Final Fantasy Equestria: New Beginning

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Farmer and The Warrior
Chapter 2: The Princess and The Summoner
Chapter 3: The Veterinarian and The White Mage
Chapter 4: The Fashionista and The Red Mage
Chapter 5: The Princess of The Moon and The Princess of Darkness
Chapter 6: Unexpected Event
Chapter 7: Living Arrangements
Chapter 9: Our Town
Chapter 10: The Creeping Shadow
Chapter 11: Servant of Zodiark
Chapter 12: All Together
Chapter 13: The Differences
Chapter 14: The Difference Part 2
Chapter 15: The Differance Part 3
Prologue: The End of Equestria
Chapter 8: A Taste of Darkness

Chapter 1: The Farmer and The Warrior

Chapter 1

The Farmer and The Warrior

“So...you’re going to that there Crystal Empire huh?” Granny Smith said as Applejack stopped halfway near the doorway of the house. The Warrior mare turned around to see Big Mac and Granny Smith standing behind her as Granny began to walk over towards her.

“You know I’m doing this to protect you guys right? It’s not like I’m going there because I was summon by Hydaelyn to fight.”

“I know youngin, I know. Even if I try to talk ya out of it, you would still go off to the Crystal Empire with your friends.” The old mare said as she placed a hand on Applejack shoulder. “This may or may not be the last time we get to see you again. And Apple Bloom will possibly hate you when she wakes up after you punched her in the gut like that. Just so you know that no matter what happens after all this, we will always love you, no matter what.”

“I know you guys do.” Applejack looked up at Big Mac who was scratching the back of his head.”So...I guess this is the last time I'll seeya huh?”

“Y….Yep.”

“Um...Look I know we don’t do the whole confession to each other that much...but could you keep watch over Apple Bloom if I don’t return from the war?”

“Y-Yep.” Big Mac said as tears began to swell up around his eyes as he looked away from his sister. Applejack smiled softly as she walked past Granny smith and gave Big Mac a hug.

“Try not to cry so much okay? I don’t want to come back and see you crying like a baby like when we were little ponies.” Applejack looked up to see Big Mac nodding while sniffing and wiping away the tears from his eyes. Releasing her hug on her brother, Applejack lightly hit him on the arm before turning around and began to head outside.

“Now you come back home safe ya hear me! Can’t throw a celebratory party if you aren’t home in time for dinner!” Granny Smith yelled as Applejack waved a hand at Granny Smith and Big Mac as she continues to walk down the dirt road to the train station. The vision of the event of her leaving the farm began to fade away as Applejack quickly opened her eyes. As her vision began to clear up, she slowly begins to pull herself up from the ground.

“Where in the twelves am I?” Applejack asked as she rubbed her eyes from the sudden light from the sun hitting face. Once her vision was fully clear, she soon notice that she was in the Everfree Forest. More correctly the castle of the royal sisters. “Lands sake Sunburst. I knew you were good with magic, but I didn’t think you would be able to teleport us out of the blast zone. Hey Starlight you okay-.” Just as she looked to her left, she notice that Starlight was missing. “....Nul’s balls.” She said as she stood up from the ground and quickly begins to look around the area she was in. “Starlight! Hey, are you around here!?” The warrior yelled only to be met with nothing but silence.

“Great, not only am I in the Everfree Forest but now I have to find Starlight and the others...fine mess you gotten me into Sunburst….but at least it’s not in some place that I didn’t know about...now let’s see if I can get my bearings straight. I’m standing in front of Celestia and Luna’s old Castle.” She said as she looked at the sky to see the sun shining above her. “And the sun is just halfway out in the sky...so that means that it’s twelve o’clock noon. Guess I must have been out like a light for the past twenty-four hours. So if I’m not mistaken I should be heading in that direction, northwest. Alright Applejack, let’s hope I got the direction right.” Applejack lifted up her battle axe and placed it onto the holster on her back. Cracking her neck she begins to make her way down the path from the abandoned castle to Ponyville.

“Weird. I thought the folk back in the Twin Adders would’ve gotten this forest straighten out. I’ll have to get on them about it when I get to Ponyville and have a talk with Mayor Mare.” Just as she continues to look around at the untamed forest, her ears twitched upon hearing the sounds of a group of familiar fillies screaming across the distance of the forest. “Wait….that couldn’t be...could it?”

It was only a few moments later that Applejack’s question was soon answered. “I told you that going to Zecora’s during Zap Apple Season was a bad idea, Bloom! I told you!!”

“What!? We were just delivering apples to her! I did not ask for them to come hunting after us!”

“Can we stop arguing and get back to the clubhouse!? I don’t think they can find us there!!”

“....Nul’s balls, Apple Bloom.” Without even thinking for a second, Applejack quickly rushes over to the direction where she heard Apple Bloom and her friends were running off in. Once she was near the location where the noise came, her eyes widen upon coming to a halt once she sees a Manticore cornering her little sister along with her friends. “What in the twelves is that thing?”

“Girls, ah got good news and bad news… Good news is, we no longer have Timberwolves trying to kill us… Bad news is, now a Manticore is trying to.”

“How is THAT suppose to make us feel better?”

“Ah’m Sorry!! Ah don’t work well under pressure!!” Apple Bloom panicked. The Manticore let out a primal roar as it began to charge at the CMC and was about to sink it’s teeth into the helpless little fillies. Only for it to trip to the right after getting hit on it’s side by Applejack’s axe.

“W-What just happened?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked over at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.

“Ah don’t know, but whatever it is we should-.”

“GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SISTER AND HER FRIENDS YOU BEAST!!!” Applejack yelled as she came rushing in from the side of the clearing and tackled the Manticore to the ground before it could get up. While it was on the ground, the warrior began to deliver bone crushing punches to the Manticore’s body in a quick but bloody fashion. “You picked the wrong pony to try to sink your fangs into.”

“Is that….Applejack?” Scootaloo asked with a shocked expression on her face from seeing her tackling the manticore to the ground while punching it.

“Ah… don’t know… Applejack wouldn’t try to go far as to kill any creature like that…” Apple Bloom said out of worry and concern. “Let’s just get out of here while they’re fighting.”

“But what if we run into the timberwolves? Celestia knows we can’t out run them in the forest.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked over at Applejack fighting the manticore. “Plus wouldn’t your sister do anything to protect you from danger?”

“Yeah… but she would use her hands… not an axe…” Apple Bloom told them in response. “Let’s just… I think I just need something to eat after all of this. Do you two want to go to Sugarcube Corner?”

“Your thinking about food at a time like this?”

“I’ve never seen my sister act like a savage warrior before. It’s like if you see Rarity as some kind of royal guard or if Rainbow was a monster hunter.”

“The last one sounds kind of awesome-”

“Mah point… is that ah need something to clear mah head… and with what just happened, ah think the Timberwolves attention would be more focused on her… than us.” Apple Bloom said, almost sounding stressed and out of it. “Ah mean, all ah heard this morning was that AJ was going to the market to get some groceries. Next thing ah know, ah find her killing a manticore.”

“I’m sure she’s just injuring it so it would go away-.” Before Sweetie Belle could finish her sentence, she was cut off by the sickly sounds of an axe hitting flesh. Looking over Apple Bloom’s shoulder, she quickly saw Applejack cut the manticore’s left leg before the blood that was from the manticore hit her eyes. Causing her to yelp and tumble backward.

“Is that...b-blood!?” Apple Bloom asked as both she and Scootaloo were taken by surprise at seeing blood on Sweetie Belle’s face. Looking over at the scene where Applejack was, the manticore was trying to limp away from the warrior. Only for Applejack to grab it by the tail and try to pull it back over to her.

“And where do you think you’re going mister? I’m not through with you just yet!” Applejack said as she picks up her axe that the manticore knocked off of himself, and was about to try and cut it in half. “You mess with my sister, you don’t get any mercy from me!”

“If she’s asking about where we’re going… I would want to be anywhere, but here right now.” Scootaloo replied. “Maybe Sugarcube Corner doesn’t sound like a bad idea after all. It would be better than witnessing-” just as Scootaloo was about to finish her sentence, all three of them unfortunately witnessed the warrior cleave the monster in half as blood from the beast now got on Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. “-that!”

“By the twelves. I don’t know what you are, but maybe next time you should think twice before going after somepony in the Apple family.” Applejack release her grip on the now dead manticore’s tail as she place her axe back onto the holster on her back. Cracking her neck, she looked over Apple Bloom and her friends as she begins to walk over to them. “You okay sugarcube? You aren’t hurt or anything right?” She asked as she notice the cmc giving her a strange look. “What’s wrong?”

They didn’t say anything. They were shaking out of fear of what just happened and seeing this side of Applejack...or if this was Applejack. Instead, they just got up and took off into town. Scared for their safety and for their lives. Running out of there before the warrior could say anything. Leaving her with the corpse of the manticore that she had slain.

“What the... Apple Bloom come back!” Applejack yelled as she quickly began to follow the Cutie Mark Crusaders into Ponyville. As the warrior ran into town and passed by the market, the commotion made one particular pony at the marketplace look back in that direction with a rather confused look on her face.

“Now what in tarnations is that all about?” She said, before looking back at the sales mare she was talking too. “Oh right… It’s twelve bits for the Apple Peeler right?”

“Yes it is,” the mare replied as the two of them exchanged bits for merchandise. “Thank you. Have a wonderful day.”

Applejack chuckled a little to herself and adjusted her hat as she looked back at the sales are at the market. “Ah got a bad feeling that today’s going to be anything but that.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Just a hunch I’m getting. Normally when things are this peaceful, something weird always happen” Applejack pointed out. Just as she was about to say something else, she soon notice Apple Bloom Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo heading towards her as they ran passed her. What got her attention the most was seeing a look alike of her running after the little fillies covered in blood.

“... Was… that you… chasing after those fillies?” The mare asked as she looked back at Applejack with a confused expression on her face.

“Ah… honestly don’t know…” She said before looking back at the clerk. “Which stand sells aspirin? Ah feel like ah’m going to need it badly after ah see what my sister did this time…”

“Forth one on the right. Believe me, a lot of ponies ask about that more than you would think.”

While the farmer pony was busy getting what she needed, The warrior continued to chase after Apple Bloom and her friends. To their surprise, she was able to keep up with them even after trying to lose her in the marketplace with all the ponies walking around and carrying stuff that would make a pony stop before they crash into it or the ponies carrying it.

“Dammit Apple Bloom, stop running away like this! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden!” The warrior yelled as she was quickly gaining up on the cmc.

“Faster girls! Apple Bloom’s crazy sister is gaining on us!” Scootaloo said as she looked back at Applejack.

“That thing is not my sister! She would never do what she did in the Everfree Forest!” Apple Bloom stated as they made a hard turn in an alleyway, causing all three of them to stop.

“Uh oh. Dead end!” Sweetie Belle said as she look behind them to see the axe wielding pony block their path. “I’m too young and cute to die like this!”

“Why are you worried about cuteness of all things!?” Scootaloo asked.

“This is the only thing I have going for me. Does it really matter now seeing how she’s going to kill us!?” The unicorn filly asked.

“Finally caught up with you girls.” Applejack said as she slowly began to approach them. “Look, if you're scared because I’m angry with you for getting yourselves in danger like that, then you don’t need to worry about it because I’m not angry-” Just as she said that, she felt something grab onto the back of her armor and yank her out of the alley before crashing onto the ground.

“Ah don’t know who you are or what you want, but ya better stay the hell away from mah sister!”

“Applejack!!” Applebloom cried, even going as far as hugging her sister in relief. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle did the same thing, but all three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders were later hiding behind the farmer once they saw the other AJ get up off the ground.

“Now that was a dirty move on your part.” The warrior said unfazed by her being slammed onto the ground. Looking up at the pony that did it, she was quickly taken by surprise as the pony that did it looked like her, just instead of wearing armor she was wearing a red plaid shirt, blue jeans, and a cowboy hat. “Y-You’re...me? What in the in of the twelves is going on here?”

The Farmer herself, was unsure… but her first priority was on her sister’s safety. “Girls… go find Twilight. Ah don’t know who this pony is or why she looks like me, but ah’m not letting her lay a finger on you.”

“Excuse me? But who are you to order my sister around like that imposter.”

The next response that was said though… was not from the farmer, but from Apple Bloom. “Mah sister doesn’t kill creatures. Even a manticore.”

Which, immediately put the farmer on high alert. “You killed a manticore?!”

“The manticore was about to eat my sister and her friends. Nopony attack the apple family and gets to live. That’s something that the apple family been doing to those that attack our family. You should know this Apple Bloom. Why are you acting like this like you don’t know me?”

“BECAUSE AH DON’T KNOW YOU!!” Apple Bloom snapped. “AH DON’T KNOW WHY YOU INSIST THAT YOU ARE AJ OR WHY YOU THINK EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT AFTER WHAT WE’VE SEEN, SO PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE ALREADY!!!”

There was a moment of silence in the air upon hearing Apple Bloom say that. Applejack was taken by surprise by this as a shocked expression appeared on her face for a moment before looking at her with a look lit with anger.

“I don’t know what you did to my sister. But you’re going to pay for this imposter.” The warrior said as she began to take up a fighting stance. “I’ll have to find Twilight and see if she knows what’s going. After I knock you down a peg or two for what you did.”

“Girls… get to Twilight now-” The farmer was unable to finish what she was going to say by the time the warrior lunged at her in an attempt to try and punch her in the face. Only for the farmer to duck out of the way of the punch as it tore a large piece of the brick wall off. “Land sakes!”

“Come on, let’s get out of here!” Scootaloo said as the Cutie Mark Crusaders used the chance to escape while this was going on.

“Listen here you imposter. I don’t know what you been doing to Apple Bloom. But if you think that Me, Big Mac, or Granny smith are going to let you get away with this. Then you got another thing coming after I’m finish with you!”

“Doing anything!?” The Farmer snapped as she headbutted the warrior. “All ah was doing was getting groceries and providing for my family when I hear about some lookalike with an axe chasing mah sister!” The warrior reeled her head backwards from getting headbutted as she counters with a bone crushing punch to Applejack’s abdomen. This caused the ground around them to shake as the farmer let out a gasp of air for getting the wind knocked out of her.

“She was running away because you messed with her mind! Apple Bloom would never run away from me if she saw I was protecting her from that beast that was about to eat her.” She said as she grabbed the farm pony by the head and kneed her in the face.

“Do ah look like a unicorn to you!? Ah am not brainwashing mah own SISTER!” The farm pony shouted, using her hands to grab onto her attackers wrist and twist them to the point of breaking before she could let go of her head while also kicking her in the chest.

“Like I’m going to believe that coming from an imposter like you!” Applejack quickly blocked the kick to her chest as she was only pushed back slightly. Looking down at the mare, Applejack smirked and elbowed her look alike in the face. “Especially if you aren’t as strong as I am!” The farmer gritted her teeth as she let out a groan of pain from getting elbowed in her face. She soon stood up and punched the warrior in the face in retaliation.

“Ah… am sick… of your nonsense!” The punch in the face was followed by a follow up punch directly into her face again that was strong enough to send the warrior into a wall. “Ah’m done with this… Ah’m going to find Twilight and get this over with-” Just as the farmer pony was about to leave to meet up with Apple Bloom at Twilight’s Castle, she felt a powerful gust of wind hit her in back. The mare let out a painful yell from feeling her back get hit by something really sharp as she was soon sent flying forwards and tumbling onto the ground.

“Nice punch you got there imposter.” The warrior said as she slowly made her way out of the wall while holding her axe in her hands. “That would’ve been enough to knock me out five years ago. But you’ll need to do better than that if you want to take me down sugarcube.”

“Ah’m not wanting to take you down. Ah’m wanting you to back off and stay away from my sister, freak!!”

“Listen here faker.” The warrior said as she walks over to the injured earth pony as she kneels down with axe near her face. “I don’t know what you did to My sister while I was away at the crystal empire. But whatever you did to her, I’ll be sure to have Twilight fix it.”

“Crystal Empire? Are you nuts!?” The farmer shot back. “Can you just calm down for five seconds?”

“Give me one good reason why I should listen to you?”

“Okay, just what the buck is going on out here?” Both Applejacks were a bit relieved to hear the voice of a friend nearby as they looked up to see who it was. However, they did not expect… to see two of them.

“T-twilight? What in tarnations is going on?”

“Why in the twelves are there two of you?” The warrior asked as she looked at the two alicorns in confusion.

“We’ll explain everything once we get back to….well in this case my Alternate reality self’s castle.” The summoner said as she glared at the warrior. “Now get away from your alternate self! What the buck were you thinking attacking her like that!?”

“But….I….she...Apple Bloom and…..I am so confused.” The warrior said as she stepped away from the farmer.

“She must’ve thought that Apple Bloom here was her own Apple Bloom and also come to the same conclusion that my Applejack was some kind of imposter,” Twilight replied. “I just hope the rest of my friends are handling this a lot better though.”

“If that is the case, then it would mostly be that Applejack and Rainbow Dash would be the two out of both our groups to be combative when they see each other.” The Summoner said as she walked over to Applejack on the ground and place a hand near her back. “Hold still. I need to at least patch up that wound on your back that my Applejack gave you.” She said as she reached for her book as she began to cast the spell Physick onto the earth pony’s back as the open gash began to magically heal itself up. “There, how are you feeling now?”

“B-better actually,” She replied before getting up from that. “Thank you…… Uh… How should I address you? Other Twi? Alt-Twi?”

“Let’s just stick with Twilight and focus on names later,” The Princess suggested.

“Yes. Names can come later. Right now I suggest we get ourselves back to the castle to get reorganized and so we can fill you both in on our current situation.” The summoner said as she looked over at the princess. “Might I suggest you have Spike send your friends a letter to meet up at the castle as well? If my hypothesis is correct, then both your friends and my friends should already meet up with each other just like how it was with me and you.”

“That may be right… but I’m not so sure how some of our friends would react to seeing one another.” The Princess replied back.

“Well we won’t know until we find out. I must say this is a bit exciting. To think that there would an equestria that is different than ours. There is so much to learn and write down in my grimoire” The summoner quickly felt her book vibrate a bit before she looked down at it with a deadpanned expression. “Right, right, keep myself in check so I won’t go overboard with the learning thing. Alright girls. Let’s get going before we draw more attention to ourselves.” Just when the summoner said that, the group heard something that sounded like a cannon and gunfire go off nearby where Sugarcube Corner would be as they saw lots of confetti, streamers, and...what looked like to be fire shoot into the sky.

“Too late…”

Chapter 2: The Princess and The Summoner

Chapter 2

The Princess and The Summoner

“Okay, so let me get this straight. We are in an alternate world that is similar to ours...but is different?” The Warrior asked as she tried to wrap her head around all this information given to her

“How is that even possible? I mean, is that even possible?” Applejack asked as she too was trying to wrap her head around this as well..

“In a way yes.” The summoner said as she along with the others begin to make their way down the street towards Sugarcube Corner.

“And how do you know that this isn’t some kind of trick or something?”

“Well it all started when I first woke up in my alternate self’s castle this morning in a chair made out of crystals....”

[Morning]

(Twilight’s Castle)

Inside Twilight’s home of the Castle of Friendship, a certain alicorn princess finds herself dumbfounded by what she’s seeing sleeping in her crystal chair. Sitting there sound asleep was….well….her. Only she was wearing a green robe with brown leather around her shoulders and gold designs around the bottom part of her robe, her horn was red with gold patterns around the base of it, boots that reached up to her thighs, and her grimoire was sitting right on the chair next to the sleeping look a like. Before she could even say or do anything, Spike enters into the room with a plate of pancakes.

“Hey Twilight. I made some pancakes if you want any-.” The moment he enters into the room, Spike quickly notice the other Twilight sleeping in the crystal chair. “Um….why is there another Twilight sitting there?”

“I….I honestly don’t know. When I walked into the room, I just found her like this.”

“You don’t think she’s from that mirror pool thing do you?”

“I don’t think so…..At least I hope it’s not. We did seal that place up so that we wouldn’t have another incident like Pinkie Pie again.”

“Well….what do we do? Do we send a letter to Princess Celestia?”

“That might be a good idea. But how do I explain how I see another me sleeping in...well….my chair?”

“You could always just bring her here if that’s the case. I mean this is an emergency after all.”

“That sounds like a great idea Twilight.” Spike said as he notice a confused expression on the princess’s face.

“That wasn’t me Spike.”

“No, that would be me.” The summoner said as Twilight and Spike turned their attention at the other Twilight. “You know it's kinda rude to be talking in front of somepony when they’re trying to sleep...or at the very least was knocked out from being teleported to some place else.”

“....Um….sorry?“ Spike said in an awkward tone as he looks over at the Summoner, then back at Twilight. “Did you accidentally make a magical double of yourself in your sleep?”

“That would be possible depending on how much experience she has with that kind of magic. But sadly, that’s not the case.”

“Then mind telling me who you are? You don’t appear to be a changeling seeing how they went into hiding after what happen during my brother’s wedding.” The Princess asked as the Summoner reached for her grimoire.

“What gave it away that I wasn’t a changeling?”

“That magic around you is….something that I’ve never felt before….it’s so...pure.”

“Not to mention the pupils in her eyes are glowing while yours aren't Twilight.” Spike added as the summoner giggled to that part.

“Spot on young wyrm. To answer your question, I am Twilight Sparkle. But I’m pretty sure you knew my name already given how we both are the same only different.”

“Different as in what?” The princess asked.

“Well for starters I’m able to look into your soul via echo much easier then the ponies back in my world.”

“.....I’m sorry what?”

“Oh right. Um...how do I say this without making things difficult.” The Summoner said as she placed a hand on her chin. “Well to start off, have you ever heard of the multiverse theory?”

“The multiverse (or meta-universe) is the hypothetical set of possible universes, including the universe in which we live. Together, these universes comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, and the physical laws and constants that describe them. The various universes within the multiverse are called parallel universes, other universes, or alternate universes.” Spike said which took both alicorns by surprise by his understanding of said theory. “What? I read a lot of comic books involving that.”

“Well I guess I don’t have to explain it so much. But what Spike said pretty much sums it up to some degree.”

“H-How is that even possible? I thought that only applies to the mirror world that I met Sunset in?” The Princess asked as the summoner chuckle.

“I’m just as surprise as you that I along with my friends would find ourselves here in your world. Then again when Sunburst Teleported us away from Bahamut before he almost killed us, it wouldn’t be a surprise to some degree.”

“Sunburst? Who’s that?” The Princess asked, only for her to notice the sudden change in facial expression on her alternate’s face. “I something wrong?”

“N-No. Nothing’s wrong. I’ll tell you about him later. To answer your question about me looking into your soul, it’s something that some ponies are gifted with. We call it, the echo.”

“The echo? Like echolocation?”

“No, the echo is a power gift that most ponies have. We don’t know much about it. But from what we know so far, there are many types of echo. For me, I’m able to transcend both physical and astral plains and able to interact and look into a person’s soul to see their past.”

“That’s….a very interesting magic to have.” The Princess said with a bit of an uncomfortable expression on her face.

“And a bit of an invasion of privacy if you ask me.” Spike added. “You sure she’s telling the truth Twilight?”

“Need proof huh?” The summoner asked as she looked over at her counterpart. “Wanna know what Spike does in his spare time when you’re not around? He used a Rarity plush doll to pretend to-” Before the summoner could finish, an embarrassed blush appeared on Spike’s face as he quickly threw the plate of pancakes at her as she quickly used her magic to stop it from hitting her in the face. “Oh, it’s been awhile since I had pancakes. Thank you Spike.”

“Okay...besides that...have you any other proof then that? As in hard proof that you’re from another world?”

“Ah, hold on for a second.” The summoner opens her book as she begins to write in it. As she begins to write, a magic circle appeared around herself and the crystal chair she’s in. In a matter of two minutes, the magic circle instantly disappeared as she closed her book and summoned a emerald carbuncle onto the crystal map. “There we go.”

“W-What in the wide world of Equestria is that!?” The Princess asked as she quickly rush over to the carbuncle and begins to examine it.

“In Limsa Lominsa, or in this case Manehatten of the Arcanist guild. Arcanists and Summoners are able to summon creatures like this to help aid them in battle when fighting monsters and other beings that want to either hurt you or others. I myself am a Summoner that use to be in the Arcanist Guild for a while.”

“Amazing…this is something that no pony have ever seen before in Equestria.”

“Well in your Equestria to be corrected. But I can see the mistake you made in that.”

“Wait...isn’t your world the same as ours?” Twilight asked as the summoner shook her head no.

“I mean our country is named Equestria, but the layout of the land is different than the one here.” The Summoner opened her book again as she showed Twilight the map of her world. “See the icon with the viking ship on the red flag? That’s Limsa Lominsa. Or as most ponies would say, Manehattan seeing how it rests against the coastlines of the ocean.”

“Fascinating, what about the other places on this map?” Twilight asked as she summoned a piece of paper and a quill pen in hand to write down.

“Well next to it would be La Noscea. That place is pretty much open settlement for almost everypony to live in, so long as they be careful on where they go and all.”

“What about Ponyville? Is that anywhere in La Noscea?”

“No, Ponyville would be in Gridania.” The summoner said as she points over to the flag with the Twin Adders. “More importantly it would be in the Everfree Forest.”

“Ponyville is in the Everfree Forest!?” The princess yelled in surprise. “But that place is the most dangerous place for anypony to go or to live in. Why would you make a town in a place like that?”

“Don’t know. I’m not the one that founded Ponyville and suggested to make a town in there. You’ll have to ask Applejack seeing how she has more knowledge about it then I do.”

“You mean your Applejack, right?”

“Of course my Applejack. Who else would know about it then her. Now as to what I was saying, Ponyville is in Gridania, Appaloosa is in Ul’Dah. If you’re wondering where it is, it’s-”

“The flag with the golden scale holding a flame and a gem, right?” The Princess said as the summoner smiled and nodded. “And I take it that Canterlot is all the way up top?”

“Spot on. You catch on quickly. Ishgard is where Canterlot resides in...though it’s been closed off due to the archbishop’s orders.”

“Archbishop? Who’s that?”

“Don’t know. I’m guessing he’s the one that rules over Ishgard. Celestia and Luna know who the Archbishop is, but they won’t say anything about it, or try to avoid the topic.”

“Huh...that’s weird.”

“Really? And not seeing an alternate version of yourself isn’t?” Spike said as the Princess deadpans at the young dragon. “What? We live in Ponyville. You should expect some weird things happening in this place on a daily basis.”

“He’s not wrong about that.” The summoner added.

“Don’t encourage him please.”

“I’m just agreeing with what he said.”

“Back to the topic at hand. You said that you along with your friends are here in Equestria. I take you mean Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy?”

“Well them along with Celestia, Luna, and Starlight.”

“Wait….your world’s princesses are here...in Equestria!?” The princess asked as the summoner nodded. “Why would they be here!? Aren’t they suppose to be ruling over Equestria!?” There was a moment of silence upon Twilight saying that, that is until the summoner burst out laughing at the alicorns frantic worriness.

“Sorry. I know I shouldn’t be laughing at you, but it would seem that I’ll have to inform you a bit more about the differences between our worlds if you have the time that is?”

“And that’s pretty much what we’ve been doing for the past couple of hours. That is until Applejack’s sister along with her friends came to get Twilight.” The summoner said as she chuckled. “Though I never thought that they would pass out from seeing two Twilights in the same room. It’s kinda funny when you think about it.”

“So not only are you here.” Applejack said as she points to the warrior and summoner. “But your friends are here as well?”

“That would be the case, yes.”

“You think there’s a way to bring us back to our world?” The warrior asked.

“Hard to say really. I’ll have to look into the spell that summoned us here. But for now, we should be more focus on getting everyone here in Ponyville first. Judging by how we came here, it would seem that we would end up near or around our alternate selves in a matter of sense.”

“So if I ended up near this world’s Apple Bloom, and you appeared inside Twilight’s home.”

“Then that means that everyone else would appear near or around their alternate selves in our world.” Twilight finish as the summoner nodded.

“Correct, which I would suggest we send a letter to your friends and to the princesses about this and then meet up here in Sugarcube Corner.”

“You think that’s a good idea?” Spike asked as he along with the other stopped in front of Sugarcube Corner.

“Yes, mostly because.” The summoner moved past the two Applejack’s as she makes her way to the front door of the building. Once near the door of Sugarcube Corner, she pushed the door open to reveal the insides of it being covered in decorations and food. “Both our Pinkie’s have met each other now and are going to be hosting a party here.”

“Hey girls and Spike!” The group turned their attention to the left of the room to a familiar voice. Looking over to the left, they could see one Pinkie Pie working on a mondo size cake. While the other who was wearing a bard’s outfit shooting arrows at the walls to hang up the streamer and balloons.

“You're just in time! We’re about to host a party!” The Bard said as she fired off another arrow to reveal a banner. “It’s called ‘Welcome to Equestria ponies from a different Equestria that look like us but with silly outfits’ Party!” She said as she placed a hand to her chin and hummed. “Though I think we might want to shorten the title a bit. That is a bit of a mouthful to say when you think about it.”

“Maybe we can ask Twilight if she knows what to call it?”

“Which Twilight? Mine or yours?”

“Why not both?” Pinkie Pie said as the bard gasp in surprise.

“Oh my gosh! You’re right! Hey Twilight and other Twilight, which title would suit this party well?”

“......Spike.” The alicorn princess said as Spike began to write down a letter on a sheet of paper before Twilight could give him the order.

“I’m on it. Man, I wonder how the others are doing with their alternate selves?”

Chapter 3: The Veterinarian and The White Mage

Chapter 3

The Veterinarian and The White Mage

[Fluttershy’s Cottage]

While Twilight was busy dealing with the situation in Sugarcube Corner, we turn our attention to Fluttershy tending to the animals at her cottage at the edge of the Everfree Forest. While outside she begins to do her daily routine which involves feeding the animals, making sure their homes are kept in perfect order and aren’t damage, and tend to any animals that are sick or injured.

“There you go mister birdy.” Fluttershy said as she finished bandaging a red bird’s wing. “Now, you get some rest so your wing can get better.” She said as the red bird nodded and hopped off towards the nest on the ground. That is until he stopped and begun to look around. “Is something wrong?” She asked as the bird let out a small chirp.

“You hear somepony singing behind the cottage? Are you sure?” The bird nodded as he begins to lead Fluttershy over to behind the cottage. As Fluttershy began to follow the red bird, her ears twitch upon hearing the voice of someone singing as she got closer. Once she was behind the cottage she would see a pony wearing a white robe with red patterns on it and a staff on her back.

“To all of my children in whom life flows abundant. To all of my children to whom death hath passed his judgement~.” The mare sang as a few animals began to approach her due to her singing. “The soul yearns for honor and the flesh the hereafter. Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after~.”

“Such a beautiful voice.” Fluttershy thought as she slowly crept up on the mare singing as to not disturb her.

“Shining in the land’s light of justice. Ever flows the land’s well of purpose~.” The mare extend a hand up as a blue jay flew over and landed on her finger. “Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe. The land’s alive, so believe~.” Looking at the blue jay on her finger, she reaches for her hood as she slowly takes it down. Once the hood was down, Fluttershy let out a gasp upon seeing her pink mane flow down. The mare’s ears twitch as she turns around with a shocked expression upon seeing Fluttershy. “Oh….h-hello.”

“Y-You’re….You’re me?” Fluttershy said as she carefully walks up to her look a like.

“I-It would seem so. Though I think we might be different due to our ages.” The white mage said as she walks up to Fluttershy. Once she was close, the veterinarian notice the height difference between the two. “I’m Fluttershy by the way, but I’m sure you knew that.”

“It’s nice to meet you...um...me? I’m Fluttershy as well, but I’m sure you knew that as well.” Fluttershy said as she giggles a bit.

“Fluttershy Dear, is everything alright?” The two of them heard a voice from inside that startled the veterinarian for a moment before she turned to the window nearby. “I could’ve swore that I just heard you talking to yourself just now.”

The white mage took notice of Discord near the window as her gaze harden and begins to reach for her staff from off her back and takes up a fighting stance. This caused the veterinarian to realize what she was doing and extended a hand to stop her. “W-wait… I-it’s not what you think. He l-lives with me…”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you...but I don’t trust him….at all.” The white mage said as her staff begins to glow in defense to seeing Discord.

“He’s reformed-”

“Fluttershy?” The Draconequus said, only seeing the white mage and not even noticing the vet nearby. “What are you doing in that costume? It’s a few months away from nightmare night and you told me you don’t normally celebrate that. I was going to ask if you'd like any tea-” That… was when he turned his head and saw the vet not that far from the white mage. Causing him to blink a few times before his jaw dropped to the floor… literally.

“Stay behind me...um… me.” The white mage said as she stood in front of Fluttershy. “Whatever he is planning can not be good.” She said as she casted protect on herself, the veterinarian, and her animals.

“The only thing I was planning to do was make tea… But in all seriousness, what is going on?” Discord asked, turning to the white mage. “And why are you using magic?”

“Not to be rude or anything, but I’ll have to refuse to answer your question.” The white mage said as she was preparing to cast Aero II on the draconequus. Until she heard the same question he originally asked… from the vet.

“Uh… how are you using magic?”

“...What do you mean?”

“Uh… well, only unicorns and alicorns f-from my understand know the kind of magic you are doing,” She pointed out to her. “We pegasi just use weather magic, n-not… that…”

“That’s… a bit weird. Mind telling me where I am?”

“Uh… Equestria?” Fluttershy answered for her, looking back at Discord as he raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders.

“This is… all too strange for me… and normally, I’m the one who sometimes does strange things.” Discord commented.

“Hm. I should be in Gridania if that was the case. But after walking through the untamed forest of the Everfree Forest, then that must means that Sunburst’s magic must have teleported us to some weird alternate version of our world. One where certain species of ponies can use magic.” The white mage said to herself before realizing that she was talking out loud and blushes. “Oh, um, sorry. Just, thinking out loud….something that I picked up from hanging around Twilight for too long.”

Yet… the white mage wasn’t ready for a question that the vet asked. “Sunburst?” She then turned to Discord and asked him something else. “Discord, have you heard of somepony by that name?”

“Can’t say that I have at all, Shy.”

“Yeah, I-i’m sorry, but we’ve never met anypony named that before.” Fluttershy said apologetically.

“Um...what month and year is it here?”

“You mean today’s date?” Discord asked.

“Yes, today’s date.”

“Well, today is August 15, 1005, CE…”

“CE...what does that mean?”

“Celestial Era… when Princess Celestia originally banished Nightmare Moon.”

“Um...who’s Nightmare Moon?”

Fluttershy and Discord both blinked in response before looking at one another. “You don’t know who Nightmare Moon is?”

“We never heard of Nightmare Moon from where I’m from… why? Is something wrong?”

“Well… how should I put this…” Discord asked. “Nightmare Moon was what happened when Luna’s jealousy over her sister took hold of her. She would raise the moon and make a beautiful starlit sky, but she felt that nopony appreciated what she did since they were all asleep. However, when Celestia raised the sun, everypony appreciated her. That was 1000 years ago and at that time, Celestia originally banished Nightmare Moon with the elements of harmony… fast forward to five years ago, when Nightmare came back, it was Twilight and her friends that stopped Nightmare from having revenge.”

“.....Forgive me if I’m not responsive to this...but for the most part of what you said….it never happened back in my Equestria...We never heard of these things called the elements of harmony or Celestia banishing her sister to the moon.” That threw both Fluttershy and Discord off guard, before both of them looked back at the White Mage.

“Uh… Perhaps we should go see our Twilight… maybe she has some kind of idea of what’s going on or how she can help you.” The Vet spoke up. “I mean… things do seem rather quiet today-”

The second she said that last sentence was when she heard something that sounded like the force of an explosion go off in the direction where Ponyville was as Discord snapped his paw and had a telescope form from it. “Well… you’re not going to believe this… but two Applejack’s are fighting in the center of Ponyville.”

“....Would the other one be wielding an axe on her back and wearing armor similar to that of a warrior from olden times?” The white mage asked with a worried expression on her face. Discord’s response was to conjure another telescope, this time for her, and let the white mage see for herself what was going on first hand. “....I would say that I’m not surprise….but I am. Mostly from seeing how well your friend is holding her ground against my Applejack.”

“Really? Because she turned her back just now and got hit by a wave of- Ooooh, that’s gotta hurt.” Discord said, sounding rather disturbed by what just happened. “That’s going to leave a mark.”

“Oh dear. I gotta get over there and stop them before they end up hurting themselves.” The white mage said as she was about to quickly fly over to Ponyville. Until Discord saw something else and then spoke up to the white mage.

“Hey, is your Twilight decked out in some kind of important wizard’s garb? Because right now, I’m seeing two of them and one of them is tending to our AJ.”

“Yes, that is my Twilight...I’m a bit surprise she’s in Ponyville as well….This is a bit of both odd and relief at the same time.”

“Uhh...Maybe they might have an idea as to what’s going on?” The Veterinarian suggested.

“With both Twilight's talking to each other. They might have an idea on what’s going on, and how we might be able to get back to our home. I mean I have a bit of a grasp on it, but Twilight might be able to help us all understand what’s going on.”

“Well, let’s go see them then!” Discord declared, grabbing hold of both Fluttershy’s as he snapped his talon, causing all three of them to appear in front of Sugarcube Corner… where everypony else was. However when he arrived at the pastry store..he didn’t quite get a warm welcome from either the Warrior, Summoner, and Bard upon arrival as he was bombarded by a combination of Ruin spells and arrows.

“Oh come on!! I just wanted to say hi! After all I did to get reformed, that is what happens!?” Discord shouted, hiding behind Fluttershy and Twilight.

“Hiding behind Twilight and Fluttershy is not going to save you traitor!” The summoner said as she glared at the god of chaos. “I don’t know how you got here, but you’ll pay for what you did to us during the Dawn Era and sold us out to Tirek!”

“Uh… What is she talking about?” Applejack asked as the farmer adjusted her stetson hat. “For one thing, we reformed Discord, Tirek is locked up in Tartarus where he belongs and when Discord did try helping out Tirek, that centaur stabbed him in the back since he tricked him.”

“Wait so this is your Discord? And you let him run out and about as he pleases?”

“Normally, I stay with Fluttershy and only visit time to time,” He said, looking back at the summoner and holding a clock that was actively recording the amount of time that he had stayed reformed. “Plus, I was only coming here because I believe we found your Fluttershy back at the cottage.”

“Don’t try to change the subject traitor. How in the name of Hydaelyn you're not in prison or exiled from Equestria is beyond my imagination.” The warrior said as she readies her axe. “But no matter how you look at it. A traitor is still a traitor in our eyes.”

“Uh… I learned from my mistakes… plus, when our Fluttershy was talking with your Fluttershy, we kind of stumbled on something,” Discord said, before turning to the white mage. “Should I explain or-?”

“All will be explained in time once we get both of our counterparts here to Sugarcube Corner.” The Summoner interrupted in a cold emotionless tone. “Twilight sent out a letter to her friends along with Celestia and Luna seeing how ours would be with your world’s princesses.”

“Don’t think just because you say you’re reformed, means we trust you Discord.” The Bard said as she tries to put up a serious expression on her face. “The fact that you would betray your friends is proof that you’re not completely reformed.”

“I was tricked by Tirek and I was an idiot to fall for it…” Discord regrettably told her. It was then though that Fluttershy soon thought of something as she looked back to her counterpart.

“Um… would it be possible that your Rarity may be at Carousel Boutique? I remember Sweetie Belle telling me that she was in the middle of processing an order when I saw her buying fabrics at the market yesterday and that it was going to take a couple of days for her to complete.”

“That is possible. But like my Twilight before, her counterpart sent out letters for them to meet us here in Sugarcube Corner.”

“That may be true,” The princess added. “But it is a habit of Rarity’s in order to fully focus on a project from start to finish and not pay attention to other matters immediately. It’s happened before when she was working on preparing dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala-”

“The hay is a Grand Galloping Gala?” The Warrior asked as she placed her axe back onto the holster on her back.

“Think of it like an annual celebratory ball hosted in Canterlot.” Twilight told her. Discord himself even added onto that by snapping his talon and providing a series of pictures from the event for the warrior and their companions to see.

“...You would never see me in a dress like that sugarcube.”

“To be fair, I’m not for dresses either,” the farmer grumbled. “But Rarity insisted.”

“I know the feeling. Rarity can be… insisting when it comes to her dresses.”

“Oh trust me…” The farmer told them in response. “You’ve seen nothing yet.”

“I doubt it.” The Bard interrupted as she leans against the warrior. “Our Rarity had to fight Applejack to the point of death to get her to put on a dress.” She said as Applejack looked over at the warrior who nodded.

“....You ponies are weird.”

“Says the one that gave a traitor a slap on the wrist and not sending him to jail.”

“Back to the topic at hand.” The summoner said as she got everyone’s attention. “I have faith that our Rarity will get your Rarity’s attention and bring her here to Sugarcube Corner. After all this is an emergency that involves both this world and our world.”

“What if your Rarity was helping our Rarity with what she was doing?” The veterinarian asked.

“Like I said before, this is an emergency.”

“Not to sound rude or anything.” The white mage said as she turned her attention at Fluttershy. “But you don’t know anything about our Rarity and how she takes something like this seriously over making dresses.”

“Uhm……” Before the vet or anypony else could say anything for that matter, they all heard a loud pitched scream come from the opposite side of town.

“THIS IS A SERIOUS FASHION EMERGENCY!!!!!!!” yelled a certain fashionista as it caused The Warrior to deadpan upon hearing that yell and looked over at The Summoner.

“Guess I should’ve mention the age difference between us while we were inside Sugarcube Corner huh?....Sorry, should’ve said that from the beginning of all this.”

That only left the warrior facepalming herself as she muttered one thing in response.

“Nul’s balls.”

Chapter 4: The Fashionista and The Red Mage

Chapter 4

The Fashionista and The Red Mage

(Ponyville)

“THIS IS A SERIOUS FASHION EMERGENCY!!!!!!!” Yelled Rarity as she tugged on The Red Mage’s dualist cloth around her neck.

“Darling, I don’t think a small stain around my neck is what I call a ‘fashion emergency’. Now if I was covered in yellow paint, then it would be a fashion emergency to some degree.” The Rad Mage said as she shook her head to Rarity’s reaction. “Nevertheless, we have to get to your Sugarcube Corner where my friends along with yours are at.”

“Yes, yes, but right now we need to fix that problem of yours.” Rarity said as The Red Mage place a hand in the bridge of her nose.

“Hydaelyn give me strength. I can’t believe I was like this eight years ago before the empire attacked us…..just bare with it Rarity.” She mumbled as she put on a fake smile. “Darling, I think that we should be heading over to Sugarcube Corner ASAP. If what the letter is saying is true, then it would mean that Equestria would be in danger of some sorts.”

“You can’t expect me not to look my best if that’s the reason why Twilight summoned us can you!?” Rarity said as she continues to try and drag The Red Mage along with her. “And you can’t expect yourself to meet Twilight with that stain on your neck!”

“Any other day yes, but right now we need to go.” The Red Mage’s horn glowed as she begins to levitate Rarity up from off the ground. “We don’t have time to deal with something as petty as this.”

“Excuse me!? How is something about a stain on such a beautiful outfit such as yours able to be called petty!?”

“When something is so important that it might involve both of us. Now come along, we have to meet with Twilight and-” Before The Red Mage could finish her sentence, she was soon tackled to the ground by a familiar pink bard to the ground. This also caused Rarity to fall face first onto the ground.

“I found Rarity, Twilight!” The Bard yelled as The Red Mage pulled herself up with a smile on her face.

“Nice to see you too Pinkie. Guess I wasn’t the only one that ended up here?” The Red Mage asked as she looked over the Bard’s shoulder to see Twilight and the others walking up to them. “I take it these are our counterparts?”

“That would be a yes.” The Summoner said as she walked over to Rarity to help her up from the ground. “Glad to see that you’re safe and sound after being teleported.”

“Same I could say to you all.” The Red Mage said as she pulls the Bard off of herself and pulled herself up from the ground. “So we’re all accounted for right?”

“Not all of us.” The Warrior stated as she leaned against a nearby building. “Celestia, Luna, Trixie, Starlight, and Rainbow Dash are still missing. But we know where three out of the five are located.”

“You mean Canterlot Castle and Rainbow Dash’s home?”

“Yep! For now we’re going to head over to Sugarcube Corner so we can all meet up and have a party!” The Bard said as she and Pinkie Pie hopped around them in excitement.

“There’s gonna be foods, games, music, balloons, and all sorts of fun stuff!” Pinkie said, still bouncing around with the Bard

“But more importantly it would give us an opportunity to get to know each other and figure out how to get you guys back home.” Twilight added.

“The sooner ya’ll can do that the better.” Applejack said as she glared at The Warrior. “I prefer not to have to be around it anymore then I have to.”

“I’m sorry, but what did you just say you piece of shite?” The Warrior asked as she glared back at Applejack. “Because all hear is shite coming from that mouth of yours.”

“Did I stutter? I said-” Before Applejack could repeat her statement, The White Mage quickly stood in between the two apple farmers.

“Now, now. No need to get into a fight in town. We don’t want to have a repeat of what happened earlier now do we?” She asked as the farm ponies glared at each other for a moment before looking away.

“Honestly, you two are just as stubborn as a mule.” Twilight said before noticing a donkey walking by them. “No offense.”

“None taken, ma’am.” He said as he tilted his hat before walking off.

“Guess we’ll have to wait till they get here?” The Summoner said as she heard a groan from the warrior.

“And what are we supposed to do until they get here?”

“Oh! I know!” Chimed Pinkie as she looked over at the warrior. “Let’s start the party early!? That way we can introduce everypony to...well….ourselves!”

“That’s a perfect idea!” The bard said as she pulled out fliers from out of her mane. “I’ll give everypony a flier to tell them to come to sugarcube corner. That way you’ll have time to finish setting everything up.” She said as Pinkie Pie let out a gasp.

“Hey! Since when did you come up with an amazing idea~?”

“Well I am you after all….well only a bit different. I have a fancy bow.”

“Oh yeah, that is true. I keep forgetting that.”

“This is going to be a long and stressful conversation that I’m gonna be involved in.” The warrior mumbled as she along with the others begin to make their way back to Sugarcube Corner.

(Castle of the Royal Sisters)

Near the entrance of the ruined castle of the royal sisters, a void gate quickly opens up in front of the entrance before vanishing. Once the void gate vanish, two ponies wearing sinister dark robes and red masks covering their upper part of their faces appear in it’s place.

“So, twould seem that Hydaelyn’s chosen children are here in this world. How unfortunate that they didn’t parish during the fight with Bahamut.” The colt said, staring off at the direction that leads to Ponyville

“Indeed. It would’ve made things easy for us to sink this world into darkness like all the others if they fell to Bahamut.” The mare said, also looking in the same direction as the colt was staring.

“Whether that’s the case or not. We can still do what needs to be done. This world will sink into darkness.”

“Indeed. May haps we should see if these warrior of light are who Hydaelyn proclaim to be?”

“Would you suggest influencing this world with ours?”

“They have the means of summoning primals into this world. They just need a little push in the following directions.” The Ascian said as he raised a hand towards the forest. “We’ll see if this world can do the same as in the world before. For now we’ll just watch and see.” Darkness formed into the Ascian’s hand as he fires a ball of darkness onto the ground as a void gate appears. Out of the void gate came a demonic pale colored demon wielding a pair of blood covered heavy twin swords.

“Go and cause mayhem and destruction within your wake demon.” The mare said as the demon let out a loud roar before heading off towards Ponyville.

“A Lesser Gargoyle? Going a bit easy on them are we?”

“It’s to test the waters. If they are the chosen children of that accursed crystal of light, then we will have another reason to have them killed. Till then we will head over to Our Town to “assist” with Starlight Glimmer of this world.”

“You think she’ll be of use to us?”

“No, but her body on the other hand can be use for one of our kind to take control of.” The colt said as he pulls out a dark crystal. “She just needs to hold onto this for the darkness within her heart to give more control over her.”

“For the glory of our lord.”

“That all will become one with lord Zordiark.” The Ascians said in union before they both disappeared into the void of darkness.

(Sugarcube Corner)

“So let me get this straight.” The Red Mage said as she had her rapier pointed at Discord’s throat. “You would allow a traitor like him to walk around freely? Not even throwing him in a dungeon for not only betraying your friendship, trust, and country?”

“If Celestia is willing to give him a second chance, then we will be willing to do the same.” Twilight answered as The Red Mage sheathed her rapier to her side.

“Our Celestia would’ve thrown our Discord into either a prison cell, stone, or exile from Equestria. Then again she pretty much exiled him in our world.”

“What is with everypony and wanting to attack me all of a sudden!” Discord said as he moves over next to Fluttershy. “I mean, come on. Do you guys really hate your Discord that much???”

“We have our reason why we hate our Discord. Even if we are from different worlds, you betrayed your friends, country, and your friendship. This gives us a reason why we won’t trust you, unless we have a reason to trust you.”The Warrior said as she chugs down the milkshake she was drinking in one gulp. “Not bad, but there’s too much sugar in this drink.”

“There’s no such thing as too much sugar!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Well to me, it’s too much….though I will not deny a drink coming from you.” The Warrior said as she let out a loud belch. Making the fashionista twitch a little at the sheer sight of this Applejacks behavior.

“I wouldn’t let it bother you darling.” The Red Mage said, placing a hand on Rarity’s shoulder. “Just be glad our Rainbow Dash isn’t here at the moment.”

“... Should I be concerned?” The Fashionista then asked.

“Only when they start fighting each other when they’re drunk. Though given how things are, there might be less of that between them. I would be more concerned about your Applejack and ours.”

“Well, our Rainbow is a bit of a fighter too… wait til they get involved in a four way-” Everypony soon turned to Pinkie at that before the bard actually was able to finish her sentence. “FIGHT!!! Four way fight! By Hydaelyn, what did you think she was referring to?”

“I take it you’re finished handing out the fliers Pinkie?” The Summoner asked, still looking through the pages of her book without looking up at her.

“Yeah I did… but oddly enough, for some ponies, they saw the other me and politely declined because they thought it was another ‘Mirror Pool incident’ or something like that…” All that did was have the Alicorn Princess head drop down to the point where her forehead soon hit the table as she groaned a little bit.

“Don’t remind me…”

“Mirror Pool incident?” The Summoner asked as she lifted her eyes away from her book and looked over at the Princess of Friendship.

“Before I had became an alicorn, we had an incident with the mirror pool. It’s a magical lake to which if you stepped into it and said a specific rhyme, you could clone yourself. Pinkie herself, wanting to try to be in multiple places at once so she could be with her friends decided to do it… but things got out of control rather quickly.”

“How much out of control?” They heard the nearby white mage ask.

“Think a stampede of Pinkie Pie’s coming at you like a group of raging buffalo.” The princess replied, which made The White Mage shudder shortly before Twilight took a deep sigh. “Fortunately, we were able to find the biggest rock we could find in order to seal off the entrance so it didn’t happen again.”

“......Seven hells. And I thought the beast tribes were bad enough. I would hate to imagine that many Pinkie Pies in our world.” The warrior said as she shivers at the thought of that.

“Hm. If that was the case, then they would pretty much do the same thing as any other beast tribe… only without killing ponies, just throwing wild parties.” The Red Mage said as she took a sip from her milkshake. “Though when you think about it. That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”

“It more likely gave both Spike and I a really massive headache afterwards.” Twilight replied. “Not to mention that it made Rainbow Dash think she was seeing things and had to get her eyes checked before going to Wonderbolt Academy.”

“Wonderbolt Academy? What’s that?” The White Mage asked.

“It’s… well, how should I put this…” Twilight thought before turning to Discord. “Discord, would you-”

“No worries, I got you covered.” He replied, snapping his finger as a projection of the academy was put in the middle of the table for all of them to see.

“This is the Wonderbolt Academy. It’s a training school for up and coming pegasi who wish to become professional stunt flyers. It’s been our Rainbow’s dream to become part of the Wonderbolts since her fillyhood and when she got the chance to go to the academy, she was really excited for it. In fact, almost everyday that she doesn’t decide to take a nap, she dedicates to practicing. It’s also not far from Cloudsdale.” As Twilight finished, Discord had the projection disappear as she looked back at the summoner. “Does that help somehow?”

“It does help. Guess we really are from different worlds.” The Summoner said as she looked down at her book. “No one likes a smartass Spike. So you don’t have to gloat about being right.”

Yet… it was just as she said that is when all of them heard the door open for a moment as all of them turned to see a draconic figure standing in doorway. Until he saw what was going on… and the two Twilights. “......... I’m out.” The door then immediately closed shortly after that as everypony looked confused for a moment. But the princess just deeply sighed.

“Did you have to say that as soon as our Spike was about to walk in through the door?”

“One would think he would know who I was talking to after our first meeting with me talking to the book.” The Summoner said before looking back at her book. “And your comments not helping the situation.”

“It could be possible that he left after seeing almost two of everypony?” Discord then added. “I mean… he did have that crush on our Rarity for a while.”

Both Rarity’s twitched at hearing that… and their response was exactly the same. “What!?”

“Oh come on… Are you saying that you didn’t pick up on any of his signs?” Discord sighed. “Always staying behind to help you out at the boutique, bringing in gems for your dresses, chocolates and roses on Hearts and Hooves day? He’s been trying to tell you that he likes you, yet you’ve never picked up on the signs.”

“To be fair that’s only with your Spike I assume, Traitor.” The Warrior stated as she leans back in her chair.

“Now that I think of it… what is your Spike anyway?” The princess then asked the summoner. “When we originally met, I just assumed that your Spike ended up somewhere inside the castle. But the more you mention him and the more you look at that book, I’m beginning to think otherwise.” This cause the Summoner’s friends to look over at them as they notice The Summoner’s expression change from a blank expression, to a deathly glare that was addressed to Discord for a moment before looking back at Twilight. “Uh… was it something I said?”

“I...prefer not to talk about it with...your Discord around. Nothing against him or anything…but I have my reasons. But I will say this. Our Spike lives inside my book...well his soul to be correct.”

“Ah think that’s all ah need to know at this point,” The farmer then replied. “Still… that makes me wonder… Besides Rainbow, you said that your Princesses are here too?”

“Yeah, they’re here in this world as well from what I can remember before we were teleported off to this world.” The White Mage answered.

“Well… if all of us happened to run into each other where we were… Is it likely that your Princesses could meet ours in Canterlot… and if so… What exactly would be going on?”

“I can actually think of a few things that might happen.” The Summoner stated before closing her book. “They might end up going into a fight with each other, running around Canterlot, trying to flee from the royal guards, or they might be playing chess with each other. But it all depends on how your Princesses are.”

That was soon followed by a question from Discord. “What’s the most likely scenario?”

“Well…If I have to guess. I would say that Luna would be beating your Luna in a game of 3D chess”

“Your princess is that good at chess?” Discord asked, sounding rather surprised.

“Well they did live in Ishgard before coming down and ruling over certain parts of Equestria.” The warrior said as she pulls herself up from the chair she was sitting in. “You’d be surprise as to how good they are when they’re not in battle and all.”

“For our princess’, Celestia’s good when it comes to card games.” The Spirit of Chaos replied. “Trust me… she’s good to the point that I once tried to cheat in order to get the upper hand and she still beat me… Taught me never to try and pull the same stunt again.”

“Serves you right.” The farmer chuckled.

“Hey, everypony makes mistakes sometimes… Mine was underestimating how good Celestia was.” Discord sighed as he looked towards the summoner. “So… before your Rainbow arrives… what should we know about her?”

“Well unlike your Rainbow Dash, she would be wearing dragoon armor like this.” The Summoner’s horn glows as a magical image of The Dragoon Knight appeared on the table. “Notice the armor, the lance, and scars on certain parts on her body.”

“Woah… she looks like she’s been to Tartarus and back by the looks of it.” Farmer AJ then spoke up. “What is she, some kind of Monster Hunter?”

“She’s a Dragoon. Of all the things that are symbolic of the nation of Ishgard, few are more recognized than the dragoon. Born amidst the timeless conflict between men and dragons, these lance-wielding knights have developed an aerial style of combat, that they might better pierce the scaled hides of their mortal foes. Taking to the firmament as though it were an extension of the land, they descend upon the enemy with every ounce of their bodies behind the blow. It is this penetrative power that characterizes the dragoon.” The summoner answered.

“Hunh… That is cool… but slightly makes me worried in a sense…” The Farmer then replied.

“Why’s that, AJ?” Princess Twilight then asked.

“Well… Remember when Spike walked out earlier?” The Farmer then asked. “What if Dragoon Dash… mistakes Spike as being a monster rather than with us?”

“Oh come on, that just sounds silly!” The bard said at first… before thinking about it a bit more and looking concerned. “But now that I think of it, I’m now concerned that Dashie would try to do something to Spikey.”

“Even I know Rainbow Dash, even though she has her issues with dragons. She’s not going to attack Spike like any other dragon she faced in Ishgard.” The Warrior stated with a confident grin on her face

Of course… that was soon short lived. “HEY!! PUT THE SPEAR DOWN AND STOP TRYING TO STAB MY FRIEND, YOU CREEP!!!”

That… was someone that had the farmer soon get up and look outside, only to see a pegasus similar to Rainbow chase Rainbow Dash and Spike with a pointed spear. “You were saying?”

“.....I’m beginning to dislike you more and more sugarcube.”

“You may know your Dash, but I know my Dash a little better.” AJ then sighed. “Come on. Let’s separate the two before they turn the courtyard into a mess.”

Chapter 5: The Princess of The Moon and The Princess of Darkness

Chapter 5

The Princess of the Moon and The Princess of Darkness

(Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle)

“Prepare to lose, Luna. Your fate is sealed!”

“Mercy, Please! I beg of you!”

“There is no mercy, only darkness.” The first voice echoed throughout the room… shortly before saying something else. “My rook takes your queen. Checkmate, I win.”

“Son of a bitch! This is the fifth time I've lost to myself! How can I lose this many times?!” Luna cursed, caught off guard by her counterpart when she won their fifth straight game. Only this time with a different angle on how it’s played.

“It’s clear that you aren’t good at three dimensional chess seeing how you suck on so many levels.” The Dark Knight pointed out to her, before motioning her hand towards each of the three different levels on the board.

“Do you think my sister would fare better against yours?”

“Hardly…” The dark knight replied, shortly before hearing a shout from farther down the hall.

“WHAT MADNESS IS THIS!?! HOW CAN I LOSE AT A GAME OF CHECKERS!!?!”

“See what I mean? I think that also proves both our points now that we’re from a different world, right?”

“Well, at least you’re not like Discord after he was reformed. He tried playing cards with us, only to be hiding a few spare cards up his fur. He called it the ‘Ace up his sleeve’ but it turned out to be more than just an ace when an entire deck fell out of it.” The Princess sighed before looking back at her counterpart. “Still… I think there are some things we should discuss before we try finding your companions… and I also have a few questions for you.”

“I take it you saw what happen when your royal guards attacked me?”

“Both of us did,” Luna then added. “In this world, that form you took was the same one I did when I was overcome with jealously and hatred for Celestia, why I became a monster and was banished to the moon for 1000 years. How are you able to do it and not have the same repercussions?”

The Dark Knight’s expression soon changed from a calm demeanor to a serious one as she looked down at her hand. Upon doing that, a small flame of darkness appeared in the palm of her hand.

“It took me a while to become accustomed to becoming one with the abyss. In Ishgard, my home. There was a kirin by the name Frey, that helped me come to terms with the darkness you called Nightmare Moon. During the way point of my training, I was called in by one of the ponies at Coerthas about somepony that looks like me attacking one of the bases there. Once I got there it turned out that it was Frey that was responsible for that….only when I was talking with Frey he was already dead from the moment I met him. As his body went limp, Nightmare Moon or myself appeared from out of the shadow of him and we began to fight.”

“So… you had to overcome the darkness in you… and show that you are in control?”

“More like coming to an understanding with one another. Light can not survive without darkness, just as darkness can not survive without light. When both sides can find a neutral ground to exist.” The Dark Knight’s body was engulfed in flames of darkness before it revealed her in the form of Nightmare Moon. “Then you’ll be as strong as possible.”

“Does… the same thing apply to your sister?”

“No, Paladins are different from Dark Knights. They have their code, while we have ours.”

“Yet, light and dark are two sides to the same coin?” The Princess of the Night then spoke up.

“True, but unlike us. She would prefer to settle things without having to kill.”

“It’s the same for both my sister and I, unless somepony forces my hand on the matter.” Luna replied. “It happened a few times during our chess games… it did not work out so well.”

“There is a huge difference between us from what I can gather from both looking around this castle and from this chess game.” That surprised Luna as she looked back at her Dark Knight counterpart while they were walking through another courtyard.

“Oh really? How so?”

“It’s true that this world has faced enemies from the past. But unlike you both who would lock away your enemies or show them mercy, we take them down….permanently.” That had the princess of the night look back at her in surprise before speaking again.

“Yes, that is one thing…” She told her. “But unlike your culture, ours has been at peace for a long long time. Celestia’s been watching this world and with the elements of harmony, they were able to overcome many challenges. Yet… I believe there was only one time that somepony was taken down permanently.”

“King Sombra, but he was nothing more than a shade of how he was before the corruption. But do you really think that your world’s peace will last long? Can you truly rely on these Elements of Harmony?”

“He was destroyed when the crystal heart was reformed… and I believe in Twilight and her friends. They saved my life from that of Nightmare Moon after all.”

The Dark Knight sighed to her answer as she reverted back to her normal form. “Putting your fate into somepony else is good. But given the fact that there would be an enemy much stronger then your Twilight and their friends, what would you do then? Would you yourself face them? Would Celestia? Or would you have the sorry excuse of this world’s royal guards?”

“I would do anything, even risk my own life, to keep these people safe.”

“Not to sound like I’m raining on your parade. But you and your sister are weak.”

“Yeah… we heard that.” Both Luna’s turned around to see both the Princess of the Sun and the Paladin standing behind them. “In fact, we’ve been hearing you monologue for the last ten minutes.”

“Your point sister? You know I’m right about this.”

“Sister, you can’t just point out the flaws in someone without providing a way to assist them,” The Paladin reminded her. “Besides, we still have to make sure to find the others.”

“I’ve already been informed of what’s going on from Princess Twilight from a letter she sent me not too long ago.” The Sun Princess replied. “Your companions are in ponyville. However, we don’t know the whereabouts of this Starlight or Trixie your sister was talking about.”

“.....Princess Twilight?”

“Yes, it appears that this world’s Twilight Sparkle has become an alicorn princess as well,” The paladin replied. “Most notably, the Princess of Friendship. But from what I was told, even though she isn’t a summoner, she’s highly skilled with magic.”

“I’ll be the judge of that when the time comes.”

“She took on Lord Tirek single handedly when he broke out of Tartarus after we gave her our magic along with Cadence.” Celestia replied. Ironically though, that was when a certain princess soon stepped inside.

“Hey Aunt Celestia, am I interrupting something-” That was when Princess Cadence looked up to see two versions of both Celestia and Luna as she looked at them with wide eyes. “......... I knew I should’ve saved the wine for later. I’ll just… come back later.” The door was closed… followed by what sounded like loud frustrated screaming as the princess of the sun sighed.

“I knew I shouldn’t have used up the last of the wine earlier…”

“And ponies thought I drink too much.” The Dark Knight said with a chuckle.

“To be clear this was before either you or your sister showed up,” Celestia told them. “So when I first saw you, I thought it was an effect from a really bad hangover.”

“And I think we’re done with this conversation.” The princess of the night interrupted them. “We will need to make haste towards Sugarcube Corner where your friends are waiting at.”

“That might be a problem.” The Dark Knight said as she stood up from where she was sitting.

“Oh? How so?” The sun princess then asked.

“You both can’t sense it can you?” The Paladin asked as she unsheathed her sword and shield. “There’s somepony here that is not of your world watching us.”

“...... I have a bad feeling about this.” The lunar princess then sighed as she looked back at them.

“So, even those who aren’t chosen by Hydaelyn can sense our presence.” Appearing from out of a void of darkness near the doorway, a pony wearing a sinister looking robe and a red mask underneath his hood appears in front of them. “I must say this is quite interesting for you to come this far.”

That had both princesses look back at one another before looking back at the Dark Knight and the Paladin. Shortly before Luna spoke up. “What the-? Who’s this guy?”

“So you’re the Ascian that our father mentioned in his records.” The Dark Knight said as she drew her claymore from off her back and aimed it at the colt. “What are you doing here in this world that you do not belong in?”

“We are merely here to see how this world fairs compared to yours Knight of Darkness.” The Ascian said before appearing next to Luna and placing a hand on her shoulder. “We were… surprised to see you survive your battle against the primal god Bahamut. That battle would’ve made things much easier for us to sink this world into chaos. But seeing how the warriors of light are here...this has made things…..complicated to do that.”

It was only after he finished speaking that Luna jerked for a moment, moving one of her legs and trying to hit the Ascian with a kick below the waist. “Back off, you perverted creep!!”

This caused the Ascian to appear near the end of the room they were in as he chuckles. “I would save your energy for something else then with me, beast. Unlike your friends in Ponyville, you don’t have the means to stop us.”

“Still doesn’t make you less of a creep…” Luna muttered.

“Why are you here, Ascian?” The Paladin asked, still glaring at the colt while still staying cautious.

“Only to see what this world’s last line of defense are. I’m a little bit disappointed that their only line of defense are a bunch of girls who rely on a beam of harmonious magic…..how….cute.” The Ascian said as he looked over at the window. “This world’s Celestia. I have a question that I would like for you to answer.”

“And that is?”

“If one of your “Elements of Harmony” were to die. Would you have another means to defend your world?” The princess of the sun soon glared at him, slowly having her magic radiate around her in anger as her mane almost became fire like.

“You dare touch one of them… and I will personally send you to the sun myself.” She growled.

“Bold words from a ruler who spends her days locked away from the world she so desperately wants to protect.” He said as he turns his attention to The Dark Knight and Paladin. “As for you two, give the warriors of light this message. “Your past will come to haunt you once again.” With a blink of an eye, The Ascian quickly disappeared from their sight. Leaving nothing within his leave.

Leaving everything quiet… until they heard Cadence speak up upon coming back. “Okay, just WHAT THE BUCK WAS THAT!?!”

Chapter 6: Unexpected Event

Chapter 6

Unexpected Event

“HEY!! PUT THE SPEAR DOWN AND STOP TRYING TO STAB MY FRIEND, YOU CREEP!!!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she charges at the purple armored Dragoon. The Dragoon quickly jumped out of the way of the oncoming pegasus as she lands a few feet away from her and Spike.

“Nice try imposter. But if you think you can beat the Azure Dragoon, then you got another thing coming!” The Dragoon said as she quickly launches herself at Rainbow Dash before stopping right in front of her, and begins to deliver flurries of thrusting attacks upon the mare. Rainbow Dash’s eyes widen as she quickly dodged most of the Dragoon’s attacks, while some would graze her skin or lightly pierce her. She quickly pushed herself away from the Dragoon to get a good distance before catching her breath.

“Not bad for an imposter.” The Dragoon said as she looks up at Rainbow Dash. “Would be a shame to kill you for trying to take my place as a warrior of light.”

“Who are you calling an imposter, imposter!?” Rainbow Dash yelled as she flared her wings up. “If anything, you’re the imposter here trying to take my place. Not only that, but you tried to hurt Spike!”

“And knocked my snacks onto the ground!” Spike added as both the Dragoon and Rainbow Dash looked at the young dragon with a raised eyebrow. “What? She did…”

“Whatever, get ready to get the snot kicked out of you by Equestria’s fastest flier!” Rainbow Dash quickly darts off at the Dragoon. The Dragoon in turn was about to throw her spear at the charging pegasus, only for her along with her double being wrapped in a lavender colored aura as they were forced to stop all action of any kind. “What the buck!? What did you do to me!?”

“That would be us that stopped you both from killing each other.” said the Summoner as she and Twilight’s horn glowed causing the two Rainbow Dashes to look at the Summoner and Twilight in disbelief.

“Twilight!? What are you doing here!?” Both Rainbow Dashes said in union as they glared at each other.

“It’s a long story to explain.” Twilight said before levitating her Rainbow Dash over to her side while the summoner levitated the dragoon over to her side. “Let’s just say that we kinda have an interesting meeting with ourselves from an alternate reality.”

“Alternate reality?” Rainbow Dash said with a scoff. “You can’t be seriously?”

“As much as I would like to believe she’s lying sugarcube, but she isn’t.” Applejack said as she walked outside from out of Sugarcube Corner. “These ponies are us, only….different.”

“No different than the fact that you couldn’t keep up with me sugarcube.” The Warrior said as Applejack glared at her.

“Will you two please stop trying to start a fight with each other?” Rarity said as her counterpart nodded in agreement.

“Honestly, I think you two are still the same when it comes to being stubborn and prideful with your strengths.” The Red Mage said before taking a sip from her milkshake.

“Look, all we know is that they’re not evil or planning on anything that involves evil.” Twilight said as she looks at both Rainbow Dash and The Dragoon. “So why don’t we all try to calm down and go inside so we can get this whole confusion taken care of and so the Princesses can help us with this problem. Okay?” There was a moment of silence between the two ponies before they both nodded in agreement. Causing the summoner and everyone else to sigh with relief.

“Nice to see that somepony isn’t that hard headed when it comes to something like this.” The Princess said as she looked around at the ponies that were watching the scene between the two look alikes. “Don’t worry everypony. Nothing to fear here or anything. Just a misunderstanding, that’s all.” The Alicorn said with a chuckle as she whispered to both her friends and the look a likes. “Get inside before somepony causes a panic.” She said as they nodded and headed back inside.

“So can somepony please explain what in the hay is going on?” The Dragoon asked as she pointed over to Rainbow Dash and the others. “Why are there copies of us of what we looked like so many years ago, and why is everything in Equestria so different. Including ponyville!?”

“Long story short. We’re in an alternate universe thanks to Sunburst’s teleportation spell.” The summoner said as she goes back to reading her book. “My guess is that we’re here due to the fluctuations of magicks that was caused by the combination of the spell that Sunburst perform, the magic from battle field, and Bahamut’s megaflare caused his spell to go hey wire and teleport us to a different dimension.” She said as she looked up from her book to see both Rainbow Dashes with confused expressions on their faces.

“She means we got sent here due to the chaos.” Applejack said making it understandable for the two cyan pegasi.

“Well why didn’t you say that in the first place?” The Dragoon asked as the Summoner deadpanned.

“Okay, hold up! What the hay do you mean by that? Who is this Bahamut thing? Who is Sunburst!?” Rainbow Dash asked as she started to get confused. “This doesn’t make any sense to me!”

“I think we should start from the beginning.” The red mage said as she looked over at the Summoner.

“That would be for the best yes.” The Summoner motions for Rainbow Dash to come closer to her as as she motions her again to look at her book. “Let’s go on a little trip to a planet called Hydaelyn.”

(Canterlot Castle)

“Where are you two going?” Celestia asked as the Paladin and Dark Knight began to make their way through the hallways of Canterlot Castle.

“We’re going to ponyville to take care of the matter before anything happens down there.” The Paladin said as she pushed by a few snobbish ponies, who did a double take upon seeing two Celestias and two Lunas.

“But you can’t just fly off into danger that you don’t know.” Celestia said as she and Luna quickly followed after their counterparts. “You are rulers of your Equestria. If you end up getting hurt or worse, then who will run your Equestria? We need to assemble the royal guards and-”

“By the time we get back, Equestria would have changed depending on the time it takes to get back. The time gap between our worlds might be different so things might’ve changed or Equestria is no more due to Bahamut.”

“Not to mention by the time you get your knights assembled, your citizens would be either injured or dead by then. You should know this by now. Told you that they’re weak.” The Dark Knight said as Luna and Celestia glared at her. “You can shoot me all the looks you want, but you making excuses or getting the Royal Guards to fight is another reason why I said what I said earlier when we first met.”

“We are not weak!” Luna yelled, as she got up in front of the Dark Knight. “Have you forgotten that we can move the Sun and Moon? Have you forgotten that we took down King Sombra back in the days?”

“Have you forgotten that your darker self sent Celestia to the moon?” Luna’s eyes widen upon hearing that as she gritted her teeth and looked off to the side. “Did you also not tell me that your sister was fooled and lost to Chrysalis during the wedding of Princess Cadence’s wedding, or how you couldn’t even defeat Tirek or come up with a plan to prevent him from stealing your citizen’s magic?”

“Luna, that’s enough.” The Paladin said which caused the dark knight to snort in annoyance. “This is their world, and how they govern it is up to them to decided. We are only guests here until we can figure out a way to get back to our Equestria.”

“Fine, but I still don’t like the way they do things from what they told me.” The Paladin sighed as the group made their way outside onto the steps of Canterlot Castle. Once outside the Paladin looks back at Celestia and Luna. “We’ll meet you in Ponyville when you’re done getting the Royal Guards ready. But by the time you get there, it will be over soon.” Both Paladin and Dark Knight’s horns began to glow for a moment before they both teleported off to Ponyville.

“....I can’t help but get the feeling that we’re gonna be going into a long conversation about how different our counterparts rule things compare to how we do.” Luna said as she looks over at her sister. “Shall we get the royal guards and have them get over to Ponyville?” She asked, looking over at Celestia who was lost in thought. “Sister?”

“Huh? O-Oh, right.” Celestia said as she begins to walk back inside. “Assemble the Royal Guards and inform them about the situation.” She said as Luna nodded and teleported off to the barracks. Celestia looked back at where their counterparts used to stand for a moment before shaking her head and walking back inside the castle. “Don’t second guess yourself. Twilight and her friends have never failed, nor will they fail to protect Equestria.”

“So let me get this straight.” The Dragoon said as she lean against the chair she was sitting on. “Thanks to Sunburst’s teleporting spell thing, we’re stuck here in this past version of our Equestria before the war started between the Empire and Equestria?”

“Pretty much, yes.” Twilight said as she and the Summoner displayed maps of their own Equestria. “See how certain places on our map don't match up with theirs?”

“Not to mention how Ponyville is outside of the Everfree Forest then inside it.” The Summoner added.

“That would explain why it was easy to get into town without proper clearance or airship.” The Dragoon said with a slight annoyed tone. “Anyway on getting back home, or if there’s a place to go back home too?”

“Me and my counterpart were planning on combining our minds together to do that. But before we can do that, we’ll need to find everyone and bring them here.” The Summoner said as she looked over at both versions of her friends and her counterpart’s friends as well. “From what I can guess, we all appeared near or close to where our counterparts are in this version of Equestria. The only ones that are still missing are Trixie and Starlight-”

“Wait, Trixie? As in Trixie Lulamoon?” Applejack asked as the unicorn nodded. “You’re friends with her?”

“Well she was chosen by Hydaelyn herself to be her chosen warrior of light as we all are.”

“You sure this Hyda-whatever this pony’s name is didn’t make a mistake?” Rainbow asked as The Dragoon shook her head.

“Her name is Hydaelyn. And trust me on this. Trixie may be full of herself from time to time, but she is one unicorn you can count on when you need somepony to watch your back in battle.”

“How can you trust somepony like her? Didn’t she do something like try to stop a Ursa Minor and got Ponyville almost destroyed?”

“Actually, if I may cut in on this.” The White Mage interrupted. “She and I were able to tame him before anything bad happened to Ponyville two months ago...I do hope Cosmos is doing okay on his own.”

“....Okay, now my head is starting to hurt even more than usual.”

“Just go with different world, different events. Given your...lack of knowledge of this kind of thing, it would make your head spin more than it is now.” The summoner said as Rainbow Dash huffed to her statement about her intelligence “Back to the subject at hand. We need to get in contact with your world’s Celestia and Luna so we can formulate a plan for us to be able to return back home if they’re needed.”

“That might be a problem.” Twilight said as the summoner looked over at the Princess of Friendship. “Celestia and Luna are busy with their duties in Canterlot, so they might not be able to help with this problem.”

“Seriously? What can be so important that this would be less important on her list of things that are important?” The Warrior asked.

“Well...Um...I don’t know, but I’m sure it’s important that they might not be able to help us.”

“Oh I’m sure they’ll help us.” The Bard said as she placed another tray of milkshakes onto the table.

“What makes you say that?”

“Because my tail’s twitching.” She said as she points a finger to her tail.

“Oh! Somepony new is coming to town right?” Pinkie asked as she noticed the counterparts quickly getting up from their seats and quickly making their way outside of Sugarcube Corner. “Wow, they must really know who this new pony coming to town is.”

“I don’t think that’s the case sugarcube.” Applejack said as she gets up from her seat. “Something dangerous might be coming to Ponyville and they might know what it is.”

“Well what are we waiting for? Let’s go and kick some bad guy’s flank into next week!” Rainbow Dash said as she and the others followed after their counterparts. Once outside they noticed them getting into formation with Applejack taking the lead, Fluttershy & Rarity near the entrance of Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie on a nearby building scouting the area; and Twilight and Rainbow Dash a few feet behind Applejack as they prepared themselves to attack whatever is coming into town.

“Pinkie, do you know where your getting the most twitchness from?” The Summoner asked as The Bard closed her eyes and moved around a bit. In a matter of seconds, he tail would be violently twitching near the road that lead to the Everfree Forest.

“Northwest of the Everfree Forest.” She answered before taking aim. “Not so much of a threat, but it’s coming here to where we are.”

“Alright. Applejack, you will take the Vanguard point. It’s your job to make sure that the monster stays focus on you and nopony else.” The Warrior nodded and grips the hand of her axe. “Pinkie, Rainbow, and I will provide cover fire in case the monster draws it’s attention off of you or for support. Fluttershy and Rarity will be our healers due to Starlight and Trixie not being here. Everypony ready?” She asked as all her friends nodded. “Good, then let’s prepare to kill whatever it is that’s coming to Ponyville.”

“Wait, kill it?” Fluttershy said with widen eyes. “Why would you kill an innocent creature from the Everfree Forest?”

“Innocent is an understatement.” Rainbow Dash said. “Don’t get me wrong. I know that the creatures in the Everfree Forest are dangerous, but do you really have to kill them? Couldn’t you just smack it around a bit so it’ll leave?”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry if it comes back with help.” The Summoner said as she looked over at Twilight and her friends. “Going on a logical point. Pony lives are more important than creatures from the Everfree Forest.” She said which took Twilight and her friends by surprise.

“How can you all be okay with this? Don’t you know that there is alway an alternative then….killing?”

“With ponies who can be reasoned with, yes. Creatures that don’t act like ponies are a different story.” The Summoner’s ears twitch upon hearing the sound of both screaming ponies, heavy footsteps, and the sound of blades hitting buildings as they crumble to the ground. “Speaking of creatures. Pinkie Pie! Do you see what’s heading towards us!?”

“Yep! It’s….huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s...a gargoyle?”

“....Come again?” The Summoner asked as she and her friends looked at the bard as if she was crazy. “You must be mistaken. Why would there be something from our world end up here?”

“I don’t know, but it’s right there and heading this way. I mean why else would everypony be running away screaming. Unless it was run away screaming day? But I don’t think that would be a holiday…..is it?” She asked before looking at Pinkie. “Hey other me! Is it Run away screaming day!?”

“I don’t think so! Hey Twilight, is it-”

“Can we please focus on the task at hand?” The Summoner asked before noticing the gargoyle slicing a house in two with it’s cleavers as it lets out a loud roar. “Because it’s here.” She said as Applejack was about to charge at the gargoyle, only for the Dragoon to land in front of the warrior farm pony.

“Why don’t you just sit back and let me handle this one AJ.”

“Seriously? You sure sugarcube?” The Warrior asked as The Dragoon nodded.

“It’s a lesser demon gargoyle. Something like this is nothing compare to the dragon’s in Ishgard. Plus I need something to get my pent up anger unleashed upon anyway.” The Dragoon said before taking up a fighting stance and launching herself at the monster. “You guys just make sure it doesn’t try to escape or anything like that!”

“I guess we’ll just wait here and do just that?” The white mage asked as she looked over at her friends who nodded as they kept watch over the fight between the Dragoon and gargoyle.

“Aren’t ya’ll going to help her?” Applejack asked as they shook their head. “But she’s your friend right? Aren’t ya’ll worry she’s going to get hurt by that thing?”

“Darling. Do keep in mind that we’re from two different worlds. We've handled ourselves with monsters like this before. Plus we have faith in Rainbow Dash’s abilities to slay the beast without getting hurt….so long as she doesn’t show off like she did a while back.”

“Even if she was to get hurt. I can always go to her and heal her back to normal.” The White Mage added as she quickly casted protect on her along with both her friends and their counterparts.

“Hey! What did you do to us?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flew over to the White Mage, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Just a protect spell just in case something like a piece of debris came flying towards us. You can never be to sure when something like that will happen.”

“Since when can a pegasus use magic? I thought only Unicorns and Alicorns were the only ones that could do that?”

“Do try to pay attention Rainbow Dash.” The Summoner said with a sigh. “I did say we are from different worlds, so it would be obvious that we can do things that you ponies can’t do. And here I thought you'd be a bit smarter at your age.”

“The hay is that suppose to mean!?” Both Rainbow’s snapped at Twilight, which had the summoner groan to herself in response.

“Not our Rainbow Dash, the one who’s more quick tempered and doesn’t think before acting.”

“Oh so the one who tried to murder us today then…” Rainbow glared back. “Because she seems more that category-” She stopped talking though once Princess Twilight used her magic to whack a book over her head and have her face plant on the ground. “Oww…”

“There… a little less rhetoric for you.” The princess replied. “I’ll make sure everypony in town stays out of your way.”

“Smart move, but our Pinkie Pie’s got that covered.” The unicorn said as she begins to read her book. While the others were watching the fight layout, The Dragoon began her assault on the gargoyle by quickly avoiding it’s twin blades as she jumps into the air and lands onto the monster’s back. Once she was on its back, she plunged her lance into the gargoyle’s back as it lets out a loud cry of pain as it tries to get the dragoon off it. “This fight shouldn’t take long given how this is a lesser demon.”

“This would be done and over with if I got into this fight.” The Warrior said with a snort. “That Rainbow Dash always likes to play with her foes before killing them off.” She said as she took notice to the gargoyle knocking the dragoon off its back as the pegasus was sent flying off to the side and crashing into a nearby house. The Dragoon letting out a painful groan from being sent flying into the wall of the house as she staggerly pulls herself up, only to get hit by a ball of darkness from the gargoyle as she was pushed through the house and onto the other side.

“That’s going to hurt in the morning.” Pinkie Pie said, wincing from seeing the dragoon get hit by the monster’s attack. “Maybe we should help her out now before it gets worse?”

“No need. Rainbow Dash can fight by herself.” The Red Mage said as she begins to put makeup on the right side of her face. “But we will intervene if it gets out of hoof.” She said as the gargoyle ran after the dragoon as it started to slice its way through buildings that were blocking its path. “.....or if the property damage keeps going on like this.”

“Ehh… We can have Discord repair it-” Baker Pinkie Pie said… though, those words didn’t really settle right once they reached the Dragoons ears.

“Discord is here!?” She yelled before noticing the gargoyle heading towards her as she quickly jumped into the air to avoid the monster’s sword. Once in the air she quickly lands back to where she was as she looks around for her lance. “Dammit, where did my lance go this time?”

“Not your Discord! Ours-” Pinkie tried to say, before Princess Twilight put a spell on her to prevent her from speaking.

“Let’s please not make this any worse than it already is…” The alicorn groaned. “We have enough trouble right now with what’s going on.”

“To be fair you live next to a dangerous forest. It’s kind of to be expected that stuff like this will…..happen.” The Summoner said as she noticed Twilight giving her a very hard deadpan expression. “I’ll shut up now about that topic.”

“Much appreciated.”

“We’ll talk about this later. Right now I have a monster to kill.” The Dragoon turned her attention back to the gargoyle which was making its way back to where she was before she was thrown. Once it saw her, it quickly fired off a sickly looking wet sludge from its mouth as the pegasus quickly ducked under it as the sludge hit a nearby food stand which melted within seconds.

“My CABBAGES!!!” The food stand owner cried out in horror.

“Hurry up and kill the thing already!” The Warrior yelled in annoyance. “We don’t have time to see you showing off like this, and your causing more damage than you are helping!”

However, it was one comment… from her counterpart that was watching this… that had her take action. “So… is my copy really doing anything? Because right now, all I’m seeing her do is dodge and weave and that’s more… boring than anything else. If she’s supposed to be as awesome as I am, then when is she going to show it?”

“......Fine, you want me to get serious? Then I’ll get serious. But don’t blame me if a building or two gets damaged.” The Dragoon stood up and within a blink of an eye she quickly darted towards the gargoyle. Once she was halfway towards the monster, she quickly jumped over its blades, got onto it’s back, and pulled her lance out before jumping high into the air.

“Oh… horseapples.” The Summoner said as she looked over at The Warrior and The White Mage as they nodded and stood in front of Sugarcube Corner.

All while the other members of the Mane Six… were immediately glaring at Rainbow. “What… did you do?”

“What? I was just asking when was she going to show us something-” Before the weather pony could finish her sentence, a dragon like roar echoed throughout the sky as they all looked up. Upon doing that, they saw the dragoon covered in azure flames with an aura in the shape of a dragon’s head appearing behind her. Looking down at the gargoyle, she smirks before releasing the aura down upon the monster as a column of azure colored flames erupted upon impact. As the column began to speed and head towards Sugarcube corner, The Warrior was enveloped in a red aura as she slams her axe into the ground. Causing five burning hot earth like spikes to appear in front of the store as The white mage extended her arms as a dome appeared around the group and the store.

And leaving one pegasus to finish her sentence. “-...... awesome…… I want to learn that-”

“Uh, no. You’re enough trouble as it is with your sonic rainbooms, Rainbow.” The Princess told her.

“That was one time.” The pegasus pointed out to her

“And you used it in order to try and… redecorate Applejack’s barn. But you applied so much force that it almost blew up the whole place.”

“Twilight… Please, stop embarrassing me…”

Once the pillar of azure flames started to die off, so to did the pillar of earth and barrier that The White Mage cast. The group looked over to see the somewhat roasted remains of the gargoyle, and The Dragoon who had a smug expression on her face as her friends deadpan at the dragon knight.

“You were saying other me?” The Dragoon asked looking over at Rainbow Dash as she began to walk over to her, wincing a bit as she looked over at her left wing. “Geez, still haven’t recovered since that day? Some help those Alicorns from Ishgard are.”

“Um… Speaking of Alicorns…” They heard the farmer speak up now that the coast is clear. “Ah think ah see two sets of princesses… and one of them doesn’t look happy…”

“Which ones? Remember that we have ours with us that came only to your world, Applejack.” The Bard asked.

“The ones in combat armor and carrying blades…” The princess replied back. “That and the fact that they are specifically glaring at your Rainbow.”

“Aw, hell’s bells.” The Dragoon cursed before turning around and gave an awkward smile at the princesses. She was about to say something to them, but was quickly cut off by a hard punch to the face by the Paladin. Which took Twilight and her friends by surprise by this. “Mother bucker!!!”

“Well, at least that confirms it’s your Celestia.” Rarity stated, still in shock as to what she did. Celestia quickly walked over to the dragoon as she pulls her up back to her feet and brush her off a bit.

“That’s for being reckless and not thinking about the damage that you would cause with that attack. Don’t you know that you need to take into account about other ponies in the area that might get caught up in the blast?”

“Not to mention having to waste too much magic on killing that monster, and forcing me and Fluttershy to make sure the blast didn’t hit Sugarcube Corner!” The Warrior added as The White Mage nodded in agreement.

“To be fair...it was other me’s fault.” The Dragoon said as Rainbow Dash glared at her counterpart.

“What!? I didn’t do anything!”

“You shouldn’t have said I was boring. I had everything….mostly under control until you said that.”

“.....She does surprisingly have a point there.” The Summoner said before going back to her book. “You’re in just as much trouble as she is.”

“You can’t be serious? That’s totally unfair.”

“Life is unfair, deal with it.” She said before Looking over at The Paladin. “I take it you two have already meet your counterparts and already know about the situation?”

“For the most part yes.” The Dark Knight said as she lands next to her sister. “Though they might be getting here a bit later than usual.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked as the knight simply snorted in annoyance.

“Your Princesses are forming the Royal Guards and having them come here. Which was a waste of time seeing how the demon that the Ascien summoned is dead.”

“Wait….who summoned the creature here?” The Summoner asked as The Paladin and Dark Knight looked at each other with a nod. “Is there something you’re not telling us Celestia, Luna?”

“Perhaps it would be best if we explain this inside.” Rarity suggested as she noticed some of the ponies looking at them with both fear and shocked expression. “Staying out here any longer might cause some problems.”

“That and I’m pretty sure that they might be wondering what’s going on, and bombard us with questions before we can answer them completely.” The Red Mage added as the others nodded in agreement and walked back inside Sugarcube Corner. As the group walked back inside, a certain dark robed figure appeared on top of the roof of town hall watching as the monster began to fade away into ashes.

“Hm, so they’re still stronger even in a different world. This might prove to be a problem if we don’t figure out a way to sever their connection with the Crystal of Light.” The Ascien said as he placed a hand on his chin. “Perhaps I can acquire some assistance from their world to make it become a reality.” He said before vanishing into a mist like void of darkness.

Chapter 7: Living Arrangements

Chapter 7

Living Arrangements

(Sugarcube Corner)

“So not only are we stuck here, but an Ascian is also here with us?”The Summoner asked as she along with her friends and their counterparts sat at the table drinking and eating food that the two Pinkie Pies made together. “You think he might be the cause of us being here?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. But we can’t leave this world for the time being. Not so long as the Ascian is here.” The Paladin said as she leans back against her seat. “Not much info can be gained from them, and the information we do have that our parents left isn’t helpful.”

“Mostly due to the fact that it’s written in a language that most ponies don’t know of. All but Starlight, and she’s not here with us at the moment.” The Dark Knight added. “I’m more surprise that an Ascian is in this world.”

“You think they have the ability to do that Luna?” The White Mage asked as the ironclad knight shrugs.

“Your guess is as good as mine. Like I said, there’s not much information on the Ascian. For now, we can only gather information on them as we encounter them here in this world.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” Rainbow Dash said preparing to bolt out of Sugarcube Corner. “Let’s go find these Ascian jerks and kick their flanks-” Before she could dart off, she was quickly grabbed by her tail by her counterpart as she slams her back into her seat. “What the hay was that for!?”

“Rushing off like that will get you killed and a waste of time. Without information on our enemy, we'd be going in blindfolded and risk getting hurt or worse.” The Dragoon said which took Twilight and her friends by surprise.

“Wow…..wasn’t expecting to hear that coming from your Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said as Rainbow Dash simply huffs in annoyance.

“We may look the same, but we don’t have the same story as you all.” The Summoner said still looking at her book.

“Really? How so?” Princess Celestia asked as their counterparts stood in silence while giving each other nervous looks, well all but The Summoner.

“We’ll tell at another time when we feel like telling you about it. For now we should enjoy this little small get together.” The Red Mage said as she takes a sip from her drink.

“Don’t you mean party~?” Pinkie Pie asked, only to have The Warrior point around her at the somewhat empty room they’re in.

“It’s pretty much a small get together sugarcube. Wouldn’t blame them for not coming seeing how our Rainbow Dash kinda killed a monster in town with something that this world has never seen before.”

“Nice going other me.” Rainbow Dash said as the Dragoon ignored the pegasus’s sly remark.

“Give them time to get use to seeing you girls from another world. I’m sure they’ll come to welcome you in no time.” Celestia said before turning her attention to the Paladin. “For now let’s try to get to know each other a bit more. I happen to notice that your Twilight and her friends don’t refer to you as Princess. Why is that if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Because the title of Princess is only reserve for somepony that’s living in a country that still uses that title. My sister and I are called Generals when we’re on duty or off duty.” The Paladin answered as she leans back a bit in her seat with a sigh. “Though given how we don’t know if Equestria is still standing back home. They just call me or Luna by our names.”

“What do you mean if your Equestria is still standing?” Twilight asked.

“Sunburst teleported us before the blast from Bahamut hit us. So we don’t know if our country Equestria is still standing and not reduce to molten rock and slag.” The Warrior answered.

“Ah, I see. Sorry for your loss.”

“Don’t bucking apologise or give us sympathy. We’re not lost little fillies or colts.” The Warrior said with a stern look on her face. “Sorry for what? You never been to where we fought in the war so who are you to-”

“AJ….” The Warrior turned her attention to The White Mage as she was giving her a disappointed expression on her face. The mare blinked for a moment before clearing her throat. “Sorry, forgive me for dismissing what you say. I’m…..not a huge fan of ponies giving me sympathy over something like that…”

“I-It’s fine. I’m sorry for not knowing that I was giving you or anypony here sympathy for what happen to you.”

“As I was saying before the interruption.” The Paladin said clearing her throat. “Long story short. No Equestria, no royal stuff or perks.”
“And what if your Equestria was still standing even after you left your home world?”

“Then they elect somepony to carry the mantle of leader for Equestria.” She said as both Celestia and Luna stared at the Paladin with dumbfounded expressions on their faces. “What? Don’t you two have somepony to take the mantle as ruler over Equestria?”

“N….No….No we do not. Equestria has never been in a war before.” Celestia answered as the Paladin shook her head in disappointment. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing...just a bit disappointed at how weak my counterpart is.” The Paladin said as Twilight and her friends gasped in surprise from what the armored alicorn said. “You’re good when it comes to using your words to avoid conflict. But when words fail to help you avoid conflict, you’re not a suitable fighter.”

“Hey! Watch what you say about Princess Celestia!” Rainbow Dash said as she glared at the paladin. “She defended Equestria for over 1,000 years or so. She can so totally kick your flank!”

“Actually I have to side with our Celestia on this one.” The Summoner said as she looked up from her book. “From reading Twilight’s mind, Celestia was capture by Nightmare Moon, she along with Luna didn’t do anything during Discord’s invasion, lost to Queen Chrysalis while Luna was off someplace else, captured by vines made by the….reformed Discord, and gave your magic to somepony with little to no skills on being an alicorn.”

“Wait you read my mind!?” Twilight yelled as she glared at the lavender unicorn. “That’s an invasion of a pony’s personal privacy!”

“Yes, it is. But it was the most less time consuming way-” Before she could finish, she felt a fist bonk her on the top of her head as she lets out a yelp from the dragoon hitting her.

“Twilight, you know you’re suppose to ask before doing that silly.” The Archer said as Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, that’s how you lose the trust of ponies wanting to be friends with you.”

“.....I get the feeling we’re not going to get along with ya’ll.” Applejack said looking over at the Paladin. “No offence.”

“None taken. Twilight can be the type of pony that wants to get information on somepony or something.”

“Trust us, we know the feeling when she tried to figure out Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash said which caused Twilight to fluster a bit.

“....Was it her first time seeing Pinkie being Pinkie?” The Red Mage asked as Twilight’s friends nodded. “Makes sense.”

“What about your Twilight? Did she do the same thing that our Twilight did?” Rarity asked as the archer shook her head.

“Nope, she was more accepting of it then your Twilight.” The Archer answered with a giggle.

“Can we please change the subject to something else!?” Twilight said as her face was now burning red with embarrassment.

“Maybe we can talk about where we are going to be living in for the time being?” The White Mage asked. “I mean we would try to buy a home, but I don’t think Gil is acceptable in your world.”

“Gill? Wait you mean like fish gills?”

“No, gil is what we use as currency in Eorzea.” She said before reaching into her robe to pull out a sack of silver and gold colored coins.

“Oh shiny~!” Pinkie Pie said before looking over at the coins placed on the table as she begins to play with them.

“We could provide you with some money and a house for you all to live in together?” Celestia offered but the warriors of light shook their heads.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” The Warrior said. “I don’t like taking handouts from ponies. We apple family work hard to earn our keep. Not take the easy way out.”

“Stubborn just like our Applejack.” Rainbow Dash mumbled before getting a jab to her shoulder by Rarity.

“Then how about each of you live with your counterparts then? Surely you all wouldn’t mind that would you?” Celestia asked as the counterparts look at each other for awhile before silently nodding in agreement.

“I guess we could do that. Unless they have anything against it?” The White Mage asked as she looked at her counterpart for an answer.

“Oh, I don’t mind at all. I have a spare room that you can use for the time being until you can get home.”

“I have my doubts about this. Especially after what other me did to Applebloom and her friends.” Applejack said as she glared at the warrior. “But as long as she doesn’t try anything funny, then I have no problem with...her living on the farm.”

“Well I for one wouldn’t mind having another pony at carousel boutique. Especially seeing how it’s with somepony like myself helping me with different clothes design.” Rarity said as the red mage chuckled in amusement.

“Same here!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she wrapped an arm around the bard. “With two Pinkie Pies, we’ll have twice the fun!”

“Not to mention twice the adventure!” The bard said before looking off in the distance at the people who are reading this story. “That is if we can get to the adventure part soon.”

“Pinkie?” Twilight said as the duo looked over at her. “The one with the bow...who are you talking to?”

“Oh nopony in particular~”

“Right….anyway. I wouldn’t mind having my counterpart over to stay with me. It would be interesting to get to know what her and her world are like a bit more than what I got earlier. Just don’t do the whole mind reading thing on anypony without their consent please?”

“I make no promises.” The Summoner said before getting a stern look from the paladin. “But I will try, if they don’t annoy me with how long they take in talking with me.” She said before looking over at the two Rainbow Dashes. “And what about you two? Will you two be able to be okay living with each other?”

“Why wouldn’t we?” The Dragoon said as she looked over at Rainbow Dash. “ Sure she may be rough around the edges, but she’s more tolerable to handle seeing how she’s me.”

“Hey! I take offense to that!” Rainbow Dash yelled as the summoner rolled her eyes at her reaction.

“So it’s agreed? We will live with our counterparts until we can figure out a way back home and deal with the Ascian problem in this world. Okay?” The Dark Knight said as the Eorzians nodded in agreement. “Good, with that taken care of. Let us enjoy our time here together as we drink-” Before the dark armored alicorn could finish, she soon notices Twilight and her friends cutie marks glowing from underneath their clothes as she raises an eyebrow to it. “Is there a reason why you’re cutie marks are glowing?”

“I don’t know. This has never happen before.” Twilight said as images of each of her and her friends cutie marks began to float up into the air before darting off towards Twilight’s castle.

“Seems like you’re all being summoned by somepony or something back at the castle.” The Summoner said before closing her book and looking up at the group. “Seems like it’s something important.”

“As much as I would love to stay here and chat, we need to get going Princesses.” Twilight said as she and her friends get up from their seats before heading off to the castle. Leaving the Eorzians behind with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

“What should we do Twilight?” The Warrior asked as she picked up her axe and place it on the holster on her back. “Should we go with them to see what’s up?”

“If our counterparts are involved in something important, then it seems like there could be an Ascian that might attack them.” The Red Mage stated.

“Fair point. But let’s not all go at once.” The Summoner said, as she looks over at The White Mage and Warrior. “Fluttershy and Applejack will go with them. The rest will stay here incase somepony or something attacks Ponyville.” She said as Applejack and Fluttershy pull themselves up from their seats and followed after Twilight and her friends.

“Is it wise to let your friends go like that?” Celestia ask, looking at the summoner with a concern look on her face.

“We have two vanguards, three ponies that are somewhat good at healing along with range attacks, an archer, and heavy hitter dragoon. Sending Applejack and Fluttershy to help Twilight and her friends shouldn’t be an issue. Not to mention this is a more effective way to search for Trixie and Starlight.”

“Still….”

“You should have some faith in my friend’s tactical decision.” The Paladin said before going back to drinking her milkshake. “She's gotten us this far, so I’ll have faith in her judgement about this.”

“If you say so.” Luna said before looking at her counterpart. “For now, let us wait and see how this will turn out.”

Chapter 9: Our Town

Chapter 9

Our Town

“I still don’t feel right leaving other me to deal with that pony...even though I’m not much of a fan of her, I still think we should’ve stayed and help.” Applejack said as the white mage simply shook her head.

“I don’t want to be a downer for you all, but you all are not strong enough to fight him. Let alone hold your ground against the Ascian. If anything, you all would be a burden on us.”

“Wow...and I thought Applejack was blunt about things.” Rainbow Dash said as she and the farm pony looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “What? You can be blunt at times.”

“I hate to say this, but the other Fluttershy is right. We would only burden her if we were to stand and fight alongside the other Applejack. We’ll just have to have faith and hope that she’ll be able to hold her own until she can make her way over to us. For now, let’s focus on where the map called us too.” Twilight said as she continues to lead the ground to their destination. Once they were close to where they needed to be, the group stopped as they saw a small town from above a steep cliff they were on as the alicorn smiled. “That’s it. That’s the place on the map!”

“Right, let’s get down there and find a spa.” Rarity said as she was about to take a step forward towards the town, only for Twilight to appear in front of her and sticking a hand out to stop her.

“Wait, we don’t know why the map lead us here. We shouldn’t just walk right in. It could be dangerous.”

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash yelled as everyone looked over at her for a moment before their attention was drawn to Pinkie Pie pushing Twilight and Applejack to the side.

“Stay behind me everypony. I’m on it.”

“Careful Pinkie!” Applejack said as the pink party pony took a step forward before tumbling down the hill and quickly rolled near a nearby boulder. Once she was there, she look over it for a moment before waving a hoof at the group for them to follow her. As the group began to follow Pinkie, she continued to zip underneath different rocks until she hid underneath a larger rock and began to move with it on her.

“I’m still wondering how Pinkie Pie is able to do things like this.” Twilight said as the White Mage giggled to the party pony’s actions.

“It’s not that hard to figure out how she’s able to do that to be honest.”

“Yeah right. What, did your Twilight figure out how Pinkie Pie works?” Rainbow Dash asked as the White Mage nodded. “Wait seriously?”

“It happened a while back when she wanted to study Pinkie Pie’s unusual abilities and what not. It took her a week to figure it out, but she wouldn’t tell us what she knows until the time is right.”

“That and she made a Pinkie Promise with her?” Rarity asked as the mage nodded.

“That too. And it would also explain a few things that the other Twilight can do, but not yours...No offense.”

“None taken….I think.” Twilight said before ordering the group to stop walking as she noticed the rock that Pinkie was hiding underneath of stopping. All of them peaked their heads from around the rock to see the town that the map lead them to full of ponies walking around.

“This is where the map lead us to?” Rainbow Dash asked as she squinted her eyes at the ponies in the town. “It looks like the most boring place in Equestria.”

“It’s just an ordinary village full of ordinary pony folks.” Applejack added.

“They could certainly use a few more architectural flourishes. Or any architectural flourishes.” Rarity comment as Fluttershy smiled at the town.

“I think it’s lovely.”

“I don’t like it. Not one bit.” Pinkie Pie stated as the White Mage nodded. “I know smiles, and those smile. They’re just not right.”

“Their smiles are the least of our problems.” The White Mage took her hood off and grabbed her staff from off of the holster on her back. “Anypony notice their cutie marks?” She said as everyone took notice to the equal signs on most of the pony’s flanks that were seeable.

“Okay, that’s weird.” Rainbow Dash said as Twilight scratched her head in confusion.

“An entire village with the same cutie mark? How can that be?”

“I bet there’s some kind of horrific monster behind it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Cause fighting a horrific monster would be super awesome!” The cyan mare said as the Alicorn rolled her eyes to this.

“Why don’t we just go into town and talk to some locals? Find out what’s going on and stuff?” Applejack suggested as Rainbow Dash appeared in front of the farm pony.

“Great idea AJ. Let’s go.” She said before zooming off towards the town along with the others. As they entered into the village, the ponies that the group were walking pass simply either waved at them while smiling or just said welcome while going back to smiling at them creeply.

“This must be the most pleasant place in Equestria.” Fluttershy said as a pegasus flew up to her and said welcome, causing her to giggle a bit.

“Ugh, thanks a lot map.” Rainbow Dash said with an annoyed expression on her face. As the group continued to make their way through town, they were soon stopped by a light grey colored colt who greeted them.

“Welcome! Pardon my forwardness, but are you an alicorn?” He asked looking at Twilight up and down for a moment.

“That there is the Princess of Friendship.” Applejack stated which caused Twilight to smile awkwardly.

“Well you certainly came to the right place for friendship.” he said before a pure white stallion appeared next to him.

“What brings you into town?”

“We’re not entirely sure.” Twilight said before the white colt smiled at her.

“I see. Well all are welcome here in our little village. My name is Double Diamond, and this is Party Favor.” He said as he points a thumb over to his right at Party Favor, who was creepily looking at Rarity who in turn was trying her best to look away from time to time.

“Howdy Double Diamond. I’m Applejack, and this here is Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and...um.” Applejack paused upon pointing a finger at the white mage who simply looked at them for a moment before addressing herself.

“White Mage.” She said as she noticed Double Diamond looking at their cutie marks to closely.

“And you all have your unique cutie marks.” He said before getting up close to the white mage who simply just wacks him on the head. “Ow!”

“You get close to me like that again, and I’ll do more then just hit you on the head with my staff colt.” She said before noticing Twilight and the other’s mixed expressions ranging from trying not to laugh to disapproval. “Ask before you do something like that, got it?” She said as the stallion rubbed his head with a small chuckle.

“N-Noted, sorry. That was very rude of me.” He said before Twilight started to speak up.

“If you don’t mind me asking. Has there been some sort of trouble here lately?”

“Trouble? Why, I don’t think we’ve ever had trouble in our village.”

“It’s true, you’ll see.” Party Favor said as he and Double Diamond motions for the group to follow them.

“Perhaps you’d care to speak to our founder? Starlight Glimmer.” Upon hearing that name, the white mage looked at Double Diamond with a sudden realization expression on her face. As she did that, Pinkie Pie took notice to the facial expression as she wrapped an arm around the white mage’s shoulder.

“I get the feeling that you know what I know that they don’t know, but we know right?”

“Not entirely. but if my hunch is correct about this, then I need you to hold onto something.” The white mage said before pulling out a blue crystal from her sleeve and hands it over to the party pony. “Stay close to Twilight and the others, and don’t tell them I gave it to you.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“It’s a bit of a surprise that I want to show them when the time is right. For now just Pinkie Promise me that you won’t tell anypony about this, okay?” She asked as Pinkie Pie nodded and performed the Pinkie Promise gesture.

“I will never get tired of you doing that.” She said with a small chuckle before going back to acting normal and continued to follow after the two stallions.

(Desert)

Sounds of magic being cast could be heard echoing throughout the most part of the desert as Applejack slid backwards from the force behind the bolt of lightning that the Ascian used on her but was blocked by the warrior.

“I must say, for a mare who can’t use magic. You really know how to entertain somepony.” The Ascian said as he clapped his hands together in amusement. “Hydaelyn did choose a worthy pony to be her champion. Shame that you’re going to die here because of her.” he said as he separated his hands away from each other as a orb of electricity started to form quickly.

“Dammit, really wish Twilight could’ve sent Rarity with us.” The warrior thought as she braced for the impact of the attack to hit her. Just as the Ascian fired his spell at her, a hexagon like dome appeared around the earth pony as the spell explode upon impact. Both she and the ascian were taken by surprise by this as the black robed figure was soon pushed back by a flare spell. “What in the name of the seven hells was that!?”

“Foolish fool of darkness! You dare attack a servant of Hydaelyn!?” said a familiar voice as the warrior looked around for a moment. Her eyes soon locked on to a shadowy figure off on a nearby boulder. “You will pay for attacking a fellow warrior of light, for I Trixie will destroy you with her mastery over black magic!” The warrior lets out a sigh of relief along with a smile on her face upon seeing the black mage...only to quickly vanish as the black mage tripped on her own footing and fell face first onto the ground.

“.....You really need to stop doing that sugarcube.”

“Silence!” The Black Mage said as she pulled herself up quickly while brushing the dirt from off herself. “Trixie meant to do that!”

“Seriously Trixie. The element of surprise means not to say a word, not to let the enemy notice you.” Starlight said as she walked over from behind the boulder as she summoned a breezie to heal the warrior of her wounds.

“Thank the gods you two are okay. And you’re just in time to watch me kick this pony’s flank.” The Warrior said as she tried to pull herself up, but winces from her wounds.

“You’re not going anywhere, especially in your current condition.” The Scholar said as the breezie nodded in agreement.

“Besides, you’re a warrior type and he’s a mage. This pony is way out of your league. But for Trixie?” The Black Mage reached for her staff as it glowed a sickly purple. “She’ll handle this. For she is Great and Power-” The mage was soon cut off by a ball of fire heading towards her as she quickly ducks out of the way of it.

“A mare who boasts shows she’s weak and talentless. Perhaps Hydaelyn made an error by picking somepony like you to be her light.” The Ascian said as he fires another ball of fire at the black mage, only for Trixie to cast blizzard at it causing to explode.

“You will pay for interrupting Trixie!” She said before casting blizzard three and encasing the ascian in a pillar of ice.Once in the ice, she mare quickly followed up with a flare spell, causing the ice to explode and sending the ascian flying backwards. The Black Mage smirks as she follows up with fire three as she sent the ascion into the air. The Scholar took notice to this as she fired a barrage of ruin upon him in the air. The Ascian grunted from the assault as he quickly summoned a barrier around himself as he counters with a beam of darkness. The two mares quickly dodge out of the way as the black mage fires off another flare spell. The Bringer of Chaos quickly teleported to the ground to avoid the blast from the flare as he quickly charges at the two. Upon reaching the duo, his hands were glowing with black flames surrounding them as he tries to grab them by their faces. “Oh horse feathers!”

Before the ascian could grab the two mares by their faces, the colt was sent flying backwards into a nearby boulder as he slams head first into the rock, making a sickly cracking sound. The Black Mage and Scholar looked behind them to see warrior standing after throwing her axe at the ascian’s face.

“What was that ya’ll were saying about me not being a match for him?” The warrior said as her legs buckled from the strain of standing up.

“...I hate you so much Applejack.” The Black Mage said as she snorted in disgust.

“I thought I told you not to push yourself like that?” The Scholar said as she had a stern expression on her face while gazing at the earth pony. The warrior gave her a sheepish grin before feeling the healer smack her upside her head. “Seriously. Just because I’m a support healer, doesn’t mean you can push yourself to the point of breaking an arm or leg.”

“I know, I’m sorry. But I couldn’t pass up that window for a counter attack.” She said as she rubbed the back of her head. “But it’s nice to see you two here. How did you know I was here anyway?”

“It wasn’t that hard to hear the sounds of magic and explosions going off in the distance. We might’ve ended up walking around this barren wasteland of sand, rocks, and dirt for Hydaelyn knows how long if it weren’t for that.” The Black Mage said before looking over at the ascian. “Is that colt dead?”

“Given the fact that AJ just threw her axe that only she could hold along with that sickening crack to his neck...I’m pretty sure he’s dead.” The Scholar said as she noticed the body disappear into darkness. “Though seeing his body disappear, I have my doubts.”

“We can worry about that later.” The Warrior said as the black mage helped her to her feet. “We need to get going and meet up with Twilight and the others in that town they were heading.”

“Wait, you found Twilight and the other?” The black mage asked as the earth pony nodded.

“Yes, but right now I’m with this world’s Twilight and her friends. So we better get moving before the sun sets.” She said before noticing a confused expression on both unicorn’s faces. “Long story short, our Twilight was saying that we’re in a different world similar to that of Equestria but different...you’re completely lost aren’t ya’ll?”

“Sadly yes.”

“Trixie is very confused by this. Mind telling her and Starlight from the beginning as we carry your sorry flank to where “Twilight and her friends are located?”” The Black mage said as the earth pony nodded and began to tell them about what had happened over the past couple of hours in this world.

Chapter 10: The Creeping Shadow

Chapter 10

The Creeping Shadow

(Our Town, Starlight Glimmer’s house)

After a few minutes of walking through town, the group finally arrived at the house of the founder. Double Diamond opened the door for them to enter as they did so while staying cautious. Upon entering, the door behind them closed as Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack.

“Be ready to fight. We don’t know what will come through that door.” She said before turning her attention to the door which was opening. Once it was open, Starlight Glimmer soon walked out of it with a smile on face.

“Welcome! I’m so pleased to have you here.” She said as Rainbow Dash let out a groan of disappointment.

“This is Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, White Mage, and Twilight Sparkle.” Double Diamond said as Starlight walked over to the alicorn who gave off an embarrassed smile. Starlight continued to look at Twilight carefully. Mainly her horn and wings.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I’m assuming it’s Princess Twilight Sparkle? We don’t get any alicorns around here.”

“Yes, but Twilight is fine.” The Alicorn said still smiling awkwardly.

“So, how did you hear about our little village?”

“It’s kind of a long story. Let’s just say we found it on a map.” She said before Pinkie Pie chimed in on the conversation.

“Technically. It’s a tree chest castle map.” She said before glaring at Starlight and moving away from Twilight and Starlight.

“W-Well however you found us, we’re happy to have you. We’re happy to have anypony who wants to experience true friendship for the first time.”

“Say what?” Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh yes indeed. That’s what is so unique about our village you see.” Starlight moved over to a picture frame with an equal sign on it as she adjusts it a bit. “Around here we don’t flaunt our special talents because we don’t have any special talents to flaunt.” she said before hearing a chuckle coming from the White Mage. “Is something funny White Mage?”

“Oh, forgive me. I didn’t mean to laugh at you or anything. Please, continue.” White Mage said as Starlight raised an eyebrow at her for a moment before going back to what she was saying.

“....As I was saying. Here in Our Town, we ponies don’t flaunt our special talents or anything that would make somepony better then anypony else. Here we are all equal.” Upon finishing, White Mage began to bust out laughing as it caught the attention of everyone in the room. Starlight’s left eye twitches a bit before looking over at the pegasus with a forced smile on her face. “Is there something you would like to say?”

“Again, I’m sorry. But what you’re saying is utter nonsense.” The white mage said while trying to recover from her laughter.

“Oh? And what’s wrong with having everypony being equal?”

“Oh, there’s nothing wrong with being equal. But from what I’ve been seeing for the past few minutes I’ve been here, it’s nothing more than a town full of brainwashed ponies or ponies you tricked into giving up their cutie marks to join this town.”

“Whoa now sugarcube. Now I know this town is a bit weird, but you shouldn’t be saying stuff like that.” Applejack said as Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

“You shouldn’t judge somepony just because they do things differently then how most ponies act.” Fluttershy added as the White Mage simply stared at the two for a moment before sighing.

“It’s not a state of judgement, it’s a fact.” She said before looking at Starlight who still kept a calm expression on the outside. “You all may be green when it comes to noticing something off, but there is something off about this town. Especially with the founder.”

“I can assure you that this town is normal and peaceful. Look at all the ponies outside smiling and carefree. Do you think that there’s anything off about them if they weren’t smiling?” She asked as White Mage and Pinkie Pie deadpan at her before looking at each other for a moment before looking back at Starlight. “Why don’t you all have a look around town so you can see that nothing is wrong about this place?” The White Mage glared at Starlight for a moment before letting out a sigh of annoyance and started to make her way outside of the house they’re in. Twilight looked over at the White Mage leaving as she gave off an awkward laugh before turning her attention back at Starlight.

“I’m really sorry about her. She’s...um...new around here in Equestria.”

“Oh...that would explain why her clothes look...different...is she related to Fluttershy?”

“I...well-”

“She’s her older sister!” Pinkie Pie yelled which took everyone by surprise from her outburst.

“Y-Yeah, she lived in neighpon for some time and decided to come here to visit for a couple of years or so.” Rainbow Dash added as Starlight stared at them before smiling again.

“Oh, okay. That would explain why she looks so much like your friend Fluttershy...though it’s still kinda weird that she has an odd name. But who am I to judge. I do hope she could be a bit more open minded like you girls. Why don’t you girls have a look around town and enjoy the many things we have to offer.” The mare said as she started to walk back into her office. “If you girls need anything, just let me know and I’ll try to help you out to the best of my ability.”

“We’ll be sure to do that. Thank you very much for letting us into your town Starlight.” Twilight said as she and her friends began to make their way outside and explore the town. As they left, Starlight walked over towards the window to watch Twilight and her friends walk off into town as she smirks.

“Having a princess of friendship here might help boost this town’s population. If she were to join us, then everypony would be willing to follow her and join our town.” She said as she chuckles a bit. “Oh, this is just too good to be true.”

“Indeed. Though it might fail if you don’t play your cards right, Starlight.” said a mysterious voice as Starlight quickly turn around to see where it was coming from. She didn’t see anything for a moment before a portal of darkness appeared in the center of the room. Once it appeared a blacked cloaked figure soon made his way out of the portal before it disappeared. “Starlight Glimmer I assume?”He asked as Starlight backed away from the ascian in both surprise and fear.

“W-Who are you? What are you doing in my home?” Starlight asked as she tried to put up a brave expression, but her voice failed her in doing that as the ascian chuckled.

“You need not worry, nor fear me. I am Lahabrea, and I am here to assist you in making your dream a reality.” The ascian said as he bows to her. “We have been watching you for some time Starlight, and we have chosen you to be the one that we will lend our aid to.”

“F-Forgive me if I’m a bit...hesitant, but what do you mean by we?”

“We are the servants of the one true god, Zordiark. He has told us to help you in making the dream of making everypony equal a reality. Nopony would be special or better than anypony else, save for you of course. After all, you don’t want somepony to lose their best friend like how you did, right?” said Lahabrea which took Starlight by surprise at him knowing the reason behind what she’s doing.

“H-How did you know about that?”

“I told you, we have been watching you for quite some time.” The ascian walked a bit closer to Starlight as the mare’s horn began to glow. “We are not your enemies Starlight. We are here to assist you in anyway possible.”

“You expect me to trust a stranger who looks like he’s the grim reaper?”

“I can see why you would think that, but I guess we’ll have time to talk later on. But for now as a means of trust, I will give you this.” Lahabrea placed a hand forward in front of himself as he summoned a sickly purplish dark crystal in front of Starlight for her to have. “If you need my assistance or if you’re in trouble, send some of your magic into the crystal and it will activate a beacon for me to find you and to help you if need be.”

“How do I know this isn’t some kind of trap?” Starlight asked as she glared at the ascian for a moment before looking at the dark crystal floating in front of her.

“You couldn’t tell by how Twilight and her friends are acting? Sooner or later, they will discover the truth behind this town. And when they do, you can be sure that they will try and stop you. Or worse, they might bring the princesses of Equestria here and stop you. One alicorn is bad enough, but fighting against all three would be too much even for you. Am I right?”

Starlight paused for a moment upon hearing that as she began to think over her options. He wasn’t wrong though. Knowing how this group might be a curious bunch they might start asking around town. Of course she wouldn’t worry so much about it to some degree, but there might be some ponies that might want their cutie marks back if Twilight and her friends change their minds on how she was able to get the ponies in this town to give up their cutie marks. If that does happen, then there might be a riot and her plans on making every pony in Equestria equal will fail.

“....You…might have a point there.” Starlight said as she was about to reach for the crystal, only to stop halfway due to having second thoughts about accepting the ascian’s offer. “Are you sure you and your friends are willing to help?”

“Our goals are the same. Equality for those who lost their friends or family due to having that cursed cutie mark..” he said before making a portal appear. “You need only just summon us and we will assist you.” with that he walked through the portal of darkness and vanished along with the portal. Starlight looked over the crystal for a good minute before taking it, and places it into her saddlebag.

“He better not be tricking me, or else he’ll have his cutie mark removed...At least I’m hoping he does have a cutie mark.”

While Twilight and her friends made their way exploring our town while asking questions about this place, The White Mage was making her way exploring a different part of town. As she was walking, she noticed some of the ponies staring at her with the same expression as they gave her and the others when they entered into the town.Widen eyes, creepy smiles, and waving hi to her as if nothing was wrong. The pegasus shivered upon seeing them before adjusting her hood and continued to make her way through town.

“Stay calm Fluttershy. Everything will be fine. You gave Pinkie that crystal, so they should be safe for when Starlight tries to take their cutie marks away...at least I hope it’ll work. This Starlight might be just the same as the Starlight from my world.” She thought before taking flight and lands on a nearby building’s rooftop. “At least we’re not in garlemald when this happen...I prefer not for them to experience what I’ve been through.” Just when she was about to lose herself in her own thoughts, a familiar voice starts to echoed through her head.

“Fluttershy, you there?”

“Applejack? Is that you?”

“You wish. It is I, the Great and Powerful Trixie! Master of the Black arts, wielder of the most destructive magic-” Before Trixie could finish her sentence, the White Mage heard her getting smacked along with a yelp.

“Quit your bragging for Thal’s sake! Are you in contact with Fluttershy or somepony from our world?”

“Applejack! You’re okay!” Fluttershy said before blinking in confusion. “Wait, how are you able to communicate with me?”

“You do know that you can communicate via echo right?” Trixie said

“Yes, but I thought we couldn’t do that due to how weird the magic in this world is.”

“For the most part yes. But when it comes to being in close proximity of another pony with the echo, then you’ll be able to communicate with somepony else.” Starlight added. “I kinda figured it out when I was saving Trixie from falling into a pit full of snakes.”

“Gotta say that, Ascian fella did a pretty good number on me. Thank the Gods that Trixie and Starlight found me before he finished me off. What about you and the others? You all okay?”

“We’re fine. We made it to the place where the map brought us to...but there’s a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Starlight asked as a worried expression appeared on the White Mage’s face. “Has the Ascian appeared where you all are? Speaking of, where are you anyway?”

“No the ascion hasn’t appeared yet…it’s the fact that we’re in Our town.” Fluttershy said as there was a moment of silence before Trixie spoke up.

“Trixie suggest you get out of there…as in right now.”

“Would, but can’t. Twilight and the others minus Pinkie don’t seem to see the danger in this place. Or at least acknowledge the danger.”

“I’m not surprised by how well Pinkie can pick up on things like this.” Starlight said as she grimaced at where they are. “Please tell me you gave them something to protect from my...or this world’s Starlight’s spell?”

“I gave Pinkie Pie one of my crystals as a means to protect herself and the others. But you might want to hurry up to where I am as soon as possible. I have a feeling that the Ascian might make his move during the confrontation I might be having with this world’s Starlight.” The White Mage said as she ended the conversation. As she did that, she pulls out a white crystal and hold it up into the air. The crystal began to glow towards the path that lead towards the mountain. The mare sighs as she spread her wings and began to fly over to the mountains.

Chapter 11: Servant of Zodiark

Chapter 11

Servant of Zodiark

(Mountain Path, Cutie Mark Vault)

“I am delighted that you’re all interested in our cutie mark vault.” Starlight said as she lead Twilight and the others up the mountain path with Double Diamond following from behind. “We hope someday that everypony in Equestria will make a pilgrimage here to our little village and to have their’s removed too.” While Starlight continued to talk, Twilight and her friends began to talk to each other out of earshot of Starlight.

“This must be the reason we’re here.” Twilight said as Pinkie Pie raised an eyebrow at her.

“Pilgrimaging?”

“No, helping those ponies get their cutie marks back.”
“Oh, are you sure Twilight? Maybe they miss them a little, but even they didn’t seem all that unhappy.” Fluttershy said as Twilight shook her head.

“Then why did they wanted to meet us in secret? And why did they ask us not to tell Starlight who told us about the vault? Other you was right to be suspicious about this place. Something is not right.” The Alicorn said as she looked forward to see Starlight motioning them to follow her through an entrance of a cave.

“Just through here!” She said before walking into the cave. As Twilight and the other followed after Starlight, they soon come across a giant glass like container that housed many different types of cutie marks. The group’s eyes widen in both surprise and shock at the many cutie marks stuck behind the vault as they soon turn their attention on Starlight. “Behold! Our cutie mark vault!”

“I have never seen anything like this.” Twilight said as she saw Starlight heading over to an oddly shaped stick sticking out on a pedestal.

“And this, is the staff of sameness.” She said before picking it up to show them. “It was one of the great sage Meadow Brocks nine enchanted items. We are incredibly blessed to have it here. This is the tool that allows us to free ourselves of our cutie marks.” She said before looking over at Twilight and her friends. “I’m curious. How did the subject of the vault come up?”

“Oh, some ponies were telling us on how much they missed their cutie marks and-”

“Pinkie!” Twilight said as the pink party pony let out an ‘oops” and covered her mouth.

“Were they? Well, it seems you inspire all sorts of free thinking...don’t you?” Starlight said as she drew a bit closer while glaring at the group.

“Oh, heh, we certainly didn’t intend on causing disruption to your charming little-”

“Good, let’s just make sure of that~” Starlight said, interrupting Rarity’s sentence as it caused the white unicorn to back away from her in fear. Only to quickly move over towards Twilight and the others when she felt herself backing up into Double Diamond. As she did that, the group soon notice some of the ponies that they saw in town appear from within the cave and surround them.

“It’s a trap!” She yelled as she noticed a magical beam heading towards her, only for it to be blocked by a magical barrier of light. “Huh?”

“What the? How did you do that!? There was no way you could’ve cast a spell like that so quickly!” Starlight yelled as she fired the same spell again as it bounce off and went flying into the cave.

“Aw yeah! Nice one Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said as the Alicorn scratched her head in confusion.

“But, that wasn’t me Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said as she touched the barrier that was surrounding them. Upon touching it, her eyes widen as she felt a surge of aether flowing into her body followed by an odd motherly voice echoing in her head.

“Hear...Feel...Think…” It said as Twilight quickly jolted her hand away and stumbled back a bit from the barrier.

“You okay sugarcube?” Applejack asked as the alicorn shook her head from feeling that surge of aether flowing into her.

“Y-Yeah...I-I’m fine...just..did any pony hear that?”

“Hear what?” Fluttershy asked with a worried look on her face. “Did something happen when you touch the barrier?”

“Yeah, I heard somepony say something. But...I don’t know who.” She said before hearing the ponies outside of the barrier hitting it to try to break it. “We’ll talk about it later. Right now we need to get out of here and meet up with the other Fluttershy.”

“Can’t you just teleport us out of here?” Rainbow Dash asked as she noticed Twilight’s horn glowing for a moment before vanishing.

“The magic from this barrier is interfering with my magic for some reason.”

“Good to hear that.” Starlight said as she began to take aim with her staff and fired a more concentrated magical beam at the barrier. “Sooner or later, that barrier will break. And when it does, your cutie marks will be mine and you will be taken to be reformed.”

“Darling, I do hope you have another plan if this barrier does fall?” Rarity asked as Twilight shook her head. “Oh...anypony else have a plan?” She said before looking over at Rainbow Dash. “That doesn’t involve tackling Starlight all at once.” Rainbow Dash deadpans before folding her arms and snorting in annoyance. As she did that, the ground around them began to shake as pieces of the earth underneath spewed out around them and pushed the ponies banging on the barrier away.

“Thank Hydaelyn you girls are okay.” said a familiar voice as everyone looked up to see the white mage floating above them. “Glad I gave Pinkie one of my crystals in case I was too late.”

“Crystal?” Twilight asked as she looked over at Pinkie who was hold said crystal in her hand as she waves it. “So that’s where the barrier came from.”

“If you don’t mind me asking Starlight, but could you stop trying to force other ponies into giving up their cutie marks and return the ones you took from the ponies of this town?” The white mage asked as Starlight laughs to how casual she was when asking.

“I could do that...or I could do this!” Starlight aimed her staff at the white mage as she fired a magical beam at her, only for the mage to quickly dodge out of the way and counters with a cluster of stones heading towards the light lavender unicorn. Starlight yelps as she quickly pulls up a barrier to protect herself from the oncoming attack and looks over at the other ponies that lived in Our Town. “Don’t just stand there. Get her!” The White Mage turned her attention toward the ponies with equal marks on their flanks as they began to circle around her to prevent her from escaping.

“Come on now everypony. Can’t we talk about this?” The white mage asked as the ponies soon tried to tackle the pegasus to the ground, only for them to be pushed back against the wall of the cave by a powerful wind spell. The glow from her staff quickly died as she looked around at the knocked down ponies with a smile on her face. “Good talk everypony.”

“No it wasn’t…” Double Diamond said as he groans in pain along with the others. The pegasus expression change into a frown as she looks up at Starlight who was giving her an annoyed expression while walking a bit closer to the mage.

“You are an..interesting pony White Mage. You’re able to perform such strange magic, even though you’re a pegasus. Might I ask how is it possible?”

“Would you believe that I’m from another world similar to that of Equestria but different and we’re friends in that world?” She asked as the light lavender unicorn snorted in amusement.

“You expect me to believe that? Don’t make me laugh.” She said before aiming her staff at the white mage. “Listen well pony, because I’m going to make you an offer that you can’t refuse.”

“Thirty-five.”

“Wait what?” Starlight asked as she stared at the white mage in confusion.

“Oh, don’t mind me. Please continue.”

“...Okay. You are a unique pony if you haven’t already realize it by now, and an interesting one at that. Why not considered on joining us? Don’t you know that having a cutite mark isn’t a blessing, but a curse?”

“Two.”

“You’ll end up losing your friends. You’ll be left alone with no pony to help you, nor anyone you can trust. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to call home where everypony is equal and not special.”

“Eighteen.”

“By joining us, you’ll have a place of your own. To teach ponies that having a cutie mark doesn’t make you special. You can even teach them how to use magic as well seeing how you’re able to do it.”

“Fifteen.”

“If you help me by lowering that barrier around Twilight and her friends. We can make that dream a reality. When I reform her and the others, Equestria will soon come to Our Town and will want to have their cutie marks taken away. Then, all shall be equal and the two of us will be the leaders of Equestria.”

“Three.”

“Okay, that does it. What the hay are you doing!?” Starlight yelled as the White Mage couldn’t help but chuckle a bit from what she was doing.

“O-Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude like that. It’s a little hobby of mine that me and Rainbow Dash used to do back when we were fighting the soldiers from Garlemald. I hear these “turn against your friends” speeches so often that she and I started making mental notes of when we hear certain or similar lines like that...I guess I should be thinking it to myself, not out in the open.”

“....Are you...are you serious? You think this is a game!?”

“Seventy-five.”

“You know making light of this only proves how much in denlie you really are in.”

“Fifty-five.”

“Will you stop acting like a little filly you jerk!?”

“One-hundred sixty-six.”

“Dear Celestia’s flank. Stop that!!”

“Ninety-five.” The White Mage said as it caused Twilight, her friends, and the ponies from town to laugh a bit. This caused Starlight to blush in both annoyance and embarrassment from this mare embarrassing her in front of everyone in the cave.

“I am going to shove this stick up your flank if you don’t stop that!”

“Um, at least take me out to dinner first if you want to do that to me...also that will be ten for somepony saying something like that to me.” The White Mage said as she quickly ducked her head from an oncoming magical beam heading for her face.

“I will not be made fun of by some mare with delusional problems. You will take me seriously!”

“I do take you seriously. It’s just a bit sad having to go through this again.”

“You’re not making any sense! What’s that supposed to mean!?” The White Mage raised her hand as she fired off a ball of water at Starlight. The mare quickly jumped out of the way of the oncoming spell as she noticed the water spell hit the wall and the backlash of it hit Starlight. Water dripped down onto her body as the equal sign on her flank vanish to reveal her actual cutie mark. Everyone in the cave gasped in surprise from this as Starlight tried to cover the cutie mark up with her tail.

“What you’re doing is wrong. Manipulating other ponies to give up their cutie marks just because you lost your friend to one isn’t right.”

“Starlight, is this true?” Double Diamond asked as he slowly began to pull himself up. The mare didn’t say anything at the time. All she did was glare at the mage with malice before hearing Double Diamond speaking up. “You said cutie marks were evil. You said that they lead you to nothing more then pain and heartache.”

“T-They do! Don’t you see!? Look at what having a cutie mark made her do!?”

“Then why?” asked a mare as she pulled herself up from the ground. “Why did you take ours and not give up your cutie mark?”

“I...I...I had to you fools! How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic!?”

“But you said the staff had all the magic we need? So that shouldn’t be a problem right?” Double Diamond asked as Starlight snorted in annoyance.

“That staff is a piece of wood I found in the stupid desert. It’s my magic that makes removing cutie marks possible. Without me, you all would be living miserable lives thinking you’re better than everypony else if it weren’t for my magical ability!” She said before making her way over to the White Mage. “I brought you friendship, I brought you equality, I created harmony!”

“You didn’t bring them friendship, equality, or harmony. All you did was lie to them to get what you wanted.” Applejack said as the light lavender unicorn rolled her eyes.

“So what? Everything else I said is true. The only way to be happy is to be equal.”

“Except for you!” Rainbow Dash yelled as Starlight turned her attention at the cyan pegasus and was about to use her magic, only for the pegasus mage to use her magic to push her back away with stone two. The unicorn let out a yelp before tumbling backwards a bit before stopping herself with her magic.

“I would like to resolve this without the need for violence. Would you please be so kind as to surrender peacefully so we may-”

“You think I’ll give up just like that!?” Starlight yelled as she reached into her saddle bag to pull out a dark purplish crystal. “Don’t make me laugh! I still have an ace up my sleeve!” She said before her horn glowed as she poured some magic into the crystal. Once she did that, a dark portal appeared beside her. Out of the portal came Lahabrea as the atmosphere around them quickly became heavy and dark.

“I had a feeling you would call upon me. But I would’ve expected it to be later than sooner.” The ascian said as he turned his attention toward Fluttershy and the elements of harmony. “Hydaelyn’s chosen champion. I can see why you would need my assistance.”

“You know that mare?” Starlight asked as she looked over at the White Mage.

“Personally, no. But the one she serves I know far to well.”

“Ascian, what are you doing here?” The mage asked as she moved closer towards Twilight and the others.

“I was summoned by this mare to assist her in whatever it is she needs. And giving how she’s been exposed by you, it would seem that she would need my help indeed seeing how she’s dealing with you.” He said before pulling her by the arm towards the portal. “We need to leave for the time being.”

“What? But you said-”

“What I’m about to do will most likely get you hurt. Go through the portal and you’ll be sent to someplace where they won’t be able to find nor trace you.” he said as Starlight was a bit hesitant on going through it. “Would you rather be captured by Twilight and her friends?” Starlight looked over at the ascian for a moment before looking back at Twilight and the others as she glares at them.

“I’ll be sure to get you all back for ruining my town. Especially you, White Mage.” She said before walking through the portal of darkness and vanished. The ascian smirked underneath his hood before looking back at the White Mage and the others as a dark aura surrounded himself.

“It would seem we have found a new ally from this world. To think that there would be a mare that can rival that of an alicorn. She will be quiet useful to us in the coming days. But I doubt you’ll be around to see it.”

“AJ, Fluttershy, and Rarity. You three needs to get everypony out of here. I’ll hold him off as long as I can.” The White Mage said as she raised her hand towards Pinkie Pie as the crystal she was holding flew back over to her. “I hate to ask this, but I need Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash’s help in distracting him.”

“Oh I’ve been itching to deck that jerk’s face when we saw him in the desert.” Rainbow Dash said as she was about to charge at the ascian, only for Twilight to stop her from doing so with her magic. “Hey! What gives!?”

“We can’t go into this blindly Rainbow Dash. We need a plan if we’re going to make this work.” Twilight said as she looks back at AJ, Fluttershy, and Rarity. “You three get everypony out while we help out the other Fluttershy. We’ll follow after you once we’re done.”

“On it sugarcube!” AJ said as the three began to help the ponies out of the cave. Twilight smiled for a moment before looking back at the ascian as she moved next to the White Mage.

“Any idea on how to stop him?”
“Sadly, I don’t. But we’ll worry about it later once we chase him off.” She said before noticing the ascian performing a summoning. “Which might take longer than expected.”

“I have more important matters to attend to. But fear not, warrior of light. We shall meet again. That is if you can survive this fight.” He said as dark portal appeared in between him and the ponies. Out of the portal came a monsterous chimera as it lets out a loud glass shattering roar with in the cave as it glares at the warrior of light and the Elements of Harmony.

“Dear Celestia! What is that thing!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight took a step back out of fear of this strange monster. The White Mage glared back at the beast for a moment before looking back at the ascian making his leave.

“I have never seen a creature like this before.” Twilight said as she looks over at the White Mage. “What is it suppose to be?”

“Dhorme Chimera…which is gonna be a problem seeing how we’re going to have to fight it instead of the ascian.” The White Mage glaring back at the beast for a moment before looking back at the ascian making his leave.

“Till we meet again.” he said before disappearing into the portal.

“This could be a bit of a problem.” She thought before casting protect onto herself, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie. “Applejack, what in the twelve is taking you so long to get here...?”

Chapter 12: All Together

Chapter 12

All Together

(Our Town)

“This should be the place.” Starlight said as she, the black mage, and the warrior finally made their way into our town. The Scholar adjusted her glasses upon seeing this world’s version of her town that she used to rule over back in her world. She blinked in surprise of how parallel it was to her town, but grimaced as her memories of her actions started to play out in her mind. “Never thought I would come back to this place anytime soon.”

“Yeah, seems like a year or two ago I had to come here to find the ponies from the Maelstrom Company that went missing. Was not expecting you nor I to be picked as the warriors of light.” Applejack said as she placed a hand on Starlight’s shoulder, causing her to jump a bit from it. “Look, we all forgave you for what you did. So you shouldn’t let something like this get to you. Okay?”

“I know...but-”

“No buts. We’ll be in and out before anypony can do anything to you or the baby.” Starlight’s eyes widened upon hearing that as she quickly turned her attention at the earth pony with a blush on her face.

“How did you-” She paused for a moment before deadpanning at the sudden realization. “Sunburst or Trixie?”

“Sunburst.”

“Why am I not surprised by this...that idiot always has to play the hero and thinks of a second plan for stuff like this.” She said before folding her arms “When we get back to our world, I am going to drag that pony out of the plains of aether, and kick his sorry flank for telling somepony our secret.”

“So...you know he’s dead?”

“Yeah...yeah, I do.” She said as a sad expression appeared on her face. “I know now is not the time to be sad and weepy...but-”

“I know. When we get back to Ponyville, you can have time to yourself if you need it.” The warrior said as the scholar gave her a weak smile in return.

“Not to ruin the moment, but Trixie is having a hard time trying to figure out where Fluttershy is. So she’s asking for help in trying to track her aether.”

“Like we told you before Trixie. Tracking somepony’s aether is hard to do given how pure the aether of this world is.” Starlight said as she looked around her alternate home. “If it’s anything like my home back in Equestria, they should be in the mountains where the vault is located.”

“What makes you say that?” Applejack asked as the group heard the sound of a loud roar
Echoing through the town causing them to draw out their weapons.

“Does that answer your question?” Trixie asked as she noticed Starlight bolting towards the vault. “Wait! Don’t run off like that! That’s Applejack’s job!” She yelled before she and Applejack ran off towards the vault.

(Mountain Path, Cutie Mark Vault)

“Everypony, scatter!” The white mage yelled as they all quickly moved out of the way of an oncoming flamethrower heading towards them. “Girls, find whatever you can use in this cave and use Pinkie’s party cannon for back up support.”

“What are we supposed to use?” Rainbow Dash yelled as she quickly took cover behind a rock along with Twilight and Pinkie.

“You’re in a cave, what do you think!?” The white mage yelled as she fired off a ball of water at the monster, causing it to look at the mage and charge at her. Once it was close to the white mage, she tapped the ground with the bottom of her staff as it caused a pillar of earth to erupt from underneath it and hit the monster in the chin. This caused the monster to stagger backwards as Pinkie Pie fired a giant rock from her party cannon and cause the beast to fall onto it’s back.

The White Mage blinked in surprise as she looked over at the group to see Twilight levitating another giant rock and placed it onto the entrance of the cannon. Once it was there, it somehow shrunk and entered into the cannon as the pink pony took aim at the Dhorme Chimera.

“Still baffles me that she can do that with anything that enters inside that thing.” She said before noticing the dragon’s head on the Dhorme Chimera starting to glow. Her eyes widened to the sudden realization as she quickly cast Protect over Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. The dragon’s head let out a loud roar as it shot off a lightning attack that affected the area the group was in. Twilight and her friends were not affected by the lightning attack, but the white mage was as she gritted her teeth and kneeled down as she was paralyzed. “Of all the times to be paralyzed by that attack.”

“Look out!” Rainbow Dash yelled as the white mage looked to see the chimera’s tail thrust towards her and impaled her in the shoulder. The pegasus lets out a loud scream of pain as she was slammed into the wall of the cave behind her. Once she was pinned, the beast slowly made its way over to her as it opened its maw and was about to sink its teeth into the white mage. Before it could get the chance to do so, the beast staggers back from the white mage due to getting hit in the face by a rock from Pinkie Pie’s party cannon.

“Hey, leave her alone you jerk! Pick on somepony your own size!” Pinkie Pie yelled as Twilight loaded another large rock into the cannon and the earth pony fired it at the chimera again. The beast quickly pulled its scorpion tail out of the white mage as it began to dodge the oncoming fire from Pinkie Pie’s party cannon. The white mage winced in pain from feeling the stinger pulled out as she quickly reached into her saddlebag, pulled out a bottle of antidote, and began to drink it down quickly. Once she was done, she noticed Twilight flying over to her to help her up to her feet.

“You okay?”

“I-I’ll manage, but we need to l-leave.” The white mage said before feeling her legs give out a bit as she kneels down along with the alicorn.

“Kinda hard to leave with that giant monster blocking our path.” She said before noticing the pattern the monster was moving. “If we can make it trip over something, then it could give us a way to escape. We can use the rocks Pinkie Pie is using to do that, but we’ll need to time it just right for when it lands.”

“I-I don’t think that will be an issue.” The white mage said before pointing a finger over at the entrance. Twilight looked over to where the pegasus was pointing as she saw a familiar looking axe flying through the air, and cut off the tail of the chimera. The monster lets out a blood curdling scream as it staggers and rolls on the ground from the pain of its tail being cut off. “Looks like our backup has arrived. You might want to move back a bit.”

“What do you mean by-” Before Twilight could finish her sentence, she saw the warrier version of Applejack charging into the cave and lunging herself at the chimera and began to pummel it with her fist.

“Never fear!” yelled the black mage as a puff of magical smoke appeared in front of Twilight and the white mage. “For the Great and Powerful Trixie has come to save the day!”

“You do know you’re not the only one here to help. Right Trixie?” said the scholar as she used her magic to make the smoke the black mage made disappear. Twilight was taken by surprise by their counterparts version of Trixie and Starlight. Before she could say anything else or react, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie made their way over to Twilight and the white mage. Only to pause as they say Starlight and Trixie.

“....Is she with you Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked as the white mage rolled her eyes.

“Naw because there isn’t anypony here that would look like your Starlight, and wear clothes from our world.” The pegasus said, groaning in pain from her injury as she began to heal herself with cure.

“Hey, no need to be rude about it.”

“I got stabbed in the shoulder and got electricuted. I’m pretty sure the pain I’m feeling is justified for me being rude.” She said before noticing Pinkie Pie appearing in front of the black mage and scholar

“Oh! So these are what Trixie and Starlight look like from your world?” Pinkie Pie said as she zooms around them like a bullet while giggling. “Wow, they look so different then the ones we have.”

“So this is the Pinkie Pie of this world?” The black mage said as she eyed her along with the other counterparts. “Trixie is not impressed by this.”

“Trixie, be nice.” The scholar said before noticing the wound on the white mage’s shoulder as she reached for her book and summoned a fairy to help aid in the white mage’s healing. “You okay Fluttershy?” The Scholar asked as the white mage cast esuna on herself to dispel the paralyze inflicted upon her by the monster.

“Glad to see you girls are here to help.”

“Might not be much help on the fighting aspect.” Trixie said as she points over to Applejack beating the ever living daylight out of the chimera while dodging its snake headed tail. “But Trixie will assist in this endeavor.” She said before rushing over towards the fight as she fired off a flare spell at the monster’s face, causing it to stagger backwards from the surprise attack. The warrior stopped her assault on the monster as she looked over at Trixie with a grin.

“And here I thought I was going to fight this varmint on my own.”

“Trixie is more inclined on letting you handle this. But right now, she is not in the mood for a long winded battle.” The black mage said before gathering magic into her staff. “We need to head back to report to the others about this.”

“You mean the fact that the ascians are here in this world?”

“Indeed. Which might prove to be a problem seeing how this world’s magic makes crystals more effective then back in our world.”

“You think they’ll use it to summon a primal into this world?”

“Trixie wouldn’t be surprised if that happens.” The black mage looked back at the monster as she fired off a blizzard attack at the chimera’s tail and froze it in ice. The warrior took notice of its tail encased in ice as she quickly lifted up her axe, threw it at the tail, and lobbed it off like a knife through butter. The beast lets out a mighty roar from the pain it felt as it turned at the two warriors of light and unleashed a wave of fire from its mouth. Just as the flames were about to hit the two, a barrier appeared around them as the flames moved around them. The Warrior and Black Mage blinked in surprise before noticing The Scholar and White Mage appearing in front of them via teleport as the scholar fired off a Ruin spell at the Dhorme Chimera’s dragon head.

“Trixie, think you can take this monster out with a meteor spell?” The Scholar asked as the black mage, white mage, and warrior raised their eyebrows at her. “I want to end this quickly, and given how we’re a bit limited on teammates at the moment. We need something big to kill it in one shot.”

“Trixie will need time to prepare the spell. During that time, you all need to protect me.”

“So we’re going with the hydra method?” Applejack asked as she looked at the monster and cracked her knuckles. “How much time do you need?”

“Trixie will need a minute or two for the spell to be cast.” The blue unicorn said as she looked over at Twilight and the others. “You might want to find cover!” She yelled as arcane magic started to erupt from her. Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash blinked in surprise as they quickly took cover outside of the cave they were in.

“Fluttershy, you’re on point for healing and support. Starlight, keep that barrier around Trixie.” A red murderous aura appeared around Applejack’s body as her eyes beamed red. She soon lets out a primal roar before charging at the Dhmore Chimera. The monster sees the warrior making her way towards itself as the goat part of its head fires off a beam of ice. The apple warrior tanked through the attack before quickly reaching for her axe and threw it against the goat head of the chimera. The beast let out a loud roar as the goat head was lobbed off and caused the monster to stagger back a bit from the pain it felt.

The Dhmore Chimera glared at the apple warrior as it took a deep breath and fired off another flame attack at her along with the others. The flames brushed off the barrier that the scholar made as the white mage quickly cast regen and cure on the warrior who was using her arms to cover her face from the flames. Once the flames died down, the warrior quickly lunged herself over at her axe before throwing it at the dragon part of the monster’s head and lobbed it off with ease.

“How long before you’re done!?” The warrior asked as she quickly dodged the monster’s pounce attack and countered with a strong left hook to its face and caused it to topple over to the side.

“Trixie is almost done! Don’t rush her!” The black mage yelled as a portal appeared above the Dhmore Chimera. “You might want to get your fat flank in here!”

“My flank is not fat you one eyed bitch!” The warrior yelled as she quickly bolted over to where her axe landed after cutting off the dragon part of the chimera. Once she got it, she felt herself being pulled into the barrier by the white mage as she quickly made another barrier within the one the Scholar made. Just as she was pulled into it at the last second, the meteor that the black mage summoned appeared from out of the portal and quickly crashed down upon the monster. The warriors of light quickly covered their eyes from the blinding light from the meteor as the barrier the healers made buckled a bit from the explosion. Once the dust from the explosion subsided, the healer's barriers quickly vanished as they all looked to see if the monster was dead. To their surprise, the beast was dead...but pieces of its body were scattered around the cave.

“....Wow...don’t your spells usually make monsters or ponies disappear without a trace.” The warrior asked as the black mage kneeled down onto one knee and pants a bit.

“Normally Trixie would. But seeing how we’re in a small area, Trixie had to put more of my magic into making the portal for the meteor to come through. She prefers not to be buried alive in rocks.” The black mage said before looking over her work. “Not one of Trixie’s best works. But she got the job done.”

“Dear Celestia.” The warriors of light turn their attention at the entrance as they see Twilight, her friends, and the citizens of Our Town stare at the scene in a mix of fear, horror, and grossness. Mainly grossness from Rarity who lets out a terrifying scream as the head of the chimera hit the floor with a loud thud.

“Hey, we’re done in here.” The warrior said as she grinned at the group outside of the cave. “Y’all can get your cutie marks and stuff if y’all want...though you might want to avoid accidentally stepping in the mess we made.” she said before taking a step forward, only for some of them to take a step back. Mainly because of the murderous aura around the warrior. “What? Was it something I said.”

“You’re kind of giving off a murderous aura Applejack. Might want to tone it down a bit.” The white mage said as the warrior let out a deep breath as the aura around her body vanished. “Much better.” She said before making her way over to Twilight and the others. “Sorry about the mess we made. We didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.”

“Um...I mean I’m glad you’re all okay...but...um.” Twilight said as she was at a loss for words as to what just happened.

“THAT WAS SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she zoomed in front of the white mage. “The way that you guys took that monster down like it was nothing was so epic! Is that how you usually do things in your world?”

“More or less. It mainly depends on the monsters we fight and their size. Hold on for a second.” The white mage said before looking over at the warrior. “Make sure to take some of the usual parts from that monster! We can use it to make weapons and food from it!”

“On it!” The warrior said as she used her axe to cut off certain parts of the dead chimera and placed it in her saddle bag.

“How can you all be so casual about something like this?” Rarity asked, still in shock at seeing the beast remains scattered around the cave. “Doesn’t it gross you out or make you sick?”

“Not really.” She said before noticing the Scholar making her way over to her and the others. “Nice to see you and Trixie are okay. I’m a bit surprised you both ended up being teleported here.”

“Not like I had much of a choice.” She said before looking over at this world’s Twilight and the citizens of Our Town. A grimace appeared on her face as she looked over at the vault containing their cutie marks and fired a ruin spell at it. Upon making contact, the vault exploded as a storm of Cutie Marks came rushing out of the cave and returning to their rightful owners. The citizens of Our Town let out cheers of joy upon getting their cutie marks back, but were still a bit on edge after seeing what just happened. Mainly at Starlight’s counterpart, seeing how she might be the same as their Starlight.

“So you must be the Starlight from our counterpart’s world?” Twilight asked as the Scholar nodded while looking for this world’s Starlight.

“I take it your Starlight got away?” The Scholar asked as the purple alicorn nodded.

“She ended up escaping with an ascian.” Twilight said as the scholar raised her eyebrow in confusion before looking over at the White Mage.

“I’ll explain on the way home. But for now, we should get back to Ponyville and explain the situation with the others.”

“But what about the ponies in this town?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Shouldn’t somepony stay here in case something bad might happen? Or worse, Starlight might return here to try the same thing again.” She said before looking over the scholar. “Not this Starlight, she seems pretty trustworthy. I was talking about our Starlight who ran off with that hooded robe pony.”

“Thanks...I think?” The Scholar said before shaking her head. “As for this town...I think they should take care of themselves in this case. No sense in letting outsiders get involved too much.” She said before thinking for a moment. “I suppose we can have some means of communication between us and this town. But Twilight will be the one who’ll be the one to do it.”

“Shouldn’t it be you who should be doing it?” Rainbow Dash asked as the scholar stared at her for a moment before turning around and walking back over to where the warrior and black mage were. “What? Was it something I said?”

“I...think it would be best for Twilight to be the one to make a means to communicate between Equestria and Our Town.” The white mage said before following after the scholar and the others. “We’ll meet you at the entrance of Our Town. This is gonna take a while, and I’m sure you girls want to investigate Starlight’s home for some clues or something.”

“Twilight...I’m having second thoughts about our counterparts.” Applejack said as Rarity nodded in agreement.

“Normally I wouldn’t complain about something like this. But they seem to be so...well...okay with something like this.” Rarity said as she looked over at the warrior pulling out the chimera’s heart as she felt herself feeling sick from seeing this. “Oh dear Celestia.”

“Oh come on, they’re not that bad. I mean they’re from a different world so stuff like this is natural for them.” Rainbow Dash commented before thinking to herself. “Think my counterpart could teach me how to do something like that?”

“And they did save us along with the ponies in this town.” Pinkie Pie added before realising something. “Oh! Maybe we can host a party here for a celebitory victory party!”

“I don’t think now is the time to have one. Especially seeing how our counterparts seem rather uncomfortable about this place.” Fluttershy said as she looked over at the scholar. “Especially their Starlight.”

“You think they might be hiding something that they’re not telling us?” Applejack asked as Twilight shook her head.

“They might be, but now is not the time for that. Let's go see if the ponies are okay before we return to Ponyville.” Twilight said as her friends nodded in agreement and followed after the purple alicorn back into town, but the farm pony paused and looked over at her counterpart who in turn looked up at her. The farm pony glared at her counterpart for a moment before turning around and quickly followed after her friends.

“Is something wrong Applejack?” The white mage asked as the warrior turned her attention back to her work.

“No...nothing's wrong.”

Chapter 13: The Differences

Chapter 13

The Differences

(Ponyville, Castle of Friendship)

“This is not going to bode well for this world.” The Summoner said as she turned the page in the grimoire that she’s reading. “The Starlight of this world is already strong enough without training. But now that the Ascians have her. She’s going to be an even bigger threat then she is now.”

“Isn’t there some way to track her down? You must have something from your world to track ponies down.” Rainbow Dash asked as the summoner shook her head.

“It’s kinda hard to do that. Especially with the aether current of this world. It’s not tainted or disrupted by years of war and primal corruption. Though that might change seeing how the Ascians are here.”

“With Starlight on their side, she can easily sway the minds of weak minded ponies into following her equality shite.” The Dark Knight said as Celestia and Luna deadpan at her. “You and I both know that the ponies can be easily swayed with words of sweet lies and examples. Give our world credit, the ponies of our world wouldn’t be that easily tricked.”

“Anyway, we’ll have to inform the guards to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Mainly when it comes to large groups forming.” Celestia said as The Paladin nodded.

“It would be good to have other ponies informed about this. But be sure to tell them to not engage with Starlight or The Ascian that she might be with. We don’t want them to get enthralled by them...less we have to kill them.” The Paladin said as it took their counterparts by surprise.

“You...You can’t be serious...right?” Fluttershy asked as the White Mage shook her head.

“It’s a what if scenario. We don’t know much on what the ascians can do, but if they can do the same as a primal does when it comes to enthralled ponies to become their servants. Then we’ll have no choice but to kill them, seeing how there isn’t a way to undo it.” She said before adjusting her hood. “Worse case scenario, they’re able to summon a primal into this world to do that.”

“Care to explain what a primal is?” Twilight asked as the summoner looked up from her book and used her magic to show an image of Ifrit on the crystal map.

“Primals are constructs of concentrated aether made manifest by the will of the summoner in the form of legendary figures or mythical creatures. Due to the nature of their existence, a primal must consume aether from its surroundings, thus becoming a threat to the world of Hydaelyn that I along with my friends lived in. If one were to be manifested into this world, then it would start consuming the aether or in this case magic of this world which will throw things out of balance if they’re not destroyed quickly.” She said as the scholar spoke up.

“And if they enthrall more ponies during that time, then we might be looking at a lot of bodies we’ll have to bury afterwards.”

“Are you ponies even hearing yourselves!?” Applejack asked as the warriors of light looked over at the farm pony. “I don’t know what you do back in your world, but here in Equestria we don’t kill anypony. No matter what they’ve done.”

“I’m in agreement with Applejack.” Rainbow Dash said as she landed beside her. “I’m sure the princesses have some kind of magic spell to undo whatever magic spell they use to hypnotise ponies or whatever. We don’t have to resort to killing anypony.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But we have tried using magic to undo the primals effect.” The Summoner said before going back to reading. “And so far it all came to this conclusion. If the enthralled are not taken care of, they will do everything in their power to summon their primal god once again.” She said before turning the page. “But do feel free to find a means to undo their enthralling ability. Saves us less time and trouble.”

“How can you be so casual in taking somepony’s life?” Rarity asked as the Red mage spoke up.

“Darling, you have to remember that we’re not the same as you. Our world is not as this world is. We do things differently and experience things differently than what you have.” She said before reaching into her saddlebag and pulled out a napkin.

“Yeah, not everypony lives in a place or world that’s peaceful and full of sunshine & rainbows.” The Dragoon said. “You ponies are living the peaceful life for the most part. It’s kinda sad.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Rainbow Dash said as she zoomed in front of the Dragoon.

“I’m saying that you ponies are weak. If you can’t take down two monsters that the Ascians sent or at least defend yourself from them, then what good are you all if that’s the case.”

“I’ll show you how good I am when I mop the floor with you!”

“Oh I'd love to see you try you lazy slacking idiot!”

“Enough! Both of you!” The white mage yelled as the two cyan color pegasi looked over at her. “Now I know we all have different viewpoints on things, but right now is not the time to argue. You can fight amongst yourselves someplace else later. Right now, we have more important matters to deal with.”

“Fluttershy is right. We need to come up with a plan for when we encounter my counterpart. Knowing her, her first target would be to go after Twilight.” She said before noticing the summoner looking at her. “Not you, your counterpart.”

“Right. Her first goal in mind would be going to Canterlot to get her hands on a time spell that Starswirl The Bearded made during his time.” The Summoner said as she looked over at Princess Celestia. “I recommend you set up some kind of magic detection system or spell in the library.”

“Noted. But if you don’t mind me asking, what do you plan on doing now?” She asked as the Summoner shrugs.

“We’re going to do nothing other than follow after our counterparts when they’re being summoned by the map.”

“I’m sorry, but what?” Applejack asked. “You expect us to bring along our counterparts on our friendship missions?”

“Given how the Ascian appeared on the mission you went to. It is safe to assume that they will end up appearing whenever you’re being called. At least that's just a hypothesis that I’m going on.” The Summoner said as she looked at the ponies in the room. “We’re dealing with an enemy that has powers that even we don’t know of. And given what Applejack told us, you guys will have a problem fighting him seeing how none of you are experienced in combat or combat magic. And as impressive as you all are with your other enemies that tried to take over Equestria, you never faced somepony that will kill you without a second thought.”

“Which means you’ll need our help if you want to finish your friendship missions.” The Warrior said. “Unless you want to get killed by them.”

“Please, I’m sure we can handle them by ourselves. We’re the Elements of Harmony! We can take down anypony like that without your help.” Rainbow Dash said as the dragoon snorted in annoyance.

“Pride comes before the fall. Makes me wonder why you’re not dead yet.”

“Okay that's it! You’re about to get a fist full of-”

“Enough!” The Dark Knight yelled as it caused them to pause and look over at her. “Like it or not, you will have to deal with each other until this matter is dealt with. You ponies of this world will have your counterparts go along with you. Unless you can prove to them that you don’t need them by beating them in a fight, then that’s the end of this discussion.”

“But-”

“You heard my counterpart. Unless you're able to prove to them that you don’t need their help, then they’ll follow you around like a shadow.” Luna said as Rainbow Dash looked at the Dragoon who smirked at her before heading back over to where Rarity was standing along with the others. The summoner sighed as she leaned back in the chair she was sitting in.

“Perhaps we can talk about this another time. It’s been a long day and the sun’s about to set.” The summoner said as Twilight looked over at Celestia who was using her magic to make the sun slowly set upon the kingdom of Equestria.

“Yeah that would be for the best. We should all get some rest until the next time the map calls us.” Twilight said as her friends looked at their counterparts. Their counterparts did the same for a few seconds before they began to make their way to their respected homes and current homes for the time being. Just as the Princesses teleported off to Canterlot, their counterparts went off to the spare rooms in The Castle of Friendship, leaving Twilight and her counterpart alone together.

“Well that could’ve gone better. But I’m not surprised by the outcome of what happened.” The Summoner said as Twilight deadpans at her. “What? I did tell you that we’re different, didn’t I?”

“I get that. But you were so casual in saying all that stuff from earlier. You act like this isn’t the first time you have had to…”

“Kill somepony? You’re right, this isn’t the first time I have had to kill somepony. Nor will it be my last. We lived in a world filled with conflict and war between our home and the invading army of the Garlean empire.”

“But this isn’t your world. There’s no invading army or anything similar to that happening here.”

“Correction. There is. Or did you forget about the Ascian that attacked you and your friends back at Starlight’s town?” The summoner asked as it caused Twilight to go silent. “Like it or not. This is how we deal with the problem. But that's only if they summon a primal.”

“....What happened to you to make you be like this?”

“War….war is how I along with my friends became like this. Unlike you who lived a moderate joyful life. We never had that.” The summoner answered before closing her book and standing up from the seat she was sitting on. “I’ll be taking one of the spare rooms for the time being. I’ll be sure to wake you up if something happens.” She said before walking off, leaving the princess of friendship and Spike alone with each other.

“Wow, she along with the others are a whole lot different then you and the others Twilight.” Spike said as Twilight let out a sigh of both annoyance and disappointment.

“Yeah, which is the scary part. Whatever happened in their world, must have made them the way they are now. And if we’re forced to work with each other, then we’re going to have to find some kind of common ground.”

“I mean it’s not like they’re dangerous or anything...right?”

“Given what I saw in Our Town, It would depend if it involved something from their world coming here...which is going to happen if the map calls upon us.” She said before pulling up from her seat and began to leave the room to head to her own room. “I’ll figure something out tomorrow. Until then, let's get some sleep. It’s been a rough day.”

Chapter 14: The Difference Part 2

Chapter 14

The Difference Part Two

(Sweet Apple Acres, Morning)

The smell of food filled the house of the apple family as the warrior version of Applejack was in the kitchen cooking food for herself and her counterpart’s family. While she was cooking, a familiar voice filled the room as the warrior turned her attention from her cooking to see Granny Smith entering the room from the doorway.

“Well, looks like somepony is up and about early. Especially after what happened yesterday from what Applejack said.” Granny said as she eyes the warrior up and down as she was wearing a tank top and daisy blue shorts. She soon noticed the scars, blast marks, and animal bites covering certain parts of the earth pony’s arms . “Hard to believe you’re from another world. Yet you look like Applejack if she was a couple years older.”

“I’m about ten years older than your Applejack if I’m not mistaken. But I find it hard to believe you’re still the same even in another world...only thing missing is your classic shotgun that you use to scare the business ponies away.” She said which caused Granny to laugh.

“I still have old Betsy, but sadly she’s been dismantled.”

“....Finally shot somepony with it?”

“I’m not at liberty to say. But all I can say is that I’m not allowed to hold a firing arm of any kind anymore.” She said before making her way to the table and eyeing the spread of food that was on it. “I know some of the food looks like they’re from the family, but what about this stack of pancakes with...what I can guess are berries?”

“A lot of the food you see on the table are from Eorzea. You’re free to have as much as you like. Though fair warning. The meat that you see on the table is for me.” The warrior said as the older mare eyed it.

“Huh, didn’t think your world’s ponies can eat meat.” She said before sniffing it. “I’m not into eating meat and stuff. But if I was still young, I wouldn’t mind having a bite of it.” Applejack lets out a loud laugh as she makes Granny smith a plate of pancake covered in an apple like syrup with three slices of apples on it.

“I mostly make it for myself and the others when we go on our little adventures and stuff.” The warrior said as she placed a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast with butter glazing one side.

“Given the marks covering most of your arms and legs. I take it you've been on a lot of adventures?” Granny asked as it caused the warrior to shake her head.

“War for the most part actually.” The Warrior said before digging into her meal. “The only scar I had on me was when I was trying to cut wood with my pa, and a piece of the wood I cut nicked my left cheek on my face.” She said before presenting the scar in the form of an X. “Didn’t hurt at first until Ma disinfected it with her magic. Pa was pretty much freaking out to the point where he tripped and fell into a barrel filled with apples...it didn't help that he went rolling down hill and into the pig’s pen.” Granny smith lets out a fit of laughter upon hearing this.

“Something like that happened to Pear Butter a while back when Big Mac was born. Only she ended up flying into a giant wedding cake instead of the pig pen.”

“Oh that I would love to see happen to Ma in my world...I would never let it go.”

“I take it they’re alive in your world?” She asked as the warrior nodded.

“Or to be more accurate, they might. I don’t know if Equestria is still around or not seeing how Sunburst teleported us before the blast could hit. But I can assume they’re alive seeing how the last time I saw them was when they decided to retire in Kugane where the Kirin live. Well a place in Kugane where the Garleans haven’t taken hold of from what I’ve been hearing…”

“I’m sure they’re still alive along with your home. After all, you are an apple after all. Take more then just some kind of...whatever it was you were fighting to take this family down after all.” Granny said as she placed a hand on the warrior’s shoulder. “Plus you have family here..even though you’re from someplace else.”

The Warrior gave the elderly mare a small smile upon hearing this. Just as she was about to say something else, her ears twitched upon hearing hoof steps coming from the doorway of the kitchen. Looking over from the laughing elderly mare, she could see Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac making their way into the kitchen. Though upon making eye contact with each other, Apple Bloom quickly hid behind Applejack, Applejack was glaring at the warrior, and Big Mac was still in a groggy sleepy state of mind as he moved past the two to take a seat at the table.

“About time you three woke up.” The warrior said before presenting them with the fully cooked food. “Feel free to have whatever you can eat on the table. Mind the meat, those plates are for me.” She said which caused the three of them to pause and stare...well Big Mac for a moment before shrugging and taking a plate of pancakes for himself.

“You...cooked the meat that you got from that monster the other day?” Applejack asked as the Warrior nodded with a grin on her face. “That's just not right and sick on so many levels.”

“Applejack…” Granny said as the two looked at her, which caused her to chuckle a bit. “Young Applejack, not you dear.” She said before looking at Applejack. “Now I know she may be different, but that doesn’t mean you can be rude to her just because her home and stuff is different than how things are here. As long as she’s here, she’ll be treated as part of the family...even though it’s the same family just from a different world...this whole different world magic mumbo jumbo is really confusing and annoying.”

“But Granny-”

“Butts are for sitting Applejack. Now sit and enjoy the meal that your other self made for the family.” Applejack lets out a sigh of annoyance as she and Apple Bloom took a seat at the table. Though Applejack was next to Granny Smith and Apple Bloom next to Big Mac as they make their own plates of pancakes seeing how it was the only food available that wasn’t meat related. Once the three made their plate, they took a bite from their meals in union. Their eyes widen to the burst of flavor hitting their tongues as Apple Bloom lets out a muffled cheer of delight because of this.

“You’re welcome by the way.” The warrior said before quickly finishing up her meal. “Y’all the first to try food from Eorzea!”

“Well don’t we feel special.” Granny commented before digging into her own plate of pancakes as she smiled. “Nice to see you haven’t lost your cooking skills.”

“You can thank Ma for that. Taught me everything she knew before going on with Pa to Kugane to retire for the most part.” The warrior said which caught Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac off guard as they looked at the warrior in disbelief. “What?”

“You mean ma and pa are alive where you’re from?” Applejack asked as the warrior reached into her pocket to pull out a locket. Once it’s out, she opens it as it reveals a family picture of the Warrior along with her version of Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Pear Butter, and Bright Mac.

“Wait, is that me?” Apple Bloom asked, pointing a finger at the version of herself holding a gun like weapon and a robotic drone floating next to her head.

“Yep, well other you to be accurate.” The warrior said before noticing Applejack’s deadpan expression. “What?”

“Why is she holding a shotgun?”

“Not a shotgun, but it is a gun nonetheless. It’s what machinists use when they fight and what not.”

“Why would you let her even near something that dangerous? You know young fillies aren’t allowed to be near stuff like that?”

“She’s old enough to know what she’s doing. Didn’t shoot anypony that wasn’t a friend or part of the family. I mean Pinkie Pie is her instructor after all, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“But that still doesn’t change the fact that-”

“Different world, different rules. Not like you have a say in how my family do things where we’re from.” The Warrior said before getting a second plate of food that consisted of meats and fruits. “You really need to get that stick out of your flank. You’re acting so up tight like Rarity.” She said as Apple Bloom and Big Mac chuckle from the comment, only for them to go silent and look away when Applejack glared at them.

“She’s not wrong though. You need to relax a bit, sugar cube.” Granny said as Applejack lets out a huff of annoyance before going back to eating.

“Well, this is going to be an interesting time here.” The Warrior thought before going back to eating her meal.

(Ponyville, Rainbow Dash’s home)

The Dragoon was the first to wake up as Rainbow Dash was still sleeping in her room. While Rainbow Dash is still asleep, the Dragoon made her way into the bathroom as she began to take off the armor she had on. Upon taking her armor off, she looks over the burn marks covering the right part of her eye, her left arm and left section of her chest, right hip along with the right thigh, and her left foot. She soon spread open her one good wing which was still perfectly intact, but the other was gone.

“Seen better days huh me?” The Dragoon said before reaching into her saddlebag to pull out a roll of bandages and began covering up the old burn marks on her body. “Guess it could be worse. Could be dead or eaten by that damn Wyvern.” She said before finishing up wrapping her burn marks. She then thened over her armor for a moment before placing them inside her saddlebag, but soon pulled out a foestriker tabard, mythril mitt gauntlets, dwarven cotton gaskins of maiming, and gaganaskin legguards of maiming and began to put them on her. Once she was finished looking over herself a bit in the mirror, she heard a knock coming from the bathroom door followed by her younger voice speaking from behind it.

“Hey, whoever’s in my bathroom, you better get the hay out or else you’ll be met with my hoof up your flank!”

“....Can’t believe that’s how I was when I was young.” The Dragoon thought before quickly placing her heavy armor into her saddlebag and opened the door, which caused Rainbow Dash to blink for a moment before realising.

“Oh right, forgot that you’d be living here for the time being...what’s with the bandages covering part of your face?”

“Nothing.” She said before moving past Rainbow Dash. “I’m going to get some air. I’ll be back whenever.”

“Whoa, wait a minute, otherworld me.” Rainbow Dash said as she quickly darted in front of The Dragoon just as she was about to leave her cloud home. “You do know that ponies will find it odd that there’s two Rainbow Dashes right? What if they think you’re a changeling or something.”

“Okay that’s being racist towards Changelings, and I don’t really give a flying feather about what other ponies think about me.”

“Well I do. And I prefer not to have my reputation ruined thank you very much.”

“Not my problem.” The Dragoon said as she tried to open the door, only Rainbow Dash to slam it close.

“It is your problem. Especially seeing how you’re in our world.”

“I’m only here because we were sent here by Starburst with his weird magic, and because of the fact that the ascians are in this world and are going to run a muck in it.”

“Great, nice going on bringing those hooded freaks here.” Rainbow Dash said which caused the dragoon’s eye to twitch.

“I’m sorry, but what did you just say?”

“Well it seems odd that none of this weird stuff happened until you and the others came. We didn’t have monsters or something like what happened in Our Town appear out of nowhere like that. So it’s obvious that-” Before she could finish, the dragoon quickly grabbed the young pegasus by her throat as she began to let out choking noises from the dragoon’s iron grip.

“Listen here you stubborn jackass. I’m not in the mood for your idiotic assumptions or thinking we’re the cause of this. Stuff like this happens seeing how you live in a world that hasn't seen its fair share of bloodshed and war. Blaming us for something like this is ignorant and stupid on your part. So I’m going to say this, seeing how this is the only way to get it through your thick head.” She said before releasing her grip on Rainbow Dash’s throat, causing her to gasp for air.
“Don’t fucking mess with me or my friends. Because unlike most ponies, I don’t hold back when it comes to knocking down an overconfident pegasus like you a peg or two.”

“W-What the hay is your problem!?” Rainbow Dash yelled while coughing a bit from the lack of air. She soon noticed the dragoon looking at her as she saw her eye color change from purple to red.

“My problem is that I’m looking at a ghost of what I used to be...and I dislike it.” With that the dragoon leaves the cloud house and begins to fly off into Ponyville. As she did this, her eyes returned to the same purple color as she let out a sigh of annoyance and disappointment. Not at the fact that she’s living with a past version of herself, but letting her temper get the better of her in the situation she was in. “Nice going Rainbow Dash, you just had to let her words get the better of her.”

“True, but in fairness. She is you after all. Words won’t get through to her head, only actions will.” The Dragoon stopped upon hearing a familiar voice as she let out another sigh.

“You know, it’s kinda rude to invade somepony’s conversation with herself?” The Dragoon said as a ball of light appeared next to her as it revealed a familiar green and purple dragon, only this version of Spike looked like a young adult, wings on his back, and wearing armor with dragon-like features.

“Kind hard not to, seeing how I can communicate with you when Twilight’s asleep.” Spike said as he folded his arms and smiled. “So, not going so well with your counterpart?”

“You saw the conversation, it’s pretty obvious.”

“True. Reminds me of how it was when we met Twilight for the first time. Only without the “I’ll kill you if you betray us.”

“I hate her. There’s no denying that fact.”

“Twilight or past version of you?” Spike asked as the dragoon deadpans at the young dragon. “Right, stupid question. If I’m being serious here. You don’t hate her, just the fact that her actions remind you of how you were at the age of nineteen.”

“Yeah…” The Dragoon said as she traced a hand along the bandages on her face. “And look how that turned out in my case. Over confident, thinks she's a tough shite, thinking she’s invincible, carefree and too relaxed.”

“Like how you were before Niddhog rained dragonfire upon cloudsdale.” He said which caused the pegasus to flinch upon hearing that. “You think something like that will happen to her?”

“If not that, then something worse. Look I get there are some differences between both worlds. But she’s too much like my old self. Sure I can be overconfident when I know I can win, but give me credit that I know to take things seriously.”

“I can get that. But still, you’re going to have to apologise to her when you get the chance. Seeing how she’s you, you can understand why she’s acting like this.”

“....Yeah...I know...I’m not doing it now though.”

“Oh I know, I mean later on when you get the chance to. Right now, just clear your head by having a look around town and what not. You might find something that might interest you.”

“I’ll try that...thanks Spike.” She said before moving up close to him and raised a fist up towards him. “Seventeen years, and you still have a way to cool me off with your fancy words.”

“You can blame Twilight for that. Spending time inside the grimoire of her book and listening to conversations really does help to be the voice of reason.” He said before bumping her fist back with his own. Only for it to phase through as he felt his body starting to disappear. “Seems Twilight is starting to wake up.”

“Guess it’s going to be awhile before we can talk again, huh?”

“Seems like it. Try not to let your temper get the better of you and try making peace with your counterpart. Also...Tell Rarity I said hi would you?” He asked just as his body completely vanished from her sight.

“Yeah...I will.” She said before flying off towards Ponyville. “Don’t worry Spike, we’ll figure out a way to get your body back. Just wait a little bit longer.”

Chapter 15: The Differance Part 3

Chapter Fifteen

The Difference

Part Three

(Ponyville, Fluttershy’s cottage)

“I’m glad to see you’re doing okay after what happened yesterday,” Fluttershy said as she handed her counterpart a cup of tea along with some pancakes.

“This wouldn’t be the first time I had to fight against something like that.” The white mage said as she took a sip from her tea. “Thank you for letting me stay here, even though it was suggested by the others.”

“Oh, it’s no problem on my end. The animals like you a lot...though that might be because of your appearances.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised about that. Till this whole situation we’re in is over and done with. I’ll be sure to help out around the house if you need it.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that on my account-” Fluttershy paused upon seeing her counterpart stop her with a hand to her face.

“It wouldn’t be right of me to not assist you in whatever you need to be given how I’m going to be staying here. I’m not planning on being a freeloader like most ponies would do.”

“Well, if you insist. I just don’t want you to get hurt or anything.”

“I’ll be fine. Again, it wouldn't be the first time I’d have to work through the pain.” The white mage said as she let out a sigh before admiring the cottage. “This place does bring back some good memories.”

“You mean your home in your Equestria?”

“Yeah. Other than the Everfree being wild and chaotic and Ponyville being a bit small. The cottage I lived in with my animal friends is still the same even in this world.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, but what was your life back in your world? I mean, before becoming...um...I don’t know how to put it into words, but-”

“A healer would be the most accurate name for what I am.” The white mage said before taking another sip from her tea. “Before I walked the path of the white mage, I was just a normal pony taking care of wild animals. Whether they are dangerous or not. Kind of like how you take care of the animals here in this world. It was a simple life along with my friends, I wouldn’t have changed anything about...but sadly, not everything can stay the same forever.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked as she noticed her counterpart’s happy expression quickly turned into a cold and angry expression.

“War came. The Garleans from Garlemald invaded Equestria, all thanks to Discord for betraying us by making us think he was our friend. I, along with my Twilight and the others before Trixie and Starlight joined, was sold to Tierk and were then brought to Garlemald to be used as...experimental test subjects. Mainly because they want to be able to use us as either their tools to fight in the war or to see if they can make garlean earth ponies be able to use magic.”

“Oh my, that’s horrible.”

“We...were subjected to a lot of things. Physical, mental, and verbal abuse. Operated upon while still awake without any means of nulling the pain. Humiliation, both private and public. Rape, be it by ponies, dragons, griffons, yaks, changelings, minotaurs, hippogriffs, and wild animals that work under the Garlean Empire.” She said as she looked up to see a shocked expression on her counterpart’s face. “This went on for a good year and a half. The tipping point for me was when they locked me up with my animal friends and gave me a choice. I would either starve to death, or I would have to eat my animal friends to live.”

“....Y-You didn’t.”

“....I’m not proud of what I did...But the hunger, the isolation, and the physical & mental pain can make anypony do things that you wouldn’t believe were possible.” The white mage said before taking another sip from her cup of tea. “Do I regret it? I don’t. Given the situation I was in, anypony would do the same in my world.” She said which caused Fluttershy to stare at her in utter shock and slight anger.

“How can you say something like that!? If I was in your position, I would never do that!” Fluttershy said which caused the white mage to laugh weakly.

“Maybe. If you stayed true to your word, then you’re a better pony than I am. But how would we know given the fact that you have never been through something like that before? The difference between us is that you live in a world that’s full of peace and harmony. While I come from a world that isn’t like that.” She said before taking another sip from her drink before placing it back down onto the table and standing up. “If you excuse me, I must be off.” Having said that, the white mage left the cottage of her counterpart and flew off into the direction of Ponyville.

Fluttershy stared at the white mage flying off. It was hard to believe that there was a different version of herself that could be like this. She acted calm, polite, and caring. But underneath the facade was a mare that’d seen her fair share of hardships. The thought of herself being in the same position as the white mage gave her goosebumps as she pushed the thought away, pulled herself up from the table she and her counter were sitting, and began to clean the table as a means to get her mind off of that subject.

(Ponyville, Castle of Friendship)

“Dear Celestia…” Twilight said as she watched the summoner sitting at a table with a large assortment of food and began to eat it with vigor. As if she was starving and hadn't eaten anything in months. From what the alicorn could tell, it was a mix between pastry goods, meats, seafood, and fruits. All that was unfamiliar to her and have never been seen before.

“What? Haven’t seen a pony eat this much before?” The summoner said as Twilight and Spike looked at each other for a moment before turning their gaze upon the unicorn.

“Not to be rude…but aren’t you worried about your figure? I mean with all this much food, surely you would-”

“I have to eat large amounts of food daily. Not like I have much of a choice in the matter. But given how I have a large magic pool compared to most unicorns. Because of that, I burn more calories, which means I have to eat more.”

“Well, that answers a few questions, but is that all my food that you’re eating?” Twilight asked as the summoner shook her head.

“Half of it is food from my world, while the other half is food from your kitchen.” The Summoner said before letting out a small belch. “Also, you’re out of eggs, milk, and pancake mix.”

“I’ll pick up some more food on the way back from Canterlot,” Twilight said before walking to a seat next to her counterpart. “More importantly, I would like to know a little bit about your world. More specifically, how your world is run. Does it have some kind of-” Before the alicorn could speak more, her counterpart placed a hand over her mouth.

“I know that we just met and all, so I’m going to let this one slide seeing how it’s your first time. Rule number one. I don’t talk about stuff like biology, mathematical equations, or anything surrounding knowledge when I’m eating. It’s distracting and I prefer not to have my food turn cold. And before you say anything about that. Yes, I could use my magic to heat my food back up, but it leaves a weird aftertaste in my mouth.” She said before removing her hand from Twilight’s mouth.

“Um…sorry.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t know, hence why I’m giving you a heads up so you’ll know what not to do.” She said after gulping down what appears to be some kind of semi-cooked squid. Which in turn caused Twilight’s face to turn slightly green, mainly because she was making slurping and chewing sounds.

“How can you eat this stuff without getting sick? I mean the eggs are understandable, but a lot of this stuff is meat from…what I can guess is from your world and not get sick?”

“War and evolution pretty much made that possible for ponies in Eorzea to be able to eat meat without getting sick.” The summoner said before grabbing a handful of boiled eggs. “Which I’m not complaining about, because being in an area with little to no plant life can cause problems for those who are herbivores.” She said before popping a few eggs into her mouth.

“While I can understand we’re from different worlds, shouldn’t you be mindful of other ponies around you? Not everypony is that comfortable with the fact that you eat meat. It could cause relationship problems if you were to-”

“I don’t care.”

“...Excuse me?”

“You stated yourself that we’re from different worlds. Unlike you who choose the life of a princess for the ponies of Equestria, I chose to be an adventurer along with my friends. Sure we may have similar characteristics and traits, but besides all that, we’re not the same. So I’m going to say this as best if not politely as possible. I don’t care about how ponies see me. I know you mean well about trying to be on the public’s good side, but I don’t care so much about how I’m looked upon by others. I’m not a pony pleasure like you.” She said while reaching over for a mug of apple cider.

“...Wow...edge lord much?” Spike said, only for the unicorn to throw a still living octopus at his face. Upon making an impact, Spike let out a scream as he started to run around the room they were in. Twilight quickly used her magic to pull the sea creature off of the young dragon’s face as she glared at her counterpart, who in turn had a smug expression on her face.

“Was that necessary?” Twilight asked.

“You should teach your friend not to be a smartass.” The summoner said after noticing Twilight’s magic covering Spike’s ears. “You know you can’t keep protecting him from foul words. Especially if he’s around me or the others.”

“Then don’t say stuff like that around him and I won’t have to cover his ears.” She said before removing her spell over Spike’s ears.

“Yeah…no promises on that.”

Prologue: The End of Equestria

Prologue

The End of Equestria

(Crystal Empire)

(Year 1,500)

The sky around the battlefield of the Crystal Empire darken as pieces of stars from the heavens fell down onto the ground. From the sky emerged a blue sphere slowly making it’s way down as it lit up the night sky with azure colors for every pony in equestria to see. From the town of Ponyville, to the city of Canterlot. Everypony could see the huge sphere plummeting towards the ground slowly along with the sky streaking with meteors. This would be an amazing sight to be held if it wasn’t for the fact that the sphere carried Equestria’s doom. As the star fell from the sky, a loud explosion could be heard from the battlefield, the cry’s of war echoed throughout the crystal empire.

Applejack’s nose burned from the mixed smell of gunpowder, blood, and magic swirling around the field of the Crystal Empire as she charges through the battlefield of ponies. With axe in hand she slashes at the ponies that were trying to hit the mare warrior, only to be met with a heavy deep slash at the soldier’s chest or having their heads cut clean off. One of King Sombra’s soldiers tried to get the drop on Applejack from behind, but was quickly blocked by the shaft of her axe. Gritting her teeth, she parried the sword of the earth pony out of his hand and counters with a strong slash to his chest. Sending the pony flying off to the side. Once the pony fell to the ground dead, Applejack lifted her visor on her helmet as she looked up at the Azure sky at the falling sphere. As she looked up at the sphere, a memory from before the war appeared in her mind as she was now lost in thought.

“D-Do you really have to go Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked as she tried her best not to cry.

“You know I can’t just ignore this Apple Bloom. I along with Twilight and the others have to do this for not only your sake, but for the future of Equestria.” Applejack said as she was finished fashioning her armor onto herself. “I know you don’t want me to go, but I’m doing this so you don’t have to ever fight in a war ever.”

“Can’t somepony else do it. Why not anypony from the other countries?”

“If that was to happen, then I wouldn’t be going to help fight against King Sombra. Look, I know what you’re trying to do Apple Bloom. But I can’t let you stop me from doing what is right.” The apple pony said as she finishes putting her gear on as she walks over to her axe and place it on the holster on her back. Looking back she could see Apple Bloom trying to wipe the tears from her eyes as she walked over and place a hand onto the young pony’s head. “I’m sorry, truly I am Apple Bloom. I know what I’m saying may not get to you, but someday you’ll understand why I have to do this.”

“P-Please…..don’t go….” Apple Bloom begged as she hugged Applejack in an attempt to try and stop her.

“Apple Bloom….I’m sorry.” Applejack pulled her little sister away from her hug as she delivered a powerful punch to her stomach. Not enough to hurt her, but with enough force to knock her out. Once she felt Apple Bloom’s body go limp after letting out a painful gasp, she quickly picked her up and placed her onto her bed. Looking down at the sleeping pony, Applejack wiped away a tear rolling down her sister’s face as she smiled softly at the young filly. “Look after Big Mac and Granny for me sis.” The farm pony said as she turned around and headed towards the door.

Before the memory could continue, Applejack was soon brought back to reality as a bullet hit her helmet causing it shatter into pieces as she was knocked off her feet and kneeling down onto the ground. Groaning from the sudden pain to her head. She quickly looked up from her train of thought as she saw the one that shot at her. Behind the stallion was magitek armor that was charging and getting ready to fire upon Applejack.

“Dammit, this can’t be how It ends for me.” The warrior thought as she closes her eyes, and braces for the impact of the bullets fired from the soldiers to hit her. Only for her ears to twitch upon hearing the bullets being deflected by a magic barrier. Opening her eyes she saw what appeared to be a veil of magic surrounded her followed by the sounds of arrows hitting the dark empire’s soldiers. Appearing right beside her was Equestria’s best bard/marksmare pony Pinkie Pie as she fired two arrows at the soldiers aiming at Applejack.

“Sorry for the wait Applejack.” Pinkie Pie said as she continued to fire while dodging the gunfire. “Had to make a path for the others to get here.”

“Others?” Pinkie Pie simply used her tail to point behind the warrior farm pony. Looking behind herself, Applejack saw Twilight and the others rush over to where she and Pinkie Pie were. Fluttershy was the first to see the downed mare as she flew over to her and quickly began to use her magic to heal her.

Before the mare riding the magitek could fire upon Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy, she was soon gutted from above from a cyan colored mare wearing dark purple colored dragoon armor. The soldiers around the magitek armor were taken by surprise from the pegasus killing the rider on the mech as they opened fire upon her. As they opened fire upon her, they were quickly hit by a combination of both fire and thunder spells. Once hit at the same time, an explosion from the magitek being hit by thunder caused the soldiers around it to be send flying backwards.

“Little warning would be nice if you’re planning to do that girls.” Rainbow Dash said as she lands next to Applejack and the others.

“Trixie would’ve said something, but the opportunity presented itself and we had to take it.” Trixie said as she readies another spell.

“I would have to agree with Trixie on this one darling.” Rarity added as she transforms her staff into a rapier and floating crystal in the shape of a red heart. “But we’re sorry for not giving you a warning.”

“Glad to see you girls are here.” Applejack said as she felt Fluttershy stop healing her.

“Of course we’re here. What?” Twilight said as she fired a ruin spell at the cannon hole of another magitek causing it to explode upon impact. “You think we would’ve left you hanging and fight alone in this war? We’re friends Applejack. We always stick together.” upon hearing that, Applejack tilted her head down a bit as a tear rolled down her face.

“T-Thanks girls.” Applejack said as she wiped away a tear rolling down her face. Before she could pull herself up from the ground, the warrior mare along with the white mage heard a group of Sombra’s soldiers heading towards them. Before anyone could do anything, a familiar looking white alicorn paladin and dark blue alicorn dark knight charged in from the left causing the soldiers to be sent flying off to the side.

“The one time I’m force out of retirement and it had to be a war like this.” Celestia said as she cracked her neck. “Never in my entire life would I think to find myself back on the battlefield.”

“Then maybe next time you should have taken up my offer to spar with me during your days off from diplomatic stuff. Instead of eating cake and relaxing in your bed.” Luna said with a smirk on her face as it caused Celestia to roll her eyes to her sister’s comment. “Is everypony here accounted for?”

“Seems like it from my perspective.” Applejack said as she pulls herself up from the ground along with her axe. “So what’s the game plan?”

“Shining Armor and Cadence are keeping Sombra’s soldiers busy while Luna’s special force make their move onto the King to take him out before the sphere breaks open.” Twilight said as an arcane circle appeared around herself as she begins to write in it. “We need to take care of the forces on the battlefield so that we can give them a fighting chance. Boost their morale as they say.”

“Trixie is wondering. What if your brother and sister in law’s plan fails before the mad king break the locks that Princess Celestia and Luna’s parents placed on the dragon king?”

“Then we’ll have to go with plan B and hope that Sunburst can perform the same spell that sealed the primal up like before.” Twilight slammed her book closed as a emerald colored carbuncle appeared next to her. “Applejack, Celestia. You two take the front lead in the assault. Pinkie, provide them cover fire like always.” Applejack and Celestia charged through the battlefield. As they begin to come across a few soldiers heading their way, Pinkie Pie took aim as she head shotted two earth ponies. While Pinkie Pie provided cover fire from a distance, Applejack brought her axe up like a bat and swung it around in a spinning motion as she knocked out two unicorns in her path. Seeing Celestia coming her way, she quickly spinned out of her way as Celestia used her shield to bash the head of a mare before thrusting her sword into her chest and tossing her in the direction of Applejack. Applejack saw the mare heading towards her along with a small group of colts as she quickly spun around like a twister as the mare and the group of soldiers were knocked out of the way.

“Trixie, Rarity, you take care of the magitek. They’ll take a while to fire when using the cannon, so hit them before they fire.” Both unicorns nodded their heads as they saw two magitek armor riders prepare to fire at the warriors of light. Once the riders were at the point of firing, Trixie and Rarity fired a fire spell and verthunder at them causing them to explode In a mix of fiery red and blackish blue lightning.

“Rainbow Dash, try to take out the magic users that you can spot. We need to make sure the wonderbolts can have an aerial advantage. And in case they’re carrying any injured ponies” Rainbow Dash quickly jolted into the sky for a moment before coming down onto a group of unicorns that were ready to fire off an area of range spell onto the Equestrian forces.

“Fluttershy, go and tend to the wounded on the battlefield and see if you can patch them up the best that you can. Luna will protect you while you’re doing that, but you’ll have to provide her with support when you’re done.” Fluttershy and Luna nodded as the duo made their way back onto the battlefield. While keeping her eyes on Luna and Fluttershy, the alicorn summoner soon picked up on Shining Armor calling for her via echo. “What’s the news on the small task force Brother?”

“They were able to take out King Sombra...but they weren’t quick enough to stop him from activating the Lunastra.” Shining Armor said as Twilight’s eyes widen in shock and horror at this news.

“Y-You mean…..Bahamut’s going to be freed from his imprisonment inside Lunastra. How long before he’s loose?” Before she could get an answer from Shining Armor, Twilight’s ears twitch upon hearing the sound of something falling from the sky. Looking up she could see one of the keys from Lunastra falling off and come crashing down onto the battlefield. This caused a powerful earthquake to erupt underneath the ponies along with sending them backwards from the powerful gust of wind from the force behind it.

“I would like to say minutes...but that would be me keeping the truth from you given what you just saw just now.”

Everypony on the battlefield paused upon seeing the allagon key hit the ground as they all looked up at Lunastra as it slowly begins to crack. Pieces of the sphere began to come apart bit by bit as a huge pair of draconic like wings spewed out from the top. Most of the ponies below Lunastra began to panic upon seeing the wings appear from the sphere prison. They knew what was about to happen to them...no, what was about to happen to equestria. There was a moment of silence in the air minus the screams from fleeing ponies and possibly other being from different nations. More and more keys began to spew out until a mighty roar burst out from Lunastra that could be heard all across equestria along with Lunastra erupting and shooting pieces of allegon across the nation of Equestria and the crystal empire. As the allegon pieces scatter across Equestria causing mass destruction, the King of all dragons Bahamut burst through the eruption as he turns and scatters homing like beams of concentrated flare attacks all around the battlefield. Causing the earth to be ripped asunder by the force of the primal dragon.

Twilight along with her friends and the princesses stood in shock at the destruction of Bahamut’s attack. Not in their entire lives have they seen something like this. Sure there was Discord who could bend reality to his will and everything. But to see a dragon of that size lay waste to parts of Equestria in less than a few seconds...this...this was something they were not expecting to see when they heard the stories of Bahamut.

“T-This can’t be happening...can it?” Rarity asked as she and the others regrouped around Twilight.

“I’m afraid so Rarity.” Celestia answered as she looked over the scorched earth. “I knew that Bahamut was strong from what our parents left behind in the archives...but I never imagined him to be this powerful.”

“Isn’t there a way to stop him or something?” Rainbow Dash asked as she looked at the primal god in anger. “We can’t just stand here and do nothing right?”

“Trixie is to scared to actually move at this moment. She thinks that we should run like everypony else is doing….but she doesn’t think it’ll be an option now.”

“What makes you say that Trixie?” Fluttershy asked as the black mage unicorn pointed behind her. The white mage turned around to see one of Bahamut’s homing flare attack heading towards them as it caused her to yelp and hide behind Luna.

“Brace for impact!” Applejack yelled as she, Luna, and Celestia stood in front of the oncoming attack in a way to try to block it, only for a huge magical barrier appeared around them as the attack hit the barrier instead of them. “What the?”

“Trixie is glad that we’re not dead...but she has to ask who put up this powerful barrier?”

“T-That would be us.” Everypony turned their attention behind them at the cliff as they saw Sunburst and Starlight standing behind them holding their ground as they try to keep the barrier standing.

“I don’t know how long we can keep this up. The force behind Bahamut’s attack is much more powerful than we predicted!” The scholar unicorn said she felt the barrier break. Holding onto Sunburst, she and the wizard tried to recreate the barrier around them all. It was working for a split second before a powerful shockwaves shatters it again as it causes the two unicorns to be pushed back. As the gust of wind flew past them by the beating of Bahamut's wings, Twilight and her friends stared in horror at the dragon king as he let out a mighty roar that cleared the air of any dust or smoke clouds within the area.

“Starlight, get behind me.” Sunburst ordered as the scholar did as she was told. Once she was behind him, the wizard slammed his staff onto the ground as a pillar of light appeared from the Crystal Empire heading towards Bahamut. The light soon formed around the primal god as twelve spears of light appeared around him and form a sphere of light around Bahamut. Once the sphere was formed, an arcane magic circle appeared around it as it began to close itself onto Bahamut.

“It’s working! Plan B is going to work!” Twilight said as her hopes of ending the fight rocketed to new heights...only for it to come tumbling down as Bahamut erupted from the sphere of light like it was nothing. Everypony looked out in a mix of horror, disbelief, and sorrow as to what came next. Bahamut began to charge up a powerful attack, a ball of highly concentrated flare magic that was about the same size as Lunastra began to form above Bahamut.

“.....I’m not the type of pony that would give up.” Applejack said as she stared at the oncoming attack with a defeated expression on her face. “But….I think….that this is the end for us.”

“You can’t be serious!?” Rainbow Dash yelled as she threw her lance at Bahamut’s chest, only for it to bounce off it and fall to the ground. “Isn’t there anything else we can do?” The Dragoon asked as she looked over at Twilight who had streams of tears falling down her face.

“.....I got nothing...that spell that was used before was the only ace in the hole that we could use on Bahamut to seal him away...now that he was able to break it like it was nothing more than paper….I don’t know what to do now.”

“Trixie….suggest that we pray to faust that this will end quickly and painlessly.” Trixie said as she sat down onto the ground. “Trixie would never have thought it would end like this. She always thought she would die doing what she loves.”

“Being all Great, Powerful, and a show off pony.” Rainbow Dash said sarcastically as the black mage nodded her head. Not even going to come up with a comeback to Rainbow Dash’s comment. “Wow….this is the end for us if you can’t come up with a comeback to what I just said.”

“Sister….I...” Luna said as Celestia looked over at the dark knight who had a scared expression on her face. Before Luna could say anything else, she felt the paladin reach out towards her and pulled her into a loving protective hug.

“Don’t say anything. Let’s just….have this moment until the end.” Celestia said as Luna looked up to see Celestia crying.

“What I wouldn’t give to spend just a few more hours with Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said as she pulled out a picture of her and Sweetie Belle playing dress up. A melancholy smile came across her as she tossed the picture into the air as it burned up from the heat of the megaflare. “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, but it looks like I won’t be able to keep the promise that I made to you before I left. I…..I do hope that you could forgive me...someday.” The red mage said as she walked over to Fluttershy who was holding onto Pinkie Pie for comfort while crying.

Up on the cliff behind the group. Starlight moved from behind Sunburst as she wrapped an arm around the colt’s neck and pulled him in close to her. He could feel Starlight shaking in fear as they both watched the dragon continue to gather energy to wipe them along with Equestria off the face of the earth.

“Sunburst...before the end comes for us...there's something I have to tell you before we meet our end.” Starlight said as she looked up at Sunburst with tears rolling down her face. Just as she was about to confess to the stallion, she felt Sunburst place a finger on her lips as he smiles.

“Don’t, I already know what you’re about to say.” Sunburst said as he lowered his fingers and looked back at Bahamut. “Look at him. A dragon created from the rage and anger of the dragons long ago before anyone of us were born. To think that it would be this powerful even when it was sealed away for a thousand years. All that anger, all that rage. It amazes me that it didn’t break out of the Lunastra sooner.” The wizard chuckled but still had the smile on his face.

“Sunburst?”

“You’ll have to forgive me. If it wasn’t for the fact that we’re in a situation like this, this would be a bit exciting to some degree.”

“You really are a nutcase you know that?” Starlight said as she chuckled a bit while leaning her head onto his shoulder. “But you’re my nutcase….think the end’s going to be painful?”

“Maybe...but you won’t be around to see it happening.”

“W-What do you mean?” Starlight felt herself being lift up by Sunburst as she was soon tossed towards Applejack.

“Applejack! Catch Starlight!” Applejack quickly turned around to see the scholar unicorn heading towards her as she quickly catches her in her arms.

“Sunburst what are you doing!?” Starlight yelled as she jumped down from out of Applejack’s arms and glared at the stallion..

Sunburst said nothing as his hand rose up. Once it was up an arcane circle appeared in front of him as the same arcane circle that appeared in front of himself appeared around everypony below him. Sunburst looked over at Applejack as he smiles at her and mouthing the words that only Applejack could be able to see.

“Take care of her and the child.”

Before Applejack could even say anything, Sunburst began to teleport them one by one away from the battlefield. As everypony was being teleported, Applejack looked over her body for a moment before looking up at Sunburst who was crying while smiling. Seeing this, Applejack smiled back and nodded to his request before she was teleported off. Sighing with relief that Starlight and the others were successfully teleported away, Sunburst glared at the primal dragon god as his body began to glow and flow with magic.

“Alright monster. Let’s end this.” Sunburst burst off the cliff like a bullet as a mach cone appeared around the wizard. At the same time, Bahamut unleashed the megaflare that he was building up at Sunburst. Both beings unleashed their attacks as they both were on a on board collision course with each other. Once they made contact with each other, there was a blinding light that erupted from the collision as everything faded to white.

Author's Note

Thus brings an end to Equestria. But as they say, every end marks a new beginning. Tune in for the next chapter.

Chapter 8: A Taste of Darkness

Chapter 8

A Taste of Darkness

(Twilight’s Castle)

As Twilight and her friends were busy talking amongst themselves about why the map summoned them and why their cutie marks are all gathered at one place on the map. The White Mage and Warrior make their way into the room that the Elements of Harmony are in. The Warrior began to look around the room as she gave off a small whistle in amazement at what she’s seeing.

“This place reminds me of the Crystal Tower that we ended up exploring with Twilight and the others.”

“The only difference is that there aren’t any booby traps, tower defense systems, or monsters trying to kill us.” The White Mage said as she walked over to Twilight and her friends at the table.

“But if this is Ponyville, why are our cutie marks over there?” Fluttershy asked pointing over to the cluster of cutie marks floating in one area of the map.

“I don’t know. But it seems like the map wants us to find out. The tree, the chest, this castle, and now the map. How can we not follow it?” Twilight said as Rainbow Dash flew over the map to where their cutie marks were gathered.

“You know what? There’s a ton of room for danger and adventure along that route. Count me in!”

“Aw shoot. I reckon you’re right.” Applejack said as Rainbow Dash fist bumped the farm pony with a grin on her face.

“Well I was going to organize my baking sheets with my counterpart, but okay. I’ll join!” Pinkie Pie said as Rarity sighed with a small smile on her face.

“Very well. I guess I can join in on this little adventure as well.” She said before every looked over at Fluttershy.

“Oh...um….maybe I’ll just stay here with my other counterpart?”

“That might be hard for you to do that sugarcube.” The Warrior said as everyone turned their attention towards the doorway and were surprised to see her and the white mage standing there.

“When did you two get here, and how did you get inside Twilight’s home?” Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You kinda accidentally left the door to the castle unlocked.” The white mage answered which caused Twilight to blush in embarrassment. “But if you’re wondering why we’re here? Our Twilight wants us to go with you in case we might end up finding our friends.”

“That and in case an Ascian shows up.” The Warrior added. “You girls aren’t that well prepared to fight against something like that. At least with us we can at least try to hold our ground with it.”

“I guess that makes sense and all. But shouldn’t the rest of your friends come along then?” Twilight asked as the white mage shook her head.

“Somepony has to stay here and protect Ponyville if another monster attack like before happens in town. Now that the Ascians are here, this place might be up for being targeted by them.”

“Plus we can handle whatever it is that’s going to happen on ya’lls adventure. So the two of us will be enough.” The Warrior said before smirking and looking over at Fluttershy. “So, are you going with us or not?”

“Oh, um….maybe I’ll just stay here with Spike?” She said before Spike entered the room with a drinking hat and foam finger on his right hand.

“Wait you’re staying here? Awesome! Me and Big Mac have a huge day ahead of us talking hoofball, and trading hoofball cards, and arguing about hoofball states and-”

“On second thought. Maybe I better go along with them. In case they need me.” Fluttershy said as the white mage and warrior chuckled at how she changed her mind so quickly.

“Looks like it’s time for a road trip.” Twilight said as she and the group began to make their way out of the room and off to the friendship express.

“Suit yourself, but he has a Hawk Fetball Rookie card I plan to sweet talk him right into these hot little claws.”

The train slowly stopped upon reaching it’s last destination to where the map was leading Twilight and her friends to. Once the train stopped, the group of ponies walked off from the Friendship Express before taking notice that the train quickly left then in a barren land filled with nothing but rocks, eroded gravel, and boulders. Twilight took a quick look at the map she made before they left as she began to lead the group through to their destination.

“Okay, I have to ask this question.” Rainbow Dash said as she looked over at the warrior and White mage. “How is it that you’re stronger than our AJ and how can your Fluttershy use magic? Pegasi can’t use magic of any kind, yet your Fluttershy can use magic.”

“Really Rainbow Dash?” Applejack said with a deadpan expression on her face. “Not even going to try to be a bit subtle about it?”

“What? It’s an honest question! Can’t I be curious as to how she was able to take down a manticore by herself?”

“Applejack trains a lot as we travel from place to place around Equestria. Fighting powerful monsters and demons pretty much made her the team’s strongest mare in the group. As for how I’m able to use white magic. It’s a bit hard to explain seeing how Twilight and Celestia aren’t here to do the explaining. But it’s pretty much been like that since I was born since my father is the guild leader of the conjurer guild.”

“Conjurer Guild? What is that if you don’t mind me asking?” Twilight asked as she pulled out a quill and paper.

“The conjurer guild is a place where ponies go if they want to walk the path of the white mage. Conjury calls upon the elements of earth, wind, and water and concentrates them to a potency at which spells can be weaved. Through practiced meditation on the essences of creation, conjurers draw forth and absorb aether from their immediate surroundings.”

“So they’re like doctors?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Something like that. But it’s more like we’re able to help heal and cure a pony of certain ailments and injuries.”

“Interesting.” Twilight said as she wrote it down on the paper before looking over at the warrior. “What about you? Are you a knight like the ponies in the royal guards?”

“No, I’m not. Just like with Fluttershy’s path of the white mage. I took up the path of the Warrior.”

“Oh! Like a battle warrior in the comics that Spike and I read from time to time!?” Pinkie said before shoving said comic book in front of the warrior’s face as she grabs it to look it over a bit.

“.....Why is she wearing skimpy armor that looks like it belongs to some pervert’s sex dungeon? How in the twelves is she going to protect herself from attack with nothing but bikini armor?” She asked as she looked over at Pinkie Pie who simply shrugs innocently. The warrior sighs before placing the book to the side of her seat. “No, that’s not accurate. I’ll make my explanation short. Warriors are savage mercenaries born from beastmastery. The tribe of diamond dogs that I learned to become one is located on the northernmost edge of Abalathia's Spine back in Equestria.”

“You took lessons from a bunch of savage brutes?” Rarity asked as the warrior deadpans at the seamstress. “S-Sorry.”

“Just because they’re savages when it come to battle, doesn’t mean they’re like that outside of battle. Do show some respect instead of judging other so quickly without getting to know them.”

“So you’re a mercenary in a way?” Twilight asked.

“Technically yes, but I make up my own rules when it comes to being hired by ponies that need a monster to be killed.”

“Very interesting.” The Alicorn said as she continued to write down the information on the stroll. “How did you two decide to take the paths of becoming a Warrior and White Mage?” She asked as both the warrior and white mage paused as they looked at each other for a moment before looking at Twilight with uneasy expressions on their faces.

“We...prefer not to talk about it.” The warrior said before rubbing the back of her head. “At least not right now.”

“Why not now?” Rarity asked. “We’re going to be walking for a while so it shouldn’t be a problem if you told us why you chose-”

“Applejack said she doesn’t want to talk about it and neither do I for the time being.” The White Mage said interrupting the seamstress mid sentence. “We’ll answer anything else about our world to some degree, but that’s something we’re not comfortable talking about at this time.”

“A-Alright, we won’t press the issue any further until you feel like talking about it. Right girls?” Twilight asked as they nodded in agreement. “My next question is If you don’t mind me asking, but what’s the difference between our princesses and yours? I mean I get the whole armor thing, but what’s the difference in personality wise.”

“Oh, um….well I don’t want to sound rude or disrespectful to your princesses.” The White Mage said while trying to think of a way to not be too harsh with her words. “Um….eh….Applejack could you help me?”

“W-Why are you asking me for? I’m talking about those two battle crazed idiots.” The Warrior said as she quickly looked off to the side trying not to be get involved. The White Mage sighs before looking back at Twilight and the others.

“When outside of fighting, they’re the same as your princesses to some degree...but when it come to battles or sparring with them….they can be….a bit battle lustful at time.”

“More like all the time.” The Warrior added as she rubbed her neck. “Lightly sparring my flank. Luna almost took my head off when she went all out on me.”

“How bad was it?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“It went from zero to a hundred in less than five minutes. It was even worse when I made Luna bleed.” The Warrior shivered at the bad memories of the fight. “Word of advice, never take them up on their offer to spar with them.”

“Um…noted.” Twilight said with a nervous chuckle before placing the scroll in her saddle bag. “I think that’s enough questions for the time being. Let’s focus on the task at hand and keep on walking girls.” She said as the others nodded in agreement and continued on walking. After a bit of walking, the group soon come across a bridge that lead to the other side of where their destination was as they stopped.

“Guess we’ll have to cross this bridge to get to where the map is leading us?” Applejack asked as the alicorn nodded.

“That’s what the map said that I copied down before we left. It shouldn’t be a problem for us to cross.” She said as the alicorn was about to take a step forward before halting as the white mage spread her wing in front of Twilight. “What’s wrong?”

“You picking something up Fluttershy?” The warrior asked as she placed a hand on her axe.

“Yes, and it’s been following us since this morning.” The white mage said as she turns around and looked behind them. “Show yourself! The others may not be able to sense you, but I can!” Right on cue, a dark gastly portal appeared from behind them as it quickly vanish to reveal an Ascian. Both the white mage and warrior quickly stood in front of Twilight and her friends as they glared down the colt in the black rob and red mask.

“Well aren’t you the interesting one. Hydaelyn picked her champions pretty well if I must say.”

“You must be the Ascian that Celestia was talking about?” Twilight asked as she moved pass the two warriors of light. “Were you the one that sent that monster to attack our town back in Ponyville?”

“And if I was, what do you plan on doing little pony?”

“You jerk! You could’ve killed somepony with that thing!” Rainbow Dash said as she flew over next to Twilight.

“That's the whole reason why I sent it to kill you all...though that was the original plan before your counterparts killed the lesser demon I sent. But nonetheless, I’m just testing the waters with you mortals, mainly Hydaelyn’s champions.” He said aiming a finger at the Warrior and White Mage.

“I don’t know why you’re here and I don’t really care for your reason.” The White Mage said as aether began to glow from the pegasus’s rod as she aims it at the Ascian. “But you best leave this world and it’s ponies. Less you want to be destroyed.” She said as she was about to take a step forwards, only for her counterpart to appear in front of her with her hands out to stop her from advancing.

“W-Wait! Can’t we talk this out?” Fluttershy asked as she looked between her counterpart and the Ascian. “No pony should kill each other, nor hurt each other for whatever reason.”

“Sugarcube I get that you’re not the type to fight and all. But given the fact that this guy attacked your home and is from our world, you can’t reason with somepony that’s from a place of darkness.” The Warrior said as she readies her axe and puts her helmet on with the visor down.

“Now that’s just not fair. You don’t even know if he’s doing it against his will.”

“Fluttershy, darling. I know you mean well but-” Before Rarity could say anything, the white mage place a hand over Rarity’s mouth gently before removing it and looked back at her counterpart.

“If you want to ask him to stop, then go ahead and ask him to do so.” She said which caused everyone minus the Ascian to blink in surprise. There was a moment of silence before Applejack broke the silence by saying something.

“Are you plum crazy!? Princess Celestia….I mean your Princess Celestia said they’re dangerous, and this is the colt that attacked your friend and our town. You want Fluttershy to see if she can reason with him?”

“I’ll let my counterpart have a go and try to persuade him to leave and not attack this world. If she succeeds, then I’ll leave it to her to deal with them. If it doesn’t, then we’ll do things our way.” The white mage said before motioning her counterpart to do her method. The pegasus smiled as she nods and heads over to the Ascian. While the pegasus and the others were paying attention at Fluttershy, The white mage felt her shoulder being tapped on as she looked over at the Warrior to see what she wanted.

“I’m a bit surprised that you would let her do this. You do know what will happen to her right?”

“Yes, I know. But sometimes a little bit of an example is all a pony need to know that some ponies can’t be reasoned with kindness and words….That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way.” The White Mage said as she gripped the side of her arm. The warrior took notice to her friend gripping her shoulder as she looked over at her counterpart in both worry and caution.

“Um, excuse mister...Um...Ascian? Would you be so kind as to leave us and our world alone and not hurt anypony?” Fluttershy asked as the Ascian simply stared at the pegasus. “I mean, I’m sure there’s a reason behind why you’re doing this, but surely we can talk this over to come to an agree-” Before she could finish her sentence, she felt the Ascian quickly grab her by the throat and began to feel herself having a hard time breathing.

“Morbid creature. You think using peace will help you when dealing with my kind?” The Ascian asked as he put more pressure around Fluttershy’s neck as she began to choke and her face turning red from the strain of not being able to breath. “Foolish whore of a pegasus. We are beings far beyond your understanding. When I’m done with you, your friends will be next as I snuff the life out of them one by-” Before he could finish his statement, the Ascian felt his arm being cut off by the warrior’s axe as she swung it at the Ascian as Fluttershy fell to the ground gasping for air. Rainbow Dash took this moment to rush over to the gasping pegasus as she quickly picked her up and flew her back over to her friends.

“Fluttershy, take the others over across the bridge while I deal with him.” The Warrior said as she began to crack her knuckles and stood in front of the group.

“You’re planning on fighting him alone aren’t you?” The White Mage asked as she nodded. “A bit risky don’t you think?”

“You’re the only one who can sense their kind right? It’s better to have me stay here to keep him distracted while ya’ll get to where you need to go.”

“No way sugarcube. We’re not going to leave you alone with this monster.” Applejack said as Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, there’s no way we can abandon you with that meanie bo beanie!” Pinkie Pie said as Twilight readied her horn.

“I’ll provide help if need be, but I don’t think I’ll be of much help given how I don’t know how strong this Ascian is. But if you think we’re going to just up and leave you alone, then you got another thing coming. Because we don’t abandon friends!” Twilight said as the warrior looked over at her and her friend. A small smile appeared on her face for a moment before looking back at the Ascian.

“I hate to say this, but we better leave her to deal with the Ascian.” The White Mage said as Twilight and the others looked at her. “Given the fact that you girls have never fought against somepony like this, and the fact none of you are at the same level of combat and magic level as we are. You all would be at risk of getting a limb blown off, or worst.” She looks over at Fluttershy who was starting to breath normally and not coughing as much. “It's best to leave my Applejack to deal with him while we head over to where the map said it needs you six to be.”

“But what about-”

“I have faith in Applejack in being able to stand her ground against somepony like him.” She said before motioning them to walk over to the bridge. “Now go, I’ll cover the rear end so that no stray magic hits us from behind.” Twilight and her friends were a bit hesitant at first, but with a collected sigh they nodded and began to make their way over to the bridge. As they did that, the White Mage looked over at the Warrior as she quickly casted protect and regeneration onto the earth pony. “You better make it back in on piece Applejack.”

“Aw, worried that you’ll miss my blunt and honest personality~?” The Warrior said in a singsong tone. The Pegasus chuckled before shaking her head.

“No, more like you still have a promise to keep to Sunburst about protecting Starlight and the baby.” The Warrior’s eyes widen underneath the visor as she was about to say something to the mage about that. But by the time she turned around to confront her about it, she quickly took to the sky and followed after Twilight and her friends over the bridge.

“That mare really needs to stop eavesdropping on conversations like that.” She said before looking at the Ascian.

“Was it wise to have your healer leave?” The Ascian asked as he tosses over the Warrior’s axe to her as she catches it.

“No, but it’s not like I’ll have a problem dealing with you. You have a mage kinda vibe going on, so it shouldn’t be a problem kicking your flank around this place.”

“Underestimating your opponent will be your downfall champion of Hydaelyn.” He said as a dark colored aether started to form around his hands.

“Really? Because I could say the same thing to you.” She said before a red and orange colored aura surround the Warrior. The two of them glared at each other for a moment before they both started to run towards each other with their weapons and magics at the ready.