//------------------------------//
// The Second Encounter 
// Story: The Conversion Bureau: Tortured Soul 
// by The REAL Mister Pkmn 
//------------------------------//

8 Anno Harminae, Canterlot, Equestria 

In the throne room of Canterlot Castle, Celestia looked upon the world she had found through her scrying orb. Earth, the one of this reality. She had been searching for 38 years, and now she had found it. No doubt that Tortured Soul was already there. She scanned this world to learn as much as she could, so as to properly present it to her sister. The race she had seen were apparently known as humans, and Earth seemed all but devoid of magic, much like the one she had stumbled upon via that portal years ago. With this knowledge in tow, she called her sister Luna, her niece Cadence, and her former student Twilight and Twilight’s friends into the room. When all of them were there, she showed them the magic projection of Earth. “This is Earth. A planet much like our own, far from here. This planet is different from ours in many ways, however. Our world has magic, Earth seemingly has none. Our world has many races, Earth has only one- humans. Our world has very little technology, Earth has it in abundance. You may ask why I’m showing you this.” She looked away. “38 years ago, I was troubled by doubts of the prophecy that would bring Luna back to me. One night, I used a portal spell to transport myself to another reality. While there, I saw the humans of an alternate Earth and alternate Ponies fighting each other, in a brutal one-sided war. The ponies stood no chance against the humans, especially with the humans’ leader fighting a twisted and vile reflection of myself. Their leader cut down the Celestia of that reality, and found me as I was about to come back here, to our reality. He was going to kill me on the spot, without a second thought- but then, I issued to him a challenge. He would let me come back here, and when I found the Earth of our reality, I would have the chance to prove to him that he is wrong about me being like all the Celestias that he’s met. I need you to know- We are going there in peace. Let there be no doubts of such.” 

She then focused the scrying orb’s projection in on a city, and then the ponies saw something play out. One of the screens on the buildings was displaying something. On one side was one of the residents, dressed in a business suit. He was normal, compared to Tortured Soul, who was on the other side of the screen. The man in the suit spoke up. “So, President Soul. Are you saying that the Equinoids of your popular book series ​Earth Defence Saga ​are not only ​real​, but that they are also coming here?” 

Tortured looked to the screen, and his eyes seemed to meet Celestia’s. “Yes. And No. I changed the name of the species, for artistic purposes. I also changed the names of the important ones in my book series, also for artistic purposes. They- the Ponies- are coming. Their leader is watching right now. And to her, I say…” He then had a smug look on his face. “Celestia. The humans are ready for you. ​I’m​ ready for you. It’ll be a quick end for you, I promise. Come when you’re ready to die.” 

In shock, Celestia unfocused the orb back out. He knew that she’d been scrying. How? She was knocked out of her thoughts when Rainbow Dash spoke up. “What are we waiting for!? Let’s get him!” 

However, Celestia caught Dash in her magic. “No! Don’t you see? That’s what he wants! He wants us to be monsters, or more specifically, me. He wants to be right, he’s ​convinced​ himself that he’s right. I have to do all that I can to prove him wrong. That humans and ponies can get along. That I am not a monster. Rushing headlong into it, and treating the humans like bad guys won’t get us anywhere.” 

Twilight seemed to get what she was getting at. “Instead, we treat them like friends. Isn’t that right?”

Celestia smiled. “You truly have come into your own as a Princess, Twilight. Yes. But, I will go first. Alone.”

She once again focused the orb’s projection back in, to the studio where Tortured was. However, Luna confronted her. “Are you certain? Shouldn’t you at least take your guards?”

Celestia stood firm on her stance. “I am certain. I must go as non threateningly as possible. This is all to convince him. If I don’t come back, ensure our Ponies know. I will not hide this from them long.” She then opened a portal into the studio. “Well, here goes nothing.”





3000 Anno Domini, Washington, D.C., United States of Earth

Tortured looked over as the portal started to open, and smirked as he addressed the host. “Well, whaddaya know? She’s here already.” Celestia stepped through, clad in her regalia, and Tortured blinked at the fact that she was the only one to come through. “Hm? Celestia? You’ve come… alone? That’s new…”

Celestia then approached a bit, and spoke. “The one of Torn Heart…. I have come alone, to prove a point. I mean no harm to you, or your people. I know you think ill of me, and have probably told tales to the humans of what others have done- but we had an agreement. The challenge still stands, does it not?”

Confused whispers ran rampant through the crowd, that was until Tortured stood to his full height. He regarded her for a moment, and chuckled. “Ah, yes. I remember. In the previous world, I met you while you soon after I had destroyed the Celestia of that world. Ah, memories.” He smiled, unfazed by the audience’s reaction of surprise. “Yes, my people. Your President has come from another reality. The main character of the ​Earth Defense Saga​ is in fact myself, and all events that happened within are very real. From the most recent book, I’m sure you all recall the challenge issued by ‘Solaria’ to ‘Tormented Heart’: ‘​If, in the Earth of my reality, I can prove to you that I’m not a monster, I win my life. If I can’t, you can deal with me as you please.’ This is the challenge that Celestia speaks of.” Hushed whispers of anger towards Celestia rushed through the crowd, and this caused her to wince. However, they stopped as Tortured raised his hand. He put it down as he continued. “I have accepted this challenge, as you might recall.” He then turned to address Celestia. “So here is how things will work: Eight Trials. You pass one, I will answer one question of your choice, and you move onto the next trial. You fail even one, and you die. You pass all eight, which you will not, and I will recognize that I was wrong about you, and say as such. If you manage that feat, you and your ponies will be granted passports so you can come and go as you please. If you betray my trust at any point after I acknowledge that you are different, and there will be no end to your suffering. Are we understood?”

For a moment, Celestia stared into those deep pools of his, those eyes that she was certain that she had seen before they first met. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong about all of this, that there was something she was forgetting. She pushed the feeling down as she nodded. “I accept your terms. I will show the humans of this Earth, and you, that I am not a monster. Whenever and wherever the first trial begins, I will be ready.”

The audience waited with bated breath for their President to respond. He smirked, and nodded his head. “Very well then. Your trials begin tomorrow. I will allow your ponies to visit, and see it up-close and personal, if they so wish. After all, it’s not quite the same watching from behind a scrying orb.”

The audience was a bit concerned at this, but they were also a bit excited to meet the aliens from the books for real. They spoke in hushed tones excitedly at which ones they might meet, and what they were like. Even when things went south with Celestia- which they were certain they would- they still had hope that they could at the very least be on good terms with the Ponies. The day was barely half way done, yet the excitement was already high. Though, they toned themselves down as Celestia made to speak. “Thank you, Tortured. This will be eye-opening for not just your people, but mine as well. I do so hope that you will treat them well while they are here- Though, I must return, and assure my people that all is well.”

But, as she made to leave, she heard the snap of fingers- and an orihalcum cage fell from the ceiling, trapping her. The audience gasped, and Celestia turned to see Tortured’s hand glowing with magic. “Sorry, no dice. I’m not letting you leave just yet.” The glow faded from his hand, and he continued. “You will not be allowed to leave, Celestia- not until the trials are over. Don’t worry, you will be treated like a foreign dignitary during your stay here.” He snapped his fingers, and his secret service came into the room. “Escort her to her chambers. I must speak to the Ponies.” He walked off, and stepped through the portal.





Back in Equestria-

The Ponies of Canterlot had been shown what had happened through the scrying orb, thanks to Luna. They were a bit skeptical of the reality of it all, that was until the portal that was re-anchored had the “Tortured Soul” on screen step through. Just as they were about to panic, he once again lit his hand and snapped his fingers, and they just suddenly stopped. He then addressed them all. “Ponies of Equestria. I am the Tortured Soul. On behalf of humanity, and myself, let me assure you that I will keep my word- I will not harm your Princess of the Sun, unless I find her guilty. Rest assured- I will not go back on my word. As for your sun, I think Luna can handle raising it a little over a week while I judge her sister. I will allow you passage to view the trials first-hand, if you so wish. The portal will be in Canterlot, though only a certain amount will be allowed through. The rest of you may watch on the scrying orb. That is all.”

He waved his hand, and the Ponies regained mobility. He was about to leave when Luna approached him. “Halt! Tell me, what crime do you think my sister is capable of that you would accuse her preemptively?”

He had a dark look on his face as he looked into the eyes of those present. “Xenocide, plain and simple. She is a monster- you just don’t see it yet.” During their shock, he turned away and left through the portal.





Back on Earth-

Celestia had been guided to a hotel room, and been placed inside. Once there, Tortured came into the room and removed the cage using magic. “I’m not sorry about that. You must understand- I don’t trust you. Not even a smidge. You are my enemy- always have been, always will be. You will be exposed for the monster that you are. And then I’ll kill you. It’s just that simple. Why you insist on this charade is beyond me. Then again… I suppose it is just the way of Celestias to play ‘saint’. It disgusts me. Play your game, for now. It won’t change anything.”

Tortured once again left, setting guards outside the doors. Now alone with her thoughts, Celestia pondered a few things. She had scanned this world, and found little evidence of magic- yet Tortured used it with great finesse and power. How did he have magic, when no other humans did? Who was he, and where had he come from? And, most importantly… why did she feel that she had somehow met him before that “first time”? Today had been very draining, and she made to set the sun- but then she remembered that Earth worked differently, that the sunset came naturally. She cut her magic and opted to watch the natural sunset as she drifted off.