//------------------------------// // The Plan // Story: The Sphere // by random reader //------------------------------// “Princess, are you saying you want somepony to go in there?” asked Twilight, pointing with her hoof at the depression in the soil where the sphere had appeared. “Yes, Twilight, that is exactly what I’m saying. While I wouldn’t order one of my own subjects to put themselves in potential danger like this-“ “I’ll go.” All heads turned to look at Rainbow Dash, who had unexpectedly stepped forward at the Princesses call for a volunteer. “Are you sure, Rainbow Dash? This may be a perilous journey, and I cannot guarantee that you will return from that other world with no adverse effects.” “Relax Princess, it should be fun! I’ll be the first pony ever to venture into another world, just like in the comic books.” Said Rainbow Dash, looking as confident as ever. “It’s not that simple, Rainbow, but if you’re sure, then we shall begin at once.” Celestia strode purposefully to the depression in the soil, and began to concentrate. Her horn glowed with a golden aura, and much to the pony’s surprise, a ball of simmering energy, the same shape and size of the sphere, had appeared in the air. “If you are still certain about your decision Rainbow Dash, then step into the depression. When you reach the other world, don’t move, or I may not be able to bring you back. Just look around for one minute, gather what information you can. I’ll bring you back once the minute is up.” Rainbow Dash, looking a bit overwhelmed by all these tasks, looked up towards Celestia. “You can count on me, Princess.” Rainbow Dash strode purposefully into the sphere of energy. “Good luck, Rainbow.” said Twilight. “Yeah, and while you’re there, bring us back a souvenir!” chirped Pinkie Pie. All the other ponies watched in silence as Rainbow Dash gave one final nod to Celestia, who focused one final time. There was a flash of light, and an unnerving sound, and Rainbow Dash was gone. Rainbow found her vision at a loss for a moment when the flash consumed her. When she opened her eyes again, she was met with nothing but darkness. “Hmm, this world isn’t very exciting so far.” she thought, as she began to feel around with her hooves. She seemed to be sitting inside of some kind of stone bowl, as feeling with her hooves indicated. Remembering that she only had a minute to look around, she scanned as much as she could with her eyes, straining to adjust, but was still met by total darkness. Rainbow then tried walking forwards a bit, to see if she could proceed forwards. “I know the princesses said not to move from this spot, but a few seconds couldn’t hurt.” She tried climbing up the side and out of the bowl, but she just ended up finding the curve just went upwards continually. “It’s not a bowl,” thought Rainbow Dash with a growing fear, “it’s a sphere.” Reacting instinctively to her sudden claustrophobia, Rainbow Dash tried to life off with her wings. On her first flap however, not only did she fail to lift off, but a sudden wave of heat surged through her. “What the hay?! Why can’t I fly? And it is getting warmer in here?” Rainbow thought as she considered trying to take off again. Even as Rainbow Dash flapped a few more times, she couldn’t take flight, and the temperature inside the sphere seemed to be increasing at an alarming rate. “I hope my minute is almost up,” thought Rainbow Dash, sweat beginning to form on her brow. “If I don’t get out of here soon, I’m gonna be cooked!” No sooner had Rainbow formed the terrifying thought, than her vision was enclosed by a sudden burst of light once more, and she found herself back in Whitetail Woods, her friends looking at her with looks of relief. “Rainbow, you’re back!” exclaimed Pinkie, looking as happy as ever, “Did you bring us back a souvenir? How was that other world? Was it just like the comics?” “Rainbow Dash,” said Princess Celestia, stepping forwards, “are you alright? You’re covered in sweat. Do you need me to bring you a doctor?” Rainbow did a quick once over of herself before replying, “Nah, I’m okay Princess, but it did get pretty hot where I was.” “Please Rainbow, you must tell me all of what you’ve seen and felt on the other side of the portal.” said Celestia, trying to sound comforting. “Well Princess, there really isn’t much to tell, although it did get kind of scary.” “How was it scary?” “Well, I appeared in what seemed to be a hollowed out stone sphere. There was no light at all, and I was closed it at all angles. I’m kind of ashamed to admit it, but I am a bit claustrophobic.” said Rainbow, shuddering at the memory of the feeling. “Hmm, then it is as I suspected. The portal to that other world lead underground it seems, right into the middle of a layer of granite.” “Wait, Princess,” asked Twilight before Celestia could continue, “is the sphere that came here just part of that granite layer, and is shaped like a sphere just because that was the shape of the portal that cut it out?” Celestia looked back at her former student. “Yes Twilight, I believe that is the case. It seems my suspicions were correct.” “Wait, Princess, there’s something else I should tell you about while I was there.” said Rainbow Dash, now looking at the ground. “While I was there, I couldn’t take off. Every time I flapped my wings, I just got hotter and hotter. What could possibly have caused that?” Celestia looked thoughtful for a moment. “I’m not sure, Rainbow Dash. Your inner pegasus magic should have allowed you to fly, even if you would have very quickly hit the ceiling of the sphere.” “So Princess,” asked Twilight, looking excited, “if we were to tunnel upwards through the ground, we would reach the surface of a completely new world?” “It would be quite the undertaking, as we would not have any magic to aid us, but in theory, yes. However, we don’t know if such a world could possibly function where magic doesn’t seem to work.” “But Princess, we can still live without our magic, can’t we? Even after Tirek stole all of our magic, we could still think and feel and move around just fine.” “Yes Twilight, theoretically we can all still live without our magic, but would you want to? Even for something as amazing as this?” Twilight considered her options. On one hoof, it would be terrible to lose her magic, even if it was only temporary. On the other, she could never pass up the opportunity to make so many new discoveries. “Yes Princess, even without my magic, I would still want to go explore the other world.” Then, Celestia broke out into a big smile. “I knew you would say that Twilight! I’m so proud of the scholar within you.” “But like you said, this would be a big undertaking. We would need mining equipment, non-magical light sources, an air supply for an extended stay underground, a workforce, come to think of it, I should make a checklist for this. You were right Princess, this is a big undertaking.” “You are certainly right about that, Twilight. I’ll go back to Canterlot and have some of the initial arrangements made for this project. In the meantime, why don’t you all get home? I’m sure there are some ponies who have missed your presence by now.”