Invasion

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Fascinating
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Fascinating

“If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans.” Stephen Hawking

3 Years Ago

The sun rose upon the capital city of Equestria-- Canterlot. At the highest peak of the large castle, Princess Celestia wiped a drop of sweat from her brow after aiding her younger sister-- her age fixed following the unintentional de-aging, in setting the sun and allowing her to raise the moon for the first time in a thousand years. After a work well done, the former turned to the younger mare and smiled at her, an act that was instantly returned.

“This truly never does get old, does it?” Luna asked her older sister.

Celestia chuckled at that remark, knowing full well that it did.

“Give it time, sister... give it time.”

The two shared a giggle and silenced kicked in as the elder sister gazed upon the younger.

"It's... I'm so glad you're back, Luna... I missed you." Celestia said, her voice starting to falter as the two princesses headed back into the large castle, just missing the shooting star that seemed too close for comfort to the Badlands...

Everyone comes into the world clueless—unable to comprehend everything around them, all of the strange colors, sounds, and sights all hitting you at once... The being hidden away on the large chunk of space rock was no different. Once the chunk of rock shattered on impact, the single, small pile of goo first seeped all over the forest-infested ground, as to be expected.

But after a moment... it began to move.

The movements were rapid and jerky at first, but as the pile of sentient goo began to move around the terrain, it began to adapt and change as the being was soon able to move around with relative ease. After a few minutes of roaming throughout unclaimed territory, it eventually roamed onto a large cave, and decided to enter, sensing other life inside...

Sure enough, there were a small group of pony miners who were packing up for the night.

“...See you in the mornin’, Steel!” A male voice called out.

“You, too, dude!” Steel Spark called out as he trotted towards the exit where the slime entered through.

The slime knew its purpose—to lunge at this or any other organism before it and make it it’s host—it's means of survival... even if it was by force. As soon as the pony was close to the slime, it reacted.

The slime went for the belly first, which was unsupervised by Steel Spark, who was still trotting on casually. The sensation of the substance meeting his fur caught him off-guard, causing him to jump back—onto the substance...

The slime climbed its way up his body, covering his cutie mark and reaching his neck before a large tendril formed from his hand, meeting his face.

The only thing Steel Spark could do was scream as the tendril lunged at his face, bonding with its first host.

Steel Spark’s mind went blank and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as the parasite spread throughout his body, covering him and causing him to jerk his limbs violently, breaking them and twisting them as Steel Spark continued to fight for freedom—he of course lost that battle as the parasite finally wrapped itself around his face, turning him into a hideous, slime-covered monster with uncountable sets of teeth accompanied with an unholy strand of drool running down the new, long pink tongue and empty, all-white eyes. Then, after the parasite had taken over, a new sensation set upon the parasite—one that it understood instantly.

Infect... eat... multiply.

The being understood its purpose and leaped into the night sky. As all of this was happening, more meteors were crashing throughout the Badlands, all of them containing these horrifying creatures...

Present Day

Near the border of the Badlands, a younger stallion by the name of Blank Page trotted along a paved road leading into the Badlands, using his magic to hold up a blank sheet of map paper. The vast, barren landscape was engaging the idealistic stallion, captivating him as he drew his sights onto the map, beginning his goal of mapping the entirety of the Badlands.

“No more living in fear of what we can’t see...” Blank told himself as he took the first step into the No Pony’s Land.

He felt his stomach twist and churn as the paved road ended, and the Badlands began. The unmarked territory scared him for a handful of reasons—Queen Chrysalis, the few remaining Storm King soldiers, and some new, Celestia-forsaken threat being a few examples.

He ate these fears up and spat them out as he trekked along his journey, making sure to document whatever his eyes could see besides unclaimed soil and dead trees. His trotting pace slowly built up along with his confidence, seeing absolutely nothing too threatening. After a few hours of wandering and mapping, he noticed that the sun was starting to set and decided that it was time to search for a camping spot.

“Now where am I going to camp for the night?” The stallion asked himself, looking around for a good spot to set up camp.

He found a decent spot close to where the road used to be and trotted over to it, using his magic to scan for any form of threat. Once he knew that the coast was clear, he set his tent up with his horn and started gathering firewood with his magic, ready to set up camp for the night. As he continued to set up camp, he could swear that he saw a cloaked figure on the horizon, but always blamed it to the heat and possible mirages.

Blank Page never used much of his magic for shows of strength or elegant wizardry, but when he needed to multitask, he wasn’t afraid to demonstrate how skilled he really was. With one spell, he set a group of rocks the size of his hoof into a circle and with another, he set sticks and a few leaves onto the pit inside. He took a breath before deciding to add more rocks to avoid large amounts of smoke and light—two things that would stand out in the Badlands. As he set more rocks on top, he caught the sight of somepony covered by a cloak trotting over to him and sitting near the un-lit fire.

“Hello.” Blank started, bearing a small smile on his face.

The stranger took a moment to answer.

“Hi.”

Blank could’ve sworn that he knew that voice, but decided not to dwell on it.

“Nice night...” Blank felt the conversation start to die as soon as it started.

“Indeed, it is.” The stranger responded.

After a short silence, Blank decided not to continue with small-talk and used his horn to reach into his bag, pulling out a small bag of baked cookies.

“My mom’s a baker, I told her that I didn’t need them, but she must’ve snuck in a few bags of these things in with my pack... want one?” Blank asked, pulling out two and holding one of them out with his horn.

The stranger oddly snarled to herself as she reached out and took one, munching on it as Blank did the same.

“Wait, so, who sent... oh, these’re good.” The stranger told herself, cutting off her question.

“She still has that reward plaster on the kitchen wall she won with that recipe.” Blank laughed to himself, followed by the stranger.

“So... who sent you?” The stranger started again.

Blank took a moment to swallow the cookie in his mouth before answering.

“I’m not with anypony-- I kinda don’t wanna be with anypony.” Blank confessed.

The stranger hummed in surprise—all the other ponies she’d come across were usually sent by a certain somepony, this one was different...

“Me neither.” The stranger agreed, taking a moment to lean her face into the fire, showing her one scar and her broken horn.

The stranger gasped slightly before leaning in closer.

“Oh, I’m, uh, sorry...” He started, understanding her response to him using his magic earlier.

“It’s alright... I was a filly when it happened...” The stranger trailed off.

Blank nodded, understanding that she didn’t want to talk about it. He then realized that he never stated his name.

“I’m Blank Page.” He said, holding out his front hoof.

The stranger took a moment before removing her hood, revealing a rather familiar face.

“Oh... you’re Tempest Shadow.” Blank said, his hoof starting to shake.

She sighed and set her hood back on, before noticing that Blank’s hoof is still extended.

“You were pardoned by the princess, the hoofshake still stands.” Blank smiled, steadying his hoof.

Tempest smiled under the cloak and shook his hoof.

“Nice to meet you, Blank Page... so what brings you into the Badlands?” Tempest asked.

Blank scratched the back of his head before answering.

“I’m trying to map out the Badlands—at least enough so that we have a basic idea of what’s out here.”

Tempest perked her head up, curious about this mission.

“But... why?” She asked him.

“Because the only way to not be scared of the monster under the bed is to shine a light on it.” Blank recited.

Tempest hummed at this philosophy, it seemed interesting enough...

“So, your plan is to map out over 400 miles of dangerous, unimaginable territory just because you don’t wanna be scared of it?” She asked.

“I don’t want us to be scared of this place. It seems pleasant enough, and I’ve debunked my fair share of myths about this place—the sun and moon moving on their own, herds of feral ponies roaming the lands, a hostile changeling army at the helm, the list goes on. I’ve already mapped out the Everfree Forest, and I won’t let this be the one that takes me down.”

A short silence fell in as the two continued munching on cookies and making a few small-talk attempts. Eventually, it was dark and Tempest looked around before sighing.

“What’s wrong?” Blank asked.

“My camp’s a little way back, and at night... anything could be out here.” Tempest answered.

“Well, I could walk you back, o-or you could stay here... for the night... your choice.” Blank meekly offered.

Tempest chuckled at Blank’s chivalry, she’d forgotten how friendly ponies could be.

“Will all due respect, Blank, this isn’t a neighborhood walk—there're dozens of threats out here, and you need to be ready for anything. Anything...” Tempest stated.

Blank nodded and as Tempest began walking back, she heard a light rumble in the distance.

“Uh, oh...” Tempest started.

Blank looked around and saw nothing, even with his magic.

“What does ‘uh-oh’ mean?” Blank started.

Another rumble set in as Blank could see a figure leaping around the desert, getting closer to the fire.

“Klyntar... how good are you with magic?” Tempest asked.

“I’m decent, but not at fighting! And what the hay’s a ‘Klyntar’?!” Blank panicked.

“Just stay close and when I give the signal, trap it.”

The being leaped behind the pair, catching them off guard. A tendril reached for Tempest, causing her to use her broken horn to electrify it. The being hissed in pain as Blank gulped in terror. It was all black with hints of orange fur being exposed throughout its body, its eyes are all-white without a sign of mercy or compassion. Its teeth were sharp and jagged and came in at least 3 sets, followed by a long, pink tongue.

“Keep that thing in your mouth.” Tempest teased as she entered a fighting stance that Blank had never seen before.

“Um, what’re you--”

Blank didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence as Tempest charged the Klyntar, avoiding tendril strike after tendril strike. Once she got close, she leapt for the being’s head, wrapping her hind legs around the monster’s neck and starting to choke it out. As she continued, the Klyntar started submerging Tempest, causing her to panic and use her horn to electrify it, granting a short moment to escape the being’s grasp.

“Now!” Tempest called out.

Blank mustered up his courage and activated his horn, trapping the being in through a magical barrier. The monster roared viciously, trying to break the wall down-- for every hit it did on the force field, Blank felt it, causing him to hiss in pain. Tempest noticed his struggling and already had the solution.

“Use the campfire-- these things hate fire!” Tempest added.

That information was all Blank needed as he used his magic to lift up the campfire and merge it with the field containing the Klyntar.

The Klyntar screamed in pain as parasite and host began to burn, Blank was so mortified by the mixtures of screams that he used his horn to simply silence the field inside, unwilling to listen anymore. Blank stepped back, horrified at the scene. Tempest simply watched—stone-faced, showing no sense of compassion for the monster or the poor pony trapped inside. She then turned to see Blank slightly shaking and trotted over to him, setting her hoof on his shoulder.

“It was it or us—you can’t show mercy for them... they won’t do the same for you.” Tempest tried to comfort Blank.

Blank nodded at that philosophy—he knew that if he wanted to survive in the Badlands, he’d have to get his hooves dirty. He never liked the idea, he knew that it was part of survival, even if he couldn’t stomach it.

“So, these... things, they’re called “Klyntar”?” Blank asked, desperate to learn more about these creatures.

“That’s what the books I read said. They’re slime-like parasites who should seek a mutual bond with their hosts—each should benefit from the bonding... but these ones are different. Very different.” Tempest said.

This information made sense for Blank, odd as it was—he was always fascinated with aliens...

“Okay, so instead of a symbiotic relationship, they’re seeking for a parasitic one...” Blank figured.

“Pretty much. Almost half of every pony who came through here in the past 3 years ran into one of these freaks... not many got away.” Tempest somberly added.

Blank took a moment to register the information provided to him—he wasn’t the first brave or stupid pony to explore the Badlands...

“We have to warn Princess Celestia.” Blank realized.

“Don’t bother, I tried already. They wouldn’t even let me through the door.” Tempest started.

“But why--” Blank quickly remembered the events that unfolded several months ago, with Tempest attacking Equestria and trapping the princesses in stone.

“Yeah... they wouldn’t exactly listen to me…"

“But they might listen to me.” Blank said, rising up and setting his destination for the Equestrian Capital.

Tempest wasn’t so eager to go, inclining Blank to turn back to face her.

“You coming?” He asked.

Tempest smiled at Blank’s dedication and decided to tag along—what was the worst they could do to a pardoned convict?

“So, allow me to understand this situation: You wish for us to believe that in the Badlands, there has been an invasion that has gone unnoticed for three years, and the invaders are slime-like parasites who attack and bond with whomever was unfortunate enough to encounter said parasites?” Princess Celestia asked, staring down upon the lone couple.

“Y-yes, Your Highness—I know how it sounds, but these creatures are real, and they are very dangerous.” Blank Page stammered.

Silence set in as Tempest simply glanced around the room, avoiding making eye contact with Celestia. Blank Page, however, stared her dead in the eye, desperate to prove his point.

“Blank, I am aware that you were one of the top graduates of your class—even a recommendation to my school, and I am aware of your... past relations with Princess Twilght Sparkle...”

Tempest glanced over to Blank, who winced after hearing her name—it had been 5 years since he met her, and 3 years since they stopped talking.

“...But if you wish for me to believe this story, we need proof—evidence of this parasite’s existence. False claims of alien threats have come more and more common since the invasion of Storm King’s army--”

“Which if I recall was commanded by a certain pony in this room...” Luna bitterly— and oddly roughly— added, much to her sister’s disappointment.

“Luna!” Celestia turned and glared at her sister, causing her to gasp, clear her throat and trot backwards.

Tempest took her comment to heart, lowering her head and ears.

“With all due respect, Your Highnesses, Tempest Shadow is not like that anymore—she saved my life, and that’s something I can’t forget.” Blank defended.

Tempest perked her ears up and smiled to herself, doing everything she could from making her eyes go misty.

Celestia took a step forward, desperate to make up for her sister’s brash comment.

“I will send a team of elite guards into the Badlands searching for signs or evidence of these creatures. Is there anything we should know about them, any weakness?” Celestia asked.

“They hate fire, that’s all I know.” Blank responded.

Celestia nodded and excused the pair of them. They both bowed their heads and trotted out of the large day court. Once the large doors had closed behind them, Celestia instantly turned to her younger sister.

“What was that for?! She’s beat up as it is, Luna-- the last thing she needs was to hear that from you!” Celestia whispered, her wings spanning outwards.

“I’m sorry, I... don’t know what came over me. One minute I was calm and collected... the next, I’m...”

Celestia tilted her head and noticed a long, white tendril extending from Luna’s back...

“Oh, no...” Celestia gasped, her pupils dilating and her wings bending downwards.

Blank and Tempest had exited the large Canterlot castle and started searching for a way out of the city.

“We have to find a place to lay low, put this on.” Blank handed Tempest a large straw hat and sunglasses.

“I... don’t know how to respond to that.” Tempest said, rejecting the ridiculous hat.

“If your scars don’t give away who you are, your hor— your... mohawk will.” Blank stopped himself from hitting another insecurity.

Tempest huffed and put on the large hat and sunglasses, covering her hair and scars.

“There’s a train not so far from here, it goes around Equestria.” Blank offered.

Before the pair had time to react, royal guards charged at the direction of the two, causing Blank to bolt in front of Tempest, ready to take the blow.

But the guards trotted right past them and into the castle, worrying Blank.

“Wait... we didn’t take any of those things with us, did we?” Blank asked.

Tempest gulped, knowing that it was a possibility.

“I don’t think so, but one of them could’ve used one of us as a carrier, transporting it to a large population...” Tempest whispered in fear.

Blank gasped and checked himself for any signs of Klyntar, but found nothing.

“Princess Luna! Restrain her!” A guard shouted.

“Luna?” Blank perked his head up and charged inside, followed by Tempest.

The two ran in to see Celestia on the ground, bleeding out from large bite marks on her hindlegs, guards fighting with a large, white alicorn Klyntar with hints of blue showing throughout...

“Oh, no...” Blank whispered as he charged in, ready to fight.

“Blank, let’s go! The guards can handle--”

Tempest was interrupted by a loud chomping sound and the sound of somepony getting thrown into a wall...

“Start a fire, I’ll find a way to keep it busy!” Blank said, trying desperately to block out the sounds of chomping and crunching.

Tempest looked around and saw a lit torch on a wall; she grabbed the torch with her mouth and charged to help Blank take care of the Klyntar.

Blank was trying to use his horn to trap the princess, but she would use her magic to destroy his barrier. He eventually decided to grab one of the dead guards’ spears and charged with it, but he didn’t get far—Luna back-handed him into the wall, causing him to drop the spear...

Onto a rack full of them.

The rack fell and the noise caused the Klyntar to hiss in pain, with tendrils extending randomly. Blank looked up, saw the display and knew what to do—he used his magic to grab two of the dropped spears and clash them together, causing the being to roar in pain, clutching its ears and the slime to begin to separate from Luna’s face, showing her horrified expression. Blank then grabbed more spears and used them to trap the parasite, clashing one around them to cause as much sound as possible.

With one last great clang of the spears, Luna was visible, triggering Blank to grab her with his magic and yank her out, leaving the angry Klyntar behind.

Emphasis on “angry”.

The being was over 10 feet tall, growing arms and leaving the eyes behind... Blank backed away from fear, clueless as to what to do about the large, snarling creature behind him.

“That’s... um... fascinating.” Blank stammered.

Tempest then barged into the room, took a moment to gasp at the Klyntar’s size, swallowed up her fear, and charged it, holding the lit torch in her mouth, ready to fight. However, the Klyntar grabbed Tempest by the throat and swatting the torch away from her, causing it to get put out. The being then took a moment to study Tempest, eager for a new, stronger host to infect. Before it was able to infect her, Blank pulled her out, leaving her in the separate hallway. The monster then turned to Blank Page, forming a horrifying, distorted growl.

The Klyntar charged at Blank, but the being was blocked by a wall of fire.

The two species turned to see Celestia using her magic to shoot fire at the Klyntar, causing it to roar at Celestia and try to charge at her, which only made the burning more effective. It was a few meters away from Celestia’s face when it burnt down to nothing, leaving the silent, empty room before them...

Luna looked up and saw the dead guards—some missing limbs and another missing his head and began choking in fear and pain.

“Wha... what was that thing?” She managed, tears streaming down her face like a flood.

Celestia limped over to her sister and rested a wing over her, comforting the two of them.

“That thing... was a Klyntar.” Blank stated, still catching his breath from the amazing display of teamwork.

Celestia nodded to herself, ready to act.

“Get my sister to the infirmary, and someone get the other princesses—we need to calculate our next course of action against these... Klyntar. Furthermore, Day Court is closed until further notice, these parasites are officially Equestria’s top priority. As of right now...”

Tempest broke through the wall, landing onto the ground.

“...We are at war.” Celestia demanded.

Author's Note

The War Room

Several days had passed since the Klyntar unintendedly revealed themselves to the Equestrian government. Blank Page and Tempest were told to remain in the castle until further notice, mostly so Celestia can have a sense of comfort knowing that possibly the only two ponies who know any weaknesses to these monsters are safe and secure. Luna was taken to the infirmary and, after being cleared of Klyntar infection, was safe to leave and resume royal duties. Except for the trauma of what she saw the creature do in her body—forcing her to eat royal guards, killing them...

It got to her.

As for the situation of the Capital, no-one is allowed in or out of the city, at least not without scanning and noise testing—something that most ponies chose to avoid. Princesses and prince Cadence, Twilight, and Shining Armor were due to arrive and the meeting was ready to start in a room that hadn’t been used in hundreds of years, a room that Celestia hoped would never be used again...

The War Room.

Blank took a seat in the massive council room with Tempest, Celestia, and Luna—the latter of whom was still shaking from the events of the day prior. Tempest noticed this and leaned inward of the massive table.

“I’ve been in the Badlands long enough to know for sure that you weren’t in control—it's what they do, they take living organisms and use them as hosts. I know it’s hard to believe, but it wasn’t your fault...”

Luna looked up and nodded, refusing to speak.

The doors opened and the two princesses and one prince finally arrived. The moment they entered, Twilight and Shining Armor turned to Blank, shocked at his presence.

“Uh... h-hey?” Blank nervously and awkwardly waved his front hoof.

Twilight didn’t say a word and waved back, bearing a faint, wavy smile. Shining, however, was a different story.

“Why is he here?” He asked Celestia, outraged at Blank’s return.

Celestia glanced at the two and remembered their troubled past.

“Blank Page saved Princess Luna’s life—he's one of the only few ponies who confronted a symbiote and trotted away unscathed. He can be trusted, Shining Armor.” She answered.

No-one knew what she meant by the word ‘symbiote’...

“Wait... symbiote?” Tempest asked, confused at the new title.

Celestia turned to Tempest and sighed, leaning forward.

“This is not Equestria’s first encounter with these creatures... we simply were lucky that there was only one last time.” Celestia gravely hinted.

Twilight was desperate to add her input to the situation.

“L-lucky? What does that mean?” She asked her mentor.

Celestia sighed and leaned inward, slightly holding her head down.

“It will have to wait until another day. Right now, we need to worry about the invasion.” Celestia dismissed.

Tempest began to notice that Shining Armor was staring daggers at Blank Page, who was looking as uncomfortable as possible.

“Hey, what’s the deal with you two? You’ve been trading glances from the moment that you entered the room.” Tempest decided to ask last-minute.

Both captain and explorer began stammering and dropping for than a few “wells” until Celestia decided to add her knowledge to the situation.

“Blank Page has a known past with Princess Twilight—she was his tutor in Magic School.”

Tempest was instantly intrigued, as well as surprised.

“Wait, what?!” She cried, slamming the table in awe.

“It wasn’t like that-- it was... well... we may have, uh...” Blank started.

“He and I have some... skeletons... in the closet.” Twilight stated, too embarrassed to look at Blank.

Cadence and Tempest both leaned inwards, both of them clueless as to what Twilight meant.

“What kind of... skeletons?” Cadence asked, raising a brow.

“This can wait until we come up with a solution for the symbiote invasion.” Celestia cut the younger princess off.

They all nodded in agreement—Blank and Twilight, more frantically.

“Okay... we need to find a way to identify whoever’s infected, first of all. I’ve seen ponies be used as carriers of the symbiotes—they can latch on to them undetected and infiltrate uninfected areas.” Tempest claimed.

“How do you know that?” Luna asked, quizzical of the ex-commander's knowledge.

“Blank isn’t the first one to wander into the Badlands—he's just the first to walk out unaffected.” Tempest answered.

“How do we know that he isn’t infected? I mean, he’s the perfect stallion for the job—he has a history with one of Equestria’s princesses--” Shining Armor started before his wife cut him off.

“We don’t know that for sure—if Blank were infected, why would he save Luna? Why didn’t he simply spread the infection?” She asked, shining wisdom on the situation.

Shining tried to form a comeback, but failed and grumbled to himself.

“I still don’t trust him.” He mumbled, glaring at Blank.

Celestia sighed, seeing the conversation wander off-topic once again.

“Back to the topic at hoof—we need to find an effective, time-saving way to identify those infected. Sonic waves are too expensive, take too long, and could harm innocents. Fire is out, it will kill both symbiote and host...”

Blank cringed at the memory of using fire against the symbiote in the Badlands.

“...Anypony have any ideas?” Celestia asked.

Everyone took a moment to ponder, not having any clue as to what to do. Tempest had an idea, but realized the repercussions of it.

“What’re you thinking, Tempest?” Blank asked, tilting his head slightly.

Tempest sighed and formed her idea.

“I’m thinking that we could collect a sample, see what else can weaken it, maybe find a way to point them out.” She suggested.

Everypony hummed in agreement.

“But the drawback is that we would need to run tests—we would need a host to volunteer for experimentation.”

No-one said a word after that, how could they respond to such an unethical idea?

Blank knew what he had to do and sat upright, drawing everypony’s attention.

“I’ll do it.”

They all gasped, Shining most of all.

“Wait a minute, that isn’t necessary--” He started, trying to shut down the idea.

“But it is, Captain. Let’s face facts—I'm probably the least important pony in this room— the Four Princesses, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and the former commander of the Storm King’s Army. Me? I’m just a unicorn from Manehattan—if anyone’s more qualified to make that sacrifice, it’s me.” Blank stated, shocking everypony in the room.

No-pony said a word until Celestia leaned to him, her voice wavering and her eyes spasming.

“We are not trading lives, here, Blank. We will find another way to study these creatures without making sacrifices.” Celestia warned him.

Blank went to respond but caved and sighed.

“Very well, Your Highness. But if that sacrifice needs to be made, I’ll be there.” Blank stated.

Celestia sighed, raising from the chair and glancing out the door.

“You and Tempest will be assisting our top guards in collecting a viable sample of a symbiote. There’s no time to waste—every second we’ve wasted in here, odds are that more ponies had been infected. Move out!” Celestia ordered.

As the team moved out, Luna collapsed her head to the table and once the doors closed, Luna began to sob. Celestia moved to her sister and set her hoof on her shoulder.

“What that thing made you do was not your fault—just like it wasn’t when--”

“You saw what I did that night, Celly... I... ate those guards, and... we tried to kill you...” Luna started.

“That wasn’t you, Luna--”

“...just because I was jealous. I was angry and upset and I let that... thing feed off of my anger. She was my fault... this is all my fault.” Luna confessed.

Celestia sighed and set her head on Luna’s, feeling her own eyes begin to water.

“Nightmare Moon is gone, Luna-- she will never see the light of day again, and you will never be bonded with another one of those things ever again. That’s a promise, sister.” Celestia whispered.

Luna looked up at her sister and choked back a sob.

“Don’t make a promise you cannot keep.”

Blank and Tempest had arrived in the camp set up just outside of the Badlands, assisted by seven of Canterlot’s Royal Guard.

“So, what’s the plan?” One of the guards asked Blank.

Blank backed up slightly, confused by the guard’s question.

“Whoa, whoa—I'm not the boss, here. I’m just here to help collect samples.” He clarified, much to the guard’s confusion.

“But... we’ve been given direct orders from both Princess Celestia and Shining Armor to follow your command. Sorry, chief, but for the duration of this mission, you're our Commander.”

Commander... The word rang in Blank Page’s head over and over again—he was no commander, he barely had any training to begin with...

But these guards didn’t know any better, they were just following their orders.

“Okay... Tempest, do you know where the symbiote we killed came from?” He asked her.

Some of the guards let out a few “oohs” at the mention of Blank killing a symbiote.

“Yeah-- there’s a hive of them not so far from here, they go deep into cave systems in the Badlands—deeper than the Changelings ever dared go into. There’ll be no air there, and there could be hundreds or even thousands of them, so going down there is suicide. We’re gonna have to draw them out.” Tempest instructed, beginning her venture to the caves.

The guards then looked to Blank for a response, who was dumbfounded over how long his commandership had lasted.

“Uh, wha—what she said.”

After a few hours’ trot, the team had arrived at the large, rocky cave entrance.

“How many ponies were taken in here? How many did we fail to save?” A lone guard pondered.

Tempest didn’t respond and looked around for a way to draw the symbiotes out.

“W-we should stay focused on the mission...” Blank ordered both the guard and himself.

The team then began to enter, Blank using his horn to light the way and Tempest keeping an eye out for the symbiotes. As the crew got closer to the end of the safer region of the caves, every sound attracted their attention—from every drop of water to every sound they could’ve sworn sounded like growling.

“Stay focused, soldier. We’re almost running out of air as it is.” Tempest ordered.

The guards again turned to Blank.

“Uh... what she said, again.” He responded.

“Yes, sir.” A guard answered.

The crew continued until they felt their lungs struggling for air. As soon as they stopped, they heard something approaching them—something that was shifting off of the walls.

“Alright-- our job is simple: Tempest, you know how to fight these things, make sure that our... soldiers don’t get infected. As for you guys-- if anything goes wrong, clang your spears together—make as much sound as you possibly can.” Blank ordered.

“Yes, sir.” They all whispered—even Tempest.

As the team rushed to position, Blank used his magic to detect the solo slime that emerged from the cave walls and slowly moved around, searching for prey. Once it did, it began to rush at Blank, who was ready to use his magic to secure it.

“Come on, symby-symby-symby... I’m not gonna hurt you.” Blank baited.

As the symbiote got closer, Blank prepped his spell, his horn glowing a strong green. He focused, determined to capture the symbiote. As he activated his spell, nothing happened... he tried again, but his horn didn’t even glow.

He looked up to see a light blue tendril looking back at him.

“Oh, Sweet Celestia...” He whispered.

The tendril lunged at his forehead, entering through his pores. He felt his mind go numb and his joints begin to move on their own, but Blank fought the symbiote back, trying desperately to call out to his teammates.

“Blank? You there?” Tempest called out.

“Ah! Hel--” The symbiote wrapped around his mouth, silencing him.

“Commander?! Oh, no...” A guard muttered as he galloped to see Blank being trapped by the symbiote while the other looked on in disappointment at missing its host and seeped back into the wall.

“Make noise, come on!” Another guard screamed as he started clanging his spear against his comrade’s.

Blank felt the slime wrap itself around his head, and he was gone...

Blank woke up to a black, void landscape—rubbing his head from the fighting.

“Hello, Blank Page.” A voice called out to him.

He looked around and saw no-one, worrying him all-the-more.

“Somepony there?” He asked, slowly raising his body up.

“No... pony.” The voice clarified, forming itself behind Blank.

Blank heard the sounds and turned around to see the symbiote, facing him as a bipedal being consisted of tendrils.

“I... am Indigo.” Indigo claimed, leaning in to Blank, who was backing away in fear.

Blank couldn’t register his words—he simply backed away from the being that was staring him down.

“I will be honest-- you... are my first host. I will be gentle with you—but I make no promises.” Indigo laughed as he let out a 5-foot long tongue and lick his face.

Tempest and the guards slowly backed away after the noise had failed to separate Indigo from Blank. The guards hesitantly prepped their spears while Tempest struggled to activate her horn in order to try and start an electrical fire.

“Fall back! Get to the outside, now!” Tempest screamed as the guards followed her orders and galloped to the outside.

Indigo soon followed, galloping in pursuit of his next meal.

As the group saw the light, a long tendril wrapped itself around a guard and pulled it back into the dark.

“Keep going! We’re almost there!” Tempest cried.

The group made it to the entrance, only for Indigo to leap and land in front of them on two legs. His front hooves soon bent outwards and the ends began to turn into claws, along with his hind legs straightening out and feet forming at the end.

“Uh, oh...” Tempest muttered.

Indigo unhinged his jaw and let out a loud roar, his teeth laced with saliva and driven with pure hunger.

“No!” Blank cried out after watching the group’s current situation.

“You do not need them, Blank... They’re just like everyone else you’ve ever known...”

Indigo attached a tendril to the back of Blank’s head, showing him a specific set of memories of when he was a filly—him at the playground reading a book on the bench, him trying to play with his classmates only to fall behind, and him and Twilight breaking up.

“Look at them all—completely unaware of what you-- of what we are truly capable of.”

Indigo began to wrap himself around Blank, whose eyes began to water from the painful memories of years of isolation.

“Let our bond become permanent—do what all of the others did not—together, neither symbiote nor pony will ever underestimate us again!” Indigo called as he was on the brink of wrapping himself around Blank’s face.

Blank took one last moment to look at the others again—Tempest, a mare who he never met who’s now fighting for him, and the guards—who followed him without complaint despite him not being anywhere near qualified for the position. As Blank saw them fight, Indigo began to detach from Blank.

“No! These emotions are all wrong! Stop this—please!” Indigo begged, feeling himself lose control.

Once the two were separated, Blank head-butted Indigo only for him to hiss in pain.

“It doesn't matter if they understand me or not-- I won't let your kind wipe us out!” Blank cried as he charged at Indigo.

Outside the caves, Indigo’s physical form was also reacting to Blank’s fighting-back.

“What’s it doing?” A guard asked.

Tempest knew right away what it was.

“Blank... he’s still in there!” Tempest said as she grabbed the guard’s spear and began to charge for the head, ready to free her friend.

Back to the inside, Blank and Indigo were entering an engaged fight—with Blank going on the head and attempting a chokehold similar to the one that Tempest attempted when they met.

“You do not want this! I know it’s not what you want!” Indigo begged, sensing the shift of power.

Blank didn’t respond as he tightened his grip, and twisted his hindlegs, resulting in a loud snap.

Outside once more, Tempest readied her charging stance, ready to charge—but Indigo dropped dead, the slime beginning to seep into the dirt, lifeless.

“What’s happening?” Another guard asked.

Tempest gasped in awe as Blank became visible through the light blue slime that had begun to settle onto the ground.

“Blank!” Tempest cried, dropping the spear and galloping over to him.

“He...hey.” Blank uttered, his entire body feeling weak and tender.

“It’s okay—you killed it...” Tempest stated.

“I... I did?” Blank asked, clueless to what she meant.

He then remembered—the fight with Indigo, the poor guard who was probably being used by the symbiotes...

“Oh... I did.”

Tempest held Blank in an embrace which caught him off-guard. He let out a sigh of relief and returned the embrace.

“I think this is a sign that we should head back.” Blank said.

Their agreement was cut off by growling coming from the cave. The team turned around to see the guard that Indigo had taken covered by another symbiote, pacing towards them.

“You have the container, right?” Tempest asked one of the guards.

“Yes, ma’am.” The guard responded, using his horn to hold out the large enchanted cylinder.

Blank used his horn to grab it and signaled the guards to get into formation. They held their spears out behind the symbiote, which seemed unaware of their presence—mostly because the symbiote was still attempting to bond to the guard, who was still whispering begs of denial.

“That’s a new one...” Tempest whispered.

“Yeah... it is. NOW!” Blank called out as he trapped the symbiote in a magic field.

The guards clanged their spears together, angering the symbiote. They did it again and tendrils began to shoot out. They kept going until the symbiote had no choice but to separate from its host, much to Blank’s plan.

Once symbiote and host were separated, Blank used his horn to trap the creature in the canister and closed the lid.

“Let’s move out.” Tempest said.

“But, what about him?” A guard asked, gesturing to the weakened guard.

No-pony said a word as the recently saved guard rose to his feet. Blank trotted over to him and set a hoof on his shoulder.

“You okay, soldier?” Blank asked.

The guard coughed out traces of black and nodded.

“My name’s... Flash Sentry... and I’m fine... Commander.”

Blank took a moment to accept the new title before calling the others to him.

“Then, let’s go home.” Blank said, sparking his horn and teleporting him and the crew back home after an overall successful mission.

Help

"...It’s been 7 days since the symbiote sample that has been dubbed ‘Wrath’ had been collected. Researchers had not been able to discover any weaknesses other than sonic waves and fire-- no safe, inexpensive means of identifying who’s infected or who’s carrying.” Blank stated to a meet of Equestria’s top scientists.

No-pony responded to Blank’s announcement, for they’ve all been the same for the last week—nothing. Nothing discovered, nothing learned... nothing done.

“In further news... the symbiote has shown signs of slowing and weakening. We have come to the conclusion that it’s dying.” Blank added, much to the scientist’s shock and surprise.

“What? How’s that possible? It’s lasted this long, why is it starting to die off now?” One of the scientists asked.

“We’ve come to discover that the Klyntar species cannot survive in oxygen-rich environments and needs another organism as its ‘host’ in order to survive. Furthermore, like other organisms, the Klyntar need food in order to survive— consisting of meat... and brains, making the infected show cannibalistic tendencies—perhaps a means of identifying infected, but it’s not known for sure.” Blank answered.

Everyone who wasn’t taking notes started after that information was given.

“That is all for this week’s report.” Blank concluded the meet and trotted out through the stage curtain of the repurposed high school that was closed down a few years ago.

As far as the public outside of the royal family, several guards and scientists, Blank, and Tempest know, the school is being used for a renovation, but in all-reality, it’s being used to study and test the symbiote that was recovered—nicknamed Wrath. Blank had trotted to the research room—which was originally two separate classrooms that were cut off by a wall, that was now demolished, combining the rooms to one. At the corner was the entrance to where Wrath was being held—guarded by three Royal Guards, who greeted Blank once they saw him. Once Blank went down the stairs leading to the holding cell, he was greeted by a scientist, who was observing Wrath consuming a slice of cooked fish.

“How is it?” Blank asked the first guard.

“It’s still slowing... we have no idea what to feed it other than what we’ve been providing it.” The scientist confessed, watching as the symbiote went through the fish and showed no signs of improvement.

“They eat meat, but it’s not surviving... why?” Blank asked himself and the scientist.

“Maybe you should ask it.” Tempest joked, who was aiding another scientist with schematics for a mobile wall.

Blank went to laugh, but realized that might be a good idea.

“That... might just work, actually. Doctor, keep the oxygen on in his cell, I’m gonna try something.” Blank ordered.

“Be careful—we can’t risk Wrath infecting anypony.” The doctor warned.

Blank went right up against the glass and set his hoof on it, causing Wrath to lunge at it, trying to bond through the thick layer of glass separating them.

“What’s wrong with you...? Why’re you dying?” Blank whispered, using his horn to establish a telepathic link between the two.

“Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry, hungr—”

A short silence kicked in as Blank’s telepathic link connected with Wrath. The former was waiting for a response, shaking slightly from suspense.

“Hello...”

Blank took a step back, shocked that this plan actually worked.

“H-Hello. My name is Blank Page, I’m here to help you.” Blank said, approaching Wrath once again.

“You wanna help me? Get in the cell.” Wrath bluntly demanded.

Blank shook his head, denying Wrath of his desire.

“No. That’s not how this is gonna work, but we will help you, all-the-same. Tell us, why aren’t you surviving off of the meat we’ve been giving you?” Blank asked.

“Starving... fish does nothin’! Need... BRAINS! And I need a host to eat it through!” Wrath screamed, smashing against the glass to the scientists’ fright.

“Why brains? What makes them good for you? Tell us, and we’ll find a way to provide a substitute.” Blank offered.

“How the hell should I know? I’m a Klyntar, not a damn food critic.” Wrath berated, moving around the glass.

Blank was about to give up, but came up with an idea.

“How do brains... taste?” Blank asked.

Wrath stopped moving and let a tendril extend outwards.

“What was that?” He asked.

Blank moved forward and set his hoof on the glass again.

“What do brains taste like? Are they good to you, or do you simply want something in brains?” Blank asked.

Wrath took a moment to think, he had no idea what Blank meant until...

“There’s somethin’ in ‘em... somethin’ that gets us goin’. I don’t know what it is... but I need it! Now!” Wrath roared as Blank broke the telepathic like and galloped back up the stairs.

Blank had left the testing chamber and went for the pantry, searching for a specific type of food...

As if on que, Twilight landed in front of him, relieved of her lab coat.

“What’re you doing? It’s not safe out here, someone could be carrying.” She told Blank.

“Wrath told me that symbiotes crave something in brains—a chemical, most likely. My hypothesis is that it’s phenylethylamine.” Blank answered.

“Pheny... why?" Twilight asked him.

"I-It’s a chemical that’s produced in the brain, it’s a mood enhancer. It’s also found in various foods, such as nuts, beans, and...” Blank browsed the isles until he found his target—a bar of chocolate, and galloped back to the chamber, ready to give Wrath a dilemma.

Wrath began growling and shifting rapidly at the other scientists on the other side of the glass, agitating them. As Blank trotted back down with a bar of chocolate, everypony looked at him in confusion.

“What’s with the snack?” One of them asked.

Blank didn’t answer and held the chocolate with his horn, using his magic to unwrap the bar and break off a single section. He then went over to the glass and used his magic to teleport the broken piece to the cell with Wrath.

“That don’t look like brains...” Wrath warned.

“Try it. Tell me if you like it or not.” Blank said.

Wrath went over and consumed the bar before moving around faster than normal.

“This... substance... I like it. More!” Wrath screamed.

Blank knew his plan, he prepared it before-hoof.

“Okay... if you want more, you will answer my questions. Answer them completely and honestly, and you’ll get more chocolate. Am I understood?” Blank asked.

Wrath took a moment before using a tendril to nod.

“Good. My first question: How many of you are here?” Blank asked.

Wrath took a moment to answer.

“Hundreds... of millions. We are everywhere... out there, at least... In the ‘Badlands’, as your kind calls it.”

Blank took a moment to gulp before breaking off another piece and phasing it through, watching Wrath latch to it and pull it into him.

“S-second question: What do you want with us?”

“To save you, of course—to... improve your kind, to help--”

“Answer honestly, or no chocolate.” Blank disciplined.

Wrath did not take too kindly to this—he instantly roared and latched on to the glass with force.

“We are here to show you something... something beautiful... Your kind believes in coexistence, yes?” Wrath asked.

Blank nodded, invested in to where that conversation was going.

“Well, lemme tell ya as to why this belief is flawed—I ain’t like my bretheren, they were born here, no recollection of how life is outside of a cave... but I’m old in Klyntar years... I’ve been in several worlds and they were all the same... war, death, poverty... it’s like they were beggin’ to be conquered. I gotta say that your world is the most stable one I’ve seen, but like all others, it too’ll fall... Unless you let me out, allow me to bond with you, I can show you the gifts that my kind’re meant to give... I can show you all.. the gift of Symbiosis...” Wrath monologued.

Blank instantly broke the link and backed away from Wrath, who was slithering around, possibly waiting for his chocolate. Sure enough, Blank broke off another piece and sent it in, watching as Wrath engulfed it with a form of flair in his movements and shifts.

Tempest and Twilight were remaining at the castle, overlooking any areas that could be targets for invasion, the latter chewing on a pencil.

“Manehattan could be a nice target—large city, large population... it wouldn’t be too hard to latch to one pony and start an infection...” Twilight offered.

Tempest nodded and wrote it down to the list of priority targets—including Las Pegasus, Fillydelphia, and other various large cities.

As the two continued writing out targets, Blank enter through the opened door.

“Hey, Blank.” Tempest said without glancing at him.

Twilight, however, almost choked on her pencil as she noticed her old “friend”.

“Uh, B-Blank! Hey, uh... nice... weather?” Twilight’s voice waivered as her attempt of small talk continued.

Blank awkwardly cleared his throat and responded.

“It’s... nice...” Blank said, not wanting to say another “uh”.

Tempest smirked to herself, knowing what she had to do.

“I’m gonna go see how Luna’s holding up. Twi, can you two keep looking for targets, please?” Tempest asked.

The unicorn and alicorn began stammering and stuttering as Tempest let out a single chuckle.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

The door slammed behind them, leaving the two blushing, sweating messes alone.

“So... um—wanna start l-looking?” Blank asked.

“S-sure. Let’s get started.” Twilight smiled awkwardly.

The two trotted to the map and Blank immediately noticed that Manehattan was highlighted.

“W-we think that Manehattan’s a target—it's a large, densely populated city. Those kinds of numbers...”

“It could be devastating.” Blank finished her sentence.

The two took a moment to draw out potential targets until Twilight decided to break the long-frozen ice.

“What happened to us?” Twilight asked.

Blank, caught off-guard by this question, clears his throat.

“I-- I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“B, come on—let's stop trying to cover it all up and let’s just get it out of the way.” Twilight insisted.

Blank set the marker down and turned to Twilight.

“Well, for starters, 7 years really has an impact... second off, your brother still wants my head on a pike, third off--”

“Okay, okay—I get your point.” Twilight surrendered.

Another silence, as the two realize that Tempest might not be coming back.

“It would be nice to know each other again... as friends, y’know?” Twilight said, underlining another large city to secure.

Blank perked his ears up and smiled to himself as he looked over the map one last time.

“Well, unless they’re planning to start a plan of world domination in the countryside, I think we’re good for now...” Blank said.

Twilight came to the same conclusion and wrapped the map up.

“...and I know a few restaurants nearby. Nothing too fancy—hay, we could stop at my parents’ place if you want, I think they’d like to see you.” Blank offered.

Twilight smiled at that comment and came to her answer.

“It would be nice to see your parents again, and I think we both need a break from this whole thing... let me send this to Celestia, then we can go.” Twilight said.

Just as Blank felt a sense of achievement, his dreams were shattered by a voice calling out from outside the door.

"Count me in!” Tempest said, entering the room.

Blank tried to object, but sighed to himself, knowing that his protests were futile.

The three had reached Blank Page’s family resturant— The Outcrier.

“I gotta admit—that's a pretty wicked name.” Tempest smiled.

“Thank my mother for that name—she was a bit of a goth in her day...” Blank said, laughing at the old gothic font.

Twilight sniffed the air and the scent of the food instantly instilled a feeling of nostalgia. Tempest glanced at the cookies at the window and smiled to herself, knowing what she was having for dessert.

Blank was trying to think about what he was going to tell his parents about his new company.

Blank and Twilight went behind Tempest, mostly because she went through the door first, and the waiter instantly recoiled at the former commander’s prescience.

“Welcome to The Outcrier, how can I—Oh!”

Tempest sighed, expecting the reaction.

“It’s okay, Ruby—she's with us.” Blank said from behind her.

Hearing Blank’s voice brought a look of joy into the formerly terrified waitress’s eyes.

“Blank!” She galloped over and hugged him—much to the two mares’ surprise.

Their surprise was further added on when Ruby kissed both of Blank’s cheeks, while he chuckled and gently pushed her away.

“Alright, alright—nice to see you again, how’s the place been?” He asked her.

“Oh, same-old, same-old. Your parents are here, they’re dying to see you!” Ruby remembered as she left the three behind.

Twilight and Tempest slowly turn their heads to a blushing Blank.

“Okay, we dated in college—for, like, a month...”

The two laughed—Tempest more sinisterly.

“Oh, I’m never letting you live this one down...” Tempest smirked.

“Come on—she's a nice mare. Impulsive, maybe, but--”

Blank’s conversation was cut off by a pie getting thrown at his face. After taking a moment to lick the icing...

“Lemon lush with a touch of paprika... and a pinch of vinegar. Mom.”

Sure enough, at the other side of the restaurant, a middle-aged mare hoof-bumped her husband while the pair were laughing.

“Tempest... meet my parents.” Blank warned.

The stallion kicked open the kitchen door and took a breath.

“BLANK!“ The loud, booming voice caught Tempest off-guard, but was welcomed to Twilight’s ears.

“Hey, Dad...” Blank said, eager to see what remark he had to say about his company.

“What’s with the little... triple date you got here?” He asked, much to Blank’s dismay.

Twilight almost choked on air while Tempest simply laughed.

“No, no—Dad, you’ve met Twilight... Tempest—meet Golden Honey—my dad.”

Before he could shake Tempest’s hoof, someone galloped over and almost tackled Blank in a bear hug.

“Aye, Blanky! How’ve you been?!” A thick Irish accent asked.

Twilight laughed at the familiar voice while Tempest was even more confused.

“H...i, Mom... Tempest... meet...” Blank’s face turned blue as his mother moved off of him.

“Strong Breeze, nice to meet ya!” She held her hoof out and Tempest awkwardly accepted it.

“I’ll get the table set!” Golden galloped off along with Strong Breeze, leaving the trio alone.

Tempest was awestruck by Blank’s family—reasonably so. Blank, however, was still coughing from the bear hug his mother was known for...

“I really missed your mom.” Twilight started.

“Yeah... me, too.” Blank smiled while breathing in oxygen once again.

Celestia somberly entered her chambers and shut the doors behind the two royal guards protecting the wooden entrance. Once in her room, she glanced over to the locked safe containing one of Celestia’s worst nightmares...

“I never thought I’d have to talk to you again.” She sighed as she unlocked the safe and used her horn to levitate the capsule containing the moving substance only known as...

“Hello, Nightmare.”

The being known as Nightmare lunged at Celestia from the glass tube, much to Celestia’s expectation.

“I know you can hear me... I know you can speak.” Celestia used her magic to form a force field and open the tube, letting Nightmare out.

A single tendril stretched out to Celestia, followed by another, and then another—all of them forming together to project a face.

“Hello... sister.” Nightmare chimed.

“We are not sisters.” Celestia whispered.

Nightmare chuckled at that.

“Celly, I’ve missed these little chats. Tell me, does our sister know that I am here, waiting for her?”

Celestia took a moment before nodding, confirming Nightmare’s suspicion... triggering her to cackle silently.

“Excellent... I’m eager to bond with her once again--”

“I’m not here on a social visit, Nightmare... I need your help.”

This caused the symbiote to smile, showing “her” many sets of sharp, uneven teeth.

“And how may I... help?”

Hostile Takeover

Blank sat at the dinner table to Tempest’s right with Twilight to her left, waiting for Blank’s parents to gallop back to the table. The three sat in absolute silence—Tempest waiting for the right moment to say something and Blank and Twilight unable to form a complete sentence without stuttering.

Tempest sighed and cleared her throat.

“So, you and Twilight went to school together, right?”

The two looked over to her before nodding.

“Were you two... ever... dating?” She let the emphasis slip.

The two gasped softly before Blank finally cleared his mind.

“Y-yeah... we dated for a bit.” Blank confessed.

“Hmm. I never saw you as the dating type, Twilight.” Tempest chuckled, glancing over to her royal friend.

Twilight started stuttering again, but took a heavy sigh.

“Neither did I... at the time, but Blank kinda came out of nowhere, you know? Like one minute, I was so focused on my studies thst I wasn’t paying attention in the halls, the next minute, I bump into somepony and drop all of my books, and I see this kind... warmhearted colt help get my books back in order...” Twilight remembered, sharing glances with Blank.

Tempest simply smiled, before said smile fading away.

“I really wish I got to have that with somepony...” She whispered, almost to herself.

Blank caught wind of that statement and his smile faded as well.

“It comes with its cons...” Blank whispered, not heard by Twilight, but heard by Tempest.

As Tempest registered Blank’s response and went to question him, Golden Honey and Strong Breeze arrived with a waiter—not Ruby—to serve the five of them.

“How can I--” The waiter stops after noticing Tempest.

A few seconds of silence bond to the small group as Breeze clears her throat.

“Me and my husband’ll have the black stuff to start. How about you, Blanky?” She asked, breaking the silence.

Blank looks over the menu, wanting something different, and finds something he likes.

“Can I have the... Pear & Thyme Spritzer, please?” He asked.

His mom smiled while Golden glanced at the floor, thinking about the last time he had a drink of “the black stuff” with his wife.

Back in the castle, Nightmare—being held by Celestia’s magic barrier, began swimming around in joy of being free again.

“It’s been so long since I’ve been in this form... I’ve missed it.“

Celestia sighed, knowing that she was taking a risk.

“Don’t get used to it—I need you to talk to one of your kind, another Klyntar.”

Nightmare stopped shifting and looked over to her “sister”.

“There’s another? Here?”

“There’re potentially thousands ready to invade. We have one captive and we’re using it for study. Your contribution would be much appreciated.”

Nightmare laughed at the situation—potentially thousands of her kind were ready to destroy Equestria and possibly set her free.

“I couldn’t have planned it better myself! You, coming to me for help!”

“This isn’t for you, Nightmare, this is for my subjects.” Celestia began to grow unnerved, sensing that there was nothing she could gain from the symbiote.

Nightmare showed anger at the statement, but continued swirling all-the-same.

“So... when may I see my bretheren?” Nightmare asked.

Celestia used her horn to seal Nightmare back into the tube and teleported the two to the testing chamber where Wrath was still contained, swirling upward at the new Klyntar in front of him.

“So, this is the other one?” Nightmare asked Celestia.

Celestia looked on as she nodded at Nightmare’s question.

“Hmm... something’s wrong with him... he seems... different.” Nightmare whispered.

Wrath then latched onto the glass, desperate to see his new friend.

“Different how?” Celestia asked.

Nightmare didn’t answer, she simply backed away slightly and started nudging at the edge of Celestia’s barrier.

“Get me away from him... now, please.” Nightmare nudged again with more force than last time.

“No, not until you talk to him.” Celestia insisted.

Nightmare responded by screeching in pain, much to Celestia’s shock.

“He’s trying to speak to me, but... It’s all so... so... oh, Knull... Get us out of here, now!”

In a frenzy, Wrath actually cracked the glass—scaring Nightmare to break Celestia’s barrier and bond with her, entering her fur coat and entering her nervous system, just in time for the glass holding Wrath back to shatter and land on the floor.

Blank, his parents, Twilight, and Tempest all sat at the table as the occasional silence swooped in and hovered over the small group.

“So... Tempest.” Golden started.

“Yes?” She asked.

“How long have you and Blank known each other?” He asked back.

“We met in the Badlands, I kind of saved him from—a... timberwolf.”

Blank, catching on the lie, played along.

“Yeah, I remember that we fought it off with... I’m pretty sure it was our campfire... we just used our magic to fan the flames at it, and... it ran off.” Blank finished, making the story sound good.

His parents seemed astonished at how well their son handled the situation, but Blank left out that Tempest was the one who did most of the fighting... against the Klyntar, that is...

“A timberwolf? I thought they were only dormant to the Everfree... maybe they... branched out?” Golden joked, much to Blank’s embarassment.

“Dad... not cool.”

The conversation was cut off by screams coming from outside, and as Tempest trotted outwards, she just missed a ball of symbiote goo from latching to her face.

Outside the streets, several variations of Wrath were loose in Canterlot, with ponies being bonded to and others becoming food to the creatures. Others were climbing the sides of buildings and stretching their symbiotic tendrils almost across the block in order to latch on to somepony. Others were galloping down the streets with the strength and size of carriages, trampling over whoever was in their way...

“No-pony out! Lock the place down, let no-one in!” Tempest ordered, much to everypony’s confusion.

“What’s happening out there?” Blank asked.

He was responded to by the goo from earlier beginning to move, much to Blank’s parents' horror. Twilight moved fast, grabbing the bottle of “black stuff” that Blank’s mother ordered from the back and putting a few napkins into it.

“Get down!”

Twilight lit up the napkin and threw the molotov at the symbiote, melting it almost instantly. Blank and Twilight then used their magic to seal off the flames until they went out. Everypony turned to Twilight, who awkwardly smiled at a job well-done.

“Where did you learn that?” Blank asked her.

Twilight smiled, recalling that action movie she and Sunset watched together back in the Mirror World—or Earth, as the planet is also known as.

“It’s... a long story.” Twilight’s cheeks shined a bright red.

The doors began to bust open, ruining the conversation. Tempest and Blank galloped over and tried to hold it shut, but more Symbiotes began crashing into the door, latching on to the walls and trying to slither in through the barred windows.

“What are those things?!” Blank’s mother asked.

“Yeah, I may have lied when I said that it was a Timberwolf...” Blank shouted, keeping the door shut.

Outside, the chaos unfolded—the symbiotes were everywhere, either taking hosts or feasting on the weakest. All while Wrath watched from above, now bonded to a random host and laughing sinisterly...

Outcasts

A few weeks had passed since Canterlot had fallen under Symbiote control. Whoever had survived is now residing in secure safe-zones outside the city, which was now a Symbiote breeding ground... whatever used to resemble Canterlot was now either covered in symbiotic structure or was torn down. Celestia has been missing ever since Nightmare saved her from Wrath, who was now ruling over the Canterlot Symbiote Faction—beginning to expand their reach to other Equestrian cities... Manehattan, Las Pegasus, Appleoosa and Fillydelphia were a few of the other cities that have been invaded as of now, leaving Ponyville as one of several renowned safe-zone, being protected by a magic barrier very similar to the one used during the Canterlot Wedding, only now being aided by speakers dealing out high frequency sound waves that despite ponies not being able to hear, the symbiotes can... and it’s agonizing to them.

Blank and Tempest were residing in the safe-zone, pitching in with Twilight’s efforts to rally what’s left of the Equestrian government. She currently was having Spike write a letter out to another safe-zone near the Badlands, asking for more supplies, since Ponyville was facing a horrible drought.

“We have only a few days of water left due to pegasi no longer affecting the weather patterns, and our food count is even worse... anything can be assistance to us right now...” Twilight was having Spike write the letter, mostly because of his opposable thumbs.

Blank and Tempest were looking out of the window, glancing down at the scared survivors who were getting their daily rations... it wasn’t much.

“We need to find a way to stop this drought... soon, if we are to survive." Luna told the group, her acting as the safe-zone's leader, aside from Twilight.

“There’s a reservoir an hour or two away... maybe we can head out and come back with what we can carry.” Blank offered.

Luna first felt intrigued, then she shut the idea down.

“That is an idea, but a dangerous one. Not to mention that the Outcast population that’s residing nearby... we cannot take any risks as of right now, but... keep the idea in your mind, I’ll look into it.” Luna offered, trotting away to stock up the amounts of water that were left.

Outcasts—former hosts of the symbiotes who broke away from pony society and formed their own after they were introduced to the symbiotes’ mentality. Tempest glanced over to Blank and decided to ask him a question.

“Back in that war room, when you volunteered to be bonded with the symbiote... what was that?” She asked him.

Blank sighed and took a deep breath.

“That? That was me facing facts. Out of everyone in that room—Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, Captain Shining Armor, and you? I was the least important—I had the least to offer and if I died during those experiments? So what? No-pony was going to mourn my death... save for my parents, perhaps--”

Tempest quickly stepped in front of Blank, her standing a few inches above Blank.

“And me. And Twilight, and Celestia...” Tempest said, bumping her hoof at Blank for every name she listed.

“Okay--, but five ponies mourning me when I died saving Equestria? So be it... but that didn’t happen, so what does it matter?” Blank asked her.

Tempest sighed, putting a hoof on his shoulder, causing Blank to turn a shade redder.

“Look, Blank—there was a time when I would’ve died to aid the Storm King’s cause. I thought it was because of loyalty, but now I know that it was because I had nothing to live for—no-pony live for... Now I have—everypony here is counting on us, and I can’t be out there with you on a risky mission like this if you’re gonna try and throw yourself at every threat we come across to save me.” Tempest said, speaking low enough to not be heard by anypony else.

Blank, completely flustered by Tempest’s change in tone, nodded.

Tempest took note of Blank’s reaction and smirked.

“So... you think I’m important?” She asked, raising her brow.

Blank, now completely red and only speaking in stammering “ums”, was saved when Luna came back...

“Okay-- we don’t have enough water to last the week—we need to get more soon, by any means necessary... if you two are willing to go, then perhaps this reservoir is our only option.” Luna grimly declared, ashamed of sending two of her ponies to possibly die or worse.

Blank bowed while Tempest nodded and the two went to get ready...

Once outside the town, the two stuck together, closer than usual—thanks to Tempest’s persistence—as they travelled west, towards the reservoir. Tempest then sighed and nudged Blank.

“Yeah?” He asked her, still somewhat flustered from their encounter earlier.

“I... was hoping we could talk—really talk about you.” Tempest said.

Blank sighed, knowing what she wanted to hear...

“Okay... what about me? My childhood was what you’d expect, with a party-freak for a mom and my father, well... just being a dad, you know? Puberty was awkward, as it always is--”

“No, Blank—I mean about you and Twilight... that’s where things got bad, right? With you running away to go map out places like the Badlands?” She asked.

Blank looked up and Tempest nodded.

“Your mom told me everything... well, as much as she knows.”

Blank sighed and looked around awkwardly.

“When Twilight became more focused on her studies, near the middle of her first year at Princess Celestia’s school... she dumped me.” He confessed.

Tempest was taken aback by how bluntly he put it. She knew that things got rough, but she didn’t guess that she just left him...

“I thought I was doing good, you know? I always... I always looked to see if I was doing something wrong with her, and I never was... So why did she just ditch me in the middle of the night? Was it because we couldn’t make it work, with me left at some ordinary high school while she was with the pros? Was it something I did? I don’t know... I never knew.” Blank sighed.

Tempest didn’t say a word as she stopped and gestured Blank to do the same. Together, they sat in a clearing, overlooking an infested camp down below...

“...I was an orphan when I was growing up. I never really had anypony—anyone for that matter... losing my horn only made things worse for me, so I decided to leave... I grew up in the Badlands and when I came across the Storm King, I just wanted an escape... and with him, I found one.” She said, turning to Blank as he did the same.

“I always told myself that after he fixed... this...”

Tempest gestured to her horn, which sparked with electricity as a response.

“...then it’d be back to normal. I blatantly ignored every bloodbath he used me to create because I was just so focused on... being normal again...”

Blank had no idea what else to do other than pull Tempest in for a hug, one that she returned, a tear slowly running down her cheek.

“We shouldn’t stay here for too long... it’s too dangerous.” Blank told her, keeping an eye on the symbiotes a few hundred feet away from them.

Tempest sighed, tightening her embrace before regrettably pulling away.

“We’re getting close to the watering hole, it should be just up ahead.” Tempest said, leading the way.

As the two got closer, Blank noticed a form of pattern in the ground and stopped Tempest. He went over to it and realized what it was just too late.

A trap.

The net sprung upwards, holding Tempest, who let out a loud gasp as she was suspended in the air.

“Keep an eye out, there could be more of them...” Blank said as he used his horn to grab a moderately sharp rock and started cutting.

Blank turned to see that he was being held at spearpoint—by an earth pony Outcast.

“Are you infected?” He asked.

Blank glanced the Outcast and shook his head. This action prompted him to move over to Tempest, before lighting his spear on fire and holding it over Tempest, checking for symbiotes.

“The Klyntar hate fire... we use it to survive, check ourselves... she’s clear—now you.”

Blank approached him and once he was checked, the Outcast drove his spear into the ground, putting the fire out.

“We should move—the longer we stay here, the more likely the symbiotes will arrive... and did you spring that trap?”

Blank hesitantly nodded as the Outcast sliced the rope trap, releasing Tempest from her imprisonment.

“Okay... follow me.”

Blank and Tempest followed the stranger, sharing nervous glances at each other as they continued.

“We stay relatively clear of that Symbiote nest, but... I couldn’t just leave you two out there like that.” The Outcast said.

Tempest then moved forward, now intrigued about the Outcasts...

“I never got your name...”

The stranger sighed and turned to the two, showing his blind eye.

“Silver Stream. Now, stay close—we're almost there.”

The three arrive at the Outcast’s camp—a dense forest surrounded by traps and defensive fires that Silver guided the two through. As they reached the center, the other Outcasts—at least thirty other ponies covered in dirt and some with streaks of black, red, and blue smeared on their faces—glared at the two newcomers. Silver approached a large tent—one of several—and entered it, signaling Blank and Tempest to wait outside.

Tempest instantly turned to Blank, who was taking in the sights around him...

“Wow... it’s like an entire civilization in the stone age... almost beautiful...” Blank said to himself.

After a short moment, some-pony emerged from the tent, a larger earth pony with a scar running down his chest, which was covered by red fur...

“Who are you, what do you want?” He asked the two, his voice menacing and deep.

Blank was almost scared by the stallion, but he swallowed his fear and went to speak as Tempest cut him off.

“We’re from Ponyville—the safe-zone a few miles from here... our water situation is dire, and I understand you ponies are close to the last source of water in the area. All we ask is that you lend us enough water to last us until the weather finally settles.” She said, boldly and full of confidence.

The Outcast leader seemed stunned by Tempest’s confidence, but the directed his attention to the scar running down her eye—and then her broken horn.

“Did the symbiotes use you, too?” He asked her.

Tempest shook her head.

“Ursa Minor... I was a filly when it happened.” She said.

Blank then turned to her—never knowing the full story about how she lost her eye.

The leader nodded and turned to Blank.

“How about you? What’s your story?” He asked the smaller unicorn.

Blank almost stuttered, but took a breath.

“I was in the Badlands when I met her. The symbiotes found us and we barely survived.” He said, his nervousness still obvious.

The leader chuckled and turned his attention back to Tempest.

“Your friend seems nervous... understandable, given your situation. I can assure you that we do have the water to spare for your ponies, at least until the rain returns.” The leader looked up to see some grey clouds in the horizon...

“But for now, I’d suggest staying the night... that infestation is blocking your path out of here, and I don’t want to risk you two to the Changing...”

Blank and Tempest glanced at each other in confusion, but agreed that it wasn’t safe out there.

“We’ll stay for the night...” Tempest said, Blank agreeing.

The leader smiled, nodding at their decision.

“Very well—feel free to look around and make yourselves at home while we prepare your tent.” The leader said.

“Tent? Like... singular?” Blank asked, his flustered nature returning from earlier.

The leader nodded.

“The nights here are cold, and we cannot spare any more firewood. Out here, we huddle for warmth.” He said, this revelation not helping with Blank’s panic.

“Would that be a problem?” He asked Tempest, who was almost laughing at Blank’s reaction.

Tempest simply smirked and set her hoof on Blank’s upper-back.

“We’ll be just fine.” She smirked, Blank becoming redder and redder.

The Outcasts prepared their traps for the night, checking the fires to see if they were still lit. Once they were prepared, the small group settled into tents, many pairs and some trios huddled together.

Blank and Tempest were one of them.

Tempest was the first to enter, while Blank was understandably nervous. He then began to shiver and sighed, trotting into the tent and settling in, turning his back to Tempest.

“It’s a cold night...” Tempest commented.

Blank was now feeling rather hot, but decided to engage in small talk.

“Indeed it is...”

Tempest then grunted, turning around and resting her head on his chest, much to his surprise.

“There we go... much warmer, now.” She smiled, slightly nuzzling him.

Blank was completely flabbergasted at Tempest affection, but she didn’t stop there—she wrapped her foreleg around his upper body, pulling him closer...

“Tempest, I... Why--”

“Because you’re warm. That, and I think you’re the only pony I met who understands me. Save for Twilight, but she’s dating that Sunset girl already... and I just like you more... Just roll with it, and we can talk tomorrow, okay?” She mumbled, partially due to Blank’s chest muffling half of Tempest’s words.

Blank slightly gasped, but finally gave in, wrapping his foreleg around her and closing his eyes, hoping to catch some sleep...