Six friends and a invader

Sweet Apple Acres

Apple Family Barn

Early Morning

For quite a while, Applejack has been fighting with the box.

“You can stop now.”

“I almost...” She cut right in the spot when she came into realization.

“It doesn’t matter; as I have already finished.”

She was shocked to see the beast his guest came on was now totally naked. Except for a single saddlebag, held in place by a sole belt rather than the harness it originally worn. In disbelief, she ran to the barn to refute was she was seeing. All the baggage was unloaded and inside the barn. Placed in an elaborate arrangement to maximize the space. Almost as they were meant to be placed in that way. So much, each one of the box had a label at the end for quick identification. She was sure that if any of the box was retired from the pile. The one on top won’t fall over because of the missing space.

“But. How?” She asked in incredulity.

“While you were busy wasting your time playing around. I decided to continue on my own.”

“How could you? I didn’t heard ya’.”

“I did it quietly. Didn’t you notice the pile was getting smaller every time you saw it?” he was now on the seat. He pulled the reins as well as he made an auditory call. The sleeping leviathan came to live. It shook its head and stood up.

“I thought we had a deal!” she stopped angrily at the ground

“And by its terms. I demand you return to your bed and get some rest. Hya!” with the signal. He and his beast went off like a bullet at the end of a barrel. They both were launched by the creature’s strong legs and disappeared into a cloud of dust. Only rivaled by the one made during their first meeting.

First, he went deep into the orchard. Quickly disappearing from the owner’s line of sight. Doing his best not to disturb any of the trees nor the precious product they held. Maybe to avoid any complains by the owner too. He opened one of the saddle bags to uncover a series of spears, arranged like the arrows on a quiver. He took one of them and pulled out. With a firm and steady hand. He took aim and as experienced lance would do in his place.  He launched the long weapon which landed bullseye in a circle displayed by his HUD. Immediately after the spear left his hand. The other one ordered to take a quick narrow, quick turn. He’ll repeat the process at various spot marked throughout the whole orchard. The farm itself covered most of Ponyville’s southeast outskirts.

While moved to the west, he noticed a slight change of scenery. Nothing special he concerned about but enough to catch his attention. The tree stopped having the red fruit hanging from them and the branches somehow became pointier. The crusts exhibited twisted patterns and even in the darkness of the night. The sea of darkness became more abyssal. The atmosphere as a whole obviously contrasted to what he left behind. Even with his gas mask put on. He knew the air smells grimier.

“How this place can exist ‘here’?” he refused to belief. Not being a stranger to these kind of scenery. “Generally is either one or the other.”

“There is a dirt road just ahead. Turn right and follow it.”

He did as told. He turned to his right and went right down it. Not much different from the forest thou. Obviously was meant for the much smaller residents of the area. Finally reached to a cliff where he ordered his beast to leap and landed just beside some ruins.

“Why you take me here?”

“This was marked as a point of interest. One earlier variation came from this place. It’s also on the list of thing you’ll need to gather further intel about.”

“This place seems to be abandoned for decades.”

“Just place the sensor and move on.”

Again. He obeyed and turned around the way he came. Just after he passed the cliff. The sensor he just installed picked up something.

“The other one picked up a peculiarity towards this direction. Now I’ve triangulated its position more precisely. I told you this place was important.”

“Let us find the source and proceed. We can not waste the whole day in a single zone.”

They followed the signal to a nearby cave. Oddly, it had a relatively well rounded entrance. Almost as it was dug.

“Maybe this was a canceled project,” he thought as dismounted. The entrance was too small to go inside while riding. “or a secret escape in case of an attack.”

The feeling of a regular cave. Specially one in this forest once again was reversed. As he when deeper and deeper. A natural light source, made the use of night vision unnecessary. The display removed itself and allowed for direct vision. With the retreating darkness, a peculiar tree revealed itself. Not made of common wood but most resembling a crystalline structure. It appears more to an ornament than an actual living specimen. With the trunk showing an odd symbol. And the branches grew around like a fan. From them, strings and rhomboid crystals hanged as opposed to leaves. But, what sunlight may them, rather than its own.

“What is that and why is it here?” He shook his head. “Never mind.” he placed another sensor right beside one of the roots. Among another kind tangled around the main one. These ones were darker. With green spikes on them. He didn’t gave attention to them. “One more thing to add to the things to ask about list.” thought to himself.

Back out the cave. He noticed the sun started rising. In a matter of less than two minutes. The moon passed from hanging from the top of the sky to hide below the horizon. Soonly after the sun took its place. The process from midnight to noon went as quick ad changing clothes. He moved on.

“Do you remember the last time something like this happened?”

“Moltiz KG-9 has a day of about 5 hours. HH-10672392 was hit tangentially and stopped its spinning. The record states the surface of the planet was flattened by the immense sheer forces caused by the sudden acceleration forces.”

“We have to finish faster”

They returned the way they came and headed to the north. On their way to exit the dark forest. Fluttershy was in her cottage. She liked to get up early so she can properly distribute breakfast among all the animals she was living with. She went to feed her chickens. After she finished she went to a nearby tree. It was the bird’s turn. She whispered to their nest to wake them up. As well to a hole in the trunk to awake a woodpecker and his family.

“Hello my friend. Did you had sweet dreams tonight?” she softly spoke to her birds. The feathered chirped joyfully. She smiled as she saw them taking off. The flock flew merrily, singing joyfully as they performed a small choreography. Accompanied by fitting song. A tune Fluttershy didn’t hesitated a second to join. She found an unparalleled joy in singing. Even if her signature shy behavior didn’t allowed her to do it in public. The fauna of her home was more than sufficient for her. This holy moment was interrupted by a gigantic grey gush. Out of the shadows of the forbidden forest. It came without warning.

“Oh goodness. Is everyone ok? Birds?” she went desperate.at least until. Eventually, every bird answered her call. The head count was completed. No one was apparently hurt. Except maybe for Fluttershy. A sensation she didn’t felt since she faced the dragon that harassed her friends. She began to the culprit.

She flew off at vigorous speed giving chase at the top of her wing capacity. It took a sharp turn to the right by the side of the road. It left behind a pole with a box attached to it. Nailed firmly into the ground. she didn’t payed much attention to it and more to the next sharp turn to the left as they reached the clock tower, east to her cottage. Now heading to the north and passing over the pink tree plains. These trees were not aligned. The constant variations in course help Fluttershy close the gap. Yet not by much. Once they passed and his target left another of those poles. The sea of trees ended near the Saddle Lake. And with open grounds. Her objectives began accelerating. Gradually. The distance between the two began growing longer and longer. Despite being a large target. Specially compared to a pony. Fluttershy visuals contact didn’t last long. She was now left in the fields angry and empty hooves.

Finishing the tour at the outside of the little town. It was now time to enter it properly. They passed the hospital and the train station. Followed the tracks to the south. They eventually reached a small wooden building with a bell tower.

“What are those thinks in the backyard?” he questioned

“I believe they’re used for recreation.” a comparative image was displayed in the HUD. Along with an animation of their proper use.

“And judging by the even smaller equines. Then I can think of this place as an indoctrination center.”

“Close enough.”

Just beside it. There were apple trees. They were already there, so naturally went to the other direction. Precisely were the youngsters were heading from. Consumed by panic. Some ducked and other fled. By some kind of miracles, gracefully, none of them were harmed or even touched for that matter.

Once crossed the bridge over the stream of water. They encountered a fountain with a statue on top. Then turned left ad followed the arced street to the north. The Town of Ponyville had a general shape of three eights of a circle. The plan was to cover as much by following its circumference. Then head one street closer to the center and ride in the other direction. This was not an easy task. Opposite to the town. They were civilians. Still very few because of the early hour. Most of them immediately stepped aside when they saw the huge bulk heading at great velocity towards them. Run back to where they came from and in seek for a place to hide. One or two unfortunate ones were always effectively dodged. At the cost of a possible emotional trauma.

“Here we are. Late but here.” he said as the reached their final destination.

He stared at the town hall. The place where the righteous leader of the town resides and perform its political duties. He signaled his beast and a mighty roar was unleashed. Shaking the partially sleep town stronger than the town stampede once stopped by Applejack.

“Mayor!” he jumped down and shouted at the building. “Wake up Major!”

The ponies were still afraid yet some curiosity grew within them. As they went closer to have a better look at the situation. There is not every day that a creature such as these came to the town and start calling in the mother language.

There was a flash of light and Twilight appeared. “Zorskel? What in the name of Equestria are you doing!?” she demanded an answer.

“Ah. Greetings purple one. Can you tell your master to come here? I do need to have a word with him.”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Purple one? Master?” she tried to put herself in peace and her words in line. “First. Purple One? Really?! My name is Twilight Sparkle. Second. She is not my master. I am Princess Celestia’s apprentice and protégé. And third. Why you came steamrolling everything in your path like a mania?”

He counted his answers accordingly. “First. Understood Twilek. Second. I assumed you was his butler or something like that. Third. Worry do not. Casualties are none.”

“There y’are!” was shout from within the crowd. The accent made obvious the owner of those words.

“Applejack? Is something wrong?”

“I’ll tell you what’s wrong. Twilight,” she advanced toward him. “This dirty scoundrel did some kind of trick with me.”

“What exactly?”

“I told him if he was to stay in my farm. He’ll have to allow me to help him. Then he did some kind of thick…” she was abruptly interrupted the accused.

“Your statement is incorrect.”

“Don’t think big word will get ya out of this one.”

“He’s telling you’re lying?” Twilight interrupted. She doubt for a second. She returned to what she just said. Was his really accusing the element of honesty of lying? Afterwards. As recording was played. The conversation the two had earlier was heard among all the presents. Most astonished of all and maybe the only one surprised was Applejack, who heard her own voice coming from that source. She knew if she said anything out of place would have been revealed and will be mostly irrefutable.

“Well?” his displayed a smile to Twilight

“You just proved she was telling the truth.” before he could answer back. Another intervention made presence.

It was Fluttershy this time. Who she right next to him in order to face him for the damage done to her birds. Before she could strike a word. She came to realize the realization of her fear. In suspended animation. Fluttershy froze in midair before backing down a bit and shrugged. Trying to hide her face in her pink colored hook-shaped mane.

“Fluttershy. What happened?” Twilight was put in a drastic change of mood. Passed from mildly annoyed to deeply worried.

“Oh. Twilight,” she raised back her head as she regained her confidence. She explained the situation. “I was feeding my friends the birds.” her voice became more broke “Then he came out of the Everfree forest…” she made a pause. Looked down and made circles with her front hoof.

“Fluttershy. Please tell me what happened.” she didn’t wanted to force her but she really needed to know what happened. She must keep an eye on her to prevent an emotional surge she knew her friend was so susceptible.

“It’s ok sugar cube. You can tell us.” The farm pony helped with the consolation

“It’s just. Just… he almost ran over us.” almost enter in cry

“That’s it. No pony or whatever you are will harm my friend and get away it. Where did he go?”

While they were distracted asking for the situation. He did something useful to him within this time gap. As with ponies doesn’t have thumbs. Knobs were mostly aesthetics. And the doors were usually held in place by friction. Or maybe magic. He went in without forcing the lock. Checked his sensors and swiftly moved into a favorable position. With smooth sleek movements. Cornering and trapping of the defenseless mayor was almost fateful. He exited the front door with the mayor over his shoulder. Her efforts to free herself were more than useless. As she violently beat her legs against her abductor. Her desperate cries for help were not missing.

“Zorskel. That’s enough. First you swindled Applejack, then you almost roll over Fluttershy. And now kidnap the major. You’ve got too far.”

“Twilek. Calm down. Now will be explained”

She thought this sentence for a second. “This is your last chance.”

Applejack looked at her. Then back to the kidnapped. “First, put her down before this get ugly.” Applejack demanded.

“I know what you are thinking and no. This is not the moment.” Louve’s warning erased his smile.

“I can make her swallow her words in no time.”

“Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Do what you must. But do not break into raid. Stick to the mission!”

He slowly agreed the mayor in the floor. He kept eye contact with the two ponies as the third one was hardly seen after she screened herself. There were prepared for any sudden move. Twilight lit her horn and Applejack bought her lasso just in case she need it. He moved the pony over his shoulder. Holding her by her legs. One hand for each pair. He lowered until her back touched the ground. A dead silence floated into the air. The tension was worthy of a dramatic Manehattan play.

“Now release her.” Twilight told him slowly. He hesitated for a second before accepting her demands. Maybe something passed his mind during that split second. He rolled the pony over his shoulder and placed back first on the floor. He released his grip on her all four hooves. The mayor rolled over and succumbed to her fears by immediately fleeing the scene. Leaving a small dust cloud behind. He hid his hands under his cloak and stood up.

“There you have it. No without any more delay…”

“Twilight. I suggest we tie him up and take him to the royal guards or somethin’.” Applejack strongly suggested.

“Let his have this one” she kept her friend from attacking him. “Go ahead!”

He nodded. “People of Ponyville!” He declared to the gathered crowd. “My code name is Zorskel. I come from a faraway land beyond the stars in your night sky. We first say you in a similar way you see the stars above you with a spyglass!”

“It’s a telescope.” Twilight corrected him

“What?”

“You use a telescope to see the stars.”

“Just said for illustrative purposes.” He resumed. “We do know a certain... Event happened recently. Something of great relevance and had its epicenter. In the same soil you are standing on.”

“Discord, the spirit of chaos escaped his stone prison. He threatened to turn Ponyville in the world capital of chaos. He was defeated by us and the use of the elements of harmony.” Twilight explicated.

“Apparently it was enough to call the attention of my superiors. And apparently. It was relevant enough to force the decision. To take action.”

“Still need to hear more? Twilight, I’m tellin’ ya. He’s dangerous!”

“Sure I am.” He felt pleased. He almost said it. But Louve muted him in advance.

“So I was tasked to travel here. Meet with the figure in charge and explain the situation at hand. But since she an incompetent coward!” shouted at the direction where she was last seen. “I believe you will have to do.”

“Who told you can talk about the mayor like that!?” Applejack again objected

“Stay calm. And do not let her affect you.”

“I was also given a number of objective to fulfill. Most of them are to collect data of the zone. They will use the information to take a more thoughtful decision.”

“Decision about what?” Twilight questioned this time.

“About the future. What will the relationship with you land will be like, Do further intervention is required, Do we need a plan of action. But that does not concerns me. I am more focused of fulfilling my mission and get back to my homeland as soon as possible. And as far as I can see. I am not very welcomed here either.”

They both exchanged looks. Without saying anything. They’ve both agreed to calm down. At least for now.

“If what you are saying is true. Why you tried to kidnap our mayor?”

“To do precisely this. Explain everything. Now I have lost valuable time.”

“Oooh. What’s happening?IsthereashowIdon’tknowabout.BecauseIloveshows.Speciallywith popcorn.Ilovepopcorn…” Pinkie Pie voice was ignored by the two who had a visual confrontation.  Which by other means will be an interrogation. Applejack went to Pinkie to calm her down.

“If I let you got. What will you do next?” she asked ignoring her friend’s noise.

“I will go and continue to pick data.”

“What kind of data.”

“I have a list. As I said before. I do not know any of the reasons.”

“Ok. I’ll let you go this time,” She pointed her hoof at him. “But I warn you. If you do something. ANYTHING. Bad again. I won’t doubt to use the elements against you.”

“There are the so called elements again. I will have to figure out why are them so important. Does not it?”

“If you want to send someone to keep an eye over me the do it. A do need a local expert for assistance anyway.”

“I and my friends will do it”

He turned around to mount his beast. Who now laid asleep as Fluttershy tried to call its attention. “Denied!”

“You’re doing scientific research right? Then there nopony more prepared for the task than I.”

He grunted and mumbled fiercely. “Fine!” he kicked his creature who instantly was instantly awaken. “Go to the red building in the orange one home. I will tell you the schedule there. And bring something to take notes.” he whipped with his reins and as soon as he appeared out of nowhere as Fluttershy said. Now he was vanished. Last seen heading to the farm.

“Twilight are you sure this is a good idea, sugar cube?”

“I’m going to give him one last chance. But just in case. I’m going to tell spike to write to the Princess to send us the elements just in case we need them. All we can do is to hope we don’t need them.”

“I’ll go back to the farm to do my chores. I hope you’re right Twilight.”

“Me too Applejack. Me too.”