It was a breathtaking sight: gardens of the most beautiful flowers and trees spreading outwards as far as the eye could see underneath a perfect blue sky unmarred by clouds. It seemed frozen in time, an ode to grace, artistically carved as if each flower petal was the result of a master painter’s delicate brushstroke.
There was no breeze, for the world refused to move. It just stood there, picturesque, still and static, each effigy standing vigil on a tapestry of serenity. Even so, the space around her was the perfect temperature, and there was neither too much nor too little light. Her surroundings were perfect in every way, exactly how she loved it. There was no discomfort, there was no fear, there was no despair, all that was left in her was happiness and childlike curiosity.
For the first time in her life she felt strangely in control, as if here she had no equal.
In the very center of the garden there was a castle, neither too large nor too small. Glistening cobblestone walls fortified against nothing, artistically spiraling spires rose up like corkscrews and monoliths, there was nothing but perfection. This world, this garden was hers. She knew as she stood upon the oddly comfortable cobblestone floor of the highest balcony and looked out over the ledge into the infinite distance, the garden fading into the horizon, that here, she would never have to worry. Here, she was king. Here, she was home.
“A [Skill] has been created through a special act. Through continuous observation, the [Observe] skill has been created.
[Observe]: The ability to carefully analyze various objects and individuals.
Lvl 1 (15%/100), shows basic item information”
Twilight shook herself out of her thoughts, forcing herself to look away from the mesmerizing landscape, and walked back inside. She really had no clue where she was, and it was a wonder that she wasn’t panicking. Twilight offhandedly attributed it to [Gamer’s Mind], she was calmly assessing the situation and searching for a rational way out.
She had woken up on a bed several rooms down in what was obviously a splendorous bedroom even more extravagant than the bedchambers she had witnessed in Princess Celestia’s castle. It was almost to the point of being gaudy, but somehow she felt it was perfect. She’d gotten up and immediately looked around, heading to some other bedchambers, a finely furnished restroom, a fully stocked kitchen, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, an oddly cute torture chamber, several antechambers, some barracks (and weren’t those supposed to be near the front door?), and finally as she was nearing her wit’s end she entered a large circular room with the balcony she was currently in.
The room had tapestries lining the walls featuring various historic events in Equestrian history. Twilight recognized all of the events, having gone over them in some form in school. There were lavish sofas, chairs, and small well-crafted tables occupied by the most exotic flowers (all of which Twilight had always wanted to see but never was able to) and vases near the walls. In the center of the room there was a massive round table surrounded by the most finely crafted chairs Twilight had ever seen. They were made of a dark wood, almost black, with luscious red satin lining parts of them. At the side closest to the balcony, opposite the entrance, sat instead a massive throne-like chair emboldened with a malleable gold thread weaving through it like veins filled with golden blood. It looked like a war room for royalty.
And, as she walked back through the large glass doors separating the balcony from the war room, she was met with the first sign of sapient life she had seen since she’d awoken shortly before. Sitting in the massive throne, she could see the back of something’s head. It was obscured by a pitch black hat which seemed to suck in all the light around it, and she could make out arms and hands like those of a humanoid race’s, except smaller and more delicate. The thing didn’t even bother to acknowledge her presence she was right next to it in cautious curiosity.
It was covered in all black. Its hat was pitch black and had no discernable make, which somehow, even with the perfect lighting, completely obscured its face in shadow. It wore a formal black suit, as black as its hat, each wrinkle too pristine to be natural and almost unnoticeable through the sheer true black of its clothing. There were black gloves covering its hands with a single button near the thumb to hold the gloves on, and shoes which should’ve been shiny but refused to reflect the light.
Whatever skin she could see was pitch black, like charcoal had been rubbed on it or its skin had been burnt until it cracked and shed black flakes, but it was immaculately smooth like black porcelain. It didn’t even look like it was breathing, though she felt like she was being watched despite not being able to make out any eyes behind the cloak of blackness covering its face.
“Hello?” Twilight tentatively asked. “Who are you?”
Twilight got the faint impression it was smiling genially, as if meeting an acquaintance which it didn’t particularly like, but was willing to endure.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Twilight Sparkle,” the thing said. “It has been long since I have spoken with one such as yourself. Please, take a seat.”
The thing, it sounded like a male, didn’t move to accompany its request. There was no movement at all, it didn’t breathe, it didn’t twitch, it just sat there coiled in shadow. Twilight assessed the command for a moment, and when the thing refused to move, she grudgingly moved towards the seat across from it, never quite taking her eyes off the creature sitting on the throne. She took a seat, adjusting herself into a comfortable position, and looked at the thing sitting rigidly and unnaturally still.
“Who are you? ...What are you?”
There were words floating above its head. “Lvl ?????” sat right above the name, “[Man in Black].” From the number of question marks, Twilight could only assume its level was in the ten-thousands, far greater than her own. This was based on her observation of high military officials she’d seen the previous day with levels depicted as “Lvl ??” rather than levels shown with greater numbers of question marks. Currently, the highest level she could actively read was level 58, 54 levels above her own.
“I have desired to meet with you for some time now, but until your potential revealed itself I could not enter this ‘holy’ place,” the Man in Black explained. “But the fated time has come and we may speak of future endeavors.”
“What do you want?” Twilight asked. “You’re avoiding my questions. If you want me to cooperate, you will answer.”
It was a gamble, but it seemed to want something from her. She would press her position until she had a better understanding of her situation.
...Why was she acting like this? She didn’t feel frightened, it was like something muted her emotions and prevented her from feeling anything but objective curiosity. It was… wrong. It was like she was playing a video game, she held an apathy towards everything besides a detached desire for survival and a drive to win.
“This world, do you see it? It’s so peaceful, so calming… so… light. It’s a prison, one created from beauty to enrapture any who enter and keep them here forever,” the creature said. Twilight couldn’t tell exactly where the voice was coming from, as it seemed to come from everywhere. “I wish to destroy this prison and release you from it. You have been captured in it, just as every other creature. We will scorch the fields, waylay the keepers, and free you from this creation. It is... far too beautiful as it is.”
“A [Skill] has been created through a special act. Through being targeted by continuous manipulation, the [Sense Motive] skill has been created.
[Sense Motive]: The ability to determine the motives behind individuals’ actions.
Lvl 1 (20%/100), 1% increased chance to see an individual’s motives”
Another window popped up in front of her and a sudden inexplicable increased feeling of distrust entered her before she even looked at the notification.
“[Man in Black] has ulterior motives.”
“What’s the catch? What do you get out of breaking me out?” Twilight asked.
“I am acting out of the kindness of my own heart.”
“I highly doubt that.”
The creature chuckled. It was a distorted, grating sound. “I care for the continued existence of…” he paused for a moment, as if thinking, though he made no visual indication. He still had not moved, like he was a statue or a puppet with no real life. “...Existence. But believe what you will, it matters naught. You will be free of this garden, free of this world once we grind it to dust together. This kingdom will fall and you and I will rise from the ashes.”
“So, I’m trapped here then? There’s no way out to see my family?” Twilight asked.
“That is incorrect. This prison is one which is incorporeal, it is one which chains your mind and soul, not one of your body. You are free to greet your family as necessary. But until you destroy this world, your life will be forever enslaved to fate’s whims.”
“Why is that so bad? We get our cutie marks, live fulfilling lives, and knowing we were destined to do that: to progress the world and make a difference fills us with happiness. Maybe we were destined to be the ponies we are, but have you considered we’re happy knowing that our actions will impact the world and those around us? I still have free will, I can still choose how to traverse the path fate laid out for me,” Twilight said. “That is, if you’re truly correct in how fate works.”
“Perhaps you are correct, Twilight Sparkle. Perhaps following a predestined road will lead you to happiness. Unfortunately, I am not fatalistic,” the Man in Black affirmed. “I cannot sit by, knowing others may be suffering because of these prisons.”
Twilight took a moment to look at the thing. What it was saying was too selfless for its appearance. Though, admittedly, appearance did not necessarily define an individual. Appearance did help one predict the personality of someone when interacting with them, because one dresses or grooms herself according to how she would think she should look.
The creature in front of her… it just looked shady. It felt evil.
“[Observe]” Twilight said. It was experimental, but she figured since her magic could activate both through actively manipulating her magic the way she normally would for a spell as well as using the shortcut of speaking the spell name to automatically use the spell, it would work similarly with her other skills.
A window popped up in front of her face, expected.
“[Name]: The Man in Black
[Level]: ?????
[Description]: A being created at the beginning of the universe. It was sealed by a great force, fated to always be separate from reality, unable to interact with the physical plane despite its incredible power. It is said this being which holds untold knowledge is constantly searching for a way to reenter the material world.”
The Man in Black tilted its head. “Yes, Twilight Sparkle? Is there something you wish for me to see?”
He seemed oblivious to her power, [The Gamer]. That was good, she still had something he didn’t seem to know about, as knowledgeable as he appeared.
“For making a sophisticated deduction, Wisdom has increased by 1.”
It just increased her wisdom for making an educated guess? Did that mean she was right, or…?
“You mentioned I had ‘potential.’ What kind of potential have I unlocked?” Twilight asked. “...And how did it allow you to contact me?”
“There are those blessed by the world, or perhaps blessed by gods, who awaken a power which symbolizes them. Some embody an element, while others can perform feats otherwise impossible to a normal creature of its species. Your awakening was… especially powerful. I have no doubt others have sensed it and are seeking you for their own agendas.”
“And what made mine so powerful?” Twilight asked, trying to milk the being for as much information as she could. “Do you know?”
“That is a conversation for another time. For now, I would like to give you a gift,” the Man in Black said. “This,” he held out a bright red gem, “is a relic of great power. Take it with you, and should you ever find yourself against insurmountable odds, use it to overcome your despair.”
Twilight stared at the stone for a moment. It radiated a thick, oily aura. It was disgusting, no matter how beautiful it looked visually. The stone was similar to someone who had taken feces and put it into a golden and gemstone-bedazzled box: it was beautiful to look at but everything else about it was untouchable. Just looking at it made Twilight feel as if she was being drowned in boiling toxic waste.
“I decline, I’ll find my own power if it’s necessary,” Twilight said.
The Man in Black stood still even now, stuck in its unmoving rigid posture. Move dammit, that’s creepy! “Of course, Twilight Sparkle. Should you ever find yourself in a predicament, the offer shall remain open.”
“Thank you for your understanding, and thank you for your offer,” Twilight excused herself, “but I don’t believe it will be necessary. I will work hard to become strong on my own merits.”
“Yes, it is certainly important to feel as if you’ve earned your merits. Unfortunately, I do not believe you will have that luxury. Beware, Twilight Sparkle. Beware the King, and beware his prophets.”
Twilight nodded. “Thank you for the warning, I will keep it in mind.”
“Then go, Twilight Sparkle. Survive to see this prison to its end,” the Man in Black urged. “Do not falter, do not hesitate. Free yourself so this world and many others like it may be saved.
“And remember, always remember--
“You are the key to the survival of us all.”
*******
The video game console was a breakthrough in magical technology. There had been simple mechanical games in the past, ancient items which had simulated what low-end consoles could accomplish but never quite meeting the standards to be considered ‘fun’ or ‘enjoyable’ for more than a few minutes at a time.
Then, when Twilight was three years old, the first magic-run game machine was released. They appeared in arcades--large, towering machines which allowed for various styles of shooting games and survival games like Pacman, Star Fleet, and many others of all shapes and sizes. They captured Twilight Sparkle’s interest immediately, and later they captured her heart.
When she was six, the first consoles released for the public. They were smaller, capable of existing within a home without taking up too much space. The games were pixilated and blocky, and they seemed to have an almost childish appeal to them. Many had little story, or they didn’t have any real story at all, and were designed just to be fun and an enjoyable experience to anyone who was interested.
There was a videogame revolution when Twilight was ten. Videogames grew up. A rating scale was created and many new kinds of games were designed. Graphics got better, games became graphic and gained a semblance of story. No longer were games just some fun thing to do, but they evolved into actual art. There were comprehensible characters, actual strife, and emotion. Unfortunately, there continued to be a stigma that games were childish and a waste of time. Fortunately, that allowed Twilight to obtain much of the more mature and graphic games and she loved them.
By the time Twilight was 16, gaming systems had become smaller and more complex, graphics looked nearly hyper realistic, and most games played at 46 frames per second and were released in 2048 by 2048 pixels. These games were emotional, terrifying, lovely, inspired hope and dread, and made those who played love and hate their characters. Twilight adored it, though most of her friends had moved on from ‘childish games’ to focus on real life.
Twilight refused to move on. She loved games, grew up with games. She refused to just let them go or move on, and she got top grades in school and was accepted as one of Princess Celestia’s students, so why should she stop?
Twilight Sparkle: bookworm, nerd, video game extraordinaire.
That morning, waking up from the dream with the Man in Black, she wasn’t quite sure what to believe. The only evidence that the encounter had been real was the existence of her new skills and stats. She was lost, unsure of how she should proceed.
Video games may be the best way to proceed.
Twilight sat down in front of her system, picked up her controller with her magic, and turned on a game. It was a simple RPG, decently old but still a good on, a classic in fact. Gaming always helped her think, because it cleared her mind like a reset button and allowed her to understand things from a different angle.
Unfortunately, Twilight found herself incapable of getting into the game. Every time she tried, her mind would wander back to her ability as [The Gamer] and she would suddenly find real life more interesting than the game. Ten minutes of attempting to immerse herself in the simple RPG left her wanting, and instead of forcing herself to continue, she decided taking a walk would better help her contemplate everything.
Getting ready only took a few moments. She powered down the console, trotted downstairs, and said goodbye to her mother.
“You’re going outside?” her mother asked. Twilight was almost offended that her mother sounded so shocked at that prospect.
“Yeah,” Twilight responded. “I’m allowed to go outside, aren’t I? It is Saturday, after all.”
“Y-yes, of course!” her mother said. “Be careful and make sure to have lots of fun!”
Twilight stared at her mother for a moment then gave something akin to a smile. “Don’t worry, I will.”
With that, Twilight left the door and went into the city leaving an awkwardly smiling mother behind.
*******
“W-what?” Twilight startled.
She’d been walking for a decent amount of time, lost in her thoughts, when she happened upon what looked like a normal alleyway. It was perfectly normal in almost every way, except instead of a normal alley, this one’s air seemed to be distorting and vibrating in an exceptionally unnatural way. The longer Twilight looked, the more the air vibrated.
Cautiously, Twilight approached the alley and activated her horn ready to perform a cursory analysis spell before realizing she couldn’t (the biggest indicator being that she ended up shooting a beam from her horn instead). With a brief groan of frustration, Twilight realized her best option would be to avoid it for now and come back when she had the ability to analyze it without potentially endangering herself or anyone else. Either that or have someone else analyze it, that would be the most beneficial to everyone at the moment. Yes, that was a good idea, she knew several patrol-stallions who were first-responders to magical disasters and would be trained in these kinds of situations.
“Quest Alert: Magical Mysteries [Mysterious Fog]
Objective: Find someone who may be capable of identifying the phenomenon in an alleyway just off of Strattingham Street
Completion Bonus: 50 experience, [Beginner Divination] skill book
Failure Bonus: None”
Even her new ability agreed with her.
Twilight quickly turned around and sprinted off to find someone who could help, dashing in and out of the crowds trying to find a name she could recognize who could help. She wasn’t the most social individual, but as a result of her work with Princess Celestia she had several connections and was frequently approached by others in various capacities.
“A [Skill] has been created through a special act. Through continuous running, the skill [Sprint] has been created.
[Sprint]: The ability to run faster
Lvl 1 (1%/100), increases running speed by 2%”
Eventually, a name caught her eye. It was a guard in the usual royal military armor patrolling the streets. “LV 18, [Steel Cuirass]” sat next to his head. He was a below-average recruit who slacked off in his duties, but he was fairly competent in defensive tactics and knew some analysis spells. Twilight hesitated to approach him for a moment, knowing his previous advances on her. He thought that because of his recruitment he could score with any mares he came across, or at least that’s what Twilight assumed since he asked every woman and her daughter out on dates. It wasn’t that he was bad looking, but he wasn’t the most subtle or understanding when it came to other ponies. He was a decent guy all things considered, but just… no.
The choice wasn’t left up to her, unfortunately, when he noticed her first. Groan.
“It seems my fair maiden has returned to me, reconsider your rejection towards this fine piece of meat~?”
Stop it… stop talking, please…
“They all come back, eventually,” he continued drammatically. “But alas, I must be the one to reject you this time. I’ve just started dating a fine young mare who truly understands me!”
Twilight paused in her groaning, surprised. “Really? Someone would want to date you? I-I mean that’s great, I’m glad you found someone who could stand you.”
Well, he wasn’t actually that bad, Twilight suspected most of what he said was purposefully embellished for the sake of staying relevant.
“Yes! Someone actually capable of handling me greatness has descended, she is an angel with unparalleled beauty, truly someone who could even match your splendor, who knew such a thing could even exist!”
Twilight refused to blush in front of that moron.
“Aaaaaanyway, I do have a problem,” Twilight interjected, “which is why I’m here to see you. Well, not me, but there’s an odd magical ‘haze’ nearby, would you be able to use your expertise to analyze it?”
“Of course!” Steel said. “Lead me in the direction and I will be sure to find something out about it at least.”
“Thank you,” Twilight said before dashing off. “It’s over here!”
Twilight led Steel through the crowd, right up to the alleyway. It seemed nopony else had taken it upon themselves to report it yet, either. Oddly, there was no crowd of curious pedestrians observing it, either. It was like nopony else even noticed it. Of course, it was hardly noticeable and everypony was fairly busy, so it was somewhat understandable, Twilight guessed…
No, that made too little sense. The street was very crowded at this time of day, there were ponies trotting passed the alley constantly. There was no way nopony had noticed it, the possibility was astronomically low.
“So where is the problem?” Steel Cuirass asked. “Is it close by? ‘Cuz it’s kinda hard to keep up with you in this crowd…”
“Do you not see the foggy magic in the alleyway?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
Steel Cuirass squinted and leaned forward with an almost exaggerated grace. “I see…. I seeeeeee……..” He paused for a moment, before turning back to Twilight with a smirk. “I see a great makeout spot just around the corner that somepony is trying to seduce me with. For shame, even I have standards~”
Twilight groaned. “That’s not what--”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve gotta get back to work. If you want to talk later, just lemme know and we can grab lunch sometime. I’d love to introduce you to my girlfriend.”
“It’s right there!” Twilight yelled. A couple ponies glanced in her direction before continuing on with their business. Was that Golden Rule!? She hoped he didn’t recognize her, that would be so embarassing…
Maybe she should quiet down a little.
“Are you okay, Twilight? Maybe we should get you home so you can relax a bit. You seem a little stressed out…”
“Just… nevermind. I’ll leave you to get back to work, I’m gonna see if I can’t figure this out,” Twilight said.
“Okay, if you’re really sure. I’ll be right over there if you need me,” Steel said, pointing towards where he was before down the street. “Be careful, and I really think you should take it easy...”
Twilight absently nodded, already trying to figure out how to analyze whatever the thing in front of her was. Could it have been some kind of eldritch magic that only she could see because of her new ability? Was it toxic? Perhaps it could be…
Oh…
OH!
“[Observe].”
There was a moment of realization, and then all Twilight could think of was how utterly stupid she was for not thinking of it earlier. Perhaps if she had a higher wisdom score she could’ve thought of that immediately, did the system work like that? Those were thoughts for later.
“Woodland Dungeon Gate
Description: A temporal distortion in the fabric of reality caused by an excessive mass of energy coalescing in a single space. The energy is different enough from Equestria’s magic that it cannot be perceived or interacted with by the current denizens of the nation.”
Well that was… kind of insightful. It seemed to be some kind of gateway to another location, the title ‘dungeon’ indicated that perhaps it was linked to her gamer ability. Twilight briefly wondered if she would be capable of creating dungeons of her own if she could replicate the energy used in the formation of the Gate, but that was a thought for another time. Right now, her main priority was doing research on her abilities and relearning all of the knowledge that she lost, and then some. Perhaps another day she could look into the effects of the Gate.
It was simply too dangerous to do anything with it until she knew more.
Suddenly, Steel Cuirass walked passed her, right through where the Gate was, and looked at her seriously. His eyes squinted and his eyebrows knitted upwards, it was easy to hear the concern in his voice and on his face. “Are you sure you’re okay, Twilight? You’re staring into space, it’s worrying me. I wouldn’t be a good soldier if I let a pony get hurt while I just watched. Come on, let’s get you home.”
Twilight smiled and nodded. Yeah, that was probably a good idea. She’d been out long enough, and it would help Steel feel better if she went along with him. Perhaps she could begin grinding her skills up when she got home so she could regain her previous capabilities and work on understanding the system better.
There was some odd giddiness in the thought of grinding skills. So far it’s been difficult for anything to affect Twilight, she felt unflappable and unaffected by everything, but there was just something that sparked her interest when the concept of improving her skills crossed her mind. It was… odd, and oddly satisfying.
“Yeah, you’re probably right, I should get home. I’m usually not out for this long.”
Steel nodded, “come on, you live near the southern market district, right? I know a shortcut, come on!” he motioned for her to follow him down the alleyway.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Twilight said, glancing dubiously at the Gate. “I could just go the long way…”
“No, I insist! This way is really cool, you’ll die of awe when you see the stuff over here. There’s like this giant stained glass window that was being constructed before the city plans changed, nopony ever really sees it because of the location but it’s literally the best!”
“No, it’s okay. Maybe another time--”
Twilight didn’t get to finish before she was tugged forward by Steel Cuirass, right into the Gate. The world evaporated around them, like shattered glass, and suddenly they found themselves standing in a small field surrounded on all sides by trees larger than anything Twilight had ever seen before. They were beautiful, with flowers blooming on many of them, giant flowers of every color and size.
“Hey,” Twilight heard Steel whisper. “Is it normal for wolves to be six feet tall…?”
With a quick glance, Twilight could confirm that no, wolves were not supposed to be six feet tall. Nor were they supposed to be a deep, blood red.
“I think we should run,” Twilight said. “Maybe if we’re fast enough it won’t bother to follow.”
“On 3. Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“3… 2… 1... Run for your life!” Steel shouted and bolted, Twilight close behind.
Twilight decidedly ignored the “For continuous physical activity, constitution has increased by 1.”