Hope Run Dry Pt. 1

>Your head is pounding.
>You can't see anything, nothing but black, and you feel like your head is going to explode.
>You blink rapidly in hopes of seeing something.
>Slowly but surely the environment around you begins to come into focus.
>You try to move your head and look around but you're too sore.
>You decide to lay down and let your eyes adjust to your surroundings.
>Slowly, things stop blending together as much and you can make out you're in a empty field, near the edge of a light forrest.
>Your head's pounding begins to become less severe.
>As you begin to move your extremedies, your sense of touch comes back.
>You take a death breath and let an exhale, but as you exhale, you begin to hear something.
>It sounds like an animal, and it's coming closer
>Your heart starts racing, not knowing what it is approaching you.
>You writhe and toss and eventually put yourself on your stomach and begin to crawl a little, the footsteps coming faster.
>"Hey, wait up, don't move!" you hear being screamed from behind you.
>You're slightly relieved, knowing it's someone else and not something trying to kill you.
>"My my, you're a mess now, aintcha..." the voice says.
>"ugh.. w-what..." was all you could speak out.
>"Wait? You can understand me?" The voice said, quite surprised.
Y-Yes
>"My oh my you certainly are something, here, let me help get you to safety" She says, as you can now make out the voice and distinguish it as female.
>You begin to try and start standing on your own, in hopes to make it easier for her to carry you.
>As you get up on your legs you feel your head go light, the world around you blurs, and you fall to the ground once more.
>"Oh my, this ain't good at all, I'll get you to safety, dontcha worry!"
>As she goes to try and help you, your vision goes blank.

>You're awoken with scattered footsteps.
>You awake, but you're not exactly fully conscious.
>You begin to open your eyes to see a roof above you.
>Your sight comes back to you much faster this time.
>You can make out heavy wooden beams and a high rising ceiling, almost resembling a barn.
>You shift a little to make yourself a little more comfortable.
>You feel around with your hands, it feels like you're laying in straw, or hay or something of the sort.
>You hear some footsteps coming toward you.
>"Hey y'all, I think he's up!" You hear an excited child's voice blurt.
>You adjust the way your laying so it's like you're in a recliner instead of laying on a bed.
>You turn your eyes to the spot where the little girl was talking, but you just missed seeing her.
>You hear fainted talking and quite a few footsteps coming towards the room.
>"Little Applebloom over here says you're awake, you okay mister?"
>Applebloom
>You feel a jolt of energy spike though your whole body.
>You sit upright, so fast you feel like you're about to pass out again.
>You are awe struck about what stands before you.
>Half the apple family, standing in front of you.
>"You... feeling okay there mister?
>Applejack
>Is this a dream?
>Are some of the ponies you spent a good chunk of your life admiring here, in front of you?
>You're so awestruck you forget to answer Applejack's question
Yes... s-sort of. My head still hurts a bit
>"Here, let me get you some water, that might help ya a bit"
>Applejack trots out, leaving Big mac in the doorway, and Applebloom standing in amazement at you.
>"You can understand us mister?!?" she yelps with excitement.
Yes I can. Sorry I'm not speaking much I'm... just in shock..

>"What happened to ya?" She asked, concerned.
>Now that you think about it, you don't know.
>All you can even muster from memories is a huge bang, and then your memories of the field.
I'm... not so sure
>"Well if you're not sure what happened to you, can you at least tell us what you are exactly?"
I'm a human, Applebloom.
>She took in a huge gasp.
>"YOU KNOW MAH NAME??" She screeched in a surprised voice.
>Fuck
>You forgot they haven't introduced themselves.
Umm... I just took a guess. Guess I'm good, huh? haha...
>You laugh it off nervously.
>"Wooowwww...." She says amazed.
>"If you're this good, then what's my big brothers name then?" She says eagerly, trying to see how good you are.
hmmm... I'd have to sya Big Apple
>You tried to make it look like as much of a lucky guess as you could.
>You're not sure how they would react knowing that you watched a Television show about them and know all about them
>"Wow mister, you're really close! His name is big mac though."
>You hear hoofsteps coming to the doorway
>"Okay mister, I got your water, make sure you drink plenty of it"
>You take the jug of water and begin to drink it incredibly fast.
>Just drinking it is making you feel reinvigorated
>"Applejack, mister here guessed my name and almost guessed Big Mac's name in one go! He must be really smart!"
>"That's really cool sweetie, but i think it's time we stopped calling him mister. don't you agree?" She turns to you.
>"What is your name anywho?"
It's anon
>"Well anon, I'm sorry that Applebloom here has been bothing you so much."
>"HEY!" She yelps at her sister
No really... It's alright. It's nice having company.
>"Well, Applebloom it's time for bed anyways, you need to brush your teeth and go to sleep"
>"Awww but I wanna know more about miste- I mean anon!"
>"No buts about it, you have school in the mornin'"
>"Awww.... fiiiiinnee..." She says, ears folded back slowly trotting away.

>Applejack turns to you
>"I can't imagine what you're going through right now, and I know you just slept for 10 hours, but i think it's time we all got some sleep, including yourself Anon."
I think it's for the best as well
>"Alright then, off to bed with us then. If you need anything, anything at all, don't you hesitate to ask at all sugarcube"
>Sugarcube
>Hearing her call you that was enough to put a smile on your dimly lit face
Sure thing, and thank you very much
>"Twas nothin, now sleep well"
>Her and Big Mac exit the room, leaving you alone in the dimly lit room.
>You were wondering why they had only brought you to the barn to stay in. Surely it would get cold at night.
>You tried not to think much of it, with your condition earlier you should be lucky you're alive.
>You give yourself some time to collect your thoughts.
>You're not sure at all what happened. But one thing is for sure is that you're in Equestria now.
>You wonder about what is of the rest of the mane six.
>Your thoughts eventually tread off, as your eyes grow heavy.
>You close your eyes with your mind running wild.
>As your thoughts begin to disperse and your mind begins to clear a little, you slowly fall back into your slumber.

>You slowly open your eyes.
>The room around you has not changed.
>You're still in the same hay stack.
>With the same blanket cover.
>So there is no way this could possible be a dream.
>On the bright side you now feel like you have returned to relative normality
>You slowly sit up and, eventually, manage to stand up on 2 legs.
>You feel weak on your legs, like when you're sick for a long time and lay down for a while then try to stand up.
>You shrug it off by stretching your legs.
>You exit the small door to go to the main center of the barn.
>Most of the barn animals are sleeping or casually standing, not much noise.
>You walk out the main entrance of the barn.
>The light from the freshly rising sun blinds you a bit.
>You let your eyes adjust and walk around the barn a little.
>You don't seem to find any sign of the apple family.
>After two laps around the barn you decide to go to the house and knock on the door.
>You knock a couple times and you hear faint hoofsteps coming to the door.
>The door swings open and you're greeting by the friendly orange pony.
>"Well good mornin' Anon, I was just about to go check on you, glad to see you up and movin'!"
Thanks, it means a lot to know there are those who would look after me like this.
>"aww shucks, it ain't nothing" She said, you could see her face get a little red.
>There a moment of silence between you two.
>"Sooo... I was going to meet up with a couple of my friends in town, you wanted to come Anon?"
>You knew exactly who she was talking about
Sure, I'll join you. But don't you think that people will... you know, stare if they see me?
>"They probably will, but they won't act much beyond that, the people on Ponyville are kind people."
As I have already seen by you. You've convinced me, I'll go.
>Not that you needed much convincing, you thought it was absolutely amazing you'll get the chance to meet the mane 6, or at least a part of them.
>Applejack seemed pretty glad you were coming along as well.

>After a lengthy walk you and up near the center of ponyville
>The walk itself wasn't hard, but it was the most you had moved in the course of 24 hours so you felt a bit strained.
>You come across a familiar tree, large with lush leaves covering it's top.
>"Come around, the entrance is on the other side" Applejack said, motioning you to follow her.
>You now know for sure this is the tree you were thinking of.
>You come around to the other side to see a slightly ornate door leading into the tree.
>Yup, the library.
>Applejack goes up and knocks on the door.
>You wait anxiously for a second.
>You can hear muffled chatter and hooves making their way to the door.
>The door opens up and you see just who you thought you would.
>"Heya twilight, what's going on" Applejack give a hearty greeting.
>"Oh, hi applejack, nothing, just trying to clean up the-" She's stopped in her tracks as she looks at your most peculiarly
>"Uhhh... is this your friend?" She askes slightly intrigued and also concerned.
>"Oh, why yes he is, I found him yesterday, why don't you introduce yourselves?"
>"He can speak and knows how to speak?"
Yes I do.
>The sudden response startled Twilight.
Hi, I'm anon, nice to meet you
>You extend your arm for a hand-hoof shake
>Twilight looks at you weird
>"uhh... likewise, and I'm twilight. Mind if i ask what you're doing?" she asks.
Oh, this is how people like me greet eachother, we shake hands, or for you, hooves.
>"ookkkaaayyy.." she says, a little odded out, but she extends her hoof and you shake them.
>And odd silence falls upon you three
So, is this where you live?
>You ask this once again to cover your tracks of knowledge of the pony universe
>"Why yes, would you two like to come in?"
>"Why of course we would twilight."
>"Please, Anon, don't mind the mess, we're just re-organizing and alphabetizing the shelves. We do it every so often,
>You look around in amazement as you duck below the door as it was too small for you to walk through normally.

This place is amazing!
>You were utterly shocked, you didn't think the inside of the library was as big as it was, even on the TV show.
>Wall what seem like 30 feet tall filled to the brim with book, with empty sections where they were re-organizing.
>"Oh, I know isn't it, so many books in such a small place, I couldn't believe it myself when I first came here!"
It's captivating, truly.
>"So you know how to read too? Wow, you are truly something else, huh? Applejack, how exactly did you find him?
>"I found him half passed out in a field close to the orchard."
I'm not entirely sure how i ended up there, all i remember is a huge bang, and waking up in that field.
>"Oddly peculiar..." She said, thinking to herself.
>"A being of sentience not only capable of speech, but our language as well, and reading! Walking upright at..."
>She looks up to you
>"Almost three times our height! You truly as a magnificent being Anon, I'm quite curious about you..."
>You thought her intrigue about you was quite adorable
I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have, as I'm sure you have plenty.
>"Oh gosh, where to begin!"

>"My first question, is everyone where you're from as tall as you? And what do you call your race?"
I'm slightly taller than average, but girls where I'm from tend to be shorter than I am
>You hold your hand level at about your shoulder to show her how much shorter most girls are in comparison
>"So even the shortest of your species are taller than us?! Wow, and what was it you referred t yourselves as?"
We call ourselves humans.
>"interesting..." She said, making a hasty writing on a piece of paper left on the table
>"So uh, Twilight" Applejack began, "I was hoping to introduce Anon here to all our friends, I'm sure they'd all like to meet him"
>"Great idea Applejack! Although I thought I heard something about Rainbow Dash Flying out of time for a good portion of the day."
>"Aww shucks, once we get everyone else hopefully she'll turn up, if not maybe we could have Fluttershy or someone go and try to find her"
>"Sounds like a plan, we should stop by sugar cube corner first off, I want to see pinkie's face when she see's Anon"
Do you think she'll be scared?
>You're still covering your tracks of knowledge the best you can, and you think it's working.
>"Oh no, She's the friendliest and happiest pony you'll ever meet, you two will be instant friends, I can tell!"
Well that sounds nice.
>"Also, one more thing Twilight, I don't know if you remember, but I told you I'll have to go to Appaloosa tomorrow, and I don't want to leave Anon all alone, you think you could watch over him.
>"Yes, that sounds excellent, what do you think of it Anon?"
Sounds good to me, I'm not picky
>"Alright, now let's go get the other girls shall we?" Twilight said she started her way out the door.

>You're still in slight disbelief
>How on earth, you of all bronies, managed to accomplish something that thousands of other bronies would kill for?
>You weren't arguing with it, but you were naturally curious.
>The town was a little more lively than you remember in the show.
>Some people had their fair share of odd expressions but otherwise kept to themselves as their daily lives went on.
>Your group approached the sugar cube corner
>You never thought a building could look positively edible until now.
>Twilight walked up to the door and gave it a few knocks
>"DON'T COME IN" She screeched from the inside.
>"Umm... Pinkie, are you okay?" Twilight asked
>"YES. FINE. JUST DON'T COME IN JUST YET"
>"alright, tell us when you want us to come in" Twilight replied
>You tried to keep your laughter back at her quick retorts.
>"Well girls, shall we wait for shall we go to the next stop?"
I don't much mind either really
>"Well, I ain't one for standin' around, I say we go to the next stop"
>Twilight didn't seem to mind, and you didn't much either, so you left Pinkie to her crazy antics, whatever they may be.
>"So where to next?" Applejack asked.
>"Carousel Boutique is our next bet"
I'm interested to see this place you speak of.

>You arrive at the entrance of the Carousel Boutique.
>The door and entrance are ornate and glittery almost like glass.
>Twilight walks up and knocks on the door a couple times, it was before the store's hours so she didn't just want to barge in.
>"Come in!" you could hear hollered from inside the building.
>Twilight turns around and shrugs, and opens the door and walks in. Rarity is sitting on a table in the back drinking something from a cup with a newspaper in front of her.
>"Hi Rarity, it's us, we have someone we think you'd like to meet"
>"Oh, well helloAAaaaaAAA!" She lets out a hollar, not expecting to see someone, or rather as she would put it, someTHING like you.
>"Oh my, what ARE you?"
I'm a human,
>"You're positively massive! And you cant talk and understand me?!"
Of course
>"My oh my, I must say I was... startled by your appearance at first, but now that I think of it you truly are something else aren't you?"
Not really, I'm just like every other human.
>"There are MORE of you? Twilight, how did you stumble across this species."
I'm the only person of my species here by... some means, I'm not sure.
>"Yes, Applejack here found him in the middle of a field near her barn, isn't that right?" Twilight asked
>"Why yes, I just found him trying to get up on his feet before he passed out."
Yeah, I don't have any memory before then, unfortunately.
>"Tell me, umm... what was your name?"
It's Anon
>"Anon, okay! So tell me Anon, do the females of your species wear dresses like us here in Ponyville?"
Why yes they do
>"OH this is simply mervelous! I love getting people's opinions on dresses, I won't make you look over every dress I have but just real quick I would like you to look at one." She said as she quickly galloped into another room, and came back up holding a mannequin with her magic with sparkly dress.
>It was shiny and flashy, and in a pretty shade of dark blue.
>"So tell me, Anon, what do you think of this dress."

>"So tell me, Anon, what do you think of the dress?"
>This phrase echoes throughout your head.
>You try to utter a response, nothing seems to leave your mouth.
>The room around you starts to twist and turn, and you feel incredibly dizzy, hardly able to stand on your own 2 legs.
>Eventually your sight started to fade, the room around you was turning white.
>This went on for what felt like hours before everything around you was white, almost blinding to your eyes.
>You close your eyes tight and rub them and open them up again.
>"So tell me, Anon, what do you think of this dress."
>You hear, and open you eyes.
>Before you stood a girl, you felt like you knew her, but you weren't exactly sure.
>"Well?!" She looked at you with a wide smile, and an expecting look.
It looks gorgeous!
>You didn't even look at the dress, you wanted to say something because any noise sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
>"Oh I knew you'd like it!" She said as she jumps into your arms and gives you and enormous hug.
>As you go to give her a hug back, her figure dissipates into the air like sand.
>Soon the few windows and wall that make up the scenery began to follow suit.
>As soon as the last bit of your surroundings around you dissolved, you feel like your slammed back into where you were in ponyville.
>You feel as if your very soul fell hard back into your body.
>You struggled to breathe, and you heard the few ponies around you wondering frantically what had happened.
>You lay on the ground, regaining your breathe like it had been knocked out of you.
>You slow your breathing and you feel your heart rate follow suit.
>"My god, Anon, what happened!" You heard Rarity ask, incredibly concerned.
I..I-I don't know...
>You slowly get yourself up and sitting, feeling like you are past the worst of the symptoms of whatever it was had happened.

>You're sitting there lazily trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
What happened?
>"I had asked if you had liked this dress I made and you just... Passed out!"
For how long?
>"Only for a minute, but still we were worried about you. Is this common among people of your species?"
Not entirely
>You slowly get yourself back up to your feet
Sorry about the spook there. Not a good first impression to you all, now is it?
>"Oh darling, don't you worry your head about it. Say i know what would do you good. How's some fresh air? Is there anyone he hasn't met yet?" She asked looking at Twilight
>"Well, we tried to introduce him to Pinkie but she was being weird, so all that's left is Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, but Rainbow Dash isn't here today I don't think."
>"Okay, well a good walk through rural Ponyville sounds relaxing, don't you all think?"
>"Ah reckon I could go with a bit more walking"
I'm okay with anything so long as that doesn't happen.
>"Well then, what are we all standing around here for? Let's go!" Rarity said in a happy tone.
>Everyone followed suit.
>During the walk you were trying to think about what happened, what you saw and what it meant.
>You felt like you knew the woman you saw, but you know if she was someone you were close to you would remember her.
>After some thought you decide to shrug it off. After all, you don't even know how the hell you got in Ponyville in the first place, so i guess stuff of equal strangeness is bound to happen.

>Despite your earlier episode, you feel really at peace in what you assume to be your new home.
>It's as vibrant and colorful, if not more than you had imagined.
>You don't talk much to the others only because you are breathtaking by your surroundings and the environment,
>Everything is so clean and pure.
>Your group starts to approach Fluttershy's cottage.
>You decide to take your attention off your surroundings and prepare yourself for Fluttershy's reaction to you being... well you.
>If Rarity and Twilight had reaction like theirs you're afraid that Fluttershy might have a heart attack.
>Twilight makes her way to the wooden door and knocks.
>The four of you wait for a bit.
Do you think she'll panic a little bit like when you guys saw me the first time?
>"I'm... not entirely sure..." Twilight said.
>"I guess we'll just have to find out" Rarity said.
>Twilight turned around to knock a second time when a small bunny came hopping toward the 4 of you, presumably angel.
>He taps his feet a couple times to get Twilight's attention, and points to the side of the house
>"Oh, she must be outside tending some animals." Twilight says.
>Angel leads the way and your group follows suit, having to job at a steady pace as the small rabbit is a bit faster than you had thought.
>She leads you to the entrance to the large pen and in the distance you can see Fluttershy tending to a few chickens near the pen.
>"Fluttershy, over here!" Applejack yells over getting her attention.
>She stares over in your groups direction and her eyes begin to grow wide.

>"Oh my goodness, I've never seen anything like you!" Fluttershy says with excitement, or as excited as her quiet little voice could go.
>The biggest smile came upon her face as she flew over to you and started flying circles around you just looking at you,
>"You sure are a big one, aren't you?" She asks
So I've been told.
>"oh my, and you can talk too! This is wonderful. Since you can talk, please" She flies over to your face and makes the cutest doll eyes you think you've seen, "Please tell me what it's like being what you are!"
Well, uh... I'm not sure where to begin really.
>"Fluttershy, I think you should just walk around with us and get to know Anon that way."
Oh yes, I almost forgot, my name is Anon.
>"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you Anon. Sorry, I just get carried away when I see something I haven't see before, unless it's something scary."
It's okay, I'd be equally surprised if I found any of you all back at my home.
>"What's your home like, mister Anon? I can call you that, right?"
Of course Fluttershy. It's actually not to dissimilar to here at all actually, only the buildings are larger and instead of ponies, you have humans like me.
>"Well that explains why you haven't been questioning about anything around here."
More or less.
>"Well Fluttershy, were you going to join us?"
>"Of course! I just got finished filling the chicken's food. What were you all planning on doing?"
>"Well we were just showing Anon here around and trying to gather all our friends, but I know Rainbow Dash won't be around today and Pinkie was just being... well Pinkie"
>"Well, she did say we could come in after a bit, want to try her again?" Applejack suggested.
>"I don't see why not. Come on everypony, let's go."
>As your group shifted to walk back to Ponyville your thoughts shifted to home.
>Your memories are blurry but you remember enough to wonder how your parent were doing.
>How your friends and acquaintances were doing as well.

>Your group made it's way back into Ponyvile
>The day was half over and the traffic around the streets could show you that without a watch.
>Thankfully people are too busy with their doings and whatnot to notice you towering over half of them.
>Your group approached Sugarcube corner.
>There was nobody outside waiting in line, the door was closed shut as it was when you left it.
>"This is... odd." Twilight says.
>"Yes, this is nothing like her to shut out everypony like this" Rarity adds.
>"Lets see what's going on" Twilight adds, approaching the door and knocking on it.
>No response
>You all stand around a look at each other.
>"Well, you all want to try and just... you know... walking in?" Applejack asked.
>"Let's, please. I'm a little worried about Pinkie, more than usual..." Rarity says.
>"Alrighty then."
>Twilight opens the door
>It's completely dark
>"Helllooooo! Anypony home?" She yells in.
>Suddenly the light flash on, almost blinding you.
>"SSSUURRRPPPRRIIISEEE!!" You hear Pinkie's voice scream.
>You're so stunned by it all you're not even sure what just happened.
>You look and see Pinkie hopping towards you.
>"Heya! This is you super-duper special welcome to Ponyvile party!" She says with an enormous smile on her face.
Wow... thanks! I really appreciate it.
>"Oh it was nothing, seriously!"
>"This is all very wonderful Pinkie, but... how exactly did you know that Anon was with us?"
>"Oh, i have a silly story for you all for that!"

>"Let's seeeee, it all started when i was going ti see Applejack yesterday about getting some extra apples for some pies..."
>"I couldn't find Applejack at her house so I went and looked around the orchard, and in the middle of my search I saw Applejack carrying you Anon!"
>"I must admit, you looked a lot tell taller then than you do now!"
>What was it with them and your height.
>"Anyways, I saw you weren't feeling well and decided to prepare a super spectacular welcome to ponyville / get better party!"
>"I admit, I was worried when I saw you, Twilight and Applejack try to come in, but thankfully you guys listened as I made final preparations. It just wouldn't have been the same without the super-duper surprise!"
That's for sure, you sure yous a lot of decorations, didn't you?
>"What's a party without streamers, balloons and silly string!?"
>You saw her logic
>Silly string did make everything better.

>Pinkie's party was pretty fun.
>You always thought her parties were a bit cheesy in the cartoon but this was pretty fun.
>Half the foods she had didn't particularly appeal to you, but the cake and punch was some of the best you had taster.
>You're surprised you didn't contract diabetes, or how anyone else hasn't already.
>Everyone leaves Sugarcube Corner fat and happy with fun times in their mind.
Well that was something else.
>"Pinkie always throws the greatest parties, without a doubt!" Rarity says, "Although it's getting late, I should probably head back to the Boutique "
>"Ah don't blame you, I should get headed out too, gotta be up early to catch the train out. You sure you don't mind staying with Twilight, Anon?"
Not at all.
>"Alright, I'll see y'all in a couple days"
>Everyone exchanged goodbyes as applejack trotted off.
>"I guess it's time for me to go too. Umm. Anon?" Fluttershy asked.
What is it?
>"I hope you don't mind me asking if you'd like to come by my cottage some day and you can tell me everything about your species, I would love it!"
Of course, sounds like a good time.
>"Oh, this is great, but I have to get home and feed all the animals, I'll see you two later!" she said as she fluttered off toward her cottage outside the town.
>This just left you and Twilight.
You have anything planned?
>"Not that I can think of, why you ask?"
Oh just curious seeing as everyone else seems to have something their doing.
>"Understandable. Say I can't remember if you said anything or not, but did you mention about your species being able to read at all?"
We can, just as you all can.
>"Well lets head on back to the library, I want to see how much you know, i'm interested in how smart you are."
Probably not as much as you seeing as you live in a library, but I'll give it my best shot.
>"Oh nonsense, I see how you look at everything around you, you're very smart, but kind of quiet. Trust me. I can relate, Anon."

>You arrive at the library with Twilight, the sun is set now, and with the lack of street lights, the night sky is littered with stars.
>You step in with Twilight to see Spike sorting through a few books.
>"Twilight, do i have to keep doing this?" He said exhaustively, before giving you a peculiar look, "Hey Twi, whose the tall dude?"
>Always with the height
>"This is Anon, he's from out of time, he's going to be staying with us for a while."
>"Sounds good to me, so long as he stays away from my gems."
Don't worry, I wont take anything, it's not like me.
>"Sounds like we'll get along perfectly, I'm spike, nice to meet'cha"
Likewise.
>"So Anon, I wanted to ask a few questions for you, about your species and where you're from, I'm incredibly intrigued."
>You ponder for a moment about where to begin.
I don't know where to begin in all honesty, what strikes your curiosity the most?
>She puts her hoof to her chin
>"Are there variations of you humans, much like we have earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns?"
Nope, we're all, for lack of any better explanation, the same.
>"Interesting... and what about the environment, your houses and cities?"
It's quite an ice place, not too different from here like I've said, the buildings stand about 4 times taller and are about 20 times more abundant."
>"Wow, there must be a lot of you humans, aren't there?"
Quite a bit, but it's nothing out of the ordinary, like normal, every day stuff.
>"hmm..." She pauses and thinks for a second.
>"Do you have any magical properties at all?"
Well... not really. I mean there are some humans who claim they can speak to dead, some who can see ghosts, others who are more resistant to pain, but it's nothing more than unique and rather awesome mutations.
>"Very interesting..." She says.
>"Say would you mind letting me see just exactly if and how you might be magical."
>You hesitated for a second
Umm... I don't see why not.
>"Good, this will only tingle for a few seconds."

>You felt yourself begin to levitate off the gound a little.
>You're whole body was feeling like you were hitting your funny bone.
>You tried to squirm a bit or move around but you couldn't move.
>You sat there with this odd feeling for what felt like a few minutes before you plopped back down onto your feet.
>You felt like your whole body had tons of energy
That was... different.
>"That's not the only thing, wait till you hear what I have to say about you."
Well, what did you find.
>"There is, tons of arcane energy within you, but it's... dormant, asleep. Like a bear in hibernation,"
So... you're saying I'm a wizard but not really?
>"Sort of. You have the potential to be if you can wake up that energy and harness it somehow."
And how do you suppose I do that, exactly?
>"I'll be honest, I have absolutely no clue." She said shaking her head trying to make as much sense of it as you were, "Are all humans like you, with that kind of energy lying inside them?"
I have no idea, I never knew about this energy until you mentioned it to me.
>"Well, if not you're a special one then. Tell you what, I'll search through the books I have of dormant magic and see what I can find." She said immediately trotting over to a bookshelf and rapidly searching for books with her magic.
While you do that, mind if I step out and have some fresh air?
>"Sure, go out for a walk if you want, that spell tends to make people hyper for a little bit after it's cast on them."
I think I'll do that, plus I saw how beautiful the night was with the stars before we came in, wouldn't hurt to take in more of the scenery.
>"Aren't they? When you get back and if I don't find anything to help you with your dormant magic, I have a telescope up by my bed and I can show you all the constellations in the night sky."
That would be pretty cool, I'll take you up on that.
>"Okay then, I'll leave you to your walk then, don't get lost!"
I won't I promise, I'll be back in a bit, I love you"

>"Wait, what did you say?" She said, giving you a confused look
I said I'd be back in a bit.
>"Oh okay, I'll be here!" She said, sticking her head into one of the books.
>You quickly walk outside and close the door behind you
>I love you?
>Where did that come from, you didn't have any intention of saying that. It was almost involuntary.
>You're just incredibly glad she didn't hear that, otherwise things might have gotten a little weird.
>You begin to walk down a random walkway, seeing a pony every now and then.
>Due to it being night they were a bit more jumpy than they were during the day, but you shrugged it off.
>Eventually the houses became a little more scattered and you found yourself in a little more rural part of Ponyville.
>You look around and see something that catches your eye.
>A small pond reflecting the moonlight on the water.
>You decide to walk over and take a seat down by the water.
>As you get closer to the pond you notice several fireflies floating over the water making the sight quite the spectacle.
>As you sit and stare over the reflection of the night sky and fireflies, you think to yourself.
>You could get used to this.

>You sit around the water for a few minutes before you think you should turn back around and head back around to the library.
>You get up and start to walk back to the road.
>You reach the road, even less ponies scatter the roads then before.
>This doesn't mind you, you like it when it's quieter any who.
>You see the tree in the distance, the lights are still on so they must still be awake in there.
>You walk up and knock on the door.
>You see the door open up with a glow of magic.
>"Come on in!" Twilight hollers over at you.
>You walk in side to hear the door shut quietly behind you.
Any luck with the whole 'hidden magic' thing?
>"Unfortunately no. These books only mention dormant magic in items and trinkets, but none saying anything about dormant magic in beings."
So I guess i'm not going to be a wizard after all?
>"Like i said, not exactly, I just need to look into it further, but I promised you I'd show you some of the constellations, plus I could do wit ha little relaxation." She said stretching her wings out before closing the books pages.
>"Come and follow me." She said trotting up the stairs.

>You follow Twilight up the stairs.
>She uses her magic to pull the telescope closer the the bed.
>"Come on Anon, sit down, I'll show you some of the constellations I know."
I've never used a telescope before, I just want to see what it's like to see the stars through them
>"Oh of course, here, try it out!" She uses her magic to pull the telescope closer to your side of the bed,
>You look through the telescope, it's a little hard to use because it's not intended for someone of your size, but you make the best of it.
>Your breath it taken by seeing the stars up close.
>"If you look a little to your left you should see the big dipper, here!" She pulls the telescope to the left a bit.
>With the stars you can make out a formation of stars that resemble that of a ladle.
>It's a lot more fine than the Big dipper on earth, made of more stars and is much brighter.
>You take your eye off the telescope and look at Twilight
That is something else, really fascinating.
>"I know, I've always been fond of what lies in stars beyond our world.
>A short silence falls between you.
Hey, Twilight, I really like you.
>"I really like you too Anon, you're a nice person."
>There it is again.
>You didn't even consciously say that, it was almost like something else inside was making you say that.
Listen, Twilight, I love you
>"Umm... what?" She says.
>The world around you begins to turn again, and you become incredibly nauseous.
>Your head becomes light and you feel your sight fading, just like it did earlier
>Eventually your surroundings begin to blend into white again.
>You don't think you'll be able stay conscious at this rate, your breathing is becoming ragged and heavy.
>What the hell is happening?

>Everything around you was white, and it was like you were sitting on nothing.
>You look around rapidly to only see blinding white.
>Your eyes couldn't handle it, and you rubbed them extremely hard in hopes of it going away.
>"Umm, I don't know what to say Anon..." You hear a girl voice respond
>You open your eyes again to see the same girl you saw earlier.
>You're taken off guard and not sure what to say.
>"Umm... I like you a lot too?" She says with a confused look.
Umm... Okay....
>"Listen, I know what you mean, but, I-I guess I just don't like you like that Anon."
>"Sorry..." She said, her figure become pale
>Eventually, just as before, her form begins to blow away like sand in the wind.
>You're left sitting there, wondering what that was about and wondering who she was.
>Suddenly, you feel like your slammed back into your body.
>You take several deep breaths.
>You feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest.
>You open your eyes to see Twilight forcing her hooves on your chest as if to perform CPR.
>"Oh my god, Anon, I was so worried!" Twilight yelled, giving you a surprise you. You hugged her back.
W-What the hell happened?
>"I don't know, you were looking at me and then you started to sway a little before passing out! You stopped breathing and I was so worried!"
>You stopped breathing?
>Wow, this is something else, isn't it.
Did I say anything before I passed out?
>"You mumbled a few words under your breathe but I couldn't make out what it was you were saying, I was more worried about you just collapsing for no reason!" She said, getting off of you and looking over you.
That's the second time that's happened...
>"I know, did this happen before you came here, to Ponyville?"
No, not in the world before and not until this morning.
>"This is, really weird. Did you hit your head at all?"
Not that I know of...

>"Maybe what you need is a good night sleep"
Maybe. I'm not tired. Maybe it's a side effect of being thrown into this world that will fade over time.
>"Could be, but maybe some sleep wouldn't hurt anyways. We did have a long day."
Agreed...
>"Here." She said, using her magic to pull the blanket over you and a pillow under your head, " You can have my bed, I'll be up for a little while longer reading up on our little magic conundrum here."
Okay, you let me know when I can be a wizard, okay?
>"Haha, will do." She chuckled, before turning a lot of the lights down.
>You didn't notice it until just now, but damn she was adorable when she laughed.
>You turn your head, mind blank staring at the ceiling.
>Your mind soon takes you to thoughts of home again.
>You can't really remember what exactly lead up to this.
>The last thing you remember was eating at a restaurant with some friends.
>That probably has nothing to do with this and where you are.
>Eventually, through your rapid thinking and attempts to remember what had happened makes your eyes heavy.
>You eventually close your eyes and lose yourself to the land of dreams.

>You slowly open your eyes.
>You stretch your arms out and look around.
>You must have tossed and turned a lot last night, the sheets and blankets are all thrown around.
>you get up and fix the sheets and lay the blankets down.
>They weren't that big so it wasn't much of a hassle to get it all fixed.
>After you finish putting the pillows in place, you walk down the stairs.
>You see Twilight snoring lightly with her head buried in a book.
>Yup, just like on the show.
>You never understood just exactly how anyone could fall asleep into a book but you didn't argue it, it was funny and cute to think she spent all that time trying to figure out what is up with you.
>Not even YOU knew what was up with you which is even more surprising.
>You stand for a second, contemplating whether or not you should wake up Twilight or not.
>Before you could make a decision, you heard a knock on the door.
>The noise awakens Twilight anyways.
>"Who is it?" She says tiredly
>"It's us Twilight, let us in please!" You hear a high pitched voice call out.
>Twilight uses her magic to open the door, and suddenly three fillies barge in and rush their way over to you.
>"See, ah told you he was super tall!" Applebloom says pointing to you.
>"Woooowww. He's sooo talll.." Scootaloo says, looking at you like she's hypnotized.
>"I bet he's SUPer strong!" Sweetie belle says,her voice cracking.
>"Girls calm down!" Twilight shouts. "You girls didn't even introduce yourselves!"
>"We're sorry Twilight..." They all say in unison.
>"Anon already knows who I am, why don't you two introduce yourselves?"

>"Hey, I'm scootaloo!" The little Pegasus says with a cheery smile.
>"And I'm Sweetie Belle, you've met my sister Rarity already I'm sure."
You're her sister? I didn't know Rarity had a smaller sister.
>You think facade of not knowing their world has worked pretty well.
>"Hey, I'm not JUST her sister, I'm bestest, most AWEsome-est sister ever!" She says, letting her voice crack again.
>"Hey, AHM the best sister!" Applebloom says in retort.
>"Girls, please, if you're going to argue like this, please take it outside, I have a headache." Twilight says.
>"Yeah girls, you two can have your stupid argument outside." Scootaloo says, practically dragging them outside.
>The door shuts close behind them and Twilight breathes a sigh of relief
>"I honestly don't know how their sisters put up with them sometimes, they're such a handful."
They're energetic that's for sure.
>"That's an understatement for sure." Twilight says, pulling some of her notes together and sifting through more books.
Any luck with the magic?
>"Not exactly. I've been trying to figure out how to unleash dormant magical energy, but so far nothing on dormant energy in living creatures, just objects."
As much as I'd like to see my inner wizard come out, I think spells used for items won't exactly have the same effects on a living being.
>"Exactly, there's no knowing what might happen should we attempt something like that, so I'm looking around for a way to use it with living creatures with no real back lashes." She said using her magic to grab another book.
>Then her face had become like something like she had seen a ghost, and dropping he book from her magical grasp.
>"I got the answer, Anon!"

What is it?
>"You know how us unicorns use our horns as our way to channel our magic, correct?"
Of course
>"That's exactly it! It's lying dormant because you have no way to channel it out of your body!"
Makes sense to me. But I don't exactly have a unicorn horn, nor do i really want one...
>"Oh no, I wasn't going to suggest something silly like that."
What DO you suggest?
>"Well, the answer is simple really, a wand!" She exclaimed
>You really were going to become a wizard, weren't you?
I have a feeling it's not that simple really
>"Not exactly, you have to learn to control it, learn how to use it, manipulate it and work it in a way that won't harm yourself or others."
>"In other words, I'm going to have to train you and teach you how to use this immense magic well inside of you."
I'm willing if you are, I want to see my potential
>"Of course I'm willing. First we have to find you a wand, or maybe even a staff is possible. Not to mention one for someone of your size."
>"On top of that you might not be able to use your whole potential using an 'artificial' means to channel that magic inside of you, but with that amount of power surging through you, i don't think it would matter."
You really think I have THAT much potential?
>"I don't think, I KNOW." She says.
>Its weird.
>You never had anyone believe in you like this before.
>Right now you made a decision.
>You were going to try your best to be as powerful as you can, and use it to help those as much as possible.
>For the first time in a while...
>You felt alive again.

>The next few hours were spent reading and studying all the book Twilight had given you about magic, controlling it and containing it for you to use.
>She wanted to be very cautious, she seemed to see an enormous amount of energy within you and she didn't want to take any chances.
>Even though you never were fond of reading, some of the information in here was quite helpful.
>If you were a novice of magic enough, you could literally explode if you tried to cast a spell and failed.
>Like just explode.
>You thought it was a little odd, but you're in a realm of talking ponies so you don't argue it.
>You're in their world so you live by their laws, both governmental, and physics bound laws.
>As you read on you found something that piqued your interest, so you called Twilight over
Twilight, I have a question...
>"Of course, what is it?" She asked
It says here that, while magic can be used for anything, ponies find that their magic is a lot more potent if it's used on something that their cutie mark portays.
>"Of course, but that wasn't a question."
I was getting to that. Seeing as my lack of a cutie mark, what kind of effect do you think that could have?
>"Well, lets put it this way, A cutie mark symbolizes a ponies greatest desire and what they are best at combined into one. It's more of a mindset than it is just set-in-stone cuti mark power."
Makes sense. So I'll be able to manipulate things around here more easily if I am fond of them?
>"Precisely. That, and stuff that is close to you from you child hood, or in your case, where you were from. It's how I can organize hundreds of book at one time, I could never stop reading, haha."
I can see why, this information is incredibly valuable.
>You stuck your head back into the book to continue reading.
>At this rate, you should be a professional wizard in no time.

>The hours you spent reading slowly turned into days
>Every now and then someone of the mane 6 would stop by and wonder where you were and how you were doing.
>It was nice to take a few breaks from reading to hang out with other ponies.
>Eventually the pile of books beside you widdled to none.
>You had finished reading the last book and looked over at Twilight.
Hey Twilight, I'm finished the last book!
>"Great, let me just send this letter over to Celestia real quick, I promise it's important, we'll have to wait until she responds.
>"Spike!" She yelled, as spike came running over form the other room.
>"What is it Twilight?"
>"I need you to send this letter to Celestia and wait for a response."
>"Alright..." He said, taking the letter in his hand a breathing his magical fire on it to send it away to Princess Celestia.
>"How long do you think it will be?" Spike asked.
>"Not long I hope." She replied
What's so important that we have to wait for this letter?
>"Oh you'll see anon." She said, giving you an assuring look.
>You decided to go along with it.
>You sat and waited around with the other two for a bit.
>Eventually it had been a couple hours and she hadn't responded.
When do you think she'll be back?
>"I don't know, I really hope she-" She was cut off short by an enormous burp from spike's mouth.
>From the flames emerged a small, rather ornate wooden box.

>Twilight uses her magic and places the small wooden box in front of you.
>"Go ahead, open it!" She said wit ha huge smile on her face.
Shouldn't you open it? I mean you;re the one who wrote to Celestia.
>"nuh uh" She said, shaking her head.
>"It's meant for you, so you should open it!"
umm.. okay.
>You weren't one to argue with that adorable face.
>You click the two little locking mechanism on the front and the small box opens.
>What's inside is something you couldn't believe.
>It was a wand, but it was more than that.
>I was incredibly ornate and decorated incredibly well.
>Whoever crafted this surely knew exactly what they were doing.
>You picked it up and held it in your hand.
>It fit perfectly in the palm of your hand, light weight and sturdy.
>If there was ever a wand you wanted it would be this one.
It's truly amazing.
>"I must admit, when I asked for Celestia to make a wand crafted for you, I didn't think she would make one of that... greatness. I'm genuinely jealous!" She said.
How's about we go try this out now that I got all my reading done?
>"I don't see why not, but we'll have to go someplace where there's no real threat to anyone."
When I went walking a couple night ago, the night I first stayed here there was a peculiar and relaxing little pond I stopped by, I think we should go there.
>"Sounds good to me!"

>You and Twilight make your way to the pond.
>The water is positively clear.
>It's just as pretty as you imagine it.
>"So, what did you want to try first?"
I'll try to move this water.
>"Water is a little hard to maneuver but I won't interfere. give it a shot."
>You remember what you had read
>Clear your mind
>Focus your energy into your arm wielding.
>Then imagine what you want to happen to the water.
>You think of something simple, like making a small part of the water rise above the surface.
>You begin to focus your energy
>You begin to seethe water agitate a little
>The tip of your wand begins to glow a light blue.
>After a few seconds the water begins to rise op, forming a little swirling cone about the surface.
Woah... this is cool!
>Twilight looks at the water with a sort of disbelief.
>"I couldn't manipulate water until I was 8. This is amazing!" She exclaims.
It's not hard, I'm just doing what it said in the books, focus your energy and imagine what you want to happen.
>"You are indeed something else, huh."
>Twilight puts her hoof to her chin
>"Anon, I want to see just how much magical energy you have."
I thought you already knew.
>"But I want to witness it. I want you to duel me in a magical battle."
I... don't think I'd stand much of a chance, I only just started to move things.
>Without a moments notice, Twilight shoots a bolt of energy from her horn at your feet.
HEY!
>She shoots a couple more
>She's laughing, watching you dance around, avoiding her magic.
Okay, no more mister nice guy!

>You put one hand behind your back and extend your arm with wand in hand.
>You feel like a true duelist now.
>Twilight shoots a couple of bolts at your feet, which you expect and easily avoid.
>"You're fast"
I like to think so
>"You're almost a struggl-" She gets interrupted as a surge of water from the pond hits her across the side of the face.
>"Hey, no fair! I was talking!"
Not my problem!
>You see her squint her eyes, trying to anticipate what you'll do next.
>She shoots up high, you try to step to the left, but the bolt hits your wand
>The energy seems to be absorbed right into the wand itself.
>You think that you could possibly use this energy against her.
>She shoots another bolt high toward your chest.
>You pull the wand in front of you, and manage to catch the energy and in one swift motion, do a 360 and flick your wand at Twilight, sending the bolt right back at her.
>She was caught completely off guard by it, and got hit right on her hoof.
>"Ouch!" She yelped
I told you no more mister nice guy!
>"Fine then, i'll just have to try harder then, won't I?"
>You could see the determination in her eyes now.
>You try and focus all your energy on the task at hand.
>You wanted to show you can be as good as Twilight.

>Twilight's horn begins glowing
>You see a mist of purple energy begin to swirl around her.
>Suddenly all the energy building up around her explodes, sending an immense shockwave.
>You didn't have time to react, so you flung your wand up violently.
>You summon an immense wall of rock to black yourself from the shock wave.
>The wall of rock crumbles as the magical shock wave dissipates.
>Holy hell, you didn't know you could do that.
>But this give you an idea.
>You stomp one foot forward, and fling your wand like an underhand pitch.
>This causes rocks to shoot up violently in the direction you force the magic.
>The rocks eventually hit Twilight and begin to encase her in it.
>She's stuck in an awkward position amungst several rock so you decide to try and hop over and help her out.
You alright?
>Suddenly her horn and eyes begin to glow even more intensely.
>"Perfectly fine" She says with a smile on her face, her voice slightly distorted by the immense magic she's channeling.
>You know something big is coming.
>You use your wand to pull some of the water from the pond.
>You channel the water in a orb around you.
>You think you to be safe, then suddenly your grasp on the water fades.
>You try to remain control over it, but it starts to fade faster.
>Suddenly the water is Flash frozen, leaving you trapped in a ball of ice.
>The ball of Ice shatters violently sending ice shards in all directions.
>A few of them scrape your legs and arms.
>A couple of the wounds are starting to bleed.
>Amungst the pile of shattered ice stands Twilight, hovering in place, Eyes and horns glowing pure purple.
>You knew whatever she had in store for you now was not going to be as easy as she was going on your before.

>She stood there hovering for a second, you weren't sure what exactly she was doing.
>Suddenly, a hail of magic bolts start to be flung at you.
>You summon a rock wall again, but it's not enough and is quickly torn to shreds by her magic missiles.
>A couple that manage to go throug hthe rock completely end up hitting you.
>It feels like you got punched in the chest by a lump of fire.
>You let out a sharp cough as you regain your balance.
>You have to think of a way to block those before you're hit by too many of them
>You don't think you'll be able to withstand too many more of those.
>With a quick horizontal drag of your wand you manage to create a wall of fiercely howling winds that manage to fling each of the magical bolts off course and into random directions.
>As she pauses to try and find away around your wall of wind you have made you decide to strike.
>You collapse the gale of winds into one enormous twister and fling it at Twilight.
>The twister passes alongside her and throws her levitation off balance.
>She can't regain control of her levitation and eventually crashes to the ground.
>She hops back up on to her hooves fast though.
>In hopes of catching you off guard she gets up quick and lets out a psionic screech from her mouth.
>The blast knocks you back, and the noise was so loud your ears begin to ring.
>As you stagger back onto your balance you see Twilight forming a ball of purple energy.
>She shoots at you with speeds you could only match as a speeding car.
>The enormous ball hit you right in the chest and explodes.
>The blast launches you in the air and send you almost 10 feet horizontally.

>You laid there for a few seconds.
>You were unsure of what the hell she just did but it hurt.
>You got on your knees and quickly got on your feet.
>Maybe a little too quickly.
>You let a hoarse cough out, you see Twilight levitating once more in the distance.
>"Done yet?" She asked in a taunting voice.
Far from it.
>You raise your wand above your head.
>Then you slam your fist on the ground.
>You causes an enormous pillar to start rising from underneath you until it puts you on the same level as Twilight.
>You began to channel the wind around you.
>With one forceful fling of you wand you throw another twister at her again.
>She dodges this one, probably seeing that one coming.
>She begins charging the same large ball she launched at you just a minute earlier.
>You hold your wand out.
>You know this may be risky.
>You're going to attempt to absorb this one.
>Launching back at her is sure to make you the winner.
>She begins to launch it.
>But she isn't aiming for you.
>She is aiming for the base of the pillar you're standing on.
>You quickly realize this but by the time you try to make a walkways off the pillar it's too late.
>She launches another ball of magical energy at the pillar, sending it crumbling down, and you with it.
>You hit the ground hard, pile of rocks surrounding you.
>You had to think of something.
>And quick.

>You sit there on your knees.
>You looked around at the rubble around you.
>You use the magic to levitate all the rocks around you
>You collapse the rocks on to yourself.
>You eventually form rocky exoskeleton around you which makes you about twice as larger as you were before.
>This makes you large enough to reach Twilight levitating in the air.
>You begin to charge after her.
>She unleashes a hail of magic bolts at you.
>You rock exoskeleton begins to crumble.
>But not before you manage to take a wide swing at Twilight.
>This knocks her off her levitation and sends her crashing to the ground.
>As she hits the ground your form begins to crumble.
>Your rocks crumble beneath you and you start to fall to the ground.
>You hit the ground with a hard thud, enough to knock the wind out of you.
>You laid down, trying to regain your breath.
>As the breath started to come back to you, yo looked over to Twilight, and she looked over you.
>Then you both started to laugh at each other.
>"Well that was something." She said.
You could say that again.
>"I've never seen anyone with such magical power on their first use. That's incredible. Anon, you're gifted. You used techniques that not even unicorns can do after studying for years."
I'm a fast learner, what can I say?
>Twilight gave a laugh as did you both got up on your feet.
>"Got quite the mess to clean up too..." She said, looking over the wreckage of the fight.
Yeah, we should probably hop on that...

>You and twilight spent the next hour or so using your new found magic to help make the landscape as it was before your little duel.
>Twilight was still ever fascinated about your ability with such magical power.
>You just finished the last of putting the rocks and dirt back in place, and you are surprisingly pretty tired despite you did nothing than move your wand around.
>"Hey, we should head back and check up on spike, I don't want him to be worried we blew ourselves up."
True, don't want him to worry any more than he may be already.
>"Oh, I doubt he's worrying, I just don't want him TO worry for us being out so long."
>You two make your way back to the road to the library.
>As you get to walking to the library you notice that your breathing is a little ragged.
>Probably from all those blows to the chest
>You shrug it off
>The two of you arrive at the library.
>You're inside seeing spike read over a letter.
>"Hey spike, whatcha reading?"
>"Something princess Celestia sent over, good timing on your end too, it's something important."
>Twilight takes the scroll to her face and reads it over
>She seems confused and a little worried
>"This doesn't seem to be good."
What is it?
>Your curiosity always gets the better of you.
>"Apparently the changelings may be preparing another invasion into Equestria."
>This was not going to be good if this was true.
>"Changelings are creatures that can take on the form of another pony and impersonate them. There are a lot more of them than there are of us as well. This won't be good if they decide to come again."
>"But Celestia says it's just precautionary, nothing to be over excited about. So anon, if you notice any strange behavior around town, be sure to tell me, okay?"
I'll tell you as soon as I see anything.
>"Thanks Anon, my eyes can't be everywhere, as much as I wish they could."
>"Not to mention you being taller, you can see much more than the average pony."
That is very true.

>"If you don't mind, Anon, would you please go to sweet apple acres and get me some apples? I'm planning on making apple pie for us tonight and I don't think I have enough. Plus, you haven't seen Applejack since she's been back, I'm sure she'd like to see you."
Yeah sure, I could go for some fresh air after helping you out putting books back.
>You go outside and begin to make your way to Sweet Apple acres.
>The sun was just beginning to set.
>You always enjoyed a nice sunset.
>Passing ponies giving you the odd eyes.
>Nothing you weren't used to.
>It was nice to let loose and just walk around again, the fresh air always relieved any negative feelings you had.
>The air was cool and there was a little breeze, you couldn't ask for a better evening.
>You slowly began to approach sweet apple acres.
>The road was a little darker, due to lack of street lights but you still made your way to the house.
>You gave the door a firm knock.
>You heard footsteps coming to the door.
>"Oh, howdy there, Anon, what brings you back here?"
Twilight wanted me to bring her some apples, she told me to come to you guys.
>"Yeah sure, come on in too, wouldn't hurt to visit for a bit."
>You didn't argue.
>You came in and sat down o none of the chairs they had.
>You heard another set of footsteps coming from another room.
>it's Applebloom
>"Anon!" She gave a happy yelp before running to you and giving you a big hug on your legs.
>Holy crap that was adorable
>"where ya been, Anon?" She asked, kind of concerned.
I've been with Twilight helping her out around the library, sorry I haven't been able to visit.
>"Aww, shucks it ain't nothin anon." Applejack says, "Plus, I was out of town anywho."
How was that by the way?
>"It was nice, but glad to be back home, I'll tell ya."
I wish I knew the feeling.
>You laughed heartily as well as them.
>"Well, if you ever need a home to come back to, you always have us here, Anon, always remember that." She said, tipping her hat.

I really appreciate it, thank you.
>"Don't think nothin of it anon." she said
>"Well I guess we should stop lollygaggin about, I 'm sure you want your apples to have some of Twilights delicious apple pie. I'll be back in a minute or two! As far as you, Applebloom, you need to head to bed, it's getting dark."
>"But anon just got here!" She complained.
>'No if and's or butts, you stayed up late last night and you didn't want to wake up, so bed time!"
>"Aww fine... G'night Anon" She said, giving your legs one last hug.
>God why is she so adorable.
>"Alright Anon, I'll go grab your apples for you."
Sounds good, I'll stand outside and wit for ya, I like the fresh air.
>She trotted out and towards the barn.
>Your eyes shifted toward the sky, now starting to light up with stars.
>You never thought such a place like this could be so beautiful.
>You shift your sight over toward ponyville.
>The lights and houses becoming dimmer as the sun sets more.
>And smoke
>Smoke?
>Maybe there was a fire...
>Then you see a second fireball erupt in the distance.
>What the hell was going on.
>You decide to book it to Ponyville and see what that hell is happening. You knew Applejack would understand.
>Whatever was happening you sure hoped that everyone was safe.

>You tried running as fast as you could.
>The smoke began bellowing from the center of town.
>You hoped, you prayed it wasn't coming from where you thought it was.
>You kept running despite your lack of breath.
>Eventually you become close to where the fire was coming from.
>Your worst fears had been realized.
>The fire was coming from the library.
>At this point you fight or flight kicks in and all you can think of is running in there and saving Twilight and Spike if they're in there.
>You run up to the door, you can fee lthe fire and heat coming from inside.
>The fire began to hurt your face but you didn't care.
>The door was locked.
>You tried with all your might to budge it and break it down.
>Not even barging it as hard as you could would break it down.
>Feeling defeated you bring out your wand and resort to drastic measure.
>You know this is risky but you have to try it.
>You take the air around the door and compress it as much as you can and send a few sparks to it.
>The fire detonated and blew the door open.
>The entrance was engulfed in flame, but you didn't care about whether or not you lived through this, as long as they did.
>You climb over the wreckage and look around the library.
>Then you see it...
No....

>There she was.
>You found her.
>But you didn't want it to be like this.
>You run over
>You try to see if she is still moving
>You shove her
>Poke her
>Shake her.

>Nothing

>You feel tears well up in your eyes.
>You can't believe this.
>But you weren't going to let her burn to ashes.
>You grab her, and throw her over your shoulders.
>You manage to carry her through the fiery doorway.
>When you get a safe distance from the library you set her down.
>Tears begin to roll down your eyes.
>You lean over her body with waterworks going down your face.
>In the middle of your grievance you hear footsteps coming closer.
>It's spike.
>He was carrying a cake
>He drops it to the ground.
>He eyes weren't sure what to make of it.
>"How could you?..." he asks.
W-what? What are you talking about.
>"I saw you blast the door down. Why? Why would you do this to her?!?" He began to yell.
I-I... I didn-
>You found it hard to spit words out.
>Suddenly your head begins to hurt beyond anything you ca imagine.
>The world begins to swirl around you again
>NO
>You're screaming at yourself to stop this.
>Of all possible times, why now?
>You became dizzy, the world around you fading to white as it had before.
>WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
>Eventually nothing lay left around you but white.
>Nothing in every direction.
>You couldn't stop your staggered breathing and the tears rolling down you face.
>You rub your eyes clear of the tears.
>"HOW COULD YOU!" You hear being yelled.
>You shoot your eyes open.
>The girl again.
WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS
>"Doing what?! You're the one abandoning everyone here! Leaving all you know behind for this.... stupid cause you think will solve everything!"
What are you talking about?
>"You know what? Forget about it!" She said, throwing her hand at you, walking away.
>Her form began to fade into dust as the other times before.
>Then your'e slammed in your body again.

>You open your eyes slowly.
>You feel... restrained.
>Everything around you is blurry.
>You try to move your arms and legs but they don't budge.
>As your vision comes back you see a crowd of ponies standing before you.
>You try to move and you can't
>You look at your arms and legs.
>They've become binded to the side of a wall by magic.
What's going on?
>The crowd becomes unsettled.
>Then a unicorn makes her way to you.
>"You were seen around the library at the time of Ms. Sparkles death. Is that not true?"
It is true... I can understand all your anger. I couldn't save her... she was beyond any help I could give....
>"Help? You MURDERED her in cold blood. What do you have to say for yourself?"
>Murdered?
>What the hell are these ponies thinking?
I did not murder her, you must listen!
>"Of course you didn't. Now, prepare to die in flame as she had done before you!" She said.
>Her horn started to glow a fiery red, lighting a nearby haystack on fire.
You must listen, I'm innocent! I take responsibility for her death by not being there, but not by murder, never!
>"Save it for the afterlife!" She yelled, the crowd cheering her on.
>The flames were becoming intense.
>There was no convincing the crazy mob
>You had to escape.
>You struggled against the bindings as hard as you could.
>This only fueled the young unicorns laughter.
>The fire was almost touching your arm.
>You bellowed out a scream, and with a burst of magic managed to break free of the bindings held on you.
>Without thinking you compress the air around the fire, causing it to explode and create a distraction for you.
>You sure as hell hoped you could get out of this one.

>The explosion caused your right arm to get seared slightly, but your mind was on other matters.
>You booked it and high tailed it in the opposite direction of the mob.
>They followed you closely in suit.
>You ran as hard as you could possibly go.
>Your legs were strained as much as possible.
>You look behind you.
>You're running slightly faster than they are, but there's no way you're going to lose them for good without some magic play.
>You think of what you can do without your wand in hand.
>You can manipulate air, which is about as good as it can get.
>You quickly stop and turn around.
>You extend your arms sideways and slap them together.
>The magic you use creates a sonic boom right down the middle of the crowd.
>Half of the ponies are knocked back or stunned for a second, but the other half is still coming.
>You really don't want to bring any more death into this.
>You turn around and keep running, mob in suit.
>You may be only able to maneuver air, but you know you can sure as hell make an explosion if you had a spark.
>You decide you're going to use this to your advantage and make an impassable wall of fire.
>The problem was finding something to spark it with.
>While running you search frantically for something you can use to start a fire.
>Nothing to be seen but rocks.
>You didn't want to have to sue rocks, the explosion would be too close.
>There was only one thing you could think of, and even the slightest mess up could be mean sure death.
>You turn around.
>You start sprinting to the mob.

>The mob lets out a huge roar as you start running toward them.
>It was now or never.
>With your magic in hind you manage to create a vortex underneath your feet.
>The air lifts you up above the mob.
>You had to maintain this at all costs while going straight through the middle of the whole crowd.
>Tons of things are being thrown at you from all directions.
>A couple of rocks manage to hit you in t he head, making you lose your concentration a little.
>But you try your best and make sure this doesn't fail you.
>You approach the other side of the mob.
>You let lose your grasp on the vortex, and land just outside of reach of the mob.
>You quickly scramble to your feet and start running back the way you came.
>If you couldn't make a fire, you'll just use one that's already there.
>You try and run back to the fire as fast as possible.
>The mob is even angrier now and pursuing you with even more haste.
>Then you notice something, something you forgot.
>The ones you had knocked aside with the sonic boom were trying to catch up with the mob are right in your way.
>You're cornered on 2 sides now and you don't think you'll able to make it out of this.
>You look to your left and right looking for any possible escape.
>Nothing but houses on either side.
>You decide that you're going to try and climb up the side of one of the houses and run across the roof.
>All the roofs were level so it shouldn't be too much even in your condition.
>You run to the house on your right.
>There was a window that would make it easier for climbing.
>You put your foot on the window sill and use it to vault yourself up and grab a hold of the lip of the roof.
>for a second you almost lost your grip.
>The two mobs were converging, objects were being thrown at you.
>You needed to hurry up.
>You try to pull yourself up as fast as possible.
>As you begin to climb up, a rock strikes your head.
>You lose balance from a second and you're back at stage one, trying to pull yourself up.

>You try as hard as you can to pull yourself up to the roof.
>You manage to get your chest up on the roof.
>But the mob is right below you.
>You try to pull your self up fast but you feel them bashing your lags as hard as they can.
>You manage to pull your whole self up to the roof, but your legs are hurting.
>You had to get on your legs, it was your only hope.
>You get on your legs, but its not much, you won't be able to run fast in this condition.
>You hobble your way from rooftop to rooftop.
>The mob is following angrily right below you.
>Eventually you manage to reach the end of the line of houses and to the center of town, the fire was just across the flat dirt, a ways to the left of the library.
>You couldn't jump down, not with those legs you wouldn't outrun them.
>You decide to focus all magical energy in you that you can muster and attempt to make one last vortex to carry you to the fire.
>You try to summon a vortex but it doesn't become anything more than a slight howl of the wind.
>You think you've reached the end of the line.
>You think and think as much as your brain can in these final seconds.
>Ponies are making their way up to roof of the building.
>You had to act now.
>You decided that you would launch yourself to the fire.
>You extend your arms to the side you like you had before.
>And swing your arms forward.
>You focus the energy behind you, and the wind was strong enough to launch you off the roof.
>You land on the ground and roll a little ways.
>You feel like you hit something hard in your chest.
>You were out of reach of the mob, and they were slightly disorientated from the blast.
>You hobble back up on your feet, entire body hurting.
>You limp your way to the fire as fast as possible, mob closing in and fast.
>You eventually make it to the other side of the fire.
>You quickly turn around and force air around the fire to compress and i lane across the street.
>The fire soon engulfs the whole length on the road that the fire was by.

>You stood there for a second.
>You took a second to appreciate the flames, and appreciate your freedom.
>But you couldn't stay long.
>You had to get out of town as fast as possible before they find another way around.
>You turn around and begin to walk away.
>You grabbed your burnt arm, hoping your cold hand would cool it off.
>Your legs felt like they were going to collapse at any second.
>But you had to keep walking.
>As you're walking toward the edge of a nearby woods, a million thoughts go through your head.
>Why would some one do this to Twilight?
>Why would spike think you killed her?
>Who is there to turn to now?
>Your eyes begin to fill up with tears, and you begin to breathe in clumps.
>Once you reach the edge of the woods, you find a bush you can shove your way underneath.
>You get next to the bush and collapse, tears falling from your eyes.
I swear... I'll find whoever did this to us Twilight, and I will end them.
>You crawl underneath the bush.
>It's a bit spiney like a pine tree, but a perfect hiding spot none the less.
>Nobody should find you unless they physically go under the bush to look for you.
>You lay there for what seems like hours, tears rolling down your face until your tears eventually put you to sleep.
I'll get them... I promise...

>You slowly open your eyes.
>Your whole body feels like it's broken
>Your head especially
>You put your hand t your head.
>You barely feel your hand on your head with all the blood and dirt caked on.
>You decide that you have to keep moving, at all costs.
>You vowed you would get back at those who had done this to Twilight.
>But for right now you had to focus on surviving to see that day come.
>You roll over on to your knees.
>You crawl out of the bush, the bush scratching your face as you make your way out.
>You eventually manage to crawl out of the bush.
>Your breathing is irregular, and your chest is sore both inside and out.
>You get up on to your legs.
>Your right leg in particular had it bad.
>But you had to make sure you got as far away from Ponyville as possible.
>You couldn't be any more than a couple football fields away from the town.
>You knew your hiding spot near the entrance to the forest was dangerous as it is, but you knew if you traveled any further into the brush you would surely die to whatever creatures were in there.
>You decide the best course of action would be to follow the edge of the forest.
>You were confident in the decision, was no pony would want to go near the forest, and if you followed the edge of the woods, you were bound to reach a water source for the immense thriving forest.
>You walk your way out to the forest's edge, and begin walking.
>It pained your legs to move even the slightest, but you wouldn't be able to be free for long if you stood still, someone would be bound to find you sooner or later.
>You keep moving forward.
>Your head hurt so much that seeing the brightness of your surroundings made your head ache even worse.
>Your mind goes to a haze, and all you focus on now is walking along the trees.
>You realize after who knows long after walking, that you're bleeding from your right leg.
>You're unsure of how long you've been bleeding, but it's coming out rather fast.

>You needed to stop this bleeding before you lost too much blood.
>You decided the best way to stop would be to rip off a part of your shirt and cut off as much circulation as you could until it clotted up.
>You sit down on a small rock nearby.
>You take a small hole in the left side of your shirt and put your hand in it.
>You slowly manage to tear off about the entirety of the left half of your shit, besides the sleeve and shoulder.
>You wrap it around your leg as tight as possible.
>The bleeding seems to have slowed, enough to where you think it would not be a problem if you were to ignore it.
>You slowly get back on your feet.
>Your leg feels a little stiff, but it starting to numb up, making the struggle of walking a bit less of burden.
>You decide to keep walking.
>So sign of any life in any direction, Ponyville now out of sight.
>You believe you have gotten out of the dog house.
>For now.

>You walking had seemed to go on endlessly.
>The lack of any contact with anything is slowly driving you to talk to yourself.
>You never thought this much silence would bother you so much.
>But you were always fond of others so it made sense.
>As you continue walking you hear a faint sound heading toward where you're walking.
>It's steady so it's not likely there are ponies around.
>As you walk it slowly and progressively gets louder.
>Loud enough to make out that it's a stream or a river.
>You feel blessed, as not only were you grimy and bloody, but incredibly thirsty as well.
>You pick up the pace and begin limp-jog as fast as you can.
>Eventually, you cross over a small hill and on the other side, you see it.
>A clear, flowing river!
>You run down the hill, almost tripping on yourself several times in the process.
>Eventually, you reach the river
>But you were running so fast you ended up crashing into the water because you couldn't stop yourself.
>This didn't bother you, as the river was no deeper than your waist where you landed.
>It got deeper towards the middle so you're thankful that you didn't tumble through the water more.
>When you stand up you feel the water run down your body and the grime of yesterdays happenings wash off your body.
>You immediately start washing your face off as much as possible.
>Taking big gulps of water as you do so.
>Eventually you think you got most of the dirt, grime and blood out of your hair and face.
>The running water had also cleaned your leg off pretty well.
>Your right legs was going decently pale from the circulation being cut off.
>You decide to hop on the bank of the river before you take off the makeshift tourniquet.
>As you walk up to the bank of the rocky river, you sit yourself down and take the part of your ripped shirt off your leg.
>Minimal bleeding.
>You liked it, seeing as you probably would have passed out had you not noticed the decent amount of blood flowing down your leg.

>You tilt your head back and let the beating of the sun's rays go on to your skin.
>It felt nice despite your cuts and bruises
>As you sat there with your eyes closed and head tilted back, something caught your ears.
>It sounded like something splashing in the water a little upstream.
>You pull your head up and get next to the river.
>"Help!" you hear being yelled.
>The frantic splashing was becoming louder as the poor pony drowning in the river comes into sight.
>She's thrashing, trying to gasp for breath.
>You guess she didn't know how to swim.
>Without hesitation, you jump into the water after her.
>She was near the center of the river, where it was probably 15 feet deep.
>The water was decently faster than where you had been in.
>You swim after her none the less.
>You aim ahead and swim so that you'll catch up to her when you reach the center of the river.
>She's still screaming for help.
>She was probably panicking so much she didn't notice you jump in the water.
>Eventually you swim fast enough to catch up to her, and you grab her in your arms.
>You hold her head above the water as you float down stream.
>"Oh my goodness, thank you!" She squeals.
>No comment on your looks? That's a first.
>You begin to carry her and swim at the same time.
>You try to swim to a bank of the river, but it's too much of a hassle with your right leg in its condition.
>You try your hardest, but no matter how hard you swim, you're only sucked back.
>It also felt like the river was picking up in speed.
Hang on! The river's current is picking up, and I don't think I'm strong enough to carry you to the bank!
>You saw a worried look come over her face
>"I know you can do it! If you can save me, you can swim to the bank, I now you can!"
>You keep trying but no matter how hard you swim the water is too strong for you to do it.
>The waters speed is almost double than it was when you caught her, and you can make out the water becoming more rough and wavy.

>You felt the water pulling incredibly hard, the river slowly becoming rapids.
>You do what you know how to do best in a situation like this and simply lay on your back in order to, hopefully, prevent you and the pony you rescued here from drowning.
>You laid on your back in the river, holding the mare in your right arm.
>You water was becoming rough, and you couldn't float for more than a few seconds without water splashing on your face.
>You turn yourself around to face your feet downstream.
>You see the rapids ahead are more the ferocious, and you can make out a few rocks in the water.
>You try your best to maneuver yourself amongst the rapids and avoid the rocks in the river.
>You mis-calculate the size of one of the waves.
>What seemed like a wave only half your size from a distance is now almost twice your height.
>You feel it sucking you in, you try to swim to the side, but it doesn't do anything.
>You're sucked up one side of the wave and almost thrown on the other side, slamming you into a rock in the river.
>You hit your right arm hard, but you manage to protect the mare.
>She's just cowering in your neck, hoping for the best.
>Your arm feels like it's on fire.
>You might have broken something.
>Despite the scorching pain, you continue to hold the mare in your arms.
>But as you shift your attention to the river again, your heart sinks.
>The river comes to an end.
>To a waterfall, flowing right off the cliff.
>You try to swim as fast as humanly possible to the bank of the river, but the water is still too fast.
>Your slowly being sucked closer to the waterfall.
Hang on!
>You manage to shout this before you're flung out of the river and into the air with the waterfall.

>You hear the mare you're holding begin to scream as you fall for what seems like ages.
>You open your eyes slightly to see nothing but water below you.
>You hope that the water is deep enough to break your two's fall.
>You close your eyes, waiting for when you hit the water.
>Then you hit.
>As you fall through the water, you almost lose hold of the mare you were holding.
>She begins to slip through your broken arm.
>But you manage to twirl in the water fast enough to take a hold of her in your good arm.
>With her in your arm, you begin to try and swim to the surface.
>With your broken arm it's slow going.
>Your breath is becoming weak as you try your hardest to swim up to the surface.
>As you feel your lungs are about to explode, your head breaks the surface of the water, and you let in a huge gulp of air.
>The mare does the same, almost being out of air as well.
>The two of you lay floating there, getting your breath back.
>"Holy hell, thanks mate. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there!" Giving you a big hug, or as much of a hug as it was as you two were floating in the water.
Not a problem. Why were you in the river anyways?
>"I was fishing, trying to get some more food for our village." She said
>A village? So at least you were right about one thing, there was civilization near by.
I'll bring you there, you've been through a lot.
>"Well... you see, the people of the village I live in are not exactly fond of new ponies, or, whatever it is you are, no offence."
None taken. How about I just take you to near your village.
>"There's no really getting near the village without attracting their attention... but I guess I could try and convince them to bring you in."
It would mean a lot to me.
>"Well, the village is actually not a far swim from here. We're in the ocean right now. You see this giant cliff here?" She said, pointing to where the water fall was.
>It truly was an enormous cliff, spanning as far as you could see.

>She pointed to the left.
>"You see how the cliff makes a corner and we can't see around it?"
Yes.
>"My village is just beyond there. It should be a long swim."
Lets make out way there now.
>You being to swim.
>Like when swimming up to the surface it's slow going.
>Your arms is making it hard.
>"Did you hurt your arm?" She asked.
Yes, I hit it off a rock when we hit that enormous wave in the river.
>"Why did you put yourself in danger for just me?" She just asked.
It's what I do.
>You couldn't think of anything better to say.
>On top of that, you needed friends.
>Good thing news of what had happened in Ponyville hasn't reached her.
>And hopefully not the village either...
>"You really put others in front of yourself, don't you?"
Like I said, it's what I do. I can't really tell you why.
>"Well I'm incredibly thankful for it. I'll try my hardest to get you a spot in our village, no matter how hard it may be."
>You were thankful for this.
>Looks like despite your misfortune from yesterday, having a place to lay low is a good start.
>You paddle your self as steadily as you can.
>Making small talk with the mare you had met through a series of rather unfortunate and painful events.
>She says she's a fisherman, but due to lack of a boat, tends to fish the river for fresh water fish.
>She had her line caught on a rock, went to pull her line from out of the rock, and slipped and fell into the deeper part of the water.
>After what felt like an hour of swimming, you started to come to the point where the cliff began to turn.
>"We should be able to see the village in a second here." she said.
>As you swam, more of what was around the corner began to reveal itself.
>You see long sprawling docks and several ships, both enormous and smaller, presumably for fishing.
>More and more reveals expansive docks and a decent size beach with which they're attached to.
>Plenty of huts and houses lining the beachfront in this cove in the cliff side.

>You manage to pull her ashore underneath one of the docks.
>You crawl off your knees and on to your feet, she does that same.
>"I never thought I'd be more thankful to see land again."
Me either, glad we made it out.
>"Alright, now before we do anything, you need to see the 'mayor' of this backwoods little burg. He keeps tabs on everyone coming in and out."
Why is that?
>"Well, you see... we're not exactly... liked by most others."
Why would that be?
>"While most of us see ourselves as self sufficient ponies, simply separating ourselves from any major kingdom, A more accurate term would be pirates."
>Pirates?
>This was something new.
>But you weren't one to argue with a place you could call home.
Quite odd, I've never heard of this place.
>"Then that means we've done our job well, hasn't it?" She said, giving you a small smile, "Come, follow me. Don't pay mind to the ponies here giving you odd looks."
Don't worry, I'm used to it
>You both walked up the beach a ways and managed to get on to one of the docks.
>Ponies of all colorful shapes and sizes were around working the docks.
>All of them giving their fair share of odd looks.
>After weaving around what seemed like endless docks and wooden pathways, you two find yourself to a decently large house, larger than most.
>There were 2 rather large ponies at the entrance.
>You two stop at the entrance
>"State your business" One of them says.
>"Simply having a visitor checked in." She said.
>The big stallion opened the door.
>"Make it quick, he's been busy today."
>"Will do." She said, motioning you to follow her.
>The two ponies gave you a dirty look as you stepped inside, door closing behind you.
>You and the pony stood in front of a desk.
>An older pony looks up to the both of you.
>"What business you have... oh my." He said, taking a double take at you.
>"We're just here to check him in as a visitor." She said.
>"Now now, let's not get hasty here... What's your name?"
It's Anon.

>"Tell me Anon, what are you?"
I'm human. and I'm, for lack of any better explanation, from a different world.
>"A different world you say."
Yes sir.
>"That's... different. But it's a good thing you stopped by. I've been looking for something like you for some time."
Why would that be?
>"I need someone with eyes and ears everywhere, Anon. With someone of your stature and background, you fit the bill perfectly."
>You weren't sure what he was talking about.
>"Ma'am, I'm gunna need you to step out of here while me and Anon here discuss some things."
>"Of course sir, I'll be on my way." She said, bowing and backing out of the door.
>As soon as the door closed, the older pony looks at you.
>"Let me get this straight anon. Things aren't looking too good around here."
Why is that?
>"As you may have been made fully aware, we are, for lack of any better term, pirates."
That I was.
>"As you could understand such a life is incredibly dangerous."
Naturally.
>"Listen anon, what I'm about to ask may be a bit much, but I can guarantee that you'll be well compensated."
Ask away.
>"Seeing as you are not from here, or even from this planet as you speak, I can rule you out as a changeling spy. I'm not one to go hunting changelings, as a matter of fact we have a cease fire and trade agreement with each other. But lord knows they have eyes around here, only a fool wouldn't use shapeshifting to their advantage."
So what are you getting at?
>"What i'm 'getting at' is that I can trust you, and if you allow me, you can trust me. If you help us, you'll have your very own ship and house, with food and everything."
>Food and a house.
>Your own ship.
>You're not sure what you couldn't like about this.
>"But first, you have to prove your worth."
How exactly would you want me to?
>"Tell me Anon, have you ever commandeered a ship?"
A couple times.
>"Good enough then, follow me..." He says, walking into a back room.

>You follow him into a small room.
>"I have some medals in here you can wear that will distinguish you as a captain. Don't want people thinking your just somepony passing through."
I should also mention I have imesne magical abilities.
>He stops for a second.
>"Oh really? Even more interesting."
The only way I can manipulate anything more than air is if I have a wand though, or any sort of item to channel the magical energies inside of me.
>"Seems like a logical request. However due to lack of a wand on hand, You think a sword could do?"
I could probably make the best of it.
>"Sounds good." He said, opening up the old trunk he had been standing at.
>He pulls out a small case and opens it, it has tons of medals inside.
>He pulls one out and holds it in his hoof and extends it to you.
>"You can wear this pin for now, until we can get a proper outfit for you to really distinguish yourself from others."
Thank you.
>You attach the pin to the half of your shirt that isn't ripped.
>He puts his head in, and holding in his mouth is a sword about the length of himself.
>"It's an enormous sword, only usable by unicorns who have enough magic energy to hold it, I think it would suit you well."
>He puts it on the ground in front of you.
>You take it in your left hand, seeing as your right arm was still hurting.
>It was surprisingly well balanced and suited you perfectly for a sword made for ponies.
>"We'll have to get a belt for you to hold that."
No hurry, I'm perfectly fine carrying it around.
>"Very well. and lastly, I'll personally show you to your new ship and crew. It's one of the most heavily armed ships we have."
How heavily?
>"It's a frigate, three rows of cannons with about 15 on each row, 6 rear and 10 forward canon, she packs quite some firepower."
>45 cannons per side?
>Whatever he wanted you to do, he wanted it done well.
>"Now about your task to prove yourself." he started.

>"We've received word of an equestrian convoy taking a load of bits to a nearby settlement." He began
>"And a shit ton of them."
I suppose I can piece together the rest. Board the ship and take the bits?
>"Precisely. I need those bits here in one piece. We've been hurting for a while and this is our break."
I'll try and not let you down.
>"Excellent. Now you'll have to find a quartermaster. Your ship has a full crew with navigator and first mate. You just need someone to keep them in line."
>And you knew just the person
I want the girl I was with to be my quartermaster.
>"Then it's settled, you're fully outfitted. Here, let me take you to your ship." He said, leading the way out the door.
>You follow him outside and motion the girl to follow you.
>"I'll be back in a few minutes men, make sure nobody comes into the house while I'm gone."
>"Yes boss." They both said in unison.
>"And you Ma'am, you're lucky today." He said.
>"How so?"
>"I'm making Anon here a captain of one of our finest ships, and he wants you to be his quartermaster."
>"H-his quartermaster?!" She said, caught off guard.
Did you not want to be?
>"Why.. of course! It's just, you've done so much for me already!"
Don't think anything of it.
>"Anon here is a good man. I have a feeling he will make a great captain." He said.
>You walked down a hill with scattered wooden planks for makeshift stairs.
>You took a left at the dock and saw a whole line of warships.
>"It's the third one down." He said, pointing at it.
>It was the second biggest one in the dock. The largest being the one right behind it.
Who owns the larger one behind it?
>"Why that would be me my boy. She's a beauty ain't she?"
Why yes, she's massive.
>"I don't sail her as much as I should really, I get too caught up in technicalities of helping run this place."
I could understand.
>"Well, anyways, here we are, your ship."
>There was no way this thing was any less than the size of 2 human houses.
>It was big even for you.

>"Well then, I hate to leave you all, but I have work I must attend to. Anon, you should debrief your navigator on where you are to sail to. The convoy sails off tomorrow at noon, from Fillydelphia to a nearby settlement that has recently been established. I'm sure he knows which one and should be able to map a course to intercept the ship."
Will do.
>"I'm counting on you, and for your sake here as well, I hope you succeed. Now I must be off. Also, you might want to get your wounds looked at before you go off on this. Don't want you dying halfway to the convoy."
I sure will, thank you.
>He started to walk off back to where you had all come from.
>"So... Anon's your name... Nice to meet you." The mare said extending her hoof.
Nice to meet you too. Sorry I couldn't introduce myself sooner. What's your name?
>"Lotus when they're sober, Ravishing when they aren't" She chuckled.
I could see it.
>You let out a hearty laugh with her.
Well we had better introduce ourselves to the crew.
>"Aye, that we should, lead the way."
>As you walked toward the ship, you went through how to go over a speech.
>You had a good portion of what you were to say by the time you reached the ramp onto the ship.
>You climb up and on to the ship.
Listen up everypony!
>You shouted as loud as you could
>They all gave you their attention.
I shall be your captain now. I know what you're all thinking, 'what's this weird looking thing, telling me he's my captain now.' Well, i'll tell you. Your leader has tasked me with taking out a convoy holding an immense amount of bits. You listen to me, and I place my trust in you, we'll all walk away from it alive, in one piece, and richer than you all could ever imagine!
>The ponies aboard the ship maintaining it let out a loud roar of approval.
Now! Make sure you all are rested up, I want all of you to you stations and on this ship by noon time, am I clear?!
>You hear them all shout 'Aye captain!" in semi-unison
Very good, now, I need the navigator.

>"That was nicely done. Didn't think you the type to bark orders like that."
It's what a leader has to do.
>"Captain!" One of the ponies comes up to you.
Speak
>"The navigators is in your captain's quarters sorting through some maps, you'll find him there."
Very well, thank you.
>You and Lotus turn and head through the door underneath the helm of the ship.
>You see a nice little table bolted to the floor as well as a chair.
>There was a pony sorting through some trunks.
Hey, you over there
>He bobs his head up
>"Aye, who are you"
I'M the new captain of this ship. Watch your mouth.
>"My apologies sir. I didn't take you to be our captain. What is it you need?"
You the navigator?
>"The best one around, why is that?"
I need a course charted out, Lotus here, our new quartermaster will give you the run down. Now, I'm sorry to leave on such short notice, but I need to tend to these wounds.
>"Not a problem sir."
Where is the nearest hospital around here lotus?
>"When you get off the ship, you take a left at the end of the dock we're at and it will be the fourth house down. Not much of a hospital but it's all we got."
Thank you.
>You turned an exited the captains quarters.
>Being in charge and feeling powerful was nice, it was a different change of pace.
>However, you don't think you're quite ready to lead the charge headfirst into battle.
>You would try your best though.
>After a bit of walking you come to the house that Lotus had said was the hospital.
>There was a mare unicorn there to greet you.
>"What seems to be the problem?" She asked.
I just got some cuts and bruises to get looked at, and if you could have a look at my arm, it would be appreciated.
>"Of course, follow me." She said.
>She took you down the building, and into a small room with a bod and a stand. Nothing much else.
>"The doctor will be over when he has a chance."
Thank you.
>She walked out, leaving you alone in the room.

>You sat for a few moment before the doctor came in.
>"What seems to be the problem?" He asked, putting a clipboard on the nightstand.
Just assorted cuts and bruises, leader of this place told me to get fixed up before I did something for hi.
>He looks over your head and legs.
>"Nothing too major. all I'll need to do it work a little magic here.." He said, glowing his horn.
>You felt a tingling sensation on your head, and on your legs as well.
>Once it ended you look down to see that most of your cuts had been at least half taken care of.
>"There, it may take some time to 100% heal but as far as maneuverability and bleeding, you should be just fine."
Thanks doc, I just wanted you to look over one more thing.
>"What would that be?"
My right arm took a big hit earlier today, mind looking at it.
>"Sure, just let me inspect is a bit."
>He feels around the top of your arm, poking areas and rubbing others seeing your reaction.
>A couple times he hit something sensitive you you had to grit your teeth a little.
>"Feels like a fracture. I'm going to need you to hold completely still for a few seconds here, this is going to hurt." He said, his horn sarted glowing.
>You sat there completely still, then you felt it.
>Like your own bone was moving around in your arm.
>You let out a small sigh of pain, before it was over.
>"Now, I'll need you to keep it iced over night tonight, okay?"
Of course.
>"Now, as for now, you should take it easy, no lifting and no fighting, or anything that could jostle your arm around."
Will do doc.
>"Alright, I believe my job here is done. You're free to come and go as you please, this room will be yours for the night."
Okay, i appreciate it, thanks!
>"It's what I do, now take care." He said, leaving the door and closing it behind you.
>It was late afternoon, so you didn't think you should go t bed quite yet.
>You decide to head back to the ship and ask Lotus if there was any good places to eat, you were pretty hungry.

>You walk up to the boat to find Lotus speaking with some of the sailors on the ship.
Hey, Lotus!
>You shouted over at her trying to get her attention, but she put her hoof up, trying to get you to hold off for a second as she was looking over something.
>"Okay, sorry, I was just reviewing our course tomorrow. So by the looks of it, if we leave a little before noon, and we sail almost straight from here, we should be able to intercept the ship a couple miles out."
Sounds like a plan. Middle of the sea, nice and quiet, away from any reinforcements.
>"Precisely. Now that I've said what I've had to say, whats going on with you?" She asks.
I'm not gunna lie, I'm hungry as hell. You know any good places to get any food.
>"Of course, what's your fancy?"
>You thought for a second, you could go for a steak but ponies probably don't eat that stuff.
How does some good fillet sound?
>"Sounds fine by me, here, I know a place where we can get some great salmon." She said, motioning you to follow her.
>You follow her off the ship and onto the dock.
>"Hey listen, Anon, there's something bugging me about this job the leader is sending us on."
What about it?
>"Tons of bits, no escorts known, seems a bit too good, don't you think?"
I have thought that, but with 45 cannons on either side, I'm sure we can make mince meat of anything that decides to come in range.
>"True, I just don't want to lose the ship, or any more men then necessary."
I understand. But we must have confidence. I think we can handle this.
>"Alright, I trust your judgement captain."
Come on, your don't have to call me captain. Just call me Anon.
>"You you insist.. Anon" She let out a light laugh, as did you.
>"Hey... I just wanted to thank you for saving me today... I probably wouldn't have made it were it not for you." She said, putting her hooves around you and giving you a tight hug.
Like I said, it's what I do. Now, lets get some grub, I'm starving.
>"Of course!"

>You arrive at the place that Lotus had been talking about.
>It was a nice little place, like a small family restaurant.
>You walked in and were seated in a nice little booth.
This is a nice little place, isn't it?
>"I personally like it, they have some of the best potatoes around, I love my spuds." She said letting out a chuckle.
God, I haven't had potatoes in forever.
>"They are the best food without a doubt."
Agreed entirely. Anything with potatoes in it is bound to be amazing.
>You both let out a small laugh.
>You both make idle chatter as you wait for your food.
>Whilst talking, you had a question come across your head.
Say, Lotus, what brought you to this place anyways?
>"It's not a particularly long story, but it's a little personal."
You don't have to if you don't want to.
>"No, it's fine. My parents were well renowned people in Canterlot, there were very few people who didn't know who they were."
What happened?
>"Assassin's came in the middle of the night, crashing through the doors and windows. they wanted to kill all of us, even me, but I had hid under my bed in fear. They never found me."
>"In order to prevent them from ever finding me, I snuck out of my house and left Canterlot before the sun rose."
>"Eventually I traveled so far, I ended up here, been my home ever since, fishing fish to sell to people and restaurants."
I'm... sorry to hear.
>Even more death entwined in this adventure of yours.
>"It's okay, it's not your fault. Maybe one day they will be brought to justice, but until then, this is my home."
It's not a bad place, really.
>"It isn't, but there is always the lingering fear of being found out."
Yeah, that wouldn't be exactly good for you all.
>You both look at each other for a moment before your food arrives.
>Mashed potatoes, country gravy, and a nice bit of filleted salmon.
>You thanked Celestia you have hot food now.
>You really needed it.

Boy, that was really good, that place was awesome, glad I asked you where to go!
>"Not a problem, glad to have you for dinner. It's tiresome getting dinner by yourself more often than not."
I could imagine.
>"But hey, I gotta head to the ship. I have to take an ammunition and gunpowder stockpile check so we don't have to scramble in the morning."
Good idea. We'll need quite a bit, if the ship fits the description the leader gave me, It's most likely a frigate-class. We'll need to be fully prepared.
>"Sounds good, I'll get on it, Anon. You going to stay in the ship tonight?
Not tonight, the hospital offered me a spot there for tonight to help my arm heal up.
>"Oh yeah, that's right, forgot about that arm thing... hehe" She said putting a hoof behind her head.
Don't worry yourself about it.
>"I'll try not to. Anyways, off to work with me. do me and yourself a favor and take it easy. You strain yourself too much."
I'll try my best
>You let out a small laugh before the two of you parted ways.
>You walked past the dock your ship was at, which meant the hospital was right near there.
>You walked up to the building and entered.
>The same nurse was there to greet you.
>"Hello, Anon was it?"
Yes.
>"Yes, you room is still there for use if you'd like." She said, pulling a clipboard to her face. "Says here the doctor wants you to ice your arm. You find your way to your room, and i'll get it for you."
Will do, thank you.
>You walk over to the room you were in.
>You enter in and laid your head on the pillow.
>You heard the nurse come up to the door.
>She entered in kind of a hurry.
>"Here's your ice pack anon, I have to get going, if you need anything, feel free to call for another nurse." She said before turning around and stead-fastily walking out.
>'That was odd' you thought to yourself.
>You get up out of your bed and peer out the door.
>You peer out just fast enough to see her put on a jacket and put the hood up and leave the building.
>This was suspicious.

>You know being sneaky was going to be tough, being the only human in this world.
>But you couldn't let her slip away, this was too suspicious, leaving a job like nursing with no warning.
>You quickly walk fast and out the front door, careful that nobody saw you.
>You quickly look to both your left and right down the dock, you manage to catch her out of the corner of your eye, heading right and around the corner, up the hill to where the leader's house was.
>You knew something was wrong now.
>You quickly ran around the corner and looked up the hill.
>She was walking at a decently steady pace, looking in all direction, most likely for people following her.
>You keep a fair distance back, careful not to catch her eye, sliding out of view if you think she might.
>You finally see here nod to the guard at the entrance to the house, and she is let in without hesitation.
>This was something you had to see for yourself.
>You ran up the hill but from the side, running through tall the itch tall grass, careful not to be seen by the guard.
>You finally get up to the crest of the hill, right beside the house, out of sight of the guard.
>You remember there being a window in the back of the main room where you had met him.
>You swing around to the back and crouch underneath the window, trying to hear any conversation that might be happening.
>You listen closely...

>"Listen, this man is going to make this place rich.I don't care how many bits you have to offer, I won't sell him out." You hear the leader say.
>"We need him, dead or alive ,and whether you co-operate or not, is of no consequence to us." You heard a raspy voice say.
>You decide to peer over the window for a quick second.
>You see that the nurse was nowhere, and there was a changeling conversing with the leader.
>So the nurse is a changeling...
>You couldn't stay in that hospital over night.
>"You interfere with our business and the cease-fire is off. We need every last bit we can get, and plus, I thought you hated the Equestrians."
>"Very much, but this man poses and incredibly threat to us. He has magic the likes of which you've never seen."
>"As long as he's using it to help us out, I don't much care. You changelings may hate magic, but you have no right to come to my home and tell me my ponies can't use it." The leader retorts.
>"I'm not telling you to stop using magic, I'm telling you to let us ambush him on his way to the target. We get who we want, and you get a nice load of bits for it."
>"You disgust me with your offer. Get out of this house."
>Get out of this house...
>The words echoed through your head like a ringing bell, you head beginning to become light.
>No, of all the worst times, this couldn't have gotten any worse.
>You needed to get out of there and find a place to lay down until this blew over.
>Your walking was staggered, you were trying very hard to walk away as fast as possible so you weren't found.
>Your head began spinning again, the world around you slowly going out of focus.
>You couldn't believe it, now of all times.
>It had to be now, didn't it?
>The world around you began fading and turning white, until all that surrounded you was white, empty space.
>You rub your eyes in hopes of making any hallucinations come faster.
>"Get out of this house!" You hear being yelled at you.
>You look up, it's a man this time. Older.

>"You're a disgrace to this family, I don't want to see your face." He yelled at you.
>He looked incredibly angry.
I-I don't know what you're talking about...
>"You know exactly what I'm talking about, you worthless little-" He began, raising his hand slap you across the face.
>As his hand made contact with your face, you didn't feel anything.
>All you saw was his hand slowly dissipating to sand, and soon followed, his whole body.
>This was the weirdest of the hallucinations.
>As the person faded completely, you were slammed back into your body.
>You began to open your eyes, but you heard distant talking, you decided to keep still.
>"Poor guy must have slept walked, found him asleep at the base of the hill in tons of grass." You heard the same raspy voice say.
>"How peculiar he is. What did the leader have to say about our proposition?"
>"He didn't like it, it's a no-go, as far as giving him the bits. But I think I can find a way to get him..." He said sneerly.
>"Whatever you do, be careful. We don't need any more dead changelings."
>"I'll try my best." He said, as you heard the whisking of wind.
>"Until then, I'll just stay like this." You heard the nurses voice say.
>Definitely a changeling.
>"Good. Stay safe." You heard, as the voice went off into the distance.
>You decide once the coast is clear, you will make a break for your ship and stay there the rest of the night.
>Even though they didn't want you dead or captured now, you didn't want to take any chances.
>When you think you hear the nurse walk off, you get out of your bed and peer out the door.
>The nurse must have gone into a different room.
>Now was your chance.

>You made sure to make as little noise as possible.
>You began walk toward the door as fast as possible without alerting the nurses.
>For all you knew every other person in this hospital could be a changeling now.
>You finally make it to the door and walk out, closing the door behind you as quietly as possible.
>You're sure you're in the clear as you begin making the short walk to the ship.
>Not a pony to be seen throughout the docks.
>This was good, you didn't want to chance any unwarranted questions.
>You take the right and start walking down the dock to the ramp on to your boat.
>You start to climb up the ramp on to the boat.
>There are a few ponies sitting around and drinking, having a good laugh.
>You nod to all of them, they all give you a hearty wave back.
>You open one of the hatches near the captains quarters.
>You climb down into the hull and make your way to the opposite side of the ship.
>Along the way you nod and wave to some ponies keeping watch in the lower decks.
>Seeing all these ponies keeping watch made you feel safe that nothing was going to happen over night.
>You eventually make it near the front of the hull where your room was.
>You walk through the cloth curtain and into your room.
>It's small, but it will do.
>You look to see one bed on either side.
>Lotus is in one of them.
>You didn't know you had two beds in your room, but you weren't one to argue.
>You hop in to your bed and pull the covers over yourself.
>For once in a while, you would finally be able to enjoy some good nights sleep.

>You were awoken sharply to bells being rung above deck.
>It must have been noon time.
>You were asleep for a very long time.
>You thought you deserved it though.
>You sat yourself up, and looked over on the other bed.
>Lotus was gone, must have been her that ordered the bells to be rung.
>All of your crew that was asleep was waken up but the bell.
>You stretch a bit and walk out of your room.
Rise and shine everypony, todays the big day. I want all of you at your battle-stations as soon as possible.
>You heard a collaborative 'Yes captain' from your crew members.
>You make your way up the ladder and out of the hatch.
>You're immediately met by you navigator.
>"Good morning, captain, we got about an hour before we must set sail. Before we do, I need to give you a rundown of how we're going to go about this."
Go ahead.
>"Very well. When we un-dock and head out, we're going to go straight due north at half sail the whole way. This should put us right non course with t he delivery."
>You think for a moment.
>That's exactly what they would want you to do if they were going to ambush you.
Forget that. Would it be possible to head north west at full sail and still catch it were we to leave right now?
>"Sir, with all due respect, the way I have charted would be the safest."
Not any more. I'm not taking chances with that route. It's where they want us to go.
>"Very well sir. I do believe at full speed, if we were we to leave right now, we should be able to catch them."
Very well. Map the course, prep the sails for dis-embarking. Where's lotus?
>"She's at the helm, keeping a watch on everyone."
Very well, thank you.
>"My pleasure, captain." He said, bowing and backing away before barking some orders to assorted members of the ship.

>The seas were slightly rough, but it wasn't anything your ship couldn't handle.
>As the various crew members went about their business on the ship they started to sing shanties to pre-occupy themselves and settle some pre-battle nerves.
>You turn to Lotus
What are your feelings on this, and how should we go about this?
>Aside from any possible ambush, I'm feeling good. The way I think we should do it it keep full sails up and head right for them. We fire your forward cannons to catch them off guard, then we turn to either side and broad side them.
Sounds solid. Would all these cannons sink her or will she still float?
>"facing a ship of similar size, it most likely won't sink it nor cripple it, but they'll sure feel it."
I trust your judgement. You sure know a thing or two about maneuvering around ships.
>"They say that observing is the best teach-" She's interrupted by by one of the crew members yelling
>"Ship off in the distance captain!" He yells.
>You see him pointing to your 8 O'clock
Hand me an eye glass Lotus
>She pull one from her belt and hands it to you
>It's small seeing as it's intended for ponies, but it works.
>Lotus takes the wheel as you try and spot the ship.
>After a few seconds, you spot the ship in the distance.
>That's the one.
Alright lads, there's our target!
>The crew let out a mighty roar
Now, who here is ready to be rich?!
>Even louder roars followed.
Alright everypony, to your stations, on the double, we're closing distance fast.
>You take the wheel back from Lotus and give the wheel a Hard turn to the left, and ship begins to list it's way.
>Eventually you aim the front of your ship at the ship in the distance.
I want forward canons to arms, prepare to fire on my command! All other canons, prep for fire as well!
>You hear you crew bring the cannons to the side of the ship and prepare to fire on your command.
>"Ready captain!" You hear being yelled by the cannons operators.

>The ship was coming fast, you were both headed for each other.
On my mark!
>The ship was just in range
FIRE
>The forward canons erupt seconds afterwards, creating a bellow of smoke making it hard to see if it hit or not.
>You quickly throw the wheel to it's right to turn it fast, and to get in a position to fire broadsides.
>The ships speed is fast and you manage to get away from the smoke cloud.
>The ship did not deviate from its course yet.
>By the time you had cleared the smoke, you had turned enough for your broadside cannons to fire on the ship.
Fire on my command!
>Your left side was a bit past where they were facing, you had to throw the wheel back to the right to turn it enough so your broadside would hit them.
>The enemy ship was incredibly close, within a half a football field now.
>When you were confident your cannons would hit, you raised your left arm.
FIRE
>The top set of cannons fired its volley.
>Then the second row.
>Then the third row.
>After the third row had fired, you quickly threw the wheel back to the right to veer away from the smoke.
>Then you hear distant cannon fire.
BRACE YOURSELVES!
>The crew members hit the deck as fast as possible.
>Through the smoke came tons of cannonballs flying over head and into the hull.
>A cannonball hit a keg of powder near the front of the ship and caused a loud explosion, setting a small fire on the from left of the ship.
I need fire control on that now!
>Several ponies grabbed buckets of water stocked near the masts and began to, if not douse, at least lessen the flames.
>You decide to let the ship remain on its current course until the smoke clears.
>The ponies on the front of the ship are hard at work dousing the flame.
>They're doing a good job, but the fire probably won't be able to be completely doused.
>Your ship finally clears of the smoke and you try to look past it to find the ship.
>There are two distinct clouds of smoke, from them and you.

>As you maneuver past the smoke the ship comes into view.
>There are three large fires on the ship.
>One on the front, one near the center, and one in the rear.
>The one in the middle was the largest.
>You bring the other side of the ship to them.
>You Raise your arm ,ready to fire.
>As you're about to bring your arm down, and enormous explosion engulfs the middle of the ship.
>It sent wood shrapnel flying in all directions.
>You figured the whole ship would be stunned from that blast, and you throw your wheel to the left and prepare to ram into it.
Bring up all sails! We're ready to give them a steely kiss!
>The crew members let out a large, blood-curdling roar, the sails begin to come off and you feel the ship slowing down.
>As the ship begins to slow, you throw the wheel back to the right as hard as you can so you can put your side of the ship to theirs.
>The front left of your ship slams into the middle of theirs, and you momentum puts your side of the ship against theirs.
Hook them in and drag them down!
>The various ponies on your ship begin to throw grapples on to the other ship, and pull them in a little closer.
>You wanted to end this quickly and preserve as much gold in the ship as possible, as that explosion probably jumbled the ship up.
>You decided to head right for the captain of the ship and order him to call his soldiers to stop, or die.
>With that decision, the ponies on your ship began pulling the ship closer, while the ponies on the other side tried cutting the ropes and stop the boarding.
>There is random assorted magic and gunfire being thrown to either ship, in hopes to stop each other.
>Eventually, your crew manages to get the ship right next to yours.
>You draw your sword out.
>You run toward the edge of the ship, and take a massive leap to the other vessel.

>You land on the other side and are met by enemies on all sides.
>Swords at the ready, you're not sure what you can do.
>You take your sword tight in your right hand, and prepare for them to strike.
>As one goes to lunge into you, a pony from your crew manages to land on top of him and drive his sword straight through his head thanks to the force of his landing.
>This distraction gives you enough time to turn around and see the fire behind you i large.
>Perhaps large enough to do something crazy.
>You point your sword to the fire and channel as much magical energy as you can through the sword.
>The flames soon begin to course to your sword engulfing it in flames.
>You quickly turn around and swing your sword wildly at the enemies that have you surrounded.
>With fear they all back off afraid of your flame sword.
>With a quick slam of your sword to the ground you use the flame to create a plume of smoke around you.
>The ponies around you, both friendly and foe are dazed and coughing, caught off guard by the smoke.
>You use this pause to your advantage.
>You quickly rune through the smoke and the crowds of ponies fighting amongst the flames and wreckage.
>You're careful to avoid any current fights, as one mis-step meant getting stabbed.
>Eventually, by some miraculous feat, running through crowds and flames alike, you reach the helm of the ship, to see the captain calling out orders as fast as he can.
>You run up the stairs to the helm as quickly as possible.
>The captain notices you and reaches for his sword.
>He's falls back and fumbles trying to pull his sword out of its sheathe.
>You use your magic to extend the flame beyond your sword to a whip like fashion.
>You whip the ground in front of him to scare him more.
Quit your fumbling and fight!
>You charge at him, sword in hand.
>He just barely manages to grab his sword in time, and just as you're about to bring your sword down on him, he blocks it, but barely.

>you push your sword against his, as hard as you possibly can.
>This was do or die.
>You felt his strength giving, you could tell the heat from your sword was starting to hurt him.
>You have him right where you want him.
>With a quick flick of your sword, you manage to twist the sword to the left, pass his sword and shove the sword right through the captain's left hoof.
>He lets out an agonizing scream as his hoof is pinned to the deck by your sword of flame.
>You quickly pull the sword from his hand and kick it away.
>You pull the sword from his hoof.
>He grabs it in agony.
>You grab him the collar of his ornate jacket and put your sword up to his throat.
Listen here, pal. I just want what you have on board. Tell your men to stop fighting and we'll spare you.
>True fear cam across the captain's eyes.
If not, I'll behead you where you stand.
>"You fucking savages... Fine." He sputters.
>"Cease fighting men!" He yells. "Drop your weapons men, cease fighting!"
>As he says that, the numbers of equestrian soldiers drop their weapons.
>You hear your men let out a loud and cheerful scream.
>The screams of victory were enough to be heard from miles away.
Good.... Now, where are the bits.
>"In the..Ack.." He lets out a harsh cough, " Cargo hold. They're all yours so long as you leave my men be.
Very well.
>You keep the captain grabbed by his collar.
Listen men, Their cargo is in their cargo hold. Grab every single last bit and bring up here for loading on to our ship.
>You pause.
And should anyone intervene, I'll have you brought back to out abode and have a special chat with you.
>There wasn't a soldier on that ship that wasn't afraid for their life. You were sure that nobody would fight back.
As for you, captain, you're coming with me
>"That wasn't part of the deal."
You said as long as we let your soldiers live, you said nothing about taking you prisoner.
>"You fucking savages, I'll make sure Celestia will have your heads." He screams.

I want him tied and barred down on to the bottom of the ship in the cargo hold. He's not getting away.
>You told this to a couple of your crew members as you handed the tied down captain over to them
>As you were walking about the ship taking a damage assessment, the navigator comes up to you.
>"Captain, got some news for you."
What is it?
>"Got a storm headed this way, looks pretty bad. We're going to need to load up the ship fast and dock before it hits us."
Sounds good. You hear that lads?
>You scream over to your mean on the other ship.
We got a storm coming, I need you to double time it on the chests of bits.
>You have a look around the front of the ship where the explosion happened.
>There was heavy scorch marks on one of the masts nearby, and a good chunk of the front left portion of the ship.
>A good bit of the wood started to splinter, but otherwise, it seemed to be in fine condition.
>You decided to hold off repairs until you can to port with the storm coming in.
>You head back up to the helm of the ship and decide to link up with lotus.
>As you walk, you're thankful there weren't more dead and wounded given the circumstances.
>There was little debris and most of our supplies still remained.
>You reach the helm of the ship and greet Lotus with a victorious smile.
What are our casualties at.
>"So far, 3 dead, 7 wounded, most from the explosion near the front, and most are burn scars."
Not as bad as I had thought.
>"I know, considering we didn't have a single casualty from boarding at all. Your fast actions saved not only our lives, but their lives as well."
That was my plan, get the captain to come peaceably, would make loading the cargo a hell of a lot more easier. Not only that, but I'm sure we can fetch tons more bits for his release as well.
>"Good thinking. A true pirate by nature. With a little soft spot for others to go."
Whatever is proven most effective, I will use.
>"Only logical. So what will you do-"
>A fellow crew member yelled out.

>"Ship coming after us sir!" He yelled out ,"Man o' War sir! Seems like it's commandeered by changelings sir!"
Damnit! Lotus, give me an eyeglass!
>She trots over to you and hands you the eyes glass off her belt again.
>You look closely at the shit.
>It was enormous.
>There was no doubt it was a galleon.
>You tried getting a closer look at the operators to see if they were changelings, but you couldn't make out anything on the deck.
>However, with the enormous black sails, it was safe to assume it was a changeling ship.
Men, I need you all to bring me those bits and get your asses on this ship right this instant!
>You quickly went to the helm of the ship.
>You got on the wheel so you could start sailing as soon as the sails were set free.
>thankfully for you the navigator was already up there speaking with Lotus.
Navigator! I need knowledge of where this ship is coming from.
>"It's coming from the east sir."
>Your hunches were right.
>They were going to plan an ambush.
>There was no heading back to port, as they would most likely cut you off.
>The storm is coming from the north.
>What was a great and glorious victory has, in moments turned into a stranglehold on your position.
>"What's out course captain, it isn't looking good" Lotus said with concern.
We're heading into the storm.

>The last of the crates and chests were brought on to the deck.
>Just in time too. The ship was getting closer.
>You needed to have the ship moving and fast.
>If that shit had mortars, which is more than likely for a ship of that size, you needed to get out of there.
Men, I'm going to need every last scrap of deck on the wind if we're to make it out of here, and I need it now!
>Within seconds, the sails began to plop into place one by one, and your ship started kicking forward.
>You left the half destroyed ship to sit in the water as your ship sped off.
>You turn a little to your right, and aim your ship right at the storm over the horizon.
>As your ship begins to reach its maximum speed, you hear distant pops.
>"They're firin' mortars at us captain!" One of the crew members.
Brace yourselves for impact!
>You see ponies on deck hit the deck, but you remained standing to keep an eye on the waves, as the seas were gradually getting rough.
>You hear several whizzing noises coming in.
>Several large splashes make their way around your ship.
>The a mortar manages to hit the ship.
>It nails the back of your ship, near whre your standing.
>It snaps the guard rail in tow and leaves a decent hole leading down to the next floor of the ship.
>Several pieces of wood splinter off.
>One of them slapped you in the back, but thankfully the sharp end didn't go into you.
>You try to keep your eyes on the ship behind you and the seas in front of you at the same time.
>You heard several more pops in the distance.
>You violently throws the wheel of the ship to the left.
>The ship almost jerks itself hard your threw the wheel so fast.
>You held the wheel to the left, hoping to evade the mortars.
>As you hold the wheel in place, you hear several distant whizzes, followed by several mortar rounds hitting the water behind and to the right of your ship.
>You evaded this volley, but you're not sure how the ship will handle the strain of the storm and constant turning.

>The winds were beginning to pick up.
>This was good news for once.
>The increased winds meant you had enough speed to get away from their mortars.
>Until then, you were stuck trying to maneuver out of the way of their mortars.
>Volley after volley came, but you still managed to avoid the mortar rounds.
>All the meanwhile, the storm coming closer, the waves are beginning to become rather large, even for your ship.
>Now you have to focus less on avoiding the mortars, and more on hitting the waves right so you don't lose any men.
>Your ship crashing up and down on the waves it went through meant this storm as big,.
>The splashes made by hitting the waves were big enough to send water all over the deck.
>Water occasionally made its way to you as well, getting you and lotus drenched.
>Eventually, the ship following you had to stop its mortar fire.
>You were in the clear for now, but you still had to deal with it at some point.
>For now, it was headstrong into the storm.
>You were focused on maintaining the ship's speed and making sure you hit the waves straight on.
>Then the rain started coming down.
>Your sight was reduced greatly.
>The rain was torrential.
>You had never seen a storm like this before, even back at home.
>There was probably enough rain out here to flood anywhere the storm came to.
>It was hard keeping water out of your eyes, but you had to focus on the task at hand,
>The waves were getting dangerously big now, your ship being thrown into the hair whenever it hit a wave.
>"Captain, look behind us!" One of the nearby crew members yell.
>You look behind for a second.
>What you saw had taken your breath away,
>"Water spout!" Another crew member yells.
>And it looks like it was headed straight at the enemy ship too.

>The waterspout was moving at speeds much faster than you thought were possible.
>Within seconds you see the waterspout moving right over the enemy galleon.
>As the waterspout come over the other side of the ship, all you see were masts where the sails were and the ship listing heavily on it right side.
>"Captain, if we get caught in that monster we're as good as dead!" A crew member yells out.
I want you to pull up all sails until that monster passes by us!
>The sails of your ship began to pull up one by one and the ponies on the deck began to work hard to getting them up.
>You ship started to slow down, making the crashing through the waves a little easier on your crew and the ship.
>Unfortunately the Water spout was making way right to your ship now.
>And it was coming fast.
>You made a split second decision.
I want all crew members who can get down under the deck, the monster is headed straight for us!
>As you shouted the command, all the ponies on deck began to run down the few hatches along the deck.
Lotus, I need you to take the wheel. I don't think this thing is going to stop.
>"Don't say that, Anon!" she screamed over the roar of waves and rain.
Just do as I say!
>She ran up and held the wheel, making sure to hit the waves right and not list the ship too much.
>The waterspout was headed right for the rear of your ship.
>The noise it was making you deafen anyone close to it.
>As it began to come close to the ship, you felt yourself being pulled from the ship the winds were so strong.
>It was now or never.
>You pull out your sword and, with both hands on it you course immense magical energy.
>You were going to try and reverse the rotation of this beast.
>You strain yourself as far as you think you can go.
>As you do so, you feel the winds dying slightly.
>Slowly but surely, the waterspouts rotation begins to reverse, the winds dying down.
>Just when you think you had the monstrous waterspout taken care, you see a chunk of wood flying toward you.

>You tried to move out of the way.
>You weren't fast enough.
>The board flew at you and impaled you right through the left side of your stomach where your shirt was missing.
>You collapse to the ground, doubled over in pain.
>You let out several vicious hollers in your
agony.
>'Anon!" you hear Lotus yell.
>She rushes to you rside.
>"Oh my god, we have to get your out of here now!"
The waterspout has slowed..ack...just get the crew out of here. Have them set the sail to full, and bring us to port, quickly.
>You look down after your instructions to see yourself bleeding.
>A lot.
>You hear Lotus screaming at the crew to get the sails going.
>She orders some of the men to carry you down to the lower decks.
>You feel several ponies lift you on to their backs.
>You started to feel light headed.
>You don't think this is a hallucination.
>You were probably going to die.
>As you started to be lifted down into the hull you felt your eye sight fade.
>The world around you was becoming blurry.
>But you felt relaxed.
>Relaxed in a sense that, even if you did die, you saved many lives on your ship in doing so.
>As they lay you on to the bed you see them scramble off to various directions to get items to help you survive.
>As they do so, you take a good look at the wood stuck inside your stomach one more time.
>Then you throw your head back.
>The light around you slowly faded to black.
>Noises became muffled, and then, non-existent.
>And then.
>Nothing.

>You heard hoof steps echoing.
>Hoofsteps?
>There was darkness in every direction.
>And yet you heard... hoofsteps?
>They were getting louder.
>And closer.
>You were confused.
>But as you squinted and looked into the haze of darkness, you saw a figure.
>It slowly started to come into focus.
>A small pony.
>A unicorn horn.
>Pegasus wings
>An alicorn?
>As the figure comes closer, you can make out the colors.
>Purple...
>It couldn't be?
>As the figure comes closer, she comes into focus.
>It was Twilight!
>By... why would she be here.
Twilight!
>You yelled, and caught her attention.
>She looked over at you.
>"Anon!?" She yelled, galloping over to you.
>"There you are! Listen, we don't have much time."
But Twilight I-
>She shushes you.
>"You HAVE to listen, Anon."
>You nod.
>"When you wake up, you HAVE to search for a pony, whom many refer to as 'the prophet.' I was going to, but, as you could imagine, events did not go in my favor." She said, lowering her head.
>"Listen, Anon. Wherever your go, a part of me is with you, that's how I'm talking to you now. I have to go."
Wait, Twilight, who killed you! Tell me so I can put things straight!
>"Seek the Prophet Anon, all will be answered, I promise." She said, her figure fading into the dark.
Wait, Twilight! You can't go! Not yet!
>Her figured dissipated into the darkness.
>You were confused.
>The Prophet.
>You had never heard of such a pony, not in the show or in your time here.
>You were unsure of what Twilight had told you.
>But you had to do what she told you.
>You had a feeling, although unclear, what she said would help you find who was responsible, and answer any questions.
>You let out a big sigh.
>While you were stuck in this darkness, you may as well relax and think of what to do.

>Time moved by.
>The darkness slowly faded.
>Eventually the darkness became white.
>You were able to open your eyes.
>You slowly ope your eyes.
>You hear the beeping medical equipment.
>You look around.
>To your left is an IV and several monitors, you're not quite sure what they're for.
>You look to your left.
>You saw Lotus sitting in a chair, asleep, head back and sprawled in a chair.
>You chuckled lightly to yourself.
>You were surprised you weren't in any severe pain.
>The doctors must have done a good job.
Psst.
>You try to catch Lotuses attention.
>She shifts slightly in her chair.
Wake up you doofus!
>She shakes her head was looks at you.
>"wha-who are ya callin.... Anon?!?" She stops herself mid ramble and sees you looking at her.
>"Oh my god, thank god you made it!" She said, jumping over to you and giving you a big hug.
>You let out a sharp cough, you were caught off guard by her happy reaction.
>"I'll be honest, we weren't sure if you were going to make it Anon, you've been unconscious for about 2 days since we brought you back to port!"
>2 whole days?!
There's no way it was 2 days, It felt just like a couple of hours!
>"Well it wasn't Anon, you gave us quite the fright. But thanks to you efforts, the ship is in, relatively speaking, one piece."
Always good news. Say what time is it?
>"Wouldn't guess it to be any earlier than midnight."
Think a doctor would be out and about?
>"There's normally someone walking around. I'll go find someone for you." She said, hopping out of her chair.
>"Oh and by the way..." She began.
Yes?
>"Welcome home, captain." She said giving you a nod and a smile before walking out of the room.
>She was right, this place was your home now.
>But as much as you would like to stay, you knew yo couldn't.
>You had to find the prophet.

>Lotus comes back in with a doctor.
>"Hello Anon, nice to see you again." He starts.
You shouldn't be saying that in a hospital Doc.
>You both let out a hearty chuckle.
>"Well in any case, you seem to be recovering just fine. Your lucky that wooden board didn't hit anything important."
I am thankful for that.
>"It took quite a bit of magic for the bleeding to stop. You creatures sure do have a lot of blood, but through some magical feats and a few stitches, we managed to patch you up."
Thanks a lot doc, I appreciate it.
>'It's what I do. On a good note once more you seem to be healing at a rate I have never seen in all my years being a doctor. You creatures are something different I'll tell you that. In what would take a pony about 2 weeks to recover from injuries like yours, it took you just under 2 days. I say you should be ready to go in the morning if you want. Just be sure to get plenty of sleep tonight though."
Will do doc.
>"Well, if there's anything else, be sure to holler." He said, before turning around and walking away.
>As he was about to leave the room, something jolted into your head.
Her doc, I do have one question.
>"Go ahead Anon."
Where's the nurse that was here earlier when I was here last?
>"She's not here right now, unfortunately, why you ask?"
>You had to think of something to say.
Um.. well she was really nice and I'd like to thank her.
>"Sounds just like her. Unfortunately she won't be coming back for a while, she said she had some family business in Fillydelphia, I don't think she's going to be back for sometime."
Darn, I was hoping to properly thank her.
>"Well not much we can do. Anyways, I gotta get going, have other wounded to attend to."
See you around doc!
>You don't think she was going to be back at all after what happened in the storm.
>As the doctor leaves you turn to lotus.
That nurse was the changeling.
>"Well, lets hope we won't see any more of her, now." She said.
Agreed. I've had enough action for a lifetime.

>"Well, the ships crew is probably getting rowdy without either of us around, plus I'd like to sleep in a bed tonight." She said,
Wait, you waited here for me to wake up?
>"Of course, why wouldn't I? You saved my life after all, it's the least I could do."
>You felt touched.
I'm happy you did
>You gave her a smile.
>"So am I, glad to see you're okay. Well, gotta go keep the rabble in check at the ship, I'll see you tomorrow Anon." She said starting to trot off.
Say Lotus, can I ask you a question?
>"Go right ahead."
You happen to know any pony that goes by the name of 'the prophet' by chance?
>She put her hoof to her chin and thought for a second.
>"I can't say I have, but I think I may have overheard the leader at some point mention somepony named the prophet, I'd ask him about it."
I'll be sure to do that, thanks.
>"Not a problem, sleep well Anon." She said, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
>Hopefully you'll be able to get something from the leader of this place.
>For all you went through, you thought you deserved at least that.
>Your thought rambled and you laid in bed, thinking of seeing Twilight in your comatose state.
>How could she do that, talk to you in your comatose state?
>The only way you could think is some means of magic she has in the afterlife, whatever it may be.
>Your thoughts trail as your eyes grow heavy.
>You eventually close your eyes, and fall asleep.

>You slowly opened your eyes.
>You woke up to yourself being free on the bed.
>No IV's or equipment attached to you any more.
>Your body was sore and your head a little light, but you will probably get over it.
>You sit up in your bed and stand up.
>You had been in that bed for so long your legs feel like noodles.
>You stretched out your arms and back, it felt good to be back up on your own two feet again.
>As you're stretching, a nurse comes in and opens the door.
>"Hello, Anon is it?" She asks.
Yup, that's me.
>"Good to see you're awake, you have a visitor."
Thanks, you can send them in.
>She exits the door, and soon to come in was Lotus.
>"Don't stretch yourself too much."
I do what I want, you know that.
>She laughed a bit.
>"Hey, you should come outside, I got someone you'd like to meet." She says.
Lead the way, I don't think the nurses will miss me too much.
>She motions you to follow her as she steps outside of your room door and holds it open for you.
>She walks up to the door leading out of the hospital.
>"You ready?" She asks.
Ready for what.
>She opens up the door, and on the docks and below the steps of the hospital was a large group of ponies.
>As you step out they let out a loud cheer.
>All you could do was stand like an idiot and smile uncontrollably.
>As you're trying to think of something to say, the leader comes from the crowd.
>"You did it boy, I knew I could count on you!"
The pleasure is all mine.
>"You have brought hope and fire in these eyes that I haven't seen in a long time. You have mine, and these peoples thanks."
I'm happy I could help.
>"You are welcome here as much as you want, and I have a key t your new house, right next door." He says, handing you a key.
>You stand and think for a moment.
>You put your hand up to respectfully decline his offer.
>"What's the matter?" He asks.
I don't need a house, but I do require only one thing in exchange, if you do not mind.
>"Of course not, for you, anything!"

i'm looking for a man who is called 'the prophet', you ever heard of him.
>As nostalgic look falls over the mans face.
>"I do. He is a great man.'
>He paused
>"I had been friends with him for some time, we both had views of the world that were similar. We both didn't want to see the world under monarchy."
>"The way we both went about it though were, drastically different. He sought to cut himself from the world, I sought to change it. Don't get me wrong, this pony is incredibly intellectual, but his knowledge drew all sorts of unwanted attention."
Like what?
>"People wanting to become his apprentice, assassin's, he knew a lot of stuff he shouldn't have. After evading an assassination attempt, barely, he left me a note telling me he decided to venture off to Mount Azure, in the heart of the changeling empire, and become a hermit, forever cut off from the world."
Understandable.
>"Indeed. So yes, why is it you seek him?"\
A friend told me I need to seek him, it's all.
>"Did this friend not tell you why?"
Not at all.
>"The area around the mountain and the mountain itself is treacherous I hear. Quite a few people have sought the prophet. Not too many make it back. Both weather and hostile creatures lurk around those peaks. If you're to search for him, You'll need the right gear."
Didn't you say you were going to get me a proper outfit?
>"Of course, and that I did make my boy, here, follow me to my house." He said, motioning the crowd to part the way for him and you.
>"I think you'll like what we got you. It's some nice hardened leather, and a nice belt to hold your sword so you don't always have to carry it."
That would be nice.
>"But take heed, Anon, I've heard rumors of changelings looking for you, and not the friendly type. If you're to travel the changeling kingdom, you'll need to be quick and quiet, and make as little stops as possible."
I think I can manage that.
>"The changelings have eyes everywhere, Anon, remember that."

>You reach the house, and the leader opens the door.
>He leads you into the same small room you received your sword and pin.
>On the table in the middle of the room, laid the armor he had made for you.
>"Go on, give it a try on, I'm not sure if I got the measurements right or not, the only way to see is in person I suppose!"
>You grab the leather chest armor and slide it over your head and on to you body.
It's a perfect fit, good job!
>"I knew I had it right! I may be old but my eyes are still good!"
>You put on the assorted leggings, arms guards and shoulder guards, and when you were finished, you looked like a leather brute.
>"And lastly, the belt!"
>He ran over to a table in the corner and pulled it off and handed it to you.
>"This has a spot on the side for your weapon sheathe. Hopefully shouldn't jostle around too much."
>When you were done putting it all together, you looked at yourself in a nearby mirror.
I look pretty deadly, don't I?
>"Naturally, you are truly a man worthy of your armor. Now, before you head off, I do have to remind you of something."
What might that be?
>"The changelings do not like magic. Not one bit. They're outlawed any unwarranted use of magic in their kingdom. So whatever you do, don't use your magic in there. They can overwhelm and swarm anypony incredibly fast."
Thanks for the heads up.
>"And Anon" He said putting his hoof on you, "Come back once in a while, you got that?"
I'll be back, don't you worry.
>"We'll be waiting for you." He said with a smile. You two exchanged a pat on the back before you headed out of the building, fully equipped and ready for move out.
>When you exited the building, you saw Lotus standing outside nearby.
>"Anon, oh my, what is all this you got?" She said, oogling your new armor.
The leader had made this for me, for helping out the town in such a great manner.
>"It suits you well, Anon. But don't go walking around thinking you're invincible with it."

Hey lotus, I've got something I have to tell you.
>"What is it?"
Well, I've found out where the Prophet is, and i'm going to look for him.
>"Where is her?"
At Mount Azure, in the center of the Changeling empire.
>She started to give you a worried look.
>"Anon, the changeling empire is a dangerous place, you can't possibly be serious?"
>As she asked that, she saw the seriousness in your face.
>"I know that look. It's the same one my dad would give me when he made up his mind, and there was no changing it."
I'm sorry, but I have the chance to get the answers I seek, and i'm not going to let it slip away.
>"I understand completely. How will you get there, and who will watch after your crew?"
I intend on sailing to a changeling port, as risky as it is, posing as a trade ship simply giving a charter to a few passengers. We'll keep our cannons hidden for the duration. As for the new ship Captain, I want you to be the captain.
>"M-ME?!" She said startled, 'I'm just your quartermaster, I am no captain by any means!"
Who was it that brought the ship back to port after yours truly was impaled?
>She paused for a moment.
>"Me... but that doesn't make me a captain!"
You have more than what it takes Lotus, trust me.
>Your reassurance made her feel better.
>"You really have that much faith in me?"
Why wouldn't I, you saved my life?
>"Well that just makes us even then, doesn't it?" She said.
>You both shared a laugh.
>"Alright Anon, I'll be the new captain. I'll go to the ship and have the navigator chart a course for a coastal settlement nearest to Mount Azure."
Sounds good. I have a few things I need to get before we head out anyways.
>She walked down the hill toward the docks, you were walking slowly behind her.
>If you were to walk a part of the journey by foot, especially into the mountain, you would need something to help out with it.
>You figured a large blanket of sorts to cover over your head and tie around your neck to drape over your shoulders would do.

>After walking around a bit you find a little shop near the edge of town.
>You enter it and they have all assorted furniture and knick-knacks.
>As you enter you're greeted by the cashier.
>"Hello, Is there anything i can help you with?"
Yes, do you have any blankets for cold weather or very warm blankets?
>"Yup, you'll find them in the back corner of the store past the beds." She points.
>You walk a bit down the store and past all the beds.
>Even though you just recently woke up, they look mighty comfy.
>You shake your head and ignore them and keep walking to the blankets in the back.
>As you reach the back corner there's is a whole rack of blankets.
>You sift through some of them.
>You don't seem to have much luck finding one you like that's warm.
>Then you find one that looks warm and perfect.
>It was jet black and incredibly fuzzy with what felt like the fur of an animal all over it.
>You pull the blanket over your head and use one of your strings to tie if off around your neck.
>You pull the rest of the blanket over your shoulder and around the front.
>It was perfect, and incredibly warm.
>You took it off and brought it to the counter.
>You paid the bits for it and gave the cashier a little bit extra as a tip.
>After you leave the store, you decide to just wear the blanket as a cape, so you don't have to lug it around everywhere.
>Plus, you thought it made you look cool.
>As you stood outside, you felt like you needed to take a breather from all that had happened.
>You walk up to the edge of the dock and sit down, and look out on to the ocean.
>This place was as close to home as it was going to get, and you're already leaving.
>You wanted to take in your surroundings, and enjoy your last minutes here before you made headway to lands that even you did not know about.
>While looking out to the water, you hear foot steps coming up from behind you,
>"Got yourself a cape now? You gunna be a superhero?" You a voice say.

>You turn around to see Lotus standing behind you.
Well , if you keep coming to me, then I'm doing something right, right?
>"Pffft, I only came here because you looked lonely." She said sarcastically.
>You both let out a laugh.
>"Mind if I join you?" Lotus asks.
Go right ahead, plop a seat.
>You patted the dock next to you, she walked over a sat next to you.
>"You're going to be gone a while, aren't you."
Yes. Could be a week, a month, nobody knows when. Depends on what answers I have answered.
>"I suppose you're right..." She said lowering her head.
>She scooted closer you you and laid her head on your arm.
>You thought it was adorable.
>You put your arm around her.
>"You want to know something?" She said.
>You turn to her
Sure, what is-
>You're interrupted by her jumping on to you.
>All you feel is her putting her lips on to yours.
>It happened so fast you didn't know how to react.
>You both spend few seconds enjoying the moment, before your lips part ways.
>"I'm not a fan of inter-species relations, but I think I can make an exception..."
>You were caught off guard by this.
>A lot.
Wow... I wasn't expecting that...
>"Did you like it?" She asked eagerly.
I did... a lot, but with everything going on, I don't think having a relationship at this time is the best way to go about things...
>"I understand completely. You need your answers first."
I don't mean to be blunt about it.
>"I understand, but maybe when this is all over?"
That sounds nice...
>You put your arms around her again.

>After a few more minuted you both decide that you should head to the ship and get ready to depart.
>You wanted to make sure to use the rest of the day to travel to your destination with relative safety.
>You both start to climb up the ramp to your ship.
>You're met by an enormous roar of cheers from your crew.
>They all seemed incredibly happy to see you were well.
>After the cheers die down a bit, you look around for the navigator.
>You walk up to a pony coiling from rope on the deck.
Do you happen to know where the navigator is?
>"Yes captain, in the captains quarters. I believe he was mapping a course of sorts."
Thanks.
>You nod and begin to walk to your captains quarters.
>You open the door to see your navigator looking at a couple of maps sprawled out across the table in the room.
Are you charting a course, navigator?
>"Yes captain. I've been checking for the coastal nearest, or well, as close as you can get to mount Azure."
Any luck?
>"Yes, I've found a small village, about 30 miles up the coast from fillydelphia, it's about as close as you're going to get."
How far is the town from the mountain?
>"About 40 miles. Walking at a brisk pace would make it a 4 - 5 day walk to the base of the mountain."
That's a long way... You sure that's as close as we can get?
>"Positive. But it's just a small fishing town, very low key. Posing as traders we should have no problem getting you to that village."
Perfect, I'll prepare the ship for departure.
>You turned around and left the captains quarters and made your way to the helm.
>You ordered your men to disembark and prepare to set out to sea.
>Perhaps the last time you will do so.

>The ropes tying the ship to the dock are removed and the ship is pushed out of dock to the sea.
>A decent group of ponies were waving you off, cheering and shouting.
>You waved back at them
>As soon as you are cleared from the dock you turn the ship around and begin to face the ship in the direction you want.
Bring all the sails out!
>One by one the sail begin to fall into place, the ship starts jerking itself forward.
>The seas were calm, not too many waves to be seen.
>A few clouds scattered the sky.
>As the ship begins to bring up to speed, you realize you don't need to worry too much about keeping it on track and decide take it easy.
>"You worried, Anon?" Lotus asks.
A little. Mostly because I don't know what's going to be waiting for me on this journey.
>"We can't always prepare for the future."
Very true.
>"I wish you could stay." She said.
As do I. But I have another calling I have to take care of first.
>"I hear you speak of it, but you've never told me what this calling is of yours. What is it?"
>You stand there and think for a second.
Perhaps I'll tell you when I get back.
>"How can you be so sure you'll be back?"
>You stood there, thinking for a moment.
I don't.
>She lets out a sigh.
>"Maybe I could come with you?" She asks.
Then who would commandeer the ship?
>She stood there for a moment.
>"You're right. These men need a captain they know."
Like I said, I wish I could stay.
>"I understand. Just come back in one piece. I'm not good with funerals." She said.
>You both let out a hearty laugh.

>The ship ride was calm, the seas were generous.
>You made idle chatter to Lotus and crew members passing by to pass the time.
>As you sailed across the sea, the sun slowly traversed across the sky.
>Before you knew it, the sun was setting.
>Lotus was tired, even though she had got a good nights sleep the night before.
>She decided to get some shut eye, seeing as you weren't going to arrive at the small town until the morning.
>You told the crew on deck they could head below decks if they wanted and hang around, as you had no need of them on deck.
>You could hear their hearty laughter below deck as they let loose their worries.
>You'd miss the guys.
>But despite this you had to look forward.
>And, unfortunately, the ship won't steer itself.
>As you look off into the ocean your mind wanders from thought to thought.
>What you worried about most, was what had happened to Twilight, and how did it happen so fast?

>You think about what happened before and what lead up to it.
>Nothing really seemed to connect.
>You think up to the point where you blacked out.
>How spike dropped the cake and thought it was you who had done it the whole time.
>Dropped the cake.
>Wait.
>Why would he have had a cake?
>Twilight had sent you to get apples for an apple pie she was making, so why would he be getting a cake?
>You thought for a second and only one thing came to mind.
>Maybe she knew it was going to happen, and sent you two away to save the both of you.
>But how could she know it was coming?
>The letter she received from Celestia only inquired about a rising threat of the changelings.
>Unless it was about something else.
>And she didn't want you or spike to worry or freak out, so she sent you on menial tasks so you wouldn't get caught up in the mess.
>It's a shame you still did though.
>The mass confusion brought by spike's false accusation almost had you killed.
>If you some day find out the truth about what had happened, you were going to make sure that everyone knew, even if it meant killing you.
>But then, maybe you were over thinking it.
>Maybe she was just getting cake and pie because she was having somepony over.
>Or maybe she just really wanted cake and pie.
>There was no way to know for sure.
>Hopefully this prophet she pointed you to would have the answers you needed.
>No matter how much you doubted it, you knew it was your only hope.
>That and Twilight had faith in you seeking the Prophet, so she must have had some knowledge of him.
>Either way, you're hoping to settle everything that must be settled, one way or another.

>The sun was gone out of the sky, only leaving darkness.
>There was a thin layer of fog around the surface of the calm water.
>But not a cloud in the sky.
>You look up and see the stars and moon in the sky.
>As you look at the moon, something comes to your mind.
>You wonder what Luna and Celestia are doing with the passing of Twilight.
>You never stopped to think of them.
>How they were feeling, and what they had planned for a potential invasion, should it occur.
>It was then you realized.
>You're caught in a net.
>One bigger than you could possibly imagine.
>What you do and how you do it can decide the fate of Equestria.
>You knew you could not fail now.
>With your magic prowess, and relative good skill handling your sword, you were confident you would make it our of this.
>Even if you couldn't use your magic.
>Your confidence was high now.
>From here on out you knew you had to put your all into everything.
>You drew your sword, and gave it a good look.
>It was shiny, barely used.
>The blade was as sharp as could be.
>As you held it in your hands, you knew it wouldn't like this for long.
>You had a feeling in your guts.
>Blood was going to spill.

>It wasn't before long that, through your constant thoughts and sightseeing that the sun was rising.
>As the sun slowly started to rise up, so did some of the crew.
>Some of the crew members that were awake came up to the deck and found stuff to pre-occupy their time.
>You saw one standing around looking for something to do.
You there!
>You yell out toward him.
>He starts to trot up the stairs up to the helm.
>"What is it captain?"
Would you be so kind as to fetch me the navigator, I need my bearings.
>"Yes captain," He said before trotting down the stairs again and below the deck.
>After a few moments, the tired navigator comes up to the top deck and up tot helm.
>"You caught me sleeping, captain, what is it you need?"
Sorry about that, I need my bearings, any clue where we are?
>"Judging by the sun just coming up and the hilly lands in the distance, I figure that we're about 5 miles out. Not much longer now."
>Hilly lands?
>You squint your eyes as hard as you can, but you can barely make out the hill in the distance, almost buried by the sea in front you.
>You don't know how these ponies had such good eyesight, but you weren't one to argue with it.
Thank you navigator, you can rest now.
>"I think I'll stay up, I'd feel lazy if I went back to bed Captain."
However you wish to spend your time.
>He walked off the helm and down the stairs into the captains quarters, no doubt to sort through more maps and organize more.
>After a few more minutes, you saw Lotus make her way to the top deck as well.
Well look who it is,the sleepyhead herself.
>You mock at her.
>"Hey, watching after your doofus face in the hospital would make anyone tired." She quipped back.
>You both let out a laugh.
>"Say, how much longer till port?" She asked.
About half an hour, the lands just over the horizon.
>You pointed out ahead.
>"Well I'll be damned you're right." She said.
>She made her way to the helm of the ship.
>"It certainly is a bit colder up here than it was last night."

Can't say I've noticed much.
>"Really? Well... you do have all that armor." She said.
It does keep me pretty warm. Also the reason i got this blanket, for when I'm going up the mountain to keep me warm.
>"Smart move. So you don't want to be a superhero?"
I don't want to really, but something tells me I don't have a choice in the matter.
>She gave you a confused look.
>"Well, I think you'd make a good superhero. You got the outfit already, all you need is to make a name for it."
I think I'll pass on that.
>You both laugh at it.
>The ship was approaching the coast now, so you turned the ship to the right to sail alongside the coast, but just off it.
>It wasn't long before you found the small village in question.
>It was about half the size of the Pirate cove.
>As you approached it closer you made out some changelings working the docks.
>Looks like they were clearing the docks for your ship to dock.
>You ordered your crew to pull up the sails as you approached.
>Your ship drifted slowly next to the small dock and eventually came to a stop.
>As the ship came to a stop, you let go of the wheel.
>You turned to Lotus.
Well, here's my stop.
>She let out a huff.
>She gave you a large hug.
>"Make sure to come back, you hear?"
I promise.
>You finished hugging each other, and you walked off the helm.
Listen men. I know I've been your captain for a short time, but Lotus here, shall be your new captain. I have business I have to take care of. Unfortunately, to do so would mean to leave the pirate cove. I want each and everyone of you to treat her with the same respect you've given me.
>The pirates on the deck began cheering and stomping.
Until I come back, You are to listen to her. I'll see you all soon enough.
>You have one final wave of the hand.
>The cheering and stomping became louder.
>You hopped off the ship and down on to the dock.
>The ships sails began to drop down again, the ship beginning to set off.
>As it left, you saw Lotus at the wheel.

>You gave her one last smile and a nod of the head.
>She did the same for you.
>You turn around and look at the town, the ship passing by just behind you.
>The town was semi-lively.
>Changelings walking around, doing their daily business.
>"Hey bud, you gunna move or what?" One of the dock workers sputters in their raspy voice.
Yes, sorry. Although I would like directions, do you know which direction it is to Mount Azure?
>"I don't personally, ask the bartender at the bar, it's the building on the left when you step off the dock."
Thanks.
>You begin to walk down the dock and off of it.
>You reach the bar and enter inside.
>There's a decent group of changelings situated all throughout the bar.
>You walk up to the bar and have a seat.
>The bartender walks over.
>"Well, what sight we have here. Ain't seen any of your kind before, where ya from?"
>You think for a second.
Distant land.
>"Not much for chatter huh?"
Well, i'm looking for directions. Do you know how I can reach mount azure?
>"Ah yes, there's a little town at the base of the mountain, nice place. The town has a path leading up to the mountain summit. Some say there's a wise-man that lives up there, some say an enormous treasure, some say a portal to who knows where. Either way, the climb is treacherous and not many make it to the top."
I'm fixed on getting to the top.
>"In that case all you have to do is take the road going out of town, and keep going straight, ignore the road. After a day or two of walking you should reach a small plateau. Then you want to turn left about 45 degrees, and after a day or so you should be at the town at the base of the mountain."
Thank you very much. Here's some bits for your trouble.
>You hand him a handful of bits and get out of your chair.
>"My pleasure sir." He says in his old raspy voice.
>When you get off your chair and turn around you're met by a slightly larger changeling staring at you.
May I help you?
>"I don't like you." He spurts.

I'm sorry, truly I am, but I must be going.
>"You ain't going anywhere you freak!" He says stopping you with his hoof.
>You stare him in the eye.
I'm not going to say again, I must be going.
>"Let the man go, laddy!" The bartender says.
>"No, I don't like the looks of this guy." He says sneerly.
Well then, do something about it, wimp.
>He goes to throw a punch with his hoof he isn't blocking you with.
>You quickly jump back, avoid the punch, and jump forward and land a hard punch right on to the changeling's temple.
>The force was enough to stagger him back a bit.
>While he's staggered you pull your sword out, and ready yourself for him to come at you.
>"A sword huh? Let's see how yo like this!" He says, dark smoke begins to engulf him, ponies around are cheering now.
>When the black smoke clears, there's a bear where the changeling stood.
>He transformed into a bear.
>"Let's see you dodge this!" He said, standing up on his hind legs and taking a wide swing at your head.
>You try to pull your head to the side, but your face is just caught by his claws, causing three linear cuts alongside the right side of you face.
>He starts to swing wide with his other claw.
>You duck and barely manage to avoid it.
>As he finished his swing, You charge forward.
>You jab your shoulder right into his stomach.
>You leans forward, trying to grab you.
>You step to the left and, in one fluent motion, swing your sword and cut the back of his left leg.
>He lets out a bestial roar as he falls forward.
>You raise your sword again and bring it down.
>It cuts the left side of his back and down to his sides.
>He lets out another roar, before falling to the ground completely.
>He is engulfed in black smoke again.
>After a few seconds, he returns back to his changeling form again.
>"I give in, mercy! Have mercy!" He yells.
Get in my way again, and I won't have any.
>You put your sword into it's sheathe and turn around.

>There was a circle of changelings around you two.
Out of my way.
>A few of the changelings blocking the door stepped aside.
>You walked through them and out the door.
>As you left the building, you felt he scratches on your face.
>They were a little bloody.
>Not even an hour here and you already managed to get hurt.
>You decide to wash off the cut in some salt water.
>You take a short walk to the dock.
>You cup some of the salt water in your hands and splash it over your cuts.
>It stung a little, but after a bit the sting went away.
>You kept washing it until the blood on your face was gone.
>When it was you stood up again.
>you turned around and looked down the road through the small town.
>You started to walk.
>As you walked down the street you were greeted by the usual odd looks of the changelings.
>It wasn't anything you weren't used to.
>You kept walking until you reached the edge of the town.
>It was more of an abrupt end to the town than a gradual one.
>As you left the town, the road went off to the right.
>The man had told you to keep heading straight despite the road so you did.
>The land was hilly with short grass so it wouldn't be too hard to traverse hopefully.
>It was nice to be alone and away from ponies for a bit and have some time to yourself.
>The area was rather beautiful.
>You had heard most of the changeling kingdom was tundra-esque.
>You were glad you were in one of the grassy areas for now.
>It reminded you of home.
>A lot of the place reminded you of your home.
>This brought another question to your head.
>What happened at home, and what happened to get you here?
>Anything you try to recall is all a blur.
>After a bit you decide to give up on it, you couldn't bring any thoughts of the past up, no matter how hard you tried.
>So for now, you traveled.

>The hours passed.
>Walking over hill after hill, careful of your surroundings.
>You weren't in the friendliest territory.
>Before you knew it, the sun started to set.
>You wanted to make as much ground as possible, but with night coming you didn't know what creatures were waiting within the night in this place.
>You look around, nothing in sight for shelter.
>After walking a little ways in hopes of finding someplace to stay, you find a tree standing on top of a hill.
>It looked like a pine tree, large sprawling branches looked perfect for staying underneath.
>You made your way to the tree.
>The hill was a little larger in person when you started climbing it.
>After a short climb, you reach the tree.
>It's lively and green, much like the grass of these hills.
>You push one of the branches away from your face as you walk underneath the tree.
>You sit down at the base of the tree.
>You situate yourself and pull your blanket-cape over yourself.
>The constant walking left you tired, so you didn't even have time to think before you drifted off to slumber land.
>The journey was just beginning.

>You awoke to the sound of light rain.
>Some water dripped on your head making you wake up faster.
>You stood up and put your cape back on your back and crawled out from under the tree.
>The rain was nothing more that a little misting.
>You figured it was no big deal and continued on your course.
>Today you would see the plateau.
>You wanted to cover as much ground as you could.
>You began walking as you did yesterday.
>After a little while the rain gave out and a light fog took its place.
>It wasn't enough to block your vision entirely.
>After a while of walking, you begin to finally see the plateau in the distance.
>You were relieve to finally see the landmark.
>You jogged the rest of the way, eager to get to the landmark.
>Once you reached the plateau, you decided to lay up against a rock and take a few to recharge yourself.
>As you lay down you you look across the field and into the fog.
>As you looked around, you thought you could see something flying around in the fog.
>It was flying back and fourth through the fog, and it almost looked like it was getting closer.
>You stood up to look at it.
>Then it started to come at you.
>It was going at speeds you couldn't even believe.
>Before you could even react, whatever it was had come incredibly fast and hit you right in the stomach.
>You got knocked back, the breath getting knocked out of you.
>"Take that you murderer!" you hear being yelled from above you.
>When you regain your balance, you turn around to see what it was.
>You thought that voice was familiar, but when you saw who it was, you didn't want to believe it.

Rainbow Dash, what the hell are you doing.
>"I'm here to end you, you murdered Twilight you heartless bastard!" She said, dashing at you again.
>You quickly jumped to the side and hit the ground, narrowly avoiding her swoop.
Listen, I didn't kill her, calm down!
>"I don't take orders fro ma traitor, now some out and fight!" She said, circling above, trying to find a spot to hit you from.
I DIDN'T KILL HER
>"You liar!" She yelled, swooping in again.
>You quickly knelt the and draw your sword and held it up.
>She saw you had a sword last second and tried to pull up but wasn't fast enough.
>She managed to pull out of your reach, and her wing was hit by the sword.
>You heard her yell and her figure flying lazily off.
>"I'll kill you for that, and for Twilight!" she yelled, trying hard to swoop in again, but her injured wing made it hard.
I don't want to fight you, but if you keep this up I'll have no choice!
>"Just like you didn't give Twilight a choice!" She said, flying up high, and diving down to gain speed from that.
Stop now or you'll regret it!
>"Never!" She screamed, coming at you with incredible speeds.
>You couldn't let this go on, and you didn't want to take another hit like that.
>She was moving too fast for you to dive. for cover.
>You didn't want to do it, but you had not choice.
>You raised your sword, end pointed straight at her.
>You channeled as much magical energy is that short time as you could.
>And from the tip of your sword, a blinding flash of light exploded.

>From the tip of your sword arched an immense bolt of lightning.
>It struck Rainbow Dash a second before she hit you.
>The impact from the lightning was enough to launch her off course and barely miss you.
>She landed right behind you and slid for yards before coming to s stop.
>You looked at her for a second.
>No movement.
>You ran over to her.
>She was coughing lightly, she almost seemed lifeless.
>You crouch next to her body.
I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, I didn't want it to be like this...
>"Then..why did you do it..." she asked.
I didn't murder her, you have to understand, it wasn't me!
>"She was... killed by immense...magic.... who else could it have been..." She said before letting out an agonizing cough.
Rainbow, I don't know, but I've been searching for the one responsible, you have to believe me.
>No response.
Rainbow Dash, don't you die on me!
>You felt tears welling up in your eyes.
Not like this!
>Your yelling did nothing.
>No response, no movement, she lay there, limp and lifeless.
Never like this...
>You get on your knees, next to her body, tears streaming down your face.
>Never would you have wanted to kill the very thing that once made you happy.
>She didn't give you a choice.
I wish it could have ended differently.
>You let out a huge sigh as the tears rolling down your face drip off and on to the ground.
>you kneeled for for a few minutes wondering to yourself, why.
>After the few minutes, your tears started to fade, the fog thickened.
>You were unsure of what to do with the body.
>After a few seconds you thought a proper burial would be the best bet.
>You use your sword you lift several chunks of dirt out of the ground.
>You carried her lifeless body, and laid it down in the pit and put the mound of dirt back on her.
Say hi to Twilight for me...
>You said that as the last bit of dirt fell into the hole.
>You took a nearby rock and, with your magic, moved it right over where her body was laying.

I'll visit again someday.
>You say this before you turn and start to head for the mountain.
>As much as you wish you didn't have to cast a spell like that on her, she gave you no choice.
>Cast a spell.
>shit
>Shit
>SHIT
>You completely forgot that magic was outlawed here.
>You have no idea if they have any means to monitor this or not, but you didn't want to take any chances.
>You had to reach the mountain as fast as possible.
>Your walking slowly turned to jogging and outright running.
>The fog made it hard to see, so hopefully if they have somepony looking for you, they would get stumped with the fog.
>At least you had that much going for you.
>You didn't care about exhaustion or thirst.
>Hunger nor sleep.
>You just ran.
>This went on for what felt like centuries, the pain in your legs and chest.
>But you tried to ignore those, all that mattered now was getting to the mountain as fast as possible.
>You ran, for fear of what the enemy may have.
>You ran until you finally started to see a small town appear out of the fog to your left.
>You ran towards it, despite your better judgement, you had to make sure this was the town at the bast of the mountain, due to not being able to see the mountain.
>You sure hoped this was the town.

>You approached a small farm house at the edge of the town.
>There were assorted animals walking around, chickens mostly.
>You walked up and knocked on the door.
>You wanted to make this quick.
>A Changeling female answers.
>"Yes, how can I help you- oh my." She said, giving a startled look to your appearance.
Excuse me ma'am, I'm just looking for the road heading up the mountain, is this the town?
>"Why yes it is. The road is just a little down that way." She pointed.
Thank you for your time.
>You quickly turned around and began dashing to where she pointed.
>Eventually, after a short jog, you reach a road.
>Yes, the road you were looking for.
>You kept following the road, slowing down your job, partially due to exhaustion and partially due to being at the mountain now.
>You follow the path as a brisk pace now.
>After a short walk, you see a set of stairs.
>You figured this was the beginning of the climb.
>It looked old and worn.
>You see grass and dirt around them.
>You begin to climb the stairs.
>You sure hope you could reach the prophet quickly.
>You wanted this all straightened out before more ponies had to die.
>You wanted to save as many lives as possible.
>And you were going to stop at nothing now.
>Step by step you climbed and climbed.
>Weaving up and around the swerves of the stair path.
>As you climb and climb, the fog begins to lift.
>Eventually, you get to a height where you can see across the fog.
>You look out and it seems like you're looking over clouds.
>You were so worked up and exhausted,you decided to sit down on a rock and enjoy the view for a few minutes.
>Despite the hostility you've faced in this land, it really was a spectacle.
>Maybe when this is all settled and over with, you would come back here and visit.
>You caught yourself in your wandering thoughts and decided to keep walking.
>You wanted to rest, but the prophet was close.
>And with him, the answers you needed.
>Hopefully...

>You kept climbing up the stairs of the path up the mountain.
>Before long you felt the chill of the mountain around you.
>You decided to pull the blanket's hood over your head.
>There was a small breeze starting to form around the air.
>The path around you slowly turned from green grass and trees, to rocky and tundra-esque.
>The path and stairs slowly faded, leaving nothing more than a rocky path to follow.
>You were ever diligent, watching for any oddities around.
>Creatures, changelings, anything.
>Anything that might catch you off guard.
>After walking for a bit your feet began to tire from traversing the rocks.
>You have a seat on a rock near an overlook and look out to the lands in the distance.
>The fog was lifting up below.
>You were at least twice as high as the fog, at least.
>You look behind you at the mountain.
>You were only about 1 / 3 of the way to the top.
>You let out a defeated sigh, and decide that the ground isn't going to cover itself.
>You stand back up and continue your endless march for the answers you seek.
>Ever vigilant of any threats.

>Walking and climbing, you grew ever more tired.
>Your surroundings slowly turn the higher you climb.
>The rocks slowly become glazed in ice and snow.
>The path becomes more and more covered in snow and frost.
>The air becoming colder and colder.
>You fully encase yourself in your blanket-cape to make sure you stay warm.
>With the rising winds the higher you go, the climb would be treacherous
>But you continued and kept pushing forward.
>Then
>The snow started falling.
>You didn't see it coming, you didn't even notice the clouds roll in.
>You knew this was going to get bad and fast.
>You had to hurry and climb as fast as you could before the snow turned into an all out blizzard.
>You started jogging, despite the exhaustion in your legs.
>Eventually you got far up enough that the path is completely covered in heel-high snow.
>You had to take your best guess as to where to go.
>The snow began to fall faster.
>The path's snow became ever more deeper.
>This was truly hell.

>The cold started to course through you.
>The wind howling and snow falling incredibly fast.
>Your jog began to slow to a walk as your feet and legs began to numb.
>You didn't know how much long you could go on.
>But you had to.
>For all the others.
>For Twilight.
>But you weren't sure if you could keep it up.
>You started to trudge through knee-high snow.
>Your legs were icy cold, but the pain felt like a fire in your legs.
>As you trudge through the snow, your trip and fall into the snow, getting yourself covered in it.
>This did not help.
>You stood back up.
>You tried to walk but it was painful.
>As you kept walking, you felt your head begin to hurt again.
>The world around your spinning and turning to white.
>Not now...
>Of all times....
>Not now...
>The world slowly faded and left nothing but a white expanse of nothing.
>You knew you were as good as dead when you got back to your body.
>You shake your head and look.
>It was the older man again.
>"You honestly think doing this is going to make us think any differently of you?" He said sternly.
W-What?
>"What, you think we'll think better for you for doing this? Or are you just doing it for attention, like you always have?!" He yelled.
W-What are you talking about?...
>"You make me sick, get out of my face!" He screamed, before turning around, and walking away.
>His figure slowly turned to dust.
>But this time you were afraid.
>Of what would become of you going back in to your body.

>You're thrown into your body.
>Your eyes were closed
>You felt numb, but not as numb before.
>You think you can hear some crackling.
>Like a fire?
>You couldn't make it out.
>You slowly open your eyes.
>You see a roof above you.
>You sit up.
>You're in a couch.
>You look around and see an old man sitting in a chair next to a table behind you.
Hello?
>"Oh my! I didn't think you'd wake up that fast. Tell me, what is your name?" He asks.
It's Anon... who are you?
>"Well lets see, I'm known by many names, but most people coming up here normally call be 'the prophet' for some odd reason. Tell me stranger, what brings you here?"
>The Prophet!
I was told to speak with you, by a friend.
>"So I've been told."
>He knew?
Wait, you knew I was coming?
>"I did, A little birdy told me you were coming."
Well, I need answers for something.
>"Go ahead and ask."
My friend, Twilight Sparkle, was murdered by some immense magic. Ponies believe it to be me, but I'm innocent. I've been looking for the murderer. Tell me how I will be able to find him?
>"Twilight dead? My my, this is worse than I had thought..."
Why, what do you mean?
>"Let's start with the changelings and their empire, they are behind this. A shame Twilight had to die, she was such a smart pupil. But to kill a pony with such magic capabilities, is... difficult."
Then why did she die?
>"There are only a few in the changeling empire who could match her power, and fewer that could exceed it. There are only a few answers to who may have killed her."
Well, tell me.
>"Let's begin with the changeling queen, chrysalis..."

>"You know the ruler of the changeling empire, chrysalis, I assume?"
Of course. Are you saying that she murdered Twilight?
>He paused for a moment.
>"Not precisely. You see many see chrysalis as the one and only ruler of the changeling ponies. This is not the case."
>You looked at him with confusion.
>"There are several very powerful changelings behind the queen that, not very people know about."
Go on...
>"There are five of them in total, including Chrysalis. They call themselves 'the omens.'" He said
>"Chrysalis herself is the omen of deceit, able to transform into whatever and whomever she wishes. And incredibly powerful skill. Being the only Female Omen, she was pronounced queen and the unofficial leader of the changeling people."
Now are all of these omens Alicorn changelings like Chrysalis?
>"Yes they are, and incredibly powerful, each of them."
And what of the other four?
>"Each of them handle a certain function of the kingdom. They are, The Omen of Avarice, The Omen of Flame, The Omen of War, and lastly, The Omen of Death."
What do each of them do?
>"Avarice handles the income of the nation and labor distribution. Flame Handles most infiltration and deep-territory spying and assassinations. War handles the military and means to make one, and Death is, a bit off from the rest."
What does he do.
>"I'm not sure entirely. Some say he uses necromancy to raise the dead for his own personal army and the army for the kingdom. Other say he creates plagues and diseases to kill other civilizations. Nopony knows for sure."
So, you're saying one of them killing twilight?
>"Most likely. But the sounds of it, you're handling the Omen of Flame. Sounds like he had a personal bone to pick with her."
That would... make sense. There were flames everywhere throughout the library where she had lived when I arrived there.
>"That sounds like him."
I need to find him and put an end to him.

>"It's not that simple." He states.
How can it not be? Track him down and kill him.
>"If it were that easy, how is it that Twilight failed where you plan to succeed?"
>You clenched your fists.
>You wanted to argue with him, but he was right.
>What hope did you have against such powerful opponents.
>"Your best bet is to lure them out of hiding."
How do I do that?
>"Fist you'll need followers. Enough to take him down."
How do you suppose I get ponies to follow me?
>"You'll find a way, I can tell."
If you say...
>"Afterwards, destroy encampments, hunt his hunters, his assassins and his spies. Kill them one by one. Until you finally lure him out of hiding. Then you, with your followers, strike him down."
Seems simple enough, but it sounds a lot easier said than done.
>"It will be, but I have faith in you, as Twilight did."
I have to go and get a jump start then, every moment matters right?
>"They do, but not with that blizzard blazing outside. You should at least stay a little while."
I suppose I should... and thanks for saving me.
>"The pleasure is mine, Anon."
And the information. It is invaluable. I believe I can bring them down.
>"I do too, but overconfidence is a killer. Be sure to weigh each situation and be careful, above all. Many ponies are counting on you, Anon."
I know, I want to make them proud and redeem myself.
>"One step at a time, Anon. Plans do not happen over night." He said.

So, while we're stuck here, why don't we chat it up.
>"Sounds fun, I'm always lonely, not too many ponies stop by. That's not to say they don't try." He says, letting out a small chuckle.
So, I was told that you had a family before you came here. What happened.
>The pony pauses.
>"They were murdered." He said in a sad tone.
>"Assassin's came in the night, they killed my wife, and kidnapped my daughter..." He said, as you saw tears rolling down your eyes.
How did you escape?
>"I pretended to be dead as they did what they did to the rest of my family. They weren't happy with how much I knew. O both the changelings and equestria."
I can see why. You do know your stuff.
>"Aye. and they didn't like it." He said, tears flowing from his cheeks.
>"I wish I could have done more..."
You did what you had...You can't blame yourself.
>"I just wish I could have saved my daughter... No sign of her, no screams, nothing... Oh darling Lotus, how I miss you so..please forgive me." He said rambling to himself.
>Wait....
>Lotus?
Did you just say your daughters name was lotus?
>'Yes...*sniff* why?"
Your daughter is still alive, and I know where.
>"You do?!" He said, his face lit up.
I do, she's in a small shanty town off the coast of the everfree forrest. She actually saved my life. She told me how she a=managed to escape assassin's one night, saying she saw you dead with your mom.
>His mouth turned into a smile, the tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy.
>"You can't be serious."
I am
>"Would you be so kind as to take me to her, Anon?"
>You hesitated for a second.
>But this gave an excellent opportunity.
>You could go to the village and ask their assistance to kill the Omen of Flame.
>Now you could re-unite Lotus and her father as well.
I will, as soon as this blizzard dies down.
>"Thank you Anon, you've made a lonely and tired man very happy. I can't wait to she how she has turned out..." He said, his mind wandering.
She's doing just fine. She's even the captain of a ship!

>"You're kidding!" He says with disbelief.
Of course she is, I was there when she was pronounced captain!
>"That's incredible. Tell me, what she looks like all grown up."
>You didn't know how to answer, but you gave it your best shot.
She's incredibly smart, and talented. I have no doubt in my mind you're her father the way she grew up to be.
>Tears of happiness fell down his cheeks as a stupid smile formed.
>"It's so nice to hear my daughter is making her way. Thank you Anon, I couldn't be happier." He said wiping some tears off his cheeks.
>You were happy your self too, to see a happy sight for once.
>A man who had not seen his family for who knows how long will finally have a chance to see his daughter.
>You don't know what it felt like, but you sure knew that what he went through was probably worse than what you're going through.
>And to see a face smile that probably hadn't done so in ages, made you feel nice.
So what do you say, I bring you to your daughter once this storm settles.
>"I would love that beyond anything you could comprehend, Anon. I just want to pack a few things before I go. There are some things here I want to bring with me."
Of course, take your time, I don't think this storm is going to leave us for a bit anyways.
>The old stallion hopped off his chair and you decided to stand up and stretch yourself out a bit.
>You looked out one of the windows to the wind howling and the snow falling with such thickness you couldn't see more than ten feet away.
>You legs were sore beyond your imagination, so you didn't stretch them out much and you didn't stand long before plopping yourself back on the couch.
>The couch was nice and soft, the fire nice and cozy.
>You felt yourself starting daze away.
>You catch yourself, and pull yourself back, even though you were tired.
Hey, Prophet
>"Yes, Anon?" He asked.
Mind if I rest my head for a bit, I'm quite exhausted.
>"Of course Anon, go right ahead. I know you must be tired after your hike."

>You awaken slowly.
>The fire was extinguished and the assorted stuff on the tables around the house were emptied.
>You look behind you to see the prophet sitting on his chair, staring out the window.
The storm die down yet?
>"Just did but a couple of minutes ago if you want to head out now. Your timing is great."
Sure thing, just let me stretch a bit.
>You stand up and stretch your body out before taking your blanket cape and tying it around your neck again and pulling the loose top over your head.
>You walk out of the house with the prophet and begin to make your way down the mountain.
>The new snow was making it rough going.
>You didn't make it too far before your legs started hurting again.
>But you powered through it, as you did before.
>You found new determination.
>You were going to bring Flame down.
>For Twilight, and the safety of every other pony in equestria.
>But now you had to focus on making down the mountain, as painful as the walk was.
>Time passed, and the walk slowly became less and less treacherous as the amount of snow you were walking through became less and less deep.
>Eventually to the point where the path was back to a rocky walkway.
>As you two kept walking you passed by familiar landmarks you saw.
>You knew you were getting pretty close to the bottom.
>There was no fog and you could look out on to expansive hills and small farmlands that scattered the lands.
>The walk was surprisingly refreshing.
>The air around was light and the atmosphere enjoyable.
>You felt relaxed for the first time in a while.
>You had hope.
>Twilight didn't lead you wrong.
>You knew she wouldn't.
>And now she's given you something to hold on to while you travel.
>The hope you can turn everything back around the way it was.
>Through your thoughts and day dreams you hardly even noticed you were approaching the bottom of the mountain.
>However, as you approached the bottom, you saw two changelings by the base of the road that led off the mountain.

>As you climbed down the last stretch of mountain, you saw the two changelings looking around the grass.
>You gave them a curious glance.
>One of them looked up and gave an equally curious one back.
>"What are you lookin' at, freak?" He says.
No need to be snippy, ass.
>He gives you a snarl, before shoving his face back to the ground and looking around.
>You shrug it off.
>Just another stubborn changeling.
>You lead the way, the prophet following shortly behind you.
>You walk out of the small town at the base of the mountain.
>Changelings everywhere gave their fair share of their odd looks but it wasn't anything you weren't used to.
>The sun was slowly setting off in the distance and the stars slowly lighting up the midnight sky.
>The sight was a good one.
>Easy on the eyes and pleasant to look at.
>While walking you, you hear a random pop in the distance behind you.
Did you hear that, prohpet?
>"Why yes, I did." He said equally curious.
>You look behind you for a bit.
>Then the pop again, only you saw what it was this time.
>Looked like fireworks behind fired from the town behind you.
Fireworks, you think?
>"Must be. Might be having a celebration of some sorts."
Wanna take a break and look at them?
>"Sure, I could use for a little break." He said.
>You both climbed up to he top of a nearby hill.
>But as you reached the top of the hill, the fireworks suddenly stopped.
>"Well, that's curious..." The Prophet said.
Yeah... That was pretty short.
>"Well, lets keep on moving then. Shame, I hadn't seen fireworks in a long time."
Agreed,
>You wish you could have stayed and rested a bit longer.
>You stand back up and turn around to face where you were walking.
>Then you saw it.
>Dozens, maybe even a hundred of changelings walking over the hills to the town.
>You drew your sword, worried what might be happening.
Prophet...
>"Yes?"
I don't think those were fireworks...

>"What do you mea... wow..." He said, turning around and laying his eyes on the enormous group of changelings walking over the hill.
Get ready... this isn't good.
>You clenched your sword in hand.
>The cat was out of the bag.
>You decide that magic was going to be the only thing that would get you out of this.
>As the changelings see you, they begin their charge.
>Your best bet was to try and split them up into smaller groups.
>You take your sword up into the air.
>You slam it into the ground as hard as possible.
>The magical energy you focused causes a straight line of rocks to erupt from the ground.
>They traveled incredibly fast, and split the group of changelings down the middle, and knocking a decent bit of them into the air.
>You quickly pull your sword up and run to the right of the outcrop of rocks.
>You run to the group of changelings charging at your head on.
>You raise your sword to your side.
>You swing it right and send a blade of wind at the group.
>It hits the first like of changelings and knocks them back into the group.
>You hold it over your right shoulder and fling another one.
>The next line is thrown back.
>Again and again you do this.
>The prophet stood closely behind you, trying to stay out of harms way.
>You slashed and slashed, laying waste to lines of changelings.
>But the more you fought, the more it seemed came at you.
>Eventually, through your slashing and fighting, they began to surround you.
>One after another they began to jump on to you and try to tackle you.
>Bashing them off, Slashing them off, you tried everything in your power to keep them off of you.
>Eventually, too many were on top of you, and they began to relentlessly hit your head.
>Hit after hit, you felt your face being torn apart.
>Eventually, the blows began to fade your vision.
>Eventually, you started to feel nothing.
>And all you saw was black.
>Your whole mind began to turn into a fuzz.
>Was this the end...

>There was a ringing noise in your head.
>You couldn't hear or see anything.
>Your face felt battered and bruised.
>But there was no more hitting.
>You felt your body being dragged almost.
>You open your battered eyes slightly.
>You're being dragged down a hallway.
>Did you black out?
>How long were you out?
>You felt yourself being dragged up stairs now.
>Your legs knocked and bobbled around on the stone-like stairs.
>Where could they be possibly taking you?
>Eventually, the stairs stop and they stop for a second.
>You hear a door open up.
>Your dragged a short ways before your thrown forward.
>"This the one you wanted boss?" One of them asks.
>"The exact one." you heard a semi-demonic voice respond.
>You hear the two changelings that were carrying you scurry off behind you.
>"You've drawn quite some attention, haven't you Anon?" It asks.
>You slowly bring your head up.
>Despite your eyes being battered decently bad, you can still see fairly well.
>Your eyes were just swollen.
>And if they weren't, they probably would be at the sight before you.
>You look up and see a large Changeling Alicorn, swirling with black fog.
>Was this flame?
What...do you want... Flame?
>"Oh-ho, I' truly honored you would call me Flame, but that is not I." He says in a hearty tone.
>"The names Avarice, thank you very much. And do you know what I have planned for you?"
>You shook your head, unable to form words.
>"Well, let me put it this way. I want this kingdom, and everything in it. And you have immense magical energy inside you. I want it. And you're going to give it to me." He said.
Like hell you are...
>You don't know why you'd say that.
>"Haha, got some fight in you, I like that. Guards! Escort him to the chamber."
>Within a few seconds a couple guards came in, and started dragging you off.
>You didn't fight.
>You couldn't you were too worn.
>Despite how much you were worried about this chamber.
>You couldn't fight.
>You let them drag you down the stairs.

>You're dragged through a series of corridors.
>You couldn't keep track of whichever direction you were being taken, your head hurt too much.
>Eventually, you were dropped down.
>You looked up to see some sort of bed.
>"Get on it." One of the changelings says, kicking you in the ass.
>You let out a grunt and crawl yourself toward the bed,
>It hurt to move anything in your body, but by some miraculous feat, you manage to crawl yourself on to the bed.
>Not that you had a choice.
>The changelings start to strap down your legs and arms.
>What the hell were they going to do.
>As the last straps are places, you see the bed below you starting to glow.
>"Now Anon, no need to be frightened, I just want some of your magical energy is all." You heard an echoing voice around the room.
>You were too drained to say anything.
>Suddenly, you felt a sharp tingling sensation throughout your body.
>"My my, this is some magical power you have. I like it. I can make good use of it."
>As he finished saying that, you felt immense pain surge through your body like lightning.
>You let out scream after scream, hoping it would stop.
>And finally, after what felt like eternity, the pain surge stopped.
>"So much untapped power! You are something else, Anon, I'll give you that. And thank goodness you're mine now." He said in a sneer tone.
>Your sight faded, you body went limp.
>Before long, your senses began to dull again.
>And then, back into the darkness.

>After what felt like a couple of hours of darkness, you awoken to some racket.
>Sounded like clanging of metal.
>You slowly open your eyes.
>You find yourself looking at a stone roof.
>The ruckus seemed to echo throughout wherever you were.
>You turned your head and saw yourself looking out a set of steel bars.
>A jail of some sort?
>You turn on your side and sit up.
>Your whole body is sore, but feeling better.
>You feel around your face and notice the swelling is a little less than before.
>Did they treat you?
>Either way you were thankful you could see well again.
>As you look to the cell across from you, you see two ponies whispering to each other.
>They were giving you odd looks.
>One of them finally get's close to their cells bars.
>"You okay there mate?" He asks.
>"They threw you in there pretty hard."
Yeah.... A little banged up.
>"You best stretch yourself out. They're gunna send us to work here in a bit."
>You took his advice and stood up.
>As you stood, you felt... lighter some how.
>You felt lighter than a feather..
>After moving around a bit, you realize they had taken your armor, but left your clothes.
>You didn't like this, but it's not like you had a choice.
>Despite this you stretched your legs and arms.
>They were incredibly stiff and sore, but the more you stretched, the more it subsided.
>As you felt your body loosen up, you heard a bell ring, and the jail door slams open.
>Every jail door opening in the hall could be heard and made quite a bit of noise.
>As soon as they open you see changeling guards come up to your cell and all the others.
>"Time for work, weaklings." You hear a voice shout.
>The guards motion you to get out.
>You do as they say.
>As you step out, they line up all of the ponies and you in a single file line going outside.
>"Don't say anything while working mate, the guards will have your head." He whispers to you when the few guards are out of earshot.
>You gave a nod.

>Your line was brought out into a stony courtyard.
>Overlooking the courtyard was a large spire-type construct.
>With many wings of prison cells.
>The line kept moving to a set of stairs that went under the spire.
>The set of stairs was made of cold stone.
>And they went down for a long way.
>The line kept quiet and single file walked down the stairs.
>This went on for quite some time before the stairs eventually came to an end.
>It leveled off into a cavern, cast and expanding.
>It practically glowed blue, and it was most expansive than Mount Azure.
>Or, at least it felt like it.
>The line marched down a small hill in the cavern into a ditch, latent with purple crystals and pickaxes.
>"Get mining, you maggots." One of the changelings barked.
>All the ponies picked up a pickaxe, as did you.
>They began chiseling off small and large chunk of the crystal with their pickaxes.
>Every little chunk anyone, including you was immediately picked up by one of the guards and thrown into a pony-drawn carriage.
>There were o breaks, and no food.
>Just work.
>Everyone seemed to be getting tired, but you found it rather easy compared to what else you have done.
>It was the monotony.
>The Clanging of the pickaxes.
>The throwing of crystals into carts.
>The Silence from the other ponies.
>That all was the worst part.
>Every pick hitting the crystals was like a bell ringing and reverberating throughout your head.
>And you wanted it to stop.
>But you kept working for fear of what might happen.
>You had promises to keep.
>Goals to reach.
>And you weren't going to die now and let everypony down.
>You decided you would bide your time.
>Until you found a way around them, a way to escape, or better, bring down Avarice.
>But until then, it was work, and lots of it.
>and it wasn't going to stop.

>The work felt like it went on forever.
>But the monotony of it and the repetition let you let your mind wander while you did it.
>Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the guards ordered everyone to stop their mining and head back to their cells.
>All, except you.
>The guards escorted you separately from the others.
>You wondered what they were going to do with you.
>You climb up the long flight of stairs, the whole cell block you were in beside you.
>You are escorted into the same cell block as all the others, but brought beyond your cell.
>Instead, they bring you all the to the back of the cell, and to a door.
>One of the guards unlocks the door.
>It's a small room, with a bed like the one they had your magical energy drained.
>Great.
>Avarice was going to drain more of your energy from this demonic bed again.
>"Get in it, you know the drill." One of them says.
>"Don't worry, Anon, This will be just like last time, I only want a little of your magical energy. Then you can be on your way again." You heard Avarice's voice echo in the small room.
>You had no choice.
>You got in the bed and it began glowing like it did last time.
>And, within a few seconds, you felt your body begin to tingle again.
>"Now hand it over." You hear Avarice say.
>Then you feel a spike of pain course through your body.
>It was intense, like the last time, but you felt your sight fade much faster.
>Before only a few moments, your sight went completely black, and all feeling you had was gone.
>Then, through the darkness, a silhouette of a face slowly forming,
>You try to focus on the face, and as it comes more into focus, you slowly begin to realize who it was.
>Twilight again!
>"Do not fear, Anon." She says.
>"After I do this, prepare to fight, you understand?"
>You tried to say something, but no words came out.
>I felt like your body was paralyzed.
>But you understood what she had to say.
>"Get ready..." She said.
>"Now!" She barked firmly.

>As those words echoed through your mind, you were thrown into your body.
>As you were thrown into your body, it was as if you awoke to your own screaming.
>'What the hell is going on?!" You hear Avarice yell.
>Suddenly you felt a cold surge through your arms.
>And a few seconds later, an arcane explosion launched themselves out of your arms.
>The explosion was enough to knock back the guards watching over you.
>After the explosion of energy coming from your arms, the bed stopped its glowing and then pain surge through your body had stopped.
>You laid there for a second, before telling yourself you have to run.
>You stand up and run to the door that led to the tiny room.
>"I want that human captured this instant!" You heard Avarice yell over the intercom system.
>You try to open the door but it seemed to be locked.
>You tried and tried to budge the handle on the door.
>But as you were doing that, you noticed something with your arms.
>They had purple streaks running all through them.
>What the hell is going on?
>The words 'I will always be with you' echo through your head.
>Could this be?
>You extended your arm to the door.
>Then tightly clenched your fist.
>The door collapsed and crunched inward like a soda can right before your eyes.
>Holy shit.
>You open your palm and push your arm in the air.
>As you do this, the door flies for what looked like at least a dozen yards.
>You walked out and began to run toward the exit.
>This was no time to gawk at your powers.
>You had to get out of there.
>You ran and ran past all the cells.
>You saw the faces of terrified and scared ponies in each cell.
>The closer and closer you got to the exit, the more realized, you weren't the only one here.
>As you got close to the door to exit, you turn around.
>You put both your arms out, clench your fists, and bring them together.
>With this, you managed to rip off every single jail cell in the cell block.
>Countless ponies walked out of their cells.
You are free now!

>The ponies Begin to cheer with happiness at their new found freedom.
>They begin to run toward the door that you stood in front.
>You hold out your hand to stop them.
Wait. It's not safe. Not yet.
>They all stop and stare.
>You turn around and throw your palm at the door, sending it flying into the distance and hit a couple of changelings charging at the cell block.
>You take a couple steps out of the cell.
>You felt the cold stone touch your feet.
>A whole army of changelings were charging toward the cell.
>You raise your arm, and in one forceful motion, punch the ground.
>As you do this a small shock wave ripples through the stone.
>As this happens, changelings caught in the shock wave stop completely and begin to rise off the ground in a sort of stasis.
>The courtyard became silent.
>You turn around to the crowd in the cells.
They won't harm you, run, everypony, while you have the chance.
>One by one they started to pour out of the jail cell.
>They scattered in different directions.
>A pony comes up next to you.
>You recognize him
>"Hey mate, thanks for the help."
Won't you run?
>"For saving my life, the least I can do help protect you."
You might die.
>"Ha, yeah, well for helping the person who gave me my freedom, I'll take it."
I appreciate it.
>After the last of the ponies escaped, you turned around and began walking toward the staircase leading up into the spire.
Let's set things straight.
>"Agreed."
>You began to walk up the stairs.
>As the cold steps felt your feet one by one, you felt the power coursing through you increasing.
>Avarice will fall.

>You climb up the stairs a short ways.
>You're met by 2 changelings.
>The begin to run down the stair toward you, and you easily takes your arms and move them to your side.
>The changelings fly to the walls on either sides of you and are immediately knocked out by the force.
>"How the hell can you do that?"
>You pause for a moment.
A friend taught me.
>"Must have been a damn good teacher..." He said shaking his head in disbelief.
You know where Avarice is?
>"You gunna take him on?"
Of course.
>"Well, as much as i would like to convince you otherwise, I don't think I can. Take a left here." He said pointing left.
>You climb up the last few steps and turn left.
Let me know if we need to turn.
>The hallway you were walking around went in a slow and gradual circle.
>"See that large archway there?" He asked, as it came in to view down the hall way.
Yes
>"He's right up there"
>"Soooo, Anon wishes to see me himself? Come in, please, welcome to my humble abode." You hear Avarice's voice echo.
>You approach the stairs and begin walking up them.
>"I'll get the door for you sweetie, don't worry." He said, as the door at the top of the stairs slowly creeps open.
>As you reach the top of the stairs, you see Avarice, sitting at a chair, looking at you.
>"Welcome, Anon. I believe we are already acquainted."
Indeed we are.
>"Only now in, much more hostile circumstances it seems."
Tell me, where is Flame?
>"Haha, why should I tell YOU?"
Because you'll regret it if you don't.
>"Then by all means." He says, giving you a glare.
>"Make me regret it."

>As he says it you pull your hand upwards.
>The stone slowly starts to morph and rise up.
>Out of the rock forms a spear made of pure stone.
>You pluck it from the stone and hold it in your hand.
One last chance.
>"Kid, you're in no position to give others one last chance." He says.
>As he says it you begin to charge at him
>You held your spear outward and charged.
>"Oh how cute" He mutters.
>You let out a a battlecry that could dishearten the strongest of warriors.
>A few yards away from him, You throw the tip of your spear into the ground.
>This sends you vaulting into the air incredibly high.
>"What the..." Avarice gives a confused look.
>You land right in front of him.
>As you land land, you smash your fist into the rocky floor.
>This sends pillars shooting out of the ground in a circle around you.
>This sends Avarice flying quite the way out of his chair.
>He hits the ground with a hard thud.
>"Lucky hit, you shall not have another..." He says, getting back up on his four legs.
>He lets out a scream and a black mist begins to surround him.
>His horn glows a deep black and rocks begin to fly out of the floor.
>They levitate around him in mid air.
>And in a seconds notice, they start to fly toward you at incredible fast speeds.
>You react quickly, but only quick enough to bring up a wall of stone in front of you by raising your arms.
>The rocks blast into it one by one.
>Slowly the rock wall is whittled away.
>As the last rock hits your towering rock wall, it blasts through, sending rocks and shards flying toward you.
>One of the shards sliced the side of your left legs.
>You let out a sharp yelp of pain.
>As you reach down to your legs out of pain, you see him raise his two front hoofs.
>They begin to crackle with a sort of red lightning.
>As the lightning increases in intensity, he slams the ground, send a snaking bolt of the lightning toward you.
>You try to run to the side, but to no avail.

>The bolt manages to hit one of your legs.
>You fall to the ground on your knees.
>You feel the lightning coursing through you.
>And it was excruciating.
>You didn't know what to do, you were in so much pain, you couldn't bring yourself to look up and see what Avarice was doing.
>With no other choice, you put the palms of your hands on the ground.
>The ground around you peels upwards and eventually forms a dome above you.
>Once the dome closes, you can feel the lightning begin to subside.
>What the hell was that he hit you with?
>"Come out and play!" You hear him yell, as the dome begins to collapse around you.
>You put your palms back on the the ground, and make the dome explode, sending shards of rocks in every direction.
>You stand back up, to see Avarice closer than before.
>And he's holding the sharp shards of rock in mid air, as if he caught them with his magic.
>He immediately sens them flying at you.
>You couldn't react fast enough.
>Shards fly at you in all manners.
>Some cut you on your arms, and one hit you on the forehead on it's flat side.
>It staggered you back.
>"Give up, Anon, you can't win."
>Like hell you were going to lose.
>You use your magic to pull another spear out of the ground.
>You hold it in your right hand.
>"This again?" He mocks.
>You pull your right arm up and throw your spear in the air at him.
>He steps to the side to avoid it before it hits him.
>But as he steps to the side, you put your fist to the ground again.
>A pillar of rock comes up from his side and knocks him to the side.
>And right into the path of the spear.
>As he's dazed, the spear finds it's way into the side of his chest.
>It makes a sickening noise as it impales him and sticks into the rock, pinning him in the spear.
>He slowly slides down the shaft of the spear, coughing and letting out screams of pain.
>The black fog around him slowly begins to fade, and all that is left there is Avarice, impaled into the ground in agony.

>You stand upright again.
>You walk over to the half dead Avarice, struggling under the spear.
I warned you.
>"Good shot kid..ack!" He says, coughing up a bit of blood.
I've got good aim.
>"Tell you what kid... I'll let you in on something. I never liked the other omens." He said, struggling for breath with inhale.
>"Our relationships were rocky...at best...and not for bad reasons...anon"
What are you telling me.
>"To keep it..short because... I don't have much time, I had been planning on taking over the...Ack! Changeling empire since it was founded."
>He drew in a heavy breath.
>"I was so close." He sais.
>"I would like nothing more than to see chrysalises head on a pike, Anon."
Why should I do what you want.
>"Because..I give you my spire, and my plans to take over the empire... I know you...want her dead as well."
I'm just after flame.
>"Either way... you and I, we are not so... different."
I don't enslave ponies.
>"True... but... Ack!.. you want to see them bleed as much as I."
>You nod.
>You see Avarice's horn begin to glow.
>"Ponies...changelings of mine. Take heed of my words. They are the most important you will ever hear." He says, drawing in a large breath again.
>"You are to help the human known as anonymous. He wishes to see flame brought down as we do. He can help us, and we... can help him..." He said, before letting out a sharp cough, blood dripping down his mouth.
>"Congrats kid... you did it..." He said, drawing in one last deep breath, before his body begins to crumble into a pile dust.
>'you did it' Echoes several times through your head.
>The world around you begins ti shift and turn, slowly fading into white as it has several times before.
>Your head began pounding immensely.
>At least it waited until after the fight, you thought...

>You shake your head.
>It's pounding and all that surrounds you is white now.
>You rub your eyes.
>After you look up, you see a man.
>He's in a full military uniform.
>He doesn't look familiar.
>"Congratulation, kid." He says, holding his hand out, almost for a handshake.
>"You did it."
>You extend your hand, and shake his.
>He goes stiff and gives you a firm salute.
>And then, he turns to dust.
>The particles of him slowly disintegrating into and invisible wind.
>And as the last of him is gone, you're slammed in your body.
>You
re lying on the ground, facing down.
>"Hey, Anon was it? Wake up man, this isn't funny!" You hear a voice say.
I'm...alright, just one of my episodes.
>You get up on your knees then on to your feet.
>It was the pony who stuck by you when you freed him.
>"Glad to see you made it. You heard what he said right??" He said to you, with eagerness.
Yes, He has given me the changelings to use as I wish.
>"A powerful thing, indeed."
Yes it is.
>"What will you do first?"
I'm going to find a friend, locked up somewhere in here.
>"What's his name?"
The prophet.

I'm going to tear every cell open until I find him
>"He a good friend?"
You could say that.
>You weren't going to let a poor old man die before he had a chance to see his daughter.
>"Well, wherever you go I go." He says.
>Having someone to follow you around was never bad,
>You walk down the set of stairs.
>Once you reach the bottom you turn right and walk a ways down the walkways.
>You finally reach the first set of stairs.
>You pass by the two changelings you knocked unconscious.
>They were still laying there.
>You hopes you didn't kill them now
>You needed every pony or changeling you could get.
>You let the thought drift from your mind.
>You finish walking down the stairs and into the stone-ground courtyard.
>You see all the changelings you had put into stasis before you went after Avarice.
>You're REALLY glad you didn't kill all these guys.
>You swipe your hand sideways and release all the changelings from their stasis.
>They all plop down and get up on their hooves and give you a mix of confused and worried looks.
Avarice has told me you would help me bring down the one called Flame.
>The small crowd seems to nod and say yes in unison
Before we do anything, I need to know the location of the prisoner by the name of 'the prophet'
>There was a short silence before a changeling near the front began walking up.
>"I-I know where he is kept, sir Anon. I have the key, if you would so kindly follow me." He said in his raspy voice.
>Sir Anon?
>You liked the sound of that.
>nonetheless, he lead you through the group of changelings.
>"Avarice has made me the key carrier for the cell he was in. Poor old man was too old to work so they put him in a solitary cell."
A solitary cell?!
>"Oh, please mister anon, twas not my decision, was someone else, a changeling captain, don't hurt me!" He whimpered in a high pitched voice.
Calm down, nobody is going to hurt anybody. I just want the prophet out of his cell.
>"Of course, Sir Anon, you are most generous." He says.

>The changeling leads you to the cell block across from yours.
>He unlocks the door for you.
>He keeps it open for you to walk in.
>As you walk n he shuts the door behind you.
>"Follow me." He says, walking past you and to the right down the cell blocks.
>You look to your left and right and see ponies sleeping and trying to pre-occupy their time.
>They all look worn and defeated.
After we get The Prophet, I want these ponies released.
>"Of course, Anonymous, whatever you wish."
>These changelings must have been scared beyond all comprehension of you.
>As you reach near the end of the cell block, you begin to see the cells that were different from the rest.
>The solitary cells.
>The changeling takes you down to the second to last one.
>He uses his key and slowly opens the large metal door.
>As you peer in, you see The Prophet laying there on the ground.
>He seems asleep, but his breathing is ragged.
Prophet, it's me, Anon, are you alright.
>He lets out a soft grunt.
Get whoever you have for medical staff here and help him out.
>"O-O-Of course, sir Anon, with great haste!" He says, running out of the cell block.
>You walk over to the prophet.
Prophet, if you can hear me, say something.
>He lets out a soft sigh.
>"W...what are...you doing in...here?"
I'm getting you out. Avarice has fallen by my hands. We can go see your daughter now.
>He lets out a soft chuckle and a smile finds a way to his face.
>"Yes... my daughter." He says.
Just hang on, I'm getting someone to help you.
>"I'm beyond help boy..." He says.
Don't you say that to me. You're going to live, you hear me, now stay with me.
>"I'm old. You're full of energy. Just look...at your arms."
>You look at your arms. The purple coursing through your arms had not left.
>"I'll only slow you down." He says.
Don't you say that. Even if you did slow me down, I could go and get her on my own. And bring her here.
>"I don't deserve to see her, for leaving her..."
You quit this right now!

>The changeling that escorted you had come back with a few other changelings wearing white coats.
>"I've brought them, Anon!" He says in his raspy voice.
Good. Can you help him?
>The 2 other changelings look at him.
>"We'll need time and space. I'll have to ask you to leave." They say.
Will do. So long as you help my friend.
>The doctors put their packs of medical supplies on the ground in the solitary cell and begin to look The Prophet over.
How long until you think he's better?
>"Can't say for sure. Will take at least a week." One of them says.
I'll be back then.
>You turn around and begin to walk to the exit.
>"You're friend is in good hands Sir Anon. Your trust in out doctors is no misplaced." The changeling replied.
For the sake of whoever did that, I sure hope so.
>"I-Indeed, Sir Anon." He said, carefully following behind you.
>You walk out and back to the courtyard.
>When you get out you realize something.
>You're missing your stuff.
Hey bud...errr. what can I call you?
>"Oh yes, Apologies for the lack of introduction Sir Anon, My name is Nightingale, Humbly at your service." He says, bowing his head.
Okay nightingale, do you happen to know where Avarice would have kept my stuff?
>"As a matter of fact, I do. He kept it in his quarters. He didn't want it in regular storage for fear you might go there and retrieve them, so he kept them close at hand,"
Makes sense. Where in it quarters did he keep them.
>"Most likely in a small chest of sorts. Or a large one depends on how much he took."
It wasn't much.
>You begin to walk up to the group of changelings and through them, back up to the entrance to the spire.
>You're met by your inmate pal.
>"You find your friend, partner?" He asks.
I did. He's not in good shape, Won't be well for a long time they said.
>"What a bummer... Sorry to hear kid." He says.
It's okay, there's nothing you could have done. However I do need to grab my stuff out of Avarice's quarters.
>You began the walk up the stairs.

>You just finishes strapping on the last bit of your armor on your wrists.
>You take the sword and sheathe that's attached t your belt and tie it around your waist.
>And lastly, you take the blanket, droop it over yourself, and tie it off around your neck to make for an intimidating cape.
>You walked to a nearby window and looked at your faint reflection.
>You looked like a true bad ass again.
>But you felt weighed down.
>You had been out of your armor you forgot what it was like to move without it.
>It wasn't anything major though.
>Plus, you had magic at your disposal without any need for an outlet.
>Just your two bear-like hands, coursing with purple energy.
>You turned around and started to exit the room you had defeated Avarice in.
>You walked down the flight of stairs and half way around the circular corridor, and down the second flight of stairs.
>You're met by the changeling and your prison pal.
>"So what's your next order of business boss." The pony asked.
Good question. I have something in mind.
>You motion nightingale over.
Hand your keys over to my friend here.
>He bows his head and quickly hand the keys over to you prison friend.
While i'm gone, I want you to unlock all the prisoners and let them free.
>"And what of me, Sir Anon?' Nightingale asks.
You'll come with me.

>"Where are we going Sir Anon?" He questions
We're going to Canterlot. To set things straight and let Celestia know of what happened.
>"The sun queen?! If you insist..." He says, lowering his head in disappointment.
You have shape shifting powers that could be incredibly useful.
>"This is true, Sir Anon. Perhaps it will be most handy." He says.
>You turn to your jail-mate.
I want you to keep this place running while I'm gone. Be sure to ask for advice from the high in command changelings to find out what you have to do.
>"Will do, Anon. I'm much obliged to have the opportunity to do this for you."
The pleasure is mine.
>You give one last wave and a nod you your jail-mate before you turn and start walking toward the gate of the spire.
Do you know exactly where we are?
>The gate rises open
>"We are near the east coast of the changelings empire. About mid-way up the coast."
Know the closest pony settlement?
>"That would be fillydelphia, quite the large sea-faring town only but a few miles south of this small fishing colony I know."
Hey... I've been there before.
>"You have?!" He asks, excitedly.
I have. It's how I first got here.
>"It's a quaint little town, is it now?" He says, the spire slowly going out of focus in the distance.
It is. But firs,t which direction are we going?
>"Oh yes! We'll want to turn a little left here." He says, pointing in the direction you should go.
>You turn and begin to walk in that direction.
Out of curiosity, you happen to know where Flame's outpost is located?
>"Why yes, it's a little more north up the coast from ours, it dominated a cliff and hangs over and watches over the sea for miles."
>"It's also about ten times more guarded than our little mining operation." He says.
Sounds like a doozy. If we're to bring him down, we'll need all the fire power we can get.
>"That would be most wise Sir Anon. But take heed, they hold many weapons in that spire."
One could only assume what they have there. But I have some friends...

>"Friends are nice Sir Anon, what kind of friends do you have?" He asks.
The ones with a lot of firepower.
>"Ahh, the best kind." He says sneerly.
>You walk for a little while until the spire behind you goes out of sight.
>As the spire went out of sight, you came upon a light forest up on a hill in your path.
>"Tread carefully here, Anon, word goes around that not-so desirable creatures lurk these woods."
Thanks for the heads up.
>"Tis nothing, Sir Anon. Pus, we're both quite partial to living I assume."
You would be correct.
>A silence falls between you two again as you venture through the forest.
>You walk by tree after tree, occasionally asking the Changeling if you two are going in the right direction.
>Over hills and through trees you didn't seem to see any animals out of the ordinary beyond a couple of squirrels and critters running around.
>The two of you walk for quite some time through the forest before you finally reach a clearing.
>As the forest ends you come out and see a vast rolling tundra.
>It's rocky with a few patches of ice here an there.
>It seemed bleak to say the least.
>But to get to Canterlot you knew you had to travel over god knows what.
>But by the time you had gotten through the forest, the sun was already setting.
It's getting dark, we should set up a small campfire before it gets too cold.
>"Agreed, I'm already starting to shiver..." Nightingale says,shaking his head.
Here, let me help you.
>You untie your cape and droop it over him.
>'You...You would do this for me?" He asks in an honored, yet confused tone.
Of course, why wouldn't I.
>"I... don't know..." He says.
Tell you what, I'll go fetch the sticks, you can stay right here. Find a spot
>"You are truly too generous, Anon."
Don't think nothing of it.
>You wave to him and turn around and walk back to the forest to collect some branches.
>You walk a little ways in and start to pick up some of the dry sticks and logs that are lying around.

>As you pick up some logs, you hear some hoofsteps coming toward you.
>You draw your sword quickly and turn around.
>It's nightingale.
>And he's running toward you pretty fast, with your cape dangling over him.
>"There's some pony coming after us!" He yelps.
Hang tight!
>You keep your sword in your right arm and begin running toward where he had come from.
>As you run into the clearing, you see a pony a fair distance running toward you.
>You didn't want to take any chances.
>You started running toward the pony.
>You took your sword to your left side and dragged it through the dirt.
>You flung your sword upwards, sending a large vortex of wind toward the pony.
>She tried to dodge it, but is still sucked up and spit out closer to you.
>You begin to run toward her.
>"Stop! I don't mean to hurt you!" She yells.
>You keep running toward her.
>She stumbles up on to her hooves.
>As she stands, yo notices something about her.
>She looks awfully familiar...
>"What the hay are you doing, Anon?!" She yells.
>Yup, definitely Applejack.
I should be asking you the same question, chasing after my pal.
>"You're pal? You know he's a changeling, right Anon?..." She says.
Of course. That does not mean we cannot be friends.
>"Ah suppose..." She says walking toward you.
The coast is clear!
>You yelled into the forest.
Why exactly are you here, Applejack?
>"To be honest, I was looking for Rainbow Dash. She bolted off looking for you. She believed all the jibber jabber about you killing Twilight." She said.
>Rainbow Dash.
>God dammit, how were you going to let her know.
Walk with me a bit Applejack, we need to talk about this whole situation.
>"Of course, Anon."
I need to go grab the lumber I dropped for the fire and bring it out here for a campfire.
>You turn around with Applejack walking beside you and you see nightingale walk out of the forest.
>He jump up a little startled.
>"I thought you said the coast was clear!" He yells, pointing at Applejack.

It is, she's a friend of mine. Nightingale, I would like you to meet applejack.
>"Nice t'meetcha." She says, tipping her hat at here.
>"Same to you. You gave me quite the fright, you did." He responded.
>"Sorry, I've just been travelling and you were the first pony...err...changeling I had seen for almost an entire day."
So I have to ask, what exactly are you doing out here Applejack?
>"To be honest, I wasn't expecting to see you, I was looking for Rainbow Dash"
>Rainbow Dash.
>Shit.
>How the hell were you going to explain this to her.
Come on, walk with me Applejack. I need to gather the wood i dropped for the fire we were going to make.
>She nods and the three of you make your way into the forest to recover the wood.
>The three of you reached the spot where you had dropped the wood.
>The three of you pick up your fair share so you don't have to carry all of it.
>It was silent in your group, and you decided you had to break it.
You do know I didn't kill Twilight, right applejack?
>"Of course, Anon. I know you would never do something like that."
Thanks... Did you tell the others?
>"I did. Most of them listened. Pinkie and Rarity believed what I had to say. Fluttershy was hysterical and wasn't listenin to nopony about nuttin!"
That's not good, is she doing better?
>"A little, she took it hard... but boy not as hard as dash. Despite what we told him about me seeing you running to the town, about you being at my house he didn't want to believe it."
Why is that.
>"She's hellbent of revenge, even though it wasn't you. So I followed her trying to stop her from chasing you down."
Yeah... about that.
>You set the logs down near the entrance to the clearing.
>"About what , Anon?" Applejack says, setting her logs down.
She found me...
>"Well, what happened, Anon? Tell me!" She said, getting forceful.
>You felt teary eyed just thinking of how to say it.
She's... not alive any more.
>Applejack put her hoof to her mouth, and tears began to roll down her cheek.

>"You...You didn't, didja Anon?" She said, breathing becoming more ragged.
I'm... sorry. But she gave me no choice. She wouldn't listen to what I had to say, nor did she stop trying to pulverize me.
>"I'm... sorry Anon." She said in an incredibly sad tone.
It's okay, it's not your fault. It came down to either me or her, and I've been searching for Twilight's killer for a long time now. I wasn't going to stop.
>"I... understand....I just wish Rainbow would have listened..."She said before burying her hooves in her face and sobbing uncontrollably.
>You let your a sight and held her tight.
>You wish it didn't have to be like this.
>"what am I gunna tell the others..." She says in her mid sob.
I'll tell them, when this is all settled. It's only right I take responsibility for it.
>"If... you insist Anon..." She said, sniffling a
bit.
>You decide to get up and start the fire before the sun set completely.
>You set up the sticks and get ready to burn them with your magic.
>As you set the sticks up right as you want them, you snap your fingers and a fire ignites itself in the center of the sticks.
>"How-how did you do that Anon?" Applejack questioned.
Twilight taught me.
>You held up your hand and snapped your fingers.
>After that a small flame had itself burning in the palm of your hand.
>You moved your fingers and hand around and played around with it to show Applejack and Nightingale.
>"Quite Impressive sir Anon." He adds.
>"Very. But I do have one question Anon..." Applejack says, wiping the last of her tears from her eyes.
What is it?
>"Your arms and hands... they look different that before. What happened?" She asked curiously.
>That's right.
>Twilight's energy.
Well, when I had broken free of changeling imprisonment, Twilight had visited me in my unconscious mind and, by the looks of it transferred some of her energy to me. Hence the purple tint.
>She looks closer and more curiously
>"That's something else, isn't it..."

It is, I have no clue how she did it.
>"She always was a mysterious pony..." Applejack added.
>"So wait, Sir anon, you're two things in one?!" He asks, quite surprised.
Haha, not exactly, I am as I always have been, a friend of mine just gave me a little... help with my magical prowess.
>"You have good friends Anon, I wish I had some like yours." He says, adjusting himself among you cape.
You do, you have me, and you have Applejack here, as recent as you two have known each other.
>He gives you a confused look.
>"We're all... friends?" He asks.
>"Of course, feller, we're all good in each others company." Applejack says.
Plus, were it not for you, I wouldn't have found the prophet in the jail cells.
>"I've... never known to have close friends before. All I've known is fighting and wars." He says.
Well now you know what it's like.
>You give him a smile.
>He gives one back.
>"It's nice." He adds.
>"It certainly is..." Applejack says.
>You all fall silent looking at the fire, the sun is gone out of the sky and the moon is slowly rising on the other side.
Listen guys, I'm tired and walking all day, as I'm sure you two are as well.
>"Definitely" They both say in unison.
Well, I'll put a few more logs on the fire and we can hit the hay.
>You walk over to the small pile of logs and throw a few more on the fire.
>You walk back to a small rock and lean on it and look up at the sky.
>Without any city lights nearby, the sky was positively filled with stars.
>It reminded you of the time you had watched the stars with Twilight
>And how much you wish she was still around.
>You let out a sigh and lay down on the ground.
>You feel like it would be incredibly uncomfortable if you didn't have your armor for padding against the rocks.
>You laid down and closed your eyes.
>Your mind wandered for a short time, about Twilight, About Rainbow Dash and about all the other ponies back in ponyville.
>As your mind wanders, you slip deeper and deeper into dreamland.

>You opened your eyes slowly.
>The sky above you overcast, with a light grey.
>You turn to your side.
>You see the ashes of the fire smoldering lightly.
>You look around you.
>You see Applejack sleeping up on a smooth rock to your left.
>To you right you see Nightingale do the same.
>You stand up on your two feet and brush off the dirt from your pants.
>You walk over to nightingale and shake him a bit.
>"Nyuh... huh? What is it Anon?" He asks, still half asleep.
It's morning, we gotta keep moving.
>"Ugh.. fiiiine." He says, getting up on his your legs and stretching each of them out.
>"Here's your cape, Anon." He said, pulling it off of him and handing it to you.
Thanks.
>"No, thank you, Anon." He says.
>You take it and tie it around your neck once more before walking over to Applejack.
>You get next to her a nudge her a bit.
>She shift around a bit before letting out a large yawn and looking up to see you.
>"Oh, heya Anon. Watcha wakin me up for?" She asks
We gotta get moving. Ground isn't going to cover itself.
>"Where exactly is it we're going Anon?" She asks.
>That's right, you never told her what YOU two were doing.
We're going to Canterlot to tell Celestia of the Changeling threat beyond what she may know, and to clear my name of murder.
>"No offence, Anon, but if they have guards looking for you, you're not exactly hard to pick out."
>She had a point.
How do you suppose we do that?
>"Well, I have a simple answer to that one." She said.
What might that be, kill every guard?
>You both let out a laugh.
>"Naw, we can take you to Zecora and have you transformed into a pony! Temporarily of course." She said.
>Zecora!
>You almost forgot about that silly zebra and her rhymes.
Good idea. How do you suppose we get past ponyville to her?
>"We could always try to get there during the dark, and go through a much less traveled part of the woods."
That sounds like a good idea.
>"And I can just transform into whoever I want to be! So it works!" Nightingale added.

This is true. Nightingale here will sure be useful to have around.
>"As much within my power, Sir Anon." He says.
You know you don't have to do this, Nightingale. You can head back seeing as we're not really going to Canterlot immediately.
>"I'm with you until the end...friend." He says giving you smile.
If it's what you want, I'll not stop you.
>"I would like nothing more." He says with a happy voice.
Than it's settled. We're heading to ponyville.
>You started to walk in the direction you and Nightingale were headed before.
>Applejack followed you now.
>You had your own little crew now.
>And you all had each other.
>But you just thank god, that Applejack knows that it wouldn't have been you to kill Twilight.
>Otherwise this may have ended up with another dead pony on your hands.
>And you didn't want that.
>Dash's death was hard enough.
>But you had to power through it.
>You and your two companions walked over the barren, rock covered tundra.
>There was a slight nip in the air and he clouds didn't cease to leave.
>This didn't seem to bother your companions.
>You doubt this is the worst thing in the world to go through.
>But as you cross over a slight incline in the terrain and you look over it, you see it.
>Water.
>The ocean.
>"Looks like we're here, Anon. Now all we have to do is follow the coast." Nightingale said.
How long do you figure we reach the small fishing village for a break?
>I'd say at our current rate of travel, probably by sundown hopefully.
Well then, no sense in stopping, right?
>You and your partners turn to the right and begin to follow the coast at a distance.
>It was nice to smell the ocean breeze once more.
>You felt, for lack of a better term, home again, near the ocean.

>You and your two friends walked aside the ocean for quite some time.
>Most of the time was spent silent, and you spent it thinking of a way to get to Flame's keep.
>You tried to think of how you could convince your pirate friends to help.
>But most all.
>You thought of Twilight.
>How he was able to speak with you.
>How she gave you such immense power by not even being there.
>And why she had to die.
>If only things were easy...
>Had she not died, nothing would have ever happened.
>And, despite your blackouts and random spurts of love interest, you really did like her.
>If only things were easy.
>But you shrugged it off.
>You can't think of about 'might have's' and 'ifs'
>You had ponies and changelings alike who depended on you.
>But while you think on and on, something catches your eye as you walk over a small grassy hill.
>The small town.
>"There it is Anon!" Applejack yells and begins to run down the hill to the town.
>"Race ya!" Nightingale says, running down the hill as well.
I'll beat the both of ya!
>You start to sprint down the hill as fast as you could go.
>And in that moment you realized,
>You're thankful to be alive, to have those around you who care for you.
>And you were going to see Twilight avenged.
>Not just for her, and yourself, but for those around you.
>And you would all do it together.

>"Ah swear, I don't know how a thingy like you with two legs can beat us four legged ponies in a race! It don't make sense!" Applejack went off as she sat down at the table with you and Nightingale.
>You had entered the Pub you had first saw when you arrived in the small town.
It's all in the legs, Applejack, I thought you knew that.
>"Ah foohey, what do you know about leg power?"
Enough to beat you.
>You stick your tongue out at her.
>Meanwhile nightingale is sitting next to you laughing at both of you petty arguing.
>"Tell ya what, Anon, when the dust is all settled, you and me are 'avin another race, you got that?" She said forcefully.
What, losing once isn't good enough?
>You let out a laugh as did Nightingale.
>"Now now, don't make me break you two lovebirds up!" The bartender yells over at you.
>It was the same one who gave you directions to the mountain.
>You smile and wave at him.
How you been?
>"Good, did you find your way to the mountain alright?" He asked.
I did, made it to the top! Can you believe that?
>"Well I be darned, what was up there? Treasure? A wiseman? Spill the beans!" He said, eager to hear your response.
>You smile and pause fora moment.
Nope. Nothing. Just found some answers I needed.
>"Well, glad you found what you were looking for, whatever it may be. Say you fellas need a place to stay for the night?"
It wouldn't hurt. Why, you got some free rooms?
>"I sure do. Only got one though so you guys may have to share a bed."
Not a problem, how much?
>"For the tip you gave me for some direction, won't cost ya nothin' tonight, how does that sound?"
>You weren't one to argue with a free room.
Thank you very much, I truly appreciate it!
>"Not a problem, anything for a pal!"
Look at that guys, a free room.
>"Not a bad deal there, Anon. You sure made some friends since you've been gone." Applejack says.
>"Same, it will be nice to sleep in a warm bed for once." Nightingale adds.

I'm getting pretty tired already, what do you all say we hit the hay?
>"I'm feeling it too." Apple jack said, letting out a loud yawn and stretching herself.
>"I would like to rest in a war bed as well." Nightingale added.
Hey barkeep, which room would be ours?
>"Ah yes, that would be the one up the stairs and the third one on your left. Here's the key." He said, reaching down underneath the bar and grabbing a key and tossing it to you.
Thank you very much once again, we're headed to bed, had a long day.
>"I hear ya there! Try not to make too much of a ruckus, haha!"
No promises!
>You both bellow out a hearty laugh before you and your friends walk up the stairs to your room.
>You walk down a narrow hallway and down to the third door on your left.
>You unlock the door and what's inside amazes you.
>An enormous round bed that could dwarf even you.
>It looked softer than any bed you had ever seen.
I call the middle!
>You run over and jump into the bed.
>You let out a sigh of happiness.
>Applejack jumps to your right and Nightingale jump to your left.
>"Wow, this bed is suuuuper comfy!" Applejack says.
>"I didn't know things could ever be this soft!" Nightingale exclaims.
>You all just lay thee, enjoying the softness of the bed.
>Before long, you begin to hear Applejack snoring softly.
>You always wondered what they sounded like when they snored.
>And now you have your answer.
>It was adorable.
>As you lay there half conscious, you see Nightingale out cold as well.
>Guess it was your turn.
>You plopped your head on to the pillow in the center of the bed, and before long, you too were fast asleep.

>"Hey, get up you doofus!" You hear Applejack yell.
>You feel something slap you across the face.
>You jolt your eyes open to see a pillow on your head.
>You quickly throw it off of you and at Applejack, but seeing as you just woke up, you miss horribly.
>It flies by her head and she sticks her tongue out at you.
>"You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, Anon."
You're lucky I just woke up...
>"Must you guys be so loud?! I was having a good dream too!" Nightingale said, rubbing his eyes .
>"Sorry, didn't mean to wake ya. Not yet anyways." Applejack says, scratching her head.
>"It's alright. We have to get going anyways."
Agreed. We should all get going and stop burning daylight.
>You walk out the door, your friends right behind you.
>As you walk down the stairs you look around the place.
>Nobody to be seen, not even the barkeep.
>Must have been asleep.
>Before you and your friends leave, you decide to take a small pouch of bits and chuck them behind the counter for the barkeep once more for his generosity.
>You walk out and on to the streets with your friends.
>There is a slight drizzle, but nothing you haven't been through before.
>"Ugh... I hate the rain." Nightingale says.
We have to go through it.
>You walk down the street toward the dock.
We just keep going to the same way as before?
>"Yes. Eventually we'll see Phillydelphia at the edge of the everfree forest." He says.
Well, let's not keep the lads back home waiting for us then.
>You and your friends turned to the left and kept the ocean to your right as before, and walked through the drizzle.
>Eventually the rain began to find its way all through your shirt and pants and got you pretty soaked.
>Your friends didn't have any clothing so they were worse off.
>But it was warm, so there was no chance of any of you getting too cold.
>The town slowly but surely left the sight behind you as you followed the hilly beach.

>As you walk you look out on the the ocean.
>The rain ripples across the water as small waves roll up the beach.
>In the distance you can see two ships a fair distance from each other.
>The look of the ocean and ships makes you miss the old pirate port.
>"What you looking at, Anon?" Applejack says.
Just out at sea. I miss it a little.
>"What do you mean? Did you sail at all?" She asks.
I did. It was an enormous warship I captained not too long ago.
>Applejack gives you a confused look.
>"You captained a warship and never bothered to tell either of us?" She asks.
It never came up.
>"I for one find it incredibly interesting! Did you fight anyone, Captain Anon?" Nightingale says, humoring the fact you were a captain.
I did. It's... not exactly the kindest thing.
>"Holy mackerel, Anon, you sure do get yourself into all sorts of trouble, dontcha?" Applejack says.
Trouble seems to find its way to me, it seems.
>Applejack silently nods and agrees.
>"What was the fight like, Captain?!" Nightingale asks eagerly.
>You don't want to bring up the ship you plundered, so you decided to go with changelings ship chasing you.
Well, after sailing and meandering around sometime, a Changeling Galleon decided to look for trouble, and we were right in its path.
>"How did the fight go down!?" He asked with anticipation
Well, it wasn't much of a fight, it was mostly me and my crew sailing for their lives. We eventually had to ride into a storm where the beast was eventually sunk by a waterspout.
>"Woooow... that's scary." He says, fully intrigued.
It was, especially since the vortex came right for my ship afterwards.
>"Did it hit your ship?!"
It almost did, but thanks to my quick thinking I managed to fend it off by reversing its rotation.
>You didn't want to tell them about almost dying.
>"That is some story, what happened next?!" He asked.
We turned around and headed back to port. It wasn't safe in the storm.
>"Must have been one wild ride. But you're a good Captain, Anon."

Thanks, even though you've never seen me command a ship.
>"I don't need to see you command a ship to know you're a natural captain!" He says enthusiastically.
Thanks. Maybe one day you'll see me at the helm in person.
>"The helm?" He asks, confused.
Haha, it's what we sailors call the wheel of the ship and the area around it.
>"Ooohhh.." He said with a sudden realization
>He turns his head, and you see asmile come upon it.
>"Hey guys, look!" He said, pointing in the distance.
>Just off in the distance, you can barely make out a city of sorts, with plenty of ships around the waters outside.
Is that Fillydelhpia?
>"You're darn tootin' it is!" Applejack said, with a happy voice.
>You all began jogging faster to the town.
Don't you think it's a bad idea to be walking about a city that may or may not be looking for me?
>"Ah haven't seen any signs or anything around ponyville saying you're wanted, and that's where it all went down! I'd say you're pretty safe, for now." Applejack re-assures.
If you insist...
>You all continue jogging for quite sometime before you come upon the outskirts of the town.
>You are met with a small dirt road that eventually leads into a concrete road.
>You were so happy to see the roads.
>You haven't seen concrete in god knows how long.
>As you guys continue walking down the street, you see a building that catches your eye.
>It looks like it might be a pub, they might have a place to stay for the night.
Hey guys, want to check that place out and see if they have any rooms for the night?
>"Sounds good, two nights in a row in an actual bed is starting to spoil us though!" Applejack says.
>"I don't argue with a bed." Nightingale adds.
Then it's settled, we'll rest there for the night if they have rooms.

>As you approach the bar you see a rather large pony attending the door, and a rather large line.
>You and your partners decide to walk toward the line.
>"I don't think I should be seen like this..." nightingale says, before engulfing himself in a burst of black dust and plopping back on the ground as a rather normal looking mare.
>"How do I look?" He... or rather she now, asks.
>"Perfectly normal to me." Applejack says.
Same here. Let's try not to attract as much unwanted attention as possible, even if it's hard seeing as I am, well, me.
>The three of you make it to the back of the line and wait quietly, not talking or doing anything to attract attention.
>The line slowly but surely whittles down until eventually it was you and your companions.
>"Id's please" The guy asks, before looking up at you, and his face starting to look fearful and confused.
>"I-I-It's you! That demon! The demon from ponyville that killed Twilight!" He screams.
What the hell are you talking about?!
>"Guards Guards!" He yells.
Shit, let's go!
>You turn back around and you and your two friends make your way back through the crowd.
>As you and your friends run past the back of the line you see two guards running toward you.
>As they get closer, they pull out some spears and begin to hesitate a little.
>Everyone was scared shitless of you.
>You could use this to your advantage.
>And you definitely will.

Part 2
http://pastebin.com/21sXH0r8