Author's Note

sorry if this chapter took awhile to finally get posted, and may not be a rather interesting chapter. but don't worry, now that my schedule is more open, i should be able to work on new chapters.

Chapter 8

After the crew has landed on the planet’s surface, John went about to continue his research into the ruins, and Henriette and Aria started to work on the new unit that was created for planetary exploration, Kiburi and his fellow Deep Space Explorer security guard Andrew began their own duties. Scouting the area to ensure that there were no immediate threats, as well as establishing a defensive perimeter in case of actual incoming threats.

Things went relatively easy for the two soldiers, as neither had come across anything that seemed dangerous, or as a threat. But the two still set up radar sensors around the ruins, to further secure the landing sight, and once that was all set up the two headed back to the ship, mostly to grab other equipment, but as they were finishing up their initial survey both Kiburi and Andrew were surprised to see Lucky bolt out of the ruins, and headed into the forest. When the robotic canine disappeared into the woods both Kiburi and Andrew headed towards the ship, followed by John shortly after, and asked what was going on. And when Henriette told the pair what is going on, they both simply watched the two robotic units come to an aliens rescue via the monitors. The fight wasn’t too long, but it was definitely one to watch, seeing both robots fighting three big looking wood wolves.

After the fight both Kiburi and Andrew then watched as a whole group of aliens appeared on screen, and after Henriette and Aria moved the robots away from the group, the team then watched the group of aliens talk amongst themselves, mostly seeing to check if the one that the robot units saved was alright. The large white winged unicorn one of the group seemed especially concerned with the purple unicorns wellbeing.

“Well Miss Henriette what are we going to do now?” Aria asked as she looked over her shoulder at the older woman across from her. “We’ve pretty much announced ourselves to the aliens by having Lucky and Observer help that one alien, and I’m pretty sure they won’t be curious as to where they came from, and start looking for us.”

“Aria’s got a point.” Andrew said through his mask as it releases a small vent of air.

“For the time being Aria and I will continue to lead the aliens out of the forest, that way we won’t have to worry about their safety while we conduct our research and surveillance.” Henrietta said as she continues to guide the Observer to follow the group from out of their visual range, while simultaneously maneuvering the small assist unit to keep an eye on the aliens, and record the conversation they were having with each other.

“But ma’am, these aliens now know about our robotic units, even if you lead them out of the forest what’s to prevent them from just coming back?” Kiburi asked Henrietta in a cautious yet understandable tone of concern. In response to Kiburi’s question Henriette pointed at the main monitor in front of her, which showed the tallest of the group appear to be scolding the purple one, with the others chipping in their own two cents.

“I have a feeling that the group is taking care of that issue for us. Especially the large white one.”

“…I suppose.” Kiburi says as he looks at the screen.

“Still though ma’am, I think we should be more careful from now on. We wouldn’t want to fully announce ourselves before we’re ready to do so.”

“Agreed.” Henriette said as the group plus Lucky and the Observer units drone reached the edge of the forest. “Aria, bring Lucky back to the site. We’ll start our investigation into the aliens either tomorrow, or the day after. Just until things have settled down.”

“Yes ma’am.” Aria said as she looked back to her own monitor to check the groups progress.

“So, what did I miss?” Everyone turned to see John walking into the ship as he gave everyone an inquisitive look.

“Henriette and Aria managed to save the native, but then other natives showed up. Now the two of them are guiding the natives out of the forest, and hopefully they won’t come looking for us.” Andrew informed his fellow crewmate while his mask vents small puff of air with every sentence. “How is your research into the ruins going?”

“It’s going well. I just came to see how things were going on out here, but seeing that everything is good I’ll go back to my work.”

John then left the group and made his way back to the ruins. Exiting the ship after the researcher, Kiburi and Andrew left to continue with their patrol of the area, and ensure that its secure. Especially now getting some idea on what to expect to come out of the forest, from watching the fight between the teams robotic units, and the wooden wolves.

~~~~~

Today has certainly been full of surprises and excitement for Twilight Sparkle. First there was the sighting of the strange flying object, then there was the encounter with a strange small flying silver disc thing, thirdly is the interaction with the Alpha Timberwolves. And finally the fight that the unicorn bared witness to between the Alpha Timberwolves, and the silver wolf creature that she and the others saw months ago, and a larger silvery disc creature with four of its younglings.

Surely today has been a whirlwind of excitement and surprise for the lavender mare. It was even more surprising when her friends, Spike, and even princess Celestia came to the forest to make sure that she was alright. After the whole rescue and confirmation of the unicorns safety, Twilight was being lead through the forest by the strange silvery creatures with her friends by her side. Presumably, the silver wolf, and small flying companion are leading Twilight and the others to wherever they came from, which the studious unicorn hoped was the ruins of the old castle.

“—so your certain you’ve never seen creatures like these princess?” Fluttershy asked the larger pony as she, and the rest of the group kept looking over the two strange creatures ahead of them.

“I’m quite certain Fluttershy. If I personally haven’t seen them, or read about them from old field, or wild life guides, then they are a complete mystery.” Celestia said to the tall slender butterscotch pegasus. “But whatever they are they certainly are intriguing.” The aged alicorn said as her eyes scanned over the silvery creatures, especially the wolf that was ahead of the group.

“I’m more curious in where they’re leading us to.” Rainbow Dash said in a more guarded tone, while keeping a strict eye on the wolf and little flying creature buzzing around Twilight. Wings half-spread ready to take flight and action if they tried anything.

“Well I doubt after saving Twilight, that they are leading us into a trap.” Applejack said as he walked close to her unicorn, who was busy in studying the small flying thing buzzing around her.

As the group continued to walk through the forest the group stopped momentarily when the wolf made a small howl, and started to run ahead of them all. Even the little disc thing also flew off ahead of the group. The seven mares plus Spike all ran to catch up to the two creatures, but when they did the whole group broke through the tree line, and found themselves on the path that leads back to Ponyville. With the wolf and flying creature in the middle of the path, but they weren’t alone. The group was surprised to see a large floating, thing staring at them with three other small disc things floating around it.

“How about that! They brought us back to Ponyville.” Pinkie Pie said as she approached the wolf, and actually started to pet it. “Thanks guys that was very sweet of you~”

“Pinkie Pie be careful!” Rarity said as she trotted up to her friend, but stopped when the flying disc creatures start fly about, and heading straight back into the forest. The wolf then side-lined the pink earth pony, and the rest of the group and was heading back to the forest.

“Hey wait!” Twilight said as she chased after the creatures.

But after taking only a few steps from where she was currently standing, the wolf spun on its paws and gave a rather loud roar or growl, stopping Twilight in tracks while causing the others to flinch or jump back a step. The wolf continued to make a low guttural growling sound, obviously trying to intimidate the ponies. Fluttershy then slinked slowly towards her friend before grabbing her arm, and gently pulling the lavender unicorn to her side while the whole group takes a step back.

“We should go Twilight; I think it’s telling us to leave and not come back to the forest.” Fluttershy said as continued to gently drag her friend away from the forest.

“B-but…the thing in the forest—” Twilight was cut off when the wolf creature made another low growl, but this time the ponies actually felt their bodies vibrate.

“Fluttershy’s right Twilight, we should leave before it becomes hostile.”

Celestia advise as she ushered the rest of the group to head to town, which they all did quickly, only waiting for Fluttershy and Twilight to follow suit. When the whole group was a good five or so feet from the border of the forest, they all watch the wolf go back to a more relaxed state before slipping back into the forest. With the creatures now fully gone, the group were all left with various questions. However the one with the most questions, and the one to initially go to the forest, was still craving for the answers that she sought after. But now all the possible answers to every question that’s been festering inside her is out of reach, and the creatures that saved her now seemed to trying to keep her out of the Everfree.

“Now Twilight—” Celestia said as she turned her student to look at her rather than the forest. “I know that you want this questions that you have answered, but clearly whatever is going on in the Everfree you cannot charge in blindly. So I want you to refrain to going to forest.”

“But princess—”

“No buts!” the princess said in an authoritative tone like a stern mother, stopping Twilight from trying to make some kind of argument to try and let her pursue her quest for answers. “Do I make myself clear Twilight Sparkle?” the unicorn could only give a defeated sigh while she slouches slightly.

“Yes princess.”

“Good.” Celestia said as she pats Twilight on the head.

“That being said, I myself am now intrigued what is going on in the Everfree, so, I will send in a small team of guards to gather some intel.” Twilight instantly perked up as Celestia explained her own little plan in investigating what is going on in the forest, but before Twilight could even saw anything, the princess raised her hand.

“Once I have determined what is going on in the forest, and perhaps find out what those creatures were, and this thing that you saw land in the forest. Then I will inform you on what I have discovered.”

The unicorn could only nod in understanding after the princess had explained everything that she plans on doing. After that, the princess bid Twilight, and her friend farewell, and teleported back to Canterlot to begin preparations to begin the operation. As for the six mare’s and Spike they all decided to take it easy for now, since they can’t really do anything until Celestia informs them of her discoveries. But as the others continued to make their way back to the town. Except Twilight took one last glance towards the Everfree Forest, her eyes just scanning the tree line for a bit, before turning away and following after her friends.