Fools, Foals and Ships named Enterprise

Elusive 'Hondo' Belle knew he wasn't a particularly brave pony, while he was willing to 'take one for the team' where his friends were concerned, he knew he was nothing compared to Rainbow, Applejack or even Dusk, but right now?

He was Bucking TERRIFIED!

The first contraction had come and Spines' screamed, to his surprise somepony had yelled her name from downstairs and thundered up the stairs, the door disintegrating in a bright purple flash...

Standing in the doorway was Dusk, his Magic Aura charged in a swirling maelstrom, his eyes stormy, clad in a tight navy blue jumpsuit that showed off a deliciously toned...

...

...

Damn it! Back for less than a minute and he's turned me Bi!

"What In All The Worlds Is Going On!"

One second; I'm in his room, Spines is on the bed, clearly about to lay eggs, clutching my bleeding hoof, and...

"Dusk, it's not what it looks like!"

I wince as Nurse Redheart facehoofs off to my left, I open my eyes to see him staring at me incredulously.

"You're really going to try to sell me that?" his tone is dripping with disbelief.

"I wasn't thinking," I admitted, wincing as Spines' screamed again, her claws digging deeper into my hoof.

"Clearly," Nurse Redheart's voice dripped with sarcasm, "look, unless you're going to help, please leave."

"Flash?"

"Yo?" I wasn't the only one to jump as an orange Pegasus glided in.

"First off, don't do that," Dusk gave the unrepentant Pegasus a glare, "would you kindly go outside and ask Doctor Phlox if he would mind coming down with whatever he has on reptiles? Preferably quickly?"

"Why do I have to go outside?" Flash asked.

"Because there's a lot of Magical junk in the basement and an enchanted lightning rod above us, I have no idea how they'll affect a transporter lock, so I'd rather play safe," Dusk replied.

"Ok, back in a sec," with that the Pegasus was gone, leaving Elusive with a rather cross Unicorn.

"You're here?" I almost gave my self whiplash as Spines' spoke, drawing Dusk to her other side, "Just like you said."

"Did I?" Dusk looked confused for a moment, then shook his head, "either way, I'm here."

"Don't you remember the Sun and Moon?" I asked desperately, "drinking alone, we come in and ask you what happened, then share embarrassing stories?"

"I remember the bar," Dusk admitted, his ears flattened as he strained his memory, "I was drinking... to forget? To forget what... Oh?"

"Yes, Oh?" I teased.

"At least I wasn't caught," he retorted and grinned victoriously as my cheeks, neigh, my whole body burned.

"You remember?" Spines' said hopefully.

I had to fight the urge to Daww as Dusk gently nuzzled Spines' cheek, "most of it, I'm here now Spines, don't worry."

I gasped as Spines had another contraction and Dusk took her other claw, though at the wrist.

I turned to Dusk as Redheart started doing her thing, "So where have you been?"

He just gave me that insufferable, 'I know something you don't' grin Dash taught him, "Out of this world."

I raised an eyebrow, "No seriously, I was abducted by aliens."

The other eyebrow joined it, "I know how this sounds, but in a few minutes my proof will walk through that door."

"Really?"

"Ensign, I believe I signed you off on medical leave, what's this I hear about destroying a door with your Magic when such is strictly prohibited?"

I'm seeing it... I'm seeing it, hearing it and smelling it...

"There is a patient here, Doctor," ok, that's definitely Dusk.

So where in Tartarus did...

"Good afternoon, I am Doctor Phlox, the Chief Medical Officer of the SLV Enterprise," The... alien said to Nurse Redheart.

"I am Nurse Redheart, I'm from the Ponyville Hospital and unfortunately I'm the only pony that could be spared," She gave a sigh and shook her head, "do you have any experience with dragons?"

"I'm afraid not, but my people have run into a number of egg-laying reptiles, hopefully that will help," Phlox replied.

Spines' Screamed loud enough to crack the windows and the first egg emerged.

I starting to struggle to feel anything but pain in my hoof as Dusk, squeezes her other claw and... starts singing?"

Come Little Children, I'll take thee away...
Into a land of, Enchantment...

Come Little Children, the time's come to play...
Here in my garden of Shadows...

I noticed Dusk's horn light up and a music box on a shelf opened, it started to play this eerily beautiful melody.

Spines' relaxed a little then tensed as the second egg popped out, Phlox took the chance to push some instrument to her neck, that let out a hiss and Spines relaxed further.

Follow Sweet Children, I'll show thee the way...
Through all the pain and the sorrows...

Weep not poor Children, for Life is this way...
Murdering beauty and passion...

Spines tensed but no egg came out, her grip was eased over before and it was visibly becoming easier for her.

Hush now dear Children, it must be this way...
Too weary of life and exceptions...

Rest now My Children, for soon we'll away...
Into the calm, and the quiet...

Redheart and Phlox were talking quietly as the last egg made it's appearance, cleaning the eggs and setting them into a small basket. I sat entranced, who knew Dusk could sing so well. Judging by Spines' face, maybe her.

Come Little Children, I'll take thee away...
Into a land of, Enchantment...

Come Little Children, the time's come to play
Here in my garden of Shadows...

Spines got sleepy as she was cleaned up, Dusk and I averting our eyes, Nurse Redheart gave her the basket, Spines cuddled it and was tucked in.

"I think we should let her rest," I suggested.

"And let the professionals look after her," Nurse Redheart added, making a shooing motion with one hoof.

I winced as I put weight on my injured hoof.

"One moment," I froze as the alien lifted my hoof, then played one of his devices over it.

Before my eyes the cuts knitted together, leaving unblemished skin.

Redheart inspected the hoof, then I tested it as she turned to Phlox.

"I've never seen anything like that," she said.

"Well, I've had a fair bit of experience treating our Equestrian crewmen, particularly the Ensign," Phlox replied.

I looked sharply at the now shy pony, it didn't help him as he looked as innocent as a kitten sitting in a patch of feathers next to an open bird cage.

"Do we really need to go over that doc?" he asked nervously, "it couldn't really be helped."

"Your most recent trip to my Infirmary was most certainly your fault," I felt a twinge of worry as Dusk flinched as though struck.

"Doc?"

"Just go before I change my mind about keeping you in sickbay," the colt was out the door in a cloud of dust, but ducked back.

"Tell Spines I won't be far if she wakes up before I'm back?" he asked.

"Of course, now shoo," Redheart replied.

I took the opportunity to follow as Dusk ran back down the stairs, stopping at a table with a large duffel bag on it and that Pegasus lounging on a bean bag with a Daring Doo book.

"I don't believe we've been introduced," I noted as I settled next to Dusk.

"Point," Dusk agreed, "Elusive, the jarhead who's got his arse lost in the bean bag is Flash Sentry, one of the security officers on the Enterprise, Flash, the filly's wet dream beside me is Elusive Belle, one of my best friends and Bearer of the Element of Generosity."

"Filly's wet dream?" I can't help but twist my mind into a knot.

"You know," Flash said teasingly.

"Snow white coat," Dusk said.

"Bright blue eyes," Flash added.

"The svelte form," Dusk added with a glint in his eye.

"The airs," Flash added with a grin.

"Just every little filly's Prince Charming made flesh," Dusk added with a predatory grin.

Oh Faust... wait a moment?

"Then why have I never been proposed to?" felling a little smug.

"The colt is supposed to propose," Dusk pointed out.

"Besides, why would they risk ruining the fantasy unnecessarily?" Flash piped up.

"Thought of everything haven't you," I muttered.

"Eeyup," Dusk agreed in a good imitation of Big Mac.

"So, what did you do to end up in the Infirmary?" that wiped the grin off his face.

"Which time?" I'm not sure who's more shocked, me or Dusk.

"What do you mean which time?" I demanded.

"He's been put in the Infirmary three times by injuries that nearly killed him, seven times he's had to be patched up on the fly after random damage and malfunctions aboard ship... and I can't count how many times the ships escaped destruction by the skin of it's teeth," Flash elaborated, my jaw joining my stomach somewhere around my fetlocks.

"Dusk?"

"There was a war on," he protested.

"You were in a war?" I don't think Princess Celestia will be any more pleased than I am.

"The Xindi attacked Earth, you have to understand, they had no idea where Mythis was, we had little choice but to become citizens," Dusk pleaded, "I joined Starfleet's Explorer branch, they recalled the cruisers to act as command ships for the scouts and with Enterprise being one of the newest and most powerful..."

"Enough, I get the picture," I sighed, rubbing my temples, "you can discuss that later, right now there's an emergency."

Both tensed and looked up at me, "What emergency?"

"You don't have a suit for the Wedding tomorrow, the Elements' attendance is mandatory," I smiled as Dusk's jaw dropped and Flash howled with laughter. I'd never managed to get him into the shop for a fitting, especially as male models are rather hard to find in this town, for some reason, and even before Dusk was a prime specimen of Unicorn masculinity.

"No," he said flatly, derailing my train of thought rather violently.

"No?" I asked incredulously, "but this is a Royal wedding?"

"I am a Starfleet officer," Dusk told me in an authoritative tone that sent a shiver down my spine, "thus I will wear my dress Uniform."

"But..."

"No Buts!" I shied away at the command, "However, there is one complication."

"Indeed?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I..."

"He was decorated for Bravery under Fire and is too modest for his own good," Flash supplied, waving in response to Dusk's glare.

"Decorated," I gasped.

"Yes," Dusk said exasperatedly, "I don't know if I have to wear my medals, it's never come up before."

Ah, "I shall pen a missive to the Princess and ask," I replied happily, "She left a set of seals that could act as substitutes to Spines' flames so she could recover without being burdened."

"Just..." he sighed in resignation, "write to her and I'll see if I brought them with me."

I just kept from squeezing, and trotted over to the writing desk.

Dear Princess Celestia

It is with much glee I write to inform you Spines has delivered four healthy eggs into the world,
sadly this is not the only reason for my missive.

A pony that has been dearly missed has returned after several months abroad, apparently he's on medical leave,
our lost little pony has asked me to inquire whether he will be required to wear his decorations during the wedding,
It seems he has spent at least some of the time in service to a foreign military and been decorated for bravery.

For my friend, I ask if it is indeed necessary for him to wear them and ask you pass on the news to my friends already with you.

Yours faithfully,
Elusive Belle

I rolled up the scroll and applied the seal, breaking the little wax dome as shown and the scroll flashed away, I managed to hear Dusk curse and Flash laugh, it seems he did pack his medals.

I jump as a scroll flashes back in front of me with unusual speed, I open it with my magic and read:

Dear Elusive

I Thank you for the good news, as I pen this your friends are celebrating, Your other news is quite surprising yet very welcome. If this is the lost pony I think you mean then there will be much to celebrate tomorrow.

The note on his decorations is curious, while there is precedent I won't say I'm not looking forward to satisfying my curiosity,
it is already noted that decorations are to be worn, the groom being the exception, so I believe that settles it.
In case our friend is reluctant, kindly inform him everpony is to wear them.

I have taken the liberty of booking two tickets for the morning express, they await you at the station,
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,

Yours in Faith
Celestia Galaxia

I can't help but grin as I look up to see a curious Flash and a nervous Dusk, "Decorations are to be worn."

I can't help but grin as Dusk slams his head onto the table.

I can't blame Celestia for booking the first train to Canterlot, it was the only one not booked solid.

But as the Sun peaks over the Canterhorn, I feel the urge to curl up and go back to sleep.

"Hey, Elusive?" I look over to see Dusk looking nervous.

"Do you mind if I quickly..." I smile, of course he would want to.

"Go see you family," I assured him, "I'll wait by the fountain outside the gate."

He smiles gratefully, "Thank you." I smile as I watch him run off.

Idly I wonder how his parents will react, I then realise I'll be in trouble for not mentioning who the wedding's for, I did a little research two nights past and discovered the groom is his Brother.

I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

It doesn't take long to reach the fountain, the city seems smaller when there aren't dozens of snobby nobles swanning about, forcing you to go around them. I can't believe I used to want to make connections with them.

To stave off the inevitable musing on how Dusk had been right I take a closer look at the fountain.

The fountain itself is made of two layers, each bowl has three figures. On the upper bowl the figures face the centre vertical water spout.

There is a Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth Pony. Curiously the Earth Pony is clearly Celestia while the Pegasus is Luna, I don't recognise the Unicorn but the family resemblance is clear.

The lower bowl has three Alicorns spaced equally around the edge, all chasing each other, the first two are Celestia and Luna but the third is smaller, possibly younger, but isn't the Unicorn from the upper level, only resembling her.

"A daughter, perhaps?" I muse, "perhaps this Mi Amore Cadenza?"

I didn't have to wait long for Dusk to return, looking thoroughly downtrodden, "They weren't there," he said miserably.

I can't imagine how he's feeling, "We'll see them at the wedding, I know they were invited."

After all, it's very bad manners not to invite your own parents, even if you aren't speaking with them.

"I was hoping to see them first," he sighed, "come on."

We're at the gate, the Guards being more than a bit obstructive, when what sounds like a Manticore growling erupts to my left.

The Guards and I jump, scanning for the threat only to realise Dusk is looking rather sheepish.

"I think I need to visit the kitchens once we're through?" I shook my head in amusement.

"Oh Dusk?"

"Are we clear to proceed, gentlecolts?" I asked the guards, both ran an eye over Dusk but the one with a white strip in his plume nodded.

We passed through the gates and once we were out of earshot Dusk turned to me.

"I'm bunking with you, right?" he asked me.

"I won't pretend to know how the Princess has arranged the day, but I would assume so," I replied, "at least until after the ceremony."

"Good," he said cheerily, then dumped his duffel on top of my trunk, "mind getting this to the room while I raid the kitchen? Thanks!"

I spluttered for a moment at his Dash like move, "hold on! You don't know where the room is?"

"I'll ask one of the staff," he yelled back, then disappeared down a side passage, "catch you in a bit."

"But I..." but he was gone, I considered going after him but I'd just get lost, probably the only ponies who know more about the layout are the Princesses, I chuckled fondly, "that stallion."

I glanced at the luggage and noted the now struggling footman, I promptly lifted Dusk's duffel off, which was surprisingly weighted, earning a relieved sigh from the stallion.

Upon reaching the room I note three familiar voices from inside, my hoof is barely raised to knock when the door flies open and a pink hoof hauls me through.

I'm no the bed staring at the ceiling as a pink, fluffy thing bounces around.

"Where shall I..." I take pity on the poor colt.

"Leave them by the door, I'll sort them shortly," the stallion groans in relief as he drops the bags, then quickly leaves, though not before stopping to doff his little hat, then the door closes behind him.

It's then I notice three excited mares circling me, I feel like one of my outfits on display.

Is this how Dusk felt last Hearts and Hooves?

"So..." Dash drew out.

"HowwasitisSpinesokhowmanyeggsdidanyhatchooh!ooh!ooh!whydoyouhavethatoldduffelbag?" Pimkie exhaled.

"Yeah, why do you have it?" Dash questioned. lifting the strap up by one hoof, "not something you'd normally use, like... ever?"

"Ah, but it's not mine," I explained, pulling the gaze of all three mares.

"Then, who does it belong too?" Fluttershy asked.

The door burst open before I could speak, revealing a frantic Applejack, covered in dough and flour, looking like she'd galloped all the way from the kitchens.

"As I was saying..." I started.

"Dusk is Back!" Applejack shouted.

I facehoofed as Fluttershy eeped from... somewhere, Dash stopped flapping her wings and was nearly swallowed by the soft cushions on a nearby armchair and Pinkie gasped and stopped mid-bounce...

How? ...no, it's Pinkie!

"And you ran off without bringing him with you?" I deadpanned.

"Oops?" Applejack said, rubbing her neck.

"Never mind, he'll find his way," I sighed, then clapped my hoofs, "come on, we need to clean up for the rehearsal."

I pointedly picked Applejack up with my Magic and moved her to the door of the ensuite.

She looked about to protest so I gave her a look, "don't you want to be clean and smell nice for Dusk?"

The door slamming and the water turning on was all the answer I needed, and judging by her grin, Dash shared my thoughts.

I was getting rather worried now, and I wasn't the only one.

We waited for Dusk to return but he didn't arrive before we needed to head down to the rehearsal, he didn't arrive for the rehearsal either.

And now the wedding's nearly over and he still hasn't arrived.

As the happy couple say their vows I find myself taking a closer look at the groom. Something seems off, the way he moves seems slightly wooden. Now, it could be nerves, but my gut says something's up.

Maybe that's why he's not here?

"Princess Cadence and Shining Armour," Princess Celestia announced proudly, "it is my pleasure to pronounce you..."

"STOP!"

My head whipped around at the shout from beyond the doors... a shout in a familiar voice.

The doors burst open to reveal a ragged... Princess Cadence.

"You? How did you escape my bridesmaids?" the Cadence by Celestia growled, I wasn't the only one that looked suspiciously at her, she coughed to cover her slip, "How dare this imposter interrupt my wedding?"

"Ah don't understand," Applejack protested, looking between them, "How can there be two of them?"

"There can't," I announced, hiding the sinking feeling in my gut behind a brave face, "You can glue a horn on your head or hit a wing harness with a chameleon spell but you can't fake Alicorn Magic, one is a fake."

"She's a Changeling!" the ragged Cadence announced to the crowd, "they take the form of somepony you love and gains power feeding off your feelings for them!"

The bride Cadence growled and was coated in green fire that fell away to reveal...

"Right you are, Princess," the title dripped with loathing, as the bug like pony (or perhaps, pony like bug) laughed, "and as Queen of the Swarm, it is my task to ensure my subjects are fed."

She stepped down in front of the younger Princess, the pink Alicorn's glare rolling off her like water off a duck's feathers, "Equestria has more love than any other nation we've encountered, my children will feed so well the Swarm will grow in strength beyond even our wildest dreams!"

"They'll never get the chance, Shining Armour's spell will keep them from ever reaching us!" Cadence retorted.

As the bug queen chuckled, I realised the shield only covered Canterlot, the rest of the country was Defenceless!

And why was that bug laughing?

"Oh, I doubt that," She replied smugly, she then turned to the groom, her horn lighting up, "Isn't that right, dear?"

I could only stare in Horror as Shining Armour nodded, his eyes glowing the same green as the bug's magic.

Cadence made to reach him but was stopped by the bug, "uh, uh, uh! Don't want to go back to the mines, do you?"

The queen turned as Cadence stepped back, walking to stand next to the entranced stallion, "ever since I took your place, I've been feeding off Shining Armour's love for you. Every second he grows weaker, and so does his spell. Even now my children are chipping away at it."

I couldn't help looking out the window with most of the guests, I gulped on seeing the swarm of black dots.

"He may not be my husband, but he is certainly under my spell," the queen announced, earning a gasp from Cadence and Shining's parents.

"I'm afraid he'll be unable to complete his duties as Captain of the Royal Guard!" Bug queen declared.

"Not my Shining Armour!" It was hard not to feel for the young woman, completely helpless and left begging her enemy.

Hold on! Her plan relies on her having complete, uninterrupted control of Shining Armour!

"You've forgotten just one thing," I threw in, a teasing smile crossing my muzzle.

"Oh?" the queen inquired haughtily, "and what's that?"

I pointed to a spot behind the queen, "Her!"

She turns around and instantly steps back, subconsciously trying to make herself look small.

I would be running for the hills if Princess Celestia ever looked at me like that, She is Royally PISSED.

"You may have made it impossible for Shining Armour to perform his spell, But now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self," I jumped back slightly as the two mares literally locked horns, "I can protect my subjects from You!"

Princess Celestia flew up and charged her horn, unleashing a beam of pure magic, the queen retaliated in kind.

For a brief moment it looked like Princess Celestia would surely win, my glee turned to horror as the bug's green beam started to overtake Princess Celestia's golden magic.

Then it happened.

The green magic touched her horn. There was a blinding flash.

There was a flash of gold as something flew through the air, but my eyes were locked on the snow white body falling to the floor.

The top third of her horn was blackened, almost dead looking, the rest was scorched to different degrees, her scalp was burned and her eyes clenched shut, her mane, apparently unharmed, seemed lifeless.

"Princess?"

I could only stare in horror as Princess Celestia struggled to rise, Applejack ran out to try to help her, and a great bolt of green Magic slammed into the farmpony's side.

Before the orange pony came to rest there was a sound like shattering glass, I glanced out the window to see the great shield gone and the swarm of dots descending on the city.

"Foal!" the queen reprimanded, then turned to face the oncoming swarm, several smaller bug-like ponies, flew in trough the open balcony doors behind her.

I looked to Applejack, sighing in relief at her chest moving up and down.

I was about to turn to the others when the centre of the halls double doors lit with a purple glow, then shattered with a flash.

The smoke cleared to reveal Dusk with at least a platoon from the Night Guards.

"Applejack!" The purple stallion rushed to the fallen mare's side, quickly looking her over, I could just make out Applejack's lips moving and Dusk speaking back, both too quiet to hear.

The Guards hadn't been idle, one that I recognised as the officer that had accompanied Princess Luna on Nightmare Night signalled his ponies to attack.

The guards made a good accounting of themselves, occupying the changeling's attention as a number of the guests used the opportunity to escape, the chaos ended as the queen sent a blast at Cadence, who had tried to reach Shining Armour.

"Why do you insist on fighting when all is lost?" the queen growled at the pink Alicorn.

"The Game's not over yet," the whole room seemed to still at the quiet but firm answer.

Dusk stepped out in front of Princess Celestia, shielding both her and Applejack from the queen. I thought he was terrifying earlier but it was nothing to this.

His Magic was a dark and angry shade of purple, not the lighter lavender I remembered, and it wasn't just encompassing his horn... His whole Body was wreathed in wild Magic, there was a fair amount of debris being taken for a ride.

"Your Guard is defeated, your Princess lies at my hooves, Your Capital at my mercy..." the queen started.

"Get ready for the Encore," Dusk interrupted in that same firm voice, a disk of Magic forming on the tip of his horn.

The queen blinked then fired her beam at him.

The disk flashed then expanded into an oval shield, halting the spell. The queen stopped the spell in shock, allowing Dusk to form the shield into a dome around him and Celestia, before the Queen attacked again.

The shield grew slowly, inch by inch, I almost though the queen's attack was feeding it until she grunted and the beam thickened, slamming the shield to a halt mere feet from her, the shield then pulsed, slamming into her as it expanded briefly then contracted, knocking her down.

"How is a mere Unicorn doing this?" She demanded as she climbed back to her hooves.

"Using emotions to power spells isn't a new technique," Dusk explained, idly I recalled passage on how such had fallen out of fashion after Starswirl discovered a casting method that separated Magic and emotion.

"You are drawing from one bond, that with my brother," I suddenly understood as I realised my feelings of friendship for Dusk had seemed to grow over the past few minutes, "I can draw from many bonds."

"But no Unicorn can handle that much power," She pointed out, then grinned, "in fact the effort is killing you."

I felt like a knife had pierced my heart, the pain double as I saw Dusk's face, blood was pouring like a river from a huge crack in his horn that was growing as I watched, looking to his eyes I saw the pain was only matched by determination.

"I'm taking you with me!"

There was a massive Purple flash, accompanied by the queen screaming and I felt Dusk's magic wash over me, then my eyes opened to show the room was tinted purple, a look outside showed Dusk's shield had expanded almost to the city limits, fading once it crossed the walls.

I heard a body hit the floor and I spun round to find Dusk's forelegs had collapsed under him, pitching him forward, I was quick enough to catch him as he fell onto his side.

Oh Faust! This was it, he could really die!

"Dusk?" I asked as his eyes struggled to open, I took out a handkerchief and tried to press it into the crack in his horn to stem the bleeding, "Someone get the Medic!" I shouted to one of the Guards.

His eyes stopped fluttering but his breathing, and bleeding, remained steady.

"Damn it, Dusk," I cursed, "We just got you back," I accepted a heavier cloth from somepony and used it instead of the woefully inadequate handkerchief, "You are not going anywhere!"

He seemed to stir for a moment, then the eye facing me opened, only to close instantly as blood flooded it.

"Elusive?"

I almost sighed, "I'm here, it's me, Dusk."

"If... if I don't... look after Spines.. for me?"

I swallow heavily, "You Are going to make It, Dusk!" I told him.

"But..."

"No butts in polite company," it got a weak smile from him.

"Your a good pony, Elusive. I shouldn't have doubted you..."

I moved aside slightly as the medic arrived, "you were always a better friend than I, Dusk."

Just before they take away the stretcher, "I never deserved you guys."

"No," I mused quietly as the Guards escorted the teams of medics with Dusk, Applejack and Celestia out.

"We never deserved you," I heard to my left, a glance showed a distraught Fluttershy being held up by Dash and Pinkie.

As I lost sight of the group, I wondered what would happen now?

And prayed I would see my friend again.