Hello! This is the first story I've written properly for a fanfiction site
Story takes inspiration from Hearts and Minds By the card holder on fimfiction and The Base
of Wrath by Toasty31007.
Story takes place after both Royal and Strikers. Also around 16-17 years after the end of MLP.
"I know it's only been four months, but I'm still nervous to see them all again."
Ren Amamiya looked up from his phone to the tuxedo colored cat poking his head out of his
bag. The two had just gotten off the bullet train and were riding the subway to Yongen-Jaya. A
light Christmas Eve snow was falling outside signalling the beginning of winter break for many
students across Japan. For Ren and his friends this meant meeting up at Leblanc to catch up and
chat about what has been going on in their respective lives. Ren smiled when he thought about
meeting up with the Phantom Thieves again.
"You're just nervous we're gonna get dragged into some Metaverse shenanigans again." Ren
joked to his cat.
"Well
…
maybe
…
last time we met up we got dragged into that whole Jail situation and last
December we literally fought Shido and a god for control of all mankind! So I have a perfectly
good reason to be nervous!" Morgana said, slightly flustered at Ren's teasing.
"Don't forget about Maruki ." Ren snickered, "Well, I'm sure the fate of mankind won't be in
jeopardy for a third time this year. I think we can just enjoy Christmas and the New Year without
worrying about any sort of world ending calamity."
"Yeah, definitely. I'm really excited to see them all again!"
"Next stop is: Yogen-Jaya." Blurted the speakers from the subway car.
"Well here we are
…
.", Ren said as he pushed up his glasses.
"...Distortion
…
"
That's really the only word Luna could use to describe what she felt. It was something she had
never really sensed before. She kept trying to tell herself that she should leave this to Twilight,
after all she was now the official ruler of Equestria and Luna was supposed to be retired. She
couldn't help it though. Night was her domain and she felt the need to still look out for the
ponies of Equestria in some way even if it was from the shadows of their dreams.
…
.But this feeling
…
..
It's like somehow the spaces in the world of dreams were being manipulated in a way that
wasn't something she'd experienced. Normally the fears or hopes of a pony would manifest in
their dreams or nightmares depending on which two feelings were winning in their
subconscious. This however
…
.felt more like a singular desire was overtaking someponies'
dreams and the weirdest thing was that for some reason those dreams were blocking her from
entering. That's what made her anxious about this whole thing. Knowing somepony was
distressed, but being powerless to do anything about it.
It was then that, among the rows of doors to ponies' dreams, appeared an unfamiliar blue door
that seemed to beckon to her. She was hesitant to approach at first thinking it could be some
sort of trap. However, something inside her head and heart reassured her not to be afraid. She
wasn't sure what it was other than that it wasn't her. Taking a deep breath, she opened the
door to investigate hoping that there were some answers to her latest quandary. The room she
stepped into was very
…
well blue for lack of a better term. It was relatively small with velvet
covering nearly every wall, floor, and ceiling space. In the center was a small table with two
chairs sitting on either side. One was relatively plain while the other was a large plush chair in
which sat a strange humanoid male. While Luna knew of the existence of the human world, this
human looked nothing like the ones he had seen. A long nose that seemed impractical,
eyebrows that curled into branches like an old tree in winter, and bulging eyes that reminded
her of fish. This was all combined with a smile that seemed both comedic, comforting, and
creepy at the same time.
"Ah, Ms. Luna, I've been expecting you." the man said with a hand gesturing toward the empty
seat, "Please take a seat we have much to discuss."
She couldn't sense any malice from him though now she realized she couldn't sense anything
from him. Nevertheless, she decided to be mannerly and sit before grilling him with any of the
myriad questions she had.
"I understand you must have many questions," the man said as though he could read her mind,
"But allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Igor. Welcome to the Velvet Room, a place
that exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. Usually it is reserved for those who
have signed a contract, but for you I can make a very special exception." Igor said with an odd
giggle at the end.
"How do you know my name, Mr. Igor?" Luna politely, but firmly asked.
"Ah, your sister told me about you Ms. Luna. Though at the time you were still imprisoned in the
moon. Why she never told you about me I'm not sure, but I'm sure she had a good reason."
"I-I see." Luna seemed ashamed of her time as Nightmare Moon, but quickly pushed those
thoughts out of her mind and continued. "Then why have you summoned me? Is it about the
strange ...distortions happening in Ponies' dreams?"
"You certainly pick up quickly Ms. Luna, much like your sister. But yes it is about these
disturbances in the hearts of mortals that I have summoned you here. While most if not all in
your world are unaware of these developments, you on the other hand have a very special gift.
You can view the hearts of others through their dreams and even help overcome the troubles
that weigh on them. I am sorry to say that in this case, you will be unable to help directly."
Upon hearing these words, her heart sank. Had all this nightly patrolling been for naught? Even
more worrying, if she couldn't help solve this problem, who in Equestria could? She noticed
while being lost in her thoughts that Igor had placed 3 elongated face down cards from a small
deck he had on the table.
"Do not worry though Ms. Luna, this is where I come in. Let me guide you on a journey." He said
flipping over the first card. "Temperance in the upright position. Your world has been at peace
for some time. Balance has been achieved and many are content. I believe Celestia had
mentioned to me before about a certain "Twilight Sparkle" and "The Magic of Friendship
…
.I
wonder if they have anything to do with such a state" he said in a tone that indicated he very
much knew the answer to his own question.
Luna was perplexed by these unusual playing cards, but knowing her own affinity for being
mysterious, she let him continue as he flipped the second card.
"Oh dear, Justice in the reversed position. Your world now has become filled with injustice. The
great peace and prosperity has given way to those who would use such an environment for self
gain."
"B-but
…
..Twilight she should be able to stop this right? I mean she has been a wonderful ruler
so far! How could such things happen like you say they are?" Luna demanded, her voice raised
with each word in a mixture of anger and disbelief.
"Do not worry Ms. Luna, we still have one more card to go. Let us see what the future brings!"
Igor flipped over the last card and somehow his smile grew even wider. "The Fool in the upright
position. In the near future someone will undertake a journey that shall upheave the injustice in
your world. And it's for this that I have summoned you here to speak with me."
Luna stared at Igor as he shuffled the cards back into his deck. Her mind was still processing
what he had said about the injustices that faced Equestria and this "someone" who could save
it. "Who is this individual you speak of and how can you be so trusting of them?"
"Well this someone hasn't been decided upon as of yet, however there is one in particular I
think suits a mission of this kind very well. I have to ask if they would agree to help, but I am
very certain they will say yes. The thing is
…
.they come from another world."
"Another world? Are you sure this is wise? How can they save Equestria if they know nothing
about it?" Exclaimed Luna, to which Igor simply chuckled at.
"Because Ms. Luna, sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see the rot infesting a land. Those
who are used to the status quo and the gradual changes may not see the infection before it is
too late. An outsider will see through such things and find the source of corruption. As we are
both aware, sometimes good things must be done from the shadows."
The ex-princess couldn't really argue with that. After all, during her reign she was in charge of
patrolling the darkness in order to put to rest many of the evils and fears that plagued her
subjects. Many of which could only be seen in the dim glow of moonlight.
"Very well, so what is my role in all of this? As you said I cannot help directly."
"Correct, however in order to allow this individual and their friends to help your world's
problems, I need your permission. The barrier between worlds is not so easily crossed, but with
your permission my help shall be able to enter and go as they please. This crossing goes both
ways I should add, though I will make sure to prevent any unintended crossings. If you agree to
this, please
…
.sign here." Igor snapped his fingers and suddenly a contract and pen appeared on
the small table in between him and Luna. Luna overlooked the contract. It seemed fair enough
and was mostly just a repeat of what Igor had said. Using her magic she levitated the pen and
signed on the dotted line.
"Excellent!" Igor said as he clapped his hands making the contract and pen disappear. "Do not
worry Ms. Luna, your world will be saved from ruin. It might undergo some hardship, but that is
just life is it not?"
Luna nodded "I suppose it is Mr. Igor. If that is all, I would like to get back to my nightly patrol."
"Of course. Though one more thing. I would like you to keep this meeting secret from the others
of your world. These individuals work better in secrecy so It is best if their arrival is announced
only on their own terms."
Luna nodded again as she exited the room and as the door shut behind her it disappeared. She
stood contemplating all that had just transpired.
"Announced on their own terms? What does that mean?"
Making his ways through the winding narrow streets of Yongen-Jaya, Ren finally arrived at the
front of Cafe Leblanc. Though it had only been 4 months, it felt like 4 years. The ground outside
was covered in a light snow and much of the district seemed to be empty. Most likely due to
folks either staying home or going elsewhere for Christmas Eve, Ren thought to himself. As he
made his way inside, he heard the familiar ding of the bell above the door.
Only two individuals were there to greet Ren in the small Tokyo coffee shop. The first was
Leblanc's one man owner and barista, Sojiro Sakura who was in his usual attire with the addition
of a black wool undershirt for warmth. Sitting in one of the bar stools, knees hugging her chest,
was Futaba dressed in her usual cold weather attire though the green hoodie she was wearing
this time had a logo of some anime Ren had never heard of. Hearing the sound of the bell, Both
turned to look at Ren with Futaba hopping out of her stool to hug her pseudo big brother.
"Welcome back!" She exclaimed as Ren returned her hug,
"Finally made it, huh?" Sojiro said with his usual smirk.
"Getting impatient in your old age, Chief?" Ren remarked sarcastically
"Well it seems that mouth is still the same as ever." Sojiro said with a chuckle, "Anyways,
surprised everyone else isn't here as well."
"That's because they're busy with school or family stuff." Futaba chimed in, "We've already
worked everything out in the group chat. We're all gonna come over here tomorrow to
celebrate Christmas together and maybe work out what else we're gonna do over the break!"
"Plus I'm pretty tired from all that travelling" Morgana mewed as he finally poked his head out
of Joker's bag. "I mean do you know how exhausting it is to get jostled all over the place for
hours upon end?"
"Awwww, is the kitty gwumpy?" Futaba said mockingly while scrunching Morgana's face.
"I keep forgetting you guys can actually understand him." Sojiro said, watching the cat trying to
swat Futaba away. 'Anyways I'm gonna lock up here and let you two catch up. Futaba please try
not to come home too late, yeah?"
"No problemo!"
The three thieves went up to Ren's room to catch up on what's been happening in their lives
during the past 4 months.
"So empty
…
ironic for the castle that used to belong to the Princess of Friendship."
Flurryheart thought as her mind drifted from her studies. Knowing Auntie Twilight, she would
probably like it that way if she were here studying instead. But coming from the more lively
Crystal Palace back home, this place seemed near abandoned. No servants, guards, or anypony
else; It was just her, the walls, and her books. She tried to refocus on her work, but her mind
refused, it wanted her to think about anything except what was in front of her. The memories of
her fillyhood soon became front and center of her consciousness. Running and flying down the
hallways of the palace practicing her flying abilities. Her parents admonished her for being so
reckless.
Look at you, always causing a mess
Another memory surfaced, this time from when she was a little older. She tried to sneak out of
the palace to hang out with some other ponies her age; try to "fit in". It went horrible. Laughed
out by those she wanted to impress and scolded by her parents for disobeying them.
I mean who would want to hang out with some stuck up noble, right?
Finally the memory that always seemed to come out at times like this. One she always tried to
bury in the depths of her mind, but no matter how hard she tried it crawled its way back like a
zombie who just refused to die. It started as an argument with her dad. Over what she can't
really recall anymore.
Probably on how much of a screw up you are.
The argument grew tense and louder. Like a pot on the stove that was left unchecked. Before
long, the metaphorical water boiled over. It all happened so fast. One minute she was yelling at
her dad then the next it was chaos all over the throne room. The emotional magical burst she
released had torn the room's furniture asunder like a mini tornado had blown through. The
servants and guards stared at her in horror. Then she saw it
…
..a younger servant was laying
against the wall moaning in pain as their left front hoof bent in an odd direction. When she
turned to look at her parents it was fear on her mother's face and rage on her father's. Not long
after she was sent to Ponyville on the advice of Twilight who hoped that maybe it would help
Flurryheart in the same way it did her. However, she knew exactly what this was.
A princess in exile from her own kingdom, how pathetic. You really are a failure. Everytime you
try to do your own thing you just screw it up for everyone else. Just keep your head down and
listen to the adults. Maybe then you'll become a royal who's actually worth following.
"I need some air."
Flurryheart peeled her eyes away from her studies with a large exhausted huff. Looking at the
time, she realized she had been inside all morning. She slowly strode out of the castle having to
block the sun with her hooves before she adjusted to the brightness. It was winding down to
the end of the year in Equestria with less than a month away from Hearth's Warming Eve. Snow
was sprinkled haphazardly across the various structures of Ponyville. Meanwhile ponies were
beginning to set up decorations in preparation for the holiday season.
"Wonder if Mom and Dad will even want me back this year for the holidays?" She thought,
"Then again ever since
…
..well it's always been kind of awkward going home. Probably just best
if I spend it here by myself ... .again
…
.."
"Oh Flurryheart! Finally decided to crawl out from under your rock?" Called an excitable voice
that could really only belong to one pony in particular.
"Oh, Hi Mrs. Pinky. I was just getting some air. I've been studying all morning trying to make sure
I can pass my next test."
"Rubber Stamp is really running you ragged over there, huh? I knew he was a perfectionist, but
it seems he's really putting in the work to teach you guys about friendship!"
Rubber Stamp was the newest headmaster of Twilight's School of Friendship and "perfectionist"
was one way of describing him. Other ponies usually called him a stick in the mud, the type to
really grill somepony for even the slightest infraction. He was a real stickler for rules, bylaws,
and the fine print of any text. He had been put in charge by the Equestrian High Council after
Princess Twilight became busy with strengthening foreign diplomacy and investing into magical
research. They believed that his knack for paperwork and filing would help streamline the
school to become more efficient.
But to Flurryheart, he was just a jerk.
"Yeah, ya know it Ms. Pinkie
…
..He really tries to bring the best out of us." She lied softly. All
Stamp was really good at bringing out was her stress about any given situation.
"Fantastic! Well I've still got a lot to plan for this year's Hearth's Warming Eve party! Just make
sure not to study too hard or else your eyes will melt okay?"
Flurryheart laughed "Alright Miss Pinkie, tell Slice and Sandwich I said hi."
The two ponies went their separate ways and once again. Flurryheart was once again left with
her thoughts as she strolled through Ponyville. Even in a close knit town like Ponyville, she felt
so
…
.alone. Many ponies didn't know how to approach nor did they feel like they had anything
in common. Plus many of them had their own friend groups. Even so it was like the other ponies
avoided her.
Probably heard the rumors of what you did back home or maybe they're making their own
rumors.
"Ugh.." If only she could turn off her own brain for an hour, she thought. It'd save her a lot of
stress. Though it was really that jerk Rubber Stamp who was causing her much of it. He was
always so demanding, especially of her. Asking her the hardest questions in class and really
digging into her when she got it wrong. What was his deal?
"Ms. Heart, I see you'd rather lollygag about than actually study for this semester's exams."
Well speak of the devil.
"Professor! I-I was just taking a break from my studies! My eyes were starting to strain
…
.ya
know?" She stammered after being shook from her thoughts.
Before her was the grey coat unicorn, Rubber Stamp. His usual beige suit was complimented by
a brown scarf around his neck. Adjusting his glasses with his hooves while glaring down at
Flurryheart, he sighed and shook his head.
"No, I don't know Ms. Heart. Unlike you I have perfect concentration when it comes to reading.
In any case, I hope you're prepared for the exams. Princess Twilight will be looking at these
results to see how I have improved things at her academy. I sincerely hope that progress is
reflected especially well in your results. It would be a shame if her own niece is failing under my
tutelage."
"I
…
I understand, professor." She said dejectedly
"Good. Now I would suggest studying a little more. It's not like you're going back home this
Hearth's Warming Eve anyways. If you'll excuse me, I have some tests to write." He sneered.
After walking away, Flurryheart tried to dry the tears that she had held back in front of Rubber
Stamp.
"Crabapples
…
" She muttered quietly to herself.
"Merry Christmas, Everyone!" Said Futaba to the gathered Phantom Thieves.
The other Thieves responded in kind, raising their beverages in toast to the holidays. Leblanc
had closed for the holidays and Sojiro was overseeing the celebrations to make sure the kids
didn't get too out of hand. Though he was also just glad to see all these kids back together.
"Just take it easy guys, I still got a cafe to run tomorrow ya know?"
"Understood Boss, I'll make sure they don't get too out of hand." Makoto said
"Yeah, don't worry, Boss. If we wrecked this place we wouldn't have too many other places to
crash and hang out would we?" Ryuji joked, eliciting a chuckle from everyone in the room.
Ren was smiling looking around the room. Even though it had only been 4 months it felt like
everyone had matured much more than that. The Thieves were still their usual upbeat and
raucous selves, but each of them had also grown in their own way as well. Ryuji seemed to be
more jacked than last time and his leg was limping less. Ann seemed genuinely happier. Yusuke
had gotten slightly better at casual conversation. Makoto carried herself with more confidence.
Futaba was more social. Haru had loosened up on her formalness a bit. The Thieves were slowly
but surely becoming adults.
"But we'll never forget where we came from"
"Wait, you actually got accepted into a university?" Makoto asked Ryuji, who had a mile wide
smirk plastered on his face.
"Not just accepted, but offered a scholarship! The University of Queensland has some sort of
new research program to help recovery in athletes with major injuries like mine! They said I
could study there if I agreed to take part in the program and join their Track club."
"Ryuji in Australia, huh. Honestly I can totally see you fitting in there." Ann said.
"Yeah, he's just as vulgar as your average Aussie tourist." joked Morgana.
"Not to mention the hair." Futaba added.
"Oh and I think you'd look wonderful in a shark tooth necklace." Haru commented.
"Oh come on guys, it's not like I'm gonna turn into Crocodile Dundee." He groaned.
"Ryuji wrestling a crocodile
…
..how I would love to see that so I could capture it in my work."
Yusuke pondered.
"My money's on the Crocodile." Ren said dryly as everyone laughed.
"They may change, but they're still the same old thieves I've come to know and care for."
Then the bell above the door rang as everyone turned their heads to see who the unexpected
visitor was.
"Oh, sorry, but we're currently cl-...closed
…
" Sojiro trailed off as he realized that the person
whom he was addressing was much smaller than he expected.
"Apologies for intruding, sir. I promise to only take a minute." Said the small girl in a blue dress
before addressing the rest of the group. "Merry Christmas, Phantom Thieves it has been quite a
while since we last spoke. Though a bit shorter for you isn't it Trickster?"
"Lady Lavenza! What a surprise to see you here, but what are you doing here?" Morgana
questioned as everyone in the room including Sojiro was in slight shock seeing the velvet room
attendant in the real world again.
"Is the world ending again already?" Ren asked half-jokingly.
Lavenza chuckled, "Don't worry Trickster, your world is still fine. Though the matter I wish to
talk to you about does concern the fate of another world."
"Another world?" Makoto questioned.
Lavenza nodded, "Yes, my master has requested the aid of the Phantom Thieves once again for
a personal matter that concerns the distortions taking place in another reality
…
.
To be continued