My name is Sasha, I was found in the Metro tunnels by a man named Artyom, my father. I am unlike everyone else of the Metro, for I am not human... but a pony. I have saved the Metro many times against the threat of the mutants and bandits, but my normal flow of life has been disrupted lately. I have been having strange visions and dreams, and one sentence I keep hearing... "Come home, Twilight."
The voice is so calm, and soothing. It's as if I should know it, yet I do not. It speaks in another language, although I am unsure how I understand it. I have been losing quite a bit of sleep lately, as the dreams I have been having disturb me greatly. I have spoken to father about them, but he just dismissed it because of how tired I have been. I have also been having strange visions while I am conscious, it's as if I am hallucinating.
I see a white and colourful blur cloud part of my vision, and I feel as if I am being spoken to or called, maybe. For the most part I can get my usual duties done without much of a hindrance. I mainly guard the station, and lately not so much as a rat has passed by. I think the last time I crossed a Nosalis was weeks ago, and even longer since I've seen any bandits. Life is tough in the metros, but it's bearable, unlike the days before when my father and I had to travel to the surface, and venture through the tunnels.
But I miss those days, as much as I hated them. They are what turned me into the capable soldier I am now, and it is how I gained the trust and friendship of the metro citizens. All I had to do was... save them a few times. Heh, not much of that going on these days. I am thankful that the people are safe, but I needed something to lighten my mood up a bit. Some action, that's all I seek.
My father has been pre-occupied with running our station’s security, and hasn’t had time to go on a patrol beyond the station’s borders in a long time, meaning I also have not been able to speak to him for quite some time. So I spend my days guarding the farthest post down the line of our station, with a few comrades for company, in hopes of something happening.
“So, how is your father these days, Sasha? He has not been overworking himself as usual, has he?” My friend, Dmitry asked with a raised brow.
“Ah, you know him, Dmitry. Always one to do nothing but worry for anyone that isn’t him!” I answered with a chuckle.
“I have been meaning to ask you, Sasha…” He began, with a worried look, “You have been very… I don’t know, out of it lately. Got a lot on your mind?”
I sighed deeply, and looked to the ground, “Yes, I believe I’m starting to go insane or something. I am tired of sitting around, when there is so much more out there in the metros to explore.” I coughed and cleared my throat, “Although, I can not leave VDNKh, it is my home and it is where my father is…” I looked down into the darkness of the tunnel.
Dmitry stood up and gave me a friendly pat on the back, “Do not worry, Sasha! I will see if we can go on patrol again soon, but for now I must go to my family. My shift is over. Till later, Sasha!” Dmitry turned and made his way down the line, into the station.
It was only me and Vladimir left, he wasn't much of a talker and was too serious for his own good, so the rest of my shift went on in silence.
It was about three hours later, when my relief arrived to take my place on watch. For now I think I was in the mood for a strong drink. I trotted down the darkened hallways of the station, taking twists and turns until I reached the bar. At a table on his own sat my father, he was looking at some pictures while drinking some vodka. He looked rather sad, so I decided it would be best to join him.
“Papa, how are you?” I said as I slowly trotted over to his table. He looked up at me with tired eyes, and a smile. He waved me over with a gesture with his hand, which I followed immediately.
“How are you, my daughter?” Artyom said quietly, stroking my hair softly as he pulled me into a tight hug.
“I am fine, father, although I am rather worried about you. You seem very… sad.” I looked at him sympathetically, and placed a hoof on his hand as I sat by him.
He sighed deeply, and looked back to the pictures. They were of him as a child, with his adoptive father, Alex, “My uncle passed away a few days ago, I just received news.”
I looked at my father with sympathy, Alex had been living in Polis for a few years, as he had begun working there, so he didn't get to be with him as he had died. I leaned into his arm, and nuzzled him softly, before standing up and gesturing to the bartender, “Two house specials, on me!” I shouted over the noise.
The bartender nodded and got to work. As we waited, I just sat and hugged my father to give him some comfort, “Heh, thanks for the drink, Sasha.” he stroked my back softly, and the drinks arrived, “Well, let’s drink. To my uncle!” we bottomed out our drinks in unison, and let out satisfied sighs.
I slouched back in my chair and just enjoyed the comfortable silence between us both. We never did have to exchange words to understand each other, that was the beauty of our relationship. After a few minutes of silence, we ordered some more drinks and we both drank the night away.
“Come home, Twilight!” I heard the voice again, but everywhere around me was dark. I couldn’t see a hoof in front of my face, but I could feel my body. I decided to try to walk, and began in a random direction, “Come home, Twilight!” There was the voice again…
I walked in the same direction for a while, and eventually my surroundings began getting brighter. There was a sudden explosion of colour, and in front of my eyes scenes of an odd fairy-tale-like land began to flash by me. What was I seeing? What kind of dream was this meant to be?
I saw a castle, that of one I have only seen in the rare children's books, it was in the distance below me, and I suddenly began to feel a pull and I shot directly towards it. I flew through the doors, and making it through several twists and turns, going at such a speed I was unable to make out any feature’s other than the bright colours.
I finally came to a stop at a large navy blue door, and it slowly opened. A crack of light shone through as it opened at a painfully slow pace. When it was open, I was blinded by another big light, and it began to slowly fade, leaving my vision clear.
Standing before me was a pony, just like me, but much taller, and her fur was a dark blue colour, her hair was blowing in some kind of invisible wind and she had her eyes shut. I stood in awe, as I looked at her. Never before have I seen one of my own kind before. I watched as she slowly opened her eyes, and there was a sharp gasp.
“It is you, Twilight!” She exclaimed loudly, causing me to flinch, “What has happened to you Twilight? Where have you been?” she questioned, as she stared deep into my eyes.
I backpedaled a bit, before turning and making a dash for the door, “Wait!” I heard a shout from behind me, but it was too late. I exited the room and my vision went dark again.
I shot up in my bed quickly, looking around my room. Laying on the couch across from me was my father, I had luckily not woken him, “Was that really a dream?” I questioned, trying to calm myself again. I wanted to get back to sleep soon, as I had another long shift in the morning, and I wanted to have time to think about the events of my dream when I was more awake.
I awake to the sound of the station's emergency alarm. The bells could be heard ringing through out the station, alerting the occupants of danger. Normally if there was to be a drill, it would be announced before hand, there's a sinking feeling in my stomach as I push myself off of the cot.
The sound of bodies running through the halls outside of my room can be heard, with people hitting the doors to make sure those left behind get out. I'm not sure what is going on, but it sounds like chaos out there; I had better find my father, I am not sure why he did not wake me, but it sounds like they may need my help out there.
I pull on my jacket and gear, grabbing my cartridges and securing my rifle to my side. I better make sure I am well equipped for whatever is happening. I swiftly slip out of my room, looking around and surveying the immediate area, it seems the able bodies are moving to the infirmary, I guess that is my next destination. I jog after the men ahead of me, catching up in no time.
The bells stop, there is the sound of shouting coming from up ahead, I can hear my father announcing to the unruly crowd, "As you may have realized, this is not a drill. Earlier this morning, just as the night shift was ending, an anomaly appeared just inside of the abandoned service tunnel. We are unsure of what it is, or if it is a threat or not. We have gathered you here, in case we need a quick evacuation. A defensive line has been made outside of the service tunnel, and currently the scientists are down studying the anomaly."
There was a short, awkward silence. The crowd shuffled about uncomfortably, as a wave of fear began to slowly descend on the citizens of VDNKh, "I ask you to please not panic, we will do everything we can to make sure no harm ever comes to you. That is all for now, I must go down to the anomaly and you are all advised to not leave the area. Thank you." My father made his way through the crowd, pushing past to get down to the track that lead down to the service tunnel.
"Father!" I shouted over the now rising voices of the crowd. I push through the towering bodies of the humans, trying to make it down to my father before he disappeared down the tunnel. As I made it through the crowd, I saw as he turned the corner, leading to the service tunnel. I speed up in hopes to catch him "Father!" I shout again, and this time he turns around to look at me.
"Sasha, what are you doing down here?" He asks with a bewildered expression.
"I would like to know what is going on, what is the 'anomaly'?!" I spoke quickly as I caught up to him, "I do not like being out of the loop, and I do not understand why you did not wake me up when you left." I pressed him for answers, frowning at him slightly in frustration.
"Ah, I must apologise, my daughter. You see when the men who had been working the morning shift had sent someone out to get me, I rushed to their aid. I completely forgot to awaken you, my dear." He smiled slightly, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"I understand, father. But you still have not explained to me what this 'Anomaly' is."
"Well when I got to their post, they began explaining that there was a blinding flash of light down near the end of the service tunnel. When we went to investigate, there was a floating ball of light. It troubles me that it is slowly growing in size, but besides that it does not seem to be doing much." He sighed deeply and turned towards the tunnel, "Come, let's go to the defense line." he gestured for me to follow.
I simply nodded, and followed closely behind him. I too was concerned as to what this could be, after all that has been going on with me lately... I didn't want to risk anything. We walked quietly down the station, and made our way to the service tunnel entrance. I normally patrolled here, so I was quite knowledgeable of the tunnel itself and the secrets it held. Mainly the best places to hide your alcohol stash for when you’re on the job.
My father nodded to a guard who stood by the entrance, who moved to allow entry. We continued down, and as we walked I noticed the swelling number of guards, and apparently volunteers, with weapons poised standing guard along the walls of the tunnel. The farther down the metro we made it, the more humans there were, all armed and looking nervous. In turn this all made me quite nervous myself, as I have never seen our metro in this state of security in a fairly long time.
When we made it to the open area, where I normally stood guard, I could see a line of men facing a glowing ball of white light. The light was about the size of a pig, and when I stared hard enough I could see that it was slowly growing larger. As we neared the line of men, they parted to let us through. Now as I stood directly in front of the light, I felt an extremely nostalgic feeling course through me. One that shook me to my core.
It had the same feeling as the dream I had last night... the same as every dream I have been having for this past while. I did not like this, at all. My metro was in possible danger, and it was my fault. Something I myself could not control, so how would anyone here be able to stand a chance? I lightly bumped my father's side, as he stood studying the anomaly with harsh eyes.
Slowly he tore his gaze from the light and turned towards me, kneeling down to be at my eye level, "Any theories, Sasha?" He asked in a loud whisper.
"You know how I have been having these weird dreams, lately?" I asked quietly, to which he simply nodded, "I think this is linked, somehow..."
My father simply sighed, and gave me a tired look, "Really, Sasha? I already told you, you are simply tired from all the work you have been doing lately." He rubbed the side of his head in frustration.
"I am sorry, father. But I firmly believe that what is going on with me is linked, especially after last night's dream." I said firmly, staring into my father's eyes.
He simply closed his eyes slowly and gave a deep nod, "Okay, Sasha. I'll go along with what you are saying, even if just hypothetically speaking. So tell me, what was your dream last night? What make's you think that this anomaly is somehow linked?"
I leaned in close to him, and began to explain my situation, "Well I've been having these strange dreams and hallucinations lately, every time I always hear the same sentence; "Come home, Twilight.". Now, I am not sure what this means but last night, I had a dream where I met another pony... like me. She seemed to think I was called 'Twilight', the same name I keep hearing." I let him go over what I had said for a moment, and continued "Whoever this pony is, they are calling out to me and I strongly believe that this 'anomaly' is them, whoever 'they' are."
There was a few moments of silence, before my father began speaking, "I will take what you have said seriously. Even if you are wrong in the end, what you have said is basically all I have got to go by." He stopped in thought, and scratched his head, "So if you think this may be the pony from your dream... well then whatever this anomaly is, it probably isn't hostile. However, I will have everyone remain down here for the mean time. I will have a barrier placed around the light, and have everyone stay behind it and ready."
I smiled in appreciation to his co-cooperativeness, and nodded firmly, "Thank you, father! You will not regret this."
With that, we both turned to the men behind us and my father began to speak, "Okay, men. I have reason to believe that this anomaly is non-hostile. However, I request that a barrier is placed around it as soon as possible, and require that everyone remain at their posts. We can never be too careful. Now go get me that barrier!" The men around us simply saluted, and a few set out in groups to go gather the materials for a barrier.
"Well, this should be interesting." I muttered under my breath, and sighed.
