A Royal Summons
The next morning, Twilight felt an armored hoof gently but firmly shaking her awake. "Tempest?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?"
"Something you need to see." Tempest nodded towards the window, and the serious look on her face brought Twilight awake quickly.
Spike was already standing on the small bureau, peering out. Twilight joined him, staring up at the sky herself.
"What's going on? Is it morning, or still night?"
"That's just it," Spike said. "We can't tell!"
The dome of the sky had the dark-to-light purplish gradient of very early morning. To the left the Sun could just be seen, hovering above the horizon. To the right, the Moon hung just above the opposite horizon. And neither orb was moving, as they should have been doing during the Raising and Lowering Ceremony. The Sun and the Moon hung motionless, on the brink of dawn... or dusk. It was difficult to tell.
And, all across the sky, dark and menacing clouds were gathering.
"It's been like this since I woke," Tempest said. "And usually, I wake just before dawn to check on the guards. But that's not the half of it."
She pointed downwards towards the neighboring houses. Which, when Twilight looked at them, appeared to be overrun by black, heavily thorned vines, curling and twining everywhere.
"That does not look normal," Twilight agreed.
They roused the others, and together the entire group hurried downstairs to the Library's main floor, then out through the front door, shoving aside vines that were already encroaching on it.
And they quickly made a few more unnerving discoveries.
"Is anypony else's magic not working right?" asked Starlight. She was trying to use a shearing spell on some of the more annoying vines around the door. Her horn kept fizzing and sparking at random.
"Same here," said Sunset. She tried lifting a rock, and quickly ducked as it nearly brained her, then smashed a window behind her. "What the hay? Something's interfering with our spellcasting."
The ponies all tried different spells, with the same dangerously random results. Tempest considered it for a moment, then stamped a hoof, bringing up the shield of her mage-armor around all of them.
And the ponies all found their magic behaving itself again.
"It's like in the gem mine under Canterlot," Twilight said. "A kind of dark magic that makes ordinary spells go haywire."
She peered closely at one of the nearby vines, then dodged as it abruptly flung out a tendril to grab a leg of the Golden Oak Library sign.
Starlight nodded. "Maybe it's the same kind of dark magic at work here."
Trixie peered around nervously. "You mean there might be another of those crystal circle things, hidden around here someplace?"
"Maybe," Moondancer said. "But so far as I know, there's no gem-mines or ancient stone circles in Ponyville. This is farm country."
"Speaking of which," Spike said, pointing.
"Hey, y'all!"
Applejack was galloping towards them across the Square, dodging black, twining shoots that kept popping up underhoof. "Welp," she said, "it looks like it's happening here in town, too. These cornsarned weeds are popping up everyplace. They're all over Sweet Apple Acres. I just left Big Mac and the others beating 'em back."
"The ghastly things are all over my Boutique as well," Rarity said, trotting over to join them. "On top of which, my horn is misbehaving awfully. I don't dare use it. Sweetie Belle and I ended up being chased by a chenille curtain of all things. How gauche! It was dreadful."
"It's the same at Sugarcube Corner!" Pinkie Pie was bounding up and down on a creeping tendril nearby, trying to stomp it flat. "The Cakes are barricaded inside with the twins. I came to get help, or at least see if anypony here knows what's going on."
"And these clouds," Rainbow Dash called down from overhead, "they're definitely not from around here." She swooped down from the sky to hover above the group. "They look like they're from the Everfree Forest."
"The vines seem to be coming from there too," Fluttershy quavered as she flapped over to join them. "It's almost like the Everfree is out of control. I'm not sure how much more of this Ponyville can take -- eeeh!" She shrieked as a questing tendril wrapped around her hind-hoof, but Rainbow quickly darted over and knocked it loose. "I'm not sure how much more I can take!" she added frantically.
As she was speaking Twilight noticed other ponies approaching them, from houses and shopfronts all around the Square. The townsponies appeared warily nervous, yet surprisingly calm in the circumstances. But it was the kind of calm that could swiftly descend into panic without answers, which they appeared to be looking for...
... from Twilight herself.
"Excuse me, pardon me! Let me through, please!"
Mayor Mare trotted through the crowd to reach the head of the gathering. She cleared her throat, bowing formally. "Acting Princess Twilight," she said. "We do realize you and your group are only here with us for a visit. But as you can see, we have a... situation here, in which your able assistance might be of invaluable help?"
"Of course, Mayor," Twilight said. "We'll be glad to help. I'm afraid we don't know much about it yet ourselves. But rest assured, we'll get to the bottom of it, and protect Ponyville. I promise!"
"Thank you, Twilight." The Mayor nodded in relief.
But just as Twilight was about to turn to her friends and try to organize some kind of plan, there was a loud fanfare overhead.
Looking up, Mayor Mare gasped. "It's the Golden Chariot!" she said. "Has Princess Celestia come to aid us herself?"
Rainbow stared up at it doubtfully. "Not unless she's learned how to turn invisible or something..."
The Chariot and its team swung round and then came in for a landing in front of the Library, in a space rapidly being cleared by the waiting townsponies. The gilded platform touched down, rolled to a stop.
And all could see it was empty.
One of the Guard flyers unhitched from the Chariot and hurried over to Twilight. And knelt before her. "Princess Twilight, you must come with us. You are needed back in Canterlot. These strange vines... they're everywhere!"
"Um... I don't understand," Twilight said, staring at him. "Isn't Princess Celestia dealing with it?"
The guard glanced about nervously. "May we speak privately?"
Twilight nodded, and she and her friends moved around into the Library's shadow, away from the crowd.
The guard gulped, appearing on the verge of panic himself. "It's the Princesses! They're gone!"
"What?" Tempest Shadow glared at him. "All of them?"
"Yes, Commander," the guard said.
"Celestia?" Twilight whispered in shock. "And Cadance?"
"And Princess Luna?" Trixie added, desperately.
The guard just nodded fearfully.
"O...kay," Sunset said, wide-eyed. "That is what I would call serious."
"No kidding!" Starlight added.
"I'll say!" Applejack agreed, horrified.
"Oh, dear!" whispered Fluttershy.
"In an emergency such as this," the guard went on, "our orders are that you, Twilight, are to take charge."
"Me?" Twilight said, aghast.
"The Royal Guard," he explained, "takes its orders from royalty. And given the Princesses' absence, that is you, Acting Princess Twilight." He knelt again. "Your Highness."
"But... but I..."
"Lieutenant," Tempest interrupted, stepping in front of Twilight. "Ready the Chariot for departure. The Princess will need a few minutes to discuss this with her advisors."
"At once, Commander!" The guard saluted, then turned and hurried back to the Chariot to re-hitch himself.
And Tempest looked at Twilight. "Sorry to butt in like that, but you looked like you needed a little space just then."
"I did. Thanks, Tempest."
"You're welcome. But this does sound serious." She glared around warily. "And we're too exposed here. I'll feel better once we're back in Canterlot. I say we head back, find out how extensive this is."
Trixie crossed her hooves, a wry look on her face. "So much for the quiet little holiday..."
"But what about Ponyville?" Twilight objected. She looked at Applejack and the others. "I just promised we'd help protect the town."
"It's all right, Twilight," said Applejack. "We understand. You got things to do. Important things, it sounds like. And we're tough. We can handle this -- at least until you've got a solution figgered out."
Twilight shook her head. "That's very noble of you, Applejack. But I can't just run off and abandon you. You're my friends, too."
The ponies all looked at each other, uncertainly. Then Sunset rapped a hoof.
"Don't worry about it, Twilight. I've got this. I'll stay behind and look after things here."
"Sunset?"
"Hey! I'm your backup, remember? You need somepony to organize a defense for Ponyville, so you can focus on the big picture. No sweat, I got it covered."
"But... are you sure?"
"Sure, I'm sure!" Sunset trotted over to throw a hoof around Applejack's shoulders. "Me and the gang, here? We're all over this. We'll defend Ponyville from... whatever this is. You and the others get back to Canterlot, do what needs doing. Send us help when you can."
Twilight looked doubtful. Then she nodded. "Thanks, Sunset."
"Not a problem, Twi."
The group trotted round in front of the Library again, and quickly explained things to the Mayor and to the waiting townsfolk. Then Twilight and the other Canterlot ponies crowded onto the Chariot.
The Guard team snapped out their wings, leapt into the sky, and carried the Chariot away with them. Sunset and the others watched it go as it dwindled away into the lighter half of the sky, headed towards Canterlot Mountain.
Then Sunset turned to the Ponyville group, and lowered her voice.
"Okay, gang, let me level with you. Up to now, I've been talking a lot of confidence that I don't really have yet. But Twilight didn't need to hear that. And neither does anypony else here. So let's take it from the top. Tell me everything that's happened, right from the moment each of you noticed something was wrong. And don't worry -- we'll figure this out, together."
She glanced around at the still-encroaching vines, then upwards, at the half-dawn, half-dusk sky.
"I hope..."
To Be Continued...
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.
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10929199
Applejack has two kinds of speech... Country and Western.
(Okay, she can pull off a Manehattan accent, but that's for special occasions, y'all.)
10929205
Ah, so that was on purpose then.
I did not think it was, seeing how it has not been done again in the rest of the story.
...Aaaaand it went wrong. I called it, but it went wrong. Can't you do anything right, Discord? Well... Besides sowing and/or spreading chaos?
...And tea with Fluttershy... And a handful of other things relating to chaos and/or Fluttershy? Honestly...
Huh the vines are... early
Never thought I'd see the Plundervines before Chrysalis. And here I thought Discord was going to prevent this fiasco, not start it early. Maybe he knows something that we'll learn next installment? Ooh, or is he trying to get a head start on preparations for Tirek's rampage? Does he think the Field of Harmony won't be enough against him?
Suffice to say, I am very much looking forward to part II. Excellent work, as always.
Poor Fluttershy. I wonder what she saw. The cannon timeline or something entirely new?
These exchanges are highly enjoyable. You really sell this sense of loss over what might have been with the elements.
When she's right she's right.
I was wondering why they would actually need the elements for a while. Honestly if this was the last hint you dropped, I proberbly wouldn't have put it together.
I do love how you write locations, but especially the hometowns of the "friendship five". They all have a real sense of homelyness that you don't often get in most writing, especially modern writing.
I can't say it enough I really enjoy the way you write these exchanges between characters.
A effort to head off the movie before it begins? Count me interested. Although it's hard to imagine Rainbow Dash giving up her dreams of stunt flying like that.
I think I know where this is going.
If Moondancer knows something about everything then she and Rarity could proberbly while at least some hours away on the art of Dress Making.
Poor Rarity. This trip might up ending having quite the emotional affect on her and the other bearers. A inability to measure up. It probably won't get any easier if her magic is affected.
Rainbow's backstory is awesome. All too often it's centered around her protecting Fluttershy or something like that, so I enjoy that here it's because she actually found a home where she belonged.
I assume this is a reference to Nightmare Moon, but I'm not sure her description of events fit. Is there a chance I missed something?
Makes you wonder what's different about this timeline that Pinkie doesn't respect her folks chosen line of work.
I really like the idea of Fluttershy gardening.
Now I'm certain what the trouble is. I just hope he is actually going to try to take care of it, as opposed to using it as a test of the team's friendship with him, or some such nonsense.
Taken by your own creations. Isn't that always the way?
So if Discord is legitimately good now, does that mean Tirek's rampage never gets off the ground? And if so, who's going to be the menace for the fourth season? All that's left of the big name adversaries is Chrysalis, Stygian, Cozy Glow and the Storm King for this side of the mirror.
I like the symbolism of them asking each of their world's respective heroes about their Cutie Marks. Works out rather well.
Of course I'm still hoping for some grander connection between Rarity and the others besides Rainbow Dash, but I guess we will see how things proceed.
Dun dun!
Thought so.
New element of magic perhaps?
Even with a alternate means to access those power looks like the elements are still nessiacry doesn't it? If time is like a river then certain changes can end up flowing back into the original stream. To save the Tree of Harmony the elements need to be returned to it,and they need to be active to be returned. Also Spirit of the Tree may need Twilight to become a Alicorn, and again the element stones need to be active to make it happen(I hope fast to Celestia didn't make Twilight and Alicorn, the elements did)
10930793
10930809
Wow! Thanks much for the detailed feedback, I really appreciate it!
Given how few comments there were so far, I wasn't sure whether folks really liked this one.
I also was a bit concerned that readers might think this story leans a little too heavily on backstory we already know from the show, but that was necessary to some extent: I needed to tell this story before moving on, and to do that I needed to take some existing pieces from canon, and put them together for consideration by the characters in this timeline. Take it as pleasant reminiscence in a way, kind of like Canterlot Twilight's reaction on seeing Ponyville "again".
10930809
In depth feedback like this is rare and very much appreciated -- thanks!
The canon timeline itself was more than scary enough for her at this stage of the game. Given how Fluttershy feels about Nightmare Night, even later on in the show, it's amazing they were able to talk her into going with them to the Castle of the Two Sisters, what with Nightmare Moon on the loose. Fluttershy can be a real team player at times.
Thanks -- in a sense this whole story is a reaction from the characters to the events they saw as a result of Discord's bending of reality back towards the original timeline.
I'm amazed nopony thinks that's foreshadowing... think about where canon Twilight is when she actually says that...
I owe a lot to reading Ray Bradbury, especially his stories set in Green Town, IL, which are as warmly sentimental as they are occasionally bizarre.
It is interesting -- I know what I want to say at a high level, when I write these scenes and put these characters together, but I do very much rely on letting the characters say things their own way. Which can sometimes mean needing to move things around a bit or let a different character say them, because that's what would happen. It can be frustrating, but it does also lead to an occasional gem of dialogue that comes out of nowhere. But you have to have watched a lot of the show for that to work well.
This is mainly contrasting Tempest, who's a little older/wiser and has more of a sense of what she wants from life, with Rainbow Dash, who hasn't slowed down enough to even really think about it yet. And also hinting at ways in which this timeline can diverge (or build on) the original.
In a way, this is a callback to somewhere I've already been. See The Zap Apple Conundrum, which explores this paradox in more detail.
I did consider that, but I've kinda already told that story as well. See Style Guide for where that ends up. (Though it's told through the lens of the other bookworm on the team, Twilight herself.)
Yeah, I originally thought the Ponyville part of this story would be a simple series of "we're not worthy ... but we are" contrasts for all the characters. But it turns out some of the pairings are more emotionally dissonant than others, and some are just fine. Rarity is kind of the extreme case, given her social-climbing tendencies. But other pairs, like Pinkie/Cheese, are already perfectly comfortable with their differences. And I was surprised myself to realize that Applejack and Trixie might be able to bond over working with tools. This is one reason I let the characters "drive" the scenes, because that can lead to some welcome, unexpected results.
Thanks -- the core idea (Rainbow moving to Ponyville because she bombed out of school) actually comes from one of my earlier attempts at an alternate universe, Twilight Runs Away. But I expanded on it a bit here, since it's a key part of Rainbow's scenes in Part I.
Remember that in this timeline, Trixie was actually Nightmare Moon's "student" (see Trixie Luna Moon), so she has more than a few regrets here.
In canon she doesn't sound too happy about it either. The "no talking, no smiling" bit comes from her backstory in The Cutie Mark Chronicles:
"My sisters and I were raised on a rock farm outside of Ponyville. We spent our days working the fields. There was no talking. There was no smiling. (sigh) There were only rocks."
I'm with you -- I do find the whole "but I was just letting you learn a valuable lesson" explanation in canon to be a little weak. I tried to rehabilitate it a bit in the previous story in this series by showing that it arises from Discord being jealous of Celestia's ability as a mentor to her students, but I don't think I'd use it as a justification for anything. Fool me once, shame on you, and so forth...
I was actually looking for a topic of dinner conversation that could involve all the ponies at the table, and realized that if the CMCs were allowed to attend (on condition of keeping their natural excitability in check), then it was a great opportunity to work in the backstories from the Cutie Mark Chronicles, and also contrast them with those of the Canterlot group, from their own respective stories. It's nice how these things work out, though it's totally due to having some great source material to build upon!
Thanks again for your thoughts -- comments like this help me know I'm giving readers good value for their time!
10930998
I suspect it just wasn't being picked up for one reason or another. Perhaps it's burnout, or perhaps your story wasn't widely dispersed across the different groups yet.
I suspected as much, but I felt the need to voice the question. Especially if it gave us another story out of the whole mix.
It isn't the Mirror Pool is it? Because that's the only research I can think of that happens in the library.
Sounds interesting. I'll have to check these out. Although when it comes to the Zap Apples, I was honestly thinking of The Plunder Vines tendency to mess with magic.
And have a fair bit of patience and imagination, coupled with a good deal of empathy too, proberbly. Still very much worth it when your audience is reading the character interactions though. That and the way you impart emotional tones into your locations and scenery is what keeps me coming back to this series. Your characterization overall has remained consistently stellar.
Does that mean Rarity's anxieties will be addressed at some point? Along with whatever drew her to Ponyville in the first place?
True. It's just hard to see that having much regret since we never actually see her doing much of relevance. I mean she talked to some people sure, and kept Nightmare up to date on what was happening, but I never got the feeling she affected much beyond her decision to betray the team (which she reversed last minute).
Honestly I remembered this after I hit post, but I kept it up because I wanted to ask you if we are going to get a reconciliation between this and the way Pinkie views her family.
Because on the one hand while the flashback shows she dislikes the farm itself, she shows no animosity towards her family even over glamorizing them in some instances, and in episodes like Magic Duel she actually berates Trixie for insulting the farm saying that she's lucky a rock farm would take on the likes of her.
So is that just protectiveness towards her family or is it something else, and how do you go about addressing it?
Agreed. For me it's more the fact that is shoehorned into spots by fans of Discord where it clearly doesn't work.
In "Princess Twilight Sparkle" there's a scene that shows him clearly being miffed that the vines failed, even though he never admits it to the Element Bearers. Yet people still insist that he was trying to teach a lesson in good faith, even though it's really obvious that he's just covering for himself.
It gets really annoying, particularly when a objective watching of the episode in question shows the obvious problems with it.
Agreed. I really enjoyed the conversations although some stories where more lively than others. Incidentally, how do you think Starlight got her Cutie Mark in Cannon?
No Problem! Looking forward to Part II!
10930771
That's exactly what I thought.
Ooh! This is a great start! So either Discord remembered the Plunder Vines and wasn't able to stop them in time, or he has some kind of roundabout plan to help Twilight feel better, and he needs to set the vines off now for it to work...
Either way, I can't wait to see what happens next!
Nice foreshadowing you did there. With the plundervines I mean.
10932586
10932352
Thanks much! Part I here is intentionally the more quiet and slice-of-life of the two,
but I did want to at least hint that there's some action coming up in Part II,
so I'll be interested to see what you think of it.
10932684
I can't wait to see it!
11043463
Yeah, that makes sense. Whenever I think 'eleven gallon hat', I just think 'ten gallon hat', but BIGGER.'
The connection didn't hit me.
The Pinkie thing makes sense, though for me it comes across like 'Oooh, I'm a ghost!'
11267538
Yep, that's the one. For some reason I forgot to add it to my Read bookshelf (or I would've found it before commenting), but yep, definitely read that. And like it, I would add C:
Thanks!