//------------------------------// // Getting Back - Chapter 1 // Story: What Lies Dormant // by goodbyecruelworld //------------------------------// *** Hey there folks! This is chapter one of the sequel to What Lies Dormant. I realized that some of you that enjoyed the story may not have seen that the sequel is up on my page. It starts off where we left Twilight (or rather she left us) after the event in Ponyville Town Square. It's gearing up to be a pretty epic adventure filled with mystery, suspense, and awesome lore. There will be a link at the end of this chapter to the sequel which is titled: Getting Back. Enjoy!*** Chapter 1 A deep breath. Twilight's mind was the first thing to return to her. She could tell she was laying down, but that was it. She decided to go through some basics in her mind. She was alive. Check. She tried to bring some magic to her horn, but was not feeling anything flow through her. Magic, not working. Unfortunate, but check. She could feel a sharp pain in her front left leg. Wait a second, she was...alive? The last thing she remembered was saying goodbye to her friends as she turned her uncontrollable magic on herself to keep the ponies she loved safe. Twilight really thought that was the end, she wasn't prepared to wake up, she wasn't even sure if she wanted to after what she caused. She took another inhale, it certainly didn't smell like Ponyville, or anywhere she had been before for that matter. She decided it was time for a visual to confirm. She readied her eyes, ready to embrace the bright blue Equestrian sky with some rogue clouds here or there, perhaps even see a bird or two fly overhead. She opened her eyes only to be met with another pair of eyes staring directly back down at her. "Yo," the other being said to her as soon as she opened her eyes. "Ahhh!" Twilight yelled out as the other set of eyes stepped backwards in surprise. Her eyes shot over to the pony that was standing over her seconds ago. In her quick glance, she could see it was a dark yellow pegasus with a golden mane, most likely a male judging by the tone of voice from his rude introduction. And a cutie mark consisting of a rusted golden coin, not of Equestrian currency. It was lacking any sort of recognizable markings on it at all, strange, she thought. "Jeez settle down! I'm not going to hurt you or anything. Just curious to see why you're napping in this field." Twilight wasn't really in the mood for conversation. Her mind was still in overheat and here was a strange pony asking how she ended up in this field. She didn't even know the answer to that question, how could she answer him? As he stared quizzically at Twilight, she took the moment to sit up and observe her surroundings. She was sitting in the middle of a field. A large circle of burnt ground around her. After the burnt circle, there seemed to be some dying foliage indicating there hadn't been rain in some time. She then took a moment to glance up at the sky. No clouds. Well, at least it looked like there were no clouds. The entire sky was a dark green that had the light soaking through it, but never full beams of sunlight. It was unlike anything she had ever seen in Equestria before. She wondered exactly where she was, and for that she would need to talk to her only source of possible information. "Well I wasn't exactly napping, it was more of a spontaneous thing Mr. ?" "Oh right, name's Avery!" The golden pony said with a smile. "And let us just complete the introduction with your name Ms. ?" "My name is Twilight Sparkle, I'm the head librarian of Ponyville," She said proudly. Her words were met only with a confused look on her companions face. "I'm the pupil of Princess Celestia. I've been studying magic under her for years, first in Canterlot, then just recently re-located to Ponyville to begin my study of friendship." "Right, studying friendship? I've never heard of this Princess you speak of, so you'll have to excuse my confusion." "You've never heard of Princess Celestia! How is that even possible!? Even the littlest of foals know who Princess Celestia is! She's the pony that raises the sun every morning and keeps peace through all of Equestria!" Avery raises his eyebrow and shrugs, "Still not coming to me, sorry." "So if you've never heard of Princess Celestia? I must be further from home than I thought," Twilight mumbled to herself, "So where exactly am I then?" "What do you mean where are you? You brought yourself here, you should know." "Well let's say I didn't bring myself here, what part of Equestria is this?" "There's that Equestria word again, I'm guessing that's where you're from?" "We're not even in Equestria!?! How did I get this far away to a place where a denizen has never even heard of Equestria!? I've never experienced this before!" Twilight's words were mixed with anger and worry. She had never been so far from home as to have somepony not know what Equestria is. "Well," Avery said, "maybe we have some information on this 'Equestria' at the library. Maybe Ace there can -" With the mention of the word library, Twilight's eyes light up and her tone gains obvious excitement. "You have a library here!?" "Well of course we-" "You must take me there!" Twilight said in a stern tone as bolts upwards towards Avery. This request fulfilled many desires that Twilight had. Not only would she learn more about where she was, but at the same time be able to see a library from a foreign land! How exciting this could be! Twilight goes to get on all fours but quickly returns to the ground with a gasp and a yelp of pain. "Oh wow," Avery said, "are you alright? Your leg looks pretty torn up. I've never seen wounds like that," he said as he leans in closer to inspect. He notes that it seems as if tiny needles had stabbed through her whole leg. Though most of the holes have healed up a bit, there's no doubt that this leg cannot be walked on. "All right now Ms. Twilight Sparkle, I believe it's time you shared a bit of information about how you got here, cause this the strangest conversation I've had in my entire life" Twilight lets out a sigh but decided it's best if she has someone here in this land that knows the whole story, or atleast as much of it as she knows. She filled him in about Chrysalis' attack on her town, her magic going wild, and how she sacrificed herself to try to save her friends. Avery did his best to pay close attention but his mind drifted elsewhere amongst the sea of facts being launched at him. She left out some trivial details simply to save time at the notice of this. Though she did get around to mentioning the Mist as the source of all this trouble, at this, Avery shot a glance over to her. "Well I'll say that is quite a tale there miss. Now that Mist you spoke of, that's something I may know a bit about, or rather I know some people that may know about that." Twilight gasped, "You know about the Mist?!" "Well I don't know too much about it honestly. But there are plenty of intelligent unicorns and earth ponies in my town nearby, I'm sure we can gather up some information for you there." "What about pegasi? Are there any intelligent pegasi or do the pegasi not find their way to the library very often?" Twilight joked. "I think you're looking at the only pegasus for quite a way! Guess you'll have to figure out for yourself if I'm intelligent," Avery said with a chuckle. "Pegasi are a very rare sight around here, I haven't seen another one myself in years!" "Now why's that?" Twilight asked. "Look up." Avery beckoned with a hoof pointing upward. "Not too many clouds around here suitable for living. Most pegasi are far more comfortable living on clouds than living on the ground. It's just something we feel more natural doing. I've adapted pretty well towards ground life though so I don't mind living around here." "I see. It's funny that you mention that, I have a pegasus friend at home that lives on the ground." Twilight's heart began to ache as she bowed her head in sorrow. She started thinking about all of her friends still in Ponyville. They must be devastated over the events that took place. They probably believe that she is dead and never coming back. Twilight then made a decree to herself that she would do whatever it takes to get back to Ponyville. She couldn't stand her friend's heart to burn one day more without knowing she was doing everything she could to get back to them. "You okay?" Avery asked. "Yeah sure," Twilight said with a sniff, "I guess I just miss home." "I'm sorry to hear that, you'll have to tell me all about it while I get you to the doctor." "But what about the library! I have so much I need to learn!" "After we see a doctor, that's the first stop we'll make. Don't worry I know the town physician and she'll get ya fixed up. It's not too long of a walk either, so let's get moving Twilight Sparkle." Avery lends a hoof to Twilight and helps her on her feet. He stands to her right for her to lean on as he brings her injured leg over the back of his neck and they begin their slow walk towards the east. "Thanks for helping me up, and it's just Twilight by the way, but wouldn't it be faster if you flew us there instead?" "Ah well about that, I don't really like using my wings. I guess if just never felt really necessary to me. I'm more than comfortable on the ground. I'd rather just walk and it's not that far to town, I promise." Avery turned towards Twilight and smiled while Twilight let out an annoyed groan. "Of course here I am stuck with the only pegasus that doesn't like to use their wings." To this statement, Avery let out a laugh, "Well you know how the saying goes 'Wings that are swift to fly into mischief!'" Twilight looked at him confused and slightly annoyed, "That doesn't even make sense." Avery thought on it for a second, "Oh whatever it's just a saying," he said as he began to chuckle loudly. And with that, the two began their hobble towards civilization on the beginning of a journey Twilight Sparkle won't soon forget.