//------------------------------// // The Search Begins // Story: On to a New Plane // by random reader //------------------------------// Celestia observed the writing utensil with wonderment. “What a simple, yet useful device. Like a quill and ink mixed together.” thought Celestia as she used her mouth to draw upon the paper she was given. “And this parchment, it’s almost as white as my coat, and perfectly cut too.” Celestia began by making a crude sketch of the highway from the point of view where she first emerged. It wasn’t easy, as the utensil she was using needed more pressure to distribute the ink than a quill did. It was also made of an unidentified material that made it more slippery than a quill, but it was flexible enough that Celestia was able to bite into it slightly. When she was done, she handed the work back to the people across from her, who took it and looked it over. They said some more words in their language and Celestia listened to every word as best she could. Oh how she wished she could understand them. This would be so much easier if she could just talk to them. Suddenly, she heard three sharp knocks on the door leading into the room, and the elder biped stood up, and opened it. In the doorframe stood another bipedal person, this one stood stalk still upon seeing her, and whispered something to the one who had let him in. Then she saw the female who had been holding her drawing tear it right off, revealing another sheet of pristine parchment beneath. Celestia quickly gestured back towards the writing utensil and the parchment, and noticed that the newcomer, still standing in the doorframe give a surprised yelp at her sudden motion. The elder said some more things to the newcomer, probably to console him, as the female handed back the utensil and pad of parchments. Celestia thought, “How can I tell them to get me back to the portal?” Deciding on what to draw next, Celestia began. The Night Guards assembled more quickly than Twilight expected. At least a dozen armored ponies who were sprouting bat wings were already gathered at the portal when Twilight and her friends arrived. Princess Luna was already there as well, briefing the group on their objective. Beside the group, there were what looked like dozens of brass canisters lined with blue crystals. Each one had an opening large enough to fit a hoof through. “Ah, Twilight Sparkle, you’re here, as well as your friends.” said Princess Luna. Acting impulsive as ever, Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up. “So when do we get moving?” “At ease, Rainbow Dash, first you must know what is in store for you on the other side.” said Luna, looking over at the pegasus mare. “You must all be willing to yield your magic to these devices,” she said, gesturing to the brass canisters, “and go through the portal and search on hoof. You will not be able to fly on that other world, Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow looked nervous for a moment before responding. “No matter what it takes, I’ll never let Princess Celestia down, even without my wings!” “Then what you must all do, that includes you all as well,” said Luna, looking at her company of guards, “is place your hoof inside these canisters. There is a magic sink rigged up in each one. You will lose your magic, but it will all be stored up in these things until you return.” Twilight had never heard of these things before. A device that could hold somepony else’s magic for later use? Why hadn’t she ever heard of these before? “Princess Luna,” Twilight spoke up, “are you certain we will be able to get our magic back from these devices upon our return? It’s just that I’ve never heard of anything like them before.” “Your concern is valid, Twilight sparkle, but these devices were developed very recently, as nopony had ever thought that the construct within them was ever useful. But be assured, they have all been tested, and they definitely operate the way they are supposed to. You will most likely be needing two of them, as you currently hold the magic of two ponies within yourself.” Twilight stepped up to one, as did her friends, and put their hooves through the holes. Instantly, Twilight felt a great pressure leaving her, as all of Princess Celestia’s magic was siphoned away into the canister. The crystals that were lining it shone brightly with a golden light that matched the color of Celestia’s magic. Twilight watched as her friends did the same, each one grimacing as their magic was drained away. Their eyes faded in color, their cutie marks vanished, and even their coat color seemed to have gotten a bit duller. Finally, all that was left was for Twilight to give up her own magic. Once again, she placed her hoof into an empty canister, and once again, she felt that a great support that was holding her up disappear, and she had to fight for a moment to keep her balance. “Well, this stinks.” said Rainbow Dash, now looking at her blank flank. “Can we please just get on with this?” “Oh it’s not so bad, Rainbow.” said Fluttershy, “It’s only temporary, and we’ll find Celestia soon enough.” As optimistic as Fluttershy sounded, Rainbow Dash still held a grumpy expression as all of the night guards each filled up their own canisters with their magic. “Alright,” said Luna, “now that that’s done, it’s time for me to send you all through the portal. One by one, each of you step into the depression in the ground, and I shall send you over. Once you arrive in the cave, please move aside quickly so the next pony may enter. Twilight Sparkle, would you like to go first?” “Of course Princess, I’m ready.” said Twilight with a firm resolve. Twilight Sparkle stepped once more into the portal’s radius, and she watched as Princess Luna cast the familiar spell to open the way. With a flash, Twilight found herself back in the cave underneath that new world. Stepping out of the portal, she watched as the area shone brightly again, and Rarity appeared inside the cavern. “Oh, how drab this place is,” she said, stepping out of the depression in the stone, “after the incident with those diamond dogs, I told myself that I would only ever step hoof underground once again if there was no alternative.” “Well Rarity,” began Twilight, “I’m sure that you will survive long enough for us to get out of here. The tunnel leading up isn’t that long, and I’ve already gotten a glimpse of the surface.” Before Rarity could respond, the portal flashed again, and Pinkie Pie appeared in the cave. One by one, all of Twilight’s friends, and then the entire company of night guards were inside the now cramped cavern. “Alright everypony,” said Twilight, “today we will all venture forth into a strange new land, and try to recover the missing Princess.” Twilight began to walk upwards through the tunnel, her friends and the guards following close behind.