Lyra Heartstrings - 5th of Megan 17 EoH - Noon
Multiverse Location: The Prime, Equis #0B
I honestly didn’t expect Sky’s comment about getting lunch to be anything other than a joke. A sort of ‘Ass kicked! One-linering for effect!’ deal. Bonbon and I used to do that all the time back in the day. Turns out he was serious. Very serious.
“We’re actually getting lunch?” I asked for a second time.
“Yep,” Sky said with an eye roll as he slammed a button on the console to his right and the mech’s neck slid up to allow us to leave.
“But why?” I asked.
“Are you serious?” Sky asked incredulously. “You’re a human. You’re extinct here. You also claim to come from another universe, which while not a first for myself or the hive, is still a big deal. Skritt will want to talk to you. He will have questions, I will have questions, my sister will have questions… You don’t just show up on our doorstep without getting asked questions.
“But, because we’re not assholes, you get asked questions over lunch. It makes it less of an interrogation.”
That peaked my suspicion. “None of the other yous felt the urge to interrogate me,” I informed.
“Well, they’re not me for starters,” Sky said rolling his eyes as he stood up. “It’s nothing personal. And it’s not my call. I live in the hive, so I abide by the Captain’s rules. And Cap says all visitors are questioned. Don’t worry about it. It’s just like customs, we are our own micronation after all.”
The explanation did allay my fears a bit. After all, you had to go through customs entering or leaving any city back home. Maybe this universe was just a bit more, well, normal.
<You mean ironfisted,> Cheer.ly muttered.
<Oh come on, you share my memories. Sure things suck a bit but other things are cool. That’s how human history’s always been,> I countered, rolling my eyes.
Sky gave me a weird look. “Um, did you just have a mini internal argument? You looked like you just-”
I shook my head. “No. I’ve got an integrated VI. Improves reaction times, manages muscle memory, runs basic computer type tasks. She got ‘improved’ by Twilight and now she’s basically a full on person and-”
Sky’s ears flattened in alarm. “Uhhh, okay. So… That’s fucking horrific!”
I frowned. “It’s not that bad. It’s annoying to have a second speaking voice in your head but all of the rest of her functions are standard upgrades we made to ourselves and-”
<Ask him about medical services,> Cheer.ly reminded me.
“Oh, shit, right. She does reminders too,” I explained. “She wants to be unfucked. I want her to be unfucked. Like, do you have neurosurgeons in this universe or-”
Sky nodded quickly. “Yes. I have a little brother who's a classically trained biomancer, and a sister who's a classically trained Wizard. I’m going to get your ass to one or both as quick as possible because no one should ever ever ever share headspace. Ever.
“New subject time! Oh look your friends are at Big’s feet.”
I looked down, and spotting my friends looking up at me, I decided to jump. I opened my wings before I hit the ground and simply slowed down, hitting the ground a little hard for my liking but not hard enough to do more than hurt a little.
Definitely still room for the flying improvements.
The second my boots hit the ground Fluttershy gave me a half angry half saddened stare, prompting me to frown.
“What is it? Are you okay? Did you get hit?” I asked.
“You left us!” Shy accused, more hurt than upset.
I felt my face scrunch up, one eye widening in my confusion. “Not intentionally. We were in the middle of an artillery barrage!” I exclaimed, shocked she was hurt by the situation.
“It was just pegasi lightning,” Shy accused. “Family and friends stick together. Help each other, and support each other!”
Bon hissed softly and coiled up to hide her face. Clearly still afraid. Probably because of the huge mech behind us.
Just pegasi lightning!? The fuck was she on about? “Oh, so I suppose that when a pegasi is hit by lightning they just get a pleasant tingle? I could have been killed! I got hit square in the back! If this jacket hadn't taken the hit I would have fried!” I shot back.
“W-well,” Shy began, clearly upset by my yelling, a fact which made me feel awful instantly.
“Look, I’m sorry I yelled,” I apologise with a sigh. “But I was inside a lightning storm with thousands of bolts per second being dropped right on my head. Can you understand how I might panic?”
“You’re acting like you could have died,” Fluttershy said in an odd tone.
Our argument broke Bonbon’s attention away from staring up in reverent awe at Sky’s mech. She tilted her head curiously for a moment then nodded to herself. “I believe I have found the source of your conflict,” she announced. “Fluttershy, how much electrical current can a pegasi have pass through them before they are injured?”
Fluttershy bit her lip. “Um… Well, a full power bolt from a pegasi will kill one of us. But those weren't full power, the flashes were blue, not white. So um, about… I’m sorry it’s been a long time since High School. I think ten thousand amps is the upper limit before it’s going to injure you. But that’s for pegasi, other pony kinds have a bit less resistance.”
Ohhhhh! Yeah that would definitely do
Bonbon nodded. “Then I am correct. You can survive the lightning you generate. Which makes sense. After all, you create it. Humans however, can die from electric shock from exposure to a mere seventeen to ninety nine miliamps, and-”
Fluttershy eeped, eyes widening. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t even think- I mean, those bolts wouldn’t have hurt any ponies, and you’re a lot like a pony. So um-”
I knelt down and gave her a quick hug. “Hey, it’s alright. We both didn’t know something about each other. It’s fine. And you know, I agree, family does stick together. And I’d have stuck with you if I wasn’t in a total panic... But yeah, one of those bolts would definitely have killed me instantly. I don't have whatever magical protections you do against electricity.”
Fluttershy hugged me tightly. “Um, h-how about we explain ourselves first? You know, when we get mad at eachother next time? I’m sure we could avoid fighting.”
That seemed sensible. All couples argued sometimes. Hell, I was surprised we hadn’t had one before.
I nodded in agreement, opening my mouth to speak as Sky called, “Is the couple fight over?” from above us.
Bonbon looked up, squinted, noticed Sky’s Roger Smith suit and squeed. “I NEED you to sign um, something! Anything! I’d say cockpit but I don't have one of those!”
Sky smirked. “Sorry, had to promise the wife I wouldn’t sign sexy body parts. But I’ll give you a tour once he’s back in the hanger,” Sky said before bringing his watch up to his mouth. “Big Sai, it’s curtain call.”
The Mech’s hatch hissed as it closed. The ground rumbling as it sank back down into the sand, presumably to teleport when out of sight. I honestly couldn’t remember if the show ever showed it returning to storage. Bonbon would kno-
“Oh my gosh that’s awesome! That’s exactly how I liked to think of how they got it back into the subway system!” BB squealed.
Sky beamed her a similar grin. “I know, right? I mean, my system is superior in that the Big is teleported to and from the hanger using a matter displacement system, while filling the hanger with whatever matter was in the way and then replace it as it rises to as to not destabilize the ground but- Ahem. Sorry, I just noticed that you look almost exactly like er… Well that’s clearly another universe fluttershy. Ours doesn't have cybernetic eyes. You’re not my kid from another universe, are you?”
The confused look on Sky’s face was adorable. It almost made up for my still adrenaline pumping heart spreading that general unease.
BB shook her head, paused then nodded. “Well, not traditionally… But I could technically be seen as your offspring. In the classic science-fiction sense. I am an android, formerly a very sexy fighter jet, sadly downgraded in platform but still happy to be alive. But as an alternate version of yourself designed and built my parts, I am technically kind of sort of your daughter. You know, in that classic sci-fi way.”
Sky breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh thank goodness! Pinkie would have flipped if another her had foals first,” he said, turning to face everyone one at a time. “Alright. So. Not to get all tyrannical on you, but this is Emerald Hive’s Sovereign Territory, and there are laws here. Our Captain is going to want to talk to you. No worries, nothing scary. Normally it wouldn’t even be him but you are dimension jumpers so that is just a bit important.
“Mind giving me your names? So I can introduce you four?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Oh! Of course. My homes’ Emeralds did the same thing. Before um, well, we had some bad times. Security is easier now. I’m Fluttershy, but you know that already… Is your me also one of Celestia’s Knight Errants?”
Sky shook his head. “Uh, no. I mean, yeah ours was knighted. But Celestia disbanded the Errant Order like, three hundred years ago. Luna is PISSED about that.”
Fluttershy tilted her head in confusion. “O-of course she would be! Luna worked so hard to found the order. I can’t imagine she just let Celestia disband it- I.. um, sorry,” Fluttershy stopped ears drooping. “M-may I see a history book later?”
Sky nodded and turned to me. “You know, your hair and that fake tail of yours look a lot like my frienemy’s colors,” he said casually.
I laughed. “Heh, yeah. I’m my universe's Lyra Heartstrings. I wound up existing back in human times, apparently.”
Sky snorted, and then bit his lip to hold in a laugh of epic proportions. “Ow! Sides! Sides popped. Too funny!”
“Why does everyone think it’s so funny that I’m human?” I muttered, half to him, half to myself.
Sky laughed. “Oh man! I should teleport Lyra here right now. You’d learn why! But then she’d be here to bug me about building her a full body bipedal prosthesis… Which I’d do if she even appreciated the combat exoskeleton I made for her...” He grumbled.
I narrowed my eyes. “Wait, you made her a combat exoskeleton?”
Sky nodded.
“And she doesn't appreciate that?” I asked.
“Not one bit,” Sky grumbled suddenly mimicking my exact voice. “Yeah it stands up on two legs, but I wanted a costume! This is all bulky! I know I said I wanted a bipedal suit. Yeah that’s not specific but I figured you knew me well! I don’t even need it because I’m already stronger than most ponies! It doesn't even have hands, these are talons!”
I felt my jaw drop. “Sweet fucking physics! How about I slap myself and you regift it to me?”
Sky smiled wistfully then laughed. “No can do,” he lamented in his own voice. “But that would be funny to see. No but seriously, our you is nice. I don’t hate her or anything. She just owes me an apology she won't give because we’re equally stubborn and it’s turned into a game of who breaks first. Anywho-”
Turning his attention to Bonbon, still smiling from laughing he asked, “do you have a name, a serial, or should I just call you champ, or honey?”
Heh, a kid joke.
Bonbon nodded. “I am AI Co-Pilot number four-two-six-eff-six-ee-six-two-six-eff-six-ee software version one. Lyra calls me Bonbon, which is coincidentally-”
“The name of our Lyra’s wife,” Sky snickered. “Heh heh, gotta love small coincidences.”
“That is odd and interesting,” BB mused. “But I meant that my serial number also spells Bonbon in hexadecimal. Including the capital letter bee.”
Sky blinked, then grinned. “So then, your short name would be BB, and since you’re series one… that makes you BB-1, right?”
BB nodded. “Yes, that is an acceptable nickname.”
“Too bad you’re not version eight,” Sky said turning to Bon’s coiled up pile. “Hey, how about you, what’s your name? You’re not the biting kind, are you?”
“N-no…” Bon said shyly. “Is the bigger snake gone?”
Sky frowned giving me a look. “Is she a kid?”
I nodded. “Yeah, long story,” I informed as I walked over and gave Bon a hug as best I could. “It’s gone hon, it’s okay now.”
“It was too big to eat!” Bon whimpered fearfully.
Sky flinched and took a step back.
“It’s fine, Bon dosen’t like pony,” I soothed.
Sky raised an eyebrow. “Wait… If BB-1 was a jet, and you named her then you were her pilot which means, you named your kid after one of her mom's!?”
“Aunt,” Bonbon corrected. “Lyra and I are sisters. Both the snake and I are named after Lyra's childhood friend… I… I thought all these years she could read hex.”
“And she really doesn't like pony,” Fluttershy added again. “She’s definitely in the civil monster category. But um, she still might eat a pony if threatened.”
“No! You tasted really yukky,” Bon said. “I’d squishdadid them.”
“She’s a constrictor. Used to be my pet Anaconda,” I explained.
“Oh! Yeah, that makes sense. Anacondas have like, never attacked ponies. Not on record at least,” Sky said, sounding relieved. He walked back over to Bon and gave her a gentle pat. “Sorry for all that scary lightning and the ‘bigger snake’ there, kid. But it’s all over now, you’re mom’s right. We’ll get you some place warm and comfortable and get you fed if you need it.”
“I needz it!” Bon exclaimed poking her head out from her coils eagerly.
I gave Bon’s head a loving skritch, hoping that wasn’t inappropriate now. Deciding not to think about that I turned to Sky and began to slip off the VM. “Um, so, I sort of came here because-”
Sky raised a hoof to cut me off. “Sorry, but I got your names, so I need to do the thing,” Sky sighed pulling his watch up and tapping a few commands into it. “Hey, Captain? Sky here, I’ve got a few civilians. The not from this rock kind. One of them appears to be human aside from a possibly real tail.”
“Are you serious?” The captain asked.
Not angrily, not irritably. Just in that military officer ‘please repeat that’ tone. Everyone in a military learns that tone.
“Yep. I figured you would want to do the standard customs. Because apparently they have business here. That’s what Sai told me at least,” Sky finished.
“Are they within earshot?” The captain asked.
“Yes,” Sky answered.
“Right then, Civilians, welcome to Phoenix. This is our little plot of the badlands and despite the lack of checkpoints and border fences, this is our sovereign nation,” the captain said in a oddly welcoming voice. “We’re not going to hassle you, but all travelers who pass through here are questioned. Especially your kind of travelers. There are a lot of people out there who would like to steal some of our trade secrets, as we are an industrial superpower.
“It’s nothing personal. I’m sure Sky’s explained the basics. All you have to do is be honest and answer any questions myself, Sky here, or our resident magic expert have for you. It shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes, and if you’d like, lunch can be provided. If you decline to let us learn why you are here, our scouts will happily show you the path to the nearest oasis so you can fill up on water rations and be on your way. Understood?”
“Understood, sir,” I answered. “I understand customs checks and will comply.”
“A military type, eh?” The captain mused. “Good. Too few people coming through here know what proper respect is. I’ll see you in person shortly. Sky, if you’d warn your sister and transport everyone…”
“Sure thing,” Sky said with a nod, tapping his watch again. “Hey sis, time to do the whole customs thing with those people Sai told us about. Ready for the port?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” a female voice answered.
“Your sister?” Fluttershy said curiously. “My you don't have a sister.”
“Not surprising,” Sky said casually. “The odds of any particular Emerald changeling egg hatching is very low.”
“Oh! Adopted sister,” Fluttershy said, nodding to herself.
“No,” Sky said firmly. “Sister. The normal kind.”
Fluttershy tilted her head. “You’re a changeling too?”
“No. I just have a family which doesn't care to have ‘partial’ members,” Sky replied looking around at everyone. “Have any of you not teleported before? Everyone cool with me teleporting us to a meeting room? The Phoenix is huge, site to site transporters are the best way to get around her.”
I didn't have any problems with that. Hell, it’s basically how I got anywhere these days…
“We literally just came through a portal to get here,” Bonbon pointed out.
Sky nodded. “Yeah. But consent and stuff. Right then, Sai? Mind doing the thing?”
“Sure thing boss,” Sai said from Sky’s watch.
I expected to see the light show as we teleported. Like, the world would go blue with the swirling and helixing trails. Instead, the world around me just sort of, changed. The sand vanished, replaced by a rather nice hardwood floor. The open desert became a not too small, but not too big office style room, with a single large table, several chairs, and a nice dark wood paneling around the lower half of the white steel walls.
The others appeared split seconds after me, again, not light shows. Just sort of ‘jump cut’ into the room. I felt a bit jipped…
“Sorry for the lack of a light show,” Sky apologised as if knowing what I was thinking. “There’s no visual with the teleports themselves, and my holoprojector can only cover two people with something cool. Not enough oomph in the battery.”
A moment later and the room’s sliding doors hissed open, allowing two changelings to enter. One was Ayna, she looked much the same as her counterpart, down to the brand on her flanks. The difference in was how she carried herself. Less timid, a lot less.
The other changeling looked old as hell. You didn’t even need to know what an old changeling looked like to tell he was old, this bug was a self evident example. He had squarish features, a short cropped dull green mane which was tucked into a simple military type cap, unadorned save for a small silver pin which looked to be a military emblem with four gold stars in a row beneath it.
The precious metals in his hat shone with a nice luster implying they were polished. And his chitten was a dull dingy flat color which looked old and worn to the point of ‘death soon’. His body could use some of that polish. As it was, he looked like he was being animated purely by tenacity and contempt for death. The only thing about his body, including his short calculated movements, which didn’t scream ‘old!’ were his eyes.
He had the single most stern eyes I’d ever seen in my life. One look at them and you knew he was weighing you mentally and factoring you into a dozen different calculations. The only reason you knew he wasn’t about to kick your ass was the slim but genuine smile of an officer who enjoied their job and was liked by their command.
Lucky fucking changelings. I only got one of those officers… And he was court martialed.
“Good day,” Captain Skriit greeted, nodding to everyone and the chairs. “Please take a seat.”
To my surprise, everyone sat down immediately. Including Bon, who simply coiled up onto a chair. He hadn’t even used command voice. Damn!
Ayna and Sky took seats across the table from us, the captain getting up into a chair between the two with a bit more effort that anyone should have to have taken.
“Sky, would you introduce everyone?” The captain asked.
Sky nodded. “Left to right we have an alternate reality’s Fluttershy Meadowbrook-”
Fluttershy timidly raised her right hoof.
“Yes?” Sky asked with a frown.
“Um, that’s not my family name. My full name is Fluttershy de Qui Dracones, Metuo.”
Ayna blinked. “Uh, your world still does Old Equish family names?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Is the name-” Ayna began.
“Yes, my great great grandfather earned it for us,” she explained. “I um, I guess family jobs and names are not traditionally carried on here? I- I mean I wasn’t ever good at it, but my dad did still train me a little.”
“Cool! Sounds like you’re probably a good deal different from our Fluttershy,” Ayna said with a small smile.
The Captain turned his head. “May I know what importance her name holds?”
“I second that question,” I agreed. “I don't think you ever told me your family name before.”
“W-well it doesn't really matter anymore…” Fluttershy admitted, looking down sadly enough to make me wish I could hug her in this formal setting.
“In modern Equish the name translates as ‘who dragons fear’,” Ayna explained. “The ‘de’ indicates the family name is of a noble house which earned its nobility through an act of heroism. I assume her ancestor slew a dragon.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Yes.”
That’s fucking awesome! “You need to tell me that story sometime!” I whispered excitedly.
Sky snickered. “Heh! Sorry. I just pictured our Fluttershy training to be a dragonslayer! Oh man, can you imagine? With how much of a scaredy cat she used to be? She loves animals so much, she’d wind up-”
Fluttershy ears drooped in embarrassment. “Y-yes, I once stopped a dragon by convincing it to have some tea and talk it out… She didn’t seem evil. I didn’t want to hurt her… Also dragonslayers are supposed to fight more than dragons. You’d be afraid of the dark and creepy sounds too if you knew what the things that lived there can do to a pony…”
The captain coughed. “Understood. Moving on.”
Sky nodded. “Sorry. Anywho, to Fluttershy’s left is a Lyra Heartstrings, then an android by the name BB-1, and lastly Lyra’s adopted child Bon. She is harmless.”
The Captain nodded and looked at each of us in turn.
“I am Skritt Verril Krra, Captain of the Emerald Changelings,” he introduced. “I make all of the policies regarding to civilian and military life within our hive. You can think of me as our Prime Minister, and Supreme Commander. It’s my job to ensure our hive is safe and prosperous inside and out.
“To my left is our Chief Engineer, Sky Trigger. He is in charge of all technological policy including our ongoing restoration efforts and our manufacturing trade. To my right is our acting Archmage, Ayna Trigger. She is currently in charge of all matters arcane within the Hive.
“Normally, the Bridge Officers would not be personally questioning visitors, but, assuming you four are infact extra dimensional as you claim, it is my decision as Captain that whether you may conduct business here or not is a matter for we senior officers to decide, and no one else.
“Before we begin, is anyone here hungry? Do you have any questions yourselves?”
Bonbon quickly raised a hoof. “Yes sir,” she said. “I heard Ayna referred to by the rank of Lieutenant. Is there not a higher ranked mage to fill the slot of a bridge crew member?”
The captain nodded to Ayna, who replied. “We are a meritocracy in terms of who gains what position. The rank structure is not military, it’s civilian and is a sort of social hierarchy based on individual achievements and responsibilities. We don’t use standard Equestrian Ranks, so Lieutenant is rather high here.
“The Emerald Hive uses Old Equestrian ranks. Which means Lieutenant is a ‘Captain’s direct second in command’ rank. We only use five ranks total. Cadet, Trooper, Commander, Lieutenant, and Captain. But again, that’s just a sort of individual achievement recognition thing. Our leader is also called Captain, but historically there have been people socially ranked as Commanders and Lieutenants filling the command chair.
“As for the position of Archmage, I’m an acting Archmage. The job is mine, but not officially, I have it because the previous archmage died two months ago, and this position will no longer be mine once it has been properly filled by our best qualified mage. Which may turn out to be me, but I do not know as the trials are still ongoing. May we begin, or does anyone else have questions?”
Everyone nodded or shook their heads. Skriit sighed. “A verbal yes or no, please. And also, is anyone hungry? Last chance… Well, last chance to eat right now. There is always right afterwards. I won't send you into the desert unfed.”
“Let’s just get the questions done with,” I proposed.
Fluttershy nodded. “That sounds like a good idea.”
The captain nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Left to right. What are your occupations?”
“Um, former Knight Errant under Princess Celestia and member of the Elements of Harmony. Now retired,” Fluttershy replied.
“Decommissioned United Americas Alliance Spaceborn Ace Pilot,” I answered.
“I was her jet. Now I’m installed in a way to slow flying android frame,” Bonbon answered.
“You were her jet?” The captain asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes. UAA fighter craft have artificial intelligences as copilots,” BB explained. “Personally, I saw my old frame as my body. Which makes me her jet.”
“I understand,” Captain Skriit said with a nod. “Now then, Bon was it? What’s your occupation?”
“I’m a snek!” Bon exclaimed happily.
The captain blinked and looked over at me. “She’s a foal, sir,” I said.
“Oh,” the captain stood up and walked across the room to a small panel set in the wall, touched a hoof to it and ordered. “Computer: one whole chicken, boneless, lemon and garlic.”
I had just enough time for Cheer.ly and I to squee <Holy shit a replicator!> together before the device conjured up a freshly cooked chicken.
<WE NEED FIVE!> Cheer.ly exclaimed happy-enviously.
<Agreed!> I said just as happy-enviously.
The captain picked the chicken up with his magic and carried it over to Bon, setting it on the table before her. “Here kid, have something to munch on while I finish up business with your mother,” he said, moving back to his chair.
Bon sniffed the chicken, licked it, eyes instantly lighting up happily. “I love you!” Bon exclaimed before grabbing the chicken off the plate it came on with her jaws, daring back into her coils and eating the savory meal.
The captain chuckled, smiling for a moment before turning his attention back to us.
“I assume you are traveling as a group. What is your reason for coming here? Or did you end up in our territory by chance?” he asked.
Fluttershy smiled shyly. “I um, I’m just traveling with my marefriend,” she admitted, nodding towards me just a little bit.
“I’m just following my sister around because she got me this body mid trip and it’s not like I have anything else to do,” Bonbon answered.
“I haz chicken!” Bon exclaimed muffidly.
Alright. It was time. I slipped the VM off my wrist. Reluctantly setting it on the table. It had been a source of a lot of pain in my ass, spine, chest…everything really. But what other human could say they had a trip this awesome?
“You could say this has been the most convoluted ‘return the dropped wallet’ ever,” I began. “I had this thing show up in my apartment… Explosively. I’m an electronics hobbyist so I decided to tinker with it, found the SkyTech branding inside, fixed her up as best I could to see what it did and well… Turns out it makes portals to alternate dimensions. I figured that’s a pretty important device, and well, the right thing to do is return it. So I’ve been hopping around the multiverse looking for you.”
I pointed to Sky and slid the VM across the table to him. “There ya go. I hope that it’s at least a little important. Because I can’t go back home now… And not just because it’s targeting is scrambled, but because it finally broke, and also I have wings now, and I… Um, well, no one back home would let Fluttershy just live with me. So yeah. Kinda stranded now. Should have thought further ahead than ‘return wallet.’ “
Sky picked up the VM and popped it out of the case, looking at it curiously. “Huh… Yeah no, I remember loosing this. That was last year, no... Two years ago. I thought it had teleported myself and a few friends but not itself. I always thought that Lily kicked it into a corner or something.
“You’re telling me this breached the god damn Prime Barrier?”
“Um, if that means it wound up moving like seven universes down and two hundred and fifty three million years back, yep,” I replied.
Sky shook his head seemingly impressed. “Good thing I didn’t go along for the ride,” he mumbled to himself. “Sorry you went through this whole ordeal… Uh, I sort of feel like an asshole for just making another one...”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That was more than a little frustrating.
Sky nodded with an apologetic wince. “Yeah… But seriously, thanks for bringing this back! Lots of science can be pulled from this thing.”
“Am I to understand that you risked life and limb to return some of our property to us?” The captain asked rhetorically.
“Yes, sir,” I answered with a firm nod. “It was simply the right thing to do.”
“You have no other business here?” He asked.
I nodded again. “That’s it.”
“And now you are homeless due to not wishing to leave your marefriend behind?” He asked again.
I nodded. “That’s right… Also Bon can’t go back either and well, she’s my kid… And the wings. We don’t have cybernetics that good.”
“What wings?” The captain asked with a frown.
“They fold into my back, long story,” I began. “It involves a mage named Twilight-”
“Ah, a Code Lavender. I understand,” Captain Skriit sighed. “I suppose we should just hope one of her never figured out how to communicate with the other hers out there in the many worlds. And speaking of Archmages, Ayna?”
“None of them have lied or concealed the truth, Captain,” Ayna said calmly.
Wait, what?! I felt my eyes widen in alarm. “You’ve been reading our minds this whole time!?”
Ayna shook her head. “No. I cast a spell which merely alerts me if whatever you speak is not completely factual. It’s standard procedure for these interviews.”
“Oh, thank physics!” I said with a relieved sigh.
Fluttershy giggled. “I keep forgetting you have no experience with magic,” she whispered to me with a blush.
“Very good,” the captain said decisively. “I assume you realize of course, that with your device broken, you are stranded in this universe. But what you may not have accounted for is the fact that our universe's Fluttershy is alive, and well, is quite famous. While ours is quite, er, lithe.You, Miss de Qui Dracones, Metuo, are fairly overweight.”
Fluttershy’s ears drooped. I felt my blood boil a little. No one calls my girl fat! Chubby, plump, and cute yes, but not fucking fat!
The captain made a small fearful face as he realized how we must have taken his words,.“Not that I mean insult by my words, nor calling you ‘fat’. I recognise that you are below the medical status fat by at least forty kilograms. I am merely pointing out that while you are instantly visually distinguishable from our Fluttershy, you are still very very close to her in appearance and could be mistaken for her. Which means you would be in violation of identity theft laws, as well as the Changeling Impressions of Civic Figures Act of oh-nine which prohibits Changelings in Equestria from using the forms of public officials without permission and good reason.
“This means you can not live in Equestria. And Fluttershy, as an Element in our world is a highly political person. You would be mistaken for her in nearly every country on Equis. Which could be fatal, or an irritating hassle depending on a number of factors.
“And Miss heartstrings, as a human, a species long extinct on our world, you would be an object of fassination. You needn't fear dissection or captivity, well…not in proper nations like Equestria. But you would be hounded by many people… Including our version of yourself. Who I am somewhat suspicious can smell you all the way in Ponyville and may be making a beeline for this office as we speak,” the captain joked.
I got his point, but I still had to sigh. “Why does everyone insist that other me’s are obsessed to the point of insanity? I met one, all she did was ask questions and trace my hands. Very professional.”
“I wish we had that Lyra,” Sky muttered.
Ayna cleared her throat. “Our universe has a small community of crypto archeologists. Human existence is not officially scientific for… Well, um… Most early ponies believed the rare fossils of your species to just be a non-sentient ape. While modern archeology has shown that a sentient species existed back in your time period, we Emeralds are unique in knowing your species name, face, and deeds due to our home being a preserved starship your species built. Ponykind’s academics are still certain that the ‘Ancient People’ were quadrupeds, not bipeds, and that they were the ancestors to Diamond Dogs.
“Ponies like Lyra somehow learned the name human and it’s been a conspiracy theory for over three thousand years. But in recent times, it’s sort of a fantasy fandom. With cosplay, conventions, and roleplaying. Our Lyra Heartstrings is very entrenched in the fandom, and can best be described as a rabid human fangirl who has contributed several key archaeological finds to science… But is discredited by rightfully insisting humans built them.
“And I’m not just saying this as I know her by reputation. One of the pony identities I maintain is an author. And um, well it’s a strong niche market with a surprising amount of bits to burn, so I write human fiction. I’m honestly responsible for a lot of the tropes in use, as I know of your species from our ship's archives… Anyways, Lyra has commissioned several novels from me. One of which hilariously enough stars her as a character in which she goes back in time and befriends a human who becomes her blood sister after some misadventures together.”
“Oh,” I said now fully understanding their opinion of this universe's me. “I understand.”
The Captain nodded. “Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought you would appreciate a little humor,” he said. “Let me summarize my point for you. As you four are a family unit, I do not imagine you wish to split up. As you can not leave our world you must live here. You would not be able to do so comfortably in any nation I can think of. Save for mine.
“Therefore, in gratitude for your risking of life and limb to return our property, and in light of your military experience, Miss Heartstrings and Miss de Qui Dracones, Metuo, you could be of service to our hive in many different ways. In light of these facts, I would like to offer all of you probationary citizenship in the Emerald Hive.”
I felt my heart skip a beat. “Wait, what? Seriously? Just like that?!”
The Captain nodded. “Yes. Just like that. You mentioned you are a pilot. We have schematics for human designed air and spacecraft. We can use cargo and fighter pilots. We can also use someone with experience to train said pilots. And anyone who served as a Knight has plenty of skills they can bring to the table. Only a fool would turn your family away, Miss Heartstrings. You are highly skilled and you require something I can provide.”
Fluttershy nodded eagerly. “Oh yes! I-I um, I don't like to use violence… But I am a skilled healer, and if I really needed to I um, I could teach ponies or changelings monster hunting tricks.”
Skriit nodded. “Precisely, Miss de Qui Dracones, Metuo. Do the two of you accept my offer?” He asked hopefully.
“Do I not count?” Bonbon asked, sounding a little upset at being left out of the ‘you two’.
Skriit frowned. “I’m sorry, are you not considered property?”
“Absolutely not,” I objected. “She is my sister.”
“Understood, I merely assumed based on the historical machine-human relationship,” Skriit informed. “Miss BB-1, you too shall have full citizenship rights.”
“Good!” Bonbon exclaimed happily.
“What does the probationary status entail?” I asked, assuming that’s where the real bureaucracy would start.
“It’s very simple,” the captain answered. “It’s a time window for you to find a useful job, and fit in with our culture. Fail to find a position, or break one of our laws, which will be explained to you in full, and you will be banished from the Phoenix indefinitely.
“The probationary condition will be removed after one month after you have stabilized. Should one of you find a useful service you can perform here. Should you cease being a family for any reason, you will all need to find yourself a job to do.
“We are a meritocratic society. You will be placed in a position of responsibility equal to your skill in whatever you choose to go into, after a training period, or after you show competence enough to skip training. What do you say? We can have you in a suite tonight if you wish.”
I looked over at Fluttershy. “What do you think?”
“I think it is a good idea,” she replied. “We can always move elsewhere, after… Right Mister Captain?”
Skriit chuckled. “Yes. Our citizens may live, travel in, and work in Equestria without the need for a passport. Though I would not recommend that for you. But you would be free to do so if you wished.”
“Wait… W-we would be free to move to other cities?” I asked, stunned in a good way.
Sky looked at my face and flinched. “Yeesh! What is your home like?”
<Pretty shitty, really,> Cheerly muttered.
“Eh, not too bad. We had plenty of distractions,” I said before turning to the Captain. “My sister definitely wants to live here. I accept your offer, sir.”
Bon bon nodded in agreement.
The captain smiled happily. “Excellent, I’ll pass the information on to all hands as soon as possible and get you your ID badges. Let’s see… I can get Eail to find you quarters-”
“Sir,” Sky interrupted. “I feel bad for causing this whole mess for her. Would it be alright if I get them settled in?”
The captain nodded. “Certainly. Let me know what suite they will be staying in. I’ll have your paperwork and ID delivered. Good day everyone, nice to meet you,” Skriit said as he stood up, tipping his cap before heading for the door.
“Goodbye, Sir,” I said as he left, my words echoed by Sky and Ayna.
As the Captain left, Sky turned around with a happy smile. “Right! Lunch time. We are going to a mess hall, getting some food, you get to delight some changelings with your Humanness, Lyra, and we’ll get you acquainted with our Hive. Oh! Hey, Ayna, why don’t you get your wife and meet us at Mess four? I’ll pick up Pinkie, we can introduce everyone, it’ll be fun!”
Ayna frowned. “I think Trixie is working right now,” she said sounding a little disappointed.
Sky rolled his eyes. “Archmage says she’s off for the day.”
Ayna blinked, blushed brightly and laughed. “Oh! Right! Heh, I can do that.”
“Yep. Go dooz. We’ll meet you in four, if that sounds like a plan to you guys,” Sky said turning to face the four of us.
I looked around. Everyone seemed eager. Or at least hungry. Okay, I was the only one who needed to eat, but still. Fluttershy liked the taste of food.
“That sounds awesome,” I agreed. “Let's go!”
Whats this, serious business and important info? Oh dear Luna...
7473898 Hey! I can be serious too! Sometimes. When no one is looking.
I need defibrilator/insulin needle hybrids!
"I am a snek!"
HRRK!
...go while you still can...
Why noooooooot?
I think it might be fun.
Besides, it's been three months and I ain't gonna give on Meti now.
Now you just need to deal with Lyra's VI. Of course other than its Pink who shows up randomly it would be funny to have Lyra and Lyra meet
hehehe I love this! And a fun idea too. *rubs hooves together as makes crazy insane plans.*
Awww but it's so much fun! Just ask Chrys and Chryssy, Sky. Sure it might make ponies think we are crazy but hey!
Hmmmm interesting... but makes sense with the things they both kind of obsess over.
Oh Bon, you never fail to make me laugh, or Awwww.
Awww maybe next time then. All the pretty colors would be coooool.
I agree with Lyra, I want to hear the story as well!
Can I just say I think Bon's parts are some of my favorites? SHE IS JUST SO CUTE AND AWWWW!
Yes, yes you should have. But HEY look at all the awesomenes you would have missed if it hadn't happened?
*cough* and not to do with this one as much but now I'm craving chicken.... *cough*
Aw but crazy Lyra is fun? But yesss insanity!
I WANT THIS STORY hehehe
Aaaand loved the chapter! heh not sure what else to say except now you have even more stories I want to hear. Muahahaha!
7473921 Deadly cute! Warning deadly cute!
7473945 The opinions of individual characters are not nessiciarly a message within the story but rather the opinion of a fictional person who may or may not be fictional.
7473979 There is one more thing to wrap up other than those two things...
7474003
Oh? Do tell!
Sure it is, if eveyone likes the arrangement. But Lyra and CHeerly do not.
That's our Bon, afraid of the monster only because it's not eating size.
Once upon a time my great great great grandfautehr did a thing. The end.
The weird thing is I dont like real kids >> But I can write adorable kids.
Same here TBH >> I just realy want a button that makes chikken happen.
You're sort of reading it...
Then I authored properly ^^
7474005
I like how you don't even bat a fucking eyelash at me permanently damaging my own mental stability for the sake of creating an entire other person in my head.
What, me? Starved for companionship? Why would you think that?
7474005 of course wonder if Lyra and David will end up meeting. I want to see more of Lily.. wonder how Lyra is going to react finding out vampires are real.
Actually Lyra has multiple choices for assistance since I assume Time Turner would also be an option
7474014 I once attempted suicide due to lonlyness. I'd say that it's worth the risk.
7474020
I'd say "Jesus Christ, Dude" but I know that often our conversations end with me getting depressing.
Not like my mental state was the most stable to begin with, what with the constant, unrelenting nightmares and such.
7474019 We'll see lots more of our girly colt ^^ He's a fan fave.
Isn't an alternate Applejack also living in Ponyville? :D
"Code Lavender"? what this world Twilight usually does to have a specific alert code assigned?
7474044 Yes, but Twilight vouched for her. That's an exception.
7474046 Well this one time she thought she was going to be late for a homework assignment so she mind slaved and entire town just to create a problem to solve.
Oh you know, funny things to do with Shiny once he finds out Chryssy has two 'minds' living in her brain.
True, true....
Well, she was hungry I guess? hehehe
See how you are. :P
And you do it well! (I don't blame you though kids can be a pain.)
THAT would be just divine!
Heh true, *3am brain here.*
Indeed you did *pats you on head.*
lol, the title is a reference to The Gamers series, which is a hilarious and needs to be seen by more people.
"onward to Waffles!"
"Waffles, ho!"
7474061 "They did good, so they get waffles." Best movie ever, it's available for free legit on YouTube in its entirity ^^
Okay, this chapter was hilarious, but now they live on a version of the Pheonix. Shouldn't Lyra have advised them by now to NOT REPAIR THE COMPUTER! Seriously, you'd think she'd mention that.
7474076 She'll bring it up at lunch. Spoilers a bit but I mentioned this comments a long time ago "Oh yeah, I refused to fix her up because they woke me up at like... four am for that crap. Did it on my own time, was alert enough to think to check the code. Scrapped that junk. Sai is running the ship instead now. That's how I became Chief Engineer."
You know... If it wasn't for the unresolved plot points of fixing Sai and helping Cheer.ly and Lyra come to terms or whatever this would be a fantastic place to end the story.
7474170 It would be, wouldn't it? But well... Why spend a sequel to wrap up the three unresolved plot threads? Because there's a third that everyone seems to have forgotten. Just why is Lyra an out of time anomaly?
7474082 ... ... So uh, I don't know about Lyra but that would probably rub me the wrong way given the other one suiciding.
7474192 am I the only one that wants to see how Luna will react to seeing the Lyra from over a thousand years ago for the first time?
SnekBon. I wants her
So we'll see more Lilly? Nice
Alternate Applejack? In ponyville? When did that happen?
7474243 I resolved the problem of stopping my cannon link with the show's timeline after season 5 and not having She-who-deserves-no-existence in my AU by collapsing the time loop differently than the cannon show did. This involved the AJ from the Sombra War timeline joining Twilight to help her. The War Timeline AJ now existed in the primary timeline with no way to return, as her home timeline went poof and never was. Because Twilight isn't a murderer like Doc Brown probably is, the War Timeline AJ simply chose to go by the name Jack, dyed her mane, and lives in Ponyville working as a mechanical engineer, a skill she is excellent at due to it being her special talent (as it just happened to be in that otehr timeline. We never see War AJ's flanks in S5's finale, she could have a different cutiemark.).
Thus there exists a second AJ in Ponyville due to the second one being bootstrap paradoxed into existence and allowed to live in Ponyville since she's pretty different from the main timeline's version.
7474235 that is a convercation in her future, yes.
Dammit bits of heart everywhere from cuteness overload due to bon.
So jobs? I imagine there are a number of things for them to do I mean bon is amazing at moving stuff as a previous jump would mention. (not to forget that they are only going to get bigger and the exercise would probably be good for a growing Snek I mean lamia.)
Fluttershy will want anything to do with nature, BB I have no clue about though I wonder if she will hit on sai if she controls the ship, Lyra helping with Defense would be the obvious mental leap but I don't imagine that's what you have planned since you had that whole warrior vs soldier bit. Then again maybe not.
You make people wonder whats gonna happen next with anticipation and excitement it really is amazing.
7474281
It's what her character is designed to do.
Indeed she is. But she's still her species equivalent of 8 years old. So she needs school, not work. Especially since Lamia have a small natural sorcery talent. Nothing like a unicorn, naturally, but they still make decent mages.
I think you'll be delighted. But yes! There are plenty of things for FLuttershy to do. She might realy enjoy the Pheonix's animal products and hydroponic produce lab. After all, ponies live on the Pheonix to provide sustenance for the Changelings. Ponies need to eat. Obviously they keep at least chickens for the sake of eggs (we see Pinkie use eggs in her baking multiple times. So canonically they do eat eggs), and while they do have replicators... power efficiency is key here. Why waste energy? They'd have at least some decent percentage of food grown rather than manufactured. (Besides, the Pheonix is 15 CUBIC kilometers. it's 1,200 ponies could be fed fairly well year round on farmland covering only 0.89 squair kilometers. That's less than one section of one deck... and that's for
organicinefficient farming. with Earth Pony magic + science + simple ideas like raised beds, you could cram that farm into much much much less space. But I digress.I'm glad you think so ^^ I hope I dont disappoint.
You know, it's times like this that I'm reminded of a comment you made to me in a previous chapter saying Lyra is a bit of a derp. I don't think she's thought-at all-of the repercussions of Cheer.ly being a full entity onto herself, and I really don't think she's even considered that any respectable with neurosurgeon/biomancer/wizard/whatever with a working moral compass will not even casually consider "fixing"/killing Cheer.ly even if that's something Lyra and, to a lesser extent, Cheer.ly wants at this point.
I really like this exchange. Besides working in some world building-always a bonus-you also very nicely illustrated a conflict born from a misconception without turning anyone into a jerk. And then you have it rather peacefully and maturely-something I enjoyed because far too many stories-even good ones-have teenager-ish reactions to stuff like this which can work sometimes, but happens far too often for my taste.
Heart...hurts...too...much...cute...
Another little exchange I really liked-you both justified Fluttershy's fears, gave her an family an awesome background, and did yet more world building in an unobtrusive manner.
Honestly, at this point I'm taking notes.
Have I ever mentioned I love this fic? You've created a world where a comment like this is possible-given, not routine, but still possible.
This doesn't exact match with this-
Bon was introduced as a child, and then he needs clarification that...she's a child. A rather young child at that, but still a child.
Oh god. You've put one of those in your series? Suddenly liking this fic a whole lot less...just kidding.
But,in all honesty I have yet to encounter one replicator based on sci-fi technologies that I've actually liked, including all the way back to the original bloody Star Trek. i just really dislike and question the concept of a machine who either, a) makes food out of bloody nothing-not much more to say than I don't like the logic there at all, b) constitutes food out of stored atoms and materials by recombining them to form a chicken sandwich, and I don't like this because atomic structure, while generally consistent, gets incredibly complicated the higher up you go and I think that by the time we have a computer that can map out the entirety of the molecular arrangement of a chicken sandwich we're going to be so far past the singularity point that even modern day and the bloody stone age won't really compare, c) if it's just teleporting food from some other area, it's a bloody teleporter and an inefficient use of what is typically a massive amount of power, and d) it's just too fucking easy. Same reason I dislike most teleportation in sci-fi, it just massive reduces hurdles to overcome that otherwise could be relatively interesting.
Strangely enough, I don't mind certain variations in fantasy. mostly because it typically bypasses some of scifi issues I have by having fundamentally different laws of the universe, has a god do it which I don't have issues with. Granted, I still don't like them, and the most I ever feel towards them is neutral indifference at best, even if they're a plot point, although at that point I typically start getting annoyed.
Stop being so cute! It's not good for my heart.
But...something disturbing has occurred to me, and I have no way to ask other than this, so pardon the bluntness.
Is bon a lolcat in lamia form? I ask this because, if you put her in a room full of them, her dialogue would only be slightly more advanced. And...I hate to say this because I have come to rather like her, but at times I honestly don't think she speaks quite like a realistic child-in fact, her character right now can be summed up as "cute monster girl and daughter of Lyra. She has pretty much nothing else going for her, and while cute, she's rather...forgettable compared other children written well in other stories and media. Granted, she's literally less than a year old so the fact that she can even speak at this point gives her some leeway, but yeah. Even children have personalities, and I cannot really even begin to describe her personality as anything other than "cute monster girl/child". That doesn't sound so bad until you realize it's her only defining trait-whereas almost every other single character in the series has more going for them. For instance, BB can be summed up as "snarky former jet AI", but is also a socially awkward (even if she doesn't realize it) nerd with a love of scifi and anime who has a genuine platonic love for Lyra. Lyra, is a former jet pilot from a scifi world gone awry, but has so much going for her-she's brave when she needs to be, smart but has her utter derp moments, is surprisingly stable considering how well she's handled her adventure so far, has a very strange sense of honor-going all this way to return one teleportation device when she could literally have settled on about half the worlds she went to, managed to form a working relationship with Fluttershy, and I can go on. Bon...cute monster child. That's it. Nothing else.
Eww. Yet another thing I've typically disliked. Normally, I'd actually like a truth spell, but one of the variety that actively reads/invades the mind to determine truth-that way, deranged individuals can still lie, and I've never had too much issue with psychics and their powers. Here, though, the fact that it's not actively reading her mind implies it to be somewhat on a level of omniscient, which for a basic truth spell is dumb, on my opinion. Also, may inadvertently screw people over by those who think they're speaking the truth but have been misled, leading to a lie on this...
Yeah. I don't like it.
Cheer.ly, you really need to have a chat with Lyra. Like, in the next day, preferably the next hour-you've already concluded you are a separate entity from Lyra herself, and Lyra is operating under certain thoughts about her former home that, if she were to go back, would likely get her killed and/or dissected.
Also, you're outright disagreeing at this point. Just throwing that out there.
Also, the chapter title is a lie. No one at any point had waffles.
Unless I'm missing something, which is entirely possible.
So...Sai and the wonder wrist watch-I know it's not called that by I'm going with it-have been returned to their rightful owner, and the biggest arc-really the entire story up to this point has been resolved.
You know, you could just top off this chapter with an epilogue and start a sequel at this point, don't you? Ah, not that it'd make a huge difference if we're starting on another arc exploring Lyra's time anomaly business, who the bleeding hell her mother actually is/what was she doing considering that she is in all probability some type of dimensional traveler-and it suddenly bothers me that Lyra has had little opportunity/chose not to pursue this little plot thread and its ramifications, figure out what the bleeding hell to do about Cheer.ly without the whole, you know, murder aspect, and of course find out what happens to humans in seemingly ever reality-I get the feeling that, while so many of these dimensions have spiraled into their own unique worlds, the fate of Humanity is probably pretty damn dark and static throughout the lot of them.
7474192
Also this. How did I manage to forget about that... Meh. I'm sure the story will get around to it eventually. And if not in this one it might in another.
7474192 I'm also remembering that Lyra 7's friend (the original) Bonbon disappeared, I'm assuming this will come up at some point?
BB-8, Ah! The references are real! That is one thing I love about your work, you can fit so much like thin into the story without disrupting the plot.
They have designs for human starships, BB-1 is a droid co-piolet, can we please see her and Lyra build an X-wing like ship and have BB as the 'R2 unit'. please tell me I'm not the only one who things that would be Awesome!
Sky, If you think that's bad...Infinite loops lyra is 5 or so people in one body, including a sapient sweet roll.
So cute!
Leeroy, why are you possessing Bon?
I love how it's applicable across universe barriers.
7474061
7474062
s2.quickmeme.com/img/b7/b7fa28d4679c11f364313367978127d6588cd3545eb56752663553c1fefbfe00.jpg
7474416
You're absolutely right about that. But, we shall cross that bridge when we come to it.
It's actually pretty easy to write real relationship moments, good and bad. You just need to remember how people realy act.
Well it makes sence. Imagine if they were in the Doctor Who universe. Fluttershy being absolutely horrified of an oddly shaped shadow is 120% legit. "OH DEAR SWEET LUNA RUN!" "... it's just a shad-" *bones hit the ground*
Cut the guy a break :P He's old. Things slip the mind at that age.
/me sighs.
1. First person narration means Lyra thinks it's a replicator. She is not all knowing, it therefore needen't be a replicator.
2. It's a device in a science fantasy setting where magic and tech are friends.
3. It is making food from energy, yes, but it's a small technoarcane device which is a conjuration machiene. It can make certain things, but not everything, or even most things. (Enabling it to make a new thing requires hardware modification.) It's powered by stored arcane energy. It's like Lyra's sandwich box, only with a few more options.
Sorry >.>
Eh... not intentionally. I can see your point though. The problem comes from the fact that her character realy can't contribute too much to the plot. She's a child, a liability, not an asset. I intentionally write her as cute as I can so that she's not hated by the readers like child sidekicks in other work who really just slow the hero down and get them into trouble. I fucking hate that. SO I try and make Bon an adorable innocent so she's liked instead. Because she's there to be a reason to make Lyra have another obstacle to overcome and ramp up difficulty. Like in the castle escape. Without Bon, everyone could have just flown off no problem. Instead, Bon had to be carried.
Also um... I honestly dislike RL kids. A lot. Hate realy. I'm high functioning autistic, and not self diagnosed. I can't handle kids. At all. I'll go into total shutdown the second I see one expecting them to make an incredibly loud noise or scream without warning with my only thoughts being "Stop being loud and shut up!" on an infinite loop. I honestly can't be around kids younger than 12. Which means I don't know how they actually talk... Sorry :c
If it helps, Bon does have a few traits. She's brave, she's not scared of the monster under her bed. She likes to help others, she enjoyed helping move crates. But as a child character she's not realy a person who would have a well defined personality or traits. She's still building all of that.
Actually, the spell works similarly to a polygraph device or an fMRI (which have been used as lie detectors too). The spell observes physiological changes in a person and uses those to tell if they are lieing or not. It's more accurate than ether or of those human technologies, but is still fallible. That way in future stories, I can have this semi-standard law enforcement spell be countered by other characters. (This version of a lie detection spell exists because of low energy cost. The other versions also exist, as do spells which sort of make a 'you physicaly cant lie if you want to' bubble. But these are concitered invasive.)
I assure you, this is the next plot point to be tackled.
You are. Watch the next 15 seconds. https://youtu.be/tOUksDJCijw?t=1h16m23s
Basically it's a reference to a bit of a movie where it seemed like the end happened, but oh shit! more to deal with! and the movie keeps going only to hit an even more satisfying end later.
I could, but then I'd have to invent more plotpoints or stretch things thin as these things are now easily solved as they are in Beta. There are three things left to resolve, and I'd like to keep them self contained.
This was answered in another story of mine. TLDR; Humans are extinct in the Equestrian multiverse because they pissed off a higher being by making permanent bridges between the universes in an attempt to unify all existing Earths into a single multi-universal empire. Seems crule?
7474605 Mabey. I'll think about that.
7474905
Sky is never ever ever to learn about the Loops verse >>
It's a living.
It's one of Twilight's prime traits. She creates half the disasters she solves :P
7475957
Sorry ol buddy, I'll fix those up :D
Chapter 31 or 30 depending on wordcount of 30. That is all.
THat's only 500 GB >> It's not realy that big assuming pony computers are on par with say 2050 human computers. At which poing .5 TB will probably be thought of as nothing much realy.
It's a stupid joke, but we needs like it.
i.imgur.com/9KGtAXh.jpg
Well it's Alpha soooo >> that's entirely possible.
Well it's time to wait in anticipation for the fan to be covered in applesauce again.
7474333 I think it mostly matters how strong the individual magics are.
of course the adaption would take time.. but how would it affect the hivemind?
7475453
Wait, Meep, I thought you were still ok with the plans for the multidimensional conquest highway.
Also, back on Best Ship.
7477188 You missed a couple references but that's okay. You got the 2 biggest ones. Nobody's perfect.
Darn I was looking forward to Android Fluttershy meeting the other mane 6 and all of the hilarious awkwardness that would ensue.
7477188 It's okay, I'm old too. So old that I remember what Tremors is making fun of. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-EdLMxjPCg
7477852 Who said that's not on the table?
10/10
no pay
still best job
so now that they're somewhat settled, maybe a bit of slice of life with adventure on the side?
or do you have some goddamn plot twist for us?
7478763 I have a slice of life plot twist.
7478918 the tables have.. will turn!
7479015 The seating arrangement is now all in chaos! QUICK ROTATE THEM BACK!
7479034 XD what if everybody switches seats?