Space many found it a cold and desolate place temperatures that could freeze living flesh within seconds meteor barrages that could tear any living man to shreds in an even shorter amount of time. And then there is the vast emptiness of space it’s self an immeasurable expanse of stars, solar systems, and galaxy’s so large you would need an eternity to view it all, and even then space time would likely collapse in on its self on account of how long you were at it.
To many in ancient times it was a beautiful vista of lights in which most worshiped, later it was a guiding light for man to find his way and navigate the world in which he lived in. Then ultimately it was the final frontier the last place man would explore and expand to, away from the planet they called home to for generations.
And now one man sat in a comfy chair a monitor as thin as a finger nail sat off to his left attached to the chair as he looked out of the large windowed area in front of him. A massive holographic interface sat in front of him depicting his current location and several destinations in which he had selected but right now he just sat to look out there into space.
It was so beautiful the vast cosmos and so he could not help but think that those who saw it as cold and desolate simply could not see or refused to truly look. As he sat observing a nebula so vast and colourful a huge collection of dust and gas that would forever drift in space a magnificent Spector to forever watch over its quarry of planets, so big that he could consume earth 10 fold.
A lone pulsar was in front of the huge nebular red mist clouded around the mysterious solid black core a mass of spinning neutrons so dense that it generated its own magnetic field, it span so fast that it was generating perceivable radio waves nothing interesting mind you but it was still fascinating.
And as he sat there looking out at the view a clearly synthesized voice spoke. “Power is now at one hundred percent drivers are now warm gravity well stable please select a destination”.
So wrapped within the beauty before him he somehow missed it all just gazing intently at the inky black canvas in front of him splashes of colour here and there before a voice called out to him faint at first but grew in intensity.
“Sam, SAM, SAM!”
Sucking in breath slowly he sighed then spoke rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Yes Cira how may I assist”.
“You were becoming distracted yet again; I would like to inform you that Andromeda has finished the necessary preparations and now is ready to take us to our destination of choosing. Also your strange behaviour has been noted on your psych profile”.
Humming slightly his elbow propped up on the arm of his chair scratching his meagre beard that had formed over the past few days. “You still run those”?
“Indeed”.
“Oh…. well, how am I doing”.
“Poorly, your despondent behaviour, apathetic attitude and increasingly detached personality leads me to suggest that you be removed form duty and be given the appropriate counselling”.
Giving a slow nod he said calmly. “Interesting analysis”.
Still trying to keep his mask of indifference, he was unable to stop the small smile creep on to his face. “Well your right I had a good run but”. He sighed getting up from the seat. “Ok send up my first to relieve me and I will be on my way to the psych ward”.
Nothing happened he looked expectantly at the door, the look an old man gives when he happily waits for the bus on a Saturday morning one of mild calm and acceptance of the situation.
“Hmmmm seems to be taking a while mind if I have a seat and wait”. Plopping himself back into the captain’s chair he relaxed and waited further before the same voice as before called out.
“Sam as you are well aware you are the only crew member aboard this vessel and resorting to patronisation is highly unprofessional it also has been added to your psych report”
“Ohhh I’m sorry Cira but don’t think I don’t know what this is all about”. Lifting his right arm up to see the device clearly on his arm a long cylindrical piece of metal stopping a few centimetres away from his elbow and wrist, a solid screen made of an advanced plastic so strong it could be shot burnt blown up and thrown down a mineshaft but wouldn’t have a scratch.
The same could be said for the metal and an equally and advanced alloy that could resist any type of punishment opening his hand to reveal a white circle bordered by a silvery dull metal identical to that around his arm.
A holographic image of a woman appeared just above his palm and looked at him
“I was unaware I needed a motive to keep track of the crews mental health”
“Well considering you have not alerted me to the presence of said report in the past 72 years we have been ummmmm… what’s the word, exploring maybe? I must assume it is because I forgot your birthday last week for which I have already expressed my deepest apologies”.
The room was quiet while the holographic interface still flashed expectantly for a destination
“I hardly recall that event, but if that were to happen it would likely be troubling to say the least”.
“I should think so, let’s discuss it on the way otherwise we will never be on our way”. The image of the woman disappeared he lifted his hand and waved it casually his thoughts being deciphered by the AI currently living within him and transferring them to the ship’s massive AI.
Immediately a humming could be heard he could hear something charging as it steadily increased in volume before the ship announced something over the comms system.
“Alert rift generator activated all personal now retreat to the shielded areas within the ship, all ships in the area please retreat to a safe distance all key maintenance personal remain at stations all means of internal transport will now be disabled Rift in thirty seconds”!
Sam stood and walked over to the window he never tired of his people’s greatest achievement, looking out he saw the front of his ship a long surface of gunmetal grey.
lights littered the grey surface as well as the various shapes of the observation bays, test stations and huge guns mounted to the hull, he frowned slightly at the sight of such heavy armaments energy weapons designed to fire a build-up of electrons as though it were a physical shell it was advanced, deadly and as proven by past events completely necessary.
Not wanting to think about his past he focused once again on the ships progress due to the bridge being in the midpoint he watched as the ships mighty shields flared various parts of his ship bursting into blue light as lighting arced across the surface of the ship.
As he looked he began to feel a great fondness for his ship the Far Star as he so aptly named it, a huge vessel but different to any other ship out there, after all it was a prototype, thinking for a moment he chuckled at the irony of it, a prototype ship to test other prototypes.
The old name for his ship being e.r.d.t or experimental research development and testing vessel, blinking he became aware that Andromeda was now on the final count down so he turned his attention back to the situation at hand.
“Five four three two one, creating rift”.
The front of the ship exploded in a dazzling array of lights and colours as the light died down something else began to appear, at first he saw nothing but as it expanded he could see the stars in front of him disappear as a large swirl of inky blackness poured out from the central point in front of the ship.
A black hole as it was most commonly known, soon expanded further and further until it out sized the ship before a white light appeared in the centre of the hole, then it too expanded wider and wider and as it did a new scene with different stars and a planet close by came into view the whole scene now had a black border.
The ship began to slowly move forward passing straight through, to an out siders perspective it most look almost comical a huge ship just disappearing bit by bit no doubt an equally odd scene on the other end as the ship appeared on the other side.
As the bridge passed though the wormhole he turned and walked away the most interesting part had now past so he returned to his chair once again relaxing as he did so
Once the ship had emerged entirely the hole collapsed in on itself leaving no trace of the ships presence in its previous location, a few hours passed in which drones were sent out to retrieve data on the surrounding area and the planet below.
Sam meanwhile decided his time would be better served in one of the four hangers of the ship scanning a drone that had returned in quite the sorry state.
The hanger was vast, a clear bright light illuminated the room giving it an almost stark white appearance, tools and silver grey crates gleamed off to the sides of the hanger but most of the hanger was dominated by the row of four landers.
Ships designed for the primary purpose of transporting personnel from the ship to a nearby planet, or any type of land really they were quite versatile.
A few paces away from the huge blast door to the cold vacuum of space, a drone that by the looks of it had for lack of a better word crawled from one of the smaller airlocks off at the sides of the huge door.
These airlocks were mainly used for crew and small ordinance, black marks could clearly be seen where its metallic carcass had carried its self before finally slumping over dead a clear fluid was leaking out of the main body, one of the bladed wings was broken off completely and the four thin spindly legs it used to crawl its way over now lie still, the various cameras built in to the front of the body which once had glowed a bright orange were a dull black.
Sam sighed as his right arm hovered over the now immobile drone. “Looks like micro meteors but, the odds are phenomenal, however it would explain the damage, as well as the reason why it was so late to alert us to its current state but wow this has never happened before, well I’ve heard of it happening to others but to see it for myself”.
Cira’s voice rang in the vast space. “Mineral composites confirm, it is indeed meteorites I also agree this is highly unorthodox, but the primary concern is gathering the information acquired by the drone as well as its immediate repair, to use the backups should be reserved for emergencies only”.
“Right right”. Reaching out once again he pulled open a panel on the side of the drones armour plated body which was now littered with small holes and scorch marks dropping the panel on the floor he reached inside and pulled out a small wire on a spool and connected it to the device on his arm.
“Reading now”. Cira was quiet for a while before speaking up again concern now evident in her voice. “It seems the planet below supports life local fauna and flora seems to complement one another. Sam there is also evidence to suggest sapient life multiple species, in fact the planet has also presented some astrological and gravitational anomalies”.
Sam stood pulling the wire as he did so now looking tense himself. “Were leaving have Andromeda reconnect the fuel lines and prep the igniters”.
“Sam she is running a diagnostic of the ships systems as well as any scheduled maintenance it is unlikely”. Cira tried to go on but Sam cut her off
“Irrelevant she is to terminate the diagnostic and recall all bots from engine maintenance I want us mobile in ten and gone in fifteen okay”. His voice was not hostile nor did it sound fearful but one of iron reserve, steady and focused.
Cira was a little late to respond but when she did sounded defeated. “Okay Sam I will give the order we will not be able to open another rift for another twenty four hours”.
“Thank you Cira and yes I know about the rift generator just get us in the shade of a nearby planet and we’ll see our next move”. Turning to the two robots behind him he silently ordered them to take the drone to the repair bay to have it fixed the robots silently complied picking the drone part way off the ground easily and dragging it along.
Sam was antsy his hands flexed opening and closing not just in concern of the planet below but the robots he didn’t like the damn things especially when they looked vaguely human.
The robots in question were all black with various silver parts such as the powerful actuators that served as its muscles, its face was a simple black visor that was fixed from its chin to the top of the head bending as it followed the curvature of its head, but it was not wide enough to pass any further than where the mouth of a normal man ended, and through all of that three red lights glowed dimly behind the visor.
Sam looked at himself he knew he had not been keeping good care of himself his scraggy brown hair and beard were testament to that, but looking to his clothes he knew he must look bad, his loose torn jeans and his brown tee shirt with the depiction of a sun rising over an ocean saying the earliest riser in bold print.
Underneath all this was a set of mark three thermal gear overalls it clung to his frame, over his hands and feet too.
Thin orange lines could be seen running along the smooth black surface indicating that the area he was in was colder than what would be naturally comfortable, and therefore warmed him to a temperature that was.
Sam grimaced but after that he simply sighed once again (he decided he was doing that too much lately) what was the purpose of appearances when none were there to see him.
He began to walk to the exit on the far side of the room when he noticed something, a box had been left on one of the automated trolleys that dotted around the area he hadn’t put it there and it looked oddly familiar, the design on the front held his peoples insignia a rocket ship within the centre of a sun blazed in gold on the front of the box.
“No it couldn’t be” he whispered.
Getting closer he saw the writing; 01 new dawn equipment, restricted must be authorised by the captain of the assigned ship.
He blinked what on earth this was doing here moving closer he laid his hand upon the screen that was integrated into the front of the box, the black screen immediately came to life scanning his device though his palm.
A few seconds later the box made a whirring noise as some mechanism sprang to life and then a dull click and the box jumped open an inch or so.
Now looking at it intently he opened it and saw a silver sphere about as big as a basketball, its surface was covered in grooved lines a solid line ran right round the circumference of the sphere, four heavy looking clips ensuring the two half’s stayed together.
Removing the sphere he looked at it, this sphere was supposed to be the greatest thing his people ever created or rather what lie within the sphere.
It supposed to make them stronger than ever, allow them to spread far and wide though the universe, but now it was seen as the greatest blunder they ever made.
Sam stood there looking at the sphere he gave it quite a sad look the one of a man who wondered if things could have been different but what was done was done and his people paid the price as well as others.
BOOM!
A huge explosion suddenly ripped him from his reverence he stumbled dropping the sphere to the ground were it rolled away as the ship shook violently. “Cira”!
“The ship is under attack hull breach, the projectile struck near the reactor at the centre of the ship several areas of deck seven have depressurised. Based on the projectiles speed and the projectile its self, it would seem its MAG weaponry low speed it must be without superconductors suggesting its design is likely antiquated and not our tech”.
He released a breath thanking whatever gods there may be that it was not one of his own peoples. “How did this happen, why wasn’t I alerted and the shields raised”. His voice was calm but commanding.
“They assaulted us outside the range of our sensors we were blindsided”.
“You know as well as I do that’s impossible they must be well out of visual and there is now way they can track us from this far away with technology that obsolete”.
“Regardless we have been hit and it seems they are now moving in range and fast, the ships themselves are also outdated no detectable barriers they rely on armour to protect them, the ships structure and markings identify it as erisian”
“The strange creatures that looked oddly cat like”?
“Indeed”.
“Ok I’m suiting up cripple them with some EM missiles once they are disabled send a drone to speak with them no kill shots, not unless we have to and get us moving away from this planet”. As he spoke he began a brisk walk to a nearby equipment station pulling off his shirt and jeans as he did so.
As he arrived at the station he requested something that would allow him to go EVA if necessary, stepping in to the bay Two doors slammed shut around him sealing him within the cylindrical machine, a series of clicks, whirs and bangs could be heard before the doors jolted open revealing a man now wearing a full silver and white space suit.
The suit its self was slim sleek not at all like the bulky ones of the twenty-first century and would ensure he had unimpeded movement no matter what situation he was in.
As he stood a click could before a series of clicks as he kept his head perfectly straight metal slid smoothly from recesses within the suit they moved guided by small arms attached to the suit others slid telescopically into place until an entire helmet had been constructed around his head.
Tilting his head from side to test for defects in the suit, as he flexed everything seemed perfect pleased with the result he decided to get a progress report on the issues outside “Cira”.
“The ships have now been disabled, it seems they were unprepared for this kind of retaliation, likely they assumed us crippled and moved in to take the ship for themselves”.
“Possibly but I want you to keep track of every move they make, if they move anywhere, jettison anything or do anything I want to know about it”. The tension in his voice was rising there was something about this whole thing that off way off.
Erisian’s have never been a match there tech they know it, so naturally they avoid any ship that looks remotely like there’s so why attack now and how and what was with that one in a million shot, it didn’t make any sense.
Andromeda’s cold calculating voice rung out once again. “Proximity alert enemy units detected hangar four, cargo bay, forward battery eight”.
“What”!
Then out of nowhere the hanger main door exploded in a shower of flames and metal the noise was short lived however when the room fell into chaos as rapid decompression pulled the air from the room.
Immediately his magnetic boots activated rooting him firmly in place for a moment he lost Andromeda’s voice, it fading away as the air rushed out and all was silent before her voice came though his helmets audio systems instead of his ships intercom.
“Hull breach multiple levels depressurising all affected areas emergency protocol engaged attempting to seal ruptured areas standby”.
Amber lights flared at the end of the hanger, indicating that the emergency blast shields were being dropped, he knew there were sirens to accompany the lights but right now he couldn’t hear anything but his own breathing.
Slowly the door dropped into place not wasting any time he disengaged his boots began to walk over to one of the smaller air locks at the beside the main door.
As he got to the door he ran his right hand over a pad to his left, it flashed green before exposing a red lever just above it reaching up he yanked it down the airlock doors flew open.
As he stepped inside he noticed the air rushing back into the main hangar, before the door slammed shut behind him fortunately the small space pressurised quickly.
“The hell just happened Cira how did they get to us what did they do” while saying this he was grabbing a length of what looked like white bungee cord with a carabineer at either end.
Quickly attaching one end of it to a small eye right where a belt buckle would normally be he attached the other end to a rail in front of him the rail looked like it went to the other airlock door and stopped.
“It seems that they struck a rather opportune location on the ship with that first shot severing one of the main power lines that run the body of the ship, in doing so several systems required a reboot, as they temporarily lost power, in that brief moment a small amount of the crew jumped ship to serve as martyrs in further attacking this vessel”.
“There’s a bloody coincidence if I ever saw one”.
“So it would seem what you are doing”.
“Andromeda said the cargo bay was hit internal travel is too slow I’m going EVA”.
“Given the situation that seems absolutely ridiculous”
“Ha well you’re not far off but that cargo is important, and can cause a lot of problems if they get a hold of it regardless of the contents. It is likely they wanted it to fall to the nearby planet so they can retrieve it, I however am going to go down there and bring it back inside how much did we lose”.
“Andromeda detected small losses supplies including food and metals along with some geological surveillance equipment and a medium class military mech armed and with full flight capability”.
“Right the mech alone makes this priority”.
Turning around Sam looked at the airlock door; in various parts it had black and yellow stripes as well as multiple warning signs to draw the attention of anyone who may have any ideas about opening it.
Across the bottom of the door in bold letters it said alert harsh environment class 5 all gear must be rated as such.
Walking forward he grabbed a pad it was curved slightly and when he put it on his left thigh it pulled itself to his leg magnetically, before a small click told him it was locked in place the pad it’s self-had a blue face bordered by silver metal the glowing blue surface looked oddly mysterious.
Looking up at one of the two screens that sat the top corners of the airlock door it showed him the route as per the silent command given by the device on his arm.
The lights in the room dimmed to be replaced with a subtle red glow in the small enclosure before a synthesised voice blurted out.
“Alert all personal must bear wearing class five gear all umbilical’s must be attached to the rail provided umbilical’s must not be removed for unscheduled EVA’s”.
“Follow designated rails to the required area, appropriate signage Is highlighted along any route oxygen stations are also clearly highlighted all stations are less than fifty feet from one another”.
“In an emergency the automated rail system can guide you to the nearest station the room will now depressurise, disabling gravity”.
He watched as the tether still attached to the rail off to the side of the room became weightless, watching it move fluidly as though it had gained a life of its own.
He felt a sense of vertigo as the fluid of his inner ear became weightless, it felt as though he was in free fall a strange sensation one that he couldn’t help throw his arms out to catch himself even after all his experience with zero G.
Very soon the air in the room was gone and now he could hear nothing but the sound of his own breathing again, then the airlock door split before it slowly slid open on either side.
The rail he noticed slid forward and connected with its brother outside a small sound alerted him to the presence of a clock on the HUD of his helmet he had thirty minutes of air.
Looking around at the view he could see the planet gliding by, a moon off in the distance then a huge blanket of stars.
He decided to say something anything really just to relive some of the growing anxiety of the situation. “Ok here we go just stay calm everything’s going to be fine”.
Edging his way out the door his feet left solid ground his arms and legs flailed slightly before jets of compressed nitrogen steadied him firing silently from nozzles on the suit before it began to propel him forward.
Every so often a jolt would come from his tether to signify he was passing one of the automated brackets, if he moved too quickly and didn’t give it enough time to retract his tether would catch on one.
He was about half the way there when Cira spoke “we didn’t have to do this, there’s to many risks involved” she sounded calm but Sam could tell she was concerned.
“Cira the internal transport would have taken thirty minutes at least and when we got there we would have had to go EVA any way”.
“Alternately we could have used some of the many robots on the ship to retrieve it”.
“And how far is the nearest synthetics bay from the cargo bay, ten minutes away maybe twenty, Cira I know your worried but this is the fastest way just try not to think about it”.
“Very well, and you know I trust you Sam, but you can sometimes, not think”
“Well I just… wait what was that”?
Cira cut him off. “Sam Andromeda has just fired upon the enemy ships she has also reopened the hangar bay door, decupled a ship and fired the thrusters look ten o’clock”!
Turning his head just in time to see the small ship be thrown out, watching it as it sailed away towards the planet below, it did not look as though it was being controlled in fact it looked the very opposite of controlled it looked distinctly out of control as it kept slowly flipping over and over.
As he just floating helplessly the engines flared he did not need to hear them as the sudden acceleration caused the ship too soon be passing at quite some speed, then the lights cut out along the rail he looked up all of the exterior lights had gone out the ship had lost power!
He saw the carabineer still hooked on to the rail moving very fast towards one of the now not so automated brackets, if it threw him against the ship at this speed he would likely not be injured too badly but whether his suit would hold its integrity was another matter entirely.
Faced with the possibility of a rather gruesome end he reacted within seconds, clenching his right hand a blade sprang out of the device on his arm the edges of the blades grew orange then white with heat within seconds.
He slashed upwards severing the tether right before it jerked away violently, he needed to get back there was no way he could grab his ship moving at his speed he needed to find something anything.
“Cira where is that cargo the stuff from the ship”!
“Marking”!
Several arrows appeared on his HUD pointing off to his left, he spun around the arrows became diamonds when he was looking directly at them a numerical figure told him how far away he was.
He let out a burst of compressed nitrogen hoping to catch up to them before they hit the outer atmosphere of the planet below.
Fortunately they were moving slow enough for him to catch and they were still a fair way away from the planet its self.
Catching up he saw what he was looking for, the mech’s cockpit was open the mech was quite large he barely past its waste, and its tree trunk sized arms and legs told him it would likely not have any problems with lifting a couple of ton.
The design was rather basic it had no head but one large body, arms and legs as well as guns mounted on the shoulders, a pilot’s seat was currently dominated the centre, its construction looks as though the pilot’s seat rolled back as the body closed around it.
Putting on a burst of speed he braced himself as he ran into the mech as he was moving quite fast, thumping into it he rebounded off slightly before he reached out and seized it, manoeuvring himself into the chair.
He found his position resting his arms on the rests at each side, immediately the mech detected his presence the chair rolled back and the section in front of him was closed off obstructing his view of his ship and the stars through thick metal.
Holographic screens flared to life creating the illusion of the metal in front of him turning transparent he heard a hiss as the cock pit was pressurised filling it with breathable air.
“Ok Cira we’re here plot us a course, I’ll set tethers to this equipment the extra weight shouldn’t throw us around too much”. He tried to go on but
“Sam it won’t do us any good”. She sounded rather dejected
“What are you talking about the ship is right there it’s getting away we have thrusters now we can move”!
“Sam you know this mech capability’s as well as I do its nowhere near as fast as the far star”.
“And… the far star is no longer powered regardless of how long it takes we can eventually catch up”!
“and how long will that take us Sam… days, WEEKS this mech only has air for a day at best, your suit another thirty minutes”.
“What about the damn ships that attacked us then, we commandeer one, they won’t stop us with the firepower on this thing”.
“Andromeda desolated them, without adequate defence the main cannons of the far star ripped them to pieces see for yourself the debris are hurtling towards the planet right now”.
“So what I just sit here and what… die… and you, do you just go insane or do you go after the far star alone”? His voice seemed to be gaining a strained quality to it as the reality of the situation set in.
“No Sam we land on the planet nearest to us, its atmosphere will support you, and you have enough food In the Pac you picked up before you left if you don’t find something to eat immediately”.
He sighed he couldn’t believe the situation he was in it was all just too much. “Cira this mech was not designed for re-entry we wouldn’t make it”.
“We will make it Sam twelve hours for orbital deceleration and using the drones information I have selected an adequate landing location one where we will likely not be spotted and land fairly safely”.
“Cira you know that’s a long shot”.
“Sam please I’m in hear too don’t make fly this mech back to the far star on my own we will figure something out a ship fell down there It could be salvageable please, just please Sam”.
“Ok Cira get us under way and…. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to put you though this”.
“It’s ok Sam”.
“And I want you to remember something”.
“What”
“That I will never leave you, ok Cira, never”.
“Thank you Sam”.
Page Break
“Hey Fluttershy wait up I’m comin gimmie a sec Fluuuuuttttterssssshy”!
In amongst hustle of the evening traffic a small timid looking butter coloured Pegasus with a pink mane and tail stopped on her way out of town, saddle bags full to burst with produce that would tend to the needs of her and her animal friends for a week at least.
As this butter coloured mare turned she saw a crowd of ponies all multicolour and all with separate marks on their hind quarters none two alike.
The day was winding down, the last day of the weekend coming to a close and every pony was now going home for an early night before the dawn of a new week and more work was upon them they all seemed to look tired all except one.
A rainbow coloured blur blazed past several ponies eliciting a fair few stunned looks before it zoomed off into the air, it suddenly tuned at an impossible angle heading straight for the little Pegasus mare.
At this point any sane pony would scream and duck for cover but not this mare she just stood there with a barely perceivable smile on her face.
One would think this would be bravery of the highest calibre, but for the mare in question it was simply knowing her friends too well, so when the prismatic blur was mere feet from her it slowed down rapidly.
There was a loud clack as four hooves struck the cobbled ground sliding a foot or so before coming to a complete stop almost face to face with one another.
The timid Pegasus spoke first her voice was warm and carried an air of true happiness but was a far cry from confidant. “Oh umm hello rainbow dash its lovely to see you”.
The pony in question was another Pegasus this one with a dazzling rainbow mane and tail a cyan coat finished the wild look.
This Pegasus seemed to be the antithesis of the other where she was timid and shy this one held a perceivable aura of confidence one that could simply not be ignored.
“Hey Fluttershy you heading on home”.
“Oh yes I’ve got everything I need now and everywhere is closing up anyway”.
“Oh cool mind if I walk you home”.
“Oh that would be lovely thank you rainbow”.
“Hey that’s what the most awesome most loyal friends are for”.
Her friends’ words couldn’t help but widen her smile, she really did like rainbow but she knew she had an ulterior motive, so she decided to let rainbow talk while she would listen, she rather liked that so she simply replied with a subtle. “Mmmm”.
Immediately rainbow cut to the chase making Fluttershy sigh contentedly as she walked home.
A few minutes later the pegasi arrived at a small cottage at the crest of a small hill a quaint little stream ran past the front and was almost entirely surrounded by wood land.
The cottage it’s self-looked at one with nature, grass covered the entirety of the roof even sloping to the ground below so the whole cottage could possibly be mistaken for the hill if viewed at the wrong angle, a cobbled path led up to the charming little home crossing over a small wood bridge as it did so, a pink fence with harts on every post bordered the cottage.
“So then I was like oh my god, I can’t believe spit fire is giving me hints that I could be a true wonder bolt once I finish the academy, I mean it was totally gonna happen in the first place but now I know for sure”. Rainbow trailed off as Fluttershy walked through the gate of her home before unlocking the door and walking in Rainbow stood in the door way.
“Oh that sounds wonderful Rainbow I always knew you could do anything you set your mind to”. Fluttershy replied in kind.
Going into the kitchen emptying her saddle bags before replacing the contents taking things such as a small battery powered lantern a few snacks and a drink before tuning and walking once again to the door Rainbow was still stood there talking
“Yeah I know right… errrr where are you going”? Rainbow picking up on her friend’s new gear.
“Ohhh well I’m going into the forest”. Fluttershy said simply as though it was the most normal thing in the world unfortunately Rainbow did not share her sentiment.
“WHAT the forest what the hay for”?
“Well we wrapped up winter last week, and this may be the last chance I get to see my nocturnal animal friends before next year… longer days see”.
Rainbow just stared open mouthed. “So you’re telling me that you do this every week at this time of the year”.
“Oh no not every week” Fluttershy replied and Rainbow visibly relaxed. “When it gets close to hearths warming eve I go every day”. On hearing this news rainbows wings shot out in alarm.
“But but what about all the big scary monsters manticore’s, fire hawks, cockatrices and and other stuff”!
But Fluttershy merely shuck this off” Cockatrices won’t come near me after what happed last time, fire hawks aren’t in this part of equestria and manticore’s hibernate in the winter, besides my animal friends always keep me out of danger”.
Rainbow still looked at her as though she were mad but apparently she’s being doing this for ages, and she didn’t look scared so neither was she not that she was afraid in the first place mind you just cautious.
“Well do you want me to go with you”? Rainbow did not like the idea of being in a somewhat spooky forest tonight, but it didn’t seem right what if something happened to her friend, she would never forgive her self
Fluttershy smiled she could see the concern on her friends face but knew she definitely did not want to come with her. “No thank you Rainbow but it was kind of you to offer”.
She walked out the door and locked it she gave Rainbow a smile and a hug and then waved as she flew back home, once rainbow was out of sight she set off in the direction of the forest.
An hour or two went by where she visited the nocturnal critters of the wood land gave them treats and talked, or as close to talking as you can get to animals anyway, it was only on her way back that something unusual happened, something that would change her life forever.
Sky had clouded over making the forest darker than usual as she wormed her way through the thick wood she then heard a crack that sounded similar to thunder bemused she spread her wings and slowly made her way through the thick branches above until she was in the open air.
Hovering above the canopy, looking around she saw the apple family farm house, all the lights were off which was unsurprising, Applejack and her family are early risers she saw pony Ville in the distance, but could see no sign of what caused the disturbance she was about to fly home when she heard it again.
This time it was a low rumble, now she was confused their next thunder storm was a month away looking up she scanned the sky line and what she saw next took her breath away.
An orange glow could be seen illuminating a small patch of clouds over the forest it flashed looking very similar to lightning and it soon grew brighter and brighter before it burst through the cloud layer.
It was a meteorite it had to be she had heard the descriptions, she had read about astrology in school she watched open mouthed as the fire ball fell, and crashed in to the forest with a bang before it all died away the light the noise everything and all was still.
Fluttershy gawked she looked around desperately some pony any pony most have seen that, any pony she looked to pony Ville but nothing had changed.
A light flicked on at the farm house and Fluttershys hart leapt for joy someone had seen it, she and Applejack can go find this mysterious thing together and she can check if any animals are hurt and Applejack can go look at it and investigate.
But her hopes were dashed a few moments later as Applejacks voice carried out of the farmhouse.
“Darn it apple bloom y’all put that chemistry set away and leave it to those ponies in them laboratories”. And after that yell carried its way to Fluttershy albeit faintly the light flicked off and all was quiet once again.
Fluttershy sighed she could just go home but she really wanted to see if any animals were hurt, she moaned in frustration she couldn’t deny she was a tiny bit curious, this had never happened before, normally this type thing just ended in a rather elaborate light show orchestrated by Luna.
She fidgeted with her hooves slightly before she finally gave up and flew over in the direction of where she saw it come down.
It did not take her long and after a few minutes of searching she saw smoke, there wasn’t much and on the backdrop of the dark clouds it made it difficult to see, likely why it took her so long to find it swooping down she saw a visible crater where it had struck.
She landed looking around the area she found no animals they must have all been scared off by the loud noise, in fact she couldn’t hear anything the forest was completely silent, her ears subconsciously lowered due to her ominous surroundings.
She looked around and spotted nothing she decided to get a closer look at the crater, she walked up to it slowly creeping one step at a time before she looked over the edge shaking as she did so and saw.
Nothing… she stood looking down into the crater, maybe it was destroyed on impact she released a huge sigh of relief, she was about to turn and go straight home but that’s when it caught her eye a glint in the bottom of the crater something shiny.
“Huh”.
Curiosity peaked as she ventured into the crater and saw it she realised how she missed it now, the entire thing was black, scorch marks littered its surface making it blend with the earth but now she could see it she knew there was something wrong, the shape was too perfect it had been crafted obviously but by who.
Who would create a ball made entirely of metal and how could they make it so perfect the answer she came to almost blew her mind.
When things go from bad to worse
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.