Five years after vanishing without a trace, Twilight Sparkle returns to Equestria with quite the tale to tell.
Five years have passed since Twilight Sparkle vanished while visiting her friends at Canterlot High. According to Sunset Shimmer, she never came through the other side of the portal.
Now as her friends and family gather in Ponyville, as they have every year on the anniversary of Twilight's disappearnce, they are shocked when the very last last pony they expected shows up.
Twilight has grown in the five years she has been away, and has quite the story to tell. Of a world held in terror of a monster known as Sin.
And the quest to bring its thousand year reign of terror to an end.
In all of its history, Ponyville could never remember being this downtrodden. It was a feeling that anypony coming off the train could feel as well. But none would ever blame the inhabitants.
It was a city in mourning in all but name.
Even with all that though, the Mane 6 and Spike tried to be upbeat as they met the princesses and several others at the train station. After a few quick and quiet words, they retreated to the Castle of Friendship.
No one who saw them stopped them or even bowed to Celestia, Luna, Cadance, or even Flurry Heart. None of the alicorns paid any mind though.
They no longer cared enough to.
As they came to the Throne Room, the girls and Spike took their seats on their respective thrones, while everypony else made do with the best chairs Rarity could come up with. During all this, the fought to keep their eyes off one throne in particular.
One that had remained empty and unused for five years.
Twilight had never really used it before her disappearance, but it was a constant reminder of her even now.
It had started out so innocently as well. Twilight had planned to visit her friends at Canterlot High for a few days now that the Friendship Games were over. Her quick trip before had run off the rails after meeting her counterpart.
But after a week had passed and she still hadn't returned, the girls had become worried. Starlight Glimmer, after some instruction from Spike, had finally asked Sunset Shimmer if there had been a change of plans and Twilight had just forgotten to tell them. Her reply had broken their hearts.
Twilight had never come through the portal.
At that point, Spike had sent a letter to Princess Celestia explaining what had happened and what they knew. She and Luna had shown up even before the group had a chance to think of it all.
One quick pulse of magic had confirmed Celestia's fears. The World Mirror had worked, but instead of going to Canterlot High as normal, it had taken Twilight someplace else entirely. Starlight even did some tests to confirm it.
What had come next had been another knife to their hearts. Yes, Twilight was more than likely alive and had arrived at where the mirror had taken her, but there were literally billions of different worlds she could have ended up on. It would take them years just to look through them all, let alone find a way to bring Twilight home safe and sound.
And that was assuming of course that world had magic, and one that they could work with at that. It was a long shot, to say the least, that it would ever work.
The news had gone out later that week, courtesy of Rainbow Dash not being able to keep it a secret, that Princess Twilight was missing. All of Equestria had looked for her all over the world with no luck since. And that was with the help of Queen Novo of Mount Aris.
Only the girls, Spike, her family, and the princesses, knew the truth. And once a month, for four years now, they would gather at Twilight's castle, hoping against hope that she may have come home or there had been a breakthrough.
Now though, as Princess Celestia finished explaining the next day's events, the mood was even more somber than normal. They had all known it was coming at some point, but it didn't make the pain of hearing it less.
Twilight was to be declared lost to Equestria, and a memorial in her memory was to be organized here in Ponyville and in Canterlot. To her family and friends, it was their worst fears come true.
Twilight was never coming home, and even if by some chance she did in the future, they wouldn't be there to welcome her back.
Celestia at this point had run herself ragged in the search for her friend and fellow princess. So much so that Luna had taken on most of her responsibilities outside of raising and lowering the sun. All could see that Luna too was almost burnt out.
While she and Twilight had never been super close like her sister was, she still considered the mare a friend. Her first real friend outside of her sister since her return to Equestria.
Hearing what she had from her aunt, Cadance swore that Flurry Heart would always know all about her Auntie Twilight. And if Twilight ever did come home, she had plenty to fill her in on about her favorite niece.
As the group prepared to turn in for the night, they all hoped that, wherever she was, Twilight was safe, happy, and making new friends. Pinkie had always said Twilight could make friends with rocks if she really wanted to. No one could argue with that as they had laughed at the idea.
Just then though, everyone heard a loud humming coming from the Main Library. Spike and the girls shared a shocked look, knowing what it was, but that didn't make any sense.
It was the World Mirror powering up. But that couldn't be right. The mirror hadn't worked since Twilight had vanished. It wasn't even hooked up. Running over though, they could all see that the mirror was indeed on and open. Before they could make sense of it though, a figure came flying through and landed before them in what could charitably be called a controlled landing. Their jaws dropped in shock when they saw who it was.
It was Twilight, but not as they remembered her. She was soaking wet for one, and she was now as tall as Luna was. Her eyes showed wisdom beyond her years. As they stepped closer, they could hear her grumbling something.
"Uggh. Why did the portal have to be there? Besaid, Lucca, heck I'd have even taken Bevelle and dealing with New Yevon, but no. It had to be Baaj Temple. Stupid inter-dimensional travel. Stupid Sin for wrecking for the place."
She didn't have the chance to say more as she was tackled in a massive group hug by her Ponyville friends and Spike with a cry of "Twilight!" And assaulted by questions like "Where have you been?" "Why are you wet?" And "When did you get so big?"
Twilight smiled. "Guys, I'm happy to see you too, but give me some room. It's a very long story, but I'd like to go dry off first. I'm freezing."
Everyone got off her at this point. They could all see that she was indeed shivering and definitely needed a towel or ten and something warm to drink.
While Twilight teleported to the nearest bathroom, and Pinkie and Spike headed for the kitchen to get hot cocoa for everyone, the others could only wait and wonder. What had happened to Twilight in the five years since they had last seen her make her like this, and where had she been to?
***
After a while, and once Cadance had put Flurry Heart to bed, Twilight returned to the Throne Room looking much better than when she had first arrived. Everyone had a million questions for her but held off, not sure where to start.
Princess Celestia finally broke the silence. "Well Twilight, I think we should start with where exactly have you been?"
Twilight smiled widely. "Oh, you know. Helped save the world a few times, made some awesome new friends. The usual." She paused a moment. "Girls, why does Ponyville feel so sad? What happened?"
Cadance felt her breath hitch. She too had felt it. "It's you Twilight. You've been gone for so long. You know how much Ponyville loves you, so..."
Twilight felt her heart drop. "How long was I gone?"
Velvet shared an uncomfortable look with Night Light and Shining Armor. "Honey, I don't think-"
Twilight gave her a hard look. "Mom, please. How long?"
Applejack sighed. "It's been five years Twi. We honestly didn't think you were coming back. Or at least this soon."
Twilight tapped her chin. "Then I was right. Time does flow differently in Equestria than in Spira." She pushed aside the darker thoughts that arose then. "So did I miss anything while I was gone?"
"Not really. Kinda quiet without you around," Rainbow said with a smirk.
Cadance decided not to mention Flurry Heart just yet. It would be a great surprise for Twilight in the morning.
Twilight returned Rainbow's smirk. "Well, where I've been it's been anything but quiet. You might wanna get comfy. It's a long story, and I can't tell it all tonight even if I wanted to."
She got a faraway look in her eyes as she conjured a large screen above the map table, made so that no matter where they sat, all would see the same thing at the same time. Now it showed the Main Library on that fateful day five years earlier.
"I guess it all started five years ago now," Twilight began as the image began to move.
In the Main Library of the Castle of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle hummed happily as she set up the World Mirror. She had already sent word to Sunset and her friends she was coming over for a few days.
With the Friendship Games done, with no crisis currently going on in Equestria, Twilight thought it was high time she spends time with her human friends. And as weird as it still was, get to know her counterpart better.
Their first meeting had been strange, to say the least. Now Twilight wanted to try it with nothing hanging over either of their heads.
Spike was not going with her this time. With nothing going on at Canterlot High, he didn't feel like being stuck as a dog for however long Twilight decided to stay for.
For the rest of their Ponyville friends, they were used to this by now. But for Starlight Glimmer, this was her first time to actually see the portal in action. It had been explained to her of course. But seeing it work was another thing entirely. She had already promised to help Twilight in researching it when they had the chance. Now she couldn't wait.
The mirror soon hummed to life. Giving everyone a final glance and an "I'll be back in a few days." Twilight stepped through and was gone.
Even as she did though, all saw a wave of some kind come through the mirror. As it passed through them, they all saw something that would stay with them for a long time.
A city in ruins. Under attack by something they couldn't see, but they all felt it. Vast, powerful, and, something else they couldn't put a hoof on.
Starlight and Spike shared an uneasy look. It reminded them of the so-called Ashlands Timeline they had seen during their misadventures through time. But this felt like more than that. Far more.
Applejack finally broke the silence. "Y'all saw that, right?"
Everyone nodded. "What. What was it?" Fluttershy asked.
"I. I'm not sure. It felt like a wave of magic. But not like any magic I've ever felt before," Rarity replied.
Starlight nodded. "That was a kind of magic. I'm all for new magic, but this isn't like anything I've ever felt before either."
"So what are we supposed to do? Twilight went through the same time that thing did," Rainbow added.
"Not much we can do, unless you guys wanna go through after her?" Spike asked. Nopony volunteered. "Then I say we wait. Maybe it was nothing and Twilight's fine." He gave the mirror another look. "Besides if anything did happen, she has friends over there that'll help her."
Figuring Spike had a point, having done it several times himself, the girls decided to wait it out and hope for the best.
None of them knew it then, but that would be the last time any of them saw Twilight Sparkle for a long time.
***
Twilight knew something was wrong the moment she entered the portal. What it was she couldn't tell, but the feeling wouldn't leave her alone. She just hoped it was nothing.
When she finally stopped spinning and was spat out the other end, she noticed three things right off the bat.
"Wait. This isn't Canterlot High."
"Why am I still a pony?"
And last but certainly not least.
"Huh. I'm floating in mid-air." Right before gravity decided to reassert itself.
"Gahh!" Was all she could say before she fell to the ground with a resounding thump and splash. Picking herself up and giving herself a quick shake, she looked around and took stock of where exactly she was. Wherever it was, it was in rough shape.
Huge piles of rubble littered the ground. Farther up the walls, windows let in a steady stream of water. Several doors lead off into rooms or corridors that lead who knew where. The ceiling looked like it had intricately carved reliefs but from down here Twilight couldn't be sure.
Looking up to where she had first come from, she watched in horror as the portal shimmered before it vanished without a trace.
That finally drove home her new reality. She was in a strange world now, who knew where compared to whatever civilizations the world might have, and her only way home had just closed on her. How long before it would open again? Or would it ever open again?
Twilight hiccuped as her tears began to fall. She wiped them away after a moment. "No. Crying will not get me home or anywhere," she said aloud. It helped calm her nerves a bit. But not by much.
At this point, she finally noticed how cold it was in the room. Looking toward the middle of the room though, she found the remains of a bonfire that still smoldered and sent off smoke. With how wet it was, it was a miracle it was still lit at all. Next to it sat a small stack of firewood.
Nothing a little Heat Spell couldn't fix of course. Fire Magic was her natural element after all. Within a few short moments, Twilight had a nice little blaze going. She began to warm up immediately as she sighed and sat down next to it.
For a time she just sat there and let her mind wander while watching the flames dance and crackle. Occasionally she would look around the room, taking in all of the details she could of it. She admitted that whoever or whatever had built it had known their craft well. It reminded her of Canterlot in a way.
But way wetter. She chuckled at the thought as she looked back at the fire. Right now she needed a plan. Assuming she could find a way out of here, then what? This was a world she had no knowledge of and unlike the Human World, she seriously doubted she would find local versions of her friends and Sunset. That would be too easy. If the fact that she was still a pony was an indication, so then what?
For a time she lost track of the world outside her vision. How long she was like this she didn't know. At some point, Twilight nodded off. When she came to, the fire had gone out and the cold had returned with a vengeance. Groaning at her inability to pay attention, she ignited her horn and prepared to add another log and restart the blaze.
Before she had a chance to though, an almighty boom shook the room, causing her to yelp and jump five feet in the air in shock. Twilight looked around the room as the echos faded, waiting to see if it came again. A moment later, another boom sounded throughout the room, along with the sound of falling rubble.
Coming back down to the ground, Twilight waited nervously, hoping that whatever had caused that was gone now. After a few minutes of nothing, she sighed in relief and turned back to the fire.
Just before she could apply the spell though, she heard the rubble in front of one of the doors begin to move. Looking around, she could see that something was trying to move it out of the way.
As she watched, the last thing she expected to see here pushed his way into view. But he didn't look like the humans she knew. His skin was lighter in tone and his clothes looked like nothing she had ever seen before. When he saw her though, his eyes grew larger, before he pulled what seemed to be a red-hued sword from his back.
Twilight threw her hooves up, hoping to show she wasn't a threat. "Wait! I'm not a threat."
He blinked in surprise. "You. You can talk?"
Twilight huffed. "Of course I can talk. Why? Can't ponies here?"
"I don't even know what a pony is," he replied.
Twilight gulped but stored that little bit of information away for later. One look at his blade showed he knew how to use it. "Look. Can you please put that down? I think we got off on the wrong hoof here. I'm Twilight Sparkle."
Still looking fully convinced, the youth put his sword down nonetheless. "Tidus. Don't suppose you know where we are?"
Twilight shook her head, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry. I don't even know how I get here myself. Wherever here is."
Tidus did smile a bit at that. "That makes two of us then." Walking over to her, he gave the woodpile a look. "I don't suppose you have a way to get this started?"
Twilight smiled. Igniting her horn, she added a few more logs and lit them ablaze. Immediately the room began to warm up once more. Sitting down with a triumphant grin, she saw the look on Tidus's face. He seemed to know the magic in some way, but not like her own it seemed.
His next question proved it. "How did you do that?"
Twilight's grin grew. "Magic."
Tidus just shook his head in disbelief as he sat down next to her. "That wasn't like any magic I've ever seen before. But thanks. This place is freezing."
For a while, the two just sat there in silence, deep in their own thoughts. Twilight was still trying to digest all she now knew of this world. It wasn't much, but it was still enough to get her mind working.
Tidus meanwhile was trying to make heads or tails of his new companion. She was strange for sure, but the longer they sat, the more he began to think otherwise. He was a stranger in this world too. No thanks to Auron and Sin that is.
After a time he dozed off into a strange dream. Twilight watched him as he did. Shaking her head, she turned back to the fire and her own swirling thoughts. Eventually, she too fell asleep again.
Neither of them ever noticed the pair of eyes that watched them from an upper story balcony.
***
Sometime later, Twilight woke with a start. Looking around, she noticed the fire had gone out. Tidus wasn't looking at though, but something above them.
Before she could ask what was going on, he whispered. "We're not alone," and pointed upwards. Looking in the same direction, Twilight felt her stomach drop. Vaguely, the creature resembled a stick insect, but much larger. Details were lost with distance, but its eyes seemed to glow.
Before either of them had a chance to react, to began skittering around the balcony before launching itself directly at them. Just in time, they jumped out of the way as it landed between them and rose up in an obvious attack posture.
At this range, Twilight could see that it was definitely a predator. It radiated an aura of menace that few she had met ever had. Which also made reasoning with seemingly out of the question. With that thought, she took stock of what they had.
The good news was that they had it surrounded front and back. The bad news was that she didn't know if any of her spells would work on it. None of them were designed for combat, on top of a new world and she had no idea of how it's magic worked.
Levitation and teleportation were all that she could think of that might be able to do something as she ducked a swipe from one of its pincers. And that laser blast she had used during the failed Changeling Invasion of Canterlot.
Any other thoughts were put on hold as the thing attacked them in earnest now. Tidus managed to dodge most of the swipes while getting in a few blows of his own, but the thing just shrugged them off.
Twilight finally took aim and fired a spell blast at the back of its head. It got its attention at least as it turned on her, allowing Tidus time to land another blow. This went on for what felt like hours but was only maybe ten, fifteen minutes, the two alternating between Twilight's magic and Tidus's sword skills.
Eventually though, Twilight felt her magic begin to run low, and this thing was still not slowing down. "This isn't working," she yelled as she dodged another pincer swipe by barely an inch. "We need a new plan."
Before Tidus could respond, another set of doors was blown off their hinges. Looking behind them, Twilight watched as six figures entered the room, all of them heavily armed and pointing their weapons at the three of them.
One stepped forward, gesturing with her hand. Twilight didn't know what she meant, but she seemed willing to help. And they could use all the help they could at the moment.
"You're on how side? Cool," Tidus said with a grin before returning his attention to their bug problem. The newcomer nodded before taking something from her belt and tossed it at the creature. The resulting explosion rocked the room.
When the smoke cleared, the thing was still standing, but all could see it was on its last legs. Charging her horn, Twilight put all of her magic in one last shot and fired. This time it worked. The creature screeched in pain as it collapsed, finally dead, before breaking into several balls of light that quickly faded away.
Letting out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding, Twilight looked up in time to see Tidus grabbed and held at knifepoint by one of the figures.
"Fryd ec drec?" One said in a strange language.
"Y fiend! Eh rishy tekieca! Oac! Ed ec cu!" Another added.
"Fa gem ed?" The first asked.
"Fyed. Frydev ech rishy?" The who had helped them finally stepped in.
"Dra yna dra cysa eh tadyr," one replied.
"E vunpet ed! Fa pnehk ed fedr ic," their friend replied before she walked over to Tidus. Whispering something Twilight couldn't hear, she punched him in the stomach. He was out before he hit the ground.
Now Twilight was annoyed. "Hey!" She yelled as she ran over. She stopped dead in her tracks when the group turned their weapons on her.
They turned to what she assumed was their leader. "Fryd ypuid drec?" One asked.
By now, Twilight was shaking in her hooves, all that had happened to her finally coming back with a vengeance as she looked down their barrels. It must have shown too for their friend's gaze softened considerably before replying in perfect Equish.
"She comes too."
The others only nodded before gesturing for Twilight to follow them. She could only nod as she fell in line with them. Just what had she got herself into now?
***
Sometime later, Twilight found herself on the deck of some kind of ship. Tidus had been dumped next to her, still out cold. For the next long while, they were left alone. All she could do was just sit and admire the sea as it passed by. Her thoughts were still a jumble over everything, and the ship wasn't helping that. But she knew one thing, however.
Twilight Sparkle and the sea did not mix. Her stomach was doing flipflops all the time. Eventually, though, Tidus began to stir. The guards must have heard him for they turned and shoved him back down rather rudely.
"Ced iybedja!" One said.
"Hey, that hurts!" Tidus grumbled.
"Hu sujhek rayn?" The other asked.
Tidus put up his hands. "Whoa... okay."
Just as Twilight was about to step in, a door opened behind the guards and out stepped two figures. One she knew from earlier, but the other was new. But by the way the other bowed to him, he was most likely their leader.
"Caynir res!" He commanded as they came before them. Both guards pulled Tidus up, and Twilight stood on her own. The man began to make an odd series of gestures with his hands, one's Twilight or Tidus didn't understand.
"Right, whatever," Tidus said, summing it all up for both of them.
"Tu oui hud cybayg," the man replied with obvious confusion before pulling out a necklace and repeating the gestures.
"I said I don't understand," Tidus shot back.
"Ehcumala!" One of the guards replied as he pointed his weapon at Tidus's chest.
Their friend stepped in at this point. "Fyed!" She commanded before she turned to the two of them. "He said you guys can stay if you make yourselves useful."
Tidus gave her a shocked look. "You, you understand us?" One of the guards hit him in the back of the head. "Alright, I'll work!"
Twilight took a few seconds longer to decide. "Me too."
That seemed to calm them down as the girls explained exactly what they were looking for. "We found some ancient ruins right beneath us. It's not active now, but there should still be some power left. We're gonna go down there and activate it... and then we should be able to salvage the big prize!"
Twilight and Tidus could only murmur in agreement. Twilight though was interested for sure. Ancient or not, any chance to study more of this world was something she wouldn't pass up.
'Okay, let's get to work!" The girl exclaimed with an enthusiasm that reminded Twilight of Pinkie Pie.
Tidus smiled. "Roger!" And ran over to the side of the ship. Giving a thumbs up, he jumped in while everyone gave him a deadpan look.
The girl turned back to Twilight. "You can swim, right?"
Twilight nodded as she ignited her horn and cast a Water Breathing Spell on herself before she joined her companion in jumping after Tidus. Together they began the long swim down to the ruins. Even from this distance, Twilight could see that they had been down here for a long time. Centuries for sure. Up close, she could see whole sections were missing.
Swimming in through one such hole, they found their way blocked by some kind of door. Not for long as Tidus swam up and began pounding on what looked like the control panel. It soon opened into a circular chamber with another corridor on the other side.
This one had no blockage as they swam through it. In the center of the next room was what looked like some kind of generator that the girl pointed to. Seeing this as her chance to prove she could pull her weight, Twilight shot a bolt of electricity into it. Sure enough, after a few shakes, lights began to wink on all over the structure.
Getting a nod of approval from the girl, the trio returned the way they came. Twilight was just beginning to wonder what was next when something massive entered the room with them.
Up close it looked like a giant squid or octopus. It too had that same glow in its eyes that Twilight had seen in the stick creature, showing it wasn't natural in some way, and it was also blocking the exit.
This one had Twilight worried. She had no idea how effective her spells would be underwater for she had never tested it. The one bit of good news at least, as she dodged a tentacle, was that they had it outnumbered three to one.
Figuring they were getting nowhere like this, she charged her horn and fired. The beam hit it dead center but did no more than annoy the creature it seemed. Tidus followed this up with a sword slash and the girl with an explosive. Both also seemed to have no effect. It did cause the thing to swim to the other side of the room though.
While this did give them so much needed breathing space, Twilight didn't think it would be that easy. Sure enough, a moment later the thing charged back at them. None were hit, but all were sent spinning wildly.
This gave it time to launch another series of tentacle attacks. This time on hit Twilight dead center in her chest and sent her crashing against the wall behind her. How she wasn't coughing up blood she didn't know, but that had taken the wind right out of her.
The girl saw this and winced before looking through her belt and tossing a capsule of some kind of liquid to Twilight, motioning that she should drink it. Twilight took it as her companion threw another bomb at the squid. It wasn't the most pleasant thing she had ever drunk, but the effect was amazing. She hadn't felt this good in a long time and all her pain was gone as well.
Mad now, Twilight fired another beam at the creature when there was an opening. This time she saw that they were indeed hurting it, as it again retreated to the other side of the room. Figuring it was better than nothing, Tidus motioned a pincer movement with his hands. Both girls nodded as he swam around to the front while they swam around behind it, confusing the creature.
A few more minutes, and the thing again dissolved into the same light show as the other creature had. Twilight finally relaxed. That had been as much work as her fight against Starlight had been. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to do it again anytime soon.
Neither of her companions was hurt that badly, and another round of the same drink had them all back to normal again. Swimming out a nearby hole in the wall, a series of lights began to activate all along the structure, giving some much-needed brightness to the underwater world.
Swimming down with the others, Twilight finally saw what they had presumably been after. From up here, it looked like an airship. But not like any Twilight had ever seen in Equestria. But she chalked that up to this being a completely different world.
***
When they returned to the ship again a while later, there was an exciting buzz to everyone. Some had already gotten back by the time Tidus and Twilight did.
"Fa vuiht dra airship!" One said.
"Dra naluntic fana nejrd!" Another said as Tidus and Twilight followed them to the door.
"Huf, ruf du tymyk ed ib?" The first said again as the door opened. As it did, one turned and pushed Tidus back out.
"Oui, uidecta!"
"Hey!" He replied with an annoyed tone as the door began to close. "Hey we helped out didn't we?"
No one seemed to care as the door closed, locking them both out.
***
Again, the two of them lay on the deck not really doing anything. Twilight tried to admire the night sky passing by. It was a beautiful sight for sure, but nothing was the same here. The stars, the constellations, everything. It just didn't have the same effect as Equestria.
"Uhh... hungry," Tidus grumbled again as Twilight shot him an annoyed look. It was driving her nuts having to listen to it over and over again. She was hungry too, but you didn't hear her complaining about now did you?
She was just about to tell as much when the door opened again and the girl from before returned, carrying what looked like a tray of food. She gave Tidus a good kick to get his attention.
When he did see it, his eyes lit up. "Whoa! Right on!" He said before digging in. Pretty soon though he began to choke on it. Luckily the girl had brought a water jug, one he happily accepted with a contented sigh.
"It's cause you eat to fast," she said, kneeling down next to them. Tidus nodded, stood, and walked around a bit while stretching before he turned back to her.
"Hello there. What is your name?" He asked.
The girl gave him a look. "Rikku."
"Whoa, you really do understand me!" He replied before doing a little victory dance and chuckling. He was a lot like Rainbow Dash Twilight thought with an eye roll.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" She asked.
"I didn't get a chance to. Everyone thought oui were a fiend."
"Uh "We?" Tidus asked.
"Oh. Oui means you," Rikku replied.
That didn't clear much up, but it was a start. "Who are you guys anyway?" Twilight asked.
"We're Al Bhed, can't you tell?" Rikku asked, before giving them a hard look. "Wait. You're not Al Bhed haters are you?"
"I don't even know what an Al Bhed is," Tidus replied, and Twilight couldn't agree more. She knew of different ethnicities from her time at Canterlot High. Maybe this was the same thing?
"We're you from?" Rikku asked.
"Zanarkand. I'm a Blitzball player. Star player for the Zanarkand Abes," Tidus replied with obvious pride.
Rikku though looked confused. "Did you, hit your head or something?"
Tidus gave her an annoyed look. "Um you guys hit me."
Rikku had the sense at least to look sheepish at that. "Oh right. Do you remember anything before that?"
So Tidus told them his life story up till then. Life in Zanarkand, Blitzball, and an attack by something called Sin. He ended by saying how he and a friend had been engulfed by a light before waking up outside of where Twilight had entered the world.
Partway through though, Rikku had gained a solemn expression, one that Tidus saw as soon as he finished. "Did I, say something funny?"
"You were near Sin," Rikku replied with obvious shock. This set off all kinds of alarm bells in Twilight's head. Something was up. Tidus nodded. "Don't worry, you'll be better in no time. They say your head gets funny when Sin is near. Maybe you had some kind of dream?"
Tidus was lost. "You mean I'm sick?"
Rikku nodded. "Because of Sin's toxin, yeah."
"You sure?" He asked.
Rikku nodded. "Yeah. There is no Zanarkand anymore. Sin destroyed it a thousand years ago. So no one plays Blitzball there."
Tidus was visibly shocked. "Wha, what do you mean a thousand years ago? But I saw Sin attack Zanarkand! You're saying that happened a thousand years ago? No way!"
***
No one said anything for a time after that. Rikku looked thoughtful whole Tidus was more annoyed than could remember being for some time now.
Twilight though was deep in thought. Something about this didn't feel right. She didn't think either was lying, but something wasn't adding up. Whatever it was, she felt this, Sin, had something more to it.
"You said, you play Bliztball?" Rikku asked suddenly. Tidus nodded. "You know, you should go to Luca. Someone might know who you are, or you find someone you recognize."
Tidus didn't look convinced. "Luca?"
Rikku groaned in exasperation before tapping him on the shoulder after a moment. "Okay. Leave it to me. I'll get you to Luca promise!" Tidus gave a surprised look. "You'd rather stay here?" He shook his head. "Okay. I'll go tell the others. Wait right here."
As she left though, she paused and turned back at the door. "Oh, and one thing. Don't tell anyone you're from Zanarkand okay? Yevon says it's a holy place. You might upset someone."
Both he and Twilight nodded as she left. For a time, neither spoke, both trying to digest all they had been told. Twilight was worried about what the reaction to her would be. Tidus would fit in fine while she stuck out like a sore hoof.
And assuming this, Yevon, was as powerful as Rikku made it sound, she didn't know what that would mean for her. She hoped that they could be reasonable.
Tidus though looked even more annoyed now about something. "No way!" He finally grumbled as he kicked something. Whatever it was, it seemed to rock the whole ship and sent them both falling to the deck with a thud. Off in the distance, something blasted out of the water as two guards came out on deck as whatever the spout had been came rushing toward the ship.
"Sin!" One shouted.
"Sin ec lusa!" The other replied.
"Ihtan ic! Ihtan ic!"
Whatever it was, it sent a wave of water over the deck. Twilight had no time to react as she washed overboard. The last thing she saw before everything went black was Tidus jumping in after her.
Twilight chuckled as she shut off the screen. "Looking back at it now, I'd say that was one heck of an introduction to maybe the most dangerous thing I've ever had to face."
Shining though didn't look very convinced. "It didn't look that bad. If that was all this, Sin could do, it sounds more annoying than anything else."
Twilight waved a hoof. "Oh please. That was just him coming to the surface. He wasn't even trying. Wait till you see all of him."
"And?" Rainbow asked. She actually looked like she was enjoying the show. "Come on, don't leave us hanging. This is just getting good."
Twilight shook her head. "Sorry Rainbow, but I think that's a good place to stop for tonight. The real adventure is just beginning. But it can wait till the morning. I'm beat."
Only now did everyone notice how late it was. All looked to be dead tired. Celestia herself looked to be half asleep on legs at the moment, and Luna still had her nightly duties to attend to.
Starlight though had a burning question, one that couldn't wait. "Twilight. I'm finding something very fishy with Tidus's story. Sure this is a different world we are talking about, but how can someone be thrown into the future a thousand years like that?"
Twilight's ears drooped as her gaze fell. "It's, not that simple Starlight. It was never that simple."
Everyone shared a confused look. They could feel that Twilight wasn't telling them something, but her look said she wasn't going to tell them. Not yet anyway.
Pinkie still had a question though. "So how come Rikku never asked about you?"
Twilight giggled as she looked back up. "She told me later that she had kinda forgotten about me once Tidus started his story. And then she didn't have a chance once we were washed overboard."
That made sense, everyone thought. They probably would have had the same reaction in her shoes.
Twilight stretched as she ignited her horn. "You can all spend the night here if you want. Me? I'm going to bed." And with that, she vanished in a flash of teleportation.
Seeing no reason not to, Spike and Starlight directed everyone to a spare bedroom, before turning in themselves. Starlight though could not sleep. Her mind was still wandering over details in Twilight's story that didn't make any sense.
Hopefully, it would all make sense in time.
***
Princess Luna, for the first time in a very long time, was at a loss for words at what she was looking at.
Her nightly patrol of the Dream Realm had just begun and tonight, like so many before it, she started with the Elements of Harmony. Before, with Twilight Sparkle gone, all had been sad and gloomy.
Now with her return, they were happy and glad and filled with the things Luna expected of them. But they were also filled with many questions over Twilight's story.
Luna herself had many questions, so when she finally came around to Twilight herself, she wasn't sure what she would find. What she saw though was beyond anything she had ever seen or heard of.
In the distance, by the shoes of the sea, a city lay in ruins. What was more incredible was their size. They were huge! To the right, a river of light flowed into the ruins. What it was Luna couldn't tell, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
To her immediate right, a small hill rose above the plain, topped with more rusted pieces of debris. At the bottom, in front of a small campfire, sat Twilight Sparkle, who was humming something as Luna walked up.
Twilight smiled as she saw her fellow princess join her. "Hey, Luna. Enjoying the view?"
Luna nodded with a smile. "Very much so Twilight. But what is all this?" She asked as she gestured at all before them.
Twilight looked out into the ruins. "The ruins of a city destroyed a thousand years ago. Many a world view was shattered here."
Luna was confused. "But there is no city, or ruins of one, like this in Equestria or our world."
Twilight smirked. "Who said this was Equus?"
Now it began to click for Luna. "You mean?"
Twilight nodded as gestured to the dead city. "This is, was, Zanarkand. The last stop on the Pilgrimage, where we learned the truth, and it destroyed a thousand years of lies."
She chuckled after a moment. "But I'm getting ahead of my story. So please don't tell anyone about this?"
Luna could only nod, knowing all of this would make more sense when Twilight came to this part of her story. Right now, none of it made any sense to her. Bidding her a good night, she retreated from the dream. But for the rest of the night, her mind was filled with many more questions.
And she would often think of the ruins of the city by the sea.
***
Twilight watched Luna go with a smile. She didn't worry about her telling everyone about this. Even for her, it still took her breath away now, even having seen it multiple times.
And she had also seen Zanarkand in its prime in Guadosalam, even if it had been built from the memories of those on the Farplane.
But for now, Twilight turned her gaze back to the fire, her mind filled with friends both old and new.
The next morning, Twilight had to wonder if she had left the window or something. It felt like something was crawling all over her. "Spike. I thought you said you were too old for this?" She mumbled.
A voice giggled. It reminded her of Cadance's now that she thought about it. "She thinks I'm Uncle Spike mommy. Think we should tell her?"
Cadance's giggle could be heard from the doorway. "I think she'll figure it out, honey."
That got Twilight's attention. What the hay was Cadance talking about? And who was she talking to?
Deciding that now would be a good time to wake up, Twilight opened her eyes. Only to come face to face with a grinning filly. Her milk-white coat looked like her brother's, but the multi-colored mane reminded her of Cadance's.
The filly's grin grew wider in a way that reminded her of Pinkie Pie. "Hi, Aunty Twilight! Bout time you woke up!"
"Flurry Heart," Cadance scolded from the doorway.
"What? It is," Flurry responded with an eye roll.
Wait, Aunty? Now Twilight was wide awake as she sat up, causing Flurry to take flight. Twilight's jaw dropped as she saw both the wings and horn she had. "What?" Was all her brain could think of at the moment.
Cadance giggled as she entered the room. "Flurry Heart, meet your Aunty Twilight. Twilight, meet your niece."
Twilight's brain finally started working as she looked at the filly that was floating before her. Now that she looked at her, she could see the family resemblance. Her grin would have made Pinkie proud as she squued.
"Oh my gosh. You're so cute!" She gushed as she rushed over and took the filly in her hooves.
Flurry harumphed. "I am not cute. I'm four. That's way too old to be cute."
Cadance chuckled as she ruffled her daughter's hair. "Well, I say you will always be cute. No matter how old you are."
Flurry tried to hide behind her wings. "Mom!"
Twilight and Cadance both giggled at the adorable sight. "When was she born?" Twilight asked.
Cadance frowned. "A few months after you left. It was going to the first big thing for the Crystal Empire they could really call their own. But nopony was celebrating. Not with you gone."
Twilight's ears drooped. "I'm sorry Cadance. I never wanted to be gone that long. You know that."
Cadance nodded. "I know, and the Crystaling was still a success. But it wasn't as joyous as it should've been. That Flurry is the first natural-born alicorn Equestria has ever known did raise spirits at least."
Twilight thought about that for a moment. "And Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both predate Equestria. I know I asked them at one point about it. I just never brought it up again."
Flurry's grin seemed to get bigger again. "And you get to be my Crystaler now too."
Twilight blinked. "Your what?"
Cadance sat down on the bed next to them. "It's a title usually given to the pony who mentors the child or children of the Royal Family for the empire. No one thought it was right we give it when you weren't there. We've held it for you."
Flurry nodded happily. "None of the ponies before you were much fun. Always trying to make a proper princess. Bleh." She punctuated that last part by sticking a hoof in her mouth. "That one pony, Sunburst, didn't even last an hour."
Twilight looked at Cadance. "Who's Sunburst?"
Cadance rolled her eyes. "He's an old friend of Starlight's. She was the one who said we should try him. It didn't feel right to say no to him. And to his credit, he tried. But he couldn't do it."
Flurry smile dropped. "He's nice at least. I like him."
Twilight thought about it for a moment, before she bowed to Cadance. "I would be honored to be Flurry's Crystaler."
"YAY!" Flurry squeed before she latched onto Twilight. "I won't let you down Aunty Twilight."
Both Twilight and Cadance giggled at the sight before Cadance stood up. "Come on. Your mom is making breakfast downstairs. Everyone is up. Even Rainbow Dash."
Twilight finally got out of bed as Flurry let go and flew alongside her. "Let me guess. They want the rest of the story?"
Cadance nodded. "Yep. You won't need to tell it again. I've already told Flurry what you showed us last night."
Twilight nodded. "Let me get refreshed and I'll meet you both downstairs."
***
Breakfast mostly quite, with Twilight alternating between eating and playing with Flurry Heart. No minded in the slightest of course. She had five years to make up for.
All of them had a million questions, of course, especially Luna after seeing Twilight's dream the night before, but all held off for now and waited for Twilight to start again.
Once breakfast was done with, all returned to the Throne Room as the night before. Twilight seemed more fit for her throne now as she took her place in it. It suited her.
Celestia was the first to break the silence. "Before you begin Twilight, I must ask. The magic you used last night is not quite like the one here in Equestria. That screen for instance."
Twilight nodded. "It's a combination of my magic and watching what machina do." At everyone's questioning looks, she added. "It's what machines are called in Spira. They play a huge part in what happened, but that won't come in for a while."
Igniting her horn, Twilight soon began her tail anew.
***
The first thing Twilight saw was blackness as she finally came to. Opening her eyes, she was greeted with the bottom of the ocean. With a gasp, she brought her head up above the water and looked around. Tidus floated next to her, out cold before he too spluttered and woke up and looked around. "Rikku!" He called.
Twilight was about to join him when something hit her in the back of the head. Irritated now, she looked behind her to see an island off in the distance, with several figures on it, waiving at them.
Tidus though grabbed the ball that had hit her. "Blitzball!" He exclaimed happily.
"Hey! You two okay?" One of the figures asked.
"Heeey!" Tidus called back before diving down below the water before coming back up, hitting the ball up with his head, and then doing a double-legged bicycle kick, sending the ball back to the beach, nearly hitting several people in the head.
Twilight rolled her eyes as he swam off. "Showoff," she mumbled before she swam off. He only chuckled before he followed her. As they walked up the beach, two fellows finished a conversation with a third before leaving. Many of those on the beach gave Twilight odd looks, but of the attention was on Tidus.
He smiled sheepishly. "Yo. Hiya."
"You wanna try that move one more time?" One asked.
Someone gave Tidus another ball. He bounced it on his head once before doing the same move again, this time sending the ball out into the waves at high speed.
All were impressed. "You're no amateur. Who you play for?" The first asked.
"The Zanarkand Abes!" Tidus replied.
Everyone gasped and began to talk amongst themselves, while Twilight face hooved.
"What team you say again?" One asked.
Tidus threw his hands up in desperation. "Uh, I meant... Forget that. I got to, uh... close to Sin's toxin and my head's all foggy like. So I don't know where this place is. Or even where I came from."
That got looks of sympathy from all those around them. "Sin's toxin got you. But you're still alive. Praise be to Yevon!" At that, everyone did a strange gesture, right forearm over left, fingers spread out, hands curved in the shape of a circle and bowed.
After a moment, their leader turned back. "Alright back to practice!" he commanded before turning back and clasping hands with Tidus. "I'm Wakka, coach, and Captain of the Besaid Aurochs brudda."
Tidus smiled. "Tidus."
Nodding, Wakka turned to Twilight, his brow knit in confusion. "And uh, you are? And, what are you?"
Twilight bowed. "Twilight Sparkle. It's, a complicated story of what I am."
Before anyone could say more, Tidus's stomach growled. Wakka grinned. "What? You hungry? Okay! Back to the village. I'll get somethin!"
As they were leaving the beach and the Aurochs though, Tidus suddenly asked. "It's true Zanarkand was destroyed, right? A thousand years ago? So it's just a big pile of rubble now, isn't it?"
Wakka turned serious at this. "Long time ago, there were a whole lot of cities in Spira. Big cities, with machina-machines- to run em. People played all day and let the machina do the work. And then, well, take a look."
Twilight and Tidus finally really looked around them. The area around the beach was scattered with big pieces of metal and other materials, and judging by the undergrowth, they had been abandoned there a long time as Wakka continued.
"Sin came and destroyed the machina cities. And Zanarkand along with em. Yeah, that was about a thousand years ago, just like you said. If you ask me, Sin's our punishment for letting things get out of hand. What gets me though... is why we gotta suffer, cause of what some goofballs did way back when! Course, we most always repent for sins! That's important. It's just that, it's hard to keep at it sometimes, you know?"
Twilight nodded. Equestria had nothing quite like this, but she could see where Wakka was coming from. Tidus ,though, looked conflicted about something as Wakka let out a laugh.
"But you from the Zanarkand Abes-that was a good one! Hey, I'm not saying the team never existed ya? But you gotta figure a team living in luxury like that would be pretty soft, eh?"
As they finally left the beach behind, Twilight was left to mull all this over. It was a lot to take in. So engrossed was she in her own thoughts that didn't notice Wakka had stopped until she flew into Tidus. Looking around him, the three of them had come to a split in the path, with the left-hand path having more ruins on it.
"Hey! It's this way!" Wakka said as he took the right-hand path. They followed him for a bit before the path abruptly ended in a cliff overlooking a large lake. While Tidus looked down in confusion, Wakka snuck around behind him.
"Huh?" Was all Tidus had time to say before he was pushed over the ledge with a "Waah!" before landing with a loud splash down below. Wakka only grinned before jumping in after him.
Twilight giggled as she rolled her eyes. "Boys." before she too flew down to them. As she did, all three began to move to the other end of the lake. Halfway there though, Wakka grabbed Tidus in a headlock.
"Lemme go!" Tidus grumbled as he tried to free himself with no luck.
"Got a favor to ask ya," Wakka replied.
Tidus had a good idea of what he wanted. "You want me on your team, right?"
Wakka let him go at that, and Tidus allowed himself to float as Wakka explained his idea.
"A major blitz tournament's coming up. All the teams in Spira'll be there. It's so huge, I'm sure someone there will recognize you! Then you can go back to your old team, right? It'll be fun! What do you say, huh? Come on, come on!"
Tidus only took a few seconds to respond. "Sure thing," before he dived below the surface.
Wakka couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice. "Dude! Our team is gonna rock eh!" Before he and Twilight as well dived below the surface.
***
Sometime later, the three of them stood on a cliff overlooking a good portion of the island. In the distance sat a small village.
Wakka gave it all a good look. "This is where I was born. I started blitz when I was five. I joined the Aurochs at thirteen, ten years ago." He hung his head at this. "Ten years... and we never won a single game. Well, after last year's tournament, I quit. Time seemed right."
As they turned away and began the long walk down to the village, Twilight couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. That was not something she ever hoped to here again if she could help it.
"So, after quitting, I got this new job, ya? But every time my mind wandered, I thought about the game," Wakka continued.
Tidus nodded. "Ten years without a single win will do that."
Wakka nodded. "My first match last year was my big chance. But something else was on my mind. I couldn't focus."
Tidus rolled his eyes. "Nice excuse."
Wakka gave him a hurt look. "Hey, hey!"
Tidus paused and crossed his arms. "So you want to win the next tournament, go out with a bang?" Wakka nodded. "So what's our goal?"
"I don't care how we do. Long as we play our best. If we give it our all, I can walk away happy," Wakka replied.
That got Tidus's blood boiling. "No, no, no, no, no. If I say "What's our goal?" you say "Victory!" When you play in a blitzball tournament, you play to win!"
Wakka was surprised at the outburst. "Victory? You serious?" Tidus nodded as they began to walk again. Even Twilight could admit that speech had gotten her blood up, and she still didn't fully get bliztball as it was.
Further along, the suddenly ran into the two that Wakka had been talking to when she and Tidus had first arrived. "Ah, the two from the sea," the eldest said first.
"Be on guard. They're fiends on the road today," the youngest added.
"After surviving your run-in with Sin, 'twould be a shame if something happened now," the eldest added before the two continued on.
"Who were they?" Twilight asked.
"Luzzu and Gatta-Crusaders,- Wakka replied.
Tidus gave him a confused look. "Huh? Crews of what?"
"What you forgot that too?" Wakka replied as Tidus hung his head. "Hey, sorry. Don't worry about it. I'll help you out."
Tidus smiled. "Cool. In return, come tournament time, I'll make sure we take the cup.
Wakka nodded. "Cool. About the Crusaders, you can ask them yourself. They've got a lodge in the village."
***
A few minutes later they finally arrived at the village gates. "Besaid Village!" Wakka said proudly.
"They got any food there?" Tidus asked.
"We'll get you something over there later, take a look around first," Wakka said as he gestured at the whole village. "Let's see... The Crusaders Lodge is over yonder," he said as he pointed out a large and ornate blue tent. "Luzzu and Gatta are usually there."
They were in the verge of entering when Wakka suddenly said "Oh, right. Over here," and as he motioned them over to the side of the wall.
"Huh? What's up?" Tidus asked.
"You do remember the prayer right?" Wakka asked.
Tidus looked sheepish while Twilight was no better. "Not really?" She finally said.
Wakka rolled his eyes. "Man, that's like the basics of the basics. Alright, I'll show you." He proceeded to repeat the hand gesture used on the beach, but much slower this time. "Go ahead, you try."
Tidus, after a moment of trying, finally got it down. Twilight, with her current lack of fingers, made do the best she could with her hooves.
Wakka smiled. "Hey, not bad. Okay, now go present yourselves to the temple summoner," before leaving them to themselves as they finally entered the village proper.
Most of the residents gave them a quick glance before moving on. But most of the looks were directed at Twilight, and while none of them were hostile as of yet, none could hide the questions of who and what she was from their eyes.
The temple itself was a grand structure, with a front portico lined by columns leading into the interior. Inside, the main room was circular, with rows of statues rising in concentric circles around the room. Rows of torches provided enough light to see the room but also lent a calming air to the whole thing. At the far end, two magnificent statues flanked a staircase leading to a beautifully made door that lead deeper inside.
A beautiful melody was also playing, though neither Tidus or Twilight could see any singers give sound to it as they walked up to the right-hand statue. They could see now that it was a man, clad in a rich-looking cloak and holding a staff of some kind.
As they gazed up at the statue, another man approached them from a side chamber. Giving Twilight a weary look, he too looked up at the statue. "Ten years have passed since Lord Braska became high summoner. And finally, we receive a statue for our temple."
Tidus gave him a confused look. "What's a high summoner?"
At this, everyone gasped in shock and gave them both odd looks, like they had grown a second head. Tidus quickly recovered though. "I... Got to close to Sin's, uh, toxin."
All gave an understanding nod at this, several smiling sympathetically, while many more made the prayer sign. The priest made the sign as well as he looked again at the statue.
"The summoners are practitioners of a sacred art, sworn to protect the people of Yevon. Only a chosen few become high summoners, who call forth entities of great power: the aeons. The aeons hear our prayers and come down to us. They are the blessing of Yevon."
Here, the entire room made the prayer gesture toward both statues. This time Twilight and Tidus joined in as well. Shortly thereafter, Tidus left out the way they had come, leaving Twilight alone in front of Lord Braska's statue.
And for the first time since that fateful Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville, Twilight didn't mind being alone with her thoughts.
"A Gill for your thoughts?" A voice asked, making Twilight jump slightly. Turning around, she saw that it was the same man who had explained quite a bit to her and Tidus earlier.
She smiled. "Sorry. It's just. This is a lot to take in for me. I still don't know what to feel or think about it all. And this is just a small part I feel."
He nodded. "It is no surprise. For one in your position, it would be. It is more so because you are not from Spira at all. Nor are you a fiend. No fiend has ever been this nice."
Twilight's ears wilted. "Is it that obvious that I'm not from this world?"
He chuckled. "Very. I cannot begin to guess how you came to this world. But you must be here for a reason. Maybe Yevon can help guide you on this path."
Twilight wasn't sure how she felt about that. She hadn't seen anything that screamed wrong about Yevon. But Equestria had a history with groups like this.
Her companion must have seen something in her face for he looked confused. "Is there something wrong?"
Twilight shook her head. "No. It's just. Where I come from, we've had a history with groups like Yevon, from what you've told me, and none of them ended well." She smiled. "But then, they never had to deal with what Spira has."
He nodded. "Your old-world sounds almost perfect then if it does not have what we have."
Twilight giggled. "I wouldn't go that far. We have our problems for sure. But we always find a way, in the end, to make everyone happy. Not always. But usually."
She paused as a thought suddenly came to her. "Um. Yevon doesn't say anything about other worlds, does it?"
He shook his head. "I do not know. Besaid is small in comparison to other temples and I am the only one here all the time. Our history before Sin came is lost to my knowledge, except for the ruins around us on the island. And even that is the best guess."
Twilight looked around the room. She didn't have any reference to go on, so maybe they all looked like this? "How many temples are there? Besides this one?"
His smile grew as he looked around. "Aside from Besaid, there is the temple in Kilika, Djose, Macalania, and Bevelle. There is a final one that only a select few ever see." He paused a moment before he frowned. "There is talk of lost temples scattered here and there across Spira, but I do not place much faith in those rumors."
Twilight made a note of that as she nodded, but she finally had to ask a question that had been bugging her since she had entered the temple. "What is that song playing, and where is it coming from?"
His smiled returned at that. "That is the Hymn of the Fayth. It is sung perpetually from within the Chamber of the Fayth." He pointed to the door at the top of the stairs. "Beyond that door is the Cloister of Trials. Only a summoner and his or her guardians may enter there. Those who seek to learn of Yevon's secrets are tested by the Cloister. Find the right way, and they will be taken to the Chamber of the Fayth, where only the summoner may enter the inner chamber."
Twilight nodded, but now she had a new question. "What's a guardian?"
"A guardian is someone tasked with protecting their summoner. How many guardians a summoner has is up to them," he replied with not a little bit of pride.
Twilight nodded. It didn't make a lot of sense at the moment, but she had the feeling it would make sense the more time she spent in Spira. "Um. Am I trouble just for being in here like this?"
He shook his head with a chuckle. "I see no reason why you should be. You have given no reason why we should throw you out. I cannot speak for the other temples though, so that may change if you leave this island."
She nodded, and once again passed into silence. A few moments later, the man left the temple, leaving Twilight alone again with her thoughts.
Twilight nearly jumped out of her feathers as she turned to find Wakka at her side. He was chuckling at her while she slowly settled back down on the ground with an annoyed look.
"What's with everyone sneaking up on me?" She grumbled.
Wakka laughed. "Sorry. Didn't think you were that deep in thinking." He paused. "Anything on your mind?"
Twilight shook her head. "Just, trying to make sense of it all. It's all I can really do right now." She paused as something came to her. "Why are you in here?"
Wakka looked up at the closed door at the top of the stairs. "There's someone in there I'm worried about. It's been a day already. I'd go in, but she already has Guardians with her."
Twilight was surprised. "You're a summoner's Guardian?"
He nodded. "Apprentice summoner actually, but I am. I promised her that I wouldn't get involved in this one at least. Once she leaves though, I don't plan on leaving her."
Twilight smiled at the thought, even though she didn't know who was beyond the door, but she did notice something finally. "Where's Tidus?"
Wakka pointed back out the front door. "Taking a nap. He looked bushed when he came here. You don't look nearly as bad though."
She smiled. "I don't need as much sleep as I used to." But she was sore as she stretched. "So I think I'll go look around. I want to talk to Luzzu and Gatta."
Wakka nodded. "They're still in the Crusader Lodge last I looked. And you're really not missing much around here as is."
Twilight chuckled as she walked to the door. "I'll keep that in mind."
As she came back outside, she took a deep breath of fresh air. The air inside the temple wasn't bad per se, but fresh air always felt good after being inside so long. Plus she still had a lot of questions, and she doubted she'd get answers in there.
Finding the Crusader Lodge was easy. Aside from Yevon's temple, it was the most lavish structure in the village from what Twilight could see as she walked over and went inside. To the right was a desk with a woman waiting on those who entered and farther back was a row of beds.
Luzzu and Gatta were sitting at a table only a few feet inside the tent. Both gave her looks as she came up to them. "Ah. Tidus's friend. I wondered when you might come by," Luzzu said.
Twilight nodded, not bothering to hide that she had questions. "There's still so much I don't know about Spira. I want to learn as much as I can."
Gatta smiled. "You're on the right track at least. Does your world have Crusaders?"
She shook her head. "No. And I don't even know what the Crusaders are."
Luzzu nodded. "We are sworn to battle Sin. We have chapters throughout Dpira, accepting any and all who wish to join our struggle. The hero Mi'ihen formed us eight hundred years ago as the Crimson Blades. Later, our ranks swelled and we renamed ourselves the Crusaders. We have been fighting Sin ever since."
Twilight's ears fell. "Eight hundred years? How?"
Gatta's head fell. "All we've been able to do is steer Sin away from towns and villages. Nobody's ever been able to beat it. Our mission is to protect any and all it threatens."
Twilight felt her heart drop. She couldn't even imagine what that would be like, fighting for eight hundred years, and yet be nowhere closer to defeating something. "What about the toxin?"
Luzzu frowned. "Vapors that boil from Sin's hide. One breath and it will taint the very core of your body. People who get to close to it forget even the most important things. Just like Tidus."
Twilight kept her peace about that. Something about it didn't feel right. But it wasn't her place to say anything. Not yet anyway.
Gatta looked out the entryway and grinned. "Looks like someone's in a hurry though."
Twilight followed his gaze, and just caught a glimpse of Tidus as passed by the Lodge. He was heading for the temple, and by the way he was walking, he was on a mission too.
Gatta and Luzzu shared a look. "I feel you should follow him. I feel something is coming, and that you should be there for it," Luzzu said.
Twilight wasn't so sure though. "But I still have a lot of questions."
"We'll have time for them later," Luzzu added.
Twilight still wasn't convinced, but she was curious to see why Tidus seemed to be in such a rush to get the temple. Nodding, she left the Lodge behind and returned to the temple.
By the time she came to the main room, she was able to make out the end of a conversation. "So someone is in there somewhere and they haven't come back out yet. Right, I go it," Tidus was saying.
Wakka had a look of concern on his face as he looked at the door. "A day's gone by already."
"Is it particularly dangerous in there?" Tidus asked.
Wakka nodded. "Sometimes yes."
Tidus wasn't happy at this. "Why don't you go in and help?"
Wakka shook his head. "There's already guardians in there. Besides, it's forbidden."
That finally did it for Tidus as he ran up the stairs before turning back at the top. "Hey, but what if something happens? What if the summoner dies!?"
The head priest scowled. "The precepts must be obeyed!"
Tidus shook his head as he turned to the door. "Like I care!"
As his hands touched it though, a fuschia glow surrounded his body, and he was pulled back away from the door. His look of anger was replaced by a look of confusion, one that all in the room shared as well, as Twilight flew up and got in his face.
"What part of you're not supposed to go in, did you not get?!" She grumbled.
Tidus glared right back. "I can't just let something happen to the summoner! They could need help, or worse!"
Twilight's own glare melted a bit. "Look, I don't want anything happening to them, any more than you do. But rushing in like this won't help anyone."
Something in her voice must have gotten through to him, for his own look of anger was soon replaced by a look of concern, one that Twilight felt as well as she let him go and glided back down to the main level, Tidus not far behind.
Twilight though was getting most of the looks, and it made her distinctly uncomfortable as she shifted in place. "What was that?" An elderly lady finally asked.
Twilight looked around. An explanation was in order, she could see from all the looks she was getting. "Magic. Or at least as I know it. I might be new to this world, but I know it isn't right to just barge in on something like that. Especially if we're not supposed to."
The priest nodded as he stepped forwards. "Then I thank you for preventing this from getting out of hand," before he looked at Tidus. "And I commend you for your concern, especially for someone you do not know."
That lifted Tidus's spirits somewhat, but he was still worried as he looked back to the door to the Cloister of Trials. "How do we know if everything's all right in there?"
Wakka shook his head. "We can't know. Not until they come out again. It usually doesn't take this long though."
Twilight couldn't help and let her ears fall. "And, if something goes wrong?"
Wakka and the priest shared an uncomfortable look before the priest replied. "It is very rare, but if anything does happen to the apprentice summoner, the guardians that went with them will bring them out, and we will lay them to rest." He made the prayer sign, as did all those around them. "I pray it does not come to that."
Twilight and Tidus made the sign as well. What good it would do they didn't know, but it was still something they hoped would help the summoner. With nothing better to do, and not willing to stand around doing nothing, Twilight went to look at the other statues in the temple.
Lord Braska's statue she already knew, but the others were a mystery. Looking down on the next one over, she found a name though: Lady Yocun. As she moved to the next, it too had a name: Lord Ohalland. As did the final one of the set: Lord Gandof.
From the way they were built and dressed, she could only guess they were all high summoners. What the significance of the title meant compared to regular summoners she didn't know. But it must have been important in some way.
"You seem very interested in these," the priest asked as she floated near the face of Gandof's statue.
Twilight nodded. "I've never seen anything like them."
"Your world doesn't have them?" Waka asked.
Twilight shook her head. It was at this point that she knew that, if she ever wanted everyone to trust her at all, she needed to stop holding back more about herself and her world. "Equestria's never had anything like this. Summoning has never been something we could do. Let alone what they did."
"Equestria?" One of the younger ones asked.
Twilight smiled as she looked down at him. "It's the name of where I come from. The country at least. Our world is called Equus."
That causes a stir among the crowd. Not that she could blame them. Even Tidus looked interested, and he had known her the longest out of everyone here. For all that meant anyway.
He still wasn't really happy Twilight had stopped him from going into the Cloister of Trials. But the more he thought about it, the more he saw that his rushing in wouldn't have helped anyone.
But that didn't mean he had to like it.
Before anyone could ask anymore though, the door to the Cloister began to open from the inside. This caused an even greater stir among the crowd as the began to move forward. Twilight swung around so she could see what all the fuss was about.
From within, two figures soon emerged. One was a human woman. Black hair framed a face that looked like it had not smiled in a long time. But there was also compassion in her eyes as well. Her long black dress fit her well, and in one hand, she carried some kind of doll.
The other though, Twilight tried not to stare. In shape and form he reminded her of the cat people of Abyssinia, but larger in stature and far more muscular. In his hand, he carried a huge war pike. But what threw her for a loop was the broken-off horn on his forehead.
Neither seemed to see her for the moment as they turned back to where they had come from as another person joined them. A young woman, who looked to be about the same age as Tidus if Twilight had to guess. Her clothes were far more opulent. In fact, it put Twilight in mind of what some of the high summoners wore now that she thought about it.
She did, in fact, see Twilight as she emerged onto the platform. The surprise was written clearly on her face, but even from far away Twilight could see she looked exhausted. Though with how long she had been in the Cloister of Trials by that point, Twilight wasn't too surprised.
Following their friend's gaze, her companions soon noticed Twilight as well, but their own reactions were harder to gauge. But Twilight could see a hand grip the pike harder as the larger of the two looked at her. Twilight tried not to gulp at the idea.
The room had gone quiet as the trio had emerged. Twilight herself found herself holding her breath, waiting to see what would be said.
The young woman finally smiled, pushing aside her own tiredness as she made the prayer sign. "I've done it. I have become a summoner."
Everyone in the room let out an audible sigh of relief, as all made the sign as well, and while her hoof control was nowhere near good enough if she'd had hands like the rest, Twilight was more than happy to do so as well.
As the trio descended the stairs, Twilight caught a quick glimpse of the room beyond the door. All she could see though was a room that seemed to be filled with symbols of some kind before the door closed with a soft thud.
As Wakka rushed forward to greet the new arrivals, Twilight saw that Tidus looked a bit sheepish. Not that she could really blame him though.
He was glad as anyone that the summoner was alright, but now he was feeling even more foolish than he had almost rushed into that without really thinking.
And even though he didn't know her yet, he still found her cute. Only later would he give voice to it though.
