A Fractured World

(Near Las Pegues’s Desert. Early morning.)

The train was steady going down the track as Twilight watch the scene pass by. Early this morning, she receives a letter from the Princess requesting for her and her friends assistant. She didn’t say what the problem was, just wrote to not to tell any pony. As the train rumble closer to their destination, Twilight look over to her friends. Rarity was showing Apple Jack some new design based on the trees during the fall. Fluttershy was sitting down and taking a little nap. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were playing cards and betting cupcakes.
“I bet three vanilla cupcakes.” Rainbow Dash said, pushing them forward. Pinkie Pie looks at the three and push a group forward.
“I raised three more and a chocolate one,” Pinkie said with a smile. Rainbow Dash studies her opponent.
“You’re bluffing.” She said, not blinking. Pinkie leans in closer until they were almost touching noses.
“I never bluff when it comes to cupcakes.” Pinkie said, not moving an inch. The two didn’t move for a good minute. Then they both flip their cards over to show their hooves.
“Three of a kind.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Full House,” Pinkie announced. Rainbow Dash slaps the table as Pinkie collect her winnings. “Yes, come to Pinkie.” She said as she sweeps them into a bag. “Want to play another game?”
“I would but I’m out of cupcakes.” Rainbow Dash mutter as she put her cards away.
“We could bet on cookies?” Pinkie suggested but the train started to slow down.
“Enough games, girls.” Apple Jack said, getting up from her seat. “Looks like our stop has arrived.”
“But we’re not near Las Pegasus.” Pinkie Pie said.
“We’re about five miles away from Las Pegasus. If this takes more than a day, we will rest at there but no playing the games. Just because we are favorites of the princesses doesn’t mean they won’t kick you out for counting cards.” Twilight said, packing up her supplies.
“I don’t count cards, they just land in my favor.” Pinkie Pie said with a smile as she exits the train car. Rainbow Dash slide over to Twilight while the rest exit the car.
“She can’t really count cards, can she?” Rainbow Dash asked quietly. Twilight turn around without looking right at her and headed to the door.
“Why do you think we didn’t play as soon as she suggested muffins?” Twilight said with a slight smile. Rainbow Dash’s face drop as Twilight tried to hold back her smile. “Be grateful that you didn’t bet bits.” Twilight step off the train car into the hot desert air and was welcome to a different sight. There were several royal guards guarding a large tent. She saw several pegasi fly by and she recognizes the uniform of a couple of Wonderbolts.
“Dash, darling, why aren’t you with them?” Rarity asked as she fans her face from the heat.
“It's my week off but looks like I’m still here,” Rainbow said and look over to Twilight. “Did Celestia say why we’re here?”
“I believe I can answer that.” A voice call out. The group turns to see a unicorn followed by earth pony approaching them. The unicorn was wearing a lab coat and his mane was a bright white while the fur was a sky blue. He had a goatee and mustache that twirled at the ends. He had a pair of small glasses that twinkle in the sunlight. The earth pony was easily twice as big as the unicorn, built like a wall. He was wearing a military uniform with several pins and badges, signifying a general ranking. His mane was a bright blonde buzz cut and he was sporting chinstrap beard.
“Hello, princess.” The unicorn said, reaching to shake hooves. The group shook his hoof as he continues to talk. “I’m Professor Sunspot and this is General Scorpio. I’m the head of this project and he’s the military adviser.” General Scorpio stood still but seem to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash, who was avoiding eye contact. “How much do you know about this incident?” Sunspot asked as he turns around.
“Not a lot.” Twilight respond. “All I got was a letter from Celestia saying she need me and my friends.” Sunspot nodded and open the tent flap to let the group in. Twilight gasp at the sight. The tent was filled with several guards and scientist running around a small pit. Twilight look down to see a round pit about ten feet wide, a rope ladder that descended down into it. At the center of the pit was some kind of portal.
“What is that?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“To a whole new world.” Sunspot said, not looking away from the portal.

(Military post Alpha: Surrounding the portal.)

If there one thing the military was good for, it was how quickly they can get things under wraps. The portal was put under a contentment tent and all road blocked off under the assumption of road construction. Several posts were set to around the portal with snipers watching. General Burner was sitting in a trailer that was set up as the main office, staring at the tent that now contained the portal, glowing softly. A knock at the door startles him out of his trance.

“Come in.” He said. The door swung open and Dr. Percy walks in holding a folder. “Ahh, Dr. Percy. Please tell me I don’t have to worry about cancer affecting my men.”

“Well, it not radioactive but we are getting some kind of energy off it.” Dr. Percy answer, opening the folder. “What we can tell is they are on an opposite time schedule than us. Their day when we’re night and vise versus. None of the soldiers seem to be affected but none of them are in reach of the energy. The only person that was exposed to it for more than a few minutes was Governor Dutoit.”

“And has he shown any signs of ill effect?” Burner asked. Dr. Percy shrugged his shoulder and pull out a photo. Burner took the photo and look at it closer. He saw what look like a tattoo on someone hip. It was a knife; of an almost cartoon-like way. Burner handed the photo back.

“I don’t think it for you. Maybe an I Heart Mom will work better.” Burner said. Percy smiled and put the photo back in the folder.

“That not mines, although I’m have nothing against my mother. It appeared on the Governor’s hip after he was exposed to the energy for at least ten minutes. The mark hasn’t faded at all and blood test have shown some strange thing but further research is needed.” Percy pulls out a chart. “Until more tests, I suggested we stay five feet away from the portal at all time. I also suggest that the Governor not be near it until I’m sure there no negative effects.”

“Hey, if the only effect is tattoos, we might put all them artist out of business,” Burner said. “But if more of those “Ponies” show up, we might need to talk to them.”

“Well, as long as we stay five feet away from the portal, we’ll be fine,” Percy said. “But since the Governor out for a bit, I suggest we find someone else to be the ambassador for a while.” Burner got up and look at the tent.

“I been thinking about this and I think I should talk to them,” Burner suggested.

“I think we should call the president before we respond. He is the one that suggested having the Governor be an ambassador, at least temporary.” Percy pointed out. “I just say we wait until the test come back.”

“Let just hope that their patience too.” Burner mutter under his breath

(Portal site. Equestrian side.)

“Wait, are we sure this isn’t the same world that the Crystal Palace mirror has?” Twilight asked. The girls were looking at the portal as it simmers and glowed slightly. Twilight was looking on the other side and only saw a soldier standing with his back to the portal.

“Based on the description that you gave Celestia, it doesn’t seem to match,” Sunspot said, looking over notes. “They seem to be less of a mirror of our universe but more of their own world. I haven’t got any description or maps about the world.”

“Have we try talking to them?” Twilight asked, trying to see if the one standing there would react.

“The only one that talks to us was a “Governor Ryan Dutoit” who left about three hours ago.” General Scorpio muttered, staying as far away from the portal as possible. “Luna asked a few basic questions and he gave a few answers. We know that they have over 7.5 billion of their species and they seem to have advanced technology. They also have several different countries with different leaders. But more importantly, they claim that they had nothing to do with the portal.”

“So, did we cause it?” Rainbow Dash asked. She turns to look at Scorpio, who look away from her. “I know that this is a place where we dump magic weapons that are useless due to the changelings’ war being over.” Twilight notice a snare on Scorpio’s face as he answered.

“We didn’t dump anything that powerful, yet” He answers with a slight growl. “And I’m kinda glad we didn’t. These humans might be just as much of a threat as those bug brains.” Sunspot shifted slightly, not liking where the conversation was going.

“Umm, General. I think a couple of the guards were looking for you.” Sunspot said, nodding his head to the exit. Scorpio glared at him then mutter something under his breath as he left. As soon as he was gone, Sunspot turns to face the girls. “I’m sorry about that. He’s a little stress about the situation.”

“I know why he angry.” Rainbow Dash said. “And it has nothing to do with the portal. Have there any attempts to cross the portal?”

“No, we haven’t attempted to cross over yet.” A voice called out from the portal. The group turns to see that the one guarding the portal had turned around. “What? I’m not deaf. I can hear you through the portal.”

“What your name?” Twilight asked. The soldier removes a face mask to revealed a slightly pale face. He had a six o’clock shadow and shadows under his eyes, pale blue eyes with some slight scars on his face.

“My name is Sargent Markus Simmons. I’m a soldier in U.S. Marines and set to guard this post. What your name?” Markus asked. Twilight look at her friends and then back at him.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle. I’m the princess of friendship.” Twilight answer.

“The princess of friendship? I guess as long as it not the princess of love.” Markus said, resting his hand on his sides. “Are you sure you want to talk to me and not to my commanding officer?”

“Are you saying that I rather talk to your boss then you?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Do you not have a protocol where leader only talk to a leader?” Markus asked.

“If you have such rules, why did you speak?” Rainbow Dash pointed out. Markus sighed and scratch his cheek, getting off the sand that had collected there.

“It hard not to say something when a species you just met already preparing to fight and hate you.” Markus answer. Twilight was going to retort but Markus raised a hand. “I heard the one that just left. I don’t know what changelings are but I can tell when there angry behind words. At least this time, I can understand the language.” Twilight still held a look of interest and step closer to the portal. Markus reacted by stepping back a little and putting his hand on a silver item on his hip.

“What do you mean, “At least you could understand it.”?” Twilight asked. “How do you understand us anyway?”

“I was going to ask the same thing,” Markus said, relaxing his hand. “Maybe it the luck of the draw or there some scientist thinks it just how the universe work. As for what I meant, I was a station in some bad places. I was sent here after getting out of recovery from an IED. I lost some friends that day. But I won’t forget the hate behind the words of the attacker.”

“I’m sorry to hear such things happen in your world,” Twilight said, a bit of sorrow in her words. “I haven’t been in any war but I’ve seen one and fought many enemies. Hopefully, when your war is over, you can experience peace.”

“We all wish this,” Markus said. “But the world is too small to find the simple solution.” He looked at him and then turn back to Twilight. “Look, I’m probably shouldn’t be talking to you. At least, not now. If you want to talk so more, I will be on guard every other day.” With that, Markus walk out while another soldier walks in. Twilight turn to Rainbow Dash.

“You said that General Scorpio wasn't stressed with the portal. Is there something I should know?” Twilight asked, leading the rest of the group out of the tent.

“General Scorpio and a lot of other leaders in Celestia military are still angry with what Queen Chrysalis did and don’t trust Thorax any better.” Rainbow Dash said, keeping in hushed whispers. Twilight look to see General Scorpio was glaring at them. “He the most vocal about it. He also not our biggest fans. Something about how Celestia depends too much on us.’

“Well, if he so vocal, why is he here then?” Twilight asked, looking to see two guards holding spears talking to the General.

“Because he has half the guards loyal to him.” Rainbow Dash whisper. “I know three ponies in Wonder Bolts who will follow him to Tartarus and back. You have to be very careful with him because he turns the whole army on you.”

“Sounds like a good pony.” Apple Jack mutter. “Can things get more complicated?”

(Earthside. Outside the containment tent)

General Burner was watching as the changing of the guards happen and heard the sound of someone behind him.

“General, did they try talking to us again?” Governor Dutoit asked. Burner turns to see he was still wearing a suit but he could tell he was favoring his left side.

“Governor. I thought you weren’t allowed near the portal.” Burner said. Dutoit wave dismissively and rub his side.

“I need to be here. I was sent here by a friend and the president to be the face of humanity. I will not be put on the sidelines because of a tattoo.” He said, a bit of angry in the bite of his words. Burner raised his hand to show no offense.

“Well, to answer your question. I believe a new one talk to one of my soldiers, Sargent Markus Simmons. Was sent here after recovering from IED.” General Burner looks at his watch. “After this, I’ll debrief him. I doubt it’ll be useful info but it might help understand if they are a threat or not.” Dutoit nodded and that when Burner notice that he looks a little shaken. “Are you okay, Governor?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Dutoit said and started walking back to his tent. The truth was he wasn’t. Last night, he got a weird nightmare while he was in recovering. He didn’t understand half of it but the half he did understand was beyond insane. He was chain to a pillar of fire and a shadow was watching him scream in terror. Now he fears going back to sleep. But as he wearily made his way back to his tent, he felt asleep as soon as his head hit his pillow.

(Dream)

Dutoit found him back where he was last night; chained to a pillar of fire.

“Oh no, no. no. no!” He screams, tugging on the chain.

“No use tugging on the chain. This is all in your mind, Governor.” A voice called out. Dutoit turn to see the shadow from last night looming over him. This time, a pair red eyes were floating with it.

“What are you?” Dutoit asked. “What do you want from me?”

“Relax.” It whispers. “You know, your mind is a very interesting place. I’ve learned some much about your kind. Some much emotions, you’ll make a lovely treat for a friend of mine.” Swirls of shadows wrap around the air. Dutoit was trying to place the voice but it seems to constantly be switching from a low to a high voice.

“What are you?” Dutoit asked again. He felt a cool wind press against his neck.

“Question, Question. Dear Ryan, just trust me.” It said. “You don’t have a word for me yet but you will. You see,” The shadow seem whisper right into his ear. “I’ve been doing this for so long and now I shall become the god I deserve to be. What I need you to do is to make sure certain busybodies don’t interfere with my plans.”

“And why would I help you?” Dutoit asked. He felt something cold slither around his throat and tighten. Even though he knew it was a dream, he felt like his throat was in a vise.

“You think the worst I can come up with is your chain to a pillar of fire?” It said a coldness in its voice that Dutoit never heard before. It sends a shiver down his spine and straight into his soul. “I’ve been in your head, Ryan. Let say I give you a little preview of what in store for you if you disobey.”

A loud click filled Dutoit's head and he found himself back at his office. He looks around to see the sun was out and himself sitting at his desk. He saw a shadow grew from behind and the same red eyes floating above his mirror-self head.

“You remember this day, don’t you Ryan?’ It whispers, almost with glee. “You remember it like it was yesterday. You can check the calendar if you want. I believe it said April fifth…”

“I’ll do it,” Dutoit said before it could finish. “Just tell me who I should look out for.”

“That a good pet.” It whispers into his ear. “I need you to stop a silly little pony called Luna.