Pony Art Online (BETA VERSION)

by Kaliann25

A world of swordsmanship, a world of guns, and a world of ponies

A world of swordsmanship, a world of guns, and a world of ponies

It was a day like any other in Alfheim, with a bright sun, combined with a nice breeze. The ideal weather to go out with family or hanging out with friends. However, for the players, hanging out meant fighting against game monsters.

In a beautiful meadow, full of giant mushrooms, a group of seven friends were standing against a strange hybrid between plant and insect, who attacked by opening its horrid mouth/flower to send its tentacles to catch its opponents.

One of the tentacles caught by the ankles a young girl, with short stature, copper eyes, and brown hair tied in two pigtails, along with a couple of cat ears.

The girl shrieked as she tried to get rid of the tentacle, by wielding her sword.

At some point, when the tentacle was dragging her to the flower’s mouth, when she extended her wings, and managed to cut the tentacle off.

The monster roared in anger, and sent another three tentacles against the girl, but a young man, with short red hair, cut them off with his katana. That was enough to get the plant’s attention, but he wasn’t alone. A young girl with blond hair tied in a long ponytail, made a series of cuts on the monster’s stem.

The plant monster was now dividing its attention between Leafa (the blond girl), and Klein, (the short-haired man). An error that costed its life; since a girl sitting on giant mushroom, at the distance, was waiting for this moment. She had a light blue hair, and a eyes of the same color. And, just as the small girl fighting the plant monster, she had two cat ears on the top of her head.

When the creature’s attention was withdrawn by the other two warriors, the blue-haired girl prepared her customized bow, and shot a huge-ass arrow to the creature.

The plant monster screamed in agony, as it disappeared in a bunch of blue sparks.

The girls with the copper eyes, Silica, sighed tired as she looked at her HP bar. It had turned a little bit red. But, then, a small dragon with blue scales and red eyes, landed on her shoulder, and used her healing breath over her, recovering her HP.

“Arigatou, Pina.” smiled Silica to the dragon.

The dragon chipped happily, as she nuzzled at her master.

“Osh! We have enough materials with this one!” announced a young woman, with pink hair and pink eyes. “Arigatou, minna-san!”

“The weapon you working on better worth it.” complained Klein, as he lied on the ground. “I’m exhausted!”

“Hai, hai, I promised I’ll make it up for you!” grinned Lizbeth. “I Promise. Now…” she looked up to another of the giant mushrooms, where two of her friends were sitting in silence.

A blue-haired girl was lying on the lap of a short-black-haired boy, who was slowly stroking her hair to comfort her.

Lizbeth pouted in jealousness, when Klein came to calm her down. “Leave them. You know how bad Asuna needs comfort.”

Lizbeth sighed in defeat, as she joined her friends back to town. Not before giving the couple a last glance. “Ah, whatever.”

In the meantime, at the top of the mushroom, Asuna (the blue-haired girl) stayed in silence, lookingat the horizon as her boyfriend was waiting for her to talk. Also, on the boy’s shoulder was a small pixie girl, at the size of a small doll, and long beautiful hair and brown eyes. Their adopted daughter Yui.

“Kirito-kun…”

“Asuna, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“But Yuuki would wanted for me to…”

She couldn’t say anything else as she began to cry.

The problem was that Asuna’s best friend have just passed away, by a terminal disease. And, since they met inside the game Alfheim Online, it was really hard for Asuna to just log in and play. Everything reminded her to Yuuki.

“I didn’t know Kono-san that well, but I’m pretty sure she would like you to go on with your life, Asuna.” said Kirito. “A game is just a game, I don’t think she would be mad at you if you want to stop playing for a while. And the others will understand.”

Asuna hugged him tight. “Kirito-kun…”

Kirito hugged her back, and soon, little Yui joined in.

“Mama.”

Asuna cried in silence for a while, but in the end, she smiled.

“You’re right, Yuuki would understand if I take a break.”

Kirito nodded, relieved. “After all, game is supposed to be fun.”

Asuna nodded. “Oi, Kirito-kun, if I choose another game for a while… would you and Yui-chan join me?”

Kirito smiled. “Of course!”

“You don’t have to even ask, mama!” said the little pixie.

Asuna nodded, thankful. “Okay, Kirito-kun, do you mind if I meet you at your place? I mean, in the real world.”

“Of course! Log out, and, in the meantime, I’ll send a PM to the others explaining the situation.”

Asuna nodded again, and logged out as Kirito sent the PM; and logged out as well.

He didn’t know what kind of game Asuna would choose, but he’ll make sure they have a good time, and help her to feel better.

---

In a small house at Tokyo’s outskirts, young Kazuto Kirigaya (Kirito inside the game), opened his eyes and took off his virtual reality equipment, the AtmuSphere, and waited for his girlfriend to show up. He looked almost like his game avatar, except his ears that weren’t pointy.

The girl, Asuna Yuuki, appeared twenty minutes later. Just as Kirito, she shared the same features of her character, except her hair was light brown instead of blue.

“Hi, Kirito-kun.”

“Hi, come on in!” smiled Kazuto. “So, do you already know what do you want to play?”

Asuna giggled as she showed Kazuto she had her AtmuSphere with her. “Well, I came early so we can decide together. What do you think?”

“Okay, sure!”

They rushed to Kazuto’s room, where they began to search for a game they both could enjoy. They stayed away from the games that were similar to ALO, and also, none of them liked shooter games like GGO so they stayed away from those too. Finally, Asuna found something she found interesting.

LEGENDS OF EQUESTRIA

Become the new hero of the magical lands of ponies. Charge your sword with the Power of Friendship. Defeat the evil Nightmare Moon and save the ponykind from the eternal night.

Kazuto sighed, but as long Asuna was happy, he could give it a shot.

“Are you sure?”

“Come on, Kirito-kun, it seems cute. And also have swords, why not give it a shot?”

“Okay, okay.”

The two of them created an account.

A new message appeared on screen:

DO YOU WANT TO TRANSFER COMPATIBLE DATA FROM A PREVIOUS GAME?

“What do you think?” asked Asuna.

“Let’s do it! At least we wouldn’t have to start from scratch.”

“Alright.”

They both selected YES and lied on Kazuto’s bed wearing their AtmuSpheres. After exchanging a look, they both shouted:

“Link start!”

Their surroundings turned into a rainbow tunnel that finally turned into a white room with a floating message:

WELCOME TO LEGENDS OF EQUESTRIA. SELECT YOUR TYPE OF PONY TO START

There were three choices: unicorn, earth pony, and pegasus.

Unicorns, apparently, could use magic, but their physical stats were the lowest of the three races. Pegasi were able to fly and control weather, however, they were extremely vulnerable to magic. And finally, earth ponies possessed twice the strength and stamina than the other races. They also possessed greater resistance against magic.

Also, there was a fourth option, but they had to unlock it first. It was called ‘alicorn’, and it had the features of all the pony races.

Kirito smiled, he liked aerial combat, so he selected pegasus. As for Asuna, she thought it would be okay to be a unicorn.

Then, they chose hair color, fur color, etc.

Kirito’s avatar was dark blue, with short mane and tail and black eyes. Asuna’s avatar was snow white, with light brown hair, and amber eyes.

A new massage popped up:

WAIT A MOMENT WHILE COMPATIBLE ITEMS AND STATS ARE TRANSFERRED

When the transference was over, a strange-looking tattoo appeared on their avatars’ flanks. On Asuna’s, it represented the guild icon of her deceased friend, Yuuki Kono. As for Kirito, it was two crossed swords. His old swords, Elucidator and Dark Repulser.

And only then, their conscious were fully absorbed into their avatars.

…

When they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a forest, and it was late night.

“Where are we, Kirito-kun?”

“It seems like a strange forest. I wonder if there’s any monsters in here.”
“Let’s equip our swords, just in case.” suggested Asuna.

They both made a small gesture with their hooves, summoning their inventories.

And, much to their surprise, they found a lot of their old items from SAO, like Kirito’s signature trench coat, Asuna’s former equipment from the Knights of Blood; and their old swords. Elucidator, Dark Repulser, and Lambent Light.

“For real?” asked Asuna. “We have our old weapon back.”

“And our stats look quite similar to our SAO ones. But I thought they were erased.”

“This game is more interesting than you thought, right?” smiled Asuna.

Kirito had to nod, thoughtful, as he continued to examine his inventory. He still had a bunch of healing potions, teleportation crystals, and even some food from ALO. It was really weird.

“Let’s continue with this to see where it ends.” suggested Kirito.

“I guess so.” agreed Asuna, with a shrug.

And they went deeper into the forest. The adventure have just begun.

…

The unicorn Twilight Sparkle was in a really desperate situation, holding to Applejack’s hooves at the edge of a cliff.

“Applejack!” cried Twilight. “What should I do?!”

The cowgirl, who was holding Twilight looked up, and smiled. Apparently, her friends Rainbow Dash and Fltutershy (pegasi) had successfully rescued Pinkie Pie and Rarity from the fall, and were ready to catch Twilight.

“Let yerself’ go!” said Applejack.

“What? Are you crazy?”

“Listen: ya’ have to trust me! A’m telling ya’ the honest truth. Let yereslf’ go!”

Twilight looked at Applejack’s eyes, seeing truth on them.

She nodded, and did as she said.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught her on time, but Twilight was heavier than they thought, and she slipped away from them.

“NO!” they said in the unison.

Twilight began to fall. “HEEEEEELP!!”

“Twilight!” said Applejack, slipping on the gravel. “NO, HELP!!”

The cowgirl tried to recover balance, but she was going to fall unless somepony helped her.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a magic aura grabbed her. “Hold on, just a little more!!” said a voice behind her.

With the help of the magic aura, Applejack was able to walk away from the cliff, and stand in firm ground.

Applejack turned, it was a snow white unicorn, in a white and red outfit. “Thanks!”

“You’re welcome.” answered Asuna.

Then, the cowgirl remembered.

“Oh no! Twilight! Ma’ friend…”

“Don’t worry. Kirito-kun already rescued her.” explained Asuna.

“What?”

Asuna simply aimed a hoof to the cliff, where Twilight was being held by a dark blue pegasus in a black trench coat.

“Are you alright?” asked Kirito to the lavender unicorn.

“Yes, thanks Celestia you came!” smiled Twilight.

With a sigh of relief, Applejack began to descend the cliff by jumping from rock to rock. She turned to Asuna to see if she needed any help, but the unicorn seemed to be in really good shape, and was able to follow her with ease.

“Whoa, ye’re fit, ma’ friend!”

“Thanks, a lot of training I guess.” answered the unicorn.

The two mares reached the bottom of the cliff safely, where they reunited with the rest of the group.

Asuna and Kirito bumped hooves, it was fun so far.

“Good you spotted her on time, Kirito-kun.”

“Glad you were able to help the cowgirl before it was too late.” smiled the dark blue pegasus.

Rarity approached to the both of them. “Ehem, thanks for the last-minute assistance, darlings. If it wasn’t for you, this adventure would ended up in tragedy. What are your names?”

“Asuna.”

“Kirito.”

Pinkie Pie tilted her names, as she giggled. “Those are really curious names. Are you foreigners or something?”

“Precisely,” said Kirito, “we come from a faraway land called Aincrad.”

“Aincrad? Never heard of it.” mumbled Fluttershy.

“It’s really far away.” Explained Asuna. “Anyway, what were you doing at that cliff? Do you realize it was dangerous?”

“Yeah, sorry, but we are in a hurry.” apologized Twilight. “We need to get to the old Castle as soon as possible!”

“So that’s why you are in this forest, I guess.” said Kirito.

“What about you?” questioned Rainbow Dash, distrustful. “What are you two doing here, on the Everfree Forest of all places?”

“We got lost, before we realized, we were trapped on the deeps of the forest.” explained Asuna.

“Is that all?” asked Applejack. “But ya’ don’t seem to be too worried about your predicament.”

“Look at the swords,” bragged Kirito. “We are adventurers. This is nothing!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “It seems like the two of you have an interesting story. But we don’t have the time for this.”

“Aw, but I like stories. Especially fun stories!” said Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie, we need to get the Elements of Harmony, remember?” reminded Twilight. “You know, to get the sun back, and save the ponykind from the Eternal Night?”

Asuna and Kirito exchanged a look. This sounded familiar.

“Let us help you.”

“Yes, who knows what could be waiting for us in this forest.”

Twilight smiled awkwardly, five companions were already too many. Now she had two more? No, this time she would reject them and continue with her journey, and…

“Sure, we can always use an extra hoof!” agreed Rainbow. “Especially if you’re adventurers.”
“Wait, what?” asked Twilight.

“Ya’ were really helpful up there.” agreed Applejack. “And seem strong as well.”

“Ehem… I don’t like violence, but I do feel a little safer with the two of you…” said Fluttershy.

“So, it’s decided then! We have two new friends who will join us!” smiled Pinkie Pie.

“Wait…” said Twilight.

But it was already too late, the group was on their way.

“Come on darling! Hurry!” called Rarity.

With a defeated sigh, Twilight joined them.

They wandered for a while, when a furious roar stopped them.

“Look out, a manticore!” cried Twilight.

The two warriors took their swords, and calmly aimed them to the monsters. Kirito chose his trusty Elucidator, and Asuna Lament Light.

Asuna and Kirito exchanged a smile, and they ran to the beast encounter.

Author's Note:

Like I said, this is an alternate version of one of my first fics (and also, the second I ever tried to translate). I like to think I’ve got better in English during the years. Anyway, like I said, this is a shorter version, updated version.
I hope you liked it and,

Read ya’ later!!

Comments

[Mkchief34]

Good to see this.

[TheArcticWolf]

that poor manticore, without outside intervention it'll be dead in seconds.