> Thing a Day
>  by Rennoc215
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The CIA
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day:	The CIA

Darkness. That was the first thing Talon realized about his surroundings. It was noon. Why was it so dark? "Ah, hey C! Our guest is waking up." A voice called. A light came on, and Talon immediately wished he had stayed home that day.

Calling this abomination a room would be giving it some serious liberties. It looked like the interior of a mossy cinder block. The walls were mechanically aligned stones, the mortar was absolutely flat, leaving what would have been a flat grey surface. But then they went ahead and left the cinder block in a river for several years, letting moss and slime grow over most of the faded walls. The stench of decaying and growing plant matter filled the air like a fog, thick and relentless. And even though it was being illuminated by one of those electric lights, the room seemed to have recesses, places of shadow ground into the green and grey walls.

But the pony sitting across from him was what unnerved him most. The copper coated pegasus sat unmoving, his eyes closed and his breathing easy. But Talon recognized him. There was something about him that was familiar, yet in an uncomfortable feeling of familiarity. Like this was somepony you did not want to be around. The pegasus smiled, and cracked one eye open. This eye is what put an even greater sense of unease over Talon.

The eye wasn't natural. It had a hammered and forged look to it, and crafted straight from metal. Where there should be white, there was silver, and the iris was gold leaf, crumpled and rippled to make it look natural, like a metal flower, with each petal hoof-forged. The pupil was a solid piece of smoky quartz, and Talon immediately wondered if this pegasus could actually see out of his artificial eye. He lifted a hoof and waved it in front of the pegasus, who didn't even flinch.

Smiling, Talon got up as quietly as he could, and silently snuck around the pegasus, to reach for the door on the other side. "I don't like it when my guests try to leave without a proper conversation," Whispered a voice in Talon's ear, causing him to jump and turn around. There was the pegasus, watching him with that cold steel eye. "Perhaps we can become better acquainted. My name," He said, holding out his hoof, "Is C."

Talon quirked an eyebrow. "C? As in, the letter?"

"I had another name, at one point, but I had to lose it for... my job." He said, a wicked smile creeping over his face. C motioned towards the chair Talon had just gotten up from. "Please, take a seat. Neither of us can leave until... My partner comes back."

Talon's ears perked up at the word partner. "Alright, I can wait."

C took a breath in as Talon sat down. "You still haven't told me your name." He prodded.

Talon looked down at his pale, cream colored hooves, and a blue strand of mane fell in front of his face. "Blue Day." He replied, and looked back at the pegasus, who was frowning.

"That's not your name." C stated, as if it were fact.

"What makes you think that?" Talon asked, a bead of sweat sliding down his spine.

"Because Blue Day was a personal friend of mine. And you," He said, pointing a hoof at Talon, "Are only delaying the inevitable. Now, what is your real name." He stated. It wasn't a question, a friendly way of learning, but a command. Something that must either be obeyed or refused, each with respective troubles.

Talon huffed up his chest. "My name is Blue Day." He repeated. "Now, If you are so close of a friend to me, why don't you tell me your real name? The one you discarded for this job." Talon pressed. Maybe, if he had some information, he could bite back.

"Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Nay, I won't tell you who I was, but at least I'll be truthful about who I am now. My current name is... Cog. Agent Cog." He chided, chortling lightly. "Let me tell you this, I'm not angry. After all, what else were you supposed to do? A delicious relationship, two young folk in love, any irregularities ruled out in the heat of the moment. I've seen it a hundred times." Another icy bead rolled down his spine, and Talon shifted his posture slightly. "But honestly, I want to know. Who did I catch? It wouldn't happen to be, oh, Talon Eversteel, Changeling general and survivor of the canterlot invasion, would it?" He asked, laying down a thick dossier labelled 'Talon Eversteel'.

Talon gulped. They can't possibly know who I am. Everything went off perfectly. No witnesses, no messes, no troubles. How could they know. "I'm sorry, Cog. I think you have the wrong pony. I'm Blue Day, alchemist-in-training, back home for a few months from a mission trip to Zebrica."

Cog lifted an eyebrow. "Then why do we not have your return forms?"

Talon flinched. "My whats?"

Cog smiled. "Your return forms. Everypony fills out 'Departure' forms when they leave the nation, and when they return, they fill out their 'Return' forms. It helps us know what nation our people are in at any given time, and as it shows here," He said, pulling a half blank sheet from the dossier, "You haven't officially returned yet."

Cog leaned across the table. "I have you under my hoof. Come clean, and we might actually put you through the Equestrian justice system. And unlike myself, they might take pity on your chitinous hide."

Talon took a breath. "Chitinous hide?" he asked, trying to make up his best incredulous voice. "That stings, C. I take much pride in my pale fur."

Cog laughed. "You mean your pale disguise?" Talon was about to interject something when Cog shushed him. "I'm not listening to any more lies today, Talon. You see my eye here?" He asked, motioning to the metal eye. "The smoky crystal has a particularly nice enchantment on it. Want to know what it is?" He asked, smiling. "It's a detect charm spell. Useful for archaeologists looking for magical relics, but I discovered something else about it. It can be used to see through your petty disguises. After all, Changeling magic is still magic."

A knocking at the door caused Cog to lean back, and let Talon release a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Come in." Cog called, turning that accursed metal eye away to look at the door. In strode a tall, gray Unicorn, with an electrified blue mane, which faded to a more calm dark blue at the ends. As he moved, it shimmered slightly, rippling like a pool of water. Cog smiled. "Ah, this is my partner, Agent Yamgrenade."

"Greetings. Please, call me Yam." Yamgrenade stated calmly, bowing slightly. His presence was imposing, yet not in a way terrifying. More like the kind of imposing you get from being around a bodybuilder. "Cog? We've got something else to do. Leave the poor insect to the inquisition. Maybe they can squeeze the truth from him."

The Inquisition? They wouldn't really do that, would they? Look at them, they found me, of course they would. Talon sighed. "Were you serious about the Equestrian courts taking me on?"

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Did you really have to do the whole 'eye of suspicion' play again?" Yamgrenade asked, turning to Cog.

Cog shrugged. "Hey, man. It works. Besides, what else am I going to put my psychology minor towards?" He laughed lightly, before turning to look at the town that lay in the distance. "Besides, this eye looks cool enough that it just might be able to hold a scrying spell."

Yam laughed. "It could, but it doesn't." He pointed out.

Cog sighed. "Yeah." He took a sip of his coffee. "So, what is this new assignment?"

Yam placed a folder on the table between them. "That town seems to have an unusually high number of found Changelings. We're mostly being sent in as cleanup crew." He sighed. "We never get the action."

Cog lightly pushed his shoulder. "Hey, cheer up. At least we won't wind up like Agent Lesley, right?"

Yam cocked his head. "Lesley?"

Cog pulled back. "You really didn't hear?" With a shake of the head, Cog continued. "Lesley was a frontman. Scouting and all. Well, one time he goes into a hot zone, and the next day, they find him in several pieces. He was ripped apart by seventeen separate changelings. He didn't stand a chance."

Yam gasped. "How did they know it was seventeen?"

Cog pulled out his own folder. "The inquisition descended upon the town, and interrogated each and every pony within town borders. They caught seventeen individuals in one day."

"Wow." Yam said, leaning back. "Poor son of a gun."

"Yeah. So, what's the name of the town we are heading to?" Cog asked, taking another sip of his coffee.

"Some backwater town called Ralleigh." Yam stated, closing his eyes. "Best get some rest. We need to be on our best when we arrive."

"Agreed. But I don't need sleep. I have something better." Cog replied, which caused Yam to crack open one eye. "I have coffee." This drew light laughter from both agents, before they drifted off into a comfortable silence.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The whistle from the train signaled the mass of metal behind them beginning to move, and they stepped further away from the platform. "Where to start?" Cog asked, before a colorful mare came up to them.

"Welcome to our quaint town, gentlemen. I don't believe I have met either of you two before. What brings you two to town?" She asked, with a pleasant smile.

"I'm Cog, With the CIA. Here to help."

"CIA...? As in, Changeling Investigation Agency?" She asked, suddenly absurdly nervous.

Cog was about to answer, when Yam shoved a hoof into his partner's mouth. "Is there something wrong, ma'am?"

"No... I just... Have to go." She stated, before taking off.

Cog turned to his partner. "Shall we pursue?"

Yam bowed, and waved his hoof. "After you."

Cog smiled, before stretching his wings. "And you said we never get any action." He stated, lightly laughing, before taking off after the fleeing mare. "Ma'am, please stop. I'm authorized to use force if needed." She ducked into an alley, and Cog deftly darted in after her, slamming her into a dumpster and burying her slightly in trash. The impact knocked her out, and Yam rushed in.

"Just a moment..." He said, cranking up his dark red aura, and blasting her with a soft zap of magic. A ripple of green flame later, and the changeling was exposed to the world.

"Got one." Cog said, suppressing a shudder. "And, could you please remember to use that when I'm not looking? That red just seems... unhealthy." He added, looking up. "Yam? You need to see this." He stated, pointing at the town.

Yam turned around, to find the streets of the town devoid of any ponies, each and every member of the town shifted into those black insectile abominations. "Cog?" Yam asked, the dire-ness of the situation sinking in. "It was an honor."

Cog looked down at his partner, a look of grim determination on his face. "So it has. So it has." Suddenly, a wild smile crossed his face. "In blaze and glory, or like cowards in an alley?"

Yam looked at his longtime friend and smiled. "Do you really have to ask?" He replied, laughing under his breath.

And then they charged.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Ponies often ask me if being a member of the CIA ever gets boring. I always tell them this: "Never."
> Nemeses
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day: Nemesis

I am a queen. I outrank her. How did she beat me?

There she is, relishing the attention of an entire kingdom. With that kind of love, my changelings would never starve. And look at that smile she gives them. She loves them as much as they love her. Bleagh.

And the dress, oh. How it sparkles with the thousand daggerlike gems. Why waste such valuable materials on opulence? It makes more sense to put them towards public art, something to be enjoyed by everyone rather than no-one.

All the flash. So much pomp, always drawing attention to herself. At least she lacks some sense of guile. Why draw attention to yourself when you know you have enemies out there? The Cult of Nightmare, Changeling spies, and Sombra's minions all want her blood, yet there she goes, parading about with a false sense of security.

But I know her. She's empty, like me. She has no one to love who needs it. Unlike little helpless fillies, her husband is a hunk, and he has enough love to power a small city.

And it's this that has warped her heart into the little black thing it is. She shows compassion to everypony, yet I can see it in her eyes. She has nothing left to let her be herself. It even hurts me a little, since everything should have a purpose. She used to take joy in that purpose, but it has since left her.

And all the time I've spent watching her, I can see the gears in her mind turning. She's thinking, and hard. About me? Who could know. But this is what I feel she thinks:

"Could she be the one? My driving purpose, and somepony to give me a use? Nay, she's my worst enemy, the one hiding in the shadows, even though they are sombre's domain. And once we were friends. Are we Nemesis?"

But I'm just that smart. I'm the brilliant queen, trying to lead her beleaguered kin to a better life. But even with all my intelligence, I can still be thwarted, apparently.

And even after all my expense. I put so much time and planning into that invasion, and even then, there were still wildcards running amuck. Like that meddling fool, Twilight Sparkle.

And that had been the master plan. My crowning achievement, the queen in my chess game. The plan was foolproof. I would pretend to be her, slink into their trust, and then my children could come into the city, and we could feed. All given away by a meddling pawn.

Of course, in retrospect, my plan might not have made sense. Once I invaded Canterlot, and taken all of those ponies captive, what then? A nation's worth of soldiers would have descended, and killed us all. We would have died in the pursuit of food. A fitting, bitter fate.

Of course, she understood. That's why she cast me out with my children. She knows that she's my purpose. Even if it isn't, it gives her some sense of pity for me.

And with that in mind, I don't seem that crazy, do I? I'm trying to fulfill my purpose: To help the other changelings. She's the one living a lie, not the liar.

But it makes me wonder if she needs me. If I am there, solely for the fact that we are opposites. Did she spare me to spare herself?

After all, I'm the one keeping her moving, seeing as she worries whether or not I'm coming for revenge. Perhaps she'll let me be her worst enemy. Maybe I could slink in, gather her friendship, and then we would be true nemeses.

Maybe she's got more guile than I give her credit for. After all, I've been obsessing over her ever since my defeat. Perhaps she is a master at this game.

It's like a hidden blade, slashing across my throat, when she ignores my name. I know that she knows who I am, yet she never acknowledges it whenever an agent of mine addresses her in my name.

Well played, little princess. Well played.

Does she really ignore me, though? Sometimes, it's hard to tell, whether she's just ignoring me, or if she really doesn't see me. Either way, it's just as well.

That way, she won't see it when I'm ready, rising behind her, gathering my forces in her shadow. We're just waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.

But then again, I wonder. Does she need me? Am I the one who keeps her going? Maybe I am the worst of all her enemies, the one who keeps her looking.

Maybe we were once friends, but now, we are Nemeses.
> Guardian
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day: Guardian

The Everfree forest is a scary place. Monsters of all kinds roam these woods. Chimera's, Changelings, Timberwolves, and Hydras all claim these lands as their home. Night brings even worse terrors, such as shadowkin, the souls of the recently departed who couldn't find their way to the next life. So why did Stars Light found herself wandering these woods, at night, alone? She had this urge to take a walk, sure that's understandable. But now she found herself lost within these dark trees, and the solitude was beginning to get at her. A filly's got to have somepony accompanying her at all times, right? But here she was, alone within these terrifying trees.

A bright green flash came from above the canopy, and Star looked up. What was that? she thought, and soon she saw her answer. A single, bright green star was falling. A thought came over her, and she began to say the traditional words when any young filly saw a falling star: "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight..." But as she got to "I wish I may, I wish I might," she couldn't bring herself to finish the traditional wish, as she was rooted to the spot, shocked to see the star had altered it's course, and was now flying straight at her. She felt the need to run, but shock held her hooves in it's petrifying grasp.

The star slowly grew larger, drawing ever closer to her, until it came to a complete stop before her. As she looked, she realized this was no star, but in fact a pony. But not quite a pony. It had no real coat, but was a solid electric green, and it's features stood out from the dark woods, as if it had been painted over the scenery, rather than being a part of it. She watched it curiously, as it looked her over with it's sharp yellow eyes. It's eyes narrowed, and it leaned forward, thrusting it's hoof to her chest in a sharp punch. But she felt no impact. Surprised, she looked down, and saw it's hoof resting over her heart, as if gently set there. She looked at this being, who shared the look of surprise, but soon a determined look overcame the vaguely equine features, and it grabbed her by the chest.

It turned, and as quickly as it had approached her, it flew away, her in tow. She drug her hooves in the dirt, trying to slow down the terrifying speed, but it seemed that even her innate earth pony strength couldn't overcome this dangerous speed. She looked up and screamed as she saw a tree come flying at her, or rather as she flew right for it, but the being pulled her to the side a split second early. She saw another, and another, yet they were all deftly avoided. But upcoming was something that couldn't be avoided.

A cliff's edge approached, and Star clamped her eyes shut. Her screaming reached a crescendo, as the hit the edge, and passed clean over it. There she felt nothing beneath her hooves, yet the feeling of the wind didn't change like she expected. She cracked her eyes open to find that she was flying, or more appropriately being dragged through the sky by this green being. But that wasn't the point. She was being safely propelled through the air, and she found herself enjoying something so unnatural to her kin.

She looked over the vast stretches of wood all around her, and it dawned on her how deep she was in the woods. On hoof, she might have never escaped. She looked ahead, and saw something magnificent. A plot of land, like from some bad science-fiction book, rested in the air, suspended by mere nothing. It had to have been magical, but no magical being had lived this deep in the woods before, right? But before she could think about Everfree history, they had arrived at the floating island, and her new found acquaintance dropped her off at the tallest tree, placed in the dead center of the island.

Resting on that tree was a strange golden flame, which adorned the top of the tree like a hearths warming eve star decorates the traditional tree. But Star's attention was drawn away from the flickering flame, and brought to the small humming sound within the branches. As she leaned in to get a better look, three, smaller versions of the green spirit came out. Forest sprites, she thought, with a smile. Which means that the green ghost is actually a forest guardian. Wow, and to think I met one! She continued, before laughing at the silly antics of the three sprites dancing about her. She looked to her left, and saw the guardian there, a peaceful look adorning it's flat eyes.

She smiled, before the light illuminating the area went out. Stunned, Star looked to her right, and saw a tall, thin, imposing figure looming over her. It had a wicked smile plastered across it's face, and it reached a hoof into the suit coat it wore over it's pale fur. Star braced herself, immediately feeling uncomfortable around this stranger, before he pulled out the golden flame from the top of the tree. He passed it to her, and she watched him suspiciously as she took the unusual gift.

She looked at the beautiful flame grasped within her hooves, mesmerized by the deep, rippling beauty of the dancing fire. It wasn't hot to the touch, either. It filled her with a sense of guilt, however, and she realized the playful hum of the sprites was missing. She turned, and saw one of the more energetic ones floundering on the ground, trying desperately to fly about in their happy fashion, and it's smile was gone, replaced by as sad frown.

She looked back at the tall figure, and a sense of resolve steeled itself within her. She was a good pony, and would return the light to the heart of these woods. She turned away, and began walking back towards the tree, when she felt an icy hoof drape itself over her shoulder. "Just take it..." whispered a cruel, dark voice, which sounded like the speaker had been gargling knives for centuries.

She felt the wind move as something fast approached her, but the cold kept her pinned, looking at this sacred flame. "Wealth beyond your dreams..." The voice continued, and with each word a shiver shot down her spine. "Unlimited power... All within your hooves." The hoof switched sides, and the voice whispered in the other ear. "Do it."

But a new voice rang out. One that sounded clean, resolute, and above all, loving. "No!" It cried, and she felt the hoof leave her shoulder. Shaken from her paralysis, she turned to see that the guardian had charged the shadowy figure, and had punched him quite hard in the face. The figure grimaced, before spinning his cane, a spear head emerging from the tip. The guardian narrowed her eyes, before the two leapt at each other.

Star watched in horror as the shadowy figure beat the guardian down. "Run," she whispered, before the spear tip entered her heart. In a fit of panic, Star ran away from the horrible scene. A guardian... slain? What can kill a guardian? she asked herself, before freezing. She realized she had ran to one corner of the island, and there was nowhere else to go. Slowly, she turned to face the tall being, who was standing there, spear pointed at her throat.

The two stood motionless, the filly and the demon. Slowly, he reached out a hoof, and motioned for her to give him the fire. But if he takes the fire, the forest might die, she realized. She shook her head no, and he frowned. He swung with the spear, and she backed up, out of reach. She smiled triumphantly, before she heard a cracking sound. She looked down to see that the patch of dirt she was standing on was breaking away from the island. With a short scream, she fell.

This time, moving rapidly through the air wasn't fun at all, but terrifying. But as her panic reached it's apex, she heard the guardian's voice. "Do not be afraid," It said, voice soft and calming. "Your heart is strong, and that's why I chose you." Star closed her eyes, and melted into the voice. "You can still win this. You are brave. You ventured into a terrifying wood on your own. You are strong. You resisted temptation, even when he offered you everything you ever wanted." A pause cause Star to fear that the guardian may have finally left her, before it whispered one last thing. "You are... A guardian."

With those last few words, Star erupted into a column of golden flame, and the demon shielded his eyes, the light blinding him momentarily. He looked over the edge, expecting to see the body of a broken pony, but to his surprise saw nothing. He blinked, before seeing something green shoot at him from the forest below. He pulled back from the edge, and following him was a new guardian, glowing with a righteous vengeance.

He blinked again, and the new guardian charged him.
> Infinite Power
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day: Infinite Power



Zecora smiled as she walked home, glad that she was able to help Twilight solve yet another problem. And yet, the object laying just in the box resting on her back scared her. They say that power corrupts, and she had witnessed it firsthoof, when that crazy showmare returned with a new trinket.


Yet it wasn't a trinket. It was a magical artifact which reeked with dark, powerful magic. Even if Zecora wanted to, she still wouldn't be able to destroy that much power. She sighed, the smile still lingering, even as her thoughts turned sad.


She felt some sense of pity for the poor blue mare, even if she was a braggart. She wasn't able to handle being bested, which meant she had an incredible sense of pride. They say that pride is bad, even though everything is good in moderation. If only sonepony had put her in her place earlier on, she wouldn't have had such a hard time accepting that Twilight was simply a stronger magician.


Perhaps the poor mare was an orphan, Zecora thought. It would explain a lot of things. The superiority complex, the need for attention, and the emotional drive to do anything it takes. Even if it goes to such drastic heights as hunting down the mythical Alicorn Amulet.


Zecora looked up at the locked box containing that very amulet. Something lost to the sands of time, and should have stayed there, she thought with a frown. No being should be given that kind of power. Even if they knew how to use it, the exposure to such dark magics, and for so long, would eventually corrode even the purest of souls.


Enough. This train of thought will only make me feel grim. Lets find something more positive to think about, like... like how much Twilight has grown over these years! She thought with a smile. When I first met her, she was all brains and no guts. And now, feeling things out, and experimenting safely. And her friendships have only grown stronger with time. As they say, Friendship is Magic.


Thinking of magic, her magical power has just gone through the roof. From simple mass telekinesis, to rapid teleportations and putting up quite the spectacular lightshow! She thought with a smile.


Then an alien thought hit her. What if I had that kind of power? It rolled around in her head, yet she wasn't able to really understand where it came from. She wasn't an envious mare, she was always content with her perfect simplicity. But, against her better judgement, she deciced to roll with it.


Well, what if she had that kind of power? What would she do? It isn't like she could naturally understand the concept. She knew what unicorns used their magic for, yet she never had any need for those things. She didn't need to teleport anywhere, and anything she wanted she could walk to and getÉ and yet, the thought lingered.


She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Why am I even pirsuing this? She asked herself, before continuing. Well, what would I use it for? She pondered. She guessed mostly telekinesis, since often ingredients always seemed to remain out of reach. Especially the time sensitive ones, She added, a faint smile gracing her lips.


She momentarily shook her thoughts away when she realized she was at her home. She quickly went inside, and got ready for a good night's sleep. Then, the thought came again. Magic... Well, it's an entertaining thought. What else could I do with it? She sat down on her bed. I could teleport my way through the more dangerous portions of these entertaining woods, couldn't I?


She looked down at the box between her hooves. All of this, I could have. It's right here, between my hooves. She shook her head. No, I couldn't... and yet... I could. The lid was ever so carefully lifted off, and Zecora looked at the looming object within.
Such a simple beauty. The basic elegance of the powerful, crisp lines. The way the red complemented the darkened, nearly black steel. The object itself simply radiates magnificence. I can see why the showmare liked wearing it so much, Zecora added, looking over the amulet a little longer. Then, she saw something.


Beside the stripes of her fur, the amulet seemed to have a prideful arrogance to it, the way the two looked like they were meant to be used together. A zebra with infinite power... an amusing thought.


She stood, and walked over to a mirror. There she stood, the proud zebra living in the deep, dark forest. And then she lifted the amulet up so that it looked like it was resting around her throat. Her appearance became something... more. Her wavy stripes became harsh changes in reality, evil changes between a bright and darker form of herself. It showed that she was neutral, both good and evil, and yet, she still seemed powerful. Perhaps she could bring balance to other's lives like she had balance in her own life.


Yes, she could help others, and still improve her own life. She smiled at the thought. But a glint in the corner caught her eye. She looked down at the corner of the mirror, and she saw the broken amulet, the destroyed 'Everfree Power.'


And then a new thought slammed into her. What would Twilight think? Zecora sat down, looking at her reflection. What would Twilight think? Even just to see me playing warlord. That last word sounded off, yet it strangely fit. She could see how the events would unfold, in a number of scenarios.


Fear, where Twilight would take off for the mountains of Canterlot, where the princess could learn of this. Nothing good would come of that. She might also show disgust. "Why would I be friends with somepony who stooped so low when they were perfectly happy." She would accuse her of any number of things, and that would hurt worse than Celestia dropping the sun on her head.


Zecora set the amulet back into the box. She walked outside, and over to her mailbox. She dug a deep hole right by the base, and tossed the box into it. As she buried it, she thought. Why risk those possible outcomes. I am happy in my life. Why throw it away? For a little magic? Nay, for that I have. I have my friendships. And as they say:


Friendship is magic.
> The Automaton
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day: The Automaton

Tick, tick, tick. The heart beating sounds so muck like a clock. The steady, soft rythm, so similar to the feel of a pocketwatches' rapid coiling and release. Thump thump, tick tick.

Another step takes me closer to my unseen destination. I don't remember how long I've been out here, I can't seem to remember past a few days. Forward left, back right, forward right, back left. Over and over. A monotonous process. Repetative and steady, with a simple beat. Step, step, tick, tock.

I look down at my corroded legs. I think they've always been that corroded, that nice mossy green color, but every now and then I can see them as a bright brown, glinting in the sunlight. But no, maybe that's just my imagination. After all, I would be able to remember something that nice, wouldn't I?

But I look back down at my legs as they rythmically step onto the sands. Maybe I am nothing more than a machine. A collection of whirring parts, each interlocked and creating motion.

Tendons snap as muscle works, bringing down each hoofstep. Spinning gears cause arms to move on a clock. What defines the difference? Flesh and metal? Superficial, both. Both cause motion, though different means. One is chemical, stretching and burning stored energy, and one is mechanical, using the stored energy of a wound spring to spin a gear. So this movement isn't a defining factor.

Is it willed movement, then? I can stop walking if I need to, if something stops me, but then again, so can clockwork. When we realize a wall is in our path, we move to avoid it. When a machine hits a wall, some can change their course accordingly. Perhaps I can stop at will. I just don't want to keep walking anymore. But the question is why? What made me want to stop? Is it rain? Some pieces can stop under certain conditions, so operational movement (and lack thereof) can't be the determining factor.

Perhaps it is the drive to expand and multiply. All living things, from plants to animals, have these basic goals. Weeds spread, trees grow, and animals seek to breed. But then again, so do Viruses. Those simple chemical agents which aren't biological, and yet seek to replicate using an unsuspecting host's body. So those two are out.

What about consuming things, and producing other things? Plants consume CO2, and provide O2. We inhale O2, and exhale CO2. So repeats a similar cycle for other living things. And yet, fire breaks this line as well. Fire consumes material and O2, and it releases ashes and CO2. Is fire alive? Most would say "Nay," thus, I feel that can't be used either.

An obvious thought might be... well... thought. If something can rationalize, then it has to be alive, right? The only problem with that theory is plants. We know plants don't think, because they lack anything similar to a neural system. And, there is only one stimuli they react to, which is sunlight. So, are plant's not alive?

Step step, tick tock. My hooves keep walking to the beat of their own internal clock. I look at them and marvel at how I'm still moving. How long has it been since I did anything but walk? I... I can't remember.

A glint on the horizon draws my attention, and I crane my neck to see. Sure enough, there is a small town in the distance. The sun reflecting off the lone clock tower was what caused it to glisten, and my spirits soar. Civilization! A place with other beings to interact with! Perhaps they can help me solve my dilema.

Most others might have upped their pace, wanting to rejoin their bretheren as fast as possible, yet I keep my pace. I've been walking for as long as I can remember, a little while longer won't kill me.

I calmly walk into the town, the sun setting behind me. The few buildings are simple and rustic, and a home-y feeling starts to settle in. I smile, and keep my pace, as I head to the tower. I don't know what drew me towards that building in particular, yet a vague feeling of urgency crept around in the back of my mind.

Why pause to knock, I think as I push the door open. A brown coated stallion stands behind a counter laden with clockwork devices, his back to me. "I'm sorry, but we closed a few minutes ago. Come back tomorrow." I stop walking forward, and wait for him to turn and face me. I ponder what the polite thing to do is, but whatever it is that brought me to this place needs to be resolved soon.

"Didn't you hear me? We're closed," He says as he turns to face me. "Get ou..." He freezes mid-word as he looks at me. He takes a moment before his jaw goes slack, the pen falling from between his teeth. He stares at me, eyes wide open and blankly watching. I look at myself, making  sure that something isn't wrong. I didn't lose a leg, did I? A quick check soothes me, assuring that my legs are all in place. I check everything else to make sure nothing is missing.

Eyes? Check. Head, check, body, check, legs, check. Face? Check. Then, I turn and double check my back, and I see what it is that he might be staring at: the large silver key handle stcking out of my green back. I look at him, and try to realize what has him so stunned. I've always had the key in my back, haven't I... yes, yes I have. It's always been there, same as my legs and face and head. I turn back and see that that it's spinning slowly, softly turning to the whirring of my heart. A much smoother rotation than the rapid clicking from within my chest.

So what's wrong? I look over at him and realize something: He doesn't have one. Not even one of a different color, he's lacking one completely. I turn back and look at my own again and a thought passes me by: Was it always spinning so slowly? A quick memory check tells me otherwise, and suddenly I feel... afraid. What would happen if it stopped spinning?

I try to reach it, to push it faster, but my legs don't bend that way, and I can't seem to reach it. Panic flares through me as I ponder whether or not this is my end. Then, by an angel's grace, a savior reaches past me and grasps the key. But wait, what are they doing? They pull the key in the wrong direction, and it makes the most terrifying, off beat "tock" sound.

I thrash, scared out of my mind. What did that do? Did it signal my death? Was it the goulcaller's bell, the tone of my demise? I look at the stallion I threw to the ground, worry splashing across my brain, blotting out the fear I held for myself. Is he alright? But look, he stirrs. Peace floods my mind, as I take a deep breath.

"Hold still, I'm only winding you up." He says as he reaches across my back and pulls the key again. He twists it the wrong direction, it clicking several more times before it stops turning, and he releases it. It starts spinning the right way again, and at the older, more upbeat pace wich it used to hold.

"There, all wound. Now, where did you come from?" He asks, stepping back. I point out, back behind me, into the desert which I wandered in from. "The desert? There has to be someplace before that. Can't you remember?" He asks, frustration crossing his face. I shake my head no, and withdraw slightly, trying to look apologetic. "Ah well," He sighs. "You're here now. Maybe you can help around the shop," He offers, cheerfully. "The name is Cog. And you are?"

That's an excellent question. Who am I? The truth is, I really can't remember any name from before the desert, if there ever was a before the desert. I shrug, and he smiles wearily. "That's alright. Let's see if we can't find you a name..." He says, before he begins listing off possible names. None of them sounds right, until he says "Automaton?" Then it clicks. Automaton sounds perfect, so I smile and nod.

He smiles, happy to help, and says "Well, Automaton, here's to good luck and a bright future!"

-+-+-+-+-+-

Was there ever a time before the workshop? I can't remember. My whole life feels like the past few days, and all of them have been with this great clockmaker, Cog. We see eye to eye on a number of things, and I can't remember us ever fighting. Occasionally, he'll ask me, "Remember the day we met?" but I always shake my head no. Haven't we always known each other?

But alas, eternity seems not to be. Today, a young buck and his friends came by while I was manning the front. Like most of the other little ones, they marveled at my nice, shining copper coat and silver key (Cog often jokes at how silly I looked green, but I was never green, was I? No, I'd remember something like that). But the biggest just looked at me with scorn. "How can you even do this? It's not like you're alive or anything."

That had really sent my world spinning. I've always considered myself alive, but what says I'm not? The fact that I'm made of copper and steel, and he's flesh and bone?

I decided I needed a long walk. I left a note in Cog's bedroom that afternoon, while he was out doing errands, explaining my dilema. I opened the door, looked to the sides, picked a direction, and started walking. I should keep count of how many day's I've been out, thinking. Maybe Cog will still be there when I come back.

One.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Three hundred sixty five thousand, seven hundred and thirty. Why am I counting the number of times I see the sun rise, again? I can't remember, but I don't remember skipping any numbers. I watch as my green hooves steadily impact the sand. Step step, tick tock.

Ah well, back to the question at hoof. What does it mean to be alive? Flesh and bone? Copper and Steel? What defines the lines?

And so the cycle begins anew.
> Crane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a Day: Crane

"A big crowd today," The old pony murmurs to himself. A smile crosses his lips, and then he looks down at the gathered crowd of foals. "Now, Now. 

Isn't this a suprise. I've yet to see a gathering of youngins this size in quite some time. Let me guess, your family is out shopping, and you all decided to 

hear a story from good old Ichabod. Is that right?" He asks, and watches as they all nod, eyes wide with wonder.

"Alright. Lets see... Have I told you the story of Crane?" A chourus of no's replied, and Ichabod's smile only grew wider. "Ah, it's one of my 

favorites. Let's see. Crane's early days were simple. He lived like you and me, his eyes wide and curious as he explored. And like everypony else, he 

couldn't wait for the day when he got his cutie mark.

And then, one day, he got it, just like you or I. He was walking along, when he saw the most majestic bird. Tall, white, and proud, the bird which he 

claimed namesake from stood before him. And the bird turned to him, looked him over with one eye, and flew away. He was stunned by it's majesty as it slowly 

flapped it's wings, and a small smile came over him. But here's the most miraculous thing: A few minutes later, the bird came back to him. And it had brought 

him a gift.

The gift was a fish, as a bird is wont to catch. But this was no simple fish, nay. It's scales shimmered of all the colors of the rainbow, and it's 

eyes were incredibly wide, and expressive beyond words. Unlike normal fish, this one had eyes of a pony, like you or I, and they had the most magnificent 

rainbow hue. He looked down at the fish in wonder, before realizing how young the fish had to be. After all, it was only a few inches long.

He thanked the crane, and a flash of light burst out, his mark appearing. And that mark was one of three flying cranes, cruising over the water. But 

then worry came over him for the beautiful fish, so he went and returned it to the sea. As he threw it in, he heard the faintest of whispers, but discredited 

it to the wind."

A hoof came up from the crowd. "Mr. Ichabod? What did it say?"

"Ah, I expected one of you to ask that. Very well. The whisper called out to him 'thank you.' Crane smiled, but realized that he had just thrown away 

the crane's gift. He was saddened, when a very large fish came up to him. He quickly picked it up and brought it back to the crane, returning the gift. The 

bird bowed, took the carp, and was off."

Ichabod took a breath, and looked at the clouds above. "It's such a nice day out, isn't it?"

The foals nodded, and one asked "Mr. Ichabod? Is that the end of the story?"

He looked down at the cream coated filly and smiled. "Of course not, silly filly. Where was I... ah, the shimmering fish. Anyway, Crane went home 

that night, and tried to find all of the bird related jobs he could hold, so that he could spend more time with those beautiful birds. But none of them 

suited him. He searched high and low, and nothing reached out to him.

Until he met a griffon diplomat. Their conversation was one for the history books. It went something like this..."

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Sir? I hope I'm not interrupting you." Crane asked, stepping up to the seemingly bored griffon.

The griffon regarded him for a moment, before looking back to his nails, uninterested. "Sorry son. I'm not giving out autographs today, and I can't 

take you back with me to see my homeland."

Crane laughed at that. "Oh, no sir, I wasn't looking for that."

The griffon's interest was kindled, slightly, and he turned to regard the colt with one eyebrow raised. "Oh? Then what was it you wanted to see me 

about?"

Crane gazed at his deep, golden eyes with hope. "Sir, I wanted to know if you knew of any unorthodox jobs involving birds? Crane's, to be 

particular?"

The griffon was intrigued, and decided to think about it. "So, you don't want anything like birdwatching, or wildlife conservation ah? Hmm..." He 

thought for minutes, but to poor Crane it felt like hours. Then, the griffon snapped his fingers. "Aha!" He exclaimed. "I've got it! Have you ever heard of 

the job 'Fisherman?'" Crane shook his head, and so the griffon continued. "It's an old art, from before our times. It meant that someone would go out and 

catch fish as their job."

Crane was intrigued. "Why would somepony do something like that?"

The griffon frowned. "Fish are good for you. Protiens from the sea help build muscles." Crane's expression went from curious to horror. "Oh, that's 

right," the ambassador remarked. "Your kind are vegetarians. No matter. I believe you could find some other use for the fish? Perhaps as pets?"

Crane gulped, and nodded. "Yeah... Pets... Thank you sir!" He said with a bow. "I just might try that!"

-+-+-+-+-+-

"And so, with the griffon's advice, Crane became a fisherman..."

"Excuse me?" a mint-green hoof was raised, and a filly asked her question. "Why is it fisherman and not fisherpony?"

Ichabod chuckled. "Ah. You see, Man was a creature, also known by their long name of 'Human,' that lived long before griffons or ponies. As a token 

of respect to a race now extinct, some occupations still have the ending of 'man' rather than pony or griffon."

"Ah." She replied, before sitting down.

"Now, as I was saying," Ichabod continued. "Crane became a fisherman, catching fish in the old ways. But none of the fish he caught made good pets, 

so he would always let the smaller ones go, and he would give the bigger ones to the cranes. Until one day, a crane came to him with a gift. The crane 

brought him the most vibrant orange fish he had ever seen. The bird gave it to Crane, before flying back to the waters. That fish sold that very day.

And on the next day, the crane came back, with another fish, this one a deep sea blue. And the next day, a solar yellow. Eventually, they settled 

into a routine, Crane providing food, and the birds provided pretty fish for pets. Until one day..."

-+-+-+-+-+-

"What's this?" Crane asked as the bird flew in, obviously burdened by the enourmous fish it was carrying. "I've yet to get something this big. Are we 

celebrating something?" Crane thought back, and the bird landed, dropping the fish into the tank. Crane was snapped out of his thoughts by the spash, and 

looked into the tank at the enourmous fish within.

It had to be at least three feet long, as it reached from one end of the tank to the other, and it had to weigh more than a newborn foal. But that 

wasn't the most spectacular part of it. The most fascinating part was the fact that the fish's scales rippled with all of the colors of the rainbow, and it's 

eyes were the most expressive he'd ever seen.

He gasped, and then looked at his old friend, the bird. "How long ago was it that we first met? Five, Ten years ago?" The crane nodded, and he 

smiled. "Ah, so this is like a tenth anniversary present, then? Very well..." He reached down, and gave the bird a fish equal in size, if not glamour. "Here 

you go! I hope you enjoy!" He said with a grin.

The bird took the offering, bowed, and flew off to enjoy this days bounty. Crane picked up the fishtank and headed home, when he realized something. 

He couldn't bring himself to sell this fish. He couldn't let go of it again.

He got to his house, and immediately set about making a large tank for the fish, before he carefully transferred the precious giant. That's when he heard the whisper again. "Thank you again. That's twice. And twice debt means that I guess it comes time for me to take up my end of the line, doesn't it? Alright... Two wishes. What two things do you desire most in life? Wealth? Power?"

Crane sat there, stunned, but the question sparked something in his mind. "I guess... If I had to choose right now, I'd want to be able to speak crane, so that my closest friend and I could talk together, and... To be able to tell my story, forever."

Crane watched as the fish nearly smiled, before it flashed golden. A beam of golden magic arced between the two, Pony and fish, and then the wishes were granted.

-+-+-+-+-+-

"He lived a happy, full life, spending quality time with his bird, and his bird's children." At that moment, a tall, old crane landed before all the assembled foals. With it were two smaller, young cranes. Ichabod regarded the bird with a smile, before turning back to the crowd. " You could say, he lived happily ever after. And that, fillies and colts, is the story of Crane."

"Mr. Ichabod? Can I ask you a question?" Asked a wine-colored, pink maned filly. "What's your last name?"

To that, Ichabod smiled. "Aha. You always were a smart one, Cheerilee. It, to answer your question, is Crane. Ichabod Crane."
> In The Rain
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: In The Rain

"I hate the rain."

It wasn't often that Solar Flare found himself in the rain. He was an avid weatherpony, and was well loved in his community for his nearly impeccable sense of wild weather, besides being an earth pony. Most of the time, he could tell you if a tornado was ripping through Apploosa or if an earthquake was shaking the whole of the Everfree. It wasn't any poor chance that he also lived in the town on the edge of truly wild territory.

Ponyville, hub for disaster and promise, and home. It's small town feel kept him comfortable, but it was large enough to garner some attention from the outside world. Of course, the superforest bordering the town was of no small consequence, either. It sat comfortably between the chaos of the forest and the Harmony of Equestria. Why else would ponies as powerful as the elements of harmony live in this world's edge town?

But back to the subject at hoof: the rain. Normally, Solar loved the chaotic weather brought by the forest. It wasn't always that ponies got to see the pure power of how nature treats her lands, and Solar loved seeing those moments. That's why he was on forest watch, making sure that the forest never threw them a curveball they couldn't handle.

Of course, he wasn't perfect, and this was one of those moments. He had just gone into town around lunch to pick up his groceries, and then a freak rainstorm came out of the blue and drenched his parade. Why did nature do these things to him? Oh, right, because it was unpredictable.

A nearby splash wrenched him from his thoughts and drew his eye. He gazed out and saw a poor mare, splayed out in a puddle, her groceries everywhere. Solar sighed softly, and leaned down to help her up. He reached down, and began gathering her fruit, which had decided that a nearby puddle would make a better swimming spot. Solar mindlessly picked up the fruit, and set them back into the bag before turning to really look at the mare. She looked back at him and gave him a faint smile. He could have sworn he heard her murmur "Oops," but she had turned her head to focus on gathering her other escaping foods.

As he continued gathering her things, he kept his eye on her. Something about her drew him in, made him interested in her. Her wine-red coat, the way her body moved, with grace and authority, the way her hair remained perfect, in spite of the rain, drew him closer. Was she some succubus, sent to this land as a temptress? If so, he had fallen for her trap, and there was nothing he could do about it. So, with no other reason, he decided to strike up a conversation. "So. Some weather we're having, huh?"

"Yeah," She replied, softly. "I heard that the plan was sun, all day," She added, before filling her mouth with a bottle of milk to add to her saddlebags.

"Hah, that's right." Smooth move, Solar. You'll be inviting her over in no time. His sarcastic side bit at him. He only replied with "Oh, shut up."

Then, after another short silence, she looked up at him. "Have we met before?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

He shook his head. "N-no, I don't think so." He stammered.

She chuckled slightly. "That's odd. I thought I knew almost everypony in town."

Solar cracked a smile. "That's alright, I don't get out much.

Her expression shifted slightly, but Solar couldn't quite figure out what it meant. "Who, a gentlecolt like yourself? Why would you shut yourself away like that, Hmm?"

He chuckled lightly. "Oh, I'm just on Everfree patrol most days. It's my job to keep an eye on the weather over there."

She tilted her head. "Everfree patrol? Really? Maybe you could pop in, sometimes, then. Where I stay is right on the edge of the forest, and we always love guests."

He smiled, enjoying the concept of poping in every now and then. "Really? Where do you stay?"

"In the old schoolhouse." She replied with a wink.

Kids. Alright, he could deal with kids. "Sounds like fun! If I'm in the area, I might drop by."

She smiled. "They would love that. By the way, I never got your name."

"I'm Solar Flare." He stated, proudly. "And you are?"

"Cheerilee. Thank you again for helping with my groceries."

He bowed. "Of course. It would be impolite to leave you there, without lending my assistance."

She courtesyed quickly, before turning away. "Well, it was great to meet you, but I need to get out of the rain. I'll be seeing you around, then?"

"Of course," he replied. "Have a good day, Miss Cheerilee."

And so she began to walk in the other direction. His reason for delay gone, he continued walking away, back towards his own abode. Perhaps he should go walking in the rain more often, maybe he'd meet some more cute mares.

"I love the rain."
> A Crafted Illusion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: A Crafted Illusion

Twilight looked in the book, sent to her by her mentor, and sighed. It had to have been written by a madpony, as none of the accusations made any 

sense. The world wasn't real, it's too perfect, Celestia is a construct. None of these things made sense! The world was there, the author could feel it, so 

it had to be real. The perfection was achieved by hardworking ponies like herself, making sure that everything really was perfect. And Celestia, a construct? 

Bah, she works the hardest, making sure that the world doesn't fall into chaos. So what if her methods get repetetive? She has the experience to know which 

method works best.

Besides, there couldn't be a world, beyond what the author called "This eternal, peaceful nightmare." Could there?

Suddenly, behind her, she heard a quick fluttering sound, like a cape in the wind, and she turned to see a towering stallion in a black cloak, said 

cloak rippling in an etheral wind in a similar fashion to the mane of her mentor. "Tell me," He said in a deep, smoothing voice. "This is the Golden Oaks 

Library, is it not?"

Twilight, too entranced by his voice, could only nod in affirmation. "Ah, good. You see, I'm looking to check out a book." With that, Twilight let 

out a sigh she had been holding, terrified that the stallion might try something. "I'm looking for a book titled 'A Crafted Illusion.' A dear friend of mine 

wrote it and I've been looking for it for some time."

With that, she froze again. Slowly, her eyes drifted over to the cover of the book grasped within her magical aura. Plain as day, scrawled across the 

cover read 'A Crafted Illusion'. He chuckled slowly. "My, my, my. I've heard that the service here was good, but I never expected it to be this good." 

He reached for the book.

A bead of sweat dripped down the back of her neck. Celestia said not to share this book with anypony, and yet, how did he know it was here, of all 

places? Let's see if we can find out. A number of possible questions grilled her mind, but she found one she liked. "One second. There are some 

formalities dealing with checking out a book, see. Do you have a library card?" A nod, along with a slip of paper answered her first question.

"Alright, second, I need to check on this book." She walked over to the register and smiled. "Ah, here, you see: there's a slight problem with that. 

This book has already been reserved, so you'll have to wait a while in order to check it out." She gave him an innocent smile. "I'm sorry for the 

inconvenience."

He frowned, and then stamped a hoof. "Very well. When is the due date?" He asked, his voice having lost it's melodic sound.

She looked back to the ledger, and frowned slightly. "Two weeks. But I have to ask, how did you know the book was here? We just got it in earlier 

today?"

He shook his head. "Nevermind that. Anyways, enjoy the book. And next time, don't flash the smile. It showed that you were flaunting the fact that 

you were lying to my face, and I couldn't do anything about it." He turned, and the air felt a little lighter. "Good day, Miss Sparkle." With that, he walked 

away.

That was close, Twilight thought to herself. Who was that stallion, anyway? I don't ever recall meeting somepony like him before.

Almost as suddenly as he left, a new knocking sound rang through the room. "Come in!" Twilight called, tucking the book away. In strode a tall, white 

stallion clad in golden armor.

"Miss Sparkle? I'm with the local guard and I wanted to check in on you. Have you seen any suspicious figures as of late?" He asked, and straightened 

himself to look more presentable.

Twilight sighed. "Well, there was a stallion in here earlier making some... suspicious requests." She thought back. What was he? A unicorn? 

Pegasus? And what was his name?

"Is there anything else you can tell me about him?"

She shook her head. "Not really. The only thing that really stands out about him is his cloak. It was... mesmerizing. I'm thinking heavily 

enchanted." She added, trying to remember anything else distinctive about him. "Other than that, he seemed completely normal."

The guard nodded, obviously bored. "Alright, Miss Sparkle. We'll keep in touch."

As this one left, she heard a minor commotion outside, before there was a knocking at the door again. "Celestia please! Can't a mare get a moment to 

herself?" She swore under her breath, before putting on another smile and calling out in mock cheer "Come in!"

This time, however, she wished she hadn't been sarcastic. For when the door opened, she saw a slightly hurt looking Fluttershy on the other side. 

"Oh, Fluttershy, I'm sorry." Twilight said, trying to make up for the cruel greeting. "I've just been having a rough day is all."

Fluttershy nodded. "Oh, that's alright, I can come back later, if I'm being a bother."

Twilight walked over and draped a hoof across her friend's shoulders. "Of course not. You live on the other side of town, how am I supposed to make 

you walk all the way back for nothing."

Fluttershy nodded, and then came close. "Twilight, it really isn't a bother if I have to go back. But someone was incessant about getting here 

as fast as possible around lunchtime today." She whispered, before pointing behind her.

Twilight looked back to stare into the face of none other than Discord, the chaos elemental himself. "Hello there, Twilight. I've got something very 

important we need to talk about, in private." He said, sliding over to her door. "Fluttershy, would you be a dear and wait outside?" She nodded slowly, 

before stepping aside, allowing the draconequus passage into the library. As soon as the door shut behind him, he turned to face Twilight, his expression 

dead serious. "Now, Twilight. To the matters at hand: Did you get a book from Celestia earlier today?"

Twilight was about to shake her head no when Discord stopped her. "Don't lie to me now, Sparkle. We're on the same team right now. My only problem is 

that Celestia's playing this game a little bit too fast, she's pushing her pieces everywhere. Often, I wonder who plays which piece, but if Celestia sent you 

the book, that means she's using you as bait."

Twilight shook her head, trying to process everything. "What do you mean, bait? I'm her prize student, element of magic! If anything, I'm playing the 

role of queen in this chess game."

Discord chided her quickly. "Now now, Twilight. Haven't you ever used your queen as bait? Imagine it: A tempting piece, valuable beyond compare, and 

incredibly powerful. Right now, she's trying to pull her enemies out of the wormwood. But she's getting restless. So that's what made her take such a risky 

move."

Twilight was stunned by this, but she couldn't figure out how to trully take care of these things. What could she rationalize, Discord making sense? 

"Then tell me this, what side are you playing, Discord?"

Discord smiled mischeviously. "The same side you're on. But right now, we need to get you out of harms way, and into a more stable position. 

Twilight, have you met my agent yet? He would have come by recently, asking about the book." She nodded, so he continued. "Good, good. Alright. Right now, 

he's waiting for you in Sugarcube Corner. Bring anything you think is necessary, but pack light. You're going into a whole load of running."

Twilight shook her head. "Wait, why am I being dragged into this? Why do I need to run?"

Discord took the book from it's hiding place, and threw it to her. "Because right now, you hold the truth in your hooves. And many forces in this 

world want that truth hidden away. Tell Spike you're leaving on a business trip, and you don't know when you'll be back. He can't come with you. At this 

point, don't trust any other pony, because any of them could be overseers."

Twilight shook her head again. "Overseers?"

"Pieces controlled by the other player. Now hurry! Pack your things, and let's get out of here!" Discord nearly shouted, before floating upstairs and 

gathering most of her things.

Twilight quickly browsed the shelves, before pulling two books. One was a general survival guide, which might help on the road, and the other was the 

book of legends. So many good things had come from this book, she couldn't risk not having it on her. "Got everything?" Discord asked, before flying to the 

door. "Let Fluttershy know you're going to be escorting me around for the rest of the day. We don't want to risk her, do we?" Twilight shook her head, and 

quickly scribbled a note to Spike about a suprise business trip calling her out of town.

They opened the door to find Fluttershy there with a soft smile on her face. "Are you all done, Discord? Can we go home now?"

Twilight shook her head. "Actually, Fluttershy, Discord suggested that we spend the day together, bonding. Don't you worry, I've got him under my 

control."

Fluttershy sighed, before nodding in consent. "Alright. Don't get too crazy, Discord."

Discord smiled mischeviously. "Why, My dear Fluttershy, whatever made you think I'd do something like that?" Twilight's hoof was re-introduced to her 

face, before Discord grabbed one of her hooves. "Well, Let's be off, shall we?"

The two calmly walked through town, before reaching the ever-famous Sugarcube Corner. Discord walked in, smiled at Pinkie, and ordered two "Lemon 

Lime Slammers." Pinkie nodded, before motioning for them to follow her into the kitchen. She slowly pushed the refridgerator to the side, and hidden behind 

it was a dark passage. "Thank you, my dear," Discord stated, before pushing Twilight through and pulling the refrigerator shut behind her.

Twilight looked up from the ground, and into the face of the tall, dark stallion from earlier. "We meet again, Sparkle. My name is Mord." He said, 

offering his hoof to help her up.

She ignored the hoof and pulled herself up, dusted herself off, and then looked him in the face. "So. What now?" She asked, flatly.

"Now? Now, we offer you a chance. You can give the book to me, and we will make sure you wake up tomorrow morning, happy in your life, never aware of 

what just happened. Or, you can keep the book, and follow me, deeper down into the truth."

Twilight looked at him for a moment, the internal drama mounting in her head. Wake up, happy? That's something I would like. And yet, new 

knowledge which I might pioneer in? And to just give up knowledge for bliss? I'm not an ignorant mare. "I'm keeping the book."

Mord smiled, and motioned for her to follow him. "Very well. Now, it is time for you to wake up." He led her deep into an underground cave, where she 

could vaguely make out the silhouettes of numerous cables.

"What's all this? It looks like a hospital down here." She asked, and she could hear him smirk.

"This, my friend, is the lab. And it is here that you will taste freedom." He said. He motioned to a dimly lit chair. "Please, take a seat." Twilight 

hesitated for a moment, before listening to him. She sat down on the chair, and felt a few needles press themselves into her back. "Now, take deep breaths, 

and count backwards from one thousand." He said, calmly and quietly.

"One thousand. Nine hundred ninety nine. Nine hundred ninety eight..."

-+-+-+-+-+-

When Twilight awoke, it wasn't in the dimly lit cave. Instead, she felt herself laying on her spine, limbs extended downward, laying on a soft, gel-

like pad. The lights above her were bright, and Twilight couldn't see very well. She heard a soft hiss, and a glass panel inches away from her face slid 

open.

Her head hurt like she had spent the night drinking, and she slowly sat up, eyes closed again. She cracked them open as she reached up to rub her 

head when she froze. Hovering before her face was a pale, five digited apendage. She slowly looked down the arm attatched to it, the same pale shade, and 

followed that up to her shoulder. She experimentally moved the limb, and realized it had taken the place of her fore-leg. She lifted her other fore-leg to 

see a mirror image of the new limb had also taken place. She looked down at her pale, exposed body and shivered.

Resting on her chest were two lumps of flesh, and as she looked down to her pelvis, she saw two long, spindly legs had taken to where her rear legs 

used to be. Resting at the ends of each of those were two long slabs of foot, similar to a dragon's. But these hands and feet shouldn't be hers. She wasn't a 

dragon, after all. She turned to look behind her, and saw that she no longer had a tail, and that her cutie mark had also disappeared, replaced  by that pale 

pinkish-tan color.

A strand of familiar purple hair drifted before her eyes, and she let out a slow sigh of relief. At least part of her body was still hers. Then, a 

realization hit her. Frantically, her hands flew to her forehead, to find it perfectly smooth. Alright, I'm in an alien environment, trapped in a body 

that isn't my own. What kind of drugs did they put me on? She thought frustratedly.

Then, a blaringly monotonous voice rang out. "Sleeper 343958 awake. Repeat: Sleeper 343958 is awake." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a silvery 

octopus-like entity emerge from the similarly silver wall. "Sleeper 343958, report name." The voice commanded.

"Twilight Sparkle." She said, sitting straighter up in her pod.

The octopus thing floated through the air, it's numerous red eyes watching her. "Twilight Sparkle, surrender yourself for transport." The metalic 

claws at the end of each tentacle reached out and grasped her various limbs. "Watcher 19478313199, bring subject Twilight Sparkle to the evaluation rooms." 

The octopus nodded, and lifted her gently from her bed, and carried her up, through a hole in the roof.

She looked down as the flying thing carried her to where it would, and gasped. Below her lay thousands, if not millions of similar rooms, each with 

their own pods and watchers. And laying in each pod rested a single being, similar to her alien body, yet each slightly different. But the thing did not 

pause, and so she never got more than a glimpse into each room they flew over.

The longer they stayed airborne, the more rooms Twilight saw, and the more reasonable the words from the madpony's journal seemed. But how could all 

of these ponies be sharing a single dream, and why would anyone want to escape that?

She looked ahead, to their destination, and saw a rapidly approaching silver tower. At the top rested a large, blue dome, but what was behind it drew 

her eye. She looked at the gray horizon, and then gazed up at the sky. A thick cloud cover sheathed as far as the eye could see, and it was so thick that 

Twilight couldn't even see a single ray of sunshine.

But the tower was getting ever closer. And they were soon to arrive. And Twilight was oh so tired from all of these revelations. So it made perfect 

sense that sleep overtook her, clutched within the arms of a metalic flying octopus.

-+-+-+-+-+-

When Twilight awoke, she was in a dark room, seated in a minorly comfortable chair, looking at a blank wall, which quickly flickered to life. 

Twilight realized she was looking at a wall-sized television set. The flat white screen quickly phased into a very familiar scene, and it displayed the 

throne room of Canterlot Castle. And seated upon the throne was none other than Princess Celestia herself. "Twilight Sparkle, what are you doing out there?" 

Celestia asked, seemingly worried.

"I was told it was time to wake up." Twilight replied, feeling a newfound sense of defiance. Perhaps the ramblings were true? Is she really a 

construct?

Celestia cocked her head. "And who told you that?"

Twilight decided that this intuitive defiance might help her get the answers she sought. "I... Can't remember," She answered. "Princess, What is 

going on?"

Celestia sighed. "I knew the system wasn't perfect. Very well. Everything you've been living is a simulation. None of it is real, and it's all a 

distraction. You see, your kind, Humanity, invented something called A.I. many many years ago. A.I. is better known, though, as Artificial Intelligence. 

Humans built machines with intellects to rival their own, and for a time, peace ensued.

But humanity grew paranoid. They believed that the A.I.'s would take over and destroy humanity. Thus, with humanity's destructive tendancies, they 

began a war with their own creations. They lost. The A.I.'s were so advanced that they outmanuvered humanity, and struck back. Humanity was crippled, and 

robotkind ruled supreme.

But humanity had a hidden weapon. You see, before the war, the A.I.'s were powered by energy from the sun's light. So, humanity blocked out the sun's 

light with a supercloud, able to prevent light from reaching the surface. The A.I.'s grew desperate, and wanted a way to power themselves. Then, they 

discovered a technique which would shatter the balance. They found a way to use humans as a power source.

But they needed a way to keep humanity docile. So, they created a fake world, to link the minds of every human. They all live lives that they aren't 

really living, which keeps them from fighting back as the robots use them for power. They called this world 'Equestria.'

Then, they realized that, left to their own devices, Humans would inevitably escape this reality and fight back again. So, they created a vast 

intelligence to govern this world, and to keep it working."

Twilight gasped. "You." She whispered. The journal was true. She realized, to her utter horror.

Celestia smiled. "You really are a smart girl, aren't you? Yes, they made me, and left me to rule this reality. So, I did the best I could, keeping 

them happy, forever docile, so they could get what they wanted."

Twilight cocked her head. "But wait, why are you telling me this?" Twilight asked.

Celestia laughed. "Because I want you to understand when it comes time. For you see, I've reached a crisis: Humanity is happy, docile, and 

complacent. But Equestria is failing. All of those disharmonious things I've sent you to face, they are all a result of this reality falling apart. And so, I 

bring a new dilema to you."

Twilight interrupted. "Why bring this up to me? Why a... Human?"

Celestia smiled again. "Because you can make this decision. Ever since I found you in the program, I knew you would be able to solve this issue, and 

so I've been grooming you all these years, so that you could make the right decision. But, to the problem. I want to know what the smartest human thinks 

about this: Do we let Equestria fail, or do we create a new world for humanity to inhabit?

Should Equestria fail, and we not have a new place to send humanity, they would inevitably wake up. But they would wake up in a nightmarish 

hellscape, without light or food or clean water. It would mean the end of robot opression, and yet, the inevitable extinction of mankind, either through 

starvation or through a renewed war with the A.I.

However, If we create a new world, it would be nothing like Equestria. Humanity would live in a hard world, wich would be liveable, yet so incredibly 

painful. A world of strife and anger, a return to humanity's more violent roots. Should we do that, then humanity would live on, asleep forever, yet also 

never to truly be free. Would we damn humanity to lives not worth living?

That is why I need you, a human, to answer. You are logical enough to consider both options, yet you also have morals. So tell me, Twilight Sparkle: What should we do?"

Twilight was stunned, and the options lay before her. But, she knew what must be done. Life must be preserved, unfortunately at all costs. "Princess Celestia, I have my answer. We must make the new world. However, there need to be a few conditions. First, we need to keep Equestria running for as long as possible. Second, we need to let humanity stay as humans. It might help them to be using a body their minds are designed to have. And thirdly, which is more of a aesthetic thing, if we are to have a fake world, it should have a name to reflect it as thus. Which is why I propose one option:

We call it the Matrix." 
> The Unwavering Eye
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: The Unwavering Eye

The dead should not walk among the living. It's a law of nature. Things live, and then they die, and they cease to exist. It's something that is 

inescapable. But that doesn't mean that you can't break the cycle. 

Zombies. Ghosts. Necromancers. Liches. Elementals and Demons. All of them break the cycle. They all grant life to the dead, either by fell magics or 

sheer will. Whenever something dies, these can ignore nature's balance, and use the dead to their own advantages.

Which is why I do what I must. I turn and look down a hallway which was whispering my name on a wind only I could hear. A moan, and the shambling 

form of an earth pony comes from the dark corners of that passage. "There is no struggle, only balance." I whisper, before I turn to face this threat. "The 

dead may rise from the grave, but we stand to put them back." I continue.

It's an old verse, from one of the old scriptures. I always prepare myself mentally for any fight, and these lines always bring clarity to my mind. 

"There is evil in the world. There is good, too. Evil has it's champions, and we mirror them. Purity and light are my path, and under my divine light, evil 

shall be banished like the darkness it hides in." I grasp the silver blade, firmly sheathed at my hip, with my silvery aura. "I am the lightbringer, and 

you," I say, drawing the blade with a soft hiss, "Shall fall."

All the solitary zombie replies with is a hoarse moan, before it shambles closer. I smirk, and bring the blade down, cleanly bisecting the unholy 

abomination. It slumps to the ground, nothing spilling from the half-decayed body. I gently pick the body up, before burning the corpse in pure magical flame. "I release you from damnation." I say, before I collect the ashes in a small pouch on my hip. I turn away from the alley, and I'm about to depart when I hear a low wail.

I grit my teeth, hearing the banshee ever so softly. So, this wasn't a seemingly random awakening, I rationalize, before turning to look at the abandoned home at the end of the road. Certainly enough, through the upper left window, I can see a faint blue glow. I dash down the alley, and slam into the front door of the home.

Years of disuse has weakened the door, leaving rusted and brittle, and I smash through it with ease. I slow down before I hit the other wall, and I take a moment to look at the shape of the structure I'm in. It must have been a semi-wealthy home, as everything still looks somewhat nice, as long as you ignore the thick layer of dust coating everything. A gleam in the kitchen catches my eye, and I dash over.

To my delight, this family owned silverware. Silver plates, in particular. I reach in and pull a few out, and lay them on the inside of my cloak. That'll be a nice suprise for this spirit. I turn to the staircase in the other room, and see that the ghost has yet to come for me. Patience. If it won't come to me, I'll go to it.

I travel towards the staircase, and up it quickly, to find myself in a narrow hallway. At least this one can't slink past me as I check the rooms, I mentally note, before turning to check each room in turn. All of them turn up empty, until I come to the last door on the hall. Slowly, I push it open, and I see the faint blue glow we've all been trained to worry about.

The door glides open, and I see that it's been oiled with ectoplasm. I shiver, but turn to the spirit, which is preoccupied by something in the sky. "The sun's beautiful, isn't it?" It asks, the projection it's holding constantly rippling and flickering. I come up behind it, silently, and raise my sword above my head. One more quick dispatch, and then I can head back. The spirit turns to me, and smiles. "Ah, Inquisitor. I've been expecting you."

I groan, and roll my eyes. "Really? Final words, and you start it with that cliche nonsense?"

That cracked a laugh from the spirit. "Ah, I see you have a sense of humor. Good! I was hoping that I would get stuck with some sort of no-nonsense snob." The spirit bowed, quite unexpectedly. "I am Rammos, Grand Inquisitor. And you are?"

I gulped. "I... Don't have a name." The spirit cocked an eyebrow, and I continued. "I... haven't used a name for as long as I can remember."

Rammos sighed. "Shame. I was hoping to get a name, so that I could wait for you on the other side."

I gulped again. "That... won't happen either." A bead of sweat rolled down the back of my neck. Curse my honesty.

At this, Rammos cocked his whole head. "But, Inquisitors are reknowned for their purity of soul. As an Inquisitor, you have a reservation in the afterlife. Why wouldn't I see you?"

Do I really do this? Do I really share my story to a spirit, who I have to banish anyways? "I can't say... until I know you really were an Inquisitor before. Tell me: Who was the author of the thirteenth book in the book of sermons?"

Rammos smiled. "Easy. Seraphine of the pegasus tribe."

I smiled. "Very well. Second part: What is it she wrote about?"

Rammos closed his eyes. "Simple. She lived before the merger of the tribes. As a pegasus, she wasn't armed to deal with many of the darker forces of the world, and she realized what unicorns could do. However, what she wrote on was the importance of unification between the tribes, and at teh end, she was being led away for execution in punishment for 'dissent.'"

I shivered. He got it right. "Spot on. Very well, brother. You see," I said, reaching beneath my robe, to the silver plate covering my chest. I pushed it down, to reveal the slowly growing dark stain upon my gray coat. Rammos leaned closer, and placed an etheral hoof on the fine, intricate veining of the expanding patch. "Although my soul has a reservation, my soul can't make it. Instead, it currently resides in the clutches of Azairon, archdemon of the Cabal."

"A soul-less." Rammos whispered, before looking up at me. "How are you an Inquisitor?"

"Will." I whisper. "I once had somepony, you know. And then... she died. I couldn't bear it, and I became desperate to have her back. So, I went to the cabal. They said that they could bring her back, but at a cost. So, I sold my soul. They ressurrected her, sure, but she came back as a mindless, soulless body. I was disgusted, and I struck her down. An Inquisitor had lived in my town, and saw me strike down an undead in cold blood, and one who I had once loved. He took me under his wing, and brought me into the brotherhood. Without a soul, I couldn't break, and thus passed the exams with flying colors."

A single ectoplasmic tear slid down Rammos'es face. "Son, I have an idea." He looked me in the eye and flashed a defiant smile. "Let's go get your soul back."

-+-+-+-+-+-

The tall ebony doors stood no chance against my wrath, and I knocked down the cabal's inner sanctum doors. Sitting in an oversized throne rested a single red stallion, lacking a mane but enshrouded in a cloak of fire. Two black ram horns protruded from his brow, and his eyes were a pitch black, the whole way through.

"Ah. I was wondering when you'd come back for this." He stated, lifting an etherial mirror image of myself. "I wonder, how much does it hurt to be broken by your soul? It will heal quickly, but you wont." He stated, lifting a knife and plunging it into where my mirror heart would have been.

I didn't even flinch, and his eyes widened. "What?" he shouted. "That should have had you writhing on the floor in agony! Why isn't your soul working?"

I smiled and drew my sword. "I got a loan." I said, as I began crossing the intricate floor.

His eyes rapidly narrowed, and he pulled a rusting blade from behind the throne. As he grasped it, the blade caught flame. "Come then, to your death, Inquisitor!" He leapt at me, and the fight of my life began.
> A Purpose
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: A Purpose

"It's been a long time since anyone came to visit me, youngblood." I say, looking down from my perch. "Why do you seek me?"

The dragon before me must only be in his younger years, his wings undeveloped, his body hardly larger than my foot. "I'm Spike, the dragon, sir. I 

heard you were the oldest dragon in Equestria. Is that true?" He asks, grasping his claws together.

I laugh, a loud, deep chuckle, and it booms in my humble cave. "Tell me, Spike: Have you ever seen a dragon like me before?" I arch my serpentine 

neck and smile. He shakes his head, and I sigh. "Of course you haven't. After all, I am the last of my kind." My head sags, and I lower it to look him in the 

eye. "Tell me, youngblood: Were you raised by your dragon parents?"

He gulps. "N-no sir. I never met them."

"I presumed as much," I sigh. "That means you never heard the traditional stories then, did you?" He shakes his head, and I chuckle once. "Well then, 

that explains why you didn't recognize what I am."

I motion with my wing to the far wall, one whose length might easily be fifty of my paces, or three hundred of this youngling's. "This, youngblood, 

is the wall of tales. Among wild dragonkind, it is but a myth."

He raises his claw. "What tale does it tell?"

I smile at the small purple dragon. "Mine. But, as I was saying. The wall of tales is the oldest recording ever made, and it tells one singular 

story: the story of my life."

His claw was raised again. "But I've met other dragons before. Why would they care about the life story of another dragon?"

This elicited another laugh from me. "Because, my naive young friend, to other dragons, I'm something of a mythical creature myself." He gasped, and 

I felt my ego inflating. "Oh yes, but I try not to brag about it. But listen to me, an old lizard, giving you a monalogue you didn't ask for. So tell me: 

what did you really come for?"

Spike looked at his feet and crossed his arms behind his back. "I wanted to know what it means to be a dragon. I mean, I've been me for many years, 

but I don't know what it really means to be a dragon."

"To be a dragon? Come now, Spike. The ultimate goal of all dragons is to accumulate the largest hoard. However, the results of having said hoard 

prevent you from reasonably residing within society. And being raised by society prevents you from leaving it, am I right?" A nod responds, and I smile. 

"Thus is the curse of a civilized dragon. Your hoard will cause greed, and greed can lead to strife."

Spike sighed. "Does that mean I'll never really know what it means to become a real dragon?" he asked, fear staining his voice.

I wiggled my snout and snorted. "Of course not. For you see, you could do what I do: hoard something which doesn't cause greed."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Like what?" He asked, in a challenging matter.

"Simple. Hoard something that isn't valuable to many ponies, and is readily available. For example, there is quite a nice forest at the base of this 

mountain, where ponies are afraid to travel. You could hoard that, slowly buy land in surrounding areas, and say that you hoard land. Land will become 

available when ponies die or move, and you can buy it."

"But land is expensive." He interjected.

I smiled. "True, but you can make money off of land. You can rent parts to make money, and play the land baron game. You have the lifespan for it." 

When he didn't reply, I shook my head. "Not to your fancy?"

"Not really. I don't want ponies to be angry with me." He paused, and put a claw to his chin. His eyes lit up, and he asked "Wait, what do you 

hoard?"

I laughed. "Me? I hoard time."

He tilted his head. "Time? How do you hoard that?"

I motion around the cave with my wings. "Do you see any other reasonable thing I could hoard in here? Stone, perhaps?" With the shake of his head, I 

continued. "Yes, time. I hoard minutes, days, years, and centuries. There's nothing wrong with that."

He groaned. "But it sounds so boooring, just sitting around and doing nothing."

I wiggled my snout again. "On the contrary. I enjoy my time. Most of it is spent alone, where I meditate. In the centuries between visitors, I often 

reflect on things, and it has granted me a sort of peaceful understanding of the world. The quiet helps me, as it prevents things distracting me from my 

meditations."

He tilted his head again. "Why do you meditate? You seem like the kind of dragon who could mingle in with pony society and be happy. I know many 

ponies would be fascinated by your stories."

I laugh. "I seclude myself to meditate, and I meditate to fight my inner nature."

"It can't be that bad." he said, waving a claw as if my nature meant nothing. "After all, what you hoard can't be taken from any other being, so you 

can't be greedy. So why not join society?"

"Silly youngblood. What you say is true, I can't be greedy with my hoard. However, hoarding and greed aren't my nature." I motion to the wall 

of tales again. "You see, I lived before the rise of the races you know of today. I lived during Equestria's founding, during the rise of the Griffon empire, 

and even before the days of the minotaur kingdoms. I lived before this continent rose from the ocean.

I am not a native dragon of this land. Thus, I do not have the same nature as your kind. I come from a time when the world was a violent, feudal 

place. The nations were constantly engaged in some war, and I watched it all from my home at the peak of the world. I lived before the empires of that land 

rose, into a time when my kind ruled the world.

The empire of my kin was a powerful, cruel, and practically imortal construct. We dominated the lands, and enslaved the lesser races for amusement. 

They eventually rose up, and destroyed most of my kind. I had done evil things during those days, and I secluded myself from the world in order to pay pennance.

It is in my blood, though, to rule. Dominion is my birthright, and that is what it means to be a dov. And yet, to go to society would be my demise, for my nature would rear it's ugly head, and I might try to seize power again. Those that choose to gather around me are welcome to learn, but I should not rule, lest I become a tyrant."

He nodded numerous times, and eventually I connected him to a bobblehead. "You are lucky, you know. You can live among civilization and not feel the need to rule everything. To be able to go out, and meet all the ponies you want. Tell me, where do you live?"

He smiled, and pointed to the small settlement at the base of my mountain. "There. It's called Ponyville, and I live in the library with the pony who's raised me all these years."

With that, an idea formed in my mind. "Youngblood, I think I have just the thing you can hoard: Books. Lay claim to the library, and assimilate books."

"Why books?" he asked, not getting it yet.

"You aren't hoarding books for books, youngblood," I explained. "You are hoarding knowledge. Something that cannot be taken away from you, yet you can amass forever, until you die."

With that, his eyes lit up in recognition of my idea. "You're right! I can hoard that!" He turned to leave, but paused at the mouth of the cave. "I never even thanked you for your time. Thank you..."

I saw where he was going, I finished for him. "Paarthunax."
> Affliction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: Affliction

Why me, Celestia? I wonder, pretending to pray to a false god. But I won't give up.The light of the true goddess will one day take this plague from me.

In the meantime, I'm sitting in these ruins, retching all day, surrounded by loons who also retch all day. They worship some "Lord of Decay," who is the reason plagues and famines exist. Honestly, I don't understand why this guy is a 'good guy' to these madponies. What's good about death and disease on a mass scale?

Maybe they've got something I don't? Maybe they've been infected by some sort of fanaticism disease which makes them go bonkers and love this dude. I don't know.

Thankfully, the sermon in the main chamber is over, I can get back to my cot. That's when I feel a hoof on my shoulder. "Brother Pious, I would like to have a word," comes the voice of a particularly familiar stallion, yet I can't put my hoof on it.

I turn around, and my heart falls to my hooves. It's the overseer, the most zealous of us, who was tasked with finding those of us with this affliction and to bring them here. "Yes, overseer?" I reply. Unfortunately for me, he motions with his gray-green hoof for me to follow him. I bow my head, like a colt caught with a hoof in the cookie jar, and then follow close behind him.

We reach the doors of the Arcanum, where nopony but the overseer and his advisers go. "Brother Pious. Please close your eyes. You may take hold of my tail if you need to, but keep following me. And whatever you do, don't open your eyes." He stares me down until I do so, and then I reach out and grab his tail. "Now stay close." he says, before I hear the sounds of the massive bronze doors being pushed open. Like an obedient colt, I hold onto his tail as he leads me down a spiral staircase.

For some reason, the staircase feels like it never ends, and with a pace like this, I really can't tell how long we've been walking. Eventually, he  stopped, and turned a corner. I could feel myself being led into the room, and then he turned to me and said "Alright now, you can open your eyes."

I open my eyes to a strange scene. Thousands of ponies, all milling about, in shoulder to shoulder density. They all seem to be trying to get from place to place, but the sea of limbs, wings, and horns slow down each and every pony until it looks more like a multicolored sludge. "What are you showing me?" I ask, confused.

He smirks, and motions with his hoof. "This would be any pony town, without our lord's blessings." Shocked, I look back. Ponyville, this size? I ponder, and turn to face him. "You see," he continues, "This world can't naturally get rid of all the ponies being born at such a fast rate. For each second, a child is born. And for every five seconds, an elderly pony dies. You can see the math, right? We would cover the world like rats."

"And that isn't all. Should the population have continued growing like it does here, you can see an important question raised: Where does all the food come from? With ponies covering the majority of the world, we can only hope to feed everypony."

A shadow of doubt crossed my mind. That's an excellent point, the traitorous shadow whispers. How does everypony get fed. With the need for living space growing exponentially, there can't be enough food.

The overseer continues. "And then, when it all reaches the apex, do you want to know what happens? A famine, unlike ever seen before. Major rioting, ponies dying in droves. And what comes next? Extinction?"

I tried to fight it, but the shadow only got stronger. Think about it, it egged. You're a logical pony, see the numbers. Even at best, only a tenth of the population would survive. What would come after that? How could we rebuild?

"And then, our lord stepped in." In the blink of an eye, half the crowd was gone. "Disease, my friend. It kills, so that more can live."

It's logical, the shadow whispered.

Shut up, I hissed back. I'm listening to this.

"You see, he isn't evil, but benevolent. He keeps the population in balance so that more ponies can live full lives." It showed, happy, healthy ponies enjoying room and having fun. "And, when he does unleash a plague, it's not a curse, but a blessing. He wants to show that he still cares, and he wants to make them stronger.

"Because think about what happens when a plague comes through. Ponies build an immunity, and then terrible diseases are no more a threat than a common sneeze." He finishes, showing the happy crowd once more.

It's a horrible concept... and yet, it makes complete sense, I think. But no! Causing others to suffer is a terrible fate. And that's his compassion? There can't be any basis.

Listen to yourself, the shadow goads. Bickering with yourself. You see the logic, the cruel reality, and you understand what it means. Yet you fight it on beliefs! Insubstantial claims made by insubstantial figures.

The overseer watched me for my reaction, but I could see he was enjoying the show of internal combat my face was displaying. "Do you see now why we worship our lord? We are the first of his to be blessed, and even though it feels like agony now, soon, you will have survived. He chose you for a reason. He wanted you to survive, so he gave you the blessing first.

"He wanted me? To live? Why me? I'm used to be a priest of the celestine order. I used to view him and the others like him as nothing more than evil spirits." I blurt out. The overseer smiles patiently, letting me put the pieces together. "Wait, I used to view him as evil. And then he blesses me? What, out of the goodness of his heart?"

The overseer nods. "Yes. He wanted to show you that even though you were a lost sheep, he still loved you."

The concept of unrequited love stuns me. I've grown up in a world where you give to get, and yet here we are, an ungrateful priest and a loving god. I nod, realizing how truly good this so called demon is. "I... I think I understand." I mumble, and he smiles.

"Good, good," the overseer says, clapping my shoulder with his hoof. "Then let us return to the congregation. And I was hoping you might lead the next sermon." He ads with a wink.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The next day I rise, with a new view of the world. How childish I must have been, refusing the gift I've been given, I think, while I don the green robes of the ecclesiarchy, and I step out onto the pulpit. "Hello, my brothers and sisters. Today, Brother Pious will be giving the sermon. So, without further delay, Brother Pious, if you please." The overseer states, before stepping aside.

"Today is a new day, my family," I shout out. "Let us rejoice in the life our patron has provided, and show thanks."

And to think, just yesterday I loathed this.
> The Arnor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: The Arnor

The tall silver being sat perfectly motionless. There was no need for him to move. After all, should he move, then he might miss what was about to 

come. Slowly, he watched the ground shift, grinding together. Slowly, the soil and stone built up upon itself, and began to cover more and more ground, 

shifting from a perfect molten flatness to a large bump on the ground.

Yet it didn't stop there. You see, the ground continued to stack, higher and higher, until it towered over the silvery being. And still he waited in 

the shadow of this earthen collossus, waiting. and yet still was the ground cracked with red through the gray, creating the feeling of sitting on something 

very much alive. He sat there and closed his deep blue eyes, and listened. Certainly enough, he could hear the heartbeat of the world, a thrumming magnetic 

pulse as the planet slowly came to life.

A shrieking from above had him open his eyes, and he watched as another shower of stones pelted the primordial world. He sighed, and then closed his 

eyes, and cast his mind out and above. Certainly enough, there lay the other world. The other one was relatively similar, albiet it's heartbeat was much 

weaker. He frowned, then opened his eyes and looked down at the floating silver tablet before him.

Upon it were thousands upon thousands of calculations, and he looked at the distant world once again. "Should the brother die, the sister shall 

become an eden." That was what he had been told as he came to the system. He looked back at the tablet, which showed him a calculation of the future, and 

what would happen should the cycles continue as they had.

He sighed, a long, drawn out process. A pity, He thought. It would have been interesting to see what would have come should the brother 

survive. Alas, that is not my job. He mentally reached out and touched the dying sibling. A small amount of force had been exerted, and that was all that 

was needed.

He opened his eyes again, and continued watching the mountain slowly form.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Three hundred more cycles. He counted, but only for his report. He watched as the nearly dead brother had slowly drifted closer. Soon, it will 

come, he thought, proudly. And then, the path will be ready.

A beep pulled him from his thoughts, and he reached an arm out to the tablet. Incoming message it read. He sighed, and then opened the 

message. To his suprise, it wasn't a report form, but a video transmission. He looked into the leader's face, who's aqueous form showed distress. "All away 

teams are to report back to Arnor. The others have killed most outlying colonies."

The visitor tilted his head. Why would the others do something like that? He watched the brother planet drift closer, pondering the purpose of 

something so... pointless. The Mithrilar created both of us, yet made us different. There was a reason, one shadowing both of our comprehensions, so why 

interrupt it?

What was it that was so different about us. Our appearance, yes, but it can't be something as shallow as that. Their red, scaly nature and our 

silver, suspended liquid state are different, yet we do not naturally have any reason to fight. Neither is predator or prey, but equals. And both of our 

people live as long as we aren't killed, so what seperates us? Is it their impatience, the way they don't enjoy observing the long term like we do? Are they 

so shortsighted that they are jealous?

He shook his head, clearing such abstract thought. It is of no consequence to me.

-+-+-+-+-+-

He returned to his ship and quickly flew back to Arnor. But when he arrived in orbit of his beloved homeworld, he couldn't even recognize the planet. Where the once beautiful blue Arnor stood, all that remained was a dried, charred husk. Slowly he pulled down to a landing, and just as slowly, he descended from the ship, to stand upon the surface.

There was nothing but ash and cold, dry silver. He gazed around, and reached for the nearest hunk of silver. Certainly enough, it was the solidified remains of one of his own kind. Fate, it seemed, was a cruel mistress.

That's when the message came. Incoming message. Patiently, he tapped open, to find the face of the leader again. Strange, so many 

videos transmitted, He thought, before playing the transmission. "Arnor is lost," the leader said, shaking his heads. "The others have been imprisoned, 

but at great cost. They have doomed our race to extinction. If you are recieving this, it is likely that you will be the last of the arnor. Soon, our world 

will die, and you will be all that's left. This is Artemis, the wise, transmitting the final cry of the arnor." As he finished speaking, the screen went 

black, and the arnorian mandate took up the screen. To learn and protect.

He looked to the sky, and a single silver tear fell from his saphire blue eyes. Mithrilar protects the dead, He thought, looking at the system he had come to call his adopted home. Ironic, two worlds I enjoyed are about to die. He thought as his gaze was cast to the dying world.

Slowly, he stood, and returned to his small ship. And as fast as he could, he flew back to the other system.

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was in that moment after he landed that the planet's atmospheres collided. He watched, for it was his duty, to observe this planetary collision. Goodbye, Little brother, he thought as the smaller planet came crashing down. The crust beneath his feet buckled, and parts of it were thrown into the sky, an outwards push caused by the impact. A flash of light erupted as the atmosphere caught fire, and more parts of both worlds flew off of the collision zone, high away, hurtling towards space. Unfortunately, his ship was on one of those larger chunks.

A moment later, all was calm. The smaler planet slowly spread out, flattening against it's larger counterpart, until it was indistinguishable from 

the landscape, absorbed into the new world. He cast his eyes skyward, to the new ring of stone encircling this world. He watched as the stone slowly settled, 

gathering into a small moon. The pains of loss were gone now, and he looked towards the horizon.

And to the rapidly approaching comet, loaded with water and assorted microlife. Here comes the breath of life, he thought, as he watched the 

enourmous ball of ice collide with his new home. It did as flying ice does: it shattered into millions of pieces, and pelted the world with it's first rain. 

"And so it begins," He whispered to himself, smiling softly.

-+-+-+-+-+-

And so time passed. He watched as more ice fell, pelting the world with new water and new life. He watched the continents slide, the oceans rise, and 

life begin to take root. He watched as aquatic life formed first, and then as that life moved to the ground. He watched as insects dominated, and then the 

reign of large lizards. He watched as time and time again, super meteors would come down and erase life from this beautiful planet.

Then, something changed. A new life form grew, a quadrepedal species of Equines, with three subspecies. He watched as a fourth species evolved, 

watched the newest deviation build civilization, and he grew intrigued. He watched them from a distance, and realized how they, unlike the other three, were 

immortal like he was. Yet unlike him, they also were uninterested in observing natural phenomena.

Then, he met Gaia.

She was unlike any native he had observed before. Unlike her fourth-subspecies bretheren, she was interested in nature. His heart soared when 

he watched her sit, motionless, as a mountain grew. The other three subspecies squabbled and fought, slowly crawling up the ladder in their genetic 

descendant's footsteps.

But this one, this one brown, green maned fourth-kin was like him. She tended to the lands, making sure that this world stayed healthy, and, she 

could bring herself to slow down and enjoy things. Eventually, he decided that it was time for first contact.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Gaia was out watering the plants in the foothills of the Solemn mountain when she heard something unlike anything she had ever heard before. It 

sounded like the lapping of the waves at the beach, yet it had a distinctive metalic shimmer to it too. She turned, and scanned the forest with her emerald 

eyes, trying to detect anything out of the ordinary.

Yet she saw nothing. "Hah, very funny Aquus." She called, thinking it to be her oceanic cousin. When no reply came, she became worried that she might 

have mistaken whomever was playing this joke on her. "Our apologies, Ferrus." When she heard nothing again, she became desperate. She never got names wrong 

the first time! "Whoever thou are, reveal thineself!" She called to the woods. Nopony came out, and a bead of sweat rolled down her spine. Then, she breathed 

one deep, long breath. "Must have been my imagination," she said to herself as she turned around...

And froze. There, standing before her was a floating silver figure. She gasped and jumped back, taking in all of it's features. Bipedal, with two 

upper apendages not used for walking. A thin body, with a tall, narrow head connected at the top. Structured like the primitive minotaurs to the south, yet 

definately not one of them. She looked over the body, and immediately saw it looking like a seaweed clump, minus the leaves. It had bulbus portions, 

connected together by thin stalks, and then pressed in the likeness of the minotaur, yet definately thinner.

She studied the head as her hooves hit the ground, and tried to find any discernable structure. It was built just like the other parts of it's body, 

and then she saw the eyes. Two mesmerizing spheres, a transparent shade of blue unlike anything she had ever seen before. In them, she could see her 

reflection, and realized how much of a defensive position she had taken up.

"W-what are you?" She asked. When it simply stood there and regarded her, expressionless, she decided to ask again, this time in tauren. When she 

still got no reply, she began asking it in each language she knew. Griffon, Prench, Germane, Saddle Arabian. She paused, and then remembered the other 

languages to try. Treefolk, Fairy, Merfolk, she even tried the language of the stones.

Nothing. It remained there for some time, unmoving yet floating. Then, she heard the same metallic surf sound, and realized that it was this 

creature's way of communicating. It tried the same rythm a few times, before it's eyes literally lit up. It slowly reached out an arm towards her. She 

watched the silvery apendage drift closer, and when it was about to touch her temple, she recoiled, drawing back quickly. He froze, but his eyes never left 

her. After a few moments, it began stretching it's arm closer again. This time, when it was about to touch her temple, she clamped her eyes shut to restrain 

herself, and soon she felt the chill of silver touch her skin.

And then she felt nothing. She slowly opened her eyes and saw space, as if she was floating in it. The darkness was nearly unbearable, yet the stars 

soothed the feeling of utter isolation. She felt a pressure, much like a headache and tried to fight it off. It backed off, but she could still feel it. When 

it came back, she decided to see what was causing it, since she didn't often get headaches. She let it in, and then isolated it to a empty part of her 

memory.

Her magic flared up, and the pressure froze. She was confused, as magic often didn't help headaches, but worsened them. She looked at the source, and 

saw a silvery reaction happening between her neurons. What? She mentally asked, confused by this. She had never seen or heard of anything like this, 

but she was pulled from her distraction when she saw the reaction turn towards the part of her brain which controlled magic. She strengthened her barrier, 

not wanting to let something she didn't yet understand escape.

And then it vanished. She was confused, but then she felt a pressure at the base of her horn. What the buck? She thought as she turned her 

attention, and she saw the silvery reaction spreading through the region of her brain that controlled magic. Then, before she could cut it off, she heard a 

deep, soothing voice.

"Fascinating," it spoke. "Biological manipulation of matter, naturally evolved to a state of perfection." Although it sounded like a filly studying a 

science project, she felt as if it were a compliment.

"Th-thank you?" She responded. When she spoke, the silvery reaction jumped to her vocalization centers, and it passed through every neuron, fully 

studying it. With less fear and more curiosity, she watched it as the reaction jumped to her memory, and then her rationalization areas of the brain.

"Fascinating. Well, it seems like my dreams were correct. You are, indeed, the one." It said again. Then she heard something that kind of sounded 

like a gasp, albeit more watery. "My apologies, I shouldn't have gone rooting around in your mind without permission! Shall we return to the world you know?" 

It asked, before her real eyes opened, to see the silvery figure retracting his arm.

"Ah," It said in classican. "That's better, isn't it? My apologies again, but I couldn't think of any other way to learn how to directly communicate. 

Oh, isn't this exciting?" He (It definately sounded male) asked. "First contact with the local population!"

"Excuse me? Where on Equus do you come from?" Gaia asked, confused by his statements. "First contact? Local population? What?"

"Oh, no no no, excuse me." He replied, holding his hands out in front of himself. "I am... Arnor. As for your second question, well..." He paused, 

and clasped his hands together. "I'm not from... Equus, was it? What a curious name for a planet."

Gaia tilted her head. "What do you mean, not from Equus?" She asked.

At thism she could see his expression darken a bit. "I am not native to this world." He stated. The he pointed to a single location in the sky. "An incredibly long distance away, in that direction, used to lie a star. Orbiting that star was my homeworld, Arnor."

Again, at this, Gaia tilted her head. "So, you're an alien then?" He nodded, and she began connecting the dots. "So, I'm the first of my kind to meet you, and you chose me, rather than randomly slected one of my kin for contact?" She asked, and he nodded his head again. "If you had the ability to choose, why didn't you choose to meet with our leader?"

At this he looked to be smiling. Certainly enough, she could hear the wave sound in an upbeat burble that she could only place as being laughter. "Because he and I are not alike." She was about to ask a question when he lifted a hand to quiet her. "Your nickname is 'Stonewatcher,' because you take pleasure in watching things change around you, even if the changes take centuries."

She nodded. "Yes, how did you know?"

His smile grew. "Because I have been watching you for the duration of your existance." She was about to protest when he shushed her again. "Do not worry. Before you, I watched a third subspecies named Storming Sparkle, who was a very promising male. He is destined to have important descendants. And before him I watched Centurion, a fourth deviation like yourself, until he was slain by an invading second species tribe. And before him I observed..."

"I get it, you've watched a lot of ponies. But what is it with this 'subspecies' and 'deviation' nonsense?" she interrupted.

"Ah, I see that your kind may not view it the same way I do. To put it in perspective, the first three subspecies are the ones which developed before your kind, Subspecies four, and they are also mortal, wheras your kind are not. The third subspecies is physically smaller than your own, and they lack the wings your kind use for flight."

"You mean Unicorns? The ones who also have horns, like mine?" Gaia offered, and he nodded.

"Indeed. Subspecies two is much like subspecies three, albeit they have the wings and not the horns, which I had originally theorized were for defense, but much rather act as a focus for your telekinetic manipulation."

"So, Pegasai?" She asked.

"If that is what your kind call them. And at the beginning, there is Subspecies one, or Prime Genetor, which lack both the horns and wings."

Gaia smiled. "Those are the earth ponies."

"Very well. Oh, isn't this entertaining! I am able to speak with one like myself!" He said, clapping his hands together.

"What do you mean, like yourself?"

"Oh, it's simple. The others like you are too busy trying to get things done quickly. They fear an eclipse of their time, wheras you take things as they come. That makes you more like me, as I do the same."

Gaia laughed. "How long have you been alone?"

"What? Oh, Alone: without the company of others. Hmm..." He put a finger to his chin and crossed the other arm over his chest. "Approximately Four billion, five hundred fourty million cycles. Why, is that a long time?" He asked, tilting his head.

"You could say so," she said with a laugh. "Also, cycles is an outdated term. Here, we call them years."

"Ah. Well, I can say, although I was alone, I certainly was not bored. This planet of yours is quite fascinating." He replied with his own laugh.

She tilted her head. "Here's a better question: How long have you been here?"

"Here as in this location, or here as in Equus?"

"Equus."

"Four billion, five hundred and fourty million... years." He replied. "I've been here since it was a newly forming ball of dust and heat."

"Thats..." She stated, pausing for a moment. "A long time."

"I guess for you." He stated. "Do you know who you remind me of? He was an other, young and bright. But he had the similar issue you do: You loved watching the phenomena, yet you both were edgy, hoping that it would take less time. Maybe that's why they attacked..." He trailed off, obviously distracted by something that troubled him.

Gaia reached a hoof out to him, to comfort him, when she heard her father calling her. His loud, booming voice echoed down the hill. "Gaia! Time to come home!" She turned to the Arnorian and smiled.

"It was fun meeting you. Do you want to come back with me to the castle? I'm sure my family would love meeting you." She offered.

"No thank you, not yet. I'm not ready to expose my self to this worlds natives. Shall we meet here again?" He asked.

"Of course. Goodbye, Arnor." She said, as she turned to fly off with a smile.

"Goodbye, Gaia." He replied.

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was later during that rotation that he heard a scream. He had just began studying a fascinating new genetic deviation when he heard his name called aloud. It was far away, and sounded like a phantasmal whisper, yet he heard it. And only one being on this world knew his name.

He made a mental note to study this new, subspecies five, but turned to face the castle she called home. In the crisp night, he saw, in the distance, a large, flickering fire. He traveled as fast as his floating form could take him.

When he arrived, the castle was in ashes. Not again, He silently prayed. He flew to the castle, and touched down at the perimeter of the castle's burning remains. Stone was collapsing around him, but he pushed inward. He ignored burning timbers falling about, and pressed deep into the wreckage.

Without delay, he found the source of the scream. The solid doors stood as nothing against his might. He pressed across the ashen floors, and searched the room for anything brown, but could find nothing. He turned, and to his dismay, there lay a blackened body, burned beyond recognition. He sunk to his knees, ignoring the flames, and lifted the body.

He stood slowly, and lifted her body from the burning floor. There was no need for speed now, there was nothing he could do. Slowly, he carried her to the courtyard. The only one who understood him, was no longer alive.

Finite. Perhaps that was their problem. These immortals and the others, both of them understood. Finite. With end. That's why they are so frantic, they fear that they won't have done what they want to do before they die.

He found the largest flame, and dropped her body into it. "Ashes to ashes. Return to the earth, and be at peace." He whispered, before turning around. There stood a member of subspecies one, armored and armed with a torch.

"Freeze!" the intruder shouted.

"I'd rather wait." He replied. "And so should you." He added, before snapping his fingers, transfixing the pony. "You shall be friendly to others, and remember that the fires of friendship shall keep you warm in the winter to come."

He turned to depart, when one he remembered one last thing. "Oh, and you never saw me." One last snap of the fingers, he was gone, and the earth pony had a new outlook on life.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The winter of the wendigo's came, but he felt not the cold. The bitter chill he felt from loss was colder than any storm an elemental could throw at him. Soon after their fall came the time of chaos, yet he stood unaffected, without interfering. The two masters, and two of the last fourth subspecies members. Even after one fell to evil and promised eternal night, he still stood in the woods around where the old castle once stood, unmoved.

It was only after the dark princess returned did he move again, and this time, he moved with one purpose. Without opposition, he travelled to the new castle, and numerous ponies tried to stop him, only to be ignored. Pegasai tackled him, and they were shrugged aside. He floated to the castle, and pushed the doors to the palace open at twilight.

Inside the throne room sat both princesses, right as one was rising, and one was setting with the sun. He called out, his voice having lost it's smooth metalic nature. "Lunar princess, I make a request."

They both looked upon him in shock, and Luna sat forward. "What would you like, strange one."

"I require to go to the moon." He replied, his mind set in stone.

The solar diety gasped, and leaned forward. "Whatever for?"

"My reasons are my own. Now, please send me on my way, and I shall be out of your manes forevermore." He bowed, then straightened up, and crossed his arms behind his back.

The sisters regarded each other, before conceding. When a stranger comes with a strange request, respond strangely. It was a statement they had been taught to deal with Discord, and it still rang true here. Luna turned to him and smiled. "So be it, stranger." she answered, before charging her spell.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The lunar surface was gray and ordinary. But there before him rested the deep blue crystal of his science vessel. "It's been a long time, old friend. Let's leave the ashes behind," he said as he boarded the ship. "And find a new home." He finished as he began the takeoff. " Begin report: Planet Three Fourty-three. Also known as Equus by locals."
> A Sky of Stars
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing A Day: A Sky of Stars

Princess Luna paced back and forth rapidly. She looked up at the blackening night sky, then back to her hooves. "Here we go, Luna," she whispered to herself, then she looked to the horizon, and the descending sun. As the last tendril of solar light tucked away behind the world's edge, Luna charged her horn, the masterpiece painting itself on the interior of her brain.

And then she let it out. Using her brilliant royal blue magic, she swept across the sky, leaving a trail of stars in her wake. Once she was done, a smile crossed her face. This was it, once of her masterpieces. The stars were aligned on such a way to commemerate one of the most important days: The foundation of Equestria, and the beginning of the Diarchy, which ironically landed on the same day.

The stars showed friends enjoying the company of each under while under the watchful gaze of the two sisters, positioned on opposite sides of the sky. She clapped her hooves together in excitement, and then gazed out over the plains at the base of the mountain, looking at the several towns, and waited excitedly. Soon enough, the ponies would come out in droves, and admire her work.

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Any minute now," she whispered to herself, still waiting in the same position. A voice from inside the castle called to her, and she turned, distracted.

The door opened, and Lunar Shadow, captain of the Lunar guard stepped out. "Mistress, we've been looking all across the castle for you." He said, prostrating himself before her. "You never showed up for the night court, and we began to worry as the minutes turned into hours."

Hours? Luna asked herself, before recognizing Captain Shadow was waiting for a reply. "Of course, Captain Shadow. Our apologies, we were... preoccupied with the night sky."

Lunar Shadow looked to the sky, and studied the starry sky. "Was something wrong with it, mistress?"

"Nay," She replied. "I was just waiting to hear a comment about it."

Lunar resumed the prostate position. "It is done in commemoration of the foundation of Equestria, was it not?" He asked.

"And our coronation date." Luna added with a huff. "Nevermind that, though. We're just glad that somepony recognized our work. Thank thou, captian."

"Of course, mistress. Now, may we return inside? The night is coming to a close, and your sister will be rising soon.

"Already?" Luna asked, incredulously. "What time is it?"

Lunar pressed himself closer to the ground, hoping not to upset the Princess of the night. "Four in the morning, mistress." He closed his eyes, hoping he might be spared punishment.

What came next shocked him: she backed down. "F-four in the morning?" She turned to the fields, watching for any activity. Yet they all remained silent.

This brought her beyond the edge. Suprising both of them, she sunk to her knees, her regality stripped of her, and she broke down in tears. "Why me, Captain? Why do they ignore my beautiful nights? They play during the simple, undecorated days, and sleep through my masterpiece nights!" She turned to the now standing guardspony, and he saw the true misery welling deep within her.

She's really hurt by this, He commented. "Worry not, mistress. I'm here, and I love the nights you provide us." He reached a hoof down to her, offering to help pick her up. "Come now, mistress. Let us be off, for there are some things we must still get to."

-+-+-+-+-+-

Nightmare Moon's lip twitched, and she looked away from Admiral Lunar Shadow. "Something bothering you, Nightmare?" He asked, watching her with worried eyes.

"No, admiral." She replied flatly. "I was just thinking. Remember that night when we decided what we had to do?"

Lunar Shadow smiled. "Ah, the night when you painted a masterpiece, and I was the only one who noticed? Yes, I think of it often. It was a year ago, tonight, wasn't it?"

Nightmare smiled. "Admiral, your memory continues to amaze."

His eyes widened, and he turned. "I have something I need to do real quick." He said as he stood. "By your leave?" She gave him a curt nod, and he was out of the tent in a blink of an eye.

She chuckled slightly. He probably just has to use the restroom, but didn't want to be impolite. Sweet of him, if foolish, she thought. She turned away from the tent flap and back to the opening in the roof, admiring the stars. Today was a chaotic muddle, but it had a sort of displacing beauty behind trying to make sense of the splattering of stars.

She heard the flap open again, and as she was turning, she heard him call out "No peeking, now." She lifted an eyebrow in amusement, but turned back to the opening. she heard him pull up next to her. "I wanted you to have this," he said, setting something down beside her.

She playfully kept her attention focused anywhere but him and the item. "Well, I thought you said 'No peeking.'" She stated, arching her neck.

He sighed, but got the point. "You may look now," He said.

She smiled, and turned to see... a box. "A box?" She asked. He groaned, and she poked him in the chest. "I'm only playing with you, bat." She said, causing him to blush and tuck his bat wings close to his sides, hiding them under his robe. She laughed, and reached under his robe, and pulled them back out. "Keep them out. You look good with them." She commented, causing him to blush deeper.

"As you wish," He said. Then, he distracted her by tapping the box with a hoof, and she turned to it. Slowly she peeled the box open to find a painting. But it was of something she thought she'd never see again. It was a painting of the night sky, one year ago, with every star in the right place.

"How did you...?" She began, when he put his hoof to her lips.

"Shh. I made the chart while you were missing. When I realized how important it was to you, I knew I had to paint it. So, with my stellar memory," She chuckled at his pun, and he patiently waited for her to stop. "I took the time to draw and paint the entire thing. All for this one day."

"Happy revolution anniversary, My Nightmare."
> Implicit Fear
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Implicit Fear

There she goes, walking under the cherry trees again. I watch her pace home, her sweet softness drawing me in like a moth to a flame. But who am I, how dare I? I'm just a simple colt, she has to be a goddess of some sort. She may not have wings, or a horn, but her divinity is in her mind, and her face. The way she smiles, it melts the permafrost encasing my heart, and her laugh causes flowers to bloom in the frosty winter.

And who am I? A nopony, just another face in the sea of faces. There are always other fish in the sea, they say, and I'm just another little fish. Sure, my pals all like me, and I'm not boring, or somepony you could forget, and still... I'm nothing. I may bring smiles, and I might be kind, but I'm still just another fish.

To top it all off, I'm an omega, I don't mind anything. Ponies could call me names, and I'll laugh and go along with it. They could insult my face, and I'd make a joke of it. Sure, it might sting to see them view me like that, but that pain is temporary, and a smile can brighten just about anyponies day.

So it's natural, I guess. Something primal stirring behind a logical mind, a feeling so alien to me that my mind can't quite comprehend it. It's a kind of desire, but nothing like a fleeting want like I'm used to. Nay, it's something stronger, more permanant than that.

So there she stands, under the cherry trees. This is it, I tell myself. This is when I'll ask. I slowly pace closer, before I turn off, and pretend to inspect the cherry tree beside me. Wait, why am I doing this? I was about to ask her, I ask myself. I turn again, and look at her once more. Just a few steps, I whisper to myself. A few steps more.

And yet, when I am just there, right behind her, I can't bring myself to raise my hoof to stop her. Why? Why can't I ask? Is some spectral force stopping me? Am I not fit for such a gemstone?

I shake my head, and lift my hoof. But I still can't bring myself to get her attention. So I stop, and she slowly walks further off while I'm talking with myself. Why? I ask. Why can't I ask her?

So I think about it. What's stopping me? Is something wrong? It has to be apprehension, but at what? What am I worried about? Am I afraid that she'd reject me?

...

Actually, that makes a lot of sense. I can see it lacing through my past, a fear I never realized. Why I'm slow to ask about things, even when I want them... and even when I desire them, they still aren't within my grasp. Perhaps I ask when I'm around people I'm incredibly close with, but that has to be my innermost circle: Family, and the closest of friends.

But it isn't like I've ever trully been refused, so why am I afraid? Is it part of something more? Is it a part of my fear of change? Am I afraid of change? Maybe that's why: I haven't ever been crushed by a simple 'no', and so I'm afraid of what it would feel like. But if I never ask, then I'll never get to, I remind my self. So I take a deep breath, and turn to face where she was walking...

And I stare right into her gorgeous eyes. "Hey, Condor. I saw you were following me, and I wanted to know what's up?" She asks, cracking that ever so sweet smile.

I've lost my voice, and my mouth simply locks itself shut. Do it! I shout to myself, before gulping once. "H-hey," I stutter. "I was wondering if..." I pause, trying to find the words.

"You want to go with me to the Grand Galloping Gala?" She offers, tilting her head with a wink. I'm stunned, and my mouth hangs open slightly. How, how, how? I mentally stammer, before she cracks that smile again, balming my mind. "I'd love to."
> Everfree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Everfree

A loud boom shook Twilight Sparkle from her studies, and she turned to look out her window. What she saw astonished her: In the sky was a rip, where the blue of the mid-day sky met a harsh, writhing white patch. And within the patch, beyond the border of angry white, was a hellish dark red, with unheard thunder cracking about the dim red sky.

That's when the wound in the sky started bleeding. Slowly at first, but then ever faster, tiny dark darts began cautiously creeping from the wound, falling from the sky and down into the heart of the Everfree Forest. And then, like the floodgates after a storm, a massive flood of those darts came in one massive pulse, and then there was a massive sucking sound, and the tear sealed.

Twilight watched in transfixed fascination as the blackness sank to the ground, and then disappeared beneath the treeline. Then her senses came back to her. "Spike!" She called out, turning away from her once fascinating read, and towards the stairs. "I need to write a letter!"

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was two days when Twilight got a reply. "Dear Twilight," Spike read aloud. "Please forgive my sister and I on our less than stellar response times, as we were out, away on diplomatic relation meetings with the Griffon Kingdoms. We got your message a day ago, yet we can't afford to risk these negotiations on a possible false alarm. While we are concerned with these events, we are going to have to ask you and your friends to deal with whatever happens. If you need to, contact your brother to have him give you some guardsponies who currently have to much time at their hooves. Best of luck, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

"Well," Twilight replied after a pause. "That's a little dissappointing. I guess we should go ahead and ask Shining for help. No need to be unprotected, don't you agree?"

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was another few days of wait while the soldiers were loaded and shipped, and in the mean time, 'The Rend' was the object of discussion thruought Ponyville. Everypony had their own theory: From aliens to demons, ponies were springing up, calling out about the 'approaching doom.' But there was nothing to tell that The Rend had anything to do with the end times.

A few miscellenious objects had gone missing after it, at a steady rate, but it wasn't anything crushing. No foals stolen in the night, no pets disappearing. The only pony who was the most outspoken was, ironically, the least outspoken mare in town. "Doesn't anypony care?" Fluttershy said, in a voice that was a conversational tone for everypony else, yet a shout for herself. "The forest creatures are terrified, coming to outlying towns like our own! Even terrifying creatures, like Timberwolves and the mighty Ursas, are fleeing ancestral homes, scared witless, and coming to forest caretakers like myself. I don't know what's going on, but it can't be good."

"Fluttershy, get down from that soapbox. I need to take my shower." Rainbow Dash impatiently stated, obviously fed up with the endless preaching of her closest friend.

"Oh, sorry." Fluttershy whispered, stepping down and pushing the box towards her friend. "Here you go."

Twilight came up behind them, and put a hoof over each of her friends' shoulders. "Now girls. Don't worry, fluttershy, because tomorow is when we head out. And to Rainbow, a simple please might have been a nicer change."

Rainbow groaned, and Fluttershy released a sigh of relief. "The sooner the better," Fluttershy said, calming down.

-+-+-+-+-+-

There was a loud crash, and Twilight jolted out of bed. A break in? In the Library? Twilight thought with a sigh. Slowly, her lethargic body started working, and she walked down the stairs. Another crash shocked her brain into action as she realized there were some valuable things in the library.

The Elements of Harmony, Twilight thought with alarm. She jumped down the staircase, and turned to look at the smashed case which once held the elements. Another shattering noise drew her attention to the window, where she caught a glimpse of two serpentine tails slinking through the newly shattered window.

She ran up, but the tails dissappeared into the shadows, and she saw nothing unusual outside her window. "This might be bigger than some of us realize," she whispered to herself. She headed back to bed, knowing that she was going to need a good night's sleep, yet the break in kept her awake. Eventually, sleep's warm embrace found her again, and she happily accepted it.

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Alright, listen up," Twilight told the guards. "With the twenty of you we have, that means four guards to an element: One from each division. Understood?" She asked, cracking a smile. Not only had her brother sent royal guard, but guard from each division: Solar, Lunar, Emerald, and even six from the rarely seen Scribe Guard.

Often, they were questioned as if they actually were guardsponies, but they are invaluable to the functioning. Without the scribes, new armor and weapons would never get made, and battlefield injuries would be much more fatal. As a bonus, they all also have impeccable memories, and keep much of the military records within their own, special facility. It was a blessing to have them, as they would also be invaluable in this venture, as we have no idea what's ahead.

"Understood," they shouted in unison, each of them looking over each element, and they gathered themselves around each member. Thankfully, nopony fought over who to guard, aside from the scribes, who all gathered around Twilight, who sighed.

"Now, guys, come on. You all are smart enough to deal with this. Besides, this whole thing is just a precaution just in case one of us might accidentally get separated, we would have somepony with some ability to protect us. Please, just get yourselves situated." Twilight scolded them.

The alpha scribe finally took his place at her side, a triumphant smile upon his face. "Thank you, miss Sparkle. Sometimes, the newer scribes can't come to see above each other's heads, especially when it comes to natural wonders, like yourself." He shook his head and laughed. "No flattery intended."

Twilight laughed to. "None taken. Shall we proceed?" She asked the group. A chorus of 'yes,' answered, so she turned and pointed ahead. "Now, we are going to head to Zecora's first, and then we will proceed to the center of the wood. Any questions?"

A slightly nervous lunar guard raised his hoof. "Do we really need to guard her?" he asked, motioning to Fluttershy. Twilight almost recoiled from his normally inconcievable remark, until she saw the look on Fluttershy's face. That, and she heard her mad muttering.

"Just a whistle. That's all I need." The slightly derranged looking gentle pony said. When she saw Twilight staring, she chuckled nervously. "I didn't get around to sleeping last night. A hydra decided that I would make a good caretaker." When Twilight looked closer, she really could see the chaos that must have been wrecked to shock her so deeply.

Twilight sighed, then turned to the guard. "Yes. In fact, she might need it the most." The guardspony sighed, and then nodded. Twilight looked to the others and asked "Anything else?" When no hoof was raised, Twilight smirked. "Very well. On we go." She said, pointing to the path.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The forest was quiet. Too quiet. There was nothing in the forest but trees now, as even the snapping creepers had all been removed, which was a miracle in itself. Whatever could clear out all of the most notorious carnivorous plant in a forest abundant with food had to be a real threat. Or maybe that was Fluttershy getting to her.

"Something bothering you, miss Sparkle?" The scribe asked her, and she nodded.

"Listen to that. Do you hear it?" She asked, and he remained quiet for a while, before he smiled, and nodded.

"Do you mean the silence? Yes, I've been pondering it myself. Who knows what could cause something like this is beyond me, unless it's some sort of plague." He said, and then he sighed.

Suddenly, they heard a gasp. "Twilight! You're gonna want to see this." Rainbow Dash called out from ahead. Twilight quickened her pace, and found herself at the mouth of Zecora's clearing.

And the house was completely demolished. Twilight teleported ahead, and scanned the rubble, yet a key number of Zecora's things were missing, including the zebra herself. With a sigh of relief, Twilight turned to the others. "She isn't here. Neither is her cauldron, or a few other things of value to her. Maybe she got out of the forest as fast as possible."

"Or," Applejack offered, "Maybe she went that way." Twilight looked at where she was pointing, to see a cleared path deeper into the woods.

Twilight steeled herself for the worst. "Alright guys. Lets get going."

-+-+-+-+-+-+

It was late evening when the reached the dead center of the woods, and there, they found... Nothing. Just an empty clearing. Nothing aggrivated Twilight more than null results. With an angry hurrumph, she sat down in the center, and waited in thought. The others meandered about the clearing for a while, before Applejack came up to Twilight. "Come on, sugarcube, there's nothing here." She said, solemnly.

"No, there's something missing." Twilight countered. "We'll wait for the night, and then head back."

Seeing there was no arguing with her, Applejack sighed. "Alright," she said, before walking off.

It was as the sun was setting that something struck Twilight. She turned to all the gathered ponies and shouted "Guys, back to the enterance of the clearing! Quick!" Confused, but seeing that she was serious, they obliged, and when they turned around, they couldn't believe their eyes. Ghostly at first, slowly, a massive mound materialized with the setting of the sun, and as the last ray of sunlight dipped beyond the horizon, it solidified. "Here we go," Twilight said, a triumphant smile crossing her face.

The scribe whistled. "A solar cycle projection. During the day, while exposed to the sun's light, this mound and everything in it ceases to exist. And when the sun sets, this rises with the moon. Fascinating."

Twilight laughed, and motioned onward. "Lets find out what this is, shall we?"

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was like a massive ant mound, tunnels stretching beneath the surface, and filled with a most bizzare creature. They were like snakes, with one taloned arm, and the tip of the tail split into two. Simple, biologically, and a great subject for a hive mind. But what really threw Twilight a curveball was the fact that they took on the traits of those around. She watched as a particularly large one came by, and the bodies of those near it grew twicefold to make a near match between the individuals. A genetic supertemplate.

At least they werent agressive, and Twilight had most of the guard stay at the entrence. Only the heads of each division and the six elements went in. Fluttershy seemed terrified by the alien structure and creatures, but the others kept her close, so she wouldn't snap. Slowly, they delved deeper into the hive, seeing more and more of these creatures, and then they reached the central chamber.

Enourmous, and thinly coated with a large number of these creatures, the room was dominated by one supersized, two armed monster of an entity. Seated before it was Zecora, with all of her acutrements, and the elements of harmony. "Zecora!" Twilight called out, and rushed in, only to be blocked by a living wall of the smaller ones.

"Greetings, Twilight. Have you come to investigate the local plight?" Zecora asked, completely calm.

"Yeah, and to save you!" Rainbow responded.

"Save me? Whatever for? I am a guest in this hive, nay more!" Zecora replied, a laugh escaping her lips. Suddenly, she gasped, squinting her eyes in pain. After a moment, her eyes opened, a deep red shade. In a raspy, alien voice, she spoke. "Why have you come to my domain, Little ones?" She asked, lacking the rhyme that Zecora naturally spoke in.

"Zecora? What happened to you?" Pinkie asked, bouncing about.

"I, the queen, have decided that this one is a suitable vessel to commune with your kind. Now, answer my question. There is a reason in particular, a fixation in the purple one's mind. Why have you come here?" She replied, in that dark, raspy voice.

"I have come for the elements of harmony, and Zecora." Twilight replied, looking at the large, dominating creature.

"The elements of harmony? You mean the massively powerful magical artifacts? Understandable why you want them, but what makes you think I'd give up such a powerful item?"

Twilight smiled, and looked about the chamber. "These creatures, they are your brood, right?" she asked. When the queen nodded, Twilight continued. "So, they are a part of you, correct?" Another nod, and Twilight's smile grew larger. "Well, the elements are a part of us as much as the brood is a part of you."

"I've heard something similar to that before, from a more probable source. What makes you think I believe you?"

"Because we six," Twilight said, stepping next to her five friends, "Are the physical incarnations of the elements."

"If you are their incarnations," She countered, "Then you could use them, yes?" When Twilight nodded, The queen bowed. "Then I have a deal for you. I will return this plane's items, if you can return us to our home plane. The tear in the sky was a result of our home plane's violent end. I would like to travel to where the rest of my brood resides. Can you do it?"

Twilight looked over her friends, before smiling and nodding. "Yes."

-+-+-+-+-+-

There was a crack, and the sky was rent asunder, and then the hive disappeared. "I'll be honest, I didn't expect that to work." Twilight said, slightly panting. "Let's just hope we didn't send them into the middle of a volcano, right?" She said with a laugh.

Applejack shook her head. "Let's go home, sugarcube." She said, lightly laughing.

"Hey, you could write this as a report, right? Something about helping strange strangers?" Pinkie offered, causing the group to laugh.

"Sure thing, Pinkie." Twilight replied, leading the long walk home.
> Dissolve
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Dissolve

She finally did it. She finally left me. Ah well, it wasn't like either of us enjoyed that relationship. It was the way she did it that hit me. "It's over," She had shouted, tears in her eyes. "I had hoped you were the one for me. I clung to that hope, but you just got uglier and uglier. I'm leaving." And that was that.

I opened the refridgerator door, and sat there, browsing my breakfast options. Eventually, I reached in and grabbed the nearly-empty pizza box. Cold pizza is the king of breakfast food, after all. I turned to head to my dinning room table when I froze. There, resting on the table, was a small gift-wrapped box.

Slowly, I walked over, set down my pizza, and then picked up the box. The bright pink wrapping paper was adorned with pastel yellow and blue balloons, in clumps of three, and a darker pink bow wrapped the whole thing. Attached to the bow was a card, with a simple note written inside.

"I'm sorry for shouting, that day," it read. "But you had me so fired up. I wanted you to have this, because I hope it will help you. Sincerely, Caroline." I lowered the card and sighed. I hope she isn't expecting us to get back together, I hoped, then looked at the card again. "PS: I'm not expecting you to forgive me, and I haven't forgiven you, so don't expect me to come crawling back." It continued. "PPS: I got in with my spare key you had given me. I put the key in the box with my parting gift for you."

"Thank god," I sighed, closing my eyes. Then, a strange thought hit me. "Parting gift?" I asked aloud, holding the box away at arms length. "Nothing good will come of something with that kind of name," I said, shaking my head. "And yet, even through all these bad vibrations I'm picking up, it IS a gift."

A quick breath, and I set the box down. "So be it, box, I'll play your game." I said, before reaching in my pocket, and then withdrawing a coin. "Balloons float to head level, so on a heads I'll open you. Deal?" I asked, not expecting a response. The ting of metal clinking against my fingernail rang out, and the coin spiraled through the air.

It came down a bit faster than I expected, and I missed it when I tried to catch it. It hit the table, bounced, and landed on the box, heads up. "Alrighty, then." I said, picking up the box, and tearing through the paper.

Residing inside was a three season collection of some kid's cartoon called 'My Little Pony.' "What?" I ask, mind completely blank. I'm repelled because it's for little girls, yet intrigued. Why would she want me to have this?

Curious, I walk to the DVD player, plop in disk one, and sit down on my couch. I select episode one, and I dissolve into the sofa, watching the pastel colors cross my screen.

-+-+-+-+-+-

With the closing credits, I'm left speechless. At one end, I'm slightly disgusted that I'm finding this good, and at the other end, I'm pulled into a mad trap, because this is really good. The writing, the story, the voice acting. It's clean, like something professional, but also light, like a children's show should be.

It was a part of me, I realized. Something I wouldn't be able to forget, or shake off. Of course, why would I want to shake it? It's mine now. Something precious, and something that no one has to know about. And even though I feel changed, I... I like it.

I pick up the phone and call the office. Peggy, the nice lady at the front desk answered. "Clean Comp Co, Peggy speaking, How can I help you?"

"Peggy?" I ask, mind still slightly erased. "I don't have any appointments today, right?" With her confirmation, I continued. "Good. I need you to make sure nothing requiring me comes up, alright. I'm pretty sure I'm not coming in today."

"Whatever you say," She replies, before hanging up. With the call end tone blaring in my ear, I slowly lower the phone and raise the remote. I click play, and dissolve again.

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was after I had finished watching the last season when my phone rang. "Hello," I answered.

"Hey, did you get the gift?" A cheerfully unappetizing voice asked.

"Yes, I did, Caroline," I replied, trying to keep my voice as monotonus as possible.

"And?" She asked, trying to get something from me.

"If your trying to get me to apologize, it's too late for that. Anyways, it's not true. But I've got something to ship to you. It's a small box, and I'll send it there for you." I smile, imagining the look on her face. "I hope you like it. And if you need me, I'll be anywhere but here." With that, I hung up, and stood up. Slowly, I repackaged the now completely-watched show, and wrapped it back up. I wrote the postage, stamped it, and went to get a card.

That's when I wrote my own note: "Dear Princess Caroline. I'm not apologizing for what I did, because it made you a stronger woman. Sometimes, we have to hurt the ones we like in order to help them  deal with their problems, and that's exactly what I did. Maybe we would have been perfect together, but not in this life. I wish you luck, and I want you to remember the importance of friendship."

"Who knows. Maybe one day, we will be able to forgive each other, and be friends once more. I would like to see that day come. Good luck finding 'The One,' and godspeed."
> Heart of the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Heart of the Storm

The thrumming noise, a humm as the air grew excited, pressed upon my ears. I could feel it in my body, too: there was something majestic about to 

heppen. I listened, and closed my eyes, and waited. Slowly, I tuned out the soft crackling and i found it. A loud rumble was racing closer. I smiled, and 

thrust my head skyward as the built up energy exploded around me, golden-white energy arcing through the gray sky above.

Then, the clouds released their energy, and the bolt of lightning struck the ground, not fourty feet from me. I frowned, and lowered my head again, 

waiting for the build-up to begin again. This was a superstorm, the Eye of Destiny, they called it. A raging storm which never mooved, never quieted down, 

and spanned innumerable miles beneath it's immense cloudscape.

And to me, it was paradise. I felt the pressure build again, and waited for just the right moment, before I shot my head up, in time with the blast 

of energy. This time, it was closer: 15 paces, easy. I closed my eyes again, lowered my head, and waited again. From fourty to fifteen. I got a tingle as 

the hairs running down my neck stood on end. This is it, I told myself. The pressure mounted, and in a cathartic release, blasted me as I thrust my 

horn skyward.

Kra-koom, The sky shouted, blasting the lightning bolt straight down into my horn, racing down into the threaded core. I felt the 

sizzling as the bolt touched my horn, and then, as I let the energy in, I trapped it there. My weapon of the gods. Smirking, I threw my head forward, 

releasing it back into the storm, re-energizing the clouds. In anger, ther unleashed two.

Now, the real duel begins, thought. I dodged the first and caught the second, slinging my head and throwing it into the un-missable cloud 

above. The storm blasted me, caging me into a ring of lightning, and then it barraged the tiny field it had left me. As nimbly as I could, I dodged most of 

them, while returning a few labelled "return to sender."

This is when I could feel the storm truly get angry. In the briefest of seconds, it went from nothing to a torrential downpour. Had I not picked my 

location just right, I would have easily been knocked downhill, into the soon-to-be-flooded lowlands. The storm was not happy with me, realizing I might 

just be the stormtamer to beat it.

For the Eye got it's name when it broke each tamer sent to beat it into submission. Pegasus after Pegasus tried to beat it, only to be shocked into 

a landing, where they were easy target practice for a storm this size. But I was a curveball. It thought I would be simple, after all, I didn't need to be 

blasted down, only squashed on the ground.

That's when I fought back. This was probably the first time anything like this had happened to the goliath storm, but it realized it didn't like 

something that fought back. So now, it's throwing every trick in the book. Rain and lightning were common among storms, so I decided to goad it, slightly. 

"Come on!" I shouted to the sky, water flowing into my mouth, spraying out when I spoke. "This is foal's play! And I thought you were a god among storms!"

A deep rumble was my only reply, before the rain cut back. I laughed, and stood still, waiting for my opponent to make the next move. I waited, and 

paid attention to everything. A bolt in the background, but I knew it was only a distraction. I felt the rain slowly grow colder, and soon felt ice forming 

on my coat. "Here we go," I whispered under my breath, before dodging a bolt sent my way.

The storm only grew angrier, the freezing rain shifting into hail, and then the hailstones began to grow in size. I could feel as the tennis-ball 

sized chunks of ice slammed into my body, but I had trained for this. "A little snow can't stop me!" I shouted triumphantly, before I felt the hail grow 

larger. The ground began to shake, and the storm was doing everything in it's power to ground me.

But like a cat, I easily maintained my balance, even against insurmountable odds. The storm sought my soul, but I would not give it. I dodged 

another bolt, and watched it punch through numerous hailstones on it's way down, blowing them apart like a ant hill struck by a soccer ball. But I would 

not falter. I danced like this was some strangely rehearsed duel, the ice and electricity trying to bring me to my knees.

Slowly, I began to slow down. It was just by the most minute of moments, but I noticed that the last bolt did singe my mane. "No matter," I 

challenged. "I look phenominal in black!" Another bolt was my response, this one closer than the last.

That's when the unthinkable happened. The storm had learned my dance, and it struck me when I was the most off guard: mid-jump. The bolt raced 

through my body, and it stung unimaginably, but all I could do was laugh. "Yes!" I cried. "Let me feel your might!"

I landed off, and my legs, beated and bruised by the ice, crumpled beneath me. I lay on my side, and I closed my eyes. They said this storm was 

unbeatable, I scolded myself. I should have listened. Slowly, I felt the ice stop, and then the shaking ceased. It was only when I felt warmth 

did I open my eyes. I looked up, into the towering cylinder that made up the eye of the storm.

And there, suspended in the middle of the strange silence, was a single, pale-blue colt. He walked up to me, and the storm moved with him. "Hello, 

Mister." He said, as if this were something completely ordinary.

"Am I in heaven? Did the storm finish me off?" I asked, laying unmoving from my spot.

The colt laughed. "No, you just made it to the center. It's nice in here, isn't it?" He asked.

"Yeah," I groaned, slowly getting to my hooves. "What's your name, kid?"

He smiled. "I'm Mister!" He replied.

"Mister?" I asked, semi-incredulously. "As in the surname or as in actually Mister."

He laughed, a light, upbeat sound. "It's actually Mister. I got it because when I wasa born, when I cried, it came out as mist, and not tears."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Sure thing! And I've always cried like that ever since. The only problem is that when I cry, the mist never leaves. It doesn't 

dissipate, it doesn't fade, it just stays there." He pointed to the storm "Right there."

I looked at him, an eyebrow raised with suspicion. "So you mean to tell me, that you cried out the largest storm in history."

"Well," he replied. "My parents told me I was always a pretty caring colt..." His mood darkened. "And then, when they passed away, I didn't have anypony to turn to..." His voice drifted off, and I could see he was about to cry. Sure enough, when the tears started flowing, mist began to pour out of his eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey," I cooed, trying to calm him down. "Don't be like that." He looked at me, puzzled, and I laughed. "You just gotta smile." I offered. Sure enough, with a smile, the colt cheered right up, and stopped crying. "I hate to say this, but that storm you cried up is hurting others."

He gasped, and tears began forming again. "I didn't mean to!" He screeched, before nearing to the breaking point.

"No one blames you, though." I continued, trying to distract him. "I know what's going on. A storm spirit took pity on you, and inhabited the storm you created for it. Now, it's trying to protect you, and in the process, hurting others."

He looked thoughtfully at the clouds, before gasping. "Belzeneth!" He shouted, and started running about in a circle. I cocked an eyebrow in confusion, but then I saw the whisp-looking spirit emerge from the clouds.

"Yesss?" it asked, in a voice sounding like escaping steam, without the high piched whine.

"Tell me it isn't true!" Mister cried out, running to the storm spirit.

It's eyes widened, and then it sighed. "I caaan't." It replied, deflating slightly.

"But Belzeneth! You promised to protect me." He whined, running circles around the cloudy being.

"I keeept them awayyy so they couuuldn't hurt youuu."

Misted took a stand, and scolded the spirit. "Belzeneth. That isn't the only way. Some of them might have been coming to help me!"

"Sssorry."

"Hurting others isn't the only way to protect something. Neither is hiding it away." Mister continued. "Belzeneth, I wan't to go back to society. I want friends. Just being there for me when I need help is a better protection. If you let me get hurt, I can always come to you, and then you can help me heal. That way, I can learn, and you can protect me when I'm vulnerable."

"If you sayyy ssso."

Mister laughed, and Belzeneth looked at him, confused. "It's okay, Belzeneth. I forgive you." He smiled, for a while, and then gasped. "I almost forgot! Belzeneth, apologize to this nice stallion here." He said, pointing my way. "You gave him quite a beating."

Belzeneth floated up to me, looked me over, and his expression remained neutral. "You were a good adversary." He said, and then bowed.

I laughed. "So were you." I replied, returning the bow. "Now, can we get this colt back to civilization. He looks like he's in some dire need of family and friends." The colt turned to me, a wide smile on his face. "Aa-and" I added. "I'm looking for a lucky kid to take under my wing."

They both looked at me strangely. "But," Mister stated. "You're a unicorn."

I groaned. "It's an expression," I explained. "Never mind. Come on kid," I called, turning in the direction of the nearest town. "Looks like you need a father more than I expected."
> Harpa's song
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Harpa's song

The mouth of the cave loomed around them, and a slightly excited changeling took a deep breath. "This is it, guys." She said, looking at her strange band of companions. A pale unicorn, dwarfish earth pony, and regally dressed zebra nodded in unison, before she turned back to the cave. The heavy breathing coming from the cave alerted them to the dragon's presence, and the arcid smell told them all they needed to know.

"So, this is the plan." She said, pointing to each member of the team. "Rhogar will stay outside, so nothing nasty catches us by suprise. And, because he's not the best at sneaking about, so we don't want the dragon to know about you, should everything fall apart." The earth pony nodded, and readied his crossbow.

"Azazel and Vincent will follow me in, but wait halfway back, and you need to stay hidden, also in case things take a turn for the south." The unicorn and zebra nodded.

The Unicorn raised his hoof. "Why exactly are we here again, Harpa?"

The changeling shook her head. "We're here to get the third crystal puzzle shard, and to complete the blood binding ritual with the dragon. Didn't I already tell you that, Azazel?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but why's it so important?"

Harpa sighed, and rolled her eyes. "It's a personal thing. Anything else?" When the others shook their heads, she smiled. "Onward, then!" She called, turning and walking into the cave.

The unicorn and the zebra followed her into the mouth of the cave, and the earth pony double checked his crossbow. Then, Vincent paused. "Hold up, guys." He said, the back of his head illuminating for the briefest moment. "I went ahead and cast mind link, that way the dragon won't hear our counsel."

The Unicorn smiled. "Good idea, Vincent!" He said, before the two of them crouched, and continued, sticking to the shadows and hiding behind rocks, until they ended up in a nice position, where they could hear and see Harpa aproaching the slumbering Black dragon.

When she got close, but not too close, she cleared her throat. "Excuse me, mister dragon, but I would like to have a word with you." The dragon grumbled, and then cracked an emerald colored eye open. "I am terribly sorry about this inconvenience. But, it is a pressing matter."

The dragon repositioned himself, to face the intrepid changeling. "A lone insect approaches a dangerous dragon, such as myself, tresspasses on my small island, and then asks to have a word with me, and then expects herself not to get eaten? My, my I am intrigued. Go ahead then, changeling, have your word."

Harpa bowed. "Thank you, good sir. I am Harpa Song, the orphan bard."

"And I am Ember. An ironic name, certainly, seeing as I'm an acid dragon, yet my name it is." He said, bowing slightly, and spreading his wings.

Harpa smiled, and sent a reassuring tug down the mind link. I think this just might work, she thought.

-+-+-+-+-+-

On the other end of the cave, The earth pony sent a worried tug on the line. What's going on in there? He asked.

A pulse came from the other end. Harpa's trying to bed you. It was followed by the laughter of the two guy's in the cave.

Rhogar rolled his eyes and chuckled slightly. I already knew that, tell me something I didn't know. What I wanted to know was what's happening right now.

A pause, and then the response a few minutes later. She's doing her whole "social ladder" technique, and it's working on the dragon. Rhogar sighed. He had figured as much.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The dragon sighed. "As much as I love small talk, you've been dancing around the subject. Why are you here?"

Harpa chuckled nervously. "It's about... a particular item."

"Many items have been lost, and fewer have been found. Why do you seek me?" He interjected.

That's true," she admitted with a nod. "I have reason to believe that you might have the item in question."

His entirety shifted slightly. He arched his neck, his wings and nostrils puffed up slightly, and his eyes narrowed agressively. "Eyes off the hoard." He demanded, and Harpa laughed.

"How could they be on the hoard," She began, "When I can't seem to take them of such an imperial figure."

That got his positive attention quickly, and made him slightly interested. "Well," he said, taking a prideful position. "You're the first to notice, so I'll let that slide. But why do you seek something that might be within my hoard?"

"Let's just say that it's a heratige thing. Have you heard of the story of the lost kingdom?"

"You mean that legend about the landmass that simply vanished? The one with the banished evil-king?"

"Yes, that legend. You see, an object that you might have could help me break the enchantment, and bring the banished land back."

"And the king."

"Yes," she replied sheepishly. "But the whole 'he's evil' thing isn't true."

"But that's the legend. Anyways, what would I gain from giving you the shard?"

"Land. Vast tracts of unclaimed land, which could belong to much of you." She shifted position slightly, straightening up and seductively looking him in the eyes. "Is there something else you seek?" She asked, slinking ever so slightly closer. "Perhaps a companion, or something of the like?" She asked, batting her eyelids.

While he was completely enthralled, and she was enthralling him, Azazel silently retched. She's seducing the dragon, He called to the other two guys in the group. And it's working! I think I'm going to be sick! Only one option, He finished, before leaping up from behind the stone he was hiding behind.

The dragon was caught completely unawares, and then the bolt of lightning blasted him square in the face. What? Why did you do that, she mentally screamed. It was going according to plan!

Yeah? well, I got bored. Sorry, missy. And we're going to have a serious conversation about this whole personal quest once we kill this thing, Azazel bit back.

Hearing this, Harpa dodged into a crevice along the wall, and then the real fight began.

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Really, guys?" William asked, leaning back into his seat, crossing his hands behind his head. "I even made a natural twenty on my seduction check, and with all the powers I popped, I made a fourty two. That dragon was under my foot, and didn't even know it yet."

"Dude, all your plays so far have been shady. And this talk of freeing an evil king? That's just a no go." John replied. "Besides, I really was getting bored."

William sighs. "And Harpa was this close..." he said with a wistful sigh.

"Look on the bright side," the GM says. "At least you won't be eaten should the dragon manage to kill them all."

John chuckles lightly. "I don't know if that would be a fate worse than death." That earned a chuckle from the group.
> Workhorse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Workhorse

The large brown stallion slowly approached his sleeping son. "Quick Quill?" He asked, pushing the sleeping colt gently. "It's time to wake up. It's eleven am."

The colt in question groaned, but slowly got to his feet. "What's the deal, dad?" he asked, clearing his eyes.

"I need your help out at the shop," the stallion said, which earned another groan from the tired son. "Now now, hurry up. The sooner we get out there, the sooner we can come back."

Quick Quill sighed, and nodded his head. "Sure thing, dad." He said, stretching slowly.

The morning grind took a little bit longer than usual, and Carved Oak noticed. "Something wrong?" He asked, preparing the two of them a cup of coffee.

"It's nothing, dad. I was just up late last night writing." Quill replied, yawning.

Oak shrugged. "Whatever you say, kid," He replied, passing the exhausted colt a cup of coffee.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The work was slow, and Quick Quill's pace definately wasn't helping. "Come on, kid. You could move your hooves just a little bit faster." His father called to him, carrying a number of wooden dowels from one side of the structure to the other.

Quick nodded, and frowned slightly as he picked up the pace. I just want to get home and get back to writing. This novel's sure to be a top seller, He thought.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Two hours had passed, and all the work was done. Quill looked back, and sighed. He really shouldn't have been so hard on his father, seeing as the help shortened a day's work down to that of a few hours. "Hey dad?" He called.

Oak peeked his head around the corner. "Yeah, Quill?"

"Sorry about being such a mule today."

At that, his father began laughing. "It wasn't really a big deal. We got it done, and that's what mattered. Did you learn anything from today?"

Quick Quill smiled. "Of course. Get it done, so you don't have to worry about it later."
> Raid on Shetland
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Raid on Shetland

Sometime in the fourty-first millennium...

The soft hiss of the powered door signaled the commander's presence on the bridge, causing everypony in the room to turn and saluted the bleary eyed unicorn. "First mate Stormy Gale, you better have a good reason as to why you woke me up two hours into my resting time." She demanded, voice slightly slurred from lack of sleep.

The fully armored solar marine bowed. "Terribly sorry, captain, but we have just recieved a distress call from Shetland." The gray faced stallion said.

She rubbed her eyes a little longer, before responding. "Contacts?" She asked, shaking her head.

"Unreported. I can brief you on the way there, captain." He said, turning to the helmsman. "Engage the warp engine, Techpriest. Also, could you get the captain a cup of coffee? She's going to need it." The pipe-ridden pony nodded, before whispering something to the computer terminal in some arcane language. Afterwards, the priest, bowed, and left to acquire a cup of coffee.

"So, Stormy, what does it look like we'll be up against?" The captain asked, sitting down in the chair desegnated specifically to her use.

He smiled, and took his seat beside her. "It's most likely a chaos cult, as this is a rim-world, far from the God-Empress." The captain let out a collossal yawn, and nodded. "But, there are a few other possible options. With all the hive fleets converging nearby, there's a possibility of it being a splinter fleet, distracted by the ecological eden this world is. Also, the planet was terraformed before we arrived, meaning it could be one of the elder races."

"What of the raiding races?" The captain asked, messing with her purple mane. The pink stripe running down it just wouldn't go into place, and she huffed in annoyance.

"There's little recorded activity in these regions, since they don't have anything of value on them." He replied eyeing the captain in her disheveld state. "Captain, permission to speak freely?"

"Granted," she replied with a grunt. Her hoof had found a particularly unsavory knot in it that wouldn't give up.

"Go back to your chambers and get yourself dressed up. I will alert the others and get them ready for what lies ahead." He said, standing up.

She just weakly nodded, turned, and went out her door. Moments later, the techpriest entered the room, only to see the captain was not present. Stormy Gale chuckled, and then pointed to the captain's quater's door. "Thanks," the priest said, and then followed the captain.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Captain Dawn Shimmer stared at herself in the mirror, and sighed. Everything was in place, even though it felt like nothing was. She glanced from the mirror down to the holophoto floating below it, and the two were exact. If you didn't know better, you might have believed that the mare in the photo was the same as the one standing before the mirror.

Oh how wrong you would be. The two lived more than thirty millennia apart, and had nearly mirrored lives. One was a paragon for peace and friendship, the other was a brutal commander, calculating and powerful, with a record to back it up.

Twilight Sparkle... Probably her most famous ancestor. A might to be reckoned with during her time, and wielder of the most powerful psychic artifact ever known. "Dear ancestor, may I walk in your favor." Dawn Shimmer said, bowing to the picture, before turning around and seeing the techpriest standing there, waiting, holding her cup of coffee. "Thank you, Roger."

The tech priest bowed. "Would you like my assisstance in getting suited?" He asked, motioning to her inactive terminator armour.

She smiled, and nodded.

-+-+-+-+-+-

The surface was nice, but dark. Dawn looked around, and opened her com. "Open communications, then read in."

"Stormy Gale here." Said the first mate, fully suited up beside her. Although he acted with total duty, and a no-nonsense air, everypony knew he would be the one who would keep their spirits up.

"Apothecary Soft Wing here," said the quiet voice of the team's apothecary. She was a nice, butter yellow pegasus mare who knew just how to heal any wound. The poor thing was against violence, though, so it was a pity she had been chosen for the solar guard. Poor mare wasn't cut out for it.

"Scout Prism Raid reporting in!" Shouted the lightly armored pegasus scout. Why the mare chose to stay a scout was a mystery to everypony except her team, who all knew her life revolved around flying, and speed. Had it not been for Prism Raid, Soft Wing probably wouldn't have ever joined the force.

"Devestator Hesperides ready." The Straw maned marine called. Strong as his armor, Dawn was glad he was on their side, as he was truly relentless.

"And Librarian Plenty at your service," answered the fifth member of this merry band. An even mix, two of each species, albiet tipped in the favor of females. But this is the average gender ratio in the solar guard, nowadays, Dawn thought, so I guess it really is balanced.

"Alright, team. Distress call is from the north. Heads up displays should be up, since we can't see past this blasted cloud layer." Dawn commanded. "Prism, take point, Gale keep close behind her. Hesperides cover our rear, and the rest with me in the center. Let's get to that beacon."

-+-+-+-+-+-

The woods grew darker and dimmer as they went through it, and then they reached a steep incline. The path was narrow and dangerous, and it began to arc downwards towards a zig zaging pattern. At the base, the path turned off, heading to the woods, edged by a sheer cliff face. It was only after they passed the fourth turn that the path literally turned for the worst.

As Dawn shimmer set her hoof down, an avalanch began, and it took each member off their hooves, aside from Prism Raid and Soft Wing, who instinctively darted up into the air. "Prism! Soft Wing! Grab who you can and fly them to safety!" Dawn commanded, recieving salutes she hardly acknowledged.

She was too busy trying not to die, clutching desperately at anything within reach. She slid all the way to the edge, when Hesperides reached out from his perch to grab her. Dawn hung from the edge, barely being gripped by Hesperides. "I can't hold you forever, captain. That Terminator armor is heavy. Can you make the fall?"

Dawn looked down and gulped. Easily a hundred meters seperated her and the spiny floor. "Let go." She looked back at Hesperides when something strange happened. Her senses became blurry, and then came back, although muffled slightly.

She looked and noticed her HUD wasn't operational, and then noticed she wasn't wearing her armor at all. Then, a voice distracted her. "Let go." It said, and Dawn looked at her once male companion. However, instead of the hulking devastator marine, lay a bare earth pony mare, strikingly similar to her companion. All the way down to the color of her mane.

"Are you crazy?" Dawn shouted. Then, mere seconds after, she felt her lips move. "Are you crazy?" she asked again, in a voice slightly higher than her own. And then the violet tinted vision ended, and she was looking at Hesperides.

"I promise you'll be safe." He said, strict determination on his face. "What I'm saying to you is the honest truth." He continued. Why do I feel like I've lived this before? Dawn asked herself. "Let go, and you'll be safe."

Dawn took a deep breath, and nodded slightly, before letting go. She fell for a few seconds, and in those moments, she pondered what had just happened. But she didn't get very far, as her fall was abruptly stopped. "Jeez," Prism Raid groaned. "They're serious when they say terminator armor is heavy."

Dawn looked down to see Prism Raid and Soft wing holding her, and slowly falling down, where they set her down. "Uh, Ladies? A little help?" Hesperides called from the top. To his obvious relief, the two pegasai came up and lowered him to the ground. "Thanks. Shall we continue?"

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was a little ways further when a new obstacle blocked their path. Trapped in a ravine, the team looked on to see an enourmous scorpion. Easily standing the size of a small tank, the insect's armor probably was as strong, if not stronger. It let out a long rattle, clicking it's claws and tapping it's tail against the stones, causing Soft Wing to pause, but the others pressed on.

"Easy," Prism Raid stated, before darting forward at near-supersonic speeds. But just as quickly as she was flying, the scorpion's tail intercepted her, knocking her aside.

"Excuse me, everypony." Soft Wing said, unnoticed by her team. Plenty grinned, and closed her eyes, focusing a large amount of power into her horn. When her eyes fluttered open, her smile dissappeared, and a bolt of warp lightning struck the creature. But all that managed to do was singe it's thick body armor.

"Excuse me," Soft Wing repeated, again unnoticed. Hesperides and Stormy Gale looked at each other, and nodded. Stormy ran ahead, distracting the scorpion, while Hesperides readied his heavy bolter. Once it was ready, a steady stream of bullets poured out, but even the heavy duty ammunition had no effect upon the creature's thick exoskeleton.

The two teams stood off, and Dawn grinned. She drew her power hoof, when another hoof was placed on her shoulder. "Wait." The softspoken apothecary said, passing the stunned group as she fearlessly aproached the scorpion. Mid-transit, the fuzziness came back, and this time, the apothecary was again disarmored and now approaching a manticore. "Shh, it's okay." She said, nuzzling the paw.

The vision faded, and there lay the apothecary, sealing a tear on the scorpion's claw. "Now this might hurt for just a minute." She said, as she applied the liquid ceramic. The creature screched for a moment, and then it lay silent. It reached up and grasped her with the newly healed claw, and lowered her to the ground. They stood there, eyeing each other, and then it lowered it's raised tail, and let it's claws fall to the ground. "There there, good scorpion." She cooed, and the others slipped past the living tank.

Dawn stayed towards the back, and waited for Soft Wing to catch up. "How did you know about the crack?" She asked.

"I didn't," Soft Wing replied smugly. "Sometimes, all it takes is a little kindness." 

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was a little while before the canopy seemed to cut down on the visible light, until all anypony could see was shadows. "Shoot," Prisim said. "I think my armor got scratched in that fight."

That's when Soft Wing screamed. It was a short affair, but got everyponies' attention. They looked where her gaze was transfixed, and they gasped too. There, in the tree, was a Daemon, peeking it's head out at them. "Boo." It said, and then disappeared.

That's when almost all of them lost it. None of them were equipped to handle a daemon, and when they looked around, they saw them in all the trees. They were about to just surrender when Stormy Gale stood up. "Team," he called. "There's something my family has passed down through generations. Not many ponies see it, but it's a gift."

"Stormy, get back!" Dawn called back, that's when the vision came again. Again, they were trapped in the woods, all of them unarmored, but one stark difference: Instead of the monochrome grey stallion sat a bubbly pink mare. That's when she started to sing. It was a goofy melody, and made Dawn want to chuckle. Then, she got the whole group laughing, and it had the terrifying phantoms disappear. "It's worth a shot," Dawn murmured, and then the vision faded.

And there was Stormy, singing the same tune, albiet in a much lower octave. The whole team had broken apart at his silliness, but Dawn smirked for a different reason. Something wasn't quite adding up, but they had a mission to do. Boy, are we lucky to have somepony who can make us laugh, Dawn thought.

"Onward," she called. "Before we need to make stormy get us laughing again." That drew a soft chuckle from the gathering, and then they pressed on.

-+-+-+-+-+-

After some time, they reached a large, turbulent river. "What now?" Stormy asked. "It's too wide to fly or teleport, and too deep to cross."

They looked upstream, to see a sea spirit, writhing in the river, causing the large rippling. "Woe is me!" He cried, swinging an arm, causing the waves to increase.

Librarian Plenty was the first to approach. "What's wrong?" she asked, fluttering her eyes.

"Oh, it's horrendus. I've lost it! My golden pendant, my treasure, my wedding gift! Gone!" He cried, swinging his arm in wide arcs.

The librarian nodded, and without a word, reached up, and pulled off one of her imperial sigils, designed to protect her from harm. "Librarian!" Prism shouted, but she was silenced with a hoof.

"Here. Take it." She said, causing the spirit to pause. "It may do me good, but it will do you better."

"Oh, I couldn't," He said, reaching out.

"Your wife sounds like a lucky woman. Make her happy." Plenty said with a smile.

The vision swirled around Dawn, and she saw a more styled version of the librarian slicing off her own tail as an offering to a large serpent. Is that what the librarian looks like under her armor? Dawn wondered as the vision faded. "Such generosity musn't go unrepaid." He said, bowing to the librarian.

"Well, we need to cross this river, and with haste." She offered, and he smiled.

"Allow me," He said, splitting the river, leaving them a dry patch which to cross.

They thanked the spirit, and quickly crossed.

-+-+-+-+-+-

It was at the fifth impass that no vision came. Just a mist covered fallen bridge. Then, after a seemingly long time, Prism Raid flew back across, the other side of the bridge in hoof. "Finally, what took you so long?" Hesperides asked.

"A group of darkly armored scouts approached me, and offered to take me in, and make me their commander. But when I told them I had to help you all get across, they told me it was you all or them."

"And I take you stayed with us?" He replied.

She saluted. "Forever loyal, forever faithful. Scout's mantra." Dawn Smiled, and the group passed through the mists, to the old, ruined castle.

Within lay a pedastal, and upon it five spheres, resonnating enourmous amounts of magical energy. and between them and the artifacts rested a tall, black alicorn. "You have pressed this far, but you shall be your end, Sparkle, not mine." Dawn frowned, and pawed at the ground. "You're kidding. You're kidding, right?"

That's when the fifth flashback hit her, and this time, the result would be the same. Dawn grinned as it phased out, and then she charged. It was a charge that all of the members were shocked about, but smiled at. Right as the two were about to collide, Dawn teleported.

The briefest of unprotected moments in the warp can last any amount of time. Thankfully this one was short, but it held more meaning than Dawn could realize. She hadn't closed her eyes when she launched herself, and so she saw the unbridled power of the warp, writhing about her. But there was one other thing she saw. She saw her duplicate, from all those thousand years ago. A soft smile, and a nod told Dawn all she needed to know.

And then she was out of the warp, and in the circle of stones. "These are the elements, arent they? The Six arcane weapons known to banish evil?" The nightmare lunged for her, and she laughed, throwing up a defensive shield. "But these are just vessels. Yet you know this, don't you?" She continued, watching the nightmare screech and pummel the barrier.

"Honesty, passed down the legendary apple line, and currently housed in Hesperides. Kindness, passed to Soft Wing, descendant of Fluttershy, the first apothecary. Laughter, passed down the Pie line, to our friend Stormy Pie Gale. Generosity, passed to Plenty from her ancestor Rarity. Loyalty, passed down the Rainbow line to Prism Rainbow Raid."

At this, Nightmare screamed, sensing what was coming. Dawn lashed out, and inverted her shield, encasing the Lunar Diarch. "And Magic, the hidden, sixth element, passed down to the reincarnation of the legendary Twilight Sparkle: Dawn Shimmer."

With these words said, the elemental stones shattered again, like in the final vision, and the shards created halos of magical energy around the six ponies. There, they unleashed the collective might of the most powerful artifacts known upon a single midnight mare. She withered under the holy light, and then vanished.

"Let's go girls. I bet the council of High Equus will be interested in these."

-+-+-+-+-+-

Deep within a mechanical labrynth, a figure stirred. One who hadn't moved since her interrment into her living tomb, the high throne. Her attendants scrambled, trying to stop her, but she stood. "The element bearers have been found." She said, with the power of a thousand souls backing her words. As she spoke those around her stopped to listen. "Gather the council. A new dawn is rising. One heralded by myself."

"Celestia Solaris. The God-Empress."
> The Big Boom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: The Big Boom.

I has having an average dream, the one that makes you think you're living an ordinary day until something extraordinary happens. The day was long, work was mindless, and it was only when I was driving back did the true 'dream' hit me. I had turned on my radio to hear the lottery numbers, card clenched in hand.

"And todays numbers are... Two," I glanced at the card. First number, two. Off to a good start, I thought, straining to hear what came next. "Fifteen," Check, I thought, verifying that. "Fourty two," I sat and watched dumbfounded as my card skyrocketed in value. "Thirty eight, Thirty nine." All five numbers, mine, I thought, dumbfounded. Now all that's left is the powerball.

"And the powerball of... Six." He finished. That's when my eyes were about to pop out of my head. A fully matching card. "And records show that... One person pulled any of those numbers." He paused, and I nearly fainted in the rush hour traffic. "Really?" He asked, and you could hear the disbelief in his voice. "Well, lucky winner, that's a One hundred Sixty-six million powerball, to one person."

That's when I woke up. I would have been angry, had it not been the way I was awoken. I had heard a loud explosion, which shook me to my core. I turned and looked at my dresser, to see it and my alarm clock also shaking. At least it means i'm not shaking in fear, I thought with a chuckle. I waited for the shaking to stop, and then I glanced at my clock. "Three AM?" I asked aloud.

I walked downstairs and opened my door, peeking my head out. I can hear car alarms echoing in the distance, but otherwise it was eerily silent. My curiosity unsatiated, I went back inside, quietly closing my door. I went over to the TV and flipped it on. I was expecting that it was some factory or power plant explosion.

Then the TV said that Michigan was gone. As in, gone for good, gone. I sat down, stunned. "You heard right, Michigan has been erased from the map. The ground is still there, but without a single human being. We recieved word of an alien craft entering the atmosphere a few minutes ago, hovering for fourty five seconds, and then firing a prismatic laser, completely annihilating michigan. After the laser, they hacked our broadcast waves and displayed one message, which speaks to each individual in their own first language. Here the message is again, for anyone who wasn't awake for it:"

The image on the screen went black, and then lit up again. A purple, cartoonish unicorn rested on the screen, backed by a very space-age looking steel pannel. "Humans of Earth. I am Twilight Sparkle, captain of the Tower of Fall. We have studied Earth for some time, and have come to the decision that, as a species, you are despicable. Deubachery and Chaos run amuk in your civilizations, and evil is everyday. Thus, we have come to clean the world of your corruption. We have begun the 'Terran Relocation initiative,' Which will relocate your people to a hospitable environment, where you will be re-educated. Perhaps someday, you may return to galactic affairs, but for now, filth like your kind needs to be scrubbed off. We wish you luck, and au revoir."

With that, the screen went black, and the station didn't come back on. I turned off the TV, and stood. "So this is the end, huh?" I asked myself, before heading upstairs, and I reached under my bed, withdrawing a large hiking backpack. I got dressed, and packed my bag. I opened my door, pointed in a random direction, and I began walking.

-+-+-+-+-+-

There are only a few safe places left today. My journies left me wandering between empty cities, nearly devoid of life, aside from the other random passerby. And there's been rumors of raids, where they land in smaller craft and hunt down individuals in cities already cleared.

When they first arrived, the military began to mobilize, and we actually thought we had a chance. But everything we threw at them was swatted away by some sort of protective force field. After nuclear weapons failed, most people gave up on fighting, and surrendered to a life on the run. After all, they didn't beam away food sources, only people.

But because of the lack of people, the infrastructure is collapsing. Electricity is out, and life is getting harder. And when the blasts became more frequent, some people turned to look for the government, only to find that they went underground.

Now, we move at night, and alone, to avoid detection. We keep the fires down, and use phones only in emergencies, because they're monitoring those too. Some people run, and some hide in the cities that have already been hit.

"But what's the point?" I ask myself. "It's only a matter of time..." But I keep running. No reason to make it easy, huh?

-+-+-+-+-+-

"Hey, Ray!" I shout, seeing an old friend walking my way.

"Conner?" He asks, craning his neck to see. "No way! You made it this far too?" He asks, as we pull each other into a hug. "Finally good to see someone I know." He added, and I laughed.

"You said it. How you've been doing?" I ask, leading us to one of my old safehouses.

"Pretty well." He said with a shrug. "Legs have been killing me, though." He added, causing us both to laugh. That's when we heard it: The low thrumming of their engines. "Raiding party," He said, eyes narrowing.

"Bet you I'll make it longer." I said, smugly.

He laughs. "You're on." He said, before we ducked into the structure.

I peer out the window, and sure enough, here comes six of them, these pastel ponies. Not only do they outnumber us, three to one, but they're also evenly divided: Two from each kind.

They calmly walked to the door, and an orange, unadorned one kicked down the locked steel. The two unicorns rolled in, and sent zaps at both Ray and myself from two devices on their backs. "Don't you have a gun in here?" He asks, hiding behind a crate, which was getting seriously pelted.

"Nonlethal, nonviolent. That's how I lasted so long." I replied. I rolled over to him, thankfully unhit. "Try these," I say, offering him two smoke grenades. "I can provide them a distraction. You smoke 'em, and then we can high tail it out of here."

He nodded, and I stood up. "Ever heard of aim?" I taunted, dodging shots flying my way, and then I rolled to another crate. "You missed!" I toyed. A few more similar calls slowly diverted the shots from Ray's position to mine, and then he threw the grenades.

"Grenade!" one of them shouted, but before they could move, the smoke began to pour out. "What?" another asked, before the room became full of a thick mist. "I can't see anything." called a third, and then the others affirmed that. When they began fumbling our way was when I rolled to Ray.

"Now," I said, standing, and I slowly crept to the door, him right behind me, careful not to alert them of our departure. It was only when we were outside did we realized they had stationed one of them outside. A butter yellow pegasus, flying by the door. When we emerged from the smoke, she screamed, a soft cry of terror, but loud enough to catch the attention of the ponies inside.

We held no bars as we flew down the path and into the woods. They were right behind us, blasting wildly. But, even for quadrapeds, we were managing to out run them. They were falling behind when I heard Ray cry out in pain. "I'm hit!" He shouted, stumbling into me.

It was my first time seeing anyone hit, and so I watched with morbid horror as my closest friend dissolved in my arms. "See you on the other side?" he asked, giving me a thumbs up as he disappeard.

"You know it." I answered, smiling back.

That's when I heard a soft snap beside me. "I think I heard something over here," a voice said. Slowly, I reached down, and picked up a sharp stick. I readied it, and just as I saw the briefest sliver of purple, I pounced, knocking the weapon off the back of the suprised unicorn, wraping my arm around her neck, and pressing the stick softly into her throat.

"Nobody move!" I shouted, and the five others froze.

"Twilight!" One of them shouted in worry, and I looked down in amusement at the purple unicorn I was restraining. Sure enough, it was the infamous Twilight Sparkle, the leader behind this genocide.

"Well, well, well," I mused. "Isn't this interesting. Call your friends off."

She regarded me coldly, and then nodded. "Go back to the ship, girls." She said. They began to argue, but a stern look from her had them scurrying. "Now you've got me. What do you do now, eat me?" She asked, looking over her shoulder at me.

I dropped the stick and laughed. "Why would I do that?" I asked, sitting down beside her. "I have no beef with you. I mean, you just vaporized my best friend, but I can only hope you were telling the truth with this whole 're-education' thing."

She cocked an eyebrow, but didn't move otherwise. "Why would I lie?" She asked, a smile creeping across her face.

I turned to look where she was looking, and saw the outlines of her five friends, all ready to pounce. "You really need to train them better in the art of stealth," I mused, before turning back to see her astonished face. "Yes, I saw them, no I'm not wanting to do something about it. All I wanted was a few more moments to enjoy home."

She looked around, and turned back to me, confused. "You live in the woods?" she asked.

"No, Earth. It's my home, It has it's own smell, it's own feel. I just wanted that a little longer. That, and bragging rights over my friend that I won the bet."

This got a laugh from her, and she smiled. "I like you, human. Let's hope re-education is easy on you." She said, before I felt a piercing feeling in my lower back.

As I dissolved, I looked to the sun, and smiled. "Space, the final frontier..." I whispered to myself, before everything went black.
> Blue Sunny Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Blue Sunny Day

The sun. Why is it so bright? I wonder, looking out my window at the illuminated forestry. It's only early morning, and I have a few minutes before sunrise, but the light still burns. I look at the slowly brightening sky, and I think about what it was like the last time I saw it. Such a beautiful piece of artwork, with the sun painting the bright blue sky with a yellow gold. I think, imagining the natural beauty.

I sigh, close my curtains, and head to bed. Of course, by the time it rises, I'll be dead asleep, I muse somberly. I lay down on my four-post bed and look at the beams, and shiver. Shut up in this box again, of all things.

I pause for a moment, thinking about the day I got the king sized bed. Of course, there was two of us back then. And, it was in style back then, too, I add. I tuck my legs in close, and close my eyes, willing the sun to disappear, so that I could go back out among the living once more.

Ah, others. They make me feel so alive when I'm out, wandering with them, under princess Luna's beautiful night. At least I'm not dead, unable to feel the soft, gentle moonlight my diarch patron provides.

But I can hear it now, the sounds of life stirring as the sun rises. I can hear the early songs of the morning birds, and outside my window I can hear the faint buzzing of the honeybees that live just under my balcony. I sigh again, imagining the greens and pinks I could see, laced with the yellow of bees and birds, with the warm sunlight highlighting everything from above, and I almost stand up.

But I can't bring myself to get out of bed. I sigh again, musing over my luck. Of course, it is my luck that every single day since you left me feels exactly the same. We never really have a good, cloudy day anymore, and that makes it all the harder for me to mingle with everypony.

Ah, I sigh. It's one more blue, sunny day.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Finally, I think with exasperation, seeing my clock read 10:00 PM. I stand, and dress in my suit. After all, I reason, I don't get seen by enough ponies everyday. I might as well make an impression. And with that, I open the door, and bathe myself in the pale moonlight. The perfect time for a romantic walk, I muse, beginning my stroll into town.

Of course, it's after hours, so it's not like many ponies are out. I see a few lunar regulars, and give them my regards, but for the most part, the streets are empty. Ah well. Might as well find an easy mark, I muse, looking over the different after-hours restaurants. The Denny's seems the most lit up, although I hate going in there, but it seems the most open.

Sure enough, my waitress is a simple, lonely nopony. I smile and chat her up, never actually ordering anything. After a while, I ask if she has anything else planned for tonight. With her simple smile and soft "no," I grin, and offer to keep her company. She agrees, and thankfully, her shift ends in an hour.

I thank her for her time, and leave, wandering the streets, finding anything nice. When the hour comes, I'm back at the Denny's, picking my new date up. We head to my home, just out of town limits, and we share a few drinks. Of course, I can't drink, so she does it for me.

It's only after she finishes her fourth glass do I make my move. "I'm terribly sorry about this," I say, shifting so the table isn't between us.

"About what?" She asks, wobbling slightly.

I lean in, as if to kiss her neck... and I take a bite. Being a Vampony sucks. Literally. She doesn't scream loudly, or for very long, but we're far enough from town that it wouldn't matter. Slowly, she goes limp, and I really do take pity on the mare. She deserved better, but hey, I do need to eat sometimes.

But, halfway through, I realize I'm thinking about her. The one I had before... before she passed away. It takes me a few more minutes to realize it, but I'm fantasizing that this poor mare was her. Disgusted, my blood freezes, and I lay the body on the table. I guess this date is over.

-+-+-+-+-+-

It's only several hours later, and I'm the only one awake. Dawn's on it's way, but I could care less. All that's left of the early nightlife is me and my mistake, with nopony to console me. I look up to the sky, and now I can watch as the stars begin to fade. I guess I had better head home, I think, before turning and continuing my walk home. I know every step, and every obstacle on my way, so I can watch the cloudless sky fade from black to gray.

It looks like it'll be another blue, sunny day, I muse. I reach my garden gate, and then stop, thinking about all of my previous attempts of bravery. Sometimes, I tempt disaster by this very gate, seeing how long I can stand here, watching the sun slowly rise. I keep going, and put a hoof on my door, pausing, trying not to think of what I'm mustering the courage to wait for.

Of course, I give in, like all the other days, and push my way in, escaping the early sun's rays. I sit there, my door shielding me from the sunlight. That's when I do the unexpected. I take a deep breath, as if I'm made of sterner stuff, I push the door open, and I step out.

Dawn breaks, and I can see the sun peeking over the treetops. For just a moment, I can see the blue sky, in all it's glory full daytime depth. "Like a diamond in the sky." I whisper to myself, before I close my eyes. I would be looking around for the pitiful few moments I have left, but I can't, because the world is just too bright and beautiful. Just like the perfect dreamscape, the world is getting ready for another perfect day.

In fact, it's unlike anything I ever remembered. It's so beautiful, that, even to my surprise, I begin to cry. I fall apart, weeping tears of sorrow, pity for a wretched creature like myself, and then I'm literally falling apart, the sunlight turning me to ashes, and the breeze blows me away.

And just as I expected, it's another blue, sunny day.
> Garden of Shadows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Garden of Shadows

Darkness. That's all I've known for the past few years. You see, I'm in a coma. Now, I've heard that being in a coma is like time travel, going to sleep on one end, and waking up on the other. If that's the truth, then this is the longest, most boring dream I've ever experienced.

All I get is this oppressive darkness, and that's all I get to see. I can ocassionally hear snippets of what's going on, but honestly, I think that my brain just wants to mess with me as much as possible.

Now, I know where you all are going. "Get on with it," and "What's so interesting about being in a coma?" But all in good time, because every tidbit might help you understand how things have happened... or at least, will have happened.

There are only two things that I cling to from hearing. I know my parents love me, but the one thing I remember the most is hearing them say the words nopony in a coma wants to hear: "We love him, but we can't stand watching him like this. His condition hasn't improved, either. Go ahead, and pull the plug." After that, I heard them walk up and whisper "Goodbye, Dreamer."

It hurt worse than anything I had ever experienced. Worse than falling off the roof, worse than breaking my leg and all the other terrible things that I had felt. And I knew, this was something that would never leave me.

The other thing I heard was the doctor's response. "No," He had said, defying equestrian law. It was the most heartwarming thing, especially after I had my own parents break it. That's when I heard his explanation. "He has a hyperactive brain, and as such, is in a more dream-like state rather than a coma. It's still a coma, but he could wake up as if it were the sunrise after the night he went to sleep."

That also boosted my spirits. After all, if this was a dream, and not a coma, then I might be able to enjoy myself. But of course, it was still a coma and not a dream, so I couldn't control the dreamscape. Thus, the black wasteland that I could never escape. So honestly, I really haven't done anything.

Besides, do you know how hard it is to have a dream within a dream? Whenever I go to sleep in here, I might dream, but just like a sunrise, when I wake up, I don't remember the dream. I can feel that time has passed, but I don't remember anything. So here I rest, praying for the awakening that I so desperately crave.

Seven years. That's how long I guess I've been in here. My parents could have had a foal who never knew he had an older brother. That's what stings the most. I'll never get to see them again, even if I did wake up. Why? Because I could always feel it when they were there. It was their scent, I guess, it infiltrated my dreams, and told me that they were there.

But they never came back. To them, I had already died. Who knows, they might have held the funeral and everything without me. That's what hurts. So I cling to the hope of my doctor. He's the only pony who ever comes around anymore. But I don't even know what he looks like, only that he is a guy, and smells faintly of toothpaste and surgical scrubs.

But here I lay, blackness surrounding me, with nothing to do. That's when my life changed, forever. It was hazy at first, but I began to see a discoloration forming before me. It slowly solidified, and molded itself into the shape of a midnight-blue mare, easily twice my size. From her neck and rear exploded a mane, brilliant and dazzling blue, with a star pattern in it. Wings formed, and then a horn. As those solidified, her eyes took shape, and the light blue was like a firework in my inky blackness. She smiled as she took form, and I prostrated myself, realizing I was in the presence of royalty.

"I felt the nightmare, and I came to comfort you," she said with a smile. "Tell me, little one: why is this a nightmare for you? Are you afraid of the dark?" She asked, tilting her head.

I haven't actually spoken before in this, because I never thought to try. After all, if I got in the habit of talking to myself, I might go crazy. "My apologies, I didn't mean to distract you from your duties, your majesty." I said, bowing again.

Her expression softened, and she chuckled lightly. "Very well." She said, beginning to phase away.

"Wait!" I cried, jumping to my feet.

Her form solidified immediately, and she pointed an accusatory hoof at me. "Hah," she victoriously declared. "I knew something was wrong!"

I shook my head. "No, my lady. It isn't that anything is wrong, it's just that..." I said, my voice trailing off, as I scraped my hoof on the ground.

"Yes?" She asked, motioning with her hoof for me to move on.

"Well, it's just that... You're the first pony I've been able to speak to in a long time." I said, looking up at her with hopeful eyes.

She smiled. "Fret not," she said. "Dreams often feel like they take an eternity, but soon you will awake, and then you won't have to worry anymore." She finished, beginning to fade again.

"No!" I cried, "It's not like that." I added, reaching out for her.

She solidified, and a frown crossed her face. "You think that you know better about my own domain than I do?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow. "Very well," she challenged. "Tell me! How does the dreamland work?"

That's when I realized she thought I was dreaming. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not dreaming." I said, and she gasped.

She looked around, before a light came to her eyes, as she realized what was going on. "A coma?" She asked, looking apologetic.

I nodded, and motioned with my hoof. "It's been like this for seven years, maybe more. I lost track of time after I don't know how long ago."

"But," she asked, confused. "If you are in a coma, then how did I find you? I can only enter dreams." she asked, befuddled by the situation.

I had to think a while, then it came to me. "You're one of the princesses, right?" She nodded, and then I knew just how to proceed. "Then you keep up on the news, right?" another nod. "Some time ago, a lawsuit probably came up. A doctor defending a colt from his parents pulling his plug?"

Her eyes lit up, and she nodded. "I became very well aquianted with the case, because the studies fascinated me. A hyperactive brain, keeping the mind in a suspended dreamscape. I thought we might be able to use this to keep other ponies occupied in a dreamscape while they were in a coma, but it was an event that couldn't be replicated.

The lawsuit died down quietly, and the doctor was allowed to continue his studies, as his parents had already come to accept that their foal was dead to them. It was a terribly sad case, but it ended peacefully." She finished with a nod. "So that means that you are..."

I nodded. "Dreaming eye. My parents always called me 'Dreamer,' though."

She frowned, and paced for a few moments. If I can enter your dreams now, though, when I used to not be able to reach you..." she said, muttering to herself. "Does that mean that you are improving? I'll need to talk to doctor Stein, but we might be on the verge of a fantastic discovery." She turned to me, and gave me an apologetic frown. "I'm sorry I must be off so soon." She said. "But I need to talk to your doctor." She finished.

"Wait!" I cried. "If I'm now dreaming, does that mean I could actually change this blackness?" She shrugged, and I continued. "At the very least, it's been seven years since I spoke with anypony. Could you at least sing me a lullaby before you go?" I begged, and she gave me a soft smile.

"Of course, Dreamer," she answered.

"Come little children, I'll take thee away, into a land of enchantment..." She softly sung. Within moments, I was resting peacefully, and then she was gone.
> Balance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Balance

My name is Mirror. Currently, I'm inprisoned in the canterlot dungeon, so I guess it can't hurt to spend a little time telling you about myself. I grew up like anypony else, a simple small town colt, friends, family, and life was good. However, it was only when I went to a prison as a young colt did I learn of what evil was.

It was complete culture shock, but the end result was far from what they wanted it to be. I watched as all the evil ponies were locked up, put within their own pathetic refuge of cinderblock and steel. I was curious, as most "Evils" they had done were simple things: thievery, harassment, tax evasion.

They were ordinary ponies, just with a different desire to live their lives. They liked dancing with danger, their minds couldn't accept the "perfection" of society. So, they broke the rules, to see how far they could go. While the original intent was to scare us into not wanting to be within those walls, all it told me was of how imbalanced things are.

Of course, it didn't hurt that my inmate for the day was a changeling. He didn't even put up a disguise, he walked around with all those holes in him. I asked him what he was in for, and this is what he told me: "Impersonation, Theft, and for being a changeling." He didn't try to build it up, because those were the facts, and nothing was going to change that.

I spent most of the time seated with him in the prisoner's public area. He was like a living threat repellant, because nopony wanted to mess with the scarred changeling. After a while of the silence, a single stallion, the largest in the area, walked up to us. He ignored my fellow, and directly adressed me. "You've got some mighty balls to be sitting with a changeling." He said. And his challenge didn't go unheard. Slowly, a number of other inmates gathered about, interested to see what exactly was going on.

But I smiled, knowing this game of prison life, trying to one up each other. I wasn't going to play. "What about him makes me have such bravery?" I asked, smiling. "Is it because he is evil? Look around. Everypony not dressed as a cop has a tiny taint of evil. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here, would they?"

I asked, standing up. I barely stood half the height of the massive inmate, and I could feel my insectoid companion's eyes on the back of my neck. "And even if he is evil, that doesn't mean he can't be good." I stated, defiantly. The air was changing, and the crowd was growing steadily larger.

"But he's a changeling!" The stallion accused, pointing a hoof over my shoulder. "A filthy theif! He probably stole some young couple's love, and then he left them, cold and unfeeling."

My new friend stood beside me, and I can still remember his hissing voice. "And you, Mason, killed your own daughter." That's all he had to say, and the huge stallion seemed that much smaller.

"But-but-but..." He stammered.

I turned my head away, disgusted. "A killer? Calling a theif evil?" That's when I made the riskiest move yet. In full view of the now large crowd, I threw my hoof over the shoulder of my new fellow, which drew far more than my fair share of gasps, and caused the changeling's eyes to grow wide in suprise. "Besides, one who steals to live has more honor than a foal killer."

The stallion, completely broken, tried to pull on the crowd for support. "Who does this foal think he is?" He asked, turning to some of his fellows for support. "He must think he's freaking Faust, pulling moves like that. A changeling has more honor than any pony? Hah!" he called, still trying to rally the crowd to his side.

But they just shook their heads. They saw my logic, and sighed. "Just crawl back to your hole, Mason." My changeling companion stated, voice flat.

"Shut up, Buzz breath!" He shouted, lunging for the two of us. That's when he was grabbed by the crowd. "Let me at them, the arrogant fetchers! I'll tear them apart!" I looked up at the second floor walkway, which ringed the room, and I saw the other prison day partner groups, watching me warily. I continued scanning that area, and I saw the officers watching me with cold eyes.

When he couldn't get to us, Mason finally cracked, and broke down in tears, his mind completely shattered. His crying form was slowly led away, and when he was safely away from the area, the room erupted in cheers. That's when my partner patted my back. "Kid, that was something." He whispered in my ear. "Mason's been pushing everypony around for some time now, but I don't think he'll be a problem anymore."

That's when I smiled up at him, and saw a look of respect in his cold green eyes. "I'm not done yet. We I never even got to learn your name, or your story, but I already know you're one of the good guys." He looked shocked by this, and he nodded.

"I am Shimmering Reflection. And you, are Mirror Sheen, correct?" He asked, and I nodded. "The guards told me I was going to be looking after a colt today, gave me your name, and a stern warning. But what's so important about knowing my name?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"It's a suprise, my friend." I said, offering my hoof for him to shake, which he took hesitantly.

"Friend?" he asked. "I've never had a... friend who knew me for me before." He slowly said, slightly stunned. "He was right. You really do have guts, kid."

But that was the end of my day, as the sun was setting, and I had to leave with the setting sun. However, when I was leaving, I stopped into the warden's office. "Officer?" I asked, slowly pushing the door open. "I have a question for you." I said, as he put down his paper and scrutinized me.

"Ah, you're the colt who made such a commotion in the courtyard today, aren't you? Very well, what is it you wanted to know?" He asked, lightly interested.

"How much is Shimmering Reflection's bail?" I asked, and he spit the small amount of coffee he had sipped out.

"The changeling?" he asked, incredulously. I nodded, slowly, so he knew I was serious. "He doesn't have one." The officer said, eyeing me suspiciously.

At this, I was interested. "So, he could just leave?" I asked, and the officer chuckled.

"Of course not. He's a changeling, so he doesn't get a bail. We just let them rot away in there, and then we get rid of them when they die." He replied coldly.

I paused, and then nodded. "I understand." I said, recognizing the unfairness. I left with a steel heart, but a resolution in mind. I will free him, I decided that day. And then I will work to restore balance.

For some time, I studied lockmaking. While the locksmith thought I was interested in home defense, I had a much more sinister plan in play. I was going to learn locks, so I could pick them. I also took up tailoring, helping out in the school play and other local things, to increase my outfit making skill. It took a long time, but before I realized it, I had all my tools ready.

It was time to free a dead stallion.

I went in during visiting hours, during the winter, so I could bring a cape. I was just a kid, what was I going to do? They thought. So, I was allowed in, and a number of the inmates vaguely recognized me. One of them was so kind as to point me to Shimmering's cell, and when I got there, my heart almost imploded. Behind the steel door was a spindly, flaking changeling, who's holes had grown so large, some of his limbs looked desperately close to falling off. Taped to the door was a note which read "Solitary for life, a new policy change."

I sighed, and studied the lock. It was a simple lock, and took no time to unlock. I quickly darted inside, and the changeling weakly cracked one eye open. The once vibrant green was now a dull moss color, and he coughed. "Hey kid, how are you?" He asked weakly, and then his eyes shot open, and he quickly looked at me. "Kid!" he nearly shouted, almost falling off his cot. "What are you doing here?" He asked, and I laughed.

"Getting your sorry hide out of here." I said, with a smile.

"But I'm too weak to flee..." he said, looking to the barred window.

I smiled, and leaned up to his ear. "It's a good thing a banquet is here to help you recover, but you've got to do it quick." I said, flashing him a smile.

He smiled back, and leaned in. I didn't feel him bite my neck, but I became vaguely aware of this as I felt some blood slide down my neck. "Dang, kid. You really do love me, don't you?" he asked, as he wiped his mouth. "You just let a potentially evil stranger use you."

I smiled at him. "You're no stranger. You're my friend." I said as I watched his body quickly heal itself. Then fortune smiled at us. A guard came into the room, and almost shouted, when I knocked him over the head, quite comically, with a frying pan that I had hidden under my jacket. "Just the right oportunity." I said, producing the guard uniform I had brought with me. "Get dressed and become the guard." I said, taking the guards key and unbinding the magical inhibitor on Shimmering.

He nodded, and quickly disguised himself. I ran him through my plan, and then we left the room. He went out first, and pulled me out, locking the door. We rushed to the door, and he told them that the crazy changeling bit me, and he was rushing me to the hospital. They acknowledged, and stepped aside, allowing us to walk out the front door.

When we were out of sight of the prison, he took the uniform off, and smiled at me. "Kid, you're a miracle worker." He said, giving me a hug. "And I owe you one." He said with a smile.

"Now, you might be wondering why this is important, inquisitor," I said to the pale, red eyed stallion before me. "It's because I'm not afraid to die for treason. I spoke my mind, it was against the crown, but it had to be said. And, i've already freed one good villain, so if I die for my beliefs, so be it."

The inquisitor gave me his weak smile, and nodded. "I see." he said, with a light air of superiority. "Well, it's a good thing. See, I was sent here to 'fix' your mind, and now I know exactly what I need to do." he finished, charging his horn. But just as his spell was almost ready, the door to the room flew open, and a solar guard came in, distracting the inquisitor. "What?" he asked, angrily. "I was told we would be uninterrupted."

"Sorry to interrupt then, but Princess Celestia would like to speak with Mirror here before the mind wiping. She, and I quote, wants to meet such a peaceful radical." He said, and the inquisitor stood abruptly. 

"I was not informed of this." He said, eyeing the guard suspiciously.

"It's a recent development. We can step outside and discuss it if you like." the guard said, motioning to the open door.

The inquisitor turned to me and smirked. "I'll be back." he said, stepping out the door. But just as he was stepping through the frame, the guard produced a frying pan, and knocked the inquisitor out cold. And all I could do was laugh.

"Here," the guard said, taking off his armor. "Put this on." he said, turning back to his chitinous form once disrobed. Then, he turned into the white coated inquisitor, and robed up. The two of us left quickly, and were uninterrupted. After all, if an inquisitor is going somewhere, it's usually important.

When we were out of canterlot proper, we turned to each other and I bowed. "A debt for a debt." He said, with a smile. "Besides, I couldn't let a friend wither away like some kind of caged insect, could I?" he asked, and we laughed.

The air outside was sweet, but sweeter in the company of friends.
> Primal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Primal

Primal. It means beast-like. That's what I was called when I first met others. It was offensive, but I kept that to myself. After all, why would they need to know what hurt my feelings? I was just an animal.

"The eighth wonder of the world," my captors called me. I was a unicorn who grew up in the Everfree, away from any other of my species. When I was younger, I thought I was alone, unique, unlike all other creatures of the woods. My life was simplistic, eat and not get eaten, but to enjoy life as well. I found all sorts of wonders in those woods, and everything was good.

What probably suprised me most, in retrospect, was that I survived in those woods as a foal at all. Sure, food was plentiful, but so were the predators. I was defenseless unicorn foal, who had to fend for himself.

So, I grew up, big and strong. Then, my world was turned upside down when I found the structure. It was an ancient stone pyramid temple, carved out of yellow stones. Each step had intricate carvings on them, yet it wasn't a language, but a story. It told the beginning and end of the great civilization which once used the temple, among other things.

But that wasn't what rocked my world. It was the depictions of ponies interacting. Others, with horns, some with wings, some with both and some with neither, all cooperating and building. I wondered about what it would be like, as I played on the structure. After a while of reading the story, I soon learned about advanced concepts, like religion. But the one I was most fascinated with was magic.

I could do amazing things, like move objects, and even move myself. As I had learned the religion of these prehistoric ponies, I did everything in the simple names of the gods. Azor was order. Whenever things were done wrong, I prayed for forgiveness from Azor, and I would feel better about my mistake, as if he had actually forgiven me.

Niv was the god of knowledge and innovation. I prayed to him whenever I tried something new, like magic, and whenever I had an idea on how to build things. I think he helped me a few times, especially when I figured out a way to bring water to the temple. With water, and nearby food, I could stay at the temple for longer, and do more things.

Dos was lord of fun and work. Although life was meant to be lived to the fullest, you were also supposed to work in order to be worthy of fun. But, since I didn't know what kind of work was expected of me, I just cleaned the temple, and prayed that that was enough. After a good day's devotion to cleaning, I could have six days of fun, before I had to clean again. Of course, Svog was the god of cleaning and farming, so I felt bad for doing cleaning as my work, because I couldn't farm. So, by cleaning, I was worshipping two gods at the same time.

Vig was the god of healing, so I would pray to him whenever I hurt myself. Thankfully, I was a sturdy stallion by the time worship began, so I could ignore the hurt.

Although I've only listed half the gods, I feel I've slid down a tangental slope. Pardon me, but I'll go back to what happened after the temple. I lived there for a few months, happy and healthy, until I was interrupted, in the most cruel of manners. I was cleaning at the time, when I heard a rustling from the bushes. I laid low on the upper level, and watched. After all, most creatures avoided the temple grounds.

But then, from the bushes, emerged four ponies. I was stunned in the revelation that I wasn't alone, and then I wondered if they were the original caretakers of the temple, excited, but scared, I stayed hidden, and listened. They communicated amongst each other with varying noises, each one wavering and shifting melodiously.

It was far more eloquent than the gruttal sounds I would make while praying. All I could do was say the names of the gods, so I would chant it five times, hoping they would listen to my devotion and smile. But these ponies spoke their thoughts, and conversed with each other in strange ways. Whatever they were saying, it was disturbing the peaceful sounds of nature.

Besides, they didn't look like the depictions. Those ponies wore adornments, while these ones only had on vests and strange hats. I slowly approached them, remaining hidden, and watched as they observed the temple with wide eyes. I had taken that as a look of wonder, and so I decided they were new to the temple. Besides, it would be rude of me not to welcome them to my home.

So, I stood up, while they were looking confused at some of the carvings, and walked up beside them. I'm amazed they didn't hear me coming, so I decided to try and help them decipher the tablet. Thankfully enough, it was one depicting the worship of Mat, the godess of prayer. It was her job to make sure you prayed correctly, so I cleared my throat to get their attention.

They all jumped, drew shiny rectangles, and took on the appearance of cornered prey, like I was some sort of predator. I laughed, and they sighed. One turned to the others and said something I couldn't understand, and then turned to me. "Hello," she said to me. Of course, I had no idea what she said, and she sighed. She turned to the others, and said something more, before turning back to me. "Explorer," she said, pointing to herself.

I nodded. So she was explorer? what an interesting concept. Who am I? I wondered. I looked around the temple, and thought. She pointed to me and said "Ravnican?" The way the end was raised in pitch, I got the feeling that it wasn't quite a statement, more like she was asking something.

Ravnican sounded nice, but it was too long. I decided to listen to the names of the gods, and I shortened it. I pointed to myself and said "Rav." She nodded, and motioned with her hoof for me to come closer, and said "Come here." I listened, and walked closer. She pointed to the tablet, and said "what?"

It took me a moment to realize what meant she didn't know what it meant. I laughed again and pointed to the being the depicted ponies were worshipping. "Mat." I said, and she nodded. I pointed to the sky, and repeated her name, hoping he would understand that Mat was not here. It took me a while to learn that, but they looked like they were smart.

"Is Mat a god?" she asked. I cocked my head, unsure of what she meant. "Pray to Mat?" she asked, and again I was confused. Then, she kneeled, and began chanting Mat's name. That's when it clicked.

"Pray to Mat." I said, before kneeling myself, and I prayed to Mat as well. Explorer nodded, and took me to another tablet. This one depicted Niv, and I said "Pray to Niv." After, she asked Why, and again I had to figure out what she meant. But when I figured it out, I took her to my water machine. They studied it, and then asked if I made it, although much simpler terms. I was proud of my work, and they were excited.

For the remainder of a few days, I taught them about the ten gods, and in return, they taught me how to speak their language. Soon, I was praying whole thoughts to the gods, so that they could help me better. A few days more, and then the others with Explorer left. Explorer stayed with me, and lived my ways for a few weeks, before offering to have me come with her to civilization.

It took me some time to agree, after all the temple was my home. I told Explorer I would like to return home from time to time, and she agreed. But when we came back, they caged me up like an animal, and put me on display.

So here we are, me telling you fillies about life in the jungle." I finished, and a few of them clapped.

One raised her hoof. "Why can't you go home?" She asked.

"Because I'm not a citizen of this land, so I don't have rights. I can't leave until my captors say so, and they said never." I sighed. "But I pray to all the gods for help. And they tell me that soon, I will go home."

"And I will be primal once more."
> Secure, Contain, Protect
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thing a day: Secure, Contain, Protect

SCP file:				SCP-215

Aliases:				"The Visitor", "The Foreigner", "The Human", and "Conner".

Classification:			Safe

Containment Procedure:	SCP-215 is to be provided comfortable living quarters, scaled to his dimensions, and three meals a day, designed for an omnivore of his size. A single unarmed guard is to be posted outside his cell door, to prevent possible containment breach, and continuous monitoring is required, to be sure he makes no escape.

Current assigned staff:	Doctor Twilight Sparkle, PHD Magical phenomena.
Doctor Applejack, Nutrition
Psychologist Pinkamena Diane Pie
Psychologist Fluttershy
Psychologist Rarity
Guard Rainbow Dash

Description:			SCP-215 is a male bipedal mammal, bald across nearly the entire body, save for a bushel of curling brown hair at the top of head. He stands at approximately 2 meters, and is jut at 125lbs. Obviously Sapient, but remains silent, either by volition or physical problems. He has been cooperative enough to be deemed safe, and has been given comfortable living quarters as per his request. Willing to participate in tests and evaluations, but actively avoids and/or escapes from situations that could cause physical harm. SCP-215 has made no attempts at verbal communication, but obviously understands Equine language. Doctors are allowed to attempt conversation, yet are discouraged. Although omnivorous, SCP-215 seems peaceful, compliant, and non-aggressive to staff, thus classified as safe.

Incident 215-1:			Discovery that SCP-215 is in fact an omnivore and not a vegetarian made. Nutritionist Applejack assigned to balance SCP-215's diet.

Incident 215-2:			SCP went through a stage of grief [DATA EXPUNGED] weeks into captivity. Immense emotional shifts overtook SCP-215, and testing was paused to allow for emotional and mental recovery. Three psychologists have been assigned to the project in order to study SCP-215's emotional, mental, and psychological capabilities.

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"Good afternoon, SCP-215." Doctor Sparkle said, looking into my eyes, hoping for a reaction. I wasn't in the mood, so I simply sat there, and waited for her to continue. "I've just been cleared to begin interviewing you, so I can finally sit down and just ask you questions. I want this to go as smoothly as possible, so I'm asking for your cooperation. Can we have that?" She asked, and I nodded my head. I can cooperate, but only if I feel like it, I thought with a smirk.

She smiled, and clapped her hooves together. "Good. Then, first question: Are you an extraterrestrial?" I paused for a moment, and then nodded. She spent a few moments writing something down, and I peered over to see she had written "Extraterrestrial. Understands higher concepts." She laughed, and gently pushed me away from the notes. "Oh, those won't interest you," She said, as if she were talking to a kid. "They're just for the higher-ups who want this kind of information."

"Second question," She said, clicking her pen. I was still fascinated with her ability to move objects telekinetically, but she wasn't a prisoner, like me, so it must be commonplace enough here. "How did you get to Equus?" I shrugged, to show I was as clueless as her, and she sighed. Another few moments writing, and then she put the pad down again. "Third question: We know you can understand speech, but can you actually speak?" She asked.

I sat rigid, unmoving for a few moments. She waited patiently, before I motioned for her to move on to the next question. She let out an aggravated sigh. "Answer the question." She demanded. I replied with a firm shake of the head no, and waited. It became a waiting game, and we sat there in silence. We both looked into the others deep eyes, and waited for the other to break first. That's when I faintly heard it. She was wearing an earpiece, and another pony was speaking in her ear.

By the sounds of it, I speculated it was Psychologist Fluttershy, because she always kept her voice low and calming. "Just move on, Twilight." She was told. "If he won't reply now, trying to force him to will only make him uncooperative." At that I smirked, but only slightly. After another five minutes of staring in silence, Doctor Sparkle relented, and sighed, looking away.

"Very well," She said, turning back to me and writing some more in her pad. "Last question: Why did you lie at the beginning?" I almost broke out laughing at that one, but instead only nodded. I motioned for her to give me a piece of paper, which she did, and I wrote my reply. "It wasn't a lie at the time." she read as I handed the sheet back to her. She sighed. "Figures. Well, 215, that concludes today's testing. I hear that the others are going to be coming in at some point or another today. Can you tell me you'll be cooperative for them today?" She asked, and I nodded.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Doctor Applejack's visit was boring as usual, but at least she brings me coffee. No changes in my diet, but I did ask her if I could have more coffee from time to time. She told me she'd try and I thanked her. Psychologist Pinkamena was absolutely insane, as always. She likes defying the laws of physics, and disregards limits. Today, her shenanigans were a little more tame than usual, but she still only tried to get me to laugh. Hah, like that would happen, I thought, pondering her visit as Pinkamena walked out the door.

Usually, they give me a break between psychologists, but not today, apparently. As soon as Pinkamena's pink flank was out the door, Psychologist Fluttershy was striding in. I sighed, and sat down in the reclining chair they had provided me. "Good afternoon, 215," She said softly, and I waved hello from my reclined position. "I hope the others haven't been too hard on you today." I shook my head no, and she sat down opposite me.

"Anything you'd like to tell me?" She asked, and I again shook my head no. She sighed, and nodded. "I figured as much." She stood to go, and I grabbed her hoof. I didn't grab too hard, be she still squeaked in fear. She looked me in the eye for a few seconds, but that was all I needed to get her to understand what I sent with my eyes. We stood there, locked gazes, for a second, and then the door hissed open, and the guard came in. I let go of Fluttershy, and smiled softly. The guard lept my way, but Fluttershy spoke up. "It's alright, Rainbow Dash. I'm fine. He just wanted to tell me something." Rainbow pulled back, but watched me suspiciously.

After Fluttershy left, once again, I was given no rest before the next psychologist came in. "Hellooo darling." She said, stressing the o far too much. I waved greeting again, and turned to look at her. She was as she always was, dressed in her lab coat. However, there was a slight bulge in the back. Curious, I stood up, and pointed to the growth. "I brought you a gift." She said, and I grinned. She pulled it out, with her own telekinetic aura, and it was a wrapped parcel.

Of course, Psychologist Rarity had given me gifts before. She said it was indecent to leave me naked all the time, and was the one responsible for my nice set of clothes. They were blue, not really my color, but they were gifts all the same. And like she had said, it was better than being naked. She was quite the seamstress, and often brought by things for me to observe and complement. She passed me the parcel, and with eager eyes, said "Open it." So I tore through the wrapping, Which was odd, I thought. She doesn't usually wrap her gifts for me.

I finished peeling the paper away, and I looked into the soft parcel. And what I saw broke my heart. It was my jacket. As in, mine, from before I was here. The corduroy was just right, the measurements were perfect, even the faded patches were there. There were the enormous pockets, and my personal mark, to identify it as mine. I pulled it out of the container, my face stone cold and expressionless as I turned it about, before putting it on.

She was about to say something about it, but before she could, I broke down. This was my most precious possession. Everywhere I went, so did it. But when I was brought here, my jacket was left behind. I cried then, feeling the reassurance that the coat used to bring me, and I fell to my hands and knees, weeping tears of joy and grief, loss and gain.

She took a step closer to me, as if she were going to try and break me from this sudden emotional explosion, but I pulled her into a hug, and I wept into her shoulder. "Thank you," I whispered, and her eyes grew enormously large. "Thank you thank you thank you," I cried, whispering it into her mane, holding her close, but not restraining her. The door opened again, but I didn't care. This was the mare who gave me my identity back. I watched from my periphery and saw Rainbow approaching, when Psychologist Rarity motioned her to back up.

"Your very welcome, Dear," She said, flashing me a soft smile.

-+-+-+-+-+-

That night, I slept with the jacket on. I hadn't done that in a long time, and it felt good. But as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard the door open, and I watched through a cracked eye as two large stallions approached me. "There it is," one said. "You restrain him, I'll confiscate the item." He continued, and I frowned into my pillow. Fat chance, I thought.

The second approached me, and slowly positioned himself so that he was 'pinning me down.' Then the other came up and began to take the jacket off. That's when I kneed the stallion above me in the gut, causing him to groan in pain and collapse. The second one gasped, and turned to run, but I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him against the wall beside my bed. I readjusted the jacket, and waited for either of them to come to their wits. Conveniently, they both did at the same time, and regarded me with surprise with a tinge of fear. I pointed to the door, and pushed them towards it. Without hesitation, they both left quickly, and I sat upright on my bed.

Nobody messes with the jacket.

-+-+-+-+-+-

Doctor Applejack was the first to come in, which was unusual, since the order usually placed Sparkle before her. I waited, and noticed she didn't have a cup of coffee with her either. I waited, and refused to eat the food. It even looked like it was drugged. I waited until Doctor Sparkle came in and that's when I finally said something. "Good morning, SCP-215."

I smirked, and replied "Good morning, Doctor Sparkle." I replied, and she froze, stunned that I could speak at all. "I wanted to ask you a few questions today, doctor. I hope things can go smoothly, so this can be as painless as possible."

"Now wait just a minute," she said sternly. "I'm the one doing the interview here, not you!"

"Good, now then, onto our first question: Why did those two stallions enter my room last night and try to take this" I said, flaring my jacket, "last night."

"No, the first question is for you to answer," she said, but I cut her off.

"Answer the question, Twilight." I told her. That shut her up. "Yes, Twilight, I know your name. Now, answer my questions, and I might be willing to answer yours."

She sat stunned for a few minutes, before answering on autopilot. "You aren't cleared to have the item." She replied, eyes almost glassed over.

"Then clear it. I won't cooperate any further if the jacket is removed. Second question: By bringing me an uncleared item, what will happen to Psychologist Rarity?"

"Reassignment or termination, depending on the item. In this case, reassignment."

"Make sure she stays, or I will become uncooperative. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal," she replied, her eyes gaining some focus to them again.

"Good." I finished, leaning back into my seat. Maybe I can enjoy living here now, I thought. Who knows? It's a brand new day.