//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: Planeswalkers // by CoastBrumby //------------------------------// The mind mage planeswalker, Jace Beleren, and the human pony Princess Twilight Sparkle walked together on the plane of Innistrad. Twilight put care into her steps. Her current human form was taller than her usual human form. It took more effort to maintain her balance than she wished. Twilight wanted to focus on what Jace was saying. She’d never met such a fascinating man before. Spike was in his natural dragon form, and he exhibited his usual sense of urgency. “So Jace knows why we need his help because we told him via telepathy, and now that has been done, you’ve warded our minds so he cannot influence us because we wisely don’t trust strangers. Even though we don’t trust him much, he can undo that demon’s spell, so he should just pop back to Equestria, undo the spell, and then we’ll owe him a favour, and we might have to help him fix this spooky world, but that’s later. Now, Equestria is in danger, and we need get back quick.” Spike ranted. Twilight frowned. “It’s not that simple Spike. This world is in terrible danger. A magical madness is spreading, and Jace may not be able to leave even from a moment. The defences of Equestria are still intact. Princess Celestia and Luna are strong as are the guards. This world has lost its defences. It may need us more than Equestria right now.” “I don’t know what the world needs.” Jace said. He put his hands together and griped his chin as he walked and talked. “Some madness grips Innistrad, and I detect a shadow of some greater threat to come, but I do not know if its defences are lost or merely broken. I came to this plane seeking answers, but I have found only riddles. I would like to journey to your world and help you as quickly as I can. Your needs are a distraction I can ill afford.” “We are grateful for your aide.” Twilight Sparkle said. Spike harrumphed. “We shouldn’t be too grateful. He’s stopping his enemy from getting his hands on The Elements of Harmony and using them against him and his friends.” “Spike!” Twilight called out. Jace chuckled. “No, Princess, The young dragon is correct. I will rest easier knowing Ob Nixilis has failed to get his hands on such powerful artefacts. Though I have no doubt he will continue to search for the tools to exact his revenge. I have no fear. The demon is strong, but the Gatewatch is stronger.” “The Gatewatch. Who is ‘The Gatewatch’?” Twilight asked. Jace ran ahead of Twilight and raised his right hand. It glowed blue with magic. “For the sake of the Multiverse, I will keep watch. That is the oath I spoke on Zendikar. My friends and I all vowed to keep watch for threats to the entire multiverse, so we call ourselves the Gatewatch. Perhaps you will join our group one day." Twilight blushed and looked away. “I don’t know about that. I have a hard enough time looking after Equestria. Dealing with threats all over the multiverse is a bit much for me, plus I would miss my friends during all that traveling. My friends don’t travel from world to world like your friends. However, once I travelled to a world where I met people who had the same names and personality as my Pony friends. It was so uncanny, or is it? Do you often meet different versions of people you know when you travel?” Jace shrugged, “I don’t know as many people as I used to know. I’ve lost so many memories due to telepathic combat. There are days I feel like a mere shell of a man. That’s why I am eager to make new memories with new friends. I am eager to see this portal, and the world that created it.” “I am curious about this world. When things are settled on Equestria, I could help you explore its mysteries for a little while.” Jace said. Jace paused. “That’s not a good idea. The more I think about it. The more I think it would be a good idea for you never to return to Innistrad.” He said. Spike growled softly. “What are you hiding, buddy?” Jace laughed uncomfortably, “Innistrad is never all that safe, but even after this crisis passes, I would not think it wise for Princess Twilight to come here. I have an old flame that lives on this plain. We’ve been getting on so well, she might take a disliking to you. I am not certain how jealous she can become, and her magic is very powerful.” “It sounds like your old flame still burns for you. Have you extinguished your own interest?” Spike asked. “You don’t have to answer that.” Twilight said. “We’re not here to harass you about your personal life. You’ve agreed to help us save Equestria, and that is all we need to know. Here we are at the portal. Safe and sound. You say this world is full of horrors, but other than that zombie, we haven’t encountered anything at all dangerous. Perhaps the creatures here are simply misunderstood. My friend Fluttershy might be able to do a lot of good here.” Jace rubbed his chin. “There is a small amount of magic leaking from this portal you came from. I can almost taste the otherworldly mana. This mana is cancelling out the madness that has infected this plane. It seems to have given living things a sense of harmony in a small area. We have walked near dangerous creatures. I sensed them, but I sensed they lacked the desire to attack. It is just as well. Attacking a dragon is never wise.” “You think I am dangerous?” Spike asked. He looked from side to side furtively. “Is there another dragon around here? Is it invisible?” Spike sniffed the air. “I can’t smell another dragon. Unless the dragons on this plane smell like rotting vegetation.” Jace chuckled. “I was referring to you, my scaly friend. You have sharp claws, a bite that can shear through the toughest flesh, and breath hot enough to melt iron in seconds. Does that sound like a safe creature to me?” Spike looked to Twilight. “Do ponies really think of me like that?” Twilight bent down and picked up a rock. Her hand and the rock glowed purple as it transformed into a single flower. “I can transform living and no living beings into more things than I can imagine. Lives could be destroyed with my power, but no pony fears me. Why? Because, like Spike, I have decided to only use my powers to help ponies live their lives in the best possible way. No pony fears Spike, and we would trust him with our lives any day of the week.” She handed the flower to Jace. Jace put the flower to his nose. “This is no illusion. You can create life. This is extraordinary. Your power is that of the planeswalkers of old.” “The magic is complicated, but do not confuse my spells for anything divine. I did not summon a flower from my own imaginings. I copied one that already lives using the mass of the stone. It is an imperfect copy at that. The flower lives, but I doubt it would grow if planted.” Twilight pointed to a patch of stone. “We have arrived at the portal. Spike and I will enter first. Be warned. You will not be the same shape when you emerge in Equestria. It is a little disorienting at first, but we will be there for you.” “I will follow you.” Jace said. Twilight and Spike stepped through the portal. It glowed brightly and then returned to its ordinary appearance as a simple stone face on a boulder. Jace was alone once again on Innistrad. He spoke to whoever was listening. “I will return soon. Your mysteries will be solved. The Gatewatch will make right the wrongs being done to this plane.” The mind mage stepped boldly into the portal and vanished.