Ladon slowly retracted his head as the great serpent’s coils tensed in preparation to strike in Equestria dreamscape. A long, slow hiss like a burning fuse came from the golden creature. After a second it spoke in the doppelganger’s mind.
What are you doing here, and how dare you enter my domain without my permission! Slowly growing thrum could now be heard coming the guardian of the garden.

Applebloom’s doppelganger stared down at the serpent and crossed its front legs. “Yeah! Well it’s impossible ta get a minute of yer time, and ya never reply ta anypony’s mail no matter how polite it is. So I decided ta cut ta the chase and showed up!” She looked down at the still frozen filly. “With her.”
The serpent raised its head until it was staring at AB’s double in the eyes. Lightning crackled across its golden scales. Okay you are here now. Now. State the reason for your visit and then begone! The serpent suddenly squinted. Actually why are you not fulfilling you duty and watching your oath?
The double sighed. “There’s sumthin’ that’s started poking around and threatening what I’ve sworn ta guard. It’s gettin’ stronger everyday. It’s coming from the Material Plane and is using the Dream Realm ta try and git at it, and like ya I can’t do squat there anymore in the Material Plane! Not directly.”
She looked down at the silent filly. “This one is from the Material Plane, but she’s got heaps of potential here in the Dream Realm. So I’m tryin’ ta git her ready fer what’s coming down the road.” She looked back at Ladon. “I’m ah tryin’ ta do is stack the deck in this one’s favor.”
The serpent cocked it’s head to one side. And what has that got to do with you bringing her today? The serpent looked back down at Applebloom. And why was one of her blood here recently? Did you arrange that as well?
The doppelganger held its front hooves up. “I had nuthin’ ta do with that. Although it did give me the chance ta nab a key ta yer realm. Call it luck, fate, destiny or whatever. I came across it and took the opportunity ta use it!”

“Now. I’ll git ta point of me draggin’ my proxy out here ta yer little patch of sunshine.” The double pointed down at Applebloom. “Even if what’s nosin’ around doesn’t wrest control, disrupt, or sets it free, it’s setting up ta be a danger and a pain in the ass fer everypony! Both in the Material World and the Dream Realm. So Ladon buddy what I was hoping was that ya would grant yer gift to her. So when she finally gits inta scuffle with it she might have sumthin’ of a slim chance.”
Ladon recoiled back at this statement. What! Grant my gift to her?! It looked down at the silent filly. She’s at best a fledgling projector! I will not! It would be sheer folly to grant such a boon to one so unprepared! I refuse!
The doppelganger growled. “Look! I ain’t keen with this either! But she needs every angle can git if she’s gonna have the remotest of a chance. She’s gonna be traveling ta dark, foul, places, and in those place like that the light of yer gift will help her a whole bunch! And I’d be mighty grateful ta ya!”
The golden serpent shook its head. No! It’s too dangerous! Once I’ve granted my gift I cannot take it back! The potential mayhem she could cause is terrifying. Both in the Dream Realm and her Material World! I refuse!
The double scowled. “Look Ladon. I know the risks, and I’ll be helpin’ her along the way with her chores.”
The serpent’s scales rattled as it’s entire body shook to its emphatic head shaking. It’s madness and you know it! Besides she probably wouldn’t survive the bestowing of the gift in the first place! I refuse to be party to this insane plan! Now I take your charge and–
“DAMN IT LADON!” AB’s double roared as its mane and tail erupted in yellow green flame . “If she fails! If I am unable ta git her head in the game fer this coming storm she will fall fer sure! If that happens then what I am sworn ta guard might start gitting a grip on the planes again! Billions and billions of r’ kin who died or sacrificed themselves ta stop it will have dun it fer nothin’! Ya didn’t pull yer weight during The Struggle! Ya hid yer little piece of happiness away from the rest of the planes and sat it out! And due ta that untold worlds were consumed!”
The air around the doppelganger suddenly began to darken. Suddenly it started racing across the vault of the heavens blotting out the light of rising sun. Instead a dark roiling sky of orangish red and black clouds. A fierce howling wind suddenly rose in the West causing the trees to sway and moan in the gale. On the horizon a giant spinning pinwheel of orange flame materialized and slowly grew. Slowly shapes started emerged from it. Not clearly defined but they left one with a sense of dread. The doppelganger screamed at the serpent.
“If it gits free this time we ain’t got the number ta stop this time around in a fight. R’ kin have either moved on or already perished! Ya won’t be able ta hide from it this time! You and yer precious little garden will be consumed and ya will join the Screaming Chorus! SO GIT OFF YER DAMN ASS YA SNAKE AND FER ONCE DO YER DAMN PART!”
The double’s eyes were now glowing embers of light. The skin and muscle around its neck began to bulge and its skin started to split. The scent of burning flesh could be smelled as there emerged a collar of black iron. At its center was a crude star pattern that seemed to filled with magma. Surrounding it a constellation of eyes emerged that locked their gaze on the serpent.
In a voice that thundered over the wind the double made their proclamation. “I AM THE GUARDIAN OF THE GATE! I KEEP THRONE ROOM DOORS CLOSED! I TOOK UP THE BURDEN WHEN NONE WOULD! YOU LADON WILL BESTOW YOUR GIFT UPON MY PROXY NOW! OR YOUR NAME WILL BE CURSED UNTIL THE STARS DIE!”
The great serpent was bodily thrown across the sky by these words. Finally it righted itself and slowly floated back. With a much more demure voice he spoke. I, I will do as you asked. I will bestow my gift upon the one you’ve chosen. He paused for an instant before continuing. “Although if they perish from it will accept no liability.
The doppelganger nod her head and collar once again sank beneath the skin. It’s mane and tail returned to normal. At the same time the wind subsided and in a few seconds it was once again a beautiful spring morning.
Applebloom abruptly continued as if no time had passed. Well ya see I came here with this lookalike who was just here a second ago! But now can’t see her now. Have ya by chance?
The serpent looked around itself. The double was nowhere to be found. Ladon shook his head. No I haven’t. The filly heard words in her head. I don’t usually get visitors. An odd smile formed on its face. So when one shows up I will give them special to celebrate the occasion. A gift of sorts.
Ladon suddenly dove down amongst trees of his orchard. A few seconds it returned with a tiny sphere of golden light floating in front of it. It was an apple the likes of which Applebloom had never seen before. It’s skin almost metallic in the morning light. The serpent slowly floated the fruit over to the filly. Then once again the Applebloom heard the serpent’s almost nervous voice in her head.
Here. Take this. It’s, one of the fruits that has grown in my gardens since the stars first lit up the nighttime skies. Eat it now and enjoy it.

To be continued.