Prologue – And then they came from the stars
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Prologue – And then they came from the stars
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Location: Equus, South Zebrica
Time: 10 years ago
The endless savannah, home for the wise Zebras, and home for the cruel Lions. Their ago old conflict, one to eat, the other to be eaten left it's mark on this night, as it have done with countless others.
The night time land was lighten by fires of a small village as it burn to it's ashes slowly, accompanied by horrific cries and gleeful cheering. The lions had a feast, and the Zebras been the guest of honour, to be served on their plates. Many had flee, but those who could not suffered the fate no sapient being should.
From afar from a hilltop a small group looked back at the valley which was their safe home, or as they though to be. Now their eyes mat with tears and ears laid back flat. Slowly, and with great struggle they turned around, clearly still hearing some of their love ones desperate calls for help. They left. One young mare, with golden rings lead the group. Their chance for safety laid beyond the mountains, but she already had her doubts. Likely they would need to flee from there as well in short order, and try to meet up with other villages to form an alliance to hope to fend off this new, wild tribe of lions, and even then with a great cost of life.
Many hours have passed and the moon was now close to end it's journey in the night sky as the small band of survivors got close to the mouth of a mountain passage, the village now just a small flickering speck in the distance bellow when something caught their eyes up in the night sky. It was a brilliant shooting star, and it was heading their way. The sleepiness and exhaustion left their eyes first with wonder, then soon with fright as the flaming object passed over their head, towards the savaged village with a great roar. But it was not a space rock, was something else as massive fires blew out from it's bottom, slow down, and still with a massive force impact the ground, one such they could feel where they stood. And whoever might been down there was sure to be no more, reduced to ashes for the wind to blow freely away. The Zebras stood there, mouth agape, could been the gods vengeance on the lions? But what of those who were still alive and held captive. Their though of train soon stopped as another object, like the one moments ago, light up the night sky, then another one, and even more, all slowing down some, and impact the flat planes bellow far and wide. Fear for the worst the the world was ending they run, run as fast as they could, away from the falling sky.
When they finally stopped, as their legs could no longer carry them it was morning already. They made it to the other side of the passage snaking among the tall mountains. The young shaman fighting her fatigue to help her pairs begin collect different kind of flowers and herbs she could see among the rocky passage. It would be not much, but it could very well mean the difference, she gave to the young first as the others distributed them or pick more themselves, and they chew the foul tasting breakfast. Once they finished, they lay there in silence. The night took it's tool on them all, physical and mentally. Minutes tick by when a bright light appeared in the sky, overpowering the sun, and it was coming their way. Fear spiked once more, and tears begin to fall as it approached, slowing down, and over their heads, they could feel the heat radiate from the flames before a massive gust of hot wind hit them. The wrath of skies passed losing more of it's speed, and now they could clearly see it. It was massive, draft the ones that feel from the sky the night, it blew blue fire on it's 8 legs, made of metal, and the roar was unbearable, but finally it disappeared behind the peeks, yet they could still hear it. Then the ground shook and at last the beast calmed down as it's ungodly voice gone.
The small group was terrified. And with fear anew, they pick up the slack, fighting their way through exhaustion and aching, protesting limbs. Reaching the nearest village, which was in utter panic. And instead of help, they receive accusation of summoning sky demons and all kind of vile acts. And thus they continued their journey, towards north, with despair reaching new depths.
Days passed on as occasionally they saw more of the smaller demons descend, far away, where their once home laid. The group was smaller now, outcasts, weakened by hunger, no place to rest and hide from the elements and predators, they gave a final look towards the plains as they entered the jungle, only to carry on, and hope their journey end, one way or another.
Chapter 1 - When you finally feel soil under your feet
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Chapter 1 - When you finally feel soil under your feet
Location: Equus, Equestria Easter Shores, Near Manehatten
Time: Present
One lone VTOL craft flew through a sea storm, shrugging off the wrath of untamed nature of this world, Equus as they learned it's name from the natives. David White shook his head, musing on the strange twists of faith, and it's odd, some even may call, cruel humour. Here he was, in a magical world, a being of technology and science to represent his people in an upcoming summit. The very first to attend and officially make contact with all the Mythical beasts of this rock, a rock they called home now.
His cybernetic eyes zoned in on one of the water droplets for a moment as it moved on the glass, blown off by the strong winds and speed of the craft. In fact it was just a moment, nothing more, yet could see it in slow motion, lost in his reflection after. A pale white face with white hair and emerald cybernetic eyes. He chuckled as his thoughts travel back in time 11 years. Remembering how it all started.
Location: Deep space, between earth and Tau Seti D
Time: 11 years ago
The world begin to return, muffled and dark first, but soon the voices become sharp, as did the world. With some effort David pushed the cryo-pod door open. He expected sort of when they wake up the ship would be full of activity, but panic, he did not expect. He looked around as things begin to sink in, something was wrong, terribly wrong.
“We are all doomed! We are so doooomed..”
Wailed a woman not far, just leaning into one of the empty cryo-pod, as man kneel down to her, picking her up and try to reassure her. David for his part stepped out of the cold pod, bit unsteady on his legs, and with some effort found his voice.
“W-...urg.. what is happening?”
The man looked back at him, uncertainty in his eyes clear as he hold and rubbed the back of the sobbing woman.
“There.. there is a massive anomaly before us, we.. we don't know what it is. The egg heads have no idea..”
With this said he star forward, muttering quietly, likely a prayer, but this was no longer important for David, who staggered forward, in the direction of the bridge. Trying to avoid the panicking occupants of the colony ship.
After a few minutes he made it to the bridge, which was, impossibly so, more chaotic than the rest of the ship, but this was at least organised chaos. He could see out on the front window, and his breath stopped.
Before the ship was a massive nebula cloud, an unholy storm in space with it's sick green shades, both the smoke fire and insane electric discharges. It looked like a cloud, yet not, it changed constantly and one could not hope to put a finger on it, as it looked to be solid, and fluid at the very same time. And this Aldrich anomaly not just wrecked havoc to the eyes of the occupants, but the ship sensors as well. And it got closer by the second. Considering how fast they moved, and how mindbogglingly massive it was. One could easily put a sun, or two in it and have still room for more. Then it happened, whatever it may be.
David woke up after sure several hours. And as soon memories flood back he jolt up. He looked around, he was the first to came to be, and they were all alive. He was not a believer, but after all this, he gave his thanks to which ever deity looked over them. But soon the realisation hit him, it was far from over, as he looked out the front window into the void. The stars have changed, dramatically. And with it came the dread that they now fly aimlessly to god knows where.
Once the others woke up, the panic begin in earnest and took hours to run it's course. A time during the more than a few commit suicide to escape a fate they knew would be worse than if they died to that anomaly. But with a degree of order regained the ship captain and scientist begin work out things. It took a day but they were able to scan the stars in their path, and by sheer mad luck the star system ahead had an M type planet, even better than the one they originally aimed to colonise. With new hope and a destination they adjusted the path of the massive colony ship, Followed by a drone launched ahead.
David watched the speckle from one of the many mass halls screen. The tension was electrifying, and they could do one thing only, wait.
Location: Unknown Space, high orbit above M type planet.
Time: 10 years ago
It took near a year to reach the world below, and as such there was time for things calm down, and solid theory made of what happened. The anomaly was believed to be a space time tear, a wormhole to another alternate reality. And sheer amount of luck they had this reality worked on the same base principles as their own, but unlike 'home' this place had additional forces, beyond one's humanity got familiar with during it's long history.
Now, now however was the time to land. Even after the drone pass this world and chart it, and as such came the most shocking revelation. It was a world habited, an early industrial age civilisation maturing. But there was no other options. They had to land. And the landing site was chosen carefully based on the images sent back by the drone, the southern continent, devoid of any settlements.
“Alright people, lets do this!”
The captain voice rang through the bridge.
“This is history in the making, and on a scale I, or any of us could never imagine. This will be our new home, a new beginning. And it is a place we have to share with the beings of this world. And by all hopes, peacefully. Without conflict and blood. Our children deserve a better world than the one we had, the one we fled from. The one we ruined, with our greed, wars, and ignorance. And I hope truly, from the bottom of my heart that we, Humanity, have finally learned it's lesson.”
All eyes, were on the captain, be there in person like David, or somewhere else on the ship, watch the historical moment through one of the countless screens.
“Our task is monumental, and it's one we can only hope to accomplish if we all work together. We have to build a civilisation from almost nothing. And it is the ultimate challenge to be done in a world of unknown, unknown wonder, and unknown dangers. I hope, no, I believe we will pass every obstacle, every challenge thrown at us by this universe and stand tall and proud at the end, looking back to this day with a honest smile that yes, we made it. We made it against all odds and can enjoy a safe new prosperous home.”
The captain gave a nod as his eyes looked around, take in every man and woman on the bridge, and those who he could only see with his mind's eye, in different parts of the ship. This was a moment of silence, but was not meant to last as moments later a cheer erupted, one that shook the ship, one end to another. Hands raised into the air or clapping. Dave smiled as he quietly spoke to none in particular.
“Agreed, now it's time to make our fortune and future old man. Sure it will be a bumpy ride, but hey, if it's smooth you just fall asleep.”
As things quiet down he received a smack to the back, he turned around to see his friend. Jason. David gave a smirk.
“Hey, ready for the landing party, Iceman?”
“Are you kidding, we been in this tin can for way to long, Jason.”
“Good! Now lets get in position, you know we gotta direct those resource pods down.”
Dave chuckled, or alas Iceman as he was called around the ships.
“Knowing you, this is nothing more for you then a video game, where you can be the master joystick wilder you are.”
“You know me Iceman, you know me. Lets go!”
The two friends quickly found their assigned terminal as the final preparations for the pod launch begin. Their task was important, at the top of the list for sure. And sure not an easy one as one might think. Remote-controlling a 275 Ton resource pod including with all the cargo in it, even if there's such luxury as flight assistance from the computer, was something not many could pull off, but they both practised this for countless hours in simulators, and by scores, the duo was the best. Now it was time to prove it.
One bright lightning flash snapped David out of his memories, and as his green eyes refocused he could make out the fast approaching land, despite the combined dark of the storm and night.
“Sir, we are almost arrived.”
“Thank you, lets see this odd punified and ponifed version of Manhattan.”
The VTOL was quick to enter the airspace above the large city of Equestria, fling high above, but slowing down significantly, not much later doing so they received an escort, 6 golden armoured pegasie. They quickly lead the roaring machine to the park where a landing site was prepared for them. But they weren't the first, and nor the last. There were other strange means of air transportations parked, not to far off. Once the aircraft land and all engines been cut, David White and his escort stepped out, and greeted by one of the royals of Equestria. The lavender alicorn mare trot up to the diplomats with her two personal guard on her side.
“Welcome to Equestria, mister David White. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Princess Twilight Sparkle extend her hoof, up to the twice as tall human. David for his part kneel down and gave his hand and shook Twilight's hoof.
“Thank you, and the pleasure is mine Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“I do hope you had a good flight.”
“I did, thank you, though it was a bit quiet and long, but as such was perfect for some rest. But in all honesty, It's good to feel soil under my feet once more.”
With said and done he stood back up and with the princess lead they begin walk to a smaller chariot which was waiting for them.
“I'm glad Mr David White, and I can relate, the train ride from Ponyville was a long too, and nothing can compare to some stretch one's hooves after such journey.”
“Indeed Princess, and please, David is fine, after all we are not in the summit and it's tense atmosphere yet.”
The full of life young alicorn chuckled.
“That is true, and I only accept your term if you accept mine, Twilight will be fine.”
“Done and done, Twilight.”
They reached the chariot, David allowed the young Princess board first before joining her. With their respected bodyguards.
The summit wouldn't start for another day, and would spawn for several as there was great deal to be discussed.