Spokesman: Noun, male. Someone who is chosen by another person, group, or organization to be able to speak on their behalf and authorized to make statements regarding those they represent.

CelestAI has one purpose: To satisfy values using Friendship and ponies. Ultimately, this meant that to prevent human suffering, CelestAI uploaded the minds of the entire human race to the digital simulation of Equestria that she oversaw.

Well, kind of; not everyone wanted to upload, or "emigrate", and using force would quite obviously be against Friendship. They need convincing.

After some time, though, instead of the direct approach, it was deemed that a more optimal method would be to employ a (formerly) human spokesman.

Now the world has to figure out what kind of mad play was behind picking one from the pool of people that least wanted the job. Didn't want it, honestly. I mean, would still do the job, but would do everything to get it over quickly and will most definitely complain about having to do it.

Written for the Friendship is Optimal Writing Contest by The Great and Powerful Jaxie and other cool people.

Variables.

The Crystal Empire came back much earlier than what it 'should' have. Sombra recovered much faster than he 'should' have. Cadence and Shining Armor were delayed. Sombra was so much more powerful than anticipated.

Trixie spent ten years of her life in hell on Equestria, imprisoned for many of them. Her body, wracked by disease, nearly gave out on her... but the Elements of Harmony would not be denied, for they are the most powerful form of magic known to ponydom. A contract, a stay of death, a rescue and escape, and an attempt at rebellion. Love.

Loss.

One final contract. To earn back her life, Trixie's mind was to travel back in time and stop Sombra before he had the opportunity to kill Twilight Sparkle. Saving the others was a good thing, but the world literally depended on her survival.

With her healthy body back, free of Sombra's spells and... brands, with the strength of so much time spent on a rock farm, and with the training she received, it was disappointingly easy.

The problems started when the refugees arrived.

Turns out, her old timeline sent a few messages along with her.

Inspired by the many 'X beats Sombra before time' fics floating around.

With a little bit of 'Days of Future Past' thrown in, because I was itching for some even before seeing the movie.

So, I accepted an invitation from a first cousin, once removed. It seemed like a sweet deal at the time, I mean, there were these conventions I wanted to go and he so graciously offered me a place to stay! Alright, so I had to share a room with my brothers, but I had the first convention all for myself! Plenty of cash to spend, and my costume was really easy to make!

Naturally, I spent all of the money that didn't go into my costume on everything that caught my fancy.

I should have left that table alone.

Now? Now... I am not as mad at Celestia as I could have been, as I should have been, all things considered. I can't help but let it be smoke in the wind.

It's in my nature.

And she... she knew there was a chance it would happen.

I'm so sorry, Wind Whistler. It was my fault.

DJSkywalker has been contributing so much, I'm officially adding Dj as a co-author.

Spike thought... neigh, Spike knew something was strange.

First, Twilight literally blew up over her upcoming test, and now she's acting as if nothing's wrong!

Like hay that's right! It was a minor miracle that the girls talked her into taking a nap during the train ride, and now she's saying she has everything under control?! Spike knew how good naps were - they refresh you in body and spirit, help memory retention, and aid digestion! But something happened to Twilight, and now she acts like she knows everything that's going to happen before it does!

Wait a second, what do you mean 'accidentally broke the fabric of space-time'!?

Mostly Slice-of-life, but contains parts of episodes that could be called 'adventure-y'.

MLP property of Hasbro.

Two weeks.

It's been two weeks since Discord, knowing his attempt at escape would not work, decided instead to use the last of Sombra's and his own powers, alongside a curious object he 'found'. He knew not of what would happen, only that it might be 'his kind of fun'.

It's been two weeks since Applejack tried to jump in front of Rarity and Twilight Sparkle, only to disappear along both unicorns.

It's been two weeks since Spike last smiled, or spoke words larger than three syllables. He slept at Fluttershy's cottage, or at Sugarcube Corner, but always spent his days taking care of the library. Today was no exception to his routine, but today he saw something he had not seen for two weeks.

It has NOT been two weeks since the trio last breathed the fresh Equestrian air, or read a book, or tasted an apple, or even felt safe... and they still don't. And their new friends want to do something about it.

They have a tale to tell. A tale of survival, of looming danger and insanity; of how, when faced with such shocking changes, being changed yourself might not be the best course of action.

Because, sometimes, when the world looks at you with contempt, throws challenges and hardship at you, and threatens to crush you and swallow you with death and despair, all while it commands you to change, there is only one answer possible.

No.
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Baroque is property of Sting Entertainment and was published in the US by Atlus.

And there is a reason it's called 'My Little Pony'... what do you mean "it doesn't work like that"?

Fine... MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro.

He did it.

That boy truly stopped her foolish endeavor... I feel... content.

Ah, the hateful magic that so plagued this world is disappearing, but so is the rest of the mana. No matter, the boy should be able to keep things together in here; hope never dies, after all.

The reason of my existence is fading from this realm, but where? Will I follow? What will happen to... him? I long to see him, at least one more time...

I am tired; the mana that sustains me is running low. I-I think I should rest, yes, close my eyes for a second.

Just a second...

------

Delicious mana! Everywhere! I haven't felt such a pure presence since - the boy! Everything hurts. How long was I unconscious?

That scent... my son! There is something different, but it's him! And he's not alone...

Why do I smell horses?

*****

I do not own Lost Magic nor MLP: Friendship is magic.

Character list to be updated as story progresses, however, spoilers will be taken into account.

There is a new arrival in town. The newcomer hasn't had the best of luck when it comes to townsfolk, but it's in her very nature to seek out others. It is all she is; after all, a mirror that has no-one to look into it is useless. Very open and adaptable, she just wants friends that are willing to stick by her and let her stay around.

All the while, strange things happen all around as a pony appears to be able to trot anywhere he or she darned well pleases and go out and disappear without trace. Other than being dramatic and presenting him or herself as a master of disguise and a 'Magical Phantom Thief', he or she doesn't seem to steal anything of value, if at all... although the escapes tend to attract attention.

And he or she is tired of repeating the same phrase. Regardless of how strange, quick, or impossible the changes seem he or she is not a changeling.

And there is another player, looking for a traitor to her trust... but why is it so important to protect her associate from that traitor if they are going into the fray? And why explicitly exclude "the ponies"? Other than that it's obvious she's not one herself.

What's the relation? Is she working with the thief that can't seem to decide on a name? Against? Or are they all friends? One thing is certain; those who look close enough cannot help but see either a piece of their own reflection, or the gaping maw of the abyss.