Twilight turned slowly, keeping her wings close to her sides. If somepony had really managed to sneak up on her without her noticing, they could probably kill her just as easily. Peace was the only option.
A figure loomed in the shadows of the trees, remaining entirely still as Twilight spun. She caught a few wisps of dark fabric, and a shadowy outline around its face. Much more importantly, she felt the magic from it. It was a stealth spell of some kind, and her inability to see its face was no accident.
Even so, she could judge a few things about it. It stood about her height, so would’ve been bigger than most ponies. “Did you know I was coming?”
She put herself between Spike and the stranger, but otherwise made no effort to get any closer to it. Any creature that went to so much trouble to avoid being seen would probably not be happy with Twilight trying to get closer. She had to fight back her curiosity.
“We knew someone was.” The figure walked closer, its form still indistinct and blurring at the edges. Not just a spell, but some kind of… special fabric, maybe? The cloak it wore actively projected what was behind it, slightly warped and twisted by the angle. It might keep it hidden if it held perfectly still, but it wasn’t bothering to do that. “I didn’t expect a horse.”
Spike finally rose to his claws, stance alert beside her. Twilight rested her wing on his shoulders, the only signal she would need for him to stay still. If we fight an enemy we don’t understand, we’ll lose.
“I’m not a horse, I’m a pony! An Alicorn technically, if you know the difference.” She stuck out her hoof, grinning with the friendliest expression she could. “I’m Twilight Sparkle!”
The closer the stranger got, the worse his illusion survived scrutiny. It wasn’t actually very well-made, however mysterious and brooding he might act. You’re not as good at this as you think.
Maybe he didn’t know the expression, because he didn’t take the offered hoof. The strange robes were enough to conceal the true face of her companion, or even what he looked like. “Call me Samaritan, though I am not. Whether you think I’m good or bad will be your determination to make when our meeting is over.”
He settled down on the back of a nearby stump, turning the whole thing blurry and out-of-focus.
“Do you always talk like this?” Spike asked, annoyance rising in his voice. “We’re explorers from another universe! How is that not awesome?”
Twilight turned, glaring sidelong at the dragon. “Not now,” she hissed, before turning back to him. “I’m just an explorer. I’m searching for another like me. She went missing… I don’t know how well time corresponds between our worlds. But if I had to guess, it should be more than a day and less than a year.”
Samaritan nodded. So at least one gesture translated to this alien species. “You nearly disturbed the Pax Arcanum, Twilight Sparkle. No one knew whose magic had invoked such a powerful spell, and none would admit it. If we were not all such good friends, it could have caused a war.”
Are you threatening me? The longer she heard this voice, the more Twilight thought she recognized it. It was lower, slower maybe. But patterns stuck. Could our worlds be that close? Does this world have a Canterlot too?
“We didn’t mean to cause any harm,” Twilight said. “I just want to bring the missing pony back with me. If you can give her to me, we can leave your world behind. Forever, if you ask. I’ll instruct the others to remove your coordinates from our registry.”
The figure seemed to flicker, then vanished. Its voice was indistinct, blurring—and suddenly it came from behind her, chuckling amicably. “That might have been possible once, Gatecrasher. Your missing alien has been somewhat… disruptive, while among us. If she remained too long, I expect the awakened secrets would be revealed and the sanity would be torn from the minds of every sleeping child.”
Twilight spun to face it. Now it stood in the underbrush again, a tall outline of a being she could not name. “You won’t give her back?” she asked. She kept her voice neutral, though she could sense Spike’s growing hostility. “We’ll pay to have her returned. We have gold, gemstones, enchantments. Anything you ask.”
Samaritan laughed again, tone bitter this time. “There are… factions. We disagree on the approach, and the Pax forbids our interference. But you could.” He nodded towards the floating disk of a tracking spell. “If you act quickly enough, the divided Body Invisible will take no action. If you retrieve your missing child, and leave no stain on the tapestry of our planet, our Pax will forbid any to follow behind you.”
Talking to him was a little like dealing with Discord. Twilight longed to dispel that weak illusion and see who she was speaking to. It wouldn’t be hard. She could probably block that local area teleport too, if she reacted fast enough. She’d been working with that spell her whole adult life.
“You’re saying we should get her ourselves?” Spike asked. “You won’t stop us?”
The figure nodded. “You are mature where she is not. I trust you have the discipline not to stain the tapestry with unknown tears and frayed threads? Leave no spells behind, transfigure none, and excise the damage caused by your kin to mine. Do this, and none of the Invisible will follow you back through the open gate. Fail, and you have no promise.”
“You’re not invisible,” Spike said. “I can see through you, but…”
Samaritan laughed again. At least he didn’t seem angry. “Your dragon is adorable, Twilight. I don’t think the dreaming masses will think so, however.”
He blurred again, and suddenly the shadowy outline was right in front of her. He smelled like a recently extinguished wildfire, electric with wild and unchained magic. I don’t know if my shield can keep you out. “Communicating with you will already be seen as a violation of the Pax, so I don’t expect we will have the opportunity to speak again. If you have anything else to ask, do so before my colleagues notice.”
She already knew what she would ask. “What damage has she done? Has she hurt your friends?” She lowered her voice, barely daring to ask. “Killed anyone?”
“Not yet. I suspect many deaths would be inevitable, if someone didn’t intervene. Someone would, sooner or later. The greater her risk grows, the more willing to act the lethargic Body becomes. Hurry, Twilight. Retreat with your child before it wakes.”
Twilight moved closer to Spike, levitating her saddlebags back into place. She didn’t wait, rotating her necklace around until it clicked. The spell was cast, and the two of them were yanked back across the void.
Spike collapsed onto the transport-gateway floor, shaking with a fresh wave of sickness. Dragons were tougher than ponies in almost every way Twilight could think of, but apparently crossing between worlds was one way they weren’t stronger.
Coolant hissed all around them, and crystals went dark one at a time.
“What did you find?” Static asked. He kept his distance, while technicians rushed all around tending to the portal. “Good news?”
She felt all their eyes on her. One way or another, this moment would probably go down in Equestrian history. “Congratulations, everypony!” Twilight said, loud enough that her voice echoed through the room. She levitated her kit out of the bag, holding up the vial. They’d already seen one like this, but even so. This was confirmation. “We found her!”
Time blurred and melted around Twilight. There were plenty more tests to run on the other samples she’d collected, to be sure of the safety of the realm beyond for more extended trips.
But she could not wait long, or risk Cadance returning in a rage. While other ponies ran tests on the rocks and dirt and larger plant samples she had brought, Twilight directed her portal crew to begin packing the portal for transport.
The coordinates were the most important of that process, and those she recorded at least three different ways. She kept one on her person, entrusted another to Starlight, and locked a third in the castle safe, with instructions for Spike to guard it.
“Can’t I come with you?” Spike asked, as Twilight levitated her oversized bed over where the safe was concealed. “That Samaritan guy seemed like a real creep. You might need a dragon if you have to do real fighting.”
I’ll have the girls with me. Anything we can’t fight together is too much for a dragon too. “It would be great to have you,” Twilight said instead. “But I need you to run Ponyville for me while I’m gone.” She levitated the windows open, expecting a wave of light and a great view. But she’d apparently lost track of time. It was early evening, and much of the city had already gone dark. The airship hovering over the castle was the brightest object in the sky, illuminating the pegasus transport team as they moved up and down with the portal gear.
“You think I’ll have to do anything to run Ponyville?” Spike said, raising an eyebrow. “Really?”
Not much. “Hopefully not. But you heard him. I don’t know if Samaritan is skilled enough to follow us. If he is, he’ll probably appear just outside. I need somepony here I can trust watching it. You trap him there, stop him from escaping into Equestria. We have enough monsters of our own, we don’t need to import any more.”
Spike nodded, satisfied. “That makes sense. You’re leaving the royal guard behind to help, right?”
She nodded. “Starlight will be here too, in case you need any unicorn magic. She’ll help you with anything that happens.”
“Sure.” Spike waved a claw dismissively. “I won’t, though. Dragons are really strong against magic. I don’t think Samaritan was so tough. If he was, why pretend to be invisible?”
Twilight hated to ask her friends to do something so dangerous, but she wasn’t surprised when each of them agreed to come. If I don’t bring you with me, Cadance will probably try to force her way onto the mission again.
The next morning, Twilight strode into the bridge of the airship, waving politely to Captain Hardtack. “We’re all loaded, Captain,” she said. “We can sail north as soon as you’re ready.”
“Then we leave now,” he said, tapping one hoof on the deck. “Helm, ahead standard. Let’s get back before Princess Cadance thinks we’re late.”
It is my suspicion Samaritan might be Edgar, but I feel they would have offered more information if that was actually the case.
Something smell fishy to me. Though this mysterious being seems to know what it was saying, Twilight hasn't confirmed whether Flurry really was on this planet or not. Not even circumstance evidence was found to make the conclusion.
Cadence's going to try to fuck things up, I'm pretty sure.
I do feel sorry for whomever tries to stop her though. And they'll find no sympathy in anyone that finds out she's a mother looking to save her daughter.
10356079
The samples she got and turned golden were the confirmation.
this doesnt boade well
10356095
Even worse, the stranger pretty much said "do whatever you need to retrieve the baby quickly and get the fuck out of here" without offering any assistence from his faction. To a bunch of magical ponies from other world and totally unfamiliar with this one.
What does he think is gonna happen?
10356121
Ruin to his enemies, I'd say.
I was so down on this story for the behavior of Cadence... But she might actually be useful. Having her be an enraged force of nature, could intimidate all these humans schemers. That might mean, they stay away from Equestria.
10356126
And to the Masquerade?
Spike probably would have been very useful to bring, but it would have been dangerous.
10356129
A possible gamble. I bet he has no idea how powerful they actually are, how utter can the devastation be.
Or maybe he does and doesn't care. Difficult to say which one's more terrifying.
Samaritan is... Not altruistic. A player in the great game on Earth it seems. And Flurry has upset the balance of power, he wants her removed... But isn't willing to risk becoming involved directly himself. At least that is how I read it. He basically put Twilight on a deadline, but also warning her not to just blow everything up in a straight line between herself and Flurry.
Hopefully Twilight takes that warning to heart... Because Cadance wouldn't.
Yes, because the extradimensional entity will definitely understand your Bible reference.
"What about Mayor Mare?"
"What about Mayor Mare?"
"I'm telling her you said that. You know how the zoning board feels about the castle."
The whole gang's heading to Earth? Oh boy. Between Dash, Pinkie, and Cadence, it won't be easy keeping to that non-interference agreement. This will get complicated very quickly. Looking forward to seeing the specifics.
And so the rescue mission truly begins. Though the clock is ticking. The longer this takes, the more likely Cadance will act. The Body Invisible will not remain divided if an army comes in looking like they're invading. The rest of the world might not either.
We know alicorns are more powerful than most anything on Earth but then again, they are also the apex in Equestria and were still defeated occasionally. Best to assume the Body Invisible might have tricks to level the field if it comes to it.
If Cadance was there, that would have been a declaration of war before any answer was given.
Best for Twilight to move with her friends to retrieve the baby. It'll try Cadance's patience but she might send what will be interpreted as an invasion force if she was anymore involved.
10356076
Makes me think if that were the case, he would have already led Twilight to Kyle and Flurry. It'd be the fastest way to get the ponies off world and undo any damage. It could as always be a trap but then why explain anything at all?
10356095
At this point, her agitation and increasing impatience might lead her to lash out at anyone perceived (justifiably or not) to be an obstacle. Sure, some factions will want to keep Flurry for their own ends. But the volatile situation might have others fighting Cadance because she's become irrational and dangerous to others. I can only imagine Kyle's troubles if she too is considered as getting in Cadance's way.
10356127
Not worried about the schemers but worried about those getting dragged into a conflict caused by misunderstanding and miscommunication. Kyle would probably be one of those. Twilight really has to work fast here.
Short Twilight chapter (which are always the worst ones,) no progress on the characters who are actually interesting. Bit of a shame.
And oh look, she's sidelining Cadance and her brother, the actual parents of the actual child, in favor of adding in her friends who have never been involved with this. Grand.
I'm going to be super disappointed if Kyle never meets Cadance.
This guy is fulla shit. He's just trying to keep magic all to himself.
His pathetic spell just makes it clear he's some edgy-boi playing dress-up in the woods.
What? Why? Twilight doesn't run Ponyville, it has its own government and got along fine for decades without her.
I'm glad Spike agrees.
Not expecting a horse, huh? Yet he apparently knows about Flurry... Something doesn't add up.
So magic is being suppressed? Wonder what happened to necessitate that Kirin-like response...
Keep going! ;)
Dun dun DUUUUN
10356214
"Dreaming masses". You should look into Mage: The Awakening
10356236
They've been cribbing from Mage: the Awakening several times now.
Tedious Edgy Goth Guy is just the latest manifestation.
Blech, gonna be frustrating if Mirage and Cadance never end up meeting.
10356236
In this case it seems less a case of copying Mage the Awakening and more a case of copying the thing Mage the Awakening is based on, what with the hermetic vibe, lodges, secret societies, etc. In a world where magic is a limited resource the people who have it have a vested interest in keeping it from everyone else. This usually includes evoking the idea of "The person is smart, people are dumb panicky animals." or "You cannot trust the unwashed masses."
At least Mage the Awakening takes the time to set up the 'Hidden Masters' as the actual villain, doing an oppression on the rest of humanity.
10356154
or the balance of power has shifted to his enemy and he sending her against his enemy, if she take flurry back, the power balance is restored, if fighting breaks out his enemy is weakened, by doing nothing he get the most gain regardless of the outcome
10356292
True, we can't know for sure he is telling the truth. The impression I am getting is that the Will Workers on Earth are heavily divided into factions. And the balance of power is a tight rope being walked... Which Flurry most likely definitely did upset, based on what Monday has said.
10356273
That's my prediction.
"Stripping sanity from children" is the stated excuse. We already know he's a liar because we've seen normal people encounter magic without going nuts.
"Keeping magic all to myself" is the actual reason.
"Violently suppress attempts to bring magic to others" is the solution either way.
10356194
I forgot to comment on this earlier -
It's interesting that Twilight says this, because it isn't true as stated.
A more accurate summation is here:
"If you fight an enemy you don't understand, you might lose, but you won't know if you will or not until you've already committed yourself to the fight, therefore attacking an enemy you don't understand is risky."
Getting some WoD vibes here, need to dig deeper into that world someday.
10356416
Considering Samaritan managed to sneak up to her, the assumption is that he's already too risky to take on. Either way, the statement still stands. The ones that remain standing are those that take the time to understand the enemy. Foolishly attacking an unknown enemy often is bound to get you killed sooner or later.
10356315
10356292
If there is a game between the factions, Flurry is a bomb that can ruin it. Being an uncontrollable baby, it would be in everyone's interest for Twilight to take her back. But the question is... how many factions want Twilight to actually reverse the damage she's done? Is Samaritan one of them? You take away the bomb and the risk drops to a more manageable level. And everyone can then focus on what is arguably the greater prize of the game. The one that can tip the scales:
The boy that was transformed.
10356683
Twilight is not exactly noted as someone who is hard to sneak up on. You can do that by accident.
Twilight may not be a great combatant in general, to be frank. Being able to sneak up on a nerd isn't a huge accomplishment.
10356685
If true, it still means she's deficient in at least one area that could be exploited. That's risky enough without knowing what Samaritan's other capabilities are.
10356711
And broadly irrelevant to her literal words being incorrect.
10356712
Again, she's thinking she has really bad odds if Samaritan can use stealth to sneak behind her and jab a knife in her throat. Pretty much certain defeat.
And that's taking the words at literal face value. The words aren't meant to be taken literally. Plenty enough said to actually mean "very risky to attack".
10356735
Is that actually why or just your supposition as to why? Because she's also very confident that she could lock down his ability to hide and teleport and can also teleport and raise shields.
10356214
Makes me wonder what he was expecting. Another human? Mages come in all shapes and sizes.
10356185
Well, the gang's just there for the defense. But yeah, we can assume a sonic rainboom because of a race with a jet sort of messes with the tapestry of the planet.
10356741
That's my supposition. The actual why is because he's an "unknown". And Twilight doesn't want to unnecessarily fight an unknown with unknown capabilities. Which is why she thought:
Which actually means unknown risk is unacceptable risk and is not some calculated odds for victory.
There isn't really much more to say.
10356772
My point is that she's saying that her loss is certain, but it's a logical absurdity.
something sounds fishy here.
And then Thanos appear and decide to make a flower garden with Lex Luthor.
Not sure why, but with the invisible man, somehow this passed my head
Somehow, I don't see "The Body" surviving in anything like its current form by the end of this, regardless of initial non-interference intentions.
Wait, so, them falling into that universe could have caused the local powers to be to all fight each other?
Are we talkin about a world that is something like Hellboy's Earth?
And grandpa has only recently been made aware of this secret underworld of magic?
The retrieval mission arc is starting. Hype.
now let the awesomeness begin ^^
and spike is still such a child...
Hubbuwha?
All these new terms out of nowhere with no context, I’m confused. New characters, new factions, all introduced within a single chapter. Question is how powerful are these characters/factions?
Why move the portal? Why not go on the rescue mission ASAPalapagus? I sincerely hope Twilight doesn’t intend to bring Cadance along because no good will come of it. Telling her she’s been found is fine, but don’t let her anywhere near the damn thing with a 100 foot pole.
Samaritan is a really weird reference of this isn't Earth.
Pax Arcanum, too.
I really wonder if a society of hidden magic users on a largely non-magical Earth could actually pose a threat to an intensely magical Equestria. Hopefully we won't have to find out.
I'll be shocked if that actually stops her.
10359294
Is it any weirder than FiM going overboard trying to represent every individual person, place, thing and event it possibly can for no purpose other than them existing in reality? This wouldn't be any different.
Huh, are they gonna teleport the whole ship?
Okay, it's the grandfather, I guess...
Yeeah, that's an excellent reason to bring him along...
that was a pretty interesting meeting