After The Fall

“So,” Ajax asked. She was beginning to look like the kid who wanted something from their parents and were working on a way to ask for it so they were guaranteed to get it.

“When are we going planet side?” she asked hopefully.

“You’re asking me when we’re going planet side?” Dax asked amazed.

“Well we are in the center of a nebula that no one in their right mind would ever think to get within one light year of, let alone go inside. My calculations show that the probability of someone finding us in here is approximately 9,997,127,874,567 to 1. I’m fairly sure we’re safe here and we should take the time to learn about this vaguely familiar yet alien culture,” she hummed.

“You’re not thinking about making first contact yet are you?”

“No, but we could do some stealth reconnaissance of the planet. Oh and they apparently have something resembling a world wide web. That’s how the computer was able to draw up so much about them.”

“Alright,” Dax said, “Why not? Prepare to take the ship into atmosphere. Activate stealth mode before we do; don’t want anyone seeing us too early now.”

“Aye aye captain. Preparing for atmospheric flight, maneuvering thrusters are offline, antigravity systems online, activating flaps and airbrakes.”

The Galactic North broke orbit and descended into the atmosphere. The stealth technology hiding their entry they began to search for a spot to leave the ship before heading out.

“Let’s not land her just yet,” Dax said, “Keep her well above the estimated flight range of those angel looking people. I don’t want anyone to be walking or flying along and smash their face on the hull.”

“Roger that, bringing her to a hover at 7000 meters.”

Dax grabbed his pad and walked down to the armory. His armor sat, waiting for when he needed it. He grabbed his armor’s helmet and a flight suit and a stealth field unit.

“Not bringing the whole package I see.”

“The whole suit isn’t necessary. Just the helmet so I can breathe at this height and the flight suit so I don’t freeze my balls off when I walk out the hanger door.”

He walked over to the bridge’s A.I. pedestal and tapped his pad on it.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Dax walked over to the rear of the ship. He passed the computer core on the way there. He opened the hanger/cargo bay door. Ajax gave him the go signal as he jumped out of the ship and into the night.

***

Vinyl walked out of her studio. She was overall pretty happy. It had been a productive night; she had gotten the vocals and the main tempo down for her next song. She decided to head over to a bar.

“Don’t get too wasted Scratchy!” Pinkie Pie popped out of a chimney.

“Don’t worry Pinkie, I’m just goin in for a few drinks,” Vinyl said without looking up. She was used to Pinkie’s defiance of the laws of physics.

She walked by Rarity’s shop. The fashion designer was lightly humming to herself as she snipped and sewed. She walked by the library. Twilight could be seen through the window returning some books to a shelf as she closed up shop for the night.

She put on her headphones and played some Daft Pony. She nodded her head to the beat as she walked down the street.

In her musical bliss she failed to notice the man in a black trench coat following at a distance. He watched her, his yellow eyes glistening in the moonlight, as she entered the Waterfall bar and club.

The lights flashed, the beat of the music flowed over her. Vinyl felt at home in this techno musical environment. Though this was only one of a few clubs in Ponyville it was one of the good ones. Not the best club obviously but good enough for Vinyl.

The famous and august DJ drew some looks as she entered the club. She removed her signature sunglasses to reveal her ruby eyes. She took a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. She listened carefully to the DJ at the turntables. He made a few mistakes but not enough for the party goers to notice. She however noticed but with enough practice he could become very good so she let it go. Her drink arrived. An Aurora, the vibrant blue and orange colors glowed in the dimly lit environment. They danced up and down the glass.

Vinyl stared at the color concoction before downing the beverage in one sip. She ordered another and watched the colors change and swirl. They danced and glowed, casting their rainbow hue on Vinyl’s pale skin. She felt a presence behind her. A hand was placed on her shoulder.

“Hey,” a masculine voice said, “You’re DJ Pon-3.”

“Yes.”

“You wanna come dance with me? I’ll show some nasty dance moves. Maybe even a little more than dances if you’re lucky,” the voice said.

“No, I’m fine,” she said as she stared into her drink.

“Come on girl. It’s just a dance,” He said. He turned her around in her seat.

“I said no. Now you’re gonna get your hand off me you won’t get it back,” her red eyes bringing forth her malevolent fury.

The guy let go. He mumbled something under his breath before stomping off.

Vinyl sighed. Every confrontation like that left her tired. She could see it on his face what he really wanted. She returned to the colors of the drink. It’s light reflecting off her eyes. She pulled it up to her mouth and gulped it down. She stood up and then with a look of confidence ran into the fray of dancers.

***

Dax was hovering just outside the city. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen. It was a massive structure that was floating high above the ground, seemingly of its accord.

“So Ajax,” he said, “Can you tell me exactly how that’s possible?”

“Um no. Not right now,” she responded, “all I really know is that it’s composed of some unknown material.”

“Could it possibly be the same stuff the North is made of?”

“No, defiantly not. This stuff has a varying density and composition. Some of it is water vapor, almost like a cloud but the other stuff in it is beyond me. But from the looks of it, what their ‘internet’ if you will says is that this city’s name is Cloudsdale. It is mostly populated by those winged people. For some unknown reason only those winged people can live in the city.”

“Is it a racial issue or physically?”

“Neither. They seem very open to any race living in the city and there is a means to get up there but for some unknown reason only those winged people can physically walk in the city. All others simply fall through.”

“So it’s some unknown physiological issue.”

“Wanna see if you can walk on it?”

“Are you sure about that? I mean I could fall through,” Dax said being unusually cautious.

“Yeah, I mean the worst that could happen is you falling through and you have to fly back up here.”

“Alright,” Dax said. He activated the stealth and instantly became invisible, “Just in case someone is up at this hour.”

He took off toward the city. He flew over what looked like a factory type building. It had a few lights on but looked like most of the people had gone home for the night.

“Ajax, do we know what that is?”

“Well it says that it’s a ‘weather factory.’ Though I don’t know how one manufactures weather. It must serve some purpose.”

Dax found an alley way and landed with a quiet thud. He didn’t fall through. The ground was solid like a type of stone or crystal. The buildings were all white.

He stepped out of the alley way. An angel man in a police uniform walked by. He didn’t even see Dax as he continued on his way. Dax stepped into the city’s streets. The city was quiet for the most part. A couple came stumbling out of an intersection. The girl had flame colored hair and the guy had blue. Both were laughing they ran past Dax and into the dark.

“Wanna see where they came from?” Dax asked.

“Sure, maybe we’ll get to see some of the culture of this place.”

They went in the direction the two came from. They came into a place that could best be described as Las Vegas. A huge dome rose up over the street. It seemed to be one way and allowed the starlight in but kept the city light out. Lights and advertisements blared. People were laughing and bustling about in the night life of the city. Restaurants and casinos were all over. Clubs and hotels left and right. There was even the occasional strip club. Music by all sorts of artists could be heard. Signs promoting each artist were all over the place.

Daft Pony, The Mustangs, Black Jacket, Archie, all sorts of signs for all sorts of artists. Dax and Ajax walked into the fray, careful to avoid bumping into anyone. Ajax was eagerly taking all sorts of notes and observations on the culture and attitude of this world. She began to talk excitedly.

“This is so amazing! What are the odds of another humanoid civilization evolving in a star system unlike any we’ve ever seen in the center of a nebula no one has ever been in? You were right. This is an opportunity to learn about an alien culture first hand!”

“Now why does this society seem familiar? Other than the obvious reasons,” Dax said.

“Well they most closely resemble a 21st century earth but they also have a Steampunk type aspect to them. While they have technology like…well this. Many of their machines and modes of transport are surprisingly Victorian. They still use airships as a means to get from place to place.”

“Hmm. That’s a little strange but I guess this situation is anything but normal.”

Dax allowed Ajax to conduct her research. He wanted to immerse himself in the culture of this place. He stared at a large screen, watching the advertisements and signs change. A new sign loaded up and glowed brightly.

Dax read the sign, “Vinyl Scratch. Hmm. Interesting name. Hey Ajax!”

“Yes?”

“Who’s that?” he said pointing at the sign.

“Let me check. Ah here it is, that’s ‘DJ Pon-3’ or as the sign says ‘Vinyl Scratch.’ From the looks of it she’s an extremely popular DJ and artist.”

“Cool.”

They continued to walk around the strip. Ajax going on about the complexities of this new culture and the history behind it. Dax simply let the feeling of normality over take him. Though this was an alien culture and a new and exciting place, he felt strangely civilian. He hadn’t felt like a normal person in years. For eight years all he did was train and kill. He’d commanded ships, sent thousands of sailors on the other side to their deaths, he’d flown fighters, shot down enemy fighter and watched pilots burn in their craft as they began to explode, and he’d even been on the ground, boots in the mud, shooting and getting shot at.

He finally convinced Ajax to let him fly up to the top of the dome and enjoy the view of the floating city.

“It’s almost magical,” Ajax said.

“Yes it is.”

The center of the city glowed like a gem. The lights twinkling like stars in the sky. He sat and enjoyed the view. The magic of being under an alien sky, in an alien city, on an alien world felt great. True exploration.

Dax looked over. He noticed something on the ground to the east. It was a small town.

“Hey Ajax,” he said, “Wanna check that out? We’ve seen a city floating the sky, why not something a little closer to normal?”

“Alright. It would be interesting to see what normal town life is like.”

Dax jumped off the dome and dove towards the town. A small town called Ponyville.

***

Vinyl stumbled out of the club. She had a little too much to drink and was bit buzzed. She tapped the top of her head. Her signature glasses were there. She attempted to make her way back home. She was gonna have one hell of a fucking hangover tomorrow.

A figure ran up behind her, “Hey! You’re Vinyl Scratch right?”

She turned around, “The one and only.”

“Can I have your autograph?” he said handing her a piece of paper.

“Sure, who should I make th-” She let out a muffled scream as a cloth was pushed into her face. She began to thrash but was soon unconscious; limp as a ragdoll.

“Alright then,” the man said. Another figure came out of the shadows.

“Come on,” he said, “You have the guns?”

He pulled a bolt action rifle and shot gun off of his back. These were the two most advanced weapons in the world.

They grabbed Vinyl’s limp body and dragged her down the street.

***

Vinyl awoke. Her vision was blurred but slowly returning to her. She attempted to move but found she couldn’t. She was tied to a chair, her arms behind her back. She examined her surroundings. She was in her house in the kitchen. There was a man in her living room. He was looking for something. In his hand was a…a…what is that? Oh sweet Celestia it was a gun!

She screamed.

The man with the gun stood up, “Well, well, looks like your awake. Now tha-”

A man in a trench coat entered the room, “Silver! You were supposed to silence her! Who knows how many people she just woke? Go tape her mouth now!”

The man with the gun came into the kitchen. Vinyl whimpered as the man pulled a roll of tap out of his pocket and put a piece over her mouth. She was silenced.

“Now, will you please resume looking?” he said. Glass shattered as another man climbed through the window, “Good, you made it. Now you can go help this jar head over here.”

The man walked passed Vinyl and into the living room. Vinyl was terrified.

***

Dax landed just on the outskirts of the town. There were a few houses and buildings here. He looked up at the sky. The city of Cloudsdale was still visible as a black blob in the sky. He checked his stealth kit’s battery. It had a few minutes left. Just enough time to get a quick look at town.

“So, Ajax. Where should we spend our last few minutes before we have to return to the ship?”

“I don’t know. Though I’m liking tha-” A scream broke the serenity of the night. Instantly Dax’s helmet searched for the source. The sensors finally located the source. A house.

“What the fuck was that?” Ajax asked.

“I have no idea but whatever it was it came from there,” his helmet pointed at the house.

“That didn’t sound good. It sounded like someone was terrified.”

Dax looked at the house. A man was smashing the window and climbing his way into the home. Dax’s mind instantly analyzed the situation. He’d seen it before. A scream of terror, a man climbing into someone’s home. It wasn’t too hard to put two and two together and get a burglary.

“Alright. This may be an alien place but I’m pretty sure a home invasion looks the same where ever you go.”

“I’m with you on this on.”

Dax ran towards the house. He peered through a window. There was a young woman tied to a chair. Three men were going through her things in the living room. One of the men strolled through the kitchen towards the back door. He opened it and looked out.

“When we have what we need we can head out here. No reason to risk anyone seeing us.”

He returned to the living room before moving on to another room in the house. Dax’s military training kicked it. He crept along the back patio until he reached the door. He carefully and quietly pushed it open and crept inside. The girl tied to the chair looked vaguely familiar. She had ruby red eyes and electric blue, spiky hair. He crept past the island towards the fridge.

His HUD flashed a warning. The stealth kit’s battery was empty. He would be visible in a few seconds.

“Well fuck,” he whispered to Ajax, “If we’re going to be seen at least we’re stopping a home invasion. Let’s clean house.”

“Let’s.”

***

Vinyl looked desperately for something to cut her bonds. She looked towards the island. If she could get there she might have the slightest chance of getting a knife. Something near the fridge and kitchen door caught her eye.

A form began to appear; first the legs, then the lower torso, the lower arms, the upper torso and shoulders, and finally the head. A helmeted figure in a sleek suit stood before her. The visor on its helmet hid its face. On its arm was some touch pad and a small pad was hooked up to it.

She attempted to let out a muffled scream. The figure reacted quickly. He held up a finger in front of his helmet. The universal ‘sshhh’ sign. She silenced herself. The figure moved quietly and quickly. He held up a knife and pointed at her bonds. He moved behind her. She felt the ropes being cut. Soon she was free. It grabbed her and stood her up holding out its hands in a ‘stay, don’t move’ sign. He moved next to the fridge next to the kitchen door way; unseen by her uninvited guests.

The one with in the trench coat noticed she was up, “Hey! How did you get out of those?” He began to walk towards her. As soon as he cleared the kitchen door he was met with a fist. The figure moved fast. Its fist impacting his head, throwing him across the room and impacting the counter top bar. He wasn’t moving.

The noise alerted the others. The window man came in to the right of Vinyl from her den/computer room.

He saw his fellow burglar sprawled along the floor, blood leaking from his head.

“What the fuck?! You!” he made a run toward Vinyl only to be tackled by the figure. He smashed the man onto the ground before punching him in the face, knocking him out.

The one with the guns appeared near the doorway. The figure stood up and began walking towards him.

“Holy fuck, eat this asshole!” he yelled. He held up his bolt action and fired. The bullet impacted the figure’s upper torso. It looked down at the wound. Blood began pouring out before the suit sealed itself off. The figure looked up and continued walking.

“Shit!” he threw his gun at the figure while grabbing another off his back. The figure grabbed the gun out of the air and snapped it. The man put the shotgun to his shoulder.

“Survive this, fucker!” he fired the shotgun. The metal pellets impacted the figure. The figure reeled back, falling to its knees. Cracks had formed along the visor. Blood began to pour out of several wounds in its chest and legs. It stood up. It pulled the knife used to cut Vinyl free out of a pocket and threw it. The knife sailed across the room and hit the man in the chest. He dropped the gun and fell to the ground.

The figure turned back to Vinyl. She shrunk back. It looked hurt. It put its arm against the wall, supporting itself. It held its other arm up. It started to sway before collapsing to the ground.

Vinyl was scared. In her presence was a creature that had incapacitated, possibly killing her attackers. If it wanted to hurt her it most likely would have done it already. It had risked its life to save her. And now she had to save it.