The Princesses and Element Bearers walked the quiet halls of Canterlot Castle's keep, deep down near the treasury. Twilight took notice of the apparent age of the stone as they descended, seeing more and more of the wall become solid rock and less brick and mortar.
"We're down into the mountain now, aren't we?" Twilight asked. Celestia nodded. "I didn't realize the castle ran this deep."
"The crystal caverns you spent part of your brother's wedding in are all around us now." Princess Luna said. "We believe they act as a magical power source or focus for inter-world travel through the gate."
"Gate?" Rainbow Dash asked as the group approached a massive stone door. Celestia and Luna lit their horns and the door swung slowly open.
Inside was a massive vault, the walls of which were honeycombed with hoof sized alcoves. In a few of the alcoves rested large gems of various size. Some appeared to be glowing. Standing at the center of the vault was a great upright ring with a multitude of arcane symbols carved onto its surface. The room was filled with mounds of dust and sand, much of it around the outside of the room.
"What are they?" Rarity asked, eyeing the gems.
"Soulstones we think," Princess Luna said. "When outsiders came here, they left much of who they were at the door in a manner of speaking. Each stone holds the memories and skills of a creature so that they could live here care free for a time."
Rarity reached for one, then backed up when she put a hoof down in a mound of dust. "You really should clean up in here." She admonished.
"We couldn't bear to," Celestia said sadly, "We couldn't bear to sweep away those lives."
"LIVES?!" Rarity asked, staring at the dust wide eyed.
"The stones degrade over time," Luna said, "When we found this place so long ago there were dozens still glowing. Now..." Her horn lit and eleven floated down from their alcoves. As the closest hovered forward, a ghostly image of a grey stallion sprang to life.
"I am Ezra, the wizard. Magic is my field of study and study is my source of power. If looking at me is like looking into a mirror, then you have found yourself at last, and you can go home."
The image faded.
"What was that?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"They wiped their memories when they came!" Twilight said, "So this is how they knew which memories to take!"
"Er, how much of their memories are left after all this time?" Applejack asked. "Ah don't want to take Ezra there and end up thinking I'm a wizard fer the rest of my life."
"We doubt there is much left at all, the gems are very weak." Princess Luna said sadly.
The next gem floated forward and a slightly overweight stallion appeared, leaning on a wooden staff. "Hey Craig, its me, Craig, the druid. You've probably spent your time trying to talk to animals and trees, maybe even succeed. Hopefully you took some notes so we can continue our research when we get home."
"He seems nice." Fluttershy said, looking into the ghostly images eyes before he faded out.
The next gem produced a lean athletic mare that would have been mistaken for Rainbow Dash had she not be an earth pony and covered in scars.
"Sharon, if you're done with your little vacation, we've got work waiting. Don't forget to pick up your armor, short sword, long sword, bow, crossbow, staff, spears, daggers, bola, throwing star and teddy bear. Especially the teddy bear."
Everypony seemed to boggle at the concept of so many weapons on a single creature. Celestia coughed politely and brought the next gem forward. This one proved no better as a Big Mac sized stalion appeared. While less scarred than the last, he still looked like a veteran of dozens of battles.
"Gorath you son of a b9q3" The image seemed to loose focus for a moment. "Stop wasting your rage and anger on the creatures in this world! Come home so we can make money using your rage and anger to waste creatures there!" The stallion laughed and faded out.
"What a dreadful individual." Rarity admonished.
"What kind of interruption was that?" Twilight asked
"The gem is on its last legs," Princess Celestia said. "If it is not used soon, the knowledge within may be lost."
The next gem sparked to life and a beautiful mare, the first seen wearing an ancient but exquisite ball gown, came into view.
"Mariam, darling, it has been far too long. Did you finish your little errand at the ball? I hope you had fun dear, but it's time to go home, mama is waiting anxiously."
"Rarity's gonna take that one." Applejack said with a chuckle.
"Now Applejack, really!" Rarity protested, "Just because she's the first with any sense of taste or class doesn't mean I'll jump at it." As she said that, Rarity pulled the gem from Celestia's telekinetic grip and into her own. "I will hang onto it though, just in case."
The next one gem came forward and a small pony appeared.
"Hey Lenny, why did the senile comedian go world hopping? I can't remember the punchline!" There was, oddly enough, a rim shot from the recording. "Anyway, I hope you found some new material or we are going to have to start using magic to charm our customers."
"Ugh, that joke was terrible!" Pinkie said.
The next gem spun forward and a demure mare appeared.
"Oh, um, hello. Its me, Kim, Cleric and high priestess of ASNDuw23-" The image flickered for a moment, "and I am here," She giggled, "One a sort of date. But don't tell Kan."
"Well she seems nice." Twilight said. Looking at the next gem. A stallion in heavy plate armor appeared, looking exasperated.
"I am Kan Bladefall, Paladin of the Order and protector of high priestess Kim. If I have returned without her then I need to either go find her or drop dead as I have failed in my duty as her guardian."
"Eh, pass," Rainbow Dash said with a wave of her hoof. "That guy looks like he's got a stick up his-"
"RAINBOW DASH!" Rarity admonished, glancing meaningfully to the Princesses, despite the fact that Luna was stiffing giggles.
The next gem flared up quickly, startling Rainbow Dash as a sleek, strong stallion came into being.
"I am Jace, master of style and form. I have mastered my strength and speed, such that no blade is equal to my bare strikes. Now I have chosen to master this form as well. I shall be the best, the fastest, unsurpassed in all things."
"Well, I suppose we know which one Rainbow Dash is going to take." Rarity said, trying to reverse the ribbing she'd been given a short while ago.
"Heck yeah!" Rainbow Dash said, "Are you kidding? Someone as dedicated to being the fastest even from another world? Of COURSE I'm gonna nab that one!" Rainbow carefully pulled it from the princess's grasp.
The next gem came as something of a surprise as a unicorn appeared, the first non-earth pony they had seen.
"I am Amilia, Sorceress of the Arcane Bloodline. The magic in my veins cannot be denied, even in this world." To add weight to her words, her horn light with a fierce glow, and even her eyes seemed to shine with power.
"She seemed really strong," Fluttershy pointed out, "but kind of sad."
The last gem floated forward, and a pony resolved itself into being. This one had a light build, but was mostly hidden in a concealing cloak.
"I am Dorian, Ranger and hunter. The wilds call to me, and I shall find my prey." The image flickered away.
"That is the last of the viable gems," Princess Celestia announced. "You shall each have to make a selection before the gate can be activated.
Pinkie Pie had Lenny's gem picked out, carefully looking over it. "I'm the number one party pony in this world and the next, this guy looks fun, even if his jokes are mega lame."
Fluttershy picked up Craig's gem gently, "Um, I'll take this one if you don't mind."
Rarity considered the others and then turned back to her horded Mariam soul stone, trying to ignore the smirk Rainbow Dash was giving her.
Twilight Sparkle considered between Amilia and Ezra before finally selecting Ezra.
"Ah though you'd want the unicorn." Applejack said with a bit of surprise.
Twilight shook her head. "Amilia's power seemed based in part in what she was more than what she knew. The soul stones hold knowledge more than anything else, I wouldn't want to go through the gate and hope I got the same abilities."
"Ah gotcha," AJ said, "Like if they was coming the other way and had to choose weather to learn how to fly or how to grow food. With no guarantee they'd end up a pegasus, the farming is a safer choice."
Applejack then turned her attention back to the four crystals between her and Rainbow Dash: Groth, Jace, Dorian, and Sharon. They both considered what little they knew about each pony, and how best to accommodate potential abilities. After a long while, Rainbow Dash reached out and picked up Jace.
"He seem's focused, and confident in his body and ability. I don't know what it's like on the other side of that gate, but I know I can rely on myself and I know you girls will need to rely on me too."
Applejack nodded and picked up Sharon, "Girl seems prepared for anything, Ah can't fault that. Don't like the idea of fightin, but if we must we'd best be prepared for it."
Princess Luna stepped over to Twilight and gave her a large leather book embossed with the symbols of the sun and the moon. "A journal, like the one Sunset Shimmer had." She explained. "We can't risk sending Spike with you on this journey, there is no telling what a baby dragon might become in that world."
There was a strange whirring noise, and everypony looked towards the gate as Princess Celestia began to feed it arcane power. A rumbling built to a crescendo until, with a great burst, silvery liquid seemed to explode from the ring. It reached far into the room before receding back to make a silvery, shimmering upright pool.
"OK, I have seen some crazy stuff in our travels, but you have to admit: that is awesome." Rainbow Dash said.
"I can only keep the portal open a short time!" Celestia called. "Hold your gems close and step through, the gateway should integrate the soul stones into your consciousness!"
"Come on girls!" Princess Twilight Sparkle shouted, holding Ezra's stone tight, "Adventure is waiting!" Her friends lined up beside her, looking at the opening with awe and a bit of fear, and all of them grinning like idiots.
Taking a deep breath, they stepped through the gate.