Friendship Amongst The Stars

The next day in Twilights castle Zackmar could not shake the feeling that somehow the monster that attacked the Crystal Empire would return. He knew more than likely more would be coming. He wondered if the Pontianians were on this planet he felt a sense of sadness. He may be stranded on a strange planet but that did not mean he was helpless. He left the castle and went to Ponyville and watched as the ponies went about their daily routines. Every pony knew about the newest visitor and most were ok with it. Some were unsure what to think he sat down on a bench near the fountain in the center of town he watched as fillies, colts and foals laughed and played. He smiled and thought about what a nice planet this was a little strange bu nice. He liked the inhabitants and he even considered them to be his friends he decided he was not going to let this planet fall. They may not have much in the way of technology but what it lacked in technology it made up for in other areas.

He decided to return to his ship once there he said “computer scan for Pontian power signatures.” The computer possessed the request and said “scan complete Pontian power signature detected 16 km to the west.”

Zackmar returned to the castle and told every pony “I detected a Pontian power signature 16 km to the west and need to check it out."

He lead them outside the castle and pointed to the west and a mountain Twilight said “we will come with you” the other 5 ponies nodded he smiled.

Spike said “is it ok if I stay behind? I promised Cold Runner I would help him with an art project.”

Twilight said “ok.”

Spike left to join his friend. The 6 ponies gathered their stuff put on their saddlebags and the 7 began their trip. Soon they arrived at their destination the mountain it was the same one a dragon had taken residence up in a year before. Looking at the mountain made Fluttershy cringe and said “are we going to have to climb that again?”

Looking at the base Applejack said “nope look there.”

At the base of the mountain there were 2 of the bipedal creatures that looked like the one that attacked the Crystal Empire. The strange thing was they looked as if they were standing in front of bare rock. That was until a vehicle came out of the mountain it was a small vehicle that hovered above the ground. The 6 ponies just stood there in astonishment.

Zackmar knew it for what it was. Zackmar said “we need to see what they are doing in there what do you have for reconnaissance here?”

Rainbow said “recono-what?”

Zackmar said “how do you gather information?”

Twilight said “maybe Celestia would know.”

The group went to the train station and traveled to Canterlot and went to see Celestia.

When they arrived Zackmar asked Celestia the same question.

She said “we never had a need to do so.”

Zackmar sighed and said “I’m sure the Pontian’s are up to something but I do not want a repeat of the incident at the Crystal Empire” he bowed “thank you for your time princess.”

On the train back to Ponyville the ponies were talking but Zackmar stared out the window felling sad.

When Fluttershy noticed his sadness she went over to him sat down next to him and asked “you feeling alright?”

Zackmar turned his head and said with a sad look in his eyes “I’m worried I’m afraid the Pontian’s will try a repeat of what they did at Crystal Empire, If I cannot see their base then I cannot see what they are doing and be prepared to deal with any threats.” Shaking his head “by the time Sandarian command arrives it may be too late.”

He closed his eyes then opened them and looked at the pegasus with an almost apologetic look. Fluttershy just smiled and nodded as if she understood Zackmar felt a sensation throughout his entire body. But what was most unusual was he could hear a faint voice. It sounded like Fluttershy but it was faint and still-small it said I have the utmost faith in you. She just smiled Zackmar nodded as to confirm the small message he received.

Fluttershy just smiled curious Zackmar asked “do you have the ability to communicate with other beings on some sort of telepathic level?”

Fluttershy said “yes I can communicate with animals I understand what they say but how did you know that?”

Zackmar said “because just a moment ago I heard you say something to me it was not verbal more like telepathy. Fascinating I believe we can use your unique abilities.”

Fluttershy asked “how?”

Zackmar said “the best place to start would be with the Malctitudes.”

Fluttershy cringed Zackmar asked “are you ok? You look as if you just saw a ghost”

Fluttershy said those big scary 2 legged creatures?”

Zackmar could see the fear in her eyes he said “those things terrify you don’t they?”

She nodded Zackmar thought for a moment and said “I have an idea. I have an invisibility belt on my ship it bends the light around the wearer rendering them invisible to those around them. I would like for you to walk or fly up to one of them and see if you can communicate with it. If you can see if you can persuade it to our side.”

She said “recruit a spy?”

He said “yes.”

Thinking for a moment she said “have you talked to Twilight about this?”

Zackmar said “not yet I just now discovered your talent if you are willing to do this I will pitch it to the others.”

She thought for a moment and said “I will be invisible right?”

Zackmar nodded she said “ok I’ll do it.”

Zackmar smiled and said “great. When we get back to the castle I will go to my ship and get my cloaking belt. You tell the others I have a plan and wish to speak to them.”

She nodded. When they returned to the castle Zackmar went to his ship to retrieve his cloaking belt and Fluttershy told the others he had a plan. When he returned to the castle the others were curious about his plan. He told then about what happened on the train and what he wanted to do. Fluttershy agreed to be part of the plan but was understandably nervous.

He asked “how close do you have to be to communicate with an animal?”

She replied “I don’t know.”

He nodded in understanding then explained how the belt worked and asked Fluttershy to step forward. He asked her to extend her wings as he put the belt around her torso with the button on top she folded her wings. He pressed the button and Fluttershy disappeared.

Spike asked “where did she go?”

Zackmar smiled she is still here right Fluttershy?”

She said “I’m here can any pony see me?”

They all said collectively “no.”

She said with a slight giggle “this is better than being a tree.”

Every pony and Spike laughed Zackmar was confused “I done get it."

Rainbow Dash said “inside joke.”

Zackmar shrugged then said “although the belt renders the wearer invisible. If they move a shimmer can be seen.” He turned and said “Fluttershy move around a little.”

She moved and they saw a shimmering silhouette. He walked over and pressed the button and Fluttershy came back into view. Zackmar just smiled.

Applejack asked “are ya sure this is safe?”

Zackmar said “yes I’m sure it is I used it once before that was how I procured the plans for the Pontian weapon and the Malctitude.” Clinching his fist “I will not let them concur this planet I like this planet is beautiful and I like all of you.” He said with a smile I even consider of you all to be my friends. I crashed and you saved my life, gave me shelter and are willing to help me now I would like to return the favor.”

The others smiled and nodded they gathered their stuff together, put on their saddlebags and traveled to the mountain where the Malctitudes were.

Zackmar said “you ready Fluttershy?”

She said nervously “those things scare me.”

Zackmar knelt down looked her in the eye with a companionate look and said “they scare me too but they won’t see you if you don’t move too much.”

She nodded he pressed the button on the belt and she faded away.

Rarity asked “what can we do if she gets into trouble?”

Zackmar pulled reached to his side and pulled out a handheld detection device. He pressed a button on the side the top split in the middle. The 2 sides moved down a screen rose up and rotated 90° then made some sounds.

Twilight asked “what’s that?”

Zackmar said this is called a scannus it’s a scanning device.”

He pressed a few buttons and smiled “I can see your friend she is 3 meters away.”

He knelt down as the others gathered around and saw a small dot moving across the screen then it read 3m, 4m, 5m. She soon came to the creature standing guard it looked in her direction as if it could see her. She froze and she could hear a voice it was cold and callas say I know you’re there go away she tried to speak to it on a telepathic level. The creature leered in her direction and cringed its eyes and growled she backed up and retreated. When she returned to the group Zackmar deactivated the belt and removed it Fluttershy sat down on her haunches.

Zackmar asked what did it say?”

She looked up at him and said “you don’t want to know. Based on the brief communication I had they act on mostly instinct they only do what they are told to do.”

Zackmar said “thank you for the information I know it could not have been easy.”

Fluttershy shook her head “those creatures scare me.”

Zackmar said “I know they scare everyone.” Then with a smile said “I think that’s their special talent” the 6 ponies laughed.

Pinkie said “I wonder what their cutie marks would look like.”

Zackmar Draped the belt over his shoulder and sighed. On the way back to the castle Applejack said “why don’t ya just wear that belt and go inside yerself?”

Zackmar said “the power pack of this device is limited and I could get lost inside and if I get caught. I shudder to think of what they would do to me. Probably send me to Pontus to fight in the gladiatorial arena against one of those monsters or something even worse.”

Rainbow said “there are worse?”

Zackmar said “oh yes there are far worse creatures than the Malctitudes like the Blatomar a huge beast with 6 legs sprawled to the side it weighs 226 kg. Its skin is t brown with folds all over its body it stands 32.3 cm off the ground. It is 2.5 meters across and 3.4 meters long. With rows of sharp teeth and upper and lower saber fangs it has 3 eyes with a dull orange glow to them its feet are 3 toed paws with 8.2 cm claws. He shook his head “not many have seen them and lived to tell about it.”

As they entered the castle they went to the throne room.

Zackmar just sat on the floor he looked at the map that surrounded the 6 thrones he asked “is this a map of Equestria?”

Pinkie said “yup pretty neat huh?”

He smiled and looked at the map he could see Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. He thought of how amusing it would be to place a large scale model of a bipedal creature stomping all over the smaller scale he chuckled at the idea.

Just then Spike coughed up a scroll he said “this is unusual we haven’t used scrolls in months.”

Twilight asked “why would Celestia send me a scroll?”

As she unfurled it it read my dearest Twilight I require you your friends and the visitor at Canterlot castle as soon as you can arrive. I will explain when you do signed Celestia she read this out load to the others. When she was finished she said “looks like we’re going to Canterlot. As the 6 packed up their stuff to travel on the train ride Zackmar had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He could not explain it but something told him that something bad was happening.

Rarity noticed his distraction as she came over to him and sat down beside him. He looked over and said “hi Rarity”

Rarity said “you seem distracted.”

Zackmar said “have you ever had a sense like there is something bad about to happen?” Rarity said “oh yes darling I have those when a fashion show is going to go poorly or a design is not right.”

She looked at him and asked “is that what you’re feeling?”

Zackmar nodded after Spike received the scroll and mentioned it was an antiquated means of communication. I had a strange feeling it may be nothing but my species is slightly physic. We take such feeling seriously.”

Rarity said “like the Pinky sense?”

Zackmar said “the what?”

Rarity said “Pinkly can explain it better than I can” turning her head she said “Pinkie can you come over here for a moment please?”

Pinkie bounced over and said “yes Rarity?”

She said “can you explain the Pinkie sense to Zackmar?”

Pinkie said “of course” and explained the Pinkie sense.

Zackmar said “that is very similar to the sense my species has.”

Pinkie smiled and said with a giggle “you have the Zackie sense.”

Zackmar chuckled and said “I have never heard it called that before."

Pinkie just grinned. As the train came into Canterlot the place seemed to be on edge there were guards stationed on every conner. When they went to see Celestia she was sitting on her throne she had a strange look on her face. A voice snapped her out of her daze “princess.”

Celestia blinked and said “Twilight friends you all made it.”

Twilight asked “why did you send a scroll I thought you did not use that means on communication anymore?” Celestia said “no but I had to get you here as soon as possible.”

Twilight asked “what’s wrong?”

Celestia said “I just saw something horrible pointing to a small box nearby “that arrived today. Press the top to activate it.”

Twilight levitated it and brought it over to her the others gathered around there was a face inside a circle on the top. It looked like a head it had 4 red eyes with black sits for pupils.

Zackmar said “that’s a Pontian message box.”

Twilight pressed the circle and the top of the box lite up. A light emanated from the box and a being appeared it was bipedal it had reddish skin, 4 arms a harness on its chest with a symbol and a text that resembled an ancient form of writing. Its head looked like the marking on the box.

Then the being began to speak. “Greetings this is a message to the leader of this land or planet my name is Kalios leader of the Pontian Empire. I am going to make this simple either you surrender yourself as leader and pledge your allegiance to me. It you do not I will send this across your land.”

He stepped aside and showed a creature it stood 2 meters tall it had 2 horns on the its forehead that extended 25 cm curving back over the top of head. The eyes were yellow it had a small snout. Its arms were on its torso and it had 3 fingers with claws and wings that came to a point near the bottom of its torso.

He said “behold the new Malctitude this creature can fly and and can breathe fire. I give you 3 of your solar cycles to decide. The hologram faded away.

They all just stood there all Zackmar could say was “someone’s been busy.”

Applejack said “it looks kinda like a dragon.”

Celestia asked “do you know where they are?

Twilight said “we think they have a base outside Ponyville. But they are inside the mountain that dragon tried to nap I that one time.”

Celestia thought for a moment and said with a sigh “the monsters seem to be immune to conventional magic. So that leaves the elements of harmony. Take and use them to turn them to stone much like what happened with Discord. Once we contain them in a cell or a dungeon we can release them.”

Her face took on a stern look “I will not surrender my kingdom not now not ever.” She then turned to a royal guard “summon Shining Armor” the guard saluted and left. Turning to the group she said “we must prepare.”

Zackmar said “I will try to get some items from my ship I left my weapon at Twilights castle.”

Celestia said “I will speak to Luna and will see you all in 3 days.”

As the group left Canterlot on the train they were considering their options none of them were sure how to hit a moving target with the elements.

Twilight said “first we should deal with the base outside Ponyville.”

Once they returned to the castle the gathered the elements of harmony and headed towards the base inside the mountain. The 2 Malctitudes standing guard were still there Twilight said “ready?”

They all nodded Zackmar watched as the 6 ponies focused as the gems inside their necklaces began to glow. A rainbow began to encircle then each of them as they levitated into the air as the 6 rainbows converged forming a double helix. The double helix rainbow shot out from their position and went towards the mountain and soon enveloped the base and swirled around. As the rainbow subsided the 6 ponies came back to the ground. The hologram that hid the entrance flickered out and a huge hole could be seen. The 2 Malctitudes that were guarding the base were turned to stone.

Zackmar asked “is it safe to enter?”

They all nodded as the group entered the cavern it was dark inside. Zackmar said “do any of you have a lamp?” I forgot my light source.”

Rainbow Dash said “be right back.”

She was gone in a rainbow blur and moments later returned with a lantern. She turned a knob and the lamp illuminated as they entered the room it was large there were computer consoles on both walls. The lights above were embedded into the celling but the bubs were all either blown out or inoperable. As they walked along they found the base was empty. There were sparking computer consoles the entire facility looks as if it had been abandoned. They walked inside hoping to find a clue as to where they may have gone but found nothing. They traveled 30 meters into the cavern before reaching the end slightly frustrated they left the cavern and went back to the castle.