//------------------------------//
// 4. The Other Side 
// Story: Unexpected Friends 
// by Senyu 
//------------------------------//

	Birds chirping broke through the misty haze of Twilight's sleeping mind. Grudgingly she opened her eyes and took in the dark room she laid in. A thin beam of sunlight shined through the shutters of the window next to her bed, illuminating the various objects in the room dimly. Her books were scattered about the room during the late nights she had been spending researching. She could hear Spike's breathing and made out his form on the other side of the room. 
Forcing herself to wake, she gave a small yawn and crawled out of bed and headed to the shutters. When came in front of the shutters she paused for a moment to gather herself for the morning light. After a releasing a breath she threw them open and turned her head from the sudden blinding glare. 

After a minute of adjusting she put her front hooves on the window ledge and while still blinking, stared out to the wonderful landscape before her. She could see the sun rising from the distant mountains on the horizon, the land below the mountain castle turned from pale to bright colors as its rays touched upon the shadows. A cool breeze drifted towards Twilight ruffling her mane and bringing sweet fresh scents. 
The soft smell of grass from the fields from the valley below her drifted through her nose. Sparking her thoughts, she turned to look at her far but close home of Ponyville, down below near the edge of the mountain she was atop of. She could see tuffs of smoke rising from the buildings; she watched them as their golden thatched roofs became brighter with the rising sun. The town itself look like it was waking up as well as the colors came into the light. She had been missing her home already, the place that in her opinion was the most perfect town there is was. 

Then the wind changed and the crisp smell of mountain rivers came from the breeze. Looking about she glanced over the alabaster walls of Canterlot. They glowed with the radiant sun and shined their brightness to nearby trees and buildings. The castle stood above all else, its high walls elegant and strong. Its glow in the morning light like another sun itself; a shining beacon for all of Equestria. Twilight sometimes forgot how majestic it was to be in the castle again, and her royal duties also began to emerge in her thoughts. 
She felt a small tear in her chest at the thought of living in these two worlds. What parts of her will be close to home with friends and family; Loving and warm. While other parts of her must remain distant and regal; A sight to look at from afar with awe. Like Canterlot and Ponyville, how will her own heart and mind be separated she thought. 

But memory of yesterday with her friends flushed out her worries. She felt confident and happy everything would turn out alright as long as she had them.  Twilight was lost in thought as she stared out to the magnificent views outside her window before a voice yelled at her.

“Shut the window! It’s too bright!” Spike has annoyingly called.

With a giggle Twilight half closed the shutters to brighten the room somewhat. “Come on Spike, we got to get going and met the others.” As Twilight went about cleaning the books of the floor and Spike waking up, a small thought crept in Twilight's mind that she hope this wouldn’t be the last time she would see that site again.


After a light breakfast, the ponies had gathered their supplies plus a few more things the Canterlot staff provided them. They double checked everything was strapped in and good. After which they proceeded to head to the portal they had spent the night thinking so much about, and the one they would be going through. As they walked through the cobble halls and grand rooms, they turned at an archway into a small garden. 
As it came into view they saw Canterlot guards in various places within and around the garden. Standing post they looked out of place in what was a pleasant and green garden. But what stood out even more was the glowing portal that hung only inches from the grass in the center of everything. Rarity couldn’t help but gasp at the site of it; it indeed looked beautiful as she was hoping. Some of them were so transfixed on the scene that they didn’t notice that Twilight had led them directly to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna standing on the edge of the garden.

“Good morning every pony.” Princess Celestia said in greeting.

“Good morning Princess Celestia, Luna.” Twilight replied.

“I trust you all slept well?” Princess Luna asked. The ponies responded with no problems sleeping, some even the best night’s sleep in a while. Princess Luna only nodded as if it was the answer she was expecting.

Princess Celestia cleared her voice and spoke aloud after pleasantries were done, “I want to thank you all for partaking on this mission. Especially when there is so little we don’t know about it. I have no idea how dangerous it is or what you will face. But you are embarking to answer a call for help, something that we in good faith cannot allow to go unanswered. Depending on what you find, remember you all are representatives to Equestria. You reflect our spirit and kindness to others as well as our strength. I pray that all goes well, and to have a speedy journey back here, to home.” They all bowed their heads to the Princess. Then they began to file in a single line facing the portal.

“Wait a second,” Applejack interrupted, “aren’t we taking tha Elements of Harmony?”
Princess Celestia shook her head, “No unfortunately because we don’t know of what’s on the other side of the portal, the Elements must remain here in Equestria. We do not even know if they would work on the other side. We cannot allow Equestria’s greatest defense to leave.”

“I don’t like either Applejack,” Twilight said, “but Princess Celestia is right, we have to leave them here. It was our decision after a long discussion.” The other ponies showed of a moment of concern in not being able to bring each of their elements with them.

Rainbow Dash jumped in to attempt to cheer them up, “We’ll be fine, we’ve handled plenty of things without the Elements of Harmony. We can take this.” She said while jabbing the air. As they began to walk to the portal Princess Celestia muttered under her breath, I hope your right.

The ponies began walking in file with Twilight in the lead with Spike riding on top, followed by Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. They reached the grass and entered the garden. The guards all shifted to make a clear path for them. They gave small nods in reassurances whenever one of the ponies looked towards them. When they reached half the distance to the portal, a strange feeling crept over them. 

“Do-do you feel that?” Fluttershy said.

“I…I think so.” Rarity replied.

A small twinge of fear appeared on the edge of their minds and hearts. It was a distant feeling that seemed to become stronger and more forceful as they walked closer to the portal. It was nerve wracking to feel another emotion begin to fill you that wasn’t your own like a suffocating presence. Fluttershy began to hyperventilate and stopped. 
Rainbow Dash walked beside her putting a hoof on her shoulder and said gently, “Fluttershy, you’re okay. We’re all okay.” Normally she would be a little more forceful towards Fluttershy to help her keep going, but even this feeling bothered Rainbow Dash to the point she began to understand how Fluttershy might normally feel. She couldn’t imagine how it was with this added. “It’s alright, just one hoof in front of the other. That’s all.”

Fluttershy while shaking gulped and forced herself to breath. She had to continue for the rest of the girls and kept thinking over and over, they’re not mine, they’re not mine. After a moment of hesitation she continued to walk but still shook as she eyed the portal. 

They finally reached within a few hoof beats of the portal and stopped. Twilight took in a few breaths and slowly reached out her hoof to push through. She yelped and brought it back immediately. “What’s wrong?” Spike asked quickly. The rest of the girls and the other ponies in attendance looked towards with concern. The guards ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.

Twilight found her voice and said, “Sorry, It’s just….it’s cold.” Everypony relaxed slightly.
“What does that mean?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know.” Twilight said with a tone of uncertainty in her voice.

Staring at the portal this close her doubts began to surface about the mission. This literally could lead to anywhere or do anything to us. While she was lost in thought Spike placed a claw on her shoulder drawing her attention. Looking up she saw the little dragon who also looked just as worried of the situation as she was. But he was smiling to cheer her up the best he could. If he could smile through something like this then she could to she thought. She returned the smile gratefully and nudged her head against him. 
Looking back over her saddle bags she gave each of the girls a nod that was returned by all of them. Turning to face the portal again she exhaled and said, “Let’s go.” And before any other thought could enter her mind, she walked through the portal. 

Each pony behind her followed in right away, each of them having only a moment of hesitation before plunging through. Fluttershy was mumbling something before she quickly yelp, “and a JUMP!” and did a small leap through the portal. 

Just before Pinkie Pie the last pony went through she cried, “WAIT!” Every pony including the Princess’s stared at her in confusion and worry. Was there something they all forgot? 

“Gummies probably done with his 18 hour bubble bath. Make sure he dries of all his scales and eats my special cupcakes. There made specifically for him.” Pinkie Pie said, then without another word continued through the portal.

Every pony in the court yard stared a little dumbfounded before Princess Celestia leaned to a nearby guard and said, “Take care of that."



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Pinkie Pie lept out of the portal and met the rest of the group on the other side. They were all shivering from how cold it was to pass through it.

“I knew I should have worn a coat.” Rarity complained.

As the numbness from their coats wore off, they lifted their head and began to inspect their surroundings to make out just exactly where they were. They stood in a clearing of tall wild grass with trees on the edges. The clouds were dark and overcast. On one end the clearing lead deeper into the forest while the other just seemed to end in the sky like the top of a hill. The air held a musty scent that wasn’t something they were familiar with. Everything looked normal except for the fact it held an off feeling about it that they couldn’t quite place.

“This almost looks like the Everfree forest.” Rainbow Dash said.

“If it is, it’s no part I’ve ever been in.” Twilight responded. 

After a few moments of taking in their surroundings Rainbow Dash zipped up towards the sky to gain a better view. 

When she cleared the tree line she let out a loud “WOAH!”

The other ponies called out for her to tell what was the matter. Rainbow Dash didn’t reply and just pointed. Following her hoof they headed towards the edge of the clearing that dropped off, parting the tall grass around them. When they reached it each of them let out a gasp at the sight before them. Below the steep hill they were atop of lay what they looked like a city. 
Except that it sat in devastation and ruin. The buildings were crumbled, large holes could be seen, random large objects scattered everywhere they couldn’t recognize, and smoke drifting from various places. It looked like a disaster had struck the city.

Twilight spoke first with a quiver in here voice, “Oh no…were too late.” A feeling of dread filled each pony. Whoever had asked for their help, it looked as if they were too late to respond to it. Disaster struck before they had even passed through the portal.

“What in Equestria happened here?” Applejack asked.

Twilight responded, “I…I don’t know. It’s completely ruined.” She felt herself become weak in the knees. She was too late. Something awful happened to whoever lived here and she was too late to help them. She felt like she failed the mission already and that it was over before it could begin. The rest of the ponies stared in silence at the scene in front of them, each thinking how awful the scene was in front of them.

Applejack broke the silence in attempts to change the mood, “It’s almost like Manehattan, some of the buildings are just as tall. I wonder who could have lived here.” No pony answered.

Standing on the edge in silence, Rainbow Dash cleared her throat to break the disheartening atmosphere around them. “Do you think…some pony might still be down there?” They jerked in response.

“Oh no! If some pony is down there, their probably really really lonely and sad.” Pinkie Pie blurted.

“Survivors” Twilight shouted with renewed strength, “We need to see if there are any survivors!” Even though the destruction looked to grim for any pony to be down there, Twilight had to make sure she tried everything she could to help whoever needed it.

“It’s a large area down there.” Applejack said. “Maybe we should head through tha portal and bring some help to search tha place.”

“Good idea Applejack.” Twilight responded.

They turned around to head back for the portal when it suddenly flashed brightly then vanished into thin air in only a moment. They stared dumfounded for some time at the spot where it disappeared from.

“Did that portal just close?” Rarity asked.

“Yes…yes it did.” Twilight replied.

After another minute of staring the girls broke out yelling.




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“The magic must have become unstable after we passed through it.” Twilight said aloud. After the ponies initial scene of frustration they eventually made their way down the hill and were walking towards the city. She was running through her knowledge of magic in attempts to figure out what happened.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie seemed to be the only ones not bothered by it. “Relax,” Rainbow Dash said, “its normal for something like this to happen on an adventure. Your only means of escape suddenly cut off right before you get away. Leaving you stranded to face the troubles around you.” She said swinging the hoof in the air. She looked pumped at the idea of being in an adventure.

“If you ask me, it was rather to cliche’ for my tastes.” Rarity replied. “Honestly it couldn’t have waited a few more moments for us to bring one of those strapping Canterlot guards back with us? Why didn’t they come with us in the first place?”

Twilight responded, “We didn’t know who we would see and we didn’t want them under the impression we came to them armed with guards. Were representatives from Equestria. We were just trying to create the friendliest introduction.” Twilight sighed, “But we didn’t know that the portal would close leaving us stranded here! Just like we don’t know anything else about this place!” She ended angrily. It ruffled her feathers to not know about something and be unprepared. Now they were stranded until they or Princess Celestia and Luna could figure a way to connect back to this place again. She continued to run over a list of spells in her mind that she or Celestia could possible help them get back home.

However their worries over the portal began to disappear as they entered the edge of the city. The destruction was worse than they thought or could see from the hill. The trees now were mostly barren or their branches completely snapped. Random objects in different sizes that they didn’t recognize were scattered everywhere on the ground and in bushes. Most of them looked to be broken in one way or another. Some of them they couldn’t even begin to figure out what they might have been. Most of the buildings were missing large pieces of walls or had all their glass broken. Bent pipes stuck out of the structures and rubble filled the sidewalks and corners.  Even some streets were uplifted and shattered creating large holes that were hazardous. It was complete ruin and chaos everywhere they looked.

There was no movement or sound within the city, only the noise of the ponies hoof clops on the street echoing ominously off the buildings. “It’s so quiet.” Fluttershy meekly said. “There’s no bunnies or birds, there’s no animal life at all. Come to think of it, I don’t even remember any noises near the portal either.

“It is awful I must admit.” Rarity said. “The entire town looks to be destroyed; oh I bet that it was wonderful before whatever disaster struck. Look at all these shops.” Rarity walked over to a nearby building and peered inside. She let out a gasp that drew the rest of the groups attention.

“What’s tha matter?” Applejack asked as she quickly galloped over.

“Oh it’s dreadful! Look at this!” Rarity complained. Applejack looked inside and saw what looked to be a clothes store. However all its items were torn about and were lying around instead of hanging neatly on hangers.

“It’s just a clothes store.” Applejack said dully.

“It’s not just a clothes store, it’s a crime! Oh look at some of these pieces,” Rarity said as he lifted one of the nearby dresses to inspect it. “The quality of fabric is so nice and look how they stitched it together. But I must admit that it is rather unusual. I mean look at the size of these dresses, and what in Equestria is this?” Rarity picked up an item of clothing with her horn that had an opening around the top with a belt and two long solid strips of clothing running down. She stared at it quizzically. “I can’t imagine how one would wear this. They are obviously ahead of our time in fashion.” Applejack rolled her eyes and convinced Rarity to leave the little shop and join the rest as they continued down the street.

They stayed along the streets of buildings that bordered to a nearby forest, following the edge of the city. They didn’t feel yet brave enough to go deeper into the density of this deserted town. Twilight had to keep asking Rainbow Dash to remain close and not fly off ahead. After a lengthy discussion Rainbow eventually and reluctantly agreed to keep with them and hovered above them to keep an eye out for any sign of trouble. Rainbow Dash desperately wanted to do a flyby out towards some of the tall buildings in the distance.

As they walked Applejack asked aloud, “Is it just me or does this place look like it’s been a mess fer awhile now.”

Grass was growing in-between the street cracks and everything held a dust on it when the inspected further. Twilight lifted a rusted empty can with her horn and tipped it sideways, dumping some dirt and dust that was inside. “I think your right. Everything is so decayed that this couldn’t have happened recently.” She glanced around, her mind thinking trying to fit the puzzle. 
“But that doesn’t make any sense. If the city being destroyed wasn’t the reason why we were called here, then what is? And more importantly,” Twilight said looking around, “who’s left that made the call?” As that last sentence sunk in the rest of the ponies glanced about nervously. They hadn’t seen any signs at all that some pony was still here living in the broken buildings. They couldn’t imagine who would want to anyways. They were tempted to call out aloud but a nagging feeling stopped them from doing so.

As they contemplated their situation Rainbow Dash thought she heard the noise of movement. Turning her head she searched around before she saw a shadow move behind a broken shop window in front of a small store. Her eyes remain locked on the window waiting for any more movement to confirm that she did indeed see something. 

She continued to stare while the rest of the group decided to keep moving. When they began walk away Rainbow saw the movement again in the shadows as a tiny dark head peeked out to watch the ponies. It watched them walk on for some time before it turned its head to the sky as if searching for something. It only took a moment for it to find Rainbow Dash and it froze when it saw that Rainbow Dash looking back at it. For only a moment their eyes locked before it darted back into the store.

“Over here!” Rainbow Dash called before she dove down to hover in front of the store windows. She scanned the inside of the store through the darkness, attempting to make out what was inside. Suddenly a door opened behind the counter revealing the back of the store with light from outside before it shut closed again. 

“Rainbow Dash what is it?” Twilight called as they trotted to join her.

“I don’t know what it is but something just ran out of that store!” Rainbow replied as she flew up above the store to see behind it. She spotted a small figure running across the grass and entering the forest behind the building. “It went into the woods! Come on!” She yelled. Without waiting for the rest to even respond Rainbow flew straight for the forest; she wasn’t allowing whatever it is to get away.

Twilight had tried to call Rainbow back but she was already entering the forest. Annoyingly Twilight called “Let’s go!” and the rest of them galloped to follow Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash had landed and galloped through the forest, it was thick and low here preventing her from flying. She needed to stay low to the ground to follow whatever it was she was chasing. She stayed on top of it as it ran through the trees and bushes in front of her only some seconds ahead. She knew it was small as Rainbow Dash almost lost it a few times from it running under some low thorn bushes she had to navigate around of. After some distance through the forest she finally heard its voice as it entered a clearing upcoming clearing of trees. A little girl’s voice yelling “Simon, Simon!” 

Bracing herself she galloped at full speed and burst out into the small clearing and whipped around to face the girl she had been chasing. She stopped short however when she saw her, and another thing that was bigger standing in front of her. Both of them weren’t ponies, they weren’t anything like Rainbow Dash had seen before. They stood on two legs and were covered from neck to feet in clothes. The little girl she had been chasing wore a blue overalls skirt with a red shirt underneath. She had dark hair and held a pink teddy bear that looked worn out. 
She hid behind the leg of the other figure that was much taller than her, Rainbow Dash’s head only came up to his chest. He or what Rainbow Dash figured was a he, wore what used to look like a nice suit that was now beaten up and old. His hair was a light grey and completely overgrown down to his shoulders along with an equally white scruffy beard. On his face was a pair of glasses with one of the lenses cracked. And in his hands he held a golden crown with three red rubies embedded into it. The figured said, “Marceline, stay behind me.”