The World Cup Narrative - The Story So Far

[Jeric 46,850]

Discord's Folly

 

 

During a run-of-the-mill gaming night with Spike and Big Mac, or whatever passes for run-of-the-mill with him, the trio of Spike, Discord, and Big Mac await Luna, who Spike had invited to attend, much to Discord's initial annoyance. Discord, impatient with waiting for her, and assuming Luna has not shown up for Ogres and Oubliettes due to being too obsessed with 'spying on other ponies dreams' rather than having some fun for once, decided to take the game to her in the Dream Realm. Instantly, he transports the three of them to Luna's location. 

Discord and company finds that Luna is watching a dream with Rainbow Dash playing in a Buck Ball tournament. Luna, dismissing Discord's pushy antics states that she has feels that something is out of place that she cannot put her hoof on, and states that she cannot leave until she figures it out. Discord, impulsively attempts zap all four of them out of the dream when, in the blink of an eye, the Dream Realm zaps every pony and creature in Equestria, and some from other dimensions into the one dream. 

Disoriented, each pony and creature finds their way to each other, along with manifestations of other individuals created by the ponies dreams. Most of Equestria and beyond witness that the Dream Real has reshaped itself into floating islands in a starry void, each island representing key locations throughout Equestria. Unable to awaken, and surmising that their predicament is due to the mixing of chaos magic and dream magic, Star Swirl and Twilight plan to let the dream play out in hopes that it its conclusion everypony will awaken. The dream that Luna was drawn to originally -- Rainbow Dash's Buck Ball tournament. 

Though unbeknownst to them, a darkness approaches. As teams are selected by some unknown yet helpful presence ... one of the dream creatures ... a legendary creature from pony myth named Grogar watches and studies.  

 

 

[MangoFoalix 24,944]

Wow, this was a treat to read. Great job on this @Jeric

 

[Ganondorf8 11,282]

So now we know why all of these characters have gathered together... and it's through no fault of their own.

[Nature Tune 8,392]

Nice! Interesting little story you wrote there, Jeric.

[Lord Valtasar 12,690]

oh don't blame this on Discord, he just wanted to play a more-or-less peaceful game of OnO

[Jeric 46,850]

Prior to her elimination, Ketle Corn had a vision in the form of a written haiku. She did not understand it's nature, and decided against sharing its contents with the adults. Meanwhile, Grogar, a being of lengendary power, and dismissed by Twilight and Starswirl as nothing more than a dream projection like Daybreaker, makes a deal with Sombra ... who has seemingly knows more about the truth behind this event than the others. Sombra agrees to align with Grogar if he spares Radiant Hope ... but spare her from what?

[Jeric 46,850]

After several round of games the winners celebrate with those that did not move on, believing that they are close to undoing the magic that has them trapped in the dream realm. Twilight, tired but in good spirits discusses the current situation with her friends ... 

[Pinkie Pie 417]

HEY GIRLS! 

In celebration of everpony's efforts I baked my famous yakyak chili and sweet celery cupcakes! Trust me .... is tastes even better than it sounds!  Prince Rutherford taught me the recipe himself. 

[Applejack 116]

> soft chuckle

Leave it to Pinkie to find a working oven and cupcake ingredients in a dream. 

 

[Rarity 262]

Well, we are in a dream. Yesterday, Sassy was able to conjure a spa and Lotus and her sister held a spa day for the participants. Talk about a needed relaxing break.  It was absolutely divine. 

[Denim&Venöm 18,706]

What? This is what this thread is about isn't it? 

[Dabmanz 2,139]

Interesting cupcake flavor sounds yum  

[Grogar 50]

Grogar stood among them, for days, weeks perhaps. It was hard to tell. Time had no meaning in this place. Past, present, and future or the corporeal world could be witnessed from his land. A gift of Tambalon that he often took advantage of. His glowing red eyes became a slit at the exploration of countless memories of being able to see his past failure unfold tens of thousands of times. His defeat at the claws of a lucky dragon prevented him from bringing his kingdom of souls into Equestria, and upon examination of his defeat he was able to glean much from that battle. Even though Grogar considered himself focused on the resurrection of Tambalon into the firmament, his obsession with finding a solution to his last encounter with Dragons proved a worthwhile distraction, at least at first. It was when he saw a fatal mistake of that blasted dragon that he found a solution. While Tambalon and himself could no longer manifest directly in Equestria, he could do so ... in other ways. 

Grogar walked into a center clearing encircled by willow trees. Trees given a ephemeral glow to their hanging dressing. A few of the young ones were in awe of them, no doubt created by someone with a rather creative imagination. The ponies deserved respect, and caution. He had previously attempted to fight the ponies, but their essences proved difficult to capture, until now. The weaker ones first ... then the others. 

Grogar started chanting in a language that he know was the only being left who could speak and understand it. His bell, a relic affixed around his neck, started glowing, his eyes closed as he concentrated. There was enough to start ... 

 

"Espiritu, nosventis, caligruvon diavek Tambalon!"

 

And with this words the earth surrounding the clearing trembled. A cone shaped segment of rock topped with wild grass and flowers rose from the clearing, carrying Grogar in position to see all the areas of his fabrication. Over the rumbling of the earth, he could hear a cacophony of screams of shock and surprise. He allowed a glance downward and witnessed the pink Love Princess grab her foal in an instinctual mode of protection. She cradled the now crying baby. Grogar considered the fact that in a few seconds, the tears would cease to flow from the child, but would assuredly run freely from the alicorn matron that held her. He considered this, and though of the peace and glory that awaited the child, and the others. He activated a shield around him. He thought it prudent for the time being. Ascended to an appropriate height, Grogar ignored the knowledge that several of the more powerful ponies and creatures had affixed their gaze on him. His bell vibrated with fury and anticipation. It's glow a near coruscate emanation that would be blinding to any lesser being. His thoughts before unleashing the wave of magic flooded all of the land in this ephemeral place were only of Tambalon. 

Then .... it happened 

[Fluttershy 203]

EEEP!

OH MY! I can't see anything! Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, are you okay?

[Twilight Sparkle 369]

I'm here Fluttershy! Hold on ... 

 

Twilight focused and cast a light dampening spell allowing her and her friends to see their immediate surroundings. She breathed a sigh of relief at the realization that her friends were all present and accounted for. Twilight trotted over to Fluttershy and put a arm around her to reassure her. Fluttershy may be strong at times, but she still wanted her friend to know that things were going to be alright. 

 

 

[Rainbow Dash 290]

Okay, that was completely uncool, I'm going to have a headache for days. I mean, who does that? That was even brighter than Celestia during the Summer Sun Celebration! I better go check on Scoots.

 

Rainbow, still feeling a bit lightheaded and dizzy from the flash of light, flew off toward where the CMC was. The slight disorientation was hard to compensate for, but the cyan pegasus was thankful that her normal vision was returning just fine.

 

Looks like the light blast is fading away. Better get to Scoots and the girls fast. Something feels ... off. 

 

Putting her all into it, Dash accelerated even though she know it would likely be dangerous flying without being 100% certain of yaw and bearing. It didn't matter. Something deep inside her told her that the fillies needed her, and even though Dash had experienced fear before, she pushed away the growing panic. 

[Pinkie Pie 417]

Pinkie didn't feel normal. At all. She had been sick before, bad cupcakes, and too many scoops of cake frosting on her waffles could make her feel a little queazy. This was VERY different. After the flash Pinkie heard herself yelp and then exclaim something about wanting to hire that Grogar guy for a party sometime. Then she started to feel all funny inside. Sort of like that moment just as you are waking up from a sleep and you are there .... but not really there. 

 

This was not a good feeling. Pinkie found it hard to focus. What was she thinking about a moment ago? Pinkie felt disoriented and ... light? Yes. She felt almost as light as a feather on a diet. Something wasn't quite right. Just then she heard Rarity scream her name. She looked in that direction .... it was so hard to focus but she saw her friend at a full sprint, followed by a purple flash of light right in front of her. It was Twilight. 

 

Twilight. I think I may have eaten something bad ... I don't feel so good ... Twilight .... 

 

Pinkie's last thought as she raised out a hoof to Twilight was odd, even to her. She thought that she could see right through her hoof and then it was gone. Now that's silly ... 

 

and then nothingness. 

[Denim&Venöm 18,706]

I knew that this was the direction the cup would go. 

[Lord Valtasar 12,690]

i'll think twice before voting against innocent foals next time, poor Cadence

[Spike 32]

Meanwhile, a little bit away from Twilight and her friends. Spike looks above at the dissipating light. Dragon eyes were able to see through bright light better than most creatures. Smolder told Spike that it was because Dragons lived near molten rock and magma pockets, which are more naturally bright. Not to mention their own fire. Spike could see Grogar clearly. He was hovering ... on a chunk of the ground. Spike was not a fan of having him in this dream. Even though Luna reassured him that most of the odd appearances by Nightmare Moon and Grogar were not real ... just figments created my some creature's imagination. Still, they acted real enough. Grogar kept to himself mostly, something Spike was grateful for. But, it was unmistakably Grogar up there ... and was he chanting? Strange. 

 

Well that's not what I expected. Starlight should w ---

 

Spike was turning around to ask Starlight what her take was when he froze in mid sentence. Thorax was vanishing in front of him, along with his brother. Starliight looked like she was trying to cast some sort of spell by the look of her straining face and glowing horn. Spike instinctually ran to him .... and ran right through where he was standing. He was gone. Just like that. Spike look at Starlight and Trixie ... and all saw was confusion and fear. He looked up at the floating cone shaped feature in the sky, and he knew. All dragons knew of Grogar, and the stories that Smolder told him ... Spike shuddered. 

 

Guys, we need to find Twilight ... NOW!

[Ganondorf8 11,282]

Well... This definitely became something far more serious judging from the banner--good thing I saved the Sunset banner before it got replaced.

[Cash In 22,216]

It seems that this competition has gotten all the more interesting. Especially now, since characters are outright vanishing into thin air.

[SharpWit 2,614]

This is no longer about glory. It's about survival.

[Nye 1,652]

Honestly, the World Cup just became the greatest crossover event in history.

[TBD 17,254]

19 hours ago, Spike said:

Guys, we need to find Twilight ... NOW!