Purpose: Shattered

by Ecstatic

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad, Tragedy, Adventure, Human
Length: 397

Outside manipulation has never failed to create a breakdown in scientific process, Twilight Sparkle has always known this... But with rationality abandoned, she's just another mare fighting for survival. Worse, so are her friends... And her enem

Disclaimer: Background ponies may experience variations in character, ponies that are ponies as of Magical Mystery Cure will remain ponies (the human tag doesn't apply story-wide). This story is AU because it doesn't adhere to all the events in MMC/EQ.

There are an untold number of stars in the known universe alone, for nopony has had the will nor the patience to count them. But in the middle of fixing one of her greatest mistakes, Twilight Sparkle and her friends are whisked off to another realm that they would have shed sweat and tears to have been aware of long ago…

And they may still have to, for they are not the only residents of Equestria to land here, and not all of them are friendly.

When a pair of mysterious entities present them with a task where failure is death, as is refusal, what will they sacrifice to preserve themselves? Just what are the limits of friendship when rewards are promised to the survivor?

As if that wasn't enough, entire worlds hinge on the result, and these entities are bent on a positive outcome even if nopony agrees to play… For even they have rules.

I am looking for an appropriate cover-art, the one I have is adequate enough, but what I was looking for doesn't seem to exist. If you would like to recommend good artists that might take non-monetary commissions it would be appreciated.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-11-14 14:07:26 UTC

Prologue

"Everything comes to an end, or so some claim, one could certainly then question how an ending could have a beginning, for how could a state of existence be open-ended?" Remarked a man that many would describe as drab, for he was clothed almost entirely in grey, the abbreviated hem of a robe not quite fulfilling it's threat to brush against the floor and a hood completely obscuring the barest hint of his hair.

Cocking an elegant eyebrow in a well-practiced mannerism, the being standing across from him gestured flamboyantly around the bakery they were standing in, it's mint-colored tiling seemingly clashing with the beige walls before replying, "why does new mystery bring out the philosopher in you?" She said, "we're here now, and passions aside, it is our duty to bring ruin... As it always has been."

Grimacing to himself, the man withdrew his hands into his sleeves and seemed to withdraw further under his cowl, they were nothing alike, he and she, even their own clothing was evident of this... While he gave the appearance of a monk, scholar, or magician, she was dressed in a shimmering combination of red and orange. Her long ginger hair curling down her back, and her entire outfit was diaphanous, sliding over her body in waves, giving the illusion of being bound both tightly and loosely to her frame. She bore it with decency, yet gave the impression that the entire ensemble would turn out to be ethereal should one dare to touch it.

But whatever he would've said to his companion was interrupted as a speeding pink blur ran straight through him, betraying his lack of a physical body in an unearthly ripple, straight to the door... But just as she was about to open it time seemed to slow gradually to a halt.

"That's her, the last of them, may we leave now?" He said to her, with the barest trace of an emotion she couldn't quite place, but assumed to be cynical in nature.

"Of course, funny that your patience should run out first, you chose this one, after all..."

Without a visible cue, the entire scene faded into whiteness without a sound, and when time resumed it's passage, neither the two intruders nor Pinkie Pie were there to be seen... And none of the patrons in the bakery were aware of her absence.