Prologue:Third Times The Charm
Ponysona: The 3rd Season
Disclaimer: The following fan fiction is rated TV-G…ugh, I mean Rated E for everypony by the ESRP(Equestria System Rating for Ponies)…or maybe you should just read this crossover fic for yourself. I guess it means rating is subject to change, because obviously I don’t own the series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or the SMT: Persona series so I’m not liable for crossover backdraft
Prologue: Third Times The Charm
Written By: G.V.Amor
It was long that I had perchance to dream like this. This similar feeling I’ve experienced once before. It calls me once again.
The aria of the soul fills the atmosphere as if it’s the only thing keeping the unbearable approach that silence is known for, creeping up on the weary, away. It is this elegant mare’s favorite melody for she can’t bare the impending feeling that once she has to stop listening with her eyes closed, she must begin her eternal service which requires her full attention. She’s a white coat pony whose mane is styled in a short curly cut that is platinum blonde, eyes yellow, and ensemble dress and boots tapered in golden lining and noticeably large buttons. Not to be undermined by her overall primary color, regal blue. This is the general theme of this place.
It was only a moment, but as accustom I am to the unusual and sheer absurdity I faced once before in another life, this had taken me for a surprise. In all of the Equestria history I had to acquire in haste to fit in with the other ponies that had this universe’s formalities down due to sheer birthright, has lead me to believe that this could not happen.
A human sat in a blue velvet booth across the table in front of me.
Behind him lied the once quaint wallpaper that lined the cabin of the Friendship Express that was now entirely blue. The charming curtains had followed suit and maintained the same eerie blue that fit with the surprising smooth transportation compartment. Unaware of just how curious this place was, outside the windows that reinforced the walls of the cab was the night sky, but oddly enough, I could see all of the cosmos brightly illuminated with stars so close, Ersa majors could pick up the train and gobble it whole.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter."
“I’ve been to a place like that before, so it should shock you that I don’t envy you.”
This is our exchange, the impish man with the long nose who welcomed me to this place I was all too familiar with due to his further explanation which he spoke in a frighteningly calm manor that was uniquely gentlemanly despite the pestering issue that it should have been “gentlecoltly.” I had attempted to find any reference guide I could get my hooves on that might have referenced Homo sapiens somewhere in the time periods of ponydom, but alas, I came up empty hoof.
Truthfully, I was glad, because despite there being all types of creatures through the equestrian dominated landscape, it had only just occurred to me. Ponies are the most human like of them all. So when the absolute truth that the figure in a black suit before me who hadn’t a hoof, but a white gloved hand placed atop another, I had finally been satisfied with my current predicament; I was in Equestria. Sure, this mysterious man may have been quite different than the humans I was mindful of, but a man is a man.
So, now is the moment of truth.
“Quite right my young fellow. This is quite the phenomenon, isn’t it. I have played host to a few types in this place. Those who have been chosen as guests in the Velvet Room have little in common, yet they all possessed an amazing gift that has helped them uncover truths and reasons for being. Amusingly, there has even been one that is very similar to me and the mere idea gives me validation that everything is possible,” Said the cryptic character. His ghastly bulging eyes and constant wide grin that would make anypony on edge did not physical change, but an underlying emotion could state otherwise.
The posture challenged one delivered his line, “However, my observant colt, you are not one of the chosen.”
My eyes would have widened to great lengths to express my much more apparent confusion. I could tell you from personal experience that this was more or less unheard of for me. Recently, things like this wouldn’t be difficult for me to understand. The time before I had made Equestria my local residence, I roamed a universe where that statement would hardly ever apply to me. I was always being hounded by hostiles and ambiguously abusive authority figures who wanted to exploit my uniqueness. Now, I had to ponder the reasons why I felt taken aback. It wasn’t like I wanted that title. I knew all too well of the responsibilities it held.
I gasped, “Huh, but why?”
He displayed his humor in near unnoticeable chuckles, “Why indeed? The clear reason is that you do not possess the ability to summon the strength of the wild card, an affinity with the all-powerful concept of zero. Humorously, you had the potential, but because of your appearance and tribal alignment, you cannot access the magical power needed.”
I responded, “Are you saying that a unicorn is needed?”
The dark suited man with the unforgettable look that haunts minds anywhere mused, “Perhaps. This may be the clue needed to prevent the coming calamity, though it would be wise to look further than you have already.”
The word “calamity” lingered above the conversation and to make matters worse, I thought more intently on the “coming,” part.
Overcoming ominous opposition in overtly oncoming outings of the ostentatious on occasion obviously opened opportunities for our outrageous overpowered overlord who offered others to observe original and outstanding outcomes. Of course, mentioning Princess Celestia, meant also referring to her legendary heroes whose amazing accounts have been talked about all throughout Equestria. I was immediately immersed in them when they were talked about all the way in Manehattan. I knew I had to meet them one day and the very reason I was aboard the Friendship Express was to finally head to Ponyville to do just that.
Then when I rested my eyes, I ended up in this place. The Velvet Room host appeared to be awaiting a response equal to the gravity of his statement. I managed, “Are you implying that the Princess isn’t enough to stop this calamity? Also, if this disaster is imminent, why are you telling me since I don’t possess this “wild card” you speak off?”
His current temperament adjusted slightly with a noticeable sigh, “Alas, an unforeseen event has prevented the one with potential to awaken to their gift from destiny. It has come to my attention that a new method must be made to approach this at this particular time. The law of this universe prevents the normal path from being open. As such, we have contacted you to play the role of messenger due to your past experiences.”
As I had been assured of this reasonable request, the constant string of conversation is now tied by a weaver I had nearly forgotten. The beautiful mare of inquiry broke her silence. She had be listening attentively, keeping her large yellow eyes open and nearly never blinking. In fact, she had become suspiciously chillingly still, like if she was a photograph whose eyes were staking your movements. She sits to the left of the frightful fellow with some kind of book near her on the table.
She spoke in an alluring voice that held what seemed like resentment, “So be joyous, for you are still important if that is your desire to be so.”
I wasn’t thrilled to hear her say that. Admittedly, my current occupation makes me happy to hear that I’m needed somewhere, but the aspect of being, “important,” once again created tension in my mind that longed to just understand as much as I could.
The peculiar gentleman added, “Although this is a journey you must venture for another’s responsibility, that though you may not benefit from the chosen’s gift directly, and that you serve for little compensation, you’re reward is that you will not be alone. You are a part of a social link that improves the chosen’s success.”
My thoughts improve and my questions are now simple, “I could ask you why you can’t just tell me who this pony is, but I’m aware the answer isn’t easy and needs to be discovered gradually. If not, then all this wouldn’t be necessary. So simply put, I need to know how I can be sure who this pony is. I mean do I have to touch hooves or say a password or something?”
The blonde mare of seriousness states, “I will be there to guide them to Velvet Room once you establish your Social Link with them. Afterwards you will no longer be a guest. I suggest that you take advantage of the services we provide before then, otherwise another will.”
I flirt in jest, “Am I to assume you are more interested in this ‘wild card’ than little old earth pony me?”
Instead of a blush or rolling her eyes, she bluntly said, “Unquestionably. It is my purpose to provide for the chosen guest.” Interestingly she now asked the human, relaxing his gloved hands on the table, still atop of each other, without turning or bating a humongous eye at her, “Master. Would it be fair to say that we can’t allow any of the chosen’s companions to enter the Velvet Room not because of their tribal alignment, but because of their potential?”
I got the hint and apparently so did the Master of the Velvet Room, for he ignored her question and went on to say, “Before we conclude our meeting, I’d like to first act contrite. We are normally inclined to introduce ourselves to our most honored guest, but truthful we’d like to see an act of nobility before exchanging formalities. Assuming that you’re services are limited once we engage with our true guest, we will just go with your previous resume that is noble.”
The Master of exquisite speech concludes with a hidden chuckle, “My name is Igor and this is my assistant and resident of the Velvet Room, Justine.” He then proceeds to reveal from underneath his hands blue cards of the tarot variety and levitates a blank card with unicorn like magic towards me. The floating tarot card glows bright white, nearly blinding me for a moment, which in one instant of blinking, the card had become smaller. It now appeared as a golden train ticket of sorts with something written on it, but before I can make out what it says, it disappears like invisible ink was used.
“This is a temporary season ticket that is valid for a limited time, it is necessary you keep it safe. The calamity will come in the 3rd season of the year. Use your time wisely to find our guest and aid them. The next time you will come on your own accord, but only to gain more wisdom from us.” Igor calmly claims.
“So…Until we meet again.”
As soon as Igor says his farewell, my vision of the Velvet Room fades to black.
As I slowly open my eyes, I’m back in the seat of the Friendship Express that shakes as the train makes its way on the rails towards Ponyville. The sun is shining through the simple curtains that have been raised. Other ponies are heard chatting about their personal business as some come and go out of the passenger car. As far as I can tell, I had a dream that spelled impending catastrophe for all of Equestria. If I was some other pony, I’d mostly keep quiet about this because the normally peaceful equines would be sweating a storm of panic if not only were they aware of the disaster of Equestria was coming, but their nearly goddess princess cannot stop it.
Of course, through the short time I’ve spent in Equestria and in this universe in general, I’ve learn that there are those who are always up to the task and that not only have they defeated the threat of three of equinekind‘s most fearsome foes, but there are other well recorded acts of heroism by the Legendary Mares of Ponyville. Surely, if I were to find the chosen guest, I need to look no further than those ponies who wield the Elements of Harmony. Even fiction heroes like Daring Do can’t compete with the Master of The Sonic Rainboom, or the Dragon Whisperer, or the Honorable Athletic Bucker, or the Fabulously Generous Jewel Huntress, or even the Psychic Party Popper.
Anyone of them would be powerful enough to stop a doomed world, but together with Celestia’s Apprentice, the apocalypse will run with its tail between its legs. Truly all of Equestria will be in good hooves if I get to them the message I was asked to deliver.
I’m so excited that once I do this, maybe I’ll find my answer as to how to return home back to my universe. It’s been one of the reasons I took that Equestria History Class when I was at the Manehatten School of Arts while trying to figure out how to live up to this Cutie Mark thing that somehow involves artist ability. It was definitely embarrassing that I didn’t know how to use a hoof quill since I was exposed for not living up to my Cutie Mark talent the first day there. No matter, because now after almost a year since I was found in San Fransicolt, I finally start my true path home.
As I stretched from waking up, I took out from my Manehatten School of Arts Saddlebag, the special sketchbook that contained all my adventures from the Dream Universe I found myself in about a few years back that I had hand drawn and now the hoof drawn sketches I made during class. The sketchbook itself wasn’t the only thing special about it. The custom made black cat themed all-purpose book cover keychain stretched around the sketchbook reminded me of back home and my little sister, who owned the matching white version. To bring it all together, my Cutie Mark was actually a rainbow version of my brother’s memento; a runic symbol I would eventually learn was an ancient lost alphabet of the Dream Universe. One of the biggest things I learned in my adventures is that “Nothing is Forgotten, Everything is Related.” If I’m going to survive traveling universes, I’ll need to abide by this iron clad rule of thumb.
So…
“Sorry for reminiscing.”
I actually just remember that I was given a ticket, but I don’t think I would have something from the places between consciousness and sub consciousness in my hoof. It was quite convenient that right in between the cover and first page of the sketchbook, there was the golden blank ticket, still unsure about where or what it’s for, a smile crept across my face as I find that on the inside of the front cover, there was a note I never wrote addressed to me. Below the initials, “I.D.V,” I wrote in bold at the top from long ago was a message in elegant cursive complete with dynamic loops and sharp lines:
To Sketch Spectrum,
Everypony has potential,
“J”
As nice as a gesture it was, I still believe they held out on me. I peered out the window of the box car of the train and look at the delicious red apple trees that are in full bloom flushed with leaves and as each healthy tree quickly pass by, I pouted. Sure everypony has potential, but when magic and flight are the other alternatives, I doubt earth ponies are more likely better suited for making quick work of the coming calamity. The calamity said to happen in the 3rd season of the year.
As of today, we are almost entering the 2nd season of the year…
They couldn’t have asked me to be messenger sooner?
Oh hey there, ladies and gentlecolts. It's me, Sketch Spectrum...the charater, not the author. Just in case you're wondering, yes I can see that wally screeny wennie thingy in front of you and its pretty flimsy. Sure, I'm a Earth Pony right now, but on occasion, I'm a narrator for other stories in other universes and if you're somewhat turned off hearing about me and my perspective, rejoice, the actually story invovles 3rd POV. I'm only here to provide an introduction to the crossover world of MLP/Persona. Don't fear my friends, the story is formated to be like the Persona game such as The Calander System and Persona Stats and such, but read to be like an episode of My Little Pony, complete with our own version of "My Faithful Student" reports. I hope this isn't too jarring or insipid or even presumptuous to you all,but I hope you enjoy this anyway
