Twilight groggily came awake as a breeze made her shiver, and she used her magic to pull the blankets back up. She then felt the rhythmic movement of the pony she was laying on, his breaths brushing warmly past her ears. She blink a couple of times, snuggling closer to Mac's chest. His forelegs squeezed her tighter, and she started to giggle as he nibble on her ear. This brought her out of her doze, rolling over so that their chest were pressing against each other, and she leaned closer for a passionate kiss. Her wings slowly started to unfurl, but snapped open as a voice to their side hit their ears. “Aww, don't you make such a cute couple?”
She fell to the floor in shock, whipping her head round to see Alec lying on the deck chair next to them, which is where she had started when they got back last night. There was something... off about him today, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on it. There was the cheeky grin, the impossibly happy eyes, and he just seemed so... relaxed. And he had just interrupted her and Mac. She gritted her teeth before replying “Good morning, Alec. What can we help you with today?”
“Oh, not a lot really. Just... can you explain this?” The was a flash of light and he disappear. She stared at the chair confused, before there was a flash from behind her caused her to turn, seeing him stood behind her with a giggling Sweetie Belle in his arms. He put her down and flashed away again, this time returning with Applebloom and Scootaloo, who blinked in confusion. “So yeah, I can teleport and move things with my mind. Care to explain?”
She rubbed her hoof thinking things through whilst Mac tried to explain to the fillies why they were on the roof of the barn. And then it clicked. “I... think you are using magic. But without a horn, I can't understand how.”
He just gave a shrug, before wiggling his fingers, causing the fillies to giggle as her tickled them with magic. “Maybe it's a side effect from the transformation mixed with the magic Luna infused with me. Wonder what else I can do? Hey, do you think I could teleport others?”
“It's not impossible, why?”
“I saw somepony napping in the trees on the way over, and I can see a small pond over there, so...” He closed his eyes in concentration, and a swirling orange portal appeared above the water. He turned the other way a focused on the trees, where there was a blue flash. And then out of the orange portal came a blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane and tail. She looked around once before gravity took over, resulting in a grumpy mare making her way to the shore, standing there and shaking to get the excess water from her fur.
Rainbow Dash pushed her mane out of her eyes and glared at the sound of laughing coming from the top of the barn, preparing to take off before she noticed the blue glow under her. It started as a small hole between her fore hooves, and she could make out water inside it. It suddenly widened and she found herself falling into the water once more. Not bothering to shake off the water, she launched herself towards the barn, not having enough time to stop before another blue glow appeared in front of her. She then found herself flying the wrong direction, towards the farmhouse instead of the barn, so she turned around and tried again.
Back on the balcony, Twilight was having a hard time not laughing, the exact opposite as Mac and the fillies as Rainbow tried to get to them. With each wave of his hands, Alec was summoning those portals and turning Dash around. She was about to tell him to stop when he changed tactics, leaving Dash going left and right, up and down, and pretty much every direction. He waved his hand at the barn roof and an orange portal appeared on it, Dash coming through seconds later.
She stopped and hovered, looking around at her new location, before glaring at Alec and trying to fly at him. He summoned a blue one, and she ended up coming back through the roof. After a few attempts, she gave up and just hovered there, so Alec waved his hand and everything went back to normal... ish. “Morning Skittles, enjoy your swim?”
“How the hay did you do that, huh? I though pegasi couldn't do magic?”
“Not quite sure, that's why I came to see Princess Egghead and...”
“Hey!”
“...then I started thinking with portals!”
“I enjoy doing that!”
“Pinkie! Where the fuck did you come from? You almost gave me a freaking heart attack!” The bubbly mare just skipped around the roof in a circle, a big grin on her face.
“I don't know, but when I find the fifth wall, I'll let you know.” She bounced over to the edge and jumped off. They all ran to the edge to check on her... but she was gone. Twilight could almost visualise the steam coming out of Alec's ears as he tried to understand what happened, and stepped in.
“Just... ignore her, it's a Pinkie thing. I thought you'd be used to it by now. So, can you do any other magic?”
“I don't know. How can I find out?”
“Well, I have a few spell books back at the library, but I...” she cast a glance to Mac, who smiled and nodded at her. “...okay. To the library then.” She trotted over and gave Mac a kiss, earning a 'aww' from the fillies, and then stood next to Alec. “Are you ready?” He gave a nod and they disappeared in a flash.
It couldn't be that simple. The book I was holding, whilst meant for foals, was quite revealing. It's just how the spells worked. I continued reading right through to the end, where there was a complete list of all the spells and their variants listed. I picked the easiest one and got ready. “I can't believe I'm actually going to try this...” I focused on the unlit candle in front of me. “...Yol.” A burst of flames appeared and lit the candle....and the table it was resting on. I panicked and flipped to the list, looking for another spell. I managed to find the one I was after. “Liss.”
The flames went out, being replaced with a lump of ice. I let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding, working out how I was going to explain this one. “Alec, did you just set my library on fire? Because that would be bad, you know, being made of wood and containing paper.” I grinned sheepishly to the mare standing in the doorway.
“Yeah... uh, maybe. Hey Twi, how long have these spells been around?”
“Those ones? For about three thousand years, that's why it's a foals book. Why do you ask?”
“I'm... not sure. Some I don't recognise, but some... they're exactly the same as special powers from a game back in my time. Is there anyway you can contact Discord?”
“And why the hay would I want to do that?”
“He may have travelled to my world. I need to know!” She nodded to me and trotted over to the desk, getting a piece of parchment out and jotting down some words on it.
“Spike, can you send this to Celestia for me?” The little dragon came running in and blew his flames on the letter, and we watched as it drifted away as ash. I continued to look over the books whilst waiting for a reply. I was about halfway through the next stage when a flash inside drew my attention, seeing the draconequus smiling at me.
“Discord.”
“Hello my wonderful friend, any encounters with the floor again? Wait, what is that you're reading... oh, I suppose you want an explanation?” Well, that proved that theory, Luna was right.
“How many times did you travel to my world?”
“Once, around that time. I may have had... some influence on that game, but just those bits. I should've stayed there, but never mind.”
“So... there was nothing you could've done to prevent... what ever happened?”
“No, there was not. If your entire would knew of me, then yes I could've intervened, but only a few did. I... am sorry, but that is how things are. Besides, what would you have become if it didn't happen?”
That was a good question, and I didn't have an answer. There were a couple of things that he might know the answer to though. “Discord, do you know why I can use magic?”
“Yes.”
“...and?”
“...and that is something you're going to have to find out in your own time. Sorry, but I've been asked to keep quiet in that.”
“Asked to keep quiet?” By who?” He started looking around the room, trying to find something to steer the conversation in another direction, but I had already guessed who. “It was Celestia, wasn't it?”
“No. Maybe. Yes, it was her! Oh, I wasn't supposed to admit that. That means...”
“DISCORD!!! YOU BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!!” He jumped up and ran towards the door, before whipping around and running out the back. I heard his voice in my head as the door swung open revealing an angry Pinkie Pie. 'I have left a present for you upstairs. I feel that you should have it. Please don't tell her which way I went!' “Alec, where is he!”
“Sorry Pinks, but you missed him. I guess he knew he did wrong, and is probably back at the castle by now. I'll let him know you're looking for him.” The mare narrowed her eyes at me, then grinned and left the library. I made my way upstairs and entered Twilight's study, seeing a medium sized black box on the desk, and a wooden crate on the floor.
The box was marked 'FN Herstal', which meant Discord had a gun from my time as a souvenir or something. The box was about seventy centimetres long, so it wasn't a rifle. It was too big to be a pistol, so I flipped the catches open, lifting the lid slowly. I couldn't believe it, so I picked the gun up, looking it over, and there on the side was it's marking stamp. The serial number was no longer important, but it's name. I now had a P-ninety.
Flipping open the crate revealed magazine upon magazine already loaded. I put the gun back down and closed both the box and crate, picking them up. My old combat harness wouldn't fit me now, and I could only just get my finger to the trigger as it was. Heh, Thunderlane's going to be annoyed with me for making his mare scream three times in a row instead of him. I smiled to myself and let the magic flow, moving from the library to the boutique.
“ALEC! Will you stop doing that!” I poked my tongue out Rarity, amused at the way her mane wasn't perfectly curled any more, and the pout she was giving me. “Honestly, can't you use the door like a normal pony?”
“I'm not a pony Rarity. Anyway, if you do something for me, then I promise not to do this again. Hell, I'll even Pinkie Promise.”
“Very well, what do you need?”
“PRINCESS CELESTIA!” She snapped her head up from the document towards the guard galloping into the throne room. One would only hurry like that in the most dire of circumstances. He came close and bowed to the ground. “I bring grave news from Manehatten.”
“Rise, and deliver the news.” The stallion got to his hooves and looked around nervously. “Take a moment to calm down, and steady yourself.” He took a deep breath before locking his eyes with her.
“Your majesty, they've struck again! They have taken over the local council offices of Manehatten!”
“Who are we talking about here?”
“The group of stallions that wish to overthrow your rule, and place stallions as the ones in charge!”
“Then round them up and arrest them. If they cannot stand for what they believe in peacefully, they certainly will not do it using violence!”
“But... this time is different your majesty. They have already... killed several guards and are threatening to kill more.” A flash drew her attention to the doorway, where Alec was standing, a duffel back over his shoulder and two crates in his arms. She smiled as a plan formed in her mind.
“Alec, could you come over here please?” His heard turned to look at her and he shrugged, dumping his gear and walking over.
“What's up?”
“It seems we have a situation that may benefit from your... unique skills.”
I stepped off the train into the streets of Manehatten, watching as the ponies backed away. One of the guards nervously approached. It was understandable. I mean, just imagine that a creature the likes of what you've never even imagined had appeared and it was going to help you. How would you feel having to talk to it? I just let it slide, I had a job to do here. “So, which way?”
The guard swallowed and looked me over. “T-t-this way, sir.” He turned and started to trot off, so I followed. The crowds parted before us, leaving the path clear. It didn't take long for us to reach a cordoned off area, with spotlights shining up at a seven story building. “They're in there, but we can't breach any further than the fifth floor. They have no qualms about killing, but we... never thought we would have to. I u-u-understand that's why you a-a-are here, sir.”
“Fifth floor. I take it I can't just fly up?”
“No, they are attacking anypony that tries. We have the fourth floor secured, but there is only one set of stairs that are accessible. All the others are sealed off.”
“Then let's get in there.” He nodded and we entered the building, making our way up the stairs. We came out into a room where a temporary command post had been set up, and I was shown to a table where they had the schematics of the building. I looked over them for ten minutes, not finding any access ways to use. I went to the bottom of the stairs and started to walk up them, but had to retreat as multiple bolts of lightning were sent out. I turned back to the guard who had guided me. “Have any of you tried to teleport inside?”
“A few of us have sir, but... none have come back.” That left that option closed. But maybe...
“What about the roof?”
“We can't fly high enough.”
“No, I mean teleporting up there?”
“Oh. Uh... none of us have tried.” He turned to a unicorn guard and instructed him to do so. He disappeared in a flash and returned moments later, informing us that the coast was clear.
“Good. I need you to get me enough rope to reach the fifth floor from the roof, make sure it's black, and turn the lights out. Then meet me on the roof. Understand?”
“Yes sir!” With that I closed my eyes, and then felt a cool breeze was across my face. I looked over the edge just as the spotlights went dark. A flash from behind me signalled the arrival of a guard, who handed me a large coil of rope.
“Thanks. Now get back down there and prepare for casualties.” He saluted and teleported away as I secured the rope to a large pipe, and then threw it off the edge. I had no idea where I got the climbing gear from, but it was useful right now. I hooked on to the rope and leaned over the edge, seeing how far it was. The rope stopped right at the fifth floor window. I climbed over the railing and began my slow descent, stopping at the sixth floor.
I managed to turn upside down and lower myself a little more, peeking in. I couldn't see anything, so chose to let my magic come into play. “Las Yah Nir.” Almost immediately my vision lit up with pink in the vague shape of ponies. There were about twenty of them standing, with another ten or so on the floor. There was a pile of dimmer pink in one corner, much too large to be a single pony.
I wish I had brought my flashbangs, so I had to go with plan B. I swung back up the right way and flapped my wings a little to hover, pulling the rope back up. I slid it through my belay right to the very end. I gripped the sixth floor window sill with my left hand, my right hand gripping my gun, and my legs bracing against the wall. I pulled my wings back in and jumped back, holding a knife in my left hand as I swung towards the window.
I fired three times to break through, and once inside cut the rope, rolling to a stop on the floor. There was a unicorn stallion standing above me, his horn glowing. I didn't give him a chance to use his magic as I fired a burst at his chest, watching as he fell to the floor. I got to my feet and took out the other three targets in the room. I looked 'through' the walls to see the other ponies had heard the noise, and some were coming to investigate.
I made my way to the nearest door and opened it, clearing the hall. A door further down opened and a light came out. I fired another burst as it swung towards me and the light went out, the caster's body now useless. There were two more in that room, but there were seven in the room opposite, all gathered around the door. If I took those two out, the others would get me, and vice versa. I needed a new tactic. I had my pistol with me, so started formulating my plan as the door at the far end opened, and the other ponies came out, so I just held the trigger in place and let rip until the magazine was dry, ducking back into the room as their spells came towards me.
I reloaded and stuck my head out of the door, seeing one dim pink shape on the floor, moving away. I switched my SMG to my left hand and brought out my pistol. Crossing my arms, I ran down the hallway, and fired as I passed the doors. Once I was clear I turned around, seeing three remaining on my left and none to the right. I eased my way back along and knocked on the door. “Give up, you aren't getting out of this.”
Three almost laser thin beams shot through the door, causing me to stop. I saw flashes through the holes and looked back to where I entered. Now however, all ponies in that room were huddled together. This was going to make things harder. I crept down an adjoining corridor that ran perpendicular to the other one, moving along a different wall. I aimed my P-ninety through it and upwards, then emptied the reaming rounds. Quickly reloading, I braced myself by the door. "Listen up! If you don't want to die, then you'll stay on the floor! Anything above sitting height will be treated as a hostile!”
I gave them thirty seconds and then kicked the door open, swinging into the room. The thirteen alive ponies were all sitting on the floor, heads hanging. I didn't know which ones were the targets, so I kept my gun trained on them all. “Guards, move up! Floor Secure!” A horn flashed before I could react and an explosion went off behind me, so powerful that I was blown out of the window. I flared my wings to slow my movements, turning to look back up at the building, and watched as the ponies headed to the ground as well. I couldn't save them and myself, so I made my choice.
I waved my arm and summoned multiple portals, making sure that the other ends were somewhere soft. And then came what felt like a bone shattering impact as I hit the floor...