//------------------------------// // Arrival // Story: The World's Greatest Team of Six // by CassandraMyOCisBestpony //------------------------------// It was a few weeks after Twilight’s journey into the Human World, and saved Canterlot High from Sunset Shimmer's dastardly scheme. Things had returned to normalcy for the Mane Six, and they were ready to take on the future. But being friends with Twilight meant that things never stayed normal very long. The group were in Twilight’s laboratory, huddled around a tiny square of plastic resting on a table. “So… this is the Mirror World’s idea of a game?” asked Rainbow Dash skeptically. “Video game” corrected Twilight, “It’s like an arcade machine, only it’s portable and much more complex. This one’s the Pokemon game I was telling you about.” “I do admire the space efficiency” commented Rarity, “but if you expect us to believe that an entire game can fit inside a postage stamp…” Twilight explained, “The cartridge is sort of like an electrical brain. It’s full of tiny circuits and silicon-based compounds that remember everything you’ve done. These humans lack magic, but they make up for it in technology. It’s fascinating how they’ve managed to fit so much information into such a small package.” The rest of the group was less fascinated. From what Twilight described, this “Pokemon” thing involved staring at a tiny screen and performing repetitive tasks. They all had jobs to do, and less sedentary hobbies to occupy their free time. Fluttershy had shown a brief interest in the idea of a game based on raising animals. However, her interest was quickly withdrawn after Twilight explained that these animals were being groomed for battle. Still, Twilight seemed pretty convinced that this was earth-shattering innovation, so the five agreed that it couldn't hurt to indulge her. “In theory,” continued Twilight, “the opposite of the Mirror World should be true; I should be able to compensate for what we lack in technology, with magic.” “That don’ sound quite right, sugarcube” said Applejack skeptically “It’s tenuous, I admit” replied Twilight, “but it’s worth a try. What’s the worst that could happen? Now Rarity, I need you to join hooves with me, and focus as deeply as you can.” “Well ok” said Rarity, slightly puzzled “but what for?” “I tried doing this myself earlier, but I didn’t have enough magic in reserve.” explained Twilight, “I just need to borrow a little from you.” “That sounds like a lot of concentrated magic” said Fluttershy nervous, “is it safe?” “Of course it is” replied Twilight, “...probably. All my calculations said it was.” “If you say so” said Fluttershy, not sounding completely convinced. “Hey, if Twilight says it’s safe, then it’s safe ok?” said Rainbow Dash firmly “Thank you Rainbow Dash” said Twilight, “but I suppose as a precaution, it would behoove all the non-unicorns to take a few steps back.” The four such ponies obliged. Applejack jostled against a shelf. A large glass beaker resting on the shelf tipped onto its side and began rolling, unnoticed by all. Rarity and Twilight joined hooves, and their horns began to glow. A bright light enveloped the game cartridge and it began to levitate. The duo tightened their concentration, blocking out the hum of Twilight’s machinery and the beads of sweat on their faces. The beaker continued its journey across the shelf. “Almost there” whispered Twilight. At that moment, the glass flask reached the edge of the shelf, and plummeted to the floor. It landed with a monstrous CRASH, causing Rarity and Twilight’s eyes to fly open in alarm. The cartridge began shaking violently in midair, faster and faster until it was just a blur. A huge ring of light shot out from the cartridge, then collapsed back in as quickly as it came. “Twilight, are you done with your experiment yet?” called Spike, poking his head in the door, “it’s getting close to dinnertime and I’m hung-” he stopped himself mid-sentence upon realizing he was alone in the room. ***** The Mane Six winced in the bright sunlight overhead, a harsh adjustment for their eyes compared to the artificially-lit basement from whence they came. As they got to their feet, the felt the burning sand beneath them. Not too far away, they saw a shimmering blue ocean. It would have been a breathtaking sight to behold if not for the fact that they had no idea how they got there. “Is everypony ok?” asked Twilight Aside from the occasional scratch, none of them could really complain. “What happened?” asked Rainbow Dash, “was the spell supposed to be so...violent?” “I don’t think so” replied Twilight, “Maybe, when the magic got disrupted, I did a teleport spell by accident.” She knew that wasn’t it, but she’d take any rationalization to keep herself calm. “Is that another pony over there?“ asked Fluttershy, pointing in the direction of the mainland. In a meadow in the distance stood an off-white equine creature of some kind, grazing nonchalantly. It had pure black walnut-shaped eyes, and if the group didn’t know any better, they’d swear it looked like her mane and tail were on fire. Pinkie Pie started having a giggling fit, “Twilight! She looks just like you when you get angry!” “You wanna see just how similar it is?” replied Twilight cynically. “Nopey! I’m gonna go make friends with her! If she’s mad, Pinkie Pie will make her glad!” She bounded over to the strange looking pony “Hi!” said a chipper Pinkie Pie, “I’m Pinkie Pie and these are my friends.” The pony ignored her and continued grazing “How’s the grass? I never break the 5 second rule, unless it’s something really really yummy, like this one time I had this chocolate cupcake with vanilla swirl frosting, and lots and lots of sprinkles…” The pony looked at her curiously with its head cocked. “Um, do you speak English?” asked Pinkie Pie, wondering just how grumpy this pony was to be so quiet. She’d come across some tough cookies before, but even from Cranky she’d elicited some sort of a response, “No matter” she said, pulling out her party cannon from offscreen, “because everypony speaks the language of PARTIES!” She hammered the button on the cannon, and it went off with a deafening blast and a cascade of streamers. The strange pony whinnied loudly and reared up in shock. It galloped off as fast as its legs could carry it. “Well that was a great first impression.” said Rainbow sarcastically “It’s not fault she’s such a grumpypants!” argued Pinkie Pie The two continued to jabber, while Twilight pondered, “I recognize that pony, I’ve seen her before” she said. “Rarity you know how the magic mirror sent me to an alternate dimension?” “I do” replied Rarity “Is it possible that other magical objects could do the same?” “You would know better than I would, darling” “Good point.” “Where are you going with this, exactly?” “I’m saying, that the rogue spell sucked us all into the game cartridge, and that the six of us are now in the Pokemon world!”