Six friends and a invader

Rendezvous Point

Entrance to Sweet Apple Acres

Before Sunset

“Oh, Twilight I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me” Fluttershy whispered in her tiny voice as she arrived.

“Sorry for being late.” Apologized Rainbow Dash who was accompanying her. “It’s just that Fluttershy stopped for a family of bunnies back there…”

“It’s ok Fluttershy, I understand.” I replied, trying to avoid getting into a pointless discussion. “The important thing is that you’re here.”

“So, have you discovered who we’re waiting for?”

“Not exactly. I did read that letter in front of you, so we both know it was very ambiguous.”

“I don’t like it Twi, I’d feel better if I knew what exactly we’re expecting.” asked Applejack

I opened my saddlebag on the picnic blanket and used my magic to pull out the strange letter to take another look. “It’s supposed to be unmistakable. But just in case;” I around turned to face Rarity. “Rarity, did you made the banner as the letter instructed.”

“Of course Twilight.”

She used her own magic to pick a roll as long as the height of each one of us and opened it for all of us to see it.

On top of the letter it had what was apparently a royal seal. A snake around a sword in a defensive stance over a white background occupied the left half of the symbol. On the right side was just a striped pattern of bright red and green at about 45 degree angle.

“I do believe it would be better if I just…”

“No Rarity!” I interrupted her. “If we make a change to it, it may be perceived as an insult. Remember, we don’t know anything about who’s going to come. He, or she, might be temperamental.”

“Don’t worry Twilight. If they believe they can get tough on us, they’ll get a big surprise.” Rainbow kicked the air confidently.

“That’s why we have the elements here, isn’t it?” asked Rarity

“We’ve had the elements with us since Discord first disappeared just in case. Has the Princess told you anything about it?” Applejack questioned.

“She said the royal guard have had no luck In finding anything about Discord’s whereabouts or any leads to him. Even the guards on duty that night recall nothing. He could be anywhere. ! He could be planning his revenge and we wouldn’t even…”

I felt something on my back. It was Applejack’s hoof. Without noticing it I had started hyperventilating. Her pats on my nape broke my growing desperation. A quick gaze and a smile was enough to thank her.

“But the thing I still don’t understand.”  I rubbed my hoof against my chin. “Why they were so specific about all the details of the meeting, and yet very vague about who or what we were encountering? All it said was that they will identify us by the sign.”

“Maybe he is just timid.” Fluttershy suggested quietly.

“Maybe they want to give us a surprise!” Pinkie Pie bounced.

“Darling, don’t you think if they wanted to gives us a surprise, then they wouldn’t have announced it in advance?” Rarity again

“What worries me is that they said they: “want to prevent future anomalies”. Whatever that means. And will make use of any means necessary to ensure the fulfillment of their mission.”

“So? I’ve told you. They try anything out of place, we use the elements and boom! It’ll be like nothing ever happened.”

Rainbow was so confident. Let’s hope she is right. On second thought, I hope she is wrong. I don’t want to start a war accidently. I have so many questions and I don’t know if I should be eager to ask them. Who are they? Where did they come from? How long have they know about Equestria? Why reveal their existence now? What is that noise? Huh?

The rumble grew in intensity accompanied by a tremor also increasing accordingly. My first thought was another cow stampede, but before I could figure out the direc…

I opened my eyes. Shrouded in a dust cloud, feeling dizzy and confused, I looked to regain my feet. One leg, then another. I rocked back and forth steadily regaining my balance. Partially, the brown mist dissipated enough to give me some reference point. The tree beside me and the mountains on the background, they were circling around me. And a shadow. It was Pinkie Pie. She shook her head, like Winona when she gets wet. As soon as she regained consciousness, she did what I just did and gasped like the first time we met.

A huge shadow emerge after the dust settled. The claws of a gigantic reptilian clung to the ground in order to make the massive weight above them come to a dead stop. Over them rested the body and legs of a great cat. Coupled with a prehensile tail of a monkey ending in a scorpion sting. And the head of an eyeless lizard. All kept fastened together by a thick, seamless, metallic skin the tone of molten lead. The thick skinned creature slowly lowered its massive skull towards us to take what it seem to be a sniff. I recall Fluttershy once told animal tend to identify by its surroundings and acquaintances the smell. I ducked and closed my eyes. No sudden movement was the only thing in my mind. I somehow felt the nostrilless muzzle above us creeping over us.

The silence was broken by the voice of rainbow Dash. “Hey!” the creature soared its head in response to the pegasus interjection. “Leave them alone!” exclaimed before diving full force to kick it. She gave a kick as strong as a kick could be. There was a hit and a fall. Rainbow landed in front of us. “Rainbow, are you ok?” toward her we galloped. With her teeth tightly closed cause by the agonizing pain.

The shadow grew larger. Standing in its back legs, it raised like a bear for to gain energy to squash us like little bugs. Applejack took Rainbow on her ba…

“Halt!” was heard howling over our commotion. Everything stopped. Followed by a strong silence. Calmed down. That thing lowered again to make the front paws reach the ground. It took a few steps back to give us some room. I wasn’t sure what happened. My element. Where it was? My eyes dashed back and forth in search for an escape route in case we needed it.

As it drew further away from us. We got a better overall look. All its body was covered with bags. Not just saddlebags. From the shoulders covering up to the very top and possible the same all the way to its rear. From its dorsal area emerged a long shadowy figure. Rising above the pile of baggage. It had a mask that covered its eyes and a cape worn like a cloak. The stranger walked in two legs. The beast then lowered its head to make a ramp for its master to walk down to ground level. With a helmet that covered its eyes and down to where, I believe was supposed to be his nose. And a cape. Worn like a coat around its body. It stepped down the muzzle of its beast and came to us. Walked steadily and stopped about two feet from me and stood there. Staring dead straight at me. Very quiet

“Are these our allies? I have to say I am quite disappointed.” I thought as I stared at the multi-colored equines

“We’ve joined efforts with the oddest of creatures in the past. I don’t know what makes these ones different.” answered the voice in my head

“Just… look at them!” I answered with frustration

“I can see through your eyes but not your point. The purple one seem to be the leader. Or at least is what we’ve deduced. I suggest you introduce yourself so you can get to what’s important. That’s what you want, isn’t it?”

“Okay” I grunted

“Greetings.” I kneeled to an eye level. “Apologies for that. Refer to me as Zorskel. I have been sent to meet you.  I assume you have been noticed of my arrival.” Louve translated every word I said as I made gestures with my hands to try to improve the understanding.

“Yes, I was” She cleared her throat. “My Name is Twilight Sparkle. And these are my friends:” with her hoof she pointed at each one respectively. “Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash over there.”

“Acknowledged” She stared at me awkwardly. Was she asking for herself: Is that it?

“So, where are you from?”

“It does not matter. Where I will stay?”

“Oh, right. Applejack?”

“Sure thing.” she tipped her hat

I pulled the reins and we followed the orange one. She took us to a red building made of wood.

“There ya’ go” inside there were three hay beds. “I didn’t know how many were come so my family and I set up these.”

“Thanks.” I nodded. “Now if you excuse me. I will proceed to unpack.” I gave them a hint with my head

“Don’t worry. We’ll help you.”

“Denied.”

“Why not?” Asked the blue one suspecting something. She was pacified the leader

“If we help. You can finish earlier and go to bed. I believe you’d be tired by your trip. I bet it was a long trip.”

“It was.”

“Well, then let us be useful. Please. Allow us to show the traditional Equestrian Hospitality.”

At this point. I was standing sideway with my hand tightly around the grip of my knife. But I couldn’t move it.

“Don’t do it.”

“This is annoying.”

“These are not our enemies.”

“Then what?”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to use your brain here and there.”

“It is just. I will like to do it myself. You know. To do some inventory. Make sure I didn’t lose anything. Then to pile them in order. You know. I am somewhat paranoid about that.”

“I understand. I hope you sleep well. I have a whole day planned for tomorrow.”

That was close. With a short goodbye afterwards. Between us. And among them. Finally leaved for their respective homes. And for me to start unloading. For some hours, I took equipment and supplies and placed them orderly inside the barn. As they refereed to this building. Louve made a model to maximize the usage of space.

Louve was originally installed in my brain as a program to read my brain and translate, organize and categorize the collected data for further studies. With time he developed a simulation of a personality from his experience. I know he doesn’t have feelings but sometimes, I forget about it.

“Are ya’ sure don’t want any help?” the farm resident asked. It was late at night and the moon was high and the air was cool.

“I am pretty sure I am fine.” I continued my labor but not without noticing she did not go away. “You heard me.  Right?”

“Yes. But thought you may want some apple juice. It’s a hard work to do it all by yourself.”

“Appreciated but I pass,” I nodded and continued with my work. Again. I turned around to see the pony was still there looking at me. “I do not require help.” I told her firmly.

“I know. I’m not helping. Do you mind if I stay around?”

“As long as you do not interfere. You can suit yourself.” she nodded in response. She sat down and started drinking one of the boxes of juice. Then, for the third time. I resumed what I was doing.

“That’s a lot of bags. I thought my friend Rarity packed a lot. It seem we’ve finally met her match.”

“Why she wants to talk?”

“If she want, why not let her? Besides, she might have important something to say.”

“I highly doubt it.”

“She may have her reasons.”

“Maybe. Most of it is pretty much dresses and other stuff. Considering we are mostly naked”

“Says the horse with the hat.”

“Pony” I was interrupted. “We are ponies, not horses.” she stomped with her foreleg.

“Okay then.” replied with a box in my shoulder. I entered the barn and placed on top of some similar ones.

“What’s all this stuff anyways?”

“Mostly equipment.” she gave me a confused look. “You know. Science stuff. You do have science here. Do you?”

“Sure. My friend Twilight knows a lot about it.”

“The purple one?”

“Yep. She’s the pony.” her tone changed. Now she sounded more confident

“Excellent. A native researcher contributions will be of great use.”

“Uh, what now?” now she was totally lost.

I stopped and placed my load on the ground. Then turned around. Walked closer to her. I kneeled about 2 feet away. With slow and paused articulation, I tried to explain. “I need someone who lives here and know of about the meaning of smart sounding words.” I mocked her.

“Hey!” she shouted. “I may not be a genius but I’m not stupid!” I stared at her with disbelief “But yes. Twilight is the smartest pony I know.” She smiled.

“Continue.”

“She is the apprentice of Princess Celestia. She lives in the library. There she studies magic, friendship and you science thingy…”

It is good to know this world priorities are in line. “Why do you came here?”

“I couldn’t sleep and I just though…”

“The truth.”

She lowered her head. Took a breath. Now armed what I think is courage. Proceeded to explain. “Not so long ago. I took a task that was too big for me to handle. At the time. I was just too stubborn to accept it. I promised my brother and myself that I’ll finish the job by myself.” she took her hat. Which Louve classified as a Stetson in her chest and lowered her head. “I was working too hard but I wanted to keep my promise at all cost. In the end my friends taught me I didn’t have to do it alone.”

At the end of her little narration I asked. “What’s the point of all this?” waving my hand in front of her to call her attention.

“I couldn’t sleep thinking you were right in front of my house. Working so hard and I was in my bed doing nothing about it;” She putted her headwear back on and suggested. “So, Zor…” She shook her head. “Mister. You need help. And we will not be a proper host if we don’t offer it to you. So I’m not moving from here. Until you allow me to it give to you!”

I have to admit. I am quite impressed. If this was the truth, is was a little underwhelming. I was hoping to become a scheme to grab important Intel.

“She’s telling the truth. Her vital sign are in range.” still, I was skeptical.

“I promise not to break anything.” She clarified.

“Is that it?” I had a short, soft laugh. “Do not need to worry fellow,” I tried to deepen my voice after that last sentence. “I put all this stuff together. I can put it back down. You may rest peacefully now. Knowing that everything is following its own path.” whatever that means

“I’m not moving until you let me help.”

“Then I hope the ground is comfortable because you are going to stay there all night.” I smirked at her

“Is that a dare?” she answered defiantly

“I will tell you what:” I turned around. In a dash, I hopped and reached up to a canister at the top. At this point I was more or less halfway through finishing. Unlocked it and told her. “I will drop this…box. And you have to take it into the barn. If you fail. You will turn around. Go to your bed and have sweet dreams. If you succeed. You are allowed to do the same with the rest. A lose-lose situation anyway you see it. But you want to back out now. I will understand…”

“That’s all? I accept.” she must be kidding

And as was said. I released the lock that kept the box in place. Immediately after, it precipitated into the ground, making loud metallic sound as it collided. She gulped. Something really heavy must be inside. She is so stubborn she may think in there is nothing she can not handle. With her head. She was trying to push as hard as she could. But the object proved to be too much for her.

“You know it is not too late to back out”

“Heck no!” she replied. “When an Apple make a promise. We’ll fulfill that promise!”

“Do as you please.”

“Is that one of the armory lockboxes you just gave her?”

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“It’s DANGEROUS equipment!”

“And heavy and with a security system to prevent unauthorized transportation. It will keep her busy.  After all, it is a lockbox. She will not break it. Now where was I?”