//------------------------------// // The Impossible "Tourist" // Story: Missing In Equestria // by VoxelTron //------------------------------// Missing In Equestria By VoxelTron Part 6: The Impossible "Tourist" Clara was still hurting all over, the spell was still burning her synapses, and her eyes still wouldn’t open. The time traveller rubbed her eyes in pain, trying to sooth her head after the ordeal. Her whole body felt funny, wobbly even, but that was nothing compared to the problems she now had to face. The Great Intelligence was back again. The Great Intelligence caught her this time, without even sweating, she cursed at her own bad luck. Normally the two of them had a decent battle, with him winning some, and her winning others, but with all of them ultimately ending up with The Doctor surviving the ordeal. This time he came out of nowhere and left just as surprisingly. There was no Doctor to defend this time, so what was he up to? More to the point, he’d sent the poor time traveller somewhere, but where? Her hands felt cramped and Clara found it difficult to flex her fingers. She opened her eyes to take a look at her hands. Well… her hooves. Dark blue hooves. “Wait…. WHAAAA!?!?” Clara screamed. She had hooves, Real hooves. As in, not fake hooves. She looked behind herself to see what other damage had been done: “I have a tail…oh god… a tail...” The golden hair coating the new limb shimmered in the shadow of the buildings, as though it gave out its own light. “and what’s that?!?” Clara was, in fact referencing to the mark on the side of her flank, which was a purple and blue swirl, surrounded by stars. It took Clara a few minutes to get over her new body, partly because she was far more interested in the spiralling towers of gold and silver that grew above her as her vision improved. She was in an alleyway, surrounded by pristine buildings, adorned with great swirls of gold and silver. Although it looked different to any alleyway she’d been in before. It was far too clean, too maintained, although it looked like nothing in comparison to the grandeur of the towers above her. “Speak to the princess” mumbled Clara. Wait. Where did that come from? What princess? She closed her eyes and concentrated on the thought. Yes, speak to the princess. There it was again, just a tiny blip in her thought train, but apparently important enough for her to subconsciously speak it aloud. Whatever it was and whatever it may lead to, it seemed the best lead she had to finding out what the heck happened. The spiralling towers in the distance caught her attention once more, as if she was eager to find out what was there. “That must be where the princess is then. No other explanation for me wanting to go there” She murmured to herself to steel her aim. She attempted to get to her hooves, but the recent teleport still made her disorientated, not to mention the fact that her legs just didn’t seem to work the same way. She fell immediately back down to the ground; her legs were having none of it. Once more the time traveller attempted to stand, and this time she made it beyond merely falling over, standing awkwardly on her wobbly legs. Although it was fairly apparent, that in her condition, she was not going to be going excessive distances anytime soon. But getting out of wherever she was seemed fairly important either way. Clara took a few tentative steps. First hoof was fine, if a little unstable. The second followed suit. However, the third step was all but a disaster, her front legs buckled and she was sent cartwheeling into the side of a crate that was blocking the exit. The crate splintered open and collapsed into itself, sending the dusty contents of the poorly built crate sprawling into the air. “Well, I suppose that gets rid of one problem”, Clara thought to herself, whilst dusting herself down. “Who stores flour in a box crate anyway?” Peering out of the cloud of ruined baking goods, Clara could see a whole load of other ponies, as she’d decided to call them, continuing with their everyday lives. Blissfully unaware of the newcomer, and of the commotion that she’d caused. Through the exit was a grand road that lead up to the great swirling towers Clara was so intent on visiting for some reason even she couldn’t understand. In fact, the road itself reminded Clara of the Pall Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace. She steadily got to her hooves, and wandered down the cobbled road towards the towers, also intently studying these ponies. The walk wasn’t long, or at least didn’t feel it, as Clara had become entranced by the many different kinds of ponies walking the streets. Unfortunately, as the towers grew on the horizon, so did the gigantic wall that separated Clara from her goal. She sighed inwardly, of course it wasn’t going to be that simple, and nothing ever is. But perhaps there was a way past the wall. Maybe someone else knew how to get past? Looking around to see if anyone might be in the mood to help her, she saw the most brilliant alabaster white mare, sporting the most elegant hat that Clara had ever seen. “Um… Excuse me?” the Time Traveller began, immediately getting a warm smile from the mare. “Why, hello dear. Is there anything I can help you with? Are you lost?” Clara smiled, glad that she picked the right pony to help. “Um… yes actually… Is there any way to get over this wall?” The mare looked back at Clara with the same sincere look on her face “You mean getting into the Royal Canterlot Gardens? You must be a tourist then” “Yeah, something like that” “No worries, dearie. Just head straight up that road, and you’ll hit a large gate, just tell the gate keeper to let you in, and if he says no, just tell him your there to see the Princess, that normally works” Clara looked quizzically at the upstanding mare “So you normally have acces to the Palace?” “Oh, why yes. The gaurds know me as Rarity dear, oh and where are my manners? Might I ask of your name?” “Oh… The name’s Clara, Miss Rarity. Thank you for the directions” Rarity waved a dismissive hoof at Clara “Oh think nothing of it dearie. They don’t call me the element of Generosity for nothing, have a good day” And with that the white mare turned tail and continued on her original path. Clara on the other hand, and begun down her new path towards the entrance to the Royal Canterlot Palace, passing by a few Pegasi, who happened to be arguing over what was an acceptable price for A-Grade liquid rainbow. Upon reaching the gate, she could see the small keepers shack to the side of the massive, purple door. She walked up to it, and saw a gruff stallion sitting on a chair, looking out. “Um… Sir… Can you open the gate please? I’m here to see the Princess.” The stallion looked up at her, distain in his eyes. “Nope” He replied, still staring down Clara through the small letter box opening. “B...But” There was a small grumble from the other side of the opening “The Princess is busy, ‘parently something to do with the Elements again. Not my problem though” “But Rarity sai-“ But before she could finish the gate keeper cut her off “Wait, you mean Lady Rarity, the Element of Generosity. Why didn’t you say that before!?!” The angry demeanour of the pony immediately dissipated, leaving behind a joyful and beaming stallion. “I’ll let you in immediately, ma’am. Any friends of the elements are always welcome” He said as he placed the large golden key into the lock in front of him, causing the large bulkhead of a gate to swing open impressively. The stallion leaned back and shout through the door on the other side of the wall “Yo Storm Wing, we got another one to see the princess, comes from Lady Rarity” A dark green Pegasus landed immediately, adorned in bright golden armour, an impressive sight. “C’mon Locke, why do I always have to take the visitors to Celestia?” “Hey! You may be part of the royal guard, but you ain’t captain yet” The gate-keeper chuckled heartily. The Pegasus huffed in disappointment, but still turned to Clara with a sincere smile “Right this way ma’am” and he took off, flying slow enough for Clara to keep up. The gardens to the palace were indeed an impressive sight, with all manner of floral and horticultural expertise used throughout the vast display. Grand topiary lined the path, with many exotic and beautiful blossoms bursting through below them, in vast waves of yellow, red and violet. Many caretakers cantered around the gardens, wielding trowels or watering cans in magical auras. Whilst large stallions, adorned in the same gilded armour as Clara’s guide, stood proud and tall at every entrance to the incredible palace. Clara kept close to the pegasus that was guiding her to the princess, whom had attempted to avoid a conversation completely, barely even regarding her existence. Passing through another archway in the many walled gardens surround the palace. Clara could see a large hedge maze in the distance. But her eyes were drawn to a large pedestal in the middle of the gravelled expanse she now found herself in. On top of this pedestal was the most perplexing sculpture she’d ever seen. It had the head of a pony, but the jaw was filled with large, menacing fangs. The rest of the body was similar in build to a lumbering bear and a dragon tail spiralled around the entire sculpture like a snake, almost crushing the rest of the basalt sculpture. Clara took a closer look at the plaque on the pedestal as the two passed the mysterious monument. The plaque read: Malice, member of the Pantheon, enemy to the Moon and Sun. Although there were many statues in that display, the only one that caught Clara’s attention was the one of this bizarre creature. But soon they left the statue display behind, and entered the grand hall of the palace. They continued through in silence, passing door after door, each guarded by at least two royal guards. Until they reached the throne room itself. The door was closed still surrounded by guards, evidently the princess was inside there. Clara’s guide turned to her “And this is where I leave you miss, the Captain will take over from here” He saluted the imposing stallion that came towards them “Captain! Another visitor for the princess” “You know the princess is not allowing counselling today Lieutenant Storm” “But sir, this was an exception, she comes with permission from the Elements, sir!” “Well then...” The stallion replied, studying Clara intently “I’ll inform the princess, back to your duties Lieutenant” “Yes sir!” and with that the pegasus flew off. The new stallion returned his attention back to Clara “You came to see the princess?” “Y…Yes, but I can’t explain it here, it’s a tad complicated” “Well all of my detection spells are say you’re clean and that you weren’t lying when you said you came from the Elements, so you can proceed” He said, turning away and placing his horn into the opening in the door. The door glowed bright blue, and then began to open, swinging grandly outwards on its own accord. Clara was urged inside by the stallion, and the door was closed briskly behind them. In front of Clara was a hallway, with bright red carpet of the finest material, leading up to the grand throne, in which a figure sat. Although it was merely a shadow from this angle, as the light from behind the figure was blinding, as it beamed through the incredible stained-glass window. The stallion was the first to speak “Your highness, an earth pony to see you” The figure turned her head to the stallion “Captain Shining, please. None of this formality, you may be the Captain of the guard, but I believe your attitude might be clouding your compassion” "Sorry princess Celestia, it’s just that because of the recent odd events happening in Ponyville, I’m a little on edge” “It is forgiven Captain; I know concern for your sister troubles you, as it does myself. Now what worries you my little pony” Focusing on Clara this time, the figure got down from her throne out of the sunlight, to reveal a majestical sight. Her mane and tail flowed like water, cascading down her form, swirling at the tips. The colours mixed and merged, forming a mirage of rainbows. This was princess Celestia at her finest; regal and poised for dignitaries, but homely and welcoming at the same time. Clara took a deep breath, unsure what would happen if she told the truth, but on the other hand knew she couldn’t lie about even if she tried. “This might sound crazy, but just hear me out. What do you know about other universes?” Celestia looked down Clara, not with discontent as Clara thought would have been the first reaction, but with understanding. She nodded to the Captain, who immediately took that as a sign that he should leave. The stallion saluted and left the throne room, closing the door behind him. Celestia spoke up immediately “ My sister knows more about this sort of magic than I do, as space was more her domain. but I can see this bothers you enough to speak to anyone, so continue” Clara did as instructed “Well, I don’t come from here, not this planet anyway, although I have no idea how I got here and no idea how to get home.” “I see… this may be an unusual coincidence then” “Coincidence? How?” Clara responded quickly, probably too quickly as her eagerness was clearly showing. Celestia smiled “because we’ve recently received another visitor from another world, perhaps you know them?” Clara crossed every known possible limb in her mind “They wouldn’t happen to have a blue box? Would they?” Celestia giggled “It seems you’re not alone here, he does indeed have a blue box, although my student was a little slim on the details” Clara had frozen on the spot, her mind still reeling from the information. She had done it. Beyond all odds she’d found him. Her head spun and twirled, before rational thinking finally kicked in, and caused her to jump for joy. “Yes! I’ve found him! Finally!” she exclaimed happily, with Celestia looking on with happy interest. Clara turned to the solar sovereign eager for more information “Where is he?” “He’s in Ponyville, Miss Oswald. My sister and I are heading there tomorrow to greet him, you may come with us to reunite with him, no-one should be alone like that in the universe, but first, I think you should get some rest from your ordeal. And I officially welcome you to Equestria Miss Oswald” And with a twist of her mane, the door to the throne roomed opened again, showing Captain Shining standing in the hallway “Captain, would you please take Miss Oswald to the visitor suite, she will be joining Luna and myself in our outing to Ponyville tomorrow” The stallion saluted, and beckoned Clara to follow him, but before this Clara had one more question “Princess, how do you know my name, I never told you” Celestia giggled once again in that knowing fashion. “You should know the answer to that my dear: Spoilers” Clara grinned knowingly, and quickly followed the stallion that was walking away from the room. Once Clara had left the room, Celestia looked towards the stained window behind the throne, muttering with a concerned look on her face “The impossible two are here, just as you predicted, Discord… You and your damned Pantheon” “Did someone call my name?” Celestia squeaked in surprise “Or perhaps someone just rubbed that old lamp of mine three times, I get the two confused easily, oh hey Celly! Did'ja miss me?” The already familiar draconequus appeared through the wall, which seemed to gloop around him as he walked through. Celestia was definetly not amused, and showed it clearly. Discord continued without even noticing the furious look the monarch’s face as one of her favourite murals melted into a puddle on the floor. “Well I am the guy most ponies miss, or did you just say my name in spite like normal? Cussing really isn’t fitting for a regal monarch like you, you should try yoga, I’ve heard it really calms ponies down” He snapped his talons and immediately an exercise ball and foam mats appeared on the floor. Discord then flashed into existence ontop of them in a hideous blend of mismatching exercise kit, performing a few push ups. Celestia still stood there, unmoving and becoming more irritated by the minute. “Discord this is hardly the time for your usual ga-“ “Of course it’s the time!" Discord interupted angrily "You of all ponies Celestia should know that when the Pantheon makes a prediction they always… come…. true…” Discord said returning to a sing-song voice. Although this did little to comfort Celestia whose face grew more concerned. “They won’t break free, this will be stopped, before anything will happen, I won’t allow it” Discord chuckled to the alicorn “Oh Celestia, I missed how naive you are, it’s surprisingly uncouth for a monarch, wouldn’t you say?" "Whatever the Pantheon uncovered about the fabric of time will happen, whether you want it to or not. But don’t think you can try the same method to tame my brother or sister." "If you remember I was the easy one out of the three, isn’t that why you ston-ified me in the first place? To get me away from the two of them, take out the supports as it were, and watch as the other two fight it out? Can’t say I blame you, if I was in your position I’d have done the same thing” And with that, Discord snapped his talons and vanished in a flash, returning the hall to its regular appearance. An echo of laughter filled the hall, leaving a worried and deeply concerned Celestia alone in the throne room...