Shimmering Sunsets

by Evowizard25

The Crystal Empire {Shimmerverse}

Starswirl had always been a point of guidance, one way or another. Celestia had lost count how many times she had relied on his journals or spells to save herself and her nation. The old stallion certainly was something else. ‘A dear friend as well.’ So in order to aid the newcomers, she had scoured her personal library, deep within the bowels of the mountain city, once more. She had read many of them several times, but there was a certain magic about Starswirl’s journals. They seemed to show you just what you needed when you needed it. Right now, they showed such a wealth of information on portals.

“Mom,” her dearest daughter, Sunset, piped up. “I think I found something.”

Peering from her book, Celestia quickly trotted over. “What is it?”

“It’s some details on some of Starswirl’s exploits,” Sunset explained, tapping an open page wit her hoof. “I think I found which world we’re looking for.”

“Pray tell,” Celestia tilted her head in curiosity. “How did you come to that conclusion.”

“When I was flipping through the pages,” Sunset said. “One of them seemed to ‘shimmer’. I gave it a look and turned the page. There wasn’t anything on it and then I flipped back to the beginning and it was blank.”

Celestia grinned. “Dearest friend, even now you are of great help. Perhaps you may read what it says.”

Sunset nodded. “After narrow escapes from worlds filled monsters beyond my wildest dreams, to my relief I came across a world that knew such wondrous peace. Yes, there were monsters and evils about, but compared to the world of my own origin, this was paradise. The ponies here are young, incredibly so. I would hazard a guess that their evolution took longer for them than it had for us. Perhaps this gave them a chance to form more peaceful bands. I do not know, but I wish to. I will keep this portal open. My ponies are in need of some peace. It would be fruitious to gain a smidgen of knowhow to help my world. Who knows, perhaps this world and ours shall become the best of neighbors. I hope so….For all of our sakes. I have taken this world’s mirror and a few select others to the Crystal Empire. While the inhabitants were nervous of me at first I have since proven myself and am welcomed with open hooves. They are quite the boisterous bunch when you thaw their cold hearts.”

“The Crystal Empire?” Celestia blinked in confusion. “I have several agents there as we speak and I have heard nothing of these mirrors….Sombra must have hidden some of the passageways. I’ll send word to Cadance right away…..After a smidgen of cake of course.”

Sunset rolled her eyes and giggled. “Don’t worry. I’ll send the letter. You go have your just desserts.”

Celestia nuzzled her. “You are the best daughter a mother could ask for.”
____________________________________________________________________
Twilight snapped awake, bright eyed and bushy tailed. A little bit of smoothing out with her hooves took care of her bed tail as she quickly slipped out of the covers. The sun had not yet started to rise, but that was normal for Twilight. Having been trained by the Herald of the Dawn means one tends to get up before dawn as a matter of course. Yawning slightly, she began performing a series of deep back stretches, similar to a cat, to help get the morning kinks out.

“Good morning, Miss Twilight.” Stonewall said as he was kneeling before Celestia’s shrine. He offered her a small smile. “Up early?”

"Gah!" Twilight stammered, interrupting her stretches in shock, her tail coiling inward in shock. Seeing who it was, she breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her body. "Oh, it's just you Stonewall. That's a relief. Sorry, I'm just not used to anypony besides me and Sunset, my Sunset, being up this early." she explained, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb the others.

“I’m a soldier,” Stonewall explained. “I’m supposed to get up early. Besides, I think it’s a good time as ever to get in a few prayers here and there. That and a bit of musket maintenance.” He gestured to the long musket at his side.

"Ah." Twilight said, nodding. "So...what sort of work does a musket take to maintain?" she asked, honestly curious.

“Cleaning,” Stonewall said. “A lot of it. These things foul up easy. The powder can clog up the barrel and cause misfires and other such problems.”

"Powder?" Twilight asked. "You know, I just realized I never really asked how these things work."

“Oh that’s easy enough,” Stonewall grinned earnestly. Not many ponies were actually interested in muskets, since they commonly prefered swords and such. “I can show you if you want.”

"Yes." Twilight said, slightly giddy at the prospect of learning something new. From another world even! It was a struggle to keep her voice down for the others.

“Alright then,” Stonewall stood up. “I can take you to the firing range. I don’t think your friends would appreciate being woken up so abruptly, or my superiors with firing a weapon inside.”

Twilight nodded. With her brother as captain of the Royal Guard, she knew how serious weapon regulations were. "Alright then, lead the way."

“One moment,” Stonewall lightly dipped his hooftip into the holy water and traced a circle shape around his chest. “Dear Celestia, if your blessed hooves, I place my life today, choosing to depend on you to light and guide my way.” He said more to himself than anyone. With his prayer done, he turned to make for the door, musket at the ready. “Would you like to make a morning prayer before we leave?”

"Um, not really." Twilight said, shuffling a hoof uncomfortably. "I'm not religious really."

Stonewall stiffened, but then relaxed. “Right, another world. Well no harm done.” The soldier calmly opened the door and awaited the mare behind.

Walking out, Twilight still felt a need to explain. "Yeah, the other world thing. I mean it's not like nopony back home is religious. It's just that nopony has the home address of a deity you know?"

Stonewall chuckled. “True. Tis strange to know that the gods walk among us, but that’s what makes them worthy to follow. I mean, they take the time to actually talk to us and understand their followers.”

"Must make it easier to prevent arguments about how to interpret scripture." Twilight joked. "So, ah, since I don't know where stuff is in this castle, you should lead the way."

“Sorry,” Stonewall said, before trotting onwards.

"It's fine." Twilight said with a smile. "I'm just surprised how different this castle's layout is from ours though. I don't think I've found two rooms in the same spot beyond the foyer."

“It’s been worked on throughout the centuries,” Stonewall explained. “Celestia likes us to try new things constantly and is always testing our ingenuity. That and I personally think she gets bored after walking the same halls for centuries….Don’t tell anypony I said that.”

"My lips are sealed." Twilight said with a grin. "I'd probably find it monotonous after a while too."

“The woes of immortality,” Stonewall chuckled. “Boredom….I am really being blasphemous this morning.” He looked around himself and sighed in relief. “Well, nopony to hear them anyways.”

"Except the heretic from another reality." Twilight noted. "And I don't think it's blasphemy. You're sympathizing with Princess Celestia. Why would trying to understand her feelings be a bad thing?"

“A lot of ponies like setting her up on a pedestal,” Stonewall explained. “She deserves it though. She’s lead us through so many hardships during thousands of years. She’s faced so many foes and kept this country together. She’s Equestria’s one and true god.”

"Ah...let's talk about something else." Twilight asked, the conversation rapidly devolving from her point of view.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable, Miss Twilight.” Stonewall frowned. “That was never my intention.”

"It's alright." Twilight said, doing her best to smile. "You haven't had to deal with somepony like me before."

“Certainly not,” Stonewall nodded. “It shouldn’t take us much longer to get to the firing range from here. Was there anything else you were curious about that you wanted to talk while we trot?”

"Oh you have no idea." Twilight said with a small giggle. "My brother once called me a perpetual question machine. If I'm NOT curious, that's when you panic, cause that only happens in potential end of the world scenarios."

“Then I’ll be sure to watch out for that then,” Stonewall replied. “If Field Marshal Shining Armor says that about you, then I must take it for truth.”

"Field Marshal huh? My Shiny is Captain of the Royal Guard." Twilight noted. "Isn't Field Martial military? What's my brother doing in the EUP instead of the Guard?"

“He’s the commanding officer of one of our finest armies,” Stonewall said with pride. “One of the youngest Field Marshal’s in history, if not the youngest. I don’t think Princess Celestia would keep one of her greatest commanders in the capital all day.”

"Armies? As in plural?" Twilight was shocked. "What do you need more than one for? I would think one army would be enough."

“Specialization and enemy numbers,” Stonewall said. “Each army specializes in certain environments and we need enough of them to keep up with our foes.”

"Huh. Didn't realize things were that bad for you guys." Twilight said, wincing, ears and tail drooping.

“It’s not that bad,” Stonewall frowned. “It’s….You get used to it.” He sighed. “You just have to keep fighting and keep up the hope for a better tomorrow. That’s how we’ve survived for so long. Besides, the world isn’t ‘as’ bad as it used to be.”

"....so, firing range, that's it there with the sign right?" Twilight did not want to think about a 'worse' world. Still, if things were on the upswing for them that was a good thing.

“That it is,” Stonewall said, walking into the large, empty field. It lay just outside the main castle, far enough not to be a burden. Several dummies littered the firing range. Trotting over to a far enough distance, Stonewall stopped and clutched his rifle. “Alright, this seems like a good spot as any.”

"Right then. Now, you mentioned some sort of powder?" Twilight asked. Now that they were out here, she was finally going to get some answers on just what 'fire arms' were.

“Gunpowder you mean,” Stonewall said. “Though it’s ‘Black powder’ by definition, but to each their own. It’s an explosive substance that, when sparked, will blast the bullet from the barrel to the target. We also used it for ‘grenates’ and fireworks.”

"Wait, really? Fireworks? Huh, I never thought of using that stuff for a weapon...then again nopony else did either." Twilight noted. "So, what's this powder made of? It might not be the same as ours."

“That’s simple enough,” Stonewall said. “They make us remember that by heart, in case we need to make more on the front lines: saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.”

"Huh. Ours uses potash, charcoal, and ceasium. We also add in celenium and magnesium for colorations and brightness." Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. "Yours does sounds easier to get in the wilds though. Especially since you can just use extra saltpeter to make the charcoal."

“Yep,” Stonewall nodded. “That’s what the drill sergeants yell into our ears basically.”

"Still, that doesn't sound like something you can just whip up on the fly, even if the components are easy to get." Twilight pointed out. "Not the most practical thing to do in battle, work alchemy." While Twilight was skilled in alchemy, she highly doubted she could whip something up under battlefield conditions.

“That’s why us musketeers aren’t prevalent in the army,” Stonewall sighed. “We’re mostly kept to town guards and such. Our reload time pales in comparison with a crossbow, but we’re just as deadly.”

"Huh...so what advantage is there putting you in the guard over the army?" Twilight asked. Logistics for this stuff had never been her strong suite.

“A musketeer can take care of unruly civilians or the occasional beast or two that wanders too close,” Stonewall said. “But again, slow reload time. By the time I’ve killed one soldier and reloaded, there’s a good chance the rest have caught up. We make up for that in large numbers, but in close combat we’re not as prepared. Since most of Equestria’s enemies ‘like’ getting up close and personal, that doesn’t bode all too well. Still, there are musketeer units in the army. It’s a newer concept, really, having so many. We’re not nearly as numerous as other units, but we make due.”

"Huh. So, care to show me how you load and shoot?" Twilight asked, growing slightly impatient waiting to see this weapon she'd heard so much about in action.

Stonewall nodded and used one of his wings to pull out a little paper sack from a box at his side. “This is the cartridge box, simply put it’s where we keep this little buggers. Inside each of them is enough black powder for a bullet and the bullet itself.”

"Clever." Twilight said, nodding. "Keeping the projectile with it's propellant. Also keeps you from having to keep track of too many things, or having to worry about the amount of powder you are using."

“Correct, ma’am.” He then took it into his hoof and bit into it, tearing away the top. With that done, he poured in the powder and then stuffed the sack into it with a bulge indicating the bullet.

Next, he pulled a sort of stick off the musket and used it to push down the sack into the rifle. Putting the stick back, he reached into a smaller little bag at his side and took out a little cap.

"What is that for?" Twilight asked, curious what that little thing was for.

“I’m sorry,” Stonewall said. “I’m so used to doing it alone...Anyways, this is the percussion cap. Let me backtrack a bit. This,” he leveled the stick. “Is the rimrod. It’s what a musketeer uses to push down the bullet and powder. You have to get it in there, or it won’t be that effective. The percussion cap,” he flexed the cap in his wings. “Is supposed to help light the powder. See,” Cocking the musket, he put on the mechanism. “Once on, I strike it with this here,” he gestured to the cocked piece. “Which will light the powder and fire the musket.”

"How does that light the powder? Does it spark?" Twilight asked, leaning in a bit closer to try and see what it was made from.

“It’s lined with a sort of ‘explosive’ that when the ‘hammer’,” he gestured to the cocked piece again. “Strike it, the inner part of it explodes lighting up the black powder.”

Twilight nodded. "Using a smaller, weaker explosion to set off a more powerful one. Kind of ingenious."

With that all said and done, Stonewall stood up on his hind limbs, balancing perfectly and used his forelimbs to keep the rifle steady. Putting a hoof to the large pony-sized trigger, he looked through the gun’s sights and took aim. “You’ve got to keep a steady aim. Once you pull the trigger, these things are a bit jumpy and can easily throw off the bullet’s path.” A second later, he fired. A small cloud of smoke erupted from the barrel and one of the dummy’s head was rocked backwards as a large hole ripped through it. “And that’s how you prep and fire a musket.”

"What?" Twilight shouted, her ears ringing. She knew explosives were involved, but she hadn't been prepared for how loud of an explosion. It had been like she was standing next to thunder burst. The amount of explosive used couldn't have been that powerful, the musket would have burst. Maybe the narrow tube and pressure made the sound louder?

“I said that’s...oh,” Stonewall chuckled. “It honestly takes some time to get used to the noise.”

"What?"

“It wasn’t that loud miss,” Stonewall rolled his eyes and trotted over to her. “Is it that bad?”

"Okay, my hearing is coming back." Twilight said with a bit of exaggerated loudness. "That was quite loud, but it did a good job decapitating the target. How far was that, twenty yards?"

“Just about,” Stonewall nodded. “Though I could hit something around five hundred yards if I wanted to.”

"Five hundred..." Twilight blinked. "Most heavy crossbows can only manage two hundred or so, that's insane range."

“This is just a Springfield Rifle Musket,” Stonewall said, patting the thing. “Whitworths can reach up to a thousand yards and are incredibly accurate. They’re mostly used by snipers though.”

"Sniper?" Twilight asked, finding the word unfamiliar.

“They’re expert marksponies,” Stonewall explained. “They keep themselves hidden and far enough from the enemy that they won’t be found. They can hit enemies anywhere, anytime and they won’t see it coming. A friend of mine is one of ‘em.”

Twilight imagined having to face a weapon that had five times the range of a crossbow, and gulped. The sniper could do a lot of damage before you could close on them, reload time be damned. You'd have to rush just to be able to shoot back at all! "How are guns not more in use? At those ranges you'd be slaughtering the enemy before they can even shoot back, let alone charge!"

Stonewall nodded. “That’s just how it is. A lot of nations don’t like the slow reload time and most of them can kill you with their paws/claws/hooves alone. That and magic. So while we’re getting used more often, it’ll be a while before everyone’s using it...Still, heard some of the nations are working on the reload time.”

Twilight nodded. If they could fix that...so much of what she thought of as 'warfare' would be rendered pointless and obsolete. "That's...wow."

“I know,” Stonewall grinned. “Guns are awesome...Never used one on somepony else though. Just dummies. Haven’t been in a fight before.”

"Hopefully you'll never have to be." Twilight said, somber. "Fighting...is not something to aspire to."

“Fighting for Equestria and our eternal goddess holds no greater honor,” Stonewall said with pride. “I come from a long line of military ponies and I’m sure to do my part.”

Twilight gave a nervous smile. "Sooo...breakfast?"

“On it,” Stonewall said, trotting along. “Right this way. We have a mess hall right inside for the troops. I don’t think anypony’s going to mind if I bring along a civie.”

"If they do, tell them I'm Twilight Sparkle. After they're done screaming we should have the place all to ourselves." Twilight smirked. "Really, ponies here could stand to be a bit nicer to my double."

“She does have a habit of pranking everyone,” Stonewall said. “And she also has a rather fierce battle report….She tends to rather ‘creative’ in her methods,” he paled. “It ends with a lot of blood, screaming, and insane laughter…..That and her coltfriend is Captain of the Blood Knights. They’re battlelust is equaled by few and he’s honestly pretty terrifying himself. That and, you know, chaos.” He shivered at the word.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "She's not that bad, and this is coming from a pony that uses a ruler to measure frosting on cupcakes. I think if I can stand her, others should be able to as well."

“If you say so,” Stonewall relented. “Don’t know that many ponies that ‘can’ stand her in the first place. No offense meant, ma’am. Never really dealt with chaos ponies that much. Kept to myself...Still, she’s honestly the last pony I’d want to get on her bad side, lest I end up up in the air on a magic pike.”

Again, Twilight rolled her eyes. "I can barely use telekinesis on a book right now, and my world has the phrase 'you hit like a unicorn'. I wasn't exactly somepony that could fight back if she went off, and I was just fine. Tolerance and talking things out went a long way."

“True,” Stonewall relented. The stallion lead her through the mess hall, keeping his distance from the only other occupants: A pair of Angry Knights. The two large ponies, one mare one stallion, were yelling/cussing up a storm as they tore into their food. “Angry Knights. Don’t even try and talk to them. Their motto ‘Always Angry, All the Time’ is very literal.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that. "Irasci semper est omne tempus? Weird motto. Plus, how would want to be angry all the time. It would get way too tiring after a while. Probably take the joy out of life too."

“Apparently hate is their joy,” Stonewall said. “They’re pretty much berserker units, designed to break enemy lines and instill terror in our foes. They’re kind of stuck like that. Their initiation process is rather...unorthodox.”

"Designed? They're artificial?" Twilight asked, surprised. "I just thought they were horses."

“They’re ponies,” Stonewall replied. “It’s kind of mix of training and magical modification. It’s a very grueling procedure all knights have to go through. Though how they fight and train is different for each Knight Orders.”

"Really? What orders are there?" Twilight asked. "If you want I could tell you about the knightly orders in my world..what I know at least, I'm not a military buff."

“Sounds fair,” Stonewall said. The two of them quickly made it to the breakfast options, which was rather lavish for a simple mess hall. Of course, it was the capital city anyways. “Shall you begin, or shall I?”

"I asked you first." Twilight pointed out, levitating a tray she put some toast with jam and a fresh apple on it.

“My apologies,” Stonewall said, picking out a blueberry muffin. He reached out for a slab of Placerias meat, but he opted to forgo that so he wouldn’t disgust his guest. So he grabbed some toast as well. “Well, to start things off, there’s the Sun Knights. They’re the most prevalent order and pretty much the standard Knights hold themselves up to.”

Twilight nodded, adding a banana nut muffin to her own tray. "Our standard is the Knights of the Sword. Nothing fancy about them, but they're the largest body of knights...mostly because they're pretty easy to get in. A lot of the other orders set tests to get in or have other requirements."

“There is nothing easy about joining a Knight Order,” Stonewall clarified. “Sun Knights are just the more ‘favored’ since they’re closely following of Celestia’s doctrines and kind of the first thing most ponies think of when they think of Knights. Another Order is the Angry Knights and well….Yeah, they’re just brutes. They follow whatever orders they want to just so long as they get to smash the enemy. Not a lot of brains, but a ton of muscles.”

"So they're loyal but volatile." Twilight said, nodding. "Got it. Let's see, there are the Knights of the Crown, more commonly called the Solar Guard, Princess Celestia's personal unit of guards under her direct command. Slots are rare, there's only about twenty of them, but they are top notch, hoof picked by our Princess herself."

“Interesting,” Stonewall said. “That’s how we choose the Sun knights and why they are so favored by the populace. Well, the next Order is the Blood Knights. Well, they are similar to the Angry Knights in their rage and prowess, but they tend to at least be more orderly and willing to work with others. That and they can be rather open if you get on their good side. They’re more affiliated with the chaos units and are known to drink the blood of their enemies to give them strength.”

"...drink blood?" Twilight asked, feeling a little sick in the stomach, but swallowed it quickly enough. "I see. And your Twilight is dating their captain? Right, you said they hang out with chaos. Ahem, well if you want a vicious order from my world, Knights of the Jaguar. To be a member, you have to hunt down and kill a jaguar without any assistance. That's a large predatory cat, very hard to find you have to jump continents and trek into the jungle to find one. An since we're the size of a jaguar's regular prey, and they're masters of stealth...yeah not the order a lot of ponies jump to join, but those that get in are quite dangerous. They wear the pelt of the jaguar they killed as part of their armor."

“Jaguars huh?” Stonewall grinned. “The Knights of the North are an order specializing in cold climates. They have to kill Crystal Raptors and use the beasts pelt for their armor. They’re expert crafters as well as fighters. They honestly make some of the best armors you can find worldwide.”

Grabbing a bottle of milk, Twilight smiled. "You want armor? Knights of the Wreath. An all earth order, the specialize in very heavy armor and weapons. Not a lot of earths are strong enough for the stuff they do. The plates are very thick, almost a full inch."

“Well that’s certainly something,” Stonewall relented. “But if you want unique, look no further than the Sound Knights. They’re another chaos affiliated Order that specializes in sound warfare. They wield large sound cannons at their sides which can destroy pretty much anything they point at. They’re incredibly loud, almost ear splittingly so.”

"Huh, neat. Alright then, running out of orders I can really talk about. Um, the Knights of the Staff are an all unicorn battle mage group. Their motto is 'Cognitio aeternae gloriae', or 'the glory of knowledge eternal'. When I was younger they were kind of heroes of mine, being intellectual knights. So, do we have to pay for these or..."

“Free,” Stonewall said, finishing off his meal. “And yeah, I’m not exactly all that well versed in the Knight Orders. There are quite a few of them and I’m more familiar with army unit types and such. Well, there was the Knights of the Hurricane, an all pegasi order that specializes in quick time and precise blows against their foes from aerial viewpoints. That and their wind manipulation. Sometimes thought about them, if I ever decided to try out. Still, I’m happy to be a musketeer anyways.”

"Never thought about joining an order myself." Twilight admitted, taking her tray over to a table to sit and eat. "I've never been the kind for fighting, it's not in my nature. Um, I know there are two pegasi only orders in my world, Knights of the Storm and the Roc, but I forget what sets them apart. Um, geeze I'm kind of out of the really famous orders too."

“Beats me,” Stonewall shrugged. “Again, I kind talk more about army types and such then Knight Orders. My family drilled it into my head from a young age, you know, keeping the family legacy alive.”

Twilight snorted. "I'm a mage, my brother is the captain of the Royal Guard, my mother is an editor, my father is an astrologer, my grandparents were a painter, an alchemist, an archeologist, and a doctor, and my son is a dragon. My family doesn't really have that legacy thing going on. Let's see, um, quick run down of the last few orders I know of. Knights of the Kraken are the naval branch. Wolf, Chalice, Coin, and Hawk...exist I don't know what's special about them. And the Knights of the Bull are minotaurs in service to Equestria. And I know there are a few more orders, but I honestly can't think of them."

“...Minotaur knights?” Stonewall blinked in confusion. “Now I’ve heard everything. The only minotaurs we have in service are in the Mixed Brigades, where they have other races and some ponies who couldn’t get into the other army units.”

Twilight shrugged. "They're citizens aren't they? I've heard a few other species are campaigning for their own orders as well."

“Well...there aren’t that many minotaurs in Equestria and for good reason.” Stonewall cringed. “They’re a rather aggressive race and generally think us ponies are weaklings. We don’t fight them that often, but most of the conflicts are just them testing out their troops on us. Still, they respect good soldiers well enough so there isn’t any fear of them hurting captured troops. That and citizens. Really, they’re one of the more tolerable battle nuts.”

"Our minotaurs love ponies." Twilight said. "And the stuff you're describing is pretty basic under the Articles of War."

“Which we don’t have,” Stonewall said. “Some nations have codes of conduct, but most of them just do whatever they want. Which makes some conflicts all the more violent, such as with griffins who are known to ‘eat’ their prisoners and enemy civies. They honestly don’t give a damn about us and think we’re prey.”

Twilight winced. "Yeah, preventing brutality like that was why the articles were drafted in the first place. Not that griffons ate anybody, but still. It's an international treaty with over one hundred signatories. Breaking it will basically cause a lot of other nations to get cheesed off at you, and probably go to war with you too."

“Most nations here can barely stand to look at each other let alone agree to that,” Stonewall said. “Most of them are settles and we haven’t had any ‘huge’ conflicts, but quite a few of them are content with continued border skirmishes in order to seize a country bit by bit. Well, except for Diamond Dogs. They just like fighting for the sake of fighting.”

"Our dogs are a bit better than that...I just gave our diamond dogs a compliment." Twilight said, shocked enough to just stop eating. "...what kind of day is this?"

“A day of many things,” Anrain the deer appeared beside her. “One of which is talking about those inane races.”

"....how long were you waiting to make a dramatic entrance?" Twilight asked. Having dealt with the 'mysterious' type before, she felt it was a fair question.

Anrain stared at her for a few seconds before bonking her on the head with his staff. “Do not question a farseer. Their methods are their own, young mare.”

Twilight rubbed her head. "Boy are you going to hate me. The family moto is 'Question Everything'. And did you have to hit me that hard?"

“I shall answer your question with another question,” Anrain deadpanned. “Do I look like I care?”

"Not really." Twilight admitted. "So, what are you doing here? And do I have time to finish breakfast?"

“I am here to train you in the ways of magic,” Anrain replied. “Celestia herself had offered, but she is rather busy. She may come to aid you, but destiny foretold that I would teach you. So here I am. Eat up, we have much to go over.”

At the prospect of magic training, one could be forgiven for mistaking Twilight's rapid eating for a piraña feeding frenzy. "Right, done. Let's go. There's learning to do."

“Then let us be off,” Anrain stood up. “It is not often that I meet a pony so eager to learn. This might prove interesting.”

"Question everything." Twilight repeated. "The reason you ask questions is to learn the answers after all."

“I may have to visit your world one day,” Anrain said. “Certainly there lies a few more...tolerable specimens there.”

"...do you have to phrase it like an insult?" Twilight asked. "Is it really that hard for you to just say something nice?"

“I am not insulting you,” Anrain said. “My race is just above that of yours. We have walked this earth far longer than the ponies of today. A perceived insult by you could be more so to that of a deer, given our higher way of thinking.”

Twilight frowned. "So...out of curiosity, how many languages do you speak? You seem pretty scholarly, you've probably picked up a few."

“Hundreds in fact,” Anrain said. “I have traveled with Celestia so often that it pays to know ones way around the language barrier. As well, it is a simple act to ‘feel’ the mind of another and gain their language through that way.”

"Impressive." Twilight said. "I only speak about a dozen, fluently. It's a occupational burden of dealing with a large number of nations and species and their publishings in the scholarly fields. There are a few 'scholar' tongues, but that's usually subject specific, like medicine being in hippocampic, or alchemy using Prench. I'm terrible at Prench though, beyond some alchemy terms, and even then I mostly work with translations."

“Do not worry about that,” Anrain replied. “Learning a new tongue can be hard for a pony. Still, some tongues, while needed, are indeed barbaric. The words that have sometimes graced my lips have certainly left bad tastes in my mouth.”

Twilight's eye twitched slightly. "Well, learning from you will certainly be an experience won't it?" She was so distracted, she didn't look where she was going, and as such bumped into an angry knight heading towards the mess. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

“BUCK YOU BITCH!” The mare bellowed. “THE FLIPPING HAY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!!”

"Twilight Sparkle." she replied in all honesty.

“Don’t,” Anrain said. “You’ll just provoke the fools even longer.”

“OH ISN”T IT THE CUNTNUGGET DEER!” The mare shouted. “YOU FUCKING THINK YOU CAN WALTZ IN HERE AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT?!!”

Twilight had just about had enough of this. "Look, I apologized, move on."

“Yes,” Anrain raised his staff. “Let’s. Now run along you simple minded oafs. I do not wish to spend my valuable time with beings that cannot even comprehend the basics of etiquete.”

“BIG FUCKING TALK COMING FROM A BITCH!” The Angry Knight shouted.

Twilight frowned very darkly. "Wewe ni mwana wa mbuzi rutuba sana." she said. She then turned up her nose and trotted off.

“THE HAY-”

The Angry Knight was cut off when Anrain closed her mouth with his magic and pushed her away. “We shall be off,” he snorted and kept his snout held high. Stonewall just trotted after them, so not to end up with the Angry Knights alone.

After a bit, Twilight just stopped and groaned. "I can't believe I lost my temper and said that." She was slightly flushed in embarrassment.

“I believe it fit well enough,” Anrain smirked. “Honestly, I was tempted to ‘finish’ it myself. Perhaps even allowing the captain of the guard to finish it.”

“Finish was?” Captain Rip Van Winkle trotted on by. The Vamphirine eyed them with caution. “I did not take you for an early riser, Anrain.”

“Neither I you,” Anrain rolled his eyes.

Twilight's eyes lit up. "Eeee, you're a vamphirine! I've heard about you, your this worlds parallel to the bat ponies from my world! I have so many questions."

Rip blinked in confusion. “You are one of those newcomers, Ja?”

"Das ist richtig." Twilight said with a smile. "Wis geht es lhnen diese schönen Tag?"

“Ich bin gut," Rip happily replied. ”Danke der Nachfrage.” She chuckled. “So you are fluent in Germane then. Oh it is good to speak the fatherland’s tongue on the occasion. I shall aid you in any way you wish. Ask away.”

"Well, I'm a bit curious as to your flight dynamics." Twilight admitted. "The fact is, your wing structure is radically different from your pegasi relatives, and I was wondering how that affected you flight mechanics compared to theirs."

“Hmm,” Rip pondered the question. “Yes we are a tad ‘slower’ than pegasi, though we do have stronger thrusts. While not as nimble as well, we certainly can hunt well enough. As well, given our stronger wings, they make for good blunt instruments in a fight.” She fidgeted with a wing, letting the claw like ends slash through the air. “Though, while they are good in a fight, it does take some time to heal. Not that long given our healing capabilities, but still.”

"Right, I heard you have rapid healing." Twilight said, studying the wing closely. "I have to ask, is it more biological in nature, with rapid cell replacement, or is it more magical healing, or even some combination of both?"

“Biological,” Rip said. “Our own bodies can regenerate even without the presence of magic.”

Twilight let out an appreciative whistle. "Probably takes a lot of calories though Miss...I completely forgot to ask your name. I apologize, that was rather rude of me to forget introductions. I am Twilight Sparkle, the order obsessed one from the other world. Any you are?"

“Captain Rip Van Winkle,” Rip bowed her head. “Captain of Canterlot’s Royal Guard.”

Twilight's jaw dropped. "...in my world, that's my older brother's position."

Rip blinked in confusion. “He is? How odd. A fine stallion such as he deserves a higher position.”

"There aren't that many higher." Twilight admitted. "The positions of General, Admiral, and Air Marshal are all filled, and he's not a knight so he can't head any of the orders. Besides which, it's a pretty big deal being captain of the Royal Guard."

“Of course it is,” Rip puffed out her chest in pride. “I did not receive this position just for my looks after all. So tell me, how fares my race in your world. I would have to hazard a guess that we might not be so open with your questions.”

Twilight fidgeted. "Well, like I said earlier, your species is a parallel, not a counterpart. Our bat ponies weren't the result of cross breeding with changelings. We don't even have changelings. So technically vamphirines don't exist in our world. I'm mostly curious about the different stuff that makes you more unique."

“Of course you are,” Rip said with a smile. “Unique is certainly an apt way to describe us.”

"Sorry if that sounded bad." Twilight said, blushing. "I'm not the best at socializing. I've kind of been almost a hermit for about five years."

“I certainly know a thing or two about that,” Rip chuckled. “My daughter is just like you. She’s incredibly talented, but not the best with other ponies. You just need to give them a bit of a ‘push’ to help her.”

Twilight chuckled. "My 'push' was Princess Celestia kicking me out of the castle and ordering me to make friends." It was a bit more complicates than that, but Mask's version was the funniest way to put it.

“If only Celestia would do the same with my fair Octavia,” Rip sighed.

"Wait, Octavia?" Twilight asked, surprised. "I know an Octavia in my world. She's an earth, but still."

“An...Earth,” Rip’s face scrunched up. “So my daughter is just an Earth?...Am I an Earth then?”

"I'm not sure. I never met my Octavia's parents. Or her marefriend's." Twilight said. "Actually, it might not even be the same Octavia for all I know. It could just be a coincidence on the name. What's your daughter like?"

“She’s a famous musician,” Rip grinned. “One of the best string musicians the world over. Oh such a fine mare. She takes after her father, I tell you.”

"Really? What instrument does she play?" Twilight asked. "Ours plays the cello."

“The same,” Rip nodded.

Twilight hesitated a bit before continuing. "So, ah, what's her behavior like. Ours is..."

*****************
"Octavia, why is that snowmare on fire?" Twilight asked, confused as to how such a thing could happen.

"I think I put on too many coal buttons." Octavia said, then shrugged. "Well, at least it wasn't a couch this time. Well, I'm hungry. Later Twi, I'm gonna go get me some burgers." She then bounced off, not a care in the world.

Twilight just groaned and put out the flaming pile of snow. And coal. Mostly coal. "Oh dear me she stuffed the snowmare with coal! Why!?"
****************

"...rather unique." Twilight finished, putting it as nicely as possible.

“She’s-” Rip started.

“Mutter,” Octavia pranced to her mother. She looked somewhat like a normal pony, however she had a pair of bat like wings at her side. As well, her ears were a little larger and with tufts of fur, a pair of fangs, and slitted eyes. “Was is taking you so…” She glanced at the others. “Oh, you have company.”

“Ah yes,” Rip cheered. “This is my daughter. Octavia, these are the visitors I was talking about.”

“Charmed,” Octavia said, not really seeming interested.

Twilight smiled right back. "It's a pleasure to meet this version of you, and yes Captain, your daughter is the one from my world, just a different tribe. I wonder if there are only other cross tribe propagations?"

“We’re not that uncommon,” Octavia snorted.

“Now, now dear,” Rip tutted. “Let’s not snap at the guest. She’s just curious.”

"Wait what?" Twilight asked, confused. "I just meant you are a different tribe in this reality than in my own. What did you think I meant?"

“...I apologize,” Octavia said. “I am just a bit touchy about the whole...cross tribe thing.”

“She received a lot of misguided...words when she was a young one,” Rip frowned.

“And now I’m a normal pony over there,” Octavia huffed. “Congradulations, other me.”

"Um, I'm sure you're a very fine lady as well." Twilight said. "And the other you is in a cross tribal relationship. I didn't realize that this sort of thing was a big deal here. My brother is dating a pegasus for example."

“It’s not,” Rip snorted. “Well, it shouldn’t be. Octavia Melody Winkle, what have I told you about this attitude of yours?”

“Sticks and stones, mutter.” Octavia rolled her eyes. “Well, it’s good to hear that my other found herself a stallion.”

"Uhhhhh..." Twilight trailed off at that statement.

“What?” Octavia asked, curiously tilting her head. “Was it something I said?”

"Out of curiosity, what's the social standing on same sex couples in this Equestria? Just curious since we mentioned intertribal relationships and all that." Twilight asked, sweating a bit nervously.

“.......I”m a lesbian over there, aren’t I?” Octavia deadpanned.

"...yes." Twilight admitted.

“.........Well, that’s a thing I did not think I would wake up to hear,” Octavia rubbed her forehead. Her mother staring at Twilight in silent shock.

"Well...yeah that's a thing I guess. Bon Bon, your version of my friend Sweetie Drops, their names don't match for some reason which is really odd as they look almost identical and have very similar personalities so really why their names are...anyway Bon Bon is hetero to Sweetie's homo. So yeah, this isn't the first time I've run into this here." Twilight had a clouded look in her eyes. "Really, the changes seem almost random between worlds. Things don't even match up on a simple 'opposite' axis either, it's like everything is just set to be 'different, but not the same kind of different', which really doesn't make sense. And then you consider the timelines and things really start to go off and really developmentally in terms of the timeline it makes no sense for us to exist in contemporary to each other when you consider the millennia gaps between our historical figures and your nation being as old as my species it really just starts making less and less sense the more I find out as if the universe itself is trying to defy my ability to understand what is going on here but the universe won't get the best of me I will--"

“-bake a cupcake!”

“Oh no,” Octavia and her mother groaned.

Just then, a rather large changeling princess wrapped Twilight into a hug. “Oh I’ve been so looking forward to seeing you, but you were having all this character development with the others and explaining the intricacies and all that that I didn’t want to interrupt you, but now then you kept going and going and going on and on and on I thought you were going to explode and I don’t want that cause then that makes ponies sad. I can’t eat sad. It makes my family sick and I like seeing ponies happy, not just because I can eat happiness. No, you deserve to be happy and calm since you’re now my friend.” Princess Pinkie held out a cupcake, smiling widely which showed off her banana sized fangs that filled her mouth. “Cupcake?”

Twilight was surprisingly unfazed. "Thank you." Floating the desert over, she asked "So I take it you are this world's version of Dr. Pie?" She took a bite. Chocolate with vanilla icing, a nice classic.

Princess Pinkie gasped. “I’m a doctor? Neato. I never thought I could become a doctor. Well, I thought about it and had all the information downloaded into my brain, but then I was like ‘That sounds boring. The Nurse caste can do that.’ So instead I just rule my kingdom with a foam finger!”

"So instead of being an earth baker Master of Ceremonies with a doctorate in party-ology, you're the princess of a kingdom of changelings." Twilight said. And then her mane caught on fire. "How is that even slightly related?!"

Stonewall and Anrain walked back over, carrying a few buckets of water. They splashed them on Twilight. “I was wondering why you dragged me off for those.”

“Yes,” Anrain nodded. “We need to give her a bit of space so-”

“I can explain it!” Changeling Pinkie grinned.

“NO!” Everyone else shouted.

Anrain tapped her snout. “Be silent, you imbecile.”

“How rude,” Pinkie pouted. “My name isn’t imbecile, it’s Princess Pinkamena Diane Pie, or Pinkie for short. His name is Imbecile,” she gestured to a rather large built changeling warrior. The creature had more draconic wings and a javelin like horn.

“HI,” the warrior caste said.

"Hello." Twilight said, trying to be polite. "Thank you for the water Anrain, I needed that. Figuring out how our two worlds relate despite nothing matching yet still correlating was driving me a bit over the edge."

“I’m sure we can find something to still that big head of yours,” Pinkie patted Twilight’s head. “There’s gotta be somebody who’s the same as back home. I mean, it’s not like ‘everyone’ is all topsy turvy. That’d be weirdly awesome!”

"You're right! There has to be at least one pony that's the same somewhere!" Twilight said in triumph, a big grin on her face...that quickly fell off. "But how would I find them to begin with?"

“How about your brother?” Pinkie asked. “He’s a soldier, right?”

“Different position, but pretty much the same.” Rip relented.

Twilight grinned. "Wait, is he dating here? And if so, who?"

“Princess Cadance,” Octavia grinned. “They come to my recitals all the time. Such a lovely pair. I don’t doubt he’ll propose any day now.”

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank goodness, he's still dating her. I was worried for a bit there that he'd be dating somepony else. Still, propose? Are they that serious?"

“They are probably the closest things to friends I have,” Octavia said. “I’ve seen them together. It’s very serious.”

"Well good for them. I hope it works out great for them." Twilight smiled. "So, do you know if they'd have a unicorn or a pegasus style wedding?"

“Pegasus,” Octavia quickly stated. “Cadance is very proud of her pegasi heritage, even if she ascended.”

"Well that's great I...wait, partially ascended or fully ascended?" Twilight asked, ear twitching. "Cause the way you're saying it..."

“She’s a love goddess now,” Octavia deadpanned. “A full blown alicorn.”

Twilight's pupils had shrunk to pinpricks and her mane was quite frazzled. "Well that's just great. Could somepony please stop this universe, I wish to get off."

“I dunno,” Pinkie tapped her chin. “I don’t think the universe would appreciate it if I stop it. It’d be kind of rude.”

“You can’t….” Anrain sighed and facehooved. “Never mind.”

“But I know just the thing,” Pinkie grinned. “I’ll bring her to her brother. That’ll fix it! He loves his little sister. I’m a genius!”

"I thought you were a changeling?" Imbecile asked.

“I’m a genius changeling!” Pinkie corrected herself.

"Wow, that's amazing! They should make you Princess!" Imbecile remarked.

“I know, I know.” Pinkie nodded. “But this is the way it has to be.”

Anrain groaned. “I am surrounded by idiots.”

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

Rainbow Dash woke up a bit after dawn. Normally she was up at dawn, but a couple of things prevented this. First, she wasn't laying in bed with a window positioned to shine dawn's rays on her sleeping form, acting as a natural alarm clock. Second, she'd had an exhausting day yesterday and needed to sleep off the exercise. Finally, the bed was just so darn uncomfortable, she'd been sleeping in fits throughout the night. As such, she did not feel well rested when she woke up. "Forgot how itchy non-cloud beds are. How do you sleep like this Stonewall?...Stonewall?" Taking a look around, she noticed the guard wasn't there. "Hey, where is my victi-I mean honor guard? He's supposed to be here and paying attention to me!" Rainbow suddenly had a thought that maybe Stonewall didn't think she was awesome enough to pay attention to, but quickly brushed that aside. Nothing could be more awesome than her.......right?

Heading out into the hall, she noticed several ponies dashing about. "Hey, what's going on? Is there a fire or something?"

“Twilight’s at it again,” one of the ponies huffed as they raced on by.

"Wait, which Twilight?" Dash asked. "Chaos Twilight or the other one?"

“The other one, Dashie.” A bubbly, but echoey voice spoke up beside her.

"Dashie? The only pony that calls me that is...Pinkie." Dash groaned. She was in no mood to deal with the party pony.

“That’s my name,” the large, changeling princess suddenly bounced into her viewpoint with an innocent grin….that contained dagger like teeth that could break bone. Truly adorable. “Don’t wear it out, but if you do, could you maybe send in for another one. I don’t know how to do that.”

"That's just an expression." Dash said, rolling her eyes. "So...you're one of those Changeling things then? Right, Spike or Sunset or...somepony mentioned it yesterday. You're the changeling princess right?"

“Yepperoonie!” Pinkie giggled. “Bestest party princess you could ever find. Well, not always. I used to be a little pony on a farm, but then a touched a magic ball, and now I control an army of partiers! It’s awesome!”

" A magic ball? Cool...you grew up on a farm?" Dash asked, surprised.

“A rock farm,” Pinkie said. “Ooh, do you want to visit? My parents would just love you. They are the most expressive ponies you could meet. They put me to shame, especially my sister, Maud. She’s so expressive, I made her my general. She’s so inspiring.”

Dash tried to imagine somepony that put Pinkie's enthusiasm to shame. Her brain almost exploded. "Uh, not right now, could you maybe just tell me what going on with my Twilight?"

“She’s having a breakdown, but don’t you worry. I’m going to randomly throw her and her brother together. That’ll solve it...or get them blown up. Either way, it’s going to be epic.” Pinkie hoofpumped. “That and I found your boytoy.” She held out Stonewall.

“And to think I believed I’d get some respect as a soldier,” Stonewall groaned.

"Hey, I respect you." Dash said, grinning. "If I didn't, I'd be going easy on you. But what's my Twilight having a breakdown over this time?"

“Differences,” Pinkie said. “Apparently I’m not a super awesometastical changeling party princess over there, I’m more of a Omega fantastical Doctor Party Pony. That broke her mind.”

"Probably when you consider how mixed up everything is. Our Twilight loves order and logic as much as your Twilight likes chaos and fun."

“I know,” Pinkie nodded. “That’s why I tied Twilight to a rocket that will send her to the Crystal Empire, that way she can talk with her brother and be happy and then I can throw a party and invite me from the other world.” The changeling was hopping up and down in joy.

“...Wait, what?” Stonewall blinked in confusion. “But how could you do that? You were with me the whole time and the others were watching?”

"It's Pinkie Pie, don't question it. I do have a quick question though." Rainbow noted. "What is a rocket?"

“Imagine a giant firecracker,” Stonewall said.

"...don't those, you know, explode?" Rainbow pointed out.

“Mine don’t,” Pinkie replied.

“Well that’s a-” Stonewall was cut off.

“That’s why I had our Twilight prep and fire it. I mean, it was her idea for the rocket.” Pinkie explained. “But don’t you worry, they are wearing helmets so it’ll be okay.”

"...so think I can pull of a rescue?" Rainbow asked Stonewall.

“That depends,” Stonewall said. “Are you fast enough to catch crazy?”

There was no response, as Dash had already vanished from the area too fast for her to catch Stonewall's question. In the world of faster than sounds travel, one can't hear others question your capabilities. Also it keeps ponies from giving you directions to the Crystal Empire, a place you never even heard of before, let alone where it is.

Stonewall blinked a few times. “Well, that answers that, doesn’t it your Highness.” He turned to see that he was alone. “....Should I be grateful for the moment of peace or offended at being abandoned?” The stallion pondered.

"What's all the noise about?" Sweetie muttered as she stumbled out of the room, sheets still half draped over her. "Some of us are trying to sleep."

“Twilight tied Twilight to a rocket,” Stonewall replied.

"You do realize I have no idea what that is right?" Sweetie noted, trying to rub her eyes to come fully awake. It said something that she was actually so tired she was missing her eyes. "Augh, it's too early in the morning for this. Do you have any coffee?"

Princess Pinkie poked out from the sheets. “With or without sugar?”

"With extra sugar...by your standards." Sweetie noted. "I work with sweets for a living for a reason, I have a massive sweet tooth. Oh, and four creams, I like my coffee light enough that it looks like hot chocolate." Sweetie might normally question the changling's presence, but she was too tired to really register it.

“Right,” Pinkie nodded. “Imbecile?”

“Gotcha,” said changeling hopped out of the bedsheets with a cup in hoof. “One cup of joe ready and served.”

"Thank you dear." Sweetie said, taking said cup and slowly sipping the drink, letting the slow infusion of caffeine wake her up more naturally and fully than a giant jolt ever would.

“I’m not a deer, I’m a changeling...I am aren’t I?” Imbecile asked.

“Yes, kind of,” Pinkie replied. “Changeling DNA is weird like that. I mean, I’m a changeling, you’re a changeling, and our mounts are changelings. There are a lot of changelings, but different.”

“So is she a changeling?” Imbecile asked, pointing to Sweetie.

“No, she’s waking up.”

“Wake’s can be up?”

“No they go down to the ground.”

“Ooooh,” Imbecile nodded. “That makes sense.”

Sweetie took a longer sip of coffee. "I'm not sure because I just woke up, but was that just as confusing for you Stonewall?"

“I’m not questioning anything anymore,” Stonewall said. “I want to keep a semblance of sanity.”

"Hrmmmph. So, now that I'm a little more awake, what is going on?" Sweetie asked, eyes now mostly open and only blinking on occasion.

“Twilight’s on a giant firecracker and she’s gonna meet her big brother,” Pinkie grinned. “It’s gonna be awesome!”

“You know,” Stonewall said. “You could have just put her in front of Celestia. I mean, from the sound of it, they are kind of the same….Except theirs isn’t a god.” He scrunched up at that. “Eh, I’m not questioning it.”

Pinkie blinked a few times. “That would have been the simple solution, but it’s opposite day!”

“That was three weeks ago.” Stonewall huffed.

“In the Griffin Kingdom!” Pinkie replied.

“They don’t have that holiday.” Stonewall rubbed his forehead, groaning.

“They totally should,” Pinkie huffed.

"Wait," Sweetie said, "Don't firecrackers explode?"

“Well, duh,” Pinkie chuckled.

"....please tell me her brother isn't dead and you're trying to reunite them in the afterlife or something." Sweetie sighed, exasperated.

“He’s Prince of the Crystal Empire,” Stonewall said. “You’d have to be a god to take out Shining Armor.”

"That's nice...wait, god...are you saying he's an Alicorn?" .sweetie asked, waking up more fully as she finished off her coffee.

“No,” Stonewall chuckled. “That’s his marefriend, Princess Cadance, Goddess of Love….Lucky.” It was no secret that everypony loved Cadance….and it was also no secret that she was considered one of the sexiest beings of all time.

Sweetie smiled widely at this. "That's so lovely to hear, good for them! Cadance managed to fully ascend, I'm so happy for her. Since you guys are big on it, I might say a prayer for them later...just not to an alicorn mind you. Not comfortable enough with the idea to do that."

“So how about a wolf?” Pinkie asked, hopping around her. “A dragon? A serpent? A changeling? A raptor? Huh, what will you pray to?”

"Anything that doesn't have a home address and doesn't talk back." Sweetie said, shrugging. "Just not comfortable with the idea of something like that, them being able to talk back, even if only alicorn worship is illegal in my world...well and blood sacrifices, but that's a given."

“Both of those are legal...Well, the second one is moderated.” Stonewall admitted. “And only used with certain sects.”

“But that’s so boring,” Pinkie rolled her eyes. “Why wouldn’t you want to talk with a god? It’s fun.”

"Really?" Sweetie sounded quite skeptical. "They aren't too judgemental or pushy then? I would think beings of great power dictating terms would be a bit hard to get along with."

“Yeah, that’s kind of heresy.” Stonewall huffed. “I honestly didn’t hear any lip about Celestia while I was with you guys.”

“...Did she just badmouth momma Chrysie?” Pinkie frowned.

"...oh right, I forgot you guys view your rulers as goddesses." Sweetie facehoofed. "Sorry, I'm way too used to this very detached idea of divinities."

“Well it’s more of a fact that she’s a goddess,” Stonewall said. “So there’s that.”

"So you say." Sweetie conceded. "Sorry, the only religious pony in our little group is Masquerade, she'd probably be handling this better...or worse maybe, it's hard to tell."

“Well you’ve come to a world full of gods and religions abound,” Stonewall replied with a smirk. “Pick your favorite, but be careful. The Holy Celestial Inquisition is watching.” He chuckled.

Sweetie chuckled as well. "Well depending on the religion you follow back home, the number of gods ranges from eight million to zero. So we're either more full of gods than you, or we've got a comparable number of gods, or we have only a few or one god, or we have no gods whatsoever."

“There really isn’t any debate here,” Stonewall explained. “It’s just whether you choose to follow which set of gods or god. While we do pray to others, Equestria will always look first and foremost to Celestia, goddess of the sun.” He bowed his head in respect to the favored deity.

"...so do you guys have a god or goddess of baking or cooking?" Sweetie asked. "As long as they aren't an alicorn I should be fine enough for that. I did say I'd offer up a prayer, and I try to be a mare of my word. Plus, since it's my special talent, it would be polite to offer thanks to the person in charge of that here."

“Well,” Pinkie pondered. “There is Fornax. She’s a human goddess of bread baking and ovens. There’s Arabinose, Fructose and Glucose. They’re desert gods!”

"That one." Sweetie said smiling. "As a patisserie, desserts are my stock in trade. So...how do you do this praying thing? I've never really done it before."

“It’s rather easy,” Stonewall explained. “A prayer just has to come from the heart as you speak to the gods. It can be pretty much whatever you wish as long as you mean it. There are specific languages for praying, but you can pray to any god with your own.”

"Okay then, here it goes." Sweetie cleared her throat and, remembering seeing a lot of the locals do it, bowed her head. "Oh Arabinose, Fructose, and Glucose...um, hi. My name is Sweetie Drops, I'm new to this reality, um, I'm not used to this prayer thing so if I do it wrong I apologize. I'm a patisserie so since you guys are in charge of desserts here I thought I'd just say hi and all that. Um, anyway the main thing is I said I'd offer up a prayer for some friends of mine and I try to be a mare of my word. Um, my friends I'm talking about are Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. My world's version of them is just the cutest couple, but our Shinning can just be a bit dense sometimes. He forgot to tell Twilight he was dating Cadance for three years can you believe it? Oh but I'm not here to talk about that, or my Cadance and Shiny. The ones here, the local ones, they're probably going to get married soon. So if you guys could maybe bless their wedding cake so no disasters befall it or something like that, it would be very nice of you. Um, I have no idea how to end a prayer, so I'll just say goodbye and wish you a nice day." Looking up she smiled nervously. "So...how did I do?"

“Well enough,” Stonewall shrugged.

“I can always ask them if you want,” Pinkie’s horn lit up and a magical mirror popped up beside her head. “I have their numbers.”

"Numbers?" Sweetie asked, quite confused with what numbers had to do with contacting someone.

“Right,” Pinkie said. “This isn’t a phone, it’s a mirror. Silly me.” She giggled. “I’ll just use a bit of magic to contact them.”

"Um, are you sure that's a good idea? I'd hate to be a bother." Sweetie said, shuffling her hooves nervously.

"But I thought she was a wake, not a bother?" Imbecile asked.

“Go to sleep, Imbecile.” Stonewall huffed.

“He can’t go to sleep,” Pinkie said. “He’s awake awake, which is one more awake than awake and you aren’t a bother, Sweetie. They’re my best friends...Though they do like to eat a lot of food, so it’s best to have a ton of it ready if they ever visit.”

Sweetie blinked a few times at that. "Why am I not too surprised at that idea?"

“I knew you’d want to,” Pinkie turned her magic to the mirror. “Now hold on a second. I got to find them.”

"Find them?" Sweetie asked, honestly rather confused. "Sorry, I'm not too well versed in magic."

“Oh I’m just homing in on their position,” Pinkie said. “They lent a bit of their magic into this mirror so I can contact them whenever I want. I can put yours in here too, if you want. That way we can be best dimensional buds.”

"Would it work beyond dimensions?" Sweetie asked. "Also, I'm an earth, I can't exactly project my magic into a mirror like that."

“I talk with my bestie Mew all the time, so I can guarantee it works,” Pinkie grinned.

Stonewall opened his mouth to ask who that was and how she had accessed a portal, but wisely close it. He knew better.

“I’ll just take this,” Pinkie used her magic to clip a strand of Sweetie’s mane. Bringing it up to her mirror, she dropped it inside. The strand was absorbed by the glass and shone Sweetie’s color for a brief second. “There we go.”

"That's it?" Sweetie asked. "That was...surprisingly simple."

“Some of the best things in life are simple,” Pinkie said. With a slight click, the mirror dinged. “There we go. I found ‘em.”

Sweetie gulped. "I hope they're in a good mood."

With the mirror active, it showed the three gods...Which were rather obese, anthropomorphic crocodiles.

“Hmm,” one of them said, gulping down a large cake. “Pinkie? What’s this about?”

“I was just checking if you got Sweetie’s prayer,” Pinkie nodded towards said mare. “She’s new to this dimension.”

“I told you the prayer was odd,” one of the others spoke up.

“I know,” the first one huffed. “So, a different dimension you say?” Pinkie nodded. “Well, perhaps we should visit sometime.” He patted his big belly. “I think they might appreciate a little ‘fine’ dessert.”

"Well I would like to think I do a fine job on that front." Sweetie said, smiling. "I'm a patisserie after all. Anyway I'm glad you got my prayer, I wasn't sure if I was doing it right."

“A prayer’s a prayer,” the god smiled. “Arabinose, god of dessert and these are my two brothers. It’s good to know our practice is doing well over there.”

Sweetie smiled. "I don't know anypony who doesn't like dessert. Even ponies on diets love them, that's what makes it so hard to stay on a diet."

The three of them shivered. “Diet. Such a horrid word.” Arabinose said. “As for your request, I’d be more than delighted to do it. Cadance has saved us on an occasion or two. A few other deities aren’t please with our...healthy appetites.”

Sweetie smiled. "Well to each their own. Live and let live I say. I find it hard to believe anyone would take so much offense with you though, you seem like a nice gentleman to me."

“This mare gets it,” one of the others, Glucose, said.

“Well maybe it has something to do with us eating all their food,” Fructose said, eating from a donut stick.

“That’s their problem for not making enough food,” Glucose defended.

Sweetie huffed. "That's it? You clean out their fridge and they want to kick your flanks? That sounds a bit rude...you didn't break into their pantries did you?"

“Not anymore,” Fructose spoke up. “But they can usually see us coming anyways.”

Arabinose shrugged. “Eh, it’s a god thing. We sometimes get bored and do a little battle. Helps pass the time.”

“Yeah,” Pinkie smiled, before glaring at them. “Like the time you ate my birthday cake.”

“It’s not like anyone didn’t see that coming,” Glucose huffed.

“It was a double chocolate supreme deluxe cake!” Pinkie huffed.

“And it was delicious,” Glucose grinned, before Arabinose smacked him the back of the head. “What? It was. Brother, it’s not like you haven’t eaten a birthday cake in the few millenia.”

Arabinose rolled his eyes. “Well, was there anything else you wished to ask?”

"Um, no that was kind of it." Sweetie said. "And...is that fudge marbled with cream cheese? I...don't suppose you have the recipe for that?"

Arabinose snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared into her hooves. “Done and done.”

"Thank you very much sir. I'll be trying this out very soon." Sweetie said, smiling. "But for now...where can I get some breakfast?"

“That would be-” Arabinose started, before he was cut off by the earth shaking voice. The entire mountain shook as it witness the wrath of a goddess.

“WHO ATE MY CAKE!” Celestia's voice roared, shattering windows.

“....Well, that’s our cue.” Glucose took off running, before the mirror stopped.

"...so Stonewall where can I get some breakfast? And do you know where my Dash is?" Sweetie asked, brushing off the encounter.

“The mess hall and Dash is off to save your Twilight from ours,” Stonewall explained. “I know where the mess hall is, but for Dash?” He shrugged.

Sweetie smiled "Knowing her, she's fine. Anyway I need breakfast...and some more coffee, so please lead the way."

Stonewall nodded and turned to lead, trotting down the hallway.
__________________________________________________________________

"I am so bucking lost." Dash commented as she flew around. It probably would have been a good idea to ask for directions, but now that she'd gone and done all this it would be totally uncool to go back and ask for directions now. Well, Twilight was probably doing just fine anyway.
__________________________________________________________________

It was an average day in the Crystal Empire.

No scratch that.

It was an abnormal day in the Crystal Empire. It was on this day that the empire knew no trouble. Which is surprisingly odd, since this place seems to attract so many threats and evil enchantments that the locals thought about making it their logo for tourists. Well, not today. Nope, it was a beautiful day of peace.

Which is why Cadance hated it. Still, her boyfriend was well enough and they hadn’t gone on a picnic in ages. She softly nuzzled him. “Thanks. I needed a break from all those nobles.”

“No kidding,” Shining chuckled. “I thought they were going to blow a fuse when you wanted to make it so officials were ‘elected’.”

Cadance snorted with mirth. “Yeah,” she settled in close. “It’s also good to see you ‘not’ trying to kill Twilight’s boyfriend for once.”

Shining glowered. “Why did Celestia have to station him here?”

“Because she wants you two to get along without trying to kill each other,” Cadance lightly glared at him. “Dear, I love you, but you simply hold your sister on too short of a leash. You have to let her do things on her own.”

“I am not going to waste our picnic talking about Twilight’s, my sister’s, love life.” Shining’s furious gaze turned elsewhere.

Cadance sighed. “Well maybe you should talk to her about this.”

“Oh? Like when?” Shining asked.

It was at that moment that a giant rocket just appeared not to short of a distance away and smashed into the ground.

*squeeky*

The duo quickly pulled up a shield, and while the rocket didn’t explode, the dust cloud that was kicked up was enough to blanket quite a bit of the area.

“FINALLY!” Cadance jumped up to her hooves. “Action!” She magicked up her scythe, which was pink and the base of the blade was held in a love shaped base of sorts. The whole thing had a swooping sort of design, letting her get in quick time kills.

“Cadance,” Shining said. “This is your day off.”

“Awww,” Cadance pouted. “Fine, we’ll go see who it is, but if it’s something dangerous-”

“I’ll take care of it,” Shining said, chuckling at his marefriend’s deep pout. Taking charge, he trotted over to the epicenter. No doubt the Crystal Guard would be here any minute, so he was certain he’d have backup.

“WHERE”S THE DAMNABLE SWINE WHO DARED!” Bloodletter’s massive voice roared from somewhere else in the cloud.

Shining groaned and hoped the cloud would hold well enough that he wouldn’t have to see the oaf. “Alright, is anypony there?” He called out. Since the rocket hadn’t exploded, it was either a dud, an experiment, or perhaps a ride of sort. He had his magic at the ready to finish off the speaker. “I am Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire, you will show yourself and submit to my authority vested in me by the Goddess, Princess Celestia herself.”

A lot of coughing could be heard coming from within the cloud of dust now. "What was I thinking, strapping me into that rocket? When I get back I am going to kick my flank for this, do you hear me myself?!" Some more coughing sounded. "Wait, Shiny, is that you?"

“Twilie?” Shining blinked in surprise. Well, only for a few seconds. It was just like his sister to come visit in such a manner. “What the hay are you doing here?”

"I was going a little crazy, so I decided to strap me to a rocket so that I could go see you. Apparently I thought this was a good idea, I just don't get me sometimes." came the reply.

“Well I don’t get you sometimes either,” Shining chuckled. That certainly sounded like his adorable sister of his. “Are you okay? You didn’t hurt anything when you landed did you?”

"I don't think so. Could you clear this dust so I can check? And where are we anyway?" Twilight asked. "I didn't exactly tell me where I was going."

Shining rolled his eyes and used his magic to clear the dust away. “Welcome to the Crystal Empire, Tw LIE! WHAT THE HAY?!!”

Twilight stood there, brushing the last bit of dust out of her eyes with her tail's flare. "Did you just say....oh my gosh the Crystal Empire! It's even Shinier than I imagined!" She had the largest grin ever plastered on her face. "Eeeeee!"

His little sister couldn’t be that cute...Okay, she was incredibly cute, but that wasn’t the issue. Shining’s jaw was a tad bit slack as he gazed on his sister’s new appearance. “Uhhh….Twilie?” He wanted to ask about her new appearance, but then again, his little sister had the habit of performing all sorts of tricks. It shouldn’t surprise him that she would do something like this. Still… “Calm down. You’ll get to see more of it soon enough.” If his little sister was happy to see the empire, who was he to not indulge her. He trotted over and gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

"It's great to see you too and...wait, did Princess Celestia tell you what was going on yet?" Twilight asked.

“What are you….” Shining narrowed his eyes. “Are you in trouble again? Was somepony messing with you? Tell me their names and I’ll sort this out.” Most likely with violence. Nopony messed with his little sister. Nopony.

"I'll take that as a no." Twilight said with a sigh as she facehoofed. "Right, do how much do you know about alternate realities?"

“Oh,” Princess Cadance trotted over. “So you’re from another reality. That makes sense.”

“How does that even begin to make sense?” Shining asked incredulously. “How do you even jump to that conclusion and except it?”

“Well, either she’s from another dimension or something else happened to her.” Cadance pointed out. “Her aura is too different.”

“So….My Twilie could be in danger?” Shining’s iris’s shrunk to pinpricks. “Or she’s here, but not...URG! Why can’t it ever be simple?” He huffed. “Okay, new plan. Until we figure this out, Twilie-”

“Who may or may not be ours,” Cadance rolled her eyes at her coltfriend’s antics. He was overprotective.

“Will be held in our protective care with the finest of our soldiers,” Shining said. “I’d like to see some dimension get to her now.”

"...he has no idea what a dimension is does he?" Twilight asked Cadance with a deadpan look.

“He’s a dolt,” Cadance smiled.

“Hey,” Shining huffed.

Cadance giggled and simply kissed his cheek. “But he’s my dolt.” Giggling again at how Shining seemed to blush madly and sigh at her attention.

Twilight sighed. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. So much of this reality is topsy turvy to me, that a Shiny that's the same is a giant relief."

“Well I’m glad to be of help, Twilie.” Shining ruffled her mane with his forehoof.

"And just so you know, you're Twilight is doing fine. She's the one that strapped me into that rocket thing." Twilight noted. "Sooo...how are things going here?"

“Boring,” Cadance sighed. “There hasn’t been a monster, uprising, or anything to do. It’s just politics and stuck up nobles. I’m all for policing a nation, but suddenly having to govern an entire city state over the span of a few days? Just hope that doesn’t happen to you.”

"Ugh, me in charge of a whole nation?" Twilight groaned. "I'd probably die from stress and worry...before the coronation."

“Then I’d wrestle the Grim Reaper and bring you back,” Shining grinned. “I’m sure the me over there would do the same.”

"What's the 'grim reaper'?" Twilight asked, confused.

“He’s a spirit of Death,” Cadance explained. “He reaps souls when it’s their time.”

Twilight blinked. "That's...weird. We don't have anything like that back home. You just...die when your time is up. No weird spirits show up for it."

“Well good for you,” Shining said. “Still, my Twilie or not, how about a tour of the empire?” Even if she wasn’t his sister, seeing her that happy would be a treat regardless.

"Yes yes yes yes yes!" Twilight shouted, prancing around. "You literally have no idea how big a deal this is to me!"

“Anything for my little interdimensional sister,” Shining chuckled.

"Oh I'm sure you say that to all dimensionally displaced relations." Twilight said, chuckling. "...so, dating an alicorn huh?"

“What can I say?” Shining straightened up and puffed out his chest. “I have a way with the ladies.”

“Yes, a way that sends them running for the hills.” Cadance laughed at his frown and gave him a nuzzle. “Oh you know I love you, you big oaf.”

"Oh please don't tell me you're the only pony that ever dated him." Twilight said, facehoofing. "Please tell me that this version of my brother has some more dignity?"

“Hey!” Shining glared at him.

“Of course he hasn’t,” Cadance hugged him. “He’s all mine.”

"Well," Twilight sighed, "at least you wind up with a great catch with your only marefriend."

“.....Okay spill,” Shining said. “How many?”

"How many what?" Twilight asked in mock innocence.

“How many mares?” Shining leaned in close.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Twilight teased.

“Twilie,” Shining whined. “Come on, don’t leave me hanging. For once, don’t.”

Twilight seemed shocked. "BBBFF, are you asking about other girls when your special somepony is standing right there?"

*smack*

“Ow!” Shining rubbed the back of his head. “....I walked right into that one.”

"Yes you did you massive dork." Twilight smirked. "It's great to see you again, this world has been stupidly stressful."

“Well then,” Cadance smiled. “We’ll be sure to make it as comfortable as possible.”

“WHERE IS THE INTRUDER!” The loud boisterous voice of Bloodletter shouted again. “I WILL HAVE THEIR SKULL!”

“Well, as comfortable with him around.” Shining glowered.

"Ah, let me guess, your sister's significant other." Twilight said.

“Yes and about time too,” Cadance smiled. “Isn’t that right, dear?”

“...urge to kill, rising.” Shining shook a little in rage. “He….is her friend, yes.”

"And considering how little social interaction your sister gets because everypony flees from her, you are overjoyed that there is somepony that can see past that for the beautiful mare she is so she doesn't wind up alone, right?" Twilight asked, a slightly insistent undertone evident in her words.

“Oh yes,” Shining said in a strained voice. “I’m overjoyed to see that giant bloodthirsty stallion drape his arms all over her and do what he bucking wants with MY Twilie. It’s not like I practically raised her. Nope, it’s not like I did that at all. I’m happy, happy, happy!”

"Oh good." Twilight said, "Because otherwise we would be having words about you not respecting your sister's right to happiness. Words accented by telling Mom."

“You wouldn’t dare,” Shining narrowed his eyes.

"I left standing instructions to torture my brother if he tried to withhold information about his love life from me again." Twilight said. "Sicing Mom on you is nothing compared to a pie to the face."

“THE BLOOD WILL FLOW LIKE A RIVER, COWARD! FACE ME AND DIE!” The owner of the voice had finally appeared into view. The stallion was easily over nine feet tall, and far more muscular than any of the knights that had been in Canterlot. His thick dark red armor, was accesting with the numerous spikes and draconic horned helmet he wore. His fur, which was blood red, matched his piercing eyes perfectly. He was handsome, if your preference was the tall killer types that is. “I WILL HAVE FIRST BLOOD!” He hadn’t noticed them yet so far.

"Well, he's certainly dedicated to his job." Twilight said. "Blood Knight captain right?"

“Yep,” Cadance nodded. She looked over and waved to the captain. “Bloodletter, over here! YOO HOO!”

“Don’t draw him over here,” Shining said. “You know I can’t stand him.”

“It’d be rude not to introduce the two,” Cadance huffed.

Bloodletter’s ears perked their way and he looked over at them. His eyes fell on Twilight and he grinned. “TWILIGHT!” With surprising speed, he was at her side quickly. Though his steps certainly shook the earth. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. “How is my little skewer doing?” He chose not to laugh at Shining’s boiling rage.

"She's doing fine, back in Canterlot." Twilight said. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not her. I'm an alternate version of her from another reality. It's a pleasure to meet you though."

Bloodletter blinked in confusion and then looked over to Cadance. She nodded. “Oh….” His ears fell down in dissapointed and he let Twilight go. “I appear to have made myself a fool.”

“Aren’t you always?” Shining muttered, receiving a smack to the back of his head from Cadance. “Ow.”

"Sorry. If its any consolation she missed you very much." Twilight said. "So, Sir Bloodletter right? Captain of the Blood Knights? You must have had quite the career to get that title."

“I did,” Bloodletter grinned. “I have slain beasts that could give even gods fright! My sanctum is filled with the skulls of giants! Poets sing of the rivers of blood that follow I, Bloodletter.”

"Well good for you." Twilight said, smiling brightly. "Anyway, Shiny and Cadance were about to offer me a tour. Would you like to come along?"

“Of course!” Bloodletter nodded. “My little skewer or not, I’d follow that perfect bottom anywhere.”

"Bottom what?" Twilight asked, confused.

“Dear,” Cadance pushed Shining back. “He was talking about your...plot, Twilight.”

"But I'm not a writer...and I'm not plotting anything sneaky." Twilight noted, further confused.

“Oh my goodness,” Cadance facehooved. “She’s even worse than you, Shining.”

“Hey!” Shining said. “I resent that….But yeah, what do plots have to do with anything?”

“HER BUTT!” Cadance said. “He thinks her butt’s cute. Geeze!”

"Ohhhhh....why would anypony think a butt is cute?" Twilight asked. She didn't sound offended, but she didn't sound flattered either.

“Oh Twilight,” Cadance sighed and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. By the end of the day, you’ll understand.”

“OH No you don’t!” Shining snorted. “You’re going to try and ship her!”

“I am not….but that baker down the street is cute and single.” Cadance’s eyes shown with mirth.

"Why do ponies here keep talking about boats all the time?" Twilight asked Bloodletter. "It's really odd. Your Twilight did the same thing when we went dancing."

“I have no idea what these ‘boats’ have to do with anything,” Bloodletter spoke. “My little skewer likes to talk a lot about everything, so I don’t really think on it….Wait, dancing?”

"Yeah, I was feeling stressed so she took me to a dance club and oh my goodness is that a crystal pony?" Twilight cut herself off, dashing over in excitement. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh a real crystal pony! And you are even shinier than I thought you would be!" Twilight squeed as she started circling around the hapless pony, examining her closely. "Wait, it's not just a shiny coat, your translucent! How is that possible? Shouldn't I be seeing your internal organs and skeletal structure? What about food when you are eating? Wait, do you eat? Are you even organic? Are those crystal growths a part of your body, or decoration, or what?"

“Errr,” the crystal pony cleared her throat after a few seconds of awkward silence. “Well, it’s just how we are. Crystal ponies, such as I obviously, have evolved to match our environment. As such, we are, what some might consider, synthetic in a fashion. My coat is and skin has more in common with the crystals around us than yours. It’s why we grow crystals on our skin. We file them down well enough, but they do make such lovely displays. We eat just like you...though we tend to prefer gems which puts us a tad bit at odds with the local Dog packs.”

Twilight squeed. "So, much, learning! That still doesn't explain why I can't see your internal structures though...unless they're translucent as well."

“It’s just our appearance,” the crystal pony said. “We ‘look’ translucent, but we aren’t….So stop asking about seeing our hearts and such things.” She huffed. Obviously, she had been asked that very question a ton since the Empire returned.

"How is that possible?" Twilight asked. "I mean, I can clearly see stuff on the other side of you, how do you just 'look translucent'? An illusion?"

The crystal pony sighed. “Sort of. Our bodies tend to ‘copy’ the surrounding area. It’s sort of a survival tactic we picked up before we built our fair city to escape predators.”

Twilight had the hugest grin. "A naturally evolved camouflage system...a very minor one but still. Fascinating. I never thought I'd see such a thing in a pony."

Cadance trotted over. “Enjoying the sights, I see.”

“Princess!” The crystal pony fell to her knees and started praying.

“Now, now,” Cadance said. “You don’t have to bow whenever I walk on by...No seriously, you don’t.” It was nice and all, but it was kind of annoying when she went to talk to ponies and they’d drop to the ground every single time here. Of course, with her order, the pony rose up.

"Nice to see you're as humble as our Cadance." Twilight said with a smile. "Still not used to all the bowing and stuff yet either?"

“It’s certainly different,” Cadance said. “When I was little, I used to be able to go wherever I wanted and such. My mom loved to travel and take me and my little brother with her on wild and crazy adventures...Now I’m stuck doing paperwork and learning to smile and wave properly.”

"Really?" Twilight asked. "So...you get bored easily too?"

“My mother is Daring Do,” Cadance snorted. “Of course I’d get bored staying in a stuffy place for so long.”

Twilight stopped and stared in shock. "...your mother is WHAT?"

“Daring Do, famous explorer and novelist.” Cadance beamed. “I’m her adopted daughter.”

Twilight just continued to stare, mouth open in shock.

“What?” Cadance asked. “What did I say?”

Twilight shook her head clear. "Ah sorry it's just...in my world Daring Do is fictional. A story book character."

Cadance blinked in confusion. “So you’re saying my mom is a fictional character?”

"That's not the oddest change I've run into here." Twilight said. "And none of the changes make sense, they didn't change in predictable or related ways. Changes can't be linked to each other, and a lot of them even seem contradictory from my point of view. I admit I might have had a bit of a meltdown over it, trying to work everything out."

“In what way are they contradictory?” Cadance tilted her head in question, a rather bird like move.

"Well to start with," Twilight said, "back home you are a pegasus. But so far the only other's I've run into that are a different tribe, or species, has been Pinkie Pie and Octavia. Everypony else has been a match so far. Your Rainbow Dash is a veteran, mine is a minor, but everypony else's ages are matching up. Your Fluttershy is a super spirit, mine is a mortal animal caretaker. Your Bon Bon is a priestess, mine is named Sweetie Drops and is a patisserie. Your Equestria is over ten thousand years old, my species as a whole evolved roughly around that time, let alone made civilization. Yet despite this time gap our historical figures keep matching up. And it just keeps going from there."

“Well that certainly is something,” Cadance tapped her chin. “So...Your Cadance is still a pegasus? I ascended when I was a child.”

Twilight nodded. "Fully grown, partially ascended, and apparently dating my brother for three years before I found out."

Cadance opened her mouth to respond and then closed it. “And...And they never told you?...Not once?...You didn’t even see any of the signs or hints of it?”

"Oh my Cadance thought I knew. Either having picked up on stuff or, at least, figured my brother would have told me at some point. The fallout of learning he forgot to tell me for three years was rather epic. You joked you could see the guilt from high orbit." Twilight giggled. "As for realizing it...I'm as dense as osmium when it comes to romance."

“....I want to smack your Shining.” Cadance snorted. “And it seems dense runs in the family. Shining really thought he was being subtle with his crush….And even worse, he bucking couldn’t see I liked him back till I said it.” She sighed, before giggling. “He is so adorable like that. I just want to cuddle some sense into him.”

"...I thought he was being plenty subtle." Twilight groused, pouting like a kid who missed the last pudding cup.

“And that’s why he must suffer,” Cadance patted her shoulder. “If we can visit, I’ll be sure to ‘help’ remind him not to make that mistake again.”

"Oh don't worry about that." Twilight said, smiling. "I have Dr. Pie on standby in case he ever does something like that again."

“Well I’m glad you’re taking the initiative,” Cadance giggled. “I would have done something drastic. I’m not the goddess of love for nothing after all.”

"Ahahaha, yeah, that's a thing here...so how about that tour?" Twilight asked. "This place is largely considered a myth back home, so this is quite the rare opportunity."

“Well it was sealed away for a thousand years by a powerful curse,” Cadance pointed out. “A lot of ponies believed it really was a myth until it reappeared not long ago.”

Twilight stopped in her tracks. "Soooo...did all traces of it disappear, even under intense scientific and magical scrutiny leading the populous at large to think that despite the sheer consistency across species and cultures that the Crystal Empire was a myth?"

“Crystal ponies were isolationists,” Cadance explained. “They kept to themselves and that was just fine with them. The most we had were accounts from the war against Sombra and Celestia’s own word. That’s basically it.”

"...our Princess Celestia refuses to comment." Twilight admitted. "She has a policy not to discuss ancient history. Even her memory can blur and her opinions cloud things. She prefers we work things out ourselves, come to our own conclusions, and keep our own records. In her own words, 'the history of Equestria is the responsibility of Equestria, not its Princess'. She really encourages us to do stuff for ourselves instead of just hoofing out answers."

“Huh, so instead of answering questions, she let’s the ponies try and find the answers themselves.” Cadance scrunched up her face in thought. “Strange and blurred memories? That’s also strange. Our Celestia, and pretty much most gods, have perfect memories. She’s quite open with most subjects. Though Discord and Luna are kind of sour topics….And the war with the Goblins is something Celestia utterly refuses to talk about.” She frowned. “I was one of the few she ever told.”

"I see." Twilight chewed her lip slightly. "I so want to ask, but that would be inappropriate. Anyway, a few ponies have theorized that Princess Celestia is lying about the memory thing as an excuse. Despite studying under her for several years, I still have no idea if it is or not. Some of the stuff she remembers from years ago is astounding, and yet she will forget about meetings scheduled two weeks before. It's baffling how inconsistent it is at times. I can't tell if she's faking or not."

“She’s good at keeping things bottled up,” Cadance said. “She’s had centuries of practice, but sometimes...sometimes it can break….I pray that it never happens to your Celestia. It can be...dangerous. I wasn’t there, but...I saw the damage it caused.” She shivered.

Twilight did as well. "I've seen her seriously fight once. That was enough. So where to first on the tour?"

“That would be the royal gardens,” Cadance ushered her on. “You simply haven’t lived till you’ve tried a Crystal Berry.”

"Oooh." Twilight said. "That sounds interesting. I'm glad I got my taste buds working again, they were malfunctioning when I first arrived."

“That sounds simply awful,” Cadance noted. “We’ll have something worthwhile to make up for it prepared for you.”

"Oh no need to go to so much trouble." Twilight said, tail flicking in embarrassment. "I don't want to be a bother."

“Nonsense,” Cadance brought her closer with her wing wrapped around Twilight. “Dimensional differences aside, you’re practically family.”

"Well it's nice to know that you're still just as nice as ever." Twilight said with a smile. "For a bit I thought you'd be a bit more violent like everypony else in this world seems to be."

“Oh I’m plenty violent,” Cadance pointed out. “I just prefer being more open when I’m not fighting. Besides, most of those ponies are good as well. This world just makes us all gruff. It’s better to be safe then, well, dead or worse. Still, it pays to show a bit of kindness. If there’s enough of it, maybe we’ll have peace one day….A mare can dream.”

Twilight stared, shocked once more. "...my Cadance once almost started crying because she accidentally lightly bumped into a puppy. Um, out of curiosity, any weird side effects when you cry?"

“You mean how everyone kind of gets sad?" Cadance asked. “Well, that’s what happens when a love goddess cries. How can you be cheery when ‘love’ is right there weeping...And was the puppy okay?!! Please tell me the puppy’s okay.”

"Yes, the puppy was just fine." Twilight reassured her. "That's why I only said 'almost cried'. So, Shiny, you've been rather quiet. Same with you Bloodletter...Cadance, where did my counterpart's brother and special somepony go?"

“Oh I let them sort out their differences,” Cadance smiled. “They’ll be fine.”

“AHHHHHHH!” Shining landed in a heap right next to Cadance. “Owwww!”

Bloodletter stormed over. His armor was dented in several places. “Your lucky your sister holds sway over me!”

"Augh, men. Throw in some testosterone, and they think they can solve all their problems with sports, beer, and punching things." Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes. "Seriously Shiny? Even I can tell Knights are massively enhanced, and I'm not even from this reality. Why did you think you could just do a straight up fight?"

“I thought if I believed hard enough, I could do win.” Shining groaned, getting back to his hooves. “....Apparently, I rolled a one in...pretty much everything.”

"Yeah, I'd say you did." Twilight quipped. "And against somepony so well equipped I don't think you could hit them if you had a plus three seeking blade of armor bane. Plus, unarmed combat? You are a unicorn, what were you thinking!?"

“The same thing I was thinking when I fought Sombra,” Shining said. “But I had my sword then...and armor….and I did not think this one through…..Well, at least I still have my charisma.”

"Yes, all eight points of it." Twilight quipped back. "Still, at least it's beating your Intelligence score."

Shining groaned. “Curse you universe.”

“It’s not the universe that’s a dolt,” Cadance pointed out, sighing. Lighting up her horn, a healing aura encompassed Shining easing and curing his wounds.

“Thanks, Cadance.” Shining grinned.

“Don’t thank me,” Cadance replied. “Apologize.”

“For what?” Shining asked. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just doing my duty as an older brother.”

“And making me want to pound you into a pulp!” Bloodletter growled, hovering over Shining. For apt reasons, Shining gulped.

"Okay, that does it. I'm taking drastic measures." Twilight said, frowning. "Cadance, get me a writing kit, I'm writing to Mom about this."

“NO!” Shining put his hooves together. “Please, not mom!”

Cadance magicked up a sheet of paper and pen. “Here you go.”

"Thank you." Twilight said. Her horn writing was still a little shaky with the new TK, but it was good enough for this. "And yes, Mom. The minute you get beaten up because of what you do, won't apologize, and didn't even think it was a bad idea is the minute you need an intervention. You might not be my brother, but I am not going to stand by and let you stupid yourself to death." finishing up her short, but detailed, letter he floated it back over to Cadance. "There we go. Got a way to send this quickly?"

Cadance simply lit it up with her magical fire, sending the letter on its way. “And there.”

“Why?!!” Shining wailed. “Come on! This isn’t fair. I won’t stupid myself to death.”

Cadance mulled it over. “Well….you probably will at this rate.”

"Also, life isn't fair." Twilight pointed out. "Anypony that says otherwise is trying to sell you something, probably encyclopedias. To quote Dad, 'life's tough, get a helmet'."

Shining went still at the mention of dad. He looked away. “I remember that,” he said. “...Sometimes you need a little more than a helmet.”

Twilight blanched. "I forgot your father...I'm sorry." Really, what else was there to say?

“No...I’m sorry.” Shining said. “I’ve been stupid and a terrible host.”

“That’s not…” Cadance started.

“Oh you know it is,” Shining cut her off. He sighed. “...I”m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” Bloodletter smiled and then patted him on the back. However, given his size and strength, said pat sent Shining barreling through a wall. “...Oops.”

“...Why?!!” Shining wailed once more.

"Bloodletter, say you're sorry." Twilight admonished.

“Well I didn’t mean to throw him through a wall,” Bloodletter huffed. “Maybe if he stallioned up, he wouldn’t be so scrawny.”

"That's not an apology." Twilight pointed out, tapping a hoof.

Bloodletter huffed. “I”m sorry.”

"There we go, was that so hard?" Twilight asked, smiling. "Shiny, you okay in there?"

“I”m fan bucking tastic,” Shining groaned. “Nothing but gumdrops and lollipops.”

"...Shiny, I live with my world's Sunset." Twilight explained. "Sarcasm isn't going to work on me."

“....Medic,” Shining groaned.

Cadance sighed and trotted over. “My job is never done.”

"Sorry, I'd help," Twilight said "but I'm not familiar enough with this world's magic to do any healing spells."

“No harm done,” Cadance said, trotting out of the hole with Shining in hoof. “We’ll just continue this tour until his lovely mother comes about.” Shining shivered in fear.

Twilight nodded. "Right, about those crystal berries..."

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

"Alright, I am seriously lost now." Dash said, sighing as she looked around at the mountains all around her. "Now I'm not even sure how to get back." She sighed, uncertain what to do now.

“Lost?” Rainbow tapped on her shoulder.

"Gah!" Dash shouted. "Wait, what am I doing here, I mean you doing here! I mean...ugh, what?"

“I broke up dad’s little ‘gathering’ easily enough,” Rainbow said. “It was only a small one this time, so I thought I’d come and check up on you, me, whatever.”

"Yeah, but how did you find me?" Dash asked. "I've been flying around for a few hours."

Rainbow shrugged. “I’m just lucky I guess. I mean, that’s how I became a Wonderbolt after all. Well, that and sheer awesomeness.”

"Awesomeness is quite useful." Dash agreed. "So...where are we exactly? I'm a little lost."

“Nowhere really,” Rainbow said. “We’re about halfway between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire, with Cloudsdale just shortly east of us. Where were you headed?”

Dash sighed. "Crystal Empire. Your Twilight sent ours there, and I was trying to find her."

“Ahh,” Rainbow nodded. “I see. Well, just follow my lead and try to keep up.” With a strong flap of her wings, she was off.

Dash had no problem keeping pace. "Don't worry, as long as you don't try to ditch me this should be no problem. I am stupidly fast after all."

“And why would I do that?” Rainbow smirked. “What, do you think I have to prove something to myself or something?”

"If I recall, you did challenge me to a race for no real reason." Dash pointed out. "Anyway, just saying it won't be a problem. So, was Dad any trouble?"

“Same old, same old.” Rainbow huffed. “Trying to get the pegasi up in arms and become independent with big, grand speeches. Honestly, I could never stay awake through them. Dad’s a bit of a blowhard.”

"Augh, speeches, really?" Dash said, rolling her eyes. "Plus, how would we be 'independent'? You can't exactly grow food on clouds."

“We’d mostly hunt,” Rainbow explained. “That and there are specialized gardens pegasi can manage. They aren’t nearly as good as the Earth’s stuff, but it’s survivable. That and we can move our cloud cities anywhere we want, so they might find a secluded area or something. Eh, it’ll never get that far anyways. Well, I hope not.”

"Huh." Dash said. "Sounds a lot more viable here with the hunting thing. And gardens. We don't have that stuff, and we still get 'glory day' idiots."

“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded. “‘We’re predators, we shouldn’t bow to prey.’ Give me a break.”

Dash gagged a little. "Still grosses me out you do the whole 'meat' thing."

“I get that a lot from you herbs,” Rainbow chuckled. “It’s not like we’re the only species that eats meat. At least we can eat plants to. Some of us even go all veggie. Me, I prefer fish and all that stuff.”

Dash was glad her face had a feather coating, or else shed probably be looking a little green at the idea. "Running into a carnivore me is way more disturbing than I thought it would be."

“Omnivore,” Rainbow corrected. “It’s omnivore. I didn’t have school drill that word into my head for nothing.” She grumbled, more so at the memories and school itself.

"Ah sorry I'm not a diet expert." Dash quipped, rolling her eyes.

“Me neither,” Rainbow spoke. “But life likes drilling useless information into my skull. Don’t even get me started on silverware. ‘You have to use this for soup, hold it this way’, blah, blah, blah, blah. Gah, that’s why I skip out on those types of meetings.”

"Outward in." Dash replied casually. "They serve the courses in order, and you just go outward in on the utensils. I don't get why so many ponies find that so hard to grasp."

“And then I zoned out, because I don’t care.” Rainbow huffed. “I eat with my hooves and mouth. Simple as that.”

"Wow." Dash said. "The kid is telling the adult propped dining etiquette, and the adult is saying 'I'll just eat with my hooves, nah'. This is bizarro world."

“I know how to eat fancy, kid.” Rainbow huffed. “I just don’t very much care for it. Mom doesn’t either….I don’t even know why we’re talking about it in the first place.”

"You brought it up." Dash noted. "So...what's your mom like? If your dad's a revolutionary there's no way she's the same."

“She’s a professional boxer,” Rainbow said. “The best of the best.”

"Uh...she packs things for a living? No wait, that's that minotaur sport with the gloves and punching right?" Dash asked.

“Yep,” Rainbow nodded. “Mom taught me a few moves here and there. I’d say she also taught the minotaurs a thing or two as well.” She chuckled.

"Don't you have to do that while bipedal? That can't be easy to do all the time." Dash realized. "I mean I can do some bipedal stuff, but not for more than a couple of minutes."

“Mom’s learned to be able to keep her balance well enough on her hind legs,” Rainbow said. “Years of practice and she has her wings. They help out too in that department.”

"Oh I guess so." Dash said. "So she win any, uh, cups or medals or whatever it is boxers compete for? I never followed the sport."

“She’s an undefeated champion,” Rainbow’s chest puffed out in pride. “Never lost a match and I don’t think she ever will. Where do you think I get my sheer awesomeness from?”

"Same place as I did." Dash admitted. "Sheer radicalness."

“I hear you,” Rainbow chuckled. She glanced downwards. “Well, the Crystal Empire is near enough and I think I see some sort of crater. Might be where your friend landed.”

"That depends, do rockers leave craters when they land?" Dash asked.

“Yep,” Rainbow nodded. “And often other things if you’re unlucky.”

"Then I'd guess yes." Dash said. "It looks abandoned though."

“Then I guess it’s safe,” Rainbow said, going in for a landing. “It’s too close to a city. If there was something fishy going on, there’d be ponies swarming the scene to contain it.”

Dash landed here as well. "So, now what? We just wander around until we find her?"

“That seems about right,” Rainbow said. “Or we could go to the palace and ask for directions. I’m sure somepony’s had to have seen Twilight’s twin.”

"Wouldn't we need passports though?" Dash asked. "This is a foreign country."

“Technically, the Crystal Empire is a protectorate and under Equestrian laws.” Rainbow said. “It’s a tad bit loopy, what with re-introducing it to the world and all. Shouldn’t be too hard right now. Maybe once they establish themselves it’ll get tricky.”

"Wait," Dash asked, confused. "The empire is a vassal state to a kingdom? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"

“I don’t know,” Rainbow said. “I’m not the one in charge of running the kingdom and whatnot. I can’t just read their minds and know what the hay is going on. I just know that Celestia’s taken the Crystal ponies under her wing.”

"Yeah but, empires are countries that have other countries under their jurisdiction. Kingdom's don't. Words mean things." Dash complained. "It's like somepony just slapped the word empire on the place just so it would sound more important."

“Well the Crystal Empire’s just a city state at this point,” Rainbow said. “Equestria is pretty much an empire anyways. It’s not like the Crystal Empire is the only out land territory we own.”

"City state? That's like the opposite of Empire!" Dash shouted. "Augh, no wonder our Twilight went crazy trying to understand this place."

“They used to have an Empire before the war with Sombra,” Rainbow stated. “The Empire’s capital city is the only place that survived.”

"Ugh. Let's...let's just get going." Dash said. "I just want to get this over with. It seems like nothing but weird delays keep popping up over here. Our guys are probably already working on a solution right now, and I'm running retrieval on Twilight."

“Eh, don’t sweat it kid.” Rainbow patted her on the back. “You’ll be back home faster than a Sonic Rainboom.”

"Yeah I know it's just that...at times like this I feel kind of useless." Dash admitted, wings drooping.

Rainbow frowned. “Useless? Listen, everypony plays their part. Just because you can’t help out in some areas, doesn’t mean you don’t matter. Just keep your chin up. They’ll need you one way or the other.”

"I know, it's just, this is a brainy thinky problem." Dash bemoaned. "Look, everypony back home knows it, but is too nice to say it. I'm the dumb one in the group. I'm the youngest and I am a school dropout. Everypony else finished school at least and, well...Twi and Sun are double eggheads, Sweetie is practically married to another egghead along with, like AJ, being a practical business pony. And Mask has that whole meditation philosophy stuff. Me? I just fly fast and hit stuff."

“And what’s wrong with that?” Rainbow said. “Sometimes you need a pony of action. Not all life’s problems are going to give you time to think or plan. They happen right then and there and it’s our job to stop it. I never finished school. I was taken into the Wonderbolts at an early age. I’ve fought in several wars and conflicts spanning countless battlefields across the world and bucked creatures large and small. I did all of that and won by flying fast and hitting hard.”

"Well good for you, my Equestria's peaceful." Dash said. "I'm not going to get to be a war hero. I mean sure I can be a sports star and that's awesome, but it doesn't make me great with helping others. I mean, I want to inspire the next generation to accel, but seeing all the others and how they have their own awesome, I can't help but feel at times I focused too much on my flying, and not enough on the rest of me, you know?"

Rainbow drapped a wing over her younger counterpart. “Anyone can be an inspiring figure. My mother is a boxer. She punches ponies for a living and she inspired me to be the best that I could be. I’d wager she did the same with some other ponies. My dad...Well, he inspires ponies all the time with mere words and acts of generosity. I’m sure you’ll inspire somepony, even just one. Honestly, one is enough. Hay, you could inspire the next Captain of the Wonderbolts without even knowing it.”

"Well, I do have a giant mega fan named Scootaloo. Local filly, a few years younger than me. Already realized I am the coolest pegasus in all of Equestria." Dash said, smirking and feeling better. "So, I uh, thanks. You tell nopony that I needed a pep talk. It would just make both of us look less cool.”

“My lips are sealed,” Rainbow chuckled. “Scootaloo, eh? Sounds like a keeper. Keep an eye on her.”

"Yeah so...which way to that palace?" Dash asked, looking around.

“This way,” Rainbow said, trotting along and past several Crystal Ponies.

"So...crystal ponies huh?" Dash said. "Cool. So who's in charge here? Some crystal princess?"

“Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor,” Rainbow said. “I don’t know why he’s a prince, since he hasn’t put a band on her yet, but whatevs.”

"Well they're totally going to marry and stuff so yeah. I mean it's stupid obvious if they're anything like ours." Dash noted. "So, she's got a kingdom here. Good for her."

“Just got it too,” Rainbow said. “This place just appeared out of nowhere. Apparently, Sombra cast some sort of curse on the place and made it vanish for a thousand years. He was a sore loser and didn’t want to lose it to the Princesses. Coward.”

"Huh weird. Our world doesn't have that. The Crystal Empire doesn't exist, it's just empty frozen wastes." Dash said. "I mean we have like old legends but those are like a thousand...years...old...oh my goodness I wonder if it's the same thing in my world?"

“Just you wait,” Rainbow smirked. “‘BOOM!’ Crystal Empire and all of it’s shining glory, all that and a side order of an evil, undead sorcerer to boot. It’ll be epic.”

"Sweet." Dash said. "This sounds awesome. So, anyway...is that wall smashed in?"

“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded. “A lot of the Empire was damaged when Cadance, Shining, and the Elements tried to take it back. Sombra was wicked powerful….Though, that does look fresh. Maybe Shining and Bloodletter had a spat. Knew stationing the Blood Knight here was asking for trouble.”

"Bloodletter? Sounds cheery." Dash said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "They fight often?"

“Of course they do,” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “He’s dating Shining’s sister. Shining is one of those ‘crazy’ overprotective brothers.”

"Dating?" Dash said. "You're Twilight is dating? Wow, good for her. Ours is still single."

“Bloodletter’s a cool stallion,” Rainbow said. “I’ve fought beside him a few times and he’s somepony you want covering your back and how he goes on about Twilight. He has it bad. Sad to hear that yours hasn’t found your Bloodletter yet.”

"Uhuh. Our Twi's not very into fighting, so it probably wouldn't be a good match." Dash pointed out. "It would probably drive her nuts, a guy like that."

Rainbow shrugged. “Suit herself. He’s a keeper. Strong guys are sexy and are awesome to cuddle up to…..Not like I have ever cuddled up to anydeer, I mean, pony.”

"Anydeer?" Dash asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Uhu I see. You like some deer huh?"

“Whatever gave you that idea?” Rainbow snorted, turning her head away. “I never said anything about deer. Nope, I said nothing.”

"...you are so bad at lying." Dash said. "Come on spill, I'm you. Who am I going to tell?"

Rainbow grit her teeth before sighing. “His name is Blackthorn. He’s the commander of clan Ulthwe’s rangers. I met him while we were doing a campaign down south. Got my wing all messed up and stuck with him for a while behind enemy lines. One thing lead to another and….well…” she lightly blushed.

"Cool. So, why are you so embarrassed?" Dash asked. "He turn out to be a jerk or something?"

“No, he’s awesome.” Rainbow said. “I...I’m just new to this whole romance thing and some ponies aren’t exactly warm to the idea of liking another species. So I keep it more to myself. I do my best to keep in touch with him as much as I can though.”

"Well hey, good for you guys." Dash said. "I'm glad you found somedeer. And buck what other ponies say, love is love you know?"

“I know, I know.” Rainbow said. “It’s all just a tad bit new to me that I might be the tensiest afraid I’ll mess it up completely. I mean, there hasn’t been anyone before him that even caught my eye for a second and now this? Kind of a big move, kid.”

"Yeah, but you're awesome enough that it'll work out no problem. And if anypony gives you flack over it you can so totally kick their flank and pluck them bald." Dash said. "So, that big tower thing where we headed?"

“That’s the one,” Rainbow nodded. “Hopefully your friend is there. Well, that or Princess Cadance….but knowing Princess Cadance, she’s already found your friend. She’s good at spotting things like that. Though, keep in mind, she might try and set you up with somepony or one. She is the Love Goddess after all.”

"...yeah I'm a bit young for that." Dash pointed out. "Still, should be fine. You should take the lead, they'll know who you are."

Rainbow nodded and moved to enter. Thankfully, it was being guarded by some Equestrians, so they knew perfectly well who she was. With a swing of the doors, the duo entered. “Now then, to find Twilight.”

"Right. So, quickest route to a nerd zone?" Dash asked.

“To the library!” Rainbow trotted forward….and then back. “I have no idea where that is.”

"Right, let's ask directions...or if anypony has seen her that would probably be quicker." Dash suggested.

“Were you two looking for Princess Cadance?” A Crystal mare stepped over. She was rather clean cut with her naturally growing gems ground into diamond shaped around her chest.

"Yes, yes we were." Dash said, smiling. "Could you tell us where she is Miss...?"

“Polish,” the mare answered. “Princess Cadance’s aid, for the most part. One of the maids met her highness not long ago as she escorted a rather curious looking mare along. They were headed over to the gardens for the crystal berries.”

"Curious mare?" Dash asked. "Let me guess. Purple, cloven hooves, lion tail?"

“Yes,” Polish nodded. “I have never seen anything like her before, nor you. A lot certainly has changed in a thousand years.”

"Yeah, that's my Twilight." Dash said. "Can you direct us to the gardens Miss Polish?"

“It’s just east of the castle,” Polish said. “Stick close to the walls as you go around and you’ll see it.”

"Cool thanks." Dash said, heading off.

“Well that was convenient,” Rainbow noted.

Dash shrugged. "Element bearer. Coincidence and weird stuff happens around us all the time."

“Well at least there aren't any daemons or something popping up just yet,” Rainbow relented.

Dash snorted. "Not big things like that, just little stuff."

“Well that’s what I have to deal with all the time,” Rainbow said. “You get off easy.”

"I've had to save the world twice and I haven't finished puberty yet." Dash grumbled. "Not that easy."

“True,” Rainbow said, spying the gardens and the Princess. “Well, lookie here. Found ‘em quicker than I thought we would.”

"Rainbow Dash...es? What are you doing here?" Twilight asked, looking over at the two ponies entering the garden.

Dash smiled and waved. "Hey! Came to make sure you are okay! Hey Cadance, hey Shiny, how you guys hangin'?"

“We’re hanging all loosey goosey, yo.” Shining smiled, before getting smacked upside the head by Cadance.

“No,” Cadance said. “Bad Shining. No hip lingo. You’re terrible at it.” She turned to Dash. “We’re doing well, thank you.”

"Cool, so what are you guys up to?" Dash asked.

“We’re just showing her around,” Cadance said, levitating a few berries from a basket. “I wanted to show Twilight some of the local delicacies. You simply haven’t lived till you tried a Crystal Berry, but that might just be my Crystal genes talking.”

"Huh. Cool. Like, in a pie or something?" Dash asked.

“Well that and raw too,” Cadance slipped one into her mouth and hummed in delight.

"They are really good." Twilight noted. "A bit of a tangy, grainy aftertaste, but that might just be my taste buds."

"Oooh, can I try that?" Dash asked, moving over to the small table and tasting one. "Hmm, this is pretty...dang this is good!"

“Told you~” Cadance grinned. “And that’s just the beginning. Anyways, we’ll probably need to message auntie Celestia soon to make sure she knows you’re here."

"Yeah, that would probably be a good idea." Dash admitted. "I kind of left in a hurry, I don't know if Celestia knows we're here."

“Well I can fix that,” Cadance magicked up a parchment and quill and started writing. With a flourish, she finished twirled the parchment up and burned it in magical fire. It soared on high. “There. I’m just glad I can perform that spell. Makes things so easy.”

"Well that's good. I forgot about that." Twilight blushed. "Got a little distracted with the breakdown and the rocket and everything."

"I'm just surprised you're out here instead of checking out a library or something." Dash remarked, munching a few more berries. "Also, aftertaste is totally a you thing."

“Here,” Cadance hoofed over a small basket full of berries. “Take it. Seems you’ve grown fond of them already.”

"Sweet." Dash said, digging in with gusto.

“So, is everypony ready to head off to the Crystal Empire’s grand library?” Cadance asked, a pep in her voice. “Twilight?”

"Oh heck yeah!" Twilight said. "Learning!"

"Surprised it took you this long." Dash quipped.

“A new world is a lot to take in,” Cadance answered. She struck an epic pose, pointing off to the distance. “Onward, the halls of knowledge!”

___________________________________________________________

After blasting the dessert gods to out of her city, Celestia had decided to wind down and try some of the cupcakes. They had cake in their name after all. She wasn’t going to let the remaining sweets go to waste. Her meal was cut short when a letter opened up before her. “Hmm? There are only two beings that I know of with magic fire. Perhaps Cadance has a few questions more.” She was a young ruler after all.

Celestia opened up the letter and frowned. “They’re in the Crystal Empire?” For some reason, she didn’t like this development. The portal lay within the Empire, somewhere and someone had deliberately opened up a schism not so long ago. It went without saying that whoever opened that portal could work their magic there as well. It could be possible. It could simply be a coincidence, but life rarely operated in coincidences. “Hopefully my fears are unfounded….but if they’re not, then I fear for the safety of an Equestria not of my own.”

Author's Note:

And another series in a long list of long chapters.

I hope you all enjoyed it and please leave a comment.

AN: Changelings have an Irish accent. Sadly, we have no idea how to write one in.

Translations:

"You are the son of a very fertile goat."

"That is right."

"How are you on this fine day?"

“I am doing well. Thank you for asking.”

Comments

[Evowizard25]

5770861 I should note, that's actually how I pronounce his name....Dunno why, just how I do.

Fiddlesticks is a background pony. Granted, she's not a fan favorite, but she has 'some' attention here and there. Though she deserves more honestly. She's appeared twice in the show, once even getting a few seconds to the screen herself. She deserves more recognition.

[Honeytongue]

5770951
Lol!
Hilarious.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Evowizard25]

5771183 Besides, the pun should have been made ages before. Never trust a llama.

[howard035]

5771173 Well, they're not perfect mirrors of each other, alternate marriages would still happen, they'd just be rare.

[Honeytongue]

Man...totally worth being up til 1:38 AM to read....where's a sleep-deprived Scootaloo emote when you need one?

[Honeytongue]

5771216
Lol.
"Ah! Demon Llama!"
"Demon llama, where?"

5771230
I see...

[howard035]

5771408 There's also the idea that once the two mirror universes contact each other, the act of interacting between them sets each universe on a different course, so even universes that used to be perfect doubles of each other would have many different couples pairing off in divergent configurations. The catch there is, the next generation there will be a lot fewer doubles, and each generation the doubles will diminish until there are no more.

[dangerbrony]

I love you.

[Whiteeyes]

5771700 *closedoor*

"I think you came on a little too strong."

[howard035]

Wow, one of the main points of this whole chapter is Twilight being driven crazy by the sheer impossibility of mirror universes and suffering a mental breakdown. Somehow, I can relate

The more I think on the gods, the more I wonder how they will reintegrate Luna. She's never going to be happy unless she gets to be worshiped alongside Celestia, but it's hard to sell people on a religion when your god recently killed a bunch of people. Is it legal now to worship Luna? Does she hear prayers?

Also, crystal pony chameleons are awesome.

[Honeytongue]

5771461
Uh-huh....and yet I still plan on making a fic where the future offspring of one particular pony, from various alternate marriages/relationships, end up in one universe during pre-Season 4.

[Evowizard25]

5774379 That sounds epic. Are you going to be using kids made by other authors, or just your own?

[Honeytongue]

5774676
Thanks.
Mostly my own, with one exception.
Would you like to hear about it a bit more?

[Evowizard25]

5774816 I'd love to.

[Honeytongue]

5774886
Here or PM?
If here I'll just show you the title and what I currently have for the synopsis. But if you are interested in details, I'll PM. Your choice.

[Evowizard25]

5774905 PM

[Festus]

Ugh, Computer Hardware class is so boring! I wonder what I could... Oh yeah, new chapter! Well, now's a good time as any to start reading up on that 20k chapter. Seriously, though. 20k words? That's murder on my puny brain!

And... we start off with military stuff. Lemme just speed read through this stuff. Uh huh, okay, muskets and guns, military, field marshal... angry knights... seriously, dude. You need more than a fan fic to fully explore this world. I think you beat George R.R. Martin on how big your universe is. Hell, I think even Tolkein could raise a candle to you.

More stuff, knights, Octa- OCTAVIA?! Sweet merciful Luna, Octy's here!!

"I think I put on too many coal buttons." Octavia said, then shrugged. "Well, at least it wasn't a couch this time. Well, I'm hungry. Later Twi, I'm gonna go get me some burgers."

THIS SCENE!! Oh god, this scene is just priceless!

Octavia pranced to her mother. She looked somewhat like a normal pony, however she had a pair of bat like wings at her side. As well, her ears were a little larger and with tufts of fur, a pair of fangs, and slitted eyes

*Raises drawing tablet* Batpony Octy?

Oh I’ve been so looking forward to seeing you, but you were having all this character development with the others and explaining the intricacies and all that that I didn’t want to interrupt you

Please, never directly break the fourth wall. That is a terrible usage of Pinkie Pie and actually harms the story more than help it. And considering that this is a written medium, the jokes don't work as well, either.

"So instead of being an earth baker Master of Ceremonies with a doctorate in party-ology, you're the princess of a kingdom of changelings." Twilight said. And then her mane caught on fire. "How is that even slightly related?!"

*Shrug* Don't look at me, I don't know shit.

And suddenly, Changeling Pinkie is the funniest character in the scenes. Whoa, you really know how to write her! As long as you stay away from Fourth Wall jokes, she's pretty darn hilarious! Short, sweet, rapid-fire jokes that just leave you more confused than anything, and I love it!

Imbecile... Why does that sound like a Changeling Doll reference? He was a good little side gag. And that thing with the gods was really nice! But yeah, you're really good at this type of comedy, strange yet delightful. Keep at it.

His little sister couldn’t be that cute

No... NO! You did NOT just make an OreImo reference! *Raises torch* burn the heretic! Burn him!!

“HER BUTT!” Cadance said. “He thinks her butt’s cute. Geeze!”

Cadance! Do not spoil the joke for them! Do you know just how many hilarious situations they could get caught in because they don't know what plots are?! You ruined it! RUINED IT!!

So, much, learning!

Good to know one of us is having fun.

in my world Daring Do is fictional

Wait till Daring Don't happens and fucks everything up. Seriously, plotholes. Plotholes everywhere!

Speaking of which, it makes me wonder just how you got the idea of making Daring Do become Cadance's mother. It's really out there, and the two of them never interact at all or have any similar traits. Just wondering how you came to this conclusion.

Man, I really need to understand your alternate world character names better. I keep forgetting which Rainbow Dash is talking, even though there's the whole Rainbow and Dash thing going on. Darn it, brain! Why can't you pick up on that?!

A lot of the Empire was damaged when Cadance, Shining, and the Elements tried to take it back

Wait, the Crystal Empire already happened? But we're only on Season Two!

Wait, so that random Crystal Pony has a name? I hope she's integral to the story in some way, or else that would have just been a very weird thing to do. And she's Cadance's aide, too?! Talk about coincidences!

Coincidence and weird stuff happens around us all the time

Meh, coincidences, contrivances, at this point, the line between the two is real blurred.

For some reason, she didn’t like this development

You and me both, Celly. You and me both.

[Evowizard25]

5789410 I'm going to answer your questions.

That wasn't a fourth wall joke. A real life person can indeed have character development the same as a fictional one and the explanation stuff is the same. Pinkie has changelings in a few places to keep tabs on stuff.
If it was a fourth wall joke, it would have either picked out on something else more specific that she shouldn't have known. {Say, in the first Equestria Girls movie.}

The Crystal mare, Polish, isn't going to be a major character here. Instead, she'll be appearing as a major character later on, er, earlier. {The Crystal Empire is going to be the Shimmerverse's season 2 opener.}

I chose Daring Do to be Cadance's mother because I kind of mixed it up with Cadance's origin story. Cadance was found as a young filly all by herself. So, I thought why not have Daring stumble upon her during one of her adventures. It stands to reason that she'd stumble upon some ancient Crystal Empire relic containing the young princess.

Batpony Octi is too awesome not to do it. {That and I can't help but headcannon her as the daughter of Rip Van Winkle pony.}

[Honeytongue]

5839903
Hmmm, okay (which song was that?).

[Honeytongue]

"I'm not sure. I never met my Octavia's parents. Or her marefriend's." Twilight said.

I just suddenly realized this was before Twilight mentions to Shimmerverse Octavia and RVW that Octavia in her universe was a Lesbian. That probably should have been followed up by Rip Van Winkle Pony pointing it out. Or maybe she was making a mental note and we just didn't get to see it.

Her mother staring at Twilight in silent shock.

Never mind.

[TranscendenCelestia]

“I am not insulting you,” Anrain said. “My race is just above that of yours.

I don't care what you say deer, that's racist. I don't judge people by things like race or by how powerful they are or if they think on a higher level. Check your privilege, you stickhead.