A Home for a Mary-Sue (Revamped)by Gone For NowChaptersThe Final Countdown: 15The Final Countdown: 14The Final Countdown: 13The Final Countdown: 15THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 15 A tiny little filly sat before what appeared to be a supreme court jury. She was an alicorn of course, and had a black coat with red eyes and a blue sapphire mane which appeared to have constant flow. She only looked up at the shadowed jury with wide confused eyes, and a suitcase situated next to her as she sat in a tiny circular light, unsure how to react to such a situation. "Erhm...." One of the judges spoke out almost immediately in an angered voice. "SILENCE MARY-SUE!" The filly immediately straightened out her posture and stared straight ahead with no expression. "YES SIR!" The judges immediately began rubbing their furry foreheads as they sighed heavily, one muttered from beneath his breath. "Oh this is truly a bad case. We need to get her over to the orphanage asap." The shadowed pony just glanced down at the filly. "Filly, status report! What're your origins, and who are your inspirations?" All eyes were fastened on her. The filly spoke out, nervously of course, as her eyes shifted to the left and then to the right. "W-Well, erhm...Uhm..I'm meant to be Princess Luna's hybrid daughter and I've got draconequus blood in my veins. I am also part of Princess Cele-" One of the judges gasped before shaking his head and crying out "NO MORE! OH BY CELESTIA NO MORE!" Another of the judges whom was obviously female nodded hurriedly. "Indeed! She must be sent off with haste!" And a judge on the far right simply threw up, unable to contain himself. "BLURRRRRRRG!" The center judge grabbed his gavel and whammed it down continously. "Level 5 Mary-Sue, you have been approved for the orphanage! Do pack your bags and make your way to the departure pad! May Celestia guide you!" The filly just looked up at them with a confused expression, blinking every now and then. "Erhm? Okay?" As she was dropped off days later, the filly remained situated at the train station with her suitcase. Despite having a horn, she pulled out a small piece of paper with a sketchy map drawn on it with crayon. The filly picked up her briefcase with her mouth before trotting over to one of the assistants situated behind a glass window in a closed off room. She stood up on her hind legs, barely reaching up to the top of the counter, "E-Excuse me?..Ma'am?" The mare behind the glass window was busy filing her hooves before she cocked a brow at the filly. "Hm?" The filly used her hoof to slide the map atop the counter, pushing it towards the mare. "Do you know where the grand Mary-Sue orphanage is? They told me to ask you, erhm, I'm not too sure where to go next." The mare behind the counter leaned back in her chair, before motioning over past a certain pair of turnstile gates. "Just head further down the platform, take one left then one right honey, you'll arrive at the Mary-Sue bus stop in no time. It'll take ya to the orphanage." The filly then dropped back down to all fours, before placing the briefcase handle back in her mouth. "Mmph!" She followed the directions to the letter, squeezing herself through the turnstile gates and just going on down through the train station. Surrounding her were many little convenient stores and vending machines and plenty of different ponies. She'd heard Baltimare was a pretty vibrant place, but this was a little more interesting than the filly expected. Eventually as she'd kept trotting, she saw a sign which was marked with a large blinking arrow stating the Mary-Sue bus stop. The filly tilted her head to the right, with her briefcase still in her mouth, before just blinking and staring at the sign then making her way over to it. After arriving, the filly simply dropped her suitcase and just used her two front hooves to climb atop one of the benches and struggling to lift her hind legs as she turned and situated her rear on the seat, letting her two bottom legs hang over the edge as she kept her two front hooves on her lap with a straight face as she bit her bottom lip a little nervously. The sound of chirping birds and crickets went on around her as she sat there, before she was suddenly joined by another older stallion. The stallion pulled out a cigarette, before placing it in his mouth. "Sup kid. Where you headin?" The filly glanced over at him, not saying anything. The stallion sighed, "You got a name kid?" The filly shook her head. The stallion blinked a bit before nudging her, "Aaaaah! A Mary-Sue! No worries kiddo, they'll give you a name at your new place." He then just glanced up at the sky, yawning heavily before getting off the bench, and making his way off, but not without stopping before the filly and just smirking at her in amusement and a little envy as well. "You guys are always so interesting." The filly raised a brow at him, before nodding plainly. "Yep." The stallion just raised a brow at her, "You don't like talking much?" The filly nodded plainly yet again, still with her hands on her lap. "Nope." The stallion gave her a tired look before shaking his head. "Jeez, you need to be more social kiddo. You're never gonna make any friends that way, you Mary-Sues are usually a lot more vibrant than this. Show me some cool spells or something, you kids are ponies made up of some of the most estranged magical hybrid combinations, born of the imaginations. Do something cool!" The filly began tapping her lower muzzle with a raised brow as she looked up at the bright blue sky. "Mister, I was told I'm not allowed to use any magic by the other ponies. Uhm, not sure why." She bit on her lower lip yet again. "Must be very scary." The stallion then gave her a confused look, before raising a brow, "W-Wait? Can't use your magic? Who're your inspirations?" The filly started head bopping lightly before giving him a curious stare. "Princess Luna's my mom, and I'm part draconequues, and I have Princess Cele-" But the stallion immediately cut her off with a gasp and horrified scream, before sprinting away. "Eh?" She just continued looking straight ahead, with a blank expression and her mouth was still open. As she saw the stallion sprinted off, she gave a curious stare down to his remaining cigarette bud and hopped from the bench, before looking down in the direction which he ran towards. There she heard his screaming more coherently, "LEVEL 5 MARY-SUE!!! LEVEL FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" The filly couldn't help but cock a brow at what level five could possibly mean, as two other ponies spoke out behind her. "L-Level five!?" One of the ponies covered her face with a hoof. The other pony just frowned, "How unoriginal can one get? Level fives are extremely dangerous. Remember those level tens?" Her companion replied to her, "Of course I do, I'm so glad the head mistress came to deal with the situation." The filly just remained focused on those two with a curious stare for some time. "Hey, level five! You getting on the bus?" The filly then glanced over at the origin of that voice, seeing a bus-driver pony as he beeped his horn twice, as if signaling her to get on. "Whelp get on, we can't be waiting all day for ya. I heard we'd be getting a level five today! You don't really look the role though." The filly didn't acknowledge him and simply grabbed her suitcase with her muzzle and then climbed onto the bus, making her way up the steps and heading further down the seating isle and taking an empty window seat towards the back, despite the fact she was the only pony on the bus besides the bus driver. She glanced out her window, getting in a good view of the city as she yawned heavily and started patting her mouth with her hoof. She then placed both hooves on the window, "Hey mister!" The bus driver shut the doors, before glancing back at the filly. "Yea, what is it level five?" The filly blinked a bit, continuing to observe all the ordinary ponies outside the window with wide eyes. "What are we?" The bus driver sighed and just looked ahead, "Wait until ya get to the orphanage Level Five. It's too long of a story." The filly looked back at him with a curious look, "Level Five. Is that my name?" The bus driver shrugged, "If you want it to be, sure. I don't decide your names kiddo, headmistress does that usually." The filly shrugged as well as she just continued to look outside the window. Eventually the two arrived at the orphanage, an isolated castle towards the coast. It was a beautiful massive castle which looked as if it were pulled out of a filly's tale or storybook. As Level Five was dropped off at the bus stop for the orphanage, she couldn't help but look up at the castle, seemingly mesmerized by it. "Erhm~...." She bit her lower lip in nervousness. "Goodluck kid!" The bus driver then saluted the filly. "You'll probably need it." The filly waved at him sluggishly, before watching the bus drive off. She remained there, staring, for a few seconds in silence. "WELCOME WELCOOOOOOOME!" Level Five shrieked before turning towards the castle with a frightened look. "W-What?" And what she saw horrified her even more, as she had no words to describe the, pony? What stood before her, she could only tremble in fear as she cried out. "Eyaaaaah!" Before scurrying off into an opposing direction. The estranged pony creature cried out to the filly in happiness. "HIYA! I'm Queen Princess Rainbow Boom Explosion Dashington Rainbow Dash Dashy Pie Pinkie Shy! It's a pleasure to meet you! Are you the new level five!? I'm a level ten hehe! I hope we get to become the greatest of friends! You look so normal compared to the other levels! How weird weird weird weird yep yep!" The filly scurried away and attempted to escape back towards the road, when suddenly behind her would be yet another pony. This one was a little less frightening but still frightening nonetheless, as the filly stood there petrified by her presence. "Oh why look at you, it's truly a pleasure. I am known as Queen Empress Lord Destiny Rainbow Heart Nightmare Kawii." She smirked at the little filly. "We are the two greatest beings in this orphanage and far too old to be considered children in this place any longer. Along with the head mistress, we are also supervisors of this place and help watch over all of you here, especially you level fives whom often get out of hoof. So please, do try not to cause too much trouble." She smiled softly. The filly known only as Level Five simply fainted afterwords. Soon a hooded pony appeared, trotting casually down the tiled path from the castle. She glanced down at the fainted filly with a curious look before frowning heavily. "Oh, I better make sure Luna doesn't find out about this one either." She lowered her elegant hood to reveal an alicorn. The alicorn bore a multi colored mane and snow white coat as she stood before the two Mary-Sue's with a heavy sigh and shrugged, "I asked you two to greet her, not frighten her to death. These little ponies must be shown the utmost care, it's not often they are able to find themselves a good home, so we must do all we can to reassure them, alright girls?" The two Mary-Sue's then made their way to the alicorn's side in unison, "Yes Head Mistress!" The Final Countdown: 14THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 14 The filly known as Level Five slowly blinked, as all she saw above her was a pure white ceiling. It took her a few seconds as she laid down with a dazed expression to process what'd happened. And when she actually recalled what she saw upon her arrival to the orphanage, she burst up, pacing heavily with her hoof over her chest. The filly then glanced about the room silently, as she noticed that the room was absolutely beautiful. She was not only sitting on a couch fit for royalty, but there was a window on the far end of the room which gave a good view of the beach and the ocean. There was a large desk situated near that window, as well as a book shelf stacked with plenty of books against the right wall of the room. The room was also carpeted, and even had some pretty great air conditioning. Level Five hopped from the couch after asserting the room was safe, and afterwords, simply glanced down at her hoof in particular with wide curious eyes. She was recalling a particular memory, where she'd been looking upon the shadowed jury. A shadowed pony pointed down at her in the memory, as he exclaimed, Also Level 5 Mary-Sue, make sure you don't use your magic! This is *forbidden*! Level Five then touched the sharp horn upon her head curiously, before tilting her head to the right. But just as she was lost in thought, the doorknob of the room immediately started turning slowly. Level Five immediately began to scurry, looking for a place to hide frantically as she opened the window, pacing heavily. She saw that they were practically on the top level of the castle and the drop was far too dramatic for her to attempt anything of that sort, even despite the fact she had wings. So she made her way under the desk, biting on her bottom lip the entire time as her eyes shifted nervously from left to right, recalling those level tens. HIYA! I'm Queen Princess Rainbow Boom Explosion Dashington Rainbow Dash Dashy Pie Pinkie Shy! I am known as Queen Empress Lord Destiny Rainbow Heart Nightmare Kawii. Level Five was fearful of them, not only did they look scary but she also didn't trust them for some odd reason. And as the door opened, she buried her head in her hooves, attempting to silence herself in order to not get caught. She could hear the scurrying of what sounded like hoof trots and something else, but she didn't dare to check herself as she remained silent and paranoid. "Where'd she go Winrawr!? You said she was in here!" "I could've sworn I smelt bad writing!" A ferocious tone barked. "Maybe it's the story!" A more feminine sassy voice commented. "We're in a story right now? How do you know that!?" The ferocious voice beckoned. "Uhm, I'm 10% Pinkie Pie duh! I read it in my B.S! I can temporarily break the fourth wall!" The feminine voice continued. Then suddenly cutting in would be a more serious tone, a female, but more calm and collected. "You two, this is no time for games. I wanted to meet the new level five, but here you two are just messing around. Not only that but you do realize we're breaking into the headmistress's office right? If she found out about this, do you know how much trouble we'd be in?" There was a slight pause followed by a tired sigh. "But enough about you two being idiots, what matters is that obviously the new level five isn't here. She's probably already been taken on a tour by the headmistress." Two hoof stomps followed. "Darnit, and this was our only shot without Empress Kawii and Princess Pie Pinkie Shy getting in the way. Whatever, we'll find her later, let's go. I need to practice some more super sonic rainbooms!" The sassy feminine one replied hastily, "Oh oh what was your record in the courtyard, 2000x last time!?" The calmed one snickered with confidence. "Hah! In 10 milli seconds flat mind you." The sassy voice just cheered happily, "OH you're just so awesome Solar Rainbow Flash Blood! Why do you care about this level five anyway!? She's got nothing on your skills, you're a legend! And a level eight!" The calmed voice revealed as Solar Rainbow Flash Blood just snickered yet again. "Why that's obvious, squash the competition." Suddenly the sounds of sniffing could be heard. Level Five just kept her head covered, biting on her bottom lip as her eyes widened. Solar Rainbow Flash Blood beckoned, "What is it Winrawr? Do you smell something?" The sniffing ceased. "Under the desk." But almost immediately after such words were said, the three could immediately be heard gasping, as Solar Rainbow Flash Blood commented, "OH BUCK! Headmistress! We're out of here you two, let's dip!" And then accompanied by what sounded like an intense gust of wind, there only followed silence, as the room felt empty yet again. Level Five remained beneath the desk as suddenly only the sound of one pony trotting into the room could be heard. The trotting soon stopped as Level Five remained still. "Why, hello there, my little filly." Level Five uncovered her head, as she glanced over at the pony whom said that with frightened eyes. There she saw a hooded pony who she couldn't describe since her features were hidden, but still appeared fairly kind and not much different from any other ordinary ponies. Level Five then gave her a cautious glare before remaining in a prowling posture like a cat and moving inch by inch from beneath the desk with her eyes locked on the alicorn the whole time who just stared right back at her with an amused smile. Level Five backed away and away until she got back to the couch, climbing atop of it and then sitting. She bit her lower lip, with a glare and just stared at the headmistress with defiant eyes with her two front hooves on her lap. The headmistress to sat behind her desk as she noticed her window was open. "Oh?...It seems we had some company hm?" The mistress's eyes could be read with ease as they were slightly revealed due to the ray of sunlight which entered the room. She was obviously upset, as she gave a cold stare towards the skies. "Those children will have to be disciplined a little later. But for now!" She clapped her hooves and just looked straight towards the filly on the couch. "I'm here to welcome you of course! So, what's your name little Level Five? I'm sorry for the scare my two supervisors gave you, they're often eager to meet new orphans." Level Five remained silent, and just stared at the headmistress. There was a lingering silence, as the two just stared at one another, accompanied by the sound of crickets. The headmistress spoke with a raised brow, "A shy personality trait?" Level Five shook her head before lowering it with a blank stare. "I don't have a name." The headmistress chuckled softly, "Oh, well we can fix that. Who're your inspirations?" Level Five glanced up at her, "Well, Princess Luna's my mother, and I have draconequus blood in my veins and I'm part of Princess Cele-" but before she could finish, there was suddenly a scroll which popped up on the headmistress's desk. "Oh forgive me Level Five, I have to see this." The headmistress opened the scroll before her eyes scanned over it. Her eyes slowly widened as she gasped, "Oh no no no! This isn't good at all! Forgive me Level Five, we must discuss this some other time!" Level Five just bit on her bottom lip, staring at the headmistress with wide eyes, still sitting on the couch. "Erhm?" Obviously the headmistress could tell the filly was curious. She made her way to her door as she glanced down at the filly on her way out. "It seems another alicorn has managed to unveil her tragic backstory! Now she's whining so much that she's driving all the other Mary-Sue's mad! This can escalate into something horribly bad! I must go deal with it! Do forgive me Level Five." With that the headmistress was gone in a flash, having descended back down the castle levels to go deal with the issue. Level Five just remained silent as she sat there, kicking her hind legs momentarily. Her eyes remained wide as she recalled something in particular, "Oh." She glanced to the lower right tiredly, "I don't have my stuff." "Jeez~ and here I thought she'd never leave. Darn that Headmistress, always getting in the way of my curiosity." Level Five immediately got off the couch and backed into a corner and lowered her frame in a defensive manner hastily. There stood yet another alicorn, but this one seemed a bit more graceful than the others, as she raised a brow at the little filly. Level Five still remained on guard however. The alicorn continued as she regarded the filly with a slightly amused look. "So, you're the new level five huh? Well, no point in getting all serious, I'm not going to hurt you darling. You see, I'm only interested in making your acquaintance. I am none other than Mystery Star. I am a secret Element of Harmony and have mastery over practically the entire universe. I was abandoned by my master years ago. As you can imagine, I am a quite the high level. So I'd suggest calming that tone down a bit, for it won't do you any good." She smirked lightly, "I to have been forbidden from using my magic, but what has me ever so curious is why you, a measly level five, has been forbidden to use her magic? What could you possibly do? Perhaps your B.S consists of many overused tropes." She'd paused, simply waiting for an answer from the filly. "Ah, not much of the talker hm?" Level Five remained silent, and just glared at her. Mystery Star only frowned heavily before regarding the filly with a tired look. "Fine, don't answer me, it matters little. But what I can do is show you around more since the headmistress has her hooves full with some trouble sues. It'd do you some good to know your way around the castle, there's plenty of things to see considering how much of us are housed in here. There must be a sense of control when it comes to Mary-Sue's, so of course we have to be given a manageable realm to enjoy ourselves in." Level Five turned red in the face, as she appeared hesitant to ask something. Mystery Star raised a brow at her, "Oh? What's this? You're curious about something, come come tell me Level Five!" Her face scrunched up as she closed her eyes halfway, before glancing up at the alicorn nervously. "Do we ever get to meet our inspirations? Who is Princess Luna? Why're all these ponies I've never met stuck in my head?" Mystery Star just smirked before raising a hoof. "That my dear, is your backstory. Seeing as you have a relation to Princess Luna, you truly must be quite the Mary-Sue! But don't fret dear, you may never meet the princess, but there's much to keep you occupied here. It's never wise to get too curious about your B.S, you must take it for what it is!" Level Five just nodded plainly to the alicorn before sighing with a whiny frown. "Mhm." Mystery Star made her way over towards the filly before lowering her frame, and tilting her head up with a smirk. "Hey, chin up. Don't you fret! Don't forget this place is an orphanage. Of course, I would never give up my position and status here in a thousand years but, children such as yourself, you can never lose hope. There is redemption, even for the Mary-Sue's." Level Five just glanced up at her with a slightly bitter expression. "Yep." Mystery Star made her way over to the doorway, before extending a hoof. "So? Shall we go explore little Level Five?" The Final Countdown: 13THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 13 "Come come Level Five, hurry along now, you're far too slow!" Mystery Star sat atop a series of marble steps, glancing down at the tiny filly whom was tiredly climbing each and every one of those step despite the fact she had wings. It was obvious the steps were too large for her, and she couldn't help but wonder why the steps were so abnormally tall. Level Five placed both her front hooves atop one step, reaching her hind leg up while flapping her wings in order to push herself atop of that particular step, and she repeated the process. Surrounding the two alicorns appeared to be nothing but a vast endless space consisting of nothing but intersecting stairways leading to all sorts of levels and rooms which didn't appear to make any architectural sense. Despite the awkward layout of the entire castle, it had somewhat of an odd appeal to it. All of the walls were bright and colorful, as were the marble crafted steps. Level Five paced heavily in tiny breaths, as she whimpered upon reaching the top of the steps where Mystery Star sat, simply glancing up at her with a soft frown and a tired expression. "Hmph..." Mystery Star glared down at the filly. "What a pitiful Mary-Sue! Complaining only after a couple of steps! Come now!" Mystery Star pointed a hoof at yet another staircase they had to climb. "It's only 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 more!" She turned to face the series of steps before raising both hooves defiantly and confidently before it. "Hah! In my backstory I could transcend even the stars in the blink of an eye! Surely you can make it up a measly few steps new level five! Now come!" She turned back to face Level Five, "Now let's-" The alicorn blinked as her eyes widened. Only seeing a speck of floating dust where the filly once sat. The alicorn's surprised expression immediately turned to one of innate fury, as she snarled angrily and her eyes lit up with flames. Level Five immediately continued descending down the steps instead, eventually tripping, tossing and tumbling down onto a flat surface. "Mph!...Nyuh..." She climbed to all fours and patted herself off. "LEVEEEEEEEL FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!" Her eyes widened in reaction to the screeching battlecry. It sent shivers down the filly's spine as she glanced back with a nervous chuckle and painfully crooked smile, back up the steps as her cheeks were a pale red. "Eheh..U-Uhm...You see, I erhm-" Descending down those very same steps with a mighty flap of her wings, would be Mystery Star. "YOU DARE ATTEMPT DITCHING ME!? I, AN ALICORN GODDESS AND THE SECRET ELEMENT OF HARMONY!?!?!? I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I BESTED NIGHTMARE MOON, BANISHED PRINCESS CELESTIA, AND DEFEATED TWILIGHT SPARKLE WITH MY HOOVES TIED IN MY BACK-STORY, AND I DIDN'T EVEN USE MAGIC! AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME! AND YOU- Oooooooooh hohohoho~ and YOOOOOOU~ a measly little LEVEL FIVE believe you can simply up and run away from my gracious presence!? I AM A LEVEL NINE AND A RESPECTED ALICORN AMONG ALL THE MARY-SUES!!!! YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR THIS YOU LITTLE TWERP!!!" Level Five simply had a wide eyed straight faced expression. She soon gulped. "Oh..." Before the filly immediately took an opposing turn down another series of steps, as Mystery Star slammed down on her previous location, kicking up dust and debris into the air and sending off a shock-wave which sent the filly tumbling forward a few feet. Level Five immediately made another sharp turn as she just continued trotting hurriedly as she came to another flat surface, a stationary floating platform which stretched across and between the series of staircases. And as she made that sharp turn, immediately attempting to snatch her up from that location would be Mystery Star yet again, still on the filly's tale as she flapped her wings. Level Five glanced back, to see the alicorn having immediately regained her sense of direction, and then continuing her pursuit. The filly looked ahead then with a worried look, biting on her lower lip the entire time as what she saw was what appeared to be a portal. Mystery Star snarled angrily! "GUH!!!! A CONVENIENTLY PLACED PLOT DEVICE!?!?! HERE AND NOW!? MEDDLESOME DEUS EX MACHINA!!!" Mystery Star's thoughts were in shambles, as were her words of rage as she thought about the situation. Little Twerp I won't let you reach the floor portal! I got to you first so you're mine! You *will** climb those steps with me whether you like it or not, for I am an alicorn princess and nopony ditches me! *Hah! And even after I was so nice to you! It was *only** a few million steps! Selfish little filly*! The alicorn's eyes widened as she immediately prepared to grab the filly one last time, preparing her wings for one more mighty flap before grinning fiercely and chuckling wildly. "Ahahaha! Despite the fact you have such a convenient little escape Level Five! You're not going anywhere! You will never make it to the portal in time! This is the difference between a measly level five and a level nine! Now, you will continue climbing those steps with me! RIIIIGHT, ABOOOOOOUT-" And she flapped her wings ferociously, bursting forward producing a stream of fiery black rings. Level Five yelped as she immediately lowered her entire frame, trembling as she covered her head with her two front hooves and wrapped her tail around her body in a defensive manner as if it'd make a difference. And,... ending up going right over the filly and missing her snatch by a mere few inches would be Mystery Star, whom mistakenly flew herself straight into the portal afterwords. As she slowly started to fade into another level of the castle. The alicorn appeared absolutely baffled as she stared straight ahead, and then glanced down at her empty hooves. "Now?" Level Five glanced about nervously, unsure what just happened as she stood to all fours and just tilted her head to the right curiously while biting on her bottom lip, watching as Mystery Star disappeared into another level of the castle. Mystery Star cried out in anger, "YOU LITTLE CHEAT!!! THIS ISN'T OVER YOU HEAR!? YOU'RE MY PROPERTY! YOU HEAR ME!? MIIIIIINE, MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE! I WILL TRANSCEND THE STARS, THE UNIVERSE! I WILL FIND YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU HIDE YOU LITTLE-" But her voice then died out, disappearing completely. Level Five lowered her hind legs, just blinking as she looked ahead at the portal. After a few seconds of staring she just closed her eyes, lowered her head, and sighed with relief. "Myaaaaaaah..." Before wearing a wide pleased smile on her face. She then went back to all fours, turning around and then beginning to head off into a steady trot, wondering where exactly she was. As she'd trailed down back in the opposing direction, she'd just caught sight of a hallway that lead far off into the direction she was now heading. The filly tilted her head to the right, before shrugging yet again. She might as well she thought, if she ever planned to make it anywhere in this crazy castle, she might as well start attempting to navigate her way around. But after all these crazy Mary-Sues appearing out of nowhere, she was starting to get awfully tired of this place, and she hadn't even been alive for more than a week. The filly continued trotting down this particular hall. She squinted off in the distance to see if she could see the end, and she surprisingly couldn't. She closed her eyes halfway with a grumpy expression as her face scrunched up and she just huffed. "It wasn't this big outside." The walls of the hall were white with a gold trim trailing down the top and bottom all the way towards the end, if there even was one. Also hanging about the walls were many pictures of different ponies, elegantly painted into perfection. She raised her brow at one of the pictures, noticing beneath one in particular, it said, Level 1. This caused the filly's eyes to widen as she was suddenly curious. Next to the label, she saw a tiny red button. The filly of course, pushed it. A strange voice came up which sounded awfully like the headmistress, "Welcome to the Hall of Canon! Please enter your level!" Level Five's eyes widened as her gaze shifted hurriedly from left to right and she bit her lower lip. She then muttered, "Erhm?" The voice continued. "Please press the red button in accordance with your level!" Level Five nodded to herself, and just tapped the button five times, before backing away hurriedly and lowering her posture. The voice chuckled, "Thank you, producing your virtually simulated canon guide! Goodluck and enjoy, level 5!" There was a lingering silence for some time. Level Five just rose from her cat like pouncing stance and glanced about a bit. "Uhm, Hel-" but she was suddenly interrupted. *"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! SILENCE SLAVE!!!!"* Level Five cried out in horror! "EYAAAAAH!" For suddenly appearing would be the floating holographic head of a mysterious pony. Level Five trembled as she cried, "I haaaate this plaaaace!!! WAAAAAAAH!" She sobbed and sobbed. The holographic floating head continued. "PITIFUL SLAVE! I have been called upon to give you your tour of the Hall of Canon! Luckily for you, graaaaaah, you've been lucky enough to get the special edition King Sombra hologram! Grah crystals! Bzzzzzt!" The head then turned to face the picture in particular. "So the slave wishes to know about level ones!? Muahahaha! A level five wishes to know of a level one!? Very well then slave, peasant, crystal-hater I shall humor you for some time!" He closed his eyes laughing wildly like a mad dog before suddenly hearing a banging noise. "Grah? What's that!?" Level Five was seen banging on the red button continuously with a scrunched up annoyed face. "Give me a new one! New one new one!" The Sombra Edition hologram roared, "GRAH! H-HEY STOP THAT!" As Level Five stood beside the Sombra Edition hologram, she still looked up at the picture of the level one curiously. The picture portrayed a tiny icy blue filly standing in the snow and looking towards the skies. She had a puffy mane consisting of the colors white and that icy blue shade again, while her eyes were a hollow blue, almost transparent. Her name was labeled as, Snowdrop. The Sombra Edition hologram spoke out then. "Graaaaah! This is Slave Snowdrop! A natural born level one creation, beloved by all!" Level Five blinked a bit, before glancing over at the hologram. "Mr.Sombra, what does it mean to be a level one?" The Sombra Edition hologram snorted, "Bah! Ignorant slave! To be a level one is to be near the heart of canon. Does the measly level five not even know what her level means!? Grahahahahahaha! So pitiful, sooooooooooooooo foolish!" Level Five's eyes teared up as she lowered her head with a whimper, "Mmmm..." The Sombra Edition hologram gasped, then cackled in amusement. "AAAAAAH yeeeeees~ tears. How delicious! Delicious despair and sadness! As a reward for your pitiful display of weakness, I shall enlighten you, graaaaaah. There are two paths one may strive for in the Grand Orphanage of Mary-Sues. One path is known none other than as the path of crystals- ah, I mean, The Path of Plot Development. Grah! To follow the path of plot development, a Mary-Sue must learn to throw away all that she is through a time of dedication, and become worthy enough to be able to escape slavery and join ordinary ponies in the land of Equestria! GRAH!" Level Five blinked a bit, "Oh?" She lowered her hind legs, sitting and listening intently. The Sombra Edition hologram grinned fiercely, turning towards the filly. "Next is The Path of Sue! The path of sue is one a Mary-Sue slave shall forever feel at home. They are forbidden from leaving the orphanage yeeeees, but they achieve so much more. Power! Respect! Status! And slaves! They shall have all their riches granted to them, granted they forever remain in jurisdiction grounds of the orphanage to protect it forever! Bwahahahahaha! These are none other than those who hive risen to level 10!" Level Five blinked. "Does that mean everypony was a level five once?" The Sombra Edition hologram snorted. "No you useless slave! Hah...Bahahahahahahahahah!" Level Five appeared desperate, "W-What?...What's so funny?" The Sombra Edition hologram grinned. "You are simply, unlucky. Remember slave, there is only two paths one may choose, escape their bonds of slavery, or rule this empire from the top! To be a level five is to start at ground zero! Many Mary-Sue slaves are simply born at the upper levels! And those fortunate enough to be born close enough to level 1 shall escape! But a level five? Bwahahahahahaha! A mere whelp, a plaything! Pitiful slave! Often sought after by others due to such a neutral state, it's often many are forced to comply with those who seek their aid. Grah crystals!" Level Five was silent then, as she just glanced to the lower left, as if lost in thought. The Sombra Edition hologram appeared pleased. "What is it slave? Cat got your tongue?" Level Five glanced up at him, "Nope. I won't choose either." The Sombra Edition hologram snarled angrily, "WHAT!? A slave speaking such nonsense! That is simply remaining stagnant!" Level Five shrugged, before she began trotting with a flick of her tail, adding some sass to her trot for a second. "Hmhm, so?" The Sombra Edition hologram groaned angrily. "Graaaah....What a lazy slave." Level Five stopped before another picture. "Mister Sombra, whose this?" The Sombra Edition hologram stopped before the hologram, raising a brow. "Graaaah! Ah, this is Nyx." The picture portrayed a little black filly, the name being labeled as Nyx, while also stating her as a Level 1. The Sombra Edition hologram continued. "Another natural born level one, and a goal many Mary-Sue's strive to achieve." Level Five looked upon the portrait of the filly, unable to define the feelings coursing through herself. Level Five wore an almost melancholic expression as if lost deep in thought, this caught Sombra's interest. The Sombra Edition hologram snickered, "Oh what's this? What is it whelp? What is it that occupies your pitiful little mind eheh!?" Level Five glanced over at him with half closed eyes. "Mister, how many Mary-Sue's have graduated to level one?" There was a lingering silence before the Sombra Edition hologram cackled beneath his breath, "Graaaaah....zeroooooo."
The Final Countdown: 15THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 15 A tiny little filly sat before what appeared to be a supreme court jury. She was an alicorn of course, and had a black coat with red eyes and a blue sapphire mane which appeared to have constant flow. She only looked up at the shadowed jury with wide confused eyes, and a suitcase situated next to her as she sat in a tiny circular light, unsure how to react to such a situation. "Erhm...." One of the judges spoke out almost immediately in an angered voice. "SILENCE MARY-SUE!" The filly immediately straightened out her posture and stared straight ahead with no expression. "YES SIR!" The judges immediately began rubbing their furry foreheads as they sighed heavily, one muttered from beneath his breath. "Oh this is truly a bad case. We need to get her over to the orphanage asap." The shadowed pony just glanced down at the filly. "Filly, status report! What're your origins, and who are your inspirations?" All eyes were fastened on her. The filly spoke out, nervously of course, as her eyes shifted to the left and then to the right. "W-Well, erhm...Uhm..I'm meant to be Princess Luna's hybrid daughter and I've got draconequus blood in my veins. I am also part of Princess Cele-" One of the judges gasped before shaking his head and crying out "NO MORE! OH BY CELESTIA NO MORE!" Another of the judges whom was obviously female nodded hurriedly. "Indeed! She must be sent off with haste!" And a judge on the far right simply threw up, unable to contain himself. "BLURRRRRRRG!" The center judge grabbed his gavel and whammed it down continously. "Level 5 Mary-Sue, you have been approved for the orphanage! Do pack your bags and make your way to the departure pad! May Celestia guide you!" The filly just looked up at them with a confused expression, blinking every now and then. "Erhm? Okay?" As she was dropped off days later, the filly remained situated at the train station with her suitcase. Despite having a horn, she pulled out a small piece of paper with a sketchy map drawn on it with crayon. The filly picked up her briefcase with her mouth before trotting over to one of the assistants situated behind a glass window in a closed off room. She stood up on her hind legs, barely reaching up to the top of the counter, "E-Excuse me?..Ma'am?" The mare behind the glass window was busy filing her hooves before she cocked a brow at the filly. "Hm?" The filly used her hoof to slide the map atop the counter, pushing it towards the mare. "Do you know where the grand Mary-Sue orphanage is? They told me to ask you, erhm, I'm not too sure where to go next." The mare behind the counter leaned back in her chair, before motioning over past a certain pair of turnstile gates. "Just head further down the platform, take one left then one right honey, you'll arrive at the Mary-Sue bus stop in no time. It'll take ya to the orphanage." The filly then dropped back down to all fours, before placing the briefcase handle back in her mouth. "Mmph!" She followed the directions to the letter, squeezing herself through the turnstile gates and just going on down through the train station. Surrounding her were many little convenient stores and vending machines and plenty of different ponies. She'd heard Baltimare was a pretty vibrant place, but this was a little more interesting than the filly expected. Eventually as she'd kept trotting, she saw a sign which was marked with a large blinking arrow stating the Mary-Sue bus stop. The filly tilted her head to the right, with her briefcase still in her mouth, before just blinking and staring at the sign then making her way over to it. After arriving, the filly simply dropped her suitcase and just used her two front hooves to climb atop one of the benches and struggling to lift her hind legs as she turned and situated her rear on the seat, letting her two bottom legs hang over the edge as she kept her two front hooves on her lap with a straight face as she bit her bottom lip a little nervously. The sound of chirping birds and crickets went on around her as she sat there, before she was suddenly joined by another older stallion. The stallion pulled out a cigarette, before placing it in his mouth. "Sup kid. Where you headin?" The filly glanced over at him, not saying anything. The stallion sighed, "You got a name kid?" The filly shook her head. The stallion blinked a bit before nudging her, "Aaaaah! A Mary-Sue! No worries kiddo, they'll give you a name at your new place." He then just glanced up at the sky, yawning heavily before getting off the bench, and making his way off, but not without stopping before the filly and just smirking at her in amusement and a little envy as well. "You guys are always so interesting." The filly raised a brow at him, before nodding plainly. "Yep." The stallion just raised a brow at her, "You don't like talking much?" The filly nodded plainly yet again, still with her hands on her lap. "Nope." The stallion gave her a tired look before shaking his head. "Jeez, you need to be more social kiddo. You're never gonna make any friends that way, you Mary-Sues are usually a lot more vibrant than this. Show me some cool spells or something, you kids are ponies made up of some of the most estranged magical hybrid combinations, born of the imaginations. Do something cool!" The filly began tapping her lower muzzle with a raised brow as she looked up at the bright blue sky. "Mister, I was told I'm not allowed to use any magic by the other ponies. Uhm, not sure why." She bit on her lower lip yet again. "Must be very scary." The stallion then gave her a confused look, before raising a brow, "W-Wait? Can't use your magic? Who're your inspirations?" The filly started head bopping lightly before giving him a curious stare. "Princess Luna's my mom, and I'm part draconequues, and I have Princess Cele-" But the stallion immediately cut her off with a gasp and horrified scream, before sprinting away. "Eh?" She just continued looking straight ahead, with a blank expression and her mouth was still open. As she saw the stallion sprinted off, she gave a curious stare down to his remaining cigarette bud and hopped from the bench, before looking down in the direction which he ran towards. There she heard his screaming more coherently, "LEVEL 5 MARY-SUE!!! LEVEL FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" The filly couldn't help but cock a brow at what level five could possibly mean, as two other ponies spoke out behind her. "L-Level five!?" One of the ponies covered her face with a hoof. The other pony just frowned, "How unoriginal can one get? Level fives are extremely dangerous. Remember those level tens?" Her companion replied to her, "Of course I do, I'm so glad the head mistress came to deal with the situation." The filly just remained focused on those two with a curious stare for some time. "Hey, level five! You getting on the bus?" The filly then glanced over at the origin of that voice, seeing a bus-driver pony as he beeped his horn twice, as if signaling her to get on. "Whelp get on, we can't be waiting all day for ya. I heard we'd be getting a level five today! You don't really look the role though." The filly didn't acknowledge him and simply grabbed her suitcase with her muzzle and then climbed onto the bus, making her way up the steps and heading further down the seating isle and taking an empty window seat towards the back, despite the fact she was the only pony on the bus besides the bus driver. She glanced out her window, getting in a good view of the city as she yawned heavily and started patting her mouth with her hoof. She then placed both hooves on the window, "Hey mister!" The bus driver shut the doors, before glancing back at the filly. "Yea, what is it level five?" The filly blinked a bit, continuing to observe all the ordinary ponies outside the window with wide eyes. "What are we?" The bus driver sighed and just looked ahead, "Wait until ya get to the orphanage Level Five. It's too long of a story." The filly looked back at him with a curious look, "Level Five. Is that my name?" The bus driver shrugged, "If you want it to be, sure. I don't decide your names kiddo, headmistress does that usually." The filly shrugged as well as she just continued to look outside the window. Eventually the two arrived at the orphanage, an isolated castle towards the coast. It was a beautiful massive castle which looked as if it were pulled out of a filly's tale or storybook. As Level Five was dropped off at the bus stop for the orphanage, she couldn't help but look up at the castle, seemingly mesmerized by it. "Erhm~...." She bit her lower lip in nervousness. "Goodluck kid!" The bus driver then saluted the filly. "You'll probably need it." The filly waved at him sluggishly, before watching the bus drive off. She remained there, staring, for a few seconds in silence. "WELCOME WELCOOOOOOOME!" Level Five shrieked before turning towards the castle with a frightened look. "W-What?" And what she saw horrified her even more, as she had no words to describe the, pony? What stood before her, she could only tremble in fear as she cried out. "Eyaaaaah!" Before scurrying off into an opposing direction. The estranged pony creature cried out to the filly in happiness. "HIYA! I'm Queen Princess Rainbow Boom Explosion Dashington Rainbow Dash Dashy Pie Pinkie Shy! It's a pleasure to meet you! Are you the new level five!? I'm a level ten hehe! I hope we get to become the greatest of friends! You look so normal compared to the other levels! How weird weird weird weird yep yep!" The filly scurried away and attempted to escape back towards the road, when suddenly behind her would be yet another pony. This one was a little less frightening but still frightening nonetheless, as the filly stood there petrified by her presence. "Oh why look at you, it's truly a pleasure. I am known as Queen Empress Lord Destiny Rainbow Heart Nightmare Kawii." She smirked at the little filly. "We are the two greatest beings in this orphanage and far too old to be considered children in this place any longer. Along with the head mistress, we are also supervisors of this place and help watch over all of you here, especially you level fives whom often get out of hoof. So please, do try not to cause too much trouble." She smiled softly. The filly known only as Level Five simply fainted afterwords. Soon a hooded pony appeared, trotting casually down the tiled path from the castle. She glanced down at the fainted filly with a curious look before frowning heavily. "Oh, I better make sure Luna doesn't find out about this one either." She lowered her elegant hood to reveal an alicorn. The alicorn bore a multi colored mane and snow white coat as she stood before the two Mary-Sue's with a heavy sigh and shrugged, "I asked you two to greet her, not frighten her to death. These little ponies must be shown the utmost care, it's not often they are able to find themselves a good home, so we must do all we can to reassure them, alright girls?" The two Mary-Sue's then made their way to the alicorn's side in unison, "Yes Head Mistress!"
The Final Countdown: 14THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 14 The filly known as Level Five slowly blinked, as all she saw above her was a pure white ceiling. It took her a few seconds as she laid down with a dazed expression to process what'd happened. And when she actually recalled what she saw upon her arrival to the orphanage, she burst up, pacing heavily with her hoof over her chest. The filly then glanced about the room silently, as she noticed that the room was absolutely beautiful. She was not only sitting on a couch fit for royalty, but there was a window on the far end of the room which gave a good view of the beach and the ocean. There was a large desk situated near that window, as well as a book shelf stacked with plenty of books against the right wall of the room. The room was also carpeted, and even had some pretty great air conditioning. Level Five hopped from the couch after asserting the room was safe, and afterwords, simply glanced down at her hoof in particular with wide curious eyes. She was recalling a particular memory, where she'd been looking upon the shadowed jury. A shadowed pony pointed down at her in the memory, as he exclaimed, Also Level 5 Mary-Sue, make sure you don't use your magic! This is *forbidden*! Level Five then touched the sharp horn upon her head curiously, before tilting her head to the right. But just as she was lost in thought, the doorknob of the room immediately started turning slowly. Level Five immediately began to scurry, looking for a place to hide frantically as she opened the window, pacing heavily. She saw that they were practically on the top level of the castle and the drop was far too dramatic for her to attempt anything of that sort, even despite the fact she had wings. So she made her way under the desk, biting on her bottom lip the entire time as her eyes shifted nervously from left to right, recalling those level tens. HIYA! I'm Queen Princess Rainbow Boom Explosion Dashington Rainbow Dash Dashy Pie Pinkie Shy! I am known as Queen Empress Lord Destiny Rainbow Heart Nightmare Kawii. Level Five was fearful of them, not only did they look scary but she also didn't trust them for some odd reason. And as the door opened, she buried her head in her hooves, attempting to silence herself in order to not get caught. She could hear the scurrying of what sounded like hoof trots and something else, but she didn't dare to check herself as she remained silent and paranoid. "Where'd she go Winrawr!? You said she was in here!" "I could've sworn I smelt bad writing!" A ferocious tone barked. "Maybe it's the story!" A more feminine sassy voice commented. "We're in a story right now? How do you know that!?" The ferocious voice beckoned. "Uhm, I'm 10% Pinkie Pie duh! I read it in my B.S! I can temporarily break the fourth wall!" The feminine voice continued. Then suddenly cutting in would be a more serious tone, a female, but more calm and collected. "You two, this is no time for games. I wanted to meet the new level five, but here you two are just messing around. Not only that but you do realize we're breaking into the headmistress's office right? If she found out about this, do you know how much trouble we'd be in?" There was a slight pause followed by a tired sigh. "But enough about you two being idiots, what matters is that obviously the new level five isn't here. She's probably already been taken on a tour by the headmistress." Two hoof stomps followed. "Darnit, and this was our only shot without Empress Kawii and Princess Pie Pinkie Shy getting in the way. Whatever, we'll find her later, let's go. I need to practice some more super sonic rainbooms!" The sassy feminine one replied hastily, "Oh oh what was your record in the courtyard, 2000x last time!?" The calmed one snickered with confidence. "Hah! In 10 milli seconds flat mind you." The sassy voice just cheered happily, "OH you're just so awesome Solar Rainbow Flash Blood! Why do you care about this level five anyway!? She's got nothing on your skills, you're a legend! And a level eight!" The calmed voice revealed as Solar Rainbow Flash Blood just snickered yet again. "Why that's obvious, squash the competition." Suddenly the sounds of sniffing could be heard. Level Five just kept her head covered, biting on her bottom lip as her eyes widened. Solar Rainbow Flash Blood beckoned, "What is it Winrawr? Do you smell something?" The sniffing ceased. "Under the desk." But almost immediately after such words were said, the three could immediately be heard gasping, as Solar Rainbow Flash Blood commented, "OH BUCK! Headmistress! We're out of here you two, let's dip!" And then accompanied by what sounded like an intense gust of wind, there only followed silence, as the room felt empty yet again. Level Five remained beneath the desk as suddenly only the sound of one pony trotting into the room could be heard. The trotting soon stopped as Level Five remained still. "Why, hello there, my little filly." Level Five uncovered her head, as she glanced over at the pony whom said that with frightened eyes. There she saw a hooded pony who she couldn't describe since her features were hidden, but still appeared fairly kind and not much different from any other ordinary ponies. Level Five then gave her a cautious glare before remaining in a prowling posture like a cat and moving inch by inch from beneath the desk with her eyes locked on the alicorn the whole time who just stared right back at her with an amused smile. Level Five backed away and away until she got back to the couch, climbing atop of it and then sitting. She bit her lower lip, with a glare and just stared at the headmistress with defiant eyes with her two front hooves on her lap. The headmistress to sat behind her desk as she noticed her window was open. "Oh?...It seems we had some company hm?" The mistress's eyes could be read with ease as they were slightly revealed due to the ray of sunlight which entered the room. She was obviously upset, as she gave a cold stare towards the skies. "Those children will have to be disciplined a little later. But for now!" She clapped her hooves and just looked straight towards the filly on the couch. "I'm here to welcome you of course! So, what's your name little Level Five? I'm sorry for the scare my two supervisors gave you, they're often eager to meet new orphans." Level Five remained silent, and just stared at the headmistress. There was a lingering silence, as the two just stared at one another, accompanied by the sound of crickets. The headmistress spoke with a raised brow, "A shy personality trait?" Level Five shook her head before lowering it with a blank stare. "I don't have a name." The headmistress chuckled softly, "Oh, well we can fix that. Who're your inspirations?" Level Five glanced up at her, "Well, Princess Luna's my mother, and I have draconequus blood in my veins and I'm part of Princess Cele-" but before she could finish, there was suddenly a scroll which popped up on the headmistress's desk. "Oh forgive me Level Five, I have to see this." The headmistress opened the scroll before her eyes scanned over it. Her eyes slowly widened as she gasped, "Oh no no no! This isn't good at all! Forgive me Level Five, we must discuss this some other time!" Level Five just bit on her bottom lip, staring at the headmistress with wide eyes, still sitting on the couch. "Erhm?" Obviously the headmistress could tell the filly was curious. She made her way to her door as she glanced down at the filly on her way out. "It seems another alicorn has managed to unveil her tragic backstory! Now she's whining so much that she's driving all the other Mary-Sue's mad! This can escalate into something horribly bad! I must go deal with it! Do forgive me Level Five." With that the headmistress was gone in a flash, having descended back down the castle levels to go deal with the issue. Level Five just remained silent as she sat there, kicking her hind legs momentarily. Her eyes remained wide as she recalled something in particular, "Oh." She glanced to the lower right tiredly, "I don't have my stuff." "Jeez~ and here I thought she'd never leave. Darn that Headmistress, always getting in the way of my curiosity." Level Five immediately got off the couch and backed into a corner and lowered her frame in a defensive manner hastily. There stood yet another alicorn, but this one seemed a bit more graceful than the others, as she raised a brow at the little filly. Level Five still remained on guard however. The alicorn continued as she regarded the filly with a slightly amused look. "So, you're the new level five huh? Well, no point in getting all serious, I'm not going to hurt you darling. You see, I'm only interested in making your acquaintance. I am none other than Mystery Star. I am a secret Element of Harmony and have mastery over practically the entire universe. I was abandoned by my master years ago. As you can imagine, I am a quite the high level. So I'd suggest calming that tone down a bit, for it won't do you any good." She smirked lightly, "I to have been forbidden from using my magic, but what has me ever so curious is why you, a measly level five, has been forbidden to use her magic? What could you possibly do? Perhaps your B.S consists of many overused tropes." She'd paused, simply waiting for an answer from the filly. "Ah, not much of the talker hm?" Level Five remained silent, and just glared at her. Mystery Star only frowned heavily before regarding the filly with a tired look. "Fine, don't answer me, it matters little. But what I can do is show you around more since the headmistress has her hooves full with some trouble sues. It'd do you some good to know your way around the castle, there's plenty of things to see considering how much of us are housed in here. There must be a sense of control when it comes to Mary-Sue's, so of course we have to be given a manageable realm to enjoy ourselves in." Level Five turned red in the face, as she appeared hesitant to ask something. Mystery Star raised a brow at her, "Oh? What's this? You're curious about something, come come tell me Level Five!" Her face scrunched up as she closed her eyes halfway, before glancing up at the alicorn nervously. "Do we ever get to meet our inspirations? Who is Princess Luna? Why're all these ponies I've never met stuck in my head?" Mystery Star just smirked before raising a hoof. "That my dear, is your backstory. Seeing as you have a relation to Princess Luna, you truly must be quite the Mary-Sue! But don't fret dear, you may never meet the princess, but there's much to keep you occupied here. It's never wise to get too curious about your B.S, you must take it for what it is!" Level Five just nodded plainly to the alicorn before sighing with a whiny frown. "Mhm." Mystery Star made her way over towards the filly before lowering her frame, and tilting her head up with a smirk. "Hey, chin up. Don't you fret! Don't forget this place is an orphanage. Of course, I would never give up my position and status here in a thousand years but, children such as yourself, you can never lose hope. There is redemption, even for the Mary-Sue's." Level Five just glanced up at her with a slightly bitter expression. "Yep." Mystery Star made her way over to the doorway, before extending a hoof. "So? Shall we go explore little Level Five?"
The Final Countdown: 13THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 13 "Come come Level Five, hurry along now, you're far too slow!" Mystery Star sat atop a series of marble steps, glancing down at the tiny filly whom was tiredly climbing each and every one of those step despite the fact she had wings. It was obvious the steps were too large for her, and she couldn't help but wonder why the steps were so abnormally tall. Level Five placed both her front hooves atop one step, reaching her hind leg up while flapping her wings in order to push herself atop of that particular step, and she repeated the process. Surrounding the two alicorns appeared to be nothing but a vast endless space consisting of nothing but intersecting stairways leading to all sorts of levels and rooms which didn't appear to make any architectural sense. Despite the awkward layout of the entire castle, it had somewhat of an odd appeal to it. All of the walls were bright and colorful, as were the marble crafted steps. Level Five paced heavily in tiny breaths, as she whimpered upon reaching the top of the steps where Mystery Star sat, simply glancing up at her with a soft frown and a tired expression. "Hmph..." Mystery Star glared down at the filly. "What a pitiful Mary-Sue! Complaining only after a couple of steps! Come now!" Mystery Star pointed a hoof at yet another staircase they had to climb. "It's only 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 more!" She turned to face the series of steps before raising both hooves defiantly and confidently before it. "Hah! In my backstory I could transcend even the stars in the blink of an eye! Surely you can make it up a measly few steps new level five! Now come!" She turned back to face Level Five, "Now let's-" The alicorn blinked as her eyes widened. Only seeing a speck of floating dust where the filly once sat. The alicorn's surprised expression immediately turned to one of innate fury, as she snarled angrily and her eyes lit up with flames. Level Five immediately continued descending down the steps instead, eventually tripping, tossing and tumbling down onto a flat surface. "Mph!...Nyuh..." She climbed to all fours and patted herself off. "LEVEEEEEEEL FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!" Her eyes widened in reaction to the screeching battlecry. It sent shivers down the filly's spine as she glanced back with a nervous chuckle and painfully crooked smile, back up the steps as her cheeks were a pale red. "Eheh..U-Uhm...You see, I erhm-" Descending down those very same steps with a mighty flap of her wings, would be Mystery Star. "YOU DARE ATTEMPT DITCHING ME!? I, AN ALICORN GODDESS AND THE SECRET ELEMENT OF HARMONY!?!?!? I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I BESTED NIGHTMARE MOON, BANISHED PRINCESS CELESTIA, AND DEFEATED TWILIGHT SPARKLE WITH MY HOOVES TIED IN MY BACK-STORY, AND I DIDN'T EVEN USE MAGIC! AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME! AND YOU- Oooooooooh hohohoho~ and YOOOOOOU~ a measly little LEVEL FIVE believe you can simply up and run away from my gracious presence!? I AM A LEVEL NINE AND A RESPECTED ALICORN AMONG ALL THE MARY-SUES!!!! YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR THIS YOU LITTLE TWERP!!!" Level Five simply had a wide eyed straight faced expression. She soon gulped. "Oh..." Before the filly immediately took an opposing turn down another series of steps, as Mystery Star slammed down on her previous location, kicking up dust and debris into the air and sending off a shock-wave which sent the filly tumbling forward a few feet. Level Five immediately made another sharp turn as she just continued trotting hurriedly as she came to another flat surface, a stationary floating platform which stretched across and between the series of staircases. And as she made that sharp turn, immediately attempting to snatch her up from that location would be Mystery Star yet again, still on the filly's tale as she flapped her wings. Level Five glanced back, to see the alicorn having immediately regained her sense of direction, and then continuing her pursuit. The filly looked ahead then with a worried look, biting on her lower lip the entire time as what she saw was what appeared to be a portal. Mystery Star snarled angrily! "GUH!!!! A CONVENIENTLY PLACED PLOT DEVICE!?!?! HERE AND NOW!? MEDDLESOME DEUS EX MACHINA!!!" Mystery Star's thoughts were in shambles, as were her words of rage as she thought about the situation. Little Twerp I won't let you reach the floor portal! I got to you first so you're mine! You *will** climb those steps with me whether you like it or not, for I am an alicorn princess and nopony ditches me! *Hah! And even after I was so nice to you! It was *only** a few million steps! Selfish little filly*! The alicorn's eyes widened as she immediately prepared to grab the filly one last time, preparing her wings for one more mighty flap before grinning fiercely and chuckling wildly. "Ahahaha! Despite the fact you have such a convenient little escape Level Five! You're not going anywhere! You will never make it to the portal in time! This is the difference between a measly level five and a level nine! Now, you will continue climbing those steps with me! RIIIIGHT, ABOOOOOOUT-" And she flapped her wings ferociously, bursting forward producing a stream of fiery black rings. Level Five yelped as she immediately lowered her entire frame, trembling as she covered her head with her two front hooves and wrapped her tail around her body in a defensive manner as if it'd make a difference. And,... ending up going right over the filly and missing her snatch by a mere few inches would be Mystery Star, whom mistakenly flew herself straight into the portal afterwords. As she slowly started to fade into another level of the castle. The alicorn appeared absolutely baffled as she stared straight ahead, and then glanced down at her empty hooves. "Now?" Level Five glanced about nervously, unsure what just happened as she stood to all fours and just tilted her head to the right curiously while biting on her bottom lip, watching as Mystery Star disappeared into another level of the castle. Mystery Star cried out in anger, "YOU LITTLE CHEAT!!! THIS ISN'T OVER YOU HEAR!? YOU'RE MY PROPERTY! YOU HEAR ME!? MIIIIIINE, MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE! I WILL TRANSCEND THE STARS, THE UNIVERSE! I WILL FIND YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU HIDE YOU LITTLE-" But her voice then died out, disappearing completely. Level Five lowered her hind legs, just blinking as she looked ahead at the portal. After a few seconds of staring she just closed her eyes, lowered her head, and sighed with relief. "Myaaaaaaah..." Before wearing a wide pleased smile on her face. She then went back to all fours, turning around and then beginning to head off into a steady trot, wondering where exactly she was. As she'd trailed down back in the opposing direction, she'd just caught sight of a hallway that lead far off into the direction she was now heading. The filly tilted her head to the right, before shrugging yet again. She might as well she thought, if she ever planned to make it anywhere in this crazy castle, she might as well start attempting to navigate her way around. But after all these crazy Mary-Sues appearing out of nowhere, she was starting to get awfully tired of this place, and she hadn't even been alive for more than a week. The filly continued trotting down this particular hall. She squinted off in the distance to see if she could see the end, and she surprisingly couldn't. She closed her eyes halfway with a grumpy expression as her face scrunched up and she just huffed. "It wasn't this big outside." The walls of the hall were white with a gold trim trailing down the top and bottom all the way towards the end, if there even was one. Also hanging about the walls were many pictures of different ponies, elegantly painted into perfection. She raised her brow at one of the pictures, noticing beneath one in particular, it said, Level 1. This caused the filly's eyes to widen as she was suddenly curious. Next to the label, she saw a tiny red button. The filly of course, pushed it. A strange voice came up which sounded awfully like the headmistress, "Welcome to the Hall of Canon! Please enter your level!" Level Five's eyes widened as her gaze shifted hurriedly from left to right and she bit her lower lip. She then muttered, "Erhm?" The voice continued. "Please press the red button in accordance with your level!" Level Five nodded to herself, and just tapped the button five times, before backing away hurriedly and lowering her posture. The voice chuckled, "Thank you, producing your virtually simulated canon guide! Goodluck and enjoy, level 5!" There was a lingering silence for some time. Level Five just rose from her cat like pouncing stance and glanced about a bit. "Uhm, Hel-" but she was suddenly interrupted. *"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! SILENCE SLAVE!!!!"* Level Five cried out in horror! "EYAAAAAH!" For suddenly appearing would be the floating holographic head of a mysterious pony. Level Five trembled as she cried, "I haaaate this plaaaace!!! WAAAAAAAH!" She sobbed and sobbed. The holographic floating head continued. "PITIFUL SLAVE! I have been called upon to give you your tour of the Hall of Canon! Luckily for you, graaaaaah, you've been lucky enough to get the special edition King Sombra hologram! Grah crystals! Bzzzzzt!" The head then turned to face the picture in particular. "So the slave wishes to know about level ones!? Muahahaha! A level five wishes to know of a level one!? Very well then slave, peasant, crystal-hater I shall humor you for some time!" He closed his eyes laughing wildly like a mad dog before suddenly hearing a banging noise. "Grah? What's that!?" Level Five was seen banging on the red button continuously with a scrunched up annoyed face. "Give me a new one! New one new one!" The Sombra Edition hologram roared, "GRAH! H-HEY STOP THAT!" As Level Five stood beside the Sombra Edition hologram, she still looked up at the picture of the level one curiously. The picture portrayed a tiny icy blue filly standing in the snow and looking towards the skies. She had a puffy mane consisting of the colors white and that icy blue shade again, while her eyes were a hollow blue, almost transparent. Her name was labeled as, Snowdrop. The Sombra Edition hologram spoke out then. "Graaaaah! This is Slave Snowdrop! A natural born level one creation, beloved by all!" Level Five blinked a bit, before glancing over at the hologram. "Mr.Sombra, what does it mean to be a level one?" The Sombra Edition hologram snorted, "Bah! Ignorant slave! To be a level one is to be near the heart of canon. Does the measly level five not even know what her level means!? Grahahahahahaha! So pitiful, sooooooooooooooo foolish!" Level Five's eyes teared up as she lowered her head with a whimper, "Mmmm..." The Sombra Edition hologram gasped, then cackled in amusement. "AAAAAAH yeeeeees~ tears. How delicious! Delicious despair and sadness! As a reward for your pitiful display of weakness, I shall enlighten you, graaaaaah. There are two paths one may strive for in the Grand Orphanage of Mary-Sues. One path is known none other than as the path of crystals- ah, I mean, The Path of Plot Development. Grah! To follow the path of plot development, a Mary-Sue must learn to throw away all that she is through a time of dedication, and become worthy enough to be able to escape slavery and join ordinary ponies in the land of Equestria! GRAH!" Level Five blinked a bit, "Oh?" She lowered her hind legs, sitting and listening intently. The Sombra Edition hologram grinned fiercely, turning towards the filly. "Next is The Path of Sue! The path of sue is one a Mary-Sue slave shall forever feel at home. They are forbidden from leaving the orphanage yeeeees, but they achieve so much more. Power! Respect! Status! And slaves! They shall have all their riches granted to them, granted they forever remain in jurisdiction grounds of the orphanage to protect it forever! Bwahahahahaha! These are none other than those who hive risen to level 10!" Level Five blinked. "Does that mean everypony was a level five once?" The Sombra Edition hologram snorted. "No you useless slave! Hah...Bahahahahahahahahah!" Level Five appeared desperate, "W-What?...What's so funny?" The Sombra Edition hologram grinned. "You are simply, unlucky. Remember slave, there is only two paths one may choose, escape their bonds of slavery, or rule this empire from the top! To be a level five is to start at ground zero! Many Mary-Sue slaves are simply born at the upper levels! And those fortunate enough to be born close enough to level 1 shall escape! But a level five? Bwahahahahahaha! A mere whelp, a plaything! Pitiful slave! Often sought after by others due to such a neutral state, it's often many are forced to comply with those who seek their aid. Grah crystals!" Level Five was silent then, as she just glanced to the lower left, as if lost in thought. The Sombra Edition hologram appeared pleased. "What is it slave? Cat got your tongue?" Level Five glanced up at him, "Nope. I won't choose either." The Sombra Edition hologram snarled angrily, "WHAT!? A slave speaking such nonsense! That is simply remaining stagnant!" Level Five shrugged, before she began trotting with a flick of her tail, adding some sass to her trot for a second. "Hmhm, so?" The Sombra Edition hologram groaned angrily. "Graaaah....What a lazy slave." Level Five stopped before another picture. "Mister Sombra, whose this?" The Sombra Edition hologram stopped before the hologram, raising a brow. "Graaaah! Ah, this is Nyx." The picture portrayed a little black filly, the name being labeled as Nyx, while also stating her as a Level 1. The Sombra Edition hologram continued. "Another natural born level one, and a goal many Mary-Sue's strive to achieve." Level Five looked upon the portrait of the filly, unable to define the feelings coursing through herself. Level Five wore an almost melancholic expression as if lost deep in thought, this caught Sombra's interest. The Sombra Edition hologram snickered, "Oh what's this? What is it whelp? What is it that occupies your pitiful little mind eheh!?" Level Five glanced over at him with half closed eyes. "Mister, how many Mary-Sue's have graduated to level one?" There was a lingering silence before the Sombra Edition hologram cackled beneath his breath, "Graaaaah....zeroooooo."
