Edge of Timeby MonanniverseChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1Equestria was splattered against a canvas of blue, splotches of darker tones highlighted the varying landscapes dabbled across its vast expanses, like a treasure map drawn by a young filly etched into the stump of a mighty tree. It spun peacefully in the sea of stars, a single grain in the Dunes of Saddle Arabia. A breathtaking sight, more so because of the silence which enveloped the sphere. All of the conflicts, monstrous creatures, and the blinding commotion of noise reduced to a singular state – silence. A deafening stillness that painfully brought Fluttershy back to the space station she currently inhabited. She pressed a hoof against the glass pane as if she was reaching out to a life she once lived not so long ago. Compared to everything she had known before, the space ship was an engineering marvel – the latest technology at the hooves of ponies crammed into a sturdy vessel for which to sail the boundless oceans of space. Yet, unlike a Galleon, everything about it felt hollow to her. Like a husk or a shell of some large beast whom she resided in only to shelter from the storm. It just wasn’t home. Maybe it was the struggle of working up the Bits to purchase all of her intricate furniture, most of them hoofcrafted, to decorate her space; maybe it was the soft humming of the tree at night when she was snuggled tightly in her bed caused by the wind singing her a melody; maybe it was her animal friends that she left behind to make this voyage. “But that’s silly,”Fluttershy thought to herself, “I have friends here.” Her sight rested on the groggy Twilight Sparkle making her way over to her. Like herself, Twilight was clothed in a tight-fitting grey suit woven together using nylon patches and interlaced with a little bit of unicorn magic, it would keep the user warm even in extreme conditions – although its fashion statement did not go unremarked by a certain unicorn in the crew. “Good morning Fluttershy, you’re certainly up early,” Twilight said before heaving a yawn and eyeing the watch attached to her right hoof Turning her attention to the planet nestling below them, Twilight stared at the diamond jewel shimmering in its case of darkness. A smile crept up on face. “I can see why you do though, it’s a gor-“ Fluttershy’s expression had betrayed her. The sullen eyes and the look of a fatigued soldier walking home from a lost war. A hoof rested on Fluttershy’s shoulders. “We’ll be home soon, the wave is about to hit in a few hours and then we can all make our way home,” Twilight cheered before adding “Together.” The phenomenon was first sighted years ago; or prior to that, identified by intense spikes in recorded energy signatures. The scientific community of Equestria was abuzz with discussions on the origin and formation of the wave of energy shooting at them, and on the effects may have on Equestria’s electronics and even its weather or climate. Projects were quickly drawn up in an attempt to understand this cosmic sickle coming towards them. One of the most promising projects was that of Twilight Sparkle’s – a prodigy under the mentorship of the Princess herself – to meet the energy wave before it comes closer to Equestria or its space station on the Moon. Not only would she be able to identify and study the energy wave before it reaches everyone else but it would also act as a safeguard incase the wave is destructive and would give everyone else a chance to mount a defense. It was a risky venture, potentially endangering her and the other crew members who will assist her. A heated debated between Princess Celestia and Twilight was not abated but by the end the project was funded and Twilight the movement. Plans were drawn on creating a craft to fit the existing hardware onto as well as launching the space craft into orbit. Aerospace engineering had never been accomplished before and a multitudes of plans were scrapped, to the dismay of the ‘dorks’ – as Rainbow Dash colorfully labeled. Most of the initial mock-ups went up in flames, struggling to hold themselves together under the intense forces subjected to them with Twilight’s help. Variations of the same designs were tested and retested, each nuance giving small glimmers of hope as progressed seemingly marched forward but was stamped out as flaws emerged – the shape couldn’t withstand heat of reentry, the shape made it impossible to adjust one’s tilt effectively, the space available wasn’t enough to fit the bulky hardware. Problems queued up and demanded solutions only to be returned with a void of replies. Everyone was stumped; many claimed that the prospect was impossible. That was until one of the engineers had suggested detachable modules. A match had been struck and the ensuing blaze of innovations and ideas came at a blitz pace. Energy supply concerns were rendered mute as each section had its own energy supply, weight and balancing issues were easily fixed within the hour, and reentry was much more manageable with smaller pieces. Crystals, gathered from the Artic Empire to the north of Equestria, was chosen as the material to form the bulk. Its sturdiness when taken with its light nature made it an incredibly attractive choice. On top of this, it had an inherent store of energy that could be used to provide a power source for the intricate machinery required. Within months, a working model was manufactured. Each section were locked together using part of the energy reserves’ magic - easily disengaged with a focused spell on its locking mechanisms. Years of hard work had led them to this moment, to be in a space ship never conceived before now. They were hours away from the storm colliding with them. Hours away from finally answering the burning questions of what this thing was. “Come of ‘Shy, let’s go get breakfast.” **** The chairs were uncomfortable, padded with thick foam that gave no yield to the ponies who sat on them. Like the rest of the furniture in the living quarters, it was painted a sterile white and had that same Cubism appeal that had once been all the rage in Manehatten many seasons ago. A rectangular box lay splayed out at the table’s center, crested by an indigo ring. Its content filled halfway with corn cereal, the rest nestled in plastic bowls that left a stale after taste. Flanking this were opened packets of dehydrated food – sweet memories of a life they had all left behind a month ago – and a cylinder of cold milk. Pinkie Pie scrunched her nose as she took another mouthful of the meal. Even after her prolonged stay onboard the ship, each meal still left her unsatisfied. Back on the ground, she would awaken with a large grin across her features as she hopped and skipped downstairs and her day would be spent baking. Delicacies that stretched and twirled with circus tier spectacles would pop out of the oven to a satisfying ‘ding’. The meals onboard the ship was…nourishing, Pinkie concluded after a week of forcing them down. So, instead, she shifted the majority of her attention to her friends. It had become harder with time as their individual responsibilities stacked upon one another and with this rise came the weakening of their bonds. Among the clattering of knives and forks, “What will you be doing once this is all over?” piped Rainbow Dash who eyed Applejack. “Well, ah suppose ah’ll be back on the farm workin. Business has been good so far and ah think that we’ll have enough bits to open a new farm, maybe ah’ll lead it, maybe-“ A groan came from across the table, “You always talk about the farm, AJ dear, but what happens after all that apple bucking? Surely you would want to settle down with a nice stallion and have a few foals at some point. What’ll happen once you get too old for farm work?” Rarity asked; her eyes hazy as she envisioned a life that never was. She had certainly tried her hardest to procure the stallion of her dreams. Applejack huffed. The two of them were more alike than either of them would like to admit. Applejack had inherited the farm after her grandmother – Granny Smith – had passed away. In her last few years, the old mare mainly sat in her rocking chair, idly swinging to and fro like the arms of a great clock as she counted down the last seconds of her life. All clocks break eventually and Granny Smith passed away in her bed. It was a gloomy day when Applejack knocked on the bedroom door only to be met with stilled air. At her brother’s spurs, Applejack chose to bear the onus of continuing the ranch. Big Macintosh, a hulking stallion with fur as red as a ripe apple, was not a leader, far from it. His imposing form disguised a humble demeanor, which rarely spoke unless spoken too. He followed every command to the dot and was pleased with himself after a day’s work. No ambition, no desire for anything more than what had been given to him already, the Earth pony was the paramount of a work horse. And so, the farm was grafted onto Applejack. A part of her had died when she took the quill in her mouth and signed the legal papers. Growing within ever since Twilight’s coronation was the desire for novelty; all her life, she had remained stuck to her family’s inheritance. She wanted out of Ponyville. Rarity had built herself up a quaint chain of fashion store peppered across Equestria – her designs became ubiquitous all over from the high aristocracy of Canterlot to the winter lines required in the Crystal Kingdoms north of Equestria. Petite discussions among the wealthy might even elude one to the potential of seeing the brand explore the Republic of Gryphonia to the west. Everything had started off small, it was nothing more than a hobby of hers, stitching together designs of her own imagination. Her father and mother played along, purchasing bolts of fabric for the young fashionista when they had the money – they were not rich nor of any remarkable social standing. They were farmers who grew garlic to the east of Equestria and they had hoped that Rarity would grow out of fashion and into the shoes of a farmer. Money grew tight once Rarity’s sister was born and the couple stopped supporting her sister, hoping that the lack of resources would stymie her outlets and direct her energy elsewhere. Education in Manehatten was out of the question for the family’s income range. Discussions were had over whether or not Rarity would be homeschooled; her father was resolute in giving his daughter an education that was denied to him and took on odd jobs to raise the funds. Rarity was sent to live in Ponyville with a distant relative whom she knew nothing about and studied in Ponyville’s public school. “If a stallion pops by and tries to lay one in me, I’ll give him a taste of these” she gestured to her hind legs followed by soft chuckles across the table. “Y’all are barking up the wrong tree, Rare.” Light chatter followed, Rarity and Applejack were the only two members remaining with their fates still dangling in the air. Rainbow Dash had worked her way to the rank of second Lieutenant after joining the Wonderbolt – Equestria’s air force. The invitation to a place in the Wonderbolt training program had arrived in her mailbox after years of self-motivated training and, when any opportunities arose, a showing of her skills in a mad display of stunts. A feeling of pure bliss welled up inside of her that day; ever since her father had taken her to those Wonderbolt shows as a young filly, Rainbow knew exactly wanted she wanted to do with her life. “You wanna know what I wanna do when I get back, huh? Do ya? Do ya?” An energetic pink pony shouted, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew “I’ll let everyone in on a little secret I’ve been keeping from you for these past months, come in closer, closer.” Everyone had shuffled around, some more in compliance with the group than to actually wanting to hear what Pinkie Pie had to say. “I’m the Frosted Cupcake.” “The Frosted what now?” Twilight’s brows crested up. “Duh, only the most well-known super hero, oops – super heroine in all of Equestria. Twilight, you really need to get out more.” “Pinkie, no one here has heard of this Frosted Cupcake.” A hoof brushed across the entire table to emphasize her point. Pinkie leapt onto the table, hooves at the hips as she puffed out her chest in a try to seem more fearsome. “I, Frosted Cupcake, will do battle against the evils of hunger! I will slay the wicked beast that is the oven and feed the mouths of merry villagers who cometh to my store! I will craft the most delicious of delights and the tastiest of treats to enrich the lives of the daily pony folks! And I will do it all with a modest charge that will allow me to continue my vigilante-ism!” “Pinkie, you have a PhD in experimental physics…” “An educated mind is required to truly combat this scum!” And that was the crew of the HMS Endeavour. Chapter 2Echoes of footsteps rang in the desolate halls of Canterlot Castle. The night was drawing closer and what was left of the light bled through the stained glass windows endowed in the walls, casting stories of great battles and triumphs over evil across the silk carpet which Spike walked across to his destination. The years had done wonders for the Drake; from a stumpy young baby dragon whose large belly and small frame polarized him from his kin whom, at the same age, had sprouted wings and were already developing a feverish competitive edge, Spike had developed into a dashing gentleman. Spike was a late bloomer. Dragons, unlike other species in Equestria, don’t have a natural growth cycle. Instead, their growth is directly affected by their greed. As many of his friends matured, so did his perception of them. Flirtation evolved confessions of love which in turn evolved into sensual acts under the veil of night. The capital city of Equestria was a work of art, built nearing the tip of the tallest lone mountain overlooking central Equestria; an impossible feat if not for the magic of the alicorns of old who laid the foundations into the side of the mountains. The natural waterfalls that descended from the inner sanctums of the alp fed into a moat dug eons ago as well as into the inner workings of the city itself. A pleasant scent of vanilla emanated at the dawn of spring as the flora bloomed from the botanical gardens inside the walls of the city and had brought with it renewed vigor for the inhabitants of the city. Performers from all the lands journeyed to Canterlot during the blistering winter and made their home at every corner of every street. Pleasant distractions that Spike had enjoyed when he was younger but had out grown. It would be out of place for such an esteemed butler such as him to be seen cheering as the prince slew the beast of so many a’ fairy tales. No, he lived vicariously now. Through the children of others, for he had none for his own. The rhythmic pattern of his movement pattered up the spiral staircase to Princess Celestia’s private chambers. He was clad in fine silk weaved into an exquisite suit, in his claw raised high was a platter – nestled within with a single ivory teacup and its gold decorated teapot. For he was a butler, prior serving Princess Twilight Sparkle and now serving under Princess Celestia. The tea was brewed precisely as the princess adored, tea leaves gathered and traded by the Neighpones across the sea strait; a rarity due to its peculiar alkaline and temperature requirements, soaked in water collected from morning dew and left to simmer on a gentle flame. The mix had an eloquent subtly to it: first, there would be the sweet tang of the tea leaves; second would be a wave that would rush in and tint the flavor with the faintest tinge of complexity; and finally the warmth would spread throughout one’s mind and body – a gentle bliss embracing oneself. Twilight’s taste was far more simple, tea bags filled with green tea farmed from within Ponyville and brewed with haste, something Spike lamented. Not to say he had anything against Celestia’s taste or the extra work he had to put in, mind you, it was simply the fact that Twilight and he were more alike to brothers and sisters than master and servant. Celestia was a kind ruler but she never had the charm the young princess showed – that young naivety that brought along adventures that never could be contained. He arrived at her door and with the rasp of his claws on the thick oak doors, announced himself. “Princess Celestia? May I enter?” “Come in Spike.” With a light push on the door, Spike entered Celestia’s chamber. Although he has been in this room before, multiple times, its beauty still left him speechless. Brilliant marble adorned the floor of the room, reflected in the expansive mirror resting at the ceiling. Each step closer to her reverberated with a powerful echo. Each piece of the furniture seemed alike to a piece of a puzzle, illuminating some aspect of Celestia’s life and personality, yet some pieces seemed missing or was loss from some other set. The king-size bed, Spike noted, was enormous; with enough room to fit a family with room to spare; embellished by a flowing rose sheet made using imported fur and garnished with thin drapes meant to hide away the amorous jewel of love – or bring attention to it. On the other hand, placed directly by the bed was her armoire, coated in the same regal gold that toned her room; it had very different characteristics to it, with its more conservative edge suggesting a more quiet and reserved pony who cared little for the lavish playing of lutes. Spike made his way to Celestia by her desk, scattered about with parchments of legislative decrees that need to dealt with. “Your tea, m’lady.” He set the platter down on a clean section of the table and poured a cup. With a swift bow, he uttered “If that is all, m’lady, I will leave you at peace.” A hoof was placed on his claw. “Spike, I do have another reason I requested you here,” a quill held aloft weaved the Princess’ signature on the paper “How long have you been under Princess Twilight’s servitude?” The question left him dumbfounded. What was she getting at? “U-uh, excuse me m’lady but what do you mean by servitude?” Celestia drowned her epistle in ink. Her magic enveloped the cup of tea and she took a sip of it. Steam drifted in the spring air as she relished in its taste. “Ever since you popped out of your egg, you’ve been under the care of Twilight. It was mainly my decision, a rather selfish one; I want someone to look over Twilight when I couldn’t.” She gestured for him to take a seat on one of the Ottomans. “You’ve done a wonderful job nurturing her. She has matured into a fine young lady and now, a princess of Equestria. She’s more to you than just someone to watch over, she is flesh and blood to you. I’ve observed the bond between the two of you grow, tested time and time again. I know how you felt when Twilight announced she was leaving to finish her project, and how you hid those emotions for her sake.” Spike felt a fire burning within him, fueled by both anger and confusion. Celestia made her way to the balcony. Luna’s moon had peaked the horizon and painted the vignette a brilliant blue. Shadows danced across the town of Ponyville to the flicker of flames. “And if what Princess Luna says is true, you see her as more than just a family member.” Spike’s face flushed a deep shade of velvet. “Excuse me, m’lady, but that is my private life and I would prefer it if-“ “Who are you, Spike?” “H-huh? I don’t understand. I’m Spike the Dragon, butler to Princess Twilight.” “Throughout your life, you have been defined by the actions of your peers. Twilight’s success has become your own success and part of who you are is left but a void to be filled by others. Who are you, Spike? You don’t know. You have matured; a dashing young gentleman brimming with vigor. Yet, you never stepped out of the shadows and into the day. The world has not seen the true Spike the Dragon.” Celestia spoke, her voice warm and soothing to the touch. Spike eyed the ground. “Do not be mistaken, Spike. I, and the rest of Equestria, are forever grateful for what you have done for me and them; know that if you need anything, I’ll be here for you. I will give you an ultimatum.” Celestia placed a hoof on Spike’s shoulder, beckoning him to look up and into her mauveine eyes. “I release you from your position as my butler.” Shock spread across Spike’s features, “B-but, m’lady, I have nowhere else to go. W-what would you have me do?” “I’m not asking you to leave. For the first time in your life, Spike, I want you to decide your own destiny. The path ahead of you is yours to make.” A scroll floated over to Princess Celestia’s side, encircled by a red ribbon and sealed by the royal crest. “This is a letter of safe conduct. With it, you’ll be recognized as an ambassador of Equestria and be allowed entry into any of its allies. That includes the Autocracy of Draconia.” Spike grasped it tightly in his claws, clenched it close to his heart. “And Twi-“ “You can send her a video message. And if you ever need to talk to her, wherever you are, you always have your way.” They made their way back inside. “Rest now, Spike. You have some difficult decisions to make by daybreak. Talk to the quartermaster for any supplies you require and feel free to talk to my assistant if you need anything else.” She brought him into a loving embrace. He nested in the crook of her neck. The two of them held each other, parting silent words of thanks and gratitude before separating. **** Spike eyed the eye of the camera before him. The stale, lifelessness of it had not been any easier to stomach since recording his first video message. It simply reminded him that it wasn’t Twilight he was talking to, instead pleading to a dead machine. It whirred and whistled like a wild untamed beast. The room Spike was in was more alike to a confession booth than a respite for loss memories; tight quarters forced the machines to close in on Spike, who sat in the middle. Lights buzzed green on the machine’s panel – indicating that it was recording. A hand rubbed the back of Spike’s neck – a recurring theme in all of his video recordings. “H-hey Twilight. Been a while, huh? What has it been, uh, a month? Hah, Celestia, time sure has a mind of its own.” A brief pause. A cough. “Everyone here is doing just fine. Celestia and Luna have to deal with nobles again; if the local gossip is true, one of the nobles want to build a new a new road into the mountain for a red light district. Perfect for Spikie Wikie here to make a move!” He straightened his back, chest raised high in a salute to the camera, eyes shut with a wide grin plastered across his features. A chuckle. “Heh, I’m still trying to find that one special somepony. What with the long shifts and work stacking on top of each other… I’ve barely got any time to myself.” Spike began twiddling his thumbs. “Everthing’s set to receive the data. I’ve been talking with the boys down in the lab and they said that they should be reading you as clear as a rooster’s cry in the morning when you send the data back. The princesses are going to be leading it on the day.” A sigh. “I’ve missed you Twi. Lookin forward to seeing you back. When I see you again…” Silence. “Listen Twi, I’ve got some big news. I’ve been dismissed as a servant of Equestria. It was all Celestia’s idea! Look Twi, as much as I resent the lack of say in the matter, she has given me an opportunity that I simply can not pass up. She’s offering me the chance to come home. You and I both know how fragile the relationship between Draconia and Equestria is and there’s no guarantee there’ll be an open passage forever. I want to know who I am, who I will be, what I am meant to be, Twi… Listen, I just need some alone time. To think. I’m not deciding today on what I’m doing but, just, don’t expect me to be here when you get back. I know I promised you that I would be there when you landed. I know. But. There’s a point in one’s life when you just have that longing. A longing to understand things. I’m sure you’ll understand.” A pregnant pause echoed in the confined chamber. Light chatter from the machine ticked and tocked. Spike got up. “This isn’t good-bye, Twi. I’ll see again.” He ended the recording. By dusk of the next day, he was gone. Chapter 3The Dracaena Marginata is a plant commonly found in the North-East section of Equestria, located primarily in the more mountainous regions. For the locals, it’s referred to by the colloquial name of the ‘Drake’s Breath’; in no small part due to its peculiar crimson leaves and sharp angular designs. It was the one thing that made life high in these mountains remotely hospitable. The first few explorers collapsed into a bed of red – part from exhaustion and part from the darkness creeping in on their vision. They had all made their peace and baptized themselves of sin as their hollow gasps fogged up their lenses when their strength wavered. Hours later, a handful of them rose from their cold grave. They had all ripped off their breathing apparatus; possibly as a last defiant act against faiths, or as a sign of submission of the inevitable – a matter of perspective. Later, they would find that their savior had little care for their wellbeing. Unlike other plants, which photosynthesize; ‘Drake’s Breath’ takes in the soil through its roots and after sending a current through its solvent, separates magnesium and oxygen through electrolysis. That same plant now acts as the life line for the HMS Endeavour and all of its inhabitants. In the eastern wing of the Endeavour was the floral preservation station. The dull white ship’s hull shimmered and pulsed like the drum of a beast. Unlike the mechanical whirring and beeping of the machinery throughout the rest of the ship, this area held and air of calm serenity to it. Particularly to a certain pegasus onboard who spent the majority of her time here, this area was a temple to her – an area of solitude to return into her shell. The last recluse of nature surrounded her, or at least whatever wasn’t bolted down or held in place by plastic bags. Neither of those factors affected her too much; it was home away from home. Fluttershy embodied nature, or maybe it was the other way around. Before the space program, she had worked as a local vet for the people of Ponyville. The pay was meager, true, but it was enough to move into the greens and offered enough extra for any future issues her quaint life might require. She was content. Unlike her kin, flying was alien to her, not due to any physical handicap, mind you; her wings were gorgeous, strong with a tender fluffiness reminiscent of rose petals. She had no desire for competition and had flunked the majority of her classes during her youth. Her oddities led to bullying and ostracization. She learnt to keep her head down, keep to herself until she graduated. Animals fascinated her for they were her only friends during those lonely days. It was a rarity to see anything able or willing to fly high enough to reach Wondercolt High, so Fluttershy cherished every visit she received. One night, she awoke to pecking on her window. Her friend was injured, a blue jay – whom she had named Jade – had broken her wings. Bones stuck out of the flesh, a pale sword sheath into searing red flesh. Fluttershy had no idea what to do. Jade died within the hour. After that, Fluttershy learnt to appreciate the value of every being. Her interest drifted to physiology, moreover medicine and the likes, wishing not to feel so helpless again. Then, Nightmare Moon returned. Fluttershy felt powerless again. Fluttershy held onto the valve with her moth and twisted. Droplets of a pale green fluid dripped down the conical flask. She noted the amount that had been used. What was once a luminescent pond of blue had faded into a snapshot of Spring. “Hey ‘Shy, how are the plants lookin’.” came a distant southern drawl – Applejack’s. Fluttershy squeaked out in shock, swiftly turning around. A pair of hooves meeting her tender lips to silence her cries before she disturbed the rest of the crew. Returning to her works, she replied “Oh, it’s you AJ. Phew, the plants are looking g-great. See here, at this rate of output to soil quantity, we have more than enough for the return journey,” she gestured to a pair of space suits sat on a nearby table “So, I went ahead and replaced the normal oxygen storage onboard with some of the Drake. So, that should give anyone going out there around, um, a d-day-“ “A day?!” “…or so. I-I mean, I’ll give you a more specific time once I know who’s in the suit.” Fluttershy retreated behind her large bangs, using it as a shield against the brash pony in front of her. “Heck, ‘Shy, that’s fantastic! Woowie, from a coupl’o hours to a full day. You’re a miracle worker, ‘Shy.” A deep shade of red spread across Fluttershy’s features. “So, I’m guessin’ ya emptied those earlier canisters that we used during our tests?” Fluttershy nodded. “With Rarity’s help.” “Huh, never thought she would allow someone to tamper with her passioner.” The orange mare scrunched her nose and rolled her eyes as the Prench rolled off of her tongue - nothing personal between her and Rarity – Applejack’s vieil amour had been Prench and the bittersweet taste still clung to her. “Ah, found you. Twilight is calling everypony to pony their station and take initial readings,” Rarity popped her head in through the opened port, “You need any help with carrying those suits, darling?” An hour away now. ****** Rainbow Dash had barely squeezed her way onboard the program. Her disabled wings were the driving factors; her recklessness the second. Ponies always told her that she was born to fly. When extended, her wings seared the ground with its shadow - a brilliant overcast of strength. Her feathers were like tips of zenith blades that would streak the sky in veils of wind in ways that would look, to the keen of eye, like tiger claws ripping at a prey. A panther on the prowl, muscles tensed and liked coiled springs ready to leap when allowed to, those were her muscles. With a stroke of her wings, she would be sent spiraling through the air; wind splashing against her face. She was the greatest flier in all of Equestria. She rose through the rankings and found herself charged with a division of her own to lead. Like Icarus Earth, she fell. “All shield generators workin’ at max. Readings seem normal… Hey Twi, can ya run another course for the east wing? Wouldn’t want our front row seat to be missing any action,” Her hoof fluttered across a few switches, flicking them on in sequence “Starting up connection with outpost Luna now.” Twilight peered at Rainbow; her face pale from the blue glow of the screens in front of her. “Any clue why the sensors are off? You checked them right?” “Personally.” “These readings just don’t make sense! See here…” With a quick flick of her hoof, the data zipped across onto Rainbow’s screen. “Look at that spike we just had, four kilometers away and two point eight six four to the eleven; what I don’t understand is how we managed to get the exact same readings earlier today when it should have been much lower. This goes against everything we’ve managed to observe back on Terra… I don’t understand.” A small icon appeared at the corner of Rainbow’s screen – a neon outline of a scroll. “Hey Genius, you’ve got mail. Suggest ya take it now before the rest of the crew get here.” The message darted over to Twilight’s screen. Gingerly tapping away on her keyboard, Twilight pulled a small storage device that had ejected from her station in her teeth. “Send Luna a report of the situation while you’re in coms for me too, willya?” “Mmmkkayy.” She mumbled. An hour away. Author's Note Chapter 3 and 4 will be shorter than normal but that's because it's setting up some details for later. Chapter 4 should be up within days.
Chapter 1Equestria was splattered against a canvas of blue, splotches of darker tones highlighted the varying landscapes dabbled across its vast expanses, like a treasure map drawn by a young filly etched into the stump of a mighty tree. It spun peacefully in the sea of stars, a single grain in the Dunes of Saddle Arabia. A breathtaking sight, more so because of the silence which enveloped the sphere. All of the conflicts, monstrous creatures, and the blinding commotion of noise reduced to a singular state – silence. A deafening stillness that painfully brought Fluttershy back to the space station she currently inhabited. She pressed a hoof against the glass pane as if she was reaching out to a life she once lived not so long ago. Compared to everything she had known before, the space ship was an engineering marvel – the latest technology at the hooves of ponies crammed into a sturdy vessel for which to sail the boundless oceans of space. Yet, unlike a Galleon, everything about it felt hollow to her. Like a husk or a shell of some large beast whom she resided in only to shelter from the storm. It just wasn’t home. Maybe it was the struggle of working up the Bits to purchase all of her intricate furniture, most of them hoofcrafted, to decorate her space; maybe it was the soft humming of the tree at night when she was snuggled tightly in her bed caused by the wind singing her a melody; maybe it was her animal friends that she left behind to make this voyage. “But that’s silly,”Fluttershy thought to herself, “I have friends here.” Her sight rested on the groggy Twilight Sparkle making her way over to her. Like herself, Twilight was clothed in a tight-fitting grey suit woven together using nylon patches and interlaced with a little bit of unicorn magic, it would keep the user warm even in extreme conditions – although its fashion statement did not go unremarked by a certain unicorn in the crew. “Good morning Fluttershy, you’re certainly up early,” Twilight said before heaving a yawn and eyeing the watch attached to her right hoof Turning her attention to the planet nestling below them, Twilight stared at the diamond jewel shimmering in its case of darkness. A smile crept up on face. “I can see why you do though, it’s a gor-“ Fluttershy’s expression had betrayed her. The sullen eyes and the look of a fatigued soldier walking home from a lost war. A hoof rested on Fluttershy’s shoulders. “We’ll be home soon, the wave is about to hit in a few hours and then we can all make our way home,” Twilight cheered before adding “Together.” The phenomenon was first sighted years ago; or prior to that, identified by intense spikes in recorded energy signatures. The scientific community of Equestria was abuzz with discussions on the origin and formation of the wave of energy shooting at them, and on the effects may have on Equestria’s electronics and even its weather or climate. Projects were quickly drawn up in an attempt to understand this cosmic sickle coming towards them. One of the most promising projects was that of Twilight Sparkle’s – a prodigy under the mentorship of the Princess herself – to meet the energy wave before it comes closer to Equestria or its space station on the Moon. Not only would she be able to identify and study the energy wave before it reaches everyone else but it would also act as a safeguard incase the wave is destructive and would give everyone else a chance to mount a defense. It was a risky venture, potentially endangering her and the other crew members who will assist her. A heated debated between Princess Celestia and Twilight was not abated but by the end the project was funded and Twilight the movement. Plans were drawn on creating a craft to fit the existing hardware onto as well as launching the space craft into orbit. Aerospace engineering had never been accomplished before and a multitudes of plans were scrapped, to the dismay of the ‘dorks’ – as Rainbow Dash colorfully labeled. Most of the initial mock-ups went up in flames, struggling to hold themselves together under the intense forces subjected to them with Twilight’s help. Variations of the same designs were tested and retested, each nuance giving small glimmers of hope as progressed seemingly marched forward but was stamped out as flaws emerged – the shape couldn’t withstand heat of reentry, the shape made it impossible to adjust one’s tilt effectively, the space available wasn’t enough to fit the bulky hardware. Problems queued up and demanded solutions only to be returned with a void of replies. Everyone was stumped; many claimed that the prospect was impossible. That was until one of the engineers had suggested detachable modules. A match had been struck and the ensuing blaze of innovations and ideas came at a blitz pace. Energy supply concerns were rendered mute as each section had its own energy supply, weight and balancing issues were easily fixed within the hour, and reentry was much more manageable with smaller pieces. Crystals, gathered from the Artic Empire to the north of Equestria, was chosen as the material to form the bulk. Its sturdiness when taken with its light nature made it an incredibly attractive choice. On top of this, it had an inherent store of energy that could be used to provide a power source for the intricate machinery required. Within months, a working model was manufactured. Each section were locked together using part of the energy reserves’ magic - easily disengaged with a focused spell on its locking mechanisms. Years of hard work had led them to this moment, to be in a space ship never conceived before now. They were hours away from the storm colliding with them. Hours away from finally answering the burning questions of what this thing was. “Come of ‘Shy, let’s go get breakfast.” **** The chairs were uncomfortable, padded with thick foam that gave no yield to the ponies who sat on them. Like the rest of the furniture in the living quarters, it was painted a sterile white and had that same Cubism appeal that had once been all the rage in Manehatten many seasons ago. A rectangular box lay splayed out at the table’s center, crested by an indigo ring. Its content filled halfway with corn cereal, the rest nestled in plastic bowls that left a stale after taste. Flanking this were opened packets of dehydrated food – sweet memories of a life they had all left behind a month ago – and a cylinder of cold milk. Pinkie Pie scrunched her nose as she took another mouthful of the meal. Even after her prolonged stay onboard the ship, each meal still left her unsatisfied. Back on the ground, she would awaken with a large grin across her features as she hopped and skipped downstairs and her day would be spent baking. Delicacies that stretched and twirled with circus tier spectacles would pop out of the oven to a satisfying ‘ding’. The meals onboard the ship was…nourishing, Pinkie concluded after a week of forcing them down. So, instead, she shifted the majority of her attention to her friends. It had become harder with time as their individual responsibilities stacked upon one another and with this rise came the weakening of their bonds. Among the clattering of knives and forks, “What will you be doing once this is all over?” piped Rainbow Dash who eyed Applejack. “Well, ah suppose ah’ll be back on the farm workin. Business has been good so far and ah think that we’ll have enough bits to open a new farm, maybe ah’ll lead it, maybe-“ A groan came from across the table, “You always talk about the farm, AJ dear, but what happens after all that apple bucking? Surely you would want to settle down with a nice stallion and have a few foals at some point. What’ll happen once you get too old for farm work?” Rarity asked; her eyes hazy as she envisioned a life that never was. She had certainly tried her hardest to procure the stallion of her dreams. Applejack huffed. The two of them were more alike than either of them would like to admit. Applejack had inherited the farm after her grandmother – Granny Smith – had passed away. In her last few years, the old mare mainly sat in her rocking chair, idly swinging to and fro like the arms of a great clock as she counted down the last seconds of her life. All clocks break eventually and Granny Smith passed away in her bed. It was a gloomy day when Applejack knocked on the bedroom door only to be met with stilled air. At her brother’s spurs, Applejack chose to bear the onus of continuing the ranch. Big Macintosh, a hulking stallion with fur as red as a ripe apple, was not a leader, far from it. His imposing form disguised a humble demeanor, which rarely spoke unless spoken too. He followed every command to the dot and was pleased with himself after a day’s work. No ambition, no desire for anything more than what had been given to him already, the Earth pony was the paramount of a work horse. And so, the farm was grafted onto Applejack. A part of her had died when she took the quill in her mouth and signed the legal papers. Growing within ever since Twilight’s coronation was the desire for novelty; all her life, she had remained stuck to her family’s inheritance. She wanted out of Ponyville. Rarity had built herself up a quaint chain of fashion store peppered across Equestria – her designs became ubiquitous all over from the high aristocracy of Canterlot to the winter lines required in the Crystal Kingdoms north of Equestria. Petite discussions among the wealthy might even elude one to the potential of seeing the brand explore the Republic of Gryphonia to the west. Everything had started off small, it was nothing more than a hobby of hers, stitching together designs of her own imagination. Her father and mother played along, purchasing bolts of fabric for the young fashionista when they had the money – they were not rich nor of any remarkable social standing. They were farmers who grew garlic to the east of Equestria and they had hoped that Rarity would grow out of fashion and into the shoes of a farmer. Money grew tight once Rarity’s sister was born and the couple stopped supporting her sister, hoping that the lack of resources would stymie her outlets and direct her energy elsewhere. Education in Manehatten was out of the question for the family’s income range. Discussions were had over whether or not Rarity would be homeschooled; her father was resolute in giving his daughter an education that was denied to him and took on odd jobs to raise the funds. Rarity was sent to live in Ponyville with a distant relative whom she knew nothing about and studied in Ponyville’s public school. “If a stallion pops by and tries to lay one in me, I’ll give him a taste of these” she gestured to her hind legs followed by soft chuckles across the table. “Y’all are barking up the wrong tree, Rare.” Light chatter followed, Rarity and Applejack were the only two members remaining with their fates still dangling in the air. Rainbow Dash had worked her way to the rank of second Lieutenant after joining the Wonderbolt – Equestria’s air force. The invitation to a place in the Wonderbolt training program had arrived in her mailbox after years of self-motivated training and, when any opportunities arose, a showing of her skills in a mad display of stunts. A feeling of pure bliss welled up inside of her that day; ever since her father had taken her to those Wonderbolt shows as a young filly, Rainbow knew exactly wanted she wanted to do with her life. “You wanna know what I wanna do when I get back, huh? Do ya? Do ya?” An energetic pink pony shouted, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew “I’ll let everyone in on a little secret I’ve been keeping from you for these past months, come in closer, closer.” Everyone had shuffled around, some more in compliance with the group than to actually wanting to hear what Pinkie Pie had to say. “I’m the Frosted Cupcake.” “The Frosted what now?” Twilight’s brows crested up. “Duh, only the most well-known super hero, oops – super heroine in all of Equestria. Twilight, you really need to get out more.” “Pinkie, no one here has heard of this Frosted Cupcake.” A hoof brushed across the entire table to emphasize her point. Pinkie leapt onto the table, hooves at the hips as she puffed out her chest in a try to seem more fearsome. “I, Frosted Cupcake, will do battle against the evils of hunger! I will slay the wicked beast that is the oven and feed the mouths of merry villagers who cometh to my store! I will craft the most delicious of delights and the tastiest of treats to enrich the lives of the daily pony folks! And I will do it all with a modest charge that will allow me to continue my vigilante-ism!” “Pinkie, you have a PhD in experimental physics…” “An educated mind is required to truly combat this scum!” And that was the crew of the HMS Endeavour.
Chapter 2Echoes of footsteps rang in the desolate halls of Canterlot Castle. The night was drawing closer and what was left of the light bled through the stained glass windows endowed in the walls, casting stories of great battles and triumphs over evil across the silk carpet which Spike walked across to his destination. The years had done wonders for the Drake; from a stumpy young baby dragon whose large belly and small frame polarized him from his kin whom, at the same age, had sprouted wings and were already developing a feverish competitive edge, Spike had developed into a dashing gentleman. Spike was a late bloomer. Dragons, unlike other species in Equestria, don’t have a natural growth cycle. Instead, their growth is directly affected by their greed. As many of his friends matured, so did his perception of them. Flirtation evolved confessions of love which in turn evolved into sensual acts under the veil of night. The capital city of Equestria was a work of art, built nearing the tip of the tallest lone mountain overlooking central Equestria; an impossible feat if not for the magic of the alicorns of old who laid the foundations into the side of the mountains. The natural waterfalls that descended from the inner sanctums of the alp fed into a moat dug eons ago as well as into the inner workings of the city itself. A pleasant scent of vanilla emanated at the dawn of spring as the flora bloomed from the botanical gardens inside the walls of the city and had brought with it renewed vigor for the inhabitants of the city. Performers from all the lands journeyed to Canterlot during the blistering winter and made their home at every corner of every street. Pleasant distractions that Spike had enjoyed when he was younger but had out grown. It would be out of place for such an esteemed butler such as him to be seen cheering as the prince slew the beast of so many a’ fairy tales. No, he lived vicariously now. Through the children of others, for he had none for his own. The rhythmic pattern of his movement pattered up the spiral staircase to Princess Celestia’s private chambers. He was clad in fine silk weaved into an exquisite suit, in his claw raised high was a platter – nestled within with a single ivory teacup and its gold decorated teapot. For he was a butler, prior serving Princess Twilight Sparkle and now serving under Princess Celestia. The tea was brewed precisely as the princess adored, tea leaves gathered and traded by the Neighpones across the sea strait; a rarity due to its peculiar alkaline and temperature requirements, soaked in water collected from morning dew and left to simmer on a gentle flame. The mix had an eloquent subtly to it: first, there would be the sweet tang of the tea leaves; second would be a wave that would rush in and tint the flavor with the faintest tinge of complexity; and finally the warmth would spread throughout one’s mind and body – a gentle bliss embracing oneself. Twilight’s taste was far more simple, tea bags filled with green tea farmed from within Ponyville and brewed with haste, something Spike lamented. Not to say he had anything against Celestia’s taste or the extra work he had to put in, mind you, it was simply the fact that Twilight and he were more alike to brothers and sisters than master and servant. Celestia was a kind ruler but she never had the charm the young princess showed – that young naivety that brought along adventures that never could be contained. He arrived at her door and with the rasp of his claws on the thick oak doors, announced himself. “Princess Celestia? May I enter?” “Come in Spike.” With a light push on the door, Spike entered Celestia’s chamber. Although he has been in this room before, multiple times, its beauty still left him speechless. Brilliant marble adorned the floor of the room, reflected in the expansive mirror resting at the ceiling. Each step closer to her reverberated with a powerful echo. Each piece of the furniture seemed alike to a piece of a puzzle, illuminating some aspect of Celestia’s life and personality, yet some pieces seemed missing or was loss from some other set. The king-size bed, Spike noted, was enormous; with enough room to fit a family with room to spare; embellished by a flowing rose sheet made using imported fur and garnished with thin drapes meant to hide away the amorous jewel of love – or bring attention to it. On the other hand, placed directly by the bed was her armoire, coated in the same regal gold that toned her room; it had very different characteristics to it, with its more conservative edge suggesting a more quiet and reserved pony who cared little for the lavish playing of lutes. Spike made his way to Celestia by her desk, scattered about with parchments of legislative decrees that need to dealt with. “Your tea, m’lady.” He set the platter down on a clean section of the table and poured a cup. With a swift bow, he uttered “If that is all, m’lady, I will leave you at peace.” A hoof was placed on his claw. “Spike, I do have another reason I requested you here,” a quill held aloft weaved the Princess’ signature on the paper “How long have you been under Princess Twilight’s servitude?” The question left him dumbfounded. What was she getting at? “U-uh, excuse me m’lady but what do you mean by servitude?” Celestia drowned her epistle in ink. Her magic enveloped the cup of tea and she took a sip of it. Steam drifted in the spring air as she relished in its taste. “Ever since you popped out of your egg, you’ve been under the care of Twilight. It was mainly my decision, a rather selfish one; I want someone to look over Twilight when I couldn’t.” She gestured for him to take a seat on one of the Ottomans. “You’ve done a wonderful job nurturing her. She has matured into a fine young lady and now, a princess of Equestria. She’s more to you than just someone to watch over, she is flesh and blood to you. I’ve observed the bond between the two of you grow, tested time and time again. I know how you felt when Twilight announced she was leaving to finish her project, and how you hid those emotions for her sake.” Spike felt a fire burning within him, fueled by both anger and confusion. Celestia made her way to the balcony. Luna’s moon had peaked the horizon and painted the vignette a brilliant blue. Shadows danced across the town of Ponyville to the flicker of flames. “And if what Princess Luna says is true, you see her as more than just a family member.” Spike’s face flushed a deep shade of velvet. “Excuse me, m’lady, but that is my private life and I would prefer it if-“ “Who are you, Spike?” “H-huh? I don’t understand. I’m Spike the Dragon, butler to Princess Twilight.” “Throughout your life, you have been defined by the actions of your peers. Twilight’s success has become your own success and part of who you are is left but a void to be filled by others. Who are you, Spike? You don’t know. You have matured; a dashing young gentleman brimming with vigor. Yet, you never stepped out of the shadows and into the day. The world has not seen the true Spike the Dragon.” Celestia spoke, her voice warm and soothing to the touch. Spike eyed the ground. “Do not be mistaken, Spike. I, and the rest of Equestria, are forever grateful for what you have done for me and them; know that if you need anything, I’ll be here for you. I will give you an ultimatum.” Celestia placed a hoof on Spike’s shoulder, beckoning him to look up and into her mauveine eyes. “I release you from your position as my butler.” Shock spread across Spike’s features, “B-but, m’lady, I have nowhere else to go. W-what would you have me do?” “I’m not asking you to leave. For the first time in your life, Spike, I want you to decide your own destiny. The path ahead of you is yours to make.” A scroll floated over to Princess Celestia’s side, encircled by a red ribbon and sealed by the royal crest. “This is a letter of safe conduct. With it, you’ll be recognized as an ambassador of Equestria and be allowed entry into any of its allies. That includes the Autocracy of Draconia.” Spike grasped it tightly in his claws, clenched it close to his heart. “And Twi-“ “You can send her a video message. And if you ever need to talk to her, wherever you are, you always have your way.” They made their way back inside. “Rest now, Spike. You have some difficult decisions to make by daybreak. Talk to the quartermaster for any supplies you require and feel free to talk to my assistant if you need anything else.” She brought him into a loving embrace. He nested in the crook of her neck. The two of them held each other, parting silent words of thanks and gratitude before separating. **** Spike eyed the eye of the camera before him. The stale, lifelessness of it had not been any easier to stomach since recording his first video message. It simply reminded him that it wasn’t Twilight he was talking to, instead pleading to a dead machine. It whirred and whistled like a wild untamed beast. The room Spike was in was more alike to a confession booth than a respite for loss memories; tight quarters forced the machines to close in on Spike, who sat in the middle. Lights buzzed green on the machine’s panel – indicating that it was recording. A hand rubbed the back of Spike’s neck – a recurring theme in all of his video recordings. “H-hey Twilight. Been a while, huh? What has it been, uh, a month? Hah, Celestia, time sure has a mind of its own.” A brief pause. A cough. “Everyone here is doing just fine. Celestia and Luna have to deal with nobles again; if the local gossip is true, one of the nobles want to build a new a new road into the mountain for a red light district. Perfect for Spikie Wikie here to make a move!” He straightened his back, chest raised high in a salute to the camera, eyes shut with a wide grin plastered across his features. A chuckle. “Heh, I’m still trying to find that one special somepony. What with the long shifts and work stacking on top of each other… I’ve barely got any time to myself.” Spike began twiddling his thumbs. “Everthing’s set to receive the data. I’ve been talking with the boys down in the lab and they said that they should be reading you as clear as a rooster’s cry in the morning when you send the data back. The princesses are going to be leading it on the day.” A sigh. “I’ve missed you Twi. Lookin forward to seeing you back. When I see you again…” Silence. “Listen Twi, I’ve got some big news. I’ve been dismissed as a servant of Equestria. It was all Celestia’s idea! Look Twi, as much as I resent the lack of say in the matter, she has given me an opportunity that I simply can not pass up. She’s offering me the chance to come home. You and I both know how fragile the relationship between Draconia and Equestria is and there’s no guarantee there’ll be an open passage forever. I want to know who I am, who I will be, what I am meant to be, Twi… Listen, I just need some alone time. To think. I’m not deciding today on what I’m doing but, just, don’t expect me to be here when you get back. I know I promised you that I would be there when you landed. I know. But. There’s a point in one’s life when you just have that longing. A longing to understand things. I’m sure you’ll understand.” A pregnant pause echoed in the confined chamber. Light chatter from the machine ticked and tocked. Spike got up. “This isn’t good-bye, Twi. I’ll see again.” He ended the recording. By dusk of the next day, he was gone.
Chapter 3The Dracaena Marginata is a plant commonly found in the North-East section of Equestria, located primarily in the more mountainous regions. For the locals, it’s referred to by the colloquial name of the ‘Drake’s Breath’; in no small part due to its peculiar crimson leaves and sharp angular designs. It was the one thing that made life high in these mountains remotely hospitable. The first few explorers collapsed into a bed of red – part from exhaustion and part from the darkness creeping in on their vision. They had all made their peace and baptized themselves of sin as their hollow gasps fogged up their lenses when their strength wavered. Hours later, a handful of them rose from their cold grave. They had all ripped off their breathing apparatus; possibly as a last defiant act against faiths, or as a sign of submission of the inevitable – a matter of perspective. Later, they would find that their savior had little care for their wellbeing. Unlike other plants, which photosynthesize; ‘Drake’s Breath’ takes in the soil through its roots and after sending a current through its solvent, separates magnesium and oxygen through electrolysis. That same plant now acts as the life line for the HMS Endeavour and all of its inhabitants. In the eastern wing of the Endeavour was the floral preservation station. The dull white ship’s hull shimmered and pulsed like the drum of a beast. Unlike the mechanical whirring and beeping of the machinery throughout the rest of the ship, this area held and air of calm serenity to it. Particularly to a certain pegasus onboard who spent the majority of her time here, this area was a temple to her – an area of solitude to return into her shell. The last recluse of nature surrounded her, or at least whatever wasn’t bolted down or held in place by plastic bags. Neither of those factors affected her too much; it was home away from home. Fluttershy embodied nature, or maybe it was the other way around. Before the space program, she had worked as a local vet for the people of Ponyville. The pay was meager, true, but it was enough to move into the greens and offered enough extra for any future issues her quaint life might require. She was content. Unlike her kin, flying was alien to her, not due to any physical handicap, mind you; her wings were gorgeous, strong with a tender fluffiness reminiscent of rose petals. She had no desire for competition and had flunked the majority of her classes during her youth. Her oddities led to bullying and ostracization. She learnt to keep her head down, keep to herself until she graduated. Animals fascinated her for they were her only friends during those lonely days. It was a rarity to see anything able or willing to fly high enough to reach Wondercolt High, so Fluttershy cherished every visit she received. One night, she awoke to pecking on her window. Her friend was injured, a blue jay – whom she had named Jade – had broken her wings. Bones stuck out of the flesh, a pale sword sheath into searing red flesh. Fluttershy had no idea what to do. Jade died within the hour. After that, Fluttershy learnt to appreciate the value of every being. Her interest drifted to physiology, moreover medicine and the likes, wishing not to feel so helpless again. Then, Nightmare Moon returned. Fluttershy felt powerless again. Fluttershy held onto the valve with her moth and twisted. Droplets of a pale green fluid dripped down the conical flask. She noted the amount that had been used. What was once a luminescent pond of blue had faded into a snapshot of Spring. “Hey ‘Shy, how are the plants lookin’.” came a distant southern drawl – Applejack’s. Fluttershy squeaked out in shock, swiftly turning around. A pair of hooves meeting her tender lips to silence her cries before she disturbed the rest of the crew. Returning to her works, she replied “Oh, it’s you AJ. Phew, the plants are looking g-great. See here, at this rate of output to soil quantity, we have more than enough for the return journey,” she gestured to a pair of space suits sat on a nearby table “So, I went ahead and replaced the normal oxygen storage onboard with some of the Drake. So, that should give anyone going out there around, um, a d-day-“ “A day?!” “…or so. I-I mean, I’ll give you a more specific time once I know who’s in the suit.” Fluttershy retreated behind her large bangs, using it as a shield against the brash pony in front of her. “Heck, ‘Shy, that’s fantastic! Woowie, from a coupl’o hours to a full day. You’re a miracle worker, ‘Shy.” A deep shade of red spread across Fluttershy’s features. “So, I’m guessin’ ya emptied those earlier canisters that we used during our tests?” Fluttershy nodded. “With Rarity’s help.” “Huh, never thought she would allow someone to tamper with her passioner.” The orange mare scrunched her nose and rolled her eyes as the Prench rolled off of her tongue - nothing personal between her and Rarity – Applejack’s vieil amour had been Prench and the bittersweet taste still clung to her. “Ah, found you. Twilight is calling everypony to pony their station and take initial readings,” Rarity popped her head in through the opened port, “You need any help with carrying those suits, darling?” An hour away now. ****** Rainbow Dash had barely squeezed her way onboard the program. Her disabled wings were the driving factors; her recklessness the second. Ponies always told her that she was born to fly. When extended, her wings seared the ground with its shadow - a brilliant overcast of strength. Her feathers were like tips of zenith blades that would streak the sky in veils of wind in ways that would look, to the keen of eye, like tiger claws ripping at a prey. A panther on the prowl, muscles tensed and liked coiled springs ready to leap when allowed to, those were her muscles. With a stroke of her wings, she would be sent spiraling through the air; wind splashing against her face. She was the greatest flier in all of Equestria. She rose through the rankings and found herself charged with a division of her own to lead. Like Icarus Earth, she fell. “All shield generators workin’ at max. Readings seem normal… Hey Twi, can ya run another course for the east wing? Wouldn’t want our front row seat to be missing any action,” Her hoof fluttered across a few switches, flicking them on in sequence “Starting up connection with outpost Luna now.” Twilight peered at Rainbow; her face pale from the blue glow of the screens in front of her. “Any clue why the sensors are off? You checked them right?” “Personally.” “These readings just don’t make sense! See here…” With a quick flick of her hoof, the data zipped across onto Rainbow’s screen. “Look at that spike we just had, four kilometers away and two point eight six four to the eleven; what I don’t understand is how we managed to get the exact same readings earlier today when it should have been much lower. This goes against everything we’ve managed to observe back on Terra… I don’t understand.” A small icon appeared at the corner of Rainbow’s screen – a neon outline of a scroll. “Hey Genius, you’ve got mail. Suggest ya take it now before the rest of the crew get here.” The message darted over to Twilight’s screen. Gingerly tapping away on her keyboard, Twilight pulled a small storage device that had ejected from her station in her teeth. “Send Luna a report of the situation while you’re in coms for me too, willya?” “Mmmkkayy.” She mumbled. An hour away. Author's Note Chapter 3 and 4 will be shorter than normal but that's because it's setting up some details for later. Chapter 4 should be up within days.
