When Twilight summons an anti-brony things get bumpy!
Jason Wright is your average anti-brony, until Twilight summons him to Equestria that is! Now, lost in a strange new world, Jason must find a way home.
(starts in the third season, the night before the last episode.(when Twilight gets Starswirls journal.))
Arc One: Beginnings. Jason Wright tries to find out what to do in order to go home and Jane Wright looks for a way to save her brother (Jason).
Arc Two: The Quest. With a goal in mind and an army to back him, Jason begins his quest. Meanwhile, Jane receives magic training to tear a rift in the Void.
Arc Three: The War. With the quest for the armor over with and the tear in the void, both sides prepare for war. Meanwhile, the Void itself prepares to consume all.
The first bad day in a long line of bad days (Prologue)
“Are you ever going to change your mind about MLP?” Drake asks, his eyes growing wide.
“Crap, stop using the puppy dog eyes on me!” Jason complains. “No, you know I hate it!”
“Aw, come on! It’s the Breezie episode!” Drake exclaims.
“Don’t care.” Jason states in mono tone. Drake had been doing this for nearly four years now. Ever since the first episode came on air, Drake was in love with it.
“Fine! I’ll watch it without you!” Drake raged, “See you tomorrow then.”
Jason sighed, shaking his head he turned toward his navy blue car and got in. A few minutes later Jane, Jason's sister, hopped in the passenger seat.
"I just wanna go home." Jane sighed, before Jason could ask her about her day.
Jason and Jane were identical twins, dark brown hair, brilliant blue eyes, and both were tall. Between their differences both of them loved another, and this love, it created a telepathic bond.
"Today was horrible." Jane thought.
"Agreed." Jason thought back.
Soon Jason was no longer paying attention to the road, his mind going back to the dare Drake forced him into.
Begin Memory
"Just do it." Drake urged.
"No." Jason responded.
"It's the rule of the dare." Mace, a redhead, stated.
"Just ask her." Drake pleaded.
"What will you do if I don't?" Jason asked.
Drake got a fearsome grin. "Make you watch every episode of MLP to date!"
"Fine! I'll ask her out." Jason yelled, loud enough to be heard across campus.
While Jason had been yelling, he didn't notice a girl walking up behind him.
"Excuse me, but ask who out?" she asked. Jason turned to face her.
"Miranda?" Jason asked, suddenly in shock from talking to his crush.
"Really?' Miranda replied, "Well it seems you're in luck, because I was going to ask you the same thing!"
"...." Jason said.
"Meet me at the park at eight, kay?" Miranda asked.
"Kay" Jason answered, still in shock. "What just happened?"
End Memory
Meanwhile in a town known as Ponyville.
"Yes,yes,yes,yes,yes! Twilight Sparkle cheered, holding what looked like a journal in her magenta aura.
"What is it Twilight?" Spike the Dragon asked.
"It's the secret journal of Starswirl the Bearded!" Twilight replied with glee. Without waiting another second she opened the journal to a summoning spell.
"What does homo-sapien mean?" Twilight wondered aloud.
"Huuuuuuumaaaaaaans!" A far off voice howled.
"I swear," Spike growled, "Lyra keeps getting creepier everyday."
"Spike, take this list and go round up the girls, we're going to summon a human." Twilight instructed, already drawing a chalk circle.
Meanwhile on Earth.
"I want you home by 10:00. Got it?" Mrs.Wright asked looking her son over one more time.
"Got it ma, I love you." Jason said, giving his mom a peck on the cheek
"Have fun son." Mr.Wright said, clapping Jason on the back.
"I will." Jason assured him.
"Bye bro, stay safe' Jane thought.
"You too sis." Jason thought back.
Taking one more look over himself, Jason waved one last time, stepped out the door, and vanished in a flash of brilliant white light.
"What is it?" a female voice asked.
"Why, I've never seen anything like it." Another female voice exclaimed.
"According to the Journal, It is a human." A third explained.
"I wonder if he likes parties?" a fourth voice asked.
"Pinkie, How do you know it is a he?" A fifth voice asked.
"Silly Applejack, this is one of those things I told you were always watching us." Pinkie answered.
"Wait a minute," Jason said aloud, "Pinkie? Applejack?" Realization hit Jason like a bag of bricks. "Please tell me I'm not in Ponyville." He asked.
"Okay I won't tell you." Pinkie replied.
"Can you please tell us your name sir?" The third voice asked.
Jason opened his eyes and locked them with Twilights, "Jason Wright, and you're Twilight Sparkle," he announced, and then he started pointing around the room. "and your friends are: Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy."
Silence hit the room, and Jason scanned it until his eyes landed on a purple and green creature.
"And that is Spike the Dragon." Jason said, his finger now pointing at him.
"And how do you know all our names?" Rainbow asked, a glare on her face.
"I have a friend who is a fan of yours." Jason replied, now standing and stretching, "And now I'm going home."
"But you can't," Twilight whispered, looking at her hooves, "I can't find a reversal spell in here."
"Great, just great!" Jason exclaimed, "Now what do I do?"
"Well the book mentioned a place where great knowledge could be found," Twilight stated, looking through the journal, "but it's across Equestria."
"Well it looks like I'm walking then, good bye!" Jason exclaimed, heading out the door. He stopped, Guess I'll need a map. he thought to himself. And with that he walked back inside to get one.
Meanwhile on Earth
A young woman stood in the park, waiting. A few minuets passed and two people could bee seen walking towards her. A male and female.
"Well?" The young woman asked.
"He's been teleported." The man answered.
"Good, and you girl, do you have the crystal?" The woman asked.
"Indeed, soon the void will open for us!" The girl answered.
"Not too loud!" the woman hissed, "No one must know of our plans."
"Sorry." The girl whispered, "What about Jason?" she asked.
"His choice will come, but for know he must stay there until we arrive." The woman answered.
The three then went their separate ways, laughing all the way.
The morning light shined into the room, causing Jason to bolt upright. scanning the room told him that he was still in Ponyville, the library to be exact.
"Breakfast!" Twilight called.
"Why couldn't this happen to Drake?" Jason muttered to himself.
A few minutes later found Jason sitting at the table with spike and Twilight.
"So how does your friend know about us?" Spike asked as he chomped on an emerald.
"Sorry but that would take too long to explain, and I would like to leave today." Was Jason's answer.
"We have time, just a few minutes please?" Twilight asked.
Jason sighed as two pairs of puppy dog eyes broke his will.
"Alright, fine." Jason said to the enjoyment of Twilight and Spike.
"And that is how I know of you." Jason finished, hours after he started. He then jumped in shock when he noticed that all of the main six were there, having shown up during the explanation.
"I don't believe there is such a thing as electricity." Twilight stated.
"Yeah? Well Yippie for you." Jason retorted, his eyes now on the map.
"The Everfree forest holds the entrance eh?" Jason muttered to himself. "I'm leaving." He announced, "See you never." And with that he left the library and headed out to the streets.
A few hours of walking later found Jason at the entrance of the forest. It was impossible for one to see into the forest past the first line of trees. Jason stood there, debating whether or not to enter until he heard a scream coming from the forest.
"Hang on! I'm coming!" Jason yelled, hoping whoever it was could hear him.
Jason dove into the forest following the screams toward their source. Eventually he had left the trail and could no longer see anything. The dark of the forest ever thickening, along with the sounds of the fores getting quieter.
"Help!" a voice nearby screamed.
Jason turned towards the voice, and ran. A few seconds later, he burst into a clearing, to find three fillies. A white unicorn, an orange pegasus, and a yellow earthpony.
"Help!' The unicorn called, looking at Jason.
"Whats the problem?" Jason called back. As soon as the words left his mouth all three fillies gasped.
"It can talk!" The pegasus exclaimed.
"Its the Timberwolves! They've been chasing us!" The earthpony called out. Silence hit the clearing.
"I don't hear anything." Jason whispered. turning to the girls he said aloud, "We should get out of here before they return."
"Okay!" The three chirped, only to go quiet as a growl could be heard through the clearing. The four turned towards the sound, and froze as they looked right at the eyes of the wolf.
Without warning, the wolf jumped.
Jason had never been more scared in his entire life. And as the wolf got closer Jason shouted, causing him and the girls to unfreeze.
"Run!" Jason shouted, turning to the left. With the girls right behind him, Jason ran into the forest.
Turning this way and that Jason led the frightened fillies through the forest.
Minutes turned into hours, and though the wolf had disappeared, they did not stop running.
Suddenly Jason spotted a cave.
"Quick, inside!" He hollered, heading for the opening.
As soon as the four were inside the cave, the entrance collapsed.
"Well, great!" Jason shouted to no one in particular. "Now who are you three?" He asked, turning towards them.
"Scootaloo!" The pegasus announced, "My name is Scootaloo.'
"I'm Sweetie Belle, How do you do?" The unicorn politely stated.
"Just fine thank you." Jason replied automatically, he then mentally slapped himself for answering.
"And you are...?" Jason asked the earth pony.
"Applebloom." She stated, then the three looked at each other with grins and shouted:
"And we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" "Yaaaaay!"
"Now I remember you..." Jason muttered to himself, remembering the second reason why he hated the show.
"So why were you in the forest girls?" he asked them.
"Well you see Mr. ..um.. what is your name?" Sweetie asks.
"Jason Wright, and as you were saying?" Jason replies.
"Oh, well, we were looking for Zecora when we heard my sister and her friends calling for.... you." Sweetie answered, realization hitting her.
"And so you went looking for me and ran into a timberwolf?" Jason finished.
"Yep! And now we'er suck here with you!" Scootaloo cheered.
"Great!" Jason said, "Now I'm gonna look around and you are gonna sit still. Got it?
When they nodded their heads, Jason stood up and looked around, the cave they were in was small, the collapse cutting off one tunnel along with the entrance, leaving only one tunnel open.
Taking a deep breath Jason walked Toward the last tunnel, hoping to find another exit.
"Stay here until I get back." Jason called over his shoulder to the CMC. Looking forward again, Jason started down the tunnel.
The tunnel itself was awfully short, ending in a circular room with only one book atop a pedestal. Walking forward carefully, Jason approached the book, and very slowly he picked it up.
The book was old, the cover a royal purple, trimmed with gold. It was locked with a small golden lock one would find on a diary.
Prodding the lock with a finger, Jason jumps as it falls open, and the world around him fades.
Jane Wright walked towards the park, the morning after her brother had disappeared, to meet a stranger who knew where Jason was. "Where are you Jason?" Jane thought. No reply came, not since he vanished. "Are you Jane Wright?" The stranger asked. "Yes." Jane replied uneasily. "I was telling the truth, I could help you find him." The stranger stated, awaiting a response. "How? And what is your name?" Jane asked. The stranger merely chuckled, "You are smart girl; Jack, call me Jack." "Okay Jack, How do we find him?" "Simply follow me." Was his only answer.
Secret Void, Vortex, and Time research facility.
(aka. V.V.T)
"Are you sure this girl is connected to the disturbance?" Secretary John Smith asked Miss Susan Botts HM of V.V.T "Her brother was the one we were following, and he is the one who vanished." Susan answered locking eyes with Jane. "Hello, Jane, its been awhile." "And you are...?" Jane responded, looking around the facility. "Oh, right, forgive my manners," Susan said as her hand moved toward her watch, " But you know me as Miranda." Even as she spoke the watch shimmered and camoflaged her, now young Miranda stood in Susan Botts' spot. "Think about it Jane, I never gave anyone my last name." Susan whispered, only loud enough for Jane to hear. "But I...I don't understand." Jane finally said after a long silence. "Please Jane, watch this video I have prepared." Susan asked, guiding Jane towards a computer.
Two hours later the video ended. Jane had been crying and was wiping her eyes off as Susan turned off the video. "Now do you understand what we do?" Susan asked, breaking the silence. "Yes," Jane answered, "You're looking for a new home for our people, but what has this got to do with my brother?" Jane asked. "Your brother and you holds the key to opening the void, and I need to know what that is, so if you please tell me about the day he vanished, and I mean the whole day, we may find out how to contact him." Susan explained. "O-okay, It started with a dream..."
Jane's Memory
Jane's Dream
Jane was striding through a forest she had never seen before. That was her first tip that it was no dream. The second tip was the scared multicolored ponies running back and forth. All around her was strange men in armour. After a few minutes she came into a clearing where her brother was hugging nine ponies and a dragon. To the side stood a girl Jane's age. Jason's mouth moved but no words came. Jason then stood and said, " Let's finish this." Jane then noticed the sword in his hand, right as he thrusts it for her heart. Time seemed to slow down, and over Jason's shoulder she saw an old angel crying. 'It shouldn't be this way' echoed through the dream, and woke Jane in the process.
End Jane's Dream
Jane bolted upright, her dream still vivid. It stayed with her through every class she was in. In her English class (which was after lunch), she dozed off, heading into the dream again. This time, however, Jason was standing in the doorway, waving, and then he was gone. The sudden disappearance of her brother woke her.
'Jason are you there?" Jane thought.
"Yeah, why? He answered.
Jane sighed, "Never mind, just a dream." she answered.
End Jane's Memory
"And that's what happened. ' Jane finished.
"And when Jason vanished, was there anything in his place?" Susan asked.
"Just this blue crystal.' Jane answered, pulling the crystal out of her pocket and looking at it. "What does it do?" She asked no one in particular.
"That's where I help you," Susan said, cheer in her voice. "would you like me to show you how?"
"Yes." Jane said without a second thought.
"Then Its time I show you my latest project." Susan stated, standing up. "Oh and welcome to the team."
"Jane don't!" Jason cried out, waking from his sleep. Jason stood up and looked around. He was on a small hill in the open, the only thing nearby was a maze. Jason started walking towards it, the entrance coming into view.
The maze entrance had two swords in front of it. Each sword was held by a statue, one male, the other female. Each of them also had names: Clarent, held by the female, and Excalibur, held by the male.
Though he had never heard of the name Clarent, Jason knew the story of Excalibur.
"What are you doing here?" Jason wondered aloud. Shrugging to himself, Jason picked Excalibur up, surprised by how light it is.
"Enter the maze, they are waiting." The male statue spoke, almost at a whisper.
Jason took a deep breath, and entered the maze, unaware the danger within.
Not one second later, Clarent mysteriously vanished, as the statues chanted: "It has begun."
The Cave, Everfree Forest, Equestria
"Whats taking him so long?" Scootaloo groaned, lying on the floor.
"Ah think we should go looking for him." Applebloom decided.
"Lets hurry then, its getting hard to breathe in here." Sweetie mentioned.
At that the CMC took off down the tunnel, only to find nothing but a ruined book.
A minute later the cave entrance cleared out and six ponies stood in its spot.
"Anypony in here?" Twilight called.
"Yeah, It's me Applebloom, Sweetie and Scoots are here too." Applebloom called back.
"Wheres Jason?" Twilight asked as she ran down the tunnel.
"Gone, just gone." Sweetie replied.
"What was he anyway?" Scootaloo asked.
"A human." Twilight answered.
While Twilight explained everything, Rarity gripped the ruined book in her magic. Looking it over revealed a picture of a group of creatures similar to Jason. The only difference was that they had wings.
"What now?" Rainbow asked.
"You wait," said nothing, for no pony had spoke, yet the sound had come. "He will be returned." the body less voice continued.
Then silence came, and nopony moved.
The Purple/Gold Book, the Maze
Jason decided that it was a good idea to keep Excalibur. Almost as soon as he had entered the maze, Jason had been attacked by a minotaur, a young dragon, and an undead unicorn. Jason had wanted to run, but Excalibur taught him how to fight, and everything it cut froze, as if they were made of stone. Jason turned yet another corner when he saw it.
A Tower, taller than any skyscraper, deep Purple trimmed with gold, just like the book cover. Before he knew what he was doing, Jason started to walk towards it. As he approached the doors, Jason saw more statues like the ones gaurding the maze entrance.
The tower doors opened on their own to reveal a long, wide, waiting room. On one side sat a desk, a young woman standing behind it. She looked to be about his age, long black hair cascading around her shoulders, and she had a pair of light green eyes.
Jason approached her, "Excuse me, but where am I?' He asked.
"You are in the Tower of Babel, home of the Council, and I am Rose, the secretary. Do you have an appointment?"
Jason stepped back in shock, Rose didn't even breathe during that introduction. "Um... I don't know, I'm kinda lost." he admitted.
"Only those with appointments can enter this room so you do have one. Name please?" Rose asked.
"Um... Jason Wright, And why is it just Rose? I thought it would be longer." Jason answered.
Rose giggled, "It is, but I always use Rose for English speakers. Jason, lets see..... oh my."
"What?" Jason asked, worry in his voice.
"You're.... you're the one." she whispered.
"The one...?" Jason asked.
"I am so very sorry for keeping you, this way please." Rose begged, almost bowing to him.
"Uh okay." Jason said.
The Purple/Gold Book, The Tower of Babel, The Council Chambers
"May I present to the Council, Jason Wright." Rose announced.
Jason walked in on cue, observing for the first time the council chambers. The room was circular, the walls stretched high, row upon row of chairs lining them. In the center, a raised podium stood, and behind it was an angel. He was tall, thin, had short brown hair, and a pair of pure white wings.
"I am Principatum, Archangel of the Angels, and their representative. And on their behalf I welcome you, at long last, to the Council of Representatives." He announced, the Council cheering behind him.
"How many races are here exactly?" Jason asked in awe.
"1,772, To be exact." Principatum answered.
"So why was I expected?"
"To best answer that, may i introduce you to Moses, Representative of the humans and an ancestor of yours?"
"Moses, as in the Moses?" Jason asked.
"The one and the same." An older man with white hair answered.
"Why me then?" Jason repeated.
"It began a millennia ago, shortly after I became a member of the Council..."
Moses' Memory
The council chamber was quiet, nothing seemed wrong to Moses on this particular day. Suddenly, without warning, two ponies, a grey pegasus, and a tanish/brown earth burst in.
"Principatum! Danger! Time is about to end! The Void is going to rip!" the brown earth pony yelled, gleaning the attention of the council.
"Calm down mannis, tell me your names." Moses calmly spoke.
"Doctor Whooves, and my friend is Derpy Hooves, or Ditzy Doo." the Doctor answered.
"And how is Time going to end?" Moses asked, staring intently at the Doctor.
"The humans are going to find a way across the void, and use it to kill all of Equestria!" the Doctor exclaimed.
Before Moses could respond, Derpy interrupted, asking: "Hey, do any of you have muffins?"
Moses started chuckling, "Lily, fetch her some muffins." He instructed.
"At once." Lily replied
"Wheres Principatum?" the Doctor asked.
"Old Pat went to the Angels planet for a vacation." Moses answered, "Now, as for Time ending, I have seen it, and all can be changed."
"What must I do?" Whooves asked, as Moses pulled a small blue crystal from his pocket.
"Take this piece of the Tree of Harmony, place it in the human world; then, find Starswirl with your TARDIS, give him this summoning spell, along with this map of the Everfree." Moses instructed.
"Why?" Whooves implied.
"Because a human must cross, receive the gift of the council, and locate the void armour; then, this champion, and only this champion, can stop it."
"I'll do it!" Whooves exclaimed once more, turning and running back to the TARDIS, Derpy following behind with a bunch of muffins.
End Moses' Memory
"So, this Doctor guy leaves the crystal on earth, gives Starswirl, and in extension Twilight, the spell to bring me across this void, and the a map to lead me to that book." Jason summarized, "So what is the gift?"
"The Final Prophecy states that the gift will be given as soon as you leave, but that you are told the future before you leave." Moses answered.
"The Future?" Jason repeated.
"Yes, the Prohpecy states: 'the twins who were linked shall be broken, and Ice must choose a new world, or home." Moses recited.
After a pause Jason said, "That makes no sense."
"I know," Moses agreed, "It never has."
"And now our gift, Jason, is two things; First, take Rose with you, she will help." Principatum instructed. "And second is the book, it belonged to you the moment you touched it; Also, it will teach you magic, more powerful than any unicorn, alicorn, angel, or human possesses, it also lists the places where the armour will be found."
"Alright, I will. Is there anything else?" Jason asked, looking around the chamber one last time.
"Just one more thing, the nine ponies you met, keep them close." Moses answered.
"So how do I leave?" Jason wondered aloud.
"Just close your eyes and Imagine the cave you were in." Moses told him, a sad smile on his face.
Jason closed his eyes, thought of the cave, and disappeared.
"What do you mean 'close the Void'?!" Twilight yelled for the umpteenth time.
"I mean, something is going to happen and to stop it, and get myself home, I have to close the Void." Jason explained again.
"Sooo, what is the Void?" Twilight asked, not moving from the cave entrance.
"From what I could tell, it's the gap between our Universes." Jason answered.
"So what do we do now?" Rainbow asked in a bored tone.
"Use this book to guide me towards pieces of armor known as 'Void Armor.' " Jason explained, waving the book in his hand. He then opened the book and started reading. While he did this, Applejack turned towards the CMC.
"Ah' think y'all should head home now." She told them.
"Aww, but we wanna help." Applebloom complained.
"Yea, why does the adults get to have all the fun?" Scootaloo asked.
"Because it's dangerous out there. Now go." Applejack commanded. The CMC then nodded and walked towards the entrance. until Jason spoke.
"No, we'll need them Applejack." He stated without looking up.
"And how are you so sure?" Applejack asked, a glare on her face.
"Because the council told him so." a new voice replied. Everypony in the cave turned towards the new comer, each of them gasping in surprise.
"And who in tarnation are you?!" Applejack exclaimed.
"I am Rose, Jason's teacher in magic, and I will also assist him on this quest." Rose replied evenly, not breaking eye contact with Applejack.
"And now that you've met her, we need to decide where to go first." Jason Informed them.
"What we need is to go home and get some sleep, and tomorrow we will get ready for this quest." Twilight explained.
"Okay, fine! Ponyville it is then!" Jason sighed.
"And we'll still get to go on the quest with you?" Sweetie asked, giving Jason puppy dog eyes.
"Yes, you will." He answered.
"Yay!" The CMC cheered.
Then, one by one, the ponies, and humans, left the cave. Soon only Applejack and Jason were left.
"If any harm comes to them I swear-" Applejack began, only to get cut off.
"Then I'll be in trouble, got it." Jason finished. He then left the cave. Applejack followed suit, still glaring.
The Ponyville Library.
"Well, because I only have one extra bed, one of you will have to sleep on the couch tonight." Twilight explained upon entering the house.
"Rose can have it." Jason offered, knowing that it was a gentlemanly thing to do.
"Don't be ridiculous, I prefer sleeping as a bat." Rose chuckled.
"Wait, what?" Jason asked sharing a look that said the same thing with Twilight.
"Transmutation, the art of changing one thing to another. And I like sleeping as a bat see?" Rose explained, her form shrinking and turning into that of a bats. "Night." She called from the ceiling.
"I'm gonna forget I saw that." Twilight muttered to herself as she went upstairs.
Jason walked down the hallway to the guest room, over to the bed and closed his eyes. mentally preparing for magic training in the morning.
Jason's Vision
Nothing. Jason saw nothing. No trees, no water, no cities or mountains, no sky or clouds. All he saw was nothing but a void. No not a void. The Void. And in the center of the Void was a girl, long dark brown hair. Her right hand held a sword. Her left held a broken helmet. In the helmet's reflection Jason saw her face. It was Jane. How? Why? Then Jason saw the ground in front of her. It was the only thing that held color. Green grass, and red blood, all surrounding a broken body. His broken body. And all the while, Jane mumbled, "The Void consumes all. None can escape it. It devours all. Earth and Equestria, and all worlds in between. None will escape it."
Jason turned and ran, ran away from his sister, away from his body, away from the Void. As he ran, color bled into the dream, and he was now on a mountain top. below was the town of Ponyville.... being consumed by the void. Ponies were running away from it, and one night blue/black alicorn was trying to stop it, to force it back. But soon the alicorn was consumed, along with Ponyville. And then he heard it, the voice of the Void, shaking mountains and crushing buildings.
"Your world has fallen, your champion lies dead. Your Time Traveler flees to the past, and my minion has slain your Sun. I have won!" The Void decreed, over the cries of pain and loss. Fires now raging to and fro. Mountains crumbling, water evaporating, and ponies dying. All because he had failed, Jason had failed. He then fell to his knees and began to cry. As he did a distant voice called out........
The Ponyville Library
"Jason wake up! Stop crying! WAKE UP!" Rose yelled, trying to wake up a crying Jason. After a few minutes he stopped crying and opened his eyes.
"It was just a dream?" Jason asked in disbelief.
"Sorry, but, what was a dream?" Twilight asked from across the room, worry on her face.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Jason lied, afraid to tell Twilight what he had seen.
"Jason, I'm an expert in many fields of magic, including Dream magic, and I could tell, it was no dream." Rose explained, standing up.
"Either way I'm fine." Jason answered. getting off his bed and heading for the door. "And if it wasn't a dream, then I will make sure it doesn't become real either. now come on, I have magic to learn."
"Fine, let's go to the edge of the forest, that way we won't be Interrupted." Rose offered. Jason nodded in agreement and walked out the front door.
"Find out what he was dreaming for me, would you?" Twilight whispered to Rose as they neared the door.
"Oh don't worry, I plan to." Rose answered with a smile. She walked up to the door, turned into a cat, and ran towards the Everfree. Ready to train Jason in magic. And learn what his dream was.
Edge of the Everfree Forest
Jason was walking back and forth, wondering why he dreamt of the Void controlling his sister. But more importantly he wondered what an alicorn he had never seen before was doing there. Who was she?
Not long after he started thinking, a small black cat walked up to him, opened it's mouth, and yelled:
"Goood Mooorning Stuuudent! I'm your teacher Rose, and today we're starting off with the basics: summoning and controlling the elements! But first a question: what are the names of the elements?" Rose asked, rather cheerfully. Jason stood up, (for when the cat spoke he jumped so hard that he fell on his butt.) and answered:
"Water, Earth, Air and Fire." Jason paused and thought for a moment. "And aren't you cheerful today?" he asked.
"You are my first apprentice, I've never really trained anyone before. So I'm excited." Rose answered, she the gasped, "Oh, and you are correct!" she added.
Jason opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by laughter.
"Those aren't the Elements!" Rainbow laughed from on top of a cloud.
"I thought you were getting ready for the quest Rainbow? and they are too the elements!" Jason shouted, causing Rainbow to laugh harder.
"No, the Elements are Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty and Magic! You two couldn't control them alone." Rainbow explained, still laughing. Jason looked at Rose, who facepalmed.
"I forgot about that," Rose admitted sheepishly, "But, Rainbow, the elements I'm talking about are different from the ones you know."
"Oh, then prove it!" Rainbow challenged. Rose looked at Jason and smiled.
"Sure thing Rainbow, but if you could move your cloud back," Rose asked. Rainbow nodded and pushed her cloud back a few feet.
"First lesson: Fire. To summon it, visualize the air above the palm of your hand being consumed by fire." Rose instructed, extending her own hand, producing a small flame in her palm. Jason copied her, a very small flame in his hand.
"Because you are using your own aura to power the fire, you can control how big the flame gets by how much emotion you pour into it." Rose explained, Increasing the volume of he own fire tenfold, "Now you try." she asked Jason. He looked at his flame and thought of his parents, how they must have missed him. How much he missed them, and how much he missed his sister. All of these thoughts faded as his fire grew larger than Rose's did.
"Enough!" Rose shouted, afraid that Jason would burn the forest down. "What emotion were you feeding it?" she asked, in wonder and awe.
"I don't know, I was just thinking of my family." Jason answered, his face falling.
"You used love, love is the strongest emotion of them all, even hatred, anger, and greed are small compared to it. Continue feeding the fire love, and it will never fail you." Susan explained, a serious expression on her face. She suddenly shook her head and smiled again, "Let's teach you how to shoot fire balls now."
So Jason and Rose practiced shooting fire at one another, Jason hitting Rainbow Dash every now and again. A few hours passed and all three of them laid in the grass to wait for the rest of the group. Their journey would begin in a few hours. Until then they just sat and talked, talked about the Void armor, and how they would find it. How long it would take. And who they would meet along the way.
Applejack woke bright and early, just like every morning. But unlike every morning, she didn't go out to work. Instead, she could be found grumbling to herself as she packed the last few cases of cider in her saddlebags. As she was grumbling to herself, Big Mac and Granny Smith walked up to her.
"Now you make sure you keep Applebloom safe, got it?" Granny asked, looking Applejack in the eyes.
"You can depend on me Granny," Applejack replied, giving Granny a hug. She then turned to Big Mac. "You think you can handle apple bucking without me Mac?" She asked him.
"Eeyup." Mac replied with a smile.
"Alright then, see ya in a few weeks!" Applejack called to her family as she ran towards the meeting place. After rounding the corner she slowed to a trot and continued to grumble.
"Ah' sure hope Jason stays true to his word-" But before Applejack could finish, a large flame, over 20 feet high, blazed to life. "Whoa nelly!" she exclaiimed with fright. After the flame died down, Applejack decided that the humans weren't safe, and ran to the library to find Spike.
"Ah' think I need to write a letter..."
Part 2: Pinkie Pie
Pinkie Pie was, well, Pinkie Pie. And she was happy. She already had her party cannon put in her mane, and was placing several cupcakes in it when she remembered that she had 2 more deliveries to do before leaving. Heading to the door, Pinkie pulled a baby alligator from her mane and set him on the floor.
"Now Gummy, you stay here and be good for momma, got it?" Pinkie asked him, who, in response, blinked his left eye.
"That's my boy!" Pinkie chirped, bouncing out the door.
After picking up he goodies for delivering, Pinkie made her way down the street. Eventually the first house came Into view. It was a small, modest house. Pinkie walked up to the door, stopping on a muffin-shaped welcome mat. Pinkie knocked on the door.
"Delivery!" she called, still knocking. After a few minuets Pinkie noticed a strange sound. Almost like a grinding whoosh. Following the sound, Pinkie walked around the corner of the house to find a blue box appearing out of thin air. The doors opened and two ponies stepped out. One, a stallion with a tan-ish brown coat and a brown mane. The second was a grey pegasus mare with a blond mane and bubbles on her flank.
"But you promised you would wait." the mare stated, her voice sounding sad.
"I-I, well, fine. When will they get here?" the stallion asked in a british accent.
"They're here now, actually." the mare responded with a smile as she noticed Pinkie watching with interest.
"Derpy!" Pinkie called, running towards her. "Is this guy your colt-friend or something?" Pinkie asked, gesturing to the stallion.
Derpy the blushed and spluttered, "Ack- no! He's just a friend." Derpy stated not meeting eye contact with the stallion.
"So what were you doing in that box then?" Pinkie asked, one of her eyebrows arching.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Derpy simply said, her face lighting with a smile.
"He's that good, huh?" Pinkie asked, reaching into her mane. At this, Derpy blushed deep red, now finding her hooves interesting.
"Just kidding!" Pinkie giggled, pulling a large crate of muffins out of her mane. "Well, here's your muffins!"
Derpy, still blushing, tossed Pinkie a few bits, mumbled her thanks and moved the crate towards the blue box. As she did this, the stallion approached Pinkie.
"Excuse me, Pinkie is it?" He asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Yep that's me! And you're... Time Turner, right?" Pinkie answered, shaking his hoof with hers.
"Actually, I'm the Doctor, and I'm looking for a human." He replied, prying his hoof away from Pinkie.
"Sure! I know him, and I actually am about to go see him. You want to tag along?" Pinkie asked the Doctor, hoping he'd say yes.
"Yes, just let me get Derpy to show you around the TARDIS, and we can go." The Doctor answered, relief showing on his face.
"Oh silly, we don't need a time machine to travel. Allow me." Pinkie giggled as she reached to what would be the corner of a t.v. screen. And with one pull: Pinkie, the Doctor, Derpy, and the TARDIS all dissapeared to the next chapter.
Part 3: Fluttershy
"And that's the last of the chores, can I trust you to handle this Lyra?" Fluttershy asked in her small voice.
"Sure! It's all in the bag!" Lyra confirmed. The mint-green unicorn then gripped Flutershy's shoulders. "Now I have a question for you." Lyra whispered, so only Fluttershy could hear.
"Can you confirm the rumor that there is a human in Equestria?" Lyra asked, her eyes locked with Fluttershy's. At this, Fluttershy broke Lyra's grasp, and started backing up.
"Oh, um, well, I-I don't know what you're talking about." Fluttershy lied, her eyes flitting around the room. Lyra simply chuckled and shook her head.
"I know your lying, you have been seen with him. Please let me meet him!" Lyra begged.
'Well, um, I guess you could, but you'd have to see Twilight first." Fluttershy whispered, looking at Lyra from behind her mane.
"Yes! I'll be at the library!" Lyra called, zipping out the door.
Fluttershy simply shook her head, and gathered the last of her bags. Looking around one last time, Fluttershy felt like something was missing. She wondered if Rarity would know. And as soon as she thought of her friend, she realized what was missing. Rarity and Fluttershy had missed their spa date! Knowing what to do, Fluttershy ran from her cottage to the boutique.
Part 4: Rarity
Of all the things to happen to Rarity today this was the. Worst. Possible. Thing. She was out of sewing supplies!! Oh how could she go to the most popular cities without the ability to present a new line of clothes?! Rarity stopped pacing to look around the front room. In one of the windows sat her cat, Opalesence. Opal had fallen to sleep while Rarity was ranting, and asleep she stayed as Rarity loaded her traveling cart with the last of her necessities. Rarity still couldn't help but wonder why it felt like something was missing. After a few more minuets of pacing a familiar face burst through the door.
"Rarity!" Fluttershy shouted, only to squeak, blush, and hide behind her mane. "Sorry." She apologized.
"My dear Fluttershy, you have nothing to apologize for." Rarity chided, giving Fluttershy a hug. "So what are you doing here?" Rarity asked.
"Oh, um, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the spa one last time." Fluttershy whispered.
Rarity gasped, that's what was missing! "Of course! Just let me tell Sweetie to move the cart to the library, and we can go!" Rarity said with cheer. She then walked upstairs. After a few minuets, hooves could be heard as Sweetie and Rarity trotted down the stairs.
"Hi Fluttershy! Bye Fluttershy!" Sweetie called as she zipped out the door. Giving no time for Fluttershy to answer.
"Now, all I need to do is drop Opal off at the pet sitters, and I'll be free for the rest of the day." Rarity explained, levitating Opal from the couch to her back. "Let"s go!"
Rarity and Fluttershy were walking down the street when they bumped into a familliar unicorn...
"But Fluttershy admitted that she knew a human!" Lyra groaned, a hoof on the shoulder of a white-ish tan earth pony with blue and pink curly hair.
"And I told you that you have problems!" The earth pony shouted back, causing Lyra to take a few steps back. " And unless Fluttershy was here to support your claims I Still won't believe you!" At that the earth pony turned towards the two ponies that just showed uo.
"OH! Fluttershy! Rarity! I apologize for that outburst, it's just that Lyra still thinks there are humans around." The earth pony apologized.
"Funny you should mention that, Bonbon," Rarity said, putting an arm around Bonbon's shoulders, "But after Fluttershy and I go to the spa, Were actually going to meet up with the humans." At this, Bonbon's jaw dropped.
"You're kidding, right?" She asked
"Eeynope." Bic Mac said as he pulled an apple cart past them.
"Told ya!" Lyra chuckled.
"Fine, you win." Bonbon said in defeat.
"Now, Bonbon, will you look after Opal for me?" Rarity asked.
"Sure, just put her on the couch inside." Bonbon replied. gesturing inside her house. Rarity followed Bonbon's instructions, and levitated her cat inside. After that, Rarity walked back to Fluttershy
"Now let's head for the spa!" Rarity said.
Part 5: The CMC
The crusaders could be found at the clubhouse. They were: talking, laughing, arguing, and packing. For this was the first time they were allowed to tag along on a dangerous mission. All three of the fillies were confused as to why though. Why were they needed? What made them special? What could they do that others couldn't? But, like all children, these questions soon faded from their minds.
The crusaders went over their checklists one last time before leaving the clubhouse. Sweetie hooked herself up to Rarity's travel cart, while Applebloom and Scootaloo loaded the wagon with their stuff.
As they walked through Ponyville, they noticed Rarity and Fluttershy in an argument with Lyra and Bonbon. The CMC decided to stay out of the argument, and continued to walk towards the library.
"So where do you think we'll go first?" Scootaloo asked her friends.
"Ah' hope it's not the Everfree forest, that place gives me the creeps!" Applebloom answered with a shudder.
"What if we get to see the princesses?" Sweetie gasped.
"Or Sapphire Shores!" Scootaloo chipped in.
"Well whoever we meet, or wherever we go, ah' just hope we get our cutie marks." Applebloom sighed.
All three crusaders nodded in agreement as they approached Twilight's front door. As they neared, they could hear an argument.
"Ah' told ya! It was 20 feet high!" Applejack yelled. It was followed by a sigh.
"Look Aj, I know you're upset with him for allowing the crusaders to go,I am too! But, he and Rose promised me this morning that they would both look after the crusaders." Twilight explained, right as the crusaders walked in.
Twilight looked at them with a tired smile. "Great!" Twilight cheered, "You're here! Now all we do is wait."
Part Six: Twilight
A few hours earlier. . .
"Magic theory books?" Twilight asked Spike, who was holding a checklist.
"Check." Spike answered, per the usual.
"Extra bedding?" Twilight asked yet again. Spike went to open his mouth when a huge flame erupted near the Everfree.
"W-what was that?" Spike whispered.
"Well," Twilight began, a hoof to her chin, "Rose is teaching Jason magic, perhaps it was Jason?"
"Twilight, how does a human make fire like that? How is it possible?" Spike asked, a claw on his chin.
Twilight went quiet for a few minuets. " I don't know," she finally said aloud, dropping to her flanks. "I just don't know."
Suddenly, Applejack burst through the door.
"Twilight," she said, " We need to talk."
A few hours later.
"And so that's what I've been doing today. Happy now?" Twilight asked the crusaders, who now sat at her table.
"Yep." Applebloom answered between bites of a sandwich that Twilight had made for her.
"So when will the others get here?" Sweetie asked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin.
As she spoke, Rarity and Fluttershy walked through the door. Following them was Lyra.
"Where is the human?" Lyra asked Twilight, looking around the library.
"By the Everfree," Twilight answered as she stood up, " Okay everypony listen up!" she called out, quieting the library.
"Pinkie said she will meet us by the everfree, and Dash is already there, so let's go!" And with that she walked out the door, everypony else following behind.
Jason had zoned off while Rose was explaining how she had nearly escaped death in a different universe. While her voice became a buzz in Jason's mind, there was another voice that had grown in volume: the Void's. What it had said in Jason's dream had began to echo.
"I have killed your sun, the champion lies defeated. You have lost." It echoed once more.
Suddenly, three ponies and a blue box appeared out of nowhere, startling Jason, Rose, and Dash.
"How did you do that?!" Doctor Whooves exclaimed, helping Derpy off the ground.
"Oh, I broke the fourth wall a long time ago." Pinkie casually remarked.
"Pinkie? Why are there two random ponies here?" Jason asked in a confused tone.
"They aren't random," Pinkie explained. " And they have a message for you."
"Yes, we do." Doctor Whooves agreed.
"And it is?" Jason asked, wondering who would want to talk to him.
"Jason!" Twilight called, bursting into the clearing, "Have you decided where we're going first?"
"No, I was about to receive a message when you showed up." Jason paused, "Besides, I figured you would want to help me decide."
"Ahem." Doctor Whooves coughed. "Anyway, Princess Celestia has requested your prescence." He announced.
Jason was lost for a moment, had he heard that name before? Jason then remembered the addiction to ponies his friend had had. He remembered Drake mentioning Celetia's being an alicorn. Jason then pondered what to say next...
"So where does she live?" Jason asked. And no sooner did he ask Pinkie pushed him to the ground and stood on top of him.
"You don't know where she lives?!" Pinkie yelled in his face.
"No." Jason answered after a pause. In response Twilight pointed to a castle on the side of the mountain to the north.
Jason studied the castle for sometime before saying, "Well then that's our first stop."
The Doctor then spoke up, "You all go ahead to the train station," he instructed, " I will go to Celestia and tell her you're on your way."
"Bye!" Derpy says in her bubbly voice before entering the blue box.
As it disappeared, Twilight spoke to the group, "Let's get going."
The Ponyville Train Station
Jason felt uneasy with all the stares from the townsponies. After a few minuets he decided to ask why they were taking the train.
"Because," Twilight answered while reading her magic studies book, "My teleportation isn't powerful enough to take all of us to Canterlot."
"And what about Pinkie teleporting the Doctor and Derpy?" Jason asked immediately after Twilight finished explaining.
At that Twilight gave Jason a look that said really? "I don't care if what you said was true or not, Pinkie does that all the time. And from what I can tell, it only works over short distances."
Without warning Rainbow Dash zipped over between Jason and Twilight. "Mind answering a few more questions?" She asked Jason.
"If I get to ask a few in return, then sure." Jason replied.
Dash held her hoof out and Jason shook it. "Deal!" they said together. Jason looked around to find that the rest of the ponies had gathered around, including a few townsponies.
Rainbow went first. "Why do you have magic but no horn?" Jason could tell this was bugging her and looked at a long midnight blue cat.
'Humans have the ability to channel their will through any point in their bodies, most preferring their hands." The cat explained.
"Rose," Jason said, causing the cat to look at him. "I will never get used to that."
Twilight asked the next question, "Why do you only have fur on your head and nowhere else?"
Jason arched one of his eyebrows before answering, "Okay one, It is called hair. Two, humans can get too hot with fur covering us."
Fluttershy was next, " What do you eat?"
Jason scratched his chin,wondering whether to tell them he eats meat. after a few minuets he noticed that they were still waiting for an answer. Sighing he began his explanation.
"I'm an omnivore." He stated simply, hoping they wouldn't press him further.
However Pinkie ruined such hopes. "What does omnivore mean?" She asked.
Before Jason could answer, Fluttershy spoke up, "It means he can eat fruit, vegetables, and meat." Fluttershy whispered, squeaking at the last part.
This alarmed Aj, who was next. "Is ponies on your menu?" She asked with a glare.
"Heck no!" Jason answered to the relief of everypony.
Rarity then asked her question, "Do all humans wear clothes like that?"
Jason opened his mouth before closing it in thought, then answered after a pause, "Most do, but, some women wear shorter pants or skirts, and a few don't wear any clothing at all."
Rarity surprised Jason by asking, "Why are there only a few who wear nothing?"
"Humans consider it taboo to be naked." Jason replied looking at the intrigued look on Rarity's face.
Lyra, who followed them to the station went next, "Is it true that you have carts that pull themselves?"
Jason looked at her in confusion for awhile before realizing what she was talking about, "Oh, you mean cars? Yeah we do." He answered to Lyra's joy.
Lyra suddenly looked back to see Bon-Bon waiting for her, "Crap, I gotta go." Lyra muttered before turning to Jason. "But before I go can I feel your hands?" Jason gave her an even more confused look before sighing and holding out one hand. Lyra giggled like a school girl and stroked it. Lyra said thanks and ran to Bon-Bon, The group was able to hear an "I told you so" before the two walked out of range.
The Crusaders were last and asked their question together, "Do humans get cutie marks?"
"No, we don't." Jason answered to the confusion of the fillies.
"Why?" Applebloom asked.
"Because," Jason sighed, " The humans main goal is to survive, and to do that most humans can do a number of things, and excel at them, when I left, humans did what they wanted to, but regardless of talents. As long as they could do a minimum amount of it of course."
At that everypony went silent, and Jason decided to ask his question, "Is Celestia a midnight blue alicorn with an indigo blue starry mane?"
Jason did not expect the reaction he received, laughter.
"N-no, that is Luna, her sister." Twilight replied between chuckles. Her eyes suddenly grew wide, "How do you not know she was Luna, but what she looked like?" Twilight asked
"I saw her in my visio-" Jason replied before he could cut himself off.
"Vision?" The group repeated.
Before Jason could explain, the train pulled up. The conductor yelling "All aboard!"
"I think it's better if I tell you where no townsfolk can hear, in a private car perhaps?" Jason explained. To his relief everypony agreed and filed onto the train.
The Ponyville Express Car 5
When Jason entered the car, everypony was waiting for an explanation. So explain he did. He told them about the Void, his sister, Luna, Ponyville being destroyed, and the message of the Void. "I have killed your sun, the champoin lies dead, you have lost."
That sentence echoed around the car for a few minuets before Dash spoke up.
"Surely that was a nightmare! I mean come on! As long as we have the elements of harmony nothing can touch Poyville! And I know that no one can kill Celestia!" Dash spoke, her voice nervous.
The next voice to speak sounded so grave, that anypony who listened knew it spoke the truth.
"It was no nightmare, Dash. It was our future, and it seems that none will survive." Rose answered, her cat face grave.
"But Isn't that why Jason is here? To stop it?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes wide with fear.
"Celestia dies." Jason stated, his voice sounding intrigued. "Doesn't anypony else feel intrigued by the Void's message? Why does it want Celestia dead?"
Twilight was the one to answer, "Because she is more powerful then anything else, she could hold the Void back."
"True, but doesn't Luna have just as much power as her sister?" Jason asked, knowing what Twilight would say.
"You're right!" Twilight exclaimed, only to grow confused, "Why don't they just stop the void now?" Twilight asks.
"Two reasons," Rose spoke up, "One, the Void would absorb their powers. And Two, if the Void was to corrupt one of them we would be screwed."
"And what of Jason? Where was he in the vision?" Rarity asks,looking out a window.
Jason looked around the room before answering, "I think I know where I will be." He stated, only to have Rarity make the "Go on" gesture,. Taking a deep breath Jason finished his sentence, "I will be dead."
Before anypony could respond the car door opened to reveal a white unicorn stallion in gold trimmed purple armor.
"Jason?" He asked, looking around the room to find Jason raising his hand. The stallion nodded and introduced himself.
"My name is Prince Shining Armour, husband of Princess Cadence and Captain of the Royal Guard. I have been asked to escort you personally to Celestia herself."
"BBBFF!" Twilight yelled out, breaking the silence.
"Hey Twily!" Shining Armour replied giving Twilight a hug.
"BBBFF?" Jason asked Applejack in confusion.
"Big Brother Best Friend Forever." Aj calmly responded.
"Ah- wait?! A brother?!" Jason exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.
"Yes, I'm her brother. Now, will you please follow me?" Shining asked, turning towards the door.
"Sure." Jason answered, standing from his seat, Rose, (still a cat) hopped down from his lap. The rest of the group stood and followed Jason out onto the platform.
As soon as everypony was out of the train, Shining took off down the street. Turning this way and that so fast that Jason was soon lost, and the only thing he knew was that the large ornate castle was growing closer.
The exterior of the Palace was marble trimmed with gold, and several balconies could be seen dotting its many towers, which all stood out against a clear blue sky. Soon, a large gate stood in front of our group, a celestial guard stood watch.
"Open the gate by order of Her Royal Highness Celestia!" Shining called out to the guard, who in turn, nodded and signaled for the gates to open.
Before Jason could start walking again, Shining stepped in front of him.
"Celestia informed me to tell you the rules of the palace." He explained. Jason motioned for him to continue.
"One, do not try to escape, there are over a hundred guards hiding, ready to stop you. Two: The Princesses chambers are off limits. Three: No combat magic is allowed in the Palace. And finally Four: Try and relax, Celestia trusts you, and will help you understand anything you currently do not. Got it?" Shining said as he read off a list of instructions.
"Yeah, it's just," Jason began as he scratched the back of his neck. "Do you tell all visitors that?"
Shining chuckled, "No, just humans."
"Great" Jason muttered to himself as he followed Shining Armour into the Palace.
Canterlot Palace Throne Room
"Announcing Jason Wright, Human of Earth, and the Element Bearers!" A white guard stallion proclaimed as Jason entered the throne room. As he did, he looked around and his breath was taken away.
On one side of the room was a group of ponies that looked insect-like. They were covered with what looked like a black carapace. Their eyes were large, round, and emotionless. In the center of their group was one that was larger then the rest, a crown atop her head.
On the other side was a few griffons, half eagle, half lion, and very ferocious. Beyond them was four minotaurs. They had the head and legs of a bull and the body of a human.
But in the middle of the room was where Jason's eyes were drawn. For in the center sat three alicorns and a mixed-matched creature. The alicorn on the right was the same midnight blue one from Jason's vision. Her hair was an indigo color with stars dotted in it. Her flank looked like someone had splattered black paint on it, with a white crescent moon sitting in the middle. Her eyes were a beautiful teal blue. Luna, Jason recalled her name.
The alicorn on the left was a little smaller than Luna. She had a pink coat, violet eyes and a tri-colored mane of yellow, purple, and magenta-red. Her cutie mark depicted a blue heart with two golden serpent shapes, one on either side.
Next was the mixed-matched creature behind Luna. He had the head of a horse with an antler and a horn sitting side-by-side on top of it. His body had the paw of a lion and an eagle's talons as forelimbs. A dragons leg and a hoof made up the hind legs. His back held one Pegasus wing and one dragon wing. He also had a tail. All in all it was the most chaotic thing Jason ever saw.
Jason's eyes traveled to the pony on the throne. Her mane was colored like an aurora borealis, with greens, blues, and purples. The mane itself flowed even though there was no breeze. Her coat was a pure white, whiter than even Rarity's coat. Her eyes shone like that of a child, but held a vast knowledge behind their twilight-purple veil. Atop her head sat a crown with a purple gem set in the center.
Twilight then stepped next to Jason and pointed out each alicorn, "Jason, I would like you to meet Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire, Princess Luna of the night, Discord, god of chaos, and my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia of the Sun."
Jason bowed to Celestia with no reson to and said, "Princess."
"I suppose you know why you are here?" Celestia asked, her face and voice betraying no emotion.
"You want to know more about the Void, and why you died in my vision." Jason answered evenly, not noticing the surprise on the others faces.
"Indeed," Celestia answered, emotionless as ever.
"How?" Jason asked, waiting to see why there were so many different creatures there.
"With your permission, Luna will use her dream magic to put you to sleep and enter your mind to observe your next vision." Celestia answered, only to jump when the cat perched on Fluttershy's back spoke.
"I know a little dream magic myself, and would like to see this vision as well." Rose stated, knowing that she would go regardless.
"Very well then, are you ready Jason?" Celestia asked, regaining her composure.
"Yes." Jason simply answered.
"Please lay down, it will make this easier." Luna explained before knelling down to the now laying Jason. Rose shifted to human form and laid down next to him, gripping his hand.
Jason opened his mouth to speak, only to have the Void speak instead. "So it begins."
Jason's Second Vison
Rose, Jason, and Luna opened their eyes to see the throne room in ruins. Dead ponies, griffins, minotaurs and, the insect ponie things littered the room. Before any of them could speak, a loud bang resonates through the room. Following that was a crashing sound as Celestia fell through the roof.
Before Jason could blink, Celestia was on her hooves again and was firing spells at a strange warrior with a familiar sword.
"You turned Jason against the humans! You will pay!" It yelled with Jane's voice.
"No, he was trying to save them! He was trying to warn you! Now he's dead." Celestia yelled back charging across the room with a spell on her horn.
"Liar!" Jane yelled stepping forward and slapping Celestias horn with the flat of the blade. The world went quiet as Celestias horn began to crack in slow-mo. And all to soon, it turned to dust.
"Celestiaaaaa!" Luna roared as her sister collapsed to the ground.
"How, how did you do that? No mortal weapon could break my horn alone!" Celestia gasped, still shuddering from the pain.
"Oh, this sword is not a mortal one. It is known as: Clarent! The Sword of Fire, and War!" Jane exclaimed as she aimed at Celestia. "This is going to be fun!" Jane giggled to herself. She took a few more steps forward before she plunged her sword into Celestia's neck. A chuckle rippled across the palace, and the same message as before echoed: "Your world has fallen, your champion lies dead. Your Time Traveler flees to the past, and my minion has slain your Sun. I have won!" Jason couldn't watch anymore and so he ran, out of the throne room. Unbeknownst to him, Rose and Luna were thrown from his vision altogether
Jason's Second Vision Canterlot Gates
As Jason ran the vision shifted around him, leaving him standing in front of the Canterlot gates. On the outside of the gates stood row upon row of armored humans, massive machines stood tall behind them. In the front of the group, but facing away, was Jane. On he gates stood a small number of guards and city ponies, In front of them stood half of the elements of harmony. Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. Next to them was Luna, who was speaking to the army.
"We are here today to fight off the human menace, to drive back the Void, and to save our families. Many of us will die today, but as long as I stand, Equestria will. Not. Fall. Who is with me?"
All of the ponies cheered at the same time the humans had, causing the whole of the city to shake.
"To war, and freedom!" Luna called as the humans began their assault.
Luna turned to the elements, and called them to her.
"We are not alone, Jason has arrived, as he said he would." Luna whispered to them, gesturing to follow her into a tent.
Jason followed after them, curious as to why Luna thought he was here. As soon as he stepped through the flap, he felt something like a wave of water hit him.
"Jason! You're here!" Rainbow Dash cried, flinging herself across the room to Jason. He was caught off guard when Rainbow hugged him.
"What? How do you guys see me?" Jason asked in disbelief.
"Long story short, you are actually time traveling to the future with an invisibility spell on you." Luna explained.
"Jason. we don't have a lot of time, but you need to hear us out. When the time comes you hesitate and die, causing the mess you see here. We also need to tell you that Rose is----." Twilight explained, only to get cut off as Jason is flung back in time.
Throne Room Canterlot Palace Present Day
Jason opened his eyes to find everyone staring at him.
"Well?" Celestia asked, "What did you see?"
Jason was quiet a moment before answering, "My people find a way to cross the void and wage war on Equestria. My sister leads them, and she singlehandedly killed you, Celestia."
"Then I must ask how you plan to stop this." Celestia calmly answered.
"A group that calls themselves 'the Council of Representatives' has informed me of a set of armor that would allow one to survive in the void; however, without a solid clue as to where each piece is, it will take time to locate them." Jason explained, much to the surprise of Celestia.
"They are not to be trusted." she growled.
"Why? they gave me a chance to go homejavascript:Bold(document.getElementById( 'chapter_editor' ));, and I will take it, regardless of your opinion." Jason shot back, again surprising the princess.
"They wanted to control this world in exchange for safety, and then released Discord on us." Clestia answered, her features visibly calming.
"They promised me acceptance, and I get turned into a poo-covered statue." Discord grumbled to himself.
"If you still wish to do this, then I will send three of my day guards with you." Celestia announced, just then a changeling shot to Jason's side. "I am Ditto, and my queen has asked me to protect the human." He announced. Celestia nodded to him as Luna stepped forward.
"Jason," Luna asked, "If you are okay with it, I will accompany you, along with three night guards." Jason nodded.
"If Jason intends to save us, then you can count the elements of Harmony in." Twilight announced, standing at Jason's side, opposite of the changeling. A griffin then strode forward.
"Greeting human," He began, his voice deep, but powerful. "I am Bloodbeak, King of the Griffin Empire, an I wish to send my son Razor Talons to aid you in your quest." Jason agreed, and a slightly smaller griffin walked over to the group.
Suddenly, an angry minotaur was in Jason's face, "IF YOU THINK YOU CAN COUNT US OUT, YOU ARE GRAVELY MISTAKEN!!!!" he yelled, causing the hall to go silent, "I am Rage, and I shall aid you as well." He said in a voice that Jason didn't expect could come from him. Discord saw his opportunity and approached Jason, "While I won't travel with you, I will check up on you, and not just for Celestia, but Fluttershy as well." Sure enough, the timid Pegasus hopped into his arms, giving him a big hug.
"If there is no more volunteers, then I hereby decree that you shall be known as "The army of the Delegation of Equestria, or Void Warriors for short." Celestia announced, sending a reporter to his HQ, "If anypony knows anything about strange armors, they are to report to you. And as for you Jason, what next?"
"While we are here, we will search Canterlot for the first piece." Jason decided.
"Then Faust be with you Jason, and may we see Equestria thrive in the days to come." Celestia spoke as she stood and spread her wings, "The meeting of the Delegations is hereby concluded."
Ponyville Square
It was quiet, as it should be at night. The pure white alicorn with grey mane and tail thought so anyway. He jumped when a sudden Crack sounded off. Looking towards the statue in the fountain, he spotted an inky, shadowy substance leaking from it.
The stallion bowed to the statue, "Master," He spoke.
"Son, there is no need to call me as such, for you yourself, are a master." The voice of the Void spoke, coming from behind the crack.
"I have just returned from the capital, they bought the ploy and have started looking for the first piece. Under your command, I wish to view the humans progress." the Stallion explained, felling the joy of the Void rise.
"As you wish, Princapatum. Don't get caught." The Void answered.
"I won't, Father." Princapatum whispered as he jumped into the void.
Jane sighed inwardly, it had been 24 hours since she had joined V.V.T, and she was lonely. She was also tired for a lack of sleep. Why? Because, every time she closed her eyes, she saw a war. Humans and ponies dying on both sides. And her brother was there, aiding the ponies.
"Why Jason?" She asked no one in particular, tears streaming down her face.
"Jane? You have a package in." Susan Botts said over the intercom. With a sigh, Jane stood up and walked over to her Intercom button and pushed it.
"Send it in." Jane answered quietly. A few minutes later, a knocking could be heard on her door. Jane opened it to find a man, holding a long thin package.
"Are you Jane Wright?" He asked, his featureless face betraying no emotion.
"Yes. Can I help you?" She answered, scanning the visitor as he stepped inside. He was at an average height, had brown hair streaked with silvery-gray, and wore a cloak that was several sizes too big.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Principatum, and I am an angel." At the word 'angel', he undid his cloak, allowing two pure white wings to spread out.
"I-I don't know what to say." Jane stammered, not knowing how to handle this revelation. She then promptly sat down on her bed. "Why are you here?" She finally managed to ask, her voice but a whisper.
"Because of the sword in my hands, and your brother." Principatum answered, pulling the sword from its sheath. Along the flat of the blade had glowing red runes which, if looked at right, would spell a word: Clarent
"And what does Clarent have to do with anything?" Jane asked, reading the sword's name.
"Everything," Principatum answered with a smile, "Its destiny sits at the middle of this story."
"And what is its destiny?" Jane asked, reaching for Clarent's hilt.
"To save the multiverse, and to kill the wielder of Excalibur." Principatum explained as if it was common knowledge.
"Will it help save Jason?" Jane questioned, a tint of sadness in her voice. At which Principatum faltered, for the truth was that Jason was Excalibur's wielder. And now he had to lie once more to secure power. So why did it bother him?
Sighing, Principatum answered sadly, "Yes, it will. But first, you must be trained in magic, for all of your enemies will have it, and it will also help you to communicate with Clarent."
Jane held Clarent so the tip of the blade pointed up, and looked at the reflection, not noticing the spell that Principatum was casting. In the blade's reflection, Jane saw her and Jason, standing on a hill, no wars, no deaths, and the human controlled Equestria around them. Jane lowered the sword. "Teach me Master." She said, her voice changed by the will of Clarent. For all Clarent wants is to fulfill its destiny.
The Warriors looked out of place in the posh city. Most of them, (especially Ditto) wouldn't even be there if they knew where the first piece of armor was. As it was, Twilight suggested the museum as a starting place. After all, wasn't museums created to hold relics of the past.
"Nope, we don't have any void armor here, but we do have an idea of where to look." Said Dusty Rune, A grey unicorn with silver hair.
"Where?" Twilight asked, a notebook appearing next to her.
Dusty Rune locked his bright blue eyes with Twilight's, "It is rumored that a battle took place in the crystal caverns, and that a warrior with said armor was there." With that, the curator went back to cataloging a box of old scrolls.
"Now what Jason?" Twilight asked as she turned towards the group, concern on her face
Jason looked back and forth between his followers before replying, "I think we should head to the hotel for now, and tomorrow we should spend training to fight, or looking for more rumors around town."
"I think that is a splendid idea!" Rarity said with a yawn, already turning towards the door. As they left, Dusty sighed under his breath, "Good luck."
Royal Guest Suite Canterlot Palace
The room Celestia set aside for the warriors was like a small, one story, hotel. In all, there were at least seven rooms: one for the elements of harmony, one for Rage, one for Ditto, one for Razor Talons, one for Jason, one for Rose, and one for the Crusaders. The Crusaders had spent the day pouring over maps to pinpoint the location of the other pieces. So far, about six other places had been circled, including Ponyville. Looking at the map, Jason suppressed a shudder as he remembered the Void's threat.
When Jason got to the main Living room. All but the Crusaders, the Night and Day gaurds, and Luna were there. As he walked in, he heard Twilight as Ditto who the changeling queen was.
Ditto looked remorseful as he answered, "Queen Illusion, my oldest friend, and the only heir to Chrysalis's throne."
But what of Chrysalis herself?" Rarity asked with a frown.
Ditto scoffed as he remembered Chrysalis. "She was a misguided Queen. When the invasion was over, her and all who followed her were punished."
"What is their punishment?" Fluttershy asked with concern, never making eye contact with the changeling.
"To die, alone and hungry, surrounded by those who once cared for them. Now, only to be shunned." Ditto answered, his voice unnaturally even. As he finished his answer, Fluttershy had gasped, and the others were wide eyed.
"Why would you be so cruel to them?" Twilight asked, looking aghast.
"You think it was easy?" Ditto growled, springing to his feet. "Illusion had to watch her mother die. She was locked in her room for days afterward." He stood there for a moment as the room fell quiet once more.
"Was there anyone out there that you knew, Ditto?"" Applejack asked, the first of the group to overcome the shock.
Ditto fell to his rump, and for ten minuets, said nothing. Until he sighed and in a shaky voice answered, "My brother."
Before he knew what was happening, Ditto was hit by a yellow blur, which was now hugging him.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm so sorry." Fluttershy cried between tears, only confusing the poor changeling.
"Why are you apologizing? My brother knew the consequences of shunning the Changeling Code. But that didn't stop him, or his friends."
Rainbow Dash clapped a hoof on Ditto's shoulder, "Fluttershy trusts you know, and whether you like it or not, you're one of us now. Your pain is our pain." She answered, stepping back so the rest of the main six could squeeze in for a group hug.
Twilight noticed Jason, Rage and Razor standing awkwardly to the side, "Come on, you three, that means you too." She said, gesturing to join the hug. After a few moments of hesitation, they did just that.
One by one they al left until only Jason and Ditto were left. Looking down at the changeling, Jason prepared to ask him a question that was bugging him.
"Ditto?" He asked cautiously, "How hard is it to let your sibling die?"
Ditto sighed, "It was the hardest thing I ever went through, but it was necessary, so I moved on. Why?" He asked, looking up at Jason.
After a moment of hesitation, Jason answered, "Because I might have to let my sister die to save the universe, both mine and yours."
Ditto looked back at Jason, "She will make her decisions, you will make yours, and in the end, all you can do is hope she will somehow survive." He said quietly.
Jason hoof-bumped Ditto, "Thanks, but I'm still worried for her. Hope is all I have now."
Canterlot Museum
Dusty Rune was about to leave the museum when a white alicorn stallion stepped in, "Excuse me, but have you seen a human in here recently? I have to find him." the alicorn hesitantly asked.
Dusty tuned to look at him, taking in the half-black, half turquoise blue-ish hair. Locking his blue eyes with the alicorns blue eyes, Dusty asked, "Why?"
"I' stuck in the wrong dimension, and I need to help him for a bit until I can leave." The alicorn answered, only to gasp and pont outside, "Oh, and a few unicorns who work for a 'Filthy Rich' were planning to beat you up, so I knocked them out."
Dusty smiled, "I thank you for that, and I believe I heard them say something about a royal hotel suite as they left."
The alicorn smiled and headed for the door, "Thank you." Were the last words spoken in the museum.
With a sigh, Dusty locked the door and shook his head, "Now I can sleep easy tonight." He sighed with relief as he made his way towards his bed."Who was that though?" Was his last thought as he drifted to sleep.
Jason yelled as he flanked left, circling around his target. Rose had two spells going about her as Jason made another pass. The first was a shield spell to lessen the damage caused by Jason's sword. The second was a lightning spell to keep her pupils on their feet. Suddenly and without warning, Twilight Sparkle appeared in front Rose, and in a moment of shock released the shield spell. With a smug look on her face, Twilight tapped Rose's leg with her hoof.
"Tag, I win." Twilight cheered as Jason jogged up, sweat trickling down his neck.
"Good one.' He panted, giving Twilight a hoof bump. But to their surprise, Rose laughed.
"And you think that that tactic would work in real life?" Rose demanded, almost sounding cross.
"What, it worked didn't it?" Jason asked, confusion present.
Rose then gave him a death stare. "When you face your sister, she will not be easily jumped. And she is going for the kill. You have to be prepared for anything."
"Jane may want to kill me, but I still want her to be safe." Jason answered, glaring at Rose.
Before Rose could respond, Jason began to shrink until he was Pony sized. As he shrunk, he began to change color and shape, until finally, he was a changling. With a sheepish smile, Ditto looked up at Rose.
"Ditto, where is Jason?" Rose asked in a mock kind voice.
"Um, Jason said something about following the CMC to the crystal catacombs, and asked me to disguise as him." Ditto said flinching as if he expected to be hit.
Twilight's head snapped up. "The CMC?! What was Jason thinking?!" She yelled.
Rose stepped forward. "Twilight calm yourself, you can yell when Jason and the crusaders are safely back. For now, we go after them."
The Crystal Catacombs Somewhere Below Canterlot
"What were you girls thinking?!" Jason yelled when he finally caught up to the runaway Crusaders.
"Well, you guys were taking to long with your training, and we thought we could scout out the caves after we found out where the entrance was." Sweetie explained, a guilty look on her face.
Jason just sighed, "Well, seeing as we're here, might as well look around." As he spoke, Jason looked around the cavern, taking notice of the five hallways that went in different directions, one of them being the one that leaves the caves. "Come on." Jason said to the crusaders as he picked a tunnel at random.
As the group walked away, a chuckling began, and a deep voice whispered, "Soon."
Entrance To The Crystal Catacombs
Rose sighed, "He went further into the cave, and I think something is following him. Something big."
"Then let's hurry, we have no time to spare." Razor Talons exclaimed, taking off down the entrance tunnel.
"Wait! We don't know what tunnel to take!" Twilight yelled to no avail as everyone followed Razor into the caves. As soon as Twilight entered the cave, the wall slid shut, and a strange laugh followed. Turning towards the sound, Twilight froze in fear. For no more than Ten feet from her was various sized balls of webbing hanging from the ceiling, and in the center of them stood a Giant Spider.
All Twilight could say was, "Who are you?!"
The spider chuckled, "I am the guardian of this cave, it's riches, and the armor your friend seeks. My name is Timor, and I am the spider of fear."
The Crystal Catacombs Timor's Lair
Jason and the crusaders entered a large, nearly open cavern. In front of them was a small river which divided the room. On the other side of the river was a large staircase, covered in gold. On top of the stairs was a pedestal, on which a pair of gauntlets sat "There they are!" Scootaloo cried, flinging herself into the water. Shortly afterwards, the other Crusaders followed her in.
"Wait!" Jason yelled, but it was too late, the girls stopped halfway across the water with fear upon their faces. In front of them stood a woman who was partly see-through. Her long shockingly white hair flowed as if it were underwater.
Transfixed by her appearance, Jason asked, "Who are you?"
With a slow smile, the woman answered, "I am Sarai, the Oracle of the Waters, and the guardian of this test."
Jason blinked, "Test? What test?" He asked.
"The test of fear." The Oracle whispered, her voice chilling Jason to the bone.
"What?' Jason asked again, still unsure about this.
"You have entered the chamber of Timor, of Fear." The Oracle explained patiently, "And to escape alive, with your young friends, you must pass the Test of Fear."
"Well?" Sarai asked, still standing by the crusaders, "Will you enter the river?"
Jason stood still for a few minutes, contemplating. Then, finally, "Yes." And stepped into the river.
Jason's Fear
Jason found himself in a ruined town square. Next to him was a fountain that had shattered some time ago. On the other side of the square was a strange muttering sound. As Jason approached it, he realized that it was coming from a dirty white alicorn with blue-black spiky hair.
"if only, if only," The alicorn repeated, his gruff voice sounding vaguely familiar.
" 'If only' what?" Jason asked, startling the alicorn. Turning towards Jason, the alicorns eye's widen.
"Another chance? Could it be?" He asked no one in particular, a creepy smile upon his face.
"Excuse me?" Jason asked, now officially wierded out.
"If you can deliver a message, all could be saved." The Alicorn explained, straightening his messy hair.
"Message? Not until you answer a few questions. Who are you, to start with." Jason demanded, starting to get tired of the alicorn.
"Ah, well for now, call me Dox. And if you are wondering, welcome to Ponyville, post-war." Dox rattled off, an impatient look in his eyes.
"I-I lose the war against the void?" Jason asked, realizing that the town was covered in graves.
"Ooh, that is a hard one. But no, you win against the void." Dox explained, his creepy gruff voice becoming more reserved and quiet.
"But if I win the war, the why is everyone dead?" Jason asked against his will.
"Because, this is the outcome of a different war, one in your future. And if you fail to do what is necessary, You will bury your friends.' Dox quietly explained, his voice beginning to quiver.
Jason caught the sadness in Dox's voice. "You're me, or what I become, aren't you?" He asked.
With a sigh Dox answered, "Yes and no. Yes, I am you. But no, we are not exactly alike."
Jason had more questions, but Dox began to fade.
"Do me a favor, ask Timor about the Creators. It could change the future." Dox called, his voice growing faint.
Soon, all around Jason was a blur of color. Every once in a while Jason would see one of his own failures. A failed homework assignment. A failed friendship. So on, and so forth. But soon Jason saw something he never wanted to: He was cradling Jane in his arms. Her blood was mixed with his, as they bled out of several cuts. All around them were graves. Six were bigger than the rest, one for each Element-Bearer. Then came four slightly smaller graves. One depicted a changling, another was a griffon, and the next one was a minotaur. But Jason's heart fell as he saw the last one, it belonged to Rose. The next three graves were smaller than the rest, and each bore an emblem. It was the crest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Jason began to cry. How could I fail? How could I let everyone die? He thought to himself. As he sat there, looking upon the sad scene, he began to realize his fear. Failure. He was afraid of failure. With newfound determination, he began to think about every time he succeeded at something. He then imagined an Equestria without the Void threatening to kill it. One where he was spending time with all the ponies and mythical creatures he had met. As he did this he was unconsciously walking forward. He was suddenly jolted out of it when his foot hit solid ground.
Timor's Lair
Jason looked around in shock. He was at the top of the stairs, his hands upon the gauntlets. Up close, the gauntlets looked like the color had been drained from them. In one gauntlet sat an eerie green stone. With held breath, Jason picked the gauntlets up.
"Well, it seems I underestimated you." A new booming voice sounded, causing Jason to jump. As he turned around, Jason saw a spider, a giant spider.
"W-what are you?" Jason yelled while falling backwards.
With what could classify as a grin the spider spoke, "I am Timor, and you have something of mine."
Jason looked at the gauntlets and in one second, made his decision. With a quick jump, Jason flew over Timor and landed by the petrified Crusaders.
"Run!" He told them, pulling Excalibur free of it's sheath. Timor however, recognized it.
"Ah Excalibur, just as the Creators predicted." He growled, eyeing the sword..
Jason froze as he remembered Dox's wish, "I have heard of these 'Creators' before, but what are they?" He asked the spider, catching it off guard.
"You will learn soon enough, but I shall still- wait what?!?!?" Timor exclaimed as a large CCCRRRAAACK echoed around the room. Before either of them could react, Timor vanished through the floor.
In Timor's place, the heads of Jason's friends popped out of the rubble, along with a few dogs, and one white Alicorn that Jason had more questions for.
"You!" Jason called, pointing at Dox, "Why are you here?"
Dox looked up at Jason, his eyes growing wide. "How do you know who I am?" He asked, his face growing confused.
Jason walked forward, a glare on his face, "You were in a vision, you said to ask about the creators to change the future, and now it looks like it still happens." Jason explained, leaning against a wall and sliding to the floor.
"Ah," Dox exclaimed, breaking the silence, "You saw an alternate reality, and I'm guessing you were an Alicorn in it." Dox explained, looking for a nod before continuing, " In all realities, you grow to quite love this form." Dox said as he guestured to himself.
"So, I still become Dox?" Jason asked, looking up from the floor.
To everyone's surprise, Dox laughed. "Oh, that is rich!" With a sigh, Dox caught his breath. "No, I am called Paradox."
Paradox looked around at the group before turning his attention to Jason. "Where do you want me to begin?" He asked.
Jason looked at the dogs, and then at the rubble. "You can start by telling me why everyone and a few dogs are here." Jason said with a glare.
"Alright then, it is sorta long though." Paradox explained as the back flash began.
Crystal Catacombs Entrance
Paradox crouched low as he watched Twilight and the other warriors enter the caves. He waited a few more minuets before following them. As he approached the crossroads, he hid behind a rock as he watched Twilight get grabbed by Timor. A few more minutes passed before the caves rumbled. Chuckling, Timor scuttled away towards his lair. Paradox waited another minute before leaving his hiding spot.
Paradox looked at the sacs of web above him, and with a sigh, began shooting at them. Unfortunately for Paradox, Rage the Minotaur was the first to escape.
"NO ONE GET'S THE DROP ON ME!!!!!!!" Rage yells as his fist flies towards Paradox.
"Wait!"
KerPunch
Paradox then flew across the room and hit the far wall. As he stood to his hooves, Rage started heading towards him. With another yell, Rage threw his fist forward, only to have it caught in a teal-ish green, blue aura.
"Let me explain first, I'm the one who rescued you." He calmly spoke.
"And the webs?" Rae questioned back.
"Giant spider." Paradox answered quickly, he looked back at Rage and his eye's widened. "Wait, no 'You're an Alicorn!' or 'I know you!'?" Paradox exclaimed.
"Give me one reason not to punch you again." Rage growled.
"Rage, he's with us." Twilight spoke while dusting herself off. "But, why are you an alicorn?"
"My guess is to compensate for what type of being I really am." Paradox answered as he walked to each doorway. "Right, the middle door is a dead end, The left goes towards Jason, and the right goes down."
"Being," Twilight murmured to herself as she walked up next to Paradox, "Well, if left is Jason, the we go left."
Before Twilight could walk forward, Paradox raised his hoof. "Wait, we need to go right, I know of some Dogs who could help."
"Help?" Rarity scoffed, "Why would we wan help from those ruffians?"
"Because we would be doing them a favor, and if there's one thing I know, dogs always return the favor." Paradox explained as he began to descend, "You all coming or not?"
"But we need to go to Jason!" Twilight countered.
"Spiiideer." came Paradox's voice as it echoed down the tunnel.
"I don't know about you guys, but I like him!" Pinkie exclaimed as she took of after him down the tunnel.
"Spiiideeer!" Her voice echoed
With a sigh, Twilight began to follow her.
Lair of the Diamond Dogs
"Quiet," Paradox whispered as he looked around a corner, "Dogs don't like trespassers, and only the Dogfather can grant us permission to live."
"Then tell the Dogfather yourself, pony!" a gravelly voice from behind said as Paradox realized that he walked into a trap.
"Crap."
"This way pony, the dogfather is anxious to see you again." The dog spoke as Paradox was separated from the others.
"Do what they say, give them what they want. I will be back." He whispered over his shoulder to Twilight, who nodded in agreement.
After what seemed like hours, Paradox found himself in front of a rather short dog that looked like a pug.
"So, what excuse do you have this time? And no saving Equestria crap, I've heard it before." He asked, looking Paradox in the eye.
With a gulp Paradox opened his mouth. "I am here to request your help in overthrowing Timor."
"Ha!" the Dogfather barked, "You really think I would send you help? You have an army. . ."
"Which was easily defeated by the spider, give me some dogs so we can bury him." Paradox countered, keeping his face straight.
"Hm, how about a deal?" the Dogfather asked with a grin, "If you keep your word this time, I will let you and your friends go as heroes, if you fail, lie, or use my dogs as bait, I will take that horn from you head. Deal?"
Paradox thought about this for a moment, "Deal." He agreed, raising his hoof.
With a grin, the Dogfather wrapped his paw around Paradox's hoof. "Deal."
Underneath Timor's Lair[/center
"What are we doing again?" Twilight asks Paradox as they enter a large domed room.
"I already said, we're going to collapse this tunnel and bury Timor in it." Paradox answered, looking around.
"We here." A dog grunts. "Now we dig."
With that, the dogs began to dig. Paradox eventually began to shoot at the ceiling to speed things up. Eventually, all of the Void warriors began to dig, but they all jumped back when the tunnel rumbled.
CRRACCK
"Everypony! Get close to me!" Paradox yells over the falling rubble.
With one zap, Paradox turned them all ethereal.
Timor's Lair
"And here we are!" Paradox exclaims as he finishes his story with a cheeky grin.
"Why do you call yourself Paradox? Why not Jason?" Jason asked.
"Because, I needed a name for when our future meets our past, that, and how could you not change your name when you die?" Paradox answered before realizing what he said.
"What?!"
"You weren't supposed to hear that. . ." Paradox sighed, only to jump when a roar echoes around.
Jason and Paradox leapt out of the way as Timor charged past.
"I will kill you!" Timor bellowed, charging forward again.
"What did we do to you?" Paradox asks in a concerned voice.
"You know what the spell did! You know how to fix it!" Timor howled, sounding almost. . . sad.
"You're right, but you know what will happen if I fix it." Paradox answered in a remorseful voice.
"Then why Paradox? Why leave me here? Why not fix it?" Timor spoke, his voice now devoid of all anger.
"Because you still haven't answered me, Is the end result what you really want?"
". . ."
"Timor. . . "
"Fine, I will accept, my part is over." Timor answered, his voice now rumbling with sobs.
"Then hold still old friend." Paradox instructed.
"Friend?!" everypony yells.
"Paradox, before the spell begins, promise me that I will get to be with my oldest friends." Timor asked laying on the ground.
Paradox had one tear running down his cheek as he answered, "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
As his body is covered in a golden aura, Timor chuckled, "You are still weird, friend."
"Friend." Paradox echoed as the room was filled with a brilliant gold light. "Farewell."
Luna sat bolt upright as an energy that she hadn't felt in years returned.
Her old friend is returning.
Without a moments thought she jumped out of her bed and ran into the hall towards her sister/
Celestia meanwhile was eating a late breakfast when Luna burst in.
"Celly! It's Timor! He's back!"
Celestia frowned, "But how could he? Who could have that power?"
"I'm going into the tunnels to find out." Luna decided as she ran from the kitchen at full blast.
Celestia tiredly looked at her breakfast.
"It's too early for this."
Timor's lair
When the gold light finally faded, everypony stood in silent shock at what happened to Timor.
"What kind of spell was that?" Jason asked, breaking the silence.
"The only spell that could fix his condition." Paradox sighed, still staring at the spot where Timor had been.
Where a giant spider once laid, now there was only a black coated alicorn colt with dark green hair.
"But why is he a child?" Twilight asked, stepping towards Timor.
"Because the spell that hit him, hit his heart. Only a time spell could reverse it." Paradox answered, looking at the rubble where the diamond dogs were pouring out,
"Where the Spider, Paradox?" The Dogfather asked looking at Jason as he approached the white alicorn.
"The child is the spider, and I am giving him to Jason here," Paradox answered, motioning to Jason, "to deliver him to the Princesses, where the will watch him."
"Then we set your friends free, and forget all qualms with you." The Dogfather replied, motioning the dogs to begin repairs.
"If you will have me, I will gladly help rebuild." Paradox offered, looking back at the rubble.
"Accepted." The Dogfather grunted, walking away.
"Any last questions?" Paradox asked, turning towards the group.
Jason nodded to Twilight before asking, "Why was he hit by a spell?"
Paradox grimaced, "Well, without ruining your entire future, he was hit while running from a war."
"Of the creators." Jason spoke, causing Paradox to grin.
"I see that you're becoming sharp, but all will be revealed in time. Farewell all." With that, Paradox galloped down the tunnel out of sight.
Crystal Catacombs Entrance
Jason looked towards Timor, who was asleep on Fluttershy's back, "Well, guess we're headed back to the Palace."
Jason turned, only to see Luna galloping towards them.
"Where is he? where is my friend?" She asked, hope in her eyes. Fluttershy walked forward and motioned to her back with her head.
"What? what happened to him?" Luna cries, looking at the colt.
"Were sorry Luna, Paradox said it was the only way to help him." Twilight explained, looking at the small alicorn.
"Paradox, who is that?" Luna asked, her face frozen in shock. "I hope he isn't who I think he is." Luna thought to herself as Twilight answered.
"A white alicorn with time traveling ability." Twilight stated, to tired to explain.
"No, this is not good, I must take you all to Celestia and kill that little worm." Luna growled, angry with his return.
Jason's eyes widen. "What did he do to you?"
"He is the reason that none of you know my parents. He is at fault for their death." She answered, a glare still on her face.
"Um Luna?" Jason asked, getting Luna to turn to him, "I become Paradox in the future."
Canterlot Throne Room
The group was silent as they approached Celestia's throne.
"Luna?" Celestia asked, concern on her face.
"Timor wasn't the only one who returned." Luna stated, "The one who killed our parents, he is in the Catacombs as we speak."
Celestia was quiet for a moment, "You don't mean Paradox do you?" She spoke at last.
"Indeed I do sister." Luna replied.
To everyone's surprise, Celestia began to cry. "He came to the palace after I banished you, and explained that our parents are still alive as long as he is."
"That still doesn't excuse-"
"LUNA!" Celestia snapped, "He wasn't the one who separated us, he was the one who saved us."
"I don't understand." Luna sobbed, "How could he be the one who helped us? I thought it was Timor."
"I saw him tell our mother to get us out of there, to keep us safe. She told me to look after you, and that she loved us both. I turned and ran, until we got to the Everfree. I still remember the look on her face as she went after Paradox. He is not our enemy, he was my magic trainer, and he said they would return, he always did."
Luna's jaw hung open at all Ceestia revealed, and so did everyone else's jaw.
"The next piece is in Las Pegasus, or rather, under it." Celestia explained, "Leave me and my sister, we have much to discuss."
The throne room doors shut with a clang behind the group as they walked down the halls.
"Well," Twilight spoke, breaking the silence, "Guess we should head to the hotel and gather our things."
Jason said nothing, and turned to the other side of the hall. He approached a stained glass mirror with Discord on it.
"I need to talk to Discord."
"Why didn't you say so?" A voice chuckled. Suddenly, the picture of Discord started to move, "I would've helped with Timor!"
Canterlot Palace Throne Room
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Luna cried, staring down her sister.
"Because I didn't think you needed to know." Celestia replied in a matter of fact tone.
"They were our parents!" Luna roared, causing Celestia to turn.
"They aren't mine."
With another roar, Luna lunged forward, only to get hit by green magic.
Celestia laughed as Luna turned to stone, "Now no one can stop me!"
That was the last thing Luna heard as the world turned to stone around her.
After a few minutes of silence, Celestia walked toward Luna. As she grew nearer, her body was covered by a green flame, and it passed to reveal a changeling, "It Feels good to win."
"The Creators War, why do I keep hearing that?" Jason replied, his face stone still.
"Because all life revolves around it, and the one who started it." Discord answered, locking eyes with Jason. "Isn't that right, Paradox?
"You mean to say that I started the war?" Jason asked in disbelief.
"No, you never would. Someone else did, and caused half my magic to lock. That's why the elements effect me." Discord responded from his new perch on Fluttershy's head.
Jason thought a moment before his next question, "Why answer me when you could easily leave, why waste your time?"
Discord grinned, "I'm stalling."
"For who?" Jason growled.
"Why, our new Queen of course." Discord chuckled, "Chrysalis did a very good job hiding, but Luna was still in her way."
"Why are you helping her?!" Twilight exclaimed.
Discord shook his head, "I'm reformed, remember? I am not helping a bug."
Jason's eye's widened as a thought occurred, "Where's Celestia?"
"In a large maze by Los Pegasus. They tried putting her statue underground, but she kept reappearing above ground. So, she sits in a maze." Discord explained.
"So why would Chrysalis send us straight to Celestia?" Jason asked.
"Simple, I used an Illusion spell. Whenever she speaks, she hears what she wants to say, while others hear what they need to." Discord explained as a picture of Chrysalis was demonstrating.
"So there is no Armor in Los Pegasus?" Jason clarified.
"I didn't say that." Discord huffed, "Celestia is actually sitting near the next piece. She sits at the Center."
Rainbows eye's widen as she remembers something, "Discord? Would that maze be enchanted?"
Everypony looked at Rainbow as Discord answered, "Yes. How do you know?"
"Because I tried to go through that maze during a family vacation. I rounded the first corner as I heard a fwoosh. I ran back to the entrance, only to find it missing. I tried everything I could think of to escape, but nothing worked." Rainbow explained, fear crossing her face.
"How did you escape?" Rose asked, curiosity on her face.
Rainbow took almost a minute to respond, "I didn't. It was only when I curled up and began to cry, that the fwooshing sound returned. And the entrance returned."
"You lost hope." Jason said in a monotone voice.
Rainbow looked up at him, "Yeah, I did."
Canterlot Train Station
"Well," Said Twilight, "Are we ready to go to Los Pegasus?"
Jason shook his head, "No, I need more training in magic, and I can't do that on the train."
"I concur." Agreed Rose, who was now disguised as a light tan Pegasus with a light dusty tan mane. She was studying a map in her hooves. "According to this map, we could travel through the Everfree until we reach Fillydelphia. I could train Jason in there."
"Are you Crazy?!" Twilight nearly shouted, "That place is dangerous!"
Rose smiled, "Not to humans."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked in disbelief.
"The Everfree is similar to every forest on Earth. Jason's home world. We'll be safe." Rose explained, turning towards the train.
"So the plan is to take the train to Ponyville, then head south through the forest to Fillydelphia. From there, a short train ride to Los Pegasus." Jason summarized.
"All right." Twilight sighed, "We'll do it your way."
Equestria Express
Ditto hadn't spoken a word since Discord had said Chrysalis's name. Mostly due to the fact that he had several thoughts running through his mind.
I thought she was dead.
Ditto looked up at the group, each of them were asleep. Ditto sighed as he thought of what they would say.
You said she was dead! You lied!
I swear, I didn't know!
When we get to Ponyville, you can leave. And don't return.
Ditto looked over the group once more. And then changed into a disguise. Anyone who saw him would now think he was Dusty Rune on vacation.
A few minutes passed as Ditto entered an uneasy sleep.
He would be alone again. He had to be.
Ponyville Train Station
"Ditto!" Jason called, his voice ringing across the train station, "Where could he be?"
"I did a quick emotion scan before falling asleep. And found something of concern from Ditto." Rose explained, walking up to Jason disguised as a Light Blue unicorn with dark blue mane and purple eyes.
"Why do you do that?" Jason asked, a little uneasy about the revelation.
"Because I have felt uneasy around others since I was little." Rose explained, looking around before turning Human. "And as I was saying, Ditto felt scared."
"Of what?" Jason asked, now concerned for the changeling.
"Of being betrayed, or something similar." Rose answered as the rest of the group approached.
"Where's Ditto?" Twilight asked, looking between Jason and Rose.
"Gone. Rose says that he may have felt as if we were going to betray him. But we can't wait for him. The longer we stand around, the closer the war is." Jason explained as the group made their way to the Everfree.
"Let's hurry, I want to reach the first clearing before nightfall." Rose mentioned as the group proceeded to enter the forest.
Everfree Forest
Like Rose had wanted, the group had found a clearing before nightfall. While everypony was setting up camp, Rose and Jason were standing a distance away from camp.
"Jason, today I will instruct you in Earth." Rose announce, getting into a stance. "The key to bending the earth is Will. The stronger the will, the stronger the bending."
Jason nodded in understanding, letting Rose know to continue, "The Earth is stubborn, to move it, you have to tell it what you want. And then don't back down. Your faith in the earth will also come into play. But that isn't too important. Try to do what I do."
With that, Rose stepped forward, thrusting her fist forward. As her fist moved, a spike of earth grew.
Jason followed suit, copying Rose. However, nothing happened for him.
Rose shook her head, "You need to envision the earth moving, reach out to it. Tell it to move."
Jason nodded again, brow scrunching in concentration. He repeated the move, a spike of earth appearing.
"I did it!" Jason cheered, he then went about moving the earth in different ways.
Not long after, Rose and Jason were battling, moving the earth became second nature to Jason. After an hour or two, they added fire to the battle. As they battled on, the contest became more fierce, the two moving on pure instinct. Eventually, Jason tripped Rose by sending two spikes, one delayed enough to cross her path. As Rose stood to her feet, Jason smirked.
"Well. I think I got that covered." Jason boasted, stretching out his back.
"Beginners luck." Rose scoffed, turning and walking towards the fire.
"So, where are you from Rose?". Jason asked, walking towards one of the tents.
Rose was quiet for minute before responding, "I don't know. I was found 18 years ago, on the Tower's doorstep. Principatum looked after me. Then you showed up."
Jason looked down in thought before reaching in to the tent and retrieving his jacket.
"Don't you ever wonder?" Jason asked, pulling his jacket sleeves up.
"Sometimes. And sometimes I see a beautiful Castle. There was an old man with one blue eye, and a woman. I believe she was my mother." Rose explained, looking up at the stars.
"I wonder who the man was." Jason asked aloud.
"He could be anyone. But I know he wasn't my father." Rose answered, her gaze turning to the fire.
"How?" Jason asked skeptically.
"He said neptem. It means Granddaughter." Rose explained.
The campfire grew quiet as everypony was lost in thought.
Jason looked to the sky, I will find a way to save you Jane. Was his last thought before turning in for the night.
But what he didn't know, was that worlds away, someone heard him, "It's not me who needs saving."
Jane woke early, her hand on Clarent. All through the night, Clarent had whispered to her about all the things she could do, and how her brother had betrayed mankind.
Eventually, Jane stood from the bed and proceeded to pull on her new training outfit. It was a plain green shirt, with a pair of dark green shorts. Carent's scabbard was attached to her left hip via a belt. Around her torso was another strap, which carried an untested energy rifle on her back. As Jane picked Clarent up off the bed, Principatum knocked on the door.
"Jane my dear," He called, "Are you ready to begin?"
Jane looked over at her mirror, a sad face with sunken eyes stared back. "I was born ready." She declared.
V.V.T. Arena
Pirncipatum strode to the center of the arena, deep in thought. His attention turned to the door behind him as Jane swung it open.
.Her mind is shattering. With a little training, and a nudge from Clarent, her mind will break beyond repair.' Principatum thought as he turned to face his new student.
"Are you ready to begin?" He asked, keeping all emotion out of his voice.
Jane nodded, drawing Clarent from it's scabbard.
Principatum wasted no time. Already, Jane had learned the four elements, and Principatum had begun testing her sword skills.
Jane stepped back as Principatum lunged forward with his own sword.
When he steps forward to lunge, roll forward and catch his heel with your foot.
Jane waited; then, when Principatum stepped forward to lunge, she reacted fast as lightning. Rolling under her mentors sword Jane spun with one foot out, catching Principatum's heel. With an oomph, Jane's mentor hit the ground. Jane stepped over him, leveling her sword with his left eye.
Kill him! Clarent urged, an orange glow appearing on it.
As Jane raised her sword, a voice rang out across the arena.
I will find a way to save you Jane. It was Jason. She could tell.
Looking at the stars, Jane answered: It's not me who needs saving.
Suddenly, alarms blared as Susan Botts approached Jane.
"A disturbance has been recorded from the Void, it is getting weaker." Susan informed Jane, helping Principatum to his feet.
"Then lets tear it open!" Jane exclaimed, heading for the Rift machine.
Principatum smiled, everything was going according to plan.
Ponyville Square
All was quiet in Ponyville. Spike, who had stayed behind to work at the library, was enjoying a ruby by the statue in town square. As he happily munched, Spike looked up at the statue. It was carved of marble, the fine white stone showing no blemish. As Spike ate the last of his gem, he turned away from the statue.
CRACK
Whipping around, Spike noticed a long black crack along the statue. CRACK Followed by another. Several more appeared along the statue, until finally. . .
KRA-BOOM
The statue exploded. In it's place, a long, black tear remained. And a young human woman stepped out. Running for his life, Spike quickly produced a quill and scroll.
Dear Twilight, Ponyville is under attack. Humans are pouring out of some sort of tear, Please respond as quickly as possible. Your loving assistant, Spike the Dragon.
With a puff of green dragon fire, Spike sent the note on it's way. He then proceeded to run to Sweet Apple Acres.
Looking back, Spike saw fires spreading through town. Screaming and loud noises like thunder filled the air. Spike turned around, dread in his heart, and continued to run.
Ponies gathered 'round, as two flamboyant ponies in blue and white striped shirts paraded around.
"Yes that's right!" Said the first pony. He was yellow coated and his mane was red and white. "One Hundred bits to the pony who can get to the center!"
"And now, the rules:" Said the second pony. His coat and mane bore the same colors as the first. The only difference was the red mustache he wore. "If you're afraid of getting lost, you will be returned to the entrance. If you close your eyes to long, you return to the entrance. And should you get to the center, we'll buy any treasure you find there for an extra Hundred bits!"
"So the question is:" The first piped up.
"Who will take the bet?" The Second pony finished, looking through the crowd, looking for a good pony to put on the spot. He froze when he saw a strange being step forward, and openly gasped when the creature said:
"I will!"
Fillydelphia Train Station
Ditto jumped awake as a hoof prodded him.
"Excuse me sir," The conductor, a grey earth pony with black hair and a conductor's cap cutie mark, said, prodding Ditto's side, "But unless you want to ride all the way to Manehattan, this is your stop.
"If it's all right," Ditto answered, "I'd rather go to Manehattan."
Fillydelphia Maze Entrance
"I will!" Jason Wright answered, stepping forward.
"Forgive me, but what in Equestria are you?" The first pony asked, obviously startled at Jason's appearance.
"I am a human. My name is jason, and I seek something hidden in the maze." Jason answered, studying the two ponies.
It was then that the brothers noticed the group with this human. Six of the ponies they instantly recognized, especially the orange earth pony with a stetson. Three fillies were there too, one of wich the brothers knew as the filly who was quick to say, 'deal!'
There was a mare with a light rose pink coat, and a darker rose red mane, a long pink horn and a pair of pink wings also adorned her. On either side of the mare was three royal gaurds. Three solar, and three lunar.
A minotaur stood to one side of Jason, while a griffin stood on the other.
"Flim?! Flam?!" Applejack shouted, rage showing clearly on her face, "What in tarnation are you two doin' here?!"
"Why, is it a crime to hold a test of courage? After all, we practically gain nothing here!" Flim answered, a devilish grin on his face, "And I will put your question right back, why are you here with this, human?" the last word said with disgust.
"Because Equestria will fall under attack any day, and only through gathering a certain set of armor can stop it." Twilight answered.
Jason then shot her a 'What the frick?' look. "And to further complicate the matter, Celestia is a statue at the center of the maze, a Changeling in her place. So if you value living free, or at all, move." Jason explained, drawing Excalibur to prove his point.
"Well," Flam said, his face paling at the cold sword, "when you put it like that, yeah, go ahead. But if you'll let us introduce ourselves. . ."
"Fine." Jason answered, his tone growing impatient.
Both brothers cleared their throats.
*Ahem**Ahem*
"SSSSTTOOOOOOOOPPPPPPP!!!!!" Pinkie yelled, throwing one of her hooves into each of the brothers mouths.
Everypony stared.
"What?" Pinkie declared, "Time is of the essence! I have a new Pinkie sense, A cold chill down the back, Hair on end, and wet eyes! I'm sorry guys, somepony's about to die!"
No pony, (or person) said anything.
"They die," Pinkie continued, "In the maze."
The Maze
Jason was lost in thought, who was going to die? How did Pinkie know? And what if it destroys the group?
"I can't tell you, the Author told me, and that is up to us to decide." Pinkie rattled off, as if she read his mind. "Oh, and yeah, I read your mind Jason."
Jason shuddered at the strange pony and walked further ahead, his natural tracking skills taking over. But then he noticed something strange, the walls were made of stone, and the tunnel had opened into a room.
"This maze is unlike any I have ever seen." Razor commented, looking at a design on the wall.
"How did every thing turn to stone?" Twilight asked in wonder, her eager eye's taking in the ancient pictures of war.
"Jason," Rose called, tapping him in the leg, "Are you alright?"
Everypony turned to the Human. For he was frozen in the center of the room.
"Well no wonder someone will die here." He said aloud, "We are in the most dangerous, oldest, largest, magical. and intricate maze of them all. Crafted by a madman, who was bent on freedom. Guarded by a creature that was shunned by all. We stand in the most famous maze in human history. This, is the Labyrinth of Daedalus. And it is the test of Hope."
"A-and how do you know?" Fluttershy asked in a shaky voice, her head peeking out from behind Rage's legs.
"Because I'm looking at The Minotaur." Jason spoke calmly, Excalibur humming as he drew it from it's sheath.
Jason said only one word as he dropped the torch.
"Run!"
The Labyrinth
Before the light was snuffed out, the group saw what Jason meant: A huge beast, with a human chest and arms. A head and kegs of a bull. The Minotaur was the maze guardian, and he was reading the first charge.
Screams could be heard, everypony ran this way and that. Only Jason, who's sword was glowing, could see The Minotaur charge. But before Jason could swing, Rage grabbed the beast.
"Run friend, the world needs your group in the end. The Oracle showed me what I must do, and what you will do." Rage yelled at Jason. Throwing the Minotaur against the wall
"No!" Jason yelled in confusion. He watched helplessly as the two went back and forth. Each one growing weak. Finally, the Minotaur had Rage in a headlock. Rage began to cough as the oxygen was cut off.
Rage looked at Jason as his eye's teared up, "See that I get a proper burial. And tell my wife, 'Utopia is coming, spread the word, Utopia is coming!' And that I love her. Creator Speed, dear King!" And then a mighty snap was heard as Rage's eye's rolled up intohis head.
Pinkie was right. And now Rage was dead.
Jason looked at the Minotaur. "I will kill you for that!" He yelled, only to freeze at a new voice.
No, run. This enemy is beyond you.
Jason didn't know where it came from, but he heeded it's advice and ran.
Meanwhile, somewhere else in the Labyrinth, Nine ponies cried as Rose read Spike's account of the fall of Ponyville.
Jason kept running, his heart beating out of his chest.
He just witnessed Rage Will's death, and now he was running through the largest maze in the world alone and with no plan.
He slowed to a walk and listened. Nothing was following him. Sighing, Jason turned to look behind himself. Again, nothing.
Holding Excalibur in front of him, Jason continued walking in the direction he had been running before, hoping more than anything that the others hadn't been hurt yet.
Rose
Rose slowly read the letter Twilight had just received. The news it had was glum. So glum, that Twilight could not bring herself to tell the others. When Rose paused to take a breath, the others started asking questions.
"Is mah' family alright? Are they safe?" Applejack asked, worry present on her face. Before Rose could answer, Pinkie jumped up with her own question.
"The Cakes and Baby Cakes! They can't be dead! Tell me they got out alive, and with Sugarcube Corner!" Pinkie wailed. There was a collective facehoof from everypony present.
Rose finally sighed, "According to Spike, they have at least half the town safe in the Everfree. Zecora is preparing to lead them through it to Canterlot."
"Is mah' family with them?" Applejack pleaded.
Rose nodded, "Big Mac is Red Leader in a scouting team, to make sure the Everfree is safe, and Granny has the kids making Zap-Apple Jam for the Food reserves. The Cakes brought as much cooking supplies as they could. But, Twilight's library is dust. I'm sorry Twilight." Rose answered, her voice turning into a whisper at the end.
For a moment, nopony spoke. Then, to everyponies surprise, Twilight straightened up.
"We can't lose hope girls." Twilight said, her voice ringing loud and clear, "We have each other. Spike and the others are safe and heading towards Canterlot. If we lose hope here, then we will have truly lost everything. We must free Celestia, and we must get out of here. For Ponyville!" Twilight finished with a cheer.
"For Ponyville!" Everyony echoed, stepping side by side, the group continued on. Together.
Razor Talons
Razor Talons wished he was an owl, heck, he wished he could see in the dark. But, with no other option, he continued onward.
Minutes pass, and still, The Labyrinth remains unchanged. No sign of a turn or crossways. Just one straight line. Where was everypony?
Twilight
Unbeknownst to the others, Twilight was still upset. The only home she ever had was gone. Her friends were running to a city controlled by changelings, and the group had been split apart. Still, she had hope. She hoped they would make it to Celestia. That she would know what to do. That everything could go back to normal.
Twilight tried to clear her mind, she would never leave otherwise. Eventually, Twilight decided to thank Rose for reading the letter for her. But when she turned to her, Rose was gone. Twilight turned around to see all her friends were gone. Panic starting to take hold, Twilight ran as fast as she can, hoping to find someone, anyone. She was alone.
Razor Talons
A blue pony butt.
Razor Talons had seen many things, but he had never seen a ponies rear up close before. Now, after a strange whooshing sound and a strangled 'whoa', a blue pony rear landed on his face. A few seconds later his brain processed the scenario. His face abruptly turned red.
"I'm so sorry Miss Dash! That wasn't very nice of me." Razor apologized as he pushed Rainbow off him.
"Nah, it's cool." Rainbow casually replied, standing to her hooves. "And just call me Dash, or Rainbow, or the whole thing. But never call me 'Miss'."
"I'll try to remember." Razor promised. After a short awkward pause, Rainbow picked a hallway and began walking down it. Razor followed behind, wondering when his life ended up like this.
Rose
Rose opened her eyes, and suddenly regretted it.
"Not here, not now." She groaned, looking up at the seemingly endless council room. Principatum stepped forward.
"Well, does he suspect anything? Did he find any of the armor?" Principatum demanded impatiently, his wings starting to turn black at the tips.
"No, he believes I'm with him. And he has received the gauntlets." Rose answered, feeling guilt at lying to Jason.
Principatum smiled, "Then we at least have time to spare, as long as you don't reveal the truth."
Rose nodded, "As you wish." She answered. As she turned to leave, she heard the last voice she expected to hear.
"Why?" Said Jason, standing in the doorway, "Why?"
Twilight
Twilight froze, she found herself in Ponyville. Her library burned nearby, and humans taller than Jason ran back and forth. Standing in front of the void was a girl, her long black hair pinned behind her in a ponytail. She wore some sort of black armor that looked like a thin silk, but was obviously rather durable. Her black combat boots crunched against the gravel as she walked through Ponyville.
"Are you sure that the tear is permanent?" She asked no one in particular. Twilight watched closely as the girls eyes turned pitch black an answered in a deep voice, "Only a harmonious blast can stop me. Even then, the elements would have to change, and this is required.
Twilight gasped as the girl held up Starswirls journal. The last spell, the one she needed to finish. According to the Void, she would need to cast it! But that means entering Ponyville. That means going to war.
The war of Ponyville.
Rainbow Dash
"Well this is awkward." Thought Rainbow Dash as she and Razor continued walking. After a few moments, Rainbow had an idea.
"Hey Razor," Rainbow asked, "Have you ever heard of Gilda?'
"Gilda? I was betrothed to her." Razor answered, looking at Dash "How do you know of her?"
"I was a friend of hers, until I found out how much of a jerk she was." Rainbow answered, still thinking about what Razor just said, "Betrothed?"
"I was to marry her. but found her to be too brutal." Razor answered, remembering the story. "Her parents the sent her to Equestria to learn friendship, and to control herself."
"Well it didn't work." Rainbow chuckled, telling Razor what happened.
"I'm not surprised at all." Razor chuckled. He suddenly went quiet before asking, "Can I tell you a secret?"
Rainbow looked at Razor with surprise, "Um, I guess?"
Razor sighed before saying, "I was forced to come with you guys."
"Too bad, and I had high hopes for you." Principatum snarled as he shot a bolt of lightning at Rose.
The Tower went silent as the bolt never struck. Jason stood in front of Rose, the Lightning curling around his hand.
Principatum quickly recovered, "You never cease to amaze me. Rose never taught you lightning, "Principatum explained while walking around, "yet you caught a very powerful bolt. You are getting more powerful by the minute!"
Jason looked at his hand, he watched in amazement as tiny bolts arced between his fingers, then smiled. "I'll have to learn somehow, might as well start now!" He yelled as he chucked the bolt at Principatum, shattering the connection. Rose and Jason were back in the Labyrinth.
Twilight
The vision was long over, yet Twilight could still see every detail. Every single problem with the place she once called home.
She had to get that book, she had to get to Ponyville, and she had to find her friends.
Rainbow Dash
"What?" Rainbow asked Razor, "What do you mean 'forced'?"
"Because I refused to marry Gilda, my father forced me to come with you guys to restore my honor." Razor explained while shaking his head, "All I want is to have a mate who'll love me as much as I do her. One that's kind and funny. One who'll help me rule with compassion." Razor paused as he looked down, "That is why I came with you guys, I wanted friends. Not suck ups."
Rainbow smiled, "Then let's hurry and get out of here, friend."
The CMC
"We've been walking for hours." Scootaloo complained, "Where is everypony?"
"I don't know, but standing around won't help us find them." Sweetie explained as she kept walking.
"Ah'm glad ta' hear that mah Granny and Mac are safe. I hope Cheerilee and our classmates are okay." Applebloom rattled on.
"Yeah, I'd like to see Butt-" Sweetie Belle squeaked, covering her mouth with her hooves, "Forget I said anything." She said quickly.
But Scootaloo wouldn't let it go. "Sweetie's got a crush!" Scootaloo, cheered, "Who's the lucky colt Sweetie? Who is it?"
Sweetie's face turned red as she said, "It's Button Mash." After that, Sweetie found the floor interesting.
Scootaloo started laughing, but Applebloom was not amused. "Stop laughin' Scoots, I bet you have a crush too."
"Do not." Scootaloo immediately answered, finding her hooves interesting. But Sweetie lifted her head as a thought struck.
"So who do you keep looking at in class?" She asked, a sly smile on her face.
"Nunyabusiness."
"Scoots."
"Nunya."
"Fine," Sweetie sighed, "I guess I'll have to ask Rumble myself."
Scootaloo looked at Sweetie in shock, "How did you know?"
Sweetie smiled, "I didn't until now, you just told me." A hoof to the face was then heard.
Suddenly Sweetie and Scootaloo bumped into Applebloom.
"What gives?" Scootaloo asked, looking around Applebloom.
"Celestia, that's what."
Jason
"Why?" Jason asked, "Why didn't you say anything?"
Rose could only look down in shame.
"I'm leaving, but before I go, food for thought: I saved you, even though I had every reason not to." Jason snapped as he began to walk away, but stopped when he heard two words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know he would try to kill me. I won't pretend to know why you saved me. But thank you." Rose blubbered, not daring to look at Jason.
"Do you have any guesses?" Jason asked, intrigued by Rose's apology.
Rose thought a moment before answering. "Perhaps you saved me in hope that I might change?"
Jason nodded, "The test of Hope. To save a traitor takes a lot of hope and faith. And I hope we can move forward, and put this behind us." He explained as he held his hand out. To Jason's surprise, A human hand grasped his.
"Thank you." Rose whispered, still holding Jason's hand.
Together, Jason and Rose walked forward, only to find themselves facing Celestia, the CMC, the second armor piece, and Sarai.
"Well," Said Sarai, "You are a lot kinder than I thought."
Razor
Razor had been far more hopeful than ever before.
Friend
The word echoed around his head. And the whole time, his gaze was fixed on Rainbow.
Well, this can't be it, there must be more. Razor thought to himself. After all, shouldn't we have found someone by now?
Even as the though crossed his mind, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack landed on top of the group.
"Oh, my." Fluttershy exclaimed, quickly getting off of Rarity. Then lending a hoof to her.
"Whoo Nelly, this maze has sure been random. How you guys holdin?" Applejack asked as she helped Razor up.
"Fine. Where's Pinkie?" Razor asked.
"I do believe she said something about making early preparations for 'The Author's' birthday party." Rarity explained.
"Pinkie," said Dash as the group entered the center. "You are so random."
Somewhere else. . .
"We need more streamers!" Yelled Pinkie Pie as she ran around a house.
"Pinkie, please stop. It's still like two weeks away!" The Author pleaded.
"No, if I don't do this. Then I break the Pinkie Promise! And thenIwouldnolongerbethepartyponyandyouwouldhatemeandiwouldbeunhappyand-" Pinkie was cut off as The Author shoved his hand in her mouth.
"Could you at least wait until after the Manehattan chapter?" The Author asked, removing his hand.
Many ponies would talk about the strange group who entered the Maze and beat it. How the human carried a minotaur in his arms. Many would notice the human being taller, glowing gold and having a pair of stark white wings on his back. But they don't know what had happened behind the walls. . . .
The Labyrinth Center
Jason picked Excalibur up, spitting blood out on the ground. The Minotaur had scratches from where Excalibur had hit him. Jason needed a plan, he needed to know how to take the beast down. He thought of Rage, how he sacrificed himself for hope and his family. Razor, who had been forced here, but in the end was seeking friends. A reason to hope. Rose, who had betrayed him, yet now was working towards a better future. All his friends had hope, and the Minotaur was made to crush it.
"I will never lose hope." Jason told the Minotaur. "I don't know how or why, but I will save these ponies. You will not stop me."
The Minotaur bellowed, and charged. But even as Jason spoke, a golden aura appeared around him, white wings grew from his back. Jason now stood taller than the seven foot Minotaur. Excalibur was twice as long, and in one swing, the Minotaur's head came clean off.
The maze began to disappear, and Jason saw Rage's body nearby. He stooped to pick it up., and carried the body away from the maze.
Fillydelphia Express
Celestia woke in a daze, finding herself in a train car. Nearby, Jason and the Doctor were talking.
"They were glad to see him home." The Doctor whispered, "They seemed grateful towards you though."
"Because I did something no other outsider had done, I brought their brother home." Jason responded, his eyes having a far off look.
"Do you want to say it, or should I?" The Doctor asked.
"Go ahead." Jason told The Doctor.
"Nice to see you awake your Highness." The Doctor merrily chirped.
Celestia looked at the two in shock. "How did you know I was awake?"
"I don't know about the Doctor, but I noticed the shift in your mind." Jason explained.
"I heard your breathing change." The Doctor added.
"Explain where we are please." Celestia asked, unsure as to why they were here.
"You see, we are headed to Manehatten, Discord told me the next piece was there." Jason explained, giving Celestia a cup of tea.
"Why am I here?" Celestia asked.
"Same reason I am," The Doctor explained, "Your kingdom is overrun by Changelings. I'm here to escort you and The Bearers to Canterlot."
"And how do you propose to do that?" Celestia asked incredulously.
The Doctor responded by tapping a blue box behind him with his hoof. Before Celestia could respond, Rose entered the car.
"The others know she is awake, they'll be in shortly." Rose explained to Jason, sitting next to him. Almost instinctively, Jason clasped her hand in his.
Celestia noticed this, but said nothing as her student entered the car.
"Celestia! You're okay!" Twilight exclaimed, hugging the Princess.
"Of course my little pony, thanks to you and your friends." Celestia responded in a motherly tone.
Jason called attention to himself, and began the procedure. "We have a lot to discuss, who is going where. We also need a game plan for when we reach Ponyville. But before we do this. . . Doctor?"
The Doctor stepped forward with a plate of tea and English muffins (much to Derpy's disappointment), and said, "Let's have a spot of tea first."
The Kraken Lashed out angrily, roaring as pieces of buildings were stuck in it's tentacles. Jason dashed behind a boat.
And things were going so well too. . .
Manehattan Hotel
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry Princess! Had I known you were coming-" The receptionist blubbered, only for Celestia to cut her off.
"But you couldn't have known. This is as unexpected to me as it is you. I will only be here one night." Celestia said, calming the receptionist.
"All right, the penthouse suite is yours then." The receptionist said, collecting the large bag of bits that the Doctor fetched from his blue box.
"Where'd all that money come from?" Rainbow whispered to Derpy.
"Trust me, you don't wanna know." Derpy answered as the group entered the elevators.
"Well!" The Doctor announced, "Here we are! The Penthouse!"
"Penthouse Party!" Pinkie cheered swinging from a rope that came out of thin air.
"All right," Jason said, looking at each group member in turn, "Here's the plan: Twilight, AJ, and Fluttershy will search the north end; Rainbow, Rarity, and Pinkie, you search the south end; Me, Razor, and Rose will search the west side; Doctor, Derpy, and the CMC will check the east side. Celestia, stay and get some rest please."
Celestia smiled as she said, "No complaint's here." Then promptly flopped onto the couch.
Eveypony went quiet from shock, not expecting that kind of behavior from her.
Rainbow was the first to overcome her shock, quickly putting a pair of shades on and saying, "Let do this!"
North Side
"Girls," Twilight said, coming to a halt, "Jason won't be the one to close the Void."
"Waddya' mean Twi?" Applejack asked, "O' course he's gonna do it."
"No," Twilight said, shaking her head, "It needs someone outside to close it."
"But- I mean, Why?" Fluttershy asked.
"Because, Jason won't be coming back." Twilight answered, remembering her time in The Labyrinth.
South Side
Pinkie bounced, Rainbow flew, and Rarity trotted, all in all-Wait, Why am I talking about walking?
"I dunno Author, why are you talking about walking?" Pinkie chirped. "And I'm not a bird!"
I now you're not Pinkie, figure of speech. I think they're looking at you like you're crazy.
"Oh, it's okay, I get that all the time!" Pinkie replied. Rainbow and Rarity looking on in confusion.
"So, why do you girls think Sweetie was so red faced when we left that dreadful maze?" Rarity asked, hoping to end the silence between them.
"She just told her friends about her crush." Pinkie replied between bites of a cupcake.
Rarity's eyes shrunk to pinpricks, "Sweetie, is in love?!" Rarity exclaimed while shaking Pinkie back and forth.
"Yep, her and Scoots have it bad." Pinkie responded, having just talked to a random stallion. This, however, got Rainbow's attention.
"Scoots is many things, but she's too cool for that mushy stuff." Rainbow explained, "Besides, who could she like more than me?"
Pinkie only shrugged as the group reached the edge of their boundary.
"Well, guess we'll head to the meeting place!" Pinkie exclaimed.
East Side
Something was off, The Doctor was sure of it. Looking around, The Doctor pulled out a fob pocket watch and opened it.
"My, my." The Doctor whispered, "That time already? I don't see anything remotely dangerous here!"
Suddenly, a large tentacle landed in front of him, crushing cars and buildings.
"The Girls!" The Doctor exclaimed, running down the street. He bumped into them in front of a muffin store.
"We have to get out of here Derpy!" The Doctor yelled.
"Why?" Derpy replied, counting the girls as they left the shop.
Suddenly another tentacle appeared, somehow hitting everything but the muffin store.
"Just come on!" The Doctor exclaimed, running back towards the hotel. Then he realized that they would never make it.
"Derpy!" The Doctor yelled, getting the group to stop. He whispered something in her ear and kissed her forehead. Then, he turned and ran west ward.
Derpy was silent for a few minutes before turning to the Crusaders. "Girls, go back to the hotel, knock five times on the blue box*, and stay with the Princess." With that, Derpy followed the Doctor.
Manehattan Hotel
Celestia jumped in surprise when the three fillies ran into the Penthouse, knocked five times on the blue box. Then in amazement when it started groaning and grinding, fading in and out of reality itself.
When the box finally disappeared, Celestia walked over to the window the girls were looking through, and saw something she thought was dead.
The Kraken had returned.
West Side
Jason didn't search for more than one block when a fisherpony talked about a strange creature that was larger than life.
As he, Razor and Rose walked towards the docks, he was wondering why he felt dread.
"So, you two are a couple now?" Razor asked, noticing that they were still holding hands.
Jason turned toward Razor. "Y-." Before he could finish, a tentacle had wrapped around his torso.
Today, was not a good day.
The Doctor
The Doctor was notorious for leaping head first into everything, this was no exception.
Derpy knew this. All too well. Even as the Doctor yelled and screamed, drawing the Kraken away, Derpy remembered their first meeting.
"Don't worry about me, my dear. We'll speak soon." The Doctor had told her.
"I don't understand!" She yelled, "I just met you, why are you dying?"
"Not dying. Changing." The Doctor corrected.
Derpy remembered her promise, "I won't let him change again." She had said. But even as she ran toward him. She was too late.
The Doctor was thrown into a building. Derpy gasped as she realized that it was beginning.
Jason, Rose, and Razor arrived at the meeting place. A spot north of where the Kraken appeared.
"What do we do? Fight it?" Twilight asked, keeping watch on the Kraken.
Jason paced back and forth. How were they supposed to fight it? It was huge! One tentacle alone was two buildings wide. Jason looked toward the Ocean. Perhaps going around behind it could work. But they needed a plan
"All right, I have a plan. it may sound crazy, but it's the only way." Jason announced to the group, he the turned around and started drawing in the sand.
"Rose, Rainbow, and Razor will attack it, keep is distracted. Rarity, Twilight and Applejack, get as many ponies as possible evacuated. Pinkie, head back to the hotel, get the Princess and the girls out. Fluttershy," Jason said, turning to the timid pony. "I need you with me, if you can't tame it, then I will deliver the last blow."
Fluttershy looked horrified at the thought of killing something, but nodded regardless.
"All right everybody, Let's take this Kraken down!" Jason called out, receiving a cheer from his friends.
Time to slay a Kraken.
The Doctor
The Doctor slowly stood up from the rubble. His coat, mane, and eyes were glowing gold. It was time.
"Well, that was fun while it lasted, hoped I could've stuck around a bit longer. And please let me be ginger!" The Doctor said to nothing in particular, stumbling onto the street. Derpy latched onto him, crying and saying she failed. The Doctor hugged her back telling her it was okay.
Suddenly, the TARDIS appeared in front of them. Seconds later, a door opens and a grey unicorn filly with yellow hair stuck her head out.
"Mom, what's happening to The Doctor?" The filly asked.
"He's changing, Dinky. Come, let's get back to the Hotel." Derpy answered. But even as she spoke, the Doctor had backed away.
"Well," he sighed, "You know what they say, Allons-y!" And the gold light suddenly burst.
Twilight
Twilight looked back on the battle. Rainbow and Razor fought in the air while Rose froze the ocean below.
She turned back to the sea of ponies ahead. They had to get out of the city.
But then she heard a voice she never thought she'd hear again.
"Twilight?!"
"Ditto?!"
Razor
Never before had he called a pony beautiful; but right now, the way Rainbow wove in and out of the tentacles, was the most beautiful thing Razor had ever seen.
He was so distracted that he almost crashed into a tentacle, only to have Rose slice it with her magic.
Shaking his head, Razor spun around and continued the distraction. What was Jason planning?
Jason
Jason weaved in and out of the tentacles behind the kraken, letting instinct guide him.
Latched to his back was Fluttershy, her face buried in his back. She slowly pulled away when Jason slowed down, and found herself on the Kraken's head.
"Fluttershy," Jason yelled, causing her to jump, "Find it's eye, talk to it. I'll keep you safe."
So Fluttershy searched, and found the creatures left eye. Gulping Fluttershy opened her mouth.
"Excuse me?" She asked quietly, "Excuse me?" Louder this time. Then she saw Rainbow collide with one of the tentacles. "I said, Excuse Me!" She yelled, getting the Kraken to pause. Now having it's attention, she gave it the Stare.
She didn't expect it to be returned. The Kraken was hurting, hungry, and mad. It was hurt from the many Tentacles Jason and Rose had sliced off. Hungry, for it had slept for two years. And mad that it's food was fleeing further inland.
Turning towards Jason, Fluttershy called, "Jason! It won't stop! It's too hungry!" A spark lit in Jason's eyes, and suddenly all was still.
"Fluttershy." Jason said, his voice piercing the silence, "We must part ways. The trial is sacrifice. The path I must now take is one I must go alone."
Fluttershy looked from Jason to the maw that was the Kraken's mouth. "No! There must be another way!"
Jason shook his head, "No, there is not. I must allow it to eat me. I must not fight it. Fluttershy, we'll meet again. Tell the others that we will speak in Canterlot." And with that, Jason jumped into the Kraken's mouth.
Fluttershy cried as the world sped up again. And continued to cry as the Kraken disappeared. She didn't stop crying when the cheering started, or when her friends gathered around her. She cried all the way to the Hotel. And cried until sleep claimed her.
Manehattan Hotel
The penthouse was quiet, everypony was waiting for Fluttershy to wake.
Suddenly, the TARDIS appeared in the penthouse, and out walked a white stallion with an orange-red mane.
"I'm telling you Derpy, I can't believe my luck!" The stallion said, "Ginger at last!"
"You've said that a hundred times Doctor." Derpy replied, stepping out of the TARDIS.
"Doctor?!" Everypony, (minus Celestia) exclaimed.
"Yep! The one and only. Sorry for not helping as much yesterday, got a new face an all." The Doctor replied, prancing merrily. "And Christmas came early, I'm a ginger!"
"At least you survived, Jason didn't." Fluttershy said, stepping out of her private room. "He told me we'd speak at Canterlot next."
"But there is still three more pieces! And what of that monster?" Razor asked, rage crossing his face.
"Jason said he would go alone from here. One piece is inside the Kraken, meaning, if it returns Jason won't." Fluttershy explained, sitting next to Rarity.
"But why Canter-" Twilight went to ask, only to be interrupted by a scroll to the face. Celestia picked it up with magic and read it aloud.
Dear Twilight,
We made it to Canterlot, and for a while we thought we were safe. Celestia is a fraud. Chrysalis has returned. Discord is keeping her distracted for now.
But everypony can see the smoke. It is coming closer. The Humans are marching.
Marching to Canterlot.
Marching to War.
Your Number one assistant, and friend,
Spike the Dragon
Manehattan Hotel
Celestia looked around, her ponies were crushed. But she wasn't. Time is of the essence.
"My little ponies," Celestia began, "I will write a letter to Spike and explain the situation. Doctor?" Celestia asked, looking over at the Doctor, who was still giggling 'ginger'.
"Yes?" The Doctor asked when he realized everypony was looking at him.
Jane smiled as Ponyville burned. She smiled as her soldiers lined up in front of her. And she smiled as she stood up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." Jane began, "The time has come to march north. To take the city on the mountain, and kill the rulers. Only then will this place be ours!"
The soldiers cheered.
"March!" Jane ordered.
"March!"
"March!"
Miles away, in the ocean, lay the only thing to stop them.
Inside the Kraken
Jason woke to find himself covered in slime. A few seconds passed before he remembered jumping down the beast's throat.
Slowly standing up, Jason raised Excalibur, and found himself surrounded by acid. He was currently standing on a building. Or, part of one. Jason looked to and fro, but couldn't find the armor.
"Now what am I supposed to do?" Jason asked aloud as he looked down and closed his eyes.
His eyes snapped open when he realized what was at the bottom of the stomach. The greaves.
Taking a deep breath, Jason dove.
Canterlot Throne Room
Chrysalis was not expecting this.
First, her guard asks her why Celestia is walking among the ponies.
Then, Discord summons chocolate milk to make her slip.
The Element Bearers approach her, and turn her to stone.
Celestia look out at the crowd. Ponyville survivors were up front while the Canterlot residents were behind them.
"My little ponies," Celestia began, "Thanks to the efforts of the Bearers and friends, I am free to rule once more. In my absence, a race of beings known as humans has captured and destroyed Ponyville. But they will not touch this place. For I still stand, and my sister beside me. As long as we fight, No pony, nay, no one will take this city. For Canterlot and Equestria!"
The Crowd echoed their Princess.
"For those who wish to fight, fortify the walls. Don armor, raise weapons, ready shields. A battle comes!"
Celestia and the Warriors sat in silence after a messenger gave them the news of a flying bipedal creature.
"Thank you, Speedyquick, you may go." Celestia said politely. As soon as he left, Celestia asked, "What is your plan?"
Twilight stepped forward, "We need to return to Ponyville, there is a spell there that we need to cast."
Ditto spoke next, "We also need to search the major cloud cities. If Jason can fly. that is where he is headed."
The Doctor looked around, "Well it's obvious isn't it? The group will split up more! Rose, Canterlot will need your firepower. Razor, Ditto, you two can fly, head to the Pegasus cities, find him. And Twilight, take the Bearers home. The CMC will go with you. As for me, I must find a hand held mirror."
"Why?" Ditto asked, breaking the silence.
"To see if I make ginger look good of course!" The Doctor exclaimed.
Celestia nodded, " I agree with the Doctor. You must split up once more. We will all see each other in Ponyville. Good luck my little ponies."
And with that, the group split.
Ditto
Ditto and Razor were headed towards Cloudsdale. After awhile, Razor grew tired of the silence.
"Why did you leave?" He asked Ditto.
"Because I believe you would accuse me of being a spy." Ditto answered uneasily.
"Well, I was apprehensive at first, but you were with us the whole time. I would never take you for a spy." Razor answered, putting a claw on Ditto's whither.
"I just hope we find him," Ditto said at last, landing in Cloudsdale.
The two wandered through the cloud city, checking every house.
The ended up in the market, and right before they took off, Ditto got tapped on the shoulder. He whirled around to find, a tall human with white wings and golden eyes.
Ditto nearly passed out when the creature said, "Sup Ditto?"
Ponyville Library
Twilight wanted to cry, the library was burnt black on the inside, books were strewn about. Starswirls journal seemed out of place here.
"What now Twi?" Applejack asked, keeping a hoof on Applebloom.
"I'll cast this spell, fix it, cast it again, and close the void!" Twilight exclaimed, opening the book to the last page.
"Well, here goes. 'From one to another, another to one. The mark of one's destiny singled out alone fulfilled!'" The library filled with a bright light, and all was quiet.
Cloudsdale
"So, you jumped into the acid, grabbed the greaves, and left through th-" Ditto asked, only to be cut off as Jason shoved a pie in his mouth.
"Yeah, I really don't want to talk about it." Jason agreed.
"What of the wings?" Razor asked,
"I. . . don't really know, they just happened." Jason answered, crouching behind a cloud house.
"Why are we hiding?" Ditto asked in a whisper.
Jason pointed to a man in black. A jetpack strapped to his back.
Ditto felt his stomach drop as Jason said one word.
"Spy."
Canterlot wall
Celestia and Jane stared at each other. Neither moved, neither spoke. It was very quiet. Too quiet. Then a soldier approached Jane.
"Ma'am, Your brother is found." He informed her.
Jane grinned wickedly, "No one lives." She told him.
Celestia yelled over the crowd, "What do you wait for?"
Jane simply pointed at the sky. In the distance, Cloudsdale was burning.
"Your surrender." The Void snarled.
Ponyville
Fluttershy walked outside the library, only to squeak in horror.
"Rainbow!" She called.
Rainbow zoomed outside, "What's wrong?" She asked.
Fluttershy could only point as their childhood home fell from the sky.
"To the Castle of the two pony sisters. The fifth piece is there." Jason answered, sprinting for the edge of the clouds.
"Then why were you still here?" Asked Razor.
Jason skidded to a halt and turned.
"To evacuate the city."
Cloudsdale Square
The spy received the message, wasting no time he signaled his group. The sky grew black with planes and Jumpers*. And in no time at all, the clouds fell apart.
Jason
Jason was tired. Tired of running. Tired of trying to avoid fighting other humans. That was about to change.
"Ditto, Razor! Get as many ponies out as possible. This will get ugly." Jason instructed. No sooner did he finish then a huge blizzard appeared. Jason willed it to follow him as the battle begins.
Time was forgotten as Jason weaved in and out of the cloud city. The blizzard freezing the Jumpers in his wake. He suddenly flew upwards a with a roar shot a bolt of lightning at the first plane he saw. The sky brightened with an explosion. Jason continued to fly and manipulate the elements. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornados, all obeyed him as he let out all of his anger on the army.
Then he stopped. The humans were retreating. He won. But as he looked around, he realized that he was far from Cloudsdale. He went to fly, but a stray bolt of lightning from his storm hit him.
And Jason fell to the Everfree.
Cloudsdale
Ditto and Razor watched the battle in disbelief. The sheer amount of power was catastrophic! They gasped as they saw one last bolt arc out, and hit Jason.
Ditto looked at Razor.
"To Ponyviille."
Canterlot
Celestia watched in horror as Jane's hand lowered.
"And now that he is done for. Attack!" Jane yelled.
And Canterlot was at War.
The last intermezzo: Castle of the Two Pony Sisters
As soon as Jane gave the order, the army attacked.
In no time at all, the first walls had fallen, the Humans running past them into the city.
Luna shot blast after blast of energy, trying to slow the humans progress.
But stopped when a bullet hit her left wing joint, causing Luna to fall.
That's when Celestia lost it.
Many ponies would look back on this as the day the Sun fought.
Jane stepped back as a wall of fire twice the size of the palace hit her ranks. Wall after wall crashed against the humans. Soon, only Jane stood.
"Is this all you can conjure Celestia?" Jane laughed, rising off the ground.
With one snap of her fingers, Celestia was stone once more.
"Pity." Jane sighed. "And I was hoping for a real battle."
"And you got it." Rose answered, stepping in front of Jane.
"Why fight?" Jane asked, circling around Rose, "Jason is dead, your pony friends flee to a barren city, and a God is frozen in stone. Why continue to do this?"
"Because," Rose started, "I'm a Creator." And with that, sent half of the city crashing upon Jane.
Seconds later, Jane resurfaced.
"And I am The Void's Prodigy! I am stronger than any Creator! I am a Destroyer!" And Jane sent a wall of fire five time the size of Celestia towards Rose.
Rose froze the air, which quenched the fire. And sent lightning towards Jane. Jane pulled the earth up to absorb the electricity, then sent it back at Rose.
Rose shot a wave of water at Jane, and turned it to ice around Jane's feet.
"Word of advice," Rose said, walking closer, "Never, kill my boyfriend!" And delivered a haymaker to Jane's jaw.
Jane spat blood out as she spoke, "If you are a Creator, prove it, fix this city."
Rose looked around herself. The city was in ruins. Jane was right. She was acting like a Destroyer.
No more.
Rose closed her eyes, and sent wave after wave of golden wave outward. As the waves of energy passed through the city, the Void receeded. If only slightly.
When Rose was satisfied with her work she turned to Jane. "Tell Jason I believe in him." She said before she punched Jane clear to Ponyville.
Ditto and Razor were thrown off at the fact that Twilight and her friends had each other's cutie marks.
Twilight had explained to them that there was an important spell they would need to beat the Void.
"What I don't understand though is why their cutie marks are different." Ditto muttered
As Twilight darted back and forth for a solution, they heard a large thud.
Running to the square, they gasped when they saw Jane there.
"And it looks like you took the bait." She said as she stood up., "You ponies are stupid. Letting your marks determine your destinies. It split you. Made you something you weren't. And now the only force that could have stopped me, is powerless."
Evrypony looked down, they were beat.
The Fluttershy spoke.
"You're right, we are stupid for letting our marks determine who we are." Everypony gaped as Fluttershy kept talking, "But I think it's my friends who determine who I am or could be. Working out my flaws, and being there when they need me. The least I could do is show Kindness in return."
To everyponies surprise, Fluttershy suddenly burst with a pink aura, and her mark was what it was supposed to be.
Elsewhere
"Okay girls," The Doctor said, walking back and forth in the TARDIS. "We need to contain the Void until Jason and Twilight stop it. Any Ideas?"
The CMC scrunched their faces In thought. Suddenly, Sweetie perked up.
"What if we mad some sort of shield? One powered by us?" She asked, looking around the TARDIS.
"Brilliant!" Exclaimed The Doctor. "But now we need a plan. How will we get those parts? And what would we power it with?"
Scootaloo looked outside the TARDIS. Fortunately, her scooter was sitting nearby.
"I know Ponyville like the back of my hoof, I can gather any parts you need!" Scootaloo answered, getting a smile from the Doctor.
"And ah could help assemble it, Ah've been repairing things 'round the farm lately." Applebloom added.
"And I'll sing the backup music while helping Scoots!" Sweetie exclaimed.
The Doctor smiled wide, "Well, we have a plan. Now, let's get to it! Geronimo!"
Ponyville
"You know girls? Shy's right, I wouldn't be where I am now without my friends, I owe them my Loyalty." Rainbow agreed, a red aura flaring around her.
"No!" Jane growled, "Impossible!"
"My friends always give everything they can, it inspires me to be Generous in return." Rarity added, her royal purple aura flaring up.
With a yell, Jane raised Clarent, going in for the kill. But it clashed against a similar sword halfway.
Excalibur. Jason's sword.
"Sorry I'm late." Jason said, tapping the breastplate he wore, "This took longer than necessary to get."
Jane growled, "And what of the Helm?"
"The Helm of Humanity. To choose the lesser of two evils. Your death or theirs. That is my last test." Jason answered, pushing Jane back. "Let's dance!"
TARDIS
"insert that there, put this here, and done!" The Doctor said.
Applebloom looked it over, "It's missing something. Something reflective and small. Right here." She said, pointing to the center of the device.
"And now I say 'farewell friend.'" The Doctor said, placing the handheld mirror into place.
The CMC stepped up to the device.
"Ready?" asked Applebloom.
"Ready!" answered Scootaloo.
"I just want you guys to know," Sweetie said, tears forming in her eyes, "that no matter what, you're my best friends!"
And the CMC activated the device.
Ponyville
Jason looked at the monster that claimed his sister. He knew what had to be done, but every opening he had, he missed. He couldn't do it.
As they fought, Ice against Fire, Jason noticed the portal the Void was leaking from. And he had a plan. He made his choice.
Suddenly, a shield fell around Ponyville.
Jane snarled, "Clever, but the Void will overpower it soon."
Nearby, the girls were almost ready.
"I know that family don't lie to one another, and if I know anything, it's that my friends are mah' family. I will always tell them the truth." Applejack said, her orange aura lighting up.
"Friends are supposed to be happy. Once, I didn't know what happy was, but now, I try to make my friends smile. They do the same for me." Pinkie said, her pink aura flaring up around her.
Twilight looked to her friends, and understood,
"Jason, make your choice now!" Twilight called out. Jason nodded, and looked to his sister.
"I'm sorry Jane." And fast as lightning, Jason grabbed his sister and jumped into the Void.
"It matters not if the girl is lost to me. You still have yet to finish your spell." The Void snarled, spreading even farther.
"But I do know how to fix it. From all of us together, together we're friends. With the marks of our destinies made one, there can be magic without end!" As Twilight talked, her friends circled around her. And with a brilliant flash of light, Twilight sent a shockwave out, pushing the Void back until it was finally gone.
As soon as the light faded, Twilight was gone.
The Ether
Twilight was not expecting to be sent somewhere else. She began walking through the starry room when she heard two voices.
"Good job Twilight." A male said.
"I'm proud of you." Celestia said, stepping into view. Next to her was Jason.
"Jason? You're alright?" Twilight asked in disbelief.
Jason smiled, "I'm only here in spirit, and only long enough to give you a hug."
Twilight hugged him then watched him leave.
Celestia put a hoof on Twilight's withers and walked.
