The World, As We See Itby jackfettgamesChaptersPrologue: The BookChapter 1: Alex's New JobChapter 2: Bon Bon Continually Misidentifies ChangelingsPrologue: The BookIt was a Saturday when Lyra showed me the book. I remember that for two reasons. First of all, it was the day after the Grand Galloping Gala commemorating Luna’s return. That gala continues to be a pain in my flank because everypony who was actually there won’t describe it beyond the vague terms of “a travesty” (as one certain mare put it), and it took me years just to figure out that property damage had, in fact, occurred. Any other investigation of mine has been waylaid by the fact that that gala was far past, and the one that Discord attended was much more interesting anyhow… But I digress. The other reason I remember that day was that it had been exactly one year since Lyra and I had met. Lyra actually did a lot of things for me that day, that sweet mare. She set up a veritable buffet of pastries and sweets for us, courtesy of the Cakes and herself (It took us two weeks to actually get through all the baked goods). She also made sure that we would have the entire day to ourselves, so we could spend it however we chose. We chose to spend a lot of that day at home, just talking. After a slightly heated debate about whether cherries or apples go better with ice cream (Apples have a full, natural sweetness, which perfectly complements the structured sweetness of ice cream!), Lyra spoke up. “So, I guess you’re wondering why I sit like this,” she began, gesturing to her position on the couch. In truth, I had wondered about that at first, but over time I just assumed that it was a trend from Canterlot. Twilight didn’t sit like that, but she didn’t seem like the most “in-the-know” mare either. Therefore, I was kind of confused when Lyra started a conversation with this comment. “Okay, why do you sit like that?” I replied, a slight smile ghosting my face. “I’ll show you.” Lyra led me into her room, where she pulled a book out from under her bed. The book had a hard, black cover, obviously worn with age. The pages were yellowed and slightly disjointed, as if somepony had turned them many a time. Other than that, the book had no distinguishing features; it just seemed like an old book. “What’s this book about, Lyra?” I inquired, looking for any anomaly on the cover. In response, she motioned me to sit by her on the bed. After I had settled down, Lyra opened the book to a page that wasn’t far from the front. The page was filled with uncolored sketches of weird creatures. These creatures were bipedal, not dissimilar to some monkeys. However, these animals lacked fur and a tail, only seeming to have a (generally short) mane on top of their heads. Perhaps in response to the lack of hair, these creatures were always adorned with clothing. The only parts of their bodies that seemed to be uncovered were their heads and their hands (as the front hooves were called on the aforementioned monkeys). The most ape-like features these creatures had were their faces, although they had more pronounced eyes, noses, and eyelashes. The variation between each sketch was subtle, perhaps the length of their mane or the width of their chin. yet the subjects seemed to be different. One of those subjects was sitting down in the way that Lyra sits… all the time, now that think about it. “I had to search for a long time,” Lyra faced me, interrupting my train of thought, “but I finally found a pony who knew what these creatures are. They’re called humans, and they’re an ancient species. They were extinct before the princesses were born, even before ponies as we know them existed!” Lyra continued, extremely excited. “Only a few relics of their existence remain, yet those relics imply that they were quite similar to today’s ponies!” I might have stopped Lyra’s rambling, but honestly, I was quite interested in humans as well. I was especially intrigued as to how these “humans” could match ponies. “Legend says they made huge cities in every part of the world. Imagine if all towns were as big as Canterlot and Manehatten! Yet, they still found a way to preserve all the other life that inhabited the world. They were geniuses!” Lyra paused, turning her gaze from me to the book, now serious. “I’ve proven that this book is from a time long past, yet… Look here.” Lyra turned the book to a dog-eared page that I hadn’t noticed. As she revealed the page, I could only stare in anticipation, then shock. There was a sketch of Applejack, performing her daily duty of bucking a tree. There was a sketch of Rarity, looking through different fabrics as if deliberating what the next fashion trend would be. There was a sketch of Pinkie Pie, frozen mid-bounce in a state of glee. There was a sketch of Fluttershy, caring for a variety of her animal friends, including that one rabbit that seems to be a permanent resident at her cottage. There was a sketch of Rainbow Dash wearing a Wonderbolt’s uniform, her head uncovered by the way she wore it. There was a sketch of Twilight Sparkle, using her magic to flip through a book while hovering with her wings. The wings she didn’t have, at the time. How could this sketch have been drawn? I trusted Lyra (especially after the time with the wooden conveyor belt, but I don’t want to go into another rant), but if she was telling the truth, then… I couldn’t fathom it. Those ponies, the elements, were alive right now, about the same age as Lyra and me. Humans had been dead before the princesses, before ponies… how could this be real? Could the elements time travel? Were humans more powerful than princesses? Was it just a coincidence? Is Rainbow Dash truly a Wonderbolt in this sketch, or is she in a costume? Is Twilight a princess? Lyra must have seen my shocked expression because she wrapped her foreleg around me. She worriedly asked, “Are you okay?” I could only quiver for a while, so she held me. Eventually, through counting the clouds outside of the window, I calmed down. Once I had, I said that I was okay. It was the only thing I could make myself say. Lyra tried to comfort me. “I don’t know what to make of it either. My predominant theory is that humans could view the future, like in a play or something, but they couldn’t affect it.” That explanation actually made sense, and it helped me calm down more. Lyra then continued, “Can I show you one more thing? You don’t have to subject yourself to anything else that would cause you to… shut down, but… I don’t want to feel like I’m hiding this anymore.” I knew a bigger revelation was coming. She looked scared, most likely for my mental health, and she implied that this “thing” was the last she wanted to show me. It was a battle between my curiosity about what could be more impactful than seeing ponies in a human sketchbook and my fear of the same thing. In the end, my curiosity won. “Yes, you can show me,” I replied softly. The page Lyra turned to was also dog-eared, and it wasn’t far from the page with the elements. Trepidation chilled my bones as the page was flipped, even though the action took half a second. The page was dominated by a sketch of Lyra and I sitting on a bench. Lyra was sitting in her usual, human way, while I wore a hoodie I swear I’ve never worn around her. Otherwise, the depiction was scarily accurate to our lives. Despite my attempts to steel myself for this sketch, I was still extremely impacted by it. If humans could see the future, why would Lyra and I be important? We’re just two roommates who have a relationship like any other two friends. Does something happen to us? Will we be okay? Will Lyra be okay? If she… I won’t make myself think about it. I can’t make myself think about it. Lyra continued to hold me tightly. As I hyperventilated to calm myself, I kept repeating, “I’m okay. We’re okay. You’re okay…” Lyra closed the pages of the book, but she must’ve forgotten to close the cover itself. As I recovered, I could see writing on the inside of that cover. I could see who was responsible for all of these sketches. This book belongs to: Alex Wylder A proud brony 5R�� � Author's Note This is the prologue to a story I will continue later. Please comment any tips or thoughts you have! Chapter 1: Alex's New Job‘And done.’ As I put the finishing touches on my sketch of Lyra and Bon Bon, I looked out the window of my train compartment, wondering how in the world I got a job at Incendie Corporation. I was never the brightest kid in school, getting an overall B average in almost every class. The one class I did excel in was, surprisingly, math. I figure I have a better time understanding solid concepts than interpreting information or memorization[1], but I guess the staff thought I just didn’t apply[2] myself in my other classes. Thus, I was subjected to an onslaught of tutoring advertisements, applications, even a few required meetings. The mandatory meetings were horrid, and I couldn’t wait to finish them and get back to obsessing over My Little Pony[3], among other things. I honestly don’t think the tutoring would’ve helped anyway; I did make the effort to work in my classes. Whatever, I graduated and got into the college two towns away from my parents; I don’t need to worry about public education anymore. My one year of college education was a lot more bearable to work through. Choosing class times really makes a difference[4], and specialized classes make the school day a lot more interesting. At one point, I found myself excited for some of my classes, just because of the way the information was presented. Crazy, right? I mean, there was still some things that I hated[5], but college was a lot better than high school with its courses. I even “excelled[6]” in five of my classes, in both semesters! I think my grades are the reason I’m on this train. See, I was ready to pay for a third semester of college when I got a letter from Incendie Corporation. Incendie Co. is the forerunner in mechanical engineering, at least in America. However, it only has one office, in an otherwise rural town. I guess the engineers want room for testing, and the company has other locations for shipping. Anyway, the letter stated that I was eligible for a recently opened position in accounting, and housing was included. All I had to do was work at their main office, about a thousand miles away from my home town. After a week of deliberating and a few long discussions with my parents, I decided to travel the thousand miles to take on this job. It’s the furthest I’ve travelled without my parents, but I need to be more independent anyway. You see, the only thing I want back from high school is my friendships. Sure, I did have my roommate in college, but he was away with his girlfriend half the time. In high school, my friends were always available to talk: at school, over the phone, after the mandatory tutoring sessions[7], pretty much any time. Our talks would range from the new Fall Out Boy concerts to popular Vines, even to My Little Pony. They were the only people to accept that I liked the show. In fact, I think I still have that catchphrase they coined for me in my sketchbook. Let me look: This book belongs to: Alex Wylder A proud brony It’s nice to keep a part of them with me. We tried long distance relationships when we all went to college, but it just never worked out. Within two months, we basically had radio silence with each other. So, yeah, more independence will hopefully bring me more friends. Wow, okay. I didn’t realize that the train was this close to the station. I must have drifted off for a while. I’ll just put my sketchbook back in my bag, and see what this job is all about. As I entered the Innovation building of Incendie Co., I couldn’t help my sense of awe at the sheer height of that building. No matter what, I always feel free when I see things in high places, whether it be a mountain, a plane, or a skyscraper, as this building technically is. It sure feels like it, with all the buildings around it not even breaking three stories. Oh, when I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot, being up in the sky more often than I was on the ground. That dream came to pass, but when I watch pegasi like Rainbow Dash flying in My Little Pony, speeding through the bright blue sky or just hovering over a magnificent view of vibrant green hills and quaint houses with simply pleasing structures and the pastel ponies just milling about a road without a truly evil thought… I relive that longing for the air, and the euphoria I got whenever I went to the roof of my dad’s office or hiked to the top of a mountain. I guess that’s why I like the show; it’s one of the only ways I can relive the innocent happiness of my youth. After a bout of staring that I hope wasn’t too long, I approached the front desk. “Hi. I’m Alex Wylder. Can I please see Mrs. Avante? Our meeting’s at four, uh, here, I can show you.” I pulled out the letter I had been keeping in my pocket. The receptionist looked at the clock. “You sure? That’s in, like, five minutes.” She took the letter. “Yeah, yeah. Well, you’re gonna hafta meet with Ms. Thomas. Mrs. Avante had her husband take her on surprise vacation to Hawaii, much to the dismay of everyone back here. There have already been five missed deadlines. But you don’t care about that, go on, if you hurry, you can make it to room G226 in time.” “Thank you.” I smiled at the receptionist, then hurried to the elevator just right of the desk. The meeting was surprisingly uneventful. Ms. Thomas was nice, I guess. She seemed preoccupied and was often staring into the middle distance. I guess it was the workload from Mrs. Avante’s vacation, like the receptionist said. Anyway, I had actually spent the week before the train ride preparing what I was going to say and what my credentials would be, because I did want to get hired here. However, my meeting with Ms. Thomas consisted of a couple of basic questions[8] and short “yeahs” in response to my answers. Then I got hired. I mean, the letter implied that the company had basically chosen me for the job, but I thought there would be more of a waiting period. Anyway, after instructing me to come in tomorrow at 7 am sharp[9], Ms. Thomas gave me the keys to my new apartment, and I’ve basically been lying on the bed for the entire time I’ve been here. A knock sounded from the door to my apartment. It’s probably Ms. Thomas, coming to ask about something she’d missed in the interview. I called out that I was coming, then I went to the door. “You forgot your letter.” The receptionist from earlier stood in the doorway, holding out the paper I had accidentally left with her in my rush to get to the interview. “Ya know, for an accountant, you’re not very organized. You just left this letter with me, didn’t even realize you didn’t have it until now, I bet. Anyway, here it is.” “Thank you,” I responded, taking the letter and moving to close the door. “If you’re wonderin’ how I found you, I know where all the lownies stay, here in this building,” the receptionist continued. “I just had to ask who checked in last. Us receptionists here, we’re a community.” I had to pause to make sense of her last comment. “… What’s a ‘lownie?’” “Oh, a lownie is someone who’s hired on a low level at Incendie. Can I come in?” “I mean, sure.” I opened the door for the receptionist as she walked in. I took this moment to really look at her. She had black, frizzy hair and a simple grey dress suit. She was about my age, and she had intense sparkling eyes. She must’ve seen me looking, because she commented, “I’m a lownie too, if you’re wondering. Started work here at the beginning of the summer. Ya know, I thought it’d be harder to get a job here, even at the front desk. They just asked me a few questions and I was in.” “Same with me. I wonder if all the interviews are like that.” “I think that they do massive background checks on everyone they offer positions to, so that they’ve basically hired them before the interview.” I was in a good mood, so I replied, “I can prove that is not the case with the fact that they hired me.” The receptionist giggled. “I’ll take your word for it. Anyway, my name is Hope Boston.” “I’m Alex Wylder.” “You already told me.” “Oh.” “Don’t worry about it. I can see it people’s faces, ya know, shame over something little. You really don’t have to worry.” Heh, that’s something one of my old friends would say. His name was Abraham, and he was one of the most caring guys I’ve ever met. I think I would like a friendship with Hope like I had with him. I’d certainly make something out of this internship that way. “Hey, Alex, so, you’re the newest guy here, why don’tcha say we head out tonight.” “Wha! Why would you ask me!?” “Because no one else seems to have any sense of fun in this town except you. You’re the only person I’ve met here who seems like they’d want and need a fun night out.” This was very unexpected. While I had good friends in high school, I would only rarely go out with them anywhere. Our discussions were enough, for me at least. I knew there was a party culture in my high school and college, but my disinterest in it only grew as time went by. I was happier looking into things my friends recommended for me and watching My Little Pony for my free time. But Hope was genuinely nice, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by leaving her alone all night. Besides, I hadn’t really tried a “fun night out,” maybe I’d like it. I love it. Okay, so, first off, there is one club in this town, and that’s Lost Paradise. It’s three blocks left of the Innovation building, and I’m taking note of that because I am definitely coming back. The music, the drinks[10], the dancing, the lights, the clientele, I thought they would all be suffocating, but it actually makes for a cool atmosphere. There might be a little less crowding because of the small town we’re in, but it was surprisingly crowded to me, not that it was bad. Just losing myself in dancing and good feelings, that felt really nice. However, I didn’t forget Hope. In fact, I’m going over to where she’s sitting right now to talk with her. “Having a good time?” She seems smug, for some reason. “Oh yeah. It’s really infectious, this feeling. It’s just a feeling. You know, the atmosphere, the lights, everything. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I like it.” “I got that from the way you were dancing out there for two hours. Straight.” Well. That’s, um, unsurprising but saddening. I didn’t want to abandon Hope, I thought I’d just be out dancing for a little. I mean, she paid for everything I had here, the drinks, admission. I don’t think that I’m being particularly nice right now. Perhaps I should just- “Don’t worry about it. Honestly, the way you worry about yourself is the worst part about you. How do you function with all that worrying in your head?” “Sorry, I-“ “I’ll tell you what, I already liked you when we talked in your apartment, but just now, when you were on the dance floor, you proved yourself to be someone I can get behind. I can see that in other people. It’s a knack I have.” “I’m really flatter-“ “Don’t feel the need to thank me for every complement I give you. Come on, if you want to, we can bounce and I can show you my favorite show.” That was- “Don’t think about it. Yes or no.” “Okay.” “Okay! Come on, I can show you what a pure joy it is to watch Supernatural…” I don’t really remember what happened for the rest of the night. Hope drove me to her apartment, showed me a bit of that show[11], and I decided to go back to my apartment at eleven. We said our goodbyes and made a plan to do the same thing tomorrow. I made my way down to my apartment, smiling the whole time. Hope really is a good friend. She gives me so much, a person she just met today! Others might see her as desperate, but I see that she is just… a great person. It might take me a little to completely trust her, but so far I’m moving a lot faster than I did in high school. It’s just a joy, wondering where our relationship will go, what we can do, how we will bond, all of it. Friendship truly is magic, as My Little Pony states. But now it’s getting close to the end of the day. Tomorrow I’ll have a new job, a new schedule, a new life, pretty much, but I can’t feel much of anything except excitement for it. [1] I shudder when I think of it. [2] My least favorite part of public education was the misleading terminology all the staff used. I’m glad I got away from that, at least. [3] The fourth generation starting in my freshman year of high school. I found out about it when I saw a forum post about the first episode, and ever since I watched that episode, I was hooked. [4] In my mood, at least. [5] *cough* memorizing *cough* [6] In my Chemistry teacher’s words. [7] They went with me, which is another reason that I love them. [8] Do you have any experience in the field? No, but I have taken relevant classes. Do you have any references? Yes, from my Chemistry, Calculus, and English teachers. Do you have any health issues? No. [9] Hooray. [10] Non-alcoholic for me. I don’t want to get in trouble with the law. [11] Unfortunately, I don’t really remember it. I may watch some of it on my own time to catch myself up. Author's Note And there's the first chapter! I know, there's a distinct lack of ponies in it, but there will be some coming next chapter. Anyway, I hope you like it. Chapter 2: Bon Bon Continually Misidentifies ChangelingsIt took me a few months to get over the shock of Lyra’s book. Lyra helped me deal with it, of course, but I couldn’t help seeing things differently. Whenever one of the elements came by my shop for sweets or just a hello, I couldn’t help but feel strained at the reminder of the book. That first month was the worst; if I even saw Twilight, I would freeze up, and Lyra would have to drag me home. Over time, I was able to keep my emotions in check; in three months, I was able to hold an entire conversation with Pinkie Pie about pie crusts without even remembering Lyra’s book. It still haunts me in the quiet of the night, even today, but I got better. Despite these emotions, I think that Lyra took the best course of action when she showed me the book. It would have come up sooner or later, and I don’t want to think of how I would have lived with this knowledge while also feeling betrayed. This way, Lyra and I grew closer instead. We had many long discussions about how and why the book was made, but we mostly stuck to Lyra’s original hypothesis. By the end of the second month, we were inseparable. That’s mostly what I remember of those four months. I don’t think they would be so blurry if our trials during Cadence’s wedding weren’t so vivid, but they were, and they started with a note. Dear Bon Bon, Did you know that there’s a wedding going on in Canterlot tomorrow? Well, there is, and I was chosen to be a flower girl there! I’m sorry to leave unannounced, but I needed to go as soon as possible! See you soon, Bonnie! With love, Lyra Heartstrings This letter was already suspicious. It was very short and vague, for one, and Lyra would wake me up if she had to go somewhere. The part that really got my attention was the nickname. “Bonnie.” Lyra knows I hate being called that, so I immediately started to pack for Canterlot (She was there; the letter was in her hornwriting and I was taught how hostage situations work.). The first thing I did was retrieve Lyra’s book, still under her bed. I could use it to get to her more easily; I could say she forgot it, and I was giving it to her. After a quick pack of necessities, I bought the next ticket to Canterlot and worried the whole train ride. Is she okay? Is she hurt? Maybe I should have brought a weapon, just in case. Could this be a misinterpretation? Probably not, but maybe I shouldn’t bring a weapon into the castle. Yeah, I’ll do fine, I’ll just scout and see how I can save her. I’m going to save her. What if this is what makes us the subjects of that sketch? The room started wavering, feeling too closed and open all at once. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision. I was glad I was sitting down; I don’t think I could handle this standing up. I was so worried that this would be an end to something. I was hyperventilating. I almost passed out, teetering on the edge of consciousness. But somehow, I pulled through. And I was more determined to save Lyra than ever. The train pulled up to Canterlot Station, slowing down as I became more anxious to get off and run for the castle. After a brief thanks to the steward after the train came to a complete stop, I sped off the train and down the main road. That was when I realized that a forcefield was put up around the city. This might have been bigger than I had thought. Nevertheless, I continued to rush to the castle, taking care to avoid the passerby. When I came to the palace, I slammed open the door to an unexpected scene. Decorations were put up all around the hall, like at one of Pinkie’s infamous parties. I guess there was a wedding after all. In fact, I think I see Pinkie now, pouring over a blueprint. I can’t trust her; she might be another pony in disguise or something else, but she is my best lead to Lyra. “Hi Pinkie,” I approached her, out of breath. “Oh, hi Bon Bon!” Pinkie responded, always in her chipper mood. “I didn’t know you were invited to the wedding! Like, me and my friends were invited, but that was because we saved Equestria and are good at parties. You know, I’m doing the Funtastic Festivities™ for the reception, Rainbow’s doing the Awesome Aerial Show™-” “That’s great Pinkie, but do you know where Lyra is?!” I probably would have listened, but I was pretty anxious to see where Lyra was and save her. “Lyra? She’s one of the Fantastic Flower Girls™, and she’s upstairs in the guest room on the right. She’s with Princess Cadenza Mi Amore. You should meet the princess, she’s-” “Thanks! I’ll get-” “Hey, wait a second. Why are you so excited to see Lyra?” “Oh, I need to give her this… b-book.” I had to struggle at the end of my excuse. I really didn’t need a reminder of that book, especially with an element (or somepony disguised as an element) in the same room. It only served to kindle my fears that Lyra’s capture could lead to something truly terrible. But I had to stay strong for Lyra. “Well, good luck on getting that b-book to Lyra! You know what, I could bring some b-books to the reception for ponies like Twilight. Not just books, but b-books!” Not wanting to reveal my nerves any more, I hurried up the stairs and found the guest room to the right. When I got to the door, I decided to slow down and open the door carefully, as to not reveal myself immediately. It turns out that if a pony is actually leaning on the door, that point is pretty much moot. “Oh! Hello there, how can I help… Bon Bon?!” “Lyra?! I mean, hi Lyra, how you doing?” Well, I wasn’t expecting Lyra to be at the door. I thought she would be tied up somewhere, and I would have to find her a way out. Well, I guess my job is easier if she isn’t incapacitated. “Bon Bon, um, what are you doing here? I gave you the letter, right? I’m okay, you don’t need to worry.” I actually started to doubt myself here. Was this just a misunderstanding? Did Lyra actually want to be a flower girl for this wedding? This might just be an overreaction on my part. “I guess I just wanted to check on you, see if you were all right,” I responded sincerely. Lyra stood still for a second. “Well, that’s alright.” She leaned in to give me a hug. “I’m sorry you can’t attend the wedding, but I’ll be home as soon as I can.” We hugged for a long while, just enjoying each other’s presence and thinking that everything was fine; there was no danger. Lyra pulled out of the hug. “By the way, what’s the book for? I don’t think I’ve seen a book like that… ever.” I froze. Something wasn’t right. Lyra had been holding on to this book for years. Hay, even if she hadn’t, the last four months of my anxiety would have cemented the book into her memory. I can’t even count how many times we sat down and talked about the book. This wasn’t Lyra. I backed off, now assured that something much bigger than I had thought was going on. “So, yeah, I guess I’ll be heading back to Ponyville, bye Lyra-” “Oh hello!” A new pony had entered the hallway, bright pink in color. I knew that it must be that princess that Pinkie(?) had mentioned. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Princess Cadenza Mi Amore, and you are?” “I’m, um, Bon Bon, a friend of Lyra’s.” “Well, nice to meet you! I’m sorry that you can’t attend the wedding, but I’ll be sure to wish you well later!” “Yeah, thanks. I was just going, I wanted to see Lyra, but she’s fine, so I guess I’m good.” “Well, see you later!” Now terrified, I started to walk slowly down the stairs. As I walked, I heard Lyra close the door, and the princess mutter something that completely broke me, to the point of falling down the stairs and fainting. “Ugh, not another pony on my case. I swear, I could kill that Wylder kid.” Someone’s in the hall. No it must be a dream. They’ve been there a while. Well it’s not as it seems. The crystals all around you- Yeah, stop judging me for that. They hold the Princess Cadence. Stop being such a gnat. That’s what I heard; while I was unconscious. It was meaningless at the time, but when I came to, during the Changeling invasion, those words took on a whole new meaning. But I must end my story here for now. Tomorrow I might feel better, but tonight- I’m not up to telling the story of Chrysalis and Alex Wylder. For now, I wanted to recount a vivid dream Lyra described to me. The dream happened when Lyra was under Chrysalis’s control, and it bears… correlations to mine when I learned about the book. Author's Note Hooray, a new chapter! First off, I wanted to thank everyone who has read this fic. Next, I wanted to address the weirdness of the last chapter, so I retconned in a connection that I hope is satisfactory until the actual reveal. Finally, if that bold part is confusing, I tried to make some lines with a sort of rhythmic flow. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Prologue: The BookIt was a Saturday when Lyra showed me the book. I remember that for two reasons. First of all, it was the day after the Grand Galloping Gala commemorating Luna’s return. That gala continues to be a pain in my flank because everypony who was actually there won’t describe it beyond the vague terms of “a travesty” (as one certain mare put it), and it took me years just to figure out that property damage had, in fact, occurred. Any other investigation of mine has been waylaid by the fact that that gala was far past, and the one that Discord attended was much more interesting anyhow… But I digress. The other reason I remember that day was that it had been exactly one year since Lyra and I had met. Lyra actually did a lot of things for me that day, that sweet mare. She set up a veritable buffet of pastries and sweets for us, courtesy of the Cakes and herself (It took us two weeks to actually get through all the baked goods). She also made sure that we would have the entire day to ourselves, so we could spend it however we chose. We chose to spend a lot of that day at home, just talking. After a slightly heated debate about whether cherries or apples go better with ice cream (Apples have a full, natural sweetness, which perfectly complements the structured sweetness of ice cream!), Lyra spoke up. “So, I guess you’re wondering why I sit like this,” she began, gesturing to her position on the couch. In truth, I had wondered about that at first, but over time I just assumed that it was a trend from Canterlot. Twilight didn’t sit like that, but she didn’t seem like the most “in-the-know” mare either. Therefore, I was kind of confused when Lyra started a conversation with this comment. “Okay, why do you sit like that?” I replied, a slight smile ghosting my face. “I’ll show you.” Lyra led me into her room, where she pulled a book out from under her bed. The book had a hard, black cover, obviously worn with age. The pages were yellowed and slightly disjointed, as if somepony had turned them many a time. Other than that, the book had no distinguishing features; it just seemed like an old book. “What’s this book about, Lyra?” I inquired, looking for any anomaly on the cover. In response, she motioned me to sit by her on the bed. After I had settled down, Lyra opened the book to a page that wasn’t far from the front. The page was filled with uncolored sketches of weird creatures. These creatures were bipedal, not dissimilar to some monkeys. However, these animals lacked fur and a tail, only seeming to have a (generally short) mane on top of their heads. Perhaps in response to the lack of hair, these creatures were always adorned with clothing. The only parts of their bodies that seemed to be uncovered were their heads and their hands (as the front hooves were called on the aforementioned monkeys). The most ape-like features these creatures had were their faces, although they had more pronounced eyes, noses, and eyelashes. The variation between each sketch was subtle, perhaps the length of their mane or the width of their chin. yet the subjects seemed to be different. One of those subjects was sitting down in the way that Lyra sits… all the time, now that think about it. “I had to search for a long time,” Lyra faced me, interrupting my train of thought, “but I finally found a pony who knew what these creatures are. They’re called humans, and they’re an ancient species. They were extinct before the princesses were born, even before ponies as we know them existed!” Lyra continued, extremely excited. “Only a few relics of their existence remain, yet those relics imply that they were quite similar to today’s ponies!” I might have stopped Lyra’s rambling, but honestly, I was quite interested in humans as well. I was especially intrigued as to how these “humans” could match ponies. “Legend says they made huge cities in every part of the world. Imagine if all towns were as big as Canterlot and Manehatten! Yet, they still found a way to preserve all the other life that inhabited the world. They were geniuses!” Lyra paused, turning her gaze from me to the book, now serious. “I’ve proven that this book is from a time long past, yet… Look here.” Lyra turned the book to a dog-eared page that I hadn’t noticed. As she revealed the page, I could only stare in anticipation, then shock. There was a sketch of Applejack, performing her daily duty of bucking a tree. There was a sketch of Rarity, looking through different fabrics as if deliberating what the next fashion trend would be. There was a sketch of Pinkie Pie, frozen mid-bounce in a state of glee. There was a sketch of Fluttershy, caring for a variety of her animal friends, including that one rabbit that seems to be a permanent resident at her cottage. There was a sketch of Rainbow Dash wearing a Wonderbolt’s uniform, her head uncovered by the way she wore it. There was a sketch of Twilight Sparkle, using her magic to flip through a book while hovering with her wings. The wings she didn’t have, at the time. How could this sketch have been drawn? I trusted Lyra (especially after the time with the wooden conveyor belt, but I don’t want to go into another rant), but if she was telling the truth, then… I couldn’t fathom it. Those ponies, the elements, were alive right now, about the same age as Lyra and me. Humans had been dead before the princesses, before ponies… how could this be real? Could the elements time travel? Were humans more powerful than princesses? Was it just a coincidence? Is Rainbow Dash truly a Wonderbolt in this sketch, or is she in a costume? Is Twilight a princess? Lyra must have seen my shocked expression because she wrapped her foreleg around me. She worriedly asked, “Are you okay?” I could only quiver for a while, so she held me. Eventually, through counting the clouds outside of the window, I calmed down. Once I had, I said that I was okay. It was the only thing I could make myself say. Lyra tried to comfort me. “I don’t know what to make of it either. My predominant theory is that humans could view the future, like in a play or something, but they couldn’t affect it.” That explanation actually made sense, and it helped me calm down more. Lyra then continued, “Can I show you one more thing? You don’t have to subject yourself to anything else that would cause you to… shut down, but… I don’t want to feel like I’m hiding this anymore.” I knew a bigger revelation was coming. She looked scared, most likely for my mental health, and she implied that this “thing” was the last she wanted to show me. It was a battle between my curiosity about what could be more impactful than seeing ponies in a human sketchbook and my fear of the same thing. In the end, my curiosity won. “Yes, you can show me,” I replied softly. The page Lyra turned to was also dog-eared, and it wasn’t far from the page with the elements. Trepidation chilled my bones as the page was flipped, even though the action took half a second. The page was dominated by a sketch of Lyra and I sitting on a bench. Lyra was sitting in her usual, human way, while I wore a hoodie I swear I’ve never worn around her. Otherwise, the depiction was scarily accurate to our lives. Despite my attempts to steel myself for this sketch, I was still extremely impacted by it. If humans could see the future, why would Lyra and I be important? We’re just two roommates who have a relationship like any other two friends. Does something happen to us? Will we be okay? Will Lyra be okay? If she… I won’t make myself think about it. I can’t make myself think about it. Lyra continued to hold me tightly. As I hyperventilated to calm myself, I kept repeating, “I’m okay. We’re okay. You’re okay…” Lyra closed the pages of the book, but she must’ve forgotten to close the cover itself. As I recovered, I could see writing on the inside of that cover. I could see who was responsible for all of these sketches. This book belongs to: Alex Wylder A proud brony 5R�� � Author's Note This is the prologue to a story I will continue later. Please comment any tips or thoughts you have!
Chapter 1: Alex's New Job‘And done.’ As I put the finishing touches on my sketch of Lyra and Bon Bon, I looked out the window of my train compartment, wondering how in the world I got a job at Incendie Corporation. I was never the brightest kid in school, getting an overall B average in almost every class. The one class I did excel in was, surprisingly, math. I figure I have a better time understanding solid concepts than interpreting information or memorization[1], but I guess the staff thought I just didn’t apply[2] myself in my other classes. Thus, I was subjected to an onslaught of tutoring advertisements, applications, even a few required meetings. The mandatory meetings were horrid, and I couldn’t wait to finish them and get back to obsessing over My Little Pony[3], among other things. I honestly don’t think the tutoring would’ve helped anyway; I did make the effort to work in my classes. Whatever, I graduated and got into the college two towns away from my parents; I don’t need to worry about public education anymore. My one year of college education was a lot more bearable to work through. Choosing class times really makes a difference[4], and specialized classes make the school day a lot more interesting. At one point, I found myself excited for some of my classes, just because of the way the information was presented. Crazy, right? I mean, there was still some things that I hated[5], but college was a lot better than high school with its courses. I even “excelled[6]” in five of my classes, in both semesters! I think my grades are the reason I’m on this train. See, I was ready to pay for a third semester of college when I got a letter from Incendie Corporation. Incendie Co. is the forerunner in mechanical engineering, at least in America. However, it only has one office, in an otherwise rural town. I guess the engineers want room for testing, and the company has other locations for shipping. Anyway, the letter stated that I was eligible for a recently opened position in accounting, and housing was included. All I had to do was work at their main office, about a thousand miles away from my home town. After a week of deliberating and a few long discussions with my parents, I decided to travel the thousand miles to take on this job. It’s the furthest I’ve travelled without my parents, but I need to be more independent anyway. You see, the only thing I want back from high school is my friendships. Sure, I did have my roommate in college, but he was away with his girlfriend half the time. In high school, my friends were always available to talk: at school, over the phone, after the mandatory tutoring sessions[7], pretty much any time. Our talks would range from the new Fall Out Boy concerts to popular Vines, even to My Little Pony. They were the only people to accept that I liked the show. In fact, I think I still have that catchphrase they coined for me in my sketchbook. Let me look: This book belongs to: Alex Wylder A proud brony It’s nice to keep a part of them with me. We tried long distance relationships when we all went to college, but it just never worked out. Within two months, we basically had radio silence with each other. So, yeah, more independence will hopefully bring me more friends. Wow, okay. I didn’t realize that the train was this close to the station. I must have drifted off for a while. I’ll just put my sketchbook back in my bag, and see what this job is all about. As I entered the Innovation building of Incendie Co., I couldn’t help my sense of awe at the sheer height of that building. No matter what, I always feel free when I see things in high places, whether it be a mountain, a plane, or a skyscraper, as this building technically is. It sure feels like it, with all the buildings around it not even breaking three stories. Oh, when I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot, being up in the sky more often than I was on the ground. That dream came to pass, but when I watch pegasi like Rainbow Dash flying in My Little Pony, speeding through the bright blue sky or just hovering over a magnificent view of vibrant green hills and quaint houses with simply pleasing structures and the pastel ponies just milling about a road without a truly evil thought… I relive that longing for the air, and the euphoria I got whenever I went to the roof of my dad’s office or hiked to the top of a mountain. I guess that’s why I like the show; it’s one of the only ways I can relive the innocent happiness of my youth. After a bout of staring that I hope wasn’t too long, I approached the front desk. “Hi. I’m Alex Wylder. Can I please see Mrs. Avante? Our meeting’s at four, uh, here, I can show you.” I pulled out the letter I had been keeping in my pocket. The receptionist looked at the clock. “You sure? That’s in, like, five minutes.” She took the letter. “Yeah, yeah. Well, you’re gonna hafta meet with Ms. Thomas. Mrs. Avante had her husband take her on surprise vacation to Hawaii, much to the dismay of everyone back here. There have already been five missed deadlines. But you don’t care about that, go on, if you hurry, you can make it to room G226 in time.” “Thank you.” I smiled at the receptionist, then hurried to the elevator just right of the desk. The meeting was surprisingly uneventful. Ms. Thomas was nice, I guess. She seemed preoccupied and was often staring into the middle distance. I guess it was the workload from Mrs. Avante’s vacation, like the receptionist said. Anyway, I had actually spent the week before the train ride preparing what I was going to say and what my credentials would be, because I did want to get hired here. However, my meeting with Ms. Thomas consisted of a couple of basic questions[8] and short “yeahs” in response to my answers. Then I got hired. I mean, the letter implied that the company had basically chosen me for the job, but I thought there would be more of a waiting period. Anyway, after instructing me to come in tomorrow at 7 am sharp[9], Ms. Thomas gave me the keys to my new apartment, and I’ve basically been lying on the bed for the entire time I’ve been here. A knock sounded from the door to my apartment. It’s probably Ms. Thomas, coming to ask about something she’d missed in the interview. I called out that I was coming, then I went to the door. “You forgot your letter.” The receptionist from earlier stood in the doorway, holding out the paper I had accidentally left with her in my rush to get to the interview. “Ya know, for an accountant, you’re not very organized. You just left this letter with me, didn’t even realize you didn’t have it until now, I bet. Anyway, here it is.” “Thank you,” I responded, taking the letter and moving to close the door. “If you’re wonderin’ how I found you, I know where all the lownies stay, here in this building,” the receptionist continued. “I just had to ask who checked in last. Us receptionists here, we’re a community.” I had to pause to make sense of her last comment. “… What’s a ‘lownie?’” “Oh, a lownie is someone who’s hired on a low level at Incendie. Can I come in?” “I mean, sure.” I opened the door for the receptionist as she walked in. I took this moment to really look at her. She had black, frizzy hair and a simple grey dress suit. She was about my age, and she had intense sparkling eyes. She must’ve seen me looking, because she commented, “I’m a lownie too, if you’re wondering. Started work here at the beginning of the summer. Ya know, I thought it’d be harder to get a job here, even at the front desk. They just asked me a few questions and I was in.” “Same with me. I wonder if all the interviews are like that.” “I think that they do massive background checks on everyone they offer positions to, so that they’ve basically hired them before the interview.” I was in a good mood, so I replied, “I can prove that is not the case with the fact that they hired me.” The receptionist giggled. “I’ll take your word for it. Anyway, my name is Hope Boston.” “I’m Alex Wylder.” “You already told me.” “Oh.” “Don’t worry about it. I can see it people’s faces, ya know, shame over something little. You really don’t have to worry.” Heh, that’s something one of my old friends would say. His name was Abraham, and he was one of the most caring guys I’ve ever met. I think I would like a friendship with Hope like I had with him. I’d certainly make something out of this internship that way. “Hey, Alex, so, you’re the newest guy here, why don’tcha say we head out tonight.” “Wha! Why would you ask me!?” “Because no one else seems to have any sense of fun in this town except you. You’re the only person I’ve met here who seems like they’d want and need a fun night out.” This was very unexpected. While I had good friends in high school, I would only rarely go out with them anywhere. Our discussions were enough, for me at least. I knew there was a party culture in my high school and college, but my disinterest in it only grew as time went by. I was happier looking into things my friends recommended for me and watching My Little Pony for my free time. But Hope was genuinely nice, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings by leaving her alone all night. Besides, I hadn’t really tried a “fun night out,” maybe I’d like it. I love it. Okay, so, first off, there is one club in this town, and that’s Lost Paradise. It’s three blocks left of the Innovation building, and I’m taking note of that because I am definitely coming back. The music, the drinks[10], the dancing, the lights, the clientele, I thought they would all be suffocating, but it actually makes for a cool atmosphere. There might be a little less crowding because of the small town we’re in, but it was surprisingly crowded to me, not that it was bad. Just losing myself in dancing and good feelings, that felt really nice. However, I didn’t forget Hope. In fact, I’m going over to where she’s sitting right now to talk with her. “Having a good time?” She seems smug, for some reason. “Oh yeah. It’s really infectious, this feeling. It’s just a feeling. You know, the atmosphere, the lights, everything. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I like it.” “I got that from the way you were dancing out there for two hours. Straight.” Well. That’s, um, unsurprising but saddening. I didn’t want to abandon Hope, I thought I’d just be out dancing for a little. I mean, she paid for everything I had here, the drinks, admission. I don’t think that I’m being particularly nice right now. Perhaps I should just- “Don’t worry about it. Honestly, the way you worry about yourself is the worst part about you. How do you function with all that worrying in your head?” “Sorry, I-“ “I’ll tell you what, I already liked you when we talked in your apartment, but just now, when you were on the dance floor, you proved yourself to be someone I can get behind. I can see that in other people. It’s a knack I have.” “I’m really flatter-“ “Don’t feel the need to thank me for every complement I give you. Come on, if you want to, we can bounce and I can show you my favorite show.” That was- “Don’t think about it. Yes or no.” “Okay.” “Okay! Come on, I can show you what a pure joy it is to watch Supernatural…” I don’t really remember what happened for the rest of the night. Hope drove me to her apartment, showed me a bit of that show[11], and I decided to go back to my apartment at eleven. We said our goodbyes and made a plan to do the same thing tomorrow. I made my way down to my apartment, smiling the whole time. Hope really is a good friend. She gives me so much, a person she just met today! Others might see her as desperate, but I see that she is just… a great person. It might take me a little to completely trust her, but so far I’m moving a lot faster than I did in high school. It’s just a joy, wondering where our relationship will go, what we can do, how we will bond, all of it. Friendship truly is magic, as My Little Pony states. But now it’s getting close to the end of the day. Tomorrow I’ll have a new job, a new schedule, a new life, pretty much, but I can’t feel much of anything except excitement for it. [1] I shudder when I think of it. [2] My least favorite part of public education was the misleading terminology all the staff used. I’m glad I got away from that, at least. [3] The fourth generation starting in my freshman year of high school. I found out about it when I saw a forum post about the first episode, and ever since I watched that episode, I was hooked. [4] In my mood, at least. [5] *cough* memorizing *cough* [6] In my Chemistry teacher’s words. [7] They went with me, which is another reason that I love them. [8] Do you have any experience in the field? No, but I have taken relevant classes. Do you have any references? Yes, from my Chemistry, Calculus, and English teachers. Do you have any health issues? No. [9] Hooray. [10] Non-alcoholic for me. I don’t want to get in trouble with the law. [11] Unfortunately, I don’t really remember it. I may watch some of it on my own time to catch myself up. Author's Note And there's the first chapter! I know, there's a distinct lack of ponies in it, but there will be some coming next chapter. Anyway, I hope you like it.
Chapter 2: Bon Bon Continually Misidentifies ChangelingsIt took me a few months to get over the shock of Lyra’s book. Lyra helped me deal with it, of course, but I couldn’t help seeing things differently. Whenever one of the elements came by my shop for sweets or just a hello, I couldn’t help but feel strained at the reminder of the book. That first month was the worst; if I even saw Twilight, I would freeze up, and Lyra would have to drag me home. Over time, I was able to keep my emotions in check; in three months, I was able to hold an entire conversation with Pinkie Pie about pie crusts without even remembering Lyra’s book. It still haunts me in the quiet of the night, even today, but I got better. Despite these emotions, I think that Lyra took the best course of action when she showed me the book. It would have come up sooner or later, and I don’t want to think of how I would have lived with this knowledge while also feeling betrayed. This way, Lyra and I grew closer instead. We had many long discussions about how and why the book was made, but we mostly stuck to Lyra’s original hypothesis. By the end of the second month, we were inseparable. That’s mostly what I remember of those four months. I don’t think they would be so blurry if our trials during Cadence’s wedding weren’t so vivid, but they were, and they started with a note. Dear Bon Bon, Did you know that there’s a wedding going on in Canterlot tomorrow? Well, there is, and I was chosen to be a flower girl there! I’m sorry to leave unannounced, but I needed to go as soon as possible! See you soon, Bonnie! With love, Lyra Heartstrings This letter was already suspicious. It was very short and vague, for one, and Lyra would wake me up if she had to go somewhere. The part that really got my attention was the nickname. “Bonnie.” Lyra knows I hate being called that, so I immediately started to pack for Canterlot (She was there; the letter was in her hornwriting and I was taught how hostage situations work.). The first thing I did was retrieve Lyra’s book, still under her bed. I could use it to get to her more easily; I could say she forgot it, and I was giving it to her. After a quick pack of necessities, I bought the next ticket to Canterlot and worried the whole train ride. Is she okay? Is she hurt? Maybe I should have brought a weapon, just in case. Could this be a misinterpretation? Probably not, but maybe I shouldn’t bring a weapon into the castle. Yeah, I’ll do fine, I’ll just scout and see how I can save her. I’m going to save her. What if this is what makes us the subjects of that sketch? The room started wavering, feeling too closed and open all at once. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision. I was glad I was sitting down; I don’t think I could handle this standing up. I was so worried that this would be an end to something. I was hyperventilating. I almost passed out, teetering on the edge of consciousness. But somehow, I pulled through. And I was more determined to save Lyra than ever. The train pulled up to Canterlot Station, slowing down as I became more anxious to get off and run for the castle. After a brief thanks to the steward after the train came to a complete stop, I sped off the train and down the main road. That was when I realized that a forcefield was put up around the city. This might have been bigger than I had thought. Nevertheless, I continued to rush to the castle, taking care to avoid the passerby. When I came to the palace, I slammed open the door to an unexpected scene. Decorations were put up all around the hall, like at one of Pinkie’s infamous parties. I guess there was a wedding after all. In fact, I think I see Pinkie now, pouring over a blueprint. I can’t trust her; she might be another pony in disguise or something else, but she is my best lead to Lyra. “Hi Pinkie,” I approached her, out of breath. “Oh, hi Bon Bon!” Pinkie responded, always in her chipper mood. “I didn’t know you were invited to the wedding! Like, me and my friends were invited, but that was because we saved Equestria and are good at parties. You know, I’m doing the Funtastic Festivities™ for the reception, Rainbow’s doing the Awesome Aerial Show™-” “That’s great Pinkie, but do you know where Lyra is?!” I probably would have listened, but I was pretty anxious to see where Lyra was and save her. “Lyra? She’s one of the Fantastic Flower Girls™, and she’s upstairs in the guest room on the right. She’s with Princess Cadenza Mi Amore. You should meet the princess, she’s-” “Thanks! I’ll get-” “Hey, wait a second. Why are you so excited to see Lyra?” “Oh, I need to give her this… b-book.” I had to struggle at the end of my excuse. I really didn’t need a reminder of that book, especially with an element (or somepony disguised as an element) in the same room. It only served to kindle my fears that Lyra’s capture could lead to something truly terrible. But I had to stay strong for Lyra. “Well, good luck on getting that b-book to Lyra! You know what, I could bring some b-books to the reception for ponies like Twilight. Not just books, but b-books!” Not wanting to reveal my nerves any more, I hurried up the stairs and found the guest room to the right. When I got to the door, I decided to slow down and open the door carefully, as to not reveal myself immediately. It turns out that if a pony is actually leaning on the door, that point is pretty much moot. “Oh! Hello there, how can I help… Bon Bon?!” “Lyra?! I mean, hi Lyra, how you doing?” Well, I wasn’t expecting Lyra to be at the door. I thought she would be tied up somewhere, and I would have to find her a way out. Well, I guess my job is easier if she isn’t incapacitated. “Bon Bon, um, what are you doing here? I gave you the letter, right? I’m okay, you don’t need to worry.” I actually started to doubt myself here. Was this just a misunderstanding? Did Lyra actually want to be a flower girl for this wedding? This might just be an overreaction on my part. “I guess I just wanted to check on you, see if you were all right,” I responded sincerely. Lyra stood still for a second. “Well, that’s alright.” She leaned in to give me a hug. “I’m sorry you can’t attend the wedding, but I’ll be home as soon as I can.” We hugged for a long while, just enjoying each other’s presence and thinking that everything was fine; there was no danger. Lyra pulled out of the hug. “By the way, what’s the book for? I don’t think I’ve seen a book like that… ever.” I froze. Something wasn’t right. Lyra had been holding on to this book for years. Hay, even if she hadn’t, the last four months of my anxiety would have cemented the book into her memory. I can’t even count how many times we sat down and talked about the book. This wasn’t Lyra. I backed off, now assured that something much bigger than I had thought was going on. “So, yeah, I guess I’ll be heading back to Ponyville, bye Lyra-” “Oh hello!” A new pony had entered the hallway, bright pink in color. I knew that it must be that princess that Pinkie(?) had mentioned. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Princess Cadenza Mi Amore, and you are?” “I’m, um, Bon Bon, a friend of Lyra’s.” “Well, nice to meet you! I’m sorry that you can’t attend the wedding, but I’ll be sure to wish you well later!” “Yeah, thanks. I was just going, I wanted to see Lyra, but she’s fine, so I guess I’m good.” “Well, see you later!” Now terrified, I started to walk slowly down the stairs. As I walked, I heard Lyra close the door, and the princess mutter something that completely broke me, to the point of falling down the stairs and fainting. “Ugh, not another pony on my case. I swear, I could kill that Wylder kid.” Someone’s in the hall. No it must be a dream. They’ve been there a while. Well it’s not as it seems. The crystals all around you- Yeah, stop judging me for that. They hold the Princess Cadence. Stop being such a gnat. That’s what I heard; while I was unconscious. It was meaningless at the time, but when I came to, during the Changeling invasion, those words took on a whole new meaning. But I must end my story here for now. Tomorrow I might feel better, but tonight- I’m not up to telling the story of Chrysalis and Alex Wylder. For now, I wanted to recount a vivid dream Lyra described to me. The dream happened when Lyra was under Chrysalis’s control, and it bears… correlations to mine when I learned about the book. Author's Note Hooray, a new chapter! First off, I wanted to thank everyone who has read this fic. Next, I wanted to address the weirdness of the last chapter, so I retconned in a connection that I hope is satisfactory until the actual reveal. Finally, if that bold part is confusing, I tried to make some lines with a sort of rhythmic flow. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
