Dragon of Graceby MellowSoulChaptersPrelude to ConceptionEnigmaMariaLifelineFrail WordsObsolescenceStability (Sea of the Soul)Birthday Girl (Part 1)Birthday Girl (Part 2)Birthday Girl (Respite)Birthday Girl (Part 3)Misery EvolvingPrelude to ConceptionAuthor's Note From Decrepit Birth's album Diminishing Between Worlds. Prelude to Conception A bright gradient of white light congealed, voiding out the corners of Twilight's vision. Her body felt stiff, though she retained a fair degree of control. "Where...Am I...?" The Alicorn examined her surroundings. She appeared to be in a cottage. It was relatively spacious compared to Fluttershy's. The only possessions in her immediate field of view were two beds, a set of spears, a small kitchen area, and a doll with an uncanny resemblance to the equine race. "Eerie..." she thought to herself, oblivious to what was in store. All illusions of security were torn to shreds the moment she turned her head. "What...!?" Next to a long wooden table, three humans converged. The first was a man of average height and build. He had curly, reddish-brown hair and glasses. The second was a woman with short, light blonde hair. If Twilight hadn't been too distracted to notice, she would've assumed it was his wife. The pony's attention was fixated on something far more sinister. "An open wound...!? Why is she bleeding...!?" Twilight's gaze focused on the third individual - their daughter. The child's arm leaked red life energy as her mother and father attempted to mend the break. "Is she okay!?" The princess's words fell upon deaf ears. She caught a glimpse of something outside the window. "Wolves...I should've known..." Twilight passed by the family. It was already clear her moral support was beyond their reach. The only other option was a direct...Or rather...Indirect...confrontation. "Horn, don't fail me now..." She galloped toward the door... Twilight shot up in a cold sweat. Her breaths were labored and heavy. She gathered her bearings. "It was...All a dream...?" A branch clanged against her window, startling her into a defensive position. She sighed upon discovering the noise's source. "I really need to stop reading scary stories before bed." The princess of friendship rolled off her mattress, stretching her limbs to prepare them for use. She exited her room, heading for the other side of the castle. A glass of water helped clear Twilight's head. She rinsed her face in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. "The terror in her eyes...It felt so real...I know it's probably nothing, but...I'd better consult princess Celestia, just in case..." Twilight met with her friends for tea the next morning. Rarity held little reservation regarding her physical condition. "Twilight, are you feeling all right? You seem rather...deprived." "I didn't sleep well," the Alicorn admitted, "I had a strange dream that kept me up all night." "What kind of dream?" "It was about Earth." "That's a name I haven't heard in quite some time." "Forget it. I'm sure it's nothing." "I believe that as much as my tail being made of feathers." "It's just...I was in this weird place. It looked like Fluttershy's cottage, but bigger. There were people there. I think they were a family. The youngest had a wound on her arm that looked like a bite mark. It looked like she'd been attacked by a wolf." "I suppose that would make for a rather frightening experience." "The emotions I felt coming off her are impossible to fake..." "I'm lost." "What I saw was too vivid. It didn't feel like a dream. It was more like a..." "A what?" "A premonition..." "I think you're reading a bit too deep into this. Unicorns and Alicorns have possessed magic for millennia. Not one of them has accurately predicted the future - at least, not past Luna's return anyway." "That's true. Still, I have to check in with the princesses, just to be sure." "If you feel so strongly about it, it stands to reason I can't persuade you otherwise." "You know me and paranoia: peas in a pod." "Thanks to your little episode, Sweetie knows better than I." Twilight blushed in embarrassment. She'd have to apologize next time she saw the filly. Upon returning to her castle, Twilight packed a small satchel of supplies in the event something unexpected occurred. When it came to confrontation, she found it best to err on the side of caution. "Take care of things while I'm gone." she instructed her brother. "I have a bad feeling about this, Twilight. I really think I should go with you." "I'm worried, too. That's why I need you to stay here: in case something happens to me. You're the only one who can maintain the castle in my absence. When I'm gone, you'll be the new prince. Equestria can't afford to lose the elements again. You understand, right?" "No title's worth you dying over..." Twilight wrapped Spike in a tight embrace. "I'll be fine. If anything happens, I'll come straight home." Spike responded by encircling his arms around his sister. He wasn't happy about potentially putting her in harm's way, but it was at least comforting to know she had an escape plan. "I love you, Twilight..." "I love you, too..." Not keen on wasting time, Twilight teleported straight to Canterlot. She materialized in front of Celestia and Luna's castle. The guards were overjoyed to see her. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Sparkle!" "Likewise," Twilight replied, "Unfortunately, I'm here on rather urgent business." The guards grew serious, tensing in preparation for duty. "Understood. You're free to pass." Twilight nodded. She pushed the doors open. As it turned out, Celestia was away on diplomatic business when Twilight arrived, leaving Luna as the sole counselor. "Sorry for disturbing you." Twilight apologized. "Not at all. From the look of things, you're worlds more distraught than I." "That's what I wanted to speak with you about. Has anything...Unusual...Happened on Earth recently?" "Unusual?" "Something like overwhelming surges in energy?" Luna placed a hoof to her chin. "Nothing I can remember...Except..." "Except...?" "Well...Not long ago, we detected a momentary anomaly in space-time. It disappeared just as soon as we discovered it. We thought it was simply a glitch. However, hearing your concerns is causing me to rethink our assessment." "Did it feel malevolent?" "That's the strange part. It was the exact opposite." "That's not surprising. When I last visited, things operated fairly similarly to Equestria, save for technology." Luna shook her head. "That's not quite what I mean. This power...It felt more like an invisible shield, like it was trying to protect someone." "A shield...?" "Perhaps you should come with me." EnigmaAuthor's Note Piece of Time. Enigma Luna led Twilight to the portal connecting the two worlds. The moon princess turned to her sister's former pupil. "Just before the signal vanished, we managed to track its location to an isolated region in the North American continent. Based on your geographical research, it originated in a rural community in Arkansas." Twilight gulped. A pit formed in her stomach. "No way..." "I assume this relates to the place in your dream?" Twilight nodded. "It seems my own curiosity continues to grow as well." "What does it all mean?" "I cannot say for certain, though one thing has become all too clear: there are forces at play beyond anything Equestria can comprehend at the present moment." "What do we do now?" "That's your decision to make. Earth is your domain. Your satchel suggests a desire to investigate. Am I wrong?" "No..." "You know what must be done." Twilight sighed, approaching the mirror begrudgingly. "Tell my friends where I am. The portal will only stay open for half a day. If I'm not back before then, organize a search party." "Understood. I shall pray for your safe return." Twilight nodded. She faced the mirror once more...And stepped through... In a flash of light, Twilight appeared within the confines of the cottage. The humans from her dream reacted in the exact manner she expected - surprise and shock. "W...What are you!?" the man shouted. Twilight ignored him, looking herself over for any signs of change. "Well, this is new..." she uttered. "ANSWER ME!" "I'm not your enemy," she finally replied in an attempt to calm him down, "I'm here to help. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm a pony from the world of Equestria." The man shot her a harsh glare. "Oh, great," he exclaimed sarcastically, "Just what we needed!" "You're just gonna have to trust me for now." "In case you haven't noticed, my daughter's bleeding profusely over here!" Twilight approached the group. "Disinfect the wound." The man's gaze shifted from hostile to inquisitive. "What are you waiting for!? Hurry!" He complied, quickly cleansing the wound of debris and bacteria. "Now stand back." Twilight ignited her horn. A magical aura engulfed the child's forearm. Both sites began to heal simultaneously. The girl's mother and father stood inches away, twice as dumbfounded as before. "What's going on...!?" her father muttered. Once the wound fully closed, Twilight backed away. The girl's tears stopped flowing. "How does it feel?" Twilight asked. At last, she heard the child speak, albeit in an exasperated tone. Through the stuffiness, Twilight could make out a meek politeness. It sounded familiar somehow... "Who are you...?" Twilight smiled, trying to break the tension despite the dire circumstance they now found themselves in. "I'll give you a hint." She approached the twin-size bed, using her magic to levitate the black doll. The girl couldn't believe her eyes. "A little birdie told me you were in trouble. Figured you could use a helping hoof." The family sat together at the table between the rest area and kitchen. For a moment, they reflected in silent contemplation. Twilight waited patiently for them to process what was happening. "So you're a pony...From another planet..." the man repeated in disbelief. "Yes. I am the element of magic and the princess of friendship." The man closed his eyes, raising his brows as he did so. "Oh. Now it all makes sense." "I understand your skepticism. I can barely believe it myself. To tell you the truth, I don't even know why I'm here..." "Regardless, you helped our daughter. For that, we're eternally grateful." "Of course. It's the least I can do." "We already had breakfast, but you're welcome to grab something from the fridge if you'd like." "I already ate, too." "Care to join us, then?" Twilight nodded. She approached the table, heeling next to the man's daughter. "If you don't mind me asking, what are your names?" "I'm Robert. The lovely lady across from me is my wife, Chelsea. Guess you've already met our daughter, Emily." "Emily...That's a pretty name." "It means rival. Didn't really know that when we named her." Robert chuckled. "Interesting..." "What is?" "Your naming methods seem to be based on auditory appeal. Ours are related to color schemes or special talents." Robert gave the princess a look of intrigue. "Sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances." Lisa apologized. "Don't worry about it. I already had an idea of what I was in for." "What do you mean?" Robert inquired cautiously. "I dreamt about this place, and I think I know why. Our worlds are more closely connected than I thought. The question is...How...?" "We'll be able to help you figure that out better once we're outta this mess." "My initial plan was to charge out and neutralize them as quickly as possible. Given their proximity though, that's no longer an option." "Maybe we can help." "How?" "We know someone on the outside. She's an interesting character to say the least. She'll know what to do." Emily's eyes lit up. "Daddy, do you mean Maria!?" Robert nodded. "Maria?" Twilight wondered. "She's a close friend of the family. That doll you picked up earlier? She designed it as a Christmas gift for Emily last year." Twilight considered this. "Does she know about Equestria...?" "Is something wrong?" "Mm? No...Nothing...Just thinking..." "You think we should call her?" "Yes. I'm curious now." "You look exhausted," Chelsea realized, "Please, feel free to rest while we're waiting." "Thank you." MariaAuthor's Note Maria In the back yard of her southwestern Georgia home, Maria Drake finished her morning routine with several sets of pull-ups. At this point in her life, she barely felt any strain from rigorous activity anymore. With one last repetition, she planted herself firmly on the ground. She paused just long enough for her heart to slow down. It was more than enough time for a cool breeze to brush her bangs aside. Her eyes were filled with such great sorrow... Maria trudged into the kitchen through the back door of the house. She opened the refrigerator, grabbing several snacks and a bottle of water. After taking a swig to stave off overexertion, she headed through the main hall to her room upstairs. "Guess I should check my messages..." Maria booted up her computer, resting in her chair for a more comfortable view. It didn't take long for the notifications tab to pop up. "Robert...?" She opened Robert's message without hesitation. "Oh, good God..." Maria picked up the phone. She dialed the number for the local hospital where her brother worked. Brandon was sorting through paperwork when the phone by his desk rang. He answered expecting a troubled soul in need of guidance. To an extent, he was right. "Hello?" "Hey, Brandon..." "Maria?" "Emily's in trouble. Robert sent an SOS a few minutes ago." "What's going on?" "They're trapped inside by a pack of feral wolves." "Can't they just call animal control?" "Emily's already been bitten. It's too dangerous for them to handle now." Brandon sighed sadly. "All right...I'm on my way." "Thanks." "What are big brothers for, right?" "I'll see you soon." Brandon ended the call. He left a note for his superiors and headed for the exit. Maria made the necessary preparations for their journey. It would take about ten hours to reach their destination without making any pit stops. She packed food, weapons, and medication. Once everything was collected, she awaited her brother's return. Within twenty minutes, Brandon arrived at the house. Maria had unlocked the door beforehand, allowing him to enter quickly without losing time. "Let me change real quick." he requested. Maria nodded. Brandon moved briskly, exchanging his garments for a set resembling his sibling's. "You grab my axe already?" Maria held up the tool. Brandon retrieved it with haste. "Let's go." Brandon stopped the car across the city where Emily's family lived. Maria rushed to the side of the road, retching and coughing as a result of extended motion sickness. Her brother rubbed her back to comfort her. "You wanna stop for a Gatorade? I need to fill up the car anyway..." "We don't have time..." "If you keep pushing yourself, you're gonna keel over. We're almost there...Just a little longer, okay?" Touched by her brother's display of empathy, Maria relented. "Good. Finally got some sense through that thick skull of yours." Brandon carried her back to the car. LifelineAuthor's Note "EMAPTHY: SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON! A LIFE VEST TO MAKE TREADING WATER POSSIBLE! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE SAME MESS, SINKING TOGETHER IN THE SAME QUICKSAND!" Lifeline Maria scouted the vast landscape. The field was empty with no trace of life. She felt the mist of evening's drizzle descend over them, sensing her friend was near... "She's here." "How can you tell?" "Just a gut feeling." "Guess it'd be bad faith to ignore our instincts now." Brandon extracted his axe from the car, joining his sister's side. "Lead the way." The younger Drake drew a serrated knife from her coat pocket. The blade was composed of black carbon and stainless steel. Razor-sharp teeth lined the body, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. The pair inched forward, keeping their eyes peeled for signs of an ambush. Not long before the siblings arrived, Twilight awoke to darkened vision. As her sight cleared, she recalled the events that transpired earlier in the day. "I remember I went through the portal, and..." The realization hit her like a freight train. Robert and Chelsea...She was in their bed. She sat up, alerting them to her presence. "Good to see you're still with us." Robert teased. Twilight stretched her neck. A quick pop relieved the tension. "I think you've figured out already it'll take more than sleep deprivation to do me in." "Want some cocoa? It gets pretty chilly at night." "Please." Twilight plopped next to Emily and Chelsea. Two burning questions seared the back of her mind. "What time is it?" "It's a little after six," Chelsea informed her, "Maria should be here soon." "That's the second thing I was going to ask. Can you tell me more about her?" "What do you want to know?" "What kind of person is she?" "To tell you the truth, this will be our first time meeting her in person." "You mean you've never met her before!?" "We started talking online a year ago. We mainly bought this computer for work. While we were learning how to use it, we stumbled across her messenger profile. Her entire persona was built around what I can only describe as artistic melancholy." "Melancholy?" "She presented herself as an emotionally distraught individual. That's why we were so taken aback by how sweet she was when we spoke." "I think I get it. You're saying there's a dichotomy between her public and private life, right?" "Precisely." "She does sound like quite a character. I'm interested in meeting her myself, now." "We consider her part of the family despite the fact we've never met. Strange how that works, isn't it?" "Not really. Pinkie Pie feels that way about everyone she meets." "I'm assuming she's a friend of yours from home?" "You're pretty perceptive. We've been friends for almost ten years. As things stand, we haven't formed a strong relationship with Earth yet, meaning we don't have the same technology. Our species lives in tightly-packed communities where everyone knows each other personally." "It's still like that in cities and small towns. As I'm sure you've noticed, we're pretty much cut off from the rest of civilization. We moved here for a quiet, simple life." "I understand. What's strange to me is, during my last visits, I took on human form to blend in with the population. I can't figure out why it's different this time." "I wish we could be of more help." "It's fine. I prefer this form, anyway. I don't have access to spells as a human." "Robert said it before, but we're grateful you did. We couldn't live with ourselves if something happened to this little one." "Pinkie and Cheese have a son of their own. I know the feeling. I would've evacuated you to safety. Unfortunately, only magical beings can enter the portal." "That may be a blessing in disguise." "Maybe..." "Thanks for helping me." Emily stated graciously. The surge of power from Twilight's dream returned. It was more overwhelming than the pony princess could have ever imagined. "This strength...What is this...!?" Frail WordsAuthor's Note Frail Words Maria and Brandon stepped inside the Joseph family home. Twilight kept still, not wanting to alert them to her presence just yet. She wanted to see what they would do. From her experience, the taste for blood could not so easily be satiated... "Maria!" Emily cried in relief. She ran into the teen's arms without a second thought. To Twilight's surprise, the young Drake didn't push her away. "Sorry we took so long, kiddo." Maria knelt down to meet her friend at eye level. "How's your arm?" "It's okay. Twilight healed me with her magic." "Twilight?" Emily pointed in the pony's direction, causing Maria to veer her gaze. The princess tensed, afraid of what would come next. "Well what do ya know..." Twilight blinked. "You're...You're not surprised to see me...!?" "At this point, I can believe anything. I'm not the only one who can see you, so I know I'm not crazy." "I have to admit, I expected more of a reaction..." "I get that a lot." "I saw: everything." "That explains why you look so scared." Brandon interjected. "I guess I'm not very good at hiding it." "I'm sorry..." "How could you...?" "We didn't want it to end like this. We agonized over alternatives all the way here. If we'd tried to call for help, we would've put other people in danger. That's why we acted so quickly - so no one had to suffer..." "You mean...You were sad, too...?" "Of course. We're not heartless. They weren't going to retreat. We tried to make it as merciful as possible." "I see..." "Mercy killings don't exist where you're from, do they...?" Twilight shook her head. "Trust me when I tell you we mean you no harm. This was something we never saw coming." "For better or worse, I'll believe you for now. Forgive me if I maintain a distance for the time being." Brandon nodded. He couldn't blame her. He couldn't even forgive himself. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He shifted his attention toward Robert and Chelsea. "Maria's injured. Would you mind patching her up while I bury the bodies? I wouldn't feel right otherwise..." "Of course." Chelsea obliged. "I appreciate it." Maria and Twilight talked while Chelsea stitched the adolescent's leg. As sobering as the experience was, the princess had to maintain a tough exterior - for now, at least. "I already know a fair bit about this world," she admitted, "I've been here a few times before." "Chels told me. I'm not sure which revelation's more shocking: the fact multiverse theory's been proven or it's inhabited by talking horses." "Imagine how I felt." "Must've been one hell of a discovery." "As you can imagine, I'd rather keep our worlds separate at the present moment. It figures the one thing I didn't know was the one I should have..." "Your secret's safe with me. One world's crazy enough as it is. Better not to get into time paradoxes." "Agreed. Of course, you understand I have to report my findings. Knowing the extent of your fighting skills, we'll be on high alert from here on. I'll likely be assigned to make sure you don't cause any trouble." "Be my guest. I have nothing to gain from defiance. It didn't end well last time, anyway..." "Last time...?" Maria paused. Among the things she was willing to do, speaking her shame was not one of them...Not now... "Never mind. The blood loss is probably making me delirious." "So long as we're clear about where we stand." "I got it." "Good. I can take my leave in peace, then." Twilight set her sights on the structure's center. Maria offered one last gesture of gratitude. "Thanks for keeping their spirits up. If morale was lost, everything would've fallen apart..." "Consider us even." "Yeah..." Twilight began walking toward the portal. She was halted by Robert's voice. "Twilight," he called out, "Emily's birthday's on Halloween. Why don't you drop by if you have some time?" "What day?" "The 31st. We'll keep in touch and figure out a plan." "Sure. Just let me get a few things sorted out." "Take your time." "Take care..." "We will. Thank you." ObsolescenceAuthor's Note "REACH OUT YOUR HAND! OPEN YOUR EYES! WHAT MADE YOU NOT CHANGE YOUR MIND FOR SO LONG!? THAT'S RIGHT - THE HERO IS YOU!" Obsolescence With only an hour of time to spare, Luna gathered the guards. Twilight's friends waited anxiously for her return, praying that the worst had not come to pass. The clock ticked down little by little, slowly shifting toward fifty minutes...Then forty...Then thirty... "Look!" Pinkie shouted, startling everyone in the room. A flash of light emanated from the mirror. Twilight emerged. She seemed unharmed...Physically, at least... "Twilight!" Rarity cried out. All of them had been so consumed by terror that seeing their friend in the flesh felt like a dream. The group ran up to the Alicorn, tackling her to the floor. "Aack!" "We were so worried about you! How could you do something so reckless!?" Twilight rose to her hooves, pulling up her friends in the process. "Sorry, guys..." "Twilight...?" "I didn't have a choice. There was too much at stake..." "What do you mean?" Twilight began her royal announcement to all present. "My subjects, my friends, please listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you. Through this portal lies a planet called Earth. I have visited this world numerous times in the past. What I have learned through this endeavor is the most important lesson our race will ever learn. The lesson is that things are not always what they seem. As I stand before you now, I must tell you...The timeline...Has shifted..." A wave of quiet chatter swept over the room. Luna approached her fellow monarch. "Please, continue." "When I first entered this foreign land, the year was 2013. Until now, space and time have progressed equally between our dimensions. The Earth beyond this mirror is not the one I know. Time has reversed to the date of October 1st, 1997. The atmosphere is darker - more threatening. Despair, seclusion, and bloodshed are the norm. Until this matter is resolved, we must tread carefully. For now, I have formed an alliance with five members of the dominant human species. Whether they prove friend or foe, only time will tell." "I don't understand," one of the guards voiced, "Why reveal this to us now?" "Your curiosity is well-founded. I tell you this now should drastic measures need be taken. In the event of unforeseen consequences, be it invasion or space manipulation, the portal is to be destroyed and forgotten. I ask you to lend me your strength and courage in this time of uncertainty. We must stand together not as ruler and subject, but as equals. Without trust, love, kindness, honor, and loyalty, we may all perish. We must stand together to ensure this does not occur. Please, stand with me to protect our home world." The guards stood aghast...All except one...He approached Twilight's companions... "I shall serve you, my princess, no matter the cost." He bowed. Twilight replied in kind. "And I shall serve you, warrior of the moon." The guards stood motionless. One by one, their features became stern. The first row joined their fellow soldier. The second followed. "Now I see what my sister saw in you, Twilight Sparkle. You are a leader more worthy of the title than I...I wish you safe travels..." Twilight turned to her younger brother. "Let's go home..." Spike nodded. "Yeah..." Back on Earth, Brandon dug each wolf's grave with his own hands. He choked back his own tears as heaven's descended over him. That night, he made a promise - a promise to stand against the barbarity of man. "Never again...I'll never kill again..." Stability (Sea of the Soul)Author's Note "I HOLD THIS EMBER IN MY HEART! IT REMINDS ME OF WHO I ONCE WAS! IT'S THE ONLY WARMTH THAT I KNOW!" Stability (Sea of the Soul) Celestia returned to Canterlot as soon as she was able. The report of Twilight's excursion left her completely floored. She summoned her sister and their student to the war room upon her return. "It seems you've been through a quite a lot since I left. Here." The sun princess offered her successor a cup of tea. This time, Twilight was alert enough to decipher the aroma. "Thanks..." "You're different from the last time I saw you. You've matured." "Did you read the letters?" "I did. I beseech your forgiveness. If only I'd known..." "It wasn't your fault. I went willingly to ensure the safety of our people. As difficult as it was, I'm glad I did." "Her speech was truly befitting of royalty," Luna gloated, "Our soldiers rallied behind her in a matter of moments." "Just as I would expect from my number one student," Celestia praised, "Still, I am concerned about the two humans mentioned in your report. Maria and Brandon, was it?" "Yes," Twilight confirmed, "They're a brother-sister duo from the North American state of Georgia. During the battle, they fought with the same tactics I'd expect to see from seasoned veterans, but it was different somehow..." "In what way?" "Well...It seemed more controlled, as though they weren't fighting out of malice, anger, or vengeance. Their power over the situation was absolute. It was completely one-sided. Maria sustained a mild injury, but it ended up being little more than a flesh wound." "My word. They sound quite formidable." "That's putting it mildly. With how quickly they adapted, they could well be the deciding factor in a conflict between our worlds." "Should we have reason to suspect them as threats?" "I don't know. I couldn't get a reading on them. I think they're hiding something." "You mentioned Brandon tried to comfort you after you revealed yourself as a witness." "They referred to the situation as a mercy killing, citing the wolves' lack of higher cognitive functions. It's strange...They have so much power, yet they seem so innocent...So...Pure..." "I believe their intentions. Why else would they treat you as one of their own? Not only that - they agreed to your terms without so much as a complaint. For all you've suffered through, I believe you've gained us worthy allies this day." "Maybe..." "What is it that troubles you?" "I sensed something in my dream before I entered the portal. I couldn't pinpoint its source, but...It was strong...Far stronger than any magic..." "Do not lose hope. You've already prepared a contingency, have you not?" "I guess. I just hope it doesn't end up escalating to that point..." "If you cannot trust them, then trust me." "I do trust you, princess." "Then you have nothing to fear." Her mentor's assurance was all Twilight needed to hear. Celestia's wisdom never steered her wrong before. She had no reason to believe this time would be any different. Little did she know how right her teacher would turn out to be... Birthday Girl (Part 1)Author's Note "DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE! LOOK AROUND! WHAT DO YOU SEE!? WE WILL CRUMBLE, BUT NO ONE KNOWS...YOU REFUSE TO LET IT TO GO!" Birthday Girl (Part 1) Twilight's meeting with Celestia set the gears of change in motion. The younger Alicorn took some time to rest and recuperate. Knowing she needed space to recover from the trauma of seeing death up close, her friends let her be until she emerged on her own. Faced with the knowledge she could no longer ignore events on Earth, she hammered the final nail in the coffin, choosing to face her destiny head-on. Days after her first visit to the inverted timeline, Twilight held a formal audience with Celestia. Her request was one the sun princess expected from the outset. "I wish to stay on Earth to extend my investigation." "I had a feeling you would say that." Twilight was silent. What was she supposed to say? She was essentially asking one of her oldest friend to sign off on her death warrant. How could anyone expect it to be easy? Risking one's own life and limb was the hardest thing they could ever do, even if it was for the sake of others... "Twilight..." Celestia rose from her throne. She approached her former student, placing a hoof under her chin. "Ever since you were a filly, I've known you were special. I taught you everything entrusted to me by the cosmos so that you could one day bring eternal prosperity to our nation. I watched you grow, gleaming with pride as you accomplished what Luna and I could not. You achieved victory upon seamless victory, many times through courage and force of will alone. Only now do I realize how blind I've been." "Princess..." "The truest darkness we must ultimately face is that which lies within ourselves. The same way you trusted me, I now trust you. Go. Unlock your hidden potential, and discover who you are." The faith of her maternal figure sparked Twilight's core. Her eyes flashed a deep shade of blue before returning to their original color... Another day passed before Twilight could venture into the unknown once more. She expected to be alone again. She was never more glad to be wrong. "What are you guys doing here!?" she asked in welcome surprise. "Whatcha think, egghead?" Rainbow joked, "If it's really as dangerous as you said, there's no way we can miss out. Where's Spike?" "I sent him to stay with Pinkie and Cheese. Figured it'd give him a chance to spend some quality time with Lil Cheese." "That still sounds weird coming from you." "Tell me about it." "We could all use some familiar company right now." Applejack acknowledged. "Are you sure you want to do this, Twilight," Rarity inquired, "Removing the portal would be so much simpler." "There's something more going on behind the scenes...," Twilight explained, "I can feel it..." "That's precisely what worries me..." "I'm scared." Fluttershy whimpered. Twilight approached the frightened Pegasus. She raised her companion's hoof. "This isn't your battle to fight. I have no right to ask such a sacrifice of you. My reasons are selfish. That, I will admit. If you desire safety, I shall grant it in your stead." "I...I'm going!" "Are you sure? Once we go through, we won't be able to come back for a while." "I understand." Twilight nodded. "We stand a better chance if we stick together. If necessary, I can shield us using barrier and charm spells. No matter what, we have to stick together." Rainbow saluted. "Aye, Aye, captain!" Just as Twilight expected, the party found their way back to the cottage. "This really does look like home!" Fluttershy remarked. "I thought you said this place was full of technology," Rainbow noticed, "What gives?" Twilight realized the spears, computer, and food were all gone. "They must've left after the battle. I'll locate their energy signature." "So that's how your teleportation thingy works." Twilight closed her eyes. "They're close. Grab on to me." The others obliged. In a flash, they disappeared. Twilight materialized in an apartment complex in the middle of the city. An elderly couple stared back at them with wide eyes and slack jaws. "I see," Twilight discerned, "You must be Emily's grandparents." "Excuse me, darlin', but...Who are you?" the woman questioned curiously, her wits barely gathered enough to speak. "Please excuse my boldness. My name is Twilight Sparkle. These are my compatriots: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. I was with your granddaughter the morning of the attack." The man grumbled. He stood up, turned his back, and walked away. Twilight heard him utter something as the distance between them grew. "Did I say something wrong?" "Don't mind him. He's just a little stunned as I'm sure you can imagine. He'll be back with the children in a moment." "Right. I forgot humans aren't used to seeing us here." "Would you like some tea?" "Please, don't put yourself through any trouble. You should rest." "Don't you fret none. I may not be a spring chicken anymore, but I've still got enough pep in my step to keep up with you youngins." Applejack smiled. The old woman spoke in a dialect reminiscent of Granny. The thought filled her heart with a sense of warmth. The old man returned a few minutes later with Robert in tow. "It's good to see you, Twi..." "Yeah..." "Dad told me you brought company." "To tell you the truth, we came to see Maria. Figured we should drop in and make sure you guys were all right." "We're good. A little shaken still, but good overall." "That's a relief." "Thank you again for what you did for Emily. You and Maria are all she talks about these days. I guess acts of heroism stick with kids beyond cartoons." "Is Emily here?" "She's in the back with Chelsea. I'll take you to her after you guys have a chance to get acquainted." "So you two are Robert's parents?" "Yeeeep," Robert's mother clarified, "Name's Lisa. Old coot over there's my husband, George." "Be quiet, you old bag." George refuted. Twilight giggled. "You definitely fight like a married couple." Lisa leaned forward. She spoke softly through a wheezed laugh. "Keeps things interesting." "Our friend back home recently got married. I know how it goes." "She have any kids?" "A newborn named Lil Cheese." "Little boogers get on your nerves, but that's why you love 'em." "Not Pinkie. She has a boundless stream of energy. Even after all these years, I still have no idea where it comes from. Then again, Lil Cheese is pretty mellow for a foal." "Emily's the same way. She's more introspective than most children her age. I suppose growing up away from all this gave her time to be curious." "Makes sense. She seems content in low-stress environments." "Tell me about your world. What's it like?" "It's less advanced than Earth. Our way of life is fairly simple. We're comfortable getting by." "I assume those fancy magic tricks help." "No tricks. Unicorns and Alicorns are magical beings. It's commonplace there." "Unicorns were all the rage when I was a girl. It wasn't a new idea, but TV and comic books made 'em popular." "Until I came to Earth, I'd never heard of humans before, let alone seen one. You can't begin to imagine how infatuated I was seeing a new species for the first time. Granted, I've always been highly studious, but this instance was far more intriguing than standard curiosity." "You have any plans to develop your tech now that you know?" "It's hard to say. There's no telling how our worlds might change now that we can travel between them. My guess is, we'll have to see how you handle our world. After bearing witness to some of your more...Destructive...attributes, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried..." "I don't blame ya. Us folk can be a sorry bunch. We were too young to remember ww2. Korea and 'nam were a different story." "What happened?" "Soldiers were given faulty intel. Supposedly killed a buncha civies by mistake thinkin' they were enemy recruits. Full story's a bit murkier. There were reports of servicemen assaulting and murdering villagers. Lotta the casualties were speculated to be children." Twilight was horrified, as were her friends. What they were hearing was too monstrous to be real. "They killed innocent people...!?" "Can't say for certain. George was lucky enough to avoid the draft. I wouldn't put it past 'em, though. Give somebody a gun, they get all gung-ho and bulletproof." "Why did I never find out anything about this!?" "Lotta dirty business down in D.C. Protests were puttin' pressure on the government to end operations in Asia. Guess they knew if the public got wind of it, there'd be hell to pay." "They covered it up..." "Tried to. Didn't really do much good. Public opinion was already knockin' at their doors. Had no choice but to call off the invasion. Higher-ups blamed the citizens for their loss and hung the real soldiers out to dry. Scumbags pitted family members against each other while they got off scot-free." "I don't believe it..." "Sorry. I know it ain't the cheeriest topic. Still, it wasn't a total loss. Learned a healthy distrust for authority in the aftermath. Bet your rear we did. Doubt most young folks'll be so quick to follow orders next time." Twilight held her head in place, afraid it would fall against the table from sheer shock. "No offense, lady, but you guys sound nuttier than Fluttershy's squirrel pie." Rainbow responded in a display of brutal honesty. "Can't argue with ya, darlin'. Humans ain't the most civilized bunch when ya get down to it." "What Brandon said was true...They were being merciful..." "You mean that boy and his sister?" Lisa asked. "What a mess..." Twilight sharply exhaled. Her voice became downtrodden. "Robert, give Emily and Chelsea our regards. We'll catch up later. After hearing Lisa's story, I think we need to find Maria as soon as possible." "Do what you gotta do." Robert encouraged. "We'll see you soon. Take care." "Will do." Twilight's friends gathered around her for the second time that day. They vanished as quickly as they'd arrived. The group spawned in Maria's room. The teen was mildly surprised, though she didn't show it externally. "I was worried you wouldn't come." "Tell me everything," Twilight demanded, "I need to know the history of humanity." "Better grab a pen and paper. This'll take some time." Maria gave Twilight's party a crash course on the history of the human race, beginning with the birth of the universe itself. She described the formation of the planets and the evolution of life through the eons. Twilight uncovered the timeframe between the ice age and the development of early civilizations. From there, they discussed the middle ages, the spread of Christianity and Islam, the renaissance, and the enlightenment. With the advent of the industrial revolution, a bloody era of cultural warfare was ushered in, starting with the civil war and ending with world war 2. With the rise of communism, expansionist ideologies running amok, disputes over resources, and the ever-increasing brutality of fascist dictators, the modern world was rife with uncertainty, prone to episodes of violence. Korea and Vietnam were but two of the more well-known examples. "Now I know why none of this was in the history books I studied," Twilight verbalized, "This isn't the same Earth I visited before. It's a separate entity altogether." "WHAT!?" her friends shouted in unison. Even Maria was visibly shocked now. "But why...? Why did the portal redirect us here...?" "That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?" the young Drake stated. "At least we have enough information to start looking for clues. I suppose we've done all we can do for now. I'll transport this to princess Celestia. If I can still use my magic, we should be able to send her progress reports from here." "You guys can stay if you want," Maria offered, "There's a guest room across the hall and a spare computer downstairs if you need to look anything up." "The portal only opens here at the beginning and end of each month. We won't be able to go home until after Emily's birthday. " "Stay as long as you need. I'm sure Brandon won't mind if you hang around for a bit." "Thanks." "Before you get settled in, I was wondering if you could help me figure something out since you know about magic and stuff." "What?" "I'm gonna pull out my knife. Don't freak out." "No promises." Fluttershy took a step back, positioning herself near the door in the event they needed to escape. Maria extracted her blade from her jean pocket. "Brandon and I have been keeping up on our training since the attack. We were practicing the other day when something...weird...happened." "Weird how?" Maria concentrated her life force into the weapon. An aura of light shot from the handle, engulfing the sharp end in a translucent blue veil of spiritual energy. "This power...," Twilight thought, "This is what I was feeling...Why do I feel so calm...So...Safe...?" "Do you know anything about it?" The Alicorn shook her head. "No, but I know there's a reason you have it." "Why?" "Because you're true warriors...Just like Shining..." Birthday Girl (Part 2)Maria and Brandon's house became the base for Twilight's crew to brainstorm. They spent each day learning everything they could about this new Earth, save for revealing themselves to the general public. Maria taught them basic fitness and combat techniques to defend themselves if necessary. During their stay, the young Drake introduced them to Japanese games, horror shooters, and metallic hardcore music for the first time. It was a far cry even from what Twilight knew about human art. Back in Equestria, Celestia requested periodic updates regarding Twilight's studies. She read each one with utmost interest. "Hmmm...Perhaps she would consider taking over for Shining now that he has a family. If this Maria person is truly as strong as she claims, she may even surpass him someday soon..." A few days before Halloween, Maria received a call from a friend who lived in New York. "Hello?" "Wassup, girl?" "Hey, Eric." "My homie Zane's hostin' a Halloween party up in Massachusetts. I was callin' to see if you wanted to go." "I can't, man. It's Emily's birthday. I'm gonna spend some time with her and her folks - help 'em chill out after all that bullshit they went through." "Y'all can bring her." "I'll have to check in with everybody. I'll call you back in a bit, let you know what they say." "Aight. Cool." "Later." Maria disconnected the call. She dialed George and Lisa's number. "Hello?" "George?" "Yeah. Who's askin'?" "Maria." "So the mysterious ghost girl finally shows herself, eh?" "Looks like it." "Thank you for saving my granddaughter." "Don't mention it. Twilight was the real hero. We were just the cavalry." "Least you're the modest type." "I was actually calling about plans for Emily's birthday. Can you get Robert or Chelsea on?" "One second." "Thanks." A few seconds later, Robert picked up the phone. "Hey, Maria." "Twilight told me she dropped by to see you a few weeks ago." "Yeah. She was looking for you. I didn't wanna keep her too long." "She's been staying with us. I can tell you one thing - she'd put the bookworms at school to shame." "I don't doubt it. She's definitely got a curious air about her. Dad said you wanted to ask about Emily's birthday?" "Yeah. My buddy Eric just hit me up. He was wondering if you guys wanted to go to a Halloween party this year." "Sure. It'll do us good to get out." "Is Chelsea okay with it?" "Don't see any reason why she'd object. I'll double-check." "All right. Just shoot me a message when you guys figure out what you wanna do." "We will." "Give Emily a hug for me." "I know she'll be excited to see you guys again." "Same here." "We'll get back to you with a verdict. Later." "Later." Maria placed the receiver back in its hold. She stretched before heading across the hall. She knocked on the door. "Come in." Twilight permitted. Maria entered in the least threatening manner she could manage. She knew Twilight acknowledged her out of a combination of respect and fear, but she could tell the Alicorn hadn't fully opened up to her yet. She supposed it was only fair, keeping a killer at arm's length... "What's up?" "I just got in touch with Emily's folks. We're making plans for her birthday. We might end up going to a Halloween party a few states away. If we do, you guys wanna come?" "We would, but...How would we blend in?" "All we'd have to do is pass your looks off as costumes. Long as you don't fly or use any magic, you'll get by without any problems." "No flying," Rainbow protested, "No way!" "It's just for a couple days. Emily really wants to meet you guys. We can find you somewhere to stretch your wings if we need to." "Well...I guess it couldn't hurt." "You in?" "Sure. What the hell." "I appreciate it." "Don't get all sappy on me." "We should probably find you some clothes. Pick out what you want from the closet." "Is that a gay joke?" "That'd be a waste of breath on my part." "Chillax. You get worked up too easily, ya know that?" "Maria..." Twilight voiced. "What's up?" "Are you okay? You seem really down lately..." "...Getting warmer..." The dark shift in Maria's tone set the stage for what was to come. Each mare picked out an outfit that best represented their personality. Robert sent an email that evening confirming the logistics. On the 29th of October, Maria and Twilight split into two groups. Twilight teleported her friends to George and Lisa's apartment while the siblings plotted their course. They met in front of the complex sometime after seven. "Hey." Robert greeted. Maria briefly acknowledged him. She knelt before Emily. "Happy almost birthday, Em." The child hugged her without saying a word. Maria wrapped her in a protective embrace. The others watched with tender feelings. At this precise moment, Twilight's shield began to crack. "How's you arm?" "It's okay." "Did you thank Twilight?" Emily turned to the pony. "Thank you." "What you did was really brave," the Alicorn emboldened, "I don't think I would've had the courage to fight them off." "Really?" "Yeah. We get scared a lot easier than humans." "You didn't look scared." "Adults are better at hiding it sometimes." "Oh..." "How old ya turnin' this year, squirt?" Rainbow asked to lighten the mood. "Nine." "That close to bein' a grown-up already, huh?" Emily shrugged. Maria rose from the concrete surface. She glanced in George's direction. "You mind if Twilight's friends ride in the truck?" "Don't really have a choice. That's what we get for lettin' you durn kids multiply like roaches." Emily giggled. Twilight began to suspect George acted like a grouch to amuse his granddaughter. In a way, it was endearing. Pinkie would've compared him to Cranky more than once had she been present. Of that, the Alicorn was certain. "You guys figure out who's gonna ride with who." Maria instructed. "I'll go with you." Twilight offered. This statement caught the adolescent off-guard. "Are you sure?" "Yeah...I think...I'm not afraid anymore..." The rest of the group gawked in astonishment. They all understood on some level what was going on. "I'm finally starting to figure you out." Birthday Girl (Respite)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Birthday Girl (Part 3)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Misery EvolvingAuthor's Note "FORGIVE! RELEASE!" Misery Evolving Two miles in, Maria spotted Emily's cottage. "How many are there?" Brandon asked in a low, dark tone. "Three." "What's the plan?" "The one on the right is pacing. He'll charge first. Take him out while I handle the other two." "Puttin' me in the line of fire. I see how it is." Maria chuckled. "When we part ways, it won't be here." Brandon struck a godly pose, slinging his axe over his shoulder. "Let's get this over with." The siblings sprinted as fast as their legs would carry them. Just as Maria predicted, the pack noticed them at the exact same time. The wolf on the right leapt into the air, extending its teeth in a violent motion. With a swift swipe, Brandon sliced its jaw in two. His expression was somber. "Forgive us..." Maria had a tougher time against the other two. Unlike her brother, she lacked the opportunity for a clear shot. Resorting to plan b, she slipped between them, striking to the left and mortally wounding the second, leaving the leader as the last survivor. She grunted in pain as he bit her leg, offering an opening. Brandon swung down, crushing the animal's back and severing its spinal cord. Through all of this, Twilight watched on in horror... Maria took some time to catch her breath. Despite her best efforts, here she was, pulled to the dirt where she'd been her whole life. She composed herself, backing away from the pool of blood seeping into the earth below... "You all right?" Brandon questioned through crystalized breaths. "Do I look all right?" "Guess not." The younger Drake sniffled, wiping her nose. "Fuck..." Brandon approached his counterpart, settling next to her in a gesture of solace. "You did what you had to do." "Doesn't make it any better. There's nothing heroic about taking life..." "I know..." Maria felt empty. No amount of gratitude or praise could ever compensate for the meaninglessness - the meaninglessness in everything...A deep blue glow extended from her blade... Twilight leaned against the window, attempting to wrap her mind around what she'd just seen. How could Emily's family trust these people after such a cruel display? Granted, it was arguably done out of necessity, but was there really no other way...? She was left to wonder...Who was the bigger threat...? "Time's almost up. Should I stay and confront them, or return home and report back to the princesses? The intel I've gathered would go a long way towards protecting Equestria...What should I do...?" The door began to creak open...
Prelude to ConceptionAuthor's Note From Decrepit Birth's album Diminishing Between Worlds. Prelude to Conception A bright gradient of white light congealed, voiding out the corners of Twilight's vision. Her body felt stiff, though she retained a fair degree of control. "Where...Am I...?" The Alicorn examined her surroundings. She appeared to be in a cottage. It was relatively spacious compared to Fluttershy's. The only possessions in her immediate field of view were two beds, a set of spears, a small kitchen area, and a doll with an uncanny resemblance to the equine race. "Eerie..." she thought to herself, oblivious to what was in store. All illusions of security were torn to shreds the moment she turned her head. "What...!?" Next to a long wooden table, three humans converged. The first was a man of average height and build. He had curly, reddish-brown hair and glasses. The second was a woman with short, light blonde hair. If Twilight hadn't been too distracted to notice, she would've assumed it was his wife. The pony's attention was fixated on something far more sinister. "An open wound...!? Why is she bleeding...!?" Twilight's gaze focused on the third individual - their daughter. The child's arm leaked red life energy as her mother and father attempted to mend the break. "Is she okay!?" The princess's words fell upon deaf ears. She caught a glimpse of something outside the window. "Wolves...I should've known..." Twilight passed by the family. It was already clear her moral support was beyond their reach. The only other option was a direct...Or rather...Indirect...confrontation. "Horn, don't fail me now..." She galloped toward the door... Twilight shot up in a cold sweat. Her breaths were labored and heavy. She gathered her bearings. "It was...All a dream...?" A branch clanged against her window, startling her into a defensive position. She sighed upon discovering the noise's source. "I really need to stop reading scary stories before bed." The princess of friendship rolled off her mattress, stretching her limbs to prepare them for use. She exited her room, heading for the other side of the castle. A glass of water helped clear Twilight's head. She rinsed her face in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. "The terror in her eyes...It felt so real...I know it's probably nothing, but...I'd better consult princess Celestia, just in case..." Twilight met with her friends for tea the next morning. Rarity held little reservation regarding her physical condition. "Twilight, are you feeling all right? You seem rather...deprived." "I didn't sleep well," the Alicorn admitted, "I had a strange dream that kept me up all night." "What kind of dream?" "It was about Earth." "That's a name I haven't heard in quite some time." "Forget it. I'm sure it's nothing." "I believe that as much as my tail being made of feathers." "It's just...I was in this weird place. It looked like Fluttershy's cottage, but bigger. There were people there. I think they were a family. The youngest had a wound on her arm that looked like a bite mark. It looked like she'd been attacked by a wolf." "I suppose that would make for a rather frightening experience." "The emotions I felt coming off her are impossible to fake..." "I'm lost." "What I saw was too vivid. It didn't feel like a dream. It was more like a..." "A what?" "A premonition..." "I think you're reading a bit too deep into this. Unicorns and Alicorns have possessed magic for millennia. Not one of them has accurately predicted the future - at least, not past Luna's return anyway." "That's true. Still, I have to check in with the princesses, just to be sure." "If you feel so strongly about it, it stands to reason I can't persuade you otherwise." "You know me and paranoia: peas in a pod." "Thanks to your little episode, Sweetie knows better than I." Twilight blushed in embarrassment. She'd have to apologize next time she saw the filly. Upon returning to her castle, Twilight packed a small satchel of supplies in the event something unexpected occurred. When it came to confrontation, she found it best to err on the side of caution. "Take care of things while I'm gone." she instructed her brother. "I have a bad feeling about this, Twilight. I really think I should go with you." "I'm worried, too. That's why I need you to stay here: in case something happens to me. You're the only one who can maintain the castle in my absence. When I'm gone, you'll be the new prince. Equestria can't afford to lose the elements again. You understand, right?" "No title's worth you dying over..." Twilight wrapped Spike in a tight embrace. "I'll be fine. If anything happens, I'll come straight home." Spike responded by encircling his arms around his sister. He wasn't happy about potentially putting her in harm's way, but it was at least comforting to know she had an escape plan. "I love you, Twilight..." "I love you, too..." Not keen on wasting time, Twilight teleported straight to Canterlot. She materialized in front of Celestia and Luna's castle. The guards were overjoyed to see her. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Sparkle!" "Likewise," Twilight replied, "Unfortunately, I'm here on rather urgent business." The guards grew serious, tensing in preparation for duty. "Understood. You're free to pass." Twilight nodded. She pushed the doors open. As it turned out, Celestia was away on diplomatic business when Twilight arrived, leaving Luna as the sole counselor. "Sorry for disturbing you." Twilight apologized. "Not at all. From the look of things, you're worlds more distraught than I." "That's what I wanted to speak with you about. Has anything...Unusual...Happened on Earth recently?" "Unusual?" "Something like overwhelming surges in energy?" Luna placed a hoof to her chin. "Nothing I can remember...Except..." "Except...?" "Well...Not long ago, we detected a momentary anomaly in space-time. It disappeared just as soon as we discovered it. We thought it was simply a glitch. However, hearing your concerns is causing me to rethink our assessment." "Did it feel malevolent?" "That's the strange part. It was the exact opposite." "That's not surprising. When I last visited, things operated fairly similarly to Equestria, save for technology." Luna shook her head. "That's not quite what I mean. This power...It felt more like an invisible shield, like it was trying to protect someone." "A shield...?" "Perhaps you should come with me."
EnigmaAuthor's Note Piece of Time. Enigma Luna led Twilight to the portal connecting the two worlds. The moon princess turned to her sister's former pupil. "Just before the signal vanished, we managed to track its location to an isolated region in the North American continent. Based on your geographical research, it originated in a rural community in Arkansas." Twilight gulped. A pit formed in her stomach. "No way..." "I assume this relates to the place in your dream?" Twilight nodded. "It seems my own curiosity continues to grow as well." "What does it all mean?" "I cannot say for certain, though one thing has become all too clear: there are forces at play beyond anything Equestria can comprehend at the present moment." "What do we do now?" "That's your decision to make. Earth is your domain. Your satchel suggests a desire to investigate. Am I wrong?" "No..." "You know what must be done." Twilight sighed, approaching the mirror begrudgingly. "Tell my friends where I am. The portal will only stay open for half a day. If I'm not back before then, organize a search party." "Understood. I shall pray for your safe return." Twilight nodded. She faced the mirror once more...And stepped through... In a flash of light, Twilight appeared within the confines of the cottage. The humans from her dream reacted in the exact manner she expected - surprise and shock. "W...What are you!?" the man shouted. Twilight ignored him, looking herself over for any signs of change. "Well, this is new..." she uttered. "ANSWER ME!" "I'm not your enemy," she finally replied in an attempt to calm him down, "I'm here to help. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm a pony from the world of Equestria." The man shot her a harsh glare. "Oh, great," he exclaimed sarcastically, "Just what we needed!" "You're just gonna have to trust me for now." "In case you haven't noticed, my daughter's bleeding profusely over here!" Twilight approached the group. "Disinfect the wound." The man's gaze shifted from hostile to inquisitive. "What are you waiting for!? Hurry!" He complied, quickly cleansing the wound of debris and bacteria. "Now stand back." Twilight ignited her horn. A magical aura engulfed the child's forearm. Both sites began to heal simultaneously. The girl's mother and father stood inches away, twice as dumbfounded as before. "What's going on...!?" her father muttered. Once the wound fully closed, Twilight backed away. The girl's tears stopped flowing. "How does it feel?" Twilight asked. At last, she heard the child speak, albeit in an exasperated tone. Through the stuffiness, Twilight could make out a meek politeness. It sounded familiar somehow... "Who are you...?" Twilight smiled, trying to break the tension despite the dire circumstance they now found themselves in. "I'll give you a hint." She approached the twin-size bed, using her magic to levitate the black doll. The girl couldn't believe her eyes. "A little birdie told me you were in trouble. Figured you could use a helping hoof." The family sat together at the table between the rest area and kitchen. For a moment, they reflected in silent contemplation. Twilight waited patiently for them to process what was happening. "So you're a pony...From another planet..." the man repeated in disbelief. "Yes. I am the element of magic and the princess of friendship." The man closed his eyes, raising his brows as he did so. "Oh. Now it all makes sense." "I understand your skepticism. I can barely believe it myself. To tell you the truth, I don't even know why I'm here..." "Regardless, you helped our daughter. For that, we're eternally grateful." "Of course. It's the least I can do." "We already had breakfast, but you're welcome to grab something from the fridge if you'd like." "I already ate, too." "Care to join us, then?" Twilight nodded. She approached the table, heeling next to the man's daughter. "If you don't mind me asking, what are your names?" "I'm Robert. The lovely lady across from me is my wife, Chelsea. Guess you've already met our daughter, Emily." "Emily...That's a pretty name." "It means rival. Didn't really know that when we named her." Robert chuckled. "Interesting..." "What is?" "Your naming methods seem to be based on auditory appeal. Ours are related to color schemes or special talents." Robert gave the princess a look of intrigue. "Sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances." Lisa apologized. "Don't worry about it. I already had an idea of what I was in for." "What do you mean?" Robert inquired cautiously. "I dreamt about this place, and I think I know why. Our worlds are more closely connected than I thought. The question is...How...?" "We'll be able to help you figure that out better once we're outta this mess." "My initial plan was to charge out and neutralize them as quickly as possible. Given their proximity though, that's no longer an option." "Maybe we can help." "How?" "We know someone on the outside. She's an interesting character to say the least. She'll know what to do." Emily's eyes lit up. "Daddy, do you mean Maria!?" Robert nodded. "Maria?" Twilight wondered. "She's a close friend of the family. That doll you picked up earlier? She designed it as a Christmas gift for Emily last year." Twilight considered this. "Does she know about Equestria...?" "Is something wrong?" "Mm? No...Nothing...Just thinking..." "You think we should call her?" "Yes. I'm curious now." "You look exhausted," Chelsea realized, "Please, feel free to rest while we're waiting." "Thank you."
MariaAuthor's Note Maria In the back yard of her southwestern Georgia home, Maria Drake finished her morning routine with several sets of pull-ups. At this point in her life, she barely felt any strain from rigorous activity anymore. With one last repetition, she planted herself firmly on the ground. She paused just long enough for her heart to slow down. It was more than enough time for a cool breeze to brush her bangs aside. Her eyes were filled with such great sorrow... Maria trudged into the kitchen through the back door of the house. She opened the refrigerator, grabbing several snacks and a bottle of water. After taking a swig to stave off overexertion, she headed through the main hall to her room upstairs. "Guess I should check my messages..." Maria booted up her computer, resting in her chair for a more comfortable view. It didn't take long for the notifications tab to pop up. "Robert...?" She opened Robert's message without hesitation. "Oh, good God..." Maria picked up the phone. She dialed the number for the local hospital where her brother worked. Brandon was sorting through paperwork when the phone by his desk rang. He answered expecting a troubled soul in need of guidance. To an extent, he was right. "Hello?" "Hey, Brandon..." "Maria?" "Emily's in trouble. Robert sent an SOS a few minutes ago." "What's going on?" "They're trapped inside by a pack of feral wolves." "Can't they just call animal control?" "Emily's already been bitten. It's too dangerous for them to handle now." Brandon sighed sadly. "All right...I'm on my way." "Thanks." "What are big brothers for, right?" "I'll see you soon." Brandon ended the call. He left a note for his superiors and headed for the exit. Maria made the necessary preparations for their journey. It would take about ten hours to reach their destination without making any pit stops. She packed food, weapons, and medication. Once everything was collected, she awaited her brother's return. Within twenty minutes, Brandon arrived at the house. Maria had unlocked the door beforehand, allowing him to enter quickly without losing time. "Let me change real quick." he requested. Maria nodded. Brandon moved briskly, exchanging his garments for a set resembling his sibling's. "You grab my axe already?" Maria held up the tool. Brandon retrieved it with haste. "Let's go." Brandon stopped the car across the city where Emily's family lived. Maria rushed to the side of the road, retching and coughing as a result of extended motion sickness. Her brother rubbed her back to comfort her. "You wanna stop for a Gatorade? I need to fill up the car anyway..." "We don't have time..." "If you keep pushing yourself, you're gonna keel over. We're almost there...Just a little longer, okay?" Touched by her brother's display of empathy, Maria relented. "Good. Finally got some sense through that thick skull of yours." Brandon carried her back to the car.
LifelineAuthor's Note "EMAPTHY: SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON! A LIFE VEST TO MAKE TREADING WATER POSSIBLE! EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE SAME MESS, SINKING TOGETHER IN THE SAME QUICKSAND!" Lifeline Maria scouted the vast landscape. The field was empty with no trace of life. She felt the mist of evening's drizzle descend over them, sensing her friend was near... "She's here." "How can you tell?" "Just a gut feeling." "Guess it'd be bad faith to ignore our instincts now." Brandon extracted his axe from the car, joining his sister's side. "Lead the way." The younger Drake drew a serrated knife from her coat pocket. The blade was composed of black carbon and stainless steel. Razor-sharp teeth lined the body, making it ideal for close-quarters combat. The pair inched forward, keeping their eyes peeled for signs of an ambush. Not long before the siblings arrived, Twilight awoke to darkened vision. As her sight cleared, she recalled the events that transpired earlier in the day. "I remember I went through the portal, and..." The realization hit her like a freight train. Robert and Chelsea...She was in their bed. She sat up, alerting them to her presence. "Good to see you're still with us." Robert teased. Twilight stretched her neck. A quick pop relieved the tension. "I think you've figured out already it'll take more than sleep deprivation to do me in." "Want some cocoa? It gets pretty chilly at night." "Please." Twilight plopped next to Emily and Chelsea. Two burning questions seared the back of her mind. "What time is it?" "It's a little after six," Chelsea informed her, "Maria should be here soon." "That's the second thing I was going to ask. Can you tell me more about her?" "What do you want to know?" "What kind of person is she?" "To tell you the truth, this will be our first time meeting her in person." "You mean you've never met her before!?" "We started talking online a year ago. We mainly bought this computer for work. While we were learning how to use it, we stumbled across her messenger profile. Her entire persona was built around what I can only describe as artistic melancholy." "Melancholy?" "She presented herself as an emotionally distraught individual. That's why we were so taken aback by how sweet she was when we spoke." "I think I get it. You're saying there's a dichotomy between her public and private life, right?" "Precisely." "She does sound like quite a character. I'm interested in meeting her myself, now." "We consider her part of the family despite the fact we've never met. Strange how that works, isn't it?" "Not really. Pinkie Pie feels that way about everyone she meets." "I'm assuming she's a friend of yours from home?" "You're pretty perceptive. We've been friends for almost ten years. As things stand, we haven't formed a strong relationship with Earth yet, meaning we don't have the same technology. Our species lives in tightly-packed communities where everyone knows each other personally." "It's still like that in cities and small towns. As I'm sure you've noticed, we're pretty much cut off from the rest of civilization. We moved here for a quiet, simple life." "I understand. What's strange to me is, during my last visits, I took on human form to blend in with the population. I can't figure out why it's different this time." "I wish we could be of more help." "It's fine. I prefer this form, anyway. I don't have access to spells as a human." "Robert said it before, but we're grateful you did. We couldn't live with ourselves if something happened to this little one." "Pinkie and Cheese have a son of their own. I know the feeling. I would've evacuated you to safety. Unfortunately, only magical beings can enter the portal." "That may be a blessing in disguise." "Maybe..." "Thanks for helping me." Emily stated graciously. The surge of power from Twilight's dream returned. It was more overwhelming than the pony princess could have ever imagined. "This strength...What is this...!?"
Frail WordsAuthor's Note Frail Words Maria and Brandon stepped inside the Joseph family home. Twilight kept still, not wanting to alert them to her presence just yet. She wanted to see what they would do. From her experience, the taste for blood could not so easily be satiated... "Maria!" Emily cried in relief. She ran into the teen's arms without a second thought. To Twilight's surprise, the young Drake didn't push her away. "Sorry we took so long, kiddo." Maria knelt down to meet her friend at eye level. "How's your arm?" "It's okay. Twilight healed me with her magic." "Twilight?" Emily pointed in the pony's direction, causing Maria to veer her gaze. The princess tensed, afraid of what would come next. "Well what do ya know..." Twilight blinked. "You're...You're not surprised to see me...!?" "At this point, I can believe anything. I'm not the only one who can see you, so I know I'm not crazy." "I have to admit, I expected more of a reaction..." "I get that a lot." "I saw: everything." "That explains why you look so scared." Brandon interjected. "I guess I'm not very good at hiding it." "I'm sorry..." "How could you...?" "We didn't want it to end like this. We agonized over alternatives all the way here. If we'd tried to call for help, we would've put other people in danger. That's why we acted so quickly - so no one had to suffer..." "You mean...You were sad, too...?" "Of course. We're not heartless. They weren't going to retreat. We tried to make it as merciful as possible." "I see..." "Mercy killings don't exist where you're from, do they...?" Twilight shook her head. "Trust me when I tell you we mean you no harm. This was something we never saw coming." "For better or worse, I'll believe you for now. Forgive me if I maintain a distance for the time being." Brandon nodded. He couldn't blame her. He couldn't even forgive himself. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He shifted his attention toward Robert and Chelsea. "Maria's injured. Would you mind patching her up while I bury the bodies? I wouldn't feel right otherwise..." "Of course." Chelsea obliged. "I appreciate it." Maria and Twilight talked while Chelsea stitched the adolescent's leg. As sobering as the experience was, the princess had to maintain a tough exterior - for now, at least. "I already know a fair bit about this world," she admitted, "I've been here a few times before." "Chels told me. I'm not sure which revelation's more shocking: the fact multiverse theory's been proven or it's inhabited by talking horses." "Imagine how I felt." "Must've been one hell of a discovery." "As you can imagine, I'd rather keep our worlds separate at the present moment. It figures the one thing I didn't know was the one I should have..." "Your secret's safe with me. One world's crazy enough as it is. Better not to get into time paradoxes." "Agreed. Of course, you understand I have to report my findings. Knowing the extent of your fighting skills, we'll be on high alert from here on. I'll likely be assigned to make sure you don't cause any trouble." "Be my guest. I have nothing to gain from defiance. It didn't end well last time, anyway..." "Last time...?" Maria paused. Among the things she was willing to do, speaking her shame was not one of them...Not now... "Never mind. The blood loss is probably making me delirious." "So long as we're clear about where we stand." "I got it." "Good. I can take my leave in peace, then." Twilight set her sights on the structure's center. Maria offered one last gesture of gratitude. "Thanks for keeping their spirits up. If morale was lost, everything would've fallen apart..." "Consider us even." "Yeah..." Twilight began walking toward the portal. She was halted by Robert's voice. "Twilight," he called out, "Emily's birthday's on Halloween. Why don't you drop by if you have some time?" "What day?" "The 31st. We'll keep in touch and figure out a plan." "Sure. Just let me get a few things sorted out." "Take your time." "Take care..." "We will. Thank you."
ObsolescenceAuthor's Note "REACH OUT YOUR HAND! OPEN YOUR EYES! WHAT MADE YOU NOT CHANGE YOUR MIND FOR SO LONG!? THAT'S RIGHT - THE HERO IS YOU!" Obsolescence With only an hour of time to spare, Luna gathered the guards. Twilight's friends waited anxiously for her return, praying that the worst had not come to pass. The clock ticked down little by little, slowly shifting toward fifty minutes...Then forty...Then thirty... "Look!" Pinkie shouted, startling everyone in the room. A flash of light emanated from the mirror. Twilight emerged. She seemed unharmed...Physically, at least... "Twilight!" Rarity cried out. All of them had been so consumed by terror that seeing their friend in the flesh felt like a dream. The group ran up to the Alicorn, tackling her to the floor. "Aack!" "We were so worried about you! How could you do something so reckless!?" Twilight rose to her hooves, pulling up her friends in the process. "Sorry, guys..." "Twilight...?" "I didn't have a choice. There was too much at stake..." "What do you mean?" Twilight began her royal announcement to all present. "My subjects, my friends, please listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you. Through this portal lies a planet called Earth. I have visited this world numerous times in the past. What I have learned through this endeavor is the most important lesson our race will ever learn. The lesson is that things are not always what they seem. As I stand before you now, I must tell you...The timeline...Has shifted..." A wave of quiet chatter swept over the room. Luna approached her fellow monarch. "Please, continue." "When I first entered this foreign land, the year was 2013. Until now, space and time have progressed equally between our dimensions. The Earth beyond this mirror is not the one I know. Time has reversed to the date of October 1st, 1997. The atmosphere is darker - more threatening. Despair, seclusion, and bloodshed are the norm. Until this matter is resolved, we must tread carefully. For now, I have formed an alliance with five members of the dominant human species. Whether they prove friend or foe, only time will tell." "I don't understand," one of the guards voiced, "Why reveal this to us now?" "Your curiosity is well-founded. I tell you this now should drastic measures need be taken. In the event of unforeseen consequences, be it invasion or space manipulation, the portal is to be destroyed and forgotten. I ask you to lend me your strength and courage in this time of uncertainty. We must stand together not as ruler and subject, but as equals. Without trust, love, kindness, honor, and loyalty, we may all perish. We must stand together to ensure this does not occur. Please, stand with me to protect our home world." The guards stood aghast...All except one...He approached Twilight's companions... "I shall serve you, my princess, no matter the cost." He bowed. Twilight replied in kind. "And I shall serve you, warrior of the moon." The guards stood motionless. One by one, their features became stern. The first row joined their fellow soldier. The second followed. "Now I see what my sister saw in you, Twilight Sparkle. You are a leader more worthy of the title than I...I wish you safe travels..." Twilight turned to her younger brother. "Let's go home..." Spike nodded. "Yeah..." Back on Earth, Brandon dug each wolf's grave with his own hands. He choked back his own tears as heaven's descended over him. That night, he made a promise - a promise to stand against the barbarity of man. "Never again...I'll never kill again..."
Stability (Sea of the Soul)Author's Note "I HOLD THIS EMBER IN MY HEART! IT REMINDS ME OF WHO I ONCE WAS! IT'S THE ONLY WARMTH THAT I KNOW!" Stability (Sea of the Soul) Celestia returned to Canterlot as soon as she was able. The report of Twilight's excursion left her completely floored. She summoned her sister and their student to the war room upon her return. "It seems you've been through a quite a lot since I left. Here." The sun princess offered her successor a cup of tea. This time, Twilight was alert enough to decipher the aroma. "Thanks..." "You're different from the last time I saw you. You've matured." "Did you read the letters?" "I did. I beseech your forgiveness. If only I'd known..." "It wasn't your fault. I went willingly to ensure the safety of our people. As difficult as it was, I'm glad I did." "Her speech was truly befitting of royalty," Luna gloated, "Our soldiers rallied behind her in a matter of moments." "Just as I would expect from my number one student," Celestia praised, "Still, I am concerned about the two humans mentioned in your report. Maria and Brandon, was it?" "Yes," Twilight confirmed, "They're a brother-sister duo from the North American state of Georgia. During the battle, they fought with the same tactics I'd expect to see from seasoned veterans, but it was different somehow..." "In what way?" "Well...It seemed more controlled, as though they weren't fighting out of malice, anger, or vengeance. Their power over the situation was absolute. It was completely one-sided. Maria sustained a mild injury, but it ended up being little more than a flesh wound." "My word. They sound quite formidable." "That's putting it mildly. With how quickly they adapted, they could well be the deciding factor in a conflict between our worlds." "Should we have reason to suspect them as threats?" "I don't know. I couldn't get a reading on them. I think they're hiding something." "You mentioned Brandon tried to comfort you after you revealed yourself as a witness." "They referred to the situation as a mercy killing, citing the wolves' lack of higher cognitive functions. It's strange...They have so much power, yet they seem so innocent...So...Pure..." "I believe their intentions. Why else would they treat you as one of their own? Not only that - they agreed to your terms without so much as a complaint. For all you've suffered through, I believe you've gained us worthy allies this day." "Maybe..." "What is it that troubles you?" "I sensed something in my dream before I entered the portal. I couldn't pinpoint its source, but...It was strong...Far stronger than any magic..." "Do not lose hope. You've already prepared a contingency, have you not?" "I guess. I just hope it doesn't end up escalating to that point..." "If you cannot trust them, then trust me." "I do trust you, princess." "Then you have nothing to fear." Her mentor's assurance was all Twilight needed to hear. Celestia's wisdom never steered her wrong before. She had no reason to believe this time would be any different. Little did she know how right her teacher would turn out to be...
Birthday Girl (Part 1)Author's Note "DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE! LOOK AROUND! WHAT DO YOU SEE!? WE WILL CRUMBLE, BUT NO ONE KNOWS...YOU REFUSE TO LET IT TO GO!" Birthday Girl (Part 1) Twilight's meeting with Celestia set the gears of change in motion. The younger Alicorn took some time to rest and recuperate. Knowing she needed space to recover from the trauma of seeing death up close, her friends let her be until she emerged on her own. Faced with the knowledge she could no longer ignore events on Earth, she hammered the final nail in the coffin, choosing to face her destiny head-on. Days after her first visit to the inverted timeline, Twilight held a formal audience with Celestia. Her request was one the sun princess expected from the outset. "I wish to stay on Earth to extend my investigation." "I had a feeling you would say that." Twilight was silent. What was she supposed to say? She was essentially asking one of her oldest friend to sign off on her death warrant. How could anyone expect it to be easy? Risking one's own life and limb was the hardest thing they could ever do, even if it was for the sake of others... "Twilight..." Celestia rose from her throne. She approached her former student, placing a hoof under her chin. "Ever since you were a filly, I've known you were special. I taught you everything entrusted to me by the cosmos so that you could one day bring eternal prosperity to our nation. I watched you grow, gleaming with pride as you accomplished what Luna and I could not. You achieved victory upon seamless victory, many times through courage and force of will alone. Only now do I realize how blind I've been." "Princess..." "The truest darkness we must ultimately face is that which lies within ourselves. The same way you trusted me, I now trust you. Go. Unlock your hidden potential, and discover who you are." The faith of her maternal figure sparked Twilight's core. Her eyes flashed a deep shade of blue before returning to their original color... Another day passed before Twilight could venture into the unknown once more. She expected to be alone again. She was never more glad to be wrong. "What are you guys doing here!?" she asked in welcome surprise. "Whatcha think, egghead?" Rainbow joked, "If it's really as dangerous as you said, there's no way we can miss out. Where's Spike?" "I sent him to stay with Pinkie and Cheese. Figured it'd give him a chance to spend some quality time with Lil Cheese." "That still sounds weird coming from you." "Tell me about it." "We could all use some familiar company right now." Applejack acknowledged. "Are you sure you want to do this, Twilight," Rarity inquired, "Removing the portal would be so much simpler." "There's something more going on behind the scenes...," Twilight explained, "I can feel it..." "That's precisely what worries me..." "I'm scared." Fluttershy whimpered. Twilight approached the frightened Pegasus. She raised her companion's hoof. "This isn't your battle to fight. I have no right to ask such a sacrifice of you. My reasons are selfish. That, I will admit. If you desire safety, I shall grant it in your stead." "I...I'm going!" "Are you sure? Once we go through, we won't be able to come back for a while." "I understand." Twilight nodded. "We stand a better chance if we stick together. If necessary, I can shield us using barrier and charm spells. No matter what, we have to stick together." Rainbow saluted. "Aye, Aye, captain!" Just as Twilight expected, the party found their way back to the cottage. "This really does look like home!" Fluttershy remarked. "I thought you said this place was full of technology," Rainbow noticed, "What gives?" Twilight realized the spears, computer, and food were all gone. "They must've left after the battle. I'll locate their energy signature." "So that's how your teleportation thingy works." Twilight closed her eyes. "They're close. Grab on to me." The others obliged. In a flash, they disappeared. Twilight materialized in an apartment complex in the middle of the city. An elderly couple stared back at them with wide eyes and slack jaws. "I see," Twilight discerned, "You must be Emily's grandparents." "Excuse me, darlin', but...Who are you?" the woman questioned curiously, her wits barely gathered enough to speak. "Please excuse my boldness. My name is Twilight Sparkle. These are my compatriots: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. I was with your granddaughter the morning of the attack." The man grumbled. He stood up, turned his back, and walked away. Twilight heard him utter something as the distance between them grew. "Did I say something wrong?" "Don't mind him. He's just a little stunned as I'm sure you can imagine. He'll be back with the children in a moment." "Right. I forgot humans aren't used to seeing us here." "Would you like some tea?" "Please, don't put yourself through any trouble. You should rest." "Don't you fret none. I may not be a spring chicken anymore, but I've still got enough pep in my step to keep up with you youngins." Applejack smiled. The old woman spoke in a dialect reminiscent of Granny. The thought filled her heart with a sense of warmth. The old man returned a few minutes later with Robert in tow. "It's good to see you, Twi..." "Yeah..." "Dad told me you brought company." "To tell you the truth, we came to see Maria. Figured we should drop in and make sure you guys were all right." "We're good. A little shaken still, but good overall." "That's a relief." "Thank you again for what you did for Emily. You and Maria are all she talks about these days. I guess acts of heroism stick with kids beyond cartoons." "Is Emily here?" "She's in the back with Chelsea. I'll take you to her after you guys have a chance to get acquainted." "So you two are Robert's parents?" "Yeeeep," Robert's mother clarified, "Name's Lisa. Old coot over there's my husband, George." "Be quiet, you old bag." George refuted. Twilight giggled. "You definitely fight like a married couple." Lisa leaned forward. She spoke softly through a wheezed laugh. "Keeps things interesting." "Our friend back home recently got married. I know how it goes." "She have any kids?" "A newborn named Lil Cheese." "Little boogers get on your nerves, but that's why you love 'em." "Not Pinkie. She has a boundless stream of energy. Even after all these years, I still have no idea where it comes from. Then again, Lil Cheese is pretty mellow for a foal." "Emily's the same way. She's more introspective than most children her age. I suppose growing up away from all this gave her time to be curious." "Makes sense. She seems content in low-stress environments." "Tell me about your world. What's it like?" "It's less advanced than Earth. Our way of life is fairly simple. We're comfortable getting by." "I assume those fancy magic tricks help." "No tricks. Unicorns and Alicorns are magical beings. It's commonplace there." "Unicorns were all the rage when I was a girl. It wasn't a new idea, but TV and comic books made 'em popular." "Until I came to Earth, I'd never heard of humans before, let alone seen one. You can't begin to imagine how infatuated I was seeing a new species for the first time. Granted, I've always been highly studious, but this instance was far more intriguing than standard curiosity." "You have any plans to develop your tech now that you know?" "It's hard to say. There's no telling how our worlds might change now that we can travel between them. My guess is, we'll have to see how you handle our world. After bearing witness to some of your more...Destructive...attributes, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried..." "I don't blame ya. Us folk can be a sorry bunch. We were too young to remember ww2. Korea and 'nam were a different story." "What happened?" "Soldiers were given faulty intel. Supposedly killed a buncha civies by mistake thinkin' they were enemy recruits. Full story's a bit murkier. There were reports of servicemen assaulting and murdering villagers. Lotta the casualties were speculated to be children." Twilight was horrified, as were her friends. What they were hearing was too monstrous to be real. "They killed innocent people...!?" "Can't say for certain. George was lucky enough to avoid the draft. I wouldn't put it past 'em, though. Give somebody a gun, they get all gung-ho and bulletproof." "Why did I never find out anything about this!?" "Lotta dirty business down in D.C. Protests were puttin' pressure on the government to end operations in Asia. Guess they knew if the public got wind of it, there'd be hell to pay." "They covered it up..." "Tried to. Didn't really do much good. Public opinion was already knockin' at their doors. Had no choice but to call off the invasion. Higher-ups blamed the citizens for their loss and hung the real soldiers out to dry. Scumbags pitted family members against each other while they got off scot-free." "I don't believe it..." "Sorry. I know it ain't the cheeriest topic. Still, it wasn't a total loss. Learned a healthy distrust for authority in the aftermath. Bet your rear we did. Doubt most young folks'll be so quick to follow orders next time." Twilight held her head in place, afraid it would fall against the table from sheer shock. "No offense, lady, but you guys sound nuttier than Fluttershy's squirrel pie." Rainbow responded in a display of brutal honesty. "Can't argue with ya, darlin'. Humans ain't the most civilized bunch when ya get down to it." "What Brandon said was true...They were being merciful..." "You mean that boy and his sister?" Lisa asked. "What a mess..." Twilight sharply exhaled. Her voice became downtrodden. "Robert, give Emily and Chelsea our regards. We'll catch up later. After hearing Lisa's story, I think we need to find Maria as soon as possible." "Do what you gotta do." Robert encouraged. "We'll see you soon. Take care." "Will do." Twilight's friends gathered around her for the second time that day. They vanished as quickly as they'd arrived. The group spawned in Maria's room. The teen was mildly surprised, though she didn't show it externally. "I was worried you wouldn't come." "Tell me everything," Twilight demanded, "I need to know the history of humanity." "Better grab a pen and paper. This'll take some time." Maria gave Twilight's party a crash course on the history of the human race, beginning with the birth of the universe itself. She described the formation of the planets and the evolution of life through the eons. Twilight uncovered the timeframe between the ice age and the development of early civilizations. From there, they discussed the middle ages, the spread of Christianity and Islam, the renaissance, and the enlightenment. With the advent of the industrial revolution, a bloody era of cultural warfare was ushered in, starting with the civil war and ending with world war 2. With the rise of communism, expansionist ideologies running amok, disputes over resources, and the ever-increasing brutality of fascist dictators, the modern world was rife with uncertainty, prone to episodes of violence. Korea and Vietnam were but two of the more well-known examples. "Now I know why none of this was in the history books I studied," Twilight verbalized, "This isn't the same Earth I visited before. It's a separate entity altogether." "WHAT!?" her friends shouted in unison. Even Maria was visibly shocked now. "But why...? Why did the portal redirect us here...?" "That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?" the young Drake stated. "At least we have enough information to start looking for clues. I suppose we've done all we can do for now. I'll transport this to princess Celestia. If I can still use my magic, we should be able to send her progress reports from here." "You guys can stay if you want," Maria offered, "There's a guest room across the hall and a spare computer downstairs if you need to look anything up." "The portal only opens here at the beginning and end of each month. We won't be able to go home until after Emily's birthday. " "Stay as long as you need. I'm sure Brandon won't mind if you hang around for a bit." "Thanks." "Before you get settled in, I was wondering if you could help me figure something out since you know about magic and stuff." "What?" "I'm gonna pull out my knife. Don't freak out." "No promises." Fluttershy took a step back, positioning herself near the door in the event they needed to escape. Maria extracted her blade from her jean pocket. "Brandon and I have been keeping up on our training since the attack. We were practicing the other day when something...weird...happened." "Weird how?" Maria concentrated her life force into the weapon. An aura of light shot from the handle, engulfing the sharp end in a translucent blue veil of spiritual energy. "This power...," Twilight thought, "This is what I was feeling...Why do I feel so calm...So...Safe...?" "Do you know anything about it?" The Alicorn shook her head. "No, but I know there's a reason you have it." "Why?" "Because you're true warriors...Just like Shining..."
Birthday Girl (Part 2)Maria and Brandon's house became the base for Twilight's crew to brainstorm. They spent each day learning everything they could about this new Earth, save for revealing themselves to the general public. Maria taught them basic fitness and combat techniques to defend themselves if necessary. During their stay, the young Drake introduced them to Japanese games, horror shooters, and metallic hardcore music for the first time. It was a far cry even from what Twilight knew about human art. Back in Equestria, Celestia requested periodic updates regarding Twilight's studies. She read each one with utmost interest. "Hmmm...Perhaps she would consider taking over for Shining now that he has a family. If this Maria person is truly as strong as she claims, she may even surpass him someday soon..." A few days before Halloween, Maria received a call from a friend who lived in New York. "Hello?" "Wassup, girl?" "Hey, Eric." "My homie Zane's hostin' a Halloween party up in Massachusetts. I was callin' to see if you wanted to go." "I can't, man. It's Emily's birthday. I'm gonna spend some time with her and her folks - help 'em chill out after all that bullshit they went through." "Y'all can bring her." "I'll have to check in with everybody. I'll call you back in a bit, let you know what they say." "Aight. Cool." "Later." Maria disconnected the call. She dialed George and Lisa's number. "Hello?" "George?" "Yeah. Who's askin'?" "Maria." "So the mysterious ghost girl finally shows herself, eh?" "Looks like it." "Thank you for saving my granddaughter." "Don't mention it. Twilight was the real hero. We were just the cavalry." "Least you're the modest type." "I was actually calling about plans for Emily's birthday. Can you get Robert or Chelsea on?" "One second." "Thanks." A few seconds later, Robert picked up the phone. "Hey, Maria." "Twilight told me she dropped by to see you a few weeks ago." "Yeah. She was looking for you. I didn't wanna keep her too long." "She's been staying with us. I can tell you one thing - she'd put the bookworms at school to shame." "I don't doubt it. She's definitely got a curious air about her. Dad said you wanted to ask about Emily's birthday?" "Yeah. My buddy Eric just hit me up. He was wondering if you guys wanted to go to a Halloween party this year." "Sure. It'll do us good to get out." "Is Chelsea okay with it?" "Don't see any reason why she'd object. I'll double-check." "All right. Just shoot me a message when you guys figure out what you wanna do." "We will." "Give Emily a hug for me." "I know she'll be excited to see you guys again." "Same here." "We'll get back to you with a verdict. Later." "Later." Maria placed the receiver back in its hold. She stretched before heading across the hall. She knocked on the door. "Come in." Twilight permitted. Maria entered in the least threatening manner she could manage. She knew Twilight acknowledged her out of a combination of respect and fear, but she could tell the Alicorn hadn't fully opened up to her yet. She supposed it was only fair, keeping a killer at arm's length... "What's up?" "I just got in touch with Emily's folks. We're making plans for her birthday. We might end up going to a Halloween party a few states away. If we do, you guys wanna come?" "We would, but...How would we blend in?" "All we'd have to do is pass your looks off as costumes. Long as you don't fly or use any magic, you'll get by without any problems." "No flying," Rainbow protested, "No way!" "It's just for a couple days. Emily really wants to meet you guys. We can find you somewhere to stretch your wings if we need to." "Well...I guess it couldn't hurt." "You in?" "Sure. What the hell." "I appreciate it." "Don't get all sappy on me." "We should probably find you some clothes. Pick out what you want from the closet." "Is that a gay joke?" "That'd be a waste of breath on my part." "Chillax. You get worked up too easily, ya know that?" "Maria..." Twilight voiced. "What's up?" "Are you okay? You seem really down lately..." "...Getting warmer..." The dark shift in Maria's tone set the stage for what was to come. Each mare picked out an outfit that best represented their personality. Robert sent an email that evening confirming the logistics. On the 29th of October, Maria and Twilight split into two groups. Twilight teleported her friends to George and Lisa's apartment while the siblings plotted their course. They met in front of the complex sometime after seven. "Hey." Robert greeted. Maria briefly acknowledged him. She knelt before Emily. "Happy almost birthday, Em." The child hugged her without saying a word. Maria wrapped her in a protective embrace. The others watched with tender feelings. At this precise moment, Twilight's shield began to crack. "How's you arm?" "It's okay." "Did you thank Twilight?" Emily turned to the pony. "Thank you." "What you did was really brave," the Alicorn emboldened, "I don't think I would've had the courage to fight them off." "Really?" "Yeah. We get scared a lot easier than humans." "You didn't look scared." "Adults are better at hiding it sometimes." "Oh..." "How old ya turnin' this year, squirt?" Rainbow asked to lighten the mood. "Nine." "That close to bein' a grown-up already, huh?" Emily shrugged. Maria rose from the concrete surface. She glanced in George's direction. "You mind if Twilight's friends ride in the truck?" "Don't really have a choice. That's what we get for lettin' you durn kids multiply like roaches." Emily giggled. Twilight began to suspect George acted like a grouch to amuse his granddaughter. In a way, it was endearing. Pinkie would've compared him to Cranky more than once had she been present. Of that, the Alicorn was certain. "You guys figure out who's gonna ride with who." Maria instructed. "I'll go with you." Twilight offered. This statement caught the adolescent off-guard. "Are you sure?" "Yeah...I think...I'm not afraid anymore..." The rest of the group gawked in astonishment. They all understood on some level what was going on. "I'm finally starting to figure you out."
Birthday Girl (Respite)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Birthday Girl (Part 3)Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Misery EvolvingAuthor's Note "FORGIVE! RELEASE!" Misery Evolving Two miles in, Maria spotted Emily's cottage. "How many are there?" Brandon asked in a low, dark tone. "Three." "What's the plan?" "The one on the right is pacing. He'll charge first. Take him out while I handle the other two." "Puttin' me in the line of fire. I see how it is." Maria chuckled. "When we part ways, it won't be here." Brandon struck a godly pose, slinging his axe over his shoulder. "Let's get this over with." The siblings sprinted as fast as their legs would carry them. Just as Maria predicted, the pack noticed them at the exact same time. The wolf on the right leapt into the air, extending its teeth in a violent motion. With a swift swipe, Brandon sliced its jaw in two. His expression was somber. "Forgive us..." Maria had a tougher time against the other two. Unlike her brother, she lacked the opportunity for a clear shot. Resorting to plan b, she slipped between them, striking to the left and mortally wounding the second, leaving the leader as the last survivor. She grunted in pain as he bit her leg, offering an opening. Brandon swung down, crushing the animal's back and severing its spinal cord. Through all of this, Twilight watched on in horror... Maria took some time to catch her breath. Despite her best efforts, here she was, pulled to the dirt where she'd been her whole life. She composed herself, backing away from the pool of blood seeping into the earth below... "You all right?" Brandon questioned through crystalized breaths. "Do I look all right?" "Guess not." The younger Drake sniffled, wiping her nose. "Fuck..." Brandon approached his counterpart, settling next to her in a gesture of solace. "You did what you had to do." "Doesn't make it any better. There's nothing heroic about taking life..." "I know..." Maria felt empty. No amount of gratitude or praise could ever compensate for the meaninglessness - the meaninglessness in everything...A deep blue glow extended from her blade... Twilight leaned against the window, attempting to wrap her mind around what she'd just seen. How could Emily's family trust these people after such a cruel display? Granted, it was arguably done out of necessity, but was there really no other way...? She was left to wonder...Who was the bigger threat...? "Time's almost up. Should I stay and confront them, or return home and report back to the princesses? The intel I've gathered would go a long way towards protecting Equestria...What should I do...?" The door began to creak open...
