//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: On the Road. // Story: Jason's Grand Tour of Equestria // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// Canterlot Palace The throne room doors shut with a clang behind the group as they walked down the halls. "Well," Twilight spoke, breaking the silence, "Guess we should head to the hotel and gather our things." Jason said nothing, and turned to the other side of the hall. He approached a stained glass mirror with Discord on it. "I need to talk to Discord." "Why didn't you say so?" A voice chuckled. Suddenly, the picture of Discord started to move, "I would've helped with Timor!" Canterlot Palace Throne Room "Why didn't you tell me?!" Luna cried, staring down her sister. "Because I didn't think you needed to know." Celestia replied in a matter of fact tone. "They were our parents!" Luna roared, causing Celestia to turn. "They aren't mine." With another roar, Luna lunged forward, only to get hit by green magic. Celestia laughed as Luna turned to stone, "Now no one can stop me!" That was the last thing Luna heard as the world turned to stone around her. After a few minutes of silence, Celestia walked toward Luna. As she grew nearer, her body was covered by a green flame, and it passed to reveal a changeling, "It Feels good to win." "The Creators War, why do I keep hearing that?" Jason replied, his face stone still. "Because all life revolves around it, and the one who started it." Discord answered, locking eyes with Jason. "Isn't that right, Paradox? "You mean to say that I started the war?" Jason asked in disbelief. "No, you never would. Someone else did, and caused half my magic to lock. That's why the elements effect me." Discord responded from his new perch on Fluttershy's head. Jason thought a moment before his next question, "Why answer me when you could easily leave, why waste your time?" Discord grinned, "I'm stalling." "For who?" Jason growled. "Why, our new Queen of course." Discord chuckled, "Chrysalis did a very good job hiding, but Luna was still in her way." "Why are you helping her?!" Twilight exclaimed. Discord shook his head, "I'm reformed, remember? I am not helping a bug." Jason's eye's widened as a thought occurred, "Where's Celestia?" "In a large maze by Los Pegasus. They tried putting her statue underground, but she kept reappearing above ground. So, she sits in a maze." Discord explained. "So why would Chrysalis send us straight to Celestia?" Jason asked. "Simple, I used an Illusion spell. Whenever she speaks, she hears what she wants to say, while others hear what they need to." Discord explained as a picture of Chrysalis was demonstrating. "So there is no Armor in Los Pegasus?" Jason clarified. "I didn't say that." Discord huffed, "Celestia is actually sitting near the next piece. She sits at the Center." Rainbows eye's widen as she remembers something, "Discord? Would that maze be enchanted?" Everypony looked at Rainbow as Discord answered, "Yes. How do you know?" "Because I tried to go through that maze during a family vacation. I rounded the first corner as I heard a fwoosh. I ran back to the entrance, only to find it missing. I tried everything I could think of to escape, but nothing worked." Rainbow explained, fear crossing her face. "How did you escape?" Rose asked, curiosity on her face. Rainbow took almost a minute to respond, "I didn't. It was only when I curled up and began to cry, that the fwooshing sound returned. And the entrance returned." "You lost hope." Jason said in a monotone voice. Rainbow looked up at him, "Yeah, I did." Canterlot Train Station "Well," Said Twilight, "Are we ready to go to Los Pegasus?" Jason shook his head, "No, I need more training in magic, and I can't do that on the train." "I concur." Agreed Rose, who was now disguised as a light tan Pegasus with a light dusty tan mane. She was studying a map in her hooves. "According to this map, we could travel through the Everfree until we reach Fillydelphia. I could train Jason in there." "Are you Crazy?!" Twilight nearly shouted, "That place is dangerous!" Rose smiled, "Not to humans." "What do you mean?" Twilight asked in disbelief. "The Everfree is similar to every forest on Earth. Jason's home world. We'll be safe." Rose explained, turning towards the train. "So the plan is to take the train to Ponyville, then head south through the forest to Fillydelphia. From there, a short train ride to Los Pegasus." Jason summarized. "All right." Twilight sighed, "We'll do it your way." Equestria Express Ditto hadn't spoken a word since Discord had said Chrysalis's name. Mostly due to the fact that he had several thoughts running through his mind. I thought she was dead. Ditto looked up at the group, each of them were asleep. Ditto sighed as he thought of what they would say. You said she was dead! You lied! I swear, I didn't know! When we get to Ponyville, you can leave. And don't return. Ditto looked over the group once more. And then changed into a disguise. Anyone who saw him would now think he was Dusty Rune on vacation. A few minutes passed as Ditto entered an uneasy sleep. He would be alone again. He had to be. Ponyville Train Station "Ditto!" Jason called, his voice ringing across the train station, "Where could he be?" "I did a quick emotion scan before falling asleep. And found something of concern from Ditto." Rose explained, walking up to Jason disguised as a Light Blue unicorn with dark blue mane and purple eyes. "Why do you do that?" Jason asked, a little uneasy about the revelation. "Because I have felt uneasy around others since I was little." Rose explained, looking around before turning Human. "And as I was saying, Ditto felt scared." "Of what?" Jason asked, now concerned for the changeling. "Of being betrayed, or something similar." Rose answered as the rest of the group approached. "Where's Ditto?" Twilight asked, looking between Jason and Rose. "Gone. Rose says that he may have felt as if we were going to betray him. But we can't wait for him. The longer we stand around, the closer the war is." Jason explained as the group made their way to the Everfree. "Let's hurry, I want to reach the first clearing before nightfall." Rose mentioned as the group proceeded to enter the forest. Everfree Forest Like Rose had wanted, the group had found a clearing before nightfall. While everypony was setting up camp, Rose and Jason were standing a distance away from camp. "Jason, today I will instruct you in Earth." Rose announce, getting into a stance. "The key to bending the earth is Will. The stronger the will, the stronger the bending." Jason nodded in understanding, letting Rose know to continue, "The Earth is stubborn, to move it, you have to tell it what you want. And then don't back down. Your faith in the earth will also come into play. But that isn't too important. Try to do what I do." With that, Rose stepped forward, thrusting her fist forward. As her fist moved, a spike of earth grew. Jason followed suit, copying Rose. However, nothing happened for him. Rose shook her head, "You need to envision the earth moving, reach out to it. Tell it to move." Jason nodded again, brow scrunching in concentration. He repeated the move, a spike of earth appearing. "I did it!" Jason cheered, he then went about moving the earth in different ways. Not long after, Rose and Jason were battling, moving the earth became second nature to Jason. After an hour or two, they added fire to the battle. As they battled on, the contest became more fierce, the two moving on pure instinct. Eventually, Jason tripped Rose by sending two spikes, one delayed enough to cross her path. As Rose stood to her feet, Jason smirked. "Well. I think I got that covered." Jason boasted, stretching out his back. "Beginners luck." Rose scoffed, turning and walking towards the fire. "So, where are you from Rose?". Jason asked, walking towards one of the tents. Rose was quiet for minute before responding, "I don't know. I was found 18 years ago, on the Tower's doorstep. Principatum looked after me. Then you showed up." Jason looked down in thought before reaching in to the tent and retrieving his jacket. "Don't you ever wonder?" Jason asked, pulling his jacket sleeves up. "Sometimes. And sometimes I see a beautiful Castle. There was an old man with one blue eye, and a woman. I believe she was my mother." Rose explained, looking up at the stars. "I wonder who the man was." Jason asked aloud. "He could be anyone. But I know he wasn't my father." Rose answered, her gaze turning to the fire. "How?" Jason asked skeptically. "He said neptem. It means Granddaughter." Rose explained. The campfire grew quiet as everypony was lost in thought. Jason looked to the sky, I will find a way to save you Jane. Was his last thought before turning in for the night. But what he didn't know, was that worlds away, someone heard him, "It's not me who needs saving."