//------------------------------// // Strange Conspiracy // Story: Pony Art Online // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// The gamers looked each other more confused than ever. What was going on there? They saw Yui, who seemed as confused as them. “How is that possible?” asked Asuna. “I mean… if it’s true the NerveGear transported us to a true reality, why we still have our options menu, inventory and our attributes of SAO? Yui shook her head. “Mama, Papa, Silica… that’s the weirdest thing of all. Like I said, this is a real world where I’m a real filly, Silica’s dragon is real too and the NPCs are real people; but you aren’t real. You’re still configured as virtual entities; players” The five people from SAO stayed in silence because their shock; but Twilight called their attention. “Guys, is not than your chat isn’t interesting but you promised answers so give it to us. What’s the meaning of all this? Your daughter brought more questions than answers” After a while, Silica took a deep breath to continue her explanation. If she considered the Mane 6 great friends when she thought they were only NPCs, now than she knew they were real she didn’t want to lose them. “First of all, you must understand technology is much more advanced from we’re from” she started. “In our lands we have some kind of machine called computer that is a writing machine, a calculator, a tool to draw beautiful pictures in no time and all kind of stuff” The ponies nodded, they understood that part. “And there are also games you can only play if you have a computer; all kind of games” continued Kirito. “My favorites are the MMO-RPGs; where you create a character to use in a world of fantasy; a world that was created to people can create their character and play in there. That fantasy worlds are designed according to the creator; and also, according to what kind of fantasy world you’re playing, you create an specific kind of character” “In our case, when we started Legends of Equestria, the system asked us what kind of pony we wanted to be explaining a little the abilities of each kind” added Asuna. Celestia seemed to be thoughtful. “So, you entered to my Kingdom using that computer of yours, thinking it was one of that fake worlds created for the entertaining of your kind” The warriors nodded and Celestia smiled warmly. “I see. Please continue explaining about that MMO-RPGs” The gamers had to wait a long time thinking how give all the explanation about the internet and stuff like that. At the end was Kirito who explained the most, because he was the most experienced gamer. “Let’s see… okay, in those worlds you can find people from all over the world. You can be in two different countries in real life; but in the game you could walk together, talk, everything you can imagine. No matter who far are you in real life, you can instantly have contact with everyone. That’s how internet works” This was a little more confusing than the explanation about the computers but still the ponies could understand a little. Then Kirito continued. “And in the MMO-RPGs you can find two kinds of characters: the players, those who came from the real world and are playing just like you… and the NPCs or Non-Player-Characters. The NPCs have limited answers when you talk to them; so as limited actions. They only exist to make the game more interactive” “And the NPCs can be citizens of that world or well, the enemies you destroy to obtain stuff; like money or items” said Asuna. “You mean what you did to the Ursa?” asked Flutterhsy angrily. Celestia and Twilight stopped the pegasus before she did something she was going to regret. “Fluttershy, please. They thought the animal wasn’t real, only another NPC. I don’t like what they did but I can’t blame them for doing it neither” said Twilight. “They are here under unusual circumstances, so please calm down” Fluttershy obeyed, but still was staring furiously to Asuna and Kirito. Silica, well, she considered Silica a friend and she didn’t killed an animal yet so she forgive the beast tamer. Kirito continued the explanation. “You obtain different kind of stuff according to the enemy you defeat. For example, my black sword; the Elucidator was obtained that way. But also, when you defeat an enemy, you improve your abilities. If you are fast, you become faster; if you are strong, you can be even stronger. That’s how our games works” The ponies didn’t know what to say. They understood a little, but only a little. Finally Celestia softly sighed and looked at the warriors. “Very well; I understand what I need to understand. Now please leave my Kingdom and go to another game. If it’s true you didn’t mean to destroy a real animal and I’m thankful for saving Sunny Town; I need you to abandon Equestria forever” Kirito nodded. “We tried, your majesty. After the first day we tried to disconnect and look for a new game, but it wasn’t possible. Something is retaining our avatars in here” “And what about get a life and stop playing computer games?” ironized Rainbow Dash. Yui shook her head angrily. “That’s not an option. If Mama and Papa do that, I’ll never see them again. Somehow I became real and I’m stuck in this world; so the only way I can be with my parents is to figure out what’s happening and the three of us can go anywhere else where we can be a family again” And Pina hugged Silica. “And I’ll never see Silica again. She’s my tamer, we supposed to be together” Silica kissed Pina’s forehead. “Don’t worry Pina. You can live here freely; along with Spike. I’ve seen you two are a lovely couple, so you can be happy without me” Pina was about to say something but she couldn’t and started crying. Asuna sighed. “The thing is I’m not going anywhere without Yui. First we have to find a solution and then we can leave you alone but in the meantime, I’m staying with my daughter” And, like emphasizing Asuna’s point of view, Kirito and her hugged Yui and Pina did the same with Silica. Celestia frowned. “Alright, family is first; I get it. I don’t like this but you’re right; we have to find a solution for the situation here; and in order to do that, we have to work together” They all nodded. “I have a suspicion, but I need you to disconnect first. We’re meeting at your side” continued the Princess. The warriors obeyed. Kazuto Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki took of the NerveGears back in Kazuto’s room. “What do you think about all this?” asked Asuna. The boy scratched his head. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure if all that was for real or some kind of bug that affected Yui. Besides, supposing that was all real and they’re coming here, how are gonna make it?” “With magic” sounded Celestia’s voice behind them. Kazuto and Asuna turned shaking in fear. There they were, Celestia and the Mane 6 along with Yui in her pony form. None of them said anything for a while, when someone knocked at the door. “Brother, Asuna, are you done with the game? I’m coming in…” “Sugu!!” tried to warn Kazuto running to the door, but it was too late. His sister, Suguha, entered to the room and saw the ponies. She almost fainted of the impression. … They were all at Kirigaya’s house living room, discussing about the situation. After explaining Suguha what happened, it was necessary to give her some time and something to drink to make her recover from the shock. If it wasn’t for the presence of the ponies, she probably would think than her brother and his girlfriend became insane. And, to make thing better, Ayano Keiko called themi screaming that Pina and Spike were in her house. “For now, I would like to examine closely that computer and the NerveGears” asked Celestia. Kazuto and Asuna guided Celestia, Twilight and Yui back to Kazuto’s room. Once in there, Kazuto turned on the computer and showed the Princesses how he couldn’t disconnect from the server. Celestia closed her eyes and concentrated her magic around the computer. After two minutes, she freed the equipment and frowned. “Just what I thought: the thing is retaining your avatars inside Equestria is some kind of magic; and is coming from our side. If it wasn’t for your daughter, the obvious solution will be not play computer games anymore” “And she can’t stay here with her parents?” asked Twilight. Celestia shook her head. “No; because she will be in the form she is now and that could be a problem in this world. I can cast a transformation spell on her but it won’t last more than twelve hours” “And what can we do?” asked Twilight. “Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student, I know what they done; but I can assure you they’re not bad. In fact, they’re only children” Twilight blinked surprised. “So you’re gonna let them stay in Equestria?” “Yes, but only while we solve this problem” said Celestia firmly. “That’s why they’re going to be under your protection; but also under your censure and your friends’, do you understand? “ Kazuto, Asuna, Twilight and Yui nodded. “What do you think about this?” asked Asuna, noticing her boyfriend was thoughtful. “Whoever locked us inside Legends of Equestria planed all this” declared the boy making the others gasps. “Just think about it: I talked to a few classmates about this game in the school; but they didn’t found it or heard about it. And remember when you asked Rika about it too? She didn’t found the server” Asuna paled. “We’re the only ones who found the correct server because… because we have Yui! Our enemy knows we won’t separate from her no matter what!” Kazuto nodded. “Same for Silica, who is very close to her dragon. I don’t know who did this but he or she needs us in Equestria. The question is why” Twilight and Celestia looked each other realizing they were right. There was something sinister and very well planned behind all this. But who they were fighting and what was the plan? “So I was right” said Celestia darkly. “That problem with the Ursa was only the beginning”