Chapters View Online
Chapter 1: Operations Dark Messenger and Shadow Contract
Ponyville Outskirts. 19:34 Local time, 10:40 Operations Time. Local date: undetermined. Operations Date: 0-03-00. Operation Dark Messenger
Fluttershy was anxious. The day was turning into night and the temperature was dropping, and she had to get her animals safe and warm inside their homes before it got any colder. As she herded the critters in her care into their respective shelters, the pegasus mused on how much she disliked this time of year.
Granted, she didn't hate autumn. Fluttershy knew that just switching the seasons from summer to winter would be a terrible shock to the ecosystem. She also appreciated the mild days and loved the way the leaves changed as the season progressed. No, she didn't hate Fall, but it meant extra trouble for her. Migrating birds began flying south to warmer climes, hibernating mammals became moody and demanded more food to prepare for their winter nap, and the animals that did stay around her house and awake for the season needed her attention more than ever.
Other ponies had it just as bad. Rainbow Dash had told Fluttershy several times how uncertain the Weather Bureau was, calling for cloud cover only to change the order to clear sky less than an hour later. Applejack and her family struggled to finish their harvests before snowfall. Pinkie Pie and the Cakes needed to prepare, physically, mentally, and fiscally, for the mad, demanding rush of the holidays. Ponyville ponies love sweets, and the craving only seemed to grow as the weather got colder.
Rarity and Twilight Sparkle might have an easier time adapting to the shifting seasons, but they were run just as ragged by the time true winter arrived. The unicorns helped their friends as much as they possibly could. Spike usually followed in the unicorns' wake, assisting one or the other with some task. The thought of her friends working so hard to help brought a smile to Fluttershy's lips. Maybe she and Pinkie could put together a little celebration for all their friends, so everypony could get a chance to relax for a little while. The thought cheered her up, warming her despite the chill air of the autumn sunset.
Nevertheless, the pegasus let out a relieved sigh as the last of her chickens settled down in their coop. Her cute little assistant hopped up to her and gave her a salute.
"Okay Angel, now let's get inside. Maybe we can have a little hot chocolate before bed-time."
The white rabbit nodded and eagerly rushed inside to await his treat. Fluttershy giggled and began walking, but stopped when she spotted something behind her house.
She sat still and stared around the corner of the cottage, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
Under the boughs of the Everfree forest, which remained unnaturally untouched by the changing seasons, the pegasus could see a strange gleam of light. Oscillating strands of dark purple, almost invisible in the shadows of the trees, danced like an aurora brought to earth.
Fear and uncertainty gripped the pegasus. On the one side, she feared the Everfree. Any sane pony did. Many strange and dangerous things lurked in that forest, things that became very, very active at night. Fluttershy's knees began trembling as her imagination populated the forest with glowing, bestial eyes, their owners just waiting for her to take one step over the border.
But, on the other side, Fluttershy also knew that sometimes a pony got lost in the Everfree. Somepony who thought themselves brave and skilled enough, or a young, foolish colt or filly caught up in the dares of his or her classmates. Desperation sometimes drove ponies into the forest to search for something, or to seek the help of the zebra herbalist Zecora.
The glow Fluttershy saw could be the result of unicorn magic. Some poor unicorn, scared and alone, probably hurt. Trying to get out of those terrible woods. Somepony who needed help. Her help.
Swallowing her fear, the timid pegasus stepped away from her home to get a better look at whatever she was seeing. She had to make sure.
Come.
The whisper came suddenly, without sound. It had not bothered with her ears and sank directly into her brain. Against the frightened pegasus's will her legs took another step forward.
Yes. Come.
No , Fluttershy thought. She tried to speak, to yell, to scream for help, but the alien presence in her mind stopped her. The forest is dangerous. Predators! Poisons! Monsters!
Her protests seemed to amuse the presence. No danger here. We know, we looked, we chased everything away. Here is safe. We will not harm you.
To the pegasus's dismay, her body kept walking towards the glow. It filled her vision now. The presence, the voice in her mind came from that glow, and it held her attention and mind in a terrible grip. And yet, it was being more gentle than it could be. She could tell.
Good, good. Come.
What do you want! Fluttershy wanted to scream as she passed under the draping branches of the Everfree forest. She recalled every legend she had heard. Of the Willow-the-Wisp, a creature that lures travelers to their death. Of fairies that would steal ponies from their beds and use them as slaves.
Be brave, the voice said.
She entered a clearing, not far from the edge. There was, something, in front of her. It stood on two legs, the glow emanating from the two five-fingered hands on the ends of its forelimbs. The thing was covered head to toe in black armor that reflected none of the faint purple light illuminating the clearing.
Good girl. Very brave. Hold still for us. It may sting a little. The voice was still gentle, but the grip it had on her mind and body was stronger than ever. Fluttershy couldn't help but obey as she heard another creature approach.
Inside her mind, the pegasus panicked. What was happening? Who were they? What were they going to do to her? She couldn't turn her head. Were they going to hurt her? She wanted to shout for help. For her friends, Pinkie, Rainbow, Twilight! For anypony!
She heard the creatures converse above her head. She did not understand them, but one of them, the one in front of her, sounded feminine.
A warm hand gently lay itself on her withers, awkwardly stroking her trembling back. Keep being brave. No harm. You will be okay. Be brave.
The being in front of her knelt down to her level, allowing the pegasus to see through the visor on her helmet. Fluttershy locked gazes with the startling blue eyes behind the glass, each iris backlit by the purple glow. The being raised a hand and ran her fingers through the pony's mane. They both flinched when something thin and sharp pierced Fluttershy's flank and deposited something.
Still holding her gaze, the being that had so effortlessly captured Fluttershy's mind had another verbal conversation with her partner. She then patted the pegasus gently on the neck. Good girl, such a brave girl, she praised.
The pony didn't understand what had just happened. She was alone, terrified, and facing something she had never seen before. These creatures had her completely defenseless. All and all, the yellow pegasus didn't feel very brave at the moment.
Go home now. Sleep. Forget about us.
Fluttershy could already feel herself slipping away. Her body turned, but she managed to send one more thought before her connection to the being was cut. Who are you?
We will be watching , she said before she vanished into the trees.
C(X)M
Later that same night, Twilight Sparkle was interrupted by what she thought was a light ascending from the Everfree Forrest into the night sky. By the time she focused her telescope in the direction of her sighting, the light had vanished. The unicorn grumpily dismissed the event as a sign of sleep deprivation and wisely decided to call it a night.
C(X)M
Brindle Point, 50km SE of Baltimare. 02:45 Local Time, 11:02 Operations Time. Local Date: undetermined. Operations Date: 0-03-00. Operation Shadow Contract
The night breeze cut through Private Clear Strike's coat and Night Guard armor like it wasn't there. Not that she minded, she needed something to pep her up after being hauled out of bed at such a late hour. The unicorn rubbed her eyes in an attempt to clear the sleep and adjust to the NightSight spell her armor granted her.
"Why did the cap wake us up for this? It was supposed to be our night off." Sledge rumbled at her side. Her big earth pony squadmate was sitting in the exact middle of the sky chariot they were using to get to the small village of Brindle Point. He was never very comfortable with flying, nor was he shy about expressing his opinion.
"Sarge drew the short straw for reserve duty, that's why." One of the pegasi pulling the chariot, Guiding Star, shouted over his shoulder and the wind.
Clear chuckled at the squad rookie's joke and decided to clear the air before Sledge lost his legendary temper. "I don't like it any more than you do, big guy, but that's the job. An emergency hits after dark, the princesses want extra security after the whole changeling thing in Canterlot, and lo and behold we are a free reserve squad! Cap gets eyes on the problem, no patrols get mussed, and the Baltimare company looks good for the brass. Plus, overtime!"
Sledge grumbled but relented, his anger successfully difused
Clear leans over the forward lip of the chariot to adress the squad's leader. "So what's the deal, Sarge?"
Sargent Polaris, a massive pegasus veteran, spoke up for the first time during the trip. "Only going to say this once, so listen up. A little over an hour ago a patrol saw the Bridle Point lighthouse go dark. Nopony responded to telegram messages or light signals. We are to get in, assess the situation, assist if necessary, and report. Clear?"
The squad responded crisp and sharp, "Clear!"
Polaris and Guiding Star brought the chariot down in the town's central square. The pegasi landing brought none of the expected reactions. Nopony came to meet them, no ponies gathered to gawk at the rarely seen Night Guard. The town was silent.
"Hello?" Guiding Star's shout echoed softly through the empty streets. "Night Guard, we're here to help! Anypony home?"
With no response to the rookie's shout, the squad became uncomfortable. Every shadow seemed to carry an invisible threat, empty houses now hid unseen enemies, and the night breeze carried half-familiar scents and phantom noises through the streets.
Sledge secured his lance in the harness strapped to his back. "Something isn't right here."
"What was your first clue?" Clear snarked.
"Stow that." Polaris snapped his head around twisted his ears towards a sound unheard by the rest of the squad. "Search pattern. Sledge on point. Guiding, you're up top. Clear, watch our backs. We clear the town street by street." The mammoth pegasus loosened his sword in its scabbard. "Go."
The squad's training took over under the Sergeant's orders. Grouping together tightly, they moved as one down the street. Sledge and Polaris stoping to clear each building while Guiding kept an eye on the rooftops. Clear kept her head on a swivel, ready to react as soon as she spotted a threat. With each building cleared the squad only became more and more anxious.
Where is everypony? Clear thought to herself as her squadmates cleared another house. It didn't make sense. She expected to see evidence of some kind of struggle.
At last, the Night Guards turned a corner and began closing on the town's lighthouse. That's when they saw it.
Guiding Star was the first to react. "I see something moving up the block."
The rest of the squad leapt into action, galloping down the street to intercept whatever it was that the airborne pegasus had spotted. Sledge skidded to a sudden stop when he spotted a faint green light emanating from the building ahead of them.
Lowering his lance to attack position, the earth pony guard whispered, "You seeing this, Sarge?"
"Yep." The pegasus narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. "Keep sharp team."
The squad assembled in front of the building. Polaris and Sledge flanked the door, weapons ready. Guiding and Clear took position in the street, covering the approach for their teammates. Once everypony was ready, the Sergeant nodded and Sledge did what he did best.
A single kick was all it took for the earth pony to reduce the door to splinters. Polaris prepped to enter after his squadmate when he heard a strangled cry from inside the building. At the same time, Clear spotted movement on the rooftop of a three-story building overlooking their position.
She tried to sound an alert, but all Tartarus broke loose before she could get her first word out.
Polaris stood in the doorway as a grey earth pony charged out of the darkened room beyond and crashed into him. The sergeant grunted in pain as he felt Sledge's lance pierce his armor and dig into his shoulder, the earth pony's eyes filled with a malevolent violet light.
"Guide, up top!" Clear shouted, sending the hovering pegasus up in an instinctive and trained reaction to get a clear view of a possible threat. What he saw was a strange being; bipedal, large-headed, and silver skinned. More alarmingly, it was drawing a bead on the flying guard with some kind of forelimb mounted weapon!
Back at the door the light faded from Sledges eyes and his face transformed from a blank expression to horror. "Sarge! I-"
"Get down!" the pegasus yelled as he pushed his shocked attacker to the ground. Green bolts flew out of the doorway, effortlessly penetrating Polaris's enchanted armor and leaving horrific and fatal burns in his flesh. Fighting through the pain, the Night Guard remained standing long enough to hurl his sword into the source of the blasts and was rewarded by a gurgling cry of pain. Having done his country proud, the Sergeant collapsed to the street.
Guide dipped in the air, going into a roll to avoid the fire he knew was coming. He evaded the first two shots, only for the third to strike him in the wing. The hit sent the pegasus howling to the ground.
"No!" Clear shouted as she channeled her magic. With a crack of disturbed air the unicorn sent a surge of kinetic energy flying into the being that had just shot down the rookie. The silver-skinned creature's head snapped back as it went flying over the peak of the roof.
Sledge heard a noise and turned his head to spot several more of the thin-limbed monsters advancing down the street. Eager to avenge his squadmates, the earth pony screamed a war cry and charged the creatures. Clear saw him shrug off two glancing hits before he was stopped by a round object hitting him in the head.
The guard looked down at the green, blinking object in confusion. "What the hay?"
Then he vanished in a violent burst of green light.
Clear Strike coughed as the dust from the explosion stuck to the surfaces of her nose, mouth and throat. Trying not to think about what the dust might have been less than a second ago, she grabbed Guiding Star and ducked into the rubble that used to be a street-facing wall. The creatures were already throwing more of those deadly green bolts into her cover, blowing chunks off the masonry.
The unicorn desperately tried to find a way to get out of the situation alive. She had always been good with tactics, but her position was hopeless. The Sarge was down. Sledge was gone. Guiding was in bad condition. His wing was mangled. Charred flesh hung off of burnt bone and his side was already blistering from secondary burns. He was breathing, but barely. She was the only squad member left, but she was hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned.
The only question in her mind was weather the creatures had the patience to destroy what was left of her cover or if they would just throw another explosive and be done with it.
Aided by despair, fear froze the unicorn in place. Her fate was sealed.
Then, with a rumble like thunder, a light descended from the night sky. The creatures immediately shifted targets and began firing at what gradually became a vehicle. None of their shots connected, but they got close before the aircraft swooped down, opened a door on its underside so four tall, bipedal, armored figures could jump out, and accelerated away.
One of these new beings, clad in silver armor, stopped its fall with thrusters of brilliant blue flame. It lifted a tube-shaped weapon and took steady aim. A bright blue bolt shot from the weapon and connected with the large head of one of the smaller bipeds, vaporizing it.
Two of the others rushed into Clear's cover. The larger one immediately began poring a storm of blue fire into the enemy position, sending the creatures fleeing for cover. Clear was to stunned to react as the other one, smaller but no less armed, sprayed something onto the wounds of the fallen pegasus.
The two remaining beings were pinned down behind a corner by the armored ones' heavy fire, the others already mowed down before they could reach cover. By some unspoken agreement ragged strands of violet light connected the two silver-skinned creatures. One began returning fire, and the heavily armored being near Clear Strike was forced to take cover in the face of the shots enhanced accuracy.
Then she heard a bang from the unarmored creature's position. The creature firing at their position suddenly dropped, and a forth armored warrior shimmered into existence from behind the enemy position.
Just as quickly as it began, the fight was over.
Although she knew, logically, that she had just as much to fear from these armored beings as the silver-skinned ones that just attacked her, Clear felt an immense sense of relief. She locked gazes with the being tending to her downed teammate.
"I don't know who you are, or why you saved us. But thank you."
The unicorn heard a soft footstep behind her. She turned to face the one that had been invisible moments ago, holding some kind of can in its hand. A mist burst into her face, and within seconds the unicorn's vision darkened and her legs weakened. Something caught her as she lost consciousness.
C(X)M
Report 1, Morpheus Base to CON Headquarters. From the desk of Commander Clearwater.
Gentlemen and ladies of the Council of Nations, I am writing you from the first extra-solar human settlement in our species history. My only regret is that this base was established as part of a military operation.
As we suspected, the mothership that attacked our system was but one of many that our enemy has operating in the galaxy. Using our reverse-engineered hyperdrives, we have located a second ship on a similar mission and followed its signal to the target system.
This sector of space is home to many unusual stellar phenomena (See attached Science report for details), but we have adapted. Morpheus Bas was established in record time thanks to the Outsider technology recovered from the abandoned base in Nevada. Operations have begun to gather intel and counter enemy activity in the system.
The planet in question has been confirmed to be habitable, Earthlike, and occupied by sentient species. Local technology is a mix of pre-industrial and steam-based engines. These people cannot hope to stand against enemy attack for long. I have authorized first contact procedures, and my staff has begun making preparations to initiate Phase One of the Bhodisatva protocol.
I understand that many of you might have a problem with me making such a monumental decision without consulting the Council. Please understand that my choice was not an attempt to undermine your authority. Strategically, we are far from home, working with few resources, and have an extremely small pool of personnel. Resupply from home base will take months even with hyperdrive technology. Therefore, we will need the aid and support of the native population if we are to have any hope of thwarting this invasion.
Thank you for reading my report, as well as those of my Section Chiefs.
Thomas Clearwater, Commander-in-Chief of X-Com.
Operation Penitent Deamon
Morpheus Base. 6:01 Operations Time. Operations Date 0-05-00. Alien Containment (Haven Variant), Level 2, section 4.
Clear Strike woke up with a headache.
It was not a situation she was unfamiliar with. As a member of the Night Guard she had to keep a strict sleep schedule, even on her days off. Coincidentally, she had become intimately familiar with Baltimare's night life. Most of her social time was spent in bars or clubs with her fellow Guards. Waking up with a hangover was par for course.
What was worrying her now was that she had not woke up in her quarters.
Instead of her small, messy, comfortable room in Fort Baltimare, she found herself in an almost featureless white room. There was a soft white platform that she was using as a bed, a short shelf or table attached to the wall opposite, and a big mirror above that. To her left she could see another room, exactly identical in every way to her own. Inside she could see her squadmate Guiding Star sleeping, some kind of cast or bandage covering his right wing and some of his chest beneath it.
The sight of the wounded pegasus brought the memories of the fight back to Clear's mind, striking the unicorn to her knees with their intensity. The smell of blood and charred flesh, the sickly green flames of alien weapons illuminating silver skin, the armored warriors who had dispatched her attackers with ruthless and deadly prowess.
Had those creatures kidnapped her? Was she their prisoner? Panic began to set into the mare, and it got worse when she realized that neither she nor Guide were wearing their armor. Guiding Star's coat had returned to its natural taupe color without the armor's enchantment, and she didn't have to look to know that her own coat had returned to its normal periwinkle as well.
"Oh, this does not bode well," she muttered nervously as she trotted in place. "First you are attacked by aliens while on an investigative mission only to get saved by different aliens. Then you wake up with no idea where you are and with no resources to speak of. You're doing great for yourself in the Guard, Clear, absolutely fan-bucking-tastic."
Feeling a bit calmer after that outburst, the unicorn took another look around her 'cell' to see if there was anything she could use. The walls were made of some kind of strange, hard material that was neither metal, stone, or wood. The glass wall separating her room from Guiding's was thick and sturdy. The bed-platform was soft but unyielding, and her captors had neglected to provide her with so much as a bed sheet.
Tactical analysis, especially in the field, was Clear Strike's special talent. She earned her Cutie Mark by standing up to a gang of bullies and winning through the use of superior planning, trickery, and a good bit of improvisation. The only reason she was not an officer on entry to the Guard was the organization's strict practice of forcing everypony to start at the bottom. She had so much raw talent, continually being honed by study and practice, that rumors said she would make Captain well before her fifth year.
Right now she was stumped.
After wracking her brain for three hours and only succeeding in bringing her headache back, the unicorn mare decided to give herself a break. Approaching the mirror to inspect herself caused a rueful chuckle to escape her throat. "Wow, I'm a mess. Lulamoon would be chewing my flank out if she saw my mane like this." She tried to tame her wild silver locks with a hoof, not feeling up to any magic at the moment.
On a whim, she touched her hoof to the mirror.
A very surprised unicorn was now looking through a window, at three vaguely familiar bipeds.
All three of the creatures were clothed head to toe, wearing green shirts underneath white jackets. Two of them were sitting in front of strange desks full of lights, and the third was watching with something that looked like a clipboard in it's hands. And it was staring strait at Clear.
Not knowing what else to do, the unicorn mare lifted one foreleg and waved at her observer. "Hi?" The being blinked a couple of times then started jotting something down on the clipboard with a pen of some kind. Clear's golden eyes locked onto the pen, and she grinned. "That'll work." She lit up her horn, ready to grab the pen out of her captor's grip and escape her cell.
She was not prepared for the sight of her golden aura spreading along the surface of the window-turned-mirror uselessly.
"What the hay?" Clear cursed, confused beyond belief. She tried again, this time attempting to shatter the window with brute force. Her spell bounced off the transparent barrier, reflecting off the walls of her prison until it ran out of energy. The unicorn sat heavily in the center of the room, her mind repeating, This isn't possible, to itself in an endless loop.
On the other side of the glass, the white coated being continued to watch her. It's eyes burning with curiosity, it continued to scribble on the board with its pen until it tapped one of the seated beings on the shoulder. The window between Clear and her captors shimmered, becoming a mirror again. The unicorn stared at her own shocked reflection for a few minutes.
How in Tartarus was she going to get herself and Guiding out of here?
C(X)M
Equestrian Wilderness. 16:26 Local Time. 07:12 Operations time. Local Date: Undetermined. Operations Date: 0-05-00. Operation Penitent Deamon.
The road to Manehatten was old, overgrown, and ill-used. Ever since the invention of the railroad hoof traffic in between cities had slowly but surely tapered off. The wild area between civilization still held its share of dangers, so most ponies preferred the safety and speed of the train to risking injury on the trail.
The lack of company never really bothered Long Haul. The earth pony stallion loved the open road, loved the challenge of pulling a wagon stuffed with cargo from one town to the next. Clothing, construction materials, logs, whatever, Haul's business occupied that niche for ponies who couldn't afford — or simply couldn't use — the train to get their cargo to their destination.
Humming a wordless tune to himself, Long Haul pulled his cart along the old costal road between Manehatten and one of the small villages nearby. To his right stretched the ocean, boundless and untamable. To his right stood an old growth forest, undisturbed by civilization and bursting with wildlife. The air was clear and the weather service had set a flock of automated rainclouds free to drift lazily over the wild lands, creating moving patches of shade to break up the sun's heat. All in all, Long Haul knew that it was a good day.
He still couldn't shake the feeling that something was waiting to happen.
The lone stallion heard a booming sound over his head. Startled, he lifted his gaze upwards to see something large, dark, and burning plummet form the sky and crash into the forest beyond with a rumbling explosion that shook the ground under Haul's hooves. Unable to tear his eyes away from the site of the crash, he spotted a light rapidly descend from the same direction as the crashed object. When the light suddenly stopped the earth pony rubbed his eyes, unsure if what he was seeing was truly real or not.
Floating above the crash was a vaguely saucer-shaped vessel. Constructed of dark metal, the object's long nose flared into a half-circle of wings. Blue light simmered around the thing, somehow keeping it aloft. Haul could hear dull roaring sound emanating from it. Something appeared to be painted on the side, but before the stallion could get a good look the craft sped off in a pulse of blue light.
Curious, Haul tried to peer through the trees and catch sight of the thing that had crashed. Through the woods only the flickering light of fire could be seen. The scent of burning trees mingled with other, stranger smells and put the cargo hauler immediately on edge. He couldn't decide if he wanted go in and investigate whatever it was, or run out of here as fast as his wagon would let him and report the whole mess to the nearest guard.
Then another blue light appeared, heralding the appearance of another, larger saucer-shaped airship. The new arrival slowed down and disappeared behind the trees. Curiosity won out and Haul unhitched himself from his cart. He reasoned that he needed to see as much as possible if he was going to make a report to the Manehatten Guardsponies.
What he didn't expect was a green fire bolt to barely miss his head, burning away the top third of his mane and blowing his wagon in half.
With a startled yelp the earth pony dove behind a log, not even conscious of the other shots passing over his head. Panting in fear, he risked a glance over his wooden cover to make sure the coast was clear.
He saw the crashed airship, if that was what that dark, glowing shape half-buried in the forest's soil was supposed to be. Several silver-skinned entities crawled around the wreckage, discharging more green fire from devices strapped to their forearms. Standing among them was something horrifying. A reptilian form gracefully danced among the other creatures. It was tall, thin, and moved with the sinuous grace of a serpent, which was appropriate because it seemed to stand erect on the flat tip of its tail, using its two limbs to cradle a larger version of the fire-spiting weapon. It hissed in what seemed to be surprise and anger when a blue beam of fire tore through the large head of one of its smaller companions.
Haul turned his head to see where the bolt had come from, only to see an empty hillside through the trunks of the surrounding trees. Then a storm of blue fireboats descended from the hill. Soil burst as if boiling and trees exploded into burning matchsticks around the alien's position. The creatures attempted to return fire, retreating into their wrecked airship.
Deciding that he had enough of a story to tell the Guard already, Long Haul began to slowly back away to the road. Then he caught the faint, muffled sound of footsteps and a strange, alien scent before the log that was concealing him rocked as if something heavy had used it as a vault. Paranoid thoughts of invisible monsters caused the drafter to abandon all pretense of stealth and make a run for the perceived safety of the road. The hissing, zapping sounds of the combatants' weapons behind him only drove him to gallop faster.
Soon enough he reached the road. Although the burning remnants of his wagon caused him some grief, and some anger at the ruined cargo also ruined by the hungry fire, he immediately turned northwards towards the city. He would be safe in the city, he thought. He could tell the Guard, the Princesses would be warned, and everything would be okay.
"Everything will be okay," he muttered to himself as another blue streak descended from the sky.
C(X)M
Ponyville. 17:00 Local Time. 08:48 Operations Time. Local Date Undetermined. Operations Date 0-05-00. Ongoing Observation, Subject codename Butterfly.
"I'm sorry, but I can't pay more than seven bits for the whole basket. I'm on a fixed budget, you know that Miss Harvest," Fluttershy said to the proprietor of the produce cart.
Meanwhile, across the marketplace, Applejack politely pushed Rarity's surprised mouth shut. As the two ponies watched, their friend concluded her business with Golden Harvest and continued to make her way through the crowded marketplace. While the pegasus still displayed a few signs of her characteristic shyness, excessively apologizing to others and avoiding most eye contact, none of the skittishness that usually accompanied her rare visits to the town's busiest plaza was present.
"A-are you seeing what I'm seeing, Applejack?" Rarity rubbed her eyes with a hoof as she witnessed Fluttershy haggle down the burly, bossy stallion at the fruit stand.
"Ah see it, sugarcube. Ah just don't believe it." AJ shook her head and squinted. It wasn't a trick of the light and she had a good idea it wasn't Pinkie Pie in one of her (kinda creepy) body suits again. "Ya think Discord?"
"I don't think so. She'd be at least a little washed out if that brute had been mucking about with her personality again. I think?"
The ever-practical earth pony shrugged and lifted a hoof. "One way ta find out. Fluttershy," AJ called at her best market volume, "Fluttershy! C'mon over an' chat for a spell!"
Noting her friend's call, the yellow pegasus quietly but quite firmly closed her deal with the fruit vendor before making her way over to the Apple Cart. Applejack and Rarity were again struck by the unusual sight of their friend making her way across the market with an unusual confidence and a record number of unnecessary apologies. "Good afternoon, Applejack. Rarity, what brings you to the market this late in the day?"
"Ahem, w-well I stopped by for a little conversation, and to pick up a little something for dinner as well. I'm on a roll tonight and would rather not take the time to cook something for myself. And yourself?" Rarity leaned in a little further than usual, casting the question forth with more emphasis than usual.
"Well, I needed to do a little shopping for myself soon, so I figured I'd save myself the time and do it tonight. It's better than waiting until the fridge is empty, after all." Fluttershy's response was devoid of any of her usual stutters or ticks, each word falling into place with a calm assurance.
Applejack decided to cut to the chase. "You feeling all right sugarcube?" Rarity's glare, eloquently expressing her displeasure at her small talk being cut short, was ignored with equal eloquence.
"I feel fine, why?" As the yellow pegasus blinked in confusion, a pair of white ears hopped through the crowd.
Applejack glanced at Rarity, who gratefully took the reins of the conversation. "You seem unusually confident with yourself today, darling. Especially considering that it's a market day. Forgive me for saying so, but your history with crowds is… not the best."
"Oh," Fluttershy reverted to her usual behavior, turning her head away and pawing at the ground self-consciously. "It's not a big deal, really. I guess some of the things I've learned recently have finally begun to sink in. There aren't as many ponies in the market right now, and it's not like they expect me to p-perform or anything. I'm just another pony right now." Unnoticed, the white ears drew closer to the trio of ponies.
"Good for you, darling! It's wonderful that you are making progress. I apologize if we came across as rude, we were just worried because it has been such a dramatic improvement." Rarity's praise caused the pegasus to blush, but Applejack didn't feel as reassured. Her green eyes narrowed in thought. Something about this didn't sit right with the orange mare.
The conversation was cut short by the white ears hurtling though the air towards their target. Fluttershy gasped with shock as Angel Bunny landed heavily on her back, panting from his sprint across the plaza. "What? Angel? What are you doing here, I left you at home to look after the other animals for me like always!"
The other two Elements of Harmony looked on, confused, as Angel conversed with his owner with little rabbity squeaks and frantic gestures. Whatever the pet said, they only heard Fluttershy's response. "Angel, we've been over this. Nothing happened that night, there were no monsters. I'm perfectly all right, there is no need for me to see a doctor about anything," the yellow pegasus said in an exasperated tone.
More squeaking followed, in a tone that caused Applejack's ears to fold back and Rarity to grimace. Neither one had Fluttershy's unique way with animals, but Applejack had worked around and against enough critters to recognize aggressive body language when she saw it. As for Rarity, she owned a cat. Animal Attitude was a daily experience for the white unicorn.
"Don't you take that tone with me, mister. I've had just about enough of this behavior from you today. Now you are going to come with me while I finish some shopping, then we are going strait home. Understood?"
Angel responded with a vocalization and a single gesture. Both Applejack and Rarity gasped at the rude display, dismayed that even the infamously ill-behaved rabbit would go that far, and with his gentle owner of all ponies.
"ANGEL BUNNY!" Fluttershy's shout drew the attention of the entire marketplace. One look at the outraged expression on the pegasus's face was enough to convince the surrounding ponies that, no matter what the volume of her voice was their attention was better directed somewhere else. "I never! That is the final straw! We are going home right now and so help me you will have no treats for a month!" Distraught, the yellow pegasus glanced over at her two friends. "I'm so sorry girls. I have no idea what's gotten into him. I'll catch up with you at the spa tomorrow, Rarity." With that, she threw Angel into her empty saddlebag and began trotting off towards her cottage.
"Bad, bad bunny! Where did you ever learn such language? Oh, if it was Beaverton I will give him such a piece of my mind when we get home…" As the sound of Fluttershy's lecturing faded the plaza visibly relaxed. Ponies continued to go about there business, content two put this mild bout of Ponyville weirdness behind them. As usual, the Elements of Harmony present were the exeption.
"Well," Rarity said with a sigh, "that was not the usual drama that accompanies our dear, sweet Fluttershy to the market."
"You said it," Applejack agreed. "Somethin's got Angel's dander up somethin' fierce. What d'ya reckon?"
"Oh you know how that rabbit is, Applejack. He probably took offense to something Fluttershy did or didn't do and tried to ambush her in the market with some kind of demand for recompense."
"Maybe, but somethin' don't sit right with me. Ah heard a bit of what Flutters said back, somethin' about 'that night' an' seein' the doctor. Angel might be a right ornery critter, an' spoiled rotten to boot, but no way he'd ever take that tone with Fluttershy over somethin' like a missin' cherry toppin' on his salad." Applejack pursed her lips for a moment before beginning to close up her stand.
"Isn't it a little early to close up? There is still an hour of life in the market at least," Rarity asked, eyebrow raised.
"Can't focus on hawkin' apples with this feelin' in mah gut." Collapsing the awning over her cart, Applejack twisted the lock closed to secure her wares for the night. Satisfied with the security of her precious stock she turned to Rarity. "Ah'm headed to Twilight's to git this off mah chest. Wanna come with. Ah'll buy yah dinner."
Rarity looked like she would refuse for a second, but a growl from her stomach reminded her that a neglected lunch had driven her out of the boutique in the first place. Also, despite her rationalizations, she still felt a degree of concern for her friend. "Very well, but it's probably nothing to worry about."
Applejack set a deceptively calm pace towards the town center, were both restaurants and the home of the Element of Magic awaited. "Could be somethin', an' Ah ain't takin' no chances when she's tha only thing keepin' Discord on tha level."
"That is a good point. On a happier note, how do you feel about sandwiches?"
C(X)M
Science Report 1: Local Sentients
Subjects are stable and in no danger of expiring. One is active and immediately attempted to escape utilizing unknown paranormal abilities. As our subjects are military personnel, such action is expected and will not be taken personally by the science team. If one of our own soldiers were to be abducted, I would hope that a genuine effort would be made to escape captivity.
Species is roughly equine in structure. Endoskeletal frame built around a spinal column, with at least four limbs in a quadrupedal mode for locomotion. Large head and skull houses a well developed brain and central nervous system. Endocrine, circulatory, and peripheral nervous systems are in line with Terran standards, suggesting a degree of convergent evolution similar to what we have seen in other extraterrestrial species. One subject possesses a third limb pair specialized for flight, while the other has a small horn protruding from the forehead. Despite these drastic morphological differences, preliminary genetic testing suggests that the specimens are of the same species. It is theorized that the two are separate subspecies, but generations of interbreeding had prevented them from developing into truly separate species. (We're not really sure how that works, but half of the romance of science lies in mystery)
Subjects also possess another type of organ system, seemingly built around growths of some kind of organic crystal. This system seems to be developed differently in each subject, furthering speculation as to its function. One subject has significant development in the wings and skeleton, while the other has a near pure concentration within the core of its horn and a significant amount of interlacing with its central nervous system. We still do not know the precise function or mechanics of this system, but we believe that understanding it will be a significant boon to the Bhodisatva project.
Speaking of which, as per your orders we have avoided intrusive procedures for research purposes, and were possible for providing medical care for the injured subject. The majority of our findings have been drawn from Ultrasound and MRI scans of the subjects while both were sedated, and the Valen method has been placed firmly at the top of the list of forbidden procedures.
As for decoding their language, the ambulatory subject has been a remarkable help in that regard. She has taken to pacing her cell and muttering to herself, providing our observing linguists with a wealth of vocabulary and sentence structure to dissect (pardon the pun, it is not the Science department without some form of dissection happening somewhere). However, some of the xenophsycology staff have expressed concerns that isolation may be detrimental to our guest's health. They point out that her body structure suggests a kinship with Terran equines, and thus a native herd structure that may be necessary for her continued sanity. To speed things along we request the services of one of the Gifted to contact the subject, both to provide a friendly voice and to ask questions on our behalf.
If we want to make a difference in the survival of this species, establishing friendly contact sooner rather than later is a good idea. We can't go on defending them in secret like this, we run the risk of appearing as another threat.
Dr. Leonard Han, Science division.
C(X)M
Night Guard Field Report: Bridle Point incident
Search party found the dispatched chariot abandoned. Further search determined that the town itself was abandoned. Scouts discovered Sergeant Polaris dead on-scene. Wounds from lance strike, fatal burns from unknown source. Similar to dragon-fire, but highly focused. Signs of combat present at around the body. Several structures with holes melted through the stone. Metallic fragments of unknown origin collected from battleground.
No sign of the rest of the squad. Declared MIA.
Author's Note
I'm back!
Until then, later. I'm going on a vacation!
Merry Christmas to all!
Author's Note
For thousands of years I laid dormant. Now I rise again to...
Oh hey it's been a while since I updated this story, I'd probably better get on that.
Bodhisattva 1
Canterlot Castle: 21:09 Local time; 11:55 Operations Time. Local Date Undetermined. Operations Date 0-06-00. Ongoing Observation - Bodhisattva Manjusri.
Princess Luna paged through the mountain of guard reports that covered her desk. A part of her regretted insisting on taking over as the Equestrian Guard's Commander-in-Chief. Even if it was a part of her ongoing campaign to convince her exasperatingly stubborn sister that dividing tasks of rule between them was a good idea. Even if she believed that the Guard needed a good, old-fashioned kick in the rump after centuries of peace. Even if Luna was the logical choice to do so due to actually being able to fight among the troops without setting a good percentage of the landscape aflame. Even after her arguments had finally taken root and the position had been added to her titles (Keeper of Dreams, Bringer and Warden of the Night), Luna wished that she could hoist the inevitable mountain of paperwork onto Celestia. The elder sister had far more patience for such nonsense.
Three months in, and still the number of reports far exceeded what Luna believed to be necessary. She snorted in distaste as she flung yet another redundant equipment report over her shoulder and into the fireplace. The alicorn was silently disappointed with how the Guard Companies had responded to the change in command. While a period of confusion was expected, it was also expected to be brief. This was supposed to be her nation's standing army! The steadfast guardians of the realm! Professional soldiers at the very least!
The Royal Guard in Canterlot had long ago adapted to her command, including the split into the Day and Night "Watches" and the new magics the Night Guard had been introduced to. The same could not be said of the Civic Guard.
In Luna's time, the Civic Guard had been the front line against the wilderness that lay between the towns and cities of Equestria. Monsters and criminals had been a constant threat, but the vigilant and valiant ponies of the Civil Guard held back those threats. Usually at the cost of their own safety and, far too often for either of the Princesses' comfort, their lives.
The modern Civic Guard, in contrast to its predecessor, was a mockery. With the wilderness mapped, the creatures tamed or driven to lands such as the Everfree Forest, criminals detained more often than not, and enemies turned allies, Equestria had enjoyed centuries of almost unbroken peace. Those centuries had dulled what once had been a peerless blade. Now the Civic Guard was an understaffed travesty commanded by nobles who were too foalish, prideful, and/or lazy to earn a place in the Royal Guard. This sorry state was compounded by a labyrinthine system of officer's reports, NCO reports, situation reports, and reports on reports. The only purpose such a bureaucratic nightmare might serve, as far as Luna could discern, was to allow officers familiar with its workings to either escape from or cause trouble within the ranks.
The very idea of such ponies being allowed into the Civic Guard she remembered made Luna want to scream, cry, break something, and throw up. Not necessarily in that order. Perhaps, once the dam of her emotions truly broke, simultaneously.
Luna was resolved to reforming the Civic Guard and forging it into something worthy of its proud history. So here she was, wasting precious moonlight skimming through this mess instead of walking the dreams of her little ponies as she should. Redundant or useless paperwork was given just the amount of attention it deserved, a condeming glance and a dismissive toss into the fire. Every so often the Princess would set aside a specific paper.
Hours seemed to pass as the alicorn flung sheet after sheet of paper into the fire with gleeful malice.
This routine was broken when she heard a papery thwap directly behind her.
Freezing in place, Luna cautiously turned an ear behind her before the rest of her head joined it. Her mostly empty office greeted her, with a single white rectangle laying conspicuously on the floor between her desk and her fireplace. The alicorn squinted her eyes, and she thought she could see...
"Princess! Report from the Manehattan Civic Guard!" Luna felt her concentration shatter when the Night Guard burst into the office. Her eyes twitched to regard him, but in that minuscule space of time whatever presence she had detected had faded away. With a sigh, the night princess leveled her gaze towards the intruding guardspony.
"Lieutenant, this report had best be very, very important to justify barging into ou-," Luna paused and sighed, composing herself and shifting her syntax into the modern age. "My private office. I have no patience for yet another fumbling excuse for a so-called officer's incompetence."
The guard saluted, weathering his princess' venomous glare with the stoic patience characteristic of a veteran Royal guard. His horn lit up and a small slip of yellow paper floated towards Luna's desk. "A top priority telegraph from Manehatten Civil Guard HQ. For your eyes only, your Highness."
Luna raised an inquisitive eyebrow, dismissing the guard with a wave of her hoof while magically slipping the message from its unassuming envelope.
++ UNKNOWN AIR VESSEL DOWNED SW OF MANEHATTEN STOP ++
++ PRELIMINARY INSPECTION OF SITE SIMILAR TO BRIDLE POINT INCIDENT STOP ++
++ REQUESTING AID FROM RIIS STOP ++
Slowly the telegraph floated down onto the desk, but its recipient was already in motion.
As Luna ran through the halls of her castle, bellowing orders to any and all her Guard, her office sat empty. Silence reigned but for the crackle and pop of the fire. Then an unseen force lifted the telegraph, careful not to warp the paper in its grasp. After a few seconds of hesitation, or perhaps consideration, the message was gently returned to the desk. One report among the thousands of unread documents was delicately extracted from its fellows, folded into quarters, and vanished into the air.
C(X)M
Equestrian Wilderness: 7:03 Local time; 20:49 Operations time. Local Date Undetermined. Operations Date 0-06-00. Continued observation - Bodhisattva Manjusri.
The crash site was a total mess.
Fallen trees lay haphazardly across the scorched battlefield, smoldering fires and dried, splattered fluids added color to the silent forest. A trail of shattered stumps and scarred earth lead to the newly created clearing where something big, and heavy, had crashed into the earth.
All around, ponies serving in the Equestrian Royal Intelligence and Investigations Service swarmed the site. Samples were being taken, patterns were being studied, and witnesses were being interviewed. Unicorn, pegasi, and earth pony experts were busy cataloging every out-of-place leaf and twig they spotted. The painstaking process had been going on since before dawn and showed no signs of stopping, requiring the Guards protecting the parameter to send a few flights to Manehattan to retrieve coffee and pastries to fuel the investigators in their quest for answers.
Through all this, a very disgruntled and sleep-deprived Princess Luna sat on the sidelines, watching the bustle from a hastily-raised tent and feeling completely unnecessary. She knew better than to make a nuisance of herself, walking into the site to search herself would only tread on the hooves of ponies trying to do their job. So she sat, waiting and watching, while each piece of evidence was found, collected, and given a basic analysis.
"Run me through our current timeline again," Luna said to the unicorn to her left as another piece of discolored wood was added to a growing pile outside the tent by cautious hooves.
Point-of-Fact, RIIS Special Agent and the leader of the team combing the site, nodded and adjusted his spectacles. He turned his attention back to the portable chalkboard/corkboard filling the back half of the tent. A rough timeline had been sketched on the black slate. Lines and circles of colored chalk highlighted the events, connecting them to field notes pinned messily to the corkboard.
"Yesterday afternoon a lone cargo drafter on this road witnessed a crash. According to him, the aircraft in question was about the size of an airborne yacht and was accompanied by another aircraft of approximately the same size. A third, larger aircraft appeared shortly after." Point paused as a new note was added to the board, skimming the contents then marking it with a colored sticker.
"When the third aircraft arrived, it hovered in place for approximately five seconds and then took off at high speed. Our witness claims that the creatures that survived the crash came under assault by invisible forces shortly after."
Luna cast her gaze across the broken, burning battlefield. "From what we've been able to gather, both of these combatants used some form of high-energy spell to do combat," Point removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes before continuing, "but our own detection spells and equipment have found no spikes or valleys in the local field. Whatever they used must be incredibly efficient."
"Or magic was not involved at all." Luna crushed her empty coffee cup and hurled it into the garbage can. "Neither option fills me with optimism, Agent. We may be facing a crisis beyond what we have overcome in the recent past."
The Special Agent turned his head away from the timeline board and joined his Princess in her survey of the crash sight. "I doubt anything can be worse than Tirek, your Highness."
"Tirek was a lone being. Powerful and dangerous, yes, but he could only do so much damage alone. He only became a true threat after teaming up with Discord, and even then the fool cut his ties with his ally once he believed the draconequis had no further advantage to offer him." Frowning, the Princess swept her right hoof over the landscape before her. "Cast your eye around this devastation, take it and our evidence into account, and what do we find?"
Point-of-Fact did as he was bid, although he did not see much of a point. The combatants had left too little behind for him to make any conclusions, yet.
At the agent's silence, Luna continued, "Take the whole into account, Special Agent. Both forces use ranged weapons. The crash's survivors took defensive positions behind the fallen trees and brush as soon as they knew they were under assault. Their attackers approached from uphill, were the cover is thickest and their lines of sight were clearest. Every combatant was constantly repositioning themselves throughout the battle, seeking maximum advantage against the enemy. And after the attackers claimed victory?" A silver-shod hoof thrust in the direction of the deep gouge carved by the crashed airship, now ominously empty. "They immediately recovered what spoils they could from the field and disappeared before any local response was marshaled. Every corpse, every scrap and fragment of equipment, scoured from the scene in under an hour ."
"Leaving us with nothing but an empty and scarred battlefield," Point responded, replacing his spectacles and looking back at their gathered observations and evidence. "How does this indicate a threat to Equestria?"
"Two forces, undoubtably military in nature. Both are well organized, well trained, and equipped with technology and techniques we do not understand. Their transports can travel at speeds impossible for our own airships to achieve, and they have the means and motives to swiftly obscure their presence and abilities from us. Indeed, we are lucky to have found what we have here." Luna craned her neck down to the unicorn's level, fixing him with a stare that was equal parts stern, frightened, and determined. "How many of these engagements have taken place were we could not witness them? How many small, isolated settlements were taken, left empty, before whichever of these two organizations decided to abduct Bridle Point? Now that we know, how can we even begin to respond to them?"
Palling at the implications, Point-of-Fact turned his attention to the marked topographical map laid on a nearby table. In his imagination he saw a map of Equestria, littered with markings indicating crash sights, abducted towns, and hidden bases. "We are being invaded. We are being invaded by two unknown, technically and strategically superior forces with equally unknown motivations."
"Exactly," was the Princess's solemn response.
Trying his best to keep his legs from shaking, the unicorn looked up the his sovereign. "What do we do?"
Luna's own fear beat strongly in her heart, but it was dwarfed by the fiery determination she held. "What we can."
Again, a messenger appeared to shatter the privacy of Luna's moment. This time it was a welcome interruption, as an earth mare bounded up with a deer-like gait and eyes bright with excitement. "Princess! Boss! We found something!"
C(X)M
Ponyville: 10:22 Local Time; 21:16 Operations Time; Local Date Undetermined; Operations Date 0-06-00; Continued Observation - Subject Apples, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
Twilight's wings fidgeted as she approached Fluttershy's cottage alongside Applejack. "I'm sure she's fine AJ. I know it's a little sudden, but it's not like she's become a completely different pony overnight."
"Ah know yah think so, Twi, but yah didn't see her yesterday. Somethin' about this whole thing's fishy, Ah know it." The farmer didn't even pause for a second, stepping up to the cottage door and knocking smartly. When Twilight fidgeted again, AJ lifted an eyebrow in her direction. "Somethin' botherin' yah Twilight? Ye're twitchin' like a squirrel after a double shot of expresso."
The alicorn nodded, stomping her back left hoof in agitation. "I've had this weird feeling all day. It woke me up a whole hour early, and ever since then everything's felt… I don't know? Off? Like there's a new piece of furniture in the room and it doesn't quite fit in, or a frame that tilted while all the others are level?"
A humble earth pony, Applejack would never really admit that she had a certain sensitivity to her environment. It served her well on the farm, cluing her in to certain issues before they became a problem too big for her to solve. She had long ago learned to trust her instincts, and she had a feeling that Twilight's intuition was not something to brush off.
Unfortunately, there was plenty of things that her friend's intuition could be locking in on.
"Could be the megalomaniacal unicorn yah just moved into yer castle," AJ pointed out. "Or the little nephew or niece on the way, or the hundreds of other things that are begging yer attention now that ye're a princess."
"Starlight isn't a megalomaniac, she is just a misguided pony who needs to learn what true friendship feels like again," Twilight corrected, glaring at her friend. "One who we all agreed to help change her ways. In fact, weren't you one of the ones who first suggested we reform her?"
"Ah'm not sayin' Ah don't have mah doubts. Ah figured that between Discord an' that Sunset filly yah keep mention'n we got a good streak goin'. We should just keep a close eye on her, s'all Ah'm sayin'."
"Which is why I'm having her stay in my castle where Spike and I can watch her progress. I'm not ignorant of what we risk by her backsliding."
"Just stay on yer guard around her. Ah don't much care for how crafty she is." Silence hung between the two ponies for a few long moments, both watching the door to avoid the other's eyes while tempers cooled. Applejack coughed awkwardly and knocked on the cottage door again.
"Oh, and Cadance is doing just fine, by the way. She's at the tail end of the first phase and the doctors all say that her pregnancy is going perfectly." Twilight said, breaking the silence and hoping to begin a friendlier conversation.
"That right? Ah bet yer brother is pretty excited," the orange pony said with a knowing grin.
"Hah, you bet he is," Twilight smiled as she recalled the letters she received from her big brother the last few months. "And nervous, and worried about being a good father, and impatient to see the baby, and about a half-dozen other things."
"An how about yerself? Yah ready to be Auntie Twilight?"
Twilight's smile became slightly manic at the mention of the word. "Am I!? I've already set aside a room for her to stay in if I ever need to watch it for Shining and Cadence, I bought three sets of pajamas and blankets for it , coordinated for every possible gender and coloration combination it could have. That one took a while to research, because I don't know Cadence's biological family tree, but I was able to make a few educated guesses. Did you know that the gene for white fur is dominant in unicorns but recessive in pegasi? Of course, there's no telling how alicorn transformations affect genetic information, so for all we know the baby might be red and black! Which would of course be unfortunate for it, and I didn't take that into account. Oh, do you think I should get more blankets just in case?"
As the alicorn rambled on her friend could see the telltale signs of an 'episode' joining Twilight's already agitated body language. Acting decisively, AJ lifted a hoof to pat the purple princess on the back and pull her back down to earth. "Okay, girl, calm down. Ah'm sure that the baby ain't gonna be born with poka-dots or somethin' ridiculous like that."
Taking a deep calming breath, Twilight giggled a little at her own fears. The two enjoyed a companionable silence for about a minute. Then, with a twitch of her ear, Twilight came to a realization. "It's too quiet."
Applejack stood alert, realizing that while the normal sounds of the cottage's animal inhabitants still filled the grounds, there was none of the subtle indications of Fluttershy going about her day within. Perturbed, the earth pony knocked a third time on the cottage door, calling, "Fluttershy! It's Applejack and Twilight! Yah home?"
Twilight hummed, "That's strange, she's normally home at this hour."
Knocking again, measuring her strength and concern so she didn't pummel the door into splinters, Applejack turned her head toward her friend. "Now do yah see why Rarity and Ah were so worried?"
Halfway through voicing a platitude that she didn't really feel, Twilight jumped in surprise when one of the bushes separating the cottage grounds from the surrounding woodlands began shaking vigorously. Both ponies instantly went on guard, ready to fight and flee if one of Fluttershy's Everfree "neighbors" had decided to come calling.
Instead of a wild pony-eating monster, what jumped out of the bush was much less dangerous but just as concerning.
"Angel?" Twilight gasped in surprise as the panicking rabbit made a beeline for the ponies, panting from exertion and squealing his little heart out.
"What's wrong lil' fella?" Applejack said, lifting a hoof out of the way as Angel ran about her and Twilights leg's, desperately trying to get their attention. Grabbing her right foreleg, the rabbit squeaked and squealed while frantically waving a paw towards the dark forest he had just emerged from.
"Is Fluttershy in there?" Twilight asked incredulously, prompting the rabbit to nod vigorously and scamper towards the forest edge, beaconing them to follow. After a moment's hesitation the two grimaced but galloped after Angel, running pell-mell through the forest. Luckily they did not have to go far.
A short distance away, in a rare clearing of green grass, a yellow and pink figure lay unconscious. Applejack immediately ran to Fluttershy's side, while Twilight turned head and horn towards the woods behind them. Her horn simmered with a Crystal Prison spell, ready in case one of the forest's savage inhabitants came to investigate. The last time she had let her guard down in the Everfree she had been petrified by a cockatrice, and she was not about to let that happen again. "Applejack is she…"
"She's breathin'," Applejack assured in a steady voice, "an' unharmed, s'far as Ah can reckon. Out cold." Angel walked up to the unconscious pegasus' head, patting her eyes and muzzle in an effort to awaken his master. "Ah'll try to wake her up."
"Hurry," the alicorn responded. Her eyes and ears constantly scanned the woods, twitching with each small noise, wings spread and ready to carry her away.
"Fluttershy," Applejack called gently into the pegasus's ear. She began to rock the back of her friend with a gentle but firm grip, trying to rouse her. "C'mon girl, this ain't the time or place for a nap."
"Hm?" Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them with her hooves in an effort to clear her blurry vision. "Applejack? Oh, I'm sorry. I was gathering some flowers in the backyard. I must have dosed off."
Relieved that her friend was okay, Applejack leaned her side against Fluttershy's, helping the other pony to her hooves. "Darlin', ah don't know if yah dozed off in yer yard or not but we sure ain't there right now."
Fluttershy gazed at the farmer in sleepy confusion for a moment before she saw where she was. Spiking adrenalin brought her to full wakefulness. "The Everfree Forest? Oh no, we need to get out of here." The yellow pony was about to bolt when she suddenly froze, gaping at an unseen sight behind Applejack. "Goodness!"
Slowly, lest she startle whatever was behind her, the earth pony turned her eyes in the same direction. Disbelief hit her square in the face, stunning her for a few seconds before she called out. "Twilight, yah better take a look at this."
Still watchful, Twilight turned around. The sight she saw broke her concentration, her ready spell fizzling out on her horn. "What the?"
One side of the clearing had been cleared, opening an additional hundred feet to the meadow. The thick and oppressive vegetation of the Everfree had been thoroughly scoured from the area, leaving only a short carpet of new grass and an astonishing number of tree stumps. Each tree had been cut down to the same hight, a bare three inches above the dirt, with such incredible precision it seemed as though a giant saw had swung through the forest. In the center of the clearing was a pile of burned lumber. Applejack's eyes widened as she recognized one of the leafless twigs still intact amongst the ash. "Holy moly, those were timberwolves!"
"What could have done this?" Twilight couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and fear at this sight. But when Fluttershy began to whimper and tremble, she came to her senses. "We need to investigate, but later. Now let's get out of here."
"Yah don't gotta tell me twice." Applejack turned back towards the cottage, gently turning the trembling pegasus away from the devastated grove. "C'mon sugarcube, let's get yah home."
C(X)M
Morpheus Base. 1:43 Operations Time. Operations Date 0-07-00. Alien Containment (Haven Variant), Level 2, section 4.
Clear Strike glared at her meal.
She reminded herself that it wasn't their fault. Her captors were aliens. They didn't have any idea what she normally ate. If she was honest with herself, it was probably impossible for them to just jaunt down to Baltimare and fetch her a nice, crisp, fresh watercress salad from Lockdown's cantina, with orange vinaigrette and spiced black beans. And a pint of ale.
If she was honest, she was lucky that they were feeding her at all. They could have just zapped her with some kind of freaky 'nutrition beam' and called it good. Heck, they could have been vivisecting her instead of keeping her safe, cozy, and fed.
The problem was what they were feeding her. She didn't mind that what was on her plate equated to what she believed to be highly nutritious mush. It was about as bland as it could be, colorless, odorless, and tasting of slightly sweetened cardboard. None of that was what she had a problem with.
It looked like applesauce.
Clear Strike hated applesauce.
She would almost take vivisection over applesauce.
The problem was that she had little else to do right now than eat. She had talked herself in circles trying to logic her way out of her cell. When that had gotten boring, she had went to sleep on the strange, squishy cot in the corner of the room. After waking up she had poked around the cell trying to find out what it was made of. To her surprise, the desk by the window-mirror had some kind of touch sensitive device in the surface. It had some kind of display that let her move illusionary shapes around on the desk. If she moved the shapes in certain ways, things would happen. The whole thing seemed like a way for the aliens to test her intelligence.
In the interest of keeping herself sane, Clear decided to save her real investigation into what the desk could do until the boredom really set in.
She had turned the mirror into a window again a couple times to observe her observers. They where strange, but she could almost tell them apart by their mane styles and colors. She was about seventy percent certain there were five of them, but at least two of them looked almost identical. They both had dark brown hides with black hair, slender builds and strange bumps on the upper torso. The taller, broader ones seemed to be more focused on other things when she changed the mirror. The slender ones always waved those weird, fragile-looking hands at her.
Clear snapped out of her thoughts, reconsidering her meal. With a sigh and an aggressive shrug, she scarfed down the muck as quickly as she could. She resented every squishy, slightly grainy mouthful she managed to choke down. Finished, she turned her head to the mirror-window and stuck out her tongue while making a classic 'yucky' face.
"Bleh."
It made her feel like a foal, but it was the only way she could think of to communicate her distaste to her captors.
None like that food.
Clear jumped in place, sending her plate clattering off the desk.
"A voice in my head?" the unicorn asked herself. Confused, she looked across the other window into Guiding Star's cell. The pegasus was still unconscious and hooked up to alien medical equipment. "Yep, a voice in my head. I've gone crazy already, didn't take long at all. Guess it runs in the family."
Voice in your head, yes. Not yours. No crazy.
"Oh? Then where are you? Huh?"
Look up.
Clear did, finding the mirror shimmering into a window again. On the other side was another of the tall, broad kind of alien. It's mane was stark white, and it's eyes were glowing an unnatural dark purple color. Meeting Clear's eyes, it waved.
Hello.
The unicorn stood shock still. Part of her wanted to respond, contemplating the gravity of the situation she was in. Another, more logical part of her backed her away from the desk's edge so she wouldn't bash her head open on it when she fainted dead away.
Too much, too soon.
Yah think? she thought back at the creature before falling into unconsciousness.
C(X)M
To my fellow Princesses: Celestia, Bringer and Guardian of the Day, Keeper of Hopes; Mi Amore Cadenza, Heart of Light and Love, Keeper of the Crystal Heart; Twilight Sparkle, Bearer of Magic and Harmony, Bringer of Friendship.
It is with great trepidation I write you this missive. As the Commander and Chief of Equestria's Guard and Warden of the Night, a great and inevitable failure has fallen upon me and I fear our nation, and all the world, may suffer for it.
In response to the incident at Bridle Point and the crash south of Manehattan, my ponies and I have worked tirelessly to identify and respond to the unknown forces operating in our nation. In this, we have not yet failed. We have begun to identify and study what evidence has been left behind. The conclusion we have reached thus far are sobering, to say the least.
What we face is a war, not against ourselves or our country, but against two nations or organizations that far outstrip the nations of this world in technological might. Airships capable of covering hundreds of miles in minutes. Weapons capable of incredible and precise damage over long distances. We cannot hope to match either of these forces in conventional warfare, at the tactical or strategic level. We are simply outmatched.
My fear stems from the fact that one of these factions, or both, have designs on our little ponies. The disappearance of Bridle Point was unquestionably the work of these beings, and one of the hamlet's streets bears the unmistakable scars of their combat. Trapped between these two forces, we may be forced to stand against them for our very survival. It is not a war I believe we can win. Not as we are now.
My Sister, Dearest Niece, and Precious Friend, it pains me to advise this, but it is my firm belief that we must ready our nations for war. Bring all our resources to bear. Develop new weaponry and technology to aid our soldiers. Prepare fortifications and defenses. Stockpile supplies. Call on what allies we can. Our final hour may be before us.
Always yours Luna, Bringer and Warden of the Night, Keeper of Dreams, Commander-in-Chief of the Guard of Equestria.