The Foundation of Memory's Past

It took three hours for something to happen. In that time, I had spent most of it nervously checking the motion tracker and adjusting my containment disk. I realized that, if necessary, I could divert all power to a single disk and ensnare very large or powerful entity for a bit. In theory, that is.

But after those three hours, that blip came back, and from the balcony. I watched this strange, alien creature zip over and onto the window. It was hard to see in the fading light of Celestia's sun, but I felt my blood pump as it was the size of a large dog, no, maybe bear sized.

Raising my foreleg, I aimed the containment disk at the spider thing, as it seemed to just squeeze between the doors. It scurried over to Luna's bed, which to my surprise was empty. Wait, where did Luna go?

My question was answered as she dropped onto it, a sword piercing through its abdomen as it squealed in pain from her counter surprise attack. Raising another sword, she stabbed it into her bed and had a giddy look on her face from what I could see.

"Dear Franz will be so delighted to know I passed his test! I must tell him at once!" She practically cheered as she did a little victory dance. She exited the room and left the spider thing there, clearly dead with the sword buried to the hilt in its back.

Dropping from my spot on the wall, I approached the spider bear without making a sound. It had an elongated abdomen, eight legs, and oddly enough, a squared face with what looked like a swivel hinge type of neck. Touching it with an armored hoof, I made the information about this creature materialize into my armor.

"Armor, display all available information about this creature." I said, letting it sift through what I can only imagine a somewhat dazzling display of colors. After a moment, it displayed.

Species: Nlarx
Age: Juvenile.
Origin: Unknown.

Nlarx are a carnivorous arachnid capable of rapid movement and utilizing a paralytic/narcotic venom to incapacitate victims. Typically located in the [ERROR, UNKNOWN ORIGIN].

Hypothesis: Nlarx Specimen is likely a result of an unknown space-time anomaly. Record states anomaly detected from 21 hours prior coincide with Specimen age. Further analysis required.

Well shit, just what I needed. How would I even handle something like this? Space Time? And this thing is what made me seize up yesterday?

"Armor, take a note. Investigate weird spider things called "Nlarx." Locate source." I said, feeling weirded out since this thing was starting to smell bad. Grabbing it, I started to set it up to torch when Luna came back, this time with a few worried Guards.

"Dear Franz! There you are! Look! We passed thy test! We still reign supreme!" She cheered, before noticing that I was just standing there with a match, the smell of gasoline hitting her as she came closer.

"FRANZ! WERE THY ABOUT TO SET OUR BED AFLAME!?" She questioned, surprised from what I was about to do.

"Yes." I said after looking at the bed, back to her, and the bed again. It would start to overpower the smell of the gas if the body stuck around long enough.

"But don't worry, your swords are over there. Cleaned them too." I motioned with the match, my magic giving it a quick strike against the matchbox. Didn't work the first time, which prompted Luna to approach me with a slight frown.

"Why would thy burn our bed down to ash? Surely the ponies here can clean whatever filth has stained mine quarters?" She suggested.

"Luna, I don't even think your bed is worth the effort after what happened. Aside from the alien blood all over it, there's a big hole in your mattress that I know won't be comfortable with the smell of a dead monster getting in the way. Besides,

"We, I mean, I suppose I can allow this lapse in judgment, but next time please inform us of reckless actions. What was this creature thou sent?" She asked, her face scrunching up in a disgusted way from the smell starting to overpower the gas.

"I didn't send it." I said, drawing her attention.

"You did not? Perhaps a creature of the abyss. We haven't seen anything of the likes at all before." She said, putting her swords away. It didn't seem to have much in the way of entrails, so maybe it wasn't an animal. Abyss spawn?

"I cast fireball in response and end my turn." I said, striking the match again and tossing the lit stick, setting both her bed and the creature ablaze. It caught quickly, and I also threw up a barrier to keep the fire contained, and let the smoke filter out the balcony.

"Guards, I want a report on all of the currently stationed forces within the castle. I'll need names and shifts. Luna, you'll need to stay with me for now. Not too hard, right?" I asked, hearing the guards rush out.

"No, not at all. But pray tell, what is happening?"

"Something that did not happen in the first run. This one was the first time you've seen it, right?"

"Correct. Our encounters with this creature are limited to only now. Dear Franz, I ask again, what is happening?"

"I think someone sent this thing. Either in a freak accident, or intentional." I pulled off my visor and handed it to her. She accepted it and put it over her face.

"Armor, show her the relevant information regarding the Nlarx." I ordered, hearing a small chime come from my shoulder. Huh, guess its internal systems move when I take off pieces. Once she saw the data regarding it, she growled.

"To think that somepony out there would wish this upon their princess is beyond redemption. We must locate this assassin and have them flayed at once!" Luna yelled, anger in her tone.

"Sir! We found this in your room. What should we do with... her." Said a guard from the doorway, revealing a terrified Pine.

"Whoa! Hey, what the hell are you guards doing!" I said, anger flashing across my features. A spike of primal rage flared up inside, and I knew they could feel it.

"Solaris, come to me." Luna said, causing Pine to run over and cower behind Luna. I moved and stood next to them, making sure Pine was in between us.

"What made you think that Pine here was a threat?" I demanded, the guards clearly surprised and now unable to stand firm.

"We believed that she was an intruder, Your Highness. We did not know she was a guest." Said the one on the right.

"Dear Franz, the order regarding Pine Solaris has not yet reached the entirety of the castle. There will be some ponies who see her as dangerous." Luna explained, holding the wooden pony who just watched with frightened eyes.

"I suppose that is... Reasonable. But know that the next guard who tries to hurt Pine will be severely punished by me." I threatened, causing the both of them to bow their heads in shame.

"You are dismissed. Pray we do not see this happen again." Luna said, staring at the guards as they saluted and left. Once gone, she turned her attention to me.

"Dear Franz, perhaps next time we should keep somepony trusted with her." She offered, still holding Pine.

"Thing is, who? No one in the castle can be... Wait a minute, I know exactly who can watch her!" I said, my anger dissipating and replaced by realization.

"Who could they be?"

"Tell me, do you know of a pair of ponies named Summer Springs and Marble Shine?" I asked, sitting next to them and extending my wings out to hold Pine. She seemed to have calmed down by now and promptly hugged me while Luna watched her with a smile.

"Yes, they are staff here. And I know that Marble Shine takes the afternoon shift rather than the morning. Have you found her caretakers already?" She asked, earning a nod from me.

"Who are they?" Pine asked, looking up at me. She was bald, and I wondered if she would grow hair, or something like it. A bald pony isn't bad, just a bit distracting.

"Good friends of mine. Or, in the first loop anyways." I said, wondering how I would word this to convince them to watch Solaris.

After things had settled down, I got the update on what I had asked for. All of the entrances and Guards were accounted for, along with whoever was in the castle at this time. I had taken Pine back to my room and Luna followed me to help keep her and myself company. There was a rather sizable escort with us too, which made Pine nervous the whole way there. Once we got there, we dismissed them and were left to our own devices. I decided to hop into bed since the sun was going to rise in a few hours but checked my armor first.

Pine and Luna had joined me in bed, since I wanted her to know what one of these felt like. She passed out soon after while Luna laid on my bed as well, using her magic to check the dream realm for nightmares. Meanwhile, I had been documenting the progress on the ship in orbit. It was still a bit away before I was going to catch it, so I could ease my mind on that front.

"Dear Franz! Look!" Luna whispered at me, drawing my attention from my files and making me look over at her. Pine was starting to form a sort of tail, as well as a mane while she slept. It was a darker green color, seeming to also form in a similar wooden way and even compliment her light brown color. She was curled up next to Luna, and watching it grow this rapidly made me feel slightly worried it wouldn't stop.

"Is this normal for her?" Luna continued, looking back up at me with a worried look.

"I suppose so. This is new for me too." I replied, getting up and moving over to Luna. Leaning down, I let my visor zoom in and inspect the mane. It was of a softer, yet still wooden material. Equivalent to banana tree bark, if I thought so.

"She will be fine, correct?" She added, earning a nod from me.

"Should be. As far as I can tell, she isn't in any pain." I said, brushing my hoof against the side of her cheek. She grunted and leaned more into Luna, who seemed less than thrilled about this.

"Heh, this is a new feeling. A sense of care over a creation of mine." I said, sitting back down on the bed.

"Do you tend to not?" Luna asked, her eyes still looking at Pine who had somehow burrowed her way into the bed.

"I try to, but she's living. Even has a piece of my power too..." I trailed off, realizing something.

"Hold on, my power. It's... Huh, I don't feel weaker from making her." I said, feeling my power. I was given a gentle pulse through my body. It definitely didn't seem diminished, if anything it seemed to want to spread.

"Dear Franz? What do thou mean?"

"It means that I can give a power enhancement, or something like it, but I'm thinking that there might be a limit on just how much I can give." I said, this power distribution method reminding me of Destiny of all things with how they have Ghosts. Raising a hoof to my armored chin, I gave a cautious thought.

'What if I can make my own versions of the Guardians? If so, then I wouldn't be a limp eyesore in the sky and would actually help my version of Guardians.'

Putting that thought to the shelf of possible ideas, I turned my attention back to Luna, who yawned.

"While the idea of gaining a portion of your strength is enticing, tis reaching the end of the night, Dear Franz. Thou...yawn You should get some sleep." She said, her wings spreading out and giving a stretch. I hummed and realized that it was 3 in the morning, and the sun would come up in a bit.

"Yeah, I should. Wanna dream walk for a bit Luna?" I asked her, earning a shake of the head from her.

"Nay, not tonight. I have matters that require my attention." She said, giving me a smile after.

"We can, however, still perform them here. If, of course, that is okay with you?" She asked, looking at me with her big, beautiful eyes.

"Yeah, of course you can. Just uh, try not to wake Pine." Was my response, realizing that I didn't have the urge to sleep. Figuring I should. I imagined my body wanting sleep. Soon, I was hit with a wave of drowsiness and laid down and wiggled myself under the covers. I heard Luna's magic flare up and move Pine under the covers as she also climbed under with her.

"Sweet dreams, Franz. And you as well, Pine Solaris." Luna whispered, her magic easing both me, and herself into a comfortable rest.

"Goodnight Luna, I love you." I said, pulling both her and Pine into a hug. She was sandwiched between us, and a little cool to the touch. I felt Luna kiss my nose as I felt the world slip away from under me.

"We love you too, Dear Franz." Was the last words before unconsciousness took me.

A sense of unfamiliar familiarity hit me, almost like DeJa'Vu, but more grounded. Clearer. I was in a control room, specifically to the ship in orbit. The Endless Vision. I could see myself staring down at the planet from the bridge as I admired it.

"Look at this wonderful world I used to call home. Right there, my place of origin." I said, pointing to a specific place in California as the ship shook lightly from the planet's defenses. The SCP Foundation really had an impressive arsenal at their disposal, but unfortunately it would not be enough to stop me.

"And now, all that remains is ash, and rubble. Light Bearer, know that once the planet is subjugated, and the wrongs reverted and fixed, I will come for your head." I muttered that last part, knowing exactly where he was hiding.

"Sir, the message is ready to be broadcasted across the planet. No matter what their MTF's are trying, we should be able to pierce through and deliver it." I heard someone familiar say from behind me.

"Perfect. For now, have the turrets disable those guns they're shooting us with. It's going to dirty the hull if they keep hitting the ship." I ordered the purple, barely visible and faded blob who sat behind a nearby terminal.

"Affirmative. Message is ready when you are Franz." Said another voice, unfamiliar, but familiar still.

"Begin transmission. Denizens of Earth, I am here to give you a second chance. If you do not wish to fight, stand outside of your home, workspace, or any building and raise your arms. Should you choose to resist, my chosen will fall upon our world and decimate those who wish to stop us. The SCP Foundation is doing its best to halt my actions, but you cannot stop what is ultimately my will. My name is Franz, Fundamental of Imagination, and I am here to take this world under my control, and to collect the heads of the remaining 05 Councell. You have one hour to submit, and one day to surrender." I stopped momentarily to catch my breath; the message longer than I thought.

"And if you still choose to fight, know that you will be given one verbal warning to surrender, and one warning only. Surrendering is not a crime, but a second chance at life. I will see those who made the smart choice in an hour." I finished, extending my power over the entire planet as I could visualize every person who had agreed to my terms. They would make good candidates, if things went well.

"Sir, new contact detected. I believe they're sending multiple anomalous entities our direction. Any suggestions?" Said the familiar purple blob. I grinned as I knew what they sent.

"Watch me." I responded, feeling the memory or dream, end as I phased through the ship.

Waking up, I felt someone holding onto my chest. Blinking the sleep away, I saw Pine had curled up and hugged me during the night. Luna was raising the moon right now, and I got to watch the end of the process. Her magic fizzled out as she gave another yawn, and stretched, clearly unable to stay awake much longer.

Looking back down at Pine, her mane had fully grown and even stopped after a certain length. It's bark like texture gone as it looked more like thin threads of some sort that held together. I knew it was still a form of plant life, but she did have the appearance of a normal pony mare. She had also slobbered on me. Examining it closer, it was a semi-fluid substance that reminded me of very watery sap. So, she drooled sap as well?

Luna noticed I was awake, her eyes widening as she stifled yet another yawn.

"Good morning, Dear. Did thou sleep well?" She asked, her mane disheveled and her coat roughed up from the night.

"Yes, I did. I take it last night wasn't a restful one?" I replied with a question, getting out of my spot and letting Pine latch onto my pillow. She gave an adorable little yawn before burrowing her head into it and under the blankets.

"Not as restful as we hoped, but we did achieve our goal. And um, Dear Franz?"

"Yes Luna?"

"We, I noticed that during sleep, you didn't move at all. As though you were but a statue. I knew you were still alive, yet you didn't even flinch when Pine hugged you. Is this something that happens normally?" She gave me a good question, and I thankfully had the answer.

"Yeah, I usually don't move at all when I sleep. It's just a thing I had my body do so I wouldn't fall off the bed." I said, noticing Pine shuffling from under the blankets. She stopped after a moment before going still with a light snore coming from her.

"Ah, I see. I wasn't aware you could control your body with that much precision even while unconscious." She mused, thinking it over.

"I've been doing it for a while now, and aside from one side being warm and the other not as much, it's not really that bad. You get used to it, just how I haven't had the need to use the bathroom or shower at all since I've been here." I said, realizing that made me sound less appealing.

"Thou hath no need for bathing or needing a restroom?" She asked, a look of realization on her muzzle as several things seemed to click for her.

"Yeah. All in all, it's a pretty handy thing to have. Makes bathroom essentially useless for me."

My words seemed to have a bigger weight on her mind, as when I looked back up at her, she was in deep thought. Maybe she wanted me to apply the same things to her?

"If you want, I can give you the same ability too." I said, trying to snap her out of her small daze.

"Uhm, perchance. I am still processing the fact that thou have no need for bathrooms any longer. I am morbidly curious, what happens to it?" She asked, leaning in closer as though someone was listening.

"At first I thought it was being teleported to the bathroom and flushed automatically, but apparently it doesn't. I'm starting to think that it just gets destroyed or just dematerialized." I said, running a hoof through my white mane. It hadn't grown at all or shrank.

"I would believe it has to do with how your magic works. It seems more akin to creation and destruction given the length your power extends." She said, reminding me of something.

"Speaking of my power, it's not magic. From what I recall, I think I'm a Fundamental. Of what specifically, it's Imagination." I said, not knowing what a "Fundamental" is exactly. I just know that one of those is a big deal, and there's more than one.

"A fundamental? We are aware of the term, but the title is alien. As for which one, I believe I have made a connection." She explained.

"Thou represent the Fundamental of Imagination. And if I am not mistaken with what we have seen as of yet, thou can create or destroy whatever thou wish. It reminds me of the transmutation spell, with the major component not required... Dear Franz! Do you realize what this means!?" She said, her rambling growing more and more erratic.

"That I can make what I want?" Was my meek response.

"Nay, thou are a Deity! Perhaps even more!" She cried, startling Pine as she flailed around from under the covers I was still partially under. She kicked my leg, but I, much to my surprise, felt it. She kicks hard!

"Yeah, a deity who shares the same weakness as a sonic screwdriver apparently." I said, sitting up and looking at my leg. I called my armor over to me as I began to prepare for the day, and Pine managed to untangle herself while Luna gave another stretch.

"Dear Franz, thou are a deity in the form of an Alicorn! We, yawn, we need to tell sister about this!" She said, yawning once more as her words were caught in the yawn.

"What's an Alicorn?" Pine asked, rising from the bed and giving a short stretch, her body making slightly strained wooden scraping as she did.

"Me and Luna are Alicorns, as is Celestia and Cadence. So far, we are the only Alicorns within this world." I explained to her, a tilted head being my answer.

"Alicorns are ponies who have wings and a horn with the strength of an earth pony." I added, getting a small coo of understanding from her. Going back to Luna, I was going to continue my train of thought and found her sleeping on the spot, her head laid down on the bed as she slept.

Following my gaze, Pine also saw Luna and used the pillow she was hugging earlier to cover Luna's head, half burying her underneath it. I gave a small chuckle from her and dematerialized the slobber she left on me.

"Come on Pine, let's find Summer Springs and get you situated with her. Lulu needs to sleep; it's been a long night for her." I said, getting up and using my magic to lift Pine up, smiling as she began to squirm in the air.

"Hey! I can walk just fine!" She yelped, wriggling around as I set her onto the ground. Her hooves made an odd clacking sound as she walked, her different biology making her distinctly different.

"I know, now lets get you ready." I said, letting Pine rush to the bathroom. While she was in there, I went over to Luna and carefully moved her under the covers where I was at. Immediately, she curled up and around my lingering warmth as I pulled the blanket over her. Leaning over, I gave her a small peck on the side of the cheek, the affection making her smile.

"Sleep well, Luna. I won't be far for long." I whispered to her. I got a grunt from her and made my way to the balcony door. Imagining a large array of sensors, and fail safes, I had locked down my room to prevent any non-pony creatures from getting in. And a few small tranquilizing turrets that silently hummed with life in the four corners of the room.

'I won't lose you again.'

After getting Pine Solaris ready to explore the castle some more, we had left and gone walking around to find Summer Springs. It was still morning, and I saw that the Guard had been doubled from last night. They had also been informed of the wooden pony that was with me, as they gave her only a minor glance before nodding. I was glad the guards knew better now, that means they can't pull that bull again.

"Man, where is she? We've looked all over the upper layers of the castle, pretty much looked into every room in the middle layers and even asked the Guards where she's usually stationed. And nothing still!" I said, the last 2 hours spent searching for Summer Springs bearing no fruit.

"Maybe she asked for a day off?" Pine asked, a look of worry plastered on her face.

"A day off? Wait, GAH! HOW DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT! Pine you're a genius!" I said, grabbing her and lifting her up in the air and doing a spin, my wings spreading and lifting us up higher than she had been.

"BWAH! DON'T DO THAT I'M SCARED!" She cried, startling me and making me set her down.

"Oops, sorry Pine. Didn't know you didn't like heights." I responded, remembering how I used to have a fear of them as well.

"It's okay dad, just don't do that no more." She said, settling down and falling in line next to me.

"I know, I got excited and... what did you call me?" I asked her, the words she said catching up and registering in my head.

"I uh, called you dad. I felt weird calling you creator." She said, a look of nervousness spreading across her face.

"No, no, just. Caught me off guard is all." I said, looking at her in a new light. She called me dad, what does that imply? She didn't have my genetics in her, as far as I was aware of. But what if she did? I did technically breathe life into her, so what would that make us? Father and daughter? Or is it not as complicated? She is a lot more alive than just a creature I made like that Nomu I used, so would I be able to bring her back if she died? She was nervously stepping side to side while I stared at her, almost waddling.

"Dad? Is something wrong?" She asked, my stare making her feel creeped out most likely.

"Yeah, I uh. I wasn't uh. Wow this is new territory even for me. I uh, what do you see me as?" I asked her, my question coming out as a jumbled mess as I tried to keep a straight face for her.

"I see you as my creator, and father. You created me, but instead of sending me to work, you catered to me like you would a newborn foal. At first, you weren't sure, but you came around. So, I decided after the incident when they captured me, and you threatened them for it, that you were more of a dad." She said, this being the most she's said at once in a while.

"I see. Oh man, makes me feel like crap for letting you sleep on the floor that night." I said, realizing she could've been left alone if she was in bed.

"It's of no consequence, dad. I'm not mad, not even a little." She said, her speech pattern reminding me of Luna.

"Heh, you even have your mother's speaking habits." I replied, earning a smile from her.

"I imprinted on you, dad. And her too. I love you both. And no, not in the sweet home kind of way." She said, making me choke back a laugh.

"You even have my humor. You really are mine." I said, earning a smile from her.

"Question is, how? This isn't usually something that, well, happens at all." I said, turning to the nearby window that showed us the Gardens.

"I uh, have some of your memories. Not a lot, but um, enough to get your references." She said, following me and looking out the window as well.

"Pine, I feel like you and I are going to be a very good family." I responded with finality, spotting a nest with two birds and a chick in it.

'God, I finally have someone who can understand my jokes and references! Why didn't I do this sooner!' I thought to myself, giving a smirk.

"Well, Pine Solaris! We have a big day ahead of us! Let's find us that mare!" I exclaimed, grinning as she stomped her hooves in appreciation.

"We're having a, um, adventure!" She yelled, happy to be here with my antics. I scooped her up, much to her annoyance, and put her on my back to rest.

"All the adventures, so many adventures!" I said, a wriggling wood pony now on my back. She was surprisingly light, but with a simple way to keep her on me, she stayed on for the rest of the small adventure.

And then we ran into Marble Shine, who had just walked into the hall carrying a cart full of cleaning supplies. Spotting her last instant, I braced myself as Marble had to aggressively halt her cart, some of the cleaning supplies falling off and spilling onto the ground as her muzzle bumped into my visor on my chest.

"Oop! Sorry about that! Oh hey! Marble Shine, right?" I asked, using my magic to reverse what had happened.

"Oh! No sir, it's perfectly fine. I was just, PRINCE FRANZ!" She yelped, immediately bowing her head. I raised an eyebrow at this and remembered that she hadn't met me this time yet. Well, she had but from a different frame of reference.

"It is alright, Marble. It was just a simple accident. Are you alright?" I asked her, motioning to rise.

"Yes, your highness. I'm not hurt." She whispered, avoiding eye contact. Figuring this wouldn't do, I used my hoof to raise her head to let me take a closer look at her muzzle. When I did so, she seemed to freeze as she looked up to me, a small tint of pink in her cheeks as I got a closer look. Maybe she's feeling flushed because of that donk to the nose.

"Light abrasion, and no major, or minor damage. Here, take this." I said, producing a single pill ibuprofen. I knew they don't usually last very long, but I had to give her something. Maybe I can enhance this one too.

"Thank you, your highness." She said, taking the pill and swallowing it. Damn, no water? Just taking it dry? Wonder if I can eat a popeyes biscuit with no water too if she can do that.

"Any time. Say, I have a bit of a favor to ask of you." I said, noticing that Pine had been silent the whole interaction so far.

"Of course. But uh, what did you give me?" She asked, her eyes looking up at me still.

"I gave you a mild pain killer. Should work soon, but anyways, I wanted to ask you if you could watch over my uh, student! Yes, student." I said, panicking and calling Pine my student. I heard her whine from behind me, but I couldn't look back yet.

"A student? I could cater to them, but it would be a bit before I can be assigned to them. Are they arriving soon?" She asked, not questioning me at all. Odd, she didn't even flinch.

"Yes, they're here now. Pine?" I asked, turning to reveal a very bothered Pine Solaris.

"Dad, I'm not your student, I'm your daughter! Tell her what you really want!" She demanded, folding her hooves from her spot on my back. I could feel Marble desperately wanting to leave, so I just did what I could to get this moving.

"She's your daughter?" Marble asked, making me close my eyes.

"Pine, she wasn't supposed to know that yet. No one knows you're my technical daughter aside from me and Luna." I spoke aloud.

"Ooooh, why didn't you say so dad!" She half yelled, sounding somewhat frustrated.

"I was going to when you spoke ahead of me. Anyways, Marble, would you like to help me with keeping my daughter safe?" I asked her, to which she just stared at Pine.

"Uhm, y-yes, your highness. I can most d-definitely help with that." She stammered, having what looked like a mid-life crisis or something akin to it. Was she experiencing an uncanny valley effect from her?

"Great! When can you start?" I asked, knowing that they would need to schedule her specifically for Pine in the nearby future. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?