Chapter 6: Antlers of the Elk

“But I swear I saw a gunship of some kind dropping into N-space...”

Samus’ log: Celestial Year 1212, June 14

Interference.

What would you do if a sentient race is dying, and you had the ability to save it? This is a question most people ask when a less advanced race is in danger. Some will try to let them die, let nature take it’s course. Others will counter that all life is precious, so save them.

The answer depends on the ideals and culture of a person. I personally go out of my way to help other races, no matter how advanced they are, because I have the power and the will.

Samus’ eyes opened as she felt herself on a white bed. She looked around as her vision cleared, seeing a couple of monitors on her side. She looked down and noticed her side had been bandaged. She then raised her eyebrow when she saw an odd tattoo on her flank. It was an S shaped lightning bolt in front of an orb,”A butt tattoo?” She looked on both of her flanks,”On both sides? Where did these come from?” She then looked around and noticed her armor was set up on the side, while her Zero Suit was laid out on a table. Samus grunted as she got up and looked around. Her ear twitched as she could hear a muffled sound from beyond the clinic’s door. She winced a little as she moved her body towards her Zero Suit and picked it up. The suit felt limp in her hooves as she chuckled to herself,’Chozo technology never fails. When I wear it, it feels like so much power is coursing through it, giving me warmth when I need it, but now that I’m out of it, it might as well be clothing.’ She unzipped the suit and went inside. As she did so, she felt a warmth course through her body. She turned to the armor and moved to put it on. She turned to the door, where the muffled talking stopped. The door swung open to a pony wearing a doctor’s outfit,

“Up already? You either heal fast, or you are too stubborn to stay in bed.” The doctor said with a chuckle.

“A little bit of both,” Samus said as she walked up to the doorway.

“Hold on there, let me check you,” The doctor said, trotting up to Samus and began to tap his hoof on her body for a bit,”Hmm, everything checks out, you’re free to go. Your friends are waiting outside.

Samus nodded as she walked out of the room. Outside, she found Sunny playing with Puppysmiles while Reggie spoke with a now moving Steelhooves. Puppy looked up from her plush Pinkie toy and smiled,”Sissy!” She ran over and gave the bounty hunter a hug.

Sunny raised an eyebrow at Samus,”... You just lost a lot of blood a couple of hours ago, how are you up right now?”

“Guess I’m that strong.” She looked at Steelhooves,”They fix you up?”

Steelhooves nodded,”By the way, someone is waiting for you in your hotel room.”

“Someone?” Samus asked.

“It’s a weird deer thing.” Reggie said,”I don’t know what she is.”

“You mean the Elk.” Samus stopped herself,”Aw crap.” She trotted down to a hotel room, and calmly opened the door to see the elk sitting near a double bed. She closed the door behind her as she spoke,”Let me guess, you know of my origins.”

The elk turned to Samus,”Why have you entered this planet?” She got up and walked towards Samus,”I detected your warp signature, how did you manage to get pass me? I was orbiting the planet, you should have been detected by my ship’s sensors.”

Samus sighed,”This is going to take a lot of explaining...” She looked at the elk,”I actually came in from an alternate universe to find a group of girls. I crash landed here, and now I’m trying to help these ponies because they’re being terrorized by two god-like beings. I’m also helping a small child find her mother.”

The elk had a neutral expression on her face, before looking out the window,”I must admit, I did not expect there to be life on this planet, or at least life that was... sane. I can see why you feel obligated to help, if that is your intention.” She turned and grabbed Samus’ face with her cloven hooves. The elk’s eyes glowed for a minute,”... You do not seem to have any malicious intent.” She pulled her hooves away.

“What the hell!?” Samus shook her head,”Don’t enter my head without permission!” She stomped her hoof, and pulled her gun out.

“I apologize, I wanted to make sure you were telling the truth.” The creature turned away,”I was given the duty to watch over this planet to prevent invaders from entering. I have failed. In order to make up for my mistake, I will accompany you.” she turned back to Samus,”I am Avarok D’Vok.” She bowed,”I am under your command.”

Samus blinked,”You’re also doing this to make sure I don’t go rogue as well, aren’t ya?”

“That is also correct.” Avarok said, before hearing the door opened.

“Okay, aliens, alternate universes, this world is getting weirder than ever!” Reggie said, before looking at Avarok,”Welcome to the team.” She held out her claw.

Avarok ignored the gesture and looked up at Reggie with a neutral expression,”You eavesdropped.”

Reggie frowned,”Nice personality, this one. Yeah, we kinda did.” She said as Sunny and Puppy came into view. Puppysmiles ran up to the elk and hopped for joy.

“Yay, we got a new friend!” She hugged her new friend’s leg.

“I assume you’ve acquainted yourself with the rest of the group while I was conked out?” Samus said, turning her head at Avarok.

Avarok nodded,”I must say, Sunny is the kind of pony I did not expect to see with someone like you.”

“Speaking of ponies, there’s this mare that wants to have a word with you..” Reggie said, motioning her head to the door.

Samus turned to Reggie,”Who?”

A grey-coated blue maned unicorn appeared in the door frame,”That would be me,” the mare looked at the group, noticing that Samus towered over Sunny, who was roughly a normal mare’s height, and Reggie, who was as tall as a normal griffon,”Sweet Celestia, they didn’t tell me how tall you were!”

Samus chuckled as she went near the mare,”I get that a lot. And you are?” She blinked as the mare composed herself.

The mare cleared her throat,”My name is Homage. My boss, DJPON-3, heard of your feat, and wants to interview you!” She said with a smile.

Samus put a hoof to her chin,”Well, I don’t normally do that, but the people on this planet need something to give them hope. I’ll do it.” she laid her hoof down with a nod.

“Oh, well, it was wor-” Homage sighed, before looking up in surprise,”You agree!?”

Samus cocked her head,”Yes.” She drew out the word in confusion.

“It’s just that...” Homage frowned,”Most of you wasteland heroes say no, and it’s really disappointing sometimes...”
Puppysmiles then ran up to Homage,”Oh, can I come with Sissy?!” she hopped up and down.

Homage chuckled,”Sure, come on.” Homage motioned her head towards the door for Samus to follow. Puppy hopped on Samus’ back as she walked out of the room.

Reggie looked at Avarok,”Alright, so what were you doing up there, spying on us?”

Avarok walked towards the door,”That is classified...”

Samus looked around the area as Homage led her into the elevator. She watched as several ponies milled around a single bar, while a merchant sold off a weapon to a pegasus to her right. In a nearby shop, a mare was yelling about the prices of an apparel shop.

“So, can we trust you to at least stay?” Homage suddenly asked.

Samus turned to her with a look of surprise,”What do you mean?”

“Most heroes seem promising, but then the Wasteland either takes them, or they disappear, like the Shadow.” Homage said with a frown.

“The Shadow?” Samus asked.

“A mare who fought without killing. She defeated the Twelve Constellations, including Sol. There is one rumor in Fillydelphia of a pony who fights the oppressive slavers. There was also a merchant from 60 years ago, but he died mysteriously on a mountain top.” Homage sighed,”I just wonder how long you will last.”

Samus smirked,”I plan on staying until I beat those gods.”

Homage chuckled as she pressed the button,”Really? We’ll see.” She entered the elevator with Samus. She noticed Samus’ look of disappointment as the larger mare stood next to her,”Are you okay?”

Samus frowned as she thought ’More elevators....”

Samus leaned back as she waited for her elevator to go to Norfair. She yawned,”Bored! I wish I brought my IPod 3000!” She growled.

Samus growled, her IPod had been destroyed in a fight. The only thing keeping her mind steady as she rode the elevator to the Phazon Mines was,”I really want some pirates dead, and then I’ll steal their IPods!”

Samus frowned as she rode the elevator down to Gorea’s lair,”You know what the worst part is?”

Sylux looked at her,”What?”

“None of you brought your stereos!” Samus yelled.

Spire raised his arm,”I can sing!”

Samus slammed her helm to her palm,”I don’t have my music. There’s only one creature to blame.” She growled as she rode the elevator in the Pirate Homeworld,”Ridley. He has to be behind this!”

At this point, Samus’ eye began to twitch. The elevator to Tourian had been silent, for Ridley used an EMP to destroy her IPod, the fiend. “Oh, Mother Brain is going to be in for a surprise when I find her...” She growled.

Samus growled, “Just fine.”

Homage raised an eyebrow,”Okay...” She said as the doors opened,”You’ll have to go in this room here, the DJ doesn’t like to show his face much.”

Samus nodded as she carried Puppy into the room. She looked at the shaded window, noticing that it was too dark to really see anypony. She looked at the microphone in front of her as a voice came from the speaker.

“Good evening, wastelanders! It’s good to be able to speak with you with my wonderful once again! That’s right, the God’s shield has been taken down, but don’t think that meant we bowed to his will, oh no, his alicorn was defeated by a hero, our very own Huntress! And I just so happen to have her here with me right now!

Please introduce yourself for us!”

Samus’ ear twitched. There was something unnatural about that voice. She had been a bounty hunter for many years, and has fought many mob bosses who used voice changing technology. She had battled enough to know what the difference is between someone’s natural voice, and a voice that’s been modified,”Hello, my name is Samus Aran,” She wanted to say that this was her favorite place in the wasteland, but wanted to save that for later.

“Samus, what made you decide to save our tower?” the DJ asked.

“Well, in reality, the alicorn was keeping me from helping a friend. Saving you all was a nice bonus after what he told me that God wanted.” Samus said.

“Oh, so all this guy did was get in your way? Wow, now I know not to piss you off! So, what are you planning now?”

“Well, first I’m helping this friend go back to his rangers, then I’m helping this little filly find her Mom, and finally I’m going after God and Goddess.” Samus said with a smile.

“Whoa, ambitious aren’t ya? Is there reason why you’re doing it? I heard rumors that you are not of this world...”

“That’s true. I came down here after my ship crashed. The reason I’m doing it?” Samus shrugged,”I don’t like how this world is, and I want to fix it.”

“So, you’re just doing it because God and Goddess are bad people?”

“Exactly.” Samus said with a smile.

The DJ gave a small chuckle,”So, you’re just a pony, who came here to hunt for God and Goddess’ head? Maybe that’s what you are, a Huntress. Anything else you’d like to say before we sign off?”

“God, Goddess” Samus eye’s narrowed,”I’m coming for you! Don’t you dare try to touch this tower or anyone else, got it!? Or you’ll answer to me!”

“And there you have it folks! Somepony who’s pretty much saying ‘Fuck you’ to two deities! And she’s on our side! Thank you Huntress, I’ve got my eye on you. Now, some music!”

Samus got out of the room, where Homage was waiting,”The DJ wanted me to give you these,” She handed Samus a statuette and a small blaster,”Since you’re an alien, we figured you might be able to figure out what this weapon is. And I think you’ll need this.”

Samus took the statuette, and looked at it. It was of a pink pony with a wide grin and a poofy pink mane. She looked at the inscription,’Awareness, it was under ‘E!’ She then felt her senses flare up for a moment, allowing her to hear muffled noises from the lower levels. She put the statuette in her saddlebags and then took the blaster,”I’ll see what I can find out.” Samus said with a nod.

Homage frowned,”One more thing: I was hoping that you could solve a problem. I mentioned Fillydelphia, before, that place,” Homage gave a growl,”That’s full of slavers who work for God. I’m not quite sure what they do with their slaves, but I’ve heard stories...” Homage sighed,” The city has been blacked out for a while, and we need to know what’s happened.”

“Fill ee del fe a?” Puppysmiles gasped,”That’s where Mommy is!”

Samus frowned, her mind processing the information, ‘Fillydelphia was home to slavers? In that case, if her mom is in there, then there are two possibilities:She's a slave, and I'll have to free her. She's a slaver, and I'd have to convince her to quit or... I'd have to kill her and tell Puppy that she was dead a long time ago; that would not be easy. However, apparently there is no communication with that city, according to Homage. This confirms something: The DJ(It could be a she. With his voice changer, she could be hiding it. For the sake of argument, I'll use 'they') has a spy network. I don't know what exactly they use to see, but apparently they can see most of what's going on in the wastes. If they can't see what's happening in one city, then that city's gone. Possibly destroyed and Puppy's mom? Dead.’ Samus sighed as she looked at Puppysmiles' face, then back to Homage,"I will head there as soon as I can." She said with a smile.

Homage winked as Samus turned and went back in the elevator. She looked at Puppy,”You know, I would like to have a bite of her pie...” She giggled as Puppy walked into the elevator with a confused look on her face.

The elevator doors opened,”Samus, would you make pie for Homage? She said that she would eat your pie until you couldn’t move any more!” Puppy said with a grin.

Sunny stared at them with her wings flared, Reggie began to cover her beak with her talon to keep from giggling and Avarok could only raise an eyebrow.

Samus’ eyes widened as a blush came to her face,’No, I’m not into mares, or ponies for that matter!’ she coughed,”Yes, I’ll make her Granny Aran’s Maple Pie! It’s quite delicious! As soon as I get my ship back, you’ll all have some!” Samus thought,’Mmm, Granny’s pie always made me feel better.’

Reggie walked up to Samus and placed a claw on her shoulder,”Good save. Although I wouldn’t mind of piece of that ‘pie’ myself!” She said with a laugh, causing Samus to glare at her.

A coughing sound emanated from Steelhooves as he walked towards their direction,”If you are done joking around, we should head to Friendship City.”

Samus coughed,”Yes, but first I need to grab some supplies.” she said, walking down the hall and towards a stand that had several weapons, including a missile launcher battle saddle.

The stallion at the counter cleaned his gun as Samus walked up,”See anything ya like, miss?” The stallion looked up at Samus.

Samus began to caress the missile launcher,” I like the looks of this thing...”

The stallion chuckled,”It’s yours if ya want it. You did save our tower after all.”

With a squeal, Samus took the battle saddle and carried it off.

The group carried on through the desolate city, passing over the destroyed debris towards the large statue that was the home of Friendship City. They could see three armored ponies waiting at the gates. One of them looked up at Steelhooves as he approached,”S-Star Paladin!” He saluted,”We thought you were-”

Steelhooves cut him off,”Where is Strawberry Tart,” He growled. His body became dangerously close to the stallion in armor.

The stallion backed up a bit,”Well, er, she’s been called back to Stable 27 by Elder Cottage Cheese.”

‘Cottage Cheese, Strawberry Tart, what is up with Steel Ranger names? Are they all supposed to be canned food products or something?’ Samus thought in her mind.

Steelhooves growled,”You are not to bother these ponies anymore, and then you are to lead me to him, understood!?” for emphasis, he grabbed the ranger’s collar and shook him.

“Yes!” The ranger squeaked. When Steelhooves let go, the ranger shakily motioned for his comrades to lead Steelhooves to the stable.

Steelhooves walked to the rangers, and turned his head to the group of five behind him, noticing that Samus was heading towards him with Reggie flying above her,”I got a bone to pick with the great leader myself.” Samus said.

Sunny gasped as she saw Puppy running to them,”Is this really necessary?” She asked, looking at Avarok.

“You are afraid for them? I can understand.” She looked at Samus,”They must be out for vengeance, it is a... ignoble cause.” She said,”But I understand it.” Avarok followed them.

Sunny gulped,”This isn’t goin’ to end well.” She flew up in the air and followed them.

As the group walked along the grey, dusty wastes, Samus had trotted beside Avarok, while Reggie flew up to Steelhooves as he followed the three rangers.

“I’ve noticed something.” Steelhooves said,”You’re worried about the filly, aren’t you.” His head turned to Reggie,”You know what she is. You must tell them.”

Reggie sighed and looked down,”She... I just don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want them to know, I don’t know how they’ll handle it.”

“If you don’t, there’ll be consequences.” Steelhooves said, stopping as another Steel Ranger came into view.”Lead me to Cottage Cheese.”

Strawberry gasped,”Steelhooves? He’s in the main computer room, sir, but I don’t think he’ll let you see-” She gasped as Steelhooves and Samus ran into the Stable,”Wait!”

Avarok calmly walked to her as Reggie and Sunny followed them,”Why is he in the computer room?”

Strawberry stepped back in shock,”What the Fu-” She shook her head,”He’s uploaded himself into the Crusader Mainframe. He’s got control of the defense systems, I don’t think-”

“I will handle it.” Avarok said simply, before walking passed her.

Steelhooves stomped through the area, his eyes searching for the mainframe, when he felt a bullet at his hooves,”Stop right there, former Star Paladin.” a Steel Ranger stood in his way,”You are not to pass.”

“Son, do you really want to do this?” Steelhooves asked.

“Yeah,” The ranger got his battle saddle ready, only for a missile to strike him.

“Figures we’d come across some resistance.” Samus trotted to Steelhooves’ side,”Let’s go find more.”

Avarok calmly trotted through the halls, her eyes scanning for any sign of Samus and Steelhooves, other than the trail of bodies and scorch marks. Her eyes then caught sight of a single helmetless Steel Ranger stallion guarding the door. She quietly walked up to him,”Excuse me.”

The ranger gasped,”Intru-” He was interrupted when Avarok hit him in the neck with her hoof, knocking him out.

“You could’ve been more stealthy.” Reggie flew behind her, frowning.

“I was being polite.” She opened the door to see a supercomputer, with a stallion in a wheelchair in front of it with a strange device on his head.

Reggie rolled her eyes as she slammed the door behind them,”Polite, geez!” She turned and saw the supercomputer,”Whoa.”

Avarok went over to the computer,”You have input your mind into this. I can still enter it.”

“Excuse me?” Reggie asked before Avarok put her hooves on the machine, and her eyes began to glow.

Avarok looked around the steel void. Around her were various machines and suits of powered armor. In front of her, a yellow stallion tinkered with a gun,”How did you get into my head?”

“My powers allow me to enter minds.” Avarok said simply.

“What are you?” The Stallion demanded.

“What I am may not matter. What does matter is why you uploaded yourself to this computer?” Avarok stepped forward.

Cottage Cheese scoffed,”You’ve seen my body. It’s old, feeble, weak. I should not have it! So I decided to become immortal!”

Avarok took another step closer,”Why do you massacre stable ponies?”

“Because they are usually in the way. We need tech-” Cheese felt Avarok run up and lift him up by the throat.

“You are a murderer.” Avarok said simply,”You do not justify that.”

“But I didn’t fire on them!” Cheese argued, trying to catch his breath..

“You might as well have.” Avarok said. Her face an expressionless mask as she struck his legs.

“Ah, what are you doing!?” Cheese screamed.

“I’m removing your legs.” Avarok said. She looked up at him,”Your ears.” She struck his ears,”Your voice.” She struck his throat, rendering him mute,”Now, you will only be able to watch, and watch, and never be able to interact with the world. You wanted immortality? Than you will have it.” Avarok dropped him as the world around them faded.

Avarok took her hooves off of the super-computer. Reggie looked at her with a raised eyebrow,”What did you do? You put your hooves on it, and then he screamed.”

“I stopped him for good.” Avarok said simply, turning to Reggie,”There is an intercom on the table to your right. You may inform them of Cottage;s defeat.”

Reggie cocked her head,”You are a weird one...” She shook her head as she went over and picked up the intercom,”Hey, if any of you steel yahoos are listening, your boss is dead! Yeah, that’s right, we kicked his ass all the way to Sunday!”

A Steel Ranger burst through the door,”That’s impossible!” He said immediately. He looked at the computer, and back at Avarok. He went over, and tapped it a few times,”Holy cow, ya’ll are right! Dang, Ah was gonna get a promotion from him!” He muttered, before turning and leaving the room,”Hey ya’ll, we done gone and lost!”

Samus pulled her head out from cover along with Sunny and Puppy,”What?”

Steelhooves pulled out from the opposite end,”That means you’ve lost. Control is handed to me now.” He walked to the stallion in front of the computer room,”Do you have a problem with that?”

“Will you give me a promotion?” The stallion asked.

Steelhooves sighed,”Yes.”

“Alrighty then!” The stallion took off his helmet and ran off to inform his comrades of their defeat.

Footnote: Level Up!

New Perk: Unavailable

Companion Perk Added: Calm Mind: Avarok’s mind powers have given you a sense of wonder and fill you with a certain... serenity. You now gain a +1 bonus to Intelligence checks and have special dialogue options when talking to NPCs..

Author's Note

Finally got a new chapter out. Sorry for the wait, had some... issues with family. Things should be better now.

This might be the last time we'll see a 4,000 word chapter, the next one's kind of a doozy.

Yes, the Elk are based slightly off of Vulcans from Star Trek. Later on, I'll be adding a bit of Babylon 5's Minbari to the mix as well.

Avarok came as a need for Samus to have someone to talk to on a cosmic level. Someone she can relate to in terms of space related things. Avarok is simultaneously my least and most favorite character to write for, mainly due to the fact that she's so controlled over her emotions. I do not envy Star Trek writers when they get their hands on Spock, believe you me. But she will provide a bit of extra universe building in the future which makes me glad to have her around.

Thanks to Alchemystudent as usual

Any feedback is appreciated.