Fictional Crisis

Batmane sat at his lab table analyzing a piece of evidence that was left behind at a bank robbery in Canterlot. It was a green hankerchief with a harp on the corner. He was left completely puzzled, there wasn't any hoofprints on it, and no fur samples either. But what he found astounded him. Finger prints. Human finger prints. The problem was that there were no humans in Equestria. What he had was a completely unique creature in his hooves. The question is, who is it?

“It's Lyra,” somebody said from the darkness of the cave. “It's pretty obvious Bats.” Batmane put on his cowl and activated his different visions to see the creatures. “Oh don't worry, I'll get the lights.” The cave shined brightly with a blue light, revealing Clonetrooperkev and Twilight Sparkle.

“You...” Batmane said with a growl. He threw a bat-a-rang at Clonetrooperkev which hit his head.

“Hey!” Clone said holding his head. “What's that for?”

“You've been appearing throughout my entire life. Why?” He had been seeing Clone at many points in the history of Canterlot, when it rose to power, when it was lost when Celestia died. He was seen at all of these points by Batmane.

“I think I made you a tiny bit too clever,” said Clone. He got up and walked over to Batmane who was ready for a fight. “You'll get your answers soon enough, but for now I need to use your computer. He walked past the Dark Knight and placed the pin he found back in Peppy's story into a scanner. “Computer: scan this pin and find anything and everything. Cross reference the information with my Tri-Corder.” He placed it into a port for the Computer to work with.

“If you think I'll let you-,” before Batmane could finish, Twilight grabbed his shoulder. “Commissioner? What are you-?”

“I'm not that Twilight Batmane. But please, we need to figure this out, lives are on the line.” He looked into her eyes. She was telling the truth. Twilight was an easy book to read, capable yes, but socially, dealing with people, she was inept. And thus secrets are revealed. Batmane relaxed and turned back to Clonetrooperkev.

“What are you doing?” Batmane asked as he made his way next to Clone.

“There has been a theft of the soul, and someone, I don't know who, has ripped through worlds to get into the void.” Clone tapped a few characters into the computer. “And it would seem that this wasn't the only instance of thievery.” The screen lit up with files of data relating to the theft of characters and void ripping.”

“Who would steal the life essence of a character?” Twilight asked.

“From what I see, Nightmare Moon is powerful,” Batmane answered, “absorbing her power would create a strong being, or make one stronger.” Clone shook his head.

“True, but it wasn't her power that was stolen, it was the very thing that made her who she was.” Clone trook a seat in the Bat-Chair. “Character's don't usually steal that unless they plan on bringing a leader down. Take away who they are and they aren't the leaders they used to be.”

“It could be a Changeling then,” Batmane said, “they're known to do this sort of thing.” Twilight nodded in agreement.

“Not a Changeling exactly, but we're on the right path here.” Clone went to the computer and typed in a few more characters. “A Changeling sucks all the love out of somebody, whoever did this sucked out everything.” Clone counted with his fingers. “Love, drive, happiness, hatred, anything that makes her interesting to the reader was stolen.”

“A reader?” Batmane asked.

“Person like me, being beyond your comprehension, yadda yadda yadda, that sort of thing.”

“So this is something that needs to feast on just about anything a character has.” Twilight added.

“Similar to a way a Changeling works but without the subtlety.” Batmane said.

“Right, so someone creates a creature like a Changeling works, unleashes it into Peppy's story, and then exits via the void rip.” Clone slouched in his chair. “And that means a writer created a character specifically to do this.” The Computer bleeped that the scan was finished. Clone went to checked the scan.

“So where are the writers who made this creature?” Twilight asked. “And where is the creature now?”

“In story universe 4530” Clone stood back. “I know that story. It's an incomplete RP story.”

“RP Story?” Batmane asked.

“Role Playing Story. Writers often write stories that involve personal characters interacting with other personal characters.”

“Kind of like a self-insert story” Twilight said.

“Correct, many people don't like those stories because the main character often is given challenges that they can easily overcome and handles things in a good manner.”

“So what about stories that you write? Do you put yourself in it?” Batmane asked.

“Just one. And when I do involve myself I always give myself challenges that I have a hard time overcoming.”

“Why haven't you written more?” Twilight asked.

“Because I hate myself. Come on Twilight, we've got to go pay these jerks a visit.” Clone and a concerned Twilight walked away from the computer.

“Hold it, you've got a lot to answer for” Batmane said.

“I do Batmane, but not today.” With that, Clone and Twilight moved through the revolving door and made their way out.

“Hrrrrm” Batmane grunted and looked at the screen. “The True Way?” The title of the story concerned Batmane, but he decided to get back to the business at hand.