//------------------------------// // Sometimes Answer Lead to More Questions // Story: The Other Side // by dashfire //------------------------------// It was the first time Rainbow Dash was in the air without the use of her wings. She looked outside the window of a vehicle she was told that was called a helicopter. It allowed ponies, that were not pegasus, to participate in air travel. Helicopters were only for short distance travelling, however; the zeppelin was the aircraft used to travel across Eastern Euqestria. Rainbow was told that in this universe Equestria was split into two countries almost a hundred years ago, due to a disagreement on how ponies wanted their world. Western Equestria was populated with ponies who were not in favor of the advacement in technology, they wanted the world as it was, afraid that technology might kill the soul. In Eastern Equestria, the beliefs were polar different. Ponies hungered for the birth of new technology everyday, some unicorns were even beginning to study space travel and mobile cellular communication, which enabled ponies to talk with one another even if they were across the country. All of this baffled Rainbow. If she was from this world, where was she in the other world that she knew so well? The world her friends are, what were they thinking about her disappearance? She thought. She looked out the window to see a amber-like stone covering a stadium she recognized from her world, Madison Square Garden. On the window, a see through screen activated. "Fringe activity fifty-one," a computer voice said; Rainbow Dash never could have believed of such a thing known as a computer, "a wormhole opened up in the middle of the stadium during a national iron pony competition, Fringe Division was called immediately to proceed in quarantine protocol. Only a hundred and fifthteen ponies escaped, leaving another two hundred locked in the amber to die." Rainbow Dash looked at the amber structure with despair. This universe had gone through so many disasters that the ponies here have grown darker and more corrupt souls, than the one in her's. She was told that these disasters were called Fringe Activities; scientific caused natural disasters. Her 'father' had yet to explain to her what her father from the other side did. The words, "That colt, he stole you from me," keep playing in her mind. What the hay was that suppose to mean? She noticed the helicopter flying towards the beautiful mare statue, known as the Statue of Harmony. Only thing was from where she was, it was green from the rusted copper; but here it seems as if the copper never rusted and has stayed in its original golden shade. The computer began to speak again, "Statue of Harmony, previous tourist attraction for Marehattan; now headquarters of Fringe Division, runned by the Secretary of Defense, Illuma Light." Illuma Light was Rainbow's mother, she was the head of Fringe Division and queen of Eastern Equestria. Rainbow's father was King Light. And she herself was Princess Rainbow Dash. Princess. That was another thing that bothered Rainbow, she was never taught how to be a princess and she never wanted to be one. She never even would think that was one. All she wanted to be apart of was the Wonderbolts, only she found out that they do not exist in this world. She was disappointed and wanted to be with her friends again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I think I can actually cast this!" Twilight said, excited that she had learned probably one of the most important spells she will come across. "The problem is, whose's going in with me?" "Oh! Oh! Oh! I'll go!" Pinkie yelled in delight. Applejack turned to Twilight. "Really?" Twilight sighed. "Sorry Pinkie, but we need someone more serious for this journey." Pinkie looked down in disappointment. "Okie dokie lokie." Twilight turned to Fluttershy, who looked frigthened. "Lemme guess, you don't wanna go?" Fluttershy shoke her head. "I mean, I'm worried for Rainbow Dash; but who knows whats on the other side?" "I can go." Rarity said. "Someone has to help Twilight in the 'parallel universe'." "Umm, actually ya can't. Remember tonight Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are gonna stay at your place?" Applejack reminded Rarity. "Oh right," Rarity remembered, "shame, I'm sorry Twilight Sparkle." Twilight shoke her head, "Not a problem. So I guess it's you and me, Applejack?" "Uh, I... I guess, sine no other pony can go." Twilight nodded. "That's settled then, Applejack you can say your goodbyes with your family, and we'll all meet back here in an hour. Is that ok?" The ponies agreed and they all dispersed from the library. Twilight stood still their. She was wondering what waited for her in the other world. Would she meet herself? She thought, actually intrigued by the idea of that. "I wonder what she'll be like." Twilight mumbled. "What's that Twi?" She heard Spike said from behind her. Twilight turned around, she noticed the unease in Spike's eyes. "Oh nothing!" She tried to say, happily. "Okay, um, well... Are you sure about this Twilight?" Spike asked. "Ofcourse! If we could beat both Nightmare Moon and Discord together, why not get Rainbow Dash back?" Twilight insisted. "I could run into myself or one of us you know?" "What if... What if they aren't how you'd like them to be?" "How bad could it be?" Twilight returned. "I guess you're right." "Ohh silly, Spike. It'll be alright. I just need you to take care of the library when I'm done." Twilight smiled. Spike smiled back. "Alright then." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ay'll be back soon Applebloom, ay promise!" Applejack convinced her sister. "Just have fun with ya friends at Rarity's." Applebloom had just finished helping Applejack put a saddlebag onto her back. Applebloom nodded. "What are you gonna do?" "I'ma go help a friend!" Applejack said excited. "Okay then, have fun A.J.!" Applebloom said back. "Where's your friend though?" "Uhh, well... It's a secret." "You can tell me sis, you know I can keep them." Applebloom tried to convince. "Ay can't." Applejack said quietly. "Buh why not?" Applebloom asked. "Because, ay don't know myself." Applejack said even more quietly. "Just stay safe and help Big Mac take care of Granny Pie, understood?" Applebloom nodded. "No prob, sis! Good luck!" She then runs back to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack smiled softly. "Thanks." She said under her breath. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash was being escorted by two guards. She hated it, she felt like there was no freedom or leisure for her. Soon enough they stopped in front of a double door, with the Fringe Division logo; a circle with two Fs facing each other. The guards opened the doors. Rainbow walked through and saw her mother, standing behind her desk. She stood their smiling, she was a pinkish pegagsus, with a navy blue mane. "I'm so happy to see you again Rainbow." She said smoothly, walking to to Rainbow Dash. "You are just as beautiful as I imagined." She raised a hoof to touch Rainbow's cheek, but Rainbow hesitates and moves her face away from the hoof. Her mother stops, disappointed she walks back. "I'm sorry, I can't imagine what this must be like for you." "I'm trying to get the hang of it." Rainbow said as coldly as she could. "The hang of it?" Illuma said, puzzled by the words, as if they were foreign in that order. "Nevermind." Rainbow sighed. "I assume the language has some severe differences between the worlds as well." Rainbow nodded. "I can see that." A computer voice then spoke out from a telecom. "Madam Light, agent Sparkle is here to see you." "Agent Sparkle?" Rainbow mumbled below her breath, wondering if it was Twilight. Her mother notices this befuddled look and speaks to the telecom. "Send her in." Rainbow stood straight up, eagered to see if it was her friend from 'this side'. A few moments later, her question was answered. It was Twilight Sparkle; different. As alternate Twilight walked into the room, Dash first noticed alternate Twilight's mane, the style was quite the same; but her pink stripes of hair were gone and replaced by darker shades of blue and purple, compared the rest of her mane. Rainbow just stood in awe, seeing the difference in her 'friend'. "Madam Light." AlterTwi spoke strictly. Illuma nodded to AlterTwi. "Proceed." "You said that if we ever recieved notice of a high spike in radioactive activity, over the levels of a hundred, that we'd report to you as soon as possible. We have noticed a spike in radiation on the western borders of Eastern Equestria." AlterTwi placed a strict expression on her face, but Rainbow noticed the playful-ness hidden inside her from time to time. She'd grin once in a blue moon, either from a thought in her mind or she just did so. Rainbow failed to notice any bit of her friend inside of her. AlterTwi's cutiemark was different as well, it was a gymnastic type of mark instead of the stars. "Well, thank you for the notification, but we shall not need to take any precautionary actions. As you see, I've noticed the spikes already and it is just accident in nature. Their is no worry that anyone crossed over." Illuma assured AlterTwi. AlterTwi shrugged. She began to notice Rainbow Dash and her stares. AlterTwi looked at Rainbow Dash curiously. "Umm... Hi." She greeted Rainbow. Rainbow Dash couldn't found anything to say. "Is there something in my teeth?" AlterTwi showed her teeth and chuckled. "Well don't get too attached to this face." AlterTwi winked. Rashbow was shocked by AlterTwi's personality, it was nothing like Twilight. AlterTwi turned back to Illuma. "With all due respect, Madam, but shouldn't we be sure to see if this was just nature or not?" Illuma frowned. She turned to Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash, would you mind us for a bit?" Rainbow turned to Illuma and nodded. She then exited the room. AlterTwi followed Rainbow with her eyes and then turned back to Illuma. "Who is that?" She asked. "There shall be no worry on the radiation, because that is my daughter, Rainbow Dash." Illuma explained to AlterTwi. AlterTwi looked confused at what she was just told. "What, your daughter Rainbow Dash, the one who was kidnapped twenty years ago?" Illuma nodded. "But how?" "I'll explain this to you when we have more time agent Sparkle. Now since you've come here in such great timing, why don't you escort my daughter to her perimeters in Upper West Marehattan." Illuma changed the subject as quickly as she could. AlterTwi understood and nodded. Illuma held out a touch screen technology with her mouth and AlterTwi took it. "Rainbow Dash, she looked like she's seem me before. Does she know me from the other side?" AlterTwi asked. Illuma grinned. "Perhaps." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The remaining five ponies of the mane six all stood together in the middle of the library. Twilight and Applejack hugged everyone good bye, as they were about to embark on their journey. Spike asked once again. "Twilight, are you completely sure about this?" "Ohh, Spike. Remember what I said? There's nothing you need to worry about." Twilight reassured. Spike nodded and hugged Twilight. "Becareful" Spike said. "Oh please do." Fluttershy continued. "And have fun!" Pinkie continued on. "We sure will." Applejack said back. Twilight took one more glance at her friends and then turn the other way. She closed her eyes and grunted hard, as she got her horn to glow brighter and brighter. Soon enough, after a hard effort, Twilight successfully opened a window into the other universe. The window showed what seemed to be a library as well, only the colors were darker. Twilight and Applejack exchanged glances. They then began to head across the window of endless possibilites.