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Dash Mom Chapter 5

By wingedanon
Created: 2026-10-01 23:33:18
Updated: 2026-10-14 02:06:21
celestialunarainbow dashanoncoltanonstallion

  1. 1.
    >Be Sunbeam Glory, magic filly extraordinaire!
  2. 2.
    >Your friends think you're getting way too worked up over this.
  3. 3.
    >Maybe you are, but after what Aunt Sunset Shimmer did; you feel you can help restore the family's honor in Celestia's eyes.
  4. 4.
    >Anon just throws you off though.
  5. 5.
    >The moment he took you seriously he shot down your challenge with ease.
  6. 6.
    >He was right, you had no ground to challenge him on.
  7. 7.
    >Mom nudges you as the line to the movies starts to move.
  8. 8.
    "Sorry, mom. Just thinking about what to do."
  9. 9.
    >"It's fine honey. I'm also frazzled by what happened."
  10. 10.
    "Anon's family being the head of Cloudsdale fan club?"
  11. 11.
    >"Yes. Fascinating how all this comes together. Sir, I need an adult and filly ticket."
  12. 12.
    >The squeaky voice of a teenage colt with acne problems leans over to confirm your presence.
  13. 13.
    >"Two tickets for 4 bits. Enjoy the show!"
  14. 14.
    >Finally, you march up to the movie line up, not totally sure which one mom just bought.
  15. 15.
    >Mom catches up at such a slow pace.
  16. 16.
    >"Hold on dear, the movie doesn't start just yet. It'll be number four."
  17. 17.
    >You don't hold on, and just dart to the movie room.
  18. 18.
    >Don't even care what movie it is, you want this info.
  19. 19.
    >So you wait, and wait, and wait.
  20. 20.
    >Why is this taking so long!?
  21. 21.
    >Mom trots in, looks around until she sees you.
  22. 22.
    >Counting every step she makes, you wait.
  23. 23.
    >"We have 15 minutes."
  24. 24.
    "Oh come on!"
  25. 25.
    >Cross your forelimbs and pout.
  26. 26.
    >This is the worst.
  27. 27.
    >---
  28. 28.
    >Hooves in the upper room have been pattering about trying to put the reel started.
  29. 29.
    >You so much want to go up there and do it for him.
  30. 30.
    >Projector light comes to life as numbers count down.
  31. 31.
    >Scoot onto the edge of your seat as the crackly music starts.
  32. 32.
    "Finally!"
  33. 33.
    >"Hello citizens of Canterlot! Please be quiet and don't light your horns during the show. Before we begin our feature presentation we bring you the news. But first!"
  34. 34.
    >Snacks and drinks start singing.
  35. 35.
    "I don't want that! Get to the news!"
  36. 36.
    >"Glory, be patient."
  37. 37.
    >Sit down with a grumpy grunt.
  38. 38.
    >Pointless stuff comes on the screen.
  39. 39.
    >Blah, blah, blah.
  40. 40.
    >This would have been more fun if you brought your friends.
  41. 41.
    >"Canterlot News now brings you news from all across Equestria!"
  42. 42.
    >Yes!
  43. 43.
    >Stuff comes across screen.
  44. 44.
    >Until finally Ponyville.
  45. 45.
    >"Manehatten Times has provided information for this next segment."
  46. 46.
    >Mom starts to frown.
  47. 47.
    >"Our great Princess Celestia and Our Finest Soldiers went down to Ponyville to deal with a threat in the Everfree Forest."
  48. 48.
    >Videos of various ponies flash on screen.
  49. 49.
    >Princess Celestia is always far away like the camera pony never approached her.
  50. 50.
    >Guards going about their procedure.
  51. 51.
    >There's Twilight Sparkle!
  52. 52.
    >"Twilight Sparkle, Celestia's faithful student, lead her group with the Elements of Harmony to rescue the Tree of Harmony."
  53. 53.
    >See Anon standing with the herd.
  54. 54.
    >Talking with his mom.
  55. 55.
    >Then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
  56. 56.
    >Lean forward as the narration continues.
  57. 57.
    >Then a monster appears.
  58. 58.
    >"Princess Celestia took on this monstrous beast in battle until she destroyed it."
  59. 59.
    >Explosion.
  60. 60.
     
  61. 61.
    >Huh!?
  62. 62.
    >This talking screen is going way too fast.
  63. 63.
    >Monster was barely on screen for a few fuzzy moments before the explosion.
  64. 64.
    >Spectacular explosion sure, but this is just jarring.
  65. 65.
    >Crackly voice comes back.
  66. 66.
    >See Celestia smiling and waving at ponies in Ponyville.
  67. 67.
    >"Thanks to her efforts, the Tree of Harmony has returned to bring a new age of peace across Equestria."
  68. 68.
    >Screen pans over to a wild looking tree that radiates power.
  69. 69.
    >Anon is seen again with the other bearers of Harmony in a group shot.
  70. 70.
    >All of them are smiling.
  71. 71.
    >"Truly a great day. Now for the next news."
  72. 72.
    >Tune it out as you slowly turn to your mom with a confused expression.
  73. 73.
    >She looks down at you before her horn lights up and an orb of silence covers you both.
  74. 74.
    "What was that!?"
  75. 75.
    >Mom sighs as she sits back.
  76. 76.
    >"Manehatten Times is a filthy propaganda rag that speaks terribly of our Princess Celestia. Absolute trash."
  77. 77.
    >Point at the screen.
  78. 78.
    "So what did we watch?"
  79. 79.
    >"Canterlot news stations had to buy from them the film. Which I remind you is very expensive. After they received their copy, by the looks of what we just saw, they edited it to fit a more proper work. However, it is very choppy."
  80. 80.
    "I want to see the whole thing."
  81. 81.
    >Mom looks back to the doors.
  82. 82.
    >"Follow me, but stay hidden. I suspect this might be expensive."
  83. 83.
    >Nod firmly as you wait for her to leave.
  84. 84.
    >Following close enough, mom finds a pony on break with a pair of scissors on a film for a cutie mark.
  85. 85.
    >"You're an editor, yes?"
  86. 86.
    >"Huh? Yeah I am. Whatcha want?"
  87. 87.
    >She takes out a small card.
  88. 88.
    >"I'm part of the Princess Celestia Fan Club, and I just saw the edited work of the news report in Ponyville. I would like to see the full thing."
  89. 89.
    >He chews on a straw slowly.
  90. 90.
    >"Ma'am, that was hard to watch. You can, but I don't recommend it."
  91. 91.
    >"For the sake of being up-to-date about all things Celestia, I must. Even if Manehattan Times says slanderous things."
  92. 92.
    >He shakes his head.
  93. 93.
    >"That is the least of that reels problems. You want to watch a foal die?"
  94. 94.
    >A chill goes through you when you hear that.
  95. 95.
    >"W-what!"
  96. 96.
    >"Yeah, it ain't pretty. If you still want to, you'll have to pay extra and sign a clause saying you agree to watch this. Again though, just move on, miss."
  97. 97.
    >Mom pulls out her purse.
  98. 98.
    >Stallion sighs as he stands back up.
  99. 99.
    >"You'll be the first. Please don't talk about it to others. Keep it on the down low. This thing is just terrible. Go down to Screen 13, I'll set it up."
  100. 100.
    >Stay hidden as he trots away.
  101. 101.
    >Mumbling about getting a drink of salt.
  102. 102.
    >"Honey, this might not be a good idea. I'll watch it and tell you what I saw. Stay outside."
  103. 103.
    "Okay."
  104. 104.
    >She goes towards screen 13, and you wait.
  105. 105.
    >In a few moments that same stallion comes back with a reel.
  106. 106.
    >"Morning little miss. Not at school today?"
  107. 107.
    "I was excused."
  108. 108.
    >"To see a movie? You're something else."
  109. 109.
    "I have excellent grades."
  110. 110.
    >He grunts as he moves along.
  111. 111.
    >Frown at that as he goes to a smaller door.
  112. 112.
    >You decide to follow him.
  113. 113.
    >Carefully go up the stairs.
  114. 114.
     
  115. 115.
    >Stallion with the talking picture reel goes up the stairs into the projector room.
  116. 116.
    >Room is dim as he turns off a few lights.
  117. 117.
    >Machine is bulky and complicated.
  118. 118.
    >He concentrates on it as you slip into a dark corner under a table.
  119. 119.
    >Flips a few switches as a light starts to blink.
  120. 120.
    >He looks out into the theater room.
  121. 121.
    >"Got it ready ma'am. I'm going to wait outside until it's done."
  122. 122.
    >He shakes his head as he pushes the start button.
  123. 123.
    >"I ain't watching that again."
  124. 124.
    >Muttering under his breath as he goes back down the steps.
  125. 125.
    >Boldly you step out as the door shuts.
  126. 126.
    >Slink up to the opening and watch the moving picture.
  127. 127.
    >Many of the guards are marching around town.
  128. 128.
    >Princess Celestia and Luna talking to Twilight Sparkle with the other mares.
  129. 129.
    >And Anon.
  130. 130.
    >He's talking with both of them as they walk into the Everfree Forest.
  131. 131.
    >Picture pans away as they disappear.
  132. 132.
    >The guy talking is kind of annoying, don't need a narrator for this.
  133. 133.
    >Everything starts to shake.
  134. 134.
    >A castle rises in the distance.
  135. 135.
    >Keeps going up and up.
  136. 136.
    >Oh Celestia.
  137. 137.
    >That was the monster, it looks ginormous.
  138. 138.
    >An entire castle is on the back.
  139. 139.
    >Explosive power beams from the eyes, hitting a beautiful magic shield.
  140. 140.
    >That's when the fighting starts.
  141. 141.
    >Everything is just a madstable of fighting.
  142. 142.
    >Said monster is going to live in your nightmares with how it moves.
  143. 143.
    >Undulates like it's made of snakes.
  144. 144.
    >Body parts torn off move like they have a life of their own.
  145. 145.
    >Rainbow Dash, you didn't know what to think of her, but she is incredible.
  146. 146.
    >Throws lightning back at the monster.
  147. 147.
    >You understand why Celestia would hold her in high regard.
  148. 148.
    >Every so often the picture would see the group of mares bearing the Elements of Harmony.
  149. 149.
    >Anon is gone.
  150. 150.
    >Where did he go?
  151. 151.
    >Finally see Celestia just rain a magical storm on the creature.
  152. 152.
    >Got a really good view of it with how uncomfortably close it is to town.
  153. 153.
    >Just in awe of what she does to it.
  154. 154.
    >See the Tree of Harmony melded on the top of the head like a crown.
  155. 155.
    >She did win, nothing to worry about.
  156. 156.
    >Jump out of your skin as the wailing monster thrashes.
  157. 157.
    >Rainbow pushes Celestia away from an attack and gets hit herself.
  158. 158.
    >Cover your mouth with your hooves as you almost gasp.
  159. 159.
    >A shield goes over the thrashing creature, which is followed up by an explosion.
  160. 160.
    >With context, that explosion is absolutely terrifying.
  161. 161.
    >Just incredibly big.
  162. 162.
    >Camera is watching it until there's a crash.
  163. 163.
    >Screen shakes violently as the picture spins and goes towards the front.
  164. 164.
    >Can't make out anything until it stops again.
  165. 165.
    >Hear the narrator.
  166. 166.
    >"What in tartarus!? That thing! The entire head!"
  167. 167.
    >Screen focuses and you can see clearly again.
  168. 168.
    >"Buck! The colt, he's right there! He fell out of the monster's head!"
  169. 169.
    >Finally see Anon.
  170. 170.
    >Is?
  171. 171.
    >Is that blood!?"
  172. 172.
    >Hear mom gasp down below.
  173. 173.
    >A filly is helping him up.
  174. 174.
    >Just as the monster's eye reforms into those angry clouds.
  175. 175.
    >Looking straight at the camera.
  176. 176.
    >At you.
  177. 177.
    >Feel fear crawl up your spine.
  178. 178.
    >"Ponies of Manehatten, this might be the end."
  179. 179.
     
  180. 180.
    >”Get behind me.”
  181. 181.
    >Anon’s voice is strained, but he just glares up at the monster.
  182. 182.
    >That’s not just blood, he has so many lacerations all over him.
  183. 183.
    >The filly he’s talking to is frozen in fear as he pushes her behind him.
  184. 184.
    >In a move you can only call brilliant, he takes his Element of Harmony and chucks it at the Tree of Harmony.
  185. 185.
    >Everything shakes as a bright light flashes, the screen almost turns white.
  186. 186.
    >Tree of Harmony crashes down on the head, almost splitting it in half.
  187. 187.
    >One eye rolls up and fires off a magical bolt of power.
  188. 188.
    >Audio crackles violently before it just cuts out.
  189. 189.
    >Then it comes back as the narrator screams.
  190. 190.
    >The other eye drops down.
  191. 191.
    >Anon jumps on the ground, lays his battered wings out flat and touches the ground with them.
  192. 192.
    >Angry energy hits the earth, and spreads up towards where you are.
  193. 193.
    >It would've kept spreading, but it stops.
  194. 194.
    >He shrieks.
  195. 195.
    >Audio catches it all and you scream alongside him.
  196. 196.
    >Mom is wailing louder somehow.
  197. 197.
    >Electricity goes all over his convulsing body.
  198. 198.
    >Wish to look away, but can’t.
  199. 199.
    >Feels like hours, when it was really barely any time at all.
  200. 200.
    >His screams stop before it stops.
  201. 201.
    >Now he’s just lying there.
  202. 202.
    >Hiccup a little, almost heave out breakfast.
  203. 203.
    >The stallion said he died.
  204. 204.
    >Somehow it doesn’t end.
  205. 205.
    >Another ugly monster stomps out of the bigger one and goes towards Anon.
  206. 206.
    >Why!?
  207. 207.
    >He’s already hurt.
  208. 208.
    >You just talked to him this morning!
  209. 209.
    >What happened!?
  210. 210.
    >That's when Rainbow Dash comes back.
  211. 211.
    >She looks like she got hit by a boulder, but is still strong enough to stop it.
  212. 212.
    >"Don't you dare touch him."
  213. 213.
    >Ponies come pouring out of the building the camera is stationed on and starts thrashing the ugly creature.
  214. 214.
    >All you can focus on is Anon.
  215. 215.
    >The filly and a stallion come out and start doing CPR on Anon.
  216. 216.
    >Every detail you focus on.
  217. 217.
    >Luna comes in with medics as they start to work on him.
  218. 218.
    >You've seen this process at the field trip to the hospital.
  219. 219.
    >On a dummy, not an actual pony.
  220. 220.
    >Or a colt who just died.
  221. 221.
    >Violence is a background noise as you hope to see him pull through.
  222. 222.
    >Wait, of course he does, you talked to him today.
  223. 223.
    >Stupid moving picture sucking you into the drama.
  224. 224.
    >Still though, he looks remarkably whole despite being torn to pieces.
  225. 225.
    >"We got a heart beat!"
  226. 226.
    >Breathe a sigh of relief anyway, wipe away the tears from your face.
  227. 227.
    >A bright light glows warmly as the Tree of Harmony powers up.
  228. 228.
    >Monstrous vines turn to dust.
  229. 229.
    >Wall of light envelops everypony, and you close your eyes.
  230. 230.
    >Blink away the fuzziness and watch ponies, Celestia, and Anon earn a victory.
  231. 231.
    >If it wasn't for that nightmare this feels like a happy end.
  232. 232.
    >Something curious happens.
  233. 233.
    >Another Twilight Sparkle?
  234. 234.
    >No, the Tree of Harmony has an avatar.
  235. 235.
    >That's kind of weird.
  236. 236.
    >Audio has a really hard time catching the voice.
  237. 237.
    >"Where?"
  238. 238.
    >Crackles again.
  239. 239.
    >Anon looks confused.
  240. 240.
    >"My cutie mark?"
  241. 241.
    >"It's gone. It was taken. Did it never show up?"
  242. 242.
    >His cutie mark is gone!?
  243. 243.
    >"What the? Hey! Hey!!! What are you doing here!?"
  244. 244.
     
  245. 245.
    >The editor stallion has come back, he stomps his way over you.
  246. 246.
    >"Did you sneak in here?"
  247. 247.
    >Lights turn on.
  248. 248.
    >His angry demeanor fades when he gets a good look at you.
  249. 249.
    >"Oh filly. Why?"
  250. 250.
    >His voice falters when he sees your face.
  251. 251.
    "I wanted."
  252. 252.
    >Your voice is cracking.
  253. 253.
    "I wanted to see what happened."
  254. 254.
     
  255. 255.
    >Be Anon, son of Dash.
  256. 256.
    >And that other guy.
  257. 257.
    >Second round of court has been much quieter.
  258. 258.
    >Grandma Whistle poked you occasionally about what you planned to do for the Dusk Duel.
  259. 259.
    >Told her it’s song about Luna, made her mimic the face of sucking a lemon.
  260. 260.
    >Should it be ‘Children of the Night’?
  261. 261.
    >Kind of a dark piece if you think about it for more than five seconds.
  262. 262.
    >If you have context anyway.
  263. 263.
    >Foalnapping ain’t okay kiddos.
  264. 264.
    >As you work, occasionally you look up from your books to see the other foals in court give you curious glances.
  265. 265.
    >They probably know about Sunbeam Glory even before her dramatic challenge to you.
  266. 266.
    >Still annoyed that it ruined a chance for your family to enjoy a family outing with the Sparkle family.
  267. 267.
    >They had a chance to hang out together with the Sparkle family without you running underhoof.
  268. 268.
    >Maybe tomorrow that still can.
  269. 269.
    >Today, you have a chance to check out the magic school and find Anonymous Letter’s secret.
  270. 270.
    >Then again it would be late in the day for a Dusk Duel so you two might do it tomorrow.
  271. 271.
    >If she honors her word.
  272. 272.
    >Need to think of a plan c if this falls through.
  273. 273.
    >A length of drool crawls down your vision so you have to move your book aside.
  274. 274.
    >Rainbow had gotten bored a while ago and is napping.
  275. 275.
    >Her head resting on yours.
  276. 276.
    >You would push her off, but her dad is also leaning on her while he naps.
  277. 277.
    >Followed by his wife, then Posey, and finally Breeze.
  278. 278.
    >A Russian doll of sleeping pegasi with you as the anchor point.
  279. 279.
    >They were not made for court watching.
  280. 280.
    >At least they aren’t snoring this time.
  281. 281.
    >Unicorn wearing a monocle next to you gives you all an annoyed dirty look.
  282. 282.
    >Celestia is listening to stuff about agriculture, which is interesting for you, but she’s clearly more amused by your leaning tower of pegasi family.
  283. 283.
    >Turns out ponies don't poop in the fields like Lauren Faust joked.
  284. 284.
    >You found that out rather quickly watching farm work in Ponyville.
  285. 285.
    >Thank goodness.
  286. 286.
    >"Thus ends the second session of Day Court. We shall resume after lunch."
  287. 287.
    >Sigh as you close your book.
  288. 288.
    >Time to stretch your muscles.
  289. 289.
    >Bounce off the steps towards the court room center.
  290. 290.
    >Hear your family scream awake as they fall on each other.
  291. 291.
    >Rainbow Dash grumbles a 'get off me' as they untangle each other.
  292. 292.
    >Stretch wings, legs, and back.
  293. 293.
    >Your eyes flicker over to a filly approaching you.
  294. 294.
    >They widen when they realize who it is.
  295. 295.
    >Sunbeam is back already.
  296. 296.
    >Her head is down until she looks up to you.
  297. 297.
    >Eyes red, and nose dried by tissues.
  298. 298.
    >She starts to cry again when she sees you.
  299. 299.
    >"I-I'm sorry."
  300. 300.
    >Tilt your head.
  301. 301.
    >Shakes her head as her saturnine demeanor worsens.
  302. 302.
    >"I can't do it. I'm canceling the duel!"
  303. 303.
    >Why?
  304. 304.
    >What did the news say?
  305. 305.
    >Before you can ask she gallops away.
  306. 306.
    >No way you're letting this one go.
  307. 307.
    >Quickly fly above the adult ponies and land in front of her.
  308. 308.
    "Wait! What happened?"
  309. 309.
    >Sunbeam skids to a stop and almost falls into you.
  310. 310.
    >Now the tears are pouring down.
  311. 311.
    >"Does it matter? You knew what they would show."
  312. 312.
    "Show? They had a reporter there interviewing ponies."
  313. 313.
    >"They had a camera."
  314. 314.
    >That stops you.
  315. 315.
    "A camera!? I didn't know that."
  316. 316.
    >Finally her eyes meet yours.
  317. 317.
    >You can hear Celestia quietly approaching.
  318. 318.
    >"You didn't know they were recording you?"
  319. 319.
    "No! I expected a narration. He had a camera?"
  320. 320.
    >"Young Sunbeam."
  321. 321.
    >She sits up straight when she hears Princess Celestia address her.
  322. 322.
    >Slowly Glory turns to look up at her.
  323. 323.
    >"Sunbeam, my little filly, what happened? Dawn Breaker, what happened?”
  324. 324.
    >There’s her mom, she doesn’t look much better.
  325. 325.
    >She looks at you like she sees a ghost.
  326. 326.
    >”We went to the movies to see the news. There’s an unedited version of the recording.”
  327. 327.
    >Celestia leans down to nuzzle the filly.
  328. 328.
    >Sunbeam hiccups as she cries.
  329. 329.
    >”The picture shows what happened. He di–he di-.”
  330. 330.
    >She refuses to finish it, just closes her eyes as she leans into the princess.
  331. 331.
    >Celestia’s eyes flash with shock for a moment at the revelation.
  332. 332.
    >”They recorded all that!?”
  333. 333.
    >Taking a wing to cradle the foal, she turns to a guard.
  334. 334.
    >”Get somepony down to the theater. We need to find out just how much got out.”
  335. 335.
    >”Yes, Princess!”
  336. 336.
    >That ain’t good, oh that ain’t good.
  337. 337.
    >Anyone can watch you die.
  338. 338.
    >Ponies around you are talking.
  339. 339.
    >Confusion mostly.
  340. 340.
    >”Anon?”
  341. 341.
    >Jerk back towards Sunbeam pulls away from Celestia.
  342. 342.
    >”Is it true? Somepony stole your cutie mark?”
  343. 343.
    >Oh fuck, that much got out!
  344. 344.
     
  345. 345.
    >Celestia's eyes quickly check you.
  346. 346.
    >Immediately try to stop your stupid pony fear reflex responses.
  347. 347.
    >That needs to get under control again.
  348. 348.
    >"Everypony. Let's go enjoy lunch. Please, come with me, my little ponies."
  349. 349.
    >Sunbeam looks up to her mom for affirmation.
  350. 350.
    >Dawn Breaker nods as she starts to follow Celestia and have her daughter saddle up next to her.
  351. 351.
    >Dash raises an eyebrow as you all enter the court room.
  352. 352.
    >"What's going on now?"
  353. 353.
    >Celestia raises a wing with that golden friendly smile.
  354. 354.
    >"Come and enjoy lunch with us Dash family."
  355. 355.
    >Pure diplomacy face right there.
  356. 356.
    >As the sizable herd makes their way down a back hallway, Celestia tilts her head back.
  357. 357.
    >"What's everypony in the mood for?"
  358. 358.
    >"Grill cheese sandwich."
  359. 359.
    "Grill cheese sandwich."
  360. 360.
    >Both foals answer her at the exact same time.
  361. 361.
    >Earns you a glance from Sunbeam and a happy smile from Celestia.
  362. 362.
    >"Excellent choice. Come along, we have many cheeses to choose from."
  363. 363.
    >American cheese.
  364. 364.
    >HA!
  365. 365.
    >Oh that was terrible, could you imagine?
  366. 366.
    >Move into the dining room, you end up situated between Posey and Bow.
  367. 367.
    >Dash is sitting right next to her mom.
  368. 368.
    >Normally Grandma Whistle would love that, but Dash is in the mood of 'no stupid nonsense' to keep her from antagonizing Dawn Breaker.
  369. 369.
    >Look over to Sunbeam as she stares at her empty plate.
  370. 370.
    "Tell me about your school."
  371. 371.
    >"Hmm? Right. You're still interested. Why?"
  372. 372.
    >Celestia leans over with her swan-like neck.
  373. 373.
    >"I'm interested! I may be retired from teaching, but I still would love to know how you are all doing."
  374. 374.
    >In a moment of sassy snark, Sunbean grins.
  375. 375.
    >"You can walk down to the school anytime you want. Why are you interested, Anon?"
  376. 376.
    "What can I say? I find magic fascinating."
  377. 377.
    >Expect her to point out being a pegasus.
  378. 378.
    >Instead she thinks for a moment, flickering her ears.
  379. 379.
    >"So kind of like Mage Meadowbrook. Did you know she was an earth pony?"
  380. 380.
    "Yup. Read about her."
  381. 381.
    >"Well magic school is obviously magic focused. While our school is under the EEA guidelines we do have some deviations allowed to let unicorns accelerate the learning process."
  382. 382.
    >She continues on, which you eat up like a cheese sandwich.
  383. 383.
    >Eat that too.
  384. 384.
    >Poke her with a few questions like alchemy, summoning, divination.
  385. 385.
    >Last one earned a confused pause.
  386. 386.
    >"I've never heard that one."
  387. 387.
    >Celestia quickly comments on it.
  388. 388.
    >"Worry not young student. That field is something arch-mages dabble with. Based on what they've told me, it's unreliable and a frustrating study."
  389. 389.
    >Yet she IDs yours as clairvoyance.
  390. 390.
    >"Sunbeam, your description of school has been excellent. Don't you agree, Anon?"
  391. 391.
    "Love it."
  392. 392.
    >That little bit of praise makes the filly beam.
  393. 393.
    >"Would you like to show Anon around it?"
  394. 394.
    >...
  395. 395.
    >Wait, why is she letting you go?
  396. 396.
    >A quick study of her face, she's smiling, but hiding that one eye behind her mane.
  397. 397.
    >If you had to guess, the pony she sent to investigate would be back soon.
  398. 398.
    >Celestia doesn't want you to know how bad it could be.
  399. 399.
    >"Well I guess."
  400. 400.
     
  401. 401.
    >Well this is just great.
  402. 402.
    >"What a big building."
  403. 403.
    >"I can really feel that school spirit."
  404. 404.
    >"Please wear the safety vest, Anon."
  405. 405.
    >Entire family is here.
  406. 406.
    >Urge to scream rising.
  407. 407.
    >How!?
  408. 408.
    >How can you do this with all these eyes watching you?
  409. 409.
    >Can't use the bathroom excuse.
  410. 410.
    >Slip around the corner and pretend to get lost?
  411. 411.
    >Ha, not fast enough to pull that one off.
  412. 412.
    >Need opportunity and a good diversion.
  413. 413.
    >See an explosion go off in one of the higher floors.
  414. 414.
    >Just in time for your tour guide to whip around.
  415. 415.
    >"Welcome to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns!"
  416. 416.
    >Not sure why Sunbeam Glory is dressed up in a uniform, but you are impressed by her small wizard hat.
  417. 417.
    >Her ropes fly dramatically as the shockwave hits, the tie almost frees itself.
  418. 418.
    "You have a dress code?"
  419. 419.
    >And why does it include leggings?
  420. 420.
    >Glory laughs, pleased that her attire caught some attention.
  421. 421.
    >"For special events and presentations we have dress uniforms to symbolize status. As you can see with my ribbons, pins, and marks I am top of my class. Also these clip cloppy horseshoes as you can hear."
  422. 422.
    >Trotting towards the front door with head held high, she swings open the doors with her magic.
  423. 423.
    >"Be honored, for normally a green ribbon would be assigned for this role."
  424. 424.
    >Well this is certainly a wizardry school.
  425. 425.
    >Students mill about with hovering books by their side.
  426. 426.
    >Age ranges from magic kindergarten to ponies chasing after archmage status.
  427. 427.
    >Not many pegasi or earth ponies, which isn't surprising.
  428. 428.
    >A gurney with a crispy unicorn is rushed down an upper hallway to a nurses' station.
  429. 429.
    >"We have classes for transformigeration (if you want a pear instead of an apple), escalating escalator elevator (not helpful for a pegasus I suppose), or do you fancy raising magical beasts like this horned rabbit? We got it all for we are Celestia's best!"
  430. 430.
    >Grandparents 'ooh' as they politely clop their hooves.
  431. 431.
    >Dash is raising an eyebrow at a unicorn walking on the ceiling.
  432. 432.
    "Gravity spell."
  433. 433.
    >"That seems like a bad idea for anypony without wings."
  434. 434.
    "I'm sure they have safety features to prevent any accidents."
  435. 435.
    >You say with the smell of a failed fireball is in the air.
  436. 436.
    >"Follow along Dash clan. Magical mysteries await!"
  437. 437.
    >As you canter along, see Chancellor Neighsay look over a balcony with a curious look.
  438. 438.
    >Wave hello to him, and he slowly returns the gesture.
  439. 439.
    >Pretty sure you saw him this morning at the opening of sun court.
  440. 440.
    >"This room is the project room. As you can see somepony left their sun on."
  441. 441.
    >See a basketball-sized ball of plasma wrapped in duct tape.
  442. 442.
    >'K.
  443. 443.
    >"Graduate level work. I'm thinking of making my study on a cookie replenishment jar."
  444. 444.
    >Sure, that's equivalent levels of study.
  445. 445.
    >Infinite cookies vs a tiny dyson sphere.
  446. 446.
    >"Here is the cafeteria. Alfalfa salad today."
  447. 447.
    >Starting to get more eyes watching you all from students and teachers.
  448. 448.
    >"Sunbeam’s back? Who's that with her?"
  449. 449.
    >"I heard Neighsay talk about this morning. That's Anon. Princess Celestia adopted him."
  450. 450.
     
  451. 451.
    >Would it be contrived to hope a group of jealous bullies try to kidnap you and stuff you in a locker so you can sneak away?
  452. 452.
    >Not with Dash around would that happen.
  453. 453.
    > A book was shoved into your hooves.
  454. 454.
    >Sunbeam distributes yearbooks to your family from a bookshelf of yearbooks.
  455. 455.
    >”This will give you context. Behold, our proud history of professors!”
  456. 456.
    >While the family is following Sunbeam's talk, you slip out an older year book that should be the year Anonymous Letter taught.
  457. 457.
    >See a room number by him.
  458. 458.
    >Trot through a hall with portraits of very important unicorns.
  459. 459.
    >A bored Dash feathers through the pages, but quickly doubles back to Twilight’s picture.
  460. 460.
    >”There’s the bookworm. She’s not even looking at the camera, nose right in her book.”
  461. 461.
    >Curious about another pony.
  462. 462.
    >Flip through the pages to find Moondancer.
  463. 463.
    >A forced smile on her, but you see the accolades under the picture.
  464. 464.
    >Who did she do her undergraduate studies under?
  465. 465.
    >There she is, the only teacher who wrote more details than congratulations.
  466. 466.
    >'Excellent work, you will succeed as long as you don't give up. Don't let other's mistakes drag you down.'
  467. 467.
    >Professor Gingersnap.
  468. 468.
    >She shared the secret stash of alcohol with Moondancer.
  469. 469.
    >Looks like Gingersnap has Letter's room.
  470. 470.
    >How to get there?
  471. 471.
    >"Listen, you guys have a gym, or is that too much physical activity?"
  472. 472.
    >Rainbow puts her book in a mail slot for one of the rooms.
  473. 473.
    >Sunbeam frowns, but simply shrugs.
  474. 474.
    >”We don’t have a gymnasium despite our size and funding. All activities happen outside. I guess we can make a detour to see it."
  475. 475.
    >Yeah, it seems like the school didn't put much funding into the P.E.
  476. 476.
    >An open field.
  477. 477.
    "They're playing dodgeball."
  478. 478.
    >Glory scrunches up her snout.
  479. 479.
    >"And my classmates."
  480. 480.
    >"Glory! Hey Glory! You're back! What are you doing in your dress uniform?"
  481. 481.
    >An aquamarine filly waves enthusiastically at Sunbeam Glory.
  482. 482.
    >Just in time for a ball to smack her right in the face sending her spinning.
  483. 483.
    >"Keep your head in the game!"
  484. 484.
    >"Guess I'm out. Sunbeam, don't leave yet!"
  485. 485.
    >Glory can barely contain her annoyance.
  486. 486.
    >"Hi there! Wow, a whole family and a colt. Are you here to enroll him? We don't get many pegasus, but he can fit right in! I'm Comet Song!"
  487. 487.
    >Reach out a wing to catch another ball heading straight for her head.
  488. 488.
    >"Wow, good catch. Didn't see that one coming at all. Sunbeam, did you see that? He caught it no problem."
  489. 489.
    >Dash shakes her head at the energetic filly.
  490. 490.
    >"I don't really want my colt to become a nerd. That ball you threw was really slow."
  491. 491.
    >Think you heard the entire class gasp at the 'n' word.
  492. 492.
    >"We're not nerds!"
  493. 493.
    >You toss the ball back at the colt who threw it.
  494. 494.
    >Thunks him in the head.
  495. 495.
    >The teacher looks up from a book hearing the class protest in unison.
  496. 496.
    >"Hey, um, can you not bother my class"
  497. 497.
    >Glory Sunbeam clears her throat.
  498. 498.
    >"I have direct orders from Princess Celestia to escort them for their tour."
  499. 499.
    >P.E. teacher rolls his eyes.
  500. 500.
    >"Fine. Just don't be disruptive."
  501. 501.
    >Sure.
  502. 502.
     
  503. 503.
    >"Glooory! Guess what you missed out on yesterday?"
  504. 504.
    >Sunbeam groans as she allows the distraction.
  505. 505.
    >"Yes, Comet?"
  506. 506.
    >Tapping her hooves together and playfully looking up and away, she continues.
  507. 507.
    >"Wasn't going to be in your homework, but a special demonstration with a magical artifact."
  508. 508.
    >That gets Sunbeam's attention with perked ears.
  509. 509.
    >Yours as well.
  510. 510.
    >"Tell me."
  511. 511.
    >"So you know ancient earth ponies used songs in their magic to help make up for their lack of horns. This artifact was made to try to study those. It can duplicate their magic to a lesser extent. Just got to know how they work! Professor Inkwell is so cool to bring it out."
  512. 512.
    >Glory 'oohs' at that.
  513. 513.
    >"Darn, that does sound fun."
  514. 514.
    >A brilliant idea comes to you.
  515. 515.
    >A wonderful, maniacal, chaos creating idea.
  516. 516.
    >Smile broad like the Grinch.
  517. 517.
    >Immediately hide it when Dash feels something off and looks down at you.
  518. 518.
    >Comet nods gleefully before turning around to you, and the large pile of balls next to you.
  519. 519.
    >"Wow! Were all those aimed at me?"
  520. 520.
    "Yup."
  521. 521.
    >"That's so cool! You must be fast."
  522. 522.
    "Just a little."
  523. 523.
    >They were all just trying to nail her despite you catching them.
  524. 524.
    >See most of the classmates are annoyed that they've lost the majority of their balls trying to hit Comet.
  525. 525.
    >A large colt calls out.
  526. 526.
    >"Throw them back!"
  527. 527.
    "You sure?"
  528. 528.
    >"Yeah, why would you? Oh! No, no, no!"
  529. 529.
    >Rubber hitting foals rings out with barbaric violence that your pegasus ancestors would be proud of.
  530. 530.
    >One nerd, two nerd, three and four nerds with the same ball!
  531. 531.
    >At some point, Grandma Whistle, Grandpa Bow, and Comet cheer as you peg horn heads.
  532. 532.
    >Sprawled before the battlefield, your foes twitch on the ground.
  533. 533.
    >This would not go this easy if they were older with actual magical experience.
  534. 534.
    >The teacher gets up with an annoyed huff.
  535. 535.
    >"Enough now. Y'all need to check out the rest of the school."
  536. 536.
    >Dash pats you on the back.
  537. 537.
    >"Well done, Anon."
  538. 538.
    "Well that was nice to stretch my wings. Sunbeam, wanna see that magic artifact your friend was talking about? It sounds pretty cool."
  539. 539.
    >Her eyes widened in protest before Comet leans up next to her.
  540. 540.
    >"See, even he says we're friends!"
  541. 541.
    >"He doesn't know how annoying you can be. Yes! Let's go see Professor Inkwell. I'm sure she still has this magic artifact around for the other classes to see."
  542. 542.
    >Wave bye to her class, they still look scared.
  543. 543.
    >Wonder if Sunbeam Glory is the Diamond Tiara of the group.
  544. 544.
    >Or maybe the Sunset Shimmer of the group is more appropriate.
  545. 545.
    >"I would have created a wall to keep you from hitting me in case you were wondering."
  546. 546.
    "A little. They all seemed a little slow."
  547. 547.
    >"Well, I am the top of my class magically and physically. I wouldn't fall for your tricks."
  548. 548.
    "Oh that wasn't me being tricky. Just fast. If you put up a wall, I would put up clouds so you will never see the ball coming."
  549. 549.
    >Anyway, one trip back onto campus and you're all led to a classroom in session.
  550. 550.
    >This is more like a college setting, so you sit off to the side to not disrupt the presentation.
  551. 551.
     
  552. 552.
    >Professor Inkwell is an elderly teacher, but you can tell she knows how to keep her student's attention.
  553. 553.
    >"Now studying magic from other sources has proved to be difficult even when finding a pony's artifact. Earth ponies and pegasi-"
  554. 554.
    >She winks at your family as she speaks.
  555. 555.
    >"Create, express, and perform magic in unique ways. The older the language, the more you have to work to understand it. As for other beings, take a former student of mine for example, Twilight Sparkle. She has a young dragon companion named Spike. It was found that the Ashes to Message spell works with his fire."
  556. 556.
    >A bottle of green flames flickers on the table.
  557. 557.
    >Inkwell picks it up with her hoof and starts to flip it up and down.
  558. 558.
    >"Sometimes natural magic can substitute for spells, or rather spells imitate magic innate to a different source. There are studies dedicated to just finding those. Our world is overflowing with the magic that ties our lives together."
  559. 559.
    >Without warning, she tosses the bottle higher than usual and lets it shatter on the table.
  560. 560.
    >Students gasp as green flames consume the shards and rise into the air.
  561. 561.
    >Smaller licks of flames break off the main fireball and land in front of each student.
  562. 562.
    >A small letter appears in front of them.
  563. 563.
    >One floats right in front of you.
  564. 564.
    >Opening it up, you find it says 'Hello!'
  565. 565.
    >"Now for a special presentation. This artifact is called Earth's Gift."
  566. 566.
    >Inkwell takes out an orb to ponder upon.
  567. 567.
    >"This was made by a team of scholars to learn secrets of pre-unification earth pony tribes. Let me demonstrate."
  568. 568.
    >An apple tree is rolled into the room.
  569. 569.
    >"Just for today, everypony will be allowed to eat in class."
  570. 570.
    >With a grin, Inkwell starts skipping!
  571. 571.
    >All the while she sings in a song in a language you haven't heard before.
  572. 572.
    >Germane.
  573. 573.
    >Inkwell skips from one side of the room to the other, then flips around to buck the tree.
  574. 574.
    >The orb glows briefly.
  575. 575.
    >Tree doesn't budge, but apples fall from it like Applejack just bucked it.
  576. 576.
    >She grabs all the falling fruit with her magic and gives them out.
  577. 577.
    >"We don't know why they made a 'Fruit Falling' spell. Can anypony in class hazard a guess?"
  578. 578.
    >You raise your hoof.
  579. 579.
    >"Excellent! The new face. Come up front young colt and introduce yourself."
  580. 580.
    >Perfect.
  581. 581.
    >A short flutter brings you to the front of the class.
  582. 582.
    "Hi. I'm Anon. Visiting here from Ponyville."
  583. 583.
    >"Lovely to meet you Anon. I'm Professor Inkwell. What are your thoughts on the seemingly redundant spell?"
  584. 584.
    "While it is true that an adult would not need this spell. In a time when food needs to be gathered, and idled hooves are wasted hooves, everypony contributed. Elderly and children. I've watched an Apple filly try to buck a tree and she fails every time despite her efforts."
  585. 585.
    >"Well done, Anon. The spell becomes more effective when more ponies are present. Like a family unit."
  586. 586.
    "I know another earth pony spell if you want to see it."
  587. 587.
    >Inkwell's eyes flicker with excitement.
  588. 588.
    >"Oh really, young colt? Show us."
  589. 589.
    >You reach out for the orb and pause to get permission.
  590. 590.
    >She nods.
  591. 591.
    >Take the orb to ponder, and start to sing a familiar rhyme.
  592. 592.
    "Where the brambles are thickest, there you will find
  593. 593.
    A pond beyond the most twisted of vines.
  594. 594.
    And into his own reflection he stared,
  595. 595.
    Yearning for one whose reflection he shared,
  596. 596.
    And solemnly sweared not to be scared
  597. 597.
    At the prospect of being doubly colted."
  598. 598.
    >Orb starts to glow and now there are two of you and the orb.
  599. 599.
     
  600. 600.
    "It even works when a copy says the rhyme!"
  601. 601.
    >"I can tell! Stop that, all of you. I don't know how much the artifact can handle."
  602. 602.
    >Professor Inkwell is trying to bring order to the madness you've inflicted.
  603. 603.
    >Anondashies have poured out of the classroom into the hallway.
  604. 604.
    "An interesting fact is that the copies degrade with each new one made. Until they become one note with their desires."
  605. 605.
    >There's an Anon in every seat right now.
  606. 606.
    >One is hugging Dash, the lucky bastard.
  607. 607.
    >Sunbeam is staring wide eyed at an Anon sitting close to her.
  608. 608.
    >Each family member gets their own Anon.
  609. 609.
    >Rainbow puts her hoof down.
  610. 610.
    >"Okay enough of this, where is Anon?"
  611. 611.
    "Right here, mom."
  612. 612.
    >"Right here, mom!"
  613. 613.
    >Many voices answer her at the same time.
  614. 614.
    >"The first one! Stop singing that song! I don't need more of you."
  615. 615.
    "Aw. Well I'm pretty sure he got pushed out with the wave of other Anons."
  616. 616.
    >Inkwell is a little more on the ball.
  617. 617.
    >"How do we fix this?"
  618. 618.
    "There is a spell, look up the subject Mirror Pool."
  619. 619.
    ---
  620. 620.
    "Chancellor Neighsay, I just want you to know that you did nothing wrong."
  621. 621.
    >Several Anons are around him asking him random questions as he tries to understand the situation.
  622. 622.
    >"Why do you have that artifact? We got that on loan. Why are there several of them? Who are you!?"
  623. 623.
    "I'm Anon! We all are actually. We should do something about griffons."
  624. 624.
    >Anon on his back raises his hoof.
  625. 625.
    >"Kirin are honorable ponies."
  626. 626.
    "Agreed."
  627. 627.
    ---
  628. 628.
    "I want that one, and that one, ooooh those brownies look tasty."
  629. 629.
    >Cafeteria lady raises an eyebrow as several dozen Anons stand in line for lunch.
  630. 630.
    >Her ladle is ready to lay down the law.
  631. 631.
    >"Which experiment did you all crawl from?"
  632. 632.
    "My own! Hey, hay!"
  633. 633.
    >"Get out of the hay bucket."
  634. 634.
    ---
  635. 635.
    "I'm back nerds!"
  636. 636.
    >Many foals scream as an army of Yous leap back to the dodgeball field.
  637. 637.
    >Comet is the only one that seems happy to see you.
  638. 638.
    >P.E. teacher is already failing to chase down one of the Anons.
  639. 639.
    ---
  640. 640.
    >Books!
  641. 641.
    "Just one chapter, please."
  642. 642.
    >Librarian is seething at you for no particular reason.
  643. 643.
    >"All of you, put back those books."
  644. 644.
    >Each Anon has a book.
  645. 645.
    >Which is almost all of them on the shelves.
  646. 646.
    >Books!
  647. 647.
    ---
  648. 648.
    "So what happens when you touch the giant ball of plasma?"
  649. 649.
    >"I'd rather you didn't."
  650. 650.
    >A particular perturbed grad student looks at all the Anons dressed in PPE around him.
  651. 651.
    >Reach out with a fork in your mouth.
  652. 652.
    >An Anon turns to another Anon.
  653. 653.
    >"5 bits he turns to ash."
  654. 654.
    >"Spaghettification."
  655. 655.
    >"All right all of you out!"
  656. 656.
    >The student grabs all of you with magic and throws you out.
  657. 657.
    ---
  658. 658.
    >You can hear the song echo down the halls as you safely tuck the original under your wing.
  659. 659.
    >Welp, this is going to be a future problem.
  660. 660.
    >In about 15 minutes.
  661. 661.
    >Stand in front of Anonymous Letter's old office.
  662. 662.
    >Slowly listen to make sure Gingersnap isn't in, and open the door.
  663. 663.
    >Don't have a lot of time.
  664. 664.
    >Look over every detail of the room.
  665. 665.
    >Remember where Star Swirl put his hidden compartments.
  666. 666.
    >If tradition is upheld, you know these guys would follow his example.
  667. 667.
     
  668. 668.
    >Just like Star Swirl, the hidden compartment is on the wall after you push the hidden button under the desk.
  669. 669.
    >However, all that reveals is a blank wall.
  670. 670.
    >Moondancer told you that a spell code is needed to open the alcohol stash.
  671. 671.
    >Which means if you input a different code there should be a different result.
  672. 672.
    >Anonymous Letter put 'loss' in his abstracts in human letters.
  673. 673.
    >So you draw the symbol of loss on the wall.
  674. 674.
    >Just to cover your bases you make it a four panel comic as well.
  675. 675.
    > I Ii
  676. 676.
    > II I_
  677. 677.
    >Wall glows as you draw the lines like some kind of rune of power.
  678. 678.
    >A black void appears before you.
  679. 679.
    >Dark hallway stretches for what seems like to the horizon.
  680. 680.
    >Don't have time to play, just have to trust this is legit.
  681. 681.
    >As soon as you step through, you get warped all the way to the end.
  682. 682.
    >Wall reforms behind you instantly.
  683. 683.
    >Guts lurch as the sudden momentum changes, but thanks to your pegasus lifestyle you can handle it.
  684. 684.
    >Candles light up around you, illuminating a semicircle room.
  685. 685.
    >At the center is a round table with an orb.
  686. 686.
    >Crawl your way up the table to find a note in English.
  687. 687.
    >'The Game.'
  688. 688.
    "Fuck you asshole."
  689. 689.
    >Orb lights up.
  690. 690.
    >"Correct response. Booting up."
  691. 691.
    >Wizards orb glows blue with chirping start up sounds.
  692. 692.
    >A pony's mug appears on the crystal ball.
  693. 693.
    >"Hello. I am a limited arcane copy of Anonymous Letter. Who are you?"
  694. 694.
    "I'm Anondash."
  695. 695.
    >There's a pause as it processes.
  696. 696.
    >It's kind of strange to be speaking in human tongue again.
  697. 697.
    >"Pegasus I see. Going by my internal calendar, you are the one we've all been waiting for."
  698. 698.
    "Living through the events of the show, yeah. Rainbow Dash is my mom."
  699. 699.
    >Another pause.
  700. 700.
    >"Did not see that coming. Most unusual. That is a major deviation."
  701. 701.
    "I'll give you a quick speedrun. Pony of Shadows claimed he brought me here, but never mentioned any of you. He was riding host inside me until Nightmare Moon."
  702. 702.
    >"That does not make sense. Stygian does not have any fingerprints on any of this based on my research."
  703. 703.
    "Who did you narrow down?"
  704. 704.
    >"Despite my best efforts, I could not figure it out. Someone from the future is throwing humans into the past."
  705. 705.
    "So someone we don't know. Well that's just great."
  706. 706.
    >"Whoever it is, they know a great deal of magic. Dark magic if you are dealing with PoS is any indication. Hold on."
  707. 707.
    >Orb pauses as it turns green.
  708. 708.
    >'Soft reboot. Memory saved.'
  709. 709.
    >"Sorry, this thing is limited. Whoever it was, you were the final product to their plan."
  710. 710.
    "I've been trying to figure it out, but I fear I've only made it worse. Celestia and Luna love me, I'm about to be famous countrywide, and worse I'm the Element of Loyalty."
  711. 711.
    >Letter pauses at that.
  712. 712.
    >"You really did fuck up."
  713. 713.
    "I’m aware. Despite my efforts to keep things under the downlow."
  714. 714.
    >"Any other information?"
  715. 715.
    "My cutie mark was stolen. I can't get it."
  716. 716.
    >"Starlight? No, that doesn't line up. Maybe we are a divergent timeline created by her. Doesn't line up, no way that she could get Dash pregnant."
  717. 717.
    >The orb pauses for a moment.
  718. 718.
    >A long moment, you hit it over the top like a slow computer.
  719. 719.
    >"Sorry. Memory shortage."
  720. 720.
    "Starlight couldn't have done it. She tried to change the timeline during the first Sonic Rainboom. I was born way after that.”
  721. 721.
    >Anonymous Letter flickers a bit as it thinks.
  722. 722.
    >”Whatever the plan is, you are their final piece. Have you been preparing?”
  723. 723.
    “Gathering what I can. Can you help?”
  724. 724.
    >A secret compartment opens up with a scroll.
  725. 725.
    >Take it and open it up.
  726. 726.
    >Wait, this is a magic language codex.
  727. 727.
    “Hold on! These are different! You translated the unicorn spell language into human spell language!”
  728. 728.
    >”My life’s greatest secret work. Something I had to keep hidden. I must stress. Do not cast magic like a human unless you absolutely have to. Any pony who sees it will know that it ain’t normal. You will get discovered so quickly. The ability to cast magic like an unicorn. Did you go to the old castle?”
  729. 729.
    “Yeah, I got your scrolls you hide there. Since I am the one, I want to try to figure out the truth. Please show me the clairvoyance spell.”
  730. 730.
    >”I never got that to work for me, and it is not very reliable.”
  731. 731.
    >Orb changes to script for you to reach.
  732. 732.
    >Grab a wand hanging up in the room and hold it like a human would.
  733. 733.
    “Future past, hidden truths, tell me what I need to know.”
  734. 734.
    >So much easier when you have a cheat sheet.
  735. 735.
    >Wand glows as a white light outlines you briefly.
  736. 736.
    >Wait a moment.
  737. 737.
    >Nothing happens.
  738. 738.
    >”Seems whoever sent us might have foreseen you trying that. Never was a helpful spell.”
  739. 739.
    “So much for an easy solution. I worry I’m stumbling right into his trap.”
  740. 740.
    >”Maybe so, but such villains eventually reveal themselves in time. Trust in friendship and all that other stuff we love about ponies.”
  741. 741.
     
  742. 742.
    "Well okay, we're working with someone who is using time travel to a greater degree than the time travel scroll is capable of, so he must have an artifact to power it. Was able to get into contact, or make the same magic that powers the Pony of Shadows. Which was compatible with Nightmare Moon. Steals cutie marks. Anything else?"
  743. 743.
    >Orb screen freezes a bit before Anonymous Letter answers.
  744. 744.
    >"Quite the selection."
  745. 745.
    "How about Grogar? We never knew what happened to him."
  746. 746.
    >"He was defeated by Gusty. No one knows any more than that. I know an Anon tried to get to the bell, but failed."
  747. 747.
    "Well Celestia is going to know it's going to be a problem after she rooted around my head. She might decide to do something about it."
  748. 748.
    >Opaline?
  749. 749.
    >Ha, no.
  750. 750.
    >She's had a safe for your kids death.
  751. 751.
    >Unlike Sombra who got vaporized.
  752. 752.
    >"Does Celestia know about us?"
  753. 753.
    >Wave your hoof to dismiss the idea.
  754. 754.
    "Naw, just my memories of the show. She thinks I have clairvoyance."
  755. 755.
    >Feels like you barely progressed in figuring this all out.
  756. 756.
    >"I'm almost out of power. This orb will self-destruct when it does."
  757. 757.
    >Oh, okay.
  758. 758.
    >Was kind of hoping to keep talking with this guy in the future.
  759. 759.
    >However, safety is the better policy.
  760. 760.
    "I need the spell to dismiss the mirror pool clones."
  761. 761.
    >"Here."
  762. 762.
    >Read it off the orb and quickly cast the spell on the orb you have.
  763. 763.
    >"I need to warn you."
  764. 764.
    >?
  765. 765.
    >"A human is a being made up of a body and soul. Cognition and conscience in communion. We got split up to be made into a pony. Somewhere out there is your body."
  766. 766.
    >Your what?
  767. 767.
    "My body? As in my human body!?"
  768. 768.
    >"Another Anon, who was a mighty wizard in his own right, figured out how we were brought back. Our perpetrator did a lot of work to get this all right. A lot of bodies."
  769. 769.
    >Bodies.
  770. 770.
    >Oh.
  771. 771.
    >Oh no.
  772. 772.
    >"Is it dawning on you? We might be victims of a mass human traffic to human experimentation scheme. We got lucky. I can only imagine what happened to the first test subjects."
  773. 773.
    >There is a chill crawling up your spine.
  774. 774.
    "Where's our human bodies?"
  775. 775.
    >"None of them have ever been found. Maybe they get disposed of like trash after we get sent back."
  776. 776.
    >Some serious dark magic going on.
  777. 777.
    >To what goal!?
  778. 778.
    "Nothing good. It has to be a villain. Who could stomach doing all this unless they got black hearts. Even Discord had his limits."
  779. 779.
    >Need to leave.
  780. 780.
    "Thanks for everything."
  781. 781.
    >Orb Anon salutes you.
  782. 782.
    >"Stop fucking up. Good luck."
  783. 783.
    >Salute back as a time counter starts ticking down.
  784. 784.
    >'10'
  785. 785.
    >Don't even see 9 with how fast you are.
  786. 786.
    >Bowl into the hallway.
  787. 787.
    >Time to face the music.
  788. 788.
    >You were a bad colt.
  789. 789.
    >Fly down the fall towards the class.
  790. 790.
    >Only to get stopped in the main lobby by many confused ponies.
  791. 791.
    >"There he is? What was that? Who are you?"
  792. 792.
    >"They were called Anon. He must be Anon. Can you tell us what happened?"
  793. 793.
    >"You ate my donut! Well, a copy of you did."
  794. 794.
    >Dude needs to stop eating donuts, your copy did him a favor.
  795. 795.
    >"ANON!"
  796. 796.
    >A voice that demands attention and respect makes the entire room shudder.
  797. 797.
    >Mom.
  798. 798.
     
  799. 799.
    >You are probably banned from Magic School forevermore.
  800. 800.
    >Honestly hard to tell given the chance for magical mishaps is pretty high here.
  801. 801.
    >For now, the family and you are standing outside of the school.
  802. 802.
    >Artifact has been returned to Professor Inkwell, who was a little amused by the nonsense.
  803. 803.
    >Dash hasn't said anything substantial yet.
  804. 804.
    >Just an ever present frown.
  805. 805.
    >Grandpa Bow seems a little more forgiving.
  806. 806.
    >"Well it doesn't seem like it was that bad."
  807. 807.
    >"Not that bad!?"
  808. 808.
    >Sunbeam screeches, her voice cracking.
  809. 809.
    >Oh boy, she looks furious.
  810. 810.
    >"I stuck my neck out for you just so you can embarrass me in front of the entire school!"
  811. 811.
    >She stomps her little hoof, her wizard hat falls off as she shakes her head.
  812. 812.
    >"I thought you were nice. Not be like how my mom's fanclub says yours is always cruel. Did you just take advantage of me just so you can make me look foalish!?"
  813. 813.
    >Glory stares at the ground, clearly forcing away any tears that threaten so she won't look weak.
  814. 814.
    >"I hope you had a laugh. I don't want to see you ever again."
  815. 815.
    >She whips around and starts to stomp up the stairs to school.
  816. 816.
    >Feel a little bad, and you were using her.
  817. 817.
    >Man, you are a jerk.
  818. 818.
    >Oh well, this is for the best.
  819. 819.
    >Dash snorts as she looks down at you.
  820. 820.
    >"You really going to let her believe that?"
  821. 821.
    "Huh?"
  822. 822.
    >"You really are! You haven't changed at all. Fool me once, yeah I wouldn't see it coming. But I can recognize patterns. That was all a distraction."
  823. 823.
    >Oh crud.
  824. 824.
    >Dash isn't holding the idiot ball.
  825. 825.
    >Glory pauses at the top of the stairs.
  826. 826.
    >Rainbow hasn't stopped frowning as she starts to walk around you.
  827. 827.
    >"You thought on the fly as soon as you heard about that magic junk. What did you do?"
  828. 828.
    >She's got you pegged.
  829. 829.
    >Got to make a good lie, and every lie is given with a tinge of truth.
  830. 830.
    >You are falling into old habits again, great.
  831. 831.
    >Mumble under your breath, twist your tail over your flank, look slightly away, and ears fold down.
  832. 832.
    >"What was that? Say it louder."
  833. 833.
    "I wanted to find my cutie mark!"
  834. 834.
    >Say it loud enough, and look embarrassed enough to sell it.
  835. 835.
    "I thought I had a lead to find my cutie mark."
  836. 836.
    >Sunbeam stopped looking angry at least.
  837. 837.
    >Dash raises an eyebrow.
  838. 838.
    >"Explain more."
  839. 839.
    >Make sure this jives with any story with Moondancer if Dash talks to her later.
  840. 840.
    "I was looking for a language guide for pegasus to unicorn translation. I know there is a spell that gives you a cutie mark."
  841. 841.
    >"Oh Anon."
  842. 842.
    >Hear Grandma Posey sigh.
  843. 843.
    >"So why all this sneaking around?"
  844. 844.
    "I'm worried about what I find might not be good. It can't be good if you know who was hiding in me."
  845. 845.
    >Dash softens up and still remains stern.
  846. 846.
    >"I thought we talked about that."
  847. 847.
    >Sunbeam trots back down the stairs.
  848. 848.
    >"Find your cutie mark? That's what this is all about?"
  849. 849.
    "Pretty much. There's this--"
  850. 850.
    >Pause for emphasis.
  851. 851.
    "Bad guy who I think has it.
  852. 852.
    >Buy it, buy it, buy it.
  853. 853.
    >Rainbow rubs the back of her head as she groans in frustration.
  854. 854.
    >"That is a habit you are going to kick."

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