Chapter 3: New Arrivals

Part 8: Daybreak

“You arrive in the rising sun

The hidden passenger that I’ve been takin’”

Her dreams were filled with ice. Ice and fire. Fire and pain. She didn’t want to sleep, but she had to, she was so exhausted. She never woke, through all her dreams. But she wished she had. Terrifying images flowed through her brain. But it was not all bad. After the pain and ice faded away, her troubled mind showed her Ponyville. The home she had left, now so far away, but so close in her mind. She could almost touch it, but she could never reach it. Slowly, the vision faded away, and she opened her eyes to the cold metal ceiling of the ship.

Twilight didn’t want to move, but she had to. She moved her legs, slowly setting them on the cold floor. She looked around. Everything was as she had left it, bathroom door open, scraps of her suit on the ground next to her bed. Groaning, she stood up, eyes almost shut. She walked over and pulled her suit on. The fabric slid over her clean fur, encasing her in warmth almost immediately. She looked around her room again, noticing something that she had not the night before.

A blinking red light sat off in one corner, a little over eye level. She walked over to it, curious. When she reached it, she raised her right hoof, the one she has opened in the suit, and for just this purpose. She brushed her hoof against the wall, not knowing what to expect. A second passed, then the familiar sound of metal scraping hit her ears. The smallest vibration ran through the floor. Twilight backed up, afraid of what might happen. But something extraordinary took place.

The wall retreated back into the floor,leaving a gaping hole where the wall used to be. She could see the entire city, even the forest beyond. The fake sun was not up yet, so the only illumination came from lights along the sides of the buildings. She walked closer, seeing her reflection staring back at her from the almost invisible glass. It looked scared, worried, and out of place. Her torn suit gave her the look of a refugee, which, technically, she was. Pressing her forehead against the glass, she looked straight down. The streets expanded out, forming a giant web throughout the city.

She sighed, brushing the light again, closing the wall. Her room went back to being a dark, unfamiliar place. She walked into the bathroom to get some water, and to plan her day. She would have started the morning off by making a checklist, but she had none of the materials, and no idea where to look for them. She decided, since she was up early, to go back up to the next floor. Walking back out into the bedroom, she took one last look around. This would be her home for the next ten years, she had better get used to it. Shaking her head, she brushed the door with her hoof, and walked out into the hallway. She got into the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor.

The door opened, and she stepped out into the hallway. It was the same as she had left it yesterday. Papers littering the floor, stains on the floors and walls. She took a deep breath and picked up the paper that was lying at her hooves. Complicated schematics and designs of the ship and its engine covered the page. She began to read, filing all the information away to be used later. Most was technical nonsense, stuff she didn’t understand. But now and then, something jumped off the page, something she understood.

Slowly, she filed through the pages, putting them in piles according to the content they included. An idea started to form in her mind, but she was unsure about it. More, she hoped that it was not true, as it would ruin their very lives aboard the ship. She stood up, joints popping as she did. She began to walk towards the door, and winced as a crackle of static filled her ear.

“Twilight!” Rainbow’s annoyed voice said in her ear. “Where are you? We have been standing out here for, like, an hour!”

“Oh, sorry!” she replied, rushing into the elevator, and pushing the button for ground floor. “I just lost track of time. I will be there in a few minutes.” An exasperated sigh returned to her.

“Fine! Just hurry up.” Rainbow said impatiently. Almost three hundred years, and she was still the same. Twilight smirked as she descended. The elevator doors opened, and she galloped out to meet them. The building passed in a blur as she ran, but not as fast as her mind was working. All of those schematics showed the engine and its various parts. Why would that pony have been examining the engine? The only answer she could find filled her with fear.

A minute later, she could see the others standing under the balcony where they had entered. Rainbow was impatiently flying in circles above their head. Twilight ran up to them, breathing hard, and Rainbow dropped down on the ground next to her, shaking her head.

“Well, looks who finally decided to wake up.” she said, eyeing her bed ravaged mane. Twilight shook her head, which did nothing to fix the problem.

“Oh, whatever.” she replied, walking over to the wall. “Who is going to see us here anyway?” She started to scan the side of the wall, finally finding what she was looking for. A blinking light was embedded in the wall. She ran her hoof over it, then turned back to the others.

“I want to go back to the cryo level. We all have some belongings there, and it would probably be good to retrieve them.” She said, turning back as the steps started to appear. “And, maybe, another pony will be awake.” she said, more to herself than the others. But she doubted it. It was just a mistake that they were awake, a glitch. It was almost impossible for another pony to be awake.

Part 9: Something New

Twilight and the others began to climb the stairs. Still impatient, Rainbow flew over their heads, perching on the balcony hundreds of feet above them. Even over the great distance, Twilight could see her smirking. But she was not going to let her have all the fun. Focusing her magic, she enveloped all of them in a deep maroon aura. She concentrated on the balcony above them. The familiar feeling rose in her stomach, like she was falling down a long drop. She could feel the floor disappear, then reappear a second later. Opening her eyes, she found that she was staring directly into Rainbow’s stunned face. That look was worth the fatigue she was now feeling.

She took a couple short breaths, then smiled. “Shall we continue now?” she asked, stealing the smirk right off Dash’s face. She turned, looking down the hallway they had come through yesterday. She didn’t want to go back. She could feel her body pushing her away, yelling sense at her. But they needed to go back, even if it was just for their stuff. She took a step forward, then another, body fighting her the whole way. Finally, she was walking at a brisk pace, the others right behind her.

After the long walked, they reached a blank wall, and Twilight ran her hoof down it. The door opened, and the room with the screen came into view. She looked around at the room, remembering it as the place where she had been given her prison sentence, ten years aboard the ship. She looked behind her, noticing that she was not the only pony having a reaction to the room. They all seemed to be in different states of nervousness or fear. Even Rainbow, who traditionally played it cool, was walking close to Applejack and Fluttershy, wings flared out behind her.

A blinking red light sat on the opposite wall. Twilight remembered this door, however. She ran her hoof down the wall, and a hatch opened. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her hoof against the screen inside, wincing as the electricity ran through her form. A small beep rang out, and she pulled away, holding her hoof close to her body. She doubted she would ever get used to that, no matter how many times she went back. The elevator waited beyond, and she trotted in, remembering the feeling that she had felt in her stomach before. She pressed the button when they were all in, and it dropped like a rock.

“WEEEEE!!” Pinkie cheered at they plummeted towards the very bottom floor. Twilight had to agree with her. Even though she was scared out of her wits, she was having a fun time. When they reached the bottom floor, and after her stomach had dropped back into her abdomen, the doors opened. She could see another hallway beyond, and she knew what was waiting. Row upon row of frozen ponies. She knew she was supposed to be in there, sitting, frozen, alongside her friends. But no, she was awake, and she was going to have to deal with it.

They walked down the hallway, turning the corner to see the rows of hatches, all shut. Except for six, which stood open, almost inviting them in. Twilight walked down to them, longing filling her heart. She hated what it had felt like while she was frozen. But anything would have been better than feeling trapped. She looked up, seeing something that she had not noticed before. Another hatch rested above the chamber in which they had lain. She pulled it open, and inside sat her saddlebags, looking the same as when she had given them to the doctor. She pulled them down, setting them on the floor. She pulled up the straps, looking down at all the remained of Ponyville.

A few pictures of them and Spike, a few of her parents, and one of her and Celestia when she had been at school. She pulled out the books she had brought along, smiling as she read the titles she had picked almost three hundred years ago. “Tale of the Elements of Harmony” and “Starswirled the Bearded’s Guide to Advanced Magical Concept”. Nothing that she would need on her next home, but something to remind herself of her past life. She was so lost in memories, that she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt something touch her mane.

Turning, she saw a brush held by a light blue aura. She could see Rarity smiling, her horn glowing the same color. Her saddlebags stood open on her back, and Twilight could see more objects like the brush resting inside. She closed her eyes as Rarity began to brush her mane again. “You brought mane-care products?” Twilight asked, almost annoyed at herself for not thinking she would.

“Of course.” Rarity responded, floating the brush over to her own mane. Her expression was that of complete seriousness. “We must look our best, even if nopony will ever see us.” Twilight shook her head, but was smiling at the same time.

“I should have known. Did anypony bring anything useful, like a board game or something?” Twilight asked, already knowing that none of them would have. They shook their heads, grinning at her attempt at a joke. “Well, I supposed we will have to find something to occupy ourselves with for the next ten years.” She started to walk back towards the far end of the hall, wanting to get out of there. But something stopped her. She held up her hoof, silencing the others who had been laughing at Rarity’s choice of luggage. They could see her ear pricked straight up.

“I thought I heard something.” she said, turning to look at them. Then she really did hear something. A muffled sound, like a combination of a whimper and a cry. Then it happened again, louder this time. It was coming from one of the stalls. Twilight’s eyes widened, realizing what it meant.

She rushed over to the hatch, her mind racing. Somepony else was awake, they weren’t alone! She reached the hatch just as the pony inside began to panic, hooves colliding with the metal. She pulled hard, and the hatch opened. She threw it to the side, the door colliding with the stall next to it. Looking inside, she could see a pony in a suit violently spasming against the chamber. As careful as possible, she gently touched one of the ponies legs, making them freeze in place.

“It’s OK.” she said soothingly, gently taking the ponies front hoof in her own. She could feel violent tremors shaking the ponies body. “You are safe now.” She began to pull the pony out of the chamber, meeting no resistance. Rainbow had galloped over, and she supported the ponies body as they slowly lowered it to the floor.

The ponies visor was fogged over, as it normally was. The pony slowly turned on the spot, trying to see something through the hood. Hooves scratched at the suit, trying to get it off. “Hold still.” Twilight said quietly. The pony stopped immediately, looking in the direction of Rarity. Twilight reached up and unzipped the hood, which fell down to rest in front of their chest.

Bright, slightly cockeyed, amber eyes looked out at them from a grey, extremely scared face. A yellow mane hung limply down the side of her face, almost covering one of her odd eyes. The eyes looked them over, taking them in one by one. She stopped when she saw Rainbow, eyes widening with recognition.

“Rainbow!” she yelled in a slightly husky voice. She ran over and embraced the pegasus, who looked shocked. The grey pegasus looked like she was trying to hide herself inside Rainbow’s fur, her body still shaking.

“Derpy?!” she said, prying the grey pegasus off her waist. “What...huh...I didn’t know you were taking the trip.” she stuttered.

“This is Derpy Hooves.” she responded, turning the pegasus to face Twilight. “She was on the weather team back home. I can’t believe this happened to her.” She put her hooves over Derpy’s ears. “She isn’t all there, you know, in the head.” She pulled her hooves away from her ears, looking down at her. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I am fine, now.” she said, turning to look at them all, then she looked back at her chamber, its door hanging open. “I just don’t know what went wrong. It was dark, and it hurt, really bad.”

“None of us know what went wrong.” Rainbow said, looking at Twilight. “I guess we will--” She was cut off by a loud bang from the chamber next to Derpy’s. Her eyes widened, looking back and forth between the the hatch and Twilight. Applejack galloped over and opened the chamber, not wanting to waste any time.. As soon as she did, a suited pony burst out, tripping and falling to the floor. It got up fast, and stood completely still, sides moving rapidly with its breathing. Quickly, Twilight unzipped their hood.

Light blue, intelligent eyes met their own. A short, spiky, dark brown mane rose off a lighter brown coat. He looked at them for a moment, fear obvious on his face. Then his eyes fell on Derpy, and his hard gaze softened when he saw her. She galloped over and embraced him, smiling the whole time. “Are you OK?” he asked her, an accent coloring his words. She nodded, smiling, and he looked over her shoulder, directly at Twilight.

“What happened to us?” he asked in his strange accent, his words filled with fear and pain. Twilight cocked her head, listening to him.

“Are you from Trotland?” She asked, placing the accent. The stallion nodded, letting go of Derpy.

“Doctor Whooves.” he introduced, shaking their hooves one by one, his own trembling violently. “And it seems you have already met my companion, Ms. Hooves.”

“You’re a doctor. A doctor of what?” Twilight asked. He shrugged, a small grin breaking through his fear.

“Everything.” he replied smiling. “But, as I asked before, what happened to us? Where is every other pony?”

Twilight exchanged nervous glances with the others. Applejack nodded, telling her to get it over with. Twilight took a deep breath. “Nopony else is awake. You woke up ten years early.”

The smiled died on both of their faces, replaced with fear and hopelessness. “Are you sure?” Whooves asked, voice showing emotions that his face did not. Twilight nodded, and Derpy slumped against his side, tears welling in her eyes.

“We woke up yesterday, same as you. If you will follow us, we can get you settled for your stay.” Derpy nodded, as did Whooves. Twilight sighed, then waved them down the hall, and they followed silently, lost in despair. Twilight felt terrible, Having to tell them that their lives were ruined. But she told herself that it was not her fault that they woke up. It was just another glitch.

She walked them into the elevator, bringing them up the the top floor. When the doors opened, she walked over and pressed her hoof against the screen, starting the introduction video. She watched as they learned exactly what was happening to them, seeing the rest of their hope diminish. But something caught her eye. Once again, the video showed how long they would be staying on the ship.

Twilight blinked, then looked again. The numbers had flashed away, but they stuck in her mind. No, she thought, you are being silly. It’s not possible for them to be the same... The Doctor and Derpy had implanted the communicators in their ears, and had each taken a map of the ship. But they only stared in apprehension at the euthanizer, not knowing what to think about it. Where they thinking of using it, Twilight wondered, or were they thinking it was a disgusting idea? She would not have blamed them if they had thought of using it.

When the video finished, they turned back to Twilight and the others. “What should we do now?” Derpy asked, staying close to The Doctor. She seemed to trust him completely, and so did he. Twilight could only remember trust like that.

“We need to find you a place to stay.” Twilight said, opening the door to the city. They made their way down the hallway, eventually reaching the end. The city spread out beneath them, gleaming in the rising sun. Both Derpy and The Doctor shared the same expression, one of amazement and excitement. Twilight smiled, loving how they had regained some of their life. She wondered if they had looked like that when they had first seen the city. She pressed her hoof against the screen, releasing the stairs, and beginning to climb down. The Doctor trotted up next to her, keeping a little space between them and the others.

“You figured all this out in a day?” he asked, staring around at the ship. His steps were slightly jerky, muscled still regaining motor control. Twilight grinned, nodding.

“I did, but it is not as hard as it looks. The ship pretty much pointed us in the right direction.” She looked over the city, picking out the building she lived in. It wasn’t as tall as the one Rainbow chose, but it still towered above the others. “You can choose any of these building to live in, they are all furnished in the same way. But you will have to have two separate rooms, as there is only one bed per room.” The Doctor nodded, overwhelmed.

“All but the north side. We found food and supplies, along with some labs. But what those are for, I have no idea.” Twilight responded.

“Well, it looks like I can practice my trade again.” he said, grinning. Twilight smiled at him. She felt they were going to get along just fine. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Derpy trotted over and stood next to The Doctor. They stared around at the massive buildings for a few moments, then looked down at Twilight.

“Well, you just find a couple rooms that you like. All the building on this side are appartments. But everywhere else is for science or food storage.” The Doctor nodded, walking towards the closest building.

“I guess I will go here. Anything special I have to do?” Twilight shook her head.

“Just slide your hoof down the wall next to the door, and it will open. Inside you will find a bedroom and a bathroom.” She paused, thinking. “And I think that is all. You probably want to get settled and shake this whole thing off, so we will come back later. If you get hungry, call one of us, and we will tell you where the food is.” The Doctor nodded, followed by Derpy.

“Thank you for helping us. This whole thing would be unimaginable without other ponies to talk to.” That statement brought back the thought of the one pony, the one who had lived above her. Alone, without anypony to talk to. Twilight just nodded and smiled, then started to walk back to her house. The others just watched her go, not sure what to say.

Somehow, she found herself back up in the top floor, surrounded by stacks of paper. She continued to stare at them, ideas and thoughts floating in and out of her mind. They were solid, thought out ideas, but she just didn’t want to believe them. Instead, she thought about her parents. Had they taken the voyage a few years after she had? Was she going to be older then them by the time they reached their new planet?

That started her thinking about the new home, Alpha Cenponi. The planet, named Nova Equine, or New Equestria in layman's terms, was where she was supposed to wake up. Light Years away, but the closest stars to Equestria. What was it going to be like, she wondered, on the planet's surface? Triple suns, what were those going to look like? Would there be forests and plains like on Equestria? Or would it be deserts and mountains? She could feel hope building in her chest, only to be shattered by reality. She was stuck here, and she shouldn’t be thinking about that was lying ahead.

She looked over the piles of paper again, this time noticing something she had not before. Over in the corner, at the far end of the hall, was a crumpled up paper, almost hidden from sight. She walked over to it, slowly. She floated it towards her, smoothing it out with her magic. It showed a picture of a section of space, stars gleaming happily. But written around the outside, in something dull red, were a series of words. No, Twilight realized, two words, written over and over again. Staring at it, her heart beat faster, and her breathing started to increase. She could feel her stomach contracting, fear taking over.

She dropped the paper, backing up against the wall. Almost instinctively, her hoof flew to her ear. “Doctor Whooves!” she practically screamed when she hear the beep. A stallions voice replied to her.

“Twilight? Can I help you?” he asked, sounding worried. Still breathing fast, Twilight replied to him.

“I need you to get over here, right now.” she told him, looking down at the paper. “Hurry!” then she hung up. She took a step towards the paper, which was now the most feared thing in her tiny world. She traced the words with her eyes, not wanting to believe.

Unmovable, Unreturning

Among the Stars

by Typographical Error

Chapter 3