Chapter 1: Andre At Your Service!
Paris, 1640
“Stop right there! Damned coward!” Guston yelled out while in chase.
Who he chased turned back to him with a smile. He stopped his running and swung his rapier around, Guston blocking such attacks. “Coward? I, a coward? Oh no, you must be mistaken? Call it as, a ‘change of scenery’ if I should say so.”
“Shut it!” Guston made a thrust forward, only to find himself tripping onto the ground with no flesh his point to stab. He turned around seeing the man taking off his hat and spinning it around the forming crowd. “You dare mock our duel Andre!?”
Placing his hat back on, he turns back to Guston with a smile. “How could I mock you if I haven’t said a single insult to you? If I do recall, the only thing I had done was succeed in beating you in a fair card game.” Andre raised his rapier near him, staring at the skinny blade. “However, I do recall some mockery done not by someone, but by something three feet of steel.” He noticed three other of Guston’s men running towards where he stood. “Ah, do I sense a challenge coming forth?”
Guston stood tall with his sword pointed to Andre, along with his henchmen readying themselves for the fight. “It is four against one Andre, why not give up now?”
“And miss the opportunity of fighting a number that is greater than one? You must really believe I am a coward, for I, Andre Louie de Beaumont, accept such challenge that I face.” Andre took a step forward, rubbing his enemy’s blade with his.
From there, Guston made the first swing which was blocked and countered by ease, making him retreat backwards to avoid the tip of Andre’s tipped steel. One of his henchman soon took charge, fighting against Andre which came to a quick end as he met his fate with the blade entering through his neck and collapsing, another fighter taking his place.
Andre took such opportunity to again move to another area, moving though the cheering crowd, most patting his back in support of him. All in Paris knew who he was, for he sends his well adored poetry to the Gazette de France every week, and of course is well known for his dueling skills. He had reached the stairs and made a stop in his running, quickly turning around to duel his second opponent, Guston and his other living henchman making moves to attack him. All would not do any benefit for the one fighting him, instead making Andre’s attacks much more difficult to be countered. Again he thrust forward in the chest, his opponent falling onto both Guston and his last henchman. He made his move once more up the stairs with his two final opponents not to far behind, the crowd following even further. He stopped his movement seeing that it was a dead end, looking off the edge and seeing a bale of hay all the way to the bottom. He turned back around still keeping his smile and sheathing his rapier.
Guston realized where they were and began to laugh. “Finally, the poetic and adored Andre de Beaumont meets his end.”
Andre opened his mouth and raised a finger before speaking. “That is where you are wrong, my dear Guston. For what I am about to do now may be considered, cowardly. But of course the gallant hero in many stories has a way of escape when necessary.”
Guston was confused, moving closer. “What are you talking about? You have sheathed your sword. You have forfeited your life!” He made a thrust forward but missed.
Andre, allowing gravity to pull him down, tipped his hat in the process of falling as he felt the rush of air surrounding him. Without noticing, a strange white light slowly emerged behind him as he closed in to the bale of hay below him. With a sudden flash, whiteness took over as he entered the hay.
Ponyville, in the School of Friendship.
Twilight Sparkle drifted in and out of sleep, her mind in a void of emptiness while she looked down to the book Star Swirl had sent her to look over. It was an ancient book with much of Equestria’s folktales, both memorable and new to her which may have been forgotten through time. For days, maybe weeks, maybe months if exaggerated, she was not sure how long it had been when she received this book, she was focused in the specific page that had been bookmarked for her to read for it had more importance than the rest. She read the book thoroughly and without any word missed page after page, going back to the bookmarked page and thinking it over of what it could be.
‘O’ two hoofed, different from hooves, with thy summon of light through the closeness of death, may you come forth, through sky and air is entry.’ That passage had been re-read and interpreted into many possibilities of what it could be. Reading the rest of the page it continued on the folktale story that she, by now, knew by heart what it is, through the beginning to the end. Letters went to Star Swirl, she only received one letter back from the dozens she had sent. Plain and simple, he was unable to make sense of it other than it was a summoning spell hidden within the story, as well as the two princesses when they had received the book only to return it. Of course, she had the same idea of it being a summoning spell, having used her magic while announcing the small passage out-loud just last reckless night, realizing that if it had gone successful which could have been great, may bring Equestria to extinction for summoning something that could have been dangerous.
Maybe she was overthinking about this specific passage in a book that was, in total, a collection of folktales put into one book. She better send this to the Canterlot library or museum for the history of what this book contains is rather valuable. But what if there is something in here that could hold secrets in the text of something which requires magic? Her mind had always thought of such fantasy, finding what others would not succeed in which in most cases would become a reality. If she quit now and sent back the book to Star Swirl or send it to anywhere else which would care for it delicately, then she would fail in trying to uncover what may be in here. She would fail Star Swirl, Luna, and most importantly, Celestia, who also sent her a letter of encouragement in discovering what lies within this book.
With a deep breath and a nod, her face looking as if she was filled with rage yet inside the flames were not of rage but determination, she flipped the book back to the very first page and began reading once more. She would come back to what was the main focus, but for now having the knowledge of what the book holds, the depth of each word, will be taken in with careful consideration. And even if she read this multiple times, the book is still quite enjoyable to re-read as some of the short stories are filled with humor that never gets old when coming across it. She stopped going further on the first page after realizing that she had ran out both paper and ink, quills need not worriment for she had her own supply if necessary. “Oh Celestia...” She breathed out, now getting annoyed as she knew her determination would falter. Maybe a change in scenery was something she needed though. Doesn’t hurt to move from one place to another to feel refreshed.
She got off her chair, stretching out her legs and wings while magically placing her things in her saddlebags. She then placed that onto her and proceeded to walk towards the door to exit her office. Her mind registering that she was not in her castle but in the school, she thought of the students that are here, probably wondering where she was all this time since she stayed put where she is. She opened the door and moved forward, stopping her walk and being startled a bit when she saw Starlight Glimmer with her hoof still in the air halfway in knocking the door.
Starlight placed her hoof down and softly laughed a bit, not expecting to be face to face with Twilight just now. “Hopefully I’m not disturbing you from what you’re going through with that book,” she said.
Twilight shook her head and resumed her calm walking, Starlight following close to her side. “My magic didn’t pick up any paper or sense any ink being captured by my quill, so I figure I go outside and buy some more.” Twilight noticed that the school was empty, meaning it had to be the weekend. A large rumble from her stomach sounded out, startling the alicorn. “How long was I in there for? I didn’t keep track of time.”
Starlight thought for a moment. “I would say four days right now. Many of us didn’t want to disturb you since we knew how important it was for you to research this book. Yesterday though most of us got a bit concerned since we haven’t seen you leave that room. So today I figure I’d check up on how you were doing, see if you’re okay.” Again she heard Twilight’s stomach growl. “And I know for certain that the first thing you need is something to eat.”
“And a shower, don’t forget that,” Twilight added.
The two continued to walk down the hallway, Starlight informing what Twilight had missed the past couple of days. Nothing out of the ordinary of course, a reason why her cutie mark never flashed up to give a sign of something needed to be done. Mostly it was local news of what was going on throughout Ponyville, especially about the ‘Iron Pony’ competition and ‘The Running of the Leaves’ which Starlight participated in. She had gotten eighth place to her surprise, and Spike getting fifth was an even bigger surprise when ‘The Running of the Leaves’ was completed.
Soon enough the two were now outside, Twilight’s eyes adjusting to the change of lighting and seeing much of the town being active in what was being done. The leaves of yellow, red, and brown brushed along the ground with the autumn breeze, giving her a bit of a chill when she felt the cold air surround her for a moment. Yet she felt calm, cozy even, with the season bringing in much more beautiful sunrises and the sound of wood crackling from the fire under Luna’s moon. And of course, more reason to stay indoors to read, but that was to be for a later time.
“Say, you never mentioned what that book was when you received it. You kinda just, ran off like a little filly with it and shut the door,” said Starlight, watching the Cutie Mark Crusaders running past them with smiles.
“Oh sorry, I guess I got excited when the letter had said it was just discovered and was never before seen until now.” Twilight magically pulled out the book and let Starlight have hold of it to review it herself. “It contains short folklore of what was said way before we even existed. Some being part of mythology as those mention creatures that don’t even exist! And the best part is that this was just discovered, meaning that now once I send this to somepony to go through it, it can be republished for all to see!”
Starlight noticed the bookmark lead to the page which had the supposed ‘summoning spell’. She read through it, reciting it twice to better understand what this part was, seeing it continue off with the story it was telling. “So this is a summoning spell?” She asked.
“Supposedly,” said Twilight. “Star Swirl, Celestia, and Luna came to the same conclusion that it could be a summoning spell if interpreted correctly, even I agreed that it could be, but I also think that we’re overthinking about this. I mean, this is a book of old forgotten folklore, and it does fit in with the story of it summoning a creature that is described to be different from hooves.” She took the book back and returned it into her bag. “I even recklessly recited it out-loud and used all the magic I had to make such summoning happen, but in the end nothing happened. I figure now I just go through this book one last time before calling it quits. I just don’t want to disappoint Star Swirl, Celestia, and Luna.”
Starlight placed an assuring hoof on Twilight, the two standing idly. “I think they’ll be proud enough with what you got through your hard-work. And like you said, it’s only a book with folklore, which I’m sure everypony would enjoy reading through to see what our ancestors had thought of during their time.”
Twilight nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.” She resumed walking with Starlight, the two reaching the castle’s front door. “I think today I’m going to take a break from this and work on it tomorrow. I felt determined to continue but right now, I’m in the mood for some hot chocolate.” Once more her stomach rumbled, which made her friend only smile. “And some food of course.” She opened the door, allowing Starlight to enter before she did and closed the door behind her.
Spike had peeked out from a room hearing the front door closing, noticing Twilight had finally come out from where she was. He put down the broom he was using to sweep and ran over to the two ponies. “Hey! Nice work getting her out Starlight,” said Spike. “Oh, and also hi Twilight.”
Starlight returned a grin while Twilight rolled her eyes, taking Spike under her wing. “Nice to see you too Spike,” said Twilight. She released her grasp, letting him return to where he stood.
“So, did you figure out what that book had?” He asked.
“What I got was only short stories, some of them being of mythology. Also the page Star Swirl had bookmarked for me to see which is supposedly a summoning spell. Overall I found nothing that could help me.” Twilight started walking down the hall and entered the kitchen. “I even recited the specific passage while using my magic but even that didn’t work.”
Both Starlight and Spike entered the kitchen as well. “Wouldn’t that be dangerous? I mean, what if it was a big scary monster?” Spike mentioned.
“That’s why I was glad I failed because I knew how reckless it was to do such a thing.” Twilight brought out a couple things out to the counter which would make a salad. “Probably if I wasn’t as tired as I was when I committed to using my magic, then possibly it could have worked.”
“Think I could take a look at the book? Not that I could figure whatever it is out, just interested for some ideas,” said Spike, referencing to ‘Ogres & Oubliettes’ Big Mac, Discord, and himself play, sometimes Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie joining as well.
Twilight magically took the book out from her bag and handed it to Spike who ran off to the other room. She raised the bag off her and placed it down on a chair, at the same time making a bowl of salad for both Starlight and her. By her, Starlight was already preparing the hot chocolate that Twilight had mentioned before.
In the other room, Spike swiftly read through the ancient book reading parts of it before getting bored and moving on to the next. Most did not catch his attention until he reached to a certain page in the book and started reading the story that was on it. This was the same story that had the passage Twilight and the others had agreed could be a summoning spell, Spike reading through it not knowing about it other than the bookmark. He suddenly felt odd, sniffing a bit knowing now that he was about to sneeze. What he didn’t expect was the force of it, which made him sneeze out his green fire onto the open book. He gasped seeing the flame cover the book completely, fanning it to put it out knowing Twilight would kill him if this book was in the slightest damaged. He grabbed a curtain from the window and rushed over to the flaming book to cover it, but stop his tracks when he felt the castle beginning to shake.
The flame that engulfed the book soon spun in a circle over it, revealing the book not damaged at all while purple static made sudden jolts in random directions. Both the flame and the static mixed together, the mixed magic growing larger around the book that began to float into the air. Spike dropped the curtain and ran out from the room, closing the door behind him. He ran back to where Twilight and Starlight was, meeting them halfway as they too were feeling the castle shake. “Twilight!” Spike called out.
Both Twilight and Starlight stopped in front of the purple dragon. “Spike are you alright? Where’s the book?” Twilight asked.
“Back in the room. I was reading through it and when I reached a page that was bookmarked, I felt the need to sneeze and I accidentally set it on fire. But that’s not all!” Spike almost lost balance as the castle shook even more. “The book came alive using my fire and some other purple static!”
Twilight’s eyes widened, knowing that it could have been her magic that the book was using. Somehow instead of it working, the book absorbed it until a Spike’s flame came in contact, which in turn made the summoning spell become active. “We need to stop that book from completing! Spike lead us to where you left it.” She said, feeling Spike hop on her and telling her where to go.
Twilight and Starlight galloped to the room Spike had been, but by then the shaking had all but ceased. Spike hopped off, standing behind the two ponies. “Oh, sorry Twilight. I didn’t mean to cause this to happen,” said Spike.
“It’s okay Spike, I know.” Twilight looked at Starlight. “You ready?” She asked.
Starlight nodded. “Let’s see what came out, hopefully it’s nothing too dangerous.”
The door slowly opened, Twilight peeking into the room seeing how much of a mess the ancient book had made. She spotted the book on the ground, surprisingly looking undamaged even though it succumbed to fire. Opening the door wide, she walked in first, Starlight and Spike following behind, and further looked around the room. It looked like the only thing the book had done was made a complete mess, nothing else alive being in here besides the three. A thought that Twilight didn’t expect to be false. She heard a pony’s groaning from behind the flipped over couch, slowly approaching to it to peek over what was behind. “Eep!” She sounded out once she saw what was there, falling onto her rear in front of Starlight and Spike.
“What? What is it?” Starlight asked.
“I-I don’t know,” Twilight said, “But it is certainly different from hooves.”
Starlight helped up Twilight, the two including Spike being frozen where they stood when they saw whatever it was beginning to rise. It stood tall, most likely being taller than Celestia, and wore clothing with only what could be its face being revealed, hair being on it and on its head. It bent down and stood back straight up, placing a tan hat with a large feather onto its head. There was things around it as well, especially the long stick that rested on him. Twilight, Starlight, and Spike all held their breaths when it saw it turn and stare at them. “Bonjour?” It said to the three, which in response all screamed and ran out from the room, closing the door shut.
Andre was very confused as to what he witnessed moments ago, thinking that he probably fell too hard onto the bale of hay and was unconscious. No matter, he knew, for once he’d wake up he would be back from this odd dream he is having. Right?
All around him felt too real to be a dream. He jumped up and down, feeling his boots making contact to the ground. He pulled out his rapier, feeling the blade with his fingers, retracting back instantly seeing one of his fingers with a now bloody cut. Now he was the one frozen, but yet calm knowing that he was awake and surely alive. He sheathed his blade, looking around the messy room. He inspected himself, seeing all that he carried on him were still there, such as his book of his writings and his two flintlock pistols. His boots clanked hard on the floor as he walked towards the window, seeing outside that he was no longer in Paris, or France to begin with. He watched...horses...or ponies due to their size, walking around and speaking as if they had intelligence. They were also multicolored, some had wings, some had horns, but overall, had some kind of mark on their rear. He turned his attention to the door.
The door quickly opened, revealing the frightened ponies and dragon. Dragon? Now he knew he wasn’t home. He spoke to them in his natural language, all no longer frighten but confused. He breathed out, speaking again in Spanish, but only received the same look on their face. Finally, he spoke in English. “Do you three know where I am?” He asked, seeing the purple pony face respond with shock.
“You speak our language?” Twilight asked, standing up.
“Well, seeing that you responded to my question with another, yes,” said Andre. “I tried French and Spanish but neither worked, my next option was English.”
“I see. I’ve only heard what you spoke in first in some part of Canterlot, but the other I’ve never heard of.” Twilight stood in front of Andre. “I’m not sure where you came from, but as of now you’re in our world of Equestria.”
“Equestria?” Andre questioned.
“Well, there are other areas like the Griffonstone or Yakyakistan, but yes, Equestria.”
Andre thought for a moment, taking in what is happening. He’s for certain alive and well, and now he is speaking with a colorful horse as if it was someone else on the street. “What is your name?” He asked, accepting that he will remain here until he figures out a way back.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She walked back a bit to Starlight and Spike. “This here is Starlight Glimmer, and here is Spike.”
“Hi.”
“Hey there.”
Andre nodded. He took off his hat, bowing while motioning his hat, which caught the three off-guard. He stood back straight up, “I am Andre Louie de Beaumont.” He then placed his hat back on, “At your service.”
