Thoughts of Another Time

Twilight slowly opened her eyes. She felt a breeze as her mane gently swayed. She felt dust and sand softly colliding and sticking to her coat. The ground felt very coarse and hard, like a rock.

Where am I?

Twilight looked down. The ground was stained by only one color. Brown. It reminded her of a desert. It expanded for a very long while, seemingly never ending. All along the ground there were cracks, and heat rose into the air, causing the surroundings to have a morphing feel to them.

On the horizon she saw a few buildings. A town. She stood up, and tried to walk. After one step, her body buckled. It was so tiring, but she didn't stop. Again, she rose, only to fall after two hoofsteps. She sighed.

What happened?

Again she stood, but did not move. Deciding to take it slow, she stretched her muscles, starting with her forehooves, then with her hind legs. Finally, when she was satisfied, she tried to walk again.

She did not fall.

I can't remember anything.

She looked up at the sky, the sun was barely visible behind her. It was setting, and gave the sky a beautiful orange and pink glow.

Beautiful.

Remembering the town she had seen earlier, she set off. It was very far, but she was determined. If she did not remember anything, perhaps somepony else would.

She finally reached the town. It was surrounded by a wall, made of a rugged, dull grey stone, with a large wooden gate standing tall directly in front of her. She could see something on each side of the wall. No, not something, but somepony. Two ponies were standing guard. They were dressed in what looked like heavy iron plating, which Twilight could only assume made the heat worse. After a few seconds of standing there, a guard finally took notice of the young unicorn.

“Excuse me, who are you?” the first guard asked.

“I-I’m Twilight Sparkle...” the mare tried to say, but her words were barely audible. Her voice was very coarse, and her throat hurt as she tried to speak.

“Please speak up, I couldn't hear you.” the guard demanded. She tried to speak again, but the words still failed her.

The guard looked at her for a second, before speaking. “Hey, go get this pony some water. It looks like she has been walking for days.”

Twilight could hear some movement to her right. “Yes sir!”

After what seemed like forever in an uncomfortable silence, he returned, holding a glass. “Here, drink this.” he said, hoofing it over.

Twilight took a huge gulp, the cool water refreshing her throat. After finishing the glass, she decided to try at speech again.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” she said, this time her voice effectively coming out.

“And what business do have here, Miss Sparkle?” the guard asked. His commanding voice startled her. He looked at her intently, watching her every move.

“Um...where exactly am I?” she asked, shrinking with nervousness at the guards stare. It made her feel vulnerable and uncomfortable.

“You are outside of Vipol. What are you here for?” he asked again, annoyance is his voice.

“I-I’m not sure. I can't remember much...” she responded, trying to sound more confident. She could tell it wasn't working, and that the guard could see through her facade. “All I remember is waking up about a mile that way” she added, pointing with her hoof.

“That is...odd. Kriteus, take her inside, and show her to the priest. Make sure she doesn't do anything she would regret.” he commanded the pony who had brought her drink.

“Yes sir!” he responded. “Come with me, and rest assured, we will not hurt you.” he said, waiting for Twilight to step forward.

“Thank you.” Was she could find herself to say.

As soon as she walked through the giant wooden door, her mind tried to take in the sight. The architecture was magnificent. Buildings were piled in various places, and very crowded. They were made from cobbled stone, and looked as though they would fall apart at any minute, but had breath-taking designs. The ground beneath her was made of cement, stretching on to the center of the enormous town. It all seemed familiar.

“Try to stick by me. You never know what somepony will do to you in this part of Vipol. Just try not to get lost, and do not follow anypony else.” the guard said with a stern look on his face. Twilight made sure to keep as close as possible. Everything was so strange, as if she was forgetting something very important. “It should not be much further. The priest’s house should be just a bit more down the path.” he added.

As they walked on, she could see a building that looked smaller than the rest around it. It was made with the same cobbled stone as the other buildings, but had a more depressing feel to it. She couldn't help but feel a bit scared of the frightening building.

“Here we are. Take a step inside, and make sure to be patient. You are lucky Moroiu was the one on duty today. If not, you would have more than likely been left to die.” the guard told her. “Just make sure to watch yourself around here.”

As he left, silence filled the room. Her mind kept spacing out. She was forgetting something, and it bothered her.

What am I forgetting? Hmm...why, of all times, does my brain decide to short circuit now?And where am I? Vipol...I don't think I’ve ever heard of this place before...Twilight thought to herself.

Before she could finish her thoughts, she noticed a pony walking in. He was a unicorn with a red coat, a grey mane, and blue eyes. He looked very old and fragile, as if the slightest breeze would break him. His flank held the symbol of a syringe.

“Hello young filly.” he greeted. “I am the priest Valor. Now, is there a reason you have come here?”

“Oh, yes...I don't quite know where I am, or how I got here. I was hoping somepony could help me, and the guards led me to you.” she quickly stated.

“Ahh, yes...well, do you know where you came from?” he asked caringly. His voice was quiet and peaceful, unlike the guards, and it made Twilight feel much more comfortable to talk to him.

“Oh, I come from Ponyville...” Her mind snapped. She remembered now. Not everything, or how she got here. But she remembered why the place seemed so odd.

“Ponyville...can't say I’ve ever heard of the place,” he said, puzzled.

“I’m not surprised. It isn't a very big town after all, and we don't have a large population. What I am more concerned with is where Vipol is. I have never heard of this place.” she said.

“You haven't? Strange. Though not the most famous city, it is quite commonly heard of. Many caravans and travelers have to pass through here.” the priest replied.

“I’m surprised I haven't then. Surely everypony in Equestria would have heard of this place by now.” the purple unicorn stated.

“Equestria? What are you talking about, dear? I have not heard of such a city before, and I dare say I am old enough to know what goes on.” the red coated stallion told her. To him, his age was more of experience.

“What do you mean? Equestria isn't a city, it is an empire. Everypony should have heard of it by now.” she said confusingly.

“Empire? There is no such empire. At least, not that I have heard of.” the old unicorn said.

“No such empire? But... how could you not have heard of it?” She asked. After a second of thought, another question came to her mind. “Wait. Where am I then?”

“You are in the Ponian Empire, strongest empire in the world, of course.” he answered.

“Ponian...wait. Ponian. I remember the name now. It was in our history textbooks when I went to school. But that can't be possible, it was wiped out thousands of years ago...” she said. “But, if you say I'm here, then...”

Suddenly Twilight understood. It felt like the whole world was collapsing in on itself. Her head began to ache, and her thoughts wouldn't form properly. Realization finally struck her.

She had traveled back through time.