Pony Dimension

Chapters

Ch.1 - Dimension Shift
Ch.2 - It Tastes Like Apples
Ch.3 - Soul Searching, Soul Finding
Ch.4 - Houseguest
Ch.5 - Friends
Ch. 6 - The Enemy Revealed!
Ch.7 - Dimension's Resolve
Ch.8 - Entering the Fort
Ch.9 - Advanced Changelings
10 - Rankings

Ch.1 - Dimension Shift

He woke in a crater. It was several times his size. He didn't know who he was, or what had happened. He was a stallion, 17 years of age. His coat was a somewhat dull shade of red, almost brown, but definitely red. His mane didn't match his coat in the slightest. The outer part of it was white, while the inner aquamarine, slate, cyan, whichever sounds more appealing. The front of his mane went straight up a short way, then spiked out close to his horn, the second spike tucked in around the horn when viewed from the side. His mane was long and hung around his neck spiking three times, which flowed mildly in the breeze as he struggled to stand. His tail spiked six times with the same color scheme, but, unlike his mane, didn’t rival the size of a mare’s.

He was fatigued. That confused him. His body didn't feel natural either. That also confused him. When he finally stood up he turned his head to gaze at the crater which was still smoking from the impact. 'Did I make that?' he thought. He pondered a moment as a momentary silence overtook the scene. ‘Must have been something else, there's no way I could survive that.’ He sifted through his memory for an answer to his predicament, but for naught. The only memories he fished out were two words: dimension shift. He tried walking on his hind legs briefly, but deterred himself from it when it became difficult. He walked, slowly and weakly looking for... He didn't really know, ‘I need to go somewhere, if I just stay here I’ll eventually starve.’

So he walked, stumbling from time to time for what felt like days. He spotted a beige, bricked clock tower after about an hour of tedious travel. "Somewhere..." He continued his muddled search for answers.

The clock tower was part of Ponyville, a good-sized but humble town. Most of the buildings were medieval, but bright and welcoming. A well-balanced population of earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns roamed the streets during the day, it wasn’t crowded though. Paths were paved through the most populated areas of the town, while dirt paths occupied the less traversed areas. On one of those paths was an earth pony pulling a cart which, despite being empty, smelled like apples. The one pulling it was an orange mare with blond hair. On her flank was an image of three apples. They were arranged in a way that gave the impression of their falling down. The midday sun illuminated her coat and three white freckles. Her Stetson kept the sun out of her emerald eyes. She pulled her cart effortlessly and recalled the delivery she was returning from.

‘Can’t see why anypony’d want so many at once, must’a been havin’ an event of some sorts.’ She felt a strange wind and silence. She paused and looked around for a few moments. A premonition had swept over her. It was the feeling you get when you feel someone’s watching you, but you turn around and no one’s there. It was ominous. “Hmm…” ‘I coulda swore someone was watchin’ me just now…’ She let out a small chuckle and shook her head, “You’re lettin’ the heat get to ya, Applejack,” she told herself. She dismissed it and continued down her route despite the birds scattering shortly after.

The unicorn neared the same path Applejack was on. He was in that state of mind – exhausted and think you should stop but you’re too tired to change your action to rest, your mind just doesn’t register anything. He was on autopilot, stumbling everywhere. He walked through a bush without noticing. He didn’t notice when he tripped over himself and fell. He especially didn’t notice the mare a few paces to his right when he fell and lost consciousness. But she noticed. Time slowed down as he fell to the ground. Applejack’s eyes narrowed as she stood astonished.

“A-are ya ok?” she managed to utter. No answer. She rushed to the stallion and checked his breathing. ‘He’s out cold.’ After several failed attempts to wake him up, she decided it would be best to take him home until he woke up. She lifted him into her unoccupied apple cart and covered him with a blanket that was there for the cold season. Society frowns upon carrying unconscious ponies in the back of a cart in a secluded area.

The trip back went smoothly. She wasn’t stopped for conversation by anypony, which she was thankful for. She had looked back to check on the stallion. He didn’t wake up during the trip. Part of her had questioned her course of action, but she was a good mare and wasn’t going to leave a pony who needed help. She unhitched herself close to the house. It was what’s to be expected of a country home, need I say more? She had explained to her family what had happened and that she wanted to let the unicorn stay with them until he was able to care for himself. Granny made a joke about her “bringin’ stallions home with her,” but wasn’t opposed to it. By the time he did wake up, Bic Mac, her older brother, was working in the orchard. Applebloom, her younger sister, was playing with her friends, and Granny Smith was taking a nap. Applejack was just finishing the dishes. The unicorn’s eyelids slowly fluttered open, revealing a sea green hue that complimented his mane.

He sat himself on the couch, groaned a bit and rubbed his head. Feeling around, he felt a lump, which when followed became a length- a horn. He let out a confused “Eh?” and muttered something incomprehensible below his breath. His thoughts were interrupted by a hearty “You’re awake!” He briefly eased his head in the direction of the doorway where Applejack was standing before hanging his head somewhat in the other direction.

He replied with a hollow “Yeah.”

“You ok? Ya looked a might out of it before ya passed out.”

“I’m fine.” he replied a bit too quickly. It was obvious conversation wasn’t his forte.

“I’m Applejack!” She shook his hoof enthusiastically as he just sat there with a blank look. The mare preferred to keep the mood cheery. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. “What’s your name?” He didn’t speak for a moment. He didn’t know his name. He reacted impulsively a bit; he tried to remember those words that he’d fished out earlier. He made his only memory his new name.

“Dimension… Shift. My name is Dimension Shift.”

Ch.2 - It Tastes Like Apples

“Dimension… Shift. My name is Dimension Shift.”

“Ain’t heard a name like that before! Well, Dimension, nice to meet ya!” His eye twitched when she said “ain’t.” It bothered him; he didn’t know why but it did. “So,” she began, “where ya from?” He didn’t know how to answer that. He didn’t want to sound crazy by saying something like he fell from the sky. He just dodged the question with an ambiguous answer.

“Nowhere special.” ‘I’m technically not lying…’

“Well, since ya seem all right I reckon you’ll be headin’ home.”

‘Home..?’ He said gloomily, “I don’t have a home.” He didn’t mean to be depressing about it; he didn’t want to ruin her cheerful mood.

“Oh, well, uh… Ah’m sorry ‘bout that…” She sympathized. Eager to get away from the subject, she asked, “Ya hungry? We got plenty to eat if ya are.”

“No thanks, I’m fine,” he replied. His stomach replied with a growl.

“No need to be so reserved,” she chuckled, “It won’t be no trouble.” Dimension agreed and was led into the kitchen where he was seated at a wooden table with a red and white checkered tablecloth. Applejack retrieved two pieces of apple pie as Dimension was spacing out.

‘It’s strange… I don’t remember a thing but I have these… feelings. Like there’s something I need to do. Something’s telling me not to remember, that it’s-‘

“Hello?” She was waving her hoof in front of him. He snapped to mental attention realizing that he was lost in thought.

“S-sorry, I was, just…”

“Distracted?” she finished his sentence for him.

“Yeah…” he replied rubbing the back of his neck.

‘He’s a strange one all right…’ Applejack thought to herself. The pleasant odor of apple pie caught Dimension’s nose. It wasn’t hot out of the oven, but it wasn’t cold either. Applejack took notice of his notice and encouraged him to eat his fill. The unicorn picked up the fork with his hoof, no longer interested in questioning the logic behind something like that, and brought a medium-sized portion of the pie slice to his mouth.

Applejack crossed her legs and grinned pridefully. “It’s the Apple Family secret recipe.” Dimension savored the taste of the sweet, delicious…

“It tastes like apples,” he remarked flatly. Applejack was dumbstruck by the unexpected reply.

‘Ya don’t say?’ she remarked inwardly. Dimension continued his meal seemingly oblivious to the oddness of his comment.

“Spike, where are those books I asked you to pull?”

“I could only find one on the subject you wanted, Twilight.”

“Oh well, guess that’ll have to do. It is a rare subject after all.” Twilight levitated said book from Spike’s hand. It was an old book; it had a leather cover and its pages were a brittle parchment. The title read “Dimension Travel: Fact or Fiction?” Most ponies have never heard of such a thing, and few believed it possible to even exist. Those who had taken interest managed only to compromise theories. It was no wonder why there isn’t any information on it – it had no basis.

Just as Twilight was about to open the book, Spike belched his emerald flame, from which a scroll with a royal seal materialized and fell to the ground. Twilight put down her book with a bit of disappointment. She had been interested on the subject for a while now, but trying to research something that no one knows exists isn’t easy business. However, she always replied punctually to her mentor Celestia. She levitated the scroll into her view and opened it.

My faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

Sorry to interrupt your studies, but I thought what I have to say might interest you more. We have spotted traces of magic of an unknown

origin just outside Ponyville. Not a single element of it has been identified; it is completely foreign to us. Since you’re interested in that

dimension travel subject, why don’t you investigate? It may prove to be an aid to your studies.

-Your caring mentor,

Princess Celestia

Twilight immediately packed a few necessities using her magic and strapped her saddlebag on, and forgot all about the book.

“Twilight, where are you going?” asked a confused Spike.

“Princess Celestia wants me to investigate something,” she replied, “you should come too.” She wanted to be able to contact Celestia if she found anything of importance. The two rushed off to the specified area, Twilight eager to find a hint of the existence of multiple dimensions.

Shortly after they had left, the book Twilight was about to read liquefied. It turned to water, then evaporated.

‘Dimension travel… could it actually be real?’ she thought as she trotted away.

Applejack led Dimension into the apple orchard. It was in the center of a clearing among the apple trees. Needless to say, it smelled like apples and trees. Applejack didn’t feel right letting Dimension leave when he didn’t have anywhere to go, but her family wouldn’t be able to afford for another mouth to feed, unless he could work well. She was going to test that.

“Ya see that?” she pointed to a single apple tree in the center of the clearing. It wasn’t anything special, it wasn’t very tall or very small.

“What about it?” Dimension replied, gazing at the tree quizzically.

"Ya think you can buck those apples off?” Applejack asked. Dimension just stood there confused as to what she was asking.

“…What?” he finally managed to convey. Rather than give a verbal explanation, Applejack trotted to one of the surrounding trees within reasonable distance. She lifted her hind legs and shifted her weight to the front, giving the tree a heavy kick. Thud! All of the otherwise unreachable apples fell to the ground almost simultaneously. The expert display answered his question in full. She looked at him expectantly, and followed him as he made his way to the tree in the center. He studied the tree, analyzing from the roots to the branches. He attempted to recreate what he had observed. He lifted his hind legs, shifted his weight forward, and fell on his face.

“Come on; ah know you can do better than that,” Applejack chuckled. Dimension gritted his teeth and stood up. He kicked again, missed. Again, lost his balance and fell. He failed oh so miserably. Applejack watched him perhaps amused if she weren’t so perplexed and irresponsive. After fifteen failed attempts, Dimension managed to shake one apple out of the tree. He was quite evidently exhausted. He breathed heavily and his head hung low. Applejack blankly walked up to what one might call a failed experiment. She swiftly, with no apparent effort, threw her fore hoof against the tree’s trunk, causing a chain of apples to drop into a basket which she had set at the base. “Maybe you’re not cut out for this.” Dimension caught a glimpse of her short work and collapsed in shame.

Ch.3 - Soul Searching, Soul Finding

“Maybe you’re not cut out for this,” said Applejack. Dimension collapsed in shame and exhaustion. “But, uh, maybe you’d be good at-“

“No,” Dimension sprang to his hooves, strangely showing no signs of fatigue. “I’d rather not cause you anymore trouble,” he spoke with his eyes closed. He started to walk away.

“Wait!” Applejack spoke up, but Dimension would hear none of it. He turned his head to the side, enough for her to see his face as he spoke.

“It’s fine. I know you just want to help, but I’m fine.” He then added, “I don’t really have anywhere to go, I understand your desire to help, but I think it best I leave for now,” more dramatically than he intended. Despite his awkwardness and struggle to verbalize his thoughts, he was perceptive to others. He now seemed to be cloaked in a superior aura, one that Applejack did not want to argue with. Dimension walked away but then realized he had no idea where he was going. It was okay though, he needed time to contemplate; he was a pensive pony. Applejack stood with the wind blowing her mane. She was still trying to process what had happened. She wasn’t used to the heavy atmosphere Dimension had created so suddenly. There was a brief moment of silence.

“He is a strange one…” she breathed.

Dimension had wandered his way out of Sweet Apple Acres. ‘I’m a terrible work horse.’ He sighed as he kicked a pebble with each step he made. He kicked it a bit too far, prompting him to look up and away from the ground. He saw a hill. It was steep, but not too steep to be able to ascend. There was a waterfall at the top; it grabbed his attention. Figuring he had nothing better to do, Dimension began up the hill, occasionally digging his horn into the dirt to keep himself from falling. When he reached the top the distinct sound of water rushing down the fall rang in his ears. He liked it. He liked it a lot. It was peaceful, quiet, secluded. Ponyville was still close enough to see clearly, but not close enough to hear. He felt at ease in the most ecstatic way possible. It was like returning to a warm home you thought you’d never see again. He dipped his horn into the pond to eliminate the unpleasant souvenirs from his journey up.

He smiled a little. He took notice of a piece of solid land at perfect distance from the downward current. He took his time getting there. The water was deep enough to encase his torso, but he was able to walk through it. Upon reaching his destination he climbed onto the mound. He eased onto his haunches to sit down. He didn’t bother shaking any water off because its presence comforted him. His wet mane and soaked tail hung naturally still. He fell in love with the serenity of it. After a few moments of simple appreciation for nature, he closed his eyes and thought.

‘This is all so sudden. What do I do? How do I carry on my existence?’ The water and land encased his mind. It separated him from everything else, allowing him to think as much as he wanted without interruption. He hadn’t experienced that in the other world. He never got the silence he wanted. He was maddened by everything he hated, surrounded by it. He didn’t remember, he wasn’t supposed to; he didn’t need to. He didn’t want to anymore. He just wanted something to fill the hole; the hole that his former self made. The hole he didn’t know was there.

The waterfall began to fluctuate. Dimension opened his eyes slowly. Water began rising from the base of the fall. The water took form. Dimension seemed surprised, but not alarmed. The water took the form of a dragon, an Eastern dragon. He felt its eyes pierce into his soul. They stared at each other. The dragon reared upward, then lunged itself at Dimension, who was still sitting. It charged at his chest, disappearing into him. It kept going as all the water in the area became part of it. It ran into him like rapids. The last bit of water formed a tail which flicked as it disappeared. All the water had disappeared in that instant, but Dimension could still hear it. He could hear it inside him.

“Something to fill the hole,” he uttered as he stood up. He walked easily where he had once been slowed by the small lake. He smiled a little, a little more than last time. He slid down the hill with much more ease and grace than he climbed it with. He set his sights on Ponyville. He was going to take that peace with him.

He had navigated Ponyville in a way that would avoid interaction with other ponies as much as possible. He was awkward like that. A blue pegasus mare with rainbow-colored mane rested on a cloud close enough to see him. She noticed his strange navigation tactics.

‘What’s with him?’ she thought to herself before adjusting to a more comfortable napping position. He stumbled upon a tree with windows scattered across its limbs, and a door at the base of its trunk. He approached it out of curiosity. He noticed a sign belonging to the building read “Golden Oak Library.” Reading sounded like an appealing way to pass time. He approached the door, opened it, and entered.

Twilight had already arrived at the scene of the alleged “unknown magic.” The first thing she noted was the crater. The second thing she noted was that there was nothing else to note. She sensed no traces of any magic. It had dissipated long before she got there. She sighed another time, disappointed in the lack of anything worth exploring further. She didn’t bother reassessing the crater, or using any more detection spells which aided in her otherwise unsatisfactory sensory abilities.

She decided to call it quits and return home to Ponyville. She was a bit more than disappointed. Spike, however, was not surprised or much concerned for that matter. He figured the obsession wouldn’t last long, so he didn’t take her too seriously when she rambled about it. Twilight sighed again.

“Maybe dimension travel doesn’t exist after all…”

Ch.4 - Houseguest

Dimension had read through several books, all on different subjects. He learned much about Equestria and its inhabitants. 'I'm a unicorn, so I can use magic...' Knowledge returned to him as he was reintroduced to all of his formerly learned academics. Most notable was language -- he realized why Applejack’s speech had bothered him.

“That’s not a proper word…” he sulked, head hanging over the book. It was humorous that he was being depressing over something so trivial in informal conversation. Dimension’s day had been exhausting in more ways than one. His eyelids grew heavy and after several attempts to suppress his drowsiness, he surrendered to sleep. A few minutes after doing so…

“Ugh,” said a purple unicorn, “I can’t believe we went all the way out there for nothing.”

“Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad,” replied a dragon of the same color. He was actually relieved there was nothing to discover. It broke Twilight’s motive on something that, even if obtainable, would be much more than she could control- physically, mentally, and emotionally. He would finally hear the end of the obsession he was sure was driving her mad. Lost magic does sound appealing, doesn’t it?

“I guess it was a lost cause to begin with,” Twilight sighed.

“Bet’cha feel ridiculous, don’t you?” Spike teased. Twilight giggled and once again perked up.

“It was rather silly of me, wasn’t it?” They both laughed. They both felt a lot better after getting over it. They arrived at their oak home as it was starting to get late. Twilight opened the door drowsily...

Meanwhile...

"...that concludes the surveillance reports on the town Ponyville," said an apathetic, almost monotone, female voice.

"Good work, lieutenant Storm," replied a bone-chilling voice, the source faintly seen in the dim light. The only distinct features visible were a crown with green spheres at the end of four tips, and a large, jagged horn. The eyes cast a sinister light that pierced the darkness. The smaller, yet unflinching pony stood on lower ground before her, much more easily seen. She was grey with maroon hair. Her mane was a bit messy as parts of it covered her magenta eyes. The sides of it hung low and lightly hugged her neck. Her tail was medium-length and equally shaggy. She was a pegasus with sharp-looking wings, and an emotionless visage. She had a few holes in her legs. Odd.

"...There are a few things I'd like to speak with you about," she said after some hesitation.

"Heh," she chuckled, entertained that the quiet mare would prolong conversation, "ask away."

"Firstly, when will Captain Rain return?" she asked with more life than her character had.

"He didn't say," replied her superior.

"Secondly," she continued, now with her former hollowness, "what makes these five ponies so important to observe?"

"Six."

"Six?"

"The red unicorn," she replied with a grin.

"I see," Storm, whose full name was Silent Storm, responded.

"You are dismissed."

"Yes, my queen," Storm said kneeling before taking her leave. She exited the room into a dark, regal hallway. It was very large and had pillars on either side. She collected her thoughts as she walked the length of the hall.

'Two earth ponies. Two pegasi. Two unicorns, and a target. Fluttershy, a weak pegasus. Rainbow Dash, a fast, aggressive pegasus. Applejack, a strong earth pony. Pinkie Pie...' Her thoughts paused. She hadn't found a way to sum up Pinkie, other than she had to be especially stealthy when observing her. At this point she had reached the castle doors at the end of the hall. They were over-sized and grim. They opened as she approached them slowly as she continued silently, not showing a shred of emotion. Each step she made was silent. made her way down an array of stairs into a courtyard which was filled with changelings.

'Rarity, gem and fabric expert. Red unicorn, name unknown. Twilight Sparkle, the target. Personal student to Celestia, skilled in magic. The only obstacles are Rainbow and Applejack.' She passed by one group of changelings with a large number "3" above them. They were casting various magic as they were supervised by one slightly taller than the rest. He was A bit darker as well, black with a bit of blue and maybe green mixed in. An unusual color. His mane and tail were both excessively long. His mane was white with a few grey spots, and block tipped every end that flowed back despite the only slight wind. His tail was white on the edges, and progressed to black at the center. He had a notable long horn. Also notable were his green antlers on his head. They made a ninety-degree angle back then pointed straight up, and lacked any branching. His face was almost as emotionless as Storm's, but unlike her slightly hateful expression, his was one of power. His dark violet eyes showed no glare of light.

"Midnight!" called one rushing over to the "3" group.

"It's 'Captain Midnight,' Elemental," he replied with authority. "You're late again."

"Sorry, Captain. I was working on my next big piece." By piece, he meant painting. He held his brush, aided by the hole in his hoof, for emphasis. Midnight gave him a stern look, which Elemental replied to be getting into line with the others. Unlike the rest of the group, Element was an earth changeling. He wore a bright, blue pocketed vest which held his paintbrush, while a black belt held a small paint palette carrying three colors- red, bright blue, and yellow. His coat was a few shades darker than the others. His hair was red and crazy. The inner portion of it had less saturated color. There was one spike of hair that stuck forward, the rest looked as though it'd been through a wind tunnel. The hair on the back of his neck was triangular, going down and away, to a point, then gently curving into itself before returning to its base. His eyes were shock yellow, and full of energy and aspiration.

They were lined up in front of a series of targets for accuracy practice. Each one was marked with ten rings, the innermost being ten, the outermost being one. Elemental found his place at the end of the line- his spot. His training regimen was different than the others. His targets were farther away and composed of more durable material than the others. His were in sets of three. He rose to his hinds, taking his stance. His left hoof whipped out his palette and his right spun his brush multiple times before letting it settle into the hole in his hoof.

'Just watch me, captain. I'll become stronger and eventually surpass even you!' He dipped his brush first into the crystal blue, illuminating it before using his brush to launch the paint at the target. As it left his brush the paint turned to an ice shard, giving off icy mist.

'Now the fire!' He repeated the process with the red, swiping inward to create a rhythm. He projected the crimson flame through the air, bringing his artistic vision to life. The elements soared through the air, and the ice pierced the first target before shattering, leaving a hoof-sized hole almost dead in the center.

'And finally!' He soaked his brush in yellow. 'Gotta get enough power to go the distance, focus...' He grunted youthfully as he swiped upward, allowing a bolt of lightning to materialize.

"Charged Lightning!"

The light caused him to flinch slightly, shaking his aim. The bolt boomed forward and charged down the line at breakneck speed, allowing it to reach the target area at the same time his flames did. The flames hit at the five-point mark. His charged lightning missed the target completely. Midnight turned away letting his cape, which matched his eyes, be tossed in the wind as it hung to his neck, tied together by an onyx.

Elemental landed on hind legs, and returned his brush and palette to their rightful places before returning to all fours, looking confident he made an artful performance. He closed his eyes, smirked in satisfaction, and turned around before hearing a loud

BOOM!

Elemental's ears perked up, his jaw dropped. A stagnant pause overtook everyone present. He cranked his head to the victimized area of his reckless behavior.

'Crap..!' He knew Midnight would really get him for this one. He always gave him a stare that made him feel as though he were going to be eaten. Midnight, however, just stood there as if waiting for something. It made Elemental anxious. He then heard the shouts and angry rants from a large group of changelings.

"Was that Division 6's barracks?" the one beside Elemental asked. Elemental's eyes widened more. The sixth division were physically the strongest division in the changeling army, and were notoriously hot-headed. Elemental looked at his captain expectantly.

"Deal with them," he stated before walking off.

"EEEHH?!" Elemental barked. He turned around to the fellow members of his Division 3.

"Well, uh you guys will help me, ri-" They were all gone.

"YOU ALL RAN AWAY?!" he shouted humorously at their abandoned spots, leaving him to fend for himself against an angry mob. He gulped and braced himself for the coming confrontation. That was his chastisement.

"So that's why you're here," Twilight said eyeing Dimension, who sat uncomfortably in a wooden chair he used while reading. "Well, if you need somewhere to stay, you could stay here."

"Really?" Dimension asked surprised. He didn't see himself as very sociable, much less enough to live with.

"Sure!" she replied. Their shared affinity for learning made her all the more comfortable taking in somepony in need, and making a friend. Dimension tried as hard as he could to sound sincere when he said "Thank you." He wasn't efficient at expressing his feelings.

"Where are my manors?" Twilight said after scoffing somewhat at herself. Dimension felt puzzled a moment. Twilight extended her hoof.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle," she stated in a factual manor.

"I'm Dimension Shift," he replied as he took her hoof in greeting. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance," he added before breaking the hoofshake. The word "dimension" sparked something in her mind. She looked around her a bit, but couldn't find it.

"Um," she began sheepishly, "did you by chance see a book titled 'Dimension Travel' anywhere around here?" A thousand thoughts ran through Dimension's mind at the mention of "dimension travel." His head hurt. He managed hide his pain.

"No, I haven't," he replied truthfully. He heard the water again.

"Oh, okay then," she replied with a hint of awkwardness. She trotted upstairs to her room, where Spike was already asleep, and retired to her study. For the next half hour the two kept to themselves. It was late now. Twilight eased into her bed, and Dimension flopped onto the couch. He figured that's how it would work. Dimension spent some time staring at the ceiling in thought.

'I have no idea what I am doing.' he thought, referring to the living situation. He let the waterfall inside him guide him into sleep. It had become like a tool for him- an unusual, abstract tool.

Ch.5 - Friends

The night had passed more quickly than Dimension expected. He didn't have any freaky dreams about his unknown past or a warning of an upcoming disaster. He'd expected something like that, but things were finally starting to seem normal. Twilight had explained that she and her friends were planning some kind of get-together that day, he couldn't remember. They had already left the library and were on their way.

"Friends?" Dimension inquired needlessly.

"Well, yes," Twilight answered, unsure of the origin of the question. 'Does he really have to repeat everything I say?' Dimension looked nervous. He was a social wreck, as Twilight had already noticed.

"Oh, no need to be nervous. I'm sure they'll... Dimension?" She looked around and noticed he was no longer following behind her.

"I'm going back. I forgot something," Dimension stated calmly at a distance, knowing well he had nothing he could have forgotten. Twilight's face dropped to one of annoyance as she pulled his tail back with her magic. "It's something very importa-" he began before responding to the impact. His face hit the ground in response to how Twilight was wielding her magic. His concerns reverberated in his mind. 'What if they don't like me? What if they tell everyone else? What if everyone hates me and I'm run out of town?' "What if!"

"If." Twilight growled. "Really, you have nothing to worry about." Twilight continued to drag him on his back the rest of the trip, as he seemed to be either unable or unwilling to move on his own. Sugarcube Corner soon came into view. Due to Dimension's interruption, they were late arriving. The same rainbow-maned pegasus from before was hovering in place outside the doorway, waiting for them.

"Yo, Twilight!" she called, using her hoof to shield her eyes from the sun. "What took you so long?"

"Oh, somepony was just slow is all," she said, glancing at Dimension, whom she had now released. He was still on his back, staring upwards blankly. 'I feel like I've seen this guy before.' Rainbow thought, eyeing Dimension.

"Uh, is he okay?" she asked, pointing at him. Twilight started to say something but was cut off by Dimension's sudden recovery.

"Yes, I'm fine," Dimension answered, catching them both off-guard.

"Well, if you're done playing dead, I'm gonna go on in," she said before entering. Twilight and Dimension followed. Once inside, they seated themselves at a large, circular table fitted for seven.

"Everypony there's someone I'd like you all to meet," Twilight announced.

"Why howdy!" greeted a familiar voice. Dimension paused.

"Applejack?"

"Oh, you two know each other?" Twilight inquired curiously.

"Y-yeah," Dimension replied with his usual awkwardness.

"Well I guess that saves me the trouble of introducing you."

"And the rest of you are?" Dimension asked, now more comfortable with two non-strangers in the group.

"Ooh! Me first!" declared a pink mare. "I'm Pinkie Pie! I like cupcakes, and parties- oh! We should have a party in honor of our new friend!"

'Sweet mercy someone save me...' Dimension said in his head. Pinkie dashed off somewhere he didn't care to know. Twilight giggled seeing Dimension's nervousness.

"Uh... anyway..." Dimension continued. He glanced expectantly at the spot next to where Pinkie was previously sitting.

"It's Rarity, darling," smiled the white unicorn, speaking in a Canterlot accent. She was generous enough to set him at ease by being more to-the-point than her hyperactive companion.

"I- I'm Fluttershy," squeaked the one next to her in a voice none expected could be heard.

'K-kawaii...' Dimension thought in that other language as his eyes widened a moment. His ears twitched a bit.

"Fluttershy, was it?" Dimension asked gently as not to intimidate her. Fluttershy nodded. The group appeared surprised by his keen hearing. Fluttershy nodded.

"The name's Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow exclaimed as she flew upward. "And one day I'm gonna join the Wonderbolts!" She spoke with confidence. At that time Pinkie returned to the table with a colorful contraption.

"I never leave home without my party cannon! Well, except for today because it went 'BOOM!'" she threw her forelegs out in emphasis, "and exploded because of all the confetti I put in it. But it's all fixed now so it should go 'boom!' instead of 'BOOM!'," she beamed. It was a mystery how she fired it. It had a fuse that she didn't even light. Even so, a spark and smoke arose as confetti and other colorful party necessities sprang forth before settling in convenient places. Pinkie Pie logic. Dimension was going to have one heck of a time with this.

One town over, the wind blew through a purple cape attached to an azure unicorn mare via a jewel close to her coat in color. A hat of the same hue as the cape graced her mane. Her attire was studded with stars in an astral design.

"The Great," she grinned,

"and Powerful," she launched her fore-hooves in the air,

"Trixie has arrived!" she exclaimed as fireworks exploded about her, prior to her striking a pose. Trumpets played a particular tune as Trixie "graced the stage with her presence."

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs performs the greatest feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" she announced as more fireworks ignited. She was more of a magician or illusionist that she was a "great and powerful" wizard, which was evident by her performance. Yet there was something that she could do that nopony else could. She did it in such a way that excited everyone. None could surpass the amount of calmness, posture, and charisma she had in her shows. Some respected it, others resented it. She would either be welcome as a source of entertainment or chased out of town as a fraud. After her performance she went to her "home," a cart. She was a travelling magician, so she didn't have an actual house. She had caught wind of an ancient artifact resting somewhere.

"Trixie must have that amulet..." she would say to herself. "After all, somepony as great and powerful as Trixie deserves something just as powerful." When she learned of its location she immediately set course for it. It was in Ponyville.

"Is he dead?" Rainbow asked knowing fully that he wasn't.

"No, he's not dead. Don't be so morbid." Twilight scolded playfully. "...I think he's just exhausted," she added whist observing Dimension passed out on the floor.

"Can't... go on... no energy... bleh," he uttered semi-consciously.

"That just means it was a great party!" Pinkie said inthusiastically.

"Yeah," Dimension replied as he twitched. He was quite exhausted from being the center of attention.

"It's been fun as always, Pinkie!" Twilight complimented before turning to Dimension. She expected to have to drag him along again.

"Yes, I rather enjoyed myself," Dimension said, now standing. 'How did he..?' Twilight puzzled. She shook her head a little and smiled. They all said their goodbyes and departed. Twilight and Dimension went together. As did Fluttershy and Rainbow. She wasn't going to let Fluttershy go alone at this hour, her loyalty something Fluttershy appreciated. It was, after all, already dark.

It was a good time for someone to jump them. Someone could be hiding in the tree just outside. Someone stealthy, someone dark. Someone was. 'Twilight Sparkle, the target.'

Ch. 6 - The Enemy Revealed!

'Twilight Sparkle, the target.' Storm thought as she stood silently in the shadows on a tree branch. An ominous breeze whispered through the night. She disappeared with the wind. Dimension turned around at the sound of rustling leaves she left behind. For a moment he could feel her presence faintly. His bushy brows furrowed in suspicion.

'What was that... just now?' he questioned without as much as a shred of an answer. Twilight stopped to glance back at Dimension concerned somewhat by the look on his face. Dimension saw it as a gesture for them to get going and acted accordingly. They trotted back to the treehouse followed in the shadows.

'Destination reached.' Storm reported inwardly. 'Awaiting target response.' She peered through Twilight's window from a distance. 'Initiating...'

Dimension was still awake. He reflected on the day spent with his new friends. 'I've only known them a short time... but it feels like a lot longer. They're good ponies.' His thoughts were interrupted by the tinking sound rolling across the floor. It halted next to him, his eyes went wide. He shot up in surprise when it excreted its contents. Dimension coughed a bit and fell over. Consciousness was slipping him. His eyelids were heavy. As his eyes fell shut, the silhouette graced his sight.

Storm passed Dimension's unconscious body as she paced silently toward the stairs. She had learned the layout of her target's residence well with her spying. She glided up the stairs with her trademark silence so as not to wake either the sleeping unicorn or her dragon. The moonlight pierced the glass of the window, illuminating both their faces. She peered at Twilight.

Storm retracted her hoof into a single saddlebag, fastened tightly to avoid any rattling. She pulled out a cloth infused with fumes and lifted it to Twilight's nostrils as she breathed it in.

'That should keep her under control long enough.' She then went for the window. It would be faster. She unhitched it and flew out carrying Twilight into the night, keeping to the shadows.

"Dimension! Dimension, wake up!" Spike said scared. Dimension groaned before rolling over to his back. Spike stood above him quivering with a scroll in his claws.

"What's that?" Dimension inquired. Spike handed over the scroll. It was a letter from Princess Celestia informing of an emergency concerning Twilight, and that she was on her way to Ponyville. Dimension read through it and along with Spike gathered the other five.

"I have called you here for a matter of great importance," Celestial announced gravely. The seven looked at her anxiously. "As you may have noticed, my student, Twilight Sparkle, has gone missing. Or rather, been fillynapped." The group gasped, except Dimension. His mins always skipped panic and worry, and looked for resolution.

"But who would do such a thing?" Rarity asked.

"And why?!" Rainbow added.

"Queen Chrysalis, queen of the changelings." Celestia explained, "For a long time she has desired rule over Eaquestria. She wants me to give up my rule to her in exchange for Twilight's safety. I realize the lives of many outweigh one, even if it is my precious student," she said sorrowfully, "but it would be wrong of me to take action without first informing you, her closest friends."

Dimension's head hung low. He gritted his teeth and his mane covered his tense face.

"We can't just sit by and let somethin' like this happen!" Applejack chirped.

Dimension clenched his hoof.

"It would be-"

"Where is she?" Dimension demanded in a voice that sounded like a contained explosion.

"She would most likely be at Chrysalis's headquarters, but-" Celestia began.

"I'm going."

"You can't! There are many dangerous changelings. You'll be-!"

"I know it's reckless, but... I can't just sit back and watch this!" he grimaced. Celestia observed Dimension. 'Those eyes... They're so resolute.'

"I see there is no stopping you," Celestia approved. "According to our searches she resides in the Everfree Forest."

"All rignt."

"I'm going too!" Rainbow declared. Dimension looked at her. "No way I'm missing a chance to kick some flank!"

"Me too," Applejack chimed in. "Ah won't let those changelings get away with using my friend."

"I-I'll go too!" stuttered an unexpected voice. All eyes were on Spike. "I know I'm not much use but Twilight's always been there for me, and I want to do something to help her!"

"I'll arrange transportation at once. If you truly are planning on rescuing Twilight, you must waste no time getting there," Celestia said. The arrangements were made, and the four were on there way to the Everfree Forest.

"This is as close as we can get," The guard said before letting them off. "Good luck." He rushed off a bit too eagerly. They had arrived at a marshy area like much of the rest of the forest. There was a pool of water within sight. An unusually large, wooden bridge stretched across it.

"Still holdin' up there, Spike?" Applejack asked genuinely, but was in a teasing tone.

"Y-yeah," The little dragon replied. They were in the deep, dark, scary Everfree Forest after all.

"Well? What're we waiting for?" Rainbow spoke eagerly.

"Sh," Dimension said.

"What?" Rainbow responded in a now hushed tone.

"Did you hear that?" They all paused.

"Hear what?"

"Listen." The sound of hooves trampling steadily over dirt soon reached all their ears. They were firm, confident steps. The source appeared in the fog that was found everywhere in the forest. As it continued moving forward the features became more distinguishable.

"You are not welcome here," declared Midnight stepping out of the fog.

"Yeah? So what!" Rainbow spat ready to charge.

"Wait," Dimension snapped, lifting a hoof to block her immediate forward path.

"I'd rather not waste my time on the likes of you, I suggest you leave."

"Like heck!" Rainbow retorted, itching to fight. She flapped upward then dashed toward Midnight.

"You just don't get it," Midnight said with his horn glowing green. It seemed to happen so fast. Energy flowed into it, mixing with his own. He tilted his head down, changing direction of his horn. Rainbow zoomed toward him with intention to strike. Her pupils expanded as her path was diverted. Her body relaxed and she flew off-course. She crashed, skidding across the ground. The blast hit her. She groaned and attempted to stand back up, but her body collapsed and her head fell to the ground.

"No way..." she breathed, lying on her side.

"I suggest you leave," Midnight emphasized unflinching.

Aj gasped, Spike hid, but Dimension did neither of these.

"We didn't come here just to run away," he retaliated, "We came here to take back what's ours."

"And what would that be?"

"Our friend!" Midnight seemed puzzled about that statement.

"Well then, if you value your life so little..." Midnight declared, "Then cross this bridge at your own peril. If you can." He eyed Dimension and tension thickened in the air. Dimension took stance. He had studied a few magic books at Twilight's library but hadn't had any practice it.

'He's full of openings.' Midnight observed.

Dimension searched the terrain and found a few twigs and loose rocks. His horn glowed orange, and his magic grasped several objects. He charged forward with his horn faced forward. He launched everything he had at him. He dodged several rocks simply by tilting his head or stepping to the side. The final thing he launched at Midnight was a medium-sized log that was floating in the water. Midnight maneuvered his head and used his sharp, horn-like antler to scrape the bark down the center as it passed. It landed behind him and split in two dramatically.

Dimension was still charging. Midnight lit his horn up once more and materialized his magic to strike Dimension's side, winding him. He was tossed into the water like a ragdoll.

"Dimension!" Applejack and Spike cried simultaneously. Rainbow was unable to stand, but managed to turn her head and call internally. Dimension splashed into the pool of deep water and descended weakly.

Ch.7 - Dimension's Resolve

Dimension descended into the water. His mane spread around him reaching for the surface but not getting there. It was like floating through a dark pit void of hope, like a long fall you sometimes have in dreams.

'Are we really this powerless? Am I really this weak? His breath was leaving him slowly. 'We're just being tossed around one after another... Can't I do anything?' He was starting to run out of breath and was falling even deeper. He was clinging to precious life as he knew it.

'I don't want it to end like this...' He had reached the bottom, his body rested on the sand. The pressure on his body wasn't close to the pressure on his mind, his soul. Water was beginning to stir. It circled around him.

'I want to do something.' Underneath the still surface the water was now circling fiercely, taking the form of a dragon like that time. The dragon at the waterfall -- the same one that entered him, and gave him power to move on from dwelling on the past.

'With all the power I have left,' he resolved, opening his eyes as a demonstration of purpose, "I'll protect what's important to me." The torrent wrapped around him. A light emitted, lighting up the dark depth.

"Gotta help Dimension," Rainbow said to herself as she stood up. She had gained back enough strength to stand, but walking was proving a challenge.

"I'm not going to repeat myself," Midnight threatened, facing a beaten Applejack. She managed longer than the other two, due to her strong will and observation of the other two.

"Sorry," She replied wiping her mouth with her fetlock, checking for blood, "us Apples are stubborn."

"If that's the case..."

'He's gonna fire another blast.' She shielded her face, bracing herself for the worst.

But then, the unexpected happened. The surface tension of the water was dissipated. Water splashed up from Dimension's fallen spot, causing drops to scatter everywhere. A miniature rain engrossed the area. Everyone turned to the source with varying levels of enthusiasm. Droplets sparkled around him. His eyes reflected his resolve. He shone with the drizzle, now standing on his hind legs.

"Flood the world," he called, "Suijingiri." He held a katana in his right hoof, swiping downward. The handle was sea blue wrapped in threads of gold, which created an "X" pattern. An aquamarine gemstone was settled at the bottom of the handle. The guard resembled crashing waves, and the groove was curved like a series of gentle waves. He clenched it tightly. Midnight began analyzing him.

'I'm sensing a great increase in power in him...'

Dimension took his katana in both hooves, raising it as he jumped toward him, using the water as leverage. It followed behind the sword as Dimension charged. Midnight readied another spell, brightening his horn.

Sword crossed horn. Midnights green magic emitted a light that permeated the entire area. Dimension swung down as a mass of water tumbled down upon his target before splashing up along with some planks from the bridge. The captain emerged unscathed and the swordspony was struck with fatigue.

They both emerged standing. Dimension was starting to heave. As he landed it was revealed that his sword had been snapped in half. Masses of liquid rushed to repair the broken blade. They exchanged looks that could only mean one thing. They each returned to their side of the bridge and Midnight shot a leaf off an above tree branch. They exchanged war faces as Applejack, Rainbow, and Spike gave them confused ones.

They waited as the tension grew thicker than anyone thought possible. The !eaf floated its way downward.

Three.

Two.

One.

It hit the ground.

Dimension and midnight rushed at each other. Midnight's horn glowing, generating a magic sphere with sparks growing from it. Dimension's sword gathering the water in the area, reinforcing the blade, and making his blow heavier.

They crossed.

They crossed each other and delt their attacks. Dimension's water sword and Midnight's magic. The wind blew signaling their duel was about to be decided.

Midnight stood with his horn still glowing. He didn't move.

Dimension stood with his katana still held. His left lost its hold, but his right hoof held tightly.

The wind still blew leaves across the bridge.

"Dangit..."

The wind ceased. Dimension collapsed. His friend's eyes all widened. They had been defeated by a single pony. Midnight, however, had never before seen, other than in himself, something like what Dimension just did. Suddenly getting a large increase in power. He gained a little respect for him. He walked away, back to where he came from. Dimension grasped his leg as he passed.

"Wait..." he said weakly. Midnight gave him a cold stare. Dimension looked straight into this eyes of what might as well be Death.

"Your name..." Dimension asked. Midnight shook him off, and began walking away.

"You're not worth my time as you are now," he stated, with a slight lack of hostility in his voice.

Dimension watched as his unnamed rival walked away from him. His eyes fell shut as he lay defeated and unconscious.

The faint sunligjht flowed through the barred window into Twilight's eyelids. They fluttered open, revealing to her unfamiliar surroundings. She attempted to sit up but was redirected when she noticed a bracelet on her foreleg. It had a strange, dark design with a changeling's head and green eyes on it. She shot up in bed, looking left and right. The room was empty except for the bed she lay in. A barred window imbedded in the cobblestone wall revealed itself as the only light source.

'Where am I?' she questioned. She looked at the bed, and again scanned the room. Her head felt slightly heavier. She reached her forehoof and felt her horn also had a brace of some sort. She could feel it was sapping her mana, magic power.

"You're awake," Storm noted.

"Where am I?" Twilight inquired.

"You are in the castle tower. Specifically, the prison tower."

"What?!"

"I guess need to explain it to you," she began. "You are currently in the custody of our Queen Chrysalis, who intends to use you to threaten Celestia, and take rule of Equestria."

Twilight was dumbstruck. Equestria was prosperous under Celestia. Why overthrow her?

"What are you going to do to me?" she asked as calmly as she could.

"Nothing, as long as your princess agrees to our terms."

Twilight gulped, "And if she doesn't?"

"Then you will most likely die."

Twilight turned pale in fear. She couldn't bring herself to believe anything Storm said was true. Things were so peaceful. How could it suddenly become so serious? Her hooves trembled in her lap.

"She has ten days to decide," Storm informed. She then exited the room, letting the iron door creak shut behind her.

"This can't be happening," Twilight said to herself. She lowered her head back onto the bed, and turned on her side. She lifted her tail and starting petting herself as a false sense of comfort.

She couldn't do anything about it. She was alone and scared. What would happen if this "Queen Chrysalis" took rule of Equestria? Why do such a cruel thing? Forcing someone to choose between the well-being of someone close and the well-being of many. Ponies sometimes have to make harsh decisions. She knew that. It's because she knew that she was so afraid. The right answer is obvious from one angle, but no matter how you look at it, it's heartbreaking.

Twilight was always a leader, but whom can she lead in her current situation?

"Excuse me, but which way is Ponyville?" Trixie asked a felloe traveller on the dirt crossroads. She whipped out a map and pointed.

"Trixie thanks you for your kindness."

"M-hm."

Trixie hauled her cart in said direction. She wasn't wearing her cape and hat. Those were in her makeshift home. She had lightened it enough to drag more than a few meters. She wasn't skilled in that kind of magic, but it eased her struggle. It was a struggle indeed considering she didn't have proper wheels attached. The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't trust wheels. Not circular ones at least.

'If I get that amulet I'll be strong enough to avenge them...'

Ch.8 - Entering the Fort

Applejack sat leaning her back on a tree. Rainbow was standing with her foreleg crossed casually around the other. Spike paced in a circle nervously. It had been two hours and Dimension was still unconscious. It gave everyone a chance to recover though. They were just outside the changeling's castle walls, and were hidden by the brush. Applejack looked at Spike with concern in her eyes.

"You all right, sugarcube?"

Spike sighed. "No... Why am I even here?" he scolded himself.

"Now whatcha sayin' that for?"

"It's just..." he hesitated. Applejack brought him closer as she wrapped her foreleg around him.

"You can tell me, we're all friends here."

Spike looked over to Rainbow who clearly wasn't paying attention. She was poking Dimension the way foals poke dead animals. He shifted his attention back to Applejack, who smiled at him. Spike sighed again and looked down.

"It's just that this whole trip you guys have been fighting your hardest... I really wanted to do something but," he raised his head to look at Applejack, "I just end up hiding. What good am I when you guys are obviously more fit for this kind of thing?"

"Now wait a plum tuckin' minute there," Applejack reproached, "ya ain't sayin' you're worthless, are ya?"

"Well, yeah."

"Ya ain't worthless, Spike."

"Well if I can't fight together with you guys, what can I do?"

Applejack thought a moment.

"Well what if one of us was to get hurt real bad, what then? All you'd have to do is send one letter and help would come right away. Rainbow wouldn't even be able to get help that fast."

"I heard that," Rainbow cracked, taking it as an insult to her speed. They both chuckled as Rainbow woke Dimension up.

"Well, I guess you're right on that," Spike lit up.

"So, Spike," Applejack said with her face uncomfortably close to his, "don't say stuff like that." Spike felt his cheeks getting warmer. He quickly turned away, trying to hide his b!ush.

"Yeah, sure! Thanks!" 'Why am I blushing? I like Rarity!'

Dimension sat up, gazing at the sky. Based on the relative position of the sun, he guessed it was about 1:00 P.M.

"About time you woke up," Rainbow groaned.

"Sorry," he replied.

"How'd you get that sword anyway?" Rainbow changed the subject.

Dimension had momentarily forgotten he had a sword now. He subconsciously gripped the seafoam colored scabbard in his hoof.

"You wouldn't let go of it even though you were unconscious," Applejack added.

"Back at the bridge... at the bottom of the lake." he answered with ambiguity. He lifted it in front of his face. He extracted the blade from its resting place, letting the sun reflect off the edge. He had never held a sword before, but it somehow felt natural. He remembered when it called out to him. It wasn't an ordinary blade, of that he was certain.

Suijingiri, a blade capable of controlling and producing water by using its wielder's energy.

"Well," Dimension stood up, "we should get going."

Midnight walked toward his captain's quarters of the squad's barracks, still thinking of his battle with Dimension.

'That sudden increase in power... that was-' his thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

"Will they give us any trouble?" he asked through his black mask. It wrapped around his face and continued around his chest and spiralled down his right foreleg, wrapping around his hoof at the end. His only holes (such as changelings have) were in his left hoof. They were such a shape that an x would fit perfectly inside. His black mane covered part of his right eye. His eyes were blood red; they pierced everything they looked at.

"No, they won't," he replied, "Blood Rain."

"You have a bad habit of underestimating ponies," Rain reminded. Midnight glared at Rain's sharp, hard wings. He knew well they were sharper than most blades.

"You have a bad habit of overestimating ponies," Midnight quipped, "and invading my quarters."

Dimension and the others had reached the gateway of the fortress. It was surprisingly unguarded and had nothing to keep them out. A door might have improved their security.

"All right! Time for a jailbreak!" Rainbow exclaimed, dashing upward, but was stopped by Applejack's grabbing her tail in her mouth.

"Hold on a minute, partner."

"Ugh, what?" Rainbow growled.

"We can't just go bustin' into a place we know nothing about. What if they're all as strong as the one at the bridge?"

"That was just a fluke," Rainbow shrugged off.

"Applejack's right, we need a plan," Dimension chimed in.

Dimension wanted to create a plan for a swift, complex, in and out procedure, but doubted he could get either to agree to something so mind-stressing.

"First we should..."

"Ah'll head in with Spike and you go in with Dimension."

"Carry the four..."

"Fair enough," Rainbow sighed.

"Hey, do you know what 2x squar- huh?"

"Great, I'm stuck with an egghead."

Inside the wall were arrays of multiple buildings with paths in between the groups. There were also many fields lacking vegetation. The paths diverged left and right. Applejack and Spike took the former, and the remaining followed the latter. Since Rainbow could fly, and Spike had his scroll-sending flames, they had methods of signalling each other if necessary, hence the grouping. Rainbow hovered, forelegs crossed, beside Dimension.

"Do you have any idea where we're going?" Rainbow asked after a few moments of silence.

"Nope," Dimension replied, "You could fly up there and give us a better idea though."

"On it." Rainbow Dash dashed into the sky, getting a bird's eye view. The castle and its courtyard were one of the few places in the Everfree with a decent clearing. Her eyes grew in size as she beheld this grand structure they were in.

"Um..."

"What is it?"

"This place is huge!" she exclaimed. She couldn't see the other end of it. Many buildings rose to her altitude, some higher.

"I don't even know where to start..."

"Which one's the tallest?"

"What?"

"Let's just try this tallest tower," Dimension suggested. Rainbow hovered back toward the ground.

"Why?"

"Sonic Arrow!" Shouted a voice in the distance. Rainbow turned her head to reveal an arrow rocketing toward her head. Her eye caught it. She flapped her wings and bent backwards. The iron arrow crossed her face, barely missing her. Her eyes narrowed as it passed her. It was so close she could taste the wind from it. The iron's shooting through the air. It crashed into a tower to her right, creating an impact which tossed up a dust cloud.

The shooter let out a "Tch."

"Your aim needs some work, Bowman."

"I know that, Star Shooter!"

"What the-!" Rainbow began before two more shots were fired in her direction. She curled her wings in, then threw them outward, conjuring a wind that redirected the arrows off course.

"I'll leave them to you," Star said before launching upward, creating a star pattern from her position. Her blue hair flowed as she disappeared.

"How?" Rainbow questioned.

"Where?" Dimension added.

"I'm your opponent!" Bowman declared, pulling two more arrows back in his bow.

"Ya think she might be in here?" Spike questioned.

"Don't hurt to look," Applejack replied.

They had made their way into one of the larger buildings. A few lamps hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dark interior. They ascended a spiral staircase to a hallway, and entered a room on the left side of the hall after initially turning right. Above the doorframe was a large number "9." Upon entering, the smell of freshly-smithed steel entered their nostrils, and various assorted weapons rested on tables in front of them.

"Looks like an armory," Spike observed.

"A mighty big one at that," Applejack added observing a wall bannered with changeling armor displays. Something shiny caught Spike's eye. He strolled to the display table with a steel brace resting on it. He picked it up in his claws, and trotted giddily over to Applejack. He held it up so she could see well.

"Do you think Rarity would like it?" he beamed.

"It's shiny like everything else she has, but..." the Element of Honesty tried to reply.

"Too industrial?" Spike inferred. Applejack nodded.

Spike fit his arm through the bracelet.

"Too big for me," he acknowledged, "Maybe it'll fit you?"

Spike managed to fit the brace onto Applejack's foreleg.

"Fits just right! Thanks, Spike!" The farm pony said, rubbing Spike's head. At the same time, a normal-looking changeling in a labcoat came to the doorway. It didn't have full eyes or luscious hair like the ones seen before. It was a more normal, low-ranking changeling.

"Oh no!" he fretted, "you musn't toy with that! It still hasn't been tested y-"

"Hey, I thought I said not to-" another said whilst lowering the other on the ground with a knock to the head.

"What do we got here?" he said observing the intruders.

Ch.9 - Advanced Changelings

Twilight lay in her bed thoughtful. She had spent a long time mourning of the situation. Time had given her the heart to be optimistic. She lifted her head out of the pillow she had sunk her face into and trotted to the window of her empty prison. It was low enough and the sill was large enough for her to sit on it. She sat gazing out the barred window.

It was dark for daytime, it was always that way in that strange, unnatural location. It was fitting to the gloomy way things were. The cirrus clouds covered the sky, dimming any light from Celestia's sun. From her window she had a good view of the courtyard and the buildings scattered about it. At least they were kind enough to give her that.

"It'll be okay," she told herself.

"What will?" Storm spoke suddenly, which caused Twilight to jump. Twilight didn't see or hear Storm at all. She wondered if she were oblivious or if her captor was just stealthy. Storm sat on the bed nonchalantly with her hind leg hanging off and her forelegs crossed, leaning against the wall. A moment of silence fell onto the two.

"Can I ask something?" Twilight inquired. Storm gave her a skeptical look, then nodded.

"You're not a normal changeling, are you?"

Surprised of her knowledge of changelings and accurate statement, Storm replied,

"How did you know?"

"Well," Twilight answered, "All of the books I've read on changelings describe them as very insect-like and identical, but you don't seem typical of a changeling at all. You're actually more like ordinary ponies."

"Do not compare us to your kind," Storm replied.

"Oh, sorry..." Twilight apologized. Another silent moment fell.

"Well," Twilight started up again, "can you tell me a bit more about your kind?"

"You want to know about me and my kind?"

"Well, yes."

Storm inhaled and let out a deep breath.

"Some of us have more resemblance to you ponies. We call ourselves 'Advanced Changelings.'"

Twilight held on every word Storm said. She valued knowledge and saw this as an excellent learning opportunity. She listened carefully, like she would as a filly in magic school.

"Some inherit the feature by birth, others go through transformations. We Advanced Changelings are generally more powerful than normal ones. He have enhanced physical strength and magic. We also don't need to feed on love. We do, however, lose most of our abilities to change appearance."

"Most?"

Storm changed her hoof mimicking Twilight's appearance.

"We can do it for a short time and it's not as accurate. This is the only thing we lose," she explained reverting her appearance to her own.

Twilight remained wide-eyed throughout the entire monologue. She had no idea there was such a thing as "Advanced Changelings" and was happy to learn of it. She felt as though she had just discovered an ancient artifact.

With sparkles in her eyes, Twilight left the window to turn to Storm.

"How are you one?"

"I was born with it."

Twilight seemed to forget that she was being held prisoner. She was instead interested on the subject of Advanced Changelings. She curiously inquired as much as she could without annoying the pegasus. Storm uncomfortably inched away as Twilight got closer than welcome.

'What's with her?'

Applejack took a step back with Spike.

"Who are you?" she said with hostility in her voice.

"Forgive me," he replied trying to sound fancy -- he failed terribly. "My name is Reckless Hoof," he said in his rough voice, "And who are you, pretty lady?"

Spike growled at the comment.

"Applejack."

"Well, Applejack, what'cha doin' in the 'experimental weapons' room?"

"Lookin' for someone."

Reckless took a long look at Applejack, observing her build gained from years of hard work. She was rough and weathered. He became curious about her strength, and was whelmed by an urge to fight her. He liked to fight. He had a light brown mullet for a mane and a tail in similar fashion.

'She's tough I can tell...'

"Afraid you won't find nuthin' but swords an' guns in here," he said as he pounded his hooves together, causing a clang to fill the room. It also caused him to fall on his face.

"I meant to do that"

Steel was attached to both his hooves. He swung his right foreleg around stretching his shoulder.

"I don't like hittin' girls, but..." he started, "Hittin' people's my job. Sorry, but I'm gonna put you through the ringer."

Reckless launched toward Applejack fiercely, pulling his hoof back in preparation for a swing. He swung hard at Applejack, but she jumped out of the way just in time to avoid the attack. He then threw a series of many punches, each one barely avoided by jumping from side to side.

"Yer good at runnin'," Reckless commented.

"I ain't runnin', I'm dodgin'," Applejack sneered.

From the left, from the right. They leaped around the room, knocking over a few things. Bolts, nuts, scrap metal, even some weapons fell to the ground in the heat of battle. Applejack pounced to one of the tables. Reckless threw another strike which failed to make contact. Instead, he smashed the table in two, the steel on his hooves slamming through, causing splinters to fly everywhere.

He pulled back his foreleg an additional length as he had her trapped between him and the wall. Applejack prepared to dodge. One of her hooves caught on a fallen bolt. She lost her ground and failed to keep her movements up.

'Crickets!'

"Gotcha!" Reckless shouted as he threw his hoof at her. Steel met flesh and fur in an impact that sent Applejack flying through the wooden wall. Debris scattered with the impact as a cloud formed from the flying shards of wood. Applejack fell out of the room and down to the dirt ground.

"Applejack!" Spike shouted from his spot inside to his friend. Reckless had generally ignored him thus far, and he hadn't moved much from his place.

'I gotta help her!' he resolved. His eyes darted around the room. 'What's something Applejack could use?' He rushed to a pile of weapons lying on the ground. He picked through each of them. He picked up a knightly sword.

"Too light for someone as strong as Applejack," he deemed. Then a dagger. "Way too light." He spotted a large battleaxe, and shivered, "Too heavy."

Applejack lay on the ground panting. Her eyes spotted the hole she was sent through, then observed herself. She was covered in scratches. She began to stand. When Reckless saw this, he hurled himself through the opening. He resolved he wouldn't let the fight end until one of them was out cold.

"Perfect!" Spike exclaimed as he gripped a bastard sword in his claws. It was weighty, and could be used with either one or two hooves. It was an excellent longsword that came between shortsword and greatsword.

'Applejack should easily be able to use this with her strength!'

Spike grabbed it by the handle, started walking, and was pulled down by the weight. He exerted himself in various positioned trying to move it. He then found it was easier to distribute the weight when he held part of it by the blade.

Reckless went down through the air aiming for Applejack, She rolled out of the way, causing him to punch this ground, tossing up chunks of earth.

"You can take a hit," Reckless remarked.

Applejack grit her teeth as she rose up.

'He's strong. And those hooves,' She glanced at them 'He's got steel on 'em. At this rate...'

"Applejack, here!" Spike shouted. He tossed the sword with all the strength he could muster. It flew through the air, rotating as it traveled. Applejack made no attempt to catch it (hooves aren't the best for that), but instead let the top of the blade sink into the ground. She at first began to take it in her mouth but then decided she didn't want any broken teeth.

She gripped the grounded sword in her right hoof and lifted it out of the dry dirt. She observed it as she held it in her hoof, then gave it a few practice swings. It was weighty, which gave it more force, but it wasn't too heavy for her to use single-hoofedly.

"Thanks, Spike," she said, "This'll make things a lot easier," she added rising to her hind legs.

"What do you mean the path is blocked?!" Trixie huffed.

"There was an avalanche and now the path is blocked," replied the amber unicorn.

"Surely there must be another route?" Trixie hoped.

"Well, there is one way..."

Trixie lit up.

"...But it's full of monsters, so I'd advise against it."

"Ha! They can be no match for the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

The other unicorn rolled her eyes.

"Just don't get yourself killed."

Trixie paused.

"Is it really that dangerous?" she inquired, now worried.

"Well, a lot of ponies who go that way end up missing, so yeah."

"Perhaps you wouldn't mind... being Trixie's guide?"

"I was going that way anyway."

They trotted side by side via a poorly maintained cobblestone road, Trixie pulling her cart-home across the desert sand. Her companion levitated a map out of her bag and positioned it in front of them.

"You see this?" she pointed, "We're here. Normally we'd just go north to Las Pegasus, hop on a train and be done with it. But because the path is blocked and the mountains are too steep we can't go that way."

Trixie stood listening quietly, nodding from time to time.

"There's a big rock farm to the west that's private property, so we'll have to go around that. Instead, we have to follow this river south into Arlmaspt Territory, circle around it, and pass through a piece of land between said river and Macintosh Hills."

"Arlma what?" Trixie gawked.

"It has a giant skull on it and is supposed to be really dangerous," she replied rolling her eyes. Trixie shrunk hearing the statement. Skulls don't just appear out of nowhere for asthetics after all, things die. If there's one big enough to be shown on a map, who knows what kind of creatures have been or are still there?

"Anyway, if we follow the river north for a while then go east we'll end up in Appleloosa, we can catch a train there." She curled the map up and levitated it back into its place.

"Why not just cut across the river?" Trixie inquired.

"It's wide and the rapids are fierce this time of year. Without a proper boat we'd just get shredded before we got across," she looked at Trixie, "And I don't think either of us can afford a proper boat."

It was true. The nomadic lifestyle isn't always very profitable. You sometimes end up spending more bits than you get. And you usually get them by odd means. If not, it's usually either thieving, or thieving from thieves if you prefer something more legal. Not that the law had eyes everywhere, they'd actually gotten lazy with the low crime level recently.

"The name's Sunset by the way, Sunset Shimmer," Sunset added. Knowing names is important of you're going to be risking your life alongside someone, although she didn't expect much from Trixie.

"The Great and Powerful-"

"Yeah I know, you've said it a million times already."

Trixie pouted.

'She better not slow me down.' Sunset thought.

And so the two followed the map, which Sunset dug out again when she needed it. They traversed the barren land until it gradually changed to the grassy riverside. Their separate journeys became one for time being.

10 - Rankings

Applejack drew the sword from the ground.

"Thanks, Spike!" she thanked.

She gave it a few practice swings before pointing it at Reckless as the sword reflected the rays of light beating down on it. She found her second wind with the help of her friends. Spike, who despite usually being scared of things like this, steeled himself to assist her. And Twilight, whom she needed to keep moving forward for. Friends don't give up on each other. But perhaps what most drove her was her family whom she needed to return to. She didn't intend to worry them for long.

"Sorry," she said now more prepared than she was, "Yer the one who's gonna be put through the ringer."

Reckless grinned at that. Applejack is what he had been looking for in an opponent. He remembered all the practice sessions when this only one who could beat him was the captain. He needed someone to force him to become stronger so that he could face that wall.

Reckless charged now on his hinds, running fiercely across the battlefield. He swung repeatedly in delight as Applejack held the sword in position to block all of his strikes. His punches were uncoordinated, but strong. Steel scraped steel and sparks flew with every hit. Applejack stood with one hoof on the handle and one supporting the blade to more sturdily defend. Punches came one after another.

"Steel Hammer!" Reckless boomed with excitement.

Reckless took a large swing back then forward. He grunted loudly as his foreleg pierced the air and landed heavily on the blade. The impact created a wind each side felt along with this force. It caused Applejack to slide back as her hooves scratched at the ground, triggering dust. She found her back pounding into a building.

Reckless rushed in for a final strike. He leaped into the air ready to flatten anything with his punches. Applejack's pupils shrunk as they focused in on him. Spike watched from the hole in the building. It was like he had been watching a prize fight, but the contestant was his friend, and the fight was deadly.

Applejack gathered her strength. She shifted her balance. She moved. She evaded. She pushed herself out of the way and her face hit the ground with the rest of her body. Reckless pounded into the wall, spreading cracks throughout it. The force embedded his hoof into the wall. He was stuck all the way to the joint of his foreleg.

"Huh?" Reckless said as he attempted to pull his leg out, not yet aware he was stuck. He blinked a few times.

"I'm stuck..." he gawked.

"I'm stuck!" he exclaimed. He then rapidly went through a variety of comic positions in an effort to gain the leverage to pull himself out.

"I'M STUCK! HELP!" he panicked unreasonably.

Spike and Applejack stared dumbly at him.

"Uh... is he okay?" Spike said.

"I DON'T LIKE BEIN' STUCK!"

"Ah don't know..."

Reckless continued to panic and Applejack was getting annoyed. She positioned herself behind him in her applebucking position with her rump facing towards him. Reckless cranked his head toward her.

"AH!" he exclaimed as his head shot back and blood expelled from his nose.*

"AH DIDN'T EVEN KICK YOU YET!" Applejack roared.

'Such beauty...' he thought forgetting himself.

Applejack launched her hooves into his face, kicking him senseless if he hadn't already been.

'Amazing...' he thought before passing out.

Applejack huffed as she looked at him before turning away. Spike leaped off his spot to join his companion. He walked up to her and began staring for a long time.

"Uh, Spi-"

"So cool!" Spike burst, "You were awesome!"

Applejack's ears fell in meekness.

"Ah, shucks, Spike. Ah couldn't have done it without ya though," she said rubbing the scales of his head. Spike also became shy from her comment.

"You gonna keep the sword?" Spike inquired. For some reason it felt like a gift rather than stolen weaponry.

Applejack pondered it as she looked back at Reckless in his unconscious state.

'If I wasn't totally focused while fighting him, Ah woulda lost for sure. Just how strong are the ponies here?

"Ah better take it, this place is dangerous."

Spike untied a sash he had worn diagonally over his shoulder and held it out in his claws. Applejack took it in her teeth and, with some assistance, tied it around her torso then tucked this longsword in on her back. After that, they began walking again, searching for places Twilight might be.

Dimension eyed Bowman and drew his sword. Bowman stood on the castle wall still in shooting position.

" Suijin-"

Rainbow instead darted at Bowman, who shot several arrows at her. However, they were tossed aside by the wind she created as she flew toward him.

Dimension brought the katana to his face eyeing the blade. His reflection bounced of the blade and into his eyes.

"It's not responding..." he muttered.

Rainbow swept past Bowman, conjuring a gust of wind against him. He struggled to maintain his balance.

Dimension closed his eyes and focused his mind. A single drop falling into a pool of water, the ripples expanding. Suijingiri's wavelength.

'I can hear it...Feel it...Suijingiri.' It flooded Dimension's head. As Rainbow was locked in combat, Dimension took fighting stance. He made the back swing.

"Water..." his sword became cloaked in water, swirling around the blade, "Cutter!" he swung forth horizontally as the water on the blade became condensed. The movement hurled a mass of water in Bowman's direction. It cut through the wall and right into Bowman.

Water is adaptive. It keeps to itself and makes room when something enters. If something is heavier it sinks it. If something is lighter it carries it across its surface. If so something tries to enter too quickly it suffers damage from the surface tension which makes it as hard as a solid.

Water is graceful. It scatters its fragments and sparkles in the light. Water is peaceful.

Water is powerful. It erodes even rocks, cutting into them with time. It causes mass devastation with its flooding and creates colossal impact with its waves.

And Bowman felt that power then. It smashed into him forcefully, splashed adaptively, and faded gracefully. He fell into the brick of the wall.

"Uh, is it just me, or was he kinda..?" Rainbow nearly complained.

"Weak?" Dimension confirmed.

Bowman struggled under a pile of stone rubble that Dimension's attack created.

"Ha!" Rainbow boasted, "See? Told you it was a fluke. These changelings are nothing! With me here, we'll take Twilight back in ten seconds flat!"

"My attack is the one that finished it," Dimension corrected.

"I did most of the work, you just stood there until I was about to finish it."

"I also doubt you could do that in ten seconds, no matter how fast you are."

"Watch me!" Rainbow declared before dashing off, leaving Dimension's eye twitching a bit.

"She actually... she's actually trying it..." he gawked.

Bowman bust his way out of the rubble.

"Hmm?" Dimension noticed.

"You dare defile the Changeling Army!" he shouted.

Dimension rolled his eyes.

"None defiles the-" Dimension flashed his sword at his neck, cutting off his sentence.

"You're starting to annoy me..." Dimension murmured in false hostility with shadows over his eyes, giving him a dark, threatening appearance. He emitted something that Bowman mistook for killing intent, causing the latter to shrink back nervously as sweat accumulated on his head.

"Please don't hurt me! I'll do anything!" he stammered with his hooves thrown in the air from panic.

Dimension scanned his mind, deciding to take advantage of it. He thought back to the bridge.

'That one was so powerful, but this guy...' he thought eyeing Bowman, who looked as though he was about to have some kind of breakdown.

'He's pathetic.' he thought with his ears dropping. He brought them back up with a question in mind.

"Tell me about your ranks," Dimension inquired now at ease.

Having been defeated, Bowman felt obliged to grant his request. The fact that he had a sword mere centimeters from his neck also motivated him.

"The Changeling Army has nine divisions, each specializing in a specific field," he explained. "The first division specializes in manipulation and deceit. The second division specializes in flight. Third is magic," he paused and shrunk back somewhat as he thought of that division's captain, "Fourth is stealth," he repeated the same action as his eyes narrowed.

'Those two are scary...''

"Fifth specializes in ranged combat, that's my division."

Dimension, who had already removed his blade from Bowman's neck, listened carefully to each and every word, taking mental notes along this way. The information would prove to be valuable in discerning his rival from the other ranks.

"Sixth is power, seventh is an elitist group, eight mostly just operates in the infirmary, and ninth is a scientific group that creates weapons and conducts experiments."

"Are certain divisions stronger than others?" Dimension inquired curiously.

"No... well, not particularly," Bowman replied indefinitely.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just that captains of the third and fourth divisions are rumored to be more powerful than the others. I've heard that they can each take out armies of hundreds all by themselves," he gulped, "They scare me."

Dimension kept his rival in mind, noting his use of magic, as well as his immense power.

'Could he be the captain of this third division?'

"Each member within each division is assigned a rank based on their power."

Dimension's eye twitched. His power, a singular subject requires a singular verb.

"The strongest is the captain, the second is the lieutenant, and the rest are given numbers from three down."

"What's your number?" Dimension asked, finally getting somewhere.

"Three."

"Hmm..." Dimension began to trot away.

"YOU DON'T JUST LEAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION!"

"Really?"

"Yes, really!"

"Well," Dimension rambled, "I figured since I have all the information there's no reason for me to speak further."

"Then go!"

"Isn't that contradicting what you said earlier?"

Bowman grumbled.

Dimension trotted away and around a corner, out of sight. As he walked he shifted his thoughts to his companions instead of his foes.

'Applejack and Spike went the other way and Rainbow flew off somewhere. That leaves me alone.' he sighed.

'Well, we do have a higher chance of finding where Twilight is being he-' he paused, gawking at nothing. He stood dumbly as a few seconds passed.

"I should have had him tell me where Twilight is..." he groaned, somewhat frustrated with himself.

"Baka*," he repeated banging his head on the brick wall following the left side the path.

Rainbow glided across the sky above all the buildings, subconsciously cataloging the layout.

"It's been longer than ten seconds," she sighed. "I forgot how HUGE this place is," she said throwing her forelegs in the air.

"What's that?" one changeling said on the ground. He exchanged words with another as he squinted his eyes at the sky.

"Intruder!" he shouted.

"Huh?" Rainbow blurted as she directed her sight to the ground. Changelings gathered into groups, some armed with crossbows and other ranged weapons. A few pegasi darted at her, but she knocked them all away in succession. A chop, kick, and another kick sent them flying back to whence they came.

"I don't have time for this," Rainbow complained before dashing off, followed by more pegasi.

"Oh you wanna do this the hard way? Let's to this the hard way!" she challenged. She exploded forward with speed, pushing them all back with a gust of wind as her trademark rainbow stream appeared. The wind bristled through her fur and tugged her hair. She looped upward, leaving a trail of six colors, and then shot down through her pursuers, knocking them aside like bowling pins.

"...What..?" Dimension gawked. "She'll get caught if she does that..."

Rainbow found a vacant cloud in the sky, and with incredible speed, carved through it, causing chunks of it to fly off and disappear. When she was finished, it resembled her cutie mark -- a cloud with a lightning bolt coming from it. She posed in front of it, then dashed to the ground once again.

Elemental, who was suffering from a severe lack of inspiration in his art, lit up instantly upon seeing Rainbow's spectacle. His eyes sparkled and his mouth hung open as he held his head to the sky.

"So artful!" he exclaimed.

Rain, lounging on a rooftop in his casual stealth, also turned his attention to the sky. He smiled through his mask, although no one could see, as he thought of Midnight's comment of the pegasus and her group of intruders.

'You really have a bad habit of underestimating ponies...'

"Big bro," said a black changeling pegasus as she looked to her older brother. Her hair had twists of black and dark gray.

"Yeah, we gotta go," he replied. He was white. The only naturally white changeling in the entire facility, possibly in all of Equestria. He was also a pegasus with a spiky mane. His hair twisted white and light gray.

The two began simultaneously walking toward Rainbow's landing spot.

"Now's our chance," the big brother, White Gale, said.

"Yeah," replied the younger sister, Black Wind.