Chapters Space, the final frontier, and the voyage of untold discoveries. Certainly, the vast void of the inky blackness and stars has many names attributed to it, and is the source of many stories of the unknown. And this is one of those stories.
Flashing into existence from a small spec of light in the far off distance, a ship appears amongst the darkness, the ship itself is rather sizable in scale, roughly bigger than a fighter jet but despite its size the spacefaring craft has only one living occupant. The pilot is a young man who is just in his early twenties, has fair skin, a head of somewhat shaggy black hair and pair of calming dark brown eyes. As the craft just floats there in the vast void of space, the pilot was leaning over the dashboard of his ships cockpit, eyes looking at something with a mixture of awe, curiosity, with a hint of confusion sprinkled in.
And the object of the young man’s attention was the lone planet within this system which looked like his own world of Earth, but there was a fairly and drastic difference between Earth and this new planet, and that detail was the fact that this sole planetoid has both celestial bodies orbiting and encircling itself, with the sun being the same size as the moon instead of being a colossal ball of fire! The mere sight of this lone planet having not only a small sun orbiting it with its lunar counterpart, was making the pilot’s head fill with so many questions on how this planetary system even functions.
“Fascinating!” was the only thing the young man could say as he continues to stand there, and simply marvel at the planet and its odd celestial format.
“Out of the four other planets that I’ve been assigned, this is by far the most unique looking one so far.”
A ring from the ships dashboard pried his attention from the planet, and over to the communication hub of the dashboard where a holographic image of a ringing phone was jingling. Taking a seat in the pilots chair the young man turned to where the phone image was, and after pressing a button, the phone image turned into a small 1ft tall image of a middle-age woman with long wavy dark red hair, with a pair of black glasses nestled on her nose, while wearing a snazzy business woman’s dress with the top left slightly more open.
“Good morning Johnson.” The woman said to the pilot in a friendly tone.
“Good morning Miss. Henrietta”. The pilot replied.
“I’ve just arrived at the coordinates satellite Christ transmitted to us.” the young man, Johnson as he’s named, said as he makes a quick glance to the floating satellite just a yard away from his ship. “And, wow, this new planet it discovered is definitely a unique one.”
“Well I’m glad you approve John.” Henrietta chortled before adjusting the glasses perched on her nose. “Now, onto the task at hand. We need you to document this planet and what resources it has, and see if its suitable for colonization.”
“Understood. But why would Central want to establish a settlement out here?” the pilot said as he looks over to a different part of his console, and brought up a 3D render of the current system he was in. “As far as my celestial map shows, this lone planet is the only one in this entire system. Not to mention, this planet is really out of the way of anything.”
“It may be too far out to establish colonization, but Central still wants data if this world could be inhabited by humans, if the situation arises.” Henrietta said to John, who just shrugged his shoulders as he slouches into his seat.
“Very well. But aside from my usual mission goals, do you have any special tasks you want me to try and undergo this time?” Johnson asked as he got more comfortable in his chair, while the older woman tapped her chin with a finger as she thought for a moment.
“Nothing is coming to mind right now, but if I figure something out, I’ll give you a call.” Henrietta replied, before she looked at the young man with a more concern expression. “But Johnson, if you decide to go down to the planet, be careful. The last thing we need is to send out a rescue party, especially since your almost a month away from the nearest Frontier settlement.”
“Trust me Henrietta, this time I plan to say ship-side. Last thing I need is to tangle with another two-headed t-rex that shoots electricity from its mouths.”
A shiver ran down the young man’s spine as he rubbed his left arm. Just the thought of the undulating, and fleshy twin-headed monstrosity that was chasing him, and shooting lightning blasts out of its two mouths. Where he ended up getting trapped in a cave that was able to keep him safe, until he was rescued. Luckily, he wasn’t to injured, but he did had to have his left arm be replaced with a prosthetic.
“Very well, but if you do go down, be careful.”
“I will.”
John and Henrietta exchanged a few more words for a bit before the transmission ended. Turning back to face the planet John continued to just simply observe the odd planetoid, intrigued at how such a solar system could actually function. After about twenty or so minutes of just marveling at the sight, John arose from his seat of the cockpit, and made his way to the main haul of the ship where a console sat on the right side, with a large screen in the center, and four small screens on the sides. Taking a seat the console booted up, and showed various displays of various forms. On the main console John began to fiddle around with the system, going through a few files before stopping on one that was labeled ‘Lucky’.
“Alright Lucky, time to get to work. And see what this unique planet has in store for the two of us.”
Once the file was opened and John continued to work, at the very back of the ship a large pod was being moved from one side to another, before being shot out. The pod soared through the void traveling at incredible speeds, following a set course to the planet’s surface. Upon entering the upper atmosphere, the pod had begun to heat up and start sparking with fire, even as it reached the lower atmosphere the pod still burned like a comet as it continued to soar through the air towards its destination.
~~~~~
Canterlot, the capital city of all Equestria, and the central icon of the pony race. This grand city has been standing on top, or more accurately to the side, is Canterlot Castle. This glorious structure is the home to Princess Celestia, the matriarch of the pony race, and is the thousand year ruler that has guided Equestria into the era of peace it is now thoroughly enjoying.
And it’s the castle where one would find a particular adolescent unicorn mare.
Twilight Sparkle was a pony gifted in the ways of magic and the arcane arts, from transfiguration, levitation, and even to the more complex spells like teleportation. And aside from the ways of magic, the lavender unicorn was as a gifted and well-learnt scholar as she was sorceress, devouring the contents of any books, scrolls, tablets, anything that had written words on them, and storing them within her vast mental facilities. In fact if one would asker her, she could quote any book she has read down to the letter, from front to back, and get everything down. Twilight was also an avid researcher of various subject matters, and looked forward to the challenges of expanding her knowledge, while utilizing all the information she has to solve any problems that face her. However this gifted mare is plagued with a few, handicaps.
Because of her scholarly ways and preferring books to actual company, the unicorn was not known for socializing with other ponies, aside from the princess who was her teacher. Another handicap that plagues the mare was that she can get wrapped up into such small things, or things that most ponies would think are not important, such as legends of yore. And it was actually one of these long forgotten tales of old that has the unicorn in a panicked state, but her flustered state of being had only reached another new height, when she saw something.
It was rather early in the morning, and Twilight had decided to read a book outside to enjoy the nice weather. But the book the unicorn had was not a typical book. The book was about old pony lore, and the one that has the unicorns attention was the legend of ‘the Mare in the Moon’, and it read that sometime in the future—which Twilight had concluded was today—and would cast eternal darkness upon the world as revenge on princess Celestia, for being locked away on the moon for the past one-thousand years. After the unicorn had read a book that foretells a returning evil, the unicorn made a mad dash towards her living quarters within the castle’s walls, but as she was galloping something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.
“What is that?” Twilight said as she saw…a fireball soaring far off in the distance, before disappearing over the vast horizon. The unicorn then dug out the old book she had just read mere moments ago, and started flipping through its pages at a rapid pace, eyes scanning over the text as they flash by.
“There was no mention of any fiery projectiles indicating her return.” Twilight muttered under her breath before looking to where she last saw the fiery comet.
“I should probably inform the princess of this along with what I found about, her .”
Twilight then stuffed the book back into her saddlebag, and continued her gallop towards her living quarters. Where she would further her investigation into, whatever topic has her in such a worried state.
~~~~~
Several more minutes of flying and eventually the pod ceased being covered in flames as it closed in onto where its flight path ended. Upon reaching its destination the pod has slowed down with the aid of some backwards thrusters slowing its trajectory, and switched over to automated pilot mode and flew across the air towards the secluded clearing in a dense forest. The pod then came to a stop just above the clearing, where thrusters underneath the craft helped it lowered itself to ground level without any major issues, where it landed on a patch of grass as small animals ran away in fright. Touching down onto the ground the pod went silent for a few minutes, but then sharp hissing sounds erupted from the craft as the front portion of the pod opened. As the pod’s front hatch opened, sunlight that shun through the forest canopy shined down upon the pod, and at the sole object that lies within it…as it began to move.
Background Music: Song of Healing – the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCdlZGnmgHs .
Stepping out of the pod was a fairly large, quadrupedal, robot with a wolf-like like design. Its body is primarily grey and silvery steel in coloration, with a few dark blue markings. On top of its canine-like head is a large sphere that has a light blue sheen to it. once it had stepped half-way out of its pod the mechanical canine began to observe its surroundings for a bit, before deciding to fully emerging from its pod, as it did so if someone would to look upon the machine, they would be able to see an insignia on the left side of its torso, while its right-side has the word R.E.C.O.N #7 etched onto it. While the mechanical canine continues to observe its surroundings, bits of its body starts to fidget as its internal systems start to fully boot up and get its equipment operational.
On its shoulder blades two missile pods turn on their axels, making sharp turns every so often, as well as opening their flaps before closing them. below the pods were fixed gun muzzles that were adjusting their muzzles and giving a few clicks. the sides of the machines body has six small vents, three on each side, in where they release sharp quick bursts of pressurized air. The paws of the robotic mutts began flexing each of their four digits, digging their sharp bladed nails into the ground. The orb on its head appears to be non-movable, but under the glass, the camera that made up the ‘eye’ was scanning everything around the mechanical wolf from the trees, to the grass, and other details of the forest landscape.
From the back of the mechanical beast, just behind the main torso body plate, a small hatch opened and closed a few times, but upon the third check a small mechanism emerged from inside of the wolf’s body and launched a small drone out. After being launched the drone sprang to life, wings from its side folded out, the back had what looks like tail feathers spread out.
The drone then started to fly about the clearing rather fast, zipping around just to test out its own systems and see if its functioning properly. And after a minute of flying around the drone returned to the mechanical wolf, diving back into the launcher before the mechanism withdrawing into the metal canine.
After the drone had return to the robotic wolf, the metal canine raised its head up and actually began taking in snorts of air through the small vents on its muzzle, which actually look like nostrils. In fact if a person was standing next to the machine, it would sound like it was taking in heavy breaths through its nose. After giving the air a few sniffs, and after all of its systems have fully booted up, and all of its equipment was now functioning, The mechanical canine started to canter out into the wilderness. Ready to explore this new world that Humanity has found on the very edge of the galaxy.
Within the underbrush of the dense forest, the robotic canine was rummaging around forest, scanning, and analyzing the various foliage around it. aside from analyzing the plant life, the metal beast scooped up a clump of dirt in its mouth, and quickly dashed back towards it pod, which didn’t take too long as the unit wasn’t that deep in the woods. reaching its pod the metal canine re-entered the craft, and dumped the lump of dirt into a bowl on the left side, where a lid slid closed over it.
“Analyzing soil sample.” The recorded voice of a woman said as the unit heads back out, and again secured some of the local landscape in its mouth, this time a small patch of flowers. Which were like with the clump of dirt, deposited into a small bowl.
“Analyzing vegetation sample.” The recorded voice said again as the metal wolf left the craft again, but now was heading deeper into the woods.
Upon on the ship, sitting at the monitors desk in the hall of the ship, Johnson was watching everything that the mechanical canine R.E.C.O.N unit was filming. But aside from simply watching the unit’s video feed, the young pilot was also studying the soil and plant sample data that the pod was analyzing.
“Everything seem to be on the regular on the surface, but…” John muttered as he looks at the screen monitoring and analyzing the two samples that the R.E.C.O.N unit brought to the Pod.
“These samples easily have three times the amount of nutrients and natural properties in them than normal sources back home on Earth. With these properties this planet could be an agricultural paradise, however this planet is still way out of the way for it to an agricultural hub to feed Earth, or any frontier planets…but with a little work…it could be possible.” John concluded as he went back to looking at the main monitor to check up on the units progress, and video footage.
Heading deeper into the woods the mechanical lupine unit stepped carefully through the thick underbrush, attempting to not damage its surrounds and not cause as much noise as possible. As the unit was trying to see if it can study any living creatures, if it can find any, and usually being silent to a broad extent greatly increases its chances of doing so. But as it stalks through the trees, and bushes, so far it hasn’t spotted any living creatures. Now it can sense them on their internal scanners with motion detectors, but as the lupine automaton got close to a source, the animal quickly buggers off, preventing it from observing it.
So instead of tracking down animals to study, the unit shifted back to analyzing the landscape itself, and a new source came in the form of a shallow river running through a small clearing. Stepping up to the edge of the river, the unit dipped the tip of its muzzle into the water, where it took in a small sample through the nose vents. Where the small pocket sensors begin shifting through the liquid, documenting everything about the water sample from how clear it was, to small mineral particles in it, and its composition as a whole. To an outside observer it would simply seem as if the robot was drinking from the river, rather than analyzing the water sample.
Finishing its catalog of the water, the lupine robot released the water back into the river, and went about its tasks of discovery.
But as it crossed the shallow waters, the motion sensors picked up a fairly big signal, which was coming towards the unit. Facing in the direction where the signal was coming from, the R.E.C.O.N unit launched the small bird-like drone from its back, and had it float a good distance above the unit to act as a second set of eyes.
Emerging from the bushes were pack of wolves, but these weren’t ordinary wolves, these lupines were completely crafted from wood, tinder, and other kinds of wooden debris. Pack of wooden wolves took notice of the R.E.C.O.N unit, and seemed to be curious about the metal wolf, at least a few members of the pack was, the rest seemed to be in a territorial state. The leader of the pack, who was much bigger and built more bulkier, made its way over to the mechanical unit green eyes narrowing and wooden teeth being bared, and as it reached the R.E.C.O.N unit who hasn’t moved as much allowed the wooden wolf to sniff it. taking the opportunity, the robotic wolf was also sniffing its wooden counterpart, absorbing floral and other air particle samples emanating from the wooden beast, while both its own eye and its drone recorded footage of the wooden pack.
Up in space, John was watching the live feed being transmitted to the ships main terminal screen. The young man was leaning in his chair, carefully studying everything that both the R.E.C.O.N unit and assist drone were recording.
“Interesting. An animated wooden golem-like life form.” John muttered as he shifts his sight to one of the side screens.
“They seem to be emitting some kind of energy signature, but the system isn’t finding any particular match. It must be a unique type for these creatures.” Returning his sight to the main screen, the pilot saw that the alpha of the pack was now in circling the robot, along with the pack.
“Not sure what they’re doing, but I rather not have Lucky be a pile of splinters chew toy.”
Back on the planet’s surface, the alpha of the wooden wolves gave a few screechy yet ragged barks and growls. One of the pack members actually tried to take a bite out of Lucky, but the mechanical canine side-stepped so it wouldn’t be bitten, however on its other side another wolf decided to smack it with its wooden paw. Unfortunately for the arbor lupine, its appendage broke to pieces against the metal frame of the robot. As the wolf whimpered of its ‘broken’ paw, the rest of the pack readied to try and attack, but Lucky had a counter measure. Several actually, but one would suffice, without resulting in killing.
Sliding cases over its ear microphones, Lucky opened its fearsome looking jaws, and a noise akin to shredding metal and screaming machine work mixed with a guttural howl, scared the pack into stopping in mid attack and backing away. The noise was so shrilling and loud anything within a couple of hundred yards could hear it! after howling at the pack, Lucky’s large eye scanned over the pack along with the drone hovering above the small clearing, the mechanical beast turned to look at the alpha who seemed to flinch back, and gave a more leveled guttural grinding growl. The pack got to their paws and left Lucky alone as they made their way back into the forest. With the plausible threat now defused the assist drone returned to Lucky, and the metal lupine continued its investigation of the world.
Back on the ship, John was watching the footage of the wolf that struck Lucky, and watching as the energy that was thinly surrounding the paw dissipate. Although dissipate might be false. Playing the recording a few more times when the paw broke, John saw that instead of vanishing into the ether, the energy seemed to seep or waft back into the main body of the wolf.
“So whatever is holding these creatures together does emanate from them, and is not borrowed from an outside source.” The young man said as he scratches the side of his head with a single finger.
“Would’ve been nice to study it, but I might need to do an on-site study to fully grasp the phenomenon. In the meantime…” John switched back to watching the live feed from Lucky’s camera.
“Let’s finish with basic documentation subjects for now. But now I’m really more curious about what other types of unusual wild life is on this planet.” But as the young man leaned back into his seat, something came up on the monitor that caused him to quickly sit back up straight.
“Wait a minute…is that!”
Emerging from the grove of trees, Lucky came upon a large open clearing, with a large steep ravine in front of it. but on the other side of the ravine, partially ruined in covered in foliage, was a large stone castle-like structure.
“Incredible!” was all John could say as he stared at the screen, before a rather big smile came over the young man’s face. “…first actual documentation…of actual alien civilization!”
Without wasting any time, Lucky ran at full speed till it reached the edge of its side of the ravine, and then jumped. But the ravine was to wide for the unit to reach the other side just by jumping. So while it was at the apex of its jump, the six vents on its chassis released a sharp hiss before letting out a large burst of air, sending it higher into the air and carrying it the rest of the distance of the ravine. Once it touched down, the R.E.C.O.N unit ran towards the worn-down structure to begin investigating it in its entirety.
~~~~~
Twilight grumbled as she sat in a chariot with her assistant Spike, a ten year old dragon wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie, as they ride towards the town that was going to be where the Summer Sun Celebration is held this year. Earlier today Twilight Sparkle has sent a letter to princess Celestia, detailing her discovery of an ancient evil returning, as well as the comet that soared through the sky. but what she got in reply to her discovery from the princess, was a notification that she was going to be the overseer of the celebrations preparations.
“I can’t believe this. How can the princess just ignore my discovery, and make me handle preparations for the celebrations.”
“Maybe because she knew that this ‘dark alicorn’ coming back is nothing more than a story, and that you need to spend less time locked up in the study and start living a normal life.” The dragon said as he looks over the list of priorities for the celebrations preparations.
“But this could be a real threat. Half of Equestrian’s lore are actual threats, that were sealed away.” Twilight said to her little assistant.
“Maybe, but half of those lore’s are just that, lore. Stories.” Spike said in response, making a somewhat valid argument to Twilight’s response.
“And I agree with the princess. You spend to much time locked away in your study, doing nothing than practice magic or have your muzzle buried in a book. You should get out more, learn to socialize.” Twilight leaned into her seat as she lets out a sigh.
“Maybe…your right.” the unicorn said as she placed a hand on her forehead. “I just want to live up to the princess’s expectations.”
“Twilight the princess is proud of your academic accomplishments, but she worries that you focus on nothing more than work and study.” Spike said as he held the list out for Twilight to take, who took the parchment as Spike continued to speak.
“She’s hoping that if you do the preparations for the celebration, that you’ll learn how to take it easy, and see that there’s more to life than your work.” the little dragon gave a small smile to his sister-figure.
“And that goes for me to, I wanna see you have a better life than just being an anti-social workaholic.” Spike then leaned back in his own seat. “Think about it. when was it the last time you actually spent more than an hour taking a breaking from your studies, before going back to it.”
Twilight actually thought about it, but she wasn’t able to recall when she did spend more than an hour to either take a nap, or eat, before she went back into delving into her books. The only time that the mare would actually not spend time studying, was when she visited her parents, or was with the princess for a private lunch and talk.
“I guess you’re right.”
“We’re almost to Ponyville Miss. Sparkle, we should be there within a few more minutes.” One of the two pegasi guards who were pulling the chariot said.
“Thank you sir.”
Twilight then looked over the list that Spike gave her, and looked over the preparations. But even if her assistant and teacher were right, the unicorn still couldn’t help but feel that what she discovered from the book, and from seeing that comet, that something bad would be coming. Then again, it could just be her own paranoia about something that might not even be real.
Carefully walking through the ruins of the unknown alien planet, the mechanical canine exploration unit, Lucky, examined every bit of the stone walls and all relics of this worlds past that littered the ground, or adorned any of the still intact walls. During the units little trudge through the ruins Lucky has interacted with some relics that John has classified as, priority objects of interest. One of which was a strange stone sculpture that looks like a solar-system display. Except none of the stone spheres had any details on them, aside from strange basic diamond cut-out holes on their faces, at least from the five circling the larger center stone. Aside from the sculpture another prioritized object of interest was a large, mostly intact, tapestry that Lucky was scanning over with its sole eye, zooming in on the fine details of the tapestry, but for the more up close examination Lucky deployed its little bird assistance drone to examine parts of the tapestry that the unit couldn’t reach.
As the drone flies about around the tapestry, it examined all of the details and designs of the large piece of stitched and woven cloth, especially the unique depictions of what looked like two anthropomorphic equine humanoids. One clad in white and gold, cradling what looks to be an iconography of the sun, while the other was clad in blue and silver, and was gently caressing a full moon image.
“I wonder what these could be depictions of?” John muttered to himself as he watches the video footage the drone was capturing, as well as the pictures it was taking.
“Given how ‘larger than life’ these figures appear to be, these must be some form of deities of some kind, and if that’s the case then whatever culture used to live in these ruins must have developed their own religion.” That’s when John thought back to the odd sun and moon that orbit around the planet, and started to run various theories and hypothesis on what kind of religion these aliens may have created.
After studying the tapestry for a bit longer, and racking his brain on what the imagery could be depicted of as well as the meaning behind them, John reached over to the far side of the terminal, the pilot pressed a button that projected a ringing phone icon. And after a few minutes the phone was replaced with the image of Henrietta, who genuinely looked surprised by Johns sudden call.
“Well this is surprise John; I wasn’t expecting you to contact me so early into your survey.” The woman said as she brushed some of her wavey dark red hair out of her face.
“Yeah, and I’m hope I’m not bothering you or anything.” John said with an apologetic tone.
“Not at all.” Henrietta said as she got into a more comfortable position in her chair.
“So what did you call me for?” instead of answering the woman’s question, John brought up a small screen next to the communicator, where Henrietta saw the pictures be displayed on the screen. “What the—” the woman said as she leaned closer, while John developed a small smile on his face. the woman then saw the other photos of the other bits of knick-knacks scattered about the ruins, as well as photos of the ruins themselves.
“Your eyes aren’t fooling you director, this planet has, or seemed to had some for of civilization at some point!” the pilot said with a bit of mirth in his voice, as he was thoroughly enjoying the directors expression of wonder, finding it to be rather adorable.
“Amazing!” Henrietta said with amazement as she adjusted her glasses to make sure her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. “First actual documentation of another race!”
“That’s right! we actually discovered possible intelligent sapient life on another planet!” John said before his smile, and voice returned to their normal straight face as he continued on. “But considering how decrepit these ruins are, and the fact that they’re deep and secluded in a densely packed forest, these ruins must be centuries old.”
“I see, well even so, this is still a monumental discovery Johnson.” The woman said before turning away from the small screen, and back over to face the pilot. “John, at this moment I want you to focus primarily in studying these ruins, and see if you can find any evidence of other ruins such of this one anywhere else. And if possible…see if there are indeed an intelligent race on this planet.”
“The study of the ruins shouldn’t be to hard, but if you want an in-depth analysis and study of the ruins, I’ll have to make a trip planet-side and bust out some of the ships archology supply.” Joh said as he scratched the back of his head. “But making first contact, you sure you want me to handle that?”
“I have complete faith in your ability to give Mankind a good first impression.” Henrietta said with a beaming face of confidence on her face, which brought back the small smile on the young man’s face.
“In that case, you can count on me!” John said while giving the director a bright smile, and a thumbs up which got a little chuckle from the older woman.
“Very well then, I leave this venture to you. But as you do, make sure to keep me up to-date on any progress you make.”
“Yes ma’am!”
After the discussion of what John’s new orders were, and ending the call, John began fiddling with the terminal, messing around with Lucky’s own pod controls making it close its hatch and rise above the tree line, and make its way to where the ruins were located. As the small craft made its way to where the ruins were, John made his way to the cockpit and set off to fly towards the site of his archaeological endeavor, with the ship soaring through the darken void before breaching the outer atmosphere.
Reaching the desired location the ship switched to its hover setting, and slowly made its descent to the ground just a little ways away from where Lucky’s pod was parked. As the ship landed John left the cockpit and head to the back of the ship, where all the supplies and other equipment was stored, and busted out the gear and equipment he’ll need in order to study the ruins. As well as a pistol, and an small assault rifle for personal protection, along with other tools for self-protection. Cause the last thing John need was to be caught with his pants down when a monster comes lumbering out of nowhere, and tries to make a meal out of him, again.
“Alrighty then, time to see what these ruins have hidden inside them.” John said as the back hatch of the ship released a sharp hiss, before they slowly lowered itself down, allowing the young man to take in a deep inhale of the fresh air of this new world.
“Wow. Now that is some fresh air.” John commented before stepping out of the ship, where the warm rays of the early evening sun shines down upon him. making his way towards the ruins the young man was met by the mechanical hound, sitting, and waited for the pilot at the collapsed entryway of the ruins.
“Hey there boy.” The young man said as he petted the machine on the top of its dome eye, which the robotic canine leaned into before Johns hand was removed from its head. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, so let’s get down to business, shall we?”
The mechanical unit quickly rose to its feet, and lead its human caretaker into the ruins where they would set out to unravel the mysteries that this ancient structure.
~~Elsewhere~~
So far Twilight wasn’t exactly enjoying her given task of being Overseer for the preparation of the Summer Sun Celebration. Sure she promised Spike that she’ll try and open up to the ponies she was suppose to meet, and see over their prep for the festivities…however that was proving to be rather difficult, and down right annoying for the mare.
The first pony she meet didn’t say anything or even greeted her properly, all she did was just make a dramatic gasp and just bolted past Twilight and Spike as if she was startled by something.
The next pony that Twilight was a bit better, at least she was friendly and overly wholesome, but she was a bit overbearing and kind of pushy in having Twilight and Spike join her and large family for an oversized lunch. After being stuffed with so much apple-based food, Twilight struggled to finish up her duties, and that’s when she meet the next pony she was supposed to meet who was in charge in making sure the weather was clear, although meet was not the correct term.
The next pony that Twilight meet crashed into her and made the unicorn dive into a large mud pile, which the pegasus just laughed off as a small goof move. But in her defense the pegasus did attempt help clean Twilight off, however that just ended up with Twilight’s clothes being all wrinkled, and mane and tail being all frizzy and puffy, which the pegasus found hilarious. Course the unicorn didn’t find her predicament to be all that humorous.
Moving onto the fourth pony that Twilight met, she seemed generally normal if a little eccentric, and when she saw the state that Twilight’s mane, tail, and clothes were in she insisted on helping the mare get her clothes, mane, and tail fixed. However as the white unicorn properly washed and dried Twilight’s clothes, and fixed her disastrous mess of mane and tail, the mare found out that Twilight came from Canterlot and just went full on, well, there wasn’t an actual term that Twilight could think of to compare the mare to, so all she could do was run off once her clothes had finished drying.
Then there was the final pony that was in charge of the music, which was a flock of birds instead of traditional instruments, which Twilight found to be rather odd. But the results were still beautiful to listen to. however while the singing bird chorus was an amazing sight, the conductor of the chorus wasn’t much to look or speak of, as she was constantly hiding behind her knee-length mane and only whispering when Twilight spoke to her. but that changed when the mare started fawn and dot over Spike, who through the whole day was actually enjoying all of the little meetups, especially with the unicorn and the doting pegasus.
But all of the meetings today was nothing compared to what Twilight found at her temporary stay. When she and Spike made it to the towns library, they were greeted by the same pony that the pair meet…and WOW could she just jabber on and on as she talked about how she meet Twilight, then gathered up ponies for a welcoming party, and even setting up the party for Twilight. Who just found the whole thing, jarring.
“Ugh…what a day.” Twilight groaned into the pillow her face was buried in.
“Come on Twilight at least try and enjoy the party.” Spike said as he stood in the doorway that leads up to the library’s living quarters. However the only response that Spike got was a very annoyed grumble, as she lays on the rooms bed.
“I know I promised to be more social Spike, but this is bucking ridiculous!” Twilight eventually said as she pulled her face away from the pillow. “I mean seriously, who throws a party for a complete and total stranger, even it is in good faith?”
“Maybe that’s just how the ponies of this town are.” Spike commented as he made his way up to the bed, and then sitting on the edge. “Although, I guess this whole day has been over, stimulating for you. probably should had you ease into it.” the dragon was then smacked on the back of the head playfully by Twilight’s tail. the two then gave each other a playful smile before Spiked leaned over, and gave his sister-figure a kiss on the forehead.
“I’ll let you get some rest, and explain that you won’t be joining the party.”
“Thanks Spike.” Twilight said as she gave her assistant a hug.
The little dragon returned the hug, and left the room to give Twilight her space as he headed back down stairs. Now alone to recover from the rather hectic day she just had. as she laid in her bed the unicorn tossed and turned until she was lying on her back, looking out the nearby window and seeing the afternoon start to get darker, and as the sky grew more darker Twilight’s previous fear of what she discovered earlier today.
“I really hope the return of the dark alicorn is nothing more than a myth.” The unicorn muttered to herself as she turned to lay on her stomach, and tried to take a nap to recover the energy she spent today…that is if she can sleep through all the noise from the party downstairs.
After waking up from her nap, which actually turned out to be an actually full on sleep till it was five in the morning, which was the time that celebration for the Summer Sun Celebration to begin. Rising from her position on the bed Twilight noted that the party downstairs was no longer booming, it was actually really quite, which brought a smile to her muzzle as she wouldn’t have to deal with any pony, yet. Sitting up on the bed the mare stretched out her body, and noted just how late it was, and yet from her bedroom window she could see dozens of ponies already being very lively even in the wee early hours of the morning. And seemed to be making their way to the town hall where the celebration was going to be.
“Oh good you woke up.” Spike said as he made his way to the bed.
“And I see that it’s time to start the celebration.” Twilight said as she gets up from her bed. “We better make our way to the town hall as well.”
“Then let’s go!” Spike said as he hopped down from the ledge of the sleeping quarters, and onto the floor below and waited for Twilight to make her way down.
Leaving the library behind them both Spike and Twilight followed the crowed towards where the celebration would take place, and as they did so Twilight would occasionally look up to the moon, and checking to see if the ‘mare in the moon’ was still there. even if she was told by both Spike, and princess Celestia, to not concern herself with the legend but even so, she still couldn’t help but still feel like something could go wrong. A tug at her sleeve caused the unicorn to look down and see Spike looking up at her, a slight concern look on his pudgy little face. giving her little assistant a heartfelt smile Twilight knelt down slight to give him a hug, one he returned in kind before they continued to make their way towards the town hall.
Reaching the town hall Twilight was absolutely stunned by how everything turned out. The decorations she saw earlier in the day was already good, but now seeing the elaborate banner, streams and other touches, the hall building looked incredible.
“Got to give that mare credit, she does amazing work.” Twilight says as she and Spike merge with the crowed, and entered the building.
“Yeah, I knew she could do it.” Spike said in a very enchanted voice, which just made Twilight shake her head as a small smile graces her muzzle.
After entering the town hall, it showed to be just as lovely, and stunning on the inside as well. And while the mare was looking around the hall Twilight saw the mares that she meet during her inspection. The farmer pony was standing next to a large table that was filled with food, and drinks on the left side of the building, where ponies were already starting to grab plates of food and drinks as they await for ceremony to officially begin. Looking around some more the unicorn then spotted that weird butterscotch colored pegasus, and her assortment of birds for the choir, and she seemed to have more birds than the last time she saw her. although Twilight was still un-sure of a choir of birds would even be enough, or is a wise choice, for this kind of celebration.
“Alright everypony its almost time for the Summer Sun Celebration to begin!” a mild-age mare with a wavy grey mane and glasses said as she stood on stage, getting a resounding around of applause and stomps in response.
“As you all know, the Summer Sun Celebration is a time where we ponies pay honor to beloved princess Celestia, who has brought the warm rays of the sun for the past one-thousand years. And today, the ponies of Ponyville have been given the honor to house the main event of this monumental occasion, where we will bare witness to Princess Celestia raising the sun to start the summer months!”
“Before our illustrious ruler graces us with her presence, let us all give a round of applause to Miss. Rarity, for making our town hall look absolutely marvelous for her visit.” Twilight turned to face the left of the mild-age mare, where she saw the same white unicorn graciously bow as she accepts the resounding applause.
“As well as Miss. Applejack and her family for providing us with a bountiful amount of delicious food and beverages.” The crowd again applaud, and the farmer and a few members of family waved and thanked for the gracious applauses.
The mayor of the town continued on with giving thanks to the ponies that got everything prepped for today’s event, bur as the ponies continued to do so Twilight once again made a quick glance up to moon, which was visible via the glass roof, saw the ‘mare in the moon’ image fade away! And the moment that the unicorn saw that pony face vanish from the moons surface, a great sense of dread washed over her, as she starts to panic and wander what’s going to happen next.
“And now let us welcome our beloved matriarch, give your most heart felt applause for, princess Celestia!”
Everypony, aside from Twilight, clapped, stomped, and cheered their hearts out as the drapes on the balcony above the crowed, and as they move aside, and the choir of birds begin to start their rehearsed melody…princess Celestia was nowhere to be seen. The ponies ceased their fanfare as they all looked at each other with confusion, even the mayor looked baffle as she looked behind the curtains to see if the princess was there, but by the look on her face, the solar matriarch was not going to make an appearance.
The sense of dread that was washing over Twilight has only grown more intense, as she started to feel ever more worried about what was coming. And her fears have only reached higher heights as the town hall starts filling up with mist, and a sense of deep cold started to enrapture everypony, while the mayor screamed in shock as she nearly fell off the balcony. That’s when Twilight, Spike, and everypony else in the hall saw what could only be described as a curtain of the midnight sky start swirling around the balcony, and as the vail starts to disappear they all beheld the visage of an alicorn. But unlike the icon of tranquil beauty that is princess Celestia, they instead bore witness to an alicorn of blacken fur, midnight armor and glare as cold as ice as they peered down upon the town’s populace.
And as the alicorn looks down upon the crowed Twilight could only stand there, shuttering in fear while Spike huddles close to her, while the dark alicorn develops a sinister grin on her muzzle.
~~Elsewhere~~
A few hours have gone by, and was already starting to grow dark but even so, John was still hard at work in studying the ruins of this alien world. and from studying the very stone work, to the tapestries, there are even busted down statues and rustic pieces of armor and weapons. The armor and the tapestries being topics of great interest, especially the tapestries that were still intact and scattered around the ruins, as the imagery they adorned could have significant meanings as to the worlds history, and the race that made them.
“So far everything that I’ve discovered and analyzed seem to have some kind of equine iconography, or have some kind of humanoid equine.”
John said as he looks up to the latest tapestry that he has discovered, which depicted the same large horse woman cradling the sun. As a matter of fact there seemed to be plenty of tapestries with this same design, large horse woman holding or being depicted with celestial bodies. So there had to be some kind of meaning behind them, but to what John hasn’t the foggiest.
“I wonder what all this could mean, but I’m also curious about how this world could have creatures that look exactly like horses from Earth. Or horse-like creatures that closely resembles them.” a yawn escaped his mouth as the pilot stretches out his body.
“I better get some rest tonight. I can pick this up in the morning, come on Lucky time to call it a day.”
The robotic wolf gave a light barking sound, before following John through the ruins until they exited it, and made it his way to the ship. While Lucky made its way to its housing pod. But just before the young man entered the ship, he glanced upward to look at the night sky, seeing the stars and moon as they shine in the dark, however something seemed to have peeked his interest.
“Strange, I thought the moon had a face image on it.”
John said as he scratched the side of his head before shrugging it off before entering the ship. Entering the ship the young man decided to make a quick easy meal to fill his stomach, which he has neglected all day due to his research findings. Making his way over to the very, VERY, small ship kitchen area John began to make a quick grill cheese with pepper jack, mozzarella and swiss, with a little bit of sautéed sliced mushroom and bacon, with a bottle of cola to help wash it down. Once the little meal was made, John sauntered his way towards where the resting quarter was, and pulled out the bed from the wall and unceremoniously plopped himself down upon the rather soft mattress. But just as he was about to eat his grilled sandwich, and watch a little bit of a movie via the ships media player…
“WARNING! WARNING! Abnormal Phenomenon Detected!”
John stopped right as he was about to press play on the movie he was going to watch, when the ships alarm system started blaring. Unsure what was happening, the pilot made his way to the ships cockpit and started to fiddle around with the console, all the while the ship continued to repeat its warning.
“What the hell is going on?” the young man said as he pulled up the ships systems, and checking what is causing it to react in such a way. But upon seeing the ships connect to the Christ satellites read-outs…and they were focused on the planet’s moon, which was giving off a strange energy field.
“What in the world is that?!” John said as he continues to watch the video feed of the satellites monitor, and seeing the strange energy field collect onto a single point of the moon’s surface, and then race through space making a b-line towards the planet.
“This doesn’t seem to be a good thing. Better get the ship back into the air, and leave Lucky down here to do recon on the energy signature.”
Closing the satellite feed John switched over to the controls of the ship, and began prepping for takeoff. Once the system was in place, the young man then quickly headed towards the ships haul, and started to mess around with monitors for Lucky’s control system, switching from stand-by mode to recon mode and directing the metallic canine to investigate the energy signature from the moon. As the ship begins to slowly get itself off the ground, Lucky quickly emerged from its own pod, and its eye turned skyward to look for any signs of the strange energy signature. And once it locked in on the source of the energy, it ran from the ruins, leapt, and launched over the ravine, and began running through the woods to search for the energies source.
While Lucky rushes forward into the woods, the ship manages to reach above the tree line and took off with great speed, flying through the air for a minute before angling upward before heading up into the planet’s upper atmosphere. Once the ship had return to the expansive void of space, John placed the ship in stand-by mode, and made his way back to Lucky’s control station and brought up the video feeds on the main monitor.
“Alright let’s see what this abnormal phenomena is, and then see how the director wants to procced once I find out what the source is.”
John says to himself as he plops himself down in the station chair, and patiently waited for the mechanical wolf to discover what ever the source of the strange energy signature was. Taking a bite of his sandwich as he watches the live feed from Lucky’s camera.
Things were bad, no not bad, things were absolutely terrible! The return of the fallen alicorn has returned, and after her arrival within the town hall she proclamation that both the sun, and Celestia would never be seen again, and that the night will go on, forever. But there might be a way to stop this before it gets out of hand. During her research, Twilight remembered that there was something in book foretelling Nightmare Moon’s return, something called the Elements of Harmony. Unfortunately, the book that foretold Nightmare Moon’s return didn’t tell where these elements were, however, it would seem that fate has given Twilight a hand, in the form of the ponies she’s met during the day, or more accurately the pink earth pony finding a reference guide in the towns library. which still befuddles Twilight.
But that didn’t matter to the unicorn. The book that Pinkie found told the lavender unicorn where the elements could be found, which just happened to be in the Everfree Forest, or more accurately in the ruins of the of Celestia’s old castle in the forest. so once Twilight found out where these elements were, the unicorn ran as fast as she could to the forest, and was dead set on finding the elements. Although it seems she was not going in alone, as the five ponies that she’s meet today were set on helping her, even if they didn’t know what was going on. Begrudgingly Twilight didn’t have time to argue with them, and allowed the five strangers to accompany her. however the journey through the forest wasn’t a simple one.
When the group entered the forest they were met with one obstacle after another, from having their minds playing tricks on them, to dealing with a bawling river serpent having, facial hair problems, but those were nothing compared to dealing with a manticore in pain and having the ground literally break from under them.
But somehow, and some way, the group was able to handle whatever setbacks tried to stop them. From Pinkie Pie doing a silly song to dispel the mind tricks the forest was placing on the ponies. Rarity helped the group pass by the serpent, by sacrificing her styled tail. Then Fluttershy, the most timidness thing that Twilight has ever met, managed to aid the manticore from what was causing it pain. And finally when the group fell down the large hill that gave out from under them, Applejack was able to ease Twilight’s panicking mind in that she would be fine, although the earth pony could’ve been more clearer as to what she meant. All in all, things could’ve gone better for the group.
“Well this is certainly more than I bargained for when I came with ya’ll.” Applejack said as she stretched her body as she kept walking.
“Agreed.” Rarity bemoaned as she looked at her plush rump, and seeing her now shorten tail. “It’s going to take me weeks to re-grow my tail.”
“Don’t worry Rarity, I’m sure your tail would grow back, and be even more beautiful.” Fluttershy said as she rubbed the unicorns back.
“Well I’m just glad that none of us have gotten to banged up during that landside.” Pinkie proclaimed joyfully as she continued to hop and bounce around.
“So Twilight, how much further do we have to go to reach the old castle?” Rainbow Dash asked as she continued to fly beside the group.
“If we don’t run into any more problems, then we should reach it in about twenty or so minutes.”
Twilight says as she and the group pushes past a thicket of trees, and came upon a clearing…but as the five mare’s came into the clearing they found something…strange. Standing before the six adolescent mare’s, with the light of the moon and stars shining down upon the clearing…and the thing before them. the creature before the ponies was quadrupedal, its body a marvelous shimmering silvery grey color, with a large singular eye in the center of its wolf like head. but when the ponies focused primarily on the strange creatures body, they all noticed that it looked like its skin was made out of metal.
“Fluttershy, do you know what that thing is?” Rarity asked as she leaned in close to the butterscotch mare.
“No!” Fluttershy said as she stared at the creature, wide eye and full of curiosity, and fascination. “But based on its physicality, it must be some kind of wolf, or another type of canine.”
“If you ask me it looks like a pile of grey bones.” Rainbow said as she stood before the group, ready to rumble if this thing decided to attack.
“Whoa, whoa, hold up RD!” Pinkie said as she pulled the pegasus back by tugging on her tail. “No need to try and play hero, besides, it doesn’t look like its going to attack us.”
Before the ponies could really study the metal-skinned canine, it turned on a dime and then bolted off into the direction they were all going. But the ponies didn’t pursue after the beast, even though Fluttershy was greatly tempted to do so, the group pushed on to their destination. Little did they know however, the metal skin wolf didn’t completely vanish, instead, it was hiding out just beyond the ponies vision. Watching them as they walk past, and heading deeper into the forest.
~~Space~~
To say that John was speechless when Lucky found more alien life forms, especially the ones that the mechanical beast had discovered, would be the understatement of the year. If not the century. When John saw the six, clearly female, bipedal anthropomorphic equine creatures, wearing clothes like humans and appear to be talking to one another in hushed tones, John’s mind was running a hundred miles per hour.
So now the piolet was sitting at Lucky’s control station, very carefully and closely watching the video footage that the robotic wolf was recording, examining every inch of the six equine women. Studying how they walked on their equine-like legs, how their bodies looked so familiar to that of human women, and studying how their faces look like, what one would say more, furry-like. than an actual horse or other equine face. their muzzles were short, rounded, and their eyes were like those of anime characters, bigger than a normal humans and being very expressive. But what really caught the humans attention, more than anything else, was how colorful they were. they all looked as if their fur coats, manes, and tails were all dyed in neon colors. But as Lucky continued to follow the equines, who were heading in the general direction where the strange energy signature was coming from, John was studying the two equines with wings, and horns more closely than the bouncing pink one, and the orange one that was built and dressed like a toned cowgirl.
Although the ones with wings really caught John’s attention more, especially in how different the two woman’s wings were when compared to each other’s. the cyan blue one had wings that looked to be, the same length as her arms, and were flapping at a steady pace. As for the butterscotch one, her wings were easily as the same length as her whole body, at least when they were folded up.
“…Incredible…” was all the young man could say after studying the equine women for five or so minutes.
“I am actually documenting an alien species!” John said in both wonder, and disbelief, as if he was having a hard time accepting what he was seeing. But he quickly accepted the clear visible fact that he was staring at.
“And given how well they seemed dressed; I’d say they’re a pretty modern day people.” The young man said as Lucky launched the aerial drone from its back, to get a better overview of the group, and now able to see how well the six mares were dressed.
“I doubt that any pre-industrial females would be dressed like normal people, a supermodel, a cowgirl, and what looks like a…schoolgirl?” John commented before another thought came to him, as the group eventually exited the forest, and stood before the rope bridge leading to the ruins.
“But why are these six here? I doubt their here for a late-night stroll.”
But before John could come to any conclusion, the group of six mare’s were enveloped in a sudden fog bank. Which caused the ship to blare out its abnormal phenomenon warning, and when John had Lucky approach the fog bank, its scans indicated that this fog shared the same energy signature that caused the young man a fright earlier. John then instructed to have Lucky leap over back to the other side of the ravine, and take shelter in its own pod, just in case something was about to happen. And when Lucky entered its pod, the craft closed its hatch, and engaged its cloaking protocols becoming perfectly invisible.
While Lucky took shelter in its pod, John took control of the aerial drone, perching it on one of the bridges large rope poles, and watched the mysterious fog bank. Which then disappeared a minute later, revealing the six mare’s, and by the postulation that the blue, pegasus, was doing she seemed to be thrilled about something.
The group then made their way towards the ruins, passing by Lucky’s cloaked pod, then proceeded to head inside. But a moment later and John watched as five of the six mares came back out, the only one missing was the purple, or lavender, coated horned school girl. However John wasn’t able to go search for her, as he got distracted by the ships warning alarms blaring up again, which coincided with a bright flash of light erupting from inside the ruins. After the flash of light subsided, John began having the aerial drone follow the energy signature that flared up, and when the drone located the source he found the lavender school girl in one of the upper towers. And inside the same room as her, was another equine humanoid…but this one was FAR different from six girls.
The new anthropomorphic equine was clearly a grown woman. Body being tall, curvaceous, and having an ample bust and waist line which could be easily seen through the dark dress she was wearing. The dress looked like one from a fantasy RPG game would be wearing. But aside from the dress, this woman was also wearing pieces of armor, from gauntlets, greaves covering her long legs, waist and midriff armor, shoulder pauldrons, and a menacing looking helmet. And aside from her clothing and armor, the mare’s bodily features, aside from its curvaceous form, the piolet also noticed that she also had a horn and a large pair of wings. But none of that compared to what really caught the young man’s attention. Flowing from the back and top of her helmet, and from behind her wide hips, was a mane and tail…except this mare’s mane and tail looked as if they were made out of the actual night sky.
But aside from the mare’s both wonderous, and down right frightful appearance, John saw that the drones own instruments were picking up the energy signature. And it was originating from the new mare.
“Well it looks like I found the source of that strange energy signature.” John said as he looked at the stations monitors, and seeing that energy that the new mare was generating, was enough to power an entire continent.
“This may prove to complicate things.” The piolet said as he scratched the side of his head.
“…and I can’t be sure…but given these read outs, the sheer presence and appearance of that mare…” John then brought up an image of the two winged horned mares holding the sun and moon. “I have a distinct feeling that she could be, in some relation to these ‘deity’ class equines.”
As John was studying the energy ready out, and making a rather rushed conclusion on the mare’s identity, a flash of light from the main monitor caught the young mans attention. And when he turned to look what was going on he saw that the lavender mare was re-joined with her friends, and now all six of them were floating in the air, and each one was bathed in a bright glowing light. Then, against all odds, John watched in stun silence as the six girls were coated in prismatic light, and literal rainbow shot up into the air. Where it arched at its apex, and then dive bombed at the dark mare, who just stood there before being enveloped in a rainbow cyclone. Not even a second after the mare was surrounded by the light, the rainbow then exploded in burst of energy that caused the instruments at the station to spike, and nearly fry the systems. All of this caused John to jump back in shocked surprise, and a little fear as he stared at the monitors, most now showing static, while another showed the aerial drone falling to the ground.
“…this is definitely not your normal planet.” John muttered as he slowly made his way to the ships cockpit, sat down, and pressed the call button.
~~Ruins~~
Twilight and her friends slowly rose recovered from, whatever it was that they just did, and as they all got up they all noticed that they were now sporting new jewelry. With Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie wearing golden necklaces, while Twilight was wearing some kind of tiara on her head.
“Strange, these look just like our cutie marks.” Twilight commented as she held the tiara, and looked at the starburst image on the back of her hands. The others did the same, and saw that shards of the broken elements matched each ponies cutie mark.
“Gee. And here I thought Twilight was just spouting a bunch of howee.” Applejack said as she placed her necklace back on. “But I guess we really do represent the elements of friendship.”
“Ah yeah we do.” Rainbow said as she puffed out her flat chest.
“I knew we could do it!” Pinkie said as she tackled the cyan pegasus, giggling all the while.
“I just can’t believe we just did.” Rarity said as she rubbed the gem of her necklace. “We all just defeated Nightmare Moon, and prevented eternal night.”
“But what about princess Celestia.” Fluttershy questioned and getting the groups attention. “If we defeated Nightmare Moon, shouldn’t princess Celestia be back?”
Before the ponies could even ponder on this new fact, and their victory over Nightmare Moon, the ponies watched as the sun rapidly rose from the far off horizon. Then a ball of light slowly formed in the room, and then make a slow descent to the floor, where the glorious image of princess Celestia appeared. All the ponies, aside from Twilight, quickly bend the knee and bowed to the princess, while Twilight was about to make her way to her mentor. Although the mare stopped when the princes started to slowly walk over to where Nightmare Moon was.
Except Nightmare Moon was no longer there, instead, laying on the floor was a naked smaller mare, her coat being a clear blue color while her mane and tail were a shorter and darker blue. Twilight and her new friends then watched as Celestia dropped to her knees, and carefully brought the smaller alicorn into her arms, and started to quietly sob as she stroke the mares head.
“My sister…your back.” was all that the ponies could hear from the princess.
“I think we should give the princess some—”
Whatever Twilight was about to saw, was cut off when she, and the other six ponies heard what sounded like sharp hissing. The ponies looked around the ruins, searching for the source of the noise, that’s when they all looked towards one of the windows. Where they saw a black, thing, slowly rise into the air…and then flew off with great speed! Speed that looked like it could match even Rainbow Dash’s speed. And as they continued to watch, the ponies saw as the black thing turned into a speck into the distance, before going straight up into the sky where it disappeared completely.
“…What…was that?” Rarity asked as she turned to look at her friends.
“I…I have no idea!” Twilight said as she was completely baffled at what she just saw. And now her mind was percolating with dozens of questions on what it was, and where it was going.
~~Space~~
Lucky’s pod had just left the planets atmosphere, and made its way back to the ship, docking into the port of where it was initially launched. And while the pod rejoined the sip, the mechanical canine exited and made its way to spot of the far wall, where mechanical limbs began to examine the robot. And the aerial drone that was recovered before it took off from the planet. Meanwhile in the cockpit, John was talking to Henrietta, while also showing her the images and video footage of the natives of the planet. As well as the being that generated so much energy, as well as the video footage of the six equine humanoids floating into the air, and then launching some kind of rainbow at the ‘deity’ classified equine before the explosion of colored light.
“And that is everything that just, literally happened a few minutes ago.” John said as he looked outside.
“And the sun and moon had just changed their positions rather quickly.” The woman was sitting down, one hand cupping her chin, while the other held the first hand and was tapping it with a finger. A few moments went by before the woman looked up to the young man.
“Transfer all the data you have collected to my personal database, and quickly return to Earth to give a live report to the bureau. Afterwards, we’ll hold a council on whether or not to establish contact with this planet’s inhabitants.”
“Rodger that.”
After John finished giving his report, the young man shut-down communications, and prepped the ship to make the long journey home. the ship slowly turned in place to face out into deep space, then in an instant, the ship zoomed off into the distance, entering hyper space. Leaving the strange new world behind, where it would wait for a decision to be passed down from the Deep Space Exploration Bureau council, on whether humanity will return to this world, or not.
Author's Note
GOOD MORNING, afternoon....or night, whatever time zone it is! it's your girl NinjaMare with an update. now i know that there were a lot of you, my readers, that wondered if this fic was dead, and for that i do apologize for making you wait for an update to this fic. i managed to catch up with older projects, and made good head way on my newer ones, that i don't feel bogged down to go to my older fics to upload.
So hope that this chapter was worth the wait, enjoy!
Chapter 5
A whole month has passed since Twilight Sparkle and her new assortment of friends defeated Nightmare Moon, thanks to the power of the Elements of Harmony, which reversed the corruption that was affecting the lost princess. Since then the princess has been in recovery, regaining her magical powers as well as her strength, and throughout her Luna’s recovery Celestia has been by her side. The solar princess even suspended her royal duties until her sister has recovered.
As for Twilight Sparkle, she has since the incident moved to Ponyville, and has been living at the Golden Oaks Library as the towns librarian. Ever since then Twilight, and Spike who moved with her, have gotten closer and closer to their new friends. with some mixed results and some bizarre adventures along the way. But the time they have spent with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie has certainly been fun and fulfilling, which was something that Twilight admitted she loved. However despite everything that has gone on in her life, there was something that has always been on the scholars mind, and that was what the strange airship was. And where did it go. One would think that an air ship of such a, unusual design, would be more noticeable and be able to find. But no, no matter how much Twilight searched for that particular model, she couldn’t find anything that even looks close to it.
“Twilight, what do you want to do for lunch?” the unicorn looked away from the book she was reading up to seeing Spike coming into the libraries study room.
“It’s lunch time already?” Twilight said as she looked at the clock on the wall, and seeing that it was close to being twelve in the afternoon. “Wow, I guess I lost track of time.”
“I’ll say. What are you even reading?”
“It’s a book on the development of airships, which also shows the models built through out the years.” Twilight said as she bookmarks he spot, before closing it and standing up as she stretches out her body.
“Are you still hung up by that small black airship that you, and the others saw in the Everfree?”
“Yes!” Twilight said in a more annoyed tone than anything else. “I’ve read several books, aside from this one, and there’s no mention of that model anywhere. And…I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think it has something to do with that strange wolf we saw in the forest.” As Twilight goes on with her theory crafting, Spike was just looking at his sister figure with a, questioning look.
Once Twilight was done with her theory of the link between the strange canine, and the unheard of small airship, the unicorn and dragonling descended from the libraries living quarters, and headed out to get lunch. But as they left the library, Twilight couldn’t help but just looking in the general direction of the Everfree Forest, then up to the sky. visualizing the small craft slowly rise from the ground, and zooming off into the far distance with speed equal to Rainbow Dash’s. vanishing into the vast horizon, leaving the mare burning with questions on what it really was…and where it flew off to.
~~Earth~~
Earth Prime, the original home world of the human race. The planet has five space stations that orbit around it, each one outfitted with various defense systems and weaponry, mostly used against asteroids or damaged ships that are on a crash course with the planet. Down on the planets surface, at the Deep Space Exploration Bureau, one of the worlds three powerhouses of the human race, Johnson Goldman was standing before the D.S.E.B’s council as they were reviewing the data the young man has gathered. From the rich and fertile soil sample, to the healthy plant sample, even to the air quality sample that was recorded. Then there was the archaeological data he’s gathered, from the mason work of the ruins, to the tapestries and other artifacts that the young man has discovered.
But what truly has the councils attention, and were primarily examining, was the bizarre energy signature that John’s ships instruments captured, as well as the footage of the first alien race that humanity has discovered, and finally the immense energy spike and, rainbow, that the six aliens created to bath the seventh armored alien. And when the rainbow vanished the men and women of the council saw how drastically the seventh equine alien changed, from a tall armored and menacing figure to a now meek and fragile looking alien.
“And that is everything that I have gathered thus far from the new world, before making the voyage back home.”
John said as he stood before the table where the six council members sat, as they finished watching the recording. Once they viewed all of the information, and watched the video, the men and women started to talk amongst themselves, deliberating on everything that they’ve just witnessed firsthand. This was certainly one of the greatest discoveries in human history, that there is other intelligent life out their amongst the cosmoses.
“So how do you all think we should approach this? This is after all will be Humanities first step in making contact with an alien race.” A tall African man said as he kept his head aloft with his cradled hands.
“True. And with the soil and plant samples that Johnson provided for us, this planet is much like Earth Prime, and Eden.” An Italian woman said as she fiddles with a stand of her long black hair. “This world would make for an excellent produce hub planet.”
“While that may true Miss. Alexandria, we can’t just go barging in on the planet like we own it, if we did the natives would certainly see it as an invasion.” A hefty American man said as he scrolled through the data Johnson provided on a tablet.
“Mr. Hawthorne is correct.” Henrietta said as she adjusted her glasses. “This will be Humanities first step into establishing contact with another race, it would be best to offer the olive branch, rather than the sword.”
“Agreed. However, how should we go about in establishing contact?” a stout German man said as he runs a hand through his slick back brown hair. “I doubt sending a single exploration unit would be most prevalent in this matter.”
“I agree.” A small yet sharply dressed French women said as she also continued to examine the data on her tablet, mostly on the equine humanoid aliens.
“However if we send a larger force, like a cruiser-class ship, it would also give the impression of an invading force. But the same could be said if we sent a to small entourage, which could be viewed as a scouting force.”
The council all sat in silence for a moment as they quietly deliberated on how they should handle this situation regarding the equine aliens. The talks were mostly going around in circles in how much of a force the D.SE.B should send to this new world, so they could study the inhabitants, and learn how to interact with them. After a few minutes have gone by with no clear direction to go, the tall African man looked squarely at Johnson whose been standing before the table they all sat at. Just simply watch as the three men and three women talk, and whisper amongst themselves.
“Johnson, do you have any insight you wish to share? You were the one to discover this planet, as well as the one to have first physical contact with it.”
The rest of the council looked towards the young man as he silently thinks over is own thoughts on the matter, while also going over what he has heard from the council members. A moment later Johnson took a step closer to the table before speaking.
“If I have any say in this matter Mr. Landers, I would think that sending a small force would be best.” Some of the council members were about to speak up, but John quickly raised a hand to stop them.
“Now I understand the prospect of such a small recon unit would be seen as a possible threat, however, I think if we have enough members to provide security and a high ranking officer or agent educated and have experience in diplomatic interactions, would be enough. The small security force would show that we would be no threat, and the diplomate would also show that we mean no harm to anyone and wish to speak.” The council took in Johnson’s words and considerations as they thought the offer over.
“There is merit to this line of thinking.” Mr. Hawthorne said as he stroked his short beard. “Simply sending in deep space explorers, which may have been instructed in diplomatic matters in case a situation like this happens, they’re mostly trained to be fighters. So sending them with an actual agent of some kind to handle peaceful talks would be good.”
“While that maybe true, there is a fault with this plan.” The Italian women said as she stops fiddling with her hair.
“From what we saw, or more accurately, heard, these aliens have a dialect that is more akin to equine noises. So talking with them may prove difficult.”
“Maybe…but not impossible.” The council, as well as Johnson looked over to the French woman.
“The Science Division of the D.S.E.B have finished with the newest model of Observation robotic unit, one that we could use for this mission, not only as a test run, but also as a means to carefully study these equine aliens. And perhaps learn their langue.”
“But wouldn’t sending in a robotic unit cause some kind of stir?” the German man said as he tapped a finger on the table in a steady rhythm.
“I don’t think that will be much of a problem.” The small woman said as she swiped a finger against the tablet in front of her. “If you remember there are also some strange wild life on this planet, like those wooden wolves, so I doubt that one robotic unit would cause much a of a stir so long as its kept at a distant.” The rest of the council whispered amongst themselves about this new prospect.
“May I make a suggestion then.” Henrietta said getting the attention of the council. “If we will be sending the small force of explorers and an agent, as well as an observation unit, might I suggest sending a General Worker unit as well.” Everyone in the room seemed to be genuinely confused at Henrietta’s suggestion.
“Why send a General Worker unit for this mission?” the stout man said as he looked across the table at the curly haired woman.
“While it would be unconventional as well as unwarranted, I believe sending another nonmilitary member would aide us in peace talks. After all, meeting with soldiers and diplomate would be rather dull, and quite frightening, so having someone that can be a friendly experience would make things go more smoothly once we learn to communicate with them. Plus it would greatly show that we do in fact mean no harm.”
The other members of the council thought about Henrietta’s suggestion, along with the plan that Johnson has laid out, and the idea of sending the Observation unit to go to this new world. It sounds like a very plausible plan. Not only would the group have a nice form of defense with space explorers, and the mechanical canine unit in Johnson’s ship, but they would also have a pair of none threatening companions that will ensure that meetings would go peacefully. Some of them still had reservations on how this whole plan would go, but if they played their cards right there shouldn’t be any form of trouble, or difficulties. That is if everything goes smoothly.
“Johnson we will be sending you back out into the field, acting as chief supervisor for the explorer, and general worker for this mission.” The tall African man said in a fairly commanding voice, immediately getting the young mans attention.
“Understood!” Johnson said resolutely as he straightened his posture.
“But who would be the agent be to overlook this mission sir? Seeing as how this is a severally important mission, it will have to be someone that has a lot of experience in meeting with foreigners.”
“Well considering that you fall under my jurisdiction Johnson, I will be the one to go.” Henrietta said as she stood up from her chair and made her way to the young man.
“So now that leaves the rest of the team.” The hefty American said as he, and the rest of the council stood up from their own chairs. “We will leave the final two space explorers, and the general worker up to you. Miss. Henrietta.”
“I will also inform the science division to prep the Observation unit for the mission.” The small woman said as she brushed her bangs out of her eyes, while giving the two a small smile.
“We wish you the best of luck, in establishing humanities first step, into creating bonds with interstellar lifeforms!”
Johnson saluted to the council members, while Henrietta gives a small bow to her fellow council members before they left through the main door of the councils room. as they exited the room and started to walk down the hall, Henrietta immediately went about to get things finalized for their mission to start, calling up people to get the paper work and registrations for the mission to be authorized. As for Johnson he was talking with people down at the ship docks, and was already issuing supplies needed for the trip and the increase in personal for mission, while also requesting to have a larger ship than the one he had during his initial mission.
“Well that takes cares of the mission being authorized, as well as having the paperwork already being sorted before we leave.” Henrietta retorted as she pockets her cellphone. “How are things on your end John?” the piolet finished speaking with whoever he was talking to on the other side of the line, before hanging up and replying to his superiors question.
“The dock master is getting our ship prepared, and is having a crew getting the supplies we need for the voyage, and who knows how will be on stake out.”
“That’s good.”
“So Miss. Henrietta do you have any idea on who will be joining us on this grand adventure of ours?” the woman crossed her arms under her bosom as she hum in thought.
“Aside from you, there are six other Deep Space Explorers under my jurisdiction, and I have an idea on one of them I want to take with us along with the General Worker.” She then looked over to John. “I’ll leave the last person we should take with us to you.” John seemed unsure about this idea, as he was not very familiar with a lot of the other space explorers. But that’s when someone came to his mind!
“I might know who we should bring with us.”
“Good. Why don’t you go an retrieve this person, while I do the same with two I have in mind. Then once we have the people we need we’ll head down to the docks and inform our new crew of the mission.”
John nodded and bid Henrietta farewell for the time being, as he takes a left to head down one hallway, while his boss continues on her own path to recruit the members for the mission.
In the vast darkness of space, from a small spec of light in the far off distance, a ship snaps into existence and hovers in the silent emptiness of the void, and remains suspended in the darken space.
But unlike before, this ship was far larger than the previous one that appeared in this section of the vast recesses of space months ago, and instead of having only one occupant this time around this ship has more than one occupant. Instead, there are five people on board. One was the original deep space explorer that discovered the planet that the ship is currently orbiting months ago, but now the lone piolet of the ship has companions along for the ride, and for hopeful peaceful interaction with the equine aliens below. and as the four new people who seeing the world below for the first time, all had varying degrees of astonishment.
The newer occupants consisted of two other deep space explorers, same as the piolet. One was a tall gruff African American man, strongly built with facial and body tattoos, short black braided hair with deep green eyes, the other was about the same size as the piolet, but their face covered by a mask that was attached to some kind of device on the persons back. the third occupant of the ship was female, small in build and stature with a head of long frizzy reddish brown hair, and wide blue eyes looking out of the ships windows with wonderment. The last member of the ship’s crew was the leader of this expedition, and yet, even she was looking at the planet below with a sense of wonder in her eyes, while her mind buzzes with various questions about this world, and its humanoid equine inhabitants.
“So. This is planet with aliens on it?” the individual with the mask said, his voice muffled slightly as he leans over the window. “Kind of looks like home in a way.”
“Yeah, except this planet has horse people, if the report on it is true.” The taller occupant said, his voice low and gruff sounding, but having a certain smoothness to it.
“I assure you Kiburi, the information about discovered intelligent life on this planet is one-hundred percent authentic.” Henriette said as she moves over to a console, and brought up the recorded video of said aliens on a screen.
“I still can’t believe that we’re going to meet actual aliens! Oh! This is so exciting.” The adolescent girl of the group squealed in excitement as she stood by Henriette. “Thank you for bringing me along Henriette, but…are you sure I’m the one that you wanted to have for this mission?”
“Yes. Not only are you a talented mechanic Aria, but I believe your general good nature, and pleasant demeanor will not only keep peace on the ship. But also show these people that we mean no harm.”
“So we’re basically just security detail for this mission huh?” Kiburi said as he looked at the woman.
“Correct.” Henriette said as she as looks back to the man.
“And for this mission you’ll be chief of security Kiburi, your primary job will be leading both John and Andrew in defense of the ship, and crew’s safety.” The tall man then gave a small nod of understanding.
“John, you will still be lead investigator of this mission, by continuing your study of the ruins, and general flora and fauna research.”
“Rodger, but isn’t this mission supposed to be primarily studying the locals, so that we may establish contact?” the woman nodded as she readjust her glasses.
“Correct, but I’ll be handling that front. So John, can you land the ship at the site of the ruins you found on your first contact with this world.”
“I can try, but this ship is a bit bigger than the other one, so its going to be a tight fit.”
“Do what you can.” John nodded as he took hold of the ships controls, and charted a course to the site of the ruins.
After the course to the ruin site was charted, the ship zoomed off through space and made its way to the planet’s surface. A few minutes later and ship was now hovering over the ruins, where it started to slowly shift from side to side, trying to perfectly angle itself so that it would be able to fight in the limited space between the ruins, and the old rope bridge. Eventually the ship was able to land with enough room to fit comfortably. Once the craft has landed everyone in the ship started to get prepared for their separate assignments, with Kiburi and Andrew grabbing some of the combat armor, weapons, and packs that they flung over their shoulders. John left the cockpit and made his way into the central hub, where he approached the holding bay where the ships two robotic units laid, with Aria typing away at a nearby computer console.
“Is Lucky ready for work?” John asked the little tech girl.
“Yup! He’s all good.” The girl said with a brilliant smile. “However I removed the aerial drone to do some work on it, so you won’t be able to use it till I’m done.”
“That should be fine.” John then un-shackled Lucky, and allowing the mechanical canine to leave its station, and walk out onto the ships hub. “Alright Lucky, time for us to take another crack at uncovering these ruins secrets.” John said as he gathered up the research equipment from a nearby rack, before heading to the back of the ship and lowering the ramp.
As the ramp lowered and John and Lucky waited for it to fully open, Kiburi and Andrew joined the pair as they finished arming themselves. Even handing their researcher friend a handgun. While the three men were about to leave the ship, Henriette and Aria were getting the newly created Observation unit ready for deployment, but unlike Lucky’s system which have fewer measures to boot up and kick in, the new unit has yet been fully activated. So both woman had to manually jump start its systems, and insure that everything from its main functions, defense protocols are all set up properly. Luckily, Aria knew a science division member that took part in building the new unit, so she was able to get it up and running faster than it would probably take. Roughly five or so minutes later the new unit was fully operation, and was quick to take flight, and was now however in the middle of the ships haul.
“I’m surprised that the Science Department didn’t try and make it look like an animal, or something found in a comic, or anime.” Andrew said as a vent of air was released from his mask. “Like they did with Lucky.”
“Same. Although…” both Kiburi and John said as they looked at the floating robot unit.
“It looks like one of those retro flying saucers.” The taller man said as he gives the machine a good once over.
“Oh trust me the Science Department really did want to make it look like what you expect them to make, but the director of the department cracked down hard on them to stop, goofing around, and make something more practical.” Aria said before developing into a bout of giggles.
“You should’ve seen how crushed the guys in the department looked when they were told that, it was actually kind of funny seeing grown men and woman act like spoiled kids, having their toys taken away.”
“We’ll take your word for it Aria, but for now…” Henriette said as she booted up the control system to the Observation unit. “It’s time to get to work.” The group nodded and went about their business.
Leaving the ship behind them the trio of explorers set off on their tasks, with John and Lucky heading into the ruins, with the young man trying to remember where it was they left off before getting off world, and heading back to Earth Prime. As for Kiburi and Andrew, the two of the started to scout out and survey the area around the ruins, both at the landing site and the area on the opposite side of the rope bridge. Establishing a perimeter for the crew of the ship to stay within, and set up early warning devices to help the crew get ready in case of danger shows up. then there was the new Observation unit, floating out of the ships haul before hovering a foot or so from the lift. Then the craft started to fly about the area, seemingly testing its own paces and seeing how fast and slow it can move. And when it was finally down with its flight, four discs are launched from below its underbelly, which all started to buzz around the unit like fast moving little birds.
“How does it feel Henriette?” Aria said as she walks over to the older woman, who had stopped the main unit in the air, and had the smaller ones to orbit around it.
“Pretty well actually.” Henriette said as she warms up her hands, before taking hold of the controls. “Now, let’s get this investigation underway.”
And just like that once Henriette trust the controls forward, the unit outside shot into the air with incredible speed, followed by its four scouter disks. Ready to delve into researching this world, and learn everything they can from the local inhabitants. Hopefully towards a peaceful first encounter.
~~~~~
Today was a nice calm, and peaceful day in Ponyville, with nothing to disrupt it. at least that’s what Spike hoped for the day, but ever since he, and his caretaker/sister-figure Twilight Sparkle, moved to Ponyville it seems that every day was chalked full of adventures, and mis-adventures. That also includes with how things in capital of Equestria, Canterlot, was going. Ever since Luna came back from her thousand yearlong imprisonment on the moon, followed by her quick reformation things have been rather, hepatic in Canterlot. with the citizenry being re-introduce to a long lost royal, and getting said royal acclimated to the modern world. But from what Twilight and Spike hear, by personal message from princess Celestia, things seem to be going, well enough. And Spike was hoping that it would continue to be as peaceful as it has been for past week, but such as life, things never go as one expects.
“SPIKE!!!!!!”
The voice of Twilight Sparkle bellowed throughout the interior of the Golden Oaks Library, causing the little dragonling to jump from his own bed, tossing the comic he was reading to the side as he tumbles to the ground. recovering from the sudden cry of his caretakers voice screaming out his name, the pre-teen dragon ran towards the libraries main study next to the living room, and found Twilight running around like a mad mare. Frantically grabbing blank parchments, quills, inkwells, and various books and stuffing them into a satchel hanging from her shoulder.
“Twilight?! What’s going on?” Spike asked his deranged looking caretaker as she stops halfway in stuffing a second satchel that she was holding in her magical aura.
“Remember that strange flying object that we all saw when Luna returned from her time on the moon a month ago?”
“You mean that strange black thing that just, flew up into the sky and never came back down. And was something that not even the princesses know about?”
“Yes!” Twilight said as she slung the second satchel over herself.
“I saw it! I saw it land back in the Everfree Forest! I’m going to go see if I can find it, and finally see what it is.” Before the mare could even take another step after explaining her plan, the pre-teen dragon quickly stepped in to stop his caretaker from possibly getting into trouble, which seem to be happening more often ever since the pair moved to Ponyville.
“Twilight before you do anything, I think you should inform the princesses about this.”
“But Spike I have to get on this now! Who knows how long this thing will remain in the Everfree.”
“But Twi—”
Before Spike could fully stop Twilight from rushing into her academic impulses, the unicorn teleported out of the library, leaving Spike alone in the library. sighing to himself Spike just rubbed the bridge of his nose, before walking over to the nearby desk of the study, and started to write down a letter. A letter to princess Celestia about what Twilight’s up to, and hopefully that the alicorn could stop her before she gets hurt. Once the letter was written Spike opened the nearby window, before setting the letter on fire and watching the smoke cloud fly out the window, and soar towards the far off city of Canterlot. But Spike wasn’t just going to stand around and do nothing. After sending the letter, the dragon rushed down stairs and hung the closed sign on the libraries door, before rushing off to find his and Twilight’s friends. hopefully, they can help stop Twilight not get in over her head, just in case if Celestia, or Luna couldn’t leave the castle.
“The things I do for this mare.” Spike grumbled as he ran down the central street that cuts through the town, already foreseeing that whatever is going happen today, was going one heck of a doozy.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. 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.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Deep with the forest, further from where the main camp site was, Andrew and his partner Kiburi will slowly and carefully venturing through the forest. Scouting out the terrain an ensure that no threats, wild life or otherwise, were close to the camp site and put the non-competent personal in harm. The duos scouting as allows them to get a feel for this new world, allowing them to familiarize themselves with their surroundings, in case they do need to return to the forest for some kind of task or mission.
But as the pair continue to traverse in the dense forest, they noted just how dark it was in the barricade of trees, despite it being very early in the morning with the sun high up in the air. Now that he was by himself Andrew started to noted just really how dark the forest was, and a sense of claustrophobia was very slowly creeping in on him. In fact the forest and sensation of claustrophobia actually reminded Andrew of his last off world excursion, which causes him to bring a hand to his masked mouth.
“Man. You really can’t see much in this forest without night specks.” Andrew said as he continued to scan his little section of the forest, trying to ignore the creeping sensation of loneliness and claustrophobia.
“Which is why we need to be extra cautious where we step.” Kiburi’s voice said over the radio along with the sound of twigs and brush rustling around. “We don’t know what could be lurking amongst the trees.”
“Rodger.”
Andrew responded as he continued to slowly trudge through the dense underbrush, gun held close to his body, and his eyes scanning everything they can see with careful scrutiny. While the soldier steadily walks through the trees, he catches glances of a few animals that were either peacefully eating, or were just passing by. So far, nothing strange or crazy was coming out of the literal wood work, but Andrew better than to be off-guard when on an alien planet.
“Andrew. Kiburi. This is Henriette, do you read?” Henriette’s voice calls out over the young man’s intercom, causing Andrew to hunker down by a nearby tree while he answers the call.
“This is Andrew I read you Miss. Henriette.” Andrew said over the radio, followed by Kiburi who also replied to Henriette’s call over the intercom.
“I want you two to be on guard, one of Observers drones was captured by a small group of the locals, and they appeared to be heading into the forest.”
“Rodger that. What shall we do than ma’am?” Andrew asked over the radio.
“Do not engage or come in contact with them yet, observer from a distance .” Henriette replied.
“And what about the drome ma’am?” Kiburi quickly asked over the radio, and received just as fast response.
“For the time being leave it, I doubt these aliens will be unable to anything with it, plus we don’t know how these aliens will react to us yet.”
With their orders given Andrew went radio silent, and started to stalk through the trees trying to ensure that he is not seen or heard of by the incoming inhabitants of this world. As the soldier continues to stealthily stalk through the tree line, a faint rustling sound came from a dozen or so feet from his position. Ducking down into a nearby brush, and positioning his rifle to be ready to fire if needed. A moment later the solider watched as the aforementioned natives came into the view, all of them looking slightly on edge as they keep looking over their shoulders. Andrew then lowered his weapon and just watched the group stumble through the forest, nickering and whining at each other quite loudly.
‘Not exactly a quite bunch are they.’ Andrew internally said as he continues to watch the group continue on their way, almost blindingly walk through the forest. but are going in the direction of the ruins.
“Miss. Henriette do you copy.”
“I read you Andrew. What’s going on?” the woman asked the man who keeps his voice down as he replies, after his masks gives a quite hiss of vented air.
“I have the natives in sight, and their not exactly being subtle about being in the forest. but they seem to be going in the general direction of camp.” Andrew informed the leader of the group. “What should our next move be?”
“Make your way back to camp, I will get in contact with Kiburi and tell him the same. We will come up with something, for now, head back.”
“Rodger.”
Andrew then quietly emerges from the brushes that he was hiding in, and starts to carefully maneuver around the natives and make his way back towards camp. While the soldier was making his way around the group of natives, another rustling within the bushes caused not only Andrew, but the natives to stop as well. And what came out of the woods caused all in present to become worried. Coming into view was something that Andrew has only seen in games and old text books, a large manticore came stooling out of dense forest covering, and looked really cranky as its face was very expressional. The big hybrid feline then started to growl at the natives, who were inching away from it slowly while Andrew just hunkered down in another collection of dense foliage.
‘This doesn’t look good.’ Andrew mentally stated as he readied his weapon, while reaching to his intercom.
“Miss. Henriette do you copy.” Andrew whispered so he wouldn’t draw any attention.
“Andrew what’s wrong?” Henrietta asked worriedly.
“The natives are in a bit of a pickle, something that looks like a manticore just came out of the tree line, and it look like its going to attack them.” Andrew said as he kept an eye on the group and the hybrid feline. “Should I intervene, or let the natives handle things themselves?” a moment goes by before Henriette responds.
“…if the manticore does attack scare it off, but make sure to stay out of sight.”
“Rodger!”
Andrew holds his rifle up and aimed at the beast, ready to fire if it starts to attack. Which didn’t take to long as the manticore leaps at the group of natives. Just as Andrew was about ready to start firing his weapon, the group of natives was surround by what looked like a dome force field, and the moment that the manticore came in contact with it bounced off it like a rubber ball. Causing the large feline to be flung backwards a good few feet away, but all that seemed to have done was make it angrier as it reoriented itself in mid-air, and then charged at the dome again this time slashing at it with its claws.
“If I’m going to intervene I better do it now!”
Andrew then pulled his trigger and unleashed a burst fire of bullets, which soared through the air and between the beast and the natives dome. Scaring the bejeezus out of the beast and the natives. Quickly acting on the confusion, Andrew grabbed one of the flashbangs from his belt and chucked it right at the manticore, nailing it in the face. Then a second later the flashbang went off, turning the entire area of the forest blinding white, and causing the manticore to roll around on the ground in agony, roaring in pain as it rubs at its eyes with its paws.
“Alright guys take this opportunity and—”
Andrew didn’t even need to finish his sentence when the natives dropped their shield, which seemed to protect them from the flashbang, and made a run for it by running back from where they came from. with the natives running back from where they came from, and the manticore still reeling in agony, Andrew took the opportunity to make a mad dash back to camp. Hopefully nothing else pops up.
~~~~~
Today was the start of Lieutenant Flare and her teams dive into the Everfree Forest, and search for a strange object that the princess has assigned them to look for and report back. The group was also tasked to investigate the appearance of some strange creatures that showed up, and helped save princess Celestia’s pupil Twilight Sparkle. And the day started off good enough when the pegasi of Lieutenant Flare’s team, Zephyr and Nosedive, were able to capture what appeared to be a young version of the flying creature they were assigned to look for.
However when the group of guards entered the forest, to start their investigation into the strange sightings, they have been wandering around aimlessly with idea in where to begin their task. Although the groups excursion was delayed when they came across a manticore, and had to defend themselves via a shield. But the manticore attack was nothing when compared to what happened next. As the manticore was gearing itself up for another attack, a loud sound like miniature explosion erupted from the trees, and then a barrage of what looked like very small glowing orange pellets, whizzed between the manticore and Flare and her cohorts. Needless to say whatever those things were certainly gave the beast, and the guards a good fright as they came out of nowhere. But the strangeness wasn’t over.
After the little pellet things zipped past the group and beast, something then smacked into the manticore’s face causing it to stagger for a bit. Now Flare and her team weren’t able to see what exactly what it was, before the entire forest turned a blinding white. Lucky the group was spared whatever happed to the manticore, as the shield dulled the white light that just, spontaneously appeared in front of them. Whatever happened, the patrol of guards took the opportunity to make a run for it, putting distance between them, the manticore, and whatever else was in the forest with them. So now after the group had ran for a good few minutes, they eventually came into a small clearing where they stopped their running and took a moment to catch their breathes.
“Well I can definitely say this mission is off to a great start.” Lance says sarcastically as he flops down, his cloak crumbling around him.
“I can certainly say that I wasn’t expecting to run into a manticore.” Nosedive says as she takes a moment to cool herself down by flapping her wings.
“This is the Everfree Nosedive, we could run into anything in this forest.” Lance says as he takes his helmet off. “Although those little glowing orange things, and that white light, that I didn’t expect to see in this forest.”
“Yeah those were weird.” Aegis said he looked over to Flare as she was fanning herself with her cloak. “Do you think those were some kind of spell boss?”
“No.” Flare instantly rebuked as she drops her cloak. “I didn’t sense any magic from, whatever those thing were, but whatever caused them it gave us a chance to re-group.”
“So Lieutenant what’s our plan now?” Zephyr asked the leader of their little patrol.
“Given the fact that there is a possibly angry manticore back there—” Flare pointed towards where the group just came running from. “And that there is something else back there, I think we should try a different section of the forest.”
“Does that mean we can go home?”
“Lance!” Flare and the rest of the team said in unison with unified annoyance for the stallions bellyaching, which only caused said stallion to just give a low groan.
“We will check a different section of the forest, but for the time being lets take a break to finish catching our breathes.”
The rest of the group decided to take the opportunity to relax. After all, without knowing what could come out of the forest, the group will need to have their wits about them. but as the group rest Flare turned to look back to where she and the others came running from, and started to wander just what were those little glowing orange pellets, and what the blinding white light was. And what either caused them to appear, or where they came from.
“This could be a slight problem.” Henriette said as she rubs the bridge of her nose as Andrew, Kiburi, John, and Aria stand around her as they were meeting up for an important discussion.
“If the natives are sending in what we are assuming are scouting parties, then it’s only a matter of time that they discover that we are here before we are ready to make first actual contact.”
“Especially since we still don’t know how to interpret their own langue, spoken or written.” John said as he stood between his fellow crew members.
“Also we still don’t know how these people will react to us before we’re prepared to make ourselves known.” Aria said as she rubs her head as fidgets next to Henriette.
“So what shall we do miss?” Kiburi asks the leader if the group.
“Are we going to continue with the mission, or are we going to have to bail?” Henriette sat quietly in her chair as she thought about what to do next, and as she sat there the rest of the crew waited for her to give them an answer. A few more seconds later and Henriette seemed to have finished her mental deliberation and looked at the crew as a whole.
“If we stay then these equines will find us sooner than we want. But if we leave then we’ll only announce our presence even more and may have to withdraw before anything brash happens, which could set this whole project back months.”
“So what’s going to be our game plan?” John asked as he scratches the top of his head.
“…we might just need to push up our time table of introducing ourselves to the natives.” The rest of the crew seemed unsure about this line of reasoning, and their faces showed.
“I know this maybe brash, but I think it would be better for us to approach the natives first, rather than them find us and think us as invaders before we can correct them.”
“But Miss. Henriette we don’t even have the means to comminate with them.” Andrew said in a caution tone before his mask hissed.
“Which is why we might have to make a more, drastic step.” Henriette then turned to the consul she was sitting at and started fiddling around with it, until the screen changed to a picture of the native that Lucky and the recon drones saved from the wooden wolves.
“And I think she might be the best way to further expedite our mission.”
~~~~~
Twilight Sparkle was sitting alone in her room as she sat on her bed, book in hand and was just reading to past the time. Today has been a rather boring one so far. all of the chores were pretty much done, and not a lot of work was laid about for the unicorn to really get any progress underway, and with Spike gone to Rarity’s boutique to ‘help’ the fashionista Twilight was left all by her lonesome. But luckily she has her books that she can read to occupy her time, although even her books can only do so much to alleviate the mare’s own growing boredom.
Closing her book and letting out a small sigh the mare placed the book down on he bed and trotted out of room, heading towards the library’s balcony to get some fresh air and think about what else she could do. And as the mare stood on the balcony thinking about what she could do for fun, and occasionally glancing at a passing pony who greats her and she greats back, the mare then heard a slight buzzing sound. Her ears perked up and when she looks around for the source of the noise, she finds a familiar silver creature buzzing around the tree when she leans over the railing.
“‘It’s one of the strange creatures!’” Twilight said quietly as to not frighten the creature as it buzzes around, before flying in through the balcony door.
Twilight then followed it into the room, quickly closed the door behind her and just started watching the little thing fly about. As she watches the creature the mare then decided to take this opportunity to study it, and quickly grabbed a quill and a paper nearby and starts to write down everything she notices about the creature, and its own behaviors. Whilst the mare shifts focus to the flying creature, and the paper she was writing on, she started to inch closer to the creature as it just flies around the room, occasionally bumping into objects or making a louder whirling sound. Then as Twilight stood a few feet from the creature it spun in place and looked at her, before it started to fly over to the mare who then reached out and petted the little thing on its head, which made it tetter and petter as it buzzed happily.
“I really wish I know what you, and the others are.” Twilight bemuses as she removes her finger from the creature as a thought came to her.
“Especially that silver wolf creature. It looked like it was just a boney skeleton, but its body looked like it was covered in a layer of metal and had armor on it.” as Twilight muttered to herself she felt the creature nudge into her, gently pressing itself into her like it was trying to push her, more than just nuzzling into her.
“What are you doing?” Twilight chortled as she looked down to the creature. The little flying creature then flew over to the balcony door and bumped into it, the unicorn then trotted to the door and opened it but as she dose so, more of the small flying creatures showed up.
“There are more of you!”
The unicorn moved out onto the balcony and just looked at the small cluster of flying creatures, watching them flying about before heading off into the distance. All except one. The little creature then flew over to Twilight, and with a small pincer that appeared from its underside, gently pinched down on the mare’s sleeve and starts tugging. Clearly the creature was trying to make her follow her, and as much as she would like to do so and study these little creatures further, and possibly the larger version of themselves, Twilight did promise that she wouldn’t go to the Everfree and go looking—Twilight’s train of thought stopped as something came to her. she did promise the princess that she wouldn’t go to the Everfree and search for the strange flying black object she saw, but she technically didn’t say she couldn’t go to the forest for any other matters.
After mentally deliberating the implications of her promise to the princess, and her desire to continue to study these strange and fascinating creatures, the mare headed back inside the library and levitated her bag, scrolls, and other such needed items over to her before going back out onto the balcony. As she stood on the balcony the creature tried to tug on her sleeve again, but it was stopped when Twilight pointed to herself, and then out towards the general direction of the forest hoping that the creature got what she was trying to convey. And it seemed to work as the creature buzzed and flew in a circle, before flying off towards where the others flew off.
“Alright. I’m only going to study the creatures, observe them and nothing more.”
Twilight said more to reassure herself on what she was doing. A moment later Twilight’s horn lit up with magic, and then she vanished with a small flash of light and magical pop. Then a second later at the far end of the Ponyville, right on the boarder that leads into the Everfree, Twilight re-appeared.
“Okay. Now I’ll first have to find my new little friends.”
Just as Twilight was about to go looking for the little creatures, she stopped as she slightly turned her head and caught something out of the corner of her eye. Turning to look what it was Twilight flinched when she found the strange metal-skinned boned canine. The creature was standing just a few feet from her, and was looking straight at her with its large orb-like eye, which stared at her with an strange sensation. Like it was looking her all over like it was studying her as well. Twilight cautiously approached the canine creature, but when she took only a few steps the creature itself began walking over to her, and when it was a foot from the mare it then sat down and gave a haggard sounding yip. The unicorn took this as a sign that the canine was peaceful, and reached out to pet between its stiff hears.
“Wow. You feel really cold to the touch.” Twilight said to the creature as she withdraws her hand from the canine, who then stood up and started to rub against the mare.
“Ow! Ow! You also feel really jagged!”
Twilight said in mild discomfort as she feels the creature rub against her, feeling its pointy and rough parts jab and poke into her sides. Just as the canine finished rubbing against her Twilight heard the familiar whirling and buzzing of her little flying friends, and when she looked up she not only found them but their larger parent member as well.
“Hey there!” Twilight said to the large flying creature as it floats down to Twilight, and ever so gently pressed itself against the mare’s chest.
“You guys really are a lot friendlier than I thought you would be.” Twilight said as she pets the creature on the back as its little ones flew around the pair.
The mare was just amazed that she was able to meet these strange creatures again, and seeing that her saviors from the timberwolves were all so friendly. Once the large flying creature had enough of the unicorns petting, it then flew back a few paces and just floated in mid-air, while its little ones orbit around it. the unicorn looked between the creatures, and none of them were moving, in fact they were all just remaining idle that they looked like statues. Since they were staying still Twilight decided to take this opportunity to study them, and since she was able to get up close to the creatures she could easily see their features better.
“You lot truly are an interesting bunch.” Twilight muttered as she examined the canine creature close up, and was really looking up close at its armor and body overall.
Just as the unicorn was studying the canines shoulder plating, the creatures all moved around her started to move again, and was making their way to the forest. Twilight turned to follow after them, but she stopped in tracks, and outright fell on her butt after she stuttered backwards. Standing just outside the tree line, surrounded by the creatures, and looking down at her…were two bipedal creaturess. The likes of which she has never seen before ever, or even thinks is possible.
“Wha—what are—”
Twilight stuttered as she just looks up at the creatures who continued to look down at her, surrounded by the other creatures who all seemed friendly with it. One of the two creatures, the one that had long wavey hair and a similar body type to her friend Rarity, broke away from the others and started to walk over to Twilight. Who in shock and fear of an unknown creature scampered back a few feet. When the creature was a foot from her Twilight ignited her horn with magic, but before she used a spell to either defend herself or teleport away, the creature knelt down and gave the mare a gentle smile. The smile was sincere, and the creature…it gave off a peaceful and gentle aura, which made Twilight start to calm down. The creature then reached out with a small hairless hand, dainty in appearance. The mare looked from the hand to the creature’s face, and still saw its gentle smile as it looked down at her.
Probably against her better judgment, Twilight cautiously reached out with her own hand, and took the creatures own hand in hers. Feeling its smooth skin against her lightly fuzzed palm.
Twilight was over completely and utterly over the moon right now! Cause right now, she was sitting in some kind of unusual building that was built just a few feet from the old, ruined castle, and was surrounded by five bipedal creatures that she’s never seen or read about, along with the two strange metal skinned creatures with the little ones flying around. At first Twilight was scared out of her mind when two of the bipeds came to her, and actually guided her to the source of the strange sighting that she snuck out to try and see what was going on. But once the unicorn saw that none of the creatures wanted to hurt her, she allowed them to guide her through the forest safely until they made it to the creatures metal home.
When Twilight was brought to the creatures home she studied them all as best she could, noting in how the bipedal creatures shared many physical traits with ponies. With the main differences being their heads, having no fur, tails, wings, horns, or pony legs. and the clothes that all of them were wearing were all varied from one individual from another.
The leader of the group, the tall female creature with the long curvy mane and glass, seemed to be dressed up in something that looks like a business suit. The creature that walked beside her during the trek through the forest was more, bulkier in that it was wearing some kind of strange armor with fabric covering it, and it was caring a strange black object in its hands. The other members of the group were also quite interesting to look at as well. The third member of the group was probably the tallest compared to the rest, just a head taller than the bulkier possible soldier of the team. And it was dressed up in some fairly casual looking clothes. The fourth creature was about the same size of the female with the long curly hair, and was dressed up much like the solider, but what really made Twilight take interest in the creature was the metal mask it had. and then the final member of the group was defiantly the smallest of them all, and was the most scrawny, and its clothing was like the tall one being all casual except for the gloves and goggles it also wore.
But as much as Twilight was positively delighted to meet such strange, new creatures, she was a little perplexed. None of these creatures seemed to speak Ponish, or any other language that Twilight is familiar with. Yet Twilight remained intrigued by these strange creatures, even more so with their home which was unlike anything that she’s ever seen. The whole structure was completely made out of metal, from the walls to the floor, everything was polished metal. Aside from the overall construction of the building, there were other tings in the building that were just strange. Like the large rectangular picture frames along the walls, all of which had extremely shinny images on them…images that shifted and swirled. It was actually mesmerizing to watch though.
“Just who are these creatures? And what are they doing here in Equestria, or more importantly where did they come from.” Twilight muttered quietly to herself as she focused attention back on the creatures, and seeing that they were still in a rather heated conversation with each other.
“If only I knew what they were saying.
Just as Twilight thought about being able to understand these creatures, an idea came to her. well, more like a thought really. The unicorn then started to dig through her satchel before pulling out one of the books inside. The book in question was a typical tome of magical spells that Twilight reads to mostly pass the time, but now with the book in hand Twilight started to flip through pages, looking for one entry in particular that she thought she remembered seeing in it. Or at least hoped this particular book had the spell she was thinking of.
“Ah-ha! Here it is.” Twilight said a bit louder than her previous hushed words. Looking up for a moment Twilight checked to see if the creatures caught her little outburst, but they were still engaged into their personal talks.
Looking back down to the book she was holding, Twilight started to read up on the spell she had opened up, which was a translation spell. Or at least a rudimentary version of the spell. Twilight’s never tried using such a spell before, as Equestria rarely, if ever, meets other species or races that don’t speak Ponish themselves. Luckily though Twilight was quick study so learning the spell shouldn’t be to hard, although using and casting the spell without any practice was another story, and since she doesn’t want to frighten these new creatures she was going to have to get this spell right in one cast. So Twilight read the spell down to the last syllable, mesmerizing every spell component and sequence there was, until she had everything committed to memory.
‘Okay. Now to see if this spell will actually work on them.’ Twilight mentally internalized as she quietly stuffs the book back into her satchel.
“Here goes nothing.”
Twilight took in a short breath before lighting up her horn, and began casting the spell on the creatures. They were all startled and started to panic as all of them started to develop a purplish glow around them, and they all looked towards Twilight, some looked panicked and confused but the soldiers looked ready to attack Twilight! But as the two made their way over to Twilight, she heard them speak Ponish!
“I told you it was a bad idea to bring this alien here! It’s trying to attack us!”
“No wait!” Twilight quickly said as she stood up from her seat and held her hands out!
“I wasn’t attacking you; I was casting a translation spell so we can understand each other, I swear!” thankfully Twilight’s words seemed to catch the creatures off guard as they all looked at her with shocked expressions. That’s when the creature with the curly mane took a few cautious steps forward towards Twilight, but was stopped when the bulkier soldier stuck his hand out in front of her.
“You…can understand us?” the female creature asked in a calm, bewildered, yet soothing voice as she looked at Twilight with wide eyes.
“Yes.” Twilight answered quickly. “I used a basic translation spell so that we can understand each other on a fundamental level.”
“A translation spell?” the tall slender creature said as he looked himself over for a second before looking back at Twilight with a confused expression. “You mean you used, magic on us?” Twilight just nodded her head.
“Incredible! Actual magic!” the smaller creature said in an excitable voice. “We just witnessed actual legitimate magic being used, this is an incredible find!” Twilight seemed a little curious on how excitable the small creature sounded, especially as it seems she’s never witnessed magic. Or even heard of it.
“Is magic not common where your from?” Twilight asked. The leader of the group shook her head.
“Where we’re from magic is make believe, not real.”
“Not real! But how is that possible?!” Twilight asked in utter shock.
“Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, and tell you what we are…and where we came from.” the leader said before gesturing Twilight to sit back down as she sits in a nearby chair, while the other creatures either stood or sat down next to them.
Once everypony was situated Twilight listened with baited breath as the creature spoke about where she, and her fellow creatures came from, and who they were. and what an incredible tale the leader of these creatures was telling. this group of creatures apparently are not from Equestria, or the planet itself, they were instead travelers from another world! Explorers that sail the endless expanses of space in their ship, which was actually what the building they were all in actually called.
As they traverse through the vast void of space, studying every planet that they come across and see if its inhabitable, or be used as an agricultural hub in case their home world is stricken with famine, or something terrible happens. And Twilight’s own home world was just their latest discovery, but according to what the groups leader, Henriette, was saying the ponies were the first actual alien life forms that they have meet. Now originally the group was to study the ponies from a distance, and see if they were peaceful and if it was possible to establish political ties, but with the patrol of guards that was sent to investigate them they thought it would be better to be more direct. And since they’re strange creatures, which were actually robots, have had encountered Twilight once before and saw that she was also trying to study them, Henriette made the decision to bring Twilight to the group to try and establish communication.
“And that is our story Twilight.” Henriette said as she finishes wrapping up telling the unicorn everything about the group, and their mission.
“This is…wow. I honestly don’t know how to react to this.” Twilight said as she took some time to absorb everything that she was told. “So, what happens now?”
“Well for one thing, we would like to know if your people have some kind of diplomatic leader we could meet with, and explain to them everything we just told you.”
“Of course!” Twilight all but shouted as she jumped up to her hooves. “I know the royal family personally, in fact, Princess Celestia is my mentor when it comes to magic.”
“Well she be willing to meet us?”
“Certainly. I can even write up a letter, and send it to her.”
“And how do we know your not just playing nice, to lure us into a false sense of security.” The bulky soldier, who Henriette introduced as Kiburi, said in a skeptical tone as he gave the mare a cold stare.
“I would never do that! no pony in Equestria would do that to any creature for no reason.” Twilight argued.
“And how can we believe you?”
“Kiburi that’s enough.” Henriette said in a commanding tone as she stood up. “I doubt Twilight would do such a thing.”
“As head of our teams security I’m only being cautious.”
“I understand but we—” As the two humans debated with one another, Twilight’s ears were assaulted by a blaring siren sound that just started going off.
“What’s going on?!” Twilight asked as she looked at the group of humans, and watched as the tall human called John rushed over to one of the walls with the picture frames, where they spiraling images turned into…Twilight wasn’t sure what the new images were. but she was amazed that they fact that the images changed at all.
“One of the proximity alarms just went off, it looks like those ponies guards sent to look for us are in a spot of trouble.”
“Where?” Twilight asked worriedly.
“Northwest of our location…and it seems that they’re in a fight with something big.”
“We have to go and help them!”
“Kiburi you and Andrew go with Twilight, John take control of Lucky & Aria you take control of Observer.”
Twilight was impressed in how effectively the group reacted to Henriette’s commands, with the two soldiers grabbing their weapons while John and Aria sat down in front of the frames, where they started to fiddle around with the machines in front of them. a second later the mechanical wolf named Lucky started to run out of the ship, with the soldiers and Twilight following behind it and Observer flying overhead.
~~~~~
“Try this on for size!” Aegis shouted as he picked up a large rock and chucked it at the massive cragadile that was trying to turn him and his fellow guards into an afternoon snack. But the rock was smashed to pieces by a simple tail whip from the large stone hide reptile.
“Lance don’t give the thing ammunition!” Zephyr shouted as she bobbed and weaved through the pieces of rocks that were sent towards her way.
“My bad!”
“Everypony fallback to the ridge!” Flare shouted as she casted a shield spell to black the cragadile’s charge, but like with the rock the large reptile easily smashed right through the shield spell.
“Lieutenant!” Nosedive shouted as she dove towards the groups leader, and snatched her up before the cragadile was able to get its jaws around the unicorn. “Could this day get any worst for us.”
Just then as if from nowhere a horrible guttural howl roared out from the forest, causing Nosedives ears, and her fellow guards to ach in pain along with the cragadile. Then from the tree line the guards watched as the skeletal wolf came bursting out of the foliage, and tackled the cragadile and actually managed to shove it a good four feet. The guard ponies then watched as two strangely clothed creatures came bursting out of the trees, followed by none other than Twilight Sparkle! But the guards attention was quickly brought back to the cragadile, as it and the skeletal wolf started to wrestle with one another. Yet the wrestling match was quickly over with as the wolf leapt off the cragadile, and the guards then heard rapid ‘brrrt’ sounds, and again seeing the small flashes of fiery sparks that they saw before just peppered and harassed the cragadile. Eventually the large reptile up and left the guards, and the other creatures as it turned tail and started to waddle back to where it came from.
“Is everypony alright?” Twilight Sparkle asked all the guards as she approached them.
“Yeah we’re fine.” Flare said as she was placed back down on the ground.
“Bat what are you doing in the Everfree Forest Twilight? The princess gave you explicit orders to remain in town.
“I know, but I’ve discovered something that all of you might want to know.” Twilight said as she gestured to the two strangely clothed bipedal creatures and the wolf. Flare and her subordinates all gave each other an unknowing look before looking back to Twilight.
“Very well, let us see what you have discovered.”
