//------------------------------// // Not Alone // Story: Tales of the Abyss: Hymns of Equestria // by Genis94 //------------------------------// "Now, Luke, go down to that fon machine--the passage ring--and neutralize the miasma." Van instructed. "What are you talking about? Is that even possible?" Ion asked. "It is for me. I'm a chosen hero." Luke confirmed. Luke's hair was a much longer length than it currently was. He was reliving an event from his past in a dream. He was standing inside a large chamber containing a massive fon machine called the passage ring. The passage ring was a device used to control the Sephiroth, which were trees of memory particles that kept the Outer Lands suspended above the Qliphoth. Luke followed his master's instructions and traveled down to the base of the passage ring and began focusing a hyperresonance. "Good, concentrate just like that." "..." Luke merely grunted in return. "Now... 'Foolish replica Luke' unleash your power!" "Wh-what the hell?! Something's coming out of me..." Luke said in astonishment. Luke was surging with power he could not control. Before he could make sense of what was going on, he forced out a massive hyperresonance, and began to pass out. The last thing he could remember was being carried off by Guy, and everything crumbling around him. -------- "Luke. Luke it's time to wake up." Twilight instructed. "Huh? What's going on?" Luke asked groggily. "I just got a response from Princess Celestia this morning. She said that she's finished making preparations, and that we should be ready to present you today." "What?! She expects you to have everything ready in just a few hours?!" "Don't worry. I'm a very organized pony, and the princess knows me very well; she knows that I'm up to the task." "That may be fine for you, but what about me? What am I supposed to say?" "I've taken the liberty of writing up some note cards for you. Just read what I've written down and you'll do just fine." "If you say so..." -------- Luke and Twilight were now in town hall, where ponies were beginning to form outside as they each got word of an important meeting. "There's so many of them! What if I mess up? What if I get them all mad at me? I don't think I can stop lightning bolts and magic all day!" Luke's mind began to race. "Are you feeling alright Luke? You look a bit pale." Twilight asked. "I'm just... a little nervous. What if they don't like me?" "Don't worry, I'm sure everypony will like you. Just be yourself." Twilight paused for a moment to think. "Well, just be your polite self." "I told you I was sorry about that. I was really stressed out then." "Ahem. Twilight, are you and your friend here ready?" Both of them turned to see a mare with a light tan coat and graying hair (although if one looked closely at the roots, you could see her natural hair color was a bright pink) who seemed to be slightly nervous herself. "Oh, hello there Mayor. We're just about ready to present." Twilight confidently answered. "Good. Just be careful Twilight. This town has already gotten a bit of a reputation." The Mayor warned. "Reputation? What are you both talking about?" Luke was confused. "I forgot to mention this to you Luke. Sometimes things get a little crazy around here. While Ponyville isn't exactly the only place strange things happen, it happens enough here that other ponies have started calling it unlucky, or even cursed." "It seems peaceful enough to me. What's the worst thing that could happen in a place like this? One of you ponies misplace your bag or something?" "It can get bad, trust me on that." "Okay, okay." "If you two are ready, everypony has arrived." The Mayor reminded them. "Wait a second Mayor. I did a role count earlier, and Derpy Hooves isn't here." "We know that, but considering her... past experience at Town Hall, and her ditzy personality, we figured it best to go along with this now rather than wait for her. It's better we not keep the Princesses waiting." "Princesses? I thought there was just your teacher Twilight." "She must have brought her sister, Princess Luna along. This might actually help out. Luna might be a little sympathetic towards you since both of you are still adjusting to this world." "What do you mean? Is she from another world too?" "More like another time. It's a little complicated." "Fillies and gentlecolts! I thank you all for coming to this meeting on such short notice. I received a missive from Princess Celestia earlier this morning telling me that Twilight Sparkle had a new friend that she needed to introduce to the town." The Mayor began. "Looks like she didn't want to wait. You still have those note cards right?" Twilight asked. "Yeah, I've got them right here." "Good. Let's head out to the stage then." Twilight trotted out on stage without the slightest bit of hesitation while Luke nervously followed her. As soon as the ponies got a glimpse of him, they each fell silent. The Mayor couldn't help but stop her speech once she felt the awkwardness in the air. Luke began to feel all of the eyes out there staring at him. "Yes... Well..." The Mayor tried to continue. Twilight quickly got up to the podium to try and help the situation. "Thank you Mayor. I think I can take it from here." Twilight surveyed the guests and could make out the familiar figure of her teacher sitting on a special seat near the back. Her pure white coat, celestial rainbow mane, and sun cutie mark were sure identifiers of the alicorn that controlled the very sun. It wasn't exactly hard to miss her considering she was at least three times the size of a normal pony and had on her lavish gold regalia. Sitting next to her, was a navy blue alicorn of slightly smaller stature. She had a mane that appeared to be made of pure space dust and stars, and a black cutie mark with a white crescent moon inside. While she also had her own regalia on, it was made of a metal of the deepest black, with horseshoes made of a bluish silver. "Whoa... I can practically feel their power from here! It's incredible! I doubt even Nebilim could ever be this strong!" Luke admired in his thoughts. "This is Luke fon Fabre. He comes from another world called Auldrant, a planet populated by humans like him. I believe he would like to say a few words himself." Twilight stepped down from the podium and motioned for Luke to begin speaking. Luke complied and got his note cards ready for what he thought would be his greatest trial in this world. "H-hi there every... pony? (So I wasn't just hearing it wrong; they really use different pronouns) My name is Luke fon Fabre, Nephew of King Ingobert VI. As Twilight said, I'm from the world of Auldrant where we believe in particles called fonons. ('Believe in them?' Just what was she thinking when she wrote this?!)" Luke began sifting through the note cards for anything that was accurate to what he told Twilight the other day. Eventually he gave up and just set the cards down. "Look, in my world everything is made up of particles called fonons, there aren't any talking ponies, and things like night and day happen on their own." Everypony fell dead silent as they tried to process this new information. None of them could really fathom how such a world could work. The only two ponies that seemed to have different expressions from the crowd, were the princesses; both of them seemed intrigued rather than confused or afraid. "I'm not sure why I'm here or how far I really am from home, but I just want your help so I can get back to my friends... and... Tear..." Celestia stood up from her royal seat in the back, and hovered over to the stage. Even though Luke was nervous before, something about the princess felt... comforting. There was a warm aura about her that said 'I'm here to help. You can trust me as a friend.' "You truly come from a strange world, and surely you must be confused yourself by ours. I commend you for finding trust in creatures you have never seen before, and having such devotion to returning to your friends." The Princess of the Sun complemented. "I... Thank you." Celestia turned to face her faithful student. "And as for you Twilight, you truly have learned much from your friends. The kindness and generosity you showed this young man shows that much." "Thank you Celestia!" "Although, it seems you might still have a bit to learn from Applejack." Celestia snickered as she floated the note cards back to her student. "Well, I uh... I wasn't sure how the other ponies would react to everything Luke told me. Even I found it a little hard to comprehend." "Well, the cat's out of the bag now, but we should welcome him openly, not reject him like some sort of beast." Everypony in the crowd began to warm up to the idea of a human staying in their world. If Princess Celestia could accept him, then they could too. "I believe that should suffice my loyal subjects. You may go about your business again." All of the ponies in the crowd bowed before they all left to go back to their daily routine. Princess Luna left her spot on the royal seat, and hovered over to the stage herself. "What a fascinating creature. Your world sounds like an amazing place." The Princess of the Moon began as she inspected Luke. "Equestria has certainly been full of surprises too. Ponies controlling the weather, sun, and moon? It's a bit to take in." Luke's conversation was cut short as an aura began glowing around him. He could faintly hear a voice in his head, and as the aura intensified, so did the volume. "I already told you I'm fine! Now let me go!" "No way mister! You still have those big wounds in you! You need rest and food to help. I'll go get you some more muffins." "How annoying..." Luke recognized the voice anywhere. It was his original, Asch! He wasn't sure who the other voice was, but all that mattered right now was that Asch was alive. "Asch! You're alive!" "What the? Replica? Where are you?" "I'm in front of the town hall." "Idiot! I mean what world are you on? Are you on Auldrant?" "I'm on some world called Equestria. What about you?" "Damn it! It looks like we're both stuck here. How infuriating..." "Luke, who are you talking to?" Twilight finally asked. "Someone I know. His name is Asch. It looks like he's somewhere in Equestria too." "So that mare was right. There are more talking ponies around here. Strange..." "What mare? Who are you with?" "Some strange pegasus called 'Derpy Hooves'. A befitting name if there ever was one. She reminds me of you back when you were still nothing more than useless dreck." "Gee, thanks." "Look, as much as I hate to say it, we need to figure this out so we can find a way back to Auldrant. Come and find me so we can try and piece this together." "Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can." With those final words, the aura surrounding Luke began to fade, and the mental connection between both him and Asch was severed for the time being. "What happened? What did he say?" Twilight asked once more. "He says he wants to meet with me so we can try and figure out how to get back to Auldrant." "Well, where is he?" Twilight asked again, with a hint of annoyance. "He said something about a pegasus named Derpy Hooves." Twilight's eyes shot open when she heard the name. "We need to find him now!" "Twilight, I think you may be overreacting just a bit." Celestia tried to calm. "Did you see what she did to Town Hall?! Luke's friend could be in danger!" "I do not understand. Just who is this Ms. Hooves?" Luna asked. "She is one of our pegasus subjects, sister. She has gained a bit of a reputation for being ditzy, but I doubt Luke's friend is really in harms way." "Well, do you know where she lives Twilight? Asch sounded like he was still injured." "Sure. Just follow the smell of muffins." -------- Luke, Twilight, and the princesses arrived outside of a house on the east end of Ponyville. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's just go inside." Luke suggested. "Wait. I should warn you Luke, Derpy has a bit of an eye problem." Twilight halted the human. "What is she blind?" "No... Just try not to call attention to it okay?" "I'll try." Luke knocked on the door and waited for this pegasus to open it. Slowly the door opened to reveal a gray coated mare with a blonde mane and... "HOLY CRAP!" "Luke!" This pony's eyes were both facing in opposite directions. It was almost mesmerizing, but at the same time disturbing. "What's wrong?" The mare asked. "Eye, I mean, I... think you look awesome?" "Well thanks! You know it's not everyday I get visitors." "Phew! Dodged a bullet there..." Luke thought with relief. "Hi there Derpy. I-" "Hey Twilight! I haven't seen you in forever!" "You saw me three days ago when you delivered my mail..." "Well, it feels like forever to me! How about a hug?" Before Twilight could answer, Derpy began walking on her hind legs with her forelegs outstretched to give her a hug, when she tripped over a stray rock. Derpy failed to recover and ended up falling on Twilight, leaving the two mares in a heap on the ground. "*Giggle* It's always good to see you making new friends Twilight." Celestia slyly commented. "Not... funny." "Oh, hey there princesses!" Derpy said as she looked up from her position on the ground. "Shes acting pretty nonchalant for meeting royalty." Luke observed. "That's one of the reasons I like her. She's not constantly panicking like I'm going to have her imprisoned for bumping into me." Celestia explained. "She is certainly a happy pony." Luna added. "Wait a sec! You look just like Aschy!" Derpy said as she got a better look at Luke. Twilight, who had by now gotten back on her hooves after levitating Derpy off of her, was intrigued by this last comment. "What does she mean Luke? Are you both brothers or something?" "Sort of... I'll explain while we talk to him." "So you're all here to see Aschy? I can show him to you, but he can be a bit of a sourpuss." "You don't know the half of it..." Luke muttered under his breath. The group followed Derpy inside and up to the second floor where the master and guest bedrooms were. "Hey Aschy! I'm back!" "I assume there is another human with you?" A male voice asked. "How'd you know?" "Lucky guess." he responded somewhat coldly. Sitting upright in the guest bed, Asch had his signature cold scowl on his face. His chest was covered extensively with bandages, but his head had not a single hair out of place. "How are you feeling Asch?" Luke asked. "I'm fine. Something I wish this mare here would see." "You've still got those huge holes in you! You're not leaving until they're healed." Derpy chastised. "Are all humans like this?" Luna asked. "You must be Princess Luna. And if I'm not mistaken, that's Princess Celestia right there." Luna raised an eyebrow at Asch's words. "Yes, you are correct. But how did you know that?" The dark alicorn asked. "My host here has been very informative." "How did you wind up here Asch?" Luke asked. "I woke up outside this house about two days ago. I was still weak then; it took all of my strength just to drag myself up to the door and knock. You can piece the rest together." "I certainly am glad that you are alright. You should be proud of yourself Derpy." Celestia said. "Gee thanks!" "So replica, what happened? I wasn't awake when we got sent here." "Wait a second. Replica? You're a replica?!" Twilight blurted in astonishment. "Yeah... That's what I am..." Luke sighed. "Then... who is Asch?" Twilight asked full of confusion. "Isn't it obvious?! I'm the original! Luke here took everything from me! My family, my name, my whole life!" "I never chose to do that! Besides, we both agreed that we're two different people!" "I know that! You're right... I should be hating Van! I assume since you're here alive you killed him." "What?!" Twilight blurted. "*Sigh* I guess it's time I told you everything." Luke told all of the ponies there about his adventures. How Van created him to overturn the Score, all the way to the final confrontation at Eldrant. "So... I had no choice; I had to kill him." "Luke..." Twilight began. "You have been through so much. You truly must be strong in both body and mind to have made it through such turmoil." Celestia warmly said. "It certainly wasn't easy..." "So Replica, what happened when you wound up here? What did it feel like when you crossed over?" "I don't really know. It felt kinda like a hyperresonance." "Hmph. As I expected. It must have happened from the buildup of seventh fonons when you freed Lorelei." "But then how are we still here? A hyperresonance like that should have separated our fonons completely. You remember what happened at the tower of Rem." "Exactly. I don't know what it is, but there's some kind of force that seems to be holding our fonons together. But now we have a clear course of action. We can use the sword of Lorelei to gather up any seventh fonons on this planet. Once we have enough, we can attempt another hyperresonance to send us back to Auldrant." "Good idea. I just hope we can actually wind up back there. Otherwise-" *CRASH!* "What was that?!" Derpy cried. "I don't know, but it can't be anything good." Luke responded.