We walked past two more ponies dressed up like guards, though one of them was as bright and sparkly as most of the ponies wandering around. The other had the feel of being special. Maybe he wasn't an NPC? Or at least he had a line of dialogue or two, so I veered away from Trixie a moment to say hello. I didn't know the difference between boy and girl horses very well. Trixie was a girl, I was pretty sure.
The horse nodded down at me. He had brown-orange fur, blue hair, and blue eyes. He wore the golden armor of a guard. "Hello there. Are you Trixie's friend?"
I nodded at him. I was pretty sure it was a him, if their voices were a hint. "Mom said she has business here."
Trixie suddenly hurried over to us and slapped a hoof over my mouth. "Ah ha ha ha! Trixie's familiar says the most interesting of things."
The horse tilted his head confusedly. "Familiar? Trixie, are you up to something?"
Trixie flashed a bright smile over the top of my head. "Trixie is always up to something. It's one of her better qualities. Now, excuse us, we have an appointment to keep." She pulled me away from the guard. I'd never even gotten to see what words appeared next to him, darn. She suddenly grabbed me at the nape of my striped shirt and tossed me right onto her back. "There, now Trixie can be sure you stay out of trouble."
Familiar didn't sound nearly as nice as son, or daughter. I still wasn't sure which applied. I was... certain I was a guy before. I was taller. I had a job! I wasn't surrounded by or being given rides by friendly horse monsters...
Trixie woke me from my thoughts. "What are you thinking about up there? Are you bedazzled at this rare opportunity? You should be! To be Trixie's familiar is a rare and prestigious position."
I blinked down at her. "Oh, what does that mean, exactly? I thought you were my mom."
She raised a hoof. "A child made from magic is a familiar. You are clearly not my true child. You're not even a pony! Nothing to be done for that. I am a magician of great renown. Of course, I'd attract a familiar. Where did you come from?"
That was a great question... "I was at a convention..." She nodded uncertainly as I fished for more. "Then I was falling through the sky, but some flowers broke my fall..."
"See?" Trixie got the cutest, and self-satisfied, grin. "Trixie's stupendous magic must have pulled you here just to serve her."
Wait wait wait! "I'm not a slave!" I moved to hop off of her, and was suddenly surrounded in a pink and glowing field that kept me still. It tingled a little where it touched, which was everywhere.
"You misunderstand." Trixie nodded softly. "A familiar cannot be forced. If you truly wish to part ways from the fantastic Trixie, then you simply need say so, but why would you want that?" She lifted me in the magic and set me down in front of her. "Destiny, and Trixie's magic, has brought us together. We may become even more awe inspiring together. A familiar is a boon companion, and your presence may enhance Trixie's magic! Slave? Hardly. Trixie is delighted to have you."
That sounded far less intimidating, and I smiled a little up at her. That was apparently sign enough, because she reached out a hoof and hugged me softly. "Alright? We have an appointment to make. I wasn't joking about that. Keeping royalty waiting is a terrible habit to get into." She rose to her hooves and began walking. "By the way, calling Trixie 'mother'? Please keep that to private times. Otherwise 'Trixie' will do." She glanced over her shoulder. "'Great and Powerful' or 'Mistress' would be nice to add."
With the argument settled, I took a moment to absorb the hall we were walking through. The walls were made of the same crystal sheets that made up most of the city. Adorning them were paintings of very important looking ponies. Soft music played from somewhere, and the air smelled fresh and almost... minty. There were ponies wandering up and down the halls, ducking into rooms or vanishing around corners on their way to things. Most of them were guards. There were unicorn guards, pegasus guards, and just horse guards. A minority of them looked like 'normal' horses, dressed in nothing at all half the time. Clothing was very optional, and nobody raised a brow about it.
Indeterminately sexed or not, I was happy to be dressed. Stripes weren't the first fashion choice I would have gone for. They made me look a bit dumpy, but it serviced, along with the pants.
We stopped before double doors big enough for a giant to walk through without kneeling. The guards there turned their eyes on Trixie, than on me, and back to Trixie. "Business?"
Trixie rose to her full height, head held up high and haughty in pose. "The Princess has requested the presence of the Great and Powerful Trixie. Kindly let us in at once."
One nodded as the other slipped inside a moment. He returned a moment later. "She's still holding an audience, but will be with you in a moment."
Trixie made a soft noise and moved to wait a little to the side of the door, where I joined her. She looked to me and began sweeping her eyes over me. "What were you, again?"
I put a hand on my chest. "I am a human, Great and Powerful Mistress."
My answer pleased her. I could see it in her smile and the way her tail swayed with joy. "Trixie could get used to your presence, loyal familiar. A human? Curious. It only makes sense that her staggeringly powerful magic should summon a creature never seen before."
The doors leading inwards swung open towards the hallway beyond, and a very important looking horse with dreadlocks stepped out, garbed in brightly colored robes. "A pleasure, as always, Princess." He nodded towards the princess, which I couldn't see from that angle, then quickly moved down the hallway.
One of the guards gestured to Trixie. "You're next."
Trixie nodded and suddenly picked me up with magic, setting me back astride her. "Shall we make an impression?" Without waiting for reply, she trotted easily into the room. It was a throne room? I could see a pink horse perched on a tall chair of crystal. She was bigger than all the other horses, and she had wings and a horn, not to mention a crown right on her head. That she could be the 'princess' was much of a doubt. There were a few guards around, to protect her, or so I'd guess.
Beside her was another horse. He had white fur, and a horn. No wings. He sat beside her, equal in importance despite not having her stature or extra parts.
I felt the tension of an upcoming conflict coming on us as Trixie strode up to them without delay. She bowed to the royal couple. "Trixie has arrived as requested, and she has brought something to help." She gestured over her shoulder with her horn. "Behold!"
The words suddenly appeared. The white horse had 'Talk about Family', 'Insult', and 'Say Hello'. The pink horse had 'Hug', 'Explain', and 'Plead' beside the usual options. I felt especially threatened. They weren't just random monsters. They were, or at least one of them was, a boss.
The pink one tilted her head lightly at me. "What..." She spread her wings and suddenly I wasn't in me anymore. I was being pulled right out of my chest with a powerful suction. Oh god! Being a heart wasn't just videogame logic! I hovered before her, a mere red heart that drifted in the air as she gawked at me. "This creature... It... I can see its very nature."
The white horse pinned an ear back. "Is this normal?"
Trixie squirmed uncomfortably. "This hasn't happened before..."
Okay! I had to stay calm. Stay calm... That's a lot easier to say than to do. I was a fricken naked heart! How did I even pick a command?!
Suddenly, the panic melted away. The pink horse reached out with her hooves as her horn glowed. "You're safe here..." Somehow, I believed her. She was a creature... of love? It washed through me and left me weak.
I found myself back in my body with a start.
The white horse looked to Trixie. "Where did you come across this?"
Trixie gestured with a hoof back outside. "Trixie found them on her way here. They fell from the sky, drawn by Trixie's magic."
The pink horse smiled gently. "Is this true, little one?"
I gave a hesitant nod. "I don't know how I came here, but that's as good a reason as anything else. I'm sorry if I scared you."
She tilted her head lightly. "You were far more scared than either of us were. I've never seen somepony just expose themselves so thoroughly. I could feel your nature." She smiled a little. "It was a good nature. You mean well, do you not?" When I nodded, she reached out a hoof. "I don't know what you are, little one, but you're welcome here."
The white one gave a less certain nod. "Sure thing, uh, so Trixie, about why we called you here."
His... wife? She nodded. "Ah, yes. I became distracted. Trixie, are you aware of the purpose of the Crystal Fair, and the Crystal Heart it empowers?"
Trixie held her head up. "Trixie has thoroughly reviewed the history."
The pink one smiled. "Good. We're afraid it isn't as effective as it should be. There are leaks, and it worries us. Our own scholars have determined there is a shadow nest that is growing in power, and could threaten our kingdom. For a crystal pony, even approaching would be a horror they couldn't stand. You, however, are not a crystal pony, and are a talented magician besides."
Trixie seemed surprised. "Trixie is, of course, Great and Powerful, but she admits... Why not inquire of your sister-in-law in such a grave affair?"
The white one sagged a little. "Twilie's busy saving the day somewhere else."
Trixie went tense beneath me. "Of course... Trixie is second call to the likes of Princess Twilight Sparkle..." She sucked in some air through her teeth in a quiet hiss. "If Trixie is to be second to anypony, at least it is royalty. Princess Mi a--"
"Cadance will do," spoke the Pink Horse, Cadance?
Trixie revised her statement quickly. "Princess Cadance, you've called the right pony. Trixie will see all your problems solved."
I slipped off of Trixie's back and moved up towards the two. Even if I had felt they were powerful, it was a good powerful. They were on the good guy team. Their eyes turned towards me curiously, but they didn't stop me. I looked towards the white horse. "Hi."
The 'Say Hello' option flashed and he smiled, looking more at ease. "Hey there, little one. Do you have a name?"
"I'm Frisk. What's your name?"
He gained a soft yellow nimbus, telling me he was willing to stop the conflict. "I'm Shining Armor, but Shining, or even Shiny's alright with me."
Cadance nodded towards me. "And I am Cadance, but you heard that. A pleasure to meet you, Frisk."
I looked at her options and hesitated a moment. Ah hell. You only lived once, right? I stepped up towards her and she looked more and more curious. The guards began to stare at me as I got closer and closer to her. I reached out... She didn't stop me, so I went for it. I hugged her. She was just as warm and soft as she looked. She even hugged back, a hoof wrapped around me, set at my back. "Aw... You'd better take good care of them, Trixie."
When I drew back from her, I could see she was glowing a soft yellow as well. I could end the conflict whenever I wanted to. That tension, right in my chest, I didn't want that anymore, so I nodded to the both of them. "Glad to meet you both." As I returned to Trixie's side, their auras faded off to a soft grey, and the tension relieved itself. I had 'won'. I heard a faint tinkling and paused. I wasn't going to steal from the princess!
I fished out my collection of coins and showed it to Cadance. "Are any of these yours?"
She looked confused. "I don't keep my bits on me..."
Shining Armor shook his head. "I don't either, unless I'm leaving the castle. Why do you ask?"
Trixie tilted her head. "Trixie would like to know this as well. Familiar, explain yourself."
Shoot. Maybe honesty wasn't the best policy...
I haven't played Undertale myself, and only seen a little of it on Youtube, but I am absolutely loving this right now.
Should probably be "He had brown-orange fur," or "His fur was a brown-orange color, and he had".
I like it so far.
6611145 Oops! Typos made friends with!
6611137 Glad you're enjoying it! Watching the ratings up top wobble with folks seeing that 'Displaced' title and making snap calls.
6611119
Good.
Yup, you're doing it right~
Haven't played the game but from the few videos I've seen this gonna be good ^_^
6611157 gotta get them good ratings ;)
6611178 Thankee! Any fave parts of the chapter?
6611231 I can't make those, only write horse words and hope people like them enough to uprate.
6611248
Most of Mettatons ratings are probably our fault. So we might as well increase your ratings too.
Also, I walked up to a friend and asked if they wanted to see a rare flower. Then showed them omega flowey
6611261 Hmm, that gives me an idea. I should have the protagonist enjoy a nice, refreshing, Coke! The endorsements will increase our ratings!
6611263
Indeed. And I shall get a bouquet of yellow demon flowers who are really goat kids
6611263
Also Temmies. The ratings you shall receive from the Temmies fill you with deTemmienation
6611271 A fimfic user gave you advice.
It filled you with determination!
6611273
I wonder how "Frisk" will explain video game logic...
As a huge fan of Undertale, I would thumb up this... but the Displaced environment sets me back to neutral. I'll watch for now.
I must confess that I am curious about how will you write up the remaining elements of Undertale into the story, like...
1) Determination. Specially the ability to 'SAVE'.
2) Flowey's ability to see the effects of Frisk's Determination. Frankly, it was one of my fav features of Undertale. Pinkie would be perfect for this... but this is the Crystal Empire.
3) If Frisk is named Frisk... Is this actually the Hard Mode?
4) Chara, of course.
6611404 Which part, I wonder? The human in charge has made it pretty clear in the two chapters that they aren't aiming for a genocide run.
They haven't learned/used all their powers yet, clearly. I think it's growing organically enough over time.
6611157 You have to live with the consequences of your actions. If you didn't want people making snap calls, you shouldn't have gone the Displaced route. And you said it yourself, it adds nothing to the story which couldn't have been filled in by throwing Frisk themselves into Equestria.
6612009 Nope.
Won't do it. I'll live with non-thinking downvotes.
The story lives on!
Sheesh Nuk, you're writing up an *insane* storm.
Should i worry for the calm? For does that mean it's coming, or am I in the eye of the writing storm that is your magic fingers?
Undertale caught my interest, Displaced turned it away, but your high Upvote:Downvote ratio is making me stay.
Hmm, I'm almost afraid to read Undertale fanfiction. The game is just such a masterwork that I'm not sure anything could do it justice. Nothing against your fic; even an official sequel would be sketchy, as you cannot add on to something that is already complete.
6612191 I'm writing a chapter of another fic right now!
6612199 Undertale is amazing...
I'll be happy if my story is at least good. Please, come, stay, and enjoy the ride with us. I look forward to your feedback.
Oh boy, Undertale AND displaced. Cancer^2.
6612287 You don't like RPGs with replayability, fleshed out characters, and actual consequences for your actions?
6612362
Ok, maybe I'm being unfair to Undertale here, I'm just so damn sick of seeing it everywhere, crossed over with everything. But, then again, I suppose people have the same complaint about MLP.
And you know what, if you want to write displaced, that's fine, but it's such an inherently flawed and overdone genre that it's impossible for a lot of people, myself included, to enjoy. I wish you'd put your skills to better use, really, but whatever.
6612391 If I wasn't in the midst of writing over 3 fics at once, most updated daily, I'd agree!
Give it a try, see how I did, or don't. You may be pleasantly surprised.
6612397 She/he really needs to remember to use that more consistently, the checking that is.
Be strong for goatmother.
6612491 Goat mother is best mother, but Trixie is acceptable, I think.
6611404
All of that, and who is going to be this story's version of Sans? It wouldn't be the same without the puns.
Or the bad timeWHO WOULD BE PAPYRUS? WE CAN'T HAVE AN UNDERTALE STORY WITHOUT PAPYRUS IN SOME WAY!
MAKE A CAMEO APPEARANCE AS A CHEF AT A RESTAURANT MAKING SPAGHETTI OR SOMETHING.
6611137
Go play it.
Seriously. Do it.
6612545 I'll figure out someway to gently apply a cameo, but only where it can be done without just taking Equestria as a setting and smashing it over my authorial knee. I do hope you're enjoying the story so far.
Whoops, you mentioned Frisks gender here!
Spoilers!
Lol, that money is gonna cause problems, I just know it.
Oh boy, this gonna be good. Followed daer friend. But it seems my stage is being taken by a caped crusader! Toodels!
6612761 Frisk has one of those? Cadance needs to learn not to cast genders on things to conform to her narrow-minded world view.
She triggers me so hard!
Aw who am I kidding? I can't stay angry at the pink princess.
6613122 Glad to hear you, of all people, are enjoying it. I hope you're enjoying good ratings and positive reviews!
Oh! Undertale crossover on fimfiction? oh man!
I knew the day about "Full version" will bring many writer and video - art - R34. but this? Alright, i maybe a fan from "Demo version" before but alright.
P.S: Toriel is my waifu.
6613411 Read and enjoy this fiction that gives some focus on the lesser attention-given character, Frisk!
6613415 And... Chara is the scariest character you've ever seen on Undertale..
Somewhere...another time line:
img.ifcdn.com/images/7c8197ca88a277216c8f1e0d9e845d1e77761ca9a854f265d2d3065d5a327093_1.jpg
Please choose at least a sex for him, only because the game didn´t told us, doesn´t have to mean that he isn´t a boy or a girl, I´m pretty sure they only did that, because every player could think of him what they wanted.
.....wait for it.......wait for it.........waaaait for it................THERE
Even if I don´t exactly believe that stealing thing, the last part of this chapter was pretty funny.
6614589 Until Frisk pulls out their pants a bit and looks, they may never know. Darn this E rating...
6613436 That image is pure comedy gold
Oh no, not a creature of LOVE!
6616842 It took me far too long to 'get' that.
I know the whole gender ambiguity thing was done on purpose in the game, but honestly, does anything but "little girl" come to mind? I think it's a girl, you probably think it's a girl, and everyone I've seen thinks it's a girl.
I'm not ranting at you or anything, I just think it's odd, is all.
6697525 i.imgur.com/1EoCp3a.jpg
6697525 To be truthful, I think Frisk is a guy XD
Ad I'm pretty sure Chara is a girl
6697542 I'm dieing from laughter
That is a scary thing in Undertale.