What if....

Twilight turned to her friends. Most of them were staring at Twilight, wondering why she called them up.

“Alright girls, ready?” Twilight asked.

“Uh, ready for wut?” Applejack questioned.

Twilight smiled.

“We’re heading out to an ancient human ruin, located on this map!”

She pulled out a map with her magic and showed it to her friends.

“Why did you write all over it?” Rarity asked.

“This is one of Princess Celestia’s personal copies.”

Twilight walked up next to her friends and pointed on the map with her hoof.

“See, right there is where we’re going.”

“But it’s right in the middle of the ocean.” Rainbow noted.

“Right, but this ruin is on an island.”

“An island adventure, cool!” Pinkie said while hopping up and down.

“Where’s Charlie?” Fluttershy asked while she looked left and right.

“He’s already in the train.”

“Oh, cool, let’s go then!” Pinkie said before she jumped towards the train.

Twilight and her friends soon after followed Pinkie into the train.

Charlie watched as other ponies boarded, then looked out the window.

I wonder what’s it will be like in the city.

Nothing interesting was happening outside; it was the middle of the winter season after all. Charlie turned, bored, when suddenly he saw his friends board.

“Hi girls!” He greeted.

Pinkie Pie ran up and gave Charlie a hug.

“Hi Charlie!”

“You guys are right on time, the train is about to leave right now.”

“Alright.” Twilight said.

“By the way, where are we going?” Rarity asked.

“Vanhoover.”

“I honestly don’t get why you didn’t want to stay at least one night here.” Rarity complained.

“Because, we are in a hurry to get there. the Princess got a ship for us, I don’t want to keep it waiting.”

Twilight responded.

The group headed up the boarding platform and onto the ship.

“Now this is something I’m familiar with.” Charlie said as he walked up to the bow of the ship.

“It is?” Twilight asked.

Charlie let out a hearty laugh.

“No, but I know much more about ships that go on water.”

“Oh.”

“Hello there.” A voice suddenly came up from behind the group.

Everypony turned to the voice and saw who it was.

“Hello.” Charlie spoke for the group.

“I am Salty Mane, and I am the captain of this ship.”

Charlie glanced behind the older pony, and then looked back at him.

“Is your name actually Salty Mane?” Charlie asked.

“No, it is a nickname.”

“Cool, it’s very nice to meet you Salty Mane!”

Salty Mane smiled.

“Very nice to meet you too young lad.”

Charlie laughed.

“Yes, I suppose.”

Charlie turned back to the group.

“Shall we find our rooms?”

“I’ll be showing you your rooms. Follow me.” Salty Mane spoke up before walking in the other direction.

Charlie sat on a chair at the bow of the ship. He looked up. It had been 2 hours since departure, and Luna’s moon was high in the sky.

“Ah, isn’t this beautiful!” Rarity exclaimed from next to Charlie.

“Yes, it is.”

“It reminds me of one of the scenes from one of my romance novels.” Fluttershy said from next to Rarity.

“It certainly does doesn’t it.”

Charlie gazed ahead and saw a shooting star.

“Well girls, let’s head inside, it’s story time.”

“Alright Charlie, let’s hear your story.”

Charlie got up from the chair and walked towards the cabins, with Rarity and Fluttershy following. They arrived inside the main room, where the rest of the ponies, save the captain and ship hooves, were.

“Alright Charlie, let’s hear this story of yours.” Rainbow said.

“Naw, instead of hearing it, let’s see it.”

Charlie reached into his coat and pulled out the book. He placed his hand on it and let it float.

“Aren’t you gonna ask us to join hooves?” Pinkie asked. Charlie shook his head.

“Not this time. You’re gonna need some pointers along the way.” Once he finished, he backed away.

“I do have to warn you, this is rather graphic though… anyways, let us begin shall we.”

A light suddenly consumed the area, and the projection began.

“Your majesty, what do you want for dinner?”

Four people sat around the table, with a fifth person, who asked the question, that stood next to the table.

The projection suddenly froze, and Charlie moved.

“Alright girls, this here,” Charlie pointed to a male with a beard, who sat at the top of the table. “is Emperor John.”

“This is my mentor, John’s brother.” He pointed at another, who looked similar to the emperor, but didn’t have a beard.

“Those two,” He pointed at two younger looking people. “are King William and Prince Richard.”

“Alright, let’s continue.”

The projection once again started up.

“Just greens, for all of us.”

“Aw, but why father?” Richard whined.

“Hehe, don’t worry we’ll all have dessert.”

“Oo, what’s for dessert?” William asked.

John turned back to the waiter.

“and bring us ice cream, please.”

“Thanks father!” Richard beamed.

“No problem.”

“You are quite a generous father, John.” Charlie’s mentor spoke up.

“I just want my children to be happy, brother.”

“Sir, there has been a breach in the shield!!” A guard suddenly ran into the room.

“Father, what’s going on?” William asked, scared.

“Nothing son, just be calm.” John said before he turned to the guard.

“Keep on high alert, all of you. We don’t know who broke in, but we must be careful.”

The guard nodded, then ran out of the room.

“Now, let’s us eat, shall we?”

John walked through the streets with his brother and his sons, content with the meal in his belly. Along the way home he received greetings from the citizens of the city. After ten minutes of walking they arrived at the entrance to the palace.

“Alright, head into your rooms, boys, it’s time for bed.” John told his sons, who nodded and ran into the door.

“John, I’m going to head to bed as well.” John’s brother said. John nodded.

“Alright, brother.” John’s brother walked into the door.

A few seconds passed before he heard a gasp.

“John, come in, quick!”

John headed through the door frantically. Inside he saw a sight that turned his stomach. Right in front of him were his two sons and his brother, who were staring at two bloodied bodies on the floor. John ran up to the bodies, who were two of his guards and shook them.

“I vouldn’t try that dummkopf, they are dead!” A shadow next to the throne suddenly began to morph. It formed into a person, one who was dressed in all black.

“What.”

“You heard me idiot, they are dead.”

“You’re the one who broke through the shield then.”

“Yes, and it vasn’t that hard.”

“But why, why would you do this?”

“I am from Rhineland.”

“Yeah, and?” John asked, slightly annoyed.

“Your enemies, dummkopf.”

“What are you?”

“An assassin, and a very good von if I did not say so myself.” The assassin said while he twirled a bloodied knife.

“Alright, so that’s it?”

“Vhat do you mean ‘that’s it’?” The assassin asked with a harsh tone.

“Your only attacking us because your our enemies… nothing else?”

“Vell, there is something else.” The assassin answered. He walked towards John, who placed a hand on his sword.

The assassin suddenly stopped.

“I know of your vay of getting rid of enemies, of your little ‘tree’.”

“What, how do you know?”

“I saw it myself.”

“But how…. wait you’re the one who broke in the first time aren’t you!”

“Yes, and I can tell you one thing, I am not amused.”

“Does it matter; I’m trying to build a perfect kingdom, one that doesn’t suffer from greed, corruption and hatred. One that needs that tree to survive.”

“Oh, and I suppose that suffering is your way to perfection?”

“We cannot achieve perfection without a bit of sacrifice and…”

“And vhat? I saw my brother, one of your ‘enemies’ suffer under your hands. Vell, guess vhat, now is the time that that ends!”  A knife flew through the air, but it struck the metal of John’s sword.

“Is that all?” John taunted.

“No…” The assassin suddenly drew a sword and charged. The clash of metal rung through the air as the assassin struck his sword with John’s.

“Just give up, tyrant and your death will be fast!” the assassin shrieked while he tried to break the stalemate.

John broke the stalemate and swung, striking flesh.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll never give up.”

The assassin put a hand up to his cheek and rubbed off the blood.

“So be it.”

The assassin suddenly lifted his sword, sending John flying. John hit the ground with a loud thump, but quickly recovered.

“How do you know magic!?” John cried.

“Hah! I learned it, isn’t that obvious dummkopf?”

John lifted his arm and opened his hand. He then placed a hand on his sword and suddenly disappeared.

“Vhat, vhere did you go?!”

“Right here.”

SHHHUNKKK

“*gasp*”

John pulled his sword out of the body, which fell to the ground.

“There, it’s over. Now we…” SHNK!

“Father… FATHER!!!!”

John’s two children ran over to John, who was slowly falling to the ground. From behind him, another assassin pulled out a knife from his back. The other assassin walked around John’s body and next to his face, then knelt down.

“Oh, vhat’s wrong?” The other assassin asked.

“How…did….”

“You killed a double, a decoy. Poor John, may you rest in peace.” The assassin closed John eyelids, and then turned to the children.

“Now, for the children. Don’t vorry, it vill be…” SHNK!

The assassin gasped, and then slowly turned his head.

“Damn.”

John’s brother kicked the other assassin, who fell to the ground.

“Come, children, we must go.”

“But what about father?”

“He’s gone, William. We can’t do anything about him. Now come, this place is falling…”

“He’s really dead.” A guard said from the door. Before John’s brother could say anything, he left.

“Come, we must go, now!!!”

John’s brother led the children through the back, where they saw what was going on. The city was falling to rioters.

“Come on, let’s go!!!”

John’s brother led the children out of the city with little resistance. The city itself, however, was beginning to burn.

John’s brother looked back one last time.

“Goodbye, John…” He turned his head, but a loud buzzing noise made him turn back.

The shield, it’s falling.

The yells of people suddenly caught his attention.

“What’s going on?” Richard asked.

“I don’t know, son, but we must get out of here.

The projection slowly fizzled off, leaving a different variety of feelings. Charlie appeared to be tearing up, along with Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy appeared to be scared, while Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow were all frowning. Twilight, however, appeared to be thinking about something.

“So, that’s…. that’s  the story of John’s… death.” Charlie said in between sniffles.

“Poor children, they were left without their father.” Fluttershy said.

Charlie nodded.

“Yes, that’s the sad story.” Charlie glanced up towards a clock.

“Well girls, looks like it’s time to hit the hay.”

Twilight glanced up at the clock as well.

“Yes, I think it’s time to go to bed.”

Nine-teen hours later, five o’clock P.M.

Charlie walked to the bow of the ship with the ponies following. As soon as he reached the bow he saw an amazing sight.

“That’s the city!” Twilight shouted.

“Yes, just like in the memory, it’s surrounded by a giant shield.”

“Wait, are those other ships?” Rainbow asked. Charlie glanced over and did notice that indeed other ships were there, but they were approaching them.

“Why are they coming closer?” Pinkie asked.

“I don’t know, but let’s see what they want.”

“Don’t move, in the name of Princess Celestia!” Charlie put up his arms in a surrendering way. Two    pegasi guards flew down onto the ship.

“Ahoy, what are you doing out here?” Charlie asked.

“We are stationed here under the orders of Princess Celestia. We are to make sure that nopony enters under any circumstance.” A guard spoke up.

“Why?”

“Because this area is forbidden. Now, state your business here!”

“We’re here because the princess said we could.” Rainbow suddenly spoke up.

“Oh, and how can we be sure about that?” The guard asked.

“Because I am Twilight Sparkle, personal protégé of Princess Celestia herself. She has sent us here under a mission to explore the ruins of this city.

The guards suddenly softened up.

“I’m sorry Twilight Sparkle. You may pass, but be careful.”

A few minutes passed before they reached the dock. When they got down, they were escorted by quite a few pegasi guards to a wooden entrance of the city.

“Alright, so how do we get in?” Twilight asked.

“Well, the only way to get in would be to split the shield. Only magic users can do so.”

“Oh, well that shouldn’t be so hard.” Twilight waved a hoof. Soon after her horn began to glow, and the shield began to split.

“Wow, that wasn’t hard at all!” Twilight proclaimed.

Charlie smiled, and then walked through the shield.

“Ladies, welcome to the Great City!”

Charlie walked past fallen stone pillars. Along the way he felt the crunch of something under his feet, yet he didn’t stop.

“STOOOOP!” Rarity suddenly yelled.

Everypony stopped and glanced to Rarity, who was looking at the ground, disgusted.

“What’s wrong Rarity?”

“How can you not see that? It’s absolutely sickening!”

“What?” Charlie asked.

“The bones, can you not see?”

Charlie glanced down and indeed did see quite a lot of bones. He heard a scream, and looked up. Suddenly flying next to Rainbow was Fluttershy, who was staring at the ground in fear.

“Oh, calm down Fluttershy, it’s just a few bones.” Rainbow said. Charlie then looked to the right and saw Pinkie Pie. She picked up a skull and placed a hoof on her chest.

“To be, or not to be!” She said in her best showmareship voice.

“Pinkie, knock it off, I’m trying to get notes.” Twilight said while she scribbled on a piece of paper.

“Well, what have you got?” Charlie asked.

“Well, it’s interesting that the weather here is the same as it is outside, foggy. Yet, none of ruins nor the bones appear to be eroded.” Twilight picked up a bone with her magic, but immediately discarded it. “That’s gross!”

“What?” Applejack asked.

“It still has skin on it!”

“What, but that’s impossible!” Charlie yelled.

“Something here is keeping the ruins safe.”

Charlie thought for a minute, then a solution came to his mind.

“Come on girls, I think I know what’s keeping these safe.”

Charlie began to run, causing the ponies to run as well.

“Where are we going Charlie? We didn’t even explore the entire area!” Twilight shouted while she ran.

“We’re going to the tree!”

“The tree?” Rarity asked confused.

“Yes, the tree it’s a place that my mentor showed me on another map. I’m pretty sure you would like to see it!”

“Hold on, I would like to see this map!” Twilight said. Charlie suddenly stopped, prompting the others to stop.

“Alright fine, I’ll show you the map.”

Charlie pulled out his book and opened it. He placed his hand on it, and then let it drop. A projection suddenly appeared, showing the map of the area.

“Alright, this is where we are.” Charlie pointed on the map their location. “This is where we are heading.” Charlie pointed north to an area on the map that said “palace”.

“In fact, we’re almost there.”

Charlie grabbed the book and put it back in his coat pocket.

“See that building, over there!” He pointed to the largest building they could see.

“That is the palace, the largest building in the city. Now come on, let’s go!”

Charlie led the group through the ruins and up to the palace doors.

“Now, this is the palace, the library should be in here.”

Twilight grinned.

“Well, what are we waiting for, let’s go!”

Charlie opened the door, but didn’t walk in.

“Charlie, what’s the holdup?”

“I can’t believe my eyes!” Twilight tried to look from behind Charlie, but he was blocking the doorway. Her horn began to glow and soon after, Charlie was sent sprawling.

“Hey! What was that for?!” Charlie asked while he rubbed his head.

“I’m sorry, but you wouldn’t move… hey, isn’t that…”

“Yes, it is. The bones of the assassins and of Emperor John.”

“Wow, cool!” Rainbow suddenly said.

“Well, we should head to the library; it’s where the entrance to the tree is.”

Charlie walked past the bones and behind the throne, which stood as magnificent as ever. There was a door there, and Charlie opened it.

“Wow….” Twilight stood in awe as she stared into the library.

“This is truly amazing!” She ran into the library and used her magic to pull numerous books off the shelves. Charlie watched as she did so and smiled. He then walked towards the center of the room.

“Hey girls, come over here for a minute.” Everpony turned towards Charlie, who was at the center of the room.

“What’s up?” Rainbow asked.

Everpony walked to Charlie and glanced at Charlie, who was pushing on something.

“Be careful dear, you don’t know what that will do.” Rarity said.

“Oh don’t worry; I know what this will do.”

Charlie succeeded in what he was doing, for a loud clink resounded throughout the room. Suddenly the room was bathed in a bright blue light.

“Come on girls, let’s go.” Charlie walked into the circle of the middle.

“Charlie, where are you going?” Applejack asked.

“Oh, I’m going to the tree, now come on.”

The girls walked next to Charlie, who placed his hand on the wall. Suddenly they dropped, and all the girls screamed.

The screaming was short lived, however, for the dropping ended, and they were suddenly bathed in a blue light once more.

“Welcome girls, to the Great Tree!”

Charlie led the girls along the path, which was flanked by a small river.

“Wow, what is this place?” Twilight asked.

“Well, technically, it’s the chamber where the great tree is.”

“You know this place like it’s the back of your hand. Why’s that?” Rainbow asked.

“My mentor showed me this place in his memories.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Alright, now there is the tree!” Charlie pointed at something in the distance.

All the ponies looked in the direction of where he was pointing, and saw what he was pointing at.

“Wow!” Pinkie was the only one to say something, for all the ponies were overcome with awe.

“Yes, it truly is amazing.”

Charlie walked alongside the girls to the great tree. Something off to the side, however, caught his attention.

“You girls go ahead, I need to see something.” Charlie walked up another path to something else, but stopped when he heard the clop clop of hooves. He turned and noticed Fluttershy was behind him.

“Oh, hey Fluttershy, you wanna see something.”

“Uh, sure.” Charlie pointed at the wall.

“My mentor showed me this… it’s a painting of something that amazes me. He even told me the story of it. Ehem… see those two figures up on wall.” Fluttershy nodded her head. “Those two are Life and Death, and the figures below them are John, my mentor, and his two sons. My mentor told me that Life and Death gave them eternal life, and they gave them a crystal that ended up growing into the Great Tree. If you look to the left, there are two figurines with clothing on them. Emperor John had an idea of turning his guard into the Life and Death guard, very similar to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia’s guards.” Charlie glanced behind himself.

“Oh, looks like the others are at the Great Tree, let’s go join them.”

Charlie walked up to Twilight Sparkle, who was staring in awe at the tree.

“Don’t look at it too much; it’s probably bad for you.” Charlie snickered.

“Why is it flashing red and rainbow like that?” Twilight asked.

“It’s flashing red from the corruption of humanity, and as for the rainbow, I don’t know.” Charlie responded.

“Hey, I think I see something!”

Twilight ran over to Pinkie Pie, who was pointing at something with her hoof.

“Looks like a book and a few staves.” Twilight said while she examined the stuff. Twilight used her magic to pick up the book. She opened it to the first page.

“Huh, it looks like the personal journal of Emperor John. What do you think Charlie? Charlie?”

Charlie looked at the tree in awe. Memories flew through his mind.

“What is it mentor?”

“It’s basically one big power crystal.”

Charlie lifted his hand and placed it on the great tree.

“Hehahahaa!”

Charlie glanced around, looking for the source of the voice.

“Fool!!”

He heard Twilight calling to him.

“What do you think Charlie?”

He turned his head to Twilight.

Shwing…

“Charlie?”

Shnck…

“Charlie…Charlie!!!”