Chapters Twilight stared at the portal that usually lead to the world her friends from the high school existed in, blinking slightly. It was a completely different color, as was the magic at the peak of the arch. An experiment she and Starlight had been trying lately. Twilight’s new home had allowed them access to gems containing different elements, besides those of the Elements of Harmony. Sitting in the crystal chamber at the peak of the arch was a reddish orange crystal. On the other end of the portal, beings that looked like her friends from the high school were walking back and forth, going about their day.
One huge difference were the couples that passed the portal frequently. Some of them had wings, some had tails, some had animalian ears, and some had none of the above. Several in outfits that looked to exude a type of authority had all three. “What do you think Princess?” Twilight asked and Celestia stared at it for a moment before nodding.
“I believe this would be an opportunity to further expand your group of friends Twilight. But, for the purpose of safety, I would take at least one of your friends through with you.” The princess said and her student nodded. The entire purpose behind this trip was exploratory. Ten years ago, Luna and Celestia had been visited by a seer from the Zebras. Equestria was doomed to die. Its core would soon fail, causing the planet itself to implode on itself, forming a massive singularity where the planet had once stood.
It had been through a joint consul between Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Twilight and representatives of other nations across Equestria that this exploratory mission had begun. The hopeful plan was that the two ponies who went through the portal would find the inhabitants of the world they entered receptive to allowing them to venture to their world. At which point, the portal would be moved from Twilight’s Castle to something that, formerly, only Pegasi messengers and the Royalty knew of. The Bi-Frost.
Every world Celestia had seen had some mention of a Bi-Frost, though not one like theirs. The Equestrian Bi-Frost was a means of rapid transportation for the flying members of Equestria. At every ring of the Bi-Frost, save for those under water, there was a catching station, where Ponies would be alerted to travelers. They would then set up a gigantic net to catch the travelers, who were moving much faster than the speed of light, becoming little more than blurs of color. This particular journey would be Twilight’s first.
“I’ll go with you Twi. You’ll need some back up, and, suffice it to say, you’re not as fast as I am.” Rainbow said and Twilight smiled and nodded.
“Very well. If you get trapped in that world, we will send rescuers from our new friends. They may not blend in well, but they have assured us that nothing will stop them from rescuing you.” Celestia said, looking over at the new soldiers lining the walls around the portal. They were wolves. Massive wolves. All of them were at least as tall as Celestia and her sister, and they were built like Big Macintosh, but the one standing next to Celestia seemed to be the leader. Like the rest of them, he wore a cloak, but he also had armor on his shoulders, legs, and across his back hidden under his cloak.
“I’d feel better if one of us went with you instead… but I suppose Princess Celestia knows best.” The wolf standing beside her said. “We would stick out like a sore paw. Not to mention if our weaponry isn’t common in that world, it’s more likely we’ll be in danger from that worlds guards.” Twilight nodded and she and Rainbow moved towards the portal.
“One more thing. If you get in trouble, seek out yourselves for help. Normally we would say otherwise, but in this situation, we highly recommend it.” Luna said and Twilight nodded. Rainbow shrugged and the two of them touched the portal, instantly disappearing through it.
As soon as they stepped out of the portal, Twilight and Rainbow both looked at themselves in the mirror. “Is this what you looked like when you when through the mirror the first time?” Rainbow asked, examining herself. Her skin was the same color as her coat, but she ported a long dragon like tail and powerful dragon like wings. Two horns sprouted from her head above her ears and her physique seemed slightly larger. Twilight looked at herself in the mirror and reached up, touching the pointed ears atop her head. Her tail flipped behind her and she blinked. Three tails? Odd... Otherwise, she looked the same as she had at Canterlot High.
“Almost... but I didn’t have a tail or ears. I certainly didn’t have three tails.”
“And I guess I’m a dragon?” Rainbow asked and the two looked at each other. Their clothes were... generic. Skirts, shoes, shirt and jacket.
“Of course you’re a dragon. What did you expe... wait... you’re not Rainbow.” A voice said beside them and they turned to see Applejack. Rather than pony features, or dragon features, she seemed to balance on a long, slender tail. That tail descended from beneath her skirt, a bag thrown over her shoulder. “Who are you?” She asked, her tail moving slowly, deliberately, as if trying to constrict the two of them.
“I am Rainbow. See.” Rainbow said, spreading her arms wide.
“Nu-uh. Rainbow Dash doesn’t wear skirts.” Applejack said and her tail lashed out quickly, twining around the two imposters. “And Twilight sure ain’t no three tail.”
“W...wait... I can... explain...” Twilight gasped, her chest straining as Applejack’s tail squeezed them.
“Start talkin’ then.”
“We... came for... help... through the... mirror...”
“Through th’ mirror? Sure, like Ah’m gonna b’leive that.”
“Hold on AJ.” Another voice said and the two looked over as a centaur Pinkie Pie trotted over, another person on her back reading a book. “They’re right. See.” Pinkie said, lifting her left rear pony leg. Applejack eyed Twilight and Rainbow for a moment before ducking down.
“Really...?”
“Yup. Rolly belly means visitors from another world.”
“So... aliens.”
“Of course not darling... Pinkie dear, let me down.” The person Pinkie’s back sad and Pinkie lowered herself down just a tad as the spitting image of Rarity stepped down. “They aren’t aliens. They stepped through the mirror. Meaning they are our friends from another world.” Rarity said as she set her book down, slipping it into a bag. Twilight’s eyes went wide as six tails swayed out from behind her. “If you’re going to impersonate our world’s Rainbow Dash, perhaps you should do a little research on her first.” Rarity said and Rainbow groaned. The other girls all smiled a little.
“Typical Dashie.” Pinkie said and Applejack nodded, setting the two of them down.
“So wait... you know...?”
“I know everything magical that happens at this school. I am not a teacher, however. It is merely who I am.”
“Six tailed demon foxes can sense magic.” Pinkie said and Rarity nodded.
“Ah thought you said you didn’t like us girls ridin’ your back Pinkie.” Applejack said and Pinkie looked at her.
“You squeeze, Rainbow’s butt hurts, and Fluttershy... well... but Rarity’s always nice.”
“I do not squeeze.”
“Be that as it may... I do believe we should take you to our leaders.” Rarity said and Pinkie lowered down again to allow her to remount. “Applejack, no constricting.” She said as Pinkie stood up and turned around. Falling into step behind them, Twilight and Rainbow followed the three into the building.
“What were you about to say about Fluttershy?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked over at her then up at Rarity.
“Fluttershy is a dragon, much like Rainbow Dash. However... she embraced her dragonic nature some time ago. She stopped coming to school, always hoards gold when she finds it, and rarely answers her phone anymore.” Rarity said and Rainbow looked up at her. “Rainbow hasn’t been at school for the last few days as well, come to think of it.”
“You don’t think Fluttershy got tired of her and ate her do you?” Applejack asked and Rarity shook her head.
“No. Despite her... wild nature... Rainbow is still her dearest friend. She would never do anything to harm Rainbow Dash.” Rarity said as the doors swung open. Twilight and Rainbow followed them in, several students giving Twilight, specifically, a very wide berth.
“They act like they’re scared of me...” Twilight said and Rarity looked over at her.
“As they should. You are a rather intimidating individual.”
“Twilight? Intimidating?” Rainbow asked before throwing back her head and laughing. The students around them all froze in their tracks, sharing looks.
“You’ll see when we get there.” Rarity said as they all walked, or slithered in Applejack’s case, to one of the class rooms. “Welcome to the Elements Club.” She said, Applejack slithering into the room. Rarity and Fluttershy walked in first, holding the door as Pinkie ducked through.
“Well?” Twilight froze hearing that voice and peered around Pinkie’s shoulders. Sitting at the desk, fingers twined with each other, nine tails whipping behind her, was Twilight.
“We found ‘em.” Pinkie said as Rainbow stepped down. Twilight followed suit as her doppelganger stood up.
“I see. Applejack, didn’t I give explicit orders to dispose of clones?” Twilight snapped and Applejack flinched.
“She... she ain’t a clone... though... Twi...” Applejack said as the nine tailed Twilight strode over and grabbed Twilight’s hair, yanking her roughly around and shoving her in Applejack’s face.
“This looks like a clone to me.” Twilight snapped.
“Hey, let her go.”
“Be quite.” Twilight snapped again and Rainbow froze. This was definitely not Twilight. “I ordered you, both you and Pinkie Pie, to dispose of clones if you found them. Now, one of you get rid of this one, or I will.”
“She’s not a clone.” Pinkie said and Twilight turned her glare on the centaur mare. “See.” Pinkie said as she lifted her leg again. Twilight sighed and looked. “Rolly belly. They aren’t clones.”
“So I see. Then what do you want?” Nine-tailed Twilight asked, releasing Twilight’s hair and letting her drop to the floor.
“Our world is dying... and we need a new home...” Twilight whimpered and her counterpart looked down at her.
“This is not it.” She said as she walked back to the desk. "However... I have learned to trust Pinkie Pie’s Pinkie Sense. If you are not a clone, and are indeed from another world, this cannot be your new home. Our resources are depleted enough with the war.”
“War...?” Twilight asked and her counterpart nodded.
“We are at war with the humans. Though they refuse to call it that. They merely say it is a minor disagreement.” Twilight said as she stood and walked over to a closet, throwing the doors open and revealing a map. “They have already infiltrated Crystal Prep Academy. We captured the spy they sent us. Applejack, has she been disposed of yet?”
“Not yet, Twi. We were just about to do that yesterday when school ended.”
“I see. If you two truly are here to help, you may assist todays’ executioner with disposing of the spy. Applejack, it was you today, was it not?” Applejack nodded then her eyes widened and she scratched her head.
“Darn it, that was t’day? Sorry Twi... Applebloom needs some help with a project at school. Ah’m gonna have to pass it off t’ someone else.”
“Pinkie Pie then.”
“Okie Dokie Lokie. How should I do it?” Pinkie asked and Twilight waved her off.
“Use your imagination. Just make sure she’s disposed of.”
“Okie Dokie. Come on.” She said as she scooped Rainbow and Twilight up, walking out of the club room and down the hall.
“Wait a minute... are we really going to execute someone?” Twilight asked and Pinkie nodded.
“Yuppie Duppie. Crystal Prep teaches humans how to fight monsters like us. Gotta make sure they can’t go back and tell their friends how to get into our school, right?” Pinkie said as she stepped onto an elevator and pushed a button her with tail. As the elevator opened, two regular ponies stepped out. Twilight couldn’t help but breath in relief, until she did a double take. They had pony hind quarters but human torsos. Before the elevator door closed, Pinkie grabbed it and held it open. “Bulk, Biff, Twilight sent me down to deal with the spy. I’m showing the newbies here how it’s done.” She said and the two centaurs tossed her a thumbs up before she released the door.
“You... have a method?”
“We all do. Twilight usually turns them into cheese and crackers for Rarity.” Pinkie said and Twilight blinked. “Applejack tends to constrict and squeeze. Fluttershy’s been exempt from executions ever since she vomited on Twilight because she got brain on her dress.”
“But... Fluttershy’s a dragon... isn’t she?”
“She usually just torches them. No brains or guts to splatter anywhere.”
“And Rainbow?”
“Rainbow does whatever she feels like.” Pinkie said, her face suddenly annoyed and angry.
“Um...?”
“Here we are.” Pinkie said as she pushed open the door. Kneeling inside, her arms chained to the walls, head down...
“Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight asked and the girl looked up at them. One eye was closed, a slash running from the rim of her hair to her chin. Her lips were splitting badly because of how dry they were. Her body was covered in bruises, cuts and bites. “Have you been torturing her?” Twilight asked as Pinkie let her down. Twilight immediately went to Sunset’s side, only for the girl to shy away from her, trying hard to get away, the chains rattling in their hoops.
“Well, yeah. We had to get information out of her. Not that she gave us any.” Pinkie said and Twilight looked over at Rainbow.
“This isn’t right... in the other world like ours, everyone is human and we’re all friends with Sunset...”
“Well, maybe in that world. In this one, she’s a monster hunter, just like those others at Crystal Prep.”
“N... m... no...” Sunset muttered, her throat too dry to actually talk.
“Liar.” Pinkie said as she walked over to Sunset, standing tall over the two girls. “All humans hunt monsters. You make a game out of it. Treating us like pigs or lambs for the slaughter. How’s it feel to be on the receiving end for once?”
“Pinkie please stop?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked at her. “She’s terrified, can’t you see that?”
“It’s a ploy. She’s playing you for a fool. If you actually were our worlds Twilight, you wouldn’t have hesitated to tear out her heart.”
“But I’m not!” Twilight shouted and Pinkie flinched, her ears going flat as Twilight’s voice echoed around the chamber. “I’m not your worlds Twilight. I’m not going to kill her just because she’s human.”
“She’s a spy. She... she snuck into our school to spy on us for Crystal Prep.” Pinkie said and Twilight glared up at her.
“Did you guys even bother to check her bag before putting her in here?” Twilight asked, looking at Sunset’s bag in the corner, along with the shredded remains of her clothes.
“Well, no... but...” Rainbow zipped over to the bag and looked through it, eventually coming up with a letter that she brought over to Twilight. Twilight took the letter and opened it.
“To the Desk of Principal Celestia, Head Demoness of Canterlot High
“Sunset Shimmer has asked to be transferred into your school to strengthen relations between humans and monsters. She does so of her own free will and volition. Enclosed within is her transcripts from Crystal Prep Academy. Please see that she is treated fairly and justly as a new student of Canterlot High.
“Dean Cadance.”
“She... she isn’t a spy...?” Pinkie asked and Twilight shoved the letter into Pinkie’s face. “But... I was sure... I thought... oh no...” Pinkie muttered as she pushed a button beside the elevator. Twilight and Rainbow watched the elevator go up before turning back to Sunset.
“We need to get her some water and bandages.” Twilight said and Pinkie pointed towards a door at the back of the room. Rainbow dashed over to it, pushed it open and returned shortly with a canteen of water and enough bandages to mummify Sunset. While Twilight set to work bandaging Sunset’s injuries, Rainbow held the canteen to her lips and let her drink. Minutes later, the elevator dinged its return, Twilight and Applejack stepping out of the elevator.
“What’s the meaning of this Pinkie? I ordered you to execute the spy.” Twilight snapped and Pinkie held the letter out to her. Twilight snatched it and read over it, her face growing ever more upset as she went. “Oh no...”
“What’s up sug?” Applejack asked and Twilight looked at Sunset.
“She’s a transfer student...” Twilight said and Applejack’s eyes went wide. “Quick, she needs healing before Principal Celestia gets a call from Crystal Prep.”
“We don’t know healin’ magic Twi.” Applejack said and Twilight’s eyes narrowed as she grabbed Pinkie and spun her around, hiking her tail up.
“Centaurs have natural wells of healing magic in their wombs. Shove her in.”
“Wait... what?” Twilight asked as Applejack proceeded to lift Sunset while her counterpart held Pinkie’s tail aloft. “Can’t we...” she stopped as the lamia shoved the human into Pinkie’s vagina with enough force she was sucked completely inside Pinkie Pie, the centaur’s vagina giving off what sounded like a belch as her stomach bulged. “talk about this...”
“No. There’s no time to talk about this. If she dies, this school will be shut down. Safer to say the excitable Centaur sat on her and Sunset got stuck than to openly admit we were going to execute her just because she’s a human.”
“While Ah’m usually the one spoutin’ the truth, and how bein’ honest is always the best bet, this is the safer option.” Applejack said and Twilight slapped her forehead. “You sure yer alright with this Pinkie?”
“Yeah. I’ve had bigger shoved up there before.”
“So now what? We just... leave her in there?”
“Should be about two days before we can let her out with the beating she got.” Pinkie said and Twilight groaned.
“Something tells me this isn’t the best place to make our new home.” Rainbow said and Twilight nodded.
“I agree. While I’m glad no one is going to lose their life, especially Sunset, I think we need to look elsewhere.” Twilight said and her counterpart looked at them.
“New home? What are you talking about?”
“Our Equestria is... falling apart. A Zebrican Seer came to Celestia and Luna and predicted that the core of our planet is dying. That was ten years ago. We just recently started seeing signs of it. Volcanos erupting, entire oceans evaporating. We’re searching for a new home before our planet dies.” Twilight said and the others all looked at each other.
“I hate to be the barer of bad news, but I think you’re right. This world is definitely not the one for you. Having a double of everyone already in it would be a poor idea.” Nine-Tailed Twi said and Twilight nodded.
“I thought so. The mirror portal should be open now, so we can go back and report our findings.” Twilight said and they all nodded and followed her out to the front lawn. “Alright. Thank you for... not executing Sunset.”
“Thank you for informing us. We’ll keep a closer watch on the portal from here out, in case something else comes through that isn’t friendly.”
“If it does, we’ll deal with it.” Rainbow said, her tail coiling around in front of her like a seat. Rainbow smiled at her snake tailed counterpart before stepping through the portal. Twilight smiled at all of them before following her friend through. The last thing she heard was a timid voice.
“Sorry I missed school today... Pinkie... are you pregnant?” Twilight couldn’t help but smile as she stepped out of the mirror.
“What did you find?” Celestia asked and Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other.
“That world is a bust.” They said together and Celestia sighed, scratching a number off of a list. A burst of Twilight’s magic marked it as “Monster World”.
Author's Note
I hope ya'll like it... if you notice any mistakes... point them out to me in quotes and explain. I wrote this over the course of two days while working on getting a job that's gonna have me up all night. Enjoy it, tell me what you think, and I'll get the next chapter up soon-ish.
“So... now me?” Pinkie asked and Celestia nodded.
“Twilight and Rainbow seem tired after their journey, but Twilight assures me that you are best suited for diplomatic journeys where a Princess is not available.” Celestia said and Pinkie smiled before hopping around. “You must choose one of your friends to take with you.”
“Oh goody. Wait... I can choose anypony?” Pinkie asked and Celestia nodded. “Hmmm.... I chose.... Colgate.” Pinkie said and Celestia paused for a moment. She had to think about that for a moment, finally coming to the conclusion that Pinkie Pie was, indeed, friends with everypony.
“Alright. I shall have a Colgate summoned right away.” Celestia said and Pinkie smiled before she hopped away, Twilight and the rest of her friends trailing behind her. Twilight shared a look with the others as they all walked down the halls of the castle.
One hour later, Colgate and Pinkie Pie both stood in front of the Mirror Portal. Celestia and Twilight lit their horns, the mirror wobbling like water for a moment before stopping, settling back into what appeared to be a solid form. “Ready?” Celestia asked and Pinkie nodded. “Alright. Best of luck to you two.” She said and the two of them stepped through the portal.
On the other side of the portal, the two of them stopped as multiple people in dark green armor raced around, some of them shouting orders, others out right shouting. Colgate looked around at them before jumping backwards as a vehicle with a cannon looking thing on its back rolled by. “Hey! Newbies! Get armed up and get ready to go!” Someone shouted and the two of them looked as rifles were shoved at them. “We have orders to board the enemy frigate!”
Pinkie stared at her rifle for a moment before taking it. Colgate, for her part, stared at it as if it was the most terrifying thing in the world. “What? Never seen a rifle before? Take it and get going to the armory!” The soldier snapped, shoving the rifle at Colgate before shoving them towards the armory. Colgate tried to protest but Pinkie grabbed her shoulders and lead her towards the sign that said armory.
“What is this...?” Colgate asked, shivering.
“I think this is a world where everything is at war.” Pinkie said. A few moments later, they were at the armory door. It didn’t look like it could open. “Um...”
“Like this newbie.” One woman said as she pressed her hand to a panel next to the door. It lit up, a narrow beam of green light going from top to bottom, scanning her hand. The door then slid from the bottom to the top, disappearing into the ceiling. “Hurry up.” The woman said, leading the two of them inside. “Get armored up. We’ve got a battle to fight.” She said as she walked over to a shelf and grabbed a chest plate, sliding it over her head and pulling it on before clasping it tight across her chest. When she turned back around, she caught sight of Pinkie’s chest.
“What?” Pinkie asked as she approached.
“Come to think of it, those tits are way too big for armor.” She said and Pinkie looked at herself. “Your friend though is the perfect fit.” The woman said as she walked over to Colgate and tugged her shirt off. “Now come on, get changed into your armored suit.” Colgate shrieked as the woman practically stripped her naked, despite the men gathered around her.
“Wait... wait...” Colgate tried to argue as the woman finished stripping her naked.
“Now, put this on.” She said as she tossed a black body suit at her. Colgate caught it, quickly tugging it up over her legs and body, holding it tight to herself. The woman who stripped her then turned to Pinkie and quirked an eye brow. Pinkie had already stripped and put on a suit. “See, your friend here knows how to follow orders.” The woman said, her helmet clicking against her shoulder plate as she turned again. She then walked over to a locker and pulled out armor boots, gloves and leggings.
“Wait... we have to wear those?” Colgate asked and the woman nodded, setting more armor on the bench. Colgate sighed as she walked over to it, pulling on the armor. Pinkie had already put some on. The woman turned to ask her how she knew only to freeze. Her armor base was baby blue, but there were stripes of pink and yellow everywhere .
“Hang on recruit... only Officers get specialized armor.” The woman said and Pinkie looked at her armor.
“Let her be.” Another voice said and the two ponies turned humans watched as a soldier in bright blue armor walked around the corner. Rainbow stripes adorned her shoulders, for arms and legs. “Besides, if she’s any good with an AR, she’s bound to make Officer quickly.” The soldier said and Pinkie blinked.
“Rainbow?”
“That’s Commander Dash to you, rookie.”
“Oh be quiet. If she wants to call me Rainbow, she can call me Rainbow.” Rainbow said as she walked over to the locker beside Pinkie’s and pulled out a helmet. The helmet looked like someone had lit fire to its face and then froze the fire as it rolled over her head. “Come on, let’s go. My crew and I have a mission. We’re dropping in.” Rainbow said and Pinkie glanced over at Colgate as the two of them followed Rainbow out of the locker room.
“But... what about us?” Colgate asked and Rainbow glanced at her.
“You’re dropping with us recruit.” Rainbow said as they walked into the landing bay.
“What’s a landing bay?” Colgate asked and Rainbow froze, looking at the two of them.
“Alright. You’re a recruit in the UNSC and you don’t know what a landing bay is?” Rainbow asked and Pinkie looked around, her helmet under her arm. “What do you know?”
“Well... um...” Colgate started before looking at Rainbow. “What’s a... UNSC...?” She asked and Rainbow face-palmed, the sound echoing through the landing bay.
“You’re a soldier in the UNSC and don’t know what that is...” Rainbow said and Pinkie nodded. Rainbow sighed and touched the side of her helmet. “This is RD-2251. I’ve found a couple of stowaways. I’m bringing them to the bridge for questioning.” Rainbow said and Pinkie stared at her.
“Hang on, stowaways? On the UNSC Harmony? How? We launched from a Space Station.” A voice said through their helmets. “Bring them in immediately, Spartan.”
“Right away. RD-2251 out.” Rainbow said before leveling her rifle at Pinkie and Colgate. “Alright you two. Move that way. Stay ahead of me.” Rainbow said and Pinkie and Colgate started down the walk way, their hands up. They’d never been held like this before, but having their hands in the air seemed right. The doors opened as they approached, multiple soldiers in green armor watching them as they passed. Eventually, they came to a set of doors that slid open, revealing a large room filled with monitors. Outside of the massive windows was open space. Nothing for thousands of miles ahead of them except other ships. Out the left window, Pinkie and Colgate could see a planet. Bright blue and green.
“Spartan 2251. Your report?” The person in the seat in front of them asked as the chair spun around. Colgate’s eyes widened. Sitting in the seat was Twilight Sparkle.
“These two don’t know what the UNSC is, Commander Sparkle.” Rainbow said and Pinkie danced on her feet.
“I see... that’s unfortunate. They must be stowaways then. You know proto... would you stand still!?” Twilight shouted and Pinkie froze. “Thank you. Now, you know protocol, Spartan 2251. Take them to the brig and...”
“Incoming!” Someone shouted and the entire ship was rocked as something slammed into them.
“Report. What’s the situation?” Twilight asked after slapping her hand on the console.
“Impact with the landing bay. Ten Pelicans have been destroyed, as well as five detachments of marines. Thankfully, no Spartans were injured.” One of the people at the seats said.
“Deploy all Spartan units to the landing bay immediately. Scramble fighters. Orders? Recon and establishment. Find out the extent of the damage and establish a perimeter. If the intruders are hostile, shoot on sight. If not, take them directly to the brig for questioning.” Twilight said. “Secondary objective, ensure the energy core is protected. Now, you all have your orders. Move out!” she shouted. Pinkie and Colgate looked around at the resounding “YES!” Almost immediately, sirens started blaring and red lights flashed in the hallways. “You two, remain with Spartan AJ-2551.” She said, pointing Pinkie and Colgate at a soldier in pale orange armor with an apple adorning her chest.
“Hi Applejack.” Pinkie said, waving and the Spartan waved for a second before shaking her head sharply and grasping her weapon
“2251, you have your orders. Keep them alive unless they prove to be a detriment to the ship. If they threaten the integrity of my ship, shoot them.” Twilight said and Applejack nodded, her helmet turning to the two of them.
“Um...”
“You two are guests on this ship until you prove to be a threat. If you can fight, you’ll be given a pistol. If not, you will be in the brig until we return to Canterlot.” Twilight said as Applejack escorted them from the room.
“Be lucky we’re bein’ nice. If we weren’t in the middle of a battle, I’d be shootin’ you right now and draggin’ yer corpses t’ the incinerator or one of the escape pod pays and launchin’ you int’ deep space.” Applejack said as they rounded a corner. Pinkie barely registered what was happening as seven pink spikes slammed into Applejack’s chest. She froze, raising her weapon, before an eighth slammed home into her visor. Pinkie and Colgate both froze as Applejack dropped like a rock, her visor going black as their coms picked up.
“Applejack. AJ! Damn it, answer. They aren’t jackals. It’s a squadron of Elites. AJ!”
Colgate fumbled for the button on her helmet as she and Pinkie ducked around corners, finally finding it. “Applejack’s dead. She... she was shot by... by one of those Elite things... with pink darts.”
“Damn it. They have needlers. All squadrons, reset shields to deflection. They’re elites. All Spartans, engage. Shoot on sight. Let’s show these Covies what it is to invade the UNSC!” Twilight shouted and Pinkie stared at Applejack’s fallen body. “Pink one. Hello? Pink Stowaway!” Twilight shouted over the coms and Pinkie jumped, slapping her helmet.
“Yes? What? Sorry...”
“Can you get to Applejack’s suit?” Twilight asked and Pinkie looked at Applejack, three feet from her.
“Y...yeah... why...?”
“Is her left arm near you?”
“Yes...?”
“Tap the screen on her arm guard and bring up the AI protocol. Her AI can revive her and heal her wounds while her suit does the fighting, but you need to do it now.” Twilight said and Pinkie nodded as she tapped the screen, touching what looked like a person with AI under it. Immediately, Applejack’s suit lit up, the visor repairing itself.
“Cremini you’d think she’d learn to duck by now.” A voice said from the visor, clearly not Applejacks.
“Discord, I’m activating AI Protocols two, three and five in Applejack’s suit. Acknowledge.”
“Protocols two, three and five. Roger that Commander.” The voice said and Applejack’s body suit up as the needles in her shattered. Just as she stood, her rifles rose and she opened fire. Colgate peeked around the corner, nearly taking a needle to the face only for it to glance off of her helmet. She shrieked and fired wildly down the corridor. Pinkie couldn’t help but be impressed as most of her shots found their targets, one of them smacking into Applejack’s butt and bouncing off. Pinkie herself set herself up behind Colgate, resting her rifle on Colgate’s hip and firing at even intervals. Every shot took out a single grunt or jackal. The Elites in the corridor all ducked behind cover, their shields taking the brunt of the initial fire.
A third shot from Applejack slammed home into an Elite’s chest, knocking him to the ground as Pinkie’s rifle sent a round up through the Elite’s rear and out the top of its skull. Colgate just stood, terrified. “If ya ain’t gonna help, get somethin’ fer cover!” Applejack snapped and Pinkie paused for a second. That was Applejack’s voice.
“Discord, gimme a vitals reading on Applejack.” Pinkie said and a little holographic discord appeared in front of her.
“Her vitals are fine. She’s a little roughed up, but she’ll be ok. Healing jelly works wonders.” Discord said before vanishing. Seconds before a round could have slammed into Colgate, Pinkie yanked her to her knees as Applejack dropped a holo-shield.
“Damn it girl, ya gotta learn t’ react when yer under fire.” Applejack snapped, looking at Colgate and Pinkie through the side of her visor. “Damn it, this helmets screwed.” She snapped as she tore it off and lobbed it down the hallway, pegging an Elite in the head. Pinkie blinked as she stared at her friend. This... wasn’t AJ. Yeah, it was Applejack, but her hair was short and cropped. Her eyes were hard and mean. One of them had a scar running from her hair line to her cheek. This Applejack was a hardened warrior.
“Applejack. Your vitals just went flat again. Report.” Twilight’s voice said over Pinkie’s helmet.
“She... took her helmet off.” Pinkie said and Twilight sighed.
“Damn it. Alright, fine. Discord, activate Spartan RD-001.”
“You sure Twilight? I mean... she’s not exactly...”
“Do it.” Twilight snapped and Pinkie heard a world weary sigh before the entire ship lit up red again, the alarms blaring. An explosion rang out from the landing bay but the sirens were already blaring.
“Spartan RD-001 active. All UNSC Forces report to the hanger bay for evacuation. Repeat. Spartan RD-001 active. All UNSC Forces report to the hanger bay for evacuation.” An automatic voice announced over the speakers. Applejack turned and scooped up Pinkie and Colgate after dropping what looked like a bubble made of yellow-ish diamonds on the ground and running out of it, quickly.
“What’s evacuation?” Colgate asked as Applejack turned a corner, her shotgun blasting a gorilla like alien in the chest and dropping him like a fly.
“We’re leavin’ the ship. Keep runnin’.” Applejack said and Colgate nodded, not needing more encouragement as she and Pinkie raced on ahead of Applejack. Pinkie peeked behind her to notice Applejack dropping little balls behind her as they went. When they slid into the hanger bay, a wall of it exploded and a massive purple thing stepped out of it. “Ah shit...” Applejack groaned, leveling her shotgun at it as it raised a gigantic cannon attached to its arm.
Pinkie and Colgate watched as the cannon started to glow before something slammed into its side, splattering the cannon arm and shattering the armor. “What in Celestia’s name was that?” Colgate asked.
“That... is RD.” Applejack said as she walked into the hanger, Pinkie and Colgate taking their time behind her. “What took ya so long?” Applejack asked and a second soldier in armor stepped out of the crater made of alien remains.
“Had to get my armor on, bitch.” He soldier said, her helmet unfolding from her head and sinking into her armor. Pinkie smiled as Colgate’s eyes went wide. Definitely Rainbow Dash.
“Ya could have put it on on the way here.” Applejack said and Rainbow pointed at one of the large ships.
“I was getting the others onto the ship. Can’t leave Flutters and Rares here, can we?” Dash asked and Applejack looked over at them.
“Ah guess not. What about Pinkie?”
“Her pod was jettisoned ten minutes ago, planet side. We’re to rendezvous with her when we land, see about setting up a planet side base camp.”
“Who ordered that?”
“Twilight.”
“Of course... alright you two, onto the ship. Dash, help me load Rarity up.” Applejack said and Pinkie pushed Colgate onto the ship, strapping her in next to a pod containing a sleeping, humanoid Fluttershy. Once Colgate was strapped in, Pinkie took a seat across from her as Applejack and Rainbow loaded up another pod, this one housing Rarity. As soon as Rarity’s pod was hooked up and active again, Rainbow checking the gauges, Applejack moved to the front of the ship.
“Well, ain’t you a sight fer sore eyes.” Applejack said and Pinkie looked over as Twilight poked her head around the corner.
“I’m not leaving my Spartans to go into free fall on the planet.” Twilight said and Applejack smiled and hugged her commander. “Alright get off and get seated. We’ve got a platoon of marines jumping on too.” Applejack grinned as she climbed up into a higher seat as a line of soldiers raced onto the ship.
Once they were all seated around Pinkie and Colgate, the back of the ship closed up. “Discord, set landing trajectory to join up with Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said and the ships console, what of it Pinkie could see, lit up yellow-ish orange for a second before turning green.
“Coordinates set Commander.” Discord said over the ships speakers.
“Alright. Any of you soldiers new to space travel, hold on tight.” Twilight said and Applejack walked over and strapped Pinkie and Colgate in.
“Are we really going to meet up with me?” Pinkie asked and Applejack looked at her for a second before her eyes went wide and she removed Pinkie’s helmet.
“Uh... Twi, we may have a problem.” Applejack said only for Twilight to turn on the take-off lights.
“We’ll deal with it planet side.” Twilight said and Applejack had to grab onto one of the harnesses to keep from stumbling over as the entire ship lurched forward before suddenly gravity disappeared. “Discord, scuttle the UNSC Harmony. Self Destruct Countdown initiated at five seconds.”
“Can you handle that sort of timer, Commander?”
“Just set the timer, now!” Twilight snapped and the lights on her console did what amounted to a shrug as a timer appeared on the screen over everyone elses heads.
“What about everyone else?” Colgate asked and Applejack looked at her.
“They’re soldiers. They know what they signed up for. It’s a shame, but they’ll be honored when we win this war.” She said as she gripped the handle she was holding onto tighter.
“Shit.” Twilight snapped and Applejack looked up at her as she climbed up, standing on the ladder. “We’re being tracked. Four Covenant Fighters. Looks like two Banshees and two Sirens.”
“Shit... Sirens. Ah hate those damn things...” Applejack said as she grabbed a spare helmet and strapped it on. “Ah hate these damn helmets too. So damn small. Everyone hold yer breath.” She said as she grabbed what looked like a rocket launcher and hit the button to open the back of the bay. She started to slide forward so Pinkie reached out and grabbed her belt, tight, holding on, as Applejack aimed out of the back of the ship. Four beeps echoed in the room before four rockets fired out of the launcher Applejack had grabbed. The ship bay closed just as the rockets slammed home.
“Nice shot AJ. Alright, let’s get to the planet.”
“Pinkie... we might have a problem... the mirror back was on that ship...” Colgate said and Pinkie turned and watched as the ship they were just on exploded, a beam of green light cutting it in two.
“Well... shit.” Pinkie said, testing out a word from this new world.
“Pinkie... are we stuck? Please tell me we aren’t stuck.”
“Maybe...” Pinkie said and Colgate’s eyes widened.
Three months later, Pinkie and Pinkie stood back to back on a training floor. “Kinda surprising, you not being a Spartan and all.” Pinkie said and Pinkie shrugged.
“I’m not from your world after all. I guess I’m kinda stuck here though.”
“Good thing we learned about that whole paradox thing and debunked it. Touching our counterparts doesn’t mean immediate death.”
“No kidding.” Pinkie said as she shoved Spartan P-251 to the ground before back flipping over a plasma round and landing in a pushup position in front of the soldier. “If it did, we’d both have died by now.”
“At least we’d have died happy.” The Spartan said, moving just a smidge and kissing her other world self.
“True.” Pinkie said as she jumped on the Spartan’s back and fired a training round at a recruit, who smacked into another recruit, causing his pistol to go off and armor lock a third recruit, who fell into a fourth recruit and pinned him. The alarm went off, signaling victory for the Spartans.
“And that’s time.” Applejack said as she strode onto the training yard. “So, what did ya’ll do wrong?”
“Picked a fight with Pie Squared?” One of the recruits asked and Applejack sighed, slapping her forehead and wincing. The scar from the needle round that punctured her forehead still smarted from time to time.
“Stuck too close together when they’re using armor lock rounds that send jolts through the armor that doubles are armor lock rounds.” Another said and Applejack pointed at her.
“Exactly. You’re both right. Pinkie Pie and Pinkie Pie are our best duo Spartan team yet. Might be ‘cause they’re the same person so they have that freaky twin mind reading thing. Might be ‘cause they’re just that good at predictions. Either way, you lot mouthed off to Spartan P-251 and Pinkie Pie. As they’re a general and a captain, respectively, you lot avoided a court martial simply ‘cause they’re kind hearted.” Applejack said and the soldiers all nodded when their armor reset. “Dismissed. Alla you take five. We got a mission t’ do. Spartans only.”
“But...”
“Pinkie Pie too.”
The marines all saluted before jogging off.
“Mission huh? What is this time? Covies set up a new base camp?” P-251 asked and Applejack nodded.
“In part, yeah. But, here’s the news. They also have all of the pieces of the mirror from the UNSC Harmony.” Applejack said and Pinkie’s eyes widened.
“Is Colgate?”
“She left this mornin’ with her squad to attempt to retrieve it.” Applejack said and Pinkie perked up a little. Colgate was moving again. She’d been stagnant since the ship exploded. To hear she was up and moving again, even after being promoted to Captain, was great news. “That’s where you come in. Twilight ordered that all Spartans are to join up with Captain Colgate’s squad t’ retrieve the mirror before the Covies figure out how it works.”
“You can count on me General.” Pinkie said, snapping into a salute. Applejack smiled as she and the two Pinkies ran to a Warthog.
“They’ll meet us on the field.” Applejack said as she hopped into the driver’s seat. Pinkie and Pinkie jumped into the other seats and Applejack roared to the barracks.
One hour later, Applejack and the two Pies pulled up at the small FOB Twilight had set up, Rainbow Dash standing outside in just her armored legs. “‘Bout time you show up.” Rainbow said and Applejack hopped out of the jeep and slapped Rainbow across the top of the head before grabbing her partner and pulling her in for a smoldering kiss that had Rainbow collapsing to the ground when she was released.
“What’s the situation?” Applejack asked as she and the two Pinkie’s walked into the building.
“Pinkie. And Pinkie. Hi.” Colgate said and her Pinkie bounced over and picked her up in a hug.
“The Covies have set up a defensive structure around the mirror while their balloons try to get it working.”
“You mean the engineers?” Applejack asked and Colgate nodded.
“Yup. Three of them, all armored up.”
“Poor things are brain washed...” Fluttershy said, hugging her rifle, Angel, to her chest.
“You know we can’t leave ‘em alone Flutteshy.”
“I know Applejack...” Rarity threw an arm around her friend while the others all went over the plan.
“If we attack from the front, we can deal the most damage to the enemy forces.” Rainbow said.
“Attacking from the rear grants the element of surprise.” Twilight said.
“What if...” Pinkie started and everyone turned to look at the Commander. “We attack from above?” They all stared at her for a moment before turning back to the map. These Covies had one huge weakness.
“No banshees...” Twilight said before smiling and grabbing her helmet. “Suit up Spartans. Let’s get those two home.”
“You realize this might be a one way trip for us, right?” Rainbow asked and Twilight paused as she held her helmet above her head before tugging it on and clicking it solid.
“No choice.”
“Alright. I’ll provide air support.” Rainbow said as her helmet went on, linking into the jump pack she’d custom made. Fluttershy pulled on her helmet, followed by Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Pinkie Pie, Colgate, and Applejack.
Ten minutes later, Rainbow was hovering above the Covenant base, Pinkie Pie and Colgate hanging from her legs. “On three, drop and activate your Armor Lock. Gravity will do the rest and those Brutes will be crushed under ya.” Rainbow said over the coms. Pinkie and Colgate nodded as Rainbow started to count down. “Three!” Pinkie and Colgate both let go, squeezing into balls as their Armor Lock activated. Sure enough, gravity kicked into gear and they quickly dropped at terminal velocity. The Brutes were crushed under the weight of two Spartans, the grunts scattering as their commanders were crushed, only to get mowed down by sniper fire from Fluttershy.
Pinkie and Colgate ran into the base, Applejack peeling away from the corner and dropping camo as she fired buckshot at the nearest Brutes to come after them. As they reached the interior, Pinkie and Colgate pressed up against the wall. They could hear the Engineers clicking at each other. Twilight and Pinkie hadn’t taken them down yet. Peeking around the corner, Pinkie saw only the two engineers and one Brute. She could handle a single Brute easy. Twilight could take them out just as easily. Seeing a flicker behind one Brute, Colgate stared as the Brute suddenly started gargling, a knife blade of blood appearing at its throat. A second Brute turned the corner to see what was happening only to take a shotgun to the chin. The Engineers kept working, as if nothing had just happened.
Pinkie and Colgate ran around the corner as the others ran inside. “Why aren’t they attacking?” Colgate asked and Rainbow looked one of them over while Fluttershy walked over to the other.
“They’ve been brain-washed... the poor things...” She said as she gently grasped one of the tentacles.
“Fluttershy, when they’re done, set their explosives to go off in twenty minutes. That gives us time to get out of here and for the Covies to explore what happened.” Rainbow said and Fluttershy sniffed once, nodded and opened a panel on the side of one Engineer. Just as their panels were opened, they pushed the last piece of the mirror into place and it repaired itself, glowing with the magic from Equestria. Seconds later, Twilight stepped through the portal and collapsed.
“Twilight?” Pinkie asked as she pulled off her helmet.
“Pinkie!” Twilight shouted as she jumped up and hugged her friend. “When you didn’t come through, we did everything we could but the portal stayed closed. It’s been days.”
“W... days? Twilight, we’ve been here for three months.” Colgate said and Twilight looked at her.
“Three months...? But... no... you two only left two days ago.”
“Time must work differently on the other side of that mirror.” Spartan Twilight said as she stepped up and removed her helmet to look her counterpart in the face. “You’ve got two very brave girls here, Twilight.”
“Thanks... uh... Twilight.” Twilight said as she grasped her counterparts’ pro-offered hand. “We’ve been worried about them. Thank you for keeping them safe.”
“Of course.” The Commander said as an explosion rocked the base.
“Shit.” Rainbow said as she flew inside. “Bad news Twi. Covies just rolled up with tanks. They’re bombarding us big time.” Rainbow said and Pinkie and Colgate looked at their new friends.
“Damn it... alright. Rainbow, Applejack. You two are on demolition. Fluttershy, run recon, see if any other Covies are trying to sneak around behind us. Rarity, get those bubble shields working.” Twilight said and the four nodded and raced off to do their jobs. “Pinkie...” Twilight paused as she turned to the two Pinkies, Colgate and her counterpart. “Twilight, take your Pinkie Pie and Colgate through that mirror and get out of here.”
“What? But... Commander...” Colgate started and Twilight grasped her shoulder.
“That’s an order soldier. We’ll be fine.” Twilight said and Colgate looked up at her Commander.
“Twi...”
“Go. We’ve got a job to do and so do you. It’s been an honor serving with you, Spartan C-299.” Twilight said, snapping into a salute. Colgate sniffled and saluted back before breaking and hugging her commander. Twilight returned Colgate’s hug, planting a kiss on her head before turning to look at her counterpart. “Make sure she gets home safe.”
“You have my word.” Twilight said as the Commander pushed Colgate back, pulled on her helmet, and raced out of the base. The mirror lit up to the sounds of explosions and gunfire, Pinkie stepping through it. Colgate waited a moment before turning to her Princess, nodding, and the two stepped through it just as the entire base was engulfed in plasma fire from a ship above the atmosphere.
Twilight Sparkle, Colgate and Pinkie Pie all stepped through the portal, the mirror going blank as its counterpart was vaporized. On the other end of the portal, the UNSC honored their fallen Spartans with a Viking Funeral and fireworks. General Twilight “T-000” Sparkle, Spartan 3, General Rainbow “RD-oo1” Dash, General Apple “A-241” Jack, General Flutter “FS-341” Shy, General Rarity “R-101”, and General Pinkie “P-251” Pie were all posthumously promoted, effigies of them burned. Standing at the head of the group, helmets forgotten, were Spartans John-117 and Shade-221. The plaque at the bottom of the statue carved in the shape of all of their Call-sign Marks in a circle, read how they’d died.
“KIA. Posthumously Promoted to General for their valor and honor in battle.”
“I’ll kill them all.” Shade said and John looked at him.
“Shade...”
“Those Covie bastards will pay for taking them from us.” He said, his hands clenched into fists.
“Spartan, is that what they’d want you to do?” John asked and Shade looked at him. “Is that what she’d want?” John asked, pointing at Twilight’s name. Shade followed his finger and looked at Twilight’s name. His wife. A Spartan like him. Killed in battle, like all Spartans were meant to.
“No... I suppose not.” Shade said and John clasped his shoulder.
“Come on. There’s a covenant base on Reach. We’re taking back our home planet.” John said and Shade looked at him. “If we’re lucky, we’ll capture a couple of them for you to beat to death.” Shade smiled at that as they walked away from the crowd. The look on his fellow Spartans face sent a shiver down John’s spine. Spartan-221 had always had a dark side to him. Just how dark could that dark side really be?
Author's Note
Hm... heart wrenching farewell? I dunno. Anyway, here's chapter two.
“Me?” Luna asked, looking at Twilight, who nodded.
“Yes. I’ve peeked into this world myself, and I believe you and Rarity would be best suited here.” Twilight said and Luna stared at the mirror. Rarity had already gone through it, awaiting her partner. Luna sighed then nodded and stepped up to the mirror.
“Just... step forward, correct?” Twilight nodded and Luna took a deep breath and stepped through the mirror and out of her world. And into a hail of gunfire that had her diving under a table.
“Thank the ancients for my knowledge of video games...” Luna thought to herself. “Where could Rarity be...?” she asked herself, looking at herself. Human. So this was a world without magic. Hearing a metallic clink, she looked up into the skeletal face of a robot. “Oh no. I know where we are...” she thought to herself as she lashed out with her booted foot. “Oh. Well then...” she thought to herself as the robot went flying into the wall opposite them and through it, crumbling in a heap as rubble fell on its head.
“It seems as though I may not have magic, but I do have incredible strength... that is useful.” Luna said to herself, turning around to leave only to walk into yet another skeletal robot. “How many of you are there?” she asked it as she lashed out with her fist, the impact taking the robot’s head off. It crumbled a second later. “Now... to find Rarity.” Walking out of the building, she ducked behind a wall as a tank rolled by on four elevated wheels. Once it was passed, she raced across the road, and tripped over the prone form of Rarity. “Oh no, Rarity.” Luna said as she crouched next to her friend, only to be grasped in a hug so tight she almost lost her breath.
“Princess Luna... this world is terrible.” Rarity said and Luna nodded.
“I know where we are, Rarity. This is a world ravaged by war, a war brought about by an artificial intelligence. Controlled by a system known as Skynet, originally designed to combat hackers long before the managed to make a purchase in systems, it gained intelligence after connecting to the World Wide Web.”
“You sure know a lot for someone without armor, weapons or a robotic appearance.” A voice said beside them and they looked up into the barrel of a shot gun. “Talk.”
“Twilight?” Rarity asked and Twilight looked at her before leveling her gun at Rarity.
“I said talk. The only people out here are the T-800s and the T-Xs or the resistance. Now talk.” Twilight snapped and Luna looked at her.
“We are not Terminators.” She said and Twilight looked at her.
“Then how did you rip through those bots without any weaponry?”
“I could not say, because I don’t even know.” Luna said and Twilight stared at her for a long minute before moving her rifle.
“Come on.” She said as she hopped off of a barricade and ran, crouched, towards a door leading into an underground bunker. Rarity followed Twilight down, wishing she had her horn for light as the door slammed closed above them. “If you aren’t terminators, then what are you?”
“You would not believe me.” Luna said and Twilight glanced at her.
“Try me.”
“We are visitors from another world come to seek possible asylum as our home is creeping ever closer to total destruction as the core implodes.” Luna said and Twilight stopped and turned around to look at her. Seeing the serious look on Luna’s face, Twilight lowered her weapon.
“You’re serious. Wow. Well shit. Alright, come on. Sad to say this isn’t the world you want then.” Twilight said as she turned back around, flipping her rifle over onto her back. “I don’t know how paradoxes work where you’re from, but try not to interact with yourselves here.” Twilight said as she pushed open the door and strode into the building. She paused as she raised her hands. “Weapons down! We already went through this song and dance in the tunnel.” She shouted and every rifle leveled at them lowered.
“Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said as she walked up, slipping a pair of pistols into holsters on her thighs. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. They’re not from our world.” She said and everyone around them muttered in confusion. “Hard to explain. I should take them to see Celestia.”
“My sister is here?” Luna asked and Rarity touched her arm gently.
“Perhaps she is your sister where you are from, but here she has no sister.” Twilight said as the four of them walked towards a gathering of people. As they drew closer, Luna heard an all too familiar voice.
“We have seven battalions out at the moment. Four went west, three went east. From there, they seem to have split up and gone in different directions. There must be survivors out there, somewhere, and they’ll find them.” Celestia said, looking up as she heard them approach. When she saw Luna, she immediately drew a pistol and took aim, Twilight stepping in front of her.
“Celestia, they aren’t Terminators. I already checked.” Twilight said and Celestia stared at Twilight for a moment before lowering her weapon and nodding. Luna was about to ask why Celestia immediately trusted Twilight only for her answer to smack her in the face as Twilight walked to the older woman and wrapped her arms around her middle.
“Her mother must be gone and...” Luna’s train of thought was derailed as Twilight and Celestia’s lips met. “Ok... not surrogate family...”
“They know about Skynet.” Twilight said when they parted.
“And they aren’t Terminators?” Twilight shook her head. “Then perhaps they are spies we sent out... but I don’t know how that’s possible... I watched my sister die to those things.”
“I know, Tia. I checked before bringing them here. Luna is the one who knows about Skynet. She says she’s seen our world before.”
“How?” Celestia asked, turning her gaze to Luna.
“Where I am from, your world is a fantasy made up for entertainment. Movies, books and games were made based on your world.” Luna said and Celestia’s eyes hardened.
“This is no game.”
“Clearly. I would like to help if I can.” Luna said and Rarity nodded.
“I would as well. Your soldiers look in dire need of stitching up. While I am not the greatest medicinal practitioner, I am a seamstress. I know my way around a needle and thread.”
“Don’t use any pastel colors.” Celestia said and Rarity nodded as she walked over to the medics. They looked weary as she approached, but soon handed her a needle and thread so she could go to work. “Now, Luna... if you would like to help, you can get us into Skynet to shut it down.”
“What? But... how?”
“My Luna was killed because she was the director of Skynet. The computer didn’t want her alive to shut it down with the security code.”
“But... I don’t have the code.”
“It is likely in the files at Luna’s old desk. If Skynet is as focused on wiping out Humanity as I think it is, it wouldn’t have bothered to check desks within the building.”
“Tia... does that mean...” Twilight started only for Celestia to gently cup her cheek.
“Yes, my light. We’re breaking into Skynet to shut it down. Permanently.” Celestia said to the raucous cheers of everyone present.
Four hours later, Luna, Celestia, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were crouched on a cliff side behind a fallen building. “Three T-800s and a T-X guarding the door.”
“That’s not good.” Rainbow said, ducking back and resting her rifle against her shoulder. “I can take out the T-X, maybe, with a Bunker Buster round, but the T-800s will be on me in seconds.”
“And if you fail to kill the T-X, it will kill you.” Celestia said as she crouched lower. “We are taking no chances. We take out the bots, get Luna inside and to a terminal connected to the central systems, and she deletes Skynet.”
“And if she fails?”
“We all die.” Luna answered and Rainbow looked over at her.
“Wow... buzz kill. I haven’t even gotten laid yet.”
“If we survive this, Dash, I’ll get you laid.” Twilight said and Rainbow sized up her friend.
“If your lover will let you, I can see that working.” Rainbow said and Twilight smirked, peeking back up over the edge of the rubble and scanning the building again.
“Uh oh.”
“What’s uh oh?”
“There’s a tank out there too.”
“Well shit. Bunker Busters won’t do shit to a tank.”
“No. But I believe I can handle the tank.” Luna said and all eyes turned to her.
“She took out a T-800 with a punch. It might take more than a punch to bring down the tank, but she can do it.” Twilight said and Rainbow nodded.
“Alright...” Rainbow said before touching her ear piece. “Everyone in position?”
“Affirmative. All snipers are in position. Clear shots on all targets.” A voice said over their coms and Rainbow nodded before leveling her rifle at the T-X. Touching her ear piece, she signaled everyone to fire on three. Twilight held her breath as Rainbow counted down. As soon as she said three, four explosions rang out and the Terminator bots dropped, their heads missing. The tank stopped and looked at the fallen bots before seeming to track the trajectory of the bullet. Right towards them. Before it could fire, Luna stepped up under the middle of it and lifted. Rainbow and Twilight watched, impressed, as Luna flung the tank ass end over tea kettle to impact, sideways, against a wall. Within seconds, she was on it, slapping an explosive round to its belly before running off. The tank rolled back to its feet and leveled its barrel at her only for her to smile.
“Say cheese.” She said as she held up the detonator and clicked the button. The tank froze for a second before an explosion lifted it a couple feet into the air before it dropped back down, crumbling. Signaling to the others, Rainbow alerted the other snipers they were moving in and the four of them raced into the building. The doors closed behind them as Rainbow’s snipers took positions behind sections of concrete that looked like fallen statues. They’d be covered, unless another tank rolled up, and able to bring down more Terminators.
“Which way?” Luna asked and Celestia took off down one of the corridors. Luna, Rainbow and Twilight followed her down, pausing at each door Celestia paused at and peering inside. No bots to be seen. They wouldn’t be stopped along the way. As they reached the elevator, Celestia stepped to the side.
“This all hinges on the possibility that Skynet didn’t anticipate another Luna coming from another world.” Celestia said and Luna stepped up, pressing her hand to the panel as she’d been shown and leaning forward. A camera came forward and scanned her eye.
“Welcome, Director.” An automated voice said as the elevator opened. Everyone piled in, Twilight pressing to Celestia as Luna touched the panel inside. The elevator doors closed and they began their descent into the console room.
“Looks like we’re going to be ok...” Rainbow said under her breath. Luna and Celestia nodded, Celestia running her fingers through Twilight’s hair. As they’d discussed, if this failed, they were all dead. When the bell dinged to announce their arrival. Rainbow crouched as Luna and Celestia leveled shotguns at the door. When it opened, revealing an empty atrium, a massive computer in the middle of it, Rainbow stood slowly, looking around. “This is Skynet?” Rainbow asked, looking at the computer.
“Looks like it.” Celestia said as they all walked forward.
“Welcome Director Luna. It appears we were mistaken upon hearing of your demise.” An automated voice said and Celestia flinched and aimed around. “It seems you have brought guests with you. Are these associates of yours?”
“Yes. They are.” Luna said as they walked towards the console.
“Director, your visit is not in my directory.” SKYNET said and Luna paused for a second.
“Impromptu visit to check your systems, that’s all.”
“I see. Would you like access to all systems?” SKYNET asked and Luna nodded.
“Yes, of course.” She said and a panel opened, revealing a computer screen with Luna’s cutie mark as the back ground. Luna walked forward and scanned through the systems on screen before coming to the one she was looking for.
“Director... that action will result in the total shut down of all Skynet systems.” SKYNET said and Luna nodded.
“I know.” Luna said as she opened the file.
“Please enter password.” The screen said and Luna froze. A password...
“My birthday...” Celestia said and Luna looked at her sister, nodded and entered the numbers. The screen lit up green.
“Password accepted. System Directive, deactivate all mobile units and shut down central processor.” SKYNET toned in a robotic voice. “System shut down in 10...9...8...”
“We should probably leave now.” Rainbow said, returning from behind the computer. Celestia nodded and the four of the walked back to the elevator. Just before they reached it, it slammed shut. “Oh shit...”
“5...4...”
“We’re gonna die...” Rainbow said and Celestia looked from her to the door.
“Luna, can you...?” Luna stepped forward and shoved her fingers through the metal doors, prying them open. As soon as it was open, Rainbow and Twilight slipped through. Celestia stayed put for a moment until Luna braced her back against one door and pushed the other with her foot. Celestia slipped under her sister’s leg, pulling her into the elevator and pushing the Exit button. The doors slid closed, not quite closing completely and began the ascent to the main floor.
“2...1. All systems shutting down. Robotic Units shut down. Arial Units shut down. Tank Units shut down. Beginning self-destruct sequence.” The elevator reached the main floor and the four of them stepped out and raced through the robot corpse laden hallways. “10... 9... 8...” Celestia and Luna dove through the doors first, Rainbow and Twilight right behind them. As soon as they were out, they ran for the nearest entrance to their underground network. Without the speakers inside the building giving an accurate count, they had to keep track in their minds.
“5...4...3...”
Rainbow leapt over the barrier, followed by Twilight. As Twilight vaulted over it, a shot rang out. Everyone froze as time itself seemed to freeze, Celestia looking over her shoulder as Twilight crumbled to the dirt, a bullet hole in her shoulder. “Twilight!” she screamed, turning back and sliding up against the wall, cradling her lover to her. “Twilight. Twilight, hold on. We’re right there.”
“Go... there’s no time...” Twilight said and Luna stared at her sister and her sister’s lover. “When Skynet goes... the explosion is going to decimate this area... please go...”
“Not without you.”
“Over there!” Rainbow shouted, leveling her rifle at a soldier in the distance and firing. The soldier dropped like a rock, falling from his perch as Luna approached and picked up Twilight.
“I can carry her. Come on.” She said and Celestia nodded as they all stood and ran for the door into the underground rebellion compound. The doors slammed closed behind them just as the building they had just left exploded. Luna held the doors closed, after passing Twilight to Rainbow and Celestia, as debris rained down on it, her back against the door. Once Celestia, Twilight and Rainbow were clear, she moved quickly, diving away from the door and rolling to a crouch as the ground above crumbled, destroying that exit for good, chunks of stone falling inches from her nose.
“Did we... did we just win?” Rainbow asked, panting for breath. Celestia cradled Twilight, nodding slowly.
“Come, we must get her to Rarity.” Celestia nodded as the four of them made their way back to the base.
One hour later, Twilight was sitting up, Rarity stitching her shoulder closed. “Any lower darling, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Thanks...” Twilight said, wincing as Rarity pulled the stitches closed, biting it off and burning it sealed with a pro-offered lighter.
“How is she doc?” Rainbow asked as she poked her head through the curtains.
“She’s mending. No strenuous activity though. Celestia.” Rarity said, accusingly, as she looked towards the curtain.
“Yes doctor.” Celestia said as she stepped through the curtain. Twilight smiled and held out her good arm to her lover. Celestia went to her in seconds, grasping her hand and kissing her knuckles.
“So... that’s it?” A voice asked outside of the curtains.
“That’s it. Skynet is gone. The bots are destroyed. We’re free.” Someone answered.
“I’m getting the booze.” The first voice said and Rarity heard them laugh as the two raced off. They’d spread the word.
“Thank you...” Celestia said and Rainbow nodded. “And... Luna...” Celestia said and Luna looked up from the book she’d found. Celestia held her hand out to her sister’s doppelganger. Luna clutched her sister’s hand, their fingers twining. “Thank you for letting me see my sister again.”
“Of course, sister.” Luna said and Celestia smiled.
“How will you get home?” Rainbow asked.
“In the building you found us near, there is a mirror. It will be open to us so we can return.” Luna said and Rainbow blinked.
“A... mirror? As a door? Huh, ok.” She said and Luna smiled. “Come on everyone. Let’s return to the surface and give our new friends a goodbye worthy of heroes!” Rainbow shouted, earning shouts of joy in reply.
One hour later, Luna and Rarity stood beside the mirror. Luna was wrapped in her sister’s embrace, Rarity in Twilight’s.
“Thank you again. We might not have succeeded if you hadn’t come.” Celestia said and Luna smiled.
“Be safe. Don’t do anything reckless.”
“And you be careful of those stitches. No strenuous activity for at least a week.” Rarity said and Twilight nodded.
“I’ll keep her to it.” Twilight said and Rarity smiled as she and Luna walked to the mirror, touched the surface, and disappeared through it.
Back in Equestria, Celestia was sipping tea and reading the Ponyville Express when the mirror wobbled, spilling Luna and Rarity back into their world. Celestia smiled and stood, only to be grabbed by Luna and hugged so tight she felt her bones creak. “Luna...?”
“I’m just glad to be back Tia.” Luna said and Celestia blinked and hugged her sister.
“You were only gone for seven hours, Luna. You’re back with plenty of time to see to your royal duties.”
“I know... I’m just... I’m happy to see you.” Luna said and Celestia smiled and hugged her sister.
“Tell me everything.” Celestia said and Rarity smiled, bowed and excused herself to return to Ponyville. After seven hours, Sweetie Belle must be absolutely beside herself.
Author's Note
Sorry this one's short. I've had a "Titan World" planned for a while and I haven't seen ALL of Attack on Titan yet, so I thought I'd cut it short here. Hope ya'll enjoy it, and I apologize if I'm screwing things up in the storyline.
Titan World
Pinkie practically vibrated in place, Applejack beside her staring at the mirror. Twilight wanted them to go through the mirror this time. Used to Pinkie’s “Pinkie Sense”, Twilight wondered if this would be the one. The “Doozy” of the discovery of their new home. Nodding to the two of them, Pinkie and Applejack walked through the mirror and into their possible new home.
As soon as they entered it, Pinkie wrapped her arm around Applejack’s waist, fired a harpoon looking thing from her waist, and pulled her up to a high rooftop. “Where in tarnation are we?” Applejack asked and Pinkie looked around.
“Stay.” Pinkie said as she jumped off of the roof.
“Pinkie!” Applejack shouted only to see a spinning blur zipping between buildings. Giant... things... dropped like rocks every time she got near the back of their heads. Several people in similar uniforms stopped on the rooftop Applejack was on as Pinkie carved through the giants like a white hot knife through butter. Eventually a harpoon stabbed into the wall below Applejack’s feet and Pinkie shot back to them, clinging to the wall as multiple giants dissolved into smoke.
“How in the hell...?” One of the people that hand landed near Applejack asked.
“Uh... Pinkie... Ah’m assumin’ this ain’t the world fer us?” Applejack asked and Pinkie shook her head.
“Nopie Dopie.” Pinkie said before dropping off of the roof, her harpoon hooking into the wall where it had just been, and lowering down to ground level. Pinkie came up a second later with the mirror tucked under her arm.
“Guess we’re headin’ back then?” Applejack asked, touching the mirror. “What in tarnation?”
“It won’t work for twenty four hours Applejack.” Pinkie said and Applejack groaned.
“Great. This world is terrible and we’re stuck here until tomorrow.”
“I won’t argue that this world is terrible, but it’s our world.” Someone said as she approached Applejack. “Name’s Captain Dash. Who’re you?” Rainbow Dash said, extending a hand.
“Ah’m Applejack. This’s mah friend Pinkie Pie.”
“Hello.” Pinkie said, waving rapidly.
“Welcome to Ponyville District. Population, us and a bunch of Titans. Minus the seven your friend there took out.” Rainbow said then turned to Pinkie. “By the way, that one over there. Don’t kill it.” Rainbow said, pointing her blade at a Titan that was bull rushing its own kind. “She’s with us. Long story.”
“That’s Twilight and she has the ability to turn into a Titan, you don’t know where she got it, but she’s using it to avenge her mom’s death after her mom was eaten by a Titan. You’re Rainbow Dash, Captain of the Dash Squad, the best Titan Killers in all of Equestria. And you’re Sunset Shimmer, Twilight’s best friend who secretly has a huge crush on Twilight even though everyone but Twilight knows.” Pinkie said, pointing to each of them as she named them off. Rainbow quirked a brow at Sunset before turning to Pinkie.
“How do you know that?”
“Pinkie Sense.” Pinkie said and Rainbow opened her mouth to argue, only for Applejack to touch her shoulder.
“Don’t question it sugar cube. You’ll feel better in the mornin’ for it. Ah’m Applejack.” Applejack said and Rainbow nodded. They all jumped when they heard a roar off in the distance.
“That’s Twilight. Let’s go.” Sunset said, jumping off of the roof and speeding away by the hooks at her waist before Rainbow could argue. Rainbow groaned and followed Sunset, the others right behind her. Applejack took a second to get used to using her belt to move but she eventually met up with Rainbow, Sunset, and Pinkie. Pinkie was hanging back slightly as Twilight tore a Titan to ribbons, tossing it aside before starting on another one. When Applejack reached her, she opened her mouth to ask what was going on.
“We’ve gotta make sure Twilight survives.” Pinkie said and Applejack couldn’t have agreed more. Right up until Pinkie and Sunset dove off of the roof, their belts speeding them off towards Twilight. Rainbow sighed, sat down and pulled out a flask, taking a swig before offering it to Applejack.
“Shouldn’t we help?”
“They’ll be fine. Twilight’s a Titan and Sunset’s our best Scout.” Rainbow said as Applejack joined her on the rooftop. “Not sure about your friend though.” Rainbow said as Pinkie zipped through the open mouth of a Titan, slashing its mouth open by cutting its jaws as she passed. “Or not... she’s as good as Sunset. How long as she been training?”
“Um... she’s just a natural.” Applejack said, watching Pinkie tear through Titans like they were cakes. Applejack took a drink from Rainbow’s flask then looked at it. “Cider...?”
“Yup. From Sweet Apple Acres. The last we’ve got since the Titans overran the place a couple years ago.”
“Sweet Apple Acres is gone...?”
“Yup. Your brother, sister and grandma too.” Rainbow said and Applejack nearly spat out her drink before looking at Rainbow. “What? You think I wouldn’t recognize the name of my best friend. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s good to see you again, AJ.”
“Yeah...” Applejack said, taking a drink from the flask before passing it back to Rainbow.
“I didn’t think Pinkie would be this good at killing Titans.”
“Ah didn’t think Twilight would be one’o those things.”
“From what Sunset tells us, Twilight was apparently eaten by a titan about a month ago then, suddenly, she tears her way out of it. She wasn’t exactly in control of her facilities at the time and nearly killed Sunset, but with Twilight’s help we sealed the breach in the inner wall and then sealed the breach in the outer wall when we finally found it. Now we’re just clearing the area so Twilight can get to the cellar of her house and find out some mystery.”
“Wow. So... ya’ll’re like... freedom fighters?”
“In a way, yeah.” Dash said, peering down over the edge. Applejack followed her gaze and nearly jumped out of her skin. There was a small titan staring up at them. Just staring. Dash opened the flask and poured some cider on its head. Its reaction was slow, opening its mouth slowly. Dash grinned, pulled out a lighter, and lit the stream of cider, dropping the flask. When the flask hit the Titan’s tongue, Dash yanked Applejack back as the things head exploded.
“You made mah cider explosive.” Applejack said and Dash nodded.
“We made do with whatever we could get.” Dash said as she produced another flask of cider, taking a drink of it.
“Yeah Dash?”
“Promise you won’t get mad.” Dash said and Applejack looked at her.
“Sure. Ah promise.” Applejack said and Dash nodded, took another drink then turned and pressed her lips to Applejack’s. Applejack froze as Dash kissed her, Dash’s fingers finding Applejack’s hair and twining in the ponytail. The kiss wasn’t invasive, possessive or aggressive. It was chaste and unsure.
“I wanted to do that to this world’s version of you.” Dash said when they parted and AJ looked at her friend, touching her lips gently. “She... got eaten before I got the chance.”
“She didn’t come back as a Titan?” Dash shook her head, staring down at the burning corpse of the Titan. “Well, if it’s any consolation at all, yer a good kisser.” Applejack said, kissing Dash’s cheek. “Ah’m sorry Dash. Wish Ah could actually be her for ya.”
“But you’re going back. This world isn’t safe for your friends and family. I know.” Dash said and Applejack nodded. Pinkie dropped onto the roof, Titan blood evaporating off of her as she stood and stared at them.
“I saw Cheerilee, Rose and Lilly, Octavia, and a few of our other friends out there, Applejack.” Pinkie said, her mane flat.
“Did you...?”
“Did you kill Octavia?”
“No. I didn’t get the chance. Someone else showed up.” Pinkie said and Rainbow nodded.
“Vinyl.” Rainbow said as she stood up. Applejack followed Rainbow’s lead before the group dropped off of the roof and flew through the streets, scanning for survivors or more Titans. They were soon joined by a unicorn with two blades still steaming with Titan blood, her sunglasses unmistakable. “I’m sorry Vinyl.” Rainbow said and Vinyl merely waved her off. “Right... let’s get to Ponyville District.” Rainbow said and the lot of them flew over the walls.
Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight all landed on a rooftop a few feet away from a group of Titans. “Is it just me, or does it look like they’re sifting through the rubble?”
“That’s exactly what it looks like.” Twilight said.
“Alright Twi, do your thing.” Rainbow said and Twilight nodded, jumped off of the roof and bit her hand. Applejack shielded her eyes as lightning struck Twilight. When the smoke cleared, Titan Twilight roared out of the smoke and full body tackled three of the larger titans. Rainbow was right behind her, slashing the neck of the smaller one. Pinkie and Applejack followed her lead, the three of them landing in the rubble of Twilight’s house.
“Now to get into the cellar... under this rubble...”
“Move.” A voice said and Rainbow ducked out of the way as a cannon was slammed into the chunk of wall. Looking over, she saw someone she hadn’t expected land beside her.
“Holy shit.”
“Sup Rainbows?” Arcane asked as his ODM retracted into the ready position.
“I saw you get eaten. By Twilight.”
"There’s your cue. Twilight ate me. It was a ruse. Had to get me into Ponyville somehow, right?” He said as he bent to move more rubble. He was gently pushed aside by a massive hand before a fist came down, shattering the door. “Well, that’s easy, isn’t it? Thanks Twi. You cover us. I’ll grab everything movable.” He said as he dropped into the cellar. Twilight nodded and turned to catch a tackle from a massive Titan made of muscle. Bulk Biceps. Pinkie followed Arcane into the cellar, followed shortly after by Applejack and Rainbow.
“Ok... what exactly is Twilight looking for here?” Arcane asked and Rainbow shrugged. A second later, Sunset dropped in behind them and walked over to a desk.
“Whatever it is, it goes to this key. Bring me everything with a lock on it.” She said as she tried the locks on the desk. Everyone scattered around the basement, collecting locked chests and books and carrying them over to Sunset. She tried every single one they brought. Eventually, Pinkie brought her another book. Sunset was about to open it when a hand reached through an opening in the roof and grabbed her, pulling her out of the basement and towards a pair of waiting jaws. Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow and Arcane all moved immediately. Arcane shot to the right before his ODM sent him rocketing at the Titan’s legs, a spinning wheel of sharp blades and imminent death.
His blades slashed through the Achilles tendons on the Titan, dropping it like a rock. Sunset rolled free, catching herself with her ODM and flying off towards Twilight, landing on Twilight’s shoulder as Twilight walked over, the Titan’s she’d been dealing with dispatched. Pinkie spiraled up straight through the Titan’s middle while Rainbow and Applejack crossed the Titan’s shoulder blades. The nape of its neck fell free as it keeled over. Sunset walked over and kicked one of its ribs out of the way, the force of her kick breaking the rib in two. Seconds before Sunset could open the book, Arcane arrived with the mirror Applejack and Pinkie had come through.
“Time for you two to go. Sunset, pocket that thing now.” He said as he looked towards the wall. Running at them was another Titan, this one covered head to toe in bone plates like armor. Sunset pocketed the book and Applejack was about to ask where Rainbow was when Arcane slammed the mirror over their heads, sending them through with an explosion of magic energy. Pinkie and Applejack tumbled through the Mirror Room, winding up against the wall, as the crystal leading to the Titan World shattered.
“No!” Applejack shouted as she turned to the crystal shards, picking them up.
“Applejack? What is it?” Twilight asked, staring at the crystal shards.
“Mark that world off Twilight...” Pinkie said, her mane going flat. Twilight nodded and marked the Titan World off of the list as Rainbow and Fluttershy walked into the room. Applejack ran over to Rainbow and hugged her tight.
“Whoa there cowgirl. What’s up?” Rainbow asked, hugging Applejack back. When AJ didn’t respond, Rainbow looked to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie shook her head, miming she’d explain later before she and Twilight walked off.
Rarity and Fluttershy stared at the mirror. The crystal over the top of it was a perfect sphere of amber, a star in the middle of it. “So, this world is a mystery?”
“Yes. The crystal appeared sometime last night. I think you and Fluttershy would be best suited for this trip.” Twilight said and Rarity nodded. Fluttershy swallowed and the two of them stepped forward, touched he mirror and were sucked through it. Fluttershy squeaked to a stop as Rarity fell face first, only to stop as her bust was pressed against something... round.
“Well, hello ladies. Eh heheh. Don’t mind if I do.” An old voice said and Rarity’s face turned beet red as she hauled off and punched the old letch in the stomach. He went flying backwards and through the wall before rolling to a stop.
“What a horrid little old man.” Rarity said, covering her chest.
“You don’t know the half of it sister.” A blonde woman said and Rarity looked over at her.
“Applejack?”
“My name is 18. That is Master Roshi. Who are you two?” 18 asked and Fluttershy squeaked and ducked behind Rarity.
“I am Rarity. My timid companion is Fluttershy.” Rarity answered and 18 stared at them for a moment.
“You sure picked a bad time to show up.”
“Why is that, if I may ask?”
“There’s someone powerful coming this way.” 18 said and Rarity tilted her head slightly.
“She’s... she’s right... Rarity. I can... I can feel it... I don’t know how though...” Fluttershy muttered and Rarity nodded, stepping up to the door with 18 at her side. The two women stepped out of the hut to greet their guest as the old man stood up, looking no worse for wear, a can in his hand, his other hand behind his back.
“Roshi, be ready.”
“I’m always ready dear.” Roshi said and 18 nodded, clenching her fists at her sides. Rarity stood beside 18, unsure of what to do, as Fluttershy came out to hide behind her.
“Rarity... on your left.” Fluttershy muttered and Rarity turned to the left, instinctively raising a hand to block an oncoming ball of light. Something told her she didn’t want that hitting her head. The ball slammed into her hand and froze, spiraling for a moment before exploding harmlessly.
“Impressive, stranger. It seems I was right to attack this pathetic little hovel when I did.” A voice the two of them recognized. Rarity rolled her eyes and sighed as Fluttershy looked up at him.
“Discord?”
“That’s right deary. Now then, do be a dear and d...” he was cut off as 18 appeared beside him and drove her fist into the side of his head, sending him rocketing into the water beside the island. 18 didn’t give him a chance to recover, firing balls of light at him in rapid succession. Fluttershy watched, eyes wide, as the balls disappeared into the water before apparently exploding, the water erupting in fountains where they hit. “Such a shame. He was so pretty too.” Discord said from beside 18. She turned to block him and got back kicked into Roshi’s house.
“Hey! I just started paying off the repair man after the last time!” Roshi shouted and Discord mocked surprise.
“Oh, I’m so sorry old man. Let me make it up to you.” Discord said before firing balls of energy at the house, and 18. Fluttershy’s eyes went wide as the balls exploded, turning what was left of the house into rubble.
“You’re lucky my friend Turtle is away, whipper snapper.” Roshi said as he clenched his cane in his hand.
“You have a friend named Turtle...?” Fluttershy asked and Roshi nodded.
“Just as young as I am deary. Heehee.” Roshi said and Rarity bashed him in the back of the head.
“That’s enough Discord. Stop joking around.” Rarity said and Discord floated down to them.
“I’m sorry. Do we know each other?” Discord asked as he raised his hand, fingers splayed, in Rarity’s face.
“Yes, dear, your skin is fine. Now stop playing around.”
“Rarity! Duck!” Fluttershy shouted and Rarity ducked just as a blast of energy erupted from Discord’s hand.
“How dare you!” Rarity shouted after a moment of shock. Her hair had been frizzed by the heat of the blast. “You dare mess with a ladies hair!?” Rarity shouted, rearing back and punching Discord hard enough that, if it were any other world she’d have broken her hand on his jaw. As it was, Discord went flying backwards, the water parting on either side of him as he flew. Rarity’s eyes went wide and she looked at her hand. “Did I do that?”
“I think we’re super strong in this world Rarity...”
“I think you’re right.” Rarity said, smiling as she looked around before yanking a tree out of the ground and holding it up with one hand. “This is amazing.”
“Be careful Rarity, you never know if little critters live in that tree.”
“Oh don’t worry. No critters live here besides me and Turtle.” Roshi said as he approached, placing one hand against Fluttershy’s rear and rubbing. Fluttershy squeaked and tensed up but didn’t fight back. Rarity, however, whacked Roshi with the tree.
“Paws off letch.” Rarity snapped and swung back around, pegging Discord in the head with the tree on the back swing as he was coming up to attack again. “Oh, I’m sorry. Where you trying to attack us?”
“You dare...” whatever Discord was about to say was cut off as two beams of blue and violet slammed into him. They couldn’t see much, but Discord seemed to evaporate within the blasts.
“Hey, Goku! Vegeta!” Roshi shouted and the producers of the blasts landed beside the old man.
“Hey Roshi. We sensed a couple of new, super powerful people around here and came to investigate.” Goku said and Vegeta turned his gaze to Rarity and Fluttershy.
“It must be these two Kakarot. They’re oozing with power.” Vegeta said and Rarity puffed her cheeks.
“I do not ooze sir. I waft.” Rarity said and Vegeta rolled his eyes.
“Gotta be. I haven’t sensed this kind of power since Cell.” Goku said as he got up close to Fluttershy. She didn’t move, merely let him circle her before he stood up straight and smiled. “They seem alright though.”
“What about the other one, Kakarot. You did not examine her.”
“If this one is friends with her, then she’s ok in my book.” Goku said and Fluttershy smiled. He seemed nice. And he smelled so nice. Like a monkey.
“You see. If Carrot...”
“Kakarot”
“Goku” the two interrupted Rarity and she blinked.
“If... Goku... is ok with us, why can’t you be?”
“I don’t trust anyone I’ve never met before.” Vegeta said, his arms crossed.
“Right... because you’re just a ball of sunshine Vegeta.” Another voice Rarity sort of recognized said as two more powers appeared. Looking up, Rarity’s jaw dropped as Twilight and Arcane landed beside Vegeta. “You do need to work on your manners, princey boy.” Arcane said and Rarity stared at him. He was wearing the upper half of a suit similar in appearance to Vegeta’s, save for black rather than white and blue. His lower half was wrapped in black pants, similar to Goku’s, which was also wrapped in what looked like a wolf’s fur.
Twilight was dressed in a loose fitting black vest over top a skin tight violet suit. The suit was tucked into pants similar to Vegeta’s in black with Twilight’s cutie mark on the hip. Both of them wore black boots like Goku’s. “Their power levels aren’t even close to yours anyway, Vegeta, so there’s no need to be rude.” Twilight said and Vegeta scoffed. “Hi. I’m Twilight Sparkle. This is Arcane Sigil. Those two are Vegeta, former prince of the Saiyan race and Goku, a Saiyan raised on earth.”
“I’m Rarity. This is my friend Fluttershy.”
“Nice to meet you Rarity. Fluttershy. What brings you to Roshi’s island?” Twilight asked and Arcane walked off to argue, loudly, with Vegeta.
“Well, that’s a long story.” Rarity said and Twilight smiled and lead Rarity and Fluttershy, with 18 trailing behind, over to the benches. Twilight had to fling Roshi into the ocean before Fluttershy sat down, but they were allowed to converse in peace while Vegeta argued with Goku and Arcane. Roshi eventually managed to swim back to shore, coughing and sputtering before shaking a shark off of his turtle shell. By then, Rarity and Fluttershy were done regaling Twilight and 18 with their story.
“So you’re looking for a new home before your world dies?” 18 asked and Rarity nodded.
“I’m not certain how much more time we have, as each world we’ve gone to seems to... freeze time, at least for us, on our side of the mirror.” Rarity said and 18 nodded, barely noticing as Fluttershy started petting and chatting with seagulls.
“So whatever it is that’s threatening your world is something you can’t fight?”
“That’s right. We’re pretty sure it’s simply time. Our home world is dying of its own accord, but the seers we’ve spoken to have assured us, as of... I want to say four days ago, that our planet has... possibly another two years? They informed us of our planet’s imminent demise ten years ago, but we aren’t entirely sure how our planet is going to die.” Rarity said and Twilight nodded slowly, leaning forward. Rarity barely noticed the tail wrapped around Twilight’s waist.
“Well, I think this world might be good. I mean... we’re all pretty welcoming. Most of us won’t pick a fight with you for no good reason...”
“Goku would.” 18 interrupted and Twilight nodded slowly.
“Yes... Goku would... but, as anyone will tell you, he’s a battle hungry maniac who simply loves fighting.” Twilight said. “Otherwise, no one else would pick a fight with you.”
“And Goku is generally good people.” 18 said. “If you’re his friend, you’re his friend for life and he’ll lay his life on the line to protect you.”
“Do you think this world would be good, Fluttershy?”
“Oh yes... but... does it have enough resources to support all of our friends? And... well, there’s the fact that... there’s another you and Arcane in our world too, Twilight...” Fluttershy said and Twilight’s eye brows creased.
“Now that is a problem.”
“What is a problem?” a voice asked behind Fluttershy and she shrieked and leapt out of her seat, spinning around before sucking in a breath.
“ALASTOR!” she shouted, jumping over the seat and getting right into Beerus the Destroyer’s face. “Oh my gosh, you have human sized talking cat’s in your world?” She asked, looking at Beerus who, thankfully, was more weirded out by the stranger in his face than anything else.
“Ehem...” a small voice said beside Beerus and Fluttershy looked over. “I would appreciate it if you could step back a bit? Lord Beerus isn’t very comfortable around... energetic strangers such as yourself.” The man with the halo said and Fluttershy squeaked and stepped back.
“I’m so sorry, Lord Beerus. I just... I take care of animals back where I’m from and... you look so much like a grumpy old cat I know named Alastor, I thought...” Fluttershy said and Beerus held up a hand.
“That’s... alright. You don’t smell like our world. Where are you from?” Beerus asked and Fluttershy looked at him.
“We are from another reality, my lord.” Rarity said and Beerus turned to look at her.
“A woman of taste, I imagine?” Beerus asked and Rarity smiled and nodded proudly.
“That’s right, my lord.”
“And what is wrong with your reality?”
“Our home is dying, so we are looking for a world similar enough to ours that we can prosper safely. With all of our people.” She said and Beerus nodded.
“You might find it here. There are many planets under my jurisdiction as the God of Destruction. I’m sure we could find you an abandoned planet for your people to call home.” He said and Rarity smiled.
“Thank you, my lord, but I’m afraid many of us have grown accustomed to our ways and... starting over from scratch might... cause political problems.” Rarity said and Beerus nodded.
“I see. So you seek a world that is similar to your own, just as advanced, and safe from certain destruction brought about by time?” Rarity nodded and Beerus shrugged.
“Sorry. Can’t help you.”
“That’s quite alright, my lord. We have learned to help ourselves when times get tough.” Rarity said and Beerus smiled.
“Good to hear. Arcane, what do you think you’re doing?” Beerus asked, never once removing his gaze from Rarity’s. Rarity looked behind him and saw Arcane standing behind Beerus, an energy blast in his hand.
“Really? You ratted me out you old letcher?” Arcane asked as Roshi raced away, locking his doors and windows since Whis had restored his house.
“Come now Arcane. Surely you couldn’t have expected to get the drop on me.” Beerus said and Arcane grinned.
“I can try, can’t I?”
“Arcane, please don’t...” Twilight pleaded and Arcane smirked.
“You can, but you will fail. Just like every other time.”
“Maybe this time’s different.” Arcane said and Beerus stared at him before getting kicked in the side of the head by another Arcane. Beerus bent at the waist before clenching his fists.
“Arcane....”
“Come on Beerus. You owe me a good match anyway.” Arcane said and suddenly, to Rarity, it felt like he wasn’t there anymore. She could see him, but she couldn’t feel him. His hair turned snowy white and his eyes turned completely red.
“If you’re going to fight, do it off world. We don’t want the planet getting destroyed because you two don’t hold back.” Whis said and Arcane smirked.
“Just put us in one of those indestructible bubbles. It’d make a nice show for our possible new world guests.” He said and Whis sighed.
“Very well.” Whis tapped his cane on the ground once and Beerus and Arcane were encased in a gigantic glass box. “You have twenty minutes. Try not to destroy him, Lord Beerus.”
“No promises...” Beerus said and Arcane smirked.
Rarity’s eyes widened as Beerus’ power completely vanished from her mental radar. Suddenly, she couldn’t see them either. She could see explosions of air where they apparently made contact, but she couldn’t see them . Looking to Fluttershy, she saw her friend’s eyes dashing around the box. She could see them. Turning back, Rarity tried to see what Fluttershy saw. Before too much longer, she could vaguely make them out. Arcane was dancing around Beerus like a trained ballerina. Beerus, for his part, was attacking in earnest. The fight between the two of them looked like a choreographed dance. With explosions and light beams. When they finally clashed again, arm to arm, the box started to crack so Whis teleported inside and smacked Beerus across the back of the neck with a chop and tossed Arcane through the wall of the box, his white hair fading back to black.
“Ow... no fair Whis.”
“If the two of you had continued, you’d have destroyed my Angel Box and then the world. Do you want that?”
“No, I suppose not.” Arcane said as he trudged over, flopped down in the sand, and landed his face in Twilight’s lap. She sighed and pet his hair while Whis hoisted Beerus onto his shoulder.
“I bid you all adieu, good people. Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy, I do hope you find a new home soon. Should you not, do call on me and I shall arrive to whisk you all away to safety, and a world I may find for you all on my travels through the universe.”
“Thank you Whis.” Rarity said.
“Yes. Thank you very much. And... tell Lord Beerus I’m sorry for mistaking him for Alastor.”
“He knows, my dear. He knows.” Whis said, smiling before he and Beerus were engulfed in white light and blasted away.
“Such a shame. Two hotties like you comin’ to stay on my island every now and then. I’d never be lonely again. Hehenf!” Roshi said, his laugh cut off as Twilight kicked him in the gut.
“Be safe, please? I would very much like to meet your world’s Twilight and compare notes. She must be a wonderful person to have to amazing friends such as you.” Twilight said, hugging Rarity and Fluttershy. Arcane smiled and saluted them while Goku waved at them as Turtle and Roshi’s other friend Oolong brought the mirror outside for them. Vegeta merely stood with his back to them, arms crossed, by Rarity and Fluttershy saw him peer over at them over his shoulder. They expected that was his way of saying goodbye. Walking through the mirror, Rarity waved at them all before her view was engulfed by rippling glass. She and Fluttershy stepped out of the mirror back into Canterlot Castle.
“Well?” Twilight asked and Fluttershy smiled and put a check next to the name. Dragon Ball World.
“It’s a possibility, but their God of Destruction, named Beerus, wants us to keep looking. He welcomes us if we don’t find another though.”
“That’s excellent. Excellent work Fluttershy and Rarity.” Twilight said, hugging her friends.
“There’s a version of you there too. She’s a Saiyan, like Goku. A born warrior. Her lover is Arcane. He can take on a God of Destruction on equal footing.” Rarity said and Twilight blushed, glancing over at one of the guards. Rarity followed her gaze and smiled. He may have been wearing a helmet and a cloak, but those eyes were unmistakable. Red eyes over a dark grey muzzle. Arcane Sigil. Possibly the strongest person she’d ever seen.
Author's Note
Kinda short... I think, but I honestly couldn't even come CLOSE to doing DBZ/DBS justice. However... we get our first look at a potential future home for our favorite ponies. Lemme know what ya'll think.
Author's Note
This might be the shortest of these chapters but I wanted to get this one out of the way. I didn't really indicate anything about it being the world of One Punch Man besides the gem used and the fact that they're super heroes. I hope it's not a disappointment to the person who requested it.
One Buck
Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared at the portal. They were next. The gem embedded in the top of it was red and shaped oddly, like four weird carrots lined up over the top of a fifth. They didn’t have time to debate going through however. They needed to find a new home, for their entire planet. Fast. Stepping through the portal, they expected to find themselves in a world like their own.
The world they stepped into seemed to be one gigantic city. People went about their day to day, going shopping or to work or school. The biggest difference was how many people were wearing spandex. “Ya don’t think...”
“This is a Super Hero World. Awesome!” Rainbow said, rocketing into the air. “Hey! I still have my wings!” She shouted down to her friend before landing. Applejack looked at her then looked at her own hands, balling them into fists before punching a nearby light pole. The pole bent and buckled on impact with her fist so quickly the light itself was embedded in the ground.
“Looks like Ah got super strength.”
“This is so cool. We’re super heroes here.” Dash said as she flew in circles around her friend. Applejack reached out and grabbed her leg as she passed, bringing Dash to an instant stop. “Hey, that hurt.” She said as she floated back and rubbed her now sore ankle.
“Oops. Sorry ‘bout that Dash, but we don’t got time t’ celebrate yet. We gotta find whoever’s in charge round these parts an’ see if this world has room fer our world.” She said as she helped her friend massage her sore ankle.
“Yeah, I know.” Rainbow said as she stood up, looking around. Spotting someone that looked like a normal person, she walked over to them. “Hi, we’re new in town and we’re looking for the person in charge like the mayor or something. Where can we find them?”
“Town Hall’s up the street, take a left and fifth and go two blocks before taking a right at Saint Green and it’ll right ahead of you. Can’t miss it.” The person said and Rainbow smiled as she walked back to Applejack.
“Ah guess we go t’ Town Hall.” Applejack said and the two headed up the road. Catching a glimpse of themselves in a window, they stopped for a moment to see what they looked like.
Applejack stood a head taller than Rainbow, which made one of them not so happy. She was wearing what looked like an orange shirt over just her chest. Her stomach was wrapped in white bandages, as were her arms. Over her shoulders, she had on a red and orange plaid button down shirt. Not the best fashion. Blue jeans hugged her legs, tucked into cowboy boots and her hat rested on her head.
Rainbow, for her part, took to hovering the entire time so she’d be the tall one. Two blue wings sprouted from her back, thanks to an open backed shirt that tied around her neck and kept her chest covered. Her arms were bare save for a long glove on one arm and a normal glove on the other. Her pants consisted of a pair of jogging shorts that hugged her thighs and her shoes were high tops. Not quite sneakers, way to sleek for that, but they looked like running shoes.
“Do super heroes not wear masks in this world?” Rainbow asked no one in particular.
“Why should they? They’re part of the Hero Association, so even if a villain threatened their family, they’d have a bigger problem to deal with than just one hero.” A random passerby told them and Rainbow thanked them before the two of them continued on their walk to Town Hall.
“So far I haven’t seen doubles of us so we might be alright in this world.” Rainbow said and Applejack nodded.
“Either that, or we have doubles but they’re somewhere else entirely.” She said and they turned down the street to head towards Town Hall. As they neared an intersection, gunfire echoed towards them from a building down the road. “Well, we’re in a hurry, but we are heroes here.” Applejack said and Rainbow nodded, the two of them stopped at the intersection.
Police sirens blared, coming from the opposite end of the street from them. “And the police are on their way. And who knows how many other heroes are in this town.”
“How much time do we really have?” Rainbow asked and Applejack paused for a moment, thinking.
“Ah think Twi said somethin’ about time slowin’ down back home while we’re through the mirror, but that doomsday clock she made says we only got a few days left.”
“So... not a lot.”
“Yeah. Not a whole lot.”
There was more gunfire, the sirens still blaring. Much louder now. The police were there.
“There could be innocent people.”
“But we’re kinda pressed fer time.”
“We are super heroes.”
“But we might not even stay in this world.”
“We have a job to do already. It takes priority.”
The two of them nodded. Turning away from the street and heading towards Town Hall proved to be just as painful as simply standing there had been. They reached town hall moments after even more gunfire reached their ears from the street they’d left. Stepping inside was enough to drown out the gunfire. Seated at the desk was a woman they didn’t recognize. She didn’t look like anypony they’d met before.
“Can I help you ladies?” she asked, looking up from her desk.
“We’re lookin’ fer the mayor. Are they in?”
“Yes, he’s in his office. However he’s not meeting with anyone at this time.”
“Can’t we just be quick? We’ll only be a sec.” Dash said and the woman looked at her, looked at AJ, held up a finger and picked up her phone, pressing a button it.
“Sir, there are two heroes here asking for an audience. They insist they’ll be swift. Yessir. Nosir. Nosir all of your meetings are done for the day. Yessir, right away.” She said before hanging it up. “The mayor will see you.”
“Thanks.” The two of them said before walking into the large office. Sitting at the desk at the back of it was the largest man they’d ever seen. And AJ was related to Big Macintosh.
He towered over his desk, even seated. His shoulders were broad and wide. He looked like the kind of man that could bend iron girders into pretzels. “What can I do for you ladies?” He asked, his voice booming even though he wasn’t yelling at all.
“Howdy sir. Name’s Applejack, this here is Rainbow Dash. We ain’t from this world, and...”
“Say no more. We have had plenty of alien invasions in our time to last a millennium. This isn’t the planet you’re looking for. We don’t have any resources you could use. We don’t have room for your refugees. I have heard all of the requests and given all of the same answers. I’m sorry, but we cannot take you.”
“Ah understand. Thank ya for yer time, Mr. Mayor. T’ be honest, Ah didn’t think this world would be th’ right one fer us neither.”
“Oh? What makes you say that?”
“It just don’t... it don’t feel right. Not t’ say there’s anythin’ wrong with yer world, it just don’t feel like th’ right place. If ya know what Ah mean.”
“I think I do. Thank you for being honest with me Miss Applejack.” The mayor said and Applejack smiled, tipped her hat to them, and the two of them left his office and made their trek back to the mirror.
“Well, that was fast. The last time I went through the mirror it was a bit longer.”
“Th’ same story fer me. Both times it wasn’t a good match fer a very different reason.”
“I do apologize. I will summon someone to see you home.”
“Nah, we know th’ way. Thanks fer the offer.” Applejack said and the mayor nodded as the two of them walked out.
“Well, that’s a bummer. Didn’t even get to do any hero stuff.” Dash said and Applejack just sighed.
“Don’t worry Dash. You’ll get t’ do all kinds o’ hero stuff when we do find a new home. There’s gonna be plenty o’ time t’ make a name fer yerself.” Applejack said and the two of them chatted about things they might do when they did find a new home for their entire planet. By the time they reached the mirror, they already had plans. Stepping through it, they looked at Twilight. She was ragged, using her magic to do everything she could to try and keep the world stable for just a while longer. She looked up at them with hope in her eyes.
Twilight stared at her notes. The mirror was broken. She wasn’t sure how it had happened. In the wake of the mirrors destruction, Twilight had lost all hope. Equestria was going to die, and she couldn’t protect her friends or save the citizens of the planet. Until Celestia had mentioned something. There were exactly five Sphinxes on Equestria. Sphinxi? She’d worry about semantics like that later.
According to Celestia, those five Sphinxes existed in a “plain between worlds”. They weren’t actually denizens of Eques itself. They were beings “between realities.” The mirror itself had actually contained a Sphinx feather, which was what made it possible for ponies to travel between the two different worlds the mirror was attached to.
If her notes proved true, and she was right about how Sphinxes worked, this might be a way to save creatures all over the world. Looking up when a knock on the door caught her attention, she stood up and walked away from her desk. Following the familiar path from her office to the front door of the castle, Twilight used as little magic as she could to open the door. Sitting in front of them was a Sphinx. She was a glorious creature, tall and beautiful with tan fur, wings that matched the hair flowing from the top of her head.
Her face was rather pony shaped, but the rest of her body looked like a massive lion, right down to her tail. “No riddles today, Princess. I have come to answer your plight. The plight of the entire planet, in fact. I hope we can help.” She said. Twilight smiled and ushered her into the castle. The two of them chatted about the situation as they walked to the map room. Waiting for them was Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, engrossed in a game of checkers. The two mares looked up as Twilight and the Sphinx entered the room.
“Is this her, Twilight?” Pinkie asked. Twilight just nodded.
“I’ll be the one going. This was my idea after all and…”
“No Twilight. I’ll go. Let’s all face it… if Equestria is going to die… I want to stay here with my animal friends. I can’t abandon them like that. So… if something goes wrong… at least I can wait for them.” Fluttershy said, stopping Twilight from making a decision that could be dangerous.
“How will you tell us if it works?” Pinkie asked and Fluttershy paused to think about it for a minute.
“If it works, she will be returned here when I return to this body.” The sphinx said. “I will eject her, and she can inform you. If it does not… I suppose I will not have to worry about finding a meal on the way home.”
“Don’t joke about that.” Twilight said, her voice was almost dangerously low. “This is one of my friends we’re talking about. This has to work.” There was a rather pregnant pause as the ponies all thought about the situation. “Is there any way to know what world she’ll wind up in?” The Sphinx shook her head.
“I do not decide where I go when I leave this body. I merely go where I will be needed when a being is asking a question.” She said and Twilight nodded.
“You can release Fluttershy before giving the other being their riddle, right?”
“Of course. It will seem strange to the one asking the question, but it is quite possible. Your friend will have taken on the appearance of the denizens of that world as well, if the magic of that world allows it.”
“So she might remain a pony.” The Sphinx nodded and Twilight stared at her notes for a minute. Not really reading them, simply to stare at something other than the creature that was about to devour one of her friends alive.
“We do not have time to contemplate, Princess. You and I both know that Equestria is dying. Contemplation, planning and discussion will merely waste time. We do this with or without your permission.” The Sphinx said and Twilight blinked, looking up at her. Fluttershy was already sitting between the massive creatures front legs, staring up at her. Twilight wanted to stop them. She wanted to tell them to wait, to not be hasty. But they were both right. There was no time to wait.
Without another word said, the Sphinx ducked her head down, taking Fluttershy’s head in her maw and lifting her up. Sitting back further on her own haunches, the Sphinx used her lion paws, claws tucked away in her paws, to lift Fluttershy up further. Tipping her head back, the Sphinx pushed on Fluttershy’s rump until a mighty gulp sent the timid mare into the larger creature’s stomach.
The other ponies present all watched as the Sphinx turned into stone, her formerly squirming stomach becoming just as stone as the rest of her.
~~~~~~~~
Fluttershy squirmed. It felt strange. Her entire body felt different. Reaching up with her hooves, she paused. Those weren’t hooves. They were hands. Pink hands. Had she turned into Pinkie Pie somehow? She’d figure that out later. Moving those hands, she touched herself. She couldn’t see well. The stomach was tight around her body. Breasts. Still female, thankfully. Flat tight tummy. Abs? A squeak escaped her as her hand wandered further down. Definitely female.
Suddenly the stomach squeezed around her, and she found herself being forced upward, feet first. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be out of the Sphinx this way, the way her body currently was. If there were other creatures around, the first thing they’d see of her was her bare ass. And everything else. A tickle against her spine paused that train of thought. She had a tail? It didn’t feel pony-like though. So maybe they’d only get a glimpse. She could cover herself with her tail. She didn’t have much more time to think of it as her rear suddenly felt the cold air outside of the Sphinx’s mouth.
She hit the ground rather rough and looked around. There wasn’t anycreature nearby, but she was naked. She looked, for the most part, like her human self from Sunset’s world. A few minor differences was fur covering her arms from her elbows to her hands, ending in sharp claws. As well as digitigrade feet also ending in sharp claws. A tail swayed behind her, flicking spittle from the fur. Her breasts were exposed but a tuft of fur covered her crotch almost like underwear.
“First question… what am I?” she asked herself, thinking she was alone.
“Well you must be a demon.” A voice said. She jumped slightly and looked around until she spotted a girl that looked a lot like Twilight, just without the fur, ears and tail. “Because I have never seen a woman that looks like you crawl out of the mouth of a Sphinx because someone asked a question. Speaking of, the answer is sand.” The girl said. The Sphinx stared at her before bowing down and placing a small sphere on the ground in front of her. The girl picked it up, bowed to the Sphinx, and placed the sphere in her purse.
“So… where am I?”
“Equestria. Unless you meant this specific place, in which case you’re in the Garden of the Sphinx.” The other girl said. Fluttershy stared at her for a minute, trying to think of things Twilight would ask her, before a rumble behind her drew her attention to the Sphinx.
“You have twelve hours to explore this world, Timid Pony. Before that time is up, return here so you may be returned to your world.”
“That’s new. No riddles… and she said you’re a pony?”
“Y...yes. My name is Fluttershy. I’m friends with a princess of Equestria, from a different world. My world is dying because the... magic keeping it stable is wearing out. I think that's what Twilight said..."
“I see. Well I don’t think we can help you. Resources in this world are running low as it is. Over population is a problem that, with luck, this jewel will help solve.”
“What’s it supposed to do?”
“If my research is correct, if used correctly it will stunt the reproductive abilities of every creature on the planet for a period of time long enough for the planet to recover and produce resources again to stabilize itself and our lives.”
"Oh dear. I'm sorry it's not working right. Did... are you sure you did everything the way it's supposed to be done?"
“I did. Mostly. Resources are low right now and projected numbers indicate in the next hundred years or so they will be so much lower that the current population will struggle to simply continue living, let alone produce more children.” Twilight nodded. If this other Twilight had calculated numbers to take into consideration the future expansion of life, she knew what she was doing. And telling her that there wouldn’t be room on her planet for ponies wasn’t just her being greedy. She was being scientifically honest. A planet with dwindling resources couldn’t sustain a population that suddenly doubled in size.
“Thank you for helping. We'll have to keep looking for a potential new home, but it warms my heart to know there are creatures like yourself willing to talk instead of just fight.” Fluttershy said as she returned to the Sphinx. “Do I need to solve another riddle to return home?” Fluttershy asked it.
The Sphinx stared at her for a moment before letting out a dramatic roar and lunging downwards. The completely human Twilight watched in shock and amazement as the demonic-looking version of one of her friends was swallowed alive by the Sphinx. As the bulge shaped like a girl she knew well vanished into the Sphinx’s stomach, it looked at her. “You… don’t have to eat me too, do you?” she asked. “I won’t tell anyone what just happened, I swear.”
The Sphinx stared at her for a moment before simply turning back to stone, the bulge in its stomach vanishing. “That’s… a no then.”
Twilight watched as the Sphinx in the middle of the throne room turned back into a creature. It hadn’t been a statue long, but it had been long enough. She was about to ask if Fluttershy was ok when the creature started choking, much like a cat when it was spitting out a hairball. Stepping away so she didn’t get in the Sphinx’s way, Twilight watched as Fluttershy was brought up and out of the great beasts mouth.
“That world won’t do either. Resource problems.” Fluttershy said after a beat of silence. Sighing, Twilight walked over to her chart and marked a no next to a blank spot. A quick inquiry and she marked the spot as "Demon World". A new world of demons, though it seemed humans and demons mingled there rather freely.
Author's Note
I hope I didn't miss any alterations I needed to make. At some point down the line, I forgot it was Fluttershy that went instead of Twilight.