//------------------------------//
// Discussions {Shimmerverse} 
// Story: Shimmering Sunsets 
// by Evowizard25 
//------------------------------//

Sweetie walked along at a steady pace, feeling much better and stronger, even if she wasn't at one hundred percent. "So, Princess, where are we going?" she asked as she trotted along behind Princess Celestia.

“To discuss the matter of your arrival and departure,” Princess Celestia answered. “My word is law here, but I will not keep my ponies in the dark, nor will I not make a decision without hearing at least their own thoughts on the matters. It is tedious at times, but worth it.”

"Our own Celestia has an advisory council, is that who we are meeting?" Sweetie asked.

“In a manner of speaking,” Celestia answered.

The group stopped before large, golden, ornate doors that could allow dragons to pass with ease. Guards holding spears with banners holding Celestia’s mark stood at the entrance. They quickly bowed. “HAIL PRINCESS CELESTIA, GODDESS ETERNAL!”

“Hail honored guards,” Celestia bowed her head in turn. “I wish to enter. The fate of our nation may very well depend on it.” The guards stood at attention and did as asked, pushing open the doors. “Be careful what you say.” Celestia said to Sweetie Drops. “You are protected, but subjects can be… fervent in their beliefs.”

Sweetie gulped, fidgeting a bit in nervousness. "Well, I am Kindness. I certainly won't attempt to be rude." She chuckled slightly. "That sounded funnier in my head."

“I’m sure it did,” Sunset remarked as they headed inside. 
 
The room was massive and circular in nature. There were several layers, each having enough room for dozens of representatives to sit. Some of them were ponies, others were of the other nations and species on the planet. On the far corner stood a great, golden throne so grandiose that it’s very existence demanded respect. Everyone went silent the moment Celestia walked in. She and the Element bearers went to her throne, while the guards took their places near the front rows. As Celestia sat in her throne, she conjured several smaller seat near herself. The other bearers took a seat.

Sweetie looked around, clearly quite nervous, before following Celestia, not quite sure where she was supposed to sit. Seeing there was an extra chair conjured, she sat down in it and looked around the room, smiling nervously.

“Your Majesty,” an older, more middle aged unicorn. He was brown with a darker brown mane and wore an elaborate dark garb of the CHI. “It is an honor to have you with us.”

“It is an honor to be here with you as well, Fervent.” Celestia smiled and glanced around. “Beings of the court. I come to you today with urgency.”

“Oh?” A dark blue, feminine Oviraptor ambassador spoke up. Her black robes carried helped her carry a more sinister and mysterious appearance. “Urgency you say? Hmmm, yes tell us. Tell us why we should care.”

“Keep your beak shut when in her holy presence,” Fervent seethed. Several guards had tensed. “If she deems it urgent, it is urgent beyond measure.”

“Yes,” a slightly overweight human ambassador spoke up. His roman tongue was only slightly present in his speech. He was so lavishly dressed and his blonde hair so well kept that he was just screaming ‘pompous’ noble. “Let us hear what she has to say.”

“As you are all aware,” Celestia said. “There are other worlds beyond our own. Not long ago, Equestria has made contact with another.” There was murmurs in the seats. “Unfortunately, the portal closed, leaving several ponies behind.”

“And again,” the Oviraptor snorted. “Why should the Oviri care? It has happened within your own country and with ponies we know naught. I will not lend resources to aid you.”

“You never lend aid at all!” The Troodon ambassador roared, pointing one of his claws at the Oviri. His golden robes shown brightly as did Celestia’s cutie mark headpiece he wore.

"Also," Sweetie couldn't help but point out, "she hasn't asked for anything, so what are you even saying no to?"

“How dare you question my actions, pony.” The Oviraptor hissed. “I know what you want and we shall lend you nothing. I can see it in those eyes of hers. Celestia wants our help. She needs it. Why else would she come to us.” Some of the other national ambassadors nodded. 

“I come to you now not to ask for aid, but to ask for your ears.” Celestia remarked. “The nature of their arrival has certainly been baffling, but-”

“HI!” A great big, pink maned changeling appeared before Sweetie Drops. She was tall, coming up to Celestia’s shoulders. “I’m Princess Pinkie Pie. What’s your name pony from a different dimension?”

"Hello Pinkie." Sweetie said, smiling. "My name is Sweetie Drops. We are in the middle of a meeting, can the party wait till later?" No matter what universe it was, being routinely exposed to Pinkie for years blunted your sense of disbelief when it came to anything she did.

“Okay,” Pinkie grinned. “I’ll wait till the epilogue, maybe earlier if I’m really itching for one.” And then she teleported back to her seat.

“Anyways,” Celestia said, not affected by Pinkie’s interruption. “As she said, this pony is Sweetie Drops, one of three ponies who have found their way into our world. I merely ask that of each of you to share with me any knowledge of chaotic energies springing forth in your countries. It is imperative for us to know.”

“For the Greater Good,” a male Tufted Deer spoke up. “We give as much information as we can. Our fair nation has indeed noticed such energies, but they mysteriously vanished not long ago.”

“Same with us,” the Oviraptor noted. Several other ambassadors nodded. 

“Could be problem,” an aboriginal kangaroo leader stroke his chin. “Very big problem.”

Celestia nodded. “Yes and that is why it is imperative we work together to find out what caused it and how we can fix it.”

“Why?” The human ambassador snorted. “It is done. The foul magic is gone from our lands. We need not worry anymore. We’re safe.”

“Safe as anyone can be in this world,” Sunset muttered, to which Redheart elbowed her ribs.

“Then what is stopping it from happening again?” Celestia pointed out. “No, we need to find out what caused it now.”

"Plus, next time it might not be something nice that comes through." Sweetie pointed out. "Or it might come out elsewhere."

“If it attacks,” a Reindeer snorted. “We kill it. It’s how it is done. You know this to be true.” Some of the other nations grumbled, twitched in their seats, or just flat out glared at the Reindeer. No one had ever successfully invaded their territory for a reason. Well two reasons, given their harsh winters.

“May I remind you of the havoc Discord wreaked upon his escape,” Celestia said, shutting up the reindeer. “We cannot afford to have another such as him come into our world, especially after recent events. I urge you to listen to me.”

“We shall,” the Troodon ambassador bowed his head. “As we always have, she who eternally shines.”

“Thank you,” Celestia bowed her head in return. Several other nations grumbled how they would keep an eye and ear out for any clues. 

“Another Discord would be detrimental,” the oviraptor admitted. “We will be on the lookout.”

“That is all I ask,” Celestia said. 

“But what is this other world like?” A Fluff asked. They were small, little fluffy ponies with childish voices. That and covered in gadgets.

Sweetie blinked a few times. "Um...is that an actual fluffy pony? Like from the children's books?"

“I am a Fluff,” the little pony snorted. “We are proud engineers and masterminds, world renowned. Children’s stories? Oh you Equestrians are jokesters.”

“I think she was talking about Fluffle Puff,” Redheart muttered to Sunset who nodded.

“I’m just glad-” Sunset’s whispers were interrupted by said big ball of fluff being flung into the room, right in front of Celestia. The face and feet then stuff out of the pony, who then gave out a raspberry.

“It is good to see you again, Fluffle Puff.” Celestia smiled down at her. “May I ask why you are here?”

Fluffle Puff raspberried and grabbed a letter out from her fur.

“Why thank you,” Celestia smiled. Fluffle Puff happily gasped and several balloons popped out of her coat to float her off. 

“...mockery,” the Fluff muttered agitatedly. 

Sweetie gasped. "How can you not like Fluffle Puff? She's a beloved children's icon of three generations in my world."

“Did you not just see her float out the door?” the Fluff ambassador gestured to the entrance. “They made her because the world thinks we’re airheads and childish.”

“Eh,” the goblin ambassador shrugged. “You kind of are.”

“Why you!” The Fluff growled.

"No fighting!" Sweetie scolded. "There is a lot to discuss."

“But I like the fighting,” Sunset pouted. 

“Sunset,” Celestia said with a warning edge. She read through the letter, holding it in her magic. “If I wanted a fight, I would have brought in Diamond Dogs or dragons. Now is the time for talk.” She put away her letter. “A new development has arrison.” Fluffle Puff rolled out from around her throne and gave her a glass of water. “Why thank you. I was a tad parched.” 

Fluffle Puff happily gasped...and then nommed on Celestia’s tail. 

Celestia didn’t pay her any mind. 

“What is it?” The human ambassador asked. 

“It would seem the portal wasn’t natural in nature,” Celestia said. “Someone made it.”

“But the energies involved…” the Fluff muttered in disbelief.

“It has been done before,” Celestia responded. “It can be done again. They might not have succeeded this time, but they’ll try again and again until they are either stopped or successful.”

"Um, your Majesty," Sweetie spoke up, "how do we know they didn't succeed in whatever they were trying to do?"

“If they had,” Celestia said. “We would have seen the signs. They have only succeeded in testing whatever science or magic they currently possess to create a portal. It was flawed. They will wait till we have become less wary, before trying again.”

“They will not be given the chance,” the human snorted. “We’ll hunt this perpetrator down and kill them.” Several others voiced their agreements.

“Our warriors will stop them in their tracks,” the reindeer pledged.

“My friends and compatriots of Equis,” Celestia bowed her head. “I thank you for taking the time to listen to me.”

“To hear the honored words of the sun goddess,” the Troodon ambassador grinned, “is a pleasure above all else.”

“Yes,” Fervent said. “The blood of traitors and filth will be spilt soon. As you as my witness, I will not rest until that is so.”

“I hope beyond hope that is not necessary,” Celestia said, glancing around. “But do what you must to ensure the safety of all. I do believe that is all I had to say. Quick and painless.”

“Relatively speaking,” the oviraptor muttered under her breath.

“Now,” Celestia said. “What were you discussing before I arrived.”

“The island of Kratz,” the human grumbled.

“There is no discussion,” Fervent spoke up. “It belongs in the hooves of Equestria.”

“After Queen Majesty slaughtered our citizens,” the human bellowed.

“There were several years between these events,” Fervent snorted. “Several thousand years where that island was uninhabited.”

“As ambassador of the Goblin Confederation,” the goblin ambassador spoke up. “I do believe the human has a point.”

“Please,” Celestia spoke up. “Stop this inane fighting. We have all had long days I do believe we should adjourn this meeting. Understood?” No one said anything, except mumbling  under their breaths. “Good. Until next time.” The ambassadors made their way out of the room and Celestia sighed. “It’s tough being a goddess AND ruling a country sometimes.”

“But you do it awesomely, mom.” Sunset smiled, nuzzling her.

“I know,” Celestia nuzzled her back.

Looking around, Sweetie said "Now that we are more or less alone, I have a couple of questions."

“If you have a question,” Celestia remarked. “You are free to ask.”

Off to the side, Fluffle Puff was sitting by a typewriter, ready to write down the conversation.

"Alright then, I might as well start with the big one." Sweetie sighed. "You said they haven't achieved their goal with the portal. What is their goal? Do you know, or are you guessing?"

“I am old, Sweetie Drops.” Celestia said. “I have several thousands of years of experience and all that experience has taught me a thing or two. Now, it’s telling me that whatever goal they are trying to reach, it will not be the betterment of my nation. They opened a portal deep within the Everfree Forest. Had it not been for the forest spirit, Fluttershy, I would be none the wiser. The perpetrators would have done whatever they wanted without my knowing. Does that sound like someone with the best intentions?”

"I never said they were." Sweetie said, shrugging. "I just want to know what you think they are trying to accomplish. You're the magic expert here, I can't figure out why they'd want a portal to my world...unless they wanted to try conquering it or something."

“I very much doubt they have the power to conquer it,” Celestia said. “Unless this group is larger than I believe they are...though to open a portal of that size, they have considerable magic with them...chaotic magic. Enough to possibly disrupt your world. Yet, I do not believe that was their first intention. Perhaps they wished to escape to your world and build up strength before returning, or perhaps they wished to find allies. I cannot say which with a hundred percent certainty. I do know that if they do succeed, much sorrow will come with it.”

"Allies...are we sure the portal was opened on this side?" Sweetie asked. "Also, I doubt they could build up strength in our world, their magic and the like would probably go as bad as ours did here."

“You are talking in absolutes,” Celestia chimed. “There are ways to circumvent known barriers, to break any set rules. Nothing is certain. So we cannot assume they would be powerless in your world...Nor can we assume it was on our side that it was opened. That much is true.”

"So we have unknown parties for unknown reasons using unknown methods opening portals from an unknown location in order to achieve their unknown end goal of something or other." Sweetie sighed. "I am so bad at mystery stories. If my marefriend was here, she'd probably have figured out a few things by now."

“Perhaps,” Celestia said. “Though, I do not doubt the efforts of the Inquisition. High Inquisitor Fervent himself has nearly two centuries of subterfuge and information gathering under his belt. He and my trusted order will soon find out the hidden truths of this matter.”

"Well that's a relief, so now I just have one real question left...what were half of those things? Seriously, I only recognized like half of the dignitaries species."

“The world of Equis is populated by dozens of sapients,” Celestia spread her wings and her horn lit up. Dozens and dozens of different species appeared in magical holograms. “Some friendly, some deadly. I have spent my entire reign to bring together the different nations...There has been little progress in that remark. Does your world not have that many sapient races?”

"Not even close." Sweetie said, staring at the host before her. "Not even close."

“Ah,” Celestia said. “Would you like me to go over each one, or perhaps an info disk would suffice?”

"That would be one of those glowing crystal things that display illusions on command right?" Sweetie asked. "When Twilight wakes up, she definitely needs to see one of those in action."

“She shall have as many as she likes,” Celestia smiled. She conjured a flat, circular crystal in her magic and held it out to Sweetie Drops. “This contains information on all the known sapient races of Equis.”

Nodding, Sweetie took it. "Thank you...so, uh, how does this work exactly? We, uh, don't have anything like this back home."

“They are very easy to use,” Celestia assured her. She tapped a feather to the crystal, activating it, which showed a picture of an Earth pony. “All you need to do is take hold of it and think about what you want. For beginners, it takes some concentration, but you should be able to get the hang of it in no time.”

"That is...amazingly useful." Sweetie admitted. "So, why don't we swing by the hospital ward, see if Twilight is awake? She would love to see this."

“That would be wise,” Celestia said. “But I have some ambassadors to calm down after interrupting their meeting. I will join you all later.”

"Of course, don't let me keep you." Sweetie said, smiling. "I'm sure your daughter can handle things here."

“Of course I can,” Sunset smirked. “But let’s not stall ourselves in revelling in my greatness…” She stopped herself from going on when she noticed her mother’s gaze. She chuckled nervously. “Yeah, let’s go then.” Sunset quickly led the group out of the room, with Celestia slowly making her own exit.

"Twilight is going to love this." Sweetie said, looking at the disk. "Let's see, those little green things...ah, goblins." She read as the proper display came up. "It's really not that difficult to use. Maybe we could see about making these back home? If our magic would allow it anyway."

“Oh there’s no fear in that,” Sunset spoke up. “Info disks carry within them their own magic to work. They can be activated even in non-magic centered areas. However, they aren’t the most sturdy. So, be careful not to drop it or bang it against anything.”

"I understand." Sweetie said, carefully tucking it beneath her necklace. "I should probably get a pouch or something to carry it then. Just so you know, Twilight is probably going to have a thousand and one questions about how they work so she can try making her own, she likes to tinker. Has a basement lab and everything."

“Sounds like Quickfix,” Redheart remarked. “Those two would probably get along swimmingly.”

"Oh?" Sweetie asked. "What is Quickfix like? She's one of the ponies we swapped with right?"

Sunset frowned. “Yes...She’s pretty much our own resident mad scientist. That pretty much sums her up.”

“She’s also a Northerner,” Pizzelle piped up. “So she loves to fight. A lot and she’s no slouch either. Why, she even took down a Crystal Raptor when she was twelve. Can you imagine that? Such a young thing taking on such a brutish creature. She has such bravado.”

"No, I can't imagine it." Sweetie said, "Mostly because I don't think we have those in my world. But it sounds impressive...how tall is she?"

“A little taller than me,” Sunset said. “Northerners are tall and muscular. She might be a unicorn, but she can tangle with an Earth Pony no problem.”

"Ah, so she'd be very tough, so a Crystal Raptor is probably even more impressive than I was thinking." Sweetie said, leaving off what she had been thinking regarding North and height. "So, you mentioned she was very angry about something earlier. Does she have anger issues?"

“No,” Sunset shook her head. “She’s more inquisitive. The only thing that ticks her off is if you mess with her inventions.”

“She’s still prone to go into a brawl though,” Redheart piped up, using her tail to fish out another info disk. “Perhaps you might want another on the creatures of this world.”

"This is enough material for my own studies right now. I never did do too well in school." Sweetie admitted. "Twilight will probably have everything memorized on the disks before tomorrow...assuming that's not a comprehensive encyclopedia or something...how much can these date disks hold?"

“Data,” Sunset corrected. “And since we’ve been perfecting these things for quite some time, some can hold entire libraries worth. It matters on the construction, magic output of the maker, and the purity of the gems used.”

Sweetie whistled. "That is a lot. My Twilight may read a lot, but I think she's only read a third of the library in Ponyville. Admittedly it's only been a few months, and we keep getting interrupted with little mini-events and crises, but still..."

“True,” Sunset nodded. “I would have liked to get a little more studying done myself, but life doesn’t always work out in your favor. These disks can be a bit of a cheat sheet in that regard.” She tapped Redheart’s disk with a hoof, showcasing a picture of a Crystal Raptor.

It was a vicious looking beast, standing on two legs and with two manipulative hands up in front that bore large talons. It’s body was covered in pure white armor like scales that shone like gems. Several spikes covered its body and it’s long tail had even longer versions. It’s head looked insectoid, with several eyes in a line. A large, crooked horn stood on its head, similar to a changelings, with two smaller horns acting as pincers on the lower jaws.

“It really has helped us out quite a lot,” Redheart remarked.

"That is, wow, she fought that?" Sweetie asked, amazed. "It's not like, only two hooves tall or something is it?"

“It’s significantly taller than a Gallimimus,” Redheart explained. “The Crystal ponies even use tamed Crystal Raptors as war mounts and for jousts.”

Sweetie resisted the urge to facehoof. "And how big is a Gallimimus?"

Redheart simply rolled her eyes and an image formed near them as they walked. It shimmered from the disk, creating the image of a fully grown Gallimimus. It was easily twice the size of a pony and could easily have somepony ride it with no problem. Another image showcased the Crystal Raptors. It was taller and longer than a Gallimimus, about half a pony’s worth.

"Oh...and she fought one when she was twelve...I...wow." Sweetie had no idea what you could add to that. "So, uh, how do you think Twilight is doing?"

“She should be well enough by now,” Redheart spoke up. “I am a member of the Order Hospitaller after all. I should know.”

"I see...why are there a bunch of ponies outside the hospital wing?" Sweetie asked, "You don't think there was an accident do you?"

Sunset snorted and marched up to the ponies. At first sight of her, all of them either bowed, or stood at attention in the case of the guards. “What is going on here?”

“Forgive us,” a priestess spoke up. “It would seem our new patient has...disappeared. The new ‘Twilight’, if I recall.”

“Disappeared?” Sunset quirked an eyebrow. “Tell me, how could she just disappear in the middle of...Did you check for any teleportation spells?” She had an inkling as she felt something...off in the air. 

“We were just about to when you walked up, Your Majesty.” The Priestess remarked. She nodded towards a couple of unicorn guards who lit up their horns.

Within seconds, they stopped. “Sanctioned chaos magic.”

“Impossible,” the priestess frowned. “We had wards on those rooms. Not the strongest, but enough to distill any passing chaos practitioners. Only...Twilight….” She face-hooved.

“Oh mother no,” Sunset groaned.

"What about Twilight? What happened?" Sweetie asked, clearly worried for her friend.

“She’s fine,” Sunset said. “She’s probably being toyed with like a yo-yo, but she’s fine. It would seem...our Twilight has gotten to her.”

Sweetie didn't look very reassured. "Your Twilight, the crazy chaos magic one?"

“Yep,” Sunset nodded.

“I wouldn’t say crazy,” Coco put out. “More...unique in her own special way.”

“Which translates to off her knocker,” Sunset remarked, tapping her head.

Sweetie was definitely panicking now. "We need to do something! Twilight, my Twilight, can't stand chaos! The two of them are probably attempting to kill each other right now!"

_______________________________________________________________________________

"Huh, you know, your mom does some really good work." Twilight said, finishing off the second book in this version of her mother's The Realm of Mortals series. "I have to admit, this is better than what mine tried. And hey, YA literature without an oppressive and yet impractical dictatorship that gets taken down by teens with relationship issues. My mom would be so happy."

“Yep,” Sparkle chimed, hopping on a candy cane pogo stick whilst setting up random ? around the bookshelves. “Mom’s the best.”

Twilight nodded. "Yeah, I don't get all the cultural references and I still like it. These are top notch characters. My mom was the unfortunate victim of bad timing with her series."

“Timing is very important in a story,” Sparkle said. She hopped once more and poofed in a cloud of smoke, only to appear floating over Twilight’s shoulder. “Oooh, I love this one.”

"Yeah, it is rather good." Twilight said, reshelving it and levitating over the third in the series. "But I didn't mean timing in her stories. See, her story involved an adventurer archaeologist. But then Daring Doo came out, same type of story with a faster action pace and a hero that did a lot more quipping. Also, the book had a lot less historical fact and was more fantastical.  Daring Doo took off, and Mom's Professor Adventure didn't. Bad luck on the timing of her release really."

“Well that’s not fair,” Sparkle said, frowning. “That’s not fair at all. Mommy’s always had great stories to tell, even just little bed time stories. I mean she really knows how-” She disappeared and then her head shot out from the book. “-To make them feel alive.”

"Yes we'll, that's luck. Plus, we both know that life isn't fair." Twilight said.

Sparkle frowned, appearing again beside Twilight. “Yeah…” she scuffed the ground, before smiling. “But it’s not all bad. I still have Shining, mom, my master, and my colt...errr...shutting up.” She put a hoof to her mouth. “Sorry.”

"No no, it's fine, really." Twilight said, smiling. "You deserve something nice too. I'm not jealous."

“He’s nice to me,” Sparkle admitted. “Unlike you...I don’t have any friends, so it was nice that somepony noticed me. Most ponies think I’m annoying, or just run away.”

"Well, that's just rude." Twilight said. "I know you use chaos magic, but that's hardly any reason to act like that...unless you are doing something cruel or dangerous, but since you are mostly interested in fun I really can't see you doing that."

Sparkle looked around nervously. “Well...I mean, I do prank ponies often and...they call me ‘The Skewerer’ for a reason. Not that I’d ever do it to a nice pony though….”

"Ahhh, scary battlefield reputation." Twilight said nodding. "Yeah, that can really follow you from what I hear. But your colt friend doesn't mind that."

“He really loves battle,” Sparkle grinned. “He’s the captain of the Blood Knights for a reason, so he doesn’t mind it any. He rather likes it.” She giggled, blushing slightly. 

"Ohh, a knight captain? Sounds big, brave, heroic, and strong. Nice catch, did Shiny introduce you?"

“My master, Nonsense, did.” Sparkle admitted. “It was a ball and I was dancing by myself. It wasn’t anything new, so I enjoyed it. My master wanted me to make at least one friend, so he kind of...bumped him into me.” She giggled. “He was so nervous and I couldn’t help but tease him. It took off from there…..And Shiny hates him so. He really doesn’t like the idea of me dating.”

Twilight glowered. "Right, remind me to have a few words with your Shiny...so you met him at a dance huh? Maybe I should go dancing more often."

Sparkle gasped. “Let’s go dancing. It’ll be so much fun and maybe I can bump some stallions into you, or not.” She shrugged. “Either way, sounds fun.”

"I don't know, I mean right now? I mean I just woke up and...you know what, no. I've been having a very stressful day. I have fainted...four times. I've had my magic turned off, been flung into another reality, been hit on by an alternate older version of my adopted son, and am looking at hours of study and research just to get the basics down so that I can do heavy studying to try and find a solution to a major problem. I deserve a chance to unwind a bit. Relax. And not go crazy from stress."

“Then come on,” Sparkle grabbed her hoof and teleported them into the streets. “Oh this is going to be so much fun.” She giddily jumped on her hooftips. “So, what kind of music do you like dancing to?”

"Any kind really, but something with a strong beat is best, like pop or techno. Or wubtrot I guess, but I'm not a big fan of the music itself." Twilight answered.

“On it,” Sparkle nodded and teleported them again. This time they appeared in a large club, playing a steady ‘pop’ beat. She tapped her horn and her robes turned into a rather alluring, form fitting outfit. “This going to be so great.” She tapped Twilight’s horn and gave her the same. She squealed and hugged Twilight close. “I always wanted a dancing sister buddy.”

"Aww, that's so sweet...a little oddly specific, but sweet." Twilight said. "...wait, don't you have to pay cover fees for these sort of places?"

“Yes,” Sparkle nodded. “But I don’t believe in paying and I don’t think they really care.” She teleported away. “HEY, CAN ME AND MY SISTER COME IN?!!” Her shouting was heard from elsewhere and then immediately followed by several high pitched screams. She appeared again next to Twilight. “I always take screams as yes.”

"It probably saves a lot of time." Twilight agreed. "So...it's been a couple of years since I tried one of these clubs. Any advice?"

“Do what comes naturally,” Sparkle lamented. A scholarly beard, hat, and cape like Starswirl appeared on her. “Young pony, you must think with your heart, not your head.” She said in a poor imitation of an old pony.

"...note to self consider Starswirl costume for Nightmare Night, I look good in it." Twilight said. "Right, natural...not planning...abandon logic...I should probably get a drink first."

“Drinking’s for squares,” Sparkle rolled her eyes. “I like to be a triangle.”

"Equilateral or isosceles?" Twilight responded.

“Isosceles, duh.” Sparkle then blinked in confusion. “...It’s been so long since I’ve said anything sciency...You really are me if that...thing never happened.” She glanced away.

"Right, no sadness. We are here to relax and have fun." Twilight said. "This day has been pretty bad so far, so we are going to have fun...as soon as I work up the nerve to go on the dance floor."

“Would you like me to shoot you out of a cannon onto it?” Sparkle asked. “I don’t usually ask ponies before I do it, but I’ll make an exception with you.”

Twilight blinked in confusion. "Uh..I'm not sure what a cannon is in this context. The only canon I'm familiar with is "official writings and lore", and that doesn't sound right. But if you think it would help, sure."

Sparkle squee’d and her horn lit up. Twilight then appeared inside the barrel of a cannon with Sparkle wearing a musketeer’s outfit beside her and a lighter in her magic. She turned it to the dance floor and with manic glee, lit the fuse. “Aimed and ready.”

"Oh, so this is a cannoAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Twilight shouted as she flew through the air, only to come in for a crash landing on top of some other pony. "Right, good to know what that is now and...oh my gosh are you okay Mr...?" she asked, getting up to her hooves and off her crash pad.

“Soarin,” the pegasus stallion looked her over as he got up. “Are you okay? You look like somepony shot you out of a cannon.”

"I uh, kind of was." Twilight admitted. "I was a little nervous getting out to the dance floor you see, and she was trying to help in her own way and wait...Soarin, as in Wonderbolts Soarin?"

“The one and only,” Soarin smiled. “I take it you’re new here.”

"Like you wouldn't believe." Twilight said, smiling faintly. "Again, sorry about that. She was a bit...over enthusiastic with her help."

“Sometimes ponies are like that,” Soarin admitted. “I’m just glad you weren’t hurt or anything.”

“Cannons don’t hurt, silly.” Sparkle faintly appeared on Twilight’s back. She used her magic to clean Twilight up. “Unless you want to be a meanie pants.”

Twilight blew a bang out of her eyes chucked. "Well we wouldn't want that would we? Oh, right, Twilight. This is Soarin of the Wonderbolts. Soarin, this is my friend Twilight Sparkle."

“...The Twilight Sparkle?” Soarin’s eyes widened as he looked between the two. “Are you sure she’s not your twin or something?”

Twilight looked at her cloven hooves, long legs, and leonin tail. "Twins, really? We look that alike to you?"

Soarin shrugged. “I’ve been to a lot of places and seen plenty of strange things in the service. That wouldn’t have surprised me.”

Twilight nodded. "Yeah, I guess when you run into enough weird stuff, the little things stop bugging you...why is there an odd number of spotlights in each row? You would get better symmetrical coverage if there was an even number in each row!"

“Chaos,” Sparkle whispered into her ear and appeared between them. “I like it this way.” She used her magic to mess it up even further, giggling all the while.

"...you know what. I don't care. I am here to relax, unwind, dance, and de-stress myself after a hectic and confusing day. Caring is off. I will not care and is that light fish shaped now?! No no, stop caring, just find a cute guy and get to dancing, and relax. You can do this, you've relaxed on occasion before."

“Well,” Sparkle grinned. “You found your cute guy,” she used her magic to push Soarin and Twilight together. “now ship, I mean, dance together.”

"Well I'm not saying no, what about you?" Twilight asked. "And what do boats have to do with anything? Wait, no, not caring."

“If a cute girl wants to dance,” Soarin smiled, blushing slightly at the contact. “Who am I to say no?”

"Cool, so you're single then?" Twilight asked. "Cause I'm not butting into a relationship if there is one."

“No,” Soarin rolled his eyes. “Most mares don’t want to date ‘me’, they want the Wonderbolt, so never does work out.”

"Sorry to hear that." Twilight said. "Well, let's just forget that for a bit. Boy, girl, dance, fun...monosyllables." She giggled at her little joke.

Soarin took her hoof in his. “If the lady insists,” he smirked. “Let’s dance.”

“Yes!” Sparkle back flipped and landed on her hind legs. “Work your magic, girl.”

"But. I'm not planning on casting any spells." Twilight said, confused.

“I think she’s talking about your dance moves,” Soarin chuckled. He pulled into a bipedal posture, careful as to not hurt her spine. “So, are you a beginner?” He asked, keeping her close.

"Well, um, I've been dancing a couple times before, just never with anypony...or bipedal." Twilight admitted. Bipedal wasn't really a problem for her though, her tribe was built for balance.

“Then I’ll take it slow then,” Soarin nodded. 

“HEY!” Sparkle shouted, teleporting over to the music player. “Play a slow song.” The stallion screamed at one look at her and bolted. “I love you too, random pony.” She grinned, waving him off. She then turned to the music box and picked a slower song. “Let this ship sail.”

Soarin rolled his eyes and snorted at the display. “Just follow my lead.” With that said, he slowly but surely started dancing.

Twilight...tried. In her reality, unicorns are noted for their poise and grace. Twilight was acting as living proof that nopony fits every stereotype. "Sorry...sorry...sorry..." she kept muttering as she bumped into his side, accidentally kicked his foot trying to walk around, or wound up tangling her legs in his.

Soarin tried to keep his pained winces to a minimum and smiled. “Don’t be sorry. You’re doing good.” He held back a slightly pained grunt. “Just calm down, you’re working yourself up too much.”

"This doesn't seem to be going too well master." the music box notes. "Also, why am I now alive?"

“Because raisins,” Twilight touched a button that...just appeared on the machine, shooting up a few raisins into the air. She reached them with an open mouth and quickly gulped them down. “But you’re right. We need to up the ante.” She grinned. “Let’s try a ‘sensual’ song.” She tapped her chin. “But nothing too much. It’d be fun to watch her blush and scamper, but no sis of mine is going to be an eternal virgin. Make it nice too.”

"Fox trot maybe? Or a nice waltz? Ooh, what about the tango master?" the music box asked.

“Oooh!” Sparkle's grin split her face, literally. “The tango. Sounds perfect. So sexy, so close. Do it!”

"Of course master." As the music started playing, the box added "Er, master, maybe you should put your face back together?"

Sparkle's head floated in two pieces. “Right,” she put it back on, with her head downwards. She twisted it back upright. “Pump it up, music box! Let’s do this.”

"As you wish!" the music started playing louder. "Wait, I don't have a name?" 

“I shall give you the most fitting and creative name that one can give a magic talking music box,” Sparkle said, pausing for dramatic effect. “Larry.” Dun, Dun, DUN! played out.

"I hope you liked my flourish." Lary said.

“It was very good,” Sparkle nodded. “I just hope it works.”

Meanwhile on the dance floor, Twilight was feeling a bit lost. "So, uh, she changed up the music a bit...and brought the music player to life that's new."

“Stuff like that happens a lot,” Soarin himself still seemed at a loss. He shook his head to clear it. “So...Tango?”

"Tan-what? Wait, I've heard of that...isn't that a really advanced dancing thingy?" Twilight asked, nervous.

“Yes,” Soarin nodded. “It’s not ‘that’ hard, but it’s easy if both parties have it down at least somewhat...It’s also rather ‘close’ when I think about it.”

"Close?" Twilight asked, blushing. "Um, I, uh, well I guess it sounds, um, why don't you lead?"

Soarin kept her close with a firm grip. “If I go too far,” he softly said as he got ready. “Just let me know.”

"I will." Twilight said, and then the two began to Tango...sort of.

"Ouch." Larry noted. "I did not think it was possible to kick a wing like that while dancing."

Sparkle cringed. “Maybe the tango wasn’t the best choice...but they are rubbing against each other a lot.” 

"Yes, and he is still dancing with her, that is a good sign." Larry agreed. "If only there were some way to make her a better dancer...or her partner more durable."

Sparkle hummed and tapped her chin in thought. “Well, I could always simply make it a waltz, but they’re so close...Maybe taking over her body is the more sensible option. What do you think?”

"I see absolutely nothing wrong with you manipulating her motor functions for the purpose of having fun." Larry said. Music boxes weren't well known for their ethical insights.

Sparkle gasped and hugged the music box. “Thanks Larry,” she said, before hopping backwards. Her body glowed with magic and she used it to connect her own self to Twilight. “Now my motions are hers.” With that, she started a more aggressive and sensual take on the dance.

Twilight was unaware of this. "Woah, hey I think I'm getting it down now."

Soarin was blushing slightly at her new rather...erotic take on the dance. “Yep, you’ve gotten the hang of it.” He danced along, now a little more fearless and daring. And a lot less in pain.

"So...I have to admit this is pretty fun." Twilight said, spinning in close. "I really should thank her for the idea."

“This is rather pleasant,” Soarin admitted, smiling. “Glad to see you cutting loose. Though, it was kind of cute dancing with you before.”

Twilight laughed. "Oh I'm not cutting loose, the city block is still here right? I'm just relaxing and...you think I'm cute?"

Soarin nodded eagerly. “Cutest mare in the club.” 

Taking a glance around,Twilight snorted with contained laughter. "That's not saying much, us and Twilight are the only three ponies here, all the rest evacuated once they spotted her. Kind of a jerk move on their part."

Soarin glanced curiously around. “Huh?” He saw that she was pretty much right in that regard. “Whoa, they cleared out fast.” He shrugged. “Guess I was having too much fun to notice.”

"Same here." Twilight said. "I haven't had fun like this in a while, just by myself. Usually I'm busy, or it's a small thing with friends, or I have to worry about my son. Just relaxing is nice."

With another twirl, they were brought back face to face, snout touching snout. Soarin should have been used to being so close to a mare by now, but since most were either friends, or childish fans, this was a tad bit different. So, his cheeks still had a faint blush to them. “You have a son?”

"Adopted. Long story." Twilight said. "Still qualify for any evil villain schemes that require a virgin sacrifice."

Soarin blinked at that last comment, but was going to reply to it. “Well, good for you. I’m sure you’re a great mother.”

"Thanks, I try my best." Twilight said. "It's not easy raising a baby dragon."

“A dragon?” Soarin looked taken aback. “Well, it’s not the first time I’ve heard of that, what with Celestia taking in a dragon herself. It's nice knowing there are some ponies out there a little more...accepting of other races.”

"Yeah well" Twilight said, finding herself spinning into his forelegs, "I hatched him, long story, so I was responsible for the little guy you know? You'd have to be pretty dang heartless to ignore a baby you brought into the world."

“True,” Soarin smiled, nodding his head. 

“Awww~” Sparkle cooed as she looked at the pair. “They’re bonding, Larry. It’s so precious. Oh, I can’t wait to be an aunt...or mother?” She tapped her chin. “A mount?...That sounds a tad kinky….I love it.” She giggled and with a little flourish, made it a few more ‘seductive’ movements.

"Um, okay I am definitely not doing that." Twilight said, face flushed. "...damn it Twilight!" Now that she was aware of it, she realized her body was not moving the way she wanted it to. Especially in that sort of manner. Even somepony as romantically blind as Twilight couldn't miss something this obvious.

“What are y-y-you-” Soarin blushed heavily as Twilight made a few rather...light brushes along some sensitive areas. “Oh,” he glanced at Sparkle who was dancing and giggling like a madmare. “I see.”

"Sorry. She feels a little bad that I don't have a coltfriend like she does so...okay that is really not appropriate!" she shouted, her horn glowing to try and counter Sparkle's spell.

Sparkle’s spell stopped instantly and she yelped in pain. She fell backwards, clutching her horn and spasmed a bit. Bolts of solar magic ran over her body. “Ow, ow, ow, holy magic, ow!”

Twilight immediately abandoned Soarin. "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, I just wanted you to stop. Are you hurt? Do you need to see a doctor? Go to a hospital? Or a chaos magic healy place?”

“I’m fine,” Sparkle sat up, cringing at another series of bolts soured over her body. “It’s nothing. I was just being a pain is all and got what I deserve.” She put a hoof to Celestia’s mark on her cheek and clenched her eyes. The magic stopped instantly. “I’m used to getting shocked when I go overboard anyways. Nothing new.”

"That's not," Twilight gasped, "that's not right. Yes I was embarrassed but that was no reason to blast you with magical energy pain! You don't deserve to be hurt because you were trying to make me happy."

“Is everything alright?” Soarin trotted up to the pair. He gave a quick glance over Sparkle. “She doesn’t look hurt, but I’m not an expert on unicorns. What kind of spell were you using?” He asked Twilight.

"A basic brute force counterspell." Twilight said. "You basically slap your targets magic with your own. You don't even necessarily need to beat them, just hit it hard enough to throw it out of whack. It shouldn't have hurt like that."

“Simple,” Sparkle nodded. “But I felt it. You are blessed by Celestia herself and when it was thrown against my safeguards, well…” She cringed. “It hurts like Tartarus’s fury.”

"That, that can't be right." Twilight said, shaking her head. "I can't be full of holy magic. That's, that's god and religion stuff. I don't, that, it doesn't make sense! And who makes wards that shock you for a prank or something well intentioned that went a little too far."

“Because she is a god and I’m a freak,” Sparkle growled.

“Now that isn’t-” Soarin started.

“It is,” Sparkle pointed at the mark on her cheek. “This mark is to keep me sane and in line. It’s a leash so that I can never go rogue or go full out with my power. Do you know what that would mean? You don’t, because there’s never been a chaos magi as strong as me. I’d turn this whole city into a madhouse in the blink of an eye. I’d kill your family for funzies, because without this safeguard, I would lose my mind. Well, tough luck, I already did, but it’s still there. A little reminder of what I am. Your spell hurt me because it was used against me. That’s what happens when a chaos magi goes rogue. They are ‘brought back in line by any means necessary'. I’ve been shocked more times than I’d admit and each time hurts just as bad...That’s how it goes….I deserved it anyways. I’m sorry, Twilight.”

"No." It wasn't a simple statement that word. It was a rock, a bastion, a fortress. It was the kind of word that made historians look back and go 'oh shit'. A similar reaction would be had by any creature old enough to be history, recognizing the pattern. Something BIG was just decided. "Twilight, you do not deserve this. This is the sort of punishment you use for conquerors and despots, not ponies who just have a lot of magical power. This is not right and I will not stand for this."

“Of course it’s right,” Sparkle shot back. A few tears fell down her cheeks. “I’m a chaos sorcerer. I kill others for fun! Fun, I enjoy it. I’m a monster. Do you know what would happen if I didn’t have this mark?....I’d hurt innocents. I don’t want to, but I would…..I killed daddy. I deserve to be punished.”

"No." Twilight said. "You don't. You killed one pony by accident because you didn't know about your powers. You regret it forever. That is punishment enough. You remember what I said about you visiting home with me?"

Sparkle nodded. “Yeah, why?”

Twilight smiled. "How would you like to move in with us instead?"

Sparkle blinked a few times. “Move in? With you? Really?”

"Of course." Twilight said. "All things considered, would you rather stay here where everypony screams and runs from you, or go someplace you can make friends?"

Sparkle grinned and hugged her. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” She teleported a bunch of bags around her. “I better go pack my bags and tell mom. Ooh! I could tell Shiny...Nah, he’d never let me go. OOOH! I could bring Bloody, err, I mean Bloodletter. That’s my coltfriend’s name. Hmm, or he could visit. Dimensional travel buddies!” She giggled as she looked through the cases. She returned to hugging Twilight. “Thank you, bestest sister!”

Twilight hugged back. "No problem. Just, um, make sure you explain to Bloody that if he does come, he won't be able to fight as much. My Equestria is pretty peaceful by comparison. He's a knight captain here, he's probably used to a lot more fighting than we have back home."

“That’s an understatement,” Sparkle lamented. “Bloody loves fighting. I mean, his hobby is collecting the skulls of fallen enemies. I think he’d get a bit ‘itchy’ without something to kill. Well, not as itchy as when I bring him to a ball. He still can’t dance and he’s so adorably awkward.” She giggled. “He does look good in a tux though.”

"I see." Twilight said nodding. "Well, I guess you should do some packing. I don't know how long it's going to take to find the way back home, but you'll want to be ready for when we do."

"Can I come too?" Lary asked.

“Yes!” Sparkle used her magic to put Larry into a bag. “This is so exciting, I feel like I’m going to explode.” And she did in a big spoof of confetti, only to appear laying across Twilight’s back holding a checklist and quill. “Check, check, and doubly sparkle check.” She giggled.

Twilight smiled. "But did you triple check the double checks of the checks that you checked for checking errors?"

A bunch of scrolls appeared, burying soarin alive.

“Yeppie, yep, yep.” Sparkle nodded. “Mommy always said that I needed to be prepared for everything and this is everything.”

"Great." Starting to leave, she paused and turned to face the pile of scrolls. "Hey Soarin, it was nice meeting you, but I have to go. Got magics to study, portals to other dimensions to open, really busy schedule. Hope you understand, it was fun. Bye!" Twilight then marched out of the club.

“Yeah,” Soarin crawled his way out of the pile. “Bye.” He sighed. “The nice ones are always busy.” He muttered to himself. “Well, at least she didn’t go ‘gaga’ and make it awkward.”

****************

"For the last time," Rainbow muttered, "I am Rainbow Dash! Now freaking let me into the palace!"

“Then why are you covered in feathers,” the guard shot back. “No uniform, no identification, even mutations? Do you take me for a fool?”

"Yes." Rainbow replied. "Because, once again, I'm A Rainbow Dash, but not THAT Rainbow Dash. How hard is this to get!? I'm freaking on the list!"

The guard used his magic to lift up the scroll. “Yes, it says ‘Rainbow Dash’. To my knowledge, there is only one Rainbow Dash in Equestria and you’re way too young to be her. Next time, skip the feathers in your little cosplay or whatever you kids call costumes these days.”

"...okay, whoever writes these lists is getting an earful from me." Rainbow said. "Did they really not think to include that, oh I don't know, I'm a different Dash with feathers so that idiots like you could tell I'm me might have been a good idea?!"

“Idiot?!!” The guard growled, glaring her down. “Look here, kid. I didn’t gain this rank and position to listen to squirts like you telling me I’m an idiot.”

“Well maybe if you weren’t an idiot, she wouldn’t have to call you out on it.” Dash appeared at Rainbow’s side, causing the two guards to jump back in shock.

“Captain Dash!” The two stood at attention and saluted. “I was just-”

“Making an arse of yourself,” Dash commented. 

“No I-” At Dash’s glare, the guard swallowed and nodded. “Yes, I was making an arse of myself.”

“Good to hear a little honesty,” Dash commented. “Now, open the doors.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Without further question, the two guard used their magic to unlock the barriers set in place and open the doors. 

“Don’t think for a second your superiors won’t hear about this,” Dash bore her fangs, causing the guard’s to quake in fear. 

"Personally, I mostly blame whoever wrote that list." Rainbow said. "They had to know the sort of guys they send out to guard the place you hit first if you actually are going to attack and are thus the most expendable and shoddy troops. Should have included a description clear enough that even these guys could grasp it."

“There are idiots everywhere,” Dash shrugged. “Can’t help that. I’ll get this sorted out once this is all over.”

Rainbow shrugged. "The average pony is of average Intelligence. You're as likely to find an idiot as a genius."

“Ain’t that the truth,” Dash grumbled. “Hopefully the rest of your stay here will be idiot free...I say hopefully, mind you. No promises.”

"En, I'll take what I can get." Rainbow said, walking in. "Also, did they think they could actually stop me if I tried?"

“Idiots remember?” Dash chuckled. “So where are you headed? I might be able to help you find it. I have been to the Holy city a few times.”

"Not sure, I'm supposed to meet Celestia and my friends here. I didn't feel like waiting on the train, so I came here early to take a look around. Hopefully I don't have to wait too long for them to show up."

“Young pegasus,” an ancient, but still young voice spoke out. His voice was soothing and full of wisdom. “They are already here.”

"What?" Rainbow asked, stunned. "But the train takes a few hours, so how...a deer?" she asked, seeing the speaker. "Oh um, hi there."

Said deer gave her a condescending glance. He wore immaculate write robes and a dew shaped gem on his forehead. In a forehoof he carried a long white staff/spear that held in itself a pulsing blue gem. “Hello Rainbow Dash. I have been waiting for you.” 

Rainbow looked a little concerned. "Good waiting for me, like you're Celestia's good friend, or bad waiting for me, like stabby stab stab die?"

“If I had wanted you dead,” the deer said. “You would be so the moment I foresaw your arrival. No, your death is not within these walls and certainly not by my hoof. I know that for certain, dimension traveler.”

"Yeah, well, I guess I'll take your word for it." Rainbow said. "The deer back home are rather trustworthy. Big on honor and all that. So, uh, what were you waiting for then?"

“Yes,” Dash narrowed her eyes, her wings twitching in preparation for an attack. “What are you waiting for?”

“I simply wish to meet our travelers,” the deer said. “They who know much and that of my kind, yet know so little. Perhaps we could be alone for a while, yes? You do have an important affair to attend to.”

“What are you talking about?” Dash asked, before a messenger pegasus came to stop before her and saluted. She returned it and dismissed it. “Report.”

“Captain,” the pegasus mare said. “There’s trouble brewing in Cloudsdale. Captain Spitfire needs your assistance immediately.”

“Damn it, dad.” Dash growled. “Can’t you take one day off?”

"Wait, dad, what?" Rainbow asked, confused.

“Yeah, dad.” Dash said. “You know, father, male parent, the giver of sperm and all that jazz. Geesh, it’s simple. Don’t you have one?”

"Well, yeah, but I'm confused. What does dad have to do with trouble in Cloudsdale?" Rainbow asked.

Dash sighed. “He’s the leader of a pegasi centered movement called ‘The Pegasi Enclave’. He thinks Cloudsdale and other pegasus cities should become independent and...well, he kind of thinks pegasi are the ‘master race’.” She grumbled. “We don’t exactly see eye to eye.”

Rainbow found herself sitting down on her haunches, stunned. "Dad's...the bad guy?"

“Well….” Dash looked disconcerted. “He’s still dad. He still loves me and all that. He’s just difficult. Yeah, that’s the word. I mean, he hasn’t done anything ‘too’ drastic.”

"What? Like some protests and rallies?" Rainbow asked, sounding more hopeful. That didn't sound too bad after all.

“Mostly that,” Dash nodded. “Though, some members of the Enclave do go a step further, but those are just isolated instances. If he did try anything, well...he holds a lot of power with the pegasi, especially Cloudsdale. It would be messy. I’m just thankful he’s not going the dictator route.”

"Well, it's Dad." Rainbow said, shrugging. "I have a lot of trouble seeing him do even this much, let alone doing the whole 'rule with an iron hoof' deal."

“Yeah,” Dash chuckled. “He’s a talker, not much of a fighter. That’s mom’s department.”

Rainbow did her best to keep from laughing as she said "Well, I guess you better go. Good luck."

“See ya,” Dash said, before speeding off.

Once her double was gone, Rainbow key out a small laughing fit. "It must be another reality if moms the fighter...then again it's probably not my mom." Turning to the deer, she shrugged. "Okay, so you can see the future. Cool. So, why did you want to talk alone?"

“To help you on your question,” the deer said. “I do not care for you ponies, nor do I care for you country. You are all primitive barbarians. However, Celestia is a close friend of we deer, so the destruction of everything she holds dear is something we wish to avoid.”

"Okaaaay was not expecting another doomsday prophecy. Do you have something to write this down with? Getting it in writing is usually helpful." Rainbow said. "Unless you don't do it in roundabout riddles or rhyming poetry full of literal symbolism but just tell us straight up?"

“I am not a zebra,” the deer said, putting a little disdain in the word ‘zebra’. “We deer can be seen ‘as’ cryptic, but to a knowledgable being, we are straightforward. To you, I shall be as straightforward as one can to an infant.”

"Hey, I'm not that young." Dash said, indignant. "And don't try any of that "younger race" stuff, I am capable of telling when something is aimed a little more personally."

“Perhaps you can,” the deer said. “Perhaps you can’t, young one. Though, you are at an disadvantage already. I know you, you don’t know me. I am over thirteen hundred years of age, you are barely thirteen.”

"...okay, that is impressive." Dash admitted. "From a sheer numbers perspective. But for all I know you flunked out of school and are just a really old guy. Being older doesn't make you smarter."

“”Wise words,” the deer bowed his head. “I am Farseer Anrain, of the Ulthwe clan.”

"Rainbow Dash of Ponyville, it's a pleasure to meet you." Rainbow said, smiling as she bowed back. "And with a fancy title like Farseer, I'm guessing that takes a lot of talent and smarts to earn."

“Centuries of practice,” Anrain said. “Not all deer can become a Farseer. Those that do become the leaders of the clan. Only the wise and just should lead. That is the way of the Ulthwe clan.”

"Good model." Rainbow said, nodding in approval. "Justice is a big deal with my pegasi too. We wrote our Equestria's legal system...three times admittedly because dealing with the other tribes brought up a lot of stuff my ancestors had never considered, and then after Discord things got shuffled around again, but still you get the idea."

“Pegasi that learn?” Anrain chuckled. “Your world is truly different. The pegasi of this land are no different than that of their ancestors. Much strife they have caused and much strife they will cause in the future. That is their nature. Perhaps your heart is not so different, or perhaps it is. My sight cannot pierce the veil of worlds...not yet.”

"Well," Dash said, looking around. "Pegasi make up most of the military. Like, two thirds. And they're heavily present in police and guard forces. But you go past that and most of us are reactionary at best. Heck, most of the rest of us are, as the locals would put it, pansies...though why a delicious flower AND the name of one of Equestria's founding members is considered an insult I don't get."

“Commander Pansy was a coward,” Anrain stated. “Though, I do not care for Equestria’s history. It does not concern me or the great clans of deer.”

"Right, I guess that doesn't matter as much when it's the other guy's problem. So...you said you had a dire warning?"

“Our enemies are moving their pieces into place as we speak,” Anrain stated. “I came to assist and help guide your Twilight Sparkle during this mission. She will need it most certainly.”

Rainbow frowned. "Really? Why just Twilight? This better not be a case of 'because unicorn'. That's annoying enough to deal with back home when something gets in its head that magic makes them better."

“Twilight has enough power to level a city,” Anrain explained. “She has no experience with the realm of magic and Celestia will not be there with you on your journey. No, I must go and help her train. As well, I shall help you and Sweetie Drops in other ways.”

"Ah...that kind of assist." Rainbow said, nodding. "Yeah, I guess 'how to do magic' is kind of a big deal. Our unicorns...it's kind of all they have going for them."

“Indeed,” Anrain conceded. “Now follow me. I shall take you to your friends.”

Dash trotted along, keeping a reasonable distance between them. No need to crowd the guy after all, and it gave her room to glance around the palace to see how it compared to the one back home. The grand palace halls were gargantuan, able to house even the mighty dragons themselves. The walls and ceilings were ordained in holy carving and housed frames of great battles or important figures. Here and there along the walls sat a small gold Celestia on pedestals and a cup of holy water at her hooves. As well, there were some guards patrolling the corridors. "Sooo, Anrain, is...Celestia vain in this world? Our's doesn't have one picture of her in the place. Here, I can't trot twenty steps without seeing one."

“The ponies of Equestria love her to fanatical lengths,” Anrain explained. “She is the only thing keeping their insipid race from extinction or at the very least, fracturing into pieces. She allows this because her ponies draw hope and faith from her likeness and in turn can use it as strength against their foes. Never underestimate faith, young one. On a personal level, she is not in any way vain. As her friend for centuries and a pupil of sorts, I should know.”

"Ah." Dash said, trotting along. "...I can't help but wonder if our Celestia's image would be plastered everywhere if things were as bad with us. I can't really say one way or another. I know I don't know enough for that kind of discussion."

“Your race would,” Anrain stated. “You need a symbol, something to hold on to when the harshness of the world comes crashing on top of you. She is that symbol. She is their mother and they will fight to the death for her and her alone. If not for their faith and the guidance of Celestia herself, there would be no Equestria.”  

"...arguable." Dash admitted. "But then again, if she failed us enough that things got that bad, we might kick her out and go back to democracy. No way to know unless it happens."

Anrain started chuckling. “Democracy.” He said as though that was a joke in of itself. “Primitives. Kicking Celestia out of her seat of power would be the single most idiotic, suicidal idea that has ever graced my ears.”

Dash paused, frowning in thought. "...I'm going to poke Discord with a metric ruler repeatedly while discussing the laws of physics and how awesome order is while also slapping him with a physics book. There, an even stupider idea. Mark the Calendar and see if anything ever tops it."

“He’d find that more hilarious than I,” Anrain commented. “I’ll just take it that your Equestria doesn’t hold Celestia up as well if you can remark in such fashion.” 

"She's the Princess, and she's ruled for like fifteen hundred years. We know she's awesome, wise, and has a lot of experience. We also know she's not infallible." Dash said. "Plus, there are a good number of countries that can compete with us, and they don't have Immortals in charge. It's generally accepted that she's amazing, but she's not perfect. Doesn't stop a lot of ponies from not realizing what that really means and trying to get Celestia to fix everything, but you get idiots everywhere."

“Yes,” Anrain said. “Though, it helps to have immortals and those that have such long life spans in charge. They remember their mistakes, mortals do not. Though immortals can be just as bad at times. Even if Celestia can make a mistake, you should be careful what you say around these Equestrians. To their eyes, she is perfection.”

Dash took another look around. "So...any of these statues and busts ponies of peace, or are they warriors to go with those murals?"

“They are famous for many different reasons,” Anrain explained. “The picture you are looking at now is that of Captain Slaughter of the Reject Knights and his campaign against the Alpha dog, Breakstuv. The mural next to it is of the famous explorer ‘Flora’. She founded many of your outer towns and found many a ruin, solved many a mystery. A fine mare. And the statue on our right is that of Priest Blessed Dream who gave hope and love to so many ponies during and after Nightmare Moon’s betrayal.” He looked around. “Equestria may be violent, but it is violent only necessity. They are a very curious race as I’m sure you are as well.”

"Huh, of those, the only name is recognize is Flora the Explorer. She charted like half of all of Equestria and brought us into contact with Zebrica. We put her on the ten bit coin." Dash said.

“She was certainly extraordinary and spoke her mind,” Anrain said. “She even garnered favor with we deer, something few ponies have ever done.”

"Oh really? Cool. What did she do to impress you?" Dash asked.

“She saved Isha, the goddess of life and healing and the mother of our race.” Anrain explained. “She rescued her from the foul clutches of one of Discord’s traps and for that we were forever in her debt.” 

Rainbow whistled appreciatively. "Yeah, that would do it. Ours just mapped two thirds of a continent and got us in contact with a new race. I mean that's still impressive and all, but saving someone like a that's a whole 'nother level."

“She helped out many races after Discord’s rule,” Anrain said. “The Celestial sisters were weak after their battle. She was their saving grace as well as many. Even the foul minded dragons, or barbaric griffins owe her much.”

"I can imagine. The Elements take a good chunk out of you ta use, and they each used three...wait, you guys had seven here. Who used the extra one?" Rainbow had to admit, it was a very good question.

“That would be Celestia,” Anrain remarked. “I do believe that was one of the leading things behind Luna’s treachery.”

"Yeah, I can see that." Dash said, nodding. "If you ask me, being a prime number means you can't divide it fair with smaller numbers. It seems like it was obviously meant to just be wielded by a group of seven. Otherwise you wind up with at least one "more important" pony, which would throw the whole thing off. Whoever designed your Elements clearly didn't expect there to be other group sizes."

“That would be how it seems,” Anrain lamented. “Still, things have worked themselves out accordingly.”

"You're Luna's still evil from what I hear." Dash pointed out. "How is that 'working out'?"

“It is working out because we don’t have to deal with her anymore,” Anrain stomped his staff down on the ground. “She is locked here in the capital and is a threat to no one. You will be hard pressed to find somepony, aside from Celestia herself, that cares.”

"That's...sad." Dash said. She didn't know how to express what she was feeling beyond that. 
"Come on, let's go find the others."

“Around the corner,” Anrain stated as they came to a cross section. “To your right.”

Dash, running out if patience, rushed around the corner, only to almost crash into Sunset. "Oh thank you, I have been looking for you guys! Sorry I didn't realize how fast the local trains were. Did I miss much?"

“Oh nothing special,” Sunset griped. “Just Twilight kidnapping Twilight. That sort of thing.”

"Aww nuts." Dash said. "Your Twilight or our Twilight did the kidnapping?"

“Ours,” Sunset stated. “Do you really think yours could pull it off with a chaos sorceress in her condition?”

"No clue. I have no idea how the two match up." Dash said. "So, on a scale of "angry squirrel" to "Discord and Nightmare Moon had twins that are now grown up and the whole family is after you", how dangerous is your Twilight?"

“Around a pissed off Discord,” Sunset remarked.

"Oh...sounds like our Twilight's upper limits." Dash said, wings drooping. "So, weakened, that would be a no. Any idea where they could be?"

“She will be with us shortly,” Anrain lamented. 

“Anrain?” Redheart asked. “If you’re here….Is it that bad?”

“Perhaps,” Anrain said. “If we let it. I am here to see you all through your trials ahead.”

"And if we fail?" Dash asked. Not that she was scared, it was just important to know the stakes.

“The destruction of everything both your worlds hold dear,” Anrain answered. 

Dun dun dun! "I'm sorry master, it is just not as threatening or dramatic on kazoos. Perhaps vevuzelas? Or the harpsichord, if you want non standard instruments for it. Ooh, what about the saw? Nopony would expect it on a musical saw!"

“Who is that?” Sunset asked. “And why do I already feel annoyed by it?”

"I am the master of music, the living sound stage of splendor, the disk DJ of discord, and lord of lyrics! I am...Larry!...aww, I don't have any lighting and thunder recorded."

“Chaos,” the priestess muttered a few prayers.

Sunset groaned. “Great another musical chaos servant. Well, let’s just hope you’re on our side because I’m feeling in the mood for barbecue.” 

"...master, are we on their side? You never told me...there are sides? Like with records?"

“Yes we are, Larry.” And just like that, spires of punch shot out of the ground throwing everypony into the air and keeping them there. Sparkle, wearing a pirates uniform, eyepatch and all, rowed around them on a lifeboat. Twilight was wearing another pirate outfit. “I’m pleased as punch to meet you all.” 

“Sparkle!” Sunset shouted. “Put us down.”

“I don't know." Twilight said. "This is better than the first pun I had to talk her out of. Plus, it's punch that makes stuff cleaner when you pour it on something, so it's not that bad. Plus, you look a little stressed out, you could probably use a laugh. Um, arrr, am I doing that right?"

“No,” Sparkle shook her head and held up a hook. “It’s ‘argh’ me maties, ye need to laugh more ye filthy landlubbers. Argh.”

“Oh shut it,” Sunset shot at her. “I’m not in the mood for this.”

“Well I think it’s funny,” Pizzelle spoke up, chuckling. “How often do you get to say you got to lay on punch? No often enough I say. Oh this reminds me of that time me and Presto got lost in the Equestria borders. We found ourselves in a hotspot, kept getting shot into the air by geysers.”

"Personally," Sweetie said, having been flipped onto her back and trying to turn around to face anypony, "I'm just glad you two aren't trying to destroy each other in some crazed order versus chaos deal...you didn't try and then Twilight lost and then got turned to chaos did she?"

"Arrr." Twilight said, her pirate accent obviously forced. "I should be keel hauling you for saying the great Comadore Twilight would lose to a...um, I don't know what to say that sounds pirate-y that also wouldn't insult you. Got any ideas?"

"Wraak, pieces of eight, wroooaaah! We're dressed up as pirates?" Larry, the music player dressed like a pirate parrot, asked. "I thought we were dressed as shoe salesmares. Pirates steal music!"

“Ye be right about that, but pirates steal everything because that’s what pirates do.” Sparkle held up a music disk. “Like stealing from other pirates.”

"Ah no! Curse your shoe seller disguise!" Larry shouted.

"Shoe sellers, really?" Dash asked, refraining from trying to flap off just to see what happened next.

"Hey, give me a break." Larry grumbled. "I've been alive for less than an hour."

“He’s like the son I always wanted,” Sparkle grinned. “Except he isn’t alive and already grown up.” She pulled Twilight close and cried. “They grow up so fast!”

"I know that feeling...except mine actually is growing up but still." Twilight said, patting her back. "Anyway, I think we ran this pun for all it's worth."

“Right!” Sparkle said, canceling out her spell and bringing everypony back onto the ground in normal attire. “We’ll have more puns and babies later.”

"Eh, we'll see." Twilight said, shrugging. "So, how have things been going while I was asleep?"

“Preparations for you future,” Anrain explained, stepping forward.

“Yes,” Sunset spoke up. “And that would be?”

“For me to know and you to find out.” Anrain answered.

“Yeah,” Sunset huffed. “I thought so.”

"...I'm getting serious Zecora vibes here." Twilight said. "Cryptic end of days prophecy?"

“Isn’t it always?” Sunset pointed it out.

“....Perhaps,” Anrain gave her an annoyed glance.

"And non-answer." Twilight said. "Staff, mysterious air, not giving straight answers, revealing hidden prophecies. It's like we never left home."

“I feel you,” Sunset snorted. “Sometimes it gets annoying being the savior of ponykind again and again. It’s like our lives are just episodic or something.”

"Well, not that bad." Sweetie said. "I mean it's not like we do nothing that doesn't further an adventure. How those "adventure scientists" in the serials keep their careers I have no idea."

"And it's not like we have some big adventure happening every week." Dash chimed in. "Sometimes it's just life going on, you know?"

“Isn’t that what happens in a show?” Coco spoke up. “I mean, sorry for intruding on the conversation. That’s just my opinion.”

“And we care about your opinion, hun.” Pizzelle put a comforting wing over her shoulder. Hikaru, laying on her back, nodded.

Twilight looked confused. "Who'd go to see a movie just to see nothing happen?"

“That sounds better than whatever drivel Shamamallama puts out,” Sunset added.

"Who?" Dash asked.

"Beats me." Twilight said, shrugging.

“There’s some good in the universe after all,” Sunset remarked.

“HELLO!” Hikaru yelled into Twilight’s face, having jumped onto her head. 

"What the, talking fox?" Twilight asked, surprised.

“Aki Hikaru,” Pizzelle spoke up. The illusion of HIkaru on her back vanished. “It’s rude to jump onto other faces like that. Very rude. Get down here this instant.”

“Okay mommy,” Hikaru said, jumping off. 

“What do you say?” PIzzelle gave him a stern gaze.

“I’m sorry for jumping on your face,” the little kitsune pouted, looking up at her with puppy dog eyes. “I just like surprising others is all.”

"Well there's nothing wrong with a little fun, but you need to be careful not to hurt somepony." Twilight said. "So, you're Pizzelle's son. That would make you a kit-soon-hey, right?"

Hikaru nodded. “Yep. I’m almost nine years old.”

Pizzelle walked over and nuzzled his head. “Oh he’s just my darling little boy. He can be a real hooffull with all his antics and mischief, but all kitsune are mischievous. The dears can’t help that. No they can’t. Still, even with all of that, I just love him to pieces. He’s not flesh and blood, not even my species, but he’s earned a special place in my heart. He’s my wish granted.”

"Yeah, I know the feeling. I adopted a dragon, and the other me adopted a music player she brought to life at a dance club we visited." Twilight said.

“A dragon?” Pizzelle gasped. “Dear me, that sounds like you’ve stepped up to quite the task. Oh look at me, stating that.” She giggled. “At least your son doesn’t create illusions everywhere you go and prank others left and right. He’s such a good boy and he doesn’t do it as much, but he’s still a kitsune. Doesn’t bother me none since I can see through illusions and such magic easy enough.”

"So can twinkle eyes." Dash said. "In fact, it's hard for them to see illusions even if they want to."

"Wait, Spike didn't tell you girls?" Twilight asked, puzzled. "Huh, I thought he would."

“Tell us what?” Sunset asked.

"Well," Sweetie said, "how many dragons do you think wound up being adopted in our world?"

“....She adopted Spike?” Sunset asked in disbelief. “She adopted my little brother?”

"Well I hatched him, I wasn't going to abandon him." Twilight said in her defense.

“I’M SPIKES’ MOMMY?!!” Sparkle shouted in glee, dancing around. “Yes, yes. Baby dragons are so cute.”

“But he’s my brother!” Sunset shot at Twilight. “Why didn’t your Sunset hatch him like me?”

Twilight shrugged. "Celestia took you straight as her student, you never attempted the entrance exam for Celestia's School for the Gifted. Anyway turns out you weren't actually supposed to be able to hatch the egg, it was a test of how you approached, examines, and attempted to solve the task, and how you dealt with failure."

Sunset glared at Twilight. “...At test? He was a test?!!” Her horn sparked in fiery fury.

“Now calm down,” Redheart tried to assuage her friend. “She doesn’t mean-”

“THEY USED MY BROTHER FOR A TEST?!!!” Sunset roared, horn aflame. “WHERE ARE THE PONIES WHO DID THAT?!! WHERE?!!”

"Huh, Celestia had the same sort of reaction when she found out the dragon egg was actually real and not a prop like she thought." Twilight noted, taking a few steps back. "As for where they are, my guess is flipping hay burgers...in Saddle Arabia after Celestia was through with them. She replaced about half the school faculty after the fisco."

“That’s not good enough,” Sunset glowered. “They should burn!”

“Sunset,” Coco put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “Please, don’t be angry. She said they were already dealt with. You don’t need to hurt anypony.”

“He’s my brother,” Sunset muttered darkly. “I don’t care what universe he’s from, he’s my little brother. I’m his big sister. I need to care for him and to hear that? How am I not supposed to be angry?”

“Because you can’t control everything that happens everywhere,” Coco said. “That may have happened to that Spike, but he’s alright now. Just...try to calm down.”

Sunset huffed and steadied her breathing. Her flames died down a smidge. “Yeah, you’re right….Still, if I ever see those ponies….” She let the threat hang in the air. “I’ll show them a true sister’s wrath.”

"Aww, that's so sweet." Twilight said, hugging her. "My Shimmer is more like an Aunt to Spike, but it's nice to see you two are so close. And trust me, if I knew then what I know now, I'd probably have leveled the school. Now though, it would just miss them by a continent."

“Well at least he has somepony to look out for his sorry flank over there,” Sunset huffed. “It’s hard to keep track of him when he’s always chasing some mare’s tail….I kind of miss the old days when he was just a little kid. It was easier back then.”

"Mine's five." Twilight said. "He lays around a lot, forgets to put his toys away, complains about chores, back sasses, steals cookies, isn't really interested in study instead of play, and when he puts his mind to it he's one of the best darn helpers around the house you could ask for, and he really cares for you."

“That’s Spike,” Sunset smiled. “Still, when he hits puberty, he’s going to be mare crazy. My brother was just lucky he was groomed to be a gentledrake since birth. Still, it’s annoying when I just turn my head for a second and then ‘bam’ he’s surrounded by blushing, giggling mares. That and the backsass. It’s going to get worse.”

Twilight sighed. "He's already got a crush on our worlds Rarity; he keeps asking me to help him out with a mustache spell to try and help impress her. I'd hate to think what he'd be like as a teen with, ugh I am going to have a total stress breakdown if my kid turns out like that when he grows up."

“He’s not as bad as she makes him out to be,” Redheart rolled her eyes. “He’s actually quite nice and helpful. He just likes teasing his sister.”

Sunset snorted. “You call it teasing, I call it backsass.”

“Besides,” Redheart commented. “We all know he likes Moondancer and she him, just like Sunset and Shade.”

Sunset blushed. “I do not like him. He’s an idiotic traitor.”

"Sunset, are you okay? You look very flushed." Twilight said. "Normally I'd write it off as blushing, but since you don't like Shade that can't be it." She put a hoof up to Sunset's head to check her temperature. "I'm not feeling any fever. Can you feel any symptoms?"

All the locals, even the natives of Canterlot, the dimensional castaways, and Anrain, face-hooved. Well, everyone except Sunset. “I’m not sick,” she pushed Twilight’s hoof away. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“You’re not a very good liar,” Coco smiled. “I know I shouldn’t point it out, but you have it bad for him.”

“I do not!” Sunset shot back. “I don’t like him like that.” She put a hoof to her lips. “I mean, I don’t like him at all. You know….” She snorted, blushing more than ever.

"Wait, is this a romance thing?" Twilight asked. "You girls know I don't get romance stuff unless it's obvious."

"And this isn't obvious?!" Dash blurted.

“I’m not obvious, I mean, I don’t have anything to hide about him.” Sunset shot a glare at everyone. “I don’t.”

“Deary,” Pizzelle put a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s not healthy to beat around the bush this long.”

“I’ll beat you around the bush,” Sunset said through clenched teeth. “I do have a thing for him.”

"You do? But you've been saying-oh I get it now." Twilight said, nodding. "It's like in second grade when the little colts keep pulling on the filly in front of them's tail because they like her and don't know how to express it!"

“Which has nothing to do with me,” Sunset remarked. She put a hoof to her chest. “I am a princess and he’s not even on my level.”

“But you like him~” Redheart sing songed. 

“I will never admit I love him,” Sunset shot at her and her eyes widened. “Because I don’t. Nope, nope, I don’t.”

"Wow," Dash said, "this is just like the plot of one of those cheesy romance novels my Mom think's I don't know she has. Also, isn't it kind of immature to just mess with a pony you like because you don't know how to express your feelings? Way uncool, you'd never catch me doing that."

“Private Stonewall, reporting for duty Princess Sunset!”

Sunset turned to see a musketeer standing at attention behind the ground and saluting her. She saluted back and dismissed it. “At ease soldier.” With that, he followed the order.

At that moment, Celestia rounded the corner. “Oh there you are Twilight. I was meaning to bump into you at the club and Rainbow Dash. I’ve heard so much about your little escapades.” She smiled warmly at the ponies present.

"Escapa-Rainbow Dash! What did you do?" Twilight asked, pulling out her mom voice.

"Uhhhh, I may have held a tribalist up in the air by his tail until he promised to apologize for his nasty behavior?" Dash said, chuckling nervously. "I mean, the guy was a jerk and he wasn't hurt or anything."

“I do not take issues with your actions,” Celestia remarked. “I applaud them in fact. Although, from now on you will need a personal guard. Private Stonewall will be at your side at all times during your stay here. He is to protect you and help deal with any cultural differences that may spring up.”

"Hey thanks, that's very useful." Dash said. "Stonewall, let me introduce you to the group. That's Princess Shimmer, Coco, Nurse Redheart, Pizzelle, Hikaru, Sweetie Drops, Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Sparkle, Larry, and Farseer Anrain. Everyone else, this is Private Stonewall, say hi."

“I already know most of you,” Stonewall pointed out. “I do live in Ponyville, you know. I’m not that forgetful.”

“No,” Anrain spoke up. “But you are easily fooled.”

"Well I find it a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Sweetie said, extending a hoof for a shake. Turning to face Celestia, she added "So I guess we'll be getting escorts too?"

“Not personal escorts such as Stonewall, but there will be guards about.” Celestia said. “Stonewall is Dash’s personal guard, so he is to attend to her needs to a rational degree. I do believe you two are not in need of it, but think of him as your guard as well in a fashion.”

Stonewall lightly gripped her hoof and shook. “Pleasure to meet you too, ma’am.” He grinned.

"Likewise," Sweetie said, field meeting gecko hoof. "I'm sure you will do an excellent job."

"I'm sure he will." Twilight said.

“Well of course he will,” Pizzelle spoke up. “Stonewall here comes from such a prestigious military family. Oh his line extends back generations and you can barely find a family more loyal or devoted in Ponyville than his. Why, I remember when he was just a little colt, parading around in his father’s ‘too big for his little bitty head’ hat. It was so adorable.”

"Please tell me you have pictures." Dash said, "Cause I so want to see that."

“Oh I have pictures of everypony,” Pizzelle looked inside her pouch.

“I don’t think this is necessary,” Stonewall spoke up. “Miss Dash, my childhood pictures are not at all interesting.”

"I think they are." Dash shot back.

"Ship detected." Larry noted, before deploying smooth jazz.

“HA!” Sunset pointed at the duo. “Who’s liking who now, huh?”

Sparkle started teetering back and forth on her hindlegs, holding a ton of toy boats with names on them. “Why can’t I hold all these ships?”

"Oh ha ha ha you guys." Dash said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh they’re just teasing,” Redheart said. “So...when’s the wedding?” 

Stonewall sputtered, blushing in embarrassment. “Wedding, well, the band….Why is this happening to me?” He glanced at Dash. “Oh yeah.”

Dash narrowed her eyes. "I hope that's you blaming that idiotic waiter that thought I was some random mare you got knocked up, and not me because you somehow seem to generate rumors likes a dam."

Stonewall gulped, eyeing her fearfully. “Yes, ma’am. It was the waiter.”

Sweetie blinked, confused. "Why would he think that?"

"I ordered lunch." Rainbow said, shrugging. "And he apparently never saw a pegasus eat a full meal before."

Twilight coughed into her tail. "Um, maybe pegasi here don't have as...extensive an appetite?"

“It’s more to the fact that he’s nosy,” Pizzelle spoke up. “I love my share of gossip from time to time, but that stallion you’re talking about, I think I know who he is. Small cafe?” Stonewall nodded. “I see. Yes, he is rather rude in that regard. I believe he just likes making juicy assumptions.”

“If Pizzelle of all ponies think he’s nosy, than I think that just speaks volumes about the guy.” Sunset piped.

"So it's like Pinkie saying somepony is a bit energetic then?" Sweetie asked, trying to get a frame of reference.

“Pretty much,” Sunset nodded.

“Perhaps I should send word to Time Turner to keep an eye on this stallion,” Celestia intoned, frowning slightly.

"Do we know a Time Turner?" Sweetie asked.

"I don't think so." Twilight said, frowning.

Rainbow shrugged. "Beats me too."

“He may not have a parallel in your world,” Celestia said. “But here he is Ponyville’s local Inquisitor and Lyra’s master. He has served me well for over a thousand years.”

Twilight let out a low whistle at that. "So, your highness, I'm guessing he's a dragon of some sort?"

“He’s a Time Charger,” Celestia explained. “They look rather like ponies but were engineered by the ancient alicorns to be perfect soldiers...They were not enough against their foe and the rest fled here. I gave them refuge and in return, they have served ever faithfully.”

The visitors were stunned at this news. "Well that doesn't sound ominous at all." Dash said, sarcasm shining like a flare.

"Really?" Larry asked. "Because that sounded really bad to me."

“Do not worry,” Celestia said. “The ancient enemy of theirs is not a major threat. Grand Princess Pinkamena Pie has assured me that her nest will not endanger us. The rest of the changeling nests are….dealt with before they can be of menace.” She sighed. “It was enough for a time.”

"'For a time' means not anymore." Sweetie pointed out, nervously.

“Before my sister’s betrayal,” Celestia’s voice hitched slightly. “There were hundreds of thousands of Time Charger. Now there are only ten thousand, if that. My sister viewed them as an...obstacle to her rule. As well, Changeling nests have been more prevalent than ever being barely contained.”

"Well...about that way home?" Sweetie asked. "Not that your world doesn't have it's lovely aspects but it's a bit...violent sounding for my tastes. And dangerous. And more than a bit scary."

“I am deeply sorry for this,” Celestia bowed her head. “The fair nation of Equestria has never been idle in my hooves, no matter my efforts.”

“It couldn’t be in better hooves, mom.” Sunset spoke up, nuzzling her. Celestia nuzzled her back.

"I am sure nopony could have done it better Princess." Twilight said...before her stomache growled. "Oh yeah, I haven't eaten anything all day...I am so sorry you had to hear that Princess, that was rude of me."

"Twilight, you can't be blamed for being hungry." Dash said, rolling her eyes. "None of us have eaten since breakfast, except for those milkshakes you couldn't drink because your taste buds were all messed up."

“This will not stand,” and with a single spark of her horn, Celestia transported them all into a large dining room. “Please take a seat. My chefs can attend to your needs.” She lightly stomped a hoof and several chefs quickly fell in line before them and bowed.

“Great,” Sunset quickly pulled herself a seat. “I’m starving.”

“I even took the liberty of securing your colt friend,” Celestia smiled, teleporting a gray stallion into her daughter’s lap.

“Sunset?” Shade, the former warlock said, fear ebbed in his voice.

Sunset blushed heavily. “GET OFF!” With a violent shake of her horn, Shade was flung head first into the wall. 

“...Nice to meet you too,” Shade shakily got to his hooves, rubbing his forehead.

“You’re lucky I don’t burn you again.” Sunset glared at him.

“At this point, I’m pretty much fireproof.” Shade smirked. “So what’s up?”

“Interdimensional travel,” Sunset said.

“Ah,” Shade nodded. “Are we going to turn into humans again?”

“No.”

“Dang,” Shade pouted. “But oh well. I prefer seeing you naked anyways.” To which he then ducked his head, narrowly missing a fireball. “I’m getting faster.”

"...there is a story here and I'm not sure if I want to hear it." Dash said, shaking her head. "You know, for something as huge as dimensional travel, it seems to happen way too often for how big of a deal it should be."

"Well," Twilight said, shuffling a hoof nervously, "there is a theory that each time interdimensional travel occurs the walls separating realities are weakened just a tiny bit each time, making the next instance just a bit easier to have happen. So it happening once or twice or a couple dozen times might not have any noticeable affect, but it would all add up until, well, crack."

“Which is why I have the Time Chargers monitoring these instances,” Celestia said as she herself took a seat at the largest, golden chair ordained in the holiest of symbols. “They are the masters of this trade with only Starswirl himself besting them.”

Twilight's tail shot straight out, causing her to blush as she quickly took a seat. "Right food. Um, would it be too much trouble to ask for a daisy sandwich and some hay fries? Oh, and a cherry soda."

"Tripple that order for me." Rainbow said, flopping into her own seat. Seeing the look Sweetie was giving her, she asked "What?"

"Didn't you say you had a full lunch earlier?" the earth commented.

"Yeah, then I did Mach flight. Even with magical aid, that burns calories like crazy."

“That is reasonable enough,” Celestia said. Quickly enough, the rest of the ponies present gave their own orders and the chefs themselves ran back to the kitchens. “My chefs are known for their speed. I do so hope it will be to your liking.”

"I'm certain it will be." Sweetie said smiling. "So then, just to bring everypony up to speed. The portal we fell through was not accidental or natural. Something opened it on purpose for unknown reasons, and we don't know which world it opened up from either.  So, um, might I ask who our deer friend is exactly?"

“He is Farseer Anrain of the clan Ulthwe,” Celestia explained, tilting her head to the deer. “He has been a very close friend of mine for centuries and has helped mend the relations between ponies and deer.”

"Really?" Rainbow said, frowning. "But he said things were cool after Flora saved their life goddess. What happened?"

“She was an anomaly of sorts to us,” Anrain explained. “We deer viewed ponies as lesser creatures. I will not lie. Before our alliance, we fought Equestria several times, even tricking the ponies into fighting our own battles for us. There was too much bitter blood between our species to simply forget.” 

"Wow." Twilight said, taken aback a bit. "Relations between deer and ponies in my world has always been...well pretty darn good. Not counting their dislike of mages."

“Mages have never been a problem with us,” Anrain explained, his horns lighting up slightly as he moved around his utensils to suit his needs. “I am a Farseer and among the greatest mages that we deer posses. To simply turn a blind eye to arcane matters would be simply idiotic. As well, I am glad that your deer can see reason. While the clan Ulthwe is friends with Equestria, the other clans still view ponies as sniveling rodents of sorts.”

"Ah, I think we hit a bit of a terminology snag here." Twilight said. "A mage is a skilled unicorn spellcaster, not just someone that uses magic in our world. Deer in our world have their own brand of magic called Druidism, and they have access to the universals as well and produce very talented shamans. They just don't like unicorn magic for religious reasons."

Anrain put a hoof to his lips to stifle laughter. “I see,” he stifled a few more laughs. 

“Anrain,” Celestia scolded. “Be nice. They are of another world and have different views.”

“Yes,” Anrain collected himself. “That is true. The backwards notions of other clans should not concern me.”

"It's hardly backwards." Sweetie notes with a huff. "Besides the universals, most magic is tribe or species specific. Only unicorns, kirin, and bicorns can do magecraft, and bicorns are extinct. On the other hoof, only deer can be druids. Let's see, the elk have runes, pegasi and griffons have weather magic, um, oh dear not really a magic scholar here, sorry. Anyway, my point is that our deer shouldn't be called backwards, it's rude."

“Yes,” Pizzelle nodded. “Very, very rude. Why, I think those deers of yours sound lovely, Sweetie. Oh I do believe I would enjoy a trip to their woods sometime.”

“Yes, it would be lovely.” Celestia gave Anrain a hard glance. “Wouldn’t it?”

Anrain snorted. “It would be….educational.”

"Just don't be rude to any of our deer if you do visit." Dash advised. "It tends to piss off their forests...and foods here alright!"

“My race can withstand a forest spirit,” Anrain remarked. “Just as we withstood Tirek.” He glanced over the plate put before him.

"Well yeah you'd probably anger a bunch of spirits too." Dash said around a mouthful of fries. "But I mean, like, the actual forest forest. I actually saw a fawn trip once, and the bush he was next to picked him up and brushed him off. It wasn't even a magic bush or anything, nature just really loves our deer. Is there any katsup?"

“Here you go,” Coco hoofed over a small bottle of the red condiment. 

“Nature can only go so far,” Anrain reasoned. “A forest can die just as any living being. Only through self guidance and forethought can you truly thrive.”

"No offense Farseer, but I think we may have strayed off the topic at hoof. The nature of the portal." Twilight noted, hesitating as she floated a fry up and bit into it. "...huh. Tastes a bit...different."

Celestia cast Twilight a concerned gaze. “Has my blessing not taken effect?”

"No your majesty, it has had an effect on me." Twilight said. "I can use magic again, albite only the most basic uses right now. And I can eat again, thank goodness. The taste is just...a little different. It tastes mostly like a fry from back home but...less? I'm not sure how to describe it." she said as she ate a few more fries.

“I see,” Celestia slowly began eating, but there was a slight twinge of her brow as if she was lost in thought.

Sunset noticed, slowly eating as well, but didn’t care to bring it up. “Well, I’m sure that will fix itself soon. You do carry a piece of my mother’s soul as it were within you. It should be tastier, I think.”

"I'm not complaining, Princess Shimmer." Twilight said, "Compared to vinegar soaked alfalfa with lemon juice, a slightly lower taste is a massive improvement."

"Okay, that is way to specific for you to just be useing at random repeatedly." Dash noted.

Twilight blushed. "I may have eaten some once on a dare as a filly."

“You have my sympathies,” Shade spoke up. “I know what it’s like to eat rubbage.” 

"Oh really?" Sweetie asked, pausing in eating her rather nicely made fruit salad. "You know dear, we haven't heard too much about you beyond your relationship with Sunset. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?"

Sunset noticed how he tensed up. So she put a hoof on his shoulder. “You don’t have to.”

Shade sighed. “It wouldn’t hurt.” He looked at the newcomers. “I grew up in the streets of Manehattan. Celestia’s light brings great warmth to most ponies, but there are still those who struggle in the shadows. I was one of them. I fought every day to get an ounce of food. Then...Apostle, discple of Nightmare Moon herself, came to me. He offered me power, a means of survival. I took it and found my talent: Shadow magic. I became a Warlock, one of the darkest magis. I served underneath Nightmare Moon herself when she returned….and I would have died the same had it not been for Redheart here.”

“Anyone with a conscious would have done the same,” Redheart said.

“No,” Shade shook his head. “They wouldn’t, or maybe your right. I didn’t know that helping others could do yourself some good till I met you guys…..Of course, now I”m being burned, thrown, and all that jazz left and right. Still better than working for Apostle.”

"Well good to hear your life has turned around." Sweetie said, going back to her salad casually. "Though you should try and take better care of yourself. Medical care can be...oh wait, that's free in this world. Still, you should be more careful."

"Rainbow Dash, did you use up all the ketsup?" Twilight asked, shooting a glare at the pegasus as she futilely tried to shake some out for her own fries. "You're own fries are practically swimming in it, save some for everypony else!"

“What?!!” Sunset teleported the ketchup bottle over to herself. “Oh thanks, Dash. That’s so nice of you.” She muttered darkly.

"Ah, sorry." Dash said, blushing. "Didn't realize it was that low."

"So, anyway," Twilight said, clearing her throat, "we still need to discuss what we are going to do next."

“I will be making preparations for tomorrow,” Celestia stated. “I will handle everything. What I want you all to do is to enjoy your meal and get some rest. You have certainly earned some.”

"Well that's a relief." Dash said. "But then again, these sort of things never go that smoothly." She then proceeded to rapidly drain her three sodas one after another in only a few seconds. "Can I get a refill on these?"

One of the servants quickly refilled the glass.

“Hopefully this time will be an exception,” Celestia remarked cheekily.

"...did she just tempt fate?" Sweetie asked nervously. "You know what happens around us whenever we do that."

“I have bested fate on some occasions,” Celestia said. “The Moirai, the seamstresses of fate, have lost many a wager to myself.”

"Huh, interesting." Dash said, finishing off her meal first. "So, what do you guys even bet on, or with really?"

“The only thing they have ever asked for,” Celestia said, sipping her beverage. “My soul and the connection to the sun. Being immortal is in itself irksome to them, since in some respects, I can just go on forever. They don’t like that and in turn have sometimes aided foes or just been generally unpleasant during visits.”

"They'd hate our world. What is it the kirin worship again?" Sweetie asked. "I forget what it was exactly, but it was a huge number of things."

"They worship the Eight Million Gods of Creation." Twilight answered, finishing off her own meal. "If they find one immortal irksome, our world would just piss them off."

“There are many more gods beside myself,” Celestia said. “We just don’t all get along and give each other space for the most part. Besides, the Moirai themselves aren’t strong enough to best a god themselves so I am in no danger with a confrontation with them.”

"Yeah, but I bet your world doesn't have eight million gods." Dash noted. "I wonder what a lot of those are even gods of? They have to have run out of the good stuff quickly."

“We have plenty of gods too,” Sunset remarked. “But eight million seems excessive and this is coming from someone who knows the prayers of multiple gods by heart.”

"I didn't make their religion." Twilight said. "And that's not even counting the gods from other religions. Of course, our world has no proof that any gods exist."

Sunset blinked a few times and then pointed to Celestia.

All the visitors look very, very, VERY uncomfortable at that.

"Um, yeah, about that..." Dash said, fluttering her wings nervously. "Um, uh, you know what, I don't have enough tact to handle this. Girls a little help?"

Twilight seemed no better off. "Uuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." she intoned as her brain tried to find anything to say.

Sweetie sighed. "Our Celestia has been very, very clear that she is not a goddess. Period."

The locals went deadly serious. Many of the help whispered amongst themselves with the word ‘heresy’ floating about more often then not. Sunset seemed offended and Celestia herself seemed confused.

“She says she isn’t a goddess?” Celestia asked with curiousity.

"She's adamant about it." Twilight said. "To the point where she declared worshiping her to be a crime."

Sunset sputtered. “HERESY!” She roared in anger, slamming her hooves onto the table.

“Sunset,” Celestia said. “Calm yourself.”

"Also," Dash snarked, "I think it's a little hard for our Celestia to commit heresy against herself."

“Don’t be a smartass, Dash.” Sunset growled, settling back down. “Criminal? Really? That’s a load of bullfeathers.”

"Hardly." Twilight muttered. "I've had my property searched more than once due to rumors that I was a Solarian."

“This is poppycock,” Sunset snorted. “Smothering the beliefs of her subjects, denying her nature. Mother, surely you can see this madness.”

Celestia remained silent. Instead, she cast her gaze into a tea cup. 

"I think everypony needs to just calm down." Sweeties suggested. "We've been trying to avoid the subject this entire time just for this reason. We didn't want to step on anypony's hooves."

“Well it’s too late for that,” Sunset huffed, crossing her forelegs. 

“It is alright, my daughter.” Celestia remarked. “I take no offense. If a decree were to pass my lips, it must have a reason. I trust myself to do what must be done for my ponies.”

"So...uh..." Dash fidgeted a bit. "Anypony have a less awkward topic to discuss?"

“Shade and Sunset’s wedding plans?” Redheart chuckled at their combined glares. “Kidding. I think we can wait till after Stonewall and Rainbows first.”

“Oh?” Celestia turned an eye to the select ponies. The orbs shined with mirth. “Stonewall, you certainly work fast...I approve.”

Stonewall blushed, trying and failing to say something in his defense. “I...but...she…”

"Eh, that jokes getting old." Dash shrugged. "...hey Pizzelle, where's the kid?"

Suddenly, something jumped onto Dash’s head and a vicious lizard leered in her face. “Hello.” A childish voice rang out.

"Uh...hi." Dash said.

“Aww,” the illusion left, leaving an incredibly cute golden kitsune behind. He pouted. “I wanted to scare you, Miss. I haven’t scared anybody all day.”

"Well not like that you aren't going to." Dash said, rolling her eyes. "You looked generic, your voice is cute, and I could feel you were fuzzy and not scaled. Totally amature."

"Rainbow Dash, you are not giving a natural illusionist pranking tips." Sweetie interjected.

“Aki Hikaru,” Pizzelle frowned, tapping the table. “What have I said about trying to scare others?”

“Not too,” Hikaru answered, his ears laid back and his head tilted downwards. “Sorry mommy. I just wanted to have some fun.”

“And you can do that later, hun.” Pizzelle opened her forelegs and grabbed her son in a little hug. “Just be a good boy and I’m sure we’ll find something for you to do later.” She turned to Dash. “I am so sorry for that. He is such a lively thing, a good boy really. He truly is. He just likes pranking others a little too much.”

"Eh, it's cool. I pull a few pranks on ocasion myself." Dash said, shrugging. "Got nothing on Dr. Pie though."

“Still,” Pizzelle said. “I don’t want my little Hikaru to be a prankster.” She nuzzled her son and he returned it. “Isn’t that right, hun?”

“Yes mommy,” Hikaru answered. He turned and bowed his head to Dash. “I’m sorry, miss Dash.”

"Eh, no biggie." Dash just shrugged it off before yawning. "So, it's starting to get late. I'm assuming there are guest rooms?"

“There are plenty to be had,” Celestia gestured to Stonewall. “Private Stonewall,” said private stood up and saluted. “I believe it is time you escorted these fine young ladies to their room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Stonewall bowed and then stood straight up. “Alright, fall in.”

Following behind rather loosely, the girls let Stonewall lead the way. "So, you have a tendency to generate rumors huh?" Twilight noted. "Is that like a curse, or are you just unlucky?"

“Until I met Miss Dash,” Stonewall said. “My life was unenventful...Well, except for Nightmare Moon’s attack on Ponyville….or Discord popping up….And a few other things.” The pegasus musketeer mulled it over in his head. “Actually, I think just living in Ponyville means somethings’ going to happen. As for rumors, again, not until Miss Dash showed up.”

"Yeah, the unofficial town slogan in our world is "Only in Ponyville", just from the sheer amount of weird we attract." Dash noted, not feeling even slightly ashamed. "Our official slogan is "At least we're not Detrot"...or it was until Detrot sued us. What is it now again?"

"I think it's "Who's unimportant now?" since we to the Elements." Sweetie replied.

“Well that’s certainly something,” Stonewall noted. “Being an Element Bearer must be a huge responsibility.”

"Only when we have to save the world." Twilight said. "Otherwise we mostly just live normal lives and try not to cause any disasters. Being a Bearer...you really don't do much beyond 'wield and solve problem', so it's less impressive than it sounds."

“Huh,” Stonewall said. “Odd. I mean, yeah our Elements just do their own thing, but they are national heroes after all. Not to mention Sunset’s a princess.”

"No fancy titles here." Dash noted. "Plus, we kind of solve the problems quick enough that we really don't stick out in other ponies minds beyond an interesting news tidbit. And that's not even considering how replaceable we are."

Stonewall cast her a confused look. “Replaceable?”

"Well yeah." Dash said. "What, do you need to be super mega special to wield the Elements here?"

"What Dash means," Twilight interrupted, "is that if our bond with our Element is...broken, we can be replaced with anypony that strongly shows that virtue. Anypony. Or even non-pony now that I think about it."

"Main reason bad guys like Dominion want to imprison us instead of a more...final solution." Sweetie added. "It more effectively counters the Elements if you can't replace an unavailable Bearer."

“Huh,” Stonewall nodded. “I never thought about it like that. Makes sense really, but what do I know. I’m just a soldier.”

Dash yawned. "Fascinating as this is, are we there yet?"

“Just around the corner,” Stonewall said. Around the corner, he tapped the door with his musket. “Here we are.” With a gentle push, he opened the door for the others.

Hopping quickly onto a bed, Dash curled up, and promptly fell asleep.

The room around them was lush and made honestly for royalty. The golden bedsheets and white pillows were the softest and most inviting in all the lands. As well, each one proudly held Celestia’s symbol within and a small statue with holy water in the center.

“I hope this will be to your liking,” Stonewall said, trotting over to a fourth bed that had a perfect view of the whole room.

"Sure, thank you." Twilight said, crawling into her own bed, adjusting herself under the sheets. "These are actually a bit nicer than our own guest beds."

“I would hope so,” Stonewall took off his hat and readied himself to sleep. Not before kneeling before his bed and praying for Celestia for protection through the night. 

"That's going to take some getting used to." Sweetie noted as she settled herself down as well, slipping off her necklace and putting it on the nightstand, as it would be too uncomfortable to wear to bed.

“I know you might not believe it,” Stonewall said, pausing his prayers. “But I will pray for you three as well.”

"Well that's...nice." Twilight said. "Hit the lights when you're done. Good night."

"Yes dear, good night." Sweetie added.

Dash just snored.

With a final prayer, Stonewall climbed into bed. “Good night.”