An adventure in the middle ages
Twilight and Celestia were deep in thought, well within the depths of the Royal Library. What were they pondering? Magic of course, but in this particular instance, teleportation magic. Twilight had been looking to increase the range of her teleportation. She could teleport herself, and others, within a small local distance, but she was wondering if she could increase that range, even so much as to teleport to the other side of Equestria!
One day, Twilight had been in an experimental mood. She couldn’t decide which spell to play with first. She flitted around the library, from bookshelf to bookshelf, looking at all the books, as if to find some sort of hint as to where to start first. She found nothing useful.
She even checked the archives in Cloudsdale, but found nothing even remotely helpful. Which, in itself, wasn’t really surprising. She didn’t expect books on magic to be found in a place inhabited by non-magical creatures, but she was still disappointed. With hope fading fast, she traveled to Canterlot. To Princess Celestia.
And so, off she went, to ask the Princess’ assistance. She was most helpful, as usual, taking a curious Twilight into the depths of the Royal Archives that had not seen a reader in ages. The library lit itself with magic, sensing visitors. The light was not only incredibly bright, but warm and welcoming, like the musty shelves wanted to be seen.
Twilight and Celestia had been searching for well over two hours, and were just about to give up when Twilight spotted her prize. With a joyous “Aha!” she used her magic to pull the book down from its perch. She trotted over to a desk and sat as Celestia cantered over to see what her pupil had discovered.
“What have you found, Twilight? Anything useful?” Celestia asked.
“Indeed I have, Your Majesty! Look. ‘A User’s Compendium of Knowledge: Volume One – Teleportation. By Starswirl the Bearded’. It looks like it would be very helpful to my research!” Replied Twilight.
“Well, open it!”
While Celestia may be immortal, her knowledge was not all-encompassing, as some had believed. She rarely dabbled in things that she found no use in, such as teleportation. Instead, she favored her chariot, flown by a team of her favorite guards. ’I guess I like to travel in style.’ She admitted to herself, somewhat reluctantly. She shifted her focus back to Twilight, who was blazing through the book with incredible speed.
“It gives great details on all types of information! Teleportation facts, myths, theories! So much knowledge, all in one place; it’s glorious!” She said as she was flipping through the pages. “It says here that teleportation is, oh wow, a rare talent, found only in select unicorns. Teleportation, across short distances, can be done instantaneously and with little thought. However, for anything longer than a few yards, intense concentration and mental/emotional clarity are necessities. Hmm…”
“Why don’t you try it now? Try teleporting back to the library in Ponyville. Who knows? You’re a very special unicorn Twilight; why not give it a shot?” Suggested Celestia.
After a moment of hesitation, Twilight nodded. What could it hurt? She tensed every muscle of her body, pushing her magic, straining her horn. Every bit of her mind was concentrated on this endeavor. Her horn glowed, normally at first, and then it grew brighter, even outshining the magical lights that the library had procured.
She couldn’t do it. For some reason, it wasn’t happening. She collapsed with a huff, her horn flaring and then dulling. She let her muscles slacken. She panted on the ground, growing a tad bit frustrated. Why wasn’t it working? Twilight sighed as she picked herself up. Tears started to form in her eyes.
Princess Celestia looked toward her student with concern. She knew how much Twilight hated to fail. She grew a little worried, but chalked it up to paranoia. She knew her star pupil would be able to handle a little failure.
“It’s alright Twilight. Most unicorns can’t even teleport!” Said Celestia, trying to ease her student. It wasn’t working. She saw tears start to run down Twilight’s face. She reached a hoof forward to gently brush a tear away, but Twilight jerked her head the other way.
“Thanks for the help Celestia. It means a lot… I’m really glad I was able to find the book… Even if I can’t use the information inside.” Twilight said with a sigh. She hung her head and started walking toward the library exit.
Celestia stood there. She didn’t know what to do. She thought quickly. She walked over to the table, where the book lay. She used her magic to send the entire thing to Spike. It was all she could to at the moment. And with that, she also exited the library, the lights dimming one by one as she walked past them.
Twilight was deep in her thoughts the entire walk home. Sure, I can teleport. But... I don't feel right. Am I not special? Am I just... plain? Ordinary? Or is there something wrong with me?
When she returned to the library, Spike greeted her with a cheerful hello. But she wasn’t in the mood for his antics. He was rambling. Something about a book. 'A book. Imagine that Spike, a book. We’re in a library for Celestia’s sake! Leave me alone.' For the rest of the night, she ignored him. She went to bed with a weary heart, and a weary soul. Maybe some rest is what she needed.
Twilight awoke to a vibrant, warm sun shining through her windows. She sat up, yawned, and stretched. She looked around for a moment, then got out of her bed to grab some breakfast. As she was eating her breakfast of choice, a rose and lilac salad with honey dressing and a glass of orange juice, she remembered what took place the day before.
She immediately lost her appetite. She threw away her breakfast, half eaten. Her mood was gone, replaced only by nonchalant apathy. She went about her day, but with less care than ever before.
She visited Sugarcube Corner, hoping some chocolate would restore the wound her pride had taken, but she couldn’t even give Pinkie Pie her order. Pinkie was babbling, as usual. Normally, Twilight didn’t mind, taking her friends exuberance as a good sign of her mental health. But not today. Today Pinkie’s incessant speaking grated against her nerves until she shouted at Pinkie to shut up. Twilight walked out of the store, not even looking back. If she had, she would have seen Pinkie’s eyes filling with tears and misunderstanding.
She went to the Carousel Boutique next. Maybe a new saddlebag, with sparkling gems, would cheer her dampened spirits. But, of course, Rarity just had to make an original one. Twilight tried to say that she didn’t mind a mass produced saddlebag. Hers was getting old and beat up anyway. Rarity ignored every word, dragging her friend to the modeling platform. She started pinning together fabrics, taking measurements, retaking measurements, and so on and so forth. Finally, Twilight had had enough. She stormed out of the boutique without a saddle, but with a new metaphorical rain cloud above her head.
Twilight walked until she hit Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was a sensible country mare. Maybe she could help Twilight. But when Twilight approached Applejack in the middle of the orchard, the mare was hard at work.
“Sorry Twilight, but Ah can’t exactly chat right now. We’re behind at least five-hundred apples, and I’ll be bucking all day to make up for it. Again, sorry,” Explained Applejack.
Twilight’s thoughts had turned sour. ' She can’t even give me one minute to explain my problem. Some friend. My patience is wearing thin. I’ll try one more "friend". '
As Twilight approached Fluttershy’s cottage, she stopped in her tracks. The lights were out and there was a sign on the door.
Out shopping. Be back in fifteen minutes.
Fluttershy.
Twilight sighed. She gave up. She wasn’t even going to attempt to find Rainbow Dash. If none of her friends could listen, then who could? Her head hung lower than ever as she dragged her hooves all the way to her home.
When she got home, the sun was setting. She wasn’t tired yet. At least, she wasn’t physically tired. But she was bored. What to do till bed?
She decided she would reorganize her books. Title alphabetical organization was so two weeks ago. She would organize them alphabetically, but by author! She cheered up a little, her mind taken off her dilemma by the task at hand. She even hummed to herself a little. Two hours later, she was finished.
Just as she placed the final book on its shelf, a flash of cyan and rainbow crashed through her windows and slammed into the bookshelves. All two hours of her work came out of the shelves and splashed onto the floor. Rainbow popped up from the sea of books, almanacs, and atlases. She was dazed, her eyes spinning in circles.
Twilight’s somewhat improved mood vanished in an instant. All her built up rage, from her failure, and from her other friends, boiled over.
“RAINBOW DASH! Do you have any idea what the buck you just did!? I spent two hours organizing these books!” Twilight shouted.
Rainbow looked around, realizing the situation. “Oh man Twilight, I am so sorry! Here, I’ll help you get-“
“No! Just get out! Out! Go away!” Screeched Twilight.
Rainbow Dash looked around sheepishly before taking off and flying through the window. As her form disappeared from view, Twilight’s anger disappeared with it. Only to be replaced by sorrow. What was wrong with her? First, she’s a magical failure, and then she gets upset at her friends, over normal things no less!
Twilight sighed, her sadness greater than ever. She didn’t even bother picking up the books. Somehow, Spike was still asleep in his bed, oblivious to what had just happened. She slowly trotted up the stairs to bed. Just before she slipped into the world of dreams, she had one last thought. I wish I could sleep…Maybe forever. I’m beyond failure at this point. I don’t know what to call it, but I feel lower than low. And lower than that. Who knows? I’m no good to anyone anymore anyway. They wouldn’t miss me.
The mane six, excluding Twilight, had met at Sugarcube Corner. Except this wasn’t for treats and goodies. There was a problem. None of them had seen Twilight for two days. They were starting to get worried. After a heated debate about what they should do, they decided to simply check Twilight’s home first.
They knocked on the door, and Spike answered. “Oh thank Celestia you girls are here. I’ve been trying to get Twilight out of bed for two days, but she won’t budge! Come on in.”
The girls looked at each other, then entered the library. They climbed up the stairs and surrounded Twilight, who was asleep. Applejack gently shook her shoulder.
“Come on now darlin’, wake up.”
Twilight’s eyes snapped open. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked around. Immediately, she had a frown on her face and stormed past them. “Leave me alone.”
Rainbow flew in front of her, blocking her path with a concerned look on her face. “Look Twilight, we aren’t trying to fight you, just tell us what’s wrong.”
Rarity chimed in, “Yes dear, please do. We’ve been missing you these past couple of days.”
Twilight’s anger seethed. She looked around for a way out. There was none. Suddenly, her anger faded, replaced by relief. Her friends were here. To help her. She started crying, and they ended up in a large group hug. Twilight felt better immediately. Not completely, but it was such a drastic improvement for the past few days.
“Now, what’s been botherin’ ya, sugarcube?” Asked Applejack.
Twilight broke down. She fell into a stream of tears as she explained her failure at the Royal Archives, and her subsequent mood. She was embraced and forgiven. After a little while, and a couple napkins, she stopped crying.
“Thanks for helping me out and listening. I feel tons better.” Twilight said.
“Great! Now, why don’t you try that fancy magic o’ yers one more time? Couldn’t hurt.” Said Applejack.
“That’s an awesome idea Applejack! And hey, we’ll go with you, so if you get lost, we can help you get home!” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
They agreed that they would try after lunch. After a lunch for champions (roses, tulips, honey, lilacs, and geraniums blended together with apples and carrots) the group assembled in a circle in the library, with Twilight in the center. The clock in the library read 1:05.
Spike was staying behind. He had left the library to go shopping. Someone has to watch the library, and it might as well be him, even if he would just nap and snack on ice cream the whole time.
Twilight began to concentrate. She tensed her entire body, every muscle and tendon locking into place, pushing. Her horn began to glow. But then, she hit a mental roadblock. All of her recent emotions and the memory of her failure assaulted her in unrelenting waves. Her horn started to fade.
Her friends cheered her on. They hollered, shouted, yelled. All in support of Twilight. The pressing guilt and sadness was washed away, this time in waves of happiness. All of a sudden, through closed eyelids no less, Twilight could see. Metaphorically. She saw the spell she was trying to do. Saw its glowing intricacies, points of light appearing, connecting with bridges of light, and disappearing. Only to reappear and do it all again. It was working though.
A feeling of pure joy bloomed within her along with a deep appreciation for her friends. She was doing it, really doing it, all with the help and encouragement of her best friends. She felt her muscles slacken. Twilight realized that this wasn’t a spell you could force.
Multiple tiers of light blossomed around her horn, more than even when she repelled the Ursa Minor. She could just burst from excitement. This was one of the best days of her life.
Then, it all went wrong. The magic started acting of its accord, weaving around her in loops, swirls, and helixes. She tried to yell to her friends, who all thought that this was supposed to happen. Her mouth wasn’t working. With a feeling of desperation, she tried to cut the flow of magic, but nothing worked.
With a flash of bright purple light and a crackle of violet electricity, everypony in the library vanished into the torrent of magic.
They didn’t know where they were. Everything was a jumble of light and sound, and they all experienced a dual sensation of falling and yet being sucked up in a tornado at the same time. The only one even remotely enjoying themselves was Pinkie Pie, who treated it like a ride. The rest of them were panicking.
They didn’t have to panic for long. After what seemed like only thirty seconds, they were spat out of the vortex and they landed roughly on a hilltop. The vortex disappeared.
“Ugh. What in tarnation happened? And where the hay are we?” Applejack immediately questioned.
No one answered, for no one knew. They got up slowly, and with a bit of grumbling, to make sure that they were all okay. The spell had obviously worked, if with some…anomalies.
Twilight looked around, and saw what looked to be a small village a few miles away, to the southwest. She shouted to her friends, “Girls look! It looks like a village. Maybe there’ll be somepony there who can tell us where we are.”
Twilight led the group the few miles it took to get to the village perimeter. They had to be cautious. They had no idea where they were, and who lived here. It could be a tribe of savage cannibals for all they knew! Twilight approached the roughly constructed wooden fence slowly.
And that was when she saw them. She had never seen them before. They were strange creatures, who had pinkish-beige flesh, and little hair. However, they all seemed to have manes. The strangest thing about them is that they walked on two feet.
The rest of the group watched from the surrounding forest as Twilight approached the border, but didn’t quite meet it.
“Hello there! I’m…I’m looking for some directions! Can someone please tell me where I am?”
The entire village stopped it its tracks. They turned to stare at a purple pony, with a horn on its head, talking to them.
They clambered around in haste, throwing a net onto a screaming Twilight. Her friends rushed out of the trees, only to be captured alongside her. It was all so fast. Then, they were all knocked on their heads, and they embraced unconsciousness.
Later, they awoke, in what seemed to be a throne room, still under the nets. Similar to Celestia’s. Everyone was missing Celestia… She could fix this whole mess in a jiffy.
Suddenly, the group’s attention was shifted from their thoughts to the throne. There was one of them sitting there, and he spoke.
“Hello there. I am King Noctus. Now, you’re probably wondering why you’re here. I find myself wondering the same thing. Is it true what they say? That you really can talk? Speak our language?”
Pinkie Pie answered, “Of course we can talk Your Majesty! Why wouldn’t we be able to talk?” Pinkie took a hoof to the ribs and several whispers telling her to shut up. “What? He IS a king! You always answer to royalty.”
Noctus grinned. “Of course. But you see, from what I can tell, you’re ponies. Mostly. The ponies of this world cannot talk, and are not more than workers and companions.” He gestured toward a guard who was standing close by. “Reward the villagers. Twenty gold pieces per person. This is a very interesting find.”
“Now, I can assure you that I am a kind king, but times are hard in this land of ours. Food hardly grows. Our economy is fine, but most money is used for food, since resources are so abundant. Come, follow me to my study. I’ll explain more once we’re there.” He explained as he untangled them from the net.
They shrugged and followed the King. Once they got to the study, they each took a seat on soft cushions, filled with down and covered in silk. The king explained. He, and the rest of his kingdom, had had a severe draught that last few months. Hardly anything grew, and their stores were running out. He was also on the brink of war with a neighboring king. The king wanted a certain kind of food that only grew here, and he was ready to take over, by force if necessary.
King Noctus sighed, “And that’s pretty much it. I know it doesn’t concern you, but it feels nice to finally tell someone about it. What about you six? Where are you from?”
They told him of Ponyville and its ponies. They spoke of Celestia and Luna, Sweet Apple Acres and the Carousel Boutique. Canterlot and Cloudsdale. The king was quite shocked.
“Unicorns you say? And pegasi? Very fascinating. I do believe you told me of magic and flight. I see two of you,” He said, gesturing toward Twilight and Rarity, “have horns, and those two,” he gestured at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, “have wings. But, can you really use them? Can you really use magic? Can you really fly?”
“Of course we can! Why else would we have them? Let’s show him, Fluttershy.” Said Rainbow. Fluttershy looked around shyly and slowly unfurled her wings. “Sorry Your Majesty, she’s a very shy pony.” Rainbow explained.
“Quite alright my dear.”
After a few seconds of hesitation, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flapped their wings and started to hover in the air. The human king sat there, mouth agape. Rainbow laughed at his facial expression.
“That’s nothing. Watch this.” She said as she flew, higher and higher, till she was but a speck in the sky. Then, she came back down. Faster and faster, the speck that was Rainbow Dash grew in size. They could hear a faint whistling.
Then, with a boom! louder than any thunderclap, the sky exploded into a fiery rainbow that spread across the entire sky. Both the king and Pinkie Pie jumped up and were cheering in joy. It was the most amazing thing the king had ever seen. It was also the first time he laughed, felt happy, in such a long time.
Rainbow came down slowly. She took a theatrical bow. The king clapped and cheered along with the rest of the ponies.
“I am pretty great, aren’t I?”
Twilight gave her a look, with one eyebrow arched high, that said, Really?
Rainbow coughed and said, “But that’s just flying. Wait till you see what these two can do,” waving a hoof toward her unicorn friends.
Twilight’s horn flared with a magenta light, and she disappeared with a snap of purple lightning, only to reappear behind the king. Rarity fired up her magic and walked over to a nearby bookcase and removed a book. She grabbed an object with her teeth. She placed it within Noctus’ hand. It was a ring, with a shining ruby set within a gold and silver swirl band.
The king chuckled. “I’ve been looking for this ring for months! It’s a family heirloom! I had feared that I lost it. Oh thank you ever so much!” He grabbed Rarity in a fierce hug, which she returned. “No trouble at all, my good king. Tis no trouble.”
Noctus turned toward Twilight. “And what you did, quite astonishing! I’ve never seen that before! Can you do that anytime?”
“Of course. I can do lots of things, like grabbing and holding objects or writing.”
“Quite exquisite! Oh, this has been a most joyful day! It has been wonderful meeting you all and learning of your world. It sounds like quite a nice place, especially some of the friends you described. However…I must focus on the needs of the people of my world. They still need help.”
They group looked around at one another. “O-o-one minute please, Y-y-your Highness.” Said Fluttershy. The group walked a few feet back and were whispering with one another.
“Do you girls think we should help him? He seems nice, for a king. He truly does seem to care about his subjects. What do you say?” Asked Twilight.
“Ah say we help ‘im,” Replied Applejack, “Ah can help ‘im grow food, bein’ a farmer and all.”
“He did treat us with those marvelous silky pillows. I say we return the favor,” Chimed Rarity.
“I bet he’ll throw us a party if we help him!” Exclaimed Pinkie Pie.
“He seems pretty cool. And he did throw on the praise about my Rainboom. I’m all for helping the guy. We’re stuck here anyway,” Said Rainbow Dash.
“Umm…Umm…S-s-sure,” Whispered Fluttershy.
The six ponies from another world walked back to the king and nodded. “We’d love to help you!” Twilight said. “We can start tomorrow!”
The king was overjoyed. He even hugged the ponies in a group hug. “Thank you so much! You’ll be shown your quarters by Leeroy, my personal advisor. He’s waiting outside the doors. Have a good night; I’ll see you all tomorrow morning!”
The mane six walked out of the king’s study and the doors closed behind them. There was a man standing there in a dress uniform. Twilight spoke to him. “Would you be Leeroy?”
The man nodded once.
“Great! I understand you’ll be showing us to our quarters?”
Leeroy spoke, “That I shall, friend! Follow me!” He drew the sword at his hip, thrust it high into the air, and charged down the hallways. “LLLLEEEEEERRRRRROOOOOOOOY!”
They could hear his shoes clapping on the floor as he ran to his destination. “JJJEEEEEEEENNNNNKINNNNSSSSS!”
“I suppose his last name is Jenkins.” Twilight said with a slightly awkward chuckle. “Come on girls, let’s follow him. We have to get ready for tomorrow.” And with that, they trotted off, to follow the erratic advisor.
When they finally caught up with him, he was patiently standing outside a heavy-looking wooden door, acting as if he just hadn’t yelped out his name while sprinting down the hallways of the castle.
“Thank you for showing us our living areas. We appreciate it.” Said Twilight.
“Anytime, anytime at all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for dinner.” He started to walk away, and just before he turned the corner they could have sworn they heard him say, “At least they’ll have chicken…”
“What a most awkward man.” Said Rarity. “Still, he was quite friendly, so he can’t be all bad.”
“Right. Now, let’s hit the hay. We have a long day tomorrow,” Applejack said.
The girls went into their wing of the castle, each with their own individual room and bath. Speaking of baths, they all needed once. They had water brought up by the ever-enthusiastic Leeroy. To their surprise, the water was shockingly cold.
Leeroy began to get emotional and started to cry. "It's not my fault, I swear it! We only have cold groundwater!"
Twilight shushed him and patted him on the back. “Really, it’s not trouble! Trust me, I have it under control.”
Leeroy immediately stopped crying, nodded once with a smile, and sauntered off to his advisory duties. Twilight took the multiple pails of water Leeroy had brought up and gave each mare her fair share. She heated it to perfection with barely a thought as her horn lit.
After their baths, the six mares each lay down in very comfortable beds. Each one was thinking about home, and how they would ever get back. The thoughts penetrated each of their minds, but they all eventually got to sleep.
The next day, they were in the Grand Dining Hall for breakfast with King Noctus. He was still reveling in the thought of another world, specifically Equestria. But, he was still a proper king, and while he was dumbstruck by Equestria, he had his own people to worry about.
“So, today, we shall begin here. In the castle and the surrounding town of Crestburgh. If that’s alright with you.” His mannerisms immediately captured Fluttershy’s attention. She realized that she had something in common with the kind king.
“Of course it’s alright, Your Majesty!” She whispered excitedly.
They finished a breakfast of bread, cheese, milk, and some flowers and grass for the girls. Then, they left the castle and entered Crestburgh. The people of Crestburgh were doing alright, as far as they were concerned. They split up.
Twilight taught general knowledge to the younger people, who were not yet of working age.
Rarity went around town, sprucing up the place, and introducing the idea of fashion as a whole to the people. Who knows where that would lead?
Pinkie Pie had shown them that they can be happy all the time, though given the circumstances, it was a mite difficult. Instead, she showed them how to really get down and par-tay! After their daily work was done, of course.
Fluttershy helped with all of the different animals that were around. Other ponies, horses, rabbits, chickens, even a performing bear! She taught that being kind to animals was the best way to go about living and working with them.
Rainbow Dash taught the townsfolk about sports competitions, and to really strive for excellence, and to never ever quit. Rainbow Dash also brought rain to the thirsty fields, which were cracked from constant exposure to the sunlight.
Finally, Applejack taught them agricultural skills. She taught good, healthy soil from bad, unhealthy soil. Planting times and techniques. Watering schedules. Everything they would need to become better farmers.
King Noctus was visibly paralyzed, overcome with emotion. These six creatures, these ponies from a mystical land called “Ponyville”, they were the saviors of this land! After a long day’s hard work, the six ponies and the king had a slow walk, nice and easy, back to the castle.
The king was telling them of the greatness and magnitude of their selfless deeds. “Oh, you six shall go down in history! Earth ponies, with hearts of plenty and kindness! Unicorns, with their magic and intellect! And pegasi, with their wings, teaching of the joy of flight, and spirits of courage! You will be remembered, do not fret! Stories will be told, paintings painted, statues erected, all in your image! Anyone in the future would have to be a fool to believe that you were mere fantasy creatures!”
The ponies took this praise graciously, thanking Noctus, but also being modest, saying that it was simply what they did.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Noctus and the girls moved from city to city, town to town, teaching and improving the standard of life. Eventually, enough crops were grown (with a little unicorn magic to speed things up) to appease the neighboring kingdom, ensuring their continued peace and cooperation. Twilight, in the meantime, had been trying to work out how she did her spell. Trying to figure out a way back.
This cycle, going to a new place, and increasing the quality of life for everyone…It went on and on. Weeks grew into months, and months grew into years. The mane six had turned King Noctus’ kingdom into a utopia. There was always abundant food. It only rained when they needed it to. The economy was booming, and new cities sprang up while old ones grew larger.
The ponies were equal in status to the king. They were praised and loved by all who met them and heard their teachings. But, time still moved on.
Their coats, no matter the original color, had turned a grayish version of their youthful hue. Bags sat under their eyes, and their ears drooped. They never did find a way back. But they made a few friends along the way, and they had made an entire kingdom of people prosper. Not many ponies in Ponyville could have done that.
Noctus had aged as well. During the mid-years of the ponies’ stay, he married and had two children. He named one Mac, after Applejack’s brother, who he had heard much about over the years. He knew his son would be the strong, quiet type. His other child, a daughter, had midnight black hair, and he named her Luna, after the princess of the moon. She would be fierce, yet friendly in all her endeavors.
The ponies grew alongside the children. The children thought of them as family, rather than pets. Pets like… like Owloysius, Tank, and Winona to name a few. The girls, now ripe in old age, wondered what had happened to them, and the rest of their friends. Not like it mattered. It seemed they were never going back.
Twilight and Rarity’s magic had faded. Now they were barely able to lift so much as a feather with their magic. Rainbow Dash had suffered a horrendous crash in their second year, but recovered. She crashed again, ten years later, attempting another Rainboom. She never flew again. Neither did Fluttershy, but she didn’t mind it as much as Rainbow did. While Rainbow was emotionally distraught for some time, Fluttershy accepted her fate with a quiet acceptance.
Pinkie hadn’t partied in years. While she was still the liveliest of the bunch, she developed a habit of losing all her energy, her momentum, at once, and instantaneously and randomly fall asleep. Applejack hadn’t bucked apples, or anything else in quite a while. She knew it was old age, and accepted it for what it was.
The girls had earned their retirement. They were to stay at Noctus’ castle for the rest of their days, and live in the prosperity that they had worked so hard to achieve. Noctus had eight tiny grandchildren running around now. They always wanted rides from the magical ponies. The girls let them tug on their manes and tales without so much as a frown.
One day, they all knew, each and every one of them, that they didn’t have another year in them. What they lost in time for Ponyville and their original families and friends was made up for by the family and friends that they had made here. They knew that this year would be their last. The one where they passed into the afterlife.
Twilight had always wondered, since they were stuck here, if the afterlife (if there was one) was the same across worlds, across dimensions. She would find out soon enough, she knew.
On a sunny, warm but breezy day in the springtime, the girls went out to pasture. There was a pasture in the rear of the castle, dedicated to the ponies and it could only be used by them. They were all there that day, waiting for the end to come.
Suddenly, with a glowing golden spark, that seemed so familiar, yet so far gone, a giant hole was torn in the sky with a clap as loud as any thunder. And who of all ponies would descend from it? Why, Celestia, of course.
“Oh my! My little ponies! I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Goodness me, how long have you all been here?” Celestia rambled.
Old Twilight laughed a hearty chuckle, not quite believing what she was seeing, hearing, but she knew it was really Celestia. “Oh, a couple of years. Nice to see you too, Princess.”
Noctus came running out of the castle and into the pasture, panting hurriedly in his old age. “Girls, is something wrong? I heard the loudest noise in the wor-“ He stopped speaking. His gaze rested on the glowing form of Celestia. He took two shambling steps forward and fell to his knees in a gracious bow and started kissing Celestia’s hooves.
“You must be the benevolent and charming Princess Celestia! I-I-I have heard m-m-much about you!” He said. He continued on to tell the girls entire story. Celestia listened with patience and understanding and went around the group, giving hugs to her long lost student and her friends.
“So, Princess, if I may ask, why are you here?” Applejack said.
“My dear Applejack, is it not obvious? I’m here to take you all back home.” Celestia replied.
King Noctus started to tear up, never a man afraid to show his emotions. He knew, from many stories, just how powerful this alicorn was. He just nodded as tears rolled down his cheeks, through the wrinkles and divets in his face.
The ponies gathered in a circle around Celestia, waiting to be teleported home. With a shout of dismay, Noctus suddenly ran forward, embracing the girls in one last group hug, the last of many. He cried openly now, sobbing.
Celestia spoke to him. “King Noctus, from what I have learned from my girls, you have been most kind to them. And they to you. For your kindness and friendship. For your love. I grant your family everlasting prosperity, and that no harm may befall them.”
“Thank you Princess, thank you!” Noctus replied, “It is more than I ever could have asked for! Thank you girls, for enabling a petty king to live a life that even the richest man in the world would be jealous of. And thank you, Celestia, for your gift. I have not much time left in this world to enjoy it, but I had the perfect gift all along. None of you shall be forgotten!”
Celestia turned toward her old friends. “It’s time to go.”
The ponies gave one last wave to the aging king, and he gave one back, nearly overcome with emotion. There was a loud bang as a door opened and an old friend of their came charging out, sword raised high in a sprinting salute, giving them a farewell shout.
Then, there was a flash of golden light, and they had the same sensation that they had felt many years ago, coming here. But this time, it was somehow different. More controlled.
Celestia explained, seemingly able to tell what was on their minds. She had always been good at that. “I’ve spent much time scouring different universes for you girls. When Spike noticed burn marks in the library, he immediately sent me a note. I flew to Ponyville myself, and he explained everything that had happened.”
Twilight had forgotten all about her teleportation failure and her resulting depression. It seemed like a lifetime ago. And in a way, it was.
Celestia continued, “So, for the last few months, I’ve been navigating time and space, endlessly looking for you six. Interestingly enough, I met that brown stallion, you know, the one with the hourglass on his flank? Yes, I met him in time. He had the strangest blue box with him. Anyway, I’m glad I found you before it’s too late. Now, our journey home is almost over.”
Twilight had to ask. It was bothering her ever since Celestia showed up. “Celestia, before we get there, how much has changed? We’ve been gone such a long time.”
“You’ll actually be in for quite a shock when we arrive. We’re heading straight back to where you left. The library. You’ll understand everything if you just have a look around,” Celestia explained.
There was an opening of white light in the vortex of time. The group of ponies moved toward it. They fell through. They immediately crashed onto the wooden flooring of the library.
Twilight, and everypony else, noticed something immediately. They were young again! But how? Their youthful energy and color had been restored! How?!
Twilight looked around and spotted the clock. She shouted out, almost fainting, and pointed to it. The clock read 1:35.
