//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: The Fifth Holy Grail War: A Pony's Perspective // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// Prologue {Excerpt from the private archive of Starswirl the Bearded concerning his ‘Mirror Project’} When confronted by the nature of different realities, I had known beforehoof that I would have to steal my heart. Many of the worlds I had come across were vastly different from my own. Many of them deadly. However, I have never come across one as conflicting to me than that of ‘Earth’. Populated by humans, these naked apes, I had found myself one of them. It certainly was an experience. For years, I traversed this world. Interacting with the humans, I quickly realized that they were the only race on this planet. Unlike our own which houses dozens of them, they alone stood tall. It would appear that this very reason is why they as a species house a sense of arrogance to their world. For I have never come across a race so prone to war and ideological conflict as this one with their own kind. Oh yes, we of ponykind have had our share of conflicts. No one is without blood on their hooves, but the sheer scale that these humans will wage war with each other is unprecedented. They are quite clever when it comes to the art of killing and I would be wary of our kind coming into contact with them. That isn’t to say that I have not found any good within them. Many of the people on my travels have aided me out of the kindness of their hearts. There is the spark of friendship within them that maybe one day will bloom like it has fortunately done within our kind. However, the greatest find I have come across is their magic. The magic of this world is… dying for a lack of a better term. The few mages I have come across show magical promise but nothing more than your usual child level. However, this has forced them to come up with… unconventional means of magical usage. Many of which would be considered dark arts in our world. I do not trust them. Not one of these mages. It would, in my opinion, better for these humans to lose magic altogether for it their misuse has caused the death of many an innocent person, despite my best efforts. In times to come, perhaps we may interact with humans. Mayhaps they could be our allies, but I will hope beyond hope that their magic users are gone by that time. One ponders what insanity they will bring into the world as time goes on… ________________________________________________________________________ The forest around Fuyuki was especially quiet this night. Normally there would be some insects chirping or little creatures scurrying about in the dark. None of them were present now except for one type of creature. Their black feathers cast shadows on the small bits of light from the moon that shined down through the trees. The crows could sense what was near. A being of power. An unnatural power that scared the living daylights out of most creatures. Yet they stayed. They stayed for one fact and one fact alone. This creature was dying. They could smell it. They could almost taste it. This creature was not for this earth and was leaving it soon. Then they were going to feast. Feast to their heart's content. This food looked similar to the two legged beings that usually wandered these parts. Some of the elder crows could attest to how good one of them could taste. The younger crows wanted to try one. Maybe this creature tasted the same. The creature that they were following wore a long purple and black robe. The gasps were pained and feminine. The cloaked figures curved shape also gave credence to her gender. She gritted her teeth as she kept going. Not once did she stop. She would not give herself to carrion birds, even though a part of herself knew her body would disappear once she died. Scavengers sometimes wouldn’t wait for their prey to die to feed. The woman couldn’t believe this was how she was going to die. Again. So early in the war. Without putting up at least one fight. Nothing. She had been summoned by a despicable master to do his bidding. Typical. This was all typical. She was screwed over by a selfish man. She should have seen this coming. She had been hurt once and now she was hurt again. This time, she was thankful that she got to kill that slimeball before the end. And save the children. She wasn’t completely harmless although she did wince slightly as she remembered her own. While she had hated the man she had loved, she… she was not in the right frame of mind. The gods… this whole world liked to toy with her as it did when they made her kill her own brother. Then her children… Perhaps this was karma coming to bite but it tasted sour. These were not events made by her own choices. She was forced to do them all. Forced to commit atrocities and evil. Now she would die once again due to ill fate. At the very least, saving those children and stopping that madman gave her some sense of justice. “I was wondering why I felt something magical nearby,” a young woman’s voice spoke up. The fallen woman raised up her head, “Who’s there? I still have enough energy to destroy you.” She pushed herself up to kneel on the ground. This person, whoever they were, knew about magic. Perhaps they knew what she was. Perhaps not. Either way, to so boldly talk to her even in this state meant that this person was strong, or at least they believed themselves to be strong with magic. “I’m right here,” a young woman stepped out from the shadows. She was definitely pretty in an otherworldly way like her, which bespoke of someone a bit more than a human. Framing her pretty face was long elegant locks of red and yellow hair. She could tell they were natural like her own flowing purple hair. Her clothes were even more odd. She wore a biker jacket with some metal stubs around the collar. A purple shirt lied underneath with an image of a half red and half yellow sun. She wore a short orange skirt and long black boots with a purple image on the front. “What… what are you?” The fallen woman said, unsure of what to do. “Someone who came to help you,” the woman smirked and already the fallen woman knew she wasn’t the most trustful person. She moved forward and leaned down, offering a hand. “So why don’t I get you somewhere safe, miss…” “Caster,” the fallen woman answered as she took the hand. “You can call me Caster.” The strange woman smiled as she helped Caster up, pulling one of her arms around her shoulder. “Name’s Sunset Shimmer and before you ask, yes it’s my natural name.” She snorted, “I have to say that you have the most normal sounding name that I’ve met so far here.” “It’s not my real name,” Caster said. Sunset pouted, “Of course it isn’t. You humans and your strange naming conventions. So let’s get you home and you have some explaining to do.” ___________________________________________________________________ Caster, once known in life as Princess Medea, still did not know what to make of her master. Of all the creatures she thought she would come under contract with, a former unicorn was not one of them. Sure she had known that they existed in her time. Her father had even shown her one in her youth. However, there was a difference. Unicorns did not talk. Sunset had of course taken offense to this. That was an hour long conversation that Caster could only groan at remembering. Otherwise, her new master was fine for the most part. She and her did share a similar sense of betrayal although Caster could quite clearly tell that Sunset was not a lost cause as it were. She had not killed a soul in her plans for revenge. Perhaps Caster would make sure that stayed that way. She wasn’t completely cold hearted after all. However, said revenge now led them to a horse statue on school property. “Master,” Caster spoke up. “Are you sure this is a wise plan?” Sunset sighed, “Let me go over it again. I will go through this portal,” Sunset gestured to the statue. “Get the Element of Magic. Bring it back here and then use it to make myself an alicorn. It’s so very simple.” “But what about the Grail War?” Caster remarked. Yes, that was something that had floored Sunset when she had first heard about it. It took her a full two minutes to comprehend it but at the end of the discussion, Sunset was eager to get the Grail in order to fulfill her wish. Although, again, she didn’t seem to eager on the killing part. That would come with time if push came to shove. “If the crown doesn’t work, then we’ll win this war to make my wish come true.” Sunset said. “And don’t worry, if the crown does work, beating the other masters and servants will be a piece of cake.” “And you’re sure that I can’t come with you?” Sunset gave her a deadpan stare, “You’d end up hugging everyone.” “I would not,” Caster crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t let go of me when I turned into a unicorn,” Sunset deadpanned as she held up a finger. Then two more. “Three hours.” Caster sighed, “Very well. I’ll wait out here in case of an enemy servant.” “You do that,” with that said, Sunset entered the portal. Again, it was so very strange to know that a world akin to the age of gods was still very much present and alive. Truly the world was a strange place. At that moment, her eyes widened and she summoned a bolt of magic to strike into the forest. A blue blur raced through the leafage before jumping out. The handsome blue clad man smiled, wielding a long red spear. “Oh?” The man, no, servant chuckled as he looked her up and down. “So my first opponent in this war is a pretty lady?” “Do not underestimate me, Lancer.” Caster scowled. “What gave that away?” Lancer smirked as he tapped his spear, before getting into a battle posture. “I’ll make sure to give you a quick death.” Caster knew that fighting one of the three knight classes wasn’t ideal, especially in this environment and by herself. She would have to do her best to hold him off until her master arrived. _________________________________________________________________________ Within the confines of the Crystal Empires spiraling castle, all was calm and collected. Apart from a few guards patrolling the hallways, none were really that active. There wasn’t any reason to be. No one assumed that a threat could hit them here in the heart of the empire. Sombra was taken care of and Queen Chrysalis would be a fool to attack here. Not anytime soon. So they all slumbered. Including a certain purple princess. Sleep, however, did not come easy for her. Her wings fumbled about behind her in her sleep. Her new appendages were something she still was getting used to. She was thankful to how quickly she had gotten at least some hang of them. Usually most everything came naturally to her, at least with a little effort, so having something like a new set of wings trip her up so much agitated her. Still, she knew she would get the hang of them soon enough. If only her crown was as easy to take care of… It felt… so heavy on her head. As though the world was crushing her skull. She knew she had nothing really to worry about. She had her friends and the other princesses to help her. She could do this. Yet, she was a pony who loved to worry about things. Her new position was so sudden and unexpected that she felt it would take a long while before she became comfortable with it. If that ever came to pass. Her slumber was disturbed the moment she heard something crash into the floor. “Huh?” Spike’s voice rung in her ear. “What?” Twilight drearily woke up, rubbing her head to get rid of the small headache she still felt from her argument with Spike the previous night. She’d have to make it up to him somehow. That’s when she turned to see a cloaked pony standing in her room. Her eyes widened as she saw what laid in her saddlebag. “My crown,” the words left her mouth in a fit of panic. “She’s got my crown!” Fear. Fear started to overtake her form in that moment. Twice now she had to deal with the Elements of Harmony out of her hooves. A third time with one of her friends willingly not using hers. In all those times, fear gripped her. Without the Elements of Harmony, Equestria would fall. Some foe would come along stronger then the last and take over with nary any effort with strong magic or a powerful army. The Elements were their lifeline. She would not let it be taken. She would secure it and bring this perp to justice. There was no way this pony was going to get away. {1 minute later} And she got away. Twilight laid there on the crystal floor as she watched the yellow unicorn mock her and leave through the portal. Just laid there and watched it happen. She had lost the Element of Magic. Her responsibility. Her treasure. Gone. Pain raced through her heart as she felt the sting of failure. How many ponies would suffer because of her? How much of her world would be destroyed because of her? What would this pony do with her Element now that she had let her escape? All those thoughts and more raced through her mind during that moment. She hadn’t even been a princess for that long and now this happened. Was she truly worthy of her position or was Princess Celestia wrong about her? “We have to get Celestia,” Twilight gulped. Her mentor would know what to do. “Why don’t we just go after her?” Rainbow Dash, her brash pegasus friend spoke up. Her wings were flared as she readied herself to charge forth. “We can take her together.” “No Rainbow,” Twilight stood up. “We can’t rush into this. This mirror was made by Starswirl the Bearded himself. We don’t know where it could lead.” Rainbow huffed, “Well then let’s get the princesses then because I'm ready to kick somepony’s butt.” ___________________________________________________________________ Sakura just wanted it to end. She just wanted it all to end. The pain. Every day. Every single day it was the same. She had gotten used to it. She had come to expect it. That was how her world worked now. She couldn’t fight it. It was futile. Her beloved uncle had shown her that. He had died trying to fight her grandfather. Futile. Futile. Futile. It was all futile. Yet she would endure. It wasn’t so bad. Her grandfather wasn’t evil and neither was her brother. He was just misunderstood. Yes, that was it. He made her do… bad things but she was not a good girl. He was just correcting her. Even when they hurt, he still cared. Shinji loved her like a good brother should. She was grateful. Yet why did she fear him? No, that was just crazy talk. He was a good brother. Then why was she hiding tonight? It was just a long day. She was going to rest here by this horse statue. Nothing unusual about that. Yes, just rest here. Then she would get everything in order and see her beloved senpai again. Shirou was so cute when he was sleeping. It was a shame she would have to wake him. Of course, then she would get to spend some time with him. He was safe. Yes he was. He was safe to be around. Her senpai taught her all sorts of things, like cooking and cleaning. How to have fun. Yes, he was safe and she loved being around him. “Ow,” something then smacked into the back of her head. Rubbing it softly, she looked down to see a golden tiara with a series of blue gems along its length. At the height of it, a purple star was formed. Sakura blinked in confusion as she picked it up. She idly wondered why would someone leave something like this here. Did they lose it? It was a hard thing to lose with how special it looked. As she mused about that, she couldn’t help but find it tingled to the touch. As though she was drawn to it. Like it had its own bit of power that sung to her. She knew it was just in her head of course. Most likely she was just hungry and thinking things. That was it. A loud explosion rocked the area, causing her to let out a squeal of fright. She hadn’t been around here that long and that explosion sounded quite close. Clutching the tiara, Sakura decided to go home. She was sure her grandfather and brother were asleep by now so they wouldn’t notice her. She could find the owner of the tiara later. _____________________________________________________________ Caster huffed as Lancer dodged another magical lazor. He was living up to his position as servant of the lance. His agility and maneuverability were insane. Thankfully, her master was a being of the age of gods as it were. That meant she was running at full capacity. She had even managed to hit Lancer once or twice, however neither blow had been fatal or even all that damaging. More glancing hits. Still though, she had kept him at a distance. "Well now," Lancer grinned as he dodged another incoming projectile. "I've actually broken a sweat. I don't do that often." "I would hope so," Caster spoke, readying to finish this. "It would be disgraceful if I didn't at least make you work for your victory." Lancer narrowed his eyes, "Yes, which is why I think I want to keep playing. At least for a bit longer." "Caster!" Sunset's voice cried out in her mind through their link. "I can't find it. I can't find it!" Caster gritted her teeth. With how frantic Sunset sounded, she needed to get over there fast. Of course, she couldn't just do that with a servant trailing her. "Unfortunately for you," she prepared her spells. She had to pull them off perfectly or this would end with her death. "I don't have that time." With that said, she enacted her plan. Lancer charged, grinning his bloodthirsty grin that had brought a bit of fear into her heart. She didn't move a muscle as he struck. As the spear ran through her, Lancer started to frown. She simply smiled and vanished. Only to have the real Caster appear beside him and slam a spell into his side. Lancer was sent flying, letting out a pained cry. She knew he wasn't dead or such, but it would give her enough time to disappear with her master. She was thankful she knew a spell to create a doppelganger. Lancer wouldn't fall for it a second time so she had to plan around that. She'd enjoy breaking that servant's face in. It didn't take long for her to get back to the statue. Her master was on her hands and knees looking around it frantically, "It's here. It's here. It's got to be here somewhere." "Master," Caster hurriedly spoke. "We don't have much time. Lancer will be back soon." "No," Sunset got up and glared at her. "I'm not leaving without my crown. I had it with me and..." she tapped her side before growling. "And my satchel is gone too! Damn magic portal must have ruined it somehow." "We'll find it later," Caster reached for her, only to have Sunset pull back. "I am staying and getting my crown back," Sunset retorted. She held up her hand to show the command seals. "I need that crown. I need it. I really need it, Caster." Caster huffed in anger and agitation. She could see the desire for the crown. The wanting. As though she wouldn't be complete without it. It was not healthy and she knew that from experience. So she did the only thing she could think of. She slapped her. "Master," Caster spoke. "We don't have time for this. The crown is missing and Lancer is on our tail. We must leave." Sunset put a hand to her sore cheek. Her face betrayed a bit of hurt, "Yes.... yes we'll leave." Caster sighed, feeling terrible about striking her. While it was true she was the witch of betrayal and would have gladly killed most masters like her own, the girl before her was different. She wasn't human. She wasn't a man. She just reminded herself of when she was younger and just starting on the road that would pave her own doom. "I will find that crown for you, master. I swear it." Sunset sighed and nodded, "I know you will, Caster." That's when she took Caster's hand and they teleported.