Prologue: Twilight Sparkle
"The sand engulfed everything."
"Again... We failed to save the world again. How many times has it been? And how many more will it disappear into sand like this?" The mysterious voice questioned herself, "I am tired of all of this sister."
"As am I... But we cannot give up. We must succeed in this... If we don't..."
"Yes... You're right. We have to do this." The mysterious pony begins to doubt herself if they can save the world again, "But can we really save the world?"
The other pony also doubts herself as well, "I don't know... but we must have faith for now. Come. Let's start again."
"Yes... Let's start over. That's what our power is at any rate"
"This time, the true history will be written." With those last words, the two mysterious ponies disappear into the unknown.
The continent of Equestria. A world of decay where everything is swallowed by the sand. The strange phenomenon of desertification which fell upon the old Empire centuries ago, is slowly encroaching upon the rest of the continent, As the sand continues to swallow the land whole, the remaining nations are embroiled in a fierce conflict over what little soil there is to cultivate... Stalliongrad, to the east, has lately found itself in dire straits due to an invasion from the west by Canterlot. It is against this backdrop that a Stalliongrad intelligence officer is about to embark on a critical mission. Special Intelligence's most skilled agent, she is clad in purple and rides in the darkness... Her name is Twilight Sparkle.
Prologue: Twilight Sparkle
The door to the office opens as Twilight enters seeing her officer, "Prompt as always."
"No need for the small talk. What do you want, Nightmare Moon?"
Twilight’s mentor and leader of the Special Intelligence also known as Specint, Nightmare Moon would later to be a prominent leader and the go to pony for stealth missions in Stalliongrad, "Prompt and blunt. Well, That's fine. I'm willing to let results trump manners."
Twilight was silent from Nightmare Moon's speech there. She was wondering what Nightmare Moon wants with her now that she called upon her services, "I have a mission for you, Twilight. It's been some time since we went to war with Canterlot."
Upon hearing that from Nightmare Moon, Twilight recalls some rumors from the people and soldiers themselves, "I hear our situation worsens by the day."
"You hear right. Canterlot's land, in particular, the area near the Imperial Ruins, has faced the worst desertification. They're desperate to claim any land they can that will yield a harvest..."
"It's a problem, to be sure."
"Our little Special Intelligence group been sending agent after agent into Canterlot... And lately, they keep coming a cropper against an 'unexpected state of affairs.' Now it's happened again. An agent with important intel on the enemy's armaments is in a sticky situation. This brings us to your mission: Rescue this agent and escort him safely back to Stalliongrad."
Hearing that made Twilight wonder why she had to do it, "A rescue mission ought by rights to be an Army job. Unless, of course..."
Nightmare Moon was impressed with Twilight's quick thinking, "You catch on quickly. The rendezvous point is west of Lazvil Hills. Another operative has been tasked with escorting him there. Even if it costs him his life..." Nightmare Moon went silent for a few seconds thinking about the operative. She then returns back into the subject at hand, "I doubt you need telling, but settle this before the military higher-ups catch wind. They've been eager to do away with Special Intelligence for quite a while. Indeed, they seem to delight in snatching results from us..."
"So, no backup, the military mustn't know, and there's a time factor." Twilight was beginning to ponder if she can do this all within what she just said.
"You're my only pony who can get it done under the cimcumstances. The only one I trust."
"I'll get it done, all right. You needn't worry about that."
"That's what I like to hear. I'm assigning two subordinates to you for this job."
Hearing that made her a little baffled, "Why? I don't need even one. If I'm the sole survivor again..."
"If that's what you're worried about, then you'd best learn to use to make use of their talents. If you can't do that, then don't think of them as subordinates. Consider them tools instead. They're waiting outside for you."
"Tools, huh...? What are these 'talents'?"
"You're the agent, aren't you? Find out yourself. That's another skill you'll need to succeed. Moreever..."
"There's more?" asked Twilight in confusion.
"I'm entrusting you with this." Nightmare Moon pulls out a book from her mane and gives it to Twilight.
Twilight was very perplexed as to what and why was she given an old book, "An old book?"
"It's called the White Chronicle."
"White Chronicle...? I've never heard of it." Twilight opens the White Chronicle and sees that all the pages are blank making her wonder why nothing was written in it, "Hm...? It's blank."
"Don't worry about it. You may need it on the mission."
Hearing that made Twilight ever more confused as to the reason why, "What? Why?"
"Oh, never mind. Just... Think of it as a lucky charm for now. It may not help, but it can't hurt, can it?"
"...Fine. I'm off, then." Twilight leaves the room and goes out to find the two subordinates Nightmare Moon assigned.
As Twilight left Nightmare Moon, she spoke to herself wishing to her student her luck, "...I'll be waiting, Twilight. Hurry and find your way to where I've reached..."
Twilight heads out of the room and hears voices coming from her right, "Oh, she's coming out!"
Twilight turns to the right and sees the two that were assigned to him, "So these must be them..." She walks over to where they were.
The blue pony with a rainbow mane first responds upon seeing Twilight, "Hey there. Nice to meet you."
"Are you the two that were assigned?"
“Yes, we are. I'm Fluttershy. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Rainbow Dash. Good to meet you."
"...All right. Can you two fight? What are your specialties?"
Rainbow raised herself up exuding confidence from her perspective. Twilight’s expression mostly stayed neutral from that, "'Course we can fight! I'm good with spears, and I can use a few thunder base spells even though I’m a pegasus."
Fluttershy rubbed her forelegs as she was introducing her specialties, "I'm a skilled swordsman and sometimes healer. You could also count observation as a specialty."
A little smile formed on her face as she introduced herself, "I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"Yeah, Nightmare Moon told us. From what I hear, you're Nightmare's golden pony in Special Intelligence." Twilight was expecting this as much. Nightmare Moon telling them about whom she was and why was she important to her. Seeing her go silent made them see that Nightmare Moon wasn't off about her, "Heh... You're just as aloof as Nightmare Moon said you'd be. But I like that. It's how a mare should act, not like those ponces that blabber on and on."
"...Glad you approve." She hoped that they wouldn't that much of a burden on her once they begin the mission.
She looked at her friend for a second before shifting her attention to her CO, "I, too, am relieved to have an understanding CO. May our partnership be fruitful! But... leaving that aside, er, Sir... Twilight?"
She waved a hoof wanting nothing of the formalities, "Just Twilight's fine."
She rubbed her arms again awkwardly. Rainbow almost facehoofed there while Twilight did not pay attention to that gesture, "W-Well then, Twilight, why don't we get to business and hear the details from you?"
"It's a lift. We're headed west of Lazvil Hills to meet with the target."
"Oh, is that all? Piece o' cake!"
Fluttershy suddenly went from her usual shy self to one of surprise as she turend attention to Rainbow, "Not this again! You always jump to conclusions on the barest information, Rainbow Dash!"
"So when have I been ever wrong?" said Rainbow Dash pridefully.
"Well, your streak can't last long. From what I've gathered so far... The Canterlot army has advanced to near Lazvil Hills."
Rainbow Dash was a little silent from hearing that. She wondered whether what Fluttershy said was indeed true or not, "Is that true? I mean, Lazvil Hills is just to the south of here. It can't be long before they invade Stalliongrad!"
"Our target is a spy who'd been investigating Canterlot. Nightmare Moon claims this man has intel on the enemy's arnaments."
They were a little surprised to hear that their target has intel and were a little relieved, "That's good stuff. If we had that, we could turn this war around. We can't blow this one, huh?"
"That's right."
"Do you suppose we'll be engaging Canterlot soldiers?"
"That's why she's sending me."
"I-I see..." Fluttershy was getting a little scared from the idea of confronting Canterlot soldiers while trying to get to their target.
"Nightmare Moon must really have a lot of faith in you, huh? Giving you an important mission and all."
Though Twilight did resist scratching her head, she was doubtful of her mentor’s faith on her, "Well... I don't know about that. In any case, we need to devote all our effort to the mission."
Fluttershy utters a small, weak laugh from the idea of the mission.
As she uttered the laugh, Twilight gets an unusual sensation, Ngh...! What's going on!? As she was wondering what was happening, she notices that the White Chronicle is glowing, Is... Is the White Chronicle glowing!? As the book emitted an invisible white light that covered her, not noticeable by her subordinates, she sees something, What... is this? What am I watching...!? Upon seeing the image, she sees something that made her panic a bit, Are those two... Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy...? No.. Are they dead!? Twilight was pondering what those this image mean, What's going on...? What is this!? After the image was there no more, she snapped back into reality. She remained silent for a few seconds trying to understand what she just saw, What I just saw now...
Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy notice her going completely silent. They wondered if she was okay, "What's wrong, Twilight? You suddenly went all quiet."
"You're... not cross because Rainbow Dash spoke out of turn?"
Twilight was silent for a few seconds. She responded back with uncertainty in her voice, "No... It's nothing. Don't worry about it. Enough chitchat, I think. Let's head out."
"Oh, wait a sec. Nightmare Moon left us some money for this mission." Rainbow Dash pulls out five hundred bits from her pocket bag,
"We're only subordinates, so you should hold on to the money, Twilight!" They gave her the money and returned back to where they were, "Let's hit the shops to gear up for the mission. You never know what might happen during a job."
What might happen… The vision I saw of these two... No, I have to put it out of my mind. Focus on the mission. “You're right, We need to be fully prepared before we depart. Let's go."
All three leave the 2nd floor balcony of the Stalliongrad Castle and head for the shops. As they prepped themselves for what might come to them. All meet up at the entrance of Stalliongrad, "If we pull this off, things might start to go our way in the war, right?"
"Most likely."
"Well, all right, then! Let's do this! C'mon, Fluttershy, let's go!"
"O-okay.. I'll do my best."
As soon as Twilight was about to leave Stalliongrad into Lazvil Hills, she hears someone calling to her. She turns around and sees her old friend, "Rarity."
"Cold as ice... I don't mind when you're like that with me, but you shouldn't be so curt with other ponies." Rarity tried to reassure him by saying a hello until the name came to be. Nevertheless, she was curious on what was Twilight doing, "Hey... Are you heading out on a mission?"
That question was a bit out-of-character for Rarity considering she never asks that question before, "...Yeah."
"A Specint job, huh?"
Hearing that from Rarity made her see that she wasn't here just to say hello and goodbye to her, "All right, Rarity, out with it. What are you trying to say?"
Rarity sees that she saw through what was making her worried. She decided to put it out there for Twilight to know, "This mission's dangerous, Twilight."
Twilight was wondering if Rarity was trying to trick her or just stating out the obvious, "That's nothing new. All of my missions are dangerous."
Rarity panicked a bit before regaining her composure, "It's more than that! What I'm getting at is... I just have a bad feeling about this one." Hearing that from Rarity made her a little baffled. She was wondering where Rarity was getting here after that, "I've seen a lot of soldiers die in my time. Every time it happened, I always got this exact feeling. I could always tell the ones about to die off... I could smell Death on them."
"And you smell it on me now." This time she pointed out the obvious for Rarity.
"That's right. What I'm sensing from you is nothing good. Even if you happen to survive, you'll be left with something like this foreleg of mine."
"Your Gauntlet... They're doing amazing things with thaumatech." Twilight had to admit that for all the technology this city is undergoing, they had done many remarkable achievement like the Gauntlet of Rarity’s.
Rarity wasn’t proud of the mechanical arm but for all her worth, losing a limb was better if you wanted to live, "I'll be spending the rest of my life with this foreleg. But having a life to spend--that makes me lucky. You don't want to end up like this, do you?"
Twilight was beginning to get where Rarity was going through and she wasn't the one to be joking, That vision I had earlier of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's deaths... Does Rarity's premonition have to do with that? And if so... Am I also going to die?
Rarity noticed that Twilight was quiet for a few seconds. She knew her friend well enough to not be the quiet type at times, "Twilight?"
Twilight snapped back into reality upon hearing Rarity calling her, "Yeah...? What is it?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow upon hearing her response, "'What is it?' Listen to you. You were scared white. I really got to you, didn't I? If so... I'm sorry."
Twilight quickly corrected herself, "No... It wasn't that. It's something else. Listen, don't worry about it."
She was silent for a few moments before letting out a sigh, "...All right, then. I know you, anyway. No matter how much I argue against it, you'll still go off on the mission."
"Our victory or defeat could hang on this mission. I won't fail. I can't."
"...I hear you. That's the way things are, I guess. The mission is everything... That goes for you in Specint and military men like me, too. I'm sorry if what I said spooked you. I just had to warn you..."
A small smile crept up on her face for her friends worry, "I'm glad you're worrying about me. Thanks. But I'll be all right. Allow me to be the first one to prove how wrong your intuition can be."
"As a soldier, I'd hope not... But for your sake, I hope so. Well... I should be getting back. Lt. General Sunset's summoned me. Twilight... Don't die out there, okay?"
"...I won't." As he said that, Rarity ran back to the castle to meet with Sunset. Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy returned back to the entrance to see if she was coming.
"Excuse me, Twilight? Aren't we ready to leave?"
Rainbow Dash saw that mare run back to the castle making her wonder on whom she was, "You know that mare?"
Twilight answered in a friendly tone, "Yeah... She's my best friend."
"Oh, really? That mare? Huh. That foreleg of her was pretty crazy. It's artificial, yeah?"
"I don't remember the specifics, but her Gauntlet is powered by thaumatech. It's artificial, but she can move it as well as a natural forehoof. I'm sure you'll see her again sometime. Come on, let's go."
As they left the city, much hadn't change from the hills. Luckily, the Canterlot army wasn't here yet. They take a break from the running. Twilight goes into details as to where the rendezvous point is, "We'll make contact with the target west of here."
"Looks like the Canterlot army hasn’t made it out this far yet. Think they're on their way?"
"Most likely. Now's our chance to hurry onward."
"Oh well in that case..." Rainbow Dash walks a little bit forward to set them up, "I know a shortcut!"
"Oh... You're talking about the path near the river?"
"That's the one. We used to use it all the time."
"The Canterlot army would be less likely to spot us on that path, too."
Twilight was a little baffled as to what they were talking about, "Hey, Twilight. Flutter and I can lead the way from here."
"We're eager to show you how useful we can be."
Twilight was pondering whether to allow them to lead for now. Considering the reasons they bought up, it may be best to allow them to take lead for now, "...Good enough. Lead the way."
Rainbow Dash was a little giddy to hear the answer, "Will do! C'mon, follow us!" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy took lead and showed them their shortcut.
Fluttershy called her to where they were at, "Twilight, over here!"
As Twilight was making her way down the hill, she sees a monster beginning to attack, the two "In front of you! Look out!" The monster makes it way towards Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash as Twilight gave the alert. Fluttershy uttered a scream and took out her sword. Twilight went to where the monster was heading for and attacked the monster. The monster made its first attack by hitting Twilight. Twilight manages to guard against the coming attack and counter the beast. Rainbow Dash delivers the finishing blow to the beast by stabbing it in the heart. As everyone was taking a breather from the beast, Twilight now noted their skills, "So you two can fight."
"Naturally. You realize that we used to be mercenaries."
"We might not be up to your level, but we're no slouches."
"Is that so?" Twilight asked curiously
"So you can trust us to do our share, y'know. People on a mission together ought to be able to trust each other with their lives. I hope we can get to that point."
"...So do I, actually." Twilight admitted to them. They weren’t much surprised from that much to Twilight’s awkwardness.
Fluttershy begun to notice that the wind was picking up a bit in speed as the breeze flowing through her mane intensified, "It seems the wind's picking up."
Rainbow Dash also notices that the wind was also picking up, "It does look like it's gonna rain tonight, now that you mention it."
"Let's hurry to the rendezvous." As soon as they starting, it begins to rain on them.
From the brigde where the three were under, two commanders from the Canterlot army are there, "It's started to rain..."
"It will make our raid on Stalliongrad all the easier, High Colonel Sombra."
"Indeed. Still... This cacophonous deluge will let us go undetected, but it benefits the enemy just as well. Do not limit your focus to your own situation."
"Yes, Sir..." He noticed that his commander was being a little quiet for a quite some time, He begins to wonder about what they received, "Are you concerned because of the tip we received?"
"...Conditions are ideals for vermin to be scurrying about."
"Worry not, Sir. I am Ahuizotl, the Executioner... I shall crush any vermin beneath my heel."
"Hmm... I have lofty expectations of you."
"I will not allow control of the situation to slip away, Sir. Be at ease in commanding the operation, High Colonel Sombra..."
"So I shall." Sombra looks over the bridge where he wonders about the tip, "Still... The threat of vermin... I care for it not at all."
Back with the three, they already made to the rendezvous point and are now waiting for the spy to come, "The rendezvous point should be around here."
Rainbow Dash begun to notice that he wasn't here yet, "Well, he's not here. Think he's dead?"
Twilight was quick to correct Rainbow Dash’s response, "Don't jump to conclusions."
Fluttershy was preparing some herbs at the ready for everyone, "Why don't we rest for a bit?"
Rainbow Dash was getting a little impatient with waiting for the target though for good reasons why she was getting impatient, "But if we don't hurry, they'll invade Stalliongrad! Then I can scratch one more place to call home..."
Fluttershy understood where Rainbow Dash was saying after saying that, "Rainbow Dash..."
"'Call home'? Do you mean Stalliongrad?"
Rainbow Dash was silent when she asked that question. Fluttershy notices this and decided to answer the question for her, "We told you earlier we use to be mercenaries, yes?"
When Rainbow Dash heard that from Fluttershy, she panicked a bit from it, "Flutters!"
"I don't see any reason to try and hide it. He should know." Rainbow Dash was a little urked from hearing that answer from her, but otherwise let Fluttershy do her thing, "Anyway, yes, we once belonged to a mercenary group. But one day, our entire force was annihilated. Rainbow Dash and I are the only survivors. It was after that when Nightmare Moon took us in."
"Nightmare Moon did that...?" Twilight couldn't what she was hearing. Nightmare Moon taking people like that. It was a little uncharacteristic of her to do that.
"Nightmare Moon was really nice to us." After a few seconds, Rainbow Dash recalled something that she said to them, "This is what she said... You survived, which marks you as necessary to this history. Come with me, and let us write history together... History as it should be. That's why Fluttershy and I are here."
"'Write history,' eh?"
Fluttershy looks to the south and sees something, "Hello, what's that I see...? Something's coming... It must be our spy!"
"Freakin' finally!" Rainbow Dash was overjoyed to see him coming.
Twilight turned as well to see. From where she was, she noticed that their agent was running faster than normal, "Wait... Something's wrong..."
Upon noticing that soldiers were pursuing their target, they quickly begin to realize that he might get killed if he wasn't protected, "Hell...! He's being pursued! Aren't those Canterlot soldiers!?"
"We have to save him!" All three run near the exit of where they were meeting the agent.
"Dammit! I can't shake them!"
"You're not getting out of this, Stalliongrad spy!" The spy runs as fast as he can from his pursuers hoping to get the intel to them.
"Are you all right?"
"Y-You... A swordswoman in purple...! You're...!"
"Relax, we're on your side."
"There he is, I see the spy!"
"Stay low and hide behind us! Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy! The spy's life takes priority!" All three ready themselves for the fight as soon as the soldiers come.
"Dammit! He's got friends! It doesn't matter! However many of them come, they're no match for us! I hope you're ready for us, Stalliongrad dogs!"
They begin drawing their weapons and charge at the three of them. One of the soldiers hits Flutttershy right on the wings thinking that he made a direct hit. Fluttershy, however, was unaffected as it only made a feather fall off her wings. She delivers an overhead slash on the soldier and manages to leave a gash wound on his chest leaving him to bleed to his death. Rainbow Dash went high into the air hoping to avert the soldiers to her. They indeed did and followed her into a dead end. She then proceeds to stab each one of them with the end of the spear piercing through their bodies. Twilight manages to bring one of the soldiers into where they were and manages to get a few slashes on the soldier killing him, "Must've been the last of them..." The spy comes out of hiding, "You're hurt. Is it bad?"
"I thought something like this might happen, so I brought some medicine just in case. This is my last bottle..." Fluttershy gives the medicine to the spy. He manages to drink the medicine down and manages to recover some of his strength.
"...You're a real white knight. Thank you."
"That's what we're for. So, then. Are you alone? What's became of your escort?"
"Dead. They're advancing much faster than we expected. Truth to tell, I didn't think I'd survive get this far. I'd begun to despair that the intel we recovered would never make it into the right hands..."
"You learned a lot about their armaments, correct?"
"Yep... I even have detailed plans for the operation they're undertaking right now. If I can just get these back home... Well..."
"Got it. We'll escort you the rest of the way to Stalliongrad."
Rainbow Dash soared a bit high a bit happy to have one objective done, "Well, well... Looks like the first stage of our mission's complete."
"It'll be hard going from here on, though... Our route home runs straight through the bulk of Canterlot's army."
"Don't forget about the ones on our heels, either." She pointed out.
"Where is he!? Where'd he go!? There's been no word from the detachment that went ahead! He must've escaped into Lazvil Hills... Find him!"
"We need to go. You two take point. I'll bring up the rear. Don't let them get the drop on you."
"Leave it to us! Let's go Rainbow Dash!"
"Hey, we're already putting our lives in each other's hands. See? That didn't take long."
"Apparently not. Now move." As Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the spy went on ahead, Twilight followed from behind and stayed behind to keep watch on the soldiers coming from behind.
While at it, they go into a crossroad, "Heads up, it's a crossroads. Which way? North, or should we try our luck south? If you ask me, passing over the northern bridge would be the fastest way."
"No, we can't go north. The enemy will already be there in force. It may take longer, but we should past through the south."
"Then I suggest the path near the river we took coming here."
"Yeah. That'd be safer--" Rainbow Dash hears some footsteps from the south, "Look out!" One of the arrows hits their target right on the head, "No!"
"I-I can't believe t-they ambushed us here. Twilight, the spy...!"
"Later! Be on guard for the next attack! I'll hunt for the sniper!" Twilight heads south where the arrows came from and surveys the area. For a moment, nothing has happen at the time, "He got away. His objective must have been only to kill the spy." As she walks ahead to find any noticeable changes, she notices something that made things worse, "Oh, for...!" She sees that barricades were putted up to prevent them from taking the southern path, "A blockade!? The Canterlot army must have put this up... Something's wrong about this. They're too well prepared..." Twilight was silent for a few seconds pondering on why they were this prepared for them, "I should head back to the others." Twilight walks back to where the two were, "Are you two all right?" They were complete silent when she asked that question, "The spy's already dead, I see."
"Then.. We've failed, haven't we...?"
Rainbow was berating herself hardly, "I should've been more careful!"
"Snap out of it! Stay on task! Beating yourself up because the mission failed will only get you killed! We have an obligation to report this turn of events. Don't you want to protect your homeland?"
Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were a little shocked to see Twilight bring that up. Fluttershy began to see the point where she was going, "...Twilight's right. We need to at least tell them what happened here."
"Yeah... Let's go!"
The south route is blockaded. We'll never get through. Our only choice is to head north."
"B-But... They spy said that the enemy was already clustered up north..."
"There's just no other way."
"Guess we'll have to break through some enemy lines..."
"That's right. Brace yourselves." Twilight and company head north to try to deliver the message to Nightmare Moon, however, the corps that was behind them managed to catch up with them.
"I've spotted them! Over here!"
"You're kidding me! How'd they find us already!? Weren't they on their way up north?"
"No. This is a different unit. They must be part of the forces sent to hunt the spy..."
"Th-That's right... They'll be coming from behind us too. What should we do, Twilight? Should we run for now?"
"No... We'll end up flanked by the force up headed north. We need to deal with them here." They go to the intersection of the crossroads and wait for the enemy to come.
"I'm sure we can take those guys with Twilight's help!"
"We'll have to try, at any rate."
"Yeah... Get ready." The soldiers from the unit catch up to the three and begin ambushing them. Twilight blocks one of the enemy attacks with her shield and counters him. Rainbow Dash utilizes her quick speed and dodges each slash from three enemy soldiers and uses the spear to her effectiveness by hitting them from a distance. The spear manages to pierce through one of the soldiers leaving them incapitated. She pulls out the spear and continues guarding again the oncoming soldiers. Fluttershy while was going on the offensive, did some healing on Twilight and Rainbow Dash to keep them healthy.
As soon as the last of the soldiers are done, they head north to try to deliver the message. Much to their surprise, there were so many soldiers stationed at the northern bridge, "I was expecting this, but there are so many of them...! And they'll be more roaming up ahead." Twilight and company knock out some of the enemy soldiers stationed there and managed to get pass the enemies. As they reached the bridge and pasted it, they are met with the commanders.
"It's High Colonel Sombra... And Ahuizotl the Executioner!"
Twilight was silent for seeing them the first time.
"Stalliongrad's rats should be passing right through here... Looks like our man was telling the truth"
Fluttershy was beginning to pani seeing the futility of the situation, "Twilight, this is a problem! If we have to fight our way past them, it's hopeless!"
Rainbow was shocked to hear her friend say yet couldn’t deny it as well, "Don't go saying like that! What choice do we have!?"
"High Colonel, please, leave the rest to me. There's no need for you to dirty your own hands here."
"No, there isn't. I leave them to you. I'm off to inspect the lines one last time before the invasion. I want them dealt with by the time I return." Sombra left the duty to him as he left ahead.
"...You're cornered, little rats."
Rainbow Dash was pondering on what to do. Without a second thought, she steps in to fight the Executioner, "Twilight! I'll stall him, but you need to get out of here!"
"Rainbow Dash, don't be--" She tried to answer back but she was interrupted by her.
"You said it yourself just a minute ago! Someone needs to warn Stalliongrad of what's happening here!"
Fluttershy steps in as well to fight the Executioner, "It's true... Rainbow Dash's right. And no one's more likely to succeed at the task than you, Twilight."
As Fluttershy finishes her part, Twilight notices a black glow from Ahuizotl. That makes her very worried about them, "Enough! That's an order!"
"Go, Twilight! You need to do this! I'll be damned if I stand by and watch more of my comrades die for nothing!" As they step within Twilight's way to protect her, Twilight was running out of options at what to do, "Twilight... I'll save you."
"Hmph... A spirited girl, this. But do you truly believe that you can best me? Learn for yourself why I am called the Executioner..." As he finishes what he said, he goes for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and executes them quickly leaving Twilight to fight the Executioner all alone.
"Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy!"
"Hahahahah! Pathetic... You're far too weak! Is this the best Stalliongrad can send against me!? And now your turn... Try at least put up a decent fight! Though you'll die like the rat you are regardless...!"
Twilight did indeed try her best to defeat the Executioner; however, she was bested by Ahuizotl and was left with severe injuries, "Ngh... I can't fail here..." Twilight tries to run from him to no avail.
"It's useless to try escaping!" Garble gives chase and manages to catch up with the slippery rat.
"Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy!"
"Loud though your cries may be, they won't penetrate the veil. The dead can't hear you now."
Twilight was in utter shock to see the event unfolding right in front of him. She tries to back away from the fiend, "Hahaha... It's a noble thing, sacrificing your own life so that your comrades might escape. Yet in the end, their sacrifice will be for nothing... An only too appropriate end for the rats of Stalliongrad!"
"Ngh... I swear, Ahuizotl...!"
"What's this? You still believe you can best me? You needn't bother... You'll be rejoining your comrades soon enough. Or you could look to the Prophet Star Swirl you rabble believe in so blindly... Pray to him with all your heart!"
As Twilight turns around, she sees that she was trapped as the enemies flank her, What do I do...? How can I possibly live through this...?
"Here is my prophecy... You will die here! That is your fate! An ignominious death, forgotten to history! A history that will be written by Canterlot!"
No... It's too soon! I can't let it end like this! Twilight was silent for a moment befre deciding to put her sword back in its scabbard and stands up weakly.
"Have you finally given up?" asked Ahuizotl in curiosity.
There's only one way out... Here goes! She gets close to the edge of the bridge ready to jump into the river. Ahuizotl was finding this outrageous, "Th... This is absurd...!" He sees Twilight jump off into the river. He begins to ponder why she did that, "Either he chose his own death, or... Did she expect to survive with those wounds? In this current?" He reverts his attention back to the soldiers to tell them what he planned to do, "I ought to report this to the High Colonel. Let's leave no room for error. Go downstream and search for the body."
"Yes, Sir. But... Do you think we'll find anything?"
"If you don't, we can assume he died and his corpse was swept away. If he somehow lived, then he can't be far... Seize him at once." Ahuizotl walked next to the edge of the bridge finishing his sentence, "But no, I expect he's dead."
At an unknown area, Twilight was suffering heavy injuries from the fight and was close to passing out, "Is this it... for me...? Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy..." As she passed for a moment, the two mysterious ponies came to his aid and teleported her somewhere unknown. She awoken in a place she has never seen, "Where...? Am I dead...?"
"...No."
Twilight hears a voice telling her no, but she wondered who told her no, "Who's there?"
"You've come, keeper of the White Chronicle."
"Welcome, Twilight. We've been expecting you."
Twilight looks upward and sees two alicorns standing next to each other, "A pair of alicorns...? Who are you?"
"It's as we feared, my sister."
"Yes... But we knew it would be thus."
"I asked a question." Twilight wanted to know who they were and where she was.
"I am Celestia."
"And I am Luna."
"And this is...?"
Celestia answered her question, "We are in Historia. A world in time's gulf, created by the Power of Flux..."
"You were summoned here as the rightful owner of the White Chronicle." Luna said after her sister.
"The...? The White Chronicle? What about it? ...What does this all mean?"
"The White Chronicle is an ancient artifact imbued with Flux and given dominion over time..."
"The wielder of the White Chronicle has finally awakened. The door to Historia has been opened."
Twilight was silent, "...None of this makes sense."
"I didn't think you'd understand. You confusion is only natural."
"Calm yourself and assess your current problems one at a time."
"Right... My problems..." At that moment, she begun to realize what she was dealt with, "...That's right! What's happened to me? The last thing I remember is facing Ahuizotl and..."
Luna was silent for a moment trying to find a way to say this without trying to hurt her too much, "You failed in you mission. Your comrades are dead, and you fell at Ahuizotl's hands."
Twilight was recalling all the events that happened, "Yes... I remember now... I was powerless to save Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. This is exactly why I didn't want a command...! I don't need any partners. It's all because I told them to head north... Dammit!"
"Your assessment is correct."
"What?" Twilight asked in confusion.
"But don't you see? Your crucial error was choosing to head north at that moment."
"That was the place and the time where history was decided. But you hadn't the strength to make the correct decision... That is why you came to a tragic end."
"So... Had we fled south..."
"Yes! You begin to see." Celestia had a small smile on her face.
Twilight was seeing where she was getting, but there was a problem to that, "But what of it? There's nothing to be done now... Besides, there was blockade to the south. We couldn't be able to move it even if we tried. It seems to me that our fate was decided already."
"Indeed, Twilight. You recognized the truth of your situation. Had you changed your assumptions, you would have found a way to survive." Luna said.
"...What are you getting at?"
"I'll skip to the end, Twilight, holder of the White Chronicle. The power has been given to you to decide the world's fate. You can change the past and rewrite history the way it should be."
Celestia said hers as Luna filled the rest for her, "You must discern the correct decisions from the cornucopia of possibilities... Create a chain of decisions that will guide history to its true conclusion."
"Twilight... You can reenact the past with the White Chronicle." Celestia said broadly.
Hearing that from them made her almost go beyond belief. Could she able to do it? No, she couldn't, because all of what they said completely breaks all comprehension, "Don't mock me... What's done is done! The past is fixed... What you suggest is impossible!"
"Maybe you'll understand once you've tried it yourself." Celestia pointed out.
"This... isn't a joke!?" Twilight hardly believed what she was hearing.
"Quite the contrary. It seems seeing is believing for you... Haven't you wished for something like this before? 'If only I could go back and do it all over again...' We sympathize with this devout and hope to grant it." Luna said, she too had a small smile.
Twilight was now pondering whether to try it or not. She might if they answer the one question she had in her mind, "Then I'll ask one more time... Will this let me save Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?"
"If that is what is meant to occur, then... Yes."
"Now go, Twilight. Do what you must."
Twilight ponders on them and hopes to see them alive once more, "Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy... It won't be long now. I'll save you both!" Twilight runs up a set of stairs to a door each one defying gravity for some time. As she exits out Historia, she appears where she last was, "Where am I? Was it all a dream...?" As soon as she asked that question, she sees that she still has the wounds she received from Ahuizotl, "Ungh... These wounds... Are these the ones Ahuizotl gave me...? Then I wasn't dreaming! Have I really returned to the past...?" She manages to get from the wounds despite the amount of pain she was dealing with, "Where is everpony...?" Twilight looks around the place looking for them. Upon seeing them alive once again, she was entirely shocked and glad to see them alive once more, "They're alive...! I really have come back!"
"Heads up, it's a crossroads. Which way? North, or should we try our luck down south? If you ask me, passing over the northern bridge would be the fastest way."
"No we can't go north. The enemy will already be there in force. It may take longer, but we should pass through the south."
"Then I suggest the path near the river we took coming here."
"Wait a moment... Wasn't this just about when--No!" Quick realization set in as Twilight runs for them as fast as she can, "Get down! Now!" She pushed the spy out of the range of fire while ducking under the enemy fire.
Rainbow’s reaction was of shock when the arrows passed her, "Huh!?"
"Bowmen! W-We're under fire!"
Rainbow momentarily realized that their spy was safe. She does to check if he retained any injuries from that surprise attack, "Are you okay!?"
"Y-Yeah... I don't know how, but I'm fine..."
"Whew. All right, on your feet!" Rainbow Dash helps the spy get back on his feet.
"Impossible! How did they notice we were here!? F-Fall back! Let's leave the cleanup to the forces up north!" They retreat away from them and leave them to the forces up north not knowing that they aren't heading north.
"We're in trouble... They know what we've been up to!"
"Any suggestions, Twilight?"
This is when I led us north to our demise... Well, not this time! We go south! Follow me! I promise, this time we'll make it back together!"
"'This time'...? Uh... Well, aye aye, Twilight!"
Twilight leads them south to prevent the same mistake from ever happening. However, as expected, the blockade was preventing them from getting any further.
"Barricades! Figures they'd block off the roads..."
"I doubt even all of us working together could budge these. Maybe we should head north after all?"
"No! It's..." Twilight was just about to exclaim out loud, but she manages to keep herself calm and not tell what might happen if they do go north.
"Twilight...?" Rainbow asked much to her worry.
We go north, and we're all dead ponies again. But how do we get past these barricades...? Is this really a dead end? Is north the only way?
"If you can't do that, then don't think of them as subordinates. Consider them tools instead." The words of her mentor resonated in her head. They're not tools! I'll bring them back at any costs! But... As she was pondering on what to do, she notices that they disappeared leaving her and the two alicorn sisters alone, "What the-- You!"
"Hello, Twilight. How does it feel to be back in time? Alas, you've reached a dead end on this side... Both histories are giving you trouble."
"But there is a way past the dead end. We'll give you the power to break through."
Twilight was wondering what she meant by that. The sisters’ horns glowed surrounding Twilight with their aura, she feels superhuman strength flowing through her body, "What was that?"
"We granted you a small portion of our power."
"This is not a dead end to you. The other possibility that was once blocked... A different history is about to unfold."
"If you sift through the various possibilities, you'll surely find the means to survive. Let us meet again in a time beyond these possibilities." They disappear back into Historia waiting for Twilight's return after she has gone through the ordeal. Twilight was silent for a few seconds wondering about all of this.
"Hey, snap to it, Twilight... You drifted off there. What's wrong?"
"Did you come up with a plan?"
She turned her attention to Rainbow and Fluttershy, "...In a way. We move through the barricades and press on." Both were shocked to hear her plan. They were only able to utter a "What?" and "Huh?' in confusion, "Leave it to me." Twilight pushes the barricades alone and manages to move them out of the way for them to enter.
As they enter to the other side, soldiers were shocked to see that they made it pasted the blockade. "It can't be...! How did they get pass the barricade!? Wasn't the plan to drive them towards the bridge!? They'll get away clean they break through here! We have to stop them cold!" The soldiers tried to hold them where they were, but to no avail as they were beaten by them.
Twilight continued where the shortcut was, If we keep going through this way, we'll soon reach safety… I'll be able to return everypony home alive...! Twilight continued to lead the way until they made it passed the Canterlot army stationed at the northern bridge.
Both Rainbow and Fluttershy went ahead of both the spy and Twilight checking if the enemy was here. Seein none, Rainbow exclaimed loudly, "Yes! It's the exit! We made it through somehow..."
"I recognize the landscape. Stalliongrad is just ahead!"
The spy caught up to them breathing a bit heavily, "I can't believe I got out of there alive... It feels like I'm dreaming. I owe you three a lot. Thanks."
"No need for that. Just hurry... and get the intel to Nightmare Moon."
"Will do. The information I got will finally let us mount a counteroffensive!" With that said, the spy continues on ahead to deliver the intel.
"Another mission success, dare I say?"
"Sure enough. But more than that...” They turned around giving Twilight their attention with much praise, “You were incredible, Twilight! You saw through the enemy's trap and even moved the barricade on your own!"
"Yeah. If it wasn't for you, I doubt any of us would still be standing." Fluttershy said a bit meekly but proud to have a friend like her.
"Heh... I can hardly believe it myself..."
"Once we've reported in to Nightmare Moon, why don't we celebrate together?"
Rainbow Dash was starting to like the idea that Fluttershy bought up, "Ooh, great idea! Flutter's buying!"
Fluttershy was a little embarrassed to hear that from Rainbow Dash, "Wh-What!? I never said--"
She pointed at her laughing that her own friend got caught in her trick, "Hahaha! Got you!"
I changed history... So... This is the way history should have gone... Twilight barely was able to stand from the injuries sustained during the fight against Ahuizotl, Urgh... I'm hurt bad... I can barely stand...
"C'mon, Twilight. We should--" Upon seeing that Twilight was having trouble standing, they momentarily panicked for a bit, "H-Hey! Twilight!?" They walk over to her and see that she sustained heavy injuries, "What the...!? Where'd those wounds come from!?
"Did she protect us somewhere while we weren't looking?"
Rainbow Dash was pondering whether Fluttershy has a point there or not but thought better for it seeing the condition Twilight was in, "She's too far gone for a quick-fix spell... She needs a doctor! C'mon, Twilight. Take my shoulder! Flutters! Help us out here."
"R-Right...! I'm too weak of a flyer to lend a shoulder, but I'll do what I can!"
Her vision was beginning to black out as her friend’s vices were getting quieter, "A-Are you two... safe...?"
Rainbow heard and told her current condition, "Yeah, Twilight, we're fine. See? No holes in me. It's all thanks to you..."
"Good..." Twilight was close to passing out from all the heavy injuries. She began to wobble a bit from trying to stand up.
"Twilight! Hey, hang in there!"
Twilight’s vision begin to fully black out. She succumbs to her injuries and passes out still hearing the voices of Fluttershy before her body cease functioning, "He's passed out..."
"Let's move it, Flutters!"
Twilight manages to regain her consciousness in Historia, walking through the dimension, "I know this place... It's Historia..."
"Welcome back, Twilight. That seems to have gone well." Luna said getting a disapproving stare from Celestia. She chuckled a bit seeing that.
Celestis just shook her head shifting her attention back to Twilight, "Because you altered the past, the course of history has changed."
"That's right... I did change the past. I have to thank you. It's because of you that I could save everyone."
"It was not our doing. It was the power of the White Chronicle."
Twilight was baffled as to what Celestia meant, "Are you and the White Chronicle separate entities?"
"You could call us guides of Historia. It is our duty to teach the Chronicle's wielder the proper usage of the book."
"I'm not concerned with how to use it at the moment... What I want to know is, how did there come to be something that can change history? With this, I can go freely back and forth, changing history as much as I like. I'm not so sure something like this should exist at all."
"There's a slight error in your phrasing. Even the holder of the White Chronicle can't move 'freely' around in time." Luna said.
"Why not?" asked Twilight in confusion.
"The points in the timestream that you are capable of returning to are fixed. The best way to describe them would be as pivotal moments in history. You can travel to these pivotal moments and get a second chance to act... But you cannot change any parts of history that aren't directly related to those moments. The White Chronicle's power is considerable, but it too has its limitations."
Twilight was able to understand what Celestia was saying, "Then it's not all-powerful."
"No. That would be much too dangerous. If power on that scale were to be misused, there would be no means of stopping it. That is why the creator of the Chronicle placed restrictions on its use." Luna added that detail for Celestia.
"Interesting. So... How will I know which moments I'm capable of returning to?"
"You won't have to do anything out of the ordinary. They'll appear naturally as you go about your life. We'll inform you as well when these moments occur. There is one important principle, though. These moments will be born of your experiences."
Twilight was beginning to understand the basic idea of the White Chronicle and of its usage, "So I can't access a moment in history where I wasn't present."
"That's right. We should also discuss your injuries. You changed history so that you never fought Ahuizotl, yet your wounds did not disappear. There is a reason for this. There are two worlds. One seen through time and the one's through your 'perspective' view. Even though you alter the world's time, your time will not be reversed." Celestia said.
"Ah. So the wounds don't disappear because, from my perspective, they still happened."
"You are correct. You may redo a moment as many times as you like... But should you be slain, you will never be able to change things. Remember this well."
"I will."
"In that case, there's a favor we'd like to ask of you."
Twilight was wondering what the favor was. She pondered about it for a bit then decided to hear what their favor was, "Yes...?"
"We ask that you not speak of the White Chronicle to anyone... No matter how close your ties may be."
"Nothing good can come of the Chronicle's existence being known."
If ponies were to find out about this power, they'd fight over it… Is that what you mean? All right. But what about the original owner? I got the White Chronicle from my superior. It's hard to believe he doesn't know all this."
"Even so, you mustn't tell speak of it. We... cannot tell you why."
Twilight’s ears perked from that response, "What are you hiding...?"
"I'm sorry, but... We can't tell you that either. There is a good reason for it. One of the restrictions on the Chronicle is that we aren't allowed to side with anyone."
"Some secrets must for you to keep alive. That is the most we can divulge right now. Though we will guide you... You must be the one who decides to change history." Twilight was a bit silent from what she was hearing but she decided to let it all come through.
"You're understandably suspicious, but... The world requires your power. Make no mistake about that." Luna bluntly said again getting the stare from her sister.
She shifted her gaze returning to Twilight, "Please, Twilight... We'll do the best we can to guide you along the way."
Twilight began to ponder about it for some time before coming to a decision, "...There's still a lot that's hard to believe, and you're still hiding something. But I'll play along for now. I'll use the White Chronicle to change history, and nor breathe a word of it to anyone. How's that?"
"Thanks. I'm glad you agree.
"Well then, Twilight. Until we meet again..."
==========
"Tirek!"
Canterlot Castle, in the Audience Hall... The oppressive King Tirek reigns over the people of Canterlot from within. In his Audience Hall, he sits on his throne, enacting various policies at his whim. The chaos and misfortune that transpires during the war... All of it had its origin in this chamber. What is the extent of the evil lurking in this gleaming palace? No one knows for certain..., "What is it now, Shining Armor? Do not disturb me while I am at leisure."
"Tirek... When shall I receive a response regarding the employment program I proposed recently?
"Ah yes, that... From what Chrysalis tells me, it is entirely too costly. The proposal is rejected."
Shining Armor was shocked to hear that her proposal was rejected, "But Tirek, if you consider the nation's future, that program can only be beneficial... Employment will be granted to the people who have lost their jobs. Their lives will be enriched. Of course it will need funding, but that should be easy, if we cut back here in the palace."
"Cut back in the palace, you say...? But everything here is essential to my eye."
"This palace was built on the sacrifices of the people. It's shameful to live here in luxury while the people give their lives to maintain it!"
"Child, you fail to understand. The citizens yearn to be in the presence of we exalted royals. That is why they toil so... Our lives of luxury are not a privilege, but a genuine duty of the Canterlot royal family. Chrysalis says so."
"Tirek, please listen. The duty of the Canterlot royal family is to save the world by performing--"
Tirek cut off Shining Armor, "How tiresome you can be. Personally, I couldn't care one whit... But if you continue being such a nuisance on the subject, it could cause unrest in the people. You wouldn't want to meet your sister Dawn's end, would you? Hmmm?" Shining Armor was shocked to hear her bring up his sister demise up, "Princess Dawn never was very bright... If only she hadn't been so spoiled as to defy my brother Scorpan, the throne could have been hers. Then again, that is what made it possible for me to become king after Scorpan's death... The one respect in which your sister's actions worked in Canterlot's favor.
"Tirek... The Canterlot throne comes with heavier responsibilities than you realize."
"That is what makes it a position worthy of me! It is still far too much for you."
Then it is you who will be held responsible for your actions on that throne someday... You will be responsible for this nation's fate! Shining Armor walks out of the Audience Hall hastily shoving Chrysalis aside.
Chrysalis walks up to Tirek wondering on what was going on with him, "That seemed rather heated. What was the subject?"
"Pay it no heed, Chrysalis. Gracious, but dealing with children can be vexing."
"Indeed, my king. The fault lies not with you King Tirek."
"Of course not. While I prosper, Canterlot will be ever secure!"
==========
Though the Lazvil Hills mission was a success, Twilight suffered heavy injuries. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy carried him to the infirmary inside Stalliongrad Castle. A few days later... Twilight was pondering about something. He has been thinking about those two ever since he has met them. He sees Nightmare Moon enter the room, "So, you made it back alive. I expected greatness from you, and greatness you have given me."
Twilight manages to stand up trying to talk with his superior, "Nightmare Moon... I didn't expect to see you here..."
"They told me my best agent was in critical condition. How can I get any work in my office while you're here in such a state? I told you before... You're one of my best boys." Twilight wasn't a bit surprised to hear that from her, "Much about our situation has changed while you slept. The Canterlot army invading Lazvil Hills has been driven back... Not only that, but we even managed to take back the Sand Fortress at the border."
"Impressive progress."
"All of it thanks to the intel you brought back for us. We've finally proven our worth in the eyes of the military. It ought to keep our detractors off our backs for a while, at any rate."
"One can hope."
Nightmare Moon could only chuckle seeing her expression being so neutral, "Twilight, my girl! Can't you at least act a little happier? Or does it hurt too much to give so much as a smile?"
"No... That's just how I am. You should know me by now."
Nightmare Moon was silent for a few seconds realizing where Twilight was getting at, "Ah well... As long as you have your health."
Twilight noticed that her mentor wasn't here not only to check up on her. She cut right to the point for her, "You have my next assignment, then?"
"You catch on so quickly. There is a job I'd like to ask you to take on. Come around my office later."
"What about Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?"
"I put them on leave. The last mission was rather a strain on them, after all. But they seem to have taken a liking to you, and they're looking forward to your return. I plan on assigning them as your subordinates on your next mission as well."
"I see." Twilight was a little relieved that the two take a break from the last mission. They deserved one after what happened to her no less.
"By the way, Twilight... Did the White Chronicle prove useful?" Twilight was a little surprised to hear Nightmare Moon ask that question in the most unusual time, Does Nightmare Moon know something about the White Chronicle...?
"Well...?" He seems awfully curious about if I used the White Chronicle... Twilight was curious about Nightmare Moon than that of her own superior. Why did she want to know if the Chronicle had been of use?
She recalled the promise she made to the two sisters, I was told to tell no one. I'll play dumb for now... “I suppose it was useful as a lucky charm, like you said. Heaven knows we needed luck. That's the only reason I can see for us coming back in one piece."
Nightmare Moon wasn't expecting that kind of answer coming from Twilight. Nevertheless, she accepted the answer for the moment, "I... see. So nothing, er, happened?"
"Such as?" Nightmare Moon was pondering about it for a bit. Both were absolutely quiet about the question at hand leaving Nightmare Moon all but curious.
She went back into the topic of the assignment at hand, "All right. I'll let you hang out to the White Chronicle for a while longer. I'm sure you could use a lucky charm on your mission from here on out. If you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Once you're back on your feet, come around my office."
"Odd that he asked so directly about the White Chronicle... It certainly saved us, but... Is that why Nightmare Moon gave it to me? Or was there another reason…" Twilight pondered about it for some time. She went back into the topic as she had no idea, "...Bah, I'm no mind-reader. I'll have to tread lightly... I may need to put some distance between us soon..." Twilight heads out of the infirmary. She was planning to head to her office until an old friend showed up.
"Twilight! Finally up and around are you?"
"Redheart..."
"When Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy carried you here, I thought you were done for. But of course not. You train too much for that to ever happen, hmm?"
"...You give me too much credit."
Redheart was a little mad when she said that, "You know, a lesser mare in your condition wouldn't have pulled through! Honestly... You and Rarity both... Too many people in this army take too many chances with their lives. Doesn't it ever give you pause to think about all the people who worry about you?"
Twilight was silent when she asked the question. She wasn't so sure on how to answer the question like that bluntly, "If I made you worry, I am sorry. But this is a job. If we don't do it, Stalliongrad will fall to Canterlot."
"I realize that. Hmph... I may as well be talking to Rarity. You both say the same things."
"Speaking of Rarity... Where is she?"
"She's with Lt. General Sunset. Rarity is going to be appointed commanding officer of a new corps formed from fresh cadets. If you want to see her, I think she said she would be here shortly to visit you." When she finished talking about Rarity, a soldier in the Stalliongrad uniform came to see them. Twilight was silent when she sees him. Redheart was wondering why he was here staring at the two of us, "Um... May I help you?" As that question was asked, the soldier unsheathed its sword ready to attack the two, "Wh... What are you doing...?"
"Redheart! Run!" She sees a black glow being emitted from the soldier almost exclaiming it out loud, "A black glow...!?"
Redheart was paralyzed with fear of the situation at hand, "Twilight!"
Out of nowhere, a lance was shot from the direction where the soldier entered hitting the target head on, "Talk about a nasty surprise... What was that all about?"
"Rarity!" was all Redheart could say from hearing her voice.
She walked down the stairs seeing her two friends, "Are you two okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Redheart was shuddering with fear but answered her question, "N-No... I'm fine."
Rarity turned her attention to Twilight seeing her body in okay condition, "What about you, Twilight? You look like you're healing nicely."
"...So am I."
Rarity walks up to the down soldier ready to ask him some questions, "What division are you with!? How dare you turn your sword against a fellow soldier!" The soldier was only able to utter some muffled words to Rarity, "Huh? What was th--" As she was about to ask the next question, the soldier turned into sand immediately leaving them in shock as to what just happen, "Whoa! What just happened!?"
Redheart was questioning what she just witness, "Did he... turn to sand...?"
After that incident, all three head to the infirmary to assess what they saw, "What do you think of that soldier? He wore a Stalliongrad uniform..."
"Hmm... You don't think this was Canterlot's doing, do you?"
Twilight shook her head denying her Redheart’s question, "No... Something about it seemed strange. An assassin would have acted faster."
"...True. And then there's the way he died..."
"Sand Plague, most likely... It's a mysterious phenomenon that causes people to turn suddenly into sand... I've read about it, but this is my first time seeing it up close."
Rarity waved a hoof putting emphasis on hat she was saying, "I'd always dismissed it as some old wives' tales."
Twilight would’ve agreed with her friends as well, but seeing it changed her understanding, "It's real enough, apparently. But what would cause a person to turn into sand?"
"The essence of life, Mana, is found in all living things. They say that when one's Mana is lost, one turns to sand."
Rarity didn’t show any movement, but she was gawking at the idea of that inside, "Is losing Mana different than dying?"
"With the Sand Plague, the cause and effect are reversed. Normally, when ponies die, the Mana leaves their bodies. But that soldier's Mana left him first, causing him to turn into sand and die."
"So basically, the Sand Plague drains a person's Mana." Twilight simplified the answer for everypony here.
"It would seem so. But I have no idea what would cause that..."
Twilight asked the next question wondering about this, "Could it be connected to the desertification?"
"Maybe, maybe not. No one knows yet what's causing the desertification either. It's supposed to have begun when sometime when the empire fell several centuries ago... But did the desertification cause the fall, or was it the other way around?"
Rarity was shaking her head. She did not like where this was going so far, "Too many questions without answers... What's going to happen to the continent?"
"That's over our heads. Let's just do what we can."
"You're right. Well, I should get back to work. Oh, by the way... I was told not to let a word of this get out."
Both Rarity and Twilight were confused why and who told her not to tell it, "...Told by whom?"
"My boss. You know, that thaumatech scholar Spell Nexus in the lab next door. I told him a moment ago about the soldier that died, and he said not to tell anypony else."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"That's it from me. You two are free to stay as long as you like."
Rarity was thinking about the idea for a second. She decided to ask Twilight to see if she was fine with it, "Hey, Twilight... Have you ever given any thought to joining my corps? It'll be just like how it was before Nightmare Moon started up Special Intelligence."
Twilight was wondering about the sudden request from Rarity, "Why now?"
"I'm working under Lt. General Sunset to head up a new corps. I need a good adjutant. More than that, I need one I can trust. It'd be a weight off my shoulders to have you around."
"Then you want me to quit my post under Nightmare Moon?"
"You'd have to, yes. Lt. General Sunset will handle the transfer from Specint to the Lt. General's command. We can take your subordinates with you, too. That'll be no problem."
"But can you sway Nightmare Moon?"
"That, I don't know. But he'll either be convinced or coerced. Lt. General Sunset will see to that. It's not up to Nightmare Moon; it's up to you. Whatever you believe is best, that's what we'll do."
Twilight was pondering on what was the best to go for. Suddenly the feeling she felt back with Rainbow and Fluttershy returned back, Ngh... This feeling... It's just like before! It's happening again... The White Chronicle is shining. The White Chronicle enveloped him in a white light and showed him the next vision,What now...? What she saw made her truly panic, That's... Rarity! She's dead...! And... is that me with her!? Did I... kill Rarity!? Impossible! Twilight was trying to reject the vision she just saw, Stop... Stop this! Don't show me such things! As the vision dissipated from her mind, Twilight was very quiet from the vision and was thinking. She was trying to be certain that it couldn't be true, It can't be... Did I kill Rarity? Is this something that happens in the future? In what kind of future would I ever do such a thing...?
Rarity noticed her expression change for just a moment, "I can see the hesitation all over your face. I'm not asking for an answer right now, mind you. Look, I need to go to the upstairs hall to meet the new recruits. Just think about it and let me know your answer whenever you're ready." Rarity leaves the infirmary and heads to the upstairs hall.
"Leaving Nightmare Moon for Rarity... This isn't a decision I can make lightly." As she was heading out of the infirmary, the book responds much to her surprise, "That book...! Why is it here? Is calling to me...? She fell silent a bit before beginning see some questions forming in her head, “I do still have questions for them... I should go back there." Twilight uses the White Chronicle and heads for Historia to ask them some questions. "You two..."
"Hello, Twilight. We summoned you this time because there's something we need to tell you."
"I have a question for you as well. A moment ago I saw a future where I killed Rarity. What was that about?"
"Please calm yourself, Twilight. Our reason for summoning you is directly related to that."
"You went back and averted the deaths of Rainbow Dash and Flutteshy. Rarity's death happens further in the future, but it too can be averted in the same way. Even should that future come to pass, you can still revisit it and change history. And this is the primary juncture at which you may do so."
Twilight heard what they said was in a bit of confusion as to what they meant, "Primary juncture...? Don't tell me… History branches again here?"
"That is correct. You are quite sharp. Look upon the path forward that you have chosen."
Historia illuminated white as it manages to change itself drastically from just that bright light. She now sees two gates to the different histories, "What...!"
"This is the moment where history branches in two. You can return to this point in time and space with the White Chronicle. A node has been formed here."
"A node..."
"Your decision now will have a profound effect on history. If you ever want to change that decision, return to this node."
"So this is an important choice?"
"That's right. Whether to align yourself with Nightmare Moon or Rarity is a more vital decision than you know. You decision to stay on as an agent or join the corps with Rarity will change your life."
"Nightmare Moon gave me the White Chronicle. I don't understand why... But he obviously knows what it can do. That may be reason to parts ways with him."
"There are many ways potential paths laid out for you now. Make a decision, explore its consequences, search for possibilities. That is the power of the White Chronicle."
"Search for possibilities... So it's more important to experiment, eh?"
"We're not saying you should make your decisions carelessly. We just want you to know that you needn't to overly cautious. To search for possibilities in the shadows of history, without anyone finding you out... That's your true mission."
"Who better than an agent like myself, eh?” She never thought that she would make a snarky comment there, “But I want to know one thing."
"What is it?" Celestia asked as both of them were listening.
"What's the point of all this? Before, my immediate goal was to save Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy... But according to you, the White Chronicle is meant to bring about a 'true' history. Safe to assume, then, it's not for my personal gain. So what is this 'true' history? If I do nothing, what would happen?"
Celestia went right to the poin"t, The world will perish."
Twilight was trying to get what Celestia just said, "What...?"
"It's no exaggeration. This world is on the verge of destruction."
"I'm sure you've noticed. You know well that nature of this war and what form its conclusion must take... As the desertification continues with no end in sight, ponies will make war over arable land... The end will be total extinction."
"You will prevent that from happening by creating a history that won't perish."
Of all the endless possibilities that fade into darkness... There is but one razor-thin path of light. You must find it."
Twilight was beginning to understand her role as the keeper of the White Chronicle. She knew that this was not something to not fail on, "...I understand. In any case... I'll do what I can for now."
"That would be best. Becoming anxious over having to save the world isn’t necessarily to your advantage. Just do what you think is right. That may be all you need to reach a favorable history."
She scratched her head there when Celestia said that, "Well, when you put it that way... Sure I'll try it."
"Ah... There is still one more thing we must tell you."
"Your journey will be hard. You will not go through unscathed. As a result, we're considering healing your comrades through the nodes."
That caught Twilight off guard a bit, "You can do such things?"
"Oh, yes. But we will require Mana Crystals to use this power. You won't be able to heal your wounds whenever you want."
"I have here some Mana Crystals. Take them with you." Celestia gave her about five Mana crystals for her to us wisely.
"All right. I'll be sure to use them wisely."
"We will always be close by, watching over you... Until we meet again, Twilight."
Twilight had many questions going on in her head, Why was I given this power....? Well, no matter. I have a choice to make. To join Rarity's corps or not...? Twilight heads out of Historia and into the infirmary pondering on whether to join her corps or not. She was a little worried that she may make a mistake, but with the White Chronicle, she may at least correct those mistakes.
With Nightmare Moon knowing about the White Chronicle, she was tempted to leave her and join Rarity's corps. Then again, she is her superior and she had a job to attend to. She heads out of the infirmary and meets up with Rarity who was waiting for her at the castle gates.
Rarity was hoping to see if she was willing to be a part of the brigade. Not wanting to wait any longer, she asked away if she has her answer, "Twilght, darling, you have your answer yet? Will you stay as Nightmare's lady, or join my team?"
After much time has passed, she comes up with her decision. With a heavy choice, she decided to stay under Nightmare Moon's service, "...Rarity. Sorry, but I'm going to continue working under Nightmare Moon."
Rarity was slightly disappointed to hear that answer, "I see... I'm disappointed, but it is your choice. To be honest, I really could have used your support. I want you on my team, Twilight. But if that's the path you choose, I'll respect you decision. Good luck, dear friend. I'll be awaiting your return." Rarity leaves her and heads south to meet up with some of the new cadets.
Twilight on her part heads into the elevator and goes into the 2nd floor. As she heads out of the elevator, she is met by one of the ladies of Nightmare Moon, "You must be Twilight. This way, please." She follows her into Nightmare's room and meets her.
"I've been waiting for you, Twilight." Twilight was silent thinking about the decision she made. Nightmare Moon notices this and asked if something was bothering her, "What's the matter? You look like there's something on your mind."
Twilight was silent again for a few seconds. She answered back to reassure her that she was fine; "...It's nothing."
"Ah... All right, then. To business!" Nightmare Moon goes into details about what the little favor was about, "The job this time is to apprehend a certain person. You're still convalescing, but it shouldn't be a challenge."
"'A certain person,' eh? Who is it we're talking about?"
"His name is Caesar. He's the leader of a rebel faction who opposes Star Swirl the Bearded."
"A rebel faction… Sunset Shimmer requested this, didn't she? Everyone in Stalliongrad is at the beck and call for Star Swirl…"
"Hah… A mare in my position has nothing to say about that. But it's true… Faith in Star Swirl the Bearded is the fuel that drives this nation. And we can ill afford to condone anyone who'd throw a wrench into the works… Does that not satisfy you?"
"No, that's fine. Tell me more about this Caesar."
"We haven't found out what he looks like yet, but we do know something of his movements."
"Set some bait, have you?"
"They're nothing special, as rebel factions go. From what I've heard, there's a similar Resistance in Canterlot. Theirs seems to be giving them a great deal of trouble… Ours, on the other hand, poses little threat. They fall quickly into out traps."
"So where am I headed?"
"Start at the item store in the first ward. The owner there is one of my informants. Find out anything he knows about Caesar and take whatever measures you deem appropriate."
"You want me to capture him, not kill him."
"They mean very little in the greater scheme of things, but we can learn much from them."
"Understood. I'll begin at once."
"Wait. Take this with you." Nightmare Moon gave Twilight five-hundred bits.
She grabbed the money with her magic, "What's this for?"
"Rumor has it that Caesar is quite resourceful. You'll need that money to prepare yourself when you stop by the item shop. It isn't much, but it's surely better than nothing." Twilight wanted to thank her for the money, but she remained silent for the time being. She leaves the castle and heads to the first ward. As she leaves the castle, it begins to rain hard. Ponies everywhere from the Second and First Wards head inside their houses to keep themselves from getting wet. As she hurried into the First Ward, she sees the item shop not far away. She enters the shop and meets with the informant.
The informant notices her from the way she looked, "A swordswoman powerful in magic… You must be Twilight. Nightmare Moon told me you'd come around."
"And here I am. Tell me what you know about Caesar, and I'll take it from there."
"Caesar should soon show his face at the bar in the Second Ward."
"How will I know him?"
"Oh, he's hard to miss. He always wears a robe. In this weather, I doubt the bar will have many patrons… Once he shows up, you should be able to spot him right away."
"All right. I'll be on the lookout for a robed man."
"I've let the bartender on the plan. He's supposed to supply Caesar with false information. Once you see him make contact with the bartender, the rest is up to you."
"Got it. Thanks."
"What leaving so soon? You seem to be a mite twitchy. This is an item shop! Why not buy something while you're here? In fact… I believe Nightmare Moon mentioned the swordswoman would spend a little cash."
Twilight wasn't saying much from what the informant said about her. She, did, however did take some precautions. She bought some items in case the fight against Caesar did proved to be a bit difficult for her. Once she was set, she went into the Second Ward. At the bar, she stayed sat at the front table near the entrance waiting for him to come. At that time, a robed pony came in heading to the barkeep. Twilight listened to the conversation wondering on what was going on, "Barkeep! I'm here for the goods."
"What 'goods' are these?"
"The offerings of the Wizard."
"Ah, yes, that… I have it right over here…"
"Sorry to trouble you, barkeep."
"Make sure you don't open that until you're back home…"
"Absolutely. Until next time, then?"
"By all means, come again."
Twilight was a slight disappointed at the way he came in, noting what he was doing, So that's him… Amateurs. No subtlety at all… I'd better not make a scene in here. I'll do this outside
Caesar looked around just in case he saw any suspicious ponies. As he finished surveying the bar, he left outside heading back to his home. Twilight follows him outside and meets up with the pony. Caesar sees her and out of curiosity, asked her, "…Something you need, friend?"
"Are you Caesar?"
Hearing that made him a bit baffled as to why that question, "What's it to you if I am?"
"I'm to bring you in."