Legacy: Season One

Legacy

Episode Six: Shingeki No Poni

Written By: Fluttashift

Tragic things occur when in the line of duty, as common sense would easily suggest. Death is a plague you see around you, it is something terrifying at first, but over time it’s impact fades into what seems like a simple incurable illness. Loved ones will die; the innocent will die; heroes will die; villains will die. Being a superhero is akin to that of being a soldier in a war. A war of good against evil, a tale old as time itself. You have to learn to hide the pain, the emotion, the feelings, and bury them deep down, bottling them. Though most would tell you the opposite, it serves as a way for a superhero to focus on his future rather than dwell on his past. I dwelled on my past far too often and all it did was lead me astray. Listen to these words so we can do that which seems impossible: deliver true justice.

LEGACY

“Ow!” I yelped as Rarity pricked me with the needle she just pinned into the tuxedo she had me dressed in. Two days had passed since my visit to the Mindscape. I was beginning to get a tad bit used to being a pony…just a tad.

“Oh, now, Shift, don’t whine. This suit has to be magnifique, and I wouldn’t accidentally prick you if you would just stop moving, darling.” Rarity’s left eye twitched at her last words, her tone sounding agitated, but kept a certain sweetness to it.

I blushed, lowering my head, a goofy smile plastered on my face as I said, “Oh, right, sorry.” Then I pulled my head up. “I just don’t see the importance in what I wear. I am on a mission, remember?”

“Yes, dear, I remember, but you can’t go looking like some pony off the street now can you? It’s a very formal event and you must wear the proper attire. Now, please, stop moving.” She said those last words with a bit more agitation than was absolutely necessary, but she shook it off and proceed with her tailoring, which, in all honesty, is quite impressive.

Suddenly, the door to the boutique burst open. The silver bell hanging over it ringing so hard it nearly broke off. Rarity and I whipped our heads around, pupils dilated from the sudden outburst, to see that Pinkie had bucked the door open. The manic mare turned, eyes wide, panting as she began to speak.

“I… have… some… good…. news… everypony!” She said between breaths, catching her breath yet keeping the same ecstatic happiness to her tone of voice.

“Pinkie, what on earth are you on?,” I snickered at that.

“I’m not on anything, silly. The only kind of high I get is a sugar high!” Pinkie snapped into her usual cheery attitude as she bounced up and down toward us. “So, you wanna hear the news? Huh, do ya? Ooh, I know you do!”

I rolled my eyes, giggling to myself. “Sure Pinkie, we’d just love to hear it.” I said sarcastically.

Pinkie sat there quietly with that ecstatic grin that seems to forever be etched onto her face. Rarity and I looked at her expectantly, waiting for this seemingly important news. After what felt like a minute of utter silence from the otherwise obnoxious mare I decided that enough was enough.

“Soooo…are you going to tell us this so called good news?“

Nothing.

After a few more moments Rarity’s concerns are easily seen on her face. As Pinkie, unmoving, continues to smile at us with that all consuming happiness that just seems to emanate from her, I slowly trot up to her and give her a tentative poke. To my surprise what I thought was Pinkie Pie falls over at my touch, turning out to be a really realistic cardboard cut out of her. To my even greater surprise a pink blob of enthusiasm jumps out of nowhere from behind us.

“Surprise!” Pinkie all but screams in my ear. “Ahhhh!” Rarity and I yelp in tandem. “ Jesus, Pinkie! You damn near gave me a heart attack,” I say, trying to steady my heartbeat. “Darling, I love you, but never do that again!” She said the last part a bit more unladylike that I would of expected from Rarity.

“So now that you’re done trying to give a heart attack to the one pony that can save both of our worlds would you like to tell us this news?” I snapped at her with mirth. Even if it scared the crap out of me I have to admit, it was a good joke.

“Well duh, of course I’m going to tell you. Why else am I here?” She said, seemingly completely oblivious to the stunt she just pulled.

“The Gala has been moved to tonight!” She exclaimed in utter joy.

“Tonight?!” Rarity exclaimed with a shocked expression, gasping, “How will I ever finish the rest of the outfits in time?”

Tonight! Why did it have to get moved to tonight!? I just lost two whole weeks of training. I can barely control my powers as it is, and now I’m getting thrown out of the nest. Lets just hope I can learn to fly before I hit the ground.

“Has this sorta thing happened before?” I asked curiously, looking from one pony to the next.

Pinkie shook her head, holding her beaming grin, and simply said, “Nope!”

“It is quite odd th--” Rarity began to comment until she was interrupted by a loud bang coming from the window to the right of us. We turned our heads to see the chromatic mare, Rainbow Dash, plastered against the window. I couldn’t help but laugh. Rarity trotted over and unlatched the window, despite the pegasus still being stuck to the pane due to sheer force Rarity pried her off with her magic, causing Rainbow to fall in and hit the floor with a gentle thud. The cyan mare stood up shaking off her injuries.

“Nice landing, Rainbow,” I snickered at her.

She shot me a glare. “Hey, shut it, Shift!”

“Dashie, darling, why are you colliding with my window this time, you do know that I have a door, right?” Rarity interjected, cocking her left brow.

“Training for the Equestria Games, but I guess I got a little carried away,” Dash chuckled stupidly, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. “Anyway,” she changed the subject, flapping her wings, and hovering into the air, “the Gala got moved to tonight at eight. Twilight wants us all to be ready at the Library by seven.”

“Dashie!” Pinkie whined, stomping her hoof, “Stop stealing all the dialogue! He promised me that I could do the exposition!”

Dash shot me and Rarity a confused look. “Uhh…“ After several seconds of confused silence Dash decided to go with an eloquent approach, “wha-- I just… you. He?”

“Oh now, dear, let it be; she’s just being Pinkie Pie,” Rarity waved a dismissive hoof and trotted back to me. The snowy white mare inspected me and finally nodded, “Okay, I believe everything should be perfect now. You can take all that off now so I can get to designing the finishing touches. It’s going to be simply fabulous, darling!” Once again, she spoke with such a fiery passion, that I swear I could see stars twinkling in her eyes. Twinkling eyes… I laughed lightly at that and turned my head trying to hide the moistness that was starting to fight its way out of my tear ducts. Those eyes remind me of Phase when she set her mind, body, and soul on something. That subtle hint of determination buried in a sea of passion.

Oh, Phase. You’re alive, yet I can't see you, touch you, or be with you. We’re closer than we have been since you left earth, but at the same time we couldn’t be farther. There has to be a way. I will find a way. No matter what it takes I will. And just maybe... I could tell you... just maybe.

“So, Shift, how do you plan to scout this psychic pony out?” Dash asked turning to me.

“Easy! We ask!” Pinkie suggested.

No,” I shook my head, “Psychic Mindscapes are like magnets when close to one another. The Planes of Thought are on a slightly higher level, compared to people or ponies who cannot utilize these abilities, thus when we are close to one another, our powers are sort of... pulled out of us more, amplified, in a sense, and we are compelled towards one another,” I explained with a smile, thinking of how happy Phase would be to explain all this information.

“Planes Of Thought?” Dash cocked a brow, a look of utter confusion plastered on her face.

“A Plane Of Thought is the sort of ‘timeline’ of a being’s thoughts. Psychics have it backlogged in their mind for easy access, and that is also how we receive premonitions or visions. We skim through this timeline, but without the Vivid Vision feat you cannot see everything clearly. We also have access to timelines of others. Non-psychics cannot access this timeline as they don’t have the specific genes that give them the ability to do so. Do you follow me?” I asked, talking rather quickly. I received mostly dumbfounded, confused looks.

“You sound like Twilight talking about magic when it comes to superpowers. Didn’t know somepony could actually make superpowers sound so… lame,” Dash replied shaking her head.

“If you don’t mind me asking, darling, what exactly is this Vivid Vision that you’re speaking of,” Rarity asked with a tilt of her head and a quizzical wave of her fetlock.

“Oooo! Is it when a psychic can see their visions as well as the timeline itself more clearly, causing their power to get stronger?” Pinkie asked narrowing her eyes as if she knew the answer, a proud smile on her face.

“Precisely! Finally somepo… ny...” I stopped as my jaw dropped to the floor, “How?” I was utterly dumbfounded.

“Just a hunch,” Pinkie shrugged, turning, then proceeded to bounce out of Rarity’s Boutique whilst humming to herself. Soon, she vanished through the front door.

“That is one strange mare,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head, but Rarity must have still heard what I had said.

“My, Shift, your use of our colloquialisms get better by the day,” she said taking the suit, I had taken off, with her magic as she trotted off into another room. The comment went completely over my head; I never realized I was slipping into the ponies’ different word-bits, in speech and in thought.

I trotted to the door, only to find Dash was now standing next to me. I turned to face her and said, “You leaving, too?”

“Yup, gotta keep on practicing.” She nodded with a smile, then shook her head and held a confident smirk, “Not that I need it. I’m awesome.” With that, Rainbow opened the door and took off, soaring into the blue, cloudless sky.

Weird, how the pegasi have to control the weather and create it. Back home it’s all natural. Mother nature and the sort. I still can't completely trust these ponies yet. Not just that, I’ve already caused enough pain. With how I chose Phase over Violet. The cheating, the lies, the utter cruelty of it all. I drove them apart. I’m not fit to be a hero.

“Shift, darling, are you alright?” I snapped to attention, turning to see Rarity had spoken up, staring at me over the rims of her glasses.

“Yeah, I’m alright. I’ll just head on over to the Library. Big night tonight and all,” I chuckled idiotically, as I turned rather awkwardly and trotted out the door.

_______________________________

Another ocean of books lay on the floor of Twilight’s home as she ran to and fro searching for something. She magicked up books, flipping pages quickly, muttering to herself, and continued on trying to find whatever it was she was searching so desperately for. As I made my way through the sea of knowledge and literature, Twilight turned away from a book and looked up at me.

“Oh, hi, Shift,” she said emotionlessly, before snapping her focus back to the pages in front of her. I noticed over my few days of staying here that Twilight only ignored you like that if she was reading a good book, studying, or frantically searching for a spell. With how nervously she was galloping about, I was willing to bet it was the latter.

“Hey, searching for something?” I asked, cocking a brow.

“Yeah, a spell on how to detect superpowers to help out for tonight. No luck yet. It isn't in any of my books,” Twilight said, frantically flipping through pages with her magic.

Called it.

“Twilight, hakuna matata, okay,” I said gently.

Twilight tossed the book aside haphazardly, reaching out for another, before twisting her head while raising a questioning eyebrow. “Hakuna ma-what-now?”

“It’s mean no worries.” I tried not to crack a smile at my thoughts.

For the rest of your days. I began singing the tune from a certain classic film in my head, trying my hardest not to hum it out loud. It’s our problem free philosophy! Hakuna Mata-- I cut off that train of thought sharply. Oh god, these ponies are rubbing off on me. Soon, I’ll be bursting out into song like Pinkie. I shuddered at the thought.

“Do you have some kind of plan then on how to find this pony?” Twilight asked.

“Psychics can sense each other when close. It’s a sort of magnetic pull that can also enhance our powers,” I explained, not wanting to get into great detail like at the Boutique, because I knew that if I started, Twilight would never let me stop.

“Oh, then, never mind,” Twilight smiled, blushing, as she magicked the books on the shelf.

Spike walked in as Twilight magicked the books and folded his arms. “Let me guess, I have to organize those,” he said in a rather annoyed tone of voice, rolling his eyes.

Twilight nodded, causing Spike to groan as he nabbed a ladder and got to work. The dragon grumbled to himself as he organized the shelves. Twilight and I glanced at each other, giggling. Spike just shot us a glare as he went about the mundane task. Twilight trotted over to her writing desk which had a letter on it, snatching it in her magic. The mare levitated it toward me.

“Princess Celestia sent you a letter. I haven’t opened it yet,” she explained as her magic unrolled the parchment in front of my eyes.

Magic. Still has to be the strangest superpower ever. Genes that allow you to cast spells and make potions. Weird. I wonder if it’s natural for unicorns or just different than how a human would be endowed with such abilities.

Reading the letter, my eyes darting to and fro, following the words, it read:

“Dear Shift,

It was imperative I moved the Gala up to today. The pony in question will be leaving Canterlot tomorrow. You must convince them of their abilities or we face certain doom. I have faith you can achieve this goal.

P.S. Phase loves you.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia”

Phase. I love you too. I thought aloud in my head hoping for a moment her soothing voice would enter my realm of thought. A smile spread across my face as I imagined such a scenario. I’ll make it up to you. I’ll find a way. I’ll save them all. I’ll deliver true justice. Maybe… I glanced up at Twilight, thinking about the other five. ...these mares can help.

Twilight noticed me looking at her and opened her mouth to speak, but I cut her off with an according answer, reveling in my new-found powers.

“The Gala getting moved up was necessary for my mission. That’s what the princess wanted to tell me,” I told her before she had a chance to ask.

A smile hesitantly formed upon her face as she said, “Practicing your psychic-ness, I see,” Twilight turned and reared her head around to face me, “Come on, I have something to show you. It involves the blood samples from a few days ago.” Her gaze returned forward as she trotted toward a door.

I shrugged and followed behind her, trotting to the wooden door. Twilight magicked it open, beginning to descend down a flight of stairs. As we walked down the steps, I pondered what she had to tell me. What could be so important? My hooves met the floor as I gazed around the room.

It looked very much like the other rooms in the library. Scattered around was various scientific equipment. Test tubes, beakers, machines blinking different colors, printing out results on parchment. I was utterly awestruck to see that part of Twilight’s library had electricity. Learning how rural Ponyville was, I didn’t think there was a single plug in the whole town nor had I ever seen one. The bigger cities have it or so I’m told.

These ponies are so much like us. Like humans. It’s hard to believe, very hard, but it seems to be the case; the truth. Still, humans can’t be trusted. I’m human, so I know that’s a fact, for damn sure. So, what’s to say ponies are any different.

“Why do you look so surprised?” Twilight questioned, curiosity in her voice.

“Well, I didn’t know there was electricity in this town. How did you get it hooked up to one room?” I asked, still glancing around, thinking to myself.

“Oh, well, I needed some for my scientific studies. It’s magically powered electricity. The power box is over there,” Twilight pointed her hoof to a black, square box hanging on the far wall, “Take a look if you’d like. I’ll get the results and tell you my theory.” She trotted over to the results which had finished printing from the strange machine.

Trotting to the box, I used my mouth to open it. Weird. I tasted cold steel as I pried the box open with my teeth. Inside, instead of the usual switches was hollowed out space. A large purple aura emanated from a small orb suspended in the middle of the box by two golden screws. Magically powered electricity, huh?

I swung around, gently nudging the box closed with a back hoof. Trotting over to Twilight, I saw she was still reading the results, pondering to herself. I cleared my throat to get her attention. The mare glanced up at me from the parchment.

“How does magic work here? How can you use it as a source of electricity? How does that thing even work? How is it even possible to convert magical resonation into electrical current?” I rapidly fired my questions at her. The way things like this work in this place always nag at me. You always need to know the flaws to defeat a potential enemy.

“I’m glad you asked,” she said, levitating the parchment to a nearby table, setting it down, a smile now plastered on her face, “Magic comes from the heart; from emotions. You have to study it to learn how to properly use it. It’s something natural that all unicorns are born with. A simple self-sustaining electricity orb isn’t that hard to make actually. It’s a mix of spells for higher level unicorns, such as myself and the other princesses, that counteract each other and keep a balance so it lasts for long periods of time.” Twilight spoke with the same fiery passion as Rarity and Phase. She must really love magic and apparently studying.

“Self-sustaining? Wow, that’s incredible. Honestly, it’s something we could use back home,” I lowered my head, letting out a sigh, “Knowing my race though, with what evil we’re capable of, it’d end up doing more harm then good.”

“Hey, ponies aren’t perfect either, you know. In fact, there’s been a fair number of villains in our history as well,” Twilight spoke in a reassuring tone, placing a hoof on my shoulder. I raised my head, smiling at her as she returned the gesture. “How does magic work on your world?” Twilight changed the subject, retracting her hoof.

“Genes. It’s how all superpowers work. Specific genes that endow you with powers. I have Psy Genes and magic users have Mage Genes. They are passed on from generation to generation or they can be given. For example, my powers were obtained through an orb known as The God Hand. My genes were transformed into those with superheroic traits,” I explained to her causing her to gasp.

“Really? That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Your genes are different from all other psychics. Elliot sent Celestia some samples for me to compare and contrast. Even your parents genes aren’t the same as yours. But,” Twilight grabbed the parchment and checked it over, “going back to five years ago, you’re genes were different. Similar to your parents. It’s weird. I can’t seem to place my hoof on why one hundred percent, but I have a theory.” She looked up from the paper, “What’s The God Hand?”

“Oh, that,” I rolled my eyes, sighing, “It’s an interdimensional artifact of unknown origins, currently held within the H.E.R.O Headquarters. It was my first case, actually. After I got my powers, I tried to stop a drug cartel who was involved with a villain named the Warden who was trying to use the artifact to collect superheroic energy from heroes and convert it into a WMD. Basically, the object itself contains superpowered energy that never expires.”

“Wait, what’s a WMD?” Twilight asks in an innocent tone. I knew that this would not be a fun thing to do as soon as the words left her muzzle.

“Umm… How can I put this simply… WMD stands for Weapon of Mass Destruction, and that is categorized as a chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear-- although the last two are pretty similar, as far as I know-- and they are designed to cause massive damage to people or places or both… Umm, Twilight? You okay?” At some point during my little explanation, the lavender mare went stock still, ears splayed and pupils mere pinpricks. It occurred to me that these ponies haven’t anywhere near the level of atrocities that humans do; I was pretty sure I traumatized her a little.

Twilight blinked a couple times before shaking her head vigorously. “N-no, I’m fine, Shift… I just… never expected so much destruction from your world…” She still looked a bit shaken up, but I was pretty sure she’d be fine.

Something Twilight had said was still nagging at my thoughts. My genes changed? Was I not psychic before? How is that possible? Five years ago... was... Merging Day.

The eerie silence ended as quickly as it had started, and Twilight was back into what Rainbow Dash called her ‘egghead mode,’ talking once again about the experiments she had run. “After running some tests, I’ve come to the conclusion that your genes could only have changed because they were dormant. Hidden within substitute genes. Why they came out and who, or what, activated them is still a mystery.” Twilight said after finishing rereading the results.

I let out a gasp, a look of shock now visible on my face. “Substitute genes?!” I exclaimed.

“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Your powers must have been hidden from you.”

“Then I know who and maybe even the why.” I began pacing out of habit as I explained my thoughts aloud. “Phase’s powers were hidden from her as well with substitute genes. When they started coming out, accidents happened, and they locked her away in a mental institution. Turns out, her father had hidden her powers to ensure her a better life, but later we discovered that was a lie. Phase’s father, Arthur Prescott, was Mastermind.”

“Oh my,” Twilight let out a gasp, “The villain who collapsed the Mindscape? It was her own father? Then, who hid Phase’s powers?”

“Violet did. Believe it or not, before she was Queen Gadget, Violet was a generous, loving, and courageous woman. She wanted to ensure her sister did not remember her father for what he truly was. The monster who killed their mother in front of their eyes. Of course, Phase was only an infant at the time.”

Violet I really did love you. I really did. I continued my pacing, back and forth until Twilight reached out a reassuring hoof, stopping me.

“How could he be so cruel? So evil?” Twilight had a look of horror etched upon her face.

“He was greedy, power-hungry, and ruthless. A sociopath who cared for nopony-- er, nobody-- but himself. Not much too it, honestly,” I shrugged as I went on pacing, “Anyway, the point is I believe Violet hid my powers, too, though why I’m not entirely sure. She’s about the only psychic I know that can do such a thing. During Merging Day, they must have surfaced when the Mindscape and Earth touched rifts. It must have cause some kind of negation of Violet’s cloaking.”

“Merging Day?” Twilight cocked a brow.

“Oh, it happened five years ago. It’s a day when the edge of the Mindscape and the edge of reality meet. These collisions have some convoluted scientific-sounding term, but they are more commonly known as Rifts. Violet, well, Queen Gadget, to be more precise, was trying to fuse the worlds together so she could truly rule the planet by controlling the entire thing with her mind,” I explained only to hear the basement door swing open.

“Twilight! Shift! The others are here!” Spike called down.

It’s time. The Gala. I have to find this pony, convince them that this is all real. We have to make sure the prophecy comes to pass or we face another possible Merging Day. Then, Phase’s words rang through my head.

“Save them all, hero boy. Deliver true justice.”

I won’t let you down. Not again. that’s for damn sure.

______________________________

  The seven of us were now standing outside of Twilight’s home. The mares were all dressed up in their colorful dresses, each matching their distinct personalities, almost ironically. I had to admit for ponies they looked stunningly beautiful. A few feet in front of us was, ironically, a horse drawn carriage, being pulled by Rarity’s generous neighbors. I got the ‘feeling’ that they both had some modicum of a crush on Rarity and were trying to get on her good side; one of them was so deluded as to think he would get into her pants. It took all I had not to burst out laughing at the stallions.

“My, Shift, darling, you look simply smashing,” Rarity exclaimed, making me blush.

“You do clean up well,” Dash added with a smile.

“Thanks girls, but there’s a mission at hoof. Let’s get going,” I said trotting forward and hopping into the carriage as the other’s soon joined me.

The two stallions at the front trotted forward, pulling the carriage, the wheel’s beginning to spin. Jerking into motion, the carriage was pulled along toward the Gala. The ride was bumpy, the carriage occasionally hitting some small pebbles or holes, bouncing it around. We passed colorful houses and a forest, soon going over a small bridge toward Canterlot. I gazed out the window watching the scenery while the mares conversed among themselves. Spike was gawking at Rarity, as per usual when he is around her.

Soon, we ascended up a mountain, Canterlot Castle could be seen in the distance as we climbed further up. The carriage ride felt much longer than I thought it would. When we finally arrived at the gates of Canterlot, it had felt as if a few hours had passed. Guards stood vigilant near the gates, one signaling for another to open the gates. As they opened, the carriage began moving forward and we soon entered the city.

We passed houses, shopping centers, and soon came up a long, pearly white cobblestone street. Other carriages shaped like a variety of fruit and vegetables came into view as the carriage slowed down. As I heard gasps from the girls, I looked over to see a large grassy hill leading up to a huge mansion. It was exquisite, colored with purple, gold, and white. The doors were solid gold, stain-glass windows much like those in the castle were visible. The carriage in front of us pulled away and we came to our stop.

“We’re here!” The drivers called out.

The mares climbed out first, then Spike, and I was last, my hooves finally meeting the grassy ground after so long. I saw ponies of all colors, trotting to and fro, some gossiping with friends, others taking romantic strolls. They were all dressed in formal attire, mares in elegant dresses, and colts in suits. Suddenly, I was somewhat glad I hadn’t come looking like some homeless pony with how fancy this event seemed to actually be.

Still, the mission is much more important than what the hell I’m dressed in. Phase would be laughing at me right now if she knew I was even thinking about fashion. I smiled at the image in my head, Phase smiling warmly, giggling at me. Somehow...

I trotted behind the girls, up the same cobblestone path which led to the large gold doors. As we approached the mansion, a large drawbridge led across a small moat filled with water, ponies in front of us seemingly waiting in line. I was beginning to get the notion this might be some sort of small castle rather than a mansion. The line moved slowly, I groaned, wanting to skip all these ponies in the way of the task at hoof, but it would be quite rude.

Damn, ponies, move the hell out of my way. I don’t have time for this waiting in line shit. I rolled my eyes, letting out small groan.

“Oh, now, Shift, quit yer’ bellyachin’, we gotta wait in line just like everypony else,” Applejack said as she must of heard me.

“Thanks for the newsflash, Applejack,” I muttered sarcastically as the line began to move.

Finally, we entered the large, white building that reminded me mostly of the castle once more. Red velvet carpeted floors, the same pearly glistening. Dozens of fancily dressed ponies littered the room, most talking, some in line to greet the Princess farther in the room up a small flight of steps. That’s when I saw Celestia, our eyes meeting, a smile forming on her face.

“You can do this, Shift. I believe in you. Phase believes in you. Your friends believe in you.” I read her thought perfectly and it brought a bright smile to my face.

I turned to Twilight who was standing to my right. “You girls go have fun, I’ll track down this psychic pony,” I said as I trotted further into the room before she could object.

Politely pushing my way through the sea of ponies, I came to a small stage. I stood in between two ponies as I stopped to gather my thoughts. I gazed around. The stage was small, a round oval shape, and blue in color. Behind it was a large window with a strange design, red curtains hung over it. Onstage was a pianist, cellist, somepony playing the tuba, and another on a beautiful, golden harp. The music was soothing, soft, and very reminiscent of the classical genre. What struck me as odd was nopony was dancing.

What kind of dance-event-thingy is this? They're all just gossiping and being fancy. This is so damn boring. I feel like James Bond, not Batman.

“Help. They’re coming. The Gears. They’ll kill us all. We’re all dead!” I snapped to attention out of my frozen state, my eyes were suddenly focused upon the cellist.

Did... she... just... I could barely process what had just happened. Psychics usually know when they’re communicating through thoughts, yet this gray mare had no idea. She stared back seemingly clueless, narrowing her eyes in confusion. It must’ve seemed as if I was gawking at her, with how I realized my jaw was unhinged and I had been staring straight into her light purple eyes. The mare turned her head away, her long black mane swinging as she did. Closing her eyes, she continued playing her instrument.

She’s the psychic and now she probably thinks I’m some crazy stalker. Great. Wait... my powers... maybe I could reach her through my mind.

“Hey, you, cello mare. Can you hear me? What’s your name?” I thought, concentrating my Plane of Thought.

“W-w-what? Is there a v-v-voice in my head?” I heard a thought that sounded like a voice. Her voice, if I wasn’t mistaken. With the way her eyes shot open and a shocked expression was now plastered upon her face, I was willing to bet I was right. The mare continued to play her cello awkwardly, holding the expression, drawing whispers from the crowd.

“No, we’re reading each others thoughts. Act natural. I’m Shift, the pony you probably thought was staring creepily at you.” Her expression became relaxed as her eyes met mine.

“Octavia Melody. Who are you? Why can you read my thoughts? Why can I read yours?” She asked rapidly, sounding frantic and scared of this revelation.

“Believe it or not, I’m a psychic, so are you. Come see me after your performance is finished. We need to talk.” With that, I turned and trotted away. I searched for one of the girls. Twilight, Rarity, AJ, anypony who I could tell.

“Okay... I guess... hard to dispute, I’ll give you that.” I was shocked she agreed, but I guess it’s hard to argue with someone talking to you through their mind. The only reason we had such control though was because of how our powers became amplified when near each other. A psychic phenomena commonly referred to as Twin Telepathy, though you don’t actually have to be twins with the person, common misconception.

My eyes became trained on a familiar being. The manic mare, Pinkie Pie, was slurping punch straight from the bowl as she went about babbling strange nonsense to random guests. Of all the mares, I was hoping it not be Pinkie, but I needed to tell somepony the news. I trotted up to her, she suddenly swung around, her face now pressed against mine.

“Hiya, Shift!” Pinkie greeted, the usual large, beaming smile sat upon her face.

“Hi,” I said as I backed up a ways, “So, Pinkie, I found her.” My tone changed to one of content.

“Her?” Pinkie gasped, her smile growing, as she narrowed her eyes, “Your soulmate?”

“No, Pinkie, the psychic,” I facehoofed.

“Oh, who is it? The pony playing the tuba? She looks nice.” Pinkie asked, though, I still believe she was referring to my ‘soulmate’.

“No, the one playing the cello. Octavia Melody. We--” Pinkie cut me off.

“Do you want me to go talk to her? I’ll get her attention.” She began leaping up and down. “Yoohoo--” I grabbed her and put a hoof over her mouth.

“Shhh!” I scolded, “No, she agreed to meet after the show. I spoke with her through my mind,” I explained, releasing my grip on the energetic mare.

“Okie Dokie Lokie!” Pinkie said, trotting away.

Well, that was… strange. I glanced over to the stage. Octavia had stopped playing her cello, and was leaning over whispering to the pianist. She must want answers sooner rather than later. I don’t blame her, especially after Pinkie’s little stunt. Embarassing…

The mare trotted downstage and began making her way through the crowd, towards me, now across the room. I watched her as she moved forward, my eyes meeting hers. She’s… My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her voice.

“I need to know what’s going on. How can this even be possi--” Her thoughts were cut out as a strange whirring noise emanated through the air.

What the hell?! I swung around to see a ight I had hoped to never see again. In front of me was silver-plated robot. It hovered a few feet from the ground, jet fire bursting from the bottoms of it’s ‘feet’. The thing stood 8 feet tall, it’s eyes had red beams, it’s head shaped like a robotic skull. In the middle of it’s chest was a circular purple plating encased in glass.

The Gears. The warning was about the Gala!

All the ponies in the room were frozen stock still staring up at the bulking behemoth in terror. The window behind the Gear shattered as four more flew in and lined up side by side with the first. The robot in the middle spoke through his speakerbox mouth and said, “Give us the psychics or face annihilation. This is your only warning.” Then, it looked down upon me. “Queen Gadget sends her regards.”

“Yeah!” I yelled up at it, my face reddening with anger, “Tell her she can suck it!” I turned my head and screamed, “Run!”

Everypony began screaming and panicking, galloping frantically about. Most made their way to the doors while the Princess narrowed her eyes, her horn igniting with a magical aura. Now that the crowd was clear, I could see Octavia was in the middle of the room, her eyes a ghostly white as her pupils rolled into the back of her head.

“They're coming… The Gears… We’re all dead… They’ll kill us all… We’re dead!” She said loudly as she fainted, falling to her side.

“Octavia!” I shouted, rushing over to her. The other’s came rushing from across the room. Twilight gritted her teeth and stomped a hoof. Her horn lit aglow with the same aura it always did. Both her and the Princess had magical beams charged and ready to fire at the line of robots.

“No! Don’t shoot--” My warning fell upon deaf ears as the two unleashed their rays of magical energy. The beams collided with the robot in the center of the group. A purple aura surrounded it as the Gear seemed unphased. Soon, the aura soaked into his encased plating, dissipating into it.

The Gears can absorb energy of any kind. Magic being one of the many. Only brute force beats these guys. I shook my head, collecting myself. Hero mode!

The Gear’s purple plating lit up with a large purple aura, charging it’s power, growing in size and shape. A blast twice the size of Celestia’s erupted and flew toward the Princess herself. Lighting her horn aglow quickly, she shielded herself, bracing for the inevitable impact. She still stood confident, her eyes narrowed to slits, one forehoof in front of the other, a look of seriousness etched on her face. The blast penetrated the shield, causing a sound similar to shattering glass, as the energy collided with Celestia, throwing her backwards, into the air. She smashed into the wall, falling onto her side with a meaty thud. Debris and dust fell from the now cracked wall.

“...energy at them,” I finished, my eyes wide as I witnessed what happened. I snapped myself out of my frozen state with a shake of my head, turning to Twilight. “You girls watch Octavia, make sure they don’t get near her. I’ll deal with these jerkoffs.”

“Be careful.” Twilight and the others nuzzled me. “We’ll take care of her.”

Dipping into the pool of images within my mind, I sorted through them. Sword, Spiked Mane, Spear, Stone Hooves, Stop. I halted the spinning wheel of images and tugged at the stone hooves. Drawing energy, I began to imagine them being drawn, sketched on me. Slowly, my forehooves transformed into two large stone hooves. My eyes shot open and a smile formed upon my face. “Wanna play?” I taunted the Gears.

Their left arms transformed into silvery, metallic, gatling guns. Aiming them at me, I quickly imagined my back hooves were propellers. As they transformed, I sped to the right, bullets beginning to rain from their barrels, flying through the air as the guns spun violently. I flew through the air zig-zagging as the bullets shattered windows, blew tables to wooden chunks, and caused dirt and debris to burst from the floor. Making a sharp turn, I flew around to their backs, causing their shooting to cease.

I smashed the Gear in the middle with two stone hooves to the back, denting it’s metal. The robot swung around and slammed me with a fist. Pain shot through my body as I flew through the air, my hooves shifting back as I collided with a nearby wall. My entire body ached, blood trickling down my forehead as the Gears hovered over to me. I heard somepony calling out to me.

“Shift! I may not be able to shoot them with magic, but I can use it to help you!” Twilight yelled, aiming her horn at me, and blasting me with a ray of magic. “There! Now you’re wounds are healed and you have a shield, but one hit and the shield breaks!”

I nodded as my entire body now felt rejuvenated, filled with energy. “Thanks!” I yelled back, a cocky smile forming on my face. “Now where were we?” I said, turning my attention to the robots hulking over me. “Oh, yeah, ass kicking time.”

Shifting my manes into sharp spikes, I stood up and lowered my head. Charging to the nearest gear, my spikes stabbed through it, as I reared my head back and flung the gear forward. The robot slammed into the ground a few feet away, skidding across it, bringing up the floor under it. The Gear exploded into a fiery ball of metal.

“Who’s next?” I chuckled as I spun around to see the other four had shoulder rockets aimed at me. “Hehehe… shit!” I yelped as I leapt to the right. Rockets propelled forward almost impacting me. I was missed by an inch as the four rockets collided with the wall, blowing it outward, revealing a small glimpse of the outside.

A dozen guards piled into the room, tossing their spears at the robots, some blasting magical energy. The Gears absorbed it and blasted it back at them, blowing the ponies to nothing but dust and ash. The second wave of guards retreated, galloping about, scared out of their wits, screaming in horror. One Gear shot a rocket at the wall above the door, causing it to explode and collapse. Large chunks of debris fell on the guards, sealing some out.

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed as I shot into the air, my back hooves now propellers once again. “That’s enough! Time to put you rustbuckets in the damn scrapheap!” I growled as my hooves turned stone. I propelled myself forward, slamming my fist into one’s head, denting the entire right side inward. It’s head blew off and the robot fell over erupting into flames.

“She’s awake!” Twilight exclaimed whilst the others gasped.

“Huh?” I turned my head to see what all the commotion was about, my attention now unfocused on the enemy.

A robotic fist slammed into my backside, shattering the shield; I flew forward smashing into the ground. I skidded across the ground, slamming into the stage, fresh wounds now bleeding. I groaned as I struggled to my hooves, dirt on my face, dust falling from my coat. I coughed as I smiled weakly. “That all you got, robo-dicks?” I laughed, wheezing a bit.

“Shift!” Twilight called, blasting another wave of healing magic at me. “I can’t keep doing this! It’s taking a lot out of me!” The lavender unicorn yelled out in concern.

I saw Octavia begin to climb to her hooves. She was groggy, wobbling a little as she stood up. The mare put a hoof to her head, saying something I couldn’t make out. Then, the debris covering the front doors was bucked forward. In flew a line of pegasus guards, I counted about ten, give or take. A line of ten or so unicorn guards appeared out of seemingly nowhere, teleporting inside as the aura glowing around their horns dissipated.

“No!” I cried out, rushing toward the guards. “Don’t shoot them with magic! They absorb it!” I warned coming face-to-face with a unicorn guard. He turned his head, glaring at me.

“We need to do whatever is necessary to protect the Princesses!” He growled, turning his gaze back to the remaining three Gears.

“He’s right! Listen to him! Please!” Twilight cried out from behind me, catching the guards attention. He let out a sigh, and nodded.

“You heard the Princess, no magic!” He ordered and the other guards nodded in agreement.

I ran over to the seven mares, Octavia’s eyes were wide as she watched the display in front of her eyes. “W-what is going on?” She asked, a look of horror on her face.

“The Gears. You were receiving premonitions and you didn’t know it. Listen, it isn’t safe here. We need to leave,” I explained as I trotted up to her. I stopped, staring into her eyes, “Now.”

“Shift, what about the giant, meanie meanpants robots, huh?” Pinkie asked pointing her hoof to the metallic henchmen behind me.

Twilight smirked as she said, “I think I have an idea.” I looked and saw her eyeing their shoulder rockets. They shot them at the line of guards. Twilight magicked them, surrounding them in a pink aura, grabbing onto them. She closed her eyes, and strained herself, turning the rockets around, and releasing her grip on them. The rockets backfired at the Gears, impacting their chests, blowing them into a mix of fire and scrap.

“Wow, good work, Twilight. Thanks, I owe you one… er… three,” I rubbed my neck with a hoof, chuckling.

“No problem at all. When Equestria needs me, I’m there. Also, I’ve told you that it’s what friends do, remember?” She smiled warmly.

Friends... They really are my... friends. So helpful... so kind... Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. I don’t know if I can do this friend thing. I... I-I... can’t trust... I don’t... want to hurt anymore...

“Yeah, now, Octavia,” I turned to face her, “This may be hard to believe. Crazy even, but you saw the robots, I talked to you through my mind, and theres a Princess here who can back me up. Proof enough?” I asked, cocking a brow.

“Well… I… er… this is just… a lot to process… and… well... I guess it’s hard to argue with it. I don’t want this, but what’s a pony to do? I already have to move to Ponyville tomorrow…” She lowered her head, sighing, “Ponies just don’t listen to classical music anymore. It’s all Dubstep and the sort. I'm out of a bucking job.”

My ears perked up, “You’re moving to Ponyville? That’s one hell of a coincidence. I sorta live there at the moment.” I blushed, chuckling idiotically.

“Really? You don’t say. Me and my roommate are moving there as of tomorrow morning. So,” her tone became softer as she gazed at the ground, “what does all this mean? Me being psychic or whatever?”

“It means,” Celestia said walking over, all of us kneeling before her, “that you will train under this other psychic. Learn from each other and work as a team. The fate of Equestria is in your hooves, as you saw tonight, this threat is all too real, my little pony.”

“Train?! Fate of Equestria?!” Octavia’s eyes widened, her jaw dropping to the floor, as panic struck her face. The mare looked as if she was about to faint right then and there.

“Yup,” I said, “You’re my new apprentice, but I’m afraid you’ll have to come with us tonight.”

From behind came a huge explosion. I turned to see ten Gears fly in through the now demolished right side of the building, chunks of it lay on the floor, some had crushed the unicorn guards. “Give us the psychics or face extermination. Queen Gadget sends her regards,” They all said in unison aiming their gatling gun arms at us.

I narrowed my eyes, baring my teeth in a threatening manner, staring up at the metallic menaces. “That’s it!” I screamed in anger drawing stares from everypony in the room. “Gadget sent you, then. Why?! How?!” I stomped my hoof, snorting, demanding an answer.

Suddenly, the Gear in the middle began to shake violently. It then came to an abrupt halt. “Shift, my little pony, so nice to hear your voice!” Gadget’s voice emanated from the speakerbox.

“Gadget?!” I backed away, my eyes wide, “How the hell are you doing all this? Where’d the Gears come from? How’d they get into Canterlot?”

Gadget giggled, “Silly filly, maybe you should ask your little cellist marefriend. She’s the one with the answer to the riddle.”

“Go to hell, Gadget!” I growled at her, “What does the riddle have to do with any of this?”

“The place where snow falls… hmm… maybe,” she acted as if she was pondering the riddle, teasing me, as I believe she knew the answer as well, “...the metal’s birthplace?”

I gasped, now frozen in place. “Where?! Tell me where!” I demanded, glaring into the emotionless eyes of the Gear.

“Ha, as if you moron! Gears, do as you did the ponies who stood in your way at the gates. Blast them all to bits. We have a date with some snowfall,” Gadget chuckled as her voice slowly faded away.

Celestia’s horn lit up as did Twilight’s causing me to panic. I frantically warned them once more of the Gadget’s absorption ability, but they simply ignored me. A golden aura surrounded us all and the world spun, colors fading, sound dissipating. I knew this feeling all too well with my time being here. Teleportation.

We appeared outside the Gala. Celestia, the mares, and me, but not the Guards. They must have stayed behind to courageously battle the evil threatening their land, protecting their princesses. Valiant, noble; I admired it.

I need to be in there with them. Fighting, helping, saving! I’m a hero not a coward! Damn it! I stomped a hoof as I stared up at the castle. We were farther away now, down the hill, and on the cobblestone street where our carriage was parked, now abandoned.

“What’s wrong?” Octavia asked, sounding confused and concerned, “We’re safe now.”

“She’s got a point, ya know,” Dash said.

“I need to stop them. I’m a hero!” I spun around, growling at them.

This took them by surprise, shocked expressions now plastered on their faces. Celestia stepped forward. “Gadget doesn’t have an army, not yet. The rest of Canterlot is safe for now. You and Octavia need to get to safety or our worlds have no hope of survival.” She explained in her usual motherly voice.

“No!” I shook my head, snapping at her, “I refuse to run!”

Behind us, the entire castle erupted in flames. A large ‘boom’ sounded as fire engulfed the pearly white structure. Chunks of the building flew in every direction, some still burning, looking reminiscent of stone fireballs. In seconds, what once stood was gone, the guards nowhere to be seen, as fire and smoke burned what remained to ash. I watched in horror as did everypony else including the Princess. In place of the castle, a large, silver, metallic pyramid began rising from the ground. The earth beneath us shook violently as the structure rose, soon standing taller than the castle had. The shaking stopped and gasps came from around me.

“What is that thing?” Dash asked sounding frightened which in my opinion was very out of character for her, but I don’t blame her. The guards had died and now a Spawner stood before us all.

“That’s a Spawner. Gears of all kinds, not just the ones we saw at the Gala, spawn from it. It’s a powerhouse of machinery. The Omega Metal is filled with self-sustaining energy. Gadget built the Spawners with the same metal she wears, the same metal as the Gears. Canterlot is doomed.” I closed my eyes, lowering my head, sighing.

How? How could this happen? I shot my head upward, my eyes opening, a confident smile spreading across my face. No! Gadget won’t win! I’ll save them all! For Phase!

“Listen up!” I shouted spinning around to face the ponies, “Gears will start pouring out of that thing at any minute. I need to get inside it if I hope to shut it down. I need help though. Who’s with me?”

Twilight, Rarity, AJ, Pinkie, and Dash stepped forward. “We are!” They shouted in unison, saluting me with warm smiles. Fluttershy squeaked and attempted to hide behind the line of her friends. Rainbow noticed this and assured me that that was essentially a yes by her standards.

I turned to Octavia. “I may need you as well.”

“Me?!” She exclaimed with a gasp, taken aback at my words, “Why?! How could I possibly be of any assistance to you? This is all… well… this is all so crazy!”

“When psychics are close together, our powers are amplified. I need you because, I fear without the enhancement, I may lose control of them as I did before.” I looked deep into her eyes. “Please, I’m begging you. For Equestria. Help me.”

Octavia sighed and nodded her head. “Fine. I’ll help you.”

“Thank you.” I turned and galloped to the carriage. “Come on, everypony hop in, I’ll pull this thing. I have an idea,” Then, I narrowed my eyes in determination, “We have a city to save.”

To Be Continued…