EquestriaBound

  "A Parasprite I am... not. I'm from ten years in the future.", says the bug-like creature.

  "ACK! Get it away from me!", yells Snips, hiding behind Snails.

  "Shush.", says Twilight.

  "I'm from ten years in the future. And, in the future, all is devastation. Discord, the universal logic destroyer, has sent all to the horror of eternal nonsense."

  Spike makes an unsure gesture with his face. Twilight shrugs.

  "However, you must listen! Where I am from, there is a well-known legend that has been handed down to ancient times. It says...

When the chosen one reaches the point, it will find the light.

The passing of time will shatter the nightmare rock and will reveal the path of light.

  You see, it is my opinion that you, Twilight Sparkle, are that chosen one. This I believe... Discord's monstrous plan must have been set in motion somewhere on Earth. If you start to confront the enemy immediately, you may have time to counter the evil intentions of Discord. Three things are of the utmost importance: wisdom, courage and (most importantly) friendship. The legends from the ancient times tell of eight ponies and a dragon, who defeat Discord."

  "That sounds like... lots of responsibility.", comments Twilight.

  "I'll tell you more later. Go now! And don't be anxious about the future! You have, indeed, much work to do, Twilight. Did you listen to what I told you?"

  "Yes, I did.", confirms Twilight.

  "Thank you for listening to my long story. You are as exceptional as I thought you to be."

  The meteorite turns back to its normal state, and Parasprite comes along with the group, as they go back home. Snips is more scared than he ever was.

  "It looks like you're in a lot of trouble, Twilight.", says Snips, shivering from both cold and fear. "Nine ponies, he said? I'm not one of those, am I?"

  "You wouldn't imagine how much I doubt it, Snips.", says Twilight, with a sarcastic smile. Nopony in Equestria could be more annoying than that gray-coated, buck-toothed weakling. Spike tries to hide his laughter.

  "What do you mean by that?", says an annoyed Snips. "Are you saying I can't handle all this?"

  "Kinda."

  "Well, you're right as always.", says Snips, letting out a nervous chuckle.

  Suddenly, a huge glow comes out from the sky, and a gray-colored, evil-looking unicorn appears.

  "It's been a long time...", says the evil being. "You've been successful at foiling Master Discord's plans. But, you must now surrender. You're no longer a hero, just a useless insect. I'll stomp you hard!"

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa.", says Twilight. "I didn't realize my first enemy would come so early!"

  "Don't worry.", says the Parasprite. "I got it covered." The Parasprite casts a powerful shield spell.

  "Fire!", yells the evil unicorn, and then he casts a fire spell.

  "ACK!", yells Snips, and then he hides behind Snails, who tries to attack the unicorn, with no apparent effect.

  Spike attacks him as well, with the same strength as Snails.

  All the while, the Parasprite keeps attacking the unicorn, annoying him to the point of giving up and leaving.

  "Looks like I failed... again.", says the unicorn, returning to where it came from.

  "Whew! I was taking a big chance there...", says the Parasprite. "He came from ten years in the future to kill me, so we can't relax yet! From now on, you'll be fighting enemies sent by Discord, as well as ponies who have evil thoughts. They'll definitely make trouble during your adventure. Animals are also becoming violent, due to Discord's influence over the evil in their minds. It is the truth, so you must listen!"

  "I'm not liking all of this... but that was pretty intense.", says Twilight. "I don't know if I can do spells like those ones."

  "You'll learn them all as time goes by. We should be going."

  "Isn't that your house, Snips?", says Twilight, reaching her current destination.

  "Yes it is! Thank you for helping me, Twilight!", says Snips, going home with Snails.

  "You're welcome... I guess. Oh hey, it's Lyra!"

  "Hey, Twilight.", says Lyra. "What are you up to at this time of the night?"

  "What are you up to?"

  "I always wake up at 6 a.m., so I can walk down the streets without anyone bothering-- EEK!", squeals Lyra, squashing the Parasprite with her hoof. "Whew! Was it the only one?"

  "WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

  "Are you crazy? Parasprites are the worst! They eat all our food, and reproduce like bunnies!"

  "Yeah, but... this one was different!"

  "You really need to stop reading those old books, Twilight." Lyra goes away.

  "Parasprite? Are you okay?", asks Twilight.

  "*gasp* I was... much weaker than I thought..."

  "Oh no!", says Spike. "What are we gonna do?"

  "Listen to my final words... to defeat Discord, your own power must unite with the Earth's... the Earth will then channel your power and multiply it... there are eight special points that you must visit. One of them is here in Canterlot. It's called the Giant Step."

  "I've been there before!", says Spike. "It's called Giant Step because a giant dragon used to live there. I don't know about now, though."

  "Yeah, I've read about that as well.", says Twilight.

  "You are a very intelligent unicorn.", says the Parasprite. "And... oh! The pain! Everything is getting dark... urgh! *gasp*"

  "You don't look too good..."

  "It's already dawn outside... but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm fading fast... argh! *gasp*"

  "Parasprite?", says Spike. "Parasprite, can you hear me? Parasprite? PARASPRIIIIIIIITE!"

  "I guess he's dead... well, no time for this... we gotta go."

  Back outside, the sun is already out.

  "*sigh* That was the worst night ever. Where do we go now?", says Twilight.

  "How 'bout we go help the police with the griffons?", suggests Spike.

  "... yeah, that would give us some credibility."

  "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

  "Hey, Twilight!", Vinyl comes in. "Where are you going?"

  "Oh, hey, Vinyl. I'm going to the city."

  "Why are you going there? Don't you know there are griffons all over the place?"

  "That's exactly why I'm going there."

  "Good luck. Hey, you're bringing Spike along?"

  "Yeah."

  "Such a cute little baby dragon! Why are you taking him to such a dangerous place?"

  "Hey! I'm no wimp! I could beat 'em all up if I had slept a few more hours."

  "Haha! You sound so cute when you're annoyed. Anyway, I gotta go! Bye!"

  "Bye...", says Twilight. "I think I've seen her before... was that DJ PON-3?"

  "Yes."

  "WHAT? How didn't I recognize her? I have all of her albums!"

  "You really need to start reading something else, instead of those old books."

  "Wait a minute... how did she know my name?"

  "Well, after the rainbow explosion, you've become quite famous around town."

  "I'm famous?"

  "I'd say you're just a meme."

  "Anyway, no time for that! We should be going!"

  Arriving at the city, the duo notices that the griffons are much wilder than usual. They saw griffons on pogos, griffons on skateboards, and griffons on hula-hoops.

  "Those pesky griffons!", says the mayor. "They just won't leave us alone!"

  "Maybe I can help.", says Twilight.

  "You? ... okay, if you really wanna try helping, they're at the Arcade. Good luck." She was so desperate that she would accept all the help she could get.

  "That was easier than I thought.", says Spike.

  At the Arcade, the griffons see the duo. Twilight tries using her manners, as always.

  "Excuse me... the townsfolk are not liking all the mess you guys are doing. Could you please leave?"

  "Make us.", says one of the griffons.

  "Don't worry, Twilight, I got this.", says Spike. "Hey, you wingheads! We're looking for some neat fightin', so you better show us your leader now!"

  "How tough are ya, buddy?", says a tough-looking griffon.

  "How tough am I? I eat a bowl of nails for breakfast!"

  "So?"

  "... without any milk."

  "Right this way, sir. Wait a minute! What about you, the purple unicorn? You don't look that tough!"

  Twilight then rips off the griffon's tattoo and puts it back, upside-down.

  "*sob* ... this way..."

  Arriving at the leader's room, they see a female griffon.

  "I'm Gilda. You are... ?"

  "I'm Spike! Where's your leader? I'm lookin' for some real nice brawlin'!"

  "I'M the leader."

  "You're the leader?", says Twilight.

  "Yes. Got a problem with that?"

  "Well... I wasn't expecting a girl to be the leader."

  "What do you have against it?", asks Twilight.

  "Nothing, nothing..."

  "Are you saying I'm too weak to be the leader of the Griffon Gang? I can sure do this."

  Gilda takes Spike by his hand and whacks him around the floor.

  "Um... you sure are tough."

  "What about you, purple coat? What are you doing here?"

  "I just came here to suggest you to leave this town immediately."

  "What if I don't want to?"

  "Then, I'll do this." Twilight uses a powerful spell she learned when she was young. It did loads of damage to Gilda and the griffons that were nearby.

  "*cough* Come on, griffons! Let's get outta here!" Gilda and the Griffon Gang run away.

  "Wow, Twilight! Where did you learn this? That was awesome!", says Spike.

  "Well...", says Twilight, blushing lightly. "... I learned it when I was just a young filly."

  "With that problem solved, maybe we should start heading for the Giant Step."

  "Well, the Giant Step is behind a shack, and that shack is locked."

  "Where's the key to it?"

  "I think the mayor has it."

  "Let's talk to him then."

  At the Town Hall, the duo goes to the mayor's room.

  "Hey hey hey!", says the mayor. "I'm Mayor R. J. Pickle! It's so nice to meet you!"

  "Same here, dude.", says Spike.

  "Thank you so much for helping us. You beat up the griffons, punched them out big time, kicked their butts, bit their heads off, spit in their eyes, and made them cry like babies. Then you forced them to promise not to make any more trouble! Thank you!"

  "Yeah, we're pretty awesome.", says Spike. Twilight giggles.

  "Um... we're trying to enter the Traveler Entertainers' Shack. Could you give us the key for it?"

  "... well, for someone as great as you, giving you the key could help make this town peaceful."

  "Trust me, it will."

  "Here ya go.", the mayor gives Twilight the key to the shack. "However, if you encounter a dangerous situation, please don't ask me to take any responsibilty."

  "We'll be fine.", says Spike.

  At the shack, Twilight notices that the walls have holes all over them, and all the furniture is either dirty or broken.

  "Wow... what a nasty place.", comments Twilight.

  "Doesn't look that bad to me.", says Spike. "Hey, isn't that the Giant Step right there?"

  There's a huge hole on the wall, and on the other side is a cave.

  "I've read that the Giant Step has a strange power inside it.", says Twilight. "No one can describe it exactly, but it seems that it gives us a really good feeling about ourselves."

  "Isn't that the Feel Good Inc.?", jokes Spike.

  "Yeah, keep joking while you still can."

  "Let's go in!"

  "Really dark place, isn't it?", comments Twilight.

  "I'm sure we can do it.", says Spike. "It's just a few alcoves here and there, and we'll be there in no time."

  "HALT! Who's there?", says an unfamiliar voice.

  "This is Spike! Who are you?"

  "Spike?", a pony bearing a huge resemblance to Trixie (but gray-colored) shows up. "Never heard of you."

  "Um... we're looking for the Giant Step.", says Twilight. "Do you know the way?"

  "Yes, I do. Are you Twilight Sparkle?"

  "Yep. I didn't know I was that famous."

  "Famous? You're the one who's going to defeat Master Discord! I'm here to stop you."

  "Stop me? Are you sure you're alright?"

  "I am the Great and Powerful Trixie, Discord's most trusting servant. Now, let's get this over with."

  "No, wait!"

  "Antoids! Attack them!" Black Antoids appear everywhere.

  "Black Antoids?", says Spike. "Those are pretty dangerous!"

  "Not if I can do this!", Twilight casts a powerful spell again, not as devastating as the one in the Arcade. But it's enough to take out all the antoids in the area.

  "You sure are strong, Twilight Sparkle.", says Trixie. "But I'm much stronger than you!"

  She then summons two Titanic Antoids to join in.

  "Spike, you can breathe fire, right?", asks Twilight.

  "Kinda... why are you asking?"

  Twilight grabs the baby dragon and slaps him on the back, causing him to burp a huge stream of fire, taking out everyone in sight, except for Twilight and Trixie, who regains her blue color.

  "Ugh... where am I?", says Trixie, looking confused.

  "Now, will you show us the way?", asks Twilight.

  "The way to where?"

  "Wait a minute... were you brainwashed?"

  "I think I was. The last thing I remember is... a wacky-looking dragon telling me some weird stuff about hypnosis and... killing you."

  "Well, you still know the way to the Giant Step, don't you?"

  "What? Sure, I do. Follow me."

  "Here it is.", the trio arrives at a pacific-looking place, with a huge footprint in the middle.

  "This is the footprint of the Giant Step dragon!", says Spike.

  "That's right, Spike. Where did you get all smart like that?", says Trixie.

  "I'm her roommate.", Spike points at Twilight.

  "Well, that explains it.", Trixie giggles. Twilight doesn't think it's that funny.

  "I don't know why", says Twilight. ", but I'm suddenly feeling really good right now."

  "That's because of the special powers of the Giant Step. According to the legend, only the chosen one can absorb the true spirit of the eight sanctuaries. And this is one of them."

  "Sanctuaries? You mean there are more places like this?"

  "All over Equestria! I read books too, you know."

  "I wonder what that true spirit feels like. Oh, there it is!"

  "What's going on, Twilight?", asks Spike.

  "I can feel it! I'm absorbing the true power of the Giant Step!"

  "I don't see anything."

  "I can hear something. Sounds like a song. A really calming song..."

  "I don't hear anything."

  "It feels so relaxing..."

  "I don't feel anything."

  "It stopped... is that it?"

  "I think so...", says Trixie.

  "Just a song? A rather short one, as well?"

  "No one has ever heard it here. Twilight... I think YOU'RE the chosen one!"

  "I already knew that. This song must be of extreme importance. I better memorize all of it."

  "... so? Memorized it yet?"

  "... I can only remember the first notes."

  "That's sure to be bad..."

  "BAD? IT'S EFFIN' HORRIBLE!!! Wait a minute... maybe I'll get to hear it again in the other sanctuaries."

  "Do we know that song?", asks Spike. "Is it the one by Gorillaz?"

  "That joke again, Spike?"

  "What? It makes you 'feel good', doesn't it?"

  "Well, I guess we should be going then.", says Trixie. "Twilight, I want to ask you something."

  "What is it, Trixie?", asks Twilight.

  "Can I come with you? I've got this weird feeling that I should join you guys on... whatever it is that you guys are doing."

  "Sure. Maybe you're one of the nine ponies."

  "What?"

  "It's a long story. I'll explain you on the way."

  When the trio comes out of the cave, a police pony is waiting for them.

  "Stop right there! What are you doing here?", asks the police pony.

  "Um... we're... researching?", says Twilight, coming up with the same excuse that she uses in every other situation.

  "Yeah, right. The sign says DO NOT ENTER! Couldn't you read it?"

  "... I didn't see it.", says Twilight.

  "... I can't read.", says Spike.

  "I was already here.", says Trixie.

  "Just look at you.", says the police pony. "Coming up with lame excuses just to avoid the law. This is just the start. Soon, you'll be robbing liquor stores, selling crack and messing with school kids. You come with me."

  "No, wait!", says Twilight. "You don't understand! The world depends on us!"

  "I pity you guys. You didn't spend one single day in jail, and are already going insane. Don't worry, I'll try to soften your punishment."