//------------------------------// // The Heroes Come Forth OR Chell Finds Her Voice // Story: Light of the Aperture // by matrixjorel //------------------------------// Now that Spike had sent the letter, Twilight wished that the library was bigger. When it was only her and Spike, there was more than enough room to work and function comfortably; now, with nine bodies, twilight felt very cramped. Naturally, Wheatley and Space gravitated towards Chell, who was still eerily quiet as she stared at everypony in the library. Twilight tried to distract herself with her friend's conversations; either Pinkie and Fluttershy trading cake recipes, or trying to stop Rarity and Applejack from starting another fight. No matter the distraction, the lavender mare felt an otherworldly chill on the back of her neck every time Chell looked her way. But didn't Chell prove she could be trusted? When she was left alone, she didn't wander off and kill others. She found the library and waited. Even without constant supervision, when left alone, she seemed to be harmless. Unless her plan was to gain her trust, then kill her... no. Wheatley trusted her. Wheatley, the pony that Celestia trusted. The pony that brought back Nightmare Moon. She hated to admit it, but her short discussion with her friends caused her to question her resolve; Celestia was a great ruler, but she wasn't perfect. What if she was wrong about Wheatley? He did turn Luna after a thousand years, and he admitted to trying to kill them before. How could Celestia overlook that? It was times like these when Twilight could only do one thing to keep from succumbing to her conflicting emotions; she read. She knew that she read a book that had a picture of hands, it was in the library, and it was... “Here!” Twilight exclaimed after diligently scouring the book covers. Her friends took notice. “Here what?” asked Flutttershy. “The book! I knew I still had it.” “What book is that?” “Lyra Heartstring's Human's Exist and I Will Tell You All About Them in This Book... by Lyra Heartstrings. A pretty repetitive title, honestly, but still.” “Sounds too egghead-y,” yawned Rainbow Dash. Twilight flipped pages, looking for something that would answer her questions. “Okay, listen to this: “ 'Human beings, also known as homo sapiens, are warm-blooded mammals with two legs and two extra appendages called arms. Instead of hooves, humans evolved with extremely able and nimble extremities called hands. Hands were a wonderous tool for humans, with uses including holding things, climbing, grabbing...' she seems to have a hand fetish. Yadda yadda yadda... 'little hair...' 'sexual preferences...' 'political governing and the zombie apocalypse...' wait, here. “ 'Humans in their natural society tend to be very cordial and civilized, similar to ponies of today. Do not be fooled, though, for the human evolved in a harsh and violent world, and if a human needs to, can use extreme violence as a defense mechanism. Murder for a human is not only common, but in some cultures is celebrated (see Call of Duty fanboyism)...' “ “Murder... celebrated?” Twilight could not comprehend the two words she uttered, not together, not put so plainly. What if Chell was some horrible monster? What did that mean about Wheatley? What did that mean for everypony else? Twilight was so caught up in her questions she didn't notice a very quiet yellow-and-pink pegasus slowly creeping towards the other side of the library. ============================================================================= Fluttershy slowly shuffled over to Wheatley and Space Chaser. Surprisingly, Chell was sitting in the corner far away from other two. Fluttershy could tell she was shy, but something about this person compelled her to try and talk to her. “Excuse me…” “Why, hello there Fluttershy! How are my friend you?” Wheatley exclaimed very uncomfortably, putting a hoof over Fluttershy’s head. Even though his hoof moved most of her hair into her eyes, she could barely make out Space giving Wheatley a hoof up, and mouthing “Good so far!” “Hi Wheatley.” She brushed her hair out of her face only to be greeted by Wheatley staring at her with a grin on his face so forced, it seemed to give him pain. “How are you, bestest friend?” asked Wheatley. “Good,” said Fluttershy. “Good?!?! That’s good!” he said. “Yeah—“ “So good!” “Umm—“ “So very good!” “…” “Good. Good good good.” “Well—“ “One might even say great!” “That’s fine, but where is—“ “Or in Spanish, it would be bueno. Are there ponies in Mexico? Do they speak Spanish?” “Wheatley, I need to know—“ “Actually, thinking about it, the inhabitants wouldn’t be ponies, they would probably be mules. Or Bulls. Right, Space?” “WHEATLEY! Can I talk to Chell?” Space and Wheatley were obviously startled at the pegasus’s outburst. She never yelled, but Wheatley would not shut up. “Oh, sure. But she isn’t in a talking mood. I don’t know if she ever IS in a talking mood, now that I think about it. Right Chell?” “Thank you Wheatley.” Fluttershy excused herself and made her to the orange human huddled into the corner. It wasn’t the murderous animal that Twilight’s book told her about. Neither was it a brain-damaged being that Wheatley assumed she was. She was quiet, she, and most importantly, scared. Fluttershy recognized the helpless look in her eyes as she watched the yellow mare approaching her, and couldn’t help but to feel sorry for her. After all, she too was no stranger to fear. “Hello there Chell. My name is Fluttershy.” She didn’t answer. She didn’t even acknowledge her. She remained curled in fetal position as close to the wall as she could manage. “I wanted to come over and talk to you, is that okay?” She still didn’t answer. “I know that you can talk. I know you’re scared. I know because I was the same way. When I first met Twilight, I could barely talk. But now we are best friends. I know it can be scary, but talking to ponies you don’t know can be rewarding.” “…” “Chell, I know that we will do everything we can to make sure you get back home. Twilight is really smart, and the rest of us will never let a challenge get in our way. Unless there’s dragons. Are there dragons where you’re from?” She shook her head. Fluttershy hoped that her comment about dragons would bring out a giggle, or at least a smile. She had no luck with trying to break through Chell’s tough emotional shell. “Well, I’ll go see what Twilight has found.” She turned around and, feeling unsuccessful, walked away. “I’m not scared.” “YIKES!” The mysterious voice scared Fluttershy to take flight and hide behind the bookcase. She looked behind her and saw Chell. She was no longer curled tightly, and she was looking right into Chell’s eyes, which were warmer now than she had ever seen them. “What was that?” “I am not quiet because I’m scared, although I would be lying if you are not unusual for me. It’s them,” Chell explained. “Them who?” asked Fluttershy. “Wheatley. And the other one.” “I know they talk too much, but there’s no reason to be afraid of them.” “I’m not afraid. Look, I don’t know what they did to gain your trust, but they don’t deserve it,” she said. “I know they are different. But I’m not understanding.” Fluttershy was taken aback by how open Chell became. “Then let me help you understand.” ============================================================================= Chell never really had anyone to talk to. Her parents were never really there, and GLaDOS and the Enrichment Center was really all she could remember. Even though she was still unsure if this was real or just another drug-induced hallucination put on by the Aperture Science computers, it was nice to finally talk to someone: even if that someone was a yellow and pink cartoon-looking pony. “I have come so close to death so many times, and every time I do, it’s those AI’s that are on the other side.” “Oh… I see.” “They are vile things. But I need to ask, how did they come to look like that?” “Like what?” “Like you. Ponies.” “Actually, that was the princess’s doing.” “Does the princess know about what they are, and what they did?” “I think so, yeah. She said she trusted them.” Chell sighed. Wheatley was an idiotic machine, and she did not know much about the one referring to himself as Space Chaser, but if this princess trusted them, she was being deceived. However, she knew better than to reveal her thoughts to others. Not yet, anyway. “Then who is this princess?” “Princess Celestia. Twilight actually sent a letter to her. She should be coming any moment. Chell?” asked Fluttershy quietly. To Chell it seemed to come out more as a squeak than a question. “Is it true that humans are… killers?” This surprised her. She never thought about this new society, but just from the sound of the pony’s voice, death was something seldom talked about and never commonplace. “Where did you hear that from?” “From a book that Twilight has. It says human kill each other for fun.” A door slammed. Chell was happy to not have to answer that question. ============================================================================= “Princess Celestia! And Princess Luna!” Twilight ran to her lifelong mentor who opened her arms to embrace her. “I’m so glad that you could come!” “Of course, Twilight. Your letter sounded very urgent, what is it that you needed?” “Well, I don’t know how to explain it, but we have a problem.” “Please, Twilight, tell us what it is, and we will help. Me and Luna.” Twilight saw Luna out of the corner of her eyes, and thought she saw her roll her eyes. “Okay. Shortly after you left us, we met… well, her.” Twilight motioned over to the corner where Chell and Fluttershy now stood. Following her gaze, Celestia turned. Her smile disappeared. Even she was taken aback by the orange figure that found its way to Ponyville. “Does anypony else know about this?” “None that I know of, princess.” “Probably for the best,” Celestia sighed. “Can she talk?” “Well…” Their conversation must have been loud enough for Fluttershy to hear from her end of the room. “Actually, she can talk. You can come over.” Celestia trotted over to the unexpected guest, leaving Twilight behind. Looking back at her friends, she realized they were all now asleep. Gee, I didn’t think the book was that boring, she thought. Better wake them up, I suppose. “Twilight, a word.” Luna was not with her sister, and chose to stay behind with Twilight. “Of course princess.” They walked into one of the adjoining rooms. “Who is that my sister is talking to?” “Her name is Chell. Wheatley and Space know about her. She’s a human.” Luna frowned. “I know that humans aren’t the nicest creatures, but I think we can trust her.” “Really Twilight? What makes you say that?” Luna replied testily? “Because Wheatley trusts her, and—“ Luna scoffed. Never has Twilight seen royalty act so immature. “—and because your sister trusts Wheatley. What is your problem?” “My problem?” Her voiced rose slightly? “I do not have a problem!” “Well, something is wrong!” Twilight stared at the moon princess for a moment. Slowly, Luna’s anger turned to sorrow. “Luna?” “Yes, something is wrong. I tried to talk to my sister, but she will not listen to reason.” Twilight remained quiet. “Why do you trust Wheatley?” Twilight replied, “I trust him because Celestia trusts him.” “But do YOU trust him? Forget my sister.” Twilight was quiet. “I guess… I don’t know enough about him to trust him. But your sister does, and that’s what matters.” “And what if my sister wasn’t in her right mindset?” questioned Luna. “What do you mean?” the unicorn asked. “I don’t know what Wheatley did to get everyone to trust him, but nopony here knows about him as well as I do. And I know that he is absolutely and undeniably evil.” “Princess,” said Twilight compassionately, “I thought that you forgave Wheatley for—“ “Words only. I do not forgive him. I see nothing in him that deserves forgiveness or even compassion. My sister is a fool for trusting him.” “LUNA!” “Twilight, just listen; the last time I trusted Wheatley, he was able to turn me once again into that monstrous Nightmare Moon. Only one of pure evil could have done that. He said he was friendly, and he was. At first, anyway. He can’t be trusted. My sister is blinded by her compassion, but I see Wheatley for what he really is, and if he trusts this Chell, then I fear for Equestria.” Luna gave the lavender mare a moment to think. Didn’t Wheatley and Space tell them that they and Chell came from the same world? They could all be evil, just as the book explains or even worse. She never wanted to admit it, but Luna was right; sometimes, the princess was too nice to see evil or darkness in others. She had to be careful. More importantly, she had to get them out of the library, away from her and her friends. “Twilight,” the princess continued, “I ask you this because I know you are wise in your choices of who to trust. Do not trust Wheatley, or Chell, even Space Chaser if he chooses to associate with them.” “Okay, princess.” Luna nodded. Twilight was scared to join the others in the main room, but they had been gone long enough, and it seems that the princess of the sun had made a decision. ============================================================================= Even her friends woke up and stood by her side when Celestia asked for all the Elements of Harmony. Twilight was the only one that kept looking back at Luna. Fluttershy found this odd, but was more worried about what the princess decided to do with Chell. “My little ponies, I have had a discussion with our newest friend, Chell. With Wheatley and Space Chaser’s counsel, we have determined that she cannot stay here. She belongs in a land far away, and is out of her time.” Twilight interrupted, “Out of her time? How can we fix that?” “Wheatley actually has an idea. Wheatley?” “Oh, yes. Thank you.” Wheatley fumbled around the princess. “The place where I’m from, Aperture Science, is famous for their teleportation technology. However, some of our prototypes were known to cause people to, well, disappear in time. We scrapped the project after a couple hundred were lost, but I think we can find this tool, and use it to take Chell back… hopefully.” Fluttershy looked back at Twilight, who was once again staring at Luna. They shared a worried glance. They knew something. Fluttershy’s confusion grew. Whatever it was, why were they not mentioning it to everypony here? Why were they being so secretive? “We need to return Chell to her world. Wheatley and Space have already volunteered to go with Chell, but we need one of you to guide them to their Aperture. It is located near San Palomino Desert, on the other side of the Ghastly Gorge.” “I volunteer.” Everypony’s head spun when the quiet little pegasus answered. Celestia smiled. “Thank you Fluttershy. You are very kind.” “No! You can’t!” yelled Twilight. “Yeah, that’s going to be way too dangerous.” Rainbow said. “I can handle it.” “Ya sure about that?” asked Applejack. “Yes. Besides, Chell need all the help she can get.” Everypony else nodded reluctantly. Everypony except Twilight. “No! I won’t let you go.” “I’m sorry you feel that way Twilight, but… I’ve made up my mind.” “Fine, then I’m coming with you.” “What?” Fluttershy asked. “I’m coming too. To keep you safe.” Was this part of what Twilight and Luna were talking about? “Thank you Twilight, but you don’t have to come, if you are busy here...” Twilight interrupted, “AJ, can you watch Spike for me?” “You got it!” “Then my mind is made up too.” Celestia beamed. “Thank you so much for your sacrifice, I appreciate it very much.” “And so do Wheatley and I,” Space added. “And so do Space and I!” said Wheatley. Everypony stared at him. “Umm, I mean so does Chell!” Fluttershy was happy that she would be able to help out her friends, especially Chell. She’s just like me, maybe I can help her with these other two. ============================================================================= Twilight was fuming in her mind. Why did Fluttershy volunteer to go with them! Does she not understand what might happen? I need to keep her safe. Whatever happened, she had to be there for her friend. Nopony would lay a hoof on her. Twilight would make sure of that. ============================================================================= Road trip with my new friends! thought Wheatley. Maybe after this, they can trust me. Especially Luna. The ex-AI core may be confused from time to time, but he could tell that Luna still didn’t trust him. He hoped that after this, she would forgive him, and maybe even be friends with him. Until then, he would use his charm on Twilight and Fluttershy under Space Chaser’s tutelage. ============================================================================= Space Chaser smiled as he put an arm around Wheatley. I’m sorry I have to do this to you, Wheatley.