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>Beyond the worlds, beyond the cosmic effigy of matter and mass, beyond even the treacherous claws of time stand you
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>An unknown figure, torn from home and thrust into a strange world where Fate is manifest physically and Chaos has stable shape
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>Where the moon and sun obey the whims of beings instead of the ordinances of physics
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>Where magic permeates even the plants of the forests
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>You are Anonymous
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>And standing before you is entropy given shape
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>Discord
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>Of course you knew his name, not that you were autistic or anything
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>But who could forget anyone that John De Lancie played?
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>"Ooooh, you're an interesting thing aren't you? Kind of like a boiled monkey or something."
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>Of course your smartass attitude kicks in before your stunned silent brain can catch up
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"And you look like something Dr. Frankenstein would make, if he had been a furry."
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>Shit shit shit
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>Discord turns up his nose, muzzle, whatever it was, at you
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>"Well if you're going to be rude, I'll skip the banter and get right to the point!"
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>His claw reaches out to you, talon pointed forward set to make contact
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>But instead, perhaps three inches from your forehead, the digit blackens and crumbles away into ash
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>Discord yelps in surprise and yanks his claw away from you, his damaged talon reforming at a fair distance from you
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>"Hm, you're a tough nut to crack. Maybe some time as a squirrel would change your opinion on that."
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>A violet bolt of energy fires from his paw, and you throw your arms up to defend yourself
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>But the miasmic tendril crackles around you, above, below, and beside, turning blades of grass into minature cattle, trees into lumberjacks, and clouds into...well weirdly shaped clouds
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>Discord flies closer, staring into your eyes, from a good safe distance of course
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>"You're a curious creature, completely resistant to my charming ways. In fact, I'd say your body is downright hostile to it! That certainly makes you a danger to me..."
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>And then he gives you a grin, a grin that tells you he just had a wonderful, awful idea
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>"Say, I don't suppose you'd consider a partnership with little old moi would you? Think about it, you and me, our names in lights on Broadneigh, or at least scorched into the general area. I'll make you a star, kid, stick with me and you'll go places!"
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>You scratch your chin thoughtfully
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>On one hand, this was Discord, god of chaos, a general misanthrope, and all around not a great guy
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>On the other hand, you loved Q, and Discord was essentially Q if he had been Equestrian instead of...Q'ian.
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>You stick out your hand to shake Discord's
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"Well I suppose I could work with you, as long as no one really gets hurt."
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>The same off putting grin remains on the draconequus' face
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>"I promise, my hairless ape fellow. We won't hurt a soul."
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>Well Discord was a liar
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>Or maybe, he technically wasn't
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>After all, you hadn't seen much besides terrified ponies, or ones that had unfortuantely...expired
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>Turns out this was old school, pre-stone Discord, and he was a little more ruthless than simply mischevious
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>And aside from that, your magical resistance extended to pony magic as well
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>You walked through mystic barriers that would take Discord hours to break, shrug of blasts powerful enough to level a forest, even walk unharmed through a blaze that could best be called witchfire
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>To the ponies, especially the spellcasters, you were more terrifying than Discord
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>You'd tried to reason with them the first few times, explain that Discord just wanted a little fun, make things a bit odd for a while
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>But they'd either scream in terror and run, or blast their useless magic at you
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>The of course their barriers would be disrupted and Discord would pop in to say hello, maybe turn some buildings upside down, or whatever else he felt like doing
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>You reflect on all this as you rest in a cave outside the Everfree, waiting for an attack on the castle of the princesses' themselves
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>You consider how it got to here, sure teaming up with Discord had been morally questionable, but you just thought it was the new Discord looking for some fun]
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>And really, you'd never hurt a soul, not personally anyway, just scared them a bit
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>But an authoritative shout comes from the clearing outside the cave, where Discord was lounging in a massive throne
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>He'd refused to sit in the cave, of course
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>"Discord, thou hast harmed many of our subject these past winters. We willn't allow any further desecration of their livelihood!"
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>Shit, you knew this part, the scene was already playing out in your head
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>Discord laughed and ate his bag of seeds, taunting the two sisters standing among the chaos of the area
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>You ran forward, intent to warn him of what was going to happen
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>He may have not been a totally good guy, but you'd still made a deal to work with him
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>You shout at him as you run, but you still know it's too late, the sisters have the elements floating before them
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"Discord, move now!"
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>In an entirely unexpected turn of events, he actually follows your orders
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>Not fast enough though
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>The prismatic beam strikes Discord at the base of his tail, and you hear him scream as his body is petrified with a shocked expression on his face
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>You stop, ten feet away from the throne
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>You knew this had been coming, and it had still been a shock
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>The princesses turn on you next
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>"You're the one that is supposedly untouchable by the magic of our subjects, yes?"
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>You bow your head to them, you can almost feel what's coming next
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>Still, you keep your tone low, calm, almost sombre
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"I am."
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>The sisters look at each other, before looking back at you
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>"Will you come quietly, or share the fate of that monster at your feet?"
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>A bit of anger flares in your heart
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"He was no monster, princess. He followed his exact purpose in life, to cause chaos. Besides, he didn't banish his sister for a millenium, did he?"
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>Wait, shit that hadn't happened yet, had it?
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>This was simple, why were you getting so confused?
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>But apparently the sisters aren't having any of it, a scintillating glow grows in your peripheral vision
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>The flare of the elements strikes your chest
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>And brings with it a pain like no other
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>You skin felt as though it were burning, the breath in your lungs seemed superheated, the fillings in your teeth you thought melting
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>And your mind was aflame
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>You could have screamed, but you don't know, after less than a second in the intense radiance, you pass out
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>A rush of cold and wet brings you back to the land of awakening
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>And there's a white unicorn in front of you
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>Well, maybe you were still asleep, if you were lucky
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>A second douse with another bucket of icy water confirmed that was not the case
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>You raise your head and stare at the guard
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>He looks visibly unnerved by being near you, but then all unicorns that came anywhere close got the same look
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>You'd been taken prisoner after the elements had knocked you out
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>Some scientist looking pony had been down here numerous times, always accompanied by at least one of the princesses, running...experiments
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>Testing the limits of what your innate resistance to magic had
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>Turns out they hadn't been able to find one outside the Elements of Harmony themselves
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>Something about how they were tied to the very firmaments of the world or other sorts of hoodoo stuff
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>The guards hoof hitting your cheek snaps you out of your reverie
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>"Wake up, the princesses are here to see you."
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>Wait both?
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>What was this occasion, neither had been down here to do anything but listen to the shaman/scientist babble on
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>The sister walked in, and Luna nodded to dismiss the guard
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>The large, iron door to the chamber crashed shut and you were alone with the closest thing this world had to gods
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>"So, have you found your quarters to your liking?"
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>Sarcasm, from Luna?
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>Surely this must have been Bizzaro Equestria
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"Well actually these manacles are quite chaffing, and the anklets are a little heavy. Plus you've got me strung up so I look like Jesus Dalai Lama Christ here."
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>Well that got a blank stare from them
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>And then your bindings broke open, dropping you to the floor
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>You land flat on your face, not used to having to support your weight
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>After a moment, you push yourself up, using the wall to hold you up more than anything
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"Why would you let me go?"
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>Luna sneers and looks away, while Celestia gives you a stern, almost parental look
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>"We can easily handle you ourselves if you decided to attack. Aside from that, during our last encounter you mentioned something that has caused...strife between us."
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>Celestia leans down to look you in your eyes, her tone carrying a weight of seriousness that made you realize the gravity of that one slip of the tongue
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>"I wish for you to cooperate with us. Should you do so, we can provide you with certain...amenities that a cell may not have otherwise."
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>So cooperate for goodies, or don't and probably be tortured until you spoke anyways
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>You didn't have a grudge against Celestia, and Discord was petrified, so its a fairly easy choice
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"Sure, don't really have anything better to do."
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>The sun goddess smiles at you, then back at her sister
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>"Excellent, you may begin by telling us exactly how you got here..."
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>You tried to relate a coherent tale of exactly how you got to Equestria, you really did
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>But, for whatever reason, you simply couldn't
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>You'd started out talking a bit about the town you grew up in, a little place in Canada, in the shadow of a mountain
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>Then it had gone into something about a life on the streets of Vancouver that you'd never had
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>After that, something about how a rift between worlds had opened before you, and your choice to step into it
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>Of course, that had never happened, but you couldn't really remember how you'd showed up
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>You simply remember being at home in one instant, than facing down Discord the next
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>But it was halfway through this explanation that you had an epiphany
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>You could be whomever you wanted to be
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>The ponies had no knowledge of your world in general, and humans specifically
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>This was your chance to reinvent yourself, a restart button to life
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>So that's exactly what you went with
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>"So why did you step through the portal? It makes no sense for you to simply give up everything in your life, just to go to another world."
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>That was from Luna, she had seemed taken in with the idea of someone letting go of their past to move forward
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>You lean back against the wall, slumping down a bit
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"That's simply how I am. I knew that I was in a good place in my life, and could have stayed there in comfort, but what if there had been some poor soul on the other end that had needed my help and never got it, simply because I wanted to be comfortable and safe? No, I had to step through, I would have never been able to sleep well again otherwise."
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>Luna seems enraptured by your words, grinning like a young girl watching her idol speak
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>Celestia was not so taken, but certainly seemed more relaxed than she had been before
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>"So, after you came to Equestria, why would you side with Discord?"
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>This was going to be a tough one...
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"See, when I arrive, I actually appeared directly in front of him. He was very fast in greeting me and seemed like an...amicable fellow, and I needed any allies I could get in a strange, new world."
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>The sun goddess squints at you, clearly not entirely satisfied
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>"But even after you found out he was evil, you still stayed his ally. Why would you do anything like that?"
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>She had said exactly what you wanted her to say, activated your trap card, if you will
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"Because I agreed to help him, princess. And I am, if nothing else, a man of my word."
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>Celestia grins and nods her head, and Luna's eyes widen slightly
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>"Well, I suppose I can't fault you for something like that. Especially since you're so young. Idealism, while not an excuse for foolishness, is a quality that I find many of my advisors. Perhaps you may find a place in our society and actually do the good that you'd come here to."
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>She rises, and her younger sister joins her
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>Together they leave the room, but before they shut the door, Luna turns to speak one last time
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>"We shall see to it that you receive what was promised to you for your cooperation. Please accept my personal apologies for the discomfort you must suffer until we can procure the items."
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>You give her your idea of what a roguish grin is and bow your head slightly
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"I'm already more comfortable, princess. Not being hung on the wall anymore."
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>She giggles a bit and a thick blanket floats into the room, grasped by her magic aura
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>You take it as the door shuts with a crash, wrapping it around your body
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>The day, while not particularly strenuous, had drained you of the little energy you had left
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>And in spite of the scratching of the clearly woolen blanket, you find yourself nodding off already
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>Well, perhaps in your dreams you would find the answers to what would happen next...
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-
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>Nope, there were no answers to be found in sleep
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>Only strange, twisted dreams full of bizarre creatures and nightmarish monstrosities that sparkled with a pale halo surrounding a black body
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>And yet, you never felt scared, or even mildly panicked
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>You felt at peace with these beasts of your dreamscape
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>It was a disturbing thought, one that distracted you until breakfast was brought in by a guard
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>Bread, milk, and some kind of mash that could have been potatoes, but still tasted delicious
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>After that, you were left alone with your thoughts for some time longer
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>What HAD brought you to Equestria to begin with?
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>For as much of you do remember of your old life, boredom in school, working in a dead end job to pay for your tiny apartement, poor diet, and distractions
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>You don't remember the events leading up to your arrival
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>For that matter, the entire day before seeing Discord wasn't just blurry, it seemed to be entirely gone from your memory
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>Like something had removed it from your mind
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>Then you consider how the elements had felt when they'd hit you
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>It burned, without a doubt, but almost like it was burning away your very soul, the essence of what you were
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>And weren't you supposed to be immune to magic? How had the elements affected you at all? Was that science pony right?
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>Your head begins to ache as the weight of possibilities bears down on your thoughts, before they're interupted by the opening of the door
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>It's Luna, and she's...alone?
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>"Come with me."
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>It wasn't a request
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>You rise and follow her as she exits the room, and notice a distinct lack of guardsme-- guardsponies at the door
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>She walked down the corridors of the castle with practiced familiarity, and you trailed behind, almost skulking in the shadows
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>Finally you arrive in a tower and you see that it's still in the early hours of the morning, before the sun has yet risen
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>Luna stares into the distance at the lowering moon, her back to you
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>Come on, say something, you're not this autistic
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>"So, what is your name?"
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>Dammit, she beat you to it
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"Uh...Anonymous, princess."
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>Wait, shit, really?
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>Out of all the names you could have chosen, your own included, you said that?
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>Well maybe you are just a mite autistic after all
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>Luna turns her head to look at you
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>"An interesting name, for an interesting being. And you're a...human correct?"
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>You simply nod, curious to see where she was going with this
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>A book floats towards you, already opened to a page, damaged by fire
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>You recognize the top half of the Vitruvian Man, the famous Da Vinci drawing, and some kind of illegible chicken scratch around it
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>"This is a copy of a tome composed by the Sages of Tusmadar, beings that came long before ponies inherited this land. My sister burned many of the writings, as they contained writs of darkness and evil sorcery, but not all of them."
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>You thumb through the pages carefully, seen other diagrams of humans, often alongside archaic machines of war
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>"I sequestered this one away from the fires, though I was not able to save it all, you can certainly see why I did what I could. Anonymous, you may just be the most important link to this land that has ever been found."
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>She places a hoof on your shoulder, having moved from the window to your side while you were distracted by the book
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>You look up and see her smiling at you, practically beaming in joy
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>"You have shown a strange sense of devotion, and in spite of your naivety, I would like to anoint you as a royal emissary. You would stay within the palace, mostly, and be a most honoured guest. As well, you'd get to learn more of our culture, and be able to bring a...unique perspective to council meetings."
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>You gently close the volume and scratch your chin, in dire need of the attention of a razor
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"What would your sister say, though? Shouldn't we consult her about this as well?"
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>Luna giggles, sounding almost too girly for a moment
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>"'Tis easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission."
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>Well, it seems some things did carry over from your old world after all
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>So you'd be essentially an advisor, get a room in the palace, food to eat, and even be considered a guest?
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>Was there any reason to say no?
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>Certainly none that came to mind as you thought further
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"I can't see any reason not to. I accept your offer, princess, with dignity. And thank you."
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>Her smile grows wider and her horn begins to glow, lowering towards your forehead
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>It makes contact and you feel a cool sensation on your forehead, moving about in a strange pattern
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>"Then it is done. Anonymous, human traveller from Earth, be welcomed into the fold of the royal council of Equestria."
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>Today was turning out to be good so far
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>It seemed the first order of business after receiving your new position was attending the early morning assembly of the council
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>When you walked into the room, looking quite disheveled in your dirty, torn suit and scraggly beard, the silence seemed almost rehearsed
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>But the tension between Luna and Celestia was heavy in the air
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>At the beginning they'd gone aside and had a few terse words between them, then sat down like nothing was wrong
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>Of course, everyone knew that even the smallest step over the territory of whatever subject they'd spoken of would result in an explosion, so the meeting proceeded as though it'd never happened
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>It was dry and dreary for the most part, economics, labour distribution, progress on certain projects, and counts of stocks for wintertime
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>You politely interjected when they began speaking of military matters, the place your interest truly lay
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>Apparently the number of professional soldier in Equestria numbered fewer than the population of your hometown
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>Of course, outside Discord, there likely hadn't been any major wars or threats that needed any sort of standing army you'd see back home
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>You noted to the Lord General at the table that, while a small professional force could be an excellent formation, keeping a larger reserve group in case of threats like Discord rearing their heads would not be a terrible idea
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>He seemed taken aback by the suggestion and actually liked the idea
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>Luna agreed readily as well, adding that even though Discord was imprisoned in stone, there were other threats to Equestria that still existed
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>Celestia begrudgingly agreed, and the plans were set in motion
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>After it was ensured that no one had any other subject to bring up, the meeting was adjourned
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>Celestia beckoned you and Luna over to her after the others had exited the room
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>"So my sister thought it wise to make you a councilor after two days in the cells and a barely begun interogation?"
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>You open your mouth to answer, but Luna butts in before you can speak
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>"Please, Celestia. He's hardly a significant threat anymore, especially here with all the guards about the place. And I believe that, despite his ignorance of our world and childish ideals, he has already proven that he thinks in a way that none of us do. Plus, he has a good spirit, that much I have gathered in this short time."
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>Celestia whirled on her sister, eyes narrowed in anger
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>"It is not your place to decide these things on your own, Luna. He is still a prisoner and undergoing interogation. He's not to be trusted until we can be entirely sure that--"
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>Celestia's tirade stops at Luna magically brushes aside your bangs, showing where she'd touched you with her horn earlier
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>She looks shocked, almost sickly, and you were sure that, were she not covered in an ivory coat, she'd be deathly pale
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>"It's too late to change anything, sister. But rest assured that he will not leave my sight until I am sure he is trustworthy."
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>The shaken Celestia sits on the floor, looking crushed, betrayed, but beyond that...
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>She looked scared
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>"If there's nothing else, dear sister, I will retire to my chambers for the day. Send someone to wake me for the twilight gathering."
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>Luna turns and walks out, and you trail after her, more out of guilt than anything else
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>When you reach her chambers, she invites you inside to speak
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>You'd been staying quiet for fear of causing a scene in the corridors, but you can't stay silent any longer
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"Just what the hell was that, Luna? Why did Celestia look at me like that, but more importantly, why did you talk to her like that?"
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>Luna sits on her bed and gestures to a large make up cabinet on one side of the room
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>"For the first, just look at your forehead."
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>You walk over to the mirrored table and brush aside your bangs as Luna had done
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>In the center of your forehead, in dark blue shades, was a sign of a moon inside of the sun
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>Your jaw drops, you'd felt her horn inscribing something on your forehead, but you'd figured it was some tradition to annoint you
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>This was...
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>"It is the crest of the princesses of Equestria, a royal mark that all diplomats bear to mark their special status. Short of commiting major crimes, it entails a great deal of leniency on the part of your action, as well as marking you as a trusted fellow of the kingdom."
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>The weight of that crashes on your shoulders and you sit down in a chair heavily, staring at the floor
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>Luna continues, seemingly oblivious to your state
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>"As for how I addressed her, she has the same authority as I do. I had just as much right to annoint you as she would, I just did it on my own timetable instead of hers. And you shouldn't be worried about it, you'd likely be in that dungeon for weeks if my sister had her way."
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>A yawn escapes the princess of the night and she gestures with her hoof at you
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>"Now away with you, I must sleep. One of my guards will show you to your new chambers."
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>You step outside the door as Luna lays her head down, your mind still whirling about the events at the meeting
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>A bat pony guard steps forward and bows to you
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>"Sir, my princess requested that I escort you to your room. Please follow me."
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>You go along numbly, staring at the floor for most of the journey, and only raising your head to gaze at some of the splenderous tapestries and statuary that decorated the castle
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>It was both beautiful and humbling to be in a place like this
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>The guard clears her throat and gestures to a door
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>"Your chambers, sir."
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>You thank the leather winged guard and enter the room, shutting the oaken portal behind you
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>Your gaze wanders around the spacious area, eyes widening as you take in your surroundings
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>The bed was massive, taking up nearly a fifth of the area, there was a wardrobe as well, along with another mirrored stand and a full sized bathroom just separate
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>It was better than the most ritzy hotel you'd ever stayed at
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>Despite the dawning day outside, you feel drained from the meeting and subsequent events
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>You wander over to the bed, after stripping down to your pants, pull back the covers and flop down and fall almost instantly asleep
by Clarissa
by Clarissa
by Clarissa
by Clarissa
by Clarissa