to VampireFairyChick: I will definitely give your chapter idea some thoughts. can't promise if it will become a chapter, time will tell.
Sorry for the stupidly long wait. Writing any of my fanfics has been incredibly hard for some reason. I blame the longer work hours and the winter darkness from living so far North. Anyways, this chapter isn't made from any MLP episodes but does show more ties to another story I have going.
(Human world, at a small village in the middle of nowhere)
At a measly
motel, the owner that ran this business barely reacts when two people walk past. However, does look up when a somewhat large bird flies past. He blinks, confused when this black bird lands on a man with a darker skin tone. The man frowns, not appreciating having someone of color at his business, but from the warning stare the young blond man gives him, the owner wisely returns to his post and newspaper.
"Was it Gaia, or me he had a problem with?" Force of Nature asks his co-worker, only the slight sneer in his voice reveals his annoyance at how people often look down at him due to his skin color.
"Gaia." Ace of Spies replies, unfazed by his comrade's annoyance, and takes a cigarette from his beautiful engraved case. "Not that you can blame him, it's not often a frigatebird flies past your window in these parts." His comrade snorts a laugher, and he too smiles at this inside joke. But back to business, "Is he here, or do we need to wait for him?"
"He should be here." Force replies, but honestly, "Unless he got distracted by a hydra— there do exist hydras in that world, right?" he interrupts himself for a very good question about their team's sniper ability to traverse dimensions.
That, Ace cannot answer; he hasn't been in that world before and only will enter it because he can't do this mission on his own. "You know him better than I do." He replies to his team's scout. Yes, he probably knows the White Death's history better than Force, but personality-wise and what this man does outside of his missions. That Ace does not know. A good drag of his cigarette and eyeing the other man, "Unless Iclyn is just as quiet towards you as she is to me."
"She talks, but never about this particular world." Force replies, and right before the room their quiet companion asked to meet him. The scout stops so he can add to the spy. "Apparently, a daemon is unable to enter that world."
"Interesting." Ace says, but is a little worried about what that will do to his partner, for unlike White's partner; she cannot leave his side. They step inside, and much to Ace of Spies' gratitude, White Death is already inside. The mute man stops repairing his white cloak the moment he spots them. "Good, I was dreading we had to waste more time." He and Force of Nature take a seat. Right away, Ace explains the situation "a comrade of mine has gone missing and from the last place his track lead, I have a strong suspicion that Mrs. Samantha got a hand in his disappearance."
Force and White narrow their eyes in hearing that the so-called Administrator, a woman they both know is a greater threat than the man who currently has an army of killer robots and three insanely powerful mystical creatures— has taken an ally of their elite spy. White forgets all about his cloak, and when learning forward to him, Iclyn speaks up. "Why do you need your student for this mission?" White waves to the outside and the white hare speak: "He is trying to put all of this behind him."
No, he isn't. Ace knows that man much better than they ever will. He knows that his student is not the type to put down his title as a spy, less so when he learns what his teacher is planning. "You let me be the judge of that." He brushes the sniper off, "All I ask from you is take me to his current location."
The elite sniper straightens himself up, his eyes narrow and Iclyn replies in a stern tone, "Fine, but I am closing the pathway after you have entered. I don't want any critter coming through. You have to find another way back."
"I already have one." Ace smirks, after all, he does not do things ill-prepared. Getting up from his chair. "I'm ready when you are." White nods and gets up and puts that white winter cloak on before he uses that knife only he can for some reason. The man cuts open a rift between this and that other world. With it open, White turns to face him, a troubled frown over his mangled face.
Iclyn eyes Ace. "I do not know how you will take the separation. All we know is that it won't separate you like I am to Simuna."
Well, he might expect the separation anxiety... not the most pleasant sense but he has to deal it seems. Ace moves over to the rift, he does take a peek before stepping through. It is leading to some alleyway, so spotting any of the inhabitants is impossible.
"Are you sure you don't want our help?" Force asks him.
It would make it easier, both White and Force are incredibly good at what they are doing, and their last mission here reminded that woman; they are not people to be messed around with. But this time around, she is prepared for them and Ace is unsure if he will survive this. "I prefer to keep this part of my life private," He tells his team's scout. It is partly true, but the real reason is that the many people under their command are going to need someone like Force of Nature. Although White has never been as strongly involved, the resistance needs his ability to traverse the many worlds and bring stuff that can give them the edge. Force crosses his arms but does not argue. Giving the two a nod, Ace walks through this rift.
**Three weeks later. Equestria, Ponyville**
Inside the Golden Oak Library, Twilight is trotting around, gathering a couple of letters and books and levitating them all over to the bag Spike holds for her. With that set, she heads over to another shelf filled with books; here, she wonders out loud. "Should I bring the "history of Star Swirl the Beaded" with me? It might have something about the magic he used for the portal."
"Old pony magic not important." Heavy replies, not bothering to look away from the game to eye the mare flying all over the library. He carefully pushes the bishop over the board, claiming Medic's Knight, making the healer frown. "You and Sunset have new magic for portal."
That is true, but they are still going to mess with some old magic, "But what if this magic is going to mix badly with Star Swirl's?"
Twilight asks and voices what has been worrying her ever since she spoke with that mysterious pegasus, one who gave her the idea to attempt opening a permanent portal between the two worlds. "What if we destroy the mirror and rob you an easy passage between our worlds?"
Putting down the bag, Spike assures her like he has so many other times. "Don't worry, Twilight, this magic was the very same that transported our partners." He turns to the two that seem much busier playing chess than bother with Twilight packing for her trip to Canterlot. "Right?"
"It's completely safe." Medic nods while levitating his queen to a new spot. "And if this theory you made with Sunset Shimmer is proven correct, then we wouldn't have to rely so much on Ignis and a certain wizard to get back and forward."
"Spare much worry." Heavy agrees that most of them are fine enough to stay in Equestria, but some would like to return home. He is one of those people.
"It sure will," Twilight agrees with the two; she levitates the book about Star Swirl over to the bag. "If we can open the portal permanently, we should be able to help the others defeat the Sirens— even though Sunset assured me that they are dealing with them just fine."
"Meaning they don't need us." Medic brushes off, not really in the mindset to help team Vanguard as he really wants to do some payback on that other medic for the stunt he pulled. Thought he was better just because he can control water, bah, Medic has long found a solution to that little problem. Cowboy on the other hand… yeah, still not a clue how to bypass those flames of rage. Maybe strike when he's in a good mood?
Brushing those thoughts aside, "You do not have to worry about the others. They are more than capable of handling themselves." He must admit that team Vanguard is strong in their field, though they can be quite predictable.
Twilight nods slowly, figuring her partner knows what he is talking about. "Okay." But opening the portal for good will benefit them all, instead of relying on Ignis and Merasmus to transport them to each side. Speaking of which, Twilight's biggest reason for trying this is so she can finally meet this much older than the princesses alicorn. "I will be leaving now." She levitates the bag and, with Spike on her side, heads out. Does peek her head in to tell her partner, "And no mad scientist experimenting while I'm gone!" They make such a big mess and Medic has a stupid tendency of not cleaning it up.
Medic lets out a loud groan and asks Twilight annoyed, "What are you, my nanny?!" much to Heavy's amusement. He shoots his boyfriend a glare. "Misha's nagging is bad enough."
"Doctor need it." Heavy chuckles, Medic snorts and looks away like a sullen child. "I will keep doctor in check." He promises Twilight.
"Thanks." With that, Twilight Sparkle leaves town to test this project she made with Sunset Shimmer.
**Canterlot**
Stepping away from the horseshoe-formed portal, Twilight Sparkle and the two other princesses anxiously await to see if the alicorn magic they infused into Star Swirls mirror portal has worked. At first, nothing happens, and right as Twilight starts wondering if she and Sunset made some miscalculations, the mirror lights up and out from it, a bronze-colored, with darker brown socks and golden armor over the neck and left shoulder walks out. He stumbles but is quick to recover his footing and the calm flaming hair settles over his face. Like Celestia's hair, his covers partly his strong purple eyes. Twilight is in awe to see the true form of Ignis, but also a bit dumbfounded that he barely has reacted to finally being back home after a thousand years trapped in the human world.
She steps back when Princesses Celestia and Princess Luna start walking over to him, the latter more hesitant than her older sister.
Finally, a new expression on the male alicorn's face, at first surprise, then his entire exterior softens. Before Celestia can fully approach her father, Ignis kneels before her and Luna. "Rulers of the Day and Night. I am at your command." Ignis speaks solemnly. Celestia stops, surprised by this sudden behavior and hurt that their father sees the crown before his daughters. Checking, she can see that Luna is just as taken aback as her. Turning back to their kneeling father, who most likely is merely reacting as he would towards the former alicorns of the past, perhaps even their own mother. It saddens Celestia to think that their parents might never have considered each other as equals. "You don't have to bow to us." She tells Ignis softly, "Not in this setting, not after so many years of separation." Her sister nods in agreement.
Ignis hesitates but straightens himself back up, a bit unsure as he has been trained harshly ever since he was young always to show ruler alicorns the utmost respect, but these two are not just rulers. They are his foals. "It has indeed." He gives the two a better look, last time Ignis saw them, either had their destiny marks or enough magic to make their hair flow. He feels a certain amount of pride, not a soldier pride from having defeated an enemy, but a father's pride of what has become of his daughters. "Last time I saw you two, neither reached my armor. Now look at you; beautiful mares, and from what I have gathered, you have done a wonderful job keeping your kingdom safe."
The two sisters exchanged a look with one another, flattered by his words, though the latter did bring up some still hurtful memories. "There have been complications on the way," Luna admits but does think she and Celestia have more or less figured this shared rule out. "but we manage." Their father smiles, and there are so many things Luna wants to ask him, but she is unsure if her sister's student should be here to hear about it. Her questions are very private and something she has so far only shared with their father through letters.
Sensing there is something Luna wishes to speak with Ignis about, and honestly, Celestia would like to catch up to him too but decides it can wait. She instead asks, "What about we show you around?"
Their father nods and Celestia turns to her former student, giving her a smile, which Twilight returns but also gets the message that it's time for her to give them some space.
Leaving the three alicorns, Twilight Sparkle does get the sense that they know one another, but well aware it's not her business to snoop. "Let's go home, Spike." She tells her number one assistant.
"Can we pass the comic book store first?" Spike asks; Twilight giggles but agrees, much to his joy.
**Next day, Ponyville**
Right as he leaves the Everfree forest, Spy takes his pegasus form. Even though most of the ponies have accepted his changeling form, a lot are still afraid of him. Honestly, he's in a too good of a mood for such a small thing to ruin his day. It's not like staying disguised like this changes— a sudden pain hits his head and Spy instinctually goes into fight or flight mode; he tenses up, eyes dating for whatever 'attacked' him.
He hears an embarrassed laugh from his son, "Whoops, didn't see ya there." and first there, Spy realizes that what hit him was a baseball. Scout trots over, picks up said ball and stops when apparently sensing that he got more than a bit startled. "Hey, it was just a ball. Sheesh." The speedster rolls his eyes.
Collecting himself, Spy is not proud he reacted that way, but he has been in constant danger from other assassins for as long as he can remember. It's a habit deeply engraved into his very mind, something that has kept him alive back when he didn't have respawn to count on. "You can't take the war out from the man." Or in his case, the paranoia of being on someone's list. Sure, Equestria has given him a much-needed place to rest in peace, but he probably never gets rid of his sense of vigilance as it has kept him alive from certain death. But enough about that. "What's the occasion for that sudden assault?" He asks Scout.
"Oh, just showing the ponies how baseball works." Scout shrugs and nods over to some of the local town's ponies, all practicing in standing on their hind legs while holding a bat. "It's kinda hard as they aren't used to using their hooves like that, but some of them are getting it. Maybe if they keep showing interest, I might try and form a team." He smiles to his old man, who calmly is watching the ponies and since he does not get some significant negative emotions, he continues on his river of words. "Who knows, might get a legit team. If not, then maybe I can still join one back in our world. Doubt it's going to be in Boston, but traveling won't be a problem from all the cash we got during our Mann Co hiring— thought the soul split sucked ball, but so did the trip here, but hey, it did turn out for the better."
Spy merely nods, only listening to his son with a half ear. There is only so many word dumping he can take at the time. Scout turns his chatter to how things has been going in this world and all of the crazy they have been through over the years. Spy is about to voice some of his thoughts back when he first ended up in this world but forgot all about it when he spots a tawny pegasus. This pegasus has neat blond hair with several white stripes; the cutie mark is a deck of cards with an ace of spade before the others. This elderly stallion has seemly appeared from nowhere, watching him with a smile Spy often used when he's about to get some juicy information from some oblivious sucker. Spy stares at this pony, no doubt who it is even though the uniform is lacking and so that black cat he always kept around.
That is Ace. But… why is he here?
He is quick to push down his surprise, and with a calm façade. "You better return to your students." He suggests his son, who fortunately didn't catch up on his earlier emotions.
"Sure, talk to you later, yeah?"
Spy nods and with Scout's focus away from him, he walks over to his teacher and bows his head slightly as a sign of respect.
Ace does the same, and with that always small but confident smile on his lips. "I see you have been catching up to your son." The smile fades away, replaced with a slight frown. "You are aware of the danger it presents for you." It's not a question but a statement.
"Yes, but in this world," Spy avoids his master's eyes and is sort of glad Ace merely got turned into a pegasus, though he doubts that will slow Ace sharp perception down. "I will starve if pushing people away."
"I see." The pegasus begins to walk away and without much thought, Spy follows him. As they walk through the streets of Ponyville, "I got a mission for you, and it is dangerous." Ace speaks, eyeing him with the statement. "Though, I am starting to have my doubts asking for your assistance." Spy frowns at this hint that his teacher no longer considers him worthy for such missions.
Ace glances back to him, a calm sort of disappointment, one he always wore when Spy couldn't do what his teacher had instructed him to do. Spy always felt terrible when he let his teacher down, and even though he's an adult, that feeling is still there. "I have kept my skills sharp." He argues with Ace, yes, Spy might have spent a lot of time relaxing and being there for his family. But he has still spent a lot of time making sure he could be an infiltrator, assassin, information gather— the spy Ace trained him to be in a minute's notice. And meeting the eyes with his teacher, the man who taught him everything he knows. "Make no mistake, I am still your best student."
"Good to know," his teacher smiles, "for I am going to need you for this mission."
If Ace is asking him, then it's something big. "I'm in." Spy says, no hesitating, no second thoughts of what this mission may entale. He is ready for it.
The smile is back, "Good, I'll put you up to date the moment we're back on two legs again." Spy merely nods. He's not really pleased about going back to the human world but has always known it was only a matter of time. After all, spies like him and Ace, there is no such thing as retirement.
**Canterlot**
Right as the guard got replaced by another, the window of opportunity; it was all the two needed and the guards are none the wiser about the two sneaking inside the room having the portal to another dimension. Ace walks over to the horseshoe-shaped mirror and smiles when his hoof goes through. "As expected, those two didn't disappoint."
Spy blinks, not only surprised that Ace knew about the portal, but by the sounds of it. "You were the one who made Twilight and Sunset attempt to open the pathway between our worlds?" Twilight did mention someone gave her the idea; he just hadn't expected it to be his teacher.
His master looks back to him, that smile of confidence strong on his muzzle. "Was easier than ask my co-worker to open another portal for me. Quite the stickler when it comes to that." Spy takes Ace is talking about White Death; according to Sniper, that guy can get to Equestria. How, Sniper does not know. "Now, let's get back. I don't want to waste too much time." and his master steps through. Spy follows but does hesitate; a similar feeling has returned. One he got the same night where he left his first family behind and like last time, it was for his own selfish needs. Spy sighs, "Once again, I'll leave because of him." He enters the portal, sincerely hoping history won't repeat itself.
finally, the portal is permanently open, which means our heroes can travel between worlds without any issue. I am not planning to write a chapter about Ignis spending time with his daughter, but if several of you want it, I will write it.
I will try to see if I can submit another chapter in a week, but it may be a bit longer. I have been a bit tight on schedule lately.
