The Imagineers

Chapter 1

Chaos’s Concern

Imagination, one of the most powerful magics in the cosmos, but its uses forgotten in the realm of Equestria, lost to even the most ancient of beings in the land, even the Sun Goddess herself was unknown to its power, and had gone unnoticed to every being in Equestria, every being except one, Discord, The spirit of chaos, and closes thing to the power of Imagination, was disturbed of its absence, Imagination was fundamental for the existence of Chaos, without it, nothing would be new, old trick would repeat and get bland after while, it would of sooner if he wasn’t incased in stone for a thousand years.

“I must do something.” Discord thought as he hung In his thinking tree. His land of chaos started to grey more and more with each passing day without Imagination magic. His senses were dulling, there were still a couple of Imagineers in his day before he had gotten stoned by Celestia and Luna. Of coarse, the Two were a product of Imagineers, tired of his shenanigans. But, there was no denying it, the world was imbalanced, and in a way even he, Chaos incarnate didn’t like. “Wait! Ah Ha!” Discord bursted out. He remembered an alien species a while back in a distant Universe full of curiosity, which equaled… Imagination. “wait,” Discord said, “He then remembered a lack of magic in this Universe, No magic, no Imagineer. A lightbulb popped over his head which he then consumed. “Lets see…” With a snap of his hand, the element of Magic appeared before him, the harmonic radiance almost made him wretch before he got off his tree and put on his radioactive suit, more of a gag through muscle memory than protection, “this will do nicely, now the only thing left is the individual.” He then vanished in the blink of an eye.

. . .

Earth

The Mysterious Universe

Ortho Sighed, looking down at his grade, an easy A like always, Bright he was, but bored of the work he had to do, but his incentive was to do his best, no matter how easy it all was. It was disappointing how schools have fallen over the years, people were stupid, basic arithmetics were a struggle for most people, but not him, Fifteen years old, and he could match the most renown mathematician, create and sculpt things that would take the breath away from people, invent gadgets that can manipulate and calculate the known reality. Orthodox Monarch, was a genius in a stupid world full of bigots. Ortho grabbed his bag and headed out of the classroom with his teacher glaring at him like always. Mr. Gandry was an old prune who had stood with a bias toward men and woman with a greater intelligence. Ortho wasn’t going to put up with him today though.

As Orthodox stepped outside, he bumped into a man who dropped  a handful of book.

“So sorry lad.” The man apologized. He wore a grayish brown suit and had a white head of hair.”

Ortho bent down to pick up the man’s books, who the man did the same, “Thanks Lad, Corddis by the way, Dr. Corddis.”

“Orthodox, but you could call me Ortho for short.” He handed the remaining books to the man.

“Orthodox huh, conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved. What a name that is,” Corddis said.

“Exactly, finally someone who can understand.”

Corddis raised an eyebrow, “Oh? do tell me what you mean boy.”

“Well, you know, the lack of creativity and curiosity among mankind.”

The man’s gaze turned to that of disapiontment, “Yes, that is noticeable, but you can’t really blame them can you?”

Ortho was taken surprise. “Huh, Do tell.”

The man looked up to the sky, a trait only few did, “The process of Evolution is a tricky thing, giving new adaptation to those that use it, and taking away the ones that aren’t used for survival.”

A familiar ember of understanding came across Ortho, “What your saying is that we no longer need Human Intelligence and imagination because its no longer necessary?” Orth said.

“Clever boy, yes.” He sighed. “Its too bad really, I had hope for this species.” You on the other hand, are perfect. Corddis thought.

In a flash, Ortho was nowhere, literally nowhere, he found he was floating in a black abyss with Dr. Corddis, “Your exactly what I needed boy.”

Ortho’s head was spinning, awe, and curiosity hit him before fear, “Are... you an Extraterrestrial?” the most likely answer.

“More than you think,” Corddis said, voice changing into a more gravely voice. “I come from a Universe much different that yours, where energy is… oh, manipulated through will power.

The possibility was plausible, images of beings who could shoot lightning, manipulate atoms, and construct realty was thrilling to think about.

“But, we lack one thing, Creation magic straight from the Imagination itself, that’s where you come in.” A purple star shaped crystal appeared in his paw… wait, paw? Ortho looked to Corddis and saw a chimera like creature before him in the abyss. “Now since you lack magic, I’ll have to give you some.

Ortho squirmed. Things went so fast, and very confusing.

“consider yourself lucky, you’ll be more powerful than Princess Twilight and the other Alicorns, maybe even me.” He said as the gem dissolved into purple lightning that struck Ortho in the chest. “Oh, and don’t worry, the story will slow down after this part.”

. . .

The ground rumbled under ponyville, while Twilight felt a sharp snap as if a piece of her got disconnected. She got up to see a… large purple thunderstorm charged with incredible magic Ions. The citizens of ponyville started shouting and screaming. Twilights attention turned to the sound of a door bursting open with a panicked dragon, “Twi, its gone loco out there, theres…” spike trailed off as a beam of light hit the Everfree forest. Then the storm disbursed. “What, in Celestia, was that.” Spike said.

Twilight was breathless, never before in Equestrian history had there been a storm of this proportion, no to mention the…unreadable magic involved, diffidently not one of the five sources of magic known to her, no, this was completely alien to her, which disturbed her the most,  “Get me a map of the Everfree spike, I need to figure this out.” Twilight started to walk out but turned, “Oh, and call the girls if you could.”

“I’m sure their already on there way Twi, considering what just happened.

Twilight grabbed her sextant and calculated the distance of the object. Sure enough, there was a knocking at the castle’s front doors. Expecting it to be her friends, she was surprised to greet Princess Celestia, who uncharacteristically looked extremely concerned, “Twilight! Oh, thank the divines.” Celestia said as she hugged the princess of magic.

“Celestia, Whats wrong?” Twilight asked, taken aback by the sun Princesses reaction.

Celestia looked right into Twilights eyes, “Twilight, I thought you had died.”

Twilight froze. Celestia thought she was dead? Did Celestia feel the same thing she felt, the… snapping?”

Celestia removed her fore hooves from Twilight and stared off into the Everfree, looking at the trail of smoke left by the Light beam.

“I haven’t felt this magic in a long time.” Celestia finally said.

Twilight then saw her friends scrambling towards her.

“What in holy Celes…” Rarity began, but stopped at the sight of the one she was swearing to. “Princess Celestia! Oh my, its that extreme isn’t it.”

“You mind explaining whats goin on sugar cube” asked the Apple farmer Apple Jack.

All five friends looked to Twilight with concern.

Celestia spoke up, “I’ll explain My little Ponies, but we better go somewhere discrete.”

Twilight looked to see ponies gathering toward the castle.

“I’ll Talk to them Twilight,” Celestia said, “You and your friends wait.”

All six ponies went inside the castle into the map room, but all gasped at the sight of Twilights throne. A crack dead center of where Twilights cutie mark was supposed to be.

“Oh my, that’s too bad dear.” Rarity said. She made it out that it was just furniture, but it was more than that, something was wrong with the element of magic.

Twilight sat upon it, trying to feel its magic, but felt nothing.

Celestia finally came in and too was taken aback by the state of the throne of magic.

“I need to show you all something.” Celestia said. Her horn glowed and an ancient book popped up which read, the History of the Imagineers.

A long time ago, in the time before ponies, existed a race of magic users named Authors, who came to this universe to create and invent. They developed many species, Dragons, griffons, ponies, and countless others, they explored the cosmos, manipulated it to there will in hope of sharing and spreading peace and happiness, these species knew them as Imagineers. One day, they all disappeared, all except six. Baolaf, the arch Imagineer and mentor to Starswirl the bearded, Arnoch the kind, Zeebow the funny, Arroh the Honest, Barrow the generous, and Tarroc the loyal. One day, the young Starswirl saw the problem, and attempted to make Imagineers with Baolafs books of magic, but all was for not, in the attempt, he created a wicked being named Discord, spirit of chaos, who sought destruction across the cosmos. Baolaf wouldn’t allow it, with his and the other Imagineers power, they created two beings with the power of all three tribes. With there powers exhausted, they died in the process of creating these god like being. But they didn’t die completely, the remaining magic in their bodies sprouted a tree, the tree of harmony.

Everyone held their breath as the truth came out, of Discord, of the tree of harmony, of the Alicorns, and life itself in Equestria.

Rainbow spoke up, “ So… what did these guys look like?”

Celestia showed a picture in the book. Everyone leaned in to see… a hairless Ape like creature.

“Oh my. How did they keep in balance?” Asked Twilight.

Celestia sighed, “I wish I could tell you, but all knowledge of them has been lost for thousands of years.

“But you’ve see them right?” asked Applejack.

“I watched them Die in my and my sisters creation, I didn’t actually get to meet them,” said Celestia, “But Starswirl spoke fondly of his mentor and the other five.”

Twilights head started aching, “I don’t get it, what does this have to do with Imagineers?”

“I recognize the magic felt in the Everfree. I do not know how Twilight, but somehow, theres an Imagineer out there, somewhere.

. . .

Orthodox’s head throbbed as he got up from the ground. He was startled by a nearby glowing source in the shape of a tree. Suddenly he recollected the brief but unforgettable encounter with the chimera. Ortho was in a forrest, he knew that for certain, but he was confused by the glowing tree in front of him, he had an urge to touching it, like… it was calling out to him. He put his hand out and felt what seemed like a… flashback? Or instructions. Knowledge of Imagineering magic came to him, It was simple, think of it, and do it, easier than arranging atoms and manipulating electrons. He put out his hands and  flash light appeared. It was simple, instead of using the material already there, he was creating it, creating atoms and electrons and manipulating reality itself. Ortho loved the feeling, but it frightened him, otherwise he would have given himself the ability to fly out of the forest, but he was feeling afraid of destabilizing this reality doing so. So he limited himself to the flashlight. He materialized a Compass, but found that the tree gave magnetic interference. Besides, strangely, ortho didn’t feel like leaving the crystal tree, as if it wanted him to wait. He studied it, there were carvings of a moon and a sun in its trunk, which meant that there was an Intelligence on this world. Ortho then shifted his gaze toward the branches, each one hade a gem shaped  as butterfly, a diamond, an apple, a lightning bolt, and… a balloon? Ortho chuckled, if he wasn’t surrounded by a sinister looking forrest, he would have sworn that he was in some sort of kids show. His amusement was disturbed by a rustling in the under growth up ahead.

Ortho asked a reluctant, “Hello?”

He was expecting many things, aliens, massive carnivorous creatures, things like Dr. Corddis, but a Zebra? In a forrest, “I don’t suppose you could talk?” He asked jokingly.

Yes, I can talk, But I must ask, how do you walk?”

He didn’t expect it to answer, and he didn’t think that would be the first question asked of him, but he had an answer, “Well if you want to know that, it has to do with energy efficiency. The development of my species spine proved that walking upright made us faster, stronger, alert and brought forth a higher intelligence.” Ortho explained to the Zebra.

“Intelligence you have demonstrated very well, but how did you come to be here creature, do tell?”

Ortho explained the story of his world and the chimera creature who called himself Corddis who brought him here to this world to put it back in balance somewhat. The Zebra nodded and said, “It is getting very late, the forrest you may have to vacate.” She said, “Perhaps you should come with me to ponyville, there I have friend that can help you they will.”

“Ponyville? Is this place inhabited by sapient Equine?” Orthodox asked.

“Indeed, we must now proceed.”

The two continued onwards, until they heard screaming in the distance alongside a vicious roaring.

. . .

Twilight couldn’t believe it, a being with enough magic to create worlds and life itself… was in the Everfree Forest. A being that doesn’t just manipulate reality, but creates it, and now, they have to look for it. Celestia told the six that these… Authors were a mostly benevolent species, but the Idea of one creature with more magic than all  of the unicorns in the world was unnerving to them all.

“I’m not afraid of this author.” Rainbow said trying to look tough. The others didn’t care though, the Idea of meeting this being was unsettling, even to Pinkie Pie. But like usual, she just put on a smile and marched forward into the everfree.

“Hey Twilight?,” Pinkie asked in her usual pinkie pie manor, “What would be an Ideal place to look first?”

Twilight smiled at the Party pony’s cheer, “Well Pinkie, Iv’e calculated the blast radius and diameter and put it down on this map.” Twilight said as she took out the map.”

Pinkie studied it, “Hmm, isn’t that where the Tree of harmony is supposed to be?”

Twilight looked at the map and her heart stopped at the realization.

“Sweet mother of Celestia!!!” Yelled Twilight. “Girls, gather around me!”

Everypony looked confused.

“Ugh, If I’ve known that it was a place I’ve been to I would have already teleport us there already.”

“Ohh” Everypony said in unison. Then gathered around her.

Twilight cheeked to make sure they were in range and poof. They were off.