//------------------------------// // Close to the Breaking Point // Story: Second Verse, Same as the First // by Obsidian Chitin //------------------------------// As Wob and Trixie approached the train station, she could see Luna with two of her night guards. Trixie bowed, though Wob did not. She didn't see the point to the formalities at the moment, they had a train to catch. Wob herself disguised herself as a normal Pony. Same cyan coat as Rainbow, though with a cobalt mane instead of a prismatic one. “Wob.” Luna said. “Luna.” Wob replied. The two, along with the guards and Trixie, boarded the train. Royalty had its perks, in this case a train car all to themselves. “It will be a long train ride, so make yourselves comfortable.” Luna suggested. - - - The train ride was very quiet for Wob. Sure, Trixie and Luna would have the occasional conversation, but Wob would barely noticed. Her gaze was stuck looking out of the window. Her mind wandered, going from Rose, to her friends, to her former life. Eventually, it wandered to her destination, the Crystal Empire. Something about that seemed odd, but what? And then it clicked. “Hey, Luna?” Wob asked. “Yes, little one?” Luna replied, curious. “Why are we going to the Crystal Empire? Wasn't the mirror thing moved to Ponyville?” Wob asked. “It was not.” Luna replied. “Was it moved in your world?” “Yeah, because of Twilight's new castle and all.” Wob replied simply. “Twilight has a castle in your world?” Luna and Trixie both asked. “She got it after we beat Tirek.” Wob said. “I mean, a Princess usually gets her own castle, right?” “Twilight's a Princess?!” Trixie exclaimed, her jaw dropping. “When did that happen?!” “Oh, she fixed a spell made by... That bearded guy.” Wob said. “You mean Starswirl the Bearded?” Luna asked. “Yeah, him.” Wob confirmed. “...Lucky.” Trixie muttered under her breath. “I'd make a great and powerful Princess, but I never got the chance.” “I'm sure you would.” Wob said with an eye roll. “So, Twilight doesn't have wings here?” “She does not, no.” Luna replied. “Another change...” Wob said. “Scootaloo's dead, Twilight never became an alicorn... Is Fluttershy alright, at least?” “Alright compared to... What, exactly? We don't actually know much about your world, Wob.” Trixie replied. “Right. Well, she cares for animals, and can speak to them or something. Not sure if she can actually speak animal language or is just good at understanding their body language.” Wob said. “A really good friend all the way back from flight camp.” Trixie winced at the mention of flight camp. “...What happened at flight camp?” Wob asked, her voice a bit shaky. “Well, I don't really know the story. All I know is that she was knocked off a cloud, and because she couldn't yet fly she hit the ground.” Trixie said. Wob was quiet as she stared out the window once more. “...I think I know what you're talking about. The day I got my cutie mark, it was during a race between me and some bullies. Fluttershy waved the flag, but when we passed by her, she was knocked off the cloud. A butterfly migration caught her.” “There's the difference.” Trixie said. “Nothing caught her. She is unable to fly, and can't use her hind legs. And yet she's one of the nicest ponies I have ever met...” “Flutters would never let something like a broken spine stop her from being nice to everypony.” Wob said, her voice small and hollow. “This world... This stupid world... You get off better, Trixie, but at what cost? A dead filly, a paralyzed pegasus... What else happened to my friends? What else did the universe do to them?” The expected burst of rage from Wob never came. She just stared out the window at the world she now hated. “Even the ponies who bear the elements leave you behind.” Nothing but the sound of the train riding on the tracks could be heard. - - - Snow rushed past the window as it fogged over. Wob had not stopped staring out of the window for over an hour. The cold started to get to her, and she began to shiver. She didn't even notice until she felt a warmth cover her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the tip of Luna's wing. Neither the Princess nor the echo said anything for several minutes. Finally, Luna spoke. “We will get you home. I promise you that.” - - - “Another whiskey!” Rose called out as she pounded her hoof on the bar table. The bartender sighed and poured her another shot, and slid it over. Rose, of course, downed the drink in one gulp. “I am an idiot.” “Why do you say that?” The bartender asked. “I finally find a mare I could be happy with-” “Another one?” “Let me finish!” Rose said with another pound of her hoof. “I found this mare, and of course she's from somewhere else entirely! Of course she has to go back home! I would just love to go with her, but I can't do that, now can I? I'm the Knight of Honesty, I have duties 'n shit!” The bartender opened her mouth to speak. “Shut up, hun. Let me vent.” Rose said sternly. “Where was I? Right. She certainly can't stay here, her friends need her. She has her own duties, too. Why is the world so cruel sometimes? I just want to find a pretty mare to be happy with, is that so much to ask?” At that moment, a dark orange mare with a short black mane and golden-yellow eyes stepped up to the bar next to Rose, a cutie-mark of a skinny wrench over a large hexagonal nut. “I'd like... Um, something? What do you recommend?” “Give her a gin and tonic.” Rose said. “I don't like tonic, though.” The mare replied. “Then a beer should suffice. I'll pay for it.” Rose said. “Oh, okay. Thank you!” The mare said warmly. Rose smiled back. “It's nice to meet ya. Name's Rose Quill.” “The Rose Quill? Oh, I love your novels!” The mare said with a smile. “The one and only. And who is this lovely lady before me?” Rose asked. “I'm Spanner Works.” Spanner replied. “And what brings you to the Frolicking Filly?” “My sister. She can be such a pain sometimes.” Spanner replied. “I'd imagine. Seeking some alcohol in your stomach and a mare to cuddle?” Rose suggested. “...Perhaps.” Spanner said with a blush. “Ah, this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, I just know it.” Rose said. “We're going out." She slammed her hoof on the countertop. "Right now. " Another thump. "This is now a date.” “Um... Okay?” Spanner replied, having no idea what she was getting herself into.