> Reborn, Death, Again > by Hidden_Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 0 - Again > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A green pony stallion stumbled up from the grass. His eyes remain blank and so does his flank. A blink from the silent pony allows for memories of his previous lives ran through his mind, until it stopped. His body grows with new understanding of his soul and feels rejuvenated. Blinking once more and his once blank eyes filled a green iris, and a frown grew on his face. He had died yet again, and his journey still moves forward. A normal person would be distraught, or devastated. A sane person would be trying to understand the concept of their existence. For the guy who just woke up, it was Tuesday. “I should’ve just left the shiny alone! Oh come on me! Of course that shit was booby trapped stupid! It was in a dome room for god’s sake! Gah!” He threw his body back on the grass, pushing his hooves to his head as he groans loudly before continuing, “I’m such an idiot! Last time I go treasure hunting!” He rolled to his side, causing his eyes to catch a gander of the world around him. It was wonderful, lush, a vibrant green, a beautiful blue sky that seemed to be controlled by magic. The stallion paused at the magic in the sky. “Wait a minute…” He stared at the sun, his eyes burning but he could see it, the lines of magic that bind the sun. “I’m in another Magical Dystopia? Or perhaps a tightly wizardly world? Am I on the backs of titans and they control the world?” The train of thoughts ran through his mind. He slammed the breaks on that thought and chuckled to himself. “It doesn’t really matter, for I am going to burn this place to the ground! The world shall shutter! They shall fear me! They shall know that I will be the strongest mage of the lands!” His voice stood proud, please ignore that he’s still peacefully lying on his side. “For you see, I have the power, the knowledge, and the experience to take this place by the reins and make it my—now I don’t want to curse, I’m doing my best to create a PG villain monologue…wait am I going to be a villain?” He tilts his head at the idea, It took no time at all to decide it was too much effort to be evil, so much scheming, fighting, putting down regimes of justice and consolidation of keys to power. It gets to your head and suddenly your advisor poisons your wine and takes over your kingdom. He’s not repeating that shtick again, it was too much paperwork. “I’ll just be…role…cmon role playing you can think of something.” He took a gander of his environment, other than the grassy fields and neat hills, there lies a dark and brooding forest. His senses immediately knew what was up, a dark and evil forest plagued with the most chaotic and evil monsters daintily placed next to a peaceful town who somehow can sleep at night. “Well that’s convenient, I could be uh…wood shaman! No…that requires me to set up alchemy stuff and know the plants.” He clicks his tongue trying to think of who to make himself as a person. “Okay. What do I look like? That usually helps in deciding my role to play.” He mumbles to himself, finding comfort in lying down flat on his stomach to inspect his new body. Already he could feel some changes, for one he’s now a quadruped. Neat! Though what wasn’t neat was a new tramp stamp upon his rear, a simple black question mark rests upon him. “I feel I could get sued if I use that as an evil supervillain symbol.” He climbs onto his hooves and continued to stare at the tree line. Taking the first step to his new life as a horse apparently. “I’ll just wing it, if I get snared I could be one of those people who walk out of the forest and-“ He sinks into the tree line. Above the stars have aligned, not by prophecy, but by force. The lock that kept a prison on the moon shattered like glass. The shadow that once crept upon the moon faded. The mare on the moon is now absent. The moon hides many secrets. None as dangerous as Nightmare Moon. Who once felt her release from the moon quickly descended to her home as a cloudy blue mist. “Finally. We are free. That Celestia thinks she could seal us and feel no repercussions?! I’ll show her! I show them all! Hahahaha!” A voice called from her own soul. Her laughing ceased once she finally saw the town of Ponyville. It was clear they intend to celebrate her sister on the longest day of the year. Ponies inside the library celebrating, laughing, and staying up at this hour. This was odd, they never stayed up all night before. They never decided to stay up all night to talk to her or do anything else. It all clicked in her mind. They always were interested in her beautiful radiant sister Celestia. It was really never about celebrating the night, it was to celebrate the new day. Never a new night. The jealousy in her heart only ignited, she needed to find Celestia and remove her out of the equation first. Despite being sealed on the moon, she kept her strength flowing, allowing it to grow, almost to the same level of the elements of harmony she once drew upon. It didn’t come without any drawbacks, she’d soon have to rely on illusions and general non-lethal blasts for a month or so. The spell to seal her sister in the sun for a thousand years. Not born out of necessity, only jealousy. She just hopes she can catch her sister off guard. The green stallion rests upon the edge of a ravine, the mist forming at the bottom suggest water, but he’s fallen into plenty of spikes to not trust the bottom. A bridge laid next to him, it seemed to basically be in disrepair. The rope could snap at any moment. Ahead of the bridge is some neat ruins the colt thought should be explored! Sure he said no ‘treasure hunting’ but this is exploring ancient ruins! Totally different. “Okay. Progress report! It’s been about uhhh…” He put on his best air pilot voice, speaking into his wrist on his hoof. “According to the sky, one day. In other news, I have found out I have a horn. Therefore making me a unicorn. Uhhh, hold on.” He sneezes into his own wrist, it is cold. “Sadly I can’t be a pretty pegasus, but a unique unicorn will do.” He puts his wrist down and poked at the horn on his head. “It’s surprisingly out of the way, considering my bone structure now has a very obvious weak point.” He tilts his head at the appendage, his body shivers from the cold at the same moment. “You know. Those ruins could make a good shelter for…reasons.” He looks back at the eyes peering from beyond the tree line. It’s odd, the wolves of wood seem to avoid the ruins and the lands surrounding them like the plague. It’s probably perhaps due to respect or fear, but considering the eyes have been keeping a keen watch on him. He suspects it’s probably fear of the land. Stumbling back onto land he decided to take a first step on the planks to test their durability. A chuckle escaped him as he tapped the wood multiple times with various strengths of pressure to determine if it’s safe. Reports: Dubious Actions: Walk across that bridge! Emergency Actions: TP. With his mind set, he decided to slowly walk across the bridge. Then his heart stopped when he heard a dangerous SNAP at the ends of the rope. “Ah shiiiIIIIII—“ He quickly started to fall downwards to the mist, before a nice POP and he’s on the other side of the bridge. “—IIIT!” He stopped yelling once his hooves felt solid ground. “Why did I do that? I can teleport.” He asked himself as he counties to the ruins. It was so exciting! There was clearly a need for the ravines around the castle. Possibly hosting a down nearby. The ground must be enchanted with something, but he felt no magic roaming free around him. Least none he can recognize, it felt but nice. Like feeling the warmth of a hug. It reminds him of the sun oddly enough. This feeling only grew stronger as he approached the castle. As he enters through the main entrance he found himself in a throne room, with a neat thing in the center. The odd decorative object in the center clearly had some sort of magic he could pick up due to one minor thing he has that maybe helped him on his journey that quite possibly ensured his survival. Magic absorption. It’s a helluva thing to just have, it kept him alive, and with experience he found out how to just let his body heal with the cycling of positive magic. “Huh…a relic perhaps. No use of it for me, relics are annoying and dumb and got me killed. I’ll pass.” He does learn, even if it takes him a few tries. Deciding to walk past the orbs, it seemed to stop sharing its energy with him. The warmth that once was there is now gone. He payed no mind. As his hooves stood at the bottom of what was once the thrones he sat himself down. Trying to get a visual of the place that was once civilization to ruins hosting some sort of magical artifact. “Interesting place here.” He said to himself, smiling somberly at the thrones. “I wonder if this is a post apocalyptic world….nah, more fallout would be around. I don’t have a Pippboy neither.” He still hasn’t found any signs of civilization other than these ruins. His eyes closed, trying to get a silent prayer out. The gods these prayers are for won’t hear them, it’s the peace of mind and to hope there’s at least another species for him to talk to. It gets lonely quick on the solo survivor stuff. “Oh? It seems there is still a loyal subject awaiting our return?” A voice from behind, strong and defiant. The stallion turned to come face to face with a tall horse. The horse whose fur that was of darkness of night, the mane of the beauty of the stars, and the strength of the cosmos. Nightmare Moon. “Okay man, first impressions you got this.” He quickly said to himself before standing up and taking a kneel. “Yes, I was waiting for…a return.” Nightmare Moon could only smile, it seems some remnants of her previous reign still hold true. One subject is none subjects, but any pawn could become strong if pushed enough. “Rise, our little pony. What’s your name?” “Anonymous.” He pushed himself back up to stand, and suddenly feels really small when near her. Not in the sense of size, but in the sheer power she is generating. It’s not much know, but he can tell that she can create magic quickly by just existing. Nightmare Moon slightly grimaced, was this pony playing a joke upon her? By not revealing his name to her?! This subordination shall not go unpunished! She raised her hoof and prepared to stomp, wanting to chastise the colt for not sharing his name. Something stopped her though, it was the lack of stench, or rather lack of the connection to Celestia. Almost as if this colt didn’t even know her. Good. This is exactly what she needed at this moment. Those six on her tail to the castle does need a distraction, and she needs to build power to prevent them from obtaining the elements. Anonymous looked up at her, he could tell she was planning something. The smile wasn’t exactly helping, the sinister glee he could see off of her. “So, you’re my Queen, if I’m correct?” Nightmare Moon already felt an odd glee that this new subject has referred to her as Queen, but now is the time for conquest. The ego can be fed once the elements have been contained. “For now, yes. Our little pony. We have a mission for our loyal subject.” Her voice commanded respect, it was captivating oddly enough. “Oh cool.” Anonymous didn’t mind, sure he’s taking orders but who didn’t want to follow after some evil power that just appeared and immediately recruited him. He wonders if he could pass off as a free agent working with whoever for cash. Though he would need to see what he’s getting out of this, other than the usual evil ‘The right to live’ and ‘to serve our glorious compony.’ He can ask after the job is done. “It shall be done my Queen.” What could possibly go wrong? > 1 - Eternal Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anonymous stood proud next to a fallen bridge. His mission is simple, guard the bridge! Nightmare Moon was originally going to set up three illusory pegasi to prevent anyone from crossing. So she sent Anonymous to stand there, menacingly. Anonymous has been decked out in some snazzy new armor. Purple in color while holding the branding of the moon. He wasn’t given any weaponry, due to budget concerns. Also that budget doesn’t exist so who’s at fault here? Thats right, capitalism. He couldn’t see past the mist the ravine was making, so he decided to try some magic whilst waiting. Nothing too spectacular, just juggling magic bolts in his hooves. It was a neat pastime to do. Just bounce the funky blue energy up, down, all around. “Wait, why is it blue?” He stopped to inspect his magic bolts, it wasn’t just any blue it was the color of the night sky above. This was interesting to Anonymous, he’s absorbing someone’s magic. It definitely wasn’t Nightmare Moon’s. Her magic is more of a deeper blue. “Suspicious.” With trepidation he took a lick from the ball of energy and slightly seared his tongue. “Yeowch, it taste like…” He smacks his lips. “Stardust.” He rubs his poor tongue and looks at the magic some more. “Hmmm…from what I can tell. Nightmare Moon’s magic is from anger, this doesn’t feel like angry magic.” He pressed the magic together in his hooves and pushed it back into his body. “I’ve seen that before, I don’t know a guy who can perform an exorcism yet. Holy magic is annoying to use when you have to swap what Deity you worship is too much.” He goes on talking to himself. His growing doubts about following not an evil pony, but a possessed pony was not looking too good, is festering his mind. Any normal sap with holy magic can put down his newfound ruler. At best it’ll remove the cursed spirit, at worst it could sever a chunk of her soul when trying to remove the spirit, leaving the remains weak and sick. It’s all the more reason to try to protect her. Besides, if he gets bored he could remove the cursed spirit himself! “You know, I’m starting to understand why some rulers poison their advisors. It’s only been about a few minutes and I already have a plan to defy her.” He chuckles to himself. “I’m a terrible evil minion.” His train of thought was stopped when he heard faint noises in the distance. A quick stumble to readiness, head high, horn at the ready, and standing tall. The armor did slightly weigh on him, but he tried to ignore the cool metal pressing against him to keep an intimidating look. Six shadowy figures from across the mist, two of each kind of pony. Two normal looking ones, two unicorns, and two pegasi. After some regular chatting one of the pegasus dove downwards into the ravine. “Right, the bridge. Just have to prevent them from fixing it. No big deal, shoot first ask questions later.” He decided to charge magic through his horn for intimidation. His stance only turned ready once he saw a blue blur fly to the edge and land, producing a cloud of dust which masked the figure. “Alright. Just gotta find a rock to attach this and — woah!” Anonymous could only assume it was a she from their voice, and odd horse instincts. No more face blindness with horses as a horse, neat! A cyan blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail landed before him. Holding one end of the rope in her mouth. This was it! Anonymous had a moment to ensure that he could play a role as the dependable henchman. “Halt! I represent uhhh…” Anonymous blanked on the name of his new ruler, probably should go without this during the report back to the ruins, “her grace in the name of the…uh. Stop!” The pegasus rolled her eyes. “Wow, really convincing. Where did you get the armor anyway? It looks cool.” She didn’t seem too intimidated by Anonymous, more of an oddly intrigued. “Oh, thanks. I got it from this weird horse in the ruins back there.” He has no idea what to do now, his first social interaction with her. It wasn’t a strong magical horse being like his new ruler, it just seemed like a normal tomboy, with wings. She didn’t seem to like his phrasing as she seemed slightly disgusted and began to step away from Anonymous. “Oh…not so cool you got it from a whorse…” Anonymous wasn’t sure he heard that right, the inflection was different but he could almost get the term, “A what now?” He shook his head before continuing, “No, I mean this tall black unicorn pegasus thing out in those ruins there.” He turned to point to the ruins, in which he didn’t notice the pegasus slowly realizing what he meant and had to do something. “SPY!” She immediately sprang into action and tackled Anonymous to the ground. “Ack-“ Anonymous was caught off guard her speed was incredible, his chest felt like he was punched by a car. “Strong form but…” He felt magic from her, fast, strong, and even windy. “I can do it too!” Anonymous reached for her wings with his hooves. “Say wha—“ The cyan wonder couldn’t react to a sudden uncontrollable surge in her wings, forcing her up into the air. “Finally.” He dusts himself finally getting free of that Pegasus. “I’m not even a spy I’m a—“ “HIYA!” An oddly posh voice “Excuse me can you—ACK!” Anonymous felt a hoof kick directly upon his chin, sending him flying back into a tree. “Ow!” His head rattled, and felt his helmet split open and fall off his head. “Wow Rarity. when did you learn how to do that?” A youthful voice spoke up, a little too youthful, almost squeaky. “Well, a lady simply must learn how to defend herself against ruffians.” The fake accent was charming to Anonymous, since he’s being generous with his praise to the heroes. “Okay. Hold up!” Anonymous yelled, standing to face the group. Five mares stood before him, at the front is a white unicorn, next to her is a purple unicorn, two normal horses one orange and one pink, and another way in the back spending way too much time fixing the bridge. “No, you hold up! Why are you helping Nightmare Moon bring eternal night?” The purple one spoke up. Her horn charging with magical energy, she seems uneasy about conflict. Anonymous could only tilt his head. “She’s bringing eternal night?” “You…don’t know?” “…yes.” “You do know?” “Yes!” “Oh Horseapples!” The orange mare called out, a strong southern twang stuck her vocal cords. It reminds Anonymous of home oddly enough. “If ya didn’t know about her plans of eternal night! Then why are you here?” “Dunno, on a whim. Can we go back to where we’re fighting and I capture you and bring you back to the Queen—“ “Princess.” The purple one interrupted. “—no interrupting. I bring you back, you break out of your binds, you bring out the maggufin and rid the cursed spirit binding her soul.” “Pardon, what was that last part?” The white mare seemed slightly intrigued. “Oh, the bondage?” “No!” She blushed at that. “The other part.” “I knew what part you mentioned. Just didn’t feel like adding more since you seemed unaware of that fact.” “Why would you—“ “I’m supposed to be evil if I’m helping bring Eternal Night. So, yeah. Have at thee!” Anonymous charged his horn, four of the mares got into battle ready stances while the one in the back go back from tying a knot. A familiar voice yelled from above as Anonymous was about to charge. “Look out below!” “Nope!” Anonymous yelled, quickly casting a bubble around him which stopped a sudden crash of a rainbow blur near his head. Looking up Anonymous winced at the sight of a very angry horse near him. “Jeez.” His magic bubble formed a windshield wiper and slowly pushed the pegasus off of him. “Rainbow! You okay?” “I’m good!” The Rainbow horse “Glad that’s over. Are you going to join your friends in the epic battle to decide the fate of your lands or…” “You talk funny.” The Pink pony said. “I…” This gave Anonymous some pause, but his ears twitched and quickly rolled dodge a blast from the purple unicorn. His horn quickly shot a quick retaliation blast which was promptly blocked by a balloon. “Wait, a balloon?” Anonymous just processed what blocked his shot. “Yepppers!” The pink mare started sending out more balloons in his direction. Anonymous has to continue to blast the balloons coming from his direction, sure he could pierce the balloons but all the piercing spells he knows would pierce more than just the balloons. “I feel this is not really important…but are you high on sugar?” Anonymous asked, having to duck underneath another blast from the purple unicorn. “Also yep!” “Cool! Where can I get some?” “Well, you’re being a real meanie pants right now so I can’t tell you where I live!” Anonymous paused wondering what the hell she means by that. He won’t press on it. “…fair enough. Anyway can we go back to fighting I feel like I should’ve been attacked suddenly.” He looks over at the orange mare who hasn’t really done much. Same with the yellow pony who has been awfully quiet. “Sorry partner. Just ain’t honest to attack somepony without having the fight face to face.” Anonymous smiled, happy to have a one on one. “Well. See this is honor right here!” Anonymous closed his eyes to prepare a spell, which distracted him from her sudden turn to face away from him. “Think fast!” The orange mare bucked him, directly upon his chest plate. The metal shattered at the contact and shoved anonymous back. “Son of a—!” Anonymous flew backwards only to roll up the hill upon touching the dirt. “Why am I being flung around like a ragdoll today?” His body was lying down on the ground stomach up, having to look up at the star studded sky. “Ha. So that’s what I’m fighting for? Not that bad actually.” He smiles, before a yellow pegasus came into view. His instincts kick in to cover his head. “Ummm, excuse me.” Her voice was quiet, anonymous slowly uncovered his head to see her looking down at him with an uneasy look. “Could you stay down. I-If that’s okay with you, of course.” “I….” He wasn’t prepared to handle this level of cuteness, nor was his mind ready. He just nodded, watching the girls walk past him as he stared up at the sky. Not paying him any mind. “Do those girls know how to safely remove a cursed spirit?” He asked himself closing his eyes. He was defeated by the heroes after all. He could’ve fought better, but he didn’t know the level of power they have at the time. Experience builds character after all. Reflecting on his foes, a white dashing rouge, a blue fast, a shy support, a bubbly support, a strong fighter, and a magic caster. Though something feels wrong, they don’t have a priest. If they intend to free Nightmare Moon of her cursed spirit then they must have a way. Right? His eyes shot open. “Shit! They don’t!” He rolls over to his stomach and began to sprint up to the ruins. His hooves stalled on the dirt and saw conflict at the other end of the ruins, they were near the towers! Anonymous was moving quickly, he may have lost, and sure is being mighty mean to the yellow pony, but he had to help even from hiding. His horn casted a thorny vine to climb onto the roof of the tower, a hole was there to allow him to peer into the conflict below. “You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me?! You may have defeated my worthless minion, but now you’ll never see your princess, or your sun, the night shall last forever!” Her cackle echos through the room as her magic swirled above her. He felt he was going through yet another hero and villain speech moment. So his brain tuned the conversation out as he needed to focus. Whatever they’re going to do will be powerful, he could feel it. His horn focused a redirecting spell. If they’re launching a Hail Mary purification spell, he could at least dampen the power to prevent the soul from being damaged. Until he heard it. Their title and who they are. Not a simple hand of heroes. They’re the Elements of Harmony. Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. All bound together with the spark, in which every friendship has Magic. The power of their magic was overwhelming and rainbow colored, but he had to try to intervene. He couldn’t redirect the spell anymore, if he tried to absorb the magic he could potentially harm his body. So he did what any sane person would do. He jumped right into the breach and fell directly before Nightmare Moon. “No! No! NOOOOOOO!” He could hear the last cries of Nightmare Moon as he stared up, she was indeed being purified. His horn quickly flared up and began to pump his stored up magic, specifically the magic that tastes like stardust into the purification spell. Any remnant of her old body should be done well into the purification spell. The spell only got more intense as the rainbow trail swirled faster, and then condensed around Nightmare Moon “I feel like I should—“ The magic expanded, and for the last time today, Anonymous was flung across the room hitting his body against a pillar. “You know. I should really move instead of talking first…” His eyes slowly closed as he fell to the ground. Finding himself unconscious. Anonymous slowly opened his eyes, to find himself at the legs of some white horse, it wasn’t the previous one he had the pleasure of meeting hoof to face, this one was different. Longer, and seemingly had the power of the sun behind her. “Rise. My Little Pony.” Her voice was gentle, yet it feels like he’s being scolded. However he should be okay here as he slowly gets up, his eyes finding himself to look up at her. Lavender eyes looking back at him. “So uh…ahem…this is awkward.” He feels like he couldn’t stare at her, but had to force himself to look back at her eye to eye. His horse body automatically bending to the respect she is definitely owed. “Indeed.” Anonymous is feeling a pattern here. “So, are you going to explain uh…” He looks around him, finally breaking eye contact. He’s in a cage, being guarded by gold plated pegasi guards. “Oh I’m in jail. Neat.” “You don’t seem too surprised by this.” She spoke with authority. It slightly scared Anonymous. “Bound to be jailed for being evil.” Anonymous chuckled. “Surprised it happened this fast.” “You speak from experience?” “Kinda.” Anonymous looked around some more, he was in the middle of the grasslands. Sounds in the distant indicate a party was being held. “Though I’m just glad I was able to do what I needed to in time.” “And what would that be?” “If I could see the results of my actions. I would be able to tell you.” He tried to course magic through his horn but felt nothing. A quick look to his horn revealed nothing but a thick ebony band with a crystal binding him. “Oh, hey, anti-magic band.” “What would those results be?” She attempted to put the conversations back into where she needed. He shook his head, taking a deep breath. “Not just yet, I need to know something. So tell me, is Nightmare Moon gone?” “Yes.” Her tone is still authoritative yet glad. Almost as if she wanted his old boss gone. “Then I’ve done what I needed. The Nightmare Moon spirit should be totally eradicated. If anything, her soul should be whole.” Anonymous took a peek at the guards around him, and their armor. They had an illusion spell etched into the gold to create an image. No wonder they looked the same. “Interesting…” She seemed to take a note of this information internally. Anonymous forced his eyes to focus back to the god horse, no matter what he felt an innate need to respect her. No matter what his brain told otherwise. “I assume this isn’t what you’re after.” “Quite. I just need to know why you helped Nightmare Moon.” Her voice turned hopeful. Anonymous thought of this question for half a second, then answered truthfully, “Boredom.” “Excuse me.” That hope was shattered, she didn’t hold contempt, just disappointment. “Boredom! I went into a spooky forest, found some equally spooky ruins and found an extremely spooky mistress, boss, queen, whatever. I just needed something to do.” Anonymous chuckled, “You know, it was fun for a while.” The tall white mare seemed to pause at his information and simply nodded. “Thank you. From what I’ve learned about you is that you don’t have a record here. Anonymous, if that is your name. Please know your trail will be held for treason in months time. Until then you shall be held in the Canterlot Dungeons.” “Man, I didn’t even get to invoke the fifth, also how did you know my name?” This confused him for a moment, then he put the pieces together. Moon horse told this sun horse about him during her transformation. “Excuse me? The fifth right of ponies don’t apply here.” She seemed to take slight offense at this. Anonymous wondered what the rights were here then. She spoke to the guards around her and the cage began to fly, the Pegasi guards carrying Anonymous. “Sorry about that. It’s just fun I suppose. I’ll see you in a month or two while I sit in a dungeon.” He gave her a small wave, smiling as he does so. The cage flew away, he looks off into the distance to try to spot any remnants of Nightmare Moon, and that he did. A dark blue tall mare staring at a wreath of colorful flowers around her neck. Her rear had the same mark as nightmare moon only a pure white instead of the corrupted blue. Sun and Moon. He wonders if her and the white horse are related. He could only smile to see that she’s returned at her full power instead of being a shell of what she once was. His view was cut short as the clouds began to obscure his view. “Dungeons huh? Real smart…” He muttered to himself. “I wonder how fast I can break out…” He looks up at the ring of anti-magic. He can break out, just not yet. Just a little while longer. > 2 - Prison > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anonymous munched on his in prison meal, potato salad, not the kind of prison meal he was expecting. He was hoping for more of an unusual slop of mysterious goop they find in the dumpster. Damn you prison regulations! Give him a reason to complain! He’ll just have to settle for complaining about the chains making too much noise when he moves. How do you even chain hooves?! Though, it was weird to be eating alone in his own section of the dungeons. Amenities were nice enough, wood bed, a wood table, and no window. It was deserved though, he was evil, or at least that what his character is. As it turns out, working with Nightmare Moon is very much frowned upon, especially when your reason is, ‘I was bored.’ He’s going to keep committing to the evil bit until otherwise. So what would an evil horse do? Escape of course! Anonymous turned to his stationed guard, standing just outside the prison bars. The guards usually swap shifts quite frequently to deter any escapes, it was honestly pretty annoying. He didn’t have a chance to escape, so going stealthily was out of the equation here. Therefore he’s going to use his patented five step program to get out of jail. Step 1: Annoy the guard. “So whatcha in for?” Anonymous leaned in The guard beyond the bars sighed. “Sir, we’re not having this conversation again.” “Daw you’re no fun!” Anonymous chuckled, he’s been pestering Frank for a while. How Frank got his name off a hay dog brand into becoming a guard was anyone’s guess, but he didn’t care. He had the most normal horse name so that was something. Frank didn’t respond, only silence from him. “Well, for me. It all started after six mares beat me up in a forest.” “Gah. Stay here.” Frank had enough, he did not want to listen to the same repeated story about how Anonymous could’ve won that fight. He just didn’t feel like it. Then he left, Frank just walked off to the other parts of the dungeon. Leaving Anonymous alone. “Alright! Step 2!” Anonymous clapped his hooves then immediately stared at his hooves as he wondered how does his hooves work. Always being able to grab stuff without magic is useful, close range Telekinesis. Wait, he’s supposed to be breaking out. Anyway! Step 2: Break Anti-Magic Ring Anonymous had to be careful to not break the ring. His plan was to depose of its anti-magic properties and keep it on his horn. Though, he couldn’t get a good look at the ring placed around his horn, but he could see silver and some sort of crystal in the center. The crystal glows. His mind wanders a bit as he formulates a minor spell discharge. Why is he casting a spell? Well the ring only blocks magic from leaving to formulate spells. It does not nullify, it only blocks. If it did nullify, it would destroy the magic within the pony as well. It will need to hit a certain sweet spot to actually delicately crack the crystal, but anonymous decided that was too much work and decided to be drastic. He head butted his horn against the table. Anonymous winced in pain as he felt the shock down his horn and into his head. Rubbing the crystal with his bound hooves proved one thing. It was resistant to blunt force. Not immune, so he went back to bashing the ring against the table. Why use magic when use head? An age old question barbarians ask when fighting wizards before getting frozen, stabbed, and set on fire. With enough of his horn being threatened with breaking he pulled back, and rubbed the crystal yet again. A crack! A slightly deep one at that, and with that crack, Anonymous shoved his magic into the crack of the crystal and shattered the ring in half. It gave Anonymous minor pain as the ring shocked his horn as it broke. “Ow. Well…I can’t win them all.” Anonymous slowly realized what he has done. He broke the ring, this severely ruined his plans. He’s going to have to expedite the process, by a whole day now. It was a two day break out, now’s he’s going any%. “Fuck it, let’s go through a wall.” Anonymous said to himself and promptly pointed his horn at the stone wall. A blue light surrounded his horn and he rushed towards a wall. Being sectioned off means at least one of the walls had to be dirt. He was definitely underground, it wouldn’t be very Dungeony if it wasn’t. He can worry about supports for the tunnel later. Step 3: DIG, DIG, DIG The sound of his drilling caught the attention of Frank, who quickly rushed back to Anonymous’ cell. His ears of caught wind of some strange sound. Taking to investigate, he saw Anonymous horn first against one of the walls. “Hey! What are you doing?!” Frank took a step to the side and pushed his hoof against a secure button. This button was supposed to overload the anti-magic ring and give a quick shock, but it didn’t work. He pressed the button again. “What the?” Anonymous flicked his head back and tossed a rock out of his way. “Fucking rocks…” The rock hit Frank square in the helmet and he jumped back from the ding the rock made. “Hey! Stop right there!” Frank had to draw upon his sword and shoved a key into the lock of the cell. Sliding the door open. Anonymous only turned and smiles. “Oh hey! Perfect timing actually. There wasn’t any—” Anonymous stepped aside from the pommel of the sword being swung at him. “—posters from what I can see.” He just continued like nothing happened, but continued to simply move out of the way of any swings towards his person. It wasn’t hard, just annoying. “What? I thought you were a pushover! You lost to civilians!” Frank was clearly annoyed. Anonymous could only chuckle at this. “You see my dear Frank. You’re just but a guard, they’re the heroes. I only lose to heroes.” Anonymous conjured a bubble around him, which caught Frank’s sword, keeping it in place. “You said you lost because you didn’t want to kill them.” Frank’s anger was rising, his hooves gripped onto the handle of his sword to try to free it. “Duh, I could recognize heroes when I see them. Even if for the first time. They remind me of a kid’s show I used to watch.” Anonymous clicked his tongue and shot a quick beam of magic towards Frank’s sword, knocking it out of his hoof. “Gotta really dig into the memory for that…” Anonymous said quietly to himself. “What do goats have to do with this?!” Frank resorted to using his hooves, swinging at Anonymous with less fines and more speed. The bubble did not budge. “Keep forgetting this is pony land. Anyway. Talk’s been nice, I’ve planted enough seeds to run with intrigue now.” Anonymous turned to the hole in the wall and slowly climbed in side. This caused his bubble to collapse. “What?” Frank stopped swinging and looked at Anonymous, using his mouth to tug on his tail. “Say hi to the Sun Horse for me!” Anonymous used what he learned from the orange horse and kicked Frank upside the chin and sent him away. Anonymous did yelp from having some hair from his tail ripped off. “Wait, I need to cover the hole…” Anonymous slid backwards and out of the hole. His eyes darting around to try to find anything useful. “Bowl?” He lifted his bowl containing his food. “No, too small, spoons?” His magic lifted a silvery spoon, it was odd they didn’t invent plastic yet. “I’m not digging with spoons again.” His eyes turned to the knocked out guard on the floor. “I’ll just use him.” Step 4: Poster After slotting Frank’s butt to plug the hole, Anonymous soon found himself into the hole in the wall yet again, using his horn to drill into the dirt across from him. “Okay. I’m in deep enough. Okay!” He took a deep breath and his blue drill turned yellow. His entire body now donning a new yellow glow. “Drill!” His mind only had one purpose now. To drill! His body spinning rapidly at one point, his horn, and began to move quickly. The ground behind him collapsing as he continued to move forward. Everything was a yellow blur until he found the point where the ground ends. His momentum shot him from the side of the mountain and sent him flying. “Wooo! Wait isn’t the ground supposed to be up? I didn’t even go up. What is…” He turned his head and saw the side of a large building moving away, then upwards. “Shit. I went through a mountain.” Anonymous winced at the damage he probably has done to the mountain, but now’s not the time for caring, he had to spread his limbs wide to catch as much of the wind as possible. He didn’t want to die to falling like this. Step 5: I WANT TO LIVE! He had to think and fast, if he could weave together a complicated spell to slow his fall, or teleport to the ground, or crash into that conveniently placed cart below him. “That'll do, just have to aim at the cart and…” He closed his eyes and shot a spell downwards from his location. His body pressed against the top of the cart and with a boing he flipped off the cart and onto the dirt. He heard someone call out, a feminine voice but Anonymous had enough, he just closed his eyes. He also hasn’t slept in three days, but that probably wasn’t important. It was time for a fat nap, but someone was poking him with a stick on his ass. “Please tell Trixie you’re alive! Trixie cannot risk her show in Ponyville being late!” The poking individual called out behind him. “Okay. Jeez. I’m not dead. Just very tired.” Anonymous sighed, he did not want to deal with a child in a strange complex. Once he turned to see who was poking him, now he’s suddenly dealing with an adult with a strange complex. “Thank Celestia. Trixie was just about to run. Where did you come from?” The blue mare who Anonymous could only assume is Trixie is currently pressing her presence towards him. She does have a cute wizard hat. Anonymous looked around, this was such a good place for a nap. Grasslands and a decent distance away from the mountain he just shot out of. So he had to answer in a half truth. “The sky.” “Haha. Trixie is amused.” She bit off a tiny bit of sarcasm. “But where did you come from?” “Don’t worry about it, I missed up a spell and now I’m out here, and did you say something about a show?” “Yes. I am the Great and Powerful Trrrrrixie!” She stood up on her hind legs and spreads her forelegs out. Her cape flowing from magically created wind. Anonymous checked the amount of magic he was absorbing, she wasn’t that strong. He thought of an idea, she could be the echo of that purple magic girl. The purple unicorn seemed to be knowledgeable and reliant on friends. Trixie here is not very strong and boastful. Why not become his own villain and train Trixie himself and rule this place with an iron hoof? “Say. Quick question, I know I just failed a spell, but I’d like to teach you.” Anonymous smiled. “Trixie does not accept offers from strangers who fall from the sky.” “Is there a reason?” “Trixie may have had some…” Her face turned a little red with embarrassment. “never mind. Pegasi fans are not the best.” She hurriedly attached herself to the cart. Anonymous watched and slumped his neck. “But I’m not a Pegasus.” “Trixie can see that.” She was ready to walk away. “Well. If Trixie doesn’t want to learn about cool spells such as this.” Anonymous had to show a spell, also she has basically an RV and couch surfing seems like fun. So he did what he could, and may or may not have shoot a giant laser beam into the side of a tree. The bark breaks and shifts from the impact. “T-Trixie can do that. Observe, for this is the only act you’ll be getting!” Trixie closed her eyes and shot a wimpy laser beam into the tree, leaving only a slight burn mark. Anonymous had to get her somehow. “Impressive, but I can teach you how to be stronger.” “Trixie feels there’s a price.” “There is a price, a great price. I would like to sleep on your couch.” “Trixie does not agree to these terms.” “Floor and I’ll clean up, and be your stage hand. This cart has a stage, right?” “Trixie will…errrr.” She shifts in place, “Fine!” Trixie asserts herself, standing back up tall and pressing her hoof against Anonymous’ chest. “If you don’t help Trixie at her Ponyville show, she will dump you in that backwater town.” “Fair enough.” Anonymous smiled. From evil grunt to evil mentor. This is going great! He should get a resume for future evil leaders, being evil is awesome! > 3 - Happy Accident > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anonymous pulled the cart from behind himself, it was nice. It was like driving, only bumpier and he’s the engine to his own car. Now he wonders if he could create an engine to ensure he never has to do this again, or perhaps he could be really evil and destabilize the taxi industry with an engine, but nah, Capitalism is too evil. “Trixie is failing to understand. Why healing magic?” Trixie is peeking out the window to her cart, looking down at Anonymous’s back as she practices naps for her performance. “You ever do math?” “Yes, Trixie does extensive work on ensuring her financial account is stable.” She puts a hoof to her chest and fluffs outwards. “Not what I meant, but good for you! I’m more of talking about how math works, you know. Positive and Negative.” “Ugh.” She looks away and hides herself back into the cart. “Trixie thoughts she’d get to avoid those types of spell casting.” “It’s important to keep your spell casting within a reasonable range.” “Trixie does not follow.” “Just think it like school.” “Trixie already graduated from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns!” She blurts out all of a sudden. “I didn’t ask, but good to know.” Anonymous kept his polite happy voice, it didn’t really matter to him, but hey! A pony named Celestia has a school! Good to know. “It’s a hallmark of any good Unicorn.” Trixie strikes a dramatic pose, sparkles shimmer around her as she does so. He remains unimpressed but is starting to notice a pattern, she’s been trying to say things that impress him. It isn’t really working, but hey, every teacher needs at least one annoying student! “Neat, anyway, reason why Healing Magic first is to patch up anything you may, fuck up. It’s also an exercise on channeling healing through your body so you can cast it through your limbs instead of through the medium.” “The medium?” “The horn.” “Oh…wait. You call it a Medium? Were you taught by non-ponies?” “It’s what they are, technically, an appendage that allows the user to channel their mana into a singular point to cast a spell. Instead of a fancy stick or a fancier bigger stick, we can just use the horn.” He ignored her second question. “Trixie feels like she’s in Magic Kindergarten again…what happened to casting the powerful spells or are you just a scammer hoping for a bed!?” “You can’t handle my strongest spells Young Unicorn.” “Trixie can handle your strongest spells! Trixie is a show mare!” “Unicorn, you can’t handle my spells they’re too strong for you right now.” “Trix-“ “Yeah, yeah. I get it. ‘I’m strong! I’m powerful! I’m great!’ Enough of that.” He mocks her voice as she stops the cart. “Just, get with the training here. You have to commit to learning how to use your entire body for spells! It’s all about the lungs and mantras. Not just the will to fight.” “You said it was about math!” “Yeah, that too. Magic’s lot of things.” “Trixie finds this too complicated. Why can’t you just teach me a strong spell! Trixie can’t woo ponies with healing magic!” “Sure you can, just break a leg.” “That’s a saying!” “No, I mean actually break a leg and walk it off.” “W-What kind of show do you usually run.” “The ones where I make money, and judging by your attitude, daddy’s money is all you have.” “That’s it! Get off of Trixie’s cart! Trixie can handle her own show!” “Alright, then I guess I’m stopping here and I’—“ Anonymous paused and noticed a faint pink hue surround him. Then lift him up in the air and toss him aside. “Hey, hey, hey! Woah!” He tumbled and landed against a tree, sliding down the bark. She used a surprising amount of magic upon his body, he couldn’t even absorb the magic in time to nullify the grab. “Good riddance! I hope to never see you again!” Trixie hooked herself up to the cart and rushed to the village at a new speed that was slightly faster than his pulling. In the distance he could hear her grumble. “Nopony makes fun of Trixie’s dad…” “She’ll see me in a few hours…” Anonymous muttered, feeling his tail twitch. “Lots of power but very, VERY imprecise. Wasted too much magic trying to grab and throw me.” A pine cone landed on his head. Shaking him free of any real thoughts. “Oh yeah! The village, I can probably be homeless!” He gave it some thought, realizing how terribly boring that could be. “I’ll just say I’m a tourist following Trixie, pass that off then dip back to the capital.” He gets back onto his hooves and stretches his back, then immediately pulsed healing through himself. “If the Sun Horse is there, then I can probably be very annoying there…hmmm, but that does leave a need to check on Moon Horse, but I’m a wanted fugitive…” His personal monologue rolls as he trots over to the village. Twilight focused hard her horn, from the concentration gave way to a strong magenta glow. The mantras were always getting stranger and stranger. Having to repeat the sound of hair growth in her mind. “Cmon Twilight you can…” Spike said in hopes of motivating Twilight. Then a familiar sensation filled his stomach. “Ghrk!” The sudden sound broke Twilight’s focused and shot out a chaotic spell, giving Spike a mullet. A glorious mullet, but no matter how beautiful it is, it’s a mullet on a dragon making it glorious. “Oops! Sorry Spike.” Twilight opened her eyes and saw the hair, it was strange. It seems the place where the hair has grown is determined by the ending mantra, but Spike isn’t looking so great. With a sudden heavy burp his hair was caught in the green magical fire, sending the spark in the air to form into a letter. “A letter from the Princess? What could she want at this time?” Spike said, finding the letter odd. “It could be important Spike. No matter what, the Princess has never failed me in giving me assignments, this is probably first one she has given me outside of the castle.” Twilight closed the book she had on the floor and placed it upon the table in the center with her magic, gently nudging the edge of the book to make it nice and center “Likely. Let’s see.” Spike quickly opens the letter, unhooking the royal steal that binds the parchment. Anonymous felt his stomach churn as he was thinking. “Blast! The prison food is getting to me! Woe is me!” He dramatically coughs into his hoof until he burps up fire from his bowels. His eyes followed the fire that escaped his maw, forming into ash and that ash swirling to create parchment paper. His instincts over took himself as he took the paper into his magic and opened it up, his eyes scanning the contents. “Dear Twilight Sparkle.” He reads. ”It has come to my attention that a Prisoner from Canterlot Dungeon and is on his way to Ponyville.” ”I ask you find him and make amends with him. Luna wants to make amends with the stallion.” ”Your Mentor, Princess Celestia” “Huh…okay. Okay. Okay. Knowledge gained. Moon Horse wants me.” He chuckled to himself, the magic from the parchment does have a magical address to the receiver, might as well be funny about it. “Okay. I need to find a mirror. This is going to be great!” He looks forward, he could only assume that is Ponyville. He is approaching a village, so… There was a strange silence in the tree library. It hung over the two of them as Spike seemed almost red, his face trying to hold in laughter. “What does it say Spike?” “It just says,” He chuckles, leaning into laughter before catching himself and clearing his throat. “It just says, Dear Twilight Sparkle and there’s a picture of a butt.” “W-W-W-WHAT?!!” “It seems my faithful student has sent me a letter, hopefully it’s about…” “…” “…Well, clearly this isn’t my art.” “Nicely drawn though…” “I’ll save that for later.” “It’s been about, let’s say two full hours, of my arrival to Ponyville. It seems to me like this is another usual small town,” Anonymous darts around hopping over fences, benches, and hedges. His eyes housing, they were empty. In fact all of them were empty. “Or a ghost town. I’m fine with either because someone must’ve known I went here.” He has been here for a total of twelve minutes. Anonymous walked down the empty side roads, and alleyways, his side grazing against the wall of a sugary confectionery establishment, emerging onto a dining plaza though there’s a suspicious lack of anyone. “If it was tracking magic, I would’ve absorbed it fully by now. If someone was tracking me, then I have to work on my stealth.” His monologue has been ongoing. He walks down across the area until he found himself on the Main Street, though it was just called Mane Street. On this street he spotted a trio of short individuals conversing. It was time, social activity! “So were you guys actually there?” A short purple and green dragon. “Well uh- we- uh- but-“ “But nothing, she’s nothing but a show off, unlike Twilight the proof is in the pudding.” “Hehehe. I like pudding…” Anonymous and a lanky yellow unicorn said in unison. “…wait.” Anonymous looked at the three, who were surprised to see a random adult appear within their conversation. The questioning point to his direction, from the dragon. Anonymous winced at the realization that he could’ve been a dragon, he would’ve had hands! “Who are you? Don’t tell me you’re another fan of Trixie.” “I mean…kinda? She’s a decent looking pony, just—“ “Not what I meant!” The dragon’s face went a little flush with anger. “I meant that you believe the Ursa Major nonsense.” “Hmmmm…eh. It would be cool to see a giant bear.” Anonymous wondered why they were naming the consolation of a bear instead of the bear itself, but considering the size of a normal bear, they must be pretty big for them. So it’s best to play it safe. “Why is it bear naked anyway, we’re not related to bears?” The lanky yellow pony interjects. Anonymous paused and looked at the little dude, he could swear he’s having the best time of his life right now. Baller. “…anyway.” “Trixie did vanquish an Ursa Major.” The cubby blue one said. “She said so herself!” “It’s not like one will walk down the street. Otherwise, Twilight is still stronger than her.” The purple dragon crossed his arms and looked away from the foal, dismissing the fellow. Though the blue guy had an idea, “You thinkin what I’m thinkin?” “Why this guy is here and why Pinkie isn’t doing anything about it?” The yellow horse stared at Anonymous, who just stood there. “Well, yeah, but—agh, cmon.” Anonymous watched the two scuttle along, without parental supervision. They’ll be fine, they’re horses, it’s not like they’ll pull out something big and scary. “…Odd ponies.” He looked over at the dragon, who seemed to be slightly miffed. Dragons are cool, they can totally hide their emotions, they’re cold blooded after all. “Tell me about it, they’re both totally in love with that Great and Powerful Trixie,” he mocked Trixie’s voice for a moment, “and are totally blind to her lies!” “I’d say let them make believe, she is just a show mare or whatever she does.” “Whatever, I’m going home.” “Neat. You do that. I’ll go…” Anonymous watched the dragon walk off, his eyes went down to the other side of the road. “I’ll just wander I guess.” “It’s going to be a long day.” He said to himself. His hooves taking him around the town. Ponies were now around, whatever that has been keeping them occupied probably ended for a return to day to day life.