Legacy: Season One

Legacy

Episode Two: Welcome To Equestria

Written By: Fluttashift

Origins. Everybody has one. Some are told with great splendor, while other’s in a saddening tone. My origins are simple. Loser receives superpowers. I don’t want to bore you with those monotonous details. This isn’t about me. I am writing this for the future generations of superheroes. To do that which seems impossible, deliver true justice.

LEGACY

“I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. Now please...” Celestia trailed off, gesturing for me to continue.

“I…” I couldn’t find the words to explain myself as my thoughts were focused upon my impotent powers.

Snap out of it, Shift! Time for hero mode!

With an imperceivable shake of my head, a cocky smile formed upon my face. “I am Shift of Earth. I have come to your world to both help and seek answers to the questions that I have.” I slowly trotted up to the throne causing the guards on either side of me to cross their spears, determined to not let me pass. “There is an impending threat to both of our worlds. A threat that, if left unmitigated, could cause countless deaths and irreparable damage.”

Celestia pursed her lips, sitting down. “As dire of a threat as that sounds, I have no reason to believe you. You are a stranger to me and Equestria. As such, you have not garnered any trust. You come to me, speaking about threats that I have no knowledge about, and have no evidence of this so called threat. How do I know you are not lying; how do I know you, yourself, are not a threat to my kingdom?”

Clever horse.

I backed up a bit from the throne, relaxing the guards. “I could see why you might think that, smart, actually. The thing is though, your world is not my problem. I have no obligation to help you. I only tried out of good will, alone. If you are going to forsake my warning, then I will make my leave.” I turned and began trotting out the door, but I turned my head back to face her. “Just remember that if I leave and this threat spreads doomsday upon your world. You, and you alone sent away the only one who could help.”

Her eyes met the ground as she looked deep in thought. The guards remained still; acting as ever-vigilant statues. “You do seem to have a good point,” She cleared her throat, “Threat or no threat, I need to think of the safety of my kingdom. If there is a threat and you can stop it then I must gain all the facts before ponies get hurt or worse. I will grant you temporary entrance into this land. Welcome to Equestria, Shift.”

Pony?! I can’t believe that I’m a damn pony! This is so degrading.

Turning around, I looked up at the Princess as she questioned me, “Now then, what is this threat that you speak of?” Sitting down, she put on an impregnable mask of stoicism that only a lifetime of ruling a kingdom could grant a pony.

“Her name is Queen Gadget. She is a villain from the world from which I come. I guess I should start from the beginning,” I sighed, having to recall the story again in more detail. It was almost unbearable, but I found the strength within to endure. Out of sheer force of habit, I began pacing back and forth as I spoke.“Five years ago, Mastermind, another villain of my realm, caused the Mindscape to collapse.” Celestia tilted her head slightly, but otherwise showed no outward signs of confusion, so I went on. “Gadget, or Violet, was the center of this Mindscape, holding it all together. It links to all human minds and acts as something we call imagination. Are you familiar with the term?” I stopped and asked.

Celestia simply nodded, still holding her perfectly neutral face.

Beginning to trot again, I continued. “She had to give up her human form and mind to protect the rest of my kind, causing her to become trapped in that world. The Mindscape ‘control center,’ of sorts, was located within her mind, with her being the ruling psychic and all. If she hadn’t given up her state of being, the Mindscape would have used her body as a vessel to do it’s bidding. To shape the world the way it wanted. To completely and totally rule the Earth.”

“Violet wandered the desolate wasteland, once filled with life and creativity. Soon, she became angry. Her anger led to madness the more she wandered. Violet became obsessed with the idea of vengeance, obsessed that my team and I were the reason for her imprisonment. She began to forget the good memories and filled those gaps with dark, brooding contempt. Then, the Omega Metal came into the picture.” I shuddered at the memory, pausing in my pacing for a moment.

“She began chasing after this metal, which was rumored to be hidden within the core of the Mindscape, she found what she was searching for, but with deadly consequences.” I stopped, clearing my throat, feeling moisture begin to accumulate in the corner of my eyes. Clenching my jaw, I closed my eyes trying to fight back my emotions.

This is no time to get all worked up.

“Is everything alright, my little pony?” The princess asked sounding concerned, giving me a sympathetic look.

“I-I’m fine...but, could you please not refer to me in that manner?” I blushed and shifted nervously, being reminded of my awkward predicament.

She laughed, remembering I wasn’t from this world. “Nevermind, please continue.”

“Right… So, after a few months, Violet’s obsession began to drive her insane. Soon, she became fused with the metal.” I paused to give a mirthless chuckle. “Turns out that it was actually not just a metal; it was a living organism. It soon took over her thoughts, it literally became her mind. That’s when she became Queen Gadget. Escaping her prison, she attacked my team. One by one, she came after us and broke us. As if that wasn’t enough…” I trailed off while letting out a shuddering sigh.

“Gadget captured my girlfriend, Sarah, her sister, and was going to use her powers to fuse the Mindscape with Earth, which in turn, would mean she controlled the world. I was able to defeat her, but before she was sent back, she killed Sarah and promised deadly recompense. She now resides in a maximum security facility within the Mindscape, designed specifically for psychics,” I completed my story, having practically walked a trench into the castle floor.

“I see. I am sorry to hear about your misfortunes. Still…” She paused raising an eyebrow, “What does it have to do with Equestria?”

“I’m not exactly sure. That’s why I’m here. All I know is in my dream--actually I’d go as far as to call it a vision, a... premonition, if you will. In it she told me about this place. About Equestria. It appeared as if she was threatening this world, mine, and many others,” I explained.

“How would she know of Equestria? In fact, I’ve been meaning to ask: how did you manage to get to Equestria?” Princess Celestia seemed to have interest in this.

How does Gadget know of Equestria? Has she been here before?

“I don’t know how Gadget knew. She just told me about this place, but that does beg the question. As for how I got here, I came through a portal in a warehouse.”

“I may have a solution to your problem, but first may I ask what is your cutie mark?” Celestia pointed a hoof at my side.

“Cutie mark?” I asked her incredulously. I turned to look where she was pointing. “Oh, I thought that was a tattoo or something. Cutie Mark. Thats a… an interesting name for it. That,” pointing to my hip, or at least, what I can equate to my hip on this equine body, “is the logo for H.E.R.O. A sword encased in a shield. It’s where I work back home. See, believe it or not, I’m a superhero where I come from.” I inadvertently puffed my chest out a little with pride. I’m pretty sure that habit comes with the job.

Celestia’s mask cracked for a split second, revealing shock on her otherwise neutral and motherly face. “H.E.R.O.,” she said almost under her breath, “Heroic Enforcement for a Righteous Outcome,” she said a bit louder with a withdrawn and perplexed expression.

Waitwhat.

“Uh, yeah, how did you know that?” I questioned curiously, my eyes widening as I turned back to face her. A stupefied look on my face.

“I’ve dealt with a hero named Swan, in the past. She assisted with some interdimensional matters,” She explained.

“Swan? I trained her. She’s a member of my team I told you about.”

So, Swan has been here before. What matters do ponies have that could possibly call for a superheroic presence? Well, I’m here, so I guess anything’s possible.

“Really? Interesting. May I ask what your powers are?” Celestia appeared to be intrigued by this turn of events.

I shuffled about nervously. “Well...you see…my powers are kind of... not working... Normally, I can shift parts of my body into objects I picture in my head sort of like a shapeshifter, but different, in a sense. I can’t seem to get my hoof to transform, no matter how hard I concentrate on the image in my mind,” I confessed hesitantly.

She’s a princess and a pony. What could she do to cross me? Why would she?

Still, I had to consider the possibility. This world is new to me, alien, even. I cannot trust easily no matter how adorable these ponies might be or act. Any one of them could be a back-stabbing traitor, like Gadget.

She tapped her hoof on her chin thinking. “Hmmm.. Have you tried picturing something of this world?”

I shook my head. Closing my eyes, I saw nothing but blackness. Soon, an image began to form in my mind. The shape was long and stick-like with a spear at the end of it. Clearer it got, until it looked like the spears the guards had been holding. It was as if it was right in front of me, ready for me to reach out and grab it.

From the ether I pulled at the image. Slowly feeling the ever strange sensation of deformation and reformation, my hand… no, hoof began transforming.

Opening my eyes, I could see my right hoof was now transformed into the object from my mind. I shifted my weight to my remaining three hooves and swung the spear. I even jabbed it forward before turning it back into a hoof.

“I haven’t had to focus like that since I first recieved my powers. So, guns must not exist in this realm. That makes things... difficult. I need to learn more about this place and gain some experience before I set off blindly on a journey,” I thought aloud, not even realizing it.

“I see. This land must have limitations on your powers then. Have you ever experienced this before?” Celestia asked sounding a bit concerned, which both startled and comforted me.

I shook my head. “Never, course I don’t really do interdimensional travel often, only when it’s needed.”

Celestia cleared her throat and stood up. “It’s almost time for the sunset,” She remarked, glancing out the window, “I do have a solution to your problem, though, I believe.”

“Really?!” I practically leapt in excitement, my eyes gleaming with hope, “what is it?”

“Princess Twilight and her friends have helped many ponies across this land, even my sister and I. I believe they will be your best bet to gain knowledge and find the answers you seek. I’m sure they would be happy to help,” Celestia explained with a beautiful smile, “I will call for them to meet you here. In the meantime, my sister will be raising the moon at any moment. Why don’t you talk to her while you wait?”

“Raising the moon? It doesn’t just rise on it’s own?” I asked quizzically, a bit confused at what she had said.

She simply shook her head and walked off into a hallway to my right. This place was strange. Stranger than I had imagined. Talking ponies, limited weaponry, and impotent moons that needed help rising.

What could Gadget want in a place like this? It just seems strange. Just like everything here. Having to adapt to my powers to new stipulations is going to be arduous. How am I going to re-master my powers quick enough? It took years in my world to truly understand them. H.E.R.O helped a lot in that process. Maybe, I should contact Elliot at some point, but how?

A black coated princess had walked in, but I wasn’t really paying attention to her. I was lost in my reverie. So caught up in it that I didn’t even see her use her magic to raise the moon. The sudden darkening of the room caused me to look up.

“Art thou the one Our sister speaketh of?” The Princess said in a soft voice, even softer than her sister’s. She had a long flowing dark bluish mane with little stars twinkling in it, and now that I was paying closer attention, I noticed that her coat was not, in fact, black, but a soft, midnight blue. Just like the sky on a clear summers night.

“I am. Shift’s the name. What’s yours?” I responded with a nod curt and a bow. I figured I should show at least a modicum of reverence to the rulers of this land.

“Princess Luna. Thou mayst refer to Us as 'Luna,' if that is thy preference. My sister has told us of thine endeavors and We believe her decision was most wise,” she said nodding, turning to gaze at the night sky.

The night sky was beautiful. Stars glittered along a sheet of near blackness lit only by the comforting glow of the moon. The air was cool and warm. It looked like the sky back home on Earth. So familiar, yet so alien.

_________________________________

The Princess of the Night, as she called herself, wasn’t much of a chatterbox. It had been a little over what felt like a few hours. I had mostly been shifting back and forth on my hooves while occasionally talking to the princess. She disappeared a few times and told me she could enter the realm of dreams. I had jokingly referred to her as Freddy Krueger, but this only confused her. I guess that doesn’t exist in this world, either.

The doors behind me opened. Turning, I saw, who I assumed to be, the ponies Celestia spoke of. The one at the front had a horn and wings and appeared taller than the others. I assumed that this was the ‘Princess Twilight’ that I was told of. She had a straight, lavender mane, with a trail of pink and dark purple coloring it. To her left, the pony had a snowy white coat with a styled violet mane and tail as well as beautiful, blue eyes. She only had a horn, as opposed to the purple one. Next to her was a rainbow maned pony with a cyan coat. This pony seemed to only have wings as did the pony next to her. However, the other pony had a long, slightly curled pink mane and tail as well as a light yellow coat. She was looking at the ground, but I could still make out her teal eyes.

On the Princess’s left were two other ponies. One was pink on pink. Her mane and tail very poofy as well a shade or two darker than her coat, with light blue eyes, and was bouncing up and down excitedly, as if on a perpetual sugar high. The last one was orange with a blonde mane and tail both tied at the ends. Upon a closer look, I noticed that this pony was actually an inch or so the tallest. These two seemed to not have either wings or a horn. The orange one wore a Stetson and a warm smile. In fact, now that I notice it, they were all smiling at me. Frankly, I was a little intimidated and I wasn’t easily intimidated.

I noticed all their cutie marks in order as well. A large pink star with smaller stars around it, three blue gemstones, a cloud with a tri-colored lighting bolt coming from it, three pink butterflies, two blue- and a yellow- colored balloons, and finally, three red apples.

Why do they look happy to see me, They don’t even know me? I guess peop--... ponies from this universe are just friendlier.

“Hello, how do you do? My name is Twilight Sparkle. You must be Shift, right?” The purple pony spoke up after an awkward silence permeated the air.

“Yes, you must be Princess Twilight, then.” I walked up to her and shook her hoof. Which turned out to be a very awkward gesture for a hoof.

“I am, but you could just call me Twilight,” she responded with a sheepish smile.

I nodded, glancing at the others. “And who are these ponies?”

“Darling, where are my manners,” the white one walked up to me, shaking my hoof, “I am Rarity.”

“Ah’m Applejack. Nice to meet ya, Shift,” the cowpony said with a southern twang, tipping her stetson at me.

“I’m Pinkie Pie!” the pink one said from behind me, coming seemingly out of nowhere, “I know everypony, and since I don’t know you, that means you’re a new pony, and if you’re a new pony, I have to do two things: first, ask you to be my friend, then throw a huge party!” The pink, spastic pony spoke fast and excitedly.

“I’m sorry, but I’m looking for help not friendship right now,” I shot her down as gently as I could.

“Pinkie, let’s finish the introductions and not rush him into anything. I’m sure he’s tired and he doesn’t know much about our world” Twilight explained to Pinkie who in turn nodded as a sign she understood. She did look slightly deflated, though, as in, literally. Her mane and tail both seemed to be less voluminous than before. Odd...

“I’m Rainbow Dash! The number one flyer in all of Equestria!” The rainbow maned pony said enthusiastically as she flew upward, hovering in the air.

“I-I’m… F-F-Fluttershy...” The final pony answered in a soft, timid whisper, cowering low to the ground in uncertainty. I couldn’t even make out what she had said her name was.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear you. What’s your name?” I asked her.

“That’s Fluttershy. She can be a bit shy when she meets new ponies,” Applejack answered, comforting her friend with a hoof.

Upon my face formed a beaming smile. “Well, I have to admit it is nice to meet such inviting people….er… ponies?” Twilight nodded as I said this, and I continued, “...ponies, then,” I said under my breath.

“It’s not everyday you meet a pony from another world. First impressions are important,” Rarity chimed in.

“So, then I’m guessing the Princess informed you of the reason for me being here in this world?” I quickly changed the subject, glancing to the floor.

Just cause they’re nice doesn’t mean they can be trusted. Who knows what they are capable of. If there’s one thing I know, it’s never underestimate anyone. Or anypony, for that matter.

“Yes,” Twilight shook her head as she spoke, “She told us of the threat and your need to understand our world to regain control of your powers,” she recounted.

“You’re a real superhero? That is so AWESOME!” The chromatic mare looked at me, excitedly flying up close to my face.

“I am but, we should focus on the task at hand..”

“Hoof,” Rainbow interrupted, correcting me.

“Whatever! Hand, Hoof. Same difference. Anyway, the point is we need to get started on this mission. It’s top priority for the safety of multiple worlds,” I snapped, perhaps a little louder than I should have. She became angry, glaring at me.

“What’s your problem?” The mare growled.

“In my line of work, you learn not to trust so easily. Miss Dash,” I locked eyes with her, not looking away for a second until the purple one, Twilight I think, snapped us out of it

“Well, it’s late and I thought we should bring you back to Ponyville and figure this out in the morning. After all, superpowers would be a great new thing to study as well as your kind,” Twilight interjected, putting a hoof on both of our shoulders, tentatively separating us. Rainbow and I gave each other one last glance, filled with all the stubbornness we could muster, before turning back to the group. “So, we’d love to help.” she said with a glance at Dash that was a little more reproachful than necessary.

“Alright, Twilight. Sounds like a plan. Problem is, though, I don’t have a place to stay,” I remembered that I had nowhere to call home; no bed to lay in; no fireplace to keep me warm. No place in this world.

Twilight narrowed her eyes in thought and then smiled at me. “You can take the guest room at my house,” she said brightly.

She just met me... and already she’s invited me to stay in her home. I am really going to have to get used to all this… kindness.

“That’s really nice of you. Thanks, Twilight,” I returned an uneasy smile.

Suddenly, her horn lit with a magenta aura. She strained herself, deep in concentration. Soon, it felt as if I was being taken apart piece by piece and then being reassembled, molecule by molecule. My head was throbbing with pain and I placed my hoof on my forehead. There was a queasy, nauseous feeling in my stomach. The pearly castle walls had transformed into buildings and the marble floor into grassy earth.

“What the hell was that?” I asked feebly while I regained my bearings. “Where are we?” I asked as I tried to process what had happened.

“Teleportation spell,” Twilight answered turning her head to me.

“Spell? As in magic?”

“Well duh, what else could it have been?” she said playfully, but then the dull shock of realization crossed her face. “Why? Can you not do magic in your world?” Twilight tilted her head in confusion.

“Well, in my world, it’s classified as superpowers, but few people have this power. I have faced a few magic-based villains before, so I am familiar with the concept of teleportation. I’ve just never been teleported myself, is all,” I explained to her.

“How interesting!” She said excitedly, “learning about your world sounds like it’s going to be fun!” Twilight cheered, her eyes bright with a decidedly nerdy sense of glee.

FUN! This is serious business. It’s no time to be thinking about fun!

Treading onward, that word kept floating around in my head. Fun. Every time I thought about it, phantasmagorical images would furtively appear in my mind. Whether they were of the past, future, or something else entirely, I could not say. Each time I reached out to solidify them they would bleed back into the ether of my mind. Shaking my head slightly, trying to dispel the images, I focused on my surroundings. We passed by a few remarkable buildings. One was a beautiful, white boutique shaped like a carousel, which Rarity explained she owned.

“Really? You own this place? That’s quite impressive, actually. It’s a beautiful building. So, you make dresses and suits and the sort, then. correct?” I stared up at the gold ball atop glinting beautifully in the moonlight.

Quite the building for a land of ponies. That castle was some amazing architecture as well. Wonder how they do it?

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something, Princess Twilight,” I turned my head to the right to look her in the eyes.

“Please, just call me Twilight. What did you want to ask?” She said, turning her head slightly to face me.

“Well, some of you have wings, some of you have horns, some have both, and some have none at all.” I shrugged, “I’m guessing different races? I mean, come on! I’ve seen every damn mythical horse in the book.” I laughed at that, but didn’t realize it until I received stares and even a glare from Rainbow. “ Heh, umm… So could you explain it a bit to me?” I asked, trying to recover from that nugget of obnoxiousness.

“Well, winged ponies are pegasi, horned ponies are unicorns, and the ones without either are known as Earth ponies. I am an Alicorn. To put it simply, it’s the three of those smashed together, but not literally smashed together. That wouldn’t feel very good. Is it even possible? Hmm…” Twilight receded into her mind as we past yet another interesting-looking building, obviously contemplating on how best to smash ponies together.

Heh, Smash Ponies. Sounds like a Nintendo ripoff.

This building was designed to look exactly like a gingerbread house. Atop was a cupcake with a candle sticking out of it. My stomach began to growl and I clutched it, blushing. I was rather hungry.

Damn. Of all the times I forget to eat, it’s before interdimensional travel.

“You must be super duper hungry!” Pinkie said ecstatically, leaping forward and flipping around to face me. “This is the place I work at, Sugarcube Corner, cute name. Am I right?” She put her hoof around me in a friendly manner. “I could whip up a batch of cupcakes in a cinch if you want me to,” The pink pony winked.

What in the hell. Why are these ponies so friendly? So kind and generous. It doesn’t make sense. They seem like they that could be easily taken advantage of or conquered. Then, my eyes widened. Gadget, what she said in my dream. Even worlds that haven’t been exposed to suffering’s charm, wasn’t it? And something about choosing a realm I’d like ever so much? She wanted me to find this place, but why?

“You okay, Shift? What’s the matter? Do you not like cupcakes?” She gasped, “you don’t, do you!” The mare accused. “But... frosting,” Pinkie began shaking me, “Think of the frosting!”

I snapped out of my thoughts quickly as I felt her shake me. “Pinkie, I was thinking. I’d love some cupcakes,” I said causing her to stop.

“Good, then allons-y!” Pinkie leaped in the doorway, causing the door to open.

That’s some security.

I rolled my eyes as I trotted into the dark room. Pinkie flicked on the lights revealing the cash register and display areas for baked goods.

Must be a bakery, then.

She lead us into the blue tiled kitchen and began gathering the ingredients for the cupcakes. Pinkie began mixing them in a bowl and whipping the batter. It was interesting to see how ponies could do something like this. They mostly used their mouths to hold their utensils. Interesting. Soon, the batter was ready to be placed in the tray, and she slowly poured it in, guiding it with a wooden spoon.

Yanking the oven open, Pinkie placed the tray in and set the timer. “That was interesting,” I remarked.

“Why?” Twilight asked cocking an eyebrow.

“In my world, ponies can’t do things like that at all. But with the way your race is sentient and the way you use your utensils and  how remarkably wonderful your buildings are structured, it’s just quite astonishing is all I’m trying to say. I mean no disrespect by it,” I couldn’t quite find the words I wanted to use as I said this.

“Oh,” Twilight said with a smile, “are you interested in learning of our world, too?” she asked curiously.

“That wasn’t my express purpose for coming here, but after seeing some remarkable things I think I’d like to,” I admitted.

With a buzzing sound, the alarm went off. Pinkie slammed the button on the top and it ceased its noise making. With a hoof-shaped, blue oven mitt, she took the tray out and began decorating the pastries. Pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. I licked my lips at the finished product and sniffed the delicious air. The scent of freshly baked goods and sugar permeating it.

I snatched two and began eating, trying to make as little a mess as possible with my unfamiliar appendages. They had cooled down during the decoration phase. The others took a cupcake and ate them as well. After I finished, I gulped down some of the lemonade she had quickly made while we were chowing down. I burped loudly, covering my mouth with a hoof.

“Sorry,” I said blushing. The girls just snickered as they drank their lemonade.

After finishing the snacks and beverages, Pinkie placed the dishes in the sink and we trotted out of the building. The thing that still bothered me was when I stepped onto the road, there was wasn’t exactly a road or sidewalks. It was mostly grass and dirt paths. Twilight led us to her house which appeared to be a large tree with a house carved inside of it. Two balconies protruded from different levels, in which one was a large telescope, pointed up to the night sky.

“Well, this is where we must say goodbye till morning, darling,” Rarity said as we approached the door.

I turned and nodded, saying my goodbyes. The other five ponies trotted off in separate directions. Twilight opened the door with a nudge of her head.

“Coming?” She asked turning back to face me.

I quickly spun around. “Oh. Yeah, I am,” I nodded following her in. I noticed the inside was all wooden as Twilight flicked on the lanterns and light began to fill the room. Inside the clear lanterns were fireflies. Books, organized on shelves all around the room, lined most of the walls. A green couch and table sat in the middle of the room. On the right side of the room was a writing desk. Atop it sat rolled up pieces of parchment and an old-fashioned quill sitting in an inkwell, just waiting for someone to come by and allow it to create a letter, document, or story. At the far end of the room was a staircase leading to the second floor.

“Wow, nice place you got here,” I commented as I gazed around the room.

“Thank you, Shift. Now, I’ll introduce you to my assistant and little brother, Spike. He will show you where you can sleep tonight,” she trotted off into the kitchen.

A few moments later she emerged with Spike. Only Spike wasn’t a pony, he didn’t even have fur. He was a bipedal, short dragon. By dragon standards he had to still be an infant. He had purple and green scales, with a beaming smile on his face.

Again, they’re so damn happy in this place! I just don’t get it.

“Hello,” he greeted me with a wave, “I’m Spike, Twilight’s number one assistant!” He announced, puffing out his chest, “So, you’re staying here for awhile, then?”

“For a bit, Spike. Just until I learn what I need,” I said with a nod.

“Alrighty, I’ll show you to the guest room, then,” Spike turned using his clawed hand to gesture me to follow him. Trotting towards the staircase, he made a right turn that led us to a door located just before it. Spike opened it revealing, a small room with a bed, lantern, night-stand, shelf of books, and a writing desk.

“Wow, cozy,” I remarked as I climbed on the bed.

“If you need anything, just give one of us a shout,” Spike said, closing the door softly.

First thing in the morning, I need to contact Elliot, and I think I have a way. Twilight has the ability to use magic. She may have some form of contact spell to reach other worlds. I’ll have to talk to her in the morning.

I yawned and layed back on the bed, stretching.

These ponies are nice, but I can’t let my guard down too much. Just enough to get what I need. Then, I’ll be able to save them. All of them.

____________________________________

I soon drifted off into slumber. Blackness was not my fate tonight, though. Another dream began swirling around in my mind, propagating itself. A large desert devoid of sound with a smoldering sun, sizzling the desert sand, shaped around me. I could feel the sun beating down on me as sweat poured from my forehead. The dream was becoming lucid and realistic to my eyes.

“I see you found Equestria,” A familiar voice pierced through the silent air.

“Gadget!” I yelled, instinctively shifting my hoof into a spear.

I’m still a pony? Why? Even in my dreams?

“Awww,” she purred, forming a few feet in front of me, “How adorable. What a lovely gray coat, Such a charming green mane. And those yellow eyes! I prefer you much more as a pony,” Gadget giggled with a devilish smile.

“Go to hell! What do you want?!” I stomped my hoof on the desert sand.

“You gave me part of what I wanted already. You came here, to Equestria. Thank you ever so much,” she said with an evil grin.

“Why do you care about Equestria?” I asked quizzically, cocking a brow.

“Elliot didn’t tell you?” Gadget feigning a shocked look. “The metal was created here,” she answered with a cocky smile.

“Here?!” My jaw unhinged as my eyes widened.

“Yes, and now that you know it’s time for a little fun. For old times sake,” Gadget said seductively with a sadistic smile as her serpent-like claws sprung up. The ones on the right and left lifted her off the ground as the one in the middle extended under her and outward, like a stinger. The middle claw lunged for me. I was frozen, unable to move.

Here? The root of all my suffering, all my problems. Is here?

To Be Continued...