//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Breaking the System // Story: Equestria, I Choose You! // by BronyDJ //------------------------------// A few days ago... Something had gone terribly wrong in the Kanto city of Cerulean. Bill, Bebe, and Kara stood and watched as the teleportation process began. However, the moment the device started up, the trio began to feel chills run down their spines; something very bad was about to happen. This was proved by a pained yell from Stephen from inside the machine. With a final bright flash from inside the capsule, the process was over and Stephen was no longer inside. Bill ran over to his computer and launched his communications with One Island. The moment he saw a familiar face he started asking questions. “Celio!” Bill yelled, anxiety taking over. “Is Stephen there yet?” The correspondent shook his head, and showed his own teleportation device. It was open and smoking, but the talented Trainer was nowhere to be seen. “What could have happened?” Bill's head was in his hands, tears starting to run down his cheeks. He heard someone running up from behind him. “You idiot!” Kara forcefully turned Bill face her, and slapped him as hard as she could, sending him to the ground. He looked up from the ground and saw that Kara was now on her knees, crying into her hands. Bebe came over to comfort her, and tried explaining to Celio. “Something happened in the teleportation process.” Bebe’s voice had a hint of sadness in its tone. “We don't know what, but it seems to have sent Stephen somewhere else.” "Sent?” Kara looked up, eyes red from sobbing. “How do you know that he’s not… if he's…” She dared not finish that sentence. “Because,” Bebe brought Kara over to another monitor, this one displaying the familiar moving charts one would see in a hospital. “Bill ingeniously snuck an extra feature onto the new Pokéballs. He put a pulse monitor on the capsules, and it's still recording DNA and pulse.” “But where is he?” Kara watched as the monitor began to show weak spikes in the heartbeat. “Oh no!” “Kara, please calm down.” Bill rose from the floor, caressing his cheek. “He could have just fell asleep due to the energy the teleport used. He'll be up and back to normal again soon. I promise.” Kara wanted to stay by the monitor for the rest of the day, but night was already approaching. “C’mon Kara. You need to rest. Let me and Bebe figure out what went wrong.” Kara was reluctant, but finally agreed. Maybe things would be better tomorrow. She really hoped they would be. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The tech pair worked hard on figuring out what caused the accident. They kept in constant contact with Celio on the receiving machine. But upon what first was hours, then several days of research, Bill and Bebe were barely able to find anything that could have went wrong. Until one day… “Hello?” Kara picked up the phone. It wasn't her house phone, it was Stephen's. She had taking care of some of the other Pokémon that escaped from the Pokémon Professor's Pokémon ranch that would stop by Stephen's house for help or for some fun. She really missed Stephen, and had never given up hope on her two tech-savvy friends. They will find Stephen. The hope didn't falter, instead it grew the moment she heard the voice on the other line. They will get him back home. “Bill, what happened? Slow down!” “KARAJUSTGETOVERHERENOW!” Bill was barely decipherable on the phone. “IT'SREALLYIMPORTANTCOMEONIT'SABOUTSTEPHEN!” He then hung up, with a sharp slam that startled Kara. He sounded mad, but he was really excited as well. She made her usual way to Bill’s house, taking Stephen’s car to get there. She didn't even have to knock on the door, as Bill swung open the door and pulled Kara in forcefully. “Look!” Bill pointed to a monitor that had several numbers that Bebe brought up. Kara couldn't make head nor tails of it. Both she and Stephen were better a Social Studies and English in school. She looked to Bill and Bebe, who just shook their heads. “What am I looking at right now?” Kara asked. Bill looked to her incredulously when he remembered that she wasn't as good with numbers and computers as him and his Sinnoh counterpart. “Well,” Bebe answered for him. “We had based our teleportation on the transference of molecules as a mass via the three axes on a dimensional plane, x, y, and z.” She pointed to three variables on a screen, which led to equations that formed lines on a three-dimensional image that look similar to a tunnel. Bebe continued, “The x and y coordinates were exact. However, the z-" “The z coordinate just happens to be a whole unit off, compared to where it should be.” Bill finished for her. He pointed at the z-coordinate line. “This is completely askew from where we need it to be, therefore giving us reason to believe that Stephen may be…” “In another dimension.” Bebe finished. Kara looked up, still a bit confused. “And you've kept the coordinates the same this whole time?” Kara asked. “Well yeah, just in case he-” Bill realized what she meant. “No, Kara. I won't let you.” “He's lost, Bill!” Kara exclaimed. “At least let me be lost with him!” She walked over to the machine. “Bebe!” Bill called to his partner. “Stop her!” “No,” Bebe refused, then responded. “She may have a point. What if they can find a way back together? Maybe they can do something in there that we can't from here!” Bill thought about this for a second, then looked back to another monitor, calling up his communication system once again. “Celio!” He called his buddy, who responded quickly. Celio wasn't exactly a man of many words, but he spoke when it was necessary. “I need you to keep your receiver online and ready for any incoming teleports, okay?” Celio looked confused, but nodded. To him, it seemed like there was some kind of large delay, and that Stephen would make it through to his machine in due time. “Good,” Bill exhaled, then walked over to another table, and beckoned Kara over. On this table was another set of the new Pokéballs Bill had made, and a curious looking laptop-like device. “So you're gonna send me in after him?” Kara asked. Bill nodded. “Okay, I understand the need for the new Pokéballs, but what's the laptop for?” “Think of it as a mini-PC.” Bill responded. Kara looked at him with a glare that said “Yeah, no sh*t, Sherlock.” “But instead of switching Pokémon out, it’s to be used as a video phone.” Kara nodded in understanding, then placed in her pack. She removed her six normal Pokéballs from her lace-embroidered ball-sash and handed them to Bill, who put her Pokémon in the Newballs in minutes. “Are you ready, Kara?” he asked, making sure Bebe kept the coordinates the same as they had been when they had launched Stephen's trial. “Step into the capsule.” “Good luck, Kara,” Bebe said, as the female Trainer stepped into the teleportation device. “Go and bring Stephen back alive for us.” Kara nodded with a somewhat confident smile before the capsule door closed on her. With a click of a single key, the teleportation process started again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in Equestria... It had only been a day since the failed invasion, but Stephen was walking though and out of an overcrowded hospital. The Changelings that were still unconscious were laid out onto many beds in the wing usually reserved for injured Royal Guards. The ones still paralyzed, had frozen body parts, or had some burn were still being treated at a fairly quick rate. Others had recovered somewhat and lay asleep in their cots. Stephen did not stop for anything; he was being summoned by the Princesses. He didn't take well to being summoned so early in the morning, but it's not like they weren't going to give him breakfast right? He arrived at the Royal Dining Room, where Princess Luna, Celestia, Chrysalis, Shining Armor, Twilight, and a new Alicorn were seated, waiting for him. “Hello?” Stephen caught their attention. He wasn't a morning person; that was Kara's thing. The thought of his girlfriend depressed him. How was she doing? Was she okay? Did she kill Bill already? The ponies kept easily seeing this change in the human's behavior. “Stephen,” Princess Luna observed the sad expression of the Trainer. “Are you okay?” Stephen looked up, making his face more or less expressionless. He waved a dismissive hand halfheartedly. “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.” he replied. “Just… not a morning person.” Celestia raised an eyebrow and Luna gave a small smile. “Well, we’ve been waiting on you,” a loud, obnoxious unicorn voiced suddenly as he appeared next to the alicorn Stephen didn't recognize. “Give your order, beast.” “Blueblood!” Celestia scolded the over-privileged noble pony. “He’s not only an esteemed guest, but a hero!” The white stallion harrumphed and called a butler pony to take his order of oats and a grilled daisy sandwich. Celestia sighed, then turned back to Stephen. “Sorry, Stephen, Blueblood’s arrogance may be annoying, but you’ll get used to it. Also,” the servant approached Stephen, a bit fearful. “I don't know what your species eats, so if you could tell us-” “No.” Stephen simply replied. “That's for another time.” Explaining that you’re an omnivore among herbivores just before breakfast would be bad. “Okay then,” this time, the butler pony spoke up. “Can I have your order, sir?” Stephen thought for a bit, then answered. “Do…” he began. “Do you guys have pancakes?” The butler nodded, which actually brightened up Stephen's day a bit. “Blueberry pancakes?” The butler nodded again, and the Trainer gave a true smile, something the ponies had not seen before from the Trainer. “Great, I’ll have a stack of four of those and a cup of orange juice, please.” The butler bowed and went to collect the ponies’ orders. The others ordered some kind of grain related food item, and the conversation started with Celestia introducing the new Alicorn. “Stephen,” Celestia gestured to the pink mare present. “This is Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire. She’s Shining Armor’s wife and also happens to be Twilight's sister-in-law.” The mentioned Alicorn gives a warm smile, and nod of respect. “Hello, Stephen.” She spoke. Stephen's smile immediately turned into a neutral line; she sounded exactly like Kara. “Welcome to Equestria, and thank you for helping my aunts in defending Canterlot.” “Charmed.” Stephen replied, also with a nod of respect for her title. “And… it was…” She seemed innocent and nice. He probably shouldn't say anything too harsh or sarcastic. “My… um, pleasure.” Cadance grinned, then turned to the tall, black, bug-like equine next to Celestia. Whoa, He thought, raising his eyebrow. Never mind about nice and innocent. It looks like she's going to strangle her! He was then momentarily distracted by a butler arriving with his pancakes. Stephen realized it was still quiet, the glare war between Chrysalis and Cadance was still ongoing. “I forgot to ask,” He broke the tension with a question to Celestia. “What the history between you and Chrysalis?” Chrysalis looked down solemnly at her plate: a simple sandwich with what looked like several flowers in the mix. Weird, but expected Stephen moved a bit away from the Changeling Queen. “I…” Chrysalis chose to answer. “Attempted to take over Canterlot and Equestria a year ago.” Then she looked up at Celestia. “I was able to detain Princess Celestia, but was eventually overpowered by the Power of Love wielded by Shining Armor and Princess Cadence.” The couple had mixed reactions: Shining blushed at the attention, and Cadance smirked proudly. “Well,” Stephen responded, just as Cadance was about to say what was going to be a diss. “It's a good thing you chose to finally come here in a more diplomatic setting. If only it wasn't under such a dire situation.” Chrysalis silently nodded. “I have also,” She gestured to her head, where I swore a crown sat upon yesterday. “Given up my royal title.” She looked to Celestia with a small smile. “Princess Celestia has allowed my Changelings the take refuge and assimilate with pony society, and I shall act as ambassador for all Changelings. It is better to be captured by a kind enemy, than to join forces with somepony who would destroy us.” He let that quote sink in and nodded. “I have a question for you as well, Stephen.” Celestia spoke up with a worried, motherly tone. “Did you get any sleep? You still seem very tired and disoriented.” “Meh,” The human waved at her dismissively. “Like I said, I'm not much of a morning person, always preferred the night time.” He noticed Luna smile wider out of the corner of his eye. “Another question: are alicorns a special kind of pony? Wha’'s the difference between you and the other ponies out there?” He picked up his utensils and started digging into the blueberry pancakes. Yum. Pancakes. “Well,” Now Luna was answering his question. “Besides the fact that we have characteristics of all three Equestrian races, we are very strong in terms of magic.” “How so?” Stephen asked. The four Alicorns in the room rose and turned to show the marks on their flanks. If he were a different person, he would have blushed, but he instead focused on the marks instead of their placement. “You see these symbols?” Luna asked, to which Stephen nodded. “These are cutie marks, which a pony receives at the time when they discover their true talent, usually at a young age. One may be erudite in a certain subject or activity, but will always be most efficient when performing what the cutie mark depicts, or anything relevant to it. As you can see, my sister's mark is the Sun, and mine the Moon. We are responsible for the rising and setting of the respective bodies. They move across the sky without our help, but would not be able to breach horizons without a little magical push.” Little? Stephen was in disbelief. That must take a lot of energy. Luna now turned to the remaining Alicorns, Twilight and Cadence. “Cadence’s responsibility it to maintain love, peace, and order amongst ponies. Love, especially. Twilight, who recently became an Alicorn, had discovered the importance of friendship, and that the magic of friendship is what strengthens the bonds between ponies across this whole world. Her skills and abilities in magic are unmatched, and is able to teach others how to come together for friendship and peace.” The Alicorns sat back down. “Wow,” Stephen nodded at the four of them, eyes wide at just what these mares could accomplish. “Impressive.” “My turn,” the obnoxious brat pony caught his attention. “Why do you use circus creatures for your little 'army?’” This stallion was really getting on the Trainer’s nerves. “Why not just learn how to use a sword or spear like a normal stallion?” “Did you just call–?” Stephen's hands had balled up into fists, his left hand held a knife that he would easily throw at the moronic pony, and he could feel his Pokémon getting angry in their balls. One such Pokémon, the usually timid one, popped out onto the table and bounded over to the offending stallion, and started growling at him. “Maple!” “Ah!” Blueblood squealed in fright. “It might mess up my coat, the dirty animal!” “HOW DARE YOU!” Stephen shouted at him. The other ponies in attendance noticeably shrank at the sheer anger in his tone, even Celestia, who didn’t seem to be one to be intimidated. He looked at them, took a deep breath, and had Maple return to his side. “My Pokémon have been with me since childhood, and they’ve been the closest thing I’ve had to family ever since. They’ve taught me lessons in life that no other person was able to, and I’m pretty the only lesson I’ll ever learn from an idiot like you is how I shouldn't become you. You’re an obnoxious, spoiled lout that is nowhere even close to deserving whatever noble title you’ve been given that allows you to eat at this table!” “I am a Prince!” Blueblood countered, stomping his hoof and turned his nose up at the human. “What makes you so special?” Stephen would have punched him if it weren't for the others in the room. “If you didn’t notice anything important yesterday,” Stephen continued lecturing at the noble jerk. “Then you truly don’t care about the people, as a proper Prince should.” Stephen nodded to Shining Armor. Maple blew a raspberry at the offending stallion from beside her Trainer’s legs. “The people aren’t peasants and shouldn't be treated as such; you're supposed to be a leader, not an obnoxious little brat.” “Please,” Celestia decided now to butt in, then turned to Blueblood. “Nephew, we would all appreciate it if you would return to your estate for your betterment and health.” Blueblood knew better than to argue with Celestia, and did what he was told, although he grumbled the whole way out. Before Stephen could continue his breakfast, he had Maple return to her ball. The rest of the morning went on with just small talk among the equines at the table. Every time the human heard Cadence speak with Shining Armor, his frown became more pronounced, his mood becoming sour as memories of Kara swarmed his mind. They didn't seem to notice this, and continued chatting until Celestia suddenly perked up, as if she smelled something dangerous. “Luna!” Celestia turned to her sister, her expression reading urgency. “Did you feel that?” Luna nodded and a few seconds later, a light flashed from atop the middle of the large dining table. The group regained their sense of sight, which fell upon the sudden appearance of a certain draconequus. “Ah!” Twilight jumped back in alarm. “Discord, don't do that!” The aforementioned God of Chaos rolled his eyes and turned to the Royal Sisters. “I do assume you felt that, right?” Discord raised an eyebrow, knowing the answer. “That magical fluctuation?” “Fluctuation?” Stephen asked, breaking Discord's eye contact with the Princesses. However, it was the latter to answer. “Stephen,” Celestia began. “Right around the time you came into our world, there was a kind of large fluctuation, a sort of giant wave, of magical energy from around where you were found. You said you had no magical abilities, and that most of your Pokémon weren’t able to do such a thing. What brought you here?” Ah, so the big question was to be answered now. “I was helping a friend with testing a prototype teleportation device that would send me one place and return me.” Stephen answered. “In short, something went wrong and it sent me here instead.” “Is it possible, then,” Discord then asked. “For another human to reach us via your device?” “I guess.” the Trainer shrugged. “Why?” “This fluctuation,” Luna gestured out to the window. “Is very similar to the one Celestia and I sensed when you arrived, if not exactly the same.” Stephen's eyes widened in understanding. “Someone’s made it here?” Stephen jumped out of his seat and looked to Celestia and Luna. “Can you bring me there?” “Yes, we can get our chariot and-” Stephen cut off Celestia, with a sharp response. “No.” Stephen declined the chariot for a better idea. “Teleport us there.” “Stephen, we-” Luna tried to say something before the human demanded expediency. “Now!” Stephen yelled. The two Alicorn Sisters reluctantly cantered over to Stephen. Discord, Cadance, and Twilight joined them in a small group. Celestia's horn began to glow a gold color, and the world was bathed in white. Seconds later, the Canterlot group arrived in the dry plains past the Everfree Forest, where Stephen had first awoken. Celestia didn’t seem exhausted by the effort of teleporting multiple beings, and that made Stephen wonder why she suggested using the chariots in the first place. “Well then,” a new voice, gravelly and oozing with malice. “What do we have here?” The group looked to see yet another mismatched creature, though it was twice Discord’s height. It had a head similar to the smaller relative and a darker shade of brown for fur. His eyes were a bold, bloody red, and his two antlers were liked the crooked branches on a dead tree. His left hand was a blue dragon claw, his right was a black raven's claw. His feet were similar to a goat's and buffalo. His long tail was long, scaly, and dark. Small spikes made up the ridges of the draconequus’ spine. “And I was just thinking we were about to get lonely.” “Corruption.” Celestia glared at the villain. “You'll pay for your crimes soon enough.” Cadance spoke first for the ponies. “‘We’? What do you mean by ‘we’?” Corruption stepped aside and allowed another bipedal figure to step forward. It was female, and she looked normal until the allied ponies observed something peculiar about her. She had black hair where brown was, her white shirt was now gray, her knee-length jeans were now a darker blue, and her normally brown eyes were now a cold ice blue. Her skin, usually light peach, was now a shade of white and gray. “Kara?” Stephen recognized his girlfriend, a tear threatening to roll down his face. “You monster!” He ran at Corruption, who merely flicked one finger of his dragon hand, and Stephen was sent flying. “Hmph,” Corruption pouted, acting as though he was offended. “Such violence from the Champion of prophecy. Or should I say a Champion of prophecy.” “What?” Discord was now angry and in disbelief. “The prophecy said that he,” he pointed at Stephen, who was struggling to get up. “Was the one Champion!” “Tch, ah Dissy,” Corruption shook his head. “Someone’s a little rusty on runes!” The vile draconequus pulled a book out of thin air, and upon opening the book, all could see that it held not letters nor words, but runes and spell lines. “It says that a Champion fallen from the stars, taken from their home afar, will guide or aid the shadowed beasts of legendary form, and shall be the one to protect others or lead the dark forces in the oncoming storm.” He closed the book and teleported it away, happy with himself. “Now, everyone,” Corruption continued. “I have my Champion, and you have yours.” He glared at Stephen as he finally met up with everyone. “Why don't we have a test to see just how strong your side is?” “No!” Luna stepped in. “You will cease your control and cease this unnecessary warring! Violence is not welcome in Equestria!” “Violence doesn't knock politely.” Corruption replied. “It barges in and leaves debris wherever it goes. Now, the battle?” “It's fine, everyone.” Stephen stopped anyone from interfering. “I'll battle her.” He raised his Pokéball solemnly, “Besides, I know how this one will end.” He reached for a Pokéball from his sash. Shadow-Kara did the same. They threw the balls at the same time, but said nothing to call their Pokémon out. “Ampha!” Stephen's Volta stood at the ready, and saw its opponent. She was unsure as her Trainer about this battle, but would not let it show. “Raii!” On Kara and Corruption's side, an orange and yellow mouse appeared; a Raichu named Storm. Like its owner, the Raichu’s colors had darkened, and it eyes glowed with intent to cause pain. It was an intent to kill its opponent rather than make it faint like in a normal battle. “Be careful, Volta.” Stephen warned her. “Start it off with an Iron Tail!” The Electric type charged the mouse, spun around, tail glowing, and lashed out with a tail as hard as iron. There was a shock wave upon contact, and a large cloud of dust covered the battle. When it settled, all but Stephen, Kara, and Corruption gasped; the Ampharos' Iron Tail was kept in check by the Raichu's own. This would be nowhere close to a quick battle. Stephen must win this. Celestia watched the human worriedly, who was showing signs of fear and unsteadiness. The result of this battle will spell the fate of all Equestria!