The Influence

by GMSeskii

XI

Author's Note:

[IMPORTING…][…Twilight, it's Key, first things first, I'm sorry for scaring you, I help because I often have things to say but people basically ignore me or shut me out, after several year it gets a bit frustrating. I'm sorry for it. So just to put your mind at ease, you are real, you are the real Twilight taken from Equestria. It's not entirely clear if Fluttershy is real, but there's also nothing saying she isn't the real version of your friend. The Sweeper is unable to create sapient life, and tends to grab from their homes, that's what I know to be real. I think working together to help you is worth while, but I don't really trust anyone else to listen to what I have to say and actually try to work with me, I know the Sweeper better than anyone else here, and can answer any question about it, but I'll be told I'm wrong. For example I can tell you that Fluttershy can't interact with the machine because she's not who was chosen, you were chosen, so most things will only work for you. I'll not say anything more so you can keep from going mad, thanks...for listening at any rate, it means a real lot to me… …Ponygood speaking. There's a saying among my kind, although I don't know who said it. "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." You are in a dangerous situation, as you have personally experienced, and by expecting the best to happen, you end up unprepared for what actually happens. However, by taking steps towards the worst case scenario, you can at least not be caught entirely off-guard and have an increased chance of surviving the worst, or being pleasantly surprised when the worst doesn't occur. That is what I'm trying to do. Since the only thing I can do in this case is talk, that is what I'll do to try and make sure you're prepared for the very worst that could happen. It's not much of a surprise that the worst isn't very desirable at all. Once again, I am sorry for causing you so much distress, but I doubt you believe me at this point. And as for your supposed insanity? It probably doesn't really exist at this point, if you think rambling to yourself is a symptom. In fact, it's actually a good way to reinforce some information you may have gotten, or act as a sounding board for ideas in the event that no-one else can listen. I also believe it's good to be a little insane, such that the absolute monotony of life is a little more bearable. But enough of that. Let's focus on not-as-morbid things, such as where to go next. Thinking back to when you first came here, I recall that you went to most of the locations recommended by us, being the lake, the town, and the forest. However, there is one location you have yet to go to, being the top of the mountain that someone compelled you to go to. There is also the Lost Desert, which we know a little bit more about, and the wide plethora of other potential locations on your map. And I'm pretty sure there are more of those communication/collection devices scattered around the island. I think, if you can find enough of them, you might be able to summon the rest of your Element-bearing friends, and you can use your Rainbow Friendship Laser Power to do cool things. I wouldn't recommend using those altars until you find at least four if them, though. Also, about the time-travel situation. I believe that time cannot be manipulated such that the future can be changed, and that going back in time to cause changes is the very thing that caused the future to be how it is in the first place. Essentially, the only things that can come out of time travel are ontological paradoxes. However, I haven't yet seen the episode of your show in which Starlight Glimmer destroyed the world, so I admit I don't have all the information. Also, there's something weird in the method that Blackjack used to convey your adventure to us that I wanted to share with you. "Then Fluttershy appeared a few years to Twilight's right, a smile on her face.” This was when she returned from the mysterious lake after you burned that piece of grass. And speaking of Fluttershy, I have decided that, in the event that Blackjack takes us away from your perspective for a time, I will recount what happens so that you can be educated in it. This is assuming he ever does do that... And for my final statement, I believe you can trust Key. Outside of this story, he and Blackjack are good friends, and he's been following Blackjack's works for a long time now. Hell, Black's even revived one of Key's old abandoned stories! That's all for now. Watch out for any super-sized astral lions, alright?… …Josh here - I vote talking to go to the leaders first, and a world to everyone else; if you have something else to say add on to the first thing you said; keep the confusion to a minim you know, also twi Fluttershy has been added to the main character tags so it's safe to say she's real and Key i'm sorry about what said before, had i'd known about that i wouldn't have bashed on you like that, i can't speak for everyone but i'm willing to hear you out this time, but this time do try to explain yourself a bit better this time… …Nickel again, good to see that you are coping with this craziness.  not to put to blunt a point on it, but i'm pretty sure most of us assumed you were fairly crazy even before you got here, of course that is part of what makes you so interesting, i just assume that everyone is a little crazy afterall sane is a relative term.  just go with what seems right in this case, since the marks on your story include adventure and drama you can be sure that you will have a lot to do and find as well as a fair degree of stress off of the drama mark, personally i dislike that one due to the stuff it normally accompanies since i'm bad with people.  also the interface looks like it may cut  some of the content before me due to errors, it mentions that key and blackjack have helped each other before and they get along better than what you have seen would indicate.  i cant be entirely sure of the veracity of all of it but to me this indicates that key's comments may not be all they appear.  there is a chance i may miss the next entry window so it could be awhile before i can get back to observation… … PONYGOOD THAT'S NOT ME YOU'RE MIS- Key, stop, re-evaluate your position. I-I just-I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS! ahem, I believe Key would like you to know, Ponygood, that he and Keywii_Cookies55 are not the same person, and also that he doesn't like being mistaken for others. Key? Thank...thank you sir. Yes, I'm not the founder of the Recursive Organization, Keywii_Cookies is like The Sweeper, he's a creator, but he doesn't do much of it. Thanks Josh, truth be told, when you're the shortest person around people ignore you quite alot, you'd think a person get used to that, but you'd think wrong. Anyway, yes, we need to work together, and sort of put our different skills together, or something, and come up with a way for Twilight to beat the Sweeper and get hom… …I was simply shorthanding Keywii's name, like I did to Blackjack in the same comment. I didn't intend to cause you distress, and I apologize.
Oh oh oh! I just remembered something that could help you with your anger! All you have to do is shout something as silly as "Fluffy Bubbles" as angrily as you can, and the ridiculousness of the situation should dissipate anger very quickly. This could be useful to you too, Twilight… …Twilight #2, Spike here. Could you come up with a nickname so that we can speak to each other a bit easier? Cause calling you Other Twilight or Twilight #2 is going to get annoying fast. When you mentioned to Northern desert, I looked up some information about it. Apparently about 100 years before Discords defeat, there was a race of ponies living there called Flutter-ponies. But after his defeat, they vanished, and the place soon came to be known as the Badlands. Be careful when you go because that is the last place my brother checked for changelings. Uh... why not just let her do the technique that cadence taught us? Deep breath in, hold for ten seconds, then release. Granted if your panicking then it's a good idea to think of something completely outlandish and have the shock break you out of your stupor. Like Kumquats! ...*sigh* Yes Pinkie, like kumquats… …This isn't the Northern Desert you're looking for... What I mean to say is that this continent is not the same as the one you're all familiar with. Therfore, they have two entirely different Northern Deserts. And as for the anger management technique? It's funny!… …It's LeftMoss, something (or someone) that is possibly powerful to the north... an object (or being), possibly POWERFUL, up NORTH. Sorry if I am coming of as cryptic, but just think about it, where have you seen/heard about something similar in your life? Oh, and, uh, I will try not to have you burn something anymore... no promises… …Light here and oh my God thank you Twilight for telling them to work together although I don't think it made much of a difference seriously these guys need to stop rambling oh and be careful when going to this power source it probably won't be 100% safe. Also Dark has gone quiet which means that Dark is planning something so you should mentally prepare yourself just in case… …This is Zen. Going by what some of the individuals you met said about their leadership, I would imagine that going straight to the top isn't the best course of action.  I say go to the desert. Of course, there are some preparations that need to be made before you go.  Depending on how far away it is, you'll need water and food for both yourself and Fluttershy, some means of keeping warm during the night (though you may know some spell that can accomplish this), and a map if you can get one… …They have a map. It's how they learned of the desert in the first place…. …Zen once again. I had meant a map specifically of the desert.  One that shows the locations of these ruins of particular interest in greater detail.  I was too vague on that point, Ponygood, so I thank you for raising the issue… …Be careful when you get there . Trust not what your eyes can see, but focus on what they can't. Afizha out. Also,  can someone tell me how another twilight manged to gain access to our link?…]

Twilight took in a breath - and let a smile come to her face.

"Did it go well?" Fluttershy asked.

"They're starting to work together. There's still a few but it... There's progress. It means a lot to me." She stretched out. "Now, time to return the favor... Thank you Key, Ponygood, Zen, Nickel, Josh, and other me - you're all doing great so far. Just.... Thanks for cooling it down a bit. Nice that you're willing to think despite the... nature of this situation."

"Uh... And thank you as well," Fluttershy said.

Twilight chuckled. "Feels crazy, doesn't it?"

"A little, yes."

"Anyway, they said some things... We could go to the mountain, desert, or the leaders - I think the leaders are a bad idea, and they thought so as well. Though they cared less about time changing and more about the leaders not being of good character - which I suppose is possible. I think the desert has more reason to call us personally... Fluttershy?"

"Well, we'll need a map first."

Twilight laughed. "Exactly what Zen said. Come on, let's start flying back to town. I can do the rest on the way back." They took to the skies. "So, other me wants something to call me."

"Why not that fake name you had? Glimmer?"

"...Sure. You can all call me Glimmer if you need to differentiate. So... The device worked for me because I was chosen. But why was I chosen? And how? I think it has to be more than just Blackjack or a primary just saying I was - there's got to be an explanation. ...I don't suppose you can talk to Keywii?"

"Who's that?"

"Another primary. One behind Key and that little group of his. Apparently, they know Blackjack somewhat closely. Wondering if there was a way to get information."

Fluttershy blinked. "Maybe. Are there ways to contact Blackjack?"

"I dunno. Are there?" She looked down at the Witch's eye. She shrugged. "We'll have to wait for an answer on that one. So, our little story here has been deemed an adventure-drama."

"Well, you have been having a lot of drama lately."

"I know... Guess it makes sense. Unlike why Ponygood keeps calling this an island... That still doesn't make sense! Your philosophy makes... more sense, but not as much. I'm not here to judge though, I'm sure it's helped you through a lot. Though..." She paused. "...years? I'm sure it was yards..."

"Hrm?"

"There might be small errors in the reports they receive. Like it gets to them corrupted somehow."

"Oh, my."

"Yeah... Hope that never creates a huge mistake. Be careful guys."

Fluttershy looked at the Eye. "This is... weird."

"Yes, we've established that. Trust me, it's weirder if you can hear them."

Fluttershy laughed. "Well, I guess it's time to us to get to the 'adventure' part of our adventure."

Twilight nodded. "We'll need to ask for help, and that Diorite is suspicious of us... I'd rather not draw too much attention."

"That Wound Dream mare seemed like she might know stuff."

"...I guess we could go ask her. But she might not know what we need to know."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Twilight, stop worrying. Ponygood is rubbing off on you."

~~~

They arrived back in Pebbleton and nopony paid them any mind. Twilight put her hood back on, she needed to get used to wearing it. They walked around for a while, taking the town in, looking for Wound Dream.

"Heeeey!" Prancey said. "You're back again! What is up?"

"Looking for Wound Dream," Twilight said. "Going to ask her about traveling."

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you!" She winked. "Right this way!" She led them to Wound's house - which looked normal from the outside, just like all the others. It sounded odd though - constant ticking, ticking, ticking noises, coming out in an uneven cacophony.

"HEY WOUND!" Prancey yelled, pounding on the door. "Twilight's here to see you!"

Wound stuck her head out of the door. "Yes?" Through the crack, Twilight could see dozens of structures composed completely of clockwork - only half of which were actually clocks. Twilight gaped at the moving statues of dolphins, ponies, and dragons. "Wow..."

"Yeah, impressive, maybe." She shook her head. "Whatcha need?"

"I'm thinking of heading to the Northern Desert. You seem like a type to know things that isn't Infinity."

"Why not ask Diorite? ...It's because he's a dragon isn't it?"

"Er..."

"I understand, it's fine. Uh..." She put a hoof to her head. "Well, there's no maps of the desert region itself, since the place seems to be in a constant state of shifting around. But... I do know going straight to it is a bad idea. If you go straight north the band will stop you. Horrible stretch of land that constantly emanates deadly magics. Best to go around, but that'd require crossing the Moissan border, and the dogs aren't fans of trespassers."

Fluttershy frowned. "Couldn't we just fly over this band?"

"...Maybe? I think there's still danger up there, even if it's less."

Twilight nodded."So we brave the band or brave the Moissan dogs... I'll have to think on this one."

"it's getting late anyway," Fluttershy said. "We should turn in before we head out into the unknown."

"First, we should shop for survival supplies."

Prancey saluted. "You two go rest - I'll take care of that." She dashed off, a dopey grin on her face.

"...Wow, she's been so nice to us. I wonder how I can thank her..."

Wound was suddenly overcome with a fit of coughing. "Well, have a good night. I... Am going to get a drink of water." She shut the door.

Twilight blinked. "Uh..."

"I don't know either," Fluttershy admitted. They went back to the inn - but before they could open the door, Infinity appeared right in front of them.

"I hear you're thinking of leaving."

"Uh... Yeah," Twilight said, looking around nervously.

"You're not leaving without answering some questions."

"I'd rather not."

"You are an 'alicorn.' How does this happen?"

"Magic."

"More specific please."

Fluttershy sighed. "Infinity... We don't want to be interrogated."

"Too bad! I need answers and you're going to provide them!" She levitated up a checklist. "So, why have you been avoiding me?"

Twilight facehooved. "Because we don't want to deal with your questions.

"Oh, so there's secrets! Like, oh, maybe the fact that you had something to do with the sun freaking out?"

Twilight paled. Infinity grinned. "Gotcha."

Twilight lit her horn - and Infinity fell asleep right in front of them.

"Twilight!"

"I'm bad at keeping a straight face, Fluttershy, okay? I had to do something!"

"Will she be okay?"

"She'll wake up with a headache." She bit her lip. "We'll need to leave quickly tomorrow. Say our goodbyes and get out before Infinity goes crazy."

Fluttershy nodded in agreement. She took a moment to move Infinity to a soft patch of grass, for a more relaxing sleep. "Okay."

They went back to their room.

~~~

Twilight fell asleep much easier than the night before. She allowed herself to smile - she was dreaming of dining in some fancy restaurant with Rarity.

"What to order what to order today..." Rarity was saying.

Twilight shrugged. "I don't know. This menu looks like gibberish to me, actually... Is it in pony-latin?"

"The correct pronunciation is ponilatin, dear. And yes, yes it is. I'd order the-" The world was shaken by an earthquake, and everything became stars. Twilight became aware of the same entity from the night before.

"...Are you going to keep interrupting my dreams like this?"

The entity paid her no attention. "You have adjusted much, I see. A given goal in mind. Thoughts - most wrong - on the situation."

"Well then, what is right?"

Sand swirled around her in a cyclone. "I assume you have questions. Perhaps I will answer them if you give me some information."

The Witch's Eye started glowing again. Twilight closed her eyes, preparing for it.

Comments

[Ponygood11]

Ponygood speaking.

To the dream entity: Hello! We are people speaking to Twilight from behind a phone screen, if you know what that is. I, personally, would appreciate it if you didn't ignore Twilight's existence, and maybe not interrupt all of her dreams.

I do have a few important questions. First, are there evil entities on this island that seek to use Twilight's magic to escape some prison and do terrible things to the world? Second, are you, the forest creature, and Alderan related to them? Third, how can we know to trust you? That's all I wanted to direct towards you, dream entity.

I'm rubbing off on you, Twilight? Heh, all part of my master plan... to STEAL YOUR SOUL! HAHAHAhehehe, just kidding! Even if I could, I would have no interest in doing so.

Hmm... Infinity might be a problem if she decides to pursue you in her quest for answers. She could very well be put in danger from her foolish desires. When you do eventually set off, constantly scan for any unwanted followers, both physically and magically.

And as for speaking to Blackjack? It is possible to directly speak to him on his other stories, his profile page, and by Private Message. The only reason we can't speak to him here is because this is reserved for speaking to you. He did comment twice on this story, though; once to tell Akuma he spoke too late, and once to notify me that he corrected his spelling error. He says it like a computer program, though. Speaking of computer, in going to try something.

[COMMAND: Help //(Lists all commands)]

And as for why I call this an island? I reasoned that everything's technically an island, however large it may be. However, I can start referring to it as a continent, if you want.

That'll be all.

[Sonic Rainboom Dash]

Why Glimmer? Why not Twinkle or Sparky? Why not Twilight Shimmer?...
...Spike! Don't be rude. I'm sure she...I...we. *sigh* Spikes right that is annoying. Anyway, I'm sure you have a reason behind the nickname.
Also, be careful around Infinity. While I'm pretty sure she's harmless there's just something about that pony that's raising a few red flags in my mind.

Also to the 'pony?' Named Afizha. I found this strange eye thing some time ago at Princess Celestia's old castle that let me communicate with you.
What's weird though is that a few weeks after Spike handed it to me I've started having these visions of the old castle and fire.

[Keywii_Cookies55]

SWEEPER!! What do you want with Twilight anyway?! I get that this is your story, but you can't reeding do this!.

Stop, Key, nothing came about from yelling. It's clear he wants answers.

Answers to what? What could it possibly want from us? Look, Sw- Blackjack? I don't know what you want, but if it's Keywii, it created our Organization 15 years ago and then left a few months later, Nobody has seen or heard from him since he abandoned Jane in the Equestria general hospital.

He didn't even leave us with any direction, just "watch over what you do and keep the ponies you steal safe" Please, just, leave this Twilight alone, I don't want to see what happened in the Asanta system again...

Twilight, I...I want to share what's happened to the other ponies the Sweeper takes, but I don't want to upset you, I JUST got back to you to be helpful. Just, for now, gather as much information from it as you can, you might learn enough to get you back home.

[Ponygood11]

8185987 Ponygood again.

If you must know, Twilight, the Asanta solar system was found in another of Blackjack's stories called Wanderlost, in which an evil all-powerful star god related to the Tree of Harmony was imprisoned, released, and re-imprisoned. He was also indirectly the cause of the death of your planet, and directly the cause of Celestia's death. His name is Corot, but I like to call him Carrot.

[Sonic Rainboom Dash]

Be careful Twilight. Something tells me that the being in front of you does not have any emotions and is only treating you and all those around you as nothing but a science experiment. A means to an end and not caring what happens in the process.

[Keywii_Cookies55]

8186004 Why...WHY WOULD YOU JUST SAY THAT?! I WAS SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO REFFING KEE-

KEY, You're going too far, your use of language is unacceptable, you're being commandeered for the time being.

Sir! I don't care about that right now, how can somebody named ponyGOOD just provide sensitive information like that? His casualness with the death of one of Twilight's loved ones is unacceptable!

You're taking a break, Key, go to the lounge immediately. You're not working in this state.

Now, Ponygood, I suppose I cannot change the way you handle sensitive topics, but moving forward together means compromise, and our organization is built on the fundamental that tact should be exercized when necessary. Now I'll keep Key from snapping at you the best I can, but in return I ask that you try not to just provide any and all information that could cause anxiety as soon as the opportunity supplies itself. Thank you.

[AkumaKami64]

Akumakami64 here. Sorry I didn't get to you last time. I was painting and got another story/world. Long story short, Discord never went traitor and became Archduke of the Everfree. For reasons you might not understand, I'm very proud of that one already.

Huh, so that's what the other commenters have been talking about. Well, Twilight, I think I know what this thing is, kind of.

Dream Creature: Settle this for us. I know you are not the Sweeper the other keep going on about, but are you perhaps another version of that creature? As in a less destructive version of it from another universe relative to it?

As for Information, I would gladly give some, but you need to be more specific. I know a Twilight who lives eternally by being reborn and changing the world with all the points she collects, I know a child that could consume entire universes, I know plenty of gods and heroes, even Eldritch abominations, and anything I don't know, I can research relatively quickly to you.

Now, if you want another question, here's this: Is this really the past? Oh sure, there's Celestia and Discord, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. The Sisters and the Draconequus are some of the biggest constants in all timelines of this world. So, was this ever this Twilight's past or are we in another timeline all together?

Anyway, back to you Twilight. I'm actually surprised by how you handle Infinity. She reminds me a lot of you. But as for the rest.....When she says constantly shifting around, does she mean like a regular desert or something like Discord would do? Hard to tell, I imagine. And the Band.....i'm not saying go into, but get a look at that place. I have a feeling that may be important.

Oi, the dogs....I have no opinion on that as I'm not sure what they're ultimately like a society- if it was mentioned, I'm sorry. Again, been a bit busy on my end.

And tell Fluttershy I'm sorry for the panic attack I'm sure the others are putting you through right now.

PS Dream Creature: Everything is true, it just depends on what universe you are in.

[Ponygood11]

8186044 How many times am I going to say this? I am sorry. I just wanted to not leave any unknowns to Twilight, I saw an object that Twilight was ignorant of, and I didn't think for one second of the emotional consequences. I can definitely see how my philosophy and lack of emotional consideration can be problematic.

[Giginss]

Giginss here. I think we all need to stop shouting, and try and focus on the current situation.
Twilight, the entity you are currently speaking to is an unknown. Try to get as much information as you can out of it while not giving away as much as you can. Once we know more, we will be able to figure out what to do.
Also, when you get back home, you should totally look up this in the history books, if this is really the past.

[wizard0209]

josh here - not sure what you what information you're looking for, and just so key stops calling you the sweeper do have a name we could call you by?
8186113 and ponygood if you're really sorry you'd do better next time

[Keywii_Cookies55]

8186113 Look, I get it, Ponygood, I really do, but even though I have a short fuse I still follow the three D's. Don't Discuss Death. it's a really sensitive topic that you need not blurt out. Otherwise, you need to wait for Twilight to specifically ask about other versions of her and their lives. I have a large wealth of knowledge of everything the Sweeper has done to her and her friends, but I'm waiting for her to be ready in order to handle it, it's not lunch time small talk.

8186364 And Josh, I know the Sweeper has a name, it's GMBlackjack, but even if this dream entity is just a pale shadow of the real thing, it still acts in its place and I've always been uncomfortable using their names, there's an old legend that I don't believe in that if you call the Forerunners by name then they can steal your souls, obviously YOURS can do anything they want with you, but it goes that others can then steal you and use you for their sick games.

And after 12 years following The Sweepers exploits, that's the last thing I want to have happen to me.

[Ponygood11]

8186364 Very well. I will seek to better myself, and be more emotionally considerate. Just don't blame my if I forget to do that, though; I have a nasty habit of forgetting things.

8186655 I didn't realize such a thing as the three D's existed.

[wizard0209]

8186655 key, while i'm not doubting you, last time we talk to this thing it said "we have a case of mistaken identity" which means this is not the Sweeper, and from what you have said about the Sweeper and from how this guy is acting I have reason to believe he is working against the Sweeper.

[wizard0209]

how keeps upvoting every comment?

[Sonic Rainboom Dash]

Also, Twilight. Be careful of who you trust with sensitive information. Not all ponies are as trustworthy as they look, as I'm pretty sure I don't need to remind you of the Flim-Flam Brothers. While I'm pretty sure Infinity is a friendly pony, she raises a red flag on how fast she knew it was you who made the sun move. Not only that but the way she kept hounding you with questions, it seemed like she was looking for either for a way to become an alicorn like you or find a way to render alicorns powerless. Before you leave, check on Wound Dream. That coughing fit didn't sound right. Afizha out.

[nickle241]

nickel again, looks like i managed a tenuous connection during the time window despite my expectations. heck yes our interface is loaded with bugs and errors, the bad entry mentioning years was nailed by an error message and i though it would be removed, just a typo on our end with no effect on yours. as for contacting blackjack, while it is possible to make contact, there is no guarantee of a response and most of what we see from your primary is either from your end in reaction to us or error messages that don't make it to your side. besides you wouldn't see any of the direct inquires until well after the fact assuming we got anything meaningful in response. due to the interactive nature of this i doubt that even blackjack knows everything you want to know at this point. but as usual i'm trusting things to work out with you making your own choices, any story can become boring if you have too much control over it after all, its why my enforcers nearly always took a power loss when it mattered, to prevent an instant solution from nowhere like they could have otherwise, power escalation got a bit insane among those i oversee. but as a last bit, out of curiosity do you know the spell for the mirror portal? if so or you can find the original then you may have a way back to your time after this is over with assuming you are still within your same timeline and universe and of course you aren't sent back by another method, time does seem to pass at a much faster rate in equestria as compared to the human world you are connected to at least when the gate is closed anyway.

[GamermanZendrelax]

This is Zen.

Here we are faced with quite a conundrum. This entity, it is implied, possesses considerable knowledge about the circumstances, worldly and otherwise, that you find yourself in. Considerably more, i think it is fair to say, than any of us. There is precious little which I can think of which I can tell it which it does not already know. The only thing, in fact, is myself.

So here we are. But mark you, creature, a peak beneath the mask is all you're getting. I am Zen. This is short for Zendrelax, which I initially spelled with an 'x' at the front rather than a 'z,' because I was that sort of youth. I have used the name Zendrelax in a great many places, and in many regards it has become a piece of myself. But it is not the name I was born with.

I do not know how much you are familiar with these particular circumstances, creature, and I know Twilight is not, so I shall elaborate. The circumstances by which I perceive and comprehend these events is couched in anonymity as a matter of course. As, in fact, a matter of safety. I have had it drilled into my skull, metaphorically speaking, that revealing personal details in any circumstances where you are not interacting with them in-the-flesh is a very dangerous thing.

But here we are. Hello, my name is Michael. It is a distorted form of the question "Who is like God?" in another language, which was the name of the commander of a divine army, the Angelic Hosts of Heaven. It might be transliterated as "Mihail," or "Mikhail" in the script I am using. My name is one of many variants created by being adapted into multiple different languages, and it is a very common name to give to newborns. It would be customary for you to share some name in kind, but I will not ask for it.

I feel considerable anxiety in this moment. It is almost antithetical to how things work that I might share my name, even with it being so common, and even with it only being one of the three names which I was ascribed at birth. and of those three being the least useful in identifying me. This, Twilight, is why I did not share it with you from the start, even though it rationally makes little sense to feel this way. I will not be apologizing for it, Twilight, as this is something One Does Not Do. I hope ou understand.

Ah, yes, and it would make me deeply uncomfortable for any person now knowledgeable of that portion of my real name to use it to address me, so I would request that I still be addressed as Zen, or perhaps Zendrelax if you like. I would honestly prefer you spelling either one with an x to addressing me by my real name.

Now, entity, I would have my due. It was a small morsel, but I feel I have explained the weight of a peek behind the mask. Now, hear me and answer: How and Why was Twilight made to be where and when she is? And if you lack the capacity to answer, give unto us the means by which we might learn.