//------------------------------// // 6. Towards Home // Story: The Ninth Fantasy - Equestria // by MrAlterad //------------------------------// If it hadn't been for Quina, Fluttershy would still be crying her eyes out. Some time after the apparent ruin of Canterlot, s/he had wondered off to find food. When s/he returned, s/he asked the crying mare if 'this was yummy'. Looking through her blurry vision, she saw that Quina had a nest with three phoenix eggs in it. She starred dumbly at it for a moment, not quite processing what Quina had in mind. Then Quina licked the brim of his/her lips with that really long tongue of their's. Quina... is going to eat them!? Her sorrow was abandoned for alarm, she snatched the nest away from Quina with speed Fluttershy wasn't aware she was capable of. “No!” Then realizing she shouted at Quina, replied, “I mean, no. This is not something yummy, you do not eat phoenix eggs, now let's go put this back before the parents start to worry.” “Ahh~, want good food!” Quina replied, “Can I eat this?” s/he asked as s/he walked up to Fanglesnuffs and sniffed the large wolf, which growled at Quina in turn. “No, you cannot eat my new friend.” Is eating all s/he cares about? Fluttershy wondered as Quina walked over to a small group of plants. “How's this?” S/he asked as they grabbed a snake right out of the bushes. “Um, no.” She replied, then flinched as the snake bit Quina, who didn't seem to notice. “Where good food, little pony?” Quina asked as s/he causally tossed the snake over their shoulder, making Fluttershy swoop over and catch it, apologizing to the snake as she put it on the ground. Glancing in the direction she believed Ponyville was, she considered Quina's question. My friends are in trouble, and Quina is hungry. Oh, I can't just sit here. “There's some good food in Ponyville, I promise. It's this way, would you follow me?” She asked of the stranger that had replaced her eccentric friend. Quina nodded eagerly, to Fluttershy's relief. She had no idea what she was going to do if Quina had refused. As they moved, the world briefly turned light green and Fluttershy felt her mane tingle. What was that? She wondered as she looked around in a panic, but no answer was forthwith. Hoping it was nothing bad, she calmed down and moved on. With Quina following her, they headed towards Ponyville, after returning the nest that is. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Twilight came to, she found herself suspended in a field of stars. She didn't feel complete, like half her weight was missing. The feelings in her limbs came and went as she appraised herself. She was surprised to see through her hooves, her body was transparent, and the opacity fluctuated. She felt a familiar presence behind her, that of her respected, and loved mentor. But when she turned around to look, there was no one there, to her sad disappointment. Taking in her surroundings, she realized she had been here before. Right before she gained her wings, when she completed Starswirl's spell, she was sent here. Why am I here? I need to return to Canterlot! She remembered the light, the ache in her horn, the sensation of everything falling away. Then she remembered losing Pinkie, and her sadness only worsened. I can't linger here, I need to return home. I need to find out more of Unified Fantasy and see if there's a way to get my friends back. There just has to be a way! And at her desire to return home, the space she floated in changed. Her eyes were drawn to a light emanating from behind her, and looking, she saw that she was now floating above Equestria, far, far above Equestria, and for the very first time, she saw her world as a whole. She stared in wonder at the blue and green sphere, its skies dotted with clouds, and the awe dispelled her sadness for a short time. From one coast to the other, she saw the geological features she was familiar with, and though she couldn't spot the cities, she was able to see them through her mind's eye where they lay on Equestria. As she looked, she saw a pulse of green light growing over the planet, its source being born around Neighagra Falls. The pulse reached out towards the stars and her eyes followed the wave as it brushed past her. Far behind her, opposite Equestria, the pulse washed over a hidden world, briefly revealing the opaque planet as the green wave brushed past it. Then the wave of green vanished, and so did the world it touched, leaving Equestria and its moon alone among the stars. Was that Gaia? She wondered as she looked towards Equestria longingly. How do I return? “Well, you're a smart enough pony to figure that out.” A familiar voice replied, and Twilight would normally be annoyed to hear his voice, but instead found relief in it, and shouted out to him, hoping he had answers. “Discord! Where am I? What happened to the others!?” A good number of the stars in the field combined together, making out Discord's silhouette. “The rest of your friends are safe, though Canterlot is gone, whether for good or not I am unsure, and the princesses have been banished, just like you.” He said, the stars fading and glowing to imitate her transparency. “Although you could say they're more banished than you,” he added with a sarcastic chuckle. Canterlot and the princesses are gone!? “How can you laugh at a time like this?” Twilight asked as she looked at herself, once again feeling sorrow well up. My parents! No... Why? Before the tears could start to fall, the star made apparition of Discord put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up at him in surprise, he was giving her a sad smile. “Why can I laugh? Something did what I wanted to do not so long ago, and it made it look so effortless. Now here I am, in pieces, trying to help a former enemy so she can save the same ponies that turned me to stone. How can I not find that funny?” He finished with another chuckle, only this one was hearty, lacking any sarcasm. She didn't know if it was his laugh, or the absurdity of it all, but she found herself smiling at his mirth. “You're in pieces?” She asked, using her natural curiosity to protect her from breaking down. There were questions that needed to be answered, and problems to be addressed. “Oh yes, I really am. It looks like my efforts to save Pinkie, you, and the others was really demanding on my integrity. I mean really, me? Discord? Saving ponies? I got really torn up by the whole thing.” His silhouette said as it crumbled to pieces. “But enough about me,” then he scoffed, “oh my goodness I can't believe I just said that. You ponies are a bad influence!” He huffed, appearing next to Twilight, his normal self, looking annoyed. “Twilight, you need to return,” he said, indicating Equestria over his shoulder, “Your friends need you, and all the other ponies as well. With the other three gone, you're the last princess remaining, they will look to you in this crisis.” He gave her a sly smile, “Now's your chance to do princess things, you're now going to be doing a lot more than just smiling and waving and kissing foals.” He was right. And that thought immediately made Twilight apprehensive, but the feeling didn't last. Looking to Equestria, she nodded. If the princesses are banished, then there is probably a way to unbanish them. But just how do I get back? “Oh, it should be easy for you, of all ponies. Just do what you always do when you want to go somewhere.” Can he read my thoughts out here? “No, I'm just really good at guessing~! Now do that thing you do.” She assumed he was referring to teleporting, and was about to try just that, but she turned to him. “What about you? Is there a way to put you back together?” She asked with concern. He was her friend too, and it looked like he needed help as well. “Your concern really touches me. It feels all icky and warm and fuzzy,” he admitted with a frown. “No magic you can conjure up will put this broken egg back together again. But I'll manage somehow, and maybe even stir things up while I'm at it. Now stop dallying here, the mist has appeared in other parts of Equestria, and the sooner it's stopped, the better. Go help our friends, and look after Fluttershy for me.” Twilight nodded, and gave Discord a weak smile as she teleported away with a pop. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They tried to retrieve the one the overseer sent over. He clearly did not like that. The Watcher in the Mist thought as he looked over his sad friend. She wanted to help, but the overseer went and did that. He could only offer her kind words, for he had no physical form to comfort her with. The second seal was disabled. So quickly after the first. He could feel anger bubbling under the surface of his thoughts, but kept it contained. He felt something return to Equestria and looked on. Ah, the princess has returned. He told his friend about the princess, and she thanked him, and moved to leave. His words enabled her, and she worked to continue helping Equestria in the only way she could. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After having deactivated the tablet, the four of them decided to take a break. The tablets new shape was that of a pair of mage staffs crossed like a '+' sign, wreathed in fire, which Vivi took a liking too. They headed out to near the cave's exit where the waterfall was. And rested where the daylight could reach them, without the heavy moister of the waterfall drenching them. Rarity would rather her mane stayed dry for a little while longer. As much as they would have preferred to move forward, without potions, their pace was limited by how much healing Rarity could summon forth, so they rested. “Well Steiner,” Sunset began, “if there is a way for you to return to Alexandria, Twilight would be the best bet to finding it.” “I wonder,” Vivi said, looking to the others, “do you think something like this is happening back on Gaia?” “I certainly hope not! What's going on here is terrible!” Steiner proclaimed, then looked at the others apologetically, “Sorry.” “No, you're quite right. This is the worse.” Rarity admitted with a frown, the thoughts of Canterlot bubbling up to the surface of her thoughts. She was quick to push them down, she didn't want to get all teary eyed right at this moment. “Still, I am stuck here,” Steiner solemnly admitted, then looked to the others with a fire in his eyes. “So I shall offer my blade to protect you all and your nation until I return home. I owe you that much, but more than that, I want to help.” His declaration made Rarity's heart skip a beat, which she immediately took notice of. Wait, was that...? She thought as she started to blush. Do I ...? No, it can't be! His actions have definitely drawn her attention since she first saw him yesterday, If it wasn't for his rusty armor... She thought as she pictured him wearing something she could put together for him. A tuxedo to make him look dashing- Her face was completely red as she realized how handsome he would look in a tux. “Lady Rarity,” Steiner asked, “are you alright?” H-He called me 'lady'! “Are you feeling feverish?” “I, I'm feeling just fine, but thank you for your concern.” She admitted, a little dramatically, getting an odd look from the others. “I just need some fresh air, don't mind me~. I'll be back shortly.” Going outside, she immediately regretted her method of dodging the situation. In short order her mane was ruined, a fact that was nagging at her from the back of her mind. This is not good! I can't have feelings for Steiner! He's not even a pony! Still, he is kind. And loyal. And he called me a lady. And strong. And he's kind of bumbling, which is just adorable~. Rarity glared at the waterfall as she realized what what happening, No no Rarity! It's nothing more then a little... infatuation! There is no time for such things! At least not while Equestria is in such grave peril! No no, I'm just feeling a little flushed, that's all, yes, that's it.. She let out a little 'humph!' and stomped a hoof on the ground as if to settle the matter once and for all. Yes, just a simple, harmless infatuation that will go away soon enough. Getting that notion out of her head, she looked through the waterfall, almost imagining the vista beyond, showing that Canterlot was gone. Her ears fell as she recalled the city's fate. She was going to take that city by storm, she had already managed to be well known by many of the elite there. She worked her hardest ever since she got her cutie mark to pull it off, and now Canterlot was gone. She shook her head before the thoughts of never seeing the ponies that lived there started to weigh her down. She felt someone tap her shoulder, and saw Sunset Shimmer by her side, beckoning her back. I should probably return to them, ugh, my mane. I don't want them to worry anymore. Taking her hand she went back into the cave. “Terribly sorry about that, I've had a lot on my mind." She admitted as she avoided eye contact with Steiner. “We understand. Things have been terrible since yesterday." Sunset said, looking towards Canterlot. That's right, she's lost her way back to the other world, it's clear she misses it. And there's also Steiner and Vivi. We really have had the rough of it. Having little else to say, they continued resting near the cave's exit, all the while, Rarity worked to avoid Steiner's gaze. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rainbow Dash had planned on leaving Twilight with Applejack's family, but to her surprise, and relief, Twilight awakened, her body no longer showing any transparency. “Twilight! You're okay!” She said as she hugged her recovering friend, hard. “Gah! Rainbow Dash!” Twilight gasped out, but her friend didn't let up, and Twilight knew why. Her heart ached from her friend's care, and she reciprocated the hug. After a minute in the embrace, Twilight let go, assuring Dash. “I'm okay now.” She said as Dash let go, quickly rubbing her eyes before smiling at Twilight. “Thanks for looking after me.” “Hey, think nothing of it. How do you feel? Up for flying?” Dash asked enthusiastically. “I think so,” she replied as she gave her wings a few flaps. “Why?” “Well, to find the others!” Dash declared, as if it was obvious. “Unless you know exactly where they are, it would be better to stay here. They'll all most likely head to Ponyville, and we should be here waiting for them.” “Nuh uh! We're going to go out there and find them!” Dash declared stubbornly. “Dash, I'm nowhere near as fast as you.” Twilight admitted as she thought for a moment. “How does this sound? You go out and look for them, and I stay here and look after Ponyville? If you miss the others, I'll be here to let them know you're alright.” “You, you want to stay?” Dash asked in confusion. “I need to talk to the mayor.” She replied as she noticed that Canterlot Mountain was gone. She fell silent as she looked where the city once was, then shook her head. “With the princesses gone, I need to get word out to the other cities. Everypony needs to know about the mist and the monsters.” Twilight then eyed the sun. “When Luna and Celestia both disappeared last time, the sun and the moon were in the sky together. The fact that they aren't right now must mean that the princesses are out there somewhere. And if they are, Canterlot must be as well.” Twilight affirmed, looking determined to stay and try and look after Equestria. Dash hesitated, Twilight had just woken up, and Dash wasn't comfortable with leaving her alone so suddenly. “You're sure you don't want to come with me?” Dash asked, a little hurt. “That's not it. I want to come with you, but this is important as well. I'm a princess, Dash, I need to look after Equetria until Celestia or Luna return.” She admitted, though she was far from happy with it. Dash looked between Twilight and towards the northeast, where Mikoto had said the others were. I, I want to stay with her, but I want to find the others! Oh, what do I do? The element of loyalty wondered, wracking her brain for an answer. Luckily for Rainbow Dash, she has a good friend, who is an excellent egg-head, and who is also a princess by her side to help her. “Rainbow Dash,” Twilight began, her voice taking on a lightly authoritative tone, “I want you to go find the others. We need them back in Ponyville, and you're the fastest, most perceptive pony I know. I know you can do it, and I wouldn't trust anypony else with this task.” She finished as she gave Dash a warm smile. Twilight wasn't just asking her to find the others, she was ordering her to. Dash was enlightened in a moment of clarity. By following Twilight's order, she could help her friends without feeling like she was leaving Twilight behind. She has all of Ponyville by her side, and I am the fastest pony around! Dash thought as she nodded to her friend. “You can count on me! I'll find them before the sun sets!” She assured, and seeing Twilight's smile, she bolted off, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake. She had friends to find, and she wasn't going to let the princess, her friend, down. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Having left the wall of water behind them, they had noticed that the mist that had been around the base of Canterlot Mountain was also gone. I guess the crystal's magic reached that far as well, Rarity thought. They had only rested for an hour, they wanted to be at 'Canterlot' by the time the sun had set. They hoped the rest would be enough to carry them there. Sunset was leading the group, while Steiner was watching their backs. Rarity appraised Sunset, she was exactly as Twilight had described her, and her humble nature had really won her over. Though she may have once stolen Twilight's crown, as far as Rarity was concerned, that was simply water under the bridge. Rarity really wanted to be in her boutique right now. She didn't know what she could do for Steiner, but she couldn't help but picture all the adorable things she could make for Vivi. As they reached the bottom of the cliff, they moved to follow the river southwest. After looking into Canterlot, we can head to Ponyville. With any luck, maybe one of the others are there, waiting for us. Rarity dared to hope. As they got close to the river, a shadow fell over the group as something crashed into the center of them, sending all of them flying. Rarity got up, preparing a healing spell for everyone, but was interrupted as she took in what had ambushed them. Standing in the center of where they all had stood was four mistlings, and a figure that Rarity had hoped to never see again. Queen Chrysalis! ~~~~~ Rarity ~~~~~ Items Equipped: Ore Rod: Cure(mastered), Panacea(mastered) Lvl-9 HP 123/280 MP 24/80 AP 17/17 Abilities: Glamour: White Magic: Cure 6 MP - Restores HP of single/multiple targets. Panacea 4 MP - Removes Venom and Poison.