This work of fan fiction contains characters, ideas, situations, and places found in the Hasbro Studios series "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". No infringement of copyright is implied by this work of satire and parody, and this work is meant as a celebration of the people involved in the creation, development, and production of the series.


Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
                             -Stanley "Cap" Harrison

The Somewhere Cycle
Volume I: "Wander and Green Brier"

Written by The Descendant

Chapter 1

Green Brier:
My ancestry is that of note in Equestria, though I find it unbecoming of a gentlecolt to speak of his ancestors and rely on pedigree to fill his self-worth. Though my family was landed and of means my father and mother drilled into me at a young age that I was to make my mark of my own accord…they instilled in me the value of determination, drive, self-reliance…and respect.

My childhood was happy, and I wanted for nothing, and I loved my family. As I did my best to honor my parents and heed their words I had always the sense that these were lessons that I had always known, that I had already learned…


Wander:
I grew up in a saltbox house, sharing a stall with two brothers. There were seven of us foals in all. My father ran a bleachery, one of a few in Equestria, an unpleasant but necessary industry, one of many he had tried his hooves at.

From the minute I was old enough, probably before, I was helping pull the cloth through the ringers. I felt the sting of the chemicals on my lips. I hated every minute of it, but I would help my family without complaint. Loyalty, determination, resolve…these were lessons I had learned already…


Both:
…in the life I lived before.


Green Brier:
Since before my mark was revealed I had seen visions of a life I lived before the privileged existence I currently enjoy.

In that life, I am born in a field of green under fleeing clouds. My dam is nearby, and within moments of my birth I stand on wobbly legs and cling to her side. So very different…


Wander:
I ain't afraid to say that when I first began having the dreams it put me out of sorts. My mother, Journey Heart, would hold me and rock me, trying to soothe me.  When she asked me what was wrong I didn't know how to answer her.

As she did, I was ashamed that visions of a different mother filled my mind. I see the large building, my dam, and the green fields beyond. I see them through eyes that are not really mine…


Both:
…yet so very similar.


Green Brier:
My father supported the decision I made to go to the Academy of Arms, though it caused me great pain to see how it worried mother so. Yet, it was a way to show all that I did not consider my high birth an excuse to avoid service to my nation.

Of course, and I do admit, my family's close association with the local Proconsul of Her Majesty's Parliament did not hurt my chances of acceptance into the academy. I have never denied my fortunate disposition in the matter, but instead tried to earn what had been given me.


Wander:
I wanted to go to the Academy of Arms the second I realized it was on the other side of Equestria. I didn't want my father's life…not the one he planned for me. Fortunately, he accepted this, and I made my application.

It didn't hurt that my father had business contacts to make recommendations on my behalf. I've never denied that.


Green Brier:
I do not wish to seem arrogant but I was, in point of fact, a most excellent student. I was fawned over by instructors for my studious nature, my professional demeanor, and leadership among my peers.

I was looked up to and admired by my fellow cadets, and I tried to make myself worthy of adoration. No demerits befell me, and when I graduated it was as third in my class.

I, however, could claim only one great driving motivation. It was one I could not explain it to my peers. All that I can say is that I feel that my Bobby would have wanted me to do well…


Wander:
I was a firmly middlin' student. I passed under the gaze of most instructors at the academy, but to a few I did seem to stand out. A few seemed to see that my vacant expression hid something more, and took me under their wings (literally in case of the pegasi among the faculty).

I was better outdoors, out on the parade grounds and in the hills, swamps, and the fields where we truly practiced being warriors. Here I hit my stride.

I graduated in the middle of my class, but I had risen farther than I could have hoped for someone from my background. I hoped that Sam was proud of me…


Both:
…wherever or whenever he was.


Green Brier:
In the other life, the older one, I am an animal. I look like a pony, like any Equestrian, but massive.

Animals like me, not as vivid in colors as Equestrians, but large and graceful, surround me. Without, perhaps, the intellect of us Equestrian ponies, but with grace and bearing…a horse, yes…I was a horse.

It is disconcerting to me, in my visions and dreams, to see myself in such an unsophisticated state, but at times I am running in those fields and I feel the power and majesty of being a horse in that other world…and I am pleased with it.

And then the creatures come for me…


Wander:
From the moment I am old enough to leave my dam in that body I'm brushed, stroked, wiped, and fed by the most silly lookin' creatures that a pony could ponder.

In that world they wear the clothes, they speak, they live in the houses and it is me and my kind run the fields. To my sensibilities as an Equestrian this is disturbing, but in that time it seemed so natural, in that body and that world it was, I guess, common.

The creatures, people, I guess…love me. They tend me, gush over me…


Both:
…and I am amazed by them.


Green Brier:
My record after the academy was one of constant promotion and acclaim. I was immediately placed in the staff of senior commanders, and then given command of a company, a battalion, and finally a regiment.

In my time with them I turn the 87th Regiment of Infantry, "The Stars and Garters", into the finest organization that a pony could hope to command. Other regiments stare as we turn tight circles, snap into our facings, and proceed through our manual of arms in clockwork precision.

Each morning I awake with my soldiers, and before we take our breakfast we bow to the sun together, and I beg Her Majesty to favor us with a day to prove ourselves in battle.

In my first trial of combat I justified in my own mind my charge to live up to the blessings bestowed me, and the trust placed in me. The enemies of my sovereign, Celestia, fall before my regiment in piles. They cast their bolts, draw their swords, and fall in great heaps, screaming in fear and pain and drown in blood and gore.

My regimental flag flies in victory, other regiments of our brigade flock to us in strength and the day is won.

As the assembled ponies chanted my name I closed my eyes, and there is Bobby, walking me down some garden path, leading me with a bridle. He stops, turns to me…


Wander:
Out of the academy, I was posted to a fort in a place so lonely and forgotten that I have to pretend that I know where it is until I can find a map of it. "Here there be dragons," it stated, and I rolled my eyes.

There I waited.

The company I commanded was made up rejects and unfits from other commands. At first they scorned me, seeing me as another academy "gentlecolt soldier" to be broken.

Within three months this bleachery colt has turned them into a crack command.

Someone, some higher-up, found out. Whether as punishment or as reward I am sent other misfit companies. New ones…untested, rowdy ones…undisciplined, broken ones…scarred by defeat.

I made them into the 124th Grenadiers, "Wander's Colts", and their legend began at that moment.

Rumors reached me, more wild peoples from beyond Equestria's borders approached. I took my regiment out to where their siege weapons would be useless, where my crew could turn and wheel. They are surprised utterly by my choice of ground, the persistence of my attack, and they are destroyed entirely, not one of them leavin' that place whilst breathin'.

Across the snowy plains my soldiers carried me, shouting and hollering. All I could do was close my eyes, and there feel Sam stroking my head. I open my eyes in that world just as he scratches my nose…


Both:
…and smiles at me.


Green Brier:
In my other life I see the creatures, the humans, looking me over. They seem very proud of me for some reason. I am tended and well fed, and often let to run free across the hilltops of the farm where I am raised.

Yes, I know now it was a farm, and my rational mind does wonder at it in disgust. The idea that I was breed for some purpose in that life does not sit well with my Equestrian sensibilities.

Yet, when I am back in that body in that world it feels most pleasant, and I am happy.

The human who I spent most of my time with at first takes me as he rides from some squat little buildings to the next. I sense that he occupies an official position, but I never dwell too much upon him, and my memory of him fades.

Whilst awaiting him outside one of these structures that I see myself in that world, looking down into a vast tin of water set aside for us horses. I am handsome, in the rugged way I judge horses in that world. I am dappled grey, my mane is black, and I am tall.

Forgive me for saying so, but I do feel that in that world…


Wander:
Before I met Sam a very proud man owned me.

Heh, owned…I shan't pretend that doesn't bother me to think about.

In any case, I remember him takin' me each year to a large space with colored buildings. In my mind now, as I ponder these visions, I know that it was a fairground, and that an annual fair was taking place. But, when I am back in that body with only the senses of an animal, it is a blur of excitement and color.

Each year these…people, I guess, come around with tall black hats and funny bows and cover me with them, and the human, I suppose they're called, who owns me looks even prouder each time.

It was while being admired by the people at that fair that I see a poster. I strain now in my mind to look through the eyes I had in that other world, the distant yet familiar eyes.

Looking at the poster I see a very tall horse. He is a black giving way to brown at the flanks. He has a white star on his forehead and a trim mane and tail.

It is then I realize that horse on the poster is me, or rather, the me that I am in the other world, in the other time.

I'll not lie to you…


Both:
…I was a beautiful horse.


Green Brier:
I moved from colonel to brigadier general to major general quickly. I cannot claim that my meteoric rise was due to a string of uninterrupted victories. I do lose battles, but my soldiers do not. My brigade, and then my division, does not sweep the field in each contest. But always we leave in good order, never fleeing, and never in chaos. Those contests are always a chance to grow, to show my soldiers that our losses are always…


Wander:
I have to fight for my promotions, both in body and in mind. There exists a bias against me, but no one says it aloud. There are those who can't bring themselves to believe that a colt from the sticks can lead ponies in battle.

But I…no, my lads and lasses, my crew prove them wrong and me right.

I earn my stars, both through victory and in defeat. Always my detractors number my defeats, but they must admit that they are…


Both:
…tactical in nature, never strategic, and I never make the same mistake twice.


Green Brier:
I had traveled to Canterlot before, when I was but a foal of nine years. We, my father, mother and I, had come to participate in some festival, perhaps the Gala, perhaps not.

I remembered being most impressed, almost intimidated. I strayed from my parents, trying to seek out each enclave. I entered a garden space, and as I made my way along the paths I was overcome by the beauty of all that surrounded me.

At once I heard proud hoof beats, myriad hooves falling in time, and in a glance I saw her.

Falling by the side of the road I supplicated myself, bowing so low my chin scraped the grass. At once a guardspony is above me, beside me, and I take it I was not meant to be here.

Yet, as I lay trembling I was overcome with a sensation of completeness and joy, and I felt her looking over me. I dared open my eyes and found Her Majesty smiling upon me.

"Forgive me, Majesty, I did…did not mean to trespass…" I stammered.

"Have you enjoyed my garden?" she asked in a voice like milk flowing over honey.

"There, there is much beauty in it," I spoke, letting words flow out, as though truth itself was leaping to entreat with her, "But not nearly as much beauty as in the one who graces it with her presence."

She laughed, and smiled broadly. Looking to her escorts, whom only then I noticed, she stated, "Now truly, my friends, here is a gentlecolt!"

And with that she nuzzled me, and all that is golden and good flowed through me.

I bowed again as she moved on, and stayed bowing until her court, the Royalty of the Races, her lords and ladies, the proconsuls, her officers, her guards, and their bearers had all passed by.

"Stand, lad!" ordered the guardspony. I expected at once to be punished, but instead onto my small head is lowered his helmet, and with a chuckle he leads me out of the garden. I marched proudly, my heart afire, doing my best to match the cadence of his longer legs, to look like a soldier in the service of a sovereign should.

More than twenty-five years later, I entered her presence again.

With the court all around, my aged mother and father nearby, their society friends, and a cadre of my officers at my side I made my way down the long silken ways that lead to the High Dias of Equestria, and there bowed before her.

As she cantered down the steps she gathered up my second star from a silver tray.

I bowed lower, my chin near the marble, and awaited my new rank.

Yet, there was a pause, and I heard her hum.

"My General Brier," spoke that voice, that melodic voice, "This is not the first time you have knelt before your princess…is it?"

"Majesty," I spoke, daring to raise my head, "nearly three decades ago you found me in your garden, just outside that window. In the time since I have served my country, and my eyes have seen many things, but they have witnessed nothing as beautiful as my sovereign as I saw her that day. You, Majesty, are just as radiant now as you were those long days ago."

She blushed, and with a giggle she removed the single star from my helmet with her magic. As the two-star plate slid into its place, she spoke to me again.

"I remember that day, the little grey foal, the gentlecolt, and his kind words. I also remember his reward for his honesty…"

And, as the court looked on, for the second time in my blessed life I am nuzzled by my sovereign. By the time I am recovered enough to stand she is returning to her throne, already various ministers, members of the royal houses, and parliamentarians falling in around her.

I bowed, and as my officers fell in around me I left Canterlot, returning to my corps as a Major General, a fully ranked division commander. Self-consciously I tried to look to my helmet, to my shoulder plates, look to the stars…to see if they look anything like the ones Bobby wore.


Wander:
I arrived in Canterlot in the middle of the worst damned rainstorm. Fair Trot and I stood outside the gates for an hour it seemed until the damned things came open.

Shaking off the water I tried to make my way up to where I expected the ceremony was to take place, but every damn guard in the damn palace stopped me.

It wasn't until they saw my star that they realized that I was an officer, and then they became all quiet and nobody could tell we what I'm supposed to do or where I'm supposed to go.

Orderlies, summoners, and ministers were running all over the place. From what my brigadier, Fair Trot, and I could gather that the Gold Army Group, made up of Chestnut, Cherry, and Linden corps, had gotten itself cut up by the Chrey.

That left the Sycamore Corp as the only viable option for guarding the Southeastern Approaches, the rolling hills leading the edges of the Everfree Forest along the backing roads up to da' mountains.

But no one could decide where to send it.

"Damn everything!" I called to Fair Trot as we stood beneath the great glass windows with their baffling solar images, the rain pelting them, "The army needs to march and my lads sit in the weeds spitting peach pits while we wander round this damn castle like lost tourists! Somepony has to make a decision, I tell you that straight!"

"I could not agree more, General," says Procer Celestia Invictus, brushing by me. At her slight touch my sight is reduced to rainbows, sunlight, and white clouds. It quickly faded and she called, with a toss of her head, "Walk with us."

"General Wander," she says, walking briskly, "My ablest army group and corps commanders tell me that I must choose to defend either my capital or my southern cities. What is your opinion?"

Between she, Fair Trot, and I were about a half dozen of my superiors, her Minister of War, and some other high-ups.

After a moment of thought, I replied, "Ma'am, if it were between those two I would say defend the cities…"

"That would leave Canterlot exposed…Ponyville as well!" called somepony.

"Yessir," I say, just in case it's somecolt I don't care to offend, "But it doesn't matter, sir."

Unfriendly stares were pointed in my direction as we trotted.

"The capital is wherever her majesty is. Ma'am, you could be floatin' down the river of yer' choice on a box of crabapples and we'd all bow just the same…Canterlot doesn't produce food, arms, or provide hospital beds…"

"Why are none of my soldiers are being tended in my capital, as they had been in ages past?" said Celestia in a voice that denoted an immediate suggestion rather than a question. An orderly quickly dropped out o' the entourage, allowin' me to move closer.

"At the moment, it's more valuable as a lure. As for Ponyville, well, if I'm wrong we trade one settlement for others which are immediately more of use…"

Somepony dropped something at this point in shock, and I use the opportunity to get closer to the princess.

"Sycamore Corp should go on the attack," I say, weavin' forward. As I say that some other stallion faints. The unicorns, and almost all of them are unicorns, are stunned by my suggestions.

"Arrayed in the hills along the road they can flank, flank, and flank again till' their hearts are content," I say, trying to maintain myself in her presence, "If they demonstrate properly the Chrey'll be deceived into thinking that it's the remains of the Gold Army Group. The corps can then envelop whatever forces that are there simply by catching them in the valleys…"

"General Hat is one of the best you've got, Ma'am. He's put together the best corps…His artillery chief is the best in Equestria, and his division commanders are for the most part excellent. Brier is very, very good, Rod is good, General Pad is…well, is…"

"No longer a concern," say the big unicorn on my left. "Your division is detached? Get it to the fords at Steeplechase by the end of the month, we'll move on the road by Autumntide…"

I looked to that unicorn, and only then did I realize it is General Black Hat, the very stallion I had been praisin' to the princess. He realizes that I had just realized who he was…and laughs.

"That is not a job for a brigadier," said the Minister of War, coldly.

"I agree," she states, turning around, revealing to me for the first time her entirety in grandeur, "Bow, General Wander."

I kneel before her, and with a touch of her magic my old star comes out of my helmet and shoulder plates, and from somewhere beyond materialized my two-star badges.

Before long I am once again standing outside the castle gates. As the rain came down I took off my helmet and looked at the two stars. I was now a major general, not just the senior of a group of brigadiers. I lifted my muzzle to the sky, letting the rain wash over me.

At that moment a group of pegasus ponies cleared the sky, leaving me staring at a panorama of blue like a great fat idiot.

Fair Trot laughed, but all I could do was look at my stars and wonder if this is how Sam felt when he received his.