Tales of the Wanderers

Tales of the Wanderers- Brace for Impact

        It was a calm and peaceful morning in the land of Altera. Everything seemed quite normal in the small town of Carderock pass. The merchants were preparing to sell their goods, the children enjoyed the warm rays of the sun as they played in the fields and the sounds of the forge came alive with the loud clanging of iron against hammer. The blacksmith Korin had only just opened his shop moments ago and he had two customers up bright and early that needed his services.        “Why hello there youngsters,” he cheerfully greeted them. One was a small young girl with white hair  that looked too young to be an adventurer while the other looked to be in his teenaged years, had black hair that drifted on the sides of his face and also wore a long scarf to go with his oriental like clothing. “What can I help you with?”        “We wanted to make sure to repair our equipment before we head out of town.” The young girl responded as they handed the elderly smith a few clothes and some weapons along with payment for his services. Korin agreed and had repaired the armor and weapons for both of them.        “Thank you,” He cheerfully told them. “Have a nice day, kids.”        For a moment, the girl stopped walking. Her ears twitched a little at the remark she just heard. “What did you call me-?”        “Janelle, we've got things to do.” The young man told her.        “But Raistlin, he insulted me! You know I hate it when I’m called a kid!” Janelle pouted as they went across to the other side of town. “If you could’ve let me have at that old geezer, I would show you just what this Alchemist is capable of!”        “Yes, and last time that happened, we had to pay the innkeeper in Ironwood Village for the property damage you caused.” He reminded her.        Both Raistlin and Janelle were good friends, even though they both had different classes and skills. Raistlin was what people called an Assassin. A shinobi. But he preferred the term Chaser. He focused his skills on his weapons and powers that he could control using his form of energy called Chakra. Janelle though; was different. She was an Alchemist. A tinkerer of science. Her abilities required a lot of careful planning, but she was always fascinated by the result. Especially when she was able to see how much destruction it would cause.        The two of them knew quite a few friends that also had different skills in their respected field. Six to be exact. But now, they just focused on each other since the others were probably somewhere else in the huge continent that was Altera. Raistlin thought that maybe something on the commissions board could distract the fuming Janelle and had her come have a look. Not many jobs were on the board given that today was a Wednesday. Jobs mostly appeared either at the start of the week or at the end of one, but not in the middle. But, something did catch the young Alchemist’s eye        “Hey Raistlin, look up at the top of the board real quick.” The Chaser did so and saw a piece of parchment with a golden seal on it. “Does that seem like a new job?”        “Yeah, and given what it looks like, it looks very professional.” He smirked before taking it down so the two of them could read what was on the paper. The slip looked brand new and was from the Free Adventurer’s League. It was kind of surprising to see a notice from them all the way out in this town because their main headquarters was back in Saint’s Haven; the capital city of Altera where the royal family and the king would live. Still, both the Chaser and the Alchemist weren’t people who would pass up on opportunity.        “Well, this looks very interesting.” Raistlin said as his eyes scanned the parchment. “A research group from the Free Adventurer’s League is looking for two individuals who can help them on an upcoming expedition. Participants will be paid in advanced.”        “Paid in advanced?” Janelle looked at her friend, a little bit unconvinced. “How much?”        “Let me look…” The Shinobi replied back, looking farther down on the flyer before having a look at himself. “Oh man, that can’t be right…”        “What is it?”        “The payment is five thousand gold each.” Raistlin told her. “But something tells me that whoever wrote this might’ve messed up on writing it.”        “Maybe. But still, that’s a good payment if it isn’t a mistake. Is there a name of the person asking for the the help?”        They looked back at the request to find the name of Captain Edwin, the man that requested the assistance. Both of them also learned that he was by the Airship named The Endurance that was now tied down at the air docks. Raistlin thought that they should take a moment to go see this “captain” first before they decide to help out or now. Obtaining the information needed before making a decision was very important. Especially when it came to doing jobs from the commission board. Janelle also thought the same thing as the two of them began to walk towards the air docks.        “So, what do you think the job is?”        “Well, my guess is maybe a hunting or collection job. Either that or some kind of bodyguard request.” The Chaser replied to his friends question.        “Ehh, I hate bodyguard requests.” Janelle heavily sighed in defiance. “Anyone who wants one of those are either so stuck up and disrespectful or just plain rude around every person they meet. Of course, there's also the stupid people who try to play hero only to cower in fear at the sight of a goblin.”        Raistlin understood what the young Alchemist meant. The two of them and their friend Reign had to do a request once where they had to escort a noble through Argent Pass from the mountain town of Mana Ridge. Though he was talking a lot about how he use to be a knight when he was there age and what not; when a pack of goblins attacked the group, the escort’s first action was to cower behind a bush. Fortunately, Reign; the Crusader in the group, was able to build up enough mana to eliminate the pack with a burst of holy light from his one handed mace.        Soon, the two of them arrived at the air docks and were greeted by a lot of workers trying to load a lot of research equipment on board an Airship that was in port. A man in a Leather Musketeer hat with a small feather quill was taking inventory of all the items being brought inside the colossal ship. Most of the passengers were the crewmen doing the heavy lifting while there were a couple of others that looked like sorceresses and priests. Raistlin was now thinking that they would somehow get involved in a show of crazy people with the people that he was seeing.        “Excuse me, sir?” The young shinobi asked the crew member in the musketeer hat as they approached him. They showed him the notice from the commission board. “We’re here to talk with Captain Edwin about the job he posted on the commission board?”        “Follow me please,” The man sighed as he had the two journeymen follow him on board the ship. He had Raistlin and Janelle follow him below deck to the Captains chambers and knocked on the front door. “Ed, you have two lackeys here for the notice you put up yesterday in town.”        “Good, good! Send them in, Louis.” A voice inside the room called out as the man in the hat opened the door and motioned the Chaser and Alchemist inside. The captains room was pretty huge and there were treasures on the wall. Heirlooms of many previous adventures. Theres was a oak desk in the middle and the Hazel hair male captain. He reminded Raistlin of a few of the other figures in town, but had a long coat over his sailor like clothes. He even kept a rapier on his waist that had a gold hilt. It reminded the Chasers of his own scimitar that was on his back.        “Ahh, nice to meet you.” The captain greeted. He was personally surprised by the appearance of the two adventurers that responded to the job offer he placed in town. It almost looked like a young teen and his little sister were applying for it, but he kept that thought to himself out of courtesy. “Please, come over. Sit down. It’s been a long time since I’ve last had guests.”        Raistlin and Janelle took up the captain on his offer and sat down in the leather chairs that were in front of him.        “Now, I’m sure that you two would want to ask me some question you might have. But first, I want to ask you something.” He said as he put his hands together in a teepee like gesture. “What are your names and your occupations? I know that the Royal Court in Saint’s Haven would classify you as adventurers, but I see every one of you as unique. So, what kind of skills are you two capable of?”        “Well, My name is Raistlin Revaan. I’m a Chaser who specializes in martial arts and weaponry. Even if they try to disarm me, I always have something hidden up my sleeve.” To show what he meant, the shinobi unsheathed a hidden weapon of his. Two arm blades that were hidden underneath his gloves.        “I see. You seem to put a lot of hard work into your craft.”        “I put a lot of effort into training both my body and my mind. That way, I’m calm and focused no matter what the situation is.”        “Very impressive, I have to admit.” Captain Edwin turned to look at Raistlin’s smaller companion. “And what skills do you have miss……”        “Janelle,” she cut off the captain before he could say anything else. “Janelle Ryan. I’m an Alchemist.”        “An… Alchemist? Excuse me for being blunt, but I have only met a few adventurers myself. Some Gladiators, Sorceresses, Clerics and what not. But I’ve never met anyone with a title like yours.” The captain leaned a little bit forward in his chair as he looked at Janelle. “What exactly is an Alchemist?”        Janelle grinned to herself as she hopped out of her chair and moved to the center of the room. Her bubble blaster and powerglove weapons at the ready. “I believe this calls for a little “demonstration” if I do say so myself!”‘Oh goddess no…’ Raistlin mentally sighed as he facepalmed himself. Janelle just happily prepared herself. With a hand on her weapon and the other one on the ground, a rune circle glowed around the young girl in a blue color as Janelle formed a hand made out of Ice. Seconds later, she dismissed it on her own and then used her blaster to summon a white doughy like creature before sacrificing it to restore her energy.        “Alchemists are what many would consider as the warriors of science. My blaster can summon slimes to help me in battle; heal my teammates and also lethally poison anyone that tries to harm me. Additionally, I can transmute Ice and Magma based attacks through the runes inscribed on my powerglove.” Janelle explained carefully as she showed the surprised captain what she exactly meant. The glove that was seen on her arm has alchemy runes inscribed on it so transmutation can be easier for someone around her age. Most older alchemists would have to take the time into inscribing the rune circles by hand, but Janelle inscribed it on her gauntlet so she could spend less time fiddling around with the symbols and more time fighting.        “Well, that was quite intriguing if I do say so myself.” Edwin complimented her. “Such raw talent at such a young age. Makes me wonder what was I was doing with my childhood?”        “Uhh, I’m only 13.” Janelle told her. “And Raistlin is only 15.”        “Really? Well, I guess I learn something new everyday.”        “Well, enough talk about us. We should talk though about the job.” interjected Raistlin as Janelle sat back down.        “Ah yes. We should.” Edwin agreed as he leaned back in his chair. “I believe you're a bit familiar with the job based on the information presented in the notice on the commission.”        “Yes, it said that a research group needed two adventurers for an expedition.” Raistlin recalled. “I have a question to start off. What kind of research is your crew needing journeymen like us for?”        Edwin sighed as he got up. “Well, that might take a bit to explain. Recently, some of our top engineers in the league have invented a machine that can detect mana. The magical flow of energy that Sorceresses, Clerics, Archers, and many other travelers commonly use. They only meant to scan Altera on its own to see if enemy forces were trying to go towards the capital. But what we found was something completely different.”        The Captain pulled down a projection screen and used a old contraption to present the sheet that contained the results from the test that was performed. It showed the scan of the Continent, color coded by different shades of purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. But to the left of the continent seemed like another set of colors. But it was hard to tell.        “This is the test we did. At this size, it only shows our home of Altera. But if you shrink it down… You get this.”        Another image came up. The size of Altera was now half it’s original dimensions, but what was really eye catching this time was that another colorful shape almost twice the size of Altera was now present.        “Okay, I’m a little bit confused.” Raistlin asked. “What are all the colors suppose to represent?”        “They represent the density in magic. Where it’s strongest and where it’s weaker.”        “And what about the second one to the left?”        “That’s the purpose of the trip.” Edwin explained as he returned to his desk. “The Free Adventurers League believes it’s a continent like ours. Another nation where other individuals might have settled and expanded civilization as we know it. The purpose of the expedition is to discover what this continent is and see if we can connect both nations together.”        Now that was a lot to take in. It was commonly known for Altera to be a big continent in it’s own right. But to have another country just like them? It was a lot to take in. Raistlin turned his head behind him to see the map of Altera behind him.        “So what are we required for?” Janelle asked. “And is the payment on the paper correct?”        “Indeed, I’m paying you both five thousand gold up front.” Edwin calmly expressed his intentions. “Normally, commissions are paid for one time jobs that happen on one day. But this isn’t a one day job. Going to and from this continent may take a few days, maybe weeks. So I’m paying you for each day that that the expedition is planning to last. Plus, I was looking for young, adventurous souls like yourself that would want a taste of adventure.”        “But what kind of job is it? Is it a hunting job? Collection? Protection?”        “Consider it as… an exploration job. I’m providing you two with the opportunity with traveling to an exciting new world filled with new potential and possibilities. Something no one would normally pass up on. You help out with the crew’s research, travel through the lands of this new world and help bring back findings. Nothing as problematic as having to protect a scaredy cat prince who can talk the talk, but not back up his actions.”        The comment made Janelle chuckle and remember the scolding She and Reign gave the nobleman they were protecting on the last protection job they were commissioned for. She was starting to like this captain and so was her partner. They were getting really comfortable about this.        “So, what do you say? Are you two up for it?” The Captain asked as he brought out a quill and ink to go with a contract that he had just put on his desk. Both the Chaser and the Alchemist looked at each other for a few minutes, thinking through the choice they had to make. Then, they made their decision.        “We’ll take the job.” The two friends said in unison.

A few days later,         Another sunrise came this morning as the light of the bright orb in the sky penetrated through the side of the ship into the Shinobi’s room. His eyes calmly opened as he looked up at the ceiling. The one that he threw a few kunai at to cure his boredom and practice his throwing skills. It had been about four days… maybe five? He was too tired right now to even think straight as he got up from his bed.        Then he looked at the picture frame that was on the nearby shelf that he put on the first day of the trip. It was a photograph of him, Janelle and the rest of his friends back in Altera.        Soraya; the Spirit Dancer with a habit of using her “Talents” in more than one area to get what she wants. Fei; the Sharpshooter who has the best aim of any elf the human had met in the kingdom. Edana; the Pyromancer with an anger management problem that had gotten them in trouble a few times. Lyall; the Lunar Knight who believes that no one gets left behind (and is seen by Janelle as a huggable teddy bear.) Elisa; the Valkyrie who always had a cheerful heart and a reason to celebrate any occasion. Reign; the Crusader who always stands by your side to help you whenever you’re in need.        And of course, there was Janelle. The Alchemist who was Raistlin’s companion. very smart for her age, but hates it when she is called a kid or treated like a child.        The eight of them once formed a guild a long time ago, just so they could spend time with each other and have fun. However, they decided to disband when they ran short on funds to support the guild and pay the dues. The eight of them still meet with each other every once in a while, but it just wasn’t like the good old days. Janelle was mostly affected by it. Someone that young losing something they all worked together for as a team… It’s heartbreaking.        Speaking of Janelle, he needed to make sure that she was awake. The Alchemist had a bad habit of oversleeping when she laid down to go to bed. At times, she woke up from going to bed around eight o’clock at night to sometimes wake up at ten o’clock the next morning. Getting up from his bed and getting himself dressed in his clothes, Raistlin quietly used his skills as a Chaser to not disturb Janelle as he softly tried to wake her from the nearby bed that was on the other end of the room that was by the shelf with the picture frame.        “Janelle, it’s time to wake up.”        “Mmm…… Five more minutes dad…”        Raistlin sighed a little. This… was common for the young girl. So, he proceeded to plan B. Open up the blinds that were covering the windows on the side of the ship. When the light reached Janelle’s eyes, she squirmed a little before giving in and opening her eyes.        “T-too bright!!” The Alchemist squealed as she tried to hide her face underneath the sheets.        “You say that almost every morning I have to wake you up.”        “Oh shut up, early bird. W-what time is it anyway?” She asked, yawning a little. Raistlin turned his head to see the grandfather clock on the wall as the second hand rotated around in circles.        “Twenty minutes after Seven.” Raistlin said as he slowly got up and walked to the door. “Come on, any longer we’re here and we’ll miss breakfast. Plus, I heard today they have pancakes, scrambled eggs and chocolate chip muffins-.”        Hearing about “muffins” caught Janelle’s attention and had her bolt out of the room and towards the mess hall like a jackrabbit. She was hungry, but muffins to her were like a rare delicacy. A special treat in a way. Raistlin was lucky enough that his agility training allowed him to catch up to her by the time she reached the dining hall.        Breakfast on the menu today was pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and also muffins. Mostly chocolate chip, but also blueberry and other varieties were available to have as well. Not many other crew members were in the dining hall today, so Raistlin just sat across from a happy Janelle as she devoured her plate of food and began to savour the first of three muffins that she had on an extra plate.        “Slow down there, Janelle. You’re going to get sick like that.”        “Oh please.” The Alchemist blew off the Shinobi’s remarks. “We’ve been on this boat for how long now? I haven’t got sick one time since this trip started.”        Then a new question popped up in her head as Raistlin began to calmly finish his food. “While we’re on the subject, how long do you think it would be until the ship reaches land?”        “I thought you were suppose to be the scientist out of the two of us?” He chuckled a little. “Wouldn’t you already know how much longer we need to travel?”        “I’m an Alchemist, not a navigator! Besides, anything at this point would just be guesses at this rate.”        “So what is your guess then?” Raistlin asked, trying to stay on point with the topic.        “At this rate, since we’ve had clear skies and no storms coming our way… Maybe a day. A few hours if were lucky. We’re unsure on how far this place is and how fast The Endurance can move.” All these things she mentioned were valet points. It felt like moving blind in a field of war. But right now, it felt very good to be cruising along the open skyline like this.        It’s not like something’s going to blast them out of the sky right?

Meanwhile,         Patrolling through the open skies above Cloudsdale may seem boring to young fillies & colts who are still learning how to use their wings. But many other ponies knew it’s importance. Cloudchaser and her twin sister Flitter knew this better than anypony right now. If things were back to the way they were, both siblings would be flying with their friends and using their wings as part of the Wonderbolts flight team.        That was… until war began. It had been five years since the “Tirek Incident”, but an old enemy rose from the ashes of her previous defeat and now had the troops and the power to clash with the Royal guard of Canterlot. Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle were in charge of the guard and aerial recon units because Princess Celestia had gone missing days before the assaults began. The assaults from the Changelings that ravaged cities like Manehattan and Baltimare. Ponyville, Canterlot, and the Crystal Empire were just a few of the few safe havens that had enhanced barrier spells that prevented anything from getting in that could harm the refugees and civilians that are inside. Cloudsdale was used as an aerial refuge and base of operations to pay attention to Changeling forces from above in the skies.        “Anything new on your end sis?” Flitter asked as the two pegasi equipped a specially enchanted pair of goggles that not only allowed them to see through a changelings disguise, but to also use like a pair of binoculars so they could see far out into the distance. So far, there wasn’t any unusual activity.        “Nope. Nothing… Just seeing clouds… clouds… and more clouds. Thought I saw a ship out in the distance, but maybe my specs are a bit blurry.” Cloudchaser chuckled a little as she picked up a small cloud to use it to clean her goggles. However, despite it making her vision clearer, it did nothing to help the pegasus with seeing the flying ship. In fact, it looked like it was coming… closer.        “Flitter, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”        The other pegasus looked up and turned around, her jaw dropping a few inches. The two twins were now looking at a flying ship! Nopony had seen anything like this before, but it now posed a new question. Could it be a possible threat?        “Sis, patch us into Spitfire right now!” Flitter told her sister as they fiddled with the miniature radio’s on their hooves. “She needs to hear about this!!”

        Back at Wonderbolt Academy, many ponies were busy with different tasks and jobs. Thunderlane was helping teach new recruits in the Wonderbolt Aerial Recon squad, while Fleetfoot was working on helping with some of the refugees that a team had rescued recently from a changeling swarm squad. Inside the main office of Spitfire though, the mare was talking with somepony else. Soarin and Spitfire were having an important discussion about improved safety precautions.        That was… Until they got a radio signal from the Twins.“Captain Spitfire, this is Flitter and Cloudchaser. I repeat... this is Flitter and Cloudchaser. Do you read me!!?”        Spitfire and Soarin looked at each other in confusion when they heard the pony on the other end of the line. Something sounded wrong. REALLY wrong. “We hear you, Flitter. What’s wrong?”“You are not going to believe what we are seeing right now. I bet you can see this as far as Wonderbolt Academy!!”        “See what-?”“A flying ship!! There’s a flying ship in the flipping sky!!!”        Both Pegasi turned towards each other before Soarin looked out the nearby window. His eyes widened at what he was seeing. Spitfire soon turned around and was stunned as well. Flitter was right. They could see the flying ship that they were seeing. Something nopony has ever seen or encountered before. Could it be something new the changelings constructed? Is it or is it not a threat?        The Captain of the Wonderbolts did not want to take any chances.        “Flitter, Cloudchaser. Go dark and stay out of sight from that vessel! Soarin, prepare to send a message to Princess Twilight for approval of using the Charge Cannon. I’m not allowing the possibility of that thing getting any closer to here!” Soarin didn’t waste any time in preparing the message. Right now, the entire base was going Code Red because of the current situation. It needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

        Inside the crystalline palace that was the castle of friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle was with her friend Rainbow Dash and also Princess Luna. They were calmly enjoying each others company. That was… until Twilight’s assistant came rushing into the throne room.        “Twilight!! We got a letter from Captain Spitfire! There’s an emergency at Wonderbolt Academy!!”        The three ponies all looked at each other in utter shock and confusion before responding to the dragon. “Spike, what kind of emergency? Read us the letter.”        Clearing his throat, Spike began to read the words from the scroll of parchment that was sent. He too, was surprised at the message.Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,This is an urgent letter from the Wonderbolts Aerial Recon Squad leader; Captain Spitfire. About a few moments ago, two of our best recon fliers spotted an unknown vessel approaching our skyline. It is a flying ship the size of a trading vessel found in the port of Seaddle. It is moving in quickly and we believe that it may be part of a changeling ambush swarm that’s coming for Cloudsdale. We are requesting your verification on the use of the Charge Cannon, Cloudsdale’s Aerial Defenses, to shoot down the vessel before it gets too close to the city.Sincerely,Captain Spitfire        All three ponies in the room were left speechless. “Is she serious!? A flying ship?!”        “From the sounds of it and requesting to use the Charge Cannon, yes.” Twilight replied to Rainbow’s brash comment. “What do you think about the situation, Luna?”        “It does seem like an urgent request.” The Lunar princess retorted. “Plus, Spitfire’s never one to joke around with her position. The Wonderbolt Academy is the first line of defense and if anything gets past it, it could bring devastating consequences to the rest of Equestria.”        “Ugh…… If Celestia we’re here right now, what do you think she would do-?”        “Twilight, stop worrying about her!” Rainbow snapped. “She’ll be fine! We just need to focus on what's happening right now and we can’t do that if we’re worrying about her every five seconds.”        “Okay then, what do you think we should do?” Twilight asked, seeing how her friend seemed so confident. Rainbow crossed her front hooves as she floated above her friend.        “We should shoot down the “ship” and then sent a scouting crew to investigate the wreckage once it crashes. Heck, I’ll even go and help out Spitfire. It would take too long to try and cause a ship at that speed to turn around. We don’t even know if it has weapons or not that could harm the citizens in Cloudsdale. So we shouldn’t take any chances and shoot it down while we still can.”        It sounded like a risk, but it seemed like the best option for having to handle this. This situation had to be dealt with ASAP, and Rainbow just came up with a plan that could work.        “I like it. Luna, your thoughts?”        “I agree with you. I like this plan as well.” Luna told them. “Spike, prepare a letter to send back to the captain.”        “Already one step ahead of you.” The dragon told Princess Luna, holding a scroll of Parchment and a quill at the ready.

        It had been about five minutes since the original letter Spitfire had sent to the princess disappeared in Dragonfire and around now was when they received a letter back.        “Spitfire, we got a response.”        “What does it say?”        Soarin cleared his throat as he began to read the return letter.Dear Captain Spitfire,I have received your request and indeed believe that this ship you speak of is a major security concern. Therefore, your request for use of the Charge Cannon has been approved. However, I am ordering that afterwards, you send a scouting party to investigate the ship after it crashes. Bring back anything that could tell us what the ship’s intentions were for and any salvage that would allow us to see what kind of technology it possesses. If that ship is able to fly, then there has to be something to support it. Sincerely,Princess Twilight SparkleP.S. Rainbow Dash is heading your direction as I speak to assist you with the scouting party. Be expecting her arrival soon.        Spitfire sighed as she heard the letter. “You know what to do. Take the shot.”

Back on the Endurance,         Inside their room, Raistlin and Janelle were both doing different things. The Chaser was trying to focus. He was deep in meditation in the Lotus Position as he tried to focus his Chakra. However, one thing was affecting his concentration. That would be Janelle playing around by trying to practice her alchemy in the small room that they were in. Going as far as to try a Ice Transmutation that caused the room to partially freeze.        “Janelle, what are you trying to do? Turn our room into a freezer?”        “No, I was trying to practice making snowmen with alchemy again!”        “Don’t you need actual snow for that?” The Chaser told her. “It’s the middle of spring for Goddesses sake.”        “Who really cares? It’s not like anyone is complaining.” The Alchemist pouted as she made a frozen fist that was trying to poke Raistlin in the head and disturb his concentration. All the Chaser did was ignore her. But then, he began to feel a strange surge of energy. One that wasn’t his, Janelle’s or anyone else’s on board the Endurance.        “Janelle… Something’s wrong.”        “Yeah, your attitude is what’s wrong-.”        “No, not that.” The Chaser told her as he got up from the lotus position and began to walk out the door. “Something feels like it’s coming at the ship.”        “What the heck are you talking about?” The young girl asked as the two of them began to walk up the stairs to the deck.        “Remember how I told you before that I can feel surges of energy?”        “Yeah, you told me that two days ago when I tried to scare you, but instead knew I was hiding in the closet.”        “Well, I’m feeling a dense powerful source of energy in the distance. Almost like we’re walking into a storm.” The Shinobi warned. But he wasn’t able to explain anything else with what came next.        For a split second, he saw a small surge of lightning. Then, a powerful blast of magic struck the ship and tore a big hole in the center through the Endurance’s engine compartment. The vessel had been hit and now, they were on a downward spiral and going to crash. Raistlin quickly pulled Janelle close as the resulting explosions followed, consuming the vessel in explosions and fire. Quickly, he somersaulted forward, using his hook to yank off a parachute from a nearby rack.        “Hang on!!” Raistlin yelled to his companion. Janelle just held onto the Chaser tightly as he pulled off a risky maneuver. Jumping off the edge of the ship and falling down as breakneck speeds. Behind them, the Endurance was descending downward fast. The explosion from the hit destroyed a huge fraction of the entire ship. Now, nothing ceased to remain as it crashed into the shoreline off the rocky coast.        Now Raistlin pulled the strap on the parachute as it was released from the bag. Allowing him to navigate himself and Janelle to safety. They soon landed, Janelle hopped onto the ground softly. Raistlin though, got the parachute stuck into a tree.‘Really now?’ Raistlin cursed his timing as he let go and dropped from around 14 feet onto the ground. Turning towards Janelle, he walked on over to her. “Are you okay?”        “Y-yeah. Still in one piece, that’s for sure. What about you?”        “I’m fine. Everything just happened so fast though… What did you think that was?”        “I honestly have no idea… And I don’t think we can ask anyone else either. The ship looks trashed.” The alchemist pointed to the wreckage behind them as bits and pieces of wood, steel and blood washed up onto the shore. Bodies of the crew members either drowned or died in the explosion. Raistlin and Janelle were grimly reminded on how they were the only survivors of the events that just unfolded.        “Well, what do we do now?”        “I… have no idea, Janelle.” Raistlin replied as he looked at her. “Do you have all the equipment you need?” The Alchemist nodded and asked the same question to the Chaser, which he replied as a yes. His weapons were at the ready and he had enough food in his backpack to last him and Janelle three days at most.        “Well, I guess the only thing to do now is to find shelter or a town.” He said before noticing a nearby sign. It looked dirty. Covered in soot and ash. Using the dark grey sleeve that was attached to his glove, he wiped the ash off the sign, hoping that something could possibly help him.Fillydelphia- 1 mile        It seems like they were getting somewhere now. But something else was catching the Chaser’s attention. He felt the Chakra signatures of a group of individuals coming this way. They were closing in fast and coming in from above.        “Janelle, hide!!”        The Alchemist didn’t have to think twice before hiding in a nearby bush while the Chaser jumped up into the tree. They felt four things fly past them so fast that they couldn’t see anything. It was a complete blur.        “Well, you're right on the fact that we should find a town. Something tells me we can’t stay here.”        Raistlin hated it when Janelle was right. Both of them now had to move quickly if they wanted to survive in a new world that they were unfamiliar with. Hopefully, they would be able to find someone in town that could help them. But before they could move anywhere, the Chaser whispered the Alchemist and told her to stay where she was with a hand signal.        “Ssshh! Be quiet.”        Janelle wasn’t sure what her friend was talking about, but soon found out for herself when she heard a pair of voices talking.        “What’s the matter Rookie? The crash came from over here.”        “I know Captain… But I thought we passed something just now. Either that or the wind is just messing with my head again.”        “Well come on. The Twins are probably waiting for us and you know how impatient Cloudchaser gets when you make her wait.”        Both voices faded away seconds later with a gush of wind blowing in the background. Janelle couldn’t see anything, but she had a hunch that Raistlin did. Waiting for the Chaser to hop back down, she saved her question for when the Alchemist was seeing her friends face again. “Were you able to see who was talking?”        “Yeah. But I don’t think you would think I’m crazy.”        “Oh come on, Raistlin. They were speaking perfect Alteran. What else could it be?”        “Would you believe me if I told you that the voices belonged to a pair of Pegasus?”        Janelle’s face went blank. Talking… Pegasi? That did not make any sense at all! They were freaking ponies, not people!! “Okay, you said crazy. Not completely insane!”        “I’m telling you the truth! I saw them talk to each other right in front of me!!”        “And I’ll start to believe that when I see shape shifting bug creatures that control magic!!” She retorted sarcastically.        That’s when they noticed a couple of squirrels walking onto the path as they slowly approached the city. But right before the two human’s eyes, these squirrels transformed in a green glow; turning into the form of black bug like creatures with turquoise eyes, insect like wings, and horns that channeled magic. Raistlin smirked a little as the two adventurers looked at the small swarm.        “Hey Janelle, look. Shape shifting bug creatures.”        “Dammit Raistlin. I did not ask for an ‘I told you so’.” The Alchemist glared at her companion as she shot back the remark. One of the changelings soon noticed the pair of them and caught the attention of all the other changelings in the group. They soon became very aggressive. Snarling, growling there teeth, and channeling their magic in their horns.        “By the hive, what are these freaks?” One of them spoke as they began to spread out a little.        “Wow… who knew they could speak clearly.” Janelle whispered. But her words did not go on deaf ears.        “These freaks can speak Equish!? What the hell are they?!”        “Who cares? Queen Chrysalis told us to leave no survivors!! Kill them!!!”        Raistlin sighed. He moved his body to the side as he adopted a fighting crouch. preparing himself to draw any of his weapons at the ready. Janelle prepared herself as she held her weapon in her hands and the marks on her powerglove began to glow.        Whoever they were, these insects were asking a fight… and the two adventurers were going to make sure and give them one. Their lives depended on it.End Chapter 1