A Brief Family Meeting
Photo Lens was a pony that was both blessed and cursed, even though he would never agree on both terms that were given to him by those who had met him rather than being an idea that he alone thought about.
He was a simple unicorn stallion, of a green grassy coat with a vibrant emerald green mane, with dark red eyes and an eye looking at a photograph as a cutie mark. He was known by his friends for how he always walked with extreme care, looking at his environment rather than where he was stepping on, and in an almost slowly manner but he was also known for being very attentive to details, as he always made sure that anything being made by him would be well assembled to the last piece.
Here is where the blessing he so much refused comes into play, as he was capable of seeing almost any type of construct, machine, figure or even a minuscule insect, and he would be able to replicate it with his chisels and wood choppers as perfectly as the object he was supposed to replicate. Many said that he was greatly talented but he always thought that there was no talent if all he was doing was what his cutie mark allowed him to do.
But this also was what many saw as a curse for, no matter how well he was with his crafting, he was only recognized by those who saw him work on a personal level and he never achieved success beyond his birthplace, far away from Canterlot as well as the other big cities in Equestria, and a few small towns close to his. Not that he ever agreed with this so called curse either, for he always earned exactly what he needed to sustain himself and then some. Sure, he would need more if he wanted to ever marry or have a family but that was a bridge he was only planning on crossing when he found a mare he was interested in.
He lived in a small town whose name is irrelevant both to us and anypony who wasn’t aware of what he was capable of, which he also thought as a benefit since he was a big fan of privacy.
Granted, that always made him curious of how anyone could find him since he would always find himself attracting the attention of the strangest customers.
At least they always appeared to have enough money to pay him.
Such is the case of a yellow earth pony stallion with a greasy light blue mane, almost discolored eyes and a golden loop as a cutie mark. He carried a straw hat that covered most of his head and held a medium sized saddlebag that seemed to be a bit empty.
As Photo Lens opened the door to receive this stallion that knocked his door he couldn’t stop himself from giving him a scrutinizing gaze, hoping that this wasn’t one of those fellows who wanted a wooden sculpture of a mare they liked a lot, even if those customers payed the best compared to his most common type of clients.
“Greetings” –. Photo Lens said with his rehearsed voice, only known by those who have done clerking long enough to say those words without feeling any type of actual care in the world. – “In what can I help you?”
The yellow pony looked around his surroundings, as if even the wood the house was made of was spying on him, and asked with a very low voice, as if he was scared of even talking.
“Hello Photo Lens, I’m glad to see nothing has changed since the last time we’ve met.”
Photo Lens was about to ask when have they met each other but he then remembered something, one of those faint memories that you decided to never forget but time managed to beat you on that fight, until a small idea manages to remind you of it through a chained link.
“I would like to apologize, for I don’t have bread of any kind to help you.”
As he said that, the yellow pony looked at him with a hopeful glare that seemed to have banished any fear from his features.
“Do not worry, for bread isn’t the only food I need to live.”
Photo Lens started to grin as he openly hugged the earth pony with great joy as he said with complete glee.
“Oh, it’s so good to see you old friend” -. He then opened the door to his house. – “Come on in, you are completely welcomed into my place.”
The yellow pony entered with his face showing how he no longer felt worried and started to remove his straw hat as well as his saddlebag and put them into one of those things ponies liked to use to hold them up in the air.
Photo Lens, meanwhile, would give a brief look at his surroundings as he slowly closed the door to his house, trying to give the landscape the most scrutinizing gaze he could muster before he could properly greet his long awaited visit.
“I am so glad to see you, old friend” -, the yellow pony started to say with fear no longer being present on his voice, - “you have no idea of how much I want to talk to you about our fellow bro-“
“Shhhh.”
Seeing Photo Lens so serious made the yellow pony to worry once more as the green unicorn decided to put his shining horn on one of the walls within his house, making small writings to suddenly shine before dimming back as if the walls within Photo Lens’s house never had them in the first place. Immediately afterward he levitated, with his magic, the thick and heavy curtains and covered all the windows on his house, making sure that only the candles and what little sunlight could enter his house to shine on his house. As the writing disappeared from their sight and the windows were covered, Photo Lens went back to his guest with a much relaxed face and talked once more.
“Sorry, it’s just that I considered safer to just turn on the silencers on this house.”
The yellow pony looked at him with curiosity as he felt compelled to ask.
“Do you really think it was necessary? I mean, this is a very secluded town and I doubt anypony would suspect of you to do anything weird.”
Photo Lens flinched at that and visibly showed embarrassment as he started to put a hoof behind his head and started to answer.
“Well, considering some of the strange customers I have ended up getting from time to time, I prefer for none to ever hear what they ask me to do” -. His face started to blush hard as he started to remember how some of them asked him to do sculptures of ponies in… compromising positions. – “I wouldn’t live up to the embarrassment.”
The yellow pony looked at Photo Lens with curiosity and tried to know more about his problem.
“Well, if you don’t like it, why are you accepting their commissions? I mean, no one should do a job they don’t feel comfortable working on.”
“I wish it were that simple” -, responded Photo Lens with complete humbleness, - “but those creeps tend to be the ones who pay the most and some of the stuff I work on isn’t as cheap as it looks like, especially when I have to move to Canterlot to get the materials needed to make the commission.”
The yellow pony quickly widen up his eyes as he decided to dive more into what he just said.
“You’ve been into Canterlot recently?” – He then started to look at Photo Lens with hopeful eyes. – “Has anything important happened in there?”
Photo Lens was about to respond when he noticed the yellow pony’s appearance and decided to make a quick comment before responding.
“Hold on, why are you still looking like that? Come on, you can stop pretending to be somepony else, I thought by this point you were aware that I don’t judge by appearances Styx.”
The yellow pony looked at himself before making a sheepish grin as he moved his ears down.
“Sorry, I got used to look like this for long periods of time and I forgot to change back” -. His body then was light on green fire before being replaced by a black changeling with holes ridden on his hooves, blue glassy eyes, fangs on his snout, insect like wings and fins where his mane should be. – “But” -, he added with glee, - “I will say that I’m not impersonating anypony, that form is one I made up for myself so I could stop impersonating other ponies.”
Photo Lens looked at his friend Styx with joy as he started to put his hoof on his shoulder as if they were brothers.
“Really? That’s awesome. This is a step up for you” -. He then decided to move around and started to prepare some chairs and table so they could get more comfortable. – “Come; sit here as I prepare something for you.”
Styx decided to sit as he responded to Photo Lens’s kind gesture.
“Thank you but I have to deny it for I didn’t come here to abuse from your hospitality. I came here for… other businesses…”
Photo Lens stopped as he looked at his friend with worry but, nonetheless, he nodded and decided to go to his wardrobe.
“Hold on.”
As he opened the wardrobe, he looked down to a box that was almost as wide and long as the 1.5 meters wide and 70cm long wardrobe. This box was made of hardwood with metal borders and a lock that could only be opened with a numbered code.
Photo Lens opened the box to find multiple stuff that only he knew what they were and for what they were intended. This were from light dresses of pretty colors to silver candle holders, to a wide variety of keys, among many others, but what he was looking for was burrowed deep on the 80cm tall chest and it was a book. The first book he was ever commissioned to make and one of the things he was proud the most to have replicated perfectly from the original.
“Here it is!”
Hearing Photo Lens shouting made Styx to visibly flinch as he turned around and looked at what he came looking for. It was as big as he was told it was and just by looking at it Styx knew that all of the problems he went through to get it were worth it.
“Oh, thank you so much for making it. I thought you were going to have a hard time making it since the copies are so hard to find.”
Photo Lens moved back to the table and gave Styx the book as he started to get comfortable on his chair as Styx would start to open the book and gave a glimpse at the pages of the book he was so keen on finding.
“Don’t worry and I didn’t need to search for a copy” -, this made Styx to quickly glance at Photo Lens as he continued to talk, - “I happened to read it before the princesses decided to restrict everything coming from that other world.”
At this, Styx needed to know more.
“Wait, how did you get a copy of this book and when did you read it? As far I’m aware, the restrictions came just months after that rift opened and not much time was given before all the stuff that was flowing into Equestria was taken and given back to that…” – He then remembered what Photo Lens said. – “Wait, it’s a whole world and not a kingdom the rift leads to?”
Photo Lens smiled as he decided to tell the latest things he heard in Canterlot.
“Well, not according to the latest rumors. From what I gathered, while the rift opens to another nation, this isn’t one from this world and, what I understand, is that there are more rifts that were opened that leads to other nations from that world but the princesses decided to figure out first where they are and where they lead to before determining what to do with this other world.”
Styx took a moment to mull on the information as he started to understand some things.
“Well, that explains why the restrictions were put into place. Equestria probably wants to first make sure a steady flow is made before allowing anything crazy from there to enter and destabilize our home.”
Photo Lens snorted, trying to hold back a laugh, as he looked at the book Styx was holding and added.
“Well, I think it’s too late for that but I do think it wasn’t a completely bad idea after hearing more of what is going on over that other world.”
Styx’s face started to show worry as he heard this and asked for more.
“Well” -, continued Photo Lens, - “do you remember of how the other nation Equestria has officially started to contact isn’t a monarchy, but rather, a republic that elects its leaders?”
Styx nodded, understanding very well that even if the concept felt so foreign to his ears.
“Well, the rumors I’ve heard are that this nation is, this very year, going to elect its new ruler and it looks like the candidates aren’t quite good.”
Styx started to feel fear as he heard that, worrying over those who were like him living on the other side of the rift.
“But, for now” -, Lens continued, - “the princesses are trying to see if they can establish contact with other nations while also determining how dangerous it would be for us to establish open contact with the other world.”
As Photo Lens finished talking, Styx looked back to the ground as he tried to grasp how big reality was compared to what little he could barely understand.
“Two universes... two whole universes with its own set of rules and histories... It is amazing how all of this was created by a single entity.”
Photo Lens looked at him as Styx said this and turned around into Canterlot’s direction, well aware of who were in there and what they could do as well as how some weren’t very keen on those who just disagreed with the princesses. All he could say was:
“Yeah.”
After some thinking, Styx decided to ask for more.
“And what do the princesses think of allowing the rift to be opened back? It’s been a while since then.”
Photo Lens looked back at Styx as his mind tried to remember all the details he got from his lastest visit to Canterlot just a few weeks ago.
“Well” -, he began, - “Princess Celestia still thinks that there are still a few loose ends that must be arranged before reopening the rift. Princess Luna changed her mind, she now thinks that both equestrians and humans could be allowed to cross in between the worlds but starting only with ‘professional travelers’ so to speak. Princess Cadence now thinks that some cultural exchange should be attempted before ‘anything wrong’ happens to the rift and the new Princess Twilight Sparkle wants to open Equestria to this whole world so badly that she is helping up with whatever Celestia and her government is making to ensure that nothing wrong comes from that world to ours and viceversa.”
Styx assessed the information and, after some minutes of deep thinking, he commented with a light happy tone of voice.
“You have given me really good news” -. He then looked back at his book and asked once more. – “But that doesn’t explain how did you found a copy of this book so easily.”
Photo Lens wondered what Styx meant with ‘good news’ but he decided to first answer what he felt was a more important question.
“Well, I just so happen to have met one of those humans back from when the rift opened and he gave me a copy of this book so I could read it on my own.”
Just by looking at Styx’s face could Photo Lens figure out what he was going to ask next so he obliged.
“That human was among those who were allowed to enter and explore Equestria but, when the restriction came, he was taken back into his world and I got the book taken by the Royal Guard” -, noticing Styx still had some questioning looks on his face, Photo Lens decided to keep on talking about it, - “and I’ll remind you that I can remember any image I look so it was just a matter of looking at the pages before the book was taken.”
Styx nodded and started to look back at the book with wonder as he decided to respond.
“I see. Thanks. I’m glad to know that, at least, your friend got back to his world” -. His features then grew dimmer as he continued to talk. – “My friend was taken by Chrysalis and, well, I really hope the princesses are still looking for him. I pray every night for his well being.”
Photo Lens’s ears went down as he understood the implication and decided to ask what he should have really asked about from the beginning.
“That reminds me” -, he then looked at Styx with worry on his eyes, - “how are the others? Have they been found or are you still managing to remain hidden?”
Styx looked at Photo Lens for a brief second as his features started to grin again and responded with a voice filled with joy but tired from all the hurdles he has faced recently.
“Well, I am glad to say that we have managed to remain hidden so far and, not only that, but more has joined into our family in the faith, including those who were originally working for Chrysalis.”
Hearing that, made Photo Lens to feel a glimmer of hope and happiness as he tried to hold down the tears coming out from his eyes. He let Styx to continue.
“Mantix, for example, he was chasing us from the beginning but, after talking to him about what The Lord has given us, he decided to become part of our family and has helped us even by telling us where are Chrysalis’s outpost as well as given us methods to avoid Equestrian security.”
Photo Lens frowned as he heard this and tried to retort.
“Styx, you know very well that I, as long many other fellow ponies, would be more than glad to receive all of you and, not only, would we protect you from being found but we are even planning to talk to Celestia so a case for you can be made.”
Styx closed his eyes as he tried to think of what question was more important to think first while, at the same time, holding down the flood of emotions trying to leave from his body. After a brief moment, he simply said:
“I thank you very much for this” -. His voice then started to get coarse but he managed to hold back a little as he continued to talk. – “You have no idea how glad it makes me to know that you care for us so much even though we aren’t ponies and especially after what Chrysalis did on Canterlot” -. His eyes watered a bit and he stood in silence for a moment as he tried to hold back his feelings. – “Many of us has discussed about it but we all fear of what Chrysalis could do to anypony who decides to protect us. Rumors even say that she managed to send infiltrators to the other side of the rift just to find drones who decided to run away from her and Mantix confirmed that she does have ‘something especial’ prepared to anyone who runs away from her or decides to believe in God. He has even told us terrifying stories of what is done to anyone she finds protecting us or promoting the faith.”
Photo Lens then decided to rise from his chair and hugged Styx as he wondered if what he and his fellow brothers were planning to do would be even listened in Canterlot.
As Styx was being hugged, a few tears came out of his eye sockets but he still managed to talk.
“Many of us pray everytime we gather and hope that a solution will come but the rift is still closed and the equestrians, whenever talking about us, only seem to hate our sole existence. It would be a lie if I say that more than once I almost lose my faith on The Lord.”
Styx then started to look around as he saw how comfortable and warm this house was compared to the caves and forest he and his family on the faith had to hide into just out of fear to both ponies and their own race.
“Just to know that there is a slight possibility for the rift to open and that you are planning to make a case for us in Canterlot gives me so much joy that I can barely hold myself.”
He then started to tear a bit as Photo Lens just kept on hugging Styx as he said.
“It hasn't been a year since all of this began but it feels so long…
We aren’t alone…”
‘We aren’t alone’ were the only words Styx repeated for a while as he tried to calm himself down.
After many minutes of tears, Styx reincorporated himself and grabbed the book he came looking for and said with complete joy on his eyes.
“Now, with this book, I’m sure we’ll find more than enough answers for what we are going through” -. He then looked at Photo Lens and added. – “Too bad you cannot do more of this, right?”
Photo Lens snickered at that and responded as if he were given a challenge.
“Equestria may decommission any Bible they find but, as long as I remember what it says, they’ll have a hard time to stop them from entering here. Just remember to be careful with that, it takes a lot of effort to make and I cannot make a new one every month.”
Styx nodded as he started to grab his things and prepared to leave Photo Lens’s house while the pony was wondering if it was a good idea to leave yet.
“Are you sure you need to go right away? I have no problem with you staying for a few days before going back.”
Styx nodded as he put The Bible on his saddlebag with confidence.
“I’m certain, I decided to take the long route to get here and, for the sake of security, I’m also planning to take it back home. That means I’ll have taken over two weeks of travel and I don’t know if the others may hold up so long.”
The green pony accepted his comment and decided to make one last question before letting his good friend out.
“Do you have enough energy to get back to the others?”
Styx took a moment to look back at his condition before giving a nod.
“Sure, I think I have enough love to hold the rest of the journey.”
Photo Lens, well aware of how important was love for a changeling, decided to ask once more.
“Are you sure? I could give you some love from me just in case.”
Styx denied the offer.
“Don’t worry, as time has passed, the hunger has diminished piece by piece. By this point, I could last about a month with one feed.”
This raised a few questions for Photo Lens but he opted to not dwell on that. Those were questions whose answers would come later, of that he was certain.
With everything said and done, Photo Lens decided to remove all the spells and open the door for his friend but, just as he was opening the door and looking at the outside, he noticed that there was something out of place, something he remembered to not be there when he closed the door an hour ago.
A rock.
A rock that was located a few meters from his house.
As Photo Lens’s inner alarms were moving, he motioned his friend Styx to stay where he was while the unicorn decided to go and watch the rock from a safe distance.
He lifted the rock and analyzed it to see if he could find anything suspicious and, after some brief analysis, he found nothing inconspicuous with it.
It was a perfectly polished and smooth piece of rock.
So, just to put his worries to rest, he decided to teleport a special liquid he made some time ago and poured it down on the smooth rock, creating a smell that Photo Lens wasn’t too keen on smelling.
After that was done, Photo Lens called Styx to leave his house with his disguise on and the changeling departed from his house directing towards Canterlot.
A few hours later, as Photo Lens was now about to rest and his house had all the security put in place, when the moon was already up, Photo Lens was woken up to a sound he was dreading to hear.
A buzzing sound that was trying to enter his house via blunt force.
For how long the sound hit the doors and windows from Photo Lens’s house, he didn’t know for sure. What Photo Lens was sure of is that, once the midnight was passed, eventually, the sound ended and he managed to finally rest but not before noticing that the buzzing noise was leaving on the exact opposite direction Styx took.
Suffice to say, Photo Lens praised The Lord the rest of the night and prayed for his friend to get home safely, for he wasn't sure of how long was left of him to keep on helping his fellow brothers in faith.