Pony Dimension

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.