//------------------------------// // Slice of Life Arc, Pt. 4 // Story: Epic Rap Battles of MLP // by enigmaMystere //------------------------------// Vinyl poked her head out the door, looking up at the sky. Not seeing a single cloud, she cautiously stepped onto the stoop, calling back into the gingerbread-styled building. “All clear. No tornadoes, or even rain.” She paused, noticing the empty streets. “Or... a single pony.” The two ponies from another dimension chose not to follow out just yet. Instead, they sat at a table, watching her and staying quiet for the time being as they waited to see her reaction to what would happen next. One of her ears twitched, and she quickly turned to her left. Her eyes widened quickly, and she faced the stallions, slightly nervous. “You, ah… you know anything about a parade, you guys?” Arrell replied with an almost evil chuckle while Yah-Shee just wore an unsettling smirk and nodded. “In that case…” She walked up to them, grinning darkly. “You’re going to be joining.” Without a warning, she grabbed them up in her magic and tossed them out into the throng of ponies passing outside, soon joining them. Neither of them looked very amused, but they didn’t look too surprised either. They just walked along with the other ponies, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. Which essentially required them to plaster giant smiles on their faces and sing along in a chorus they had either memorized from seeing beforehand, or were just magically learning as they went. As the song-fueled parade ended, Vinyl turns to the two of them, chuckling playfully. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” “Gets boring the fourteenth time over,” Arrell deadpanned. “What?” She tapped his forehead, arching an eyebrow. “You’re saying you’ve participated in this that many times?” “Probably more than that,” Yah interrupted. “We’ve been to a lot of worlds that have only one or two little changes - usually the added existence of someone into the core dynamic - so we see stuff happening over and over.” “And for this parade...it’s a Pinkie Pie parade,” Arrell added with a shrug. “Kinda can’t help but join in.” “So what you’re saying is...” She gestured to a nearby gray mare, who was chatting with a large stallion. “...you eye her flank every single time?” “...I’m not always in the same spot.” The stallion’s ear twitched, and he turned to the red pegasus, crimson eyes narrowing slightly. “What was that?” He stormed over, his muscle-bound frame towering above the other pony. “You were ogling my marefriend?” Arrell looked like he was racking his head for some way to get out of this for a couple seconds before he finally spoke. “...consider it a compliment?” A white hoof was brought down on his head less than a second later. Vinyl snorted, rolling her eyes and looking up at the surprised stallion. “Sorry, he’s a perv, but he didn’t mean any harm.” She held up the same hoof she hit Arrell with, smiling sheepishly. “We good?” He laughed, taking the hoof and shaking it pleasantly. “We’re good. I really need to work on my anger, anyways.” He glanced down at the unconscious pegasus, unsure. “Will he be okay?” “He’s had a lot worse from similar situations,” Yah answered. “If you say so.” The muscular pony shrugged and walked away, the gray mare by his side. Vinyl looked at the other unicorn, curious. “He has? Like what?” “Let’s just say in one of our other visits to this parade, that scene played out as though you weren’t here.” She grimaced. “Ouch.” “Yeah, ouch...but hey, worst comes to worst, we can use him as a test dummy to figure out how strong ponies are. He can take a few hits.” Lighting his horn, he lifted the pegasus up onto his back to carry him. “So, now that the parade’s over, what’s your plan?” “I dunno. Berry asked if she could use my setup in the forest for another game…” She tapped her chin, thoughtful. “She asked for a ‘legendary mode’... whatever that means.” Yah raised an eyebrow. “Legendary mode…? I’d watch out if I were you. That usually means ‘really difficult’.” She blinked, tilting her head in curiosity. “So… the normal mode, then?” “No. If it has the word ‘Legendary’ in it, it’s either really rare or really tough. More so than you’re used to either way.” “But that’s not possible.” The mare shook her head. “The program was one that I wrote, and it was made to make every single enemy like a living being. Alive, adaptable. The only way it could get harder would be to have a larger number of foes!” She frowned deeply. “I am not letting little Berry Pinch into something like that, and definitely not alone.” Yah thought for a moment. “...what if there were a couple other ponies in there to keep an eye out?” “That would be extremely helpful.” Vinyl gestures to him. “Care to expand on that thought?” “Well...Arrell and I don’t really have anything to do for a while.” He paused. “...or at all, really. We kind of make our own breaks...we could take a day off to help out.” She blinked, his words sinking into her mind for a moment before she smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Yah. I’d appreciate that.” The stallion smiled back. “No problem. Besides, a chance to check out some new technology is a chance I always want to take.” “Sweet!” She turned, gesturing down the road. “Before that, let’s get your friend to my place. He might want someplace comfortable to sleep.” Yah chuckled and moved to follow her. “Pretty sure he could sleep on a bed of cacti, but yeah, might as well at least get him indoors.” With a nod from the mare, the two of them head down the street, the red pegasus jostling with every step. A final clack of the black piece in Rhino’s green magic took Angel’s final red piece. “And that would be game, Angel.” The white unicorn stared at the board, jaw agape in shock. “I… I can’t believe it… I lost…” He chuckled at her expression. “Don’t be so surprised, checkers isn’t nearly as complex as chess, so it’s not like I’m a genius at it or anything. It’s just one of those games I like to play instinctually.” She sighed, letting her head rest on the table between them. “Even so… I hardly ever lose… maybe because I hardly play, but still!” He tilted his head at her. “It’s just a game you know. Nothing to get upset over.” “I’m not upset…” She looked up at him, sheepishly smiling. “I just… got reminded of someone… close to me.” “Oh…” His ears flicked in thought. “And is that a good thing?” She goes quiet, considering his question before slowly nodding. “Yes. I just… miss him, is all…” That wording sent off warning signs in the stallion’s head. “Oh… I see…” He suddenly felt as though there was a tangible aura of awkwardness he had stumbled into. She cleared her throat, sheepishly smiling. “S-sorry, that killed the mood. M-maybe we should try something else? A new game, or something similar?” “Sure thing, seems like a good way to ride out this odd storm.” His horn lit up as he started to pack away the current board. “What other games were you thinking?” She squirmed at the word ‘storm’, her eyes darting to the closed blinds for a moment. “Um… well, maybe we can… just talk a bit? I can’t really decide on a game, at the moment…” The stallion shrugged. “That’s fine too if that’s what you want. Was there anything in particular you wanted to talk about?” “W-well…” She held up a hoof. “W-where you’re from, maybe?” A deep chuckle rumbled in Rhino’s chest. “Now that isn’t that a question with an interesting answer while I’m here…” He leaned back looking towards the ceiling. “If I were the cryptic sort… I would say I’m from both here, yet not here.” She blinked, blankly staring at him. “Rhino, it’s a little too early in the day for riddles…” “Is it too early for magic and science?” He asked in response. “Because the direct answer involves both. Essentially… I was temporarily taken from an alternate dimension to this one and have decided to treat my time here as a sort of vacation. I live in Ponyville there, but obviously not Ponyville here.” She deflates slightly. “Oh… I suppose that kinda makes sense…” She cleared her throat once more, gesturing to him. “Do you have a… special somepony, there?” He nodded. “I do actually. My version of Fluttershy is my marefriend.” Angel flinched, turning away with a small whimper. “I-I see… I guess you two are happy together, then?” “We are. We’ve only been together a few months, but things have been great.” He looked back down from the ceiling and saw her turned away. “Hey, you okay?” “I’m fine...” She sighs, facing him again with teary eyes. “I’m glad everything’s going well with you and… Fluttershy…” She took a shuddering breath before standing up on unsteady legs. “I-I’ll be right back. I need to get started on dinner…” She turned and left, knocking over a picture frame in her haste. The picture was a simple one that you would find in the household of many happy families. A very obviously pregnant Angel lays there, her round belly on display as she lays on a couch. Laying in a mirroring pose to her, his head against hers in a nuzzle… is Rhino. There can be no doubt it is him either, everything from cutie mark to colors is the same. The current Rhino stood there, mouth agape as he looked upon the picture. Sure, he had reasoned that there could be some version of him in this universe, but to find out like this is not what he had in mind. His mind raced as he tried to decipher why he wouldn’t have seen himself if he were here, as obviously his apparent wife was. The conclusions he drew were not pleasant to think about and he is soon forced to distance himself from those thoughts with some deep breaths. “I’m sorry.” He turned to find the white mare sitting in the kitchen doorway, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. “I just... wanted a little more time with him…” “More time…” He repeated in a whisper, his voice a bit shaky. “What happened?” “I… I left for a while… got called away by my job…” She sniffled, her gaze falling to the floor. “He… he saved our daughter… but at a cost…” The stallion couldn’t help the pangs his heart took for the mare. “How long ago? How is she?” “She… she’s happy…” She smiled softly, a bittersweet expression. “She probably forgot about me, since then… it’s been four years, after all…” “You didn’t take care of her?” he asked quietly. She huffed, her tone taking on an edge. “I just got back from that trip I told you about… I couldn’t see her for six years… not until a month ago…” He was quiet for a few minutes, thinking, even though he knew he would be saner not to. “She is happy?” “She’s never appeared to be otherwise…” She closed her eyes, her ears flattening against her head. “I… I never got the courage to speak to her again… I just… feel like she’d blame me…” “Or maybe she’s been missing you this whole time.” He said, still speaking quietly. “You should talk to her.” She flinched, bowing her head in shame. “You… you’re probably right… just like he always was…” “We would probably both agree: family is the most important thing.” His eyes locked onto the floor, Rhino turned away from the picture, walking slowly away. “Wait.” She rushed over, gently hugging him. “Thank you… for everything…” She laughs flatly, smoothing out her frazzled mane. “Just so you know… I think you’ll be an excellent father… and not just because of my husband…” She grimaces, turning away and blushing brightly. “S-sorry, I wish I could’ve worded that better…” “It did the job,” he said, still quiet, but finally meeting her eyes. “I hope you can be happy again like your were with him.” “I hope so, too…” She stood awkwardly for a moment before holding a hoof out to him. “W-when are you leaving, exactly? For home, I mean?” “I don’t really know…” He took a deep breath. “They said when they send me back, it’ll seem like only a few hours passed there, and it was night so nopony will notice.” “So… you could possibly been in town for another day, then?” The tone of her voice was hopeful, reinforced by the shy smile on her lips. “Yeah, I think so. Definitely.” He answered with a voice more like his normal one as the town of things seemed to be going back towards normal. “Why? Have something you wanted me to do?” “You could say that…” She tapped her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face. “That filly from the other day… she seemed to be really close to you…” “Who, Berry Pinch? Yeah, she does seem to be taking a shine to me.” This thought brought a smile to his face. “She’s a good filly and very smart.” “What I want to ask,” she sat down on the floor, smiling softly at him, “is that you make her time with you the best. She’s… special.” “Already working on that.” He smiled reassuringly at the mare. “I’ve spent a fair amount of time with her while I’ve been here, and I’ll probably spend more. She’s definitely one of my favorite things here.” “Good…” She sighed in relief, opening the door for him. “Oh, and the weird weather actually ended a few minutes ago.” She tapped her head, playfully sticking her tongue out and winking. Peeking out the window, Rhino saw this was true. “Well, at least I can head back to my lodgings without fear of random hail now.” He turned back to her, pausing a moment before speaking again. “Despite the last part… it was nice talking to you, Angel.” “Agreed.” She reached for him but stopped, pulling back nervously. “Um… I-I hope you and your marefriend have good luck…” “Thank you.” He tilted his head for a moment at her before taking a step closer. “And I wish you luck with your little one.” “T-thank you…” She sighed, closing her eyes. “I hope she can forgive me…” “I’m sure she will.” Pausing briefly, the stallion suddenly stepped forward and hugged her. The mare squeaked, sapphire eyes wide in shock. After a few seconds, she gently embraced him back, smiling softly. After a minute, the hug broke and Rhino nodded to Angel. “I should probably get going.” She laughed, waving nonchalantly at him. “Go ahead. I’ll be alright, now…” “You sure?” He asked sincerely. “I am.” She shrugged slightly. “I’d like to see you again before you go, but I think I had my fill of fluffy stallion for the day.” She grinned, playfully winking at him. He chuckled, winking back at her. “Well, if you want to talk again before I leave, just ask.” The door opened with a quick bit of magic. “I’ll be sure to.” Angel squirmed slightly, her cheeks tinting a soft pink. “I, um, have something I need to take care of, anyways…” “I understand. I’ll see you around then.” He raised a hoof in goodbye as he exited the house.         She smiled and waved back before closing the door, leaving the stallion to his own devices. He trotted down the street, his thoughts heavier than usual, but not nearly crushing him anymore as he sorted through them. Still, it was an experience he would never forget. The library was in a state of panic. Books were either opened on the desks and tables or thrown in piles on the floor. One mare, a butter-yellow pegasus, was flitting from table to table, her breathing erratic, scanning the pages and at times even rereading the same words. Another, a white unicorn, sat off to the side, a young purple dragon helping her search through ancient tomes on magic. Beside her lay a reference guide to the Elements of Harmony. In the middle of it all, a certain tangerine mare stood, staring at the star-shaped burn on the floor. Despite all the commotion, she didn’t seem the least bit upset. If anything, she was... acceptant. None of them noticed when the library door creaked open and a royal blue unicorn stallion poked his head in, looking over the flurry of activity. He seemed to be of average height and build, if a little pudgier than most stallions. He had a messy mane and a long tail, both yellow with brown tips, and a pair of glasses on his nose in front of his hazel eyes. On his flank was a picture of a golden shield with a light blue snowflake emblazoned on it. The earth pony glanced over at the visitor before sighing and walking over to him. “Can I help ya?” The unicorn looked at her. “Oh, um...what’s going on in here? You all seem...well, most of you seem like you’re looking for something, and ponies have been talking about flashes of light and loud noises coming from in here earlier.” “Yea, about that…” She scratched the side of her head, looking at the scorch mark on the floor. “A friend of ours vanished - at least, that’s what the others think.” He tilted his head. “The others? Then what do you think? That they’re still right there? Because I don’t see anypony in here aside from you who isn’t tossing half the books onto the tables and the other half over their shoulder.” “I think that she’s fine.” Her determined expression faltered and her eyes fell to the floor. “She’s just… somewhere else, right now. She’ll be back.” The stallion glanced over Applejack’s shoulder at the burn mark on the floor and raised an eyebrow. He was sorely tempted to point out how bad a sign that was, but decided that wouldn’t be the right approach here. Instead, he cleared his throat as he thought of a different way to steer the conversation. “Well...why don’t you explain what happened? And for that matter, why the rest of your friends are apparently trying to break speed reading records. I’m having a little trouble understanding both of those things.” “Our friend finished a spell that was incomplete for years.” She pointed to a notebook on the table, frowning slightly. “And then, out of nowhere, our Elements just zapped her. She got swallowed up by this big ball of energy that just blinded us as it burst, and… that’s what’s left.” “...you know, I understood what you said, but I think that just made me even more confused. Does this ‘incomplete spell finishing’ have anything to do with all that crazy weather and the farming problems down at Sweet Apple Acres earlier?” “The incomplete spell caused that.” He nodded. “Right. So, basically, she cast an incomplete spell - which, if she comes back, I want you to tell her was a really stupid idea - and that caused all the problems around Ponyville today. Then she finished the spell and cast it again, and that fixed everything, but then made her blow up?” She shook her head. “No, she fixed the incomplete spell before casting the completed one.” “Alright then...” He scratched the back of his neck with a hoof. “Guess that explains the book hunt; trying to find anything about this spell. But honestly, I have no clue what to say. If your friend is actually fine somewhere, there’s not really much you can do but wait and see if she comes back. Or maybe contact the princess.” “I’d have Spike do that, but…” The mare glanced at the drake, quirking an eyebrow. “He seems a little occupied, at the moment.” The stallion chuckled lightly. “He does, yeah...you know, I could send one if you wanted.” She turned back to him, eyes wide in surprise. “Really? You could do that?” He smiled and tapped his horn. “Pretty much every unicorn in the royal guard has to learn a sending spell to keep in constant communication with the princess. Just write it up and I’ll send it. I think you’d do a better job explaining the situation than I would.” “Wait a second.” She held up a hoof, confusion clear on her face. “You’re part of the royal guard?” “Winter Solstice, captain of the Ponyville division of the royal guard, at your service.” He saluted playfully and chuckled. “Yeah, appearances can be deceiving, huh? You’re not the first pony to get taken by surprise when I bring it up.” “No kiddin’? I thought all guards were buff. I mean...” She nervously laughed, backing away a bit. “I’ll, uh, get workin’ on that letter, now.” She ducked as her friend flew just overhead, watching the pegasus fumble a thick tome. “Maybe you can help her, while you wait?” Sol, looking slightly amused at her nervousness and indifferent to the unintended insult, nodded with a small chuckle. He lit his horn and quickly used his magic to steady the book in Fluttershy’s hooves before trotting over to help with the search for information, leaving Applejack alone to work on the letter. Several long minutes passed with Sol joining in to help with plowing through the nearly endless supply of books. The other ponies either didn’t notice he was there or didn’t care, because they paid him no heed as he scoured book after book at a somewhat slower pace than the rest of them. This wasn’t so much because he wasn’t in a hurry to find something helpful as it was because he didn’t even know what he was really looking for, aside from any mention of an incomplete spell. A hoof tapped him on the shoulder and he turned away from the tenth or eleventh book he had grabbed to see who it was. Applejack had returned, a rolled-up letter in her muzzle. He took it in his magic and unfurled it to read it. Dear Princess Celestia, I don’t wanna alarm you, but our friend vanished after completing a spell in that book you sent her. I’m sure you didn’t want something bad to happen to her, so can you please explain what you intent was? Your loyal subject, Applejack Sol blinked at the rather informal letter, his eyes flicking over the paper. He started pointing to one of the words near the end. “I think you misspelled ‘your’ here...” “I what?” She leaned in, reading over the letter once more. “Oh. I guess I sort of… rushed a bit, at the end.” He chuckled. “It’s fine. I think she’ll get the message either way.” He rolled the paper back up, then pumped more magic through his horn. In a small flash, the letter was gone. “Alright, she should be sending a reply back soon.” She tilted her head to one side, curious. “And if she doesn’t? Then what?” “Then either she’s really busy with something and we’ll have to wait, or she’s coming to make a personal visit about this instead.” He rubbed his neck. “Though if it’s one of those two options, I really hope it’s the first one. If she has to actually make an appearance, that means something’s really gone wrong.” “I suppose that’s true…” Applejack sighed, smiling and holding out a hoof. “Thanks for the help, Solstice.” He smiled and shook it. “Just call me Sol. And no problem.” “If ya say so.” She blinked, tilting her head to one side. “Wait, how would she even know who to send the reply to?” “When we send letters to her, it leaves sort of a magic print on it from the spell. She can tell whose magic it is and send the reply back that way.” He chuckled. “That, or she’ll just send it to you instead, since you signed the letter.” “Huh.” She laughed brightly, shaking her head. “I guess I forgot about that!” Before Sol could reply, a bright light shone into the windows from outside, contrasting heavily against the night sky that had risen while they were all in the library. Confused, the three mares, one stallion, and one baby dragon headed to the door to see what was going on outside. Already out there were Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, staring up at what seemed to be the source of the bright light in the sky. Three ponies slowly descended to the empty city street, the two on either side of the newly-crowned princess finally relaxing their grip on her. The chromatic-maned one laughed, throwing her hooves in the air. "That was sweet! Your brother should fling you off buildings more often!" The lavender mare spun around immediately, wings flared indignantly. "No, Rainbow! That's the last time I want anyone picking me up without permission!" "To be fair," the last one spoke up, "you were pretty much in musical mode. Maybe he unconsciously felt it'd give it that flashy finish?" "Meh." Rainbow shrugged, turning away from them. "Musicals sound silly. I mean, what pony just breaks out into song at the drop of a hat?" She noticed their flat stares, crossing her forelegs across her chest. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" The lone stallion of the group sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Nothing, Dashie." Ignoring her derisive snort, he turned to the other mare, curious. "Would you like us to escort you back to the castle, Twi?" She smiled softly, holding up a hoof. "I think I'll be alright. What pony'd attack a princess?" She flinched slightly at her own words, hastily changing the topic. "I need to get home and prepare for the Princess Summit in a few days, anyways. Thank you for the offer, though." The pegasi looked at each other and shrugged, the mare speaking up. "If you say so." The two took off, the cyan pony turning to the burgundy one. "Seriously, though, what was wrong with what I said earlier?" Twilight chuckled and turned to walk through the city, her mane rather frazzled after the most recent event. She paused on one side of the back alley to straighten her dress back out, muttering all the while. "At least Rainbow and Enigma were fast enough to catch me before I crashed. That definitely wouldn't have been fun..." "M-mom?" The newly-minted alicorn's ears perked up at this. She cautiously peeked over the eye-level stack of crates, her brow furrowing slightly at the sight before her. A pink filly stood in the middle of the road, her focus entirely on the white mare further down the road, turned away from her. The small unicorn takes a few steps forward, her body visibly trembling, emerald eyes shimmering. "I-is that you, mom?" There was no answer for a long, tense moment, enough for the poor pink pony's ears to flatten, her whole body drooping slightly in sorrow. "I-I'm s-" "You've grown up." The filly's eyes immediately snapped up to the mare's sapphire ones, having turned partially to her, the corner of her lips curled up in a bittersweet smile. "Your father would be proud." The alabaster pony found the air swiftly forced out of her lungs, the younger knocking her on her flanks with a flying tackle. She gazed down at her, gently stroking the back of her mane as she buried her face in her chest, body heaving in silent sobs. "Shh... it'll be alright, sweetie..." She tilts the small pony's head up, gently dabbing the wet trails on her cheeks away with her blond mane. "There's no need to cry..." "D-don't leave." The mare recoiled at this, shocked. "W-what?" She looked up at the older unicorn, her large, emerald eyes pleading. "P-please, mommy... don't leave me again..." The white pony hesitated, just for a second, and slowly shook her head. "Sweetie, I... I can't promise that... I have a responsibility..." She grimaced at the utterly devastated look on her daughter's face. With a small sigh, she reached down and picked her up, giggling at the soft squeak this elicited from her. "But tell you what - I'm on leave, right now. Maybe we can spend this time together?" The pink filly nodded, curling up against her chest. "I... I'd like that, mommy..." She smiled softly, a genuine smile, and shifted the young pony onto her back, walking away from the shocked alicorn's hiding spot. "I still want an explanation for why you're not in Ponyville," she smirked playfully at the squeak the filly gives, shaking her head, "but that can wait until later. For now, we have to get home." Twilight waited until they vanished around a corner before stepping out from behind the crates, brow furrowed slightly. "I... isn't Berry an orphan, ever since..." Her voice trailed off, and she slowly turned and headed back to the castle, her mind trying to understand just what was going on around her.