//-------------------------------------------------------// Crossing Horizons -by digital_light- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1 “Is it finally charged?” I asked my close friend Andrew. “Yes,” he replied simply over the phone. “I assume we shall meet tomorrow morning to open the gate. Everyone must be present.” “Of course. We will be the first to truly cross the horizon.” “Alright. I will see you first thing in the morning,” I said thinking over what could possibly happen when we flip the switch. “See you there,” Andrew said hanging up. “I hope this works and we haven’t just wasted three years of our lives,” I said to no one in particular. “All capacitors reading fully charged,” was called from the control desk we had set up in the ware house we had been using as our base of operations. “Let’s flip the switch,” I replied. From a small distance away I heard the sound of metal sliding on metal followed by a thunk. Then the machine in front of me began make a whirring sound the gradually increased in pitch for a minute until it passed out my hearing range. Another minute passed and then another. I began to lose hope when the device began to do what it was designed to do. Slowly an image began to form. It was too blurry to make anything out but shapes. But it was clear for me. There were humans in it, but they weren’t on earth. Damn it. I must forget them. I will never see them again. But there must be a way. You have bucking MAGIC. Great now I am beginning to curse like them too, I began to argue with myself. This went on for another half hour me arguing with myself to no avail. Suddenly I heard another voice on the other side of the door say, “Now arriving in Ponyville Station.” After I was sure he was gone I rolled out of bed and onto my hooves. I will find work here and hope I can finally forget those painful memories, I thought to myself as I began my daily routine. I stopped for second to make sure nopony could see me before using my magic to do my mane and tail. If they have saw a pegasus using magic the entire continent would flip out. They train came to a stop just as I finished, so I grabbed my bags and flew out the door; my hooves never touched the ground until I was on the platform. I looked about the small town I was now in and saw it was nearly deserted. I had seen some crazy stuff since coming to this world so what happened next was nothing TOO surprising. The second I set down my bags a pink blur rushed up to great me saying, “HAIYAAREYOUKNEWINTOWN.ILOVEMEETINGNEW…” She would have kept going if I had not gently put my hoof to her mouth saying, “Excuse me miss but I wondering if you had any alchemists in town?” The mare just nodded up and before changing her mind and shaking her head side to side. She then proceeded to remove my hoof and saying much slower, “Well she doesn’t exactly live in town. She is a zebra by the name of Zacora. She lives by herself in the woods.” “Can you take me to her?” I inquired. “Yes indeedie. Follow me,” She said before turning and hopping towards town. I picked up my bags and flew after her asking, “So this Zacora lives by herself?” “Yeap,” the mare replied without breaking her rhythm. “Why does no one else live there?” “Because she lives in the middle of the Everfree Forest. It is really dangerous in there,” She said without a care in her voice. “So she is an alchemist eh?” I asked in response. “Yeaperoni,” the pink pony replied, “One of the best.” I may gain some useful information from this Zacora, I thought to myself as I bumped into the mare in front of me. “This is as far as I will take you. You will have to brave the forest alone,” She said as turned towards me, “Also before you go in what’s your name? Mine’s Pinkie Pie.” “Well, Miss Pie I am known as Clouded Thought,” I told her, using the name I have been using since I arrived on Equis. “Well Clouded Thought, you should know that I am the only pony who can go into those woods without anypony else worrying,” Pinkie said. “And why is that?” I questioned the mare beside me all while I think, Does she have hidden magic as well? If so then how is she able to roam freely. “I have my secrets. As I am sure you do too Clouded,” she replied as her tail twitched. “What was that for?” I questioned as I was pushed to one side. “That flower pot almost landed on you,” Pinkie said gesturing to where I was standing not too long before. “Oh. Thank you Miss pie,” I said looking back at her. “Well then, good luck Mister Thought,” Pinkie told me as she bounded off, “I need to get back to work.” I then turned my attention to the forest. It was dark and foreboding. Just as I like it. A place one can truly be alone. A place where no beings judge you on your form. A place I can practice my magic freely. Let’s meet this Zacora. Maybe she knows some alchemy tricks I don’t, I though as I began to trot into the forest. I soon noticed a well worn path. So she is skilled enough to warrant ponies coming and going often enough to wear down the path to her house, I thought continuing deeper into the forest. My thoughts then turned back to the mare who had greeted me at the platform. Did she give another hint at have magic like me or just natural abilities? How did you sense that pot? I thought before I went back to analyzing the forest around me. I continued to analyze the surrounds until I notice a garden come in to view. As I continued onward I noticed a house fashioned out of the very tree come into view. So she keeps herb gardens. She had some powerful stuff in there as well, I thought as I trotted up to the door and prepared to knock. END CHAPTER ONE Author's Note Thank you to all you who have read this far and those who a criticized this work. I understand I am not the best writer and likely never will be. Any suggestions you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I especially appreciate those who pointed that my original title was likely going to be linked to Fallout: Equestria. I have read none of that stuff or even played the game. Now I know I need an editor/proofreader but I have not found one yet. I also write very sporadically so anyone who edits my story or even proofreads it will have to deal with that. Again comment on what you think about the story.