Chapters The Pony who fell to Equestria
Twilight took a closer look. More goop? No, it couldn’t be - some sort of luminescent green pattern ran through it. Only this pattern obeyed strict, straight lines that seem to cross into it. This substance was black, matching what had been sprayed over everyone, however it seemed to pulsate, almost as if it were alive. Feeling cautious, Twilight tried levitating it with her Magic. It was certainly heavy, but not unmanageable as she walked back to the group, who looked at it oddly.
“That there’s the weirdest Monster ah ever saw.” AppleJack commented.
“Assuming it is what everyone thinks it is.” Twilight replied as she examined the object more, turning it around with her magic.
“What do you think it is, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked, sounding just as curious as the rest of the group.
“Well, best guess? It could be a mineral or resource not native to Equestria. Or it could just have been some Extra Equestrian’s trash, or a piece of a Spaceship or-”
“Or ah weapon.” Applejack interjected. Twilight sighed.
“Or a weapon of some kind. If it is a weapon, then it’s not doing a good job of it. I would have expected more Death Rays and Photon Torpedoes by now.” she added.
“But so far, it is not a threat. And since we still don’t know what it is...” Luna looked deep in thought as she rubbed her hoof against her chin, before reaching a decision. “Twilight Sparkle, do you think you can study the object any further?”
Twilight simply looked at Luna oddly. “Begging your pardon Princess, but wouldn’t it be better protected in Canterlot?”
Luna nodded. “It would, but in this case, discretion is the better part of valor. As Ponyville to most Ponies is a simple farming settlement, most Ponies looking to steal it and use it against us wouldn’t look here first. And you come highly recommended by my Sister in matters such as these.”
“Well I’ll...do what I can.” Twilight responded. “If that’s everything Princess, I’ll take it back to the library for study. I apologize for being abrupt, but it’s heavier than it looks...”
****
Spike had been pacing around, waiting for some sign of Twilight or Luna. It had been hours since Luna’s visit, and Spike was starting to get extremely worried. Only indecision about what to do and Luna’s instructions had kept him from moving out of the Library.
It was then that he heard a knock at the door.
Without a seconds thought, Spike dashed frantically towards the door, fumbling with the keys as he tried to open it.Standing before him was a rather tired looking purple Unicorn. She was wearing an exhausted, but happy smile on her face. Without a second’s thought, Spike immediately gave Twilight the biggest hug he could muster.
“Don’t tell me I kept you up all night.” Twilight asked sincerely.
“I was worried! When Princess Luna came by and told me to stay put, I wasn’t-”
Twilight simply ruffled Spike’s head.
“It’s okay Spike, I’m sorry I made you worry so much.” Twilight told him. “I just need to put something in the study so I can examine tomorrow, and then I’ll be going to bed. It’s been a long night.”
Spike nodded. Finally letting go of Twilight he simply smiled and walked back to bed. Twilight wasn’t too far behind him.
****
The next morning, Twilight woke up in the middle of the afternoon. She yawned, before lazily climbing out of bed as if it were another ordinary morning.
“Spike, you're in charge today.” she told the Dragon “I can’t be disturbed while I’m studying today. It’s too important.”
Spike himself blinked, but nevertheless followed the instruction - he’d basically been running it while Twilight was asleep anyways. Then again, Twilight could have been slacking off to avoid Rainbow Dash nagging her about when the next Daring Doo book was going to arrive. After sorting “breakfast” out, Twilight walked into the study. The object was exactly where she had left it - on a desk next to a magnifying glass, tweezers and knife.
Twilight made her way over to the desk, picking up the knife with her hooves and using a Quill and Parchment to log it - she was going to try and crack open the object.
This isn’t a rock Twilight thought to herself Maybe it’s just space junk?
Twilight leaned in closer and closer. As she did so, she didn’t keep track of where her hooves were going. Her left hoof made contact with the object - something Twilight was made aware of when it seemingly bit her. Twilight recoiled and examined the injury - and found there was nothing there - no puncture mark, no teeth, no nothing. Thinking she was just being paranoid, Twilight turned back to the object...only to find it had mysteriously disappeared. Panicking, Twilight checked around the desk. She found nothing, except for a trail of thick, grey fluid - and an open window.
Oh sweet Celestia, where is it?!
****
The Object had moved itself onto the streets of Ponyville. It was sparking and leaking a trail of thick, grey fluid. It’s vision kept blurring and fading as it kept trying to find a safe location. As it did so, it still attempted to make observations.
For one, this place seemed to be dominated by odd, brightly colored creatures, powered by four thick, powerful limbs used for locomotion - which suggested even the smallest were deceptively strong. If this world was inhabited by other intelligent creatures, they would surely have been used as beasts of burden. It came to quickly conclude they were the dominant life form for the time being.
Eventually, it found a spot of shade in a back alleyway. It stopped to rest for a short while, and soon fell in what passed for sleep.
****
The Object’s vision woke with a bright light. Standing over it was a Scientist and his Assistant. There was a bright light moving around it. Annoyed, the Object started following the light.
“That’s it...follow the light little one...” the Assistant said to himself, before switching the light off.
“Vision would appear to be working. It’s definitely light sensitive.” the Assistant told the Scientist.
“We’re on track. At this rate, it should be about four months before we can begin proper Trials. The Director should be pleased with our progress.” The Assistant replied.
The Scientist walked over to The Object, petting it a little bit. “We’ve got big things planned for you, my friend.”
****
Back at the Library, Twilight was collecting together the tools she would need. Spike was just looking at her, tired and exhausted.
“This is that thing you found last night, in AppleJack’s farm?” Spike asked. Twilight merely nodded in response.
“I’m so sorry Spike, but if you can work for just a little longer, I really need to find it before...whatever it is gets into the wrong hands.” Twilight explained. Spike just cast a dumbfounded look.
“And who’d want to do that?” Spike asked.
“Well, when I first moved here we had Nightmare Moon, then a Dragon decided to take a nap here, then a Cockatrice turned me to Stone, then Discord showed up, and then-”
“Okay, okay, I get it!” Spike interrupted, crossing his arms.
“Sorry Spike. I’ll try and make it up to you when I get back.” Twilight replied apologetically, before strapping a Small Monoscope to her eye and walking towards the door frame, bumping into it.
I need to get used to seeing like this... Twilight thought to herself, before finding the door handle and opening the door.
****
Pinkie Pie was delivering a cake for Mr and Miss Cake. There was a party going on for Lyra and Bon Bon - the pair were celebrating their anniversary of living together. Pinkie however had decided to take it a little further - strapping a small gift around her neck with some string. It was then that her Hair and Tail seemed to point in a single direction - down a dark and foreboding corner.
There’s a New Pony around...but what’s he doing in there? He’s not a Vampire Pony...is he?
Pinkie Pie decided to investigate. Setting the Cake down, she decided to inspect the corner.
“Hello? Anypony here?” Pinkie Pie called out. No words answered her, but something Green lit up.
“Hello?” Pinkie Pie asked. She started to feel unnerved at the stranger’s presence. There was definitely something here. Pinkie was about to back out of the alley, when something made her stop.
A Pony walked towards her. He was black as coal, with an unusual green pattern that resembled straight lines arced across it. It’s eyes were large, round and very green, and seemed to hum and pulsate green light. The most bizarre thing about it however was that it resembled Pinkie - it was an Earth Pony with a poofy mane and tail. And then came the reply - what sounded like static. Pinkie raised a brow.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Pinkie’s question was answered with more static. It was then she noticed something brief. Walking around, the pink Pony spotted something else - lines, oozing something grey. Pinkie just looked at it oddly.
What kind of Pony oozes grey stuff everywhere and makes sparks? Oh well, I’ll figure it out later!
“I need to deliver a few things to a Party. I’ll be back for you, Okay?” Pinkie told it. The Pony looked like it was trying to understand, but couldn’t. Pinkie just looked at it stranger and stranger.
“...Do you want to come with me?” she asked. After a moment of silence, Pinkie went back to pick up the Cake. The other Pony followed behind her.
“...I’ll take that as a yes.” Pinkie replied, before walking along with the Cake, the Pony following behind her.
****
Twilight meanwhile had been following the trail of grey goo with the Monoscope. Not wanting to raise suspicions, she had refrained from asking any other Ponies if they’d seen anything - not even Big Macintosh or AppleJack.
It was then that things went from bad to worse for Twilight, as she stumbled onto a realization.
Was that thing actually alive? Is this Blood?
Twilight looked shocked - she’d just dissected a living creature. A living creature that was perfectly alive, no less. Regardless of if it was a Pony or not, if it was alive - and able to think like she could - then she’d basically committed malpractice at best and outright torture at worst.
“Something bothering you?”
Twilight snapped and turned around. It was Princess Luna.
“Bothering? Um, nono, I was just...examining a snail and...”
Luna chuckled. “Dear Sister was right about one thing, Twilight Sparkle. You really are terrible at deception.”
Twilight sighed and took a deep breath.
“That rock isn’t a rock. It’s an Alien Lifeform.” she began “I think I ended up torturing the little thing. It was bleeding this grey stuff, and I think it sparked a few-”
“It...Sparked?” Luna asked.
“Sparked, yes.” Twilight confirmed, nodding her head. Luna looked suspicious.
“Find it Twilight Sparkle. I will think of what to do when you catch it.”
With that, Luna took off and left Twilight standing in the middle of the Town Square. Twilight got back to her search, but something kept bugging her.
There’s something Luna isn’t telling me, but what?
The Pony who fell to Equestria
After around five minutes of walking, Pinkie Pie finally arrived at the door of Lyra and Bon Bon’s house. The Pony had been examining Pinkie Pie curiously - she’d mostly been bouncing on the way there, heedless of the boxed item she was carrying. Furthermore, her form of locomotion wasn’t very efficient, even moreso being a quadruped. If he had tried it, he would have fallen over somewhere back there, but this was probably due to the fact that he wasn’t used to having legs. Indeed, simply walking had proven to be a substantial effort.
Eventually however, they arrived. Pinkie Pie bounced up and knocked on the door. A minty green Unicorn with a white and mint green mane answered the door. She took a look at Pinkie Pie and almost immediately knew why she was here.
“Hey Bon Bon! Cake’s here!” the Unicorn called back. There wasn’t an audible answer. Nevertheless, the Unicorn turned to face Pinkie. “Pinkie, why don’t you come inside for a few minutes?”
“Okey dokey lokey!” the pink pony replied, before bouncing in. The Pony followed in after Pinkie Pie - or would have, if the Unicorn hadn’t stopped him.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t invite you. Can you wait outside for a few minutes? Pinkie should be back out shortly.”
The Pony simply looked confused. The Unicorn replied by slamming the door in his face. The Pony simply stood there, and went back to ‘sleep’.
****
“Project Neumann is exceeding the test parameters, Director.” the Scientist told the Director. “Camera feeds and Scanners are working. If all goes well, Project Neumann should be complete within four months.”
“Keep at it Professor. If Project Neumann is going as well as you say it is, our people may have a future just yet.” The Director replied before leaving the office. The Scientist then turned to his assistant.
“I’m busy going over the data feeds from the last few experiments Professor.” the Assistant explained.
“Quite. I’m going for a short break. I hope you have something by the time I get back.” the Scientist replied before leaving the room. The Assistant simply huffed.
“Slave Driver. I’m not Neumann.” the Assistant mumbled to himself, before noticing something odd. Something very odd.
“Neumann...are you...feeling okay? Neumann? Neumaaaan...”
****
The Pony snapped out of his trance for a moment. Pinkie was tapping him on the head with a hoof. He simply looked at her, as if to say “knock it off!”. Pinkie merely smiled back.
“Come on, we have things to do!” Pinkie told her. The Pony looked back at her, cocking his head to one side. Pinkie simply bounced off. The Pony - seeing no other choice - followed her. It tried copying her bouncing motion...and simply watched his leg bend over awkwardly. Pinkie trotted back and examined him. She watched with great interest as the Pony flattened the old leg and reshaped it into a new one. Pinkie didn’t show one ounce of fear or surprise, like he’d expected.
“Wow, you're one weird Pony!” Pinkie replied, before bouncing on ahead. The Pony collected himself, and followed her along her route.
****
Twilight in the meantime had been going in circles around Ponyville - as ponies went around their day to day business, many people ended up dusting over the trail of fluid with dirt.
Even if I do find him, what do I say to him? Somehow I don’t think “Sorry I carved you open and committed a medical, war and scientific crime all at once!” is going to win anyone over...assuming he’s friendly. Twilight thought to herself absently. In her daze, she failed to see where she was going before -
“Umpf!”
Twilight was knocked to the ground, losing her Monocle. Looking directly ahead of her, she saw who she’d bumped into.
“AppleJack!” Twilight exclaimed, sounding relieved it wasn’t somepony else “Have you seen anything weird around here? Might be sparking and leaking?” she asked.
Could have phrased that better, Twilight.
AppleJack simply gave Twilight an odd look. “This is ta do with that Monster from last night, isn’t it? Don’t tell me ya’ woke it up!” she inquired. Twilight sighed.
“I thought it was a rock. It was a small blob last time I saw it - leaking this grey fluid. I think I’ve severely hurt whatever it is.” Twilight explained quickly.
“Well, ah least we know it can bleed.” AppleJack replied. “Ah haven’t seen it, but everypony else has been talkin’ ‘bout some strange Pony.”
“Strange Pony?” Twilight asked.
AppleJack nodded. “Black, with no mane or tail, with bright green stripes and eyes. Didn’t look natural.”
Twilight rubbed her muzzle, as if thinking in deep thought. “...So it’s not a blob anymore. It’s a shape shifter.”
AppleJack looked somewhere between shocked and puzzled. “So it’s like one of them Changeling things?”
“Could be a distant relative, but I don’t think this is the work of the Changelings. It’s alien, remember?” Twilight replied.
“Well...alright Twi. Ah’ll do mah best to keep an eye out for it. Just try to find it before it finds anypony else.” AppleJack replied.
“Right...we wouldn’t want a cross species incident now, would we?” Twilight responded, adding a nervous giggle at the end.
This day is going to be the death of me... Twilight thought to herself.
****
The Pony continued to follow Pinkie Pie along the route at his own pace, before he heard something he’d never heard before. An odd, melodic sound. Curious, it stopped following Pinkie and started following the direction the sound was coming from. Peeking over some bushes, he found a yellow Pony with a pink mane and a pair of wings, most unusually. It examined the yellow Pony and molded itself an identical set of wings, before walking out to meet her.
****
Fluttershy was having a pleasant day so far. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, and Angel was behaving himself for once. Fluttershy herself was out washing a few items in the lake when an odd, black Pony with green, pupilless eyes and a pair of wings like hers walked towards her. She did the first thing she thought was sensible.
She screamed.
The noise cut through the black Pony as he appeared to recoil, but it didn’t appear to deter him. He walked over and...started to hum. Somehow, it had no mouth and yet was able to hum. To make matters even stranger, it was the exact same tune Fluttershy herself had been playing mere moments ago! While it didn’t alleviate her fear completely, she stayed out of curiosity.
“Um...hello?” Fluttershy asked. The Pony didn’t answer back, but it did stop humming.
“H-Hello?” Fluttershy repeated. The Pony cocked it’s head to one side.
“Can you understand me?” Fluttershy inquired. The Pony didn’t change posture, but tried humming again. Fluttershy blinked.
Maybe copying people is how he communicates? she thought to herself.
Fluttershy whistled an entirely different melody this time. The Pony stopped, listened and copied the whistle - exact note for exact note.
He does! Now how can I understand what he’s saying?
Fluttershy decided to hum an old lullaby she knew from sometime back. The Pony copied the melody exactly, before hacking up a glob of thick, grey liquid, which landed at his hooves. It’s eyes seemed to dim as it fell over on it’s side.
Fluttershy panicked. “Help! Someone! This Pony’s fallen over and he can’t get up!”
The Pony who fell to Equestria
Twilight adjusted the Telescope slightly to the left. It was night time over Ponyville, and she’d fancied studying some of the late night astral phenomena. Spike was fast asleep, his snoring being the only thing she could hear. She chuckled a little, and adjusted the Telescope again. It was then that she saw something unusual - a Meteor Shower looked normal, except that one of the rocks looked different - a smouldering rock that burned a trail of green fire behind it. Princess Luna didn’t seem to be trying to stop it, so Twilight assumed it was probably something new. She levitated over a book to try and look it up.
Looks like this night might be more exciting than I had originally planned Twilight thought to herself as she quietly browsed the pages.
****
That night, Applejack had been sound asleep, when something impacted with the ground nearby. Presumably, something big and heavy. She woke up with a sudden jolt of adrenaline.
What in the hay was that?
Yawning, AppleJack quickly strapped her hat on and went outside to check. After a minute's wandering, she saw smoke in a far off field. Suspecting a fire, she ran inside and looked for the bell.
****
There’s nothing here Twilight thought to herself, sounding worried. Maybe Luna was asleep? She could have let something dangerous though! No, that would be silly. Luna’s usually up by now. And if it were dangerous, she’d have redirected it. Or something.
Twilight had been desperately flicking through the book back and forth by now, but had found nothing on a Green Fireball. Twilight then stopped and look through the Telescope again - a thought had hit her.
Comets usually break up in the Atmosphere, and disintegrate harmlessly. But what if this one didn’t?
As she thought this, she scanned the Telescope back to where the Comet had been. It had moved - obviously - but Twilight took to tracking an odd oily black smoke trail. As she followed it, she started to look where it had landed - the southern fields of Sweet Apple Acres.
AppleJack!
Immediately concerned, Twilight knew there’d be no time. She left Spike in bed, took her book with her and galloped towards the possible impact site.
****
AppleJack had woken the rest of the Apple Family by now. Naturally, the family was panicking slightly - fires were never good for the crop. AppleJack suggested that AppleBloom and Granny Smith stay behind, while she and Big Macintosh went to check on the Apples. When they got there, the pair found no signs of fire - not even so much as a scorch mark, but something was still producing smoke.
“Ah don’t like this. Reminds me o’ one of them bad horror movies.” AppleJack said nervously while checking the trees.
“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh replied. “You sure it was a fire?”
“Well, what causes Smoke but no Fire?” AppleJack rebutted.
“Fair Point.” Big Macintosh replied “Ah’m gonna go check on Granny Smith and AppleBloom, AJ. Ya sure you’ll be all right here?”
AppleJack shook her head. “Oh no, ah know what happens in those movies. When the group splits up, the monster always gets the girl!”
Big Macintosh couldn’t help but chuckle. “Fine, we’ll come back an’ check later.”
AppleJack nodded and moved back with Big Macintosh. This field was starting to give her the creeps.
****
There was a loud knock at the door. Spike rolled over, and probably would have stayed sleeping if it wasn’t for another knock at the door, this one louder. Begrudgingly, Spike walked himself to the door.
This better not be another one of Pinkie’s after hours pranks...
Sure enough, Spike opened the door...and found a dark blue Alicorn standing in front of the doorway. He squinted his eyes a little, though really there was only one Pony that could be, especially at this hour. He blinked and immediately stood to attention.
“P-Princess Luna?!”
The blue Alicorn looked rather shaken. “H-Hello. Is this the residence of Twilight Sparkle?” the Alicorn asked, sounding desperate. Spike was still trying to put two and two together, but he let her in anyways.
“She’s upstairs, watching the Meteor Shower. Why?” Spike asked. Without stopping to explain, Luna galloped upstairs, to find Twilight missing. She came back down. “Stay here. If she comes back, tell her I visited, won’t you?”
“W-Wait, Twilight’s missing?!” Spike replied, now properly coming into consciousness.
“It would seem so.” Luna told him. “Fear not. You should stay here and keep an eye out for her in case she comes back. I will look for Twilight Sparkle.”
“Hold up. Shouldn’t I be looking for her?” Spike replied.
“But I need to see her, and this matter is important! And we need someone to watch this place in case she comes back. Please?”
Spike sighed and relented. With a flap of her wings, Luna flew off.
Spike crossed his arms, looking extremely bemused he’d been woken up. In truth though, he was even more worried about what might have happened to Twilight.
****
AppleJack and Big Macintosh meanwhile had returned to the area. Strangely, the area was still smoking, but there was no sign of any fire. As AppleJack and Big Macintosh continued to walk however, there were signs of trees that had been mysteriously broken and damaged.
“Ah don’t like this...” AppleJack mused to herself.
“As ah said, if it’s too much little sis, you can always go check on Granny Smith. And if ah don’t know any better, Ah’d have said those movies are doing yer brain in.” Big Macintosh replied. He was then confronted by a very angry looking AppleJack.
“You callin’ me yellah?” AppleJack replied, leaning her face uncomfortably close to Big Macintosh’s.
“Um, well...”
“Ah ain’t scared! Ah’m just being cautious!” AppleJack insisted. “Ah can find this thing without your help!”
With that, AppleJack galloped on ahead. Big Macintosh called her back, but AppleJack wasn’t listening. He sighed and tried to follow her.
****
Twilight meanwhile was galloping through the fields of apples. She continued to gallop heedless of anything in her way, which eventually resulted in one of her hooves hitting a tree. She yelped and fell forwards, causing her to drop the book and stumble over. Her eyes spun for a brief second, before she blinked and stood up, rubbing off her bruises.
Ow. A bit TOO desperate there, Twilight.
Twilight then picked up her book, and carried on walking into the field, keeping her wits about her.
Take it easy Twilight. You never know who could be around here.
It was at this point as Twilight took a few steps into the acres that she could hear someone calling out. It sounded like AppleJack’s brother.
But what would Big Macintosh and AppleJack be doing all the way out here? Twilight asked herself as she carried on walking.
****
Ah’m sorry, Lil’ Sis Big Macintosh thought to himself. His teasing had gotten a little too far. He trotted on, following the broken branches. It was then that he saw something flying over his head.
It’s a might late for the Pegasi to be out... Big Macintosh thought to himself. The figure swooped over and landed in front of him.
“Gentle Farming Pony, have you seen anything odd around here?” the stranger asked. Big Macintosh simply blinked, dumbfounded.
“More to the point, have you seen Twilight Sparkle nearby? I really have to find her.” the stranger added. Big Macintosh came out of his stupor for a short while.
“Ahm sorry, but ah haven’t. Have you seen mah sister AppleJack? She galloped on ahead after ah, well...”
The stranger blinked. “The Element of Honesty?”
Oddly enough, Big Macintosh did another double take.
“Hey, wait a minute...you're that Princess Luna character, right?” he asked, cocking his head to one side curiously.
“Very perceptive. Since we’re both looking for someone, why don’t we work together? I will keep an eye out for the Element of Honesty, and you look for Twilight Sparkle. Are we in agreement?” Princess Luna suggested.
“Alright, ya got ah deal. Just make sure she’s back safe, ya hear?” Big Macintosh requested. Luna turned and smiled.
“Hey, wait-!” Big Macintosh tried to call back My name’s Big Macintosh...
****
Twilight carefully kept trotting onwards, following a trail of broken branches.
Whatever it was, no way it broke up...though it may have taken some hefty hits on the way she mused to herself. It was at that point she came across some bitter sounding mumbling. Instinctively, Twilight took cover in the bushes. She spotted a bitter looking orange pony wearing a Stetson walking past, kicking a stone lazily along as she trotted.
“AJ! AppleJack!” Twilight called out. AppleJack stopped for a moment.
“Huh? Twi? What are ya doin’ out here at this hour?” AppleJack asked.
“Presumably the same reason you're here.” Twilight told AppleJack “Some kind of green meteor crashed here. I thought you were in trouble, so I came to investigate.”
“Well gosh Twi...wait, green meteor?” AppleJack asked. Twilight took a moment to explain the events on her end as best as she could to AJ.
“...And it’s not listed in any of my books, so I thought I’d come take a look!” Twilight ended, sounding rather enthusiastic. AppleJack simply gave Twilight an odd look.
“Twilight, ya creepin’ me out.” AppleJack replied. Twilight took a moment to compose herself.
“S-Sorry, this is exciting! We’re seeing Science unfold, live even! Who knows what that thing was?!” Twilight replied.
AppleJack sighed. “Something a might bit dangerous. Can you focus ya mind off studying for ah moment, Twilight?”
Twilight sighed. “Your right, so...I’m guessing whatever it is will have impacted at the end of this trail. And it’s pretty big.”
“Wait, what?! It’s bad enough we got a Monster, but a GIANT Monster?!” AppleJack replied.
“Well, we dealt with that Atlas guy. We can deal with this.” Twilight replied, trotting ahead.
“Hey now wait a minute! He was a Giant Pony, not a Giant Monster!” AppleJack called back, trotting onwards to keep up with Twilight.
****
Princess Luna circled above the Field, looking along the route. She was starting to despair when...
At last!
Princess Luna swooped down in front of Twilight and AppleJack. “Twilight Sparkle! At last!”
“Princess Luna? You're here for the Comet too?” Twilight asked.
“That’s the thing, Twilight Sparkle. It’s not a Comet.” Princess Luna told her. “The object is...Extra Equestrian. Beyond that I don’t know what it is.”
“Told Ya.” AppleJack said, nudging Twilight teasingly.
“She said she didn’t know what it was, not that it’s a Giant Monster.” Twilight sighed.
“There’s someone else looking for you, AppleJack.” Princess Luna told her.
“Yeah yeah, ah know. Big Mac thinks ah’m yellah.” AppleJack replied. “So ah galloped on ahead of him.”
“The Element of Honesty certainly has a prideful streak.” Princess Luna remarked.
“And what in the hay is that supposed to mean?” AppleJack snapped back, looking straight through Luna.
“Nothing dear AppleJack. Shall we trot on ahead? I have a feeling Dear Sister is going to want to know what it is.” Princess Luna asked. Twilight and AppleJack looked at each other.
“Maybe we should wait for Big Mac. He sounds concerned.” Twilight told her.
“Nothin’ doin’ Twi. Ah ain’t scared o’ nopony!” AppleJack replied.
Twilight sighed. “Let’s wait a few-”
“Let’s move on ahead!” AppleJack interrupted. Princess Luna just looked at the squabbling Ponies in a bemused fashion. She then cracked a wry smile.
“And what’s that look for?” AppleJack barked at Luna.
“I found them, Gentle Farming Pony...it is Big Mac isn’t it?” Princess Luna asked. AppleJack huffed in disapproval as the red stallion trotted over.
“Eeyup. Seems ya found who ya were looking for too.” he replied.
“Right, well then...let’s move on ahead. Our object is at the end of this mess.” Luna told everyone, before turning to lead the way. The others followed along single file, with Twilight acting as a spacer between Big Macintosh and AppleJack.
****
The quartet soon reached the end of the trail. Lying before them was a disk shaped object, at least 30 hands in diameter. It looked in bad shape, as if a good chunk of it had actually burned up on re entry with the atmosphere. It was still warm, but not burning hot. The heat was...kind of pleasant actually.
Twilight was the first to step forwards.
“Careful, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna warned.
“I’ll be okay...but there’s this...sticky stuff on the ground. Like some kind of Gel...”
Twilight examined it with her eyes, before levitating up a chunk. “Here.”
Princess Luna examined it. “Quite.” she responded simply. Luna was actually trying to hide her revulsion at the gel.
“So, what whadda we do now?” AppleJack asked.
“Well, it’s our Object. Maybe we should examine it a bit closer first?” Twilight responded, trotting closer. The heat itself didn’t seem to be bothering Twilight too much, even at this close proximity. Shouldn’t it be burning her right about now?
As Twilight got closer, the heat proved to be less intense. She found something odd - a button almost. A large red, round circular button.
“I’ve found something. It looks like a release mechanism.” Twilight called back.
Everyone looked at each other.
“Keep it closed! We don’t know what it could do to Equestria if we open it!” Luna shouted back.
“On tha’ other hand, somepony else might come along and open it. Would ya rather it be them than us?” AppleJack called over, getting odd looks from Luna and Big Macintosh. Twilight sat down for a moment, thinking of what to do.
Twilight took a deep, nervous breath. “Alright, everyone stay clear. I’m opening the - uh - disk.”
With that Twilight pressed the button. The disk split along the middle, before splashing the area with a good amount of black goo. When everyone finished wiping the goop from their eyes, they couldn’t believe what they had found...