//------------------------------// // XXI - Who We Are // Story: Broken Mirror // by GMBlackjack //------------------------------// >>Canterlot, the oldest settlement in all of Equestria by a large margin. A testament to determination, power, shrewdness, selectivism, aristocracy, and blind faith. Canterlot was founded long ago by the unicorn tribe, a group of haughty individuals who thought their magic made them better than anyone else. Perhaps they were right - they had, after all, the knowledge to move the celestial bodies, knowledge reserved only for the princesses themselves presently. Even after the tribes gathered together in peace and harmony, Canterlot remained largely segregated - granted, there were no rules against the other races living there back then, and many did just that. However, there was just a feeling of being isolated there, a stranger in a crowd. A feeling of inferiority. This was the way things were for some time, and nopony questioned it. And then the Nightmare Fuel was unleashed on the land. It ruined the current capital, a simpler place located in the ancient Everfree Forest. The citizens were forced to choose a new place to live, and Canterlot was the closest that could accommodate them. It took many years for it to become official, but Canterlot became the center of Equestria. They tried, pointlessly I might add, to make Canterlot the place of harmony they wanted. But with the Nightmare Fuel's damage and the emergence of Concretes, such an ideal vanished in the wind. Soon there was hardly a non-unicorn in the city, all driven away since they collectively decided it was supposed to be that way. Years went by. Purges were introduced. All other cities that existed in that time were removed, replaced, or just torched. Without the expertise of Sunset, Purges were an ordeal, but ponies are fiendishly creative creatures. However, through this all, Canterlot stood - the home of the princesses, kept from 'corruption' by their 'presence', and thus would never need to be Purged - banish the thought! As for the original capital in the Everfree... It wasn't destroyed by the Nightmare Fuel no - for that was the final resting place of the dark force. That capital was what became the Concretion.<< ~~~ Luna glanced side to side - from the face of her sister to all the other ponies in the room. "This is most concerning. How does he plan to do this?" "One of two ways," Fluttershy said. "The first is to use some magical artifact known as the Element of Magic to destroy the object keeping the Nightmare Fuel sealed in the Concretion - an artifact by the name of the Tree of Harmony." "And the second?" "We know less about. He found something he was going to give the Concretes so they could destroy the Tree themselves, by draining its magic. We think he has gone ahead with this plan since he doesn't appear to be searching for the Element of Magic anymore." "That's all vague," Luna said, "surely you have more. As it is, this sounds like a crack conspiracy theory." "It isn't," Twilight said. "He knows about things going on in the Concretion. I have memories of him discussing the Square-Circle Project years before we knew about it, along with other classified happenings. And a few details about you, Luna." Luna looked right at Twilight, and Twilight looked back. Starlight facehooved. "If you're going to transfer messages mentally why not just do the whole conversation like that and get it over with?" Everypony tensed. Luna leaned in close to Starlight. "...Interesting thought. Who are you?" Starlight didn't flinch. "Starlight Glimmer. That's my ship over there. I'm only here because these ponies couldn't leave this alone. I don't think they could have gotten in without my help." "Indeed not. I would question you, but we have more pressing matters to attend to. Your service is appreciated, though you understand I cannot publicly approve of the use of technology." "Of course. I don't need any." "As for the mental discussion - it's best to say things aloud. If we attempted to share all the information with everypony at once it would likely overload our systems. Twilight's mind has an extraordinary ability to process information. We will only discuss what needs to be kept secret that way." Luna turned to Twilight. "How could he know these things?" Twilight nodded slowly. "You know as well as I do the only way is if he was connected to the Nightmare Fuel in some deeper way than most zebras, and is able to glean information from it." "Almost as if it's giving him instructions." "Yes." "This is most concerning. What do we know of this Tree of Harmony?" "Hey, don't act like you don't know!" Pinkie blurted out. Everypony turned to look at her, shocked. Luna blinked. "Excuse me?" "Well the Celestia and Luna from our world were the wielders of the Elements of Harmony and they took them from the Tree to defeat Discord and Celestia used them to drive Nightmare Moon from our Luna, and I'm 99% sure those things happened here - though the Nightmare went wrong in some way of course. So you know what they are." "You're one of them," Celestia said, speaking for the first time in a while. Her face was pointed downward, her eyes shut. "Uh... Yeah! Me and Rarity here!" Pinkie pulled Rarity in for a hug, squeezing Rarity a little hard. Luna narrowed her eyes at Pinkie. "...What do you know of us?" Pinkie took in a breath. "Well, in our world, Celestia is the princess of the sun and you're the princess of the moon. You had to be banished to the moon for a thousand years because you were possessed by the Nightmare, but you came back and the ponies love you! Uh... Celestia's a bit of a joker, you have a possum named Tibbers, Celestia can see the future, Luna can visit dreams-" Twilight and Fluttershy gasped, panic crossing their faces. Celestia's expression was unreadable. Luna narrowed her eyes. "...Your princesses told you this?" "Well, dreamwalking is public knowledge. Not sure if the prophecy is..." "Please forgive them!" Twilight blurted. "They have not-" "I can tell," Luna bristled. "So wait, you can see into dreams!?" Starlight asked aloud. "And you can see the future!?" "I do believe that explains a lot..." the Inspector said. "Why didn't you ever mention this Twi?" Applejack asked. "Because it's treason to do so!" Twilight hissed. "Then, pray tell, why does Fluttershy know?" Luna asked. Twilight paled. "Uh..." Fluttershy spoke up. "I cornered her one day, knowing she was hiding something. The blame lies with me, I didn't give her a choice. I never told another soul." "I should be handing out executions," Luna said flatly. "But you are all enemies of the Crown as it is, not like I could make it worse. Besides, once again, there are more pressing issues." She folded her hooves. "I still wish to know what you know about the Tree of Harmony, Otherworlders." Rarity gulped. "It's the guardian deity of our world, located in the Everfree Forest. It watches over us and has been the guide for many of our adventures, whether we knew it or not. It is the source of the six Elements of harmony, which have been used to defeat many a foe. Honesty, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, Kindness, and Magic. I'm the bearer of Generosity, Pinkie is Laughter." "Hi!" Pinkie waved. Luna nodded in understanding. Rarity continued. "When used together by worthy bearers, the Elements fire off a magic rainbow that either purges or seals away any enemy we've used them on. Which, admittedly, isn't many. Alone they have some power - the Element of Magic can do magical things - but I don't know any specifics." "Where are the Elements now?" "In our world? Back in the Tree of Harmony. We gave them back so the Tree could purge itself from some forces of dark... Magic..." She trailed off as she realized what she was saying. Pinkie put a lightbulb above Rarity's head. "That's it!" Rarity shouted suddenly. "We just return your world's Elements to the Tree and it should be able to destroy this nasty Nightmare Fuel!" Luna's expression became clouded, and Celestia let out a sigh. "The last known location of the Elements was in the Everfree. Where the Concretion is now." "Well, that is where the Tree is as well," Fluttershy observed. "At least they are in the same place." "Assuming the Concretes haven't destroyed them," Luna said. "They haven't destroyed the Tree - probably because they can't. Chances are they still have the Elements, since they're a part of it. " "That is a large unknown." "Yes, it is, but we can speak with our source, give her this information and see what she can discern from this for us." Starlight blinked. "You have a pony in the Concretion?" "No. One of them contacted us." "That's even weirder." "It was an interesting day." Luna nodded. "Yes. How do you plan on getting into the Concretion should action be required?" Fluttershy blinked. "We thought you'd be able to do that, since we can't act in any official capacity. Send in a team." "Our home is dying, in case you haven't noticed. Our hooves are busy just staying alive. We can't get into the Concretion during peacetime, what makes you think we can do it now?" "...Extenuating circumstances." Starlight let out an exasperated groan. "For the... We can do it, I guess. We've got a fancy ship and everything! Got past your defenses, pretty sure I can get past the Concretes." "Wait..." Minuette said. "You aren't..." "Oh yes I am," Starlight said, reclining back on a wall. "We're out here, why not go all the way? Charge into the Concretion, save the world. You all won't be able to just leave this be, and you'll definitely fail without my assistance." "She's right," Twilight said. "We can't leave this be and do nothing. I..." She glanced at Minuette. "...I may not speak for everypony, but I'm fairly certain we volunteer." "I don't like it," Celestia said, "but I can't think of anypony we can send who's better for the task. You can act without our restrictions, have access to tools we don't, and know this threat better than anypony. I just.... sending you all into the Concretion might be a death sentence." "I know," Twilight said. "We'll need to talk it over, but I can tell you I'm going." "As am I," Fluttershy added. "I don't have much of a choice," Starlight shrugged. "Me too!" Pinkie grinned. "Very well," Luna said. "We will give you time to discuss. A flat can be provided temporarily." She looked over at Twilight. "I always thought our conversation would be different when I heard about Neighagra Falls, Twilight." "We all make mistakes," Twilight said. Then a smirk came across her face. "Well, everypony except Minuette." Minuette facehooved. "Bucking..." Luna nodded. "Perhaps it is best left at that. We will reconvene noon tomorrow. Rest, and discuss. There is a big decision ahead of all of us. I will contact our source." "Thank you, Luna," Twilight said, bowing. She turned to Celestia. "...It's good to see you." "Likewise, my faithful student." She bowed in return. "Now, go rest." ~~~ Their room was high in the castle - secluded from the public eye, spacious, and as of yet unharmed by the war. There weren't enough beds, but excess mattresses had been provided. They had a large window that gave them a view of Canterlot - one that should have been elegant and beautiful but instead was just horrifying. Rarity put her hoof to the window, the fires of war reflecting in her eyes. "So terrible..." "And you want to charge right into that," Minuette yelled. "I can't believe you're considering that." "We have to," Fluttershy said, "we can't just let this happen." "Thought so," Starlight said, flopping onto her mattress. She then neatly placed a blanket over her body in an almost perfect alignment with the mattress. Minuette's eye twitched. "You're crazy." "Yeah, we are," Twilight said. "But really, what else can we do? if we go back we would have come all the way out here for nothing." Rarity sighed. "Yes... We can't do that." "We've come too far," Pinkie agreed. "We don't all have to go," the Inspector said. "I'm sure the princesses will accommodate any of us who choose to stay?" "You stayin'?" Applejack asked. "...I don't know yet. I'm considering." "You have until tomorrow to decide," Fluttershy said. "I don't want to pressure you, but..." "Ah know." "Well, I'm coming," Rainbow Dash said. "I am not going to sit here. " "Dashie..." Pinkie said. "Don't. Don't say a thing." "Rainbow, you'll be a detriment," the Inspector said. "You'll just endanger the mission in your state." "Well buck you too!" Rainbow Dash snapped. Then she sighed. "Yeah, you're right..." "We might need her though," Rarity said. "The Element of Loyalty is connected to our Rainbow Dash. I'm fairly certain it'll be connected to you. I think it'd be best if we had a full set." "So..." Twilight began. "Me, you, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, and Applejack?" "Yes, that should be all we need." Applejack let out a soft chuckle. "Well, guess that makes my decision easier. Pretty sure I was comin' anyway, need to make those bastards pay for what they've done. It'll be... nice to do it personally." "I'm coming if you are," the Inspector announced. "Good," Fluttershy said. "Still, we'll have a problem. Pinkie and Applejack will be affected by the Nightmare Fuel. Their magic will be drained from them; given enough time, they will lose themselves to the corruption." "Ah can live without my strength," Applejack said, "Ah can't live like a soulless rock." Pinkie shuddered. "The darkness... It feels terrible. It claws at you, trying to tear your self from your body. It hurts, it hurts in a way you can choose to ignore..." "That is bad..." Twilight said. "We can't have you losing your powers and minds, yet we need both of you." "Oh for..." Starlight grunted. "Just mind-control them not to lose their minds!" Twilight blinked. "How would I go about doing that?" Starlight threw off her blanket, neatly folding it up. "You'd set up a spell with your magic that scans their current mental state and will constantly override whatever their minds have changed to back to the mind-state the spell saw before. Simple." Twilight frowned. "I... don't like the sound of that..." "Well, they'd be volunteering, and you'd keep them from falling into a dark corrupted magic. It's definitely not ethical, and it might have unforeseen consequences and implications we can't even pretend to fathom, but it'll work." "Wouldn't that mean they have to live the rest of their lives with a... false mind?" "Okay, Ah don't like the sounds of that," Applejack said. "It won't be false. Well, maybe it will - think of it like your past self continually giving you a slap across the face. Or, another way, Twilight removes your personality and thoughts from your body, stores them in her magic spell, and lets them take control of you?" Applejack shivered. "That sounds really wrong." "Well, there's no known way to reverse Concrete Empathy Degradation..." Twilight said. "I don't have any better ideas." "I volunteer!" Pinkie said. "You think you can handle my mind?" "Not all at once. Such a complex spell will take preparation. And your mind will take a while to prepare for." "Makes sense!" Pinkie giggled. "Well..." Fluttershy frowned. "You sure you can do this Twi?" "I think I can. We need to." Fluttershy nodded. "Don't do it just yet. We'll do it when we really need to. We can sleep for tonight." She looked out the window. "...We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." "Do... Do you ponies hear yourselves?" Minuette shouted suddenly, making Twilight sigh with exasperation. "Minuette, we know exact-" "No, let me talk! Listen to yourselves! You're talking about walking right into the Concretion, a place better defended than anything! You're bringing along a paralyzed pegasus! You're talking about brainwashing ponies! Does one of this raise any red flags? Anypony?" Fluttershy took a step forward. "We're well aware how insane this is, Minuette. Well, well aware." "Then... Then how? How can you want to go?" "It's who they are," Starlight said. "They can't leave it alone. They have a destiny they don't want to ignore." Fluttershy nodded. "It... it is our calling. I had doubted it in the past - in Starlight's little secret - but now that I see this..." she gestured out the window at the death, destruction, and disease. "...My certainty is rekindled. Starlight's way may have been successful, but it left so much undone..." Pinkie started bouncing to a beat only she could hear - but soon music started to flood the room with a swift but haunting guitar pattern. It was a haunting melody that swirled around for a few seconds before shifting drastically to action. She began to stamp her hooves on the ground, Rarity following suit. Fluttershy smiled. "It's what we must do. It's..." She closed her eyes, stamping in time with the others. She took a deep breath and unleashed her melodious singing voice. Between the Solar Between the Lunar We see ourselves When the world turns against us Turns against... For those who don't care For those who see there We fight for them Against the failings in our world Oh in our world New thoughts are not welcome here Our thoughts are not welcome here at all No... It's who we are Doesn't matter if we can see far Doesn't matter if we stand alone Doesn't matter if we must atone We have to save them What they are Can't stop now Cause we've come too far to bow Oh... Twilight stepped forth, taking over with her voice, stamping as well. Forgot our purpose Destroyed our city Forgot what makes us Different from them Oh from them Now we see the fight Absent of all light Threatening them In a time when they are down Oh are down Rarity and Pinkie leaped into the air, landing on either side of Twilight, singing their verse. We were never welcome here We were never welcome here at all No... The four of them joined their voices into a chorus. It's who we are Doesn't matter if they want to war Doesn't matter if all must be bright Doesn't matter if we're in the night Because it's who we are Doesn't matter if we bleed like tar Doesn't matter if we cannot win Doesn't matter if we feel our sin Twilight turned to Rarity and Pinkie, extending a hoof. So won't you save us What we are We all fear What our minds decide to hear Oh... "They say we're crazy..." Fluttershy said. "They say we're crazy..." Twilight joined in. "They say we're crazy..." Pinkie sang. "They say we're crazy..." Rarity added. "They say we're crazy..." Applejack threw in. "They say we're crazy!" the Inspector announced. "They say we're crazy!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "We say we're crazy!"Starlight yelled, leaping into the air, laughing, then falling silent. Minuette recoiled at the shout, unable to comprehend all seven of their voices singing harmony. It's who we are Doesn't matter what's above the bar Doesn't matter if we are the flood Doesn't matter if our hooves have blood Because it's who we are Doesn't matter if we die afar Doesn't matter where the road will bend Doesn't matter if this is the end Because we'll save them Smile or not They may hate But it's not up for debate! Oh... Everything began to die down, calm, the music fading into the background. "...They say we're crazy..." Minuette muttered. She turned to the window, face sorrowful. "I... get it." Fluttershy put a wing around Minuette and Pinkie nuzzled up to the unicorn. "You don't have to go," Fluttershy reminded her. "I'm going," she said. "I... I need to see this through to the end as much as all of you. I just... didn't want to admit it." "We're all crazy," Starlight said, setting herself in the center of her mattress again and draping the blanket over her body carefully. "I'm agreeing to go on this mission." "Yeah - crazy is as crazy does," Rainbow Dash said. "...What?" the Inspector wondered. "Nothing, go to sleep." Rainbow Dash started snoring less than a second later. This brought out several small giggles from the group. They all slowly crawled into their beds and slept. ~~~ Under the light of the sun the ongoing war was less obvious for the bright lights were dulled by the solar beams and in the center of the castle much of the violence was far from mind. As far as it could be for a city under siege. Fluttershy led the group back into the hall they had been in yesterday. "We're all going." Luna narrowed her eyes. "Even Rainbow Dash?" "There is a high chance the Element of Loyalty is connected to her. We cannot chance her not being there if it becomes important." "Very well," Luna said. "There are a few things Celestia wishes to say prior to the consultation." Celestia nodded slowly. "As all of you know I... Can see glimpses of the future. And as Twilight and probably Fluttershy know, a month ago I had a strong vision. I saw two ponies fall from nothing, erupting the world into chaos, strife, and darkness." She closely examined the reactions of Rarity and Pinkie. The prior gulped hard while the latter just looked excited. "However, after the darkness, I saw these two ponies bring light to the world. There is no doubt in my mind that you two Otherworlders are those ponies - and that what you do in the Concretion will bring light. But... I wish to remind you that light is not always good." Rarity blinked. "Why that's... I'm not sure what that is." "Not unexpected," Pinkie said. "We've always been... involved ever since we got here." Celestia nodded slowly. "I know not what you two are going to do. Maybe restoring the Tree will change everything. Maybe the Concretes will be vanquished. Perhaps you have already done what you needed to do with Neighagra Falls - I am not privy to these things. All I know is that you do something. I also know that on your mission you all will need this." She lit her horn, taking a purple crystal cut in a starburst shape, similar to Twilight's own cutie mark. Twilight stared. "...The Element of Magic." Fluttershy nodded. "So, you did have it." Celestia let a smile crawl up her face. "Yes. This is the only Element we have - the core of the Tree of Harmony, the essence of magic itself. It is time to... pass it on." Twilight grabbed it with her magic - and it glowed, forming itself into an ornate necklace, fixing itself around her neck. She felt its power flood into her - a surprisingly pleasant sensation. She was overcome with an urge to think of her home, Neighagra Falls... A few tears fell down her face. "Thank you." "Odd. Our Element of Magic turned into a shiny crown." Pinkie said. "Things don't have to be exactly the same, Pinkie," Rarity said. "Now, we may begin," Luna said, opening her wing and depositing a small gray box with a speaker onto the ground. She pressed a switch in the back. "Fie-sigma-shale-ampersand-marble." Applejack blinked. "The princesses have tech too?" She whispered in Fluttershy's ear. "It's the only way to contact our source," Fluttershy responded. The voice came through the speaker. "Acknowledged. Etro-lambda-square-ampersand-Cadenza." It was a monotone voice that Pinkie recognized instantly. "MAUD!?" Pinkie shouted. "I hear you've finally gathered the Otherworlders. I presume that is what this is about?" Maud responded, not missing a beat. Luna nodded even though Maud couldn't see her. "Yes, it is. Are you free for the next while? This could take some time." "I am alone and should be for the next two hours. I have some information to report myself." "Let us go first. We have a problem," Luna took in a breath. "I have with me my sister, Princess Twilight, Ambassador Fluttershy, the Otherworlders, their friends, and a unicorn scientist by the name of Starlight. I know little about her." "And I'm not going to tell you much either," Starlight said. "Just that I know Concrete tech and have a magic drone. And I prefer to be called a tinker." "I will need to see this drone," Maud said. "Can you video link?" Starlight asked. "Yes. The frequency is 72613A." Starlight walked over to the Starshell and pulled it out of the wall. She created a cloth, dusting it off. She then cast a complex password spell, opening a hatch on top, producing a screen. After a few seconds of static, the gray face of Maud appeared on the screen. She was standing somewhere surrounded by nondescript metallic walls. "Hiiiii Maud" Pinkie yelled. Starlight kept polishing the Starshell. "Greetings," Maud said, blinking slowly. "What is the problem?" Luna took a breath. "We have learned of a plot by the zebra Anubis to free the Nightmare Fuel from its prison and unleash it on the world. he plans to do this by destroying the artifact known as the Tree of Harmony, which it is anchored to." "Is this information reliable?" "I tore it from the mind of a zebra who knew him personally," Twilight said. "How does he plan to do this?" "He supposedly gave - or will give - you Concretes something that can drain the Tree of Harmony's power enough to destroy it," Luna answered. "We do not know specifics, only that he knew about things in the Concretion that he shouldn't have known, such as the Square-Circle Project, years before you told us of it." "Very telling of a being closely associated with the Fuel. His success would be unacceptable. But how are you sure he was speaking the truth? From your lack of information, I can infer that he was secretive even to those who knew him." "I know this is true. I was the one who sealed the Nightmare Fuel to the Tree." "What?" Celestia and Twilight blurted. Maud gave no response. "I had brought it upon Equestria by being foolish, and I saw it destroying the ponies I cared so much about. So I used my power to cast a sealing spell on the Tree of Harmony - one that would gradually drain the Nightmare Fuel from the earth, into the Everfree, where the Tree would destroy it. But the Tree was unable to destroy it like I had thought. Then the Concretion was built over it, and I was cut off. I didn't find out until yesterday that this was probably because the Tree wasn't complete." "This would have been useful information long ago," Maud said, still deadpan. "It was a fact I didn't see a need to share until now. I know the Tree is still in there, and I know it is why the Nightmare Fuel is still contained. I also know the Nightmare Fuel wants out. The forces behind the darkness are many, violent, and in dispute regularly, but none of them want to be confined. The Forces are vengeful, and I have no doubt Anubis serves their very whim." "Sister..." Celestia said. "You could have told me..." "You needed me more than I needed you back then. I worked through it. I don't regret what I did. I only wish I knew more back then." This is dire," Maud stated. "The Nightmare Fuel will destroy everything we've worked for. Do you have a plan?" "The beginnings of one," Fluttershy said. "We need to return the Elements to the Tree of Harmony. We have the Element of Magic, and the other five should be in the Concretion somewhere. Using information Rarity and Pinkie have provided, we know who the Element Bearers should be - us. So we can obtain them, and use their power to make way to the Tree of Harmony. We will get into the Concretion via the Starshell - it got us through the Canterlot warzone in one piece with both sides shooting at us." "It'll need some fixing, but it should be ready in a few hours," Starlight said, opening a hatch. "Less if I can accelerate it." Fluttershy nodded. "What are we missing is intel. We don't know where the Elements or the Tree are specifically, we don't know of any place safe to stop within the Concretion, and we lack the security to get into locations we'll presumably need to access." "You have that last one," Maud said. "Pinkie's DNA should match Diane's" "Ooooh, cool!" Pinkie said. "I have recently recovered a possible location of magic within the Concretion. It is located in Diane's Project M. I still do not know what Project M is. However, but it keeps getting more funding. It must be big, somehow. The Doctor has taken a personal interest in it." "A place to start, then," Fluttershy said. "Yes. I can house you in one of my laboratories, but you'll have to get there yourself. How do you plan to deal with the Nightmare Fuel's affect on your earth ponies?" "Mind control spell," Twilight said, gulping "Adequate. Is it necessary to bring the disabled pegasus?" "Am I ever going to get a break!?" Rainbow Dash shouted. Nopony answered Rainbow Dash, though Fluttershy did answer Maud's question. "She's the Element of Loyalty, so yes." "Very well, we can work with that." "Do you think it is reasonable to have a secondary mission?" Luna asked. "How so?" "Cripple the Concretion from the inside." "Possibly. That will be secondary, as stated." "Long as it's on the list," Applejack said. "Come as soon as you can. I assume your craft can teleport?" "Yep!" Starlight said, polishing an edge of the Starshell with a swift wipe. "That makes it significantly easier. Make your way to the intersection of N72 and W28, teleport thirty-two meters downwards and place yourself on the conveyor belts. Wait two minutes and twelve seconds, then make a right. Follow the passage to the end and teleport up ten meters. I will be waiting." "Understood," Fluttershy said. "See you soon. It'll be nice to finally see you in person." "It will be an experience." The feed cut out. Starlight rubbed her hooves together. "Well, I'm going to fix her up with a time warp. Give me a few minutes." She accelerated to insane speeds, cleaning up the Starshell. "I... I want to do something first," Twilight said. "I'll be back." "I'll get you when we're ready," Fluttershy said. Twilight nodded, teleporting away. Rarity glanced at Pinkie. "It just hit me. We're really doing this." "Yeah! And we're going to see Maud! And she's on our side!" "She didn't seem that different..." "Oh, she's definitely different! She doesn't move with any energy, doesn't see anything in us - and is much more serious." "Ah... I suppose." She looked at Starlight. "We're really doing this..." "Yep! Time to save the world again!" ~~~ Twilight appeared in the castle gardens at the foot of a very particular statue. The stone edifice was of an elongated snakelike being stuck in a pose of eternal laughter. "Hello Discord," Twilight said, perking her ears up. "Been a long time." She was silent for a moment while she absorbed the thoughts from inside the statue. "Well, I'm here because some zebra wants to unleash the Nightmare Fuel on the world, but you knew that." ... "No, I'm not here to ask you anything. I'm just here to say... Hi. You were right, everything did 'go to shit'." ... Twilight laughed. "Yeah, it was bad. Really... Really bad. I didn't think I'd survive there for a while. But here I am, thanks to my friends." ... "Yeah, that's weird. But their world gives us all hope. A picture of better things. Did you know you were released in their world? And that you are a close friend of theirs?" ... "Maybe we could release you one day." ... "Celestia and Luna will come around. Maybe the other you can prove it to them." ... "I... guess I am getting ahead of myself." ... "Can't I just drop by and say hello to an old friend while I'm in town?" ... "...I might not make it back." ... "I'm going, Discord. Starlight couldn't stop me, you can't either." ... "I know. I... I don't want to say goodbye. I might not." ... "...I know. Any one of them. Or more. It's terrifying. I find it hard to believe we're getting through this without losing..." ... "You know, you were the one who convinced me the world was messed up in the first place." ... "It wasn't that obvious." ... "...Right." She fell silent, sitting there for a while. "Do you... Do you think there's any way to heal our world?" ... "You and your indefinites." ... "Oh? They're almost done? That was... Short." ... "Of course she'd spend forever on the polish... I have to go now. I'll really try to come back." ... "...Huh? Who is M? Are they part of Project M?" ... "Stop being vague." "That is what he does, my student." Twilight looked up. "Oh. Celestia. Hi." She scrunched her muzzle. "They ready?" "Not quite. I just wanted to say... How proud I was of you for standing up to everypony in Neighagra Falls. That speech left an impression." "But Neighagra Falls is gone..." "Twilight, look at me. That was bad. But what you did that day was something none of us had the courage to do in all our history. I couldn't be more proud of what you did that day." "I... I... thank you." The two embraced. "I... Should get going." Celestia nodded, sadly. "Yes. You have your destiny." "And you have yours. Protect these ponies." "I'll do what I can, as I always have. But the Concretes are killing us slowly and painfully." Twilight nodded. "Well... I will do what I can, in that case." Celestia smiled slightly. "That is all we can do, in the end." Twilight smirked - then shot an annoyed look at Discord. "So what if it was cheesy? She was right." ... "...Goodbye, Discord. Goodbye, Celetsia." "Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle."