Spiral Knights: Equis Orders

Equestria

Everfree Forest

"Uhhhh....ouch.." Was the only thing that Lieutenant Grantz, Alpha Squad Guardian, could say as he sat up. He was in some sort of forest, and judging by the fact that his motion sensor and minimap was offline, he wasn't on Cradle anymore. As he sat up, he noticed that next to him was his Sudaruska, Triglav, and Ironmight plate shield. As he equipped his gear, he suddenly felt at peace and calm, as if he was in some sort of harmonic euphoria. As he got to his feet, he noticed a small light coming from beyond the woods.

"That probably means help. Where there's help, there's civilization." He said to himself, and he set off at a brisk walk towards it. Soon, he was tackled by a blurred figure. Grantz reached for his Sudaruska, then he began to laugh. It was only the Alpha Squad Medic, Rulen.

"Rulen! What are you doing here?"

"Same as you. I died. Horde of Swarm impaled me."

"Figures. I know were are not on Cradle, or Isora for that matter. I didn't have any luck contacting Euclid or Parma about our situation. You get anything through?"

"Nope, so we are stuck here. Might as well keep moving."

As the two Knights walked along, they failed to notice the rope snare set up right in the middle of the path. As they walked over it, Rulen was strung up like a pig on a hook. Except in a snare trap.

"What in the name!" Rulen yelled, unable to cut the rope as he had dropped his Ascended Calibur.

"I'll get you down!" Grantz yelled.

As this all transpired, three small creatures watched them. They were white, orange, and yellow, and all had red capes on their backs. As they prepared to announce themselves, one sneezed.

Grantz heard it, and immediately unleashed a barrage of Needles from his Blitz Needle towards where it came from. One of the needles severed the rope, causing Rulen to fall down.

"OUCH!" Rulen yelled as he landed roughly.

"Sorry about that. Lets get you up!" Grantz said as he pulled Rulen to his feet.

Suddenly three small creatures jumped into view, and immediately yelled

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ALIEN TRAPPERS!"

Rulen, being incredibly pissed off, immediatley readied his Arcana, pointing it right near their faces.

"RULEN!" Grantz yelled.

"What" Rulen replied, not lowering his Arcana, and not leaving the three creatures out of his gaze. They had frightened expressions on their faces.

"Put. Your. Gun. Away. Period!" Grantz said, with a harsh tone. "They're just kids. They didn't know any better. Just leave them be."

"I still don't think it's a good idea to let whoever else is here know that WE are here. Get my gist?"

"I do. But our priority is getting back to Cradle and the Spiral Order."

"Our new priority for me is staying alive here."

"Listen here, Rulen. We may be equals in rank, but common sense outranks everything. Put the gun away. Maybe they can help us."

"Yeah!" One voiced, the one with the horn, Grantz noticed.

"Be quiet, please. We are talking." Rulen siad to them, and them looked Grantz right in the eye.

"Fine. I guess I overreacted. I guess the Swarm did something to my mind. Sorry, you three."

"It's fine. We were camping out, and we saw you two, and we thought we could get our cutie marks in trapping."

"Cutie mark?"

"Well, it's a mark you get when you find your special talent. We don't have them, and we've been getting teased for it."

"I see. We may not have them either, but get us somewhere where we can sleep, get us some food, and we'll see about us helping you out. Sounds good?" Grantz asked, and the three nodded.

"Well, let's get moving."

As the five walked towards Ponyville, a Tall, horseheaded being watched them. His Warden blade hing on his side, as well as his shield. His armor was black and battle scarred, and he though for a second before talking.

"Wait."

As the five turned, he stepped into view.

"A Spiral Warden?" Grantz asked.

"Yes. My name is Arkus. I wish to join your little group, Grantz and Rulen, of the Alpha Squad."

"Go ahead, we could use the company." Rulen quipped.

As Arkus walked towards them, the three beings were dumbfounded by his size, as Grantz could tell.

"No need to be frightened, little ones. I mean no harm."

"Friend of yours?" One asked.

"Yep. He's one of our kind. Never imagined one could make it here with us. But we can talk tomorrow. We need to get moving."

"Agreed."

As the five became six, they discussed names, where they were, and lodging.

Grantz noticed that Arkus was silent most of the time, only speaking when spoken to. At one point, Applebloom thought she heard a sniff coming from Arkus, but she dismissed it. As they neared the Treehouse, Arkus sat down near the edge of the tree.

"I will rest here. I doubt this tree can hold by armor."

"I see. Well, see you in the morning Arkus!" Sweetie Bell said. As they climbed the ladder, Grantz and Rulen were given a few apples and some blankets. As they ate, they asked a few questions.

"So, who exactly is in charge here?"

"That would be the princesses, but one's in the Crystal Empire, two are in the capitalm, Canterlot, and Twilight, well, she and Rainbow Dash disappeared into two beams of energy, but we only found this.

Sweetie Bell levitated a small piece of metal towards them, and Grantz recognized the seven-toothed gear and the wrench.

"I think I know who kidnapped the Princess Twilight."

"WHO!" the three of them immediately yelled.

"The Crimson Order."

"Who?"

"Gremlins are some of the creatures that inhabit the world the Spiral Knights are stranded on. They live beneath the surface, and they owe their allegiance to the Crimson Order, made up of seven Gremlins, who report to their king, Tinkinzar. They are ruthless, and I think that they might have kidnapped the Princess and her friend. The Gremlins are some of the greatest Inventors we have ever met, and they are NOT friendly towards the Spiral Corps. They probably built a teleporter or something like that, and they must have randomly picked targets. I can't say for sure, but it is a definite possibility. As far as I know, the only beings capable of cross-planet teleportation, if they tried, would be the Gremlins."

"Wow."

"Listen, it's getting late, and We've got to get some rest. Don't Touch ANYTHING in our gear, and I mean, ANYTHING. It's dangerous, and you could hurt yourselves badly if you messed with it."

As the two of them drifted off to sleep, Arkus stayed awake for a bit, then he drifted off as well.

Then he had a dream.

He was standing in the sky. The stars glowed around him As he looked down, he could see the treehouse and a small town nearby. A large farm sat near the town. Every "Pony" here was sleeping, Arkus thought.

"You are troubled. I sense much anger in you."

Arkus turned and saw a pony, midnight blue and deep blue, walk towards him. She had wings and a horn, and she carried herslef in a royal manner.

"I can presume that you are of the two Princesses in Canterlot?"

"Yes. I am Princess Luna. I have been searching the dreamworlds for Twilight and her friend, but to now avail. But you, Arkus, are troubled and sad. A great loss has blackened your heart."

"I should have protected them. My whole team, gone."

"Sometimes one must learn to let the past go."

"How are you telling me this?"

"I am the Princess of the Night. I can walk through each ponies's dreams, and the dreams of every being that visits Equestria. Dreams are meant to be fully dreamed, and I have helped some with great troubles let them go."

"I see. But I saw my team die right before my eyes. A horde of Dust Zombies ambushed them. I just feel that it was my fault. I failed as a Spiral Warden."

"You say that you have failed, yet you will find Solace in this world. We are peaceful ponies. I believe that you will Let it go someday."

"I thank you, Princess. I do wish to rest."

"As you wish."

Arkus slept, his dreams untroubled and peaceful.