Chapter Two: The Unexciting Rescue
~BlackRoseRaven
Neither Marina nor River Styx were precisely sure how they had gotten on the train: as a matter of fact, River Styx was quite certain that this train was actually heading in the wrong direction and straight into where the ocean should be. He also wasn't quite sure where his genet had slipped off to, but he was somehow certain that the little bugger was probably taking this whole thing in stride a lot more than he was
Except there was no ocean here, and Ponyville was only an hour's train ride away. That was shorter than the ride to Canterlot. River crossed his forelegs as he sat back in his seat, moodily studying the tabletop as he mused on what this all meant. The obvious part was that these masters of the play, whatever else they were, were impatient and likely didn't know every detail of the very world they were trying to playact: both typical of what he knew of Draconequus. They wanted things to be dynamic, quick, entertaining...
His eyes flicked up to look across the table at the Director, studying him intently for a few moments. This particular 'Draconequus' wasn't exactly any of those things, though. He was predictable, seemed far less powerful than the others, and right now, he was snoozing like a foal, his head bowed to the side, drooling slightly. The only real 'power' he seemed to be emanating was the fact that everything that drew near him went quiet, as if he was inside his own bubble of pristine silence... although that, of course, could easily be attributed to the powers of the Narrator and not any latent talents of the Director, whom no one wanted to see awaken in the middle of a crowded train so he could start whining and demanding things and hurrying the schedule along when this all made for a very pleasant intermission.
River Styx looked moodily up towards the ceiling of the train car as Marina shifted uneasily, her own eyes flicking apprehensively upwards before she asked in a low, hesitant voice: “If none of you really get along... why are you all here?”
What a question that was! Something to ponder for the ages... for even the humble Narrator cannot answer any and every question, no matter how poised or polite they may be, and far different from the usual screaming and whining at that. But even if there was no answer from the still air but for the scintillating whispers that seemed to fill the minds of every pony present upon this lonely train headed for its ever-nearing destination, there was still one small antiphon to be elucidated: and that was that a curiosity would most certainly be rewarded, whether with the answer it deserved or but another tidbit of interest, so long as it was a curiosity of a polite or intelligent nature instead of the rapscallious; for a bit of balderdash could be very beneficial, and a touch of-
“Shut up, Narrator.” mumbled the Director as he turned over in his sleep, then he rose his hoof to his muzzle, putting it into his mouth childishly as his long, draconic tail wrapped slowly around himself. Just like an oversized toddler who had tuckered himself out from playing make-believe too long.
River Styx glanced for a moment at the big baby of a Director, and then he sighed and shook his head before he asked shortly: “When do we reach our destination? I want to get this over with.”
River Styx was obviously very cranky, acting as he was much like a foal who, while older and larger than the Director, was also in need of nap time.
The stallion's expression curdled further in distaste, but Marina hurriedly stepped in before the Director could make any further insightful observations. “I think we're all just... worried about our new friends. Do you know where they are, if they're okay?”
The Narrator obviously could not answer this question, as it would be a breach of contract, and no matter how much he might agree or disagree with the content and quality of the production, he is forever a professional, and telling the readers that 'they'll all live happily ever after' in the middle – nay, at the very beginning! – of the story would be an exercise in absurdity. One cannot give 'spoiler alerts' in one's own story, unless they are the most satirical of satires and handled with elegance instead of ham-handedness. Or hoofedness, as in the case of our equine friends.
There was silence for a few moments at these most wise and intelligent of remarks, and then Marina asked carefully: “Then can you at least tell us... if any of them know we're coming?”
There was silence in response, the only sounds made by the clicking of the wheels along the tracks and their fellow ponies in the carriage as they shared polite conversation and passed through the cramped aisle. But of course there was really no way for the others to know that they were coming to help them: each was trapped in their play within the play, forced to dance an inescapable dance until these nobles heroes came for them, to rescue them from the drudge and turmoil of their bittersweet existence that was half-gift and half-curse.
Marina and River Styx looked at each other, and the stallion nodded shortly after a moment at the silent hope in Marina's eyes: it seemed the three were still alive. Although it also sounded like they were being forced to play their own roles, just as this entire rescue mission was, in a way, a farce and construction of the Draconequus that had captured them...
That was a depressing thought. The entire train seemed to become gloomy with it, the conversations becoming quieter, pony passengers seeming listless now instead of their usual happy-go-lucky selves. Marina shifted uneasily at it, feeling a strange... not quite magic in the air as River Styx frowned, his eyes flicking back and forth.
The Director mumbled in his sleep, shifting back and forth before he blearily opened his eyes as he stretched out... and fell with a thump off the bench seat into the aisle. At his loud yelp, the entire car seemed to start before quickly reassuming their happy tone, and the very air seemed to lighten as the Director groaned and pushed himself up to his hooves, shaking himself out and brushing quickly at his elegant clothes.
“Here, here we are, we must be here by now...” he mumbled, crawling back into his seat and ignoring the two ponies across from him for a moment as he peered out the small window... and then he groaned loudly, rubbing at his face. “Wonderful. Narrator, why are you dragging the intermission out? By now half our audience must have left!”
Little did the Narrator know, very little time had passed so far. But time, of course, was always a tricky thing to judge: for some it had been far too long, for others, far too little, and of course a few were always far too late-
The Director groaned and wove a hoof grumpily, then he instead turned his eyes towards Marina and River Styx, saying grouchily: “Well, I suppose I should be thankful that I have a bit of time to prep these two actors for the scene ahead. Of course, since much of what we'll be doing is improv, perhaps I should focus on ensuring you both understand the characters you are to play rather than-”
And then the train stopped and they arrived and all the other passengers seemed to magically vanish but really they had just left the train.
One of the Director's eyes slowly twitched as Marina looked up in surprise and River Styx frowned as he surveyed the now-empty train, and then the Director slammed his hooves against the small table between him and the ponies, shouting: “Narrator! You impetuous buffoon, philistine, hack! Are you trying to make us look like idiots who have no idea what we're doing? Stop cutting corners!”
It was really too bad that the Director didn't realize that the Narrator was a serious professional, and only 'cut corners' when he was forced to, generally by those who were in charge of him. And the Director looked up a little too late before one of his ears was firmly pinched by the Critic as he walked by, the Director yelping and flailing uselessly before he hopped out of his seat, eyes tearing up and the dragon-tailed stallion whimpering as he hopped hurriedly along behind the much-taller Draconequus.
River and Marina both turned, watching with surprise as the Critic simply dragged the Director away before vanishing with the squealing Director. And then their eyes were drawn back to the aisle beside them as the Critic's assistant stumbled up beside them out of seemingly nowhere, scrabbling quickly over a clipboard before he blurted: “Okay, okay, we're on a schedule here, guys, you two get going! Don't worry, you don't... you just be natural, be yourselves, everyone's going to love it!”
The two ponies looked at each other, and then River scowled a little before he shoved himself out of his seat, brushing past the Draconequus as he muttered: “Let's just find the others. The sooner this play is over, the better.”
The assistant smiled weakly at this, and Marina frowned as she slipped out of the seat herself, looking at the pudgy little Draconequus before she asked uncertainly: “What is it?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing, uh... nothing!” the small Draconequus said hurriedly, shaking his head violently before he gave a huge, fake grin to the chocolate mare. “You... you had better hurry along your way now or else there could be... I mean... don't want to keep your friends waiting!”
Marina looked uncomfortably at the Draconequus for a few moments... and then she winced and looked up when River Styx called: “Marina!”
The mare stepped towards River's voice as she absently looked back at where the Draconequus had been... and yet she was somehow unsurprised when she saw that the creature was gone. She lingered only a moment longer before hurrying to the exit, not wanting River to consider leaving her behind again: she was working hard to stay on the aloof pony's good side, since he wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea that she wasn't exactly a... 'normal' pony...
She grimaced... but any bad thoughts she might have had faded out as she stumbled onto the train platform, her eyes slowly widening in disbelief as she looked back and forth. River Styx himself was scowling a little, his own eyes shifting back and forth: he wasn't entirely familiar with the Ponyville area, but he had the feeling that it wasn't precisely supposed to look like... this.
There was a hum of bright music in the air that seemed to come from nowhere, and the simple homes all looked so... large and inviting, like they were each a mansion to themselves in spite of many being made of logs and straw. Modern-era brick houses sat here and there between the older structures, and there were a few other signs that modern day convenience and technology had come had come to even this little place, such as the electric lights, the telephone poles strung with wires and power cables, the young ponies with their portable music players and hoof-held devices.
Marina shifted uneasily as River Styx quickly scanned down the street with his eyes... and then he shook his head slowly, muttering: “There's no sign of the castle. And a lot of this looks inconsistent with what I know about Ponyville.”
“You're right. I've... been here before, I know some of the residents.” Marina murmured, looking uncertainly back and forth. “A lot of the ponies here don't seem... familiar. I didn't really know everyone, but...”
River Styx looked over at Marina, then gestured at her shortly before he strode off the platform, and the chocolate mare steadied herself before hurrying after him down the street, explaining: “It's hard to put into words, but... while some of the ponies always stood out, like the Elements... other ponies seemed like they were just... there in the background. Ponies you got used to seeing, ponies who you know had plenty of their own stories, but ponies who weren't as... present.”
The stallion frowned a little at her, but then he only shrugged a bit before turning his eyes back ahead, muttering: “The real question is why.”
Marina frowned, tilting her head towards him, but the stallion decided to let her figure it out on her own: sure, he felt like he should... do his job and make sure she got out of here okay, whatever the hell she was, but that didn't mean he was about to sit here and hold her hoof like she was a little filly. She was a grown mare and he was already going out of his way for her and these... weird ponies she wanted to rescue.
River Styx looked back and forth moodily: yes, he could see what Marina had meant. Some of these ponies looked a little bit... too unique, to put it mildly. He slowed his pace, narrowing his eyes slightly... then he sighed as he felt a distinct tug on his tail before something small and furry scurried its way up over his armor and onto his head, muttering: “Was wondering when you were going to show up.”
The genet chittered, then sat up, peering back and forth as Marina smiled a little at the sight of the stoic stallion and his expressive little pet. She rubbed at herself absently, then murmured: “It's really warm today.”
River Styx looked at her for a moment, thought of several remarks he could make about a mare made of chocolate on a warm summer's day... too warm. And the sun's at the wrong angle, considering where we came from.
Marina looked up for a moment at the sky as well, feeling a faint breeze tickling her face as she noticed some of the same things that River Styx did... then she smiled briefly as her eyes noted another peculiar detail. The clouds were sort of swaying back and forth, like giant puffballs on invisible string... and she didn't even think they were really all that big or high in the air, but little, low-hanging things, creating an illusion just for them...
“It's like we're at the center of our own adventure. It's almost easy to forget that...” Marina halted at the look on River's face, the mare shrinking her head a bit and clearing her throat before she murmured: “I mean, I'm anxious to get home too. But...”
River Styx had to bite back another nasty comment, and instead satisfied himself with rolling his eyes before he muttered: “Let's just find those impostors. And hope that they're worth the trouble we're going through for them.”
“I don't think they're really impostors. I mean, Luna, whoever she is, tried to say her own name, remember? But she couldn't. And do you remember when we all landed here? They seemed surprised that they looked... well...”
River Styx only grunted: he did remember that. Meanwhile, his genet studied Marina curiously, as if inviting her to go on, but the mare only smiled hesitantly up at the little animal before she asked hesitantly: “Where'd you get your... friend?”
The stallion only gave her a look... but thankfully, the awkward silence between them didn't last very long as they stepped into the town square, and both ponies looked immediately towards the massive tree that housed the Ponyville library... and something that both knew for a fact had also been destroyed by Tirek.
River Styx looked back and forth through the bustling square, studying the ponies who... seemed to be in a hurry to go nowhere at all, he thought. They were just walking back and forth, careful not to get in their way, having random little conversations here and there, all looking as busy as they possibly could without actually doing anything...
Horses of Heaven he wanted to get out of this place.
He shook his head, then frowned as Marina took the lead, heading towards the library door as she smiled over her shoulder at him and said: “Twilight Sparkle used to work in the library. I'm certain that's the place where we should start our search. Perhaps we'll even get lucky and she'll be right there, waiting for us.”
Styx grunted, then retorted moodily: “Except we might also come across any number of unpleasant surprises as well. And there's no guarantee that the 'Twilight' we meet will be the real one, did you consider that?”
Marina looked uncertainly at the stallion as he strode quickly past her, taking the lead towards the door, and then the mare sighed softly before lowering her head, mumbling: “Now you truly do remind me of my brother...”
Styx ignored the comment as he approached the door and banged on it twice, focusing his magic at the same time just in case. This whole place was starting to creep him out: the too-big houses, the smells of baked goods, the artificial happiness that filled the air... who would ever want to live in a place like this? And why did it feel like this was all a trap?
Styx narrowed his eyes as the door swung slowly open... before he frowned as he saw... nothing in front of him. Was it a trick? He looked over at Marina... but the mare was smiling again all of a sudden, looking down as if- “Hello, little one! Is Twilight here?”
River Styx followed the mare's gaze and realized there was a young unicorn foal standing in the doorway. He had a shaggy blue mane and tail with lighter streaks through it, and bright blue eyes, his flank blank and his smile wide and charming and... I know him. That's... “Shining Armor?”
“That's my name!” the foal smiled brightly up at River Styx, studying him for a few moments before he exclaimed: “Oh, wow! You're a Royal Guard, aren't you? I almost didn't recognize your armor, it looks different from the armor I'm used to seeing... you must be in some special unit, right, mister?”
River Styx blinked slowly as the genet on his head chirped curiously, and then the stallion shook his head briefly before both he and Marina looked up as the door was flung all the way open and a relieved-looking purple mare stumbled up behind Shining Armor... then grimaced and halted as she looked back and forth, asking: “Where's Scrivy and Luna?”
The stallion snapped himself out of his surprise long enough to glare at the mare, saying sourly: “I knew coming here was a mistake.”
Twilight blushed at this as Marina smiled lamely, and then the purple mare cleared her throat before replying apologetically: “I'm sorry, it's just... we haven't been apart for... for a lot of years. And those two haven't been apart for even longer than that, and if we stay apart for too long...”
She bit her lip, and River Styx leaned forwards, asking moodily: “What is it between you and them, anyway? More specifically-”
“Are you in trouble, big sister?” interrupted Shining Armor curiously, tugging at his the purple mare's mane and making her wince a little before he frowned uneasily over at the Royal Guard. “What did she do?”
River Styx felt his genet tugging firmly at his ear, and his expression curdled as he slowly twisted his head to the side... then groaned and rolled his eyes when Marina said quickly: “Nothing at all! We're friends of your sister, just trying to figure some things out... tell me, little one, how did you get here?”
“Um...” Shining Armor frowned a little in thought, looking down before he said slowly: “Mommy and Daddy had to go on a trip somewhere, and they sent me to stay with my Big Sister Best Friend Forever!” He smiled brightly up at the mare, but his eyes were still a little clouded, as if the foal knew that something wasn't quite right.
Twilight smiled a little herself, silently studying the stallion before she laughed a bit, looking up at Marina and River Styx before she said finally: “Look at me, forgetting everything I ever learned about running the library. Uh, come on inside, we can try and figure things out.”
River Styx grunted as Marina smiled, and Twilight gently ushered Shining Armor around in a circle, leading the foal into the spacious interior even as he shot curious looks over his shoulder at the two ponies who followed them in. The genet on Styx's head chittered and nibbled at his ear, and Styx scowled slightly at this before he muttered: “I know, I know. I'm working on it.”
Twilight led them to a circular table, the mare smiling faintly as she gently helped Shining Armor up into a chair before sitting in one herself. As Marina and River both sat, they could see a strange sort of nostalgia was overtaking her, as if this brought back memories of the past for her...
“It does.” Twilight murmured, and then she shook her head a bit before smiling a little over at Shining Armor, who looked up at her curiously. “Nothing, just... thinking about something. Shining, do you think that you could go and put on the tea for me? You remember how to do that, right?”
“Of course!” Shining puffed out his chest proudly, smiling warmly up at the mare before he half-fell, half-rolled off his chair to the floor and scrambled quickly towards the door leading to the kitchen in the back.
Twilight smiled amusedly after the colt... and didn't seem surprised in the slightest when he stuck his head back around the corner, blushing and asking quickly: “Um... everypony wants tea, right?”
“Yes, Shining, make enough for everyone.” Twilight said gently, and Shining smiled back at the mare before he turned and scurried off.
There was silence for a few moments, and then River Styx finally said moodily: “The way I remember it, Shining Armor was supposed to be the older sibling.”
“I actually don't have a brother, in the world where I'm from. I was my parents'... little miracle.” Twilight smiled faintly, as if at some bittersweet memory, before she shook her head slowly. “I don't know if the foal is like us or a distraction. I'm also not honestly sure how I'm still walking around on my own or... what's going on at all, really.”
“I can understand that.” Marina said softly, and then she bit her lip before starting to look towards Styx, but this time, the stallion pointedly ignored her gaze and instead glowered at Twilight. For one thing, the last thing they needed was to carry some foal around with them. For another...
“I have some questions I want answered before I go any further with this. I recognize we all want the same thing, to escape these Draconequus, but I also recognize that your secrets could pose a threat to me and...” He shot a look towards Marina, then grimaced a bit and muttered: “The rest of the group.”
Marina smiled a little, and then she looked up and added softly: “I think what River Styx is trying to say is that we're both... unsure about how you and your friends fit into this. I'm not sure myself how I got here, but... well, maybe because I was... formed with chaos magic, it was easier for them to draw me in...”
“The last thing I remember is going to bed after another long day dealing with drunks in Appleloosa. Unless one of them really was the all powerful Saddlelord, I don't see why I'm here.” River Styx said moodily, as he kept his eyes on Twilight, making it clear he wasn't about to drop the subject.
Twilight hesitated for a moment... but as she looked slowly back and forth between the two, she seemed to come to a decision before saying quietly: “Luna and Scrivener and I had... just made a jump, I think. To another world. That's what we do: we travel, from world to world.”
River Styx frowned, and then he asked slowly: “And why exactly do you do this instead of staying in your own world?”
He could think of a few reasons, none of which were pleasant, but Twilight only smiled faintly before she said softly: “We're being chased by... someone. We have a rule, which is try to make as little impact as possible on the worlds we go to, because... Luna, Scrivy, and I, we just want to live our own life together. They're my family and my best friends. One day we'll go home, but...”
She broke off, looking down, and Marina asked curiously after a moment: “So are you really... another world's version of Twilight Sparkle?”
Twilight nodded, smiling back at Marina and replying softly: “I am. And Luna is Luna and Scrivy is, well, Scrivy. Although we've never encountered another version of him in any other worlds, mostly because...” She hesitated, biting her lip, and when River Styx scowled at her, she murmured: “Nothing... you know, bad. I mean, it is bad, but not in the way you're thinking. Scrivener just had a hard life. I don't imagine every version of him ended up as lucky as he did.”
“We all have hard lives.” Styx said shortly, and then he tapped a hoof moodily against the tabletop for a few moments as he studied Twilight Sparkle intently. His instincts said that she was probably trustworthy... although something about her made him nervous and uneasy. There was another matter, too, that he wanted a few answers about... “What about the fact that you three seem to be talking a lot behind our backs?”
Marina winced at the phrasing, but Twilight only smiled before she said softly: “You mean the linking, right?”
River Styx only looked impassively at Twilight, and after a moment of thought, the purple mare explained: “It's hard to put into words, but the simplest way is to say that Scrivener, Luna and I are all linked together by a telepathic connection. It's deeper and more complicated than that, which is why I'm worried about them. Usually we can't be apart for very long or it starts to... hurt.”
It obviously wasn't the full truth, and it made River Styx scowl a little more as he considered what that information could mean. But before he could probe any deeper, Shining Armor came trotting back into the room with a big smile on his face, a teapot swinging dangerously back and forth in his telekinetic grip. “Big sister! I did it!”
“Oh, that's great, Shining!” Twilight hurriedly caught the teapot in her own telekinetic hold, gently levitating it over to the table: at the same time, she used her magic to quickly evaporate the messy trails of hot water that had been left behind by the seesawing travel of the teapot. “I... why don't you sit down, and I'll go get the cups and a few snacks?”
“I can help!” Shining said quickly, but Twilight only reached up and gently ruffled his mane, making him huff.
“I know you can. But why don't you talk to River Styx and Marina for a moment? Marina is very nice and River Styx is a Lieutenant in the Royal Guard.” Twilight said kindly, and Shining brightened before he turned his excited eyes towards Styx, who leaned back slightly as he looked uncomfortably back at the foal.
“I want to be a soldier when I grow up, too!” Shining said brightly, and River Styx only looked at the foal before the young white unicorn continued happily: “I'm going to help lots of ponies! I'll fight in wars against the bad guys and I'll save the princess and they'll make me a general!”
River Styx didn't really know how to respond, considering the fact that unlike a lot of soldiers he knew, Shining Armor had lived that dream... although then again... “You know that there's more to being a soldier than just saving the princesses and fighting 'bad guys,' correct?”
“Yeah, well, I'll do all that stuff too!” Shining Armor said almost defensively, before the foal leaned up and nodded firmly, almost standing on the table as he declared: “But I'm gonna be a hero, just you wait and see! Why, I bet you're a hero!”
River Styx laughed shortly at this, and Shining blinked in surprise before the unicorn stallion crossed his forelegs and muttered: “Yeah. Great hero out in Appleloosa, busting drunks and writing status reports.”
Shining frowned a little as River looked grumpily away, and Marina winced before quickly slipping in: “So do you spend a lot of time with your big sister?”
“Yeah! She's my BSBFF!” Shining Armor exclaimed, easily distracted by this topic as he brightened. “We're gonna be friends forever, and even after I grow up and become a soldier she's going to be my best friend, and when I get married and stuff she's going to be my best stallion!”
Marina chuckled at this as River Styx looked slowly back towards Shining Armor, not quite sure how to take this as the foal smiled brightly, before adding happily: “And even when I'm all grown up, we're gonna still have sleepovers and she'll make me look pretty and we'll wrestle but one day I'll be a big stallion so I'll probably hopefully win!”
“Horses of Heaven.” muttered River Styx. He wondered moodily if the real Shining Armor was like this... not that he would be all that surprised, of course. Marina, meanwhile, was giggling away quietly as Shining Armor smiled brightly, then opened his mouth... but River was both relieved and a little disappointed when Twilight Sparkle reentered the room, heading towards the table with cups, cookies, and cream and sugar all balanced on several trays that were floating around her.
With only a flick of her horn, she set the cups out in front of everyone, then quickly poured tea for the adults... while slipping a cup of milk in front of Shining at the same time, River noted. She had a lot of control over her magic, and she did it all so naturally... “I hope that you haven't been prying too much, Shining.”
“Oh, no, Twili, I was just telling them all about how I'm going to be a general when I grow up and that we're always going to be friends!” Shining said brightly, and Twilight smiled despite herself, absently ruffling her 'little brother's' mane again and making him huff and wildly grab at his hair, smoothing it hurriedly down.
“We will be.” Twilight said softly, and then she took her seat back at the library table, smiling over at River Styx and Marina. “As to our... little problem, I think that the best place to go is Canterlot. Either Luna or Scrivener will be there... it was a home to both of them for a long time... although looking back on it these days, it doesn't seem so long now.”
Shining Armor sipped loudly at his milk as Marina gently grasped her cup between her hooves, inhaling the scent of the tea, while River Styx asked: “And if they're not there?”
“Luna had a cottage in the Everfree Forest, but... I don't think we'll have to go there, for some reason. Call it instinct. As for Scrivener, he grew up in the far north... it would be quite a journey to get there.” Twilight said quietly. “And... well...”
She looked back and forth, then laughed a little despite herself. “Well, I guess we won't run into many problems, since we're all unicorns.”
River Styx grunted, and Marina frowned and tilted her head slightly as Shining Armor asked curiously: “Why does that matter?”
“It doesn't, really, Shining Armor.” Twilight smiled down at the young foal, then she turned her eyes back towards River, continuing: “I know that this whole situation is weird, and I don't want to get in your way. If you don't want me to come with you, I'll stay here in Ponyville. But knowing Scrivy and Luna, the two of them would already be trying to get here... and the fact they haven't shown up yet makes me think that there's something keeping them from leaving wherever they are.”
“Yes, the play!” shouted a voice, and River Styx leapt out of his seat, horn already glowing, as Marina yelped and Shining Armor fell out of his chair with a squeak, Twilight flinching as she stared towards the source of the grating sound.
The Director was standing in front of the door, having conveniently snuck in without making a sound thanks in no small part to the Narrator politely honoring his request for a silent entrance. Between being lectured by the Critic and forced to tromp his way through Ponyville like some common grip, he had found the time to change into a pair of obscenely-tight pants and a flashy open-breasted shirt that in the past probably would have been worn by some peasant, but in today's fashion-conscious world would-
“Oh shut up, Narrator.” The Director grumbled, and then he glowered towards the table of ponies, stomping forwards and declaring: “We don't have the budget to keep two storylines on two sets at the same time, so all of you are going to have to move as one group to Canterlot, where you'll have to rescue the fair Princess Luna.”
“From what? What could possibly keep Luna... anywhere?” Twilight asked pessimistically, as she absently helped Shining Armor back up into his seat, and when the Director glared at her, the purple mare gave an awkward smile. “Sorry. That was all the time I've spent with Scrivy kind of... coming out.”
“Right.” The Director said slowly, and then he rolled his eyes before saying moodily: “Except of course you and those two morons have been removed from each other's influence-”
“Well, I've lived with them for... decades. I think in that time we've rubbed off on each other a little.” Twilight replied with a shrug, and River Styx and Marina both looked at the purple mare with surprise. She didn't seem that old, after all... but then again, the various Draconequus had mentioned that she and the other two she traveled with had been changed somehow... “What about Shining Armor?”
“Who?” asked the Director blankly, and then he blinked in surprise, leaning forwards as his jaw dropped at the sight of the foal, who was now nervously peering over the table at their new visitor. “What the...”
The Director hurried forwards, and Marina nervously stepped backwards as River Styx let his stance loosen a little, but kept his eyes locked on the Director even as the Draconequus blurted: “No! No, no, no, oh, not another one! And a child actor, oh, I hate child actors!”
“I don't want to be an actor! I want to be a Royal Guard!” Shining said defensively, stomping his little front hooves on the tabletop and straightening to his full height... which still barely brought him to eye level with the Director as he glared down at him. “I'm gonna be a real hero and my big sister is gonna be there with me!”
“You're going to be a drag queen when you grow up.” the Director retorted, and then he grumbled and rubbed slowly at his temples with both hooves, muttering: “Fix this, fix this, you are a magnificent, creative genius, and you can easily adjust and fix this...”
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few moments as Shining scowled up at the Draconequus, and then the Director finally looked up and exclaimed: “I have it! The child is someone's cousin!”
“I'm Twilight's little brother! And she's looking after me, because we stick together!” Shining Armor declared, and the Director glared at the foal, huffing loudly.
“Oh, fine. Children are always so difficult to work with, they don't understand that the world doesn't revolve around them. Very well, you can be her 'little brother' if that's easier for you to remember.” the Director said contritely, and then he turned his eyes towards River Styx, sniffing loudly. “Oliver Twist. I don't think I have any changes for your role... but you and Sweet Treat should try and be a little more involved. All this talking is turning the whole thing into one long, boring soap opera. I would say oat opera, you being horses and all, but... that wouldn't be a very appreciable pun.”
River Styx looked dourly at the Director, who was as much a pony as any of them apart from his long, draconic tail, and then the unicorn stallion asked irritably: “Why are you here? We're already playing along with your game.”
The Director snorted at this, pointing pointedly at himself as he pointed out: “I am here because I have a right, duty, and a privilege to monitor the state of my creation. I am in charge of this story, and I am damned well going to make sure that you dirty little urchins do a proper job of keeping the story going. You may not have any real responsibilities here, but I do.” He halted, then leaned forwards, adding irritably: “And do not make me reiterate the fact that I am in charge here, and hold all the cards. Your attempts to threaten or negotiate fall flat and feeble in the face of my superiority.”
Yes, the Director was in charge. The Director held all the cards and all the contracts and all the hire-fire power. He could certainly do just about anything the Narrator could, and probably even better. He definitely was as capable of gauging the quality of the play as the Critic was, and he could write and edit faster than the Critic's tireless assistant. He could probably act out the play far better than the whole cast, too, if he wasn't so busy with all his directorial directing and all, and as for providing the funding, supplying the supplies, keeping all the laws of this lawless piece of not-reality in line? He could do that just as damn well as Plutocrat.
The Director glared up towards the ceiling of the library, grinding his teeth together slowly before he said sourly: “And you had best remember that I can be as terrifying as The Redacted as well, Narrator, so if I were you I would cease your gibbering!”
Shining Armor frowned at this, and then he leaned uncertainly towards Twilight, whispering: “Who is he talking to?”
“Someone who isn't here right now, by magic.” Twilight explained quickly, smiling reassuringly at the colt. The Director blinked dumbly as he overheard this, dropping his head and looking curiously towards the colt, but Twilight cut him off before he could ask any questions with a thought of her own: “Maybe you could use your Draconequus magic to bring us all to Canterlot. I bet you could do that in a pretty interesting way.”
The Director only snorted at this, however, giving the mare a sour look before he said pompously: “I direct. I give orders and ensure that you idiot actors are doing your very best to put on a proper performance for the audience, and furthermore, one that caters to their interests and desires. I am neither your chauffeur nor involved beyond ensuring the vision of the production goes as planned, and that you ever-needy, ever-ignorant thespians play your roles as you are supposed to.”
Twilight sighed as Shining Armor frowned, before he leaned up and asked in a whisper: “Um, Twily, what's a this-be-anne?”
“He means an actor. This is uh... I'm sorry, do you have a name other than your title?” asked Twilight, and the Director huffed loudly, as if offended.
Instead of answering, he wheeled on one heel towards Marina, saying grumpily: “And you. Why aren't you being more interesting? You're made of chocolate, for Loki's sake! Yet you just seem content to hide meekly in the background. The sub-plot of this production is clearly your group's ever-failing attempts to escape from this place, and yet you've barely contributed. You'd think that being made of chocolate you could at least run craft services, but oh, no.”
Marina shied back a little as River Styx scowled, but then the mare rose her head and said bravely: “I probably do know Draconequus better than any of the ponies here, but I'm trying to learn about this world, too. Maybe I'm not leaping into action, but I think that could be just as counterproductive as staying back and not doing anything, or maybe even worse.”
“If she hadn't convinced me to look for the three other ponies who showed up here, I'd be heading towards Appleloosa right now. I don't really care about your 'production' or whatever it is, Director, I'm not following your whole 'storyline' because you told me to and you made some empty threats.” River Styx added, glaring at the Draconequus.
“Oh, Oliver Twist. Ever the gentlecolt.” The Director said ironically, and then he gave a long, theatrical sigh, dropping his head back before he pointed skywards with one hoof and declared: “We already used the train once to reach this set from Appleloosa-”
“We came from Manehattan.” River Styx interrupted shortly.
“Oh, yes, but you keep talking about that stupid little desert outpost in the middle of nowhere and now it's on my mind and oh, I hope you enjoy playing cowcolts and buffalo, you racist.” the Director snapped, and the unicorn visibly twitched before the Draconequus took a long breath, then pointed at Twilight and stated: “You are on your way to Canterlot to be coronated as a Princess. Congratulations. You did it all without having to fight a minotaur.”
It was an inspiring moment, as bright light flared around Twilight, and then she slowly spread large, sumptuous violet wings, absolute awe filling the room at how beautiful those voluptuous and gorgeous spread wings made her.
Twilight looked uncomfortably up at the spotlight shining down from the ceiling as Shining Armor giggled, River Styx dropped his face in a hoof, and Marina gazed curiously at Twilight's very-visibly fake – possibly silicone – wings, and then the beauty of the moment was broken by the Director shouting angrily: “Just once, Narrator, will you just once work with me?”
The Narrator, of course, was doing his best to work with the Director: but as the Director could neither properly conjugate verbs such as 'coronate,' and nor did he seem to know the difference between two-legged and four-legged mythical beasts, it became very difficult to know precisely what his fellow Draconequus wanted-
“Oh, shut up.” the Director grumbled, rolling his eyes before he gestured irritably towards Twilight. “Change her costume properly this time, Narrator.”
Nothing happened, of course, because the Director did not say the special word. So instead, they were simply left here, waiting in uncomfortable, awkward silence as nothing at all happened... well, apart from Shining Armor awkwardly poking at his sister's wings, and Twilight wincing a bit as she quickly pushed his hoof away from the strange and somehow slimy material...
The Director visibly shuddered, then he rubbed at his face for a moment before grumbling: “Oh, fine. If you would please, Narrator, we'd all like to get on our way.”
His tone was still very derogatory and dismissive, but the Narrator graciously accepted the little victory that he had been given, and a moment later, there was a great and glorious burst of light before Twilight was left with her own pair of strong, black-edged wings, the mare flapping these once before she gave a sigh of relief.
“Wow! You're an alicorn, big sister!” Shining Armor exclaimed, leaping back and forth in front of the mare and gazing up at her radiantly.
“I'm just me.” Twilight said softly, smiling warmly down at Shining Armor before she shook her head and looked over at the Director, asking: “Why am I a princess?”
The Director looked stumped for a moment by this simple question, and then he scowled and hurriedly shook his head before answering grumpily: “Because I said so. Do not argue with me.”
Twilight only smiled wryly at this, and the Director scowled deeper before he turned his eyes towards River Styx, saying shortly: “You will be playing the role of Princess Twilight's bodyguard. And Marina, I suppose you will make a decent enough attendant.”
Marina grimaced a bit as River Styx glared at the Director, before Shining Armor added brightly: “And I'm gonna be my big sister's general!”
“No, shut up, you are a foal and you will be a foal and that is all you are. Now stop getting under our hooves and go... sit over there or something!” snapped the Director, and Shining winced and dropped his head, looking both hurt and defiant as Twilight reached up and gently rubbed his back.
The Director huffed loudly, then muttered: “Philistines. Idiots. Complete unprofessionals! This, this is what I have been reduced to working with, all while I work under the hoof, toe, and claw of bullies and pedants and-”
“Can I create a portal?” Twilight asked curiously, and the Director frowned before the violet mare's horn began to glow, her eyes roving back and forth through the air as if she was searching for something. “No, these locations are all different... coordinates aren't the same here, landscape is different, too... can I find a... no, that doesn't exist, there's... machinery?”
“S-Stop it! Stop spying on the other sets!” shouted the Director, flailing his forelegs in a useless, vehement, childish gesture, and Twilight only looked at him mildly for a moment before the stallion howled: “Narrator! Why did you give her back her magic!”
The Director clearly didn't understand what a horribly offensive thing he had just done in accusing the noble Narrator of abusing his power and privilege to sweep away the life and livelihood and literal strength of the ponies. So the Narrator politely overlooked this little accusation as Twilight Sparkle sighed and allowed the glow around her horn to die out, the mare saying mildly: “I was just trying to get a sense of the area, that's all. I thought I could just-”
“Well you thought wrong!” the Director snapped, stomping forwards and leaning into Twilight's face aggressively... which had no real effect at all, as the mare only continued to look at him calmly, neither flinching nor wincing as he railed: “I am the Director! I am in charge of this production, I am the creative power, and you are nothing but the actors! You will listen to me and obey me and-”
Shining Armor suddenly rushed out from under Twilight and butted one of the Director's legs with his head, and the Director flinched with a squawk... then yelped when the foal firmly bit one of his other legs, the Draconequus dancing backwards and howling: “Insubordination!”
“You leave my big sister alone, you meanie-head!” Shining Armor shouted, and then he winced when Twilight scooped him up, looking down at him mildly... but she was smiling slightly all the same, even as the Director hopped back and forth, squawking and swearing as he grabbed at his injured foreleg.
“That's enough, Shining Armor. He's loud and rude, but there's no need for that.” Twilight chastened gently, and Shining mumbled and dropped his head, scowling sulkily beneath his shaggy blue mane... before he groaned when Twilight ruffled this and then set him back down on his hooves.
Marina and River both watched as the Director finally settled down, scowling horribly... but he was still moodily rubbing at his leg, which had a visible bruise on it. So whatever else, the Draconequus was far from invincible... “I know what you're all thinking, and you... the little bassfish just caught me by surprise, that's all. Now, as I was saying, I already have a plan for what you're doing and how you're going to get to Canterlot. It's by carriage. There is a magic carriage waiting outside for you, as a matter of fact. It is made out of pumpernickel, just like in the story.”
The ponies all looked at him blankly, and the Director glared back at them before the door swung open, and several ponies made out of gingerbread strode inside, declaring: “The carriage of rye awaits!”
“That is not at all a gourd! Narrator, why am I seeing the possible siblings of the chocolate pony here?” complained the Director, and Marina sighed at the oh so wonderfully creative use of food jokes by the Director. “They should be mice!”
“Oh, you mean pumpkins, not pumpernickel.” Twilight corrected, and the Director turned his sour gaze to her, the purple mare clearing her throat before she looked away and added in a mumble: “Which is a squash, actually, although they're both pepo fruits.”
The Director's expression curdled horribly, and then he took a slow breath before lowering his head and saying moodily: “I will count to three, Narrator. And then, so help me, if you do not bring this story out of the whirling vortex of idiocy you are purposefully flinging it into, I will have to speak to Pluto. Do you understand me?”
There was a sound like a sigh through the room... and then the two sleek and handsome Royal Guard who had just entered and were not at all made of gingerbread both saluted, one of them saying in his deep baritone voice: “Lady Twilight. The carriage is ready to bring you to Canterlot for your coronation at the gala. Captain Styx, Lady Marina, of course you are both welcome to join us as well.”
River Styx began to open his mouth before his genet firmly tugged on his ear, and the stallion frowned a bit before he looked down at himself... and his eyes widened in disbelief as he saw he was now wearing the armor of a Captain of the Guard, complete with the fancy, decorative tasseled cape that was only worn on special occasion. His eyes turned quickly to Marina, who was now wearing an elegant yet simple dress of her own that flowed around her body, silken and soft and yet opaque as she looked back and forth over herself in wonder...
Twilight, meanwhile, only smiled in amusement, barely giving the long gown covering her own body a look before she reached down and gently ruffled Shining Armor's mane. “Just let me make sure my date's ready.”
“Twily!” Shining Armor whined, glaring up at her... before he blinked in surprise, doing a double take as he asked: “Hey, where did...”
“Just take it as it is. But don't worry. You're still little enough you don't have to get dressed up fancy yet.” Twilight said gently, smiling down at the young colt before her eyes flicked up towards the Director, who was moodily surveying the ponies. “Will you be joining us?”
“No, I am leaving as quickly as possible. Stop speaking to me, you're breaking the mood.” the Director retorted, and then he gestured towards the door, adding grumpily: “Take the carriage to Canterlot. We'll set up the next set while you do. Expect the next scene to be much more exciting than this one, we need action to spice up the plot, to reengage the audience after all this whining and talking in circles.”
Twilight only sighed, and then she turned her eyes towards River Styx and Marina, asking finally: “Shall we?”
“Anything to get out of here.” River Styx muttered, even as he nervously touched the new armor adorning his body. His genet chittered at him, and River only grimaced before he grumbled: “I am being positive.”
Marina smiled a little, then she shrugged a bit before saying finally: “At least we're getting somewhere. Maybe we can learn something at the gala.”
Twilight looked down at Shining, who looked unconvinced and unexcited about going to a royal ball... and then she winked at him before whispering in his ear: “You know, the Luna I knew secretly trained some of the best and brightest of the Royal Guard. I bet if we ask her nicely, she could teach you a whole lot about becoming a soldier.”
Shining Armor brightened at this... and then he nodded grudgingly before saying finally: “Okay. But I'm only gonna be your date because I know you'd be mine if I grew up and had no one else to go with, and we stick together, big sister, right?”
“Right.” Twilight smiled despite herself, then she shook her head before striding towards the door with Shining Armor hurrying along in her wake. River Styx and Marina joined her, and the mare tossed one last, nostalgic look back over the library before she sighed a little, then said softly: “No matter how many times and in how many places I see it... I'll always miss it, I think.”
With that, Twilight turned and strode out towards the carriage waiting in the square to take her and her strange new friends to their destination: Canterlot, the next stop in the strange journey these oddball Draconequus were leading them on.