"Awaken, Guardian. Your departure is imminent."
I groaned as I was pulled from my dream dimension into the 'real world' of the Guardian's Call. As I stretched out the stiffness that my body had acquired, I telepathically berated the Oracle for his obvious use of mind-rape.
"Would you rather I send another Guardian to retrieve you? I try to avoid breaching the private space of another but exceptions can be made. Besides, I do believe you'll find this mission to be enjoyable."
Finding myself devoid of response, I facepalmed and began warping all around the Call to retrieve various items. When I had finished placing the last of my gathered supplies into my pocket space I made one last warp to the disembarkation chamber.
I waited for a few moments, eyes shut, trying to will away the extreme brightness of the pure white cube that I was standing in. After a few moments I felt a presence behind me, "So..." I began, hoping the Oracle would just explain everything for once, "what's so special about this mission?"
"You will be sent to the world of dragon riders. There is an increasing amount of corruption and if you'll observe the comet sphere I am sure you will see for yourself."
As he motioned towards a white and brown sphere behind him, I noticed black specks and lines that ran all throughout it. I stopped for a moment to take a look at the rest of the spheres that dotted the wall behind him; each one of the dozen a physical manifestation of and link to other universes, or Spheres of existence...
Daddy... can you tell me about your first mission again?
"You mean the one where I had to collect the spheres and release the Oracle from temporal stasis?"
Yea! That one's the best!
"Well... It all started on Earth really. I was given this pendant and it unlocked a whole bunch of powers! All of the ones that I've been practicing with you in fact, and with it I traveled first to the age of dinosaurs to collect the comet sphere, then to the planet of dragon riders to collect the Earth sphere, then I went to the world of metal to collect the Water sphere and that's when your mother and I...
I violently shook away the memory of my parents. When my gaze focused on the depression in the wall that was supposed to house the creation sphere, I couldn't help but let my mind wander once more.
What do you mean you have to go away and you don't know when you're coming back?! You ALWAYS know when you're coming back!
"Yes, I know and for that I'm sorry. You remember how my first mission ended, right?
How could I forget? You've only told me about a million times. First you gather the spheres, then you unfreeze the Oracle— but it turns out it unfroze his entire race. Then, when the Ulmegas returned, they tore holes all over the universe gathering up essence so they could transport themselves into Alpheron. After that reality broke, you met some dude and then you used your powers and the combined powers of the spheres to reorganize existence
"Yeaa... Well Jace, it turns out when the dimension walkers broke into Alpheron even it was rendered unstable. So now I have to go back and fix it or else everything on this end could break up even worse then the last time."
So you're leaving me too... Just like m—
"No. Plisca didn't leave us, she got pulled into a sort of void in reality... Look, things will become very difficult after I go but I WILL return someday... and when I come back I'll bring Plisca back with me too. I'll be able to fix the void she's trapped in while I'm back there... or at the least weaken the divide so she can escape. And who knows? Maybe just the act of going back will be enough to punch a hole in reality that she can use to get out... or at the very least send a message...
Once again I let the thoughts of my past fade. The Oracle was giving me an odd look so I gave him a sheepish grin in return and shrugged my shoulders. "Sorry... Were you saying something?"
"Your mission will begin with an unusually long jump so I will place you into a temporary stasis before I send you on your way. Good luck, Jason."
As the blinding radiance of the room began to Fade toBlack I wondered what my next adventure had in store for me. Would I be fighting a horde of enemies? Or perhaps I'd have to rebuild a civilization... Maybe I'd get to life out a peaceful life with a family while protecting my friends and family from dark spawn abominations. Or maybe, just maybe, this'll be the trip where I finally get to...
Author's Note
Looking back, I'm really glad I added this; I think it really does add a lot to the story... and if anything I wrote here begs for more information feel free to ask. If it's something you think should be told within the story I'll consider it, and if it's something you're fine with knowing via word of god that's fine too.
Also, to those reading this, I feel inclined to mention I'll be putting the story through a major rewrite at a later date. I just need to sort out a few more things before I'm ready to do so.
I awoke to the feeling of not being all there. Not mentally mind you, but in the most physical way imaginable. I looked at my body, after kicking off what appeared to be a hospital sheet, and fainted. My body had transformed to that of a very tiny cyan horse and every fiber of my being was cursing fate for doing this to me. I was able to see my reflection in a piece of equipment that was next to my bed. So, after regaining my senses, I took a breather and began assessing the damage. I noticed my hair, or should I call it a mane now?... Anyway, my mane was short, a little spiky and colored a rather dull blue with green highlights. My tail was blue with a green stripe going down the center and it was close to the length of my body. Finally, I had huge frosted green eyes with a slight gradient towards blue. After getting over the fact that my eyes were not possible, I decided it was time to leave this place. As soon as I mastered walking around on my bed a white pony with a nurse's cap and pink mane walked into the room. It didn't take her very long to unleashed a barrage of misguided compassion in the form of my worst enemy... Questions.
"My name is Nurse Redheart. Are you ok? Are you in any pain? Do you remember your name? Where are you from? Do you know where your parents are? Would you li—"
"SHUT— UP— YOU! I CAN ONLY TAKE SO MANY QUESTIONS BEING ASKED OF ME! I'm fine, no, Jason Steele, 'tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Guardians Call, in a different universe a few trillion years in the past for my dad... and my mom vanished along with some other family member of mine. All we know is that they are in a different dimension."
In hindsight, I shouldn't have been quite so forceful as the look of compassion the nurse had immediately turned to concern. I figured at this point I could do nothing but follow through with an irritated and overly direct method of dealing with the poor girl so, while waiting for her to regain her composure, I sat up as best I could and crossed my arms— err, forelegs... while maintaining what I hoped was a deadpan stare. Stupid misnamed body parts. I hate being a talking pony...
"Well... That's quite the intricate tale you have there. We should get you some food and then I'll get one of our nice friendly doctors to come talk to you."
My right eye started to twitch; I HATE when people infer that I'm crazy. "Tale? and before I forget to mention it, I am NOT seeing a shrink. If I can get corrupted by the living embodiment of evil and still come out as a paragon of balance, there is nothing a shrink can do. Also, just a personal tiff but drop that "we" thing unless you're asking me to take you out on a date or something... and based on the fact that you seem to be treating me like a broken child I doubt that will happen."
Once again I was stuck waiting for this poor girl's mind to keep itself from breaking. Damnable ponies. Too bloody sensitive to mindfuckery.
After what seemed like too long of a time she spoke up once more saying, "Dr. Happyhoof will be able to do a lot of good for you... and a mild sedative will help too."
"BITCH, DID I ST-ST-STUTTER?!" I was about to continue voicing my outrage at her obstinate way of treating me but I didn't get the chance. Yet again, and in no better position then before, I had only my thoughts. I wonder what caused this to happen... it had to have been interference from somewhere... When the nurse returned, she was pushing a cart laden with plates laden with what appeared to be compost laden with... something. The only edible thing on that cart was an apple but without hands I wasn't sure how I'd even eat it. After the nurse came into the room she followed who I could only assume was Dr. Happyhoof. He was a brown coated unicorn with a white and gray mane and he had a somewhat craggy yet friendly appearance. My only hope, hopeless as it is, was that I could get him to take me seriously.
"Hello ma'boy I'm Dr. Happyhoof. The good nurse here came and told me you've quite the ol' tale hmm?" He gave me a winning smile, oblivious to the fact that I saw through his ruse from the moment he first made eye contact with me. Mimicking his mountain man accent I responded in an over the top fashion.
"Well Old bean, the way I see it, I'm stuck on this rock and in quite the ol' tiff as it were." I dropped my accent at this point and adopted a somewhat glee filled tone. "So if you don't mind I'll be taking my leave now."
While I was mocking the "good doctor" I remembered I could just teleport my ponified ass out of here and so, focusing my mind and drawing on my... "SONOFA BITCH WHERE'S MY POWER! Ok, you two listen up and listen well. Shit got dangerous. As in, a matter of life and death dangerous. If you have any compassion and care for my well being you'll drop the kid gloves and take what I'm about to say seriously. Take me to, or bring to me, the smartest being in this town that's got a solid eccentricity streak."
My... outburst... Seemed to have shaken both ponies in front of me to their core. They were both stunned into submission, trying to process what I said against who they thought I was. The doctor was the first to recover and speak up saying, "Nurse... it's time for that sedative now."
The nurse pulled a rather dangerous looking needle off of the cart. As she came up to me and moved to hold me down I twisted and knocked the syringe out of her mouth and onto the floor. "Sorry nurse, you're not allowed to do that. Now, I told you what I need so hurry it up. If you can't take me seriously then get out of my way so I can try and save myself. If you attempt to restrain me I WILL consider you an enemy and act accordingly... though without my power I'll be dead in a manner of days if I'm forced to act on my own."
I don't know if it was my tone of voice or physical ability that seemed to change their opinion of me, but it worked. After a long silence the doctor spoke, "Lets act under the assumption you're telling the truth. Why would you need to talk to somepony like that? Also, what 'power' is missing and why is that so life threatening?"
This is a good start... I hope. "I need to talk to an eccentric braniac because they tend to be the type that won't ignore me, yet still have the intelligence to assist me. The power I'm missing is my life energy. To put this simply, I'm what's known as a being of power, an immortal, or even a force of nature. If there's ever a time where I'm stripped of my power my body will start to degrade. I don't mean to be snippy or pushy but if you mean to take me seriously, I'm sure you can understand why I'm acting the way I am. I don't desire death and every passing second brings me closer to his cold embrace."
To my eternal glee, Dr. Happyhoof moved away from the door and motioned for me to leave the room. I quickly exited, followed by the nurse, and then the doctor closed the door using telekinesis... if the auras I saw around his horn and the doorknob were anything to go by. "That was some form of power manipulation. Is the person you're taking me to able to do the same?"
The nurse went off on her own at that point which left me and the doctor alone. I noticed a silent conversation between the two, but I didn't have the chance to ask about it before the doctor addressed me. "Why of course! We're heading to the Ponyville library. The one who runs it is a unicorn mare named Twilight Sparkle. She also has a dragon assistant named Spike. He's harmless so don't be afraid."
Hmm... so here be dragons. I hope they're familiar "What kind of dragon is it? I have a friend back home named Traharain who is a king darkfyre dragon, if that means anything to you. His son Baharain was my partner for a few centuries before he decided to wander the cosmos on his own. Now that I think about it, I hope I don't miss him coming back to the Call for a visit again... I had to stay on this world one time on account of their civilization making me their leader. I had to wait a few generations for the people to advance enough so I could leave. The acting leader of the Guardian's Call told me I did the right thing... but I wanted to remove the memories of me from the minds of the entire planet by around the twenty year mark. I guess in the end ruling as a god king wasn't all that bad. It's amazing how little effort it takes to keep a society running when you're immortal. It also helps when everyone knows that nothing they do to challenge you will amount to anything. Don't get me wrong, some people tried thinking I was a false god, but when you get sent to the other side of the planet in an instant you kind of stop trying whatever it was that caused such a shift... Any whay, the entire planet was in a golden age of peace and prosperity for the last hundred years I was there."
"That was... an interesting story. The latter part draws a rather disturbing parallel to our very own Princess Celestia. It begs the question though, how old are you?"
I had to think about that for a moment. I stopped focusing on where I was going and instead fell a bit behind the doctor so I could simply follow his footsteps while I ran through my thoughts. I was about to respond to him but something crashed into me at that very moment.
As I lay there, face down in the dirt saying I'm not hurt, I heard a high pitched voice that said. "Sorry about that... Hey you're new here aren't you! and a blank flank like me! Aren't you a little small for a colt? How old are you?" Ugh... more questions...
I pushed myself up and took a look at my assailant. Standing in front of me was a brown filly with a purple mane. The majority of her head was protected by a violet helmet with a white stripe down the middle. She was leaning on a scooter with red wheels and red handlebars which seemed a bit out of place to me. I realized the silence was bordering on too long so I spoke up and said, "Yes I'm new. I suppose I am a blank flank whatever that means. Shush you, you're not much bigger and while my normal body is about seventeen I'm thousands of years old. Don't even ask me how old this hunk of flesh is."
Scooter filly gave me a deadpan stare while the doctor face... hooved... and said, "Jason... does it ever occur to you to show a little tact when responding to questions?"
"...Tact? What's that?" I responded without a hint of sarcasm in my voice.
"Well It was nice meeting you Jason. I'm off to go hang with my friends. You seem busy so I'll let you get back to it." And like that, the mysterious filly was gone.
Once again returning to my thoughts, something came to mind. "Before I forget, what kind of pony is Princess Celestia anyway? Unicorn?"
"Neigh, she is an alicorn," the doctor said while shaking his head." They have the wings of a pegasus, the horn of a unicorn, the endurance of an earth pony and the strength of each of their traits is tenfold that of a normal pony."
"Sounds powerful... and am I the only one that finds the fact you said 'neigh' to be completely hilarious?"
The doctor remained silent after that. As we continued to walk I got bored and decided to ask him about this Princess Celestia he mentioned. He told me about how, over one thousand years ago, she and her sister, Princess Luna, used the elements of harmony to banish the spirit of chaos known as Discord. After they did that, the two princesses took over the duty of ruling the lands as a benevolent dual monarchy. Wow... That does sound a lot like my story... Only with a lot more togetherness on this end... I hope that government I created for those guys worked... I should probably pop in for a few years and do a little maintenance... The Oracle did say that I could go back to that world whenever I wanted after all.
The doctor continued telling me stories. He told me about the corruption of Luna, the return of Luna, the return of Discord, and a few other random happenings around Ponyville. Sure enough the conversation passed the time and we came to a rather large tree that had a house built into it. The melody of a children's show came to mind. Who lives with a dragon inside of a tree TWI-LIGHT SPAR-KLE!... God I hated that show... I am so glad Earth evolved past such idiotic humor. The doctor knocked on the door and after awhile a small dragon opened it up and said, "Why do ponies always knock? This is a library!"
The doctor chuckled and said, "It's the thought that counts Spike. Everypony knows this is the home of Twilight Sparkle, student of Celestia herself, and Spike the dragon. Also, most ponies come here looking for you and/or Twilight anyway." Spike smiled his most winning smile and ushered us into the building. Upon entering, I saw books on shelves, books on tables, books strewn about on the floor and a frantic looking purple pony who I assumed to be Twilight rushing to and fro.
"So who's the colt Dr. Happyhoof?" asked Spike.
Instead of letting the doctor speak for me, I said, "My name is Jason Steele. I got caught up in a spatial anomaly of sorts and so I'm hoping Twilight may be able to render assistance."
Spike deadpanned, "I have no idea what a Spatial anomaly is. TWILIGHT YOU HAVE A GUEST! He needs your help with something called a spacial anomaly!"
Twilight froze in her tracks. One second she was mid dash and the next, a statue. "I-HAVE-NO-TIME TO DEAL WITH THAT I NEED TO PREPARE FOR MY TEST THE CHARIOT TO CANTERLOT GETS HERE IN TEN MINUTES! TAKE HIM TO THE CANTERLOT ACADEMY THEY HAVE PLENTY OF UNICORNS THERE THAT COULD HELP."
Spike face palmed and told us about how Twilight had been given a test recently and the Princess was vague about it. He would have kept on explaining things but he was magically pulled away to assist Twilight. A few minutes later five other ponies showed up and we shared introductions. Another few minutes and quite the respectable explosion later, a carriage arrived. At this point the, Doctor had entrusted me to the care of Twilight's friends since they were headed to Canterlot as well. Fortunately for the plan I had been hatching, it seemed like I had gone mostly unnoticed, what with the explosion and all. Did I mention Twilight blew her own house sky high? It was friggin sweet. I hope this is a normal occurrence.
There was a bag placed near the door so I decided to make use of my small stature and I wormed my way inside of it. As Twilight left she picked up the bag, with me in it, and headed out the door on her way to the palace.
"Hey uhhh... Wasn't there a young'un we were s'possed to take to Canterlot with us?" ,asked Applejack.
"Oh don't worry about him!" Pinkie replied, "he'll show up after the break! Lets hurry up and catch the train though. We don't wanna miss it or the timing will be off!"
My plan went perfectly. The second I stopped feeling movement Twilight began talking to who I would assume to be Princess Celestia about her test. A few minutes later and she was sent on her way, leaving me and the rest of her belongings behind. Talk about luck. Now I can do this the fast way. I heard the sound of ponies moving behind me so I slipped out of the bag. I watched as Celestia and who I would assume to be her sister give Twilight her final send off. Something about Celestia's voice triggered a memory but I didn't have the chance to think about it because that's when the two Princesses spotted me.
"Hello Princess Celestia. My name is Jason Steele and I'm kind of lost, dying and far away from home. I heard you were a force of nature so I was hoping you might be able to help me out."
After a brief moment of shock the Alicorn began speaking. "Well... This was certainly surprising... and that term... It's been ages since I've heard that... and you have quite the unusual name too Jason Stee— Wait a minute... I know that second name! That was the name of my hu— RAINEN! and you... are lost? Could it be? Are you the son of Rainen Steele and Plisca Steele?"
At the mention of my parents, my demise didn't seem to matter anymore. Standing in front of me was an immortal pony who knew them... and on a much more personal level when compared to the "all business" Oracle. I wanted to say something of value but all I could manage was a shaky "You knew my parents?"
Celestia smiled a warm, motherly smile as she said, "I know all about your parents." I knew it! "But... tell me; what do you know about your mother? I... I've forgotten more then I'd care to admit in regards to Plisca. Do you know what she looks like?"
I closed my eyes and focused on my memories. I remembered seeing a few pictures of my dad and mom when they were younger. My dad told me about my mom after her powers had awakened which took place soon after I was born. Eyes still closed, I began telling the sun goddess all I could. "My dad was a bit sappy when he talked about my mom... but he told me her eyes were beautiful and after her powers had awakened they shone like two miniature suns. He told me how her hair looked like a flowing river of prismatic light and when she sung all of existence would weep from the beauty of her voice... and—"
Unfortunately, that thought was canceled by the feeling of being held. At first I panicked but when I opened my eyes and saw that it was Princess Celestia holding me I was speechless. I felt her tears flowing across my back so I did the only reasonable thing and returned her hug. It wasn't until she finally released me that I realized she had been standing on her hind legs the whole time.
"Jason... I... I'm so happy to have finally held you in my arms again. It's been a long time. And thank you for reminding me of who I was. It's been far too long... Far too long since I've had the joy of being with you my son."
My mind shattered into a million little pieces and I was left with my emotions and thoughts changing faster then the spinning of a pulsar. I have been sent off to different dimensions to pretty much be a glorified custodian. I have had my body and mind become twisted by time and the properties that certain dimensions had and after over one thousand agonizingly lonely years of waiting, my long lost mother was finally returned to me by... by a freak accident. I tried to form some sort of coherent statement. I tried to voice my despair over the fact that she had been lost to me. I tried to voice the happiness that this all happened, I tried to voice the rage I felt over the fact that my Father's trip was in vain, I tried to get hung up on the fact that even now she wasn't really Plisca Steele but I couldn't keep myself steady. When my mind came back together I was left with feeling nothing but complete bliss over the fact that, for the first time in my life, I got to meet my mother.
Once I had truly come back to reality I noticed that Luna had become restless. "Sister... I thought you said this dimension was completely isolated from the rest of existence? If your son is here then... Does this mean we can go home?"
"I... Jason, my son." Something in me swelled when I heard her say that. "Has your father returned from Alpheron yet?" I shook my head no and explained to her how it was an accident that sent me here. The things Luna said sent a wheel spinning in my mind though. "Wait... Princess Luna you really are my aunt, aren't you?" Luna smiled warmly and gave me a hug that I was all too happy to return.
"I'm sure you have some questions for me... for the both of us... So for starters my real name is... My real name... My name... Oh stars! I-I-I can't remember! Sister, p-please, tell me you remember our family's name!" Luna had lost the calmness about her once again. Her eyes were wild and she was on the verge of tears. I looked to my mother for an answer, silently pleading for my aunt's sake she had one, but all I got from here was quiet mumbling.
"Lausnari! I was Plisca Lausnari before I was united with Rainen and he gave me his name." Mother smiled at the memories she had regained and her eyes filled with a misty far away look as she focused on the past. "I... remember because Rainen always joked about how our family name was in a language from his planet. We found out later it was a group of exiles from my planet who populated the land that speaks it."
As my mom was talking I watched Luna close her eyes and a look of pain crossed her face. The look of concentration on her face began to twist with pain and as her body adopted a soft glow I saw a black wisp of smoke float out of her head. It was as if a door had been thrown wide open in my aunt's mind. She shot up and shouted "Eydís! My name was— Is Eydís! Eydís Lausnari... From the planet Titanous. Cele— Plisca, I'm going to return to my chambers now. I remember everything! I want to write it all down just in case. Jason, it was lovely meeting you and thank you so much for giving me back what I had lost to the nightmare." Luna teleported out of the room after giving me yet another hug and at long last it was me and my mother.
I had so many questions I wanted to ask her. What isolated this dimension? Why is she a pony? why am I a pony, why did my dad have to go to Alpheron, the original existence? How did she even know about that? What exactly happened to Aunt Lu— Aunt Eydís? I had all these questions but something in me wanted to throw everything away. I wanted nothing more then to get to know my own mother instead of watching memories of her that my dad left for me. I wanted to live a normal life that wasn't filled with the Guardian's Call. I wanted to be a kid again... and I wanted to relive my life. Something in me broke this day, and that something is the thing that had kept me going ever since my dad left to go fix everything. My mother went to pull me into an embrace but before that I had to know one last thing.
"Jason... I lov—"
"Dad went away so he could fix everything and get you back, didn't he."
"Yes. He managed to get a message to me as he traveled to Alpheron. His exact words were, 'Make a paradise for yourself. When I get you out of there I don't wanna see a single tear or a frown on your beautiful face, savvy?'"
"He'll be coming back soon now that I'm here too right? And then we can all start over?"
"...I hope so." My mom laid down and this time, with my mind finally clear, I let her hold me. A bright light blinded me and I felt something grow out of my back and forehead. I also felt a familiar warmth and when I looked into myself I could feel my power surging again. The second I locked on to that feeling, my body began to shift and it felt like I was becoming human again. Time seemed to run slow for me as I was caught up on what road I wanted to walk. As I felt my mother's hold tighten I made my decision then and there. If my mom could live with being a pony then so could I. This time... I'm not gonna mess up. I'm gonna learn what it means to live my life and make friends. With my resolve set I forced the final change to revert, leaving me as a young alicorn.
"Mom?"
"Yes my son?"
"...I love you too."
Author's Note
I really enjoyed writing this. The tone was just different from anything else I've ever written... or maybe it's because I was actually able to put in the time needed to edit it... Either way, if you're reading this be sure to let me know what you like/dislike about it.
Special thanks to ZoidbergIsBestPony for editing. You set me on quite the unusual journey thanks to that.
