Chapters At first glance the ship appeared to be a barren landscape of metal and red lights. However, every once in a while something would flicker, a shimmer would hang in the air longer than it should. This particular shimmer was humanoid in shape, but was quite larger than any normal man. With a few clicks of a button the shimmer solidified. Standing in the metal corridor was a seven foot tall monster. Armor covered head to toe. It's boots had claws built in near the toes, it's leggings designed for movement and protection, it's chestplate decorated with scratches and dents, and it's helmet was built from the skull of an ape with tusks. This Predator had seen many battles and lived to tell those tales.
With a few more button presses on it's wrist mounted computer a holographic map appeared from it. The map was red and detailed the plans for the ship he was on. With a low chuckle, it realized it was near the engine room. Cloaking once again, the monster disappeared from sight.
Quite different from it's engine room counterpart the training room was bustling with activity. Yautjas of all ranks sparred and trained with the various fake weapons in the room. On one side was the sparring mats. Where the Yautja trained in hand-to-hand combat, as well as their ordinary weapons. On the other side laid the holographic obstacle course. The computer would be assigned a rank. These ranks were based on the class of Yautja. From lowest to highest this included Unblooded, Youngbloods, Blooded, Warriors, and Honored. The highest Yautja class of Ancients, sometimes referred to as Elders, did not take part in such games. One particular Youngblood was about to run the Blooded course. His armor was new and untouched. Not a good combination for a up and coming hunter. His armor had no personal details and was simply the default armor. His sole means of self-identification amongst the other Youngbloods was his mask. He had carved many occult runes, gathered from Earth culture, all over it in a chaotic fashion. His name was Ciede.
"Are you sure about this, Youngblood?" The Warrior trainer asked once more. Ciede nodded.
"The Blood Rite is coming up, warrior! I must be prepared if I am to join my brother." Ciede explained. The Warrior shook his head.
"C`jit, this kids going to get himself killed." The warrior activated the console and a red holographic landscape appeared. The course was very urban and was based on the human city of Los Angeles, where one of the few humans who bested a Predator in combat had been based out of.
Ciede got into a starting position. The Warrior started up the countdown sequence. Three dashes appeared in Ciedes heads up display. Two dashes. One dash. A loud beep rang out as Ciede took off across therooftops. Ciede leapt and ran through simulated gunfire and debris. Some of the bullets hit his armor but did very little damage. A red human appeared behind Ciede and shot at his back. Ciede spun around andnlet loose with a plasma caster shot. The hologram shattered like red glass. So far the simulation was very similar to the previous rank. What would be different? When a reptilian hiss rang out Ciede immediately recognized it. Xenomorphs. The red Aliens leapt from all sides at once. Ciede threw his spear at one and shot another before one of them tackled him into the ground. Ciede kicks the offending Alien off and quickly rose. Just in time to see an inner jaw attack his head. With hisdeath` the hologram ended. The Warrior looked Ciede over.
"Train more before you even think of hunting the hard-meat, Youngblood." He said.
"Of course, Warrior." Ciede said with a bow. The Warrior chuckled.
"Go to the mess hall. Your brother wants to speak to you."
Ciede entered the mess hall cautiously. His brother was a honorable hunter and one of the most respected Predators of the clan. As such, he was not easy to approach. The mess hall was fairly empty. The only Yautjas there were Ciede and a small group of Honored sitting at their own table. Tales of glory and hunts rang out from the table. One in particular caught Ciedes attention.
"And after suffering the barrage of plasma casters and spears, the hard meat Queen had fallen! Its infernal skull is now located in the trophy room of The Silver Blades!" The voice boasted. Yautjas commonly formed hunting parties with like minded individuals. The Silver Blades were based on the belief that Xenomorphs were the greatest hunt. While not a rare thought to pass through a Yautjas mind, the group had a low member count due to one fact. They believe the dreaded Abomination, a Xenomorph birthed from a Yautja, were holy and needed to be created. This was a hated thought and The Silver Blades were ostracized from many establishments. The voice had belonged to none other than Cresun, Ciedes brother. Cresun was tailored in bright silver armor. The design was based upon the body type of a Xenomorph. Cresun soon noticed his younger brother. "Ciede! Join my brothers in drink!" He called out with a wave of his hand. "Before you object, I must remind you that we have something to discuss." Ciede nodded and approached the table. Cresun scoffed. "Sit down, brother! Let us have one last drink with my friends before I have to send them away." Several arguments rose from the table but Cresun let loose a low growl. He was the Alpha here and he will be respected. "I have something serious to discuss with my blood brother." Ciede grudgingly sat down. A transparent green liquid was passed around the group of Yautjas. The drink was sweet yet caused his eyes to water with its spices. After the drink was emptied, Cresun sent his friends away.
"What is it you wanted to tell me, brother?" Ciede asked.
"You're going to be Blooded soon. Once you learn how to fight the hard meat, that is. And with that honor comes a generational secret." Cresun started.
"Our family has a generational secret?!" Ciede asked. Generational secrets were created when a Yautja learned something that could damage the clan. The last generational secret to go public was who created The Silver Blades. Cresun nodded slowly.
"Our family were first contact with a pre-space age race. They were...not humanoid. In fact, they were equine." Cresun said. Now it was Ciedes turn to scoff.
"Sentient horses, Cresun? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" Cresun looked at his brother. With a sigh he began digging throughout his armors various packs. Soon, he found what he was looking for and brought it out. It was a physical photograph. A heavily outdated technology. Cresun handed the photo to his brother. Ciede looked over the photograph. It depicted a Yautja dressed in ceremonial armor standing next to a robed horse. No, not a horse. Closer investigation revealed the fact it was a unicorn. The photo was black and white so Ciede couldn't decipher its coloration. The unicorn was bearded and wore a hat that covered its face. Written in the Yautja language were the words to an unlikely friend and ally, Starswirl. Ciede carefully studied the unicorns face.
"Now I know this doesn't seem like much but you must believe me! That world, Equestria, is dangerous to our clan." Cresun warned.
"If you believe it to be threatening, then so shall I." Ciede said. His brother breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now that that's settled how about we go spar?" Cresun offered. Before Ciede could respond the lights went out and the low hum of power was silenced.
"The power!" They both cried out.
"You go to the engine room! I'll go to the technicians!" Cresun ordered. Ciede nodded and bounded down a hallway. Going towards the engine.
Ciede arrived at the engine room cloaked. His wrist blades extended. His helmet quickly scanned the room for life. There was nothing. He uncloaked and approached the engine. It had been torn apart and broken down. Plasma burns hinted at a caster or bomb being used. Ciede growled. This was no accident. This was sabotage. Ciede was no engineer, he wouldn't be able to fix this. With a grunt of frustration, Ciede exited the room. He needed to find someone to fix this. Without the engine the ship would slowly die. Oxygen, artificial food, and power were all gone.
As he was running down the hall an explosion rocked the dark ship. Ciede began picking up the pace. That came from the Elder Councils chambers.
The hallway outside the chambers were littered with corpses. They were the bodies of the Yautja who had tried to defend their Elders. Ciede growled in rage. Whoever did this will die. He kicked open the chamber doors. Standing near the ceremonial thrones was a Yautja Ciede did not recognize. The tusks on its helmet were covered in blood. At its feet were the corpses of three Elders. The Bad-Blood looked at Ciede in surprise. It was sure it had killed all the Blooded. Ciede looked at The Bad-Blood in rage.
"You shall die for this, traitor." He said. The Bad-Blood looked at him with amusement. It reached to the ground and brought up a severed head. Ciede could only stare at the helmet with shock. It was Cresun. "You bastard!" Ciede roared and charged The Bad-Blood. The Bad-Blood shot a plasma shot at Ciedes feet. Using this distraction The Bad-Blood ran up and kicked Ciede with its clawed foot. Ciede hit the wall with a grunt. The Bad-Blood brought up its wrist computer and tapped a few buttons. More explosions rocked the ship. An automated voice booted up.
"The Ship has sustained substantial damage. Evacuate the ship. Women and unblooded first." The Bad-Blood looked on with amusement before taking off towards the hallway. Ciede rose and began the chase. The two hunters dodged each others plamsa shots and throwing knives. The Bad-Blood threw a circular device that attached itself to Ciedes armor. Ciede looked down in shock.
"Oh, pauk." The device sent electricity coursing through his body. With a roar Ciede fell to the ground in convulsions. Once it settled The Bad-Blood was gone. Ciede growled and took off running towards the escape pod hanger. When he arrived he discovered one of the pods were missing. Ciede climbed into one of the working ones and began inputting directions. Follow the other pod. With a hiss, the escape pod was launched out of the doomed ship.
Princess Luna was watching the night sky from her tower in Canterlot. Something had gotten her attention. Two flaming meteorites were falling from space. While this was an ordinary occurrence several things were different. For one, the second meteorite was constantly changing course in order to stay on the tail of the first. Secondly, they were entirely composed of a metal unknown to her. The two objects crashed far outside Equestrias borders. If she had to guess they had landed in one of Zebranias many jungles. She decided to take Daring Do and Celesias student there to investigate in the morning. If only she knew a bloody war for revenge was about to unfold.
Author's Note
So then. My very first published story. And a crossover to boot. Now, I know a predator/mlp crossover seems like a bad idea but stick with me. I know what I'm doing. Probably
A.K Yearling awoke with a start. Somepony was banging on her front door.
"Coming! Coming! Sweet Celestia calm down!" She called out. She quickly got dressed in her typical outer wear. A purple cloak, a gray hat, and red glasses. Her cottage was located in the middle of a large forest. Not many could get through the forest, let alone pester her. She opened the door, fully expecting another suprise visit from Rainbow Dash. What she saw shocked her. Princess Luna was standing at the door. A look of determination plastered onto her face. "P-Princess Luna!" Yearling quickly bowed.
"Please, arise. I am here not as your princess but as your friend." Luna said. "However, I do come here with a request." Yearling ditched her clothes, letting her shades of gray mane flow freely.
"What did you need, Lulu?" Yearling asked. Lunas face betrayed sheepish emotion.
"I know you are retired but I would very much enjoy your company when I investigate strange meteorites in Zebrania." Luna explained. Yearling smirked.
"Of course. The retired life is peaceful and all but it does get pretty lonely out here." Yearling grimaced. "And boring too." Luna smiled with enthusiasm.
"Excellent! Once we convince Twilight we shall be on our way!" She said.
"Wait, Twilights coming too?" Yearling asked.
"Correct. She understands magic even I don't. Will that be a problem?" Luna asked back.
"Nah, I was just surprised you're bringing HER of all ponies to ZEBRANIA of all places." Yearling answered. Lunas face fell.
"Zebrania is a dangerous land. Can I trust you to protect my sisters student?" She asked, softly.
"Most definitely."
"Then let us retrieve her."
Yearling and Luna were traversing through the forest.
"Why can't I just teleport us to Ponyville?" Luna asked.
"Ever since that damn temple was destroyed magic hasn't worked here." Yearling explained. Luna nodded with understanding.
"Have you located Ahuizotl?" Luna asked. Yearling sighed.
"Not yet. The slippery snake has been in hiding ever since the Fortress."
"`Tis a shame. Making him pay for his thefts would've been rewarding." Before Yearling could reply a twig snapped. Both women stopped in their tracks. Luna sniffed the air, smelling tree sap. "Timberwolves." At the sound of their name a dozen timberwolves leapt out from the foliage. Luna and Yearling smirked.
"This should be fun." Yearling pointed out as she retrieved a whip from her bag. This whip was covered in spikes from the handle up. Luna created a sword from her magic and held it with her telekinesis.
"Indeed." Two wolves leapt at once. Luna drove her sword through one head while Yearling wrapped her whip around the others neck and tugged. The headless creatures collapsed on the ground. The other ten rushed the duo. Lunas sword danced in the sunlight, all the while slashing and stabbing various timberwolves. Yearlings whip snapped and cracked at the beasts. More and more timberwolves fell until only one remained. Realizing its hopelessness the timberwolf let loose a high pitched howl. As the duo closed their ears a heavy roar replied. Recognizing the roar, the timberwolf took off into the forest.
"Aw hell. Manticore." Yearling groaned. The large beast charged from the trees and bowled over the duo. Luna was the first to her hooves and took off into the sky. Yearling followed suit.
"Tangle up its legs while I go for the tail!" Luna ordered. Yearling nodded and flew underneath the creatures legs, wrapping her whip along its rear legs. As it stabbed at Yearling with its tail, Luna dove and sliced through the tail. The Manticore roared in pain and collapsed on the ground. It began desperately clawing at the enchanted whip tangling its legs. Luna trotted up to it and stabbed it in the heart.
"You ok, Luna?" Yearling asked, panting.
"Yes. Let us continue our journey."
Twilight Sparkle was reading a relatively new book named Metroid. It was set far in the future and detailed pegasus bounty hunter Samus as she fought against space pirates and a parasitic alien race. It was all pretty farfetched but she enjoyed her fair share of extreme fiction. A knock on the door interrupted her reading.
"Spike! Can you get that?" She called.
"Of course, Twilight." Her reptilian assistant called back. After a few more moments of reading Spike spoke up. "Uhh, Twilight. There are some ponies here that you should see." He said. Rolling her eyes, Twilight headed downstairs.
"Who could be up at this forsaken hour?" She asked. She could hear Spike chuckle from the next room.
"Besides us, you mean?" He asked. Twilight giggled a lite and entered the next room.
"Yes, besides u-" The next words were stopped in her throat as she saw her two guests. Princess Luna and A.K. Yearling. She quickly bowed. "P-Princess!" She said. Luna smiled.
"Arise, Twilight Sparkle." Luna said. Twilight quickly rose. "Yearling and I would like you to accompany us to the jungles of Zebrania. Two meteorites, entirely composed of metal, crash landed there late last night. I would like to investigate them." Luna explained. Twilights eyes widened. An expedition? With Princess Luna and Daring Do?!
"Of course, Princess Luna!" She said with enthusiasm. Yearling walked up to her.
"I must warn you. Zebrania is a dangerous place. Especially the jungles! If you want to come you need to listen to the two of us and use that horn of yours. Got it?" Yearling asked. Twilight gulped.
"Got it!" She quickly said. Yearling smiled.
"Good!"
The trio were taking the train to Canterlot.
"We get to Canterlot. We take the Moon-Dancer to Zebrania. We find the impact zone. We dig around and return to Canterlot to research whatever interesting thing we find. That sound good?" Yearling asked. Twilight and Luna nodded.
"Any idea what they are?" Twilight asked. Luna shook her head.
"My powers allow me to discover what any space-faring object is made off. Unfortunately, it cannot tell me what I don't know. The metal is alien and that's all I know. However, one of them was changing course rapidly in an attempt to follow the first." Luna explained. Twilights mouth gaped.
"A-Aliens?!" She nearly whispered. Yearling scoffed.
"Aliens? That'd make for a stupid Daring Do novel."
"Do not be so quick to scoff, Yearling. Celestia and I have known for a long time that we are not alone in this universe." Luna explained. This time it was Yearlings turn to gape.
"What?! When the hell did that happen?" She asked.
"A few dozen years before my...banishment, strange eggs were located in a metal pod deep within the earth. From these eggs hatched spider-like creatures. They were hairless and looked akin to a deformed hand. We call them The Parasites. They attached themselves to the faces of whatever lifeform they can find and impregnate them with a thick snake like embryo. These snakes would feed off the hosts nutrients like a foal. Then, when adequately grown, they tear from the chest of the host. Killing the host." Luna began. Twilight gasped and Yearling sighed at this news.
"That's terrible!" Twilight called out. Lunas face fell.
"It gets worse. The snake then grows based on its host. Minotaur Parasites became large, muscular reptiles. Pony Parasites become four legged, hooved alligators. These Reptiles would then proceed to kill and destroy with reckless abandon. They are the true reason the minotaurs are such a rare species. Eventually, my sister and I had enough. Using the armies of our worlds nations we drove the parasites back. The final blow was done by Celestia and her group. The Parasites were driven extinct." Luna finished. Twilight was horrified but Yearling seemed thoughtful."If they were from space, how do you know they're all extinct?" She asked.
"We don't. The Equus branch of the species is extinct. Trust me on this. I suggest we think of how we deal with the diplomacy involved with visiting Zecoras home." Luna said with a hint of finality. While the trio began to speak, an unseen fourth member of the train car smirked. The griffon was under the car, holding on to the bottom.
"Doctor Caballeron is going to love this."
Author's Note
A pony centered chapter for sure! I plan on typing and releasing two chapters at a time with about 2,000 words each. Approximately. Remember to comment if you have any questions!
The Bad-Blood shook the disorientation from its head. It checked the star-map aboard the escape pod and clicked its mandibles in joy when it saw the coordinates.
"There it is! The being from the sky!" A deep voice said. Murmurs of agreement surrounded the pod. The Bad-Blood sent out its wrist blades and chuckled. This would be fun. The Bad-Blood kicked at the hatch, causing it to fly into the sky. The first thing it noticed were the trees. It was in some sort of forest. The next thing it noticed were the zebras. The black and white equines were wearing primitive wooden armor and were armed with spears and knives. "Wh-Who are you?!" The head zebra asked. The Bad-Blood titled its head. These would not be very honorable prey, but that didn't matter to it. With a roar The Bad-Blood charged. The wrist blades went up a zebra skull. With a tug, the head came right off.
"Kill the demon!" One of the remaining zebras yelled. The small group charged the monster. Two plasma shots dwindled their population by two. The Bad-Blood kicked another one in the stomach, tearing it apart. With disgust, it noted the entrails stuck to his boot. By this time the survivors began to run. That wouldn't do at all, The Bad-Blood soon realized. This world didn't need to know of its existence. Not yet anyway. Leaping into the trees, The Bad-Blood gave chase.
Ciede awoke with a start. His pod had landed somewhere near rapids, if the sound of rushing water was to be believed. He checked the star-map to see where The Bad-Bloods pod had crashed. The computer told him it was 3.5 Kilometers to the south-east. Before heading out, Ciede checked his equipment. Plasma caster was fine. Wrist blades functional. Vision modes online. Spear at peak condition. Armor relatively unharmed. Three healing crystals. With a grunt of satisfaction, Ciede popped the hatch. The pod was stuck between two rocks in the middle of a rapid river.
"Oh pauk." Ciede said. The opening of the pod caused one of the rocks to move a few inches. It was enough. The rapids caught onto the pod and began dragging it through the water. Ciede looked at his surroundings and realized he was in a jungle. Ciede would've been content to let his makeshift boat take him along but his helmet told him he was heading north. He dropped one of the screws from inside the pod to test the rapids strength. The screw immediately shot forward. Swimming wasn't possible here. Up ahead were several vines hanging from trees. The few hunts Ciede had been in had all taken place in a jungle. He knew how to move in one. With one fluid motion, Ciede leapt from the pod and grabbed the vine. He began pulling himself up. Suddenly, a loud cracking noise rang in the air. Ciede looked over at the tree supporting his vine. It was a flimsy thing. "Please don't." He said in an attempt to appease the tree. Unfortunately, the tree was having none of that and snapped in half. Ciede fell into the rapids like a rock. His helmet would allow him to breathe but at the speed the rapids were going it would only take a single collision to fracture his bones. Rocks and logs sped by at alarming speeds as Ciede resurfaced. He began desperately searching for a way out. Soon, one presented itself. A Zebranian fishing boat was fast approaching. It seemed to be made of a primitive metal. Ciede had no idea if it would survive the impact at such speeds. With a sickening crack, Ciede slammed into the bottom of the boat, his wrist blades stabbed at the metal.
"What the hell was that?!" A voice yelled. Much to Ciedes surprise, a zebra head popped over the side. A look of horror immediately overcame the creature. "Demon!" He yelled. Ciede was also surprised his translator was working. Suddenly, realization overcame him. The generational secret. This was the world of the sentient equines. With a few tugs, Ciede found himself on the boat proper.
"H-Head back to where you came, river demon!" Another zebra said. This one was wielding a fishing spear. A quick scan told him the weapon could barely scratch his armor, let alone puncture it. With a suitable place to leap from, Ciede crouched down and then leapt into the air. He landed on the river bank and took off into the jungle. From behind him he could hear voices.
"Did you see that?! Zaraan saved our lives!"
The Bad-Blood finished skinning its latest trophy. The skinned zebra would be put on display for all to see. After attaching a vine to the bodies leg, The Bad-Blood dropped the corpse. All around this section of the jungle were similar displays. There were no survivors left.
Content with its work, The Bad-Blood leaped from tree to tree. Its helmet informed it that it was nearing its destination. The sounds of excavation reached its ears.
"Listen up, ponies! Caballeron wants this tomb opened yesterday!" A masculine voice roared. The Bad-Blood activated its cloak. Those voices were not expected. One last leap brought it within sight of its goal. A large, pyramid like temple loomed in the distance. It seemed very Aztec like, odd considering how far away this place is from Earth. Zebra statues, clothed in ceremonial armor, dotted the walls. Surrounding the temple were various griffons, minotaurs, and ponies. They all wore metal armor and they carried crossbows. Although, a few of the minotaur opted to use maces and hammers. The Bad-Blood chuckled. Not even an 'honorable' yautja could pass up such a hunt. Using its helmet, The Bad-Blood tagged several high profile prey. Leaders, griffons, and minotaurs mostly. The closest duo of gaurds were directly below it.
"Hell does old Cabby want this place for anyway?" The first, a griffon, asked his comrade.
"Princess Luna, The Bearer Of Magic, and Daring freaking Do are coming here looking for some aliens or something. Caballeron believes this place is the key. And you know how the boss gets about Daring." The pony replied. The griffon scoffed.
"No one takes getting dumped quite like Cabby." He said. After absorbing this information, The Bad-Blood silently dropped down. Its wrist blades entered the ponys neck, at the same time its other hand clamped down on his mouth. The pony had died silently. The griffon would not be so lucky. He had turned around.
"What the hell?!" He screamed. He flared his wings, his lighter armor allowing him to fly. The Bad-Blood quickly shot him with his plasma caster. Without a torso, the griffon fell to the ground. With a chuckle, The Bad-Blood leapt up towards the temple walls. There were several winged ponies situated around the walls, looking out towards the jungle. It began to approach the nearest one.
"So I said to him, `if you don't wanna be the one to bag Daring Do, that's fine by me. More glory for good old Hammerhead!" The pegasus said. The Bad-Blood tilted its head in confusion. The pegasus was alone and the level of weaponry and armor suggested they're far from radio wave communication. With one fluid motion, the Yautja was upon the prey. The pegasus managed one scream before The Bad-Blood could break his neck. With surprise, The Bad-Blood recognized an earpiece in his ear. Whoever the pegasus was talking to would know something is wrong.
"Hammerhead!" A deep voice roared throughout the temple. Guards and Yautja alike looked towards the source. A minotaur stood in the middle of an arena placed within the temples walls. "Whoever killed my friend, listen up! I challenge you to tweestryd! It is my peoples word for duel! Face me or be forever known as a coward!" The heavily armored minotaur screamed. The Bad-Blood roared in rage. It leapt down to the ground and decloaked. Several gasps were heard as the monster was revealed. The minotaur wore heavy armor and wielded a massive hammer. The Bad-Blood walked up to the arena. "Today, you die monster." The minotaur said. The Bad-Blood laughed.
The two foes collided in a flash of metal. The minotaur brought his hammer down as The Bad-Blood dodged to the right. Several punches pushed the minotaur back. The Bad-Blood charged, spear at the ready. The minotaur moved his body in a way that the spear didn't have a weak spot to take advantage off. The Bad-Blood pushed the spear down, launching into the air like a pole launcher. Clawed boots collided with the minotaurs body. Pushed onto the ground, the minotaur was at mercy to The Bad-Blood. The Bad-Blood dropped down onto the minotaur and began tearing at the armor with its wrist blades. Soon enough, the minotaurs helmet was gone. A scarred, blue face stared at The Bad-Blood. "Finish me, beast." He ordered. The Bad-Blood would be happy to oblige. With a few more stabs, the head came free. The Bad-Blood rose the head into the sky and let loose with a bloodcurling roar. Many onlookers began to scream, only to be silenced as The Bad-Bloods bloodthirst was quenched.
Ciede was perched on top of a tree. The canopy was quite thick and easily supported his weight. A skinned deer was being cooked by the heat emanating from his plasma casters cooling system. Night was beginning to fall and Ciede was tired from his water ordeal. Ciede checked his helmet once more. The Bad-Blood had stopped in an area 2 kilometers south of him.
"Tomorrow, criminal. We do battle."
Author's Note
And here I showcase the killing might of a Predator and the survival skills of one.
A.K. Yearling was waiting in Canterlot Palace. Luna and Twilight were getting the chariot ready for travel.
"Aliens? Zebrania? This is getting to be a weird ass book." She muttered.
"I agree, Avian Kingsly Yearling." A spanish voice called out. Recognizing it, Yearling turned around. Standing there was a brown coated stallion with a black mane. His 5`o clock shadow well trimmed.
"Caballeron." She replied. "What do I owe the pleasure?" She asked, innocently. Caballeron chuckled.
"The meteorites, my sweet." He answered. "Even if they are not special, a huge chunk of metal will fetch a pretty price." He added. Yearling sighed.
"Don't call me sweet. Please." She said. "Your greed ended that." She pointed out. Caballeron grimaced.
"I am not here to rekindle old arguments. I am here with a warning." He said. Yearling scoffed.
"'Don't get in my way.' Yada yada yada. I know that we're rivals, Cabby." She said. Caballeron shook his head.
"Oh no. I'm not your biggest threat. Some thing has killed my men in Zebrania. The corpses were found this morning. Many of them were beheaded. All of them skinned. My best soldiers, all killed like cannon fodder. Be warned, Avian. There's a hunter in Zebrania." With a respectful bow, Caballeron turned ans left. Yearling was left alone. After a few moments she laughed this off. His soldiers? Killed that easily and that gruesome?! It was a lie meant to scare. It had to be.
Yearling and Twilight were seated in a bat-like chariot. Princess Luna herself was attached to the reins.
"You sure about this, Luna? I can get us there." Yearling said. Luna shook her head.
"No, I will pull us. I am stronger than you and faster than you. We will be there before long." Luna explained.
"Of course! Enough water to last the three of us a month, a couple dozen feet of rope, several maps and compasses, a pair of binoculars, and three offensive magic spell books." Twilight said as she did inventory.
"Good. You ready for lift off, Luna?" Yearling asked. Luna nodded. With a few beats of powerful wings, the trio was heading through the sky.
"What's the plan once we get there?" Twilight asked.
"We investigate Caballerons 'warning'. If his men were really skinned and beheaded then we need to know." Luna answered. "Did he tell us where the bodies were?" She asked. Yearling shook her head.
"Afraid not. Best guess is near the meteorites. You do know where they crashed, right?" Yearling asked.
"Of course. One of them hit a river, though. We won't be finding that one. The other one crashed in the heart of the jungle. That's where we're going." Luna answered. Twilight shivered, but it wasn't because of the wind.
"If he wasn't lying. What kind of creature could do those things?!" She asked. Luna sighed.
"I do not know. The way the bodies were found indicates they were victims of some sort of ritual or a trophy making process. Either way, this creature would be sentient and highly violent. If you see a creature you do not recognize, do not approach it. Come and find me." Luna explained. "I will deal with it."
"We can hold our own." Yearling said. Luna seemed thoughtful.
"We shall see."
The chariot touched down in an area of the jungle nearly devoid of trees. An impact zone had stretched nearly a mile. The sun was beginning to fall.
"There. The meteorite." Yearling said, pointing her hoof at a extremely circular piece of metal. Approaching it, Luna gasped. Inside were various computers and a leather seat. Twilight stared, mouth agape. Yearling whistled.
"Aliens it is then." She said. She looked at the pod more closely. "Built for a biped. Whoever made it likes the color red. Hinges on the entrance suggest a door once stood here. Occupants long gone." Yearling explained. After looking around, she noticed something on the ground. "Red blood." She noted. Twilight and Luna followed the trail.
"They lead to the jungle." Twilight noted. Soon, the trail ended. "Do you think this was the aliens blood?" Twilight asked. She felt a drip fall on to her head. The canopies were constantly wet. She turned to her allies. "Hello?" She asked. Yearling was looking up in horror. Luna gulped and looked down at Twilight.
"Do not panic, Twilight." She said slowly. Another drip landed on her head. She looked up. And she screamed. Lifted above her was the skinned corpse of an equine.
"W-What the hell?!" She screamed.
"Apparently, Caballeron was telling the truth." Yearling noted. All around this section of the jungle were similar displays. They seemed to be pointing south. "Want to find the killer, you follow the bodies." She said. She began to follow the bloody trail.
"What about the bodies?" Twilight asked. Luna sighed.
"Once this is all over, we shall inform the Zebranian Pharaoh of their locations." She said. "For now, we find whoever is responsible for this." She added.
The trio followed the trail of bodies to a clearing. A temple, surrounded by a high wall, was inside it. Yearling looked on with awe.
"Neighdorado. The lost city of hunters." She said, recognizing the architecture from historical records. "If there's a hunter in the area, even an alien one, it'd head here." She pointed out. Luna looked at the temple more closely than before.
"Bodies. Skinned, beheaded, and missing limbs. An assorted combination of equine, griffon, and minotaur bodies." She noted. "The creature has been here." She added. Twilight looked sick.
"We need to stop this monster." She said. Yearling and Luna gave a silent agreement. "No matter the cost." Twilight added. Yearling flew over the wall while Luna carried Twilight. The three looked around the outside of the temple. Zebras in ceremonial armor littered the walls. They looked with disgust at the multitude of bodies. Yearling walked up to the huge doors. She tried pushing them. Not an inch.
"Dammit! Let me in!" She began pushing harder. "Open damn you!" Luna looked on with amusement. However, a strange red triangle appeared on the door. Along with a low humming sound that was getting louder.
"YEARLING!" Luna yelled as she tackled the archeologist. A blue ball of energy slammed into the door and exploded. The ancient doors crumbled. Twilight looked in the direction of the blast and gasped. Standing on top of the wall was an insanely tall being. It even made Luna look small. Its armor was dirtied and it was frantically pressing buttons on its wrist. Twilight paled when she noticed the wrist blades. What scared her the most was the helmet. It was absolutely covered in occult runes.
Author's Note
Four chapters down! A currently undetermined amount to go! Please note I do have a beginning, middle, and end to this story. I do know what's going to happen and how.
Ciede was desperately attempting to recloak after the plasma caster disabled it. He groaned when the purple unicorn noticed him. Her reaction was both immediate and expected. She screamed.
"Princess Luna! I think we found our alien!" She yelled. The winged unicorn looked up in rage.
"You! Is it you that hunts us for sport?!" The one named Luna yelled. Ciede looked around. The dead would've been honorable prey but it was not he who killed them. He slowly shook his head. "And I'm supposed to believe that the highly armed alien was not the one who killed these men?" She said. Ciede realized that The Bad-Blood had been here. He raised up two fingers. "Two? That's your story? Two highly armed aliens?" She added. The tan pegasus had gotten up.
"Uhh, Luna. You did say two 'meteorites' had fallen." She said. Luna seemed thoughtful.
"I want you to prove you did not kill them!" She roared. At this time, Ciede was getting quite annoyed with the whole situation. He leapt down to the ground. He pointed at himself and then the temple. He began to walk up to the destroyed doors. The purple one approached him.
"H-Hold up!" She ordered. "Princess Luna of Equestria has given you an order!" The timid unicorn said. Ciede had to like her courage. He didn't like much else. He growled as he stared her down. With a huff, he turned back towards the temple.
"If you truly are a creature of the hunt, then hear my challenge." Luna began. Ciede stopped. This equine was going to challenge him? "Me and you. No weapons beyond our natural abilities. We fight until one of us bleeds. If I win, you will comply with my investigation. If you win, we let you go unhindered." Luna added. The spoils of victory did not matter to Ciede. If there was a challenge, he had to meet it. He turned towards Luna and bowed. Luna took up a fighting stance. Ciede removed his gauntlets. He removed his chestplate. A hiss rang out as he disconnected his helmet from his backplate. Yearling and Twilight gasped as his mandibles were revealed. He removed an object from his helmet and attached it to his throat.
"Luna. Know that, today, you challenge a Yautja. I will fight with all my spirit and, for your sake, you better do the same." Ciede said. He dropped into a fighting stance similar to Earth martial arts. With a roar, he charged. Luna barely had time to jump out of the way before Ciede trampled her. She quickly rose and leapt on his back. The sheer force of her hooves blows was enough to stagger Ciede. He reached around with a clawed hand and grabbed tight. Luna gasped from the sharp pain but her skin did not break. With a flick of his arms, he sent her flying. Luna rose and flew into the air. She dive bombed Ciede, hoping to puncture his skin with her horn. Ciede sidestepped at the last moment and dropped his elbow on her back. She rolled as she hit the ground and rose.
"You are a powerful fighter, Yautja." She said.
"Your endurance is...surprisingly." Ciede pointed out. With a smirk, the princess of the night blasted a beam of energy at Ciede. The fast moving projectile caught Ciede off guard and hit him square in the chest. A blast of cold rushed through his body, causing his body to shake. Yearling noted this.
"His kind evolved in heated environments!" She exclaimed. Ciede growled.
"Astute observation." He said. He charged Luna once more and tackled the alicorn to the ground. He began punching at her face, hoping to break her muzzle. Luna took these hits like a champ and waited for her opportunity. Soon, it presented itself. Ciede had brought both his fists up, wanting to slam them into her face. Using her now free hooves, she bucked him in the chin. The Yautja was sent flying. When he rose, he wiped his chin with a fist. Something on it made him pause. He looked at his fist in shock. Fluorescent green blood. The buck had cut one of his mandibles. Realizing this, he bowed. "Congratulations. Not many can do what you have just done." He quickly reapplied his armor. Luna had approached him.
"Now you must help with my investigation." She said. Ciede nodded.
"Before I do, there is a Yautja custom addressing the victory of an opponent." He reached towards his back. He brought out his spear. He bowed and held it out. "You have bested me in combat so I must treat you as an equal." He explained. Luna took a hold of the spear with her magic. She twirled it around and made a few stabbing motions.
"It is a beautiful weapon." She noted.
"Indeed. Now, I suppose the three of you are looking for the culprit behind this hunt?" Ciede asked. Yearling and Twilight approached.
"Yeah. The one from the ship." Yearling said.
"Then we are hunting the same prey. This Bad-Blood, the name for criminals in my culture, destroyed my home and killed my brother." Ciede explained. "I will end him." Ciede said.
"So this 'Bad-Blood' is in the temple?" Twilight asked. Ciede nodded.
"This temple is reminiscent of our hunting grounds on Earth, the homeworld of a species known as humans. What it's doing here, I have no clue. My father discovered this world a mere thousand years ago." Ciede explained. Luna seemed shocked.
"Your father was here?" She asked.
"Indeed. This photo would indicate he befriended a unicorn by the name of Starswirl. His presence here would also explain the translator working." Ciede explained. Twilight looked agape at the photo Ciede produced.
"Your father knew Starswirl The Bearded?!" She exclaimed.
"It would appear so." Ciede said. "I'm going into the temple and leaving with his head on a pike.
"We shall accompany you. This Bad-Blood has killed many people who did not deserve to die." Luna explained. "We wish to see it stopped." Ciede looked at the trio carefully.
"I understand your plight but this is my problem. My criminal to hunt." Ciede said. Luna grimaced.
"And I understand your plight but this is our world and our people dying. We're going." She said.
"Fine. Just don't do anything to hinder my justice." Ciede warned. The four unlikely allies looked themselves over and turned to the temple.
The walls in the entrance to the temple were littered with murals. These paintings depicted zebra and Yautja warriors fighting the dreaded Parasites. Ciede studied these intently. The adult drones were quadriped and lacked claws. The teeth inside their equine mouths were much sharper than the ones Ciede were used to. The tail was also covered in spikes.
"The Serpents were here once?" Ciede asked.
"If that's the word for those horrible Parasites, then yes." Luna answered. "How do you know them?" She asked.
"The Serpents are the most dangerous creatures in the known universe. They are the ultimate prey." Ciede explained. "However, we keep a record of Serpent hunting worlds and this planet was not on it. They were not here naturally." Ciede added. Twilight approached him.
"What was your fathers name? Maybe Starswirl mentioned him without revealing his alien origin." Twilight asked. Ciede paused for a moment.
"I do not know. He died while my mother was pregnant with me and my brother, Cresun, and when a Yautja dies he is remembered for his greatest achievement. They called my father World-Killer." Ciede explained. "If this is a hunting temple, then there is only one place The Bad-Blood would go." Ciede added.
"Where?" Yearling asked.
"The Sacrificial Chamber."
The Bad-Blood paid no mind to the intricate details of the murals. Instead, he focused on the door in front of him. Written in the Yautja language were the words 'Here lies the World-Killer'. With a chuckle, it began to blast away at the door.
Yearling was writing down every symbol and painting she saw in her notebook.
"If you want a translator, all you'd have to do is ask." Ciede pointed out. He grabbed the notebook. "What is your alphabet? ABC format?" He asked. Yearling nodded. Ciede scrawled a quick translator on a single page.
"Thanks." Yearling said. Ciede nodded. The four approached a large door. Ciede growled.
"What is this room?" Luna asked.
"The Serpent hunting grounds." Ciede explained. "Worry not. This temple was only recently reopened by The Bad-Blood. Any Serpents in here are long dead." He added. Ciede pushed the heavy door open. A pasty white object immediately fell on him. With a roar, he threw it off. It was a malnourished Serpent corpse. Twilight giggled.
"Didn't know Yautja could get scared." She teased.
"Any hunter who does not feel fear, is doomed to fail." Ciede defended. He looked at the equine Serpent. "Like I said, starved to death "
Its business in the room completed, The Bad-Blood headed to its next objective. This door required more finesse than the previous door. It typed a few buttons on the wall. The door slid open as mist flew out. After cloaking, it walked in. Various unopened Serpent eggs were nearby but these were not its target. With a chuckle, it located its target. The Royal Egg.
The group was nearing The Sacrificial Chamber.
"The viewing room is up here." Ciede said, pointing to a flight of stairs. "If The Bad-Blood is here, we'll be able to locate him with the computer." Ciede explained. The four went up the flight of stairs and entered a room. One wall of the room was completely made of plastic glass. Next to that was a trio of computers. Ciede approached these. "Alright. Searching for wrist computer signals." He said. Luna was looking through the glass, mouth agape.
"Ciede." She said slowly.
"Quiet! This is hard work." Ciede answered. Twilight noted the glass too.
"Ciede!" She exclaimed. Ciede growled in response. Yearling looked out the window.
"CIEDE!" She screamed. Ciede slammed a fist into the computer.
"Gods dammit, what?!" He snapped, looking out the glass. What he saw, shocked him. Laying in the sacrificial table was a Yautja. The armor was easily recognizable to Ciede. He had seen it many times in photos and videos. "F-Father..." He quietly said. The Bad-Blood was in the room with the helmet-less World-Killer. "How are you alive?" Ciede wondered out loud. The Bad-Blood approached a lever near the table. Upon pulling it, a pillar was lowered to the table. The object on the pillar was immediately recognizable to both Ciede and Luna.
"An Alpha Parasite egg!" Luna explained. Ciede growled.
"The Queen Egg." He said. He began punching, stabbing, and shooting at the glass to no avail. The noise attracted the attention of The Bad-Blood. It approached the glass and removed its mask. Its face had small spikes over the bone ridges and the tattoo of a silver blade going along side by side with its eye scar. To the three ponies, it was the face of a killer. To Ciede, it was the face of someone he knew.
"Welcome to the end of the world, brother!"
Author's Note
And Part 1 of the two-part Arc Finale has arrived! Please note, I said Arc Finale and not Fic Finale. We still have a few arcs to go after this one! I hope you stay along for the ride!
"Cr-Cresun?" Ciede asked in disbelief. "I saw your head!" Cresun laughed.
"Putting my helmet on an Elders head was quite easy." He noted. Ciede growled.
"You betrayed our clan! Your cult!" Ciede roared. Cresun growled in return.
"None of them would do what needed to be done! The Yautjas purpose in life is to bring the ultimate hunter into existence! And I plan on doing just that!" Cresun spat.
"By infecting our father with a Serpent and creating The Abomination?!" Ciede spat back. Cresun scoffed.
"Abomination?! The combination of Yautja and Serpent would be the most dangerous hunter in existence!" Cresun argued.
"And the most honorless. Abandon these ideas, brother. The Clan might just forgive you if you save our father!" Ciede pleaded. The egg was close to hatching. The struggling World-Killer still strapped to the table.
"Even now you cling to the old ways! World-Killer chose to exile himself in this temple over us, over mother!" Cresun yelled. "We will watch him die, and a God be born, together as brothers!" Cresun said.
"I will not be a part of this madness, brother. If I can't save father, you know damn well I'll kill The Abomination." Ciede threatened. Cresun looked down in defeat.
"Pity. I did not want to have to kill you." He said. A sickening splash rang out. The egg had opened. A creature came out of it. It looked to be some cross between a hand and a spider. Its coloration was blood red and it seemed quite larger than it should. The Royal Facehugger saw the bound prey before it and leapt. Cresun began to chuckle. These chuckles soon turned into full laughter.
"You-You monster!" Twilight spat. Cresun immediately stopped and crouched down to be level with the unicorn.
"Really, brother? You ally yourself with the prey?" He said. "Such unworthy creatures. It seems you've fallen into the same trap our father fell into those thousand years ago." He added. Ciede slammed his fist into the glass.
"This is between you and I, Bad-Blood!" Ciede spat. Cresun immediately stood.
"Bad-Blood? I'm shocked, brother. You of all Yautja should know how unfair the current honor system is. Five separate attempts to rank up? And five different failures solely because you can't survive a Serpent onslaught all on your own? Hardly seems fair." Cresun pointed out.
"If others can pass that test then so can I." Ciede said. Cresun sighed. He brought his wrist computer up and began typing.
"Good bye, brother." As soon as Cresun said this, a heavy metal plate slammed down from inside the thick glass.
"We have to go around!" Ciede yelled. He turned and ran down the hallway they came from.
"We must save your father!" Luna called out as she ran. Ciede sighed.
"The Serpent is within him. It is too late for World-Killer. However, we can still kill The Abomination before it erupts!" Ciede corrected. "And then, we kill that snake Cresun!" Ciede growled. The four turned a corner and stopped. At the other end of the hall was Cresun.
"Prepare to die, little brother." He teased. Ciede charged and tackled his brother.
"Go! Stop The Abomination!" Ciede called. The pony trio ran past the fighting Yautjas. Cresun punched his brother in the jaw and kicked him off. With a roar, he tried to stab Ciede with his wrist blades. Ciede threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the blood stained blades. Ciede began kicking at Cresun. The Bad-Blood caught a leg and dropped his elbow on it. Ciede roared in pain.
"You always were worthless in melee."
The ponies had quickly run into a problem.
"Dammit! We don't know how to use these doors!" Yearling cried out. Luna approached the control panel for the locked door. With a flash, her horn unleashed a torrent of lightning into the computer. With a small explosion, the door rumbled open. A wall of mist flew out. A wave of cold immediately besieged the ponies. The magic users used their horns to keep them warm and Luna sent a shield of heat for Yearling. Inside the freezer were some very familiar objects.
"Parasite eggs!" Luna announced. "Destroy them all!" She ordered. Torrents of flame shot out from Luna and Twilights horns while the archeologist simply smashed them. A loud shriek rang out. The trio stopped in their tracks. A four legged monstrosity trotted out from the shadows. Its body was certainly horse shape but several things were different. Its skin was not furred but instead was a black shell, similar to changelings. It lacked eyes and instead of the blunt teeth of a horse, it had rows and rows of small but sharp teeth. Its tail was thin and long and ended in a sharp point. The tails end was covered in spikes. With a screech, The Serpent leapt.
Cresun had heard The Serpents shriek.
"It seems my little pet has found your friends." He noted. Ciede growled.
"How are there Serpents here?" He asked.
"A full day had past between the me arriving here and you. I had plenty of time to play around." Cresun answered. Ciede used his talk to throw three throwing stars at his brother. Cresun took all three to the chest without flinching. "You'll have to do better than that." Cresun teased. Ciede took this to heart. Several low power plasma shots were launched in Cresuns general direction. The majority had hit the walls, blowing chunks out, but one hit Cresun squarely in the chest and threw him into a wall. Ciede took this chance and began kicking at his brothers stomach. After taking a few hits, Cresun grabbed Ciedes leg.
"Oh pauk." Ciede was flipped onto his back. Cresun was on top of him and began beating him. Ciede could only hope the ponies were faring better than he.
Luna was barely keeping The Serpent at bay with both her magic and new spear. A horrid inner jaw shot out of the outer one every once in a while, seemingly having a mind of its own.
"Fire, Twilight!" Luna roared. "The Parasites hate fire!" Twilight began casting fire blasts as Yearling brought out her spiked whip. As soon as the first fireball was cast, The Serpent leapt to the ceiling. Its tail stabbed at Twilight as it hissed in anger. Yearling swung her whip at the tail, catching the sharp tip.
"Gotcha!" Yearling called as she tugged on the whip. The spike covered whip tore the tip straight off. Yearling was smiling until she saw her whip, beginning to melt. The green blood was eating through the metal and leather. "Acid blood?! Are you kidding me?" Yearling groaned. A realization came to Luna. Acidic blood. A wounded, and flexible, tail. A narrow room. One could almost see the sadism on The Serpents face as it put two and two together.
"Run!"
Ciede finally managed to kick Cresun off. As soon as he was free, Ciede let loose with his plasma caster. The hallway they were fighting in was quickly becoming unstable. Cresun was dodging left and right.
"Can't shoot what you can't see!" Cresun spat as he activated his cloak. Ciede switched from his ordinary vision to electromagnetic. The wiring of the building overwhelmed that. Thermal was next. The building was naturally warm and Yautja cloaking made its user the same temperature as its surroundings. However, Cresuns helmet was carved from a skull and was not connected to the internal heating/cooling system. Comically, it appeared a skull shape blob was just floating around. With a victorious grunt, Ciede shot once. The normal charged shot hit Cresun in the chest and launched him back. The cloak deactivated and Ciede could see he blew a hole in both Cresuns armor and chest.
"Give in, brother. You are done."
The Serpent swung its tail around madly, throwing acidic blood everywhere. The pony trio was on the run, magical users casting fireballs whenever possible.
"I'd like to point out," Yearling began. ", that this is not my fault!" She finished.
"Of course not." Luna teased. Two puddles of acid flew through the air and landed on Yearling. She screamed in pain as both sides of her hindquarters were being eaten away.
"Yearling!" Twilight screamed.
"Help her! I shall deal with the Parasite." Luna ordered. She brought out her spear and charged The Serpent. The Serpent was not used to hosts running directly at it and was caught off guard. The spear stabbed into a leg, the metal proving too strong for the acid. The Serpent screamed in pain and bit at Luna. Said alicorn had ducked and stabbed again. This time, the spear went through its chest and out the neck. With a screech, it we t limp. "How fares Yearling?" Luna asked between pants.
"I got the acid off but her flanks are permanently burned." Twilight answered
"That monster took my cutie mark." She said slowly. She looked up at Luna. "Look out!" She cried with urgency. The Serpent began biting at Luna with renewed vigor, somehow still living. Luna removed the spear and backed up. A torrent of acid fell onto the floor from The Serpents wounds. Despite being greviously injured, it was still crawling forward. Its face nothing but hatred and fury. With a grunt, Luna stabbed the spear into The Serpents head.
Cresun sat up against the wall. His chest wound may not have been deep but it covered the entirety of his chest.
"Well, brother. I guess this is it." He said.
"It seems so." Ciede replied. Cresun chuckled.
"Do you remember what hunters are supposed to do if defeated in battle?" He asked.
"Educate me." Ciede said, stepping ever closer. Cresun held up his wrist computer, which showed numbers.
"Don't let the prey get the tech." With a slump, Cresun was gone. Ciede moaned, he had lost everything. His home. His friends. His father. His brother. However, Cresun had left a parting gift in the form of the self-destruct. With a growl, Ciede began to run. He ran past rhe freezer room and into the next hallway. The corpse of The Serpent laid there. He glanced at his allies. Yearling was laying on the ground, shuddering in pain. Twilight was studying the corpse. Luna was cleaning the spear. Ciede picked up Yearling.
"Whoa! Hell's going on?" She asked through clenched teeth.
"The temples going to blow. We need to leave." Ciede explained. Lunas horn immediately lit up but nothing happened.
"Why can't I teleport us?" She asked.
"The technology here is made to cancel out any frequencies going out." Ciede answered. "We have to run." With that, the four turned tail and ran. They rushed past The Serpent corpse. They barreled through the freezer. The ponies noted Cresuns body on the way. The viewing room was soon behind them. With a few more turns, the four made it out of the temple. They dove into the tree line as a brilliant blue light engulfed the temple and burned it from the inside out. The four sat up, panting.
"So." Twilight began. "What now?"
During the two fatal battles that took place inside the temple, World-Killer waited to die. Oh how he longed to kill himself. To slaughter the Abomination within. A sharp pain in his chest told him otherwise. With no way to stop it, World-Killer resigned to his fate. He was silent as the thick snake like creature erupted from his chest. With an unholy combination of a screech and a roar, The Abomination was born.
Author's Note
And with that, Arc 1 of Hunters In Equestria is complete! So many thanks to all the people who've liked and favorited my first published story! We are now half way throughout my story!
Several days have passed since the temples destruction. Yearling was being kept in the Canterlotian Hospital while Ciede was snuck in to the Palace. Twilight and Luna stood by him in the throne room.
"Is this wise?" Ciede asked. "This Celestia might not react well to an alien in her throne room." He pointed out. Luna brushed him off.
"She's used to me bringing home strange creatures." She explained. She turned to Twilight. "Would you care to check up on Yearling? I think Celestia would react better if I didn't endanger her student the way I did." She asked. Twilight bowed respectfully.
"Of course, Luna." With a flash, the unicorn was gone. The sound of hooves clicking on the floor rang out. A yellow light encompassed the door as it swung open. A regal white alicorn entering the room.
"Luna! You have retu-" Princess Celestias words died in her throat as she saw Ciede. Her face was frozen in fear. This look disappeared as quickly as it arrived, being replaced with rage. "Yautja!" She began, using the alien language. "Speak in your tongue so this stays between us." Celestia ordered. Luna looked extremely confused.
"Of course." Ciede answered, in his language, after a pause.
"Why are you here?" Celestia questioned.
"A Bad-Blood named Cresun had killed my clan and retreated here. I came to kill him." Ciede answered.
"Does this Bad-Blood still live?" Celestia asked. Ciede shook his head.
"I killed him with the help of a trio of ponies." He said.
"And who were those?" Celestia continued.
"Luna. A.K. Yearling. Twilight Sparkle." Ciede explained. "They also killed a Serpent that Cresun had spawned." He said. "Worry not. He only made one." He added.
"Luna." Celestia said after a pause. "Please leave us."
"But sister!" Luna began.
"Please." Celestia repeated. Luna sighed in defeat and left the room. "What is your name?" Celestia asked once the door was shut.
"Ciede." Ciede answered. Celestia nodded.
"Well, Ciede. You have my sympathies for your clan. My thanks for destroying a Parasite and stopping The Bad-Blood. However, I must ask you to leave. I cannot allow someone who treats sapient creatures as prey to stay in Equestria." Celestia explained.
"I would if I could, your highness. My clan ship was destroyed and my escape pod was washed away in the rapids." Ciede replied. "Simply put, I have no way off planet." Ciede added. Celestia groaned.
"Then go back to Zebrania!" She said. "I made this mistake once and I will not make it again!" Celestia snapped. Ciede tilted his head.
"Before?"
Yearling was laying in a hospital bed. Her flanks had been bandaged and the burns treated. The doctors had told her the fur, and by extension cutie marks, would not be growing back. She banged her head on the headboard.
"Damn acid." She muttered. A tan unicorn doctor entered the room.
"Miss Yearling? You have a visitor. Says he's an old friend?" The doctor said. Yearling rolled her eyes.
"Send him in." She said. The doctor nodded and left the room. A few seconds later, and a familiar earth pony entered the room.
"Hello, Avian." Caballeron said. The tomb raider had some flowers in his mouth. Yearling had to hold back a laugh.
"You? Brought me? Flowers?" She asked in between laughs. Caballeron rolled his eyes.
"Yes, yes. Laugh it up, Avian. Your ex doesn't actually want you dead." He said. Yearlings face immediately hardened.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
"Well, for one I wanted to see if you were ok." Caballeron answered as he put the flowers on a table. "I also wanted to apologize." He added after a pause.
"You got a lot to apologize for, chump." Yearling said.
"Yes. Yes I do. For letting my greed getting the best of me. For turning my back on you when you needed me. For betraying you to Ahuizotl. For a lot of things." Caballeron said. "I still remember the happy memories we share. Do you?" He asked. Yearling nodded.
"I remember." She simply said.
"I would like to relive some of those memories." Caballeron said. Yearling scoffed.
"And I'm supposed to trust you how?" She pointed out.
"Isn't that what this is? Trying to earn a little trust back?" Caballeron said. He sighed. "I think it goes without saying that I will no longer antagonize you on your adventures." He added.
"You know what they say, once trust is broken it is impossible to get back." Yearling said.
"I don't believe that. The Spirit of Chaos got a second chance. Am I really worse than Discord?" Caballeron asked. Yearling sighed.
"I suppose not." She eventually said.
"So I get my second chance?" Caballeron asked. Yearling smiled.
"Yeah, Cabby. You do."
"Yes, Ciede. There was a Yautja here before." Celestia said.
"I knew my father was here. He befriended a 'Starswirl'." Ciede replied. Celestia scoffed.
"Befriended is too strong a word. Starswirl was interested in your fathers technology and your father needed to know where he was stuck." Celestia said. "The only thing they ever got working was the communicator and the camera." She added.
"Up until a few days ago, he lived." Ciede pointed out.
"Oh, I knew that. Your kind are long lived after all." Celestia replied. "How did he die?" Celestia asked.
"He was trapped within the temple when it was destroyed." Ciede answered. Celestia sighed in defeat.
"I suppose you deserve answers. Ask away." She said.
"I don't have very many questions. I suppose the only one would be if you had the ability to send me off world." Ciede pointed out.
"I'm afraid not." Celestia said. "Now come, if you are to stay here then you must know the laws of the land." She added. Ciede moaned.
Twilight Sparkle walked into a sight she thought she'd never see. A.K. Yearling, one of her favorite literary heroes, was cuddling with Doctor Caballeron, one of the series' chief antagonists. So she did the one thing any mare in her right mind would do in this situation.
"Awww." She said. "Not that I mind what you two are doing, of course, but I thought you two were enemies." Twilight pointed out. Caballeron chuckled.
"The two of us were very close before Avian decided to get into archeology." He explained. "After that, business values tore us apart." He added. Yearling chuckled.
"Business values? I'm pretty sure it was a bit more intense than that." She said. Caballeron sighed.
"As your books point out." He said. Yearling chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, about that. Sorry for putting your name and look down without permission. I needed the bits." She explained.
"More proof that tomb raiding is better than direct archaeology." Caballeron said. Twilight giggled. They were just like an old married couple.
"Well, glad to see your flanks aren't hurting you as much as it was before." Twilight said. Caballeron frowned.
"Yes, I've been meaning to ask you about that. What the hell happened?" He asked. Twilight and Yearling shared a nervous look.
"The temple you were excavating was booby trapped. One of them caught my flanks." Yearling said. Caballeron hmmed.
"And the hunter that killed my men?" He asked.
"An Alpha Chimera. It got stuck in the temple before it was destroyed." Twilight explained.
"Are you sure? The survivor mentioned a bipedal monstrosity that slaughtered everyone with ease." Caballeron asked, a little accusing. Yearling sighed.
"Listen, the Princess told us not to talk about it." She said.
"Those were my men that died! I deserve to know the truth!" Caballeron said, anger poisoning his voice.
"Alright." Yearling said, much to Twilights surprise. "It was an alien. Two of them crashed here, those were the meteorites, and one began killing everything in an attempt to breed a super monster but, with the other ones help, we managed to stop and kill it." Yearling explained. Caballeron swallowed hard.
"Alien hunters on our world." He began. "Not good." He said.
"And why's that?" Twilight asked.
"It is my personal opinion that life, while complex, does not survive on its own. Species adapt to survive and change due to their environments. Alien life would be new here. Its genes would either prove to be superior to ours and spread or it would be inefficient and die out. Either option is bad." Caballeron explained. Yearling scoffed.
"You're forgetting one crucial thing about evolution. The genes need to be passed on. And alien life isn't very 'compatible' with us." She pointed out.
"And any germs? Bacteria? Anything microscopic would still spread. If it turns out to be more powerful than our microbiology then over the course of the next few million years, this world will become like its." Caballeron explained.
"Gods, you're smart." Yearling said after a pause.
"An interesting theory for sure but we don't know if they have any germs." Twilight said.
"Then find out. Microbiology decides the planet. New germs, new ways to counteract said germs. A new biological arms race would begin. This planet would evolve to become like the bipeds." Caballeron explained. The trio of ponies looked each other over, a new course in Equus might have been set by the previous days events.
The following night, many ponies were asleep in their beds. Only three living beings were awake in Canterlot. Celestia and Ciede were talking in the vaults. However, another creature was prowling the night. With a light thud, the creature landed on the rooftop. Its skin was a sick peach color. It was two legged and its body was thin enough to see the bones. A tail jutted out from the base of its spine, creating a flexible appendage with sharp point. Its claws were just as sharp and were on the end of muscular arms. Its head was elongated and eye-less. At the back of its head, were several tentacle like appendages that formed the shape of dreadlocks. Its mouth was covered by fleshy flaps. These flaps were revealed to be mandibles as the monster opened them up to allow its teeth filled inner mouth shoot out and destroy the lock of a window. The Abomination climbed into the Canterlotian home and went onto the ceiling. Several ponies were sleeping peacefully below. With clicks of satisfaction, it went to work.
Author's Note
Sorry for not posting two chapters at once but here you go, the first chapter of the last arc.
Several ponies were gathered in an in-door stadium. These ponies were Princess Celestia and Luna, Twilight Sparkle, and A.K. Yearling.
"What are we here for, Princess?" Twilight asked.
"With the possibility of more Parasites existing, I have asked Ciede to train us in the correct way of battling them. If there are any more sightings, we train the soldiers." Celestia explained.
"Why not just train the soldiers now?" Yearling asked.
"The more ponies that know of this threat, the likelihood for panic increases." Luna explained. "We do not wish for our subjects to worry over nothing." She added.
"In any case, we need to be ready if they do live." Celestia said. After she said this a large thud rang out. Ciede`s cloaked form was before them.
"Did you get what you needed from the escape pod?" Luna asked. Ciede uncloaked.
"The pod had the program I needed." He typed a few keys on his wrist computer and set it on the ground. A virtual, and red, simulation of a Canterlotian street appeared. Luna extended her Yautja spear. Celestia summoned a fiery blade. Yearling brought out her spiked whip. Twilight brought several offensive spells to the front of her mind.
"Instructions?" Yearling asked. Ciede chuckled.
"Survive." After he said this he jumped up to the bleachers. The group of ponies looked around warily. A number appeared high in the air. It said 15. Suddenly, several Serpents exploded from a sewer drain. Yearling was right next to it. She tried to roll away but a renegade tail stabbed into her back. The hologram didn't hurt but her muscles locked up and she couldn't move.
"Yearling!" Luna shouted.
"Calm down. She's alive, she just can't move. She's 'out'." Ciede explained. Twilight began firing blast after blast of fireballs. Most missed but one struck a Serpent head on.
"Yes!" She called out. Then, the Serpent exploded. Simulated acidic blood rained from the sky. Luna and Celestia were fine, although Twilight and Yearling were directly in the crosshairs. Yearling managed to place herself under a building. Twilight, on the other hand, was drenched in the acidic blood. She went stiff.
"The acidic blood does not combine well with fire. Given sufficient heat, a Serpent will explode." Ciede commented. Celestia and Luna swung and stabbed with their weapons. The number changed every time a Serpent fell. Eventually, three remained. These three were hesitant to approach the alicorns.
"Cowards!" Luna roared, a smile on her face. Several thuds sounded off as something began to approach. Something big. Ciede laughed.
"You kicked the nest." A huge Serpent, at least two times larger than Celestia, approached the duo. "You get the Praetorian." Ciede finished. The Praetorian shrieked and charged the alicorns. Luna dodged to the left and sliced at The Praeortian's legs. The blade cuts, but just barely. With a snarl that could be easily mistaken as a laugh, the creature kicked Luna into a wall. The paralysis settled into her legs. Luna supposed this was how it simulated a spine injury.
"Worry not, sister!" She called out. "Defeat the beast!" She added. Celestia smirked as a torrent of flame overwhelmed The Praeortian. The creature began shrieking in both rage and pain. Celestia was openly smiling now, focusing entirely on the fire. As such, she did not notice the tail. With a gasp, the tail 'went' through her back. As she fell, the simulation ended. Ciede leapt down from the stands.
"The Alicorns fought well." He noted. "You will redo this simulation until all four of you make it to the end." He explained. "And not critically injured." Ciede added, glancing at Luna. The ponies all nodded.
"We will learn how to survive." Twilight said. Ciede jumped back up to the bleachers and the simulation began again.
Twilight fell to Serpent blood being flung at her from an open wound.
Celestia was paralyzed by several tails at once.
Yearling lost to The Praeortian's hoof.
Luna was felled by an inner mouth.
"Again."
Luna fell to a crumbling building.
Yearling lost to a wayward blast from Twilight.
Twilight was defeated by The Praeortian's blood.
Celestia was killed by a lone facehugger.
"Again!"
The Serpents weren't a problem the fourth time around. All four made it to The Praeortian relatively unharmed.
Yearling was impaled by a tail.
Luna fell to acid again.
Celestia was trampled.
Twilight was 'eaten'.
The four had made it to The Praeortian once again. Yearling had a small wound on her left hoof but she said it was fine.
"Fifth's time a charm, right?" Twilight asked. Luna nodded.
"I'm not sure how much more of this I can take." She added. Heavy thuds signaled the beast's arrival.
"Twilight, Yearling." Celestia began, gaining their attention. "Go for the legs while Luna and I distract it." She finished. Twilight and Yearling looked at one another.
"Of course, Princess." The monstrous beast lumbered into view and immediately sprinted towards Celestia. Twilight threw magically summoned swords at the monster's front legs. Several swords stabbed into them, causing the monster to howl in pain. It turned to Twilight, murder in its 'eyes'.
"Not so fast!" Yearling yelled. She wrapped her whip around a hind leg and pulled. The spiked whip tore at the flesh and muscle. The Praeortian looked between Twilight and Yearling, the two of them continuing their various attacks. Celestia and Luna flew into the air and gazed down on the monster.
"I shall use lightning." Luna decided.
"The Sun's fire will aid us." Celestia added. Blue lightning and orange flame flew down towards the alien. Twilight and Yearling leapt out of the way right before the two magical weapons smashed down. The Praeortian screamed in pain and suffering. The four ponies regrouped near each other.
"We-we did it!" Twilight exclaimed. Yearling whooped and threw her hat into the air. Celestia was smiling at her ponies victory when something caught her eye. The heaping fire that used to be the Praeortian began to move. A burning skeletal corpse crawled out of the pile. Celestia approached the creature.
"Your kind had attempted to end my world. I stopped them then and I will stop them now." She slammed a hoof into the weakened skull. The holographic city exploded into red light as the beast died. Ciede leapt down.
"You have all proven yourselves capable hunters. If these serpents return, I will be honored to fight by your sides." He slammed a fist into his own chest and bowed. The ponies mimicked this salute. He turned towards Yearling. "You are a seasoned veteran of the jungle. I'd like to go hunting with you tomorrow, further train you as support for this pack." Yearling shrugged.
"Alright. We'll head out then." She said. Ciede turned towards the rest of the group.
"As for the rest of you, get some rest. You've earned it."
Princess Celestia was sleeping soundly in her bed, oblivious to the outside world. The room was mostly silent, the only noise being the soft 'clicks' of claw-on-ceiling. Above Celestia, was the Abomination. The creature looked down upon Celestia's sleeping form with glee in it's heart. If it could break into even here, what place couldn't it get into?
Author's Note
Well this is a surprise update, isn't it? Truth be told I know how many chapters are left and what's going to happen in those chapters. It's the whole 'writing' thing that's getting to me.
