Past, Present, and Future
Extended Holiday
Chp 24: Past, Present, and Future
Act 3
“Marley was dead, that was the start of it.” The tavern was currently filled to capacity as ponies sat around sipping warm cider, it was now only a few days tell hearths warm eve and ponies were in there prime for the holidays. Taze currently stood before groups of wide eyed foals and Tall Tale as he recounted what he could remember of a christmas carol with some creative changes. Happy to be once again human Taze used the full use of his bipedal body to express his movements.
At the stools Pensword sat as he listening still trying to go over what went wrong. Shawn and Taze were both human and yet, when he thought back to when the magic fell on him to change him back. Moonshade this time had been invited along. He remember some pain, then blackness, he remembered blackness and then crumbled on the ground still in a Pegasus form with Luna and Celestia looking at him in fear and Moonshade just frozen. “Did I spend too much time as a Pegasus?” he asked and yet even with it being almost a week ago, he could not remember nor anypony wanting to tell him what happened. He turned to his left and saw Moonshade who had been, while getting better the entire time in Canterlot she refused to leave his side, not once, even standing by the doors to the restrooms even. He sighed and settled back in to listen to Taze tell a Christmas Carol, wishing he had that book with him. He caught a look in a glass and smiled at the one change he had asked Luna since they were not going to change him back to human until they figure out what went wrong. He had the metabolism of a Thestral.
Shawn on that note was out and about, walking through the town. His mind calculating several things as he walked. New equipment, new armor, weapons, the past, the present, and even the future.
Around him ponies were happily going about their day shopping for family members, getting food for meals, foals playing in the streets.
“Hi Shawn!” A familiar voice popped up behind him.
“Hmm? Ah, hello Pinkie.” He replied, turning to look at Pinkie.
“Hey Shawn! Out shopping for Hearths Warming?” she asked.
“I guess you could say that. I still want to make sure I get the right thing for everyone.” He replied.
“I always get the perfect thing for everyone!” Pinkie smiled. “Except you, I can’t figure out what to get you cause you're all mysterious and should I get the gift for Shawn or Hammer Strike? Wait you have two names DOES THAT MEAN YOU GET TWO GIFTS?”
Shawn chuckled. “No Pinkie, the two are one and the same, meaning one. But while I am like this, if you want, for Shawn.” He smiled. “I’m sure you will figure out something, you have a keen eye for these things.” He said before giving a small sly grin. “Also, glad to know I am being mysterious, no expectations from me if you don’t know them.”
“It’s like a well frosted cake!” Pinkie smiled. “If it’s frosted right you can never tell what flavor it is.”
“Exactly.” He smiled. “Perhaps one day you might figure some part of me out. A puzzle if you wish.”
“Ooh, I should get Twilight! She’s great at puzzles!” Pinkie ran off.
Shawn raised a brow before shaking his head and continuing on his path. “I wonder if I will have to deal with questions in the near future.”
“Shawn?” A familiar voice called out. “Is that you darling?”
“Ah, Hello Rarity.” He replied, turning towards her.
“Isn’t Hearths Warming just to die for?” Rarity was currently dressed in a simple red scarf and a green hat that reminded Shawn of an elf hat.
“Certainly interesting, due to it being somewhat similar to something else for myself.” He replied.
“Oh you have a similar holiday where you’re from?” She asked.
“Sort of, it isn’t the founding, or the defeat of some spirits, or something or another, it was a time for giving, though you could get many different responses from several individuals.” He chuckled. “Where a man would cross the world in a single night, delivering presents and what not.” He shook his head. “A time for giving essentially.”
“That sounds positively romantic.” She said. “Generosity at it’s finest.”
“Agreed.” He replied simply.
“I was just picking up a few things to finish my gifts for my friends, I haven’t even begun to figure out what to get you all.” She said. “Don’t suppose you’d care to join me?”
“Sure.” Shawn gave a smile. “I would love to join you.”
“I cannot imagine what this will be like for you.” Rarity said. “Away from friends and family on Hearths Warming.”
Shawn didn’t respond.
“I’m sorry that was in bad taste.” Rarity apologized noting the silence.
“It.” He sighed. “It’s fine. I can’t help but think on it myself from time to time.” He said with a shrug.
“You know darling, generosity isn’t just physical, if you need to talk I’d be happy to listen.” Rarity noted.
Shawn shook his head. “Nah, I wouldn’t want to burden you. I am just, jumbled on things.”
“It’s not a burden darling, that’s what friends are for.” she said.
Shawn simply sighed. “Perhaps.” He shrugged. “One day, one day. But now is not the time for that, we have gifts to purchase for friends.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, Matthew is rather easy to make something for but Taze has been somewhat tricky, the only thing he’s liked has been that cloak, and thats hardly appropriate for this holiday.”
Shawn went to say something only to pause, thinking for a moment. “Oh, I think I might be able to help you out with something. Give me a day and I’ll have a design down that I am sure he will love…” Shawn said with a small grin. “I’m sure of it.”
“And yourself? Is there anything you need?” She asked.
“I don’t require anything, in fact, I would prefer others save their money, but things tend to work in the opposite manner.” He replied.
“I can’t do that.” Rarity shook her head. “I am generosity.” she reminded him.
“Then perhaps you might get the most help from Pinkie after a day of questions she is likely to ask myself. As said, gifts are always best as a surprise, and I have one planned for each and every one of you.” Shawn said with a smile. “I made plans to make sure everyone gets a wonderful gift.”
“I’m sure anything you get will be spectacular.” Rarity smiled. “And can I expect anything from Lord Hammer Strike?” she grinned at him.
“Perhaps one day, but his gift shall be a bit late.” He grinned. “Just got back, after all.”
“I see.” she smiled. “Do tell him I miss him.”
“I’ll be sure to relay the message.” Shawn replied.
“So how have things been around the fort?” She asked. “I understand most of the guard are away for holidays.”
“Things are going alright around the fort, most of the guard are off to visit family and what not. Though we are in need of some new training dummy’s at the training grounds...”
“Oh I thought the fort had especially enchanted dummies from Canterlot’s outfitter?” Rarity asked. “Those are hardly easy to break.”
“Yeah about that...” Shawn said, chuckling. “Both Myself and Hammer Strike, might have gave them a little test.”
“And I take it they didn’t live up to the standards of legends?” Rarity asked.
“I don’t know where the head of one of them went, to this day.” Shawn said with a shrug. “I honestly wonder.”
“I’m sure it will turn up eventually.” Rarity noted. “Excuse me a moment.” she said stepping into a store for a few moments. She returned a few moments later carrying a few packages. “Sorry, a few last minute things I needed.”
“No worries.”
“I must say it will be good to be able to watch the pageant this year instead of taking part.” Rarity said.
“Pageant?” Shawn questioned.
“Every year at Hearths Warming we have a pageant showing the founding of Equestria.” Rarity explained. “Last year the six of us were starring in the Canterlot pageant.”
“By six, I’ll guess you and your friends.”
“Of course.” Rarity answered.
“I read up a bit on the holiday, quite interesting history wise.” Shawn replied.
“I can’t imagine what that must have been like.” Rarity said. “Trapped in a cave slowly freezing, it must have been horrifying.”
Shawn simply shrugged in response. “It sounds like it would be.”
“Well thanks for the walk darling.” Rarity said coming up to Carousel Boutique. “If you ever need to talk don’t hesitate to ask.” She said.
Shawn chuckled. “No problem. Also, you would be surprised how many people tell me that.” he said, putting his hands into his pockets. “Well, I guess I shall bid you adieu, have a nice night Rarity.”
After parting ways Shawn continued his walk through the town, thoughts running through his head. “Time to get to work…”
“So how many ponies do you still need gifts for?” Moonshade asked checking her list as they walked through Ponyville. The thestral had forced the pegasus to come with her hoping to cheer him up.
Pensword only smiled a little and shook his head. “All of them.” he admitted, “I truly do not know what to get most of them. I also have a little bit of a smallish budget. So I don’t know what to even get them.”
“We’ll start with who you know.” Moonshade said. “so who do you know what to get?”
“Hmm… Shawn, I would like to get something smithy, or something classy, Taze, or Grif, I would like to get something… hmm, a history book might be nice. Maybe an updated book.” He laughed a little. “Last book Grif got about the Empire, was back a thousand years ago.” He paused and shook his head. “Taze, maybe one of the Daring Do books?” he asked himself.
“See that’s a start.” Moonshade noted. “Was that so hard?”
“Not really… but the others. What do you get the personal student of the monarch? Or the wielders of the Elements of Harmony that once were wielded by Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.” He laughed a little. He almost mentioned her in what to get her, but he didn’t know yet what to get her. “So… Now the hard ones.”
“You really can’t think of anyone else? I mean what about Rainbow Dash?” Moonshade asked.
“She gets the Daring Books almost right away. She, hmm… outdated Surplus Wonderbolt equipment?” He smiled and laughed a little. “Yeah, Wonderbolt equipment.” He muttered softly happy to see that Rainbow Dash was not anywhere nearby.
“Ok, Fluttershy?” Moonshade asked.
“Hmm..” He raised an eyebrow towards Moonshade as they kept on walking. “Bits to buy more food for her animals friends?” He asked as he had to think for a full minute and it was the only thing he could do.
“Ok we’ll get back to that, Miss Doo?” she asked.
“You… what do I get the.. Muffins, I shall just bake muffins for her, a lot of them. What else do I get one who can get anything?”
“Applejack?” Moonshade asked.
“Hmmm… Maybe a history of farming in the Crystal Empire? Or a book on business sense?” he muttered. “Half the time it seems they need to earn more money.”
“That sounds reasonable.” Moonshade nodded. “Rarity?”
“Sewing needles, A seamstress always need more needles and threads.” He muttered almost automatically.
“Sweetie Belle?” she asked
“You mean the CMC as a whole? A promise that they can have their own outpost built on the other end of the Acres near where the arcs touch the everfree… we need to test build the structure outside of the fort, and I thought they would like a base structure to add to, from what I hear, Applebloom is a skilled woodworker.”
“What about Shawn?” Moonshade asked.
“I think I mentioned him first, but to keep this process moving smoothly, Something to do with Smithing or Classy of his station, or something from an Antique store.” Pensword muttered with a smile. “IF I ever do find one, I will be gone all day looking at everything in there.”
“Was there anyone else?” she asked.
He only only chuckle a little. “Well, rather not discuss your gift in front of you, yet, I do not know your tastes or likes, or dislikes.”
“I’m sure you can figure it out.” She noted. “Come on sir!”
“And so it has been said that no pony knew how to keep hearth's warming so well as Ebenezer Scrooge.” Taze smiled as he came to the ending. “And as for Tiny Tim who did not die, it was said that Scrooge was like a second father to him. And so end my story.” Taze finished with a bow as the ponies around him stomped. “Thank you my friends, as you know my stories are free, but tonight on request of Berry Punch I would like to remind you donations for the Canterlot lower class orphanage are appreciated, thank you one and all.” Taze said as he left the front of the room.
“That is a strange story.” Mutatio currently in his usual pegasus guise noted. “Is it true?”
“Uh no, no not really.” Taze laughed. “Not a lot of stories are Mutatio.”
“It’s strange.” Mutatio noted. “We have never had this kind of thing in the hive, a changeling could grow fat this time of year.” He said in a hushed tone.
“It’s the time of year that brings ponies together.” Taze noted. “Usually anyway, goodwill, peace, love all that good stuff.”
Mutatio only looked at Taze. “So, what is the point to the story?” he asked. “Usually when you or Pensword tell a story, it has some sort of message but I couldn’t see it this time.”
“Hate will weigh you down, love free’s you.” Taze recited. “At least thats what the author intended, the moral of a story can be different depending on the teller you know.”
“That, makes sense, that might work for us, take it a little further and you could say this. Love keeps you alive, Hate will kill you?” he asked and smiled as he slowly walked away, but paused at Taze’s next question.
“So you get Me-Me anything special for hearths warming?” he asked.
“Maybe, but from what I heard, it is better to give hoof made items, so it might be crude.” Came the reply as Mutatio slowly began to walk up the steps to the upper floors of the tavern.
“You put your heart into it?” he asked.
Mutatio blinked and turned around and was about to speak before he widened his eyes. “You, that is a pun isn’t it?” He asked looking like he was hoping he caught that wordplay.
“I was asking if you did the best you could.” Taze sighed.
“Oh,” Mutatio spoke again and smiled. “Yes, Yes I did. four tries to make it right.”
“Then I’m sure she’ll like it.” Taze noted. “How are things between you two?”
Mutatio blinked and blinked again. “Oh… uh, she found her tiara.” he responded giving a code to the Changeling Queen’s crown. “Also… I think I am changing as well, well into a Drone.” He muttered a little. “We might move to the lab if things keep moving forward.” he smiled a little. “I, I am holding my gift of building a home till we actually move to the Everfree.”
“Well at least thats only a few more weeks away.” Taze noted hitting the wall a few times as they walked. “I’ll be glad when we’re settled in.” He noted.
Mutatio only nodded before looked confused as they rounded the corner and he could drop his disguise. “Why did you knock on the wall as you spoke? Another human tradition or something?”
“An old superstition.” Taze noted. “Knock on wood to counteract the bad luck of saying something definite.”
All that Mutatio said in response was a nod of the head and smiled. “Well, where to now my friend?”
“I got to go and check over everything I got for everyone, surprisingly I was the one ahead, usually I’m the last minute person.” he laughed heading to his room.
Luna strolled through the realm of dreams as she normally did at night. The dreams of her subjects swirled around her as if calling for her to gaze upon them. Tonight seemed relatively devoid of nightmares so the lunar princess strolled casually through the dream world. Dreams formed under her hooves like a brick path as colours shifted through the full spectrum and then to some colors the mortal eye could not see. The air was still and heavy and silence seemed to hold sway. beautiful silence…..
Lunas ear twitched. That wasn’t right in the lane between dreams there was no sound, but as she moved onwards sound came to hear sounds, rhythmic pulses a beat. Quite suddenly she came up to something very odd indeed. The dream before her had taken the form of a large heavy door with what seemed to be a cord stretched out in front of it. At the door stood possibly one of the weirdest creatures Luna had ever seen.
“Hey!” The creature shouted angrily to no one in particular. it’s shape resembled the three humans vaguely through it’s body seemed to be covered in a tight red and black suit. it’s face was red with two large black circles and white slits. Across it’s back where two swords and in it’s belt where two strange contraptions luna didn’t recognise.
“What is this dream?” Luna asked the creature confused.
“Name?” He asked back
“Excuse me?” Luna asked confused.
“What’s your name, horsey?” He asked again pulling a clipboard from nowhere.
“Uh Princess Luna?” Luna raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, no ‘Uh Princess Luna’ on the list sorry.” The creature said checking the list.
“I am Princess Luna of Equestria and I demand you move aside!” Luna shot back.
“Oh well why didn’t you say you were Princess Luna.” Deadpool said. “Here you are.” He said pointing to the one name on the list. The creature quickly unclipped the cord and opened the door. “Go ahead” he said.
Luna walked slowly into the opening, the transition into this dream felt stranger than normal as a cold wind seemed to blow through her form. Quite suddenly Luna found herself in a black void. A fireplace lay connected to nothing and burning brightly as Taze sat in a large chair wearing a fez and apparently smoking a bubble pipe. In another chair across from him sat the same creature from before doing the same thing. And empty chair sat between them.
“Oh, hi Luna.” Taze nodded too the alicorn as she entered.
“You have easily one of the strangest dream world I have ever seen, would expect this of Discord.” Luna grumbled.
“A dream is simply a psychological manifestation of ones inner subconscious, it all depend on if you can realise that or not.” Taze shrugged.
“What is that thing?” Luna pointed to Deadpool.
“Oh that’s just Deadpool.” Taze said.
“That’s right I’m ju… Hey, should I be insulted?” Deadpool cut himself off.
A yellow box popped into existence beside him as a deep refined voice spoke. “I think it wasn’t meant to be taken as an insult.”
Another box and a second total opposite voice spoke up. “It sounded like one to me.”
“It was more out of familiarity.” Another yellow box popped up.
“Ooooh...” Deadpool and the second box responded at the same time.
“And what is Deadpool exactly?” Luna asked
“He’s a fictional comic book anti-hero from my home, he fights people and annoys them while he’s doing it, has split personalities he actively talks too and he cannot die.” Taze said.
“No creature cannot die.” Luna said.
Out of nowhere Taze pulled out an axe, threw it and lopped the heros head right off.
“Oy! That’s gonna leave a mark.” The severed head noted as the body picked it up and replaced it.
“That is most disturbing.” Luna noted.
“So can I ask why you’re in my dreams?” Taze asked.
“It’s my duty to patrol the dreams of everyone in my kingdom.” Luna noted
“Ah, well as you can see everything fine.” Taze nodded. “So why is this the first time I’ve seen you?”
“This was the first time I’d noticed your dreams in the lane between dreams.” Luna noted.
“Ah, different wavelengths or something.” He nodded. “Well thanks for the visit but you likely have many more ponies to visit and this is kinda weird for me.” Taze said
“Are you kicking me out?” Luna raised an eyebrow.
“Well he was trying to be polite horsey!” Deadpool said.
“Well that was rude.” The yellow box started.
“I liked it.” The other box said.
“Very well, we shall leave, farewell Taze.” Luna said attempting to phase out.
“Exits that a way.” Deadpool said pointing. With a huff Luna turned and stalked out the door.
Luna shook her head as she left Tazes dream, it had been easily one of the weirdest dreamscapes she’d ever encountered. She walked down the path casually looking for other such abnormalities.
Luna paused as she saw something, another image that appeared off from the main areas of the dreamscape. Still the door was odd, it was an oval like rectangle with a metal wheel in the middle of the door with metal arms spreading to what appeared to be a metal wall that faded into the dreamscape. A red light shone above the metal door as if stating a warning. To any humans who might have seen this door they would know it belonged on a Submarine, to Luna it was a very bizarre door, just as unique as the one leading into Taze’s dream.
The alicorn approached it curiously her magic wrapping around the wheel in an attempt to turn it. As she turned it the metal prongs slowly moved to what seems to be an open position, she looked and saw that the way the hinges were made she would have to push the door inwards to access the dream.
She pushed the door open and stepped over the lip and walked into the innards of some type of, craft. She saw windows along the top that showed the murky blackness and she could feel that this was something unseen by Equestrian eyes. She appeared to be in some center of some sorts, there were two sleek tubes with what looked to be binoculars on the bottoms and around her were controls and knobs, dials and displays in something unreadable to her eyes. In the middle stood a strange cross between human and Pony, and she knew it was Pensword. It seemed that he was on the only person in sight at the moment. He was hunched over with hands covered in the navy blue fur of his pony form and dressed in a imposing black uniform that looked rather warm. On his head was a rather stiff and formed cap. Around her was the deep red lights.
“Matthew?” She asked confused.
“Da?” The human spoke, before turning around and blinking as he looked around himself, “Yes? My apologies, I have learned to respond in a few different languages from Earth, that was Russian for Yes.” He spoke as he looked at Luna and then around his surroundings. “Red October.” he finally spoke, before speaking it again, “Krasniy Oktyabr, A work of Fiction based upon one of the more, interesting periods.”
“What sort of craft is this?” she asked looking around.
“A Submarine.” He replied. “A vessel built of steel years more than what you can build at the moment. It is also powered by man made fusion of atoms.” He moved to another station and looked at the screen. “What your Sister rises and lowers, a crude facsimile powers this vessel, but I take it you asked me in my dream as neither one of us can lie in our dreams?” he asked with a question of his own.
“I’ve never seen such a thing, what kind of terrain is such a craft made for?” she asked.
“Under the ocean.” He replied. “No clue why but the folks that this vessel is based on, liked to have some windows in the sub, it means that while it can withstand a lot of pressure, I really don’t know anything more then the shape, size, and it can go underwater.” he muttered as he moved around before alarm bells chimmed. “Flood Torpedo tubes one and two.” He looked to to Luna. “I do not know why, but I am been fighting something, you the princess of dreams, what do you have to say? either help me or I will find a way to throw you off this sub.” he muttered as he moved quickly to another position on the bridge as a hazy outline of a human took his pace.
“Matthew are you ok?” Luna asked. “You seem to be suffering.”
“I do not know,” Came the response as he pushed a few buttons and they heard a whoosh. It seemed that Matthew dreamt in full color and sound. “But I know this is wrong… I am, a cross between Pony and Human, and yet.. I am forgetting what it feels like without fur, or wings… to have all fours on the ground. I, I am a citizen of the United States, using a defecting Soviet Sub from a period before my time.” he shook his head. “I bet that is the most messed up dream you have seen.” he muttered as he moved to another placed and looked down. “Congrats Luna, my mind, just confirmed I am fighting some Seapony class attack sub.” He turned to a few more hazy figures. “Evasive,” he winced a little as he saw the images of two smaller lines moving towards them. “Launch countermeasures.”
“Matthew why must you do this to yourself?” The princesses asked. “Why are you creating this conflict within you?”
Matthew paused and looked at Luna. “How do I stop it? I, I am…” he looked right at her. “I almost died, I, I can know it here,” he waved to the surroundings. “I don’t know what really happened but I know why, I just… cannot believe that my friends will be able to walk on two legs and I am. I am, just what will I be? I really do not owe loyalty to the crown, to my friends but I feel like a charlatan with that.” He sat down in a seat and held on as the sub turned deeply to avoid the torpedoes. “I have my loyalty to my nation, yet I know Moonshade will understand but the new recruits? I am Pensword a hero of Equestria, how can I do that to people’s believes? I hated it when folks berserked Washington’s name in hope of tearing down a hero, I can not with that in mind do the same to the myth of Pensword. He is a force of good.” He lowered his head. “What do I do?”
“Why must all of these be separate things? Your loyalty is too yourself, to your code, everything after that is meaningless. you are Matthew and Pensword, there is no division except the one you choose.” Luna told him.
“You forget, I have a Duty, one that is part of my own code, that is to fight for my nation… so, all I can say is don’t invade my homeland, or I will declare war on Equestria.” Matthew’s eyes seemed to turn a cold grey of an unforgiving ocean, in a dream world even he did not know this was happening. “I guess that is something of fear, that you see my land, my home, and decide to wipe us out because we are barbaric or too war like for your liking.” He moved as the dream slowly faded into something else, it was just darkness except for where the two were standing. “I am Matthew but it is becoming hard to remember my body before the disguise, what… what will happen if the magic of the guise drains? Or something tries to force me back? I do not know, am I living a lie? A fantasy with my form?” He just stood there as his outfit changed to something else. He smiled softly. “ACU, the uniform I wore for two years in college.” He blinked back tears and sat down on the “floor” of the dream he was having. “I miss my family.” He looked at Luna. “How?” He asked. “Any advice?” he shook his head and just sat there… “Funny, first lucid dream almost, never had one of those before.”
“You ask questions that are not uncommon for many, be it that yours seem more dire from your point of view,” she placed a hoof on his shoulder gently. “You must not so easily let go of your hope! Hope alone can take people to amazing places and do incredible things, you must grab firmly to your hope Matthew!”
“I will do my best.” he muttered as he slowly stood up and smiled a little. “Same time next week doc?” he asked with a small laugh. “Maybe, next time, you can show me what Celestia can do, I showed you one of our weapons.. I feel fair trade a little on information?” He raised an eyebrow. “But, what you say will be hard… I, I think part of this.” He tapped his mind. “Is from not remembering things, like I died but I cannot remember I did, or rather, almost died in the throne room… that may be a hurdle that needs to be addressed in the waking world as well.” He sighed softly. “Still, thank you for the visit, I, I am scared of what Moonshade would say if she learned even half of what I know my species did, yet, I am okay with what we have done, not perfect but trying… I guess that fear their was that how I worry bout what your subjects would react to the meanings behind Hindenburg, Auswitz, Hiroshima, or Nine Eleven.”
“Will you be okay Matthew?” Luna asked
Matthew could tell she had no clue just what those words meant and he smiled. “I will be tonight, just… not sure if, or would Moonshade enjoy learning about that side of human history?” he asked himself and in a way Luna.
“I would guess so.” Luna nodded. “You would have to ask her.” She softly smiled as she just saw Matthew just ponder that as she turned around and found the same doorway as before, only the bulb was off. Instead of an imposing sight it seemed a little more friendly, and maybe she noted a little more pony friendly.
Luna walked down the path again, her mind trying to find answers as to why only now she could access their dreams. Her thoughts caused her not to notice the next door tell it was in front of her, the door was by no means special, in fact it was rather plain, a simple wooden door with a iron door knob, there was no design into it, but a simple upside down cross that created two long rectangles that were at the top of the door and two small squares to help finish the look of the upside down crucifix that was in the center of the wooden door.
Luna found the door strangely simple and yet highly intriguing as she opened it with her magic and stepped in. What came next was, nothing.
Nothing at all. Just a darkness that seemed to spread on forever. But off in the distance she could see something, a figure.
Luna lighted her horn in an attempt to light the room, only for it to fail, there was nothing to light up. Very little of the area in front of her illuminated, the rest seemed unaffected by the light.
After a moment of walking, she finally came up to the figure, while it had the scale of Shawn, it wore clothing in which he had never been seen in before. A simple pair of dark blue jeans, black shoes, and a black jacket with a faded design on the back that she couldn’t make out. He was sitting on the floor, one leg was up and he was resting his arm on it, while he used his other arm to balance himself. He didn’t seem to notice her approaching him, or he just didn’t make any signs of noticing.
“Shawn?” Luna asked the figure.
“Yes Luna?” He replied back, turning his head to look at her. “A pleasant surprise to see you here.”
“This is certainly a …. interesting dreamscape.” She said. “Is this common for you?”
Shawn looked around himself for a moment. “Yeah. It is a bit common, but I guess you could say it helps keep my thoughts from roaming too far.”
“I guess it would.” She nodded looking around. “Is there a lot on your mind?”
“More than I want in all honesty.” Shawn chuckled, a deep hollow chuckle. “But that’s how it always is.”
“You seem out of sorts.” She noted.
Shawn sighed, pulling himself up to his feet. “I guess you could say that. Things have just been, weighing on my mind, and the need to confront some things that have happened, is starting to work its way up the list.”
“You have been through much these last few months.” Luna noted. “Taking too much inside is bad for the mind, I speak from experience.”
“I know.” Shawn sighed heavily. “I know I know. I am told that so many times. But I can’t help it.” He stood up fully and turned to face her. “I can’t help it, because I have done it for so long.” He said as he put his arms out from his sides. His clothes shifted in a burst of static, revealing his long blue coat, the white dress shirt, his hair styled, the tan pants, and the brown boots. “And I do it to protect my mentality. What little pieces of me that haven’t been shattered and rubbed into the dirt.”
“Have you talked to anyone about this?” Luna asked him.
Shawn chuckled as he put his arms down, his clothes shifting back to the jacket and jeans. “A bit I guess you could say, I have done research on what’s wrong and what not myself as well.”
“And?” Luna asked.
“Well.” He paused. “Now that I think about it, if you meant talking about what’s been going on recently, then no. On that researching for what’s going on…” He had his left hand up as he was speaking, about level with his chest, giving a slight spin every now and then when he was talking, but suddenly he stopped in his spot. After a moment he clenched his hand and returned it to his side before beginning to walk in a random direction, shaking his head.
“Shawn what’s happening with you?” Luna asked
Shawn stopped in his space before turning to Luna, his expression still as blank as ever. “I am losing my mind. This place, these things, I just can’t take this information.” he said putting his hands up. “Imagine it, a simple civilian, relaxing at home on Halloween in my costume, next thing I know, I am in a new world!” He paused, turning back to face her. “I know you and your sister caught on, there was too many flaws, too much panic, things didn’t match up.” He sighed. “I’m afraid, I don’t know what to do anymore, I’ve grown attached hereto the ponies here, the friends, the sights. But I miss my home, and now I don’t know what I want anymore.” His clothes flashed back to his cloak, his noble outfit. “Look at me, I somehow gained the power to fight for what I believed in, I don’t have that power at home!” His clothes shifted back to his simple attire. “At home, is everyone else, and I would not dare bring them here and ruin their life.” His hands were clenched into tight fists as the darkness shifted around himself and Luna. “Look at the difference of it all!”
Split down the center, the darkness showed two things, one side showed, Ponyville, his friends, Taze and Matthew, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Spike, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and more, even in the background Luna could see the three of them again, but their equestrian equivalent, Hammer Strike, Pensword, and Grif.
On the other side, it showed several of his kind, in which Luna could tell was family and friends. They were all inside what looked to be a living room of sorts, a couch in the background a flat, rectangular, black box on the wall, and a fireplace.
He turned to face her, and for the first time in his dream she could see his expression change, even in a dream, he looked worn down and tired.
“I just don’t know anymore.” He said simply.
Luna approached him slowly. “Have you talked to your friends about this? You realise they too are away from friends and family right? They are stranded here as well.”
He clenched his eyes shut. “I know, but I don’t like bringing up these facts, I don’t want to bring up these facts. Not now, not so soon, but sooner is better, but…” He put his hands up to his face. “By the divine, I thought he was gone, I only yelled what I thought would work, and now look at what he is stuck with!”
“You did what was necessary to save the life of a friend.” Luna said. “There is no shame in that, the fault belonged to me and my sister, we were the ones who came up with the silly disguise plan in the first place.”
“He still hasn’t asked me about it.” Shawn sighed as the world shifted around them, back to the event… The two were off to the side, watching as his memories took control of the darkness around them both.
“Stand before us and we will restore you too your rightful forms.” Luna spoke to the two ponies and the gryphon as they entered the room.
Pensword only stepped forward and stood at a stance of Attention, or his best facsimile of the stance as a Pony. He blinked. “Your Majesties, I believe due to what happened last time, Might I suggest we stick with doing the dispersal one at a time?”
“That is indeed wise Sir Pensword, perhaps we should start with what had been the most difficult.” Luna said turning to Shawn.
“I need to get back to translating that book…” Shawn said in a low tone, thinking on something as he stepped forward.
Celestia and Luna bowed their heads as celestias horn lite, Luna sat prepared incase Shawn had a similar reaction. This time it seemed to go easier, his form shifting back to human without much pain or noise coming from him. He shook his head as he stepped back, thankfully his clothes had shifted back with him.
“And now you Sir Grif.” Luna nodded to taze who leisurely stepped forward. Luna's horn lite and once again moments later Taze was human again. “These gotta be some way to be able to swap between those on my own.” Taze said moving away.
“And now you Sir Pensword, please step forward.” Celestia motioned.
Pensword slowly stepped forward still maintaining a military bearing and formality in the presence of the two royal sisters. “Taze, knock on wood, this is going better than I anticipated.”
Taze gave the wall a few knocks as Lunas own horn lite and her magic covered his form, at first things seemed fine as his body shifted back to human. However as soon as the lunar magic receded Matthews eye’s rolled backwards and he almost collapsed onto his back, Taze thankfully was close enough to catch him before he actually hit..
“MATTHEW!” Taze screamed as he guided his friend’s body to the floor and he right away put an ear to his chest remembering the last time they were at a convention he had brought a stethoscope to let them hear the ticking of his artificial valves, they even could hear and even feel the rather strong beats without the stethoscope and what he heard and felt was chilling him to his very core. Silence, utter silence meet his ear.
Shawn followed suit, checking for any signs of life as his mind ran circles thinking. Taze stepping back with shock as Shawn also checked his friend.
“No no no no.” Shawn said in a rapid session. “No no no no, no breathing, no pulse, blood flow… no pulse, no ticking, his valves. You turned metal to flesh…” He looked up. “You didn’t turn it back…” He paused as something clicked in his mind. ”You can’t turn it back! Turn him back! Quick! Now!” He yelled out, staring at Celestia and Luna.
Neither princess seemed to be thinking in the panic, that is until Shawn started yelling, causing Luna who lowered her horn and it light in a blazing flash of blue light as her magic worked on Matthew. In a flash he was a pony again.
Matthew blinked as he felt, something was off, he looked up at his friends. “Did, why am I a pony still?” He asked as he slowly used his four hooves to push himself back up to a standing position.
Everything slowed to a halt in that moment, Shawn started from where he was standing, and soon the memory faded leaving only him and Luna there, in the darkness.
“Any longer and he’d have been gone.” Luna broke the silence. “You saved his life.”
Shawn stared forward into the darkness, where they had been seconds ago. After a moment he sighed. “Thankfully. I don’t know what I would do if any of them got injured, or killed.” He gave a quiet dark chuckle. “I’d go mad. I’m almost sure of it.”
“And how do you think they’d react to you?” Luna asked. “Have you ever asked yourself why Taze charges head first? Why Matthew is always looking over your shoulder? You say you would go mad? I’ve seen warriors with minds like Taze’s break, I’ve had to kill soldiers who were so far gone there was nothing to save.” Luna stopped taking a moment to breath. “War is a horrible horrible thing, and in two months you three have had to adapt to two, one thing you must except is that if you spend all your time backtracking to keep your friends free from harm, you're going to be their undoing.”
“Yeah... Yeah…” Shawn mumbled. “It’s just the way I am, it’s tough to change my mentality with what I’m stuck with.” He said as he tapped his head.
“You saved your friends life, you gave both your friends the means to defend themselves and others, few ponies can wish for more than this. Compassion is the mark of a great leader but it must be tempered with good judgement.” the Lunar Princess explained.
“That’s why I try to think of every, possible, solution.” Shawn said. “Thanks to you and your sister, I actually have a second point of view on things.” He said, looking off to his right as the shadows shifted revealing a figure familiar to both of them.
“Lord Hammer Strike?” Luna gasped.
“Definitely.” Both of them said at the same time. Shawn lifting his arm for Hammer Strike to continue.
“You see, when I said a second point of view I meant it mentally, and literally. So I try to think of these betterments.” Hammer Strike started.
“But what you and Pensword don’t know, is that I was awake when he found me, barely alive, but alive enough to hear.” Shawn continued. “I know I need to pull back from my recklessness, even if I think it will help them, I fail to notice some things, I know. We all have flaws. Every single thing, can have flaws.”
“It is our willingness to notice these flaws that determines our greatness.” Luna spoke under her breath. “But, you mean to say both of you have been active this whole time?”
Shawn and Hammer Strike chuckled. “Both? We’re the same, the same mentality, but with a different face, and way of speaking.” They sighed.
“But yes, my mind runs constantly, which is one of the causes of my Insomnia, I keep thinking, new things, new idea’s, and I can’t help but write them down, draw them down, or take things further.” Shawn said.
“How do you think I was able to make full sets of armor and weapons in less than three days?” Hammer Strike continued.
“One mind for action, one for analysis.” Luna’s eyebrows raised. “But this can’t be safe for your mental health.” Luna said.
Shawn nodded. “It puts a lot of strain on my mind, but I have dealt with it for years, going on more, and as I’ve said, and will continue to say, ‘I’ve sadly grown use to it.’ and it’s sadly true. Always thinking of a plan, always thinking of things to do, always going.” He chuckled near the end. “In the end that kinda saved us for the armor scenario.”
“I… I am sorry I have no basis to deal with this.” Luna sighed face hoofing.
“Trust me.” Shawn said with a sad chuckle. “I would most likely considered insane back home now if I actually said any of this.”
“I am not sure Celestia would like me telling you this.” Luna said. “But in the royal library there are spellbooks with certain spells that can shall we say, ‘lessen ones daily rest requirement’, I think with them and a unicorn you can trust they may prove beneficial with your problems.”
Shawn hummed in thought. “Perhaps… It would be nice to feel less tired all the time.” He chuckled. “Lets face, it, I always look bored, I know, I’ve been told countless times.” He sighed. “But the little bit of sleep I get, it’s enough to keep my mind in order and keep me going, a time of silence, of peace, so I can just try to keep the quiet.”
Around them the darkness itself seemed to writhe. “You must be waking up.” Luna noted “I have to leave.” The lunar alicorn turned for the door.
“Certainly, Certainly…” Shawn replied, but as soon as she reached the door she heard him call out. “Luna.”
The alicorn stopped. “Yes?” she asked turning her head back towards Shawn.
Shawn stood still as the darkness began to close in on his being. “A warning of sorts you see… For there are eyes in the dark…” He started, the darkness surrounding his legs, blending him into the background. “Eyes that watch, see and know. And with certain things, in certain area’s, not here, not my mind, not my friends, but there is something…” He paused, the tendrils of darkness covering his arms, and soon she could feel something more, looking, watching, she could feel its stare. “And it knows, it watches, and you are not welcome in its eyes.”
Before luna could say anything she found herself standing outside the wooden door which closed slowly on it’s own before dissolving into the black.
Lunas mouth opened and closed several times as she comprehended Shawns message. “I must return home.” she shook her head. “I need wine.”
The next morning was very silent around the breakfast table as the three friends ate across from each other.
Pensword blinked and he could remember Luna and some things but he placed the spoon he was using down on a plate. “I, I never liked a silent meal, and I know there is no real way to ask this delicately. But what happened? I mean it. Remember I had the docs tell me the full odds of my surgery, I faced emergency surgery… I, I think I would feel a little peace of mind if I know.”
Shawn only looked up and sighed. “You died.”
Taze took a few deep breaths before he could speak. “I have had a lot of things happen in my life, those were the worst sixty seconds I have ever had, you where going cold vulpix, I could feel it.”
The Pegasus nodded his head. “That, makes sense, I, I don’t think I was fully dead.” he did give a small weak smile, “But, this form, is..” he waved a wing. “Is what is keeping me with my friends.” he could only smiled. “Enjoy your days my friends, I know I will enjoy today, another gift and now, to learn to fully let go my medical past…” he trailed off. “I wonder how my mom would react to this at the moment. She, she’s the one who helped so much.” he muttered sadly before shaking his head. “She’d tell me I should be happy I am alive and to seize the day, just don’t talk about war anymore with me.” He chuckled a little as he finished. “So, did you both sleep well?”
“I had an interesting visitor last night.” Taze shrugged “Not sure I liked the idea of my dreams open like that.”
Matthew nodded his head smiling as he felt like his old self, well more like a slow merge of the two. He had created two separate roles and he was now having to slowly merge himself a little again. Live both lives not just one or the other. “Yeah,” he agreed with Taze, “She saw the Red October last night.”
After a moment Shawn finally looked up. “And…?” He asked in a bored manner.
“Oh I politely asked her to leave, then Deadpool kicked her out.” Taze said nonchalantly.
“I do not know which one scares me more, Riku’s dream’s or Your’s Taze.” He looked to Shawn. “A friend Taze and I know mutually.” He shook his head, “But what I mean is, she saw a Submarine, Technology, advanced.. and I might have told her the powerplant she has to power herself.” he mumbled towards the end.
“Don’t think Equestria is gonna be opening the Uranium mines anytime soon Matthew.” Taze assured his friend, while Shawn snapped his fingers with a near silent ‘Darn.’, before he actually smirked and chuckled a little.
“Now, Shawn, as Captain of your Guards, I was thinking of commissioning a flag for our first unit, your bodyguards I was thinking.” He smiled a little and leaned in. “What say you to a yellow flag with a rattlesnake coiled up with head raised with the rattle showing and the snake about to strike?”
“The snake, symbol of slyness and deceit, I remind you, doesn’t exactly fit Shawn.” Taze noted.
“Oh,” Was the defeated sound of Pensword’s voice. “I was going off that a rattlesnake never strikes unless it warns first. At least that is what I see a Rattlesnake as.”
“Maybe the snapping turtle?” Taze asked. “Contemplative, long lived, can snap a axe handle clear in half with a chomp.”
“Never stop growing.” Matthew muttered. “Sorry, just remembering something I saw a long time ago.” He paused and looked at Shawn, who was writing something at the time. “A Ram?” He asked with a small smile.
“It has strength and speed, but seems kinda hot headed.” Taze noted. “The wolf? Power, loyalty, cunning.”
Matthew paused and shook his head. “Remember what I am. A Wolf may not be a wise choice.”
“The great horned owl?” Taze asked. “It’s a predatory bird associated with wisdom.”
“As well as a symbol for the Moon, as well as Smithing.” He replied with a grin. “That makes sense.”
“Shawn?” Taze asked turning to their friends spot, only to find empty space where he was sitting, and a note folded on the table. “He buggered off.” Taze gaped.
Pensword blinked and opened the note to read it aloud to his friend as well.
‘I trust your decisions, both of you, so I’ll let you figure this out.
I’ll certainly find it a nice surprise.
~Shawn V.’
Matthew smiled and looked to his human friend. “Now, for you Taze. Since you are a Knight, or Grif is a Knight… that is going to be crazy in a few years, anyway… what might be your symbol?”
“You have an idea?” Taze asked.
“A Talon in a fist holding a Lightning bolt?” Matthew asked with a wing shrug.
“That actually sounds pretty neat, lighting being the symbol for speed and power in motion, and the talon symbolizing accuracy?” Taze asked.
“I believe so, but that is based on the old world knowledge, not any knowledge from Equestria proper.” He muttered as he looked up and smiled. He actually flew into the air and waved a hoof in the air.
“Last thing Commander I would like the words Inque Ignis on the flag.” Taze said
“I can see that I can do that, just, out of curiousity what does it mean?” He asked as he looked around the room a little. “It sounds latin.”
“Into the Fire essentially” taze answered.
“I like it, consider it your motto.” Pensword replied with a grin before he opened his mouth and called over a friend he had been trying to get the attention of while talking with Taze. “Over here Moonshade.” He smiled as she started to walk toward them. “ We are just figuring out symbols for the Everfree when Lord Shawn and Lord Hammer Strike take up dual residency.”
“And for you commander.” Taze laughed. “We need something of ferocity and kindness, a triceratops maybe?” Taze chuckled.
“What is a Triceratops?” Moonshade asked with a confused look.
Matthew only chuckled a little. “A creature from our world, extinct now, but, that was a good thought, we just can’t use it here.” He slowly lowered himself to the ground as he returned to thinking with his friends.
“It lived well over 9,000 millenias ago.” Taze said with a wink to no one in particular.
Pensword only groaned. “I was wondering when you would do that.” He sighed and looked at the table. “I fear what you might do if you and Pinky get on a roll at the same time.” He sighed and looked at Moonshade and chuckled. “Do you have any ideas Major?”
“Perhaps a Panther?” Moonshade asked. “A fierce protector of it’s territory.”
Pensword paused and looked at Moonshade and sat down and furrowed his brow in thought. “A most interesting idea, amazed that Panther’s are known but still, I like that idea, and I have a nice motto as well.” he smiled and looked at the table. “Duces In Pace Aut Bello.” He smirked a little at his friend. “He knows already, but for you, it means Leaders in Peace and War.” He smiled a little. “I wish to teach that a leader is not just for war, but in all times and in all places.”
“Well, we should probably get stuff done.” Taze noted “I look forward to seeing these when there done Pensword.”
“Right, and I know the place to go to commission it, Moonshade would you care to accompany me off duty to Carousel Boutique to get these flags prepared?”
“It would be my pleasure.” She smiled getting to her hooves.
“Well, you two have fun, I got a run to do, then I got to see Twilight about some enchanting.” Taze said and with that he left.
Pensword only smiled. “Very well, I guess we shall now head off and run errands, and use this time to buy the gifts for Hearth Warming Eve.” He smiled as he had gotten her gift, well it was actually a surprise. Amazing what you can find in your pockets if you never clean them out. He smirked a little. He was happy he had picked up some of the royal children’s money pouch. In his room was a letter from the children saying he could keep it as they had more in the castle. Which reminded him that he had to shop for them as well, he hoped Shining Armor did not mind his wife getting a gift from him. It was these thoughts that swirled around his head as he walked toward the boutique as he felt a little more snow starting to fall. “Oh, more snow.” He replied cheerfully.
Shawn was walking through the market, a sort of routine for him at this point, but this time, he was doing something differently. This time he had a sack of items over his shoulder, his eyes still scanning the stands for other things. No one could tell what was in the bag, but all they knew was it was big, bulky, and looked to be heavy.
“Well, hey there.” A familiar voice called out as he passed by the apple cart.
“Hmm?” Shawn said turning on the spot. “Ah, Hello AJ, how’s business?”
“It’s fair.” Applejack said. “Just some last minute sales before Hearths Warming, I take it you're preparing for it yourself?” she asked
“Yeah.” Shawn replied, shifting the bag on his shoulder. “Got items, supplies, wrappings, you know, the works.”
“Ah,” AJ nodded. “Always weird this time of year with no farm work to do.”
“Yeah.” He replied. “Got to keep doing stuff myself, otherwise I just go a bit crazy.” He said, making circles at the side of his head.
“I can understand that.” AJ laughed, “More often than not I find myself in the barn just bucking at haybales just for something to do.”
Shawn chuckled. “Better than sitting around and losing muscle.”
Applejack nodded. “Listen, Granny wanted me to make sure you got one of these for all the help you gave us.” She said passing a pie towards him.
With a quick thought Shawn grabbed it from its underside before putting the sack he was carrying down and reaching into one of his coat pockets on the inside.
“Don’t even think about it.” AJ said. “That’s a gift from the apple family to you.”
Shawn only gave a small smirk. “Then consider this a gift as well, after all, it is always nice to give something in return.” He said, pulling out some bits, putting them on the stand.
“I guess when you put it like that.” AJ said, “Just don’t tell Granny.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, why would I not tell her about you giving me the pie?” Shawn gave a smile.
“Have a good day Shawn.” AJ tipped her hat.
“You as well.” He returned, as he picked up his bag and continued to walk through the market, his eyes scanning the stands once again for anything of use to him.
As he continued to walk down the street he turned a corner and almost ran into two ponies, one brown and the other grey with yellow wall eyes. “Oh, Pardon me.” The brown stallion replied before smiling. “Well, hello there, getting use to life again?” he asked with a wink.
“Ah, hello Doctor, and you as well Derpy.” Shawn said in greeting with a smile. “I guess I am, still adjusting to the little things again, like sleep.” He chuckled.
The Doctor only chuckled. “That can be a little confusing. Still, how was it? What was it like actually moving through time itself? I mean, well if it was not already that you helped bring down Sombra, well I would say my Tardis would have picked you all up… only no clue what might have been done. Instead you were part of a stable time loop that is a fixed point in time.” He spoke rather quickly. “Now that means that you can’t ask me to go back and keep you from showing up, that is a little, quasi fixed point, it can be removed but it will mess up another fixed point where some wiggle room was found, and the true timeline would assert itself.”
“Certainly not, as interesting as time is, I would prefer not to screw it up. What happens, happened. One thing that comes to my attention though are these myths that concern myself, Taze, and Matthew, or shall I say, Hammer Strike, Grif, and Pensword.” Shawn sighed. “I don’t know what could be real or just fiction, we were sent back to the past once, who is to say it doesn’t happen again.” He shrugged.
“Ah,” the doctor replied with another wink. “I can’t say that, spoilers, and at the same time, it would give too much stress, and who is to say you don’t go back with Miss Doo and I at some point?” he gave a small laugh.
“Should I keep my hopes up?” Shawn laughed in return. “If the time comes, but anyways, am I pulling you two from anything important? I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
“You know the Doctor.” Derpy laughed. “If it’s important it will find him.”
“Certainly.” Shawn chuckled. “So, how are you two doing today?”
“Just shopping for Dinky.” Derpy said.
“Shopping for a few friends, and Miss Doo if I can sneak away.” The Doctor replied with a smirk.
“Hmm.” Shawn hummed. “Well, I shouldn’t keep you from that, takes time to figure out gifts, or in my case, make some.” Shawn chuckled, bumping the bag on his shoulder.
“Right, right, have a good time and do step to the left when you round the corner.” He smirked as Derpy rolled her eyes. “I like to show off a little, okay?”
“Got it.” Shawn chuckled. “Have a good day you two.”
“You too, Cheerio.” The Doctor replied with a smile and a hoof wave. “Come along Derpy, Upwards and Onwards.”
“Allons-y.” Shawn finished as he continued on his path, thankfully remembering the words from the doctor, as he rounded the corner he stepped to the left, avoiding the CMC as they whizzed by, Scootaloo riding her scooter, pulling Applebloom, Dinky, and Sweetie Belle in a wagon behind her.
“Sorry!” Dinky called out as they kept going.
Shawn only chuckled as he shook his head, continuing his walk to his destination.
The Forge.
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does shawn have a jake harkness thing going on? (assuming he is the undying warrior i sometimes get there titles mixed up)
I just can not wait to see this come to fruition. One of the best jokes possible.
7976406
Oh you will. That was a fun running gag, and joke, but it will come to Fruition and it is glorious in what happens, I doubt you will see it coming.
7994520 At this exact moment I am imagining it crashing down on Discord's head, whenever he's free.
Discord finally gets ahead!
8011917
what a wonderful pun, thank you for it. It has broken me into laughter.
While it would be fun to tell you, to paraphrase Discord, "What fun is their in telling you yes or no?"
So at this point, there's at least two of them with potential romances to pursue, and Celestia finally told one of them that they always knew, but admit that all parties let it go for too long, and now they're kinda stuck with it.
At least one of them got a nice consolation prize of being able to live worry-free now.
I kind of want to write, but I also want to keep reading this story.
I hate decisions. I don't. I really don't. But I do.
That made no sense, Perceiver.
Ah, Ian! It's been a while! And am I to assume that you are doing everything how you would had you not met me?
Indeed it has, Perceiver, indeed it has. And as for your question, my response will be a confident sounding uhhhh...
Okay, good point... But anyway, meet anyone new? Do anything new? Have you died yet?
No, no, and does it sound like I'm dead... So no. If you would quiet yourself for long enough, I have a question of my own to ask you.
Okay, fine... What's the question?
Where exactly did you go? When the device malfunctioned, I mean.
...
I would rather not say...
Okay. I'm fine with that. Unlike someone else I know... Who's title starts with a P...
I get it, I get it! Now, for a question of my own! Where did YOU go when it broke?
Equestria.
Really now? Equestria? Did you meet Icy Creation?
Indeed. She reminds me of myself and of Aedra. It can be painful, but at least I get to talk to someone who actually understands my ideas. Also, she seems obsessed with my wings. Judging by her personality, its probably because I wasn't born with them. And how different they are from everybody elses wings. We are alike in our wings as well, in that we both have strange wings. I have the wings of a Phoenix, she has wings of metal.
Okay. So she is pretty much how I perceived her... Good. Well, Adera Ian. Night.
Adera Perceiver, and night to the, well, just night. I guess.
Edit 8/4/2020
Oh fucking god its another one of these comments. I hate the comments from this era of my commenting. Just... To let anyone reading this know, I don't do this kind of thing anymore. At all. In fact, I hate finding comments where I did.
It's written Auswitz, missed a typo
9989632
Thank you very much, I am so sorry for the typo there.
Also though he was speaking of world war era submersibles and such, the earliest recorded submersible, at least what we know of and classify as one, was created by Da Vinci and was made purely of wood, capable of holding... One or two people, I don't recall, and had an hour or so of breathable air.