just laughing. "Oh Spirit, you're just like Twilight when you get flustered. Don't worry, Screwball explained everything, twice actually. While I don't approve of the way you went about it, you did get the daughter of Discord, heir of chaos, to realize the importance of control. Although, she seemed very traumatized by the entire ordeal, she didn't explain in detail what happened. Would you care to explain?" Celestia has a way of calming down everything, even the lights seemed relieved somehow. "I wish I could, but I don't remember anything besides drawing up the core of my power, and falling into the ocean after the Elements freed me." I replied. It concerned me that she made no mention of Discord beyond that she knew about it, but I left it alone, knowing it'd be dealt with eventually. "Is that so? Well, I see no need to keep you if that's the case. I think you should go talk to Twilight Sparkle and her friends right away, they'll want to know what happened." Celestia said with resolution. I was set free. When my chaos returned, I could definitely feel the drop in my reserves of power. It was a really long flight back to Ponyville, I couldn't imagine what any of those six were going to say; Especially since those rumors are still going around, probably reinforced by my actions in Manehattan. My arrival in Ponyville was met by the sun hitting its peak, noon. As usual, I was avoided by everypony in the streets. Considering Twilight was the accepted 'leader' of the Elements, and she was usually the most logical about everything, I decided to see her first. One knock on the tree-house and I was greeted by a Twilight who'd been up studying too late again. She mumbled something and walked back into the tree, leaving the door open. I followed her inside and took a seat at the book covered table. Twilight had made her way upstairs and through a door, leaving me to the main floor of the library. She had left her study materials open on the table, so I decided to take a peak. I immediately regretted it when I saw the title, "Chaos Gems and their Effects on Ponies" by Twilight Sparkle. My powers caused me a lot of trouble, but were a lot of fun, and I did understand where she came from when putting together a book like that, so I didn't hold it against her. Eventually, Twilight returned to the main library floor, without the messy look of just-woke-up. She approached me without a look of anger, but a look of want, a want to understand. I hoped that this was a good sign. All she did was walk past me and take a seat at the table, her magic levitating a note-pad and a pencil; she gestured for me to take a seat. When I did, she began. "Okay Spirit, explain. I know you and that anarchy wasn't you. What happened?" With more confidence than when I was speaking to Celestia, I told her everything, from when I met Celestia for the first time to when I reached her tree. The only thing left out was what happened when I was 'possessed'. The air needed clearing, and I was ready to explain and I finally had someone who would listen.
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	Chaos Six	"Well, that explains your actions, at least. Does Celestia know that Discord is free and in hiding?" Twilight asked after I finished my 'report'. "She does, but noone knows where he is, so we can't-" I started, before a wave of dark energy surged through the tree. Twilight almost immediately lost her color, and glared at me sternly. "Do you have any further buisness here? If not, I'd like to get back to my work." Twilight spat. I had no clue what had happened, and her sudden change in attitude and pigment worried me, since she told me about this before. "Twilight, are you ok?" I stupidly asked. "Yes, I am well, but I am very busy, so I am going to have to ask you to leave." She finished. Without knowing what to do to fix her, and needing help, I decided to leave and find Fluttershy. Even if I still feel guilty about what I had did, I thought her kindness would help. I guess I was wrong. Once I had reached Fluttershy's place, she was gray and already torturing Angel with tableware. Quietly, I tried to make my escape, but she noticed me. In a heartbeat, I was pinned against a tree by her cutlery. "What do you think you're doing? Tresspassing on my property like that?" She said while approaching me. I freed myself and attempted to fly away, only to notice she had me pinned by my tail. "Ah Ah Ah... You're my new stress ball since you let Angel get away. Now stay-" She started, before being tackled by a crazy purple mare. "Run, Spirit!" The ball of energy had spoken. Taking her word, I flew away and towards the center of Ponyville again. From overhead, I saw a sulking gray Pinkie Pie arguing with a gray Rarity. Not only that, but a gray Applejack was conversing with an angry shopkeeper. From what I could tell, only the Elements of Harmony were affected by that dark wave. "This isn't good." I stated obviously. Without the Elements, how were we going to take down Discord? I decided that a different group were going to have to stop him, so I called in a few favors. My first stop was the far house near the cliff. The mare there still owed me for re-boarding her house, Golden Harvest, also known as 'Carrot Top'. When I knocked, she greeted me with her usual smile. "Hello Spirit, what makes you visit me today? Need another job?" She asked innocently. "No, but I need to call in a favor. Something's going on and I need your help, the Elements of Harmony are in danger." I explained, rather poorly. "Oh, but why do you need me?" "Because you're one of the few who still owe me favors, and you're good at gardening." "Oh, well, I guess I'll join you then. Where are we going?" "Right now, the Post Office." "What?" She asked, before I suddenly warped us to the Ponyville Post Office. "Agh! Warn me before you do something like that! Besides, how did you use magic? You're a pegasus, aren't you?" "Sorry, and yeah, blame the strange happenings. Oh! Mr. Post!" My focus redirected when I saw the gruff pegasus staring at us in shock. "Huh? Oh, what?" Mr. Post asked after snapping out of his shock. "Is Ditzy working today?" "Yes, she should be back any secon-" His sentence got cut off as Ditzy came flying through the open window and into the pillow net set up just in case this happened. "I'm baaack!" Ditzy announced while getting up and dusting off. Once she noticed me, I was barreled over in a hug, "Spirit! Hey! Thanks for watching Dinky again, that really helped me get caught up on my work!" "No problem, but I actually could use your help." I explained while getting up and separating myself from her. "Something's happening and the Elements of Harmony are in danger. I am trying to get some ponies together to do something about it." "Hey, I noticed that Rarity was acting weird as well, when I went to give her her mail, she took my saddlebags! I knew something was fishy! Count me in, but we have to finish before school lets out, I promised Dinky that we'd go to the park after school." Ditzy spoke with her usual carefree attitude. "I can't promise we'll be done by then, but I'll try. We should hurry then." I finished while grabbing on to the two mares. With a flash, we vanished from the post office and appeared at a large mansion gate. Golden Harvest was still a bit disoriented, but it seemed like Ditzy took the sudden teleport without too much difficulty. A knock or two and we were greeted by an ashen colored pony wearing a bow tie. "Hello? Ah, Spirit, is it? And two guests, I suppose this relates to the way Canterlot has been drastically changing into a mess?" Octavia spoke, the same unsurprised and upper-crust tone that she usually used. "Um... I didn't know Canterlot had been hit yet, but yeah." I responded with a bit of shock. Discord was hitting major points quickly, this wasn't good. "And I suppose you want to call in the favor I owe you for posting those fliers up in Cloudsdale. Very well, let's go." She finished. "Oh, uh... ok then." Whenever I speak to Octavia, she always seems to know what I plan to say. Anyway, I was running out of energy to teleport, so we hoofed it towards the high rise apartments near the 'lower-class' area of Canterlot (If it even exists). On the way, we definitely saw the chaos spreading through Canterlot, everything was changing; since I needed a recharge though, I pulled some of the loose chaos energy out of the air, it wasn't much, but it did help a bit. The odd thing about this was that I didn't realize that I did until I noticed my energy was a bit higher than it should've been. As we reached the high rise apartments, a white mare with an electric blue mane was sitting on a bench outside. "Hey Octy!" She called. "Vinyl?" Octavia asked, as she heard and recognized the pony. "Long time no see." Vinyl Scratch commented as she got up and approached our group. "Indeed, I think it was back when we were neighbors, when you constantly came over and raided my refrigerator." Octavia deadpanned. "Sound familliar?" Golden Harvest said while nudging Ditzy. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Ditzy replied, while holding the best poker face that a wall-eyed mare can hold. Golden Harvest only chuckled. "Okay," I announced, "only one pony left!" I summoned up whatever chaos energy I had gotten from the air and whatever I had left otherwise, and I pulled Screwball from wherever Fluttershy had her and set Screwball directly in front of me. "Huh, Uwah?" Screwball yelped at the sudden transport. "On going what's, Spirit hi, oh?" "Hey Screwball, I think I got a good team here, we need to go face your dad now, are you willing to help?" "am I, yes. now out everything figured I think I." Screwball replied. "Wait, what's going on, I'm confused." Vinyl inturrupted. "Yes spirit, I am rather confused myself, what did you mean by 'your dad'?" Octavia added. "I'll explain what I can on the way, we need to go, now." I explained, adding a bit more haste just to avoid any large arguments. With that, we were off to Canterlot Castle again, since I could feel the largest well of chaos there. My own energy was resonating with that of Discords, pulling me in, our confrontation was guaranteed, the outcome almost predictable. Even with everything against us, even if I knew we were going to fail, I would be foolish not to try.
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	Countering Chaos	Finally, we reached the doors to Canterlot Castle. Unlike the last time I was here, the doors were covered in huge wooden chains, preventing us from just opening the door. If the doors were anything other than a natural materiel like wood, we probably would've had to find a different entrance, luckily we had an expert in nature with us. "It looks like I actually can do something here. Stand back!" Golden Harvest announced. Unexpectedly, the orange mare leapt at the chains of wood and started biting into them. As a Pegasus, I hardly question why Earth Ponies do something, especially when Pinkie Pie was involved, but even THIS, confused me. My confusion ended suddenly, when the chains started to slacken, and Golden Harvest actually started yelling at the chains to let us through. Earth Pony Magic, I've learned to stop questioning it. By the time we registered what she was up to, she was already done and the door was open. "...And next time you think of blocking our path, I won't go easy!" Golden finished before turning to us. "Well, that tree won't bother us again, easy as pie. Let's go." Out of our group, only Ditzy and I were stunned at what Golden did. Shortly, we shook our heads and went along with the rest. If I had thought Discord messed up the castle before, this was just insane. Even now, I can't exactly describe what was going on or how we were moving through, only Screwball and I could protect our group from going completely nuts at what we were looking at. Somehow we ended up in an open room after sliding down a wet tongue of some sort that mashed up color with broccoli. Luckily, this room wasn't as messed up as that "Hallway", in fact, this room was almost a completely normal concert hall. "Wh...What... That, and with the... I've never even..." Octavia was scrambling to complete a sentence to describe our walk through the hall. Ditzy was laughing and Golden Harvest was struck speechless. Aside from Screwball and I (Who were immune to Discord's crazy worlds) only Vinyl seemed unaffected. "Eh, I've seen worse, I once ate a five pronged leaf once that sent me into a crazy world even Discord would be afraid of." Were Vinyl's exact words about the whole thing. I still think that she would've gone crazy if it wasn't for Screwball and me. Regardless, Vinyl started to walk around the concert hall to see if she could find a way out while the others recovered their senses. A short rest later, Vinyl came back to the group and reported what she saw. "Well, I didn't find us a way out, but there were some cool records on the stage that acted as a giant set of turntables!" She reported. "Vinyl, only you would be excited about a giant set of turntables, we would rather find Discord." Octavia responded. I nodded in agreement, as did everypony else. Just as the rest of us got to exploring the hall, a familiar chuckle rang. "Why hellooooo intruders, welcome to my music room. I'm glad you could join me." Discord announced before appearing in the center of the room with a bright flash of light. All of us immediately set into a battle stance. Octavia pulled her cello out of off-screen. Golden Harvest braced herself forward. Vinyl summoned a pair of records and began spinning them like a buzz saw. Ditzy took to the air and prepared a ridiculously sized cannon stuffed with muffin batter. I began tugging at the chaos strings inside me, otherwise looking fiercely at the ground. Screwball, however, was standing uncomfortably still, looking about two hooves to the left of her dad. "Screwball, you wound me. Why are you with these ruffians instead of beside your dear old dad?" Discord mocked. Screwball remained silent, she may have seen the need for control, but just to go straight up and fight her father? I expected this reaction. There was nothing I could do, this was the one thing I actually couldn't help her with. Discord apparently got bored, so he yawned and snapped his fingers a few times; each time a new Discord appeared next to the old one. Soon, we were surrounded by a large handful of Discord's, each laughing manically. "This will be fun." All of the Discord's said at once. Combat began, Vinyl threw her records like Frisbees of death, cutting through two of the Discords, who vanished into a pile of confetti. "Let's spin this shit!" Vinyl shouted her battle-cry. Ditzy screamed in rage and began launching hot muffin batter everywhere. Golden Harvest disappeared into a crowd of the Discords. Octavia provided the background music (I still think she's way to proper... and it didn't even fit the mood!), and I began weaving my own brand of chaos. Screwball was frozen in place, still torn on what to do. Without her, we would have a harder time beating Discord, but we had to try. In unsettling synchronicity, the Discords acted as a crazy military force, each "pair" sliding and skidding around with no real aim. Each "pair" somehow managed to cause damage, to either us or the surroundings, that could rival any muffin cannon or flying disc of death. During the match, I managed to get bowled down and cut up along my stomach when I was used as a trampoline. Octavia managed to avoid much damage, but even through her injury, she kept up the phantom orchestra. Vinyl rocked around to a beat all her own, taking down more Discords than anyone. Ditzy was a maniac, shooting at anything and everything, even with this display of crazy, she ended up being the only one of us who wasn't injured by the end of the fight. Golden Harvest was easily the most brutal of us, causing the most harm without actually ending any of the Discords. She was also one of the most injured of the group. By the time the fighting ended with the last confetti explosion, she was down and out. We were worried that she was dead, but luckily Octavia was able to tell she was alive. After the fight was over, Discord spoke up again, this time without being there. "Ah, you are tougher than you look, when you actually meet me you might have a chance. For now, rest, I've provided a room, " a door appeared and opened in one of the walls, "aren't I nice? Hahahaha... oh, and Screwball, pick a side next time, they really could've used your help. Hahahaha..." His voice faded, leaving the silence behind. "Let's rest, if we're gonna run into an army of Draconequinsses... Dracono.... bah, an army of Discords, we'll need it. I just hope this isn't a trap." I told to the group. Everyone nodded. Nearly everyone was inside the new room, only Screwball and I were left in the concert hall. I approached her to see if I could fix her 'brokenness' of staring off into the ground. "Hey, Screwball, you ok?" I asked. She looked up, but didn't say anything. "Come on, say something at least." Still nothing. Honestly, I hated seeing her like this, conflicted doesn't look good on her face. After trying a countless amount of ways to get her to react in vain, I resorted to something I KNEW would provoke a reaction, good or bad. I kissed her.
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	A... Carnival? Or the Worst Chapter In This Story	Just like that, I had kissed her for the first time I had remembered. And just like that, I was met with a hoof to the face. I flew like a rag doll, impacting the unforgiving stone wall and leaving a nice impression of myself. Well, I got a reaction out of her, and I was about to get a slew of (back) words as a bonus. Only, the words weren't as angry as I expected. "Now twice that's, anything or someponies special we're like not it's, again that like something do you before me warn, gah!" Screwball shouted at me. I peeled myself off the wall and hovered over to her, a confused expression on my face. "I had to do something to break you out of your trance, and what do you mean twice?" I asked. " Time next me warn just, nothing." Screwball remarked before walking to the new room with a scowl. Normally, I would pursue the 'next time' thing, but she didn't seem to be in a joking mood, so I filed it away for later. I made my own way into the new room, rest was what everyone needed. Suddenly, I found myself standing gawk-eyed at the inside of Twilight's library. Or, at least, a very well made copy of her library, complete with her own room upstairs and the guest room in back (only with more beds, enough for each of us). Everyone was actually busy unwinding in their own way. Vinyl had already set up her DJ stand and was jamming away to some unknown beat through her earphones, Octavia was reading a book about music and Golden Harvest was already laying in one of the beds, asleep. Ditzy was attempting to comfort Screwball, mostly to no success. Personally, I wanted to call it a night, today had been really jam packed with everything. However, I knew I needed to organize the group, even if I hated playing the leader role. "Okay, everypony, " I started, standing on 'Twilight's' study table, trying to get everyone's attention, "even if Discord keeps his word and lets us rest in peace, we should stay alert at least a bit, he could pull a trick and separate us or turn us against one another. To start, we should take care of our injured, then get whatever rest we can, although one of us needs to stay up and watch out at all times. A schedule should be set up." "Who are you? Twilight Sparkle? Come on, relax, Discord's too much of a show off to do try anything sneaky." Vinyl spoke up, having heard me over her music. "I'll agree with Vinyl on this one, he's not the type to go behind anypony's back." Octavia chimed in. "Still, isn't it better to be safe than sorry?" I replied, knowing that I was acting completely unlike myself. Something was off, normally, I'm not that cautious, but I was acting more and more responsible than I should. "Uh... nevermind, I'm going to rest." I quickly added before running into the guest room and flopping onto one of the fluffy beds. I couldn't sleep at all. Normally, I could even sleep through the worst thunderstorm Everfree Forest could throw at me. Thinking back on it, I think the stress of the whole situation prevented me from getting sleep. So I just laid in bed, waiting until everyone else was rested enough to move on. My thoughts were scrambled, and I couldn't focus on anything else except what could be ahead. Soon enough, the others started getting up and getting excited. We started to move back into the concert hall, if it was still there. Once we opened the tree-door again, the new scene greeted us, literally. "Welcome to the wheel of chance!" the loud sound blasted at us. Once we moved into the new room, we saw a large carnival set up, showing off all of the games set up along a path that stretched off into a dark spot in the far back. "Play a game! Any game! Get lucky enough and you may just be able to get back stage and meet the ringmaster!" "Cool! A carnival, and a chance to go straight to Discord! Let's get going!" Vinyl exclaimed. She rushed out and was immediately out of sight. Octavia chased after her shouting to not get separated. To be honest, I was starting to get giddy at the atmosphere, so I kinda... ran off myself. It was a stupid mistake considering this was nearly the same way that Discord corrupted the Elements the first time. Maybe it didn't matter, none of us really had any 'golden' traits like the elements, we were mostly average and actually had a 'bronze' trait that was more negative than anything else. If I had to think, I'd say only Ditzy had any actual good pony traits, considering she was the only one of us to hold any responsibility over anything besides ourselves. Anyway, after dashing off in glee, I was found standing at a ring toss stand. All of the rings were just sitting on the stand, with nopony running the stand. Since I was alone, I decided to take a shot! Carnival games are always rigged, these were no exception. I still had fun, I ended up sending piles of rings all over the place! After this whole event was settled, Screwball found a Ring still stuck in my mane! The final ring was laying at the table, just waiting for my throw. It all came down to this, this one throw would determine everything. If only at the time I realized how true that was. Just as I began to throw the ring, I was distracted by someone shouting my name behind me. My tail smacked the ring mid-flight, and sent it sailing. When I whipped around, I saw Ditzy and Screwball running towards me, an urgent look on their face. They were just about to say something before I disappeared from their sight, I was teleported against my will, right into the throne room of Discord.
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	Discord	"Congratulations! and welcome back. I've been wanting to deal with you." Discord coldly mocked. This throne room was indescribable, true chaos existed here and it doesn't like anything to be recognized. Even with the protection of chaos, I could feel my own sanity slipping. Whispers of the past and future taunted every single movement I made, and the silver made a cold stream circling my body. My senses were beginning to merge, I swore I could taste color and see sound. "Discord! Finally. Unraveling, polishing the end!" I managed to write, my meaning was clear to both of us even though it made no sense elsewhere. "SIGGHH, very well, you know how this will end." Discord spoke. Beams of glass light weaved around the two of us, giving form to our chaos energy. There really was no contest, and I would've been overwhelmed, if he wasn't toying with me. Patterns of sound weaved back and forth, a mess of color that made a sonic rainboom look like a filly. Worlds formed and ended before the greater and lesser forces of chaos, reality slipped in and out as I tried to unweave his chaos. Discord allowed me to nearly unweave his creations before he reinforced them and shoved me back, taunting me every time. "Maybe next time! Maybe next time! Hahahaha! Almost, just maybe!" Discord cackled. His power seemed unlimited, nearly throwing me out of everywhere. I kept up what I could, but my power was draining fast, and I struggled to do anything but deflect what he threw. Just when my power seemed to reach its limit, I felt someone else appear. "Here I'm, Spirit!" An unforgettable voice entered my sight. I shifted my hearing to the... right?... where I saw my favorite pony of chaos shining in a glass light vortex. Screwball had power that I didn't even know she had, very close to three quarters of Discord himself. This was the first time I truly recognized her as Discord's daughter. "Ah... child of mine. So glad you could join us, did you pick a side?" Discord asked, a murderous grin on his ever-shifting face. "How silly, of course you have, you're still in that boring pony body. Such a tragedy, you could've been a wonderful replacement spirit. Oh well." Discord changed his attention to her, and began to begin the chaos weaving contest with her, giving me a chance to rest for a time. I was absolutely grateful that Screwball showed up, she would give Discord some challenge at least. "Psst, Spirit, over here..." A voice popped up out of nowhere. I turned and noticed a pair of amber eyes trained on me. Ditzy was somehow... standing?.... unharmed in this mess. Not only that, but she also had a vortex of glass light, it was an extremely tiny vortex, but it was definitely there. "Ditzy? How do?" I wrote to her. "Shhh! Take my energy, muffins abound." She replied simply. Both of us focused on a stream of energy, allowing me to pull her vortex into my own, after which, she vanished. While it wasn't much, the sentiment was worth it, as well as the idea. I didn't get far before I was shocked by three new ponies appearing, each with small vortexes of their own. Somehow, each of the ponies who I called in favors for had chaos energy all their own, still not much, but some. This new energy wasn't ignored by Discord, and he split his focus; another mistake. "Hey, more toys! How fun. Get over here." Discord cheered. Screwball took this opportunity to put in a cheap shot. The spirit of chaos cracked, and howled in rage. "AGH! How dare you!" "Discord, me is target your!" Screwball taunted, and bowling full force into Discord's energy. I could've sworn Screwball's mane flashed yellow before impact, but this chaos made any type of study impossible. Anyway, I ... ran?... over to the three mares. "Idea! Borrow your chaos?" I scripted. They only nodded. 'Seeing' them nodding, I started to pull the energy to myself. That's when I confirmed something; After I had drained everything from each of them, I looked back and noticed each of them unconsciously pulling the chaos energy out of the 'environment'. Something new to add to the journal on how chaos energy works, when chaos energy is completely absent from something, the empty space is filled with chaos energy from the atmosphere, like water filling an empty glass when the glass is put under water. Normally, a glass is limited in the amount it can hold making it unavailable for use by any normal pony, but the chaos gem I ate 'overfilled' my glass, allowing me to use that overflow to affect the world around me. This is where I got my idea: what if I tricked the world around me into thinking my glass was empty? I thought that it would have a black hole effect, making me pull in a large amount of chaos energy really, really quickly. So instead of using chaos to unweave chaos, I would just rip out the energy keeping the chaos effect up. And so I began to obliterate the world.... or not. Screwball was fading on energy at this point, and Discord was beginning to injure her badly. Without chewing, I charged at Discord physically, even if I knew it'd be useless. Luckily, I was able to steal his attention as my energy flared after passing through him. What he didn't notice is that my energy only flared because I drained a little bit of his energy. "Pest, I let you rest too long. My mistake." Discord coldly stated, he seemed completely consumed by his anger, acting unlike his usual cruel-jolly self. "Time to end you." His energy lashed out at me, cutting my mind, and breaking my leg. When I shook off the pain, I used my own energy to mend my leg up and set up a defense until I could perform my trick. Discord kept pounding away at my defense, unknowingly giving me all the energy from his attacks. After a moment to breathe, I began squashing all of my chaos energy into the core inside me. I was left completely defenseless to whatever Discord was up to, he could've easily ended me right there, but I put on a brave face so he still thought I was defending myself. Once I cut off all feeling in my body, so I wouldn't be distracted, I began to crush my chaos core. This would've been painful if I had any feeling, luckily I shut that off. Soon, I crushed the core down to a single point, where I began to crush it further. Suddenly, I heard a pop, along with the sound of a vacuum. A torrent of chaos energy started flooding into me, draining directly into that single space, never increasing the size. A literal chaos black hole, as far as I knew. I had been swept away with the ever increasing flood of chaos, into the very center of this mass. I woke up in a field of black, void as far as I could see. Once I stood up, I noticed shards of glass lying on the ground, reflecting nothing. For a good while, I thought I had killed myself, until three shards of glass started floating in front of me. "You won't survive if you keep this energy and stay as you are, ahead of you there are three options, each one has its perks and flaws" A voice that was my own stated. I nearly jumped out of my skin. When I tried to reply, I found that I couldn't speak, as this other thing had my voice. One of the mirror fragments floated in front of my face. The fragment showed me... only a different me, taller, more impressive, and with a sharp horn joining my wings... an Alicorn me. "This first option is the path of power, and responsiblity. You would join the ranks of the Alicorns, becoming the Alicorn of Change and taking up the role Discord once fulfilled, before his corruption. You would become immortal and a prince in your own right, with extraordinary magic . However, everyone here; Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, Golden Harvest, Ditzy Do, Discord, and Screwball would all die, because you would keep all of the chaos energy that exists, removing their bodies ability to act on its own." Before I could do anything, another fragment floated up, revealing a letter, written by me. The words were blurred so that I couldn't read them. "The next option is the path of the letter. You would release the chaos energy back into Equestria, saving everyone here except for Discord, because he cannot live without all of the released energy, and he does not regenerate chaos energy like any normal creature. This would return Equestria to a state resembling Everfree Forest's weather, where nature would take care of itself. You and Screwball would become regular ponies instead of ponies of chaos. A letter would be written by you to Princess Celestia explaining why you chose this path and why Equestria should take care of itself." Another fragment followed, the last one. A beam of chaos energy was shown launching into space, and Screwball and I were standing on a cliff overlooking the beam. "The final option is the path of the destruction of chaos. You would release the chaos energy and send it off into space, never to reach Equestria again. This path is the darkest of the three paths, as it eventually leads to the end of all life, as life cannot exist without chaos. However, it is still a path open to you." I thought about all of this, and each option well... sucked in its own way. Truly, I hated choosing at all, I would run away if I could without dying. Since each path did offer something good, I would've liked to take all of those pieces and stuck them together and left the bad to rot in a corner... so I did.
Freedom Incarnate, or the Redemption of Chaos	Freedom Incarnate, or the Future of Chaos	I opened my eyes and saw Canterlot castle covered in grey, and nopony was moving except for me. Time seemed to have stopped completely, even the objects floating in the air were suspended. Shortly, I noticed Screwball standing in her usual chaos-forming pose opposite Discord, who had changed his appearance drastically. Discord no longer appeared to be the mish mash of animal parts that he used to. Instead, he looked like a regal Alicorn, just like Luna and Celestia, but he was still recognizable. His grin is the same no matter what he looks like, the same goes for his scowl. Screwball was a bit different, not as much as Discord though. Her hair was flattened to her head and laid out in neat lines of changing color (the shades were different). The most striking difference was her eyes, instead of being the swirly orbs they usually were, they were normal. Since her eyes were normal, that ended up making her pose all the more direct and impressive. At least I thought it was impressive; It still wasn't the regular Screwball though. After enough looking around, I finally decided to begin splashing the world of energy within me. Waves of energy started to pour out, coloring the world again. When it reached each of the ponies in the room, it stopped shortly to fill them each with color. I made sure to fill Screwball with enough to turn her back into her usual self, and I also made sure to prevent Discord from absorbing any energy at all. Soon, I sped up the release, allowing it to cover the entire world. Washing color back into the grey land, and slowly bringing time back to moving. Everyone except Discord in the throne room were slowly regaining their senses and shaking their heads in confusion and exhaustion. All that I had left was Discords massive energy reserve which could tip the world in any direction. Instead of just releasing it into Equestria, I split a large portion of it between me and Screwball. This part of the energy didn't bring along any changes to us physically, but joined with our already set energy. If I did put in all of Discord's energy between us, we would've been changed, and not in a good way; there wouldn't have been enough to change us into alicorns, but enough to mutate us into... other things. Finally, whatever energy that wasn't my own I launched out of Equestria, the world wouldn't be itself without the pegasii controlling the weather after all. All I really needed to do was to reset the balance of chaos. With that out of the way, and all of the overflow energy gone, I waited for everyone to get back to normal. Well, everyone but Discord. "It did we, Spirit!" Screwball announced before pounce-tackling me in laughter. Of course she'd be the first to react, she was the only one with enough energy to match my own. Her happiness was very catchy, and soon I was laughing with her. Everyone else started racing towards us and began celebrating, and Celestia entered the throne room. The regal form of the Princess hushed everyone's chatter with a flap of her wings. "Spirit Wind," She began, I gulped, "Not only did you disregard my lessons on control, but you broke into my castle once again." A pause to increase tension further, Screwball wouldn't let go of my neck, so I was having a hard time breathing for two reasons. "And you ended up ridding us of Discord permanently. Job well done, my little pony." She finished with a smile. Cheers broke out once again. One voice did rise above the crowd though, "Do you know what this calls for? A PARTY!" The familiar party mare appeared from Celestia's mane. I was sure I only returned what she had before, but Pinkie Pie has a chaos energy all her own. One whirlwind later, the entire populations of Ponyville and Canterlot were stuffed into the Canterlot Throne Room. A large party was going on in celebration of the defeat of Discord... again. (That was on the sign) Normally, I would enjoy the festivities, but I was exhausted from the fight and the outcome, so I wanted to rest. I found Screwball swinging a bat around at the pinata field. "Hey, Screwball, will you come with me for a bit?" I asked, still exhausted, but with an unknown energy. "Sure, oh. Hm?" she responded. I led her out to the balcony of the large party hall (a very long ways away from the party). "Up what's?" "Well..." I started, approaching her side as we looked out at the colored night sky, "If I remember, you said next time I wanted to kiss you, I'd have to ask. So..." I actually was interrupted as SHE kissed me, and of course I returned it. No taste can compare with hers, and no way am I going to tell you anything about it. Too soon, though, we broke apart and she said, "Ask just can you, kiss we when choose to get I only." Her smirk was the stuff of gold, and I wouldn't trade her swirly eyes for anything else in the world. "Then I get to choose the next time you get to eat a jelly filled donut!" I replied jokingly, while snatching her beanie off of her head and jumping off the balcony and into the sky. "Fair no, hey!" She replied chuckling. I was soon pursued into the sky by a mare who was once thought of as only trouble, and the only mare able to keep me at her side. +++ "And that was how I met your mother. And how I saved Equestria too." Spirit concluded his story spoken towards the three children sitting upon large mushrooms in the forest located just outside of Ponyville. "Wow..." "Heh" "You're too mushy dad." Each of the children hopped up and chattered about different parts of the story. Unknown to any of the children, Spirit was being watched from a hidden part on the edge of the clearing. Soon, he was pounced on by the blur. Screwball landed on top of Spirit, a cheerful grin on her face. He returned the grin. "Met we how of story the children the telling?" Screwball asked, already knowing the answer. "Heh, yes, and I still remember every detail." Spirit replied, "Including our deal." Screwball chuckled. "Well?" She asked. "Well... can I kiss you?" Spirit asked in response. Screwball's only reply was locking lips with him.
The Rasp	pre	Sorry. I have to keep writing about our adventure. Our story. Our progress. If I start talking about my feelings I'll never stop, and I'll waste the parchment again. I've gone through whole scrolls just trying to ...make sense of everything that's happening. Twilight would use the journal for clues but I'm not smart enough to suss them out like she does. I've been reading over the tale over and over and I just get mad at myself. Mad at Applejack. Mad at everypony. Then I realize that's not normal. It isn't ok for me to be mad all the time. I have to fix this!! I HAVE TO! I have the Rasp, I'm sure of it. It's in my blood. I can feel it making me sicker and sicker. What's the best way to get your own blood out? I need something sharp. If I can get all of it out, then I'll be ok again. Maybe just a few cuts. I mean, your body produces more blood right? It's a simple process. Drain some, let more develop that isn't contaminated? That's what I have to do. I'll do it to save Twilight. I have to. If I can cure myself, I can help her. I can save my sister! I need something sharp!! Applejack doesn't understand. I can't let her know. She'd try to stop me from saving Twilight. I can't trust her. I can't. Got some out. Didn't mean to spill it on the journal, though. I feel better! A little light headed, maybe, but the headache is going away! I would have gotten more, but Applejack came over and told me it's time to go. Pack everything up. She doesn't know about the knife I found. She doesn't know about the blood. I hid it when I rolled my scroll up. I asked her where she intends to take us. "Sweet Apple Acres." She says. Applejack isn't infected. I don't think she's infected. She doesn't seem like she's infected. Her blood is untainted. I can use it to help Twilight. She'll forgive me, won't she? Of course she will. She'll understand. She's my friend. She HAS to understand! It's important to help Twilight. We have to save Twilight!! I WON'T LET HER SUFFER! I'll write later. We're about to leave. Sweet Apple Acres is the perfect place to go. That's where I can catch her off guard. I swear I'll save you, sis.
The Rasp	Sunday (Infected)	Been in and out of it all day. Waking up, falling asleep. Most of the time I was riding along Applejack's back. She says I've got a fever. Says not to worry about walkin. I think she just wants to keep me close. She smells so sweet. Sweaty, but I can smell the apples in her mane. Mouth watering apples. Scarlet treasures growing on trees. Bright, dazzling rubies. So hungry... We approached Sweet Apple Acres around the evening. The sun was going down, and night was just starting to get into full swing. Luna and Celestia must be somewhere, still working on princess stuff. Instead of helping us. I hate them. I HATE THEM! They should be saving their subjects, not screwing around with the sun and the moon!! Angry again. Raging again. Need to calm down. Will write soon. Applejack took us to an older barn that was on the outskirts of the property. Empty place. Mostly used farm equipment. Lots of bales of hay. Lots of tools. I wondered if there was something here I could use to help me get more of my blood out. Have to get it out...It's all I can think about. I have to get it out to rescue Twilight. I've got to. There wasn't much around except apple trees. She marched into the barn with us in tow and stopped in the middle of the room. There, she tapped her hoof on the ground three times. I watched all of this quietly. THUNK THUNK THUNK. The ground was hollow. As lame as I was feeling, I was still amazed. This must have been an old cellar or something they built a barn over. Now it housed a new quarantine. That's what you call a group of people hiding right? Because that's what it was housing. A massive red hoof opened up a hatch from inside, and Big Mac poked his boxy nose out at us. I have never seen Big Mac smile like the way he did when he saw Applejack. I could feel my heart melt, but they didn't embrace as I expected them to. They were both smiling, but they kept their distance. Big Mac glanced down behind him, into the cellar, and then back out at A.J. with a grimace. As if he were bracing himself for what would come next. "...Applejack." Big Mac said tersely. I could feel the tension in the air. It was suffocating. I was suffocating. Applejack nodded her head stiffly and adjusted her stance. She glanced back at Octavia, myself, and Pinkie Pie, and then drew a deep breath. For a moment...I didn't understand what I was seeing. Like the gestures didn't make any sense. The orange one pointed to the other two, and then at me. Why was she pointing at me? I didn't like it. I didn't like her hoof pointed at me. "Octavia n' Pinkie Pie need medical attention. Pinkie got bit, n' Octavia got hurt somethin' fierce. We ain't shown no symptoms, but...Spike...ain't doin' so well." She said slowly. I perked my ear fins and tilted my head. The name Spike sounded familiar. "Spike...Ya'll gonna need ta stay out here, okay?" Somebody was saying. Somebody was saying it far far away. My thoughts felt muddled. Like, I was trying to focus on a million different things at once. Like everything was fuzzy and the words all stopped making sense. It was almost like I was falling asleep. "I think yer sick...and...I can't letcha make us sick too. Spike? Sugarcube?" The voice asked. They were talking to somepony else. They were talking about things I didn't care about. They weren't talking about Twilight. They weren't focusing on rescuing Twilight! THEY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT TWILIGHT!!! I had to do something!! The longer we sat around talking the longer Twilight was sick! I had to do something! I needed to get that blood. NOW! I remember falling on all fours, spitting fire into the air. I snarled and bit and snapped at them as they tried to get closer to me. Applejack had a rope, and for some reason seeing that sent me further into a rage. Then, Then something weird happened. I remembered Twilight for a moment. I could see her face. I could see her mane. I could hear her voice. She's my family, and she was in trouble. I wanted to save her. That's all I wanted. That was my only goal. I knew that I was sick. But if I could make myself better again, I could make Twilight better too!! I had to get the orange pony's blood! Hers wasn't infected! She wasn't sick! But then a new voice whispered in my ear. It was soft. And it was gentle, and it was loving and it was crying. It was pink. "H-hey...You've gotta be really scared right now, right? I know I am, but we're gonna get through this. We're gonna get through this and we're gonna have a party afterward. You n' me, and Applejack and Twilight, and all of our friends, okay? I promise!! I promise we're gonna be okay!! Y-you gotta believe that, cause it's the only way ...it's t-the only way we can get through this! "The voice sobbed itself into tears. Someone was...holding me? For a few seconds, I was confused. The voice had mentioned Twilight. I felt calmer somehow. Twilight? Who was Twilight. I swear that name sounded familiar. That name... Yes. Twilight! This was about Twilight! Saving Twilight! It didn't matter WHO saved Twilight, as long as somepony did! I didn't know where I was at the moment, but the only thing that mattered to me was finding and saving Twilight!! Yes! Yes focus on Twilight. What's your best bet at saving Twilight?! Uninfected blood! Applejack has uninfected blood! No! Not her blood...I didn't need Applejack's blood...I NEEDED APPLEJACK!! It was like a breath of fresh air! Like, suddenly waking up from some terrible dream! I could remember standing up, and holding up both my claws in the air apologetically. I regained my senses- just as Big Mac clapped me on the back of the head with one huge hoof. He'd snuck up behind me during the scuffle. I was out like a light.
The Rasp	Monday (Guilt)	I woke up with a throbbing headache and the taste of glue on my lips. Well, more accurately, the taste of the duct tape someone had gagged me with. Somepony wanted to make sure fire wasn't on my list of options at the moment, and they were wise to do so, considering how I acted earlier. A strong line of rope had been secured around my sides, keeping my arms pinned in place, suggesting I wasn't going anywhere, and somepony planned to keep it that way. Applejack. She was sitting adjacent to me in the barn, with her back against the wall. She'd obviously been keeping watch, but the poor pony was so exhausted, she'd fallen asleep with her hat tilted down over her eyes. I couldn't blame her. We'd been running for so long, and fighting so hard, I doubt even a bomb going off could wake her. She didn't even react to the dreadful tell-tale hiss of infected as it neared the barn. Helplessly, my heart stopped as I watched this horrible thing drag itself into the barn. It must have followed us from ponyville. It lurched forward with a low hissing rasp spilling from its muzzle. Smaller than the other infected but still threatening, this particular creature was colored tangerine with splashes of blackened and burnt fur over its frame. It dragged itself forward on charred and stubby little hooves, only to pause for a moment to peer around the room. Violet spikes of mane jut out over glossy lavender orbs, and small, pale, writhing appendages sprouted from its back. I couldn't pull my eyes away from it. It didn't notice me. Or maybe it did, and it just didn't care. It drew forward with another terrible little hiss, and my eyes widened when I realized what was happening. It gave a clicking cough and started forward towards Applejack. She was asleep, and only a few feet away from me, but my arms were bound and I couldn't speak!! APPLEJACK!!! Wriggling in the rope, I tried desperately to make a noise. Call out! Something!! ANYTHING!! I had to warn her the infected had found us! I HAD TO WAKE HER UP!! "MMMPMMH!! MPPHMMH!!" I cried. She was so exhausted. We'd been running from infected for days and Applejack was a particularly heavy sleeper. She didn't notice me and the monster dragged itself closer and closer. NO! APPLEJACK WAKE UP!! I kicked and squirmed and only managed to roll myself over onto my side. APPLEJACK!! I kicked furiously and writhed on the ground. I didn't have the strength to stand! Why did I have to be so weak?! MMPMPMH!! MMMPMMH!!!" I screamed again. Applejack didn't move. It was crawling closer and closer, hissing all the way while I desperately tried to cobble together some sort of plan. If only I could use my fire breath!! I watched, ravaged by guilt as the infected crawled over to Applejack. Oh, I knew who it was. I knew in my heart of hearts that this blackened little charred nightmare creature had once been a friend of mine. I knew those sweet innocent eyes, and the crisp burnt orange fur. I knew that pony. All I could do was watch in agony as it approached us. No. It approached Applejack. It was after uninfected blood. That's why it didn't bother looking at me. That's why I was invisible to it. I shifted my hips and tried to edge myself towards Applejack. With enough frantic twisting and kicking, I managed to start making headway towards the pair. The monster was faster than me, though. It approached Applejack and started climbing up onto her. Was it going for her neck? A single killing blow? I needed to get Applejack's attention and now! But there was nothing I could do. For all of my frantic kicking and wiggling, I was helpless to watch as a tragedy unfolded in front of me. My lashing tail caught the side of the barn with a thump, and Applejack shifted in her sleep. It only took me a moment to realize what I had to do, and in that minute, I did it. I crushed my tail as hard as I possibly could against the wall. WHUMP! It hurt, but it didn't matter! It was noise! I was making noise! WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP. I wound my tail back for one final smack at the barn's wall and... CRACK!! It was like kicking a rock. You know what that feels like? It hurt. A lot. I'm fairly sure I broke my tail in that single blow. The pain was like fire racing through my hips and I screamed in agony. Even through the gag, it was loud. Loud enough to jerk Applejack into wakeful state. In one swift move, she put the infected pony down. Hard. One brutal kick was all it took. It was hard to know which was worse: The guilt of watching that happen, or knowing I created the problem in the first place. > { xhtgshshgs} Never sad she never did nothing for me. You know, that Zeocoora i like her a whoooooooooooole bunches IT HURT SO MUCH and I think it's starting to kick in now, so I'mfndik rrrsss fsact kflnbkssfd Nap in her room. I son'; rrww. fARMHOUSSSS THROW A PARTY ON THE MOON pANCAKES Pancakes R beautiful And that's the dream I had. I'm sure it's important. Pinkie sense too Pinkie would throw a party like that. Maybe she can help me figure it out. maybe maybe.She and Zecora. is pret.ty awesoem.
The Rasp	??? (Wakeup call)	I remember rolling around on my side in agony. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. I was gagged. The best I could do was muffled shouts. My arms were pinned by the rope, so I couldn't right myself. My tail was in an awkward position, and it drove white hot spikes of fire through my rump. I sobbed silently while trying to right myself. Every second was a nightmare!! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!! Applejack didn't notice. She was too busy inspecting the unconscious infected. Or dead. I didn't know. It didn't matter. I can't describe the agony I was in. I guess I was screaming wildly, and Applejack finally came rushing over to me. She didn't pull the gag off. I wanted her to pull the gag off! LET ME SCREAM!! PLEASE!!! But she refused. She refused. She let me suffer. Was she punishing me? Was this what I deserved for what I did to Scoo- No. I don't deserve to write her name. Is this what I get for that poor filly? Is this what she felt?! "Sorry sugahcube! I can't letcha'll draw attention to us!" She hissed. She ducked down into the cellar for a moment. I couldn't see through all of the tears. I couldn't recognize anything. I screamed through the gag. I didn't even hear the footsteps of the ponies gathering around me. "...............Looks quite severe............. Broke his poor rear!" Somepony said. Through my haze of pain I recognized that voice. That perfect rhyming scheme could only be Zecora. Even if I only heard half the rhyme. I knew it was her. She must have been hiding in the cellar with the rest of the survivors of the town. Theeeen I kinda went on a little trip for a while. I think that I... yup, I wrote an entry. Uh...nevermind that part. Let's just say for how bad I was feeling before is how good things felt thanks to Zecora. I remember her setting my tail for me, and rubbing it down with special salve that was supposed to accelerate healing? She didn't know if it had any effect on dragons, though. So we'll have to wait and see. Since I wouldn't stop screaming, and this was an extreme circumstance...heh...She gave me some 'special' medicine and made me promise not to tell. I get it, though. I mean, really, if it's the end of the world...Might as well live it up, right? The end of the world. That's what this feels like...Anyway. WOW. I felt great!! Put me right to sleep! Well, I think I went right to sleep, err, after I made that last entry. I can't really make it out. I wasn't making any sense at all. I only remember bits and pieces of it writing it. Something about a party on the moon with Pinkie Pie? Ugh. I'm only semi-conscious now while I write this. I'm falling asleep again. Still feelin' good thou. Ugh I wonder what day it is? Anyway. I just woke up in Applejack's bed. That's where I wrote this entry. Don't know whats going on, but I don't- wait...something's outside the door...
The Rasp	Thursday (Tartarus)	Zecora hurled herself into the room with me and pressed her back against the door. Her mane was wild and her eyes were frenzied. She had the Rasp! Before I could call for help, Zecora pounced me. Roughly, she forced me down with the strength of an earth pony. With my cheek pressed firmly against the floor (Her hooves on my neck meant she could the direction of my head, and in turn where my fire breath would go. Clever.) she lowered her head down close to mine. I'd never heard Zecora sound so deadly serious before but I almost wet myself. cried. "I think your life, it would behoove, if you choose not to move. " Zecora snarled in my ear. I stared up at her fearfully and while she pinned me down, she...oh, ugh...she had a knife. I don't know where she got it from. Oh, Celestia. She cut herself. She drove the knife into her leg and a burst of blood splattered all over my face. I screamed. I was horrified! I didn't know what was going on and I begged for her to let me go. I screamed for her to get off of me. A moment passed before she did just that. She released me and I scrambled to my feet, wiping the blood off of my face with the closest thing I could find. The bed sheet. This was insane!! The whole world had gone insane!! Was this how the infection spread? Blood transmission?! I'd just started feeling better and now I was covered in infected blood!! "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" I screamed furiously. I wildly looked for a weapon or something I could use to defend myself before I realized Zecora was no longer attacking me. No, she was just sitting there, staring at me with wide eyes, mouth agape. A moment passed and it hit me. I was disgusted. Not frenzied. I didn't want Zecora's blood. I wanted it off me. I was cured. Ok, maybe not cured. I still had a headache but this is something important. Zecora almost seemed giddy and gamboled in place. She looked extremely proud of herself. Had she devised some sort of cure?! Before I could react, she scooped me up and onto her back, and turned towards the door. "Things look grim for the farm I fear, you and I must get out of here." Zecora said cryptically. Things looked grim for the farm? How long was I out? Whatever that stuff Zecora gave me sure did the trick. I could only feel a faint sort of uncomfortable 'buzz' from around my hips. If my tail were still broken, I'd have never guessed! But if I knew then what I know now, I'd have rather just stayed asleep. Zecora pitched us down the stairs at breakneck speed. We slammed into the floor and shot through the front door like a missile. At first, I thought it was daylight. That's how bright it was. No. That was just the fire. The orchards were engulfed in flame. Every tree was a huge burning fireball, and a hazy fog of smoke clouded the air. The focal point of the blaze was the barn in the distance. Some sort of explosion? Burning bodies were everywhere. Infected and survivors were scrambling all over the farm, screaming for help and gurgling last breaths. It was chaos. It was absolute armageddon. This was Tartarus. I had actually died in Applejack's bed, and this? This is my punishment for failing Scootaloo. Zecora burst forward, running as fast as she could through the roasting apple trees. I hung onto her as tightly as possible still dizzy from the medication she gave me earlier. Had she healed me? Was there a cure for this?! What had happened to the farm?! How that this blaze started?! Something tackled us from the side, sending Zecora and I into the ground. Above us, a tree glowed with a bright flaring light, and charred apples rained down around us. Zecora climbed to her hooves and limped over in front of me. I should have ducked behind her. Maybe climbed up onto her back to make use of my fire breath. But I couldn't move. I stared. Twilight stared back at me. She was different. She was wildly pale, and her fur was in shambles. The left part of her body had been badly burnt, and she gave an animalistic hiss. There wasn't a spark of intelligence left behind her eyes, and she peered past me at Zecora. I was wrong. Twilight wouldn't attack her if she had the Rasp. Good for us, right? She drove herself towards Zecora. She didn't notice me. Was it the scent of my blood? Zecora's blood? Twilight looked like she'd gone feral and smashed herself into Zecora, chomping and biting at her neck. All the while, she was screaming in a harmonized cry, like she had three voices in her throat. "BLOOD!!" She screamed. Over and over again. There were no other words in the world. Just the one thing she wanted more than anything. Thats when I realized it. Ponyville's librarian, my sister, Twilight Sparkle, was gone.
The Rasp	Friday (So long...)	The last thing I could remember, was Zecora screaming for me to run. She was fighting with Twilight and I was trying to break them up. The smoke was sickly sweet in the air and the stench of burning apples was suffocating. I grabbed Zecora and tried to lead her towards safety. It was impossible to see with all the smoke and fire raging around us. I got turned around. It all looked the same, and it was so loud and I felt so sick and Well I got lost. I know. I've been to Sweet Apple Acre's hundreds of times before, and could always find my way around but this was like a completely different farm. And thats when I woke up here. I'm somewhere in the Everfree forest. I can still smell the smoke from the fire. I can still see Twilight. I guess that's it then. Twilight's gone. Applejack was lost to the fire. Zecora was lost to the infected. Canterlot is gone. Ponyville is overrun. Everyone is either sick or dead. What else is left? Where do I go? Am I lucky? I feel better. I got the Rasp. I survived it. And for what? There's no one left. I made it through. I 'won.' Yay for me. We didn't take back the city. There was no plucky band of survivors who managed to find a cure. This wasn't like my comic books. I thought if you survived something like this, you were supposed to have a happy ending. So why does this feel so much like Tartarus? Guess I'll start walkin. got nowhere else to be. Maybe I'll find someone who isn't infected. It would be nice to have a friend. Goodbye. P.S. Not sure when I'll write in this again. If at all. Whats the point? If somepony finds this and reads it, I'm sorry if this wasn't the end of this journal you were expecting. I didn't see it coming either.
The Rasp	Friday (Rescue)	I've been walking for the last few hours. Don't know where I'm going. Don't care. Doesn't matter. Home. I went to the place where everything used to make sense, I guess. I walked until I realized I was in Canterlot. The place is deserted. Occasionally, I'll find a pony or so standing on the street, mouth open, eyes rolled back, and making that horrible rasping sound. I don't know what I was hoping for. I thought mom and dad would be okay. I guess I was being nieve. I didn't know what I was expecting. What I wanted was Mom to wrap her arms around me and tell me she knew what to do, and everything would be okay, and we'd help Twilight and ...and... I didn't have anywhere else to go. Home seems like the most intelligent response, right? So I went home. I went home and found Mom and Dad. She was in the kitchen. Sitting on her haunches, ears folded back mouth open, eyes rolled back. Hissing. I knew better than to ask her if she was alright. She was acting like Twilight had, only she wasn't restrained. I love you. I love you so much mom. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I snuck up on her. I grabbed the closest thing I could. One of the dinner stools. I hefted in my claws. I love you mom. I won't let you suffer. I won't. I love you and I won't let you suffer. I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I broke the chair over the back of her neck. She went down. then I hit her again. And again. Twilight Velvet stopped moving. She stopped hissing, and stopped twitching. She just lay silent, in a growing pool of her own blood. Next was Dad. He was in the study. He was sitting with his back turned towards me, staring at his large bookshelf. I rescued him too. I'm a hero right? I saved my parents from a horrible fate. I'M A HERO RIGHT?! I rescued them both. So why can't I stop crying?
The Rasp	Friday (Lights in the darkness)	After rescuing my parents, I wound up in Twilight's room. It was the only place that felt safe. I locked the door, and I dug some of her old stuffed animals out of the closet and surrounded myself with them. They smell like Twilight. I fell asleep. I JUST WOKE UP AN LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW! THERES A LIGHT ON AT THE CASTLE!! I CAN SEE IT!! I CAN SEE IT!! THERES SOMEPONY STILL ALIVE IN THERE!!! THERES A LIGHT!! IT'S A CANDLE LIGHT BUT IT WASN'T THERE WHEN I WENT TO SLEEP!! SOMEONE IS ALIVE!! SOMEONE IS ALIVE INSIDE!! ILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!
The Rasp	Friday (Reception)	I knew better than to run up the road the way I did. I guess I was delirious with hope or something. I was waving my arms and shouting as I made my way towards the castle, all smiles and excited. I really wanted to see familiar faces. That's all I cared about. I knew some of the guards at the castle and I wanted desperately to talk to somepony familiar. I should have known they'd be on high alert. I don't blame them for the rock that shot by my head. Or the second rock that hit me dead center of the temple. A perfect shot that left me dazed with bells loudly ringing in my ears. I could see stars, big bright yellow ones that danced in front of me. They were firing from the castle's parapets as I ran towards them. Expertly crafted arrows and spears were hurled at me, while rocks pitched past with horrifying accuracy. I stopped in my tracks, waving my arms desperately! "S-STOP!! ISH ME, SPIKE!! I'M NOT INFECTED!!!" I hollered. My skull tingled from where the rock had struck, and words felt funny in my mouth. I stumbled forwards a few steps and landed on my knees, gazing up at the castle. Didn't they recognize me?! Perhaps they did. Maybe they couldn't risk an infected dragon in the castle. The drawbridge was up, and the moat barred my entrance. They weren't taking any chances with the Rasp. "Pleash!! I'M NOT SIC-" Another rock. It must have caught me in the skull because I don't remember lying down. I do remember waking up, though. I was lying on the dirt road towards the castle. Guards surrounded me, and one of them held me down. By my neck. I'd never studied guard protocol before, but I could tell the difference between a normal hold and one that was meant to serve a purpose. A very specific purpose. I didn't move. I don't think I could if I wanted to. The first guard was saying something about a 'test' and the second guard nodded his head. Two of them held me down while a third...a third... He... He cut himself. Just like Zecora did. He cut himself, and let the blood splatter all over me!! OH CELESTIA!!! I screamed for him to get off of me, and kicked and struggled. I was horrified!! I had no idea where that guard had been or if he was sick or what was going on!! Turns out I didn't need to worry about it. They knocked me out with a third rock. I've just woken up in one of the cells in the dungeon. My head feels like it's splitting open and I can taste blood in my mouth. I'm getting tired of being knocked unconscious. I've been waiting down here for an hour or so now. Every now and then I can hear the guards outside talking. About me. About the dragon they captured in the town. About what they should do with it. How they should deal with it. "The same way we deal with the other infected. We take no chances. I don't care if it's Spike or the King of Griffonstone himself!" So that's it then. Now I'm just waiting. I figure they've taken over the castle. One of them was talking about martial law. Celestia must be gone if that's the case. I can hear some pony coming. I want ponies to know what happened here! I'm wrapping up this journal. I put one of Twilight's copy charms on it, so you'll get every entry I made. Use this as a warning! Don't come to Canterlot! There's no help!! At least you'll know what happened to your family. I'm sorry I couldn't save Twilight. Or our friends. Or even myself. I'm sorry I won't get to see you again, or know what your foals will look like. I'm sorry I let you down, big brother. I'm sorry for everything. Don't come to Canterlot. I hope you get this, Shining. I'm sending this as soon as I finish thi
The Rasp	Saturday (Cure)	Her once beautiful indigo curls splashed along the floor in a messy tangled heap. Her pretty white coat was stained with blood, dirt, and various other grime. So much that it no longer even resembled white and instead was a dark and murky brown. Her eyes were rolled back in her head, and her horn had been removed. Sawed off, to a bloody nub that oozed a greenish pus down her forehead. Her body had been mutilated. Had they been experimenting on her?! Trying to cure her?! She was dead. I stared at her, teary eyed and disbelieving. This was a nightmare. This was an utter, horrible nightmare. The guard who dragged her in didn't bat an eyelash. He was wearing a tarnished set of armor and walked with a slight limp. He simply dragged her in by a leg towards the end of the dungeon, where he opened a cell and threw the mangled body inside. As he did so, her neck snapped. The head bobbled towards me limply. I could deny it all I wanted, but that...that pony...that was Rarity. He turned towards me as I started to throw up, and gave a snort. "We ran out of places for graves. Get over it." He said callously. I could feel a swell of anger starting to burn inside of me, but before I got the chance to lash out at this monster pretending to be a pony, the door to the dungeon opened yet again. The guards didn't waste time with small talk. They were in full battle dress. I didn't ask what they wanted. They held me at spear point and forced me to look at the wall. Then, I heard a familiar voice. Dr. Stable. Twilight's doctor before we moved to Ponyville. I could hear him standing just outside of my cell. He didn't waste any time, like usual, and got right to the point. "We think it originated after the meteor shower. We think it was some sort of radiation coming from the meteor that touched down. Something that seeped into the atmosphere and poisoned the latent mana in the air. It's transmitted through magic. I've never seen anything like it, but this is, for all intents and purposes, a magical sickness. Unicorns are most susceptible, of course. This is followed by Pegasi, who harness magic through cloud walking or weather work. Earth ponies only succumb to it after direct infection. Bites do that pretty well, but even then it's only a fifty-fifty chance. But I never expected a dragon to contract the illness. The guards say you took the blood test. That means, you were exposed to blood and you didn't attack us. It's how we tell who's infected. They threw you down here for me to look at after I finished with the Princess. Princess Luna says Celestia sent you a message before the situation took its turn for the worst with her. You were infected by a pony who has all three pony species rolled into one. We took a sample of your blood while you were out. You were infected, but the illness seems to be receding. I think it's because of your draconic heritage. I think I can isolate the pathogen, and then, with any luck, devise a cure. You however, stay here. There's a good hoof full of us left alive in the castle, and we can't let you infect us. Even if you are cured, you could still be a carrier. We can't take any risks. If you leave this cell... we'll have to execute you." He said grimly. The guard from before, the one in the tarnished armor, nodded his head at me and leaned against the wall. With that, he went back upstairs. I didn't know the guard glaring at me, but I didn't care. All I could think about was the letter I sent to you. The last letter I sent you an hour or so ago. I infected you. I infected the entire Crystal Empire. If that's the case, I've killed you. I've killed you, and I've killed Twilight, and I've killed Mom and I killed Dad. And Scootaloo. And Applejack. And Zecora. I killed everypony. If Dr. Stable can create a cure, then maybe the world will have a chance. I hope. I hope he can find a cure. I hope he can save everyone else. I hope that my blood will make a difference. I hope I hope I hope. And I hope you can forgive me. After I send this to you, I'm going to melt the lock on my cell and step outside and try to get to Rarity. I want to tell her one last time. I think I can make it before the guard catches me. Then... then... Then, maybe I can see you and Twilight and Mom and Dad. Maybe. I hope. I love you, big brother. I'm sorry for everything. I really am. ~Spike
Tales of the Oppressed	pre	Someone is tending to me. Sometimes, when I'm hovering in and out of consciousness, I feel gentle, yet firm touches on my upper body, accompanied by a soft, feminine humming. This time, I can tell she's here again. I feel her peel something away from my body. Moments later, I hear the trickling of liquid, and then a cool and damp sensation pressing against my skin. The pain is dulled somewhat by that, providing me with a brief moment of sweet relief. I hear her humming again, lulling me back into blissful unconsciousness. A bright light bleeds through my eyelids. I grunt softly and open my eyes, finding it much easier to do so now. The first thing I become aware of is the sunlight shining in through the window just above where I'm lying. The reality of my situation doesn't hit me until I try to get a closer look, noticing the leafy boughs of the forest trees swaying outside. I wake with a start, remembering where I am as well as the events in the school. My first reaction is to lurch up into a sitting position, but I don't get that far. An intense wave of agony courses through my body at the sudden motion, causing my eyes to water. I can't keep it up, so I fall backwards... onto a comfortable mattress. Confusion shoots through my mind. Why would there be a mattress here? There's also a window beside me, which shouldn't be possible. Am I still in the forest? What about the wolves? Once again, the urge to rise strikes me, but any attempt I make results in unending pain. My breathing quickens, my eyes darting around the area in an attempt to make sense of my surroundings. The more I see, the calmer I become, as I seem to be lying in a bed, with a fluffed pillow tucked beneath my head and a yellow wool blanket pulled up to my waist, leaving my upper body open to the air. I notice first that I've been cleaned thoroughly of all the dirt, sweat, and blood that once coated my body. Additionally, all of the injuries I'd accumulated in that hellish school have been tightly bound by white bandages that wrap around my body, complete with linen gauze that looks as though it's been soaked with something medicinal. Judging from the pungent smell oozing up from my body, I'd guess the ointment was herbal. Judging from the tight feeling around my head, there's another bandage wrapped around it. The bed that I'm lying in is situated in a wooden alcove in a back corner. There's a wall directly to my right, upon which a series of shelves containing multicolored bottles have been installed. I can't read the labels on them, as they appear to be written in a language that I don't understand. The wall cuts off my view of the rest of the dwelling, so I can't tell what sort of place I've stumbled into. I remember being chased by a whole pack of wolves made from wood. I cringe, recalling the feeling of its wooden claws slicing into my skin. Looking out the window reveals nothing other than an expanse of thick green forest. There seems to be a path consisting of beaten leaves and dried mud stretching out into the distance. I wrinkle my brow, confused at that observation. A beaten path implies civilization, and according to what I've learned, such a thing doesn't exist anymore. Come to think of it, this house that I'm in doesn't make sense either. Once again, my understanding of the situation I'm in is upturned. I was certain from Maka's last message as well as her... her body... that there were no other living humans in existence. Yet this dwelling is unmistakably human, despite the fact that it's been built into a tree. Does... does this mean I'm not alone after all? If that's true, then it's no coincidence that I've been patched up like this. What I can't understand, however, is why this mystery benefactor would help me at all. Is it because I'm one of the few surviving humans? Or is there another more nefarious reason for this? To be honest with myself, there's no guarantee that whoever it is has good intentions. Nobody helps a random stranger out of the goodness of their own heart. My mind races. What could they possibly want from me? Money? I have some in my wallet, but would my money even work so far in the future? Come to think of it, where are my clothes? My shirt was torn to shreds, but my pants were still in one piece, more or less. Additionally, my phone and wallet should have been in them. Whoever patched me up also stripped me down, and my clothes are nowhere to be seen. A sense of panic falls over me. I don't like this. I don't know where I am, who saved me, and what this person even wants with me. There's too many unknowns. I hate unknowns. For all I know, the school could have been safer than where I am right now. I have to get out of here. With a grunt, I attempt to force myself to rise. Pain surges through my chest with such intensity that my vision flashes red. My side feels like it's going to split apart, and my head pounds with an acute headache, causing me to see stars. It would be so easy to lay back down, but I won't. Pushing aside the pain, I move the blankets aside, wincing as the cool air assaulted my bare injured body. I lower my feet to the smooth wooden floor, the material feeling cool against my toes. I grit my teeth and stand, gingerly placing weight on my feet. My legs wobble dangerously, the limbs feeling weak and rubbery. Trying to take a step causes my knee to give out, sending me careening forward. I let out a helpless cry and slam into the wall across from me. My first reflex is the grab the shelves and hang onto them to keep from falling. The bottles shook and fell from the sudden vibration, battering my shoulders and shattering on the ground below, their contents spilling over the once pristine floor. Breath leaves me in short and ragged bursts. My head throbs mercilessly, my eyes water, and my chest burns like fire. It's only by sheer force of will that I haven't collapsed. The door... I need to find the door. I turn my eyes down the small hallway and started to walk, my whole body screaming with protest. The bandages around my injuries slowly start to stain red as my wounds reopen. The hall opens out into a sizeable circular chamber, in the center of which is a rotund black cauldron. There's a fire lit beneath it, and I can hear the sound of bubbling liquid inside. There are more shelves containing vases and jars set into the wall on my left, with a archaic mask the size of my torso pinned to the wall just above it. Bottles hang from the ceiling as well, containing strange substances of an unknown nature. Everything about this place screams danger to me. I need to get out. It's so hard to move my legs. Yet, one step at a time, I steadily move forward, grasping the knots in the uneven wooden wall to keep myself upright. I keep my eyes trained on the door leading outside. So intent am I on my goal that I don't register the sound of hooves clopping against the wood just behind me. "What are you doing, creature I've only just met?! You are much too hurt to be leaving just yet!" an accented voice filled with alarm addresses me from behind. I immediately turn in place, stifling a groan at the bolt of agony that passes through me at such a sudden motion. Where I expected to see a human is standing a strange quadrupedal creature, resembling a zebra. Come to think of it, I vaguely remember seeing this thing when I escaped the wolves. Before I can process the meaning of this, the voice speaks again, and this time, the zebra's mouth moves in time with the words. "Come away from that door and rest; until you have healed, a lack of motion would be best," the zebra says. My eyes blink as I try to process what I'm seeing. There's no other explanation. That zebra is talking to me with its strangely expressive face set into a worried frown. I give a weary chuckle. It's obvious to me what's happening here. "I must be hallucinating," I mutter to myself, ignoring the zebra entirely. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Wolves made from wood and a zebra that can talk? I'm beginning to think that my mind was so scrambled by that hit to my head that I'm starting to see nonsense. I turn back around and fumble with the door. The handle at first doesn't turn, leading me to realize that it's still locked. Just as I start trying to unlatch it, I hear the voice again. "Why do you continue to persist? I urge you to immediately desist!" it insisted. "Shut up!" I snap. Whether I'm actually hearing that voice or not, it isn't going away and it's starting to get on my nerves. "Just stop talking. I don't need this right now. I just need to get outside and... and..." and what? What exactly am I going to do once I leave this place? "My treatment you disregard and you begin to bleed! Do not endanger your life merely because of your own greed!" "Why do you care!?" I turn my head and glare at the offending zebra. Part of me is ridiculing myself for talking to a hallucination, but judging from the way it's talking, it acting like it's the one who has been treating me. The zebra looks genuinely taken aback by my question, her mouth opening slightly. "I don't ever remember asking for your help. I don't know what you want from me, but I'll have no part of it! I won't owe you anything!" The zebra appears to be speechless, so I grunt and turn back to the door. This time, I manage to undo the lock and push the door open, revealing the open expanse of forest stretching out before me. Without a clear destination in mind, I take the first step out the door, finding that it's getting harder and harder to move. With a pained groan of exertion, I shift my leg over the threshold. My foot catches on something and I lose my balance, careening forward. Unable to grab onto anything except empty air, I fall flat on my stomach. "Gah!" The air leaves my lungs and the pain strikes me like a hammer blow. My vision dulls and narrows as I can feel myself slipping into unconsciousness. I hold on and attempt to rise, but I can't withstand the sheer agony that such an action causes. I flop helplessly back to the ground. As I allow myself to slip back into unconsciousness, my last thought is that I forgot to look for my clothes. I wake up to the feeling of a cool damp cloth pressed against my forehead. Additionally, I feel a deep chill on the side of my head, where the swelling from that earlier knock should be. An ice pack? Awareness returns to me in full when I remember my previous thoughts. I'm lying back in the bed, once more tucked in with the blankets up to my waist. I turn my head to get a look around, and the first thing I see is that zebra from before, resting on its haunches directly beside the bed. Seeing it this close up makes it difficult to believe that this is a hallucination. Hallucinations are generally indistinct, unclear. Yet, how can this be real? Its eyes are too large to be those of a typical zebra, no matter how I look at it. Its face seems to be making expressions that a real zebra can't make, simply because they don't have the muscle structure. The kicker is that it's wearing jewelry. Golden earrings dangle from each of its striped ears, indicating that they've been pierced. Similarly colored rings encircle her neck and one of her forelegs. It seems to me like it has personalized its appearance. This is way too detailed to be a hallucination. I attempt to rise once more, the all too familiar pain shooting back through my body. This time, the zebra doesn't let me. Its hoof reaches forward and presses down gently on one of the uninjured areas on my chest. I don't have the strength to resist, so I have no choice except to lie there. "I suggest you stay down, lest you once more hit the ground," the zebra once again talks to me. This time, I can't deny that it's happening. It's too close, so I can tell that the feminine voice is coming from it "Why are you still talking? What the hell are you?" That is the only question I can think to ask. If this talking zebra is real, then I have a plethora of questions that need answers. "My name is Zecora, if that is what you seek. Why does it surprise you that I am able to speak?" the zebra replies, understanding me clearly. I give a sigh, at a loss to explain what exactly I'm looking at. King Sombra, the future, and magic existing was hard enough to swallow, but the threads eventually tied together in the end. Where does this creature fit into the mix? "Because you look like a zebra, and zebras don't talk," I tell her flatly. I should probably call the zebra by its name now. It's strange to accept that an animal is capable of intelligent speech, but to be honest with myself, it's hardly the weirdest thing I've come across recently. Zecora, who I believe I can classify as female by her voice, blinks at my explanation, looking nonplussed. "A zebra I am, you are right. It is you that I find a most curious sight," she points out. "Of your kind, I've never seen the like. I doubt that you were simply out for a hike." "That's for certain," I mutter. It sounds like this encounter is as strange to her as it is to me. The difference is that I physically can't comprehend how she exists. Zebras physically don't have the vocal chord structure necessary to form a human language. However, that's not what's most important. My eyes narrow. "Why are you helping me?" "You were gravely hurt," Zecora reminds me, raising a brow. It's very strange to see that sort of expression on a zebra of all creatures. "Why do you sound so curt?" "Don't insult me; I'm not some naive kid. You clearly want something, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered saving me, a random stranger of a species you've never met," I accuse her. It probably isn't too smart to question her when I'm at such a disadvantage, but I don't care what she does to me. "So what is it? Money? Something else? Don't try to tell me it's out of kindness." Zecora looks offended at first, but her expression softens. She nods, as if understanding something. A smile plays about her lips. "You needn't worry about compensation," she begins. I try to interrupt with a protest, but then she continues. "All I'll ask for is some simple information." "Information?" That I wasn't expecting. Out of everything she could have asked for, that seems the most reasonable; it's understandable to think she'd save me if she thought she could learn something... provided she's telling the truth. "What sort of information? Is it really worth risking your life for? I'm assuming those wolves didn't go away because they got bored." The zebra ponders for several seconds. "I am very curious about your desperate flight, and your unique form is quite the intriguing sight," she reveals. I give a nod. She wants to know what I am and why I barged into her house. Just as I'm about to answer, she forestalls my words by raising a hoof. "Hold, don't let that thought fade. First, I will have us partake of this soup I have made." "Hold on, what? You made me a meal?" I question her alertly. As if on cue, my stomach rumbles unpleasantly, reminding me of just how long it has been since the last time I've eaten. Any food at all would be nice, but I don't trust her. "Why?" Zecora pauses as she's on her way to the cauldron. She looks back, giving me a smile. "You are quite the suspicious one. Asking questions of the hungry would not be any fun," she attempts to assure me, and then she disappears around the corner. I stare after her momentarily. Information for medical attention and food. Depending on how valuable this information is to her, that could be considered an even trade. I can accept that. Though I do have one question: why on earth does each of her sentences rhyme? At first I thought it was coincidence, but she's done it every time. The trickling of liquid into bowls is audible from the other room. As I rest my head back against the pillow, I let out an incredulous exhale. It's getting harder to believe that what I'm experiencing is real with every passing moment. From meeting that superhuman king in the stairwell, to finding myself in the future, and now having soup with a talking zebra, I'm beginning to wonder if all of this isn't in fact one incredibly vivid acid trip. When Zecora returns, there are two bowls of steaming soup resting on her back. It's somewhat impressive that she's managing to balance them like that without any of it spilling. That aside, I'm rather anxious about what's in this soup. Would a zebra's diet even be digestible for me? Would I find blades of grass in the broth? Zecora cranes her head back and gently bites down on the rim of one of the bowls. Her mouth seems to have a powerful grip, as the bowl doesn't even wobble as she brings it over to rest on the chair she'd previously been sitting on. She does the same with the other bowl. From here, I notice an amber liquid in them, in which brown mushrooms are floating around. She notices the state I'm in and clicks her tongue. "Now, this will not do. Please, allow me to help you," Zecora requests, moving closer to me. Before I can question her intent, she places one hoof on my chest and worms the other beneath my back. She keeps eye contact with me and applies upwards pressure on my back. I see what she's trying to do. Wincing, I start to rise, supported by her hooves. With her help, I assume a position where I'm sitting mostly upright, with pillows propped beneath my back to provide support. The pain isn't as intense as it was the first time I tried to move; I guess I have these herbal mixtures to thank for that. I don't know what's in them, but they're doing a good job dulling the pain. Zecora nods with satisfaction, and then she moves one of the bowls to my lap with her mouth. Thankfully, her lips don't touch the soup at all. That would have been disgusting. I glance down at the soup and then look around for a spoon. A second later, I realize I'm not going to get one. Zecora has no reason to use utensils, as she only has hooves. "What's in this?" I ask, angling my head down towards the broth. "This meal consists of mostly honey as its primary ingredient," Zecora explains. I raise an eyebrow. I'm not confused about the fact that there's honey in it; I'm more curious as to how she's going to make a rhyme with that. "It's also quite hot; your consumption need not be expedient." I exhale quietly with disbelief as she pulled it off despite my skepticism. I can't hold it back any longer. "I have to ask; why do you rhyme every couple of sentences you say?" I inquire bluntly. Zecora doesn't seem irritated in the slightest at the question. Instead, she chuckled, as if she had been expecting it. "I'm not surprised you felt compelled to pose that question to me," she responded with a wry shake of her head. She then puts on a rather mysterious smile. "That story, however, I would rather keep to myself, you see." So, she's not going to tell me. This could get annoying real fast...but I guess I'm not in a position to be worrying about that. "Right..." I reply awkwardly. I lift the bowl of soup with my hands, finding that while my shoulders sting from the exterior, I can manage well enough to bring it to my mouth for a sip. It's surprisingly good. The taste of honey is the most prevalent, but the added mushroom enhances the flavor well enough. Additionally, I think I can detect a hint of basil. It's an interesting mix, but not a distasteful one. The consistency seems to have been thinned by simple water, so this meal not only fills my stomach, but helps to quench my thirst. I wonder if she cooked this in that large cauldron out there? As for Zecora, she brings over a small table and places the bowl on top of it. She then climbs up onto the chair and lowers her head to drink directly from the soup. Seeing her like this, she reminds me a lot of a typical animal. Honestly, the only difference is that she talks and acts like one of us. "That I have not asked this before now fills me with shame. Would you first grace me with your species and your name?" Zecora begins, looking up from her meal. Oh, I suppose I haven't introduced myself yet. "My name is Seth Rogers, and I'm human," I answer simply. To my surprise, Zecora's eyes widen in awe, as if she's heard of my kind before. I crank an eyebrow. "You know about us?" Zecora nods, appraising me in a whole new light. "In ancient legends and ruins, all of ponykind has heard of your name. Among historians, your species has garnered much fame. From a long time before us, you originate. Mystery and misinformation have yet to dissipate," she reveals to me. I nearly drop the bowl. I question my own hearing, wondering if I heard all of that right. She knows about us through ancient ruins and legends? I thought I was only out of the picture for eighty years. Humanity has built a great deal of infrastructure and wonders that have lasted for centuries. If it's been long enough for all of that disappear, how long has it really been? My hands tremble as I lift the bowl back to my mouth for another sip. I don't know why I let myself believe that there might be more humans out there. Once again, I succumbed to foolish hope. It's just me now. I close my eyes. After venting my emotions out in the school, all I feel now is a dull emptiness. Then it struck me. Did she just say "ponykind?" "Common knowledge has it that your kind is naught but dust. I imagine the tale of your arrival must be quite robust. So that the facts may be laid bare, your tale, would you kindly share?" Zecora presses before I can finish processing that thought. She looks over me with a whole new interest. I shove my questions into the back of my mind and take a moment to determine how best to answer her. In the end, I decide to be as honest as I can with her. "To be honest, I couldn't tell you. First of all, I don't even know where 'here' is. Secondly, I know next to nothing about magic. There was a spell involved with my arrival, but that's all I know," I answer her. It's a half truth at best. Her explanation about how my race is viewed has caused my distrust of her to grow. Therefore, I'm not going to tell her everything; just enough to absolve myself of any debt to her. "To not know one's origins is an unfortunate woe," Zecora acknowledges solemnly. A few moments later, her lips curve into a wry smile. "I recall a particular unicorn who would have very much liked to know." "Okay, stop," I interrupt, unable to take it any longer. That's twice now that she's said something that doesn't make any sense. "Ponykind? Unicorn? What on earth are you talking about? Are you being serious!?" Zecora blinks, surprised by my sudden outburst. After a moment, understanding dawns on her face. "It seems that of ponies you are quite unaware. I suppose to expect otherwise is quite unfair," she observes. "Don't be stupid; of course I know what a pony is. But you keep talking about them like they're some kind of civilization," I correct her. "You will be quite surprised, I expect. Listen close, so your ignorance I may correct. However, my explanation may not cause a dent, as my knowledge is but a small fragment," Zecora begins. She takes a brief moment to gulp down some more of her soup before continuing. "Equestria is the name of our fair nation. Of peacetime, there is no cessation. Ponies of three kinds primarily live here. To the princesses, they are subjects most dear. Unfortunately, all else that I can say would seem trite. You would be better off speaking with Twilight." I look at Zecora incredulously, wondering if she could actually hear what she's saying. Everything that comes out of her mouth sounds like pure nonsense, but any counter argument I can come up with is negated by the fact that I'm holding a conversation with a talking zebra. Am I supposed to believe that humans died off, only to be replaced by... ponies? I can't help it. I burst out into incredulous laughter. This can't be real. This has to be one hell of a bad joke. Zecora watches me as I keep laughing, until I finally have to stop due to the pain. I take several deep breaths, calming myself down. "That's utterly ridiculous," I admit. "You honestly expect me to believe humans have been replaced by talking ponies?" "To you, their existence may seem like bad humor at its peak, yet I assure you that your presence to them is just as unique," Zecora admonishes me. "Of my appearance, you seem to grasp the concept. Is the existence of ponies really so hard to accept?" "I'm not even over the fact that you can talk!" I snap back at her. Despite the painkillers, my headache returns, causing me to rub my forehead in irritation. I heave a heavy sigh. "What the hell has happened to my world?" In the end, as crazy as it sounds, none of this matters. I know one thing that's a fact; Sombra is somewhere in this world. I don't know where or what he's doing, but finding him is my top priority. I can't stay shut in here with this zebra forever. I want to ask her about this 'Twilight' she mentioned. I'm assuming she's not referring to the time of day by the same name. However, she's supposed to be asking me questions, not the other way around. I've already pushed it more than I'd like. Zecora remains silent, waiting for me to recollect myself. Eventually, I gaze back at her, feeling resigned. "Whatever, I don't care anymore. Just, ask me another question," I tell her. I go back to drinking my soup sullenly. "Your flight through the forest sounded quite frantic; tell me, does your kind not possess any magic?" Zecora obliges after a moment's awkwardness. I give her a blank stare. "What? No, we didn't have any magic. We advanced our civilization through advanced technology, rather than relying on something that at the time didn't exist," I retort. I wish I did have some magic, through. Maybe then, I wouldn't have been taken by surprise. Maybe then, I wouldn't have had to lose everything I cared about. "Hmmm, your statement proves many a scientist wrong. The belief in that theory was quite strong," Zecora states with a mixture of surprise and interest. I can't help but raise an eyebrow. The ponies believed we had magic? Exactly where would the basis for that belief come from? "Now, my questions are nearly done. Are there more humans than just one?" I don't say anything at first, causing Zecora to tilt her head curiously. Hearing her ask something like that so casually causes a bitter feeling to arise within me. I can't help but let that bitterness show in my response. "Gee, why don't you tell me? The very fact that you have to ask that should tell you that there aren't any. You were just saying how we were all 'dust.'" Zecora's ears flatten at my scathing reply, but I'm not finished. "No, the others are dead...long dead. It's just me now." Those words hurt, even as I say them. Saying it like that means that I've accepted that they're gone, and I'll never see them again. I would do anything to be able to see just my friend and family again. I don't care about anyone else. Zecora's expression is replaced by one of sympathy, which just makes me feel worse. When I notice her raise her hoof and extend it towards me as if in reassurance, I hold up a hand and stop her. "Don't. I didn't ask for your sympathy, nor do I have any use for it," I snap harshly. I know even before looking that Zecora is hurt by my words. An awkward silence falls between us after that. I'm no longer in the mood to answer any more questions "Can we take a break?" I ask eventually, leaning my head back on the pillow. "I'm starting to get tired again." Zecora nods, relieved now that the subject has changed. "With your wounds, this is no surprise. Taking some time to rest would be most wise," she responds in a solemn tone. She rises from her chair, reights herself, and then gathers up both of the empty bowls one at a time, placing them on her back. "Allow me one moment to place these in the sink. I will return soon, with something to drink," the zebra tells me, and then she walks around the corner and out of sight. Now that I'm alone for a moment, I sigh and close my eyes, shifting my position. Lying in one place for too long is making me feel restless and cramped. I would love to stretch out, but anything other than minor movements causes pain to shoot through my chest. When Zecora returns, she's carrying two glasses of liquid on her back. I notice her leaning her head back to grab them. The thought of that makes me cringe, so I reach out with my arm and grab one of them before she can touch it. My shoulder sting a little, but the wounds there aren't nearly as deep as the one in my side, so it's tolerable. I notice Zecora staring in disapproval. "What? It's a simple task. I don't need you to do everything for me," I say defensively before she can say anything. I then look away from her and at the glass in my hands. It's made of smooth mottled glass colored with a hint of turquoise. Inside is a clear liquid, which I'm assuming is water. However, given all of the bottles of liquid out there, it could be anything. A tentative sip reveals to me that it is in fact water. It's cool and sweet, and soon I disregard all earlier reservations and drain the cup dry. I grab the other cup and do the same. It's such a relief to wash away the thirst that had been plaguing me since I was wandering around in the school. "Now, from these questions I will offer you reprieve. In the forest there lies a task for which I must leave," Zecora informs me as she takes back both of the glasses. Her words register with me just as she's starting to walk away. "Leave? You're going out into the forest?" I question her with some alarm. When she nods, I let out a disbelieving huff. "Why? Are you crazy? What about those wolves? They'll tear you apart!" Zecora pauses and gives a knowing smile. "There is no need for concern. There is little threat to me, as far as I can discern," she assures me. She then taps her snout with a hoof. "One does not live in a magical forest as long as me, without encountering its denizens, you see." "I'll take your word for it. But what the hell am I supposed to do when you're not here? It's not like I can easily get up and move around," I point out. Zecora nods, as if she had forgotten something. She wordlessly ducks around the corner and returns with a small pan in her mouth and a few books on her back. She sets the pan down carefully right next to my bed, and places the books one by one onto the table that is within arms reach of me. "While I am away in the forest, for herbs I look. Until I return, you may make use of a book. Should nature call and I am not around, I have placed this pan on the ground," Zecora explains, resuming her preparations for departure. I can't help but cringe at her last statement. I don't relish the idea of using a pan to relieve myself, but it's not as if I'm able to painlessly move just yet. I nod, remaining silent. I appreciate having a book to read. It might help me learn a little more about this world I've been thrust into. I hear the sound of the door opening. Just as Zecora is leaving, she gives a reassuring smile. "Your injuries are not so severe; it won't be long before you are up off your rear," she promises me. Then, the door shuts with a click, and I'm left alone in her hut. She says my wounds aren't that severe, but I've never been hurt this bad in my life. However, the pain isn't nearly as bad as it was before. This leads me to conclude that Zecora is an able herbalist. It isn't unheard of for plants to possess medicinal qualities; no doubt Zecora knew exactly which ones to use to deaden the pain and encourage blood clotting. It shouldn't be long before the more minor wounds on my shoulders and arms to scab over. However, the gash in my side and the claw marks on my chest are another matter. There's nothing I can do now except wait for her return. Then, I'll find some way to ask her about this Twilight person, and where I can find him or her. Zecora talks about them like they're knowledgeable, perhaps a scholar. Someone like that would help me to understand the world I'm in now. Additionally, with a little luck, they may know where I can find Sombra. I reach over and bring one of the books over to me. The cover is thick and coarse, making it easy to keep a grip on it. As I look down at the brownish book and open it up, several questions come to mind. How would a pony use this? Their hooves aren't nearly as dexterous as hands, so turning the pages should be quite an ordeal for them. Secondly, what language is this? I had assumed (or rather, hoped) that because our spoken languages are the same, our written words would be similar as well. Yet I can't make heads nor tails of this. There doesn't seem to be any words, but rather a long string of symbols of varying shapes. I can't read this at all. Thirdly, albeit less importantly, the symbols appear to be printed on the page. The typewriter is an early industrial era technology. Therefore, if this exists, then the ponies must be in that era as well. My mind paints a picture of dank streets and factories pumping out harmful exhaust gasses into the air, and I grimace. The industrial era was not the most glamorous of time periods. I groan and set the book aside, sighing in annoyance. So my only means of entertainment is completely inaccessible to me. Yet, just seeing the printed words raises hundreds of questions. Exactly what kind of technology do these ponies possess? What is their architecture like? What is their social structure, their government, or their economy? Of course, this is all assuming they're actually a civilization by human standards. For all I know, it could just be that pony "civilization" is just a bunch of talking ponies standing around in a field, grazing and talking about the weather. There's no point in thinking about it. I don't have any answers, and purely speculating is just going to frustrate me. In all honestly, there's not a lot of options on what to do now. I suppose I'll try to nap. That way I'll at least be doing something other than lying here helpless. It's nearly impossible for me to get any real sleep. With the sun trickling in through the window as well as the fact that I had a decent night's sleep before this makes it difficult to nap for long periods of time. However, I do notice that as the minutes turn into hours, my strength is slowly returning. My upper body has been cut to ribbons, but the injuries are mostly superficial, and my legs are completely fine. Perhaps my earlier difficulties were due in part to fatigue as well. Nevertheless... now may be a good time to try moving again. This time, I take it slowly and carefully. I remove the blankets from my legs and place my feet on the floor. I apply my weight to them gradually, using the nearby table to steady myself. At last, I hoist myself up and try to stand. My legs wobble and feel weak, but once I'm used to it, it isn't nearly as hard to stay upright anymore. If I move my torso too much, it starts to pain me greatly, but if I keep it as still as possible when I walk, I can manage. With my hand braced against the wall, I walk out into the main room,. A cursory glance around the room allows me to locate my jeans, shirt, which are hanging from a rack on the far wall. On a shelf just beneath them is the rifle I found in the ruins, as well as my boxers, socks, and shoes stacked neatly next to it. My phone and wallet are resting on the shelf as well, just in front of the rifle. I make my way over to them, relieved to see that Zecora hasn't done anything stupid with my belongings. I note that my clothes have been washed clean of dirt and blood. My shirt is still in tatters from... from my niece, but my jeans are in good shape. I'm curious as to how she got the blood out of it, however. To my knowledge, bloodstains are near impossible to remove. With a grunt and some mild pain, I put on my boxers first, and then my jeans. It feels good to be clothed again, even if I don't have much of a shirt left. I continue on and finish dressing by wearing my socks and shoes. I grab my wallet and slide it into my right pocket, and then I unlock my phone to get a sense of how much battery it has. Hm, there's about ninety percent left. That's rather generous for a phone of this model, especially considering it was on all night. However, I can't be too surprised; I did just get the battery replaced. Despite this stroke of good luck, it doesn't matter in the end. I don't know if ponies have electricity or not, but even if they do, there's no way they'll have an adapter for my phone. That means that once it runs out of battery, it's gone for good. That's a painful thought. Memories of the last five years are saved inside of this small device: pictures, text messages, and voicemails. Now that I think about it, it's all that I have left of them. I grit my teeth and navigate to the settings panel. The first thing I do is turn the battery on low power mode, and then switch airplane mode to on. The best thing to do would be to turn it off, but I may need it. Suddenly an idea comes to me. I look down at the phone, and then over to the door. Interesting... I may have just found my ticket out of here. I slide my phone into my left pocket. I'll deal with that when Zecora gets back. Speaking of my benefactor, I will say that I'm lucky that all she wanted was information. I'm even luckier for the fact that she lives here in the first place. Without anywhere to hide, I'd certainly be dead now... though honestly, it's not as though I have a lot to live for. After finding and killing Sombra... I don't know what I'll be doing. Thoughts for the future, I suppose. While I wait for Zecora to return, I practice walking, getting used to my own weight again. It hurts at first, but eventually walking becomes easier. As soon as Zecora returns, I'll bid this place goodbye. My next stop will be someone with a great deal of knowledge, like a scholar. Once early afternoon rolls around, the door opens, and Zecora trots inside with a basket filled with herbs clutched in her mouth. She pauses and her eyes widen with surprise when she sees me standing with my back to the opposite wall. She sets down the basket on a nearby shelf and approaches me. "What is this miracle that I see? The human standing on his own, proud as can be?" Zecora questions. She gives me another look of disapproval. "Lying in bed may not be enjoyable in part, but moving before you're ready is not very smart." "Spare me the lecture. You said yourself my wounds weren't that bad," I retort, crossing my arms. "Even if they were, I have no intentions of staying shut up in this house with you for the time it takes to heal." Zecora's head snaps back at the harsh words, visibly hurt. She licks her lips nervously, and then heaves a sigh. "While your words are harsh, they ring true. What then, are you planning to do?" she questions me seriously. "You are quite the stranger in this realm. If you are not careful, you could be overwhelmed." "Trust me, I don't need you to tell me that," I remind her, recalling my desperate run through the woods. In addition, I've been told that this world is familiar with magic, has a pony civilization, and views my kind as if we are ancient history. I'm already overwhelmed. "Now then, I have a deal for you. I'll share with you some more information in exchange for you answering a question of mine." "You need not worry about making a trade. As for information, that debt has already been paid," Zecora attempts to assure me. "I will answer your question for free. This is a better solution, don't you agree?" "Absolutely not," I tell her resolutely, not even needing to think about it. "I traded information about myself for treatment and food. Nowhere in the equation were you compelled to give information to me." "Once again, you prove difficult to persuade," Zecora responded with a frustrated huff. "Why are you so insistent upon an even trade?" "I don't have to answer that. Now, are you interested in the deal or not?" I repeat, getting annoyed. Zecora looks as though she wants to protest some more, but then she sighs and nods. I then gingerly place my weight back on my legs and approach her. I reach my hand into my pocket and retrieve my phone for her to see. The zebra blinks and angles her head to get a better look at it. "You likely saw this when you were cleaning my clothes. Do you know what this is?" I begin. Zecora pauses, and then shakes her head. That confirms that ponies, assuming that Zecora isn't a hermit with no technology, aren't anywhere near the level of humanity as far as technological advancements go. "This is what my kind refers to as a cell phone. It's a device that allows us to talk to one another over long distances." "Ah, this is quite the advanced device! Ponies correspond mainly through post, which is not nearly as nice," Zecora marvels, confirming my suspicions. At the most, ponies are in the early industrial era if they still rely on a postal service. "That's not all it can do. It also allows us to keep record of important dates and appointments, perform basic mathematical functions, watch movies, take measurements, and endless other functions," I continue. I can't help but feel proud at the way Zecora's ears fold back and her eyes widen further. Regardless of how I feel about them, I can at least be proud of humanity's technological accomplishments. Not that it did them a lot of good in the end. "Where I come from, these are pretty common sights. Nearly everyone had one." "My respect for the human race only continues to grow," Zecora admits, peering closer at the phone. "Are there any functions that you would be willing to show?" I flick on the screen, causing the zebra to recoil slightly from the sudden bright light. "Yes, but you wouldn't understand any of it. I discovered when I looked at your books that although we share a spoken language, our systems of writing are completely different," I reveal to her. I don't understand how that's possible, to be honest with myself. Then again, considering I don't understand how in all of creation ponies learned to talk anyway, as their vocal chords just aren't made for that. Zecora gave me an apologetic look. "Such a thing had never crossed my mind. Merely some enjoyment for you, I had hoped to find. I apologize for leaving you to boredom without respite; for entertainment, you must have been desperate." "I don't really care. Entertainment isn't really at the forefront of my mind," I tell her flatly. "More importantly, the fact that we share a spoken language in the first place seems impossible to me. Languages change over time, and from what you've said, humans have been gone for a while." "About your kind are mysteries galore; I don't know the answer, but Twilight may know more," Zecora admits, rolling her forelegs in a strange fashion. It takes me a moment to realize that I just saw the quadruped equivalent of a shrug. That aside, she just mentioned Twilight again. "That leads me into the question I wanted to ask in the first place," I say, returning my phone to my pocket. I'm not sure it was a good idea to show her my phone in the first place, but I don't have anything else to offer. "Who is this Twilight you keep mentioning, and where can I find them?" Zecora raises an eyebrow, surprised at my odd choice of question. "Twilight Sparkle is a unicorn, in academics she does shine. I met her several months ago; she is a now a dear friend of mine," she begins. My eye starts to twitch somewhat. I was right in assuming that Twilight is a scholar, but a unicorn? Seriously? Not for the first time, I wonder if any of this is for real. Maybe Sombra hit me harder than I thought, and I'm actually in a feverish coma. "She resides just outside the forest in a town called Ponyville, in matters of magic, she possesses much skill. During her time in town, she has met with much success. She is also the personal student of the Solar Princess," Zecora continues. I try to make note of everything she says, but I'm only coming up with more questions. First of all, "Ponyville?" Everything I hear about this situation only grows more ridiculous by the second. Ponies living in Ponyville, princesses, and unicorns... I'm beginning to become convinced that I'm not in a feverish dream, but in a young girl's feverish dream. "Outside the forest, huh? Alright then. That means there's no point in sticking around here any longer." I grab my rifle from the nearby table, testing its weight with my arms. It's nothing more than a glorified club at this point, but I'm not getting rid of it. I give a quick look around to make sure that I'm not leaving anything of mine behind, and then I head for the door without another word. Zecora immediately moves to stand between the door and me, looking astonished. "Just where do you think you are going? In your condition, it would be dangerous to enter the forest unknowing!" she protests firmly. "It would be wise to take more time to heal, else more pain you will inevitably feel." I stare at her with a deadpan expression. "Thank you for telling me everything I already know," I snap sarcastically, causing her to flinch. "I'm not your child; you have no obligation to look over me. I gave you the information you wanted; what I do from here is none of your business." Zecora looks hurt, but remains stubbornly in place. "It seems you have yet to learn; all I do for you has been out of honest concern," she expresses to me with soulful eyes. My response is a derisive scoff. "Don't give me that. I don't need your 'concern,' or whatever else you want to call it. I have no more information to give you," I retort, my eyes narrowing. I step around her and grasp the handle, pulling the door open to reveal the forest. "Now if you'll excuse me." The forest looks very different in the daylight. The leaves and foliage are a vibrant green, and the sun's rays filtering down through the canopy makes for a beautiful sight. It doesn't look nearly as threatening as it did the previous night. Granted, compared to the forests I've been through before, it definitely looks odd, almost predatory. The plants and vines crawl over the rocks and trees as if devouring them, the trees are gnarled and twisted, and just like the previous night, I can feel something in the air: a humming whose source I can't quite place. I take it back. This place is just as threatening as before. I find myself clenching my fingers tighter around my rifle. Before me stretches the wide path I saw from the window earlier, stretching out into the distance. This must be where I need to go. I start down the path, wincing slightly. The bandages wrapped tightly around my body are feeling a little uncomfortable now that I'm out in the open air like this. I hear hoofbeats behind me, causing me to groan. Zecora is following me, still refusing to give up, much to my annoyance. "Before you so rashly go, one last quiz. Do you know where the road to Ponyville is?" she questions with a hint of smugness in her tone. "I'm assuming it's at the end of this path," I remark dryly, not even bothering to look at her. Judging from the silence behind me, I'm probably right. However, I can still hear her walking behind me. "Why are you still here?" "The process of treatment is not yet finished. Should you fall on your own, I would feel diminished," Zecora responds, and this time she definitely sounds smug. "Making you healthy was part of our deal. Surely reneging would not be ideal?" I open my mouth to argue, but then realize that I can't. She has a valid point on that, as much as I hate to admit it. It would not be fair to me if I gave her information, and then she just let me get hurt again. Ugh, I hate this, but I have to accept her presence for now. I remain silent, letting her continue to follow me. After a few minutes of walking, I start to breathe heavily. I'm starting to realize that exerting myself so soon after waking up may not have been the best idea. Occasionally, I have to stop and rest against a tree so I can catch my breath. Before long, my side starts to ache. Apart from our initial conversation Zecora and I have said nothing to one another. We've been walking in silence for a while now. This isn't surprising; I have nothing else to say to her. My mind is focused on finding Twilight now. I will find out as much as I can about this world, and then I will find Sombra. That's my only purpose in life now. I can think of nothing else. "I do not mean to pry. You seem troubled; may I ask why?" Zecora finally asks, breaking the silence between us. "Are you serious? Have you forgotten what and where I am? How could you even ask a question like that?" I demand incredulously, turning my head to glare at her. Zecora shakes her head. "I have not forgotten your situation, you see. I am referring to your bitterness towards me," she clarifies. Zecora's words cause me to think for a moment. To be fair, she hasn't done anything to me so far, but... I don't think I have it in me to care. There's no room in my current goal for anyone else. "You may call it bitterness, but I don't really care about you," I correct her, an empty feeling forming in my chest. "You fed me and patched me up, and in return I gave you information. That's as far as it goes. In case you were wondering, I'm not looking for friends: now or ever again." Zecora remains silent in response to my ice cold response, visibly hurt. She looks back up at me with her dark eyes. I return my gaze to the front, satisfied that I've cleared up any further misunderstandings about our current relationship. Several seconds later, I hear Zecora say something in a low, quiet voice. "No one can be an island, else the pain will soon get out of hand." I don't say anything in response. I want to scoff, but her words make me feel troubled. I shake my head wordlessly. I don't have to worry about that. I'm only alive now to kill Sombra. Nothing else matters. The remainder of the journey to the edge of the forest is uneventful; we are disturbed neither by conversation nor the wildlife. I suspect Zecora has something to do with the latter, due to the fact that I'll see her scattering drops of a strangely colored liquid from a bottle along the edges of the path. Immediately afterwards, I would hear the sounds of creatures fleeing through the underbrush. I suppose that cauldron, as well as all of those filled and labeled bottles, aren't just for show. When the trees finally thin out, the shadows have grown longer and the forest has grown darker. I'm glad we reached the edge of the forest now; I don't relish another trip through here in the dark. Now, after a quick look at my phone, I can tell that it's about six in the evening. Of course, this is assuming that my phone's kept time is accurate. Most importantly, I can get my first look at this world that I'm in now, at long last. However, when I step out of the woods, I stop in my tracks, frozen from shock. Rolling hills topped with lush green grass spreads into the distance as far as my eyes can see, the blades swaying and rustling in the gentle blowing wind. Just down the hill, there is a quietly flowing river wide enough to sail several yachts through. My eyes follow the river all the way to the silhouette of a gigantic mountain spire jutting straight up into the air, a long way out in the distance. On one side of the mountain is a cascading waterfall that I assume is the river's source. Additionally, there is a magnificent white castle built into a plateau halfway up the mountain, giving the illusion that it is hanging from the side of the rock face. Even from here, the architecture takes my breath away. Just beyond the river down below is a fairly large village constructed on a roughly round portion of land framed by the river on three sides. The buildings look to be constructed from white plaster and built with wooden frames and thatched roofs, similar to the style of early 19th century human dwellings. Cementing this assumption is the railroad running directly through the center of the village, as well as the way the village is organized. There is a towering cylindrical structure with a spired red roof in the rough center of the town, and the buildings nearby are constructed in a circle around it, leaving an open area at its foundation. That must be the town square and that building must house the town's leadership. On the left side of the town just across the river is a series of trees arranged in an orderly fashion, like an orchard of sorts. Judging from the bright red dots I can make out from here, I can only conclude that those are apple trees. My only guess is that, considering that orchard is so large, apples are the primary agricultural product of this town. I'm beginning to think my estimation that the ponies are in the early industrial period is true. In the village, I can't see anything that would be commonplace in a human settlement. For example, there's no sign of anything that looks like a power plant. There are no telephone poles, no power lines, no transformers, and certainly no radio towers. I can't help but chuckle at the irony present in this situation. Sombra, inadvertently or not, sent me far into the future, yet it seems as though I am far into the past. "I'm heading into town. I don't need you to follow me any longer. You can consider your end of the deal upheld," I say to Zecora firmly. I don't want her following me into town. Zecora nods, much to my relief. She dips her head slightly. "Goodbye, Seth, and be careful in the city. Many ponies may find you to be an oddity." With that, Zecora turns and starts to plod back into the forest, sparing me one last look over her shoulder. "Noted," I respond tersely. I'm on my own now, and I have a task to accomplish. I don't have the time to stand around and enjoy the sights. I begin my trek down the hill. That being said, the scenery is beautiful, but it also doesn't make sense. There's absolutely no sign that there used to be a college here. Granted, the majority of it is underground, but it's still disconcerting to see nothing but rolling hills where a metropolis should have been. I also don't remember a mountain as high as the one in the distance being present anywhere near the college. There was Rainier Mountain, but that was more like a glorified hill where students would go to hike. I don't see any ponies yet. I am least curious as to what one looks like, considering they supposedly rule America now. If they're anything like Zecora, then they're hardly different from humans. I hope they don't rhyme like her. Zecora never would tell me why she insisted on doing that. Crossing the river is easy enough. The ponies have constructed a bridge spanning its width. Walking on it reveals its sturdy construction, as it doesn't even tremble beneath my weight. As I cross it, I glance down into the river below, noting the slender shapes of fish darting beneath the surface. It isn't long before I reach the outskirts of town. I pause momentarily, remembering Zecora's words. I'm not sure how these ponies are going to react to me, and I'm not even sure how I'm going to react to them. There's nothing to think about. I don't have any other options here than to just walk in and hope for the best. With that in mind, I step onto the smooth stone streets of Ponyville. I look around curiously, taking in the sights of the buildings around me. "..for the help. Will you be attending the Cake's party in a few days?" "Flits, you know I'd never miss one. Pinkie parties are the greatest!" I stop in place, hearing the sounds of two individuals talking to one another nearby. I plant my back against the wall of a nearby house and peer around the corner. There, I get my first look at a pony. They look nothing like what I expected. Zecora, at least, is clearly recognizable as a zebra at first glance, despite the obvious visual differences. She had the typical white and black stripes, like any normal zebra. These ponies... throw conventional evolutionary reason out the window. The coat of the first pony I look at is a vibrant shade of sky blue. Its mane is a lighter, pale blue and looks as though it has been personalized, complete with a pink bow on top of her head, similar to how women would style their hair in all sorts of different ways. Its mane falls down one side of its face and frames its extremely expressive face, which is currently smiling as it talks to the other pony. The other pony is similarly colored, though its mane is messier and somewhat frizzy. They're both talking about some party or another, but I don't pay much attention to the content of their words. Instead, I derive from the timbre of their voices that they're both female... or mares, if you will. "Right, well, I gotta skedaddle, or Rainbow is going to have my hide," the messy maned pony remarks with a wry smile, turning the other direction. To my surprise, two feathery wings unfurl from her flanks, and she takes to the skies. "Later, sis!" "Bye, Cloud! See you tonight!" the other mare replies, waving after her. A quick glance lets me know that she too possesses a pair of wings. So there's unicorns, and now pegasi? This just gets more and more strange with every passing moment. Before I can consolidate my thoughts, the remaining mare starts to walk in my direction. In a few moments, when she passes my hiding place, it would be difficult for her to miss my presence. This means that I no longer have any choice on when to reveal myself. It's probably best that there's only one pony to deal with. "Hold up a second," I call out to her, announcing my presence. I don't walk out from behind the house just yet. "Huh?" the mare pauses, her ears flicking at my voice. She looks around for the source, and adopts a worried expression when she doesn't see anyone. "Is somepony there?" "Yes, but I'm not exactly a pony," I remark, trying to ignore her utter butchering of the word "someone." "I want to ask you something." "Not a pony? What are you the..." the mare cuts off when she sees me walk around the corner. Her eyes widen and her jaw slowly drops, shock and wonder crossing her face. "O-Oh." I stop a few paces away from her, making sure not to get too close. It probably wouldn't be good for me if the first pony I met panicked and ran away. Surprisingly though, she doesn't to be that scared. She seems more shy... and a little intrigued. The mare gulps and bravely walks up to me, brushing her mane out of her eyes with a hoof almost like a human girl would. "Are... you a human?" she stammers. I'm honestly surprised that she knows what I am. She doesn't look like a historian. Are we that common knowledge? "That's right. I'm surprised you know that," I respond, my tone even. Now that she's this close to me, I notice how small she is. She can't be taller than three feet, so her head reaches up to the middle of my chest. I also notice that she's scared of me. Every slight movement I make causes her eyes to dart and her body to tremble. Yet she's still here, talking to me. I have to hand it to her; she's rather brave. "I'm assuming you're one of the ponies I've heard so much about." "Well... yes, I am. I'm called Flitter. It's very nice to meet you, sir," the mare responds politely. I raise a brow at her use of the word 'sir.' Having the first pony I meet treat me with respect is more than I expected. "Everypony has at least heard of your kind. I never thought I'd actually meet one." "You're being very calm about this," I note curiously. "It doesn't strike you as odd that I walk upright like this, in a world filled with quadrupeds?" Flitter shakes her head. "I mean, I don't see it very often, if that's what you mean. But you aren't the only species that walks on two legs," she reveals to me as I listen with interest. Just how many other species are there that my appearance doesn't shock her? In my era, any species other than us capable of speech would have caused quite the shock among our scientific community. "Um... what's your name?" "My name is Seth Rogers," I explain to her. I have so many questions I want to ask her, but as it stands, I can't ask information from her without giving some myself. "Tell you what; I'm in town looking for a pony in particular. If you tell me where I can find her, I'll show you something cool." Flitter tilts her head to one side, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity. "Something cool?" She peers at the rifle that I'm still carrying with me. "Do you mean that stick you have?" "Trust me, you don't want to know what that is," I assure her with a smirk. I can only imagine how this creature would react if I told her it was an extremely efficient instrument of death. I pull out my phone, using it once again as a means to get information. "Instead, I want to show you this. It's human technology. Curious?" Flitter nods, craning her head forward to sniff at it. Then, just like I did with Zecora, I settle down next to her and explain the phone's basic functions to her. I even go a little further and show off some of the applications, such as the clock, the calculator, the calendar, and the like. The whole time, she seems enthralled. I discover from her reactions that ponies also have a twenty four hour system of telling time, as well as a twelve month calendar that incorporates leap years. The similarities to human society is astonishing and rather improbable. Once more, I find myself curious exactly how much time has passed since humanity's destruction. I have no idea where these ponies fit into the equation. Where did they even come from? "That's so amazing; you really are one of our precursors," Flitter says with awe as I return my phone to my pocket. "Didn't you want to ask me something?" "Yes, actually. First though, I'm curious. Why do you even know about humans?" I question her first. Zecora stated that we were known to historians, but I didn't realize I'd be recognized on sight. "Oh, all foals are taught about them in school. A lot of our inventions are based off of human creations," Flitter explains, confirming my earlier suspicions. That would explain why it feels like I'm in a human settlement, except with ponies. "We don't actually know what you look like. We know you stood on two legs and were smaller than minotaurs... I just guessed when I saw you." "Good guess," I comment, stuck on the fact that she referred to minotaurs as if they were real creatures. So much is being thrown at me ever since I woke up in the school; I think my head is going to explode. Flitter looks somewhat sheepish as she continues. "There's also a series of books about humans that are pretty good," she reveals to me. I blink, and then I sigh. There's no way anything in those books could be close to accurate. "Interesting. Anyway, to get back on track, where can I find a pony called Twilight Sparkle?" I asked one more question than I intended to, but showing her the phone should technically entitle me to as many questions as I want. Flitter seems to know that name, as she immediately answers. "Oh, Twilight? She's our librarian, a pretty well known one. You can usually find her in her home in Golden Oaks Library." She suddenly brightens up, as if getting an idea. "Oh, I'll show you!" "No, I'd rather you just tell me how to get there," I interrupt before she can bound away. I've already talked to her longer than I should have. I don't want her getting attached. The last thing I need are these ponies trying to be friends with me. Flitter pauses in the middle of turning around, a sad look forming on her face. "But... why not? It's not that far, and I'd love to show you around," she whined, looking at me with wide, liquid eyes. I wince when I look at her. I didn't realize these ponies could do the cute eyes, like a dog would when it gets in trouble. Unfortunately for her, that doesn't work on me. "I didn't ask for a tour. I asked for directions," I reply sharply. Now it was her turn to wince at the ice in my tone. "Now are you going to hold up your end of the deal or not?" "Of course... but..." I fight the urge to groan; Flitter still looks as though she's trying to argue. Stupid mare; you can't just decide you're going to do something and then get upset when it doesn't happen. Especially when that thing involves another person. "Don't you think that if you're with me, other ponies will be quicker to accept you? I may have guessed what you are, but not everypony will." "You... have a point, I suppose," I grudgingly admit. In the worst case scenario, the ponies would panic. However, accepting Flitter as a companion, even temporary, would just end up in her getting attached. Weighing my options, it's clear which one is the best one. I let out an irritated sigh. "Fine. Lead the way." Flitter beams happily, and then she turns around and breaks into a trot, a visible spring in her step. I shake my head exasperatedly. I don't see a reason for that to make her so happy, unless she's hoping to show me off to her friends like a trophy. I grit my teeth as I come to that conclusion. Nothing I can do except deal with it, for now. As she leads me further into the town, I begin to see more ponies. The first thing I notice is that Flitter isn't the exception. Every single one of these ponies are just as brightly colored as she is. After only a few seconds of looking at them, I feel like I can pick out every single color and shade of the rainbow reflected in their coats and manes. The mishmash of color makes me eyes hurt just looking at it all. I don't see how this makes evolutionary sense. Animals possess drab colors so that they don't stick out of the landscape for predators to see them. Though, I guess it's possible that these ponies have dyed themselves. I glance over at Flitter, but I can't tell from looking at her whether or not her coat is dyed. Additionally, I notice three different types of ponies. There are the ones with wings, like Flitter, which I going to call pegasi because I can't help but think of the winged horse from Greek mythology. Then, there are those that possess short spiraled horns that look to be made from bone jutting from the tops of their heads. There's no other name I can give them that would make more sense than unicorn. Lastly, there are the ponies that have neither wings nor a horn, and are the closest thing to the ponies I know from my era... apart from the ridiculous colors. I also can't help but notice that nearly every pony I see has a unique mark on their flanks. Even Flitter has one; hers in in the shape of three insectoid creatures that resemble dragonflies. What on earth does that mean? I'm broken out of my thoughts when the first pony apart from Flitter notices my presence, it lets out a feminine gasp and points a hoof at me. As if someone had flipped a switch, the chatter in the streets dies down and nearly every pony nearby turns their gazes on me, their eyes wide with curiosity, wonder, and an ever-present hint of fear. Flitter coughs nervously, her gait growing less confident under all of those stares. I think that it's because she's with me that none of the ponies are panicking. Every time we draw close to a group of ponies, they quickly scatter to make room for us. "Mommy, what is it?" "Shh, it can hear you..." My irritation returns in full force upon hearing that one exchange. Judging from the other quiet whispers I hear, it's not the only one of the sort. Flitter squeaks, seeming to notice how I'm glaring out at the ponies. "U-Um... so... if you'll look over here..." Flitter interjects before I lose my temper. Glad for the distraction, I turn to see her pointing down one particular street, a forced smile on her face. "Down this way you'll find Sugarcube Corner, where you'll find a wide variety of sweets and desserts for sale!" I notice that when she started speaking to me, the fear lessened in the eyes of the watching ponies. Oh, I see what she's doing. "'A variety of sweets?' So I'm assuming that doesn't just mean an array of sugarcubes?" I remark sardonically, remembering the typical horse treat in my era. Now all of the watching ponies look surprised. I don't think they expected me to be able to talk. Flitter shakes her head, her voice coming to her more easily now that we're having a conversation. "Oh no, there's much more than that. Everything from fudge to cakes, Sugarcube Corner has everything! I'd go more often, but..." Flitter pauses, looking with a blush back towards her flank. "All of that fat tends to go to my flank." I give her a cursory glance, noticing how slender she is. I don't think there's anything about her that could be considered "fat.". "Don't be stupid, go if you want. It's not like you have any fat to lose," I point out. I don't have the patience for girls that talk like that, especially when they look as healthy as can be. Although my words were spoken out of annoyance, Flitter looks really happy. "You think so?" she responds. I realize what I did a moment later and suppress a groan. Great... she's only going to get more attached. I remain silent so I don't make it any worse, but it looks like the damage has already been done. "Thank you!" One good thing about that exchange is that the other ponies seem to be relaxing. Chatter starts back up again and life resumes its normal course... or whatever normal is in a village like this. I've come to the conclusion that these ponies are not that different from humans, in the way that they speak and act. The streets around me are evidence of this; the marked signs hanging from store windows, the tables and chairs set up outside what I assume are restaurants, the mailboxes planted beside the doors of every house; they all look as though they could have been created by us. One would think this would be reassuring. I feel differently. The downside of the ponies being similar to humans... is that they're similar to humans. I'll need to stay on my guard. Flitter looks shyly at me as we walk. "Would... you want to grab a dessert from Sugarcube Corner later?," she asks. I can't help but sigh this time. I knew it. Thankfully, this provides me with an easy way to deal with that attachment problem. "It would be a great way to introduce you to the Cakes, as well as Pinkie Pie!" I do my best to keep from raising an eyebrow. What kind of dessert would be called "Pinkie Pie?" I've never heard of a flavor like that. Either way, it's not happening. "No, I would not," I turn her down firmly. "What? Why not? " Flitter pleads, disappointment evident in her oversized eyes. "I promise you the desserts are delicious!" "I'm not here for pleasure. I'm here to see Twilight, and nothing more. After I'm done here, you'll probably never see me again," I tell her flatly. Flitter looks crushed. "You're not coming back? But... I wanted to be fr-" "Just stop. You're getting on my nerves. I wouldn't have the money to pay for my own dessert even if I did want one. So the answer is no, and that's final," I cut across her coldly. Flitter looks as though she wants to say something, but she decides better of it, instead lowering her head and nodding sadly. "Good. Now how much further to the library?" "Just a little further..." Flitter responds listlessly. The spring in her step is gone now, and she's hanging her head slightly. I nod, satisfied. She'd only feel worse if she got involved with me. I hear her then say in a quieter voice. "I would have paid for your dessert..." I think about replying to that, but I decide not to. I've gotten my point across; I don't need to rub salt in the wound. Flitter comes to a stop at the end of a T-shaped intersection; the street continues forward ahead of me, and forks off to my left. "We're here! Just down the street is Gold Oaks Library," the mare announces. "Twilight should still be in; she doesn't leave her home that often this late in the evening." I look in the direction she's indicating. From here, all I can see is a row of buildings, with the branches of a large tree towering over the rooftops. I don't see anything that looks like a library. "What, next to the tree?" I question. Flitter giggles and shakes her head. "No, it is the tree," she corrects me. I nod dumbly. "Right, it is the tree." It takes me a few seconds to realize what she just said. I turn my head to her with a deadpan expression. "What." The mare seems to find this incredibly amusing for some reason. "Just go take a look, you'll see," she promises me. I huff in annoyance; that tells me nothing. "I guess I will," I grunt. There's nothing left for me to do here. Without wasting any time, I break away from Flitter and head for the left street, where the library supposedly is. "Hey," Flitter calls after me. I pause and turn my head to see her standing a few paces away, gazing at me with hesitant eyes. I say nothing, waiting for her to continue. "It was nice meeting you." Without another word, I turn back forward and continue on my way. The next time I look back, Flitter is gone. No doubt she headed back into town. I turn the corner and navigate towards the extremely large tree at the end of the street. Once I'm close enough to make out its features, I understand what Flitter was talking about. Similar to Zecora's hut, there's a house built into the wide trunk. It looks as though there's at least two floors, as there are two layers of circular glass windows. In the upper branches, there's a wooden balcony with a telescope on top and an entrance into the upper floors. Finally, a bright red door made for ponies is set directly into the front. I have no way of knowing whether or not this is Golden Oaks Library, due to the fact the sign hanging beside the door is written in... I guess the language would be called Equestrian. I suppose there's only one way to find out. Just as I'm taking my first steps towards the treehouse, the door slams open. "..great, I'll see you there! Whee!" a bright pink blur zooms out of the entrance so fast I can't keep track of its trajectory. Before I can react, something barrels into my chest at top speed, knocking me over. "Whoop!" "Aaah!" I cry out in agony as I hit the ground, pain exploding from my side as though someone had just hit me with a sledgehammer. The suffering is so intense that I can't move. I breathe in frantically in an attempt to catch my breath, but end up inhaling dirt in the process, causing me to hack and cough violently. I'm scared to look at the bandage on my side. "F-Fuck!" "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I just have so much to do, what with the upcoming super awesome party hosted by yours truly, and all the deliveries I still have yet to do that I can't be late for, I just didn't see you there..." Whoever it is that's apologizing to me has the most annoyingly high-pitched voice I've ever heard. She's also talking a mile a minute, the words practically gushing from her mouth like a waterfall. I ignore her at first, using my rifle to steadily rise back to my feet. My side is afire with white hot pain and feels warm; I really hope it hasn't started bleeding again. She just won't stop. The pony talking possesses a bright pink coat and a darker pink mane that is impossibly frizzy. Her eyes are a light blue, and the mark on her flank is of three balloons. The moment she sees what I am, she lets out a loud over-exaggerated gasp, her body physically lifting into the air in a seemingly impossible manner. A wide grin stretches across her whole face, and then she immediately starts to gush words again. "..never seen anything like you, which must mean you're a new species the world has never seen! How exciting! Ooh! I nearly forgot. If I've never seen anything like you that means you haven't been around for long, and that would mean you wouldn't have any friends, which means I can..." She talks so fast and so high-pitched, a headache starts to form in my head. My patience wears thinner and thinner, until finally I snap. "Jesus Christ, shut up!" I yell loud enough to be heard over her inane rambling. Not only does she stop mid-sentence, but every other pony nearby looks shocked speechless. I give the pink pony a withering glare. "Can't you stop talking for one second and get some damn perspective!? I could care less about your 'super awesome party' or whatever nonsense you were talking about when you may have just reopened that wound in my side!" My voice has risen to a shout at that point, causing the pony's ears to flatten and her expression to turn distraught. My right hand is clenched tightly to my side, hoping that no real damage was done. The pink pony's eyes trail down to the bandages on my side, and understanding dawns in her eyes. Her expression looks genuinely apologetic after that, her hoof brushing at the ground nervously. "Oh... I'm so sorry... I didn't realize that..." she tries to say, but just hearing her voice is enough to irritate me again. "If you're so sorry, then just keep quiet and get out of my way. I don't have time for this," I interrupt her once more. Bracing myself on a nearby wall, I limp past her and head for the library, leaving the annoying pony behind.
Tales of the Oppressed	4. Memories of Another Time (rw)	A shroud of silence falls over the street after my encounter with the bright pink pony. Some of the ponies that had been nearby scattered at the sound of my raised voice, while the remainder are looking at me with fear and anger, as opposed to the fear and wonder I was getting earlier. I wonder if yelling at that pony is what made them angry? I glance back towards where the pony had run into me to see that she's gone. There's no sign of her no matter where I look. Was that pony someone that the other townsfolk are fond of? If so, that would explain the glares I'm getting now. I suppose I should thank her. It makes my job easier if I don't have ponies trying to be friendly all the time. More importantly, I check my side. It's throbbing painfully, as though I'm being repeatedly struck with a hammer. I sigh in relief once I determine that I'm not bleeding hard enough to soak through the bandages. I'd be furious if that damned pony had injured me again. I don't know if these ponies have a decent medical system. If anything, it would be similar to early industrial medicine. I wince; if that's true, then I am extremely lucky to have found an herbalist to treat me. Now, I should move on to the task at hand. Ahead of me is the large tree house. Now that I'm this close, I notice that the sign hanging beside the door has a smaller image of a stack of books. There's no question; this is the library. Just as I start to approach the tree, the door opens to reveal a normal pony with a brown coat. This one looks noticeably different from the other ponies I've seen so far in that it's larger and its muscles are more pronounced. Additionally, its jaw is rougher and squarish. Is this what a stallion looks like in this world? "Thanks for the help, sir. Do give my regards to Twilight, will you?" the pony calls back into the library. Sure enough, his timbre is instantly recognizable as male. He sounds remarkably well spoken as well, each of his words articulated clearly. The stallion traipses out from the threshold with a pleased expression. I also notice that he's wearing a set of saddlebags similar to what humans would use to store cargo for long distances. Inside of them are the books that I assume he just checked out. He swings his head forward. "What a nice young lad!" The stallion opens his eyes to see me standing to the side of the street ahead and to his right, my curious eyes resting on him. He slows down stops dead in place, his jaw falling open. "My word, is that a... oh dear, how fascinating," he emits with awe, stepping somewhat closer. "Do I look like some kind of zoo exhibit? Turn your gaze," I respond irritably. I don't appreciate how he seems to be regarding me like some sort of exotic animal. If anything, that's how I should be viewing him, if I had the time or desire. He jumps, startled at my sudden speech. He dips his head apologetically. "Oh, pardon me, I did not mean to offend. I'll just get out of your way," he retracts hastily, and then he breaks into a canter, moving around me and out of sight. I approach the still open door next, glad to be rid of the interruption. This place doesn't look that big for a library, so I'm hoping there won't be any more ponies getting in my way. Judging from what the stallion said, however, there's likely two ponies in there. There's also no way to ease myself into the introduction like I did with Flitter, so there's no point in hesitating. I ignore the hint of dread that I'm feeling and step through the door. I have to duck to avoid hitting my head on the door frame, due to it being made for ponies about half my size. I close the door behind me, and then I get my first look at the inside of the library. Just like Zecora's hut, the room appears to have been carved directly into the inside of the trunk. Unlike Zecora's hut, however, the surfaces appear to be smoothed and polished, making the risk of splinters almost non-existent. Shelves stocked full of books of varying colors and thicknesses are set into the walls all along circumference of the room. Paper tabs jut out from between books at regular intervals. I can't read the text on them, but it's easy to figure out that they're used to organize or categorize the books for ease of use. The shelves are probably pretty high by pony standards, but the top shelf only rests about a foot or two above my head, such that I can easily reach it with my arm. Directly in the center of the room is a table carved from a stump that was likely once the heartwood of the tree. Surrounding it are six blue cushions to be used as seats, I assume. On top of the table is a large horsehead idol carved from a different type of wood, appearing lighter in color than the rosy wood surrounding me. The surface of the table and idol both are spotless, devoid of any blemishes or dust. In fact, the same could be said for the rest of the room. It's immaculately clean. Looking up, I notice the expansive mural of a blazing golden sun stretching across the majority of the ceiling. I remember Zecora mentioning something along the lines of a "Solar Princess." I wonder if that and this mural are connected in some way. Come to think of it, I'm certain that's the case. Zecora told me Twilight was the personal student of the Solar Princess. What would someone so important be doing out here in the country? I take a few steps forward, continuing to look around the interesting interior. Whether or not I care for ponies, their architecture gives me the feeling that I've walked into a fantasy, and it's spectacular. There's a flight of stairs that curves inward and climbs up the far wall, leading to a second floor. Just behind the stairs, I notice an open archway that leads to a kitchen that looks surprisingly modern, given my assumption of pony technology. The sound of a book hitting the floor startles me out of my thoughts. I look around to find a most peculiar sight. Standing at the corner made between the stairs and the wall is a purple creature standing on two feet, complete with green spikes climbing up its back. It looks reptilian in nature due to the scales lining its body, but it doesn't look like any reptile I've ever seen. What on earth is that? The lizard widens its eyes, and its jaw drops in horror, leading me to believe that this creature is also sapient. Its claw is open and trembling, the book resting open on the floor just beneath it. Unlike the ponies in the street, the lizard shows nothing but fear for me. Before I can say anything, the lizard scrambles up the stairs at a breakneck pace. "Aaaah! Twilight, there's a monster in the library!" it screams in a panicked young male voice, confirming my suspicions about its sapience. This world just never ceases to confuse me. "Give me a break... I should be saying that to you," I grumble, resting my face in my palm. After all, he looks more monstrous than I do. I stand still with my hands in my pockets, waiting for the lizard to return with Twilight. The door to the second floor slams open and a pony mare bursts out, leaping down the stairs and transfixing me with a determined glare. The horn on her head lights up a bright magenta. It gives me an ominous feeling, so I try to distance myself from her, but I find that I'm completely unable to move. "What the..." I grunt and strain, but no matter how hard I try, I can't even so much as twitch a muscle. I then realize that I am completely encompassed in the same magenta aura that's shimmering around her horn. Is she doing this? She has to be. I remember Zecora telling me that Twilight was skilled in magic. Assuming this is Twilight, she must be using magic to immobilize me. I can't help but have flashbacks to the spell I saw Sombra casting in the stairwell of my school. I feel strange. All of the hairs on my body are standing on end, goosebumps forming on my flesh. I feel the air humming all round me, as if it was charged with static electricity. Additionally, I feel a strange pressure in my chest that hadn't been there before, emanating directly from the center of my torso. Because I'm completely unable to move, I focus on the pony in front of me instead. Like the other ponies I've seen, her coat isn't a natural color, being a shade of soft lavender. Her mane and tail are a deep blue, with two regular stripes of purple and magenta running through them. Her orderly mane is groomed and curls around one side of her head to rest neatly on her neck. Her large violet eyes are fixed on me in a glare that quickly turns to surprise and awe once she gets a clear look at me. "That's... that's not a monster, Spike, that's a human! I can't believe it!" Twilight gasps, a wide smile slowly forming on her face. The lizard, whom she addressed as Spike, peeks out from behind her, looking no less afraid. "What's a human? How can you tell?" Spike questions, his voice still trembling. "It's easy! Humans are bipedal and have thinner skeletal structures than a standard minotaur, but don't have curved spines and elongated skulls like the diamond dogs do, so this has to be a human!" Twilight analyzes me with a single look before I can even think of a response. She looks up at me, addressing me directly. "Are you intelligent? Can you talk?" I try to move my mouth and find that I can. "Yes, now that you've given me a chance to get a word in edgewise," I snap, causing the both of them to flinch. "Is this how you treat all of your guests? I don't exactly feel very welcome." "Oh, I'm so sorry, I just reacted when Spike yelled," Twilight apologizes quickly, and the glow from her horn dies away. I grunt uncomfortably as I feel the magic dissipate, my muscles tensing up instinctively now that they're free to move. The pressure in my chest also fades away, so I put it out of my mind, assuming that was an effect of the magic. "Well how was I supposed to know? All the two legged things I've seen haven't exactly been friendly," Spike retorted defensively. "I still don't know what a human is." "Ask your friend later; I didn't come here to be gawked at like an animal on exhibit." An edge creeps into my voice, revealing my growing irritation to the two of them. "Yes of course, I'm sorry," Twilight apologizes again, her ears folding back. "But can I ask you one tiny little question?" "What?" "I am correct about you being a human, right?" Twilight questions nervously. I give her a nod of confirmation, much to her relief. Her smile reappears and widens, and the mare bounces up and down on the tips of her hooves. "This is so exciting! I thought you were all extinct! There have been no humans in Equestria for over three thousand years!" "Don't get too excited; I'm not here to ease your scientific curiosity," I warn her. Then, her words register in my mind. My breath catches in my throat, and my blood runs cold. "Wait. Humans haven't been seen in how long?" "Three thousand! You're the oldest civilization we know of, dating all the way back before early pony civilization. Yet you're also the most influential, because..." Twilight pauses when she sees my shaking shoulders. She tilts her head. "Are you okay?" Everything is starting to fall into place in my mind. King Sombra sent me to the future; that much is undeniable. However, I was wrong in assuming that it had only been eighty years. Humanity fell in eighty years or more, but it's been much longer than that. Three thousand years...that's such a staggering number. Not only does that explain why my old college looked like an ancient ruin, but it also explains why the landscape is so drastically different than I remember. Zecora was right... humans, and everything we were... are really nothing but dust now. I back up, leaning on the table in the center of the room. My mind is rebelling against this entire situation. How am I supposed to deal with this? Two days ago, my biggest worry was recovering from poor performance on my last exam. Now I'm the only living human three thousand years in the future. I resist the urge to break something. Once again, I question how any of this is fair. What is the point of me standing here, in Equestria, right now? Why did Sombra send me here in the first place? Why in god's name did it have to be me? "Um... sir?" Twilight stepped a bit closer, looking at me with confusion. When she still doesn't get an answer, she swallows and tries a different tack. "Where did you come from? Are there still humans hiding away somewhere?" "No," I tell her in a low voice. I thought I would be more upset by this. I thought that I'd feel something more about the fact that I've left everything I've known far behind. Instead, I just feel a dull emptiness. The only other emotion I feel is a burning rage deep inside of me that's been steadily growing, directed towards this whole situation, and Sombra himself. "There's no humans left. It's just me... and don't look at me like that, I didn't ask for it." The moment I said I was the last human, Twilight's eyes grew wide and she started to look at me with sympathy, which is what prompted me to snap at her. An awkward silence falls between us. Eventually, Spike starts to sidle away. "I'm... just gonna go make some tea," he stammers, and then he zips into the kitchen so fast he leaves a dust cloud behind. Twilight brightens up at that. "That's a wonderful idea! You must have come to me for a reason; why don't you share your story with me over a warm cup of tea?" I rub my chin, considering her offer. I have no interest in sharing anything with her, but I'm not stupid enough to think I can get anything out of her without doing something in return. I don't necessarily care for tea, but I am thirsty. "Do whatever you want. I just have a few questions I want to ask you," I answer her finally, crossing my arms. "Great! I have a multitude of questions I want to ask you as well! Oh, this is going to be so much fun!" The apathy in my voice doesn't seem to faze her; instead, Twilight just beams and turns the other direction, her tail brushing the table as she went. "Come on, I'll lead you to the kitchen." I wordlessly follow Twilight into the doorway behind the stairs, getting my first look at the kitchen. As I noted before, the technology here seems to much more modern than I originally anticipated. The reason I say that is due to the large refrigerator tucked into one corner of the room. It looks similar to one I'd see in a typical human household. Yet, that implies that ponies are further than the industrial era. Refrigeration in homes wasn't achieved until the early twentieth century. Confused, I continue to observe the room. A counter stretches out from the refrigerator, complete with drawers, overhanging cabinets, and a dual sink. Beside that what looks suspiciously like an electric stove, complete with dials. I spot a toaster as well on top of the counter, along with a coffee maker. To further compound my increasing confusion, there's one extra anomaly that all of these appliances share: each of them has a translucent, faintly luminescent orb made of a material I can't identify set into where their circuitry should be. Additionally, there are no LCD displays on any of these devices, unlike a modern kitchen. Furthermore, the toaster and coffeemaker I notice don't have any cords. I finally have to admit that pony technology makes no sense to me. Do these appliances use something other than electricity as a power source? Spike stands atop a wooden footstool beside the stove, where he is no doubt brewing the aforementioned tea. A dark green kettle rests on the stove in front of him, steaming gently from the spout. He gives a lazy wave to Twilight as she enters with me. "The tea is almost done!" he announces. Twilight nods and leads me to a decently sized table made of a lighter shade of wood. Seven stools are situated around it, one of which Twilight sits down in. As far as I can see, only she and this lizard live here, so the number of stools seems rather excessive to me. Either way, I lean my rifle against the wall and then take a seat across from her without waiting for an invitation. The table is a little low, but not so low that I'd struggle to eat from it. Glancing at Twilight reveals that our sitting height is relatively the same, give or take a few inches. That's likely because half of my height comes from my legs; Twilight can sit on her haunches like that and maintain most of her own height. I look back to Twilight. An infinite maelstrom of questions concerning pony civilization and technology rages in my head. I'm curious, but none of the answers are relevant in the end. They won't help me find Sombra. Twilight coughs nervously beneath my focused gaze. "Could I start by learning your name?" she requests, trying to push past the awkward silence between us. "Seth Rogers," I respond curtly. That much I can give her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Rogers," Twilight returns happily with a nod and a smile. She offers her hoof out for me to shake. "I'm Twilight Sparkle." I eye her outstretched hoof with veiled surprise. That looks like she's asking for a handshake, but that doesn't make sense to me. Handshakes are human, and were supposedly invented as a means of showing another that an individual was unarmed. The fact that she's offering that to me suggests that at one point in pony history, they were capable of wielding weapons in their hooves. Looking at the underside of her hoof, there's nothing to suggest a gripping mechanism of any kind. Twilight's smile falters when I don't make any indications of accepting her hoof. She withdraws her hoof and gives a nervous laugh. "So... you said you had some questions to ask me?" "You first," I decide, crossing my arms. It would be best to take care of that first. I don't intend on staying long once she's helped me determine where Sombra can be found. "Are you sure? I uh... I have a lot of questions," Twilight admits with a sheepish grin. A moment later, I hear the kettle whistle as the water inside reaches a boil. Spike leaps down from the stool he's standing on and carries a tray of delicate porcelain cups over to us. Once he gets close enough, the tray is encompassed by a magenta glow and lifts itself out of Spike's claws. I watch with interest as Twilight levitates the tray onto the table without any sign of strain, her horn glowing the same shade of magenta. Magic indeed... scientists could never do something like that without the use of an exterior force, and certainly not to that degree of precision. The tray never even wobbled once. "I obviously won't let you keep me for very long," I retract. I don't miss the look of disappointment that briefly flashes on her face. I realize I'm being vague about that, so I decide to be more specific. "Three topics. That's all you can ask me about." "Only three? Can't I persuade you to raise that to maybe five? Or seven? Ten?" Twilight can't help but protest that, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's not hard to tell what kind of person she is. "...Twenty-three?" "Absolutely not. I'm being more than generous already, considering I only have one question that I particularly need answered," I cut across her firmly before she can try to raise that number to even more absurd heights. Twilight's resulting disappointment is so visible that I could swear I'm looking at a dog whose food was just eaten in front of it. "Besides, you didn't get a scholar or an engineer. I'm a student. I've done my fair share of reading, but all I can give you is random facts at the most." "I understand that, but what I'm most interested in is your culture and society. You said you were a student? Already that raises scores of questions about your educational system that only you could answer!" Twilight argues, her rump practically bouncing in her seat. She proceeds to give me a pleading expression, her eyes wide and liquid. "What if I offer to answer some questions about pony society? Can I have at least five topics? Please?" "I bet you just want to write a book on what I tell you and get rich," I point out, unmoved by her vain attempts to be cute. "What other reason would you have to ask me so many questions?" "Write a book? I suppose I could, but first and foremost, I want to learn from you. You possess a veritable wellspring of potential knowledge that I'd love to research, and nothing would make me happier. That's my reason!" Twilight at first looks taken aback by my cynicism, but it isn't long before she's excited again, leaning over the table somewhat. I don't buy that for a second. If I'm truly a precursor race about whom little is known, then anything I tell her would be worth a great deal. As if I'd really believe that she just wants to learn for learning's sake when it comes to humanity. "I'd just tell her what she wants to know, buddy. Otherwise she'll just chase you around," Spike chimes in with a wry grin, hopping up on a stool beside the two of us. He withers beneath the glare that I send his way. "I don't remember asking for your input," I snap at him, irritated at the interruption. I then turn my stare back onto Twilight. "You get four. That's all I'm willing to give. If you 'chase me around' like your lizard friend said, it will not end well for you." "Hey, I'm a dragon!" Spike protests indignantly. Upon hearing that, I glance at him in shock, taking in his features once more. It's true that he looks nothing like any lizard I've seen, but these ponies also don't look like any pony I've seen. My skeptical thoughts are stifled when Spike opens his mouth and spits a mild tongue of green flame into the air that swiftly fizzles out. I try to sort out this new information in my head. Ponies, pegasi, unicorns, minotaurs, diamond dogs, zebras, and now dragons? Just how many new sapient species am I going to discover? It's almost as though mythology is coming to life before my eyes. Twilight sighs sadly. "Don't worry, I won't do anything of the sort. I'll respect your decision." Thankfully, she seems to have gotten the idea that I'm in no mood to be interrogated. With her levitation magic, Twilight lifts the kettle and pours the still steaming tea into each of the three cups. The liquid is a greenish brown and doesn't look very appetizing. Contrary to that visual assessment, it smells pleasantly of citrus. Once she's finished, Twilight and Spike take their respective cups, the former with her levitation and the latter with a claw. I notice them looking at me, so I reach for the third cup. It's smaller than what I'm used to, but the handle is wide enough to encompass my whole hand. It seems as though this handle was made for hooves. I take a tentative sip of the drink and find that it tastes similar to how it smells. It's just sweet and fruity enough to be appealing. It also leaves an earthy aftertaste in my mouth once the citrus fades away. I smack my lips with surprise. I've never tasted a tea quite like this. What sort of plants did the manufacturers use to make this? Once I've sampled the beverage, I set the cup down and stare at Twilight. "Go ahead and start asking. Best get this out of the way sooner rather than later," I tell her. Despite how uncaring my words are, it's like I flipped a switch. Twilight's excitement returns with full force. "Yes, of course! Give me one moment, I'll be back in a flash!" Twilight's horn lights up and then she winks out of existence with a magenta flash of light and a minor burst of ethereal wisps swirling in the air where she once sat. I blink, at a loss. What did I just witness? One moment she was there, and then she was gone. Spike doesn't seem perturbed at all by her sudden disappearance, either, so I suppose this is another magical ability she's capable of? A moment later, Twilight reappears back in her stool with a similar burst of light. Before the light fades, an assortment of notebooks, parchment, inkwells, and quills arrange themselves on the table. Twilight quickly lifts a quill, unscrews the top of an inkwell, and dips said quill inside, all with her dextrous levitation. This is too much. First immobilization, then levitation, and now teleportation? Everything she does defies every known law of physics that I've ever studied. What else is this one unicorn capable of? "First, I want you to tell me if any of these facts are wrong. This is a summary of the knowledge I have on humans," Twilight begins, opening up a notebook on her left. Inside, as she flips through it, I see pages and pages of carefully written notes, though I can't read any of it. "Humans are an upright sapient species equipped with dextrous extremities and opposable thumbs, allowing them to create small, yet infinitely complex technological constructs retaining a great deal of data," Twilight begins, talking faster as she relates all of this information to me. "Judging from detailed studies of the human skeletal structure, it's been determined that they are omnivores, and appear to be physically weaker than the average minotaur when compared side by side. These observations led us to conclude that humanity must possess some less evident means of evening the odds in their favor." Twilight just isn't stopping. She flips through her notes rapidly, talking so fast that it's difficult to understand everything she says. However, everything she's describing seems to be spot on. She knows far more about humans than I do about ponies. "That's how we came to the conclusion that humans must have access to some manner of offensive magic in order to ward off more physically fit predators. We hypothesize that the magical core is located within either the skull or the bony center of the ribcage, as both areas possess sufficient bone density and proximity to the rest of the body to support such." Now, Twilight dips into the subject of magic, and half of what she says means nothing to me. I'm not entirely sure what a magical core is supposed to be, but I do know that she's wrong. "Therefore, I'd be very interested in..." "Stop," I say, holding up a hand as if to halt the flood of words coming towards me. Twilight pauses and blinks with a bemused expression. "You're talking so fast that even if I wanted to tell you something, I wouldn't be able to." "Oh, I'm sorry," Twilight giggles sheepishly, adjusting her bangs with a hoof. "I just got so excited to share all of this with you, the first human in Equestria in three millennia!" "Gee, I never would have guessed." The sarcasm practically drips from my words, causing Twilight to look even more sheepish. Beside her, Spike is snickering behind a claw. "Also, you're wrong." "I am?" Twilight's eyes go wide, and then she frantically flips through her notebook, her quill at the ready. It's rather surreal to watch, as she's doing it all with her telekinetic abilities. "About which facet? Oh, I was sure I researched everything correctly..." "Stop freaking out. It's not just you that's wrong. You're all wrong. Humans don't have magic," I finally correct her, rubbing my forehead. I wish Zecora had warned me that Twilight would be so neurotic. It's giving me a headache. "We never have." "What? But all evidence seems to support that theory! Multiple scientists have all come to this same conclusion!" Twilight protests. She zips from the table and returns in a flash with a stack of books that she pulled from the main room. The tea cups rattle as she plonks them all down on the table at once. "Here's where I got my sources, you'll see that..." "Put those books away. I couldn't care less about what your scientist ponies have said," I interrupt her again, my irritation starting to show in my voice. "Why are you trying to argue with me anyway? I am a damned human; are you trying to suggest you know more about my kind than I do?" Twilight's ears flatten, chastened by my words. "Oh no, I'm sorry. It's just that if you never had magic, then that would disprove a long held theory. Not to mention, hundreds of textbooks would have to be recalled. I can imagine the archaeology and science departments would have to completely alter their approach..." she explained hastily. "I get the picture," I interject wryly. This has to be the wordiest person I've ever met, the fact that she's a pony notwithstanding. I notice that she's now scribbling in her notebook, the quill scratching audibly on the parchment. "You're right, we were physically weaker than our predators. So we improvised with our intellect, using the environment to our advantage to craft weapons and armor that steadily rose in complexity as time went on. To put it simply, our society was built on science and technology, not magic." Twilight nods and scribbles furiously, writing down everything I say and then more. Once she's done, she lifts up the quill. "Science... so you're referring to electricity and machinery, correct?" she questions. "This is your second topic," I tell her calmly, sipping from the cup of tea some more. Twilight bristles at that. "What? No it isn't! This all part of one singular branching topic; the verification of my research!" she protests. "You wanted to know about our nonexistent magic and our technology. Those are two different topics," I argue back, setting down the tea and transfixing her with a stare. Twilight stubbornly shakes her head. "No, those are two different questions, all pertaining to the topic of my research. You said four topics, not four questions," she reasons. "That is what you said," Spike agrees with her, the little dragon having just finished his tea. "You've got to be kidding me," I groan. I can't believe this damned pony just used the wording of our agreement against me. "Hey, it's your fault for being vague," Spike remarks. "If there's a loophole, Twilight will find it." "Spike!" Twilight chastises the dragon with a scandalized expression. As much as this makes me angry, I can't argue with it. I did specifically use the word "topics." I mentally berate myself for slipping up like that. "Fine, whatever," I give in with bad grace. "To answer your question, yes, I am referring to electricity and machinery. I'm surprised you know about all of that. I haven't seen anything electrical since I arrived." "Of course! Most of our technology is based off of yours, who came before us. We've discovered some of your technology deep in human ruins. Unfortunately, what we find is usually too deteriorated to be of much use, but we have managed to reverse engineer some of it and integrate it into our existing magical constructs," Twilight explains excitedly. I nod, finding that to make sense. That would explain why Ponyville looks very similar to a human settlement. "We have managed to recreate electricity, but it's a costly avenue of research that requires a great deal of natural resources and infrastructure. Because of that, only the richer ponies can afford to use it. After all, we have magic as a power source, and it's infinitely more cost-effective than electricity, as we produce it within our own bodies." "I see. That explains why none of your appliances have any cords." My gaze travels over to the appliances in question. Judging from what she's telling me, those run on magic. I suppose that explains the glowing orb set into each of them. This raises a lot more questions, however, such as how magical energy is stored and what materials are necessary to store and use magic. I'm also curious if there's magical circuitry that works similar to electric circuitry. "Now, do you have any further questions about our technology that relate to your research? I don't want to be here all night, so make them quick." "Yes! I'd like ask you more about human technology as well as your development over time; for example, we know you possessed computing technology, but our discoveries hint at..." "Twilight!" I interrupt. She closes her mouth, looking a bit put out. "What did I just say?" "That you didn't want to be here all night," Twilight repeats, the mare blushing with embarrassment. "Okay, I'll move onto my second topic. I'm... actually a little nervous about asking this." "What?" I ask with suspicion. At first I think she's going to ask me about human mating habits or something equally disturbing, but then after looking at her face, I notice that she's starting to sweat a little, a hint of fear entering her eyes. "I know you're omnivorous, but... what sorts of... um... food do you eat?" Twilight timidly asks. "Not ponies, if that's what you're asking," I tell her dryly, picking up the meaning of her question. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why her mood suddenly changed. Sure enough, her sigh of relief is clearly visible. "Let me guess, you're all strictly herbivores?" When Twilight nods, it's my turn to sigh. I like my greens as much as the average person, but I also greatly enjoyed meat such as hamburger and the like. If I'm suddenly living in a world of vegetarians, I'll have no choice but to adapt, because I know nothing about hunting. Plus, I'm pretty sure hunting wouldn't be viewed well here. I'll have to make sure I can get a decent source of iron and protein. "Look, it's really not important. I've eaten meat before, but if it isn't readily available, I'll adapt as best I can to your diet," I tell her impatiently. "That's a relief. The other omnivorous species we know of aren't that friendly," Twilight responded, wiping her brow with a hoof. It's weird to see all these human mannerisms coming from a pony. "Now then, how many times do you eat a day? Are there social aspects to eating together? How about..." I mentally groan, realizing exactly what I've gotten myself into. Twilight's thirst for knowledge is insatiable. She continues to ask me more and more branching questions, to which I respond with short, clipped answers. Eventually, I have to push her to move onto the next topic. She asks me next about our educational system, as she remembered that I called myself a student. It's a harmless topic, so I proceed to tell her about the different levels of education, starting from primary school all the way up to college and graduate school. Twilight fervently writes down everything I tell her, filling up several pages worth of notes. I also learn a bit about pony education. They have colleges like we do, though they're mostly free except for the room and board, and are generally only available in the larger cities. Other than that, they have varying levels of schooling depending on the town. Once they come of age, the ponies choose whether or not to start work or go to a university. All in all, it seems like a simpler educational system than ours, though it sounds just as hard. "You seem awfully willing to share details about your civilization to me," I can't help but point out after we finished talking about education. I never asked for her to give me all of this information on pony society. Twilight beams. "Certainly! You don't seem to understand; if you're the first human we've ever met, that makes what we're doing right now similar to a cultural exchange! We're sharing information with one another about each other's respective species!" "It would only be considered a cultural exchange if there were other humans that would learn from this," I remind her coldly, causing her smile to drop from her face. "In case you'd forgotten, it's just me. Once I'm gone, humans are just going to go back to being extinct." Once more, Twilight's enthusiasm is snuffed out, and she lowers her head apologetically, her ears drooping. "I know you said you didn't ask for it, but I'm sorry nonetheless. Everything about your kind is so fascinating and wondrous," Twilight says to me, giving me a sympathetic look that only serves to anger me. Before I can snap at her, however, she continues. "That actually leads me to my fourth topic, one I've been saving for last. If you're the only human left, how are you here now?" "I was wondering when you were going to ask that," I remark, settling down now that the subject has been changed. "Good, this ties into what I was going to ask you, so I'll take care of both at the same time." I finish my tea in a few quick gulps, and then I set the cup down on the table. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, doing my best to dispel the fury I feel rising just from thinking about the root cause of this whole situation. Twilight watches me expectantly, no doubt wondering why I'm taking so long to answer her. When I open my eyes, she winces, taken aback by the sudden intensity in my gaze. "You consider yourself to be well-informed?" I begin, surprising myself with how level my voice is. Twilight confirms that with a nod. "I want you to tell me everything you know about someone called King Sombra, including where I can find him." "King Sombra? I don't think I've ever heard of anyone like that." Twilight's answer causes my spirits to plummet and my frustration to rise. Zecora led me to believe that Twilight would have the answers to all of my questions, considering she's the student of the "Solar Princess." Twilight look to Spike curiously, only for the dragon to shake his head and hold up his claws in a shrug. She glances back to me. "Who is that? Is he a pony, or is he a human like you?" "I was hoping you would be able to tell me that," I respond, an edge creeping into my voice out of frustration. "He wore the shape of a human, yet he was anything but." "What do you mean?" Twilight asks curiously, writing more lines in her notebook. "Firstly, his coloring was off. Humans range from a very dark brown to a pale tan, but Sombra's skin was ash gray," I describe to her, knowing full well that most of that wouldn't make sense to her. Twilight lit up at the mention of human skin color, such that she flipped a few pages and scribbled that fact down. "Could it have been a genetic mutation?" Twilight intelligently suggests. "It would have been possible, if unlikely. However, the kicker is that he used magic; as I explained earlier, humans can't use magic," I reveal to her. "That's why I'm here. He used some sort of spell to send me through time to this era. Therefore, it follows that he is from this era as well." "He sent you through time!?" Twilight gasps in shock, her voice rising shrilly. I give a terse nod. "Of course, you're from the past! That would explain why nopony has ever seen you before, and how you appeared to come from nowhere. But how is that possible?" "Time travel? Twilight, didn't you do something like that in the past?" Spike rejoins, looking interested and somewhat smug for some reason. "You know, when you were convinced you had to prevent some disaster from occurring?" Twilight flushed with embarrassment. "Spike! Mr. Rogers doesn't need to hear about that," she scolds him hastily, causing Spike to snicker beneath a claw. "I think I do. You make it sound like you went to the past yourself," I lean forward, feeling a faint trace of hope emerge from the emptiness inside of me. If Sombra used a spell to bring me here, it follows that there may be a spell that could do the opposite. "I will sit here for as long as you need me and answer every question you have without rest or food, as long as you get me that spell. I want to go home." Twilight looks taken aback by the fervor in my voice. I grow anxious when I see her expression turn somewhat shifty. She looks down at the table. "Look, Mr..." "Stop calling me that. Just Seth is fine," I interrupt her before she can continue. It just feels wrong when she addresses me like that. "Look, Seth, do you remember how far back in the past you came from? Twilight questions me after correcting herself "Over three thousand years, according to you," I remind her. Twilight's face falls. "I have some bad news for you. While the spell in question certainly does allow for travel into the past, it's not very efficient. Not only does the spell require an initial mana expenditure that increases exponentially proportional to the distance in time the user wishes to travel, it also requires a constant mana upkeep of a similar amount in order to remain at the destination," Twilight explains to me. "What exactly does that mean?" I question her impatiently. I understand most of what she's saying, but I'm curious as to why she's suddenly using the word "mana" instead of magic. Is there a difference between the two? Furthermore, a sense of dread is starting to form. "Let me put it this way. The spell isn't permanent. When I attempted to use it, I used nearly all of my mana just to send me back as far as a week, and even then, I couldn't remain for more than a few moments before my mana was completely expended," Twilight reveals. "And Twilight is one of the strongest unicorns in all of Equestria!" Spike chimes in, only to be immediately hushed by a flustered Twilight. My dread quickly turns to despair. Is she trying to tell me that not even magic can return me to my time? "You can't expect me to believe that. Perhaps you're right and this particular variant of the spell is inefficient. Somehow, Sombra traveled three thousand years into the past and remained there for several more years. Then, he sent me into this time through another spell," I tell her frantically. "If traveling that far back is impossible, explain that one to me!" "I don't see how that's possible. The amount of mana necessary to perform such a long distance trip for that duration would be astronomical! It's just not feasible, even if you had all of the magic in Equestria on your side!" Twilight returns, her voice unconsciously rising to match mine as well. "It has to be possible! If he did it, I should be able to do so as well!" I shoot right back at her, standing up. When Twilight tries to open her mouth to respond, I cut her off. "Don't you get it!? I want no part of a future where I'm the only one of my kind and I'm surrounded by ridiculous technicolored ponies! I want to go back!" "Please calm down, Seth!" Twilight tries to plead with me. "I understand you're in a rough situation, but I just don't think it's possible to send you home!" "You...!" I start to say, but then I fall silent. I feel anger, frustration, hopelessness, despair, and sorrow all mixing together into a maelstrom of raging emotion deep inside of me. Despite all of this, I can't think of anything to say. Just like before, I was stupid and let myself get hopeful. Each time, when my hopes are crushed, it justs get worse and worse. Why haven't I learned, even after all these years? I struggle to keep calm, but I just can't take these feelings anymore. All of my emotion seems to condense into a single fiery white hot point, to the point where I can physically feel it as a growing pressure in the center of my chest. I grab the nearest object, which happens to be my empty teacup, and hurl it with all of my might towards the other side of the room. "Fuck!" I shout helplessly, venting all of my feelings out through that one curse. It feels good, but even that doesn't quell the wave of emotional pain rushing through me. Twilight yelps and manages to catch the teacup with her telekinesis just before it hits the wall, saving the dish from being shattered against the wooden surface. Spike is cowering beneath the table, hanging onto one of the legs. It takes every ounce of willpower that I have not to break something else. As I stand there and breathe heavily, the surge of emotions subsides, to be replaced with the empty, dull pain that's been with me ever since the school. It stings much more than before, serving to show me that finding and killing Sombra is the only path left for me now. Only pain awaits me if I lose sight of that goal. "Hey..." Twilight tries to get my attention. "I can't send you home, but I can at least help you find out more about this King Sombra. If you don't mind waiting in town a little while, I'm sure I'll find something about him in my library." "Don't bother," I retort sullenly, taking her aback. "You've already fulfilled your obligation to me. I wanted one question answered, and you did that and more. You no longer have any reason to help me." "That's not true. I do want to help you. I promise it won't be any trouble at all," Twilight protests. "I don't believe you. Why would you do anything further for me, a stranger who's not even the same species as you?" I remind her, crossing my arms. "I don't see a stranger standing before me; I see someone who's lost and alone in an unfamiliar world. Please, let me help," Twilight persuades. As kind as her words sound, I know better. Nobody helps another without anything in return. In fact, it's easy to tell what her angle is. "All you want is to know more about humanity to further your own pursuits. No doubt you think helping me out is the only way to get that information out of me," I conjecture to her, unmoved by her pleading expression. "What? No!" Twilight responds, looking offended. "You're right in that I do want to learn from you, but that's not why I want to help you! Hasn't anyone in your time ever helped you just out of kindness?" I make a derisive scoff. Now that's something I've stopped believing in, ever since middle school. "Of course not. Why would they? I was just one insignificant speck in an ocean. Everybody would and should care about themselves," I answer her without missing a beat. Twilight lowers her head, a sorrowful expression forming on her face. "That's... that's a horrible way to think. Do all humans think like you do?" she asks, though she looks like she doesn't want to hear the answer. "How would I know? Probably. There were probably those that didn't, but they were in for a rude awakening." I'm quickly growing tired of this conversation. I didn't come here to be questioned on the way I think. "How can you believe that? I used to think something similar, about how I didn't need friends, but then..." Twilight persists. Finally, I lose my patience. "I don't care about your story, or whether or not you approve. I certainly didn't ask for you to stick your nose in my business," I growl, causing her to shut her mouth and shrink back. If this is where the conversation is going, I'm done here. This whole trip was one gigantic waste of time. I grab my rifle from where I left it and walk out of the kitchen without another world. Unfortunately, it isn't quite that easy. "Wait, where are you going?" Twilight cries, leaping out of her seat. I try to ignore her, but she appears in front of me with a flash of magic, causing me to pause. I forgot she could teleport at will. "It's getting late, and there's nothing more to be said here. Get out of the way," I assert, stepping around her. This time, she doesn't try to follow me. "But... where are you going to go? You said you were alone here; do you have someplace to stay?" Twilight persists as I reach the door. I pause with my hand on the handle, recognizing that question for what it is. I grit my teeth; she's backed me into a corner. If I tell her that I don't have anywhere to go, she's likely going to offer me a place here, which I'm certainly not going to accept. If I tell her the opposite, it would be a lie, and I hate lying. "I've got it covered," I bluff. It's not entirely true, but it's the best I can give her without having to directly lie to her. "Oh... okay," Twilight replies haltingly. She doesn't look as though she's entirely convinced, but she doesn't bother me further with it. "Where can I find you if I find information on King Sombra?" I look at her and quirk an eyebrow. "I already told you that you don't need to do that," I remind her, exasperated. Twilight returns my gaze with a stubborn pout. "I know you did, but I'm going to look anyway. If he's really from this era, then it's unacceptable that I don't know anything about him. Somepony with the ability to travel that far back in time must have some sort of record of his existence," Twilight asserts, looking at me with a hint of smugness in her expression. "I have all of the latest encyclopedias, biographies, and textbooks. You can't complain about me taking some time for my own personal research. After all, what I do on my own time is my business, isn't it?" Twilight is now smiling. I give her a glare, knowing exactly what she's trying to do. She seems to have a habit of using my words against me, such that I can't argue back without seeming like a hypocrite. However, if she's going to play that card... "If it's your own personal business, knock yourself out. However, that also means you can't hold it over my head," I warn her. "Hold it over your head? Why would I do that?" Twilight appears genuinely confused by my warning. I honestly hope she isn't being serious. She'd have to be desperately naive to not know the answer to that question. "Nevermind." I decide not to pursue that line of thought. In the end, if she chooses to do that research on her own time, it's no business of mine. I open the door and step out into the rapidly darkening streets. "Wait! You never answered me. Where can I find you?" Twilight asks one more time, following me as far as the doorstep. "You won't. I'll return here tomorrow sometime. It's not as though I have anything better to do," I tell her. Without another word, I pick up my pace and leave the library behind, faintly hearing Twilight bid farewell to me. I shake my head. That couldn't have gone much worse. Not only was Twilight difficult to deal with, but I essentially wasted my whole evening answering questions, only to learn minor details in return. To make matters worse, I still don't know where to find Sombra. My next immediate objective is to find someplace to sleep. The sun is already dipping beneath the horizon, suggesting that it's getting close to eight or nine. In fact, my guess proves to be correct. Not only does my phone verify that, but there is also a rather noticeable clock tower jutting above the tops of the houses nearby. There's two hands: one long and one short. If the format of the clock is similar to how it was in my time and the numbers are in the same places, then it is also telling me it's about eight thirty. I can't just pick anywhere to sleep. The air is chilly and smells of winter, suggesting that it's only going to get much colder. There's a frigid breeze rolling through the town, chilling me even further. I need to find someplace in town that's sheltered from the wind. It seems I'll just have to accept being cold; I'm not about to beg one of these ponies for a room. For now, it might be a good idea to familiarize myself with the area. I stride forward, retracing the route Flitter and I took previously. The streets are noticeably emptier now that the workday is assumedly over. I'm not certain if ponies work the same hours that humans do, but so far everything about them appears to work like human society, despite the fact that they're all ponies and have magic. It's uncertain how long my stay in Ponyville will be, so it's best to get situated. Unfortunately, this means I'll need money in order to afford lodging. Seeing as the alternative is freezing to death as it gets closer to winter, it doesn't seem as though I have any other choice than to look for a job. I divert from the streets and head towards the large building in the square. Due to the lack of ponies in the streets, now is the best time to explore. Walking beneath an archway between two buildings, I find myself in the square, standing at the foot of the cylindrical building that I assume is the town hall. The buildings nearby are all arranged along the circumference of the square with their entrances pointing inwards. The river I crossed earlier borders a good fourth of the area, such that there's two bridges nearby and a third one further down the far street that allow passage. The building next to me forms an archway with the adjacent building, and appears to be a bar of some sorts. I say that because the lights are on inside and I can see a counter and stools similar to what I'd see in a human bar, complete with a brown stallion bartender. I scowl and turn away. Bars have never been my favorite places. There's a circular fountain several paces away from me around which benches are situated. The sculpture in the center is of a normal pony rearing up with a happy smile on its carved face. I shake my head and walk the circumference of the square, making sure to stay close to the buildings. Despite it being so late, the streets still aren't entirely empty, so I don't want to attract undue attention. Despite my caution, a pony mare spots me in the shadow of a building. Unable to make out what I am apart from my height, the mare screams and gallops away. Continuing on my exploration, I leave the square by crossing the river to the south. From here, I can see the dim shape of a barn sitting atop a hill far in the distance, along with the silhouettes of trees. It's getting too dark to see, so eventually I give up and start looking for a place to sleep. If worst comes to worst, I can hunker down beneath one of those bridges. It'll be cold, but at least the wind won't be able to reach me. As I turn back to the north and skirt the edge of the square, I start to hear faint traces of music. I stop, suddenly curious. If that's loud enough to be heard from here, that could only mean there's live music somewhere. Interested in seeing what pony music is like, I pick up my pace and try to track down the source of the music. The closer I get, the more of it I can make out. The music is unmistakably electronic due to the heart pumping bass and the fast paced synthetic drum beats. If I were to make an educated guess, I'd say it sounds vaguely reminiscent of the electro genre. When electronic music is performed live, it's usually done by a DJ of some sorts. Before I go to sleep, I think I'll take a quick look. Following the music leads me to a building near the edge of town, where ponies are still congregating. Light shines from the windows, shifting through every color of the rainbow. The music is blaring from the open door. If I had to guess, I'd say this is a club of some sort. It probably isn't a good idea to expose myself to more ponies than necessary, but my curiosity gets the better of me. I would always listen to my music back in my time, and I even dabbled in some piano here and there, so it's safe to say that music is one of my personal interests. Even though this has absolutely nothing to do with finding Sombra, I decide it couldn't hurt to at least take a look. Just as I approach the door, two ponies emerge from within, the two of them laughing at some shared joke. From their voices, I can tell they're both female. The first one is a unicorn, judging by the horn, and her coat colored a soft mint green. Her mane is simply styled, with her bangs resting atop her head and her tresses cascading down her neck and stopping just short of her shoulders. Both her mane and tail are a similar color to her coat, with the exception of a single white streak running through them. The mark on her flank appears to be of a lyre, interestingly enough. Is this pony also a musician? The second pony has neither wings or a horn, and her coat is a beige color. Her mane appears to be more meticulously styled than her companion, each bang curled and placed neatly atop her head. Her mane and tail are colored a mixture of dark blue and magenta, where each color forms a uniform stripe separate from the other. The mark on her flank consists of three wrapped candies. Clearly these marks aren't insignificant; every pony I've met has one, and they're all different. By chance, the two end up walking directly into my path. It's too late for me to hide, so I slow my pace to a casual walk and keep moving. Unfortunately, that does little to temper their reactions. The moment they spot me, the two of them react in completely different ways. The beige pony screams and backs up against the wall, her eyes wide. "Lyra, get away! It's a monster!" she screams, being the second one today to make that assumption. The other mare, who I'm assuming is Lyra, doesn't scream, panic, or even move upon seeing me. She just seems curious. When her companion screamed, she just looks confused. Lyra turns back to scrutinize my face, upon which is an irritated scowl. "What are you talking about, Bon Bon? It doesn't look like a monster at all," Lyra questions, much to my surprise. Ignoring Bon Bon's panicked warnings, she approaches me tentatively. "I've never seen anything like you though." I sigh in annoyance. They're both in my way of the door, so I can't just push past them. "If it'll stop your friend's screeching, I'll tell you that I'm human," I inform the two of them. "Now kindly move; you're in the way." "Human? Oh wow, I've heard of you. It's amazing that you're standing here right now," Lyra responds, putting on a friendly smile. She apparently didn't hear or is choosing to ignore the fact that I told her to move. She gives me an appraising look and licks her lips, making me instantly uncomfortable. "I have to say, I didn't think humans would look so... unique." I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that. Just as I'm about to repeat myself, Bon Bon seems to get over her sudden case of fright and moves to stand by Lyra, looking annoyed by something. "Humans? Wasn't there a book series of some sort about them?" Bon Bon questions. When Lyra nodded, she turned her gaze to me. "Weren't you all extinct?" "That's a stupid question." Something about the way she said that rubs me the wrong way. I'm probably overreacting, but judging from her tone of voice, it seems like she's unhappy that I currently exist. "If we were all extinct, I wouldn't be here. Secondly, we just met. Shouldn't you be introducing yourself, instead of immediately greeting me with, 'shouldn't you be dead?'" There's enough of an angry edge in my voice that Bon Bon steps back, her eyes growing wide. Lyra on the other hand, steps in front of Bon bon and giggles nervously. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. My name is Lyra Heartstrings, and I've been interested in history for most of my life, so the fact that you're here is simply astounding," she introduces, reaching out a hoof. "I'm Seth Rogers, and you wouldn't be the first to show a scientific interest. Twilight practically tried to interrogate me, and frankly, I'm not in the mood," I remark, ignoring her hoof. I just want to get this conversation over with. I'm starting to regret going out of my way to come here. Lyra laughs at that, withdrawing her hoof when she realizes that I'm not going to shake it. "That seems so like her! I grew up with her, and research was all she wanted to do," she reveals to me. "No, if anything, I want to know about..." "Did you not hear me? I said I'm not in the mood. Plus, I didn't come here to socialize," I cut across her before this can turn into another questionnaire. Lyra looks suitably chastened, the mare uttering a soft apology. Bon Bon on the other hand is transfixing me with a glare. "I just wanted to take a look to see where that music was coming from." Lyra brightens up again. "Oh, you're interested in Vinyl Scratch? She's our town's resident DJ!" she reveals to me, confirming my earlier suspicions. Vinyl is a rather strange name for a pony though. It's probably a stage name, considering it relates to her job. "If you want to meet her, you better hurry, her set's almost finished." "Not that it'll matter. She does all the loading and set up on her own, so she takes a while to leave," Bon Bon rejoins, notably talking more to Lyra than to me. "That's when all the stallions try chatting her up, remember?" "And they get nowhere," Lyra agrees, chuckling. I could push past them right now, but Bon Bon's words sound interesting. If that's right, maybe this Vinyl wouldn't mind some extra help. Perhaps coming here will be beneficial to me after all. "I get a real kick out of seeing them try though!" "If you'll excuse me, I'll go and do that now," I tell them emphatically, stopping them before they waste my time with an unnecessary tangent. "If you'll just move out of my way." "Oh, whoops! Sorry," Lyra apologizes sheepishly with a giggle. She presses her head against Bon Bon's side, nudging her out of the way at last so I can walk past them. Lyra watches me go with poorly hidden interest. "Just look for the pony with the shades on; you can't miss her. Good luck in there! You'll probably need it." "Whatever." I walk past them, leaving the two mares behind. However, just as I'm about to walk in through the door, I hear Lyra call out to me. "Hey, Seth! Don't be a stranger!" she calls. All I give is a scoff in return. Between Twilight, Zecora, and now Lyra, these creatures are being overly friendly. What they all fail to realize is that I'm not here to waste time playing friends with them. I'm just here to kill Sombra. Everything else is just a means to that end. With my mind thus made up, I slip through the front door into the club. The music is extremely loud, making it feel as though my whole body is resonating with the bass. It's also very dark in the spacious room, making it difficult to make out the individual features of the crowd of ponies inside. The only light comes from the stage, which is the next thing that catches my attention. In the far corner of the room is a raised portion of the floor, where the DJ is set up. From here, the first thing I notice is that her setup is once again surprisingly modern. She's sitting behind an extensive set of turntables that are covered with switches and dials of all kinds. Like the appliances in Twilight's kitchen, the turntables don't seem to be plugged into anything. Unlike said appliances, however, a series of thick black cables spider out from beneath the tables and connect to modern speaker systems and LED lights all over the club. I can only conjecture that the cables must channel magic, because Twilight was quite clear that electricity wasn't cheap or widely used. The DJ looks to be very into her music, her entire white-coated body moving in time to the pounding beat. Her horned head bobs constantly and rhythmically, her unkempt electric blue mane snapping back and forth. The most distinguishable part of her appearance, however, are the purple tinted sunglasses that obscure her eyes and cover the majority of her face. That seals it. As if the turntables weren't already a dead giveaway, the shades fit in line with Lyra's description: That's Vinyl Scratch. Planting my back against a wall, I wait patiently for the song to end. The music isn't bad. Electronic music isn't really something to which I go out of my way to listen, but the beat is solid and the energy in her performance is palpable. The other ponies think so as well, as a majority of them are out on the dance floor, moving their bodies to the tempo. It's strange and somewhat amusing to see the pony version of dancing. When the song comes to a smashing finish, Vinyl lets out an enthusiastic whoop while the crowd erupts with cheers. The LED lights turn white momentarily to allow for ease of vision so that ponies can find their way around. Unfortunately, one of the lights passes over me in the process, allowing the pony next to me to get a good look at me. She gasps and backs away, running into the mare behind her. That, in turn, gets her attention, such that she's the next one to see me. Just like that, ponies all around start to notice my presence. The reaction isn't mass panic, thankfully. The ponies closest to me give me a wide berth, and some of the ones I can see are whispering and pointing their hooves at me. It's not that hard to spot me either, as I stand about twice as tall as the average pony. Eventually the strange behavior of the crowd gets Vinyl's attention. She sets down the record she just levitated back into a case and peers over the turntables. Once she spots me, her jaw drops and she gazes at me with an awestruck expression. Just as I'm starting to think that I should leave, Vinyl grins. "Awright, change of plans everypony! As it turns out, I won't be performing 'Final Blast' tonight," Vinyl announces to the crowd in a rough alto voice, a mischievous expression on her face. Her words manage to distract the crowd due to the cordless microphone in front of her. Her words elicit disappointed cries from them all, suggesting that "Final Blast" is a song that she usually plays by tradition. "Come on, don't give me that! This is a special occasion; There's a human in the house! Where do you think I pull inspiration from?" I blink, taken aback by the calming effect that her words are having on the crowd. Just like that, the ponies are growing more accustomed to my presence, trusting Vinyl's words. Is she really that influential? More interesting is the fact that she claims to have drawn inspiration from us. Has music from my era survived long enough to be seen by pony eyes? "This is like, the best chance to hear what an actual human thinks about my work!" Vinyl's horn lights up a soft magenta as she eagerly levitates a record out from the case beside her and sets it on the turntable. She adjusts the needle, sets it on the record, and then she looks directly at me. "I learned this from you guys, so do me a favor and rock out!" The music blasts back through the speakers a split second later. Waves of reverberating bass surge through the room with an unrivaled intensity. The style is unmistakably dubstep, much to my utter shock. That is definitely a human style. I can't help but find myself shaking my head wryly. I don't mind this style of music; I'm just amazed that it's lasted this long. In the wake of this new music and Vinyl's boundless enthusiasm, my presence goes forgotten and the ponies slowly relax and mingle with one another. It isn't long before the dance floor is populated with ponies once more. I return to leaning against the wall, bobbing my head appreciatively to the beat. If this is her last song, I don't mind waiting through it. Staying up late is of no concern to me anymore. I have nothing for which to wake up early anymore. As I listen, I close my eyes, losing myself in old memories. I've been to a scene like this once before, back in my own era. Standing here like this, I can't help but be reminded of that time. The scent in the air is that of sweaty ponies, but the sights, sounds, and atmosphere are all causing me to reminisce. It was dark in the streets, the sun having long since set. It was the end of a long day of difficult classes for the both of us, and we were both looking to blow off some steam. Unfortunately for me, it was Amaryllis's turn to choose what we would do. That was how we ended up standing just outside one of the area's only nightclubs. We had to show our IDs just to get in the place. "Amaryllis, why are we here again?" I complained as I followed my more confident friend into the half-drunken crowd. "Seriously, places like this make me extremely uncomfortable." "It would be easier to list the things that don't make you uncomfortable," Amaryllis returned with a smirk. "That's why I brought you here. It's my turn, and I'm going to broaden your horizons. Have you ever danced before?" "Danced? What are you talking about? Of course I haven't," I retorted, quirking an eyebrow as we headed deeper into the club. Much like I expected, the club was filled with a large amount of people. Drinks were being poured, and more than a few were already drunk. There was a DJ there tonight, so the main lights were dim and the air shimmered with the rays of various LEDs. I then realized that she was leading me to the dance floor and my mind shut down. "Amaryllis, what the hell are you doing? I'm not going to dance. No way in hell." "What, are you too scared of being shown up on the dance floor?" Amaryllis teased me with a grin as we near the dance floor. "Do you care about what other people think so much?" Just then, Amaryllis stepped out onto the dance floor and started to move her body to the beat, effectively joining the throng of other dancing people. I gape at her in dismay, wondering who this woman was and what she did with Amaryllis. "What? No, but this is beneath you! Come on, let's just go," I try to plead with her, but that line alone gets her to glare at me. "What the hell are you on about? Beneath me? Why?" Amaryllis's voice cracks out at me like a whip, causing me to wince. "I'm just trying to have fun with my only friend doing something that I enjoy. How is that beneath me?" "Because every other college student goes out and parties like this! I thought you were different," I snapped at her, starting to get a little angry. Amaryllis's stare turned to ice after that. "Get over yourself, Seth. We worked our asses off today, so we deserve a little time to blow off steam. Why are you bringing other people into this? Who cares what they do? Tonight's about us," Amaryllis expressed vehemently, approaching me. Her smirk returns. "Or, perhaps this is because you actually do care about what all these drunk people think. Is that it, princess?" I groan at her usual nickname for me and shake my head, backed into a corner by her words. Before I can stop her, Amaryllis reaches out and grabs me by the wrist, dragging me unwillingly towards the dance floor. "Lighten up a bit, okay? Worry about the here and now... where there's a pissed off bitch wanting you to dance with her," Amaryllis quipped, gazing directly at me. Her words, her sudden proximity, and her intense gaze on my face caused my face to heat up rapidly. "Don't worry, I won't say a word when you inevitably suck." "That's it. Keep talking trash, Amaryllis. Now I'm going to show you how to really dance," I blurted out before I can stop myself. Amaryllis broke out into a grin and she laughed heartily, starting to dance once more. This time, I joined her, awkwardly moving to the rhythm. Thankfully, Amaryllis was patient with me, and occasionally adjusted my position with her arms until I was able to move more fluidly. Eventually, I was able to tune out the other people and just have fun, focusing entirely on her. Of course, Amaryllis was quite attractive, so there was inevitably one or two drunken men who tried to get in on the dance, but she disposed of them quite quickly with well placed kicks to their groins. Amaryllis was brutal when she had to be, but I'm fine with that. Nobody else could get between us at that moment. Even now, that memory is one of my fondest with her. Thinking about it makes me smile sadly, as I know that memories is all I have left of her. Sorry Vinyl, I won't be dancing to your music. I don't think I'll be dancing ever again. Amaryllis was the only one I'd ever do something so silly with, and she's gone now. She was such a strong woman... I shake my head vigorously, ridding myself of those thoughts. I can't let myself be bogged down in memories. I'll have all the time in the world to reminisce once Sombra is dead. It's a relatively long song, but it eventually comes to an end, marking the end of Vinyl's performance. The crowd's reaction is most telling; they erupt into tumultuous cheers of adulation. As they applaud her, I remain where I am until ponies start to filter out of the bar. This time, some of the ponies tentatively offer friendly greetings to me, but I never return them. Instead, I wait until the floor is clear enough, and then I make my way towards where Vinyl is starting to pack up. Just like Bon Bon said, I notice a stallion trying to talk to her, and there are several others nearby looking as though they want to do the same. It's not hard to tell she's bothered by their presence. The stallions see me coming. Perhaps it's because I'm moving relatively fast and directly towards them, but they scatter when I get close. Vinyl notices me coming pretty quick, but the stallion talking to her is still clueless until I'm right up behind him. I clear my throat, getting his attention. The stallion turns around and gulps, noticing how I'm towering over him with the rifle clenched in my hands. "I have business with her, so if you don't mind, take your flirting elsewhere," I growl at him. That's all it takes for him to scatter like the rest. "Thanks for that, dude, I was getting ready to tell him to shove off," Vinyl addresses me with an appreciative nod. She gets back to coiling up her cables with her telekinesis. "Pretty rad to see a real human. How did you like my tunes? Did I get your music right?" "More than right, I'd say. More inspired than anything I've heard in the genre," I tell her honestly. Granted my opinion doesn't mean anything because I haven't heard much dubstep, but I decide to leave that part out. I'm hoping to get a job helping this mare out, so I should attempt to be polite. "I should thank you for saving me the trouble of dealing with a panicking crowd. That would have been more than irritating." "Hah, I hear that. You gotta forgive them. We've all heard of your kind, but nopony really knows what you look like. If my mother wasn't an archaeologist, I wouldn't have known either," she reveals to me conversationally. Well, that explains how she knows what I am. "Anyway, the name's Vinyl Scratch." "So I heard. My name is Seth Rogers." I return her introduction with one of my own while I determine how best to broach the subject of a job. "It's a pleasure, Seth. Do you care if I call you Seth?" Vinyl asks, speaking in a very casual and laid-back manner. I shake my head as an answer, thankful that she saved me the effort of telling her to do so myself. She grins and extends a hoof to me, like every other pony I've met so far. Unlike every other pony I've met, it's in my best interests to accept. Just for that reason, I awkwardly reach out my hand. "Yeah!" Vinyl emits, rearing up slightly. To my surprise, when she goes for my hand, her hoof dexterously curves around my palm, clasping it rather tightly. Before I can take a closer look, she lifts my hand and tightens her grip briefly before releasing me and standing back on all fours again. She gave a laugh. "My mom would be so jealous of me right now. Anyway, you said you had business with me. Do you care if I pack while I listen?" "Not really," I reply. Vinyl nods and gets back to packing up all of her equipment. I take a quick glance around the area, noting just how much work Vinyl has to do. Her cables stretch all over the place, her speakers and LED stands look as though they weigh a great deal, and that's not even counting her turntables. The banners hanging from the ceiling also seem to be hers due to the fact she's pulling them down with her telekinesis. "It seems like you've got a lot on your plate here." "You could say that. It's no big deal though," Vinyl returns with a good natured chuckle as she folds up a banner and sets it aside. For storage, Vinyl has a spacious black cart nearby made of plastic in which multiple labeled tubs are neatly stacked. A few of these tubs are sitting open on the stage. The banners that Vinyl is folding are placed into one of them, suggesting that she has different tubs to hold different items. "Takes me a bit though, so if I sit around too long, I'm here all night." "I can see how it would take you a while. Have you thought about taking on extra help?" I insinuate casually. Vinyl doesn't seem to think anything of it though. "Yeah, actually, but who would I take on? I've always run my show solo," Vinyl responds with a shrug. "Besides, I'd want somepony who gets just as passionate as me about this line of work... and isn't just in it for selfish reasons. How much do you want to bet that if I asked one of those stallions to help, they'd do it in a heartbeat?" "I'd bet nothing. I'd go bankrupt in a second," I remark with a disgusted scowl. It's both reassuring and disappointing to hear that male ponies share the same habits as male humans. "I get what you mean though. So if you were to take on a helper, you'd want another musician who doesn't want to flirt with you the whole time?" "Pretty much hit the nail on the head!" Vinyl agrees as she hops off the stage. I follow her to one of the speaker constructs set up along the edges of the room. They're strangely constructed; from what I can see, the woofers are larger and set on the ground, and have a hole in the top. The tweeters and drivers are smaller and rest atop a metal pole that's anchored into the aforementioned hole. Her horn lights up and the speakers atop the pole rise from their position, albeit slowly. I notice immediately that Vinyl appears to be having trouble. She's sweating and grunting with exertion, the speakers moving slowly and wobbling in their trajectory. "But... there's nopony in town that's a musician, a mare, and willing to help... gah!" I step in and catch the speaker in midair, taking some of the load off of Vinyl. I'm not sure how telekinesis works, but just from this one display, I determine that the heavier the target, the more strain it causes. However, being so quick to help isn't the best decision on my part either, as the speaker is rather weighty. The strain on my body causes my side to light up with white hot pain, causing me to gasp and struggle to keep from dropping the speaker. With both Vinyl and I working together, we manage to get the speaker up onto the stage and into the cart. Vinyl pants and wipes the sweat off of her brow with a hoof. "Thanks. It's always harder to do the heavy lifting after a show. I use my mana to power everything for several hours, so I don't have much left over," she explains to me, confirming my hypothesis that everything she uses runs on magic. I am interested as to what the difference between magic and mana is though. I've heard both words from different ponies now. Vinyl suddenly does a double take. "Wait, you just helped me, and you brought up all this talk about extra help," she realizes aloud, looking at me directly. I can't tell what she's thinking due to those dark shades covering her eyes. "Are you trying to get me to hire you?" "That's about it, yeah. I just... arrived... in Equestria a few days ago, and I could use the money," I admit with a shrug. Vinyl takes a break from her packing to give me a once over. "Well, I can't say I was expecting this tonight," she responds with a laugh. "Even after all the requirements I listed, you think I'll hire you? Also, why me specifically? I know Applejack is constantly looking for help on the farm." "Those are hardly requirements to worry about," I state sardonically. As far as job requirements go, those are nothing special. "You said you wanted a musician; I've dabbled a bit in piano, as music is a passion of mine. I'm asking you because you're the first musician I found. Secondly, and I can't believe I have to explain this, but I'm hardly attracted to ponies." Vinyl wrinkles her nose a bit and laughs again. "Awright, fair enough. If you think you're up to it, I can give you a shot. I have gigs about two or three times a week in the evenings, sometimes more if Pinkie Pie throws one of her spontaneous parties," she describes to me. I nod, satisfied that I've managed to land a job. With luck, I'll have enough money to afford temporary lodging soon. I also can't help but note that I've heard those words, "Pinkie Pie," before, from Flitter. At the time, I assumed it was a dessert, but Vinyl is talking about them as though they're a name. There's seriously a pony out there called Pinkie Pie? That's just ridiculous. "So here's the deal; if you help me with all of this, I'll pay you a cut of the earnings. Say... twenty-five percent? Depending on where I travel, I make anywhere from thirty to over two hundred bits," Vinyl reveals to me. "Sound good?" I have to assume that "bits" are the Equestrian currency. I can't tell if she's giving me a good deal or not, as I don't know how bits compare to US dollars in value. If it's on a one to one basis (which I highly doubt it is) then that would mean I'd make between seven and fifty dollars per gig. That's not great, but I don't have any other options. Additionally, this is only temporary; I plan to quit once I find out where Sombra is hiding. "That works for me. You make it sound like you travel to other towns," I notice. "Oh yeah, not often, but it does happen. Sometimes the ponies up in Canterlot get tired of playing nice and want to rock out. Once I got a gig from Trotsdale too... that was nice," Vinyl relates to me. I stop paying attention halfway through her sentence because of the name of the first town she mentioned. Canterlot? Is... did she intentionally make a pun off of the human mythological city, Camelot? Or is that honestly what the city is called? Every second I remain in this strange era, I discover information that just raises more and more questions that I can't get answered. "Anyway, I guess I'm your boss now," Vinyl expresses with a wry grin. "Don't worry about tonight though, I got this. Tomorrow's a Pinkie party though, so I'd like your help then. Where you holed up?" That question catches me off guard. I didn't tell Twilight that I didn't have any place to stay, but I can't exactly do the same with Vinyl. She's my employer now, so she has to be able to find me for work. There's nothing I can do except tell her the truth. "I don't have anywhere to stay, or any money. That's why I'm here," I tell her honestly, already bracing myself for her response. "Wha-really?" Vinyl's ears fold back and her jaw drops. "That's... not cool at all. I can't pay you enough to regularly afford a hotel right off the bat, so what are you going to do in the meantime?" "Sleep outside. Not seeing any other options here," I reply with a shrug. "What? This close to winter? When the snows come, you'll freeze to death!" Vinyl returns sharply, her voice sounding more and more upset. "Come on, you've got to have other options. You're human, one of our great precursors. You could probably get a room in Canterlot Castle of all places if you really tried." "What, you want me to freeload off of some random pony just because because I'm human?" I retort, irritated by just the very suggestion of such a thing. "Not a chance. If I can't pay my way, I'll sleep outside." "I have a spare room I could offer you. It gets wicked cold during the winter, so freeloading or not, it's better than freezing, right?" Vinyl then proceeds to give me the very offer that I wanted to avoid so much that I nearly lied to Twilight. "I'm not budging on this. I won't accept charity, no matter what the alternative is," I state firmly. Vinyl sighs heavily, and then stares back at me with a stubborn expression. "And I won't let you just freeze to death out on the streets. There's gotta be some kind of way that'll work for you," she argues vehemently. It's now my turn to sigh, this time with annoyance. I honestly don't see why she cares that much whether or not I have a place to stay. It's not really her business, apart the fact that she needs to find me. "There really isn't," I tell her, equally as stubbornly. "I can't just accept that, dude. It's just not right," Vinyl asserts, the mare obstinately refusing to back down. "I'll let you off tonight because there's nothing I can do on such short notice, but I'mma think of something by tomorrow evening." "I still don't see why it matters, but whatever. You do that," I relent uncaringly, just happy to get her off my case for the time being. If it becomes too much of a problem by tomorrow, I'll just quit and find an employer who won't care about something so silly. "If you want to find me, I'll probably be hiding out beneath a bridge near the town square." "Alright, it shouldn't be too hard to find you then," Vinyl responds, a frown on her face. "Can I at least lend you a blanket?" "No," is my immediate response, causing Vinyl to groan. "Agh, you're so stubborn!" Vinyl complains, stamping her hoof. "Thankfully, the weather is mild tonight, so you should be fine. Though my door's open if you get too cold." "Noted," I utter simply. Our business is settled and the conversation appears to be over, so I turn on one heel and make my way out of the club. Thankfully, Vinyl doesn't call after me. I shiver once I step outside, a chill breeze running over my skin. I rub my arms, goosebumps forming. This is not going to be a very pleasant night. To compound matters, my stomach is growling frequently; I haven't had anything to eat since I left Zecora's house, and it doesn't look like finding food will be an option as long as I don't have any money. At the very least, keeping hydrated won't be an issue with the river nearby. As I walk, I keep thinking about how hard Vinyl fought to keep me off the streets. There's just no reason for her to do any of that. It would make sense to keep me in one piece if I was her contracted employee and she couldn't do the job on her own, but that isn't the case. It's obviously not out of kindness, so the only reason I can see is that she'd use her lodging as leverage to get more out of me than I originally agreed to. Vinyl said her mother is an archaeologist, which means she would probably be extremely happy to get her hooves on me. I'd probably be worth a fortune. No doubt if Vinyl housed me, she'd find someway to get me to agree to that. I clench my hands into fists, somewhat angry just at that thought. There's no way I'll let that happen. I'm not stupid enough to believe that any of these offers are genuine; that simply doesn't happen with strangers - especially not in this situation. It's completely dark out now, and the streets are empty. Even the square is completely devoid of ponies. Because of that, I take a moment to sit on one of the benches and rest for a moment. All of this walking and exertion has my side aching. Checking the bandages reveals that there's no blood still. I start to wonder if the wound has scabbed over already. That hardly seems possible; it's only been a few days since I received it. What kind of herbs did Zecora use to make her treatment so effective? There's no lamps or anything to shed light on the streets. The only light comes from the windows of some of the nearby houses and from the moon above. Speaking of which, I've never been anywhere that didn't have any light pollution of which to speak. I look up at the night sky... and my breath is taken away. I've never seen anything like this. There are countless stars covering the entirety of the blackened sky, softly shedding their light on the land below. I can make out constellations that I've never been able to observe before, and even note the existence of a distant planet or two. The gorgeous moon hangs in the air as well brightly and unobscured by even a single a cloud. I stare up at the wondrous night sky for a long time, until finally I start to grow drowsy. I even doze off momentarily, but it isn't long before the breeze chills me awake. I wrench my eyes away from the sky and walk over to the nearest bridge. As I expected, there's a small ledge beneath the bridge, just at the edge of the river. As long as I remain relatively still, I should be safe from the wind. Grunting, I crawl beneath the bridge. First, I drink my fill from the river, and then I lay down on my back. It's not very comfortable at all; I can feel rocks digging into my back, it's somewhat stuffy down here, and the crickets are rather loud. Looking up from my position, all I can see is the stone underside of the bridge. This is going to be a miserable night. I let out a deep breath and close my eyes. Despite how cold and hungry I am, it doesn't take me long to finally get to sleep.
Tales of the Oppressed	5. Mind of a Troubled Human (rw)	I'm already awake by the time the dawn arrives, the curtain of night ever so slowly fading to pink. Still sitting beneath the bridge, I hug my sides tightly, shivering violently in the cold. Despite the shelter afforded to me by the bridge, the temperature dropped dramatically during the night. I can't remember a time when I've slept as poorly as I did this night. Uncomfortable, cold, and hungry, sleep did not come easily to me at all. Even when I did manage to drift away, it would only be for a short time before I would awaken again, miserable from the poor weather conditions. There's no way around it. Vinyl was right; I'm lucky that it isn't winter yet, or I would have definitely frozen to death. Even now, it isn't hard to tell that staying outside was not the best of ideas. My skin is covered in goosebumps, my whole body aches, and I can't stop shivering. A quick glance at my phone tells me that it's only about seven in the morning. By my previous college standards, this is way too early for me to wake up. However, with the way I'm feeling right now, it could be four in the morning for all I care. I need to move. I grab my rifle and struggle to rise. My body protests against every slight motion as I force myself out from beneath the bridge. I stumble a bit in the process, nearly tumbling into the river. I curse beneath my breath once I recover. It's hard to move properly, my body feels heavy and every movement I make feels sluggish and weak. Warmth is the first thing to come to my mind once I manage to get to my feet. I need to find someplace to warm up. I must be suffering from hypothermia; I've never been out in the cold for this long without heavy winter clothing. Somehow I have to find a way to make enough money today to find a motel or the pony equivalent to sleep in. If I can't come up with anything, I may die, as it can only get colder. Come to think of it, it's odd that winter hasn't already arrived. I disappeared from my era in February, which is considered to be late winter. I suppose I can't expect that spell to have been so convenient as to drop me in the exact same month and day in this era. If it's close to winter, but not quite there yet, I'd hazard a guess and say that it's around late November. I hobble towards the square miserably, rubbing my chilled skin vigorously in an attempt to get the blood flowing. I need to find someplace warm, fast. If I can get back to Twilight, who owns a public library, it may be warm inside. If ponies have the technology to operate refrigerators, heating and air conditioning shouldn't be too much of a stretch. The town is quiet, but the streets are gradually filling with ponies. They emerge from their houses, showing differing degrees of fatigue from their no doubt restful night's sleep. Some wear small saddlebags filled with various objects, some wear a sparse covering of clothing, and many carry nothing at all. The few pegasi I see take to the skies not long after emerging from their homes, riding the breeze like birds. My presence causes similar reactions to what I received the previous night, yet considering some of them have seen me before, the overall reaction is somewhat tempered. I'm walking slowly along the left end of the street with my arms hugging my sides, so I doubt I cut a very threatening figure. Despite this, my appearance turns several heads. I'm also starting to pick out the differences between stallions and mares. The stallions tend to be larger, with thicker hooves, pronounced muscles, and more angular snouts. Comparatively, the mares are smaller, with slender hooves and rounded snouts. If I'm getting this right, that means there's a disproportionately large number of mares in comparison to stallions. The fact that every pony I've interacted with so far has been a mare only serves to reinforce that theory. I'm so focused on the path forward that I forget to look down. I suddenly feel a warm furry mass bump into my lower chest, followed by a surprised snuffle. "Oof!" the mare that ran into me yelps and steps back, giving me a clear look at her. "Seth? You're still in town?" I stare back at Flitter, the pegasus mare looking at me with surprise and worry. Her words take a while to process; all I can think about is how warm her fur felt against my frigid skin, like a living blanket. I shiver, shaking that thought from my mind. It's hard to think when I'm this cold. "Despite my best efforts, yes," I reply, stuttering somewhat due to the chattering of my teeth. The fingers clasped around the haft of my rifle are turning slightly blue due to the extremely cold metal. My sorry state doesn't go unnoticed by Flitter. She lets out a soft gasp, her face filling with worry. "Are you alright? You're shaking," she observes, pressing a hoof against my arm. I quickly move so she's no longer in contact with me, but it's too late. Her worry turns to horror after feeling my arm. "Your skin is so cold! We should get you inside, fast!" Flitter walks behind me and presses the top of her head against my rear, as if to push me towards the house she emerged from. I immediately plant my feet and press a hand against her head, preventing her from pushing me any further. She squeaks as I firmly push her away. "What do you think you're doing?" I demand, causing Flitter to flinch, her ears flattening. "I'm not going into your house, if that's what you're trying to do." "But it's not healthy for you to be that cold! You look like you've been outside all night! I could brew you up some hot tea and get you some blankets to warm you up," Flitter attempts to reason with me. Her seemingly generous offer only causes me to get suspicious of her. "No thank you. I'm heading someplace warm already, so I don't need to rely on your good will," I tell her plainly, doing my best to keep from sounding sarcastic. I have nothing further to say, so I walk past her. "Why won't you let me help you?" Flitter keeps pace with me, much to my annoyance. "That's not your business. I'll thank you not to pry any further." My patience is wearing thin, but I manage to reign in my temper. It likely wouldn't be good for me if I am seen yelling at the same pony who previously introduced me to town. "Seth, there's a heavy storm coming tonight," Flitter warns me anxiously, though her pace does slow enough for me to regain my lead. "If you stay outside again..." I glance up at the sky, feeling somewhat worried. However, the sky is entirely devoid of any cloud formations, such that all that's stretched out before me is a pinkish orange expanse of empty morning sky. "How can you tell?" I question her, pausing a moment. If there is a storm, I'll die of the cold for sure. If she's right... then finding a way to afford a place to stay tonight is even more urgent than before. "There's not a single cloud in the sky." "Well, no, not yet," Flitter responds. What she's next completely wrecks any understanding that I had of this conversation. "We on the Ponyville Weather Team haven't actually put it together yet. But our captain will make sure it's ready on time." "What?" is my bewildered response. Just that simple answer raised a multitude of questions in my mind. By "it" is she referring to the actual storm? The way she said that implies that this "weather team" is going to physically make the storm. That's ludicrous, so I can only assume she's referring to a weather forecast. I didn't realize ponies were capable of predicting the weather, but even that's more of a sensible conclusion than my previous thought. "You're talking about the weather forecast, right?" "Huh? Yes, that's right. I was saying a heavy downpour is scheduled for today, so it won't be safe for you to stay outside again," Flitter looks equally confused by my reaction, but she recovers quickly and attempts to explain again. She looks as though she wants to know why I was outside so late, but thankfully she chooses not to ask. "I have to go to work soon, but I want to at least get you a coat." Flitter puts on a determined expression. "Yes, stay right there, Seth. I'll be right back," she declares. Before I can argue with her, she zips back inside of the building that I can only assume is her home. I gaze after her for a moment, and then I turn on my heel and continue on my way, quickening my pace somewhat in order to get out of sight before she returns. As much as a coat would likely save my life in the event I had to sleep outside again, I won't accept it from her. If I'm going to survive, it'll be on my own merit. I won't be indebted to others. My thoughts drift ahead to the gig with Vinyl tonight. I'm not sure how much she gets paid at these "Pinkie Parties," and that leaves my own income in question. Without a concrete number to work with, I won't be able to tell if I can afford a room or not. Perhaps staking everything on that one gig wouldn't be the best idea. I should try to find another source of employment. I can't kill Sombra if I'm dead. Vinyl mentioned that a pony named Applejack was looking for help on "the farm." Judging from my own observation, the apple orchard and its surrounding fields is the only thing that fits the description of a farm, although I wasn't able to see any structures over the trees. As I near the library, my stomach churns, devoid of any sustenance. It's not just shelter I have to worry about. I don't think I've ever been this hungry before. After I finish dealing with Twilight, I'll pay the orchard a visit. Hopefully if I can work there, I'll earn enough to buy a room and feed myself. At last, I reach the front of the library once more. I notice a sign hanging to the front of the door that wasn't there yesterday, but I can't read what it says. Perhaps a little more hastily than would be dignified, I wrench open the door and bolt inside. I let out a sigh of relief as the warm air rushes over my skin. I shut the door behind me, blocking out the cold air. I blink in surprise. The front room of the library is no longer as organized as it was yesterday. Countless books have been pulled from the shelves and are scattered about the room. Perhaps scattered is a poor choice of word; the books are organized into neat stacks, but their placement appears to be random. The central table is covered in them as well. It's as though half the library is now on the floor. The stacks of books appear to be most concentrated in the back of the room closest to the stairs. As I step closer, I spot Twilight in the center of them, laying on her side with her head resting against one of the shelves in an undignified fashion. I'm about to call out to her, but then I realize that she's fast asleep. Her chest every so slightly expands and contracts in time with her soft and steady breathing. The fur on one corner of her mouth is slightly damp, and there's a book lying open on her chest, clutched tightly in her forelegs. Every so often, one of her back hooves will twitch. I quirk a brow in a mixture of confusion and amusement. She looks rather pathetic in this pose. I'll also grudgingly admit that what I'm seeing is somewhat cute. I mean that in the way that a pet owner would after seeing their associated pet fall asleep after playing too much. Twilight owes that to the fact that she's a furry expressive pony; I'd have never thought something like that about a human. I set my rifle down on the table. While she's asleep, I take a moment to stretch out my body and warm myself up through a series of exercises, though I make sure not to stretch my side overmuch. I can't tell where the heat is coming from, but I'm thankful for the newfound comfort. In the process, I notice that my bandages feel uncomfortably tight. I'm also feeling no real pain from anywhere other than my side. Curious, I walk into the kitchen and search around until I locate a trash can.The wounds on my shoulders were the least life threatening, so I take a risk and unravel the bandages encircling them. The revealed injuries are surprisingly stable. Despite the fact that it's only been a few days since I received them, the cuts on my shoulder are now only present in the form of hardened scabs. I trace my finger over one, noting its firmness. I have to hand it to Zecora; whatever she used, it kick started the healing process unlike anything I've ever seen. Once I dispose of the now useless bandages, I continue to unwrap the rest of my upper body, encouraged by the lack of bleeding. The gashes in my chest and arms are all scabbed over as well. Even my side appears to be stable, although it continues to pain me with even the slightest strain. Eager to be freed from them, I discard the rest of the bandages into the trash. It feels strange to be walking around in a public establishment without a shirt, but I don't have any other options. Additionally, I haven't noticed any other ponies wearing clothes at all. That's... a rather strange cultural transition to be sure. I suppose I can't reasonably expect them to have the same societal standards and traditions as us. I find myself envious of their warm fur. If I had that, sleeping outside wouldn't be a problem. I return to the front room and advance towards Twilight. The unicorn shows no signs of stirring, despite the fact that I make no attempts at stealth. I don't have the time to waste waiting for her to wake up. I pick up a book from the table and unceremoniously drop it from shoulder height onto her flank. Twilight jerks awake with a start, her forehooves flailing and knocking over some of the stacks of books nearby. "Waah! What's going on? Where am I? Spiiike!" she exclaims wildly. Twilight squirms around, scattering several of the books, before she manages to sit up straight. Then, she notices me leaning against the table with my arms crossed impatiently. She opens her mouth as if to say something, but then she glances around at the mess she'd made, and with it came a look of panic. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Seth! Wait just a minute, I'll have all this cleaned up in a second!" Twilight apologizes, and then she zips around the room, using her telekinesis to lift the fallen books and organize them back onto the shelves a few at a time. "You really don't need to..." I start to say, but my eyes can hardly follow her as she zooms past me, a gust of displaced air blowing my hair back. Books fill the shelves in an orderly fashion as she works, soon leaving the floor free of clutter. "I'm not the kind of person who..." Twilight rushes past me once more and then instantaneously returns with a brush and dustpan clutched in her magical grip. She immediately sets to work on the table and floor where she had been sleeping, clearing away any dust that may have fallen from the displaced books. "There's really no point..." Eventually, it comes to my attention that Twilight isn't listening to me at all. "Oh for the... would you slow down!?" Twilight finally skids to a stop in front of me, though I'm not sure whether it's because I raised my voice or because she's already finished. Minus the stacks of books, everything looks the same as it did before. "I'm finished! I'm sorry again about the mess, I didn't realize I was going to be having company so early," Twilight responds as if she'd never even heard my protests. "Apparently you didn't hear me when I said it didn't matter. I could care less how messy the place is," I return with a shrug, paying no mind to her apology. "Why were you sleeping on the floor like that anyway?" "I... uh..." Twilight flushes with embarrassment, one hoof shuffling against the wooden floor nervously. "She stayed up until four in the morning researching that king you asked about," a boyish voice answers for her. I glance up to see Spike sluggishly plodding down the stairs, looking as though he'd just awoken from a deep sleep. "I didn't even realize how late it was... or that I fell asleep. I'm so embarrassed," Twilight dips her head, laughing nervously. She then looks to me for an answer, but when she just sees me staring her, she starts to look awkward. "A-Anyway, it's good to see you again. Spike, could you start breakfast?" "Yeah, I can do that. I'll make some coffee too so I don't pass out," Spike answers, yawning widely. Just as he was about to enter the kitchen, he pauses and glances back. "Wait, breakfast? You remember I can only make biscuits, right?" "That's fine with me. I'm not looking for something fancy," Twilight affirms. With that, Spike nods and leaves the room, and it isn't long before I hear the clattering of plates and cups. Twilight turns back to me. "Are biscuits alright for you?" "Why are you asking me?" Her question fills me with a sinking suspicion; one that's confirmed by her subsequent answer. "So I can share some with you, of course. I would be a bad host if I were to eat my breakfast in front of you without offering any," Twilight replies with a smile. "Eat your breakfast; I don't care. I don't need food anyway." I immediately turn her down, unwilling to give her even that much. Unfortunately, my treacherous stomach chooses that exact moment to betray me, emitting a mortifyingly loud gurgle. Twilight's bemusement soon turns to amusement as I mentally direct every single curse word in my vocabulary towards my hunger, which had not been satisfied in a full day. I slowly sigh. "You did not just hear that." "I'm afraid I did!" Twilight giggles at my resulting groan. "Don't be shy, come on and have one or two. They're easy to make and easy to replace." Considering how hard Twilight tried to argue with me about my beliefs during my previous visit, attempting to argue with her would no doubt earn another irritating inquiry from her. However, I won't just let this go, either. "I can't say I've had biscuits for breakfast before. Usually I had toast, or eggs if I was at home," I reply as I follow her into the kitchen, slyly letting slip something about my home life. As expected, Twilight's ears perk, and she turns her head to gaze back at me with interest. I then realize what I said and hastily add, "Er... the fact that we eat eggs isn't weird to a pony like you, is it?" "Oh no, that's something in common between us," Twilight answers. I raise an eyebrow as she ducks around a corner for a moment and returns with the same notepad and quill with which she had been taking notes yesterday. "I suppose it stands to reason that eggs would have been part of the human diet as well, considering their propensity for... for meat." I can't miss the cringe that crosses Twilight's face as she forces that last word out. I make a mental note to keep my previous diet to myself from now on. Twilight seems able to handle that fact, but I doubt I can say the same for the common pony. Taking my seat at the table, I wait patiently for breakfast to be served. Spike is standing by the oven, peering through the glass to make sure the biscuits aren't being burnt. It's odd to watch, as it's nearly identical to how a human would do it. The only difference is the gently glowing orb set into the top of the oven that powers the appliance. "I can tell you about typical human breakfasts if you want," I offer to her. If she takes my offer, then any debt I may incur from eating this meal will be erased. Twilight, who just sat down across from me, brightens up at that, but then she lowers her eyes to my chest. "I'd love to hear that, but first I have to ask..." Twilight sounds a little anxious as she continues. "Are you alright? You're covered in scrapes...and one of them looks like it was rather serious." "I'm fine. It would be best if you didn't worry about me," I advise her with a level voice. With any luck, I won't be in her life for long. "More importantly, did you only realize I was hurt just now?" "No, I noticed you were wearing bandages yesterday, but it didn't seem like you were in pain, so I didn't ask. I thought maybe it may have been a human custom," Twilight explains with a sheepish expression. "But those look like they were bad. How did that happen?" "Through a combination of pitfalls and horrible luck," I summarize briefly for her. I don't feel the need to share what I went through while I was trapped underground. "Stop worrying about it. As you can see, I'm fine." "I'm sure they hurt when you move, though," Twilight points out sympathetically. Her eyes widen, as if she'd just thought of something important. "I know! I have a healing spell I've been wanting to try. I can use it on you if you'd like." Although my immediate thought is to refuse her, the concept of a healing spell is intriguing. "A healing spell? If such a spell exists, does that mean ponies don't need hospitals or medical centers?" I question, curious despite the fact that I know I shouldn't be asking any more questions than necessary. "It's a bit more complicated than that," Twilight admits with a frown. "Here, let me explain. The healing spell I'm talking about is the only one of its kind, and it's near impossible for a normal unicorn to master... or even learn. It requires a significant mana expenditure as well as a working knowledge of the biological make-up of the circulovasucalar system. You wouldn't want to close a wound and clog an artery in the process." As Twilight is explaining, I hear the oven chime behind her. Spike opens the appliance and retrieves the tray of biscuits, grabbing the metal with his bare claws. Despite how foolhardy it would be for me to do something like that, Spike doesn't seem the least bit uncomfortable from the heat. I suppose it has to do with his rather... unique species. "It's a surprisingly limited spell as well, as it is only capable of healing physical injuries such as the ones you bear. Thus, standard healthcare relies upon clever use of telekinesis to perform tasks such as resetting broken bones and halting blood loss," Twilight continues. Spike joins us at the table with the tray of tea and biscuits, which Twilight then distributes evenly to each of us. I hesitantly bite into one, finding it fluffy and pleasing to the taste. "So, you say that normal unicorns can't learn this spell easily. Who else has learned this spell, and what makes you different from other unicorns?" I question further, my suspicions heightened after hearing her explanation. "She's only the best in all of Equestria!" Spike brags, joining the conversation before Twilight can give a proper answer. I just ignore him, but Twilight flushes. "Spike! I am not the best; there are plenty of unicorns with more knowledge and experience than myself," Twilight corrects him swiftly, though the dragon doesn't look convinced. She returns her attention to me, looking apologetic. "I have an affinity with magic, so my pool of mana is much larger than normal and it's easier for me to learn complicated spells than the standard unicorn. As for the healing spell itself, I'm not that good at it. I only know of two that have mastered it: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." I've heard more than enough. "So let me get this straight: there's a spell that can heal better than even the latest healthcare practices, and the only ones who know it are royalty. Not to mention, you clearly don't advertise the fact that you can use it - there would be a line that spanned the whole town outside your door if that were the case - and you're willing to use it on a total stranger, free of charge?" "That's right. Why, is something the matter?" Twilight tilts her head to one side in confusion. "How stupid do you think I am? If such a spell is so rare and difficult to master, that makes unicorns who can use it extremely valuable. You could demand anything in return from any of your patients... and your patient in this case would be a human whose knowledge could very easily make you rich," I point out, my voice completely devoid of amusement or patience. Twilight sighs, disappointed. "I wish you wouldn't keep saying that. You make it sound like I'm just trying to use you, and I'm not," she astutely observes. "It's just that I've been working on this spell, and I'd love to test it out. Besides, it's just something I'd do for any of my friends." "Then find one of your friends to test it out on," I tell her coldly. My words make it very clear to her that I don't consider her a friend. As such, Twilight recoils, looking hurt. "I decline your offer. These scrapes aren't nearly so bad that they require the use of a spell like that." "I... suppose you're right," Twilight concedes, lowering her head dejectedly. I notice that Spike is glaring at me now; it's likely he also picked up on the hidden meaning in my previous statement and is not happy about it. "I'm sorry, I was just excited to try out a new spell." I don't respond, instead taking a moment to eat the remainder of my biscuits. The meal is good, but it hardly does much to assuage the hunger gnawing away at me. At least it'll provide a boost I can use to get through the rest of today until I get paid by Vinyl and hopefully by a second prospective employer. Spike quickly grows uncomfortable from the awkward silence between the three of us. "So... Seth, you were going to talk about human breakfasts, right?" he reminds me. "Well, I should rephrase. I can tell you about my breakfast, which can't really be used to summarize the entirety of human breakfasts," I correct myself. "What do you mean by that?" This is enough to get Twilight looking curious and hopeful again, her notepad already lying open on the table in front of her. "What humans eat for breakfast depends on where they live as well as their culture. I only lived in one small province of a larger country, and traditions vary all over the place. I know little about the breakfasts of other provinces, and even less about those of other countries," I explain to the fascinated librarian, who is already scribbling down notes, her quill scratching against the parchment. "Even then, they can vary among individual families. So if you want accurate info, all I can tell you about is what I ate." "That's a start! You've already given me more than enough to write an entry on human culture!" Twilight proclaims encouraging. I nod with approval. That means I don't have to tell her much more in order to fulfil my debt for this meal. "Anything you can tell me, no matter how simple, is worthwhile!" "Alright. Then I can tell you that I personally don't like going to too much effort to eat in the morning, due to my limited time and schedule. Because of that, I prefer simple foods that don't require much preparation..." I begin. Once the conversation begins, Spike settles down, seeming much more content to sit back, eat his biscuits, and listen now that Twilight and I aren't arguing anymore. Resigning myself to the necessity, I force myself to converse with her in a level tone. In the process, I find that many of what people in my area considered to be normal breakfast foods are unfamiliar to ponies. This doesn't surprise me; I'd be more concerned if ponies knew what poptarts or bacon were. Twilight encourages me to share everything, despite the fact that my breakfast sometimes included meat. She is certainly uncomfortable with the idea, but it seems that accuracy is more important to her than comfort. Thus, I ended up sharing how bacon was considered a delicacy by those around my age. "Eep... I'll be sure not to tell Applejack about that. There are pigs that live on her farm, and she's rather fond of them," Twilight reacts, writing down my words. That name is familiar; Applejack is the pony I'm going to see after this. Keeping my previous diet quiet is already a priority, but now it goes double for whenever I meet this Applejack. Once I finish my explanation, Twilight nods, looking satisfied. "Let me make sure I'm understanding you properly: you had to wake up early and leave not long afterwards, so you grew a liking for foods that were quick and didn't require preparation on your part. This habit even carried over to your days away from school." "That's right. Food preparation is frustrating and time-consuming, so I stay at home and eat something simple. Unless..." I pause, almost letting slip about the few exceptions that arose. There were times when I'd go out to eat, but it would only ever be with Amaryllis or my family, and Twilight doesn't need to hear about them. I readjust my statement to keep Twilight from getting suspicious. "Unless I had nothing simple. Then I'd have to make it myself, and resolve to immediately resupply during my next outing." "Oh? Were you good at cooking?" Twilight thankfully doesn't catch on to the real reason for my sudden pause. "Not in the least. It stresses me out, and more often than not the instructions are vague so I'm expected to 'feel out' the process... and that never ends well," I respond. Twilight giggles. "I can imagine. So it's clear you wouldn't have a cutie mark in cooking." "Cutie mark?" I echo before I can stop myself, confused at the familiar term. I then realize that I just said the word "cutie," making me want to gag. As sensible as I've been trying to be, that word feels repulsive as it tumbles over my lips. Twilight looks surprised for only a moment. "Oh, I suppose it stands to reason humans don't have them, considering you were quite adamant that humans didn't possess magic of any kind. I'll be happy to explain!" she expresses genuinely. Twilight angles her flank towards me, showing off the mark there. It's of a magenta six pointed star backed by a similar white star that's been rotated, as well as surrounded by five smaller white stars. "Every young pony gains a cutie mark that signifies his or her special talent. This is my cutie mark! It signifies my special affinity with magic that I mentioned earlier." "So what, is it permanently dyed on your flank like that?" I question, bemused at such an outlandish difference in culture. "Dye? No, no, if it was dye, it would eventually disappear as our fur grew and our coats were trimmed," Twilight corrects me. "They appear by magical manifestation as a reflection of our unique internal mana composition!" "Magic. Of course," I answer her with a nod, though sarcasm practically drips from my tone. I was hoping to hear something that would make sense. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel somewhat envious. I still don't know what my "special talent" would be, though I suppose I'm grateful I don't get a tattoo on my lower hip. "That must make things easier for you. Humans have to find that out on their own." "Really? That must be very difficult," Twilight gasps, once more scribbling down my revelation in her notepad. Hopefully me giving her that information is of equal value to her explanation on cutie marks. "Getting a cutie mark is hard enough as it is." "Well, what do you know? Humans have something in common with dragons!" Spike chimes back in, looking at me with a grin. "We don't get those either." "I should hope not. Your special talent is breathing fire," I retort wryly. A silence falls between us as I finish the cup of tea that was provided along with the meal, and Twilight finishes writing down the rest of what she's learned from our conversation. I wonder if it would be within my rights to demand royalties from her if and when she decides to publish this information. I'm not certain how pony copyright law works. "Oh, I wanted to tell you what I found during my studies last night!" Twilight suddenly remembers, brightening up. I try not to show it, but my interest has been piqued as well. "You can certainly talk about it. Whether or not I listen is up to me though," I tell her with a shrug. Twilight puts on a stubborn pout. "Don't look at me like that. You did this for yourself, remember?" "I do remember, but every scholar's greatest joy is to be able to share their knowledge with another, and you just happen to be right here in front of me." Twilight returns deviously, a small smile forming on her lips. "How convenient for you, don't you think?" "Not exactly the word I'd use, but whatever, I guess," I sigh, slouching somewhat. Sitting like this without anything to brace my back against is getting tiring. Twilight notices this and stands up from the table. "Why don't you head over to the front room and rest on a cushion? I just need a minute to clean the dishes and I'll come join you," Twilight offers. I stand as well, liking the idea of resting against that table. "I can handle the dishes," Spike interjects, surprising Twilight. "What? No seriously, I got this. You spent all night researching that king, so you just worry about that." "Aw, thanks Spike." Twilight lowers herself down to nuzzle the little dragon's nose. Spike flushes a bit and chuckles bashfully, and then he dashes off to the sink to take care of the remains of our meal. "Then, shall we relocate, Seth?" I wordlessly accompany Twilight into the front room. After the warm meal and the tea, my body feels much better. I'm not shivering violently anymore, and the chattering of my teeth has ceased. My skin appears to have regained its color, though my hands still feel a little clammy. Twilight's horn glows briefly. From one of the alcoves carved into the wall above the bookshelves, two cushions fly down to the floor, clutched firmly in her magenta aura. She nudges one of them towards me with a smile. Attempting to avoid aggravating my side, I gingerly kneel down and move the offered cushion close to the table in the center. Then, I sit down, resting my back against the lip of the table. It's not optimal, but I would feel uncomfortable if I started making myself at home in a public establishment... that also seems to double as her house. I'm not entirely sure how to view this place. Twilight orients her cushion to be about two feet across from me, and then she sits down on her haunches. She doesn't waste any time in getting started. "First, I'll preface my explanation by stating that I haven't found anything concrete on King Sombra at all," she admits right off of the bat. When she notices my incredulous and displeased expression, she frowns. "It wasn't for lack of trying, I assure you. I closed the library yesterday and went through over half of my store of books, starting from those that were most likely to hold relevant information and moving on to more obscure texts when early results bore no fruit." Twilight shows me a series of books, lifting them up telekinetically from the shelves and setting them aside in a neat stack once she's certain that I've seen them. I decide to keep quiet about the fact that she'd literally just cleaned the library an hour ago.... as well as the fact that I can't read their language. "First, I read through Important Ponies of Ages Past, but I found nothing, surprisingly enough. Then I searched through Dynasties of the Old World, Before the Princesses, and then even A Succinct History of Equis," Twilight relates, showing me books that I assume are the ones to which she's referring. She continues on to list more books, such that I lose focus and tone her out... at least until she moves on to her own assumptions. "So far, I'm running on the idea that King Sombra is a pony. As you said, he used a spell of some sort, so he must be a unicorn. Dragons can also weave spells to an extent, though I've never heard of a dragon wearing attire like what you've described." "Let's hope he's not a dragon," I comment drily. I would be very hardpressed to kill him if that was the case. "That being said, however, I cannot find a single mention of him. I find this odd, because if he is a pony, we should definitely have some information on him somewhere in the history books. In fact, I'm finding that there are specific areas of Equis that I can't find any information on, and that's not normal," Twilight continues. She's beginning to look fervent and excited; I guess she's really enjoying the challenge. "Specifically, I can't find anything about the Frozen North apart from the precinct of Yakyakistan." I'm just not going to comment on that name. "So how does that pertain to King Sombra?" I question to get her back on the right track. "I'm thinking he may be tied to one of these 'history whiteouts,' if he truly is from our era as you claim," Twilight hypothesizes. I let out an exhale of disbelief. If that's true, and pony society is covering up his existence, then perhaps I've stumbled onto something far larger in scope than I ever expected. "Most likely seems to be the Frozen North, as I've at least seen cursory mentions of the other suspect areas." "That's a start, I suppose," I determine, allowing myself to feel a small manner of satisfaction. It doesn't seem as though Twilight is willing to stop researching this or telling me her results, so I can use this information. If her further research turns up nothing, I'll head to the north once I've saved up enough money to buy thicker clothes and rations. With luck, I'll find out something more about Sombra from the ponies up north. "Of course, this is all purely conjecture. If you give me some more time, I can search through the rest of my library and see what else I can find out. I may find something on the Frozen North that completely invalidates my previous statements," Twilight proposes. "If not, I'll send a letter to Princess Celestia asking permission to get into the royal archives. Oh, this is so exciting! This is why I enjoy research so much!" After saying that, she clenches her teeth together and smiles such that she produces a strange noise, almost like someone had squeezed a dog toy, only somewhat less obnoxious. I'm going to assume that's a strange pony way of showing great excitement or happiness. "You don't need to ask me to give you more time. You're doing this for your own sake, so you have all the time in the world," I remind her stubbornly. "My point is that you should come by again! I'd love to be able to share what else I find!" Twilight emphasizes, ignoring my pointed words. When I start to feel somewhat reluctant, she leans forward, her smile growing even wider. "Please, I insist!" I can't help but press myself against the table in an attempt to put some distance between us. I can't understand why she's so fired up about this. I get that she's a scholar and likes learning, as that much was obvious upon meeting her. Despite this, no matter what she says, she's still trying to help me, and I don't understand why; we've already established that she can gain nothing from me in return. Is learning really so important to her that it's better than any reward? I have no answer; I guess I just don't understand this pony. "I'll come by sometime tomorrow," I answer uncomfortably. I get to my feet, as it feels as though my time here is over. I make sure to grab my rifle in the process. "I have a lot to do today, so I don't have time tonight." "Alright! I'll mark it in my schedule then." Twilight lifts a wide orderly sheaf of paper from the table behind me with her magic and proceeds to scribble something down on it. I can make out a grid on the paper, so it's likely a calendar. "You found something to do in the town today?" "More or less. What manner of business that is, however, is my own," I point out to her clearly. I'm worried that Twilight will start getting too friendly if I keep visiting her like this, and I can't have her holding me back in any way if I do leave Ponyville to go north. Twilight nods understandingly. "I won't pry if you'd rather me not," she assures me as I make my way towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow then, okay?" I nod wordlessly and step back outside into the chilly air. I inadvertently shiver, still remembering how frozen I was this morning. Thankfully it seems to be warmer now by several degrees, thanks to the sun's rays shining down over the tops of the buildings. As I walk through the now much busier streets, the sun warms my skin to the point where I feel comfortable. Although my presence in the town is still an oddity for the ponies who live here, it seems as though their interest in me is waning, as I only get curious stares this time around. Perhaps the word of my appearance is spreading. come to think of it, a seemingly popular musician announced the name of my kind to a large crowd at her performance. Therefore, it's no surprise that ponies are learning what I am. I'm not sure how fast news of my presence will spread to other settlements, but either way I shouldn't stay in this town any longer than is absolutely necessary. Sticking to the sunlight, I make my way through the town. My next order of business is to find Applejack's farm. Using what I remember from my overhead view by the forest as well as my own wanderings last night, I make my way to the northwestern part of town. The amount of ponies walking through the streets thins as I approach the apple orchard, suggesting that the farm is on the outskirts of town. I wince; this is going to be a rather lengthy walk. As I step onto a small wooden bridge that crosses over a tributary of the main river, my rifle drags against the planks. I pause and glance down at the mangled weapon in bemusement. I've been carrying this around with me ever since I left the school in the hopes that I could use it as a bludgeoning weapon, but now I seem to be past that point. I honestly have no use for it now. I might as well discard it. I step to the edge of the bridge and lift the rifle over the edge. If I drop it into the stream here, it'll eventually rust to nothing. Even if a pony finds it, it's too far gone to ever be repaired or reverse engineered, especially if the ponies haven't developed gunpowder yet. When I try to loosen my grip, I find that I can't. It would be so easy to release it and watch it fall into the stream, but... I can't bring myself to do so. The thought of continuing further without my rifle makes me feel a rising sense of anxiety and panic, though I can't seem to come to any logical reason as to why I feel that way. Instead, the only thing that comes to my mind is... I don't want to let go. I withdraw the rifle back to my side, and the feelings subside. I'm utterly bewildered as to why I would feel that way so suddenly, but without a reasonable explanation, I set that aside. If it's going to be such a big deal, I'd rather keep the rifle here with me. If only so I won't be so defenseless in case something happens. Once I'm across the bridge, the town gives way to a grassy plain stretching before me, complete with a dirt road upon which I tread. I can see the entrance to the farm in the far distance, but it seems like it'll be a good ten minute walk. There's no point in wasting time, so I get started, moving forward at a normal walking pace. Farmwork is very labor intensive, so should I get this second job, I'll need all the stamina I can get. I just hope I can do it, what with all these injuries I still bear. The closer I get to the farm, the more trees start to encroach along the edges of the path. It's a rather enjoyable walk now that it's warmer and nature is coming to life. All things considered, Ponyville is a pleasant enough town, if I ignore the fact that it's inhabited solely by colorful ponies. The architecture is nice to look at, and the town blends seamlessly with the nature around it. Therefore, the area feels as though the town is living harmoniously with nature, rather than shoving it aside to make way for urbanization. Obviously I can't generalize about humanity's building habits, but I do know that nature came secondary to the expansion of the college that I once attended. Some time later, as I near the farm, I become aware that I'm no longer alone. At first I start to feel a little uneasy, as though I'm being watched. However, I eventually hear the soft beating of wings in the air above and behind me. It's likely that, assuming it's a pegasi that's following me, he or she has some business with the farm. I don't doubt that the place gets some traffic, given how important it must be to the town. I step to the side to let the pony pass me by, pretending to lean down and check my shoes. Despite my previous assumption, the beating wings don't pass overhead, but instead stay in place. My suspicions rising, I get back up and continue walking. Sure enough, the hidden pegasus follows. I halt in place, coming to the only possible conclusion; this pegasus's business must be with me. "That's enough. If you have something to say to me, come down here and say it. I don't have time for whatever it is you're doing," I address the hidden pegasus, my tone heavily laden with annoyance. "Well, excuse me for not knowing how to approach a human!" an equally annoyed female voice returns, sarcasm present in her tone. Her voice is rough and scratchy, with the timbre of a youthful alto. I believe this is the first time I've heard a pony act as sarcastic as I can be. Curious, I turn to see the most brightly colored pegasus I've ever seen soaring down to the ground, her hooves kicking up the dirt as she skids to a halt. At first I have to squint, as this pony is so colorful that it briefly hurts my eyes to look at her. The most normal aspect to her design is that her coat is a light shade of cerulean. Her mane, on the other hand, is an unkempt mess that flops untidily over her brow and around one side of her neck. It's colored all six colors of the rainbow, each one somehow separated from the others to the point where each color forms its own distinct stripe. The red, orange, and yellow stripes rest on her brow, and the green, blue, and violet stripes are what wraps around her neck. Her tail is all six colors. To top off her unusual appearance, her cutie mark is of a thunder cloud from which a tricolor lightning bolt protrudes. Twilight said each cutie mark is supposed to signify the special talent of each individual pony, but I can't even fathom a guess as to what this one could mean. "It's good that you know what I am. Yet still, I can think of at least five other ways to approach someone than by following them," I point out to her. The pony is obviously female, given from her voice and smaller frame... though one abnormality about her is that her muscles are very clearly defined. "As far as I can tell, we haven't met. Why are you following me?" "Two things. First of all, you're a human. Just for that I wanted to see what you looked like," the mare responds as though her words should be self-explanatory. "That doesn't make sense. How did you know I am a human if you don't know what we look like?" I question her, even though I'm sure I know the answer. She could have heard about me from Vinyl's fans, Lyra, or Twilight. Nevertheless, I'd like to know for certain. "Have you looked at yourself? How many other creatures walk around on two legs?" the mare points out with a grin. I frown; this pony is starting to rub me the wrong way. Instead of just answering me plainly, she's treating me like I'm stupid. "Plus, I read the books. Though you look nothing like I expected. Your mane's all boring, and you don't look strong at all." A firm sense of dislike for her makes its home in my mind. Everything she's saying comes across as condescending, and that's one of the quickest ways to make me angry. "No doubt anyone's mane looks boring to you," I grunt, gritting my teeth with animosity. "I trust your curiosity has been satisfied. What's the second reason you sought me out?" The mare approaches me, her grin fading away. "I heard about you from Flitter. She said you ditched her early in the morning before she left for work," she accuses me. "What's up with that?" "I hardly think that's your business," I state, crossing my arms. The mare huffs in frustration. She looks like she's about to insist, so I attempt to redirect the conversation. "Should you really be confronting total strangers off of hearsay? Who are you, anyway?" "Me? The name's Rainbow Dash: captain of the Ponyville Weather Team and the fastest flier in Equestria!" the mare seems very happy to introduce herself, her grin returning as she presses a hoof to her chest proudly. I stare at her mutely for a few moment. Everything this pony says just causes me to dislike her further. In addition to her overall condescending tone, she's revealed that she has an inflated ego... another trait that I dislike in a person. "I see... the fastest," I repeat disbelievingly. At the very least, I should introduce myself in turn. "I'm Seth Rogers." "That's right, Seth, I'm the fastest! There's not a single pony out there that can match me... unless you count the Wonderbolts, but they're special," Rainbow continues to brag, spreading her wings as if to show them off. When she notices my less than interested look, her grin widens. "What, you don't believe me?" "I honestly don't care," I tell her flatly, my patience at its end. Captain of the weather team or not, I see no benefit to continuing this conversation. She needs to know that I'm not someone she can just lead around by the nose. "Whether or not you're the fastest really doesn't matter to me." Rainbow looks as though I physically struck her. The grin falls from her face immediately and her eyes widen almost imperceptibly. People, or ponies in this case, who have overinflated egos are best deterred when their accomplishments are ignored. In this way, I hope to give her the idea that her boasts are both unwanted and a waste of my time. Her head droops and her posture becomes noticeably less lively than before. It seems I was right, and I really hit her where it hurts. Any guilt that surfaces in me from seeing this is quickly quashed by my mental assertions that any distractions from my goal cannot be tolerated. "You're really kind of a jerk," Rainbow returns, giving me a bitter stare. "No wonder you gave Flitter such a hard time." "If you must know, my interactions with her were, as far as I'm concerned, a means to exchange information. Any further actions on her part were both unwarranted and unnecessary," I explain with a heavy sigh. "She really has no reason to complain." "What are you talking about? Of course she does! She wanted to help you, and you threw her attempts back in her face!" Rainbow snaps back disbelievingly, her eyes flashing as she leaps to the defense of the pony who I'm assuming is a friend of hers. "Not to mention you were rude about it!" "I wasn't rude; I was firm. I never asked for her help, and despite my earlier efforts to get her to stop trying, she insisted. A firm approach was the only thing that would work with her," I correct Rainbow's assumption. No doubt she's leaping to conclusions. "Oh yeah? You call just ditching her without a word a 'firm approach?' She was just trying to be friendly!" Rainbow shoots back fervently. "Though clearly you don't know the meaning of the word! I even tried to introduce myself and you wouldn't even let me!" My first reaction is to sigh once more. Unlike the other ponies I've met, this one doesn't seem to be the kind that'll back down with my usual approach. I don't enjoy doing this, but I'm going to have to be entirely honest with her about where she stands with me. I look Rainbow directly in the eyes. "I'll be straight with you. So far, every pony I've met has been far too intrusive and prying in their attempts to 'be friendly,' and then they all get offended when I refuse. Frankly, I'm quite tired of it. I have no intentions on making friends with any of you, and clearly that concept seems to be foreign with all of you," My tone gets harder and sharper with every word I say to her. "I'm here to conduct research and gear up for a task, and once I'm finished, you'll never see me again. All you're doing now is wasting everyone's time." Rainbow is rendered speechless for a few moments after I finish my statement, though it's clear that won't last very long. She grits her teeth roughly and narrows her eyes at me. "Graaagh! You are the rudest, nastiest, and meanest creature I think I've ever met!" Rainbow rages, her front forehooves squeezing at the air. She spreads her wings and leaps into the air in a hover. "With an attitude like that, I don't even want to be friends with you! In fact, I don't think even Pinkie would want to be friends with you!" Rainbow gets right up in my face, causing me to involuntarily take a step back. "You know what? I'm going to tell Flitter she's better off without you, and then I'm going to tell Pinkie not to even bother! Hurry up and get out of Ponyville already, and then I hope you have fun being alone all the time!" After she finishes her tirade, Rainbow zips away in the other direction with a blinding speed, to the point where I can barely track her with my eyes. In fact, the only evidence that she was here to begin with is the fading rainbow trail left by her swift exit. I stare after her for a few moments, feeling somewhat pensive. Come to think of it, she's the only pony so far that has yelled back at me like that. In fact, that's the first time somebody has yelled back at me in general in quite some time. I think the last person to do so was Amaryllis... though obviously there's no comparison between the two. After making sure that Rainbow's outburst didn't disturb anyone who might have been nearby, I continue on my way to the farm. That was a rather unwelcome distraction, but hopefully I've resolved both the Rainbow and the Flitter issues in the process. I don't mind if Rainbow goes around telling everyone to hate me; I've already achieved that for which I came to Ponyville. All that's left is to gather the materials for the trip, which with luck, will only take me between a few days to a week. Once I near the farm, the trees on either side of me give way to a large open clearing, bordered by a white wooden fence. The entrance to the farm itself is a white archway wreathed in leaves and apples. However, the most noticeable feature is the sizeable barnhouse situated atop a small hill in the center of the clearing. The building is roughly rectangular and constructed entirely out of wood and plaster that has been painted a vibrant red and white. To better clarify the design, the main barn has two floors as well as a spire that supports an apple-themed weathervane. Lastly, there is a separate wing adjoined to the left side of the barn. Casting my gaze around reveals that the farm expands across a great deal of land. It soon becomes apparent that while the apple trees behind the barn are greatly numerous, it is far from the only crop that's being cultivated. To my left, stalks of corn sprout from the neatly tilled fields, and further back I notice rows of carrots planted on a hill, atop of which is a small two floored building that looks to be storage for the harvested crops. On my right as I walk inside is a fenced in chicken coop. Twilight told me that ponies eat eggs like us, so it isn't that strange to see it here. There's also a line of smaller red shacks lining the fence on the far side of the clearing. I can't quite make out their purpose, but I do notice bales of hay stacked up alongside them. There are some ponies working the corn and carrot fields in the distance, but I don't see any ponies in my general area just yet. Unwilling to stand and wait around to be noticed, I walk through the white archway and look around the area. The one I need to speak with is called Applejack, if I remember correctly. As I get closer to the barn, I hear a loud hammering coming from the near the orchard fence. Drawn to the sound, I make my way around the side of the barn until I reach the rear, where I find the source. There's a small, pale yellow pony standing by the fence, a hammer clenched tightly in its mouth. Unlike Twilight or Rainbow, she possesses no horn or wings. Beside it is a bucket filled with nails, with which the pony is using to repair some minor damage in the wooden construction. With its forehoof, the pony would somehow manage to lift and position a nail on the fence and then swing its head repeatedly until the nail is firmly embedded in the wood. This pony, whom I assume is a mare judging from the pink bow fastened to the back of its ruby colored mane, is much smaller than the ponies I've seen so far. In addition, unlike every other pony I've seen, there is a distinct lack of a cutie mark on her flank. Twilight mentioned that all ponies receive them to signify their special talent. Does this mean this pony doesn't have a special talent, or that she hasn't found it yet? Either way, the mare appears much younger than other ponies, which makes the word "filly" more applicable in this case. This means I'm looking at the pony equivalent of a child. I mentally resign myself to dealing with her; I'm not too fond of children in any regard. The hammer slips in the filly's mouth and she ends up hitting her own hoof instead, rather than the nail. "Yowch!" she squeaks in a youthful voice, dropping the nail and the hammer in the process. "Aw, where'd that darn nail go...?" The filly happens to turn around and spot me just as I'm beginning my approach. She freezes instantly, her eyes turning wide. A sinking feeling comes over me, but before I can say anything to assuage the fear she's likely feeling, the filly emits a screech of terror and leaps over the back fence, sprinting into the apple orchard without regard to the tools she left behind. "Stupid," I berate myself, planting my face in my hand. I should have given the filly some warning before approaching her. Of course these farmers would have no idea what I am. Considering they live all the way out here away from the main town, I doubt the news of my arrival in town would have reached them yet. Plus, I doubt any of them are educated enough to know what a human would look like. I turn on one heel as I hear a door slam open behind me. No doubt summoned by the scream of the filly, a large stallion emerges from the back of the barn. This has to be the largest pony I've ever seen; he easily reaches up to my shoulders. Deep red fur covers his heavily muscled body, and a messy orange mane hangs from his neck. For a cutie mark, there's a cross section of a McIntosh apple. Like the filly, he doesn't have a horn or wings. My first thought is to raise my hands disarmingly, to show this pony that I'm not a threat. With a pony this size and with muscles like that, a single kick from his back legs could easily crush my rib cage. To my surprise, the stallion's look of alarm fades the moment he sees me. "Thought you might have been a timberwolf," he explains simply, his voice a deep bass. He closes the door behind him with a nudge of a hoof, and then he approaches me. I've never heard that word before, so I raise an eyebrow. The stallion seems to understand, and he indicates towards the right with his head. "Wooden wolves. They live in the Everfree." I swear I feel my chest twinge painfully from his explanation. Now I have a name for those wireframe wolves that nearly put an end to me. I follow the stallion's head until I catch sight of the sprawling twisted trees in the far distance. That's the forest I came from; I didn't realize the farm was so close to it. Now I have a name for it as well: the Everfree Forest. "I've run into them once... as you can likely see," I respond, grateful that at least this pony seems to be sensible. The stallion notes my chest injuries and nods understandingly. "You're probably still wondering what I am though." "Nope," the stallion answers with a simple shake of his head. "I know what you are." "That's refreshing, if unexpected," I comment. I guess I stand corrected about my earlier statement. This farmer appears to be more educated than I originally gave him credit for. It gets quiet as the stallion just gazes at me wordlessly, so I change the topic. "That makes this easier. You work here?" "Yup. Family owns the farm." he answers tersely. The more he talks, the more apparent his rustic accent becomes. He politely extends a hoof to me. " My name is Big MacIntosh." I glance at the hoof briefly, and then I accept the shake just as politely. If he's part of the family that runs the place, it behooves me to be as polite as possible, just as I acted with Vinyl the previous night. I decide to cut to the chase. "I'm Seth Rogers. I'm new to Equestria, so I came here looking for a job." Big MacIntosh's expression shifts almost imperceptibly. He looks at me different, and starts to look me over, as though sizing me up. He gives an unsure hum after a few moments. "You sure you can handle it?" the stallion questions. He indicates my injuries with a hoof. "You're injured." "They're healing quickly, and don't restrict my movement that much. I don't believe they'll be an insurmountable obstacle." It's difficult to tell what this stallion is thinking, so all I can do is attempt to ease any worries he might have. Big MacIntosh ponders for a moment before nodding. "Okay. I think we can use you," he decides. I have to stifle a sigh of relief upon hearing that. Perhaps I won't be doomed to freeze tonight after all. However, as satisfying as that is to hear, I was led to believe this Applejack was in charge. I won't complain if this pony has the authority to hire me as well, but I hope that doesn't pose an issue if and when Applejack finds out. "Wait here," he directs me, and then he retreats back into the barn momentarily. When he returns, it's with a wheelbarrow tied to a brown harness around his neck. Inside are various farm tools. Some of them I recognize, such as weed clippers and filled, covered water pails, while with others I am unfamiliar. Wordlessly, Big MacIntosh begins walking towards the corn fields. I assume the rather quiet stallion intends for me to follow, so I keep pace with him. Eventually, he comes to a halt by the first corn field and upends the wheelbarrow with a quick flick of a hoof, emptying the tools on the dirt in a neat pile. "Snow's coming, and there's a lot to be harvested," Big MacIntosh explains as he ambles towards the cornfield. I realize that he likely wants help harvesting all of that corn. There does look to be too much for one pony to handle on his own in a reasonable amount of time. "Ever worked with corn before?" "Can't say that I have," I admit honestly. One fact I omit is that I've never worked a full day's worth of physical labor. I'm sure this job is going to be brutal, but I don't have much of a choice. "Watch me," Big MacIntosh directs. As I watch, he nears an ear of corn and grasps it firmly in his mouth. He yanks downward, and angles his head so that the ear is twisted and wrenched free from the stalk. Then, he places the ear into the wheelbarrow. "You try." I set my rifle in the pile with the other tools. Then, I walk up beside him and replicate the same motions he used, only with my hands. It's not to hard to separate the ears from the stalks; in fact, I think my hands make it easier for me than it is for him. Whether or not I'm right can't be determined though, as the only acknowledgment Big MacIntosh gives is an approving nod. Together, the two of us start to work down the first line of corn, slowly filling the wheelbarrow as we go. We're only working for a few minutes before the yellow filly from before returns with a second, older mare in tow. This new one, like the others, is just a normal pony with a vibrant orange coat and a hay colored mane and tail, both of which are tied at the ends with lengths of red twine. Her cutie mark is unsurprisingly apple themed, consisting of three red apples. To top off her appearance, she wears a brown stetson hat on her head, the article tilted back somewhat to keep from obscuring her vision. Lastly, her face is freckled by spots of lighter fur. Her stance becomes aggressive as the two of them spot me, but when they get close enough to see what we're doing, she and the filly both pause, unsure what to make of us. "Apple Bloom, ain't this the monster you mentioned?" the mare questions the filly, her voice a rich alto tinted with a very distinct accent, similar to the one Big MacIntosh possesses. "That's it! It came from around the barn!" the filly squeaks in the high pitched tone of a young girl barely entering adolescence. The mare looks unconvinced, her stance relaxing. "Don't look so monstrous to me. Plus, it's helping Big Mac," she reasons to the younger filly. She then raises her voice. "Big Mac! You got a moment?" Big MacIntosh glances over at me. "Take a break," he tells me, even though we had barely even begun. Though I suppose this encounter was unavoidable. Together, he and I leave the wheelbarrow where it is and approach the two ponies. Upon our arrival, the filly, Apple Bloom, hides behind the older mare. "This fellow came looking for a job," is all Big MacIntosh gives in the way of explanation, and then he gives me a nod. In other words, he wants me to speak for myself. I suppose that's fair. "Did he now?" the mare seems both surprised and pleased by that. She glances up to me and makes an apologetic face. "Well now. Sorry about the rude welcome, by the way. Apple Bloom didn't mean no harm; you just ain't like anything we've seen before." "So I'm beginning to understand," I respond. My words are wry, but my tone is even. Before I can say anything else, the mare snatches my hand from my side with her hoof and shakes it enthusiastically. Her grip is surprisingly tight and her strength is apparent, as after the first few moments of shaking my arm starts to ache. "I'm Applejack, and my family runs the farm, though I reckon Big Mac already told you that," she introduces herself happily. I nod, recognizing the name with some relief. It appears my earlier worries were groundless. "It's a pleasure making your acquaintance, sir. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! Always nice to see a new face!" "Thank you. My name is Seth Rogers," I respond, somewhat uncomfortable from her sheer enthusiasm. I'm not used to receiving this kind of greeting from anyone, so I'm not entirely sure how to respond to her. "I've heard about you from the other ponies in town." "Only good things, I hope," Applejack chuckles good-naturedly, releasing my hand at last and setting her hoof on the ground once more. She then gives the filly a little nudge. "This little one is my sis, Apple Bloom." "I'm not that little!" Apple Bloom protests, causing her sister to pat her on the head, much to her chagrin. "Seems like you've already met Big Mac here. You got my thanks for helping out with the harvest," Applejack remarks, dipping her head out of gratitude. She gives me a friendly smile. "You were looking for a job? What drove you here? No offense, but you don't look all that fit." "None taken. A physical career wasn't exactly my primary focus," I accidentally let slip in an attempt to keep up my polite facade. I was so focused on reining myself in that I unwittingly left her a hook that will no doubt pique her curiosity. Sure enough, her head is tilting. "I'm here because I'm new in Equestria and I need a way to make money. I heard you were looking for help because of the upcoming winter." "You heard right. There's so much to do this time of year, and we're pressed for time. We can usually manage, but by then we're plum tuckered out." Applejack admits. "New to Equestria, huh? You come from down south?" "It's a bit of a long story." I struggle to keep the annoyance out of my voice at her increasingly prying questions. "Suffice to say, I'm not here by choice." "Ooh, sorry to hear that," Applejack responds with a troubled frown. She does her best to give me a reassuring expression. "I think we can help you out. Big Mac, you mind if I borrow Mr. Rogers from you?" "Nope." Big MacIntosh dips his head and returns to the cornfield alone, as if he had been expecting such an outcome. "Good. Alright, first, Apple Bloom, could you get back to work on that fence?" Applejack directs her sister. "Then when you're finished, go back and help Granny Smith back at the barn. There're some chores around there that still need doing." "Alright, sis!" Apple Bloom acknowledges with a smile. Before leaving to do as she was told, she gives me an apologetic frown. "Sorry for screaming at you, Mr. Rogers." I give her a terse nod, but I don't say anything else. However, It's enough to make her smile briefly before running back to the fence. Now I'm left alone with Applejack. The mare motions towards the apple trees in the distance and then walks in that direction. I take a moment to grab my rifle from the pile of tools, and then I fall into step beside her. "I have to say, it's right convenient you showed up when you did, Mr. Rogers," Applejack expresses happily as she leads me past the fence and into the orchard. "I was just mentioning to Granny how we were running out of time before the first snows." "You can just call me Seth," I inform her, getting tired of being referred to so formally. It feels strange to be called that, after being referred to just by my first name for most of my life. "Works for me. Seth's easier to say anyhow," Applejack comments with a smile. She weaves to our right through the trees until we come to one particular tree next to which is a wooden cart half filled with wooden baskets. Many of these baskets are filled to the brim with luscious red and green apples, while others are empty. Several of the empty baskets are arranged in an oddly specific manner around the tree. "You any good at apple bucking?" "I... can't say I've ever heard the term," I confess, watching Applejack trot over towards the tree. "That's okay, I'll show you. Stay back a moment," Applejack directs me. I obediently stand over by the cart, resting my back against the stationary vehicle. Once she notes that I'm out of the way, Applejack turns her back to the tree and gives it a powerful kick with her back two legs. To my utter shock, the entire tree shakes from the impact with such force that each and every apple in the tree is dislodged, falling to the ground like rain. I can't help but stare in awe. Such a feat would require a great deal of strength; strength that one wouldn't think such a small pony could possess, but here it seems as though it doesn't take much effort on Applejack's part at all. The apples fall into the placed baskets with precision, with only one or two apples falling on the ground. It's almost as if Applejack knew where the apples would fall beforehand and used that knowledge to determine where the baskets should go. However, each tree is different, so this makes it seem as though she knows her trees to the point where she can determine where each apple will fall. Not only is Applejack deceptively strong, but she's a lot smarter than I initially gave her credit for. "That's what apple bucking is. You think you can do that?" Applejack questions, walking up to me. She's not even breathing harder after that unreal show of strength. I immediately shake my head. "That's just not possible. I'm nowhere near that strong. My legs would break if I tried," I admit. Applejack nods, taking another look at my legs muscles. "I thought so. Like I said earlier, you ain't got much muscle," Applejack observes. She smiles and presses a hoof to my leg in an attempt to reassure me. "No big deal. I still know a way you can help." "I can help you lift those baskets onto the cart," I offer, indicating the filled apple baskets by the tree. "That's just what I was thinking," Applejack agrees, nodding approvingly. "This'll go faster if I have you doing the lifting and placing for me while I buck the trees. We'll toughen you up in no time!" "Sounds like fun." As much as I've been trying to rein myself in, I can't help but say something sarcastic. Thankfully, Applejack takes it in stride, giving a chuckle. "Come on, let's get started. We've got a lot of apple bucking to get done before the day's done. Get ready to feel that burn, Seth!" Applejack asserts, rearing up and kicking her front hooves out of excitement. I heave a sigh and move to pick up the first of the baskets. I can't complain too much; I did ask for this. Either way, this is going to be the longest day I've ever had.
Tales of the Oppressed	6. Working Class Hero (rw)	The work is every bit as difficult and strenuous as expected. Initially, the job appeared to be simple and thoughtless, requiring nothing more than physical effort on my part, yet as time goes on, my muscles grow heavy and burn like fire with every exertion. A thin sheen of sweat soon coats my body, soaking into the denim of my jeans, covering my upper body, and rolling down my brow. It's a good thing it's only chilly and not freezing just yet, or I would certainly catch something. To add to the ever increasing discomfort, my side aches painfully as well. The task is very repetitive and dull. According to Applejack, the whole apple orchard needs to be harvested before the winter comes and the snow starts to fall. Considering the size of this orchard, there's possibly hundreds of apple trees that still need to be harvested before then. I have to stifle my groans, knowing that this difficult monotonous job is going to be my whole afternoon. Every hour or so, the wagon becomes filled to capacity, requiring Applejack and I to return to the central area where the barn is located in order to store the harvested apples. After Applejack leads me to a cellar located underneath the main barn, the two of us unload the baskets of apples and empty them into tightly packed barrels, which are then sealed. It's colder down here than it is outside, likely for the same reason Twilight's library remains warm in this weather. It's somewhat interesting to see, as I've never been familiar with how apples were stored during the winter. Moving on to Applejack herself, she's not an overbearing taskmaster. Her diction is rather unspecific and rustic; for example, sometimes she'll use general terms to describe certain objects. Despite this, it's usually clear as to what she's referring to, and doesn't detract from her overall meaning. She's very efficient and to the point, her words leaving little room for interpretation. She also does a great job at keeping me in working order, as she regularly stops by the living area to fill up provided canteens with water to bring with us. She's not stupid; she knows that it's vital we stay hydrated. The only issue I have with Applejack is her attempts to make friendly conversation. She hasn't asked anything too personal just yet, so it's been simple for me to deflect her attempts with short, clipped answers or grunts, but if she's like any of the other ponies, it's only a matter of time. "Alright, Seth, let's take a short break," Applejack announces partly after we return from one of our unloading trips. Judging from the position of the sun in the sky, I estimate four hours have passed since we've started working. Even though it's only been such a short time, I'm exhausted, and it takes every last ounce of willpower not to sigh in relief at the welcome respite. Applejack snickers as she watches me slide my back down against a tree. My breathing is clearly audible and doesn't come to me easily, my chest heaving. "You ain't done an honest day's work in your whole life, have you?" she observes with an amused smile. Standing in stark contrast to my sorry state, Applejack's breathing is steady and composed. "Is it that obvious?" I can't help but say, sarcasm finding its way into my voice. Applejack just chuckles as she sits down on her haunches beside me. "If you're worried about my ability to continue, don't be. I'm not giving up." "That's good to hear. I reckon you'll get a lot stronger by the end of the harvest season," Applejack reasons. "All this exercise can only do you good." I know she's right, yet it doesn't make me feel any better. It's difficult to feel optimistic about what could happen in the future when there's nothing but pain to come. I certainly hope this gets easier... though I should keep it realistic. I likely won't be here long enough to reap any benefits from repeated workouts like this. As for how long that'll be... "Applejack," I pant after taking a long draught from my canteen. Applejack glances over curiously. "It's probably rude of me to ask, but how much are you willing to pay me for this?" "That ain't rude. It's only natural you'd want to know. I doubt you're here for the fun of it," Applejack teases me gently, tilting her hat so that it shades her eyes from the sun. I do my best to keep from rolling my eyes. "I figured I'd give you a bit for every hour you work. It ain't much, but y'all get breaks and dinner included in that. Provided that the breaks are short of course." "A bit every hour?" That sounds abysmally low, even for a minimum wage employee. Granted, I say that assuming the one to one basis, in which case I'd be making a dollar an hour. This time, however, I have to ask. "How much is a bit actually worth?" "Right, I forgot you ain't from Equestria," Applejack recalls, nodding understandingly. "One bit'll get you about ten or twelve apples, depending on size and season of course." "I see," I respond, mulling over her answer. I haven't bought any apples personally, nor did I pay much attention in passing when I went to shop for groceries during my era, so I'm not certain how well that translates into American currency. However, ten apples is enough food to get me through a majority of the day while hydrating me at the same time. "Speaking of apples," Applejack glances at one of the baskets that we just finished filling. With a quick flick of her hoof, she opens her mouth wide enough to chomp down on the apple whole, her strong jaws crushing it to pieces. The mare appears extremely satisfied with the morsel, apple juice trickling down her chin. "Mm-mm! Delicious!" "You sure you can eat your own merchandise like that?" I question her, raising an eyebrow at the sight. Applejack wipes off her chin with a hoof and swallows. "It's no big deal," she dismisses. When she notices me looking less than satisfied by that answer, she continues. "With all these apples we harvest, we're bound to get more than we can sell. So it's fine if we eat an apple here and there." "So you're saying your farm regularly produces surplus crop," I reiterate to make sure I understand her correctly. Applejack nods in confirmation. "That makes sense, I suppose." With that in mind, I take one of the apples as well. If what she's saying is true, then I'd technically be doing her a favor by reducing the surplus crop. At the very least, she made it clear that food was included in the pay. With that in mind, I bite into the apple greedily, finding the flavour rich and delicious. "Good, aren't they? Nothing beats a nice juicy apple fresh off the tree!" Applejack proclaims, beaming as I continue to devour the apple in an attempt to sate my burning hunger. Eventually, however, we do have to get back to work. "Anyhow, let's get back to it. Those trees ain't gonna buck themselves." I nod and rise to my feet, doing my best to choke back a pained groan from the lingering fatigue. I follow Applejack back to the cart, doing my best to finish the apple in my hand before returning to work. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask: you're new to Equestria, right? How are you liking the place?" Applejack asks me conversationally while we head to the next tree. I shake my head, unsurprised at the question. I knew she was going to ask me something like this sooner or later. I have nothing purely positive to say, but I can't exactly tell her my true feelings. "Hard to say. I've never been anywhere outside of Ponyville," I reply. The two of us pull up to the next tree, and our conversation continues throughout our work. "That's as good a place to start as any," Applejack responds amicably. "Ponyville's a nice place with some nice folks; it's hard to come up with anything to complain about. Don't you agree?" "I... can't say I share your opinion." There was no way to get around that question without lying, so I have to tell the truth as best as I can without alienating her. I still need her for this job. "Why's that?" Applejack isn't looking at me due to our efforts placing the baskets, though I can hear the curiosity in her voice. "To be honest, every pony I've met has either been rather... eccentric." That's not exactly the right use of that word, but it's the nicest way I can express how frustrating these ponies have been in their attempts to be friendly. "In one case, a pony was actually rather abrasive." "Abrasive? She didn't happen to brag a lot, did she?" Applejack comments wryly. "She did, now that you mention it. Why, do you know her?" I answer readily, glad for the change in topic to someone other than myself. "That's probably Rainbow Dash. She's a little rough around the edges, but her heart's in the right place. She's a good friend of mine." Applejack reveals with a knowing chuckle. I suppress the growing wave of unease that passes through me after hearing that. I wasn't exactly kind to Rainbow. In the worst case, I'll have to find a new job if she ends up telling Applejack about my harsh words. "I'm surprised you never mentioned Pinkie Pie. Haven't you met her yet?" "You know, I keep hearing that name. Every pony seems to talk about her fondly, yet I don't believe I've ever seen her," I respond, interested enough to ask. "Though usually the word 'party' is involved whenever her name comes up." "Sounds about right. That's what she's known for, apart from just being friendly to everypony in general," Applejack confirms with a grin. "Though I'm surprised you never met her. She's usually the first pony to know about newcomers." "Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps she's so busy getting ready for the party tonight that she has little time for somebody new?" I suggest, lifting a filled basket up onto the cart. I then have to rest for a second, my breath coming heavily once more. "Trust me, she always makes time for a new friend. You should drop by her house and say hello! You can't miss her; bright pink coat, frizzy mane, balloons for a cutie mark," Applejack describes for me. As I lift another basket up from the ground, I find that I recognize that description. I can't keep from scowling somewhat after the memory returns to me of the pink pony who had knocked me over yesterday. That's the pony that everyone considers the friendliest in Ponyville? I'm not exactly impressed with what I experienced. "I'll...keep that in mind," I concede, not wanting to continue that particular topic. Unfortunately, the conversation soon takes a turn for the worse when Applejack brings up the inevitable. "Speaking of friends, what about you? You made any friends since coming to Ponyville?" Applejack questions me as we finish loading the back. I pause, sighing heavily. That's as personal as it gets. Politeness has done me well so far, but I'm beginning to realize that it only makes other ponies think I'm open to these sorts of questions. "Not really," I admit to her. Together, the two of us move the cart to the next tree, making steady progress. "I haven't exactly been looking for any, either." "That's a downright shame. You seem like a decent enough sort," Applejack responds with a frown. I release a breath of disbelief. Just as I thought, she's mistaken my politeness for friendliness. There's only one way to handle this now. "Tell you what, how about I introduce you to my friends after we're finished?" "No thank you. Firstly, I am busy with a second job tonight and don't have time to kill. Secondly, I won't be in town for that long. I'm gathering enough money for travel expenses, and then I'm leaving Ponyville," I reveal to her as we position the baskets around the next tree. "I suppose that makes sense. I don't see no reason why you can't have some fun while you're here, though," Applejack points out to me, the mare refusing to let me off easy. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not argue about it," I return, making sure to keep my voice level and edgeless. It's getting increasingly harder to remain diplomatic. I decide to finish the conversation in a way that would hammer my point home. "I appreciate your attempt, but you're my boss and I'm your temporary employee. Perhaps we could leave it at that." That one sentence makes it very clear to Applejack exactly where the two of us stand. She pauses just before bucking the tree and gives me a lingering gaze, her lips forming a disappointed frown. "Okay. If that's what you want, I guess I can respect that," Applejack finally concedes, and she returns to her work. With a swift grunt, she bucks the tree hard, dislodging any apples in its branches into the waiting baskets below. I walk towards the first basket, feeling relieved. I suppose at the end of the day, Applejack isn't the worst pony I've had to deal with in Ponyville. She's been reasonable, level headed, and hasn't tried to force her friendship on me as much as the others have. If it stays like this, my work here will be much easier to deal with from now on... until it's time for me to leave Ponyville. From then on, things are quiet between Applejack and I. The only conversation between us consists of her working with me to position the baskets correctly. It suits me just fine, and allows me to focus better on my work. The rest of the workday passes agonizingly slowly, pushing me to the very brink of my stamina and endurance. If it weren't for the short breaks giving me time to rest, the occasional apple soothing my hunger, and the constant water supply keeping me hydrated, I'd have collapsed from exhaustion a long time ago. When the sun begins its descent towards the horizon and the sky begins to darken, Applejack at last allows us to call it a day. It's difficult not to cry out in relief; currently it feels as though my body is made of lumps of heavy iron, with burning molten lead searing through my veins. Every slight movement causes me pain. "Let's get the cart back to the barn," Applejack directs me once we've finished unloading the current haul into the storage cellar. "You did good today, Seth. How are you holding up?" "About... as well... as you'd expect..." I grunt miserably, much to Applejack's amusement. I knew this was going to be hell, but it wasn't as though I had a better choice. I didn't have the time to leisurely search through the town for a better, easier job. "We'll get some muscle on you yet," Applejack chuckles, tapping my aching leg briefly with a forehoof. "Er... provided you're still in town of course. Any estimate on when you're leaving? Hopefully not before the harvest ends, right?" At that last question, Applejack turns her head to face me and puts on a hopeful wide smile. I assume she wants me to stay until then to make her workload easier. "I'm not entirely sure," I answer honestly. I still have to determine the worth of an actual bit, calculate the total pay I earn per week, and then discover the cost of traveling further to the north. Once I know all of that, I'll know how much money I'll need to accomplish my goal. Once I have all I need, I'm leaving Ponyville, severing any ties I've made immediately without a second thought. "I can't make any promises. At the very least, I'll be around for a week or two." "That should be plenty of time. Won't be long until the snows come, after all," Applejack assures me. She pauses a moment to open up the main barn, and then the two of us pass into the structure. "Let's just get the cart up against the wall, and that'll be it." This is my first time seeing the inside of the barn, so I take a moment to glance around. There isn't much to see, however. The barn is mostly empty, with a wide open expanse of hay stretching over the majority of the floor. On the other end of the room, there's a ladder leading up to a small loft area, which is supported by multiple white pillars engraved with simple decorative designs. The walls are lined with multiple layers of wooden shelves, each containing various farm tools and equipment, such as pitchforks, sickles, and shears. There are bales of hay stacked up in one corner, and on the other end of the room, there's an aisle of hay that's separated from the rest of the barn by a painted wooden partition. Once the two of us manage to maneuver the cart against the wall as she wanted, Applejack steps back with an approving nod. "Right, that takes care of that," she affirms. With that, I rest my back against the wall, attempting to catch my breath. Applejack notes my exhaustion with amusement, but doesn't comment on it. "Anyhow, come on inside while I get your pay." Even though I'm far from collected, the thought of payment spurs me into motion. I make sure to grab my rifle from where I left it in the cart and then fall in step beside Applejack, following her through a door in the far left corner of the barn. I find myself stepping through a short hallway into a living area of rustic design, consisting of a rectangular room with oak wooden floors and soft beige walls, a circular orange rug covers the floor in the center of the room. On the walls hang multiple framed pictures of different sizes depicting a wide variety of different ponies. The windows are set into the far wall, decorated with teal drapes. Through them, I'm able to gaze out over the farm. To my right after exiting the barn, I note a narrow staircase set into the back wall leading to a second floor. Additionally, there's an opening in the wall on the right leading into a dining hall adjoined to a sizable kitchen. From that direction, I hear the sound of cabinets opening and closing. The apple-laden scent of cooking food drifts in from the kitchen causing my mouth to water. "Granny Smith, isn't dinner ready yet? I'm hungry!" Apple Bloom calls into the kitchen, the yellow filly bounding down the stairs. Her coat and mane are slightly damp, suggesting that she's recently washed. "It'll be ready when it's ready, little Bloom! Have some patience!" An elderly female voice screeches in from the kitchen in time with the clattering of dishes. "If you really want it sooner, come in and set the table!" "Okay, I'm coming!" Apple Bloom declares, and then she zips past me to the kitchen, greeting me briefly as she goes. "Hi, Seth!" Applejack chuckles at the scene and moves towards the front door. She opens it briefly and pokes her head outside. "Big Mac! Put those ears of corn in the cellar and come on in for the night! It's getting dark and dinner's almost done!" she announced. Once the larger stallion had acknowledged her, she shut the door and walked over to the stairs. "I'm gonna grab your pay from upstairs. Be just a sec." I sigh and recline against the wall, wanting more than anything to find someplace comfortable to rest. I do my best to keep from thinking about the fact that I'm going to be repeating this misery the next morning. The front door soon opened to reveal Big MacIntosh, the stallion's fur matted with perspiration. It looks as though he's been working as hard as we have. Upon spotting me, he gives a short nod. "How was your first day?" he asks simply, closing the door behind him. "Exhausting, to say the least," I answer. Big MacIntosh nods understandingly. "Seems about right," is all he says before he heads for the stairs. That was a rather short conversation, but that suits me just fine. As the big stallion climbs the stairs, I can feel the vibrations of his heavy hooves plodding on the wood through the wall. I hear the sound of running water above a few moments later, suggesting that Big MacIntosh was next in line for a wash. Not long after that, Applejack returns from upstairs, carrying a small sack in her mouth. She drops the sack into my waiting hand, the currency inside jangling upon landing. "There you go! Six bits. You earned them," Applejack announces with a pleased smile. "You going to be back tomorrow morning?" "Most likely. How early do you want me?" I reply, dreading the answer. "Probably around eight o'clock, if you can manage that," Applejack supplies helpfully. "I can do that." I nod, accepting that. Eight in the morning is pretty standard for a job. I'll be working longer than I did today, assuming we stop at the same time, which means more money (and more pain) for me. That aside, now that I've accepted my pay, I have no further reason to remain. "Now then, if you'll excuse me." "Hold up just a moment. Dinner's just about done; you wanna come in and share a bite?" Applejack offers just as my hand is reaching for the door. "It's included as part of your pay if you want it." I pause, thinking that over. She's right that she promised food as well as money, but I'm not too keen on the idea of dinner with her family. I've always preferred to eat alone... but that's hardly a justification for turning down her offer. "No thank you. With how many apples you let me eat, I think you've more than made up for that obligation," I reason. It's a weak excuse at best... but I don't want to eat with them. In the best case, I'd end up excluding myself and letting them pretend I wasn't there, but in the worst case... they might start expecting my presence. I'm leaving Ponyville eventually. I'd prefer not to leave with strings attached. "I suppose that's true. You did eat quite a few. You must have been hungry," Applejack admits with a snicker. She changes tack, giving me a friendly smile. "Then how about you come eat with us just because we have an empty seat?" "No thank you," I repeat simply without a second thought, and then I turn my back and move for the door. "Okay. See you tomorrow morning!" Applejack calls after me, not sounding perturbed in the least by my repeated refusals. Without anything left to stop me, I hoist open the door and step outside into the chilly air. I shudder involuntarily once I leave the barn behind. It's growing rapidly darker, and the temperature is quickly dropping. The ground around my feet is still dry, but the air smells of rain, supporting Flitter's early prediction of a coming storm. I certainly hope six bits in addition to Vinyl's payment is enough to afford lodging for a night. If not... I'm going to be hard-pressed to survive the coming night. I set myself back on the path that leads to town, resigning myself to the long walk back. In the meantime, perhaps I can learn something about this era's currency. I tuck my rifle beneath my arm and open the sack, fishing around for one of the bits. I feel soft metal brushing against my fingers briefly before I withdraw a bit. There's just enough light to make out the details of the small round coin. The color of the coin is golden, seeming rich enough in luster to compare to real gold. Attempting to scratch the metal proves fruitless, suggesting that if there is gold involved in the coin's creation, it's likely as part of an alloy of some sort. On one side of the coin is the engraved image of a fiery sun, with a strange inscription written in Equestrian just beneath it. On the other side is the image of a regal pony with a long flowing mane and a lengthy horn. Atop her head rests an ornate crown, complete with what looks to be a gemstone set into the front. Given the presence of the sun on the other side and the pony's crown, I can only draw the conclusion that I'm looking at the Solar Princess. Despite the fact that it's pony currency, it's always interesting to see the currency of another country. It's ironic that I enjoy learning more about civilization through observation rather than through interaction with its citizens. Even that will pass, however. Once I leave to deal with Sombra, it won't matter much about the civilization I leave behind. My mood dampened by that somber thought, I continue on my path to the town. I can see lights in the distance, alerting me to Ponyville's increasing proximity. Now that I can see the town, I turn my thoughts to my next order of business. I told Vinyl she could find me by the bridge in the town square, so once I reach the town proper, I make that my next destination. With luck, after I help Vinyl set up her equipment, I'll be able to use the rest of the party to relax and wind down, provided I can find a quiet corner somewhere. I don't know much about the parties that Pinkie throws, but the last thing I want is a super loud and obnoxious party. I make my way into the square, aiming for the bridge. The ponies are still reacting to my presence with bemusement and awe, though every time I walk through town, their reactions are less and less noticeable. Some of them even try to catch my eye in an attempt to talk, but I stubbornly refuse to glance their way or divert my path. Once I reach the bridge, I sit down with a pained grunt on a nearby bench that faces the river. It takes all of my mental discipline not to pitifully sprawl out on the bench. This is the first time I've been able to get off my feet since I began work at Applejack's farm. I sit there for several minutes until my breath returns to me. Before I know it, my phone is out in front of me. I realize what I've done and shake my head, lowering the device. I must have retrieved it out of habit; I always used to do something on my phone to kill time when waiting for something. The phone is useless now, apart for what operates locally. According to the still ticking clock, it's almost seven. I also notice that the battery has dropped much lower than before. My mood further declines. As I thought, not even airplane mode combined with the low power setting will keep my phone running forever. I move to turn off the phone entirely, but a moment of weakness causes me to pause and open up my picture folder instead. I didn't take pictures that often, but I still had a significant amount, as I never deleted the ones I did take. My pictures dated all the way back to when I first started college,. The most recent one was several months back, when our college held a formal dance to commemorate the opening of the new and improved student hall. Tapping on that image enlarges it to reveal Amaryllis and myself standing by the entrance to the aforementioned student hall, where throngs of students were already filtering inside. Amaryllis was wearing a stunning black dress that accentuated her form nicely, as well as the silver necklace garnished with an emerald green stone that I'd given her a year or so before that. That's a whole different story, but it suffices to say that I never saw her without it after that. Amaryllis was wearing the closest thing to a smile you'd ever see her wear. For the sake of the picture, her hand had been wrapped about my waist to bring me in closer, which had made me very visibly uncomfortable at the time. That was something you always saw the men doing to the women in these pictures, not the other way around. Yet, as per usual, Amaryllis had always shrugged it off and teased me, saying that it was because I was her "princess." As for me, I was just wearing a run of the mill suit that you'd find at a store, though it was well maintained, as my mother had insisted on ironing it repeatedly until it was perfect. Despite how flustered I had been to be dragged there by Amaryllis, I was still happy to spend that time with her. In the end, that was all that mattered. I shut my eyes tightly and press the hand that's still clutching the phone against my forehead, the emptiness in my chest turning into pain after reliving those memories. This piece of technology is all I have left of her and my family. The thought of my phone dying and cutting me off from those memories forever is almost too much to bear. It feels as though a piece of me dies as well as I power off the phone for good. This is the only way to save the battery for a long period of time... but in the end, I suppose it's the same as losing it. There's no sign of Vinyl yet. It seems I'll be waiting here for some time. I return the phone to my pocket and lay my head back on the bench, looking up at the darkening sky. The first thing I notice is the wave of dark clouds sweeping from the east, led by a towering thunderhead. Flitter was right on the money, I suppose. A storm like that will certainly be the death of me if I stay out in the opening. I blink, noticing something odd about the thunderclouds. Small colored dots weave in and out of the cloud with a strange sense of purpose. I have no explanation for this... I've never seen anything like that in a thunderstorm. My confusion soon turns to complete shock as I realize what I'm looking at. Each of the colored dots possesses two feathery wings, revealing them to be pegasi. I'm utterly confounded by that sight. Getting that close to a thundercloud could only result in electrocution and likely death. However, the pegasi don't seem to be in any danger at all. In fact, the opposite is true. My jaw drops when I see the pegasi physically altering the structure of the thunderhead. It seems impossible, but the pegasi appear to be touching and molding the clouds themselves with their hooves and flight patterns. I even notice one pegasus actually pull a clump of cloud from elsewhere in the sky and apply it to the main anvil. I get to my feet, trembling in the face of what I'm seeing. What they're doing now violates everything I've ever been taught about meteorology. Everybody knew that as water was heated, it rose and eventually condensed to form rain. So what in the nine circles of hell am I looking at? The pegasi clearly look to be in control of the storm system, to the point where it even seems as though they're physically pushing the storm towards the town. My mind flashes back to my conversation with Flitter, where she mentioned that the weather team hadn't "made the storm" yet. Was she... speaking literally? Does the weather team literally create the weather? "Oh hey, Seth!" I hear a familiar voice address me in the midst of my speechlessness. Lyra, the mare I met outside of the club last night, walks around the bench and smiles at me. Though, of course, I can't respond to her, as I'm too caught up in the fantastical sight in the skies above me. Lyra waves a hoof in front of me. "Hello? Are you there? Whatcha gawking at?" "Tell me I'm not crazy," is the first thing I can think of to say. When Lyra tilts her head in confusion, I point up to the thunderhead. "What the hell are those pegasi doing up there by the storm?" Lyra follows my finger until she sees what I'm talking about, but it doesn't make her look any less confused. "What do you mean? They're putting the storm together for tonight," she questions further, as though what I'm seeing is an everyday occurrence. She takes note of my expression. "Did you not know about this?" "Know about what? That pegasi can apparently control the weather? How are you talking about that like it's normal?" I demand, turning away from the impossible spectacle to face Lyra, who is beginning to look amused by my reaction. "It is normal for us, though. Pegasi have always been in charge of the weather. It's why we have a weather team. Without them, we'd never have rain," Lyra answers with a shrug. She giggles at my slack jawed expression. "You should really see your face. Did humans not have a weather team?" "We did, but we predicted the weather, we didn't cause it!" I snap back. So many questions rush through my mind that my head starts to hurt. What happened to the weather that it needs pegasi to control it now? How do the pegasi determine where the weather should be, and how intense it should be? Does this also include differences in pressure and temperature? How widespread is this weather anomaly? Why is it necessary for a storm so large to be created if it's under pony control? Does this mean there's no longer severe weather such as hurricanes or tornadoes? "This is... but that's... I have too many questions!" I groan, rubbing my now aching head. Lyra just bursts out laughing, entirely too amused at my distress. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!" "You're just getting so flustered over this!" Lyra chortles, not even bothering to stifle her laughter in the slightest. "If it's that big of a deal, just don't think about it." "Don't think about...!?" I sputter incredulously, but then I stop, realizing that I'm losing my composure. I close my eyes and take several deep breaths. "So let me get this straight: pegasi regularly control the weather?" "That's right. I'm not sure how it all works, but pegasi can touch clouds as if they were solid. They're just vapor to the rest of us," Lyra answers, calming down as well. "How did humans handle the weather, if they didn't control it?" "We didn't need to control it. Weather acted on its own; we either took countermeasures to avoid flooding or other damage... or in the case of severe weather, we got the hell out of its way," I reply, seeing no reason to withhold that information. Lyra is answering my questions for me, so I should answer hers in turn. "Oh, interesting. Weather works like that in the Everfree... and I heard it's wild outside of Equestria too," Lyra reveals to me, creating yet more questions to which I don't have the answers. Weather works naturally outside of Equestria? So why are the laws of nature defunct in Equestria, as opposed to everywhere else? "By the way, did you ever get to talk with Vinyl Scratch last night?" "What? Yes, I did," I answer, surprised at the sudden change in topic. I'm still not over the fact that weather no longer works as I remember it. Yet nevertheless, I suppose I should answer. "I am waiting here to meet her." "Oh, are you now?" Lyra looks astonished by that. It doesn't take long before a mischievous smile forms on her face. "Guess you got farther than those other stallions after all. Way to go!" I stifle a gag at the insinuation that Lyra just made. I give her a cold stare through narrowed eyes. "I would appreciate it if you didn't make jokes. I have neither the time nor the patience," I berate her sternly. "If you must know, I'm working for her now. My intention was never to 'chat her up' like those base stallions to which you refer." "Wow, talk about a harsh shutdown," Lyra doesn't seem chastened at all, the mare snickering behind a hoof. "Calm down, I'm only teasing." I grunt and turn my gaze away from her. I'm beginning to dislike this mare. The fact that she thinks she can tease me is troublesome enough. "Surely you have something better to do than hang around here making jokes." I try to make it clear to her that I've grown tired of her presence. "I would say I don't, but now that you mention it, I should probably go get ready for the party tonight," Lyra replies ruefully, tapping her chin with a hoof. "Are you going to come?" "It's part of my job with Vinyl now, so I have little choice," I admit reluctantly. "Cool! I guess I'll see you then!" Lyra responds excitedly, completely disregarding the annoyance in my previous response. She turns around and starts to trot away, giving me a wave. "I hope you know how to dance!" As Lyra's retreating form turns into another street, I sit back down and shake my head in dismay. "Did you even hear a word I said?" I emit to no one, disbelief coloring my voice. I don't know how I can make it any clearer to her that I don't want to be her friend. Now she apparently wants to dance with me. This can't possibly get any worse. The wind picks up as the storm closes in, ruffling through my ragged hair and chilling my exposed skin. I shiver, already noticing the gradual drop in temperature as the evening dragged on. The square eventually empties out, the merchant ponies packing up their wares and vacating the area. Some of them join up and leave together, talking and laughing amongst one another. More than once I hear the word "party" from their mouths. I suppose that just goes to prove how popular these parties are, considering half the town seems to enjoy them. At last, I spot Vinyl arriving in the square from one of the other streets, already wearing the sunglasses that I've never seen her without. She looks uncertainly around the square for a few moments until she spots me standing up from the bench. She picks up the pace and trots towards me, a smile forming on her face. "Hey, Seth! What's up?" Vinyl greets me amiably, coming to a stop just in front of me. I give her a terse nod in response. She glances at my skin with a frown. "You look pretty rough, dude. It got pretty cold last night, I heard. You alright?" "I'm fine, more or less. It was cold, but it was nothing I couldn't recover from," I answer, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. "My current condition is likely from working on Applejack's farm." "Oh, you're working for her too now?" Vinyl questions curiously. "I need all the money I can get. Whether or not I have down time doesn't matter to me," I explain with a shrug. "That's not a problem, is it?" "Nah, you're cool. My gigs are in the evenings anyway, so this works out...though I don't envy your workload," Vinyl remarks with a wry smirk. "Hope you're not too exhausted to do a little extra lifting." "Don't worry about it. I'll do what I'm being paid to do," I sigh, resigning myself to the job ahead. "So where do you keep your equipment in between shows?" "My house! Got a soundproofed room I can practice in whenever I got a free night," Vinyl answers with a hoof pressed proudly against her chest. A gust of stronger wind sweeps through the square, cutting off whatever she was going to say next. Vinyl wrinkles her nose. "Alright, come on. We need to get my equipment over to Sugarcube Corner before that storm hits." "Good idea." I join Vinyl as we walk back to the street from whence she arrived. "Do you have a tarp you can use to cover your equipment, just in case?" "Yup, and I've used it before. But do you really want to push my tables through the streets in the pouring rain?" Vinyl points out with distaste. "That's fair. At least you thought ahead." After that, we fall silent, our pace quickening as the biting wind blows harder. Vinyl leads me through various streets until we come to a clearing on a grassy hill where a house resides somewhat separated from the others. The lawn looks untidy and untended to, except for a single hedge shaped into a musical eighth note.The house itself is rather nondescript, possessing two stories, wood and plaster walls, and a wooden roof covered with thatch. "Step inside real quick while I get the ramp," Vinyl directs me, the door opening telekinetically. I do as I'm told, walking through the door into a delightfully warm interior. Vinyl walks in behind me, though she first props the door open with a large smooth stone. "This is my pad! I'd tell you to take a look around and make yourself at home, but I really want to beat this storm." "You and me both," I mutter, wanting more than anything to stay and keep warm in here. I take a quick look around, noticing a huge rectangular plastic cart containing Vinyl's turntables, speakers, and smaller sealed tubs. On both ends of the cart are slender metal bars. Once I've tucked the rifle beneath my arm, I walk around to the other end and clasp the bar tightly. "I found your equipment. You about ready to get moving?" "Just about!" Vinyl calls back. As I watch, she produces a wooden ramp from beneath an end table set against the left wall. With her magic, she sents the ramp down just outside the front door, the oddly shaped bottom fitting perfectly against the steps. "Alright, wheel her out. Push from the back, and I'll handle this end." I obediently plant my feet and exert my weight towards the cart. My side burns immediately, causing me to hiss sharply with pain. Thankfully, it isn't long before I feel Vinyl pulling from the other end with her magic. Together, we navigate the cart out through the front door and down the ramp. Once the cart is solidly on level ground, Vinyl lifts up the ramp and sets inside the cart as well. Then, she steps back inside just long enough to produce the tarp we'd spoken of earlier and stretch it over the mouth of the cart. Once she ensures the door is shut tightly behind us, we start to push the cart down the street. The two of us don't do much talking at first. I don't have much to say to her, and the wind is blowing so strongly that it'll be difficult to hear one another before long. The wind, combined with my own attempts to spare my side any undue pain, makes it difficult to maintain a solid grip on my rifle. After the second time adjusting its position, I inadvertently draw Vinyl's attention. A quiet curse leaves my lips after the third time the rifle slips. Before I can grab it, a magenta aura engulfs the rifle, halting its downward momentum. I let out a small cry when the rifle jerks out of my grip. "Hey, give that back!" I demand, anxiety striking me like a hammer blow. Vinyl raises a brow when she notices my sudden change in demeanor. "Chill out, I'm not stealing it from you or anything," Vinyl assures me. "You just looked like you were having a hard time keeping ahold of it. You care if I put it in the cart?" The unreasonable urge to decline her offer and take the rifle back forcefully comes over me, proving difficult to suppress. I screw my eyes shut and take a deep breath, telling myself that Vinyl's suggestion makes sense, and that the rifle will be right in front of me if I need it. I eventually give Vinyl a wordless nod. Vinyl opens up the tarp, flinching at the effort necessary to keep it from blowing away. She swiftly inserts the rifle inside with the rest of her equipment and then closes the tarp back up. "There we go. You can grab it when we're unloading," Vinyl affirms, and then she resumes her telekinetic tugging on the front of the cart. "By the way, what is that thing? I've never seen you without it, so it must be important." "It... used to be a weapon, a long time ago. Now it's just a piece of inert metal," I hesitantly answer. Vinyl looks intrigued by that. "For real? That's one funky looking weapon. Bet my mom would love to get her hooves on that," she declares. "What was it, a club?" "Might as well have been, for all the good it did," I say bitterly, glaring at the spot in the cart where the rifle lies. "Still, I won't be getting rid of it." "I think I got an old guitar strap back at my house. Might make it easier on you if you're gonna lug it around all the time. Want it?" Vinyl offers after a short awkward silence. "No thank you. You know how I feel about charity," I return, much to her surprise and annoyance. "Charity? Oh come on, dude, this isn't charity. I'm just being nice," Vinyl contests, looking over her shoulder at me. "Don't tell me you're gonna be stubborn about this too." "It's my right to be," I shoot back. "I don't intend to take anything from you or anyone, whether it's a room, guitar strap, or even a blanket." "Why not? It's literally nothing major. I was planning on throwing the thing away anyway," Vinyl appears to be getting rather frustrated. "If I want one, I'll buy one when I have the means." I don't give any ground, earning an annoyed huff from her. "Why do you make it so hard to be nice to you?" Vinyl demands insistently. "I'd really rather not get into that discussion right now," I deny her obstinately. "What I don't understand is why whether or not I accept your help is such a big deal to you." "Because it doesn't make sense. I've never met anyone so adverse to simple kindness," Vinyl expresses vehemently. I shrug, having no better answer for her. "You know, after everything I've heard, I'm wondering if everything is just give and take to you." That phrase gets my attention, a chill independent from the wind settling over me. I open my mouth to ask about what she's heard, but I decide better of it. I meant everything I said to Rainbow Dash... but I'm beginning to regret allowing myself to be pushed to that point. Judging from her influence, it's going to do nothing but come back to bite me. When I don't reply, Vinyl sighs. "Alright, we'll do this your way," she begins, earning my suspicion. "You're working for me right now, so I'm your boss. As your boss, I'm telling you to take that strap," she says resignedly. "What?" Finally I respond, incredulity present in my voice. I want to protest... but I can't. If I reject her now, that's as good as firing myself. While I don't particularly care for her or this job, I can't afford to go without payment for tonight. "If you want an explanation, it's so you'll be able to keep carrying the thing around without having to balance it and your duties for me," Vinyl continues. She gives me an apologetic look. "Sorry, but you clearly won't accept kindness any other way." I'm silent for several moments, breathing deeply in order to suppress my rising ire. I have to respect her when she orders me like this, no matter how much I want to refuse. "Fine," I emit at last, deprived of any other choice. Instead of gloating about it, Vinyl just heaves a disappointed sigh and turns her gaze back forward. We don't speak to one another for the remainder of the trip. I'm not certain where we're going, but I make sure to take in my surroundings as I go; This way I'll be able to find my way to and from these places in the future. Unfortunately, rather than going through the square, Vinyl chooses to take a more direct route through the surrounding streets, making it more difficult for me to remember the route. The streets are almost entirely devoid of any other ponies, save for a few scampering here and there as though they're in a hurry. This is odd, as I remember there being more ponies about in the streets on the previous night. I begin to wonder if perhaps this party is more of an attraction than I was led to believe. After turning a corner, a particularly bizarre building comes into view. It's difficult to make out its details due to how dark it's become, but the front lights illuminate just enough to reveal it's features. It appears to be shaped like a typical gingerbread house, with a roof seemingly made of chocolate and lined with white icing. Two pillars striped like candy canes support a cherry topped overhang above the bright pink door, and a central tower-like structure rising from the center of the roof appears to be fashioned in the design of a cupcake or ice cream cone. To top this all off, a dimly lit sign depicting a heavily frosted cupcake hangs from a post protruding from the corner of the flamboyant building. As I thought, the door is propped open, and ponies from the streets are funneling inside. When one of them catches sight of Vinyl, she squeals and calls out to the others. Not long after that, a familiar pink pony squeezes through the throng of ponies. Now I have a name for her: Pinkie Pie. Pinkie produces a ramp similar to one we used at Vinyl's house and sets it over the front steps, and then she zips over to us with an impossible speed. "Scratchie! You're here just in time! It won't be long before the Cakes get here, and it would be just terrible if we weren't ready in time!" Pinkie addresses her, referring to her by a strange pet name. "Don't worry about a thing, Pinks. I'll be set up in half the usual time today; I hired help," Vinyl responds with a grin, taking a moment to reciprocate a hug from the hyperactive pony. Then, Pinkie's eyes shift to me, widening with recognition. I brace myself mentally for the inevitable conversation. Vinyl hastily adds, "Careful, he can be... a little cranky." "Oh, I know!" Pinkie responds, much to both Vinyl and my surprise. Pinkie approaches me and smiles widely. "Hello again! Thanks for helping out Scratchie here; setting up her equipment is a lot of work!" "It's nothing I'm not equipped to handle," I grunt simply. As Vinyl and I push the cart to the ramp, Pinkie bounces alongside us. 'Bounces' is an apt description, as she quite literally brings all four of her hooves together and propels herself a short distance in the air, only to do it again as soon as she touches the ground. "Are you ready for me in there?" Vinyl interjects before Pinkie can continue talking to me, to my relief. "Yes, indeed-y! I threw the tables and chairs in the back, so the spot's all yours! Roll on up!" Pinkie responds happily. Her voice is exceedingly high pitched; I don't think I've ever heard somebody talk with a voice that high. "Better hurry, that big ol' storm's about to blow!" "Good idea. Come on, Seth, let's get inside before the sky opens up on us," Vinyl agrees, the mare stepping up the ramp. With her help, I put my weight behind the cart and edge it steadily towards the door. Just as the cart rolls inside, an immense thunderclap shatters the silence and a thick curtain of rain sweeps through the streets. "Whew, that was close!" I walk into the building, Pinkie bouncing along just behind me. The first thing I notice is the rich smell of candy and chocolate hanging in the air. It's as though I've stepped into a candy store... and a quick look around confirms that assumption. The main room is roughly shaped like a T, where the flat portion in which I'm standing consists of mostly open space. The point is separated from the rest by two counters, each of which possessing glass fronts and containing sugary confections of all kinds. An old fashioned cash register rests atop one of the counters. Behind the counters is a short hallway with two exits: an archway on the left that leads into a kitchen, and a staircase on the right leading to the upper floors. As for the main portion of the room, most of it seems to have been cleared away to make room for the incredible crowd of ponies within. On the right side of the room are several small round tables where ponies are sitting, and the far wall is lined by covered shelves containing a variety of packaged candies and paraphernalia. In front of these shelves is a lengthy wooden table, atop of which are multiple platters of food. I can see everything from corn chips to punch to cookies and pastries. Just looking at it all makes my mouth water and my stomach growl. On the left side of the room is a raised platform separated from the rest of the area by a small set of steps and a banister. The platform is completely devoid of ponies and Vinyl has her eyes fixed on the area, so that's likely where we're going to be setting up. For the final touch, the area has been extravagantly decorated with brightly colored streamers, balloons, and a large banner stretched across the open expanse above the counters, upon which large indecipherable equestrian characters are written. To top it all off, a shimmering disco ball hangs from the ceiling, the mirrored surfaces shedding motes of white light on the floor. Lastly, there are an excessive amount of ponies here. They're sitting on their haunches chatting to one another, sitting at the tables and sharing snacks together, or even flying through the air in the case of pegasi. Some of them I recognize from my walks through the streets. Others I recognize directly: Twilight Sparkle is in the back of the room, using her telekinesis to touch up any decorations that may have become askew. Applejack, Big MacIntosh, and even Apple Bloom are spread out amongst the crowd, socializing at their leisure. Unfortunately, this makes it likely that they'll notice me and try to approach me. Even worse, if Rainbow Dash attends this party, the situation may grow sour very quickly; Applejack has stated that she is friends with her, and I suspect Vinyl associates with her as well. "Alrighty, you know what to do! I've gotta get back to decorating this super duper incredible cake! You're all gonna love it!" Pinkie exclaims happily, and then she bounces away from us, somehow still able to maneuver through the crowd in that fashion. I shake my head at her hyperactivity. How she has the energy to bounce like that repeatedly is beyond me. "Let's get started! The sooner we're done, the sooner we can indulge and socialize," Vinyl addresses me. I nod, and then we roll the cart up beside the makeshift stage. "Here's good. Now, I'll handle most of the set up like wiring and lights this time, but I need you to get all this equipment out of the cart. Then, I'll have you watch me set up, so you can learn for later." Vinyl approaches the cart and points to the different items inside as she continues. "These tubs all gotta get stacked up on stage, except for the ones that say 'LED.' Those are my lights; we're gonna set those up around the dance floor, so set them down in the corner by the counter." She pauses for a moment, and then she turns her head towards the kitchen. "Speaking of which. Pinks! Can you clear the dance floor for me? I gotta set up!" Pinkie's head pokes out of the kitchen. "Oki Doki Loki!" she chirps. She bounces out into the main area. "Hey everypony! Scratchie's gotta set up, so if you could please make some room?" Her loud voice manages to rise above the chatter of the crowd of ponies in the center of the room and is heeded, though the ponies just mill about uselessly in confusion at first. Once Twilight steps in and starts to direct them into the hallway back by the kitchen, their movement is quicker and better organized. Before too long, Vinyl and I have plenty of space in which to work. Vinyl, satisfied, goes back to pointing out where each individual piece of equipment goes. I follow along and memorize everything that she's pointed out to the best of my ability, but I note that some of her equipment differs in appearance only by their labels. Once she finishes her explanation, I point that out to her. "I can't read your language, Vinyl," I reveal to her sheepishly. Vinyl stares at me briefly, her mouth forming into an "o" shape. "Right, you're new to Equestria. Alright, let me give you a quick crash course," Vinyl decides. She points her hoof at one of the labels. "Okay, this one says LED. You'll need to memorize what it looks like. As for these speakers, you can tell the brand and type by looking at these plaques. This one is from Pony Audio... you can tell by looking at that shape there. That means pony." "Okay, easy enough. What's this one?" I point to one of the larger speakers. "That's a Sennhoofer," Vinyl answers. Her horn glows, and the speakers slowly starts to rise. "Let's get these out first. They're the biggest and attach directly to my tables." I nod, and grasp the other end. For the next half hour, the two of us work together to set up her ensemble. Her turn tables are set up directly in the center of the makeshift stage, with the Sennhoofer speakers on either side of them. The Pony Audio speakers are set up all around the room to allow the sound to reach the ponies from all directions. As for the LEDs, they consist of multicolored spotlights wired with small bulbs arranged in a variety of fancy designs. These spotlights are attached to a rack and suspended in the air on a thick metal stand. Vinyl has to help me set these up around the room, the spotlights angling towards the center of the room. Once all of that's done, Vinyl tasks me with threading the wires throughout the room, connecting the LEDs and the speakers to her turntables, which is assumedly also the conduit through which she channels her mana. While I'm busy with that, Vinyl adjusts her settings and periodically runs sound tests to make sure the speakers and effects are working correctly. Once we're finished, Vinyl approaches me with a smile. "Alright, we're all done. That was much faster than it usually takes me. Thanks for the help," she tells me. "I'll be sure to pay you at the end of the night." "Okay. What should I do in the meantime?" I ask, dusting off my hands against my pants. "Whatever you want! Hang out, socialize, and enjoy the party!" Vinyl says with a shrug. She eyes me closely. "You really seem like you could use the time to blow off steam." "...Right." I turn my back and scoff under my breath. I confirmed that I have to stay until she's finished, at least. I grab my rifle from the cart. "I'll be back later then." Now that Vinyl's finished setting up, the ponies in the hall trickle back out into the center of the room, leaving the back area empty. Noticing that, I make my way through the crowd in an attempt to claim that area for me own. Before I can make it that far, Pinkie emerges from the kitchen balancing a gigantic three-tiered cake atop her nose. My eyes goggle at the seemingly impossible sight. I move out of her way, noticing with further incredulity how she's still bouncing to the same height. The cake platter lands squarely on her nose after each bounce, never once threatening to fall to the floor. "That... seems physically impossible," I mutter to myself once she's passed me by, and then I continue on my course until I reach the end of the hall near the stairs. There's no chairs or benches, so I have little choice but to sit down on the floor with my back against the wall. I have no time to rest. As soon as I try to relax, Pinkie bounces back around the corner. Instead of returning to the kitchen, Pinkie's eyes fixate on me and she zips towards me swiftly. She comes to a stop with her muzzle practically touching my nose, causing me to yelp and topple over. "Hi!" Pinkie greets me brightly, bouncing excitedly in place. I groan and get to my feet, glaring at the pony before me. "I know we got off on the wrong hoof, so I'd love to try again from the beginning this time!" "If you must," I grunt in annoyance. I don't bother trying to follow her movements with my eyes, choosing instead to stare at the point just below where her incessant bouncing brings her to eye level. "You're new in town, and I always like to greet newcomers to Ponyville! I also think you're new to the world, because nopony's seen a human in a super duper long time!" Pinkie shoots off words a mile a minute, making me work hard to fully comprehend everything she's saying. I raise a brow, noticing how she called me a human. She didn't know what I was during our first meeting. Rainbow Dash must have spoken with her already... but if that's the case, then why is she talking to me? "So hi again! My name is Pinkie Pie, and I'm going to be your new bestest friend!" With that, Pinkie starts to bounce in circles around me, making it even harder to maintain eye contact with her. I rub my forehead, a headache starting to form from a combination from her constant movement and her high-pitched voice. More importantly, I'm concerned about what she just said. "I'm not interested," I deny her flatly. I'll shoot her down right at the start. If she's considered the friendliest pony in Ponyville, then I want nothing to do with her. I have little time for such distractions. Shockingly, my cold words do nothing to dampen her spirits. "I know, you don't have to tell me. I heard all about it from Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie responds, confirming my earlier conclusion. "I heard how you don't want friends because you're leaving and how you're supposedly a big meanie pants, but this all makes me want to make you smile even more!" "I..." I stutter, unsure of how to respond to her complete refusal to acknowledge or respect any of what I said to Rainbow Dash. I shake my head, finding it difficult to make any sense of her words. "Why would that even matter to you? You know I'm leaving and not coming back, so why bother?" Pinkie doesn't stop bouncing, even as she lifts up a hoof to scratch at her chin. As she thinks, Twilight emerges from the main room, her head tilting with interest when she notices Pinkie and I talking. "It's all about the memories, silly! Do you regret making friends with the humans that live where you came from?" Pinkie asks innocently, looking me straight in the eye as she asks that. I open my mouth, but no words come out. I... can't lie to myself. If I could do it all over... I'd still become friends with Amaryllis. For this pink pony to say something like that to me... like she understands... bitterness and anger rise up from within me. "You..." I force out through gritted teeth, my hands balling into fists. I then realize what I'm doing and bite back my scathing words, realizing where I am and the possible consequences of flying off the handle here could be. "You didn't answer my question. Why do you care?" "That's easy! It's because everypony knows how lonely and frightening it can be to arrive in a new place without any friends to help them!" Pinkie answers brightly, heedless of the effect her previous question had on me. "So I'm going to be the first to say welcome welcome-" Pinkie actually starts to sing in a level, focused voice, but before she can continue with her song, Twilight cuts in between us, looking extremely nervous. "Hey... Pinkie...! Maybe you shouldn't crowd Seth just yet... he's a little... uh..." Twilight starts to say, but then she becomes conscious of my pointed stare, causing her to laugh nervously and sweat. "Pinkie, I could have sworn I saw somepony bringing in a dessert that I've never seen before." Pinkie stops bouncing and gasps melodramatically. "A new dessert!? I have to taste it!" The hyperactive mare zips back into the main room in search of this dessert-bearing pony that may or may not actually exist. I let out the breath I'd been holding. I find Twilight to be much more tolerable company than Pinkie. How she's friends with all of these ponies is beyond me. I turn to Twilight. "Thanks for that. I've only met her twice, and I can already tell she's a menace," I say to her gratefully. Twilight frowns at that. "She's not that bad, once you're used to her. She's a dear friend of mine," she reveals to me. I give her an incredulous stare, and then I sigh. "But don't thank me yet. It's impossible to get away from Pinkie if she really wants to talk to you." "If that's true, she'll learn pretty quickly that this 'friendship' that she's trying to force on me is as unwelcome as it is unnecessary," I growl. I gaze at Twilight, whose frown has deepened. "You're the only one who knows why I'm here. You can understand why I've little patience for distractions." "Maybe so, but it doesn't hurt to be friendly," Twilight admonishes me lightly. I recognize that for what it is and scowl. "I have my reasons. Do me a favor and please stop trying to impose your idea of how I should act upon me," I request icily. Despite the level tone in which I delivered those words, Twilight winces at the sting in that request. "I'm sorry. I just don't understand what's going on in your head," Twilight admits softly. A silence falls between us after that. Twilight shuffles her hooves nervously, looking as though she's still wanting to say something. "What's this party for? I never asked." I decide changing the subject is the best course of action. "Oh, it's for Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the owners of this store. They won an award for their outstanding culinary capabilities, and were in Canterlot for the past few days to showcase some of their best dishes," Twilight answers, pleased to talk about something else as well. She brightens up and beckons for me to follow her. "Come here, I'll show you what I mean." I hesitate briefly, but then decide I have little else to do anyway. As exhausted as I am, the sweet smell of the store is only making me hungrier. I follow the librarian out into the main room until she leads me over to the table at the far end of the room where the food is located. "These are all made by Pinkie, but Mr. and Mrs. Cake taught her nearly everything she knows." Twilight indicates the spread of confections with a sweep of her hoof. "Go ahead, try one!" At first I'm unwilling, but then I notice other ponies taking from the table casually, even though the party hasn't technically begun. I suppose taking one wouldn't hurt. After all, this food is for the guests, and now that I've finished my work, I technically count as one as well. I tentatively reach out a hand and retrieve a cupcake with pink frosting from one of the platters. After tenderly unwrapping the base of the cupcake, I take a hesitant bite. My eyes widen as an explosion of sugary berry flavor occurs inside of my mouth. The icing is thick, with the consistency of buttercream, and the base is moist and firm. I've only ever tasted cupcakes bought from the grocery store, and they were nothing compared to this. There really is a difference between homemade and store-bought pastries. "This is... really good," I admit reluctantly after swallowing the first bite. Twilight beams at my glowing appraisal. "You should taste something the Cakes make themselves! You see why they won an award?" "I suppose I do. I can recognize talent when I see it," I agree, taking another bite. If I have free reign of these treats while I'm at this party, perhaps it won't be as miserable as I was expecting. "By the way, how long do these parties usually last?" "There's no specific timetable, if that's what you're asking. It usually lasts until the last pony leaves," Twilight answers with a smile. "One good rule of hoof is that when attending a Pinkie Party, make sure your schedule for the next morning is clear!" "And if your schedule isn't clear?" I ask pointedly. Twilight blinks, and then she appears to understand what I'm asking. "Then you should leave before it gets to be too late. Though in your case, I saw you working with Vinyl, so you're here until she's done I assume," Twilight advises me. When I nod, she gives a sheepish grin. "I don't envy you. Make sure to grab some coffee in the morning." "Yeah, that would be great if I..." just as I'm about to make a sarcastic comment, the front door to the building slams open. "Oh no..." A thoroughly drenched Rainbow Dash zips in through the door, practically crashing into the wooden floor. She somehow manages to right herself so that she lands on all four hooves. Her mane flops over her eyes as she grins, reveling in the attention her noisy arrival gained her. "Whoo! Check out this masterpiece I got running outside!" she declares in that scratchy voice of hers, pointing outside into the torrential downpour with a hoof. The pride in her accomplishment is evident in her words. Her words lead me to recall her position as head of the weather team... the team of pegasi that apparently physically create the weather. "Yeah, thanks for making us rush to get here before your little 'masterpiece' soaked us all!" Vinyl responds from the stage. Her words earn laughter from the surrounding ponies and a grin from Rainbow. "Hey, it's not my fault you're so slow!" Rainbow shoots back with a laugh that Vinyl soon mirrors. "Good to see you too, Dash!" Vinyl sarcastically returns, to the amusement of all listening. My spirits drop at the show of friendship between the two. Rainbow shakes her body like a dog, her mane flying in all directions as water droplets fly out in all directions. Pinkie bounds up to her with a towel, which Rainbow gratefully accepts. "So glad you could make it, Dashie! With you here, that's just about everypony!" Pinkie greets her with a wide smile. "Hey, Pinkie Pie. Sorry I'm late. I hope you didn't start the party without me," Rainbow expresses with a smirk. "Nope! You're just in time! The Cakes could be here any minute!" Pinkie answers, and then the two of them make their way back into the crowd, talking to one another animatedly. "We should probably start getting ready. No doubt Pinkie wants to surprise them," Twilight advises me. She blinks, noticing the scowl on my face. "What's the matter?" "Nothing you need to worry about," I assure her. Twilight doesn't look convinced, but I bite into my cupcake nonetheless. Between my inability to leave the party, Pinkie, and now Rainbow Dash, all the pieces seem to have fallen in place for a catastrophe. Even worse, my very life depends on whether not I get paid at the end of the night. This party cannot end soon enough.
Tales of the Oppressed	7. The Longest Night (rw)	I've lost count of how many ponies have made their way inside the building to partake in the party. It's getting harder and harder to find a place to be in the midst of the preparations. As time drags on, everyone gets more frantic and enlivened. It soon becomes clear that this is in fact a surprise party. While that in and of itself isn't all that unusual, the surprise involves hiding in the complete darkness and actually yelling the word "surprise" at them. It's similar to something one would expect from a birthday party for a small child. Yet, nobody seems perturbed or embarrassed by this, despite the fact that everyone here appears to be more or less in their adulthood. Once the preparations are complete, Pinkie dashes towards the light switch and plunges the shop into darkness with a flick of her tail. "Alright, everypony! The Cakes will be here any second! Nopony make even the teensiest sound!" Pinkie directs, her voice rising above the thick crowd of ponies. The excitement is palpable in her trembling voice. The chattering rapidly dies down, each pony making their way to a location hidden away from the doors and windows. After spotting Rainbow Dash entering the shop, I returned to the back hallway, so I don't feel the need to hide any further than I already have. I have no interest in joining in the surprise myself, but I also won't ruin the surprise by standing near the windows. It's completely dark outside now, but every so often an errant flash of lightning will briefly shine through the windows, painting the floor with their bright white silhouette as well as illuminating anyone foolish enough to stand nearby. The shop is now dead quiet, the silence broken only by the wind and rain howling and buffeting the walls of the building. I can also hear the odd giggle coming from one of the many mares in the room in anticipation of the coming surprise. Thunder booms in the blackened skies above. The resulting lightning shone through the windows, casting the shadows of two ponies galloping outside, their hooves splashing in the rapidly forming puddles. They quickly make a beeline for the front door of the shop, eager to get out of the torrential rain. The two of them rush inside, slamming the door shut behind them. They're breathing heavily as a result of their frantic dash through the streets."Oh thank Celestia," a mature and tempered female's voice says breathlessly. "I wish I'd have paid attention to Ponyville's weather schedule before deciding to come back today." "I'm just glad we're home safe. The pegasi really outdid themselves this time," a timid sounding tenor voice responds. The mare hums in agreement. "It's too dark in here. Let me get the lights real quick, and then we should get ready for a..." "Surprise!" The lights suddenly flicker on, revealing the large multitude of ponies in the room who had gathered for this very purpose. There are enough ponies to surround the two newcomers, who were now showing various degrees of shock. The stallion is a lanky yellow coated normal pony lacking wings or a horn. His mane is a scruffy orange and runs up the back of his neck in a thin line before settling atop his sharply angled snout. A set of three frosted carrot cakes arranged in a triangle is depicted on his flank, no doubt representing his skill in baking. The other newcomer is a plump turquoise mare also without wings or a horn. Her mane is colored two shades of magenta and swirls up on her head almost like the frosting atop a pastry. Her cutie mark is similar to the stallion's, except hers depicts three cupcakes instead of carrot cakes. I quickly make the connection between their appearances and the names I was given. Mr. Cake sits down on his haunches, and Mrs. Cake takes a few steps back, the both of them taken off guard by the chorus of cheers from the horde of ponies in the room. Eventually, their eyes trace up to the banner at the back of the room. Whatever the banner says, it's enough to cause smiles to form on the couple's faces. "Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Cake!" Pinkie zips through the crowd and runs over to the two of them. Once she reaches them, she hugs the two shellshocked ponies tightly around their necks, squealing happily. "We just got so super excited at your awesome cooking reward that we just had to throw you a party to celebrate it! Were you surprised? Were you?" "Well, I'd say so. I didn't expect you to go to all this effort in this weather," Mrs. Cake admits, the older mare returning Pinkie's hug. "You really didn't have to..." "Of course I did, silly! You don't win awards every day, after all! If this isn't party worthy, than nothing is!" Pinkie insists, the mare starting to bounce in place. "I guess we can afford to let off a little steam," Mr. Cake decides, looking to his wife for confirmation. "Would be nice to stretch out my legs after being cooped up in that train for hours. What do you think, dear?" "I do agree. It would be rude not to enjoy ourselves, given Pinkie went to so much effort all of us," Mrs. Cake agrees. "Yes! You heard that everypony!" Pinkie squeals, her smile growing even wider. "Scratchie, that's your cue!" "Oh wow, even Vinyl Scratch is here?" Mrs. Cake remarks with awe. "You got it, Pinks! Let's hit it, everypony!" Vinyl slaps a record down on her turntables and flips a series of switches. A smooth electronic beat surges out from the speakers around the room, causing the air to thrumm with the pounding bass. The LED's switch on as the main lights dim, covering the dance floor with swirling color. The room erupts with cheers, and the party fully gets underway as the ponies start to dance, socialize, and approach the Cakes to offer their individual congratulations. As for me, I haven't moved from the back hallway. Despite the fact that I'm sitting down with my arms resting on my knees, it's impossible to relax. The beat of the song seems to course through my body in time with my very heartbeat. The silver lining to this is that the music isn't deafeningly loud; I can still hear myself if I choose to talk. I only get a few minutes of peace. Before I realize what's happening, my vision is filled with a set of shining golden eyes. I yelp as a pair of mint green hooves latch onto my hands and tug me forward. "Seth! I was looking for you!" Lyra greets me happily. I glare at her after regaining my balance. Her lack of care for my physical state caused the wounds on my arms and side to ache. "What are you doing all the way back here? Come out and dance with me!" "You were serious about that?" I groan, recalling the last thing she said to me in the square. "Hay yeah I was! I'm in the mood to party, and you're one of the only stallions here!" Lyra returns, grinning broadly. She then pauses, looking a little awkward. "Wait, you are a stallion, right?" "Of course I am. You can't tell?" I return, feeling just as awkward about the sudden confusion. "I mean, I guessed you were. Your voice sounds pretty stallion-ish, but you're mane is all long and you're awfully pretty for a stallion," Lyra answers. I sputter at her explanation, completely taken off guard. Pretty? "Though the most confusing thing is that you've got teats like a mare." I immediately recall that I'm not wearing a shirt, and I haven't been for quite some time. The realization then strikes me as my own minor knowledge of horses returns to me. "Right... stallions don't have those," I recall. Sure enough, Lyra nods. "Rest assured, I am male. To answer your other question, no, I'm not going to dance with you." "Aw, why not? You're like the best looking stallion here," Lyra whines. "I mean I can dance with Bon Bon, but I always do that." "I don't dance," I tell her simply. "Oh, don't worry about that, there's no right way to dance. You just move your body to the beat and have fun!" Lyra appears to misunderstand my meaning. She grabs my hand and attempts to drag me out of the hallway, but I steadfastly resist her. I rip my hand away from her hoof. "You don't get it. I didn't mean that I don't know how to dance. I meant that I don't dance. Is that clear to you now?" I correct her coldly, retreating further back into the hallway. "Aw, you don't have to be shy. I guarantee you that there'll always be somepony out there dancing worse than you. You should see Twilight dance. That's a hoot! Come on, please?" Lyra tries again, putting on her most winning smile. I don't reply, instead sitting back down against the wall. Lyra gets the picture, the mare pouting in defeat. "Oh fine. But I'm not giving up you hear? I'll make you dance with me eventually!" Lyra thankfully leaves me be now, the mare moving back into the main room. "I'll go dance with Bon Bon," she says. "Oi, Bon Bon! Bonnie! Where are you?" I let out a sigh of relief once she's gone. That mare is more trouble than she's worth. Given the teasing, the compliments, and now the fervent attempts to dance with me, I'm beginning to think she's flirting with me. I scowl darkly, finding that thought to be even more distasteful than Pinkie's friendliness. I'm an entirely different species. Does Lyra have no shame? Putting that out of my mind, I go back to trying to relax while the party continues. Unfortunately, my stomach soon growls for food once more. I sigh and get to my feet. I've only consumed apples and a single cupcake today. While the apples seemed filling at the time, that was mostly due to water saturation rather than actual substance. As long as the party is offering food, it would be smart of me to benefit from it. I wince, the music assaulting me from all sides as I step out into the main room. Looking around, the ponies are clearly having a good time. The dance floor is packed with dancing ponies, and the others in the far side of the room near the food are laughing and discussing various topics amongst one another. Additionally, there are ponies playing strange childish games, one of which I recognize as a variant of "pin the tail on the donkey," only the donkey has been replaced with a pony instead. No matter how I feel about it, Pinkie's methods to throwing a good party appear to be solid. I can't say it's nearly as agonizing to be around as a college party either; those usually involved copious amounts of alcohol, obnoxious music, and non-stop drunken flirting. Upon reaching the table, I take my time and partake of the sugary treats there, sampling each one. Just like the cupcake, they're of impeccable quality. The chocolate cookies are soft with firm, moist centers; the brownies are firm and sweet, seeming to melt in my mouth with every bite. The cupcakes, as I discovered before, are just as good as ever. "Seth!?" A familiar voice sounds from beside me, her voice laden with surprise. I finish the rest of the cookie in my hand and turn to see Flitter, the mare frozen upon seeing me. "What are you doing here?" "I'm working for Vinyl, if you must know," I answer her, reaching for a brownie this time. At this rate, I'll have eaten my fill long before it's time for me to leave. "You don't look very happy to see me." "That's not it... I'm just surprised, is all. I didn't think I'd find you at one of Pinkie's parties," Flitter admits. I note how she isn't looking me in the eye. She's not being entirely truthful with me. It's not hard to determine why that is the case. "Um... I..." "If you have something to say, just say it," I grunt impatiently. Flitter freezes, and then she appears to steel herself, the mare looking up at me at last. "Oh, okay. I...suppose I'm still a little angry at you for running away from me earlier today," Flitter confesses to me. "That much was obvious. However, you don't have any right to be," I return sharply, causing her to flinch. "What? Why not? I was just trying to help..." Flitter protests. I notice with some dismay that Twilight has found her way back to me, just in time for her to listen in on the conversation. "First of all, I believe I made it clear that I didn't need nor desire your help. Yet you stubbornly refused to listen, and instead attempted to force your 'kindness' upon me," I begin, keeping my tone level. "Then, you had the gall to go to your fellow weather ponies and complain about it, even sending your boss to harass me. If anything, I should be angry with you." "Hey, what's going on here?" Twilight tries to get involved now that Flitter is starting to look rather distressed. "But... I never complained about you! I was just worried, and when Rainbow Dash asked me what was wrong, I told her about how you stayed out in the c..." Flitter tries to correct me. Realizing what Flitter is about to say while Twilight is standing right there, I cut her off hastily. "Nevertheless, she came on your behalf to harass me. As you can imagine, I'm less than thrilled with the both of you." "Why? All we've done is try to befriend and help you!" Flitter snaps, her frustration finally getting the better of her. "It's not our fault that you never let anyone be nice to you!" "Hey! That's enough... please, stop this!" Twilight finally forces herself between us, her face set with determination. Flitter sniffs, and to my surprise, she looks to be on the verge of tears. Twilight, noticing this, gives Flitter a gentle hug. "It's okay, Flitter. Why don't you go find your sister? Leave this to me." "Okay..." Flitter sniffs, and then she retreats from the table, leaving just Twilight with me. Unlike before, this time Twilight looks much less likely to back down. I huff, my headache returning. This party is turning out just as I expected. "What was that all about? Didn't you see you had that poor mare about to cry?" Twilight confronts me, orienting herself until she's facing me directly. "That's hardly my problem. It's getting increasingly difficult to get you ponies to stop smothering me with your attempts to be friendly," I reply, crossing my arms. "I don't understand why you're so opposed to the concept," Twilight expresses with an exasperated shake of her head. "Whatever you think we're trying to do to you, I assure you it isn't like that. I think you should give us all a chance; we might surprise you." "I highly doubt it. Either way, I'm not planning on sticking around long enough to find out," I respond dismissively. "Once I have enough money, I'm leaving Ponyville for good." Twilight pauses at that, realization striking her. "You're planning to go after King Sombra?" she asks softly. When I nod, she sighs sadly. "I guess I can understand that, but it doesn't make me happier." The two of us fall into silence after that, neither of us having anything left to say to the other. I shake my head, regretting that I came over to eat in the first place. At the very least, I'll be full enough to sleep comfortably tonight, provided I can find someplace to sleep safely. The momentary peace doesn't last long. I notice the throng of ponies part as Rainbow Dash leaves the dance floor. The mare chuckles at some unheard joke as she flips her mane back. Even though I immediately try to leave, Rainbow inevitably spots me. Her grin immediately drops, to be replaced with scorn. "What the hay are you doing here!?" Rainbow demands as she storms towards me. She notices the wide-eyed Twilight standing beside me, causing her scowl to increase. "Let me guess, are you saying something completely rude and uncalled for to Twilight too?" I press a hand to my head and take a deep breath. Now that she's seen me, I think it's safe to say that this party can't get any worse. If I want to keep my job, I need to keep from yelling at her. "I'm just getting a bite to eat while I wait. Twilight's presence here is coincidental," I try to explain. "I didn't mean here at the table, smart guy. I meant why are you here at the party in the first place? Isn't this just a 'waste of everyone's time' to you?" Rainbow accuses me sharply. "That is what I said. I've no interest in the party. I'm here only for Vinyl," I answer. Rainbow's expression fills with disbelief. "I work for her, you see." "Yeah, right! You working for Vinyl? Everypony knows she does everything by herself," Rainbow points out in her attempt to discredit me. "Even if she did hire someone, it sure as hay wouldn't be a jerk like you!" "Would you two please stop!?" Twilight has to step in for the third time tonight, her growing frustration easily visible on her face. "Seth, did you get off on the wrong hoof with Rainbow Dash, too? How do you end up arguing with everypony you see!?" "Maybe because he's an extremely nasty human who yells at everypony who tries to help him?" Rainbow inserts snidely, glaring at me. When she notices Twilight's glance, she nods. "Yeah, I met him earlier. You should hear what he said to me!" I sigh, feeling the weight of both of their gazes on me. "None of this would be happening if you ponies would simply leave well enough alone," I state firmly. "If you hate me so much, just don't associate with me." My words don't have the desired effect. If anything, it just makes Rainbow even angrier. "You... this is... I can't stand you! You keep talking like it's all our fault, and that you've done nothing wrong! So you think that everything you're saying to all of us, no matter how rude, mean, or heartless, is justified!?" Rainbow snarls. "Even if it means hurting my friends?" "More or less," I say matter of factly. I blink as Rainbow bristles and her gaze darkens. She draws closer to me, each hoof pressing purposefully against the floor. The air of hostility emanating from her is palpable enough to feel, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. I retreat from her until I feel the edge of the table pressing against my lower back. "Wait... what are you...?" "Hey... hey... that's enough," Twilight physically presses her hoof against Rainbow, pushing the mare thankfully away from me. She wraps that hoof around her friend's neck. "Rainbow, let's go." "But Twilight...!" Rainbow attempts to protest. "Rainbow, let's go," Twilight repeats with an edge in her voice. Rainbow pauses, and then she nods. She shoots me one last glare as Twilight leads her away. It isn't long before they're lost from sight amongst the crowd. I release the breath that I didn't realize I was holding. Before Twilight intervened, Rainbow had a dangerous glint in her eye. I can't help but wonder: was she really about to hit me? "Where are we going?" Rainbow questions uncomfortably as she follows the unusually serious Twilight towards the back of the store. Only once the two of them were upstairs in the hallway did it become quiet enough to hear one another clearly. "Twilight?" Twilight turns around, the usually friendly mare looking rather harried. "I brought you up here to get you away from Seth," she explains at last. "You were starting to cause a scene." Rainbow flinches at that. "What are talking about? You heard what he was saying down there, right? Don't tell me you're going to take his side!" she snaps, jabbing a hoof in the direction of the staircase. "He told me out on the farm that we were all intrusive and unwelcome whenever we tried to be nice, and that we were just wasting his time!" "Of course I'm not taking his side! I agree with you," Twilight assures her. "I could forgive the way he treated me; after all, he's all on his own. But it's not just me he's treating like this... he's cold, callous, and needlessly cruel to seemingly everypony he meets." "Then why did you stop me?" Rainbow demands, feeling a mixture of both relief and confusion at Twilight's words. "It's because the last thing the Cakes need on their first night back is you ruining their party because you picked a fight with him," Twilight answers. Rainbow's ears droop, the mare looking suitably chastised. "I mean, I guess you're right," Rainbow admits. "But he can't just treat ponies like that. These are my friends that he's hurting, and I won't let him get away with it!" "Trust me, I know how you feel. Before you showed up, I witnessed him ripping into poor Flitter," Twilight reveals. Rainbow's face heated up as her righteous anger returned. "But I believe there has to be another way to deal with this. I think I know his side of the story, and it's not fair to him if you were to harm him over this." "Not fair? What's not fair is that he..." Rainbow tries to protest, but Twilight is one step ahead of her. "I know that. I never said he isn't at fault. How he acts isn't fair to us either, when all we're trying to do is help him," Twilight continues, placating the brash mare. "So then, what are you going to do?" Rainbow asks curiously. "I don't know. I've never dealt with anything like this before," Twilight confesses. "Listen: there are no humans in modern day Equestria because they've long since gone extinct. Seth revealed to me that he was sent forward in time against his will to our era. Do you know what that means?" "Uh... not really," Rainbow remarks cluelessly. "So he's a time traveller, so what? You did the same thing once, remember?" "No, Rainbow. First of all, I went backwards in time. Travelling into the future is infinitely more complex... but that's beside the point." Twilight stops herself before she can go on a tangent about the complexities of time travel. "My point is that he's completely alone in a world he doesn't understand, with no way home back to his friends and family." "Oh gosh..." The true meaning of Twilight's argument finally dawns on Rainbow. "That really stinks... but still, that's no excuse for the things he's saying." Twilight nods at that. "Here's what I'm thinking; just stay away from him for a day or so. Tomorrow evening, I'll send a letter to Princess Celestia asking for advice. She'll know what to do." Rainbow sighs. "Okay, I guess I can do that. But I'm gonna show him what for if he hurts another one of my friends." "I'll try to make sure that doesn't happen," Twilight remarks wryly. "Okay, we can go back downstairs now if you want. I'm sorry if I killed the party mood." "Don't worry, that won't last long! I'll fix the both of you up in a jiffy!" Pinkie appears from downstairs in the blink of an eye. Before Rainbow or Twilight could properly react to her presence, she wrapped her front hooves around their barrels and whisked them both down the stairs to the kitchen. "What the...!?" "Pinkie!?" When Rainbow's head finishes spinning, she finds herself beside Twilight in the kitchen with a warm fluffy cupcake shoved into her mouth. She quickly recognizes what was happening, causing her to give a muffled chuckle. She could always count on Pinkie to surprise them like this. She gulps down the cupcake quickly. "Thanks, Pinkie," Twilight expresses after finishing her own treat. She giggles now that her heartbeat is returning to normal. "I guess you could hear us from down here." "Yup! But don't worry about cranky ol' Seth. He's enjoying my party in his own way!" Pinkie asserts, much to their disbelief. "How do you figure?" Rainbow questions, peering out into the hallway. Sure enough, she spotted Seth in the same location as before, the human reaching for a cookie from the rapidly emptying plate on the table. "Well, he's eaten over half a plate of cookies, so I must have done something right!" Pinkie trills happily. "But that's not... I mean..." Rainbow attempts to protest as Twilight chuckles. Eventually she sighs. "Okay, I'll give you that one. Too bad his tooth is the only thing sweet about him." "It's a work in progress!" Pinkie responds enigmatically. "Anyway, you should go back and enjoy the party! It's almost time for me to start cutting the cake!" "Yes, I think I'll go do that," Twilight decides, smiling at the inscrutable Pinkie. She turns to eye her friend. "Coming, Rainbow?" "You know it! I haven't had nearly enough fun," Rainbow agrees readily. The two of them leave Pinkie to her preparations and make their way back out into the main room. "Think I should get Vinyl to play something more heavy?" "If you want. I'm fine with what's currently playing, personally," Twilight responds. She snickers at the disinterest on Rainbow's face. "There's nothing wrong with the slower music, Rainbow." After exchanging a spot of friendly banter with one another, Twilight and Rainbow split off to socialize some more. In Rainbow's case, she looks around for other members of the weather team, hoping to discuss the storm that still rages outside. Her path inevitably passes within sight of Seth again, but Rainbow is content to ignore him this time... or at least she was, until she spotted a familiar wall-eyed mare engaging in conversation with the human. Rainbow's eyes widen in surprise and dismay. "I think they all sound pretty," the bubbly mare relates. She takes a brief moment to munch on one of the few remaining cookies. "I just think it's amazing how we can produce music with the most unlikely of objects. Ponies are amazing, aren't they?" "That's a rather broad view to have. I don't think I've ever met anyone who likes all music she hears," I comment. Every so often, I'll take a sip of water from a plastic cup. I choose not to acknowledge the last part of her statement. "In a way I almost envy you." "Oh really? Why would that make you envy me?" she questions, tilting her head to one side. "Because if I liked all music, I would be able to fully appreciate every musician I meet. Making music takes a lot of work, no matter the genre, so they deserve respect at least for that," I respond calmly. "Wow, I think so too!" The mare agrees happily. Her name, as she'd revealed to me, is Derpy Hooves. It's a rather odd name to be sure, but I suppose it's not the most unusual I've heard. She's a slender gray mare with a simple yellowish mane that drapes over the front of her head, showing little in the way of style. For a cutie mark, there's a set of bubbles depicted on her flank. As for what that talent could possibly mean, I'm completely unsure. However, the most noticeable of her features is her eyes. To put it plainly, they're all over the place. It's difficult to determine where she's looking at, making conversing with her rather awkward; I don't know where to look. That being said, talking with her is easy enough. Derpy hasn't tried to ask me about myself apart from my name, nor has she confronted me about any of the arguments I've had so far. Instead, we are having a calm discussion on the different types of music. As a former musician myself, this makes for a tolerable way to pass the time. In return, I don't ask her about her eyes. It's an arrangement that's currently working well for the both of us. "I know you said that you don't prefer electronic music, so I'm wondering... what is your favorite genre?" Derpy inquires, the mare seeming eager to continue the conversation. "A wide variety, actually. I don't think I can classify my tastes into one singular genre," I answer. I finish what's left of the drink in my cup, and then set it aside. "It's more along the lines of 'If I like it...'" Before I can finish my explanation, a streak of cerulean zips between the two of us, causing me to stumble back in surprise. I heave a deep sigh when I realize that Rainbow Dash has returned and is now standing in front of me, no doubt to heckle me further. I don't miss the cold glare she sends my way. Rainbow ignores me at first, turning to address Derpy instead. "Hey, Derpy! How's the party treating you?" Rainbow rudely starts up a separate conversation in the middle of the one I had just been having. "Hi, Rainbow Dash! I'm having a lot of fun! I was just talking with this nice human here about music!" Derpy returns the greeting excitedly, not seeming perturbed by the interruption whatsoever. She points a hoof towards me. "Have you met him? His name is Seth!" "You... you were what?" Rainbow looks at Derpy with a dumbfounded expression. "Seth? Nice!?" I decide to stay out of this conversation. I'd rather not interact with Rainbow if I have any other choice. "I think I'll go peruse the rest of the food," I excuse myself. I don't get more than one step. "You wait just a minute!" Rainbow snaps at me before I can move. My irritated huff is thankfully drowned out by the music. "Derpy, do you think you could do me a favor and check on Pinkie for me? I think she might be overworking herself again." "Okay! I'll be right back then." Derpy nods and walks away from the table, leaving me alone to deal with Rainbow. I brace myself for the inevitable argument. When Rainbow returns her gaze to me, her original animosity is surprisingly lessened. "When were you going to tell me you knew how to be nice?" Rainbow comments wryly. My first reaction is to scoff. "No seriously, I came over here expecting to beat the hay out of you for picking on Derpy." "Why would I pick on her?" I ask, my tone betraying my incredulity at such a concept. "Well, you know, she's all like..." Rainbow adopts a defensive expression, but words failed her. She sighed and tried again. "Derpy's a sweet girl, but she has a hard time getting around sometimes." "Because of her eyes?" I supply her helpfully, having already put two and two together. Rainbow nods, confirming my suspicions. "Do ponies pick on her because of that?" "Sometimes. She can be pretty clumsy," Rainbow admits. I shake my head in disbelief. I can't imagine picking on someone just because of a physical disability. "The more things change, the more things stay the same," I mutter to myself. Rainbow hears me and tilts her head in confusion. "Nevermind. Rest assured, I know full well how I come across, but I'm not a bully." "You could have fooled me, the first time we met," Rainbow grumbles. I just roll my eyes at that. She continues, narrowing her eyes at me. "I thought you didn't want any friends? So why is it that Derpy is the only one you're nice to?" "If you're thinking it's something personal, it's not. Derpy, as opposed to nearly every other pony I've met, didn't try to nose into my business, nor force her morals on me," I explain with a shrug. "If all she wanted was idle conversation, that's fine with me." "Then how come you were such a jerk to me when I was trying to introduce myself?" Rainbow demands. "First of all, you weren't there to talk. You showed up to berate me about my issues with Flitter. Second of all, you weren't introducing yourself. You were putting yourself up on a pedestal and talking down to me," I assert coldly. Rainbow recoils with shock. "What? That's not what I was doing at all!" she protests fervently. "I was just trying to be friendly before talking to you about Flitter!" "That's not how you came across to me," I contend, crossing my arms. "It's not like you gave me much of a chance to begin with," Rainbow grumbles bitterly. She rubs her eyes and sighs. "Fine, whatever. Can we start over then?" "What, you don't want to kick me out of the party anymore?" I raise an eyebrow at her request. That seems rather sudden, coming from the pony who recently told me to get out of town. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter in the end. I shake my head. "I don't see the point, to be honest. As I've said, I'm leaving Ponyville. I have no need of friends here." "Oh come on! What's wrong with making a few friends before you go?" Rainbow complains, the mare starting to pout. "Doesn't acting like a jerk to every pony you meet cause more trouble than just being friendly?" "As I've said, I wouldn't need to 'act like a jerk' in the first place if ponies would quit meddling in my business," I remind her, much to her frustration. "If you really want the truth, I don't trust you. I don't trust any of you." "Why not? You barely know anything about us!" Rainbow objects hotly. "Is it just because we're ponies? What about other humans!?" "Of course it's not because you're a pony. While that is still difficult for me to grasp, it's nothing worth nursing prejudice over. I'm no bigot," I protest, somewhat offended by that. "As for how I treated humans, that's hardly your business, but I treated them much the same. Though their ulterior motives were more transparent." "You make no sense. One moment, you're acting like a total jerk, and then another, you're showing me you're not as bad as I thought," Rainbow groans, resting her face in her hoof. "I don't have an ulterior motive.Why do you think we all have one?" "That, I'm certainly not going to tell you. That's as personal as it gets," I deny her stubbornly. Ignoring her huff of annoyance, I reach for a cupcake on the table. "I've said more than I should, anyway. It's probably best you go and mingle with your friends now, rather than wasting your time with me." Rainbow stamps her hoof down, snorting obstinately. "No, I don't think so. I'm not going to let you get off that easy. I'll show you I don't have an ulterior motive!" the mare declares. My eyebrow raises once again. I don't think it's possible for her to do that in a way I'll accept. "Come dance with me. Right now." "What? Where the hell did that come from?" I demand, scrutinizing her with confusion. Rainbow just grins in response. I shake my head vigorously. "First of all, I don't know how you think that's going to convince me. Second of all, I don't dance." "Aw, don't be like that. Come on, let's go dance. What could I possibly get out of that, besides a little fun?" Rainbow counters, butting her head against my leg. "Unless you're telling me you've never danced before." My hands start to tremble somewhat. For some reason, a feeling of deja vu settles over me. "Of course I have... a long time ago," I reply with a halting voice. "Then what? Is it because you're too scared of being shown up on the dance floor?" Rainbow teases me, her grin growing wider. I nearly drop the cupcake in my hand. With the combination of her familiar words, the expression on her face, and the similar situation, I can't help but see Amaryllis in this pony before me. The absurdity of such a thing makes me want to laugh, but at the same time... it's unsettling. "Put that cupcake down and come on! Don't be worried about what all these other ponies think." Rainbow grabs onto one of my hands with her front hooves and attempts to drag me out onto the dance floor. I resist of course, but she doesn't give up. "Don't worry, I promise not to pick on you when you end up being awful at it." The cupcake falls from my hand as I allow Rainbow to pull me forward in a daze. It's getting hard to determine how I'm feeling at this moment. Twilight notices Rainbow and I moving to the dance floor, causing her to tilt her head, appearing nonplussed and blinking. Dancing is absurd. There's nothing fun about waving my arms around like a complete fool. It isn't appealing to move my body in erratic ways while surrounded by loud and sweaty people, while the heat gets worse and worse. Why should I humiliate myself in front of scores of people? As we walk on to the dance floor, Lyra spots the two of us. "Hey, how's that fair!?" she protests, emphasizing her frustration with her two front hooves. Applejack notices us as well. She removes her hat and holds it against her chest, her eyes widening. I don't dance. I've only ever danced with one person. I said I'd never dance with another person ever again. Amaryllis was the only one I'd ever consider dancing with, as she was my closest friend. So why am I here, right now, slowly moving my body to the beat while Rainbow looks on? Vinyl's jaw drops when she sees us, her shades nearly falling off. A smile spreads across her muzzle, and then she switches the record in the middle of a song. Surprisingly enough, the distorted tune of an electric guitar sounds from the speakers. The drums kick in, and the tempo picks up, resembling a style of music that I once enjoyed. "See? This isn't so bad!" Rainbow expresses to me happily as she shakes her barrel from side to side, her mane flying every which direction. I don't have an answer, as deep in thought as I am. My body is moving on instinct and muscle memory now, remembering that time in the bar so long ago. Pinkie screams with delight and joins the crowd on the dance floor, where she starts pulling off dance moves that seem as though they'd be unsuitable for pony anatomy. Despite this, they appear natural for her, and she shows no sign of pain. Her enthusiasm causes other ponies to join in, making this the most full the dance floor has been the whole night. At some point, after three minutes of the rather long song had passed, I break out of my trance and realize what's going on. Embarrassment and shame fills me in a heartbeat, causing me to flush deeply. Disgusted at myself, I stop dancing and retreat from the dance floor as quickly as I can manage. "Hey, where are you going? We were just starting to have fun!" Rainbow follows me off the dance floor, looking upset. "Seth!" "Stop. I shouldn't have let you force me into that in the first place," I snap, an edge finding its way into my tone. I push through the crowd and make a beeline for the back hallway, craving isolation more than anything else right now. "I didn't 'force you' into anything! You looked like you were having fun too, so what gives?" Rainbow insists, pursuing me all the way back to the hallway. She flinches under the blistering glare that I give her. "Just stop! For god's sake, why can't you just leave me alone?!" I demand, facing her directly. She looks taken aback by the sudden vehemence in my words. I can't explain it, but I'm furious. Furious at her, and furious at myself. The fact that I thought, even for an instant, that she could ever be like Amaryllis; the fact that I allowed myself to be moved by emotion to the point where I broke my own promise to my lost friend; The combination of these two things has me shaking with rage and self-loathing. "I don't need this! I don't need fun, and I don't need friends! I'm leaving Ponyville soon, and I won't be coming back! How dare you get in my way?!" Rainbow is left speechless for several seconds by my sudden tirade. She looks at me with bafflement. I realize that what I said would have made no sense to her. After catching my breath, I sink down into a sitting position with my back against the wall. "What...?" Rainbow asks. I avert my gaze from her. A pressure grows in the center of my tightening chest, causing me to shift uncomfortably. "Just go back to your party. I need some time to myself," I utter in a hollow voice. I don't look at her again. Several agonizing seconds pass, and then I hear Rainbow retreating, leaving me to my blissful solitude. I should feel relieved now that I'm alone, but instead, rage smoulders in my chest like burning coals. How could I have done something so stupid? Everyone on the dance floor saw me there with Rainbow. I pound my fist against the wall, but it doesn't make me feel any better. The pressure in my chest gradually fades away as I force myself to calm down with deep breaths. This was foolish of me, but it won't pose a problem. I just need to keep a level head from here on out, and I'll be out of Ponyville before long. Without any method of telling time, the party seems to drag on for a painfully long time. There's nothing for me to do other than sit here, so it's also dreadfully dull. I spend most of the time with my eyes closed, listening to the music and analyzing its characteristics in my head. "Oh! Well, hello there." My solitude is eventually broken by a demure feminine voice. I glance up to see a snow-white unicorn mare walking into the hallway. Her mane is colored a rich shade of royal violet and appears to be painstakingly styled into fancy curls at the ends. It's impossible to see her cutie mark due to the extravagant rose fabric draped over her back. I do my best to keep a level expression. This would be the first pony I've ever seen wearing clothes to this degree. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that she's wearing a dress. Like a human dress, the bodice clings to her chest and possesses two sleeves that hug her front shoulders. However, the skirt doesn't hug her belly, but is instead cut open at the waist line to make room for her back hooves to move. Now, as nice as I'm assuming such attire is for a pony, she appears exceedingly overdressed for a party like this. The mare waits for a reaction to her greeting, but she soon realizes she isn't going to get one when I return my gaze to the floor. "Erm... would you kindly move your legs so I may pass?" the mare requests uncertainly. I wordlessly do as she asks. She smiles and passes me by, heading for the back staircase. "Thank you, dear." She climbs the stairs and leaves me for a few minutes, but it isn't long before she returns. This time, even though I move my legs as before, she doesn't pass me. "Pardon my rudeness earlier, I was in a bit of a hurry," the mare apologizes to me. I sigh quietly, realize that she seems intent on speaking with me. She dips in a slight curtsy. "I am Rarity, and I run the Carousel Boutique, on the hill by the square. It's a pleasure to meet you." I unwillingly get to my feet. I don't know anything about this Rarity, so it would be unwise to be rude to her. I won't make another mistake like Rainbow Dash. Just thinking about that mare stirs my rage from its slumber. "You can call me Seth." I return her introduction as tersely as possible. "Don't let me keep you. I'm sure there's more fun to be had out there with your friends." "Nonsense. Mingling is part of the appeal. I noticed you sitting here all by yourself and just couldn't ignore you," Rarity corrects me with a smile. Her eyes slowly travel down my body until she notices my clothing. Her nose wrinkles with distaste. "If you don't mind me asking, just what is that you're wearing? It's... pardon my rudeness... but it looks simply horrid." "My jeans? Funny. You're the first one to point that out," I concede. "It's not as if I have a choice, however. They're the only pair of pants I have." Rarity appears to find that understandably off-putting. "Darling, they're filthy! As loathe as I am to say it, it would be better to do without," she suggests. That takes me by surprise at first, until I recall that ponies don't seem to wear clothes that often. "That's not an option. Humans don't have thick fur to keep warm like you do," I point out. "I will buy new clothes as soon as I can afford it. Until then, this is all I have." "That simply won't do. I insist that you stop by my boutique sometime later so that we can rectify this predicament," Rarity urges me. "Perhaps tomorrow, unless you're busy?" "I repeat: I will buy new clothes as soon as I can afford them," I say, somewhat annoyed. For some reason, Rarity shows a hint of concern. She composes herself so quickly, however, making me wonder if I'd seen it at all. She clicks her tongue. "A human, one of our great precursors, should be dressed elegantly! You won't pay for a thing until I've made you at least one warm outfit," she attempts to reassure me, but it has the opposite effect. "I won't say it again," I state, my impatience starting to creep into my tone. Glancing at her dress, I believe I can reasonably guess that her clothing must be rather gaudy and expensive. "I may take you up on your offer later, but only when I can pay you for it." "Don't worry, you won't have to pay for..." Rarity doesn't seem willing to let it go so easily. I cut her off with a frustrated huff. "I heard what you said. It never fails to astound me how pushy you ponies can be," I snap. Rarity recoils, lifting a hoof. "P-Pushy!?" Rarity stammers, offended. "I heard your offer, and I'll keep it in mind. However, I said I'll accept only when I have the money," I repeat one last time. "Please do us both a favor and just accept that." Rarity flushed, the mare looking upset. "Well, I was only trying to help," she acknowledges irritably, lowering her hoof. "You didn't have to be so rude about it" "I wouldn't have to be, if you ponies would accept what I say when I say it," I counter her exasperatedly. "How does anyone make their own decisions in this blasted town?" "Very well, I suppose I shall retract my kindness and leave you be," Rarity's words are short and clipped now, betraying her indignance. She finally passes me on her way back to the main room. "Good evening, Seth." I dread talking to anyone at all now. Nearly every single one of them attempts to be friendly, which then turns into an argument. As it stands, Derpy is the only one that was content just to talk to me. Even then, I believe it's only a matter of time. Pinkie suddenly bounces out of the kitchen. She spots me immediately beams. "Hi Seth! I hope you didn't eat too many cookies!" She grabs my hand before I can sit back down. "Come on out of your corner! It's time for cake now!" "I wasn't in a corner," I correct her sharply, but she doesn't pay any attention to that. Instead, she just keeps tugging me until I'm out in the main room again. By the time I manage to extricate myself from her grip, I'm surrounded by ponies. The crowd is thickening around the table upon which the gigantic cake is situated. As unenthusiastic as I am about the party overall, I'm looking forward to trying that cake. Pinkie signals to Vinyl with her hoof, and the DJ lowers the volume of the music. "Everypony gather around!" Pinkie announces now that she can be heard. "I think you've all waited long enough! It's time for the Cakes to have their cake!" Pinkie giggled at her own joke, and then she beckoned to Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the guests of honor for tonight. The crowd parted to allow the two happy ponies passage. "I went all out on this one!" Pinkie proclaims. She produces a cake knife and carefully slices down into the cake, cutting out a reasonable portion. "It looks delicious, Pinkie. You've really outdone yourself," Mrs. Cake evaluates appreciatively. She picks up a plate from the nearby table with her mouth and holds it out just long enough for Pinkie to put the first slice on it. Then, Mrs. Cake turns her neck and sets the plate on her back. "Thank you again for the party." "Yes, thank you!" Mr. Cake agrees, accepting his slice next. Once the two of them had received their cake the rest of the ponies surge forward to claim a slice as well. I notice the line forming and quickly insert myself into it before it grows too long. As I'm waiting for my turn, the music returns to its original volume. Ponies are trickling back to find spaces to eat their cake, leaving the dance floor mostly empty for the moment. Even Vinyl steps away from her tables to partake in the baked confection as well. Standing in the line makes me realize how exposed I am. Thankfully, the ponies closest to me no longer seem worried about my presence. They hardly spare a glance in my direction. As much as I hate to admit it, some good did come out of that...blunder of mine. Though in the end, it may cause me more trouble to make that benefit seem miniscule, judging from the way Lyra is eyeing me from further back in the line. When I get to the front of the line, Pinkie happily relinquishes a slice to me, the cake resting on a pink paper plate decorated with balloon imagery. Beside the cake on the table, I notice a pile of neatly stacked plastic forks resting atop a folded napkin. Surprised to see them, I step out of line and take one. I had thought they wouldn't exist because they're impractical for ponies, but it appears I am wrong. I proceed to withdraw from the crowd and return to my place in the back hallway to eat my cake in peace. The slice that I received consists of three layers of both chocolate and vanilla. The icing is thick and pink, and tastes like strawberries. With Pinkie's baking skills combined with the fact that strawberry is a favorite flavor of mine, eating the cake proves to be an enjoyable experience. When I'm finished, my stomach is as full as can be--a welcome change to the ever present hunger that's been my constant companion for the past two days. I stretch my legs out and relax, content to lie here for the remainder of the party. As the hour grows ever later, the party eventually winds down. Ponies are beginning to tire from constantly dancing or playing silly games. It isn't long before they start to trickle out of the building, giving their regards to those they meet along the way. I get to my feet, recognizing that it's soon going to be time for me to do my job. I make my way into the main room, my hands tucked into my pockets. I'm just in time to see Applejack and Rarity congratulating the Cakes once more before they too take their leave. I spot Rainbow on her way out as well, but I pointedly avoid looking at her. I can feel her gaze linger on me for a good several seconds until she finally leaves as well. The music soon comes to an end, and then Vinyl hops off of the stage. She briefly makes eye contact with me long enough to beckon to me with her head. I note how exhausted she looks. Like before, powering her set up for as long as she has no doubt taken its toll on her. "First things first: let's get all these cables unplugged," Vinyl directs me, pointing to each of the areas where the aforementioned cables are plugged in. "That's the easy part. Then you can help me take the speakers down from those poles." "Got it. Just point me to whatever needs doing," I acknowledge her, already moving to the first cluster of cables. The cables must be designed to prevent easy disconnection, as they require me to press down on a tiny lever to loosen them, and swiftly tug to unplug them. Once a set of cables has been unplugged from both ends, Vinyl or I will coil them up and tie them into knots to prevent them from tangling inside the cart. Then, we place them in one of the tubs Vinyl has staged at the end of the stage. As I'm working I do my best to memorize the labels on everything. The Equestrian language consists of multiple strange glyphs, some of which appear more than once. Despite my efforts, it'll likely take me several more gigs before I can memorize the meanings of these labels. While Vinyl and I are working, Pinkie zips around the room like an angry hornet, taking down party decorations and gathering empty plates and discarded dishes. I don't know how she has the energy for that, but I can't deny that she's cleaning the building efficiently. As for any other ponies, the building is soon nearly empty. Of the remaining ponies, I only recognize Twilight, who appears to be aiding in the cleanup efforts. The Cakes appear to have already left the room. Whether they went upstairs or to the kitchen is unknown to me. Lifting and moving the heavier equipment in Vinyl's ensemble is an arduous task, which is only exacerbated by my injuries. It isn't hard for Vinyl to notice that I'm favoring my left side, but when I make no signs of stopping work, she doesn't react apart from giving me a worried look. Once everything has been loaded into the cart, our task is complete. Vinyl dusts off her hooves and heaves a satisfied sigh. "That's about everything! As soon as we get paid, we're outta here," Vinyl announces as she sits down. A nod is my only response. I'm out of breath and my body is aching from all of the hard work, making it difficult for me to form words at all. While I'm waiting, I rest against the stage until my breath returns. Vinyl watches me with some amusement. "You're pretty out of shape, dude," she comments. "If this was hard, how did you handle working with Applejack on the farm?" "I'm not entirely sure," I admit, earning a laugh from Vinyl. I clear my throat and force myself to breathe normally. "Still, you pushed through without a complaint. Respect," Vinyl compliments me. "If you want to get in shape, that's the way to do it." I want to mention that it's because I don't have any other choice, but then I decide better of it. Instead, I give another short nod as a response. "Scratchie! I've got your bits!" Pinkie emerges from the back hallway with a sizeable sack of what I assume is our pay hanging from her mouth. Vinyl perks up at that, as do I. "Sorry for making you wait!" "No prob, Pinks. Thanks," Vinyl accepted the payment, the bag levitating over to the floor in front of her. Once Pinkie saw that we had it, she bounced back across the room while nattering to herself about the cleaning she still had left to do. "Now then, let's see about your share..." Vinyl opens the bag and sifts through the golden coins with her telekinesis, counting under her breath. "Eighteen bits. Alright, that makes it easy," she mutters to herself. "Only eighteen? Didn't you say you made between thirty and two hundred per gig?" I recall, feeling somewhat worried. Twenty five percent of that, rounded down, would put me up to ten bits total. "Pinkie Parties is a different matter. Because she has them so often, I give her a discount, because she usually asks for me," Vinyl explains. Sure enough, she counts out four bits and passes them to me. "There you go. Thanks for the help, by the way." I accept the coins and place them in the sack with the rest of my money. I stand up and grab my rifle from where it leans against the stage. Before I can leave, however, Vinyl walks in front of me. "Hold up. About yesterday," Vinyl began, her expression turning serious. "Have you found a place to stay yet?" "Not yet, no. I was about to ask you the cost of an average inn," I answer her honestly. "An inn? Well, we don't really have one in the sense that you're thinking," Vinyl reveals, much to my dismay. "The closest we have is the bar, which has a few rooms upstairs that are given out at the owner's discretion. The cheapest of those is about fifteen bits." "Fifteen?" I repeat, my voice rising. The bits in my hand suddenly seem as worthless as rocks in the face of such a number. "What, you don't have enough?" Vinyl sounds alarmed as well for some reason. I shake my head solemnly. It seems I won't be escaping another night outside. I'll have to figure something out to avoid freezing to death. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Applejack probably wouldn't pay you eleven bits for anything less than a dawn to dusk shift." "Her pay was one bit an hour, and I worked six hours today," I clarify for her. Vinyl nods, likely finding that similar to what she expected. "But that means you've got nowhere to go to get out of the weather tonight," Vinyl reminds me. She rubs her chin with a hoof as she ponders. "Tell you what, I can front you five extra bits just for..." "Absolutely not. I can't believe you've even consider giving me half of your pay," I cut across her immediately. "Just for tonight, I was about to say," Vinyl finishes with some annoyance. "You can't stay outside tonight, so just stop being stubborn and take it." "I don't care what you call it. I won't take charity from you. I earned four bits, so that is all I'll accept," I assert, crossing my arms. If I'm firm enough now, perhaps she'll finally take the hint. "Plus, saying it's 'just for tonight' is complete nonsense. Even with a one time bonus, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the daily cost of a room in the bar." Vinyl sighs with frustration, knowing that my argument is correct. "Fine. Then come stay with me. I told you I have a spare room I'm more than willing to give you," she repeats with determination. "I believe I told you that no matter what the alternative was, I'm not accepting that offer," I shoot back, an edge entering my voice. Unfortunately, unlike most ponies I interactive with, sounding angry does nothing to dissuade Vinyl. "Agh for the love of..." Vinyl grabs me, giving me a bit of a shake. "Seth... you don't seem to get it. It's still raining out there. You will freeze to death. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Do I have to pull the boss card on you again?" "If you 'pull the boss card' on me again, I quit," I snap back, my tone turning icy and my eyes narrowing. Vinyl's jaw drops, taken aback by my words. "I won't be manipulated by you. In the end, it's no business of yours what happens to me." "I don't care what you say, Seth! I'm making it my business. What kind of awful pony would I have to be to let someone freeze to death when I can clearly do something about it?" Vinyl argues vehemently. I scoff with disbelief. Why is she still pushing this? I've made it abundantly clear that I won't accept her help, so why is she trying so hard? "I mean, for Celestia's sake, it's just a place to stay! It's not like I'm..." Vinyl is interrupted by a gasp from nearby. We both turn to see Twilight, who appears to have been passing us on her way out of the building. I groan, realizing that she overheard us. "Seth, you told me you had a place to stay!" Twilight accuses me, the mare walking up to the two of us. Vinyl shoots her a grateful glance before returning her gaze to me. "I never said I had a place to stay; I said I had it covered." My patience is quickly nearing its limit. It's going to be much harder to get out of this now that there's two of them on my case. "That meant that you should mind your own business. I assumed you were smart enough to understand that." "But if you had nowhere to go, why didn't you tell me? I would have given you my spare bed!" Twilight demands. When I don't answer, she lets out a frustrated cry. "I just don't get it, Seth! I just want to help and understand you, but everywhere I turn, I hear stories from another pony you've rebuffed! "Yeah, I agree. Seriously dude, we're just trying to be nice to you. Why are you so against the idea of us helping you out?" Vinyl adds on. "It's like you think we'll use everything we give you to..." The more they demand from me, the closer I get to losing my cool. Despite the rational part of my mind telling me that I can't afford to get angry lest I lose my only source of livelihood, it's getting increasingly harder to keep from doing so. Finally, I can't stop myself anymore. "That's enough!" I shout, my voice now loud enough to be heard over the both of them. Both Twilight and Vinyl are taken aback by my raised voice and fall silence. "I'm beyond tired of having to tell you ponies again and again that I don't want your help nor your friendship! What happens to me is my business and my business alone!" "But Seth..." Twilight tries to cut in, but I won't let her. "I don't want to hear it! You have no reason to care about me as much as you keep claiming to! It would be so much easier if you just forgot about me, Twilight! You already know that I won't be staying around you long enough to give you the information you need to write your book, so please stop trying!" "But that's not what I..." Twilight attempts once more, but to no avail. I turn my glare onto Vinyl next, causing her to flinch. "And then there's you! I told you just now that I'd quit in an instant. Why haven't you fired me yet!? Haven't either of you learned that you can't get anything from me by acting nice!?" "What are you even talking about? You make it sound like everything we're doing is to try and manipulate you!" Vinyl shoots back, her voice rising to meet mine. "Get over yourself! I can't even begin to tell you how paranoid that is! Seriously, all we've ever wanted from you is your friendship!" "Yeah, that's what I've been trying to tell you this whole time!" Twilight joins in once more, her nerve returning. "For the love of... you ponies are the most frustrating creatures I think I've ever met!" I yell back at them, my throat beginning to hurt. "If not to manipulate me, why do you keep trying so hard to help me? Why do you keep going out of your way, when you could easily just leave me behind!? Why can't you just pretend I don't exist, like everyone else!?" I finally stop shouting, having said everything currently in my mind. I keep glaring at the two of them as I breathe heavily. I press my hand against the center of my chest, where a sudden tightness has developed. I hardly even notice the fact that our argument has drawn the attention of nearly everyone else in the room. "What happened to you, Seth?" Twilight asks softly, her eyes widening with understanding. "Why are you so convinced that our kindness isn't genuine?" "It doesn't matter if it is or if it isn't, in the end. I simply want no part of it. There's no point in making friends when I'm simply going to be leaving town in a week or so. You understand that I'll likely never return," I remind her. Twilight nods, but this is the first time Vinyl has heard of that. "Either way, that... is as personal as it gets. Please, just give up on me." "Sorry, dude, but that's not going to happen," Vinyl says with a shrug. "You can yell and scream all you want, but I'm not so shallow that I'd give up on someone just because it wasn't easy." "I just don't get you at all," I say with a heavy sigh. I don't have enough energy to get angry with them again. "But nevertheless, I still won't accept your charity." "Then... wait, hold on a sec," Vinyl looked as though she were about to get irritated again, but then she suddenly stopped, her eyes widening. She groaned and let her face fall into her hoof. "Oh dear Celestia, I'm so dumb. I have an idea that'll work for all of us." "Really? What is it?" I ask suspiciously. Twilight too looks interested in what she's come up with. "I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner. Come stay with me, and I'll just charge you rent. That way, you'll get a better deal than the bar, and I'll be happy knowing you aren't dying of hypothermia." "I should have thought of that too," Twilight admits, facehoofing as well. "This way, it won't be charity." "That's..." I open my mouth, but I can't come up with anything wrong with that suggestion. I come to the sudden realization that all of this trouble could have been avoided if I'd have thought of that myself. I was so set against the idea of being friendly towards anyone that I completely missed the obvious solution. "Okay. I suppose I can settle for that." Vinyl and Twilight both release sighs of relief. "Thank the princesses," Vinyl remarks. What Vinyl says next causes Twilight to choke back a laugh despite the situation. "You're so stubborn you could make Rainbow Dash look like Fluttershy." "I don't know who Fluttershy is," I state irritably. "But that's beside the point. How would this work? How many bits per day are you asking?" "I don't think I'm gonna charge you per day. That would strain your wallet way too much," Vinyl decides. "I'm thinking I'd charge you per week. How many hours do you think you'll be working on the farm every day?" "Assuming I get up at dawn and stop around six in the evening, that's about ten hours," I answer uncertainly. "I have about three gigs per week on average, so..." Vinyl trails off as she runs up some quick numbers in her head. "You'd make an average of ninety bits per week, assuming you work seven days a week. How does forty bits per week sound?" "That leaves me fifty left over. That means I can leave Ponyville in two weeks," I muse, liking the sound of this. I feel a little bit stupid that we didn't just work this out in the first place instead of yelling at one another. "What all is included in the cost?" "You get the room, access to my bathroom and everything in it, two meals a day--I'd say three, but you'll be at the farm all day and Applejack'll likely provide lunch--basically all the essentials," Vinyl explains. "This is actually a really good idea!" Twilight chimes in. I notice that there's now a firm piece of parchment and a quill floating telekinetically in front of her, and she's rapidly scribbling something down on it. "I'll write up a temporary contract real quick, and you two can have it made official when you have a chance!" "You have the authority to write temporary rent contracts?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. "I mean I probably could if I asked," Twilight reasoned sheepishly, dipping her head. "But I just wanted to feel helpful over here. It'll be fine as long as you make it official with the mayor soon." "Hah, silly mare," Vinyl chuckles a bit at Twilight's explanation. "Either way, you good with all of this, Seth?" "I should be asking you that. You sure you want to offer this to me... even after yelling at you like that?" I point out. "What that? That's not a big deal. You'd hardly be the first who's thrown a tantrum over something silly," Vinyl remarks. "You should have seen me when I was a filly." "I'm not sure how to feel about that," I mutter bitterly. "But I have no further objections." "Awesome! Looks like you're my roomie now!" Vinyl declares. She then catches herself with a bemused expression. "Wait... is that right? Housemate? Flatmate? Twilight, help me out here." "The word you're looking for is 'tenant,'" Twilight helpfully supplies as she finishes inscribing the temporary contract. She levitates the parchment over to us, along with a quill for us to use. "Now, all you two have to do is sign it!" "Looks good!" Vinyl decrees after looking the contract over. I glance at it as well, but the writing is as incomprehensible as ever. The two lines at the bottom, however, prove to be easily recognizable. Vinyl grasps the quill with her magic and signs what I assume to be her name on the top line. She then passes the quill to me. "What do you think, Seth?" Twilight asks next. She moves the contract over to me. "I can't read it, but I'm assuming that everything that's on it is what we just discussed," I reveal to Twilight. I grasp the quill and sign my name on the second line in neat cursive. Writing on the paper hanging in midair feels strange, as though it's pressed against a solid surface. "That being said, I sign this under the provision that I agree only to those terms. Nothing that you put in the fine print will apply to me." "There isn't any fine print, dude. Relax," Vinyl assures me, the mare poking my leg with her hoof. "That's fair of course. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you can't read Equestrian," Twilight replies. She brings the contract back to her. After looking it over, she rolls it up and seals it. She passes it to Vinyl, who places it in the cart with the rest of her equipment. "What language did you sign it in? Was that the human language?" "One of them, yes," I clarify for her. After putting my rifle in the cart as well, I glance over to Vinyl. "Anything else, or are we done here?" "That's it! We'll be leaving now, Twilight," Vinyl confirms. She beckons to me, and the two of us move to the cart. Vinyl stretches the tarp back over the cart, thus protecting it from the elements. "Let's get this puppy moving, Seth." "Good night to the both of you! Seth, are you still coming to see me tomorrow?" Twilight questions while the two of us push the cart towards the door. "That was the idea... you're telling me you're also okay with me, even after this argument?" I return with a raised eyebrow. Twilight appears genuinely confused by my question. "Why wouldn't I be? It would be shallow of me to write someone off simply because of one argument," Twilight reasons. She notices my resulting bemusement. "Is that how you perceive us?" I shake my head, even more confused than before. "Don't get offended. It's just something I see rather often." "Well, you won't see that from me!" Twilight proclaims. She accompanies us outside into the wind and rain for a little while, and then gives us a wave. "I'm heading back to the library now. See you tomorrow, Seth!" With that, Vinyl and I continue on our way to her home. I shiver involuntarily at the sudden drop in temperature. The worst of the storm seems to have already passed, but the wind and rain have yet to subside. As a result, the air feels ten degrees colder than usual due to windchill. As goosebumps form on my bare chest, I can't help but admit; I definitely would have frozen to death out here. The aftermath of the storm consists of scattered thatch, knocked over mailboxes or boxes, and streams of rainwater surging downhill through the streets. In other areas where the elevation is slightly lower, large puddles of excess water have formed. Vinyl makes a point to avoid running her cart through such puddles. It seems like an eternity has passed when we finally reach Vinyl's house. No sooner had she opened the door than I was pushing the cart inside as quickly as possible. Vinyl chuckles at my haste. "You really should look into getting something to keep warm. You look like you're freezing," Vinyl suggests as she closes the door behind us. "Trust me, it's on my list of things to do," I grunt. The two of us maneuver the cart just inside the door to the right. "Whew, is that it?" "That's it!" Vinyl affirms. She then looks around the large sitting room in which we're standing. The place is hardly tidy, and she seems to realize that; a supposition that's supported by the faint blush on her face. "Sorry, my place is a wreck. I hope you don't mind." "If you'd ever seen a college dorm before, you wouldn't say that," I quip while I look around. The sitting room is simple, consisting of a small couch and two armchairs positioned around a fireplace set in the far wall. Between them is a wooden coffee table, atop of which are several coasters and empty mugs. There are also multiple end tables with candles on top of them littered about the room. The mess that she was referring to came from clothes being thrown on the floor or hung over the back of armchairs, the empty cups on the table, and various musical paraphernalia such as books, cables, and even an acoustic guitar. To the left is a small kitchen, separated from the sitting room by a low partition. The kitchen is also a mess, with dirty dishes still in the sink and the counters scattered with crumbs. At the very back of the kitchen is a staircase crammed against the back wall that leads upstairs, to where I assume the bedrooms are. "Well, this is my pad! Though I suppose it's yours now too," Vinyl announces awkwardly. I follow her when she walks into the sitting room. She removes her ever present shades from her eyes, giving me my first look at them. Surprisingly, her eyes are a dark shade of magenta, which appears red in the dim light. The color clashes with her electric blue mane, yet it doesn't seem out of place. "I should probably clean a bit..." "I wouldn't worry about it. It doesn't matter to me how you live," I say with a shrug. "More importantly, where will I be sleeping?" "Oh yeah!" Vinyl pointed towards the staircase. "If you head upstairs, the spare room is the last door on the right. My room is right across from that, and the bathroom is the door closest to the stairs. The last door is the laundry room. I know you can't read the settings though, so I can teach you later." "Thank you." I move over to the cart and fish through the equipment until I find my rifle. "Last question. When's the next time you have a gig?" "Not tomorrow, but the next day. Tomorrow I'm not doing a thing!" Vinyl declares, the mare flopping on her couch. "Oh yeah, but I'll be up to make breakfast for you." "Even though that's at dawn?" I remark, cranking an eyebrow. The only response I get is a short groan. I shake my head with minor amusement. "Alright. Anyway, I'm going to wash up before bed. Wake me up when you're making food." "Got it. Have a good night dude! By the way, the shower is right for hot, left for cold!" Vinyl calls up after me as I climb the stairs. I make a mental note of that and head directly for the bathroom. This is the first real bathroom I've seen, not counting the outhouse I used while working out in the field with Applejack. I'm not sure what I expected, but it doesn't look that much different than a human bathroom. Everything save for the tub is noticeably lower to account for pony size. It's a disorienting effect; I feel like I'm taller than I should be. I turn on the shower and gauge the temperature of the water with my hand. Once it feels as warm as I like it, I undress and step inside. The showerhead is low, so I get down on my knees. I let out a sigh of contentment as any chill remaining on me is washed away by the warmth. Glancing around the tub reveals a bar of soap on a small shelf, as well as bottles of what I assume is shampoo and conditioner. As tempting as it is to wash my hair free of the accumulated grease, I'm not entirely sure what formula those hair products use, so it could potentially damage my hair. I'm not about to risk that. However, I do pick up the soap and test its consistency. I'm assuming it isn't made out of animal fat, of course. It feels soft on the skin and easily forms a suprisingly thick lather. With luck, this won't irritate my skin. Deciding to risk it, I start to clean myself. It's been a long day. To start it all off, I suffered from mild hypothermia. Then, I spoke with Twilight, worked for several grueling hours with Applejack, and then went to a painstakingly long party with Vinyl. All of that then culminated in my presence here, as a tenant in Vinyl's house. To say that it's been stressful goes without saying. Nevertheless, scrubbing the dirt and grime free of my skin serves wonders for my mental state. Once I'm finished, I dry off with a fluffy white towel that's somewhat too small for me, and then I hang it on the rack. I dress up only in my underwear, and then I carry my clothes back to my new room. I would get them washed, but as it stands, it's very late at night, and I'll be waking up at dawn. I don't have time. I step into my room, close the door, and proceed to look around. The room isn't anything fancy. There's a small bed pressed up against the far room with a dark wooden dresser beside it. Additionally, resting against the wall in front of the room's sole window is a desk equipped with quills, inkwells, and paper. Setting my clothes down on the floor, I climb into the bed. Unsurprisingly, the bed is somewhat too small for me, so my legs dangle off the other end. I tend to sleep with my legs curled up anyway, so it's thankfully not a problem. I breathe deeply, letting my head rest against the soft pillow. After spending a night outside, it's so nice to have comfort and warmth, even if I had to be convinced to accept it. I am at last in a favorable situation. I have food, shelter, and a sustainable source of income. It won't be long before I have enough money to leave Ponyville and head to the north. Sombra won't be able to hide forever.
Tales of the Oppressed	8. A Trip to the Schoolhouse (rw)	A short time after dawn's first light creeps over the horizon, Vinyl knocks at my door loudly, waking me from my slumber. I lurch up into a sitting position, remnants of last night's unsettling dream still lingering in my mind. I can still see the fading image of my university juxtaposed with the decrepit and decaying remnant that it had become. "I'm awake," I respond to Vinyl tiredly as the knock comes once again. She doesn't respond, but I do hear the sound of her hooves retreating in the hallway. I heave a sigh and attempt to rub the sleep out of my eyes. While sleeping in a bed is leagues more comfortable than shivering beneath the bridge, I don't feel nearly as rested as I'd hoped. I climb out of bed and slap my cheeks sharply, the pain serving to help wake me up further. A quick glance around the room reminds me of the events that took place at last night's party. I let out a soft groan; I made a fool of myself by losing my temper not just once, but twice. I wish I'd have the sense to keep my cool, or at the very least, do a better job of avoiding the ponies at that party. I'll never get out of this blasted town if I can't even keep a level head. The first thing I do is locate what's left of my clothes. Although my jeans had been washed by Zecora, they're wrinkled, stained with dirt, and smell faintly of sweat. That's without counting the rips and tears accumulated from the punishment I've taken since arriving in this era. I grab them and quickly dress, deciding that I don't need to bathe, as I'd done so the previous night. After taking a moment to tidy my hair as best I can, I pocket my wallet and phone, tie the bag of bits around my belt, and grab my rifle from the dresser. Once I've gathered everything, I make my way into the hallway. I can already detect the odor of cooking food wafting up the stairwell. I can't tell exactly what Vinyl is making, but the scent of frying eggs is at least evident. I assume it'll become more clear once I descend the stairs into the kitchen. Vinyl stands at the stove in the midst of the mess that is her kitchen. The stovetop as well as the countertops immediately surrounding her appear to have been recently cleaned, but everywhere else is just as cluttered as it had been the previous night. As for Vinyl herself...well, I think it's safe to say she's not a morning person in the slightest. The mare is leaning on the counter, using her magic to telekinetically slide the pan beneath the eggs within as she slowly fries them. Her mane is a complete unbrushed mess, hanging limply on both sides of her neck, and her eyes are half-shut. When she notices my presence, she gives a faint grunt of acknowledgement. "You're a sight. How often do you get up this early?" I question her curiously after a quick glance in the pan. "Never," Vinyl groans, the mare looking as though she'll fall asleep where she stands. She shoots a glare towards a coffee machine that chugged softly in the corner of the room. "Why is the coffee not done yet!?" "You can go back to sleep if you want. I can cook," I point out. I choose to leave out the fact that I greatly dislike having to cook for myself. "Nah, I already said I'd make breakfast," Vinyl returns. A moment later, the coffee machine beeped. Briefly setting down the pan, Vinyl snatches the coffee pot out of the machine and pours some of it directly into her mouth, despite the fact that it is probably scalding. Her eyes widen, and she then downs a glass of ice water equally quickly. "Hhhuah! I'm awake! I'm awake!" "You seriously plan to get up at dawn every day, seven days a week, just to make breakfast for me? I don't intend to take days off," I remind her with a hint of incredulity in my voice. Vinyl blanches. "Yeeah, maybe not every morning," Vinyl reconsiders with a wince, earning a brief snort from me. She pours herself a more conventional cup of coffee, and then offers the pot to me. "Want some coffee? You'll probably need it." "No, I don't drink caffeine." I decline her offer with a shake of my head. She looks at me skeptically, noting how my eyelids are also drooping. "Suit yourself," Vinyl remarks with a shrug, setting the pot back on the counter. As much as a boost would be nice, I suspect that the cold will be a more effective pick up than any drug. Vinyl returns to the counter just in time to flip the eggs with a satisfying sizzle. Every so often, as she cooks, she gulps down her coffee. "It's gonna be pretty cold out there. You gonna be alright?" "I'll be fine. Farm work will keep me active," I return, my gaze falling to the table, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Her question reminds me that my first priority needs to be warmer clothes. It's cold enough here in Ponyville; I don't even want to imagine how cold it'll be in the north. I only know of one pony that for sure makes clothing, but I don't believe she can make human clothing. Nor do I think she'd want to, given how our previous meeting ended. "I guess. I don't envy you though. Can I get you to take a scarf at least?" Vinyl asks as she finishes frying the eggs. She turns to see my reaction, only to be met with a very telling expression. Vinyl sighs and turns back to the pan. A couple of plates fly out of the cupboards with telekinesis, and before long, there are two plates of fried eggs and toast on the table. "That reminds me. I owe you a strap." I scowl at that, but I don't stop her as she walks into the sitting room, where she starts rummaging through the mess. As she starts moving everything around and muttering to herself, I eat my breakfast, using the fork provided to me. The toast isn't anything special, but the eggs are pretty good. If I had to guess, they came from the farm. After a short moment of throwing myriad objects about, Vinyl lifts up what appears to be a black electric guitar, though there aren't any inputs for the amplifier. She blinks at it, as though she hadn't expected to find it. "She's probably gonna want this back," Vinyl commented, setting the instrument aside. It only took her a moment longer to find the strap of which she'd spoken. She returned to the table, floating the trap over to me. "Aha! I knew it was hiding in here somewhere." "It only took you about five minutes," I comment wryly as I finish up the last of my meal. I grab the strap when it reaches me. A quick glance reveals it to be a simple black guitar strap, with holes on either end where it would be fastened to a guitar. I'm not certain how I'd affix it to my rifle. "I really need to clean this room," Vinyl laments in response to my comment. She plops down on the seat across from me and starts to eat. "Take the strap to the boutique after you get off work. She's probably got some Liquid Rock laying around." "'Liquid Rock?'" I echo, perplexed. "Yeah, it's basically a really sweet glue that's like rock when you magic it," Vinyl explained. I raise an eyebrow. That sound suspiciously like super glue, but there must be more to it if there's magic involved. "Two dabs of that, and you won't have to lug your stick around with your hands anymore." "I see. I'll get it taken care of," I reply curtly. I can't be carrying this around while I'm working, so I tie it around my waist like a belt. There's nothing more for me to do here, so I pick up my rifle and head for the door. Then I remember something important. "When are we going to make this housing contract official?" "That's right, we still gotta do that," Vinyl looked as though she'd just remembered about it. She groans, covering her snout with a hoof. "Aw, I hope there're not a lot of hoops for us to jump through. You never know with the mayor." "That doesn't bode well," I grumble, already not looking forward to it. "I already had a bad feeling about meeting her." "What? Why? She's not that bad," Vinyl gives me a confused look. I think about explaining to her, but I decide against it. There's no doubt that she'd argue with my reasoning. "Nevermind. I don't have time to talk about it anyway. I'm heading out," I dismiss with a sigh. I turn back towards the door and leave the house without another word, shutting the door firmly behind me. I immediately wince and shiver as the cold air impacts my bare chest. The thought of enduring this for the time it would take me to get some warm clothes is enough to make me want to walk back inside. While I walk, I ponder about the cost of such clothing. All I know about the worth of bits is that one bit will buy me about ten apples, and that fifteen bits will get me a room at the bar for a night. I suppose that's one more thing to ask when I get to the boutique. That name sounds familiar. I recall the overdressed pony at the party - Rarity, I think her name was - attempting to persuade me to visit her boutique for free clothing. I scowl somewhat, remembering how our first meeting had gone. While free clothing would be nice, an offer like that is too good to be true. This goes especially for someone like Rarity; judging by that dress she wore, she's rather well off. I cut through the side roads as often as possible, avoiding the square in my attempt to avoid ponies as much as possible. Thankfully, it's very early, and very few are out and about. Due to this, I make my way to the farm unhindered. It appears Applejack is already getting ready for the day's work. I find her at the front of the barn, a cart set before her filled with all manner of foodstuffs. There are apples in barrels, freshly wrapped pies, and other pastries that I can't quite make out. Beside her is Big MacIntosh, the larger stallion strapped into a second cart filled with empty apple baskets. Also with the two of them is the young filly, Apple Bloom. Unlike the last time I saw her, she's now wearing a pair of saddlebags hanging down either side of her flank, each packed with books and notebooks. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that she's likely about to leave for school. "Morning, Seth!" Applejack calls to me with a tip of her hat and a bright smile when she spots my approach. Apple Bloom also calls to me, and even Big MacIntosh gives me a terse greeting when I reach them. I choose not to respond to any of them with anything other than a wordless nod. "You ready to get to work?" "As I'll ever be. Will I be working with Big MacIntosh with the apple trees, like I did yesterday with you?" I respond politely, dreading the hard work that was soon to follow. "Maybe later, but now, I actually got something different for you to do," Applejack decides. She indicates her younger sister with a slight hoof motion. "Would you mind terribly taking Apple Bloom to school?" I raise an eyebrow at the rather odd request, suppressing the sigh that threatens to emerge. The last thing I want to do is spend time with a kid; I find them more intolerable than adults at times. "Wait what?" Even Apple Bloom seems surprised by this, her confused gaze switching between her sister and me. "I suppose I can, but isn't she old enough to get to school on her own?" I ask, doing my best to hide my annoyance. "Yeah, I ain't a baby! It ain't that far from here to school!" Apple Bloom protests, the filly readily taking my side. Unfortunately it doesn't make a difference in the end. "I ain't taking any chances. Other than Fluttershy, we're the closest to the Everfree," Applejack expresses. I glance over to the fringes of the Everfree far in the distance. It's quite a distance from here...a fact that Apple Bloom knows well; she immediately protests that logic. "No buts, Apple Bloom. Besides, there's another reason I'm sending him with you." "And that would be?" I prompt her expectantly, already accepting the unpleasant task to come. "I got a few deliveries for miss Cheerilee, the schoolteacher. She was at the party last night. Have you met her yet?" Applejack reveals. I search my memory, and then shake my head. "She's a nice enough sort. I think you'll like her." A rather bitter retort comes to mind concerning my experiences with teachers, but I choose not to voice it. Looking at the bright side, I'm getting out of heavy labor for roughly an hour, counting the walk there and back. Choosing not to comment on her last statement, I nod. "Okay. I can do that. Which of these packages am I bringing to her?" My acceptance of the task earns a satisfied smile from Applejack and a sigh from Apple Bloom. Applejack takes a few moments to fish out the food, using her mouth and forehoof to collect them all. "Do you often deliver to the school?" "Every now and then. Sometimes Cheerilee likes to give out some of Granny's cooking to all them foals for lunch. Usually I go deliver them myself, but..." Applejack looks rather pleased with herself. "Now I don't have to. Thanks for doing this." "It's my job," I say simply, taking the packages from her, carefully avoiding wherever Applejack's mouth touched. There's quite a few of them. Between the rifle and the stack of pastries, my hands are thoroughly full. Despite this, it's nothing I can't handle. I glance down at Apple Bloom, briefly meeting her gaze. "Let's go." "Have a good day at school!" Applejack calls after Apple Bloom and I as the two of us walk back towards the entrance of the school. A silence falls between the two of us once we're out of earshot of the two older ponies. Apart from our initial meeting, the two of us have never been alone together, and it's about as awkward as one would expect. She switches between looking around at her surroundings, and looking shyly at me. Eventually, she works up the courage to talk to me. "Um...Mr. Seth, I..." Apple Bloom begins. "I don't know the way to your school," I cut across her, pretending as though I didn't hear her. I'm worried about being alone with her, purely because I know that I can't handle kids very well. These ponies appear to be like humans in the way that they think, speak, and act, so it stands to reason that I'll have the same problems with them as I did with humans. "I'll need you to direct me." "Oh, the schoolhouse? It ain't hard to find, I can show you," Apple Bloom responded readily, only surprised for a moment by my interruption. "Maybe I can show you around Ponyville too?" "I'll pass. You'll be late for school if you do that." Unfortunately, that's little more than a guess; I don't know for sure when school begins for her. "Besides, your sister isn't paying me to walk around town idly." "I guess so," Apple Bloom concedes. The silence falls between us again, persisting until we reach Ponyville proper. I suppress a groan at the sight of the town waking up for the day. Although I was able to avoid them on the way out, it seems I won't be so lucky this time. With Apple Bloom giving me small directions here and there, I follow the streets, doing my best to ignore the attention I'm garnering just by walking. To avoid losing my patience, I take in my surroundings as I walk, attempting to memorize their features in case I need to find my way to the schoolhouse later. All in all, it's turning out to be a rather uneventful walk. "Apple Bloom! Wait up!" A high-pitched voice squeaks after us. Without slowing my pace, I turn my head to see a second filly about the same age as Apple Bloom cantering towards us. She's a unicorn with a soft white coat and a head covered with pink and lavender curls. Like Apple Bloom, there's no cutie mark on her flank. She inevitably notices me and skids to a stop beside Apple Bloom, kicking up dust in the process. "Whoa! Uh...hi! I saw you at the party!" "Don't mind me. Talk to your friend," I say with a sigh, recognizing the filly for what she was. Due to her age and familiarity with Apple Bloom, I'd say that she's one of her classmates. I set my rifle aside and take a moment to brush the dust off of my jeans. "Remember we're on a time table." "Good morning, Sweetie Belle!" After giving me an appreciative look, Apple Bloom greets her friend with a loving nuzzle. "This is Mr. Seth! He's taking me to school today instead of my sis." The two of them start to catch up with one another, and through their conversation I confirm my previous assumption about their relationship. It also quickly becomes clear that the unicorn, Sweetie Belle, isn't quite by herself either; she's walking with her older sister, with whom I'm already acquainted. "Good morning. Seth, was it?" Rarity greets me, the older unicorn catching up to her sister at her own pace. Her words are clipped and her expression is completely neutral; it's clear to me that she hasn't forgotten our previous altercation. "Rarity," I respond with a slight nod, keeping my voice clear of any inflection. Unlike last night, Rarity isn't wearing any clothing, but her mane is just as meticulously styled as before. I note that her cutie mark, which I'm only now getting to see, is a set of three bluish diamonds. The meaning of such a mark isn't readily apparent to me at first glance. "Taking your sister to school?" "That's quite right," Rarity answers. Her tone is polite, but I can't deny the tension I feel between us. She seems every bit like the kind of woman who would take what I said then personally and hold it against me. Even though I know this, she carefully doesn't let her face betray any positive or negative feelings. "Speaking of which, Sweetie Belle, we shouldn't dally. You wouldn't want to be late, would you?" "No, miss Cheerilee would get mad at us. C'mon, Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle beckons to her friend with a small hoof, and the two of them continue their conversation from before as they continue walking down the street. I can hear my name come up in their conversation, but it's nothing more than Sweetie Belle's curiosity. The two of them walking together ultimately means that I'm forced to walk beside Rarity, the silence making me wish I could leave Apple Bloom with them and make a hasty retreat. If I didn't have deliveries to make to the school, Applejack likely wouldn't have minded. I suppose letting Apple Bloom make the deliveries is an option, but its not a feasible one; there are too many of these for her to carry by herself. "Pardon me for asking, but I can't help but notice that you're walking with Apple Bloom." Rarity deigned to break the silence between us herself. It seems that Sweetie Belle isn't the only one curious. Her eyes fall to the packages I'm carrying. "Are you by chance, working with Applejack?" "That's right. I'm making deliveries to the school. It was more convenient for her if I walked with Apple Bloom in the process," I reply with just enough information to assuage her curiosity. When I look at Rarity, I see her eyeing me with a guarded expression. "I imagine it's hard work. Do you like it there?" Rarity continues conversationally. Despite my expectations, I can't find a trace of bitterness in her tone. "Depends on what you mean by 'like.' Are you asking if I enjoy working there?" There's no getting out of this conversation, as we're going the same direction. I'd rather avoid another argument, so I carefully watch my words. "I don't understand. Is there another meaning?" Rarity presses, one eyebrow rising almost imperceptibly. "In my mind, there is. I'm doing what I have to. It's necessary. There's no enjoyment to be had in manual labor," I explain shortly. I regret saying that almost immediately, noting how Apple Bloom slightly turns her head toward me. She's still talking with Sweetie Belle, but I have to be doubly careful what I say. I don't want her going to Applejack if I say something too negative. "I couldn't agree more. It's strenuous and difficult, and you feel so filthy afterward," Rarity surprisingly concurs with my statement, brushing her coat with a hoof as if to brush away nonexistent dirt. "What about Applejack herself? Do you like working with her?" "Why do you ask?" I reply carefully, watching Rarity closely. Her expression betrays nothing of what she's thinking. "Just making conversation," she answers with a small smile. I exhale with some frustration. It's impossible to read her, and I'm getting impatient. "There's still some ways yet to go." "That's true, but considering the results of our last conversation, I'd think that I'd be the last person you'd want to talk to," I retort, deciding to be direct. This back and forth between us has grown tiresome. Rarity's expression finally changes into one of concern, her eyes widening slightly. "Oh, you're referring to the party? No no, I must apologize for my behavior that night." Rarity's words nearly cause me to drop the packages I'm carrying. She struck me as the prissy type who would be full of herself, but she's apologizing? "I didn't take into account your feelings at all; no doubt there'd be some cultural differences between us." "That's not quite it, but...it's close enough." I don't really know how to respond. In just a few short seconds, the image of her that I'd built up in my head no longer seemed to fit. I don't get it. I was rather rude to her last night; she'd have every right to hold that against me. "That's...rather surprising." "What is?" Rarity prompts. "It's nothing. Just thinking aloud," I hastily recover, shifting my grip to keep a hold of both my rifle and the packages. "To answer your question, Applejack's not a bad taskmaster. At the very least, she respects my boundaries." "Glad to hear it. I couldn't do what she does." Rarity shudders a bit just thinking about it. "I can barely do what she does," I mutter under my breath. A chill breeze brushes against my skin, causing goosebumps to form on my chest and arms. "You said you work at the boutique?" "Why, yes! The Carousel Boutique, to be specific," Rarity lit up at the question, the mare seeming happy to talk about her workplace. "It's less of 'where I work' and more 'where I live.'" "I'll be dropping by after work, if you're not doing anything else. I have something I'd like you to take care of." I decide to give her some prior warning about my upcoming visit. Rarity looked rather pleased at that, her smile growing. "But of course! I am in between major orders, so I'll have the time. Are you coming for clothes? It's getting colder, and without fur to keep warm, you'll be miserable," Rarity responds, her excitement visibly growing. "Ooh, I can already think of a few designs that would look simply marvelous on you! A lot of colors go with black, and although green is more difficult to work with, I'm confident that I can..." "Don't get ahead of yourself," I cut her off sharply before she can get too enthusiastic. "I will need warmer clothes eventually, but I'm not there yet. I need something simpler and hopefully cheaper." "Oh, I see. I'm sorry for getting excited. I just think about all the designs I could try and get positively giddy," Rarity looks a little annoyed at getting interrupted, but she doesn't say anything further about it. She looks forward, slowing her pace. "Well, I do believe we're here!" I turn my gaze forward as well, where I get my first look at the schoolhouse. I blink. I'm not sure what I expected when I heard 'schoolhouse,' but I didn't expect a design this archaic. The structure ahead appeared to be something right out of the 1960s; it was a simple pentagonal building with a single room and a belltower just above the door, a lone brass bell hanging at its top. The walls were a bright red and were decorated with a heart motif around the tops of its tall windows and lining the white fringes of the scaled roof. The front porch consisted of a small set of steps and two white pillars supporting an overhang. Juxtaposed with the schoolhouse is a minimalistic fenced-in playground containing a slide, a set of swings, and an odd contraption consisting of a pair of rubber balls attached to two separate ropes. In this playground is an assortment of foals, both male and female, their colorful coats a stark contrast to surrounding field. I'm guessing they arrived here before us, and are waiting for school to start. "How quaint," I observe. It's hard for me to imagine what going to school in a place like that would be like; human schools are much larger. I'm guessing I'll soon see what the inside looks like as well, because I don't see many adult ponies. "Perhaps, but charmingly so," Rarity agrees with a dip of her head. She leans down to nuzzle Sweetie Belle. "Have a good day at school, darling!" "We will! Bye, Rarity!" Sweetie Belle promises. The smaller white filly trots towards the field, beckoning to Apple Bloom. "C'mon, let's go find Scootaloo!" "Just a sec." Apple Bloom turned to face me. "Thanks for walking me to school, Mr. Seth." "Just Seth is fine. Don't mention it; I'm just doing my job," I respond coolly in an attempt to remain aloof. I look beside me, noticing that Rarity is starting to leave. "Will you be walking back in this direction?" Rarity asked. I don't miss the unspoken invitation to walk with her. "I'm going inside, so if you're leaving, go on ahead. I'll see you later this evening," I reply, turning away from her. Rarity nods, and it isn't long before she's out of sight. I sigh and follow Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle towards the schoolhouse. I suppose that didn't go nearly as poorly as I'd expected it would. I can't believe that she doesn't hold anything against me for last night, however. I suddenly hear another filly with a boyish voice calling out to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. From among the throng of foals emerges an orange pegasus with a scruffy purple mane. I squint a bit, finding the color combination somewhat difficult at which to look. "Hey crusaders! I just had the best idea of what to..." the third filly refers to the other two somewhat strangely, but she immediately cuts off when she spots me. I mentally prepare myself even as her eyes widen. "Whoa, what is that!? Is that the human thing everyone's talking about?" "That's Mr..." Apple Bloom begins. "My name is Seth, and I don't appreciate being talked about like I'm not here," I snap somewhat irritably at the filly, causing her to jump. Unfortunately, the filly's words were loud enough to get the attention of some of the other foals, who begin to stare at me without even bothering to hide their interest. I sigh and move past the fillies. "If you'll excuse me, I have a delivery to make." "Wait up! I'm sorry, alright? It's just we were all told there were no humans anymore!" the filly rushes to catch up with me, much to my annoyance. "So the fact you're here is kinda cool!" "So I've been told. Frankly, I don't see it," I retort with a hint of self-deprecation in my voice. She doesn't seem like she's going to leave me alone, so I decide to risk being a little cold. "Go play with your friends. They at least, appear to welcome your presence." "What? I just wanted to ask a few questions. You don't need to be mean about it," the filly protests hotly, her nose wrinkling up. "I'd suggest you save your breath. If you think I'm mean, that's okay. Making friends is hardly my priority," I recommend to her. While my intention was to stave her off, my words have the opposite effect, only making the filly angry. "Seriously? What kind of jerk...?" the filly begins, but fortunately Apple Bloom steps in, pulling her aside. "Apple Bloom, what...?" "Scootaloo, We don't need to be fighting. He's working for my sis, so we shouldn't hold him up," Apple Bloom explains. I don't hear the rest of their conversation, as I've already reached the the front steps of the schoolhouse, leaving them behind in the process. I open the door and step inside, making sure to duck beneath the low door frame. The glossy wooden floor creaks beneath my feet with every step, causing me to question the age of the structure. As for the rest of the interior, it certainly looks like what I'd expect from a classroom in a building like this. There are several rows of desks accompanied by small stools, and at the front and center of the room is a podium, behind of which is a large chalkboard. "Oh? Welcome, visitor!" a mature woman's voice calls to me once I've stepped inside. I spot an adult fuschia-colored mare sitting on her haunches behind a wooden desk, atop of which are multiple folders and writing utensils organized neatly into rows. Her mane is two shades of pink, and rests atop her head in neatly tended curls. For a cutie mark, she has three blooming flowers, each one smiling brightly. Like Rarity's, I'm assuming that the meaning is symbolic rather than literal. She hardly even blinks at my appearance. "I remember seeing you at the party; I was hoping to talk to you myself." "Is there anyone who hasn't heard of me?" I grumble a bit to myself as I approach her. I gently lower the packages of food atop the desk and straighten back up, relieved of the rather bulky burden. "I'm guessing you're Cheerilee?" "That's right! I'm the one and only teacher here!" Cheerilee stands up and walks around the desk to approach me, her hoof stretching out as a greeting. I accept her hoof after a moment's hesitation; as long as I'm on the clock, I'd best keep my attitude professional. She shakes my hand gently and briefly before releasing it. "You must be Seth. I see you brought my packages from the farm." "That's right. I'm working for Applejack right now. How do you know my name?" I ask curiously. It makes sense that news of my existence must have spread around the town, but I didn't think even my name would be included in that. "You being in this town is a big deal. I'm sure you've heard, but a lot of our architecture and technology is based on the lost human civilization. It shouldn't come as a surprise that ponies would be talking about you," Cheerilee explained, confirming my earlier supposition. This means I shouldn't be so surprised that ponies will know who I am. "I'd love to talk with you more, but no doubt Applejack will want you back, and I do have to get class started. Thank you for delivering these to me!" "Not at all. If you'll excuse me," I dip my head and retreat from the desk, my task complete. "Before you go, I don't suppose I could could convince you to speak for my class at some point as a special presentation?" Cheerilee calls after me. I pause, glancing back at her. "I'll be going over what we know of human history in the future, and I think seeing a live human would really drive my lesson home." I consider the offer. As distasteful as I find both children and public speaking, her reasoning is sound, and I could possibly negotiate some bits out of it if I pressed hard enough. That being said, I'm uncertain where in her curriculum human history would fall. Considering I won't be staying long in Ponyville, I'm not sure the opportunity would arise in time for it to be of use to me. "I'll think about it," is the best I can give her. There's no use thinking about it now. "If you have further details later on, I'll listen when I'm not working." "That's wonderful!" Despite my ambiguous answer, Cheerilee puts on a bright smile. She moves towards the door along with me, no doubt getting ready to gather all the students. "I'll make sure to keep you posted. I'll see you later, Seth." "No doubt." My job here done, I move past Cheerilee and head back towards the main road. In the process, I notice that my path will cross Apple Bloom and her two friends, who appear to be in the midst of an argument with two other students. I can't help but overhear as I approach. "You take that back!" Scootaloo snaps. "Yeah, there ain't nothing wrong with the farm!" Apple Bloom shoots back. "Please, we all know that he chose you out of ignorance," one of the two unfamiliar students returns with an irritating air of smugness about her. This one is a filly with a coat of a soft pink and a lavender mane stripped with white. On her head is an expensive looking tiara encrusted with clear gems, and on her flank is a cutie mark identical to the tiara. "I agree, such work is demeaning, especially to someone like him!" the other student, which is also a filly, concurs. This one is colored a delicate silver, with her mane and tail being an even lighter shade of gray. Additionally, she's wearing a set of bright blue glasses and a necklace made of pearls. She turns and her mouth slightly opens as she catches sight of me. "In fact, Diamond, why don't you ask him?" "Wait, no! He's...!" Apple Bloom attempts to warn them. It suddenly dawns on me that their argument involved me in some form or fashion. "What an excellent idea!" Diamond exclaims as she spots me as well. She steps out in front of me, clearly intending to speak with me. I'm forced to come to a halt to avoid tripping over her, an annoyed sigh escaping me. "Excuse me! Can I talk to you for a moment?" "I'd rather you didn't. I need to get back to work," I protest, but this only serves to encourage the innocently smiling filly. "That's convenient! I was actually wanting to talk to you about that!" Diamond revealed. "I'm Diamond Tiara, and this is Silver Spoon. We've learned that you're working on the farm of all places." "I am. What's my work have to do with you? What do I have to do with you for that matter?" I grit out. These two rub me the wrong way, and I've barely spoken with them for more than a few moments. I can tell from their attitudes and their attire that they're rather wealthy, and their tone suggests a healthy disdain for both these three fillies and the concept of farmwork. "Don't you think it's such a waste for a human such as yourself to work there?" Diamond asks in a voice that reminds me of a salesman attempting to sell their product. "Why not work for my daddy and his company? Being a human and all, I bet he'd take you on immediately. You wouldn't have to get all dirty, and we'd certainly pay you a lot more." "Yeah, and you wouldn't have to hang around with those losers anymore," Silver Spoon adds. "But...Seth..." Apple Bloom pleads weakly. "Don't listen to them! They're..." Scootaloo interjects. "Quiet. I can make my own decisions," I cut across them firmly. I realize that these two rich fillies are serious, judging from the way that they're looking at me. I don't doubt that Diamond Tiara is telling the truth; if I was willing to use my status as a human, I could likely land the job she's talking about. The option of earning more money does appeal to me as well. Yet, there are two problems with her offer. "Thanks, but I'm fine where I am." My refusal causes Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's jaws to drop in surprise; they must have genuinely believed their offer to be the better one. "I gave my word to Applejack that I would be working until the harvest ended. I don't make a habit of lying." Apple Bloom looks at me with wide eyes, surprise evident in her expression as well. A look of relief passes over her, and she gives me an appreciative smile. As for the two rich fillies... "But...how could you turn us down? Why should a human be forced to do simple farmwork?! They can't possibly afford to pay you as much as we can!" Diamond Tiara demands in shock. "Who cares about your word? Everything would be so much better for you if you worked for my daddy!" "The answer is still no." Despite my repeated refusals, I feel a pit forming in my stomach. I believe wholeheartedly in my decision, but the opportunity she's offering may well be a good one; I'd be able to leave much sooner. That being said...if her family is anything like Diamond, I absolutely will not work for them. Not even if they were to offer me all the bits in the world. "If you'll excuse me." I turn and continue on my way out of the schoolyard. Yet, it doesn't seem like Diamond is willing to let this go. The filly takes one look at the snickering Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, and her face contorts with rage. "Don't think I'll forget this insult! When my daddy hears about this, you bet your tail he'll make you regret it!" Diamond calls scathingly after me. Her word choice causes me to freeze in place. Her tone of voice and her threats...a sense of deja vu comes over me. A rush of anger overtakes me; I've met people like her before... "Is that right?" I turn my head, gazing at her from the corner of one eye. My tone is low and dangerously soft. Diamond's eyes widen at the sudden change in my demeanor, and she takes a step back when I storm back towards her. "Let me just tell you a little something, brat. I'm not half as stupid as you think I am. It's obvious that all you want is to be able to say that the world's only human is working for your dad's company." "That's..." Diamond stammers, but I don't let her finish. "While that would no doubt be beneficial for your company image, there's no way in hell I'd work for people like you. You talk down to people, you don't respect my word, and then you dare to threaten me?" I continue, coming to a stop just in front of her. I kneel down until I'm at eye level with her, the filly visibly quailing before my intense gaze. "Go ahead, tell your father. You'll quickly find out that not everything will go your way simply because you cry." Without another word, I straighten back up and at last start on the return trip to the farm, all five of the fillies watching me as I go. ~ On the upper level of the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight sits before a small table, upon which a piece of parchment and a half-filled inkwell rests. The quill with which she intends to write floats noiselessly in the air just in front of her muzzle, where she aimlessly sucks on the tip. Littered on the floor around her are several stacks of books, some of them open. Where there aren't books are multiple crumpled up wads of parchment, each one containing failed attempts to write what she had thought was going to be a simple letter. "Are you still at it?" Spike emerges from the doorway leading to the lower level, carrying two cups filled to the brim with water. Twilight doesn't answer, instead focusing on the slew of possible ways she can end this letter. She only notices Spike's presence when he sets down one of the cups on the table beside her letter. "Twilight, you've been at this practically all day. You should take a break." "Oh, thanks," Twilight turns to look at him with a sheepish smile, spitting out the quill. She places it neatly on the table and drinks from the cup, finding its contents to be pleasantly cold. She heaves a sigh, replacing the cup. "I can't, Spike. I'm in the midst of what could be my hardest friendship lesson yet. Nothing in my notes even comes close to this kind of problem." "I know, that's why you've been talking to the princess about it, right?" Spike restates. "You two still haven't been able to figure it out?" "The princess is giving me very good advice, but I don't think it applies here. All of her advice assumes that he innately wants to make friends, when he's stated repeatedly that he doesn't. Seth is a human; for all I know, he could be emotionally wired differently from the rest of us," Twilight explains to her assistant. "Why don't you tell her that?" Spike sensibly suggests. "I am now. I don't think there's any other choice here. I want to respect Seth's privacy, but I want to help him, and I can't do that without help," Twilight responds in a resigned voice. She dips the quill into the inkwell and returns it to the parchment, neatly transcribing the remainder of her letter to the princess. "I hope he won't be too angry with me." "Well, he doesn't need to find out," Spike remarks uncomfortably. "You saw him at the party. I don't want you to deal with that again." "Aw, thanks," Twilight kisses the little dragon's head briefly before returning to the letter. She at last finishes the last line. With a quick signature, she rolls up the parchment and seals it, and then she floats it over to Spike, who obediently engulfs it in a gout of magical flame. "I really hope I didn't just make a big mistake." That very same letter, a few seconds later, materialized out of the air in front of a certain solar princess, who caught it in her magical grip instinctively. The large white mare with her multicolored, flowing mane, had been walking through the lavishly decorated hallways of her castle on her way to her next appointment. She slowly unrolled the parchment, her face taking on a concerned expression. This would mark the fifth letter Twilight had sent her on this subject; she is a bright student, so her seeming inability to grasp her advice made little sense to the Diarch...unless Twilight was hiding something from her. "Princess Celestia?" One of the guards that had been tasked to accompany her prompted her curiously, wondering why she is suddenly standing still. Celestia didn't answer, the princess focusing on reading the letter in front of her. Her suspicions are soon confirmed; there was indeed something that Twilight had kept from her. Her eyes widened with shock. She blinked several times, just in case she had misread Twilight's letter. Yet, it had been no mistake. Twilight's letter reveals more about her problematic friend, including his species: human. "I have new orders for the two of you," Celestia suddenly spoke, addressing the two guards that flanked her on either side. "Heed them well." "We are at your disposal, your Highness," the guards chorused in unison. "Firm Defense, run ahead to my former destination. Let the good duke know that I must unfortunately push back our meeting to a later date," Celestia orders, and the named guard saluted and ran in the indicated direction. She turned to the other. "As for you, wake my sister and tell her to meet me in my chambers." "What should I tell her?" the guard asks, unable to hide his curiosity. "Tell her... our precursors aren't quite as extinct as we believed." Celestia turned away from him, walking purposely in the opposite direction. Her expression was stern, her lips set into a firm line. Her next words were spoken in a whisper such that only she could hear. "This evening just got a lot more interesting."
Tales of the Oppressed	9. An Evening in Ponyville (rw)	Without the presence of Rarity and the fillies beside me to distract me, it's difficult not to recall the fact that I'm still an oddity to these ponies. It's a small town and word travels fast, but I've only stayed here two nights. That's not nearly enough time for everyone to get used to me. Conversely, it's not nearly enough time for me to get used to them. It feels like I'm walking through a realistic scaled down movie set;as though the world has shrunk by about twenty five percent. Between the smaller buildings and the ponies themselves, who on average barely come up to my chest, I feel very out of place. I chuckle dryly to myself; when it comes down to it, not much has changed between now and the past. As I'm retracing my steps back to the farm, I soon become aware of a pony keeping pace with me on my left side. A sinking feeling forms in my gut when I recognize that particular shade of pink. I can only hope that she's not intending to... "Good morning, Seth!" Pinkie's high pitched greeting cuts through the air, rendering my fervent internal praying an exercise in futility. I turn my head to gaze at her, but find that to be an annoyance as well. Unlike the other ponies in the streets, she's not content to walk normally. Instead, she bounces along beside me as she usually does, such that keeping eye contact with her is extremely difficult. "Pinkie," is my brief yet succinct response. I don't say anything further; I'd rather not encourage a conversation with her. "I haven't seen you since the party! What's it like living with Scratchie? Do you know how jealous some of her admirers are right now?" I suppress a sigh as Pinkie starts to fire rapid fire questions at me. No doubt this is what she considers to be a normal conversation. More importantly, word travels fast. I'd only started living with Vinyl last night, and her fans already know? I realize a moment later that Pinkie is looking at me expectantly; those questions weren't rhetorical, it seems. "I couldn't care less what her fans think. Besides, it's only been one night," I point out to her. "I was too exhausted to do anything other than go straight to sleep." "Well, my parties are energetic, so I can't blame you, especially if you had fun dancing! Nice moves by the way!" Pinkie's words remind me painfully of the party last night, along with Rainbow Dash and my moment of weakness. The same anger I felt that night rises from its slumber, burning in my subconscious like a hot flame. "I'm surprised it was Rainbow who got you out there! I thought you two were fighting!" "We were. We are. I mean... can you please stop prying? I don't want to talk about her," I quickly get flustered at the way this conversation has gone. The more I think about my mistake, the guiltier and angrier I feel. "Whoops! Sorry! I just got so curious because I know Lyra tried, but Rainbow was the one who...whoops, I'm doing it again, aren't I?" Pinkie just giggles at herself, her mood not dampened by me in the slightest. I rub my forehead, a headache starting to form. I can't fathom how anybody can handle this pony for more than a minute at a time. "Want a cookie?" "Pardon?" I emit, so startled by the sudden change in topic that I momentarily forget my previous anger. I look over to see Pinkie produce a chocolate chip cookie like the ones she served at the party. I don't know where she got it from; I was staring at her the whole time, but her hoof moved in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, the cookie was balanced on the tip of her hoof... while she's continuing to bounce on three hooves. "Ah, no thanks." "No?" Pinkie cocked her head at me. "Aww, I thought you liked these! You did eat over a half a plate, after all!" "I..." I flush a bit, remembering that I had eaten quite a few that night. "Okay, I'll admit they're good. But I shouldn't be spending money on idle pleasures." "Who said anything about money? This isn't merchandise, silly!" Pinkie clicked her tongue as if she were chiding a small child. "It's leftover from last night! They're gonna go stale if no one eats them!" "Then why don't you eat it?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. Pinkie giggles at that, rubbing her slightly distended belly with a hoof. It's rather impressive to see her doing that while continuing to bounce. "I would, but I already ate twenty seven of them! So go on, take it! You're doing me and the cookie a favor!" Pinkie insists, once again extending the cookie to me. "I suppose I can't argue with that logic," I remark, hesitantly accepting the cookie from her. Just before taking a bite, something about her statement causes me to do a double take. "Wait, you ate how many?" "Somepony had to do it!" Pinkie didn't seem to grasp the fact that such a feat should be impossible for any normal individual. I glanced down at the cookie that I held, which was about as large as my hand in diameter. I can't even fathom eating twenty seven of these. Just then, we came up to a fork in the road, and we at last parted ways. "Gotta bounce! I'll see you later, Seth!" Pinkie waves at me as we part - a gesture I don't bother to reciprocate. I look at the cookie again, wondering if it really was a good idea to accept this. I eventually shrug and take a bite. It's still as good as last night, though it does feel much firmer; I can believe that she'd want to get rid of the leftovers before they went stale. As I exit the town onto the dirt road that leads to the farm, I become aware of a bright streak of rainbow soaring through the air high above me. It weaves in and out of the various cumulus clouds dotting the sky and executes various aerial maneuvers at a breakneck pace that I have difficulties keeping up with. There's no doubt that I'm looking at Rainbow Dash. No other pony I've seen has a color scheme even close to hers. I admit to myself that what she's doing looks impressive; it seems her boasts weren't entirely without merit. That being said, I've no desire to meet with her; just looking at her stirs up unpleasant feelings, so I walk closer to the treeline. The rest of my return trip unfolds uneventfully, and before long I'm standing with Big MacIntosh and Applejack in front of the barn. Next to the former is a bucket in which a pile of nails, a hammer, and few other assorted tools are gathered. The latter is once again strapped to the harvesting wagon. "Hoo-ee! That storm really did a number on the farm! I've been picking up branches and debris all morning!!" Applejack commented, wiping her brow with a hoof. She turns to me next. "Speaking of which, you ever done any construction work, Seth?" "Can't say that I have," I answer, already dreading the work day to come. I'll be working significantly longer than yesterday; considering how beat I was then, it'll be even worse for me now. "I assume something broke?" "That's right. The old tool shed was always a little rickety, but after that storm, poor thing just couldn't take it. It's still standing, but it's in bad shape. Big Mac was thinking of knocking the old one down and building a new one," Applejack explained. "I thought maybe you could help him out while I got back to the harvest." "I thought the reason I was here was to help with the harvest," I ask, placing my hands in my pockets. I make sure to keep my tone from sounding combative; I don't want her to think I'm opposed to learning something new. "You are! Usual I'd have to help Big Mac out with building the thing, but since you're here, I can get back to harvesting and you can do that for me!" Applejack happily explains. "That, and learning something new is never a bad thing!" "I can't argue with that," I concede with a sigh. However, looking at the tools Big MacIntosh is bringing with him, there's still something that concerns me. "How are we going to knock it down? I imagine that being a tool shed, it would be rather large." "Oh, I'm bringing in extra help. She's always down to help when I got something that needs smashing," Applejack answered, chuckling to herself as though she'd just told a joke. She then looks a little exasperated as she turns her eyes to the sky. When she next speaks, it's in a much louder voice. "Though she's got a slight problem with being on time!" "Alright, alright, I hear you!" Just by the voice alone, I don't even need to ask who the mysterious tardy pony could be. My luck takes a sudden turn for the worse and Rainbow Dash comes streaking down to the ground in a flash. However, as she's landing, she overcompensates for her velocity and ends up tipping forward, skidding into the ground and showering Applejack with dirt. "Waaah!" When Rainbow manages to get to her hooves, she grins apologetically at the dirt covered and very unamused looking Applejack. The farmer pony shakes the dirt from her mane and glares at the awkwardly chuckling Rainbow. "Nice landing there, Dash," Applejack deadpans. "Hehe, sorry! Anyway, you said you needed something smashed, so I'm here to..." Rainbow starts to say, but then she cuts off when she notices me for the first time, our eyes meeting. Her grin freezes on her face, and then slowly fades away. The two of us immediately avert our gazes. "H-Hey, Seth..." "...Rainbow." I respond just as awkwardly, a million curses rushing through my head at this unforeseen complication in my day. I clench my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms. Applejack blinks, looking between the two of us with confusion. The sudden change in atmosphere is palpable even to her. "Alright, hold up a sec," she sighs, and then takes me aside, the two of us going around the other side of the barn. Once we're safely out of earshot, she gives me a pointed look. "Just what in the hay is going on? I thought y'all two got along now?" "No, we don't," I grit out, resting my back against the barn. I don't miss the look of concern that cross Applejack's face. If I don't play my cards right here, my image will take a hit in her eyes. I can't afford to lose this job just yet. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. "What happened at the party was a mistake." "You seemed like you were having fun, though," Applejack insisted, looking even more perplexed than before. "Though I'll admit it seemed a little odd for you..." "I'd really rather not talk about it," I assert firmly with a shake of my head. "If you're worried that her being here will affect my ability to do my job, I assure you that it won't." "That's part of it, I suppose...I'm just confused more'n anything," Applejack expresses with a helpless shrug. She looks like she wants to ask me more questions, but thankfully decides otherwise. "Alright, I guess I won't pry. C'mon, let's get back to the others." With that, the two of us walk back around the barn and rejoin Big MacIntosh and Rainbow Dash, the two of whom were waiting silently together for us. "Shall we get moving?" I prompt Big MacIntosh, pointedly avoiding Rainbow's eyes. The larger stallion nods and picks up the bucket with his mouth. With a simple head gesture, he turns in the direction of the toolshed and leads the way at a steady pace. "Y'all work hard! I'm out to the apple orchard!" Applejack calls after us, and with that, we go our separate ways and prepare to get to work. The toolshed looks about as I'd expected. It's an old ramshackle structure that has certainly seen better days. The paint has long since faded and the shingles have been mostly stripped from the roof likely due to the storm from last night. One of the hinges on the door is broken, and the wood is rotting and splintered. I inwardly agree with Big MacIntosh; there's no saving this place. Rebuilding it from the ground up is the only thing I can think to do as well. "Er...alright! Guess I'll start breaking stuff now!" Rainbow hesitantly breaks the silence that had fallen between the the three of us. She zips into the toolshed with an astonishing speed, and then I hear the sound of wood snapping, followed by a colossal crash. "...I meant to do that!" While Rainbow proceeds with her demolition, I wait patiently beside Big MacIntosh. I notice the large stallion looking at me from out of the corner of my eye, so I turn slightly and meet his gaze. For a moment, I think he's going to ask me about Rainbow like Applejack did, but his next sentence waives those concerns. "Come and stage the wood nearby," Big MacIntosh directs me simply, pointing me in the right direction with a slight jerk of his head. Relieved, I nod and move to do as I'm told. All the wood I assume we're going to be building with is stacked up against a fence a few dozen meters away from the old toolshed. "I'll be doing the building; you do the lifting." His orders are short, simple, and direct; I have a basic idea of what I'm going to be doing just from that. I lean down and lift up one of the slabs of wood with some difficulty; it's just as heavy as I'd expected it to be. I grunt with exertion and wince as the slowly healing wound in my side reminds me of its presence. As I'm lugging the first slab over to the shed, I take a look at the toolshed. Surprisingly enough, Rainbow is making quick work of it. The sounds of shattering wood and crashing beams echoes from within the shed for a few moments, and then the mare emerges,wheels around in midair, and deals the roof a swift, yet powerful kick with her hind leg. The roof fractures and crumbles instantly, the whole structure swaying precariously. I can't help but shake my head as I turn away. Who needs a wrecking crew when a single mare is strong enough to shatter wood with just her hooves? By the time I've finished staging the wood in by the shed, Rainbow's brought it to the ground and is standing just outside, dusting off her coat with a pleased expression on her face. She notices my presence as I stand by the fresh wood and i check my hands for splinters. I pointedly ignore her gaze and instead look around for Big MacIntosh for more orders...only to find that he's nowhere nearby. I realize that there's nobody here except Rainbow and myself. "So..." Rainbow attempts to break the silence between us. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. If I can just keep my cool, I should be able to get through this. When she next speaks, she does so with forced enthusiasm. "Did you see that cool flip I did when I brought the roof down?" I look at her with incredulity. Out of everything she could have said, she decided to talk about herself? I suppose I should have expected as much, coming from the self proclaimed "fastest flier in Equestria." "I wasn't paying attention," I respond uncaringly, much to her dismay. Even as her face falls, I continue with a shrug. "I was focusing on doing my job." "Oh...okay," Rainbow peters out, looking anywhere except at me. Her silence doesn't last long. "What about when I was flying over town? I did some pretty cool stuff then! You saw that, right?" I sigh with irritation. "Please stop trying to force a conversation." "Wha-hey!" Rainbow reacts indignantly to that. "Who said I was forcing anything!?" "Rainbow, it became awkward the moment you got here," I remind her. "If what you're doing right now isn't forced, I don't know what is." "I'm just making conversation! You said you were okay with that!" Rainbow retorts, venting a frustrated huff through her nose. "You're not making conversation; you're talking yourself up again, and I haven't the patience," I correct her, turning away from her, "Besides, I can't understand why you'd bother; I made it very clear your efforts aren't welcome." "Yeah, only because you've got it in your head that we're some kind of bad ponies!" Rainbow snaps back, clearly unwilling to back down. I shoot her a glare; we're going down the exact same path we did during the party, and I won't let that happen again. "What have we ever done to you!?" "I'm not having this conversation with you," I tell her firmly. I don't have a good answer for her, but it doesn't really matter in the end. "You know I'm leaving Ponyville soon. It would be best if you pretended I didn't exist." "How can I ignore you when you're a jerk to everypony you meet?!" Rainbow demands. She's getting angrier with me the more this conversation drags on. "If you want to leave so bad, why are you even still here!?" "It's not like I have a choice, dammit! You think I want to be here?! I'd never have come to Equestria if it was up to me!" I lose my last shred of patience and meet her furious gaze. When I realize how much I just revealed to her, I freeze, and then I force myself to calm down. Even Rainbow appears stunned by the sudden outburst. After a short silence, I exhale deeply. "Don't worry, I'll be gone soon enough. I already know I don't belong here. " "What are you talking about? I never said anything like that! You're the one who..." Rainbow began, but then our exchange came to an abrupt halt at the sound of Big MacIntosh clearing his throat to announce his presence. Rainbow shuts her mouth immediately, flushing with embarrassment. "Oh. Uh...hey, Big Mac." "That's enough for the day, Rainbow. You were a big help," Big MacIntosh says to her with a grateful smile. I notice that he's brought a wheelbarrow filled with other tools necessary to complete the construction of the shed. "Ah, you know me. Always willing to help out if you need me!" Rainbow proclaims, pressing a hoof to her chest. Just like that, she looked as though she'd never been arguing with me in the first place. With one last glance at me, she zips into the sky, waving down at the stallion. "Catch ya later!" Rainbow is gone now, but I can't feel relieved just yet. I'm not so dense as to miss the look Big MacIntosh is giving me. "How much of that did you hear?" I ask nervously, already cursing my lack of self-control with every fiber of my being. I don't know what it is about that mare that gets me so angry. "Enough," is all the stallion says in response. I gulp at that, hoping I didn't just screw myself out of a job. Surprisingly, the next thing he says has nothing to do with Rainbow. "Let's get the rubble out of the way so we can start." "Okay," I turn to do as I'm told. However, before I even pick up the first piece of debris, my curiosity gets the better of me. "You're not going to ask?" "Nope. Ain't my business," Big MacIntosh replies tersely, and then he gets to work without another word. I remain still for a few moments, gazing at the red stallion. He doesn't say anything further, or even look at me. I scratch the side of my head, surprised, relieved, and a little grateful. Between Applejack and Big MacIntosh, I think I can say I lucked out with the management here. At the very least, they seem to be willing to respect my boundaries. From there, work proceeds without further interruptions. It's slow going given how much work goes into construction. With all the lifting and moving of wood, it doesn't take very long for my muscles to start burning again. The temperature thankfully becomes more bearable as the day stretches on, and even becomes somewhat pleasant as my body heats up and sweats from exertion. Once all the debris is out of the way, Big MacIntosh starts building the framework of the new shed. While he does most of the delicate work, he has me handling everything else, whether it be taking measurements, holding boards steady, or fetching him tools from the wheelbarrow. In the process, I pick up a little more of the Equestrian language; in this case, in order to properly take measurements, I have to learn the different numbers. Big MacIntosh is thankfully patient with me as far as that goes. Eventually, I get a breather as Big MacIntosh gets to work on the more involved tasks of construction. He has the blueprints before him and he appears to understand them well enough, but it all looks like gibberish to me, so there's not much I can do to help. I sit down on the grass nearby and wipe the sweat off my brow. I'm starting to get hungry, but unlike before, there's no apples for me to snack on. "Y'all working hard?" An elderly female voice calls out to the two of us from behind. I've heard that voice once before; yesterday, when I was collecting my pay from Applejack. I remember Apple Bloom referring to her as Granny Smith. I turn my head, and see that the name suits the pony who's approaching us, a plate piled high with sandwiches and apples balanced on her back. "I bet y'all are hungry, so I brought lunch!" Granny Smith looks similar to what I'd expect from an aging member of this species. Her face is heavily wrinkled, her mane is grey and frizzy, and her frame is spindly. Big MacIntosh puts down his tools and stands up, perking up at those words. Applejack did say that meals were a part of the job, so I move to join him. Upon seeing me, Granny Smith blinks in surprise. "So you must be that new worker Applejack's been telling me about," Granny Smith observes as she turns her body to give us easier access to the plate on her back. "Can't say I've ever seen the like, and I've been around since before Ponyville even existed!" "You wouldn't have. Humans have been lost for around three thousand years," Big MacIntosh beats me to the punch, revealing that he did know precisely what humans are. He also saved me the trouble of having to explain it myself. This revelation causes Granny Smith to look at me with surprise and awe. "Really now? One of them humans that all them educated ponies keep talking about? On my farm?" Granny Smith takes a moment to look me up and down. "I have to say, you look mighty good for three thousand." "I'm twenty one, Mrs. Smith," I correct her misunderstanding with a slight shake of my head. "As for why I'm here, that's a long story. Suffice to say, I need money, just like anyone else." "Mhm, mhm. Makes sense. More importantly, what's this 'Mrs. Smith' nonsense? Call me Granny like everypony else!" Granny Smith chides me. "Now, eat your lunch...Seth, was it? Don't be shy, now!" Big MacIntosh has already taken his share from the plate, so I follow suit and take one of the sandwiches and an apple from the plate. I peer inside the sandwich to see daisies arrayed neatly atop sliced cucumber. I grimace a little; supposedly humans can eat some flowers, with daisies being one of them. I can't say I've ever tried, however. "Thanks for the food, Granny," I thank her regardless, choosing to keep my opinions on its contents to myself. "Don't mention it, Sonny! Eat up and work hard!" Granny Smith encourages me, smiling now that I used only her first name. She turns the other direction and plods away, humming an off-key tune cheerfully. "Now to find Applejack..." I look around for a place to sit, but don't really find one. Therefore, I sit down and join Big MacIntosh on the grass to eat. I take the first tentative bite of the sandwich and grimace; it's rather bitter, and the texture leaves much to be desired. Despite this, I swallow without complaint. It's better than working on an empty stomach. "You seem to know a lot about humans," I ask Big MacIntosh after a few minutes of eating in silence. "Yup," is the red stallion's response. "I read the books once or twice." "This isn't the first time I've heard about these books," I recall. Flitter spoke of them once, and I believe Lyra's friend, Bon Bon, also did so. "Are they any good?" "Yup. Not very accurate, though," Big MacIntosh confirms my suspicions about the books. "I'd lend you one, but you can't read." "I don't have the time to learn either," I add, taking another bite. After a nod from the stallion, we lapse back into silence, having nothing else to say. After we're finished with lunch, we get right back to work. "Howdy there, you two!" Just as the sky starts to redden, Applejack comes to find us, the applecart presumably already stored away. She notices the unpainted, yet otherwise finished toolshed, and then she looks to me. I'm lying with my back against a nearby fence, my body damp with sweat and my muscles burning like fire. She smiles warmly. "Working hard?" "Doing the best I can," I reply, my chest heaving and my side burning as I talk. The idea of traipsing around Ponyville after work as I'd intended now seems like torture to me. "It's just a little...hard to breathe." "Ha! Can't blame you. You've been keeping hydrated?" Applejack asks. After I nod, she mirrors the gesture with satisfaction. "I gotta say, Seth, I didn't expect you'd last through today. Lots of folk just ain't cut out for farm work, and I thought you mighta been one of them." "I'm just doing what needs to be done," I assert, choosing my words carefully. I force myself to my feet, bracing myself on the fence. "Like I said; you don't need to worry; I'll do what I'm being paid to do." "That's some determination you got," Applejack comments. She beckons to the two of us with her head and turns back the other way. "Cmon, Granny says y'all can be done now. Dinner's about done." I sigh with relief when I hear that my work day is finally over. I grab my rifle and fall in step beside Big MacIntosh as we make our way back to the barn. "You gonna eat with us today, Seth?" Applejack asks while we walk, her gaze focused forward. I suppose I am a little hungry, but the idea of eating with her family isn't any more appealing than it was yesterday.. "No thank you. I'd rather just have a few apples, if that's okay. I have other errands to run before it gets dark," I answer once again, hoping that she doesn't take offense to that. "Fair enough, I can spare a few. We've got a lot left to get rid of, and all," Applejack responds amicably. Before we can talk further on the subject, however, we near the barn...where Apple Bloom and her two friends appear to have just returned from school. "Evening, Bloom! How was school today?" "It was really great!" Apple Bloom is oddly enthusiastic for some reason, as are her friends. The three of them exchange knowing looks. "Ain't that right, Scootaloo?" "No kidding!" Scootaloo agrees, with Sweetie Belle nodding in agreement beside her. "You'll have to tell me about it later! Anyhow, Seth, wait here while I get your pay," Applejack bids me, and then she steps inside with Big MacIntosh, leaving me with the three fillies. "You should have seen her face!" Sweetie Belle finally breaks, unable to contain herself. Strangely enough, she seems to be directing that comment towards me. "And the things she said!" "She was so mad!" Scootaloo agrees, starting to snicker as well. Her next sentence lets me know for sure that they're talking to me. "I thought you were a jerk, but you really showed her who was boss!" "You're talking about Diamond Tiara," I finally realize. With a sinking feeling, I realize that these fillies are looking at me with what is unmistakably positive emotion. It wasn't my intention, but snapping at that rich filly who had been clearly antagonizing them appears to have put me on their good side. I suddenly regret getting involved...but it wasn't as though I had a choice either. "Yeah, she was saying all sorts of mean things about us, but you came and helped us! Thanks, Seth!" Apple Bloom affirmed, gazing up at me with a happy smile. "You're really nice!" "I did it because she dragged me into it, to be entirely honest," I admit to them. I guess it doesn't really matter if some fillies like me, but this is as far as I should let it go. "I wouldn't thank me for that. Besides, you heard what I said to Scootaloo before." "Well, you were just in a hurry, right? We shouldn't have been pestering you," Sweetie Belle reasons. I raise an eyebrow; I'd thought I was more than cold enough, but getting rid of these fillies is proving to be harder than I expected. Though, I suppose it doesn't really matter. They're just fillies. "Think what you want, I suppose. I'm glad you got something out of that argument, but don't expect something like that all the time. I don't have the time to make friends," I explain to them as clearly as I can. All three of them tilt their heads at me, looking confused. "You said that earlier..." "Awww..." "But why not...?" All three of them pull the sad filly act on me at once, but thankfully Applejack comes to my rescue. She emerges from the house with the necks of two bags clenched in her mouth. One of them jangles with the sound of rattling bits, while the other is bulkier. She gestures to me, and I accept them from her. "There you go. A full day's pay and a sack of apples!" Applejack proclaims. "Thanks again for working so hard. See you bright and early the next morning?" "I'll be here," I assure her. With nothing else to be said, I seize the opportunity to retreat from the three fillies before they can push the subject. Thankfully Applejack is there to keep them in check, so I manage to get on the path that leads back to town without issue. Once I'm alone, I inhale deeply and then exhale audibly in an attempt to unwind. I have a short time to relax while I walk, but now is also a good time to mentally go through my list of things to do today. First, I need to visit the boutique so I can get Rarity to affix this guitar strap to my rifle. It's a simple task, so it shouldn't cost me too much. Second, I told Twilight that I'd visit her again sometime this evening. I shouldn't rely on her help, but it may be worth seeing what she's learned. With that settled, I take a moment to take account of my current savings. With today's earnings, I now possess a total of twenty four bits. That isn't bad. At this rate, I'll be able to make enough to pay my rent in four days. Therefore, I can spend this current money how I please. I allow myself a small smirk of satisfaction; at this rate, I'll be on my way north by the end of the second week, if not sooner. I'll keep my word to Applejack, but after that I'm leaving. Once I return to town, it hits me that I don't know where the boutique is. I should have thought to ask before now, but there's no helping it. I then proceed to freak out the closest pony by asking her for directions. After she finishes whimpering, I learn that the boutique is southwest of the town hall. While it's possible to reach it directly from the square, I learn there is a faster way, if I cut through a small park not far from here. Liking the idea of a faster route, I adjust my path accordingly until I reach the river. Just as I locate the nearest bridge and move to cross, my ears catch the faintest trace of music. I pause despite myself, straining my hearing. I'm not imagining it; I can hear a soft and slow tune coming from across the river. If I had to guess, it's coming from a stringed instrument like a harp, but the sound is just different enough to make me uncertain. The music is pleasant to my ears. Even though I know I have other things to do, I find myself following the music to its source. In the middle of the small park is a small clearing, in which a stone fountain carved to resemble a rearing pony is situated. The clearing is framed by neatly trimmed hedges, and around the fountain are multiple benches, though the majority of them are vacant. The music is coming from a lone mare standing at the base of the fountain. A golden lyre wrapped in a similarly colored telekinetic aura hangs in the air beside her, the strings seemingly plucking themselves to produce the melody I'm hearing. I recognize her as Lyra easily, despite how different she seems while she's performing. Lyra is sitting on her haunches, her eyes closed and her head gently swaying to the slow beat of the song. Despite how skillfully she's playing or how hard she must be concentration, none of the strain shows on her completely serene expression. From one musician to another, it isn't hard for me to feel the passion in her performance. Her melody and skill is enrapturing. I know I need to be going to see Rarity, but I can't bring myself to leave before the end of this song. As I move closer to find a bench to sit on, I note that I'm not the only one who feels this way. There are a handful of other ponies sitting on the ground or on the benches, each of them watching and listening to Lyra's music intently. Ignoring them, I sit down on the nearest bench beside a rose colored mare. At first, the other mare is startled and seems like she's going to flee, but once she realizes that I'm there for the same reason she is, she relaxes. As for Lyra, she either doesn't notice or doesn't care that I'm here. As the song goes on, I lean back on the bench and close my eyes, letting the sound wash away the world around me. Just this once, I allow myself to relax and lose myself in the melody. The song is soft and beautiful, yet at the same time, it feels mournful. It causes me to recall memories of good times past. Before I can stop myself, thoughts and memories of those I've lost return to me in a flood. One particular memory comes to me first; it was a long time ago, when I was still but a child unaware of the world around me. I can remember clearly the light of the sun gleaming off of the rails of the towering roller coasters in the first amusement park I ever visited. I remember having to be coerced to try any of the rides by my brother, Adam. It was one of the last good memories I had before my life fell apart. The melody shifts in key, and with the shift comes another memory. It was still during college, when I felt as though my life was steadily coming together. I still remember Amaryllis and I taking time away from school one year, on a weekend, to go and visit the beach. It was still early in our friendship, when I still held her at arm's length, and she did likewise. Yet something changed that day. It's difficult to this day to put it into words, but I felt as though I was walking with someone more than human. She was angry, yet happy. Introverted, yet outgoing. Ruthless, yet kind. She was a walking mass of contradictions that defied all classification, a brightly shining star among a thick sea of black. Beside such brilliance, I could only feel awe. I felt content just walking by her side and sharing in that light. I come to my senses with a start when the song comes to an end, and the ponies around me start to stomp on the ground with their hooves in what I assume to be the pony version of applause. I can't bring myself to clap, however. The song was beautiful, but it makes me aware of the feeling of deep loss that has nestled itself deep inside of me. The ones who helped me forge the few good memories I had are gone now, leaving me with nothing but emptiness. That strange pressure once again forms in my sternum as a familiar burning rage makes itself known inside of me. I hold a hand to my chest and grit my teeth; it's not as though this is anything new to me. I know full well whose fault this is. The image of his baleful shadowy eyes forms in my mind, and the pressure gets worse. I finally exhale and open my eyes to see the other ponies conversing with Lyra as they left the park one by one. Without a word, I rise from the bench and continue on my way to the boutique as if nothing had happened. After a few moments, I hear the sound of hooves clopping on the path behind me. "Hey, wait up," Lyra calls to me from behind in a soft voice as she walks to catch up with me. I pause and turn just enough so that I can see her out of one eye. "Are you alright?" "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" I ask in a surprisingly calm voice. "I saw you sitting and watching me, but you left with a scary look on your face," Lyra explained as she came to a halt beside me. "Did you not like the song? Did I upset you?" "No. The song was beautiful. You're very skilled," I compliment her honestly, such that she looks visibly surprised. I clench my right hand into a fist. "It just...reminded me of what I'm here to do." "Huh? What do you mean by that?" Lyra cocks her head, clearly confused. I shake my head, realizing that I've already said too much. "Don't worry about it," I say dismissively. Lyra doesn't look satisfied with that, so I change the topic. "More importantly, I didn't figure you to be the serene musician type." "I can be serene if I wanna be." Lyra looks a little smug at that, the mare lifting a hoof to her chin. She then angles her flank at me to display her cutie mark. "My cutie mark is a lyre for a reason, silly." "I realize that, thank you," I avert my gaze and cross my arms in annoyance. I should have known that would be a stupid thing to say; I did suspect her to be a musician before. "Pardon me if I don't spend too much time staring at a pony's flank." "Oh really? And why not?" Lyra's smile widens, the smugness seeming to grow. She proceeds to walk around me in such a way that accentuates the movements of her flank. I look at her odd walk in confusion, but then a moment later, a sinking feeling comes over me. This cannot be happening. "Does it make you uncomfortable? Or...maybe you see something you like?" "You can't be serious," I state flatly, no longer turning to watch her walk. I'd suspected it before when I was at the party, but this makes it as clear as day. Ever since I met her, Lyra has been flirting with me. I've been trying to ignore it up until now, hoping that I was misreading her, but this doesn't leave much room for interpretation. I'm putting an end to this right now. I turn on my heel and stride away from Lyra with finality in my step. "I'm through with this conversation... and I'm through with you." "Okay, I'm sorry, but you pretty much set me up for that one," Lyra laughs at first, but her mirthful expression dies on her face when I don't stop moving or even look back at her. "Wait, you're not kidding, are you? Seth? Come on, I was only teasing! Seth, come back!" I leave the distraught Lyra behind without a second glance and make my way to the boutique, which I easily recognize from both the descriptions I've heard as well as its distinctive appearance. It's a large circular building decorated with various frills, statues, pillars, and colors mostly registering in the cooler end of the color spectrum. It's a tall building, easily reaching two stories. I'm behind the structure, so I make my way around the side, passing a tree and a line of laundry on the way to the front door. As per usual, the door is constructed with ponies in mind, such that my head nearly reaches the top of the door frame. Without further ado, I briskly knock on the door's surface and wait patiently for a response. "Comiiing!" I hear Rarity trill from within. A few moments later, the door opens to reveal the well groomed unicorn gazing directly at my chest. She quickly realizes that she isn't looking at a pony, and her gaze travels up to my eyes. "Ah, Seth! Do come in; I was just finishing up for the day." I obediently follow her inside, immediately shuddering at the change of temperature inside the building. As Rarity closes the door behind me, I take a cursory look over the interior. On either side of the door are two wide circular windows shaded by yellow curtains. On the left wall, I note several protruding alcoves containing racks and racks of different sets of clothing. Each of these alcoves is shaded by thick rose curtains held open by lace colored a lighter pink. Further up that wall are more alcoves, though these are shallower and consist only of mirrors and vanities; I assume they're makeshift fitting rooms. At the far end of the wall is a doorway through which I can see a set of stairs that spiral up and out of sight. On the right wall is a small circular stage surrounded by mirrors and framed by the curvature of the wall. Set in that same wall is a small door. Lastly, around the room are multiple shelves, cupboards, and mannequins. However, the mannequins are in the shape of ponies, so I suppose the term 'mannequin' hardly applies. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique!" Rarity greets me formally, even dipping her head somewhat in what I think is supposed to be a curtsy. "Would you care for some tea before we get down to business?" "No thank you. I'm hoping to be in and out of here. I have somewhere else to be not long after this," I explain to her. "But of course! I shall endeavour to make your visit swift then, if you wish it," Rarity takes my refusal with good grace, answering me with flowery and proper speech. "I don't suppose you've reconsidered my offer for new clothes?" "I haven't the money. I'm here for something far simpler," I respond. As she watches curiously, I unwrap the guitar strap from my waist and hold it and my rifle out for her to see. "I'd like this strap fixed to my rifle, so I don't have to hold onto it all the time." "Well. Simple is certainly correct." Rarity seems taken aback, as well as a little disappointed by the request. She obligingly grasps both the strap and the rifle in a light blue telekinetic field and takes them from me. "No matter, I have recently restocked my stores of adhesive, so you're in luck!" A drawer opens on the other side of the room and a small bottle flies through the air to join the rifle and strap in Rarity's magical aura. The bottle proceeds to unscrew itself to reveal a small brush coated with an odd fluid attached to the underside of the cap. Rarity checks the tip of the brush briefly, and then she brings the rifle towards her. "What an odd contraption. Hm. It's most certainly seen better days," Rarity notes the sorry shape of the weapon with a cursory glance. She wrinkles her nose at the excess of rust, dust, and cobwebs still coating the metal. She turns it over multiple times, even looking down the barrel at one point. It's a good thing the weapon has long since been defunct. "Where should the ends of the strap be attached? Pardon me, but I can't make heads nor tails of this." "It would be scary if you could," I remark dryly. I'm curious as to what weapons these ponies actually use; despite their seemingly early-industrial to modern tech, my rifle seems utterly unfamiliar to them. However, those are thoughts for another time. "Here, let me show you." I reach my hands over to the rifle and indicate two particular places on its surface. I'm almost completely unfamiliar with the makes and models of different guns, but I know just enough to direct Rarity to the proper places: on the side of the muzzle by the forward sights, and at the base of the stock. Rarity dabs the specified places with the tip of the brush, leaving behind a small amount of the clear substance on the metal. Once she's done so, she telekinetically presses the tips of the strap to either place, and then she releases both gun and strap into my waiting grip. "Done!" Rarity announces, screwing the cap back on the bottle and returning it to its drawer. She watches as I grasp the rifle by the strap to test its durability. Sure enough, the strap is holding fast to the rifle, easily withstanding the pull of gravity. "Not bad. I guess Vinyl wasn't kidding about this Liquid Rock stuff," I observe, lightly tugging on the strap. Pleased, I sling the rifle over my bare shoulders. It feels freeing to finally have both hands free when I'm moving from place to place. I reach into my bag of bits and withdraw a single coin. "Now, for your payment." "Payment?" Rarity echoes, looking nonplussed. She telekinetically catches the coin out of reflex after I toss it to her. When she realizes what she's holding, her gaze turns noticeably incredulous. A moment later, and the bit lands back in my hands. "Darling, you can't be serious. Helping you with your...whatever that is...was no trouble at all! I wouldn't dream of charging you!" "Payment given for services rendered. That's how things work." I stubbornly flick the coin back to her. Rarity catches it once more, but instead of giving it back, she sets it on a nearby countertop and gazes at me with an unforeseen stubbornness in her gaze. "Keep that. What you do with it after I'm gone doesn't matter to me." "Seth, I've been keeping quiet out of respect for your boundaries, but I feel I must say something," Rarity finally says, using my name and looking into my eyes. "This is the second time you've chosen expense over honest generosity. And, from what I've heard, I'm not the only one you've done this to." "So much for that apology," I mutter under my breath. I could just turn around and leave; I've already gotten for what I came. However, if she's heard something about me from others, she's likely friends with Rainbow or Pinkie. I already know she's friends with Applejack. "Let's say you're right. What's your point?" "I don't understand why you're deliberately choosing to make things harder for yourself. For example, when I offered you a new wardrobe, not only were you turning down free clothes, but also a means of keeping warm for when winter arrives," Rarity explains. So far, everything she's saying has been true, so I don't say anything. "I noticed you shivering early this morning; you're clearly in need of such clothing. Is it just because you believe I don't have what it takes to make human clothing? Or perhaps it seems I only make clothing for mares?" "It's because I don't trust you," I cut her off flatly, choosing to be completely honest. Rarity's mouth drops open slightly in surprise. I don't miss the change in her expression; she's offended. "So far, one after another, I've been accosted by you ponies with offers of kindness and generosity. I'd have to be stupid to believe that any of you mean it." "Whatever are you talking about? Surely you don't believe that I'd use my generosity as a means to extract favors from you in the future?" Rarity hits the nail right on the head, somehow managing to understand exactly what it is I'm trying to tell her. "That's exactly what it is. I'm a complete stranger who happens to be a human, a precursor race to your kind. You could all have any number of reasons for wanting me on your good side," I return, crossing my arms. "If you understand, then accept my payment so I can be on my way." "Hm..." Rarity muses for a moment; she appears to have taken my words very seriously. Eventually, her stubborn expression returns. "No, I don't think I will. In fact, I'll take it a step further." "You'll do what?" I demand, but Rarity is already moving. She wastes no time in rifling through her drawers until she finds what she's looking for; a tape measure. "Rarity, what the hell are you doing?" "Proving a point," Rarity replies enigmatically. "Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to make a few sets of clothing for you; a few for casual wear, a few for work, and one for the cold weather." "Did you not hear a word I've said? I will eventually want those clothes, yes, but not until I can pay for them. I won't let you give them to me..." I start to protest. "...for free? Yes, I did hear you. You're concerned I have another motive for doing this," Rarity finishes my sentence for me. Her next response takes me by surprise. "You would be right, of course." "You're... just going to admit it?" Is all I can say. After that argument, I hadn't expected her to turn around and render my argument justified. "Then what's the point of arguing with me?" "I haven't finished explaining yet. I want you to hear me out first. If you still decide I'm untrustworthy, I won't press the issue." Rarity expresses. She and I stare at each other in silence for a few moments as I mull her words over in my head. "How does that sound?" "I'm listening..." I answer after a short pause. Though I've no intention of accepting her offer, I find myself curious exactly what kind of argument she plans to give me. I doubt it'll be something I haven't heard before. "Excellent. How familiar are you with art, Seth?" Rarity asks. I blink at the sudden change of subject. "Art?" "That's right. I'm not just referring to painting, but also music, literature, sculptures, and the like. I noticed you working with that DJ the other night, so I imagined you'd have some interest," Rarity elaborates. "You'd be right. I was a musician of sorts once upon a time," I answer hesitantly. "Where are you going with this?" "A musician! Wonderful; then you'd most certainly understand. Wouldn't you say that the purpose of art is to be admired by others?" Rarity presents with a smile. I nod, finding that to be common sense. "What is a musician, without an audience? What is a writer, without readers? Furthermore, what is a fashionista, without anyone to wear her work? For you see, I am also an artist....and this is my art!" Rarity opens the curtains around the circumference of the room, revealing multitudes of fancy dresses of various colors and designs hanging from racks. Even as I glance over them, I suddenly understand the point she's trying to make. "You're trying to say that you making clothes for me would be the same as a musician performing for an audience," I realize. Rarity beams, telling me without words that I'm right. I narrow my eyes skeptically. "A solid comparison, but you forget that musicians don't present their work for free. The same goes for writers. Musicians hold concerts, and writers sell their books." "Why yes, of course, but would a musician charge another for listening to them practice? Would a writer sell their first draft?" Rarity shoots back cleverly. "No...we'd show it to a few select others for feedback so we can improve," I grudgingly admit. I can't argue with that logic. "So what you're saying is..." "I want to try something new, Seth! I want to make clothing for one of your kind. Just like a painter would want to be the first to paint a new landscape, I want to be the first pony to make human clothing!" Rarity explains for me, looking particularly pleased with herself. "So you see, I do have what you'd call an ulterior motive, but that's not always a bad thing. So what do you say? Will you kindly grant me that opportunity?" I stare back at her, the wheels in my mind turning. Just out of principle, I want to refuse her, but the point she just made is a very good one. I'd never charge someone for listening to me while I practiced piano, but I'd certainly want someone to listen so I'd know where I can improve. Rarity is saying this situation is the same for her...and I really do need clothes to head up north with. It seems like she's being honest with me about her motivations, but there's still that niggling doubt. "Alright. I'll let you make me some clothes," I finally relent, hoping that I won't regret this later. I feel a sense of dread come over me, as though I'd just made a huge mistake. I rub my forehead, and then I glare at her, even as her smile grows wider. "But if this is your motive, I won't accept you trying to pull something in the future." "Trust me, you needn't worry. You've already made me plenty happy!" Rarity exults, looking as though she's hardly able to contain just how excited she's become. She happily trots over to the circular stage surrounded by mirrors. "If you'll come with me? This'll take just a moment." "What are you going to do?" I follow her hesitantly. "I'll need your measurements if I'm to make you clothing," Rarity explained. She tapped the surface of the stage with her hoof. "Up here, if you please. I'll also need you to remove your pants, so I can get better measurements." "Yeah, no. That's not going to happen." I deny immediately, every mental block in my mind going up at once. Rarity pauses, looking perplexed at my fervent denial. I flush in embarrassment a moment later when I remember that clothing is a commodity rather than a necessity for ponies. "I'm not like you; I can't just go without clothes. Especially not in front of a girl." "Oh. I see..." Rarity responds with a light blush coloring her face, the mare understanding my underlying meaning easily. The tape measure swirls through the air towards me as I climb up on the stage. "Pardon my ignorance, then. I shall simply have to compensate. Remain still, if you please." I stand still on the stage as the tape measure slithers up and around my body, taking quick measurements of my inseam, waist, hips, arms, and other such lengths necessary for making properly fitting clothes. To compensate for the width of the pants I'm wearing, the tip of the tape measure slips inside just enough for her to take the width of both my pants and my underwear, causing me to fidget uncomfortably. I need clothes, so there's nothing for me to do except suffer in silence. At long last, after what seems like an endless amount of measurements, the tape slides back into the receptacle with a click. Rarity places the tape measurement aside and proceeds to write down a series of what look to be numbers, some of which I recognize from my work on the farm. "That's that! Thank you so much, darling. I'll get to work on this right away!" Rarity's excitement becomes more palpable with every word that comes out of her mouth. Already, she seems to be sketching different potential designs on the same parchment as before. "If you'll come see me first thing in the morning, I'll have several outfits ready for you to try!" "That soon?" I comment as I hastily hop down from the stage. I've never seen how clothes are made, but I do know that after ordering some, it typically took about three to five days for them to come in. "You don't understand; it's been so long since I've had something so new and so fresh to work with! It's not like designing clothes for a pony; the colors in which a particular pony will look good are partly determined by their coat color. For example, a pony with a yellow coat simply would not look good wearing an ensemble with a violet motif," Rarity explains eagerly. "But you're different. You are a unique shade I don't often see on ponies; this opens up a whole world of different color possibilities that I've never had the opportunity to experiment with! I'm positively giddy! I can't wait another moment to get started!" It's not hard for me to see just how passionate she seems to be about her work. It's not something I'm used to seeing. I have my own passions, of course, but I've never really felt comfortable sharing them as much as Rarity is. For a moment, I feel a hint of jealousy towards her. That she's so passionate about her work she's willing to lose sleep...it's a luxury I won't get the chance to experience for myself again. "I'll leave you to it, then. I have other places to be," I say, putting those thoughts out of my mind. I turn around with my rifle slung over my back and head for the door. "I won't be here in the morning; I still have to work. But I'll be by later." "Glad to hear it! I'll see you then!" Rarity calls after me as I open up the door. "Thanks again for the opportunity! I greatly appreciate it!" "Whatever," is all I can think of to say before I close the door. The first thing I notice is that it's gotten much darker than before. It's close to winter, so it's going to get darker sooner day by day, I imagine. My thoughts return to Rarity. I hope that following with her logic won't come back to bite me. The fact that she's willing to make so many clothes for me including the winter clothes that I so desperately need will greatly accelerate my plans to leave Ponyville. However, I've learned that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. I curse beneath my breath, an untenable anxiety making its home in my chest. I force myself to take a deep breath. I still have to visit Twilight, and I can't walk in there feeling like this. After my heartbeat returns to normal, I make my way back to the street, choosing the direct route now rather than walk back through the park. I'm starting to remember the paths I need to take to get from place to place, thanks to the many memorable landmarks the town posessess. Thus, it's not hard for me to find the way back to Twilight's library. The lights are still on, so I assume she's still home. Upon reaching the front door, I knock firmly to announce my presence. I hear her moving about inside for several seconds, but it isn't for a full minute that the door opens. It only takes one look at Twilight's face for me to realize that something is wrong. Twilight meets my gaze for only a brief moment, and then she looks down at the ground. Her tail is tucked close between her hind legs, and her front hooves are shuffling ever so slightly on the ground. "You said you wanted me to come back, so here I am." She doesn't seem like she's going to say anything, so I start the conversation, my suspicions rising slowly. "What's wrong with you?" "I..." Twilight starts to say, then she cuts off, as if she doesn't quite know how to explain what's on her mind. She heaves a sigh, and then she dips her head and beckons me inside. "Come inside, and I'll explain. I...have a confession to make." I follow Twilight inside, wondering what could have happened to cause such a drastic shift in her usual attitude. Once I'm inside, I notice Spike standing beside a nearby bookshelf, watching the two of us with worry evident in his eyes. Between Spike's expression and Twilight's demeanor, I have a very bad feeling about this.
Tales of the Oppressed	10. A History Lesson (rw)	As always, the interior of the library is as immaculately clean as ever. I would be hard pressed to find even a single speck of dust lurking amongst the room's many bookshelves. The lingering scent of toasted bread hangs lightly in the air, mixing with the scent of books to form a relaxing, homey aroma. In contrast, Twilight Sparkle looks anything but relaxed. After she and I had retreated inside the library, she had ushered me to the central table, where cushions were already laid out for us. Beneath the horse head carving, in place of the stacks of books that are typically present, is a thick scroll of parchment bound by a red velvet ribbon topped with a golden horseshoe seal. Judging from the nearby inkwell with a quill still resting within it, Twilight had been recently writing something on that parchment. "I...don't suppose you want some tea first?" Twilight asks timidly. I recall the beverage that she'd made for me on my first visit here, and that it was a somewhat pleasant experience. That being said, after being greeted like this, the thought of waiting to hear her confession doesn't sit well with me. "I'd rather you get to the point. What did you do?" I return, perhaps more sharply than I'd intended. Twilight winces, her ears folding back. To inspire this kind of guilt in her, she must have done something particularly bad; something that she believes I'll take issue with. "Well...I...to be honest..." Twilight looks as though she's trying to deliver the bad news in a softer way, but the words seem to be failing her. She sighs, and then she blurts it out all at once. "I told Princess Celestia everything!" I blink, the meaning of her sudden confession taking a moment to register in my mind. When it hits me, my eyes widen, my hand falling to my side. I may not know much about Equestrian government, but I've learned enough by listening to other ponies that it closely resembles a theological diarchy, with the two ruling entities referred to as "princesses," rather than queens. Princess Celestia; Not only is she one of the two ruling entities of the entire country, she's so deeply ingrained into Equestrian society that her name is often used in various verbal expressions, as well as on its own as an exclamation. She is often thematically accompanied by a sun motif, present on both Equestrian's currency and in her seemingly religious title: the Solar Princess. That means that one of the two most powerful ponies in the country knows of my existence. My eyes narrow at Twilight, earning a small whine from her. A small wave of anger courses through me, but it quickly subsides. I heave a sigh to relieve some of the built up stress her confession exacted upon me. I should be furious, but I remain calm despite the clear violation of my privacy. "Be more specific. How much does she know?" I ask calmly. "I told her that there was a human called Seth living in Ponyville with us, and that he had come from the past against his will. I also told her that you were searching for the one who sent you here," Twilight explained. When she sees me frown, she immediately breaks down. "I'm so sorry! I know I shouldn't have said anything without talking to you first, but I was afraid to approach you, and I just wanted to help..." "Twilight." I cut across her, but she continues to apologize and attempt to explain herself, bringing up several examples of arguments I've had in the past, her words coming faster and more shrill, until finally I had to raise my voice. "Shut up, Twilight! I'm not angry!" Twilight cuts off mid sentence, gazing at me with surprise. "You're not? But...I went behind your back to ask the princess for help! Why wouldn't you be angry?" "I told you; you were too worried," Spike chided her with a shrug, the tiny dragon making his way over to the table to join us. "I guess Seth's too nice to get upset over just that...right?" Spike glances over at me after that last question, the dragon clearly looking for confirmation. I decide to ignore him despite his clear uncertainty and focus on Twilight instead. "I should be. But it would be pointless to get angry with you. If there's anything I've learned from being in this town for a few days, it's that you ponies like to talk," I reveal. A growing feeling of resignation is coming over me. Now that the country's royalty knows about me, it's only a matter of time before things get complicated for me. I wanted to be gone before that happened, but I underestimated how fast news could spread. "It was only a matter of time before the government learned about me, whether from you or from word of mouth. Honestly, it's my own fault for thinking that you'd keep it from them; I did learn early on that you are Princess Celestia's personal student." "I guess that does make sense, but I still feel bad," Twilight concedes. "I really should have asked you before telling her about you." "You should have. But you didn't, so here we are," I reply rather coldly. "More importantly, what does this mean for me? Will they be sending soldiers to collect me? Or are they more subtle than that, and want me to come for a visit instead?" "What? Why would they send the guard after you?" Twilight asks incredulously. "The princess finds your presence here interesting, and the existence of a time-snatching mage concerning, but she wouldn't resort to something so drastic. Though, admittedly, she did ask if I could bring you to see her in Canterlot at some point." "I thought as much. I'll be damned if they'll let me leave once I arrive," I comment, her words confirming my fears. Even in my time, if an ancient Sumerian were to walk around in broad daylight like I have, it wouldn't be long before the government got involved. "Seth! Who do you think the princess is? Do you think she's some kind of tyrant!?" Twilight appears highly offended by my words. No doubt that as the princess's personal student, she's highly attached to her. I should have known that to begin with; if I don't want to make this worse, I should try not to let my cynicism show. "It wouldn't surprise me. But I don't want to argue about that. More importantly, did she know anything about Sombra?" I deftly switch the topic away from Celestia. "You did say that you would contact her to try and get into the Royal Archives." "She knows that you were brought here by a powerful mage, but I hadn't given her his name just yet," Twilight admits. She lifts up the scroll of parchment on the table with her magic, showing it to me. "In fact, I was about to send her another letter doing so as well as asking for permission to get into the archives like you said." "Why haven't you, then?" I ask impatiently. "Well...I felt bad about telling her all of this without asking you first, so I wanted to...uh...ask you first," Twilight explains, setting the scroll back down on the table. "I'm sure that Princess Celestia will know who King Sombra is." "No doubt. But you might as well send it; I don't know why you need to ask me anyway; this is for your own research project," I remind her pointedly. "You're just sharing the results with me. Isn't that right?" "Yes, the research project! Right, of course. Silly me," Twilight stammers, looking anywhere but at me. My expression hardens, detecting the lie in her words easily. Of course she's still trying to help me. I doubt she ever stopped. But at this point, I'll hold her to that lie as long as I physically can. "Spike, send that letter for me, would you?" "Already on it," Spike returns with a slight smirk, the dragon lifting up the scroll. "It'll probably take a few days to get to her, depending on how far away...Canterlot...is from here. In the meantime, I'll..." In the middle of my sentence, Spike summons forth a jet of green flame that incinerates the scroll so thoroughly that not even ashes are left behind. "What the hell? Weren't you going to send that?" "He did send it. Spike knows a simple spell that allows him to transport small objects directly to Princess Celestia through his flames," Twilight reveals to me. She brightens up at my look of disbelief and confusion. "It works by the magical entanglement of two singular mana particles; any change in the condition of one particle is immediately reflected in the other. In the case of Spike's flames and the parchment, it means that..." "That's all well and good, but I don't need to hear the technical details," I interrupt her with a wave of my hands. Twilight looks thoroughly put out, her mouth turning down into a disappointed pout. Her expression earns a snicker from Spike at her expense. "That being said, it seems like your magic operates on a set of rules of its own, in direct defiance to those of physics." "That's correct!" Twilight brightens up in an instant, a bright smile crossing her face. Spike rolls his eyes and heads off to the kitchen, claiming that he was going to make tea. "You see, all magic is performed through manipulation of the base particles found naturally in nature; we refer to these particles as 'mana.' Unlike physical particles, mana can't be said to have physical or chemical properties such as mass or volume. Instead..." "How is that possible?" As much as I want to avoid a technical discussion, my academic curiosity is beginning to get aroused. "I only know of one particle that has no mass, and I'm not sure if it has volume. You're saying mana works similar to light?" "You're familiar with photons? It's true that neither photons nor mana have mass, but mana behaves so differently that we can hardly compare it to that of photons. I'm surprised you know that, however." Twilight's excitement is only growing, her passion for the topic evident by the gleam in her eyes and the gesticulation with her hooves. "But to clarify, there doesn't seem to be a limit to how much mana can be present in a set area. However, the more mana that is present in a medium, the higher the chance that we'll see a magical reaction. That's why ponies have come up with a statistic we refer to as 'affinity....'" "Right right, too much, too fast," I finally have to stop her; the number of questions rising from her explanation having grown exponentially to the point where I can't focus on her words anymore. "I'm sorry. I've been studying magic every since I was a little filly, and there's always more to be learned!" Twilight apologizes sheepishly. "But if you're interested in the subject, I can recommend several excellent reference texts for your perusal...but you can't read. Right." "Right. But let's get back on track. You said the princess wants me to come and visit her eventually. Can you be more specific? How long do I have, precisely?" I press, pushing my questions about magic out of my mind. The thought of meeting the highest authority in Equestria is weighing on me heavily. I curse myself for not thinking of this possibility beforehand. I only hope I'll have enough time to get the clothes from Rarity and get out of town. "How long? She didn't give me a definite timeline. She does want to see you, but I assure you she won't drag you out of town, if that's what you're worried about," Twilight answers with an admonishing tone. "I suppose we'll see," I respond, unconvinced. "Anyway, I'm assuming that because you had to contact the princess, you didn't find anything further on Sombra in this library?" "That's right. It's odd; over the years, there've been many powerful mages documented in our history books, but never once does King Sombra's name appear. If he can use a time spell more powerful than even Starswirl was capable of, I can't fathom that he'd never appear in our history, especially if he's royalty. Assuming you're certain that he is from our era," Twilight reasons. "As certain as I can be. Why else would I appear in this time as a result of his spell?," I return with a shrug. "He didn't strike me as the type to throw spells at random." "Was King Sombra his real name? Sometimes mages will operate under false names or pseudonyms," Twilight queries. I freeze upon hearing that. "I didn't even think of that," I admit, cursing my own stupidity. I only ever learned Sombra's name from the computer in the school. "That'll make my search much harder." "Not necessarily. I'm still convinced that if he exists in our era, he has something to do with the Frozen North. I've found mentions that remote villages up in that region have been subsisting on trade, but never was it made clear who they were trading with," Twilight points out, lifting a series of books from the shelves with her magic. She presses a hoof to her chin, the mare clearly thinking hard. "If I'm right and there was a civilization there once, I don't understand why it would be missing now from our records. I don't think Discord's influence stretched that far north, but I could be wrong. He was extremely unpredictable..." "You say Discord like it's some kind of name," I observe, confused by her offhand comment. "Was there a pony called Discord in the past?" Twilight winces. "Yes, but he was hardly a pony. He was more of an entity formed completely of magical entropy, or chaos. He reigned over all of Equestria about a thousand years ago, before our princesses appeared and made our government the way it is today." "I'm having a hard time picturing that. How can there be a creature made out of chaos?" I ask with a raised eyebrow. As ridiculous as this is sounding, it's not as though I can dismiss her words offhand. I've learned that nothing about this world is the same as it used to be, though I haven't been able to determine where and how everything changed so drastically. "It's difficult to explain. Discord typically appeared as an amalgamation of different creatures, and his fine control of mana was so far beyond anything we've ever been able to replicate; all he had to do was snap his fingers, and he could impose his will on the world," Twilight answers. "He could twist and pervert the very nature of reality to suit him. During his reign, he turned our country upside down; both literally and figuratively. For example, one hill would be colored pink and black in a checkerboard pattern while our town hall rotated in midair, and another might be blue with white polkadots." "That sounds...wholly unbelievable, if I'm being honest," I remark, a disbelieving sigh escaping me. "When you put it like that, he sounds like a god." "That...would be a rather apt description. There didn't seem to be anything he couldn't do," Twilight admits with a wry expression. "You also talk about him as though you were there," I note with suspicion. "Oh, well, I wasn't even born during his initial reign, but he escaped from his prison almost a year ago, and we witnessed his power first hoof before we managed to seal him away again," Twilight explains. She chuckles at the resulting look on my face. "That probably doesn't help the credibility any. He's currently sealed away in stone in Canterlot, if you want to go see him when we visit the princess." "Yeah, pardon me if I'm not too enthused by that prospect," I emit sarcastically before I can help myself, earning a laugh from Twilight in response. However, this Discord is raising several more questions. If he had that kind of power...that could explain why nature isn't quite working right. "Though now that you mention it, I'm curious; where did this Discord come from? Was he always ruling you?" "We're not quite sure where he came from. History has it recorded that one day, he appeared out of the blue, claiming that the world had grown too boring. It gets fuzzy after that, because it was likely difficult to record anything during his reign," Twilight reveals. Despite all the questions I'm asking her, she doesn't seem annoyed by them in the slightest. I probably shouldn't be asking so many questions without giving her something in return for all this information, but it's hard to suppress my curiosity. The more I learn about Discord, the more my knowledge of reality is starting to fall apart. If he stated the world had "grown too boring," did that mean he existed before ponykind? But that would mean... "That's okay, I didn't need my worldview anyway," I mutter under my breath. As disturbing as that implication is, it doesn't really matter for me in the long run. "That's interesting. But we keep getting sidetracked away from Sombra." "I'm sorry. I got caught up in sharing our history with you. Usually this is all common knowledge, so it's rare that I can have a discussion about it like this," Twilight confesses. "I'm actually rather enjoying myself." "That's good for you, but more importantly, I'm interested in that lost civilization you mentioned," I bring the topic back on track quickly; Twilight's happy expression is starting to make me uncomfortable. "I'm not even certain that there is one. It's just one hypothesis that I have. Honestly I could be entirely on the wrong track, and King Sombra has nothing to do with the Frozen North at all. It was a tenuous connection to begin with," Twilight expresses with a helpless shrug. "Regardless, I'm interested enough to write up a research paper on the topic. Maybe I can gather up the girls and travel up north to see for myself, and do a spot of field research!" "That's a terrible idea," I cut down her enthusiasm without mercy. Twilight recoils at the sudden vehemence in my voice. "Let's get one thing straight here. Let's say that you're right and Sombra is hiding out up there. He will kill you and your friends without a second thought." "W-What?" Twilight stammers, her eyes growing to the size of saucers. "K-Kill us? But...I thought he was just a time mage! What...what kind of pony is this King Sombra?" "A ruthless monster and a mass murderer," I snap, my fingers tightening around my rifle. I can't even imagine how Amaryllis or my family must have felt, faced with that kind of fate. This burning rage that I still feel...nothing will quench it except Sombra's death. "You see...I have to find him. It's..." ...all I have left. Twilight gazes at me with new understanding in her eyes, as well as a hint of that damned sympathy of which I've grown tired. So involved are we in this awkward and emotional moment that none of us notices Spike's approach until he's right in front of us. "So, is now a bad time for tea? Cuz between us, this is a great batch," Spike cuts in, placing the platter containing three cups in his claws on the table. Distracted, I gaze at the tea set before us. After a moment's hesitation, I grasp the nearest teacup and sip from it, finding it to be the same flavor as before. "Thanks, Spike. I completely forgot you went to make tea." Twilight gratefully accepts her own teacup, lifting it telekinetically to her lips. "Okay, so perhaps field research wouldn't be the best idea. If you don't mind me asking, what do you plan to do if you find him?" That's easy. It should go without saying what I intend to do with him. I hope to make him experience the pain and despair he put me through, and ultimately, kill him. I've never thought about taking the life of another living being before; in fact, I've been staunchly opposed to it all my life. Yet despite that, the idea that Sombra could go on living after what he did to my family and friend is too much to bear. I'm not stupid. I know that Sombra is capable of feats of great strength as well as spells strong enough to send me to the future. There's a chance I won't even be able to hurt him when I do find him. Yet I can't bring myself to care. All I know is that either he will die, or I will. There is no other alternative. "I have a few grievances to address," I reply in a dangerously calm voice. Twilight and Spike glance at one another, and then back at me, unsure what to make of my answer. "Beyond that, it doesn't concern you anymore." Twilight's expression hardens. "I think it does. Because frankly it sounds like..." she begins, but before she can finish her sentence, Spike suddenly releases a fiery belch. Green flames emanate from his open mouth and swiftly coalesce into the shape of a scroll of thick parchment. Like Twilight's scroll earlier, it's bound with a velvet ribbon and adorned with a seal. However, the seal is fashioned in the shape of a sun radiating rays of light. There's no doubt whose seal that is. "Mail's here," Spike remarks drily as the scroll drops onto the table. He then takes a long swig from his cup. "Being your messenger really parches my throat!" "That was...alarmingly fast. I don't think it's even been an hour since you sent it," I observe, feeling more than a little worried. It was to my understanding that governmental figures are extremely busy. "Even if you are her student, I expected a wait of at least a day or two." "There can be long delays between responses, but she's been responding quickly to my letters about you," Twilight reveals, grabbing the scroll with her magic and opening it up. My worries only deepen after hearing that. If that's the case, the princess considers me a priority. "Should I read it aloud so you can hear it too?" "Do it. I get the distinct feeling I'm not going to like what I hear," I decide, leaning back against the table. I finish the rest of my tea and replace the cup on the platter, my heart rising into my throat. "I think you should relax," Twilight advises me, but her words might as well have fallen on deaf ears. There's a very good chance that whatever this letter contains will determine my future. Twilight clears her throat, and then begins. "Dear Twilight Sparkle; your revelation of King Sombra as the identity of the mysterious time mage is most alarming. He is indeed known to us, and his existence, as well as the fate of the city-state over which he ruled, has been a well-guarded secret for a thousand years. Due to this, it comes as a shock to both my sister and I that Seth's arrival in our time is connected to King Sombra. There will be no need for you to visit the Royal Canterlot Archives in this particular case. I apologize for the extremely short notice, but my sister and I will be arriving in Ponyville tomorrow at dawn to personally address this issue. Your loving mentor, Celestia." When Twilight finished reading the letter, her expression was neutral at first. Gradually, her eyes widened and she begins to look rather dumbfounded. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are coming here tomorrow!?" Twilight frantically looks around the room with increasingly visible dissatisfaction. "Twilight...I know what you're thinking. Now I need you to slow down and..." Spike starts to try and calm her down, but to no avail. Twilight bolts from her seat. Spike rested his face in one claw. "Oh no..." "I must clean EVERYTHING!" Twilight shrieks in panic, and then she begins dashing around the room in a blur of lavender fur and magical auras, replacing books, dusting shelves, and other such menial tasks that really look as though they don't need to be done. "Too late," Spike deadpans. He picks up the letter and glances over it himself, and then he looks at me. "The princesses are coming to see you. I bet you're excited; just wait until you meet them. They're incredible." "Excited...is not the word I'd use," I finally say in a shaking voice, breaking out of my stupor induced by the letter. Panic starts to set in as I rush through possible solutions to my current predicament. Tomorrow is too soon. I don't have any clothes to handle the north, and I haven't kept my word to Applejack yet. But if the princesses get here, there's no guarantee I'll ever see the light of day again, especially if I unwittingly led Twilight to one of Equestria's national secrets.There's nothing for it. I'll have to run. "You'll be fine. Princess Celestia is really nice. I don't know too much about Princess Luna, but Twilight seems to like her as well," Spike attempts to reassure me, though I don't pay him any attention until his eyes glance back to the letter. "Hey, there's more on here." "More?" I ask, giving Spike my full attention while I attempt to calm my rapidly beating heart. "Yeah. Hold on, I'll read it for you," Spike obligingly says, holding up the letter to his face. "PS. As it is likely that Seth will still be present when this letter arrives, I address this portion of the letter to him directly. Make sure you read it to him; it is unlikely he will be able to read Equestrian. Greetings, Seth. I hope you'll forgive me if I save the formal introductions until we meet, but there are a few things I'd like to make clear to you; this is not a disciplinary visit, nor do I intend to hinder you or your quest in any way. I ask only that you remain calm until such time we are able to meet." "See, I told you you'd be fine," Spike says with a smirk after he finishes reading. "She knew you'd feel worried!" "I don't buy it. I stumble upon a national secret and the government just wants to drop by to say hello? How stupid do you think I am?" I express. Despite the princess's reassurance, my worries are hardly lessened. Spike opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "Where is Ponyville in relation to Canterlot?" "Huh? Well, I don't have a map in front of me, but we're about in the middle of Equestria I think. Canterlot's maybe an hour from here on train," Spike replied, confused. "Why?" I dont answer for a minute, and then I take several deep breaths, a sense of grudging acceptance coming over me. I have to think realistically here. I'm a college student with no experience on traveling long distances, or in survival. I'm certainly not knowledgeable on how to do so undetected. If I'm this deep in Equestria, the chances of me making it to the north without being caught are essentially zero. The princesses have the resources of an entire nation. In the end, running wouldn't do me any good. "No reason. I guess I've no choice but to meet these princesses," I concede, standing up from the table. I think I'm done here. I came here hoping to find more information on Sombra, and instead ended up being served to the princesses on a silver platter. I can only hope they're at least half as benevolent as Twilight and Spike seem to think they are. "Anyway, I think I've been here long enough. I need to start heading back." "Already? You just got here," Spike remarks with a raised brow. I shrug. I may not have been here for long, but I've accomplished what I came to do and more. I notice Spike hesitant expression, as if he wants to say something more. Eventually he does. "Well, you should come by again. I don't have many male friends, and Twilight would love to have another egg...uh...well-read friend." "Don't get your hopes up," is all I say in response, visibly disappointing the small dragon. With that, I turn and head for the door. "Seth, wait!" Twilight skids to a halt in front of me just as I'm reaching for the handle. "I'm sorry again for going behind your back, and thank you for coming by to talk with me." "Whatever. What's done is done," I reply uncomfortably. "One more thing. The princesses will be meeting us here at dawn tomorrow. Please don't be late!" Twilight cautions me with a pleading expression. "I won't." Without another word, I open the door and step back out in the street, leaving the librarian and her pet dragon behind. A wall of cold air hits me the moment I step outside, causing me to immediately shiver and tuck my fingers beneath my arms. I wasn't in the library for very long, but it seems as though the temperature had dropped significantly in that short time. I've nowhere else to be today, so I quicken my pace, hoping to get back to my new place of residence as quickly as possible. Pangs of hunger shoot through my stomach, reminding me that I've had little to eat apart today apart from breakfast and a few apples. I hope Vinyl hasn't eaten yet; meals are included in my rent, so I'd be a fool to miss one. I've always had a reasonably sound sense of direction, so it doesn't take me very long to cross-reference landmarks in my mind and work my way through the darkened streets towards Vinyl's house. There aren't any street lamps or anything of that sort, so before long it'll get too difficult to see. It's late, but not so late that there aren't ponies in the streets. I've been in Ponyville for a little over two days now, but it seems my presence is still new enough to warrant the cursory glances of the few passing ponies I encounter. A cold breeze whips through the narrow streets, coursing over me like a frigid river. I wince and shrink even further into myself, but it does little to assuage the chill seeping through my skin. The way this particular street is arranged allows it to function as a natural wind tunnel, resulting in my current state. Something flying in the breeze catches on the back of the head. The unknown object is so light that I hardly feel it, but it's enough to get me to reach up with one hand and grasp it in an attempt to get it out of my hair. It's soft and silken to the touch. When I bring it in front of me to get a closer look at it, I find a length of satin ribbon colored a pale pink fluttering gently in my palm. For some reason, it seems rather familiar, but I can't quite place where I've seen it before. I turn around and glance for the source of the flying ribbon, but I see nothing in the streets behind me except for the odd passing pony - none of whom seem to be looking for a lost ribbon. I shrug and continue on my way, throwing the ribbon into the nearest trash can. To avoid another wind tunnel, I cut through an alleyway and into a street that's blocked from the worst of the wind by the archway of one of the buildings. However, my detour takes me into a slightly busier street. I hear the fluttering of wings above my head, and then a small group of pegasi land on the street ahead of me. I catch a glimpse of an all too familiar rainbow tail, so I promptly duck back into the alleyway and press my back against the wall. A feeling of foolishness crosses over me an instant later. Why should I hide from Rainbow like I've done something wrong? Granted, every encounter we've had has resulted in a fight, but she's not on her own this time. She has no reason to pay any attention to me. With that in mind, I force myself back onto the street and resume my walk, finding myself to be far behind them now. I recognize two of the three ponies with Rainbow: one of them is Flitter, and the other is the messy-maned mare that was with her when I first met her. I believe Flitter called her Cloud. The third I don't recognize; a mare with a lavender blue coat and a golden yellow mane. Cloud appears to be attempting to comfort Flitter about something, judging from the way she has a single leg wrapped around her shoulders and is talking to her in a soft voice. They're walking slowly, so if I keep up my current pace, I'll have to pass them. Eventually, as I get closer, I notice that something seems off about Flitter apart from the fact that she seems upset. It hits me a moment later: she's missing the pink bow that's typically in her mane. I immediately make the connection to the ribbon I'd seen earlier. I recall that she's a weather pony along with Rainbow; no doubt it must have come undone while she was up there in that heavy wind. Honestly, it's not my business that she lost her ribbon. I may have seen it, but I'm not by any means obligated to help her. Considering that she and Rainbow have caused me no end of trouble, I have even less reason to go out of my way to help her. In fact, I might even go so far as to say this is karma for siccing the attack dog that is Rainbow Dash on me. I pause and shake my head, disgusted with myself. I may have my issues with her and her pushy attitude, but that's no reason to wish ill on her. All it takes is one more look at Flitter's distraught face to spur me into action. Heaving a sigh, I pivot on my heel and head back to the alleyway trash can. I can't believe I'm doing this. Luckily, finding the ribbon is easy enough. The trash must have been taken away before I tossed in the ribbon, because the can is empty except for the aforementioned accessory. I pick up the ribbon, and after determining that it's clean, I return to the street and make my way to the group of pegasi. The unfamiliar mare spots me first with a gasp. She leans her head towards her friends, never taking her eyes off of me. "Don't look now, but I think the human is coming," she whispers to them. All three of them turn to look, surprise etched on their faces. "Seth's here?" Rainbow reacts first, her gaze falling upon me. Her eyes narrow, and she protectively steps in front of her friends, blocking my path to Flitter. "Great. What in the hay do you want? Here to snap at somepony else for no reason?" "I am so not in the mood for this," I sigh, picking up on her guardedly hostile tone immediately. I decide to ignore her and turn to the one I actually have business with. "Flitter?" "Oh! Um...yes?" Flitter jumps at being addressed. She nervously runs a hoof through her mane and hesitantly meets my gaze. "Hey, you leave her alone! You've already done enough!" Rainbow doesn't seem like she's going to let me get a word in edgewise. "Shut up, Rainbow. I'm not even talking to you. Why don't you keep your nose out of my business for once?" I snap at her venomously, causing her to recoil briefly. She looks like she's about to shoot right back, so I quickly turn back to Flitter and produce the ribbon from my pocket. Her eyes lock on to it and a happy gasp escapes her. "Here. I noticed you were missing this." "That's my ribbon! You found it!" Flitter gratefully takes the ribbon from my hand with her mouth, and then she passes it to Cloud, who starts to tie it back into Flitter's mane. She looks up at me with a bright smile, her former melancholy and nervousness swiftly melting away. "I can't thank you enough! I thought I'd lost that forever when the heavy winds took it away!" "You...wait what?" Rainbow's mouth opens and closes repeatedly, my gesture taking her completely by surprise. She looks between Flitter and me. "Did you just...help her?" "You nearly did. I found it by chance, and I figured it must be important, considering I've never seen you without it on," I respond to Flitter, once again ignoring Rainbow completely. All it takes is one look at her sparkling eyes and I start to regret doing this for her. "Well, you have it back now. So if you'll excuse me." I take a step back and pass by the surprised and perplexed mares, but I don't get very far before a pair of furry legs wrap around my waist in a hug, halting my progress. I feel her cheek pressing against my back, causing me to shiver somewhat. "Really, thank you. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't get this back," Flitter expresses softly. I rub my forehead, my regret over helping her only intensifying. "It was a birthday gift from my family." "What are you doing? Get off me," I extricate myself from her grip uncomfortably. "I don't need you reading any further into this. I only gave it back to you because I happened to find it. So if you'll excuse me." Flitter looks like she wants to say something further, but in the end she just nods and moves back to her friends, the four of them watching me as I make my retreat. As I go, I unintentionally catch the front end of their next conversation. "I thought you said he was a jerk," Cloud emits, much to my dismay. "He is! Just wait until you hear..." Rainbow begins, but then I become too far away to hear the rest. The moment Vinyl's house comes into view, I quicken my pace and bear the frigid air just long enough to throw open the door and rush inside. Once I'm inside, I sigh in relief. The combination of the warmer air temperature and my efforts to warm myself through friction helps to bring the color back into my chilled skin. I've been out of the house all day, so I decide that a shower would be a good idea so I don't dirty the bedsheets. As I head towards the kitchen, I notice Vinyl sprawled out on her back over the arm of the couch in the living room. Her hooves are splayed out every which way, her mouth is wide open, and her shades are barely hanging onto her face. She's clearly asleep. That being said, that's one of the most undignified sleeping positions I've ever seen. One corner of my mouth turns up ever so slightly in a somewhat amused smirk. As I'm walking up the stairs to the bathroom, it occurs to me that I won't have anything decent to wear when I meet the princesses in the morning. Rarity won't have any outfits complete by dawn, though even if she did, I wouldn't have time to visit her. Therefore, all I have are these jeans, and they're in desperate need of a good cleaning. When I walk by the laundry room, I note the complicated dials and Equestrian writing on the machinery, and thus determine that I'll have to wake up Vinyl after my shower. I pause a moment, coming up with a better way to handle this. Backtracking down the stairs, I make my way to the couch where Vinyl is sleeping and call out to her. Unfortunately, Vinyl is out like a light, and repeated calls fail to stir her. Rolling my eyes, I reach forward and place my palm upon her belly just long enough to shake her into wakefulness. "Wha-huh? Whassat?" Vinyl lurches awake with a start, her shades falling off of her face in the process. She spots me and my retreating hand, realizing what had happened. She clapped her front hooves to her face and shuddered. Despite her efforts, I can still see her eyelids drooping. "Oh, hey Seth. I'm awake, I swear." "I thought you weren't going to do anything today. What got you so exhausted?" I ask curiously. "You looked as though somebody had knocked you senseless." "Bro, I was up at dawn, and I couldn't get back to sleep after that. I tried doing some mixing to pass the time, and... well... guess I got tired" Vinyl explains unashamedly. She sets her shades on a nearby end table, and then she stands up and stretches out her body, not caring that I'm standing right in front of her. I turn my gaze as she does so. "Any particular reason you woke me up? I'm sure it wasn't just to give me a belly rub." "I have an important meeting tomorrow, so I'd like to get my clothes washed. I woke you because I don't have a clue how to operate your washing machine," I explain to her, choosing to ignore her last sentence. "Cool. I was meaning to teach you sooner or later anyway. Follow me and I'll show you how to use it." Vinyl nods understandingly, and gestures for me to follow her back towards the kitchen where the stairs are located. Before long, we're standing in front of the laundry room, where the two machines that I assume are the washer and dryer are located. Just like all of the other seemingly modern-era technology that ponies possess, a crystalline orb is set into each of the machines on the control panel. "Do you mind if I ask you an awkward question?" "If you want. I may or may not answer, depending on what it is," I return, crossing my arms. For her to preface her question by asking if I minded... suffice to say, I'm a little hesitant to hear it. "I promise I don't mean this in a weird way, but are you like a stallion or a minotaur?" Vinyl asks, looking somewhat wry. When she notices my visible lack of understanding, she revises. "Let me try this. Your clothes won't be done for at least an hour, and as far as I know that's your only set. Do you need something else to wear while you wait?" "Oh. In that case, definitely. Thank you for not making me have to explain that," I reply, catching her meaning. Vinyl snickers at that. "Do you have anything I can wear?" "A towel, maybe. I don't think my pants would fit you, and I don't even have that many; I just don't like to wear them. They're so restricting," Vinyl suggests, indicating a nearby linen closet. I know it's due to a difference in culture, but her words immediately make me uncomfortable. Despite what she looks like, she still sounds like a woman. "If it helps, I gotta make food anyway, so I'll stay downstairs while you wait." "That works," I affirm after a moment's thought. I return my gaze to the two machines. "So what do these characters mean? I'm familiar with washers and dryers, but I don't know your language." "Don't worry, I got you. So basically, you can ignore half of these settings," Vinyl starts to explain, using her hoof to gesticulate her words. "I don't even know what they do, and I've never needed them. See, you got your casual wash here. Set the dial at this line here; literally always leave load size at super, my water bill's not bad; and use cold water unless you want to wreck your dye. The soap's on the top shelf here." "Sounds basically how I used to handle it back at college," I emit wryly, thankful for the familiarity. "I bet you don't sort your laundry either." "Dude, I have like, seven shirts and a jacket. Why would I do that?" Vinyl retorts with an amused grin. She then turns to the dryer. "This one's easy. Set the dial here and hit start. Boom." "What about fabric softener?" I query. Vinyl responds by briefly lifting up a box filled with thin dryer sheets and giving me a telling look. I suppose that covers everything I'd need to know. In essence it's not all that different from the machines in my era. "Thanks. I think I can handle it from here." "No prob. I'll go and get dinner started then. Grab a towel from the linen closet when you're ready to come down." With one last nod, Vinyl retreats back down the stairs and into the kitchen, leaving me to my own devices. I follow her instructions and load my jeans, boxers, and socks into the washing machine along with a small amount of detergent, and then I start up the machine. Interestingly enough, the crystalline orb in the control panel glows with a soft light as the washer hums to life. I peer closer curiously at the orb. It's hard to describe at what I'm looking; the glow is similar to the aura that appears whenever a unicorn uses magic, which would support my theory that some sort of magical circuitry is involved in the machine's construction. Still thinking about the orb, I place my rifle in my room and then start up the shower, where I begin to clean away the day's accumulation of dirt and sweat. The warm water feels heavenly on my exhausted body; it's anyone's guess how I haven't collapsed by now. I take this time to relax, letting the water wash away my anxiety about the day to come, even if only briefly. When I'm finished, I dry myself off and move up to the mirror. I wince at what I see. My hair is continuing to accumulate grease, and the shower isn't doing much to resolve that problem. It might be a good idea to do some experimentation with pony hair products before the grease becomes too noticeable. Not to mention, although I typically have a hard time growing facial hair, I'd like to have some sort of razor I can use. I suddenly realize what I'm doing and scoff, turning away from the mirror. My appearance doesn't really matter anymore. Sombra won't care if my hair is greasy, so I shouldn't either. The most I do is neaten my hair by borrowing Vinyl's comb, which looks like it's never been used. Using the towel with which I'd dried off as makeshift clothing, I step out of the bathroom and move to the washing machine, which appears to have concluded its cycle. After loading it into the dryer, I make my way downstairs to see what Vinyl's making for dinner. As I descend, I can hear her humming to herself. Interestingly enough, her pitch is excellent and her tone is pleasant on my ears. I wonder if she adds vocals to any of her performances. Before I step into the kitchen, I make sure the towel is fastened securely around my waist. The moment I step inside, Vinyl turns to look at me with those magenta eyes of hers. "Welcome back. I'm just about done here," she greets me with the same relaxed tone as ever. I glance at the counter to see a salad bowl filled with a strange mashup of flowers, lettuce, and fruit. Next to it is an opened loaf of sliced bread, as well as a pile of what looks like hay. The purpose of it all becomes clear as Vinyl places a clump of the makeshift salad onto the bread along with some hay to form a sandwich. "Humans can't eat hay, Vinyl," I remind her before she can do the same to mine. She grimaces at that. "Well I don't envy you there. Hay can taste darn good if you make it right," Vinyl expresses. She obligingly prepares a sandwich for me while excluding the hay and presents it to me along with a glass of water. "What kind of soft drinks can you handle?" "To be honest, I've no idea what kind of soft drinks ponies even have," I admit, accepting the food from her and moving to the table. I take note of the small can that Vinyl is carrying with her; I guess it's not all that strange that ponies would have carbonated drinks. They were invented somewhere in the 19th century, after all. "I can't afford to get sick if I can't handle them, either." "That's no fun," Vinyl laments, looking at me oddly as she cracks open the can. Sure enough, I can hear the hiss of air escaping the opening. She sits down at the table across from me and munches on her sandwich. "So how was work with Applejack?" "I can't complain. I didn't expect Rainbow to be there, though," I reply, taking a bite of my own sandwich. The taste is odd and the texture leaves much to be desired, but it's not altogether unpleasant. "I keep running into her and it's beginning to get on my nerves." "Yeah, I heard you two don't get along," Vinyl replies with a knowing expression and a nod. "Mind if I ask why? She's actually really chill, and I can't think of a more loyal friend." "I can't possibly imagine how you see that in her," I respond with a hint of venom in my voice, causing Vinyl to wince. Noticing that, I take a deep breath. It's obvious that she and Rainbow are friends, so it would be ill-advised for me to badmouth her. "I don't want to get into it, but I just can't stand people... or in this case ponies... like her, who think they're all that." "I guess there is a bit of that, but... didn't you dance with her at the Cake's party?" Vinyl insists, touching upon the one topic that I would have given anything not to have to discuss. "Why would you do that if..." "Can we please not talk about that?" I cut across her, causing Vinyl to recoil at the edge in my voice. "I don't care for her. Let's just leave it at that." "Alright, chill. Was just curious, is all," Vinyl retracts with a perplexed expression and a shrug. "More importantly, what's your day look like tomorrow? Got time for another gig?" "I..." I pause, finding that question to be harder to answer than I'd initially thought. "I don't know know how to answer that question." "What do you mean? You don't work after six, right?" Vinyl presses. "Normally I'd say yes, but I actually have an engagement in the morning...and I've no idea what the consequences of such will be. There's a chance I might not be here after that," I reveal to her. "I thought you said you weren't leaving until the snows came?" Vinyl asks with a raised brow. "Yes well. That was until the princesses decided my presence warranted their immediate attention. They're coming to see me tomorrow at dawn," I retort with annoyance. Vinyl responds by dropping her drink on the table, her eyes steadily widening. "The princesses are coming here? To my house!?" Vinyl's voice abruptly rises in pitch. She stands up and places her two front hooves on the table as she looks around the mess that is her house. "Oh no no no...everything's a mess, and I have those cords that need to get rolled up, and there's dust everywhere..." "Relax. I'm meeting them at Twilight's library tomorrow. You don't have to do anything," I interrupt her before she can get too frantic. I wonder if all the ponies react to hearing about a visit from the princesses by wanting to clean everything they own. "My point is that I don't trust that they won't take me away somewhere. Celestia said she wouldn't, but I don't trust that." "Sheesh, don't freak me out like that." Vinyl relaxes back into her chair, a heavy sigh escaping her. She doesn't seem at all concerned about the point that I just made. "Now you're the one who should relax. I've never met the princess up close, but I hear nothing but good things about her; especially since we have her personal student in town. If Princess Celestia said she's not gonna foalnap you, then she's not gonna. Honestly, I'm a little jealous you get to meet her personally." "Good that one of us thinks so. I don't trust authority figures. They've too much power and not enough accountability," I counter in a bitter voice. Vinyl tilts her head at that. "Princess Celestia has done nothing but do right by us, dude. Equestria has been peaceful and happy since long before I was born because of her," Vinyl argues back, the mare starting to sound irritated. "Give her a chance before you start implying she's a tyrant." "Twilight said the same thing to me. At the very least, she's done something different if she's got her ponies defending her so easily," I admit. Despite my misgivings, that alone is enough to warrant thought; politicians in my time were a dime a dozen. They all had different ideals they wanted to pursue, different policies they wanted to implement, and different offices for which they wanted to run. However, they all had one thing in common: people had vastly differing opinions on them, ranging from the fanatically positive to the fanatically negative. Yet Princess Celestia is spoken well of by all the ponies that talk about her. "I guess we'll see," I finally concede, deciding that further argument on the matter is pointless. "To answer your question, I'll be available provided I'm not detained." "You'll be fine. You gotta tell me what they're like up close when I see you tomorrow evening," Vinyl assures me, her tone returning to normal. With that, the two of us finish up our meals and start to get ready for bed. "You go on and head upstairs. I'll handle the dishes." "Okay. Then I'm heading to bed," I respond. After checking to make sure my towel is fastened properly, I rise from the table and climb the stairs to the second level. It sounds like the dryer is finished, so I unload my freshly cleaned clothes and take them to my room with me. I shut the door behind me, set the clothes down on the desk, and move to sit down on the bed. I don't know if I'll be able to get much sleep, but it's refreshing to finally be alone for the first time today. This world is surreal. I've been able to mask my feelings and just force myself through the day, but I can't get over how weird it is. I'm living in a town filled with oddly shaped talking ponies. I sometimes have a hard time believing that any of this is real. If it weren't for the burning rage I feel inside of me to keep me focused on my task, I honestly don't know where I'd be. I lay back and stare at the ceiling and think about what might happen tomorrow. My thoughts clash together chaotically and jump from one possible scenario to the next. I try to tell myself that whatever happens tomorrow will happen, but it doesn't much help. As the imagined scenarios get increasingly more negative, I heave a sigh. "I'm never going to get to sleep."
Tales of the Oppressed	11. The Royal Sisters (rw)	A long hallway stretches out before me, the walls covered with bulletin boards, posters, or science-themed decorative art. I plod ever forward towards the door at the far end, the blinding light of the sun piercing through the windows. I pass classroom after classroom, each room willed with faceless students listening to the murmured lectures of faceless professors. My legs feel heavy; moving each one requires an excessive amount of effort. My thoughts are hazy, leaving me unable to think about anything other than reaching the other end of the hallway. It's funny; I don't remember the hall being this long. The fluorescent lights on the ceiling start to flicker, periodically plunging the entire hall into a deep darkness. With every step I take, the hall rapidly deteriorates; the art grows faded and torn, bulletin boards fall off the walls, and the posters dissolve into nothing. The lights flicker faster and more irregularly; each time they go out, the air becomes filled with choking dust. I can see the nebulous forms of people at the other end of the hallway. I squint as bright muzzle flashes erupt from their hands, the cracking of gunfire filling the air. I can hear the indistinct shouting of men and the bestial howls emanating from the throats of those long dead. I have to keep going. I have to reach the other end of the hall. As I stumble past the splintering barricade, a few of the voices become distinct enough to hear.. "That spell was not meant for thee!" "Shit, hang on. I'm coming!" "No... not me too..." "My sister and I will be arriving in Ponyville tomorrow at dawn..." I shudder and clap my hands to my ears and press forward, until at long last I near the door on the far end of the hallway. Yet something is wrong. The closer I get to it, the more the light of the sun dims. When I at last reach the door, nothing awaits me outside except a solid wall of rock and earth. As I watch, the door and what lay beyond warps and dissolves, eventually forming into rusted metal bars, through which I can see an ancient stone hallway beyond. I turn around to see a dimly lit jail cell made of drab gray stone. When I look back forward and grasp the bars, I see two nebulous figures in the shape of ponies, staring at me from beyond the bars with nothing but white pinpricks of light for eyes. "The issue has been addressed." I open my eyes with a start, my heart beating rapidly. The sheets stick to my skin oddly, causing me to realize a moment later that I'm sweating. Groaning softly, I shift into a sitting position and rest my head in my hands. I have to face it; I can't sleep. I keep tossing and turning because I can never get comfortable, and if I'm lucky enough to get a few moments of sleep, I'm woken up an hour or so later by vivid and disturbing dreams. I don't have to be a psychologist to understand what's going through my head. The past few days have taken their toll on me. It's easy enough to focus on putting one foot in front of the other during the day, but I can't escape the reality of my situation when I'm alone at night. It's worse than normal, due to the impending visit of the two rulers of the entire country. A quick glance at the clock on the wall reveals that it's a little past six in the morning. Giving up on getting any more sleep, I get out of bed, grab my clothes, and head towards the shower. It's not quite dawn yet, but there's no harm in taking some extra time to get ready. The shower helps to wake me up, but it does little to calm my nerves. Knowing who I'll be meeting, I go to the extra effort and do my best to clean every inch of my body. I'm already at a disadvantage due to the lack of any decent clothes, but I need to do everything I can to make a good first impression. It's no exaggeration to say that my life could drastically change based on the outcome of this meeting. Once I'm dressed, I step out into the hall to see a very disheveled Vinyl, who looks as though she'd just crawled out of bed. Her eyes are barely open, so she nearly runs right into me. It takes her a few moments for her to recognize at what she's looking. "Oh, you're already awake..." Vinyl murmurs, rubbing one eye with a hoof. "Why'd I get up again...?" "I wasn't really sleeping anyway," I reply, shaking my head at her half-asleep self. "Go back to sleep. I'll just make breakfast myself." "You sure? I can do the...make the..." Vinyl breaks off in order to release a wide yawn, which she doesn't even bother to cover. "...the food thing." "You really aren't a morning person," I note with some amusement after listening to her try to string two words together. She only grunts in response. "Seriously, go back to sleep." "Don't mind if I do..." With that, Vinyl turns around and slowly plods back to her room, her tail trailing listlessly across the floor. Once she's out of sight, I return to my room just long enough to grab my rifle, and then I descend the stairs. After eating a quick sandwich, I step outside into the chilly air. Due to it being dawn, there's no ponies in the street, and I can make my way from place to place easily. Because I've been to Twilight's library multiple times now, I've got a good idea of where it is, so it only takes me a few minutes to reach it. The lights are on, so Twilight must already be awake. Without wasting even a single moment, I rush up to the front door and knock, my body shivering from the cold. It doesn't take long for Twilight to open the door. It appears that she's been awake for a while; her appearance looks very well tended to, her mane gleaming in the light from inside. "Good morning, Seth! I knew I could count on you to be..." Twilight greets me, but I rush inside and past her into the warmth of the library before she can finish. Her head turns to follow me as I do so, her expression perplexed. "...early. Are you alright?" "Yeah, I'm fine. Just cold," I answer, rubbing my skin vigorously to warm myself up. Twilight nods understandingly, and then she shuts the door and moves to join me. "It has no business being this cold." "The snows are coming soon, so it makes sense. Have you thought about getting some warm clothes to compensate for your lack of fur?" Twilight suggests sensibly. "This isn't the first time I've seen you come in here shivering." "I have. This mare named Rarity is making some for me. She wouldn't let me pay her for them, either," I mutter with some annoyance. Twilight's eyes widen with surprise. "What?" "Nothing, I'm just surprised. Rarity is very generous; knowing how you are, I never thought you'd indulge her," Twilight replies with a smile... which falters somewhat when she sees the pointed stare I give her. "Twilight, I've known you for two days. You don't 'know how I am.' You don't even have the slightest clue," I point out for her firmly, causing her to flinch. "All Rarity did was present to me a logical argument that I could accept. That's all." "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to offend you," Twilight apologizes, taking me somewhat by surprise. "You're right, I don't know you anywhere near as well as I would like, but it's not as though you're making it easy for me, either." "Of course I'm not," I respond. "I thought I made it clear that I'm not interested in friends. But you know that, remember? After all, I'm only here so you can share the results of your personal investigation." "I...that's..." Twilight stammers, and then she wilts, her head lowering sadly. "Seth, I can't do this. I'm tired of having to lie and jump through hoops just to be even a little friendly with you. Why are you like this? Why won't you let anypony get close?" I've noticed a trend ever since I arrived in Equestria. In my experience, people I snap at, for whatever reason, typically leap to the defense immediately. In some cases, that leads to name calling, the lowest form of argument. I'm told I'm guilty of this as well. But these ponies, although they can react defensively, it's for a different reason. It's hard to describe; most of the arguments I've been in have resulted in the ponies trying to figure out why I snapped. That's the difference; they ask why. I don't understand; if someone were to snap at me, I'd be irritated. I wouldn't ask why. Neither has anyone that I've ever dealt with. That being said, what makes ponies so different? I stare back at her, those thoughts making me unsure what to make of her. She just admitted her lie to me, albeit not specifically, but she's not getting angry either - only depressed. I just don't understand. "That's as personal as it gets," I say with a sigh. "If you get it, please stop asking." "Seth, please! I just want to help you get better, but I can't do anything if you won't let me!" Twilight pleads, huffing somewhat with frustration. "'Get better?' You say that as though I have a disease that needs to be cured," I growl, her particular choice of words striking a nerve. It wouldn't be the first time I've heard someone say something similar to me. "You and everyone else seems to think that there's something wrong with me for thinking the way that I do. If I were to walk around blindly trusting everyone I meet, how would that be any better?" "That's not what I'm saying! All I mean is that..." Twilight begins, but then she cuts off, her head turning towards the door. Before I can ask why she stopped, a strange feeling comes over me. Music: FFXV - Cosmogeny It's subtle, but something about the atmosphere seems to have changed. A subtle pressure descends around me like a blanket, pressing down on my skin and causing my hairs to stand on end. The feeling is soft, but the air seems to hum. It feels almost like it did in the Everfree Forest and when Sombra was standing close to me, but it doesn't feel anywhere near as oppressive. "What the hell...?" I emit in a low whisper, my hand moving to my rifle. From my experience, a feeling like this never precedes anything good. "Twilight, do you feel that?" "I do. It means the princesses are here," Twilight reveals, a smile returning to her face. My eyes widen upon hearing that, and I gulp nervously. The princesses have this kind of presence!? "Come on, let's go to meet them. We'll continue this conversation later." "No, we won't. But I suppose we shouldn't keep them waiting. Lead the way," I reply, gesturing for her to go ahead. Twilight gives me a look, but chooses not to argue further. She heads towards the door, opening with her magic and stepping through with me close behind her. "How will they be arriving?" "Whenever the princesses visit, they typically arrive in their chariots. Take a look!" Twilight answers, pointing a hoof at the skyline opposite the front door of her library. I follow her hoof, and sure enough, something is approaching high above the town from the direction of the mountain in the distance. "Oh, I can't wait!" As it gets closer, I'm able to to make out at what precisely I'm looking. Two large chariots fly towards us, each one pulled by a team of armored pegasi about eight strong. The two chariots differ from one another in both style and colors, as do the ones pulling them. One chariot is little more than a golden platform with a raised violet tail board to prevent its occupant from flying out. The tail board is tipped by a similarly colored flag decorated with the Equestrian royal seal. To top it all off, the pegasi pulling the chariot are armored in gold and wearing plumed helmets that look almost romanesque in design. The second, dark violet chariot appears vastly different than the other, consisting of a long and sleeker body design with a backwards curving tail board and metallic bat wings extending back from the side rails. The pegasi pulling the chariot, unlike the others, are dark coated and almost blend into the night sky. They wear armor similar in color to the chariot itself, with helmets plumed by a metal fin resembling a bat's wing and a single blue eye emblazoned on their chest plates. The chariots wheel around and dip lower, likely intending to use the road in front of the library as a landing strip. I watch as they descend, landing on the ground with barely a sound - a testament to the skill of the fliers. They continue to run, gradually slowing their pace as they do so. As they get closer, I can better see the occupants of the chariots... and they take my breath away. I've seen plenty of ponies since I came to ponyville. I've seen various shapes, sizes, and colors from them, so one wouldn't blame me for thinking I've seen them all. However, I would be very wrong. The two princesses are gigantic compared to the average pony, appearing to be closer in size to actual horses rather than ponies. However, that's not all that's unique about them. The one in the golden chariot possesses a pure white coat, and unlike the typical pony, she possesses both a long sharp horn and a pair of sizable wings. I've seen normal ponies, pegasi, and unicorns, but never a combination of the three like this. According to mythology, that makes her an alicorn. Her mane and tail are long and flowing, each colored four different shades: pale blue, magenta, pale green, and pale violet. As I watch, her mane undulates and flows as if it were flying in an unseen breeze. To top off her already regal appearance, she's wearing a golden neckpiece and a similarly colored crown, each one set with a diamond-shaped violet gemstone. In addition, she's wearing a golden shoe on each of her hooves; unlike the standard horseshoe, these flow up around her fetlocks in an ornate design as though they were designed for her specifically. The second princess, who is also an alicorn, is significantly darker than the other, her coat a shade of midnight blue. I can best describe her mane and tail as being slices of pure night, complete with points of light resembling stars twinkling from within. Like the other princess, it too flows through the air in a non-existent breeze. Given their appearances as well as the themes of their chariots, I can only guess that the white alicorn is Princess Celestia, and the blue alicorn is Princess Luna. Both of them have been watching me carefully ever since they caught sight of me. Well, this is them. The two princesses that hold the power to decide my fate. Counting them as well as their guards, that makes eighteen in total. If they want to arrest me, I won't be able to stop them - plain and simple. I try to gauge their expressions; I can't tell what Celestia is thinking due to her guarded expression, but Luna is much easier to read; she's staring at me with evident suspicion. "Princess Celestia!" Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Twilight rushes past me with a happy cry, heading directly towards the white alicorn. A warm smile breaks through Celestia's neutral expression as she steps down from the chariot and walks forward to meet with her student. "It's so good to see you!" "I agree, my dearest student. It has been too long since I have had an excuse to visit Ponyville," Celestia responds in a mature, motherly voice. She cranes her head down to nuzzle Twilight with clear affection. She winks, a twinkle of good humor entering her voice. "It is nice to visit every once in a while without the shadow of a threat hanging over our heads." "That remains to be seen, sister," Luna interjects, her voice sounding much sterner than Celestia. I don't miss the glare she sends my way after saying that. Despite the cold, I can feel myself sweat beneath her gaze. With just that one line, Luna made it very clear that she views me as a possible threat. This is further cemented by her next order. "Guards, establish a perimeter around the library." "That will not be necessary, Luna. It is best we refrain from such hasty actions," Celestia countermands her sister's order immediately, much to Luna's annoyance. The lunar guards wisely choose not to move in response to either order. At long last, Celestia turns towards me. I tense up as her magenta eyes meet my own. She appears calm and her expression is neutral, but it's difficult for me to bear the weight of her gaze. It feels almost as if she can see right through me to the deepest reaches of my soul. In the end, I can't take it and avert my eyes. I'm beginning to feel like a cornered animal. I can tell that just from the pressure in the air that I'm dealing with someone special. I can't help but feel that even if I were to try to resist, she would overpower me in an instant. Between the princesses and the guards, I'm ultimately at their mercy, and I hate it. "You must be the one I have heard so much about. Seth Rogers, was it?" Celestia finally speaks to me directly, the alicorn stepping delicately towards me. I have to resist the urge to step back, even as she comes right up to me. She stands just as tall as I do, her eyes directly level with mine. She dips her head politely. "I must say, it is quite the honor to meet one of our precursors. I am Princess Celestia, sovereign ruler of Equestria alongside my sister." "And we are Princess Luna," Luna adds, joining Celestia in standing in front of me. She's shorter than Celestia, but she's still tall enough to stand nearly head to head with me. I also note that she referred to herself in the plural tense in true sovereign fashion. "Do not make any sudden moves, human." "What the hell do you expect me to do?" I can't hold myself back anymore. A combination of the fear and unease that I've been feeling along with Luna's confrontational attitude caused me to snap before I can stop myself. "It's not like I'm stupid enough to attack you; you brought nearly a score of soldiers with you!" "Seth!" Twilight hisses at me warningly, but it's too late. Luna's eyes narrow, clearly incensed by my words. However, Celestia doesn't give things a chance to escalate. "Peace, both of you. This is not meant to be a confrontational visit," Celestia interjects, placing a hoof on her sister's breastplate. "I know how you feel, sister, Seth is a visitor to our land. I for one, intend to treat him with all the courtesy befitting that of a guest." "At least one of you does," I mutter, trembling somewhat at how close I'd come to pissing off one of the two princesses. Despite my nervousness, however, I have no doubt that they'll walk all over me if I let them. "That sounds good and all, but why did you come here to see me personally? Forgive me if the sight of all these soldiers does little to assure me of your 'peaceful intentions.'" "Of course, I apologize if we have made you anxious in any way," Celestia replies with an understanding nod. Her words are polite and reasonable and she appears to be more level-headed than her sister, but my worries aren't lessened in the slightest. "Before we get to the purpose of this meeting, shall we relocate to someplace more comfortable? Twilight?" "Of course, Princess! My library is always open to you. Let's go inside where it's warm," Twilight offers, telekinetically opening the door to her library. She steps inside first and beckons to us with her head. That sounds like the best idea I've heard all morning. "Guards; remain on standby until our return," Luna orders as the three of us follow Twilight inside the library. Once we're inside, Twilight shuts the door behind us and then leads us to a group of four cushions arranged in a circle in the middle of the room. We each pick one of the cushions and take a seat. "Now then, shall we begin?" Celestia begins, returning her gaze to me. Much to my surprise, a smile forms on her face. "Welcome to Equestria, Seth. Do you mind if I call you Seth?" "I prefer it," I reply awkwardly, unsure how to respond to her friendly and informal welcome. "Thank you. Now, I am sure you must have many questions. Feel free to ask us anything that you would like to know," Celestia continues. "Wait, what? You're going to let me start? I thought you were coming here for something serious; not for me to play twenty questions with you," I query, utterly perplexed. "There are other issues that we must discuss, it is true. However, I am not blinded to your situation either. To my understanding, you are the first human to appear in Equestria for over three millennia, and it was not by choice or with prior knowledge. I can only imagine how disoriented and confused you must feel," Celestia reveals, accurately describing my current situation. "I would be more than happy to help alleviate any of your concerns." "That's..." I spent most of last night thinking about how this meeting could potentially turn out. I processed scores of different scenarios, but none of them were even close to what is occurring now. I don't know how to respond to this. "...not what I expected from you at all." "And just what did you expect?" Luna enters the conversation at last, the princess gazing at me with an accusatory glint in her eyes. "At best, to be arrested and carted off to your dungeons for your scientists and such to poke and prod at. At worst...well...I wasn't sure if I could expect to walk out of here." I decide to be honest and blunt to see how the two of them would react. "Absolutely not," Celestia rejects, appearing appalled. "I can only assume you draw these conclusions from experience with or hearsay on leadership in your own era. Putting that aside, you are a newcomer to Equestria, and as its sovereigns, we only wish to help you feel welcome. I did my best to express that in the letter I sent yesterday evening." "You did, but I didn't believe you. I'm still not sure I do," I admit, crossing my arms. "How dare you insinuate that our sister would lie?!" Luna snaps, her voice rising to an unnatural level. I'm taken aback by how much power is behind her voice. Even Twilight ducks down and covers her ears. "See what I mean? You talk a good game, but your sister looks ready to take my head off at any given moment." As unsettling as that was, I do my best to ignore Luna and focus on Celestia. "Please, you must forgive her. She does not entirely trust your species," Celestia explains apologetically. She gives Luna a telling glance afterwards, resulting in the shorter princess huffing. "How can we? We have studied your literature and archaeology; your species has shown nothing but a propensity for war, death, and other such atrocities! We trust you no more than we would trust Discord!" Luna points out defensively. "I can't blame you," I reply with a sigh, my agreement taking both princesses by surprise. If they've read our literature, there's no hiding our violent nature. "Humanity has been invading and killing each other since the dawn of time. I certainly wouldn't trust another human." "You admit your untrustworthiness freely?" Luna asks, her brow wrinkling with suspicion. "No, I'm merely acknowledging what you've studied. The fact is, you know nothing about me, and I know nothing about you. Honestly, if you didn't show some level of suspicion, you would have to be desperately naive," I counter her with a shrug. Celestia's ears twitch, her smile fading away. "Therefore, I trust you about as much as you trust me." "It appears Twilight was right about your cynicism, Seth," Celestia observes, rejoining the conversation. "To one such as you, my approach may indeed seem naive. However, if there's anything I've learned from my long years of life, it's that one cannot judge another by their species, or even by the actions of their ancestors. Everyone deserves a chance, no matter who they are." "Long years of life? What are you talking about? You don't look old in the slightest," I retort. I don't know how to judge a pony's age by looking at them, but I can tell if a pony is old. I've seen Granny Smith, and that was a line I'd expect to hear from one of her age. "Oh! Well, I appreciate that," Celestia chuckles in response. "However, my sister and I are rather unique, compared to the average pony. We have been in power ever since Discord's initial defeat over a millennia ago." It takes a moment for that number to sink in. "What?" is all I can say at first. My eyes widen when I start to grasp the implications. I can hardly fathom the fact that I as a human could potentially live to a hundred years; the idea of someone living for over a thousand years is... I can't even comprehend that. "You're kidding. You're telling me you're immortal?" "In a manner of speaking, yes. At the very least, the passing of time has had no effect on us ever since we reached maturity," Celestia answers. "You've been ruling Equestria for over a thousand years?" I ask incredulously. I receive a solemn nod from Celestia in response. This is very hard to believe. Not only is Equestria a land of magical ponies, but it's a land ruled by two immortal princesses. As ridiculous as that sounds, the pieces start to fall into place. If the princesses were alive this long, it would make sense how their names have been adopted into everyday expressions. It also explains how Celestia's visage is present on the country's currency, as well as the fact that they seem to be almost worshipped. "That's certainly...something." That is an understatement. That admission threw me for a loop. This world gets stranger and stranger with every passing moment. "Alright, I'll acknowledge your experience. But in the end this really changes nothing. Whether or not you're willing to trust me, I don't trust so easily, and neither does your sister, it seems." "That is quite alright; I appreciate your honesty," Celestia acknowledges with a dip of her head. "All I ask for is the opportunity to earn your trust." I stare back at her, finding it difficult to get a read on her. Her words seem sincere, but there could be any number of reasons that she'd want me on her good side. She is royalty, after all, so this meeting could mean a lot for her. My gut instinct is to err on the side of caution and assume she has some other motive behind this supposed kindness, but there's something about her and the way she conducts herself that leaves me guessing. "Well then, if you want to help me so much; you said you'd answer any of my questions?" If she is telling the truth and she won't hinder my quest, then there's only one question that I need to ask. When Celestia nods, I continue. "Where can I find King Sombra?" "So it is true," Luna responds, her expression darkening. She and Celestia exchange glances. "He does have some knowledge about our old enemy." "Indeed. Perhaps it is best if we cut to the heart of the matter," Celestia concurs. For the first time, I start to feel as though I'm finally back on track. Judging from Luna's response alone, they possess the knowledge I've been seeking for days. "I will honor my word and answer your question, but first, would you mind telling us more about your experience with him? It is to my understanding that he is the reason you are here." "'Old enemy?' So this is the reason you're here, then," I observe. "In part. It was the reason for the expedience," Celestia admits. "Rest assured, I was intending to meet you regardless." "If you're willing to tell me what I want to know, I guess I'm grateful for said expedience," I reply. Sighing, I allow myself to recall what happened on that day three thousand years ago. "To answer your question, it happened back in my time. It was just a normal day until I met Sombra in the stairwell of the school I studied at. He seemed to be preparing some kind of spell, and by accident, I interrupted it and became its target. He seemed angry, but after deciding that I was apparently what he was looking for, he left. Not long after that, I passed out and woke up in this timeline with literally everything trying to kill me." "I actually have a theory about that spell," Twilight enters the conversation for the first time, gaining our attention. "Time travel is an exceedingly difficult spell. Not only does it require an extremely delicate control of one's own mana, but also a thorough understanding of theoretical and quantum physics. As far as we know, only one pony has ever succeeded in creating such a spell." "Starswirl the Bearded," Celestia affirms, nodding in agreement. "Do you mean to imply that King Sombra somehow gained knowledge of his work?" "That would be impossible. The only known copy of that spell is locked away in our royal archives," Luna rejects with a shake of her head. "We tended to those wards ourselves." "The only known copy," Celestia corrects her. "We cannot rule out the possibility." "I don't know anything about King Sombra, but it would take generations to create a spell so refined from scratch," Twilight conjectures. "It's the only way I can think of. However, I don't understand how he circumvented the mana expenditure and upkeep. He would need an exorbitant amount of mana just to travel that far back in time, much less remain." "Yet, I am inclined to agree with you. If I remember correctly, there is a noticeable disconnect between time spent in the past and time absent from the present," Celestia recalls. Despite the fact that none of this is relevant to my ultimate question, I can't help but listen with interest. "During its experimentation phase, it was first assumed that only a moment would pass in the present, no matter how long the user spent in the past. However, this is not the case. While it is true that less time passes in the present than is spent in the past, this gap widens the longer the user spends in the past. Sister, do you see where I am going with this?" "I do. The evidence fits the theory," Luna admits. She turns her gaze back to me. "I suppose I will believe your story. There was a time where King Sombra and several of his soldiers and generals inexplicably went missing for a full week before our final confrontation with him. If what you are saying is true, then his absence is because of his presence in your era." "Did you say 'confrontation?' Just who is this King Sombra?" Twilight asks the two princesses curiously. I lean forward, anxious to hear the answer as well. Celestia looks to Luna, and then back to us, a grim expression crossing her face. "To explain fully, it would be best if I started from the very beginning," Celestia decides. Her horn lights up with a golden aura, and a small pink crystal emerges from her mane. She sets it down on the floor in the middle of our circle. "Over a millenia ago, there once existed a kingdom in the Frozen North known as the Crystal Empire." "I knew it!" Twilight suddenly exclaims. When the princesses look at her, she quails and chuckles sheepishly. "I mean...um...please continue." Celestia's horn lights up once again, a thin beam of golden light emerging from the tip and striking the crystal. The crystal lights up, and as I watch in awe, it emits rays of cyan light that form into a scaled holographic image of an enormous city consisting of various buildings built in a circular pattern around one gigantic central tower. The buildings and tower all seem to be constructed of some kind of crystalline material, adhering to the theme of the empire. Pony civilization or not, the city is a wonder to behold. "The magic of the Crystal Empire was great indeed; not only did it stave away the frigid temperatures and vicious wintry storms of the north, but it also resulted in crystals growing from the ground as easily as crops. Even the resident ponies themselves adopted a crystalline appearance," Celestia describes the empire with a wistful tone. Her tale seems completely fantastic and difficult to believe right off of the bat, but Twilight is eating it right up, scribbling down as much as she can into a notepad. "Not only that, but the magic of the Crystal Heart, the embodiment of the hope and love of the citizens, was strong enough to blanket all of Equestria with an aura of positivity, enriching the land and lifting spirits for miles around." The hologram zooms in into the city streets, giving me a level of detail and field of view that makes me feel as though I'm actually there, flying through the city. We fly beneath the base of the tower, where a glowing crystalline heart rotates slowly in a complicated crystal apparatus. "Under the leadership of Princess Amore, the Crystal Empire enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity, trading their home-grown crystals with other kingdoms for resources they did not possess. Their culture was rich and their history was long, allowing them to bring in a healthy flow of tourism from the surrounding kingdoms. Even Equestria itself was on good terms with the Crystal Empire; Princess Amore always was a good friend of ours." "Unfortunately, this all came to an end when Sombra appeared," Celestia continues sadly. The hologram pans up and away from the city, flying several miles through the frozen wasteland until it settled upon an icy clifftop. Atop the cliff stood a dark figure at the head of a colossal army. As the hologram flies us in closer, I recognize the figure immediately, despite how different he looks. "That's him. There's no doubt about it," I confirm. Sombra appears just as I remember him complete with his armor, flowing cape, and crown... albeit with one difference. In this hologram he appears as a unicorn with a vicious crimson horn sharpened to a lethal point. Just seeing him again causes a familiar rage to surface in me. I recoil when I take a second look at the army behind him. Although there are some live ponies behind him, most of his army appear to be long dead members of various species. I see ponies with their skin rotting and sagging, others with their bones showing through, and some appearing completely skeletal. There are also what look like wild animals such as bears, tigers, and birds of prey. Nothing with that degree of decomposition could be alive, yet I see them clearly moving as if they were. There's only one word to describe them: undead. Even Twilight gasps at their horrifying visages. Additionally, two ponies stood on the clifftop a few feet behind Sombra. They consisted of a tannish orange pegasus with a dark mane, and a bespectacled dark-furred unicorn. From their stature, it was clear that they possessed some authority. "There's no clear records of Sombra's origin; some claim him to be the progeny of an ancient race long since sealed away, while others believe him to be a former citizen of the empire. All we know is that one day, he appeared at the head of a massive army, possessing an enormous magical strength and ruthlessness to match. His lust for power and his desire for retribution against Princess Amore led him to invade the empire with everything he had." The hologram shifts yet again, panning back over to the Crystal Empire once more. However, the city looks vastly different than it first appeared. Unlike the glittering and graceful structures from before, in their place stood a city that was black and twisted. The crystal structures were now blackened and decorated with jagged spikes, and the tower itself appears as a spire of darkness, corrupted by Sombra's foul magic. "It was over in a single day. Sombra's power was unreal, and not even Princess Amore could halt his advance. In the end, she and her army were defeated, and Sombra usurped her position and declared himself King of the Crystal Empire. Those that did not pledge themselves to his service were enslaved or killed, and the once proud empire became a shriveled husk of what it used to be, occupied only by evil," Celestia finishes. The light from her horn dims, and the hologram dissipates. "That is King Sombra. That is the one you encountered." I sit there quietly for several moments, committing what I'd just heard to memory. It seems as though pursuing Sombra will be much more difficult than I initially expected. I knew he was strong, but he'll be incredibly difficult to touch if he rules an empire of that size. Nevertheless, I know everything there is to know about him now, as well as where to find him. I've accomplished everything I've set out to do in Ponyville. My time here will soon come to an end. "That's...that's horrible! Seth told me that he was a monster, but to kill and enslave all of those poor ponies...he belongs in Tartarus!" Twilight expresses fervently, her notepad laying forgotten in the wake of her newfound devastation. "Princess, why did you keep his existence a secret? If he's still out there, he has to be stopped!" "There is more to it than that. Before I answer, however, there is something I must ask Seth," Celestia turns her attention to me, her expression grave and her gaze piercing. "What is it you intend to do if you find him?" "I'm going to put him through every inch of the pain and suffering he inflicted upon me," I answer with a growl, my hand tightening around my rifle. Twilight looks at me in horror, Luna looks at me with a guarded expression, while Celestia just releases a soft sigh. "Then I'm going to bring an end to his reign... permanently." "Seth! I know you said you had grievances, but don't you think that's taking it too far?" Twilight immediately protests. "I agree he has to be stopped, but..." "Twilight, do you know what happened to the human race?" I interrupt her in a dangerously calm voice. Twilight blinks at the sudden change in topic. "Do any of you know?" "Unfortunately we do not. Although there are plenty of theories as to why our precursors vanished, there was not much left in the way of records left behind," Celestia replies with uncertainty. "The most popular theory is overpopulation or exhaustion of resources," Twilight adds, producing a separate notepad containing what's most likely her notes on the subject. "This theory is supported by the several underground bunkers we've discovered in which a great deal of humans appear to have once taken residence." "Tis far more likely they simply self-destructed. Considering their history, this would not surprise me," Luna snorts, shaking her head at Twilight's theory. Honestly, if I didn't know better, both of those theories I wouldn't have trouble believing. In my era, I would hear of shortages of resources here and there, and there were always articles over how our population was growing too fast. Additionally, considering the political climate at the time, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to consider self-destruction either. "Seth, do you know something?" Celestia presses in a soft voice. Judging by the way she's looking at me, I think she knows what I'm about to reveal. "Sombra murdered every single damn one of them, down to the last man, woman, and child," I answer simply. Twilight gasps, distraught, while Luna lifts a hoof to her mouth in shock. Only Celestia doesn't appear surprised, the princess lowering her head with a look of deep sadness on her face. "There's nobody left. It's just me." "We are... sorry that you had to endure such tragedy," Luna chokes out, despite her earlier distrust of me. "I...I don't know what to say," Twilight says weakly, looking at me with liquid eyes. Understanding suddenly dawns in her eyes, and she looks at me in a new light. "I think I understand. Is that why you won't let anypony close?" "Are you serious?" I snap at her, suddenly irritated. "What does it matter? Nobody asked you to draw conclusions about the way I act, and I certainly don't need your understanding." "That's not what I...I'm just...I'm sorry," Twilight murmurs after a short pause. She hangs her head, sniffling somewhat. She takes a moment to wipe her eyes with a hoof. "Seth." Celestia once again calls for my attention, the princess watching me solemnly with veiled worry in her eyes. "Is vengeance truly your goal?" "It is," I confirm, equally as seriously. "I will be leaving Ponyville and headed north as soon as I've gathered the supplies I need. You promised you would not hinder me, remember?" "I did, and I intend to keep my word. However, there is something you must know first," Celestia asserts. Rather than clarifying further, she turns to address Twilight and Luna. "I would like to speak with Seth privately. I hope you don't mind. What comes next I believe he would not want others to witness." "What are you talking about?" I demand, a feeling of dread seeping into my body. Twilight and Luna both look at one another, perplexed, but in the end they both rise from their cushions and make their way towards the stairs in the back. "Very well, we trust your judgment. We shall wait upstairs for you to finish your discourse," Luna says obligingly. She gives me one last look, and then she ushers Twilight towards the stairs. "We trust you won't mind if we answer Twilight's questions?" "Not at all. Thank you for understanding," Celestia replies gratefully. She remains still until Luna and Twilight are both out of the room, and then she taps her horn briefly against the horse head statue on the table. For a brief moment, the ambient sound of the room is distorted. Noticing my confusion, she explains. "I have just cast a spell to dampen any sound waves that attempt to pass beyond a certain radius around this statue." "Why is that necessary?" I ask hesitantly. "What is it that you don't want Luna or Twilight hearing?" "Nothing, if I'm being entirely honest. The privacy is more for your sake rather than theirs," Celestia answers enigmatically. "Seth, I would like you to listen very carefully to what I have to say." "Go ahead then," I supply, the feeling of dread only intensifying. "I will be blunt. I would like you to abandon your plans for vengeance," Celestia tells me seriously. "That's not going to happen," I respond instantly, a surge of anger coloring my tone. "I can't believe you'd even say that. Didn't you promise me that you wouldn't hinder me?" "I did promise, and I intend to honor that. Please, just hear me out," Celestia responds. "I am sorry to say this, but your quest will not provide you with the satisfaction you seek. Only pain waits for you at the end of that road." "If you think that's going to be enough to stop me, you're wrong," I return, my voice slowly starting to rise. "Unless you plan to arrest me, you may as well save your breath. There isn't a damn thing that'll keep me from going after him." "As I said, I do not intend to arrest you. I only wish to give you advice from the perspective of one who understands how you feel," Celestia corrects me gently. Despite the reassuring tone in her voice, her words have the opposite effect on me. "How dare you!? You think you know how I feel!?" I snap back with incredulity, sitting up straight and glaring back at her. "Last I checked, you aren't the last of your race! Last I checked, your race wasn't wiped out by a tyrannical madman! How could you possibly understand how I feel!?" Celestia only gazes at me sadly, not even flinching in the wake of my vehement outburst. When I finish, she looks at me dead in the eye. "Forgive me for my boldness, but I don't believe this is about your race," Celestia deduces softly. My counterargument freezes in my throat, my mouth opening wordlessly. I want to protest, but I can't escape the piercing magenta of her eyes. She gives a small nod, knowing without me having to say anything that she's right. "How...how could you know that?" I ask in a hollow voice. "I never said...I..." "I can learn a lot about someone, simply from a normal conversation. First, you agreed with Luna about the violent nature of your species without even trying to defend yourself. That was the greatest indicator. Your cynicism was my next clue; one's outlook on life is influenced by their surroundings. You assumed I would arrest or harm you despite my assurances to the contrary, and then accused me of being naive for my kindness. Thus, I deduced that you distrust and think poorly of your race," Celestia explains, every word causing my shock and disbelief to grow. "Why then, would someone like you be so intent on vengeance for those whom you disliked? I can only assume that someone you knew was harmed...someone very close to you." I remain silent, unable to dispute any of her claims. I don't understand how she can summarize my feelings and my motivation so easily just from one simple conversation. I can't help but feel vulnerable; everything I've tried to hide from these ponies has been laid bare before me. "Seth. Believe me when I say that killing Sombra will not bring you solace. It will not bring you closure, nor will it bring back those whom you lost," Celestia continues, never taking her eyes off of mine for an instant. "In the end, the only one hurt will be you. Celestia falls silent then, giving me time to sort out the mess of thoughts in my head. It's not as though I've never heard a lesson like this before. Everyone is familiar with Confucius's words: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Yet, I've never really paid much attention to it, as it has never really applied to me. It's surreal to hear a similar saying from the pony princess before me. She's right, of course. It doesn't matter if I kill Sombra; it won't change the fact that my family and Amaryllis are dead. It won't change anything for the mutilated corpse that was the niece I've never met. I'm not even certain I'll be able to kill Sombra when I find him. There is every indication that my quest will end with my death. Should I succeed, all I'll have for my troubles is a pair of bloodstained hands and the weight of a life upon my shoulders. ...I'm prepared to deal with that. "You may be right. But you didn't see the bodies of those who fell in the fight against Sombra. You didn't see his undead ripping them to shreds, or reconstructing them into his own image. You didn't see the animated corpse of one that I might have one day called 'family,'" I finally answer, firmly set into the decision I've just made. "No matter the hardships I must face or the suffering I must endure; I will take him down, or I will die trying." "I understand. I see now that I can't dissuade you." Celestia replies after a long pause. She heaves a sad sigh, shaking her head. "I had hoped you would decide to give up on your own." "What are you talking about?" I say sharply, not liking the implications behind that statement. "What do you plan to do if I don't give up?" "It seems I must tell you the truth about King Sombra's ultimate fate," Celestia begins. The implications behind that cause my blood to run cold. That can't mean what I think it means... "No..." I emit, my hands clenching into fists. "Don't tell me..." "Luna and I eventually learned of his cruelty and led an invasion on the kingdom ourselves. Together, we crushed his army and confronted him at the top of the tower, where we ultimately defeated him. King Sombra is no more," Celestia reveals solemnly, her words confirming my worst fears. "No...no...no no no no no! This isn't fair!" Unable to restrain myself, I rise from the cushion and lash out at the nearest solid object, which happens to be the horse head statue on the table. The statue hits the ground with a thud, even as I feel the skin splitting on my knuckles painfully. "Then what have I been doing all this time!? Was I just wasting my time!? Was it all just pointless!?" "Seth..." Celestia tries to say, but I don't let her. "Shut up! I don't want to hear your fucking platitudes!" I shout at her, my voice straining from the amount of force I put behind it. To her credit, Celestia doesn't flinch. My rage grows and grows, all of it directed at Celestia. "Sombra was mine to kill! How dare you and your bitch of a sister take that from me!?" Celestia remains completely silent, despite my insulting words. I know that what I'm saying is going too far, but I can't take it back. I don't want to take it back. The strange pressure resurfaces in the middle of my chest with a vengeance, feeling almost as if it were pulsating and pressing against my chest. "Was it fun to watch the human struggle!? Were you both just sitting there, laughing at me!? Everyone loves and worships you, but you're sadistic! Do you even know what I went through to get this far!?" My rage continues to build, my throat burning with exertion. As I continue to yell, I get closer and closer to the princess. "I nearly died! I nearly went the same way as the rest of my race! And now you tell me that I can't even avenge my family!? That was...all I had left!" When I reach Celestia, my arm winds back, my hand clenched into a fist. Just as I swing forward, I recognize what I'm about to do and halt myself before I can get any further. Blood drips to the floor from my fist where my nails dig into my palm. I remain still, panting heavily. Celestia clearly sees what I was about to do, but she doesn't appear to be making any attempts to defend herself. All she does is look at me with that same mournful expression. "What...What am I supposed to do now?" When I next speak, my voice sounds hoarse and defeated. Everything I've done up to this point has all been for this one singular goal; a goal I can no longer accomplish. "If I were your family, I would want nothing more than for you to be alive and happy. You're more than welcome to continue living in Ponyville; Take some time to think and heal, and try to make some friends," Celestia suggests with a small smile. "Twilight can be overbearing, but she and her friends are genuinely good ponies. I believe that you could..." "You've got to be joking," I snap immediately, cutting her off. "You steal my revenge from me, and all you can say is 'make some friends?' Don't make me laugh!" "Give them a chance. I understand how you feel, but having friends may help to ease the pain of loss," Celestia insists. Her horn lights up once again, lifting the horse head statue back into place atop the table. Next, she turns towards me, a stream of golden light dancing across my injured hand before I can stop her. As I watch, the wounds slowly close up and disappear, leaving my hand unmarked and healthy. "Like I said, take some time for yourself. I'm sure that as strong as you are, you'll be able to push beyond it." I scoff at that, my earlier rage steadily fading away to be replaced by a feeling of emptiness and hopelessness. There are so many thoughts and emotions rushing through me, but all I can say is, "Whatever. Are we done here?" "I believe we are. I am sorry to bear such news, Seth," Celestia answers apologetically. She frowns when I don't respond, or even look at her, my gaze falling listlessly to the floor. "If you are ready, I shall call the others in so we can wrap up this meeting." I don't say a word as Celestia cancels the muffling spell and heads to let the others know of the end of our conversation. I press a hand to my chest, feeling as though there were a massive hole there whose presence I'd been covering up with my need for revenge. It pains me more than I can bear; all I want to do is curl up and cry. My one goal, my reason to go on...is gone.
Tales of the Oppressed	12. Loyalty (rw)	Celestia descends the stairs, Luna and Twilight following her closely behind. The latter two appear to be just finishing up their own conversation concerning the Crystal Empire. Twilight appears somber, likely having learned of Sombra's fate herself. "As you can see, that is why we have kept his existence, as well as that of the empire itself, a closely kept secret," Luna continues as the three of them reach the ground level. "The climes are utterly inhospitable to pony life, and it is possible there are still remnants of the undead lurking about." "I understand. If it's that dangerous, you wouldn't want ponies poking about," Twilight agrees with a small nod of her head. The three of them return to their cushions near me, their conversation dying down. Twilight glances at me, picking up on the change in my demeanor instantly. "Is everything alright?" Celestia remains silent at first, but when it becomes clear that I'm not going to answer, she does so instead. "We are fine, Twilight. Seth is simply...taking the news about his quest rather hard," she explains softly. "I assume my sister told you what happened?" "She did. I feel bad for Seth, but there was really nothing else you could have done. Someone like him needed to be defeated," Twilight replies, the mare looking at me with sympathy, which causes me to silently seethe. "Though this means we won't get any answers; King Sombra must have had some reason for bringing him to our era..." "It doesn't matter," I snap suddenly, causing Twilight to recoil. "He's gone, and I'm still here. There's nothing I can do about it." "I'm sorry..." Twilight attempts to express, but that only makes me angrier. "You're sorry!?" My eyes snap to hers, and she shrinks back, her ears folding back. If I thought that I'd known rage back when I was hunting Sombra, it was nothing compared to how I feel now. Yet, as quickly as it arrives, it ebbs, leaving me emptier than I ever thought I could feel. "I don't need your sympathy or your help. I've wasted enough of everyone's time." "That's not true," Twilight attempts to reassure me, but Luna cuts across her before our conversation can go any further. "Are we finished, sister? We cannot stay in Ponyville for long; we tire, and the Day Court no doubt desires your presence," Luna questions Celestia with a hint of impatience coloring her words. "We have yet to resolve the most important issue; what to do with the human." "I believe I have come to a decision regarding such," Celestia answers, the princess sighing. She turns to Luna and gazes at her seriously. "I understand you believe humanity is a threat due to their colorful history. Yet I also believe that if Seth intended to hurt anypony, he had plenty of opportunities to do so before our arrival." "You cannot mean to leave him here, especially after he professed his intent to murder another living pony!" Luna insists, catching on to Celestia's intentions. I remain silent during their exchange. "Sister, we must take him back to Canterlot with us." "You would do the same as him if something were to happen to me," Celestia returns with a firm stare. Luna flinches, but doesn't reply, suggesting that there was some truth to her sister's statement. "Luna, the last thing he needs is to be isolated in the castle, surrounded by ponies that will only seek to gawk at or study him. He needs the kindness and friendship that I know Twilight and her friends can offer him." I let out an incredulous scoff at that, but the conversation continues. "What then, do you suggest we do?" Luna demands. Celestia doesn't answer her directly, choosing instead to address Twilight. "Twilight, it was you who brought him to my attention. Therefore, I would like to make him your responsibility," Celestia decides. Twilight blinks, looking between Celestia and me with surprise. "Make sure he is adjusting to our era, and teach him what it means to live in Equestria. He will need all the help he can get." "You want me to look after him?" Twilight gasps. "Don't get me wrong, I'm willing, but...Seth, are you alright with this? We haven't really asked you for your opinion on this." "Do whatever you want. I don't care," is my simplistic sounding response. The three mares exchange glances, unsure what to make of that. "If we're done here, I need to go to work." "We do not like this. We insist that you at least increase the presence of the guard in this town, in case the worst should occur," Luna presses, turning to her sister. "I suppose that is a reasonable compromise. We can discuss precisely which measures to take once we return to Canterlot," Celestia finally acquiesces. She rises from her cushion and moves towards the door, as does Luna. "It is time we take our leave. As much as I would like to stay, duty calls." "Will I be able to see you again soon?" Twilight asks wistfully, the mare looking rather down. Celestia smiles and cranes her head down to nuzzle her student lovingly. "I will do my best to find some time for us, my dearest Twilight," Celestia promises, which cheers Twilight up slightly. Then, as Luna opens the door with her magic, Celestia turns to me one last time. "Words cannot express how deeply sorry I am for your loss, Seth. Regardless, it was good to meet you. Feel free to send me a letter if you ever need anything." Celestia remains still, waiting for a reply from me. When it becomes clear that I'm not going to give one, she frowns. She joins Luna and the two of them exit the library through the front door. Twilight follows them out, with me following her close behind. The morning sun is already rising, bathing the town in a soft orange light. Despite the light, there's no warmth to be felt in the wintry air. It won't be long before the town will come alive with ponies starting their day. Celestia and Luna climb into their respective chariots, and at their command, their guards work together to wheel the chariots around and break into a run. Twilight watches as the chariots take off into the sky, their departure just as much of a spectacle as their arrival. As they get further away, the heavy feeling in the air dissipates. As for me, I've no further reason to be here. "Seth, are you going to work already? Have you eaten yet?" Twilight calls out to me when she notices me walking away. She rushes forward to catch up with me, and then she follows along behind me. "I know a place that serves really good pancakes, if you want to..." "I've already eaten." I turn her down without letting her finish, or even slowing down. "Oh..." Twilight slows down to a stop after hearing that, a sad frown forming on her face. She tries once more. "Will you be coming by again this evening to visit me? I'd be glad to have you." Without saying a word, I continue forward and turn the corner into the next street, leaving Twilight and her library behind. Applejack meets me out in front of the barn not long after I arrive on the farm, a green striped scarf wrapped around her neck to help keep her warm. I'm a little later than usual; she's already pulled out the cart and filled it with empty baskets. She tips her hat in greeting. "Mornin', Seth! Y'all ready for another day?" Applejack sounds as cheerful as ever, a smile brightening her rustic features. "I already took Apple Bloom to school, so I'm all set!" "Let's go, then," I reply simply. I fall in step beside her as she ducks beneath the bar and starts to pull the cart over to the apple orchard. As my worn shoes plod on the dirt, my thoughts take over once more, and I can't help but gaze at Applejack with a hint of resentment. After a moment of silence, I decide to ask her. "Applejack, do you enjoy your work?" "You mean here on the farm? Darn tootin!" Applejack answers enthusiastically as we walk. Asking that one question appears to have opened the floodgates, as Applejack proceeds to explain. " It's hard and long work, but I find it invigorating and refreshing. Not to mention, what we do is important to the whole town!" "How so?" I press. "Y'all are new in town, so you probably don't know, but Sweet Apple Acres has been around ever since Ponyville was founded all them long years ago. We're the reason the town is still around!" Applejack proclaimed proudly. She doesn't seem to have any qualms about spilling her feelings to me. "When I work, I get to talk to all them ponies of Ponyville and get 'em what they need. It makes me feel like this really is home, ya know? Y'ever have a feeling like that?" "Not anymore," I reply despondently. The resentment I feel towards her solidifies. It must be nice for her to live life doing what she enjoys, surrounded by her family and friends. It must be nice to feel like you have a home and a purpose. I bite my lip until blood flows, hopelessness and despair filling me up inside. When I notice Applejack looking at me with worry in her eyes, I shake my head. "Don't worry about it. I'm just thinking." "You sure you're alright?" Applejack asks with concern as we reach the first tree. I don't reply at first, choosing to begin arranging the baskets as needed. "Seth...?" "I'm fine. Where do you want this basket?" I question her, lifting another one from the cart. Applejack gazes at me for several seconds, and then she joins in, our work day beginning. Time ticks by excruciatingly slowly. The minutes feel like hours, and the hours feel like days. Between the cold air chilling my skin and the effort necessary to bend down, push, and lift the filled baskets onto the carts, I find myself tiring swiftly. Each basket seems to weigh more than the last and each tree seems to be further away than the last. As the sun starts to move past its zenith, I start to slow down. I know that Applejack has already noticed; I can see the worried glances she keeps giving me when she thinks I'm not looking. My body feels heavy. Each step seems to require a tremendous effort, and just lifting a single basket causes every muscle in my body to scream out with agony. I can feel my legs starting to wobble like month old jelly. "Alright, that's enough," Applejack finally says as I shakingly lift another basket. They feel so heavy to my exhausted arms; I squeeze my eyes shut and grit my teeth just to bear the weight. I don't understand why this is so hard. "Put that down, and let's take a rest." "I don't...need...," I grunt, straining to lift it up to the cart. The cart is nearly full, so I have to lift the basket even higher than normal. I don't need to rest. I've made it through the past two days without resting much. Today should be no different. Even as I reason this to myself, I feel a sudden onset of dizziness, and then my legs give out. I fall to the ground hard, the full basket landing on its side and spilling the apples everywhere. "Seth, are you alright!?" Applejack says with alarm, the mare setting her own basket down and rushing to my side. I'm already struggling to get up, but my limbs feel like rubber bands and won't support my weight. "I knew it. I knew y'all were pushing yourself too hard. Hold on." Applejack produces one of the canteens of water that we typically carry with us and moves over to me with it. She hooks her two front hooves beneath me and attempts to gently flip me over on my back. Applejack possesses a tangible strength that I'm only just now experiencing for myself. I don't have the energy to resist her. When she offers me the canteen, I turn it away with my hand, attempting to rise at the same time. "I'll be fine. I can keep working," I pant heavily, despite the clear evidence to the contrary. "Just give me...a moment to...catch my breath." "Don't be silly; I know what exhaustion looks like," Applejack retorted, pressing me back down to the ground with a hoof. She sets the canteen down beside me, just within reach of my right hand. "You lay down there by the cart and drink some water; you'll feel better." Despite my stubbornness, the thought of cool water proves too enticing to ignore. I lift the canteen to my lips with a trembling hand and gulp down my fill, nearly draining the container dry. As I do so, I'm overly conscious of Applejack gazing at me with concern in her eyes. I grit my teeth and set the canteen down hard. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off?" Applejack suddenly offers, causing me to look at her in surprise. "Rest up and take care of yourself for an evening." "I promised I'd see you through to the end of harvest," I remind her in a dull voice, making no attempt to move. "I'll be fine in a few minutes." "Seth, you're new to this kind of work; said so yourself. You ain't got the muscle for it," Applejack reasons with me, her words blunt and to the point. "That comes with time; certainly not overnight." "Are you going to tell me I can't work here anymore?" I ask in the same dull manner as before, unable to bring myself to argue back. I need this money in order to continue living in this town, but I don't feel any of that desperation I once did when I was first faced with losing my job. "What? No, I ain't firing you. I'm just sayin' that if we wanna make this work, we gotta put some thought into it," Applejack answered, looking at me with an odd expression that I can't quite place. "Why don't we try mixin' up your tasks throughout the day? Start small, work your way up to that muscle y'all need...but then again, you said you were skippin' town soon, right?" "I was. But now it seems like I'm stuck here for good," I reply, much to Applejack's surprise. Just saying that causes a rush of despair to flow through me. I've been telling these ponies over and over again to stop trying to be friendly, using my impending departure as an excuse. I don't have that anymore. How will I be able to get them to back off now without making an enemy of the whole town? I can't believe I'm thinking this, but humans were easy; all it took was one firm comment and they'd never bother me again. "Just do what you're going to do. I'll go along with whatever you come up with." "If you're sure, I guess," Applejack seems like she wants to ask me more, but thankfully chooses not to. She puts on what I think it supposed to be a reassuring smile. "Well, it ain't all bad. There's worse places to be stuck in Equestria." "If you say so," is my uncaring response. Some semblance of strength is returning to me, so I brace myself on the cart and rise to my feet. My entire body is afflicted with a soreness that seems to sink into my very bones; I can't fathom how I never noticed that it had become this bad before. "What do I do next?" "You go home and get some rest. I meant what I said before," Applejack repeats, giving me a stare. "Your legs look wobblier than a fresh can of zap apple jam." "But..." "No buts, Seth. If you don't go home and rest right now, I'mma truss you up in some rope and drag you," Applejack insists with a tone that brooked no nonsense. I hesitate, still feeling the obligation to finish out the rest of the day. "Go on, git. I'll bundle in today's pay with tomorrow's when I see ya tomorrow." It's clear she's not willing to budge on this, so I do as I'm told. Without a word, I turn and walk back towards the entrance to the farm, wincing in pain with every step. ~ Without having to work at Applejack's for the rest of the day, I have several hours left before the gig with Vinyl and no clear plan on how to spend them. It doesn't take me very long to determine that Vinyl's house is the last place I want to be right now. All she would do is ask me questions that I'm not in any state to answer. As I re-enter town, I recall that Rarity asked me to meet with her sometime today to see the clothes that she's made for me. The chill on my skin serves as a strong argument towards handling that sooner rather later. Despite the logic present in that decision, I bypass the street that leads to her boutique entirely. Without any destination in mind, I plod through the town, hardly ever taking my eyes off of the ground. I'm vaguely aware of the ponies around me, some of them turning their heads as I pass. I pointedly keep from looking at them. Just a glance at their unfamiliar, alien appearance is enough to make me remember just how out of place I am; a stranger in a world that no longer belongs to him. Rainbow Dash and the weather team flies overhead, clearing away any leftover clouds in the sky as though such a fantastical task were routine. A group of mares pass by me, laughing and talking about their experiences at the town's spa, while a pair of stallions near the side of the street watch them, commenting on their figure in hushed voices. Pinkie Pie bounces by through the street, greeting each and every pony she comes across by name, and even sparing one for me as she passes by. Unable to bear the atmosphere, I promptly turn off the street and make a beeline for the edge of town. I've felt like this many times before, but it's never been to this extent. Being alone in a crowd is nothing new to me; before meeting Amaryllis, this is what my every day was like. Yet this time it feels so much worse; this time, I can't just pick up the phone and call Amaryllis, nor can I drown myself in music, books, or games. I am completely alone. Before I realize it, the sounds of the town gives way to the hypnotic flowing of the river, and the crunching of pavement beneath my feet gives away to the rustling of grass. Looking up, I find myself walking along the river's edge outside of the town. Across the wide river rises the twisted and gnarled trees of the Everfree Forest. I wince and keep my eyes forward, memories of the undead and the wooden wolves filling my mind. I don't know for how long I walk. Sticking to the river's edge, I come across a large copse of oak and hickory trees. I bypass it and keep walking, using a small strip of damp riverbank between the copse and the river. As I walk, the terrain starts to rise on a steady incline. The riverbank becomes a cliff, and then eventually a gorge. In the distance I can see a railroad trestle that crosses the ravine. Panting with the exertion and wincing from the soreness of my overworked muscles, I finally come to a stop. My breath is taken away by the sheer size of the gorge stretching out before me. It appears to be scores of meters deep, with the rushing river far below looking like a ribbon of blue and white. The ravine itself snakes its way into the distance and out of sight. Looking back, I can hardly see Ponyville at all. I know I'll have to go back eventually for Vinyl's gig. The idea doesn't appeal to me, but I gave my word. Even that obligation, however, feels trite to me. The whole point of making it was to help gather money for my expedition north...the one there's no point in making now. I sit down on the very edge of the ravine, my legs dangling over the lip into midair. The air is cold, but there's no wind. I am alone, but the world is far from silent. From the forest nearby I hear the singing of the birds and the rustling of animals in the undergrowth. I can hear the cries of birds of prey that soar through the gorge, and even the faint rushing of the river far down below. It's calming, but it does nothing to sweep away the strong sense of solitude I feel. Vinyl glances up from the couch as I enter her house. All of her equipment looks to be all packed up and ready to go in the cart by the door. "Dude, where have you been? You're like half an hour late," she addresses me with some concern evident in her voice. "I just lost track of time," I reply curtly, shuddering as I get used to the warm interior of her house. Vinyl seems less than satisfied with that explanation, but she comes to join me as I move to the cart. "You won't be late for your gig, will you?" "Not if we get moving. I give myself plenty of time to set up," Vinyl answers while we work on getting the cart out the door. "How did you miss it when the bell tolled six? The clock tower is pretty loud." "I went for a walk," I answer, just as curtly as before. Vinyl raises an eyebrow at that, but doesn't press any further. "Awright, let's get to it. Just your typical gig tonight; no Pinkie. There's this place on the outer edge of town..." As we push the cart, Vinyl gives me the details of her next gig. Most of them mean nothing to me; not even the thought of a musical performance is enough to stir my emotions from the pit in which they reside. The night passes much like I thought it would. Vinyl has me doing much the same as I did at Pinkie's party; unfurling the cables, untangling them if necessary, and carrying that which is too heavy for her to feasibly carry by herself. Yet, the work is torturous for my exhausted body. Just a few minutes of work has my muscles burning, my limbs shaking, and my chest heaving. Vinyl of course notices, and like Applejack, offers to give me a rest. Unlike Applejack, I manage to convince her otherwise and finish the job I was given. Unfortunately, the result of my stubbornness has me lying in a deep sleep in the most secluded corner I can find for the entirety of Vinyl's show. She has to come find and wake me up at the end so the two of us can start cleaning up. "By the way, how did your meeting with the princesses go?" Vinyl asked as we were finishing up. I pause, but only briefly. It's not surprising that she'd be curious about them. "They were...interesting," is my rather undescriptive response. I have to suppress the bitter scowl that threatens to show on my face upon remembering the meeting with the princesses. Noting the unsatisfied look oon Vinyl's face, I decide to give her just enough to assuage her curiosity. "They wanted to make sure I was acclimating well, and to tell me that I was welcome here." "See? I said you'd have nothing to worry about," Vinyl says with a grin, nudging me. That seems to have satisfied her so I fall silent again and focus on moving the cart. "Morning, Seth! How are you feeling?" Applejack greets me the next morning out in front of the barn. I find it hard to answer at first; my body feels worse than ever. My muscles feel weak and heavy, and they relentlessly pulse with waves of pain. I wanted nothing more than to stay in bed and suffer in solitude, but I forced myself into motion regardless. "You don't look so great. Do you need some more rest?" "I'm not going to skip out on you twice," I tell her stubbornly, even as I bite back a whimper of pain. The thought of going through the entire day like this almost makes me want to give up right now. "Just...tell me what you need me to do." "You got it, partner. But if you collapse again, I'm sending you home, you hear?" Applejack warns me. She goes on to detail my tasks for the day without waiting for my answer. "Now, like I said yesterday, I'm gonna start you small and work your way up, if we're gonna build up your muscle. I can probably give you some chores to do around the farm for now; I bet Apple Bloom would like coming home to no chores! Come with me, I'll show you what's what." Wordlessly, I fall into step behind her, wincing as every step sends a bolt of pain up my legs. She leads me to her little sister, and my work day begins. Just like she promised, I'm given menial tasks such as washing and folding laundry, repainting various walls and constructs where they may have faded, and even the dishes from yesterday's dinner. Even though I know these are chores a child could complete, I'm grateful for the chance to take a break from heavy lifting. The downside of handling chores inside where it's warm is that Granny Smith is often inside as well, and if there's anything she likes to do, it's talk. Despite my lack of any meaningful responses, she seems more than happy to prattle on by herself as long as I'm there to listen. Lunch comes as a welcome respite, but it also means that Applejack and Big MacIntosh join us in the kitchen. This turns out to be a blessing in disguise; once Applejack starts a conversation with Granny Smith, it means none of them are focusing on me. At some point during the meal, the conversation turns to the topic of an event called the Grand Galloping Gala. I don't pay that much attention until Apple Bloom mentions that her sister looked "beautiful in one of miss Rarity's dresses!" "Shucks, sis, it was too frilly for my tastes," Applejack remarks, brushing her mane uncomfortably. She's all too quick to change the subject. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. Seth, Rarity told me she's been looking for you. She said something about giving you clothes?" "Right," I acknowledge simply. For some reason, Apple Bloom starts snickering, only to get hastily hushed by her sister. "I'll go to her soon. Thanks for the reminder." "No problem, sugarcube," Applejack replies, satisfied. That random nickname causes me to glance at her oddly, but I don't ask about it, finding that to be too much effort. "Oh yeah, and I'm thinking about asking Rainbow Dash back over tomorrow. That alright with you?" "I don't see why you need to ask me for permission. You're the boss." As much as the idea of having to meet with Rainbow again causes my mood to sink even further, I can't muster up the desire to argue about it. "I won't make an issue out of it. Do you need her to demolish something else?" "Nah, this time I got some stuff that only a pegasus can do. I just thought I'd let you know beforehoof," Applejack answers. That seems rather vague to me, but it's not really my business, so I let the conversation end there. Before long, we finish our lunch and return to work. Clutching my pay from the day's work, I leave Sweet Apple Acres behind and return to town, the sun already starting to set. This may be one of the first evenings where I've nothing pressing to do, and I don't know how to spend it. Applejack reminded me of my arrangement with Rarity, but the idea of associating with any of these ponies when I don't need to doesn't appeal me. On my way back to Vinyl's house, I have to pass through the town square, which is full of ponies milling about, packing up their market stalls for the day or walking home before the sun completely disappears. Yet it quickly becomes clear that passing through such a well traveled area is a poor idea on my part. "Oh hey, Seth!" I stop in my tracks as a familiar mint green unicorn calls to me from a bench over by the fountain. Lyra and her seemingly ever present friend, Bon Bon, are sitting together on the bench. I'm uncertain what the acceptable amount of personal space is for ponies, but they're awfully close to one another. When Lyra sees me, she leaps down from the bench and waves to me with a bright smile. Bon Bon just gives me an askance look and a roll of her eyes, clearly unhappy to see me. Either way, I don't want to deal with any of them. I haven't forgotten Lyra's disgusting interest, and I'm not about to encourage it with my presence. Lyra's smile drops immediately when I turn on the spot, heading back the way I came without sparing her a look or even an acknowledgment in return. "Seth, please, I was just playing before!" Lyra calls after me, audibly upset. Despite her cries, I continue on my way. I'm beginning to understand that no matter what I do, these ponies will never leave me alone. I don't know if it's some form of herd mentality or just sheer nosiness, but I do know that it's becoming extremely hard to keep my patience. I don't understand why they can't just pass me by, like to what I'm used. Before I realize it, my feet are taking me on a familiar path out of town. The idea of solitude appeals to me greatly, so I consciously speed up my pace until I leave Ponyville behind and make my way back to the gorge I sat at before. I sigh with a dull satisfaction as I sit down at the edge of the gorge, in the same spot as before, and stare down at the rocky riverbed far below. Seeing the rapid white frothy water race past the sharp rocks below is mesmerizing and awe-inspiring. It isn't long before I find myself reflecting. I can still remember it so clearly; walking through the park with Amaryllis, enjoying our short time together and planning for my future. The life that I'd hated for so long was just starting to become more bearable with her around, and my relationship with my family was finally starting to mend... I slam my fist onto the ground with rage fueled by helplessness. All of them are dead now. Celestia was right about one thing: so many people were murdered by Sombra, but that's more or less just a number to me. But Amaryllis and my family... A choking sob leaves my throat, my eyes stinging with forming liquid. The fact that they're gone sits in the middle of my chest like a ten ton weight that I can't dislodge. All I can think about is that I want to see them again. I would give or do anything to be able to see them again. Even if it were just Amaryllis...she'd know what to do. She'd know how to handle this completely hopeless situation. There's nowhere for my anger and despair to go anymore, so it all turns inward. I continue to impact the ground with my fist until my knuckles bleed, shouting wordlessly with raw emotion. I could take it as long as I had the goal of going after Sombra. At least then, I could hold someone responsible for this. At least then, I could seek vengeance upon him, to whatever end that may have brought. But this... If I had just watched where I was going...if I'd just walked right past him and out that door, maybe this all would have never happened. Maybe I could have died with Amaryllis and my family. Even that would be better than this ridiculous magical pastel-colored pony hell. To hell with them...walking around with their families and their friends, happy and oblivious. How dare they think they could understand how this feels? Maybe if their entire village were to be wiped off the map...then...maybe then they could understand! My train of thought is suddenly interrupted by the sudden return of that strange pressure in my chest. It's much more intense than usual, to the point where it's difficult to dismiss as my body's physical representation of my emotion. I cough and choke, thumping a fist to my chest in a vain attempt to alleviate the pressure. It feels like something frigid and dark is coursing through my veins, and my eyes start to burn, my vision slightly distorting. After several minutes of fighting that feeling, it dies down, leaving me a frightened and panting mess on top of the ridge. My mind races with confusion and terror, and I can't help but gaze down at my chest. "What the hell was that!?" "You're back late," Vinyl comments from her position on her couch as I walk in through the front door. She shifts in her seat to look at me when I don't answer. "You look cold, dude. You thought about using some of your extra money to get some warm clothes?" "I'll get around to it," I acknowledge her, moving towards the kitchen. It looks like Vinyl has already eaten, judging from the mess on the counter and the dishes in the sink. Additionally, there's a plateful of salad wrapped in plastic sitting on the table. "Is this for me?" "Yup! I figured you were busy, so I threw together something simple," Vinyl replied lazily from the couch. I hear the sound of turning pages, suggesting that she's passing the time by reading a book or a magazine. I'll assume the latter; Vinyl doesn't seem like the bookish sort. I unwrap the plastic and force the dry leaves down despite my lack of appetite "By the way, it looks like I'm gonna have another gig on Friday. So not tomorrow, but the next day." "Okay," I acknowledge her simply. For the first time, I have a general idea what day it is. The days have been blending together, each seeming to take an age to pass, so it wasn't hard for me to lose track of time. I find it odd that ponies use the same naming convention we do, considering it has its origin in both ancient Babylonian and Norse culture. I don't think too hard about it, though. The mystery behind the pony's evolution and adoption of human culture doesn't interest me as much as it first did. I finish the rest of my meal and wash it down, and then I head for the stairs. "I'm going to bed." I vaguely hear Vinyl acknowledging me before I shut myself in my room. After setting my pay down with the rest of my meagre savings in the drawer of my desk, I sit down on my bed and press a hand to my chest, recalling the strange feeling I'd experienced out there on the cliff. It's not as though that was the first time I'd felt such a pressure. It's been happening more and more every since I arrived in this era, but I'd always thought it was just a result of my own fear and anger. It's not unheard of for people to experience strange physical feelings in conjunction to their emotional state. Yet that seemed so intense and so frightening that that theory seems less plausible. A thought suddenly occurs to me. Considering the location of the strange pressure, I can't help but remember the video I'd seen in the school, where Sombra's spell had entered the same place. That can't be the reason, however. According to what I've seen as well as my presence in this time, that was a spell (specified in the singular by Sombra himself) designed to bring me to this era. Perhaps the magic he used is having some kind of adverse effect on my body. Or perhaps it has something to do with the fact that this is an entirely different environment. I'm surprised I haven't gotten sick by now; ponies could be carriers for any number of illnesses to which humans aren't accustomed. I undress myself and lay down on the bed. A sensible next step would be to see a pony doctor, but I doubt I would be able to afford the bills; I don't know if ponies have health insurance, but I do know that I don't have any. More importantly, I feel fine now. Perhaps I really am just overthinking this, and it really is a result of my current emotional state. I can't say I've ever felt like this before; perhaps the physical sensations get more intense as well. If I'm wrong and it truly is something magical, or worse, a disease, then whatever it is could potentially harm me, or even kill me. Surprisingly, I'm not as bothered by that realization as I know I should be. There's no place for me in this pony society, nor any reason for me to keep going. Perhaps dying wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. "Morning, Seth! You're a little late this morning," Applejack greets me as I arrive on the farm the following morning. Despite her words, she doesn't seem all that upset. Instead, she takes the opportunity to nudge me slightly. "What, did you oversleep? Careful you don't turn out like little miss Dash over here." "Hey, it was one time!" Rainbow protests, the irritating mare looking at Applejack indignantly. She must have arrived sometime before I did. She quails under Applejack's unamused stare. "...and the time before that. And the time I wasn't able to clear the clouds before they rained on your crops after you watered them." "And for the past three cider seasons," Applejack quipped, causing Rainbow to flush and duck her head. "And weren't you five minutes late this morning?" "It was five minutes! Besides, you're not so perfect yourself! Didn't you miss the train to Canterlot that one time?" Rainbow Dash shoots back. "I had to go back for you!" "My alarm clock was broken!" Applejack retorted, the two of them getting closer together, seemingly taking one another's comments seriously. I get a little uneasy just watching them. "Maybe y'all should think about hiring somepony to drag you out of bed, cuz your internal alarm clock is broken!" "That's it, you c'mere!" Rainbow Dash suddenly tackles Applejack, the two of them tumbling over the ground. At first I take a step back, alarmed by the sudden fight, but then I hear the two of them laughing despite their roughhousing. "I'll break your internal clock!" "No you won't! Lie still, you scruffy little varmint!" I glance over at Big MacIntosh, who has just walked up with a bucket of tools in his mouth. He sets them down, notices the two wrestling ponies, and rolls his eyes with exasperation, yet smiles despite that. "Do they do this often?" I ask with a raised brow. "Eeyup." Big MacIntosh answers simply. I can only assume that Applejack is spending her time overseeing Rainbow's work, so I spend most of the day working with Big MacIntosh, whose quiet nature comes as a welcome relief. Only saying that which needs to be said, we steadily make our way through the fields, harvesting the simpler crops that don't require as much physical effort to pick. "Take a short break," Big MacIntosh instructs me after the cart is filled up an hour or so later.When I give him a quizzical look, he indicates the cart. "Tugging back the cart is a one pony job. I'll be right back." I don't protest. Instead I find someplace in the sun to sit. The light does little to raise the temperature, but it's better than sitting in the shade. I sigh, looking at all that's left to be done on the farm. It's getting harder and harder to justify to myself why I'm still doing this. I suppose there's the pride I hold in my word, but even that seems like a burden too heavy to shoulder anymore. A flutter of wings sounds from behind me, and my spirits sink even further. I don't even have to look to know that it's Rainbow standing behind me, though what she wants with me I have no idea. I ignore her, hoping against hope that her presence here is work related. "Hey, uh...Seth?" No such luck. Her distinctive scratchy voice addresses me from behind. Even though I don't give an answer, she continues regardless. "Thanks for helping out Flitter the other day. That ribbon means a lot to her; I think her sister gave it to her when they were fillies." "I just happened to find it," I answer her quietly with an uncomfortable shrug. Out of everything I'd come to expect from her, this was the last thing I would have expected. "Don't let me keep you from your work." "Work? Oh, I'm done. I was just helping her out for a little while," Rainbow informs me, much to my annoyance. She stretches briefly and yawns. "Now I need another nap. But before that, do you want to join the girls and I at Vinyl's gig tomorrow?" "I'll be there." As surprised and irritated as I am that she's trying to be friendly again despite the fact that I've made it very clear I don't like her in the least, it's one of Vinyl's gigs, so I'll be there whether I like it or not. "C'mon, you don't have to be like...wait, what? Really?" Rainbow does a double take, having clearly expected me to say something scathing. Normally I would, but I'm just not feeling up to another argument with her. "I work for Vinyl," I remind her simply. Understanding dawns on Rainbow, the mare making a small "o" with her mouth. Hearing the rumbling of the cart along the ground, I get up and turn around, preparing to get back to work. "Big MacIntosh is on his way back. If you're done, then please leave me here to my work." "Right, yeah." Rainbow leaps into the air, her wings extending and flapping just hard enough to keep her hovering in the air. She gives me a strange look. "Are you...feeling okay?" I don't answer her. Once the workday is over, it doesn't take me very long to decide my next destination. This time, I consciously cut through town and head directly for the outskirts, taking care to avoid the town square on the way. After taking a roundabout route through the alleyways to avoid running into ponies that know me, I end up passing in front of an oddly designed house that stood alone atop a small hill across the river. The only reason I notice it at all is because its roof looks almost like the canopy of a tree, complete with thick ivy and leaves. If it weren't for the plaster walls and wooden-frame windows, I wouldn't have been able to tell it was a house at all. Additionally, it's surrounded by wildlife; scores of birds perch on the window sills or the leaves of the roof, rabbits and squirrels dart across the grass moving from tree to tree, and once I think I even see a badger rounding the corner of the house. All in all, it's not something unusual enough to briefly catch my eye. Unfortunately, it's spoiled by the presence of a familiar pony standing on the bridge over the river, who appears to conversing with a soft-spoken butter yellow pegasus mare with a long pink mane. The conversation lasts until the pegasus catches sight of me...and then with a squeak, she zips into the house at a frankly impressive speed. I swear I even see a small cloud of dust where she had once stood. "So you'll be free for lunch tomor...what in the...Fluttershy, come back!" Twilight, who was the other pony speaking with the now missing mare, called after her, looking exasperated. With a sigh, she turned to find out what had scared her, only to see me walking by. "Oh, Seth! Wait there a moment!" I don't wait for her despite her words, causing her to break into a canter in order to catch up with me. She looks up at me with worry when I don't even react to her presence. "Hey, I was looking for you last evening. I had hoped you would drop by again to come talk with me," Twilight reveals to me. Her expression becomes perturbed when she still doesn't get an answer. "How are you feeling? I can help if you need someone to talk to." My teeth grit together at her words, her very existence serving as a testament to everything that's gone wrong with my world. That she's trying to act understanding at all is causing my ire to rise. Unfortunately, she's not as perceptive as she is nosy, so she doesn't pick up on any of this. "Okay, so...not talking," Twilight finally seems to get it when I continue to walk regardless of her words. She stares at me stubbornly, her mouth set in a firm line. "I can't pretend to understand what you're going through right now, but I wanted to tell you that we're all here to help you. There's no strings or other motives or whatever you think might be behind my offer; just that none of us want to see you suffer. Together, we could..." "Would you give it a rest?" I finally snap, unable to handle her sanctimonious spiel any longer. I come to a halt on the path, the two of us standing just outside of Ponyville. Twilight's mouth closes in surprise from my vehement response. "I don't know what you think you're trying to accomplish, but I don't want any part of it. So turn your furry little ass around and go back to your friend." "Seth, is it really so hard to understand that I just want to-" Twilight, now riled up herself, steps closer to me. "-to help? You think a few flowery words are going to make this go away? You think you can just say 'I'm sorry for your loss' and I'll just perk right back up again? You know absolutely nothing about me," I cut across her, venom entering my voice. "Maybe I would if you didn't always shut us out every time we try to know you!" Twilight shoots back with frustration. "Look, I am very sorry about what you've gone through. Nobody should have to live with what you do. But I do know that you can't get through it alone." "What, and you're going to be the friend that waltzes on by and magically cheers me up? Don't make me laugh," I retort sardonically, crossing my arms and glaring at her. "I don't care if the princess told you to or whatever; go back to the life you were living before me, and stop trying to meddle in my business!" "So do you just plan to live through life like this? Day after day, all by yourself?" Twilight demands. "I know more than anyone just how unhealthy that is! I won't let you do that to yourself!" "You won't 'let me?' You seem to think you have a choice in that," I seethe. I hold a hand to my chest, already feeling the pressure returning. Something that I'd been holding back for the sake of my now nonexistent goal surges to the surface, and it gets out before I can restrain myself. "You need to understand something. I have never asked for nor desired the companionship of any of you ponies from the moment I got here. In fact, I want nothing to do with you. Your kind is the reason I'm here, the reason my family and friends are dead in the first place, and now here you all are, enjoying your pretty and idyllic little life as though none of that ever happened. It makes me sick!" "Seth, you can't..." Twilight takes a step back, her ears folding back and her body shuddering at the sheer amount of venom in my voice. "You can't blame us for that. That's...that's not fair..." I stare at her, realizing by the expression on her face that I said too much.. I take a deep breath, and let it out as a long sigh. "Just go back to town; I'm done talking to you." Tired of this argument, I turn on my heel and continue on my walk out of town, my pace quickening in order to widen the difference between us as quickly as possible. Twilight calls after me desperately, but I don't look back. Once again, I'm at the cliffside, my legs dangling over the edge into the open air. I sit there lifelessly, my heart still beating quickly. As I gaze down into the gorge, I start to wonder if I'd gone too far in that argument with Twilight. I meant every word that I said, but I told myself again and again not to let them know my true feelings. Otherwise at best, I might lose my job and the house in which I'm staying, and at worst, I'd make an enemy of the town and get kicked out. One question comes to my mind; one niggling question that I can't dislodge. Would it really be a bad thing if I didn't go back to Ponyville? There's nothing there to which I'm attached; no reason to stay and suffer their increasingly intrusive attempts to befriend me. So why should I go back? Yet, there's a roof under which to stay and a source of income to keep me fed. Despite logic and pragmatism telling me that there's no choice but to suck it up and deal, the thought of going back to Ponyville proves to be unbearable. Seeing Twilight's stubborn but sad face, seeing Applejack take pity on my weak body, and seeing Vinyl greet me every morning and evening with prepared meals...all of it is unwelcome. I can't take this. I can't take all these emotions. Amaryllis. I just want Amaryllis to be here. I need to her sit beside me and whip me into shape. I need Amaryllis here with me now to tell me what to do. There isn't a part of me that I wouldn't tear out and crush if it meant I could have her back.There's nothing that I wouldn't sacrifice. I don't care what I would have to do. It's just not fair that I'm here and she's not. If anyone deserved to live through the end it would be her. Why did I get to live when she had to die? A chunk of the cliff on the opposite side of the gorge suddenly breaks away, breaking me out of my increasingly desperate thoughts. I watch in silence as the chunks of earth and rock plummet hundreds of feet into the gorge and break apart upon the jagged rocks jutting up from the river at the bottom. The sight causes a thought to rise in my mind. If I can't have her back, nor can I get revenge, then what's the point of living anymore? The sun shines down over Ponyville on a bright and clear Friday noon, revealing the scores of colorful ponies milling about the streets. It is an average day for the rustic town, with salesponies advertising their wares in the town square or in their small cubby hole shops, and the aromas of freshly made foodstuffs of all kinds mixing in the air to form a pleasant atmosphere. "Would you smell that? It's the smell of soft bread pulled fresh from the oven. Isn't it just heavenly?" Rarity, the mare dressed in a simple sundress and hat, makes her way through the streets of Ponyville, accompanied by Fluttershy and the ever boisterous Pinkie Pie, who bounces along with every step. "It does smell wonderful," Fluttershy admits in her soft musical voice, a small smile making its way across her comely face as she inhales the scent hanging in the hair. "Ooh! That smells like Honey Baker's sourdough! You can make the best sandwiches with a single loaf of that! If we weren't meeting the girls for lunch, I'd definitely be going to get some!" Pinkie reveals excitedly, earning chuckles from her two companions. The three of them turn the corner into the square, where a restaurant complete with a set of outside tables is set up immediately to their right. "Speaking of whom, there they are! Good morning, girls...and Spike!" Sitting at one of the tables by the restaurant were the three other ponies that Pinkie had mentioned as well as Spike, who was sitting on the top of the table with a bowl of gems in front of him. Rainbow flashes them a grin as they approached, beckoning them over with a hoof, while Applejack tips her hat and pulls out a chair for each of them. Twilight hardly looks up at the greeting, the mare forlornly gazing down at the tabletop. "'And Spike' is right. Better not forget me," Spike remarks with a good natured grin, scooping up a handful of gems with a claw and chowing down on them. "Spike, do slow down; you're getting chunks of gemstone all over the table!" Rarity fusses, promptly lifting a napkin with her magic and cleaning up the mess, while Applejack looks on with a roll of her eyes. "Do mind your manners. There are ladies at the table." "Morning y'all...or is it afternoon now?" Applejack greets the three as they approached and sat down in their respective chairs. "Rarity, you didn't need to get all dressed up for a simple lunch meeting." "Of course I did! A lady must always look her best when walking the streets, and even more so on special occasions such as a lunch between friends!" Rarity insists, flaunting her hat and flattening out nonexistent wrinkles in her sundress. "Totally, I even wore my best," Rainbow replies with sarcasm, as she was wearing precisely nothing, as per usual. She then turns to Pinkie to greet her as well. "Morning, Pinkie Pie!" "Is that a frown I see!?" Instead of acknowledging Rainbow, Pinkie's response is to gasp, and then immediately zip on top of the table directly in front of Twilight, somehow not knocking everything over. "Not on my watch! Twilight, can a kangaroo jump higher than a house?!" "Uh..." Twilight looks up, her wide eyes blinking. It took her a few moments to come up with an answer for Pinkie's completely random question. "Maybe? I don't know anything about kangaroos..." "Of course they can! Houses can't jump at all, silly!" Pinkie immediately responds, earning snorts and giggles from the others. "Did you know that Winona used to chase ponies around on a scooter a lot?" "What...?" is all Twilight can say before Pinkie's randomness. "Hold up, Winona did what now?" Applejack joins in, raising a brow. "Yeah, it got so bad I had to take her scooter away!" Pinkie finishes, once again to the amusement of the other mares. Pinkie huffs when her jokes fail to bring a smile to Twilight's face. "Come on, those were some of my best jokes!" "I'm sorry, Pinkie. It's not that I don't appreciate the effort, but...I've just got a lot on my mind," Twilight confesses. "Whatever is the matter, darling?" Rarity asks with concern, using her magic to lower Pinkie down from the table. "Weren't you the one who suggested we all have lunch together today?" "I know I was, but..." Twilight begins, but she trails off with a sigh. "It's Seth, isn't it?" Rainbow emits with a flat brow, sounding completely unsurprised and unenthused. "He said something nasty to you, didn't he?" "Well..." Twilight looks to be searching frantically for something to say, but beneath the scrutinizing gazes of her friends, she relents. "Yes, it's Seth. Let's wait for our food, and then I'll tell you over lunch." There is a chorus of assent from the others, and they get to ordering their food when the waiter comes by. When a spread of sandwiches of various types and drinks lay on the table before them, Twilight begins. "I can't say much, but...he's...going through a tough time right now, and I don't know how to help him," Twilight begins. "It's...starting to get to me." "Seriously. I haven't seen her this frazzled since Discord," Spike chimed in, patting one of Twilight's hooves with his claw. "What, is it still the whole 'alone in a town of ponies' thing?" Rainbow's ire starts to rise, her eyes narrowing. "I'm done letting him use that as an excuse. He keeps hurting my friends, and he needs to stop." "It's not just that anymore, Rainbow," Twilight attempts to explain. "I can't tell you everything for the sake of his privacy, but you know how focused he seemed to be on getting out of town?" "Yeah, he keeps using that as an excuse too," Rainbow retorts. "He did originally come to work saying he was only gonna stay for a week or two," Applejack affirms, but then she recalled something else. "He told me on Tuesday he wasn't leaving no more. Something seemed off about him then too. Like he wasn't as focused or driven." "Not to mention he completely forgot to come visit me, despite saying that he would," Rarity sniffs, looking offended. "Do you know how many outfits I've already made for him? As it stands, they're just hanging on the racks, completely unappreciated!" "Something did seem off about him," Rainbow finally admits, much to the surprise of the others, who knew well of her solid dislike for him. "I talked to him yesterday and he sounded so...out of it. He didn't even snap at me like he always does." "He's getting worse," Twilight summarizes sadly. "I just...I just don't get him. I'm trying so hard, but he just doesn't understand. It seems like the more I try to help, the more he starts to hate me." "Did something bad happen? Cuz he seemed fine until Tuesday," Applejack asks pointedly. "Even weirder, he didn't come to work today." "He didn't?" Twilight looked up with horror. "Nope. I figured the poor guy needed some rest after all," Applejack added. "Though now that we're all talking about it..." "Oh no...I let him go, but I didn't think he'd..." Twilight whispered to herself, much to the confusion of the others. Suddenly, she turned to Rainbow and placed both of her hooves on one of hers. "Rainbow, I need to ask you a huge favor." "Huh? Okay...but what is it? You're acting kinda weird," Rainbow looks uncomfortable beneath Twilight's fervent gaze, her hoof twitching in Twilight's grip. "Will you please go find Seth for me?" Twilight pleads. Rainbow immediately adopts an expression that betrays just how little she wants to do that. "Please, he's not used to Equestria; what if he stumbles into someplace dangerous, like the Everfree?" "Why me? Why not Applejack or Fluttershy?" Rainbow returns with reluctance. Fluttershy promptly sinks beneath the table, out of sight. Applejack just gives Rainbow an askance look. "Because you're the fastest flier, and you could get to him before anything else happens. It's already been a day, and I'm worried," Twilight insists. Rainbow looks like she wants to complain more, but then she looks around to see everyone else staring at her expectantly. "Fine, I'll go," Rainbow finally relents with bad grace. She wolfs down the rest of her meal and puts down her share of the pay, and then she gets up from the table and takes to the air. "Even though I know he's just gonna yell at me and tell me how much I shouldn't have bothered." "Thank you so much, Rainbow. I know I'm asking a lot," Twilight expresses appreciatively, the frazzled mare letting out a sigh of relief. "Last I saw him, he was heading southeast past Fluttershy's house. I'll check Vinyl Scratch's house to see if he went home last night." "Yeah yeah," Rainbow reaches down and tousles Twilight's mane with a hoof affectionately. "But you owe me a cupcake, you hear me?" "I'll buy you three!" Twilight promises with a smile. "And I'll throw in two more free!" Pinkie adds. "Now we're talking!" With all the extra encouragement, Rainbow zips through the air at a breakneck speed, leaving nothing behind except for a rapidly fading multicolored trail. I stare over the edge of the cliffside, unmoving. Ravenous hunger unlike that I've ever felt gnaws at my stomach, and my throat feels dry. My body is chilled and every slight breeze feels like a dagger against my skin. My hair is matted from grease and sweat, and the remains of dried tears cling to my cheeks. Yet I can't bring myself to move to alleviate any of these conditions. The pain and discomfort almost feels refreshing - like a way for me to physically feel the emptiness inside. It's been hours and hours since I sat down. Applejack and Vinyl Scratch are probably wondering where I am. I know that should make me feel bad, but instead, I recognize that I'm doing them a favor. Now they won't have to think or stress about me, and they can go back to their ordinary, happy naive lives. I keep thinking about my future. When I was in school, I believed I knew what I wanted in life. I just had to keep moving forward, keep making pragmatic decisions, and succeed. In the end, I would have ended up in a lucrative job. It may not have been the most glamorous future, it didn't matter to me at the time. As long as I had my music, my family, and my best friend, perhaps I could have found some form of happiness. Perhaps I could have settled down with Amaryllis. She would have taken up a job that exercised her excellent math abilities and made just as much money as myself. Maybe we could have had a small house or an apartment together. I think I could have been happy, as long as she was there with me. I scoff, tossing a rock over the edge of the cliff. These wishful thoughts... why should I be having them now? Besides, I shouldn't be feeling that way about Amaryllis. She was tough, reliable, and beautiful; I shouldn't disrespect her by feeling like this. I can't call it love; such a word is a pretty disguise for the ugliness of lust. The last thing she needed was some idiot lusting after her. The thought that I could feel anything of the sort towards her only disgusts me; she deserved better than that. But now, to what do I have to look forward? Slaving away endless hours out in the elements, exhausting my body and crushing my spirit, only to earn a few meager bits with which to pay my rent? For what would I do all of that? I'm the first human to walk the earth in millenia, and it doesn't mean a damned thing. For everything that I've been through and all that I've endured, humanity is just going to go back to being extinct again. Nobody will care that I existed, or that I've died. With that thought, I slowly, steadily, rise to my feet, never once taking my eyes away from the depths of the gorge. The longer I look, the more inviting the jagged rocks jutting out of the river appear to me. If that's all it's going to come down to... if all I'm doing is performing the same actions every day like a robot, then there's no point. Why should I linger, when the end result will be the same regardless? I take one step closer to the edge of the cliff, my breath catching in my throat. My footsteps dislodge bits of rock and gravel, which plummet into the chasm below. The more I think about this, the more it seems like a good idea. I can't do this. I can't subsist for the rest of my life alone. More than anything, I want Amaryllis back by my side, to give my life some meaning again. But I have to face the facts. I am alone. I will be alone for the rest of my life. Maybe Celestia and the rest of the ponies are right, and some of them are genuine. Yet even if that were true, it's too late. I don't think I'm capable of trusting another living creature, especially not a pony whose species I've little experience with. I gaze at the rocks far below that will undoubtedly mean my death. Despite what I'm about to do, I find myself to be strangely calm. There are no more tears. My emotions feel numb, and even the hunger and thirst I feel seem to fade away to nothing. I'm just tired... tired and ready for it to be over. I've made my decision. Without delaying any longer, my foot moves forward, over the edge of the cliff into nothingness. The obvious result to such an action is a sudden loss of balance as my weight carries me right over the edge. I don't bother to flail or catch myself, even as one foot scraps against the cliffside. A breath leaves my lungs as gravity swiftly takes over. My stomach feels nauseous as it struggles to keep up with my rapidly accelerating body. I close my eyes, knowing that it won't be long now. Time seems to slow down, and I can't help but reflect over my past life. I can only wonder what my life would have been like if I'd have been born somewhere else. Maybe then, I wouldn't have turned out the way I did. Maybe then, I wouldn't feel so angry and bitter all the time. Maybe then, I would have had the chance to live a normal life. I remember my childhood, when I was a naive fool with no idea what the world held in store for me. I had no idea how cruel humanity could be, nor did I let myself think about why people were as mean as they were... until one day, a single girl walked into my life, and ripped away my naivety to reveal the truth. The sound of the rushing river draws ever closer, at a painfully slow pace. I allow myself one last smile, my thoughts filling with images of Amaryllis. Perhaps I'll be granted one last kindness, and I'll be able to see her again in whatever awaits for me beyond death. At long last, the sound of the rushing rapids overpowers my every thought, signalling my incoming demise. A tremendous crack shatters the air like a thunderclap, and before I realize what's happening, something furry and warm presses against my body, two limbs grasping me tightly around the middle and holding me close. I open my eyes, but all I can see are the blinding colors of the rainbow. I feel my trajectory evening out through a gradual curve, veering me away from what was supposed to be my imminent death without breaking every bone in my body. I'm moving at an impossibly fast speed, such that it's making my body ache and the sounds of the river distort. The only thing I can think about is that I haven't died like I'd intended. What the hell is going on, and why haven't I perished? Or is that what this is, and there is some sort of reaper? Whatever it is that has me eventually slows down, and lays me to rest on my back atop what feels like a grassy field, the individual blades tickling my back and making me itch. I keep my eyes closed, liking the idea of the next life being some sort of meadow. Yet, I start to suspect that something is amiss due to the faint rushing of the rapids in the distance...and the feminine panting that I hear right next to me. "Whew! That was seriously close, even for me!" My heart stops as I recognize that scratchy voice immediately. There's only one creature I know that talks like that. A helpless rage surfaces within me, my hands tearing at the grass. This has to be some kind of sick joke. I've gone through so much, and these ponies won't even let me die!? My eyes shoot open and I force myself into a sitting position despite the pain; sure enough, Rainbow Dash is sitting on the grass not far from me, her mane damp with sweat and hanging in tangles over her face. She flashes me a breathless smile...which immediately drops when she notices the intense glare I'm directing at her. "Whoa, relax, buddy. You're safe now, alright? I caught you," Rainbow attempts to assure me, but it only has the opposite effect. "Safe?! Why!? Why can't you ponies ever leave me alone!? Why can't you just let me go!? What did I do to deserve this!?" I yell at her furiously, my voice rising to an almost primal shout immediately, taking her very much aback. I press a hand to my face, trying to keep myself from sobbing despite my fury. "I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for you! Who the hell do you think you are!?" Rainbow's eyes are as wide as dinner plates after my tirade... but it doesn't take her long to snap out of it. Her eyes flashing with anger, she gets to her hooves and glares right back at me. "What do you mean , 'who the hell do I think I am!?'" Rainbow retaliates, her voice rising as well as she echoes my own bad language back at me. "I saw you falling into the gorge, so I had to pull off a Sonic Rainboom just so I could reach you in time, in case you hadn't noticed! A simple 'thank you' would be nice!" "Thank you!? You think I'm going to thank you for this!? You think I wanted you anywhere near me!? I left Ponyville, just like I said I would! You were done with me for good! Why did you come out after me!?" I shoot right back, clenching my fists so hard that my uncut nails start to draw blood from my palms. "Why couldn't you just let it end!?" "Uh, in case you didn't hear me the first time, I came out to save you, which I did quite awesomely, I might add!" Rainbow waves a hoof in front of me as though what she'd said was the most obvious thing in the world. "Besides, what the hay were you even doing, walking off a cliff like that!? It's like you were trying to...to..." Rainbow suddenly trails off as the realization hits her all at once. I watch as the anger on her face fades away entirely, to be replaced by pure and unadulterated shock. She stares at me with wide eyes, her jaw still frozen in the middle of her sentence. She starts to tremble, the very thought of suicide no doubt entirely alien to her. The thought must never even occur to these happy ponies in their happy and idyllic world. Suddenly, Rainbow closes the distance between us and her hoof slams into my face with so much force that my head snaps to the right, pain exploding from the point of impact and white stars erupting in my vision. I cry out and clutch a hand to my cheek, staring at Rainbow with disbelief. She really just hit me... but damn, she hits hard. "Why...why would you...?" Rainbow stammers, and to my shock, I can see tears glistening in her eyes. She glares at me tearfully, her body shaking with emotion. "You... you were, weren't you? Answer me!" "What are you getting so upset about?" I demand incredulously. "This is the way it should be. Once I'm gone, you can go back to living your life without having to think about me. Isn't that what you want?" "You... You idiot! How could you even think that that's what I want!?" Rainbow shouts back at me, the volume of her shout rivaling that of mine only a few moments ago. "Why would I ever want you to...to die!? Wait, I have a better question. Why would you ever want to die!?" "I'm not answering that. What I choose to do with my life is none of your business," I manage to get out between gritted teeth. In the blink of an eye, Rainbow is in my face, the fervor in her eyes serving to astonish me even further. I can't fathom why it is she would be so upset about this, when she's hated me since the first time we met. "Wha...?" "No, you know what? I don't have to take that! You can't pull something like this and expect me to pretend I didn't see anything!" Rainbow asserts, jabbing a hoof into my chest with nearly enough force to knock me over. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me why, buster!" I scoff at that. "What do you think you're going to do about it? If I didn't tell you anything before, I'm certainly not going to tell you anything now." I turn my back on her and start to walk away, with the intention of making my way back to the top of the gorge. I'm not entirely sure where I am now, but if I use Ponyville as a reference point, I should be able to find my way back. "I'm leaving. It's best you go back to town and forget about-uuh!?" I don't get more than a few feet before Rainbow zips around me and shoves me backwards with both of her front hooves, knocking me off my feet and onto my rear. I attempt to rise, but before I get even halfway up, Rainbow's hoof slams down on my sternum, forcing me back down and pinning me there. "You're not... going... anywhere. I'm making this my business," Rainbow expresses with a low growl. I struggle in an attempt to get free, but to my surprise, I can't budge her. When I take a closer look at her, I note the presence of powerful muscles rippling just beneath her skin. Comparing them to the other ponies I've seen, they're exceptional. This can only mean I'm looking at a pony who takes very good care of her body. "You're staying right there until you talk to me!" "To hell with this!" Snapping, I reach up, and with as much strength as I can muster, I punch Rainbow right in her exposed belly. Rainbow's eyes shoot wide and she coughs, the wind leaving her lungs and her grip faltering just enough for me to throw her aside and break into a run. I will not stay and be bullied by this goddamn pony! Despite my attempts to put as much distance from her as possible, I quickly learn that I might as well have tried to run to the moon. As much as I hate to admit it, her bragging had some basis in truth. With her speed, I can't get more than a few meters away before she's already caught up to me. "Get back here!" Rainbow yells, her hooves already reaching out for me. I dive down and scrape up a pile of dirt and grass, and throw it directly into her face. She pauses and frantically tries to clear her eyes. "Gah! You cheating little... !" With her so indisposed, I double back and sprint past her, running down a hill and into a cleft in the rock that looks like it'll take me deeper into the canyon. Like before, I don't manage to get very far before Rainbow swoops down from above and cuts me off. Unable outrun her again, my hand drifts to my rifle. All I can think of is getting her away from me, despite the fact that I'd have to harm her to do so. I unsling my rifle from my back and swing it at her desperately. "Whoa!" Rainbow veers around the strike easily and circles around me, and then she immediately propels herself back just enough to avoid my second swing. She glares at me and boldly intercepts my third swing, catching the muzzle of the rifle on the cannon bone of a forehoof and kicking my wrist hard enough to dislodge the weapon from my grip. "Put that down before you hurt someone!" The rifle now skidding across the canyon floor near me, I have nothing else other than my fists. My right fist careens forward and collides with her chest...hitting solid muscle. I cry out in pain, nursing my aching hand. Rainbow takes the opportunity to bash her two front hooves into my chest, once again knocking me flat on my back, my head just barely avoiding the rock and landing on grass instead. I don't rise again, my chest heaving from the exertion. My body is already weak from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion; As much as I hate to admit it, I can't keep this up. "So...are you done?" Rainbow asks simply, the mare sitting down on her haunches a few feet away. She takes a moment to wipe some of the debris off of her muzzle from earlier, making a disgusted face as it smeared into her fur. "Shut up," I groan miserably, my body aching all over. Other than that, I can't come up with anything else to say, even after my breath returns to me. I remain silent for several minutes, trying to think of another way out of this, but eventually I realize that there isn't one. Rainbow isn't going to let me leave until I give her a reason, and it's become clear that she can enforce that. I curse the situation that I've somehow landed in. What I can't understand is why Rainbow would have any reason to be this far away from town in the first place. Rainbow waits for me to say something, her impatience clear to see. After the first few minutes, she starts to fidget in place; one hoof will start fiddling in the gravel, or a wing will start to flap idly. One time, she even starts humming under her breath. Clearly, she's not used to staying in one place for this long. Yet for some reason, she's putting in the effort for me. "Why are you doing this?" I finally ask after roughly ten minutes pass. Rainbow glances at me with some relief, but that quickly turns to confusion. "Huh? Doing what?" At first, it sounds like Rainbow is mocking me, but when I glance over at her, she looks genuinely confused by my question. "This. Saving me. Forcing me to talk to you. Why do you even care whether I live or die?" I demand helplessly. "You're kidding. You even need to ask why I care if someone dies?" Rainbow looks at me as though I had just told her the dumbest thing she'd ever heard. "Of course I do! You've made it very clear how much you hate me. Now you're suddenly turning around and saving my life, even though I didn't want you to?" I snap back, irritated. "So what is it you hope to gain? Is it just because I'm human?" "Okay, there's so much wrong with what you just said," Rainbow huffs stubbornly. "Look, I don't care that you're human. News flash, you're not exactly the only species to walk around on two legs. And, I never said I hated you. You're just an insufferable jerk who's mad all the time and is like... allergic to fun." "Then why? Why can't you have just let me die? It's what I want..." Before I finish talking, a rock hits me in the side of the head, causing me to yelp. "Stop talking like that! I'll punch you again!" Rainbow suddenly yells at me in a shaking voice. "Saving someone is common sense! Besides, you're not a bad guy..." "Are you serious!? How can you even say that, when every single time we've met, we've argued? What about all the times I've 'hurt your friends?' Those were your words," I snap back incredulously. "Hey, I said you were a jerk! But I'm also saying that there's a decent guy somewhere beneath all the... the jerk," Rainbow retorts rather ineloquently. Before I can protest, she continues. "I was standing right there when you gave that ribbon back to Flitter. Her sister gave that to her when they were fillies; I've never seen her with it off. You should have seen the smile she wore for the rest of the day." "That doesn't mean anything. I just happened to find it," I point out. "Now you're lying," Rainbow replies instantly, causing me to freeze. "I spoke to Clear Skies. She told me you saw Flitter, stopped, and went back for the ribbon. You knew exactly what you were doing. So don't try to hide it from me!" "Fine..." I admit grudgingly, disgusted at myself for allowing her to verbally drive me into a corner. "So what, you're trying to save me because you feel like you owe me?" "No! Can you stop putting words in my mouth? I saved you because I wanted to save you! Besides, I'd have done this way sooner if I knew your issues were this bad!!" Rainbow shoots back with annoyance, baffling me further. "Besides, this isn't about me, so stop dodging my question!" "What question?" I ask in a vain attempt to buy myself a little more time. "Why did you jump off of that cliff!?" Rainbow demands once again, moving even closer to me. "What was so bad, that you tried to... to... kill yourself?" "You wouldn't understand. You've never lost a thing in your life," I reply bitterly after a few moments of silence. "Yeah? Try me. Neither of us are leaving until I get an answer," Rainbow repeated her decision for the third time. Deprived of any other choice, I let a long, heavy sigh. I can't believe I'm about to do this. "Who would you say your closest friend is?" I ask. The oddity of my question gets Rainbow to raise an eyebrow. "Closest? Gosh, that's a hard question...hm...maybe Fluttershy? Ah, but Applejack is pretty fun to mess around with. There's Twilight....and.." Rainbow appears to really struggle with this question, making me somewhat envious of her wide circle of friends. "Now imagine all of them were to disappear from your life, without any warning." That statement gets Rainbow to blanch, looking horrified by the prospect. "Now imagine you knew whose fault that was. What would you do?" "Could I get them back again?" Rainbow asks hopefully. When I answer in the negative, her head droops, the mare looking clearly distraught by the scenario I'd just presented her. "Then...I'd find the jerk who took them all away and make him pay!" "Now what if you couldn't even do that?" I press further, one hand clenching into a fist. Rainbow was silent, her jaw hanging slightly open. "I... I... don't... know," Rainbow finally admits, the mare completely at a loss. At last, the meaning of my words finally dawns on her. "Wait, so that's what got you like this?" "More or less. I had a goal...but now I have nothing. So what would it matter if I died? I was never meant to exist in this era, anyway," I answer softly. "Are you satisfied? If so, it's best you leave, and forget about me." "Not happening, buddy," Rainbow expresses with the same amount of fervor as before, much to my shock and dismay. "I still can't agree with you." "Wha...?" "So what if all of my friends were gone? That doesn't mean they never existed in the first place!" Rainbow begins, her brow set with determination. "They would want me to keep living! Actually, if I were the one to disappear, I'd never forgive my friends if they gave up like you're doing right now!" "So what the hell do you expect me do!?" I demand, honestly wanting her to give me an answer. "Not throw yourself off a cliff," Rainbow replies matter-of-factly. "Seriously, whoever your friends were, this is not what they'd want!" "And how would you know what they'd want?" I retort. "You know absolutely nothing about them!" "I don't need to! If they were friends of yours at all, you dying is the last thing they'd want!" Rainbow counters. "They'd want you to move on, make more friends, and be happy!" "Again with the friends! How can you even suggest that? Am I supposed to just pretend my friend never existed?" I respond, frustrated. "What? You can have more than one friend, genius! Making a new friend doesn't mean replacing the old one!" Rainbow informs me as if she were talking to an idiot, irritating me further. "So what, you expect me to just get over it and make friends with the ponies!?" I growl, disgusted by the very thought. "You think I can trust any of you?" "There it is again; you thinking we're some kind of bad ponies! I don't know why you keep saying that, but we're not out to ruin your life!" Rainbow huffs. "You could have fooled me..." "Actually, you know what? Give me a chance!" Rainbow suddenly tells me, her eyes betraying just how serious she is. I blink at the sudden request. It sounds an awful lot like she's asking to be my friend. She notices the look on my face. "Yeah, you heard me. I don't know what happened to you to make you hate us so much, but I'll prove to you that I'm not like that!" "What are you saying?" "I'm saying that I, Rainbow Dash, am going to stick by your side from here on out. You hear me? I'll show you just what kind of pony I am!" Rainbow presses her hoof to my arm, the mare staring at me right in the eyes. "From now on, you and I are friends!" "What the hell?" I say with complete surprise. Out of everything that she could have said, that was the last thing I expected to hear. "You can't just declare yourself my friend!" "Too bad, cuz I just did," Rainbow sticks her tongue out at me childishly. "I know you're not all jerk, and a friend is just what you need to get through this." "Yeah? And what if I hurt you again, like I've been doing to all your friends?" I insist. This whole conversation has thrown me for a loop. I've never opened myself up like this to anyone except Amaryllis. I hate the way that I feel right now, but I keep telling myself that I had no other choice but to tell her. Rainbow gave me no other option. "I'll take that chance! Friends take chances on each other, even when we don't know what's gonna happen!" Rainbow continues, never hesitating even for a moment. My eyes widen, her words sounding oddly familiar. No... it can't be. Not again. There's no way the two of them could be that similar. "So how's it fair if I'm the only one taking that chance? You'll never know if you can trust me if you keep running away all the time!" I honestly don't have a response. This isn't the first time I've heard that argument used against me. Only one person has said something like that to me... and she was my only friend. "So you get it now? I've got your back. All you gotta do for me is... live. Just live, okay?" Rainbow's voice breaks a little at her last request, the amount of emotion in her words clear even to someone like me. "That's all." "That's all?" I repeat, my emotions jumbled up in my mind. Rainbow nods solemnly. That has to be the hardest anyone has ever fought back against and for me, when they seemingly stand nothing to gain from it. I honestly don't know what to think. Despite everything I feel and believe, part of me starts to think that maybe she isn't lying to me. I don't get it. We haven't gotten along from the moment we met. Not one positive word has been shared between us, and even now I can still remember the animosity I felt towards her every time I remembered her face. I don't understand why she cares so much whether I live or die. I don't understand why she doesn't just go back to the way her life was before she met me. "That's all," Rainbow affirms. "So...can we get up and go back to town now? Or do I have to yell at you some more?" "I think you've made your point," I grunt, too mentally drained to continue this conversation any further. My rage is slowly dying down, leaving nothing behind save for a mess of convoluted emotions of which I can't make much sense. The only thing of which I'm sure is that I don't know what I want to do anymore; I need some time to think. "But I have one last question." "Sure! What is it?" Rainbow responds curiously. "Why were you out here in the first place?" I query, at last getting to ask the question that's been bothering me ever since she appeared. "I went this far away from town purely so that none of you could find me." "Oh that? Well, I was looking cuz Twilight asked me to," Rainbow confesses. I turn my head to look at her incredulously. If the only reason she was out here was because she was asked to be... "Hey, stop looking at me like that! She may have told me to find you, but I meant everything I said!" "Right," I reply shortly, my curiosity sated. "It's probably because she doesn't want to look like an idiot in front of the princess." "You didn't see her face when she asked me to go," Rainbow points out stubbornly. "It wasn't just her, either. Applejack's missing a worker, Rarity apparently has been designing up a storm... like it or not, you've got ponies worrying about you." "I've been here too long," I groan as the last of my plans falls apart. The first thing I told myself when I first arrived to Equestria was that I wouldn't get attached or let any of these ponies get attached. As it turns out, even as cold as I am, I can't even do that right. I yelp as Rainbow starts to impatiently prod my side with a forehoof. "Alright, fine, I'm getting up." I grunt and struggle to my feet, picking up my rifle from where it had fallen earlier. I glance back towards Ponyville. The thought of going back still doesn't appeal to me, but now it doesn't seem as hellish as it did before, for some reason. With a sigh, I start to walk, Rainbow keeping pace just beside me. "You're probably hungry, cuz you were out here all the time. Did you know I had to miss lunch?" Rainbow complained as we walked."I didn't get to eat breakfast this morning, so I'm starving!" I roll my eyes; this is going to be a long walk back.
Tales of the Oppressed	13. Seth's Renewal (rw)	"I don't think going back is a good idea," I voice with trepidation, coming to a stop just as Ponyville comes into sight. Rainbow, who has been flying just ahead of me this whole time, wheels around to face me. "What? Why not? We're almost there," the mare presses a hoof to her rumbling stomach. "I'm hungry!" "So you've said three times so far," I return wryly. "The thing is, I left Ponyville without planning to return. I...told Twilight some nasty things. She was getting too pushy, and I took everything out on her." "That explains why she was so down in the dumps today." Rainbow turns around to give me a glare. "You should apologize to her. She was seriously worried about you." "If she was before, she certainly isn't now." The thought of apologizing for what I said doesn't sit well with me; if I had said something I didn't mean--sure--but those were my true feelings. "But you're missing my point. I probably angered Twilight, I skipped out on farm work even though I gave my word to Applejack I'd help her with the harvest, and I didn't even bother making my first payment to Vinyl yet." "Sooo...?" Rainbow seems clueless as to where I'm going with this. "What's your point?" "They likely don't want me in town anymore.It would be better if I stayed far away." Instead of understanding the sentiment, Rainbow just gives me a deadpan stare. "We were just over this," she reminds me. "Nopony is gonna hold this against you. If I held a grudge every time I argued with my friends, I wouldn't have any friends left." "They're not my friends," I say plainly, much to Rainbow's frustration. "Of course they are! I mean, we're friends now so, by extension, they are too!" Rainbow points out stubbornly. "First of all, only one of us seems to think we're friends. Second of all, that's not how that works," I say, already feeling the beginnings of a migraine taking form. "It is too how it works!" "What are you, five years old?" "If I'm five years old and I understand friendship, what's that say about you?" Rainbow shoots back with a smirk. I do a double take, looking back at her with surprise. The point she's making isn't what shocks me. Rather, it's the fact that she's smack talking me. My head tilts to one side as Rainbow prods my cheek with a hoof. "Are you two years old, wittle guy?" "Quit that," I grunt, pushing her hoof away from my face. A hint of nostalgia comes back to me as I recall the times Amaryllis and I would talk smack to each other similarly. Granted, I'd typically end up on the losing end of those conversations, but they were fun nonetheless. So lost was I in my grief and need for revenge, I'd forgotten what that felt like. "Fine, I guess we should keep going." "Good! Sooner we're back, the sooner I can eat!" The two of us start to get moving again. I gaze at her for several moments as we walk, as if trying to etch her features into my mind. Yet no matter how long I look, I can't figure out what to think about her. Ponyville looks the same as always. It's still early in the afternoon, so activity is high. And despite the fact that it hasn't changed, it feels different to be back. If there's no way back then this is home now, whether I like it or not. I suppose I should bother learning my way around the place. The throng of ponies in the street assault my eyes with their various colors. I find my gaze lingering on some of them. These are ponies whom I'll be living with from here on out, so learning their names might prove beneficial to me. I know what I should do, but finding the motivation to do any of it is turning out to be a challenge. The questions still linger on my mind--why should I bother? What's the point? I suppose I still have much to think about. I just need to find the time to do so. "Rainbow! You found him!" That's Twilight's voice; just hearing it causes me to wince. I close my eyes and take a few brief moments to mentally prepare myself, even as I hear the sound of hooves rapidly approaching. When I open my eyes, Twilight is standing right in front of me, looking very relieved, yet still very much concerned. There isn't a trace of anger in her expression, despite what I said earlier. "Seth, I'm so glad to see you! Are you alright? I heard from Vinyl that you didn't come home last night and I was so worried that something might have happened to you!" Behind Twilight, I can see several more ponies catching up to her: Rarity, Applejack, Vinyl, Pinkie, and the one Twilight referred to as Fluttershy. I grimace; I hadn't planned on dealing with them all at once. I don't even know what to say to Twilight, for crying out loud. "I'm fine for the most part. I just needed some time away from Ponyville," I reply, disliking how close to lying I am. There's no way in hell I'm telling any of these ponies about what really happened on the cliff. The only possible outcome from that would be in them becoming insufferable in their attempts to 'fix me'. "You didn't need to bother sending one of you after me...especially one that you know I don't get along with." "Of course I did! Nobody had heard from you for nearly twelve hours!" Twilight returned, her tone making it clear what she thought of my words. "Seriously, dude, I was about to get the guard involved before Twilight found me," Vinyl chimed in as she caught up with us. "If you're gonna wander off, let somepony know first, okay?" "As far as we knew, you went missing. Rainbow's the fastest there is, so if she couldn't find you, nopony could," Applejack adds, the farmer putting on a smile as her eyes meet mine. I don't get it. It was only twelve hours; it's not as though I were gone for days. "By the way, why are y'all covered in dirt?" "I would like to know the answer to that question myself. You both look absolutely atrocious!," Rarity comments, turning up her nose at our current condition. My skin is scraped and smeared with dirt due to our altercation, and my jeans are torn in several places. "Don't you roll your eyes at me, Rainbow Dash. Your muzzle is practically a different color!" "I...uhh..." I'm finding it hard to come up with an answer, especially when pressured by the gaze of all these different ponies wanting answers. "I pushed him down a hill," Everyone's attention switches over to Rainbow brushing her mane sheepishly with a hoof. "What? He was being a jerk." "And your muzzle?" Rarity questions. "I shoved her face into said hill," I join in on the story Rainbow is conveniently weaving. The fact that she's not telling them about what really happened is both surprising and relieving. I glance up at her gratefully--a glance that she catches and gives a discrete wink in return. "I just said we didn't get along. I don't know why you're acting so surprised." "We're cool now though," Rainbow hastily assures them. The other ponies look at one another, and then back at her, not entirely convinced by that. "It's fine. More importantly, are we done here?" Now I get the odd looks; no doubt because I didn't refute Rainbow's words. I don't know if I'd call us "cool," but I'm not about to argue while surrounded by eight other ponies that would most certainly gang up on me. "This is starting to feel a whole lot like an interrogation, and I'm not really in the mood." "Ain't nopony interrogating you, Seth," Applejack stepped forward to stand in between Twilight and Rarity. "Now, I don't know much about what's going on with you, but s'far as I hear, you're not here cuz you wanna be. If you need time off, you can have it." I avert my eyes, feeling distinctly uncomfortable by her understanding words. However, I don't get a chance to respond before Rarity jumps in. "Don't forget about all the clothes I've made for you. I've been waiting on them for days. Why don't you stop by the boutique first? I'll even let you use my shower to clean up. You look positively dreadful, dear." I roll my eyes. "Thanks." She's right, however. If I'm going to be staying here, I need clothes more than ever, maybe even that shower. The time I've spent here has not been kind to my hair; it's stringy, greasy, and matted--nothing like the silky smooth feel and neatness that I once worked so hard to maintain. "I've also got some leftovers from last night's dinner, if you wanna just stay home and relax," Vinyl adds, giving me yet another option on what to do with the rest of my day. "Sounds like you have a lot on your plate!" Twilight chimes in next. Pinkie giggles beside her, causing her to check her wording. "Er, no pun intended. Oh, I could help you plan if you'd like! I find having a well organized schedule is a key factor in reducing day-to-day stress!" "I'm thoroughly capable of managing my own time, thank you." I decide to nip that in the bud right away; the thought of Twilight micromanaging my schedule is less than appealing to me. I glance at the two ponies that have legitimate claims on my time and sigh; neither option seems particularly exciting at the moment. "It would make more sense if I got some work done with Applejack today before visiting you, Rarity." "Works for me. No sense in gettin' all dolled up and then comin' to work," Applejack replies with a nod. "I suppose that's true, but I must insist you come to see me the very instant you finish up at the farm! I guarantee you'll be pleased with what I've designed!" Rarity insists with only a slight hint of disappointment present in her voice. "I intend to pass by, you don't need to be so pushy," I say with some irritation. "Applejack, can we please go?" "You sure you're up for it? Like I said, I don't mind givin' you time if you need it." "Anything's better than staying here," I shove my hands into my pockets. "I need to get out of your way so you can all go back to doing whatever it is you were doing before I disrupted your day yet again." "Even though everyone seems convinced everything is fine, Twilight still looks like she's wants to say something. The possibility of another argument with her is already causing a headache to form behind my eyes. "What the hay, I'll go too. Applejack, do you have food at your place? I had to miss lunch, so I'm hungry!" Rainbow interjected before Twilight could get started, earning a huff from the latter. I never thought I'd say this, but thank God she's here. This could have gotten so much worse had Twilight figured out what I tried to do. "I always got plenty of food. I don't mind letting y'all eat if ya need to," Applejack says. "Anyhoo, we're all good here?" "I'm good. Catch ya at home, Seth," Vinyl replies, breaking away from the group. "See you later. You too, Dash. You coming to my next gig, right?" "Ha! As if I'd miss it." Rainbow says, earning a grin from Vinyl. "I guess we're done. I'm glad you're okay, Seth," Twilight finally relents, although she doesn't look all that satisfied. I notice Rainbow giving me a pointed look--she wanted me to apologize to Twilight. "Whatever," is all I can bear to say to her before joining Applejack as we start to make our way to the farm. I hear Rainbow huff disapprovingly behind me, but I don't pay her any attention. I may have been overly harsh on Twilight, but I wouldn't feel right apologizing for it. I shouldn't have to apologize for saying the truth, harsh though it may be. "You sound beat," Applejack comments, noticing how out of breath I sound. I can't bring myself to answer immediately--I don't recall the last time I felt well-rested or comfortable. "You sure you don't need time to rest?" I shake my head to clear the fuzziness away. "If I let myself relax for even a second, I'll be out for days," I say, earning some amusement from the two ponies. "You say that like it's a bad thing," Rainbow retorted as she performed a few lazy twirls in the air. "Sleeping for days is the best!" "Don't you go influencin' Seth with your bad habits now, Rainbow Dash." "They're not bad habits! I still get things done!" Rainbow shoots back. The two of them start to bicker good-naturedly with one another, until I eventually decide to just tune them out. As the farm comes into view, I shake my head in disgust. Despite everything, nothing has changed. I'm still in the same situation I've been in since I learned of Sombra's death. There's no real future for me except to keep working on this damn farm day after day. Like a machine, but at least a machine doesn't feel. I glance at Rainbow, who is currently attempting to talk around Applejack's hoof, for whatever reason. Rainbow said that I shouldn't give up... that Amaryllis wouldn't want me to give up. But what else am I supposed to do, then? "Alright, let's settle down now," Applejack finally brings me back to reality as the three of us reach the farm. "I'll whip us up some lunch real quick. Seth, if you wanna get started, there's some laundry that needs foldin' out in the yard. Or you could sit by and wait. Makes no difference to me." "I'll get to work on the laundry," I say. Applejack nods and points to where all the laundry is gathered for me--a clothesline out front containing towels and bedsheets. "Alright, I'll bring lunch out when it's done. You comin' with me, Dash?" Applejack askes. "Nah, I'll wait out here with Seth," Rainbow responds. Applejack raises one eyebrow, and Rainbow starts to look rather uncomfortable under her gaze. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" "Just thought you two didn't get along, is all," Applejack slowly repeats my words back to us. "Yeah, but I said we were cool. Seth and I are buds now!" Rainbow quickly proclaims. If Applejack could look any more skeptical than she does right now, I would be frankly impressed. She then glances at me anxiously, as if worried about how I am reacting. Rainbow looks at me as well. It would have been easier for her to keep that little titbit to herself. At least then she could get by without having to justify herself to her friends. Is she deliberately choosing to make things harder on herself? "Well then, 'bud', if you're feeling so chummy, how about helping me with the laundry?" The sarcasm is practically dripping from my tone. Applejack lets out a sigh of relief, before chuckling. "Work? Yeah, right! This time, I'm here for moral support!" Rainbow declares. She then zips up to the skies, soaring all the way up to the cloud layer. As I watch incredulously, she tears away a pony-sized chunk of cloud and brings it all the way down to us, a few feet overhead. She then plops down on top of it as though it were no different than a piece of furniture, a smug expression on her face. "You can do it!" I stare up at her with one eye twitching. "...I don't even know what to say," I express with exasperation as I turn away from her. I'm not even going to try to reason how she did what she did with the cloud. "I'm ever so glad to have such a dependable source of motivation watching over me." "You're welcome!" Rainbow's reply sounds so disgustingly smug I feel the strong desire to flip her right off of that cloud, if such a thing were even possible. "Right. Well, y'all have fun now. I'll be back in a few," Applejack tells us, the farmer pony smiling warmly at the interaction between Rainbow and myself. She retreats back to the farmhouse, leaving me alone with Rainbow. A silence falls between us as I get to work, doing my best to ignore Rainbow's presence behind me. Yet this only results in the return of my prior thoughts. I have to admit one thing to myself. Rainbow was right; Amaryllis would find my current state totally unacceptable. She was always the one to cheer me up whenever I was down, typically by dealing me a merciless tongue-lashing of cold, hard logic that would help me recognize how stupid I was being. Even now, I can already hear her in my head, calling me 'princess' and asking me if I wanted a hankie to cry in. I smile bitterly at the thought. I've never thought about it before, but meeting her in that classroom that one day was probably the best thing to ever happen to me, despite the rocky start to our relationship. I shudder to think what might have come of me if I'd never met her. I might not even have made it this far in the first place.. What I don't understand is that even though I know Amaryllis would knock me back into shape out of this funk I'm in, I honestly don't know what she'd tell me to do. I'd spent my whole life following a plan that was laid out for me. Now that I don't even have that any more, I'm at a loss. "Rainbow?" I get her attention as I fold up another set of towels. It makes me disappointed in myself that I have to ask her for help, but she's literally the only pony now that knows the extent of my feelings. "What keeps you going?" "Huh? What do you mean?" Rainbow lifts her head from the cloud, looking confused by my sudden question. "What gets you out of bed in the morning? What do you say when people ask you what's next?" I elaborate. Understanding dawns on Rainbow's face, and she presses the tip of a hoof to her muzzle as she ponders my questions. "That's easy! It's-" Applejack frustratingly chose that moment to return from the farmhouse with a picnic basket hanging from her mouth. "Hold that thought." Once Applejack arrived, she spread out a blanket on the grass, and the three of us dig into a meal of cheese sandwiches and apple slices. Despite the simplicity, it tastes delicious, especially after a full twelve hours of running on empty. "I still got a bunch more apple trees to buck before the snows come in, but I got a few other chores that need doin' around the farm," Applejack addresses me as we eat. She passes me a piece of paper. "I wrote up a list. Once y'all are done with laundry, if you could hit each of these before the sun goes down, I'd appreciate it." "Applejack, I can't read," I deadpan. "Oh yeah. Give it to Rainbow then. At least then she can say she did something." I shrug and pass the paper to Rainbow, who glances over it once and then tucks it beneath her chest. "That reminds me; you're sure you're okay taking time off work, Rainbow?" "Oh that?" Rainbow waves a hoof dismissively as she finishes up her meal. "It's fine. All I gotta do is clear up a few clouds by the end of the day. Even Cloud Chaser could do that." "If you say so." Applejack finishes up her meal as well and starts cleaning up the spread. "I'll leave you to it, then. I'll come get you if I need anything special. No more shoving each other down hills now, ya hear?" "No promises," Rainbow calls after her. She waits several minutes until she's sure Applejack is completely out of sight before turning to me. "So to answer your question, I'm going to be a member of the Wonderbolts!" "I have no idea what those are." I say as I get back to working on the laundry, feeling pleasantly sated for the time being. "You don't know who the-!?" Rainbow explodes before quickly calming down. "Right, new to Equestria. Listen up, then!" While she drones on and in about these 'Wonderbolts', the excitement in her words is palpable. "So, in summary, the Wonderbolts are only the coolest, fastest, and most skilled team of flying pegasi in all of Equestria! And they only accept the best into their ranks!" "The 'fastest,' huh? I thought you said you were the fastest flier in Equestria," I turn towards her, a smirk already on my lips. "Are you freely admitting that there are ponies out there better than you?" "Hey, I am the fastest flier in Equestria! They...just don't know that yet," Rainbow scratches the back of her neck sheepishly with one hoof. She laughed nervously. "There's more to being a Wonderbolt than just being fast. But I'm gonna keep practicing until they recognize my greatness!" "So that's your dream, huh?" I finish folding a set of bedsheets and place it neatly in the basket with the rest. I look over at her, feeling envious at her innate sense of purpose. "So everything you do, you do towards that goal." "Not everything. That's my end game, but before that, there's all my friends. It's not cool if I had to do all this on my own, right?" Rainbow points out. "Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and even Twilight; I've got all these cool ponies around me." "Right...friends." I grab the next sheet with a little more force than I'd intended, nearly causing it to fall on the grass. "That must be nice for you; to know what you want, have friends to support you no matter what. I don't even have that anymore." "Why not? What did you want to do back when...before you came to Equestria?" Rainbow hops back into her cloud, crossing her front hooves and gazing down at me curiously. Her question causes me to pause, no quick answer coming to my mind. What exactly was my dream back then? "I...I don't know," I honestly admit. It didn't feel like it at the time, but is it possible even back then, I didn't have much of a purpose? Didn't I have some greater meaning to aim towards? I thought I did, but upon closer inspection, Amaryllis was involved in every single one of my goals. Once again, I realize just how much she meant to me. Without her, I'd honestly would have felt no different than I feel right now. I let out a sharp exhale to relieve some of the stress I'm feeling. "You don't know?" Rainbow looks utterly confused by that. "Wasn't there anything you wanted in life?" "I was in school, training to get a good job, but I don't think I had any particular desire for the end of that road. All I knew is that that's what I needed to do to survive in that world, because that's what everyone else told me." I find it increasingly harder to focus on what little laundry remained as I talked. My every thought is screaming at me not to confide any more in this ridiculous multi-colored pony, but now that I've gotten started, I need to finish. To find closure. It's becoming clear that I can't go any further without an answer. "I knew what I didn't want; to be a minimum wage employee like the vast majority of those who never got an education. But that doesn't really counts as a dream, like what you have." Rainbow didn't seem to like that answer. "Who cares about work? There has to be something that you did that you really enjoyed for the sake of enjoying it. Like how I really like to fly and sleep." I almost mention Amaryllis, but I catch myself. There's no way in hell I would tell any of these ponies about something so deeply personal. Besides, I don't think Amaryllis counts as a dream. As I start thinking about the sorts of things she and I did together, I recall something so obvious that I almost smack myself for not thinking about it sooner. I always wore a set of headphones when I walked between classes so I could listen to my favorite classic rock tunes. Amaryllis eventually learned what type of music I enjoyed, and she started to take me to different bars to dance, and a few times, she even took me to live performances of bands I particularly loved. I've always loved music. Even after all that witch put me through when I was younger, my love for music never faded. I've dabbled in all sorts of instruments over the years such as guitar, piano, and cello; At my college dorm, I owned an electric keyboard and a simple acoustic guitar, and I'd play them from time to time, one day hoping to play them for Amaryllis. "Music," I answer simply, having come to that realization. "That was my hobby. It was never anything special though, just a part of the background." "Of course it was something special! Ah, this makes so much sense!" Rainbow slaps a hoof to her forehead. "The first time I see you talking to somepony without snapping at them, it was about music. And you're working for Vinyl Scratch, who'd only ever let someone else who liked music as much as she did work with her. How did I not see this sooner?" I shrug, not sure how to respond to that, despite the fact that she's right. I don't see how this is meant to help me. "There you go! You could be a DJ like Vinyl, or a pop singer like that Sapphire Shores that Rarity sometimes talks about, or maybe even a member in the Canterlot Royal Orchestra! Or better yet, a rock star! That would be pretty sweet; I could totally see you rocking the metal look," Rainbow just isn't slowing down. It's strange how she'd show such enthusiasm about something that isn't even about her. Yet, what she's saying sounds appealing. The idea of standing on stage is a daunting one, but if I could be like those front men that drove the crowds wild and sold out stadiums as large as whole towns... a small shiver runs through me at the thought. Yet my realism kicks in almost immediately. There's no way someone like me, who struggles in even the smallest crowd, could ever do something like that. Additionally, I was once told that musicians no longer made much money on album sales due to the onset of the internet... which ponies don't have... huh. So maybe a career in music wouldn't be so impossible after all. It sounds infinitely more enjoyable than that desk job I would have had back in my time. But... can I really do it? Start over without Amaryllis? "I don't know..." At this point in time, the laundry and work left is basically forgotten. I sit down, different thoughts and visions of the future rolling around in my head. "It can't really be that simple." "But it is! Put your sights on the goal, and don't let up! That's how I won the Young Flier's Competition, difficulties aside." Rainbow lets off a bit of an awkward chuckle. She then lights up, as though she has just come up with an excellent idea. "I just thought of something. Be right back!" I watch curiously as Rainbow zips off of the cloud at speeds I can scarcely follow with my eyes. It's one thing to see from a distance, but up close, her speed is unreal. She really is unfathomably fast. No sooner had that thought entered my head than Rainbow was already back, holding an acoustic guitar. "Here, try this!" Rainbow presents the guitar to me, looking rather pleased with herself. Despite how fast she'd just gone from here to the farm and back, she doesn't look like she's even broken a sweat. "Where did you even get this?" I take the guitar from her, treating it as though it were made of gold. It resembles the dreadnought base model, with six strings spanning the neck. It feels surreal to be holding one again. "Oh, I borrowed it from Applejack. It was just hanging on the wall anyway--not like she uses it much," Rainbow looks at me eagerly. "Go on, play it! Applejack won't mind if you give it a whirl." I adjust my position until I'm kneeling, the guitar resting on my raised knee. My left hand runs up the neck, instinctively forming the chord shapes that I've memorized. With my right hand I form a makeshift pick by placing my thumb over my index finger, and using the latter to strum each individual string. "Hm...standard E tuning," I observe before running through a quick scale, finding the sound it produces to be pleasant, almost nostalgic. I repeat this action a few times in different locations on the guitar. Once I finish with scales, I run through the chords I remember. Recalling a particular song that uses these chords, I run through the first verse, humming the tune under my breath. "You're not bad! See, you could totally do it if you tried!" Rainbow stamps her hooves on the ground, looking pleased with what she heard. "So what do you say? Wanna shoot for being a rock star?" I lay the guitar across my lap, making sure not to let it touch the ground. The chance to hold an instrument again, I can't deny that it felt good. Even more so when I could hear those melodic chords again. I think about what Rainbow is trying to tell me. Just like how she wants to be a Wonderbolt, she's saying I should strive for something musical, to give me a reason to wake up in the morning. There's some sense to that; instead of my money going towards traveling up north, I could save up to buy instruments and other musical equipment. Then, performing wouldn't be out of the question. I start to feel a little excited at the thought. "Okay." I stand up, handing the guitar back to Rainbow. "There may be something to what you're saying. I dunno about being a 'rock star', but I wouldn't mind being able to play again." "Awesome! You should totally tell Vinyl, too! She'd totally support you on that. As would I. Cuz what's the fun of having a goal without friends to support you on the way?" Rainbow accepts the guitar, giving it a few strums herself, somehow managing to make a chord despite having cumbersome hooves. Despite watching her do it, I can't figure out how she can hold strings down with hooves. "So now, you can..." "Are y'all still doin' laundry?" Applejack suddenly passes by us, a cartful of apples rolling along behind her. When she notices the guitar, she stops and just stares at Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash, what are you doin' with my guitar?" "What, this?" Rainbow promptly shoves the guitar back into my hands with a sheepish grin plastered on her muzzle. "Nothing. I don't see a guitar." "Don't just give it back to me, idiot!" I immediately give the guitar back to her, not wanting to be implicated in Rainbow's scheme. I was under the impression that Applejack wouldn't mind, but her accusatory tone tells me otherwise. "Don't call me an idiot, dummy!" Rainbow attempts to give the guitar back to me, only for Applejack to snatch it out of her hooves and place it on her back, eyeing the both of us suspiciously. Rainbow quails slightly under the look her friend is giving her. "Um...hi AJ." "Just what in tarnation is going on between you two? First y'all are sayin' how much y'all can't stand each other, then you're dancin' together, then y'all're shoving each other down hills, and now you're all friendly?" Applejack demands, her curiosity getting the better of her at last. "What gives, Rainbow? What exactly happened between you two?" "Uh...sorry, I can't say anything." Rainbow, much to my surprise, refuses to tell her, despite being put on the spot like that. Applejack blinks; whatever answer she was expecting, I doubt she expected not to receive one. "Ask Seth if you want to know. I doubt he'd like it if I spilled the beans. You know how it is." "I guess I can understand that." Applejack then turns her gaze to me expectantly. "Seth?" "I choose not to answer," I say as my lips flatten into a thin line. "Figured as much," Applejack sighs and gets the cart moving again. "I guess it ain't my business. Rainbow, quit distractin' Seth and let him work." "Sorry," Rainbow leaps back up to her cloud, scratching the back of her neck again. "By the way, next time you wanna use my guitar, just ask first. I don't mind." Applejack trips her hat, gives us a grin, and makes her way back to the farmhouse to store her apples, leaving me to finish up the laundry that I'd been slacking on. "I'll see y'all in a few hours!" "That was awkward." I turn back to the laundry, finding myself relieved that Applejack wasn't angry. "I blame you for that. You told me she'd be fine with it." "She was fine with it! She just... said to ask first next time," Rainbow retorts stubbornly. "At least you got to play some! That's what matters, right?" "I guess." I finish folding the last piece of laundry, and lift the basket, grunting under its weight. I curse and stumble a bit, my knees nearly giving out. I quickly set it back down; I shouldn't overexert myself with my body in this state. I resolve to tell Applejack that I'm finished when I see her next. "By the way... I'm glad you didn't tell any of them anything." "That's just not something you tell other ponies," Rainbow confesses, looking distinctly uncomfortable. She then puts on a reassuring smile. "Besides, I said I had your back, and I meant it!" "Whatever." I begin the walk back to the farmhouse, steeling myself for the hours of work to come. I think about her words, unsure how to deal with the respectable behavior she's been showing me. It's likely that she's doing all of this in order to ease her own conscience; to be able to tell herself that she did something. There's no doubt in my mind that she'll eventually tire of the effort and revert back to the way she was before. That's just how people, and by extension ponies, are. The rest of the work day passes uneventfully, and before long Rainbow and I are waiting in the farmhouse for Applejack to return with my pay for the day. I have no doubt that the amount will be small, having skipped most of the day. "So, you're headed to Rarity's after this?" Rainbow hops onto the nearby couch lazily. "I can't avoid it any longer." I glance at the couch longingly, but I'm not callous enough to lay my sweaty and dirt-caked body onto Applejack's furniture. "Do you still intend to follow me around?" "Nah, if I go with you, Rarity'll try to put me in something too." Rainbow makes such a disgusted face at that prospect that it earns some mild amusement from me. She's as tomboyish as they come it seems, given her athleticism and her overall lack of concern for her appearance. "I dunno though...will you be alright without me?" "What's that supposed to mean?" I give her a sharp look at that question. "You know, it's just that..." Rainbow pauses before continuing, taking a moment to glance around to make sure there were no other ponies nearby. "I want to know you're not gonna try to...to...when I'm not looking..." "I get it." I save her the trouble of having to complete that sentence that so clearly disturbs her. Her words essentially explain why she's been hanging around me all day, even after I started work. A hint of bitterness falls over me, sensing that reversion I mentioned coming. "I bet that would make you feel better, huh?" "Of course it would! Why do you sound so irritated?" Rainbow seems offended by the question, lifting her head to gaze at me oddly. Because the moment you know I won't got back to the cliff, you'll stop with the friendly act you're trying to pull, I think bitterly to myself. Because you're no different than anybody else. Because no matter what you say, you're only doing this to ease your own conscience. Because it's always about you, isn't it? "It doesn't really matter," I sigh, lacking the mental fortitude to argue with her further. Any further rebuttal by Rainbow Dash is cut short by Applejack's return, a small bag of bits held in her mouth. She passes it to me, which I add to the bits in my pocket. With this, I've a total of sixty bits; more than enough to pay for my rent with Vinyl, and leave me with some leftover cash. "Thanks for your work, as always. Wanna stay for dinner?" Applejack once again offers. Each day I work with her, she's been giving me that same offer. "No thanks." I give her the same answer as well, which as usual doesn't perturb her. "I need to get to Rarity's before she sends out a search party." "Probably a good idea. Will I see you tomorrow?" Applejack walks beside me as I head for the door. Rainbow leaps off of the couch to follow us as well. "If you're still alright having me around. Hopefully I'll be in better shape tomorrow." Before Applejack can give a decent answer, we walk right into the path of Apple Bloom and her two friends, on their way back from school. "Oh no..." "Hey, it's Seth!" Apple Bloom runs up to us with a smile, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo just behind her. Scootaloo doesn't rush to me completely, the filly skidding to a halt the moment she sees Rainbow Dash. Sheer admiration shines bright in her eyes. "Wow, you're a mess; you musta been working hard!" "Maybe he has a cutie mark in construction? Digging maybe?" Sweetie suggests, chiming in after Apple Bloom before I could even get a chance to answer. "It's Rainbow Dash..." Scootaloo appears to be in her own little world, her words spoken in a reverent whisper that I can barely hear. "That's one way of putting it." I remark to Apple Bloom, finding it easier to use work as the explanation for my ragged state. "Hold on, you three know Seth?" Rainbow interjects, looking surprised by both that and the fact that we seem to be exchanging a regular greeting. "Yeah. They seem to like me, for whatever reason." I look towards Rainbow, glad to have a distraction. I just don't know how to handle children, ponies or not. "He's really nice! He stood up for us a few days ago when we were getting picked on!" Sweetie Belle says. "You should have heard what he said!" Apple Bloom adds. "He was so cool!" Scootaloo finishes for them. "Really now? That I didn't know," Applejack looks at me with a surprised and grateful expression. "Thanks so much for stickin' up for my sister. You're a decent sort, Seth." "Oh, he stood up for you, huh?" Rainbow's expression grows smug again, and she gives me a pointed look that makes me rub my forehead, wishing I was anywhere other than here. "What a nice thing to do..." "Wipe that smirk off your face," I pointedly tell her, earning a snicker from her. "But just to clarify to you three, I don't have a 'cutie mark' at all." "What?!" The three of them chorused all at once as if that one statement had overturned their entire view on life. When I repeat myself, Sweetie Belle falls over in a faint, while Apple Bloom looks dumbfounded. "Girls, we should make him an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader! Sweetie Belle, could you make another cape?" "I could ask Rarity to borrow some more of her fabric. Scootaloo, are there any activities we haven't tried yet that we could include him in?" "I can think of a lot of things we could do with him! Do you think he'd be any good at riding a scooter?" "Ooh, but what if we could take him to our favorite crusading spots!" "We could show him our clubhouse!" "Maybe we could get our cutie marks in helping humans?" "Cutie Mark Crusaders Human Helpers, yay!" The three of them cheer loudly, clapping their hooves together. Their excitement is just growing more and more, while Applejack and Rainbow are snickering at my steadily growing look of horror. "Well, I'm gonna leave you to it. Have fun with the girls, Seth!" Rainbow decides that now is the best time to make her exit, devious intentions plastered all over her stained muzzle. "No, don't you dare leave me alone here..." Despite my threatening, Rainbow zips away in a flash, cackling to herself as she abandons me to these terrifying fillies. "...with them. I hate you so much right now." "You should come play with us tonight, Seth! You can join us in finding all of our cutie marks! There's all sorts of fun things we can try!" Apple Bloom addresses me directly at last. My brow shoots up into my hairline, shocked that they'd even ask me of all people. "Come on, what do you say? Want to be a crusader with us?" I sigh heavily, aware of Applejack's expectant gaze on the back of my neck. I don't understand how to deal with children, especially those wanting me to 'crusade' with them, whatever that means. "You would probably be better off finding someone else to play with. I'm hardly the most entertaining company," I break it to them gently, knowing that if I'm even the slightest bit rude, Applejack will get onto me--this is her little sister to whom I'm speaking. "Besides, I think I can't even get a cutie mark. Humans don't have magic like ponies do." "You'll never know if you don't try!" Not even that is enough to dissuade the three fillies, Apple Bloom serving as their spokesman. "Come on, it'll be fun!" "Again...I'm not the playing type. You'll find out you can't stand me after a few minutes." "Please?" Apple Bloom retaliates by using the most vile, the most despicable, and the most effective form of persuasion known to mankind; she looks up at me with wide, liquid eyes, her lower lip ever so slightly poking out and trembling. I've never seen such an expression from anyone before; at least not one being directed at me. Coming from a small pony like her, the effect is tripled in intensity. What's even worse, is that both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo do the same thing. "That's playing dirty..." I grumble, averting my gaze from the unbearably cute display. What am I supposed to do now? I'm just not interested in playing with a bunch of children. I also know that if I give in now, they'll forever think I'm receptive to the idea and I'll never have a moment's peace. Either way, I refuse to deal with this. "Perhaps another time. I'm busy this evening." "Awww," the three fillies look down with disappointment, before Apple Bloom hits me with the rebound. "Maybe tomorrow then?" "We'll see," is the best that I can give them. More than anything, I really hope that something comes up tomorrow evening so I have an excuse to decline their offer. It's too much to hope for that they would forget. I never thought that telling off Diamond Tiara would bring such unwelcome consequences. "Now, if you all will excuse me. I must get going now." Seizing the earliest opportunity I can get my hands on, I retreat from the four of them perhaps a little more hasty than would be proper. I don't stop until I leave the farm behind, barely registering their assorted farewells. I have absolutely no idea how to handle children. I think as I sigh with relief. For the first time since the cliff, I'm alone with my thoughts. I keep walking forward, trying to make sense of the emotions running through my mind. In the back of my mind I can still feel a sense of hopelessness towards my whole situation--the absence of Amaryllis hurts more than I can put into words. And my anger. My anger hasn't been tempered yet. I wish more than anything that I could still make Sombra pay, and I resent the princesses for depriving me of that chance. But...I can feel something positive growing within me. I've learnt that I enjoy music as far more than a simple hobby, leaving me with a plethora of potential opportunities to explore. It's odd that I have to do so in a world filled with sapient ponies, but I guess it's not much different than humans, physical and magical differences aside. I re-enter town, navigating the streets in an attempt to recall the way to Rarity's Boutique. In the process, I end up taking a wrong turn and end up in unfamiliar territory. I'm forced to cut back through the park where I first encountered Lyra. It's rather late by now, so there aren't many ponies around. As I pass through the fountain clearing, I pass by a group of two ponies that are clinging rather tightly together. It isn't until I draw closer that I realize that they're kissing passionately, likely believing themselves to be by their lonesome. It doesn't take me long to notice that they're both mares. I do a double take, and then I keeping walking in veiled discomfort, not wanting to disturb them. I'm not oblivious to the concept of public displays of affection. If I went far enough out of my way back at college, I could find a couple or two hiding within the shadow of the parking garages or the classroom buildings. What shocks me is that the two of them are the same gender. I can't say I've ever seen anything of the like, even in my era where various movements for and against such things were gaining traction. It's one thing to hear about it... Another pony walks through the fountain clearing behind me, the mare giving a slight chuckle upon seeing the two ponies, but otherwise doesn't bat an eye. Judging from that alone, such relationships must be somewhat common and accepted by the average pony. I suppose it makes sense considering the disproportionate amount of mares to stallions in town, but nevertheless it's a rather hefty pill to swallow. As much as I don't care for displays of affection or relationships, it's probably best I learn that from observation. This way, should I encounter a same-sex relationship among the ponies I live among on a daily basis, I won't accidentally offend them. I momentarily entertain the thought of asking Rarity, but that idea is quickly shot down. Such curiosity will pass. It's none of my business, anyway. A few minutes after that disconcerting revelation, I find my way to the Boutique. I barely knock on the door when Rarity opens it, a wide smile spreading across her muzzle. "There you are! I was wondering if I would have to come visit you on the farm," Rarity steps aside to allow me entrance, the mare ushering me inside with emphatic hoof gestures. "Do come in! I have a veritable sea of clothing for you to try on!" "A 'sea'?" I repeat wryly, wondering just how much clothing that entailed. The first thing I notice are the three sets of mannequins lined up in front of a circular stage. They're human shaped and are about as tall as me, leading me to reason she'd created them based off of my measurements. All of them were clad in the sort of clothing that I'd expect to see in a legitimate human fashion establishment. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement. "Just how many outfits did you make?" "Ten, I believe. Three sets of work clothes sturdy enough to handle the rigors of physical labor, three sets of casual clothing for everyday use, three sets of winter clothing, and one set of swimming trunks. The coats are interchangeable, of course." Rarity used her magic to pull back the curtains covering one of the alcoves, revealing a rack filled with the remaining seven outfits. "Would you care to use my shower before we begin?" "Part of me suspects that you wouldn't let me anywhere near your clothes unless I agree," I comment, knowing full well how disgusting I look. "You would be correct. Up those stairs, if you please! You smell like a diamond dog, darling. I'll bring to you one set of casual clothes for you to change into once you're finished." Rarity practically shoos me up the stairs as though I were a child. "Chop chop, now!" "I'm going!" I speed up a bit to get ahead of her, a little irritated. I don't believe I've been to the second level of her home before, so I don't know which of these rooms is her bathroom. In the end, I simply try every door. One of the rooms looks to be a child's room; most likely Sweetie Belle's. Another looks extravagant, complete with a sizable four poster bed, several shelves containing various rolls of fabric, and a desk upon which a sewing machine was situated. I have no doubt that I'm looking at Rarity's room. I find the bathroom just before the second staircase that leads to the third level of the boutique. I've only ever seen Vinyl's bathroom, so I'm not the least bit prepared for the luxury that awaits me within. Once I step inside, I let out a sharp exhale. The bathroom has plenty of room to walk around it, complete with a double vanity at the base of a mirror that spans the whole wall, a bathtub deep enough to comfortably fit my whole body, and a shower twice the size of Vinyl's that is completely enclosed by gorgeous mottled glass. It hardly needs to be said, but the whole room is immaculately clean and well cared for. I strip out of my ragged clothes and set them and my rifle aside, then I step into the shower. To my surprise, there's even a place to sit down inside, and the showerhead is large enough to cover my whole body. The overwhelming luxury I'm experiencing is start to make me giddy. A few minutes in the shower is enough to wash away all the dirt, grime, and sweat that had accumulated on my body over the past few days. Unfortunately, there's little I can do about my hair. Although I can scrub it to get some of the filth out of it, I'm much too anxious to try using any chemicals on it. During my shower, I hear the door open. I feel the urge to cover myself, but I calm down, realizing that the mottled glass does an excellent job of obscuring me from the outside. "Do you mind if I take your old clothes from you?" Rarity's voice sounds from inside. She doesn't seem to care about the fact that I'm still in the shower, and very much naked. She can't see me, but I'd think there'd be some kind of social rule about walking into a bathroom while someone is showering. "What do you plan to do with them?" "Why, dispose of them, darling! They're in tatters--to wear garments in such poor shape would be a crime against fashion!" Rarity says as if it should have been obvious. "Surely you're not that attached to them." "I'm not, but make sure to go through the pockets. There are a few things in there I'd rather not lose," I direct her carefully. I hear the sound of her rifling through my jeans a moment later. "I have found a folded piece of...is this...!?" Rarity sounds appalled for a moment, and I recall with a start that my wallet is made out of leather. I didn't think about that. Now she's probably going to- "Oh, my mistake. For a moment I thought this was Griffon-made leather. And, what is this? This is a rather odd device." "That's my phone. It's human technology that would take too long to explain. It's useless now, anyway. Just set it aside." I respond, trying to absorb the fact that she just referred to griffons as though they were a real creature. Ponies. Minotaurs. Dragons. And now griffons? There's just no end to this nonsense. "Very well. That seems to be everything. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to toss these into the nearest fire." Rarity gives a malicious-sounding giggle and I hear the clopping of her hooves along the tiling recede. "I've left your new clothes on the vanity." "Thank you." I hear the door close, so I shut off the shower and dry off with a fluffy purple towel that had been hanging on a rack built into the door. Once I'm dry, I move over to the vanity to get a closer look at myself. I note that some minor peach fuzz is forming on my face. I scowl with disgust. I've always had a hard time growing facial hair, so this is the most that I can get. That being said, I find it ugly, and I've never hesitated to shave it all away. Unfortunately, I don't see any razors in here. I'll have to ask Rarity. I spend several minutes tending to my hair with less than satisfactory results. I haven't used shampoo, so there's plenty of grease and buildup in it, and I can't even get a brush through without running into innumerable amounts of knots. I sigh heavily, feeling more than a little depressed at the state my once beautiful hair is now in. Eventually I determine that there's little to be done, so I stop trying and resolve to get it cut later, despite how greatly unappealing the idea is to me. Next, I turn my attention to the clothes Rarity left for me. First is a pair of skinny blue jeans much like my old ones, except the material they're made out is surprisingly soft despite being made of denim. On top of them is a set of boxers colored black with a plaid green pattern. They're incredibly soft, feeling almost as though they were made from satin. I slip them on, finding them to be extremely comfortable, as though I were wearing a cloud. Yet there is a single flaw with them; there isn't much room in the front, causing it to be somewhat tight around my crotch. I suppose I can't blame her for that. Ponies are constructed differently than humans in that regard. The jeans come next, and I find them to fit my legs snugly and comfortably. Following that is a raglan patterned long-sleeved shirt, colored white with black sleeves. It's been a while since I've worn a shirt, so the sensation causes me to shiver after slipping it on. Lastly, I slide on a sage green denim jacket complete with two pockets on either size. Glancing in the mirror, I turn my body, finding everything to both fit me well and look good. For the first time since arriving in Equestria, I feel warm and comfortable. I'd almost feel like normal, if it weren't for my hair. Rarity really went all out for this. For clothes of this quality, I feel like I should be paying her everything I have, especially if she made ten full sets. I make sure to grab my wallet, phone, keys and rifle, and then I return to the first floor, where Rarity is waiting expectantly. She beams upon seeing me. "There you are. Well? How do they feel? Do they fit right?" Rarity looks so excited to hear my answer that I fear she might burst. "Don't be shy now." "Rarity... they're excellent. I have no other words to describe them." I decide that being honest is the best reward I can give her. Setting aside my thoughts about her personally, I can't deny that she possesses real talent. "How did you manage to recreate my jeans to such intricate detail?" "I'm so glad you like them! I was worried that you might not. Ponies don't usually wear pants in this style, so it took me multiple attempts to get the details just right." Rarity lets out a sigh of relief. "You're telling me you created these from memory?" I indicate the jeans. "I can't say I did so completely from memory; I did have some pony clothes made from denim that I could reference." Rarity admits, though it doesn't make her work seem any less incredible. "That's impressive. They're everything I could have asked for. You're certain I can't pay you for this?" I'm already starting to fish out the bag containing my bits, but the moment I pull it out, Rarity shoves it right back in my pocket with her magic. "Uh-uh-uh! We made a deal, did we not?" Rarity puts on a smirk for a brief moment, but then her expression becomes somewhat sheepish. "I will admit I got the teensiest bit ahead of myself and pushed off my other orders. If you would like more clothing, I would need to ask for some compensation, as much as I would rather not charge you." "That's only fair." I agree. I'd very much rather not be indebted to this mare. "Now, if you'll do me a favor and try on the rest of these outfits so I can see how you look in them..." Rarity starts to suggest, but then she trails off, regarding me with dissatisfaction. "Hmm...but maybe..." "What?" I ask, noticing with some confusion that she's gazing intently at the mess that is my hair. I take a step back, feeling a little worried. "I've decided! I'd like to do something with that mane of yours, if you wouldn't mind indulging me," Rarity proclaims. "It's been bothering me every since you came downstairs." "Absolutely not. No one touches my hair except me," I say instantly without even having to think about it. "Come now, darling, it's your most defining feature! Yet it's only been getting worse and worse each time I see you, and it's simply a tragedy. It would be a crying shame to let it deteriorate!" Rarity insists. "With a little bit of work, I promise you I could make your wonderful mane shine!" "Did you not hear me? I said no. It's already in pretty poor shape, and I don't trust you, nor anyone else, not to ruin it any further," I snap. Her questions aside, I'm surprised she picked up on the fact that I value my hair so highly. "Ruin it!? Pffff," Rarity scoffs as if physically disgusted by the very idea. She then run s a hoof delicately through her meticulously groomed mane. "You don't think I keep my own mane styled so fabulously merely through luck, do you?" "Pardon me if I don't pay attention to pony aesthetics." My sarcasm earns a huff from her. "Besides. It's hardly the same thing. Pony hair products are designed for ponies, not for humans. What if using your shampoo irreparably damaged my hair?" "I hardly think it could look any worse than it already does, to be entirely honest," Rarity's blunt words feel like a smack in the face, making me mourn the loss of my once proud hair even more. I self-consciously twirl my fingers in my hair, already feeling the grease building up on them. "Furthermore, I don't believe there's a real difference like you say. Your mane is made from keratin, is it not?" Rarity levitates a stool in front of her and hops atop of it. "Let me see. hold still if you will." She extends her hoof and starts feeling up my hair, grimacing at the grease that ends up on her hoof. That makes me uncomfortable, so I push her away after a few seconds. "My apologies. As I expected, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. It feels the same as any other mane, grease and filth aside." She actually brings up a fair point; one that I feel stupid for not thinking of earlier. By trying to protect my hair, it's only grown progressively worse. In the end, keratin is still keratin. Yet the idea of trusting her with my hair is still not an appealing one. "I don't like it. I've only ever let one person other than myself cut my hair, and that's only because he was doing it since I was born," I grumble, but any further arguing on my part would just make me look stubborn. "But I guess you're right. It can't really get any worse than it already is," I begrudgingly concede. "How are you going to do it, and how much will it cost me?" "Come along with me and I'll show you!" Rarity's face lit up. She practically bounced across the room to the door behind the stage and to the right, gesturing for me to follow her. "Don't worry about payment this time. If you think about it, I'm simply being selfish because I don't want you leaving grease stains on your brand new clothes." "That's probably the only technicality from you that I'm willing to accept." I follow her despite my mind screaming at me not to accept any more services from her. I pass through a doorway into a room that I can only describe as a hair salon, complete with vanities lining the walls and large hair dryers. Yet it's clear that all of these tools are designed for ponies due to their shape. For example, the vanities lack the hole in the front where the neck should go, because ponies are constructed differently and can just lower their heads in directly. "Hm...one moment. I'm sure I can put together something to make this easier on the both of us." Rarity starts by pulling over one of the chairs in the room towards one of the vanities, where she cranks it back until the top of the chair is level with the edge of the sink. "It's not ideal, but I can work with this." "What exactly are you going to do?" I eye the whole setup warily, second thoughts circling through my mind. "I'm glad you asked! First things first: I intend to give your mane a thorough washing. There's a great deal of grease and buildup, and it's all tangled from neglect. I have just the shampoo that will help clear all of that away!" Rarity produces a bottle and shows it to me, a pony with a sparkling mane emblazoned on the label, along with a great deal of Equestrian scrawl that I can't decipher. "Then, once everything is nice, clean, and smooth, I'll work some conditioner in to give it back some shine! I promise you'll be most satisfied with the result, if you just trust me for a little longer." Rarity pauses and looks at me with a tentative expression, as though she's waiting for my permission. I recall that I once told her that I didn't trust her before. That much hasn't changed, and it seems like she's picked up on that. "Like you said, it can't get any worse than it already is." I shrug and avert my eyes, gazing at the mirror instead. I sit down in the chair, guessing that it'll be the nearby vanity in which she washes my hair. "I guess do what you're going to do." "Thank you; I appreciate you giving me the opportunity! Now lay your head back, if you would." Rarity turns the faucet in the sink, the sound of running water filling my ears. I do as I'm directed, though I find it very difficult to relax. "Your mane is very long for a stallion; just think of the different styles I could implement! I could braid it in the back, or work it into a ponytail--pardon the pun." "I just want it straight and smooth, like it normally is. Don't try anything else." I cringe at the thought of having my hair anything other than my standard. I had enough people telling me I look like a girl without going out of my way to make it easier for them. "Aww, but you could do so much more with it!" Rarity whines, the mare looking put out by my words. When I don't respond, she heaves a sigh. "Alright, I suppose it is ultimately your decision. Lie still, if you please." I shudder as a jet of lukewarm water strikes the back of my head, soaking my matted hair and cascading down my scalp. After the initial shock, it begins to feel relaxing. The next sensation I feel is extremely odd; what I presume to be a hoof presses against my head as Rarity starts to work some of her shampoo deep down into the roots of my hair. Her hooves don't feel nearly as tough as I expected; instead, her hooves feel firm, yet ultimately soft. The strangest thing is that I can feel portions of her hooves moving around as she massages my scalp. I almost ask her about it; horses in my time could never exhibit such finesse with their hooves. I wonder if this is the secret behind how ponies hold objects without having hands or magic. "There we go...look at all that grease just wash away! And look at all that loose hair! This was a long time coming, darling." Rarity sounds particularly pleased with herself as she works. I notice her eyes falling over my face, and she clicks her tongue lightly. "Do you mind if I make an observation?" "As long as it doesn't get too personal," is my blunt response. Typically when someone asks for permission to say something, it has the potential to be something I don't want to hear. "I merely wanted to comment on your physical appearance. To tell the truth, you're rather easy on the eyes," Rarity says with a smile. I blink, wondering with a sinking feeling in my gut if I heard her correctly. "A lot of ponies appreciate the fair of face, including myself. No doubt you'll turn quite a few heads once my work here is done." "Back up a bit. What!?" I have to stop her; her thoughts have gotten too absurd to entertain any longer. "I think I need to have my ears checked. Because it sounds a lot like you just called me attractive, and I know that can't be right." "I'm merely stating my honest opinion. Why do you sound so put off?" Rarity questions as her hooves leave my head just long enough for the jet of water to run through my hair again. "Because you're ponies. You should not under any circumstance find someone of another species attractive, especially one so wildly different from you. That's just twisted and unnatural." I decide to lay out my feelings as clearly as possible, in order to avoid another situation like with Lyra. Unlike Lyra, I can't just cut Rarity out of my life as easily. "Now, I think you're reading much too far into this. As a fashionista, I work with beauty, and I've come to appreciate it where I can find it." Rarity taps my head lightly, causing me to turn my head long enough for her to wash that side easier. It almost sounds like she's scolding me. "As you may have heard, there are more than just ponies in this world; I've had the personal pleasure of meeting several of these species. Griffons, minotaurs, diamond dogs, even dragons, each is beautiful in their own way, unique to that species. Do you mean to tell me I can't find a dragoness with sparkling violet scales beautiful?" "I suppose not, if that's all there is to it." I wince as Rarity runs a comb through my wet hair, finding each and every knot in the strands and smoothing them out. "You're the first I've seen of your species; the closest species I can equate you with is the minotaurs. In comparison, you are far the fairer one." Rarity continues. "Based on your vehement reaction, you seem worried that my interest may lay beyond that of a simple compliment. Rest assured it does not." "Thank God. I've already had one pony show that kind of interest, and I'm not speaking to her anymore. I was beyond disgusted." I've never felt more relieved to hear her explanation. I couldn't afford another Lyra. "Why is that? One would think you would be flattered," Rarity appears legitimately confused by my reaction. "Do I seriously have to explain this? I repeat: you're ponies. You should be attracted to other ponies." Disbelief colors my tone. "Aren't there laws or something against this kind of thing?" "Of course not! Perish the very thought; what kind of fiend would ever place a restriction on love!?" Rarity's reaction is just as vehement as mine, shocking me. She starts to work conditioner into my hair as we continue our conversation. "Unless...this is yet another difference in culture between ponies and humans." "That's one hell of a difference," I mutter. "So you're trying to tell me that any relationship is acceptable, regardless of species or sex?" "Precisely! I am of the mind that love is beautiful, wherever one may find it," Rarity answers. I scoff under my breath at her wording. I believe the word she's looking for is lust--love is but a prettier way to refer to the same thing. Contrary to what she just said, there is absolutely nothing beautiful about lust... but I won't get into that with her. "I'm glad I was able to tell you about this; when we're finished here, I doubt that pony you mentioned will be the only one to show interest. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to broaden your horizons?" "Hell no. Never," is my immediate response, earning a disapproving glance from her. "Just great. That's exactly what I needed. Can we change the topic please?" "Very well. I shall mind my own business, if that is what you desire. Do with my compliment as you may." Rarity's words are short and clipped, suggesting that she's not very pleased with my reaction. I ignore her tone, feeling more than a little disconcerted by that conversation. I've learned that according to pony society, Lyra isn't screwed in the head for flirting with me, a member of another species. As disturbing as that is to me, I reassure myself by reasoning that it's unlikely I'll have any further troubles. Lyra is the only individual in my entire life to show any kind of attraction towards me, so the odds of that happening again ever are slim to none. Rarity turns off the water and dries my hair partly with a towel. Then she uses a hairdryer over the course of the next few minutes to gradually remove the remainder of the moisture, while running a comb gently through my hair to remove any remaining knots. When she's finished, she sets the comb aside and winches the chair back up. "Finished! Take a look! I think you'll be very pleased," Rarity announces, the pride evident in her voice. I sit up slowly, and before I even look at the mirror, I can already tell that my hair is back to normal, just from the way it settles on my neck. Rather than feeling like greasy string, it feels once again like smooth silk, as it should. Additionally, my scalp feels pleasantly cool and free of irritation. I turn to look at the mirror to see a man I don't feel disgusted to look at anymore. My hair is back to its former glory, my locks shimmering and resting around my neck neatly, the ends perfectly aligned. Seeing this in conjunction with my new clothes does wonders for my state of mind; I feel like myself again. I'm very pleased. I reach into my bag and withdraw five bits, extending them out to Rarity. She glances at them in confusion. "You don't need to pay me, dear. I'd thought we'd discussed this," Rarity reminds me, making no move to take the bits from me. "We did. Consider this a tip for exceptional service." Despite the fact that Rarity claims she's getting as much out of this as I am, I feel that she's going to an incredible amount of effort for me, and that makes me uneasy. "Oh! Well, I do appreciate it, but isn't five bits a little much for a tip?" Rarity points out. "Isn't giving me ten free outfits and a hair cleaning a little much for artistic enjoyment?" I counter instantly. "Despite your valid reasoning, fabric isn't cheap, and neither are hair products. You've set yourself back significantly for my sake." "Well yes, but...it's really nothing. I'm simply happy I could help." Despite her misgivings, Rarity does take the five bits from me, setting them on the counter. "Thank you for the tip! Now, shall we return to the main room? I have nine more outfits for you to try!" I nod, and together the two of us make our way back to the main room. I glance into the mirror again as I pass, running a hand through my hair and sighing with satisfaction. It's been a very long and arduous day, and my life has the potential to be very different from here on out. I'm not sure if Rainbow is right and that pursuing a future in music will help me past the despair I still feel deep in my subconscious and give me a reason to keep going, but I do know that facing the future with a set of warm clothes and a well groomed hairstyle is a good first step in the right direction. I only have to go through nine pairs of clothing before I can go home tonight.
Tales of the Oppressed	14. The Long Road to Recovery (rw)	"I usually try to integrate colors that accentuate one's coat, eyes, and mane" Rarity says as she passes me the soft white jacket belonging to the outfit that I'm currently wearing. I graciously accept it and slip my arm through the sleeves, enjoying the way the fluffy insulation feels against my skin. "Though I must say, it's been an exciting challenge to tailor my color palette to work with black mane. Such a color is rare among Equestrian ponies, if not nonexistent." "So I've noticed. I'm still trying to wrap my head around your over-the-top color schemes." I zip up the jacket and move my arms around to test how comfortable the material is, though at this point I doubt I'll find much to complain about. After trying on nine of her outfits, it's become clear that she's exceptionally talented in the art of the needle. "This one's good too. At this point I don't even know why I'm still trying them on; it's obvious you got my measurements down right." "Why, it's so I can see them on you, of course! I must know if my color predictions are just right!" Rarity insists, floating the last of the outfits towards me. A light pair of black slacks with a similarly colored light jacket perfect for casual wear when I'm at the house for the day. Rarity has stated more than once this sitting that she isn't a fan of darker clothing so to counterbalance it, the outfit is accented with various silvers, whites, and greens where she could get away with it. "Now, try this last one on. I do hate to rush you, but Sweetie Belle will be here soon and I need to prepare something to eat." "Alright." My thoughts turn to the rest of the evening. I'm not quite sure what I should be doing now. I've always been busy up until the moment it grew dark outside, but now I have nothing on my plate. I scoff quietly to myself, lamenting how reliant on books and technology I was to entertain myself back in my era. Now that I can't read the local language and technology is little more than a pipe dream, that leaves me with barely anything to do when I'm not working. Just as I'm zipping the jacket on the last outfit, I hear a light knocking at the door. It's so quiet that I almost thought I imagined it. Yet Rarity's ears twitch, suggesting she heard it as well. "I know that knock." With a knowing smile, she walks over to the front door and opens it telekinetically. "Good evening, Fluttershy! What brings you by so late in the evening?" The two of them talk together about a spa appointment that they had that needed to be moved, but I don't pay much attention to it. Now fully dressed in Rarity's last outfit, I believe I'm just about done here. I need to get all of these clothes home to Vinyl's house, then figure out what to do with the rest of my evening. However, the moment I walk out from around the changing screen, Fluttershy immediately trails off mid sentence, her eyes widening upon seeing me. I recall the way she ran away from me the previous evening, and the way she hid behind the others when I returned to town. It seems like her parents hit the nail on the head when it came to naming their child. "Well, this is the last outfit. If you're satisfied, do you mind if I take them all back with me now?" I choose to disregard Fluttershy's presence. I've already interrupted their conversation and it's clear my presence makes her uncomfortable, so I might as well leave. "Not at all! Will you need help getting them home? There are ten of them, after all," Rarity offers, the mare turning away from Fluttershy briefly. The instant no one is focusing at her, Fluttershy slowly creeps behind one of the curtains that hang over the alcoves. "I'll manage fine on my own." That sounds like permission to me, so I retrieve the remainder of the outfits and carry them over my shoulder, my hand clasped tightly around the hooks of the hangers. "Thanks for the clothes, Rarity. I'll probably see you later." "Just one moment, if you please. Have you met Fluttershy yet?" Rarity stops me before I can reach the door. "Not officially, but I know she's friends with you all," I sigh, sensing a forced introduction in the works. I cannot fathom why Rarity would try to introduce us, considering Fluttershy is now almost entirely hidden behind the curtain. "Now's the perfect time for an introduction, then! Fluttershy is one of my dearest friends, so..." Rarity turns to look at where Fluttershy used to be, only to met by nothing. "Oh, Fluttershy...you must forgive her, Seth. She's very shy around those she's unfamiliar with." "I hadn't noticed," I dry respond. "But you needn't bother. It's obvious she doesn't want to talk to me, and I don't exactly blame her. So I'll just leave you two in peace." "Seth, she doesn't mean it like that." Rarity attempts to persuade me, taking a step closer to me. "You must understand that you're not the most...approachable of individuals. She's just uncertain how you'll react." "I'm sorry..." Fluttershy's quiet voice comes from behind the curtain. "I'm not offended." I reassure them. Telling me I'm not approachable isn't that surprising; such has been the image I've presented for years. "But I know her name, and she knows mine. I know she's friends with you, so I'll make an effort to be civil for your sake in the occasion we have a reason to interact. Satisfied?" "Not...quite, but I suppose that's the best I can expect from you," Rarity reluctantly concedes, giving me a disapproving stare. "If I may give my opinion, you don't always need a reason to interact with someone." "Noted," I say, feeling a twinge of annoyance at her words. Part of me wants to point out how little I care for her patronizing, but I ultimately think better of it. Regardless of how I personally feel, she's done me a great service by clothing me for the winter and taking care of my hair. The least I can do is keep my mouth shut for now. Grabbing my rifle from where I left it, I head for the front door. "I'll be leaving now." "Of course. Do visit whenever you like. My door is always open." Rarity watches me leave with a soft smile, despite the various disagreements we'd have over the course of my stay. I shake my head, finding it odd that she isn't sick of being near me by now. Stepping outside isn't as hellish an experience as to what I'm used to, despite the rapidly chilling air. Rarity's clothing does a remarkable job at keeping my body warm. With the rest of her clothes slung over my shoulder, I make my way back through the town towards Vinyl's house. On the way back, I end up taking a different path than usual in order to circumvent a small group of ponies that looked to be partaking in some sort of social event. In the process, I spot a small hole in the wall shop decorated with musical notes. That alone is enough to catch my attention, so I move forward to take a closer look. A quick glance in the window tells me that the shop is exactly what it looks like; a music store. I mentally mark its location, and then continue on my way. "Glad to see you back! Sorry about earlier tod...whoa." Vinyl glances up from the couch to greet me once I walk through the front door, but she trails off when she gets a good look at me. "Seth, is that you?" "Unless you know any other humans," I tiredly reply. "What's with the looks?" "You look great, especially your mane! You're even decked out in brand new threads!" Vinyl complimented me, the mare leaping over the back of the couch and walking up to me. She sniffed the air and nodded, a smirk crossing her face. "Also it helps that you don't smell like a stallion's locker room anymore." "Thanks a lot," I sarcastically say as I make my way over to the stairs. Despite this being the first instance of smack talk she's ever shown me, a response is quick on my lips due to several years of habit between Amaryllis and myself. "I see your living room still looks like a contamination zone." "Pfff...fair enough," Vinyl admits with a grin, not offended in the least. "So what are you up to tonight?" "I haven't a clue. Let me get all these clothes upstairs, and then I'll figure something out." I take a moment to rush upstairs with my burden of clothes and make my way towards the closet, which has just enough room to fit all of my outfits inside. Keeping my rifle with me as always, I walk back downstairs, completely bereft of anything else to do for the remainder of the evening. "So yeah, as I was saying..." Vinyl says from the only free space on the couch, before proceeding to lift up a pile of wires, records, and other assorted paraphernalia from around her, freeing up a space beside her. She pats the spot with a hoof, leaving an unspoken invitation hanging in the air. "Sorry how we all ganged up on you at once this afternoon. I know you said you felt interrogated." "It's whatever." I take the seat offered to me, though I make sure to leave plenty of space between the two of us. The moment I sit down, I realize just how exhausted both my mind and body have become. A yawn leaves my mouth, and the idea of an early bedtime seems greatly appealing. "I don't know why you all act like you care so much. It would have been easier for you all to just shrug and let me be." "Dude, I thought something might have happened to you after you didn't come back last night. I was literally on my way to the guard when Twilight found me." Vinyl spoke as though her actions should have been self-explanatory. "Is it so weird that we'd be worried when you just up and left without a word?" "Yes. Especially when I've been making and will continue to make your lives difficult." My answer comes to me as easily as breathing. Vinyl flinches, and then an exasperated sigh leaves her. She looks like she's going to argue, but pauses as she realizes something. "'Continue?' Hold up, didn't you say you were leaving Ponyville after a week or so? You know, back at Pinkie's Party?" Vinyl recalls, leading me to remember that she hadn't been around when I mentioned that I wasn't leaving anymore. "You decide to stick around?" "I don't have much of a choice. There's nowhere left for me to go," I shrug helplessly. There's no point in hiding it from her. Vinyl blinks, confused. "What do you mean? You were pretty dead set on getting out of town." Vinyl further prompts me when it became clear I wasn't going to elaborate. She realized something and hastily lifted her hooves placatingly. "Don't get me wrong, I've got no issue with you sticking around." "You probably figured it out, but I'm not in Equestria by choice. I was brought here...forcefully...through magic. That's why there aren't other humans around." My confession causes Vinyl's eyes to widen with surprise. I feel uncomfortable revealing as much as I am, but if she didn't learn it from me, Twilight would probably tell her eventually; that pony has already shown that she can't keep a secret to save her life. "I thought I had a way out...but I don't anymore. So even if I did leave, where would I go?" "Dang...that's heavy stuff. Explains a bit too," Vinyl lowers her hooves, the mare looking at me with shock. I avert my eyes, not wanting to see the look of sympathy that inevitably follows. "If it helps, you can stay here as long as you want." At that offer, I look back at her, attempting to gauge whatever she might be thinking through her expression; something at which I've never been good. Yet, even as she shows me what I think is supposed to be a reassuring smile, I still can't fathom why she'd want me around for that long. "As long as our arrangement remains in place," I finally say, feeling at a loss. More importantly, there's another topic I haven't tackled yet. "That reminds me; when am I paying you for this week?" "Oh yeah, it has been a week, hasn't it? You can pay me tomorrow, and we'll make that the day," Vinyl lazily responds, adjusting readily to the change in subject. "Speaking of which, can I take your tomorrow evening?" "For what, another gig?" I ask. "Nah, I don't have another of those until Monday." Vinyl waved a hoof dismissively. "No, I figured we should visit the mayor and get the paperwork out of the way. We've been putting that off too long." "Right...I suppose so. I should be free." I wince at the thought of dealing with the all-consuming monster that is bureaucracy, but I assure myself that it can't be worse than the sheer amount of hoops my old college used to make me jump through. As soon as that thought enters my head, another yawn escapes me, reminding me just how exhausted I am. "I think I'm going to retire early. It's been...a very long day." "Alright. You relax here then. I should probably throw something together to eat." Vinyl gets off of the couch with an overdramatic groan and heads towards the kitchen, signalling the end of our conversation. After a short meal, I retire to my room and undress, making sure to take good care of my new clothes. Then, I lay down on the bed, letting out a long sigh at the comfort. I haven't slept in well over twenty four hours, my eyelids feeling like they have lead weights strapped to them. Ultimately, being alone in my room causes me to briefly reflect over the day's events. Particularly, the scene at the cliff keeps replaying in my head. It's unsettling how close to death I was, and even more so how much I wanted it. I was so ready to admit that living was too much for me to handle. More than that, though, Rainbow's words both at the cliff and at the farm wouldn't leave my head. I don't think I'll be able to forget them, ever. I repeat them to myself mentally. I have nothing in this world; no friends, no family, no past, and no purpose. I have nothing to live for. Nothing. Yet Rainbow seems to think I should persist for the sake of those close to me who are no longer around...that I should live for myself. I roll over, my thoughts keeping me awake despite my exhaustion. I honestly don't know if I can do this. The path forward according to Rainbow sounds simple; follow my passion for music and re-establish myself here, but it isn't easy. I don't know if I can do it. A future on my own without Amaryllis seems to hold only loneliness and an empty existence, coasting through life one day at a time. Before I realize it, my cheeks are wet from tears, my eyes stinging. A surge of self-loathing comes over me at my own weakness. Half of me wishes I could just go back to the way I used to be before I met Amaryllis when I was perfectly content to be alone, and the other half recoils at the idea of having never met her. My thoughts grow more and more indistinct, until I finally drift off to sleep, Rainbow's words still echoing in my mind. A half-asleep Vinyl wakes me up the following morning, mumbling something about a time turner and an alarm clock. She manages to prepare breakfast--miraculously not tripping over her own hooves--allowing me to feed myself and get out the door in a reasonable amount of time. I'm not much better off than her; I'm still exhausted. If I can get home from the mayor's office at a reasonable hour, I hope to once again get to sleep early. Considering my track record, however, I don't see that being likely. "Mornin', Seth! I see you finally stopped by Rarity's place." Applejack greets me when I arrive at the farm, glancing over my warmer clothes with approval. I return her greeting with a firm nod...and then I notice with dread that Apple Bloom is here as well, showing no signs of getting ready to go to school. "Hi, Mr. Seth! I'll be working with y'all today!" Apple Bloom greets me as well, looking more excited than she should be to work with me. I guess they have weekends off from school too. I mentally praise Vinyl for giving me an excuse to skip out on her and her friends this evening, assuming they accost me with requests to play with them again. We don't spend much time on greetings before we get to work. With a long ten hours of work ahead of me, I proceed to shut off my mind and focus entirely on the work put in front of me. It's no longer as excruciating as it used to be, thanks to Rarity's clothing, but exertion is still exertion. Applejack ramps up the difficulty of my chores as well. Once again, she takes me back to heavy lifting, but she sprinkles in less strenuous tasks here and there to give me a break so I don't tire myself out too quickly. Regardless of her consideration, my muscles burn constantly from the strain. "S'up, Applejack." Vinyl unexpectedly comes to meet us at the farmhouse just as the end of the work day rolls around, the evening sun reflecting off of her shades. "How's it hanging over here?" "I wasn't expecting you, Miss Scratch." Applejack politely responds, shocked by the presence of what is likely the closest thing to a celebrity the town has. "What can I do you for?" "Well, you can call me Vinyl, for one." Vinyl wrinkles her nose at the polite way she'd just been addressed. "Other than that, nothing. I'm just here to pick up Seth so we can go and visit the mayor. You good to go, Seth?" "More or less... you didn't need to come all the way out here," I pant, my back resting against the wall, my pay for the day resting firmly in my jacket pocket. I notice a rather disappointed Apple Bloom standing in the door frame on the other side of the room. "On second thought, I'm glad you did. Let's get out of here." "Cool. I figured might as well; I needed to stretch my legs anyway. Saves you the walk back, too." Vinyl gestures towards the door with her head, and the two of us start to leave. "Hold up a sec." Applejack follows us outside, looking specifically at me. "You can have tomorrow off if you want it. Is that alright? I know y'all got this whole rent thing going on." "If it's about yesterday, don't worry about it. I'm fine." Though it confuses me that she'd bring this up now, when she's already seen me work yesterday and today. "No, it ain't about that. We here on the farm work pretty hard, so we try to take at least one day off to relax. For the most part, that ends up being Sunday, though we sometimes flip it around if something else comes up." Applejack says. "Does that make sense?" "Hmm." I mull it over; the idea of a day off from all this strenuous farm activity does sound appealing to me. I quickly run through some mental math, calculating how the drop in income from missing a day out of the week would affect my rent situation. "I suppose so. Alright, I won't come in tomorrow." "Glad to hear it. You take it easy, Seth." Applejack tips her hat, and then she retreats back within the farmhouse, leaving me to walk back to town with Vinyl. "Sweet, you get a day off! With all this manual labor you're always doing, you really look like you need it," Vinyl bumps up against my side with a grin. "You're alright with the pay cut, though?" "Yeah, I don't particularly care. I'm not trying to get out of town anymore, and my living expenses are handled by our arrangement," I explain with a shrug. Honestly I could cut my hours down even further, but then what would I do with myself? I was already struggling to think of ways to fill my schedule as is. "Which brings me to the question: how long is this meeting going to take?" "Shouldn't be too long. The mayor should have the contract drawn up already; we just have to sign it and we're good to go," Vinyl explains. That does sound reasonable, lessening my worries somewhat. "Just a little further. It's right in the town hall." We make our way to the large circular building smack dab in the middle of the town square and walk through the front doors, the wooden floors creaking beneath my feet. Inside, Vinyl exchanges a few words with the receptionist pony, who directs us to the mayor's office. The inside of the town hall is more or less a rustic version of a standard office building. I'm not too familiar with the way town halls work, but from what little I can see I note an area for record keeping, general storage, and offices for the various town officials where they handle the day to day affairs. In short, there's nothing interesting to look at. "Come in!" A proper sounding female voice sounds out moments after Vinyl knocks on the door. The DJ opens the door to reveal a normal pony with a groomed beige coat and a grey mane sitting behind a desk. She wore a collar and a set of spectacles that balanced precariously atop her nose. Upon seeing us, she put on a smile and stood up from her desk. "Ah, Vinyl, I've been expecting you. And you..." "I do apologize for not coming to greet you sooner. I admittedly had some trouble genuinely believing that there was in fact a bona fide human living in our town." The mayor walked around her desk and moved up to me, offering her hoof. "My name is Mayor Mare, and it is my pleasure to officially welcome you to Ponyville!" "You can just call me Seth." I accept her hoof briefly, keeping my comments about her name to myself. "Thanks, I guess. I suppose I am living here now." "That's right! It's about time to make that official, don't you think?" The mayor beamed and returned to her desk just long enough to produce the rent contract. "I'm glad you came to me before making your first rent payment. There's quite a lot of legal legislation to follow when it comes to this sort of thing, and it would have been a massive headache to deal with had you already paid." "Legislation?" I ask curiously. "I'm just paying rent, aren't I?" "Yes, of course. But this can be classified under tax income, so it's a problem if it were to go unreported. There's all sorts of hooves that could be stepped on in that unfortunate event, and several departments that the documents would have to pass through before the problem was properly resolved," Mayor Mare attempted to explain. I just blink; none of that makes any sense to me. I've never had to live on my own before, so learning how taxes and rent payments and such worked was never a priority. "But you don't need to worry about all of that. Just sign along this line here, and you'll be good to go!" "Do I need to read the contract to you, Seth?" Vinyl asked, lifting up the contract telekinetically and bringing it up to her face. "It's more or less the same as what you signed back at the party...except the wording is a lot more complicated." "So, a room, two meals a day, and access to utilities?" I repeat just to make sure I remembered the terms. When Vinyl confirms, I nod. "In that case you don't need to read it. Let's just sign it." "Fair enough." Without wasting any more words, Vinyl brings up a quill to the parchment and scrawls her name in the typical Equestrian script and then passes it to me. I take the quill next, gripping the flimsy thing in my hand just long enough scribble down my own name. "Alright, and that's that. That should be everything, right?" "That's right! That's all you needed to do," Mayor Mare then turned to me one last time. "Congratulations; with this document, you're officially a citizen of Ponyville! Once again, welcome!" "Right..." For better or worse, this is yet another way of confirming just how stuck here I really am. "There, that wasn't that bad, was it?" Vinyl ribs me once we've left the town hall, already tucking our copy of the contract into her bag. "In and out!" "It was better than I expected, I'll admit." I take a glance up at the sky, noting that although it's getting dark, there's still some time left in the day. The question is: what should I do with it? "I expected a lot more paperwork." "It's not like you're buying the house or anything. You think you've seen paperwork..." Vinyl visibly shudders at the thought. I don't bother to argue that. I've only ever rented a college dorm, and that had enough paperwork. I can't even imagine how buying a house would compare to that. "Alright, so home it is?" "That sounds good." No sooner do those words leave my mouth than a better idea comes to me, now that I have some extra time to myself. "Actually, on second thought, you go on ahead. There's someplace I want to visit." "Oh yeah? No problem. I'll just head home and throw something together for food." Vinyl seems curious, but to my relief, she doesn't prod any further. She gives me a wave when I break off from her down a separate street. "Catch you tonight!" It's refreshing to have some time to myself out in the streets, especially now that I have someplace to go. It's not hard to find my way, either. The town isn't that large and I've have enough time to familiarize myself with its layout over the past week and make mental landmarks for reference points. As a consequence, I've started to recognize individual ponies that I pass by as well; another testament to the small community in which I now live. For example, there's a group of three mares with various botany related cutie marks who tend to talk in obnoxiously loud voices and exaggerate their words and emotions. There's also that chocolate brown stallion with the hourglass on his flank that I once bumped into outside the library. It's hard to miss him or the cream colored mare with the rose cutie mark that often follows him around due to their tendency to gaze at me with barely hidden interest. "Hi, Mr. Seth!" Sometimes, I even pass by Derpy, the wall-eyed mare I met back at the party. We don't often interact, but I typically return her greeting with a wordless wave just to be polite. Out of all the ponies I've interacted with, she's the only one that I've never had an argument with, so she at least warrants some small niceties. The only encounter that I'd consider objectively unpleasant so far is with Bon Bon, that mare who is always with Lyra. She tends to glare at me when she thinks I'm not looking, no doubt bitter about the way I've been dealing with Lyra. I don't pay her much attention, however; dirty looks aren't anything new to me. All in all, none of these encounters warrant much of a reaction from me, which suits me just fine. The only ponies I'd rather not run into are Lyra and... "Oh hey! What's up?" Rainbow Dash. The mare towards which I harbor many conflicting emotions suddenly zips down from the sky to fall in step beside me. Naturally, the first thing she notices is my appearance. "Whoa, look at that! You actually don't look like Rarity's next headache anymore!" "I'm ever so glad I have your approval." Good to know my sarcasm is still in full effect. "Though coming from a pony who doesn't understand how color contrast works, I'd say it doesn't mean much." "Pfff, you're just jealous that you can't look this good." Rainbow flips a hoof through her multicolored mane, looking extremely proud of her appearance. She grins, seeming to respond well to my sarcasm despite how rude others might find it. "Guess going to Rarity's worked out for you, huh?" "More or less." I'm getting close to my destination, and I'd rather Rainbow not be around when I get there. "So do you have any particular reason for talking to me?" "Reason? Not really. Just saw you walking and thought I'd drop by to say hi!" Rainbow replied with a shrug. I roll my eyes, having figured as much. "So...uh...how are you adjusting?" "That's a difficult question. How one adjusts to the fact that they're living in a world filled with multi-coloured talking ponies is beyond me. I'm still not over that." Her suddenly awkward tone is enough to tell me that she's asking about my state of mind. I'd rather avoid the serious topic, so of course I need to be facetious. My attempts earn a huff from her. "Seriously though, you shouldn't bother to keep asking. You've already done enough, so your conscience should be clear." "Huh? What is that supposed to mean?" Rainbow seems both confused and defensive. I sigh, realizing I've said too much. "Why wouldn't I ask? In case you forgot, we're friends now." "So you keep saying." Rainbow doesn't seem to understand that friendship is a two way street, and I'm not feeling anything of the sort towards her. My feelings toward her can't readily be explained, though resentment, annoyance, confusion, and exasperation are descriptions that primarily come to mind. I sigh; all I would achieve if I bring any of that up is another argument. "Actually, you know what? Forget I said anything." "Wait wha...you can't just leave me hanging!" Rainbow expresses, frustrated with my obstinance. When I don't respond, she groans. "You are just so stubborn!" "Takes one to know one. You're still here, so you're just as stubborn as me, if not more so." "That's not true! You're at least twenty...no, thirty percent more stubborn than me!" Rainbow retorts, causing me to look at her oddly. "Did you just... you can't use percentages to refer to abstract concepts like stubbornness; that doesn't make any sense!" "Oh yeah? Well, you don't make any sense!" Rainbow emphatically sticks her tongue out at me. "Dear god, I'm talking to a child. What has my life come to?" "At least I know how friendships work!" "Seriously, we're back to that again?" "Yes, we're back to that again!" Our admittedly childish argument carried on for so long that I've reached my destination: the music store that I'd spotted yesterday. It's hard for me to remember why I came, however, as Rainbow glares at me with her face set in a stubborn pout. Moments later, her expression dissolves into mirth as she suddenly starts to chuckle. "What's so funny?" I ask, confused. "Snrk...nothing. You're kinda fun to mess with," Rainbow remarks in good humor. I blink at her, flabbergasted. Nothing about our conversation was all that funny... actually, now that I think about it, I guess it was a little silly. I hadn't intended on entertaining her though. "Oh hey, this is Noteworthy's shop, isn't it?" "You know the place?" I allow the change in subject, grudgingly accepting that she is just going to be along for the ride this time. "Yeah, I've heard about it. Never needed to go inside, though. My voice is my instrument!" Rainbow boasts proudly. "You can sing?" That's odd enough for me to take an interest. With a scratchy speaking voice like hers, I can't imagine she'd be a good singer. Yet the thought of her having a musical talent is an interesting one. "Hay yeah I do! I've got a great set of chords that any mare would be jealous of!" Rainbow proclaims. I give her a disbelieving look; with her constant boasting, you'd think she was good at everything. "Maybe you'll hear me at some point, if you're lucky." "I'm sure." When I decide I want my eardrums to spontaneously combust. "Anyway, I'm going in here. Surely you have better things to do than follow me around." "Nope!" Rainbow replies cheerfully, much to my dismay. "I'm done with work for today, so I think I'll keep you company a bit longer. Lucky you, right?" "Yeah, lucky me." I sigh again and finally go into the shop, a small bell ringing as the door opens to announce my entry. The moment I walk inside, I feel like I've stepped into a small piece of heaven. The first thing I notice is that the shop is small and holds a very limited stock. Yet from what I see, the stock it does have looks only marginally different than what I might see in my own era. There are electric keyboards, guitars both electric and acoustic, amplifiers, and other paraphernalia that wouldn't be out of place in a human Guitar Center. The only differences are the design of the individual instruments, the brand names (which I of course can't read), and that the equipment that would ordinarily be electric are equipped with crystalline orbs as opposed to power supplies. "Ah, welcome to my shop, miss Dash!" A blue stallion makes his presence known from behind a small counter, where it looks as though he had been reclining in a bean bag. He leaps to his hooves and moves to greet us. He naturally pauses upon seeing me. "And...oh, you're the human I've been hearing about, aren't you?" "That's right. I'm looking to start up a hobby in music," I explain to him without looking at him. Instead, I peruse his wares. My first instinct is to check the price tags, but I can't read them, so I've no idea if what I'm looking at is in my price range. "Me being human isn't a problem, is it?" "Of course not! I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I'm Noteworthy, and I own this shop," the stallion responds placatingly. "Please, browse at your leisure. If you need my recommendations on anything in particular, feel free to ask." "Thanks, but I think I know what I'm after." I never did care to work with store officials, and now is no exception. That being said, I do need an interpreter. I glance over at Rainbow, meeting her gaze in the process. "Rainbow, as long as you're here, make yourself useful and read these price tags to me." "Huh? Why can't you read them yourself?" Rainbow asks, looking confused. Right, I never told her. "I can't read your language, and I'd like to know if I can afford anything here." I deadpan. Rainbow blinks and then looks sheepish. From there, she and I make our way down the selection of keyboards and guitars. Unfortunately, it seems I was right to be concerned. Just like in my era, getting a decent guitar is extremely expensive, with bit prices ranging in the hundreds. The same goes for the pianos. That being said, not everything is outside my price range. "Ah, a budding guitarist, are we?" Noteworthy asks amicably as I place my purchases atop the counter. While electric guitars are more my style, an acoustic is the closest I can get while still remaining affordable. In addition to the guitar, I've also bought a tuner and a set of guitar picks. "A solid choice! There's always a desire for good guitar players in contemporary bands, if that's what you're aiming for." "We'll see," I say, deliberately choosing not to be very talkative. When it comes to shopping, I mostly just want to get what I need and get out so I can get back home. Once my purchases are rung up and I've passed over the requisite bits, I grab my new guitar along with its accessories and leave the store, barely registering Noteworthy's response. "Heh, somebody looks excited," Rainbow observes smugly, the mare now hovering in the air beside me. "Do I?" I ask with a hint of surprise; I don't feel like I've been presenting myself any differently. "You must be! It's the first expression you've worn that hasn't been annoyed or angry!" Rainbow points out, poking at my cheek with a hoof. She then snickers. "Whoops, it's back to annoyed again." "Gee, I wonder why..." I retort, rubbing my cheek where she'd poked me. "It couldn't possibly have anything to do with this insufferable mare following me around. That would be insane." "It's not my fault you can't appreciate awesome," Rainbow flits around to my other side, somehow flying through the air upside down while looking insufferably smug. "So are you going to go home and rock out on your new guitar?" "As much as I can with an acoustic. Are you going to follow me all the way home?" "Thinking about it, if only to see how annoyed you'd get." Rainbow's words cause me to have an unwelcome case of deja vu. I shoot her a glare, but it only seems to amuse her. "Nah, I actually gotta scram and get some food. You gonna be at the gig on Monday?" "It's my job," I reply simply, mentally resigning myself to dealing with Rainbow that entire night, if this evening was anything to go by. "Don't let me be the one keeping you around." "It was fun! I'll catch you on Monday, then!" Rainbow gives me a wave, and then she disappears from my vision in a flash of multicolor, her speed as unreal as always. I watch her go for a moment, and then I make my way back to Vinyl's house. I glance at my new guitar. Rainbow was right about one thing; I am feeling some semblance of excitement at having an instrument of my own once again. My fingers already itch to touch the strings, and the familiar shapes of chords begin to form in my mind. When I reach Vinyl's house, I intend to make use of the rest of my evening, as well as the following day, to capitalize on my new ability to make music. Then we'll see if Rainbow's talk has any merit.
Tales of the Oppressed	15. A Return to Rock (rw)	"There you go. One week's worth of rent." I pass the bulging bag of bits over to Vinyl, rendering my total number of bits back down to zero. Not for the first time, I find myself bitter, yet wholly grateful that I don't have much of a need for bits at the moment, otherwise this moment would feel much more painful. "Sweet! That takes care of that." Vinyl accepts the bag and slides it in a cupboard beneath the coffee table. She immediately turns her gaze to the guitar case resting against the wall just behind me, hardly bothering to hide her interest. "So...I see you went and bought yourself a guitar. I guess all that talk about being a musician wasn't just talk, then." "You doubted me?" I question with a raised brow. "If so, why did you hire me?" "Relax, I'm only joking. I knew you were short on cash." Vinyl briefly gives me a wry look. "Back when we first met, you said you play the piano. You play guitar too?" "I tried a bunch of different instruments to pass the time growing up." At Vinyl's behest, the two of us move back to the couch with the guitar in tow. "Brass and woodwind instruments never really clicked with me, but I found an affinity for stringed instruments, like piano and guitar." "That's pretty cool. I'm actually a little jealous; I can sing I guess, but I'm all about that electric sound, so instruments are a no go for me." Vinyl motions over her shoulder, though I can't tell what she's trying to indicate. "You gonna try her out? I've got a soundproofed room in the back if you want to use it." "That depends, are you going to be watching?" I reply, not too crazy about the idea of having an audience before I've even had a chance to clear the rust out of my skills. "What, you get stage jitters?" Vinyl takes the chance to tease me, a grin crossing her muzzle. I roll my eyes, earning a chuckle from her. "Nah, you can have the room to yourself if you want. I want to hear you eventually though." "First I'm going to see how rusty I've become." I reply. "Do you care if I use the room now?" "Nah, go ahead. I figure you'd want to try her out the second you had a chance," Vinyl accurately states. "Come on, I'll show you where it is." I grab my guitar, and then Vinyl takes down the first floor hallway to a large room that has been thoroughly converted into a production level studio. The walls are covered with soundproofing material, and all of Vinyl's equipment--consisting of her turntables, speakers, and lighting equipment--is all set up in the back ready to go. "Vinyl," I say, a stray thought coming to me. "If I'm using your music room, what are you doing for the rest of the evening?" "Hay if I know. Maybe read some magazines or chill to some tunes in my room. Probably both." Vinyl shrugs. "Why, what's up?" "Nothing. Forget I asked." It feels odd that she's giving up this room so easily when I'm pretty sure she lives in here when I'm not around. "I'll see you later then." "For sure." With that, Vinyl leaves me to my own devices in the music room, closing the door behind her. This would mark the first time I've been in a fully soundproofed room. It's an odd sensation; I can hear every little movement that I make, yet at the same time, it all seems quiet. I clear my throat, finding that even my voice sounds weird without the echo. In spite of the surreal experience, I find myself excited to hear how the guitar will sound in such an environment. It's no secret that the best quality recordings were done in similar rooms to this. I remove the guitar from its case, revealing one not unlike Applejack's, except this one is brand new with a rich, glossy, wooden finish. Rolling over the chair from Vinyl's tables, I sit down and rest the guitar on my lap. One by one, I go through each of the strings, using my new tuner to ensure each string is properly in key. Clutching the pick loosely between my thumb and index fingers, I sigh. It feels like a lifetime has passed since last I've played. My fingers trace the patterns of familiar chords once again, and I start to play. At first I keep it simple, switching between the standard chords typically used in classic rock tunes just to see if I can remember finger placement. Ultimately, it's very much like riding a bike; it doesn't take long before the muscle memory kicks in. A feeling of satisfaction comes over me as I run through the notes to a rock song I remember, my head lightly bobbing up and down to the beat. My fingers slip every now and then, but that's only to be expected. The fact that I can do this much, along with the crystal clear sound coming from the guitar, is more than enough to sate me. "You're still going?" Vinyl whistles as she finds me the following morning still in the soundproofed room, guitar clutched firmly in my hands. "That's some dedication. Did you even go to bed last night?" "I didn't stay up all night, if that's what you're asking." I take my strumming hand away from the strings and turn to face her, a little peeved that I've been interrupted. "I went to bed not long after you did, and then woke up earlier than usual." "Waking up early when you don't have to? Sounds rough," Vinyl jokes. She motions back towards the door. "Anyway, there's food on the counter. Come get it while it's still hot, then we'll talk." Wondering what she means by that, I follow behind her to the breakfast table, where a steaming plate of eggs and toast rested on either side of the table, along with a folded up newspaper. "So how'd the session go? Still rusty?" Vinyl asks as she sits down at the table, her horn already lifting up the newspaper and unfolding it on the table beside her. "A little bit, but it's all coming back quickly enough." I sit down as well and reach for the plate, already starting to dig in. "Is it really that interesting to you?" "Yeah, duh. I'm a musician," Vinyl reminds me of the obvious, tapping a hoof to her muzzle. "Not to mention, it's cool to see you doing something other than working and sleeping. I was wondering how you hadn't gotten burnt out or bored out of your mind." "I...haven't had the time nor presence of mind." Vinyl's words hit me harder than I expect. I really haven't taken any time to relax at all since arriving in Equestria; it's just been wake up, eat, work at Applejack's, work with Vinyl, do other chores that need to be done, eat, and sleep. I notice Vinyl starting to look sympathetic. "Besides, how could I possibly be bored, considering every time I turn my back, another one of you ponies is sidling up to me, acting kind and getting offended?" "Ouch. Harsh," Vinyl remarks, turning the page of her newspaper. "Though that actually reminds me; since when did you and Dash start getting along?" "Oh for god's sake," I immediately say, rubbing my forehead in annoyance at the thought of that insufferable mare. "I wouldn't call it that. Somehow she went from hating me to never leaving me alone. I personally think it doesn't make any sense." "I did hear that she's been hanging around you. Not to mention you two apparently tussled. So did you like, fight out your differences? Because I could totally see that with her," Vinyl pressed curiously. "Come oon, gimme the deets." "More or less. Though my opinion of her hasn't much changed. She's still the same childish egotist who doesn't know when to quit. I don't know what's her angle, but whatever it is, it's not happening." I grow more and more uncomfortable as Vinyl insists. "What's it matter to you anyway?" "Hey, I'm just asking. She's a friend and it's a small town." Vinyl shrugs, sipping her coffee. "I wouldn't worry about her trying to get anything out of you. She's more likely to prank you than anything else." "Prank me? Are you serious? Is she a actually a child?" I repeat disbelievingly. "Nope, she's as old as me!" Vinyl affirms with a grin. "So what, you've never pulled off a good prank before?" "Why would I? It's ridiculous, and no self-respecting individual would ever stoop to such a level just for the sake of a few cheap laughs." I express, recalling the sort of nonsense people used to pull in high school. "Does she have nothing better to do?" "Whoa, dude. I think you should chill for a moment," Vinyl says while furrowing her eyebrows. "There's nothing wrong with a little practical joke here and there." "There is when it's at the expense of someone else." I counter, not convinced. "How is finding humor in the misery of other people a good thing? If anything, it shows how awful a person you are." "Hold on, what? Are we even talking about the same thing?" Vinyl laid down the newspaper, looking confused. "Who's humiliating who? What kind of pranks have you seen, dude?" "Well..." Memories of my early public school life come to mind; where I first started to realize that the world wasn't as kind as my family led me to believe. "Tripping someone with fishing wire, locking someone into the girl's bathroom at school and then getting a teacher, sending messages to someone pretending to be someone else. Those were the most popular ones," I say as I tick off each prank with my fingers. "Uh..." Vinyl's eyes widen as she listens to me, a firm look of disgust forming on her face. "Yeah, that's not what a prank is. That's just being a jerk. There's a big difference between the two. Pranks are supposed to be fun for everypony involved, not hurtful." "Either way, it doesn't seem like something a grown adult should be doing." I relent with a hint of bad grace. I'm not willing to change my opinion, regardless of how surprisingly noble her words sound. "You know, sometimes it's okay to let down your mane and have a little fun, even if it means acting a little like a foal." Vinyl admonishes me. I don't answer, focusing on eating the food in front of me. She sighs, but ultimately turns back to her newspaper rather than argue with me further. A long silence ensues between us as Vinyl scans the pages, and I finish up my meal. When Vinyl finally says something, it's in reaction to something she reads in the paper. "Uh oh." "What?" I ask before I can stop myself. Vinyl turns around the paper to show me a rather indistinct picture of what appears to be the Everfree Forest...and there's something large hidden within the trees. I can barely make it out, but there's no doubt that it's a predator of some sort due to the large pincers I can see. "What in the name of all that is holy is that!?" "Another reason to stay away from the Everfree Forest. Apparently we needed one more." Vinyl brings the newspaper back to keep reading. "Looks like the Scorpio is active again. Yeesh, that's just as bad as an Ursa Major." "I'm confused. Those are constellations. What do those have anything to do with monsters in the Everfree?" "Oh, there are also monsters that go by the same names. Supposedly they share an affinity or whatever with those constellations," Vinyl attempts to explain, though it only makes me more confused. "...This isn't making any sense to you, is it?" "Not one bit. Stars are hundreds of light years away from us; how could any monster possess any kind of affinity with them?" I remind her. Vinyl shrugs helplessly. "Magic?" "You've got to give me something more than that." This isn't the first time the answer to my questions has been magic. I'm getting really tired of hearing that as an acceptable explanation. "I dunno, dude, I'm just a DJ. Twilight might tell you, though. She knows pretty much everything," Vinyl remarks. "I just know the basics; they're real tough, mean and I should stay far away from them. The Ursa Major I know at least doesn't really leave its cave, but the Scorpio wakes up every so often and starts terrorizing the forest. I hear ponies have been going missing in that forest for centuries." "Well that's just great. Not ominous at all." I shudder at the thought that I could have run into such a monstrosity during my time in the forest. For better or worse, I was exceedingly lucky. "No kidding. Do yourself a favor and stay away from the forest, yeah? At least until that thing goes back to sleep." "Trust me, there is no force on this planet that could get me to go back to that forest." With that, I finish my meal and stand up from the table. "Thanks for the meal. I'm going to head to the shower then back to the music room." "Sounds good to me. Might join you in a bit." Vinyl calls after me as I go. Hearing that only causes me to sigh. Sure enough, Vinyl pokes her head into the music room not long after I get back to practicing. I do my best to keep playing, but before long, she slips entirely inside the room and closes the door behind her. I stop playing and turn to face her. "Can I help you?" I ask impatiently. "Aw, why'd you stop?" Vinyl expresses with clear disappointment. "You're not bad at all! I even had a little tune running in my head with those chords." "I'm grateful for the room, but I prefer to practice without an audience." I say with a shrug, lowering the guitar and placing it flat on my lap. "Come on, don't be like that. I just want to hear what kinds of songs you play. Country, rock, blues...? This mare is all kinds of curious!" Vinyl as she moves towards the corner of the room, close to where her turntables are. She puts on an awkward grin when she sees my unchanging expression. "Really, I'll be good. Not a sound from me." Her grin starts crumbling under my deadpan gaze. "Just a few minutes?" I glare at her, annoyed at her persistence. Despite her reassurances, I don't want her in the room while I play. But at the same time, it doesn't seem smart for me to argue too much with her when it's by her leave that I can even play in this room in the first place. I grit my teeth, resenting the fact that I took her offer; it feels like I unintentionally let her do me a favor. This resentment turns to resignation when I realize that if I hadn't agreed to use this room, Vinyl would have heard my playing through the walls anyway. This alone causes me to calm down. "A few minutes only. Then I'm going to ask you again to leave me to my practice." I relent before turning my gaze back to my guitar, ignoring Vinyl's happy confirmation. I move the pick to the strings...and realize I don't know what to play. Before, I was just running through simple songs I knew to pick up the groove. Out of the many guitar songs I remember, I've only mastered the solos of a scant few of them. Before I realize what I'm doing, I opt for the song that never failed to perk me up. It was a song that Amaryllis and I used to enjoy during those hours long trips in the car. At first, it's nothing more than a singular chord that I repeatedly play. I play that for a solid few seconds until I have the beat running in my head. Then, I start to run through the opening riffs of the song. Typically, these riffs were combined with the base chord, involving two separate guitarists. As the song turns into four separate chords to build up to the first verse, I realize that maybe starting off with one of the more difficult songs wasn't the most sensible idea. It's coming back to me easily enough, but it would have been much safer to start out with something simple. So why did I pick this one? What was I trying to prove? Vinyl listens intently as the song goes on, her head bobbing up and down in rhythm to the beat. When I reach the solo and my muscle memory kicks in, the shades slide down her nose as her eyes widen in surprise and admiration. A grin slowly crosses her muzzle as she moves over to her turntables. So intent am I on not screwing up the solo that I don't notice what she's doing. In fact, I'm several measures into the final chorus when I realize that the beat in my head isn't just in my head anymore. I blink up in surprise; a distinct electronic drum beat courses through the room, courtesy of the speakers set up around Vinyl's turntables. My first thought is to yell at her, my playing faltering in the wake of my surprise. Yet, I realize that the beat she's putting out fits with the song I'm playing rather well. I decide to wait until the end of the song before I confront her about it. "What did we say about not making a sound?" I demand of her, lowering my hand from the strings once again. "Hey, I technically didn't...it was my tables," Vinyl has the presence of mind to look sheepish at my confrontation. I shake my head in disbelief. "Hay with that, though. You're baller, dude! After hearing you do that solo, I had to join in. You needed a beat!" "Vinyl, you should have given me some warning. I've never played with someone else before," I tell her, my voice remaining calm. I'm not as angry as I feel I should be; despite her intruding on my practice in the first place, it didn't feel bad to have a backing beat. "Sorry, it was a spur of the moment thing. But really, you've always been solo? I can't believe it, not with that skill." Vinyl swiftly brings the topic back to me, her apology lasting no more than instant. "I've always found practicing on my own to be good enough," I reply. Yet I know that's not entirely true. My mood darkens as I remember the one person whom I eventually wanted to show my playing. "Are you satisfied now?" "Yeah, but I gotta see that again. Want to play through that again with me all the way through? I think I've got an idea how to play along. There's like five chords, right?" Vinyl's excitement seems only to be ramping up. "Dear Celestia, imagine how that would sound if it were a bit heavier..." "Vinyl, are you even listening to me?" She either doesn't hear me or chooses to blatantly ignore me, her eyes lighting up as an idea comes to her. Yet, due to the conflict I'm feeling between wanting solitude and having a backing beat, my words come quieter than usual. "Stay right there! I've got an idea!" Vinyl zips out of the studio for a moment, and seconds later I can hear her ruffling through the mess that is her living room. Eventually she returns with the very same black electric guitar that I'd seen her with the night I moved in. She passes it over to me, the guitar held firmly in her telekinesis. "Here, use this!" "What? That's your guitar; I'm not going to touch it,"I protest, as much as the beautiful instrument hanging before me appeals to me. "Hah, it's actually not. It belongs to my old roommate back at uni. A real rocker mare, that one," Vinyl reveals with a chuckle. "I've been planning to go see her and give it back eventually, but she's since moved on to a better magic guitar. She won't mind if you use this." "Magic guitar. So I'm guessing it works with magic..." I deduce dryly. Sure enough, I spot a crystalline orb set in the base of the guitar, the interior swirling with magic. I set my acoustic down gently on the floor. I also set my rifle down, as I can't wear a strap without it getting in the way. I then accept the guitar from Vinyl, feeling its satisfying weight with a hint of excitement welling up inside of me. I pluck one of the strings, but it sounds just the same as any other unplugged guitar. "How do you make it work?" "Easy! Just flip that switch at the bottom there...and..." Vinyl instructs me. I easily find the switch she's talking about and flip it. When I next pluck the string, the easily recognizable sound of a distorted electric guitar rings out, sounding like pure joy to my ears.There's a sound long and dear to my heart. "There we go! How's that for metal?" "Oh man..." Is my simple response. Vinyl beams at my reaction. As much as I'd rather have her out of the room, the chance to play on an instrument like this overpowers all my reservations. I can't wait any longer; I stand up from the stool and strum the first chord on the guitar, filling the room with the satisfying sound of distortion. Then, I run through a simple set of scales to familiarize myself with the guitar's sound. Without any further warning, I start to play the song again, playing the first chord repeatedly in a steady rhythm. Vinyl doesn't waste any time in joining in, her electronic beat meshing surprisingly well with the guitar. This run through of the song quickly turns into experimentation as Vinyl and I occasionally trade off parts of the song to get a better idea of how best to work off each other. "I'll take the four chords, you take the rhythm--at least until the chorus hits," Vinyl reasons during a pause in the song. "Then the solo's all yours." I nod, and we once again start the song, and this time the song feels just like it should. With her taking the rhythm at the beginning, I can focus on leading in the song with various guitar riffs that lead up to the four chords. When we reach that point, we switch, and I return to the rhythm, and she takes control. My stress and worries seem to fade away in the wake of the music filling my ears. With my eyes fixed on the fretboard and my focus entirely on hitting the notes, there's no room to think about my nebulous state of mind. It's just me, the beat, and the music. At one point, I even start to hum the vocal line, though it's easily drowned out by our combined sound. "Yeah, let's turn it up!" Vinyl is equally excited, her telekinesis turning up both the volume on her tables and my guitar simultaneously. We grow so loud that it feels like I have front row seats at a rock concert, but that only seems to add to the experience. "Whooo!" After the chorus, I shoot right into the solo, doing better than before now that I remember what notes to strum and when to bend each string. My bends could still use some work, but for the most part I'm able to run through it with a great deal of effort. I remember always feeling jealous of those guitarists who could make solos look so easy. We hit the final chorus at near max volume. The original studio recording of the song ends in a fade out, so when it comes time to end the song, I try to just end after the last chorus, but in the vacuum, Vinyl surprises me with a drum solo, and when she finishes, it only feels right to strum the last chord once more. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" Vinyl cheers, the mare leaping clear over her tables to come talk with me. I flip the switch to turn off the distortion on the guitar, and I hand it back to her with some reluctance. Vinyl catches the guitar with her magic, and bumps my leg with her hoof. "That was a rockin' good time! I could see myself jamming with you live, if you got talent like that!" "I suppose it wasn't awful," is my seemingly uncaring response, but if I'm honest with myself, that was probably the most fun I've had since coming to this era...and probably the most fun I've had playing music in my entire life. I feel like I've gone over the moon and back. "That's an understatement. What song was that anyway?" Vinyl questions curiously. She places the guitar gently on the ground beside mine. "I've never heard a style like that before." "It's a human song. It's essentially all about turning up the music to get away from the day's work," I reveal to her, feeling somewhat wistful. My thoughts turn to my phone, where the song in question is present, but I'm unable to play it for fear of wasting what little battery I have left. "Hah, I can get behind that. Though I guess music is my day's work..." Vinyl brushes at her chin, thinking for a brief moment before shrugging. "Eh, whatever. Still, it sounds killer. Would you do it live with me sometime?" "That would be a bad idea. My reputation in town isn't the best, in case you forgot," I point out, recalling just how many ponies think poorly of me. Granted, that was intentional and entirely my own doing, but it is what it is. "I can't imagine my presence doing you any favors." "Eh, you're thinking too hard about it. Ponies come to my shows to party, not to ask questions about who or what I'm playing with," Vinyl waves my concern away, much to my annoyance. "Clearly you don't understand how people work, then. People are judgmental and are drawing conclusions about performers and their performances from the moment they walk out on stage. They can look like they're having fun, but could be entirely dissatisfied." "Now you're really thinking too hard about it." Vinyl eyes me with disapproval. "Besides, you've only been to a few of my gigs. You're saying you know what ponies think even when you don't join in or talk to them?" "I..." I pause, realizing that Vinyl has effectively driven me into a corner. To prove my point, I'd have to talk about my own race, and I'd rather not do that, else I risk my mood plummeting from my own cynicism. "I guess it doesn't matter. I'm not ready to perform live anyway. It's too soon." "That's fair." Vinyl eyes me a little longer, looking as though she wants to continue that discussion. She thankfully chooses not to do so. "Think about it, alright? It's not the first time I've taken a guest star for a few performances." I don't answer. After an hour or so more of practicing on my acoustic, I decide to take a break and get some fresh air. I leave the house and enter the streets, figuring that a walk around the perimeter of town may do me some good. Remembering what I'd heard about the Scorpio, I keep my wanderings to the north side of Ponyville, During my walk, I notice that I can see a great deal more guards than normal. They're mostly earth ponies, equipped with silver armor and spears, who are stationed at seemingly every street corner. It seems the princesses finally got around to stationing extra guards here to watch me. To confirm this, I walk by one of them and notice that his eyes snap to me the moment I walk within view and follow me until I leave his sight. As annoying as that is, what with the Scorpio prowling around, the extra protection could come in handy. That's assuming they bother to protect me too, which is a bit too generous of an assumption to make. I cast my gaze around the different shops and cafes as I walk. Sometimes if the identifying signs are clear enough I can reason what the business specializes in, but often my inability to read Equestrian gets in the way. This handicap is beginning to irritate me; reading is often what I did when I needed a break from music or games back in my era, and now that hobby is suddenly unavailable away me. It's clear to me that I need to relearn how to read if I'm going to keep the boredom at bay. As I pass by the schoolhouse, the idea of asking Cheerilee for help in that regard comes to mind; no doubt she's used to teaching language at an elementary level. Yet such lessons would cost money that I don't have at the moment. Ultimately, I file that idea away for later. Before reaching Vinyl's house again, I double back the way I came to make my walk last a little longer. It's cold out, but not so cold that it renders my clothing ineffective. I'm more than comfortable enough to continue walking. I arrive near Rarity's Boutique after another fifteen minutes. Sadly, my walk hasn't killed that much time at all. Perhaps I should catch up on lost sleep with a nap. Rather than walk near the boutique, I cut through the park nearby, thinking that it'll be a quick and easy way back. So far, though there are some ponies I've recognized, none of them required any sort of interaction on my part. Unfortunately, my good luck comes to an abrupt end when I reach the fountain clearing at the center of the park. Lyra is sitting at the base of the fountain, her lyre hovering in the air just in front of her. She's not alone either; just like the last time I interacted with her here, she has a small audience of ponies sitting on the benches near her "Oh hey, Seth." She spots me almost immediately, even as my spirits sink at the inevitable confrontation. She gives me a smile and a wave, almost as if she thinks that acting friendly will magically change the way I feel about her. "Can we talk for a moment?" I turn to the other direction in stoic silence, having absolutely zero interest in hearing what she has to say. In my current state of mind, dealing with a pony with a ridiculous and disgusting interest in me is one of the last things I want. This time, however, avoiding her doesn't seem like it'll be so easy. "Come on, it'll only take a moment!" Lyra insists, the mare abandoning her audience in favor of following me. The clear tension in our interaction is enough to get the attention of the nearby ponies. "Please, I'm sorry about before!" When I still don't acknowledge her, Lyra's expression turns from sorrow to desperation. Suddenly, my progress stops. I blink, finding myself completely unable to move. No matter how much I strain my muscles, my limbs won't budge. The pressure in my chest makes itself known as well, as if reacting to the aura of golden magic that has engulfed me. "What the..." Much like the last time I was frozen with magic, further struggling proves pointless. I start to panic, feeling like an animal trapped in a cage. My mind goes down a dark route; just how far is she willing to go in the name of pursuing me? "Lyra, let me go right now. Now, you hear me!?" "I'm really sorry, but you just keep ignoring me. This is the only way I can make you listen!" Lyra weakly explains, her horn still glowing with magic. "Please, I just want to make things right!" "Are we really going to do this here!?" I snap back at her, unable to turn my body to face her. I can hear the murmurs of the onlooking ponies, no doubt promising that word of this incident is going to spread all over town by tomorrow at the latest. "Take a look around, you moron; we're hardly alone!" "You're right...I don't want to do this in front of everypony. We'll move elsewhere." Lyra agrees, and then suddenly I'm moving through the air despite the fact that my body remains motionless. I'm aware that unicorns are capable of telekinesis, but I didn't think they could move something as large as me. "How about putting me down first!?" I demand, thoroughly unsettled. With this knowledge comes the realization that any unicorn can do whatever they want with me, whenever they want, regardless of my intentions. My mind goes bleak at the realization how helpless I am in front of magic. "Lyra!" Lyra eventually puts me down in a shaded spot between the wall of a building and a small group of trees. She releases me from her magic, and my immediate first instinct is to put as much distance between myself and her as I can. I know she'll only catch me in her magic again, so instead I direct a withering glare towards her. "Lyra...give me one good reason why I shouldn't call for the guard right now," I tell her in a dangerously calm voice. With guards all over the streets, there's no doubt that if I shout loud enough, I can get the attention of at least one of them. Lyra recoils at my tone of voice. "C-Call the guard?" Lyra gulps at that, and then a look of incredulous disbelief crosses her face. "Seth, I'm only trying to apologize to you! I'm really sorry I had to bring you here with force, but you just wouldn't give me a chance otherwise!" "I don't know how to make it clearer that I want nothing to do with you. At this point, all you're doing is wasting both my time and yours." My rejection is as cold as it could possibly be. "Could you at least let me finish!" Lyra snaps, surprising me with how vehement she sounds. She sighs. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that teasing you like that would make you never want to talk to me again. Please, can we just forget it ever happened, and go back to the way we were before?" "You weren't teasing; you were flirting, and you had been since you met me," I correct her harshly, causing her to flinch and look embarrassed. "I have no interest in you in that way, and you'd be better off finding some other person to lust after." "Couldn't you have just said that then? You're acting like flirting is some kind of unforgivable crime!" Lyra accuses me. She notices my look of disgust, and then points at me accusingly. "There it is again! Do you think I wanted to jump your bones right then and there, or something?" "Are you telling me that's not the case?" I find it difficult to believe that anyone implying that their butt is nice to look at has anything other than lust on their mind. "Obviously not! What kind of mare do you think I am? I was teasing!" Lyra appears offended by my question. "Okay, so maybe I was being a little flirtatious, but what's wrong with that? I just wanted to see if there was any interest on your end...you know, like how flirting is supposed to work?" "I can't fathom why you'd pick me of all people." Her words make me feel somewhat foolish; I don't actually know how flirting is supposed to work, considering all I know of it is through rumors and the media. But I'm not about to admit that. "But I'm not attracted to ponies in the least. Nor do I have any interest in romance." "Well, then that's that, I guess. But really, I'm sorry. I never meant to make you uncomfortable," Lyra repeats, dipping her head. I gaze at her for a long time, mulling her words over in my head. "Alright." In the end, I just wanted her to stop. The idea of relations with a pony was and is still completely disgusting. But if she's giving up, then I've no reason to keep being angry with her...apart from being forced into an alleyway. "As long as you remember that, I'll overlook what happened the other day." "Thank goodness." Lyra's expression becomes radiant with happiness, and before I can stop her, she rears up on her hind legs and hugs me around the waist, her head resting on my stomach. "I'd thought I ruined our friendship just by being a little too forward." "Alright, get off," I press down on top of her head, her sudden unwarranted affection making me uncomfortable. Not to mention, her words don't sit well with me. Exactly how did we have a friendship in the first place, when all you did was force your company on me and tease me? "Sorry." Lyra hops down and gazes up at me with a smile. There's a short awkward moment where neither of us knows what to say. "So...are you going to be at Vinyl's gig tomorrow night?" "It's my job." My typical answer to questions about Vinyl's gig comes to my lips. I realize with a sigh that if Lyra is going to tomorrow's gig, this confrontation was inevitable. I guess it's better I dealt with it now rather than then. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then! Sorry again for dragging you out here." With that, Lyra breaks away from me, leaving me once again in blissful solitude. "What a pain in the ass these ponies are," I say to myself with a heavy sigh, and then I resume walking back to Vinyl's house, slipping deep into thought. Humans never gave me this much trouble, and were perfectly content to leave me well enough alone after a single encounter. Then again, humans never saved my life either.
Tales of the Oppressed	16. A Night Out (rw)	Returning to Vinyl's house, I nap for a few hours to catch up on lost sleep. At the desk in my room, I make my first attempt at composing. The paper is rougher than I remember and the pencils are an odd thickness, but it's enough to suit my purposes. I score the paper with as many horizontal lines as I can using a straightedge, grouping them in sets of six. Then, I spend the rest of the night transcribing as many chords and notes that I can remember from various songs, treating each group of six as the strings on a guitar. As exceptional I'd like to think my memory is, having a hard copy of the music on hand is just good practice. After dinner, I retire for the night, dreading the onset of Monday. I wake the following morning to see overcast skies hanging above the town. I make sure to dress warmly and grab my rifle as always before making my way towards the farm. Work is more or less the same as always, though I notice Applejack makes a point of avoiding the side of the farm closest to the Everfree, postponing any chores that threaten to take us there or handling them so fast that I can't be of any help. When I ask her, she brings up the same story in yesterday's newspaper. "Are you really that worried?" I ask, my voice straining as I help her move the apple baskets from the cart into the cellar. "You don't think it'll come out this far from the forest, do you?" "I ain't taking no chances. Too many ponies go missing whenever that thing's around," Applejack states, glancing worriedly at the dark fringe of the forest. "If it's a problem, why haven't the guard done anything about it?" I've seen magic used as a part of everyday life, and once I've even been immobilized. Being unable to move a single muscle is a terrifying sensation. If ponies can do things like that so easily, I'm curious why they'd be afraid of anything. "Don't they have magic they can use to stop it?" "Listen, sugarcube. I've seen one of them constellation monsters before; a big ol' bear larger than a house that can knock over trees like matchsticks...and that was just an Ursa Minor! I don't even wanna know how terrifying a Scorpio would be!" Applejack insists. "Ain't nopony I'd want to send in there, magic or not." I cringe, recalling the image in the papers. The pony world is a much more terrifying place than I thought if monsters like those are free to roam unchecked. A moment later, I shoot her a disgruntled look, realizing what she just called me. Applejack either doesn't notice my expression or doesn't care. She dusts off her hooves and returns back to the cart. "Enough about that. We ain't going near that forest until the guard gives the all clear, and that's final. Now let's get back to it. Much more to be done!" "Don't I know it." With ten more bits in tow, I attempt to make a quick exit from the farm, turning down Applejack's dinner offer as always. Yet fate conspires against me as I end up running right into the three young fillies along the dirt path leading back to town, the three of them no doubt on their way back from school. As they call out cheerful greetings to me and rush to meet up with me, I raise my hand to my forehead and rub my furrowed brow. "Miss Cheerilee's been asking about you!" Apple Bloom says. "Really now?" Meeting me must've left quite the impression, seeing how we've only spoken once. "What does she want?" "She really wants you to come in and help with her history lesson!" Sweetie Belle answers. "I think that would be really cool!" Apple Bloom chimes in, causing me to sigh. "History is so boring though..." Scootaloo says disinterestedly. I give her an askance glance; I agree with that sentiment to an extent, but it's not worth discussing. More importantly, this might be the fair trade I need to get those language lessons from Cheerilee. "I think she'll find human history to be a bit more...exciting...than she's accustomed to." Essays about the Crusades, the World Wars, and the Manhattan Project come to mind. Perhaps I could describe what I remember of the Sengoku period in a kid-friendly way. "I'm no public speaker, but it's worth negotiating." "Worth what now?" Scootaloo asks confused. "Negotiation, Scootaloo. Like trading?" Sweetie Belle explains. "Well sorry, I don't know all these fancy words!" Scootaloo's indignantly says, as Sweetie Belle sticks her tongue out at her friend. "Why not come with us to school? You could talk to miss Cheerilee then!" Apple Bloom brightens up as an idea strikes her. "What if you pick us up from school tomorrow? Then you play with us afterward!" Not this again. I just can't seem to win with these three. I don't know how to tell them I'm not interested in playing with them. "I can promise at least one of those things." Unfortunately, they take my dubious response as a confirmation, and the three of them cheer and immediately start to brainstorm what sorts of activities the four of us would do together. "Did you hear me? I'm not playing!" "Scootering down the hills! Air trick cutie mark!" "We should build boats and go sailing down the river! Humans are good at building things, right?" "What if we build snow forts?" "The snows aren't even here yet, dummy!" While Scootaloo berates Sweetie Belle, I stealthily edge away from them, wanting nothing to do with this whole situation. "You come up with a better idea!" "What if we went racing?" I quicken my pace to a power walk, putting as much distance between myself and them as I possibly can. "That's the same as what you said bef... wait, where did Seth go?" "You alright there, bro?" Vinyl raises an eyebrow when I come rushing in through the front door in undignified haste, slamming the door behind me and sliding against it. She lifts her head up from behind the couch to peer down the hallway. "What's up? I've literally never seen you run ever." "Children!" I manage to get out in between my heavy panting. Vinyl blinks and attempts to rise, utterly perplexed at my answer."They're a menace!" "Pffftt..." Vinyl's confusion quickly dissolves into mirth, her hoof rushing to her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter. She eventually can't hold it back any longer, the mare collapsing onto the couch and bursting out laughing. "Oh Celestia, I can't...!" "Would you stop that? It's not funny!" I flush with embarrassment, realizing how stupid I must look. To Vinyl's credit, she makes a genuine attempt to stop laughing...for a few seconds. "Vinyl!" "I'm sorry! It's just that you're always so serious, and then this..." Vinyl pauses to take a breath, and she grins at me evilly. "So children are your weakness, huh?" "No, they're not! Quit looking at me like that and let's just get moving already!" No matter how much I glare at her, she won't stop snickering. I groan and resolve to ignore her; Once she's set up at wherever it is we're going, she'll be out of my hair for the rest of the evening. "So where's the gig supposed to be this time?" "It's at a bar down by the river, called the Kindred Kelpie. It's nothing special; they just give a call when things get too quiet." Vinyl hops off of the couch and indicates the cart tucked against the back corner of the living room, where all of her equipment is packed up. Together, the two of us push it through the hallway and onto the street. "Tamer than a Pinkie Party, that's for sure." "Thank heavens for that," I grunt. The place should hopefully be obscure enough that I'll be left to my own devices...but then I recall that Rainbow will be there, so I suppose there's no chance of that. "Awright, let's get there quick before the pegasi start moving the rainclouds." With Vinyl's direction, it doesn't take us very long to reach the bar in question. After exchanging a few pleasantries with whom I assume is the bar owner, Vinyl shows me to the area where she intends to set up. "Let's get started! Same deal as before; though imma let you get a little more involved this time around." I take a glance around the bar. It's nothing different than I had expected; the bar itself is easy to find, with various bottles both on and behind the counter. Some ponies are already sitting at the bar, drinking frothy liquid from wooden mugs. I wrinkle my nose in disgust. "There you are!" My vision is filled with every single color of the Rainbow as she zips in front of me from wherever she was hiding. I sigh, my hopes for a solitary evening thoroughly dashed, no pun intended. I suddenly remember that she'd told me she'd be here...as did Lyra. "I knew if I found Vinyl, you wouldn't be far behind! You ready to jam?!" "For lack of a better word..." I reply, resignation falling over me. I have a feeling that there's no hope of escaping her company for the entirety of the night. "Sup, Dash?" Vinyl greets Rainbow enthusiastically. She glances around at the ponies steadily trickling into the establishment. "Pretty awesome turnout we have tonight! You got anything to do with that?" "You know it! I did the rounds...might have mentioned you'd be playing tonight," Rainbow responds coyly. "Awesome! You know how much I love an audience!" She and Rainbow clop their front hooves together in what I assume is a high five. "I'll meet up with you later. Seth and I gotta set this all up." "You do that. Seth, come hang out with me and the girls in the back when you're done!" Rainbow offers, jabbing a hoof back towards a table near the back of the establishment, where I spy Lyra, Bon Bon, Flitter, and Cloud all sitting together. Not counting Rainbow's seat, there's one empty chair left beside her. "Whatever." I dismissively say, turning away from her. My eyes search the bar for any place to hide, but there are no dark corners or hidden tables in sight. There are the restrooms, but they can only buy me a few minutes at most. Rainbow flashes me a grin and flies back to her seat, leaving Vinyl and me to prepare for the upcoming performance. Unlike the past couple of gigs, Vinyl has me assist her in uncoiling and arranging the multitude of wires that connect her extensive array of equipment to her turntables. "You know why I roll out the rug last? Check out all these wires I've got all over the place. I gotta have all these ponies dancing till they drop, and this is all just one big tripping hazard waiting to happen otherwise," Vinyl explains while using her magic to tidy up the wiring arrangement. Next, Vinyl and I arrange her speakers in such a way that the sound spreads more evenly across the room. Some of the speakers have holes in the top, in which metal poles are fitted so either other speakers or arrays of LED lights can be supported and hung from the ceiling. "I get needing wires to get the lights and speakers running, but how do they get powered? Are you constantly channeling magic through them?" I question, eyeing Vinyl while she lifts up one of the light arrays. "All night long!" Vinyl proudly answers. I frown; my knowledge of magic isn't the best--or average for that matter--but I can only assume much like any physical activity; it gets tiring maintaining that after a while. "Put that down, then. I'll take care of it." I step in front of her and attempt to take the light array from her, facing some resistance from her telekinetic grip. "You should be conserving your magic." "Whoa, is this sympathy I'm hearing?" Vinyl releases the array, allowing its weight to fall into my waiting arms. She nudges me with a grin. "You coming down with something, buddy?" "Oh, shove it. I'm just being practical," I grumble. "Sure, sure," Vinyl says as she nods her head. She lets me handle the lifting regardless, and instructs me how to fasten the arrays to the poles in the correct position and height. Once we're finished, Vinyl runs through her set up, checking each piece of equipment and wire for malfunctions. When she's certain that everything is in place, we roll the rug over the floor. "Alright, it's showtime!" Vinyl declares, dusting off her hooves. I nod and wipe the sweat off my brow. Working for ten hours straight is tiring enough; adding a gig on top of that is exhausting. That said, I'm starting to get used to the constant exertion during the day and the resulting soreness in the morning. "Imma get started! Feel free to mingle with the crowd!" Mingle, huh? I think as I watch her step on the stage. I glance over at the table where the others are. It's obvious there's no getting out of this, so I reluctantly make my way over and take a seat. "There you are! About time you finished," Rainbow greets me as I sit. "Oh hey, Seth!" Lyra beams after seeing me. "I didn't get to say yesterday, but I absolutely love what you've done with your mane." "Thanks, I guess." The compliment on my hair is nice to hear, but I wish it had come from literally anyone else. "You do look really nice," Flitter shyly agrees with Lyra, glancing at my new ensemble. "So Seth, right?" Cloud addresses me next, the mare running a hoof through her unruly mane. When I nod, she offers me a smile. "I'm Cloud Chaser, Flitter's older sis. Thanks for helping her the other day." "As I said, I just happened to find it." I become uncomfortably aware of Rainbow's smirk from beside me. I wave a hand dismissively. "Don't let me interrupt. I'm only here because Rainbow dragged me." "Only because you'd sit in a corner if I let you!" Rainbow says. "Everyone can always use a few more friends, right?" "Riiight..." A surge of irritation rushes to the surface, and I have to stop myself from snapping at her. What I could use is peace and quiet. "Pardon me if I'm not particularly grateful." "Aw, don't be a stick in the mud," Lyra teases me with a smile. "Why don't you tell us a little about yourself, Seth? We don't really know anything about you." "That's because I haven't been telling." It's downright insulting that she thinks I'd open up just because she asked. "I'm not interested in talking about myself, so try another topic." Rainbow and Flitter wince beside me. Lyra tries to laugh it off, but then Bon Bon speaks up. "You know, these four keep telling me you're not so bad, but I really don't see it." Bon Bon's words are the most honest I've heard out of these ponies in days. Now, this I know how to handle. "I don't know how you fooled them, but you've been nothing but a jerk to everypony you met." "You're not wrong." I accept her words readily enough, much to her surprise. "If there's anything I've learned about you ponies, it's that you don't know how to leave others well enough alone. Given a choice in the matter, I wouldn't be here. Sitting here and deflecting questions about things that aren't your business really isn't my idea of a good time." "Seth, can you stop?" Rainbow says forcefully. I shrug, having said my piece. "This is the guy you've been pining over for the past few days, Lyra!?" Bon Bon thrusts a hoof at me while staring at Lyra with an incredulous expression. "Shhh, Bon Bon!" Lyra visibly colors as Rainbow, Flitter, and Cloud Chaser look between Lyra and me in shock. No doubt neither of them heard about the spat between Lyra and me, as I'd only ever told Rarity about it. "Please, it's okay." "No, it's not! I just don't understand how you all see anything other than a rude and selfish jerk who thinks having basic manners is some kind of insult!" Bon Bon snaps. I raise a brow; she's getting rather fired up about this. She and Lyra are always together, so I guess it makes sense that she would have been on the receiving end of Lyra's woes. "If you don't want friends so bad, fine, but don't take it out on L...the rest of us!" "Bon Bon..." Lyra whines. "Okay, seriously, can we not!?" Rainbow finally raises her voice loud enough to cut across the rest of us. "We came here to have fun, everypony, so quit yelling at each other!" "Fine. I'm done wasting my time on him anyway," Bon Bon grumbles, returning to her drink in sullen silence. I shrug and lean back in my chair, my arms crossed across my belly; I'm used to people like her, so I'm not upset. I pointedly ignore the disapproving stare Rainbow is giving me. An awkward silence falls across the table. Cloud Chaser coughs and clops her hooves together lightly, while Flitter suddenly finds the handle of her mug to be the most interesting thing in the world. Thankfully, Vinyl comes to the rescue, her speakers screeching to life. "Sup, Everypony! That's right, the one and only Vinyl Scratch is here to provide you with the best beats this side of Equestria!" Vinyl announces enthusiastically. The ponies in the building, including the ones sitting with me, cheer loudly back. "That's what I like to hear! Now with this song, I wanna see everypony lookin' alive!" Vinyl slaps a record on her turntables, and the air shakes with the thrumming of the bass. Before long, I find myself bobbing my head ever so slightly to the beat, the rest of the world falling into the background. "You good over there, Seth?" Rainbow nudges me below the table, her voice only barely audible above the music. I raise an eyebrow at her question. "Bon Bon did just go off on you." "I'm more tired than anything; I'd hoped to relax tonight. Instead, I have to play at socializing with ponies that I'd really rather not deal with at the moment. I can barely handle your presence, and I feel like I've just been thrown into the deep end," I reply, choosing to be honest with her. Rainbow wrinkles her nose at that, but she doesn't say anything. I suddenly realize something. "Hold on, it sounds like you just acknowledged me as the victim rather than the instigator." "Well...yeah. I already know you hate talking about yourself," Rainbow points out. "You said so, and that should have been fine, right? I feel like Bon Bon may have been overreacting a little. Did you two get off on the wrong hoof or something?" "The first thing she asked me is why I wasn't dead. You tell me." Come to think of it, that was also when I first met Lyra. I glance over at them, noting the way Bon Bon was looking at her. "Ouch..." Rainbow winces. She drains the rest of what's in her mug and slams it on the table. "Still, you could loosen up a bit too. Tell you what, I'll buy you a drink and we can talk about something else. Sound good?" "No thanks. I don't need you buying me anything," is my immediate response. "I insist! It's impossible to stay grumpy after a good cup of apple cider!" Rainbow presses on, pressing a hoof to my shoulder. I hear that and scoff in disgust. The implication was there from the moment Vinyl called this place a bar but hearing her say cider cements my assumption. Rainbow looks offended by my reaction. "Hey, what's wrong with cider!?" "I don't drink, and I'm not going to start now," I tell her firmly, expecting a look of disappointment back. Instead, Rainbow Dash looks surprisingly puzzled, her head tilted to one side. "Huh? You don't drink? Don't all things have to drink? What gives?" "Quit messing with me. I'm talking about alcohol. I have something against poisoning myself into depravity." I snap back at her, causing her ears to fold back from my tone. I couldn't have been any clearer, but Rainbow is still staring at me with genuine confusion. Hold on now...she can't possibly be this ignorant. "Do you...not know what alcohol is?" I ask, my words losing their bite. "No...should I?" Rainbow admits honestly after dithering a little. "You just said apple cider. Doesn't that have chemicals in it that lower your inhibitions and make it harder to think?" With every word I say, she just looks more and more confused. "What are you even talking about? Apple cider is just apples! Who in the hay would put something like that in my precious cider!?" Rainbow retorts, appalled by the very concept of someone contaminating her drink. I blink, taken aback. Ponies don't have alcohol? They've been so similar to humans in their culture so far that such a thought didn't even occur to me. A sense of relief flows through me; the idea of a drunk Rainbow is something I hope I never have to deal with. "Humans did, and I never understood why," I answer, my mood lifting slightly. "In that case, I will try a mug. How much are we talking?" "It's pretty cheap here; just two bits!" Rainbow says. She huffs as I pass her the required amount of money, but thankfully doesn't try to give it back. "Agh, I said I'd pay for it, you stubborn human!" "And I ignored you, you conniving pony." I shoot back without missing a beat. For some reason, Rainbow pauses, giving me a rather mischievous expression. "Look who's talking, you pasty-faced giant." I look to her with surprise to see her watching me with a grin. What's she trying to pull here? "I don't want to hear it from a technicolor adrenaline junkie." "Yeah, well you're a whiny jerkface!" The playfulness in her voice becomes more noticeable. "Better than being a deformed worm thing." I find myself shooting insults back at her despite understanding how utterly juvenile this is. "Says the weak-limbed wonder!" "Shove it, you hoofed blabbermouth." "Smelly ape with the stupid hair!" "You did not just..." I glare at her. "That's rich, coming from evolution's acid trip." "Rich, coming from a cocky smush-faced mummy!" "What are you two doing?" Lyra, who appears to be walking towards the dance floor with Bon Bon, asks with a raised eyebrow. "Nothing!" Rainbow and I say simultaneously. I freeze, my heart pounding at the thought of being caught in such a compromising situation. I point my thumb over to Rainbow. "She started it." "Did not!" Rainbow shoots back instantly. "Let's just go already," Bon Bon said, dragging Lyra away while the latter jabbed a hoof at us in the universal "I'm watching you" gesture. The moment they're gone, Rainbow and I glare at one another. "Snrk." Her expression is so comical that a chuckle forces its way out of my throat before I can stop it. Rainbow starts to snicker as well, her mirth growing in intensity until she's laughing out loud. I hide my amusement behind my hand. "Can we call a truce? I'd like to try some of that cider now." "Truce? Nah, it was obvious who had the better insults." Rainbow sticks her tongue out and blows a raspberry, causing me to roll my eyes. She snickers again, but her amusement soon dissolves into a warm smile. "I'll be back! Two ciders, coming right up!" I watch her as she turns tail and zips towards the counter. I suddenly realize with some shock that this is the first time I've laughed since coming to Equestria. I sigh, shaking my head. It felt good in the moment, but I shouldn't have let myself get sucked into something so juvenile. I pause. A distant memory of a forgotten beach, where Amaryllis and I occasionally went to spend time together where no one else would find us, bubbles to the surface. I recall the way we would engage in conversations just like that. Maybe I should just take it for what it is, and stop thinking so hard about it. "Here!" Rainbow returns in the blink of an eye, slamming a filled mug onto the table in front of me, flecks of foam splattering on the wood. I flinch somewhat from her sudden reappearance. "Go on, you'll love it!" I lift the mug, finding the handle much smaller than what I'm used to. Rainbow watches me intently as I take a tentative sip, finding the beverage to possess an earthy apple taste with a light hint of carbonation present. It's similar to regular apple juice, but not quite as sweet and with a much bolder aftertaste. "Not bad. I can't see myself drinking it regularly, but it's not as unpleasant as I expected." "Right!?" Rainbow has her own mug as well, and if the flecks of amber on her muzzle are anything to go by, she's already sampled plenty of it. "If you think this is good, you should try some when Applejack's family makes it! It's like you're drinking pure happiness." Upon speaking those last two works, Rainbow's voice shakes and her tongue lolls out of her mouth. I eye her awkwardly; that's a funny--if not creepy--way of showing your appreciation for a drink. "I'll take your word for it," I say as I casually sip from the mug. Two of us sip our cider and listen to the music in a comfortable silence. Eventually, it's just Rainbow and me at the table, as Flitter and Cloud Chaser hit the dance floor as well. "You know, you don't need to stay here for my sake. All your friends are out there dancing, and I know you like to dance." "How do you know I'm not tired and just want to chill here?" Rainbow asks with a raised brow. "You don't strike me as the type to stand on the sidelines in the middle of a party." I point out. "Besides, you're clearly just sitting here because you feel obligated to keep me company." "Huh?" Rainbow looks perplexed by my answer; a perplexion that's quickly replaced by annoyance. "You're putting words in my mouth again. How do you know I'm not here because I want to be?" "Rainbow, we've been sitting quiet for the past 5 minutes. And if there's anything I know about you, it's that you're not quiet. At all." I remark as I empty my mug. "Hey, that's mean!" My jab at her personality earns me an indignant stare. "I just have a lot to say!" "Except when you're sitting with me, apparently." "Because you get all bent out of shape if I just say whatever!" Rainbow retorts. "You should try relaxing sometime! Do you know how to relax?" "Of course I do," I stubbornly reply. "So are you going to leave or what?" "No!" Rainbow stubbornly decides, crossing her hooves. She sees me glaring at her, so she decides to change tack. "Why don't you tell me how that guitar's working out for you?" "That's..." I recall that she was there when I bought it. "It's a good instrument. The strings have seen better days, but it didn't require much maintenance to get working. I'll have to restring them soon, which means getting a set of tools to help me do that, such as a tuner, peg winder, some wire cutters...and judging by your face, you have no idea what goes into maintaining a guitar." "Hey, it's not like Applejack ever plays the one she's got," Rainbow replies defensively. "Why don't you tell me about it, then?" I open my mouth to explain, before deciding against it. "It'll bore the hell out of you." "You don't know that," Rainbow points out with a huff. She ponders for a few seconds, tapping her chin with a hoof. "Hey, if it bores me, I'll turn it right around and bore you by talking about aerodynamics! Fair, right?" "Talking about flying doesn't bore me. I just don't want to listen to you throwing your ego around," I say, causing Rainbow to make an unamused face at me. Yet her reasoning makes enough sense for me to concede to her view. "But if you really want to know, guitar strings are basically thin wires. To work with them, you need wire cutters and pliers so you can reshape them to whatever you need at that moment. The strings themselves are tethered to the pins at the top of the neck and anchored down below the bridge. Once you have them anchored, you fasten them to the neck and tighten them to get what we call the string's natural frequency..." From there, it turns into a surprisingly refreshing conversation that didn't involve any personal questions or arguments; it's just a simple discussion of guitars. Although I can tell Rainbow doesn't understand a lot of the technical aspects of it, she remains engaged in the conversation--sometimes relating my descriptions of guitar maintenance to the physical maintenance she performs on her own body. She frustratingly still manages to slip in a boast about her own skill, but it proves no more than a simple annoyance. The conversation makes me somewhat wistful. The only times I can remember having talks like this when the other party actually seemed to show genuine interest in what I had to say, was with Amaryllis or my brother. When Rainbow excuses herself to the restroom during our conversation, it suddenly strikes me just how similar the mare seems to be to Amaryllis. She's tomboyish, rough, and has an unhealthy interest in physical activities. She even shares the same flippant attitude, albeit with none of the cynicism. I just wish there was some way to know what she's thinking; some way to know just what kind of person she is on the inside. "Hey, Seth?" Yet, even as Rainbow is returning from her brief sojourn, it seems my conversation with her is at an end. A lavender hoof taps on my shoulder, gaining my attention. I turn my head to see a nervous Twilight. I don't recall seeing her at the bar yet, so she must have recently arrived. "Can I talk to you for a few minutes?" "Sure, pull up a seat! We've got plenty of room," Rainbow answers cheerfully before I have a chance. "I'd love to, but...I meant in private. If that's alright with you both." Twilight looks even more nervous, the mare unable to even meet my gaze. My spirits sink even further; considering my track record with Twilight as well as her general demeanor, there's a high chance the following conversation will be more personal than I'd like. "Please?" "Tch, whatever. Let's just get it over with." I finish my cider and get up from my seat. Getting away from her would be an exercise in futility; even if I refused, past experience suggests that if a unicorn really wants to talk, they have ways of forcing you to listen. "Lead the way." "Alright, I'll be here. Don't take too long!" Rainbow says, the mare rising from the table and eyeing the dance floor with an eager glint in her eye. "I'll try not to," Twilight assures her. She gives me a forced smile and beckons towards the door leading outside. Without a word, I follow her out into the street. I shiver and button up my coat to protect myself from the rapidly chilling air. Hopefully, I'm not out here for too long. "So...I'm sorry for pulling you out of there, but I haven't had a chance to talk since Friday..." "If all you wanted was to talk, you could have done that inside." I have a bad feeling that I know precisely about what she wishes to talk. "If you have something to say, say it. Don't waste my time beating around the bush." "Okay." Twilight takes a breath and looks at me with renewed determination. "I wanted to talk about what you said on Thursday." My eyes harden at that. "Twilight, that wouldn't be pleasant for either of us. How about we forget that you ever brought it up?" "We can't just pretend it never happened!" Twilight insists despite my tone. She opens her mouth as if to argue the point further, but then she sighs. This is the most defeated I've seen her. "Seth, I never wanted to get to this point with you." "What point?" "The point where we will end up fighting every time we talk. The point where you look at me like my presence is an unwelcome disturbance." Twilight looks back up at me. "I know you've been through a lot I can't understand, but I want to be a friend to you. Hearing you blame all of us for where you are right now, it hurts." I stare back at her, no words coming to mind. Once again, a pony refuses to cut me off, in spite of how intentionally easy I've made it for her. I don't believe I've ever said anything as brutal as I did to Twilight that day, yet here she is standing before me. I search my memories for similar encounters with humans but I come up empty. "I don't know what you want me to say," I admit after a long silence. "It is what it is. If it weren't for ponies, I wouldn't be here. Did you call me out here to hear me say that again?" "I called you out here to tell you that you're wrong. It isn't our fault that you're here." Twilight furrows her brow and gazes back at me with determination. "It was King Sombra's, and his alone. Words can't express how sorry I am that this has happened to you, but I can't watch you make yourself miserable and push everypony away for such a fallacious reason." "That's...!" Fury fills me up from within, a hundred different rebuttals for that statement coming to mind. "I wouldn't be here if you all had just stopped him in the first place! It's just as much your fault as his! I'm here because your kind failed to do the job!" "That's not fair either! I have absolute faith that the princesses did everything they could. They're not omniscient; they couldn't have possibly known what he was planning to do to you." Twilight leaped to the defense of the diarchy in an instant. "In the end, they made sure he got what was coming to him." "Not soon enough..." I grumble. "Seth. You can't blame any of the ponies around here for Sombra's actions." Twilight repeated. "He existed generations ago, long before any of us were born. There is nothing any of us could have done. Please understand that." "It doesn't really matter what I think of you anyway," I say, unable to care about pushing this point further. "So what, you called me out here so you can clear your conscience?" "No, I called you out here because I'm worried about you. I don't want to see you alone and in pain, because you've been holding that inside all this time." Twilight expresses, a hoof pressed against her chest. Another wave of bitterness passes through me. Twilight always jumps to conclusions without having all the information. "That's hardly the only reason," I scoff. "It's not? Then what is the other reason?" Twilight appears confused. Despite the question hanging in the air, I can't bring myself to answer it. Those five years of my life hold too many painful memories...and I'm not about to share them. I regret bringing it up in the first place. "You won't answer? I don't understand. Why don't you want friends? Don't you want someone to whom you can relate? Someone with whom you can laugh and smile? Don't you get lonely?" "Stop. Just stop." I tell her, pressing my hands against my face. There was one person I knew that could do any of that, and she was one in a million. "I don't want to hear it. Why do you ponies try so hard? It's so much easier just to ignore me and do your own thing, isn't it? Go prance off with your 'friends' into the sunset, for all I care. Just leave me be." "Do you think friendship is easy?" Twilight pointed out with a hint of incredulity. "No friendship worth having is easy to forge, and it'll never happen if I give up now." "You're tenacious, I'll give you that," I remark in annoyance. I'm so used to people giving up after the second time they yell at me, and past that, trying to tear me down. "But you shouldn't be so willing to run around throwing out the word 'friendship' like candy either. It's insulting that you think you're going to change who I am or the way I think just from a few kind words." "I don't necessarily agree with that. The part about giving friendship out, I mean. If my friends hadn't offered their hooves out to me in my moment of need, I don't know where I'd be right now," Twilight admits. "I'll admit I know nothing about the life you've led up until this point, but it sounds like you need something more than token kindness...some way for us to prove that we're not reaching out our hooves to you out of malice." "You make it sound so simple, but that's the long and short of it. I still don't see why you care." I watch her reason through my words, unsure what to think about her. Yelling at them or pushing them away only seems to drive them harder. "Why the obsession with friendship anyway? You'd think as an avid reader, you'd find them to be an unwelcome distraction at best and a downright annoyance at worst." "It's funny you say that." Twilight gives a sheepish giggle. "I used to believe that, not too long ago. But ultimately, friends are nice to have, and I discovered it's possible to have just as much fun with them as I do learning." "Provided they're the genuine thing," I grumble. I can't deny the fun I had with Amaryllis, but I refuse to believe any of these ponies could do for me what she did. "Yes, but that's something you discover by talking with and learning about them," Twilight reasons. "It never occurred to me that someone could have such a differing view of friendship than we do. If you believe our efforts are nothing more than lip service, then everything we've done to try to help you likely just comes off as trite and pointless." "Finally. One of you has managed to get that through your thick skulls. It's only what I've been saying since the moment I met you." I suppose Rainbow also gets it, but she just plain doesn't care. "Now that you do get it, please stop trying." "Nope," Twilight remarks, causing me to groan. "You may not want to tell me why you're so skeptical of the ponies you meet, but that's okay. I'll prove that our gestures of kindness harbor no ill intent." "I really don't get you," I helplessly express. If I were in her place, and someone like me moved into town, I wouldn't even bother to ask their name, much less try to befriend them. "Clearly I can't stop you; knock yourself out, I guess. I wouldn't expect anything to come of it though other than wasted time." "Thank you! Just the chance to try is more than enough." Twilight beams at my answer. "I didn't mean to keep you so long. I'll let you get back to your party. I have a lot to think about, and a lot to plan!" "Please don't make me regret this," I say, wincing. "Don't worry, I won't!" Twilight promises me as she starts to leave. She gives me one last smile and a wave. "You have a good night, Seth. Thank you for talking to me." "Whatever." When she's gone, I stare after her for several moments, and then I walk back inside the bar, mulling over her words in my head. When I get back inside, the music is winding down, and ponies are starting to leave for the night. I can only assume the gig is over, so I make my way to Vinyl and prepare to help her pack up her equipment. "You have a good night, Seth!" Flitter waves to me as she and Cloud Chaser make their way out of the bar. Lyra wishes me the same, as she and Bon Bon tag along behind. I don't acknowledge them with much other than a nod. After talking with Twilight, I just want to be alone to think. When I reach the stage, I find Rainbow chatting with Vinyl as the latter is unplugging the cables from her turntables. "...too long. You wanna hang out some more tonight? Hope you're not too tired!" Rainbow offers with a grin. "You know I'm still good to go! Maybe just...without using any more magic. Whew," Vinyl wipes her brow with a hoof, mirroring Rainbow's grin. They see me approach, and Vinyl waves wearily. "There you are. Was just about to send Rainbow out to go find you!" "Yeah, she's good at that." I retort with a wry expression, the sardonicism practically dripping from my voice. "Everything cool?" Vinyl tilts her head. I give her an odd stare in return. I don't know why she'd ask; I don't think I'm presenting myself any differently than normal. I don't miss Rainbow's concerned look either. "Yeah? Why wouldn't it be?" I return uncomfortably. "Let's just get all this packed up so we can go home." "Works for me. Also, I gotta pay you for the work." Vinyl produces five bits and hands them to me, increasing my total to thirteen. "Now let's get packing. Oh yeah, do you care if Rainbow tags along?" "It's your house, not mine." I shrug, not knowing why she bothered to ask me in the first place. If they want to hang out, it's not my business. "Awesome! I'll get some cider to bring back, and we'll chillax together!" Rainbow gives me a nudge, and then she flies back to the bartender before the bar fully closes. I ignore her, having no intention to join their "chillaxing." "C'mere. This time, I'll have you start with the cords..." Vinyl starts, and then the two of us get to work. "And...we're in. Phew. Break out that cider, Dash, cuz when I hit that couch, I'm not getting back up." Vinyl parks the cart with all her equipment into the nearest open spot, and then she proceeds to throw herself on the couch without much decorum and close her eyes. "Aaah...this is the high life." "What about dinner?" I remind her, my stomach gurgling at the mention of food. Vinyl's eyes open wide and she groans. "Aw, shoot, I forgot. Nyaaah, I don't wanna get up!" Vinyl rolls off of the couch with a thump and lays there on the floor for several seconds before she gets back to her hooves. Rainbow promptly steals her spot and curls up there. "Dash, you sneaky little pigeon." "Hah, you snooze, you lose!" Rainbow sticks her tongue out at her friend. She then does a double take. "Did you just call me a pigeon!?" "I might've. What are you gonna do about it? If you get up, you gotta give up your spot. Then who knows, maybe Seth will steal it." Vinyl teases as she walks into the kitchen. "Agh, you're right! Don't you even think about stealing my spot!" Rainbow gives me an accusing stare, but it quickly turns into confusion when I don't answer or even look at her. I'm gazing down at the floor, tuning out the world around me. "Seth? You in there somewhere?" "What?" I demand irritably, causing her to flinch. It takes me a moment for me to process what the two of them have been talking about. "No, I couldn't care less. I'm just waiting for dinner." "Did something happen while you were out there with Twilight?" Rainbow asks curiously. "Nothing worth talking about." I dismiss her question with a shake of my head. "Don't mind me. You're here to chill with Vinyl, anyway." "With both of you, actually." Rainbow corrects me. I raise an eyebrow at that. "Whatever." After a painfully long wait, the smell of vegetables and spices fills the air as Vinyl serves me a bowl of hot stew. It's an interesting flavor; can't say I've tasted anything similar. Rainbow and Vinyl are having fun, laughing and joking with one another over the course of the meal. Every now and then they attempt to include me into their conversation, but I either ignore their efforts or reply with simple nods or shrugs. One would think they'd give up trying after the first few times, but whatever floats their boat. "How long are you staying?" I interrupt their conversation, my bowl resting empty on the table in front of me. "Who, me?" Rainbow asks, clueless. I give her an incredulous look. "No, the mouse on your shoulder," I sarcastically reply. Rainbow Dash falls off the table with a yelp, trying to get rid of the nonexistent mouse. I blink, as Vinyl proceeds to laugh her tail off. Did she really just take that seriously? "Hey, there's no mouse!" Rainbow realizes at last, and she gets up and looks at me accusingly. "Of course not! I was talking to you!" I shake my head, wondering if this pony is for real. "Then why did you say you weren't?" "I didn't realize I was talking to an imbecile." Rainbow throws a balled up napkin at me, not appreciating the insult. "But the question still stands. How long are you staying?" "Oh yeah! So I'm crashing here tonight. I don't really feel like flying up to my house." Rainbow answers. She glances at Vinyl. "That cool?" "Always. If you don't mind sleeping on my couch," Vinyl returns, before looking back at me. "That's not an issue, is it?" "It's your house," I repeat. I get up from the table, taking the chance to excuse myself. "I'm going to bed. You two have fun." "You sure you don't want to stick around? You're welcome to," Vinyl offers. I just make for the stairs, acknowledging her offer with little more than a shake of my head. I ascend the stairs and tread back to my room, cutting off the outside world at long last. The silence falls over me like a comforting blanket as I'm finally granted the solitude I desire. After undressing myself, I climb into bed and stretch myself out, a deep exhale escaping me. It has been one roller coaster of a day, and I'm both physically and mentally exhausted. In college, it wasn't unusual for days to pass without anything eventful of which to speak, the hours blending together and passing like a flash. It was so easy to shut off my mind and go through the motions; move from one class to another, complete my assignments, and study for my tests. That line of thought gives me pause as my conversations with Rainbow come back to me. Going through a routine with barely any changes...how utterly inhuman of me. It's obvious that it would be easier to go from day to day without having to think. Now, every new day means a slew of new encounters that I clearly can't just wave away or ignore. I wonder if I would've been happy living the rest of my life like that, not worrying about what comes next. That line of thought reminds me of the most recent encounter with Twilight outside of the bar. "Don't you get lonely?" Her words run on loop in my head over and over. I turn over to the other side, staring at the plain plaster wall. My mind searches my past experiences to come up with counterpoints to her question, but I come up with scant few. Typically I was able to get through my downtime by reading or playing games, but after I met Amaryllis, I often thought ahead during my downtime to the next time I could see her. Damn you, Twilight. I hate to admit it, but there's a ring of truth to her words. Now that Amaryllis is gone...I can't look forward to sitting with her at our spot outside the science building. I can't look forward to going on trips with her during our rare breaks from classes. I can't even look forward to one day showing her the music that I practiced. Is it even worth practicing music without someone I care about to show the fruits of my efforts? I miss her more than I can put into words; if that's the same thing as loneliness, Twilight is right. But I can't just make new friends like Rainbow suggested, either. It's just not worth taking that chance. I take a deep breath, feelings of frustration welling up from within. Why is it that everyone has to be so shallow or untrustworthy? Why can't I just have Amaryllis back, the only one that I could trust with everything I had? Amaryllis always told me that I had to give people a chance to screw up first, but I can't bring myself to heed her words. Ever since that time in grade school, I knew that road led nowhere. But without Amaryllis or any guarantee that those with whom I interact are genuine, how can I possibly stave away this pain I feel? "Hey Seth, you still up?" Rainbow suddenly makes her way into my room, nosing the door open. I'm undressed, so I immediately cover myself up the rest of the way with the blankets. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" I demand irritably. "The door was unlocked." Rainbow shrugs nonchalantly. "Anyway, what's up? You seemed a little off down there." "That's what you barged in here to talk about? Forget it, it's nothing. I'm sure you were having fun downstairs, so don't let me stop you." I sigh with annoyance, casting my gaze towards the ceiling. Despite my words, I see Rainbow Dash sitting down and closing the door. "Rainbow, that's the exact opposite of what I just said." "Maybe." Rainbow smirks at me. "Really though. Why do you always clam up right after you have any kind of fun?" "Is there any chance you'll go away and not press me for answers?" "No." "You are the single most annoying individual I think I've ever met." Not even Amaryllis was this nosy. She would never pry... only call me out whenever I was being an idiot. "You literally stand to gain nothing from interacting with me at all." "And how does being alone all the time gain you anything either?" Rainbow shoots back without missing a beat. "No harm in chilling every now and then, right?" "You have no idea." The amount of certainty in my voice causes Rainbow to recoil. She looks like she wants to ask, but I don't feel like telling her about how all the times letting my guard down came back to bite me in the end. "Relax. I've just been thinking, and I needed some time to sort my thoughts." "Bit for them?" Rainbow requests. I look at her in confusion before I realize that she essentially used a pony version of that old British saying. As many questions as that raises, I guess it wouldn't hurt too much to share my thoughts. I've already spoken to her about it once before. "You know, I'm just gonna crash here if you ignore me." "No, you're not! There's so much wrong with that I don't even know where to start. Is that even proper for a pony to suggest?" I immediately push back on that idea, appalled. Rainbow starts to snicker at that for some reason. "What are you laughing at?" "You sound so much like Rarity right now," Rainbow points out. She straightens up and twirls a hoof in her mane, leaving a tiny loop in it. "Oh, pish posh, darling. A mare and a stallion sleeping together in the same room? What impropriety! How scandalous!" she says in an uncannily accurate imitation of Rarity. I stare at her for a few seconds, and then just like before, a snort of amusement escapes me. I could definitely see Rarity saying something like that. "Didn't know you had a talent for impressions," I say with the faintest traces of a smirk. "Right, so you wanna share now?" Rainbow persists as she shakes her head to reset her mane back to its usual unruly appearance. "Did Twilight say something to you after all?" "Yes, but that's not entirely it. I've just been...reflecting." I lay back on the bed, resigning myself to my fate. I've learned by that it's impossible to get rid of Rainbow if she doesn't want to go. "Like about the world I've left behind...and what would have come of me had I stayed." "Huh? What do you mean?" Rainbow asks, tilting her head. "It goes back to what we talked about at the farm. Except I was wondering if I would have made it once I was finished with school." I start to explain. "Everyone talked about how we should figure out what we wanted, or about how we should have ambition. A dream to follow, so to speak." "Didn't you say you wanted to do something with music?" Rainbow recalls. "I may be aiming in that direction now, but only because you told me I should." I remind her. "It's the same as it was back then. I went to college because I was told there was no way to be competitive in the job market if I didn't. I was pursuing a degree in computers because it's what I was told made the most money. I didn't derive any enjoyment from it, nor was I following some dream." "I don't get it." Rainbow just seems confused by my words. "So what are you worried about?" "Just that I shouldn't rely on people to figure out what I want to do," I say with a shake of a head. It doesn't surprise me that she doesn't get it. I hardly get it myself. "How can I be sure this is the right path I'm on if you had to tell me to follow it?" "Uh, in case you forgot, you came up with the music idea on your own." Rainbow reminds me. I blink, and then I think back to that particular conversation. I brought it up then because it was something I enjoyed. "I didn't tell you to like music. I just lent a hoof, as a friend would do!" "Right...a friend..." I suppose it's true she only pushed me in the right direction. I wish she would stop calling herself my friend, however. I stare at her confident face, wishing more than anything that I could read her mind. This could be another trap laced with honey, like the one I fell into so long ago. "Do you still not believe me?" Rainbow asks indignantly. "Of course I don't. It takes more than a few words and sticking to me like glue to convince me." I return instantly. "I think there's something you're not getting. Let me break it down for you; I don't like other people. That includes ponies." "What? So you mean it's not just us you don't trust? It's everyone?" Rainbow asks incredulously. When I nod, she starts to look exasperated. "How can someone not like anyone? What about that friend you mentioned?" "An exception to the rule. Yet, the concept of a rule means that there are few exceptions, if any," I tell her earnestly. Rainbow starts to get frustrated. "Look. I'll admit you've done more than most. You saved my life, though the jury is still out on whether that was for better or worse. But from my experience, people are selfish and untrustworthy, myself included. Because I know this, it's safer not to get involved... and the same goes for you." "That's...really lame. So you'd rather hide rather than meet all these cool ponies that could be exceptions?" Rainbow challenges me. "You wanted my thoughts, so I gave them. If sharing them just means I'm going to be insulted, I'm not going to bother anymore." I tell her irritably. "I...I guess that's fair..." Rainbow backs down, despite her clear dissatisfaction with what she just heard. "So...how do I become an exception?" "If I told you that, it wouldn't be worth anything. I still don't know why you're putting in so much effort," I say, shaking my head in disbelief. I choose not to mention that even I don't know the answer to her question. "But enough about this. I'm tired, and I'm pretty sure Vinyl is waiting impatiently for you." "Yeah, probably," Rainbow admits. She stands back up and moves towards the door. Just as I'm starting to think our conversation has ended, she looks back just as she steps into the hall. "You wanna hang out tomorrow?" "I'm sure you'll find me even if I said no," I grunt, shifting on the bed so I'm staring back at the ceiling. I don't hear her leave, causing me to sigh. "Fine. As long as I don't get roped into anything silly." "Come on, you'll be with me, so it'll be awesome!" Rainbow boasts. At last, she shuts the door, leaving me in solitude. "Good night, Seth!" With that, I'm left in a quiet room once again. In the end, that conversation didn't solve anything apart from getting Rainbow off my back. Between her and Twilight, I'm quickly becoming driven into a corner. I have literally never met anyone who's tried so hard to understand the way I think before. As I drift off to sleep, one conclusion makes its home in my mind; at some point, I'll either have to accept their presence around me, or I'll have to let them know once and for all that they can't squeeze water from a stone.
Tales of the Oppressed	17. Pranking Parade (rw)	"So, I hear you're starting to make a name for yourself as Vinyl Scratch's helper," Applejack states conversationally on our way back to the barn. "How's that going for you?" "Well enough, I suppose. It helps me get by," I reply while helping pull the laden cart along behind us. "You've only just now heard? Haven't you seen me working with her before?" "Once, maybe. But that don't automatically mean you're her helper. Could have just been lending a helping hoof for all I know." Applejack explains. "You planning on going with her when she travels? I hear she does shows all over Equestria." "That hasn't come up yet, but I was aware of the possibility." It strikes me that I never thought to talk that over with Applejack. "If that happens, would you be alright giving me those days off from work?" "I don't mind at all! Might do you a whole lot of good to see some more of Equestria. You ain't from here if I remember right, so you might not have seen anything apart from Ponyville," Applejack agrees readily, looking almost excited by the prospect. "Why, you should tell her to head down to Appleoosa sometime! Her music might not be their style, but I've got family down there, and they just love visitors!" "Maybe we will. I'm not the boss," I inwardly groan, noting the similarity between the town's name and a specific breed of horse. She does bring up a good point, however. I probably should see more of Equestria at some point. No one's heard of a musician that's never left their hometown...provided I should even call Ponyville my hometown at this point. But, as I look around at the tired landscape that is the apple orchard, perhaps a change of scenery wouldn't be such a bad thing. "Is Appaloosa far from here?" "Naw, it's just down south. Hop on a train and you'd be there in two shakes of a pony's tail!" Applejack responds enthusiastically. "Say, sometimes I gotta head down there for delivery's sake. You wanna tag along some time?" "Can't you just deliver your goods through a postal service? I'm assuming you have those." We run the cart against the cellar entrance, and then once I'm free of the cart, I get the entrance open for her so we can start storing the apples for later use. "Why, and miss out on a chance to meet up with my friends and family that live down there? Not a chance, sugarcube!" Applejack responds. I roll my eyes and accept the first crate of apples she hoists down from the cart. "Besides, it's cheaper to just box 'em up and take 'em there myself." "That makes more sense," I state. When I try to picture what Appaloosa would be like, all I can come up with is more apple orchards like the ones I'm working in now. I decide to answer her question, choosing to leave out my thoughts about meeting new ponies. "Well, if the time comes and you need a helper, I'll go." "Glad to hear it! I should introduce you to my cousin Braeburn while we're there." Applejack decides. Together, the two of us ferry the rest of the baskets into the cellar, where we empty them of their contents and prepare for another run. "Phew. Alright, let's get back out there. I heard from Rainbow that the snows are a coming fast. Just got an acre or so to go! How are you holding up?" "My muscles burn like fire almost every moment of every day, if that tells you anything," I remark without a trace of humor in my voice. "It's hard to tell the difference between work and relaxation anymore." "Heh, sounds about right. Give it time, and that'll pass. Then you'll start seeing some real improvement!" Applejack seems only encouraged by those words. "Let me know when you think you can take on more strenuous work. There's always something that needs doing on the farm, and always more I can teach you!" "I'll keep that in mind." I grimace at her words, the idea of physical labor proving as distasteful as ever to me. Yet, that very distaste serves as a painful reminder that all the time I spent in college learning computer software meant absolutely nothing. If I had known this was coming, I would have spent my life learning more practical skills, like the very ones Applejack is now teaching me. Then again, if I'd known this was coming, I'd have done a lot of things differently. "There you go, ten bits for a full day's pay! Thanks again for all your hard work." Applejack says, passing me another small bag of bits to add to the growing pile I have at home. "No need to thank me. It's my job." I say, accepting them gracefully while pointedly ignoring the splotch of rainbow coloring lying on the rug that's disturbing the rustic atmosphere of the home. "Are you done yet?" The aforementioned splotch asks impatiently. "I mean it, though. We've had such a good yield this year. Why, with just the four of us Apples, we might never have gotten it all done before the snows. Ain't that right, Big Mac?" Applejack turns to her brother, who had just walked into the room from the kitchen, from where the sounds of Granny Smith cooking emanate. "Eeyup." Big MacIntosh replies as simply as ever, giving me a terse nod. He stays in the room long enough to grab a set of towels from the closet before returning to the kitchen. "Hey!" "Are you staying for dinner this time?" Applejack asks me just as she does every evening after work. She's surprisingly also ignoring Rainbow, a small smirk and an askance glance showing that she knows precisely what she's doing. "No, thank you." I turn her down, just as I do every evening after work. "I have other plans tonight, as evidenced by the..." "Okay, seriously?! I'm right here, you two!" Rainbow finally gets impatient, the mare butting in between the two of us, her nose wrinkled in annoyance. Applejack pretends to see her for the first time. "Oh, hey, Rainbow Dash! Glad you decided to stop in! Why didn't you say anything; let somepony know you're here?" Applejack asks her smugly. A frustrated nicker escapes Rainbow's lips. "Don't act all innocent with me! I saw you looking!" Rainbow jabs a hoof in Applejack's face. I have to admit, it's entertaining to watch the two of them, if only from their expressions alone. "Who, me?" Applejack asks in the fakest voice I've probably ever heard from her. Rainbow glares at her for several seconds, before the two of them break out into chuckles. "You should see your face." "Ha ha. Put her there, AJ!" Rainbow shortens Applejack's name and stretches out a hoof to her friend. Applejack grins back at her and reaches out her own hoof. "I'm totally gonna get you back for that...right now!" The moment Applejack's hoof makes contact with Rainbow's, Applejack visibly jumps and lets out a surprised yelp...earning a triumphant laugh from Rainbow. I almost laugh out loud; I did not expect a sound like that from Applejack. "What in tarnation...!? Rainbow Dash, is this another one of your pranks? Show me your hoof!" Applejack demands after she composes herself. I blink, trying to make sense of what happened. Rainbow snickers and reveals a silver metal disk the size of a quarter strapped to her hoof. Atop the disk was a singular button. Applejack sighs in disappointment. "Can't believe I fell for the simplest trick in the book." "What is that?" I question before Rainbow can continue to gloat. I gathered that I've just witnessed one of Rainbow's pranks that Vinyl warned me about, but I don't understand what that disc is supposed to be. "What this? It's a buzzer! You've never seen one before?" Rainbow shows it to me. The realization then strikes me and I gaze at her with disbelief. I've heard that term before, but I didn't even consider that ponies had something like that. "Give it a press!" "No thanks; I know what it does. More importantly, this is what you consider a prank?" I demand incredulously. "Uh...yeah?" Rainbow seems thrown off by my confusion. She thinks about it for a second and then appears somewhat excited. "You trying to tell me you know better pranks than this?" "I wouldn't say 'better,'" I grumble, recalling my own experiences with the horrible pranks my peers would come up with back in my era. "But I'm just surprised. This seems like something a child would think is funny." "Whoa now, Dash. Looks like Seth is calling you out," Applejack remarks smugly. Just then, from the kitchen, I hear Granny Smith calling for Applejack. "Anyhoo, I'll leave you to it. We've still got a seat still open for you if you change your mind." "Later, Applejack!" Rainbow waves after her friend. She turns back to me. "So what if it's a childish prank? You heard the sound she made, didn't you? That's funny!" "I guess it was a little funny. It just...wasn't what I expected." I briefly recall my conversation with Vinyl. "So these are the type of pranks you do?" "What, this? Nah, this is just me when I'm too lazy to think up anything good! Come on, let's get going and I'll tell you more!" Rainbow beckons me out the door with a wave of her forehoof. "You didn't change your mind about hanging out, did you?" "I was going to ask you the same question. You're still determined to do this?" I ask even though I'm fairly certain I know the answer. I follow her out the door, the two of us starting back along the path to town. "I know your friends by now. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Vinyl, Flitter, etc. You have plenty of options besides me, and it doesn't make sense that you'd neglect them to hang out with me of all people." "Oh for Celestia's sake," Rainbow presses a hoof to her face in exasperation. "You call me out for being like a foal and then you say something like that." "Attacking me rather than my argument isn't going to help your case," I say without looking at her. "Yeah, I have friends other than you. How exactly am I neglecting them? I hung out with the weather girls last night, and then Vinyl. The day before I went racing with Applejack and then I did some practicing with Fluttershy around. The day before that I had dinner with Twilight and Rarity. Exactly where do you think I'm 'neglecting' my friends?" Rainbow's words are succinct and forceful. I open my mouth to answer, but I don't have any meaningful reply. This pony's ability to verbally drive me into a corner is disconcerting and oddly reminiscent of a certain sharp-tongued friend I used to have. "Today, I asked to hang out with you, and you said yes! So let's just hang out, and stop thinking so hard about everything." "Easier said than done." I decide to concede the argument. In the end, her words are just words, despite how pretty they may sound. I'll bide my time a while longer, and then when she's sick of me, I'll start focusing solely on music. At least I can trust my instruments to play notes for me without asking anything in return. "So what did you have in mind for today?" "Hm..." Rainbow presses a hoof to her chin, thinking hard. She brightens up, a smirk crossing her face. "I have an idea! We were just talking about pranks; wanna go cause some chaos?" "What? You want me to just go around pranking ponies?" I can't believe what I'm hearing. After all the pranks I've seen, I can't justify doing that kind of thing to someone else. I'm not that cruel. "No way. Seeing you prank someone else is one thing, but it's not for me." "Awesome! You can just watch for now. I've got a few good ones cooked up - just you wait!" Rainbow grins evilly and rubs her two front hooves together. "Follow me!" "Whatever. I can't believe I'm even bothering with this." I grumble, but I follow Rainbow nonetheless if only to see more of what she considers to be pranks. "Why do I get the feeling this is about to be incredibly stupid?" "Hey, girls!" Rainbow Dash zips down from the skies to the streets, where the rest of the weather team was just finishing up from the days work. An air of curiosity settles over them at their boss's sudden appearance. "Hi, Rainbow Dash. I didn't expect to see you back already," Cloud Chaser was the first to respond clearly amidst the chorus of greetings sent their way. "Did something come up?" Flitter questions as she moves to meet with Rainbow. "Don't tell me the board sent us another last minute request for a storm..." "Not this time. Relax, we just have a few more clouds to bust. See those?" Rainbow directs their gaze to the skies over in the general direction of the gorge. "What in the...where did those clouds come from?" Cloud demands with mild annoyance as she regards the scattered clumps of cumulus hanging in the sky. "I could have sworn we took all those out...were they hiding in the gorge?" "I don't think so...but this just means our job isn't finished," Flitter replies with a shrug, the mare already appearing resigned to the task. "Shall we take care of it?" "Let's do it. Just the two of us should be able to handle it. The rest of you all can go home...if that's cool with you, Rainbow Dash." Cloud Chaser conducts herself like a leader, the other ponies accepting her words without question. "That works! Get cracking, and then we can all finish for today." Rainbow directed. The other weather ponies display varying degrees of relief and go their separate ways while Flitter and Cloud Chaser take to the skies. Rainbow watches them fly and she hides a snicker behind her hoof. As for me, I'm resting on the roof of a nearby building, where Rainbow had deemed to be the best vantage point. I'm lying on my stomach, one cheek resting atop my fist. I don't know what Rainbow has cooked up for the two weather ponies. All I know is that they were Rainbow's target and that according to her, I'll be laughing at the result. That remains to be seen. "So, you have them doing extra work when they should be going home," I observe in a less than amused tone when Rainbow lands on the roof beside me. "This isn't a prank. This is just you being a terrible boss." "Oh please, it's just a couple cumulus. It won't take them more than a few minutes, even as slow as they are," Rainbow assures me. "Besides, that's not even the prank! Just watch, it's gonna be great." "Whatever." I fall back into silence and watch the two sisters tear their way through the collection of clouds Rainbow had prepared for them. After clearing away the majority of the clouds, Flitter and Cloud Chaser tackled the last set, each of them dissipating the vapor with swift and coordinated bucks. However, as Flitter bucked the last remaining cloud...it suddenly burst apart with a loud bang, shooting vapor and confetti in every direction. "Yaaah!" Flitter squealed and covered her eyes. "What the hay!?" Cloud practically leaps out of her skin and whips about, only to receive part of the confetti payload to her face. "Yes!" Rainbow bursts into triumphant laughter at the resolution of her prank. With her laughter and the discovery of ruptured balloons falling from where the trapped cloud used to be, it didn't take the two sisters long to realize what happened. "Rainbow!" Cloud Chaser accused, the mare attempting to brush confetti out of her mane. Flitter started to chuckle as she gazed at her frazzled sister. "Flitter, stop laughing. Don't encourage her." "I can't help it. Your mane looks like a party disaster," Flitter notes between giggles. "So does yours, silly!" Cloud Chaser snaps back. In her attempts to clear out the confetti, she ends up with nothing but a helplessly tangled mane. Yet despite the annoyance, she and Flitter laugh. "Ugh, you got us good, Rainbow! Just wait until we get you back!" "Looking forward to it!" Rainbow cheekily calls up to her two employees. "Now get on out of here and get yourselves a drink on me!" "You got it, boss!" With that, the two sisters took off down towards the town, leaving Rainbow and me alone on the rooftop. "So how was that for a good prank?" Rainbow asks smugly, the mare plopping down beside me with an expectant expression. I glare at her, wanting to be stubborn. "I suppose that was alright. Hiding a confetti-filled balloon in a cloud was pretty clever." I ultimately admit, feeling some lingering amusement from the memory of the two sisters and their ruffled appearance after the balloons had popped. "That was harmless, as far as pranks go. That being said, I didn't think they'd take it as well as they did." "It's not the first time we've pranked each other," Rainbow reveals with a grin. "But I didn't make you laugh yet. So I need to pick my next target and step up my game!" "You're really set on doing this, aren't you?" I raise a brow at her statement. I could be doing something more productive with my time, but I suppose there's no rush. I also hate to admit it to myself, but I find that I'm curious to see what she'll come up with next. "Duh! This is already fun, and I haven't even gotten started!" Rainbow responds eagerly. "Ooh, I should hit Rarity next! She is just hilarious when she's flustered!" "Okay, this I have to see." The words escape me before I can stop them. Out of all the ponies I've met, I can't see Rarity being caught off guard by something like this. The idea of her doing so proves to be a humorous one after all. "That's the spirit! Come on, I've got the perfect idea!" Rainbow zips off once again, leaving me to jog after her to catch up. "Stitching, stitching~" Rarity hums a small tune to herself as she runs a length of fabric beneath the needle of her sewing machine. All she had left to do was patch up around the seams and her latest order would be complete. "Quite fine work so far, if I do say so myself. The customer will almost certainly be pleased!" Rarity turns off the sewing machine with her magic and drapes the fabric over a mannequin, giving her plenty of room to start decorating the dress. However, before she can get started, she hears a knock at the door. "Now, who could that be?" Rarity walks to the front door and opens...to reveal nothing. Yet that small moment of distraction is enough to set the stage for the prank to come. "I'm going in!" Rainbow whispers to me. She cracks open one of the windows and slips inside carrying several scraps of paper in her mouth. She zips about inside Rarity's home like a whirlwind, dancing from place to place to leave behind the scraps in noticeable places. She shoots out the window just as the confused Rarity closes the front door and turns around. "Well, that was quite odd," Rarity comments. She returns to the mannequin, already retrieving various decorative fabrics, gems, and other such objects to place on the dress. She pauses as she notices the small scrap of paper resting atop the mannequin's head. The perplexed mare brought the scrap up to her face with her magic. "What is this? Is that a frog? My, that expression is absolutely ridiculous. And what does that say at the bottom? 'You've been...frogged?' What does that even mean?" "'Frogged?'" I ask, turning to the snickering Rainbow for clarification. "I'm with her, what does that even mean?" "Sometimes the best pranks are the ones that make no sense. Confuse her, don't abuse her!" Rainbow explains. She presses her face to the glass. "Look, I hid them all over her house!" "Another one?" Rarity discovers a second frog picture lying mixed within a pile of fabric that she'd set aside for herself. She stares at it and then tosses it in the trash with the first one. "Yes, yes, I've been frogged. Whatever that means." "You're kidding." As Rarity opens up a chest to reveal a selection of gems, inside is another frog picture. One of her eyes twitches as she lifts it up. "How many of these am I going to find? Is this somepony's idea of a joke!?" "Hmph!" Rarity shoves the picture into the trash once again and attempts to focus on her work. Eventually, just as I'm starting to lose interest, she spots a misshapen seam in her dress and produces a sewing kit from a nearby shelf. As she opens the kit, another frog picture tumbles out. "Where do these keep coming from!?" Rarity practically turns red, a frustrated cry escaping her. I choke, almost losing my composure at the sight of such a prim and proper mare losing her temper over something as silly as frog pictures. A helpless laugh escapes me as Rarity suddenly blasts the frog picture with a bolt of magic. "I will not stand here and be frogged, thank you very much!" Rarity expresses vehemently. She starts to tear the room apart, searching for any remaining frog pictures. "I'll find you! And then I'll teach you a lesson! Nopony 'frogs' me!" "Did you hear that? Nopony frogs her!" Rainbow is struggling hard to keep her merriment at a low volume, to keep from being caught. I can't blame her, either. "Now here's the best part! Watch this!" "If I find one more frog, I'm going to have an absolute conniption!" Rarity screeches in a thoroughly nettled tone, one I've never heard from her before. She then spots a white cat slinking through the room, with another frog picture tucked into the feline's collar. "How did...but...that is...Opal, give me that!" Once Rarity had chased down her cat and removed the frog picture from it, there came a knock at the door. Rarity tore the frog picture in half and spent the next few seconds making herself look presentable before opening the door. "Oh, Rainbow Dash - what a surprise! Pardon me, this isn't really the best time..." Rarity starts to say, but then she notices Rainbow's reddened face. Understanding dawns on her face. "Not the best time? You don't say; I could hear you from outside! It sounded like you had a frog in your throat!" Rainbow joked, and then she broke out into peals of laughter at the annoyed look on her friend's face. "And so the culprit reveals herself. I might have known," Rarity's annoyance surprisingly fades away. "Well yes, it seems you've frogged me good, Rainbow Dash. Now, if you're quite finished laughing, you can help me find the rest of your frog pictures." "Yeah, okay. Come on, Seth, you can help!" Unlike before, Rainbow doesn't let me stay out of the situation. I sigh and move to join her, brushing off my clothes. "Did you just say, 'Seth?' You can't mean to tell me that he..." Rarity breaks off when she spots me rounding the corner. She blinks, dumbfounded. "Well, that's quite unusual. Were you in on this as well, Seth?" "No, I'm just along for the ride. Rainbow is insisting on showing me the kinds of pranks she likes to pull," I explain. Rainbow beams and she nudges me with her side. "And yes, I'll admit this one was pretty good." "Yes, yes..." Rarity waves a hoof dismissively. She ushers the two of us inside. "Now get to work, Rainbow! Tea, Seth?" "Wait, you're offering him tea!? Where's my tea?" Rainbow demands just as she's fished the first picture out from beneath the rug. "You can have your tea when you've finished cleaning up. As for Seth, he said he wasn't involved in your prank, and I'm inclined to believe him. As long as I've known him, I've yet to hear Seth lie. In fact, he's so brutally honest he could give Applejack a run for her bits," Rarity explains smugly. I glance at her, feeling satisfied after hearing that. Being honest is one of my vices; so much so that I remain quiet if I can't afford to be so. "No thanks on the tea. You shouldn't feel obligated to accommodate us after being pranked. I imagine you must be upset," I answer her. "Upset? Oh, good heavens no!" Rarity's reply surprises me. "This is hardly the first time Rainbow has played a practical joke on me. It's all in good fun, and I usually get even in the end one way or another." "That's...interesting." That's all I can think of to say. I don't want to admit I'm wrong, but perhaps Vinyl was right after all, and Rainbow's pranks are just harmless fun, even if they are a bit childish. After all, between Applejack, Flitter and Cloud Chaser, and now Rarity, none of them were upset by them. "In that case, you can get your revenge right now. I'm not helping at all. Put your back into it, Rainbow." "Quite. You heard him, Rainbow!" Rarity agrees, chuckling. "Oh, you traitor!" Rainbow shoots back with a groan. "I can't be a traitor if I was never committed to the cause in the first place," I retort with a shrug and a smirk. I turn back to Rarity with the intent to make another smart-aleck remark, but instead, I find that she's gazing at me with a calm smile. "What?" "Nothing, darling. I'm just happy to see you getting along better with Rainbow," Rarity answers while the mare in question is on the other side of the room. "As far as friends go, she's an excellent choice. She'll never let you down." "That's..." I didn't expect her to get serious with me all of a sudden; her words snap me back to reality and have me re-evaluate the situation I'm currently in. I'm here with Rainbow only because the mare won't leave me alone. She hasn't ever since the cliff. She talks a good game, but it wouldn't be the first time I've met someone with a silver tongue who's had nothing but contempt for me. I don't consider Rainbow a friend. Yet...she did save my life; nobody has done that for me before. Rarity frowns, the mare noticing the sudden myriad of emotions that cross over my face after her words. I notice her gaze and stifle my thoughts; nothing good would come of voicing them here. "That remains to be seen," is all I end up saying. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" I whisper to Rainbow as the two of us approach Sugarcube Corner. Out of all the ponies she could be pranking, this one worries me due to her target's unpredictability. "I've seen two pranks so far; that should be enough, right?" "Are you kidding? I'm on a roll!" Rainbow won't be dissuaded. The mare is carrying a bag filled with various noisemakers and silly traps to lay around. It's the sort of stuff I wouldn't be surprised to see in your average joke shop. "Just wait until I turn Sugarcube Corner into a minefield! Mr. and Mrs. Cake are out for a few hours, so it'll be just Pinkie!" "If the owners are out today, wouldn't Pinkie be watching the shop? How do you intend to lure her away long enough to plant your traps?" I question her curiously. Rainbow scoffs confidently. "Distracting Pinkie Pie? Come on, I've been doing it for years. Watch this!" Rainbow sets the bag of pranks down and then opens the front door. Behind the counter is Pinkie herself, the mare gazing at the Rainbow with the look of someone up to no good. Rainbow steps inside and starts to announce. "Pinkie Pie, you've gotta see this! There's a...waaah!" The second Rainbow sets hoof inside, something inside explodes to the right of the doorway with the sound of noise-makers and party blowouts. An eruption of confetti, streamers, and various party tools knocks Rainbow off her hooves and sends her reeling to the right and out of sight. Pinkie immediately falls over backward, breaking out into peals of laughter. "Pinkie!" Rainbow yells, only making her laugh harder. I stifle a laugh, recognizing what just happened. It looks like the prankster just got pranked. "You didn't think I'd just let you walk in here with all those pranks without giving you a taste of your own medicine, would you?" Pinkie taunts, batting her eyes at the fallen Rainbow. She doesn't even stop to look surprised when I walk into the shop as well. "Heya, Seth! How are you doing?" I just give her a short nod. I glance to the right, once again fighting back laughter at the sight of Rainbow on the floor, the mare covered in confetti and somehow even wearing a party hat. I turn to the left to see the source of the explosion; a silvery cannon resting on a single axle sporting two wheels, each one decorated with a yellow flower. "How did you even know I was coming to prank you?" Rainbow demands as she rises, the mare dusting herself off and throwing the party hat aside. "Let's see, Rainbow Dash coming to visit me, carrying a bag of jokes, snickering like she's hiding something really funny, dragging the town's grumpiest creature along with her...I think that forms the recipe for a really fun prank!" Pinkie reasons, nudging Rainbow Dash knowingly. "So how's your pranking spree been going?" "I'm standing right here!" I retort, quirking a brow at her description of me. Rainbow glances at me and snickers. "Hey!" "She's right though. Though I'd say 'grumpy' is a bit of an understatement," Rainbow remarks, earning an emphatic nod from Pinkie. I roll my eyes at the two of them. I didn't realize I'd come here to be mocked. "But to answer your question, Pinkie, it's been awesome! We hit Flitter and her sister first, then Rarity! You broke our streak, though!" "Your streak. I have no part in this." I correct her sharply, but I'm more or less ignored. A sigh escapes me, my annoyance level steadily rising. "Sorry! The chance was too good to pass up!" Pinkie trilled, looking pleased with herself. "Who were you going to hit next? Can I help? It's been too long since we've gone pranking together!" "I'm gonna get a headache," I groan, less than enthused by the prospect of Pinkie joining in on this journey of nonsense. "Yes, do tell. Which poor unsuspecting pony are you hitting next?" "Hm...let's hit Twilight next!" Rainbow declares. I blink, surprised by that choice. Twilight was the last pony I'd expect Rainbow to pull a prank on. Plus, Twilight is smart, so I don't see her falling for something simple. "She has the best reactions! Trust me, she'll never see it coming!" "Yes! I have so many ideas already running through my head! What if we walk up to her door, tell her we brought flamingoes, but it's really just flaming O's!" Pinkie suggests. Before I can even process what she just said, she whips a tray filled with donuts out from nowhere to show us. In each of the donut holes, a thick stubby candle is inserted, their wicks burning fiercely. "And then we can have post-prank donuts!" "No no no, that's too simple! We gotta do something that'll really get her. What if we rigged a bucket of water above her door frame, and when she comes to answer the door, she gets totally soaked!" Rainbow shoots right back excitedly, one of her hooves swooping down to meet the other. "Ooh ooh, I've got a good one! We should get into her kitchen and put little googly eyes all over all of her food!" Pinkie Pie produces a bag of said eyes once again from seemingly nowhere, the donuts disappearing from my field of view. "Then we can watch her get flustered while her pastries stare at her from the depths of her refrigerator, watching her...judging her!" "That's pretty good, but what if we planted fake snakes hidden between her books? Remember how she squealed when she saw one up close during her first Winter Wrap-Up?" Rainbow returned eagerly. Their energy is only rising as the two of them toss prank ideas back and forth, each one more ridiculous than the last. Yet, as I listen to all of their prank ideas, I have to admit something to myself. They're all harmless. None of them are cruel or one-sided and could result in some simple fun. Perhaps...the pranks I'm familiar with were just the result of particularly nasty individuals and bad luck. Perhaps pony pranks are simply different than human pranks. Whatever the reasoning may be, there's nothing wrong with these pranks...and I admittedly want to see how Twilight reacts when confronted with one of them. That being said, however, they could use a bit more of a...personal touch. "Why not threaten one of her books?" I suggest just as Rainbow is pitching the idea to cover the table in the library with cotton balls. Rainbow and Pinkie both stop mid-sentence and stare at me in shock. I realize just how bad that sounds and quickly clarify. "Not really. I'm not so cruel as to suggest we actually harm one of her books. Yet, just pretending we are should be enough to get her flustered. Then we could pull whatever we wanted." A slight pause follows as the two of them mull the idea over. I feel somewhat uncomfortable beneath their gaze, wondering if I shouldn't have spoken up after all. Yet, then the two of them grin wickedly. "YES!" Pinkie and Rainbow both exclaim at once, pointing their hooves at me as though I'd come up with a genius idea. "We can workshop that! Twilight would freak if one of her books was in danger!" Rainbow says. "Let's do it! But somecreature's gotta stop her from using her magic, or it'll all be ruined!" Pinkie posits. "It's time to plan! Bring it in, you two!" They huddle close together, gesturing for me to join in as well. I hesitantly approach a few steps, just close enough to make out what they're whispering, and then the three of us begin to plan our nefarious prank. Several minutes later, Mrs. Cake gets home. The older mare steps inside just in time to see us grouped together, talking in a low voice. She blinks, perplexed. "What are you three doing?" "Nothing!" The three of us chorus together instantly. We exchange glances, the plan fully formed in our mind. "Let's do it! I'll talk to Vinyl!" Rainbow asserts. "I'll bake the pies!" Pinkie trills. "I'll go to visit the carpenter." I express. The three of us nod and then head our separate ways. Pinkie bounces off to the kitchen, Rainbow zips out the window at a breakneck pace, and I walk out the front door like a normal person. This is ridiculous, childish, and isn't productive in the least. I can't believe I'm even doing this, but I'm already this far in. I might as well see it through. After all, it was my idea. All is quiet in Vinyl's living room as the sun's last rays shine in through the window, the day finally coming to an end. The dying light illuminates the two ponies and I as we lie in wait for our unwitting target. I'm standing with Pinkie Pie in a clear view of the front door, my hands in my pockets. Vinyl is here as well, the mare hunched down on the couch low enough that she couldn't be seen from the other side. Pinkie is holding the centerpiece of the entire prank clutched in her hooves: a book which according to her is called "a Succinct History of Equis," one of the books Twilight showed me during one of my visits. Furthermore, a small inconspicuous rug is present in the entry hallway, placed in such a way that anyone coming from outside would have to walk over it to reach the living room. "I can't believe I'm doing this." I finally say aloud what's been running through my head non-stop ever since I agreed to do this. "This is ridiculous." "So you keep saying. But this is gonna be good, trust me. This is the best prank idea I've heard in months, dude." Vinyl whispers from the couch. "Better yet; I'm glad you're finally loosening up a bit, too." "Whatever," I mutter, uncomfortable. I then turn my gaze towards Pinkie. "Pinkie, stop laughing; nothing has even happened yet." "I know! I just keep picturing what's going to happen and I just can't help but laugh!" Pinkie has also been giggling to herself on and off for the past hour, even since Rainbow left to fetch Twilight. "I can't wait!" "Do you remember the script?" I ask Pinkie in a low tone. "There was a script?" Pinkie blinks, cluelessly. I feel as though my heart stops after hearing that. "You didn't read the script?" I hiss at her in irritation. I recall how I had to dictate it to Vinyl just to get it down in a language the ponies could read. "Then what did I spend all that time writing it for!?" "Whoopsies! I knew I was forgetting something!" Pinkie giggles and snorts, as though nothing were wrong. As I'm glaring at her, I hear the sound of a thunderclap from outside. "It'll be fine, I'll just improvise!" "Quiet, you two! That's the signal! That means they're here!" Vinyl hisses. The two of us quiet down instantly, though I continue to glower at the oblivious Pinkie. "I'll get the door. When I do... do your thing!" "And you're certain that Vinyl Scratch is the one with my book?" I hear Twilight faintly ask in the distance. "I don't know, she doesn't seem the type to take books without asking." "You think this is just about your book? This isn't just a case of a single book going missing. This is the start of a much larger evil scheme concerning all books in Equestria!" Rainbow replies, their voices getting closer and closer. "You don't understand, Twilight. We are smack dab in the middle of a book stealing conspiracy, and only you can stop it!" "...Uh huh. Well, if you say so. I just want my book back so I can get back to reorganizing the library by topic and date published." Twilight seems less than amused by Rainbow's tall tale, but she's nonetheless approaching the front door. "For the umpteenth time..." Rainbow remarks. "Did you say something?" Twilight asks, hardly paying attention. "Nope!" Rainbow retracts. "Alright, you get the door, and I'll fly around the back and make sure they can't make a run for it!" "You do that..." Twilight emits. And then, the long-awaited knock on the door comes. "Hey, Vinyl, are you in right now? I'm missing a Succinct History of Equis and Rainbow seems to think you have it." "Alright, get ready you two." Vinyl whispers. The mare leaps to her hooves and rushes over to the front door, carefully avoiding the rug in the hallway in the process. She opens the door to reveal a bemused Twilight...and then Pinkie and I get started. "Rainbow's betrayed us, just like I always knew she would. It's only a matter of time until Twilight gets here, and then it'll be all over," I say loud enough that Twilight would be able to hear us. It's the first line of the script I made and rehearsed... the one Pinkie didn't read. "Ah yes, Twilight Sparkle! The single mare in charge of one of the enemy strongholds!" Before I know it, Pinkie is wearing a set of cardboard armor painted silver, complete with a visored helmet through which her muzzle barely fits. I do my best not to gape at her, even as Twilight pokes her head out from around Vinyl upon hearing her name, her face filled with curiosity and suspicion. "She won't be able to stop us. Nopony will be able to stop us! Stick with me, Sethie, and we'll form a foal-ition strong enough to topple the regime that has dominated Equestria for centuries! The book-related regime!" "What in Celestia's name are you two doing?" Twilight demands in confusion...but then she spots the book in Pinkie's hoof, her eyes widening. "Is that my book!?" "Yes, I, Pinkamena Diane Pie, hereby declare war upon all books! Our armies of fire shall rake across their rugged surface until there is nothing left! In fact, you could call this a...hold on folks, here's the best part...a crusade! As Celestia wills!" Pinkie proclaims while waving around a cardboard sword, at one point pausing to address seemingly no one before getting back to her ridiculous, yet hilarious improvised script. I can't believe she pulled that out of nowhere. That's leagues better than what I came up with. "Now, my companion in crime, let us strike the first blow together!" Pinkie presents the book to me with a dramatic flourish. "Bring the cleansing flames to this book, so that we may set out upon our perilous journey!" "Agreed. This is the beginning of the end!" Caught up in Pinkie's energy despite myself, I pull a box of matches from my pocket. The second Twilight spots that, she puts two and two together and emits a cross between an agonized whinny and a high pitched squeal, which is almost enough to make me lose my composure right then and there. "What do you think you're doing!?" Twilight shrieks. Her horn lights up, no doubt to grab the book from us with her telekinesis. However, Vinyl is quicker on the uptake. Vinyl's magical aura appears around the book a split second before Twilight's does, therefore preventing her from grabbing it from us. "Vinyl, what are you...?" "Quick, she's here! Burn it, my minion, burn it!" Pinkie squeals. I nod and light the match, a spark of flame springing into existence only millimeters away from the book's spine. Pinkie lets out a maniacal, yet cheesy, evil laugh. "Mwahahahaha!" "Stoooop!" Stripped of any other course of action, Twilight shoves past Vinyl and breaks into a desperate run, sheer panic plastered across her face. Yet, it is that very same speed that brings about her downfall. Twilight gallops across the rug in the hallway... which then slips out from underneath her without warning, courtesy of a large amount of oil spread on the floor beneath it. Twilight's eyes bug out and she overbalances with a surprised cry. "Waaah!" Vinyl seizes the moment. Acting quickly, she uses her magic to slide a fresh-baked pie right beneath Twilight, such that she falls face-first into it with a wet splat. There's silence for a few moments, and then Twilight makes a muffled sound of confusion. Then, the laughter begins. Pinkie, Vinyl, and Rainbow, who had slipped in through the back window, burst into uproarious laughter at the sight of the fallen Twilight. Pinkie tumbles over, holding her stomach as she laughs, while Rainbow can barely stay in the air. Even I join them in their merriment. Unlike before, this isn't a stifled chuckle; this is a laugh right from the gut, the first I've had in a long time. It's the result of our silly hare-brained scheme coming to fruition so perfectly. "Rainbow! Is this another one of your pranks!?" Twilight picks her face out of the pie, her face covered with bits of pie crust and cherry filling. She notices just who all is laughing at her and gives us all a glare. "Wait, were you all in on this!? Even you, Seth!?" "You know it!" Vinyl chokes out between laughs. She tries to calm down but dissolves into laughter once again after looking at Twilight's face. "Oh...your face...stop looking at me...I'm gonna die! "Fine... I guess you got me." Twilight gives a little growl, and then she reaches a hoof up to her face in an attempt to wipe off some of the pie filling. Unfortunately for her, it's the sticky kind. "Oh, yuck! You couldn't have used something easier to clean up?!" "Nope! Looks like somepony's gonna need a shower! Look at you, all covered in my cherry pie!" Pinkie zips over to Twilight and gives her cheek a big lick, tasting some of the pie for herself. She nods as if pleased with the flavor, and then she looks back at us. "In fact, you could say that now, she's my cherry pie!" "Uuugh!" Twilight groans, but then she adopts a wry smile, admitting her defeat. "I have to say, this is the most involved prank you've ever done, Rainbow. You even got Seth in on it! Book conspiracy? A crusade? Where did you even get that from?" "Well... not a clue! I just sorta made things up as we went," Rainbow replies with a smirk. I proceed to throw the extinguished match at her. "Hey!" "You didn't read the script either!? You two are terrible!" I complain at her, earning an unashamed shrug from her. She then ducks her head to dodge the crumpled remains of the script I'd wasted my time devising. "I'm glad to see you getting along with my friends, Seth...even if it took playing a practical joke on me to get there," Twilight comments, the smile on her face seeming almost bittersweet for some reason. She then notes the book still in my hand. "You...weren't really going to burn my book, were you?" "Yes, actually," I reply bluntly, much to her shock and horror. I pull out another match. "In fact, I still might." "What!? No! Give me that!" Twilight snatches the book out of my grasp with her magic and brings it over to her protectively. Vinyl, Rainbow, Pinkie, and I watch her with bated breath as she runs a hoof over the cover of the book. She attempts to open it. "I can't believe you would do something so horrible as burn a defenseless...a defense...a def..." Twilight, in the process of her trying to open the book, found that she couldn't... because it was in fact a sanded wood construct we'd had commissioned that had been decorated to look exactly like her copy of the book. "This isn't a book." Twilight expressed, bemused. The realization that she'd been fooled a second time caused her to let out a cry of anguish, which was enough to set us off into another bout of merriment. "Augh! You little pranksters got me again!" "Yes! Double whammy!" Pinkie exults. "Totally worth the effort!" Vinyl agrees. "But then...where's the actual book? The whole reason I came out here was to get it back," Twilight asks. "I hid it under your bed when you weren't looking," Rainbow supplies helpfully, the mare starting to wheeze from laughing so hard. "Of course you did. May I use your kitchen sink, Vinyl? There appears to still be cherries on my face," Twilight asks, thoroughly unamused. After receiving a nod from the still chortling Vinyl, she sighs and walks into the kitchen, where I soon hear running water pouring from the sink. "I told you, right? The best reactions!" Rainbow reminds me once she'd caught her breath, a satisfied smirk crossing her face. "That was a totally great idea, Seth!" "Alright, so maybe I did have a little bit of fun with that. Twilight's face was...priceless, to say the least," I force myself to admit to them. The pleased expressions on their faces as a result makes me groan and place my head into my hands. "But don't expect me to go around pranking every pony I meet just because I might have a bit of a taste for it." "But every once in awhile, right?" Rainbow presses. I nod after a pause. I suppose there are worse things I could do with my free time, considering most of my prior hobbies aren't available to me anymore. "Yes! Now we're getting somewhere!" "I'm just glad I got to be included in that. I'm with Dash; that was a great prank idea. Never thought you had it in you, Seth," Vinyl adds. She sticks her hoof out. "Alright, everycreature; let's bring it in for a prank well pulled!" "Aw yeah!" Rainbow meets her hoof without hesitation. "Right on!" Pinkie does the same, and then the three of them gaze at me expectantly, noticing that my hands are still securely in my pockets, as per usual. I stare at their gathered hooves uncertainly. I'm not sure if I should be so friendly with them. The last thing I want to do is make any of them think that doing something together with me is enough to gain some ground with me. Despite my misgivings, however, I do have to admit that my spirits are slightly better than normal after this evening. I suppose that at least for that, I might as well humor them. I reach my hand out and place it atop their hooves. "Yeah!" The three of them raise their hooves and let out a triumphant cry. Twilight steps out of the kitchen at that precise moment with her face clear of cherry pie, where she notices my participation in their merriment. She pauses and puts on a small smile, colored with a hint of sadness. "So, who's up for some post-prank donuts? They're freshly made!" The moment Pinkie has a hoof free, she whips out the same box of donuts she'd shown us back in the shop. I goggle at her; I never saw her bring those with her, nor did I see from where she'd pulled them. Just another mystery to add to the list dedicated to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie then proceeds to chomp on the first one in the box. "Om nom nom...delish!" "Donuts sound good." Vinyl comments. "I'm in!" Rainbow says instantly. "I guess I can stay a little longer," Twilight decides, moving to join our little group. She lifts up one of the donuts with her magic and takes a bite out of it. Her face takes on an unamused look. "Of course, they're cherry flavored." The sound of laughter fills the room once more as my chaos-filled day finally comes to a close.

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