//------------------------------// // Stick sees the aftermath // Story: Story of a Stick // by Xinrick //------------------------------// I was finally going to meet with Cadence and Shining Armor. They, with Sombra were all in the house. "Hey. Been a while." Cadence said. "Yes…and I'm sorry that I couldn't stop…this from happening." I sighed, feeling at least partially at fault for not stopping this since that's pretty much what I was supposed to do. "Its… been hard but we've been managing." Cadence said. "In total between us and the Zebra lands… Equis has a forty thousand population." "More or less depending. With your old home planet up there some managed to get there. Saw a lot of bright flashing lights up there… on a clear night you can still see something happening." Shining added. "Yeah, my world tends to be busy." I said sheepishly. "But there's at least some hope and people alive right now." "Fair. So, Sombra said you wanted to meet with Twilight?" Cadence asked. "Yes, I would like to finally meet the group that's been apparently watching me since day one." I said. "Well, that's gonna be an issue…" Shining Armor sighed. "I know…and I'll pay respects to this Rainbow Dash." I said carefully. "It's not just Rainbow Dash being dead. They haven't been in the same room let alone talked in the last year." Shining Clarified. "Twilight's injuries, she can't fly or use magic anymore, so she's working as a teacher now. Applejack lost all her family, brother, granny, cousins. She only has her little sister and has been obsessively protective of her. These days she works out in the fields. Rarity still makes dresses but she mostly spends her free time and days visiting her little sister in the mental hospital… one… very sick jackass had her and a dozen others all… it was bad. Pinkie takes care of two infants that used to be the foals of her employers. Considering they and her own family are gone now, she's mothering them full time. Lastly, Fluttershy is actually helping in the wars, her talent allows her to understand animals so she has a lot of small ones gaining Intel for her and therefore the army." "Oh…" I said slowly. "The fuck…" "None are really up to help, I mean, aside Fluttershy. Maybe Twilight but that will take some convincing."  "Alright…" I sighed, rubbing my temples bitterly. "So…can we move onto less depressing and messed up topics?" I asked carefully. "... Crops are holding up well." Cadence said awkwardly. “Alright, I might as well…” I sighed. “Sombra here’s being a pansy and we need you to be the tie breaker.” "About?" Shining asked. “So, Dawn see’s the both me and Sombra as her daddies, and I called being the man in the relationship, but he claims that Cadence’s fetishes outweigh being stuck in Blood’s Murder Dimension for four years where even Celestia, Luna and Discord were having trouble.” "I mean…" Shining started. "If this is gonna be a thing like between Sombra and us then I'll settle it now. You three are the men in the relationship but keep in mind I know spells that can change that rather quickly." Cadence said. “Well…” I sighed. “That’s fair I guess…I’m just alone, very tired, and in need of a lot of emotional support at this point cause Mr. Blood’s wild ride was not fun…” "Wanna relax the normal way or the Adult way?" Cadence asked. “Yes.” I said readily. “Cause after this, I have to try and meet all the ponies I apparently met my first day here, I need to go down and help the blacksmithing guild create a whole host of crap, I need to remake…sixty percent of my arsenal…I need to go out hunting…” I groaned and put my face in both my hands. “Why…” "I guess you'll want to start him off then?" Sombra asked. "I guess. For the record, are you bisexual Simon?" Cadence asked me. “I’m willing to see.” I said honestly. “Don’t know if I’ll like guy’s as much as women, but at this point I just need…something.” "Fair. I'll start him off then Shining and lastly Sombra." That was an experience for me. Turns out I am indeed okay with both. Still prefer girls but it was alright with the guys. After that was done and I got a good night's sleep in a pile with the three I got up and was enjoying a breakfast. “Well…that helped me a lot…” I muttered, though that time it felt…different at least than with IQ. "Meh. I give it a C minus." Cadence said. CRITICAL DAMAGE! My Ego… "Better than Sombra. When we started he was given a D." Shining said with a chuckle. "Har har…" Sombra huffed. "Well…I did only have sex two times before this…" I said weakly. "Don't worry, we'll get that number up and some endurance training along with it." Cadence said as she levitated me some coffee. "Cool…" I said, finishing up my bowl of cereal. "So, I have a ton of stuff to do today-" "I am indeed going to be a ton of stuff for you to do." Cadence said without missing a beat. "...That involves me repairing or making brand new oweapons to get back my entire arsenal…" "That's going to take you a while I imagine." Sombra said. "Considering I started my journey of being a Master of Arms since I was nine…yes, it will take a long time." I sighed. "Resources wise we have a little of everything." Shining said. "Most of what we do get falls from debris coming from your world." "That's fair…"I sighed. "Besides, most of it is going to be the magic parts of my weapons that's gonna be a bitch and a half to get…" "You still plan on visiting Twilight and her friends?" Cadence asked. “Yes, I would like to meet them all properly.” I said honestly. “Cause I did meet all of them when I originally got here but…well, I was running from the guards cause they immediately thought I committed a crime.” "I guess you'll need their addresses and workplaces then." Cadence said, using her magic to write down all the information then gave it to me. “Thank you.” I nodded. “Oh, and where’s the Forges? I’m pretty sure it would be in the same place but just want to make sure.” "They're set up in the old mines. There's still ore and special crystals and gems in there so they set up shop in there. Fast access to whatever they need." Shining said. “Cool.” I nodded. “Alright, time to go meet some people and hopefully help them in someway…” I quickly left and looked at the list. I was surprised to see Rainbow Dash was on here. This address must be for the cemetery or whatever she's buried. Well, at least I know she'll be there… The walk there was about twenty minutes. Among the many graves here I found hers. Some dried flowers, a medal, and an image of the mare. Blue coat, rainbow mane and almost crimson eyes. The stone read 'Here Lies Rainbow Dash. Element of Loyalty. The Last Wonderbolt. Cherished Daughter. Beloved Friend. Idolized Honorary Big Sister. Hero.' I sighed, pulling out a shard of a wind dagger and gently placing it on the gravestone. “Sorry I never got to see you again…only time we ‘fought’, I jumped over you and caused you to go head first into the ground…” I chuckled, shaking my head at our first encounter. The grave gave no reply, just the same silence as the rest of them. I shook my head, knowing I wouldn’t have gotten any response but wanting to say something to the mare. “Alright…let’s get going to your friends…” With a goodbye I left the graveyard. Closest home address was… Pinkie Pie. I arrived at the address. A simple two story building made from Crystals, Metal and Wood. It was patchwork construction but it held and was better than nothing. The bottom floor had a large display window where cookies, cakes, cupcakes and other sweets and breads sat all ready for sale. “Wow…that’s a lot of baked goods.” I said in surprise. I walked in, the little bell alerting a pink mare. Pink coat, pink mane, blue eyes. Her curly hair seemed unnaturally flat yet retained their curls. "Hi, welcome to- Oh… it's you…" The mare, Pinkie Pie, said as she saw me. "Uh… hi." “Hey, I presume you actually know my name this time?” I asked politely. “We didn’t really have a…good first meeting.” "Yeah… hey Simon." Pinkie said. "Are you here to buy anything?" “I wanted to talk to you and see how you were doing…and sadly I can’t cause I am still about as flat broke as a drawing of my race.” I said, trying to make a bad attempt at a joke. "Well… I'm doing alright, all things considered." I sighed, getting onto one knee was I was more eye level with the mare. “I’m sorry I failed Pinkie…I really am…” "Why are you apologizing?" “Because I was…supposed to stop this all from happening.” I said honestly. “It’s why I was going around and sending people back to my world when it happened…but I got stuck with Blood for too long…” "I know. We all saw." Pinkie stated. "That place… how much time did it feel like for you?" “It felt like an eternity…” I sighed. “Constantly fighting ever growing hoards, seeing how they all kept getting stronger and stronger…it…it wasn’t nice at all…” "... Will, will Blood be back?" “No.” I shook my head. “He has to get through all his other ‘roommates’, and I’ll make damn well sure that never happens again.” I said readily. “But…if it ever does happen again, I’ll stop him, and make sure he regrets ever coming back. I promise.” "Alright… well, it was nice meeting you in person again Simon." “Well…how about I help you work in the bakery for a bit so I can actually pay for some of the ‘mythical pastries’ I’ve heard so much about.” "Heh, it's fine." She said, pulling up a small bag from behind the counter, already sealed and filled with something. "These are day old discount grab bags. I usually sell them for two bits but you can have one." I was about to disagree, that I should at least work…but then my stomach growled. “Well…at least I can finally eat something without being interrupted all of a sudden.” I said sheepishly. Pinkie gave me the bag. I opened it, seeing three cookies, all Chocolate chip, two mini cupcakes in small plastic bags wrapped up. One was vanilla, the other chocolate. One slice of what looked like banana nut bread, and a jelly donut. I took out a cookie first and bit into- … … … I think my mouth just climaxed. I grabbed Pinkie into a hug and actually started to cry. “Thank you…” "Uh… your welcome?" She questioned. "Never seen someone so happy to eat day olds…" “Pinkie…you have…absolutely no idea, how delicious this actually is.” I said slowly. “I’ve…I’ve never actually tasted a cookie this outrageously good before.” "I mean, thanks? It the same recipe the Cakes used in the shop. Nothing different." I pulled back and looked at her. “Pinkie…let me ask you something, have you ever actually tasted this before?” I asked, shocked to hear that she thought this was nothing special. "All the time. I am baking them so, would be weird if I didn't." “Ugh, why can’t you adorable ponies understand food?” I whined. “First that crappy food ‘critic’, and now you think this isn’t the best baked good ever created…” "I guess since… the Cakes and… My family I… just stopped noticing." She shrugged. I winced. “I…I’m sorry…” I sighed. “This wasn’t supposed to happen…none of this was supposed to happen…” "It's… well, I've accepted it. Just still hurts to remember them sometimes. But, I have Pound and Pumpkin to look over. They're actually in pre-school right now." “Well…that’s good.” I said, getting up and grabbing a seat. “I have time, do you want to talk?” "About?" “Well, anything really.” I said honestly. “The kids, yourself…anything you wanted to ask me during your time watching me…anything really.” Pinkie seemed to mull that over for a while. "Hmm… well, there is one thing I always wondered. Me and Rarity both actually." Pinkie said. "So… are you like, wearing clothes or are you naked?" “Uh…” I frowned, cause now that she mentioned it…”Ya know, it’s one of those things you never actually notice until someone points it out…but…kinda sorta?” I asked sheepishly. “Like, it keeps me all covered like normal clothes, but I still need clothes for some stuff like extreme weather and the like.” "Huh. Well, what about your belly button pocket portal thing? Does time move in there or?" Huh… also a good question- Oh crap I forgot about her! “Uh…” I immediately shoved my hand in there and tried to grab at the Wind Pegasus woman that’s been living in there for four years. “I don’t know, thank you for reminding me…” I managed to grab a hold of wings, and out came Crystal with a yelp. Her mane was a bit messy and she was wearing a bathrobe and a face mask. "Dude! I was watching Breaking Bad in there!" “And it’s been 4 years, and how the fuck are you even doing that?” I asked, now super confused as there was no way in hell there was some five star hotel in my armory/soul dimension or whatever the hell is really is. "There's this movie theater in there with all kinds of cool shows and such I can pick from." Crystal said with a smirk. "Also, huh? That how long it's been? Wow. I stopped counting after day fifty and picked up One Piece." “While you’ve been in the lap of fucking luxury, the entire world has been going to shit…” I frowned. “No, you are banned from my pocket dimension until you start getting your shit together.” I said. “Though it is good to know that time does flow normally in there…” "Awh come on! I left my popcorn in the microwave in there!" “Make sure the place doesn’t burn down first.” I amended. “Don’t want things in there set on fire…” "Save the fire room." She added. I paused, staring at her. "What? You legit have a room in there that is always on fire. Fire never spreads, leave or make smoke either. I use it for roasting marshmallows and potatoes." I rubbed my temple. “Alright seriously, I need to have a deep dive into that mystical place cause what the fuck…” "There's also an ocean room, a clouds room, a training dojo, a shooting range with all kinds of guns, a massive library, there's all kinds of cool, weird, and honestly terrifying things in there." "How?" Pinkie asked. "No idea but the most coolest thing there was the room with the phone." “The phone…” I said. “What?” "Oh yeah you pick it up and you can call anyone, literally anyone. I used it and I got to talk to my grandma. She died when I was ten." "You can… talk to the dead?" Pinkie asked flatly. "Dead, living, a parallel genderbent me living in the same pocket dimension in a gender bent Simon, myself when I was a foal which explains a weird phone call I remembered from then…" There…was no way…I put my hand back in to try and find this mythical ‘Dimension Phone’ and bring it out here. I felt something. Like the grip of an old landline phone. Picking it up and pulling it out showed me a red plastic landline phone, wire still on the inside of the portal. "That's the phone." Crystal confirmed. I raised a brow, bringing it up to my ear. "Would you like to place a call today?" A female voice on the other end asked me. “Uh…yes, I’d like to talk to the Rainbow Dash of this world…” I said slowly. "Understood. Redirecting you to Afterlife Realm Z7245JL09, personal Paradise of Rainbow Dash." The line was on hold, some basic almost elevator like music playing from the speaker. After a few seconds someone picked up. "Uh, hello?" A raspy female voice picked up, a bit high pitched. “Hi, is Rainbow Dash?” I asked the person over the line. "Yeah… who are you? Your voice sounds kinda familiar? Also, how did you get this number? I didn't even know I had a number to call." “Hi, this is Simon, I’m the stick figure you and your friends were watching for a while…two, I didn’t even know I had this weird phone thing, it just said to ‘ask who to call’...and I wanted to apologize for not stopping this…” "My guy, I'm dead, why are you apologizing to me? You were stuck in some weird endless battle reality for all that time. I'm just mad I died. Stupid crazy ninja stick lady." “Well, if I wasn’t stuck in that damn dimension than the barrier wouldn’t have been broken…” I said. “Or I could have at least been there to help prevent your death…but…there’s someone here that would like to talk to you, and like…four others when I get to them.” "Sure. This a talk for now or later or?" “Well, Pinkie’s right here, and I’m going to be visiting the rest of your friends today.” I brought up. "Pinkie's there? Can you put her on, it's been… a while, since I got to talk to her." “I know, and yes I can.” I nodded, gently handing the phone to Pinkie. “It’s for you.” Pinkie picked up the phone, shaking a little as she brought it to her ear. "D-Dashie?" Pinkie and Dash talked for maybe an hour or so before saying goodbye. I promised Pinkie I'd visit again to let her talk to her parents and sisters. Right now I was walking down the road with Crystal, no longer with the face mask goop on but still in a bath robe, heading to the next nearest place. Rarity's new home/boutique. "So, how long til I can return to my apartment?" Crystal asked. “After you get back to being a proper guard and helping the people you originally wanted to do.” I said readily. "Awh, but you said it yourself there's not really a guard left. Besides, it's not like I was completely lazy in there. I was training in all those different Dojo's you got in there." “Well the world needs you, and the Guard to help protect what little people are left.” I said. “And the fact that your trying to make an excuse not to help the people you were charged to help is disappointing.” "No offense but if the world is as fucked as everyone is saying and your planet up there doesn't look any better." Crystal pointed up to the sky where the distant world I called home was seen with pretty good clarity. "Might be better to store everyone in that endless world in you and just leave planet." “I mean, if you want to pack up and run like bitch, that's your problem.” I stated simply. "My guy you were barely handling one on one fights with these other sticks now there's hundreds or more running around plus monsters. I'm being a realist here." “No, your being a coward.” I stated. “Look around you, while you were living in the lap of luxury, these people had to endure four years of bullshit, and I had to deal with an endless battle with Celestia, Luna and Discord for the same amount of time, but did any of us give up? Did these people give up?” I motioned. "Actually I think that guy is giving up." Crystal said, pointing a hoof at a stallion throwing a noose over a tree branch. “Oh no you don’t!” I snapped, rushing over to the stallion. “Excuse me, what do you think your doing?” "I'm gonna order a pizza." He said sarcastically. "What's it look like I'm using the suicide tree." It was at that moment I realized the tree actually had the words 'Suicide Tree' carved into the trunk. “No.” I said, grabbing the rope from the stallion and putting it away. “Why?” I asked, both the stallion as to why he wanted to commit suicide and why the fuck there’s a Suicide Tree. "My family is dead. My friends are dead. I got my cherry popped by a tentacle monster that violated every hole on my body, and I just found out I have an STD. What do I have to live for?" I blinked, wondering how the fuck half of this shit was even going on. "Here's what you need…you need a therapist, a stiff drink, and a cure for said STD because this world's magic is bullshit and can probably cure it immediately." I said immediately. "And also probably a talk with your family and friends, which I can do, all I need is a name." I said, while pulling out the magic phone. "I'd much rather be with my family, all the hospitals and medicine makers that did have treatments and cures outside the Empire are gone now, and can’t be fucked to get it treated, and a therapist was the first pony to hang themselves on this tree. As for the booze, tried it, no thanks." They said, yanking the rope from me and tossing it back over the branch. “So you're killing yourself because you don’t want actual medical help and because one therapist killed themselves you should also do that?” I asked.. “Secondly, IQ is alive so she can immediately solve a lot of problems.” I said, honestly surprised that I didn’t immediately see a lot of tech just flying around immediately. "Don't know who IQ is, don't care." They said, putting their head through the loop. "Now if you aren't gonna help would ya kindly piss off?" I looked to Crystal. “Any ideas?” I asked carefully. "I got one." She shrugged, walking up to the stallion. "Yo. What's your name?" "Oak Hammer." "Well Oak, what would you say to a place that probably, most likely has the cure for your STD and even possibly the best therapy alternative in the world?" "What's the catch?" "It will annoy this guy." Crystal motioned to me.  Oak rolled their eyes. "Whatever." He said, pulling the noose off his neck and frowning. "So where is this pla-" Crystal then pushed Oak into my portal. “Ah, yes, cool, thank you Crystal.” I growled, rubbing my temples bitterly. "Oh relax. Trust me, it's better and quicker. Besides I know more about that place than you do I can probably have him coming out at least mildly depressed rather than suicidal." “Whatever, if you want to force yourself to be right, sure, cool, fuck it.” I shook my head. "Hey, you wanted me to help and I'm helping. Not my fault your belly portal dimension literally has infinite of everything." She huffed. "I'll be out in an hour, two max. So go check on Rarity while I work on him." With that she jumped in. I huffed and headed over to the boutique. “Cause what’s the fucking point, it’s not like I was being forced to travel around this fucking planet trying to solve the growing problem and then get stuck in a dimension of violence for four years, no no no, I just have to deal with an asshole that was in the lap of god damn luxury the entire god damn time.” I grumbled to myself, actually a bit furious about this entire situation now as I had to suffer just so Crystal can act like some god damn savior because of her own luxury. Also because I really wanna see what it's like in there. I made my way to the New Carousel Boutique. It was an all crystal, two story house. Much like Pinkie's, the bottom seemed to be the store and the top for residential. I walked in, a small bell signaling my entry. "Hello and welcome to- Simon?!" A white unicorn mare with a purple curly mane and tail yelped at seeing me. She wore some red framed glasses and measuring tape around her neck. "Oh thank goodness you're alive. I owe Fluttershy ten bits." She shook her head. "How long have you been back?" “Barely two days.” I said, trying to hold back my aggravation. “How are you doing today…Rarity was it?” "Yes." She nodded. "And… well, as good as I can be. With my sister in the mental hospital, our parents gone it's been… rough. I guess I'm just glad my Mare friend has helped me by being my rock." “Your marefriend?” I inquired. “Like, friend or lover?” "My Lover." She clarified. "Terminology must be different for you. Yes, we met during the chaos ironically enough. Funny I always imagined a handsome dashing stallion to be who I spend my life with, yet my silver fox won my heart and helped save my sister from… that degenerate." “Love works in mysterious ways.” I said honestly. “But what should I know? Best I’ve had is two one night stands with IQ and maybe some thinly veiled friends with benefits with Cadence, Shining and Sombra…” I said weakly. “But glad your doing alright and I’m sorry for what I wasn’t able to stop…” "I blame the monstrous brute Blood, not you. I just hope Sweetie Belle eventually recovers in some capacity." “Honestly? One thing that actually pisses me off is that, even with the boundaries breaking, the fact that everything went as worse as it possibly could while I was dealing with a literal God of Death with Celestia Luna and Discord.” I frowned. “But…I do hope your sister get’s better…she shouldn’t have been forced into that kind of horrid situation.” "Yes. At least I can take comfort in knowing my love took his head, and genitals, off his body." Rarity said, a small smile as she seemed to remember that event. Damn. I wanna meet this mare. “Sounds like a lovely lady.” I said honestly. “So, any questions you have for me that you were wanting to ask during my travels?” "Nothing in particular." Rarity admitted. At that moment the door's bell rang again. "Ah! There's my silver fox in golden armor." I turned and- holy shit! It was that food critic! She looked… different. Less thin, more built, mane cut shorter and she was indeed wearing a small set of the gold looking guard armor of Canterlot. We exchanged surprised looks. “Well…I see your taste in women is a lot better than your taste in food.” I said carefully. She frowned at me. Then shook her head with a chuckle. “Listen…about all the way back…” I said sheepishly, scratching the back of my head. “I’m sorry for being pissy just…I was starving, I barely knew where I was…and let’s be real here, you were saying barely any food was five stars.” She nodded… okay? "Sorry Simon, but Zesty can't speak anymore." Rarity spoke up. I looked back to Zesty, who nodded and opened her mouth- Sweet lord her tongue is gone?! “Oh my god I am so sorry.” I said immediately. “I didn’t know…” Zesty shrugged. "Yes I met her while trying to escape Canterlot after the Monsters began overwhelming the place." Rarity informed. "She was soaking in blood from… well, apparently don't trust food or utensils in the world since… well, apparently it can possibly be a mimic. Twilight used a spell to stop the bleeding and we ran." Zesty nodded again, shivering as that memory must have flashed through her mind just now. Mimic utensils and food?! Now that's evil… “Good lord, Mimic’s are now food and utensils?” I asked in horror. “That fucking blows…everyone hates mimics, and whoever decided to make them that is truly evil…” Zesty nodded rapidly in agreement. "Yes. Well, turns out Zesty here was trained in combat by her father. He was an elite royal guard." Rarity informed. "When we arrived in Ponyville and I left to rescue my sister she helped me save her, the other foals there, and several others across town. Helped Pinkie rescue the twins. Scootaloo, Spike, easily forty people." Zesty blushed but nodded. Wow. Impressive. “Impressive.” I nodded. “More lives than I’ve saved…especially when the lives I did save are all most likely dead at this point…” I sighed. Zesty walked up to me, giving me a shoulder bump with a small smile. I got the intention of 'You'll be okay' from it. “So…Rarity, would you like to talk to Rainbow? Cause I magically have a phone that can do that.” I let Rarity talk to Rainbow for a while. Meanwhile Zesty and I spoke with a white board and two markers. She admits she was flirting with me when we argued and that she was rude. She also admits that since loosing her tongue she eats basically anything now. Explaining her bulk up compared to before. Eventually Rarity finished her talk with Dash and I bid the two goodbye. I left her house, feeling better as I walked down the- Oak jumped out my portal. He looked up at me. "Uh… thanks…" He said. “What did she do?” I asked "Well, first she took me to this med bay where some robot arm shot a needle in my ass. So, no more STD. Actually, full immunity to all that now so, perks. After that she took me to this room full of puppies. That was fun." He smirked. "Then to a huge walk in freezer with Ice Cream…" Oak said, giving a sigh. "I uh, I guess I just needed a break. Everything that's happened has been… not even my worst nightmares could compare. I was, still am, in a really dark place. I'm sorry." “Everyone needs a break once in a while…also the fuck did Faust do, make an entire universe in there? It’s supposed to be an armory…” I said in honest surprise at all the magical shit in there. "Well… I guess I'll head home… uh, mind if I… come back there? I can pay, if you want." I was about to say no… but I could charge it for dirt cheap and help all these ponies mental states.  “Fine…” I sighed. “If it’ll help.” "Cool! How much?" “2 bits.” I said. “While I’d rather not have people pay at all, some of you might not trust me to just do handouts.” "Cool." He said, pulling two bits out of some saddle bags he had on and giving them to me. "I'll find you later." After he left, Crystal popped out. No longer in that robe and her mane seemed to be brushed. "So, I miss anything?" “Just a talk with Zesty and Rarity, and Oak saying thanks and I’m sorry.” I said. “He also gave me two bits for being in my pocket dimension.” "Cool. Now you won't be broke all the time." “That would help if I probably wasn’t going to be paid for the blacksmith work I have to do or if the world wasn’t fucked eight ways to sunday…” I sighed. “But yeah, at least I won’t be broke forever after.” "True. So, who's next on your to visit list?" “Next up would be…” I brought up the list and see who was closest next. Applejack. With that I went to the farm fields while Crystal went to spread word of my new… 'Spa Service' around town. I eventually found the mare after asking around the fields a bit. She had an orange coat, blonde mane and tail with a torn and tattered hat on her head and a cracked yoke around her neck. It looked big for her but she was wearing it anyway. She was currently using her hind legs to kick some trees into dropping oranges. “Hello?” I asked the farm pony. She looked up and over at me. "Oh, it's you." She said flatly. "What brings you here?" “Just going around and talking to the people that were watching me for a while and getting to at least know them a bit.” I said honestly. “I think you and…Fluttershy are the only one’s I didn’t meet in Ponyville when I originally came here.” "Suppose." She shrugged. "There something you wanna say? I got to finish my harvest quota." “Well, when is your quota done? Cause I was gonna ask if you had any questions for me or if you wanted to talk to Rainbow Dash cause magic phone does magic?” "In fifty more baskets." She huffed. “Mind if I help?” I asked. “Cause I just want to talk, and maybe let you call up your family or Rainbow Dash, cause weirdly I just have that that I let Pinkie and Rarity use to talk to her.” "Do ya even know anything about harvesting or farming?" “I have gone apple picking before with my family but…well their probably all dead at this point…” I frowned. “I don’t know about pony harvesting…especially how you just kicked that tree and everything just shook out of it…seriously, how did you do that?” "Earth pony magic." She said, giving another kick to the tree as more oranges fell perfectly into baskets. “That’s actually pretty neat.” I said honestly. “Never really got to witness ponies magic besides Kabu, Sombra and Crystal.” "Hm." Applejack hummed. "If you're gonna help then go collect the potatoes over there." She motioned to the passive field of spuds.  “Alright.” I nodded. “I can…hopefully do that…” I said, as given the fight in Blood’s dimension it weirdly felt like I’ve had to hold back a fuck ton. So I walked off and started to pick some potatoes and tried to make sure I didn’t fuck it up. I spent the time pulling them up and throwing them into large baskets. When a basket was full I brought it to a wagon and repeated once I grabbed an empty basket. The bending over made my back sore and my hands were caked in dirt. Eventually AJ finished her quota and I walked with her to the public showers on the fields to clean off.  "So, what did you wanna talk about?" She asked as she turned a knob in the shower stall next to mine and hot water began running out. “Well, I wanted to ask if you had anything to tell me or any questions, before I use my apparently brand new magic phone for you to talk to either Rainbow Dash or…possibly your family.” "No thanks." She said, making me blink as she shampooed her mane. “Why not?” I inquired. “I did it with Pinkie and Rarity…is something wrong?” "I just… don't think I can handle that." I nodded. “I understand…and I’m sorry that this all happened, everyone else says it’s fine, even Rainbow when I asked her…but I still want to apologize for this…” "Heh. Sounds like Rainbow." AJ said, giving a weak laugh. “Honestly…only thing she was mad about was dying, which is fair…but so far, she’s only talked to Rarity and Pinkie…” I sighed. “I know you probably hate me for all this…” "Ah don't think Hate is the right word." AJ said as she washed off the shampoo and began using some body wash. "Distrust feels more right." “I…guess that’s fair.” I sighed. “I didn’t want any of this to happen…but when the one thing that’s supposed to happen didn’t and you get a basic summary from three literal gods about how it’s supposed to work in a hellhole…” I sighed. "Can't undo the past. Much as all of us want to." AJ said, washing off the body wash then turning the water off and quickly using a towel to dry off. "Say, these monsters all around… are they normal in your world?" “Not…really.” I said honestly. “Sure there are some in like, stupid remote locations, but to the point where they do this? No, hell no.” I shook my head. “And considering how strong some of you ponies are? I honestly have no idea how everything went this badly…” I said. “I mean, sure Grey’s and other bad Stick Figures would have been roaming around, but there would have been just as many if not more Good Sticks…a lot of things aren’t adding up here…: "Well, whatever's goin on, hope ya can figure it out." AJ said, tossing her now damp towel into a pile. "I gotta go pick up Apple Bloom and Scootaloo from school." “Alright.” I nodded. “I’ll be off to talk to Fluttershy next.” "About now she's probably at the South watchtower." AJ said. "Likes to wait for her critters to make it back from recon." “Thank you…and again, I’m sorry that this all happened…everyone else has told me it’s not my fault but it still sucks…” With that I left AJ as she went off to pick up her sister and whoever Scootaloo is. South tower was thankfully near here so I got there pretty quick. It wasn't so much a tower as it was a mix birdhouse/barn. I walked inside where I spotted a butter yellow pegasus with a long pink mane next to a fair sized hole tunneled pretty deep. “Hello?” I asked the yellow pegasus. "Hi Simon." She replied, still looking at the hole in the ground. “How are you doing?” I inquired. "Waiting for some of my animal friends to come back." “Alright.” I nodded. “So…do you have any questions for me?” "Not really. Mr. Mouse already told me I won the bet with Rarity." “Well…then do you want to make a call to Rainbow? I have a feeling Mr Mouse also informed you about my magic phone.” "Yes. And, I guess." “Alright.” I said, picking up the phone and calling up Dash. “But…I’m sorry that this whole entire thing happened Fluttershy…” "I wish things could have gone better… like why didn't my brother die in the chaos?" Say what? “Excuse you?” I asked, hearing it ring for Dash as I knew she was probably wondering ‘what now’. “Is your brother that bad?” "Yes." Fluttershy said flatly. “Damn…” I said in surprise. “What’s he look like and what did he do?” "Blond mane, turquoise coat, his mane is unkept, he has a five o'clock shadow at all times, talks like he's better than others, self obsessed, self centered, flirts with any and everything mare he walks or flies past. Ignorant to all of their complete lack of interest." “Oof, he’s that guy.” I said in sympathy. "You have a sibling like that?" “No, thankfully.” I shook my head. “I had two younger sibling’s, a brother and a sister…both were so happy and ready for life, knowing what they wanted to do. My little brother grew up star gazing and, one day, got the powers of Constellations, scared the shit out of mom and dad when he charged in through the patio door riding an Ursa Minor.” I chuckled. “My sister wanted to be a songstress…most beautiful voice you could ever dream of…and also apparently if she sang at a specific tone she could literally create the notes to act like shield’s, weapons, or little dancers that just hopped around to the music…it was really adorable when we all learned that.” I chuckled…though I sighed bitterly. “And…all things considered, their both probably dead…” "Maybe not? We don't know that much about what's happening on your world. Or maybe they ended up here and are somewhere." "Considering it looks like a war zone up…I don't think so…" I sighed. "I guess you won't know until some time later… wait, your siblings both had powers?" “Yeah, shocked the shit out everyone.” I said honestly. "But, your parents, don't you have any?" “Well…sometimes powers are weird like that, sometimes you’re just an average joe but really good at fighting with a specific weapon, sometimes you get stupidly strong powers.” I shrugged. “It’s always been weird, but that never stopped someone like Oxob, who has cybernetic hands that produce electricity and barriers can kick the shit out of people who have powers…but mom was didn’t really have powers but was stupid smart, and dad was a god damn wizard with any bladed weapon…and for me? I’m either completely powerless with the only thing that makes me this today is boredom, indecision, and a whole lot of spite, or maybe my power is that I’m a quick learner cause I learn a lot of shit stupidly quickly." "Maybe Twilight can help you figure that out? I think she can probably help you with that." "Maybe." I said honestly. "Would be cool to know if I'm special in some way then just…me compensating for mental issues…" "You should go check with her then." Fluttershy said, suddenly a trail of small moles began climbing out of the hole. "I have some work now Simon. Head on to Twilight's. She's probably in her classroom still." “Alright, but do you want to talk to Rainbow or someone real quick?” I inquired. “She’s already talked to Pinkie and Rarity, Applejack isn’t ready and…doesn’t trust me…” "I'll talk to her later. The information these little ones have is critical, and I am the only one who can understand them." “What information is it?” I inquired, putting the phone away and looking concerned. "With luck, geography data needed to finish the map of most of upper Equestria. A strong earth bending stick person completely reshaped the land there." “Either for territory, to get people to leave them alone, or something else…” I frowned. “Cause again, Stick Figure’s aren’t generally bad people, sure there are a few that are just…ech, but still.” I said carefully. “But alright…yet again another thing I might have to look into…” "We can talk about it later then." Fluttershy said. “Yeah, plus I’m gonna need to remake…so many weapons…” I sighed bitterly. “Well, it was nice talking to you Fluttershy…and which classroom would Twilight be in right now?” "Advanced Spell Casting and Theory." “Thank you.” I nodded, getting up. “I’ll be off then…and it was nice to meet you.” I managed to make my way to the school. It was a university of the layout tells me anything. There were some recent additions to it. Walking through I eventually found the classroom Twilight should be in. Walking inside I saw a lavender mare. She looked like a mini version of Celestia, Luna and Cadence… she actually didn't look harmed at all. “Ya know, teach, the last time I saw you you…didn’t have wings.” I said honestly, remembering how her and Spike were the first two I met in this new world. “Unless I didn’t notice due to…well, the situation.” "Simon?" She said, looking over at me. "It was… recent. Not like it's real any more anyways." She put a hoof up to her neck where a thin string held up an odd token. "A month after neither you or the princesses retuned, Cadence had me go through the ascendence ritual, so I could help her move the sun and moon across the sky. A year after that, Canterlot was attacked shortly after the barrier broke between our worlds. I lost a leg, a wing and a half, and my right eye. This pendant puts up an illusion. No pony can tell, not unless they touch my back left leg, wings or face." “Ya know…honestly surprised that half the tech here that IQ made four years ago wasn’t able to help fix…a lot of things.” I said honestly. “I mean, barely twenty minutes into being here the first time and she did a sci-fi industrial revolution…” I shook my head, walking over and taking a seat. “I’m…really sorry Twilight…” "I know… I just wish Blood didn't keep you all prisoner that long." “Same…” I sighed. “Again…I hate how the barrier was already breaking when Aqua died…this all fucking sucks…” "Yeah… so, how long have you been back?" “Like…two days?” I said carefully. “Not long enough to get thing’s started…just long enough to get the basic rundown on everything, meet Dawn again…and weirdly get into possibly a poly relationship with Cadence, Shining and Sombra.” I said sheepishly. "Ugh, don't remind me. Awkward enough…" Twilight sighed. “I mean, Sombra was all doom and gloom saying that he’ll die single because he lost the love of his life…but weird shit happens in four years I suppose.” I shrugged. “So…Fluttershy told me that you can help me figure out something about me…and maybe I can help you out with something as well.” "If it's magic related, all I can do these days is some basic levitation. Got my horn cracked. Can cast simple magic but anything more I could split the bone again." “I was going to say being able to use magic without the horn if that’s at all possible.” I said honestly. “I’ve never actually had a talk about pony biology or how their magic works, but this world’s magic is a lot different than back home.” "I don't know. Most every race across the world that had magic and the capability to spell cast also had horns. I know Zebras can make potions as catalysts to cast spells but that takes time and a lot of preparations." “Well, there’s room to show that’s not entirely the case.” I said, raising a hand as I used the shadow’s to gently move a chair over for Twilight. “Now, for me it’s probably going to be mostly using something else as a catalyst instead of your horn, like a tome or a wand since that’s always the easiest go to when it comes to it all.” "A few have existed in Equestria's history but they're all either corruptive or unstable." “And that’s where you make your own.” I said honestly. “Doesn’t need to be enchanted to hell or something, cause some of the greatest mages in my world pretty much only had a stick and with a flick of the wrist could do some really greatest stuff.” "I'm pretty sure there was more to it than just a stick… in any case, it's good to have you back." “Well, it’s good to be back and not in that hellhole.” I shivered. “So…one thing Fluttershy said, is that you can help me figure out if I actually have some special power that I never knew about." "Possibly. There is a basic spell I can still cast. It's not much but it scans for magic potential." “I sure hope I have a good magic potential, I didn’t spend years learning and mastering every spell I could get my hands on…and having earned the ‘Gift of Shadows’ to be told I’m average at best.” I said honestly. “Wait…I just remembered a thing master Kabu taught me!” "Being?" “Well…it’s gonna be something that I’ve mostly used on myself without even thinking about it…” I said honestly. “I hope to shit it works…but do you trust me?” I asked, cause I’m not sure if this Shadow Healing can work on others but I hoped to god that it could. "What are you trying to do?" “So, I’m about to use Darkness to try and get you back some of your missing limbs.” I said, putting a hand on her as I tried to focus on the magic. “Kabu told me about the Good and Bad of Darkness, where it’s a Peaceful Watcher enjoying the sights and sounds of Life, and can be compared to the strongest holy magic around.” I said, sensing the many shadow’s of the room moving towards the both of us. “And when that was one of the few unbreakable strength’s I’ve had in Blood’s Domain…it helped that I became real acquainted with it as a whole.” "Well… I guess I don't have much else to lose." She said, reaching up to her necklace and pulling it off. The illusion fell and I saw the damage. Scars were still visibly seen on her body, her fur wasn't growing over them. It looked painful… “Right…” I said carefully. “Maybe we should get into a dark room or something…this is probably gonna take a while…” "Famous last words before two people end up parents." Twilight said, giving a chuckle. “I mean, at least let me take you on a date first.” I said with my own chuckle. "Did you go on one with Cadence, Sombra and my brother?" “Kinda?” I asked nervously. “I mean, I met and talked to them all before and got to know them a bit…I suppose it was also for a point of contention between me and Sombra when Dawn said she has ‘two daddies’.” I said sheepishly. "Heh, cute. Well, let see what happens." To be continued...