Final Fantasy Equestria: New Beginning

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.”