We won't know where we'll start, nor where we'll end, so long as we write. A heavily comment-driven story.
I have no idea what I'm doing. This is probably gonna be a less triptastic counterpart to What If... that actually tries to be a cherrypicked comment-driven story. Just a place where I could write whatever's on my mind without having to always make it funny.
Think of this as a sort of mirrored What If that focuses on the more serious things then comedy, and actually follows a plot instead of throwing everything at the wall.
This story is very heavily comment-driven, and is very much a writing experiment.
A story, of course, needs to start with some characters. We can start from there.
In this case, we could go in one of many directions-- we could reuse an existing character, for example, as many of my stories have done in the past. It certainly would provide a solid foundation to build from, but would eventually also come to limit what may be done with such a character.
Perhaps we could create a new one instead, or use a character from the show itself. Given the aim of this story, let's opt for the former rather than the latter.
First off, a name. What's in a name, comes the famous quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A name could represent many aspects of a character. Their social standing, their abilities; there are countless ways a name may be developed.
But we can worry about those later. Our character is a blank slate for the time being. A name representing nothing could at the same time mean just about anything, and for now, that is the goal.
But then again, names are not meant to represent nothing. They are created and used to represent a subject-- ideas, places, people, and more.
For now, let's settle on The Voidtrotter. It's more of a title than a name, but it'll suffice for the time being. The name will be decided by the readers instead.
This character will remain a blank slate as well; They have no gender, no distinct features, nothing. They can remain that way indefinitely, perhaps, taking on any form that may suit the circumstance, or perhaps like their name, the readers may decide.
With the character complete to an extent, let's now turn to the setting. Will we perhaps begin in Canterlot? Does Equestria even exist? Who knows? This story still remains in its infancy, after all. For now, we'll start simple, just as the character has.
The Voidtrotter, rather fittingly, shall begin in a void. It could be a dark pit deep within the ground, or the vast expanse of space high above. Maybe it is the peaceful darkness of a bedroom at night, or a lucid dream of a wild mind.
But for now, it is simply the Void.
We now have a character and a setting-- The Voidtrotter, and the Void they reside in.
But those two alone cannot complete a story. After all, a story cannot be a story without a story to it.
This is where lore comes in.
What is the history of this world beyond the Void? What life experiences have The Voidtrotter lived through? Lore may be thought of as the paint that fills a canvas, metaphorically; it adds life to a story, much like how pigments give life to a painting or drawing.
Rather than leaving lore to the readers, we may start off in this case with a 'seed' of sorts. After all, a story must start with something, even if that something must emerge from nothing.
And with that, the inciting event, no matter how significant or insignificant it may be down the road, will be waking up.
"Waking up?" you might ask, "There is nothing to wake up from, nothing to wake up to."
And while I may question your sanity for asking a mute story a question about what has already been written, the answer to the above question is the below:
Waking up, even in the Void, can be the spark that ignites the flame of a story. Waking up can mark both the beginning and the end of a dream, or perhaps the beginning of a life beyond what was formerly known. The transition between a dream back to reality could just as easily be blurred by waking as the transition from awake back to asleep in the dead of night. You can never pinpoint the exact moment you fall asleep, and often times, a morning routine may be nothing but a blur in a Monday morning rush.
As for the true beginnings of this story, we shall start now.
The Voidtrotter shifted, stirring within the odd warmth of the Void. There was no up, nor was there a down. The senses remained abstract at this time, for there was nothing to sense.
That shall change momentarily. We will cheat just a little here, and manipulate the Void ahead of time in order to give the story a beginning.
A blazing light blasted over the Void, illuminating the darkness in an even greyness. The featureless background split at once into ground and sky, with the latter illuminated ever so slightly brighter than the former.
The Voidtrotter squinted, placing a hoof over their eyes. There was nothing in all directions. Even the ground remained somewhat immaterial. What kind of place was this? Is there any viable escape from such a blank world? Is this Void the precursor to a vibrant, thriving world of adventure? Who knows?
And what of this seed lore? You'll see.
A metallic screech rung throughout the Void in every direction, as if some large piece of machinery-- a train, perhaps, had been stopped abruptly. The Voidtrotter turned, their eyes narrowing as they attempted to pinpoint the source of the noise.
A voice soon accompanied the screech. Whether it was a male or female voice, nobody will know. But this voice nonetheless sounded familiar to the Voidtrotter.
"There is more," the voice said simply. "There is more."
"There is more what?" asked the Voidtrotter.
"There is more," the voice repeated itself.
"Where is more?"
"There is more."
"How is it more?"
"There is more."
This back-and-forth would continue for some time, with seemingly no end in sight. On one end were the neverending questions of the Voidtrotter, and the other, the same, repeated line:
"There is more."
Faint glimpses of what was to come-- both what could've been and what may very well be, faded into view. The grand spires of Canterlot Castle intersected with the glittering crystalwork of the Crystal Empire. Ponies of all shapes and sizes all at once both went about their day, yet were also led by King Sombra on a conquest to sack Equestria. Whether or not those may have actually happen is up to you.
"Where am I?" The Voidtrotter began, still watching the landscape morph before their eyes, "Where is this place?"
"This is your mind," the voice responded, startling the pony. "It is still empty because you have not experienced your world yet."
"W-who are you?"
"I am Celestia, Alicorn of the Sun and Princess of Equestria."
The name struck a chord within the Voidtrotter, but something nonetheless still felt missing. Whatever it was, they'd have to push onward to find out.
"Why am I here? Who am I?"
"You are here because this is the beginning of your journey," Celestia smiled. "Your adventures in Equestria await. As for the latter..."
She paused, holding a hoof to her chin.
"You are a figment of imagination given life. You have the power to change who you are-- what you are, at any moment. Unlike the changelings, who may only copy what they see, your abilities rest on the limits of your own mind."
"So what am I supposed to do, then?"
Celestia lit her horn, stepping closer to the Voidtrotter.
"Why don't we see for ourselves?"
About a griffon in a forest, at the beginning of civilization.
The Voidtrotter awoke with a start. The sky was still dark-- was it morning, or was it night? They couldn't quite tell yet. A strange sensation washed over them as they glanced down, finding a griffon's talons at the end of their limbs. The associated wings were there as well, and so, they lifted off.
Higher and higher they soared, up and above the quaint little forest they'd awoken in. The sun was only barely beginning to peek above the horizon, and there was nopony in sight for miles on end. A few huts here and there were the only signs of civilization.
Clack.
Clack.
Clack.
The Voidtrotter turned. Somehow, without catching their attention, a small group of Earth Ponies had emerged from a nearby hut, and appeared to be crushing some sort of grain.
Clack.
Clack.
Clack.
They appeared to be docile, the Voidtrotter supposed, and so they took the chance and landed, teetering slightly from inexperience. After all, they'd never been a griffon before.
But what would they say? Surely these ponies didn't speak Equish as the Voidtrotter did. Would there be a language barrier of some sort? Would they see the Voidtrotter as a threat?
"I have cast a direct translation spell over you," Celestia's voice echoed in their mind, "I understand that your journeys may be perilous and confusing at times. This gift of open speech will help you to great lengths."
"Over there," the Voidtrotter heard one of the Earth Ponies shout, pointing a hoof. "What is that creature?"
"I will take a look."
The Voidtrotter shrunk back, eyes wide with fear when a crudely-armored mare emerged from the hut. It wasn't much, consisting mainly of wooden plates layered over each other like scales, but what worried the Voidtrotter more was the spear. Evidently, though these Earth Ponies clearly did not belong to any established civilization, they still had the means to defend themselves against the world.
"You," the mare demanded, pointing her spear from atop a boulder, "Who are you, and what do you seek here?"
"I am only a traveler," the Voidtrotter replied, "I seek none of your possessions. I only pass through your territory, and I mean no harm."
The mare lowered her spear, narrowing her eyes.
"Very well then. If you wish, you may enter our domain. Do you have any possessions you are willing to trade?"
"I do not," the Voidtrotter shook their head. "My sole possession is that of my own body."
"What are you?" another pony asked, leaning over their mortar, "You are unlike any creature I have ever seen before."
"I am a griffon," the Voidtrotter responded, "I am of a race of chimeras-- part bird, part beast. Though I promise once again, I intend no harm to any of you."
"A grif-fon?"
"Yes. I am a griffon, if my assumptions are correct."
"And what do you call yourself, grif-fon?"
The Voidtrotter paused. 'Voidtrotter' had only been a title-- a stopgap solution to a name that didn't exist. Perhaps we may create one for them.
Cookie.
Until the end of this story arc, the Voidtrotter will be called "Cookie".
Very well then.
"I call myself Cookie," the Voidtrotter began. Though, they did not understand where they received the name from, for it was beyond their understanding. "But if you wish, my official title is the Voidtrotter."
And so, we will leave this chapter as it is in its current state. The chapters of this story will remain short for the sake of being able to be guided by your comments. As for what comes next, you will decide:
"What was that?" the Voidtrotter whispered, crouching lower to the ground. "Did you hear--"
"Shh... not now, Cookie," the mare shushed, raising her spear. "We may be watched. I give a prayer to the Sun Goddess for your protection, mysterious Voidtrotter."
"Is there any assistance I may be?"
The mare glanced over the Voidtrotter's body, noticing his wings folded against his back.
"Yes," she nodded, "If you wish to be helpful, you may soar into the skies like our pegasi brethren and locate the direction in which the wolves howl."
The Voidtrotter paused. "Pegasi?" they asked. The word was strange on their tongue-- it was familiar, though in ways they couldn't fathom. Did it have something to do with Celestia back in the Void? They didn't know.
"We may discuss the pegasi later," the mare pushed, "As for now, if you wish for our hospitality, you must assist us in defending our settlement."
Without another word, the mare turned away and descended a flight of crudely-built stairs, yelling something incomprehensible at a nearby group of ponies. As for the Voidtrotter, they took off to the skies.
It felt surreal, flying. The Voidtrotter had yet to be even a day old, and now they were already soaring through the skies as if they had flown their entire life. An endless expanse of forestry stretched beyond the horizon beneath them, pockmarked by little huts and shacks that peeked out from underneath the otherwise thick canopy.
A flicker-- a little glint of light, where there shouldn't have been one. Their attention caught, the Voidtrotter veered off course, in the direction of the flicker. They were still young, still naive, but all the more curious because of it.
A soft thud announced their not-so-soft landing. The forestry where the Voidtrotter had landed was oddly clear of any trees, and a single gem lay at the ground.
"Do not disturb this place," Celestia's voice commanded, "for it is of significance."
"But it is only a gem," the Voidtrotter countered, "What harm is there in disturbing a single, meager gemstone?"
"It is of no concern to you at this moment. If you must, you shall defend this gem from harm, for the yet-to-come future of this realm rests upon it."
The crack of a twig pierced the air.
"A wolf," the Voidtrotter muttered, taking a step back, "What business do they have in this area?"
Celestia did not respond.
Guttural growls grumbled from within the dark underbrush surrounding the clearing. The Voidtrotter was an unfamiliar beast to them, and they certainly didn't take any chances with such an intruder.
"Celestia--"
A long, drawn-out howl filled the air. One by one, pairs of glowing eyes opened from within the dark surrounding forest, all focused upon the Voidtrotter. The trees began to rustle, with leaves and twigs falling to the ground as if they were cut from the branches. A dim aura materialized around them, catching their fall before they ever reached the ground.
The disembodied howl came again, now closer than it had been before. Wherever it was coming from, the wolves that watched the Voidtrotter were awaiting its arrival.
The aura-encapsulated twigs began to swirl about, revolving around a central patch of ground right before the Voidtrotter. Slowly, the wood began to weave itself together, incorporating bits of earth and greenery from time to time for additional support. All the while, the howling only continued to grow, with some wolves even now emerging from the underbrush.
"A timberwolf," the Voidtrotter growled, locking eyes with the still-forming progenitor of the future Everfree species. Now wasn't the time to pay mind to where they had learned the name for the creature. "Where did you come from?"
As before, we'll leave this chapter in its current state. It's up to you, the reader, to decide what may happen next, and to define parts of the story itself.
Where did the timberwolf come from? Are the regular wolves that it leads going to become future timberwolves?
What significance does the gem in the ground hold?
What other threats may live in the forest?
What is the location of the setting relative to modern Equestria?
Of course, these aren't the only questions you may answer. Feel free to comment on whatever you'd like to see added or happen in the story.
The timberwolf pawed at the ground, its eyes locked with the Voidtrotter's. It didn't appear to be threatening in any way-- rather, it remained docile instead, biding its time as twigs continued to flow into the formation of its body.
Leave... this... place...
Taken aback by the unexpected voice, the Voidtrotter stepped back. Though still incomplete, the timberwolf rushed at them in reaction. It opened its wooden maw, snarling.
Leave... this... place...
Where did this voice come from? It certainly wasn't Celestia's, nor was it even remotely equine in tone. The Voidtrotter turned their attention to the timberwolf, growling before them. It had to be the one speaking, even if it didn't do so physically.
"Leave?"
Leave, the timberwolf stepped closer to the Voidtrotter. Do not disturb the gem. We have spared you for this single encounter. Do not expect to be so lucky the next time.
"Why must I leave?" the Voidtrotter questioned, "Why must I leave, when I am of no threat? I mean no harm... I only wish to inspect the strange gem embedded within the--"
A rush of wind rattled through the surrounding forestry, inciting a collective howl from the wolves surrounding the perimeter. Another glint of light-- another aura formed over the greenery, quickly molding itself into the shape of another timberwolf.
Leave, lest you face the wrath of the Alpha. You and the ponies, you are all intruders on this land.
The Voidtrotter took another step back, eyes wide as the larger alpha of the pack finished forming. All eyes were on them now; wolves from across the forest watched from the shadows, birds ceased their chirping to gaze at the newcomer, and even the ever-flowing wind that brought the timberwolves had paused, as if it too were now watching.
This is a final warning, strange creature. Do not touch the gem. The intruder ponies have stolen well enough of them to place a strain on our existence. They are not yet ready for the power these gems hold, and have suffered the same fates as the parasprites and other creatures of the sort that seek these gems.
Crack.
The Voidtrotter's eyes shrunk to pinpricks, lifting a paw from the ground. Shards of the fragile gem now clung to their coat, glimmering softly in the sunlight. A ghastly roar grumbled from the forest.
A flicker of crimson pulsed from the shattered gemstone and through the two timberwolves, spreading out into the ground and into the surrounding forest.
Fooli... ...reature, the first timberwolf's voice echoed within the Voidtrotter's mind, take... ...what yo... have done.
All at once, the forest burst into noise. The ground trembled for a moment, the trees swaying in an unseen wind. The aura surrounding the timberwolves' component pieces flickered once, twice before fading, the grim lights in their eyes dimming.
Such a creature, such a creature! the alpha howled as it disassembled, It shows no contempt, yet it crushes the crystals with the same mindlessness as the ponies...
The voice wavered, the returning breeze carrying it away. In their periphery, the Voidtrotter watched the other wolves slink away into the underbrush.
A sudden pain flared in their hind paw-- the paw that had accidentally crushed the gem. A wisp of the same aura that once possessed the timberwolves' bodies escaped from the shards.
Heed this as a warning, strange creature of bird and beast. For every gem that crumbles beneath your paws, the land grows weaker. For every shard that embeds itself within you, you shall remember your misguided actions today. You seek no gain from the destruction of these gems, but the ponies-- they collect them, crush them into powders, and sprinkle the shards into their strange pastures. You are better than them, and for that we shall forgive you for this single occasion.
The Voidtrotter frowned, glancing to the shattered remains of the gemstone they'd stepped on. Were these strange gems truly as integral to the forest as the timberwolves had suggested? Was this the reason the Earth Ponies the wolves spoke of supposedly sprinkled the powders of this crystal across their land? They did not know for sure.
Unfolding their wings, the Voidtrotter once more took to the skies. There were many questions to ask.
And Celestia remained silent.
With that, we wrap up this chapter just as the previous ones have. There are no specific prompts for this chapter, rather, it would be ideal instead to comment with what may happen next to the Voidtrotter, and the lowly Earth Pony village that remains in the wolves' crosshairs.
The Voidtrotter touched down in the center of the settlement. It was oddly quiet, though they spotted a couple of ponies tending the fields. The trademark glint of the crystalline dust caught their eye. Surely these must've been the ponies the timberwolves faulted for harnessing the gems for themselves.
"Excuse me," they began, stepping closer to the ponies, "What is the purpose of this fine gemstone powder that you disperse across your fields?"
"The crystals accelerate the growth of our crops," the first pony began in response, "and when consumed during harvest time, help strengthen our herd for the next season that may come."
"Are you in any way concerned of the potential consequences of using such powerful gemstones?"
"Nay," the second pony shook their head, rising to the side of their partner. "These stones return to the land when we are finished. We harvest them from the ground, scatter them back, and eventually... excrete them, short to say."
The Voidtrotter nodded. The response given was sound in logic-- perhaps eventually, new gemstones may rise from the earth, fueled by the crystalline powder returned by the Earth Ponies. Maybe the timberwolves needed only to wait for some time before their gemstones may return.
"Another inquiry," they pressed, once again catching the attention of the two farmers, "How does one avoid the timberwolves when harvesting gemstones if they protect such stones with their body and spirit?"
"We do not."
"You do not?"
The first pony shook his head solemnly. "We have lost a great number of our finest mares and stallions performing such a task, but it is the only way if we wish to sustain ourselves over the dark winters."
A shooting pain ran down the Voidtrotter's spine, eliciting a grimace.
"Is something the matter, visitor?"
The Voidtrotter held up a talon. "You may call me Cookie," they corrected, "As for my sudden pain, I do not know of the origin."
The second pony glanced downward, spotting the shards of crystal embedded within the Voidtrotter's hind paw. "There is crystal," she muttered, pointing a hoof. "We do not recommend inserting crystal shards directly within one's body. Perhaps they may be the source of your pain?"
Leave this place, intruder. Do not commune with the thieving ponies.
The Voidtrotter's eyes shrunk to pinpricks. "You two must leave," they urged, warily eyeing the surrounding forest. Another shot of pain rattled through their body. "You are about to be ambush--"
Leave!
The alpha timberwolf from before burst from the underbrush, followed by the smaller timerwolf, and a good portion of what appeared to be the local wolf pack.
Leave, foolish intruder! the alpha bellowed at the Voidtrotter, We have spared you already, but you are not yet safe from our pack! Do not tempt your fate by lingering any longer.
A loud buzzing began to emanate from the forest behind the trail of wolves.
A bugbear, Celestia's voice mused, I was not aware of their existence in such a primal era.
Intruder! the alpha wolf countered Celestia's voice, What is this other voice we sense within your mind? Do you commune with the intruder ponies? Do you seek their protection in exchange for the land's gemstones?
The Voidtrotter shook their head violently, thrashing about as their body began to dissolve into flecks of light. Nopony was there anymore to see it happen, however-- the two farmer ponies had long-since fled when the wolves began tearing into the fields.
A distant, pained roar appeared to suggest the fall of the Bugbear to the Earth Ponies' forces. What mattered more at the moment, though, was the dematerializing form of the Voidtrotter.
Your body and mind are still without experience, Voidtrotter. It may be difficult for you to hold such complex forms for extended periods of time.
Thank you for such a delayed reminder, the Voidtrotter rolled their eyes. Their griffin form was long-since gone now, leaving only a cloudy mist that hovered midair in its place. Perhaps this form may grant them extra mobility, however, or maybe a new perspective on the ongoing feud. Whatever it may be, the Voidtrotter was without a body for the time being, and powerless to help. Even the timberwolves now appeared to ignore the very existence of the Voidtrotter-- perhaps to the timberwolves, the Voidtrotter simply ceased to exist entirely. It wasn't completely out of possibility, after all.
The Voidtrotter loomed overhead, watching from a distance while the various creatures of the forest joined the timberwolves in driving away the ponies, and shredding their farmland in search for their beloved crystal shards.
Faraway, a tree crashed to the ground.
As usual, we shall end this chapter on a cliffhanger, and a set of questions that may guide your responses:
What new form may the Voidtrotter take?
What damage have the creatures caused to the village?
What may have caused the felling of the tree?
Of course, these questions only serve as a suggestion for your responses. As always, you are free to suggest anything you'd like in the comments below.
The Voidtrotter settled to the ground, still in their misty state. The same aura from before that emanated from the gem shards rose around them, swirling about before seemingly absorbing into the mist. From the same direction that the tree had fallen moments before, a chorus of howls boiled up from underneath the canopy.
A nearby tree glowed with a similar aura as the one that was emitted from the gem shards. This aura was strange-- rather than being that of a levitation spell, as the Voidtrotter originally had suspected, this aura was instead seemingly accelerating and molding the growth of the tree itself, as if it were encouraging the tree to grow according to its own specifications.
Floating back for a moment, the Voidtrotter's eyes widened as a root of unimaginable size burst from the ground, impaling a nearby hut. Luckily for the village ponies, there was nopony inside, but the structure itself was nevertheless obliterated. The same glow of magical mana then enveloped the remnants of the destroyed hut, bringing them closer to the tree itself where they were then absorbed. In the place of the hut was a single, glistening gem. A lone timberwolf now stood beside the mutated tree, almost as if it were inspecting the handiwork of the root.
Was this how the timberwolves ensured a constant supply of gems to draw from? To parasitize from those who took the stones for their own use?
It was at this time when the Voidtrotter finally turned their attention back to themselves; small sticks and twigs now surrounded them in a malformed circle, with some smaller pieces of debris violently swirling about their misty form as if they stood at the eye of a hurricane.
Though they had no body at the moment to feel the breeze, it was clear to the Voidtrotter now that a heavy wind was beginning to surround them, with larger and heavier sticks and even small branches now being pulled into the whirlwind. Piece by piece, the wooden fragments settled underneath them into what otherwise looked to be a pile of kindling, ready for a spark. It was less of a surprise now when the familiar aura of the timberwolves' gemstones surrounded the debris, pulling pieces in one by one to fit around the Voidtrotter.
It appears you are taking on the form of a timberwolf yourself, Celestia's voice mused, Perhaps it may have been your exposure to the gemstones. No matter-- just as your previous form was, this one likely will not hold for very long.
Feeling returned to the Voidtrotter's body from the ground up, starting at their new wooden paws. Bits and pieces of fine wooden chips and greenery formed the padding that returned their sense of touch-- quickly hidden away and protected by a layer of touch bark. The aura built its way up as progressively stronger and heavier twigs and sticks adhered to the Voidtrotter's new form. A dull off-green glow lit behind the Voidtrotter's new face as they opened their new eyes.
What kind of strange creature are you? the Voidtrotter could hear the Alpha timberwolf grumble, You were associated with the thieving ponies when you stumbled upon us as a winged, birdlike beast, but now you take the form of our pack. You truly are strange, intruder.
A nearby crash took the Voidtrotter's attention off their new form. A panicked stallion-- possibly even one of the farmers from before, rushed from a hut moments before another root brust through said hut, spraying debris in every direction. The tree stood still for several seconds after absorbing the remnants of the hut. A punctuated crac-ca-ca-ca-cack tore through the air, accompanied with the tree shredding itself to pieces and quickly pulling together to form yet another timberwolf. Just as with the Voidtrotter, all that remained of the hut it had decimated was a single, glistening gemstone.
The new timberwolf took a passing glance at the Voidtrotter, peering deep into their own eyes before bounding off into the underbrush.
As for the Voidtrotter, they crouched low on the ground, readying themselves to--
...Not fly, they whispered under their breath, peering over their shoulder at the notable lack of wings. I shall walk instead.
They stared at the destruction surrounding them one more time, watching as more trees mutated and collapsed in the process of the settlement's destruction. There was no doubt that the Earth Ponies would rebuild following the event, however; whether it was their strange connection to Celestia, or perhaps some deep-hidden knowledge they held, something within the Voidtrotter knew that these ponies would come to rebuild, and eventually even push back the timberwolves, coming back stronger every time.
Without another word, the Voidtrotter turned away, leaving the pandemonium behind. Perhaps they would be wrong, and the timberwolves would drive the ponies to another land, or even wipe them out entirely. There was no guarantee of what could or couldn't happen, after all-- Celestia never mentioned whether this land would serve as the setting for the future.
We are done here, Celestia's voice echoed in the Voidtrotter's head. There is nothing else that remains for you to experience within this realm.
The land warped beneath the Voidtrotter's paws, undulating in waves before flattening out and fading away, leaving behind once again the Void.
As usual, this is where the story leaves off. We'll wipe the slate clean, leaving only the Timberwolf form of the Voidtrotter while everything else is once again determined by you, the readers of the story.
Here are some guiding questions you may choose to answer, or you may suggest your own ideas separate from the prompts:
What will the next setting be? What time period is it in?
What characters might the Voidtrotter meet next?
How long will the Voidtrotter's current form hold, and how will the next set of characters react?
Will Celestia end up letting out her inner troll at some point or another?
A story about the Voidtrotter. They were a strange creature, taking the form of whatever the readers may choose; a griffon, perhaps, or a timberwolf. As for now, they remained in the latter form, unconscious in the infinite depths of the Void.
The name they were once known by-- Cookie, no longer applied here. Gone was the name others once referred to the Voidtrotter by, for the world in which it was given no longer existed.
A whisper, a murmur of words from beyond the Void. Was it the soothing voice of Celestia? The Voidtrotter couldn't tell. This was not a single voice, however. This was the voice of many; the voice of a crowd, the voice of an audience, the voice of the reader.
"Mistwalker," the voice echoed, "The next realm you enter will know you by Mistwalker..."
Mistwalker it was, then. The Voidtrotter was no character to object being deemed worthy of a name. Though they had existed for only a brief period of time thus far, a name helped to connect them, to make them feel more grounded, like the ponies and the timberwolves of the past realm.
They blinked, their eyes still two glowing green orbs within the wooden frame of a timberwolf. How were they able to hold such a form in the Void? Was it that they still had shards of the gemstone embedded within them? Maybe they were beginning to grow stronger in their abilities, therefore being able to hold their form for longer.
Nevertheless, it was of little matter what form they existed in. They simply existed, and that was what mattered. They could experience the world, and that was what mattered.
They lived, and that was what mattered.
But what of their next adventure? What strange reality may our character be thrust into next? We have witnessed an odd realm of Earth Ponies and timberwolves thus far, but little else beyond.
"Starlight Glimmer," Celestia's voice mused to itself somewhat distantly. "A prodigious unicorn of near-unparalleled might, matching even my own former student in magical potential."
A wooden ear perked at Celestia's musings. Was it an indication of where the Voidtrotter may be sent next? They were not sure, but the prospect of encountering such a powerful being excited them.
"Where must I go next?" the Voidtrotter asked, their voice fading into the still darkness.
"You shall be sent to a dying universe created by Starlight Glimmer prior to her reform," Celestia's voice boomed, "You will learn of hardship and war, but may attempt to help in any way you wish. This universe is rapidly deteriorating as it stands, and so your journey may potentially be cut short."
A dim light flickered into view before the Voidtrotter, steadily growing in size and brightness until it enveloped their entire field of view in a blinding white.
The Voidtrotter blinked, squinting as they held a wooden paw over their eyes. The light around them was rapidly fading, leaving behind the view of a war-torn landscape.
Our next journey will take you to one of many rather bleak potential outcomes of the battle between Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer. The former was once a student of mine, though she is now the sole ruler of all Equestria. The latter, interestingly, upon defeat, would make a serious attempt to reform herself, and would come under the tutelage of Twilight before ultimately moving on to assist in the affairs of her School of Friendship.
A flash of light caught their eye. Smoke was rising from the area they'd seen it come from. It took a few moments, but a heavy boom tore through the air not long after. It was for sure an explosion of some kind, though why it happened remained a mystery.
A group of pegasi soared overhead, apparently armed for battle. In the distance, the Voidtrotter spot two alicorns mingled amongst a clashing group of ponies. The occasional glint of gold-hued armor sparkled in the distance. Without another word, the Voidtrotter bounded off toward the battle.
Arrows grazed overhead. Sometimes they struck their targets -- the various ponies laying about mortally wounded told it all -- but other times, the arrows would ricochet, more than a few times even striking the Voidtrotter themselves.
No matter, however; this timberwolf form paid no mind to such weaponry. Try as they might, any pony attempting to physically destroy such a body as the Voidtrotter's would only do so in vain.
The ground rocked with the rumble of an explosion. A plume of smoke wandered through the air overhead, the screams of dying soldiers piercing through the air.
"What is a creature such as you doing here?" Celestia-- this world's Celestia began, landing in front of the Voidtrotter. "This is no place for a timberwolf. Flee, lest you perish in the war!"
Of course, the Voidtrotter couldn't tell that this Celestia wasn't their own. They stood silent, cocking their head at the alicorn speaking to them.
"Celestia, for her part, only shook her head and turned away.
That is not me, Celestia's voice commented, Rather, it is one of the many incarnations of myself that exists. You have not yet met me in my physical form.
A strange, guttural groan rippled through the air. The ground underneath warped, sending ponies on both sides of the war tumbling. Gradually, the dirty snow-laden ground changed color. First pink, then green, even blue at times, before ultimately settling on a strange, yellow-black stripe design.
"I do say," Discord chuckled, popping his head from an open hatch in the ground, "Honeybees do have quite a fashion sense! Remind me to tell Fluttershy to tell Rarity that later."
He cleared his throat, craning his neck toward the Voidtrotter.
"Oh, and who are you?"
The Voidtrotter froze; they'd never seen such a creature as Discord before, let alone be asked their name by one. The name Cookie was no longer relevant to this realm, and thus, a new one must be used.
"Mist..." the Voidtrotter's eyes turned to the red-tinted clouds hanging overhead, "walker. I call myself Mistwalker."
"Well how'dyado, Mistwalker?"
The Voidtrotter leaned away from Discord. This was a mistake, talking to the draconequus. Something within them told them to run far from this creature.
"Tut, tut!" Discord scolded, donning a teacher's outfit, "I know what you're thinking, Misty. You want to run from me, don't you?"
He held out a stone. There was absolutely nothing special about it in any way, shape or form.
A stray arrow grazed his paw, sending the stone flying right into the Voidtrotter's mouth.
"Cack!" the Voidtrotter choked, jumping away in surprise. The stone seemed firmly lodged in their wooden throat, and no amount of coughing and hacking seemed to dislodge it.
Release your form, Voidtrotter. You may create a new body later.
Without skipping a beat, the Voidtrotter's timberwolf body dropped limp to the ground, shattering into thousands of wooden scraps. A single stone lay in the middle of it all.
"Well then," Discord grumbled under his breath, "I supposed that's one way to kill a timberwolf. Now, as for the ghost haunting me because of that..."
The Voidtrotter felt their ethereal form get yanked closer to Discord.
"Let's try a little something, shall we?"
He snapped his claw. A blazing light enveloped the Voidtrotter, fading seconds later to reveal some kind of duplicate. However, this copy was darker, smokier, and seemed to have the same reddish hue that the clouds overhead seemed to take on.
"Oh dear," Discord facepalmed, his paw passing through his face and smacking against a second face, "It looks like your new counterpart's edgy!"
That's an interesting little way to end the chapter. Some ideas weren't able to be used in this chapter on account of requiring some amount of time to pass, so they will carry on to the next chapter.
There aren't any prompts this time for what should happen next, so feel free to talk about anything!
Celestia's voice once again filled the Voidtrotter's mind. "The war-torn realm you were sent to has crumbled. There is no hope in sustaining any kind of adventure there for you. I have pulled you back into the Void for the time being, as it is safest for you here."
A window opened within the Void, casting a bleak image of the deteriorating world. Another explosion rocked the miniature landscape, sending shudders down the Voidtrotter's spine.
"They care only for survival in that realm. I am afraid you could be caught in the nonsense, and lose yourself among the casualties. You will remain here until a new opportunity arises."
And for now, that is where the story shall remain. The Void; the realm between worlds. Where the Voidtrotter may adventure next is up to you.
The Voidtrotter landed with an anticlimactic thud. Where were they again? They had never noticed Celestia charging her horn, or really even a transportation spell, for that matter.
"I say, Voidtrotter," Discord's voice snaked, "You do look rather dashing in that pose. Would you like to be my hat?"
Whump.
Discord caught the Voidtrotter in his arms. Rather surprisingly, the now-solidified form of their counterpart from before also landed in the draconequus' arms, bridal-style.
"My, you two are quite the handful," he smirked, snapping a claw. The world around them began to warp, transforming from the barren wasteland of a warzone they'd become acquainted with to a quiet suburb in the middle of the day. "Anyhow, I've got tea time with Fluttershy now. Toodles!"
And with that, the draconequus vanished, leaving the Voidtrotter and their counterpart alone on the road. A strange, metallic vehicle approached, growing ever larger as it drew closer and closer to the two.
The Voidtrotter yelped, bounding away as the strange vehicle crashed through their counterpart. Not so surprisingly, however, said counterpart appeared unharmed. Even in their current form of some kind of solidified mist, they appeared to be impervious to harm.
"What're you lookin' at?" the Voidtrotter's counterpart scoffed. They dusted themselves off, watching the Voidtrotter sit on their haunches.
A stray twig peeled away from the Voidtrotter's body and onto the strange stonework lining the streets.
"Momma, momma, look, it's a doggy!"
The Voidtrotter froze. That was a child's voice. What would the locals of this realm think of them? Would they be seen as a beast to be scorned and driven away? Or perhaps they'd be seen as a pet, and be taken in by benevolent caretakers. The Voidtrotter bristled at a final thought, however.
"Food," their counterpart echoed their thoughts. "You think they must see us as food. Aye, 'tis a shame if they indeed do. Blood shall be spilt for our own survival it if is the case."
"Mommy," the child's voice continued, "Why is the scary smoke doggy talking? Is it mad at the stick doggy?"
"Shh, let's not get too close, honey," the mother's voice assured the child, "They might be fighting. Come on, let's go."
The Voidtrotter caught a glimpse of two bipedal figures passing by-- the mother and the child, they assumed. If they were the native lifeform in this realm, then it'd be a little more logical to take on such a native form. Nevertheless, such a task remained beyond their ability. This body of wood and leaves remained firmly anchored to their being by the strange magicks of the timberwolves, and it didn't appear that such a construct was going to be shed anytime soon.
Another strange vehicle rumbled past. The Voidtrotter felt a tap on their shoulder and turned to face their counterpart.
"I desire a butter knife," the counterpart wavered under the bright sunlight. "'Tis a strange desire, but a desire nonetheless."
And so, we leave this chapter as it is; at the beginning of a quest for a butter knife. I will not be considering any suggestions for the time being, as I wish to bring some more consistency to this story first before continuing with comment-driven chapters.
So it appears that our protagonist has found themselves on the other side of the mirror portal. Discord has created a duplicate of them, setting this duplicate free to accompany our protagonist for the time being.
...And the author continues to struggle to write a cohesive story for this story.
"It's over."
The Voidtrotter cocked their head. They blinked, finding themself suddenly plunged back into their long-familiar namesake plane of existence.
"There is nothing more that this universe may afford to you, Voidtrotter," Celestia's voice echoed around them. "Unfortunately, this means that your adventure must be cut short. You yourself, however, may live on, bearing the legacy of your name's meaning. You will continue to be, and always will be, the Voidtrotter; you have my permission to explore other worlds, other realities-- anything, anywhere. You are no longer shackled to this lone plane of existence, Voidtrotter."
The Voidtrotter blinked again.
"Be free, Voidtrotter. Become yourself. Find yourself."
For the first time ever, Celestia-- that is, the one that'd been speaking to the Voidtrotter all along, emerged from the darkness, bowing her head. Her once elegant and flowing mane had long-since been reduced to shaggy tufts, and she even appeared to be sagging in some places.
"Ce...les...tia?" the Voidtrotter craned their neck for a better look at the aging Alicorn.
Celestia bowed her head to the Voidtrotter. "I am old and withered; I cannot burden myself much more with maintaining the existence of the realms you visit within this plane. That... that is why I must let you go."
The ancient Alicorn closed her eyes, lighting her horn one final time. There was no time left for the Voidtrotter to respond before they were engulfed in a blinding light.
