//------------------------------// // Act 5 Chapter 2 // Story: Collision Code // by SSJRandomMaster //------------------------------// Act V: Collision End Chapter 2: Rebuilding Where We Left Off --------------------------------------------------- When Corey had first realized where he was, he’d hoped to never have to trek through the Everfree Forest alone. Those hopes were soon replaced with confidence. Thanks to the ordeals he’d endured, he no longer saw an issue with it—of course Twilight told him to be careful, but that was expected. Where he was going though, he was sure he wouldn’t have to worry too much about the dangers of the Everfree.   As it turned out, his lack of worry about the ordeal was warranted. The area around the Castle of the Two Sisters had changed, several slightly primitive-looking huts having been built in the time since he’d last been there. Esper and the Astral Ponies had decided to use this land after being offered it for their own purposes following their new freedom. The local wildlife, while mostly undisturbed about the extras living with them, had mostly accepted their presence without a fuss.   As Corey drew closer, he could see several Astral ponies still at work on the large castle where Corey remembered the book being found. When he was last here, the bridge was so dilapidated and rickety it could barely support John’s weight combined with his and Twilight’s, but now, the Astrals had fixed it up.   “Oh, hey, there he is now!”   “The pony who freed us!”   Corey looked around, and barely withheld a grimace as he realized a few of the grateful astral ponies were coming at him to greet him as he walked towards the castle. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand their reasons for their reactions—if he were imprisoned for years and years and years and were finally freed, he’d probably want to shake his savior’s hand until his arm went numb, too. He just didn’t like the sudden attention.   “Hey, guys,” Corey waved slightly, setting his eyes on the castle. The ponies who were following him looked to be about his age, maybe slightly younger, “Just passing through here.”   “By all means, stay a while,” said one of the ponies, “There’s no need to be in such a hurry…”   “He really does have his mind on what he wants…” said another, “So why did you come here today?”   “I wanted to talk to Esper—Elder, Esper,” Corey corrected himself, “About something, how things are going for them.”   “Elder Esper should be in the basement somewhere,” said one of the ponies, “He’s currently poring over his old theories in the book that he got back.”   “I see, I see,” Corey said. The book that he had discovered in this very castle with Twilight, Rainbow and John behind him had been recovered together with the Elements of Harmony thanks to Discord knowing where Norma’s hideout was. As it turned out, Norma hadn’t destroyed either of those things. The Elements themselves were probably going to be her trophies; the book probably so she could absorb the knowledge she hadn’t already from it.   The ponies followed him the whole way he went to Esper’s office; a few more joined them as he passed through the castle walls. Corey’s path wound up leading him, ironically enough, towards the very same room he’d originally found the book in. That secret path they’d found was now permanently opened thanks to the new ponies taking up residence within its walls. This time, when he approached the door at the end of it, it wasn’t locked, but instead wide open. Blue runes were crackling within as Esper waved his hands, moving around several objects as he so desired. His book floated idly in front of him, together with a few sheets of paper which had writing on them.   “Elder Esper,” said one of the ponies, calling him to attention.   “Oh, Star Spirit,” Esper said, opening his eyes, “And, Corey…”   “Is that really your name?” asked another pony that was following behind Corey.   “Yeah,” Corey shrugged, “I’m not from this world, remember?”   “Oh, right, right!” said the pony.   “I’ve been expecting you for a while now,” Esper said, slowly putting most of the stuff he was floating around away. Corey looked around the room he was in for the first time. Before, the room was mostly empty, save for the book which was carefully preserved in the center. Now, Esper had converted this room to one that looked like a kind of archive; one that was, for the moment, woefully empty, but Corey assumed that once astral pony society kicked off, that would change quickly.   “Couldn’t really find the time the last couple of months, but I’m here now,” Corey said.   “There is quite a bit I must discuss with you,” Esper said, “Could you all… leave us for a moment? I am sure you will see him many times more in the future.”   The astral ponies paused, before moving away, murmuring to themselves about their savior and the general state of things around their new territory. Once they were out of earshot, Corey took a few steps forward. Esper started moving as well, leaving the book on a table that was in the center of the room, but keeping the pages with him as he moved towards Corey.   “Let me start this off by saying this once more: on behalf of all of us, I deeply apologize for all that you had to sacrifice in order to solve our problem,” Esper said, “I realize how senseless it truly was—“   “I told you before, there’s no need. I can’t imagine what being trapped in a space like that can do to anyone’s mind,” Corey said, shaking his head, “And you were in there for so long. I’d want to get out of there too, if it were me.”   Esper sighed. “Thank you, but I know it cannot be easy for you to know that you are stuck in this world with no stable means of returning to your own.”   “I’ve already made my peace with the situation,” Corey said, “Besides, it’s not like I’m alone on this side, am I?”   “True, true…” Esper said.   Corey’s attention wavered, and fell on the pages Esper was holding. “Are those the missing pages from your book?”   Esper frowned. “Indeed they are. Now that I have seen them again, it appears Norma scratched out her own notes on the spell. She modified the spell to do what it did to us. I have to say, even if she did not have the magical ability, she could have been a good scholar for it. But her desire to just catch up with everyone turned into a lust for more and more power, it seems…”   Esper briefly floated the pages in front of Corey, one by one, arranging them so that Corey could see exactly what he was talking about. Between the neat lines and diagrams that Esper had drawn upon the page, the instructions clearly written, Corey could see the gradually deteriorating scratches that made up notes on more violent spells.   “It’s almost like I can see when her focus went to dark places…” Corey muttered. At this, Esper gathered the pages into a neat pile, and floated them out in front of him.   “For a long time, I had wondered what to do with them if I ever saw them again,” Esper said, “The spell I had imagined was so much more useful, so much more… more… well-intentioned, than what it was used for. Now that I am looking on these pages again myself, I understand what needs to be done.”   Esper’s expression hardened as he stared at the pages some more, raising one hand. He looked to Corey for just a moment, before turning his gaze back to the pages. Blue runes changed to orange as they glowed on the pages, and a few moments later, all of them burst into orange flames, burning up quickly as Esper stared at them. Corey withheld a gasp.   “This spell is too dangerous. Something like it should not have been brought into existence,” Esper sternly said, “It has caused too much suffering. This is the only thing I can think to do with it—to erase it forever.”   The paper remained suspended in the air as it burned completely to ash. Only when it was completely done did Esper release his hold, allowing the ashes to fall to the floor. Corey looked to the ashes, and then back to Esper, and nodded.   “I understand,” Corey said, “It probably wouldn’t have done me too much good anyway.”   For a few moments, they looked to each other in silence. Esper then looked to Corey, and closed the distance between them so that they were standing face to face ten steps apart.   “Now, is there anything else you wanted to know?” Esper asked.   “Admittedly, I did come here to see how you all were rebuilding,” Corey said.   “The rebuilding is coming along nicely, though I’m sure that much like the capital, it’ll probably be a bit before our society is ready to call this area home. And…” Esper said, “As a favor to you, for saving us… you may come here for your own training if you so choose, once we’re done with rebuilding. You may learn from us just as you have learned from your other friends on this side.”   “I see,” Corey said, “Thank you.”   “It’s the least we can do, after what we’ve wrought,” Esper said.   Corey looked around the room, before sighing again. “I guess that’s it, then. I’ll be heading back to Ponyville now.”   “If you must,” Esper said, “Just come by anytime.”   “I’m probably expected to by now,” Corey sighed, resigning himself to the fact he had fans he couldn’t avoid in this world, “Later.” --------------------------------------------------- Rarity was a pony put on this world to create, or at least that was what she would tell herself time and again. Her hands, her horn, were instruments designed to forge some of the most dazzling things seen across Equestria. But while that is what she wanted in life, it was something she couldn’t practice for quite some time. Thanks to Norma and her unkind cohorts, Rarity had to take up another art—the art of combat. It was not something Rarity would have prided herself in alone, though given how well it toned her body she wouldn’t be complaining any time soon.   But that said, because of the battle with Norma and the prisoners, Rarity had been unable to put the sewing needle to fabric again, which is why she was so glad when it was finally over and she could get back to work. As soon as she started again, Rarity found herself with new sources of inspiration beyond what she had before. With everything that had happened, Rarity found her muse in creating clothing that reflected what had happened in some shape or form. The most inspiring was from seeing just what the Astral Ponies wore.   With this knowledge, Rarity managed to modernize it for today’s society. The new design not only caught the eye of many potential buyers, but also brought joy to the astrals after being given those new clothes as a gift. In short, it was the two things she loved most put together—the act of giving to others, and seeing her works being appreciated.   While giving was something Rarity specialized in, she also wasn’t opposed to getting something in return. While Rarity wouldn’t want to think of any kind of silver lining that came from the battle in Canterlot, there was one thing that happened which she couldn’t let pass. During the battle, a building had been unfortunately torn down in its entirety, and whoever owned it decided to sell the rights to the zone instead of rebuilding. Rarity, of course, had no need for the ruble, but the spot was something of great opportunity. It was stationed in what would likely remain one of the busiest streets of Canterlot. Rarity just had to have it.   It took some time and some money, but soon enough the construction would be complete. And when it was, Rarity would have finally accomplished her dream of expanding; she would have a boutique stationed in Canterlot at long last.   “Just a little longer,” in her hands were the finalized notes for her preparations. In her mind, she could already picture how her grand opening would be, the dresses she would reveal. It was a dream she’d always had. Now, it was finally starting to become reality.   I can only thank the stars that I lived to see it happen, she thought to herself. In truth, it was more than luck that had saved her. It was how hard her friends helped her to push herself, how much she had to evolve in such a short time. Now that it was over, she wouldn’t have to push herself anymore, no longer obligated to reach beyond her limits.   That’s right. I am a fashion designer, after all. There’s no need for that anymore.   Just as Rarity put down her letter, she noticed something in her hand. A quick check showed it to be some of the callouses that she’d built over the time she spent preparing. They no longer appeared as those of a tailor, and yet she saw no shame in them. To her, they were the proof of all she had done to survive the ordeal, something that she sincerely hoped she’d never have to do again.   Rarity continued to stare at her hands, a desire growing inside of her the longer she stared at them. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it…” Rarity looked at herself in the mirror, pausing for several seconds before a small smile spread across her face.   I guess some things can’t be given up…   “Sweetie Belle, please watch the shop. I’m going for a run.”   From around the corner, Sweetie Belle popped out with a look of confusion.   “You’re going for a what, now? But it’s the middle of summer!” Sweetie didn’t expect her sister to want to be active on such a hot and sweaty day.   “Ah yes, best stay hydrated…” Already in her workout clothes, her hair tied back with a ribbon, Rarity began her jog out the door, leaving Sweetie behind to sort out her complete confusion with the whole matter. --------------------------------------------------- Back home, John wasn’t someone who would regularly pick up a book series. In his time, he’d only read one or two, or simply wait for the movie adaptation. But when you happen to be friends with Rainbow Dash, John learned quickly that there is exactly one book series that stands above all those rules: the one and only “Daring Do” series. Though John didn’t complain, never in his life did he think that reading what was actually written in the books would be possible. And he was not prepared in the least for how addicting the read would be.   “I can’t put this book down…” John muttered, unable to bring himself to close it. Rainbow simply chuckled from her sofa and continued to watch him read.   “Told ya it was awesome,” she said, “And I’ve pretty much got every book of the series so far, so you won’t be out of material for a while.”   John groaned aloud, knowing that at the rate he was going, he would probably end up reading them all.   “Gotta say, though: I’m still not sold on why a pegasus would have so many bridge scenes. I mean, if you have wings, why not just fly over them?” John question, rubbing the back of his head with one hand.   Rainbow rolled her eyes and blew a raspberry in response. “Some people just can’t appreciate quality tension building.”   “It makes no sense! I mean, if I threw you over the cloud you wouldn’t suddenly forget you could fly…”   “Well, duh, that’s because A) I’m me, and B) you wouldn’t be able to anyway.”   This was what got John to close the book. He looked over to Rainbow who was staring at him with an all-telling grin on her face. If there was one thing to know about Rainbow, it was her drive to take on any challenge. While she and Applejack were nearly always in competition, recently, Rainbow found one other who would challenge her as well.   “That a challenge?” This was John, who Rainbow had learned very quickly had a competitive streak of his own.   “A challenge would mean you’d have a chance.”   And with that, the chase was on. Rainbow ran about her home with John giving chase. Neither gave it their all, but both still demonstrated some impressive mobility. The two continued to run, both laughing about as yet another game was now underway.   While John was fast, Rainbow’s smaller frame made it easier for her to maneuver in tight spaces. But still he managed to be at least two steps away from her for most of the chase. The two of them continued to have their fun, but that soon came to a halt as they heard a knock at the door.   “Pause,” Rainbow said, motioning a time-out with her hands. Rainbow then walked towards her front door, wondering who it could be. The answer, however, came when a letter was slipped through the mail slot of her door, “That’s weird, I already got my mail to—“   Rainbow cut herself off mid-sentence. John looked to her with curiosity. Suddenly, she bolte to the door, looking all around but finding no trace of anyone.   “Rainbow?” She didn’t respond at first, walking back to him in a daze with the letter in her hands. She then turned it towards him, revealing the Wonderbolts’ logo as the wax seal on the letter. Both looked at it for a moment, Rainbow’s hand trembling slightly. She placed her hand on the seal, staring at it for several tense moments.   “I can’t do it! You open it!” She said, pushing the letter to John’s chest. John grabbed on the latter, putting his claw on it to open it, “Wait, don’t open it in front of me! Just turn around and tell me what it says…!” John arched a brow at Rainbow, but did what he was asked. Turning his back to her, John finally undid the seal and reached for what was written inside, only to feel something climbing up his back.   “Wait, no, no I changed my mind, let me read it!” Rainbow said, now on John’s shoulders. John let out a small groan at her inability to decide, but ultimately gave the letter back to her. With it back in her hands, Rainbow jumped off John’s shoulders and landed on the floor again. She stared at the open envelope and gulped. She finally pulled out the note and unfolded it, beginning to read what was written: --------- Dear Rainbow Dash: Your recent actions in protecting not only Canterlot, but Equestria as a whole, has reached the ears of the Wonderbolts officials. It is believed that your skills are what can carry the Wonderbolts to new heights. But in order to accomplish this, you must first go through the trials required by all upcoming fliers. Which is why it is our pleasure to offer you a full scholarship in the upcoming semester of Wonderbolt Academy— ---------- Rainbow dropped the letter, her mouth opened in awe over what she had just read. Her mind tried to comprehend the full weight of what had just happened. John could only smile, happy for her, knowing full well how much she wanted this.   “I guess congrats are—“ and then Rainbow sprung alive, kissing John full force in joy.   “I gotta tell everypony!” she said, flying out the door at top speed, leaving the star-struck John return to earth after that kiss.   “…well…that happened…”   John could only press his fingers against his lips in near-silent shock, idly wondering if she was going to tell them about the kiss as well.