The Mistake of a Generation
As the leader of an inter-universal organization, I have access to countless advanced technologies. World Gates are one such technology, but they were my idea. The ability to go into a fictional world and actually interact with everything and everyone was a dream even I didn’t think was achievable. No longer was anyone restricted by programmed dialogue options, nor would they hear the same line repeated over and over like a broken record. It was the very reason I was excited that the World Gate to Equestria; the way into the world of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” was complete. Being able to see what everyone would be like unscripted was an exciting prospect. My friends and I had made sure that the pony race we would become upon entering the world would be random; not knowing is half the fun. So far, we’d been lucky enough to end up in the times where our favorite characters were at their most powerful and learned the most, namely the final seasons, last movies, last video games, or last books. There was no reason the streak would stop now.
Unfortunately for me, I had a habit of messing with technology and magic, even when I didn’t understand it. What can I say? I’m a curious person. It was that which led me on a solo adventure that was meant to be a group vacation before we dealt with the problems we’d face at home. The whole thing started when I was looking over the coding that made the My Little Pony World Gate randomize the pony race of people who entered it. Once your race was chosen, you couldn’t change it by going out and going back in; it was set. I was trying to make sure the process was truly random. I typed away, eliminating any patterns I saw. And, to make sure I’d fixed everything, I decided to go into Equestria. I expected to be a Pegasus, given my tendency to move around a lot. If I’d fixed the World Gate, there was a chance I would end up as a Pegasus, but that chance was much lower. Needless to say, it was one of my worse ideas. Once again, misfortune struck me as I had forgotten to make a final check on my code changes, and that gave a giant clue as to what I was to become.
A
10111011221001001
L
11222521220001250
I
010120010311010121
C
110011201010102310
O
121022101301023121
R
101201001211121021
N
How I missed that, I have no idea. But other than that huge hint, things were going to get a whole lot crazier. To make it worse, I was the cause.
I ran into the World Gate, ready to change into a pony. Turning into another animal is a surreal experience. Science says quick changes or morphing is painful in reality, but for the most part you only feel like one part of your body is being ripped off and replaced with the proper part for the animal you’re turning into. When you do it often, it’s hardly noticeable.
I emerged from the gate a foot and a half shorter near the edge of the Everfree Forest, easily in between danger and safety; Ponyville was in front of me, the chaotic forest behind. A smile found its way to my lips as I reveled in the fact that I was in Equestria, a dream for any brony. I flexed as I prepared to turn around. My wings extended as I did so. So I was a Pegasus; fair enough. I could fly with Rainbow Dash, at least. After a bit of experimenting with my two new appendages, I managed to fold my wings to my side. Walking on four legs wasn’t a problem since fighting evil sometimes required transforming into four-legged animals for long periods of time – the mechanics were the same. Satisfied that everything had turned out alright, I turned back to the mirror-like surface that was the World Gate, at which point, I gasped. I had ocean-blue fur and a long white mane and tail. Also, there was a horn on my head. Alicorn. I was an alicorn. I then took on a deadpan expression. I had the best luck, and that annoyed me.
You see, since becoming the partial leader of SEAGLE, I’ve had what I call “protagonist’s luck,” which is essentially saying that I get the best of everything. That’s not to say I’m a Mary Sue; I’m confident, yes, that’s because of personal victories, but in my time in SEAGLE, I’ve lost battles, friends, and a lot of other things. But my experience was mostly positive. One other lament I have with the “protagonist’s luck” is my luck with women. I’d taken to acting like action and romance manga protagonists, you know, protecting everyone and being nice. Turns out, that works and because of it, I’ve gained an unwanted dozen-plus women harem. Go on, be jealous. I like all of them, but my eye is really on my fellow leader, Nikki Hawthorne. Therefore, I do my best to avoid my “harem and” spend time with her.
Enough of that, though. Back to ponies. As I started towards the Gate, it flickered like a bad hologram. Then, before I could react, the Gate disappeared with a flash. Alicorns aren’t always lucky.
“It must be Tuesday here.” I muttered. “It’s always Tuesday.”
But wait! I’m the partial leader of the most powerful organization in the universe. Surely I must have something to help me get home. Inter-universal comm. device? Nope. Portal remote? World Gates are programmed to open for a set amount of time for people to walk in, then close and open again after another amount of time. I only needed two minutes. I’d been in Equestria for three. Yep. I was stuck, and for a while, it seemed. Most of SEAGLE was occupied with the preparations with going home, and those that weren’t were either in their own universes or on SEAGLE operations and missions. I sighed. There was only one thing to do. Find the one of the only people – er, ponies – that could help me: Princess Twilight Sparkle.
It didn’t take long for me to reach Ponyville, even though I took a small detour to avoid Fluttershy’s cottage. The last thing I needed was Fluttershy being quiet around me. I was a pony that came out of nowhere to ask her a question. Sure, by this time, she was braver and a little more open, but timidity didn’t go away easily. To make sure I wouldn’t get too many looks while I went to Twilight’s, I moved my mane a little to hide my horn. Nothing strange about a Pegasus going to the library. As I reached the library, I couldn’t help but feel that something was… off about this Equestria.
I began to observe the ponies going about their day. There was the mayor, on the way to her office; there was the sofa clerk selling some quills. Yes, this Ponyville was gentle and still. Could things go wrong? Well, they already had. Curiosity got the better of me, so I started to trot around town to try to confirm my suspicions, saving Twilight for later. Nothing I saw on my initial investigation revealed anything wrong. The ponies in the marketplace were selling their goods (the tomato vendor was still ripping his customers off. Ten bits for two tomatoes – who does that?), that was normal, but that still didn’t assuage my uneasiness. I noticed neither Applejack nor Apple Bloom had set up their apple stand, although I checked that off as part of the everyday, since I could’ve ended up at a time when apples weren’t in season.
With that clear, next was the main streets. If anything was weird, it would show up there. I took to the sky for a better view, moving my mane every couple of minutes to hide my horn. I saw the usual ponies going to the cafés and restaurants of the town and hanging out in the square; again, normal, but there was something missing. Something pink and random. She might have been working, so there was an explanation. However, thinking of the Perfect Party Pony made me realize I hadn’t seen her. At all. I was a new pony that came to Ponyville. Where was the “Hi!” to everypony? Where was the random song out of nowhere? Where was us becoming friends? She should have been the first one to greet me once I walked into the town.
That’s what was wrong. I was ready for a pink explosion of fun and excitement, and it never came. Pinkie Pie was supposed to introduce me to the others and then I’d go home. I wouldn’t force her, but maybe seeing me would get her started on the process. Sugarcube Corner wasn’t hard to find; you could spot the fake-frosting roof from anywhere. I flew in front of and above the entrance to the sweets bakery and landed roughly. As I did so, a unicorn mare and a Pegasus stallion that looked a lot like Pound and Pumpkin Cake trotted past me, off to do whatever it was random background ponies did. The next thing that hit me was an irresistible chocolaty sweet smell, tickling my nostrils and drawing me in. It was the unmistakable smell of brownies – double fudge, I know my brownies – either baking or fresh out of the oven. There were several other sweets on display, like lightly frosted cakes, cupcakes, even chewy and hard candies wrapped in plastic.
“Can I help you?” I jumped and blinked twice at the voice. I then realized I was at the counter, my eyes fixed on the kitchen. Shaking my head, I looked at the owner of the voice. Pinkie Pie. Just as I suspected.
“Uh, sorry. Could…” I trailed off as I looked her. The pink mare’s smile didn’t falter, but that’s not what caught my attention. Her mane was subtly graying in places and I saw the beginnings of wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. “…Do you know Twilight Sparkle? I need to talk to her.”
“I sure do!” Pinkie exclaimed. “She lives in the big tree at the north end of town! You must be new here.”
“Yeah… thanks…” I walked away from the counter, unable to take my eyes off Pinkie as she served customers. Now this was odd. Of course Pinkie would have a level of decorum while working, but the mare I knew would have been all over me to an almost annoying degree (not in that way, perverts). This had “spell has actually gone pleasantly well” written all over it. While not a bad thing, it confirmed the feeling of the different Equestria. I had to go to Twilight now.
As I left Sugarcube Corner, a baby blue-coated young mare with a curly pink and white mane and tail walked in. Paying no mind to the strangely familiar face, I broke into a gallop towards Twilight’s house. I was panicking. When I panic, I forget things. When I forget things, I tend to be rude. When I’m rude, I burst through Twilight’s door. When I burst through Twilight’s door, I scare her and get shot by a magic blast. Don’t burst through Twilight’s door. Magic hurts.
“Ow… three years of combat training and I get taken down by a purple librarian.” I groaned as I got to my hooves. “Great job, Venn. You’re doing so well.”
“I’m so sorry!” Twilight gasped. “Are you… alright…?”
I looked at her, trying to figure out why her voice had dropped. Then I looked up. Damn it. My horn was showing.
“Can explanations come later? I need your help. And since we’re on the subject, I think Ponyville does, too.”
“Wait, what?” Twilight eyed me with more-than-clear confusion. “I don’t even know who you are. I never knew that any other alicorns existed besides the Princesses – and me, I guess. What is this about?”
She looked like Twilight, she sounded like Twilight, but this felt like she was scrutinizing me like a mother, or something of an older sister.
“Look, Princess,” I fixed her with a serious gaze. “Would you believe me if I said I was from another world?”
The owner of the Horn of Friendship thought for a moment.
“Normally, I wouldn’t, but since I’ve been to another world, I won’t call you completely crazy.” She eyed me once more with a look I could only describe as protective. “I’ll ask again: who are you and what do you want?”
“My name is Venn Harris.” I introduced myself. “I’m the leader of an inter-universal organization, and I know a lot about your world – I’m not gonna do the whole speech – look, I screwed up and got stuck here. I need your help to get back home.”
“You can’t get home yourself?” Twilight asked. “You just said you’re part of an inter-universal organization.”
“Kind of went through a timed portal and didn’t get back in time.” I explained. “This was supposed to be a private test after optimization, so I didn’t bring anything for communication. Everyone’s busy prepping for a homecoming thing; they might not notice for a week or more. We’re all moving around. Might think I’m on a mission.”
“Then what made you come to me?” the Friendship Princess questioned me. “If you know about this world, then you should know Princess Celestia. It’s been a while since I became a princess and she still knows more than I do. Why not go to her?”
“You were the first pony I thought of.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I’m pretty sure we can find all the components for a World Gate in or around Ponyville. We might have to go to Fillydelphia to get more steel if there’s not enough, and–”
“I never said I would help you.” she interrupted me, causing me to look at her and realize I was beginning to ignore her in my haste for materials. “Besides, I have a lot more responsibilities as both a princess and a mother.” She began to take down several books with her magic. As curious as I was to see what she was studying, I knew that she was really doing. It was something I’d seen before; pretending to do one thing while really doing another. She was ignoring me, which was strange for her. Out of character. But there was still Ponyville. I could use that. Pinkie Pie was in trouble. Granted, I didn’t know what was happening with the other three main characters and the orange background pony, but if there was something wrong with Pinkie, something had to be wrong with everyone else.
“You don’t know me, so you know Pinkie doesn’t.” I told her. “She should have burst in here with me, or at the very least, already sent an invitation to my ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party. Are still not seeing anything wrong with this picture?”
“Did it ever occur to you to just ask Pinkie Pie about the party?” I was beginning to irritate her.
“No, I just assumed she’d gasp, sing a song, and then drag me here. Emphasis on drag.”
Twilight slammed her books closed.
“I’ll admit she does that occasionally, but now she has a lot more to focus on than just parties and pranks.” The Book Princess turned and gave me an all-business look. “What kind of idea do you have about us, anyway?”
“I’ll ask you the same thing: what do you mean, ‘now’?” I came for a solution, I’m arguing with the solution, and that solution had a couple hundred hardcover missiles in her home/workplace to throw at me. But that was beside the point. “Parties and pranks is all Pinkie is, give or take a few insecurities and vulnerabilities. She’s docile out there, Twilight. Something’s wrong, and it’s creeping me out. This world shouldn’t creep me out.”
Before Twilight’s anger reached a boiling point, she stopped and used Cadence’s breathing technique.
“Venn, was it? Whoever you knew Pinkie Pie as, she hasn’t been that way for years. It’s strange seeing someone you know completely different. I guess growing up and having foals is part of that.”
You can turn the “teaching moment” music off now.
“Did I hear you right? ‘Cause it sounded like you implied Pinkie had kids.” I turned my ears toward her.
“I did. We all did. They’re out right now. Even though he wanted to stay here, my son Night Light went with my husband for some father-son bonding time. And… now that I think about it, Starburst should have been back by now. She said she was just going to Sweet Apple Acres for a little bit.”
“That explains the gray in Pinkie’s mane.” I said, nodding. “How long has it been since…?” I thought back to the season finale. “You gave Tirek that royal magical alicorn beatdown?" Then I realized something else. “Come to think of it, he destroyed your house, and you moved into the castle the magic chest gave you. This place shouldn't exist.”
“It's been about 25 years. I'm a simple pony; I didn't really think I needed a castle that big, so I rebuilt Golden Oaks Library.” Twilight answered. Then she brightened. “I think I get it now. You came here expecting the six of us from 25 years ago. Pinkie Pie stopped being ‘that’ Pinkie just before she got pregnant with Cotton Candy.”
My mind played with the idea of Pinkie actually giving birth to cotton candy before I remembered the world I was in. To answer her, I just nodded my head.
“I’m in the future of this world… okay.” I began pacing, but then I stopped and looked at Twilight. “Is that good or bad?”
The Horn of Friendship shrugged.
“Well, you’re stuck here, so, bad… I guess?” She shook her head. “No, that’s wrong. Look, I’m sorry for ignoring you. Since you know our world and us, you should know how I am when I’m studying. You said you needed materials to make a new portal?”
I nodded.
“Steel, magic crystals to substitute for electrical components, a little bit of wood, and maybe a spell or two from you. I have the designs for the device in my head, so we can get started whenever you’re ready.”
All of a sudden, the door swung open.
“Mom, I’m home! I’m sorry I’m late; I wanted to help Del with some of his chores.”
I turned to see a small Pegasus mare with eyes whose color matched that of Twilight’s and a mane and tail that also matched the Princess’s, though in a tomboyish cut. I only knew one other pony with the same coat color.
“Flash Sentry?”
“Yes.” Twilight blushed. At that moment, I swear I heard a thousand voices crying out in frustration. Much louder voices that said “Shut up!” quickly followed. The mare closed the door with a quick kick of her rear right hoof.
“Who is he?” she asked. “I’ve never seen him before.”
“This is Venn; Venn Harris.” Twilight introduced me. “Venn, this is my daughter, Starburst. Venn… what did you say about your organization?”
“I thought I – oh, right, didn’t do the whole speech.” I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. “I’m a… did your mom ever tell you about the Tuesdays when she was young?”
“How did you know everything happened on Tuesdays?” The Princess raised an eyebrow.
“Hunch.” I shrugged as I looked back at the petite orange mare.
“I thought you said you were done with all that.” Starburst gave her mom an accusatory look.
“I am!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Yeah, this is completely my fault.” I smiled sheepishly. “But it’s Tuesday here. Go figure. Hey, at least it’s not an Elements of Harmony problem. I only need Twilight.”
“What do you need to do?” Starburst asked. “Maybe I can help.”
“We were just discussing how to get the materials for the device he needs to get back home.” Twilight said. “I think you can help. Get Rarity and Spike and tell them to meet us in the park. We’ll need them to find gems. I’ll send some dragon-fire letters to Fillydelphia to get some steel sent here. Venn, is there anything else we need?”
“Nope. Let’s get started.”
It had taken a week for the steel to arrive in Ponyville, and Twilight had graciously allowed me to stay in her library/home while we built the one-way World Gate. I had half-expected it, but getting Rarity and Spike involved consequently brought their children and the other Mane Six and their children into the construction project. True to character, Spike, who was now as large, if not larger than Carousel Boutique and had wings, threw his claws up and had said to Twilight “Another one?” upon seeing me before grumbling about a pony called Valiant Heart and that the number of alicorns was growing too quickly.
Pinkie’s daughter, Cotton Candy, had wanted to throw a party for me, but I had to be the bearer of bad news and told her it’d have to wait until I was able to come back with my friends. I couldn’t help but note that the baby-blue-coated, cotton candy-colored maned, golden-eyed young mare actually smelled like her namesake. And her cutie mark was, what else, a stick of cotton candy. A very small part of me wanted to bite her because of it.
Rainbow Dash’s son, Prism Bolt, was essentially a copy of herself, except Prism had a dark blue coat, a slightly more muscular and athletic build, and green eyes. His cutie mark was white triangle with a rainbow lightning bolt shooting out of it. While he had come to help, he didn’t look all that interested.
On the other hand, or maybe hoof, a light pink, light green-maned unicorn mare that had ventured away from Fluttershy was clearly full of enthusiasm. She didn’t stop walking around as the materials were dropped in the park. I noticed that she constantly activated her magic as she neared each of the piles of materials; maybe she was buff for quality like Rarity. Though, it seemed she was checking their weight, and she would sometimes tap them briefly, hard enough to hear the metallic clang of the steel, the clinking of the various gems, and the distinct sound of a hoof against the very little wood that was needed. My suspicions rose until she finished her seventh round on her path, went back to Fluttershy and turned around. The milky glaze over her blue eyes was unmistakable. This mare, adopted by Fluttershy… was blind. Her name was Anthea, apparently; no one knew who named her.
Golden Delicious was Applejack’s son, and the only way I could describe him is an orange Big Macintosh with Caramel’s mane. He was clearly as big as Big Mac, that was for sure, but didn’t share his uncle’s soft-spoken demeanor. In fact, he was basically Applejack; honest and to-the-point, as well as the only one besides Candy to judge me as a normal person (pony?) and not as an alicorn.
The final two children, Spike and Rarity’s daughter and son, Crystal Clarity and Turquoise Blitz, were the oddities of the Harmony offspring, in that they were draconies, a cross between dragons and ponies. As such, their majority dragon bodies weren’t able to have cutie marks appear on their flanks. However, Crystal Clarity, or Claire, as everyone called her, was the equivalent of a dragon-unicorn. The pink-scaled, purple-maned dracony had twin ivory dragon horns just behind her ears that she were used for magic, which also powered her fire breath. Even though she didn’t have a cutie mark, her talent was to craft gems and make jewelry.
Turquoise Blitz was essentially a dragon-earth pony-pegasus. His wings were strong, and he could carry a slightly smaller load than his father. Even though he was younger, Turquoise was at least three heads bigger than his sister, and despite his size it was Claire that tended to be stronger in certain situations, according to what she told me. But even though Turquoise helps Claire find gems, he still hadn’t found what to really use his abilities for.
Building the World Gate only took five days, whereas I’d originally estimated 2 weeks; it helps when you have over a dozen pairs of hooves and three pairs of claws. Having friends who can breathe fire certainly cuts down on welding costs. The Gate, in all its glory, was akin to a Stargate from “Stargate: SG-1”. People saw that show, right? All that was left was for me to use the World Gate and go home.
The silvery glow of the portal illuminated my body despite it being an early, clear Sunday afternoon. It was all going perfectly, except for the fact that no one noticed the diamond generating the portal was sparking ominously. I turned around to face the possibly nicest beings in the universe.
“Twilight, everyone, thanks for the help.” I bowed to Twilight, and Twilight, unconsciously, most likely from years of being taught formality, bowed back. I then looked at Spike. “Spike, I don’t want anything stupid happening with this thing, so destroy it once it shuts down in five minutes.” A smile to everyone. “Expect me back here in the right time in about two months with my friends. Starburst, guys, it was nice meeting you. Later.” Turning back to the portal, I walked through, and discovered while walking through the transport stream that I could still hear everyone behind me, though their voices were muffled.
“No, Candy.” Pinkie was apparently holding her daughter back. “Maybe we can ask him if we can go if he comes to this time again. Or we’ll be able to go when we meet him in the past and we can tell you all about it when we have you guys!”
“Um, what’s flashing?” It sounded like Fluttershy, but the voice was stronger. Anthea, maybe? “The sun’s not that bright, is it?”
“The portal!” I heard Twilight exclaim. Even though I knew I was probably 10 feet from the end of the transport stream by now, I stopped and swiveled my ears back to listen more closely; I wouldn’t turn human again until I was five feet from the stream’s end. “Its magic is fluctuating wildly! Girls, get the kids out of here! Rarity, Spike, you’re with me!”
“No way, Twilight!” Good old Rainbow Dash. “We’re staying here!”
“There’s going to be an explosion of magic!” Twilight yelled. “I don’t know what it could do to us if we don’t contain it! Rarity, Spike, and I can handle it! Go!”
“Twi’s right, RD!” Applejack agreed. “We might be little outta practice, but this ain’t nothin’ we haven’t handled before. C’mon, everypony, let’s get a move on!”
I heard nothing from Rainbow as the drama most likely continued. But then, a scream rang out.
“Aah! Mom, it’s got me! Help!” That was Cotton Candy, and that voice was too distressed to be joking. What was going on? They were all yelling about magic strings or ropes grabbing them. Something that really confused me was one specific worry, voiced by Rarity.
“Why are they only going after our children?” Rarity gasped.
“Who cares?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “This stupid machine’s not going to take my kid!”
“Don’t give up! We can do this!” Twilight’s worry was clear behind her words of encouragement.
“Grah!” Spike roared. “Each time we break a string, two more come up! That diamond’s like a hydra! They’re getting stronger, too!”
Then there was a loud, low, yell, followed by a drawn-out scream.
“Mom! Dad!”
“Turquoise!”
“Claire!”
The last thing I remembered was a lot of green, a lot of weight, and a lot of pain.