[Short Story Inspiration]

Plans I have mostly never come to fruition. It doesn't have anything to do with laziness, is more like... "The plan didn't go as planned". Have any of you "writers" ever wrote a character that did things differently from your original vision? I believe MOST of you would say no, since MOST of your OC's must be self inserts of some kind. (Got to emphasize those "most".) But for me, it isn't really the case.

Lapistoria and Galaxy aren't my self inserts, not by the longest shot. They are severally different from the ideal self I want to be, and because of that, it is hard for me to control their path towards their ideal end goal. It's incredible how something that is well within my control could slip from my hand in a psychological way. Might as well let God take the wheel, cause even though I know where they'll end up in the end.

I do not know how or when will they reach it?

[Chapter 16: Schedule Scramble]

Before moving on with the crazy stuff Spike and Lapistoria are doing, we move over to the princesses, who are currently reviewing Galaxy's prophecy book in search of its creator. After taking a good look multiple times, nothing came out of it. It even stopped giving visions of Galaxy's countless resets, disencouraging the princesses urge to do more research.

Celestia: This isn't going anywhere, let's take a short pause.

Luna: I rather give in at this point. All pages aside from the one halfway through the book are entirely empty. We've checked five times already, and nothing is appearing.

Celestia: I want to keep searching anyways, I won't give up until the day is over.

Luna: Sister, when a pony does an experiment and fails, said pony won't keep doing the same thing until it works, because it WON'T WORK!!!

Celestia: *Sigh* Fine... Guess we can stop for today until I come up with something. By the way, it's almost lunch time, do you want me to make you something?

Luna: A salad with brussel sprouts and cherry tomatoes would do me fine.

Right as Celestia was about to leave, from the window came sparkling magic towards the princess direction. The magic stopped in front of her, swirling into a letter, and landing on the princess hoof. The two princesses knew this was one of Spike's letters. Having something like this arrive to them out of nowhere put them in a state of worry.

Luna: A letter? What happen this time?

Celestia: Don't know? I hope this letter isn't similar to the one Spike sent during the Cursed Gem Incident.

Upon opening the letter, Princess Celestia dictate the contents to her sister. Once she was done reading, they were at a loss for words. Celestia dropped the letter, and the two sisters flew out of the castle.


I don't know how to start explaining this, but Lapis is on a bit of a pickle here. Galaxy's daughters came all of a sudden, and forced her to play a game called "Hide and Die". The game starts tomorrow, so we got a bit of time to spare. And good thing too, cause the girls gave Lapis a copy of one of Galaxy's Nullifiers, and she can't take it off. Luckily, we came up with a plan to survive, but it requires us to leave Canterlot for the time being.

By the luck of the trains, Galaxy is on the Crystal Empire, making it a Relevant Landmark, and allowing us temporary access to that place. I will not write which Irrelevant Landmark we'll be going after Galaxy is out of the Crystal Empire. We can't risk his daughters snatching this letter. I made a copy of the game rules on the back, so that you understand why you shouldn't help us. However, there is one thing I'm begging you to do aside from not following us...

Please, don't stop the sun...


On the skies above the castle, Celestia and Luna had their sights on the train station. They wanted to see if they could catch it before it made its trip towards the Crystal Empire. Unfortunately, the two princesses only caught a glimpse of the train Lapistoria and Spike took, knowing fully well this train is also the one Galaxy is going to use to get back. The princesses were massively late, they weren't even close to stopping them.

Luna: No... They're already gone...

Celestia: LAPISTORIA!!! SPIKE!!!

[Middle of the 21st day: 8 days remaining]


Moving over to the train, it has finally left the mountain tracks, and it's now going on a straight path towards the Crystal Empire. Spike and Lapistoria were looking back at the snowy mountain Canterlot reside in. They were a bit worried on how the princesses received the letter.

Lapistoria: Hope they're not mad at us. We kinda had no choice...

Spike: At least we let them know, which is better than disappearing without a reason.

This wasn't making Lapistoria feel any better. She lowered her head in shame, knowing fully well this could have been avoided. Curiosity can be such a fickle thing, Spike understood that. That is why he can't be mad at her when he sees her like this. Knowing you did something wrong, and feeling bad about it, is already enough of a punishment.

Spike: Hey, if this plan ends up working, we won't see Galaxy's daughters tomorrow! Isn't that amazing!

Lapistoria: But if it doesn't work I'll-

Spike: It WILL work! I know it will! Definitely!

Spike is truly a beacon of hope shining through a cloud of despair. His assertive nature manage to brighten up Lapistoria's mood, along side her confidence. With that, the dragon and filly felt a much-needed sense of relief, which gave them the comfort to speak about things unrelated to what they're doing. In other words, a simple chat.

Lapistoria: Spike, there used to be a School of Friendship in the town of Ponyville, right?

Spike: Yes, but it vanish a little after Galaxy's arrival. Even the students seem to have disappear as well.

Lapistoria: Were there any memorable ponies in the school?

Spike: There were more than just ponies. Well, I guess Sandbar was the only pony among the group. You know what, Let me start with him.

During the remainder of the ride, Spike spoke in full detail about a group of students with an exceptional bond. Their names were; Sandbar, Yona, Silverstream, Gallus, Ocellus, and Smolder. All of them were different creatures who shared a desire to understand the "Magic of Friendship". So despite being drastically different in both personality and race, their similar paths made them overlook those differences.

The little dragon spoke about them fondly. Especially Smolder because she was the one who taught him how to fly. (When he used to have wings of course.) Till this day he still doesn't know how he lost his wings, but it isn't that much of a bother for him. Saying that had Lapistoria taking a small peek at her own wings, as she can hardly imagine living a life without them.

Lapistoria: Are you really ok with it? Not being able to fly?

Spike: Well of course, if anything, I'm practically back to how I used to be without them. Still... I kinda miss not having them...

Lapistoria: Is there something else you miss about your old life?

Spike: Many things, probably too many to tell. But there is a pony I miss a lot, the pony that I've been with since the start...

Lapistoria: Princess Twilight Sparkle?

Spike: You don't have to say it like that! Tone down the honorific!

Lapistoria: Sorry! I didn't want to be disrespectful!

Spike: No... It isn't that... You're just being too kind...

In their short moment of silence, they saw how out the cart window the snow was disappearing. Even though the season is winter, snow never falls on the Crystal Empire as long as the Crystal Heart remains in its pedestal. With this info, Spike deduced that they were getting closer to the Crystal Empire.

Spike: Alright, we're almost there. Remember Lapis, we can't let Galaxy see you. If he see you the way you are now, I doubt he'll let you live.

Lapistoria: Actually... this might sound strange but...

Spike: NnoooOOOOooo...

Lapistoria: I was thinking that Dark could probably...

Spike: No-no-no...

Lapistoria: Help me remove the Nullifier...?

Spike: NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!


The train finally reached the station. As the doors open, Spike was still trying to convince Lapistoria into not crossing paths with Galaxy. The dragon's plea fall on deaf ears as he cling to the filly.

Spike: NO, NO, NO-

Lapistoria: IT'S NOT AUTUMN SPIKE!!! I WON'T DIE!!! LET GO OF ME!!!

Spike: It's never autumn in the Crystal Empire! NEVER!!! Let's just hide somewhere Lapis!

Lapistoria: I need to take this thing off! I need Dark Matter to help me!

Spike: HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SO CASUALLY!? GALAXY WON'T HELP YOU!!!

Spike quickly run in front of Lapistoria, standing in her way. He doesn't want to stop until a semblance of common sense makes Lapistoria reconsider. However, the pegasus filly's mind was set, she was not going to stop now.

Spike: Please Lapis, THINK!!!

Lapistoria: ...

Spike: Do what thinking is! It's just a fancy word, for changing your mind...

Lapistoria: *Sigh* Spike, if I don't take this thing off, what am I gonna do after the game is over? I won't be able to kill Dark Matter without my powers!

Spike: Oh dear Celestia! Would you just LISTEN-

A loud explosion was heard in the distance, it came from the castle of the Crystal Empire. The Crystal Heart was resonating with the crystal ponies emotions, and it expanded all the way to the train station. When it reached the dragon and filly, the two flinched before their bodies changed to be similar to the crystal ponies. Lapistoria saw how her fluffy white mane turned smooth and straight, with Spike barely having any changes other than the crystal effects.

Lapistoria: W-What is this!? I look different!

Spike: It's the Crystal Heart! I don't know what Galaxy is doing down there? But it must be something joyful at the very least.

Lapistoria: That sounds illogical...

Spike: OH!? And you think he's going to reason with you on getting that thing removed!?

Lapistoria: Touché

Off in the distance, music can be heard getting closer. Spike saw Lapistoria was still willing to meet Galaxy, so he decided to not bother any further, and step aside to see how things play out. After a bit, the music's lyrics were slowly becoming auditable, but they didn't sound like Japanese. It was a whole other language all together... Chinese...

Finally on sight, Galaxy was marching towards the train station with a crowd of crystal ponies. His sparkling red mane was as spiky as a Super Saiyan, and his song was as joyful as the light of love radiating from the Empire.

Here comes the best lyrics!

Galaxy: ~Nae nigga nae-nae nigga-nigga nae-nae, nae nigga nae-nae nigga-nigga nae-nae!~

The song is called; [Sunshine, Rainbow, and White Pony]. A Chinese song misinterpreted by the "English Humans". The song was enjoyed by the crystal ponies, but Spike and Lapistoria couldn't find the appeal. At this point one must be wondering: "How does Galaxy knows Chinese?" A thing Galaxy neglected to mention was that his father was Japanese, and his mother was Chinese.

Why did he never said that? Simple, he just didn't. Pushing irrelevant backstory aside, Galaxy and Lapistoria's eyes met from afar, just as he finished his song. The crystal ponies stood there waving him goodbye as he ran over to the platform to talk to Lapistoria. He was confused, but intrigued to say the least.

Galaxy: Holy shit! What the fuck are you doing here!?

Lapistoria: That's not important. Now, tell me how to remove this thing before your train makes its departure.

Lapistoria lifted the hoof that had the Nullifier stuck on. When Galaxy saw it, he took a small glimpse at his own Nullifiers before questioning Lapistoria.

Galaxy: How did you get that?

Lapistoria: Not important either, just tell me.

The prince did not say anything yet. In his mind he was putting all the pieces together. Why would Lapistoria have a Nullifier, an item unique to him, that fits around her hoof perfectly? Once he figured it out, he started laughing right as the train whistle was blowing. The train was about to leave the station, and Galaxy had to board it to his disappointment

He still kept laughing though...

Galaxy: AAAHAHAHAHAHA!!! LAMAO!!! XD. If you can't survive this, you don't deserve to be my villain!

On the inside of the train, Galaxy was still laughing through the window. In an effort to piss Lapistoria off, he showed her one of his Nullifiers, and he started taking it off and on with the greatest of ease. The pegasus filly had a face of bafflement, as she tried to do it herself to no avail. Spike facepalm at the way Galaxy made her look like a fool. But at least that's better than getting beaten or killed.

Lapistoria: DARK MATTER!!!

Spike: Is it wrong for me to think this was our best possible outcome? I mean, he doesn't even know where we're going.

Lapistoria: Not while I still have this thing on! *Sigh* Forget about it... The Crystal Empire is now an Irrelevant Landmark. I'm gonna get us the tickets.

Spike: Ok... (We were lucky Galaxy went to the Crystal Empire today, but why did he went here? During these three months he had only visited this place twice, making this his third visit. This might be his last time here.)


In the train Galaxy was on, the alicorn looked out the window with anticipation for tomorrow's blood bath. He won't be intervening, but he will make the season appropriate for such occasion. While thinking about how things will go, he pulled out two ring boxes, and opened them to admire them.

One ring was made out of gold, and had embedded a beautiful clear diamond. The second ring was made out of silver, and its gem was the most deepest blue sapphire anypony has ever seen. The mere act of looking at them brought him thrill.

Galaxy: (Damn, tomorrow is going to be bussing! If my daughters actually manage to kill the twat, I can skip straight to the wedding! I'm almost done! THANK FUCKING GOD!!!)

Galaxy never shows this, but he's REALLY sick of this world. Every day has been one minor mess after another. The prince just can't catch a breath. As he looked out the window, the Crystal Heart's magic was fading away, returning him back to his more handsome default state. He then began ruminating on the next Equestria he wants to visit.

Galaxy: (I want to live like that twat in my next life, but I'll probably pass on that... hmmm... How about... An Anthropomorphic Equestria!!!)

The train rides off into the distance, never to return again. Galaxy spend the rest of his day staring at the rings, awaiting for the day to give them to the ponies he loves.


Returning back to the Crystal Empire, Lapistoria and Spike boarded another train, which is getting ready to depart. By this point, some time has passed since Galaxy's ride back to Ponyville. It was already the afternoon, and both filly and dragon were tired of waiting.

Spike: FINALLY! WE'RE GONE!!!

Lapistoria: Spike, can you remind me what hotel we're going again?

Spike: It's called Manefair Hotel. It has great service! Mostly because they've helped me get Rarity's luggage off my back when I went there with Twilight and the girls.

Lapistoria: Good thing we don't have luggage! LET'S GO!!!

Finally released from the bordom of waiting, the train embarked on to their next Irrelevant Landmark. Lapistoria took her tickets out to see them, and there's when we discover the Irrelevant Landmark they choose to survive in.

Their next destination, is Manehattan

The young filly smiled at the dragon, and after putting the tickets away, she asked in a cheerful voice...

"Spike, got any more stories?"

[End of the 21st day: 7 days remaining]


[End of Chapter 16]