New Friends and New Enemies

Chapter 2 Discoveries
Thanks to my Editor AdmKline

The group headed towards the billowing column of smoke with the pegasus stallion flying through the night air, pulling the carriage carrying Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew beside the carriage. When they arrived in the area the impact crater the smoke had started to settle down. The fires from the various bushes and trees had started to go out and the area was aglow with the eerie light cast from the flickering fires.

Looking around Twilight's horn glowed as she unleashed a magic spell which extinguished the fires. Her next spell produced an orb of glowing light over the entire area almost as bright as daylight, a spell she had been taught by Princess Luna.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy landed on a tree limb strong enough to hold them both that had escaped the burning of the forest. As they looked around, Fluttershy said "I wonder how many animals were hurt when this happened?" Turning to look at Rainbow Dash, she was shocked to see Pinkie Pie sitting right between them. Rainbow Dash was shocked as Pinkie looked at her and asked. "What?" With that typical smile on her face.

"Oh nothing," Dash said wondering as usual how Pinkie Pie was able to do things that made no sense such as getting on the tree limb without climbing the tree or getting around her to get between them. When she looked back at her friends she saw Pinkie Pie down there, gone from between the two pegasus ponies who looked at each other with wide eyes. Both of them wondering how she was able to do that.

Applejack was the first to notice the strange tracks leading away from the impact sight. Rarity and Twilight were hoof stepping around the impact crater which had to be over forty feet in diameter. Due to the heat of the impact they had to be careful stepping around as they looked for any signs of the object.

"Perhaps when it impacted it buried itself deep under ground," Rarity said trying to ignore as Pinkie Pie seemingly bounced around on various cool spots.

Twilight looked around noticing the length of the crater and working the details in her mind. She said "No... the impact trench would be much longer and the area around it would be more distorted." Moving around to the front of the impact area she said, "This area would also be pushed up and the ground broken," she explained as the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance, the flash of lightning hidden by Twilight's spell. It made the ponies jump as the stallion flared his wings some.

"Everypony over here. Tracks leading away from the impact sight I hadn't seen before, and tracks I would know anywhere."

As Twilight pointed them out she back tracked the odd footprints as Rarity said "The Cutie Mark Crusaders. I would know those shoes I made for Sweetie Belle anywhere." Rarity said referring to the stars in the hoof print of one of the three sets of tracks. Suddenly she was interrupted as the sound of thunder came much louder. The wind began to whip up as the ponies listened to Applejack.

"Looks like whatever came from the trench headed into the Everfree Forest...I think towards the old ruins." Living on a farm one of the things you pick up was tracking. More so when you have to worry about would be apple thieves or the occasional foal sneaking in for a snack. "Then....they came across the tracks and followed them into the forest."

"Oh so cool! Aliens from outer space! And they walk on two legs!" Pinkie Pie shouted out making everyone look at her. As absurd as her statement sounded it actually made sense. As the wind blew through her mane the first drops of rain began to fall. "Ack! Let's get out of this rain and back to Ponyville!"

Rainbow Dash was shocked that Pinkie would make such a statement, even as random as she was. No one thought it would be in her to suggest such a course of action. She swooped down to get in front of Pinkie and asked "How could you suggest leaving them out here following the trail of some unknown creature?"

Fluttershy had also been shocked enough to join the pink earth pony. She glided down on her soft yellow wings a touch too upset with Pinkie as she asked, "Why would you say such a thing?"

All Pinkie did was giggle as she said "Oh they are a lot safer then you were gonna be!" and just then came a blinding flash as a lightning bolt tore through the tree that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had been sitting it. The sound of the thunder and heat from the burning tree rose into the heavens, the wind blowing harder now as the rain continued to get stronger. The shock from the lightning made most of their manes all frizzled. Rarity looked at her tail and could feel her mane all poofed out.

"Alright we are returning to Canterlot,” the stallion reared up and said. “This storm is going to be much worse then usual." While the pegasus ponies did have ability to control weather, there were some areas known as the chaotic regions where it was impossible. The Everfree Forest was one such area.

They were all distracted by their thoughts when the stallion stomped his hooves once more as he flared his wings. “I said we are leaving.” As Twilight and her friends started to get into the carriage, Fluttershy said. "No, I'm staying here to look for them."

Rainbow Dash who was hovering above the carriage flew over to her friend. "Fluttershy you can't stay here you...."

"I'm what? Too scared? Too timid? Did you forget my home is on the edge of the Everfree Forest?" Fluttershy said as the wind seemed to calm down for a moment as if it might have been afraid of her.

But Rainbow Dash said, "Be careful Fluttershy. You fly into foolishness. But take care, I hope you find
them."

With Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack in the carriage the large stallion flared his wings and took off into the sky, heading back to Canterlot as quickly as they could.

Turning her head in the direction the of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' tracks Fluttershy headed off in pursuit of the strange creature. The sound of thunder erupted with the flash of lighting. She headed off into the Everfree Forest as she had done before. Granted that was often during the day, and not at night in a thunderstorm.

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He began moving through the forest as the rain started to come down. The trees of course added some shelter from the rain, while the flashes of lighting allowed additional illumination for him to see. The figure wore a massive overcoat, blackish armor plates covering the shoulders which attached to the strong synthetic material, protecting him from attacks to the side and back. His suit like the coat was black with various non reflective armor panels on it, as well as a sealed under-suit which kept him from contact from the external environment. Externally it gave him the appearance of a heavily armored figure. An armored helmet, also sealed, would protect him from head injury. The mask held two red lenses for the eyes which acted like a computer display, and gave him near perfect night vision allowing him to see in a number of modes. Normal vision, Thermal, Electromagnetic spectrum or EM mode, and what some called Tech vision. It allowed him to see the energy fields made by various fields of technology.

For the moment he was in Tech mode. It allowed him almost perfect night vision. He had his vision mods switching between Thermal and Tech every five to six seconds. He saw the world as a photo negative. Dark colors had become bright and bright colors were darkened. It allowed him to spot various forms of technology, mostly those that used electricity. Thermal images allowed him to see various heat signatures. The computer filtered out static objects like rocks toning down their brightness, and highlighted moving objects. He could make out various animals and was shocked at some of the
similarities to earth animals.

Shaking his head a few times he said, "Computer, run self bio scan. Determine location of minor concussion, impaired areas." He was sure it was in his memory or perception areas of the brain, but when it came back as the balance areas, he was very surprised. In the distance he could make out some ruins, which was around the location he had detected the needed materials. Stone by the look of it as the rain picked up and the weather turned for the worse. He moved under an area that seemed to be sheltered from the downpour.

His vision mode changed and he looked around seeing thermal images. He exhaled into the mask of his helmet. Like his body suit his mask kept his body isolated to prevent contamination of the environment. Almost all the germs, bacteria, and viruses transplanted from one planet to another were harmless. In order to be contagious, they had to have the same basic amino-acid base sequences. While the chances of him infecting the environment or the environment infecting him with something alien was almost impossible, there was still a chance that this world had a similarly structured amino-acid base that would make cross contamination possible. Given the similarity in plant life it was possible at least but in order to be sure he would need a blood sample from one of the local animals.

He heard the sound of something that was not wind or thunder. Lifting his rifle up, he heard the sound again as he moved around the tree changing his vision mode from Tech to EM, then to Thermal. He could see the clear outline of warm bodies moving in the forest. He wasn't sure if it was an animal tracking him or if someone was following him.

Taking cover behind the tree he changing his vision mode to Normal and improved the contrast and brightness. He watched the image and went wide eyed, as he said aloud.... "Did I make a blind jump into the Twilight Zone?" Blinking, he looked right in front of him at what he would consider three small horses, well ponies. The situation was made all the more strange when he saw one on what looked like a scooter, and two others in a wagon with the additional fact that the one on the scooter did not appear to have hands. He watched the small pony's back as it moved, almost shimmered as it appeared panicked. A flash of lightning startled the being and at that moment they fell over hitting the ground and landing in the mud. He winced as it seemed to have hit hard and watched its companions get out to help their friend. The fact that they were quadrupedal was all the more impressive.

That was when he noticed the finer details. The yellow pony with what looked like a pink mane and tail had a bow that was on the back of her head, despite the fact she was soaking wet. The other two actually made him step into the open to get a better look. Having forgotten himself he looked at the white pony which had a pink or purple mane and tail and on its forehead was a growth. The cameras zoomed in and he identified it as a horn. It had a unicorn's horn? Looking at the one who had been pulling the scooter he just stared at them while standing out in the open as he identified wings. It looked like a pegasus. It looked as if two legendary creatures right out of myth were real. His words came out aloud, almost in a shout... "Who let the door to the Twilight Zone open?" His words drew the attention of the three creatures just as a flash of lightning lit up the area allowing them to get a very good look of him standing there holding a strange device in one hand with something on his back.

The three creatures stared wide eyed and then took off screaming, jumping up as they ran down the path he had been following to the ruins and leaving behind the scooter and wagon they had been on. It dawned on him he had left himself out in the open allowing himself to be seen. Which...complicated things. All he could do was groan, watching them head to the ruins where he had been intending to investigate. Which... further complicated things.

Once they were out of sight he heard a sound that to him mean trouble...the roar of what he took as a large predatory beast. Lifting his weapon he took off after the three beings. He had caused this situation and couldn't in good conscience simply let them die. Even if it was to protect himself.

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Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle ran through the mud in the forest.

"I told you this wasn't a good idea!" Apple Bloom said.

"Shut up and run you two!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

"What was that thing?" Scootaloo cried out. The three had not been this scared since Nightmare Moon appeared. They were shocked to see some tall strange creature standing on two legs shaped with red glowing eyes. Moments later they ran smack into a manticore. Already in a foul mood due to the impact in the forest as well as the thunderstorm it made its displeasure known as it roared out in rage. The three Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed out as they ran towards the ruins they saw in the distance. Thankfully they had small size on their side. They were able to run through the underbrush while the manticore had to lumber around trees and boulders.

As the trio got into the ruins they attempted to run to a doorway they managed to spot during a flash of lightning. Their hooves clipped and clopped as they ran. The only problem was they were now in the open. The ruins of the castle allowed the manticore to jump, spreading its wings and with one powerful flap landed right in front of them bringing all three to skidding halt. Attempting to recover the three headed to what looked like safety. They dashed around a corner only to run into a dead end. Skidding to a halt as they came to the wall the trio turned to watch in horror as the manticore rounded the corner, baring his teeth and roaring like a trumpet.

As the three huddled together with their eyes locked on the creature they failed to notice a figure approaching. Suddenly a small can like object landed right under the manticore which then burst open. A large cloud of white smoke enveloped the creature making it lash out as it attempted to clear what had obscured its vision and sense of smell. At that point there was a noise that sounded like fireworks going off as the manticore reacted as if it had been hit with several objects.

The sound had broken their paralysis. They watched with shock and terror as the figure that they had seen in the forest appeared. The strange object it carried issued a series of flashes of light and a sound similar to fireworks. Each flash made the manticore react as if it was in pain. Turning to face the creature the manicore turned its displeasure to the creature, leaping at the figure as it moved away attempting to lure the monster away from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The creature ran, not as fast as a pony could have but it was able to avoid the impact. Apple Bloom watched as the creature threw something down at the ground. It clinked and clanked, rolling under the manitcore before exploding in a white cloud of smoke.

Scootaloo realized that this creature had saved them when they were trapped. Sadly the manticore refused to be drawn away. The creature once more turned the strange object it carried on the manticore and a rapid series of flashes of lights and fireworks sounds. Blood burst from the side of the manticore and they realized the strange object was some sort of weapon. Turning its full fury at the creature the manticore roared out and pounced as the creature rolled forward under it. When the manticore landed it lashed out with its tail, slamming into the creature and sending him flying into the same dead end where the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been trapped. The force of the blow when it impacted the wall caused it to break right through the crumbling structure and into a dark chamber that began to collapse inside.

The trio looked at the manticore that had started to return. Confronted with a choice of diving into the dark hole and staying to be eaten by the hungry manticore. the Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped through the hole. As their eyes adjusted to the darkness they could see a massive chamber with a green glow in the distant. The floor looked even and solid. They were approaching the prone body of the creature when they heard the sound of the manticore ripping open the stone hole so it could enter, bringing down a large portion of the chamber wall and roof.

The clouds parted as the moon's light shone into the chamber showing it to be circular. The floor appeared to hold a massive map of Equestria with a pedestal in the middle of it. Resting in the pedestal was a green bladed sword. The growl of the manticore attracted their attention and they backed away.

The creature began to rise and look around. The strange object it had used was well out of reach on the other side of the manticore. It suddenly turned to grab hold of the sword from the pedestal. The sound of scraping metal echoed in the chamber as the blade surged with a green light. Various braziers on stands circling the chamber ignited giving them plenty of light to see.

The creature instantly came between the manticore and the fillies as they backed away, holding the blade at the ready to receive the manticore's next attack. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle realized at that moment that the creature was trying to protect them from harm so they did what they could to just back away giving the creature a chance to do just that without getting in the way. The blade as it held it seemed to have a green gem in the hilt that glowed and pulsed. The blade flowed a green energy wrapping around the creature and Sweetie Belle could feel the magic of the blade around the creature. Moments later the green aura started to form what looked like additional armor over the creature. Brown tones could be seen with forest green plates and spikes.

The manticore seemed a bit uncertain of this new enemy as the light shined. It began moving backwards as the creature started moving forward to make it move away from the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Finally the manticore left through the hole it had made. Once its retreat was complete the aura from the blade stopped and the semi transparent armor vanished as the creature collapsed to the ground on its knees. The breathing of the creature was heavy and ragged. The sword was set down on the ground as the creature slowly started to rise up, turning around and slowly started to approach the three fillies.

Apple Bloom swallowed hard as she said in a shaky soft voice... "um...thank you for protecting us."

What she had thought was the face of the creature now that it could be seen clearly was some sort of armored mask. Over where she guessed the mouth was was some sort of cover with a set of tubes running out the sides behind and under some sort of coat or jacket. At first they had thought that it had wings. The creature made noise, but if it was speaking it was gibberish to them.

"Um... I don't think it speaks our language," Sweetie Belle said.

Scootaloo watched with fear as it approached very slowly showing the palms of its hands, showing it was not armed. Still she shuddered when it pointed to her front leg. Looking down she could see that there was a cut on her leg, fairly deep as blood slowly came from the injury. At that point the pain had hit her and she felt the burning throbbing as she sank to her belly. The creature came up to them as Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had stood up protectively over Scootaloo. Scootallo may have gotten them into trouble more then they would have liked, but they would still fight for her.

Slowly the creature reached out to take the injured hoof of Scootaloo in its hand as the other hand was brought up over the wound area. A series of red lights from the palm of the hand began flashing over the gash in her leg. The red light kept flashing for a short while as her leg was tenderly set down. After the creature got on its knees they saw it reach under its overcoat to pull out a red box. It had a white square on it with a red cross in the middle. In the middle of that red cross was what looked a staff with wings and a pair of snakes coiled around it looking at each other.

When the box was opened it pulled out a package then carefully opened it to produce a thick pad. Holding the pad in part of the package it gently took hold of Scootaloo's injured leg and holding the pad slowly brought it to the wound. The other two fillies realized the creature was attempting to help. They simple nodded as Scootaloo cried out when it was placed on her leg over the gash. It was held in place tenderly as it pulled out another package and with one hand opening it produced a bandage. With a gentle hand it wrapped around to hold the pad in place. Once it was sure it was in place it stood up and began to move away to retrieve the strange object it had used to try and fend off the manticore. After shaking it and rattling it, part of the device came out. It was taken hold of placed under the overcoat and it was replaced.

Now that the immediate cause of their fear was gone the three fillies could focus on something else besides running. Their strength was sapped, they were soaking wet, very cold, and up well past their bed times. The three of them huddled close to each other shivering. The creature noticed it as it approached them, setting that strange object on the ground. The creature took off the overcoat and started to wrap it around the three of them. Being as small as they were to this creature that towered over them the coat wrapped around them and it was nice and warm. The fires in the room began to die slowly and they went out one by one. The creature placed the strange object on its back and went to retrieve the sword. As the exhaustion of the night's excitement over came them Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were unable to stay away. The Cutie Mark Crusaders saw the creature standing by the hole in the chamber watching and guarding over the three. They could not help but fall off to sleep.