Star Fall

Celestia eyed the black monolith in front of her, its angular body its glossy black surface the small indentations in the front, (these were a stark white in contrast) the whole thing was split in two by the trench that ran through the middle

It had few imperfections, those that it did have were trivial, they could be over looked by those without the talent to spot such things, but she was a goddess an immortal being whose knowledge and wisdom is far greater than others, she could see the small details she never missed them, after all they were the most important.

She held it there her magic keeping it perfectly steady the small monolith was her key to victory she saw it and she knew her opponent did not, her face showed no signs of her confidence a serine smile was all she portrayed, now she had but to wait.

“Let us see what you make of this move sister, ha”! Her sister laid her own domino adding to the intricate pattern spreading over most of her table.

Celestia now turned her gaze to her sister “very good Luna but” taking her last domino she laid it face up parallel to the previous one Luna had just placed “domino” she said simply.

Luna’s eyes widened “what impossible, you had no fives but I uhhhhhh” Luna’s head dropped onto the table causing all the dominos present to jump creating a rattling noise.

“Luna don’t be foalish” Celestia’s tone was scolding as she began to pack away the dominos.

“I am sorry sister but must we play a game so drab as this, I know I’m older than most but to act as such is for lack of a better word boring”.

This last statement caused Celestia to frown “age has no factor in a game such as this and is played by all”

“Ha I have found only one place where this game is played”

“Oh and where might that be dear sister”

Luna got up from her cushion on the floor and made her way over to the balcony “The place we now use to house the elderly and infirm”.

“The retirement home Luna” Celestia picked herself up and followed her sister out on the veranda her sisters night twinkled beautifully up above.

Luna sat there as her sister joined her outside the wind had a cold bite indicating spring had yet to truly arrive.

Luna looked to her night it truly was something to behold but tonight even its majesty failed to lift her spirits “sister what have we become”.

Celestia raised an eyebrow, concern evident in her voice “what do you mean Luna is something upsetting you”?

“Upset? I don’t think so, it is more a feeling of alienation” Luna looked down content with observing the mosaic that decorated the balcony “the terminology of this time is different sister and I have been adapting as you no doubt noticed but that is not all, ponies of this time do not share the same ideals, culture or… dreams” the last word spoken was close to a whisper.

Celestia sighed she could understand what Luna was going through, she had been though it as well but hers was a gradual transition at least, watching as her ponies stopped looking up to the greatest defenders of equestria and looked up to the greatest musicians and actors of equestria, listened as the little colts and fillies who once spoke of being a hero of equestria to speaking of being the richest and most famous ponies in equestria and yet she smiled.

“Luna you must understand that the time we now live in may not be as exciting as you remember, what with brave knights of the holds gathering there stallions at arms and squires to fight unspeakable evil, or to defend the borders of our lands from rogues, but now is a time for thought peace and prosperity, and while I am not a big enough fool to believe in everlasting peace it is something that now seems at least possible”.

Celestia looked to her sister who in turn looked to her “Luna while this world may seem strange it is more accepting than ever were before ponies used to only sleep during your night now they stargaze with no better reason than to understand your night, they throw parties and build fires to simply talk in the peace and quiet that only your night can give them, they look to the sky and see beauty”.

Luna digested this and smiled, her sister was right she was being foolish, she had seen some of these things first hoof, and would have to investigate these night time parties later “sister” she said a smile now adorned her face.

“Yes Luna”

“Would you like to know something father used to tell me whenever I used to look into the nights sky with him”

Celestia now raised an eyebrow in genuine interest “what”?

“He used to talk about how I would raise the moon that I would someday watch over the stars just like he did”.

Celestia giggled “yes mother used to say something along those lines to me when I was young”

“Ah but you see sister father told me something secret something he never told another soul” Luna’s excitement was approaching critical mass now her smile threatening to devour what remained of her face.

“What is it sister stop teasing”.

“Well he used to say that it was a big responsibility, to look after the stars as the stars themselves are alive” she lifted her hoof and swept it across the night’s sky for dramatic effect

“What? That sounds rather strange Luna”

“I know but it always fascinated me, imagine something living up there the one place we cannot go but can always see” Luna gazed longingly at the night sky before she whispered “to look but never touch”.

Celestia looked at her sister as she drifted into her own little world and felt happy for she had her sister her nation and her ponies, and so for that moment she wished the world would never change.

“Come Luna” she said nudging her sister playfully “let us not waste such a beautiful evening, how about we go for a late night fly around the castle grounds” Celestia spread her wings and prepared to take flight.

Luna simply laughed as she to readied herself.

Fluttershy sat there staring unblinkingly at the object in front of her, only one word could describe her face right now which was pure unadulterated bewilderment, she was so stumped in fact she sat there for a good ten minutes, before a branch broke from a nearby tree with a loud crack rousing her from her stupor.

Fluttershy blinked her eyes felt scratchy so she rubbed them vigorously she just couldn’t believe it, there was no way it could be from where she thought it was from, it just wasn’t possible it was ludicrous to even think about it and yet the more she thought about the more it seemed like it could be possible.

After sitting there for a few more moments pondering her situation a smile crept across her face before she actually laughed out loud.

For a minute there she had actually believed that this thing had come from the sky, from aliens no less her laughing echoed around the almost silent forest, attracting small birds and squirrels from there hiding places to investigate the new visitor.

After her laughing had died down to a light hearted chuckle she looked around only to discover that various animals had begun to peer down into the hole she was in their heads peeking over the rim of the crater, most had looks of curiosity and fear, Fluttershy thought this place was becoming less and less spooky by the second.

Turning her attention back to the strange spherical whatever it was, probably a whether device of some sort, it was in the sky after all maybe it just malfunctioned, in fact it was probably Twilights, another one of her experiments.

She hadn’t seen Twilight in some time, come to think of it she could take it to her, and it didn’t look to big after all and as long as it wasn’t too heavy she could do Twilight a kindness by bringing it to her Fluttershy beamed.

She walked up to the strange object doing a loop around it to see the whole thing, it looked manageable enough, it was basically like the ball they used to practice with at school in Cloudsdale she shouldered at the memory of gym class, moving forward she clasped both hooves around the rough dirt covered surface and lifted.

She almost hit herself in the face in the process, expecting it to be fairly heavy when she lifted she gathered what strength she had, but the whole thing barely weighed more than 5 pounds she jerked backwards before steading herself a look of shock on her face.

This thing whatever it was, kept getting weirder but now that she could feel it she realised the entire thing was made of metal, and that it was not entirely smooth ether, the dirt and grime had clung to it only creating the illusion of smoothness, giving it one last curious glance wondering what it was, and deciding to ask Twilight when she returned it, she readied her-self extending her wings, getting used to her new cargo, before she took off into the nights sky.

The air sailed through her mane rushing past her face giving her an immense feeling of freedom, at first she flew directly towards Pony Ville, hoping to return it ASAP, but then she remembered it must be some were near one in the morning, and Twilight was not a pony you woke without a good reason, stopping in mid-air Fluttershy frowned, it seems she was at an impasse returning it right now would wake her friend, and if this thing wasn’t important enough to warrant said awakening she would meet the wrath of the purple mare, alternately she could just take it back to her house and return it in the morning but if she was honest she was rather uncomfortable around it.

After several minutes of careful pondering the latter won out the tipping point was remembering the last time Twilight had been woken up unnecessarily, the whole saga with rainbow dash had lasted for almost a week or rainbow blitz as it were.

She headed for home Fluttershy decided she would work this whole thing out in the morning, and now that she thought about it she was pretty tired herself.

Getting home didn’t take too long and by the end of the trip she was thankful for it once the adrenalin and excitement wore off she was exhausted.

Fluttershy landed heavily outside her door in complete darkness the strange ball giving a dull thud as she landed; lifting the plant pot she searched deftly for the key.

Finally after unlocking the door she ambled inside pushing the ball and watching it roll a few feet before hitting the coffee table, she decided it was fine where it was, before wondering up stairs and going straight to bed, in her current state it did not take long for her to drift off to sleep.

But as she slept the strange object was waking up, an alien had touched its outer surface it quickly reviewed its programing the module would activate in the presence of another species other than its own, as per new programing all known species were to be blacklisted, if the module was touched by any blacklisted species it would self-destruct a simple process where the device would blend two chemicals together the resulting reaction would create a massive amount of heat essentially immolating.

It cross referenced all known species; it had no match this species was new, a bang resounded throughout the small cottage as a lock disengaged before another and then another finally all four locks had detached the ball split in two a slight hiss as each half fell away reviling its contents.

Fluttershy awoke to the sound of birds chirping sun shining and a fuzzy something tapping on her noggin, she groaned turned over and said “Oh not now angel sweetie mommas tired”.

But the taping evolved to nudging and frantic squeaks in no time, groaning once again Fluttershy turned back to the other side of the bed and cracked open one eye a very distressed looking snowy white face peered back “what is it sweetie” weariness etched into every syllable.

The response was a series of squeaks and jerky arm movement, as the little white rabbit worked himself into a frenzy.

Sitting up a bit to quickly, as the head rush that followed was all too happy to point out, she put a hoof to her head giving a little shake before turning back to angel “what is it angel what’s wrong is some pony in trouble”.

The rabbit shook his head franticly before pointing downstairs, Fluttershy caught on straightaway, having known angel for some time now “ok angel show me” she hopped out of bed and followed as the little white rabbit darted off down the stairs.

She found him again at the bottom of the stairs his back pressed up against the banister peering round the corner of it at something the living room.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow wondering what in equestria was wrong, before it dawned on her, the strange thing she brought home last night, how did she not realize sooner trotting down the stairs she said “Oh angel you silly bunny it’s just the thing I brought home last night it’s not” the words died in her throat.

The strange object had split; the two half’s now sat in the centre of the living room one resting against the sofa the other on the floor she froze.

Split in half the thing looked like a walnut it had a thick outer layer, this outer layer had what looked like thin black wires crisscrossing all over it some leading to various components others leading seemingly nowhere, in the middle was what looked like black sponge a silver bracelet sat on top of the sponge on the half that currently rested on the floor alone.

Fluttershy stood there as birds tweeted and squawked at it, various squirrels, rabbits and other animals added there voice to the choir, but Fluttershy couldn’t hear them all she could think was that ponies could not build that.

She should go get Twilight that’s what she should do, she would know what it was, or figure something out that’s what Twilight was good at figuring things out she did it all the time for the princess for her friends for her neighbours for every pony, but as she spotted that bracelet once again curiosity burned within her.

What was it, would it fit her, would that be a coincidence, what did it feel like, what did it do; these questions and more filled her mind and before she knew it she took a step closer.

Angel yelped jumping forward and tugging on one of her back legs Fluttershy stopped and looked to angel who was more than spooked, turning around she petted him gently “don’t worry angel mommas going to be fine just stay here”.

Angel voiced his protest with louder squeaks but after a while he gave up; giving Fluttershy one last pleading look he turned and took his place at the base of the stairs.

Turning back to the alien object for that’s was what it was she was sure now taking one step at a time she moved closer and closer.

Her heart beat faster the more she advanced she began to sweat, she wet her now dry lips it was so close now she took one step at a time until she stood right over it.

Observing it more closely it almost seemed dull, a single band of silver but slightly more grey like some sort of alloy, it to like the ball had lines indented in to it, they ran like a circuit board no two touching.

Then suddenly the band expanded breaking into six fragments all still connected by thin metal links, like one of those watches that expanded outwards to fit over some pony’s hoof.

She gasped at this sudden activity from the bracelet she could now fit it over her hoof she had no doubt about that, she reached forward slowly reaching over before her hoof touched the cool metal the first thing she noted was that it was smooth very much so, as she lifted she realised it barely weighed a thing it was as light as a feather.

She brought it to her face and examined it, the space between the fragments exposed some of its inner workings and what she saw took her breath away, tiny little wires and components some as small as a pin head, filled the band all protected by a thin layer of metal on the outside.

The fact that something could build a machine this small had left Fluttershy speechless, the closest thing to it she had seen was that strange device back at canterlot, which Twilight had called a computer but it was way bigger than this, she wondered what it did, and she was about to slip it on when a voice in the back of her mind whispered a warning.

She hesitated looking from the alien device back to her hoof and bit her lip she couldn’t stop here she had to see what it did she had to know, she bit her lip a vicious battle raged in her mind before she closed her eyes and slipped it on.

Nothing happened, cracking open one eye the bracelet thing had failed to respond she let out a great breath of air she didn’t realise she was holding before getting annoyed, all the signs pointed to her doing this she had found it, it had opened for her she had put it on and now it wasn’t working what the hey was wrong!

Grimacing she began turning it over as she did a blue screen came into view considering how small the band was, only being slightly bigger than a watch it was quite a shock when she spotted it, on the tiny screen it had moving arrows pointing downward she adjusted the band but apparently she went too far because now they were pointing up adjusting it again she stopped when the arrows pointed at a central point she smiled wondering now what.

Suddenly the band tightened round her hoof, not uncomfortable but tight enough that it would not move, as it did so she gave a small yelp she looked around uneasily she just realised the bracelet had no buttons or catches no way to release it from around her hoof she sighed “oh Fluttershy what have you done now” she said chastising herself.

She was about to go into the kitchen and get some butter to slip the thing off when an abrupt stabbing pain shot through her fore leg she yelled rearing back angel yelled too running over to try and help.

The bracelet or whatever it was just stabbed her with something she just realized she had no idea what it did, did it inject something and was it going to kill her!

Panicking she ran into the kitchen pulled open one of the drawers drawing out the hammer she was using last week to break open a coconut she took it firmly in her hoof drew back and swung it, it found its mark the entire counter shook from the impact, as well as a loud bang she lifted a hoof to inspect the damage, or tried too the surface wasn’t even scratched.

Dropping the hammer she went to the fridge pulling it open, she spotted what she needed the butter was on the top shelf, she swiped it from the shelf slamming the door and unwrapping the butter, she smeared it on and around the bracelet before dropping the butter and starting to tug at the bracelet, it moved but only just she pulled harder and harder before she yelled in frustration and flopped against the kitchen cabinets breathing hard.

She felt despair creeping in but she wasn’t through yet there had to be something she could do, anything that would get it off, something tapped her hind leg; she gasped flinching as she did so but it was just angel holding his paws up in a placating manner sighing she let herself relax slightly.

Angel walked up to her right hoof and inspected the bracelet although it was difficult what with it being covered in butter, he looked at it narrowing his eyes at the menacing device before something drew his attention, Fluttershy was speaking again but this time more upset than anything.

“Ohhhh why did I do that why did I put it on I can be such a silly mare sometimes oh what do I do should I go to Twilight should I tell dashie she could get it off or maybe applejack she’s a practical pony”.

But in truth Fluttershy was scared to go to any of them, if any pony found this thing on her hoof they might treat her like an alien and she knew what happened to aliens, enough of Twilights ramblings gave her a very good idea, she wondered how far some pony would go to get it from her would they lock her up or would they cut her leg off!

Angel upon seeing his owner shifting in to full blown panic mode jumped up on her stomach and slapped her across the face with an audible wa-pish.

Fluttershy after recovering stared, angel stood there tapping one of his elongated feet looking right back at her a meaningful look on his face “A-Angel” Fluttershy said exasperatedly angel raised a fuzzy little eyebrow at her “o-okay so I needed that but what am I supposed to do I don’t want any pony to cut my leg off”!

Angel’s eyebrow rose even further “what” Fluttershy said defensively “you’ve never heard Twilight talk about aliens and those strange ponies she hangs about with when she does, they give me the creeps and all they ever talk about is autopsies and examinations of specimens” then at that moment Fluttershy picked up angel and shook him like a fuzzy piñata yelling “I DON’T WANT TO BE A SPECIMEN”!

Angel cried out in alarm shaking his paws demanding that he be put down, Fluttershy obeyed looking somewhat sheepish while angel glared at her “o-okay I’m sorry but trying not to freak out is hard when you’ve got THIS stuck to your leg” lifting her right foreleg in the air and waving it about in front of angels face, this coupled with the fact she still had bed hair and said hoof was covered in butter made her seem quite insane.

Angel jumped from her stomach and took a few wise steps back holding his paws out once again trying to calm her down although this didn’t have the effect he hoped “hey! Don’t tell me to be calm I am calm don’t I look calm to you”! Fluttershy yelled at the top of her lungs

Angel smiled nervously; backing away a few more steps Fluttershy groaned and slumped back against the kitchen counter “Uhhh what am I going to do”.

Angel stood there rubbing his chin pondering the situation, while the little bunny may not look it, he was quite the thinker when he was put to the test, just then he had an idea he bounced over to Fluttershy and pointed at the bracelet “hm what is it angel have you thought of something”?

Angel nodded the affirmative making a series of elaborate gestures with his little paws, first pointing up in the air then going stiff and walking robotically in circle “umm the aliens” she said questioningly angel nodded, beaming before he pointed to the bracelet then pointing up “what give it back”? Angel nodded once again.

“But how in equestria am I supposed to do that, there up there and were down here or if they are down here, how do we find them there aliens if they have stuff like this” she waved her hoof at him again “they could hide forever and we would never find them”.

Angel pondered this again before jumping up and tapping the device, Fluttershy looked at him exasperatedly and said “yes but how do we find them” angel face pawed (which Fluttershy thought was adorable) before he pointed again at the bracelet but this time pointed specifically at the glowing blue screen, that was to blurred and difficult to make out properly thanks to the butter that was smeared all over it.

“You think the bracelet can take us to them” she sounded sceptical angel nodded he was getting pretty fed up by this point so he simply pointed at the kitchen sink “okay I’ll go see what it says”.

Getting up off the floor she had to stretch out to so she could work the kinks out of her back that had formed while she had been sat in the uncomfortable position, she trotted over to the sink and ran warm water over her hoof until the last of the butter had gone.

Going back into the front room, angel following as she sat on the couch looking over the device on her right foreleg to her surprise something was displayed on the screen, words in a language she understood her excitement grew.

The words were IDENT REQUIRED CONFIM, Fluttershy looked at the screen what the hay was an ident it had to be short for something, identity maybe was it asking her for her name? She stared well if that was all it wanted she cleared her throat before speaking her name slowly “Fluttershy”.

Nothing happened; it said confirm so what was she supposed to say she tried a few things “ummm confirm, yes, open, activate” Fluttershy shook her head and mused for a few moments as she did so her stomach rumbled, she remembered she’d had nothing to eat since yesterday and that wasn’t much, sighing she merely tapped the screen with her hoof and to her surprise it changed it now said SPEAK she perked up immediately.

Clearing her throat once again she said slowly “Fluttershy” the screen changed almost instantly it spelled her name before it displayed more words, IDENT F-L-U-T-T-E-R-S-H-Y CONFIM?

Fluttershy responded “yes-yes that’s my name, but can you show us where you are I need to get this thing off or perhaps you can take it off now” unfortunately if the device could understand her it wasn’t listening as it simply responded, IDENT CONFIRMED IDUCTION REQUIRED REPORT TO NEAREST HAVEN, the words disappeared and were replaced by a lone arrow that pointed in a direction some were behind her that led in to the forest.

Fluttershy squeed excitedly before nudging angel saying “look angel look I’ve done it this thing is going to lead us right to them I’ll make us some breakfast and then we’ll get going” Fluttershy trotted off into the kitchen to make some breakfast, angel looked worried, this whole situation was bad but what choice did they have, he sighed and followed Fluttershy into the kitchen hopefully everything would be alright.

After finishing breakfast a hearty bowl of oats with a glass of milk on the side, angel a bowl of diced carrots with lettuce (just the way he liked it) Fluttershy started to pack, picking up her saddle bags she packed things like snacks something to drink a length of rope, a torch and some medical supplies after all she had no idea how long this journey would take.

“Ok now that we have what we need we can get going” Fluttershy sounded nervous but it was nothing compared to how she was feeling inside, just as she trotted to the door angel hoped up to her holing out his paws expectantly, Fluttershy smiled opened one of her saddle bags and deposited him inside “ok here we go” she took a deep breath reached for the door handle and pulled, the door swung inwards and revealed a very surprised looking Rainbow dash who stood there one hoof in the air like she was about to knock.

“Oh hey Fluttershy I was about to knock but” Rainbow tried to go on but Fluttershy gasped then slammed the door in her face “Oh my gosh what’s rainbow doing here, ohhhh what do I do, what does she want, maybe I can go out the back no no no that would look suspicious maybe if I” just as she tried to continue she heard three knocks on the door “ummm Fluttershy you okay in there your kind of feakin me out a little”.

“Just a minute” she said weakly, thinking fast she set her saddle bags down and took a bandage from them, she wrapped it round the bracelet as fast as she could stopping to check her work, it seemed good enough she spun round and opened the door again to a now very confused Rainbow dash.

“Uhhh Fluttershy what are you doing why are you acing all strange” Dash’s suspicious tone only made Fluttershy panic even more she gulped “am I? I had no idea I was I just heading out that’s all, animal emergency so what are you doing here”.

To Fluttershy’s surprise Dash looked away scratching the back of her neck and looking embarrassed “Oh… well I just came to check up on you, just wanted to see if you got back okay after last night you know”

Fluttershy relaxed slightly she knew Dash was scared of the woods especially at night although she would never admit it, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel a great fondness for her friend at this point the fact that she cared enough to come check up on her was endearing, not to mention the fact that dash couldn’t stand showing any signs of true affection.

Fluttershy put a hoof to her chest “oh dashie I’m fine and I really appreciate”.

“What happened to your hoof” Dash said as she cut across Fluttershy.

Fluttershy blinked “my what”?

“Your hoof it has a bandage on it look see” Dash pointed to her right hoof that was currently pressed against her chest.

Fluttershy’s eyes widened as she looked down at her hoof back to Dash back to her hoof and then back to Dash before she quickly said “I fell”.

Dash raised her eyebrow “you fell”

Fluttershy nodded “sure did silly me, anyway I need to get going that animal needs my help” Dash backed up as Fluttershy made her way outside, turning to lock the door on her way out.

“Hey I know, why don’t I go with you this time” Dash said sounding enthusiastic

Fluttershy tripped slightly fumbling the key, standing there she knew she had to think of something fast “oh well, I’m going to go see some… bears! Grizzly’s actually, I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to get anywhere near them, I mean they know me but they have never seen you before dashie”.

For a moment Fluttershy could have sworn she saw a flash of hurt cross Dash’s face but she couldn’t be sure “Oh well maybe next time Flutters”.

Fluttershy watched as Dash turned extending her wings before she sped off into the sky as she watched a pang of guilt struck her, it hurt to lie to Dash the way she did but she had to didn’t she, it wasn’t like she didn’t trust Dash, she just didn’t want to get her involved, besides once this was all over she would tell her everything, and by that time they would just laugh about it and say how crazy it was.

Fluttershy sighed, unwrapping the bandages on her hoof she looked at the screen of the device, with her bearing now clear she too took to the sky flying out over the forest in the mid-day sun.

It felt as though she had been flying for hours and she was now getting pretty tired, her and angel had already stopped for lunch after what seemed like two hours or so of continual flying, but now the sun was going down and Fluttershy was getting worried, if she didn’t find the aliens soon she would have to turn back, they would have to find another way to get to wherever they are.

But just as she was about to turn back the bracelet began to do something strange, it was giving off a steady beeping noise about one every five seconds or so, Fluttershy stopped and checked the screen, it was pulsing slightly the brightness of the screen now changing intermittently, just then she was struck with a sense of ambivalence, she wanted this nightmare to end, but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t curious too, even after all she has been through to see a true alien that would be something else.

Now with renewed vigour she pressed on, now checking the device constantly the arrow still told her where to go but the more she progressed the faster the beeping and pulsing became, she decided to fly lower she didn’t want to miss anything, as she was about to dive when a chilled draught of air caught her unawares, it brought her attention back to how cold she truly was in the excitement she seemed to just forget about it.

Shivering she looked to her saddle bags angels pink little nose barely poked out the top of the bag, he too was shivering “don’t worry angel almost there now” Fluttershy yelled as the wind threatened to drown her out, angel nodded a confirmation before delving deeper into the bag to stay warm.

The further she flew the bracelet beeped faster and faster the screen practically flashing, but she couldn’t see a thing just endless bare trees that had yet to regain their leaves after the winter coldness.

Just as she flew over a certain spot the beeping evolved into a constant tone the screen now just glowing, Fluttershy scanned the area before she saw a hole in the canopy it was quite large too, she dived for it swooping down she passed straight through and emerged within a clearing, the wind cut out almost entirely now all she could hear was the endless branches of the trees as they groaned and scraped against one another, clattering as they did so.

The fur on the back of Fluttershy’s neck stood on end this part of the forest was kind of spooky, the tree canopy blocked most of the light, that coupled with an already darkening sky made it all the worse, on the positive side though she spotted a few flowers and bushes that looked nice as she surveyed the area.

Looking around she tried to spot anything that seemed particularly alien, looking around she spotted it, a tall metal something, the size of a house and as wide as one too, it had a curved window at one end the window its self was a dull orange that reflected the outside, the vehicle because that’s what it seemed to be, had an olive green exterior giving it a rather militaristic look, it had various symbols and signs painted on the outside, some Fluttershy understood others she did not.

Fluttershy hovered there unable to move was this it, were they in there, what would she say and what would they ask could they talk, would they try to hurt her, all these question’s and more buzzed around and around in her mind she found it reminiscent of when she saw the bracelet for the first time.

Then she remembered what she was here for, she had no idea what she would say but somehow she would get them to take it off, she gathered her courage and began to advance upon it she was so scared she had no idea what the hey she would do.

She stopped the insanity of this venture set in, this was completely mad what was she doing the things inside could blast her to smithereens or disintegrate her or take her brain or something like that, what if these things genuinely weren’t friendly at all and this was all some elaborate ruse to lure innocent ponies here so they could eat them.

Fluttershy hovered there in mid-air biting her hoof, she was so conflicted she didn’t know what to do she couldn’t just leave could she, after all she had come a long way to see them, just as she decided the risk was to great and was about to turn back and go home she felt something touch her on the side, she yelped and dove for a nearby bush.

Shaking the whole bush as she trembled as she sat there wondering what the hay just happened, an annoyed squeak caught her attention, she relaxed “oh angel it’s just you” she watched as the little white rabbit pulled himself out her bag and flopped on the floor he stood up dusting himself off then gave her a chiding look.

“W-what you can’t expect me to go in there can you, what if they eat me or something, it’s too dangerous” angel upon hearing this news raised an eyebrow, before he puffed out his chest and marched around before pointing at the strange craft in the clearing.

Fluttershy looked away pawing at the ground as she did so “I know I need to be brave but this is crazy, we can’t go in there we have no idea what’s in there” angel rubbed his chin in thought for a second then in an immense moment of bunny bravery turned and began to hop towards the craft.

Fluttershy gasped before taking off after him “angel what hay are you doing, get back here this instant, don’t you go near that alien space craft I’m warning you mister” but regardless of Fluttershy’s meagre threat’s he continued to hop straight up to it stopping about a foot away .

Fluttershy now pressed so low to the ground her belly was scraping the floor caught up with him “angel this is really not a good idea, come on let’s just go back we’ll tell the girls, and then we will all come back and tackle this thing together what do you say” angels response was to give the half lidded stare of you must be joking, Fluttershy sighed she knew it well by this point.

Angel hopped around what seemed to be the back of the craft away from the window which seemed to be the front, he stopped to think yet again there didn’t seem to be a way in, the whole thing was completely sealed maybe they would have to break in or something, just as angel thought about possible ways to break into an alien space craft Fluttershy joined him at the back.

Fluttershy suddenly became aware that the device was no longer beeping or doing anything at all really she looked at the screen again which had one simple word on it, ENTER “erm angel I think you should take a look at this” angel looked at her curiously before hopping over and taking a look at the screen, they shared a look before Fluttershy said timidly “you don’t suppose this means what I think it means does it” angel smiled before putting his little paw on the screen which instantaneously changed to, STAND BACK!

There was a clatter of metal, a loud hiss and then right before Fluttershy’s and angels eyes what looked like a draw bridge began to lower its self, white light poured out of the expanding opening as the ramp lowered its self-down, before it hit the ground with a thud giving them unobstructed entry to the wonders within.

As Fluttershy and angel ascended they looked on with wide eyes at the amazing sights to behold, cool silver metal dominated the interior, the floor the walls the celling, light seemed to come from everywhere reflecting off every surface, but never blindingly so she noted, as ether the lights weren’t bright enough or the floor did not reflect enough of the light, there were more screens to displaying all sorts of information, they were all over the place,  off to the right was a part of the ship that was sectioned off from the rest, by thick misted glass which prevented her from seeing much on the inside it had the words med bay on it in big bold print.

It was all a bit much for Fluttershy at that moment, and judging by the look on angel’s face he too was overwhelmed.

Previous fear currently absent, she began to slowly make her way inside the craft, just this section was fairly remarkable but by looks of it there was another level on top of this, if the ladders on the left hand side were anything to go by, out of curiosity she walked underneath the hole that the ladders led though and looked up, and sure enough there was another room up above, she wondered what could be up there.

Ensnared by the marvel of it all, Fluttershy had seemed to forget entirely the reason why she was here, that was until a little white rabbit began to tap the device still attached to her right hoof, she blinked and looked down at him “oh hello angel” angel gestured impatiently at the bracelet, Fluttershy got the idea and nodded she took a deep breath and spoke “ummm hello is anypony here hellooooo” but no one replied.

Fluttershy looked down to angel again who shrugged, Fluttershy didn’t understand, this ship or whatever it was supposed to be was definitely alien, she had an alien device on her hoof and followed it here but now that she’s here there are no actual aliens, Fluttershy scratched her head confusedly where the hay were they, she decided to check the bracelet again maybe it would point her in the right direction.

She lifted her hoof to look at it but it simply said REPORT TO MED BAY she had seen a med bay on the way in did it mean that, she wondered over to it, she wasn’t able to see much though the glass, but she could about make out an elongated bed in the centre of it, as she got closer a section of the glass in front of her slid to the side to allow access, Fluttershy cocked her head this whole situation was going from bad to worse.

She looked at the bracelet again, it still read the same but she couldn’t help but wonder, she knew it was asking her to enter something were they likely treat the sick, so why was she being asked to go in there she wasn’t sick or she didn’t feel sick at least, looking at the bracelet again she wondered if it was the reason, had it grafted it’s self on to her leg and if so why did it do that and was this the only way to get it off this was madness.

Fluttershy stomped her hoof in frustration this was getting her nowhere fast, she threw off her saddle bags and entered the room, but as she did so a loud klaxon sounded with a bright red light accompanying it, in response she yelped and pressed herself close to the ground wondering what the hay was wrong now.

Fluttershy looked around and saw angel standing nearby, judging by his facial expression the loud noise and bright light had caught him off guard to, she was about to go comfort him but as he took a few cautionary steps back the lights changed back to normal, getting the idea she spoke up “um angel” angel squeaked and looked at her “I don’t think your allowed in here so just wait there and momma will be right back I promise” Angel give her a rather sceptical thumbs up

Taking a deep breath Fluttershy steeled herself and turned back to the bed, as she got closer she examined it more closely, the bed its self-had a white sterile padding on the top, at least she wouldn’t have to lay down on a cold metal surface, she also noticed the bed had four frames that encircled it and now that she was closer she noticed that these frames had what looked like robotic arms attached to them underneath the bed.

When Fluttershy was stood right next to the bed she wondered how she was going to get on with the frames in the way, but then as though it were reading her mind the frames shifted to allow her access, two moving to the bottom of the bed two to the top were they now sat motionless, her breathing had become ragged by this point her nerves of steel turning to wet noodles the more she experienced.

She jumped up onto the bed and tried to calm herself yet again “ok Fluttershy you can do this it’s no big deal, after this is over with you can tell your friends all about this whole thing and everything will be fine” taking a few more deep breaths she laid down.

Nothing happened straight away she waited for a few seconds her front hoofs fidgeting with each other, she began to wonder if she had to press or say something, just as she was about to get up she felt something press against the back of her neck, she gasped when a sharp pain flashed through her she went to jump up but realised she couldn’t move, now breathing heavily she looked down to the rest of her body and willed something to move, but nothing happened she was paralysed from the neck down!

She heard mechanical whir as the frames slowly rolled back into place over her, the cool serene colours of the room and the frames trying and failing to reduce anxiety in its patient, then Fluttershy saw several robotic arms using the frames around her as tracks, roll into view they stopped just above her all of them seemed to be equipped with particularly sharp and deadly instruments.

Fluttershy doing what any sane pony would do at that point screamed, she screamed louder than she had ever screamed before, then a small jolt of electricity to the back of her neck cut her off, it seemed to hit something strange because she began to lose consciousness, in her last waking moments she saw the robotic arms starting to descend upon her before everything went black.