//------------------------------// // XI // Story: The Influence // by GMBlackjack //------------------------------// 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.