//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - Ascension. // Story: Ark: Friendship is Survival // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// The Crystal Empire was currently in a state of panic and disarray as they all bore witness to the large metallic object floating just above the castle. Citizens gathered outside the castle's gates as the royal guard tried their best to keep the crowd contained. But keeping them calm? Out of the question. Many exclamations came from the crowd, in addition to news outlets demanding answers. "Are we going to be safe?!" "What is the Princess going to do about that thing?!" "Excuse me, do you have any info to share about the object?!" "Is it true that there's two more out there?!" "Reports say that there's a red and blue one just like this! Positioned in other nations!" One guardspony, in particular, was struggling to keep the crowd at bay as he turned to his fellow guards and said: "Where are Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence?! Didn't they say that they were going to address everypony?!" "Focus on keeping the crowd at bay! The last thing we need is for them to start storming into the castle, especially since that weird object appeared in the throne room!"  "Wait a second; there's another object aside from that big green one?!" "Just focus on your job and-"   The guardspony's words were cut off as the gates are parted, and a small legion of royal guard ponies exits the castle grounds. Some among them wielded a particular instrument as the sounds of various heralding trumpets went off moments after which miraculously managed to silence the crowd in the process. One of the newly arrived royal guards steps forward and proclaims: "Presenting their royal highnesses: Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor!" As was proclaimed, two individuals started to walk forward as a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane, and a pink alicorn now stood before the large crowd of their subjects. Princess Cadence spreads her wings to their full length as she exclaims: "Citizens of The Empire! We know that you are all shocked by these recent developments but let us assure you that everything is in our control!" -I have no idea what's going on!- Cadence screams internally. "We are currently seeking aid from Canterlot to investigate the strange metallic structure. However, while we perform this investigation, we'd like to urge you all to remain calm during this process." Princess Cadence finishes as she turns to her husband and nods. Shining Armor clears his throat before saying: "As was said, my guards are currently looking into the strange object floating high above us. However, we must report that another object has appeared within the throne room. We have reason to believe that it is connected to the-" "Shining!" A voice interjects an exclamation that was all too familiar to the Prince as he, in addition to princess Cadence, starts to form a smile in response. A particular group of individuals exits the crowd; however, some among the audience let out a series of surprised gasps as they see a mechanical entity floating alongside these new arrivals. "Twily!" Shining Armor and Princess Cadence shout in unison. Cadence and Twilight approach each other as they lower their forms and dance while singing: "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, Clap your hooves and do a little shake." "Oooh, we're so happy you're here now. I'm amazed by how fast my aunts had sent-" Suddenly, the alicorn Princess of Love's eyes widened as she gazed upon the mechanical wonder that is floating over the rest of the element bearers. "Nice to meet you, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. I'm Helena, and we've got a lot to talk about. Now then, take us to where the obelisk's terminal has landed." The royal couple was stunned by this mechanical entity in addition to the entire crowd, who observed with wide eyes and dropped jaws. Then, some among them manage to recover as a loud eruption of questions and the sounds of camera shots roar out from the crowd. The Element Bearers, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, and the royal couple winces from this as Shining Armor exclaims: "All of you, get inside! I'll take care of this crowd and will try my best to satisfy them." "Be careful what you tell them," Helena responds. "They aren't in danger from the obelisk, I promise you, but you have to persuade them to remain calm. I'll explain everything to you later, but we have urgent business with this obelisk." Shining Armor nods in understanding as he stays behind with his fellow guard ponies and addresses the crowd while everyone else heads into the castle. As they made their way towards the throne room, Twilight seized the opportunity to inform Cadence about these recent events. She told her all about Discord summoning the Obelisks and that the rumors spreading around about two more identical metallic objects are indeed true. "What does this mean, Twily? Why are these obelisks appearing? What is their true purpose?" Princess Cadence inquires. "I know you have a lot of questions, and I will happily answer them for you," Helena replies in Twilight's stead. "Twilight and her friends have a great journey ahead of them. As for me, I'll be here getting acquainted with you while I also travel with them." "You mean like, doing both at once? How does that work?" Starlight questions. "All of the Arks that I'm familiar with has an HLN-A unit housed on them. This includes The Island installation, where they're going." "Wait... what?!" Princess Cadence exclaims. "Helena will tell yas' everythin'. Trust us on this, yer' highness." Applejack replies. "I promise Cadence," Twilight comments. "Everything will be revealed to you and Shining, but you have to promise me that you won't panic no matter what happens next. Me and my friends will be ok." The pink alicorn wanted to protest further as so many questions filled her mind, and she was on the verge of stopping right then and there to demand the answers to them. However, she sighs in defeat and says: "I trust you with my life, Twily. Whatever you have planned, be safe, ok? Shiny would become heartbroken if anything happened to you." Twilight nods in response with a smile as everyone else present do the same. They finally reach the doors to the throne room, which are parted by Cadence's aura via her alighted horn. Everyone's eyes were widened by what is now positioned in the center of the throne room. A metallic object protruded from the crystalline floor of the room, with a beam of green light shooting upwards, even phasing right through the room's ceiling. "There it is…." Helena comments. "That right there is The Green Obelisk's terminal." Everyone approaches the object as some among them start to say their various opinions on this incredible wonder. "This appeared alongside the object floating above the castle." Princess Cadence states.  "Oh my sweet Celestia, that beam of light is just divine." Rarity compliments. "Oooooooh, it looks like something I could use for a party!" Pinkie Pie exclaims. "Woah, that diamond shape on top of this thing looks like my implant," Spike comments as he looks down to his left arm and starts to scratch the diamond-shaped metal that was still present. "So this is how we're going to leave Equus?" Rainbow Dash inquires. "It sure is, and once Discord gets here, we can begin the process," Helena responds. Applejack and Fluttershy stare on with wide eyes. Twilight and Starlight continue to observe the object before the lavender mare turns to her student and says: "Starlight, I want you to know that I'm so proud of you." She places a forehoof onto Starlight's right shoulder, "Please continue to watch over the school and all of its students. I'm so happy to have taken you under my wing." Twilight brings the unicorn into a hug, the unicorn now on the verge of tears. "Oh, Twilight… I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I owe you so much, and I promise to help everypony here to my utmost abilities." Starlight responds as the two break away from the embrace. A loud "POP" suddenly appears and echoes throughout the throne room, followed by the serpentine form of Discord.  "Sorry that I'm late; Celly and Lulu needed my help with some of the leaders of the other nations," The Overseer comments. "Wait, what do you mean?" Cadence inquires. "Well, what did you expect?" Discord replies. "They can all see the obelisks. Naturally, they came here to Equestria to ask Celly about them and if she knew anything. But enough about that; we'll deal with it later." Both Rainbow Dash and Applejack glared at him as they still resented the Overseer for his actions. Fluttershy sighs in response before she walks forward and inquires: "So, how does this work? Will it, um… hurt?" "There's nothing to worry about, dear Fluttershy. All of you will feel no pain whatsoever. Helena, if you'd please?" Discord inquires as he turns his gaze towards the mechanical entity. The AI nods in response as she then floats over to the terminal, turns back to everyone present, and says: "The time has come, survivors. Approach the terminal and prepare yourselves to see something that will no doubt blow your minds away. I want you to know that no matter what happens next, as Discord said, none of you will feel any pain from your travel to The Island. Overseer, reveal their implants." Heeding the AI's request, Discord starts to go from pony to pony, specifically the element bearers, and taps their cutie marks. They become metallic in makeup but retain their original shape, much like what had happened with Twilight's cutie mark back in Celestia's bed-chamber. "My word, this feels so... strange." Rarity comments. "Yeah, ah' still can't believe that these are our cutie marks." Applejack responds. "Ooh ooh, it has all of my party props inside of it!" Pinkie Pie exclaims. "Huh, so that explains how you pull things out of your mane at random," Rainbow Dash states. "Oh my, it feels so different now," Fluttershy comments. "It also itches a little." "This is my second time, and it still surprises me," Twilight says, turning to Spike, "You ready, Spike?" The young dragon looks towards the terminal before he then turns back to the alicorn and says: "I'm always ready. Besides, I'm your number one assistant, so wherever you go, I go." These words cause Twilight to smile as she, Spike, and her fellow ponies start to approach the terminal. Starlight and Princess Cadence observe the scenario from a short distance away. The pink alicorn calls out to Twilight and says: "I know I sound like a broken record, but… please be safe… all of you." "Same here," Starlight said, waving a forehoof. "Come back safe!" "Alright! Ascension Protocol activated! I've rerouted your path to The Island installation!" Helena shouts as Discord's eyes start to glow with white light. He then starts to voice a countdown: "Ascension Protocol in ten…."   Suddenly, the metallic object starts to glow as various light strings begin to stretch out and make contact with the ponies' and dragon's implants. Their bodies slowly become ethereal as a result. "Nine…" Discord declares. As he continues the countdown, Helena floats over to the ethereal ponies and dragon as she says: "Everyone, or shall I say everypony, thank you so much for this. I can't find the words to express how grateful I am to you all. I'll see you on The Island, and I look forward to the day we can personally meet on Earth." The AI then waves at them before flying over to Princess Cadence and Starlight Glimmer. "Three…" "Two…" "One..." "Have a safe journey, everypony, and… I'm so sorry for everything," Discord says as the ethereal forms of the ponies and dragon are sucked into the green light protruding up into the ceiling.   Twilight Sparkle. I couldn't believe what was happening to my body. So many questions are going through my mind; this is all just so surreal! The advanced humans' technology is just so- Woah! We're being shot up into the ceiling! It's just like a ghost from those movies; we're phasing right through solid objects! Amazing! I can see the entire Empire, Canterlot, Ponyville, even the other Obelisks as we're being brought up towards the Green Obelisk.  Pinkie Pie is behind me, going crazy, but in a good way. All of my friends are just as shocked as I am. Spike is holding onto me even in our strange new forms.  Here we go; we're entering the obelisk now. Wh… wha… what happened? Everything went white for a- WHAT?! We're in space!  Wait a second, Equus; it's inside of a large dome! And what's that orange planet beneath it?! Helena mentioned something about Equus being in Mars's orbit. Is that Mars?! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Our world was orbiting another planet this whole time! These Arks are just so amazing! We're currently traveling amongst the stars while also following what seems to be a trail of light. It's as if a path is already established, and we're being forced to traverse it like a train on its tracks.  Did I mention that WE'RE FLYING THROUGH SPACE?! Were it not for my current form; I'd likely be hyperventilating right now. Rainbow Dash just called me an egghead. Well, of course, I'm going to monologue about this experience!  W-well, it's not exactly talking to myself... Wait, we can see something.  Unbelievable! There are so many Arks orbiting all around this planet.  This is Earth; I can't believe how horrible it looks now. It seems so devoid of life compared to Helena's projections, no wonder she was desperate to seek help. Every one of these Arks looks so fascinating! That one's covered in snow and that one's an immense desert, and, wait, what's with that one? It seems to have a large floating island in its center. There's one that makes me a bit nervous. It looks to be covered in some purple radioactive substance. Even Pinkie Pie agrees with me; she feels terrified of that Ark. It even looks broken, malfunctioning. This must be The Island! It certainly looks the part, but how can so many environments be stitched together like that?! It shouldn't be possible! Then again, I must remember that these are mechanical wonders that can simulate entire worlds. Here we are; we're entering the Ark. We seem to be entering The Green Obelisk similarly to what happened in the throne room. Does this mean that you're sent to the same colored obelisk you entered from your previous destination? Me and my friends looked at each other as we all came together in a group hug before we finally entered the Green Obelisk. I guess it's safe to say: We're here. We're looking around our surroundings, and we seem to be in some black void. This is too weird to put into words. Wait… what's this thing? It looks like a terminal but nothing like the one back in the throne room. We get to choose where we land?  I agree, Applejack. Let's spawn in the southern islets. There's an island nearby, Herbivore Island? Yeah, that is a strange name. Then again, there's another island called Carnivore Island. Don't worry, Fluttershy. We aren't ever going there… I hope. Ugh, stop calling me an egghead, Rainbow Dash. When I get excited by something new, this is just how I get; you know that. Alright, everypony. Our spawn point is set. I love you all, too. Let's see our new home.