On the train to Canterlot, Emerald, Opal, and Magni encountered Burning Ember, went to the Dream World, and met their counterparts. Magni befriended Crescendo and the train is now under attack.
Magni looked at the imps, then at the ponies fleeing. Talking their small size into account, she simply slammed her hooves into a group when she landed. With a confident voice, Magni yelled, "Just step on them!"
A group of young stallions and mares stopped, turning around and jumping onto remaining imps. Magni gave the group pf ponies her thanks before continuing her journey towards the engine room.
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Sunset Skies
4/7/2013 07:38:36 am
As Magni entered the engine room, the door behind her was suddenly slammed shut. It was difficult to tell who was there in the darkness of the car. A raspy, almost desperate voice called out to Magni. "You're a brave little pony, aren't you? I wouldn't expect a filly like you to confront me."
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Emerald
4/7/2013 07:57:54 am
As Emerald started manipulating the winds speeding past him, he noted the bizarre red color of the flames. Emerald ceased performing his spell, and felt the fire for any magical energy. Reaching forward with his aura, Emerald felt a tingling creep down his horn. Sure enough, this fire was magical in nature. Knowing this, Emerald began the simple process of Dispelling the fire, using his own magic to unravel that of the flames. The process was much easier than trying to extinguish the fire than through normal means.
Proud of his handiwork, Emerald climbed up onto the roof of the charred train, making certain that the caboose was entirely free of any burning. As he set his hooves steady upon the train, he noticed a colt standing before him. In the dim light of the stars above, Emerald could barely make out a pair of bat wings on him.
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Magni
4/7/2013 08:10:47 am
Magni looks to the side, muttering, "I'm not a filly..." With a new-found confidence, Magni looks up to her. "I'm here to stop you."
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Sunset Skies
4/7/2013 08:16:51 am
With a chuckle, Sunset Skies launches herself forward, pinning Magni down, and, in the light of the burning coals, reveals her scarred face. She was a pink pony, with a black mane, striped with pink. She revealed wings with feathers tipped black. The right wing was noticeably missing several feathers. "What's so great about the light? The day is a time when everypony can see you, mock you, exclude you."
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Tranquility
4/7/2013 08:41:55 am
Unfazed by Opal's transformation, the bat pony launched into the air with a flap of her wings. Suddenly, a metallic clicking sound rang out, and from her wings extended twin blades, shining in the light. Swiftly, the mare swooped down between the two ponies, aiming to slash them both.
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Magni
4/7/2013 12:11:57 pm
She didn't try to fight back, instead looking away. "I know that... I've been the mockery of a lot of people..." she muttered, childhood traumas haunting the back of her mind. Tears started brimming on her eyes, and she let out a quiet sob. "I feel sorry for you, though..."
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Sunset Skies
4/8/2013 04:42:56 am
Sunset Skies was taken aback. "You're just saying that." In a fit, the pegasus leapt up from Magni, flying out through a window. "Well don't just sit there!" Crescendo chimed in. "Slow the train down and go after her!"
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Emerald
4/8/2013 09:06:17 am
Emerald created before him a small orb of light using his Illumination spell. He could see the reflection of the colt's yellow eyes staring at him. "What's up?" Emerald smiled awkwardly at the pony who continued to stare at him.
"Hi, my name's Passion!" The colt beamed at Emerald, reaching into a utility belt to reveal a remote. "Good job getting rid of the fire! Now I can bring out my robot." With a press of a button, a loud clanking sound began, and a bulky, metallic pony-like creature climbed the side of the train. Emerald stepped back as the machine put himself between the two ponies, turning to face Emerald. "It's nothing personal, but I can't let you continue. You understand, right?" Passion cocked his head to the side as his robot stood up on its hind legs, extending its front legs toward Emerald. A red light pulsed around the hooves, and Emerald realized it was charging a magical attack.
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Magni
4/9/2013 06:36:12 am
Magni nodded at Crescendo's words, grabbing the lever and bringing the train to a halt. She bolted through the window, seeing the now dim form of Sunset Skies ahead of her.
Sending more power to her wings, Magni caught up, a little behind the pegasus. "I'm not just saying it!" she yelled, eyes watering from the speed. "I know how you feel!"
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Emerald
4/9/2013 07:54:54 am
As the train rapidly decelerated, Emerald was suddenly flung backwards. Falling out over the caboose, Emerald reached out and grabbed at the ladder, clinging for dear life. Overhead, the android toppled over, falling off of the train. Emerald let out a sigh of relief as the robot toppled over on the ground below, only to get back up. High above, Passion pressed a button, and two rods glowing red emerged from the automaton's shoulders. The sound of its vibration was only exceeded by the rush of a passing train.
"Another train?" Emerald understood he only had one chance. In an act of desperation, Emerald began Improvising a spell. In quick succession, his horn was shrouded in one, then two, and finally three layers of purple essence. In one go, he unleashed his built-up energy onto the mechanism, which suddenly flew from the ground, embedding itself into the nearby train.
"That worked... Far too well." Exhausted, Emerald pulled himself back on top of the train, and collapsed. From somewhere above him, a voice rang out. "Wow, you're really something, mister! I sure hope some day we could collaborate!"
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Magni
4/9/2013 08:16:27 am
Pushing another wave of force to her wings, Magni wrapped her hooves around Sunset's lower torso. She flipped herself onto of the stopped train, pinning Skies beneath her.
'Crescendo, would you like to take over? You might be better at interrogation than I am.'
Crescendo chuckled deeply, her voice meshing with Magnifico's. "Sure kid."
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Crescendo
4/10/2013 10:30:13 am
Taking control of Magni's body and feeling the pony fall into her own mind, Crescendo stood over Sunset Skies. "The sweet little pony's gone for now. I want answers, please." With a glare, Crescendo pushed her snout against Sunset's. "What were you doing on the train, and why were you trying to derail it."
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Opal
4/13/2013 07:38:40 am
Opal dodges, careful not to touch those pointy sharps, and attempts to pin her down. "How did you do that?" he growled, confused. Since he can transform into creatures, he quickly learns the anatomy of them at sight, and these blades were not part of the bat pony.
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Burning Ember
4/13/2013 08:15:55 am
"Seems like a simple switchblade, strapped to her wings. Probably spring operated." Burning Ember pointed to the metal canister, meant to conceal and release the blade at the whim of its user. "You're smarter than you look, pony." Tranquility's face held no panic as she swiftly pulled her hind legs, pushing against Opal's chest and, in one motion, propelled herself over Opal. Using her wings, she flung herself toward Burning Ember, who was already preparing her spell. As the mares collided, a cone of red flames erupted from her horn, launching the other pony across the train. Tranquility showed no sign of pain as she touched down on the roof. Behind her, she heard the voice of another pony.
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Crescendo
5/29/2013 02:14:31 pm
Taking control of Magni's body and feeling the pony fall into her own mind, Crescendo stood over Sunset Skies. "The sweet little pony's gone for now. I want answers, please." With a glare, Crescendo pushed her snout against Sunset's. "What were you doing on the train, and why were you trying to derail it?"
Sunset Skies wriggled underneath Crescendo, who was now smirking. However, before she could do anything, she was caught off guard by a mare with wing-blades slicing through the air toward her. Crescendo jumped back, and Sunset Skies flew up to meet Tranquility. A third pony flew over to them.
"Tranquility! Sunset Skies! This unicorn magnetized my robot to this train! He might be even a better magician than Father!" Tranquility showed no change in emotion. Sunset Skies, however, was irate. "You moron! They didn't know our names!" The pegasus put a hoof to her forehead. "Let's just get back to the Chief. We'll have to report the mission as a failure." Without another word, the three ponies flew off into the distance, disappearing in the night sky.
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Opal
5/31/2013 09:40:21 am
"... Well that happened." Opal walks closer to Crescendo and Emerald. "I have no Idea if I succeeded or failed. How about you Mag?" Opal shows a face of slight relief.
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Magni
6/4/2013 05:13:00 am
Magni sighs and lowers her head. "Yeah, I accomplished what I want to do but I'm worried."
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Emerald
6/10/2013 01:39:15 pm
Emerald brushed his hoof against the roof of the train, looking downcast. "It seems there's more at play her than we'd anticipated. Dawn won't come, we have to deal with our Reflections- a term I'm coining now, by the way- and now it seems we're facing full-on terrorism." Emerald looked around at the ponies standing with him. Magni seemed distressed, and Opal was his usual nonchalant self. To his right was Burning Ember, who looked at him quizzically. He returned the look of confusion. "What were you doing up here?"
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Burning Ember
6/10/2013 01:45:54 pm
"Seriously?" Ember rolled her eyes. "I was up here fighting before you three even showed up. That filly would have burned, too, if we hadn't been interrupted." Ember shook her hoof as she talked, turning to glare at Opal.
"Seems to me like you would have burned the train down, to." Emerald declared, pacing down the car. "Don't think I didn't notice. That fire was magical in origin." Ember groaned. "I was going to take care of that once I'd finished. Without me here, your friend would be dead." Ember gestured to Opal, Emerald looking at him expectantly.
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Magni
6/12/2013 12:09:10 pm
With a confused, distressed tone, Magni cried, "Guys, now's not the time to fight! Without the Dawn, our Reflections will win!" She looked between them, her eyes wide. "Now, Emerald, what should we do?" Magni looked up at the colt. "Should I ask 'Cendo for information or something?" Her voice cracked, "Anything?"
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Emerald
6/13/2013 12:42:07 am
Emerald rolled his eyes, Ember turning and shaking her head. "I guess you two are getting along better, then? That makes some of us, at the least... How do you and Crescendo, well, work, I suppose?"
Meanwhile, Burning Ember trotted over to Opal. "Can you believe this guy? He thinks I can't handle a fight. You saw me deal out the pain, right?"
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Magni
6/13/2013 12:47:13 am
Magni looked at the choker around her neck, then glanced back at Emerald. "Honestly, I have no clue. We just... speak in my mind? I mean, I can give her control of my body, and I just sorta sit in the back if my head, watching," she attempted to explain. "It's like two people sharing a body?"
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Emerald
6/13/2013 12:51:05 am
"Interesting..." Emerald scratched at his chin in thought. "At any rate, it would seem as though she can prove helpful to us on our quest. Perhaps you should try getting some more information from her, if you think it's a good idea. Be sure to relay anything to us afterward." Emerald turned toward the hatch on top of the train. "In the meantime, I'll take stock of the situation at hand, and hopefully get us back on the track to Canterlot." Emerald trotted over to the hatch, intending to drop inside.
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Magni
6/13/2013 12:58:44 am
As Emerald walked away, Magni closed her eyes. 'If 'Cendo can take me into a part of my subconscious and stand to talk with me, perhaps I can as well!' She focused on the serene lake she had met Emerald at and soon found herself there. Crescendo appeared from behind a tree, and she gave her counterpart a look.
"Crescendo," Magni said, a certain confidence in her. "We need to know what you know."
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Crescendo
6/13/2013 01:06:06 am
"Well, that is a rather vast subject..." Crescendo chuckled, swooping into the air. "You'll have to ask the right questions, friend. What is it you'd like to know?"
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Magni
6/13/2013 01:09:33 am
"What are your goals, Crescendo? Or, what WERE your goal? What is that group's GOALS?"
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Crescendo
6/13/2013 01:18:37 am
Crescendo paused for a moment, thinking. "Our world is, in many ways, the polar opposite of yours. You see, while in your world, ponies live in harmony, or at least used to, in our world, ponies live in constant fear of each other. Our society revolves around a certain... Power struggle. Only the most skilled and capable of ponies thrive while the weak are crushed underhoof. M-metaphorically speaking, of course!" Crescendo flushed. She was worried she'd upset Magni. "The weak were simply subjugated, forced to work under the rule of the strong. This was the basic structure of our Equestria."
Crescendo continued, not stopping for Magni's input. "However, as of late, the ponies in our world were becoming... Complacent. The strong were less willing to keep their power over the others, and some had in fact begun working together with the weaker ponies. Obviously to us this was not acceptable. That's when everything started..."
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Magni
6/13/2013 01:21:04 am
Without thinking, Magni asked, "Were you a weaker pony? Like me?"
Then she shook her head. "Nevermind. What is 'everything that started'?"
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Crescendo
6/13/2013 01:32:37 am
Crescendo tried to hold back laughter, but failed. "Me? Weak? That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" Crescendo took some time to regain her composure. "Of course, the start of our quest. It began one afternoon, when everypony was asleep. Normally, we weren't able to dream, and in fact the entire concept seemed foreign, but that day, the six of us started dreaming. We dreamt of a world where ponies lived in harmony, working together instead of against one another. It was the world we felt we were drifting toward. It was disgusting. At the time, at least."
Crescendo looked out toward the lake, sunlight gleaming on the surface. It was a beautiful place, a clearing in the middle of a forested area. Crescendo considered how lovely it could be, to play peaceful music here. She couldn't remember the last time she'd played for pleasure. "That night, when we awoke, we found that it was, in fact, not night, but the day remained. Together, we decided we had to go to Canterlot to fix this, enacting our plan to seize power from the princesses under the convenient guise of ending the day. It's hard to tell without the sun ever having moved, along with the switching of perspectives, but I believe that was a little over one day ago now."
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Magni
6/13/2013 02:43:34 am
"So... you guys were going to take power from the princesses--who I'm sure are mean and jerks in your world--and make it night again? Wow! It's the exact opposite of our mission!" Magni looked surprised and a little excited, but she pressed forward, "Who all was on your team?.. And why are they trying to kill us?"
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Crescendo
6/13/2013 03:05:35 am
"You know who was on our team. It was the six of us you saw in the dream world. And no, the plan was never to kill you. That would be a detriment to us as well." Crescendo sighed. "I suppose I should explain. This is mostly speculation based on what we've experienced, but as the same entity, we sort of share a fate. Meaning, if one of us dies, so does the other. This is why I wanted to absorb you; I didn't want you to die, and therefore kill me as well. Ultra-Violet chose to ignore you guys, but I didn't want to let that threat persist. Of course in the long run, I'm glad you won." Crescendo smiled tenderly at her counterpart.
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Magni
6/13/2013 03:09:05 am
Magni's eyes widened. "You... you were trying to protect us? By absorbing us?" She shook her head, "This is all so weird..."
She looked up and smiled at Crescendo. "I'm glad you're here, though, 'Cendo. You make me confident. And it's a..." Magni flushed at the embarrassing statement, "It's a nice feeling."
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Opal
6/13/2013 03:31:57 am
"I saw you fight, and it was great. Emerald is probably still in a morning mood, since we woke up to this whole catastrophe." Opal turns from a manticor back into a unicorn. "Your fire magic is great, honestly, I sure wouldn't want to mess with you, but we all have accidents sometimes. I think I understand why Emerald's so suspicious; it makes sense that a pony skilled in creating fire could be the source of a fire. Maybe you could explain yourself to him?" Opal casts a glance in Emerald's direction.
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Ember
6/13/2013 03:40:26 am
Burning Ember sighed, looking down at her hooves. "The thing is, I really did set the train on fire. It was an accident of course, but I don't think he'll respect me if I tell him that. You have to understand, I didn't want anyone to come to harm. I just, sort of... Got caught up in the moment, I suppose." Ember snarled, angry with herself.
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Opal
6/13/2013 07:23:47 am
"When I met Emerald, I wanted to keep a secret from him, but he pushed it right out of me. Then, I knew I had a friendship to last." Opal looks sympathetically at the orange haired pony. "I'm sure the same thing could happen to you."
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Ember
6/13/2013 07:53:10 am
Ember huffed, blowing hair from her face. "I'm not looking to make any friends here. I'm just trying to get to Canterlot for the MTech Faire. I'll actually be meeting a friend there, just so you know."
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Opal
6/13/2013 08:40:17 am
"Alright, All I'm saying is, Em's a nice guy in the long run, As long as you tell him the truth." Opal cast her a reassuring glance. "Just try with him, and I'm positive it will come repay you someday. Maybe even at the faire."
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Ember
6/13/2013 08:42:59 am
"Whatever." Ember trotted over and dropped down the hatch Emerald went down.
Crescendo smiled at Magni as she and the lake faded away.
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Emerald
6/13/2013 08:59:35 am
Emerald walked to the engine room, calming ponies down along the way. Once there, he activated the intercom system, telekinetically grasping the microphone, speaking into it. "Excuse me, mares and gentlecolts, the threat has been eliminated and the train will continue along its course once all ponies have been accounted for. At this time all ponies should line up in front of their rooms. Your cooperation is appreciated."
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Opal
6/13/2013 09:05:01 am
Immediately, he looks up bat ponies in his form list. Opal loses his horn, grows big bat wings, and hovers. He then puts his book away and looks toward Magni.
Opal learned bat pony!
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Magni
6/13/2013 09:07:48 am
With a look at the starry sky, Magni sighed. Her gaze then found Opal. "What have we gotten into, Opal?" she asked him. "I mean... Counterparts? Eternal darkness? What is this? And... WHY us?"
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Opal
6/14/2013 04:33:14 am
"I don't know, Magni. Maybe we got sucked into the situation because of the unlikeliness of us ourselves to do so on purpose." Opal stretches his newer wings to hold Magni for a second, seeing she is going down, mentally. "Just think about it, Crescendo's world is almost exact opposite of ours. I never even noticed this dark for a couple of days, and once I did, I had no idea what to try to do, I was too busy with my mom. So likely the darker me is part of the team, and was entirely willing to leave family if he had any, to get rid of the day." Opal looks sad with memories of his mother. "So Crescendo's story proves yours, and Ultra Violet's proves Emerald's." Opal shows a more determined face. "It's not a matter of why we restore balance, it's a matter of when it's over." Opal looks at Magni, and hopes his explanation of the situation is true, and reassures his friend. He holds his dragon-like wings out, and stares at Magni. What he sees in this young pony is a faint reflection of Polychrome. Opal almost begins crying, happy to see that he is somewhat becoming his mother, being more able to try to support other ponies, like Poly supported him as a colt.
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Magni
6/14/2013 06:28:53 am
Magni looked up from beneath her lashes, and her voice shook. "It's about what's at the end, Opal?" She shook her head as she wrapped her hooves around the pony. "Okay... I guess that makes sense." After the hug, she smiled at the slightly older colt. "Opal, I'm glad we're friends. I guess, in a weird way, I'm glad this all happened. I'm glad I met you, and Emerald, and Marina, and
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Magni (cont.)
6/14/2013 06:32:16 am
Star Gazer and 'Cendo! I'm certain we'll meet more ponies on the way." Her smile widened. "Come on, I'm positive Emerald needs our help."
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Emerald
6/14/2013 06:06:51 pm
"Well, that's it, then," Emerald declared as he made his way through the train, using the list of passengers the conductor gave him. "Everypony is present and accounted for. I'll inform the conductor that we may proceed to our destination. You may all return to your cabins at this time." Emerald quickly trotted back through the first two cars, where he saw Burning Ember waiting for him. Emerald motioned for her to follow him. "I do hope you're not trying to deter Opal from this mission we're on. He's somewhat vital to our cause." Ember grunted. "You heard what I said, then." The two approached the engine room in silence, where they found the conductor waiting for the signal. Emerald nodded to the other pony, and he pulled a lever, the train starting down the track.
"So tell me, Burning Ember, what is it you want?" The mare sighed. "I want you to understand me. That I didn't mean to start that fire." Emerald nodded absentmindedly. "Of course I know you meant nopony harm. It's just that your recklessness very nearly cost us our lives." Ember groaned. "This is what I can't stand about your type. You're too busy looking down on everypony else to respect them. We're not your equals, we're just your pawns. And I'm sure your 'friends' are starting to feel the same way. At least the Opal guy complimented my abilities."
A lump caught in Emerald's throat. She'd hit a nerve. "I'm sorry, but I don't think respect should be earned through power alone. Your magic, while astonishing, is incredibly dangerous! You have a lot to learn about wielding it responsibly."
The pair looked away from each other silently for some time. "You think it's astonishing?" Ember said, voice nearly inaudible. The beginnings of a smile appeared on her face.
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Magni
6/15/2013 12:37:10 pm
Magni arrived just as the pair looked away from each other. After she saw Burning Embers small smile, she approached them. "Emerald?" she asked in a quiet voice, "Do you need my help? You seem to have gotten everything under control..." Her eyes flickered around the cart before she sighed. "I have a lot to tell you."
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Emerald
6/15/2013 12:42:25 pm
"Well, the train is moving once again. Why don't we gather in the cabin and discuss what we've learned? We'll have to fill Burning Ember in on everything we've encountered thus far as well." Ember looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "Like it or not, you're a part of this now. There's a lot we have to tell you."
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Magni
6/15/2013 12:45:25 pm
The nod Magni gave in response was immediate, and she looked at Ember. "Welcome to the team, Burning Ember. I hope... I hope we can be friends?"
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Ember
6/15/2013 12:48:12 pm
Ember huffed. "We'll see about that. My plan was to meet up with someone at the MTech Faire, and I don't plan on abandoning him. You'll have to factor that in if you'd like me to stick around." Emerald nodded, and together they made their way to the cabin.
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Magni
6/15/2013 01:00:50 pm
As they entered the cabin, Magni looked between the unicorns in front of her. "So... Any questions you have before we tell our tale?" she quietly asked Ember, her eyes downcast.
The pony intimidated her, her action was only natural!
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Ember
6/15/2013 01:06:39 pm
"I'm certain anything I don't understand now will be explained shortly, but I suppose right now I'd like to know what's going on with the sun No one else has really seemed to notice at this point, but you said that dawn wouldn't come. Do you know why that is?" Emerald chuckled.
"We don't know any more than you at this point. That's precisely why we're going to Canterlot. There's an obvious problem with the Princesses that needs to be addressed."
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Magni
6/15/2013 01:08:44 pm
Softly, Magni muttered, "It's almost as if the worlds are switching..."
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Emerald
6/15/2013 02:21:24 pm
Silently, Opal slid into the room behind Magni. "Alright, now that everyone's here, we'll start with what we know." Emerald turned to address Burning Ember. "Now, all of this began about- well, it's hard to tell when- twelve to eighteen hours ago, when Magni and I were extinguishing a fire that had started on my tree-house library." Ember raised a hoof to interject. "Please save all questions until the end. This is a long ride."
"After performing a rather complex spell, I collapsed from magical exhaustion. Magni took me to her house, where I began dreaming of a stallion who looked just like me, aside from the eyes. This stallion, who called himself Ultra-Violet, told me about how he'd make it night forever, and that the Elements of Harmony would be useless against him. I'd assume he's responsible for the unusual darkness at this time."
"Shortly thereafter, Magni and I began researching the Elements of Harmony, but learned very little. Only that Twilight Sparkle, a great magician of the past, wielded them along with five of her friends. After that, we headed into the Everfree Forest to meet with Sage, the oldest and wisest pony we knew, to learn more. There we met Opal, and, deciding we needed his help, found a flower deep in the forest that could cure his mother, earning his trust and companionship on this mission. In finding the flower, though, we also encountered a group of timber wolves, which we quickly dispatched, and Magni's doppleganger, Crescendo, who attacked us using strange dark powers. We defeated her, and Magni somehow absorbed her, thus receiving an Element of Harmony, specifically Loyalty, the Element previously represented by Rainbow Dash, former captain of the Wonderbolts."
"Perhaps I should explain. The Elements of Harmony are ancient pieces of jewelry which each represent a certain virtue necessary to maintain harmony. From what we've learned from Rainbow Dash- oh, say hello, Rainbow Dash." The jewel on Magni's necklace lit up once again, as a voice chimed in. "Hey what's up?" "Rainbow Dash, would you like to explain the Elements of Harmony to Burning Ember?" Hesitantly, Rainbow Dash began telling Ember about the Elements.
"So, basically, you have these five necklaces and one crown thing that are given to ponies that are like, really awesome, and nice. Ponies that are really loyal, or honest, or kind or generous, or funny, or... magical? Anyway, me and the other girls used them to, like, shoot rainbows at the bad guys! Pew pew!" Emerald smiled, stifling laughter. "Yes, the Elements then are Loyalty, Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, and Magic. Personally I think Magic in this case is more of a metaphor for leadership, but Twilight was a powerful unicorn."
"So we returned to Sage, who told us all she knew, which wasn't much. She did, however, direct us to find Spike in Canterlot, who would be able to tell us more. At this point we'd noticed the strange phenomenon happening with the night lasting longer than usual, so we decided either way we'd need to go to Canterlot to figure out what was going on. After that, we boarded this train, and you know the rest. Well, other than the dream the three of us along with my sister, roommate, and some other colt none of us knew experienced while we slept, involving the six of us talking with and battling our Reflections, which are what Ultra-Violet and Crescendo were. Any questions before Magni tells us what she has learned from Crescendo, who by the way is now apparently a part of her consciousness?"
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Opal
6/17/2013 01:00:56 am
Opal raises his hoof.
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Emerald
6/17/2013 01:12:16 am
"Looks like we're ready for you, Magni."
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Opal
6/17/2013 01:13:35 am
Opal lowers his hoof.
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Emerald
6/17/2013 01:19:50 am
"Yes, Opal, what is it?"
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Opal
6/17/2013 01:24:03 am
"Five necklaces and a crown? Which element is a crown? and is that element more powerful than the others?" Opal shows a small look of disapproval at the fact that a single crown and five necklaces could represent harmony. "What if the bearer of the element doesn't want a crown? It just seems inequal to me."
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Emerald
6/17/2013 01:27:31 am
"Yeah, that's something I didn't like either. If I had to guess, I'd say the Element of Magic is the crown. In any event, the Elements don't reach their full power without all six, from what I've gathered at any rate. Are we ready, Magni?"
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Magni
6/17/2013 02:59:09 am
"Yes, Emerald!" she responded with a nod. She looked among the group with worried eyes, and gently shook her head. "While I was deep within my consciousness, Crescendo and I exchanged a few words.
"First, I asked her what her group's goal was. She gave me some background to their world. The weaker ponies work beneath the stronger ponies, doing the bidding. In this world, friendship has never existed. Then she told me that they were experiencing something much similar to what we are going through- the only difference being that they're going through an everlasting day and that ponies were learning friendship. The six ponies dreamed, dreamed of our world. When they awoke, the day stayed. Their goal was to take the power from the princesses and reestablish the night and day cycle.
"Next, I asked why they were trying to kill us. She then explained that they're not trying to kill us; they're trying to ABSORB us. Into their psyche. They share a fate with us. If we die, they die. That's bad."
Magni looked among the group. "I think that's everything."
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Ember
6/17/2013 10:35:31 am
Burning Ember had nothing to say, for her part. She quietly absorbed the information. "Well, being exhausted won't help us out later. I'm gonna hit the hay. Night."
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Opal
6/17/2013 10:40:36 am
Opal goes to Magni's bed again, obviously not knowing the courtesy of sleeping gender. "Sleep tight." Opal fall into deep sleep.
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Emerald Waves
7/7/2013 11:37:09 am
Emerald sighed. "I suppose we should sleep while we can. We have much work ahead of us." Emerald retired to his previous mattress. "Let's just hope we can sleep peacefully this time."
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Emerald Waves
7/11/2013 01:53:16 pm
Some time later, as everypony slumbered in their cars, Emerald Waves stood before the bed of his friend. Cautiously prodding Opal awake, Emerald put a hoof to his mouth, a gesture meant to indicate silence. He motioned for Opal to follow him into the hallway. Once outside, he gently closed the door.
"We're almost to Canterlot." Emerald spoke with worry. "There's a lot we have to accomplish there, and so much is at stake. With Burning Ember now joining us, we have to work in cohesion if we want everything to go smoothly. As such, I have to be sure I can trust you three."
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Opal
7/14/2013 12:11:31 pm
"Okay...?" Opal looks worried."Is there something wrong? I'm sure you can trust your friends. We are friends now, right?"
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Emerald
7/14/2013 12:14:28 pm
"Yes, I'd like to think so." Emerald leaned against the train wall. "Why do you want to be friends with us, though? It seems rather sudden. What do you have to gain from us?"
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Opal
7/15/2013 08:43:54 am
"Well, First I only allied you to get that health potion for my mom. In order to do that, I made a commitment that I'd help you. And, along the path, I saw that our friendship was worth keeping. I don't know, something about being with other ponies again is just.. good in a way I can't describe." Opal looks out of words. What is a friendship worth? "I just like it."
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Emerald
7/15/2013 08:52:56 am
Emerald sighed heavily. "Opal... Are you a changeling?"
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Opal
7/15/2013 09:00:28 am
"A what?" Opal asked, confused.
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Emerald
7/15/2013 09:09:15 am
"I wouldn't blame you for not knowing. I'd never even heard about a changeling until I'd read that book on Twilight Sparkle. It's strange, really. They mounted an attack on the city of Canterlot, and almost took it over, yet you'd never find anything about that in a history book."
"Changelings are a race of insect-like ponies with the capability of shapeshifting, much like yourself. They feed off of the love of other ponies. It gives them power." Emerald shifted to the side. "You know, I'd still trust if you were a changeling. I'd just like to know."
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Opal
7/18/2013 12:01:54 pm
"I don't think I am? I'm pretty sure I would know if I was one, so probably not." Opal marvels at the thought of other shape shifting creatures, but then shudders at Emerald's hidden history lesson. "Is that all we're up so late for?"
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Emerald
7/18/2013 12:06:34 pm
Emerald sighed. "I suppose you could go back to sleep, Opal. I doubt it would make any difference, though. We should be arriving in Canterlot shortly."
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Opal
9/15/2013 03:27:38 am
"Okay." Opal went back to their cart quietly, gathered his things into his backpack, and waited on 'his' bed, dozing off here and there until they arrive in Canterlot.