Chapters Ponyville, 7:00 A.M., 9 hours before earthquake
-Twilight-
Twilight and Spike were both sleeping before there was a knock on the door, which woke them both up.
"Go see who it is Spike" Twilight mumbled, going back to sleep. Spike knew not to argue with Twilight mostly when she was still half asleep. So he decided to go and see who it was. There was another round of knocking so he got up quickly and went down to go see.
"Who could be knocking at 7:00 in the morning?" He wondered. When Spike opened the door he was taken aback by seeing two Royal guards there.
"Something wrong sir?" Spike knew something urgent must've happened or is going to happen if the royal guards are here.
"May we speak to Princess Twilight, it is very important". One of them said in a very low voice.
"Twilight!' Spike yelled running up the stairs. Once he got up there, he told her two royal guards want to see her. Twilight had a sinking feeling on whatever it was, wasnt good at all. Both Twilight and Spike ran down the stairs and were met by the guards waiting.
"Miss Sparkle the Princess has tasked us to get you and the elements of harmony to go to Canterlot and meet in the castle". The other guard said in a much deeper voice. Twilight knew it must have been very important.
"Ok let me just go get my friends and-"
"We have already went to get the other elements Princess. They are waiting for you."One of the guards said. Twilight wondered why they didn't get her first since she's the main element and a Princess.
She quickly shook it off as she went to follow the two royal guards to the train station with Spike in tow.
"I'm sorry but you cannot come with Miss Sparkle. Classified." Was all he was told by the one of the guards. His hopes were crushed and told twilight goodbye and went back to sleep.
When they arrived, the other elements of harmony were waiting by the train.
"What the hay is goin on Twi?" Applejack told Twilight.
"I dont know. The princesses will tell us when we get there"
"What if it's something that is threatening Equestria?" Said Fluttershy, extremely worried.
"Oooo what if it's a party they want us to throw? maybe somepony is getting married and want a big super-dooper party and want us to make it and-" Rarity put a hoof to Pinkie's mouth to keep her quiet.
"Whatever it is must be important" Rarity said. They all proceded to get on the train and headed off to Canterlot.
Princess Castle, 8:10 A.M. 8 hours before earthquake
Celestia asked for the elements of harmony to get to the castle as soon as she got the news.
"What's going on Tia?" was the first thing Luna asked her when she was woken up by some guards.
"There was some activity four miles off the coast of Manehatten" Celestia said. When she got the news, she was scared and knew
she needed to evacuate as many ponies from Manehatten as possible. The only problem was she did not know what this activity was going to do and she knew it was serious when the scientists told her.
"Some activity? You woke me up for just some 'activity' that might not even be serious?" Luna said obviously annoyed.
"This isnt just some activity sister it might be something bad."
"Like what exactly" Luna said becoming impatient.
"I dont know" Celestia said worringly. Luna right away went into serious mode and went to talk to a scientist to determine what this could be. Celestia was thinking what it could be and decided to wait until the elements arrive."I just hope it's nothing too bad" she thought in her head. Celestia decided to get it off her mind by reading a friendship letter from Twilight to pass the time and ease her nerves.
Luna was talking to a scientist and was getting angry when they still did not know what it could be.
"Keep finding what it could be! You're smart right? Then use youre brain for bucks sake!" The scientist shrunk down thinking he would be sent down to the dungeons.
"It isnt that easy p-princess." He said very scared and embarrased as the other scientists stared.
"Find out soon or else". Was all she said, storming off to talk to Celestia. While she was, she ran into Discord who was excited when he saw her.
"Aren't you a tough one". He said putting a claw on her shoulders.
"Get your filthy claw off me Discord". She said.
"Relax Luna. And what exactly is going on around here, everyone is running around like crazy"
"There's some activity in Manehatten that could be dangerous" Was all she said too annoyed to talk to the draconequus anymore.
"Oh... Good luck with that" Then vanished. Luna simply sighed as she went to speak with Celestia. She had to get her mind off this thing and cooldown after the incident with the scientist. For all she knew, maybe it could be an earthquake. She entered the throne room walking towards her sister and looked at the glass art on the windows. Celestia looked up at her sister and knew why her sister was there.
"Tia, we need to talk"
Train, 8:14 A.M.
Twilight was staring out the window slowly falling asleep when Rainbow Dash started whining about why they had to wake up so early. She stared at all her friends and saw they were mostly worried except for Rainbow. What if it's nothing but an invitation to a speacial place? What if it is actually serious? What if? Was all Twilight thought. Fluttershy sat next to Twilight and tried to talk to her. They talked about the situation which Fluttershy did not want to talk about.
"I'm pretty sure it's nothing Fluttershy". Twilight quickly regretted saying that as they entered the mountain up to Canterlot. Twilight was excited and nervous to see her mentor.
"This is it girls" Little did they know of what was to be expected.
8:20 A.M. 8 hours before earthquake/event
-Canterlot-
The guards escorted the elements of harmony towards the princesses castle. Every pony was silent most of the way and watched as other ponies passed by and enjoyed themselves. 'That ponies hat looks beautiful' Rarity thought, trying to resist the urge to go ask the mare if she could see the patterns and stiching up close.
Minutes later they arrived at the castle where they were directed into the throne room. As they entered, they saw Celestia and Luna were having a discussion which no pony knew since they were mostly whispering. Celestial turned around and saw the mane 6 have arrived.
"We will talk later sister" Celestia said. She along with Luna walked up to the elements and watched as they bowed and got up again.
"As you probably know by now, there has been some strange activity near Manehatten." Celestia let it sink in for a bit before continuing.
"This phenomena shows signs of an earthquake but something is different about this one. It has puzzled even our best scientists of Canterlot."
"An earthquake?" said Rainbow Dash.
"How can we help princess?" Twilight asked.
"By staying here in Canterlot." Celestia said crushing Twilights hopes of helping out.
"But what are we going to do here?" Twilight said.
"We will go once the earthquake has passed and help any ponies that are injured." Twilight couldnt believe what she said. How can she stay here without doing anything? Then she thought about Applejack's family members, the oranges. As she was wondering, on cue Applejack said it.
"What about my family Princess? I need to go and get them and-"
"No worries Applejack I'll send somepony to get them to safety."
'Ah dont like this one bit. Somethin is wrong with the princess and ah know when someone is hidin somethin when ah see it Applejack thought. She knew something was wrong when the princesses were silently arguing. She also noted how Luna was giving Celestia a dirty look every minute as if she didnt agree with her. "Wonder if the other girls picked that up too' She wondered.
Luna wasnt buying Celestia's lie one bit. She also noticed AJ looking at her as if she knew also. She wanted to tell them everything but she knew she was too weak to fight her, even with the help of the elements. 'If only I was as strong as I used to be' She thought before veering back to the conversation.
"Now all of you, please rest for now. I'll get you when it's time to go" Celestia said and with that, the elements left the throne room.
Luna turned to her sister and continued their conversation from earlier.
===============================================================================
8:15 A.M
Throne room
Celestia looked up from the scroll and saw Luna walking in looking angry and worried. Celestia knew what it was about and wanted to hurry it up before the elements arrived.
"Tia we need to talk" said Luna.
"What is it sister?" Celestia said trying to be as innocent as possible.
"Dont play innocent Tia please we know what it could be."
'Drats she knows' Celestia thought.
"We both know it cant be an earthquake."
"It's too soon for it to happen dont you think? We've been at peace for so long now and soon it might go away like wind in the air." Luna said angered how the event can make civilizations disappear for no reason.
"We havent reached our peak yet and it all going to be gone just like that." Luna continued knowing it's destiny and they couldnt do anything about it. Or can they?
"Look Luna, I am as equally scared as you are. But I assure you, we won't go out without a fight." Celestia said reassuring her frightened sister. Celestia remembers finding an ancient ruin that turned out to be a library. Filled with lots of books and other things of a past civilization. Celestia remembers how excited they both were to read about another advanced civilization until they found out that this great race known as the Homo sapiens mysteriously vanished without a trace but only a couple of monuments and the ruins along with books marked they were ever there. She remembers her and Luna staying up past midnight trying to figure out how the Homo sapiens were wiped out. The only possible way the two ended up coming up with, and dreaded, was a war. A war with weapons that fueled the stars. Celestia had a chill up her spine as she remembered that long and horrible night.
"But we are going to suffer worse than they did. We may not have the weapons they did but getting hit by an arrow or spear is far worse and painful than getting hit by their weapons." Luna got a chill up her spine as she said that and remembered finding those horrible books and having realization on how the beings were wiped out.
"Look, we can try to make peace if anything happens. For all we know, it could have been a disease that wiped the heeumens? Out instead of those weapons." Celestia said failing to pronounce human.
"But what if this supposed disease comes back? What if they were wiped out by something more advanced than they were? What can we-" Luna was cut off by a royal guard who stepped through the door.
"Your highness the elements of harmony are here to see you."
Luna and Celestia kept talking away and ignored the guard until the elements walked in.
"I think we should tell them what it is" Luna said.
"We cant yet. I will tell them later."
"I? You mean We right? We have to tell them Tia." Luna said
Celestia noticed the elements and decided this conversation was over.
"We will talk later sister" Celestia said ending it there.
===============================================================================
8:40 A.M.
-Guest room-
The mane 6 were one of the guest rooms and were either talking to eachother or thinking besides Rainbow Dash who was taking a nap.
Applejack was thinking what Celestia was lieing about and knew Luna also knew. 'Maybe ah can ask Luna why she disagrees with Celestia' she thought.
Fluttershy noticed Applejack's look of confusion and worry. 'I will see what's wrong with her. Hopefully we can talk about how Luna looked and what they were arguing about.' Fluttershy walked up to Applejack and sat next to her.
"Something wrong Applejack? Is it about the earthquake coming? Are you worried about the oranges?"
"Yes I am worried about my family members in Manehatten, but im also confused on what the princesses were arguing about I mean, did you see the look on Princess Luna's face when Celestia told us about the earthquake?" said Applejack.
"Oh Celestia you noticed that too? I came over here to talk to you for the very same reason" Fluttershy said, relieved that somepony else noticed it.
"What do you think they were talking about exactly?" Fluttershy said hopeing AJ had an answer.
"Ah dont know. Maybe it was about the earthquake or somethin?"
"You dont think they were arguing about whether to evacuate the ponies do you?" Fluttershy asked horrified if it was true.
Twilight saw AJ and Fluttershy whispering back and forth and wanted to know what was wrong. She walked over there and knelt down beside them.
"Anything wrong girls?" Twilight asked.
Applejack wanted to tell Twilight but knew she would be hurt if they told her they didnt trust Celestia and how she lied. Instead, Applejack tapped Fluttershy on the side, which she squealed and instantly got the message.
"We were talking about the earthquake and how much we trust Celestia." Both Fluttershy and Applejack smiled, which made Twilight uncomfortable. She was immedietly suspicous and was about to question them when Pinkie Pie came up to her and asked her if they could talk about whether or not cupcakes were better than brownies.
"How much we trust Celestia? Really?" said Applejack
"Well I had to come up with something. You put me on the spot." Fluttershy told her back.
Applejack decided she was going to find and talk to Luna when Twilight went up to her and asked where she was going.
"I was going to take a walk. It's very clausterphobic in here." Putting on a fake smile. Twilight didnt even buy one bit but decided to go with her.
"May I go with you?"
"Well... I got a lot to think about too so I was going to go alone to think things through." said Applejack.
"Let me go with you. Maybe we can talk about your problems together." This put AJ on the spot so she ended up agreeing not wanting the others hearing them nor getting their attention.
Both mares went out and walked in the castle for awhile without saying anything for awhile when Discord saw them. 'This is going to be fun' Discord thought. Discord teleported between the two mares and put his arms around them which made both of them annoyed by him.
"So what are we talking about friends?" Said Discord
"None of your business Discord please leave us alone." Discord smiled and pressed further.
"But i thought we were friends." He said, pretending to have his feelings hurt and teary eyes.
They ignored him until he left them alone telling them how they are no fun. Twilight and Applejack were near Luna's room which made Applejack start telling Twilight how she and Fluttershy dont trust Celestia.
"So is that's what you were talking about." said Twilight
"I also wanted to talk to Luna to see why she didnt agree with Celestia."
The pair reached Luna's door.' This is it' Applejack thought. She knocked and a couple seconds later it opened to reveal Luna in their. Her face went from angry to a smile when she them.
"Well if it isnt the elements of magic and honesty. How may I help you two?"
They bowed to her then got to the point right away.
"I wanted to know what you and Celestia were talking about" Applejack said.
Luna's anger was boiling up when AJ mentioned the conversation the sisters had. Luna sighed and motioned for them to sit down which they did and told them everything. They were speachless when she finished.
"So it wasnt anything to be worried about then?" Twilight said
"Yes." She said smiling on how it worked and they believed it.
"So you told us to sit down, and told us it was to fire a cook who burnt your meal twice?"
"Correct" Luna said. 'That should buy us some time.' Luna thought. 'I will tell them after the event happens.' She watched as both mares walked out relieved it wasnt over the earthquake or anything serious.
"Well thats that I guess." Twilight said.
"That doesnt really explain why she kept giving Celestia the dirty look." said Applejack. She couldnt believe she and Fluttershy were worried over nothing at all. They walked back to their room and talked about what was to come.
===============================================================================
8:30 A.M
-Throne Room-
After Celestia and Luna made sure they were alone, they went back to their conversation.
"Look Luna, we will tell them then address this nationally together ok."
"For all we know honestly, is that it is earthquake sized proportions." Celestia said.
Luna couldnt believe what she was hearing from Celestia. She didn't want to wait. If something does come, how will they go against when they are not prepared? Luna had to find a way to change Celestia's mind. She did not want to die a possible horrible death.
"How dare you say such a thing! We can't just sit here and wait and hope for it to come! We must prepare now!" Luna said. Luna felt her anxiety coming back along with her anger.
"Luna we don't know what it could be in the first place." Celestia said, already having her patience at its limit. "We must sit back and hope nothing bad happens, until then, we must keep calm and wait."
Luna was mad, no, disappointed in her sister and she wanted to show her too. Fueled by rage and on the brink of an anxiety attack, she walked out then went into a full trot towards the door. That's when she turned back and said one thing that made Celestia heart break.
"I am disappointed in you" was all it took for Celestia to shatter.
Luna then closed the door and all there was left was an echo from the door slamming. Celestia knew Luna was a mare adjusting to things around her, but she knew a mare can only take so much. Especially after being gone for a millennia.
Discord was disguised as one of the paintings and saw the whole thing. He couldnt help from smiling and feeling sympathy for Celestia. He remembered how Celestia called him a disappointment long ago too. And boy did it hurt him. Discord decided against it afterwards. 'Eh, Ill just take a walk' he thought, not wanting to feel the awkwardness that fell in the room.
8:50 A.M.
-Discords room-
Discord teleported back to his room after seeing Luna and Celestia arguing. He was a little creeped out by the fact that Celestia embraced destiny a little too much even for him. 'Meh' was all Discord thought then started doing his own thing. 'I guess I should talk to Luna to see if she's ok?' he wanted to regain the princesses trust if hypothetically, he could betray them (hint hint) and they'll be shocked then thats where he could get them. Discord decided to go talk to Luna after all but he was also bored and had nothing better to do. 'I could talk to Celestia too but then again she's a bit of a hothead whenever im around.'
Discord teleported to Luna's door and knocked. It opened and to Discords surprise, Luna looked calm instead of angry or upset. 'Man those acting classes are paying off for her.'
"What do you want" Luna hissed she did not want to talk to anyone for today. 'Time of the month?' Discord thought.
"Just wanted to see how you were after that little disagreement with Celestia." Discord knew if he pretended to care, which he could give two shits about them, he could score some points with Luna ( ya know what im sayin? just keep reading).
"You heard us?" Luna became sad again and wanted to be left alone to think.
"We know you dont care please leave me alone Discord" Luna then shut the door on his face.
"eh, I tried." then he simply teleported back to his room to do whatever Discord does.
===============================================================================
10:00 A.M.
-Celestia's room-
Celestia kept replaying the same word her sister told her over and over. Out of everything and anything, she told her how disapointed she was in her. 'I'll let her cool down for now' Celestia thought.
Celestia decided to read a friendship scroll from her faithful student. Soon one became eight and then to 32. She wanted to do anything to get her mind off the argument. 'oh I hope the elements dont react as badly as Lulu did. Or worse' she thought. Time was going too slow for Celestia. With a grunt, she put all the scrolls back in place and went outside to overlook Canterlot.
Celestia kept staring off at the beautiful scenery, when she found a couple guards walking around. Celestia debated on whether or not to tell her little guards to start evacuations. Celestia needed to make sure of something else first before doing just that.
The princess went back inside and went out of her room to search for the scientists. Moments later, she found the team she assembled in the lab they were in. She saw them all still hard at work when a scientist noticed her staring at them.
"Princess!" He gasped. All the other scientists looked up and saw her standing there. Immediatley they all bowed down. A scientist walked up to her with a paper levitating next to him and handed it to her. Or hoofed it. She read it carefully and not really understanding anything besides it being a graph without words.
"This is activity going on in the location you requested your highness." He said.
"We could not determine at what time it would come precisely. We are currently working on it though."
"hmm I see." Celestia tried to sound calm to not freak anypony out, but inside she was actually worried. She had to tell the guards. Now.
"Dismissed." Was all she said. The scientists just looked at eachother quizically and did not know what to do. The princess headed to the HQ of the royal guards and entered inside. When she opened the door, she saw the general and a couple of the other guards eating and chatting away. Until they saw her standing there. The general was the first to react and right away stood on all fours to salute her, and knocking his and everyponies elses food or drink, much to their dismay.
"ma'am!" they all said in unison.
"At ease soldiers." Celestia said in a calm voice
"General, I need you to come with me." immediatly, he got up and followed her outside. They walked around the castle then she told him to rally about one hundred soldiers to be ready to ship off to Manehatten at a moments notice. She dissmised him and watched the general leave and run to the barracks. 'Geez why did we have to walk that far?' he thought to himself. Under twenty minutes, he had atleast one hundred guards at the ready. He found Celestia and told her and then he left her alone oncemore. Celestia was always amazed on how fast the guards are able to get ready and able to go anywhere and do anything for her.
Celestia wanted to talk to someone but did not know who to talk to. She would talk to her prized pupil, but she knew how Twilight is like then decided against the idea. 'Her future husband will be one lucky stallion' she thought. The princess would talk to Discord but she knew he would grind her gears like always. There was only two ponies she could talk to. Blueblood and her sister. She decided to try to talk to her sister even though she knew she was upset with her. As much as she liked Blueblood, she had zero tolerance for his constant whining.
After some time to think about it, the princess gathered up the courage to go talk to Luna and tell her how sorry she was and how she sent the guards to evacuate Manehattians or Manehattenites or whatever they called themselves. Celestia used a teleportation spell to get to her sisters room.
Luna was reading a book written by starswirl the bearded when she heard a knock on her door. "Better not be Discord again." she mumbled. To her surprise, and frustration, it was her other half.
"Luna, I need you with me to address the guards so they can go to Manehatten. I have found it's getting worse." She said. Luna had a poker face on and didnt react to what she said. 'Wow those acting classes are sure paying off.' Celestia thought. Luna simply sighed. She knew she cant be mad at her sister forever.
"Fine. But we have to talk later ok" Luna told her.
"I promise Luna" This put Luna's mind at rest and they left her room to go to the guards. The two princesses filled the guards in, and sent them off.
===============================================================================
1:10 P.M.
-Manehatten-
"Single file line come on keep moving!" One of the guards yelled at the citizens being evacuated.
"Sir, you might want to look at this." A guard told the leader.
"What is it private." He was going to yell at the private when he saw the stream they were by, flowing the opposite direction it was supposed to be. This made his stomach drop and his training kicked in.
"Double time ponies!" He shouted. He told all the other guards near him to speed up the evacuees pace. When he felt a slight rumble beneath his hooves.
"May Celestia help us all"
Canterlot 1:30 P.M. 3 hours before eartquake/event
-Princess Castle
Princess Celestia was going towards her own room when a guard came running up to her and telling her that there were reports of the ground rumbling and how some soldiers found a nearby stream moving in the opposite direction.
"It's all going according to plan." Celestia whispered. The princess went towards the elements of harmony room to tell them they are needed now. She debated on waking Luna up but decided against it considering she's been awake all night and just went to sleep. She opened the door and the only one's awake were Twilight and Applejack. The rest were sleeping soundly on the floor or the bed.
"Wake up your friends and meet me in the throne room in five minutes." Celestia said.
"Ok" AJ and Twilight said in unison.
Celestia went to her throne room and in minutes entered when she spotted Discord sitting in her chair. She would usually be irritated by this sort of action but just seemed happy to see him for once.
"Hello Celestia" Discord said.
"Hello there Discord" She said returning his greeting.
Discord snapped his fingers and teleported next to Celestia and put one of his arms around her.
"So what do you plan on doing now?" he told her. She thought a bout it for a while before coming up with an answer.
"Going to Manehatten in a bit and address the evacuees." She said
"Your too easy." Discord mumbled under his breath.
"What did you say?" She said in a very agitated voice.
"Nothing" And with that, he disappeared not wanting to face her wrath once again.
Celestia went up to her throne and sat there and waited for the elements to arrive. Celestia started thinking about her and Luna's argument. Celestia started thinking more and more about what could happen. Celestia looked up to the door to see the six mares have arrived. They walked up to Celestia and bowed.
"Wheres Luna princess?" Twilight asked
"She had a long day so she is asleep until the time comes." Celestia said simply.
"In little more than two hours we will go to Manehatten and reassure the ponies that they are now safe from the earthquake. We must show that we care and will aid them in the time of need." Celestia said.
"Dismissed" Twilight just looked at her in disbelief. She was, once again worried for nothing. Rainbow Dash started grumbling about how they woke her up from her nap for just a second long meeting and how Luna was able to sleep in. Discord on the other hand, ot hoof, was disguised as a window painting and saw the whole thing. 'They dont call her Trollestia for nothing." he said amused by the fact that she may be a princess, but knew how to have fun sometimes. Sometimes.
Celestia waited until the elements left.
"What do you want now Discord" She said out loud. Discord was caught off guard and wondered how she saw him when he was disguised.
"Nothing" he said quickly before vanishing. She sometimes loved messing with him. Sometimes.
Celestia decided to go and get a slice of cake while waiting. She chuckled at the idea.
===============================================================================
1:40 P.M.
-Manehatten-
The guards seperated into three teams. The first team was to keep panic from happening among the many citizens being evacuated. The second team was going door to door and trying to spread the word to evacuate their house or whatever they were in. The final team was just there to observe signs of the 'earthquake'. A stallion named Red Tail was one of the unlucky one's to be put in the third team. Their job was very boring since hardly anything happened. And the things that did happen or is happening have already been reported. So the ponies were mostly standing around half the time talking or just feeling the constant vibrations of the ground.
Red Tail was scratching at the ground with his hoof. Or would it be called hooving? anyway's he was clawing or whatever you want to call it at the ground while looking at the evacuees getting directed to someplace or another unlucky pony stuck in third team doing whatever to entertain themselve. Red saw a pony come up to him. He knew who it was. His friend.
"Aw cheer up Red. Look on the bright side, you are getting paid for just standing around and doing nothing." His friend, Sloth Hoof said. The jobs they got were ironic in a way ( I dont think it's the right word but I hope you know what i mean). Sloth was always lazy and Red was always hard working.
"Yea that did'nt really help." Red said. He'd kill to switch teams with his friend. He wanted to do something.
"Listen up everypony. The Princess is coming in less than three hours. So double time." The team leader yelled.
"Why not now?" Red asked a nearby mare.
"Maybe she's busy" She said.
He was about to say something when the ground started shaking stronger than before.
===============================================================================
2:00 P.M 2 hours before earthquake/event
-Guest room-
Twilight wanted to ask her teacher more questions but decided to wait for the time being. 'Maybe Discord knows' she thought. She changed her mind since she really wasnt in the mood to talk to the god of chaos. Twilight's just decided to go talk to the princess after all. She told her friends she is going to talk to the princess then she went to the throne room to see if she was there. Twilight went into the throne room and opened the door only to find it empty.
"She's stuffing cake in her face for your information." She heard from an all too familar voice. 'Great, now I have to deal with him' she thought.
"Thanks and bye Discord" Twilight said trying to leave quickly before being stopped by him.
"Why so soon Twilight? I thought we were friends." He said in a very sad voice.
"Discord, I know your always being ignored and must be really bored but I really need to talk to the princess." She said.
"Your such a party pooper Twilight" He said. Discord was bored to death and wanted someone to talk to or have some form of action going on. The only pony he talked to the most nowadays was Luna. But then at times she would ignore Discord. Which was most of the time.
Twilight left Discord to himself and went into the royal dining room to talk to the princess. In minutes Twilight saw Celestia there and sure enough, she was stuffing her whole face into a huge cake. Twilight thought it was un-princess like of her but looked on in amusement. Celestia heard a hoofstep and looked up to see her protege. She blushed right away knowing Twilight saw her stuff a gigantic cake in her face.
"Princess may we talk for a little bit" Twilight said.
"Why certaintly Twilight." She said.
"When the earthquake arrives, will we just go and help anypony who are injured or are we going to speak there?" Twilight said.
Celestia wondered for a bit thinking while liking frosting off her muzzle. She knew how smart Twilight was so she ended up telling her fast.
"Yes we will help the injured and speak there." Celestia said.
"If you knew there is going to be an earthquake then that must mean you know when right?" Twilight said with hope.
"Sadly we dont my faithful student." Celestia told her.
"Anymore questions Twilight?" She said.
"Yes. When I read about earthquakes, there's always tsunami right after words. Do you think we should wait until that passes?" This question stumped Celestia. She was stuck for a good twenty seconds before answering.
"The other reason were evacuating is cause of that Twilight." She said. Twilight couldnt shake a feeling something was off but she did not know what though. Feeling a little bit satisfied, Twilight said goodbye and went to see her friends while still trying to find out what this 'feeling was'. Celestia on the other hoof, was still eating away.
===============================================================================
2:10 P.M.
-Manehatten-
Many ponies stopped talking or walking all together as they felt the vibration under the ground. After a few seconds it stopped.
"That was it? That was the earthquake?" A pony said not believing that could be the earthquake. Many other ponies started thinking and saying the same thing too. Red Mane and Sloth Hoof ( Terrible name) were both wondering if that was or some type of warning before it happend. Sloth was dissapointed and thought it was going to shake a whole lot. Not a little. Red Mane felt worried and knew something was off.
Many of the citizens decided to try and go home. Some did. Some didnt.
All we know is that the ponies are in for a hell of a shaking.
3:30 P.M.
-Manehatten-
Everypony were going home and not listening to the guards (sound a bit familiar?) and they lauged at them saying they over reacted and a 'little' rumble wasnt going to hurt them. Boy were they wrong.
"Dont you think we should evacuate still? What if nature's warning us?" A blue pony known as Blue Dust. Ponies ignored him because, well, he was homeless. Thus his name Blue Dust. Since he pretty much sleeps in the dirt/dust. It is his destiny.
"Go back where you came from!" A mare said, getting a couple of laughs from other ponies around. 'What a witch' Blue Dust thought.
Red Mane and many other guards were trying to convince ponies to not return home cause there could be more tremors but failed in vain. Pony after pony kept on leaving soon there were less than 300 pony civilians.
"The princesses wont be happy about this." A guard said. Many sadly agreed knowing they failed.
"We gotta keep getting as much as possible still." The leader of the group of the guards said. "We cannot give up still. The princesses will arrive in less than half an hour. Hopefully then will they listen." He finished saying. 'I just hope we arent too late.' He thought when the ground suddenly shook very violently. Everypony froze and started going on the ground trying to cover their heads from anything or just praying it would stop. The leader has felt earthquakes before, but not one he's been in shook this badly as this one. He was only in two earthquakes actually. And they were in the 2-3 point range.
He fell to the ground and covered his head and prayed for it to stop when a building toppled over and fell on lots of ponies who were too shocked to move.
===============================================================================
3:52
-Princess castle-
Princess Celestia was walking out of the dining room when she bumped into Luna. They stared at eachother for a little bit without saying a word. Celestia noticed Luna was staring at something but didnt know what.
"You got a little frosting on your lip" Luna said. Celestia licked it right off and knew it was almost time.
"It's time" Luna said in a grave tone before walking away. Celestia lost track of time while eating cake that she forgot. 'How could I forget about an earthquake capable of taking lives was about to happen?' She wondered. Celestia went to the the room where the elements were. The room went quiet when they saw the princess standing there. They knew what she was going to say and dreaded it.
"It's time girls." She said. The whole room felt out place all of a sudden for Celestia. While she was walking out, she started feeling queasy and felt like she was going to pass out.
"Are you okay princess?" Twilight asked worried about her teacher.
"I'm fine my faithful student." She said. Twilight left it at that and decided to ask her what's really going on after they get back. Or will they? Anyways, after a few minutes they were outside where the group of ponies saw Princess Luna standing there by a chariot.
"About time."
"I was only gone for a couple of minutes" Celestia said. Luna truthfully felt uneasy and minutes felt like... longer minutes? Celestia noticed there was only one chariot and eight ponies.
"There's only one chariot here." Rainbow Dash said. 'No spit sherlock.' Luna thought while mentally rolling her eyes. She felt like puking from all the butterflies in her stomach and the fact that whatever's going to happen, might be a disease or worst, extraterrestrials. She gulped at the thought.
"Ooo what is that?" Pinkie Pie said aloud, disturbing everypony from their thoughts. The other chariot was coming down and was unrecognizable until it came.
"Alright ponies, we will go and leave as fast as possible." Luna said. She wanted to get this over with and lock herself in her room and read a book or cry in a corner.
"What WE will be actually be doing is going to Manehatten and help calm them down and show them that they actually matter to us." Celestia said. She looked at her younger sister and knew she was on a verge of puking or a possible panic attack.
"Any questions? Ok let's get going." Celestia said. 'For once she is actually going to join us' Twilight thought. They all went into the chariots. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, And Pinkie Pie in one and Celestia, Luna, Rarity, and finally Twilight in the other. They went off to the unknown, uncertain what path of destruction was awaiting them.
The end.
Just messing with you. You really think I'll let you guys wait that long for another chapter that would possibly be short and boring? No way. You deserve this. Continuing.
The ponies were mostly quiet on the way to Manehatten except for Pinkie who was jumping up and down while screaming weeeeee! all the way their.
"In a couple of minutes we will touch down!" One of the pegasi guards said. Celestia gave him a nod. 'Thank goodness were almost there.' Luna thought. Luna felt like puking and wasnt really used to being up so high at fast speeds. 'Im waaay faster than these guys.' Rainbow Dash thought. 'But im not as strong as them' She thought with a frown. Fluttershy changed completly. She went from a happy shy mare to helping mode. She was determined to help anypony who were injured.
The chariot touched down and Luna quickly jumped out and never felt so happy to be on the ground again. Even though Canterlot was actually attached on a mountains side, and in a way, was floating in the air. And technically, Manehatten was floating on water too. Anyways, all of the ponies jumped out and Celestia was going to thank the Pegasi guards when they all heard a bloodcurling scream.
===============================================================================
One hour before the Elements and Royalty arrived.
Red Mane watched helplessly as he saw a group of the rescue team and evacuees get crushed by a building. He tried to go help them, but could not move. All he did was watch in horror as many ponies were either hit by falling debris or try to grab on to something for safety.
"Red!" Instantly Red Mane knew who was crying for help.
"Sloth!" Red tried to move the best he could and followed the sound of his friends voice. He thought nothing could get in his way to get to his best friend. In minutes which felt like hours to him, he made it to his friend and saw he was trying to help a mare who was trapped beneath a cart.
"Red please help me!" Sloth pleaded. Red reacted by instinct and helped him. The duo lifted up the chariot up in time for the mare to get out. The young mare hugged them both and held on to them for dear life. The earthquake stopped after ten minutes of violent shaking.
"Are you ok ma'am?" Red asked her.
"I think my hoof is broken." She responded.
"I'll take you to a medic. Where ever they are." Sloth said. Red was surprised that his friend was helping out and watched as he helped the poor girl find a doctor.
"I will try to help anypony that are stuck!" He shouted to Sloth. Red Instantly started searching for more survivors. Soon, he found a guard who was stuck underneath some rubble. He went to help him and saw that he was growing weaker and weaker. He tried to call for some help but saw he was the only one there. He looked at the guard again and checked his pulse only to feel it becoming slower and slower he had to help in someway. He needed help, and fast.
"Anypony please help me! There's a guard who is dieing. Please help me!" Red started losing hope and could not get the guard out himself. He was about to give up hope and cry when he heard somepony kicked a can somewhere. 'Why is it so quiet here?' Red realized how there was nothing but the trapped guards last breathes and his own quick breathing.
Red wasted no time in finding this unknown pony and found him. This strange pony was inside a building that was still up but was too dark to see. Red barely saw what the pony looked like. He got straight to the point and asked the strange pony for help.
"Hey, can you please help me? There's a guard stuck and i need help getting him out." He said quickly. The pony didnt respond at first. He heard the unknown pony make a strange sound which sounded like he was injured.
"Are you okay?" Red asked, only to see the unknown pony run up to him and hit him. Red went flying a couple feet out of the building, when he was able to see that it wasnt a pony but a creature that could have matched the princesses height or maybe even taller than they were. Red started going unconsious when he saw the tall alien-like creature make a strange sound. Red watched helplessly as a group of four legged creatures who sounded like dogs run up to the guard and started to visciously attack the poor pony. His eyes started closing when he saw more creatures as tall as the one who attacked him appear out of thin air.
Red Mane was on the verge of passing out from the hit he recieved when the creature who attacked him went up to him and held it's gun up to his head. 'What in Celestia is that thing it has?' Red thought. He looked up and saw the sun was high up when the alien pulled the trigger. Everything turned black in an instant.
Atlantis. Three days after contact.
-Ancient Ruin-
Twilight wasnt prepared for this type of situation. Not even prepared for an encounter against creatures that was alien to her. All she knew was whatever they were, they did not have peace and harmony in their vocabulary and attacked almost anything that moved. Even children. News spread all over Equestria and many nations about an alien-like race that attacked Manehatten. Soon, one attack became multiple attacks across Equestria and soon many countries were reporting being attacked also. The attacks started to become into an all out invasion of rapid dominance. Or in other words, a blitzkrieg.
"Twilight hurry we cannot hold the door much longer!" Luna said.
"A-ha! I found the book!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Now lets get out of here before-" Luna was cut off by an explosion that sent the her and the door flying.
"Luna!" Twilight said before one of the dog-like creatures ran and lunged towards her. Paralyzed with fear and shock, Twilight did the only thing her instincts told her to do. Close her eyes.
===============================================================================
-Manehatten-
Everypony was in shock until a terrible scream took them out of it. The first pony to react was Fluttershy. She was then followed by the rest of the elements and soon, Luna and Celestia. She flew to the source of the scream and froze in shock and horror. What she saw was four creatures mauling a poor guard who was stuck and couldnt do anything to get out. Fluttershy wanted to run but was scared that the creatures would get her.
"There you are Flutter-" Rainbow Dash could not finish when she saw the pack of four legged creatures attacking the helpless guard. The creatures turned to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's direction and growled at them. One of them howled in the air, and soon more of the creatures came. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash started running away when the creatures gave chase. The group barely caught up to the two pegasi when they saw them running and screaming in the way they came.
"Run!" Rainbow Dash told the group. They did not know why at first, but soon heard, then saw a group of dog-like creatures heading their way.
"What are those things?" Luna yelled. Soon the chase took to the alley's. The group of ponies were about to run to the streets again when they saw a much larger creature who stood on two legs appear out of thin air. The group was surrounded by the giant creature and soon they heard the the pack from earlier nearing them. Celestia kept on thinking of what to do. But soon was relieved when she heard a few hoof steps. One of the alien hounds found them and climbed and jumped on the walls. The hound was about to lunge towards the group when a spear hit it right in the mid-section and impaled it there. The alien clawed and bit helplessly as it slowly started dieing. They all looked up and saw a couple of guards on one of the roofs.
"Get the big one!" A guard said. Before anypony could react, the tall alien shot one of the guards and hit the armor. The bullet went through the armor and started melting away at the stallions fur and skin. He screamed in agony and soon the alien started to aim at Celestia.
"Now soldier!" The second guard yelled at a pony. Before the alien could shoot the princess, A spear went right through the alien. Celestia acted quickly and just in time as more of the hounds found them.
"Let's go before they get us!" Luna yelled. The hounds closed in but saw them fleeing out of the alley way onto the streets. They escaped in time and headed towards the chariots.
"Protect the princesses!" A guard yelled. Soon his words turned into screams of pain. Fluttershy kept turning back while running and really wanted to help the poor guards.
"It's too late to help them now Fluttershy. Just keep your eyes on us and everything will be alright." Twilight told the shy mare. Fluttershy was almost in tears. Soon, three of the hounds came out of the alley way and ran towards the group faster than anypony have seen. No not Rainbow Dash fast but really fast. Anyways, the hounds were gaining on them.
"We're almost there girls! we have to go faster" Rainbow Dash yelled. Soon, relief turned into fear as they did not see the pegasi guards by them. 'This is bad. Real bad' Twilight said in her head. The eight mares soon made it to the chariots and waited for the three creatures to get there so they could fight them off. Out of no where seven guards came out and charged and yelled at them and clashed with the aliens. They all felt instant relief when the seven guards arrived. The battle ended rather quickly. Out of the seven guards, only one was killed.
"Are you ok your highness?" One of the guards said.
"We are fine." Celestia said. She was too shocked to say anymore. Luckily for them, there was five pegasus. Four of them volunteered to take the eight mares back to Canterlot. Only two guards were left. Another pegasus and a unicorn.
"The two of us will stay and find anymore guards." said the unicorn guard. 'They are really brave for doing something almost suicidal.' Celestia thought. Tears started forming in her eyes.
===============================================================================
The group was soon heading back to the castle. Everypony was too shocked to say anything. Fluttershy was crying while Rainbow Dash was trying to comfort her. Applejack had lots of questions in her mind. 'Where did those things come from? Will they invade Equestria? Did the oranges get out in time? Are they even from this world?'
Celestia was trying to process what was happening in her head when she heard a voice. She perked up and saw nopony was talking. She went back to thinking again when she heard it more louder this time.
"Kill them all" The voice, or multiple voices told her. Celestia felt a chill run down her spine. More and more, she heard them, but much louder than before. They kept repeating the same thing over and over and told her to obey or else.
"Do it now" One of them commanded. Celestia was too scared to say or do anything.
"Or else" The same voice said again. 'What should I do?' Celestia told herself. 'Maybe it's best to do as told' she thought.
Celestia smiled.
Canterlot
-Princess Castle-
Everypony was quiet. On the way back, and all the way to their rooms. Fluttershy was the only one that could've been heard making muffled sobs and sniffling. Luna collapsed on her bed and covered her face with a pillow. Soon after, Luna started crying and wondered what in equestria were those creatures. She was intrigued but at the same time frightened of them. 'Is that what attacked the humans?' she thought. Luna decided felt tired and just wanted to sleep. Even after sleeping most of the day. "I've never been this tired in my whole life" she said to herself out loud. 'Am I forgetting something? Oh right the raising of the moon.' the young princess thought, well she's over a millenium but she was trapped in the moon for a long time. The only effective way of not aging. Remember that ladies.
Luna stood up from her bed, but saw herself stumbling towards her balcony. Luna did her usual routine of raising the moon. After bringing the night, she noticed something was off. 'Strange, sister is always there to watch the night come.' Luna wanted to see why, but remembered about the incident they had. Luna slowly walked back into her room and once more, collapsed on her bed. Before she knew it, she blacked out.
Twilight obviously wasnt prepared for this type of situation. Not even one that was like this . Her mind was racing with questions like what do they want? Are they naturally violent? Who's their master? Do they take showers? Those type of questions. Soon, she ran into the door of the room the mane 6 were given. Her face still hurt after power walking her way back. While Twilight was bursting with questions and wanting answers, the other five were trying to analyze what exactly went down. Except for Fluttershy who was holding onto an annoyed looking Rainbow pegasus. Pinkie, who was always so happy and trying to make everypony smile was actually sad. The only way her friends knew, was because her mane was flat and her skin was less pink.
Applejack on the other hoof, was thinking to herself like she did when they arrived earlier. AJ wished the creatures were peace makers and acted the way they did for a reason. 'There always has to be a reason' she thought. Rarity did not know what to think, since she never had been in this type of situation before. She just sat there thinking about grabbing her fainting couch out of nowhere and just over dramatically fainting.
===============================================================================
Celestia was sitting in her room in the darkness with a blank look on her face. 'I failed.' She thought. Celestia felt like she failed at protecting her subjects. Not only was she sad, but was disappointed in her self at just watching without moving. 'Lulu was right.' A single tear came down on her cheek and soon fell onto her bed then one started becoming a lot more tears pouring out of her eyes.
"The elements. My sister. Could have all died all cause I did nothing but stare in awe." Tears to sobbing a whole lot. Celestia was a train wreck. 'Stop crying you dumb bitch.' The voice came back. Or should I say voices. Celestia could not believe the language she was hearing from... where exactly? Was she tripping? 'Thats better. Now that you stopped crying like a-'
"Don't swear please just no more vulgar language like that word." She plead the mysterious voice. She found a book back at the library 'Fine but listen up. From here on out, you will be listening to me.' It said. Celestia strangely felt obliged to listen and obey. She did just that and nodded as if the voice was in the room, somewhere in one of the dark corners. And as if it was right there with her physically, it started talking again. In her head obviously. Anyways, it started talking once more. 'This is whats going to happen. You are going to go back to Manehattan with your sister and those elements. That's when you will go out in the ocean by boat and-' it was cut off by Celestias protests.
"First off, why would I listen to you and second, why by boat? Why not by a chariot like last time." She finished. 'Because... fine by chariot but anyways, after that, I will take full control and we will take over." It said. You know what, from now on, it will be him.
"Wait why am I even listening to you? I'm getting out of here." She said. 'Like hell you are.' Mid way to the door, Celestias head started hurting as if she was struck by a sledgehammer. She soon fell on the ground at the mercy of the voice who somehow caused her pain. It was only seconds of pain but it felt like minutes to the princess. Seeing no way out and not wanting to suffer another agonizing head ache-like pain, she went back to her bed and lied there. 'As I was saying before, we will take over and rule the world. Like the old saying goes, when life gives you lemons, you take those lemons aaannndd...' He waited for her to finish but did not get a response.
".." The mysterious man or disembodied voice mentally face palmed. I forgot they were ponies. And it seems logic is a superpower here. he thought. 'It has a k in it.' Then it hit Celestia what he meant. She agreed what he said and had a strong feeling grow inside her at a rapid pace. The disembodied voice or whatever it/he was felt like she knew what he wanted to do. As if on cue, she stood up on all fours and ran towards the door. 'Thats my girl' the man said.
"Now I know what you want me to do." She said in a grave tone. If you could see this man physically, you could tell he had an evil grin as big as the grinches grin.
"You want me..to...eat some cake!" Her tone went from serious to cheerfulness in one go. 'Yes.. Wait what?!'
"I just noticed how hungry I am. I'm going to go eat some cake. Thank you for reminding me of my favorite food!" Celestia then happily trotted out of her room towards her door. 'Oh no you don't' the disembodied man tried to make her have the cluster headaches again but noticed something wasn't right. 'Why isn't it working anymore?!' He growled. 'God, you ponies are more dumber than the-'
He was cut off by Celestia who was thinking about the many cakes she wanted. Her mouth started salivating on her way towards the dining hall. Celestia was soon cut off of her little day dream when she ran into somepony.
"Hi there princess" and that some pony needed up being her very own faithful student.
"Hello Twilight" she said in a cheerful tone. Which was a bad time considering what they just went through.
"You seem to be in a good mood princess." Twilight was on her like a moth to a lamp or light.
"I'm going to eat cake right now. Would like to join me?" And as quickly as her suspicion came, it was gone at the mention of cake. 'How can she eat cake so much?' The younger alicorn thought.
Discord heard them talking and decided to go ask them about their little adventure in Manehattan. A good dose of chaos is always good for the system. Always.
Ch.8 Search and destroyed.
The castle
Luna slowly opened her eyes and looked towards her window. 'Still nighttime I see. And barely 11:23.' She groaned, not wanting to do her royal duties. Whatever her duties were. Probably paperwork. Luna got out of bed and decided to rinse her face off. She splashed cold water on her face then went from tired to awake. Feeling refreshed, she was ready to take on the day. Or the night. Luna walked out of her room, and headed towards the kitchen. A couple minutes later, she arrived at her destination and opened the door, only to see Twilight and her sister chatting while eating cake. 'Do you always have to eat cake?' Luna thought, rolling her eyes. Celestia noticed Luna enter and immediately offered her some cake, which Luna refused. She has to watch her figure you know unlike Celestia, who can consume as much fat-filled food and not gain a single pound.
"Good evening Princess Luna" Twilight told her. Luna returned her greeting with a smile. It felt kind of awkward for Twilight to talk to Luna considering they hardly ever talked face to face.
"Well, I think I'm going to go to bed Princess."
"Please Twilight. Your a princess your self so call me Celestia." Twilight beamed when Celestia told her she could call her by her maiden name. Even though she remembers being told the exact same thing countless times in other fanfics.
"Ok, Good night Celestia. Nice to see you Luna." Twilight said before closing the door with her magic. All that was left was the silence between the two sisters
"Tia, I have to ask you something." Celestia instantly thought she was going to talk about the horrid events from earlier.
"What is it?" please don't be it, please don't be it. Celestia thought.
"What happens if those things try to invade Equestria?" Buck. she cursed. Not out loud obviously. The eldest sister thought about it for a while before telling her sister straight up.
"I believe we should send a couple of scout teams to trace down where exactly their habitat is and from there, we can try to make peace and show them we mean no harm." Luna felt the same way and strongly agreed with her sister. And the. She was going to tell her to start getting scout teams ready, but she got an idea that stopped her from saying anything.
"What if they mean harm and want us gone? Then what exactly do we do?" She was worried and hopefully they meant peace.
"We can only hope" Celestia said flatly. There was really no way to tell at this point, considering they were attacked and nearly killed by these dog-like creatures. 'Were they acting out of fear or were they trying to invade Manehattan?' Celestia thought. She was soon snapped out of her thoughts when Luna started speaking.
"Why don't we go and order the generals to send scouts out to Manehattan and few miles out to see if they can pinpoint a location on where those things are at?" Luna suggested.
"Tomorrow" Celestia said.
"Why not tonight we can not wait until dawn. Time is of the essence." She said while making a daisy sandwich.
"I need to be well rested. It's going to be an extremely busy day tomorrow."
"But I'll be asleep by then!"
"Look luna, I will do it myself ok. All you need to worry about is doing your royal night duties." Celestia told her, trying to end it right then and there.
"It's always you who gets to do everything Tia. I've hardly done anything with you except sign paper work night after night. Please let's go tonight please." Luna put her best puppy face on. Celestia simply just sighed. 'Its going to be a long night.'
===============================================================================
Princess Celestia and Luna were walking towards the Royal Guards HQ.
"Why did I let you take me?" Celestia tiredly said. She had her fair share of all nighters, but what happened hours before was too much for her. The two mares walked in total silence until the eldest sister spoke up.
"I've never really told you this sister, but your nights are so beautiful." Luna blushed at her sisters compliment and said a quick thank you. They walked in yet another silence for a few minutes before reaching their destination. They entered the headquarters of the royal guard where they saw two out of the six generals there. The two generals were filling out some paper work until one of them gasped and immediately went in front of his desk to bow to the princesses. The other heard the gasp and looked up, only to see the two goddesses standing there. He proceeded to do the same as the other did and bowed.
"Your highness! What is it that you need from us princess?" The first general said, rising back up. Luna had an annoyed look on her face. 'Why can't they mention me for once.'
"Luna" both generals said, giving her a nod. 'At least it's something'
"There's going to be an emergency meeting in the throne room generals. Find the other four, and meet us there." The two generals nodded and went to go get the other's. Both princesses started the long walk back to the castle.
"Wait, why didn't we send a messenger to go get them?" Luna asked.
"..."
"..." The two sisters stayed quiet the whole way back. After getting settled into their thrones, shortly afterwards, the generals walked in, followed by discord who had an excited look on his face while happily shaking his arms like a kid in candy heaven.
"Bad discord! This is a talk only for the grown ups so you must leave immediately." Celestia told him. Discord turned around and had his head hung low as if he was crushed to not be part of the group with the adults.
"As you know, we went to Manehattan and-" I'm pretty sure you won't like to listen to her inform the highly ranked officers on what happened. Anyways, after explaining to them everything that happened, they all had grim looks on their faces.
"And now I want you guards to send teams of Pegasus scouts to recon the area to find anything. Once they do, report back to me, I mean us of their findings. Dismissed." The generals walked out as fast as possible to do their assigned mission.
"See Celly, it wasn't that hard. Go get some rest for now. I will wake you when there is something that needs our attention." Celestia responded with a yawn and told her sister to be on watch until then. They exchanged good nights to each other and then Luna was all by herself in the throne room. 'What a day' she thought. Luna decided to retrieve her star swirl the bearded book and read to pass the time.
===============================================================================
Twenty eight Pegasi flew in the sky without making a sound towards their objectives. Soon, they all split up into five teams of seven. For awhile no pony said anything. 'Bet flying in a city is better than flying over an ocean full of celestia knows what.' Blue Streak thought. He was with a couple of young recruits who were unluckily picked to do recon. Blue Streak was deep into his thoughts when some pony motioned for something.
"What's that down there?" One of the recruits said aloud to the rest of his squad mates. They all looked down in unison and all gasped when there was a big island beneath them. Slowly, they turned back around and try to investigate what it was.
"Is that an island?" Another Pegasus said. And sure enough the found an island. They all looked at eachother with strange looks.
"No this is not right. If I'm correct we're where we're supposed to be. But there's no island or anything that is this close to Manehattan." Blue Streak said.
"Your right, the only island known is one that is way out in the ocean. This ones 5 miles away from the city." One of them said.
"Let's go back and report this to our officers and-" the Pegasus talking was cut off when a something went through him. The others watched helplessly as he fell onto the ground below them. Their training kicked in and they did maneuvers they were taught. Soon, two more fell and the rest saw many holes inside the Pegasi who we're falling down and saw these bright lights that were faster than the wonder bolts.
"What are those things!?" Blue Streak said. They seemed to wiz by. They're bullets. But they don't know that. Blue Streak flew as fast as he could and soon felt like the things stopped. When he turned around he saw another Pegasus behind him trying to catch up. Once the other caught up, he asked where the others were.
"They are either down there or missing." Blue's face saddened and turned into horror as he saw the other Pegasus get hit by some big bright object that came out of nowhere. He tried to flyaway again but was soon hit by something. Blue Streak fell down but was luckily a couple feet above the island so the fall did not injure him too badly. Still bad but not as bad. He soon felt himself fall unto the ground and felt the sand on his fur. He looked up at the sky and saw more big and bright objects fly by. Soon, his vision faded to black and all that was heard was a couple of shots that sounded like barking to him and then there was no sound.
Celestia was doing some paperwork while humming the mlp theme song- like most ponies in Equestria do. Her humming was cut short when she saw a single piece being slid towards her by a hoof. She looked up to see who's hoof it was and it was none other than General Stealth Lightning. Just as his name say's, he is really stealthy, fast, and has one of the quickest reflexes.
"What is this?" Celestia told him. He gulped and hesitated before saying anything. She sure as tartarus was going to be pissed.
"I-It's the reports from last night's scout."
"Where are the rest of them?" He started sweating underneath his armor and was struggling to find the right words to say. "Uhm, th-there are no other one's your highness."
"Only one soldier out of the twenty-eight made it."
"Where is he now" She asked.
"Getting what's left of him into a coffin." He Looked at the floor once more, but not in failure, but in respect to a fallen comrade. Things soon turned silent and awkard in the room then soon gave way to become tense. Once more, he stared at the floor and expected to get backhoofed or something. Only to hear something he only heard his parents might have said to him.
"I am dissapointed in you." And there they were. Oh snap. "I had trained you to be the best in all of Equus"
Celestia just sighed and dismissed the poor sap. The only thing he did was mutter a sorry while staring at the floor and then turned to leave. He may be strong mentally and physically, but that was something. 'Something indeed.' He thought to himself. 'The Princess sounded... off backthere. Come to think of it, it did not sound like something she would say.' He left it at that and decided to get food then sleep I mean, you can always trust your superior right? right? Nope.
Meanwhile, Celestia was still in her office finishing the paperwork when she glanced at the single paper left there by the general. Curiosity got the best of her and she decided buck it. The sun goddess read it several times before it finally sank in. She compared the deceased soldiers encounter with her own, then came to one conclusion.
"Robots."
Twilight and her friends were sent back to Ponyville to continue doing whatever they did best. Everypony have'nt talked to eachother ever since the encounter, and only did small talk if one bumped into another. Pinkie, Applejack, and Rarity were the quickest to forget about the incident. The rest... just tryed desperately to find something and anything to do to get their minds off of all the blood and gore they witnessed.
Twilight was walking towards the Everfree forest to get something from Zecora. Or just have a chat with her on how things are doing and whatnot. Twilight sighed and entered the forest. A few minutes into her trek, she felt as if she was being watched by something. But then again, she IS in the Everfree forest so there will always be that feeling as if some monster might rape your skull.
The young Alicorn continued towards her goal and decided to look around at her surroundings when she saw something move beyond the trees and or bushes. She ignored it as probably some animal running away to not become a dinner to it's pursurer. 'I hope it's one a cockatrice.' She soon realized what it would leave her to think about until somepony finds her and somehow get's her out. 'Scratch that' Twilight started walking at a faster pace than before.
Seven minutes into the speed walk, she found Zecora's hut.
"Finally" She said, with relief washing over her. Twilight went up to the door and knocked several times. Seconds later the door opened and there was none other than Zecora herself. (Crap forgot she rhymes in every sentence)
"Why Twilight is'nt it a surprise. What can I help you with on this fine night."
"Oh nothing at all. I just wanted to talk and see how thing's are for you." Zecora just looked stared at her while tilting her head to the side.
"Looks like you have not slept in day's. Please tell Zecora what is bothering your way's. (I'm bad at rhyming alright. Dont judge me.) Twilight wanted to tell her everything, but did not know what to say first.
"Where do I start" She said sadly. Zecora was about to speak when both mares saw a deer run past the window.
"That has been the fourth deer. Something is making them run in fear." That's when Twilight remembered seeing a shadow run amongst the trees and bushes.
"Yea. I saw a shadow run away from the direction of your hut. Strange." Indeed it is. Sounds like a job for Wheels and the legman- I mean the mane 6.
"I had a feeling as if i was being watched earlier. Come to think of it. I feel it right now." Thing's went quiet between the duo. Eventually they started talking about what's been going on in their lives and exchanged funny stories until Twilight left. They exchanged their goodbyes and soon the young princess left into the forest.
Twilight continued her was half way out of the Everfree, when she saw another shadow run right by her. Then another. Twilight barely made out what it was, and soon gasped when she saw a tail of a manticore. It too was running away. Twilight became scared and started speed walking once more towards home. Soon that became a full on jog as she saw even more animals running out of fear.
She soon stopped and decided to confront whatever it was or atleast see what could make even a big thing such as a manticore run away like a little girl.
"Come out whoever you are!" Twilight demanded to whatever was out there. She heard what sounded like a low growl. She magically grabbed a sizable rock to throw it at whatever that was there, but soon regretted it when she heard a roar come out of the bush she hit. Her heart sank when a huge beast jumped out. The creature came out of the shadow's and revealed to be one of the creatures from Manehatten. Twilight, paralyzed, just stood there with fear. The creature ran at her and hit her with it's head. Twilight landed roughly onto the ground and layed there repeating the words 'This is it' over and over. The creature came to Twilight to give the death blow when it stopped inches above her face. Twilight shut her eyes, knowing her time is up and waited.Nothing came.
She opened her eyes and realized the creature was looking up at the air as if it was listening to something. The alien put it's claw down and came face to face with the young alicorn and simply growled at her showing it's many teeth before running back into the dark of the forest. Twilight stood up and started running back to Ponyville while replaying the events that just happened. Only one thing came to mind.
"They are following us"
Fluttershy was humming a tune that we all know while feeding Angel bunny and the other various animals in her cottage until she as series of hard knocks on her door. She immeadiatly fell down onto the floor with grunt. She walked towards her door and opened it, only to be tackeled by her close friend, Rainbow Dash.
"Fluttershy we have to go to Twilight's ASAP no time to explain."
"What? What's Wrong? Why are you in such a hurry Rainbow?"
"I'll tell you when we get to the castle but we have to go now "
"Atleast help me feed the animals quick." Rainbow Dash groaned and grabbed a random bag full of food and gave it to the animals. In minutes the two pegasi finished and flew towards the door when there was a sudden commotion outside.
"The chickens!" Fluttershy went into her helping mode. She flew quickly towards her backdoor with a protesting Rainbow Dash behind her.
"There is'nt enough time Fluttershy! we have to go no-" She stopped talking when she saw a couple dead chickens on the ground with blood everywhere. Both mares stood motionless at the horror and found the culprit standing dead center. Memories of the attack flooded back to them at full force.
"Not again" Rainbow Dash whispered to herself. The alien growled at them and left with some remains of the dead chickens in it's mouth.
"Let's go Fluttershy. Please." Rainbow Dash pleaded the shy pegasus. Rainbow Dash started dragging her away when Fluttershy hugged her and started crying. Rainbow Dash held her while she cried and took them both inside the cottage to comfort her poor friend. Soon there was silence in the cottage except for some sniffles here and there. Soon that ended as they heard a howl by the Forest.
AppleJack was getting the last of the apples into the barn and getting ready to go eat whatever Granny Smith made for dinner. Applejack saw Rainbow Dash speeding to someplace 'Probably some stray clouds out there' she thought. AJ shrugged it off and went inside to join dinner with the rest of the apples.
"How's the food everypony?" AJ asked
"It's good as always sis"
"Eeyup"
" Apple pie anyone?" Granny Smith asked. Everypony nodded a yes and they ate in silence. That's how it always was. Wake up, work, eat, and bed, and they hardly talked during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. AppleJack was the last to finish seeing as she came in last. After washing her plate somehow, she went upstairs to sleep, even though it was like 8:30 p.m. but then again, they do physical labor. Before going to bed, AJ looked out of the window for while just staring at the stars.
"AH wonder what's it like up there. Must be so cold and lonely." AJ watched as the sun was shining its lasts light upon Equestria before the moon watches over the ponies. The cow pony stared at her apple orchard and wished to watch the sunset with another pony held tight. Right as she was going to bed, she noticed something in the sky. No- two things.
"What the hay are those?" She said aloud. Two bright blueish objects were going fast. Possibly faster than Rainbow Dash. She just looked up dumbstruck at how fast the two unknown objects were going. They soon went into a stop over the Everfree Forest and seconds later, AJ witnessed as they flew away as fast as light. She stood there wide mouthed not knowing what to do or say.
"I've got to tell Twi. She must know what they were." AJ ran out of her room quickly then descended the stairs.
"Where do ya think your goin missy?"
"I have to go to Twilight's granny. It's an emergency bye!" Granny Smith stood in the kitchen all alone wondering what AJ was doing. AJ is a silly pony after all.
"I hope those mares are using protection." She said before falling asleep standing up again.
Rarity was patiently waiting for a stallion to return from gem hunting. He said no at first but accepted after she told him how much bits he would get if he retrived them for her. And he needed those bits to pay them bills. Rarity would have gone but it was in Diamond Dog country. And she still remembers her experience with the dogs, even though it did end in her favor. Minute after minute passed. Then it was half an hour.
"Where is he?"
"He better not have gotten captured that poor thing." Just as she finished talking, she heard a knock on the boutiques door. And there he was. With two gems in his hoofs. He looked terrible as if he saw a ghost or something. Pretty shaken up indeed.
"My celestia what happened to you dear? And why so little gems?" It was silent besides his ragged breathing. Two minutes passed before he finally talked.
"S-s-something w-was there. T-t-the diamond dogs were on the ground. They were all dead! There was this thing standing over them! There was blood everywhere!" At this point he had tears in his eyes and they were falling like granite falls. "I dont know how I even got out of that mess. It chased me for what felt like hours. I'm sorry I could not get all the gem's Miss Rarity."
"Dont worry about it dear. Here. For your troubles." She handed, or hoofed him the bits and gave him a few more after hearing what he went through. Who would'nt demand more bits anyway's? I mean, he could have gotten ripped apart and stuff. The stallion said thanks and then left to go home and cry in the corner of his room.
"Is it... no it can't be." Rarity was having a mental battle on whether or not she would talk to anypony about it. One of her friends atleast. They would understand.
"I'm going to talk to somepony." As she looked out her window, she saw AppleJack running towards the direction of Twilight's house.
"Yes! Applejack would be perfect!" Rarity ran outside to catch up to AJ and accidentally slammed the door of her home/store and woke up Sweety Belle in the process.
"Rarity?"
"Home sweet home" Twilight finally made it home. Only problem there was, was all her friends were waiting at the door. Somehow Pinkie Pie found out about all this and decided to tag along.
"Woah woah what's wrong everypony?" Twilight asked
"Those thing's are stalking us" RD told her. Twilight's heart sank at that. 'Not them too.' she thought.
"Uh-oh this is bad. This is real bad." Twilight said. Spike opened the door to see who it was.
"What's going on?" He asked
"We will explain inside spike." The mane 6 walked into the castle and talked about their encounters with the aliens. AJ's was the most interesting. Well, to RD and Twilight it was. Pinkie Pie just said she felt something was off and went to Twilight's Castle/home to see if they were okay. The ponies and dragon continued talking, trying to piece it all together when there was a knock on the door. Twilight went to go see who it was. She secretly hoped it was not the royal guards again. And surprise suprise, it was. Two bat ponies stood there looking down at the young alicorn.
"Princess Celestia has requested us to come get you Miss Sparkle." One of them said. All the ponies looked at eachother, not knowing what to do or say except to follow the guards.
"This cannot be right Tia!" Luna shouted. She was still in disbelief. Celestia showed her the reports, or report and it was terrible.
"What should we do sister." Luna asked her. Celestia did not know what to do next. All she knew was that Ponykind could be on the edge of extinction. Unless...
"Order an emergency meeting. We must tell other world monarchs about these, these.. things." Celestia quickly wrote down lots of things on pieces of paper. One for each leader.
"I sure hope your plan works."
"I do too Lulu" Celestia finished minutes later and assigned a messanger to bring the messages to the kings/queens or prince/princesses. 'War is inevitable ' Celestia heard the voices once more.
View Online
Ch.10 Battle at Brazzers Hill(This means war)
-Outside of Manehattan-
"After we capture this area, we must hold onto it until reinforcments arrive. Do I make myself clear." Everypony was quiet. The seargent looked around and noticed the terrified expressions on their faces. He needed a way to comfort them. And he knew just the only way to do it. With death.
"We were trained to bleed for the princesses and die for them." It did not really help. It only made them more terrified. One even peed a little.
"Look soldiers. I too am afraid of the unknown, but together we can make it through the darkness. There is only a 10% chance we might go back to our families sooo... yeah. Move forward!"
"Yes sir!" The twenty-seven guards said in unison. All the guards marched forward to Manehattan. You might be wondering to what happened to the Manehattanites or Manehatteans or whatever you like to call them, most were evacuated or went into hiding. The rest were killed or captured. Most likely killed. As the royal guards walked onto the road, they had a feeling as if they were being watched. They all had their eyes on each sides but soon heard somepony scream.
"What the tartarus is that!?" A private screamed. Everyone stared at him and soon in horror as a orange-yellowish beam shot out of nowhere and vaporized him out of thin air.
"Not Meatballs!!" The seargent yelled. Before he could speak, the guard was tackled by a crawler (What the guards decided to name them). He thought death was going to greet him when a spear went right the crawler. He thanked Celestia he did not become lunch. The seargent was once more rudely interuppted as more crawlers and this time a huge alien came out of nowhere. The guards are still debating on what to call the bigger alien's. Anyway's a battle soon started. It was a 5 to 1 battle. The guards being the one and the alien's being the five.
For a minute, the air felt tense and everything was silent. The two species just stared at eachother. The silence was soon broken when a royal guard yelled and charged into a crawler, stabbing it and killing it. Instantly roar's and yelling was heard from each side. A guard stabbed another crawler, only to be met by the same fate as Meatballs. The battle somehow went into the guard's favor besides the fact they were widley outnumbered, only to have it short lived as a loud and blinding explosion came out of nowhere. The grenade seemed to have the same effect as the beam did. The guards still fought on. Many soldiers were dying faster and faster and soon only four guards remained. The seargent grabbed his dagger, ready to sacrifice his life to his Princess. Everything went into slow motion as the guards were slowly surrounded.
"We're all gonna die!!" A soldier screamed. He was met with a back hoof and front hoof.
"Keep it together soldier" His superior growled. Once more everything went silent.
"It's been a pleasure working with you seargent." One of the guards spoke up.
"We are going out with a bang soldiers. Give'em a fight they will never forget" That got the remaining guards riled up.
"For the empire!" A soldier by the name of Biscuits yelled. All the guards charged in opposite directions towards the aliens. Both armies charged. The four pony squad stopped dead in their tracks as they heard yelling that came from a hill. A group of soldiers twice the size of the original squad came charging down. Relief and adrenaline filled the seargent up and he started attacking oncemore. The battle continued once more. The numbers were nearly equal this time. The war was long and gruesome. There were ponies trying to take out the big alien only to be met with crawlers pouncing on them. Pegasi were in the air charging down towards the earth with their spears aiming to at their enemies, while the Earth ponies were face to face with them. The Unicorns were ontop of the hill firing arrows and magic at them.
Some of the aliens that were killed were usually replaced by another like an immortal persian soldier. The unfortunate ponies that were caught were brutally ripped apart and eaten alive if they were not hit by anything. The alien leader looked on and soon knew the battle was not going into his favor. The only option left was retreat. A dissapointing but necessary move. Time to let the big guns do all the work. The leader turned on his cloaking device and activated the whistle. The crawlers stopped attacking and turned away from the battle, leaving only the stunned royal guards standing there.
"Did we... win?"
Ch.11 Turkey is in the oven
Operation: Take back Manehattan had failed. Failed so hard, that nopony saw it coming. Like they literally did not see the giant creature that dropped on them. The giant creature, or thing, resembled a mecha standing at about 16 feet, armed to the teeth with rockets and plasma-like guns on the shoulders also with a gatling gun attached to the other arm. Chuck Norris would have been put to shame if he were in Equestria.
"How?!' Celestia shouted. The reports indicated that her elite guard's won on a hill known as Brazzers. But the victory was short lived for reasons we know. Celestia did'nt though since her scouts left soon after the short battle was won. The recon were only assigned to scout around the city, but nowhere inside. They needed as much information about the enemy as possible. Bits and pieces were not going to do it.
"Well, atleast we know what their forces mainly consist of." said General Cream Top. He was an observant and excellent fighter known throughout the Equestrian military and well respected by many.
"Indeed" General Silent Wave agreed. Silent Wave was known to be very quiet, but very strong. Like Macintosh in a way.
"We have to come up with a new strategy in order to take back Manehattan. We have not heard back from our deployed forces. Something bad must have happened to them."
"Indeed" Silent Wave agreed. Everyone was silent for a good few minutes, thinking about what tactics would be effective.
"I got it." The Princess and Macintosh 2.0 stared at him. "We must create spell bombs and bomb the living tartarous out of them!" Cream Top smiled triumphantly waiting for a response.
"We dont want to destroy the city more than it already is general." His smile did not go upside down yet. He had a plan that could easily help in the war effort and even be integrated into the military permanently.
"Oh contraire princess." She just stared at him with interest. What could he be possibly talking about? the Princess wondered. "What if we find a way to put the spell in a concentrated dose and from there they be put inside a canister of sorts which then could be activated if a soldier were to pull a pin from the top?" Both Silent and Celestia stared at Cream Top.
"That's the most amazing thing i've ever heard in my life." The trio turned their head's toward the entrance only to see General Newham standing there. Newham Gravy was the best of the best, known for his superior tactics. And his tasty lastname. They had to change it since it made most soldiers hungry. It did not really help. Anyways, he arrived at the table they were at and sat down. Princess Celestia saw this as an opprutunity to leave.
"It seem's you three could get this done so im going to leave it to you." Celestia got up and walked towards the door. As she was about to close it, she was met with a question.
"Where to?" Said Cream.
"It's classified." Celestia put on her fake smile.
"But we're your generals" Newham interjected.
"..."
"..."
"I'll leave you trio to think." Celestia walked out and headed towards the castle. To Luna's room.
The chariot landed with a thud onto the ground. Princess Celestia and Luna have arrived at an emergency meeting at an undiclosed location. It's secret you see. Only the drivers who have to take their beloved Prince/Princesses to this area know about it's existence. If they were to tell another soul about it, they would be silenced. And obviously who they told too. Equus is not so innocent now eh?
The two pegasi guards stood there. They knew it was going to be a long meeting. They both stared at the other designated drivers who were talking, sitting while staring at the ground all bored, or playing patty cake.
"Rock, paper, scissors?" One guard asked.
"What's that?" The other guard asked.
"... I dont know" They just stood there in silence. Awkward silence.
Both princesses walked into the room and were welcomed by lots of yellings. Time to get this over with. Celestia thought. The princesses entered the room and soon found every eye on them. It was as if they were in foal school again.
"So were not the only one's" Luna said, finally breaking the silence. The leader of the Griffin kingdom spoke up.
"What in Tartarous are those things?!"
"Those beast's killed my finest soldiers without breaking a sweat!" The Griffin leader slammed his claws on the table. "And what in Faust's name are those huge lifeless machines"
"You mean those tall thing's that controlls the little devils?" The Saddle Arabian king spoke.
"Not those things" He spat in pure disgust. Mostly in jealously ever since he mentioned it to his wife who like her griffins big. And I mean big.
"These things." He threw a paper onto the table, thinking it would slide onto the middle, but failed when it landed an inch away from him. He had enough for today and just wanted to rest so he just slid it until it got somewhat close to the middle. Everyone gasped when they saw a crude sketch of this huge metal thing that looked like it would tower over the other tall aliens.
"It look's something like that. I am a bad drawer. Could be more, could be less."
"More?!" Princess of the Germaney yelled. "What do you mean more!"
"It was all in a blur. Dont judge."
"I'll judge you with my hoof!" She yelled, trying to climb over the table to beat the king up. A couple other leaders restrained her and soon everyone was yelling like in the beginning. Celestia tried to stop the arguments to no avail. She decided she had enough,
"ENOUGH " She used her royal canterlot voice. Everypony turned to look at her with frightened looks on thier faces. Celestia was known to be a loyal, caring, protective, and extremly friendly towards her allies. But to her enemies....
"Look we have to discuss the situation at hoof. I say we work together to try to find a way to become these things friends."
"I'll never become their friends" He literally spat onto the table like Daffy Duck or Sylvester.
"It could have been a misunderstanding. Think about it. How would have you reacted in a whole new world?" This made him think.
"You prove a point I guess" He hated losing. Especially to Celestia. He also lost to Luna in a way that would make him look weak and ruin his macho ego. But that's a story for another time.
"Even then my kingdom is not going to trade or have friendly relations with them. It's bad enough I have to associate with you ponies." He said
"That's racist...no that's... specists!" The Germaney Princess accused.
"Celestia's right. We should work together. Peaceful or not, we must defeat these things!" King of Saddle Arabia sat by Celestia's side. Soon many other leader's did the same thing, until only one remained. Stone Claw.
"Claw. Please. Do it for Gilda." He immediatly looked down. After Gilda lost her only friend, crush, and somepony she practically shared a childhood with took her own life. She had nothing to live for after losing her only hope.
"Fine" He said in gritted teeth. He felt like he needed to take revenge on someone. Anyone. He felt like it was his fault his daughter took her own life.
A servant bursted through the throne room and hoofed a letter to Celestia. Everyone thought the Griffin leader was going to try to be a rebel or something, but instead he actually was leading an assault. Several actually.
"Operation: Turkey in the oven?" Celestia said aloud. A couple of guards stared at her in confusion and some even snickered. She read over the plan.
"Wow. He really put his heart into it." The Princess said under her breath.
"Soldiers. Assemble the royal army. Now."
"Ma'am?"
"Double time" The guards in the room left in a hurry to fulfill their orders. Nopony knows not to argue with the princess.
