//-------------------------------------------------------// Disavowed -by hitman61live- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// This Love... //-------------------------------------------------------// This Love... Disavowed - Chapter 2 ...This Hate "This hospital bed is cramping my style." You move your head to the right, not expecting another voice. The nurse had forced you to stay in the hospital over night, to make sure your body doesn't act weirdly to the anti-venom they used on the poison. The only remaining ponies in the room other than yourself was Carrot Top, Twilight, and some random voice. The feeling of having the other ponies in the room helped you relax and push the thoughts of changelings away. Your current efforts where to keep a clear mind, and figure things out on your spare time. Twilight spoke, saying a name that you can recall, but are not sure of. "I know Rainbow, but trying to fight a changeling that held a knife was not the best idea." "Wait, she is in the same room as me?" Your question was more puzzling then the look on Carrot's face. Twilight moved the curtain between the beds in the room. "Oh, I forgot, not long after you where pulled into the hospital, Rainbow was admitted to the hospital. There was a changeling that had copied me and attacked Dash." A moan from Rainbow made Twilight jump and look over. Rainbow had tried to sit up, but only hurt herself in the process and re-opened the cut in her side. Taking things into your own hooves, you reach over and hit a little red button. A beeping from the hall must have alerted nurse Redheart, whom scrambled into the room and looked around trying to find what was wrong. The sight of the pegasus laying on the bed squeezing Twilight's hoof almost gave away what the problem was. As the white mare moved about, she about knocked the supplies out of the cabinet on the wall before returning to Rainbow with the stitches and needle. You look to Carrot, trying to ignore the other ponies cries of pain. "So, it has been two days since I was poisoned. That makes it about five days since the attack on Canterlot, right?" "Oh, yes. Why?" She approached your side, and lifter your hoof into her own. "I was wondering what had happened before I woke up. Like why you left, and how did the impostor get in here?" Carrot gazed towards a window, and slowly began to speak. "Well..." MEMORY - Carrot Top - Reasoning (First discovering the attack on Mythic) - It was midnight, the sky was still a black ceiling covered in white specks, and a single crescent white-light shining. Carrot Top had just awoken, a nightmare ringing through her memory. She could feel sweat dripping from her hair, down to her mouth. With a swipe of a hoof, the sweat dispersed onto the floor in a quick 'sploosh'. After a quick look around, Carrot gets a thought, maybe I should just head outside and go for a walk. She looks over to her coltfriend, his light blue mane shines in the moon light, making her smile. With a slow movement as to not wake the sleeping stallion, Carrot stands from the bed and walks to the door and outside. A warm breeze blows through her mane, causing it to frizzle and whip back and forth. With one more look around, she takes a step down the street and with sudden bursts of energy, Carrot took off on a stride. The warmth of the air still pushing her on. Not long after walking, she sees a pony, a relative of Mythic. "Hey, Bee Tango!" "Oh, hey Carrot Top! What are you doing out this late?" Carrot slowed her walk and stopped to the side of the other pony. "I was just getting some fresh air. Why are you out here?" The orange mare looked to the other pony. "Well, I have been taking night walks. Ever since Mythic and I found out we where related, things have seem to return to my memory, my past." Bee looked down the street at what looked to be police ponies, until the wind up alarm they carried could be heard. "Wait, what could have been the trouble this late?" One of the police ponies seemed to of recognized Carrot, and threw a letter towards her before hurrying down the street. She lifted the letter, revealing it's messy mouth writing. I thought I would find you away, get back to your residence A.S.A.P. There has been a terrible crime against your coltfriend. You are needed. Carrot dropped the note and took off towards her home. Behind the running pony Bee picked up the note and read it, before disappearing into the dark. - MEMORY - Carrot Top - Intermission (Before she left the hospital) - Carrot Top had been waiting in the waiting room, after her coltfriend was admitted for being poisoned. It was a hard full day of waiting in the room, although the furniture was quite comfy. In between dozing off and teary eyes she could see a flash of purple. The light was blinding, but quick. After regaining eyesight, she noticed a lavender unicorn, Twilight. On her back was a colt who was in serious condition, much worse than Mythic. Nurse Redheart appeared through the door with other ponies. "Mrs. Sparkle, what happened." "I don't know, I found him in the rubble of something and pulled him out. It is very serious, Nurse, you need to operate fast!" Carrot could see the blood of the colt running onto Twilight, probably staining her fur. With a gag she ran to the trashcan, almost missing. Another nurse ran to her, rubbing her back. "It is alright, dear, just get that image out of your head and head to room 203. Mythic is in there, but not awake; in order to keep him healthy he was medically induced into a coma. Don't worry though he will be fine." "Th...thanks nur...nurse." With that she headed down the hall, ignoring what was happening around her. Following a quick stop in the bathroom, she headed to the room. Inside was what she did not - but yet did - want to see. Carrot placed her head on the bead, and began to doze off. Sleep overwhelmed her, but didn't last long. She awoke several times to either a rapid beeping or a slow, more drawn out set of beeps. This was unbearable, and impossible to handle. Looking to the window, she could see it was bright and shinny from the rays shining through the window. The clock on the wall showed...noon?! "How could it be noon, I didn't sleep that long, did I?" Silence. "Oh, yea." The farmer stood, looking about the room. She began to walk but stumbled into one of the doctor trays, where there was a small scroll taped to it. Carrot opened the note, and stated, "I am getting tired of these notes already." Dear Carrot Top, I would like to apologize for the incident from this morning. "This morning?" She continued to read. My friend Applejack and I had found some wreckage, and in the pile of scrap was a pegasus. He was seriousely injured so there was no way of sneaking him in. I do hope to talk to you later tonight if you are open. I would like to speak to you about Mythic Emerald. (I don't mean to be rash, but his name is different from the rest I have seen). I live in the library of Ponyville, the one that IS a big tree. With all respect, Twilight Sparkle "I really don't want to do this, but in retrospect, seeing that hurt pony does make me want to blow off some steam; or at least talk." Carrot walked to her coltfriend, and placed a small sweet kiss on between his eyes. "I'll be back, don't wake up without me." END MEMORIES "Chrysalis, mam, I thought you said there where only two diseased ponies?" A changeling approached the plotting queen. "I said that, but lied. In any case I have to. The disease, is actually air born." The queen looked to one of her fellow changelings, whom intern left the room. "This disease has a cure, but I plan on using it when appropriate." "Mam, would it still be a disease with a cure, or just a virus?" The soldier cocked his head to the right. "No, and yes. It doesn't matter anymore, it is too hard to find enough of the cure to give to every changeling. Things are about to change, my young soldier." "Yes, of course mam." //-------------------------------------------------------// Relinquished Truths: Pony Warped Tour (Part 1) //-------------------------------------------------------// Relinquished Truths: Pony Warped Tour (Part 1) Disavowed Pony Warped Tour - Invites After Carrot Top finally finished her story of how most things went down, you look to the right at the cyan pegasus. After making sure she was fine - kind of odd seeing Twilight lying in the same bed as her - you look to the window; dark. Time sure seems to fly when somepony tells a story. Instead of arguing about the time, and another look around the room, you decide to finally speak to your marefriend."So, that's how it all went down. Instead of just going to see Twilight over there, you go to have a sincere chat. My biggest question is how that imposter snuck in here." "That I don't know, but what I do know is that you are being let out of here early since your heart and body are in good condition. The same for Rainbow over there, Twilight used some light healing spell and reduced the amount of stitches for the wound." Carrot seemed to be happy to tell you, although it was odd how she found these things out without stopping her story. A deep breath, and rising to your hooves, you decide to tell your marefriend something...simple...but yet important. "You are probably wondering why I decided to rent the apartment rather than buy a house. Well, my reason is in the room, in a bag under the bed." The door to the room opens, slowly creaking, until a light orange pegasus walks in. Recognizing family is something that is easy, but you still wonder if she really is family. "Hey, Bee, what are you doing here?" "I'm sure Carrot explained everything already, so to make it short, I found the note the officer gave her and followed her around. I wanted to make sure she wouldn't be attacked while alone. After some thinking I decided to come see you." "That was nice of you, a little creepy, but nice." You look around the room, before announcing to all of its inhabitants, "I would like you all to listen to me for a second. Before this all happened I had the plan on taking my marefriend here to the Pony Warped Tour." You look to see her face lighten up, a smile strung wide across it. "It seems, though, that they decided to do some sort of jackpot for free tickets, and as you can guess, I won. Instead of two tickets, they decided to give me five." "F...fiv...five...for Pony Warped Tour?" Rainbow seemed to have jumped the the edge of her bed, Twilight laying her tiring muzzle into the other mares mane. Indeed you have five, and in the mist of all of the action you realize, as soon as these others find out about your truth you are most likely a goner. The decision to take them all somewhere was easy, but only because you would rather have fun for the next few days, rather than lose everything from a stupid secret. On the other side, was your secret plan. Bee seemed to have taken things to thought for a second, rather than rush into her talking. "So, are you inviting us, or just shoving it in our faces?" The pegasus giggled, and walked slightly closer to to you. "Ha, good one. Yes, I am taking all of you. As it looks, I have a date and those two mares on the bed have things covered." The faces of the two elements lit up, with a light tint of red. "All we need is somepony for Bee!" "I'm fine, really, I would rather just go an enjoy myself with you all. Even if you will be preoccupied with each other, I can live with it." Bee gave a reassuring smile before giving you a light hug. "I can't let my own brother go without me to a show like this! If you do it as your first, then it would be great to tag along for my first too." You return the hug, and return to sitting on the bed. "The show is in two days, I'm sure we will all be up to our standards for this." "Flay, how long until we reach the destination?" "My fellow changelings, we are not going to where the original plan placed us," Flay said loudly. "Why sir?" "I sent a spy into the hotel that our brother had stayed in, and found what is called a Pony Warped Tour ticket pack. I have no clue what it is, but I plan on being there to observe it, and we may get the chance to finally pay Emerald a visit." "Yes sir, but what about Bee?" "She shouldn't know, but the chances are there. Please be ready for anything my soldiers, we are drawing closer to the end!" Flay raised his hoof for a cheer, but gained a cloudy mind. What if I can contract this disease? If my own brother has it, can I get it? [Authors note: This will probably be the shortest chapter of the next few parts to Relinquished Truths. The intense stuff is soon!] //-------------------------------------------------------// Relinquished Truths: Pony Warped Tour (Part 2) //-------------------------------------------------------// Relinquished Truths: Pony Warped Tour (Part 2) Pony Warped Tour - Pain Before the Gain The night winded down faster than you thought, and after being sent home you couldn't be happier. Or, at least that is your current thoughts. This is it. This is the day, that you finally find a way to tell your marefriend, Carrot Top, the truth. No more hiding it, and no more being scared. It is time, as they say, to nut up, or shut up. Your eyes are filled with Celestia's sun, as the room around you fully turns it's colors of a dull white and brown. Looking to your right there is a stack of tickets that need to be handed out to your new friends. At least you believe they are. Turning to look the other way is your marefriend, the one you love, and the one you bought that marriage bracelet for. With a slow turn, she leans into you, wrapping her hooves around your body. "Good morning, Mythy," she says in a tired, crackling voice. In which you respond, "Good morning, Carrot. Did you sleep well?" "Mmhm, especially since I had you with me." "And not in the hospital?" You give a light laugh, and receive a kiss to the side of your mouth. Quite sloppy, but it is early. The amount of ways she could react to you telling her the truth starts to bother you. Is she going to understand and accept me for what and who I am? Is she going to turn away and never speak to me again? What if she decides to kill me? Even through your thinking, it is true that she is one of the most passionate mares you have ever met. She is sure to understand. "You alright Hun?" Carrot snapped you out of the trance. "Huh, what? Oh, yea, yea, I'm fine. Just thinking." Wow, I sound like something is wrong. "You sound like something is wrong?" She answers in a more worried tone. Knew it. "No, It's fine, just early. What do you say we get some breakfast?" "That sounds wonderful, can we get some here? I really don't feel like going anywhere today." "Of course, I think I have some biscuits and gravy in the fridge. Will that work?" You stand to your hooves, moving every limb letting off a crackle from your joints. "That'll work." The kitchen is only a little ways off, but felt like a mile of walking. "Must be side effects of the anti-poison." A look through the fridge and you find the food. After placing it in a pan, you place the pan in the stone fireplace, and light it. The heat is nice, but not as much flow with the outside temperature. No longer than a few minutes later you hear the bedroom door open and shut. Approaching you is a huge mess of mane. "Carrot, your mane looks like it was rubbed with a hundred balloons." "Oh quit teasing. I think you should be more worried about the food, rather than my mane." She was definitely right, as the food you where heating up was completely done, and starting to burn. Taking the pan off the burner you place it in a pot of cool water, then on the counter. Two plates and forks later, you place the food in front of the mare and sit across from her. Eating for you two was never interrupted with a conversation, unless it was a special date. As long as it took to cook, the food was gone. Carrot stood up, placed the plate in the sink, and returned to you. "I'm going to get cleaned up, care to join me?" "I would love to, but these dishes aren't going to clean themselves," you say with a smile. Normally if she asked you would say yes, but this is one of those 'lets not push our luck' kind of days. "Alright, your loss." After she says this she gives you a kiss on your lips. A short one, but long enough for you to smell and taste the gravy she had just eaten. Sarcastically you think, that was a treat. She enters the bathroom and shuts the door, while you turn to the sink, singing a tune that you both know well. And I wonder You hear the water turn on in the other room as you place the dishes into the sink, the water on low. When I sing along with you A quick dab of soap on the sponge and a good rub you place each dish on the dish rack to dry. If everything could ever feel this real forever You hear the shower in the next room stop, and the curtain pull aside. If anything could ever be this good again You walk to the door, hearing the rest of the lyrics you had just sing. The only thing I'll ever ask of you You've got to promise not to stop when I say when She sang Her sweet voice filling your ears makes your heart shatter, knowing what you have to...no, you need to tell her. When she leaves the bathroom, you'll tell her you need to talk. Hooves crossed. Finally the door opens, and a much cleaner looking mare steps out. You take a seat on the couch and pat the seat next to you for the mare to sit in. She soon obliges, and you take her hooves in yours. "Carrot, I really need to talk to you about something." "What is it?" The look on her face is a sign of horror. "It's not that, I'm not breaking up with you, I am still in full heart for you." You see relief plastered on her face. Here goes nothing. "Carrot, ever since I was poisoned I have been regaining much of my child hood memory." You wait to see her nod. She does know you have no normal knowledge of your past already. That makes it about thirty percent easier. "Well, what I remember is of what I used to be...who I used to be. Carrot...I-I am a changeling." The look she gives you is disbelief, and hurts in one way or another. "No you're not...you can't be...when Twilight hit me with that magic she also hit you. You would have been changed back." "Carrot, I need you to listen. I am not lying about any of this. The reason it didn't work is because Chrysalis permanently changed me to a pony. For every changeling is a natural pony form, opposite of themselves. If they need to hide, they can use it. This all is only happening because of a disease. This disease is able to change the DNA required to feed off of love, and rearrange it. Instead of feeding off of love, I have to eat normal food...real food for energy." You look to your - as you believe - marefriend, hoping she is paying attention. Tears. "I really didn't want to tell you this, but this is why the assassins are after me. I left the army and decided not to be apart of it. As it is really called, I went disavowed. When Chrysalis found out, she changed me into a permanent pony, and temporarily wiping my memory. How she caught me I am still trying to figure out." You feel as if you've just ripped out your own heart. It is painful at the least to tell some truths, but telling this one is the worse. Carrot looks at you, and blinks a few times causing her tears to fall to the couch. "How? How is...is this possible? I-I need to go." She stands and walks to the door. "Where are you going?" You hope this isn't as bad as it seems. Hope is all you have now. "To talk to Derpy, maybe she can help me understand." The door opens, and slowly shuts. You look to your hooves. Tears aren't something you like to shed, but you do know what it is like to hurt this much. Especially when the liquid drips from your eye to the sofa, leaving a salty streak across your mouth. Is this the end? No, this is not the end. You have as many chances as possible, and there is no time for lollygagging. Meanwhile - Carrot with Derpy - Help? - It took time, but she finally made it. Carrot traveled to her one of her oldest friends home - a mare that is known by the name Derpy Hooves - Ditzy Doo. Carrot approaches the older house, and knocks. The first pony to answer the door is not who she expected, but was a happy sight. "Oh, hey Carrot Top!" "Hey Dinky, where is your mother." Carrot tried her best to hide the tears she was carrying beneath her eyes, but failed to do so. "What's wrong, Auntie?" Dinky was always calling Carrot an aunt, but was never really related. "Oh, it's nothing, I just need to see Dizty. That's all." Carrots gives a response while baring an almost forced smile, and ruffling the fillies mane. "Ok, she is in the living room," Dinky said, pointing to the next door. Carrot approached the next door with Dinky, and opened it. Inside was a room full of paper: mail. Avoiding the mail at all costs, Carrot walks around to find the other mare shifting through the mess. It wasn't long until she realized Carrot standing in the room, and look towards the mare. "Carrot? What's wrong?" Her question was answered almost immediately, as Carrot jumped to the pegasus and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I...I don't know what to do!" Carrot had no plan, but was piecing it together. Ditzy could feel something run down her back, and held the other mare away from herself in order to see what it was. Obvious to others it would be tears, but it takes Ditzy a second to realize. No pony comes to her for help, especially when they are crying. "About what, Carrot?" "Let...let me explain." Carrot looked down, and breathed every word she said. As to not confuse the other mare, she did her best to explain from start to finish without any non-obvious words. Time was short, as she knew Mythic would follow suitably. She was right, as a knock could be heard at the door. "Oh no, Ditzy, I need to hide. Try to avert him away, ok?" With a solute, the pegasus points to the bathroom and waits for Carrot to go inside. Afterwards she walks to the front door and opens it... Outside Ditzy's House - Mythic Emerald - The mare you expected to open the door, opens it, and looks kind of...happy? The only thing to do is break the awkward silence between you and the grey pegasus you speak, "um, Ditzy, is Carrot here? I really need to talk to her." "I don't know, I was talking to Dinky about something. If she came in, then I didn't hear her." For a pegasus that seems half brained, she is very smart, but you can see through it all. After all, you had heard the entire conversation from outside the door, "Uh, huh. Ditzy, I need to see her! Please, I can't lose her because of me being a past changeling! I am no longer one at that, I am now a full blooded pony, thanks to Chrysalis for once." You look into the other mares eyes...well at least one of them. "I don't know, she looked awfully hurt." Ditzy looks to her shoulder, remember the tears that rolled down it. You are seconds away from hitting this mare, but know it is wrong. Instead of becoming physical, you realize it is all lost and fall to the ground. Tears again. Why is it always tears for these things? With one last burst of energy, you stand and tell the mare off. "Ditzy, I love this mare. I need this mare. Her name is Carrot Top, and no matter what it takes I am NOT losing her! I want to prove that even though I was a past changeling that I am still able to be a fair pony. Please...I-I need to see her." With words trailing off, you turn around and walk towards the mid day sun. It is impossible to beat this pegasus. One of the doors within the house opens, hitting the wall with a thud. You turn, only able to half speak your loves name. "Car..." An embrace...a hug? "I heard what you said, and I was wrong in my thoughts. Mythy, I was never going to leave you, I just needed time to think. I believe your story, although it is hard, I really do. You can't separate love forever, right?" She smiles at you, and you're only able to smile back, and return her hug. By Celestia you love this mare. You finally are able to speak, "Carrot, I need to know...know that you are sure with this." "There is only one way to prove this to you, and that way to prove it, is this." She places her muzzle to yours, giving you a kiss of true lust. She slightly breaks off, and whispers, "Mythy, I love you." Her warm breath tickles your muzzle, and you are only able to smile. "I love you too, Carry." Behind Carrot you can hear a silent 'aww', and look around her to see Ditzy close the door slowly, smiling wide. You turn towards what in the distance looks to be one of the biggest trees in Ponyville. "I need to deliver these tickets, so would you like to join me, Carrot?" "Of course!" She jumps to your side, and you both begin to walk. The scenery around you and Carrot is what you have both always loved to see. Fillies and colts playing in the open fields with their parents, the warm sun beating down through the clouds, and the smell of hidden lilacs sending their sent riffling past your nose. "I hope we could have all of these things at some time." You are startled at the sudden speaking beside you, but don't show it. Instead you answer, "Me too. Someday though." She looks to you with a smile, and looks back to the approaching library tree. Carrot knocks on the door three times, and steps back. Not too long later it is answered by a cyan pegasus. "Hey Mythic, what are you guys doing here?" "I'm a girl, Dash." Carrot looked at the other mare, confused. "It's informal...I think...what ever. Twilight's just inside if you need to see her." She points to a desk, where the lavender mare was standing. "Thanks Rainbow, but this involves both of you." Within the tree you and Carrot take a seat near the fireplace, the heat and light radiating off of the walls and windows. Twilight and Rainbow soon approached, a plate with cups and a tea kettle floating above Twilight in bright purple pulses. Twilight is the first to speak. "Would you care for some tea?" You respond, "Yea, sure. Carrot?" "I would too, please." Within the magic aurora you can see the white kettle float, tipping into the cups filling them to the tops. It soon after was replaced, almost effortlessly. "So, Mr. Emerald, what is it that you need?" Twilight levitated the tea cups to everypony in the room. "Well, as I said at the hospital, I have the tickets for the Pony Warped Tour. I also said that you two would get two tickets, so here they are." You turn your head to the saddlebag on your back, and pull out two tickets. The purple aurora appeared around the tickets, hinting that you should drop them; so you do. "I would like to thank you for this. Rainbow couldn't be happier to finally go see one and whatever makes her happy, makes me happy." Twilight looked to the cyan mare with a warm smile, then back to you. "I am also thankful, as it is a really good way to get Twilight out of the library," Rainbow said, the lavender mare beside her blushing slightly. "Haha, Mythy always loves to keep everypony in mind, and at heart." Carrot spoke, laying a hoof on yours, then giving you a stern look. After a few seconds, you regain courage and look to the mares across the room. "Um...I really came here for something else. Ever since I was poisoned, I have been regaining my memory. The memory of who I was, and what I was before it all went blank." You look to Carrot one last time, and she gives you a reassuring smile, and peck on your cheek, whispering, "you can do it, I believe they can understand." With a quick nod, you look to the other two mares. "I really hate this, but this is the hardest part. I am a changeling." The room was quiet, too quiet. Or, was it your initial shock as the other ponies just sat there, nodding their heads. "I know." Twilight was the first to speak. "That spell is what really brought back your memory, giving me all of your past. I told Rainbow not too long ago, and we had a discussion about what we should do." You feel Carrot grab on to you, trying to guard you from whatever happens. "Don't worry Carrot, we are not going to hurt him in any way. In fact, we would have never learned of the disease if it wasn't for..." Twilight trailed off, looking into the shadows towards what sounded like a light cough. "I told them, Mythic, I had to." "Bee? Why did you tell them, and how did you know?" Bee looked to her wing, and then back to Mythic. "I was poisoned not too long before you, and was just as lucky. After recovering in the hospital, I as well started to get my memory back. You and I both have the same virus, and are both changelings. They all had to find out sometime." "I can't believe this! You knew longer than me, and never told me? What, are you now getting your memory back of childhood? Are we not related as well?" You feel the rage build up, but realize that it wasn't worth it. "I knew longer, and didn't tell you so that I wouldn't get in the way of your life!" She approached the door, seconds from opening it and looks back. "The worst part, is I am not related to you...and never was." Bee looks to the door, and begins to open it. "I love you, Mythic." With that, she was gone. The world seemed to of crashed around you. Your apparent sister, isn't what you have believed all of these years. Next to that, she loved you? After a few minutes, you look to the saddle bag, and find the fifth ticket, gone. Tears again, why is it always the tears? [Authors Note: I am sorry to say, but as to not spoil the next chapter, or any to follow, there will be NO changeling part. I really didn't want to do this, but it could give away a huge part of the plot line if I am not careful. So I won't take that chance. (Last time for an authors note within the chapters as well)] ~~~I would like to apologize if you received another update about the story. I accidentally hit the un-publish button.~~~ //-------------------------------------------------------// Pony Warped Tour (Re-write Soon) //-------------------------------------------------------// Pony Warped Tour (Re-write Soon) Pony Warped Tour - Anxiety "Wow! There are a LOT of good bands on this list!" "Shush Rainbow, we can wait to get excited, but for now we need to enjoy the train ride." "But Twilight!" The unicorn only glared at Rainbow. "Alright, but how long?" You look over to the mares, and give a smile. "Not much longer, about 100 hooves away?" The glee of seeing the other ponies on the train jump to the window makes you giggle. It was still funny, especially when you tell the truth. The truth... I love you, Mythic. The words are an echo of pain. You don't love her the same, but you can't say there was nothing at all. Without realizing it, you say her name just above a whisper, "Bee Tango." "Mythic, what's wrong? I don't want the night to be ruined because of what happened." Carrot's voice reawakens today's plan, and makes you smile. "Eh, nothing now. I just wish I new why she feels how she does for me. I can't love her like I do you, but I care just the same." You look to the list in your hooves. "I guess it doesn't matter anymore, as long as I have you. So, you ready to see the list?" "Yea, sure." You hand the list to her, the names in the order as they play. This year is different then the last. Instead of pure punk, or metal, the bands will be a bigger mix of music: Incubus, Pony Park, Bits Back, Avenged Ponyfold, All That Remains, Pierce the Veil, Pon-Z, Ponywood Undead, Creed, Foo Fighters, Hoobastank, Celestia Smack, Rise Against, AND MORE... "Mythy, why is Foo Fighters highlighted in red?" Carrot asks. "That was the last list they had, and it was used to plan somepony's special performance." You give her a smile, and the best poker face you can. She responds with a smile as well. The train slowly grinds, and with one last screech stops. The doors open and the four stepped out first. With tickets in mouths they approached the booth, in which a white and blue stallion sat, collecting the tickets. After a quick check over, they allow the Rainbow and Twilight through, then Carrot and yourself. The ticket seats that you where lucky to get a hold of where second row, and quite expensive. With your savings, and the low cost of your apartment, they became easy to get. Time was on your side for this one, as the first band stepped on stage, along with an announcer. "Welcome, everypony, to Pony Warped Tour! Now, to start off your night with less talking I'll give this to you quickly. Exits are to the back right and back left. In case of fire or anything else, please cautiously exit out those gates. Now, to announce our first band. Here we have a well known band that has been around for MANY years. Here is Incubus, playing the first song - Wish You Were Here!" With that, the announcer stepped from the stage. The lights on stage start to darken, and a light symbol could be heard, followed by a short silence. Within seconds the stage was filled with light and heavy music followed by a loud "Hey!" You know this song, and decide to sing along. I dig my hooves into the sand, The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds, Strewn across a blue blanket, I lean against the wind, Pretend that I am weightless, And in this moment I am happy...happy, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, I lay my head onto the sand, The sky resembles a back lit canopy, With holes punched in it, I'm counting UFOs, I signal them with my lighter, And in this moment I am happy...happy, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, Wish you were here, The world's a roller coaster, And I am not strapped in, Maybe I should hold with care, But my hands are busy in the air saying:, I wish you were here, I wish you were, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, I wish you were here, Wish you were here! The first song seemed to be enough for the mares beside you, because as it ended they couldn't help but cheer. No more doubt about this, it worked pretty good. As the band continued to play songs, you find that even the others know some lyrics. After about ten songs, though, the next band comes on, and is announced as "Pony Park". The cycle repeated, As explosions broke in the sky, All that I needed, Was the one thing I couldn't find, And you were there at the turn, Waiting to let me know, With another look around, you start singing this song as well, but from the looks of it, Twilight knows it too. We're building it up, To break it back down, We're building it up, To burn it down, We can't wait, To burn it to the ground, The colors conflicted, As the flames, climbed into the clouds, I wanted to fix this, But couldn't stop from tearing it down, And you were there at the turn, Caught in the burning glow, And I was there at the turn, Waiting to let you know, We're building it up, To break it back down, We're building it up, To burn it down, We can't wait To burn it to the ground You told me yes, You held me high, And I believed when you told that lie, I played soldier, you played king, And struck me down, when I kissed that ring, You lost that right, to hold that crown, I built you up, but you let me down, So when you fall, I'll take my turn, And fan the flames, As your blazes burn, And you were there at the turn, Waiting to let me know, We're building it up, To break it back down, We're building it up, To burn it down, We can't wait, To burn it to the ground, When you fall, I'll take my turn, And fan the flames, As your blazes burn, We can't wait, To burn it to the ground, When you fall, I'll take my turn, And fan the flames, As your blazes burn, We can't wait, To burn it to the ground! With amazement, you get closer to the pony, who was well in a headbanging fit with Rainbow. "Hey, Twilight! I didn't know you where such a big fan of this kind of music!" "Oh, yea. When I get done with studies, I tend to listen to music from a list Rainbow gave me. You can blame her for me knowing some songs." With that she gave you a smile, a kiss to Rainbow's cheek, then averted her attention to the stage. ^Nine Bands Later^ It is the ninth band, who came on about ten songs ago with the name of Creed. You have heard this band, but not as often as the others. That would matter, if the next band that was coming on wasn't part of your master plan. After one last guitar rift, the band onstage finished the last song, and turned to the crowd with a bow. The four ponies stepped off the stage, and past the announcer. "Now that was a performance! Alright, once again to cut to the chase, I have something amazing to tell you. There will be a surprise for a couple out there in the crowd somewhere! Now, it will be the second song by the next band, the Foo Fighters!" With that he stepped from the stage, and disappeared. The singer approached the mic, and let out a loud "YEAH! I am proud to be here, and boy do we have something special going on tonight. Before we can get there, though, we need to play a song that recently came out, it is 'Walk'!" In the next few seconds, the music started. It seemed everypony, including yourself, knows this song, and sings it. A million miles away, Your signal in the distance, To whom it may concern, I think I lost my way, Getting good at starting over, Every time that I return, Learning to walk again, I believe I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Learning to talk again, Can't you see I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Do you remember the days, We built these paper mountains, Then sat and watched them burn, I think I found my place, Can't you feel it growing stronger, Little conquerors, Learning to walk again, I believe I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Learning to talk again, I believe I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Now, For the very first time, Don't you pay no mind, Set me free again, You keep alive a moment at a time, But still inside a whisper to a riot, To sacrifice but knowing to survive, That first decline another state of mind, I'm on my knees, I'm praying for a sign, Forever, whenever, I never wanna die, I never wanna die, I never wanna die, I'm on my knees, I never wanna die, I'm dancing on my grave, And running through the fire, Forever, whatever, I never wanna die, I never wanna leave, I'll never say goodbye, Forever, Whatever! Forever, Whatever!! Learning to walk again, I believe I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Learning to talk again, Can't you see I've waited long enough, Where do I begin? Learning to walk again, I believe I've waited long enough, Learning to talk again, Can't you see I've waited long enough. Here it is, here is the biggest moment of your life. This is what you have always wished for for a proposal, and here is the time to do it. The next few seconds where silent, as the singer approached the mic, and looked out towards the crowd. "Alright, before we go on, I would like to explain what is going on. I am picking a pony from the crowd to come up here with his special someone to sing a song with me. Yes, I said it, with me. So, without further ado, I give you the seat that was chosen. It is seat number B12!" You look to your ticket, and smile. Although this was planned you couldn't help but act out your part. With a loud gasp, you jump up and hold the ticket up high. With a glance to your right, you see Carrot. The biggest smile you have ever seen from her shines back. "ALRIGHT! Now, come on up stage here, and we will get this show on the road!" You reach back and take Carrot by the hoof, and pull her to the stage. As you scan through the crowd you see the hundreds of ponies in front of you, but get over the embarrassment with a hoodshake with the singer. Your heart flutters as Carrot hugs you tightly, unable to control herself. "So, I have thought of a decent song for this couple. The name is 'Everlong'!" At the mentioning of the song Carrot holds you tighter, and kisses you on the cheek. "This was planned, wasn't it?" "Well, kind of, but I think it is more time to get ready to kill our voice boxes!" With a laugh, you approach the second on-stage mic, with Carrot right beside you. The guitar behind you starts to play, then speeds up, followed by some drums. Time to sing! You and the lead singer both start out, and are joined by Carrot by the fourth line. Hello, I've waited here for you, Everlong, Tonight, I throw myself into, And out of the red, out of her head she sang, Come down, And waste away with me, Down with me, Slow how, You wanted it to be, I'm over my head, out of her head she sang, And I wonder, When I sing along with you, If everything could ever feel this real forever, If anything could ever be this good again, The only thing I'll ever ask of you, You've got to promise not to stop when I say when, She sang, Breathe out, So I could breathe you in, Hold you in, And now, I know you've always been, Out of your head, out of my head I sang, And I wonder, When I sing along with you, If everything could ever feel this real forever, If anything could ever be this good again, The only thing I'll ever ask of you, You've got to promise not to stop when I say when, She sang, Here the guitar solo takes over, and you turn to your marefriend. With the mic close by, you crouch to your knees, and pull something from your bag. "Carrot Top. I have been with you for more than three years." She had already looked towards you, and a tear was forming in her eye. "So, something that I have always wanted to ask, I am asking now. Carrot Top, will you marry me?" The music returned, as she pulled you into a tight hug. Your lips meeting at the height of the excitement. And I wonder, If everything could ever feel this real forever, If anything could ever be this good again, The only thing I'll ever ask of you, You've got to promise not to stop when I say when. The crowd continued to cheer as you leaned back slightly from Carrot. With a hoof you place the mic in between your muzzles, and she shyly says, "yes." *** "Welcome to you Echo Side, Mythic. Did you miss me?" You release Carrot, turning around quickly. What follows feels like slow motion. The announcer sprinted to the stage, changing from head to tail, into a changeling. "I would love to stay here and chat with you all day, but I have a better idea!" With a sudden glow, you watch as an arrow is created from the imposter s horn, and launches at you. The sound of the arrow makes you think of the swish of a pony's tail, flipping back and forth. With no magic yourself, you are only able to watch as the arrow gets closer to you, with only a pony length away. The audience let out a horrific grunt, and with a recognizable pounding sound, stampeded away from the stage side and to the outer limits. With eyes closed, and mind going blank, you can only hold a stance in front of Carrot. Ahh, your fiance, the one you will be marrying, the one you are engaged to. This will be all gone in a flash, of course. "Noo! Not...Mythic!" With eyes snapping open, you can recognize the voice as Bee. In a sudden whoosh she lands in front of you, taking the arrows full blow to the chest. "Bee!!" That is the only thing you could say, as you feel a restraint placed around your hooves. To the left, Rainbow had been tied down, Twilight with an anti-magic cone placed on her horn also tied down. With as much strength as you could summon, and a blind furry, you buck your back hooves, sending what was holding you across the stage. A full jump forward landed you on top of the attacker. He had no chance. The blind furry pushed you to pull a hoof back, and slam it into the changelings face, crushing his snout and sending what seemed to be buckets of blood over the stage. You turn to see Carrot running to Bee, so you follow. Kneeling at her side, she breathes a few last words. "Mythic, I'm sorry. Please understand * cough* that I can only be happy for who you are, and Carrot. Escape these traitors, and find somewhere safe. Just never forget *cough* me.." Her breaths began to shorten, sounding like dry heaves. Her energy was beyond anything you had ever seen before. Bee takes your hoof in her right, and Carrot's hoof in her left. "I love you both, please don't let them...ru...ru...ruin...." Her last breath was short lived, as a sudden pain in your back awakens you. With a *clink*, you could feel your hooves get tied together, and are pulled down. With your face in the air, the only things possible to see is the hoof pointed at your..... //-------------------------------------------------------// Strange Anatomy //-------------------------------------------------------// Strange Anatomy Strange Anatomy You can feel the room spinning, or at least your head. Finally coming back to consciousnesses, you begin to hear mumbling. "Darn piece of worthless incapable machine!" A hard metallic *clank* echoed around the room, sending vibrations down your spine. "Aha! I bucking got it!" You finally open your eyes, and look around the room. It was made of concrete block, and the floor was steel grating. The straps around your body are pulling tight on you, holding all four hooves to the metallic sheet in which you lay. "Wonderful," you mutter. "Ah, so you're finally awake, huh? That's perfect! Let us start this dissection!" Your voice is scratchy, must have been out for a while. Especially with the painful throb on your head. "What do you mean dissection?" "Ah, so you are the kind of pony that likes to become friends before suffering? Well, I will be your friend. So wonderful that you are awake, too!" The other pony approaches you, looking like a stereotypical scientist. A white lab coat, unshaven white beard, and the eyes of some pony like Ditzy Doo. Very uncouth, something Rarity would disgust if she was here. "I can beg to differ. If I'm going to be my killers friend, then I need to know what he plans on using to torture me." Start with simple conversation, you think, patching together a plan piece by piece. Wait until he finishes his plans, I will rip these cloth straps from the board, then find a way to save Carrot. Simplicity at it's best, since the doctor in front of you seemed to use weak cloth to tie you down. "First, I plan on cutting you limb from limb, replacing each one with a robotic limb. Following that, I will replace your eyes with pinpoint technology. Your brain will no longer be used as it will be replaced with a brilliant artificial intelligence." Your chance arrived. In the need of escape, anything can be possible. Why not pull the stakes from your body and take this freak down? For one, you're currently held down by cloth. Two, two is the fact that now you are interested. What if? What if you could just allow this freak to change just one of your limbs? You decide to ask if you could choose the first one. "So you plan on changing my appearance, my body, and my mind? I have a better question yet, can I choose the first leg?" "Choose the first leg you say? Well why not?! I can allow that! As for your mind, it will be the same soul, just lost memories." "I've already lost enough memory as it is, just start with my front left leg*." You quickly adjust your leg to prove it is your choice. "You know what, let us make this happen with less pain, I feel generous." With that said, the scientist jumped at you, placing his hoof against your head with a thud. - The feeling of a huge pressure engulfs your entire body. It slowly inches its way around your body until finally ending in your left front leg. A fiery pain climbs the entire appendage ending at the hip. The pain causes your eyes to snap open, the sight of a blurry room become quite repetitive. A few blinks later, cleared vision, and a look around, you find the room to be the same one from before. The only thing, or things missing are the doctor, and your left leg. After further analysis, you find the leg has been fully replaced by an all metallic prosthetic. Further study shows it has the same uses as your original leg, but without the color. Your once atmospheric blue is now a sharp reflective chrome. A smile eases it's way across your face, as with almost no thought, it moves. The smile increases. With ease the limb breaks free of the strap, and reaches across to hit the release button. What a stupid design. You look about the room, thinking of a what to do to finally get out of this room. On the wall there is an eye scanner, which most likely requires the subject to be alive. "I might need to do some interrogating first, find out why I'm in this room and not being executed by Chrysalis. There is only one way to find out." You slowly move about the room, ready for the scientist to return. Lowering your front half, you get ready to pounce. The door swings open and you rear back, allowing your back legs to crouch down further. In a spring like motion, your body launches through the air, landing on the imposter. To your luck, it's who you wanted. You speak in a hissing tone, "Why am I in here, and not being executed?!" The scientist just stares, eyes wide feeding a look of "what just happened". "I b-bought you.." "From?" "Chrysalis! She promised not to drain my body of love as long as I destroyed you! How did you escape?" You point to the metal table, specifically at the not-so-hidden button. "Now that I have you pinned, where are the others? Where are Carrot, Bee, Twilight, and Dash?" He answers, but it sounds pained. "They-they are at the-them changeling prison!" You place your organic hoof across his face, pushing harder and harder. "How do I get there, and what cell?!" "I-I can give you directions! I can even give you the info needed to break in! You just have to promise one thing." A promise to the pony that just changed your well being? This will be fun. "Fine, what is it?" "You must kill Chrysalis, and release me from this all. If you hold that promise, I won't disable your leg at the click of a button." "I see. I will hold your promise, as long as you show me what all this thing can do," you say, while moving your new leg in front of the scientist. "And are able to get me into the prison." After releasing pressure on his face, you step back allowing him up. After a few seconds of deep breathing, the scientist looks you in the eye. "I will explain your abilities now, so you can be on your way. The names Strings, by the way." You slightly laugh. "Strings huh? Well, my name is Mythic, but I'm sure you knew that." "Yes, well, lets get started. First off, your leg will never need a lubricant. The ability to move it will get easier the more you try, and it can hold you steady. The strength of the leg is three times that of your old one." He stops, admiring his work. "Here is the coolest part, you have three tools implemented into the leg." You become slightly confused. "Three tools?" "Hold the questions, I will explain first. The first tool, is a very sharp knife. It's like a shortened version of a Katana blade. Next is the torch. It does require a fill up, but from a fuel cell. It can get hot enough to cut through three inches of steel. The last tool, is the sonic wave emitter. It allows you to stomp your hoof, causing a sound ripple that can send anyone flying." "Do I need training for this all, does it all work through thought?" Strings places a hoof on your shoulder. "Thought, as that is the only way a muscle works. Now that we have this all explained, let me give you a few pieces of equipment to get you on your way." He hoofs over a dark sneaking coat, a few fuel cells, saddle bags, and what looks to be a headset. The last object is a map to the prison. "This is everything you will need. I will keep in touch through the headset if you need something. Now hurry, they will need you." Strings pushes you out of the door, and into the streets of night. A few post lamps are lit, but are ordinary firefly lights. The pain in your leg finally eases away, and you push towards the prison. A question rattles through your head. Why is he helping me? //-------------------------------------------------------// Victimized //-------------------------------------------------------// Victimized Victimized You have always seen things as impossible, even fake. This is one day, that impossible will have to wait. A sly chill rustles through your mane, pushing the spikes that seem to be faltering to the right. The grass waves, almost in a salute to you. Hidden in the black of night, with only a keen sense of hearing to guide your way. Once again, simplicity at its best, right? Wrong. There is more to sneaking, you realize, than calm breathing, air like movements, and quick acting. There is also calmness, balance, planning on sight (quite like improvising), mapping out the enemy trail, and taking the fall. How long ago you made it to this disgustingly grimy prison doesn't matter to you. The only thing, or things, on your mind now? Your fiance, your new friends, and Bee. Hope of their survival is all you have. Especially for Bee. *Memory* "Noo! Not...Mythic!" With eyes snapping open, you can recognize the voice as Bee. In a sudden crash she lands in front of you, taking the arrows full blow to the chest. "Bee!!" That is the only thing you could say, as you feel a restraint placed around your hooves. To the left, Rainbow had been tied down, Twilight with an antimagic cone placed on her horn is also tied down. With as much strength as you could summon, and in a blind fury, you buck your back hooves, sending what was holding you across the stage. A full jump forward landed you on top of the attacker. He had no chance. The blind furry pushed you to pull a hoof back, and slam it into the changelings face, crushing his snout and sending what seemed to be buckets of blood over the stage. You turn to see Carrot running to Bee, so you follow. Kneeling at her side, she breathes a few last words. "Mythic, I'm sorry. Please understand,” she urges on between coughing and gags, “that I can only be happy for who you are, and Carrot too, of course. Escape these traitors, and find somewhere safe. Just never forget me." Her breath begins to shorten, sounding like dry heaves. Her energy was beyond anything you had ever seen before. Bee takes your hoof in her right, and Carrot's hoof in her left. "I love you both, please don't let them...ru...ru...ruin...." Her last breath was short lived, as a sudden pain in your back awakens you. With a loud thump, you could feel your hooves get tied together, and are pulled down. With your head pulled back, and face in the air, your view is filled with a bright blue sky. A hoof approaches your skull from above, striking you unconscious. *Memory - End* Your own hoof lays upon your head, while the robotic addition to your body stays planted on the ground. With another step past one of the seemingly deaf guard, you approach the holding chambers. "I need to see your positional status card, mam." Came from behind the next door. You slowly peak around the corner, rolling the most frontal eye back and forth watching the changelings ahead chat. "Of course, it is right here!" The one on the left, weak body, short, but could still be sly, pulls out a card from almost nowhere. "Alright then, I see your card is correct and up to date, be careful in there, mam." The other one, on the right behind a desk, strong body build, but no charisma from his looks. That deserves a laugh, but not right now. Time to improvise. "Thank you," she replies. Following subtly to a clank, she disappears into the gloomy hallway. You look around your current room, removing your head from the peaking. To the right are a pile of unopened cans. With a slow stomp, and calm thoughts, you use the sonic abilities of your robotic limb to make the cans fall from their current stature. "What in the world?" The changeling from the gate room runs into your current room. As he enters, you slowly place a hoof beneath his, causing him to trip. After a few tumbles and rolls, he finally stops with a smash of the head off of the nearby table. "Ouch." You chuckle, but soon return to the task at hoof. You move forwards into the next room, with the gate in front of you standing at least two ponies in height. You pull the headset from your bag, and place it over the right ear. "Strings, can you hear me?" A static buzz exits from the headphone into your ear, followed by a few beeps. Finally you can hear his voice from the other end. "Good, I'm glad the headset works. Where are you?" You answer, "In front of the prison hall gates, I believe. I've never been in prison, so how do I open it?" "I am the only one with the technology you are using, so I would guess a lever under the desk or somewhere in the room. Note this, though, once you enter the headset will not work. The walls are too thick for that and the magic barrier around the halls don't allow short wave transmissions. Not like you know what that means," he responds. You move around the desk, and find exactly what you needed. A lever labeled 'gate'. After turning around, you buck the lever to the other direction. With a few clicks, the door finally opens, grinding against its metallic outer casing. "Doors open, I'm going in." You walk forward, entering the halls. Every step echoing against the walls making it sound as if there were others with you. "Be careful, once you enter, your on your ow..” Static feedback is entwined into the voice in your ear. “ Watch for the..” More static interrupts his current flow, only ending in one last word. “Hurry!" Strings voice cuts out, leaving the only noises in the hall of your own breathing, walking, thinking, and the occasional water droplet from the ceiling. * Inside The Cell - The Others * "Twilight, she lost more blood during the transportation to here. I could only keep her stable, albeit I'm not a doctor, I only give her until tomorrow." Carrot turned to face the patched Bee, covered in rags and any other type of material. "If not tonight." Twilight tapped a hoof on the antimagic cone on top of her head. "If this stupid thing would just break off, I would help her heal more. Sadly, that is impossible. These things are made out of the finest silver known to ponykind." Carrot could only nod in reply. "Why can't we just leave now! This is UN. COOL!" Rainbow punctuated the last word for more emphasis. "Rainbow, I think we all want to leave, but that is a slim chance. These changelings mean business!" Twilight lay a hoof on the pegasus's shoulder, a tear falling from her eye. "I don't want to die in here, none of us do." "Girls? GIRLS? Bee is waking up! Quick, we need something to keep the pains down!" Carrot frantically ran from wall to wall looking for something. Anything. Time was frozen to Rainbow Dash. She could only watch helplessly as Twilight and Carrot worked back and forth, trying to ease the other pegasus's pains. Her mind was filled with images of the pegasus screaming in pain, arching her back on the only bed in the room from the wound. The only thing she could think of was backing into a corner, and watch. Watch as the pegasus bled. As she was pulled ever closer to the edge of death. All she needed was someone to lend a hoof for her to grab, even a rope, but no pony had the tools. So Rainbow continued to watch, face turning to horror. The next sight she received was a face full of lavender. It was as if she couldn't hear what was being said. The cyan mare could only watch Twilight's lips move, while being shaken violently. Finally, the words came to her, getting louder by the second. "rainbow, rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow! Snap out of it!” Rainbow jumped, landing on all four hooves. Twilight continued to speak. "I need you to apply pressure to the wound, while Carrot helps give her water and I create a numbing solution." There was no use in fighting the fears. All she wanted to do was run, and avoid the blood. Something about that metallic material has always had a painful place in the rainbow pegasus's heart. Contempt with her fears, she approached the yellow mare, and slowly placed a hoof on the wound. A warmth covered her hoof, sending tingles down her spine. Blood. *On The Way - You* Step by step, breath by breath. Every movement careful as to not mess up in any way. The steps crowded with three echoes of normal hoof on concrete slab floors. For every three, there was one metallic slam, that echoed much louder. The worst part isn't the sounds. The worse part is the darkness. The illumination in the hall was mostly from some very unclean firefly lights, and the small windows in every cell. I'm starting to wonder if this robotic leg was worth it in the end? Your thoughts halt, as a figure appears before you. Weeping. "I just wish that stupid disease had a cure! Now you are being held here with little food and water! I can barely even come and see you!" It was the same voice from before, back at the cell hall gate. "I know, I know. Just remember, there are more of us out there. I'm sure they are waiting for the right time to save us." "We are." The changeling in front of you turns quickly, noticing your stature. "A pony? How did you get in here? GUARDS!" "They aren't going to come, mam. Just listen. I, too, have that disease. When Chrysalis found out, she changed me into a permanent pony," you answer, a look of happiness crossing your face. "Why should we believe you?" The voice from inside of the cell sounded feared, but had a hint of hope. "I can get you out, under one condition. You must help me free my friends." "No, absolutely not! How do I know your friends aren't all of those real ponies in that cell down the hall?" The smaller changeling waved a hoof in the air. You are finally fed up. If they don't believe you, then you won't help. "Fine, now that I know where they are, I'll be on my way. Have fun with your execution." "No, wait! Don't listen to her. I will help you, just get me out of here, please." A smirk crossed your muzzle. With one strong swipe of your robotic leg, you smash the steel door open. "Now, where are they?" "Follow me." The changeling within the room steps toward you, and changes into his pony form. He appears as a white unicorn, a water droplet also appearing on his flank. "The name’s Nero, and this is Snowflake, my daughter." "Nice to meet you Nero, and you too Snowflake." She only shrugged at your compliment. "The names Mythic Emerald, by the way." "Mythic, huh?" The three of you start walking down the hall, towards the room your friends are believed to be in. "Have you met my pony friend, Shadow?" "Shadow Dreams? The famous assassin, hired to protect the royal son, Starfire? Who doesn't?" Yes, you have met him, once. He was one of the greatest assassins to ever live. The reason? He never killed unless it was for good. It is believed that he is currently residing with Fluttershy. How can two complete opposite types of ponies ever get along? A scream echoed through the halls. It wasn't one of terror. It was one of pain. Pure pain. A big thanks to GingerNutGin for helping me with my minor to very noticeable mistakes. I hope that this chapter is more thrilling than the last few. Let the cliff-hangeritis begin! //-------------------------------------------------------// A Shadow in Time //-------------------------------------------------------// A Shadow in Time I dreamed of a world, created for reliance, Underestimating reality, ending in violence. A Shadow in Time Where is the world when you needed it the most? Outside some Celestia damn prison walls, that's where. Luckily, after hearing the screams from down the prison hall, you have found the missing personnel. Well, just now you found it, and right now you have a mission with side quests. The mission you have planned is to spring the ponies from this jail, followed by releasing Twilight's magic, and finding Chrysalis. Plans look nice when they aren't ruined. You feel like you're being dragged into the echo side, almost effortlessly. The sizzling, crackling, snapping sound coming from all around you is a horror. The void continues to pull. Why are you feeling this? A dwelling sickness pulls plugs from inside your brain, and the room spins. What had happened? Nothing, nothing happened. You are still standing outside of the prison cell, ready to demolish it's steal barrier. So many tools to choose from so far, and nothing has worked. Or, so it seems. You have tried to hit the metal with your electronic leg, cut it with torches, and even so much as attempted to bend it. Hoping to see it fall into pieces. Hoping to see the steel gone, and a freedom of loved ones. Hope hasn't come. Not yet, at least. So you stand there, watching as the ponies inside cry, as one stays on the bed not moving. Her screaming ending minutes ago. So you stand there, wondering, why is your addition failing? Why is this stupid contraption that is your leg not working? Wait, is this really your leg, or is this something else? You can remember waking up, feeling that pain in your leg as if it was still there, just colder. Colder. The coldness of the metallic leg that embodies your living flesh is colder than anything you have ever felt. What if it isn't your leg? Only, better yet, is surrounding your leg, covering from hoof to hip? This is all, of course, your imagination. There is no way that something so high tech could possibly be fake. Well, not until you hit the steel door. One. More. Time. As you hit the door, you hear a loud bang followed by some unwanted bending noises. The chrome leg lay there, on the floor, motionless. A living body part replacing it's last position, covered in laceration and a single needle left in the skin. You stare at the leg, along with the ponies in the cell, and the changelings you had helped escape. All of you standing there, speechless. More worry fills every occupants face in that moment. "Nero?" A voice rings out from the shadows. "I recognise that voice. Yes, yes, that is Shadow's voice! Oh, we mustn't move with too much haste, but we need to find him. Shadow? Where are you?" "It is you than! I need you all to listen to me for a second. I am using a mind speech spell, and can only hold on for so long. You need to find a way to destroy the barrier of magic surrounding the prison. Only then can I help with Mr. Emerald." Nothing more was stated by the voice. Nero looked up to his horn and tapped it twice. The anti magic cone was still in place. "Mythic, I need you to buck my horn as hard as you can. A full kick, if I may." You look at him unsure, but follow with what he wished. Why not just do this in the first place? The alarm in the prison sang a new song to answer that. More of a high pitched whistle. Soon after the cone breaking, Nero placed his horn against the cracking block wall. A ripple of green and orange magic floated throughout the area. He did what he needed. In a dark blue flash, a new pony appeared. Nero removed his head from the wall, allowing the magic to replace itself at almost light speed. "Shadow." Nero nodded. "Nero," Shadow started, "I will explain how I know you are here later, but for now, we need to save some ponies from these filthy changelings." He placed a hoof to his head. "No offence, Nero. You too, Snowflake." "Non taken." They replied in unison. From inside the cell, the three unharmed ponies stirred. A question floating between the three of them. "Who are you?" Twilight asked. "Names Shadow, I'll get you out." The pony that answered, seemingly to not notice the hurt pony on the stone prison bead, approached the cell. With as much magic he could conjure up, he shot a pure beam of magic through the cell door, and clipped the anti-magic cone on Twilight's horn. After a few pants, Shadow looked up. His eyes scanned the cell, settling on the broken mare by the far wall. "What in the buck? We need to move. Now!" With caution, the dark purple stallion placed Bee on his back. "Wait, aren't you that stallion that is always at Fluttershy's house?" "Hmm, Rainbow is it? Well, what else do you think I would do when hired to protect somepony? It is my job to be a bodyguard. Now, if you are done with questions, we need to get this lovely mare back to my place. Hospital is too far." You look around one last time, taking in the current surroundings. You know for certain that you won't miss this place. "Shall we get going? The guards will be here soon." You rush forward taking Carrots hoof in your own, and follow Shadow. Everypony that is escaping with you hears the same noise on the way out. The clinking of armor, sheathing swords, and heavy steps echoed. Every sound sickening, accompanied with the knowledge that they want to find you and your friends, and kill them. Take them in as prisoners, torture, and even kill them. Your attention changes to in front of the group. Something about this stallion in front of you, this 'Shadow', is different from all of the others. He's not pure evil, nor is he pure hero. He is, or at least seems to be, family. Not a changeling, no, but just family. It's like he is a part of you, and the others. What is it about him that makes everything look different? His cutie mark, that had to be the reason. Why was it a shield and cross-hair? What reason do you have to question this other pony, when he is risking his life to save yours. "We're here!" Shadow opens the door, a dark red, almost dried blood colored skull painted on it. Inside, he asks you and the other four to sit back. The only one allowed to help was Twilight. Their job? Save Bee. "Alright, I need you to give her constant pain relief through your magic. Since magic can't fix and wound permanently, we will have to do some series work. The wound has to be cleaned." The shadowy stallion picks up a rag that looks slightly wet, probably alcohol to disinfect, and places it in the wound. The room filled with gags and turning heads as he went on. "Now we must spray some of this in the wound, it will help fight infection." In his magic grip, he places a syringe into the gash, and sprays the liquid inside. As you watch, you can only see how much pain Bee is in. From the constant scrunching of her nose, to the slamming of her hooves. "We are almost done, just listen to my words, and you will be fine. I need you to try and relax. Think of a place of solitude, and your surrounded by clean springs. Now you sense the flowers, the many scents washing over your muzzle. Birds around you are singing, and bees buzz plain as day." Shadow ended, finally stitching the wound back together. "There, how does that feel?" He wraps bandages around Bee's body, covering mostly just the wound. "I-I feel b-better. Easier t-to breath, b-but it still hurts a little." The room filled with a lighter mood. The world seemed to open up more, and not just for you, but also for the others with you. Bee is alive, and can still make it. You sit there, engulfed by a hug from your marefriend, smiling at all that has happened so far. From the escape, to saving a ponies life, to now what you believe is the finale. Now it is time to plan, and to act. It is time to start a run down, a model, a map, and a scheme. Now is the time to find where Chrysalis is hiding, and take her down. Take down that Celestia awful queen, and drag her to the obis. Throw her in the void, force her to drown in the echoes of the echo side, and make her perish. The suffering ends now! "Chrysalis!" "What is it? Can't you see I have some important things to finish here?" The dark queen turned her gaze from the map of Equestria, to a close by guard. "I'm sorry, your highness, but some pony has pulled some heinous acts toward our lands, our people, and you! They have sprung the prisoners from cells C5 and D4, and escaped!" They eyes that normally had a green glow grew an intense red. "What?! They escaped? Who could have helped with this, this, abomination?" "I think this might solve the riddle, mam." The guard shivered under the glare of his queen, while placing what looked to be a split metallic leg on the floor. She took a long gander at the object before rising from her throne, and yelling. "Strings!" Author's Note Renamed the chapter, and I am back into this story. //-------------------------------------------------------// Waking Memories //-------------------------------------------------------// Waking Memories Disavowed Waking Memories You open your eyes, and look around the room. As you lay there, the bed is still quite warm. You notice a mare standing beside you, holding a cup in her hoof. The only words that escape your mouth are "Why are you up so early?" She places a hoof on your sweating head. "You were having a nightmare, Hunny, so I brought you a glass of water," she says this with a little more emphasis then normal. Ignoring that, you sip the water, then gulp it a few times. The taste is sweet, a little salty, and even tangy. With a grateful thanks, you place the cup on your nightstand. A few minutes go by and you hear the door open. Your eyes meet your marefriend's eyes, and through the light a single tear falls to the floor. One whisper escapes her mouth, "Goodbye." The door shuts with a creek as you raise your head. Grabbing the cup, a quick sniff, and a vague memory returns of this substance. Poison. You jump to your hooves, throwing the covers on the floor. Pick up the phone, dial the number with your hoof, feel your heart skip beats, blackness. Was life worth living and dying? Why did your own love do this to you? Why would she cry while leaving? Your thoughts disappear as you feel the darkness pull you in. Is this the end? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A blur of light fills your eyes. The dark tunnel you fell into was now pushing you back out. It felt like twenty needles had entered your flesh. Now you hear the voice of a mare, "Is he alright, doctor?" Another voice, "He will be fine, we pumped the poison out of his system." With eyes finally adjusted, you look around the room. You see a white earth pony, red cross stretched across her flank. You instantly recognize her as nurse Redheart. The next pony was a surprise. Next to her, was the pony whom had poisoned you. Your voice quivered. "You, why are you here, to finish the job?" Redheart was definitely dumbfounded, what had happened? "She is the one who poisoned me!" You jump to your hooves, almost fainting from light headedness. You pull your hoof back, ready to strike. The door suddenly opens, questions fill the room, "How are there two of you?" It hits you. No more than three days ago Canterlot was attacked by changelings. The green in the impostors eyes showed it was a fake. With one strong push, it falls through a window. After plopping on the ground, it's body returns to normal. You look back to the pony in the doorway, unsure if you should trust her. "It is the real me! I promise you! I even have Twilight here to prove it!" From behind her stood a purple mare. Purple glows began to emit from her horn, flashing past your marefriend. Nothing happened. The unicorn then explains, "As soon as we removed the changelings from Canterlot, I had a feeling that there could be more. Not long after, many dead pony bodies turned up. Poison filling their bodies." "Then, how did i get here?" Puzzled. "I found you. I ran into the house as the sirens came screaming down the street. You were on the floor, gagging. I had to find out what did this to you, so I went into research. While you slept in here, I was out finding what I needed. A thought hit me as I went back to three days ago. I remembered Twilight, and knew she lived here in Ponyville with us, so I talked to her. At the mentioning of poison, she pushed me out of the door, and explained on the way." An embrace from your marefriend soothes you. This, was the real one. Another memory throws you into thought, why was that changling crying then? After a quick look out of the window, you see it slowly move its head towards you. A knife from under its wings flew out and slit its throat. Finally you tremble as you remember why it was crying. You, as well, are a changeling. The feeling of hatred engulfs you, as you fall to the bed. A single tear runs down from your eye. "What is wrong, Mr. Emerald? Are there any pains, or is your heart fluttering?" Nurse Redheart ran to your side, checking the heart monitor as it seemed fine. You look to the ceiling before shutting your eyes, "No, it's fine, I just need some time to think. This has been one long day." A horrible lie, that sounded true enough. "Mythy, it has been two days." Your eyes shoot open. Thoughts seemed to explode into your head. What if that impostor was here the whole time. Why didn't it attack me? What if it knew something, and to keep itself quiet it committed suicide? The thoughts end as a hoof lays on yours. "Don't worry, I won't let anything like this happen again. We will live our lives like normal ponies and never have to worry about changelings again." You want to tell her, you really do. The thought of how all the others will act haunts you. The only thing to do for now is lie about being able to handle it., "I can live with that." The only things you can't lie about, though, is love. "I love you, Carrot." Now to plan a way to break the news to everypony else. After that, find out why you are disavowed. "I love you too, Mythy." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Queen Chrysalis, I have some news about the splinter cell!" "What is it, Flay?" "She attempted her job, but failed. The poison wasn't strong enough, and the attempt to kill the traitor in the hospital came to her own death." Chrysalis moved her dark hoof to her cheek. "I knew this would happen, I should have sent another changeling to kill him." "Why is that, mam?" "She was the only female in our army that fed off of natural energy. Just like the traitor." "I didn't even know that was possible." The soldier, Flay, took a step forward. "It is like a disease. Some DNA can be altered, causing a permanent change. Both of those changelings had the disease, so I disbanded the traitor. After erasing his memory, I created a permanent change to his body. He will never be able to change back to his natural form, but his memory can still return." "What about the female? Why didn't you do the same to her?" "All traitors deserve to lose something. I sent his own wife to kill him, but knew it would end badly." "What do we do now?" Flay almost knew the answer, but wasn't completely sure. "Send another, and hope that we can finish the job this time." "Do you have any changelings in specific on your mind?" "Yes, and that changeling is you." Chrysalis pointed a hoof at the other changeling. Flay moved his hoof to salute. "I will do what needs to be done!" //-------------------------------------------------------// Enlighten Me (To be truly finished maybe someday) //-------------------------------------------------------// Enlighten Me (To be truly finished maybe someday) Then Drown me on Heart's and Hoove's Day (This chapter is unfinished, unedited, and probably dead. I decided that after...what...2 years or so that I'd finally release this chapter. I don't think I'll ever finish it. So, here is the horrid disaster of "Enlighten Me...") ...enlighten me on Valentines Day... Then Drown me on Hearts and Hooves Day Your current position? Well, you are about a pony deep in mud. Delightfully gooey, brownish mud. The plan that Shadow gave? Enter from the east, through the swamp. Luckily for you, Dash, Twilight, Carrot, and Bee all had to stay behind, leaving just you two. His pace in the mud was almost light speed, and every splash echoed by a splosh. In actual view, he wasn't making the noises, you were. His hooves were on top of the mud, glowing dimly with a deep purple aurora. Your hooves were coated with the thick hindrance. Every few steps you took ended in being stuck. Once you were out of that, you fell into more. Shadow simply walked on, ignoring your clumsiness. You sigh and regain your balance, trudging on ahead as the swamp slowly comes to a stop on some dry land. You thought to yourself, as Shadow halted your advance. About bucking time. Anymore damn time and I would have killed him. Shadow looked back at you with a large grin. "When we get over that wall, we will go quiet. No words, no thinking. Just breathing. You will pay full mind to your hooves as you walk, and to the surroundings. Avoid twigs and sticks that could snap if stepped on. The last thing we need is to be compromised. Next up, I gave you a strong safety spell to keep your vitals and brainwaves hidden from view." "Shadow," you started, looking for fitting words, "if we are going in here to take her down, aren't we going to need weapons? My leg attachment is gone, if you haven't noticed." "Mythic, my not-close-at-all friend. I don't care. Anyways, do you not see the saddlebags I have?" Shadow questioned as he reached into his saddle on his back, and pulled out a box of rifle shells. Next, his horn glowed, and in front of your eyes, two objects appeared. One was a large rifle - one used by the military for long range. the other was for close range, and was a black Katana blade with a white stripe. "You, my N.C.A.A.F., can decide which weapon you wish to use." You drew a blank at first. You've never, in all of your life, held either weapons. in fact, just seeing the gun was amazing to you. Sickening, as well. These tools that were in front of you were weapons! Death machines! They both were designed for killing, and nothing else. The gun floated into your hooves as you looked back to Shadow. He rolled his eyes, readying his sword. "Alright, Mythy, you will provide cover fire. That gun has a silencer to 'nerf' it's blast of sound. Don't, for the love of Celestia, shoot me." You look back to the gun, and notice a small emblem on it. There was a building with Shadow's cutie mark on it. "What does this mean?" Before you had realized it, you had already asked him the question. Shadow smirked. "Corner Zero. It was hell, and still is. Let's move."